Effects of antipsychotic drugs on the expression of synapse-associated proteins in the frontal cortex of rats subjected to immobilization stress.

The present study examined the effects of antipsychotic drugs on the expression of synapse-associated proteins in the frontal cortex of rats with and without immobilization stress. Rats were subjected to immobilization stress 6h/day for 3 weeks. The effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs, olanzapine and aripiprazole, on expression of serine(9)-phosphorylated GSK-3ß, ß-catenin, BDNF, PSD-95, and synaptophysin were determined by Western blotting. A typical antipsychotic drug, haloperidol, was used for comparison. Immobilization stress significantly decreased the expression of these proteins in the frontal cortex. Chronic administration of olanzapine and aripiprazole significantly attenuated the immobilization stress-induced decrease in the levels of these proteins, whereas haloperidol had no such effect. Additionally, olanzapine and aripiprazole significantly increased levels of phosphorylated GSK-3ß under normal conditions without stress, and aripiprazole also increased BDNF levels under this condition. These results indicate that olanzapine and aripiprazole, and, haloperidol, differentially regulate the levels of synapse-associated proteins in the rat frontal cortex. These findings may contribute to explain the neurobiological basis of how olanzapine and aripiprazole up-regulated synapse-associated proteins.

Analysis of 120 pectoralis major flaps for head and neck reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: A pectoralis major flap is one of the standard tools for the reconstruction of defects of the head and neck. Despite the technical advancement in free tissue transfer in head and neck reconstruction, the benefits of a pectoralis major flap should not be overlooked. The purpose of this study is to evaluate our 17 years of experience in reconstructing defects of the head and neck region using the pectoralis major flap. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 112 patients (120 cases) who underwent pectoralis major flap operations for head and neck reconstruction during a period ranging from 1994 to 2010. RESULTS: In our series, no total necrosis of the flap occurred. Of the total cases, 30.8% presented with flap-related complications. Major complications occurred in 20% of all of the cases but were then all successfully treated. The male sex was correlated with the occurrence of overall complications (P=0.020) and major complications (P=0.007). Preoperative albumin levels of <3.8 g/dL were correlated with the formation of fistula (P=0.030). Defects of the hypopharynx were correlated with the occurrence of major complications (P=0.019) and the formation of fistula (P=0.012). Secondary reconstructions were correlated with the occurrence of overall complications (P=0.013) and the formation of fistula (P=0.030). CONCLUSIONS: A pectoralis major flap is still considered to be a safe, versatile one-stage reconstruction procedure in the management of the defects of head and neck and the protection of the carotid artery.

Development of antioxidant packaging material by applying corn-zein to LLDPE film in combination with phenolic compounds.

UNLABELLED: Functional active packaging materials were successfully developed by incorporating antioxidant agents into corn-zein-laminated linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) film. The minimum effective concentrations of the active compounds (for example, thymol, carvacrol, eugenol) were determined and these compounds were then laminated into LLDPE films to develop corn-zein-laminated films with antioxidant agents. The release rate of antioxidant agents in gas and liquid media were determined along with the mechanical and water barrier properties of the films containing these compounds. Tensile strength and percentage elongation at break were reduced in the corn-zein-laminated LLDPE films when compared to typical LLDPE film. Furthermore, the ability of the corn-zein-laminated films to repel moisture decreased by approximately 12.2%, but was improved by incorporating hydrophobic antioxidant compounds in the corn-zein layer. Examination of release kinetics in the gas and liquid phases verified that antioxidants were effectively released from the films and inhibited oxidation during testing. Finally, the films were used for fresh ground beef packaging, and effectively inhibited lipid oxidation and had a positive effect on the color stability of beef patties during storage. These results indicate that the developed antioxidant films are a novel active packaging material that can be effectively implemented by the food industry to improve the quality and safety of foods. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Zein protein, a by-product of corn processing industry, was laminated into plastic films in combination with natural phenolic compounds to develop antioxidant packaging films. The films demonstrated their efficient release patterns of antioxidant compounds, which are suitable for packaging applications and food protection.

Decreased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in elderly korean with dementia.

OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in the serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level between elderly Korean people over 65 years with and without dementia. METHODS: 171 individuals over 65 years were enrolled in this study. Screening for cognitive impairments was carried out using the Mini-Mental Status Examination-Korean version (MMSE-KC). One hundred thirty-two subjects scored below 1.5 standard deviations (SD) of the mean MMSE-KC score, and these were evaluated using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease, Korean version (CERAD-K) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDRS) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria were used for further evaluation. Subjects with a CDRS score of 1 or higher were classified as having Alzheimer's disease (AD), and subjects with a CDRS score of 0.5 were classified as having a mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Subjects with a CDRS score of 0 were classified as having aging-associated cognitive decline (AACD). Serum BDNF levels were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: The serum BDNF levels were significantly lower in the subjects with MCI and AD compared with the healthy controls (p<0.01). A significant correlation was found between the total MMSE-KC score and serum BDNF level (r=0.295; p<0.01). However, no significant correlation was observed between the severity of MMSE-KC and the total GDS score. A significant difference was found in the total score of GDS between the AACD group and subjects with AD (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that BDNF might be involved in the pathophysiology of cognitive decline in elderly people.

Prevalence of Alzheimer's dementia and its risk factors in community-dwelling elderly koreans.

OBJECTIVE: We estimated the prevalence of Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and their risk factors in an urban community setting, focusing especially on metabolic syndrome. METHODS: A two-phase investigation based on a door-to-door survey was performed. In Phase I, we administered the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-KC) of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD-K). Assessment Packet and the Korean version of the Geriatric Depression Scales (GDS-K) to all 706 participants aged 65 years or older. In Phase II of the study, 175 persons underwent physical and neurological examinations according to the protocol of the CERAD-K clinical assessment battery [CERAD-K (C)] and the neuropsychological assessment battery [CERAD-K (N)]. We also examined the association between cognitive decline and metabolic syndrome. AD and MCI were defined using the DSM-IV-TR criteria and the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scales. RESULTS: The mean age (+/-SD) of the subjects was 74.3+/-16.7 years and the ratio of males to females was 53.2 to 46.8. The prevalence of Alzheimer's dementia was 9.0%, while that of MCI was 32.9%. Old age and lower educational level had significant associations with cognitive decline in the elderly, but gender, years of alcohol intake or smoking, and metabolic syndrome were not associated with AD or MCI. CONCLUSION: In this study, metabolic syndrome was not associated with Alzheimer's AD or MCI. Information regarding an association between Alzheimer's dementia and metabolic syndrome in this study will be helpful in formulating future public health policy and prevention strategies in Korea.