OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the association between Ser311/Cys311 polymorphism in the dopamine D2 receptor gene and bipolar disorder in korean population. METHOD: Ser311/Cys311 polymorphism in the dopamine D2 receptor gene was typed with PCR in 86 bipolar disorders and 100 normal controls. RESULTS: Genotype of Ser/Ser, Ser/Cys, Cys/Cys were 82 (95.3%), 4 (4.7%), 0 (0.0%) respectively in the bipolar disorders, 96 (96.0%), 4 (4.0%), 0 (0.0%) respectively in the controls. Allele frequencies of Ser and Cys were 168 (97.7%), 4 (2.3%) in the bipolar disorders, 196 (98.0%), 4 (2.0%) in the controls. There were no differencies in genotype distribution and allele frequencies of dopamine D2 receptor gene polymorphism Ser311/Cys311 between in the bipolar disorders and in the controls. CONCLUSION: These result suggests dopamine D2 receptor gene polymorphism Ser311/Cys311 is not causally related to the development of bipolar disorder in korean population.
Bipolar Disorder* ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Dopamine D2

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The pathophysiology of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is plaque rupture with thrombus formation, which is different from that of stable angina pectoris (SA). Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) prior to percutaneous coronary intervention provides information on the plaques and vessel wall itself. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lesion characteristics of ACS prior to coronary intervention compared to those of SA lesions by IVUS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Pre-interventional IVUS was performed on 68 culprit lesions in 41 ACS and 25 SA patients. The plaque morphology, lumen and vessel sizes, and arterial remodeling pattern at the lesion segment were analyzed in both groups. A plaque rupture was defined as a plaque containing a cavity that communicated with the lumen, which was covered with a fibrous cap. RESULTS: Positive remodeling was more frequent in patients with ACS than those with SA (42 vs. 11%), whereas negative remodeling was more frequent in patients with SA (22 vs. 41%) (p=0.023). Plaque rupture/dissection and thrombus was more frequent (51 vs. 19%, p=0.006 and 39 vs. 4%, p=0.001) in patients with ACS. Lesions with ACS had significantly larger EEM CSA, plaque CSA and plaque burden (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the clinical parameters, angiographic parameters and plaque morphologies. CONCLUSION: Positive remodeling, plaque rupture/dissection and thrombus were more frequently observed in patients with ACS. In addition, lesions with ACS had a larger vessel size and a higher plaque burden. The type of remodeling, plaque rupture or dissection, thrombus and amount of plaques might have an impact on the clinical presentation.
Acute Coronary Syndrome* ; Angina, Stable* ; Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Rupture ; Thrombosis ; Ultrasonography*

A total of 39 malignant melanoma cases diagnosed at Chonnam National University Hospital for past 10 years from 1980 to April, 1990 were included for the clinicopathologic study. Among the 29 primary cutaneous melanomas, 18 cases(62.1 % ) occurred on the hands and the feet, especially on the heel. The average age of the patients was 54.3 years at the time of diagnosis and the male to female ratio was 1 to 1,4. Acral lentiginous melanoma was the most common (62.1% ) histopathologic type and the invasion level c)f 22 cases(78.4% ) was over 1.50mm by Rreslows thickness.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Foot ; Hand ; Heel ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Male ; Melanoma

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis or osteopenia has been reported in patients taking antiepileptic drugs, but the precise pathophysiological mechanisms of these abnormalities are unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship of antiepileptic drugs on bone mass by analyzing bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: We compared 62 epileptic women on long-term antiepileptic therapy the same number of age and weight matched healthy control subjects. We measured the serum calcium, phosphorus, protein, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin for analyzing factors, that have an influence on bone metabolism and BMD. BMD was measured on the lumbar spine by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: The serum level of calcium and osteocalcin were not different between the groups. The serum level of phosphorus and protein were significantly lower in the patient group compared to their controls. The serum level of alkaline phosphatase was significantly higher in the patient group than in their controls. The BMD was significantly lower in the patient group than in their controls. There was a significant correlation between the BMD and the duration of therapy in the patient group. CONCLUSION: The long-term use of antiepileptic drugs leads to a decreased BMD, and the degree of bone mineral density was related to the duration of the therapeutic use of antiepileptics.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Anticonvulsants* ; Bone Density* ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Calcium ; Epilepsy* ; Female ; Humans ; Metabolism ; Osteocalcin ; Osteoporosis ; Phosphorus ; Spine

Maffucci's syndrome is a congenital, non-hereditary mesodermal d splasia manifested by multiple enchondromas and hemangiomas. Several case reports and reviews indicate that there is a tendency toward malignant transformation of the enchondroma. The incidence of malignancy may be as high as 30%. We report a case of 10-year-old female with multiple hemangiomas on the face, palms, and soles and skeletal chondromatoses of the multiple bones.
Child ; Chondroma ; Chondromatosis ; Enchondromatosis ; Female ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mesoderm

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2) is expressed and released predominantly activated T lymphocyte. Increased serum levels of soluble IL-2R have been noted in a variety of autoimmune diseases and in conditions associated with T lymphocyte activation. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine whether the T lymphocyte activation has any association with the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease. METHOD: We have measured the serum level of soluble IL-2R in serum samples obtained from 67 patients with Behçet's disease and 30 healthy people as a control group, using a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. RESULTS: Serum soluble IL-2R levels were found to be significantly elevated in the group of Behçet's disease as compared with the control group. No significant differences were found within clinical subtypes of Behçet's disease. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the presence of an ongoing T lymphocyte activation in this disease process.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Interleukin-2* ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Lymphocytes ; Methods ; Receptors, Interleukin-2*

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2) is expressed and released predominantly activated T lymphocyte. Increased serum levels of soluble IL-2R have been noted in a variety of autoimmune diseases and in conditions associated with T lymphocyte activation. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine whether the T lymphocyte activation has any association with the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease. METHOD: We have measured the serum level of soluble IL-2R in serum samples obtained from 67 patients with Behçet's disease and 30 healthy people as a control group, using a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. RESULTS: Serum soluble IL-2R levels were found to be significantly elevated in the group of Behçet's disease as compared with the control group. No significant differences were found within clinical subtypes of Behçet's disease. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the presence of an ongoing T lymphocyte activation in this disease process.
Autoimmune Diseases ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Interleukin-2* ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Lymphocytes ; Methods ; Receptors, Interleukin-2*

BACKGROUND: Mitral regurgitation is a valvular heart disease that produce complex hemodynamic alternations and myocardial dysfunction occurs subclinically, so result in a high incidence of left ventricular dysfunction that might affect postoperative result. In order to assess preoperative factors affecting the outcome of mitral valve replacement in patients with chronic mitral regurgitaion, we evaluated prognostic factors from preoperative clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic findings in 71 patients with chronic mitral regurgitation who received mitral valve replacement. METHODS: From 1985 to 1994, 71 patients with chronic mitral regurgitation, who received mitral valve replacement, were included in this study. The patients were defined as group I who had improved symptom and / or decreased left ventricular end-diastolic dimension after operation, and group II who had persistent symptom and / or over 60mm of left ventricular end-diastolic dimension after operation. RESULTS: 1) In clinical findings, preoperative systolic blood pressure was higher in Group I patients(p<0.05). 2) Hemoglobin, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen level were not significantly different in both groups. 3) In echocardigraphic findings, left atrial dimension, left ventricular end-systolic / end-diastolic dimension, and left ventricular volume index of Group II were much higher than those of Group I patients(p<0.05). 4) In the discriminant analysis, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, age, NYHA functional class, and left ventricular mass index were defined as important prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: According to the above results, preoperative age, NYHA functional class are significant prognostic factors in clinical and laboratory findings. And left atrial dimension, left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic dimensions, left ventricular volume index, and left ventricular mass index are significant prognostic factors in echocardiographic findings.
Blood Pressure ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; Echocardiography ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency* ; Mitral Valve* ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It has been reported that the common carotid artery (CCA) intima-media thickness (IMT) correlates to angiographically determined coronary artery stenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the carotid IMT and left main (LM) plaque using ultrasonography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In fifty patients (mean age 59.6+/-9.9, males 35 (70%)) with coronary artery disease (CAD), the risk factors of atherosclerosis were evaluated and coronary angiographs obtained. The carotid IMT was measured in the far wall of both CCAs, with a 10 MHz linear probe, and the value of the IMT was automatically calculated using programmed software (M'ATH, METRIS Co., Argenteuil, France). The LM plaque was measured by intravascular ultrasound. The maximal thickness, ratio of the maximal thickness, cross-sectional area (CSA) and burden of the plaque were measured at 2 mm intervals, and the average values calculated. RESULTS: In the right common carotid artery, the maximal IMT significantly correlated with the mean plaque CSA and plaque burden of the LM (r=0.375. p=0.007, r=0.408. p=0.003, respectively). The mean IMT significantly correlated with the plaque burden of the LM, but not with the mean plaque CSA of the LM (r=0.357. p=0.011, r=0.264. p=0.063, respectively). In the left common carotid artery, the maximal IMT was not significantly correlated with the mean plaque CSA and plaque burden of the LM (p=0.251, p=0.218, respectively). The mean IMT was not correlated with the mean plaque CSA and plaque burden of the LM (p=0.249, p=0.078, respectively). CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation between the right CCA IMT and plaque burden of the LM in patients with CAD.
Atherosclerosis ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness* ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Disease ; Coronary Stenosis ; Coronary Vessels* ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Ultrasonography*

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol plays a major role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the management of cholesterol, mainly treated with statins, can reduce LDL cholesterol levels and improve clinical outcomes. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) recently released new guidelines that included the new concept of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and pooled cohort equations for estimation of the 10-year ASCVD risk in individuals. Conversely, the draft National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline is currently being updated following its publication in 2008. This draft guidance introduced the QRISK2 risk assessment tool for the risk of development of cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years and combined with cost effectiveness. Importantly, both guidelines suggested moderate- to high-intensity statin therapy for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. In this article, we focus on the new risk assessments and recommendations for the use of lipid-lowering therapy in each guideline.
American Heart Association ; Atherosclerosis ; Cardiology ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol* ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Cohort Studies ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Lipoproteins ; Publications ; Risk Assessment ; Secondary Prevention