Association of interleukin-10 promoter region polymorphisms with risk factors of Atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is considered as an inflammatory disease, and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid plaque are generally used as intermediated phenotype of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether carotid IMT and plaque are associated with promoter region polymorphisms of interleukin 10 (IL-10) gene. We recruited 135 subjects from a rural area of south-eastern part of South Korea. Three polymorphisms in the promoter region of IL-10 (-1082 A/G, -819 T/C and -592 A/C) were genotyped by pyrosequencing. Carotid IMT was measured at common carotid arteries, and carotid bulbs and cardiovascular risk factors such as cholesterol, blood pressure, uric acid and homocysteine were measured using blood samples. Subjects with the minor allele (C) of -819 T/C or the minor allele (C) of -592 A/C showed lower values in carotid IMT than those with major allele homozygote of each polymorphism (P = 0.018 and P = 0.031, respectively). Subjects with carotid plaque were significantly older and showed higher values in carotid IMT, uric acid and homocysteine than those without plaque (P < 0.01, respectively). In conclusion, the promoter region polymorphisms of IL-10 gene associate with carotid IMT and plaque. Further studies with larger samples are needed to provide stronger evidence to justify anti-atheromatous properties of IL-10.

Effects of sprint interval training on elite Judoists.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sprint interval training (SIT) compared to control group (CG). 29 Judoists were assigned to SIT group (n=11, age 20.00±1.10 years) and CG (n=18, age 19.94±1.16 years). There were no significant changes in body fat and aerobic performance (VO2max, HRmax, and HR after Judo match) after 4 and 8 weeks. However, anaerobic peak power and mean power in SIT group was significantly increased by 16% and 17% at 4 weeks and by 17% and 22% at 8 weeks compared to baseline values (p<0.05). At 8 weeks, blood lactate concentration after graded exercise was significantly decreased in SIT group compared to CG after 10 and 15 min of recovery (p< 0.05). After Judo match, triglyceride and epinephrine were significantly increased in CG compared to SIT group (p<0.05) at 4 and 8 weeks. Otherwise, there were no significant changes of total cholesterol, albumin, FFA, and norepinephrine in both groups. We suggested that SIT program for elite Judoists would be effective to increase anaerobic power in a short period during off-season training.

Degradation of organic dye using zero-valent iron prepared from by-product of pickling line.

In this study, zero-valent iron (ZVI) was produced using iron oxide that is a by-product of a pickling line at a steel works. The reaction activity of the produced ZVI was evaluated through a series of decomposition experiments of Orange II aqueous solution. The size of ZVI particles increased with reduction temperature due to coalescence. Correspondingly, the specific surface area of ZVI decreased with increasing reduction temperature. The decomposition efficiency of synthesized ZVI particles was higher at a lower pH. In particular, no significant decomposition reaction was observed at pH of 4 and higher. The rate of the ZVI-assisted decomposition of Orange II was increased by addition of H2O2 at pH of 3, whereas it was reduced by addition of H2O2 at a higher pH of 6. Nevertheless, simultaneous use of ZVI, UV and H2O2 led to a considerable increase in the decomposition rate even at a high pH condition (pH = 6).

Adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix: ultrasonographic findings in 11 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ultrasonographic features of adenoma malignum, a minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix. METHODS: Eighteen consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed adenoma malignum were enrolled in this study at two institutions. Preoperative ultrasound examination was performed and the results were available in 11 patients. We analyzed retrospectively the gray-scale ultrasound findings for the following morphologic characteristics: cervical enlargement, as well as size, location and ultrasonographic characteristics of lesions. In five patients we also evaluated Doppler features with regard to intralesional vascularity. RESULTS: The cervix was enlarged in 73% (8/11) of cases. The mean greatest tumor diameter was 4.2 (range, 2.5-6.8) cm. In five (45%) cases, the cervix was completely infiltrated by the tumor. At gray-scale ultrasound examination, three (27%) tumors were multilocular lesions, four (36%) were multilocular lesions with solid components and four (36%) were solid lesions. In the multilocular lesions with or without a solid component, locules tended to be 1 cm or less in average diameter (86%, 6/7 cases) and there tended to be 11-20 in number (57%, 4/7 cases). In most (57%, 4/7) cases the locular fluid was homogeneously hypoechoic. Most (75%, 3/4) solid lesions manifested heterogeneous echogenicity. The five (100%) tumors examined with Doppler manifested moderate or abundant color content on color or power Doppler. CONCLUSIONS: Adenoma malignum can appear sonographically as solid, multilocular and multilocular solid cervical lesions. Awareness of its clinical and ultrasonographic features might improve diagnosis before surgery.

Validity and reliability of shuttle-run test in Korean adults.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate equations of Leger (E1, 1988) and Brewer (E2, 1988) to predict VO (2max) in Korean adults (158 men and 155 women), and reliability tests were randomly conducted among men ( N=90) and women (n=29) in addition to VO (2max) measurements during a graded exercise treadmill test. Both equations significantly underestimated VO (2max) compared to those from the treadmill test ( P<0.01). A strong intra-class correlation between the treadmill result and 20 m shuttle run test was detected (0.86-0.94, P<0.001). 95 percentile limit of agreement of absolute difference in E1 and E2 in both genders were mostly larger than results from the treadmill test. There was a strong correlation between laboratory test and retest but testing hypothesis of equality of means in men showed significant bias ( P=0.003), except difference between test and retest in women ( P=0.05). The test and retest of the upper and lower of absolute difference ± 95% limit of agreement were -4.86 to -19.05 (men) and 13.61 to 27.91 (women). In conclusion, their equations, based on the results, should not be applied for predicting VO (2max) in Korean adults.

A case of right renal infarction and subcapsular hematoma that simultaneously developed after cardiac angiography.

Of the several complications known to develop after cardiac catheterization, simultaneous acute renal infarction and renal subcapsular hematoma is rare. Here, the authors report a case of acute renal infarction with subcapsular hematoma that developed 4 hours after cardiac catheterization.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase A1298C genotypes are associated with the risks of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and chronic myelogenous leukaemia in the Korean population.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a key enzyme involved in folate metabolism, DNA methylation and synthesis. We investigated the association between MTHFR polymorphisms and the risks of acute and chronic leukaemias. MTHFR C677T and A1298C were genotyped in 396 Korean individuals using multiplex polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment-length polymorphism. They were acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL, n = 89), acute myeloid leukaemia (AML, n = 55), biphenotypic acute leukaemia (n = 12), chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML, n = 40), and normal controls (n = 200). C677T genotypes were not associated with the risk of each disease. A1298C variants, however, significantly decreased the risks of ALL and CML compared with 1298AA. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of 1298AC and 1298AC + CC were 0.53 (0.31-0.93) and 0.54 (0.31-0.93) in ALL, and 0.34 (0.14-0.80) and 0.40 (0.18-0.89) in CML, respectively, compared with 1298AA. These findings demonstrate that the development of ALL and CML is more dependent on folate status, and more susceptible to DNA instability than that of AML. In addition, A1298C rather than C677T may be a more important genetic risk modifier in leukaemogenesis at least in the Korean population.

Protein 4.1 deficiency and deletion of chromosome 20q are associated with acquired elliptocytosis in myelodysplastic syndrome.

We report a case of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), associated with prominent elliptocytosis. A 66-year-old male presented with peripheral pancytopenia, and was diagnosed with MDS [refractory anaemia (RA)]. Apart from marked elliptocytosis, dyshaematopoietic features were not evident in his peripheral blood or hypercellular bone marrow. After 18 months, he had progressed to RA with excess blasts in transformation. Analysis of red blood cell membrane proteins by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed a reduced quantity of protein 4.1 (30% of control). Deletion of chromosome 20q was identified by conventional cytogenetic analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Marked elliptocytosis, persistent for more than 17 months, decreased strikingly after chemotherapy with idarubicin and Ara-C. These findings suggest that acquired elliptocytosis occurred as an unusual morphological feature of MDS, associated with abnormalities of protein 4.1 and chromosome 20q.

Effect of etomidate on endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine in rat aorta.

The goals of this in vitro study were to investigate effects of etomidate on endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine in rat aorta, and to elucidate the associated cellular mechanism. In endothelium-intact rings precontracted with phenylephrine 10(-6) M, dose-response curves for acetylcholine (10(-9) to 10(-5) M) and calcium ionophore (10(-9) to 10(-6) M) were generated in the presence and absence of etomidate (5 x10(-6) 10(-5) M). In endothelium-intact or -denuded rings precontracted with phenylephrine 10(-6) M, sodium nitroprusside (10(-9) to 10(-6) M) dose-response curves were generated in the presence and absence of etomidate (10(-5)M). Etomidate (5 x10(-6), 10(-5)M) produced a significant rightward shift in the dose-response curves induced by acetylcholine (receptor-mediated endothelium-dependent agonist) and calcium ionophore A23187 (non receptor-mediated endothelium-dependent agonist). Etomidate (10(-5)M) had no effect on sodium nitroprusside (endothelium-independent nitric oxide donor)-induced vasorelaxant response in both endothelium-intact and -denuded rings. These results indicate that etomidate at clinically relevant concentrations attenuates endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by acetylcholine by an acting at a site distal to the endothelial muscarinic receptor, but proximal to guanylate cyclase activation of vascular smooth muscle in rat aorta.

Overexpression of p16INK4A and p14ARF in haematological malignancies.

Two proteins, p16INK4A and p14ARF, originating from the same gene locus CDKN2A, use different promoters and alternative reading frames. p16INK4A is translated from alpha transcript and p14ARF is from beta transcript. These two proteins, which are inactivated in some human malignancies, are possible tumour suppressor candidates. In this study, we investigated the expression of p16INK4A and p14ARF mRNAs in haematological malignancies. We studied eight normal bone marrow samples, three reactive granulocytic hyperplasia patients, and 21 haematological malignancy patients, including seven acute myelogenous leukaemia, four acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, five myelodysplastic syndrome, five chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML). p16INK4A and p14ARF mRNA expression was assayed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Normal bone marrows and reactive granulocytic hyperplasia showed barely detectable expression of either mRNA. In contrast, p16INK4A and p14ARF mRNA expression was abnormally increased in patients with haematological malignancies. Especially in CML, overexpression of p16INK4A and p14ARF mRNAs was more frequent than in controls (80 and 60%, respectively, P < 0.05). In conclusion, p16INK4A and p14ARF mRNA expression was frequently increased in haematological malignancies, especially in CML. We suggest that overexpression of these mRNAs may be related to the pathogenesis of haematological malignancies.

Increased frequencies of glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1 and GSTT1) gene deletions in Korean patients with acquired aplastic anemia.

Patients with reduced ability to metabolize environmental carcinogens or toxins may be at risk of developing aplastic anemia. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) has been implicated in detoxifying mutagenic electrophilic compounds. This study asked whether the homozygous gene deletions of GSTM1 and GSTT1 affect the likelihood of developing aplastic anemia. The incidence of GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletions was significantly higher for aplastic anemia patients (odds ratio [OR]: 3.1, P =.01 and OR: 3.1, P =.004, respectively) than for healthy controls. Among the aplastic anemia patients, 17.5% (10:57) had chromosomal abnormalities at the time of diagnosis, and all aplastic anemia patients with chromosomal abnormalities showed GSTT1 gene deletions (P =.048). Individuals with GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletions may have greater susceptibility to aplastic anemia. It is possible that genetic instability or chromosomal damage due to abnormal detoxification of environmental toxins might have worked as an important pathophysiologic mechanism of aplastic anemia for patients with GSTT1 gene deletions.

Removal of unburned carbon from coal fly ash using a pneumatic triboelectrostatic separator.

A pneumatic triboelectrostatic beneficiation system of fly ash was studied using a continuous, bench-scale electroseparator composed of two vertical electrode plates and an ejector-tribocharger. Tests were conducted to evaluate the charge density and the separation efficiency at various operating conditions. It was found that the higher charge densities were obtained at (1) the air flow rate of 1.75 m3/min. (2) the feed rate of less than 50 kg/h. and (3) the relative humidity of less than 30% with use of a stainless ejector tribocharger. With these optimum conditions, the clean ash of less than LOI 3% was recovered with a yield over 75% when operated at the diffuser slit gap of 4mm, the diffuser outlet velocity of 16.1-18.6 m/s, and the distance of 15 cm between diffuser slit and splitter. The optimum feed rate was found to be 740 kg/h per m2 of electrode surface area, which can be used as a scale-up factor of electroseparator.

Ovarian sclerosing stromal tumors: gray scale and color Doppler sonographic findings.

Sclerosing stromal tumors are rare benign ovarian stromal tumors, which have distinctive clinical and pathologic features. The tumors occur predominantly in the second and third decades and are histologically characterized by the pseudolobular pattern of the cellular and hypocellular areas, marked vascularity, and heterogeneity of the cellular area. We analyzed 7 cases of sclerosing stromal tumors, which showed a typical sonographic appearance. On sonograms, sclerosing stromal tumors were solid and cystic and contained multiple round or cleftlike cysts. Ascites was rare. On transvaginal color Doppler sonograms, sclerosing stromal tumors were very hypervascular in the peripheral solid area and internal intercystic space and showed low-impedance flow. We conclude that sclerosing stromal tumors should be considered in young women with menstrual irregularity who have hypervascular solid and cystic adnexal masses.

Korean Nationwide Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance of Bacteria in 1998.

Antimicrobial resistance surveillance can provide information needed for empirical therapy of antimicrobial agents and for control of resistance. To determine the trend of antimicrobial resistance in Korea, in vitro susceptibility data in 1998 were collected from 25 hospitals participating to a program of Korean Nationwide Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance (KONSAR). The data were analyzed based upon hospital location and bed capacity. The results showed that cefoxitin-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae and 3rd-generation cephalosporin-resistant K. pneumoniae were prevalent, that 3rd-generation cephalosporin-resistant E. cloacae, S. marcesens and A. baumannii had increased, and ampicillin-resistant S. enterica were not rare. Oxacillin-resistant S. aureus, penicillin-non-susceptible pneumococci and beta-lactamase-producing H. influenzae were prevalent even smaller hospitals surveyed, and an increase of imipenem-resistant P. aeruginosa and vancomycin-resistant E. faecium is a new obvious threat. In general, resistance rates to some old antimicrobial agents, i.e., E. coli to ampicillin and S. aureus to oxacillin were high and did not vary greatly between the different levels of hospitals, while the rates to some of the newer ones, i.e., P. aeruginosa to imipenem, was quite variable and depended on the hospitals, probably reflecting difference in selective pressure.

Two critical cysteine residues implicated in disulfide bond formation and proper folding of Kir2.1.

Inwardly rectifying potassium channels are important in cellular repolarization of many excitable tissues. Amino acid sequence alignment of different mammalian inward rectifier K(+) channels revealed two absolutely conserved cysteine residues in the putative extracellular face, suggesting a possible disulfide bond. Replacement of these cysteine residues in the Kir2.1 channel (i.e., C122 and C154) with either alanine or serine abolished current in Xenopus laevis oocytes although Western blotting established that the channels were fully expressed. The digestion pattern of channels treated with V8 protease combined with Western blotting under reducing and nonreducing conditions confirmed intrasubunit cross-linking of C122 and C154. Whole-cell and single channel current recordings of oocytes expressing tandem tetrameric constructs with one or two of the mutant subunits suggested that insertion of one mutant subunit is sufficient to eliminate channel function. Coexpression studies confirmed that the cysteine mutant channels eliminate wild-type Kir2.1 currents in a dominant-negative manner. Despite these results, sulfhydryl reduction did not alter the functional properties of Kir2.1 currents. Molecular modeling of Kir2.1 with the two cysteines cross-linked predicted that the extracellular loop between the first transmembrane domain and the pore helix contains a beta-hairpin structure. Distinct from the KcsA structure, the disulfide bond together with the beta-hairpin structure is expected to constrain and stabilize the P-loop and selectivity filter. Taken together, these results suggest that intramolecular disulfide bond exists between C122 and C154 of Kir2.1 channel and this cross-link might be required for proper channel folding.

Serologic heterogeneity of HLA-A24 correlates with allelic types in the Korean population.

HLA-A24 is the second most frequently expressed HLA-A type in Koreans (GF 22.8%). Four different serologic reaction patterns were observed in Korean A24 positive samples using a commercial serologic typing kit. To clarify the nature of serologic heterogeneity, thirteen A24 positive DNA samples representing the four different serologic reaction patterns were subjected to DNA sequencing analysis of the amplified HLA-A genes from each sample. Four A*24 alleles (A*2402101, A*2403, A*2408, and A*2421) were associated with the four unique serologic reaction patterns. During this study, a novel allele, A*2421, was characterized. The new sequence is similar to A*2402101, differing at codon 127 (AAA-->AAC; K-->N). By comparing putative amino acid sequences and serologic reaction patterns of A*24 allelic products identified in this study, several crucial sites for A24- and A9-specific antibody binding were predicted: 127K for A24 antibody binding, and 62E-65G and 166D-167G for A9 antibody binding. This information will be helpful for accurately assigning HLA-A24 types by serology and for predicting serologic types of new alleles.

Microtiter plate-format optode.

Microtiter plate-format optodes could be assembled by casting bulk-response membranes into the standard 96-well polypropylene-based plate or by screen printing them on an optically transparent substrate with 96-well pattern. The compositions of thick optode membranes, especially the ratios of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) to plasticizer [bis-(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate (DOS)], were carefully optimized to provide reproducible and rapid response. Adjusting the ratio of PVC to DOS by 1:6, bulk-response membranes containing neutral carrier (4-tert-butyl calix[4]arene tetraacetic acid tetraethyl ester for sodium-selective membrane or valinomycin for potassium-selective membrane) and lipophilic pH indicator (ETH 5294) could exhibit equilibrium response in 5 min. The practical utility of microtiter plate-format optodes has been examined by determining clinically relevant electrolytes in serum samples. It was demonstrated that microtiter plate-format optodes can provide high sample throughput (approximately 100 samples in less than 5 min), analytical performance comparable to that of a potentiometric clinical analyzer, and additional information on electrolytes using the same samples prepared for other colorimetric measurements.

Anticardiolipin and anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies in Behcet's disease.

To investigate prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) in patients with Behcet's disease (BD) and to determine whether they are related to anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies (aGPI), we measured aCL and aGPI in 47 patients of BD and 14 patients of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The levels of aCL and aGPI were determined by conventional enzyme immunoassay for both IgG and IgM classes. Twelve (25.5%) patients with BD were positive for IgG or IgM aCL and no patient was positive for aGPI. Eleven (78.6%) patients with SLE were also positive for aCL and among them, 8 (72.7%) patients were positive for aGPI. Positive IgG aCL patients with BD showed lower level of IgG aCL than those with SLE (15.7+/-7.3 vs 34.1+/-16.0 GPL, p<0.05). There was no relation between the presence of aCL in BD and either dinical activity or clinical features. In the patients with BD, aCL are found but it would not be associated with aGPI as they are in patients with SLE. In patients with BD, aCL seem to be authentic aCL unlike those in patients with SLE and may not be related with vascular complications in BD.

Korean Nationwide Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance of bacteria in 1997.

Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are known to be prevalent in tertiary-care hospitals in Korea. Twenty hospitals participated to this surveillance to determine the nationwide prevalence of resistance bacteria in 1997. Seven per cent and 26% of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were resistant to 3rd-generation cephalosporin. Increased resistance rates, 19% of Acinetobacter baumannii to ampicillin/sulbactam, and 17% of Pseudomonas aeruginoa to imipenem, were noted. The resistance rate to fluoroquinolone rose to 24% in E. coli, 56% in A. baumannii and 42% in P. aeruginosa. Mean resistance rates were similar in all hospital groups: about 17% of P. aeruginosa to imipenem, 50% of Haemophilus influenzae to ampicillin, 70% of Staphylococcus aureus to methicillin, and 70% of pneumococci to penicillin. In conclusion, nosocomial pathogens and problem resistant organisms are prevalent in smaller hospitals too, indicating nosocomial spread is a significant cause of the increasing prevalence of resistant bacteria in Korea.