Differential expression of thymic DNA repair genes in low-dose-rate irradiated AKR/J mice

We previously determined that AKR/J mice housed in a low-dose-rate (LDR) (137Cs, 0.7 mGy/h, 2.1 Gy) gamma-irradiation facility developed less spontaneous thymic lymphoma and survived longer than those receiving sham or high-dose-rate (HDR) (137Cs, 0.8 Gy/min, 4.5 Gy) radiation. Interestingly, histopathological analysis showed a mild lymphomagenesis in the thymus of LDR-irradiated mice. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether LDR irradiation could trigger the expression of thymic genes involved in the DNA repair process of AKR/J mice. The enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways showed immune response, nucleosome organization, and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors signaling pathway in LDR-irradiated mice. Our microarray analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction data demonstrated that mRNA levels of Lig4 and RRM2 were specifically elevated in AKR/J mice at 130 days after the start of LDR irradiation. Furthermore, transcriptional levels of H2AX and ATM, proteins known to recruit DNA repair factors, were also shown to be upregulated. These data suggest that LDR irradiation could trigger specific induction of DNA repair-associated genes in an attempt to repair damaged DNA during tumor progression, which in turn contributed to the decreased incidence of lymphoma and increased survival. Overall, we identified specific DNA repair genes in LDR-irradiated AKR/J mice.

Ameliorating effect of new constituents from the hooks of Uncaria rhynchophylla on scopolamine-induced memory impairment / 中国天然药物

AIM@#To study the chemical constituents and their anti-amnesic effect from the hooks of Uncaria rhynchophylla.@*METHODS@#The isolation of compounds was performed by chromatographic techniques and their structures were identified on the basis of spectral analysis. Their ameliorating effects on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in vivo using a Morris water-maze task and passive avoidance task system were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Activity-guided fractionation of the total extracts resulted in the isolation of four constituents, trans-anethole (1), p-anisaldehyde (2), estragole (3), and 3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid (4), which were found for the first time from this plant.@*CONCLUSION@#Compound 1 exhibited a better memory enhancing effect than tacrine, a positive agent, at the same dose in the passive avoidance test and a similar property in the water-maze test, and its action may be mediated, in part, by the acetylcholine enhancing cholinergic nervous system.

Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Gene Polymorphism(Valine/Methionine) Associated Neither with Schizophrenia Nor with Bipolar Disorder in a Korean Population / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVE: Catechol-O-methyltransferase(COMT) is an important enzyme that inactivates biologically active or toxic catechols. Abnormal catecholamine transmission has been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Polymorphism(Val/Met) of the COMT gene was shown to determine high-and low-activity alleles of the enzyme. This study was designed to investigate the association between COMT gene polymorphism and schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in a Korean population. METHOD: COMT gene were genotyped with polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme NlaIII in 128 patients with schizophrenia, 110 with bipolar disorder, and 176 controls. RESULTS: 1) The distribution of the COMT genotype in schizophrenic patients with Val/Val, Val/Met, Met/Met were 76(59.4%), 43(33.6%), 9(7.0%), in bipolar disorder patients were 63(57.3%), 35(31.8%), 12(10.9%), and in the controls were 83(47.2%), 79(44.9%), 14(8.0%). The allele frequencies of the COMT gene in schizophrenic patients with Val and Met were 195(76.2%), 61(23.8%), in bipolar disoreder patients were 161(73.2%), 59(26.8%), and in the controls were 245(69.6%), 107(30.4%). 2) There were no differences in genotype distribution and allele frequencies of COMT gene polymorphism among the 3 groups. Neither patients with schizophrenia nor bipolar disorder differed in the genotype and allelic frequencies from the controls. CONCLUSION: These results suggest COMT gene polymorphism is not causally related to the development of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in a Korean Population.

Oxybutynin Hydrochloride in 3 Cases of Clozapine Induced Nocturnal Enuresis / 신경정신의학

Nocturnal enuresis has been recognized as an adverse effect of clozapine treatment. We reported 3 chronic schizophrenic patients who had showed nocturnal enuresis following clozapine treatment. Oxybutynin hydrochloride on clozapine-induced enuresis was very effective in 3 patients. The dose in our patients was 5 to 10mg/day. This medication was well tolerated. It is suggested that oxybutynin hydrochloride is a effective therapeutic option in clozapine-induced nocturnal enuresis.

The Multidimensional Evaluation of Dementia Patients and the Correlation among Measures

OBJECTIVES: Behavioral problem and functional impairment in addition to cognitive impairment are induced, and the medical comorbidity is common in dementia patients. Thus the evaluation of these domains is needed for the management of dementia patients. This study presents a method practically and easily assessing above all dimensions, and analyzes the results. METHODS: The multidimensional evaluating method consists of one general staging measure (GDS) and four measures(MMSE, B-ADL, BEHAVE-AD, GMHR) evaluating four domains;cognition, activities of daily living, behavior, and medical comorbidity. These measures are administered to 29 dementia patients(Alzheimer's dementia 21, mixed or vascular dementia 9) admitted in a long-term care residence of dementia patients. The correlation of measures and the difference of the type of dementia, sex, and age are analysed by Pearson correlation coefficient and independent t-test respectively. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: In the correlation of scales, the score of MMSE was significantly correlated to the score of B-ADL in Alzheimer's dementia patient group(p<0.05). The score of B-ADL was significantly higher(p<0.05) and the score of GMHR was statistically insignificantly higher in Alzheimer's dementia patient group than mixed or vascular dementia patient group. The sex and age was unrelated to cognitive or functional ability. This multidimensional evaluating method, including the assessment of the medical comorbidity, is thought to be convenient to apply in the long-term care residence of dementia patients, and be of practical help to the management of dementia patients.

A Null Mutation of the Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) Gene Associated Neither with Schizophrenia Nor with Bipolar Disorder in a Korean Population / 신경정신의학

Genetic factors play an important role in the development of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and recently the neural maldevelopment hypothesis is suggested by neuropathological and neuroimaging studies. Neurotrophic factors, including ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), play a central role in the regulation of neural development. This study was designed to investigate the association between the null mutation of CNTF gene and schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in a Korean population. The CNTF gene were typed with polymerase chain reaction in 112 patients with schizophrenia, 81 with bipolar disorders and in 125 healthy controls. The distributions of the CNTF genotype in schizophrenic patients with N/N, N/M, M/M were 80 (71.4%), 32 (28.6%), 0 (0%), in bipolar disorders were 58 (71.6%), 23 (28.4%), 0 (0%) and in the controls were 94 (75.2%), 30 (24.0%), 1 (0.8%). The allele frequencies of the CNTF gene in schizophrenic patients with N and M were 192 (85.7%), 32 (14.3%), in bipolar disorders were 139 (85.8%), 23 (14.2%), and in the control were 218 (87.2%), 32 (12.8%). There were no differences in the genotype distributions and the allele frequencies of CNTF gene null mutation among the 3 groups. These results suggest CNTF gene null mutation is not causally related to the development of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in Korea.

Korean Standardization of General Medical Health Rating on Dementia Patients

Concurrent medical problem is common in dementia patients and critical to their care. Despite its importance, there was no bedside global rating scale for the seriousness of medical comorbidity. Lykestos et al. newly developed a reliable bedside scale, the General Medical Health Rating(GMHR). The objective of this study was to standardize the GMHR in form of Korean version(KGMHR). The study population consisted of 35 dementia patients in nursing home. Rating was performed by 1 physician and 2 nurses. Forty percent(14/35) of patients had one or more unstable medical illnesses. KGMHR ratings no more than 3 were 71.5%(25/35) of patients. The value of interrater reliability coefficient alpha was 0.9121. Correlations between KGMHR ratings and number of unstable medi-cal illnesses were high(r=-0.487, p<0.01). KGMHR ratings were also correlated with number of medications being taken for comorbid conditions(r=-0.542, p<0.01). In conclusion, KGMHR is a very reliable and simple rating scale for medical comorbidity in dementia patients. So the KGMHR could be a useful tool for evaluation of comorbidity in dementia patients. To verify the prognostic value of KGMHR, further large sized long-term study are needed.

No Association between 102T/C and 452His/Tyr Polymorphisms of 5-HT2A Receptor Gene and Schizophrenia in Korean Population / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the association between the silent mutation, 102T/C and the substitution of histidine by tyrosine at position 452, 452His/Tyr polymorphism of the 5HT2A receptor gene and schizophrenia in korean population. METHOD: 102T/C and 452His/Tyr polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene was typed with PCR in 93 patients with schizophrenia and 93 healthy controls. RESULTS: 1) Genotype of 102T/T, 102T/C, 102C/C were 37(40%), 34(36%), and 22(24%), res-pectively in the patients with schizophrenia. Genotype of 102T/T, 102T/C, 102C/C were 31(33%), 41(44%), and 21(23%), respectively in the controls, Allele frequencies of 102T in the patients with schizophrena was 0.58 and that in the controls was 0.55. Allele frequencies of 102C in the patients with schizophrena was 0.42 and that in controls was 0.45. There were no differencies in genotype and allele frequency of 102T/C between the patients with schizophrenia and the controls. 2) 452His/Tyr polymorphism of the 5-HT2A receptor gene was not founeded in the patients with schizophrenia and in the controls. CONCLUSION: These results suggest 102T/C and 452His/Tyr polymorphisms of the 5-HT2A receptor gene are not causally related to the development of schizophrenia in Korean population.

A Preliminary Study for the Development of a Korean Version of the Body Dysmormphic Disorder Examination-Self Report(BDDE-SR) / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to develop a Korean version of the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination-Self Report (BDDE-SR)and to get informations about the body dissatisfaction of the Korean adolescents. METHOD: A Korean version of the BDDE-SR was applied to 417 Korean high school adolescents. Retest was conducted with 6-week interval in 100 adolescents. RESULTS: 1)Test-retest reliability of the total scores (Pearson's correlation coefficiency) was 0.883 (p<0.001)and test-retest reliabilities of each item also showed high correlation (Spearman's correlation coefficency range: 0.159-0.761) 2) Internal consistency by Cronbach's alpha of 0.922 (p<0.001)was very much high. 3) Five factors were extracted by factor analysis with the Varimax rotation. They were 'the distressing and embarrassment factor', 'the self-consciousness and negative self-evaluation factor', 'the avoidance factor', 'the camouflage factor', and 'the comparison factor'. 4)The total score of BDDE-SR of girls was statistically higher (52.4+/-24.8) than that of boys (37.7+/-20.6) The most dissatisfied body part was abdomen(6.8%) nose(6.4%) entire leg(6.0%) teeth (5.9%)and eyes(5.9%)in all the subjects. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a Korean version of the BDDE-SR is a reliable instrument for the assessment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) The authors suggest that future researches should be directed to obtaining clinical data of the patients with BDD and should test the validity of a Korean version of the BDDE-SR.

Association of Dopamine D2 Receptor Ser311 -> Cys311 Polymorphism with Korean Schizophrenic Patients / 신경정신의학

A new structural polymorphism(Ser311 -> Cys311) in the dopamine D, receptor gene has been reported to be associated with schizophrenia, particularly in patients with a positive family history of schizophrenia. However these findings remain contorversial. Thus the authors investigated polymorphism of the dopamine D2 receptor gene(Ser311 -> Cys311) in a total of 136 Korean schizophrenic patients and 115 controls. Allele frequencies of Ser311 and Cys311 were determined by polymerase chain reaction(FCR) amplification of specific alleles according to Arinami and colleagues' method. The allele frequency of Cys311 in schizophrenic patients and controls was 0.011 and 0.017, respectively. There were no significant differencies in the allele frequency of Cys311 between schizophrenic patients and controls(x2=0.542, df=1, p>0.05). Neither schizophrenic patients nor controls were homozygous for Cys311. The authors findings contrasted with those of Arinami(1994), but were in line with results of previous studies(Asherson 1994 ; Laurent 1994 ; Nanko 1994b ; Nothen 1994: Sheikh 1994), which did not show evidence of association between schizophrenia and dopamine D2, receptor polymorphism(Ser311 -> Cys311).

Standardization of the mini-mental state examination(MMSE) in Korea / 신경정신의학

No abstract available.