Snail knockdown reverses stemness and inhibits tumour growth in ovarian cancer.

To develop effective therapies for advanced high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), understanding mechanisms of recurrence and metastasis is necessary. In this study, we define the epithelial/mesenchymal status of cell lines that accurately model HGSOC, and evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting Snai1 (Snail), a master regulator of the epithelial/mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro and in vivo. The ratio of Snail to E-cadherin (S/E index) at RNA and protein levels was correlated with mesenchymal morphology in four cell lines. The cell lines with high S/E index (OVCAR8 and COV318) showed more CSC-like, motile, and chemoresistant phenotypes than those with low S/E index (OVSAHO and Kuramochi). We tested the role of Snail in regulation of malignant phenotypes including stemness, cell motility, and chemotherapy resistance: shRNA-mediated knockdown of Snail reversed these malignant phenotypes. Interestingly, the expression of let-7 tumour suppressor miRNA was upregulated in Snail knockdown cells. Furthermore, knockdown of Snail decreased tumour burden in an orthotopic xenograft mouse model. We conclude that Snail is important in controlling HGSOC malignant phenotypes and suggest that the Snail/Let-7 axis may be an attractive target for HGSOC treatment.

Classification by causes of dark circles and appropriate evaluation method of dark circles.

BACKGROUND: Dark circles refer to a symptom that present darkness under the eyes. Because of improvement in the quality of life, the dark circles have been recognized as one of major cosmetic concerns. However, it is not easy to classify the dark circles because they have various causes. METHODS: To select suitable instruments and detailed evaluation items, the dark circles were classified according to the causes through visual assessment, Wood's lamp test, and medical history survey for 100 subjects with dark circles. After the classification, were newly recruited for instrument conformity assessment. Through this, suitable instruments for dark circle evaluation were selected. We performed a randomized clinical trial for dark circles, a placebo-controlled double-blind study, using effective parameters of the instruments selected from the preliminary test. RESULTS: Dark circles of vascular type (35%) and mixed type (54%), a combination of pigmented and vascular types, were the most common. Twenty four subjects with the mixed type dark circles applied the test product (Vitamin C 3%, Vitamin A 0.1%, Vitamin E 0.5%) and placebo on randomized split-face for 8 weeks. The effective parameters (L*, a, M.I., E.I., quasi L*, quasi a* and dermal thickness) were measured during the study period. Result showed that the L* value of Chromameter(®) , Melanin index (M.I.) of Mexameter(®) and quasi L* value obtained by image analysis improved with statistical significance after applying the test product compared with the placebo product. CONCLUSION: We classified the dark circles according to the causes of the dark circles and verified the reliability of the parameter obtained by the instrument conformity assessment used in this study through the efficacy evaluation. Also based on this study, we were to suggest newly established methods which can be applied to the evaluation of efficacy of functional cosmetics for dark circles.

Genetic analysis of seed-shattering genes in rice using an F3:4 population derived from an Oryza sativa x Oryza rufipogon cross.

Seed shattering of wild plant species is thought to be an adaptive trait to facilitate seed dispersal. For rice breeding, seed shatter-ing is an important trait for improving breeding strategies, particularly when developing lines use interspecific hybrids and introgression of genes from wild species. We developed F3:4 recombinant inbred lines from an interspecific cross between Oryza sativa cv. Ilpoombyeo and Oryza rufipogon. In this study, we genetically analyzed known shat-tering-related loci using the F3:4 population of O. sativa/O. rufipogon. CACTA-AG190 was significantly associated with the shattering trait CACTA-TD according to bulked segregant analysis results, and was found in the qSH-1 region of chromosome 1. Fine genetic mapping of the flanking regions around qSH-1 based on CACTA-AG190 revealed multiple-sequence variations. The highest limit of detection based on quantitative trait locus analysis was observed between shaap-7715 and a 518-bp insertion site. Two other quantitative trait locus analyses of seed-shattering-related loci, qSH-4 and sh-h, were performed using simple sequence repeat and allele-pecific single nucleotide polymor-phism markers. Our results can be applied for rice-breeding research, such as marker-assisted selection between cultivated and wild rice.

A study on seasonal variation of skin parameters in Korean males.

OBJECTIVE: The physiological characteristics of the skin are varied greatly, depending on gender, age, region and race, and many dermatologic researches have been performed through various research methods. This study aimed to examine how Korean men's skin conditions were influenced by temperature or humidity changes caused by seasonal rotations. METHODS: A total of 100 healthy Korean men, age range 20-59 years, participated in the study for both summer and winter. We compared on the characteristics of skin between summer and winter. The skin hydration, skin pH and TEWL were evaluated on the forehead, cheek and forearm. The skin sebum content of the glabella, nasal ala and cheek was measured using Sebumeter(®) (SM810, Courage+Khazaka, Germany). Cutometer(®) (MPA 580 Courage+Khazaka, Germany) the elasticity was measured by on the cheeks, and PRIMOS lite(®) (Phase shift Rapid in vivo Measurement of Skin, GFMesstechnik GmbH, Germany) was used to evaluate wrinkles on crow's feet. Lastly, in addition, the skin pore of the face was measured using the Janus(®) (PSI, Korea) which is a facial analysis system. RESULTS: The results were as follows: the comparison of hydration in summer and winter shows significant differences in their forehead, cheeks and forearm. The pH values of the skin surface were generally higher in winter, and significantly different on each site, and the sebum content was higher in summer than in winter. As a result of the pore measurement, the summer showed more pores compared to the winter, and there was a statistically significant difference in skin pores between summer and winter. The sensitivity measured by stinging test increases significantly more in winter than in summer. However, there were no seasonal differences in wrinkles and skin brightness. CONCLUSION: The skin surface pH, TEWL, sebum content, hydration, elasticity, wrinkles, skin pore and skin sensitivity vary with seasons and body regions in Korean men.

Comparison of skin elasticity test results from the Ballistometer(®) and Cutometer(®).

BACKGROUND: Long-term exposure to sunlight changes skin features like amount of facial wrinkling and skin elasticity, which is useful in estimating skin health and age-related changes. Skin elasticity is evaluated by quantitative methods such as the noninvasive suction device Cutometer(®) , which is widely used to evaluate regional body-elasticity differences and correlate these findings with the results of other instrumental data. Few field studies have been done with the Ballistometer(®) device, another noninvasive method for measuring skin elasticity. METHOD: In this study, we measured the skin elasticity of each subject's forehead, cheek, and volar forearm using two devices with different means of obtaining quantitative measurements - Ballistometer(®) (Diastron Ltd.) and Cutometer(®) (CK electronics). RESULTS: The results from testing with the Ballistometer(®) and Cutometer(®) devices showed that the degree of skin elasticity of the volar forearm is greater than those found on the cheek and forehead. The parameters measured by the Ballistometer(®) showed high correlation patterns. On the cheek skin, the correlation coefficient between Ballisto-parameters and R parameters (R0, R3, R8) was higher than other skin sites. CONCLUSION: Taken together, R parameters measured by the Cutometer(®) device have been widely distributed in the evaluation of skin elasticity in research and cosmetics. Although the methodologies are different, the Ballistometer(®) device is also a useful tool to evaluate skin elasticity.

Hypoxic resistance to articular chondrocyte apoptosis--a possible mechanism of maintaining homeostasis of normal articular cartilage.

Hypoxia and hypoxia-related genes are important factors in articular chondrocytes during cartilage homeostasis and osteoarthritis. We have investigated the various apoptotic factors that show significance in synovial fluid obtained from normal and experimental osteoarthritic animal models and have evaluated the effect of hypoxia on articular chondrocyte apoptosis induced by these apoptotic factors. Mature beagle dogs underwent surgical transections of ligaments and medial meniscectomies to explore the underlying mechanisms of osteoarthritis. Cartilage and synovial fluid obtained from normal animals and those with osteoarthritis were evaluated via proteasome inhibition, tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) protein expression, mitochondrial transmembrane potential and levels of reactive oxygen species. Canine chondrocytes were exposed to the proteasome inhibitor N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-Norleu-al and treated with recombinant TRAIL protein under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, measuring chondrocyte cell viability, proteasome activity and levels of apoptotic factors. TRAIL protein expression and ubiquitinated proteins were increased significantly, but the proteasome activity in the synovial fluid of osteoarthritic joints relative to that in normal joints was not. Primary cultured articular chondrocytes cotreated with the proteasome inhibitor and TRAIL progressed to severe apoptosis under normoxic conditions, but the sensitization caused by the combined treatment was suppressed by exposure to hypoxia. Caspase-8 activation, c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation, the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and the generation of reactive oxygen species involved in cell death regulation were significantly inhibited under hypoxic conditions. These findings suggest that proteasome inhibition and TRAIL may be possible mechanisms in cartilage degradation and joint-related diseases. Furthermore, the maintenance of hypoxic conditions or therapy with hypoxia-related genes in the joint may be successful for the treatment of joint-related diseases, including osteoarthritis.

Molecular cytogenetic and agronomic characterization of advanced generations of wheat x triticale hybrids resistant to Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko): application of GISH and microsatellite markers.

The PI 386148 triticale from Russia is among the highest resistant line to the Russian wheat aphid (RWA) (Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko)). This triticale line was used as the male parent in crosses with Lamar wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The F1 plants were backcrossed to Lamar wheat. The progenies were tested for RWA biotype 1 reaction for at least eight backcross and selfing generations. Five lines from these selections were identified for their resistance to the RWA and their seeds were increased for agronomic and other characterizations. Molecular and cytological analyses of these lines were performed using genomic in situ hybridization and rye chromosome-specific microsatellites markers. Three lines were cytologically stable and carried a pair of rye (Secale strictum (C. Presl) C. Presl) chromosomes as disomic addition lines of 1R. One line was unstable and showed a moderate level of mixoploidy with monosomic additions of 1R. Duplication of rye chromosome 1R was also identified. No wheat-rye chromosome interchange was detected, suggesting little homology between S. strictum and T. aestivum chromosomes. Specific microsatellite primers were used to identify the rye chromosomes present in each line. One rye chromosome, 1R, from the donor species contains genes for RWA resistance. Grain yield and test weight of three of the lines were similar to some adapted released wheat varieties under stress conditions.

Characterization of human cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the biotransformation of eperisone.

Eperisone is a centrally acting muscle relaxant widely used for the therapeutic treatment of spastic patients to relieve muscle stiffness and back pain. The objective of this study was to characterize the metabolic pathway involved in the biotransformation of eperisone mediated by human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. Eperisone was metabolized to seven metabolites via oxidation and carbonyl reduction in human liver microsome. Among them, M3 and M4 were found to be primary major metabolites which were generated by CYPs. The kinetics study with (-)-R- and (+)-S-eperisones revealed that CYPs-mediated hydroxylation did not have significant stereoselectivity for metabolic clearance of eperisone. Incubation with recombinant CYP isozyme, chemical inhibition assay, and immuno-inhibition assay showed that multiple CYPs were involved in M4 formation, but mainly CYP2J2 in M3 formation. In addition, intestinal microsomes metabolized eperisone to M3 and M4 via CYP2J2- and CYP3A4-mediated reactions, which are supposed to contribute to presystemic metabolism of eperisone.

Cytogenetic analyses of intergeneric hybrids between barley and nine species of Elymus.

Wild species in the Triticeae tribe are very valuable resources for agronomic improvement in cereal crop species. Intergeneric hybrids were produced between several barley cultivars and perennial species in the genera Elymus, Thinopyrum, and Pseudoroegneria. Caryopsis formation and subsequent plantlet regeneration from embryo culture were variable depending on the hybrid combinations. Chromosome numbers and hybrid identity were confirmed by GISH analysis on the somatic cells of the hybrids. While the hybrids showed very robust vegetative growth and exceeded the parental spikes in size, their floral morphologies resembled that of the wild species. Meiotic chromosome analysis revealed that the bivalent formation frequency per cell ranged from 0.06 in Hordeum vulgare 'Betzes' x Elymus curvatus to 3.0 in Elymus humidus x H. vulgare 'Manley'. By GISH analysis on the meiocytes of the hybrid E. humidus x 'Manley', the frequency of autosyndetic bivalents exceeded the allosyndetic bivalent formation, which gave an insight into the genome constitution of E. humidus as an autoallohexploid species. Regardless of the low allosyndetic chromosome pairing between barley and E. humidus, this combination may be useful for further input, since E. humidus is known to carry many valuable genes for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance.

Up-regulated macrophage migration inhibitory factor protects apoptosis of dermal fibroblasts in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine that has been demonstrated to regulate the apoptosis of several cell types. Dysregulated apoptosis of fibroblasts has been implicated in a variety of fibrotic diseases, including systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this study, we investigated the role of MIF in the apoptosis of dermal fibroblasts. The concentrations of MIF were measured in sera and in culture supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and dermal fibroblasts by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The degree of apoptosis was determined by colorimetric assay, and signalling pathways were examined by Western blot. The results showed that serum levels of MIF were significantly higher in patients with SSc (n = 47) than in healthy controls (n = 56). Stimulation of PBMCs by anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 increased the production of MIF by fourfold over the constitutive levels. SSc dermal fibroblasts produced higher amounts of MIF than normal dermal fibroblasts. When treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP), SSc dermal fibroblasts showed a lower degree of apoptosis compared with normal dermal fibroblasts. Exogenous MIF (1-100 ng/ml) inhibited SNP-induced apoptosis of dermal fibroblasts dose-dependently. Both extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor (PD98059) and protein kinase B (Akt) inhibitor (LY294002) almost completely blocked the inhibitory effect of MIF on apoptosis. Furthermore, MIF increased the expression of Bcl-2, phospho-ERK and phospho-Akt activity in dermal fibroblasts. Taken together, our data suggest that MIF released by activated T cells and dermal fibroblasts decreases the apoptosis of dermal fibroblasts through activation of ERK, Akt and Bcl-2 signalling pathways, which might be associated with excessive fibrosis in SSc.

Gene structure dynamics and divergence of the polygalacturonase gene family of plants and fungus.

Whole copies of the polygalacturonase (PG) genes from rice (Oryza sativa subsp. japonica) and a filamentous fungus (Aspergillus oryzae) were isolated. The orthologs of the rice PGs were also retrieved from other plant species. The 106 plant PGs analyzed were divided into 5 clades, A, B, C, D, and E. The fungus PGs were classified into 3 clades, of which one formed a loose cluster with clade E of the plant PGs. Four domain motifs (I, II, III, IV) were identified in all PGs. Motifs II and III were split by introns such as G/DDC and CGPGHGIS/IGSLG, respectively. In plant PGs there were 446 introns in total and 3.98 introns per gene. Intron phase distribution was 65.5% for phase 0, 19.7% for phase 1, and 14.8% for phase 2 in plant PGs. In the PGs of A. oryzae there were 37 introns of phase 0 (59.5%), phase 1 (24.3%), and phase 2 (16.2%), with 2.47 introns per gene. The 5 clades of plant PGs were divided into 3 basic gene structure lineages. Intron positions and phases were conserved among the PGs in the first 2 lineages. The third lineage consisted of PGs of clade E, which also carried highly conserved introns at different positions from other PGs. Intron positions were not as highly conserved in fungus PGs as in plant PGs. The introns in the current PGs have been present since before the divergence of monocots from dicots. The results obtained show that differential losses of introns created gene diversity, which was followed by segmental and tandem duplication in plant PGs.

Disposition and metabolism of (2S,3S,4R)-N''-cyano-N-(6-amino-3,4-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-dimethoxy methyl-2H-benzopyran-4-yl)-N'-benzylguanidine, a novel neuroprotective agent for ischemia-reperfusion damage, in rats.

The metabolism and disposition of KR31378 (a benzopyran derivative and a novel neuroprotective agent) were investigated following single oral or intravenous administration of [(14)C]-KR31378 to rats. [(14)C]-KR31378 was rapidly absorbed after oral dosing with an oral bioavailability of greater than 71%. The maximum plasma concentration and area under the curve of total radioactivity in rat plasma increased proportionally to the administered dose. KR31378 was distributed over all organs and tissues except for brain, eyeball and testis, and declined by first order kinetics up to 24 h after dosing. Excretion of the radioactivity was 29.5% of the dose in the urine and 58.5% in the feces within 2 days after oral administration. Biliary excretion of the radioactivity in bile duct-cannulated rats was about 66.0% for the first 24 h. KR31378 was extensively metabolized by ring hydroxylation, O-demethylation, oxidation and reduction with subsequent N-acetylation and O-glucuronide conjugation. N-acetylated conjugates (M2, M10, M11, M12, M14, and M15) were identified as the predominant metabolites in rats.

Frequency and distribution of patellar luxation in dogs. 134 cases (2000 to 2005).

This study investigated the frequency and distribution of patellar luxation in the dogs presented to the Chonbuk National University Animal Medical Centre during January 2000 to September 2005. Patellar luxations were classified as medial or lateral, and unilateral or bilateral, were graded I to IV, and were subdivided according to age, sex and size of the dogs. The incidence of medial patellar luxation (MPL) was greater than the incidence of lateral patellar luxation (LPL) in both small and large dogs. Small-breed dogs were admitted almost exclusively with MPL. LPL was found uncommon; however it was observed more often in larger-breed dogs. Surgical correction was performed primarily in the dogs (165 stifles in 111 dogs) with grade II, III and IV patellar luxations following different surgical techniques. The combination of the surgical techniques was found to be more effective for the management of the disease. The prognosis was found to be favourable, because when the grade was low, the dog was younger, without cruciate ligament rupture, and as the surgical correction was performed with combination of more techniques.

Morphometric studies on the testis of Korean ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus karpowi) during the breeding and non-breeding seasons.

The purpose of this study was to obtain detailed quantitative information on all cell types in the testis interstitium of Korean ring-necked pheasants and to combine these data with changes in the steroidogenic function of the testis during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. For animals collected during the breeding season, their testis weights, sperm production, serum testosterone levels and leuteinizing hormone (LH)-stimulated testosterone secretion were significantly (p < 0.01) increased compared to the non-breeding season. Testes of the pheasants during the non-breeding season displayed a 98% reduction in testis volume that was associated with a decrease in the absolute volume of seminiferous tubules (98% reduction), tubular lumen (100%), interstitium (90%), blood vessels (84%), lymphatic spaces (97%), Leydig cells (79%), mesenchymal cells (51%) and myoid cells (61%) compared to the breeding season. The numbers of Leydig cells, mesenchymal cells and myoid cells per testis in the breeding season were much higher than in the non-breeding season. Although the mean volume of a Leydig cell was 74% lower in the non-breeding season, the mean volumes of myoid and mesenchymal cells remained unchanged. These results demonstrate that there are striking differences in the testicular structure of the Korean ring-necked pheasant during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Every structural parameter of the Leydig cell was positively correlated with both testosterone serum levels and LH-stimulated testosterone secretion. The correlation of changes in hormonal status with the morphometric alterations of Leydig cells suggests that the Korean-ring necked pheasant may be used as a model to study structure-function relationships in the avian testis.

Detection and physical mapping of the 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA and the pKFJ660 probe with microsatellite sequences derived from the rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe grisea) in conifer species.

Sequences homologous to the pKFJ660 probe, a fragment of DNA derived from the rice blast fungus (Magnaporthe grisea) carrying TC/AG repeat microsatellite sequences and 30 bp direct repeats were identified in the genome of Picea (spruce) and Pinus (pine) species by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and slot blot analyses. Slot blot analysis using the pKFJ660 probe revealed hybridization signals with genomic DNAs from various pine and spruce species. Further analyses indicated that the copy number of the (AG)30 motif was higher than 5 x 10(4) per plant genome for all plant samples tested, but the copy number of the sequences homologous to the whole pKFJ660 probe varies considerably among the 25 plant species tested. In situ hybridization of metaphase chromosomes from Pinus resinosa, P. banksiana and P. strobus showed the presence of sequences homologous to this probe on several chromosomes in a dispersed pattern. Major signals were observed on a few chromosomes indicating that some of these sequences are clustered in specific genomic locations. The locations of these repeats were compared to those of 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA in pine species. Chromosomal distribution of 18S-5.8S-26S rDNA varied among the three pine species (P. resinosa, P. banksiana and P. strobus) studied. Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sites were identified on 14 to 20 chromosomes in these pine species.

Genetic variations of AA genome Oryza species measured by MITE-AFLP.

MITEs (miniature inverted-repeat transposable elements) are the major transposable elements in Oryza species. We have applied the MITE-AFLP technique to study the genetic variation and species relationship in the AA-genome Oryza species. High polymorphism was detected within and between species. The genetic variation in the cultivated species, Oryza sativa and Oryza glaberrima, was comparatively lower than in their ancestral wild species. In comparison between geographical lineages of the AA genome species, African taxa, O. glaberrima and Oryza barthii, showed lower variation than the Asian taxa, O. sativa, Oryza rufipogon, and Oryza nivara, and Australian taxon Oryza meridionalis. However, another African taxon, Oryza longistaminata, showed high genetic variation. Species relationships were analyzed by the pattern of presence or absence of homologous fragments, because nucleotide sequences of the detected MITE-AFLP fragments revealed that the same fragments in different species shared very high sequence homology. The clustering pattern of the AA-genome species matched well with the geographical origins (Asian, African and Australian), and with the Australian taxon being distant to the others. Therefore, this study demonstrated that the MITE-AFLP technique is amenable for studying the genetic variation and species relationship in rice.

Accumulation of tributyltin in olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus: its effect on hepatic cytochrome P450.

Accumulation of tributyltin (TBT) was determined in liver of olive flounder exposed to TBT (3.65, 36.5, 365, 3,650, and 7,300 ng Sn/L) for 10 or 30 days, followed by 60 days depuration. Effect of TBT on hepatic cytochrome P450 content was also measured in liver of olive flounder. TBT was highly accumulated in liver of fish during the 10- to 30-day exposures, and hepatic cytochrome P450 content decreased with increasing TBT concentration. Hepatic cytochrome P450 contents were affected in olive flounder exposed to even environmentally relevant TBT concentrations, such as 3.65 ng Sn/L. In addition, the liver TBT levels demonstrated strong negative correlation to the hepatic cytochrome P450 content. The effects started to appear from 20 ng Sn/g dry weight of TBT in liver. Tributyltin concentrations and hepatic cytochrome P450 were also determined in feral fine-spotted flounder. The relationship between other organic pollutants known as cytochrome P450 inducers (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls) as well as TBT and hepatic cytochrome P450 in the feral fish implied that TBT even at ppt level could impose antagonistic effects on hepatic cytochrome P450 induction.

Horizontal and vertical distribution of butyltin compounds in sediments from shipyards in Korea.

Butyltin compounds were quantitatively determined in surface sediment and sediment core samples near shipyards in the south coast of Korea, which is one of the major ship building industries in the world. Tributyltin (TBT) concentrations reached up to 46100 ng Sn/g on a dry-weight basis at the front of the shipyard. Horizontal distribution of butyltin compounds was closely related to dry-docking activities. Butyltin concentrations were relatively low where remote from the sources. The vertical distribution of TBT in sediment cores showed active use of TBT in Korean peninsula for the past decades. The increase of TBT concentrations in sediment core according to estimated sediment age demonstrated a positive correlation with the increase of gross tonnage of ships built in the shipyard for 20 years. High TBT residue levels in sediment core samples raise concerns over persistence of the compound in the marine environment.

The relationship between body mass index and the prevalence of obesity-related diseases based on the 1995 National Health Interview Survey in Korea.

This study estimated the body mass index (BMI) distribution of Koreans and examined the relationship between BMI and obesity-related diseases, in particular hypertension and diabetes mellitus. We also attempted to provide primary data to determine suitable BMI cut-off points for obesity in Korea. The 1995 National Health Interview Study (NHIS) data were used to estimate BMI and the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. A random sample of 5750 Koreans (15-69 years of age) were investigated. BMI was calculated by self-reported weights and heights. The diagnoses of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were obtained from self-reported conditions specified in response to consultations with physicians. The mean BMI was 22.6+/-2.6 kg m(-2) for males and 21.7+/-4.8 kg m(-2) for females. The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus increased with BMI. The odds ratios of the third quartile of BMI (21.9-23.8 kg m(-2)) for hypertension and diabetes mellitus compared with the first quartile were 6.04 and 3.22, respectively. The odds ratio of the fourth quartile (>23.8 kg m(-2)) of BMI was not significantly different from that of the third quartile. The risk of hypertension and diabetes mellitus increased at the third quartile of BMI (21.9-23.8 kg m(-2)), this quartile being much lower than both the current World Health Organization (WHO) BMI cut-off point of overweight of 25.0 kg m(-2), and the 90th percentile proposed in the Monica project, BMI 26.4 kg m(-2). This finding was notable considering the fact that both hypertension and diabetes mellitus occur in Koreans with lower BMIs than whites. Further studies are necessary to identify the BMI cut-off point for obesity in Korea.

The effects of beta2 adrenoceptor gene polymorphisms on pressor response during laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.

We investigated whether human beta2 adrenoceptor (beta2AR) gene polymorphisms are associated with the pressor response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. Ninety-two patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia were enrolled into this study. Arterial systolic pressure, heart rate and rate pressure product were measured before induction of anaesthesia and 1 min following laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation. Genomic DNA was then used to identify the beta2AR-16 and beta2AR-27 genes using an allele-specific polymerase chain reaction method. Using multiple linear regression models, controlling for age, sex, weight, baseline blood pressure, heart rate and rate pressure product, we found that patients who possessed the glutamic acid homozygote of beta2AR-27 produced significantly greater changes in mean arterial pressure and rate pressure products than patients with the glutamine homozygote of beta2AR-27 (beta coefficient for mean blood pressure = 11.81, beta coefficient for pulse-pressure product = 8.76, both p-values = 0.023). These findings suggest that genetic variability in the human beta2AR gene polymorphisms may be associated with the pressor response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation.