Electrocardiogram PR Interval Is a Surrogate Marker to Predict New Occurrence of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Frequent Premature Atrial Contractions

The clinical significance of prolonged PR interval has not been evaluated in patients with frequent premature atrial contractions (PACs). We investigated whether prolonged PR interval could predict new occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with frequent PACs. We retrospectively analyzed 684 patients with frequent PACs (> 100 PACs/day) who performed repeated 24-hour Holter monitoring. Prolonged PR interval was defined as longer than 200 msec. Among 684 patients, 626 patients had normal PR intervals (group A) and 58 patients had prolonged PR intervals (group B). After a mean follow-up of 59.3 months, 14 patients (24.1%) in group B developed AF compared to 50 patients (8.0%) in group A (P < 0.001). Cox regression analysis showed that prolonged PR interval (hazard ratio [HR], 1.950; 95% CI, 1.029-3.698; P = 0.041), age (HR, 1.033; 95% CI, 1.006-1.060; P = 0.015), and left atrial (LA) dimension (HR, 1.061; 95% CI, 1.012-1.112; P = 0.015) were associated with AF occurrence. Prolonged PR interval, advanced age, and enlarged LA dimension are independent risk factors of AF occurrence in patients with frequent PACs.

Immunohistochemical Study for the Syndecan-2 in Cutaneous Melanoma and Pigmented Nevus / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Melanoma is a malignant neoplasm originating from melanocytes. It has been recently suggested that syndecan-2 may contribute to the aggressive phenotype and metastatic potential of melanoma in cell line studies. However, there is no quantitative analysis of syndecan-2 expression using human melanoma tissue. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the specific expression of syndecan-2 in human melanoma tissue. METHODS: A total of 35 sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were investigated for syndecan-2 expression using immunohistochemical staining. Also, a total of 6 tissues and two kinds of cell lines were analyzed by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining of 23 cases of melanoma tissue was done, and in 5 cases (21.7%), strong expression of syndecan-2 was seen. Also, syndecan-2 was detected in human melanoma tissue and MNT-1 melanoma cells by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. CONCLUSION: We suggest that syndecan-2 expression is increased in melanoma compared to nevus. The results of this study may help to explain the clinical features of melanoma and syndecan-2.

Assessment of Quality of Life in Parents of Childrenwith Cerebral Palsy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life and psychologic status in parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: We studied 94 parents of children with cerebral palsy (case) and 60 parents of normal children (control). The functional level of CP was determined based on the gross motor functional classification system (GMFCS), and type of CP was classified by clinical features. We collected the data through questionnaires obtained from the parents, which consisted of Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Family APGAR score. The data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The mean scores of SF-36 in parents of CP children was significantly lower than controls (60.09<67.38, p< 0.001). BDI (p<0.001) and BAI (p=0.002) scores of parents of CP children were significantly higher than control group, and familial APGAR score was lowered in the CP group compared to the control group. There were no differences in the scores of SF-36 in parents according to the severity of CP (p=0.844). CONCLUSION: The quality of life of parents of children with CP was significantly lower than that of control parents. Also psychologic status and familial function were poorer in parents of CP. It is necessary to evaluate and support for parent's psychologic status and quality of life in the comprehensive rehabilitation of CP.

Association of Hemoglobin A1c with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Metabolic Syndrome in Nondiabetic Adults / 당뇨병

BACKGROUND: Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a useful index of mean blood glucose concentrations over the preceding 2 to 3 months. Elevated HbA1c levels (> 7%) are associated with a higher incidence of microvascular and macrovascular complications in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, the relationship between HbA1c and cardiovascualr disease risk in nondiabetic adults has been unclear. The aim of this study is to estimate the association of HbA1c with cardiovascular disease risk factors and metabolic syndrome in nondiabetic adults. METHODS: The subjects of this study included 533 adults (180 males and 353 females) aged 20~70 years (mean age: 46.9 +/- 10.12 years) without previously diagnosed diabetes who lived in Kangyang country. We examined baseline HbA1c levels and cardiovascular risk factors. Metabolic syndrome was defined based on International Diabetes Federation guidelines. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome significantly increased as HbA1c increased. HbA1c revealed a significant correlation with age (r = 0.258, P < 0.001), BMI (r = 0.152, P < 0.001), waist circumference (r = 0.252, P < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.319, P < 0.001), systolic (r = 0.100, P = 0.021), diastolic (r = 0.115, P = 0.008) blood pressure, total cholesterol (r = 0.232, P < 0.001), triglyceride (r = 0.156, P < 0.001), LDL cholesterol (r = 0.216, P < 0.001), and HDL cholesterol (r = -0.167, P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that HbA1c had a association with age, fasting plasma glucose, and dyslipidemia. The receiver operating characterstics (ROC) curve analysis determined HbA1c of 5.35% to yield optimal sensitivity and specificity corresponding to the presence of metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSION: The HbA1c level is correlated with cardiovascular risk factors and prevalence of metabolic syndrome in nondiabetic adults.