PURPOSE: to study the utility of a program which diagnoses and compensates for color defects on computer monitors according to the severity and type of color vision deficiency (CVD). METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with congenital CVD completed Seohan computerized hue test, color compensated Seohan computerized hue test and questionnaire for preference of color compensated images. The relation between results of the Seohan computerized hue test and the degrees of color compensation was investigated. HRR test and Nagel anomaloscope were used for determining the severity and type of CVD. RESULTS: In applying the color compensation program, the total error score (TES) of the Seohan computerized hue test was significantly reduced. In cases of milder color vision defect, the TES of the color compensated Seohan computerized hue test was reduced at lower color compensations, while it was reduced at higher color compensations in cases of more severe color vision defect. In the color compensation of images, patients with milder color vision defects preferred images with lower color compensation and patients with more severe color vision defect preferred images with higher color compensation. CONCLUSIONS: The color compensation program for CVD effectively reduced the TES of Seohan computerized hue tests and improved the recognition of colors. This suggests that the program can be helpful to actual life in patients with CVD.
Color Vision Defects* ; Color Vision* ; Compensation and Redress ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of transcription factors play a crucial role in regulating metabolic homeostasis. These modifications include phosphorylation, methylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation, and O-GlcNAcylation. Recent studies have shed light on the importance of lysine acetylation at nonhistone proteins including transcription factors. Acetylation of transcription factors affects subcellular distribution, DNA affinity, stability, transcriptional activity, and current investigations are aiming to further expand our understanding of the role of lysine acetylation of transcription factors. In this review, we summarize recent studies that provide new insights into the role of protein lysine-acetylation in the transcriptional regulation of metabolic homeostasis.
Acetylation ; Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Homeostasis ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Protein Processing, Post-Translational ; genetics ; physiology ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Data on the long-term effects of interferon alpha (IFN) treatment on disease progression and mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) are limited. To evaluate factors that influence clinical outcome and survival, we performed a follow-up study on hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive CHB patients treated with IFN. METHODS: A total of 98 patients with biopsy-proven HBeAg-positive CHB were treated with IFN- between 1988 and 2000 and followed. Data were collected by review of medical record, direct contact, or using database from Korea Central Cancer Registry. Sustained response (SR) to treatment was defined as HBeAg loss within 12 months after the end of IFN therapy and maintenance of HBeAg negativity for at least 3 years. We tried to find the factors associated with SR, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence and survival. We also compared the cumulative rate of HCC and survival between SR group and non-sustained response (NSR)/nonresponder group. RESULTS: The mean IFN dose was 375+/-205 mega units. Mean follow-up was 92.0 months (SD 45 months). Twenty-six patients (27%) had sustained response to IFN treatment, although transient response was seen in 39% (38 out of 98 patients). Nine patients died of liver-related causes (hepatic failure, variceal bleeding) during follow-up. There were no significant differences of clinical outcomes such as survival and HCC incidence between responders and nonresponders (p=0.18, p=0.10, respectively). However, HCC developed in 6 patients, all of whom were nonresponders with an age older than 39 years. CONCLUSION: Age of 39 years and above at the time of IFN treatment might increase the risk of developing HCC. Therefore, interferon should be applied at the younger age to prevent HCC in patients with HBeAg-positive CHB.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Disease Progression ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Interferon-alpha* ; Interferons ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Mortality

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have implicated inflammation as playing an important role in the occurrence, persistence and recurrence of atrial fibrillation and that C-reactive protein is a useful marker of the inflammation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between serum CRP levels and the risk of atrial fibrillation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 9,487 subjects (5,263 men and 4,224 women; mean age: 58.8+/-6.6 years) who underwent medical check-ups at the Health Promotion Center in Kanbuk Samsung Hospital. 9,438 normal control subjects and 49 atrial fibrillation patients were included in the study. The CRP was measured using a highly sensitive Behring Nephelometer II. RESULTS: When comparing the two groups, there were significant differences in age, gender and the presence of hypertension and cerebrovascular accident, and these are the previously known risk factors for atrial fibrillation. After adjustment was made for the clinical significant variables of atrial fibrillation, multiple regression analysis revealed that the hsCRP levels were not associated with the risk for atrial fibrillation (p=0.52). CONCLUSION: The inflammatory markers (CRP, WBC count) were not predictive of a higher risk for atrial fibrillation in the Korean population.
Adult* ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; C-Reactive Protein* ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Inflammation ; Male ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Stroke

BACKGROUND: Inflammation has been demonstrated to be an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The relationship of the peripheral leukocyte count to the severity of stable angina remains to be clarified. The present study analyzed the relationship of the peripheral leukocyte count to the severity of stable angina determined by coronary angiography. METHODS: The data from 108 patients with stable angina, and 92 subjects with normal coronary angiograms were reviewed, and the role of the peripheral leukocyte count as a risk factor for stable angina evaluated. In addition, the correlation of the peripheral leukocyte count and the severity of stable angina, as assessed by the Gensini's score in the stable angina group, were analyzed. RESULTS: Age, the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, and the fasting blood sugar were significantly higher, and the HDL was lower in the stable angina than the control group. A multivariate analysis showed that a peripheral leukocyte count over 6, 800/mm3 was an independent variable, but with no statistical significance (p=0.067), and diabetes (OR=3.02, 95% CI: 1.29~7.02) and old age (OR=3.62, 95% CI: 1.33~9.87) were independent risk factors for stable angina. A positive correlation between peripheral leukocyte count and Gensini's score was noted in the stable angina group even after adjusting for age, fasting blood sugar, blood pressure and lipid profiles (R2=0.198, p=0.015). CONCLUSION: An increased peripheral leukocyte count is considered not so much an indicator of the pathogenesis of stable angina, but as a predictor for disease progression. Furthermore, it is considered that the above correlation will be helpful in screening high-risk groups that require relatively active interventional therapy.
Adult ; Aged ; Angina Pectoris/*blood/epidemiology/*radiography ; *Coronary Angiography ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Risk Factors ; Severity of Illness Index

PURPOSE: Recent discovery of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes has made it possible to perform presymptomatic diagnosis in hereditary breast/ovarian cancer families. We have previously reported germline mutations of the BRCA1 gene in Korean hereditary breast/ovarian cancer families. In that study two out of 13 families were found to have germline mutations in BRCA1 gene. One was a nonsense mutation in codon 1815, and the other was a frameshift mutation due to 2 base-pair deletion in codon 1701 of BRCA1 gene. This study was intended to identify germline mutations of the BRCA2 gene in Korean breast/ovarian cancer families. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood DNA was obtained from 10 breast cancer patients registered at the Korean Hereditary Tumor Registry with positive family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer. Exons 11 and 27 of the BRCA2 gene(together accounting for 50% of the coding region of the BRCA2 gene) were amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and screened for mutations by in vitro transcription/translation method. For confirmation of the mutations, automatic sequencing of the PCR products displaying abnormal truncated protein bands was perfomed. RESULT: We identified an abnormal truncated protein in the exon 11 of the BRCA2 gene from a member of hereditary breast cancer family, SNU-B4. Sequencing analysis revealed a 4 bp deletion in codons 1248-49 of the exon 11, resulting in frameshift that led to premature stop codon and truncation of the protein product. CONCLUSION: We have identified a germline mutation from a Korean hereditary breast cancer family. So far only one case of the same mutation has been registered in Database of BRCA2 mutation (BIC) by a commercial genetic diagnosis company, Myriad Genetics, Inc. Identification of the germline mutation in BRCA2 gene should aid in the accurate presymptomatic diagnosis of the at-risk members in this family.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Clinical Coding ; Codon ; Codon, Nonsense ; Diagnosis ; DNA ; Exons ; Frameshift Mutation ; Genes, BRCA1 ; Genes, BRCA2* ; Genetics ; Germ-Line Mutation* ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The relationship between serum uric acid and metabolic syndrome variables has not been reported in Korea. Therefore, whether the circulating levels of serum uric acid are independently related to hypertension, insulin resistance and the variables of metabolic syndrome were assessed. SUCJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 53,477 health screen examinees were enrolled and divided into four groups (Quartile 1:<4.2 mg/dL, Quartile 2:4.2-5.29 mg/dL, Quartile 3:5.3-6.29 mg/dL, Quartile 4:>6.29 mg/dL) according to their serum uric acid level. The blood pressure, lipid profiles, fasting plasma glucose, waist circumference, HOMA, high sensitivity CRP and apolipoprotein were compared between the four groups. RESULTS: There was a positive association between blood pressure and the serum uric acid level (p<0.001). After adjustment for covariates the prevalence of hypertension due to uric acid was 1.192 (95% CI, 1.038-1.368 p=0.013), and 1.408 (95% CI, 1.221-1.623 p<0.001) times higher in subjects in the third and fourth uric acid level quartiles, respectively, compared to the subjects in the first quartile. Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome variables were positively correlated with the serum uric acid level. The number of metabolic syndrome variables was also increased with an elevated serum uric acid level. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that serum uric acid levels were independently associated with hypertension, insulin resistance and the variables of metabolic syndrome in the Korean population. Although the serum uric acid level was normal value, the risk of metabolic syndrome was increased with an elevated serum uric acid level. However, because of the cross-sectional nature of our study, these findings should be confirmed in prospective cohort studies.
Apolipoproteins ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Cohort Studies ; Fasting ; Hypertension* ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin* ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Reference Values ; Uric Acid* ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: Among the recent advances in understanding atherogenesis, the "infection hypothesis" is one of the most compelling but remains controversial. Recent experimental and epidemiologic findings suggest that some infectious agents play a role in the development and promotion of atherosclerosis. But very few data are available on the relation between HBV infection and atherosclerosis. We have investigated the possible association between hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity and cardiovascular risk factors including hsCRP in healthy Korean adults. METHODS: In 48,423 healthy subjects, the proportion of seropositive subjects for HBsAg and its association with cardiovascular disease risk factors were evaluated in participants in health screening program. Hepatitis B virus infection status was tested with HBsAg test with IRMA (immunoradiometric method) and serum lipid profiles, hsCRP were tested. RESULTS: Of the 48,423 study subjects, 4.5% were positive for HBsAg, indicating that they were hepatitis B virus carriers. In male, HBsAg positive group showed higher mean values for high density lipoprotein (HDL) and lower values for triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol. They were statistically significant (p<0.001). In female, HBsAg positive group showed higher mean values for high density lipoprotein (HDL) and lower values for triglycerides (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), adjusted by age and other variables, triglyceride, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein were inversly associated with HBsAg seropositivity in male while only triglyceride and total cholesterol were inversly associated in female. HBsAg seropositivity and other risk factors including hsCRP level which is markers for inflammation were not correlated(p=0.055, p=0.074). CONCLSUION: The result of this study suggest no significant association between hepatitis B infection and hsCRP which is markers for inflammation but possible association with some cardiovascular risk factors such as triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL. Relationship between HBV infection and atherosclerosis has no definitive answer and is disputed issue therefore should stimulate the initiation of further studies to determine whether hepatitis B virus is indeed a causative factor in atherogenesis.
Adult* ; Antigens, Surface ; Atherosclerosis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Female ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors* ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite of increasing numbers of reports on intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMT), there is still difficulty in its' diagnosis, treatment and prediction of prognosis. The purpose of this multicenter study was to evaluate the clinico-pathological features of IPMT in Korea and suggest the prediction criteria of malignancy in IPMT. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinico-pathological data of 208 patients who underwent operations with IPMT between 1993 and 2002 at 28 institutes in Korea. RESULTS: Of the 208 patients with a mean age of 60.5+/-9.7 years, 147 were men and 61 were women. 124 patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy, 42 distal pancreatectomy, 17 total pancreatectomy, 25 limited pancreas resection. Benign cases were 128 (adenoma (n=62), borderline (n=66)) and malignant cases were 80 (non-invasive (n=29), invasive (n=51)). A significant difference in 5-year survival was observed between benign and malignant group (92.6% vs. 65.3%; p=0.006). Of the 6 factors (age, location, duct dilatation, tumor appearance, main duct type, and tumor size) that showed the statistical difference in univariate analysis between benign and malignant group, we found three significant factors (tumor appearance (p=0.009), tumor size (p=0.023), and dilated duct size (p=0.010)) by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Although overall prognosis of IPMT is superior to ordinary pancreatic cancer, more curative surgery is recommended in malignant IPMT. Tumor appearance (papillary), tumor size (> or =30 mm) and dilated duct size (> or = 12 mm) can be used as preoperative indicators of malig-nancy in IPMT.
Academies and Institutes ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Mucins* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pancreas* ; Pancreatectomy ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies