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The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that the metabolic syndrome (MS) is linked to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Korean men. This was a longitudinal study that used data collected from 328 men aged 50–89 years who were randomly selected among 1,520 participants in 2004. We collected information from 224 (68.3%) men among the original responders on the biological, medical, psychological, social, lifestyle, and economic factors in 2007. The prevalence of the MS was 187/328 (57.0%) in 2004 and 125/224 (55.8%) in 2007 among men, respectively. There was no significantly greater increase in the IPSS in men with the MS than in men without the MS over a 3-year period of time (2.0±9.37 versus 3.0±8.44, p=0.402, resp.). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis with control for age and life style factors, the risk factors for moderate/severe LUTS were age and erectile dysfunction (p<0.05). However, the presence of the MS did not increase the risk of moderate/severe LUTS (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 0.63–1.89, p=0.748). Our cross-sectional and longitudinal risk factor analyses do not support the hypothesis that the MS is linked to LUTS in Korean men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jung, Y.-H.; Yoon, K.-T.; Shim, W.-J., and Park, H.-S., 2015. Short-term variation of the macrobenthic fauna structure on rocky shores after the Hebei Spirit oil spill, west coast of Korea. This study was conducted to determine the initial response, such as ecological status, to the disturbance in macrobenthic fauna on a rocky shore after an oil spill. Sites polluted with oil spilled during the Hebei Spirit accident on December 7, 2007, showed continuous decreases in species of the Bivalvia class, including Lasaea undulata and Mytilus galloprovincialis, and no gastropods were observed. In addition, at polluted sites, the cold-water barnacle Chthamalus challengeri and the common periwinkle were present in low densities, whereas they appeared relatively stable at control sites. In this study, the macrobenthic community structure was distinct between polluted sites and control sites because of differences in species composition and densities of dominant species. Therefore, it is believed that the oil spill accident could lead to mass mortalities of the major macrobenthic fauna in the study area, by smothering or reducing breeding activities or recruitment, and thereby altered rocky shore ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the clinical and demographical characteristics of gallstone disease in Korea, based on 30 years of surgically treated patients at a single institute. Methods: In total, 7,949 gallstone patients who underwent surgery between 1981 and 2010 were analyzed. Patients were divided into six time periods: period I (1981 to 1985, n=831), period II (1986 to 1990, n=888), period III (1991 to 1995, n=1,040), period IV (1996 to 2000, n=1,261), period V (2001 to 2005, n=1,651) and period VI (2006 to 2010, n=2,278). Results: The total number and mean age of the patients gradually increased, and the male/female ratio decreased. The proportion of gallbladder (GB)-stone cases increased, whereas the proportions of common bile duct (CBD)- and intrahepatic duct (IHD)-stone cases decreased. Differences in patient geographical origins also decreased. Based on the relationship between changes in the prevalence of gallstone disease and socioeconomic status, the prevalence of CBD stones showed a strong correlation with Engel's coefficient (p<0.001). Conclusions: Our study indicates that although the total number of cases and the mean age of gallstone patients have continuously increased, there are trends of increasing GB-stone cases and decreasing CBD- and IHD-stone cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nonsurgical biliary drainage is considered as a priority for obstructive jaundice associated with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Successful drainage allows the patient to receive antitumor therapy, such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). However, only limited data are available on clinical outcomes in patients who treated biliary drainage with subsequent TACE. Objective: This study evaluated the clinical outcome of biliary drainage with subsequent TACE in unresectable HCC patients with obstructive jaundice. Design: This was a retrospective study. Setting/subjects: A total of 60 patients received endoscopic biliary drainage (ERBD) or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in two tertiary care referral centers. Measurements: Successful drainage and survival were measured. Results: Successful drainage was achieved in 39 (65%) patients. The median survival of 39 patients in whom successful drainage was achieved, regardless of which procedure was performed, was much longer than that of 21 patients without successful drainage (147 days versus 38 days, respectively, P<.001). In particular, the median survival was longer in 17 patients who underwent TACE after achieving successful drainage than in 22 patients who were treated conservatively after achieving successful drainage (410 days versus 77 days, respectively, P<.001). Multivariable analysis in 39 patients in the successful drainage group showed that TACE (hazard ratio 0.15; 95% confidence interval 0.05-0.45, P=.001) was an independent predictive factor of a favorable outcome. Conclusions: Effective palliation by successful biliary drainage with subsequent TACE might prolong the survival in patients with obstructive jaundice caused by unresectable HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper takes an eclectic approach in analyzing China's perception of, and role in, a unified Korea and seeks ways in which unification of the Korean Peninsula can be facilitated with the acquisition of China's cooperation. In seeking a favorable environment for a South Korean-led unification, this article first analyzes China's position on Korean unification, provides evidences that China's perception of a unified Korea is reflected in its policies on the Korean Peninsula, and entertains scenarios of its future role. Specifically, this article analyzes China's perception of the Korean Peninsula's strategic value in Northeast Asia given its changing relations with the United States. Moreover, the link between China's basic position on Korean unification and its national interests, and its perception and plans on the process of the unification as well as a unified Korea will be analyzed. This paper will examine how such a perception and plans are reflected in China's policies towards both Koreas and attempt to project the future role of China in the process of unification. Finally, based on the above analysis, the paper will endeavor to conclude with some policy directives that may enhance the possibility of inducing China to become more cooperative toward Korean unification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two subtypes (types 1 and 2) of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) are currently recognized. Type 1 AIP is related to immunoglobulin G4 (lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis), and type 2 AIP is characterized by neutrophilic infiltration into the epithelium of the pancreatic duct (idiopathic duct-centric pancreatitis). Although type 2 AIP is sometimes observed in the United States and Europe, most cases of AIP in Japan and Korea are type 1. The international consensus diagnostic criteria for AIP were created to be applicable worldwide and to distinguish between the two types of AIP. AIP is diagnosed based on the presence of at least one of the five cardinal features (i.e., imaging, serology, other organ involvement, histology, and response to steroid therapy). Oral steroids are the standard therapy for AIP, but immunomodulatory drugs or rituximab have been successfully used for patients with relapsed AIP in the United States and Europe. Generally, the clinical manifestations and demography of AIP are similar between Japan and Korea. However, there are differences in some aspects of the disease, including the proportion of other organ involvement, the prevalence of type 2 AIP, diagnostic criteria and maintenance therapy between the two countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the efficacy of different doses of the soluble form of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) (conjugated to the Fc portion of immunoglobulin) in the treatment of nephritis in lupus-prone mice, in comparison with the efficacy of combination therapy with mycophenolate mofetil plus prednisolone. Methods Twenty-eight female (NZB/NZW)F1 mice were divided into 5 groups (untreated, sRAGE [dose groups of 0.5, 1, or 2 μg], or mycophenolate mofetil plus prednisolone). Proteinuria and histologic damage were evaluated. Immune complex deposition and the nuclear translocation of NF-κB in the kidney tissue were assessed by immunofluorescence staining. Serum concentrations of anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) and IgG subclasses were also measured. The population of T cells was evaluated using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter, and expression of intracellular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 in the kidney tissue was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. Results In comparison with untreated mice, mice treated with 1 or 2 μg sRAGE showed significantly reduced proteinuria and attenuated histologic renal damage, with efficacy comparable to that of combination therapy. Treatment with 2 μg sRAGE significantly reduced immune complex deposition and decreased the serum concentrations of anti-dsDNA, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3. In addition, sRAGE interrupted the nuclear translocation of NF-κB in the kidney, resulting in reduction in the expression of downstream genes of NF-κB in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, sRAGE effectively modified T cell populations. Conclusion Treatment with sRAGE significantly improved nephritis in lupus-prone mice, with efficacy comparable to that of standard induction treatment for lupus nephritis. These data suggest that sRAGE has antiinflammatory effects on the pathophysiology of lupus nephritis and could serve as a potent new therapy for this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: We aimed to develop a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using whole-cell lysates of Helicobacter pylori 51 and to investigate its validity. Methods: Data from 300 plates were obtained by two different operators. Standard sera were used to make a standard curve to analyze the quantity of anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA antibody. We obtained reproducible data with fewer dilutions of samples by the addition of serially diluted standard serum to each ELISA plate. To evaluate the validity of this ELISA, the 114 H. pylori-positive and -negative subjects were stratified into four age groups, i.e., 0 to 4, 5 to 9, 10 to 15, and 20 to 29 years, before testing. Results: The mean IgG-antibody titers in H. pylori-positive and -negative subjects were 1,766.4 IU/mL and 654.3 IU/mL (p<0.001). The mean IgA-antibody titers in H. pylori-positive and -negative subjects were 350.1 IU/mL and 193.5 IU/mL (p<0.001). Anti-H. pylori IgG and IgA titers in the four age groups were higher in H. pylori-positive subjects than in H. pylori-negative subjects (p<0.05). Conclusions: Using the current ELISA based on whole-cell lysates of H. pylori 51, reliable anti-H. pylori antibody titers were obtained regardless of the subject's age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The REgistry of Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Rheumatic Disease ( REOPARD) was established in Korea. The baseline data are described from the second year of the registry's operation. Methods Patients with a connective tissue disease ( CTD) who met the modified definition of the WHO group I pulmonary arterial hypertension ( PAH) were enrolled. PAH was defined as a systolic pulmonary arterial pressure > 40 mmHg by echocardiography or mean pulmonary arterial pressure > 25 mmHg by right heart catheterization. Hemodynamic parameters and clinical data such as demographics, functional class, underlying disease, organ involvement, laboratory tests and current treatment were recorded. Results A total of 321 patients were enrolled during the 2-year study period from 2008 to 2010. The mean age of the patients at registration was 51.9 years and 87.5% were female. Most patients were diagnosed by echocardiography and only 24 patients (7.5%) underwent cardiac catheterization. Exertional dyspnea was present in 63.6% of patients and 31.8% were New York Heart Association class III or IV. Among the patients, systemic lupus erythematosus accounted for 35.3%, systemic sclerosis 28.3%, rheumatoid arthritis 7.8%, overlap syndrome 9.0%, and mixed connective tissue disease 5.9%. There were no significant differences in hemodynamics, functional class, diffusing capacity and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels between the disease subgroups. Treatments consisted of calcium antagonists (57.0%), endothelin antagonists (32.7%), prostanoids (27.1%), phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (14.3%) and combinations (37.4%). Conclusion Compared with previous studies, the results showed some differences: underlying diseases, functional status and treatments. This may be due to differences in ethnic background and diagnostic methods of our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its serious comorbidities and high prevalence, obesity is one of the heaviest burdens for public health. Although diet, exercise and behavioral modification are the first-line treatment for obesity, their outcomes are not satisfactory. The goal of this article is to review currently available anti-obesity drugs so that physicians may apply the principle of pharmacologic treatment for obesity to obese patients in the real clinical situation. Orlistat, phentermine, diethylpropion, mazindol, and phendimetrazine have been approved as anti-obesity drugs by Korea food and drug administration and administered to patients in Korea. Besides, several non-approved drugs, including fluoxetine, bupropion, topiramate and zonisamide, are being used for weight reduction. Among these drugs, orlistat has been studied most and is the only approved drug for long-term weight management. On the other hand, the rest of the approved drugs lack the evidence of safety issues on the long-term administration. Considering that the non-approved drugs have only a small body of clinical trial results for their efficacy and safety as anti-obesity drugs, it is not appropriate to use them as a first-line therapy in obesity. Because several new medicines and combination therapies are under investigations, more drug therapy options seem to be available in this field in coming years. Although the properly executed pharmacologic treatment is a good option for weight reduction, physicians should recognize that diet, exercise, and behavioral modification are essential to all obese patient and that pharmacologic treatment has several limitations until now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coast of the Korean peninsula experiences a range of human impacts, including pollution, shipping, reclamation, and aquaculture, that have motivated numerous local studies of macrobenthic organisms. In this paper, 1,492 subtidal stations were compiled from 23 studies (areas) to evaluate environmental quality on a broader scale. A common index in biomonitoring, Shannon-Wiener evenness proportion (SEP), could not incorporate azoic or single-species samples. This shortcoming was overcome by developing an inverse function of SEP (ISEP), which was positively correlated with independent measures of water quality available for nine sites and was not biased by the size of the sampling unit. Additionally, at Shihwa Dike, where samples were collected before and after reinstating a tidal connection with the ocean, ISEP values improved over time, as expected. Thus, it is now possible to assign Korean subtidal sites to seven ISEP 'grades' and to use their values and trends to guide coastal management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Spatial and temporal trend analyses were performed to obtain more meaningful water quality information in table and three-dimensional graph forms. Using the statistical approaches of the Seasonal Mann–Kendall (SMK) and LOcally WEighted Scatter plot Smoother (LOWESS) methods, the trends of three water quality parameters, including Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Nitrogen (TN), and Total Phosphorus (TP) measured along the Nakdong River of Korea between 1992 and 2002 were analyzed. The trends of the slopes were calculated using the SMK method for two consecutive stations and years. These values are provided in the trend tables which indicate the extreme upward and downward trends. Also, three-dimensional graphs of the water quality in the Nakdong River were generated with respect to the distance from upstream of the river and time of month. From this study, it was concluded that these tables and three-dimensional maps could be used as a useful tool to provide the spatiotemporal trend information such as the hot spots/moments of improvement and deterioration in the water quality of the Nakdong River, with the present web-based information system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Aim: Capsule endoscopy (CE) has proven to be highly effective at detecting small bowel lesions in a variety of clinical conditions, but studies concerning the practical impact of CE on small bowel tumors are still scarce, especially in the Asian population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic impact of CE in the field of small bowel tumors. Methods: CE records consecutively pooled from the beginning of use of CE in Korea, October 2001 until April 2008, in 14 centers throughout Korea were reviewed. Clinical information and CE video images of small bowel tumors were analyzed. Results: A total of 1332 cases undergoing CE were reviewed with all clinical indications. Small bowel tumors were diagnosed with CE in 57 (4.3%) of 1332 patients. The tumors were malignant in 33 cases, and included three adenocarcinomas, eight lymphomas, 20 gastrointestinal stromal tumors, and two metastatic cancers. The most frequent indications for CE in malignant tumors were obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, followed by abdominal pain and weight loss. Thirty of 57 tumors were identified exclusively by CE (diagnostic impact = 30/57), and they were smaller in size (mean, range: 14.3 mm, 2–35 mm) compared to the other tumors detected in radiological studies (48.7 mm, 10–110 mm). Seven patients underwent surgical resection (therapeutic impact = 7/57). Conclusion: CE effectively identifies small bowel tumors that are undetectable by conventional radiological studies (diagnostic impact = 52.6%) and can critically change the therapeutic course (therapeutic impact = 12.3%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study is to examine the nature of epistemological beliefs held pre-service teachers in Korea. While a considerable body of research on personal epistemology has been conducted in Asian contexts, findings related to Korean samples have been rarely reported in the literature on personal epistemology. This research aims to examine two research questions: (a) What is the overall profile of the epistemological beliefs of Korean preservice teachers? (b) What factors are significantly affecting the nature of epistemological beliefs of Korean pre-service teachers? Participants include 1,006 students in secondary teacher education programs at two universities in Korea. A survey instrument was designed based the translation of the Epistemological Beliefs Inventory (EBI). This study reveals that three factors of epistemological beliefs could be confirmed: Certain Knowledge, Quick Learning, and Innate Ability. Regarding relationships among epistemological beliefs and other examined variables, gender and academic domains appear to be significant factors while other developmental factors and teaching-related factors were not statistically significant. Findings of the present study may provide a useful addition for deepening our current understanding personal epistemology in the Asian cultural contexts, and provide baseline data to inform future research on epistemology and pedagogy among pre-service teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although there is substantial evidence indicating the importance of physical performance in older adults, not many studies have examined the association between physical performance and health-related factors for the elderly Korean population. Research question: To investigate the relationship between physical performance and health-related factors among elderly Korean people. Type of study: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 360 Korean older adults (men=154 and women=206) age: 72.1±5.7 years, were recruited from six different Old Adult Health Centres in Seoul, Korea. Six tests including chair standing (CST), get up and go (3 metres), standing reach (SRT), 6-minute walking, hand-grip, and the 1.6km walking test were performed. Serum levels of fasting glucose, insulin, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured. Body composition was also measured. Results: The get up and go test was correlated with TG, lean mass, SBP and hip C (r = .15, r = -.264, r = .136, and r = .148). SRT was correlated with TG (r = -.15) and lean mass (r = .336). Significant correlations were also found for lean mass and WHR with hand-grip strength (r = .818 and r = .255). The 6-minute walking test was correlated with lean mass, fat mass, waist, and hip C (r = .421, r = -.159, r = -.144 and r = -.23). CST had a significant correlation with HDL-C, lean mass, fat mass, BMI, waist and WHR (r = .187, r = .183, r = -.18, r = -.134, r = -.157, and r = -.159). The 1-mile walking test was correlated with TG, insulin, HOMA-IR, lean mass, and fat mass (r = .176, r = .261, r = .254, r = -.23 and r = .213). VO2max was correlated with lean mass, TC, TG, TC/HDL, insulin, HOMA-IR, fat mass, BMI, resting HR, and hip C (r =.353, -.194, r = -.245, r = -.197, r = -.258, r = -.21, r = -.346, r = -.237, r = -.257 and r = -.191). Conclusions: Lean body mass was well correlated with all physical performance tests, and cardiorespiratory endurance was associated with body composition and metabolic parameters in older Korean adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aims: Sensory skin irritation is regarded as one of the most serious side effects of cosmetic use. Thus, it is desirable to develop good inhibitors of sensory skin irritation. However, it is difficult to quantify the effect of sensory skin irritation inhibitors. Methods: We investigated the possibility of using an electrical current perception threshold (CPT) measurement for the quantitative evaluation of these inhibitors. We divided study populations into stinger and non-stinger groups based on their response to 5% lactic acid and assessed CPT values at 2000, 250, and 5 Hz on the cheek. Stingers showed significantly lower CPT values than non-stingers did at 250 and 5 Hz. We also measured CPT values before and after the application of nine materials with inhibitory effects on sensory skin irritation. To investigate the relationship between the change in CPT values and the effect of each material in the clinical stinging test, we conducted the stinging test with the test materials in a 5% lactic acid solution and with a 5% lactic acid solution (positive control). Results: There was a positive correlation between the change in CPT values and the inhibitory effect that each material had on the stinging test. Conclusion: The change in CPT values can be used for the quantitative evaluation of sensory skin irritation inhibitors . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As it is more environmentally sound and friendly than conventional energy technologies that emit carbon dioxide, hydrogen technology can play a key role in solving the problems caused by the greenhouse gas effect and in coping with the hydrogen economy. Numerous countries around the world, including Korea, have increasingly focused on R&D where hydrogen technology development is concerned. This paper focuses on the use of the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP), which is an extension of the AHP method and uses interval values to reflect the vagueness of human thought, to assess national competitiveness in the hydrogen technology sector. This analysis based on the AHP and fuzzy AHP methods revealed that Korea ranked 6th in terms of national competitiveness in the hydrogen technology sector. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Adalimumab is a fully human, monoclonal, antitumour necrosis factor antibody approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in more than 60 countries. We investigated the efficacy and safety of 40 mg every-other-week (eow) subcutaneous injections of adalimumab with methotrexate (MTX) versus placebo with MTX in Korean patients with RA with insufficient responses to MTX. Methods: This was a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III study conducted at six sites in Korea. The primary efficacy endpoint was a 20% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology response criteria (ACR20) at week 24. Secondary endpoints included ACR50, ACR70, and individual ACR components. Beginning at week 18, non-responders (< 20% reduction in swollen and tender joint counts) could switch to rescue therapy with open-label adalimumab 40 mg eow. Results: Of the 128 patients enrolled, 65 received adalimumab and 63 received placebo. An ACR20 response at week 24 was achieved by 61.5% of patients receiving adalimumab versus 36.5% receiving placebo ( P < 0.01). ACR50 and ACR70 responses were achieved by 43.1% and 21.5% of adalimumab patients versus 14.3% and 7.9% of placebo patients ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Adalimumab significantly improved all seven ACR core components. Statistically significant improvements in ACR20 were observed with adalimumab as early as week 2. Adalimumab was generally well tolerated; there were no significant differences in incidences of adverse events between groups. Conclusions: In Korean patients with RA with insufficient responses to MTX, combination therapy with adalimumab and MTX was more efficacious than placebo and MTX in reducing RA signs and symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the field trial results of the terrestrial digital multimedia broadcasting (T-DMB) service in Korea. The T-DMB system, based on the Eureka-147 digital audio broadcasting (DAB) system, provides streaming video, CD-quality audio and data services at speeds of up to 300 km/h using H.264 video codec along with additional channel coding and interleaving schemes. In order to provide seamless high-quality services on various radio channels, we measured the bit error rate (BER), electric field strength (EFS), and subjective video quality using specially-designed mobile test equipment. From the field tests we obtained the required effective EFS (EEFS) for error-free reception and also derived the minimum EFS from the link budget analysis. Furthermore, we present the optimal transmit and receive parameters for constructing the T-DMB networks and also developing T-DMB broadcasting equipment and mobile receivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the first nationwide investigation aimed at estimating the patient dose for radiographic examinations in Korea including gastrointestinal studies, computed tomography and mammography. The survey data from 161 hospitals and the dose data from 32 hospitals were analysed. The third quartile entrance surface dose, dose area product (DAP), weighted CT dose index (CTDIw) and mean glandular dose (MCD) were reported. All the estimated doses were less than the stated International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reference levels for radiographic examinations. However, DAPs for the fluoroscopic examinations had higher dose values than the IAEA reference levels. In addition, the CTDIw and MGD were lower than the IAEA reference levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin-12 receptor beta 1 (IL12RB1), interleukin-12 receptor beta 2 (IL12RB2), and interferon gamma receptor 1 (IFNGR1) perform important roles in the host defense against intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacteria. Several mutations within their genes have been confirmed as associated with increased susceptibility to mycobacterial infection. However, the association between mutations of the IL12RB1, IL12RB2, and IFNGR1 encoding genes and lepromatous leprosy has not been studied. This study screened for polymorphisms within IL12RB1, IL12RB2, and IFNGR1 encoding genes in the Korean populations using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) DNA sequencing assay, and an association study was performed using the missense mutations of 705 A/G (Q214R), 1196 G/C (G378R), 1637 G/A (A525T), and 1664 C/T (P534S) of the IL12RB1, 83 G/A (V14M), and 1443 T/C (L467P) for the IFNGR1 encoding genes. There were no differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of IL12RB1 and IFNGR1 genes between 93 lepromatous leprosy patients and 94 control subjects. In conclusion, missense mutations of 705 A/G (Q214R), 1196 G/C (G378R), 1637 G/A (A525T), 1664 C/T (P534S) of the IL12RB1, 83 G/A (V14 M), and 1443 T/C (L467P) of the IFNGR1 encoding genes have no association with the susceptibility to lepromatous leprosy in the Korean population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To examine the correlation between estimated intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (eIELT) and stopwatch-measured intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (sIELT), and to assess the clinical utility of eIELT in identifying men more likely to have lifelong premature ejaculation (PE). Methods A prospective, observational, multicenter study was conducted. Between July 2010 and August 2011, 118 healthy men aged 30-70 years, more likely to have lifelong PE, were recruited from 5 institutions in Korea. All patients underwent preliminary assessments including collection of medical and sexual history, physical examination, determination of eIELT, and the Premature Ejaculation Profile questionnaire. During the 1-week study period, patients were requested to engage in sexual intercourse at least twice and to record the sIELT. Results eIELT and sIELT correlated well ( r = 0.512; P < .001). However, eIELT was overestimated by a mean of 1.2 ± 0.2 minutes (median, 1.0 minutes) compared with sIELT ( P = .046). eIELT showed a reduced correlation with the Premature Ejaculation Profile measures, compared with sIELT (each P -value < .05). The diagnostic accuracy of eIELT was 67.9% ( P = .001), and an eIELT of 2 minutes was the acceptable cutoff value to diagnose lifelong PE. Conclusion Although eIELT correlated well with sIELT, it was overestimated by approximately 1 minute and had lower clinical utility than sIELT. Our study suggests that eIELT and sIELT cannot be directly interchanged and that caution should be used when substituting sIELT with eIELT to identify men who are more likely to have lifelong PE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Recent studies have reported a relationship between osteocalcin (OC) levels and factors associated with energy metabolism and insulin resistance. As any detailed understanding of OC mechanisms still remains elusive, this study aimed at revealing a correlation between serum OC levels and obesity in healthy, nonsmoking, Korean obese adults who had undergone weight loss through pharmacological treatment. Methods: 119 healthy, nonsmoking, Korean obese adults were investigated at 3months following weight loss through pharmacological treatment. Serum OC, leptin, HOMA score, ghrelin, visceral fat mass, total body fat, and BMI were measured. Results: Increase in serum OC was significantly associated with decreases in: BMI (and weight change %) (r =−0.209, p =0.023), visceral fat mass (r =−0.189, p =0.049), HOMA (r =−0.203 p =0.027), and leptin (r =−0.253 p =0.006), but not with changes in adiponectin (r =+0.029, p =NS), and Ghrelin (r =+0.019, p =NS). Decrease in leptin (β =−0.280, p =0.002) was significantly associated with an increase in serum OC, after pharmacological weight loss treatment was adjusted for age, sex, drug type, and BMI (or visceral fat mass). Conclusions: Serum OC was significantly increased at 3months after pharmacological weight loss. We further found that leptin levels were associated with changes in serum OC. These findings suggest a relationship between bone and adipose tissue. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI) has developed a small AUV named ISiMI. The mission of ISiMI is to work as a test-bed AUV for the development and validation of various algorithms and instruments required to enhance the AUV''s functions. The design concept of ISiMI is that of a vehicle small enough to cruise the Ocean Engineering Basin (OEB) of KORDI and to be handled by one or two people. The downsized design and the cruising ability in its tank enable fast experimental feedback on AUV technologies and a shorter development period for new technologies. This paper presents a review of our research work on the development of ISiMI, with a performance evaluation by simulation and an experimental test. After the design and implementation of ISiMI, including its positioning system in the OEB, are presented, a series of test results in the OEB and discussions of the results are presented, with comparisons of the simulation and experimental outputs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]