BACKGROUND: Osteopenia has been recognized as one of the potential complications of chronic liver disease. However, its correlation with hepatits B virus (HBV) carriage has not been reported. Thus this study was aimed to clarify the relationship between osteopenia and HBV carriage. METHODS: Bone density was measured in 192 HBV carrier women and 200 healthy women in the following sites: the lumbar spine and three sites of the proximal femur (the neck, Ward's triangle, greater trochanter) by dual-photon absorptiometry. Liver function tests (AST, ALT, Albumin, GGT, and ALP) were also performed. RESULTS: The levels of the bone density measured at the four sites were significantly correlated with each other (r=0.34 to 0.99, P<0.01). Compared with the control group, HBV carriers showed a significant decrease in the bone density of the femur (P<0.05); the decrease was particularly marked at the Ward's triangle. A negative correlation was found between bone density and serum total alkaline phosphatase level (r=-0.44, P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Osteopenia was more prevalent in HBV carriers, particularly in those younger than 50 years of age. Serum total alkaline phosphatase level was higher in those with a reduced bone density; thus, the measurement of bone density may be indicated in female HBV carriers.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic* ; Female ; Femur ; Herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Function Tests* ; Neck ; Prevalence* ; Spine

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been reported to be related with metabolic disorder and frequently accompanied by abnormal liver function. This study was performed to investigate the metabolic characteristics of NAFLD and its associated factors. METHODS: We analysed 7,150 subjects diagnosed with NAFLD (n=2,381) or normal liver (n=4,769) and classified them into four groups based on ultrasonography and ALT levels as follows: 1) Control (normal liver and ALT), 2) increased ALT (normal liver with increased ALT), 3) NAFLD I (fatty liver with normal ALT), and 4) NAFLD II (fatty liver with increased ALT). Age, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, blood lipids, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were compared, and the incidence of metabolic syndrome was also determined in each group. RESULTS: The diastolic blood pressure, BMI, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, hsCRP, and the incidence of metabolic syndrome, were the highest in the NAFLD II group, followed by the NAFLD I group, the increased ALT group, and the control group in descending order. Meanwhile, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) was the lowest in the NAFLD II group. Male sex, age, systolic blood pressure, BMI, fasting glucose, triglyceride, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and hsCRP were associated with NAFLD (P<0.001). An increased level of ALT in NAFLD was significantly related with male sex, increased BMI, fasting glucose, triglyceride, and LDL-C, younger age and decreased HDL-C (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: NAFLD was related with metabolic syndrome and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease in Koreans. The correlation was more prominent in NAFLD with increased ALT. Thus, a more intensive management is required for the individuals in the NAFLD with increased ALT.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Alanine Transaminase/*blood ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis ; Cardiovascular Diseases/diagnosis ; Fatty Liver/*diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Lipids/blood ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/diagnosis ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors

The purpose of this present study was to investigate the effect of autogenous bone with histological evaluation of regenerated bone after sinus elevation. The study involved genaral healthy 6 patients participated in this study and were treated with 2-stage sinus elevation procedures using a combination of demineralized freezeddried bone allograft (DFDBA) and coralline calcium carbonate with or without autogenous bone. At 6months after sinus elevation, bone specimens were obtained and stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin for light microscopic evaluation. The results of this study were as follows : 1. Autogenous bone grafts present trabecular patterns at 6 months in test groups, consist of woven bone and lamellar bone, but more compact than control groups. 2. Resorption of bone graft particles, osteoblast-like cells, newly formed osteoid tissue were observed at 6 months in test groups, but seems to be more frequently than control groups. 3. New osteoid tissue was formed from the surface of graft materials and gradually expanded around them. 4. The appearance of connective tissue around graft materials was densely formed, but more prominent in test groups than control groups. 5. Bone graft particles were resorbed incompletely and slight inflammatory infiltrate, newly formed capillaries, and adipocytes were observed. From the above results, autogenous bone is effective in bone regeneration after sinus elevation, could provide favorable conditions in implant placement.
Adipocytes ; Allografts ; Bone Regeneration* ; Calcium Carbonate ; Capillaries ; Connective Tissue ; Humans ; Transplants*

BACKGROUND: Serologic testing is considered a standard method for syphilis diagnosis. We compared Auto RPR Plus and Auto TPIM Plus with previously developed assays. METHODS: The precision around the cut-off, linearity, and recovery rate of Auto RPR Plus and Auto TPIM Plus was evaluated using their positive/negative control materials. The results of these two tests were compared with those of Mediace RPR and Abbott Syphilis TP using 431 remnant serum samples collected from people who underwent medical examinations. RESULTS: The within-run precisions (coefficient of variation, CV values) of negative/positive control materials of Auto RPR Plus, Mediace RPR, Auto TPIM Plus and Abbott Syphilis TP were 15.7/2.3%, 20.4/2.3%, -/2.7%, and 8.5/2.3%, respectively; between-run precisions were 67.7/3.3%, 39.1/3.4%, -/4.0%, and 7.0/1.5%, respectively. Auto RPR Plus showed better precision around the cutoff level (1.0 U) compared to Mediace RPR (7.2–7.3% vs. 12.2–14.3%). The CVs of Auto TPIM Plus around the cutoff (10.0 U) were 13.5% at 10.5 U and 6.6% at 12.5 U. Agreement rates between Auto RPR Plus and Mediace RPR and between Auto TPIM Plus and Abbott Syphilis TP were 97.2% and 98.4%, respectively. However, twelve samples showed discrepant results for Auto RPR Plus (−)/Mediace RPR (+) and false-positive Mediace RPR results could not be excluded around the cutoff of 1.0 U. CONCLUSIONS: Auto RPR Plus showing good precision near the cutoff can be used for syphilis screening in health checkups. However, Auto TPIM Plus needs improvement in precision and adjusting the cutoff to be used for syphilis screening.
Diagnosis* ; Mass Screening ; Methods ; Serologic Tests ; Syphilis*

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the trajectory of change of diverse attention and working memory in Koreans from 4 to 40 years of age. METHODS: The data of 912 subjects from 4 to 15 years of age obtained from a previous standardization study of the computerized comprehensive attention test were merged with the newly obtained data of 150 subjects aged 16 to 40 years from this study. We evaluated the various kinds of attention, in which each subtest had five indicators. Working memory, with parameters such as number of correct responses and span, was also measured. RESULTS: Our findings indicated that attention developed as age increased, and it decreased or was maintained after a certain age. Selective and sustained attention developed rapidly in children and adolescents, until mid-teens or 20 s when it ceased development. Divided attention, however, developed up to approximately age 20. In addition, working memory developed until mid-teens or 20 s. CONCLUSION: We presented the standardized data on diverse kinds of attention and working memory in children, adolescents, and adults in Korea. We could recognize any patterns of change in attention and working memory with increasing age.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Humans ; Korea ; Memory, Short-Term ; Neuropsychological Tests

OBJECTIVE: The Id family of helix-loop-helix proteins are thought to affect the balance between cell growth and differentiation by negatively regulating the function of basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcriptional factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern of Ids (Id-1,-2,-3, and -4) in preimplantation mouse embryos at mRNA and protein levels. METHODS: Oocytes and preimplantation embryos were collected from reproductive organs of female ICR mice following superovulation. RT-PCR was performed to investigate the mRNA expression patterns of Id genes and their protein were localized by immunofluorescence analysis. RESULTS: Id-1 and Id-3 mRNAs were strongly expressed at the germinal vesicle (GV) oocyte and the blastocyst stages. Id-2 mRNA was expressed throughout preimplantation embryo development, but Id-4 was not expressed. Immunofluorescence showed that Id-1 and Id-2 were predominantly localized in cytoplasmic region, but the immunofluorescence signal of Id-3 was weak throughout preimplantation embryo development. CONCLUSION: These data show for the first time that Ids are expressed in preimplantation mouse embryos and suggest that Ids may play an important role in early preimplantation embryo development and uterine physiological changes.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Cytoplasm ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger ; Superovulation

No abstract available.
Animals ; Blastocyst* ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2* ; Mice* ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor*

PURPOSE: An increase in the prevalence of obesity and asthma over recent decades has been reported. While there is evidence of a positive association between asthma and obesity, there is no report about association between asthma and obesity in Korea. The aim of this study was to determine if obesity is more prevalent in children with asthma compared with healthy children and to determine if obesity is associated with atopy in children with asthma. METHODS: We studied 291 atopic asthmatic children, 85 nonatopic asthmatic children and 149 healthy children. BMI (kg/m2) and obesity index were calculated using height and weight which were measured on the same day of methacholine challenge test. Obesity was defined as percentile of BMI over 95 percentile. BMI, obesity index and prevalence of obesity were compared among the three groups. Association between obesity and PC20 was also assessed in asthmatics. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity was similar for atopic asthmatic group (11.6%), nonatopic asthmatic group (11.7%) and healthy group (12.7%). The prevalence of being at risk of overweight was similar for atopic asthmatic group (18.2%), nonatopic asthmatic group (24.7%) and healthy group (18.1%). There was no difference in BMI and obesity index among the three groups. In asthmatics, obesity index was not correlated with PC20 and there was no difference in obesity index among the asthmatics classified by PC20; < 2 mg/mL, 2-8 mg/mL, 8-18 mg/mL. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that obesity is not associated with asthma. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in general population, and a prospective study is needed to follow younger children through adolescence.
Adolescent ; Asthma* ; Child* ; Humans ; Korea ; Methacholine Chloride ; Obesity* ; Overweight ; Prevalence

PURPOSE: Several studies have shown that increases of eosinophil markers are common findings of asthma and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection, and eosinophil markers reflect the clinical stage of asthma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of eosinophil markers according to the clinical stage of Mycoplasma pneumonia. METHODS: The patient group consisted of 33 outpatient children with Mycoplasma pneumonia. Peripheral blood total eosinophil count(TEC) and serum eosinophilic cationic protein(ECP) level were measured at both acute and recovery stages and were compared between both stages. The patient group was subdivided into the wheezing(n=16) and the nonwheezing group(n=17), and the TECs and the ECPs of one group were compared with those of the other group. The correlation between Mycoplasma antibody titer and the eosinophil markers of acute stage were analyzed. RESULTS: In the whole patient group, the TECs and the ECPs of the acute stage were significantly higher than those of the recovery stage(P=0.018, P=0.005), but there were no differences in the TEC and the ECP between the wheezing and the nonwheezing group. In the wheezing group, there were no significant differences in the TEC and the ECP between acute and recovery stages. There were no correlations between acute stage Mycoplasma antibody titer and the eosinophil markers. CONCLUSION: Eosinophil markers reflect the clinical stage of Mycoplasma pneumonia and eosinophilic inflammations may continue even after the acute stage in wheezing patients with Mycoplasma pneumonia.
Asthma ; Child* ; Eosinophils* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Mycoplasma* ; Outpatients ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Respiratory Sounds

PURPOSE: Radiation-induced alteration in the immune function is well known phenomenon in cancer patients. Our purpose is to evaluate the extent of immune suppression immediately after mediastinal or pelvic irradiation, which include significant volume of active bone marrow in adults. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 48 cancer patients with mediastinal(N=29) and pelvic irradiation(N=19) were the basis of this analysis. Age ranged from 36 to 76 and mean and median value was 57 years, respectively. Sex ratio was 1.3(M:F = 27/21). The immunological parameters were the complete blood cell(CBC) with differenial cell(D/C) count, T cel subset(CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19), NK cell test(CD16,CD56), and serum immunoglobulin (lgG,lgA,lgM) level. RESULTS: The mean value of white blood cell(WBC) was reduced from 7017 to 4470 after irradiation (p=0.0000). In the differential count, the number of lymphocyte, neutrophil, and basophil was markedly reduced with statistical significance(p<0.01) and the number of monocyte was not changed and, on the contrary, that of eosinophil was increased by irradiation.In the lymphocyte subpopulation analysis, the number of all subpopulations, CD3(T cell), CD4(helper T cell), CD8(suppressor T cell), CD16(NK cell), CD19(B cell) was reduced with statistical significance. The mean ratio of CD4 to CD8 in all patients was 1.09 initially and reduced to 0.99 after radiotherapy(p = 0.34), but the proportional percentage of all subpopulations was not changed except CD19(B cell) after irradiation.In the immunoglobulin study, initial values of lg G, lg A, and lg M were relatively above the normal range and the only lg M was statistically significantly reduced after radiotherapy(p=0.02) CONCLUSION: Mediastinal and pelvic irradiation resulted in remarkable suppression of lymphocyte count in contrast to the relatively good preservation of other components of white blood cells. But the further study on the functional changes of lymphocyte after radiotherapy may be necessary to conclude the effects of the radiation on the immunity of the cancer patients.
Adult ; Basophils ; Bone Marrow ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Leukocytes ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphocyte Subsets* ; Lymphocytes* ; Monocytes ; Neutrophils ; Radiotherapy ; Reference Values ; Sex Ratio