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

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

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*

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.

BACKGROUND: Primary ovarian failure is reportedly increasing in recent years. Environmental factors have been frequently implicated as responsible for this increase, However, only a few of the environmental factors have been proven to cause the ovarian failure in human. METHODS: In June 1995, 24 female laborers, who worked in a factory which used Solvent #5200 (with a main chemical component being 2-bromopropane), developed symptoms of amenorrhea or irregular menstruation. All subjects underwent laboratory tests including measurement of serum LH, FSH, and estradioL Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography of the pelvis were performed in all subjects. Laparoscopic examination was performed in 6 out of 24 patients after obtaining informed consent and 4 of 6 underwent ovarian biopsy. RESULTS: One subject was excluded because she had undergone hysterectomy previously. Among the remaining 23 subjects, 14 and 9 complained of amenorrhea and irregular menstrual periods, respectively. When we defined primary ovarian failure as FSH>30mIU/mL, all of those 14 patients with amenorrhea could be classified as primary ovarian failure. On the other hand, those 9 patients with irregular menstruations had normal FSH levels. Pathologic examination of ovaries showed interstitial fibrosis, loss of primordial follicles, and development arrest of follicles in the group with amenorrhea, similar to what is found in those who received chemotherapy or were exposed to radiation. CONCLUSION: The female laborers who were exposed to the solvent with 2-bromopropane developed primary ovarian failure. This failure was associated with longer duration of exposure. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the world indicating 2-bromopropane as a possible agent for ovarian failure.
Amenorrhea ; Biopsy ; Drug Therapy ; Estradiol ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Hand ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Informed Consent ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Menstruation ; Ovary ; Pelvis ; Ultrasonography

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*