Family, twin, and adoption studies have demonstrated that genes play an important role in the development of alcoholism. We investigated the association between alcoholism and the genetic polymorphisms of the GABA(A) receptor genes on chromosome 5q33-34 in Korean population. The genotype of the GABA(A) receptor gene polymorphisms were determined by performing polymerase chain reaction genotyping for 172 normal controls and 162 male alcoholics who are hospitalized in alcoholism treatment institute. We found a significant association between the genetic polymorphisms of the GABA(A) alpha1 and GABA(A) alpha6 receptor gene and alcoholism. The GG genotype of the GABA(A) alpha1 receptor gene was associated with the onset age of alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and a high score on the Korean version of the ADS. However, there was no association between the genetic polymorphisms of the GABA(A) beta2 and gamma2 receptor gene and alcoholisms. Our finding suggest that genetic polymorphisms of the GABA(A) alpha1 and GABA(A) alpha6 receptor gene may be associated with the development of alcoholism and that the GG genotype of the GABA(A) alpha1 receptor gene play an important role in the development of the early onset and the severe type of alcoholism.
Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Receptors, GABA-A/*genetics ; *Polymorphism, Genetic ; Models, Statistical ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Korea ; Humans ; *Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; DNA/metabolism ; *Chromosomes, Human, Pair 5 ; Alcoholism/*genetics ; Age of Onset ; Adult

Although enhanced appetite and weight gain are potential side effects of treatment with antipsychotic agents, particularly olanzapine and clozapine, the mechanisms underlying these side effects are poorly understood. Leptin and ghrelin were recently identified as hormones that play crucial roles in the regulation of energy balance and glucose metabolism. To elucidate relationships between weight change and plasma levels of ghrelin and leptin, we investigated the circulating ghrelin and leptin levels and body weight during olanzapine treatment. Twenty-four patients with schizophrenia were examined during 6-month administration of olanzapine. Ghrelin, leptin, weight and body mass index (BMI) were measured before and after 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 weeks of olanzapine treatment. The concentration of glucose and various lipid metabolic parameters were measured at baseline and at 24 weeks. Significant increases in weight, BMI and leptin were observed at week 24. On the other hand, the serum levels of ghrelin decreased significantly after olanzapine treatment. In addition, the level of ghrelin was negatively correlated with the leptin level, BMI and weight. The leptin level was positively correlated with both BMI and weight. Ghrelin is associated with metabolic changes, in combination with leptin, during olanzapine treatment. However, further large-scale and longitudinal studies are warranted to elucidate the metabolic changes involving ghrelin, leptin and insulin during treatment with antipsychotics.
Antipsychotic Agents/*adverse effects ; Benzodiazepines/*adverse effects ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight/*drug effects ; Ghrelin/*blood ; Humans ; Leptin/*blood ; Male ; Schizophrenia/blood/*drug therapy

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to investigate the effect of early phosphorus intake on respiratory distress in extremely low-birth-weight infants (ELBWIs) with a high incidence of hypophosphatemia. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study to target 164 ELBWIs admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in Seoul National University Children's Hospital. Birth characteristics, nutritional intake, and electrolyte levels during the first week were investigated as predictors that would affect the clinical outcomes. The correlations among invasive ventilation at postnatal age of 2 weeks, moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and phosphorous intake were analyzed. RESULTS: Hypophosphatemia (phosphorus level <4 mg/dL) was observed in 72.0% of the subjects. The rates of invasive ventilation (P=0.001) and moderate-to-severe BPD (P=0.005) were significantly lower in the high phosphorus intake group (≥0.7 mM/kg/day) than in the low phosphorus intake group (<0.7 mM/kg/day). Phosphorus intake during the first week was a significant factor affecting invasive ventilation at 2 weeks of age (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 8.212; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.256 to 28.896; P=0.001) and moderate-to-severe BPD (adjusted OR, 3.402; 95% CI, 1.274 to 9.084; P=0.015). CONCLUSION: Early insufficient phosphorus intake confers a significantly higher risk with invasive ventilation at 2 weeks of age and moderate-to-severe BPD. Therefore, early sufficient phosphorus supply may improve respiratory outcomes in ELBWIs.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Humans ; Hypophosphatemia ; Incidence ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Odds Ratio ; Parturition ; Phosphorus ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Ventilation

Arterioportal (AP) shunt is related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with variable frequency but its clinical significance is not well known. We retrospectively studied the prevalence and clinical significance including mortality of the AP shunt combined with HCC. METHODS: The clinical data and radiologic features of HCC patients who were performed hepatic angiography from 1992 to 1997 at St. Mary's Hospital in Korea were reviewed. The data of HCC patients with AP shunt were compared with that of randomized samples of HCC patients without AP shunt. RESULTS: The prevalence of AP shunt in HCC was 7.3%(45/616 HCC patients). There was no significant difference in clinical symptoms and signs such as ascites, encephalopathy, or variceal bleeding and laboratory findings between the HCC patients with AP shunt and those without. The AP shunt was more common in diffuse, poorly demarcated, large HCC. Especially, portal vein thrombosis (PVT) was one of the most common causes of AP shunt. Cumulative survival rate of the HCC patients with AP shunt was lower than that of those without. But only the size of HCC was significantly related with poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: AP shunt occurred in some HCC which was large in size or combined with PVT. AP shunt did not increase the severity of symptoms and signs, but decreased the survival because of its relation to tumor size.
Angiography ; Ascites ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Venous Thrombosis

Active surveillance (AS) has been widely adopted as an alternative to immediate surgery owing to the indolent nature and favorable outcomes of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). AS is generally recommended for tumors measuring ≤1 cm without aggressive cytological subtypes, risk of gross extrathyroidal extension (ETE), lymph node metastasis (LNM), or distant metastasis. AS requires careful patient selection based on various patient and tumor characteristics, and ultrasound (US) findings. Moreover, during AS, regular US is performed to monitor any signs of tumor progression, including tumor growth, new US features of potential gross ETE, and LNM. Therefore, appropriate imaging-based assessment plays a crucial role in determining whether AS or surgery should be pursued. However, detailed recommendations concerning US evaluation are currently insufficient, necessitating the formulation of this guideline. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology has developed a consensus statement for low-risk PTMC, covering US assessment methods when considering AS as a management option and conducting follow-up imaging tests during AS. This guideline aims to provide optimal scientific evidence and expert opinion consensus regarding a standardized US-based assessment protocol for low-risk PTMC.

Active surveillance (AS) has been widely adopted as an alternative to immediate surgery owing to the indolent nature and favorable outcomes of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). AS is generally recommended for tumors measuring ≤1 cm without aggressive cytological subtypes, risk of gross extrathyroidal extension (ETE), lymph node metastasis (LNM), or distant metastasis. AS requires careful patient selection based on various patient and tumor characteristics, and ultrasound (US) findings. Moreover, during AS, regular US is performed to monitor any signs of tumor progression, including tumor growth, new US features of potential gross ETE, and LNM. Therefore, appropriate imaging-based assessment plays a crucial role in determining whether AS or surgery should be pursued. However, detailed recommendations concerning US evaluation are currently insufficient, necessitating the formulation of this guideline. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology has developed a consensus statement for low-risk PTMC, covering US assessment methods when considering AS as a management option and conducting follow-up imaging tests during AS. This guideline aims to provide optimal scientific evidence and expert opinion consensus regarding a standardized US-based assessment protocol for low-risk PTMC.