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ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The placement of a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) is a widely used nonsurgical treatment method in patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstructions but SEMS is susceptible to occlusion by tumor ingrowth or overgrowth. AIM: The efficacy and safety of a metallic stent covered with a paclitaxel-incorporated membrane (MSCPM) in which paclitaxel provided an antitumoral effect was compared prospectively with those of a covered metal stent (CMS) in patients with malignant biliary obstructions. METHODS: Patients with unresectable distal malignant biliary obstructions (n = 106) were prospectively enrolled in this study at multiple treatment centers. A MSCPM was inserted endoscopically in 60 patients, and a CMS was inserted in 46 patients. Patients underwent systemic chemotherapy regimens alternatively according to disease characteristics. RESULTS: The two groups did not differ significantly in mean age, male to female ratio, or mean follow-up period. Stent occlusion due to tumor ingrowth occurred in 12 patients who received MSCPMs and in eight patients who received CMSs. Stent patency and survival time did not differ significantly between the two groups (p = 0.116, 0.981). Chemotherapy had no influence on stent patency, but gemcitabine-based chemotherapy was a significant prognostic factor for survival time (p = 0.012). Complications, including cholangitis and pancreatitis, were found to be acceptable in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the use of a MSCPM produced no significant differences in stent patency or patient survival in patients with malignant biliary obstructions compared with the use of a CMS, this study demonstrated that MSCPM can be used safely in humans.
Digestive Diseases and Sciences 11/2012; · 2.12 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Although the incidence of microsatellite instability (MSI) accounts for 10-15% of cases of colorectal cancer, its clinical application for all colorectal cancers has widened. We attempted to identify clinical and pathological parameters that may be helpful in selection of patients with MSI-high (MSI-H).
A total of 120 resected colorectal cancers were enrolled retrospectively for this MSI study. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography and/or real time PCR methods with five markers and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MLH1 and MSH2 were performed for analysis of cancer and blood specimens. Clinico-pathologic parameters, including IHC, were investigated in order to determine their usefulness as predictive factors of MSI.
Among 120 cases of colorectal cancer, MSI was observed in 15 cases (12.5%), including 11 cases of MSI-H and four cases of MSI-low. Patients with MSI were younger, less than 50 years old, had a family history of cancer, Rt. sided colon cancer and/or synchronous multiple colorectal cancer, mucinous histologic type, and serum carcinoembryonic antigen group in the normal range. Results of multivariate analysis showed Bethesda guidelines, Rt. sided and/or synchronous multiple colorectal cancer, and negative expression of IHC for MLH1, which was consistently associated with MSI-H. MSI-H colorectal tumors have met at least one of these three parameters and their sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 72.5%, respectively.
Bethesda guidelines, tumor location, and negative expression of MLH1 protein are important parameters for selection of patients with colorectal cancers for MSI testing. MSI testing is recommended for patients showing any of these three parameters.
Cancer Research and Treatment 09/2012; 44(3):179-86.
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ABSTRACT: γδ T cells are implicated in immunoregulation. However, little is known about the characteristics of γδ T cells in gastric cancer. In this study, we assessed the incidence of γδ T cells and lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of gastric cancer patients.
We enrolled 48 patients and 49 healthy controls. The γδ T cells, lymphocyte subsets were analyzed with flow cytometry.
The mean percentage of γδ T cells in patients with gastric cancer was 5.0±3.4% and for controls 2.3±1.6%. Twenty (41.7%) of the 48 patients with gastric cancer had a high percentage (more than 5%) of peripheral blood γδ T cells, while 4 (8.2%) of the 49 controls did. The percentage of CD3⁺ T cells were elevated in gastric cancer compared to controls (P=0.007). The CD4/CD8 ratio increased in gastric cancer (P=0.311). The percentage of CD3⁺CD4⁻CD8⁻ T cells increased in gastric cancer compared to controls (P=0.004).
The proportion of γδ T cells in the peripheral blood of gastric cancer patients was significantly higher in comparison to that in the healthy controls. Our findings suggest that increased proportion of peripheral γδ T cells may explain anti-tumor immunity against gastric cancer partly.
Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry 06/2012; 413(19-20):1495-9. · 2.54 Impact Factor
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Min Kyoung Kim,
Cheolwon Suh,
Hyun Sook Chi,
Hee Soon Cho,
Young Kyung Bae,
Kyung Hee Lee,
Gyeong-Won Lee,
In-Suk Kim,
Hyeon-Seok Eom,
Sun-Young Kong,
Sung Hwa Bae,
Hun Mo Ryoo, Im-Hee Shin,
Yeung-Chul Mun,
Hwasoon Chung,
Myung Soo Hyun
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ABSTRACT: We evaluated the impact of functional polymorphisms in the vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2) genes on the survival of patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Five potentially functional polymorphisms in the VEGFA (rs699947, rs2010963 and rs3025039) and VEGFR2 (rs1870377 and rs2305948) genes were assessed in 494 DLBCL patients treated with rituximab plus CHOP chemotherapy. The associations of genotype and haplotype with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed. Of the five polymorphisms, VEGFR2 rs1870377T>A was significantly associated with both OS and PFS; in the dominant model, patients with the AA + TA genotypes had significantly better OS (P = 0.002) and PFS (P = 0.004) than those with the TT genotype. The association between significantly better OS and the AA + TA genotypes was observed separately in patients with low (0-2; P = 0.035) and high (3-5; P = 0.043) International Prognostic Index scores. Multivariate analysis showed that, relative to the AA + TA genotypes, the TT genotype was an independent prognostic factor for poor OS (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.21-2.43; P = 0.002) and PFS (HR, 1.57; 1.13-2.17; P = 0.004). Other independent significant predictors of survival in patients with DLBCL were International Prognostic Index score, age > 60 years, lactate dehydrogenase concentration >normal, extranodal disease >1 and presence of B symptoms. The VEGFR2 rs1870377 polymorphism might affect survival in patients with DLBCL, suggesting that angiogenesis might be related to poor survival in these patients.
Cancer Science 11/2011; 103(3):497-503. · 3.33 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The melanoma antigen gene (MAGE) A1-A6 RT-PCR system was developed for the detection of lung cancer cells in the sputum. However, we identified MAGE expression in some patients with non-malignant lung diseases. To understand these patterns of MAGE expression, we performed MAGE A3 methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and p16 MSP. We collected 24 biopsy specimens of lung cancer tissue and performed MAGE A1-A6 RT-PCR, MAGE A3 MSP and p16 MSP. RNA and DNA were simultaneously extracted from induced sputum specimens of 133 patients with lung diseases and 30 random sputum specimens of healthy individuals and the 3 molecular analyses were performed. The patients were diagnosed as 65 cases of lung cancer and 68 of benign lung diseases. Positive rates of MAGE A1-A6 RT-PCR, MAGE A3 MSP and p16 MSP were as follows: in lung cancer tissue, 87.5, 58.3 and 70.8%; in the sputum of lung cancer patients, 50.8, 46.2 and 63.1%; benign lung diseases, 10.3, 30.9 and 39.7%; and healthy individuals, 3.3, 6.7 and 3.3%. Of the 40 MAGE-positive cases, 33 were diagnosed with lung cancer and 7 as having benign lung diseases. From the 7 cases of MAGE-positive benign lung diseases, 6 cases showed methylation abnormalities. The MAGE-positive group revealed significantly higher rates of methylation abnormalities. Of the 40 MAGE-positive cases, 39 cases were found to be lung cancer or benign lung diseases with abnormal methylation. Thus, MAGE expression in the sputum suggests the presence of lung cancer cells or pre-cancerous cells.
Oncology Reports 11/2011; 27(4):911-6. · 1.84 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the cumulative survival rate of tapered implant with a sandblasted and acid-etched surface placed in edentulous patients.
A retrospective study was performed by evaluating MIS seven implants consecutively placed from December 2004 to January 2008. Patient records were reviewed to determine gender, age at implant placement, implant location, prosthesis type, marginal bone loss according to treatment procedure, number of implants, and number of failed implants. The survival rate of the implants was analyzed, and radiographic evaluation was performed.
A total of 294 implants were placed in 92 patients at the 3 centers. The observation period after implantation ranged from 22 to 59 months, with a mean of 38 months. The cumulative survival rate of MIS seven implants was 97.3%. After 1 year of functional loading, the mean marginal bone loss was 0.33 mm.
This retrospective, multicenter study demonstrates that this dental implant system gives clinically reliable results.
Implant dentistry 08/2011; 20(4):280-4. · 1.51 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is an adenosine-5-triphosphate Binding Cassettes B 1 (ABCB1) transporter that exports various substrates on cellular membrane. Surface expression of P-gp was decreased during chondrogenesis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). We examined the role of P-gp in extracellular matrix deposition during chondrogenesis of human BM-MSCs.
BM-MSCs were isolated from 16 volunteers after informed consent and incubated for 28 days using three-dimensional culture methods in chondrogenic medium with and without P-gp inhibitor (verapamil, 10 μmol/L).
Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed a cartilaginous structure with chondrogenic cells in the lacunae after 2 weeks of culture. Total glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content was increased and rose during pellet culture. Hyaluronan (HA) content of the culture medium decreased with P-gp inhibitor. Type II collagen deposition decreased with P-gp inhibitor.
Inhibition of P-gp facilitated GAG accumulation via HA export inhibition during chondrogenic differentiation of human BM-MSCs. Modulation of P-gp expression during chondrogenesis would be a possible therapeutic approach for articular cartilage regeneration.
International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 05/2011; 14(2):199-205. · 0.81 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aims of the present study were 1) to standardize the validity and reliability of the Korean version of Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R98-K) and 2) to establish the optimum cut-off value, sensitivity, and specificity for discriminating delirium from other non-delirious psychiatric conditions.
Using DSM-IV criteria, 157 subjects (69 delirium, 29 dementia, 32 schizophrenia, and 27 other psychiatric patients) were enrolled. Subjects were evaluated using DRS-R98-K, DRS-K, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K), and Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale.
DRS-R98-K total and severity scores showed high correlations with DRS-K. They were significantly different across all groups (p=0.000). However, neither MMSE-K nor CGI-S distinguished delirium from dementia. All DRS-R98-K diagnostic items (#14-16) and items #1 and 2 significantly discriminated delirium from dementia. Cronbach's alpha coefficient revealed high internal consistency for DRS-R98-K total (r=0.91) and severity (r=0.89) scales. Interrater reliability (ICC between 0.96 and 1) was very high. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve of DRS-R98-K total score was 0.948 between the delirium group and all other groups and 0.873 between the delirium and dementia groups. The best cut-off scores in DRS-R98-K total score were 18.5 and 19.5 between the delirium and the other three groups and 20.5 between the delirium and dementia groups.
We demonstrated that DRS-R98-K is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing delirium severity and diagnosis and discriminating delirium from dementia and other psychiatric disorders in Korean patients.
Psychiatry investigation 03/2011; 8(1):30-8. · 0.99 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the survival rate of sintered porous-surfaced implants placed in the edentulous posterior mandibles, in relation to implant length and diameter, crown-to-implant ratio, and types of prostheses, for a maximum of 9 years of functioning (mean: 55.8 months; range: 5-108 months).
The study group consisted of 43 partially edentulous patients who visited Catholic University Hospital of Daegu and 1 private dental clinic. A total of 122 sintered porous-surfaced implants--Endopore (Innova Life Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)--were placed in the edentulous posterior mandibles. Two diameter sizes (4.1 and 5.0 mm) and 4 lengths (5.0, 7.0, 9.0, and 12.0 mm) were used. All implants were restored with fixed prostheses. One hundred three implants were splinted and 21 implants were nonsplinted. Panoramic views and periapical radiographs were taken at the time of the first, postoperative, crown placement, and following checkup visits. The survival rates of the implants in relation to length, diameter, crown-to-implant ratio, and types of prostheses were investigated. Statistical data were analyzed using SPSS Win.Ver 14.0 software with the χ² test.
The survival rate of the 4.1-mm-diameter implants was 100% and 91.2% for the 5.0-mm-diameter implants. The survival rates of the implants of differing diameters were found to be statistically different (P = 0.005). The survival rates of both the 5.0-mm and 7.0-mm-length implants were 100%. The survival rate of the 9.0-mm-length implants was 97.9% and for the 12.0-mm-length implants was 95.1%. There was no statistical difference in survival rates for the differing lengths of implants. Of the 103 prostheses that were splinted, the survival rate was 98.0%. The survival rate of splinted prostheses was higher than that of the nonsplinted prostheses but was found to be not statistically different. There were no failed cases when the crown-to-implant ratio was <1.0. When the crown-to-implant ratio was between 1.0 and 1.4, the failure rate of the implants was 6.7%. No failure was recorded with the ratio range of 1.5 to 2.0. Relative to the crown-to-implant ratio of 1.0, the failure rates were statistically different (P = 0.048).
The cumulative survival rate of the porous-surfaced implants placed in the edentulous posterior mandibles was 97.5%. Short porous-surfaced implants showed satisfactory results after a maximum of 9 years of functioning in the edentulous posterior mandibles.
Implant dentistry 10/2010; 19(5):409-18. · 1.51 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study was to investigate the current use of depression rating scales by psychiatrists and clinical psychologists in Korea.
The questionnaires from many psychiatrists and clinical psychologists were included in the analysis. The questionnaire was composed of items about examining the percentage of patients clinically using depression rating scales, reasons for not use of them, the degree of satisfaction, the perceived agreement rate between the result of depression rating scales and doctor's clinical interview in the evaluation of patients with depressive symptoms. Data were analyzed by χ(2) and independent t-test.
The clinical use of depression rating scales was more frequent in the psychologists than in the psychiatrists. The purposes for using depression rating scales were assessed into six areas, there was no significant difference in between two groups, and both groups pointed out their purpose as rating of severity and screening. The reasons for not using scales were that their interview may be sufficient for diagnosis and assessment of depressive patients and they are not familiar with the use of depression rating scales. The psychiatrists usually prefer the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Symptom Checklist 90-Revision (SCL-90-R) in order of frequency, and the clinical psychologists are more likely to use the BDI, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and SCL-90-R. Overall rate of satisfaction in the use of the scales was 67.29±14.45% and overall perceived agreement rate was 70.89±16.45%.
Currently used depression rating scales at the clinical practice were not various. Therefore, to heighten clinicians' utility of these depression rating scales measures, either educational efforts or advertisements, or both, will be necessary to spread them wildly.
Psychiatry investigation 09/2010; 7(3):170-6. · 0.99 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate children's bedtime, wake-up time, total sleep duration (TSD), sleep latency, and daytime napping by age and gender. Its secondary aim was to compare sleep duration among demographic and lifestyle factors.
We performed a cross-sectional study of 3639 children in Daegu, Korea, comparing bedtimes, wake-up times, TSDs, daytime naps, and sleep latency according to age and gender, as well as comparing sleep duration according to the children's demographic and lifestyle factors.
Bedtime and TSD varied significantly by age. But wake-up time differences were not as large, as the differences in bedtimes and TSDs. There were no gender differences in any sleep parameters. The percentage of the children who took naps decreased until age 9 and began increasing again at age 10. Children who lived in apartments got less sleep than did those living in other types of housing. Extracurricular academic activities, duration and timing of television-watching, and computer playing were also related to the children's sleep duration.
Older children sleep less than younger children; the main reason is late bedtimes. Late bedtimes may be due to socio-cultural factors, high levels of nighttime and recreational activities, and/or excessive academic activities.
Sleep Medicine 06/2010; 11(6):569-75. · 3.40 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Twenty-four hour urinary sodium excretion (24-h UNa) of greater than 78 mmol/day is important in the management of cirrhotic ascites. Although the random urine sodium-to-potassium ratio (UNa/K) is strongly correlated with 24-h UNa, and approximately 95% of patients with a random UNa/K greater than 1 have 24-h UNa greater than 78 mmol, few data have been published on the correlation between 24-h UNa and random UNa/K. We evaluated diagnostic value of morning and afternoon random UNa/K (AM UNa/K and PM UNa/K, respectively) with 24-h UNa.
A total of 42 male patients were enrolled from October 2007 to March 2008. Each patient collected 5 mL of urine twice at random times during 24-h urine collection (at 10-12 a.m. and 3-5 p.m.). ROC curve analysis was performed to evaluate the feasibility of AM and PM UNa/K for differentiating 24-h UNa greater than 78 mmol/day.
Forty patients with a 24-h urinary creatinine of greater than 15 mg/kg were analyzed. The 24-h UNa, AM UNa/K, and PM UNa/K were 107.9+/-91.2 mmol (mean+/-SD), 3.44+/-3.64, and 3.97+/-4.60, respectively. When compared with 24-h UNa greater than 78 mmol, AUROC values for AM and PM UNa/K were 0.861 (95% CI, 0.715-0.950) and 0.929 (95% CI, 0.802-0.986), respectively (P=0.0001). No difference was found between the AUROC for AM and PM UNa/K (95% CI, -0.161-0.153, P=0.113). UNa/K greater than 1.25 was sensitive and specific for prediction of 24-h UNa greater than 78 mmol.
The results suggest that anytime random UNa/K greater than 1.25 is an accurate, cost-effective, and convenient method for replacing 24-h UNa. Large multicentered cohort studies are needed to confirm our results.
The Korean Journal of Hepatology 03/2010; 16(1):66-74.
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to analyze 3-dimensional structural parameters of cortical and trabecular bone in the distal humerus using quantitative CT and to find regional variations and differences according to age.
We collected 14 cadaveric distal humeri with an average age of 58.4 years. The specimens were examined at 3 different levels: 1) distal trans-epicondylar section, 2) mid trans-olecranon fossa section, and 3) proximal supra-olecranon fossa section.
In the distal section, bone volume was the greatest in the anterior part of the lateral condyle and the least in the posterior part of the lateral condyle. Cortical thickness in the distal section was the thickest in the posterior medial and the thinnest in the anterior aspect followed by lateral aspect. The changes in cortical thickness with aging were obvious in the posterior side and trabecular bone on the medial condyle.
This study evaluated the differences in cortical and trabecular bone parameters in each different region of the distal humerus. We found a potential weakness of plate fixation in the posterolateral aspect of the distal condyle because of relative insufficient osseous micro-architecture, which may affect the treatment of osteoporotic distal humerus fractures especially in elderly patients.
Journal of shoulder and elbow surgery / American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons ... [et al.] 12/2009; 19(2):244-50. · 1.93 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Near-infrared light (NIR, 0.8-1.5 microm light) has been used in therapeutic devices for various injuries such as infected, ischemic and hypoxic wound. NIR-emitting technology has been developed recently in Korea. We hypothesized that NIR may have an anti-inflammatory effect and investigated the effect of NIR-irradiated media on cell culture.
Three kinds of cell lines, CAPE (vascular endothelial cell), NIH3T3 (fibroblast), and RD (smooth muscle cell) cells were cultured for 4 days in 10% FBS-containing media (1 x 10(4) cells/well), which were irradiated or not irradiated (control) by Eco-NFIR Drive (Model #0210, Ecowavetech, Korea). The cells were stimulated by 10 mcg/mL of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Cellular proliferation was measured by methylthiazol tetrazolium assay. Expression of interleukin (IL)-1 beta and nitric oxide was measured by ELISA. Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was measured by immunofluorescence staining.
NIR-irradiated medium was favorable for CAPE cell proliferation (N=8, P=0.000). IL-1 beta secretion from LPS-stimulated NIH3T3 cells incubated in the NIR medium was below that of control medium (N=4, P=0.026). Nitrate production seemed to be low in NIR-irradiated medium although statistically insignificant (N=4, P=0.076). Expression of iNOS of the LPS-stimulated cells was decreased in NIR medium, however, Cox-2 expression was not different between the two media.
NIR-irradiated medium supported vascular endothelial cell proliferation and showed an anti-inflammatory effect on fibroblast culture. These results can be used as basic data for future research on the clinical application of NIR.
The Korean Journal of Laboratory Medicine 09/2009; 29(4):338-44. · 0.63 Impact Factor
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Ho Gak Kim,
Jimin Han,
Myung-Hwan Kim,
Kyu Hyun Cho, Im Hee Shin,
Gwang Ha Kim,
Jae Seon Kim,
Jin Bong Kim,
Tae Nyeun Kim,
Tae Hyeon Kim, [......],
Byung Seok Lee,
Sang Soo Lee,
Seung Ok Lee,
Woo Jin Lee,
Chang Min Cho,
Young-Eun Joo,
Gab Jin Cheon,
Young Woo Choi,
Jae Bok Chung,
Yong Bum Yoon
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ABSTRACT: To investigate prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms, and the relation of the infection to hepatobiliary diseases in 26 hospitals in Korea.
Consecutive patients who had been admitted to the Division of Gastroenterology with gastrointestinal symptoms were enrolled from March to April 2005. Of those who had been diagnosed with clonorchiasis, epidemiology and correlation between infection and hepatobiliary diseases were surveyed by questionnaire.
Of 3080 patients with gastrointestinal diseases, 396 (12.9%) had clonorchiasis and 1140 patients (37.2%) had a history of eating raw freshwater fish. Of those with a history of raw freshwater fish ingestion, 238 (20.9%) patients had clonorchiasis. Cholangiocarcinoma was more prevalent in C. sinensis-infected patients than non-infected patients [34/396 (8.6%) vs 145/2684 (5.4%), P = 0.015]. Cholangiocarcinoma and clonorchiasis showed statistically significant positive cross-relation (P = 0.008). Choledocholithiasis, cholecystolithiasis, cholangitis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and biliary pancreatitis did not correlate with clonorchiasis.
Infection rate of clonorchiasis was still high in patients with gastrointestinal diseases in Korea, and has not decreased very much during the last two decades. Cholangiocarcinoma was related to clonorchiasis, which suggested an etiological role for the parasite.
World Journal of Gastroenterology 02/2009; 15(1):86-94. · 2.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Anti-inflammatory factor (AIF) is a water soluble extract of three herbs, Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen, Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch and Eleutherococcus senticosus. The present study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of herb extracts, AIF, on Korean knee osteoarthritis patients for six weeks. Fifty seven patients with knee osteoarthritis, ranging from 43 to 73 years of age, who fulfilled the "American College of Rheumatology" (ACR) classification of idiopathic osteoarthritis of knee and radiographic criteria were randomly selected and enrolled for the study. After initial screening and resting period, two capsules each of AIF (Each capsule contains; 400 mg) and similar identical placebo were administered twice a day to both groups. Pain intensity at second, fourth, and sixth weeks of study as well as one week after discontinuation of drugs was assessed by using 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Changes in the Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (K-WOMAC) index score were compared at the initiation and completion of the study. VAS assessed by patients were significantly reduced (at visit 2; 54.64+/-14.72, at visit 4, 37.32+/-16.58, p< 0.001) after AIF administration. Results showed an improvement in the physical function of K-WOMAC scale which was significantly higher (p=0.013) in AIF than placebo group, and decreases of total K-WOMAC score were also significantly higher (p=0.030) in AIF groups than placebo group. No serious adverse effect was observed, and there was no difference in incidence of adverse effect between AIF and placebo groups. In this population of Korean patients with knee osteoarthritis, AIF was found to be safe, tolerable and effective for symptomatic improvement of pain and physical function.
Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 02/2009; 13(1):33-7. · 0.96 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: It has been suggested that the SLC22A12 gene polymorphism may be involved in the mechanism of renal urate handling. The purpose of the current study was to identify the effect of the T6092C polymorphism of the SLC22A12 gene on serum uric acid concentrations in the Korean population.
We examined 196 healthy subjects (141 males and 55 females) in this study. Among the SLC22A12 gene polymorphism, the T6092C polymorphism in intron 4 at rs1529909 of the SLC22A12 gene was evaluated using denaturing high performance liquid chromatography analysis. Diverse clinical parameters of renal urate handling derived from fasting blood and urine samples, such as the serum uric acid concentration and the fractional excretion of uric acid (FEUA), were also assessed for identification of the relationship between genotypic variations. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, ANOVA test, and the Pearson correlation coefficient analysis to determine which indicators involved serum uric acid. And the significance of these indicators was then confirmed by multivariate regression analysis.
The prevalence of the T6092C polymorphism (TT, TC, and CC) was 58.2%, 37.2%, and 4.6%, respectively. Only the concentration of serum uric acid and the FEUA in male subjects differed significantly among each genotype (p=0.038 and p=0.013, respectively). Serum uric acid concentrations in male subjects with the TT genotype were increased compared with those with the TC as well as the TC or CC genotypes (6.2+/-1.2 vs. 5.7+/-1.3, p=0.039 and 6.2+/-1.2 vs. 5.6+/-1.3, p=0.019, respectively), whereas there was no significant difference between CC genotype and TT genotype in serum uric acid (p=0.066). No significant difference between clinical indicators and genotypes existed in females. The T6092C polymorphism of the SLC22A12 gene, serum creatinine, and the FEUA were significantly associated with the concentration of serum uric acid.
This study showed that the T6092C polymorphism of the SLC22A12 gene may be involved in renal urate handling and the concentration of serum uric acid, in male subjects.
Clinica Chimica Acta 10/2008; 398(1-2):140-4. · 2.54 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We examined the prevalence of extraarticular manifestations (EAM) in Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Risk factors for development of EAM were identified from patients' general characteristics and clinical or laboratory data.
Using a retrospective medical record review, 405 patients, who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology 1987 criteria for RA, were consecutively enrolled. EAM such as serositis, vasculitis, neuropathy, ocular lesions, sicca symptoms, pulmonary fibrosis, cervical myelopathy, and rheumatoid nodules were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using a chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, 2-sample t-test, and multivariate logistic regression analysis.
The overall prevalence of EAM in our patients was estimated to be 21.5% (n = 87). The most common EAM was rheumatoid nodule (8.4%, n = 34). Univariate analysis revealed anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody positivity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and disease duration to be the risk factors associated with development of EAM. Multivariate logistic regression analysis also revealed a positive anti-CCP antibody, smoking, alcohol consumption, and disease duration to be closely associated with the development of EAM (p = 0.003, OR 5.006, 95% CI 1.729-14.494; p = 0.002, OR 5.260, 95% CI 1.876-14.753; p = 0.001, OR 0.218, 95% CI 0.086-0.553; p < 0.001, OR 1.061, 95% CI 1.032-1.091, respectively).
The prevalence of EAM in Korean RA patients is lower than in European, North American, and Mediterranean populations. Longer disease duration, smoking history, and positive anti-CCP antibody contributed significantly to the occurrence of EAM. Alcohol consumption in patients with RA had a negative association with EAM.
The Journal of Rheumatology 06/2008; 35(6):995-1001. · 3.69 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: A number of cross-sectional analysis studies have been conducted to determine the relationships between serum uric acid and related variables or clinical manifestations. However, few data related to changes in serum uric acid within the same cohort population at two separate periods of time have been reported. In this study, we investigated the changes in serum uric acid in a population from baseline to 1-year follow-up and examined the associations with related parameters and medical conditions. A total of 1,437 eligible male subjects who underwent 2 medical examinations at a health promotion center at an interval of approximately 12 months were enrolled in this study. Data were obtained from routine physical assessments such as blood pressure, height, waist circumference, blood analyses for liver function, renal function, lipid profile, and electrolytes, along with standardized questionnaires including self-reported data. In this population, serum uric acid was significantly increased at 1-year follow-up compared with the baseline level (5.94 +/- 1.20 vs 5.99 +/- 1.22, p = 0.003). Changes of some confounders such as total bilirubin, creatinine, BUN, phosphorus, total cholesterol, and triglyceride were significantly associated with changes in serum uric acid. Among them, serum creatinine may be the most influential in determining the serum uric acid level (odds ratio = 21.691, 95%CI = 5.110-92.086). A change of serum uric acid over 1 year did not seem to affect changes in the clinical status for some medical conditions including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. This analysis showed that a change in serum creatinine level between baseline and 1-year follow-up might be the most potent factor affecting a change in serum uric acid in healthy, male subjects. Changes of serum uric acid did not show any meaningful impact on the development of hypertension, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome in this 1-year follow-up study.
Clinical Rheumatology 05/2008; 27(4):483-9. · 2.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most rapidly increasing cancers in Korea, but no comprehensive analysis has been performed to speculate the genetic basis of CRC development. We investigated the presence of adenomatous polyposis coli gene (APC), Kirsten-ras (K-ras), p53, microsatellite instability (MSI), and melanoma antigen gene (MAGE) alterations in CRC and correlated the results obtained with clinical data.
We collected 78 cancer tissues from CRC patients. Genetic analyses were performed on APC, K-ras, p53, and MSI (BAT 25 and BAT 26), and in addition, MAGE expression was tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Correlations between genetic markers and clinical factors were analyzed after reviewing medical records.
The positive rates for alterations of APC, K-ras, p53, MSI, and MAGE in 78 tissue samples were 33.3, 29.5, 34.6, 9.0, and 68.4%, respectively. Mutations were frequently detected in codons 1291 and 1450 of APC, in codon 12 of K-ras and in codons 248, 282, and 176 of p53. APC mutations were frequently noted in early-stage cancer, whereas MSI was observed in right-sided and multiple cancers. No associations were found between the presence of alterations in APC, K-ras, p53, MSI, and MAGE.
In Koreans, positive rates of alterations in APC and p53 were slightly lower than those of APC and p53 in Caucasians, and the genetic alterations including MAGE expression are involved in 92.1% of CRCs. The lack of multiple mutations and of a relation between mutation rates and clinical stage suggest that genetic alterations might have independent influences on CRC development in Koreans.
International Journal of Colorectal Disease 02/2008; 23(1):29-35. · 2.38 Impact Factor
