Diarylpropionitrile (DPN), a selective agonist for estrogen receptor β(ERβ), has been reported to regulate various hormonal responses through activation of ERβ in tissues including the mammary gland and brain. However, the effect of DPN on melanogenesis independent of ERβ has not been studied. The aim of this study is to examine the possibility of anti-melanogenic effect of DPN and its underlying mechanism. Melanin contents and cellular tyrosinase activity assay indicated that DPN inhibited melanin biosynthesis in alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormonestimulated B16F10 melanoma cell line. However, DPN had no direct influence on in vitro tyrosinase catalytic activity. On the other hand, 17β-estradiol had no effect on inhibition of melanogenesis, suggesting that the DPN-mediated suppression of melanin production was not related with estrogen signaling pathway. Immunoblotting analysis showed that DPN down-regulated the expression of microphthalmiaassociated transcription factor (MITF), a central transcription factor of melanogenesis and its down-stream genes including tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1, and TRP-2. Also, DPN attenuated the phosphorylation of protein kinase A (PKA) and cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB). Additionally, DPN suppressed the melanin synthesis in UVB-irradiated HaCaT conditioned media culture system suggesting that DPN has potential as an anti-melanogenic activity in physiological conditions. Collectively, our data show that DPN inhibits melanogenesis via downregulation of PKA/CREB/MITF signaling pathway.

Methods: Three groups were included in this study: remitted schizophrenia patients (n=56), patients in euthymic states of bipolar I disorder (n=52), and healthy control (n=57), who were matched on sex, age, years of education. The Continuous Performance Test of the AX version (AXCPT) was used to evaluate the cognitive control function. Intelligence, psychopathology, and psychomotor speed were also examined. The degree of cognitive control deficits was assessed by the commission error rates, correct response times, and the d’ values. Results: Both patient groups performed worse in the AX and BX trials than the healthy control. Both patient groups showed a delayed response in all trials than the healthy control. The d’ value was the highest in the healthy control group, but there were no significant differences between the two patient groups. The profile of defects in the two patient groups was the same, with the BX trial having the highest defects in the order of the AX, BY, and AY trials. Conclusion These findings indicate that cognitive control is impaired in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. Impairments in cognitive control are likely to be a possible shared pathophysiological marker for both disorders.

PURPOSE: The Lee Jong-Wook Seoul Project, which began in 2011, is a training program that aims to educate faculty members of Lao University of Health Sciences in medical knowledge and skills. The project has tremendous significance, attempting to apply the Korean health care developmental model to developing countries. Precise evaluation of the project outcome must be performed to enhance the effectiveness, improve the shortcomings, and adjust the future direction of the program. METHODS: Trainers and exchange professors were asked to fill out questionnaires in the middle and at the end of the program. Eight months after its completion, an evaluation team visited Lao and interviewed each exchange professor individually. Also, 360-degree feedback was obtained from their colleagues. We analyzed the answers to the questionnaires, based on Kirkpatrick's 4-level model. RESULTS: The trainers and exchange professors had positive reactions to the program. All participants felt that their knowledge and skills improved (in their respective fields), although the actual improvement was not extensive, according to their trainers' assessments. The 360-degree feedback demonstrated that the participants actively passed on their experience, knowledge, and skills to their colleagues on returning to work. CONCLUSION: Although a 4-level evaluation was not conducted and despite the limitations in examining academic achievement, interviewing Lao professors, and acquiring quantitative data at Lao University of Health Sciences, this project has demonstrated its value in the development of individual professors and their colleagues.
Delivery of Health Care ; Developing Countries ; Education ; Seoul* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Approximately 90%~99% of ultraviolet A (UVA) ray reaches the Earth's surface. The deeply penetrating UVA rays induce the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which results in oxidative stress such as photoproducts, senescence, and cell death. Thus, UVA is considered a primary factor that promotes skin aging. OBJECTIVE: Researchers investigated whether pretreatment with ferulic acid protects human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) against UVA-induced cell damages. METHODS: HDF proliferation was analyzed using the water-soluble tetrazolium salt assay. Cell cycle distribution and intracellular ROS levels were assessed by flow cytometric analysis. Senescence was evaluated using a senescence-associated β-galactosidase assay, while Gadd45α promoter activity was analyzed through a luciferase assay. The expression levels of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase (CAT), xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group A and C, matrix metalloproteinase 1 and 3, as well as p21 and p16 were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Inhibition of proliferation and cell cycle arrest were detected in cells that were irradiated with UVA only. Pretreatment with ferulic acid significantly increased the proliferation and cell cycle progression in HDFs. Moreover, ferulic acid pretreatment produced antioxidant effects such as reduced DCF intensity, and affected SOD1 and CAT mRNA expression. These effects were also demonstrated in the analysis of cell senescence, promoter activity, expression of senescent markers, and DNA repair. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that ferulic acid exerts protective effects on UVA-induced cell damages via anti-oxidant and stress-inducible cellular mechanisms in HDFs.
Aging ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Catalase ; Cats ; Cell Aging ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Death ; Complement System Proteins ; DNA Repair ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans* ; Luciferases ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; Oxidative Stress ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin Aging ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Xeroderma Pigmentosum

PURPOSE: Seoul National University College of Medicine (SNUMC) introduced a multiple mini-interview (MMI) to assess the noncognitive ability of applicants in 2013. This study aims to examine whether students differ with regard to their personal career values and academic achievements by admission type. METHODS: We administered a survey about career values and self-perception of competencies. We then compared the survey results and academic achievements by admission type. Finally, the correlation coefficient between MMI score and academic achievement was calculated in the MMI group. The data were analyzed by t-test and correlation analysis. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in career values between groups. For self-perception of competency, only the 'interact in heterogeneous groups' domain was higher for those who entered through the MMI. The MMI group had a higher and broader level of academic achievement. Within the MMI group, there was a significant correlation between grade point average and MMI station scores. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of students who entered through the MMI were more in accordance with the goals of SNUMC and the competency of future doctors. Considering the unique feature of premedical academic achievement, this result implies that such students have superior noncognitive abilities, such as self-development and internal motivation. How these differences change subsequently remains to be seen.
Humans ; Motivation ; Schools, Medical* ; Self Concept ; Seoul ; Students, Premedical

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate of HBsAg and the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection from 1998 to 2005. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data of 1998, 2001 and 2005 were analyzed. METHOD: Study population was consisted of 24,093, aged 10 year or over who performed NHANES self reported surveys and blood tests. Statistical analysis was performed by age, sex, and the year of survey. Also the prevalence of HBsAg was compared by self reported family history of liver disease. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of HBsAg was reduced from 4.5% in 1998 to 3.7% in 2005. Also age-specific prevalence rate of HBsAg was significantly decreased in persons born after introduction of the hepatitis B virus vaccination. HBsAg seropositivity was slightly higher in male than in female. Among the people with the family history of liver diseases, the risk of HBsAg seropositive was much higher than those without. Study subjects with mother's liver disease history showed much higher HBsAg serepositive rate. Although after the implementation of hepatitis B virus vaccination program prevalence of HBsAg decreased, but persons with history of liver disease showed still higher rate Of HBsAg seropositive rate. CONCLUSION: Although the introduction of the HBV vaccination program has resulted in a decline of HBV infection, the family history of liver diseases was still an important factor for transmission of HBV in Korea. In addition to the mother-to-child transmission prevention program from 2002, it might be advisable to introduce a screening program for persons with family history of liver diseases for further reduction of HBV infection.
Aged ; Female ; Hematologic Tests ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Nutrition Surveys ; Prevalence ; Self Report ; Vaccination

This study utilized the Community Multiscale Air Quality model to simulate the spatial distribution of benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) concentrations from large national industrial complexes (IC) located in the Ulsan metropolitan region (UMR). Through controlling pollutant emissions from major IC, this study performed a quantitative analysis of the influence of pollutant emissions on BTX concentrations in surrounding urban areas. The results showed that approximately 40% of the annual average BTX concentrations in nearby urban grids were directly influenced by pollutant emissions from the IC. Seasonal modeling results indicated that average BTX concentrations were high around petrochemical complexes, with higher concentrations in the surrounding urban areas during the summer (July). All three of the BTX pollutants showed similar seasonal differences. Daily contributions differed significantly throughout the modeling period, with some values reaching a maximum of 80% during July. Overall, when urban areas were located downwind of the IC, contributions rose. Moreover, this study compared the differences in BTX contributions at each measurement point within the IC and urban areas, which showed that the influence of the IC emissions decreased significantly with distance. The spatial distribution and direct influence of the IC on BTX concentrations in the UMR identified through this study could be used to provide input data in environmental epidemiological studies.
Benzene ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Seasons ; Toluene ; Ulsan ; Xylenes

Background: Difficult airway occurs due to anatomical abnormalities of the airway that can be predicted through airway assessments; however, abnormalities beyond the vocal cord can be clinically asymptomatic and undetected until intubation failure to advance the endotracheal tube.Case: We present a case of an unanticipated difficult airway in a stuporous 80-year-old female with a recent history of intracerebral hemorrhage and prolonged intubation. She required emergency ventriculo-peritoneal shunt surgery due to the progression of her hydrocephalus. Under anesthesia, facemask ventilation was easy and video laryngoscopy provided a full view of the glottis; however, endotracheal tube (ETT) entry failed. We suspected stenosis beyond the vocal cord, and a smaller diameter ETT was inserted and maintained for airway management during emergency surgery. Postoperative neck computed tomography findings revealed laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS). Conclusions Anesthesiologists should be aware that LTS may be asymptomatic and consider difficult airway guidelines in patients with history of prolonged endotracheal intubation.

OBJECTIVES: In South Korea, there is limited information on nicotine dependence (ND) and its correlation with psychiatric disorders. Based on the National Epidemiologic Survey of Psychiatric Disorders in South Korea in 2006, we examined the relationship between the severity of tobacco smoking and mental disorders, paying specific attention to suicidal ideas, plans, and attempts. METHODS: A total of 6,510 adults underwent face-to-face interviews. The Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (K-CIDI) was used to evaluate lifetime prevalence and correlates of mental disorders. According to the the severity of tobacco smoking, participants were grouped into never-smokers, ever-smokers, and ND. The frequencies of mental disorders and suicidal tendencies were analyzed among ND/ever-smokers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to predict the odds ratios and significance levels among groups. RESULTS: Associations of ND with alcohol use disorder, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, pathological gambling, and suicidal tendencies were significant, even after controlling for demographic characteristics. Associations of most psychiatric disorders with smoking were stronger in females than in males. CONCLUSION: ND is highly associated with alcohol use disorder, mood and anxiety disorders, pathological gambling, and suicidal tendencies. Interventions are needed in order to prevent the development of ND from regular smoking.
Adult ; Anxiety Disorders ; Female ; Gambling ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mental Disorders ; Mood Disorders ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Suicide ; Tobacco ; Tobacco Use Disorder

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have reported that childhood maltreatment experiences could induce biological and psychological vulnerability in depressive disorders. However, it is still unclear that type-specific effects of childhood maltreatment on psychological resilience, depressive symptoms and interactions among childhood maltreatment experiences, resilience, and depressive symptoms. METHODS: A total of 438 medical students were included in the study. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form, the Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory were used for measuring childhood maltreatment experiences, psychological resilience, and depressive symptoms, respectively. We investigated the effects of childhood maltreatment experiences on resilience and depressive symptoms using correlation analysis. In addition, we analyzed the mediating effect of resilience on the association between childhood maltreatment and symptoms of depression. RESULTS: Among childhood maltreatment, emotional neglect was a significant predictor of the scores of low resilience and high depressive symptoms in both gender groups (all ps < 0.05). Furthermore, resilience was found to be a mediator connecting emotional neglect experiences with depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that emotional neglect has detrimental effects on mood and resilience, and clinicians need to focus on the recovery of resilience when they deal with depressive symptoms in victims of childhood maltreatment.
Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Humans ; Negotiating ; Resilience, Psychological ; Students, Medical