ln order to investigate the mutagenic activity of Meju, an important component of the Korean diet, both chemical techniques and the Ames test were used. To determine if antimutagenic activity is present in Meju and other soybean based foods, the Ames Test was done in the presence of aflatoxin B1, benzo(a)pyrene, and other mutagens. Although aflatoxin contamination was found in 6 of 43 samples of Meju tested, the amounts were less than 1 ppb in all but one. Meju had a protective effect against mutations produced by both aflatoxins and benzo(a)pyrene, both of which act via an epoxide, but not against other mutagens tested.
Aflatoxins/analysis/*toxicity ; Fermentation ; Food Contamination/*analysis ; In Vitro ; Korea ; Mutagenicity Tests ; *Mutation ; Plant Extracts/toxicity ; Soybeans/*toxicity ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate demographic, clinical, behavioral and metabolic-endocrine factors related to weight gain in patients with schizophrenia treated with serotonin-dopamine antagonists(SDA). METHODS: Forty-two in-patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia were recruited from Samsung Seoul Hospital and St. Andrew Neuropsychiatric Hospital. The subjects were first-episode patients or patients who did not take any antipsychotics for the previous two months. All the patients were administered with one of the SDAs for 8 weeks. Body weights and body mass index (BMI) were measured weekly during the treatment period. The mean levels of daytime activities were evaluated at baseline and 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the treatment. To assess the clinical response to the medication, the Krawiecka Rating Scale (KRS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) were applied before and after the treatment. Fasting blood levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL), and serum level of prolactin were measured before and after the treatment. RESULTS: The body weight and BMI were significantly increased through the treatment periods. There were significant increases in the blood levels of cholesterol, TG and prolactin after 8 weeks. KRS total score showed significant decrease and the mean level of daytime activities showed significant increase by the treatment. Significant negative correlations were observed between the weight gain indices and the baseline BMI. The level of clinical improvement was significantly correlated with the degree of weight gain. Gender, age, smoking, daily dosages of antipsychotics, level of daytime activity and changes in appetite did not show any association with the weight gain indices. Neither the baseline biochemical variables nor their changes after the treatment were significantly correlated with the indices of weight gain. CONCLUSION: This result implies that low baseline BMI could be a risk factor of weight gain in short-term treatment of schizophrenia with SDAs. And it is also suggested that the effects of SDAs on weight gain and the clinical improvement might be developed through the same pharmacodynamic pathway.
Antipsychotic Agents ; Appetite ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Prolactin ; Risk Factors ; Schizophrenia* ; Seoul ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Triglycerides ; Weight Gain*

Lipocortin 1 has been proposed as a putative mediator of anti-inflammatory actions of glucocorticoids. We investigated the role of lipocortin 1 in the effect of dexamethasone using rat splenic leukocytes. Concanavalin A(ConA; 1-microgram/ml) increased the leukocyte proliferation and nitric oxide(NO) generation, which were measured as (3H)-thymidine uptake by the cells and nitrite accumulation in the culture media, respectively. Dexamethasone suppressed CoNinduced cell proliferation, in a concentration-dependent manner with EC-50 around 50nM. The addition of anti-lipocortin 1 (Anti-LC1) reversed dexamethasone effects: 0.24, 1.2, 6 microgram/ml of Anti-LC1 reversed dexamethasone(50nM)-induced suppression of thymidine uptake by 9+/-3%, 16+/-3%, 36+/-5%, respectively; 0.24, 1.2, and 6-microgram/ml of Anti-LC1 reversed dexamethasone-induced decrease of nitrite concentration by 49 +/- 16%, 61 +/- 20%, 77 +/- 19 %, respectively. The present data indicate that lipocortin 1 mediates, at least in part, glucocorticoids-induced suppression of leukocyte proliferation and blockade of NO generation.
Animals ; Annexin A1* ; Annexins* ; Cell Proliferation ; Culture Media ; Dexamethasone* ; Glucocorticoids ; Leukocytes* ; Nitric Oxide* ; Rats* ; Thymidine

OBJECTIVE: Chromosome 22q11 has been implicated as a susceptibility locus of schizophrenia. It also contains various candidate genes for which evidence of association with schizophrenia has been reported. To determine whether genetic variations in chromosome 22q11 are associated with schizophrenia in Koreans, we performed a linkage analysis and case-control association study. METHODS: Three microsatellite markers within a region of 4.35 Mb on 22q11 were genotyped for 47 multiplex schizophrenia families, and a non-parametric linkage analysis was applied. The association analysis was done with 227 unrelated patients and 292 normal controls. For 39 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning a 1.4 Mb region (33 kb interval) containing four candidate schizophrenia genes (DGCR, COMT, PRODH and ZDHHC8), allele frequencies were estimated in pooled DNA samples. RESULTS: No significant linkage was found at any of the three microsatellite markers in single and multi-point analyses. Five SNPs showed suggestive evidence of association (p<0.05) and two more SNPs showed a trend for association (p<0.1) in pooled DNA association analysis. Individual genotyping was performed for those seven SNPs and four more intragenic SNPs. In this second analysis, all of the 11 SNPs individually genotyped did not show significant association. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that genetic variations on chromosome 22q11 may not play a major role in Korean schizophrenia patients. Inadequate sample size, densities of genetic markers and differences between location of genetic markers of linkage and association can contribute to an explanation of the negative results of this study.
Case-Control Studies ; DNA ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Markers ; Genetic Variation* ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Sample Size ; Schizophrenia*

OBJECTIVE: To identified whether serum Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) level may be used as a predictive marker of menopausal transition. METHODS: Serum MIS level was measured in reproductive women (n=87), in menopausal transition women (n=58), and in menopausal women (n=5) by ELISA. And we examined the immunohistochemical staining of the MIS in the ovarian tissues of 15 reproductive, 15 menopausal transition, and 5 menopausal women. RESULTS: 1. In the reproductive women, mean serum MIS level was 1.73+/-1.07 ng/ml. In the menopausal transition women, mean serum MIS level was 0.18+/-0.11 ng/ml. Serum MIS level did not show any significant fluctuation patterns according to follicular development. In menopausal transition women, serum MIS level was significantly lower than that of reproductive women (P<0.001). The cutoff value of serum MIS level for menopausal transition was 0.5 ng/mg. In the menopausal women, serum MIS level was not detected. 2. Serum MIS level was significantly decreased as patient age was increased. 3. In the reproductive group, the immunohistochemical staining demonstrated strong expression of MIS in the granulosa cells of the primary follicles and the growing follicles, but not in corpus luteum, preovulatory mature follicle, atretic follicle, and corpus luteum. In the menopausal transition women, immunohistochemical staining for MIS was observed in the nearly same pattern as that of thereproductive women, but with weaker expression. In the menopausal women, immunohistochemical staining of the MIS was not observed. CONCLUSION: MIS is a good candidate for predictive marker for ovarian aging and perimenopausal transition.
Aging ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone* ; Corpus Luteum ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Granulosa Cells ; Humans ; Ovarian Follicle

OBJECTIVE: To report 18 months follow up results of radiofrequency myolysis and analysis the factors which effect the success rate of myolysis. METHODS: 153 patients who took radiofrequency myolysis between October 2004.~June 2006 in this hospital were enrolled this retrospective study. Except 14 patients which had incomplete data, total 139 patient's charts were reviewed. Sonographic evaluations were checked after a week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, and 18 months after myolysis. Questions about complications like vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, feber and vaginal discharge were asked to patients in every visits. Volume of the myoma were checked via 3D ultrasonography. RESULTS: Reduction rate of the volume of myoma after 18 months were 73% and reoperation rate were 4.3%. Improvement rates of patients symptom were 87% (menorrhagea 95%, dysmenorrheal 75%, pelvic pain 60%) The patients who had myomas sized over 100 ml before treatments showed statistically higher rate of reoperation, and decreased rate of satisfaction. Reoperation rate and reduction rate of myoma showed no difference through pathologic diagnosis. The patients who had initial symptoms showed higher rate of satisfaction after myolysis. Total satisfaction rate were 62%, and no serious complications like bowel injury, bladder injury, sepsis and peritonitis were not reported. CONCLUSION: Satisfaction rate after radiofrequency myolysis was increased in symptomatic leiomyoma especially smaller than 6.5 cm in diameter.
Abdominal Pain ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; Myoma ; Pelvic Pain ; Peritonitis ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Bladder ; Uterine Hemorrhage ; Vaginal Discharge

Radiofrequency (RF) myolysis is a minimally invasive treatment by create thermal energy in targeted uterine fibroid and cause the aseptic necrosis of leiomyoma cells. Unlike hysterectomy which is considered to be the most common treatment of uterine leiomyoma, RF myolysis can preserve the uterus, and unlike myomectomy which can preserve the uterus but requires the hospitalization and general anesthesia, it can be performed as outpatient procedure using only sedation for pain relief without additional need for medication. There are many published studies reporting the pregnancy complications and outcomes after myomectomy, but few studies regarding pregnancy and myolysis are available. We have experienced a full term vaginal delivery after RF myolysis of subserosal myoma and hereby we report our case with a brief review.
Anesthesia, General ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Leiomyoma ; Myoma ; Necrosis ; Outpatients ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Uterus

An epidemiological survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of and identify the risk factors of dementia and depression in the elderly between December 1997 and August 1998 in Yonchon County, Korea. A total of 1,037 elderly aged 65 years and over underwent a two phase diagnositc procedure. Multiple stage, random cluster sampling method was used to select the subjects. Response rate was 85.4%. For the 1st stage screening survey, the Korean Psychogeriatric Assessment Scale was used as a primary screening tool, which had already been standardized in Korea, and functioning and social support were assessed by ADL, IADL and APGAR. At the 2nd stage, diagnoses were confirmed according to the DSM-III-R. And several other scales were used as supporting information for differential diagnoses and for evaluating severity. 1) Age-sex adjusted prevalence(%)[95% C.I.] of dementia was 6.83[6.12-7.54](male 6.34[5.29-7.40]female 7.09[6.14-8.04]). Prevalence of the dementia of the Alzheimer's type was 4.17[3.61-4.74](male 2.42[1.76-3.08], female 5.31[4.48-6.14]) and that of the vascular dementia was 2.38 [1.95-2.81](male 3.46[2.67-4.25], female 1.63[1.16-2.10]). 2) Age-sex adjusted prevalence(%)[95% C.I.] of depressive disorder was 10.99 [10.11-11.87] (male 7.59[6.44-8.73], female 13.46[12.20-14.73]). Among depressive disorders, prevalence(%) [95% C.I.] of major depressive disorder was 7.50[6.76-8.26](male 4.42[3.54-5.31], female 9.78 [8.68-10.88]), that of dysthymic disorder was 2.02[1.62-2.42](male 1.37[0.86-1.87], female 2.46 [1.88-3.03]) and that of depressive disorder NOS was 1.49[1.15-1.83](male 1.85[1.47-2.23], female 1.28[0.96-1.60]). 3) Five statistically significant risk factors of the dementia of the Alzheimer's type were identified: age over 85(O.R.=10.27), illiteracy(O.R.=4.01), alcohol abuse(O.R.=2.98), smoking[030(O.R.=4.60)] and family history of dementia(O.R.=4.85). 4) Three statistically significant risk factors of the vascular dementia were identified: illiteracy (O.R.=3.78), history of CVA(O.R.=26.76) and smoking over 40 pack year (O.R.=11.15). 5) Three statistically significant risk factors of the depressive disorder were identified: age between 75 and 79(O.R.=2.87), past history of CVA(O.R.=3.33) and family history of depressive disorder (O.R.=7.16).
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged* ; Dementia* ; Dementia, Vascular ; Depression* ; Depressive Disorder ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dysthymic Disorder ; Literacy ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors* ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVES: The authors recently found a suggestive evidence of linkage of chromosome 8p21-12 to schizophrenia in Korean multiplex families. Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) was identified in this locus as a positional and functional candidate gene for schizophrenia, through several independent studies with European and Chinese populations. The purpose of this study is to determine whether NRG1 is associated with schizophrenia in Korean population. METHODS: Three SNPs (SNP8NRG221533, SNP8NRG241930, SNP8NRG243177) and two microsatellites markers (478B14-848, 420M9-1395) located at the 5' end of NRG1 were genotyped for 242 unrelated schizophrenia patients and the same number of normal controls. Genetic association was tested by chi2-test (df=1). Not only for the whole patients group but also for a subgroup of patients with auditory hallucination. This subtype showed stronger linkage with chromosome 8p12 in the prior study of the authors with multiplex families. RESULTS: G allele of SNP8NRG241930 was significantly in excess in the subgroup of patients with auditory hallucination compared to the control group (p=0.03, OR=1.76). We also found that 3 SNPs haplotype TTC (p=0.04, OR=0.58) and five markers haplotype TTC53 (p=0.01, OR=0.49) were associated with schziophrenia with a protective effect. Three SNPs haplotype CGT which is a part of the at-risk haplotype of the Icelandic schizophrenia families was found in excess in the patients group but no significant association was observed. CONCLUSION: NRG1 might either play a role in the predisposition to schizophrenia or be in linkage disequilibrium with a causal locus of this illness.
Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Genetic Variation* ; Hallucinations ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Iceland ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Neuregulin-1* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Schizophrenia*

OBJECTIVES: This study aims at exploring genetic and clinical characteristics of multiplex Korean families with schizophrenia. METHODS: Thirty-three families having two or more schizophrenics by DSM-IV criteria within the second degree relatives were obtained from the clinics of general hospitals and mental hospitals. Sixty-nine affected and forty-five unaffected subjects from these families were interviewed using Korean version of Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies. Krawieka Rating Scale and The Schedule for the Deficit Syndrome were also applied for further evaluation of psychopathologies of the patients. Patterns of inheritances of the disease were analyzed by the inspection of the pedigrees. Parent-of-origin effect was evaluated by the comparison of the occurrence rate and the clinical characteristics between the subgroups of maternal and paternal origins. RESULTS: There were similar rates of maternal and paternal transmission in the families for which unilineal transmission of the disease was estimated. Only one family showed bilineal transmission. Observed patterns of transmission were not compatible with the recessive single locus model or sex-linked model. The most frequently observed non-schizophrenic disorders in these families were personality disorders/traits of schizophrenia spectrum. We could not find any clinical characteristics which might be unique to the patients from multiplex families. Parent-of-origin effect was not suggested. CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary clinical and genetic data on the multiplex schizophrenia families which could be used for the determination of the genetic parameters and the boundaries of the phenotype in the linkage analyses.
Appointments and Schedules ; Bile Pigments ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Hospitals, General ; Hospitals, Psychiatric ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Schizophrenia* ; Wills