This is to study the incidence of Diabetes and its risk factors in the impaired glucose tolerance group. 1084 subjects who had been examined 3 times for regular check-up in one human dock center under the university hospital were studied between 1986~1993. The results are as follows; Prevalence rate of diabetes was 3.56%, and that of impaired glucose tolerance was 30.90% as of initial examination. The rate of diabetes was increasing with the age where 1.2% at age group 30~39, 3.21% at age group 40~49, 5.84% at age group 50~59, 14.28% at age group 60 and over. And also the rate of impaired glucose tolerance was increasing with the age where 21.29% at age group 30~39, 31.42% at age group 40~49, 38.91% at age group 50~59, 33.33% at age group 60 and over. Of the examinees who were initially examined, total incidence rate of diabetes who developed to obvious diabetes at the 3rd follow-up examination from the initially impaired glucose tolerance group was 4.63% and it was 11.3 times higher than from the normal group (0.41%). After controlling for the effects of both age and obesity, the risk of subsequent diabetes for subjects with impaired glucose tolerance remained significantly higher than for normal subjects (Relative Risk, 10.48). Test for trends for developing to diabetes by the increasing level of fasting blood sugar and 1 hr blood sugar at the initial examination were statistically significant in either normal and impaired glucose tolerance group. To determine the risk factor for developing to diabetes, logistic regression test was applied. Only fasting blood sugar and 1 hr blood sugar were predictors for developing diabetes from the impaired glucose tolerance group at initial examination.
Blood Glucose ; Fasting ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucose* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Logistic Models ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors*

This is to analyze and compare the distribution of the liver function test and its abnormal rates of the preemployment screening for office workers in asymptomatic young age groups between female and male. Liver function test(SGPT and SGOT) of 8,184 young adults(2,633 in female and 5,551 in male) were examined during the period from Jan.1,1994 to Dec. 31, 1994. The results were as follows; 1. Mean level of SGPT was 9.l+/-7.6(IU/L) in female, 21.0+/-27.9(IU/L) in male, and that of SGOT was 15.1+/-6.0(IU/L) in female, 20.5+/-26.5(IU/L) in male. There were significant differences(p<0.01) between female and male in both SPT and SGOT. And also there was significant increasing trend(p<0.05) by age groups in male for SGPT, decreasing trend(p<0.01) in female for SGOT. 2. In the abnormal rates of liver function test by the level of cut-off value, there were significant differences up to twice between the lowest and the highest cut-off value in both female(0.4% vs 0.7%) and male(6.5% vs 12.4%) 3. Abnormal rate of SGPT was 0.4% in female and 6.3% in male, and that of SGOT was 0.2% in female and 1.2% in male with significant differences between female and male in both tests.
Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Function Tests* ; Liver* ; Male ; Mass Screening*

BACKGROUND: The pericytes in the blood vessel wall have recently been identified to be important in regulating vascular formation, stabilization, remodeling, and function. We isolated and identified pericyte-like platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta-positive (PDGFRβ+) cells from the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of adipose tissue from critical limb ischemia (CLI) patients and investigated their potential as a reliable source of stem cells for cell-based therapy. METHODS: De-identified subcutaneous fat tissues were harvested after amputation in CLI patients. Freshly isolated SVF cells and culture-expanded adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) were quantified using flow cytometry. A matrigel tube formation assay and multi-lineage differentiation were performed to assess pericytic and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-like characteristics of PDGFRβ+ ADSCs. RESULTS: PDGFRβ+ cells were located in the pericytic area of various sizes of blood vessels and coexpressed mesenchymal stem cell markers. PDGFRβ+ cells in freshly isolated SVF cells expressed a higher level of stem cell markers (CD34 and CXCR4) and mesenchymal markers (CD13, CD44, CD54, and CD90) than PDGFRβ– cells. In vitro expansion of PDGFRβ+ cells resulted in enrichment of the perivascular mesenchymal stem-like (PDGFRβ+/CD90+/CD45–/CD31–) cell fractions. The Matrigel tube formation assay revealed that PDGFRβ+ cells were located in the peritubular area. CONCLUSIONS: PDGFRβ+ ADSCs cells demonstrated a good multilineage differentiation potential. Pericyte-like PDGFRβ+ cells from the SVF of adipose tissue from CLI patients had MSC-like characteristics and could be amplified by in vitro culture with preservation of their cell characteristics. We believe PDGFRβ+ cells in the SVF of adipose tissue can be used as a reliable source of stem cells even in CLI patients.
Adipose Tissue ; Adipose Tissue, White* ; Adult Stem Cells ; Amputation ; Blood Vessels ; Extremities* ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Ischemia* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Pericytes ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor* ; Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; Stem Cells ; Subcutaneous Fat

The in vitro antifungal susceptibility of 636 Candida bloodstream isolates collected from 15 tertiary hospitals in Korea was determined using the Vitek-2 yeast susceptibility system (bioMerieux, France). Overall susceptibility rates were 98.1%, 95.9%, 99.1%, and 97.3% for amphotericin B, fluconazole, voriconazole, and flucytosine, respectively. The results show that the rates of resistance to 4 antifungal drugs remain low among Candida bloodstream isolates in Korea.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Circulating B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been used as a marker of left ventricular hypertrophy and heart failure, and known to be increased after exercise in healthy men as well as patients with left ventricular dysfunction. However, the relationship between exercise duration and BNP level, and the determinants of circulating BNP concentration during exercise have not been fully elucidated. For these reason, we measured circulating BNP level during exercise, and exercise-induced changes of cardiac function by echocardiography in healthy men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy male volunteers (mean age 27+/-3 year-old) underwent symptom-limited bicycle ergometer in supine position for 30 min. The workload started at 25 W for 6 min with increment of 50 W every 3 min. Blood samples for BNP were obtained at baseline, every 1 min for first 3 min, 25 W, 75 W, 125 W, peak exercise and 10 min after resting. RESULTS: BNP level was increased only at peak exercise (mean:5.3+/-0.5 vs 7.7+/-4.1 pg/ml, median:5.0 vs 6.3 pg/ml, p<0.05), not during submaximal exercise, and sustained 10 minutes after exercise (190+/-25 watt, 14.9+/-12 min). Peak BNP level was significantly correlated with baseline BNP level (r=0.723, p<0.05), E' (0.18+/-0.04 vs 0.29+/-0.08 m/sec, r=-0.649, p<0.05) and E/E' (4.18+/- 0.87 vs 5.66+/-2.31, r=0.769 p<0.01) by bivariate correlation analysis, but correlated with only baseline BNP level by multiple linear regression analysis (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Circulating BNP concentration was minimally increased only after peak exercise in young healthy men, not increased at submaximal exercise The BNP concentration after exercise is only determined by baseline BNP level, not by duration and workload of exercise.
Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Stress ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Linear Models ; Male ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain* ; Supine Position ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left ; Volunteers

A 34-year-old man, who had been treated with an endoscopic injection of a mixture of n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl) and Lipiodol for control of variceal bleeding 6 months previously, presented with an intracardiac mass in the right atrium (RA). Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed an intracardiac mass in the RA that appeared to extend from the inferior vena cava. The origin of the sclerosant was traced by computed tomography (CT). This is a very rare case in which the sclerosant migration route was demonstrated by CT scan. The findings of this case suggest that the systemic migration of sclerosant into an intracardiac chamber should be considered in patients with an intracardiac mass, especially with a history of previous sclerotherapy for variceal bleeding.
Adult ; Echocardiography ; Embolism ; Enbucrilate ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Esophagus ; Ethiodized Oil ; Heart Atria ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Sclerotherapy ; Vena Cava, Inferior

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffening may affect regional myocardial function in hypertensive patients with normal ejection fraction (EF). METHODS: Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured in 70 patients, of mean age 48 +/- 14 years, with untreated hypertension and EF > 55%. Using two-dimensional-speckle tracking echocardiography, we measured longitudinal and circumferential strain (epsilon) and strain rate (SR). Basal and apical rotations were measured using short axis views. RESULTS: The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in these patients was 152 +/- 15 mmHg and 92 +/- 11 mmHg, respectively. The mean value of PWV was 1578 +/- 274 cm/s. PWV significantly correlated with age (r = 0.682, p < 0.001), body mass index (r = -0.330, p = 0.005), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.386, p = 0.001) and pulse pressure (r = 0.509, p < 0.001). PWV also significantly correlated with septal E' velocity (r = -0.570, p < 0.001), E/A ratio (r = -0.414, p < 0.001), E/E' ratio (r = 0.589, p < 0.001), systolic global longitudinal epsilon (r = 0.300, p = 0.012) and early diastolic SR (SRE) (r = -0.479, p < 0.001) suggesting impaired abnormal relaxation. PWV was also correlated with basal rotation (r = -0.301, p = 0.011) and basal-to-apical twist (r = -0.256, p = 0.032). The increases in apical rotation and basal-to-apical twist were attenuated in patients with PWV > 1700 cm/s compared to those with PWV < or = 1400 cm/s or those with PWV 1400-1700 cm/s. CONCLUSION: In hypertensive patients with normal ejection fraction, arterial stiffening contributes to impaired systolic and diastolic function of the regional myocardium. Compensatory increases in ventricular twist were diminished in patients with advanced stage of vascular stiffening.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Myocardium ; Pulse Wave Analysis ; Relaxation ; Sprains and Strains ; Track and Field ; Vascular Stiffness

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic and prognostic implication of exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise has not been well characterized. Endothelial dysfunction has been demonstrated in patients with atherosclerosis or with risk factors for coronary artery disease. However, whether the cause of exercise induced hypertension might be due to endothelial dysfunction has not been well elucidated. Therefore, we designed this study to evaluate the endothelial function in patients with exaggerated blood pressure response during exercise. METHODS: Exercise hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure >or= 210 mmHg in men and >or= 190 mmHg in female, during treadmill exercise test. The endothelial function of the brachial artery, in 35 patients with exercise hypertension and 35 control subjects (mean age of 45.5+/-8.1) were measured by a high resolution ultrasound technique. The concentrations of nitrite and cyclic-GMP were measured from exercise hypertension group and control subjects during, before and after treadmill exercise. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the clinical variables between the control and exercise hypertension group. The LVH on ECG was detected more frequently in exercise hypertension group (14 % vs. 40 %, p<0.05) and LV mass/BSA (132+/-12 vs. 139+/-14 g/m2, p<0.05) was also higher in exercise hypetension group. Endothelial-dependent vasodilation was impaired in patients with exercise hypertension (6.5+/-0.8 vs. 3.1+/-0.6 %, p<0.05). On univariate analysis, the extent of vasodilation was significantly correlated with age (r=-0.28, p<0.05) and delta systolic blood pressure (r=-0.36, p<0.05). Both the levels of NO2-/NO3- and cyclic-GMP at the maximal exercise were significantly higher than those at rest and recovery in control and exercise hypertension group (p<0.05). Although there was no difference at the increment of NO2-/NO3- during the maximal exercise between the control and exercise hypertension group (55+/-17 vs. 56+/-12 mmHg, p>0.05), a significant difference of cyclic GMP level during the maximal exercise was noted between the groups (10+/-1.8 vs. 8.3+/-2.5 pmol/mL, p<0.05). CONCLSUION: Patients with exercise induced hypertension have impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation. This study supports the concept that endothelial dysfunction may play a significant role in exercise induced hypertension.
Atherosclerosis ; Blood Pressure* ; Brachial Artery ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Cyclic GMP ; Electrocardiography ; Endothelium ; Exercise Test* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; Risk Factors ; Ultrasonography ; Vasodilation

BACKGROUND: Aging is an important factor to determine transmitral inflow velocity pattern. Cardiac geometry such as left ventricular (LV) volume, mass and left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) was also changed with age. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of geometric change of LVOT on transmitral inflow velocity pattern excluding a factor of age. METHODS: Healthy 115 (61 men, 37+/-15 years) individuals were enrolled. Echocardiography was performed to measure LV mass, thickness, left atrial (LA) size, aortoseptal angle (ASA), early (E) and late (A) transmitral inflow velocity, and deceleration time (DT). ASA was measured at mid-diastole in apical long-axis view according to a method as the open angle between the edge of the interventricular septum and axis perpendicular to the aortic annulus. The relation between transmitral inflow velocity pattern and LV geometric parameters was analyzed by regression analysis. RESULTS: Simple regression analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between transmitral inflow parameters with age and geometric parameters (ASA, LA size and LV mass index). Multiple regression analysis, taking into consideration age, ASA, LA size and LV mass index showed that only age was an independent predictor for E, A, DT, and E/A ratio (r2=0.210, Beta coefficient (beta)=0.459, p<0.001;r2=0.427, beta=0.654, p<0.001;r2=0.227, beta=-0.476, p<0.001;r2=0.436, beta=-0.661, p<0.001, respectively). But, excluding age, ASA was an independent predictor for E, A, DT, and E/A ratio (r2=0.151, beta=0.389, p<0.001;r2=0.294, beta=0.542, p<0.001;r2=0.227, beta=-0.476, p<0.001;r2=0.260, beta=0.509, p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: ASA, a parameter of LVOT geometry, might be an important factor related to transmitral inflow velocity pattern excluding a factor of age.
Aging ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Deceleration ; Diastole ; Echocardiography ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Male

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori has been decreasing over the years and it is different among the regions. The aim of this study was to investigate the rates of first-line and the second-line eradication of H. pylori over the last 5 years in a single institute of Changwon and Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eradication rates of first-line triple regimen in 1,164 patients and second-line quadruple regimen in 223 patients who received H. pylori eradication treatment from January 2008 to December 2012 at Changwon Fatima Hospital were evaluated retrospectively. The patients for second-line quadruple therapy were divided into three groups according to the dosage of medications. RESULTS: The overall eradication rates of first-line and second-line therapy were 70.5% and 81.2%, respectively. There was no decreasing tendency in the eradication rate of first-line therapy for 5 years (P=0.573). However, annul eradication rates of second-line therapy significantly decreased (P=0.001, linear by linear association). In second-line therapy, patients treated with high dose bismuth and metronidazole had higher eradication rates than those treated with low dose bismuth and metronidazole (P=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of the first-line and second-line therapy for H. pylori was suboptimal. In addition, there was a decreasing tendency in the eradication rates of second-line therapy over the past 5 years in Changwon and Gyeongsangnam-do province. Alternative regimens or high dose therapy should be considered for first-line and second-line therapy.
Bismuth ; Gyeongsangnam-do ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Korea ; Metronidazole ; Retrospective Studies