Objectives: This study investigates the mediating effects of sleep quality and depression on the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and inhibitory control deficit among psychiatric patients. Methods: A total of 189 psychiatric patients completed questionnaires on PTSD symptom severity by using the Korean version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised; they answered questions on sleep quality based on the Korean version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and answered questions on depression based on the Korean-Beck Depression Inventory-II. They were also tested to measure inhibitory control deficit by using the Stroop Task. Regression analysis and the bootstrap sampling method were conducted for data analyses. Results: The major findings of this study are as follows. First, PTSD symptom severity predicted inhibitory control deficit. Secondly, depression significantly mediated the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and inhibitory control deficit, but did not affect sleep quality. Lastly, the sequential mediating effect of sleep quality and depression was significant in the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and inhibitory control deficit. Conclusion These results suggest that sleep quality and depression should be considered in the pathway from PTSD symptom severity leading to inhibitory control deficit. Therefore, addressing sleep quality and depression in PTSD intervention may help prevent the development of inhibitory control deficit.

Objectives: This study investigates the mediating effects of sleep quality and depression on the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and inhibitory control deficit among psychiatric patients. Methods: A total of 189 psychiatric patients completed questionnaires on PTSD symptom severity by using the Korean version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised; they answered questions on sleep quality based on the Korean version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and answered questions on depression based on the Korean-Beck Depression Inventory-II. They were also tested to measure inhibitory control deficit by using the Stroop Task. Regression analysis and the bootstrap sampling method were conducted for data analyses. Results: The major findings of this study are as follows. First, PTSD symptom severity predicted inhibitory control deficit. Secondly, depression significantly mediated the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and inhibitory control deficit, but did not affect sleep quality. Lastly, the sequential mediating effect of sleep quality and depression was significant in the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and inhibitory control deficit. Conclusion These results suggest that sleep quality and depression should be considered in the pathway from PTSD symptom severity leading to inhibitory control deficit. Therefore, addressing sleep quality and depression in PTSD intervention may help prevent the development of inhibitory control deficit.

Objectives: This study investigates the mediating effects of sleep quality and depression on the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and inhibitory control deficit among psychiatric patients. Methods: A total of 189 psychiatric patients completed questionnaires on PTSD symptom severity by using the Korean version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised; they answered questions on sleep quality based on the Korean version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and answered questions on depression based on the Korean-Beck Depression Inventory-II. They were also tested to measure inhibitory control deficit by using the Stroop Task. Regression analysis and the bootstrap sampling method were conducted for data analyses. Results: The major findings of this study are as follows. First, PTSD symptom severity predicted inhibitory control deficit. Secondly, depression significantly mediated the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and inhibitory control deficit, but did not affect sleep quality. Lastly, the sequential mediating effect of sleep quality and depression was significant in the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and inhibitory control deficit. Conclusion These results suggest that sleep quality and depression should be considered in the pathway from PTSD symptom severity leading to inhibitory control deficit. Therefore, addressing sleep quality and depression in PTSD intervention may help prevent the development of inhibitory control deficit.

Objectives: This study investigates the mediating effects of sleep quality and depression on the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity and inhibitory control deficit among psychiatric patients. Methods: A total of 189 psychiatric patients completed questionnaires on PTSD symptom severity by using the Korean version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised; they answered questions on sleep quality based on the Korean version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and answered questions on depression based on the Korean-Beck Depression Inventory-II. They were also tested to measure inhibitory control deficit by using the Stroop Task. Regression analysis and the bootstrap sampling method were conducted for data analyses. Results: The major findings of this study are as follows. First, PTSD symptom severity predicted inhibitory control deficit. Secondly, depression significantly mediated the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and inhibitory control deficit, but did not affect sleep quality. Lastly, the sequential mediating effect of sleep quality and depression was significant in the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and inhibitory control deficit. Conclusion These results suggest that sleep quality and depression should be considered in the pathway from PTSD symptom severity leading to inhibitory control deficit. Therefore, addressing sleep quality and depression in PTSD intervention may help prevent the development of inhibitory control deficit.

At present, graduates of international pharmacy schools can apply to take the Korean Pharmacist Licensing Examination after passing a review by the Accreditation Board of the Pharmacy Schools and Licenses. However, since the educational content of different schools and the roles of pharmacists differ from country to country, a preliminary examination might be necessary before the Pharmacist Licensing Examination. To prepare to implement a preliminary examination for foreign pharmacy graduates in Korea, we summarized the preliminary examinations used in four other countries and presented a proposal for a preliminary examination. Data were collected via the internet and through telephone interviews with appropriate persons. The proposal was revised after a public forum. There are preliminary examinations in the USA, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, and these involve written, oral, practice, and English proficiency tests. We proposed that the Korean preliminary examination consist of a written test on basic pharmacy, a test in the Korean language, and an interview. The preliminary examination should include suitable items that effectively evaluate international graduates. Graduates of international pharmacy schools who have an ability equivalent to graduates of Korean pharmacy schools should be eligible to write the Korean Licensing Examination.
Accreditation ; Australia ; Canada ; Great Britain ; Humans ; Internet ; Interviews as Topic ; Korea ; Licensure ; Pharmacists ; Pharmacy ; Schools, Pharmacy

The inner ear is composed of a cochlear duct and five vestibular organs in which mechanosensory hair cells play critical roles in receiving and relaying sound and balance signals to the brain. To identify novel genes associated with hair cell differentiation or function, we analyzed an archived gene expression dataset from embryonic mouse inner ear tissues. Since atonal homolog 1a (Atoh1) is a well known factor required for hair cell differentiation, we searched for genes expressed in a similar pattern with Atoh1 during inner ear development. The list from our analysis includes many genes previously reported to be involved in hair cell differentiation such as Myo6, Tecta, Myo7a, Cdh23, Atp6v1b1, and Gfi1. In addition, we identified many other genes that have not been associated with hair cell differentiation, including Tekt2, Spag6, Smpx, Lmod1, Myh7b, Kif9, Ttyh1, Scn11a and Cnga2. We examined expression patterns of some of the newly identified genes using real-time polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. For example, Smpx and Tekt2, which are regulators for cytoskeletal dynamics, were shown specifically expressed in the hair cells, suggesting a possible role in hair cell differentiation or function. Here, by reanalyzing archived genetic profiling data, we identified a list of novel genes possibly involved in hair cell differentiation.
Animals ; Brain ; Cell Differentiation ; Cochlear Duct ; Ear, Inner ; Gene Expression ; Hair ; In Situ Hybridization ; Mice ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

A crude drug “Dang-Gui”, belonging to the genus Angelica, has been used as a traditional herbal medicine in Asia. Various studies have investigated the chemical components and pharmacological activities of Dang-Gui worldwide. However, domestic research results published in Korean are undervalued in international academia due to language barriers. Therefore, it is necessary to summarize the domestic research findings systematically for greater accessibility. This review focuses on the results published in four Korean pharmaceutical journals between 1970 and 2018, which detail the botanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties of three Angelica species (A. gigas, A. sinensis, and A. acutiloba) used as “Dang-Gui” in Korea, China, and Japan.
Angelica ; Angelica sinensis ; Asia ; China ; Communication Barriers ; Herbal Medicine ; Japan ; Korea

Most of the patients with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) by Hantaviruses recover completely. However, the prevalence of hypopituitarism as sequel of HFRS may be approximately 10%. However, it is rare for hyponatremia to present as a manifestation of hypopituitarism due to HFRS. A 42-year-old Asian woman presented with anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. She had a history of HFRS 7 years ago. During her first hospital admission, her serum sodium was 103 mmol/L. The rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test showed no abnormal findings suggesting the possibility of adrenal insufficiency. After she underwent fluid therapy for 5 days, her serum sodium level was slightly increased to 131 mmol/L, and her clinical symptoms were improving. The next day after she was discharged, she suffered from the same symptoms and was admitted to our hospital again. On the day of her second admission, her serum sodium was 117 mmol/L. A combined pituitary function test showed diminished function of the anterior pituitary gland, which led to secondary adrenal insufficiency. Magnetic resonance imaging findings of her sella were compatible with empty sella turcica. After the replacement of prednisolone, her serum sodium levels returned to normal. Pituitary dysfunction should be included in the differential diagnosis of severe hyponatremia, especially in patients who suffered HFRS. This case also suggests that the rapid ACTH stimulation test has limitations with regard to the differential diagnosis of primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency.
Adrenal Insufficiency ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Adult ; Anorexia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Empty Sella Syndrome ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; Hantavirus ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; Humans ; Hyponatremia ; Hypopituitarism ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nausea ; Pituitary Function Tests ; Pituitary Gland, Anterior ; Prednisolone ; Prevalence ; Sodium ; Vomiting

Diospyros burmanica Kurz. is an evergreen deciduous tree distributed in Mandalay of Myanmar, which belongs to the family of Ebenaceae. In Myanmar, it has been used to treat diarrhea, diabetes, diabetes and also as lumbers. In this study, seven flavonoids (1 - 7), a phenolic compound (8), and five triterpenes (9 - 13) were isolated from the barks of D. burmanica and their chemical structures were elucidated. Isolates were identified to be (+)-catechin (1), (+)-catechin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (2), (+)-catechin 3-O-gallate (3), (-)-epicatechin (4), (-)-epicatechin 3-O-gallate (5), (+)-afzelechin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (6), (+)-2,3-trans-dihydrokaempferol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (7), methyl gallate (8), lupeol (9), methyl lup-20(29)-en-3-on-28-oate (10), beta-amyrin (11), alpha-amyrin (12), 3beta-hydroxy-D:B-friedo-olean-5-ene (13) through MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopic evidences.
Catechin ; Diarrhea ; Diospyros* ; Ebenaceae ; Flavonoids ; Humans ; Myanmar ; Phenol* ; Trees ; Triterpenes*

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective and prospective study is to evaluate the efficiency of ultrasound (US) guidance as a method of decreasing the malposition rate of central venous catheterization (CVC) in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 379 patients who underwent landmark-guided CVC (Group A) and prospectively enrolled 411 patients who underwent US-guided CVC (Group B) in the ED of a tertiary hospital. Malposition of the CVC tip is identified when the tip is not located in the superior vena cava (SVC). In Group B, we performed US-guided intravascular guide-wire repositioning and then confirmed the location of the CVC tip with chest radiography when the guide-wire was visible in any three other vessels rather than in the approached vessel. In the case of a guide-wire inserted into the right subclavian vein (SCV), the left SCV and both internal jugular veins (IJV) were referred to as the three other vessels. The two subject groups were compared in terms of the malposition rate using Fisher's exact test (significance = p < 0.05). RESULTS: There were 38 malposition cases out of a total of 790 CVCs. The malposition rates of Groups A and B were 5.5% (21) and 4.1% (17), respectively, and no statistically significant difference in malposition rate between the two groups was found. In Group B, the malposition rate was decreased from 4.1% (17) to 1.2% (5) after the guide-wire was repositioned with US guidance, which led to a statistically significant difference in malposition rate (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The authors concluded that repositioning the guide-wire with US guidance increased correct placement of central venous catheters toward the SVC.
Catheterization, Central Venous* ; Central Venous Catheters* ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Jugular Veins ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Subclavian Vein ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography ; Vena Cava, Superior