Distinct Ultradian Rhythms in Plasma Clusterin Concentrations in Lean and Obese Korean Subjects.

Background: Blood levels of many hormones show rhythmic fluctuations with variable duration of cycles. Clusterin/apolipoprotein J is a glycoprotein which is highly expressed in the plasma and has modulatory roles in immune and inflammatory reactions, neurobiology, lipid metabolism, and leptin signaling. In this study, we examined the diurnal fluctuations of plasma clusterin concentrations in lean and obese young men.

Meal-related oscillations in the serum serotonin levels in healthy young men.

Context: Serotonin acts as a neurotransmitter in the central and enteric nervous systems, modulating psychological, metabolic and gastrointestinal functions. Serotonin is also found in the serum or plasma, indicating its potential role as a hormone.

Objective: We aimed to assess the 24-hour diurnal profile of serum serotonin in relation to meal ingestion in healthy adult men.

Independent associations of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone concentrations with blood pressure among Koreans: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2009-2010.

Although lower vitamin D and higher parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations have been associated with hypertension, their independent contribution to blood pressure (BP) is unclear. The independent associations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and PTH levels with BP were therefore investigated. This is a population-based cross-sectional study from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, which includes a total of 4,513 participants (2,019 men and 2,494 women) aged ≥ 50 years.

Prevalence of angiographically defined obstructive coronary artery disease in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes according to the coronary calcium score.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether the absence of coronary artery calcium (CAC) can safely exclude obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: We enrolled 478 consecutive asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes who visited the diabetes clinic of the Asan Medical Center between October 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. All patients underwent 64-slice dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) for CAC scoring as well as computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Effects of alpha-lipoic Acid on body weight in obese subjects.

Purpose: alpha-lipoic acid is an essential cofactor for mitochondrial respiratory enzymes that improves mitochondrial function. We previously reported that alpha-lipoic acid markedly reduced body weight gain in rodents. The purpose of this study was to determine whether alpha-lipoic acid reduces body weight in obese human subjects.

Circadian rhythm of serum vaspin in healthy male volunteers: relation to meals.

Context: Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) is a novel adipokine with insulin-sensitizing effects. However, the physiological role for vaspin in human metabolic regulation remains to be established.

Objective: We studied the 24-h profiles of circulating vaspin concentrations in relation to meal ingestion in normal adults.

A case of anaphylaxis to chlorhexidine during digital rectal examination.

Chlorhexidine is widely used as an antiseptic and disinfectant in medical and nonmedical environments. Although the sensitization rate seems to be low, its ubiquitous use raises the possibility of sensitization in many patients and medical care workers. We describe a patient with anaphylaxis during digital rectal examination with chlorhexidine jelly.

The prognostic factors of pancreatic cancer can be different according to clinical stages.

Background/aims: The prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer remains very poor. Although many studies have evaluated the prognostic factors of pancreatic cancer, their results are inconclusive because of different inclusion criteria, tumor stages, and treatment modalities. This large scale retrospective analysis was performed to assess whether active treatment of pancreatic cancer, even in its advanced stage, could improve patients' survival.