The aim of this study was to investigate HFE gene mutations, blood iron indices, and their clinical correlates in a Korean population. In 484 prospectively enrolled health-check examinees, HFE gene mutations and iron indices with clinical and laboratory variables were analyzed. Although neither the C282Y nor S65C gene mutation were found, the H63D heterozygote was detected in 41 subjects (8.5%). The mean serum ferritin and transferrin saturation (TS) were 136.2 +/- 129.8 microg/dl and 39.2 +/- 15.7%, respectively. The H63D genotype was not significantly associated with iron indices. High serum ferritin was associated with old age, the male gender, high body mass index (BMI), and the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). High TS was associated with the male gender and alcohol drinking. HFE gene mutation is rare; however, TS seems to be higher in Koreans compared to Caucasians or other ethnic groups. Serum ferritin reflects iron store as well as the presence of NAFLD.

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A simple, sensitive and selective determination method of oxalate has been investigated based on the fluorescence enhancement of Eu 3+ -TTA complex due to the formation of Eu 3+ -TTA-oxalate ternary complex. An emission peak of Eu 3+ -TTA, which is increased linearly with addition of oxalate, occurs at 610 nm in aqueous solution with excitation at 306 nm. The linear range of the calibration curve is 1 × 10 −6 -8 × 10 −6 M and the detection limit is 1 × 10 −6 M. The effects of foreign ions were studied. The present method was applied to determine oxalate of two synthetic samples.