Association Analysis between Chromogranin B Genetic Variations and Smooth Pursuit Eye Movement Abnormality in Korean Patients with Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVES: According to previous studies, the Chromogranin B (CHGB) gene could be an important candidate gene for schizophrenia which is located on chromosome 20p12.3. Some studies have linked the polymorphism in CHGB gene with the risk of schizophrenia. Meanwhile, smooth pursuit eye movement (SPEM) abnormality has been regarded as one of the most consistent endophenotype of schizophrenia. In this study, we investigated the association between the polymorphisms in CHGB gene and SPEM abnormality in Korean patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: We measured SPEM function in 24 Korean patients with schizophrenia (16 male, 8 female) and they were divided according to SPEM function into two groups, good and poor SPEM function groups. We also investigated genotypes of polymorphisms in CHGB gene in each group. A logistic regression analysis was performed to find the association between SPEM abnormality and the number of polymorphism. RESULTS: The natural logarithm value of signal/noise ratio (Ln S/N ratio) of good SPEM function group was 4.19 ± 0.19 and that of poor SPEM function group was 3.17 ± 0.65. In total, 15 single nucleotide polymorphisms of CHGB were identified and the genotypes were divided into C/C, C/R, and R/R. Statistical analysis revealed that two genetic variants (rs16991480, rs76791154) were associated with SPEM abnormality in schizophrenia (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations including a small number of samples and lack of functional study, our results suggest that genetic variants of CHGB may be associated with SPEM abnormality and provide useful preliminary information for further study.

No Association between Val108/158Met Polymorphism on Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase(COMT) Gene and Smooth Pursuit Eye Movement(SPEM) Abnormality in Korean Schizophrenia Patients

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association of Val108/158Met polymorphism on catechol-O-methyl transferase(COMT) gene with smooth pursuit eye movement(SPEM) abnormality in Korean schizophrenia patients. METHODS: We measured SPEM in 217 Korean schizophrenia patients(male 116, female 101) and divided them into two groups, one was a good SPEM function group and the other was a poor SPEM function group. Then we analyzed Val108/158Met polymorphism on COMT gene. We compared the differences of genotype and allele distributions of the polymorphism on COMT gene between the two groups. RESULTS: The natural logarithm value of signal/noise ratio(Ln S/N ratio) of the good SPEM function group was 4.39+/-0.33(mean+/-s.d.) and that of poor SPEM function group was 3.17+/-0.71. There were no statistically significant differences of age and male/female ratio between the two groups. There were no significant differences of genotype or allele distributions of the Val108/158Met polymorphism on COMT gene between the two schizophrenic groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that Val108/158Met polymorphism on COMT gene is not related to SPEM function abnormality in schizophrenia.

An Anthropometric Study in Korean Humerus / 체질인류학회지

There were few studies about anatomic characteristics in Korean humerus recently. In addition, there was no comparison between Westerner (European and American) and Korean in anatomic characteristics of humerus. The aims of this paper are therefore to investigate anatomic characteristics in Korean humerus and to compare them with those of Westerner humerus. The seventy-two humerus (male : 66, female : 6) were scanned by computed tomography and three dimensional (3D) models of humerus were then reconstructed from acquired cross-section images. The twenty-one anatomic characteristics of the humerus were analyzed and were measured for each humerus. From the results, humeral head vertical diameter in the present study was generally bigger than that in the previous study (p0.05). Humeral head inclination angle, greater tuberosity lateral offset distance, humeral head height in Korean were generally bigger than those in Westerner (p<0.05). This study may contribute to develop an optimal implants and prostheses for the treatment of humerus fractures of Koran.

Relationship between SNP A and P1763 Polymorphisms on Dystrobrevin Binding Protein 1(DTNBP1) Gene and Smooth Pursuit Eye Movement(SPEM) Abnormality in Korean Schizophrenic Patients

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association of SNP A and P1763 polymorphisms on dystrobrevin binding protein 1(DTNBP1) gene with smooth pursuit eye movement(SPEM) abnormality in Korean schizophrenic patients. METHODS: We measured SPEM function in 217 Korean schizophrenics(male 116, female 101) and divided them into two groups, one is a good SPEM function group and the other is a poor SPEM function group. We then analyzed SNP A polymorphism and P1763 polymorphism on DTNBP1 gene from their DNAs extracted from their blood. We compared the differences of genotype and allele distributions of the two polymorphisms on DTNBP1 gene between the two groups. RESULTS: The Ln S/N ratio(mean+/-SD) of the good SPEM function group was 4.39+/-0.33 and the ratio of poor SPEM function group was 3.17+/-0.71. There were no statistically significant differences of age and male/female ratio between the two groups. There were no significant differences of genotype or allele distributions of the SNP A polymorphism and P1763 polymorphism on DTNBP1 gene between the two schizophrenic groups divided by SPEM function. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that SNP A polymorphism and P1763 polymorphism on DTNBP1 gene might not be related to SPEM function abnormality in schizophrenia.

Association Analysis between P1635 and P1655 Polymorphisms on Dystrobrevin Binding Protein 1(DTNBP1) Gene and Smooth Pursuit Eye Movement(SPEM) Abnormality in Korean Schizophrenia Patients / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association of P1635 and P1655 polymorphisms on dystrobrevin binding protein 1 (DTNBP1) gene with smooth pursuit eye movement (SPEM) abnormality in Korean schizophrenia patients. METHODS: We measured SPEM function in 216 Korean schizophrenia patients (male 116, female 100) and divided them into two groups, one is a good SPEM function group and the other is a poor SPEM function group. We then analyzed P1635 polymorphism and P1655 polymorphism on DTNBP1 gene from their DNAs extracted from their blood. We compared the differences of genotype and allele distributions of the two polymorphisms on DTNBP1 gene between the two groups. RESULTS: The Ln S/N ratio (mean+/-sd) of the good SPEM function group was 4.39+/-0.33 and the ratio of poor SPEM function group was 3.18+/-0.71. There were no statistically significant differences of age and male/female ratio between the two groups. There were no significant differences of genotype or allele distributions of the P1635 polymorphism and P1655 polymorphism on DTNBP1 gene between the two schizophrenia groups divided by SPEM function. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that P1635 polymorphism and P1655 polymorphism on DTNBP1 gene might not be related to SPEM function abnormality in schizophrenia.

Usefulness of Perfusion MR Imaging in Hyperacute Ischemic Stroke

PURPOSE: Perfusion MR imaging is a new technique for the assessment of acute ischemic stroke. The aim of thisstudy was to evaluate the usefulness of this imaging in hyperacute ischemic stroke in comparison with conventionalCT and MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients presenting the symptoms of acute ischemic stroke due tomiddle cerebral artery occlusion were included in this study. Within 2 hours of initial CT scan and 6 hours afterthe onset of stroke, perfusion MR imaging was performed in all patients using a single-section dynamiccontrast-enhanced T2*-weighted imager in conjunction with conventional routine MR imaging and MR angiography.Cerebral blood volume (CBV) maps were then obtained from dynamic MR imaging data by using numerical integrationtechniques. The findings of CBV maps were compared with those of initial and follow-up CT or MR images. RESULTS: The findings of CBV maps were obviously abnormal in all patients, as compared with normal or focal subtle abnormalfindings seen on initial CT and MR images. CBV in the occluded arterial territory was lower in all eight patients;two had focal regions of increased CBV within the affected territory, indicating reperfusion hyperemia. In allpatients, regions of abnormal CBV were eventually converted to infarctions on follow-up images. CONCLUSION: Perfusion MR imaging was useful for the evaluation of hemodynamic change occurring during cerebral perfusion inhyperacute ischemic stroke, and prediction of the final extent of infarction. These results suggest that perfusionMR imaging can play an important role in the diagnosis and management of hyperacute ischemic stroke.

Development of a System for Functional Mapping of the Human Brain Using 1.5-Tesla Magnet, and Its Applications

Functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) is a promising new imaging technique for functional mapping of cerebral cortex activation ; adequate image post-processing software is not readily available, however, we recently developed such a system based on the use of a personal computer, and evaluated its usefulness. With the cooperation of ten normal volunteers, 24 motor and five visual fMRIs activated by hand movement and photic stimulation, respectively, were performed on a 1.5-T MR unit using the gradient-echo technique(TR/TE/flip angle : 80/60/40degrees, 64X128 matrix). Functional maps were created by image post-processing, which consisted of subtraction, noise elimination by a statistical method, and coloration and overlapping of the images in sequence. All functional maps were successfully obtained. Twenty-four motor activation signals were detected in the sulci around the precentral gyrus, and five visual activation signals in the occipital lobes around the calcarine fissure. The image post-processing system developed in this study was useful for obtaining functional maps of human cerebral cortex activation. In conjunction with this system, fMRI can be successfully performed using a widely available 1.5-T MR unit.

Functional Imaging Study of the Human Cerebral Cortex Activation on 1.5-T MR

PURPOSE: Adequate image post-processing software, essential for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)of cerebral cortex activation, is not readily available; this study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of a homemade post-processing system for fMRI and to investigate the physiologic and anatomic sources of activation signals infMRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty nine fMRIs of motor and visual cortices activated by hand movement and photic stimulation were performed using the GRE technique (TR/TE/flip angle : 80/60/40 degrees, 64x128 matrix) in 10 normal volunteers. By using post-processing software, final functional maps were subsequently obtained. In order to investigate physiologic and anatomic sources of activation signals, fMRIs of motor cortices were repeated with different echo times, flip angles and presaturation of adjacent sections. Activation signals were compared tocortical veins on MR venograms. RESULTS: All fMRIs were successfully performed and those activation signals were detected in regions well known as motor and visual cortices. Mean percentage changes of signal intensities (PCSIs)of activation signals at echo times of 15, 30, and 60 msec were 2.9%, 3.5%, and 12.5%, respectively (p < 0.01).Mean PCSIs of activation signals with 40 degreesnd 10 degreeslip angles were 11.1% and 6.6% (p < 0.01), and those of activation signals without and with presaturation of the adjacent sections were 8.9% and 5.2% (p < 0.01). The shape and location of activation signals corresponded well with those of cortical veins. CONCLUSION: The imagepost-processing system developed in this study is a useful method for fMRI of cerebral cortex activation. Both BOLD (blood oxygen level-dependent) and inflow effects contribute to the physiologic source of activation signals, and the cortical veins draining activated cortex are the main anatomic source of activation signals.

Computerized Anesthestic Record System / 대한마취과학회지

When difficulties occur during anesthesia and the management of intensive care patients, there may not be sufficient time for frequent, accurate and detailed recordings which are essential for medico-legal purposes and the retrieval of information. However, it is during such occasions that the collection of an accurate, detailed record may be nearly impossible. A system, bases on the 16bits microcomputer linked to a Datascope 2000, has been developed to collect cardiovascular data on line from a cardiovascular monitor. The computer can be operated by using the main anesthetic record program written in a C language which enables the interrupt facility in the microcomputer and interface card to detect and store data transmitted from the Datascope. Patient's details are entered by manipulating function keys on the keybord. All information is stored on a disc for subsequent analysis. A formed graph and text can be displayed on the screen. The graph and all the information entered can be printed out at the end of the operation to form a complete anesthetic record.