Previous studies suggested effectiveness of psilocybin in the field of mental health. FDA designated psilocybin as a “breakthrough therapy” for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in 2018. This paper provided a review of psilocybin’s potential role in treatment of depression by focusing on published clinical trials. Studies showed that psilocybin, an agonist on 5-HT2A receptors, manifests antidepressant and anxiolytic effects by increasing glutamate transmission, reducing brain inflammation, decreasing default mode network activity. In terms of clinical trials, eleven studies (six open-label and five double blinded randomized clinical trials, DB-RCTs) trials exploring psilocybin’s impact on depression were found. Among open-label studies, a pilot study on TRD patients demonstrated significant reductions in depressive symptoms after two psilocybin sessions. Psilocybin also improved cognitive bias associated with depression. Extension studies confirmed sustained improvements and high remission rates. Among five DB-RCTs, two showed that psilocybin led to significant reductions in anxiety and depression in cancer patients, and the improvements sustained for over 6 months. In MDD, psilocybin showed rapid reductions in depression, with higher remission rates compared to escitalopram in a DB-RCT. Another DB-RCT showed that psilocybin induced higher decrease in depression around 6 hours after their administrations than placebo. The last DB-RCT showed that in patients with TRD, a single dose of psilocybin 25 mg, but not psilocybin 10 mg, resulted in superior antidepressant effect than psilocybin 1 mg. Overall, psilocybin showed promise in treating depression and anxiety, with notable safety profiles. Further research should explore optimal dosages and long-term effects.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has multiple negative impacts on the psychiatric health of both those previously infected and not infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Moreover, the negative impacts of COVID-19 are closely associated with geographical region, culture, medical system, and ethnic background. We summarized the evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on the psychiatric health of the Korean population. This narrative review included thirteen research articles, which investigated the impact of COVID-19 on the psychiatric health of Koreans. COVID-19 survivors were reported to have a 2.4 times greater risk of developing psychiatric disorders compared to members of a control group, and anxiety and stress-related disorders were the most common newly diagnosed psychiatric illnesses. Studies also reported that COVID-19 survivors had a 3.33-fold higher prevalence of insomnia, a 2.72-fold higher prevalence of mild cognitive impairment, and a 3.09-fold higher prevalence of dementia compared to the control group. In addition, more than four studies have highlighted that the medical staff members, including nurses and medical students, exhibit a greater negative psychiatric impact of COVID-19. However, none of the articles investigated the biological pathophysiology or mechanism linking COVID-19 and the risk of diverse psychiatric disorders. Moreover, none of the studies were actual prospective studies. Thus, longitudinal studies are needed to more clearly elucidate the effect of COVID-19 on the psychiatric health of the Korean population. Lastly, studies focusing on preventing and treating COVID-19–associated psychiatric problems are needed to provide a benefit in real clinical settings.

Objective: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized double-blinded placebo controlled trials (DB-RCTs) to investigate efficacy and safety of intranasal esketamine in treating major depressive disorder (MDD) including treatment resistant depression (TRD) and major depression with suicide ideation (MDSI). Methods: Mean change in total scores on Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) from baseline to different time-points were our primary outcome measure. Secondary efficacy measures included rate of remission of depression and resolution of suicidality. Results: Eight DB-RCTs (seven published and one un-published) covering 1,488 patients with MDD were included. Esketamine more significantly improved MADRS total scores than placebo starting from 2−4 hours after the first administration (standardized mean difference, −0.41 [95% CI, −0.58 to −0.25], p ＜ 0.00001), and this superiority maintained until end of double-blinded period (28 days). Sub-group analysis showed that superior antidepressant effects of esketamine over placebo in TRD and MDSI was observed from 2−4 hours, which was maintained until 28 days. Resolution of suicide in MDSI was also greater for esketamine than for placebo at 2−4 hours (OR of 2.04, 95% CIs, 1.37 to 3.05, p = 0.0005), but two groups did not statistically differ at 24 hours and day 28. Total adverse events (AEs), and other common AEs including dissociation, blood pressure increment, nausea, vertigo, dysgeusia, dizziness, and somnolence were more frequent in esketamine than in placebo group. Conclusion Esketamine showed rapid antidepressant effects in patients with MDD, including TRD and MDSI. The study also suggested that esketamine might be associated with rapid anti-suicidal effects for patients with MDSI.

Objective: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized double-blinded placebo controlled trials (DB-RCTs) to investigate efficacy and safety of intranasal esketamine in treating major depressive disorder (MDD) including treatment resistant depression (TRD) and major depression with suicide ideation (MDSI). Methods: Mean change in total scores on Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) from baseline to different time-points were our primary outcome measure. Secondary efficacy measures included rate of remission of depression and resolution of suicidality. Results: Eight DB-RCTs (seven published and one un-published) covering 1,488 patients with MDD were included. Esketamine more significantly improved MADRS total scores than placebo starting from 2−4 hours after the first administration (standardized mean difference, −0.41 [95% CI, −0.58 to −0.25], p ＜ 0.00001), and this superiority maintained until end of double-blinded period (28 days). Sub-group analysis showed that superior antidepressant effects of esketamine over placebo in TRD and MDSI was observed from 2−4 hours, which was maintained until 28 days. Resolution of suicide in MDSI was also greater for esketamine than for placebo at 2−4 hours (OR of 2.04, 95% CIs, 1.37 to 3.05, p = 0.0005), but two groups did not statistically differ at 24 hours and day 28. Total adverse events (AEs), and other common AEs including dissociation, blood pressure increment, nausea, vertigo, dysgeusia, dizziness, and somnolence were more frequent in esketamine than in placebo group. Conclusion Esketamine showed rapid antidepressant effects in patients with MDD, including TRD and MDSI. The study also suggested that esketamine might be associated with rapid anti-suicidal effects for patients with MDSI.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Both sexual and physical abuse history have been reported to be associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Western countries. The impact of abuse history in IBS patients in Asia remains unclear. We aim to determine the prevalence of abuse history, its associated psychological profiles, and sleep problems among IBS patients in Taiwan. METHODS: In total, 194 Rome III-defined IBS patients were invited to participate. Age- and sex-matched healthy carriers of chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C without chronic abdominal symptoms were identified as disease-controls. We administered a validated questionnaire to evaluate bowel symptoms, physical/sexual abuse history, anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]), and sleep quality. RESULTS: IBS patients had a significantly higher prevalence of sexual abuse history than the disease-control group both before (16.5% vs 6.7%, P < 0.05) and after (16.0% vs 6.6%, P < 0.05) adolescence. These significant differences were mainly observed in women (13.4% vs 3.4%, P < 0.05). No difference was noted in history of physical abuse between the 2 groups. IBS patients with a history of sexual abuse had significantly higher HADS scores and higher frequencies of sleep difficulty than those without. CONCLUSIONS: In Taiwan, sexual abuse history was more prevalent in female IBS patients than controls. Sexual abuse history may contribute to higher anxiety/depression levels and sleep difficulties, which are commonly experienced in IBS patients. In Asia, abuse history should be obtained when approaching IBS patients to facilitate better management.
Adolescent ; Anxiety ; Asia ; Depression ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Hepatitis C ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Physical Abuse ; Prevalence ; Sex Offenses ; Taiwan

The Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology International Workshop 2014 on gynecologic oncology was held in Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea on the 23rd to 24th August 2014. A total of 179 participants from 17 countries participated in the workshop, and the up-to-date findings on the management of gynecologic cancers were presented and discussed. This meeting focused on the new trends in the management of cervical cancer, fertility-sparing management of gynecologic cancers, surgical management of gynecologic cancers, and recent advances in translational research on gynecologic cancers.
Female ; Fertility Preservation/methods ; Genital Neoplasms, Female/*therapy ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms/therapy ; Translational Medical Research/methods ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/therapy

The incidence of diabetes mellitus is increasing among companion animals. This disease has similar characteristics in both humans and animals. Diabetes is frequently identified as an independent risk factor for infections associated with increased mortality. In the present study, homozygous diabetic (db/db) mice were infected with Listeria (L.) monocytogenes and then treated with the anti-diabetic drug exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide 1 analogue. In aged db/db mice, decreased CD11b+ macrophage populations with higher lipid content and lower phagocytic activity were observed. Exendin-4 lowered high lipid levels and enhanced phagocytosis in macrophages from db/db mice infected with L. monocytogenes. Exendin-4 also ameliorated obesity and hyperglycemia, and improved ex vivo bacteria clearance by macrophages in the animals. Liver histology examined during L. monocytogenes infection indicated that abscess formation was much milder in exendin-4-treated db/db mice than in the control animals. Moreover, mechanistic studies demonstrated that expression of ATP binding cassette transporter 1, a sterol transporter, was higher in macrophages isolated from the exendin-4-treated db/db mice. Overall, our results suggest that exendin-4 decreases the risk of infection in diabetic animals by modifying the interaction between intracellular lipids and phagocytic macrophages.
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters/metabolism ; Age Factors ; Animals ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; Cholesterol/metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*drug therapy/genetics ; Dyslipidemias/drug therapy/genetics ; Female ; Hyperglycemia/drug therapy/genetics ; Hypoglycemic Agents/*therapeutic use ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; *Lipid Metabolism/drug effects ; Listeria monocytogenes/*drug effects/immunology ; Listeriosis/*drug therapy/immunology/microbiology ; Macrophages/drug effects/*metabolism ; Mice ; Obesity/drug therapy/genetics ; Peptides/*therapeutic use ; Phagocytosis/drug effects ; Venoms/*therapeutic use

BACKGROUND: Tumor angiogenesis plays an important role in tumor growth, maintenance and metastatic potential. Tumor tissue produces many types of angiogenic growth factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) have both been implicated to have roles in tumor angiogenesis. In this study, the expression of tissue VEGF and bFGF from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients were analyzed. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 35 patients with a histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, where the primary curative approach was surgery. An ELISA was employed to determine the expression of VEGF and bFGF in extracts prepared from 35 frozen tissue samples taken from the cancer patients. RESULTS: VEGF and bFGF concentrations were significantly increased in lung cancer tissue as compared with control (non-cancerous) tissue. The VEGF concentration was significantly increased in T2 and T3 cancers as compared with T1 cancer. Expression of VEGF was increased in node-positive lung cancer tissue as compared with node-negative lung cancer tissue (p=0.06). VEGF and bFGF expression were not directly related to the stage of lung cancer and patient survival. CONCLUSION: Expression of VEGF and bFGF were increased in lung cancer tissue, and the expression of VEGF concentration in lung cancer tissue was more likely related with tumor size and the presence of a lymph node metastasis than the expression of bFGF. However, in this study, expression of both VEGF and bFGF in tissue were not associated with patient prognosis.
Adenocarcinoma ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary bypass is an essential process to maintain circulation for saving life during the cardiac surgery. But it is a process in which systemic inflammation was evoked inevitably because of the exposure of blood to foreign surface. The injuries to distal organs during the cardiopulmonary bypass were resulted from systemic inflammation and the disturbances of micro-circulations in the organs. We designed this study to research the effects of leukocyte depletion from pump-oxygenator priming solution on the systemic inflammation, and the micro-circulation of gastric mucosa that is suggested by the gastric mucosal CO2 partial pressure and acidity. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The dogs were divided into three groups according to the different pump-oxygenator priming solutions; non-hemic crystalloid solution; leukocyte-depleted homologous blood; and non leukocyte-depleted homologous blood. Each priming solution group contained five dogs. In all three groups, 2 hours of cardiopulmonary bypass, and 4 consecutive hours of general anesthesia was maintained on the mechanical ventilation. Each dog was evaluated for the gastric mucosal pH, CO2 partial pressure, arterial pH, CO2 partial pressure, the exhaled air CO2 partial pressure and the level of IL-8 on before the cardiopulmonary bypass, 1 hour after the cardiopulmonary bypass, 2 hours after the cardiopulmonary bypass, 2 hours after the restoration of normal circulation, and 4 hours after the restoration of normal circulation after the cardiopulmonary bypass. The levels of IL-8 were measured with ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) technique. RESULT: 1. There were significant differences of gastric mucosal CO2 partial pressure between the leukocyte-depleted homologous blood group and other two groups(vs non leukocyte-depleted homologous blood group; p=0.02, vs non-hemic crystalloid solution group; p=0.01). 2. The gastric mucosal pH of leukocyte-depleted homologous blood group was significantly different from non leukocyte-depleted homologous blood group (p=0.01). 3. The levels of IL-8, which examine the systemic inflammation, showed significantly better results in leukocyte-depleted homologous blood group and non-hemic crystalloid solution group than non leukocyte-depleted homologous blood group (p=0.01, 0.01). CONCLUSION: Based upon these results, we concluded that the leukocyte depletion from the pump-oxygenator priming solution has a beneficial effects in reducing systemic inflammation and the preserving of gastric mucosal micro-circulation.
Anesthesia, General ; Animals ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass* ; Dogs* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gastric Mucosa ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-8* ; Interleukins ; Leukocytes* ; Partial Pressure* ; Respiration, Artificial ; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome ; Thoracic Surgery

The incidence of primary cardiac tumor is rare, furthermore the cardiac tumor which cause arrhythmia is very rare. We presesent a case of cardiac lipoma combined with paroxysmal atrial tachycardia.
Incidence