Feasibility of Ultrashort Echo Time T2* Mapping in Comparison With T2 Mapping for Quantitative Evaluation of Meniscal Degeneration

Purpose@#This study aimed to assess the feasibility of ultrashort echo time (UTE)-T2* mapping in comparison with T2 mapping for quantitative evaluation of meniscal degeneration. @*Materials and Methods@#This study included 208 menisci of 99 patients (59 women and 40 men, median age 52 years old [16–80 years]) who underwent knee MRI with both standard T2 mapping and UTE-T2* mapping sequences. A radiologist reviewed the images and graded meniscal degeneration according to the morphologic criteria on T2-weighted and proton density-weighted sequences. Manually drawn regions of interest were placed along the outline and hyperintensity subregion within the meniscus, and in the same location on midsagittal images of each T2 and UTE-T2* sequence. Meniscal T2 and T2* values (T2m and T2*m) as well as T2 and T2* values of hyperintensity subregions (T2h, T2*h) were calculated. @*Results@#There was a strong correlation between T2m, T2*m, T2h, and T2*h, and morphological grades (correlation coefficient 0.793–0.943, 95% CI). On morphologic analysis, 50, 52, 50, and 56 menisci were graded as 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. T2m, T2*m, T2h, and T2*h were found to be significantly different in all the grades and tended to be higher in the more degraded meniscus (p < 0.001 for both). Mean T2m was 10.78 ± 2.91 ms, 15.81 ± 2.99 ms, 20.26 ± 3.19 ms, and 30.80 ± 7.38 ms and mean T2*m was 7.10 ± 1.12 ms, 9.64 ± 1.27 ms, 12.01 ± 1.58 ms, and 18.98 ± 4.67 ms for grades 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Mean T2h was 20.05 ± 3.67 ms, 24.39 ± 4.73 ms, and 38.92 ± 9.49 ms and mean T2*h was 10.94 ± 1.65 ms, 13.67 ± 2.41 ms, and 22.36 ± 5.20 ms for grades 1, 2, and 3, respectively. @*Conclusion@#UTE-T2* mapping was feasible for quantitative evaluation of meniscal degeneration in patients. With a few improvements UTE-T2* mapping is a potential substitute for the standard T2 mapping, with improved efficacy.

Tailored Therapy Using Bismuth Add-on Standard Triple Therapy vs. Concomitant Therapy: A First-line Regimen for Helicobacter pylori Infection

Background/Aims@#Compared with other regimens, concomitant therapy (CT) used as a first-line regimen for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with higher eradication rates. We compared the efficacy of tailored therapy (TT) using bismuth added to standard triple therapy (STT) with CT. @*Methods@#This consecutive study performed between September 2020 and 2021 included 210 patients with H. pylori infection. Two participating gastroenterologists prescribed TT and CT. Multiplex PCR assays were performed before eradication therapy to identify the relevant point mutations and confirm clarithromycin resistance in the TT group (n=105). Patients who showed negative PCR results received 14-day STT and those with positive PCR results received a 14-day regimen of bismuth added to STT. The other group (n=105) received 10-day CT. @*Results@#Based on per-protocol analysis, eradication rates in the TT and CT groups were 89.2% (91/102) and 81.6% (84/103), respectively. We observed no statistically significant intergroup differences in eradication rates (P=0.12). The frequency of estimated clarithromycin resistance confirmed using multiplex PCR assays was 32.4% (34/105), and the eradication rate associated with bismuth add-on STT was 76.5% (26/34) in patients with clarithromycin resistance. @*Conclusions@#Considering the current and emerging trends in antibiotic resistance, a therapeutic strategy using TT (bismuth add-on STT) is recommended to minimize unnecessary administration of antibiotics.

Probiotic Supplementation for Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Background/Aims@#The effects of probiotic supplementation on Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication therapy are not completely understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of continuous probiotic administration on eradication rates, recrudescence, and symptom response following completion of a course of H. pylori therapy. @*Methods@#This prospective, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed between June 2018 and 2020. Twohundred seventy patients who received a standard triple regimen for H. pylori eradication, were included in the study. Participants were randomized to receive a probiotic as adjunctive therapy (Enterococcus faecium 4.5×108 and Bacillus subtilis 5.0×107; Medilac-S®, Hanmi Pharmaceuticals, Seoul, Korea) or a placebo (one tablet thrice daily) for 28 days, following H. pylori eradication. Participants who showed successful eradication underwent a repeat 13C-urea breath test after 6 months. @*Results@#Eradication rates in the probiotic and placebo groups were 77.1% and 72.4%, respectively (P=0.48) using per-protocol analysis. Using intention-to-treat analysis, eradication rates were 67.4% and 65.9%, respectively (P=0.43). Of 149 patients who were followed-up after 6 months, four patients had recrudescence (2.7%). Recrudescence rates did not differ between the probiotic and placebo groups. Of the 76 patients who had non-ulcer dyspepsia, 60 (78.9%) showed symptom resolution after 6 months. This beneficial effect was most pronounced in patients with postprandial distress syndrome (P=0.02). @*Conclusions@#Consecutive probiotic supplementation following H. pylori eradication therapy did not increase eradication rates or decrease recrudescence rates.

Lactase Deficiency Diagnosed by Endoscopic Biopsy-based Method is Associated With Positivity to Glucose Breath Test

Background/Aims@#Lactase deficiency, which has many similarities with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), causes various gastrointestinal symptoms. We estimate the prevalence of SIBO in patients with intestinal symptoms from dairy products and investigate the association between lactase deficiency (LD) and SIBO. @*Methods@#This prospective study included patients with functional intestinal symptoms from dairy product indigestion. A questionnaire on gastrointestinal symptoms, a hydrogen (H 2 )-methane glucose breath test (GBT) for SIBO, and lactose intolerance quick test (LQT) for LD using upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were performed. @*Results@#A total of 88 patients, 29 (33.0%) with severe and 36 (40.9%) with mild LD were included. Sixteen patients (18.2%) were GBT positive. Patients with LQT negativity indicating severe LD showed a higher positivity to GBT or GBT (H 2 ) than the historic controls (27.6% vs 6.7%, P = 0.032). There was no difference in the items on the symptom questionnaire according to the presence of LD or SIBO, except for higher symptom scores for urgency in GBT-positive patients. There were more LQT-negative patients in the GBT (H 2 )-positive group than in the other groups (27.6% vs 10.2%, P = 0.036). Moreover, only GBT (H 2 )-positivity was significantly associated with a higher risk of LQT negativity in multivariate analysis (OR, 4.19; P = 0.029). @*Conclusions@#SIBO producing H 2is common in patients with severe LD suspected lactose intolerance. SIBO may be a new therapeutic target for managing intestinal symptoms in patients with lactose intolerance.

Proliferation of Mouse Prostate Cancer Cells Inflamed by Trichomonas vaginalis

Our objective was to investigate whether inflammatory microenvironment induced by Trichomonas vaginalis infection can stimulate proliferation of prostate cancer (PCa) cells in vitro and in vivo mouse experiments. The production of CXCL1 and CCL2 increased when cells of the mouse PCa cells (TRAMP-C2 cell line) were infected with live T. vaginalis. T. vaginalis-conditioned medium (TCM) prepared from co-culture of PCa cells and T. vaginalis increased PCa cells migration, proliferation and invasion. The cytokine receptors (CXCR2, CCR2, gp130) were expressed higher on the PCa cells treated with TCM. Pretreatment of PCa cells with antibodies to these cytokine receptors significantly reduced the proliferation, mobility and invasiveness of PCa cells, indicating that TCM has its effect through cytokine-cytokine receptor signaling. In C57BL/6 mice, the prostates injected with T. vaginalis mixed PCa cells were larger than those injected with PCa cells alone after 4 weeks. Expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers and cyclin D1 in the prostate tissue injected with T. vaginalis mixed PCa cells increased than those of PCa cells alone. Collectively, it was suggested that inflammatory reactions by T. vaginalis-stimulated PCa cells increase the proliferation and invasion of PCa cells through cytokine-cytokine receptor signaling pathways.

Severe hypoglycemia as a preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Glucose-lowering medication and lifestyle modification are essential for optimal glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, glucose-lowering agents, particularly insulin and insulin secretagogues, may cause hypoglycemia, which has multiple negative effects on the cardiovascular (CV) system and may cause death. Previous studies using institutional data from the Korean Nationwide Health Insurance database have consistently found a causal relationship between severe hypoglycemia and CV outcomes and mortality. Screening for high-risk patients, appropriate management, and intensive individualized education are the most effective measures and essential for the prevention of harmful hypoglycemic events. Based on identified risk factors that predict severe hypoglycemia, we developed an 1-year risk prediction model for severe hypoglycemia that can be used in clinical settings. In this review, we describe the current understanding of severe hypoglycemia and the clinical implications in patients with T2DM. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of intensive individualized education for high-risk patients and the risk prediction model to reduce severe hypoglycemia.

World Outbreak Trend of Infectious Diseases with Surveillance

The diverse infectious diseases can occur everywhere in the world, but high-risk infectious diseases should be monitored immediately after the occurrence, and be controlled not to spread to the public. Other highly contagious ones also should be screened with the surveillance system and made to be prevented from a serious effect on public health. The outbreak information, articles and news reports concerning global infectious disease outbreaks were collected from known web-based resources and deposited in Global Center for Infectious Diseases since 2016. The number of reports collected from various sources was analyzed on the respect of Blueprint priority diseases and vaccine-preventable diseases, and the characteristic outbreak trend was shown in the geographic distribution and the so-called socio-economic level of countries. The WHO R&D Blueprint priority diseases are being reported especially in the region of Africa and Asia. The vaccine-preventable and other infectious diseases also are reported continuously and world-widely. They threaten the safety of life continuously in public. Therefore, keeping close observation and strengthening infectious disease surveillance is needed, and more effort to expand the collecting resources to get more outbreak information is warranted.

Acer okamotoanum Inhibit the Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress in C6 Glial Cells

Chronic oxidative stress due to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neuronal cells ultimately leads to neurodegenerative diseases. The use of natural therapies for the prevention of ROS-induced cell damage and for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders has shown promising results. In this study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effects of the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of A. Okamotoanum against the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative stress in C6 glial cells. Results show that cell viability was decreased in cells incubated with H₂O₂, whereas the addition of EtOAc fraction treatments in such cells significantly increased viability. The EtOAc fraction showed the highest inhibitory activity against ROS production and it also decreased the expressions of inflammatory proteins including cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase and interleukin-1β. Furthermore, the EtOAc fraction inhibited apoptosis by regulating the protein expressions cleaved caspase

MR Imaging Findings of Tamoxifen-associated Uterine Adenosarcoma: Report of Two Cases

Adenosarcoma of the uterus is a rare biphasic tumor containing benign glandular epithelial and malignant mesenchymal components. The tumor has been reported to be associated with antiestrogen therapy, particularly tamoxifen, but there have been a few case reports with MRI. We present two cases of MRI findings of uterine adenosarcoma after antiestrogen therapy, tamoxifen and toremifene in breast cancer patients. The tumor presents as a large polypoid mass occupying the endometrial cavity, and may protrude into the vagina. On MRI, the tumor typically shows solid components with scattered small cysts and heterogeneous enhancement. These findings are not significantly different from conventional adenosarcoma.

The Association between CD14 Polymorphism and Response to Infectious Agents or Heat Shock Protein in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease in Koreans / 감염과화학요법

BACKGROUND: CD14 is the receptor for lipopolysaccharides and heat shock protein (HSP), which has been suggested being associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated whether the response to infectious agents or HSP is different according to CD14 polymorphism in Koreans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antibody titers to Helicobacter pylori, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and human HSP60 (hHSP60) were measured in 48 patients with stable CAD and in 41 healthy controls by ELISA. CD14 genotype was determined by PCR and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was measured. RESULTS: Seropositivity to C. pneumoniae and H. pylori, and antibody titer to hHSP60 were not significantly associated with the presence of CAD. CD14 genotype distribution was 31 TT (35%), 43 CT (48%), and 15 CC (17%). To compare the response to the infectious organism and hHSP60, we divided study population into 3 groups; CAD patients with non-TT genotype (group I, n=30), CAD patients with TT genotype (group II, n=18), and normal controls (group III, n=41). Seropositivity to C. pneumoniae and H. pylori, and antibody titer to hHSP60 were not significantly different among 3 groups. Though hs-CRP level was significantly different among 3 groups, post-Hoc analysis showed that hs-CRP level was not significantly different between group I and group II (group I: 1.6[1.1-3.5] mg/L and group II: 0.35[0.1-2.0] mg/L). Conclusions:This study suggests that the inflammatory responses to infectious organisms and HSP do not differ according to the CD14 genotype in Koreans.

The Association between CD14 Polymorphism and Response to Infectious Agents or Heat Shock Protein in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease in Koreans / 감염과화학요법

BACKGROUND: CD14 is the receptor for lipopolysaccharides and heat shock protein (HSP), which has been suggested being associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). We investigated whether the response to infectious agents or HSP is different according to CD14 polymorphism in Koreans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antibody titers to Helicobacter pylori, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and human HSP60 (hHSP60) were measured in 48 patients with stable CAD and in 41 healthy controls by ELISA. CD14 genotype was determined by PCR and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was measured. RESULTS: Seropositivity to C. pneumoniae and H. pylori, and antibody titer to hHSP60 were not significantly associated with the presence of CAD. CD14 genotype distribution was 31 TT (35%), 43 CT (48%), and 15 CC (17%). To compare the response to the infectious organism and hHSP60, we divided study population into 3 groups; CAD patients with non-TT genotype (group I, n=30), CAD patients with TT genotype (group II, n=18), and normal controls (group III, n=41). Seropositivity to C. pneumoniae and H. pylori, and antibody titer to hHSP60 were not significantly different among 3 groups. Though hs-CRP level was significantly different among 3 groups, post-Hoc analysis showed that hs-CRP level was not significantly different between group I and group II (group I: 1.6[1.1-3.5] mg/L and group II: 0.35[0.1-2.0] mg/L). Conclusions:This study suggests that the inflammatory responses to infectious organisms and HSP do not differ according to the CD14 genotype in Koreans.

Stromelysin Gene Promoter 5A/6A Polymorphism and Risk of Restenosis after Coronary Angioplasty

BACKGROUND: Remodeling of extracellular matrix is one of the main mechanism of restenosis that is the major limitation of percutaneous coronary angioplasty. Stromelysin is one of the matrix metalloproteinase, which catalyze extracellular matrix of the diseased vessels. We studied the effect of 5A/6A stromelysin promotor gene polymorphism on the restenosis after coronary angioplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 64 patients who underwent coronary angioplasty and 6-month follow-up angiogram were enrolled into 4 groups classified by the presence of intracoronary stenting during angioplasty and restenosis in the follow-up angiogram. We analyzed basic clinical data and risk factors for coronary artery disease of all patients. The 5A/6A stromelysin promotor gene polymorphism was analyzed by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products from patient's DNA. RESULTS: We studied clinical data and stromelysin genotype of 51 feasible patients. We found no significant differences of clinical risk factors between the patients with or without restenosis. The allele frequencies of 5A and 6A were 17% and 83% in total study population, 26% and 74% in patient group without restenosis, 6% and 94% in patients with restenosis, respectively. The frequencies of non6A/6A containing 5A allele(5A/5A and 5A/6A) and 6A/6A was 41% and 59% in non-restenotic group and 12.5% and 87.5% in restenotic group. So the relative risk of restenosis for 6A/6A compared to non6A/6A was 4.83(95% CI: 1.15~20.17, p=0.03). CONCLUSION: Our study for stromelysin 5A/6A polymorphism reveals predominance of 6A allele in Korean patients with coronary artery disease. We conclude that 6A/6A homozygote is the possible genetic risk factor for restenosis after percutaneous coronary angioplasty.

eNOS gene polymorphism in patients with acute coronary syndrome or variant angina in Korean / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide, also known as endothelial derived relaxing factor(EDRF), regulates the vascular tone and inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and platelet adhesions and endothelium-leukocyte interactions. Thus, nitric oxide may be involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and vasospasm. We analyzed the genotype distributions of two eNOS gene polymorphisms in normal healthy Koreans and compared it with those in the patients with acute coronary syndrome and variant angina. METHODS: We analyzed the two eNOS polymorphisms (eNOS A/B polymorphism is the variable numbers of tandem repeat in intron 4 and eNOS T/G polymorphism is a mis-sense mutation in exon 7) using PCR and clinical characteristics of the risk factors for coronary artery disease in 142 normal healthy Koreans and 164 patients with acute coronary syndrome and 104 patients with variant angina. RESULTS: The genotype distribution of A/B polymorphism of eNOS gene, A/A, A/B, B/B was 4.9%, 21.1%, 74% in control group and 2.4%, 12.8%, 84.8% in the patients with acute coronary syndrome(p=0.02) and 2.9%, 16.3%, 80.8% in the patients with variant angina(p=NS), respectively. The genotype distribution of T/G polymorphism of eNOS gene, T/T, T/G, G/G was 1.4%, 15.5%, 83.1% in control group and 0.6%, 21.3%, 78.1% in the patients with acute coronary syndrome(p=NS) and 0%, 18.3%,81.7% in the patients with variant angina(p=NS), respectively. The odds ratio for acute coronary syndrome of non B/B(A/A & A/B) to B/B was 0.489 (95% CI : 0.257-0.928). We found that age, sex (male), diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, smoking, B/B genotype were independent risk factors for acute coronary syndrome. But, in variant angina, smoking was the only significant independent risk factor(odds ratio=5.934, 95% CI 2.843-12.388, p< 0.05). CONCLUSION: The B/B genotype frequency of eNOS gene was significantly higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome than in normal controls. But neither A/B nor T/G polymorphism of eNOS gene was associated with variant angina. These results suggest that eNOS gene may play some roles in the pathogenesis of ACS rather than vasospasm.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Endocarditis after Sigmoidoscopy / 감염

We report a case of infective endocarditis after flexible sigmoidoscopy. In addition to persistent bacteremia with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), we found an oscillating intracardiac mass on the tricuspid valve in this patient. The patient had no underlying heart disease or risk factor for the infection due to MRSA. Vancomycin treatment for 42 days was adequate for this case. The pathogen might colonize the patient's rectum and then invade through intestinal mucosa during the endoscopic procedure.

Effect of angiotensin converting enzyme and nitric oxide synthase polymorphisms and the effect of interaction between the polymorphisms on the restensois after coronary angioplasty in Korea / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Intimal hyperplasia and vascular remodeling are major mechanisms of restenosis after coronary artery angioplasty. Angiotensin II causes restenosis by stimulating cell proliferation and vascular constriction and nitric oxide prevents restenosis by inhibiting cell proliferation and stimulating vascular dilatation. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) are the main determinants of the activity of the angiotensin II and the nitric oxide. In this study, we tested whether the genetic polymorphisms of the ACE and the NOS gene are the risk factors of restenosis and whether the effect of the genetic polymorphisms in stent group is different from that in balloon angioplasty group. We also tested whether there are interactions among the polymorphisms. METHODS: We determined ACE I/D polymorphism and NOS A/B and G/T polymorphism in 219patients (77 patients (81 lesions) in stent group and 142 patients (181 lesions) in balloon angioplasty group) who underwent PTCA and follow up coronary angiography in Seoul national university hospital from January 1996 to May 1999. RESULTS: Restenosis (50% of reference diameter) was observed in 78/262(30%) lesions (18/81(22%) lesions in stent group, 60/181(33%) lesions in balloon angioplasty group). ACE DD genotype is the significant risk factor for increment of late luminal loss and loss index in stent group. In stent group, means of the late luminal loss and loss index of the lesions of the DD genotype are 1.12+/-0.61mm and 74.7+/-38.3% and those of the non-DD genotype are 0.72+/-0.77mm and 44.9+/-67.5% but DD genotype is not the risk factor for restenosis after balloon angioplasty. The restenosis rate, late luminal loss and loss index are not significantly different according to NOS polymorphisms. No significant interaction among the polymorphisms is observed. CONCLUSION: ACE DD genotype is a significant risk factor for restenosis after stent insertion but is not a risk factor for restenosis after balloon angioplasty in Korean. This result reflects the different mechanism of restenosis after stent insertion and balloon angioplasty. NOS polymorphisms are not associated with restenosis and no interaction between the polymorphisms is observed.

Clinical Characteristics and Management in Elderly Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia especially in the elderly. Despite the beneficial effect of anticoagulation to prevent disastrous complication of throm-boembolism, anticoagulation is not widely used in patients with atrial fibrillation. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence and clinical characteristics of atrial fibrillation and investigate the current status of anticoagulation in the elderly. METHODS: Through electrocardiographic analysis of 6,138 elderly (> or =65yr) patients from tan. to Dec. 1997, 386 patients with atrial fibrillation was found. Among the 386 patients, 274 patients with available medical records were enrolled for review of clinical findings (associated diseases, risk factor of throm-boembolism, medications) retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean age of population with atrial fibrillation was 72+/-6yr. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation was 6.2% and increased with age (65-69yr: 5.4%, 70-74yr: 6.4%, 75-79yr: 7.5%, 80yr-:9.0%). Atrial fibrillation with valvular hear disease was 27% of patients. Common associated diseases with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation were hypertension (48%), diabetes mellitus (18%), coronary artery disease (25%), congestive heart failure (21%), history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (27%). Anti-coagulation was used in 59% of valvular atrial fibrillation patients without contraindications (prosthetic valve: 100%, native valve: 42%), 24% of nonval-vular atrila fibrillation. Antiplatelet therapy with aspirin was 15%, 30% respectively, Aspirin was used in only 20% of atrial fibrillation patients with contraindication of anticoagulation. CONCLUSION: Atrial fibrillation is prevalent in the elderly. Anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy in atrial fibrillation appears to be less than optimal.

Significance of eNOS Gene Polymorphism for the Prediction of Restenosis after Coronary Angioplasty in Patients with Ischemic Heart Disease

BACKGROUND: The restenosis after coronary angioplasty is the unresolved problem even if the improvement of interventional skills and pharmacological therapies. Nitric oxide, known as endothelial derived relaxing factor (EDRF), regulates the vascular tone and inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and platelet adhesions and endothelium-leukocyte interactions. Nitric oxide is produced by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). We studied the significance of eNOS gene polymorphism for the prediction of restenosis after coronary angioplasty in Koreans with ischemic heart disease. METHODS: We analyzed the two eNOS poly-morphisms using PCR (eNOS A/B polymorphism is the VNTR in intron 4 and eNOS T/G polymorphism is a missense mutation in exon 7) in 199 Korean patients who had 257 lesions undergoing percutaneous coronary angioplasty (ballooning=152, stenting=105). The angiography was repeated 6 months later to assess the relation between the rate of restenosis and types of eNOS gene polymorphism. RESULTS: We found no significant differences of restenosis rate in eNOS A/B and T/G polymorphism in those with balloon angioplasty or with stent (restenosis rate of A/A, A/B, B/B, respectively (n=257): 25% (1/4), 26% (14/53), 31% (62/200) (p=not significant), and T/T, T/G, G/G (n=249): 0% (0/3), 36% (16/44), 29% (58/202)(p=not significant)) Patients with A allele (non BB) or GG phenotype had lower restenosis rate, so we analyzed protective effect of non BB and GG phenotype on restenosis, but there was no significant statistical difference (restenosis rate of non BB and GG, BB and non GG respectively: 20% (15/57), 34% (16/47)(p=not significant)). CONCLUSION: eNOS A/B and T/G polymorphism is not associated with a significantly elevated risk of restenosis after coronary angioplasty.

Partial purification of protein farnesyl cysteine carboxyl methyltransferase from bovine brain

C-terminal farnesyl cysteine carboxyl methylation has been known to be the last step in the post-translational modification processes of several important signal transduction proteins in eukaryotes including ras related GTP binding proteins and the gamma-subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins. Protein farnesyl cysteine carboxyl methyltransferase (PFCCMT; EC, 2.1.1.100) catalyzing the reaction is well characterized as being stimulated by guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) and suppressed by N-acetyl-S-farnesyl-L-cysteine (AFC). As an initial step to understand the physiological significance of the process, we attempted to purify the enzyme, which was partially purified 130-fold (specific activity, 143 pmol of methyl group transferred/min/mg of protein) with yield of 1.8% after purification by fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) on a Superdex 75 column. The enzyme was further purified with non denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (ND-PAGE) and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The molecular weight of PFCCMT was determined to be about 30 kDa based on Superdex 75 FPLC as well as photoaffinity labelling with S-adenosyl-L-[methyl-3H] methionine ([methyl-3H]SAM). The partially purified enzyme (Superdex 75 eluate) was found to be characteristically affected by GTP gamma S, being activated about 40-fold in 2 mM, in contrast to ATP which did not show any effect on enzyme activity. Meanwhile, the enzyme was found to be markedly inhibited by AFC, reaching 0 activity in 2 mM. These observations strongly suggested that the partially purified enzyme was PFCCMT.