No abstract available.
Aorta, Thoracic*

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the psychiatric status of HIV-infected/AIDS inpatients in a general hospital over the past 2.5 years. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of psychiatric consultations performed between January 1, 2011, and July 30, 2013. The records of 97 HIV-infected/AIDS patients were analyzed. These included a total of 282 psychiatric consultations. RESULTS: Of the 97 patients, 91(93.8%) were male, the mean age was 48 years, and mean number of consultations was 2.8. Depressed mood was reported in 102 consultations(23.8%), insomnia in 60(14.0%), and anxiety in 31(7.2%). Psychiatric disorders diagnosed on initial consultation included depressive disorder(37 patients ; 37.0%), cognitive disorder(11 ; 11.0%), and delirium(9 ; 9.0%). Recommended psychotropic medication included Lorazepam(99 ; 17.2%), Escitalopram(90 ; 15.7%), and Quetiapine(84 ; 14.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The main complaints of HIV-infected/AIDS patients were depressed mood, insomnia, and suicidal ideation(including suicide attempts). In total, 85(93.3%) patients of those consulted were diagnosed as meeting the criteria for a psychiatric condition. However, considering that only 16.9% of patients consulted received follow-up treatment, longitudinal research is needed to examine the influence of psychiatric disorders on the transmission of HIV-infection/AIDS, as well as on prognosis and treatment adherence.
Anxiety ; Follow-Up Studies ; HIV ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Prognosis ; Referral and Consultation ; Retrospective Studies ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Suicide

MicroRNA polymorphisms may be associated with carcinogenesis or immunopathogenesis of infection. We evaluated whether the mircoRNA-604 (miR-604) polymorphism can affect the persistence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and the development to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic HBV infection. A total of 1,439 subjects, who have either past or present HBV infection, were enrolled and divided into four groups (spontaneous recovery, chronic HBV carrier without cirrhosis, liver cirrhosis and HCC). We genotyped the precursor miR-604 genome region polymorphism. The CC genotype of miR-604 rs2368392 was most frequently observed and T allele frequency was 0.326 in all study subjects. The HBV persistence after infection was higher in those subjects with miR-604 T allele (P=0.05 in a co-dominant and dominant model), which implied that the patients with miR-604 T allele may have a higher risk for HBV chronicity. In contrast, there was a higher rate of the miR-604 T allele in the chronic carrier without HCC patients, compared to those of the HCC patients (P=0.03 in a co-dominant model, P=0.02 in a recessive model). The T allele at miR-604 rs2368392 may be a risk allele for the chronicity of HBV infection, but may be a protective allele for the progression to HCC in chronic HBV carriers.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Base Sequence ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/etiology/*genetics/pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Demography ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; *Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B Antibodies/blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens/blood ; Hepatitis B virus/metabolism ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/complications/*genetics/virology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/etiology/*genetics/pathology ; Male ; MicroRNAs/*genetics/metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: Neuroimaging data are of paramount importance in making correct diagnosis. We herein evaluate the clinical usefulness of image transfer using cellular phones to facilitate neurological diagnosis and decision-making. METHODS: Selected images from CT, MRI scans, and plain films obtained from 50 neurosurgical patients were transferred by cellular phones. A cellular phone with a built-in 1,300,000-pixel digital camera was used to capture and send the images. A cellular phone with a 262,000 color thin-film transistor liquid crystal display was used to receive the images. Communication between both cellular phones was operated by the same wireless protocol and the same wireless internet service. We compared the concordance of diagnoses and treatment plans between a house staff who could review full-scale original films and a consultant who could only review transferred images. These finding were later analyzed by a third observer. RESULTS: The mean time of complete transfer was 2~3 minutes. The quality of all images received was good enough to make precise diagnosis and to select treatment options. Transferred images were helpful in making correct diagnosis and decision making in 49/50 (98%) cases. Discordant result was caused in one patient by improper selection of images by the house staff. CONCLUSION: The cellular phone system was useful for image transfer and delivery of patient's information, leading to earlier diagnosis and initiation of treatment. This usefulness was due to sufficient resolution of the built-in camera and the TFT-LCD, the user-friendly features of the devices, and their low cost.
Cellular Phone* ; Consultants ; Decision Making ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Internet* ; Internship and Residency ; Liquid Crystals ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neuroimaging ; Telemedicine ; Teleradiology

We present the case of a 7 year-old child who underwent angioplasty with a stent for anastomosis site stenosis between a left subclavian artery free graft and the left main coronary artery in an arterial switch operation.
Angioplasty* ; Child* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Stents* ; Subclavian Artery ; Transplants ; Transposition of Great Vessels

PURPOSE: The predilection for prostate carcinoma cells to metastasize to bone suggests the hypothesis that bone and/or bone marrow-derived factors may promote prostate carcinoma cell growth and/or their survival. To date, little work has been performed to characterize the nature of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and the expression of prostaglandin E2 receptors (EPs) in prostate cancer (PC) cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of GM-CSF on cell proliferation and the effects of EP agonists on the production of GM-CSF in the PC-3 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bone-derived PC-3 cell line was used in this study. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect the mRNA expression of EP1, 2, 3 and 4 and hGM- CSF. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was done to estimate the viability of PC-3 cells after hGM-CSF treatment. hGM-CSF was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after treatments with the EPs agonist at 10(-10), 10(-8), 10(-6)M, respectively. RESULTS: EP2, 3 and 4 and hGM-CSF were expressed in the PC-3 cell line. Viability of the PC-3 cells was significantly increased by hGM-CSF administration in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Also, our data indicated that EP2, 3 and especially 4 agonists induced a significant dose- dependent increase in hGM-CSF production in comparison to the control group in the conditioned ELISA medium. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that GM-CSF may be part of a network of an autocrine-regulatory loop system that modulates the biologic activity of prostate carcinoma cells. Our data suggest that GM-CSF and EPs may represent a possible novel therapeutic target that manipulates the proliferative rate of prostate tumors.
Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Dinoprostone ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Granulocytes* ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor* ; Macrophages* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Receptors, Prostaglandin E* ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger

PURPOSE: The predilection for prostate carcinoma cells to metastasize to bone suggests the hypothesis that bone and/or bone marrow-derived factors may promote prostate carcinoma cell growth and/or their survival. To date, little work has been performed to characterize the nature of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and the expression of prostaglandin E2 receptors (EPs) in prostate cancer (PC) cells. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of GM-CSF on cell proliferation and the effects of EP agonists on the production of GM-CSF in the PC-3 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The bone-derived PC-3 cell line was used in this study. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect the mRNA expression of EP1, 2, 3 and 4 and hGM- CSF. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was done to estimate the viability of PC-3 cells after hGM-CSF treatment. hGM-CSF was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after treatments with the EPs agonist at 10(-10), 10(-8), 10(-6)M, respectively. RESULTS: EP2, 3 and 4 and hGM-CSF were expressed in the PC-3 cell line. Viability of the PC-3 cells was significantly increased by hGM-CSF administration in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Also, our data indicated that EP2, 3 and especially 4 agonists induced a significant dose- dependent increase in hGM-CSF production in comparison to the control group in the conditioned ELISA medium. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that GM-CSF may be part of a network of an autocrine-regulatory loop system that modulates the biologic activity of prostate carcinoma cells. Our data suggest that GM-CSF and EPs may represent a possible novel therapeutic target that manipulates the proliferative rate of prostate tumors.
Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Dinoprostone ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Granulocytes* ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor* ; Macrophages* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Receptors, Prostaglandin E* ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger

Background: Burnout syndrome (BOS) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. This study aims to create the Korean version burnout syndrome scale (KBOSS) that conforms to WHO’s definition of BOS and present the cut-off points for screening. Methods: We developed the KBOSS based on WHO’s definition of BOS. An online survey was conducted through a specialized online research company. We recruited 444 workers for this research. The validity of the KBOSS was assessed using factor analysis and Pearson’s correlation. The KBOSS reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The cut-off points for each of the three dimensions were derived using the upper quartile score. Results: The validity and reliability of the KBOSS were good. Regarding reliability, the scale’s overall Cronbach’s alpha was 0.813. Cronbach’s alpha of each three-dimension was as follows: exhaustion, 0.916; cynicism, 0.865; and professional inefficacy, 0.819. The cut-off points of BOS three dimensions are exhaustion ≧ 21; cynicism ≧ 18; and inefficacy ≧ 15. Conclusion The developed questionnaire (KBOSS) can be a useful tool for screening of BOS.

Given the CYP3A4 and CYP3A5's impact on the efficacy of drugs, the genetic backgrounds of individuals and populations are regarded as an important factor to be considered in the prescription of personalized medicine. However, genetic studies with Korean population are relatively scarce compared to those with other populations. In this study, we aimed to identify CYP3A4/5 polymorphisms and compare the genotype distributions among five ethnicities. To identify CYP3A4/5 SNPs, we first performed direct sequencing with 288 DNA samples which consisted of 96 Koreans, 48 European-Americans, 48 African-Americans, 48 Han Chinese, and 48 Japanese. The direct sequencing identified 15 novel SNPs, as well as 42 known polymorphisms. We defined the genotype distributions, and compared the allele frequencies among five ethnicities. The results showed that minor allele frequencies of Korean population were similar with those of the Japanese and Han Chinese populations, whereas there were distinct differences from European-Americans or African-Americans. Among the pharmacogenetic markers, frequencies of CYP3A4*1B (rs2740574) and CYP3A5*3C (rs776742) in Asian groups were different from those in other populations. In addition, minor allele frequency of CYP3A4*18 (rs28371759) was the highest in Korean population. Additional in silico analysis predicted that two novel non-synonymous SNPs in CYP3A5 (+27256C>T, P389S and +31546T>G, I488S) could alter protein structure. The frequency distributions of the identified polymorphisms in the present study may contribute to the expansion of pharmacogenetic knowledge.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Computer Simulation ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; DNA ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Precision Medicine ; Mass Screening* ; Pharmacogenetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Prescriptions

PURPOSE: Schizophrenia is a devastating mental disorder and is known to be affected by genetic factors. The chromogranin B (CHGB), a member of the chromogranin gene family, has been proposed as a candidate gene associated with the risk of schizophrenia. The secretory pathway for peptide hormones and neuropeptides in the brain is regulated by chromogranin proteins. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential associations between genetic variants of CHGB and schizophrenia susceptibility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the current study, 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms of CHGB were genotyped in 310 schizophrenia patients and 604 healthy controls. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that two genetic variants (non-synonymous rs910122; rs2821 in 3′-untranslated region) were associated with schizophrenia [minimum p=0.002; odds ratio (OR)=0.72], even after correction for multiple testing (p(corr)=0.02). Since schizophrenia is known to be differentially expressed between sexes, additional analysis for sex was performed. As a result, these two genetic variants (rs910122 and rs2821) and a haplotype (ht3) showed significant associations with schizophrenia in male subjects (p(corr)=0.02; OR=0.64), whereas the significance disappeared in female subjects (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Although this study has limitations including a small number of samples and lack of functional study, our results suggest that genetic variants of CHGB may have sex-specific effects on the risk of schizophrenia and provide useful preliminary information for further study.
Brain ; Chromogranin B ; Female ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Disorders ; Neuropeptides ; Odds Ratio ; Peptide Hormones ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Schizophrenia* ; Secretory Pathway