BACKGROUND: AND PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance and safety of a new ¹⁸F-labeled amyloid tracer, ¹⁸F-FC119S. METHODS: This study prospectively recruited 105 participants, comprising 53 with Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, 16 patients with dementia other than AD (non-AD), and 36 healthy controls (HCs). In the first screening visit, the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery cognitive function test was given to the dementia group, while HC subjects completed the Korean version of the Mini Mental State Examination. Individuals underwent ¹⁸F-FC119S PET, ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET, and brain MRI. The diagnostic performance of ¹⁸F-FC119S PET for AD was compared to a historical control (comprising previously reported and currently used amyloid-beta PET agents), ¹⁸F-FDG PET, and MRI. The standardized uptake value (SUV) ratio (ratio of the cerebral cortical SUV to the cerebellar SUV) was measured for each PET data set to provide semiquantitative analysis. All adverse effects during the clinical trial periods were monitored. RESULTS: Visual assessments of the ¹⁸F-FC119S PET data revealed a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 84% in detecting AD. ¹⁸F-FC119S PET demonstrated equivalent or better diagnostic performance for AD detection than the historical control, ¹⁸F-FDG PET (sensitivity of 80.0% and specificity of 76.0%), and MRI (sensitivity of 98.0% and specificity of 50.0%). The SUV ratios differed significantly between AD patients and the other groups, at 1.44±0.17 (mean±SD) for AD, 1.24±0.09 for non-AD, and 1.21±0.08 for HC. No clinically significant adverse effects occurred during the trial periods. CONCLUSIONS ¹⁸F-FC119S PET provides high sensitivity and specificity in detecting AD and therefore may be considered a useful diagnostic tool for AD.

Purpose: To determine the metabolic influence of the traditional Korean diet (K-diet), which has been regarded as a healthy diet, we investigated the profile of urine organic acids that are intermediates of various types of metabolism including energy metabolism. Methods: Ten women aged 50–60 years were recruited and randomly divided into 2 diet groups, K-diet and control diet, the latter of which is a Westernized Korean diet that is commonly consumed by Koreans nowadays. Before and after the 2-week intervention, 46 urine organic acids were determined using LC/MS/MS, along with clinical parameters. Results: The average concentrations of succinate (4.14 ± 0.84 μg/mg creatinine vs. 1.49 ± 0.11, p = 0.0346) and hydroxymethylglutarate (3.67 ± 0.36 μg/mg creatinine vs. 2.97 ± 0.29, p = 0.0466), both of which are intermediates of energy metabolism, decreased in the K-diet group after the 2-week intervention, but these were not observed in the control diet group. In particular, the average concentration of succinate in the K-diet group was lower than that in the control group (3.33 ± 0.56 μg/mg creatinine vs. 1.49 ± 0.11, p = 0.0284) after 2 weeks. The concentrations of two tryptophan metabolites, 5-hydroxyindolacetate (3.72 ± 0.22 μg/mg creatinine vs. 3.14 ± 0.21, p = 0.0183) and indican (76.99 ± 8.35 μg/mg creatinine vs. 37.89 ± 10.06, p = 0.0205) also decreased only in the K-diet group. After the 2-week intervention, the concentration of kynurenate, another tryptophan metabolite, was lower in the K-diet group than that in the control diet group (3.96 ± 0.51 μg/mg creatinine vs. 2.90 ± 0.22, p = 0.0356). Interestingly, the urine level of kynurenate was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.61424, p = 0.0003) and total cholesterol (r = 0.46979, p = 0.0088), which decreased only in the K-diet group (239.40 ± 15.14 mg/dL vs. 198.20 ± 13.25, p = 0.0163). Conclusion The K-diet alters the urinary excretion of organic acids involved in energy metabolism and tryptophan metabolism, suggesting the influence of the K-diet on these types of metabolism. Urine organic acids changed by the K-diet may serve as biomarkers in future studies.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the analytical performance of the SelexOnTM B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) assay (Osang Healthcare Inc., Korea), a new rapid lateral flow immunoassay for point of care (POC) testing using whole blood. Methods: The imprecision, linearity, and method comparison of SelexOnTM BNP assay were evaluated. Two commercial BNP assays, the ADVIA Centaur® BNP (Siemens Health Care diagnostics Inc., USA) and the Triage® BNP assays (Alere, USA), were included for method comparison using 100 whole blood samples from patients. The reference interval was verified using 120 residual samples from health examination participants. Results: The SelexOn BNP had total CVs of 20.3%, 13.3%, and 10.3% in BNP concentrations of 89.44 pg/mL, 480.71 pg/mL, and 1,201.84 pg/mL of control materials, respectively. Linearity was observed from 56 pg/mL to 1544 pg/mL. The SelexOn BNP (y) regression equation was y=0.9706x-21.68 with Centaur BNP (x) (r=0.930) and y=0.7600x+0.0506 with Triage BNP (x) (r=0.845), respectively. The predicted mean difference (%) of the SelexOn BNP at the clinical decision levels (100 pg/mL) was up to 25% lower than the two comparative methods. The SelexOn BNP levels were below 50 pg/mL in 114 (95%) of the 120 samples. Conclusions The SelexOn BNP using EDTA was developed as a POC test for differential diagnosis or treatment monitoring for acute heart failure. However, clinical decision values must be improved to be compatible with other BNP methods.

Wilson's disease typically presents symptoms associated with liver damage or neuropsychiatric disturbances, while endocrinologic abnormalities are rare. We report an unprecedented case of hypopituitarism in a patient with Wilson's disease. A 40-year-old woman presented with depression, general weakness and anorexia. Laboratory tests and imaging studies were compatible with liver cirrhosis due to Wilson's disease. Basal hormone levels and pituitary function tests indicated secondary hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency due to hypopituitarism. Brain MRI showed T2 hyperintense signals in both basal ganglia and midbrain but the pituitary imaging was normal. She is currently receiving chelation therapy along with thyroid hormone and steroid replacement. There may be a relationship between Wilson's disease and hypopituitarism. Copper deposition or secondary neuronal damage in the pituitary may be a possible explanation for this theory.
Adrenal Insufficiency/diagnosis/etiology ; Adult ; Brain/diagnostic imaging ; Depression/etiology ; Female ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration/*complications ; Humans ; Hypopituitarism/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Hypothyroidism/diagnosis/etiology ; Liver Cirrhosis/complications/diagnostic imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Steroids/therapeutic use ; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone/therapeutic use

Wilson's disease typically presents symptoms associated with liver damage or neuropsychiatric disturbances, while endocrinologic abnormalities are rare. We report an unprecedented case of hypopituitarism in a patient with Wilson's disease. A 40-year-old woman presented with depression, general weakness and anorexia. Laboratory tests and imaging studies were compatible with liver cirrhosis due to Wilson's disease. Basal hormone levels and pituitary function tests indicated secondary hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency due to hypopituitarism. Brain MRI showed T2 hyperintense signals in both basal ganglia and midbrain but the pituitary imaging was normal. She is currently receiving chelation therapy along with thyroid hormone and steroid replacement. There may be a relationship between Wilson's disease and hypopituitarism. Copper deposition or secondary neuronal damage in the pituitary may be a possible explanation for this theory.
Adrenal Insufficiency/diagnosis/etiology ; Adult ; Brain/diagnostic imaging ; Depression/etiology ; Female ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration/*complications ; Humans ; Hypopituitarism/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Hypothyroidism/diagnosis/etiology ; Liver Cirrhosis/complications/diagnostic imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Steroids/therapeutic use ; Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone/therapeutic use

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels and the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD), markers of atopy (total IgE, total eosinophil count, and eosinophil cationic protein) in AD children according to allergen sensitization. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 160 AD patients aged 1 to 18 years between March 2012 and August 2014. The AD patients (AD group) were subdivided into 2 categories according to the results of the allergic skin prick and Unicap tests: the allergic and nonallergic AD groups. We compared 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels between the AD and control groups. We also investigated relationships between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels, the severity of AD, and markers of AD (total IgE, total eosinophil count, and eosinophil cationic protein) in the allergic and nonallergic AD groups. RESULTS: The average 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were 30.6+/-11.7 and 23.7+/-10.0 ng/mL, respectively, in the control and AD groups (P<0.001). The average 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were 19.7+/-8.6 and 27.5+/-9.8 ng/mL, respectively, in the allergic and nonallergic AD groups, with clinical implications (P<0.001). The 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were not significantly associated with SCORing Atopic Dermatitis index in the allergic (P=0.004, r=-0.092) or nonallergic (P=0.610, r=-0.58) AD groups. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were not significantly associated with the aforementioned markers of atopy in the AD group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 may play a role in the pathogenesis of AD.
Allergens ; Calcifediol* ; Child* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Skin

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Seminal Vesicles*

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia, a characteristic feature of diabetes, induces glucotoxicity in pancreatic beta-cells, resulting in further impairment of insulin secretion and worsening glycemic control. Thus, preservation of insulin secretory capacity is essential for the management of type 2 diabetes. In this study, we evaluated the ability of an Orthosiphon stamineus (OS) extract to prevent glucotoxicity in insulin-producing cells. METHODS: We measured insulin mRNA expression and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in OS-treated INS-1 cells after exposure to a high glucose (HG; 30 mM) concentration. RESULTS: The hexane extract of OS elevated mRNA expression of insulin as well as pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1 of INS-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The hexane OS extract also increased the levels of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, Akt phosphorylation was elevated by treatment with 100 and 200 micromol of the hexane OS extract. Three days of HG exposure suppressed insulin mRNA expression and GSIS; these expressions were restored by treatment with the hexane OS extract. HG elevated peroxide levels in the INS-1 cells. These levels were unaffected by OS treatment under both normal and hyperglycemic conditions. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that the hexane extract of OS elevates insulin mRNA expression and prevents glucotoxicity induced by a 3-day treatment with HG. This was associated with the activation of PI-3K and Akt.
Glucose ; Hyperglycemia ; Insulin* ; Orthosiphon* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Phosphorylation ; RNA, Messenger

We evaluated the association of the APOE polymorphism with serum C-reactive protein levels and white blood cell count in two large population-based studies in Korean. The datasets included the Dong-gu study (n = 8,893) and the Namwon Study (n = 10,032). APOE genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship of APOE genotypes with C-reactive protein levels and white blood cell count with adjustments for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and serum lipids. In the multivariate model, carriers of E3E4 or E4E4 genotype had significantly lower C-reactive protein levels compared with carriers of E3E3 genotype group (0.50 mg/L vs. 0.67 mg/L; 0.37 mg/L vs. 0.67 mg/L, respectively, for the Dong-gu Study and 0.47 mg/L vs. 0.66 mg/L; 0.45 mg/L vs. 0.66 mg/L, respectively, for the Namwon Study). However, there was no difference in white blood cell count among APOE genotypes. We found that the APOE E4 allele is associated with lower C-reactive protein levels, but not white blood cell count. Our results suggest that APOE genotype may influence C-reactive protein levels through non-inflammatory pathway.
Aged ; Apolipoproteins E/*genetics ; C-Reactive Protein/*metabolism ; Female ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genotype ; Humans ; Inflammation/*blood/immunology ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND: Cognitive intervention (CI) is a nonpharmacological approach used to compensate for cognitive impairment. It is categorized into cognitive training, cognitive stimulation and cognitive rehabilitation. Several studies showed that CI could induce cognitive enhancement and reduction of risk for future cognitive decline in patients with brain injury. We investigated effects of CI on cognitive functions and brain glucose metabolism based on serial cognitive assessments and [18F]-Fluorodexoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in a patient with carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication. METHODS: A 40-year-old man presented with memory impairment and abnormal behaviors such as apathy, indifference, and perseveration 2-month after CO intoxication. Brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) demonstrated high signal changes in the bilateral basal ganglia, hippocampus and the subcortical white matter on T2 weighted images. FDG-PET also showed glucose hypometabolism in the bilateral hippocampus, basal ganglia, and the subcortical white matter. A detailed neuropsychological evaluation revealed multiple cognitive impairments in memory, language and frontal functions. He received twice a week sessions of 60-minute group-based cognitive intervention for 12 weeks. Several neuropsychological examinations and FDG-PETs were conducted at baseline and after CI. RESULTS: After CI, he showed improvements in memory and frontal functions compared with baseline performances. These cognitive improvements persisted by the 7-month follow-up. The extent of glucose hypometabolism was decreased 1-month after CI, however increased 8-month after CI. CONCLUSIONS: This case study suggested that CI could enhance cognitive functions and improve glucose metabolism in a patient with CO intoxication. Also, the effects of CI on cognitive functions seem to be last at least 7-month after training.
Adult ; Apathy ; Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Brain Injuries ; Carbon Monoxide* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucose ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Memory ; Metabolism ; Neuronal Plasticity ; Neuropsychology ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Rehabilitation