No abstract available.
Nicotine*

BACKGROUND: Most major clinical trials have failed during the last 2 decades, including large clinical trials of secondary prevention and neuroprotection. These results suggest the presence of heterogeneity among stroke patients. Biomarker is defined as a biological molecules found in blood, other body fluids or tissues that is evaluated as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacologic responses to a therapeutic intervention. Stroke biomarkers may provide the information on the heterogeneity among patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease. In addition, stroke biomarkers could be a guiding tool for more effective personalized therapy. MAIN CONTENTS: Three aspects of stroke biomarkers are discussed. First, the role of biomarkers in stroke patients is presented. Second, limitations of current biomarkers (especially protein biomarkers) in the stroke field are discussed with possible reasons. Lastly, types of biomarkers, including protein, genetic and microparticles, are presented with their advantages and disadvantages focusing on the importance of comprehensive approaches using various types of biomarkers. EXPECTATIONS: Although biomarkers are not recommended as a routine practice in stroke patients, there have been numerous effects to overcome current limitations. The studies reviewed herein suggest that using various biomarkers to improve the understanding of individual pathophysiologies will further promote the development of screening tool of high-risk patients, predicting model of stroke outcome and rational stroke therapy tailored to the specifics of each case.
Biomarkers ; Biological Processes ; Body Fluids ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Population Characteristics ; Risk Factors ; Secondary Prevention ; Stroke

BACKGROUND: There is a growing interest in the use of genetic markers in predicting the various types of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD). It is important to differentiate AD from other causes of dementia because the early diagnosis of AD or VD could lead to early therapeutic intervention. This study is to confirm the association of the apolipoprotein E (Apo E) epsilon 4 allele with AD and, to confirm the differential diagnostic values of Apo E4 in the various causes of dementia. METHODS: One hundred seventy-seven patients participated in the study. Fifty-one had a diagnosis of AD, 68 with VD, 18 with mixed dementia, 17 with other dementia, and 23 controls with no diagnoses of dementia. Patients with AD and VD met the criteria of NINCDS-ADRDA and NINDS-AIREN respectively. The genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood and the Apo E allele was determined by polymerase chain reactions. RESULTS: The Apo E4 allele frequency in the AD group was 21.6% and was significantly different (p<0.05) from those of non-demented controls (4.3%) or VD (8.1%). The age of onset of AD was delayed by the presence of the Apo E2 allele and by the absence of Apo E4 allele, although was not statistically significant. The severities of dementia assessed by MMSE were not different among groups with different Apo E genotypes, implying that factors other than Apo E might be involved in the progression of AD. CONCLUSIONS: The Apo E genotypes can be a valuable genetic marker for predicting the risk for AD in Korea and also for differentiating AD from VD cases.
Age of Onset ; Alleles ; Alzheimer Disease* ; Apolipoprotein E2 ; Apolipoprotein E4 ; Apolipoproteins E ; Apolipoproteins* ; Dementia ; Dementia, Vascular ; Diagnosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential* ; DNA ; Early Diagnosis ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Markers ; Genotype ; Humans ; Korea ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

Trichophyton tonsurans is a major causative agent of tinea capitis in the United States, Canada, Mezico and other Latin American countries, but the infection of T.tonsurans has not been reported in Korea. We report a case of tinea capitis caused by T. tonsurans in a 15-year-old student wrestler. He had a 3*3cm sized non-inflammatory alopecia with black dots on the right occipital area of the scalp. The diagnosis was established by a hght microscopic examination of the affected hairs and by mycological studies from cultures. To our knowledge, this is the first case in which T. tonsurans has been isolated in Korea, It is likely that the student acquired the infection through contact with a foreign wrestler during interaational games and practice. We should be concerned about the potential of spread of this infection in our country.
Adolescent ; Alopecia ; Canada ; Diagnosis ; Hair ; Humans ; Korea ; Scalp ; Tinea Capitis ; Tinea* ; Trichophyton* ; United States

No abstract available.
Humans ; Stroke* ; Warfarin*

Both the incidence and prevalence of stroke in Asia are steadily increasing, and the burden of stroke is particularly high in Asian countries. Although strokes in Asians and Caucasians share many common features, there are some differences that are probably due to differences in lifestyle and genetic background. While there have been advances in the stroke classification system, the assignment of Asian stroke patients to etiological categories has received little attention. The current classification system may not be well suited to Asian patients with ischemic stroke because the proportions and relative importance of stroke subtypes may differ with race and ethnicity. This review addresses concerns about the use of the current stroke classification system in Asian patients with ischemic stroke, and proposes a classification system that is more specific to the Asian population, in conjunction with discussing advances in diagnostic techniques.
Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Classification ; Continental Population Groups ; Humans ; Incidence ; Life Style ; Prevalence ; Stroke*

No abstract available.
Dyspnea* ; Hypothyroidism*

BACKGROUND: Great efforts have been devoted to developing a mechanism-oriented classification of ischemic stroke. Information on the subtype of recurrent stroke may tell us whether the classification using the index stroke mechanism is appropriate. Data on the mechanism of recurrence in each stroke subtype are lacking for Asian patients. METHODS: Using the clinical syndrome, diffusion-weighted imaging, and vascular studies, we divided the patients into five groups [large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), cardioembolism (CE), small artery disease (SAD), parent artery disease occluding the deep perforators (PAD), and no determined cause (NC)], and registered recurrent strokes for up to three years. The LAA patients were subdivided into two groups: intracranial (IC-LAA) and extracranial (EC-LAA) LAA. RESULTS: Seventy-six recurrent vascular events (73 strokes and 3 coronary heart diseases) were evaluated in 73 patients. The pattern of recurrent stroke differed for the IC-LAA and EC-LAA groups; unlike the patients with IC-LAA, recurrent strokes in EC-LAA were often unpredictable with respect to the site of recurrence and degree of pre-existing stenosis. None of the patients in the IC-LAA group recurred as EC-LAA, or vice versa. Patients with SAD and NC recurred most frequently as their index stroke subtype, but intracranial stenosis was often found at the time of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: From a prognostic and therapeutic perspective, patients with atherosclerosis should be divided into IC-LAA and EC-LAA. In addition, intracranial atherosclerosis may be more important in the development of SAD and NC in Asians than in Westerners, due to the high prevalence of intracranial atherosclerosis.
Arteries ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Atherosclerosis ; Classification ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Heart ; Humans ; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis ; Parents ; Prevalence ; Recurrence* ; Stroke*

BACKGROUND: Though symptomatic improvements after treatment of donepezil is well documented in Alzheimer's disease (AD), the electrophysiological change have not yet been elucidated. Among the parameters of quantitative electroen-cephalography (q-EEG), high frequency activity, especially gamma rhythm, may play a role in normal cognitive function including the integration of sensory processing, association, coupling or selective attention, which are characteristically impaired in AD. METHODS: In order to define the profile of q-EEG changes including gamma rhythm after donepezil treatment, we followed 17 AD patients for 12 weeks. We analyzed the spectra power taken from 16 derivations by averaging twenty-2-sec epoch in normal controls and AD patients. After logarithmic transformation of spectra power, statistical test was done and the effect of donepezil treatment on q-EEG profile was analyzed during follow up period. RESULTS: Before medication of donepezil, AD patients had a significantly lower alpha spectra power as well as a significant higher delta spectra power, compared with normal control. After medication of donepezil in AD patients, compared to base-line q-EEG, gamma spectra power was significantly increased, whereas delta spectra power was significantly reduced. Compared to absolute power, relative power was more sensitive in detecting change of EEG after donepezil treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that donepezil significantly change delta and gamma spectra power in q-EEG, and the increase in gamma rhythm may be correlated with the clinical improvements after donepezil treatment. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(3):245~250, 2001)
Alzheimer Disease* ; Electroencephalography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans

No abstract available.
Ixodes* ; Tick Bites* ; Ticks*