OBJECTIVE: Previous studies indicate that emotion regulation problems in major depressive disorder (MDD) may be caused by difficulties in preferring useful emotions according to their goals. We investigated expected emotional usefulness and emotional preference in individuals with MDD (MDDs) and healthy controls (HCs). METHODS: Participants were given an interpersonal scenario with two different goals (confrontation and collaboration) and rated their willingness to participate in emotion-provoking activities and the expected usefulness of a particular emotion. RESULTS: MDDs were similar to HCs in expected emotional usefulness but showed different patterns of emotional preference. HCs preferred happiness to negative emotions across goals whereas MDDs did not show such pattern. In addition, HCs displayed goal-appropriate preferences whereas MDDs did not prefer certain emotions for specific goals. CONCLUSION: Although MDDs seemed to understand how useful an emotion can be, they did not show preference for goal-appropriate emotions. Interventions should address why MDDs have difficulty engaging in goal-appropriate emotions despite having full knowledge of the utility of emotions in achieving goals.
Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major* ; Happiness

Objective: Loudness of dependence of the auditory evoked potential (LDAEP) is an electroencephalogram-based measure that represents amplitude changes of auditory evoked potentials in primary auditory cortex. Several narrative reviews argued that pre-treatment LDAEP values predict responses to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This study aims to quantify the overall relationship between baseline LDAEP values and treatment response to SSRIs in patients with depression and generalized anxiety disorders, evidenced by clinical symptoms reductions, across multiple studies. Methods: In our meta-analysis, seven articles with a total sample of 241 patients were included. Results: Our results showed that stronger baseline LDAEP values predicted favorable response to SSRIs for depression and anxiety, with a moderate effect size. Conclusion The current results support the idea that LDAEP is a promising biomarker for SSRIs treatment prediction in patients with depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

Objective: Loudness of dependence of the auditory evoked potential (LDAEP) is an electroencephalogram-based measure that represents amplitude changes of auditory evoked potentials in primary auditory cortex. Several narrative reviews argued that pre-treatment LDAEP values predict responses to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). This study aims to quantify the overall relationship between baseline LDAEP values and treatment response to SSRIs in patients with depression and generalized anxiety disorders, evidenced by clinical symptoms reductions, across multiple studies. Methods: In our meta-analysis, seven articles with a total sample of 241 patients were included. Results: Our results showed that stronger baseline LDAEP values predicted favorable response to SSRIs for depression and anxiety, with a moderate effect size. Conclusion The current results support the idea that LDAEP is a promising biomarker for SSRIs treatment prediction in patients with depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

The aim of this article was to determine clinical significance of neurofeedback training of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Many previous studies showed that the characteristic pattern of electroencephalogram (EEG) can be found in ADHD children. Neurofeedback training is developed based on this characteristic EEG pattern. Theta power and theta/beta power ratio have been known as useful indicators of neurofeedback training. However, in Korea, direct analysis of EEG change patterns before and after neurofeedback training is very rare. We reviewed the current findings of neurofeedback training of children with ADHD, and its clinical implications were discussed.
Child* ; Electroencephalography ; Humans ; Korea ; Neurofeedback*

Background: Numerous studies have examined the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and clarithromycin (CLA) resistance rate of H. pylori. However, in South Korea, there is a lack of research analyzing specimens from local clinics and hospitals using molecular methods. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of H. pylori infection and CLA resistance across sex and age groups, as well as to explore regional variations in CLA resistance and its characteristics. Methods: Data from a laboratory information system from 2015 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection and CLA resistance rate. The 23S ribosomal RNA genes of H. pylori were analyzed using a dual priming oligonucleotide-based multiplex polymerase chain reaction method. Results: The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 50.5%(12,000/23,773), with a significantly higher prevalence among males (53.5%) than females (47.0%). The CLA resistance rate was 28.3%, with a significantly higher rate among females (34.9%) than males (23.8%). Age group analysis revealed that the highest prevalence of H. pylori infection was among individuals in their 40s, whereas the highest CLA resistance rate was observed among those in their 60s. The CLA resistance rate exhibited an upward trend and varied among patients based on their place of residence, and A2143G mutation was the most prevalent across all regions. Conclusion The prevalence of H. pylori infection and CLA resistance rate in Korea remain high and vary according to sex, age, and region. To effectively eradicate H. pylori, it is crucial to periodically monitor regional CLA resistance patterns and conduct CLA susceptibility testing before prescription.

Objective: The development of individual subtypes based on biomarkers offers a cost-effective and timely avenue to comprehending individual differences pertaining to mental health, independent from individuals’ subjective insights. Incorporating 2-channel electroencephalography (EEG) and photoplethysmogram (PPG), we sought to establish a subtype classification system with clinical relevance. Methods: One hundred healthy participants and 99 patients with psychiatric disorders were recruited. Classification thresholds were determined using the EEG and PPG data from 2,278 individuals without mental disorders, serving to classify subtypes in our sample of 199 participants. Multivariate analysis of variance was applied to examine psychological distinctions among these subtypes. K-means clustering was employed to verify the classification system. Results: The distribution of subtypes differed between healthy participants and those with psychiatric disorders. Cognitive abilities were contingent upon brain subtypes, while mind subtypes exhibited significant differences in symptom severity, overall health, and cognitive stress. K-means clustering revealed that the results of our theory-based classification and data-driven classification are comparable. The synergistic assessment of both brain and mind subtypes was also explored. Conclusion Our subtype classification system offers a concise means to access individuals’ mental health. The utilization of EEG and PPG signals for subtype classification offers potential for the future of digital mental healthcare.

BACKGROUND: Many women with endometriosis have become pregnant through assisted reproductive technology (ART), and have often experienced placenta previa (PP) during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to assess the association between women with endometriosis, especially those who conceived with ART, and the risk of PP. METHODS: Two reviewers independently determined studies that were considered suitable for meta-analyses published in various medicine-related databases from March 1, 2004 through July 31, 2017 without language restrictions. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, with a combined sample size of 21,930 women. Of these 21,930 pregnancies, 6,256 had endometriosis (endometriosis) and 15,674 had no endometriosis. Four of these studies included 8,161 women who conceived with ART, 1,640 of whom had endometriosis (endometriosis + ART), and 6,521 of whom did not have endometriosis. Meta-analyses were estimated with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random effect analysis according to heterogeneity of studies. RESULTS: These meta-analyses showed women with endometriosis (endometriosis) have an increased risk of PP (OR, 4.038; 95% CI, 2.291–7.116; P = 0.000). These results showed women who conceived with ART (endometriosis + ART), have a substantially increased risk of PP (OR, 5.543; 95% CI, 1.659–18.523; P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: These meta-analyses demonstrate women with endometriosis have an increased risk of PP.
Endometriosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Odds Ratio ; Placenta Previa* ; Placenta* ; Population Characteristics ; Pregnancy ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted* ; Sample Size