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COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, but current therapies for COPD are only effective at treating the symptoms of the disease rather than targeting the underlying pathways that are driving the pathogenic changes. The lack of targeted therapies for COPD is in part due to a lack of knowledge about drivers of disease progression and the difficulty in building relevant and high throughput models that can recapitulate the phenotypic and transcriptomic changes associated with pathogenesis of COPD. To identify these drivers, we have developed a cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-treated bronchosphere assay in 384-well plate format that exhibits CSE-induced decreases in size and increase in luminal secretion of MUC5AC. Transcriptomic changes in CSE-treated bronchospheres resemble changes that occur in human smokers both with and without COPD compared to healthy groups, indicating that this model can capture human smoking signature. To identify new targets, we ran a small molecule compound deck screening with diversity in target mechanisms of action and identified hit compounds that attenuated CSE induced changes, either decreasing spheroid size or increasing secreted mucus. This work provides insight into the utility of this bronchosphere model in examining human respiratory diseases, the pathways implicated by CSE, and compounds with known mechanisms of action for therapeutic development.

Social impairment is frequently associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and altered neurotransmission. Although mitochondrial function is crucial for brain homeostasis, it remains unknown whether mitochondrial disruption contributes to social behavioral deficits. Here, we show that Drosophila mutants in the homolog of the human CYFIP1, a gene linked to autism and schizophrenia, exhibit mitochondrial hyperactivity and altered group behavior. We identify the regulation of GABA availability by mitochondrial activity as a biologically relevant mechanism and demonstrate its contribution to social behavior. Specifically, increased mitochondrial activity causes gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) sequestration in the mitochondria, reducing GABAergic signaling and resulting in social deficits. Pharmacological and genetic manipulation of mitochondrial activity or GABA signaling corrects the observed abnormalities. We identify Aralar as the mitochondrial transporter that sequesters GABA upon increased mitochondrial activity. This study increases our understanding of how mitochondria modulate neuronal homeostasis and social behavior under physiopathological conditions. ispartof: CELL vol:180 issue:6 pages:1178-+ ispartof: location:United States status: published

Background Deletions encompassing a four-gene region on chromosome 15 (BP1-BP2 at 15q11.2), seen at a population frequency of 1 in 500, are associated with increased risk for schizophrenia, epilepsy, and other common neurodevelopmental disorders. However, little is known in terms of how these common deletions impact cognition. Methods We used a Web-based tool to characterize cognitive function in a novel cohort of adult carriers and their noncarrier family members. Results from 31 carrier and 38 noncarrier parents from 40 families were compared with control data from 6530 individuals who self-registered on the Lumosity platform and opted in to participate in research. We then examined aspects of sensory and cognitive function in flies harboring a mutation in Cyfip, the homologue of one of the genes within the deletion. For the fly studies, 10 or more groups of 50 individuals per genotype were included. Results Our human studies revealed profound deficits in grammatical reasoning, arithmetic reasoning, and working memory in BP1-BP2 deletion carriers. No such deficits were observed in noncarrier spouses. Our fly studies revealed deficits in associative and nonassociative learning despite intact sensory perception. Conclusions Our results provide new insights into outcomes associated with BP1-BP2 deletions and call for a discussion on how to appropriately communicate these findings to unaffected carriers. Findings also highlight the utility of an online tool in characterizing cognitive function in a geographically distributed population.

Three lines of evidence motivated this study. 1) CNTNAP2 variation is associated with autism risk and speech-language development. 2) CNTNAP2 variations are associated with differences in white matter (WM) tracts comprising the speech-language circuitry. 3) Children with autism show impairment in multisensory speech perception. Here, we asked whether an autism risk-associated CNTNAP2 single nucleotide polymorphism in neurotypical adults was associated with multisensory speech perception performance, and whether such a genotype-phenotype association was mediated through white matter tract integrity in speech-language circuitry. Risk genotype at rs7794745 was associated with decreased benefit from visual speech and lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in several WM tracts (right precentral gyrus, left anterior corona radiata, right retrolenticular internal capsule). These structural connectivity differences were found to mediate the effect of genotype on audiovisual speech perception, shedding light on possible pathogenic pathways in autism and biological sources of inter-individual variation in audiovisual speech processing in neurotypicals.

Objective The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of methylphenidate-osmotic release oral delivery system (MPH-OROS) treatment on parenting stress in parents of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods Four hundred and ninety-five children and adolescents (391 boys and 104 girls), aged 7 to 18 years who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition criteria for ADHD, were recruited at 48 psychiatric outpatient clinics across South Korea. Children's symptoms, parenting stress, and parental depression were assessed at baseline, week 4, and week 8 of MPH-OROS treatment using the Korean version of the DuPaul's ADHD Rating Scale (ARS), the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Parenting Stress Index, Short Form (PSI-SF). Results We found significantly decreased scores of ARS, parental BDI, and PSI-SF from baseline to week 4 and from week 4 to week 8. Also, there were positive correlations among baseline PSI-SF, ARS, and BDI scores. The changes in BDI and ARS scores were significantly associated with the PSI score changes, accounting for 20.1% and 10.0%, respectively. Conclusions We suggest that the increased parenting stress and depression in parents of children and adolescents with ADHD can be improved following the treatment with MPH-OROS. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

s Metrics Comments Related Content Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Supporting Information Acknowledgments Author Contributions References Reader Comments (0) Media Coverage Figures Abstract Copy number variants (CNVs) at the Breakpoint 1 to Breakpoint 2 region at 15q11.2 (BP1-2) are associated with language-related difficulties and increased risk for developmental disorders in which language is compromised. Towards underlying mechanisms, we investigated relationships between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the region and quantitative measures of human brain structure obtained by magnetic resonance imaging of healthy subjects. We report an association between rs4778298, a common variant at CYFIP1, and inter-individual variation in surface area across the left supramarginal gyrus (lh.SMG), a cortical structure implicated in speech and language in independent discovery (n = 100) and validation cohorts (n = 2621). In silico analyses determined that this same variant, and others nearby, is also associated with differences in levels of CYFIP1 mRNA in human brain. One of these nearby polymorphisms is predicted to disrupt a consensus binding site for FOXP2, a transcription factor implicated in speech and language. Consistent with a model where FOXP2 regulates CYFIP1 levels and in turn influences lh.SMG surface area, analysis of publically available expression data identified a relationship between expression of FOXP2 and CYFIP1 mRNA in human brain. We propose that altered CYFIP1 dosage, through aberrant patterning of the lh.SMG, may contribute to language-related difficulties associated with BP1-2 CNVs. More generally, this approach may be useful in clarifying the contribution of individual genes at CNV risk loci.

Complex behaviors, such as learning and memory, are associated with rapid changes in gene expression of neurons and subsequent formation of new synaptic connections. However, how external signals are processed to drive specific changes in gene expression is largely unknown. We found that the genome organizer protein Satb1 is highly expressed in mature neurons, primarily in the cerebral cortex, dentate hilus, and amygdala. In Satb1-null mice, cortical layer morphology was normal. However, in postnatal Satb1-null cortical pyramidal neurons, we found a substantial decrease in the density of dendritic spines, which play critical roles in synaptic transmission and plasticity. Further, we found that in the cerebral cortex, Satb1 binds to genomic loci of multiple immediate early genes (IEGs) (Fos, Fosb, Egr1, Egr2, Arc, and Bdnf) and other key neuronal genes, many of which have been implicated in synaptic plasticity. Loss of Satb1 resulted in greatly alters timing and expression levels of these IEGs during early postnatal cerebral cortical development and also upon stimulation in cortical organotypic cultures. These data indicate that Satb1 is required for proper temporal dynamics of IEG expression. Based on these findings, we propose that Satb1 plays a critical role in cortical neurons to facilitate neuronal plasticity.

Purpose To compare the astigmatic power of toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) obtained from the AcrySof, TECNIS, and iTrace toric calculator in patients with preoperative with-the-rule (WTR) or against-the-rule (ATR) corneal astigmatism. Materials and methods Fifty eyes with cataract and corneal astigmatism greater than 0.75 diopters were enrolled in each group (WTR and ATR). Keratometric values were measured using autokeratometry, an IOLMaster, and an iTrace, which incorporated corneal topography and ray-tracing aberrometry. Based on measured keratometric values, the astigmatic power of each toric IOL was calculated using three toric calculators. Results Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement between six pairwise corneal astigmatism values in both groups. The TECNIS calculator tended to suggest a higher astigmatic power of the toric IOL than the AcrySof calculator. With the higher astigmatism and keratometric values from the IOLMaster, in both groups, calculations from the AcrySof and TECNIS calculators resulted in higher calculated astigmatic powers than those from same calculators with autokeratometry-measured values, demonstrating good agreement. With the higher calculated astigmatic power values, the values from the iTrace toric calculator using keratometric values obtained from iTrace ray tracing wavefront aberrometry or iTrace simulated keratometry showed fair to moderate agreement with those from the other calculator-keratometry pairs in both groups. Conclusion To achieve the best refractive outcome after toric IOL implantation, understanding the differences in keratometric values between instruments and in calculated astigmatic power among toric calculator programs is necessary. Moreover, systemic analysis of each toric calculator in conjunction with postoperative data is required.

To investigate the acute effect of ethanol consumption on subfoveal choroidal thickness.This prospective interventional study included the right eyes of 30 healthy subjects (30 eyes). Ethanol (1.0 g/kg) was administered orally on the first visit. A matching volume of water was administered orally on the second visit. Oral administration of ethanol and water was performed at 14:00, and choroidal thickness was measured every 30 min until 16:00. Change of choroidal thickness after oral administration of ethanol and water was the main outcome measure.At baseline, choroidal mean subfoveal thickness was 299.0±73.4 µm (range, 186.5-472.5 µm) before ethanol consumption and 297.1±71.1 µm (range, 187.0-470.5 µm) before water consumption. After consumption of ethanol, mean subfoveal choroidal thickness increased during the first 60 min and then decreased during the next 60 min, which was a significant change over time (p0.001). After consumption of water, there was no significant change in mean subfoveal choroidal thickness over time (p=0.310). Comparison of changes in the mean subfoveal choroidal thickness during 120 min showed significant difference between ethanol and water consumption (p0.001).The results of current study show that consumption of ethanol significantly affected the choroidal thickness. Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness increased during the first 60 min and then decreased during the next 120 min after ethanol consumption.

Microcephaly and macrocephaly are overrepresented in individuals with autism and are thought to be disease-related risk factors or endophenotypes. Analysis of DNA microarray results from a family with a low functioning autistic child determined that the proband and two additional unaffected family members who carry a rare inherited 760 kb duplication of unknown clinical significance at 19p13.12 are macrocephalic. Consideration alongside overlapping deletion and duplication events in the literature provides support for a strong relationship between gene dosage at this locus and head size, with losses and gains associated with microcephaly (p=1.11x10(-11)) and macrocephaly (p=2.47x10(-11)), respectively. Data support A kinase anchor protein 8 and 8-like (AKAP8 and AKAP8L) as candidate genes involved in regulation of head growth, an interesting finding given previous work implicating the AKAP gene family in autism. Towards determination of which of AKAP8 and AKAP8L may be involved in the modulation of head size and risk for disease, we analyzed exome sequencing data for 693 autism families (2591 individuals) where head circumference data were available. No predicted loss of function variants were observed, precluding insights into relationship to head size, but highlighting strong evolutionary conservation. Taken together, findings support the idea that gene dosage at 19p13.12, and AKAP8 and/or AKAP8L in particular, play an important role in modulation of head size and may contribute to autism risk. Exome sequencing of the family also identified a rare inherited variant predicted to disrupt splicing of TPTE / PTEN2, a PTEN homologue, which may likewise contribute to both macrocephaly and autism risk.

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is a component of autoimmune Graves' hyperthyroidism, in which thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor antibody (TRAb) stimulates orbital and periorbital tissues [1]. The natural history of GO is not well understood. It is generally thought that GO has an inflammatory, active phase that subsides after 1 to 2 years. The average active inflammatory phase duration is approximately 18 months (range, 3 to 36 months) [2]. After the inflammation subsides, patients may suffer permanent structural changes around the eyes that require surgical repair. Currently, there are two established assays to measure TRAb: the competitive TSH-binding inhibition immunoglobulin (TBII) assay and the functional thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) bioassay [3,4]. The TBII assay utilizes the ability of TRAb to inhibit the binding of radiolabeled TSH to TSH-receptors. The newly-developed, third-generation TBII assay measures the inhibition in the binding of a labelled monoclonal antibody clone M22 to the TSH-receptor rather than the traditional radiolabeled TSH-TSH receptor binding [4,5]. This assay enhanced the sensitivity and specificity of earlier assays using radiolabeled TSH [6,7,8]. The TSI bioassay measures cyclic adenosine monophosphate production after TRAb binds to the TSH-receptor, thus enabling identification of functional TRAb [9,10]. The development of the Mc4-CHO cell line simplified the cell culture protocols for the TRAb bioassays. The Mc4-CHO TSI bioassay has superior diagnostic potential for differentiating Graves' disease (GD) from painless thyroiditis [11]. Recently, several reports have focused on the relevance of TRAb, especially TSI, in untreated early stage GO [12]. Ponto et al. [13] reported that TSI levels correlated with disease activity (R = 0.89) and severity (R = 0.81) in untreated GO. Lytton et al. [12] showed a similar correlation between TSI and GO activity/severity. In previous studies we investigated whether serum TRAb in newly-diagnosed, untreated GO patients were predictive of the disease course beyond the first year after the initial diagnosis [14]. The results showed that patients with higher initial TRAb levels had a greater risk of severe disease outcomes. Likewise, we hypothesized that serum TRAb levels could provide important prognostic information to clinicians regarding early stage GO patients [14]. To the best of our knowledge, no prior reports of TRAb levels in chronic stage GO patients have been published. Chronic stage GO frequently imposes severe psychological, social, and economic burdens on patients because patients often experience substantial facial disfigurement including proptosis, puffy eyelids, and strabismus [1,15,16]. Although GO usually spontaneously resolves, patients often show heterogeneous clinical courses with complications such as restrictive strabismus and severe proptosis. We observed that patients who were current heavy smokers or of old age often exhibited high serum TSI levels even after prolonged anti-thyroid drug (ATD) treatment. TRAb level, TSI and TBII was usually high during the early disease period, and decreased gradually during ATD treatment. TBII typically decreased after a few months of ATD treatment, however, TSI levels generally remained high, especially in patients with complicated GO. In the present study, we investigated the associations between serum TRAb levels and GO activity/severity in chronic-stage GO and compared the performance of two newly-developed TRAb assays: the third-generation TBII assay and the Mc4-TSI bioassay.

Socket contracture is one of the most common and difficult problems in anophthalmic patients. This study intended to evaluate postoperative outcomes of anophthalmic socket reconstruction using an autologous buccal mucosa graft in patients with socket contracture. Medical records and photographs of 44 anophthalmic patients who underwent socket reconstruction surgery using an autologous buccal mucosa graft were reviewed retrospectively. The time necessary for the graft surface to be completely vascularized was assessed, and fornix depth was measured before and 6 months after surgery. Postoperative cosmetic and functional outcomes were evaluated, and the factors that influence postoperative outcomes were investigated. The surgery was performed without any significant complications, and the patients only complained of oral discomfort within 1 week. The graft surface was fully vascularized about 1.1 months after surgery. Mean fornix depth after surgery was significantly deeper than that before surgery (9.1 mm, about 68.2% of the vertical size of the implanted graft). Preoperatively, 50.0% of the patient had cosmetic grades 1 and 2; however, 63.6% of the patients achieved grade 4, and 93.2% had higher than grade 3 after surgery. In functional outcomes, 86.4% of the patients presented functional success. Graft recontracture occurred in only 2 patients. Preoperative severe socket contracture was a factor associated with worse cosmetic outcome (P = 0.001). An autologous buccal mucosa can be a safe and effective graft material for the reconstruction of a contracted socket.

Purpose To assess the accuracy of 3 corneal horizontal meridian marking techniques using the iTrace Surgical Workstation in preoperative assessment for toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Setting Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. Design Prospective comparative observational study. Methods Patients were allocated into 3 groups. Three techniques—marking with a nonpendular marker with a surgeon's direct visualization, slitlamp-assisted marking with a pendulum-attached marker, and slitlamp-assisted marking with a horizontal slit beam—were used to perform the horizontal meridian marking. The marks were immediately documented and aligned with the Zaldivar toric caliper transparent topographic map. Using a horizontal reference meridian determined by the toric caliper, the accuracy of corneal horizontal marking techniques was quantitatively evaluated by determining the rotational deviation and vertical misalignment. Results For rotational deviation, the pendular marking showed the fewest errors to the horizontal reference meridian (mean error −0.66 degrees; mean absolute error [MAE] 3.77 degrees). There was a significant difference between the pendular marking and the surgeon's direct visual marking. For the MAE, the pendular marking showed less deviation than the surgeon's direct visual marking and the horizontal slit-beam marking. With vertical misalignment, there was no significant difference between the 3 different corneal horizontal meridian marking techniques. Conclusion The slitlamp-assisted technique with the pendulum-attached marker was more precise than marking with a nonpendular marker with a surgeon's direct visualization and marking with a horizontal slit beam in preoperative assessment for toric IOLs. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of methylphenidate-osmotic release oral delivery system (MPH-OROS) treatment on parenting stress in parents of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Four hundred and ninety-five children and adolescents (391 boys and 104 girls), aged 7 to 18 years who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition criteria for ADHD, were recruited at 48 psychiatric outpatient clinics across South Korea. Children's symptoms, parenting stress, and parental depression were assessed at baseline, week 4, and week 8 of MPH-OROS treatment using the Korean version of the DuPaul's ADHD Rating Scale (ARS), the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Parenting Stress Index, Short Form (PSI-SF).We found significantly decreased scores of ARS, parental BDI, and PSI-SF from baseline to week 4 and from week 4 to week 8. Also, there were positive correlations among baseline PSI-SF, ARS, and BDI scores. The changes in BDI and ARS scores were significantly associated with the PSI score changes, accounting for 20.1% and 10.0%, respectively.We suggest that the increased parenting stress and depression in parents of children and adolescents with ADHD can be improved following the treatment with MPH-OROS.

The cholinoceptive system in the hypothalamus, in particular in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), plays a role in regulating food intake. Neurons in the ARC contain multiple neuropeptides, amines, and neurotransmitters. To study molecular and neurochemical heterogeneity of ARC neurons, we combine single-cell qRT-PCR and single-cell whole transcriptome amplification methods to analyze expression patterns of our hand-picked 60 genes in individual neurons in the ARC. Immunohistochemical and single-cell qRT-PCR analyses show choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-expressing neurons in the ARC. Gene expression patterns are remarkably distinct in each individual cholinergic neuron. Two-thirds of cholinergic neurons express tyrosine hydroxylase (Th) mRNA. A large subset of these Th-positive cholinergic neurons is GABAergic as they express the GABA synthesizing enzyme glutamate decarboxylase and vesicular GABA transporter transcripts. Some cholinergic neurons also express the vesicular glutamate transporter transcript gene. POMC and POMC-processing enzyme transcripts are found in a subpopulation of cholinergic neurons. Despite this heterogeneity, gene expression patterns in individual cholinergic cells appear to be highly regulated in a cell-specific manner. In fact, membrane receptor transcripts are clustered with their respective intracellular signaling and downstream targets. This novel population of cholinergic neurons may be part of the neural circuitries that detect homeostatic need for food and control the drive to eat.

Results: The rate of vision screening gradually increased with age in young children between 3 (25.8%) and 11 years of age (72.5%). Regarding the rate by region, Busan had the highest rate (63.5%), followed by Daegu (62.2%) and Seoul (59.9%). Chungnam had the lowest rate (43.2%), followed by Chonbuk (44.6%) and Chonnam (44.9%). Higher income was associated with increased screening rate with marginal statistical significance (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]＝1.5 for 3rd quartile, 95% confidential interval [CI], 1.0-2.4 versus 1st quartile as a reference group). Households with 5 or more members were less likely to receive vision screening compared to households with 1 child (aOR＝0.6, 95% CI, 0.4-0.8). Conclusions: The rate of vision screening differed according to age group (25.8-72.5%) and region (43.2- 63.5%). Regional disparity, low household income and large number of household members were barriers for vision screening in Korean children. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2015;56(6):944-949

Purpose: To identify socio-demographic factors in cataract surgery in Korea and expect future effect of the bundle of service system. Methods: We analyzed the number of people undergoing cataract surgery and associated factors such as surgery ratio, region, age, income, and insurance status of 28,980 patients older than 40 years using data from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2012 (KNHANES). Results: Among total population in 2012, 47.5% of elderly aged 80 years and older have received cataract surgery. According to region in patients older than 40, Jeollanam-do showed the highest proportion of patients undergoing cataract surgery, at 12%, Daejeon showed the lowest proportion of 3.6%, and Seoul showed 6.8%. Regional analysis was also performed by analyzing the number of cataract patients per ophthalmologist. Jeollanam-do showed the highest with 40,115 patients per ophthalmologist, and Seoul showed the least with 1,094 patients per ophthalmologist. The sociodemographic factors such as education or income, were not associated with cataract surgery after adjusting for age and regional difference. On the other hand, subjects with medicaid were associated with 1.6-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.3-2.0) higher rate of cataract surgery than subjects with national health insurance. Conclusions: Regional disparity was found in the cataract surgery rate and surgery rate per an ophthalmologists, whereas sociodemographic factors were not significant in receiving benefits of cataract surgery. Before the amount of bundled payment is changing, down-leveling of quality of care and deepening of disparities among health care provider should be considered. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2014;55(12):1772-1778

목적: 미용적 결막절제술 후 발생한 공막석회화에 대한 결막피판술 시행 시 Calcium plaque scissors를 이용하는 방식의 장점을 연구 하고자 하였다. 대상과 방법: 미용적 결막절제술 후 발생한 공막석회화로 결막피판술을 받은 55안을 분석하였다. Surgical blade만을 이용한 30안을 Group 1, Calcium plaque scissors를 이용한 25안을 Group 2로 하여 미백 수술 후 기간, 병변 크기, 수술 소요 시간, 전후 시력을 비교하였다. 또한 추가적인 수술 시행 여부를 비교하고 전안부 빛간섭단층촬영계로 수술 전후 공막의 상태를 확인하였다. 결과: 55안은 결막피판술을 받을 때까지 3.9 ± 1.0년이 지났으며, 수술 후 5.2 ± 3.8개월까지 관찰되었다. 두 군에서 미백 수술 후 기간 및 병변 크기는 차이가 없었다(p=0.87, 0.49). 수술 시간이 Group 2는 17.5 ± 6.3분으로 Group 1보다(21.9 ± 8.5분) 짧았다 (p=0.03). 나안시력은 두 군에서 모두 수술 전후 유의한 차이가 없었다(p=0.53, p=0.20). Group 1에서만 공막이식수술이 1안, OlogenTM 삽입수술이 3안 시행되었다. 빛간섭단층촬영계 소견상 Calcium plaque scissors는 공막 손상을 최소화하면서 석회화 병변을 제거할 수 있는 방법으로 확인되었다. 결론: 미용적 결막절제술 후 발생한 공막석회화에 대해 결막피판술을 시행할 때 Calcium plaque scissors를 이용하여 제거하는 방법은 공막 손상을 최소화하여 추가 수술의 필요성을 줄여주었고, 수술시간을 단축하는 장점을 갖고 있다.

Objective: Under ubiquitous-healthcare circumstances, interest of one's health condition has been increased. People were required the measurement of biosignal by the wearable computing technology. The purpose of this paper is to measure the portable ECG (Electro- cardiogram) with the application of wearable computing technology. Therefore, the normal ECG measurement can be measured with a chest belt either in direct contract state or loose contact state. Methods: The belt type circuit for measuring ECG was developed. In order to remove noises in loosely contact condition, a shield circuit was assembled with the measuring electrodes. Both of High performance differential amplifiers and notch filters were incorporated into the main amplifier circuits. The ECG data was converted from analog to digital form by MCU (Micro Control Unit). The main memory was composed of a memory controller and a memory card. Results: The ECG measurement having bad electrode contact to body would be usually done in daily life, so we measured the biosignal by using the loose contact potable belt for accurate ECG data. The belt can be used to measure ECG by loose contact method. Conclusion: In this study, we could measure ECG without any spatial-temporal restriction due to the portable belt. This device is suitable for the ubiquitous-healthcare environment.