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Background and Objectives : Sarcopenic obesity, a clinical condition coexisting with obesity and sarcopenia, is associated with a high risk of functional impairment, reduced quality of life, and increased mortality. A decline in age-related free testosterone (FT) levels has been reported to be associated with decreased muscle mass and muscle strength and increased fat mass. However, the association between low FT levels and risk of sarcopenic obesity has not been well studied. This study aimed to investigate the direct association between low FT levels and sarcopenic obesity. Materials and Methods : This cross-sectional study used data of 982 community-dwelling men aged 70-84 years from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study. Sarcopenia was defined according to the criteria of the Asian Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019. Obesity was defined as a body fat mass ≥28.3%. Participants who met both sarcopenia and obesity criteria were defined as having sarcopenic obesity. Low FT levels were defined as FT levels <17.35 pmol/L according to the Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guidelines. Results : The prevalence of sarcopenia, obesity, and sarcopenic obesity was significantly higher in the low-FT group than in the normal-FT group. Low FT levels were significantly associated with a higher risk of obesity (odds ratio [OR], 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11-3.92), sarcopenia (2.57, 95% CI 1.08-6.10), and sarcopenic obesity (3.66, 95% CI 1.58-8.47) compared with the healthy control group. The risk of low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) (1.78, 95% CI 1.04-3.02) and high fat mass (1.92, 95% CI 1.12-3.31) was significantly higher in the low-FT group than in the normal-FT group. Conclusions : This study showed that low FT levels were associated with a higher risk of sarcopenic obesity. Low FT levels were mainly related to body composition parameters such as low ASMI and high fat mass.

Obesity affects physical functions in numerous ways. We aimed to evaluate the association between obesity and falls, physical performance, and balance confidence in community-dwelling older adults. Using first-year baseline data from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study, 979 older adults were included. General obesity was defined based on the body mass index and body fat percentage, whereas central obesity was classified based on the waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio. Data regarding fall history and balance confidence were acquired using self-questionnaires, and a timed up-and-go test was performed to measure balance-related physical performance. Overall, 17.3% of participants experienced falls in the previous year. Central obesity, as determined by waist circumference (odds ratio, 1.461; 95% confidence interval, 1.024-2.086; p -value, 0.037) and by waist-to-height ratio (odds ratio, 1.808; 95% confidence interval, 1.015-3.221; p -value, 0.044) was significantly associated with falls. Interestingly, general obesity, measured by body fat percentage, was protective against fall-related fractures (odds ratio, 0.211; 95% confidence interval, 0.072-0.615; p -value, 0.004). Participants with central obesity had poorer physical performances in the timed up-and-go test (odds ratio, 2.162; 95% confidence interval, 1.203-3.889; p -value, 0.010) and lower balance confidence according to the Activities-specific Balance Confidence scale (odds ratio, 1.681; 95% confidence interval, 1.153-2.341; p -value 0.007). In conclusion, assessment of central obesity, particularly waist circumference, should be considered as a screening strategy for falls, and older adults with a high waist circumference should receive advice on fall prevention.

Floods in coastal areas are caused by a range of complex factors such as typhoons and heavy rainfall, and this issue has become increasingly serious as interference has occurred in the social-ecological system in recent years. Given the structural limitations and high maintenance costs of the existing gray infrastructure, the need for a nature-based restoration plan utilizing green infrastructure has been raised. The purpose of this study is to simulate the restoration process through the quantification of green infrastructure effects along with resilience in disaster-prone coastal areas, and to present it as nature-based restoration planning. For this purpose, first, a disaster-prone area was derived from Haeundae-gu, Busan, Republic of Korea, which was affected by typhoons. In order to simulate the runoff from typhoon "Chaba" in the target area and the effects of reducing the runoff of green infrastructure, relevant data was collected and a model constructed. Finally, the effects of the green infrastructure as applied to the disaster-prone area were quantified by means of resilience and a nature-based restoration plan was presented. As a result of this study, first, the runoff reduction effect was greatest when the maximum biotope area ratio of 30% was applied to the artificial ground. In the case of the green roof, the effect was the greatest 6 h following the typhoon passing through, and the effects of the infiltration storage facility was greater 9 h following the same. Porous pavement exhibited the lowest runoff reduction effect. In terms of resilience, it was found that the system was restored to its original state after the biotope area ratio of 20% was applied. This study is significant in that it analyzes the effects of green infrastructure based upon the concept of resilience and connects them to nature-based restoration planning. Based on this, it will be provided as an important tool for planning policy management to effectively respond to future coastal disasters.

Urban green spaces have a positive impact on citizens' mental health and have contributed to improving their quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. In South Korea, where more than 50% of all households live in apartments, apartment-complex landscaping space plays the role of urban green space. This study aimed to investigate the relationships among a perceived restorative environment, restorative experience, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being by conducting a survey between residents living in apartments with landscape space. More specifically, an online survey was conducted from 8 to 15 June 2021 among residents in apartment complexes (500 households or more) located in the capital region in South Korea. We applied partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) using 220 samples to test the causal relationship presented in the conceptual model of this study. The results revealed that residents' perceptions of the restorative environment of landscape space, including fascination, being away, and coherence had positive effects on restorative attention. Among the restorative environmental factors, the higher the "being away", the greater the effect on restorative attention. Second, the effects of fascination and coherence on life satisfaction were mediated by restorative attention. Third, restorative attention and life satisfaction significantly influenced psychological well-being. Additionally, life satisfaction acts as a mediator in the relationship between restorative attention and psychological well-being. In summary, this study has theoretical implications, in that it explores the effects of apartment complex landscaping space as urban green spaces on residents' mental health.

Vitamin B12 (B12) is involved as a cofactor in the synthesis of myelin. A lack of B12 impairs peripheral nerve production, which can contribute to sarcopenia. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between B12 insufficiency and sarcopenia in community-dwelling older Korean adults. A total of 2325 (1112 men; 1213 women) adults aged 70-84 years were recruited. The tools used for sarcopenia were based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) guidelines. Individuals with low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) (<7.0 kg/m 2 for men; <5.4 kg/m 2 for women) and low hand grip strength (HGS) (<28 kg for men; <18 kg for women) were defined as the sarcopenia group. Among this group, those who showed low physical performance (≤9 points on the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)) were defined as the severe sarcopenia group. B12 concentrations were classified into insufficient (<350 pg/mL) and sufficient (≥350 pg/mL). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between sarcopenia and B12 levels. Low ASMI showed a high incidence in the B12-insufficient group. However, HGS, SPPB, and the severity of sarcopenia showed no correlation with B12. Further, insufficient B12 may affect muscle quantity rather than muscle strength or physical performance.

Coastal wetlands comprise unique ecological systems such as tidal flats and wetlands coexisting with marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The Songdo wetlands in South Korea are adjacent to the Yellow Sea, and were once composed mainly of tidal flats, but as urbanization progressed, their social-ecological system changed. The social system created by land reclamation and development reduced the migratory bird population and the tidal flat area, damaging the ecological system. This study suggests adaptation and transformation plans by analyzing land use change and fragmentation of the Songdo wetlands using spatial-temporal simulation. System dynamics and GIS were used in the process of analyzing land use change through spatial-temporal simulation, and FRAGSTATS was used in the analysis of wetland fragmentation. Scenario 1 (current state maintenance) presents adaptation plans to increase the connectivity of wetland patches, since fragmentation has not progressed to the extent of wetland system collapse. In Scenario 2 (development acceleration), since the wetland system causes serious fragmentation in terms of area and shape, we propose transformation plans such as disaster response to the collapse of the ecological system and qualitative improvement of wildlife habitat. In Scenario 3 (wetland restoration), proposes transformation plans from the network and modularization perspective in response to quantitative restoration and morphological fragmentation of wetlands. The adaptation and transformation plans presented in this study can provide prediction results suitable for various contingencies such as the current state, acceleration of development, and wetlands restoration. This study is also meaningful in that it proposes plans from the perspective of resilience by predicting the change of the Songdo area, which is scheduled to be developed by 2030., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Over the past century, the decline in biodiversity due to climate change and habitat loss has become unprecedentedly serious. Multiple drivers, including climate change, land-use/cover change, and qualitative change in habitat need to be considered in an integrated approach, which has rarely been taken, to create an effective conservation strategy. The purpose of this study is to quantitatively evaluate and map the combined impacts of those multiple drivers on biodiversity in the Republic of Korea (ROK). To this end, biodiversity persistence (BP) was simulated by employing generalized dissimilarity modeling with estimates of habitat conditions. Habitat Condition Index was newly developed based on national survey datasets to represent the changes in habitat quality according to the land cover changes and forest management, especially after the ROK's National Reforestation Programme. The changes in habitat conditions were simulated for a period ranging from the 1960s to the 2010s; additionally, future (2050s) spatial scenarios were constructed. By focusing on the changes in forest habitat quality along with climate and land use, this study quantitatively and spatially analyzed the changes in BP over time and presented the effects of reforestation and forest management. The results revealed that continuous forest management had a positive impact on BP by offsetting the negative effects of past urbanization. Improvements in forest habitat quality also can effectively reduce the negative impacts of climate change. This quantitative analysis of successful forest restoration in Korea proved that economic development and urbanization could be in parallel with biodiversity enhancement. Nevertheless, current forest management practices were found to be insufficient in fully offsetting the decline in future BP caused by climate change. This indicates that there is a need for additional measures along with mitigation of climate change to maintain the current biodiversity level., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Importance: Identification of the factors associated with improved facial nerve function after treatment of Bell palsy is important to provide patients with early and effective treatment., Objective: To identify factors that are associated with improved treatment outcomes in patients with Bell palsy., Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study included 1364 patients with Bell palsy treated at the outpatient clinic of the Department of Otolaryngology at the Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea, between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2017. The medical records of patients admitted to this hospital for management of acute facial palsy were reviewed by 3 otolaryngologists with more than 20 years' experience in treating facial palsy., Main Outcomes and Measures: Facial function at the initial and final visits were measured using the House-Brackmann (H-B) grading system, which is one of several analysis tools developed to quantify facial function and provide reproducible information. It is a widely accepted system for grading facial function in 6 steps, from normal (H-B grade I) to total paralysis (H-B grade VI)., Results: In total, 1364 patients with primary Bell palsy (718 [52.6%] women) and a mean (SD) age of 47.7 (16.7) years were enrolled. The overall rate of favorable outcome, which was defined as an H-B grade of I or II at the 6-month follow-up visit, was 80.6% (1099 of 1364 patients). Of 1099 patients who had a favorable outcome at 6 months, 343 (31.2%) were younger than 40 years. Of 1364 patients, 1053 (77.2%) had moderate facial dysfunction (H-B grade III or IV). No pathological spontaneous fibrillation activity (ie, good electromyography [EMG] results) was detected on EMG in 937 of 1364 patients (68.7%), 492 (36.1%) had controlled hypertension, and 673 (49.3%) were treated with oral corticosteroids alone. Multivariable analysis revealed that the following factors were associated with favorable outcome: age younger than 40 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.56; 95% CI, 1.09-2.22), an initial H-B grade of III or IV (OR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.93-3.57), good EMG results after 2 weeks of treatment (OR, 3.38; 95% CI, 2.48-4.61), absence of diabetes (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.04-2.36), and control of hypertension (OR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.16-2.33)., Conclusions and Relevance: Multiple logistic regression analysis in this study suggests that multiple clinical factors are associated with favorable outcomes in patients with Bell palsy.

This study aimed to investigate whether trunk fat mass measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) correlates with balance and physical performance.This study utilized 2-year baseline data pertaining to 3014 participants from the database of the Korean frailty and aging cohort study. The trunk lean mass and fat mass were measured by DEXA. Trunk fat mass index (tFMI) was established using the following standard equation: Trunk fat mass (Kg)/height (m). The clinical balance tests were performed using the timed up and go test (TUG), total balance score in short physical performance battery (SPPB). We performed SPPB and evaluated independence of daily living using activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), sarcopenia screening tool (SARC-F) and both hand grip power. In our study, we tried to check the correlation of tFMI with balance and physical performance and to determine the factors associated with tFMI.The tFMI was positively correlated with mean values of 4 m gait speed, repeat chair stand time in SPPB, TUG, and SARC-F and negatively correlated with hand grip, IADL, total balance test score in SPPB, total SPPB score, and age. The results of the multiple generalized linear model analysis that assessed the factors associated with balance and physical performance indicated that tFMI had a significant correlation with repeat chair stand time in SPPB (seconds) (Beta estimate [B]: 0.252), TUG (seconds) (B: 0.25), 4 m gait speed (seconds) (B: 0.055), and total balance score in SPPB (B: -0.035).Higher tFMI using DEXA was correlated with low physical performance and balance, indicating that trunk fat mass was associated with balance and physical performance in community-dwelling older people.

It is well known that vitamin D (VitD) plays an important role in bone and calcium metabolism in the human body. VitD has additional roles in the body including modulation of cell growth, neurogenesis, neuroprotection, detoxification, immune function, and reduction of inflammation. Recent studies reveal insufficiency of VitD as a risk factor for cognitive decline or dementia. VitD has a role in normal brain function; insufficiency of VitD may lead to decreased memory and cognitive function.Using 2 years of baseline data from Korean frailty and aging cohort study, 2990 subjects (1415 men and 1575 women) were recruited. A short form of Korean version of the consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer disease (CERAD-K), an assessment of cognitive status in patients with dementia was used. Among CERAD-K tests, we included word list memory/recall/recognition, digit span (forward, backward), trail making test (TMT) A, and mini-mental state examination in the Korean version of the CERAD assessment packet (MMSE-KC). Serum samples were collected and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were classified into clinically relevant categories as: deficient (<10 nmol/L), insufficient (10-30 nmol/L), and sufficient (≥30 nmol/L).The mean age of participants was 76.5 ± 3.9 years, and 52.7% were women. Among 2990 participants, 119 (4.0%) were classified as 25(OH)D deficient and 2253 (75.3%) as insufficient. Only 618 (20.7%) participants were sufficient for 25(OH)D. Among them performance in MMSE-KC, TMT A, and digit span tests was better in sufficient, insufficient, and deficient groups, which was statistically significant (P < .05). However, in multivariable regression analysis after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, education, center, seasonality, physical activity, and alcohol use, association between 25(OH)D and cognitive function was not statistically significant.Although, when comparing VitD levels, there were differences in cognitive tests among the groups, fully adjusted analysis did not show any association. This result suggests that cognition was not affected by VitD levels alone but also population and sociological variables. In a fully adjusted model, there was no statistically significant association between VitD and cognitive function in the elderly Koreans in logistic regression analysis.

Recent studies have explored the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNAs (miRNAs) and ischemic stroke (IS). In particular, the associations of rs2910164 (miRNA-146A), rs11614913 (miRNA-196A2), and rs3746444 (miRNA-499A) were intensively studied in IS. In this study, we investigated the associations between SNPs in miRNAs and IS including rs2910164, rs11614913, and rs3746444 in a Korean population. For a pilot study, we selected 19 SNPs in pre-miRNA region (including mature miRNA region) and genotyped in 140 IS patients and 240 control subjects using the Fluidigm Dynamic Array. Our pilot study showed a weak association of rs79402775 in miRNA-933 ( p = 0.044) and a relatively strong association of rs35196866 in miRNA-4669 ( p = 0.016) with IS. From the pilot study, we selected rs79402775, rs35196866, and rs7202008 (miRNA-2117; p = 0.055) as candidate miRNA SNPs on IS and further genotyped these SNPs in 264 IS patients and 455 control subjects using direct sequencing. In addition, we further analyzed the associations of rs2910164, rs11614913, and rs3746444 that have been intensively studied in previous studies. In the further analysis, we found the significant association between rs35196866 and IS ( p = 0.0014 in additive model and p = 0.00015 in dominant model; p = 0.00037 in allele frequency analysis). However, the association between rs2910164, rs11614913, rs3746444, rs79402775, and rs7202008 and IS was not shown. These results suggest that miRNA-4669 may be involved in the susceptibility of IS., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2019 Seoung-Jin Hong et al.)

The asymmetry in lower extremity strength is known to be related to the functional mobility in older adults living in the community. However, little is known about the association between lower extremity lean mass asymmetry and functional mobility in this patient group. Hence, this study aimed to determine whether asymmetry in lower extremity muscle mass has a significant relationship with functional mobility in older adults living in the community.This cross-sectional study analyzed the pre-existing data from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study. A total of 435 older people (aged 70-84 years) were divided into the following groups according to their Limb Asymmetry Index (LAsI): low, intermediate, and high asymmetric groups. LAsI is calculated using lower extremity lean mass, and comparisons between groups were conducted. The participants were also further divided into better and worse mobility groups based on their physical performance test results (Timed Up and Go and Short Physical Performance Battery), and comparisons between groups were conducted. Comparisons between fallers and non-fallers were also conducted. In addition, this study investigated the factors that had a significant effect on gait speed and fall experience within the past year among older adults living in the community.The LAsI was significantly associated with gait speed in older adults living in the community. Older adults in the highest tertile of the LAsI had a slower gait speed than those in the lowest tertile of the LAsI. However, no significant difference was observed in the LAsI between the better mobility group and worse mobility group. Moreover, the LAsI was not a significant predictor of falls.Asymmetry in lower extremity lean mass was significantly associated with gait speed in older adults living in the community.

Sustainable landscape planning and management of coastal habitats has become an integral part of the global agenda due to anthroprogenic pressures and climate change-induced events. As an example of human-engineered infrastructure that enhances the sustainability and resilience of coastal social-ecological systems (SES), we have presented the dumbeong system, a farmer-engineered and managed irrigation system based on Korean traditional ecological knowledge. We analyzed the spatial relationship of dumbeongs with coastal landscape attributes and droughts in Goseong County in South Korea. We used generalized linear models (GLMs) to examine the effects of land cover and recent (2001-2010) standardized precipitation index (SPI) on the abundance of dumbeongs. Then, we projected near future (2020-2050) changes in the SPI-based drought risk for the dumbeong system using representative concentration pathway (RCP) climate scenarios. We found that forest and marine water areas have positive relations with dumbeong abundance, whereas SPI has a negative relation, indicating that the dumbeongs are more abundant in areas close to sea water and forests, and with higher incidences of drought. Derived climate change scenarios show that the study region will experience higher incidence of drought. Our findings provide empirical evidence for the dumbeong system as an effective community designed and driven adaptive response to local hydrological processes and climatic conditions, and as climate-resilient infrastructure that strengthens sustainability and resilience of coastal SES. Based on our findings, we provide recommendations for sustainable landscape management and optimal use of the dumbeong system in coastal regions., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the key landscape structures of migratory bird habitats that affect abundance of migratory birds to promote resilient coastal green infrastructure planning on the Yellow Sea coast. We classified coastal areas into four watersheds of South Korea and conducted multivariate regression analysis between migratory bird populations and landscape structures including total class area (CA), patch area distribution (MN), patch density (PD), and edge density (ED). At the national level, sandbank MN, sandbank CA, water ED, and grasslands were derived as key landscape structures affecting the abundance of migratory birds. At the watershed level, key landscape structures were determined as follows: Urban area&#95;MN for the Han River watershed, rice paddy MN for the Asan watershed, rice paddy CA for Saemangeum, and grassland MN for the Youngsan River watershed. Considering the multifunctionality, redundancy, and connectivity of the resilience strategy, we provide specific coastal infrastructure planning recommendations at the national and watershed scales., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Coastal areas provide important ecosystem services and affect local tourism. However, these areas are also sensitive to coastal erosion. The purpose of this study was to simulate a landscape plan scenario to improve the value of ecosystem services. The Shinduri coastal area in South Korea which has important natural resources, such as coastal sand dunes and coastal forests. To simulate landscape changes, this study was conducted using system dynamics. The study progressed in three stages: first, an analysis of the landscape change behavior model of Shinduri in its current state and an evaluation of the value of ecosystem services was conducted. Second, a simulation was carried out by applying a coastal erosion scenario. Third, a simulation of landscape change was run, and the value of ecosystem services was estimated, with regard to afforestation, thinning, weeding and coastal sand dune restoration plan scenarios. The results were as follows: in the absence of disturbances, current landscape change models are stable, and the value of ecosystem services, which was $859,259 in 2014, has increased over time. However, the value of ecosystem services decreased when subjected to a coastal erosion scenario. The evaluation of value of ecosystem services under afforestation, thinning, weeding and coastal sand dune plan scenarios revealed an optimal landscape plan that focuses on a coastal sand dune restoration plan suggesting restoration of these dunes at a rate of 27.05 ha per year. When the coastal sand dune restoration plan is applied, the value of ecosystem services increases to $ 895,474 by 2054. The coastal sand dune restoration plan should prioritize the protection of the coastal sand dune area as component of the restoration of coastal ecological resources in the area. These findings could contribute to the ecological management and improvement of coastal ecosystem services., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

To investigate the contribution of the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to the neurological status of Korean patients with ischemic stroke (IS), two SNPs of the IL-6R gene (rs4845617, 5 UTR; rs2228144, Ala31Ala) were selected. IS patients were classified into clinical phenotypes according to two well-defined scores: the National Institutes of Health Stroke Survey (NIHSS) and the Modified Barthel Index scores. There were 121 IS patients and 291 control subjects. The SNP rs4845617 significantly contributed to the neurological status of patients with IS (P = 0.011 in codominant model 2, P = 0.006 in recessive model, and P = 0.008 in log-additive model). Allele frequencies of rs4845617 and rs2228144 demonstrated no significant difference in IS patients and controls. The AG and GG haplotypes differed between the NIHSS 1 (NIHSS scores < 6) group and the NIHSS 2 (NIHSS scores ≥ 6) group in patients with IS (P = 0.014, P = 0.0024). These results suggest that rs4845617 of the IL-6R gene is associated with the neurologic status of Korean patients with IS.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has an important role in the pathogenesis of stroke. We investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of melanocortin 2 receptor (MC2R), also known as adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) receptor, were associated with the development of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in Korean population. Two promoter SNPs [rs1893219 (-853A/G) and rs1893220 (-759G/T)] were genotyped in 145 ICH patients and 331 control subjects using direct sequencing. Multiple logistic regression models were used to determine odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and p-values. Two SNPs were associated with the development of ICH (rs1893219, p=0.003 in log-additive model, p=0.023 in dominant model, p=0.002 in recessive model; rs1893220, p=0.005 in log-additive model, p=0.021 in dominant model, p=0.003 in recessive model). The frequencies of the G allele of rs1893219 and the T allele of rs1893220 were decreased in ICH group compared to control group (p=0.003 and p=0.004, respectively). The frequencies of the AG and GT haplotypes comprised of rs1893219 and rs1893220 were also significantly different between the ICH and control groups (p=0.0026 and p=0.0034, respectively). These data suggest that the MC2R gene may contribute to the development of ICH., (Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.)

This is a pilot study analysing association of chemokine gene polymorphisms (CXCL1, rs3117604; CXCL2, rs3806792; CCL2, rs2857656 and rs3760396; CCL5, rs2107538) in Korean patients with ischemic stroke (IS) (n = 120) and age-matched controls (n = 267). The CXCL1 gene and particularly T allele of rs3117604 was associated with IS., (© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) has been shown to have an important role in the postischemic inflammatory response and to contribute to ischemic brain damage. In this study, we investigated whether coding region single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the TLR2 gene were associated with ischemic stroke (IS) and with clinical phenotypes in IS patients. We genotyped two SNPs (rs3804099 [Asn199Asn] and rs3804100 [Ser450Ser]) using direct sequencing in 202 IS patients and 291 control subjects. No SNPs of the TLR2 gene were found to be associated with IS. However, in analysis of clinical phenotypes, we found that rs3804099 was associated with the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores of IS patients in codominant (TC vs. TT, p = 0.0005; CC vs. TT, p = 0.0007) and dominant models (TC/CC vs. TT, p = 0.0001). Also, rs3804100 revealed significant association in codominant (TC vs. TT, p = 0.0002; CC vs. TT, p = 0.008) and dominant models (TC/CC vs. TT, p < 0.0001). In allele frequency analysis, we also found that the C alleles of rs3804099 and rs3804100 were associated with higher NIHSS scores (p = 0.0003 in rs3804099; p = 0.0001 in rs3804100). Our results suggest that TLR2 may be related to severe IS.

Objectives: Recently, a number of evidences have been reported concerning the genetic factor involved in the development of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). The purpose of this study was to investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the interleukin 15 receptor, alpha (IL15RA) gene as a risk factor in Korean patients with OPLL., Design: To investigate the genetic association, two coding SNPs (rs2296139, Thr73Thr; rs2228059, Asn182Thr) in IL15RA were genotyped in 166 OPLL patients and 230 control subjects. SNPStats, SNPAnalyzer, and Helixtree programs were used for association analysis., Results: In the present study, we found the association between a missense SNP (rs2228059) and the risk of OPLL in codominant (p = 0.0028, OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.17-2.14), dominant (p = 0.0071, OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.17-2.82), and recessive models (p = 0.036, OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.04-3.09). The frequency of rs2228059 allele was significantly associated with the susceptibility of OPLL (p = 0.0043, OR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.14-2.02). After Bonferroni correction, the missense SNP (rs2228059, Asn182Thr) still had significant correlations (p = 0.0056 in codominant model; p = 0.0142 in dominant model; p = 0.0086 in allele analysis). Haplotype variation in IL15RA was associated with OPLL (global haplotype test, p = 0.025)., Conclusions: These results suggest that IL15RA polymorphism may be associated with the susceptibility of OPLL in Korean population., (Crown Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)