1.White Matter Microstructure Alterations in Schizophrenia With Auditory Verbal Hallucination: Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study
MyungJe SUNG ; Jina JUNG ; KiWon SONG ; Takjong JUNG ; Hae Kook LEE
Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 2024;63(1):76-82
Objectives:
To compare the white matter microstructure alterations in schizophrenia with auditory verbal hallucinations (AVHs) with normal persons using diffusion tensor imaging.
Methods:
Thirty-five schizophrenia patients with AVHs and 33 normal control persons were recruited from the National Forensic Hospital in Korea. The fractional anisotropy (FA) values of arcuate fasciculus (AF), Broca’s area, and Wernicke’s area were estimated from the diffusion tensor imaging data of each subject using the Johns Hopkins University-white matter tractography atlas to determine the difference in white matter integrity between schizophrenia patients with AVH and normal persons.
Results:
Compared to the normal control group, the FA values of AF (t=4.349, p<0.001) were higher in the normal control group. On the other hand, there were no significant differences in Broca’s area and Wernicke’s area.
Conclusion
Microstructural changes of AF are certainly involved in schizophrenia patients with AVHs.
2.A Higher Salt Intake Leads to a Lower Rate of Adequate Blood Pressure Control.
Jeonghwan LEE ; Hajeong LEE ; Kiwon KIM ; Jung Hwan PARK ; Suhnggwon KIM ; Jieun OH
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2014;29(Suppl 2):S103-S108
The relationship between salt intake and adequate blood pressure control is not well investigated in Korea populations, especially in patients with cardiovascular disease. This cross-sectional study enrolled 19,083 subjects who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2009-2011. The amount of salt intake was estimated using the Tanaka equations based on spot urine samples. Comparing patients with and without cardiovascular disease, systolic blood pressure (129.1+/-18.1 mmHg vs. 120.0+/-18.1 mmHg, P<0.001) and the amount of urinary sodium excretion (149.4+/-37.5 mM/day vs. 144.1+/-36.2 mM/day, P<0.001) were higher in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Among patients with cardiovascular disease, the high blood pressure group showed an increased amount of urinary sodium excretion compared to the normal blood pressure group (155.5+/-38.2 vs. 146.6+/-36.9 mM/day, P<0.001). The odds ratio (OR) of high blood pressure was higher (OR, 1.825; 95% CI, 1.187-2.807; P-for-trend 0.003, highest quartile of urinary sodium excretion vs. lowest quartile) in patients with cardiovascular disease. A higher amount of urinary sodium excretion was associated with a lower rate of adequate blood pressure control in Korean population, especially with cardiovascular disease.
Adult
;
Aged
;
Algorithms
;
Blood Pressure/*physiology
;
Cardiovascular Diseases/complications/*pathology
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Demography
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Hypertension/complications
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Nutrition Surveys
;
Odds Ratio
;
Sodium, Dietary/*urine
3.Challenges and Limitations of Strategies to Promote Therapeutic Potential of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Cell-Based Cardiac Repair
Thi Van ANH BUI ; Ji-Won HWANG ; Jung-Hoon LEE ; Hun-Jun PARK ; Kiwon BAN
Korean Circulation Journal 2021;51(2):97-113
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a population of adult stem cells residing in many tissues, mainly bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord. Due to the safety and availability of standard procedures and protocols for isolation, culturing, and characterization of these cells, MSCs have emerged as one of the most promising sources for cell-based cardiac regenerative therapy. Once transplanted into a damaged heart, MSCs release paracrine factors that nurture the injured area, prevent further adverse cardiac remodeling, and mediate tissue repair along with vasculature. Numerous preclinical studies applying MSCs have provided significant benefits following myocardial infarction. Despite promising results from preclinical studies using animal models, MSCs are not up to the mark for human clinical trials. As a result, various approaches have been considered to promote the therapeutic potency of MSCs, such as genetic engineering, physical treatments, growth factor, and pharmacological agents. Each strategy has targeted one or multi-potentials of MSCs. In this review, we will describe diverse approaches that have been developed to promote the therapeutic potential of MSCs for cardiac regenerative therapy. Particularly, we will discuss major characteristics of individual strategy to enhance therapeutic efficacy of MSCs including scientific principles, advantages, limitations, and improving factors. This article also will briefly introduce recent novel approaches that MSCs enhanced therapeutic potentials of other cells for cardiac repair.
4.A Study on Complementary Policy to Enhance the Effectiveness of National Dementia Policy in Terms of Medical Services
Su Jeong SEONG ; Kang Joon LEE ; Woo Jung KIM ; Kiwon KIM ; Dong Woo LEE
Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 2021;60(4):396-405
Objectives:
South Korea has established four national dementia plans (NDPs). However, there have been few policy studies focusing on health services to improve the effectiveness of the NDPs. This study aimed to develop measures to raise the efficacy of medical care in NDP.
Methods:
We classified the implementation policies of the 3rd NDP and the national dementia initiative according to the key objectives of the dementia policy of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. After investigating the progress, complementary policies were developed by reviewing the existing policy literature and exemplary cases in developed countries.
Results:
The Community Dementia Reassurance Center should provide integrated services. To promote early screening, private medical services should be engaged. To provide post-diagnostic support, we propose a “Dementia Intensive Support Team” in hospitals. To care for severe cases of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), an “Intensive Care Unit for BPSD” is needed. It would be more effective for the various functions of the “Dementia Reassurance Hospital” to be implemented by various private medical institutions, rather than for all the functions to be implemented only by public long-term care hospitals.
Conclusion
Rather than carrying out all projects in the public domain, active use of private resources will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the NDP.
5.Challenges and Limitations of Strategies to Promote Therapeutic Potential of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Cell-Based Cardiac Repair
Thi Van ANH BUI ; Ji-Won HWANG ; Jung-Hoon LEE ; Hun-Jun PARK ; Kiwon BAN
Korean Circulation Journal 2021;51(2):97-113
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a population of adult stem cells residing in many tissues, mainly bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord. Due to the safety and availability of standard procedures and protocols for isolation, culturing, and characterization of these cells, MSCs have emerged as one of the most promising sources for cell-based cardiac regenerative therapy. Once transplanted into a damaged heart, MSCs release paracrine factors that nurture the injured area, prevent further adverse cardiac remodeling, and mediate tissue repair along with vasculature. Numerous preclinical studies applying MSCs have provided significant benefits following myocardial infarction. Despite promising results from preclinical studies using animal models, MSCs are not up to the mark for human clinical trials. As a result, various approaches have been considered to promote the therapeutic potency of MSCs, such as genetic engineering, physical treatments, growth factor, and pharmacological agents. Each strategy has targeted one or multi-potentials of MSCs. In this review, we will describe diverse approaches that have been developed to promote the therapeutic potential of MSCs for cardiac regenerative therapy. Particularly, we will discuss major characteristics of individual strategy to enhance therapeutic efficacy of MSCs including scientific principles, advantages, limitations, and improving factors. This article also will briefly introduce recent novel approaches that MSCs enhanced therapeutic potentials of other cells for cardiac repair.
6.Rapid Identification of Methylglyoxal Trapping Constituents from Onion Peels by Pre-column Incubation Method.
Ji Hoon KIM ; Myeong Il KIM ; Ahmed Shah SYED ; Kiwon JUNG ; Chul Young KIM
Natural Product Sciences 2017;23(4):247-252
The methylglyoxal (MGO) trapping constituents from onion (Allium cepa L.) peels were investigated using pre-column incubation of MGO and crude extract followed by HPLC analysis. The peak areas of MGO trapping compounds decreased, and their chemical structures were identified by HPLC-ESI/MS. Among major constituents in outer scale of onion, 2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-2,4,6-trihydroxy-3(2H)-benzofuranone (2) was more effective MGO scavenger than quercetin (6) and its 4′-glucoside, spiraeoside (3). After 1 h incubation, compound 2 trapped over 90% MGO at a concentration of 0.5 mM under physiological conditions, but compounds 3 and 6 scavenged 45%, 16% MGO, respectively. HPLC-ESI/MS showed that compound 2 trapped two molecules of MGO to form a di-MGO adduct and compounds 3 and 6 captured one molecule of MGO to form mono-MGO adducts, and the positions 6 and 8 of the A ring of flavonoids were major active sites for trapping MGO.
Catalytic Domain
;
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
;
Flavonoids
;
Methods*
;
Onions*
;
Pyruvaldehyde*
;
Quercetin
7.Agoraphobia and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Levels between Tamoxifen and Goserelin versus Tamoxifen Alone in Premenopausal Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer: A 12-Month Prospective Randomized Study.
Jung Yoon HEO ; Hawoo YI ; Maurizio FAVA ; David MISCHOULON ; Kiwon KIM ; Sechang YOON ; Hong Jin JEON ; Jeong Eon LEE
Psychiatry Investigation 2017;14(4):491-498
OBJECTIVE: Tamoxifen is an estrogen receptor antagonist used to prevent recurrence of breast cancer, which may provoke depression and anxiety and increase follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to patients. We compared anxiety and depression symptoms and FSH levels who received conventional tamoxifen alone and combination treatment of goserelin, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, with tamoxifen. METHODS: Sixty-four premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer were included and were assigned randomly to receive either tamoxifen and goserelin combination or tamoxifen alone for 12 months. The participants were evaluated blindly using the Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scale, the Beck Depression Rating Scale, and the Albany Panic and Phobia Questionnaire (APPQ). Blood FSH levels were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: A significant time×group difference was detected in the agoraphobia trends subscale of the APPQ and in FSH levels. The combination group showed significantly less increases in agoraphobia subscale of APPQ and greater decreases in FSH level than those in the tamoxifen-alone group from baseline to 12 months of treatment. No significant differences for age, tumor grade, body mass index, or family history were found at baseline between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the combination treatment of tamoxifen and goserelin resulted in less agoraphobia than tamoxifen alone in premenopausal women with breast cancer, which may associated with FSH suppression of goserelin.
Agoraphobia*
;
Anxiety
;
Body Mass Index
;
Breast Neoplasms*
;
Breast*
;
Depression
;
Estrogens
;
Female
;
Follicle Stimulating Hormone*
;
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
;
Goserelin*
;
Humans
;
Panic
;
Phobic Disorders
;
Prospective Studies*
;
Recurrence
;
Tamoxifen*
8.Coptis chinensis Extract Inhibits the Production of Inflammatory Mediators and Delayed Type Hypersensitivity in Mice.
Yeon Ah LEE ; Seung Jae HONG ; Sang Hoon LEE ; Kyoung Soo KIM ; Eun Kyung PARK ; Kiwon JUNG ; Chung Soo HAN ; Myung Chul YOO ; Hyung In YANG
Immune Network 2008;8(1):13-20
BACKGROUND: Coptis chinensis rhizome has been used as a medicinal herb in traditional Oriental medicine. We investigated the effects of Coptis chinensis extract on inflammatory mediators and delayed type hypersensitivity in mice. METHODS: The inhibitory effect of ethanolic extract of Coptis chinensis (CCE) on cell proliferation was evaluated using MTS assay. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and the Con A-activated mouse splenocytes were cultured with various concentrations of CCE. Total nitric oxide (NO) production was determined by Griess reaction. The amounts of secreted prostaglandine E2 (PGE(2)), interleukin (IL)-2 and IFN-gamma were measured by ELISA. To investigate the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of CCE, oxazolone-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) model was used. RESULTS: The CCE at 100 microgram/ml significantly blocked the LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO and PGE) in RAW264.7 macrophages. Also, it significantly inhibited cell proliferation and cytokine (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) production in splenocytes. Furthermore, when splenocytes from CCE fed mice (200 mg/kg for 2 weeks) were activated with Con A, cell proliferation and cytokine production were significantly inhibited. In addition, CCE decreased in vivo inflammation in oxazolone-induced DTH model mice. CONCLUSION: We suggest that Coptis chinensis can be used as an anti-inflammatory drug by exerting an inhibitory effect in inflammatory mediator- and cell-mediated inflammation.
Animals
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Coptis
;
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
;
Ethanol
;
Hypersensitivity
;
Inflammation
;
Interleukins
;
Macrophages
;
Medicine, East Asian Traditional
;
Mice
;
Nitric Oxide
;
Plants, Medicinal
;
Rhizome
9.Coptis chinensis Extract Inhibits the Production of Inflammatory Mediators and Delayed Type Hypersensitivity in Mice.
Yeon Ah LEE ; Seung Jae HONG ; Sang Hoon LEE ; Kyoung Soo KIM ; Eun Kyung PARK ; Kiwon JUNG ; Chung Soo HAN ; Myung Chul YOO ; Hyung In YANG
Immune Network 2008;8(1):13-20
BACKGROUND: Coptis chinensis rhizome has been used as a medicinal herb in traditional Oriental medicine. We investigated the effects of Coptis chinensis extract on inflammatory mediators and delayed type hypersensitivity in mice. METHODS: The inhibitory effect of ethanolic extract of Coptis chinensis (CCE) on cell proliferation was evaluated using MTS assay. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and the Con A-activated mouse splenocytes were cultured with various concentrations of CCE. Total nitric oxide (NO) production was determined by Griess reaction. The amounts of secreted prostaglandine E2 (PGE(2)), interleukin (IL)-2 and IFN-gamma were measured by ELISA. To investigate the in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of CCE, oxazolone-induced delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) model was used. RESULTS: The CCE at 100 microgram/ml significantly blocked the LPS-induced production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO and PGE) in RAW264.7 macrophages. Also, it significantly inhibited cell proliferation and cytokine (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) production in splenocytes. Furthermore, when splenocytes from CCE fed mice (200 mg/kg for 2 weeks) were activated with Con A, cell proliferation and cytokine production were significantly inhibited. In addition, CCE decreased in vivo inflammation in oxazolone-induced DTH model mice. CONCLUSION: We suggest that Coptis chinensis can be used as an anti-inflammatory drug by exerting an inhibitory effect in inflammatory mediator- and cell-mediated inflammation.
Animals
;
Cell Proliferation
;
Coptis
;
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
;
Ethanol
;
Hypersensitivity
;
Inflammation
;
Interleukins
;
Macrophages
;
Medicine, East Asian Traditional
;
Mice
;
Nitric Oxide
;
Plants, Medicinal
;
Rhizome
10.Elevated Blood Urea Nitrogen/Creatinine Ratio Is Associated with Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.
Hoon KIM ; Kiwon LEE ; Huimahn A CHOI ; Sophie SAMUEL ; Jung Hyn PARK ; Kwang Wook JO
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society 2017;60(6):620-626
OBJECTIVE: Although venous thromboembolism (VTE) is frequently related to dehydration, the impact of dehydration on VTE in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is not clear. This study investigated whether dehydration, as measured by blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine (Cr) ratio, influences the occurrence of VTE in patients with AIS. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients with AIS between January 2012 and December 2013. Patients with newly diagnosed AIS who experienced prolonged hospitalization for at least 4 weeks were included in this study. RESULTS: Of 182 patients included in this study, 17 (9.3%) suffered VTE during the follow-up period; in two cases, VTE was accompanied by deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Patients with VTE were more frequently female and had higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, more lower limb weakness, and elevated blood urea nitrogen BUN/Cr ratio on admission. In a multivariate analysis, BUN/Cr ratio >15 (odds ratio [OR] 8.75) and severe lower limb weakness (OR 4.38) were independent risk factors for VTE. CONCLUSION: Dehydration on admission in cases of AIS might be a significant independent risk factor for VTE.
Blood Urea Nitrogen
;
Cerebral Infarction
;
Creatinine
;
Dehydration
;
Female
;
Follow-Up Studies
;
Hospitalization
;
Humans
;
Lower Extremity
;
Multivariate Analysis
;
National Institutes of Health (U.S.)
;
Pulmonary Embolism
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Risk Factors
;
Stroke*
;
Urea*
;
Venous Thromboembolism*
;
Venous Thrombosis