ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the natural course of pre-mild cognitive impairment (pre-MCI) and predictors to MCI. We followed-up individuals with pre-MCI and cognitively normal (CN) elders to identify neuropsychological predictors for rapid conversion to MCI. METHODS: Seventy-seven individuals with pre-MCI and 180 CN elders were recruited from the pool of individuals registered at the National Research Center for Dementia in Gwangju, Korea. We followed-up with them after a mean of 14±2.29 months. All participants underwent comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological assessment. Logistic regression analysis examined the ability of neuropsychological tests to predict conversions to MCI. RESULTS: Of 257 participants, 142 (55.3%) were eligible for the follow-up study (102 CN, 40 pre-MCI). Logistic regression revealed that spatial delayed recall significantly predicted the conversion from pre-MCI to MCI. In CN, copy for a complex figure significantly predicted the conversion to pre-MCI or MCI. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that spatial delayed recall was associated with rapid conversion from pre-MCI to MCI. Spatial organization and planning, measured by complex figure reproduction, were associated with rapid conversion from CN to pre-MCI or MCI. Our study suggests that inclusion of visuospatial reproduction and memory using a complex figure further facilitates early detection of MCI.
Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Cognition Disorders , Dementia , Early Diagnosis , Follow-Up Studies , Korea , Logistic Models , Memory , Cognitive Dysfunction , Neuropsychological Tests , Reproduction , Spatial MemoryABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase (MECR) is involved in mitochondrial synthesis of fatty acids and is highly expressed in mitochondria. MECR is also known as nuclear receptor binding factor-1, which was originally reported with yeast two-hybrid screening as a binding protein of the nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha). However, MECR and PPARalpha are localized at different compartment, mitochondria, and the nucleus, respectively. Therefore, the presence of a cytosolic or nuclear isoform of MECR is necessary for functional interaction between MECR and PPARalpha. METHODS: To identify the expression pattern of MECR and the cytosolic form of MECR (cMECR), we performed reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with various tissue samples from Sprague-Dawley rats. To confirm the interaction between cMECR and PPARalpha, we performed several binding assays such as yeast two-hybrid, coimmunoprecipitation, and bimolecular fluorescence complementation. To observe subcellular localization of these proteins, immunocytochemistry was performed. A luciferase assay was used to measure PPARalpha activity. RESULTS: We provide evidence of an alternatively spliced variant of the rat MECR gene that yields cMECR. The cMECR lacks the N-terminal 76 amino acids of MECR and shows uniform distribution in the cytoplasm and nucleus of HeLa cells. cMECR directly bound PPARalpha in the nucleus and increased PPARalpha-dependent luciferase activity in HeLa cells. CONCLUSION: We found the cytosolic form of MECR (cMECR) was expressed in the cytosolic and/or nuclear region, directly binds with PPARalpha, and enhances PPARalpha activity.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Rats , Alternative Splicing , Amino Acids , Carrier Proteins , Complement System Proteins , Cytoplasm , Cytosol , Fatty Acids , Fluorescence , HeLa Cells , Immunohistochemistry , Luciferases , Mass Screening , Mitochondria , Oxidoreductases , Polymerase Chain Reaction , PPAR alpha , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Reverse Transcription , YeastsABSTRACT
Telbivudine is an L-nucleoside analogue with potent antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus (HBV). Clinical trials have shown that telbivudine has a more potent and sustained antiviral activity with a lower frequency of viral resistance than lamivudine. Although there are several reports concerning the safety profile of telbivudine, most adverse events are described as mild and transient in nature. Here we report two cases of telbivudine-induced myopathy in patients with chronic hepatitis B who were siblings.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Antiviral Agents/adverse effects , Creatine Kinase/blood , Electromyography , Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy , Muscle, Skeletal/pathology , Muscular Diseases/etiology , Siblings , Thymidine/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Most Korean women prefer ovoid face to squared one and many female patients with squared face want to reduce their lower facial width. Mandibular angle ostectomy and botulinum toxin injection used to be the most common procedures performed to produce this purpose. After botulinum toxin, a series of non-invasive methods to reduce masseter muscle hypertrophy have been introduced. Radiofrequency rhizotomy was first used to treat chronic pain, such as, trigeminal neuralgia and showed good and long-lasting results. This concept of rhizotomy technique was then modified to block motor nerve conduction and used to treat motor dysfunction including painful spasticity. We tried this technique to reduce masseter hypertrophy by blocking the masseteric nerve using radiofrequency. From March 2007 to October 2007, 19 female patients underwent this masseter reduction using radiofrequency rhizotomy and follow-up period was 2 to 6 months. Most results showed reduction of masseter volume with improvement of lower facial contour and no significant complication occurred. The advantages of this method are safety, durability and cost-effectiveness and we think that this technique can be a good alternative method for treating masseter hypertrophy. But, longer follow-up periods and further studies are required to consolidate long-term results.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Botulinum Toxins , Chronic Pain , Follow-Up Studies , Hypertrophy , Masseter Muscle , Muscle Spasticity , Neural Conduction , Rhizotomy , Trigeminal NeuralgiaABSTRACT
Botulinum toxin type A is widely used for anti-wrinkling therapy, and correction of the square face. The toxin ultimately prevent the release of membrane-bound acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction of striated muscles and thus produce chemical denervation and paralysis of the muscles. Our purpose of study is to know if application of botulinum toxin type A on calf reduction is effective, how much dosage is effective, and what are the possible complications. We reviewed data of 30 consecutive patients subjected to calf reduction in Dong-A University Hospital from February 2003 to April 2003. We injected normal saline 2cc on both calves region in 15 control group patients, and the other patients was divided 3 group. Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 was injected 50U, 100U, 150U botulinum toxin A on each calf region and followed up for 6 month. Maximal circumference of calf was not changed in the control group but an average of 0.7 cm reduction was noted in group 1, average 1.34 cm (right calf) and 1.26 cm(left calf) in group 2, average 1.44 cm(right calf) and 1.58 cm(left calf) in group 3. Maximal area of calf was not changed in the control group but average reduction of 12.5%(right calf) and 12.7%(left calf) was obtained in group 1, average 19.4% (right calf) and 19.9%(left calf) in group 2, average 24.8%(right calf) and 21.07%(left calf) in group 3, as measured on CAT scan. Total fat amount and fat amount in the lower extremity was no change in all the groups, but lean body mass was decreased average 1.27%(right calf) and 1.15%(left calf) in group 1, average 3.47%(right calf) and 2.98%(left calf) in group 2, average 3.58%(right calf) and 3.95%(left calf) in group 3. Photography of the preoperative and postoperative 6 month state revealed higher satisfaction in Group 2, 3 compared to Group 1. Use of botulinum toxin type A in calf reduction is a very simple, safe, non-invasive method and effective in terms of calf contouring rather than reduction of calf circumference.