A recent study has demonstrated the possible involvement of a leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S) gene polymorphism in ASA-intolerant asthma (AIA) in a Polish population, whereas no significant association was noted in other populations. To investigate the role of genetic polymorphism in AIA development, we screened single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the key enzymes involved in arachidonate metabolism, and the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CYSLTR1) in a large Korean population with AIA: 93 AIA and 181 ASA-tolerant asthma (ATA) patients, and 123 normal controls. The single-base extension method was used to genotype SNPs in 5-lipoxygenase (ALOX5, -1708G→A, 21C→T, 270G→A, 1728G→A), ALOX5-activating protein (ALOX5AP, 218A→G), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2, COX2, -162C→G, 10T→G, R228H, V511A), LTC4S (-444A→C), and CYSLTR1 (927T→C). Haplotype analyses were undertaken for the SNPs in ALOX5. No significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies of single SNPs were observed between the patient groups (P>0.05). However, the frequency of the ALOX5-ht1 [G-C-G-A] haplotype in the AIA group was significantly higher than its frequency in the ATA group with a probability (P) of 0.01, odds ratio (OR) of 5.0, and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of 1.54-17.9, and in the normal controls (P=0.03, OR=4.5, 95%CI=1.1-18.4), by using a dominant model. These results suggest a lack of association between the ALOX5AP, PTGS2, LTC4S, and CYSLTR1 gene polymorphisms and the AIA phenotype in the Korean population. However, the possible involvement of ALOX5-ht1 [G-C-G-A] in AIA development is suggested.

SummaryBackground Nasal polyps infiltrated with eosinophils are commonly found in chronic asthmatic patients, more frequently in those with aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA) than aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA). Some studies have suggested a contribution of superantigens derived from Staphylococcus sp to nasal polyposis and eosinophilia, but their relative importance in AIA and ATA subjects is unknown. Objective We investigated whether local production of specific IgE to staphylococcal enterotoxins A and B (SEA and SEB) and relationships with markers of eosinophilic inflammation differ in the nasal polyps of AIA and ATA subjects. Methods Fifteen AIA subjects with positive responses to lysine-aspirin bronchoprovocation and 15 ATA subjects underwent polypectomy. Immunoassays were used to quantify eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), IL-5, mast cell tryptase, soluble IL-2 recepters (sIL-2R), total IgE, and specific IgE for SEA and SEB. Results ECP levels in nasal polyp homogenates were higher in AIA subjects than in ATA subjects (Po0.02), with no significant differences in tryptase, IL-5 or sIL-2R. Total IgE, and specific IgE to both SEA and SEB, were detectable in some nasal polyps from both subject groups, but median levels were markedly higher in AIA subjects than in ATA subjects (P 5 0.04, 0.01, 0.05, respectively). Levels of specific IgE to SEA and SEB correlated significantly with levels of ECP and IL-5, but not those of tryptase or sIL-2R. Conclusion These findings suggest that staphylococcal superantigens may drive local eosinophilic inflammation in nasal polyp tissue, and that this is exacerbated in subjects with AIA.

No abstract

No abstract

This study investigates the relationship between purpose and meaning in life and job satisfaction among the aged. This issue is quite timely since there has been an increase in the employment rate of senior citizens in Asian countries due to the insufficient working-age population. We survey 228 seniors who are older than 55 years in South Korea. Our results suggest that purpose and meaning in life are highly associated with overall job satisfaction among the aged. We also find that vocation mediates the relationship between purpose and meaning in life and job satisfaction.

With an increasing focus on health in contemporary society, interest in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases has grown rapidly. Accordingly, the demand for biosensors for the early diagnosis of disease is increasing. However, the measurement range of existing electrochemical sensors is relatively high, which is not suitable for early disease diagnosis, requiring the detection of small amounts of biocomponents. Various attempts have been made to overcome this and amplify the signal, including binding with various labeling molecules, such as DNA, enzymes, nanoparticles, and carbon materials. Efforts are also being made to increase the sensitivity of electrochemical sensors, and the combination of nanomaterials, materials, and biotechnology offers the potential to increase sensitivity in a variety of ways. Recent studies suggest that electrochemical sensors can be a powerful tool in providing comprehensive insights into the targeting and detection of disease-associated biomarkers. Significant advances in nanomaterial and biomolecule approaches for improved sensitivity have resulted in the development of electrochemical biosensors capable of detecting multiple biomarkers in real time in clinically relevant samples. In this review, we have discussed the recent studies on electrochemical sensors for detection of diseases such as diabetes, degenerative diseases, and cancer. Further, we have highlighted new technologies to improve sensitivity using various materials, including DNA, enzymes, nanoparticles, and carbon materials.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2009 in Richmond, Virginia, USA, July 26 – July 30, 2009

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (DI) secondary to chronic urinary tract obstruction is a rare disease. The exact cause is unknown but it is likely that increased collecting duct pressures cause damage to the tubular epithelium, resulting in insensitivity to the action of arginine-vasopressin (AVP). A 77-year-old man complaining of polyuria and polydipsia was treated with alpha glucosidase inhibitor under the impression of polyuria due to diabetes mellitus. But his symptoms did not improve. Water deprivation and AVP administration study revealed that the patient had nephrogenic DI. Urinary tract obstruction due to an enlarged prostate was suggested as a principal cause of nephrogenic DI. The patient underwent transurethral resection of the prostate and bilateral subcapsular orchiectomy. After surgery, the urine osmolarity was normalized and the patient became symptom-free. We report a case of nephrogenic DI due to obstructive uropathy which was cured by surgery eliminating obstruction.