ASK1 is Involved in EBV LMP1-induced NF-kappaB Activation

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent infection transforms B lymphocytes into proliferating lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). EBV latent infection membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is required for EBV-mediated B lymphocyte transformation, and LMP1-induced NF-kappaB activation is essential for LCL survival. Previously, it was reported that the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the expression of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) are elevated in EBV-positive Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) cells, the potential role of ASK1 in LMP1-induced NF-kappaB activation was thus investigated in this study. In EBV-positive BL cells, ASK1 was highly expressed and activated. In addition, TRAF6-ASK1 interaction was significantly increased in EBV-positive BL cells. Interestingly, the expression of LMP1 alone facilitated ASK1 activation. The expression of a dominant negative ASK1 mutant (ASK1KM) strongly blocked LMP1-induced NF-kappaB activation. Furthermore, LMP1-induced NF-kappaB activation was significantly reduced in ASK1 knock out (ASK1-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Taken together, these results demonstrate that ASK1 is activated by LMP1 and is critical for LMP1-induced NF-kappaB activation.

The role of promoter methylation in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) microRNA expression in EBV-infected B cell lines

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) microRNAs (miRNAs) are expressed in EBV-associated tumors and cell lines, but the regulation mechanism of their expression is unclear yet. We investigated whether the expression of EBV miRNAs is epigenetically regulated in EBV-infected B cell lines. The expression of BART miRNAs was inversely related with the methylation level of the BART promoter at both steady-state and following 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment of the cells. The expression of BHRF1 miRNAs also became detectable with the demethylation of Cp/Wp in latency I EBV-infected cell lines. Furthermore, in vitro methylation of the BART and Cp promoters reduced the promoter-driven transactivation. In contrast, tricostatin A had little effect on the expression of EBV miRNA expression as well as on the BART and Cp/Wp promoters. Our results suggest that promoter methylation, but not histone acetylation, plays a role in regulation of the EBV miRNA expression in EBV-infected B cell lines.

Clinical Characteristics in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with/or without Developmental Coordination Disorder Patients

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the clinical differences in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD). METHODS: Participants were 49 children and adolescents with ages between 6 and 18 years. These subjects were placed into 2 groups: ADHD without DCD (24) and ADHD with DCD (25). We used several evaluation tools on both groups: the Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version- Korean Version (K-SADS-PL), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III (WISC-IIII), Child Behavior Check List (CBCL), Korean Personality Rating Scale for Children (K-PRC), and Bruininks-Osretsky Test of Motor (BOT-2). RESULTS: Patients with both ADHD and DCD had a lower performance intelligence quotient and more internal and external behavioral symptoms than patients with ADHD but not DCD. It is possible that patients with ADHD and motor coordination problems should be noticed earlier and given intensive treatment.

Clinical Characteristics in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder with/or without Developmental Coordination Disorder Patients

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the clinical differences in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD). METHODS: Participants were 49 children and adolescents with ages between 6 and 18 years. These subjects were placed into 2 groups: ADHD without DCD (24) and ADHD with DCD (25). We used several evaluation tools on both groups: the Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Present and Lifetime Version- Korean Version (K-SADS-PL), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III (WISC-IIII), Child Behavior Check List (CBCL), Korean Personality Rating Scale for Children (K-PRC), and Bruininks-Osretsky Test of Motor (BOT-2). RESULTS: Patients with both ADHD and DCD had a lower performance intelligence quotient and more internal and external behavioral symptoms than patients with ADHD but not DCD. It is possible that patients with ADHD and motor coordination problems should be noticed earlier and given intensive treatment.

Effect of Temperament and Character on Pharmacotherapy in Panic Disorder Patients / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: Temperament and character that represent personality trait are supposed to relate to panic disorder (PD). There are several studies that report a significant relationship among temperament, character and treatment outcome in PD. In this study, we examined whether temperament and character affect the long term outcome of escitalopram treatment in patients with PD. METHODS: Ninety-two patients with PD were recruited at the psychiatric outpatient clinics of 6 university hospitals in South Korea. All patients were treated with escitalopram for 6 months. The Temperament-Character Inventory-Revised-Short (TCI-RS) was administered to all patients at baseline. They were also assessed with the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17), and Clinical Global Impression on-Severity (CGI-S) at both baseline and after 6 months of pharmacotherapy. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between reward dependence (RD) and a remission rate in PD patients who were treated with escitalopram, and panic patients who had high RD showed a low remission rate after the treatment. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that high RD predicts a poor treatment response in patients with PD.

Effect of Korean Red Ginseng on Stress Responses and beta-Adrenergic Receptor Function in a Normal Population / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE : There have been few studies to examine the effect of Korean red-ginseng on autonomic nervous system. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of Korean red-ginseng on beta-adrenergic receptor function in a normal population. METHODS : Thirty four healthy normal subjects who were 20-40 years old were recruited for the study. They were randomized into the two groups ; red-ginseng group (n=19) and placebo group (n=15). Three gram of red-ginseng or placebo per day was administered to the study subjects for 3 weeks. Before and after the medications, we measured the lymphocyte beta-adrenergic receptor function (Bmax, cAMP, and Kd), and psychological scales such as the Stress Response Inventory (SRI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). This study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, comparative study. RESULTS : There were no significant differences in the changes of beta-adrenergic receptor density (Bmax) and sensitivity (cAMP) and psychological assessments between the two groups according to the medications. However, we found significant (group x time) effects for Kd, and beta-adrenergic receptor affinity (1/Kd) was increased significantly in the Korean red-ginseng group. CONCLUSION : In a normal population, Korean red-ginseng showed a potential effects on the beta-adrenergic receptor function, which may play an important role in the regulation of stress responses

Effect of Korean Red Ginseng on Stress Responses and beta-Adrenergic Receptor Function in a Normal Population / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE : There have been few studies to examine the effect of Korean red-ginseng on autonomic nervous system. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of Korean red-ginseng on beta-adrenergic receptor function in a normal population. METHODS : Thirty four healthy normal subjects who were 20-40 years old were recruited for the study. They were randomized into the two groups ; red-ginseng group (n=19) and placebo group (n=15). Three gram of red-ginseng or placebo per day was administered to the study subjects for 3 weeks. Before and after the medications, we measured the lymphocyte beta-adrenergic receptor function (Bmax, cAMP, and Kd), and psychological scales such as the Stress Response Inventory (SRI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). This study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, comparative study. RESULTS : There were no significant differences in the changes of beta-adrenergic receptor density (Bmax) and sensitivity (cAMP) and psychological assessments between the two groups according to the medications. However, we found significant (group x time) effects for Kd, and beta-adrenergic receptor affinity (1/Kd) was increased significantly in the Korean red-ginseng group. CONCLUSION : In a normal population, Korean red-ginseng showed a potential effects on the beta-adrenergic receptor function, which may play an important role in the regulation of stress responses