Association between the Self-Perception Period of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and the International Prostate Symptom Score

Shim, Sung Ryul,Kim, Jae Heon,Kim, Khae Hawn,Yoon, Sang Jin,Lee, Won Jin,Kim, Hae Joon,Bae, Jae Hyun S. Karger AG 2012 UROLOGIA INTERNATIONALIS Vol.88 No.4

<P>Abstract</P><P><B><I>Objectives:</I></B> The timing of visiting a hospital after self-perception of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is different between individuals. The association between the self-perception period (S-PP) of LUTS and the progression of LUTS has seldom been documented. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the S-PP of LUTS and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). <B><I>Subjects and Methods:</I></B> This was a cross-sectional study comprising 267 men aged 40 years and older who participated in a prostate examination survey between February and May 2009. Survey questionnaires included items on the IPSS, the S-PPs of seven individual LUTSs assessed in the IPSS. <B><I>Results:</I></B> The S-PP of LUTS became significantly longer as the severity of LUTS increased. Of the seven symptoms, a weak urinary stream and nocturia showed longer S-PPs than others. Partial correlation between the S-PP and IPSS showed a statistically significant positive correlation. Linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant relationship that unstandardized coefficients included 0.051 and 0.005 for IPSS and quality of life. <B><I>Conclusions:</I></B> These findings suggest that the S-PP is an independent risk factor for LUTS progression. S-PPs have to be considered for treatment or prevention of LUTS.</P><P>Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Association between Serotonin Transporter-Linked Polymorphic Region and Escitalopram Antidepressant Treatment Response in Korean Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Won, Eun-Soo,Chang, Hun-Soo,Lee, Hwa-Young,Ham, Byung-Joo,Lee, Min-Soo S. Karger 2012 Neuropsychobiology Vol.66 No.4

<P>Abstract</P><P><B><I>Objective:</I></B> Various studies have shown that short (s)/long (l) polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) might predict treatment outcome to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between 5-HTTLPR and clinical response to escitalopram treatment in Korean subjects with major depressive disorder. <B><I>Methods:</I></B> One hundred and fifteen Korean patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder were evaluated during 8 weeks of escitalopram treatment at a dose of 5–20 mg/day. Patients were genotyped for 5-HTTLPR using polymerase chain reaction. Clinical symptoms were evaluated by the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating (HAMD-21) scale during the 8 weeks of treatment. <B><I>Results:</I></B> Therapeutic response to antidepressant escitalopram was better in s allele carriers (ss, sl) than in l allele homozygotes (ll) at 8 weeks of treatment (OR = 6.24, p = 0.026). The proportion of s allele carriers in responders was higher than that in non-responders (96.6 vs. 85.7%). The percentile decline in HAMD-21 in s allele carriers (59.86 ± 3.23%) was larger than that in HAMD-21 in l allele homozygotes (43.13 ± 11.49%; p = 0.029). However, 5-HTTLPR genotypes were not significantly associated with remission (p > 0.05). <B><I>Conclusions:</I></B> Our results show that treatment response to escitalopram at 8 weeks was moderated by 5-HTTLPR, with better response rates for s allele carriers than for l allele homozygotes. Although the role of 5-HTTLPR as a definite predictor of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment response cannot be confirmed from current results, they do suggest a trend for better response in s allele carriers.</P><P>Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Effects of Specific Genes Activating RAGE on Polycystic Kidney Disease

Park, Eun Young,Seo, Min Ji,Park, Jong Hoon S. Karger AG 2010 American journal of nephrology Vol.32 No.2

<P><I>Background:</I> Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by progressive cyst formation and secretion of fluid and is associated with interstitial inflammation and fibrosis, resulting in the loss of renal function. We previously generated mice overexpressing <I>PKD2</I>, causing progressive cyst development with an inflammatory and fibrotic phenotype in the kidneys. <I>Methods:</I> To profile the gene expression related to inflammation and cystogenesis, microarray analysis was performed with kidney tissue from 6-, 12- and 18-month-old mice. Subsequently, levels and related mechanisms of selected genes, s100a8 and s100a9, were evaluated. <I>Results:</I> S100a8 and s100a9 was upregulated more than 2-fold and differently expressed in the cystic region. Receptor of advanced glycation end product (RAGE) is a putative cell surface receptor for s100a8/a9. It was expressed in cyst-lining cells and up-regulated pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB in transgenic mice. We also confirmed RAGE expression in ADPKD patient kidneys. It was suggested that the signaling related to proliferative cystogenesis through previous reports; therefore, we confirmed that phosphorylated-ERK and cyst formation was reduced by treatment of RAGE-siRNA. <I>Conclusions:</I> The results may provide important information for the expression of s100a8/a9 and RAGE, linking progressive cystogenesis with inflammation in cystic kidney.</P><P>Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease Associated with Dementia Using Cerebral Perfusion SPECT

Song, In-Uk,Chung, Yong-An,Chung, Sung-Woo,Jeong, Jaeseung S. Karger AG 2014 Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders Vol.37 No.5

<P>Abstract</P><P><B><I>Background:</I></B> Since patterns of cognitive dysfunction in mild Parkinson's disease associated with dementia (PDD) are similar to those in mild Alzheimer's disease (AD), it is difficult to accurately differentiate between these two types of dementia in their early phases using neuropsychological tests. The purpose of the current study was to investigate differences in cerebral perfusion patterns of patients with AD and PDD at the earliest stages using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). <B><I>Methods:</I></B> We consecutively recruited 31 patients with mild PDD, 32 patients with mild probable AD and 33 age-matched healthy subjects. All subjects underwent <SUP>99m</SUP>Tc-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime perfusion SPECT and completed general neuropsychological tests. <B><I>Results:</I></B> We found that both mild PDD and AD patients showed distinct hypoperfusion in frontal, parietal and temporal regions, compared with healthy subjects. More importantly, hypoperfusion in occipital and cerebellar regions was observed only in mild PDD. <B><I>Conclusion:</I></B> The observation of a significant decrease in cerebral perfusion in occipital and cerebellar regions in patients with mild PDD is likely useful to differentiate between PDD and AD at the earliest stages.</P><P>© 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Effect of the Apolipoprotein E ε4 Allele on the Efficacy and Tolerability of Galantamine in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Suh, Guk-Hee,Jung, Hee Yeon,Lee, Chang Uk,Oh, Byoung Hoon,Lee, Sang-Kyu,Lee, NamJin,Kim, JaeHyun,Kee, Baik Seok,Ko, Daekwan,Kim, Young-Hoon,Ju, Young-Su,Hong, InJa,Choi, Sungku S. Karger AG 2005 DEMENTIA AND GERIATRIC COGNITIVE DISORDERS Vol.21 No.1

<P><I>Objective:</I> To investigate the effect of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε4 allele on the efficacy and tolerability of galantamine treatment. <I>Methods:</I> A total of 202 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease participated in a 16-week, prospective, multi-center, randomized, double-blind galantamine trial in a Korean population. Patients were assessed at baseline and after 4, 8 and 16 weeks of randomized treatment using the 11-item cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog/11), the Clinician’s Interview-Based Impression of Change plus Caregiver Input (CIBIC-plus), the Disability Assessment for Dementia Scale (DAD), the Behavioural Pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease Rating Scale (BEHAVE-AD) and adverse events. ApoE genotypes were determined for all subjects. <I>Results:</I> Of the 202 subjects, 115 carried at least one ApoE ε4 allele and 87 did not. In both ApoE ε4 carriers and ApoE ε4 noncarriers, significant improvements were detected relative to baseline on ADAS-cog/11, CIBIC-plus, DAD and BEHAVE-AD. ApoE ε4 noncarriers showed better improvement in mean total BEHAVE-AD score and mean psychosis (delusions and hallucinations) subscale score than ApoE ε4 carriers. The incidence of weight loss was significantly higher in ApoE ε4 carriers (n = 11; 9.6%) than in ApoE ε4 noncarriers (n = 1; 1.2%) during this 16-week study, even though 92% of patients who complained of weight loss completed this 16-week trial successfully. <I>Conclusion:</I> ApoE ε4 genotype does not affect galantamine-related improvements in cognition, global rating, function and behavior. Longer prospective studies with larger patient populations are required to confirm these new findings.</P><P>Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Economic Burdens and Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients

Yun, Young Ho,Rhee, Young Sun,Kang, Im Ok,Lee, Jung Suk,Bang, Soo Mee,Lee, Won Sup,Kim, Jun Suk,Kim, Si Young,Shin, Sang Won,Hong, Young Seon S. Karger AG 2005 Oncology Vol.68 No.2

<P><I>Objectives:</I> We conducted this study to identify factors influencing the burdens cancer brings to a patient’s family and to evaluate the association between the burdens and the caregiver’s quality of life (QOL). <I>Methods:</I> Participants were drawn from the primary family caregivers of cancer patients at 6 university hospitals and the National Cancer Center in Korea. Of the 738 eligible caregivers, 704 (95.4%) completed the questionnaire packets (Family Impact Questions and Caregiver’s QOL-Cancer). <I>Results:</I> Caregivers, who were poor (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.44-3.10), whose health status was poor (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.29-2.70), who were married (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.12-2.72), who provided care for a long time (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.59-3.28), who cared for patients with poor performance status (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.00-1.82), and who paid high medical expenses (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.21-2.40), were more likely to lose their family savings. In multiple regression analysis, most burden variables - including requiring caregiving assistance, major life change, inability to function normally, loss of savings, loss of income, and altered educational plans - were associated with caregiver QOL. Loss of family income, which was related to economic issues, was most strongly associated with it (16.0%). <I>Conclusions:</I> Our study suggests that to improve caregiver QOL, we should give priority to decreasing the economic burden that cancer places on patient’s family.</P><P>Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Predictive Implications of Recurrent Transient Ischemic Attacks in Large-Artery Atherosclerosis

Kim, Seo Hyun,Han, Sang Won,Heo, Ji Hoe S KARGER AG 2006 Cerebrovascular Diseases Vol.22 No.4

<P><I>Background:</I> It is uncertain whether recurrent transient ischemic attacks (R-TIAs), when comparing with single TIAs (S-TIAs), have any distinct mechanisms. <I>Methods:</I> All consecutive patients with TIAs, who had been admitted for a 2-year period, were divided into two groups: those who had R-TIAs and those who had S-TIAs. Registry data, medical records, and imaging findings were reviewed and compared between the two groups. <I>Results:</I> There were 85 patients who had TIAs: 42 patients had R-TIAs, and 43 patients had S-TIAs. On univariate analysis, R-TIA patients had less cardiac embolic TIA sources, less weakness, less speech disturbances, shorter symptom duration, a longer time interval from onset to treatment, less abnormalities on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, and more significant relevant arterial stenoses. After logistic regression analysis, independent factors associated with R-TIAs were symptom duration <10 min (odds ratio OR 3.62; 95% confidence interval CI 1.37-9.57), ≥50% stenosis of the clinically relevant artery (OR 7.08; 95% CI 1.29-38.71), and absence of cardiac embolic sources (OR 0.04; 95% CI 0.002-0.71). <I>Conclusions:</I> R-TIAs may have pathophysiological mechanisms distinct from those of S-TIAs and so may provide a clue for the etiologic diagnosis, in that patients with R-TIAs are more likely to have large-artery atherosclerosis.</P><P>Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Diagnosis of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria by Fluorescent <i>Clostridium septicum</i> Alpha Toxin

Shin, Dong-Jun,Cho, Duck,Kim, Young Ran,Rhee, Joon Haeng,Choy, Hyon E.,Lee, Je-Jung,Hong, Yeongjin S. Karger AG 2006 Journal of molecular microbiology and biotechnolog Vol.11 No.1

<P>Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), a hematopoietic stem cell disorder, is caused by the loss of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins on the cell membrane. PNH can be simply diagnosed by flow cytometry using monoclonal antibodies against GPI-anchored proteins or fluorescent-tagged aerolysin, a bacterial toxin that binds GPI anchored proteins. <I>Clostridium septicum</I> alpha toxin is homologous to aerolysin and specifically binds GPI-anchored proteins. Previously, we found that an alpha toxin m45 mutant with two amino acid changes, S189C/S238C, lost cytotoxicity but still possessed binding activity for GPI-anchored proteins. To use this mutant toxin as a diagnostic probe in flow cytometry, we constructed the EGFP-AT(m45) expression vector, comprising a S189C/S238C alpha toxin mutant with EGFP and His tags at the N and C termini, respectively. The recombinant EGFP-AT(m45) was easily purified using single-step affinity chromatography against His tag from <I>Escherichia coli</I>. EGFP-AT(m45) bound to CHO and HeLa cells in a similar manner to monoclonal antibodies against GPI-anchored proteins or aerolysin. In whole blood from a PNH patient, GPI-deficient granulocytes could be differentiated by EGFP-AT(m45) using the same procedure as that employed with commercially available monoclonal antibodies. Therefore, nontoxic EGFP-conjugated <I>C. septicum</I> alpha toxin could be used clinically for PNH diagnosis.</P><P>Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Immunochemical and Biological Analysis of Allergenicity with Excretory-Secretory Products of <i>Anisakis simplex</i> Third Stage Larva

Kim, J.S.,Kim, K.H.,Cho, S.,Park, H.Y.,Cho, S.W.,Kim, Y.T.,Joo, K.H.,Lee, J.S. S. Karger AG 2005 International archives of allergy and immunology Vol.136 No.4

<P><I>Background:</I><I>Anisakis simplex</I> third stage larvae (L3) are parasites that frequently give rise to allergic responses. The larvae molt into fourth stage larvae (L4), and at each stage they produce L3-excretory-secretory products (L3-ESP) and L4-ESP, respectively, which are different in their main protein constituents. Although the allergenicity of L4-ESP has been investigated by several research groups, research on the allergenicity of L3-ESP has not been carried out by any researcher. In this investigation, the allergenicity and antigenicity of L3-ESP were investigated in comparison with L4-ESP, using rat sera. <I>Methods:</I> Rat sera were produced by L3 oral infection two times with a 9-week interval. Larvae ESP prepared by culture were concentrated and fractioned using lyophilizer and a centrifugal filter device, respectively. Immunochemical analysis was performed using both indirect ELISA and immunoblot. Biological allergenicity was analyzed by RBL-2H3 exocytosis. <I>Results:</I> With the indirect ELISA, the optical density (OD) value of the nonfractioned (NF)-L3ESP was only one third of that of the NF-L4ESP in both specific IgM and IgG. On measuring specific IgE, the OD of NF-L3ESP was less than one tenth of that of NF-L4ESP. In addition, neither antigen nor allergen was shown in NF-L3ESP, but it was shown in NF-L4ESP with immunoblot. However, the biological allergenicity of NF-L3ESP was comparable to that of NF-L4ESP. To demonstrate the presence of any allergen, L3-ESP was fractioned and found to carry twelve visualized allergen bands from 10 to 186 kDa by immunoblot. <I>Conclusions:</I> These results indicate that L3-ESP may include the important allergens necessary to induce the allergy by L3 oral infection, as compared to L4-ESP.</P><P>Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Differentiating between Aphasic and Nonaphasic Stroke Patients Using Semantic Verbal Fluency Measures with Administration Time of 30 Seconds

Kim, HyangHee,Kim, JungWan,Kim, Deog Young,Heo, JiHoe S. Karger AG 2011 European neurology Vol.65 No.2

<P>Administration time of 1 min for semantic verbal fluency measures can be overly long and therefore bothersome for aphasic patients because they can often retrieve only a few items after a certain period of time. The purpose of this study was to determine whether an administration time of 30 s would be more efficient in differentiating among aphasics, nonaphasic stroke patients, and normal controls. The subjects were 53 stroke patients and 28 normal controls. They had to generate as many animal names as they could within a given time. The number of animal names is gradually diminished in three groups (p < 0.001) in each time frame, that is, during the entire 60 s, the initial 30 s, and the following 30 s. The reaction time (RT) measure indicated that the RT of the aphasic patients was significantly increased compared to those of the other two groups (p < 0.001). The most optimal cutoff scores that differentiated each group are presented. These results suggest that an administration time of 30 s has discriminative validity to differentiate between the two patient groups. This shorter administration time could make the test more efficient by reducing the burden on both examiners and aphasic patients.</P><P>Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>