OBJECTIVES: Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) plays a primary role in coordinating the neuroendocrine, autonomic, immune and behavioral responses to stress. CRF exerts its action through two major receptors, corticotropin-releasing factor 1 Receptor (CRF-R1) and corticotropin-releasing factor 2 receptor (CRF-R2). Using two types of chronic stress models, we investigated the changes of CRF-R1 mRNA and CRF-R2A mRNA expressions and CRF mRNA in the stress related brain circuit areas. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to either immobilization stress or variable intermittent unpredictable stress for 10 days and then in situ hybridization histochemistry was used to quantify CRF expression in the brain. RESULTS: 1) CRF1 receptor mRNA expressions were decreased in bed nucleus stria terminalis (BNST) following stressors. 2) CRF2A receptor mRNA expressions were increased in lateral septum following stressors. 3) CRF mRNA expressions were increased in central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) and BNST. CONCLUSION: The increased CRF mRNA of CeA and BNST may be related with anxiety response in the repeated stress. Down-regulation of CRF-R1 mRNA expression in BNST may represent a compensatory adaptation to chronic stress and may be involved in the anxiety response, whereas up-regulation of CRF-R2A mRNA expression in lateral septum may represent an anxiety response or impaired learning but the functional meaning is uncertain.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone* ; Amygdala ; Anxiety ; Brain ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Immobilization ; In Situ Hybridization ; Learning ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; RNA, Messenger ; Up-Regulation

Human nutrient intake is closely related to the conditions of their workplace.

Long working hours are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, yet the underlying mechanism(s) remain unclear. The study examines how occupational factors like working hours, shift work, and employment status correlate with dietary choices and sodium intake, impacting hypertension risk.

Human nutrient intake is closely related to the conditions of their workplace.

Long working hours are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, yet the underlying mechanism(s) remain unclear. The study examines how occupational factors like working hours, shift work, and employment status correlate with dietary choices and sodium intake, impacting hypertension risk.

Human nutrient intake is closely related to the conditions of their workplace.

Long working hours are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, yet the underlying mechanism(s) remain unclear. The study examines how occupational factors like working hours, shift work, and employment status correlate with dietary choices and sodium intake, impacting hypertension risk.

Electroconvulsive shock (ECS) induces not only an antidepressant effect but also adverse effects such as amnesia. One potential mechanism underlying both the antidepressant and amnesia effect of ECS may involve the regulation of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) 6 (5-HT6) receptor, but less is known about the effects of acute ECS on the changes in 5-HT6 receptor expression in the hippocampus. In addition, as regulation of 5-HT receptor expression is influenced by the number of ECS treatment and by interval between ECS treatment and sacrifice, it is probable that magnitude and time-dependent changes in 5-HT6 receptor expression could be influenced by repeated ECS exposure. To explore this possibility, we observed and compared the changes of 5-HT6 receptor immunoreactivity (5-HT6 IR) in rat hippocampus at 1, 8, 24, or 72 h after the treatment with either a single ECS (acute ECS) or daily ECS for 10 days (chronic ECS). We found that acute ECS increased 5-HT6 IR in the CA1, CA3, and granule cell layer of hippocampus, reaching peak levels at 8 h and returning to basal levels 72 h later. The magnitude and time-dependent changes in 5-HT6 IR observed after acute ECS were not affected by chronic ECS. These results demonstrate that both acute and chronic ECS transiently increase the 5-HT6 IR in rat hippocampus, and suggest that the magnitude and time-dependent changes in 5-HT6 IR in the hippocampus appear not to be influenced by repeated ECS treatment.
Amnesia ; Animals ; Electroshock* ; Hippocampus* ; Rats* ; Serotonin

Simvastatin is used to reduce plasma cholesterol by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and is primarily used to treat hypercholesterolemia. This study was conducted to assess the bioequivalence between the generic formulation of simvastatin 20 mg and the branded formulation of simvastatin 20 mg. A generic formulation of simvastatin 20 mg tablet was developed and the pharmacokinetics of the generic formulation were compared with those of the branded formulation of simvastatin 20 mg tablet in 33 healthy male volunteers after a single oral dose in a randomized, open-label, two-period, two-sequence, crossover study. The reference (Zocor®, MSD Korea LTD.) and test (Simvarotin®, Korea Arlico Pharm Co., Ltd.) formulations, two 20 mg tablets each, were administered to all subjects in fasting status. The serial blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were collected before dosing and up to 24 hours post-dose, and plasma concentrations of simvastatin were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The pharmacokinetic parameters including T(max), C(max), AUC(last), AUC(inf) and t½ were calculated for both formulations by non-compartmental method, and the log-transformed C(max) and AUC(last) were compared statistically. Geometric mean ratios (90% confidence intervals) of the test to the reference formulation in C(max) and AUC(last) were 0.9652 (0.8302–1.1223) and 0.9891 (0.8541–1.1455), respectively. No significant differences in tolerability profiles were noted between the two formulations. The two formulations of simvastatin 20 mg tablets exhibited comparable pharmacokinetic profiles and 90% confidence intervals were within the acceptable range of bioequivalence criteria.
Cholesterol ; Coenzyme A ; Cross-Over Studies ; Fasting ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Korea ; Male* ; Mass Spectrometry ; Methods ; Oxidoreductases ; Pharmacokinetics ; Plasma ; Simvastatin* ; Tablets ; Therapeutic Equivalency ; Volunteers*

A clinical trial management system (CTMS) is a comprehensive program that supports an efficient clinical trial. To improve the environment of clinical trials and to be competitive in the global clinical trials market, an advanced and integrated CTMS is necessary. However, there is little information about the status of CTMSs in Korea. To understand the utilization of current CTMSs and requirements for a future CTMS, we conducted a survey on the subjects related to clinical trials. The survey was conducted from July 27 to August 16, 2017. The total number of respondents was 596, and 531 of these responses were used. Almost half of the respondents were from hospitals (46%). The proportion of respondents who are currently using a CTMS was the highest for contract research organizations at 59%, whereas the proportion used by investigators was 39%. The main reason for not using a CTMS was that it is unnecessary and expensive, but it showed a difference between workplaces. Many respondents frequently used CTMSs to check the clinical trial schedule and progress status, which was needed regardless of workplace. While two-thirds of users tended to be satisfied with their current CTMS, there were many users who felt their CTMS was inconvenient. The most requested function for a future CTMS was one that could be used to manage the project schedule and subject enrollment status. Additionally, a systematic linkage to electronic medical records, including prescription and laboratory test results, and a function to confirm the participation history of subjects in other hospitals were requested.
Appointments and Schedules ; Electronic Health Records ; Humans ; Korea ; Prescriptions ; Research Personnel ; Surveys and Questionnaires