OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effects of the economic growth and unemployment rates on the suicide rate in Korea, between 1983 and 2000, using a time-series regression model. The purpose of this study was to model and test the magnitude of the rate of suicide, with the Korean unemployment rate and GDP. METHODS: Using suicide rate per 100, 000 Koreans and the unemployment rates between 1983 and 2000, as published by the Korea National Statistical Office, and the rate of fluctuation of the Korean GDP (Gross Domestic Product), as provided by the Bank of Korea, as an index of the economic growth rate, a time-series regression analysis, with a first-order autoregressive regression model, was performed. RESULTS: An 81.5% of the variability in the suicide rate was explained by GDP, and 82.6% of that was explained by the unemployment rate. It was also observed that the GDP negatively correlated with the suicide rate, while the unemployment and suicide rates were positively correlated. For subjects aged over 20, both the GDP and unemployment rate were found to be a significant factors in explaining suicide rates, with coefficients of determination of 86.5 and 87.9%, respectively. For subjects aged under 20, however, only the GDP was found to be a significant factor in explaning suicide rates (the coeficient of determination is 38.4%). CONCLUSION: It was found that the suicide rate was closely related to the National's economic status of Korea, which is similar to the results found in studies in other countries. We expected, therefore, that this study could be used as the basis for further suicide-related studies.
Economic Development* ; Guanosine Diphosphate ; Korea* ; Suicide* ; Unemployment*

Nucleoside diphosphate kinase (Ndk) is ubiquitous and highly conserved multifunctional key enzyme in nucleotide metabolism. It generates nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs) by transfer of gamma-phosphates from nucleoside triphosphates such as ATP or GTP to nucleoside diphosphate. The formation of an autophosphorylated enzyme intermediate is involved in that mechanism. The phosphate is usually supplied by ATP and Ndk activity in different subcellular compartments. Ndk may regulate the crucial balance between ATP and GTP or other nucleoside triphosphates. Ndk is playing an important role in bacterial pathogenesis and emerging evidences recognize multiple roles of Ndk in host-microbe interaction. Here, I review some examples of the role of Ndk in intra- and extracellular microorganism.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Guanosine Triphosphate ; Nucleoside-Diphosphate Kinase

BACKGROUND: We reported the beneficial effect of low GDP solution on rapid remesothelialization and less EMT in the peritoneum with time on CAPD. In a prospective study, we investigated the effect of switching solution from high GDP to low GDP on the restoration of EMT from human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) in CAPD patients via ex vivo. METHODS: 21 patients (11 females, DM:11, mean age: 52.1+/-13.4 years old) who had used high GDP solution (pH 5.5, stay-safe(R), FMC) for more than 1 year (mean 14+/-6.4 months) were treated with the low GDPs solution (pH 7.0, stay-safe Balance(R), FMC) at least additional 12 months. Drained HPMCs from overnight effluent were cultured on T25 flask at the 6 months before switching to low GDPs solution (Time -6), just before switching (Time 0), 3 months after switching (Time +3), 6 months after switching (Time +6) and 12 months after switching (Time +12). When they had nearly reached to confluence, cell scores were blindly measured by the same person (Score 1: cobble stone shaped HPMCs, Score 2: mixed, Score 3:fibroblast dominant). Cell scores and clinical indices were compared between Time 0 and the others. We analyzed data with paired t-test. RESULTS: Cell score was a significantly lower at Time -6 than Time 0 (1.63+/-0.8 vs. 2.06+/-0.85, p= 0.014). But, there was no difference of level of D-CA125 between two groups (23.4+/-13.0 vs. 23.7+/-13.4 (IU/mL), p=N.S., N=16). There was no difference of cell scores between Time +3 and Time 0 (2.24+/-0.94 vs. 2.19+/-0.87, p=N.S., N=21). There were significantly lower cell score (1.71+/-0.90 vs. 2.19+/-0.87, p=0.038) and significantly higher level of D-CA125 (37.4+/-20.3 vs. 24.4+/-13.4 (IU/mL), p=0.004) at Time +6 than Time 0 (N=17). There were significantly lower cell score (1.60+/-0.88 vs. 2.20+/-0.89, p=0.014) and significantly higher level of D-CA125 (46.2+/-20.9 vs. 20.1+/-11.5 (IU/mL), p=0.000) in Time +12 than Time 0 (N=17). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that, although restoration of EMT took some time, the switching into GDP solution from conventional solution might be helpful to pre-Jong-Won Park, et al.: Restoration of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition in CAPD Patients-serve the peritoneal membrane with time on PD.
Dialysis* ; Female ; Glucose* ; Guanosine Diphosphate* ; Humans ; Membranes ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Peritoneum ; Prospective Studies

According to 2005 OECD health data, the total Korean expenditure on health in percentage of GDP is 6%, while other OECD countries spend an average 10% of their GDP. Accordingly, health and medical professionals uniformly point out that the idea of 'proper medical treatment with a reasonable fee' is unfair. Hence, the rationalization of the national health insurance rate is a step toward the financial stability of the national health insurance system and a way to further the realization of proper medical care. The importance of strengthening national health insurance coverage through financial expansion on the national health insurance system should be recognized as an urgent social and political issue.
Delivery of Health Care ; Guanosine Diphosphate ; Health Expenditures ; Insurance ; National Health Programs ; Quality Improvement ; Rationalization

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are membrane receptors; approximately 40% of drugs on the market target GPCRs. A precise understanding of the activation mechanism of GPCRs would facilitate the development of more effective and less toxic drugs. Heterotrimeric G proteins are important molecular switches in GPCR-mediated signal transduction. An agonist-activated receptor interacts with specific sites on G proteins and promotes the release of GDP from the Galpha subunit. Because of the important biological role of the GPCR-G protein coupling, conformational changes in the G protein upon receptor coupling have been of great interest. One of the most important questions was the interface between the GPCR and G proteins and the structural mechanism of GPCR-induced G protein activation. A number of biochemical and biophysical studies have been performed since the late 80s to address these questions; there was a significant breakthrough in 2011 when the crystal structure of a GPCR-G protein complex was solved. This review discusses the structural aspects of GPCR-G protein coupling by comparing the results of previous biochemical and biophysical studies to the GPCR-G protein crystal structure.
GTP-Binding Proteins ; Guanosine Diphosphate ; Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins ; Membranes ; Signal Transduction

The objective of this study is to provide basic information and policy implications needed to balance the supply and demand for dietitian by projecting supply and demand for dietitian. The data from the Ministry of Health Welfare and Family on the number of licensed nutritionist, resident registration data of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security, and health insurance qualification data of the National Health Insurance Corporation were used to examine the current status of supply. To project the supply of nutritionist workforce, the in-out moves method and demographic method were used. The ratios of nutritionist to population and GDP, and that of other countries were applied as the demand projection method. According to the study results, the projection on the imbalance of supply and demand for dietitian by year 2021 differs depending on the method used. First, according to the results based on age-adjusted population ratio, there is an oversupply of 1,643 dietitians in year 2010, and 2,076 dietitians in year 2020. Second, although the projection on the imbalance of the supply and demand for dietitian differs depending on whether the GDD is calculated in won(won) or dollar($). it is expected that there will be an oversupply in general. Third, as to the scenario using the nutritionist ratio in foreign countries, the oversupply of dietitian is likely in Korea, under any scenario, when comparing the nutritionist supply projection with the demand projection based on the nutritionist ratio in the United States. However, the projection of the supply and demand varies in each scenario when the European nutritionist ratio is applied. Under European 'scenario 1', an oversupply is expected, whereas under 'scenario 2', a shortage of supply is expected. A careful approach is required in interpreting the supply and demand projection using criteria of other countries, because dietitian assumes different roles and functions in each country. Although a slight oversupply of nutritionist workforce is projected, it does not cause a major problem as the demand for diet therapy is expected to rise due to aging and the increase of chronic diseases, and as the demand for clinical dietitians in hospitals increases. Accordingly, the demand for dietitians will rise and, in this context, the oversupply of nutritionist will not incur much problem. However, the nutritionist qualification is much too open in Korea, and this has a negative effect on the quality of the nutritionist workforce. Therefore, it is important that the nutritionist qualifications and requirements are reinforced in the future, enhance the quality level of the nutritionist supply, and maintain the balance between the supply and demand.
Aging ; Chronic Disease ; Guanosine Diphosphate ; Humans ; Insurance, Health ; Korea ; National Health Programs ; United States

RalA GTPase, a member of Ras superfamily proteins, shows alternative forms between the active GTP-binding and the inactive GDP-binding states. Ral-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor such as RalGDS interacts with activated Ras and cooperates with Ras indicating that Ral can be activated through Ras signaling pathway. Another activation path for Ral are through Ca2+-dependent but Ras-independent manner. In this study, studies were carried out to examine possible effects of Ca2+ and calmodulin, Ca2+-binding protein, directly on the GTP/GDP-binding state to recombinant unprenylated GST-RalA proteins. The results showed that Ca2+ stimulated the binding of GTP to RalA, whereas it reduced the binding of GDP to RalA. However, it does not involve a high affinity association of Ca2+ with RalA. Ca2+/calmodulin stimulated the GTPase activity of RalA. These results indicate that Ca2+ alone activates RalA by stimulating GTP-binding to RalA and Ca2+/calmodulin inactivates RalA by increasing the activity of RalGTPase.
Animal ; Brain/metabolism ; Calcium/*metabolism ; Calmodulin/*metabolism ; GTP Phosphohydrolases/*metabolism ; Guanosine Diphosphate/metabolism ; Guanosine Triphosphate/*metabolism ; Rats ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Synaptosomes/metabolism

Peritoneal membrane shows progressive thickening, fibrotic changes and neovascularization with time on PD. Peritonitis, uremia and bioincompatible dialysate solution are important causes of peritoneal fibrosis in CAPD patients. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the important etiologic factors for the peritoneal fibrosis in CAPD patients. Low GDP group showed less EMT than conventional PD group. Adjustment of peritoneal growth factor for dialysate CA125 revealed significant association with EMT suggesting that fibroblastoid transition from HPMC could be affected by the amount of intraperitoneal VEGF per unit mass of HPMC. There was significant improvement in both degree of EMT and D-CA125 at 6th and 12th months after switching from high GDP solution to low GDP solution. Application of icodextrin solution showed preservation of the peritoneum, like less EMT and high mesothelial bulk mass. In conclusion, therapy with low GDP solution including icodextrin may positively impact on preservation of the peritoneal membrane via reduced EMT.
Glucans ; Glucose ; Guanosine Diphosphate ; Humans ; Membranes ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory ; Peritoneal Fibrosis ; Peritoneum ; Peritonitis ; Uremia ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the incremental effectiveness (the differences in progression-free survival between treatments), the incremental cost and the incremental cost-effectiveness of Genexol-PM compared to Paclitaxel when these drugs were used as treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: In the absence of any comparative direct evidence of the relative efficacy of Paclitaxel and Genexol-PM in this setting, a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effects of the Paclitaxel on the health outcome. The decision tree model was constructed to evaluate the two treatment regimens. All the costs are in 2008 Korean Won (KW) and they were evaluated according to the 3rd party payer perspective, and the direct nonmedical and indirect costs were excluded. RESULTS: When compared with Paclitaxel, Genexol-PM was shown to increase the response rate and the time to progression for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Although the overall treatment costs of Genexol-PM were slightly higher than those of Paclitaxel, Genexol-PM was associated with a delayed time to progression of 4.78 months per patient. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio for Genexol-PM versus Paclitaxel was KW 2,295,228 per year gained, which is far below the per capita GDP or the threshold of the willingness-to-pay in Korea. CONCLUSION: Compared with Paclitaxel, Genexol-PM for treating metastatic breast cancer is within the acceptable range of the cost-effectiveness ratio for medical intervention.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Decision Trees ; Disease-Free Survival ; Guanosine Diphosphate ; Health Care Costs ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paclitaxel

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the incremental effectiveness (the differences in progression-free survival between treatments), the incremental cost and the incremental cost-effectiveness of Genexol-PM compared to Paclitaxel when these drugs were used as treatment for patients with metastatic breast cancer. METHODS: In the absence of any comparative direct evidence of the relative efficacy of Paclitaxel and Genexol-PM in this setting, a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effects of the Paclitaxel on the health outcome. The decision tree model was constructed to evaluate the two treatment regimens. All the costs are in 2008 Korean Won (KW) and they were evaluated according to the 3rd party payer perspective, and the direct nonmedical and indirect costs were excluded. RESULTS: When compared with Paclitaxel, Genexol-PM was shown to increase the response rate and the time to progression for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Although the overall treatment costs of Genexol-PM were slightly higher than those of Paclitaxel, Genexol-PM was associated with a delayed time to progression of 4.78 months per patient. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio for Genexol-PM versus Paclitaxel was KW 2,295,228 per year gained, which is far below the per capita GDP or the threshold of the willingness-to-pay in Korea. CONCLUSION: Compared with Paclitaxel, Genexol-PM for treating metastatic breast cancer is within the acceptable range of the cost-effectiveness ratio for medical intervention.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Decision Trees ; Disease-Free Survival ; Guanosine Diphosphate ; Health Care Costs ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paclitaxel