Objectives: This study investigated the awareness and acceptance of digital therapeutics (DTx) among psychiatrists in South Korea, providing empirical insights to support future clinical implementation and dissemination. Methods: An online survey targeting 50 psychiatrists was conducted from October 2024 to February 2025. Descriptive statistics were performed on completed responses (n=36), focusing on DTx-related awareness and acceptance. Results: Most participants were aware of DTx, but few had experience prescribing it. They had positive expectations of increased treatment options and efficacy, with most information obtained through exhibitions and conferences. The key factors influencing the intention to use included reimbursement availability and the feasibility of integration with the electronic medical records. Many were motivated by interest in novel treatments and were willing to use DTx if peer adoption increased. The primary concern was uncertainty around reimbursement, and DTx was generally preferred as an adjunctive treatment. The appropriate cost for six sessions was considered to be 150000 KRW (approximately 110 USD) or less. The participants emphasized evidence-based effectiveness, convenience, and efficiency when promoting patient engagement. The need for incorporating DTx education into psychiatric residency training was also recognized. Conclusion This study is the first of its kind in South Korea to explore psychiatrists’ perspectives on DTx, offering foundational insights to help develop policy and education strategies for clinical and institutional implementation.

Human rhinoviruses (HRV) are one of the major causes of common cold in humans and are also associated with acute asthma and bronchial illness. Heat-shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a molecular chaperone, is an important host factor for the replication of single-strand RNA viruses. In the current study, we examined the effect of the Hsp90 inhibitor pochonin D, in vitro and in vivo, using a murine model of human rhinovirus type 1B (HRV1B) infection. Our data suggested that Hsp90 inhibition significantly reduced the inflammatory cytokine production and lung damage caused by HRV1B infection. The viral titer was significantly lowered in HRV1B-infected lungs and in Hela cells upon treatment with pochonin D. Infiltration of innate immune cells including granulocytes and monocytes was also reduced in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) by pochonin D treatment after HRV1B infection. Histological analysis of the lung and respiratory tract showed that pochonin D protected the mice from HRV1B infection. Collectively, our results suggest that the Hsp90 inhibitor, pochonin D, could be an attractive antiviral therapeutic for treating HRV infection.
Animals ; Asthma ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Common Cold ; Granulocytes ; Heat-Shock Proteins* ; HeLa Cells ; Hot Temperature* ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lung ; Mice ; Molecular Chaperones ; Monocytes ; Respiratory System ; Rhinovirus* ; RNA Viruses

Objectives: Coxsackievirus A group 16 strain (CVA16) is one of the predominant causative agents of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Methods: Using a specimen from a male patient with HFMD, we isolated and performed sequencing of the Korean CVA16 strain and compared it with a G10 reference strain. Also, we were investigated the effects of medicinal plant extract on the cytopathic effects (CPE) by CPE reduction assay against Korean CVA16. Results: Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Korean CVA16 isolate belonged to cluster B-1 and was closely related to the strain PM-15765-00 isolated in Malaysia in 2000. The Korean CVA16 isolate showed 73.2% nucleotide identity to the G10 prototype strain and 98.7% nucleotide identity to PM-15765-00. Next, we assessed whether the Korean CVA16 isolate could be used for in vitro screening of antiviral agents to treat HFMD infection. Vero cells infected with the Korean CVA16 isolate showed a cytopathic effect 2 days after the infection, and the treatment of cells with Cornus officinalis, Acer triflorum, Pulsatilla koreana, and Clematis heracleifolia var. davidiana Hemsl extracts exhibited strong antiviral activity against CVA16. Conclusion Collectively, our work provides potential candidates for the development of vaccine and novel drugs to treat the CVA16 strain isolated from a Korean patient.