Liver, muscle, and adipose tissue are resistant to insulin action in type 2 diabetes. In spite of intensive studies, few diabetic genes have been identified. Recently, mitochondrial impairment has been observed in the muscle and adipose tissues of type 2 diabetes patients, implying that mitochondrial dysfunction could be a pivotal factor in type 2 diabetes. Here, we discuss mitochondrial malfunction leading to type 2 diabetes.
Adipose Tissue ; Humans ; Insulin ; Liver ; Mitochondria*

Liver, muscle, and adipose tissue are resistant to insulin action in type 2 diabetes. In spite of intensive studies, few diabetic genes have been identified. Recently, mitochondrial impairment has been observed in the muscle and adipose tissues of type 2 diabetes patients, implying that mitochondrial dysfunction could be a pivotal factor in type 2 diabetes. Here, we discuss mitochondrial malfunction leading to type 2 diabetes.
Adipose Tissue ; Humans ; Insulin ; Liver ; Mitochondria*

No abstract available.
Aged* ; Dementia* ; Gyeongsangbuk-do* ; Humans ; Prevalence*

No abstract available.
Aged* ; Dementia* ; Gyeongsangbuk-do* ; Humans ; Prevalence*

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate consistent and significant findings of neurocognitive functioning in detoxified alcoholics have been inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cognitive functions in detoxified alcoholics and the relationship between neuropsychological test scores and alcohol consumption patterns. METHODS: Twenty-four alcoholics, aging between 30 and 50 years, at least 4 weeks after the beginning of detoxification and 24 normal controls equated for age and education were exmained on Seoul computerized neurocognitive function tests in order to evaluate neurocognitive functions, which include attention, memory function, executive function, motor performance. RESULTS: Compared to controls, alcoholics were more impaired on both finger tapping test (FTT, right: p<0.05, left: p0.01), but there were no significant differences between two groups on any measures including attention, memory function, and executive function. Even though there were significantly negative associations between length of drinking history and performances on FTT with both hands (right: r=-0.55, p0.01; left: r=-0.48, p0.05) in alcohol group, multiple regression analyses showed that age and STAI contributed significantly to the prediction of FTT, ameliorating the dignostic effect. CONCLUSION: There was no evidence of significant declines in attention, memory, and executive functions in alcoholics compared to normal controls, except impaired motor performance functions which may be related to concurrent anxiety.
Aging ; Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholics* ; Alcoholism ; Anxiety ; Drinking ; Education ; Executive Function ; Fingers ; Hand ; Humans ; Memory ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Seoul*

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate consistent and significant findings of neurocognitive functioning in detoxified alcoholics have been inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate cognitive functions in detoxified alcoholics and the relationship between neuropsychological test scores and alcohol consumption patterns. METHODS: Twenty-four alcoholics, aging between 30 and 50 years, at least 4 weeks after the beginning of detoxification and 24 normal controls equated for age and education were exmained on Seoul computerized neurocognitive function tests in order to evaluate neurocognitive functions, which include attention, memory function, executive function, motor performance. RESULTS: Compared to controls, alcoholics were more impaired on both finger tapping test (FTT, right: p<0.05, left: p0.01), but there were no significant differences between two groups on any measures including attention, memory function, and executive function. Even though there were significantly negative associations between length of drinking history and performances on FTT with both hands (right: r=-0.55, p0.01; left: r=-0.48, p0.05) in alcohol group, multiple regression analyses showed that age and STAI contributed significantly to the prediction of FTT, ameliorating the dignostic effect. CONCLUSION: There was no evidence of significant declines in attention, memory, and executive functions in alcoholics compared to normal controls, except impaired motor performance functions which may be related to concurrent anxiety.
Aging ; Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholics* ; Alcoholism ; Anxiety ; Drinking ; Education ; Executive Function ; Fingers ; Hand ; Humans ; Memory ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Seoul*

No abstract available.

Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis is characterized by ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and disturbance of consciousness. It is similar to Miller Fisher syndrome, a variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome, in that they share features such as ophthalmoplegia and ataxia. The difference is that patients with Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis have impaired consciousness, whereas patients with Miller Fisher syndrome have alert consciousness and areflexia. Here, we report the case of a 3-year-old child who was diagnosed with Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis presenting typical clinical features and interesting radiological findings. The patient showed ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and subsequent stuporous mentality. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed high signal intensity in the pons and cerebellum around the 4th ventricle on a T2-weighted image. He was successfully treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. Differentiation of Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis and Miller Fisher syndrome is often difficult because they possess many overlapping features. Brain magnetic resonance imaging may be helpful in diagnosing Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis, especially when lesions are definitely found.
Ataxia ; Brain ; Brain Stem* ; Cerebellum ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Consciousness ; Encephalitis* ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Miller Fisher Syndrome ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Pons ; Stupor

Since 1990 when Wolff and co-authors proved that both RNA and DNA expression vectors containing interest gene were directly injected into mouse muscle and expressed the protein in vivo, the concept of gene vaccine has been broadly tested in the vaccine field. However, due to the limitations of technology and the misconception about RNA, most previous studies have focused on the DNA vaccine. Recently, the RNA vaccine has emerged as a new game-changing disruptive innovation technology in the vaccine field. This review has covered the characteristics of the RNA vaccine, including its strengths and weaknesses. Finally, we have suggested future directions for the RNA vaccine.
Animals ; DNA ; Mice ; RNA*

OBJECTIVES: This exploratory study was designed to estimate the socio-demographic characteristics, course of homelessness, adverse childhood experiences, and prevalence of mental disorders among the street homeless people in Seoul, Korea. In addition, we examined the associations between chronic homelessness and study variables. METHODS: The study subjects were 75 homeless people dwelling in the street around Seoul Station. Questionnaires related to socio-demographic data and the course of homelessness were provided to each subject. The subjects' Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) mental disorder diagnoses were made by using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview-Plus interviews. RESULTS: Most subjects exhibited chronic homelessness and the prevalence of DSM-IV mental disorders among the homeless subjects was higher than that among the Korean general population. There was a statistically significant association between chronic homelessness and adverse childhood experiences. Compared to those with no history of childhood adversity, homeless people with a history of childhood adversity had a younger age of first homeless episode and a higher prevalence of DSM-IV major mental disorders. The association between DSM-IV diagnosis and chronic homelessness was not significant, but the group with mental disorders had more prevalent re-housing and homeless recurrent histories. CONCLUSION: Street homeless people were often involved in chronic homelessness. Results of this study suggest that homeless people who were never married and had adverse childhood experiences were more vulnerable to chronic homelessness. In addition, we detected a possible relationship between the recurrence of homelessness and the presence of mental disorders.
Diagnosis ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Homeless Persons* ; Humans ; Korea ; Mental Disorders ; Prevalence ; Recurrence ; Seoul ; Single Person