Biomedical subjects

Sung-Wan Kim

Publications and source records attributed to Sung-Wan Kim.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

BDNF genotype potentially modifying the association between incident stroke and depression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene val66met polymorphism in the association between stroke and depression. METHOD: Five hundred community residents aged >65 years without stroke or depression at baseline were re-evaluated after 2 years. Disability (World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule, WHODAS II), cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE), and BDNF genotype were also measured at baseline. RESULTS: The association between incident stroke and depression was strengthened progressively with increasing numbers of met alleles, and was only significant in subjects with the met/met genotype after adjustment for disability and cognitive function. CONCLUSION: The BDNF val66met polymorphism may modify the association between stroke and depression.

Aged↗

PubMed2007

Effectiveness of modified phenol peel (Exoderm) on facial wrinkles, acne scars and other skin problems of Asian patients.

Deep depth peeling using phenol is one of the most effective chemical peeling methods. However, it has been rarely used on Asian people because of side-effects, especially hypopigmentation. In order to reduce side-effects, a number of modified phenol peeling formulas were developed. Exoderm, a modified phenol peel, has shown reduced side-effects such as arrhythmia, long-lasting erythema, hypopigmentation, hypertrophic scar and keloid. In the present study, our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of Exoderm on wrinkles, acne scars, and melasma and its safety for Asian patients. Forty-six patients were treated with Exoderm. Twenty-eight patients (61%) were treated for wrinkles and 11 patients (24%) for acne scars. Clinical improvement and side-effects were evaluated and the degree of improvement was graded into four stages. The overall average improvement scores were 3.39 and 3.30 out of 4.00 as evaluated by the doctor and patient, respectively. Forty-one patients (89%) showed 51% or more improvement. All patients with wrinkles improved 51% or more and their average improvement score was 3.64 out of 4.00. Seven of 11 patients (64%) with acne scars improved 51% or more and their average improvement score was 2.73 out of 4.00. The most frequent side-effect was postinflammatory hyperpigmentation (74%). Prolonged erythema, keloid and milia were observed temporarily, however, hypopigmentation persisted for 6 months in the follow-up period. All side-effects were tolerable and reversible except for one complication of hypopigmentation. We conclude that Exoderm is very effective for treating the facial wrinkles and acne scars of Asian patients.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Use of long-acting injectable risperidone before and throughout pregnancy in schizophrenia.

Data on the use of long-acting injectable (LAI) risperidone, the first atypical depot antipsychotic, during pregnancy are limited. A 35-year-old woman with schizophrenia was given LAI risperidone before and throughout her pregnancy. She gave birth to a female infant weighing 2230 g at 36 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy, following premature rupture of the membranes. The baby had no congenital malformation and was healthy 8 months postnatal. To our knowledge, this is the first reported use of LAI risperidone throughout an entire pregnancy. In this paper, we discuss the rationale and problems of LAI risperidone use in pregnancy, based on a literature review.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Diagnostic validity of assessment scales for depression in patients with schizophrenia.

The aim of this study was to examine the diagnostic validity of four commonly used assessment scales for depression in schizophrenia. The study population consisted of 84 inpatients meeting the DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia. Depression in the study subjects was defined by the DSM-IV criteria for major depressive episode. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Simpson-Angus Rating Scale (SARS) were used to differentiate depression from the negative and extrapyramidal symptom-related depressive phenomena in schizophrenia. The following four depression scales were assessed for their diagnostic validity as measures of depressive disorder in schizophrenia: the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), and the depression subscale of the PANSS (PANSS-D). Of 84 patients with schizophrenia, 32 were diagnosed as having comorbid depressive disorder. The areas under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves of the CDSS, HAM-D, PANSS-D, and BDI were 0.94, 0.89, 0.90, and 0.81, respectively. The area under the ROC curve of the CDSS was significantly greater than that of the BDI and tended to be more favorable than those for the HAM-D and the PANSS-D. Our study suggests that the CDSS may provide the best assessment for depression in patients with schizophrenia.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Correlates of caregiver burden for Korean elders according to cognitive and functional status.

BACKGROUND: Caregiver strain was investigated in a community sample of Korean elders with cohabiting caregivers, and factors associated with this were compared between groups classified by cognitive and functional impairment. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 484 elders and their cohabiting caregivers resident in Kwangju, South Korea. Caregiver burden was measured by the Zarit Burden Interview. Data on the elders' socio-demographics (age, gender, education, and religion) and clinical characteristics (cognitive function (MMSE), activities of daily living (IADL), depressive symptoms, alcoholism, and physical illness), and caregivers' socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, education, relation to elders, and current employment) and caregiving environments (living area, alternative caregiver, number of rooms, monthly income, and social network) were gathered. Participants were classified into those with (n=61) or without cognitive impairment. The second group was classified into those with (n=68) or without (n=355) functional impairment. RESULTS: Caregiver strain was significantly associated with cognitive impairment. In the group without cognitive impairment, caregiver strain was significantly associated with participant characteristics (IADL impairment, and symptoms of depression and alcoholism). In those with cognitive impairment, caregiver strain was associated with both participant status (depressive symptoms and IADL impairment) and caregiver characteristics (a child caregiver, lower social support, and urban environment). CONCLUSIONS: Individual mental and physical health characteristics predict caregiver strain regardless of cognitive impairment. Caregiver characteristics are most important in the presence of cognitive impairment.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2006

Survey of medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia--Korean ADHES data.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the partial adherence to medication in schizophrenic patients in Korea. METHODS: The Adherence in Schizophrenia (ADHES) survey was conducted worldwide, including Asian countries. Through questionnaires for clinicians, caregivers and patients, information about medication adherence in patients with schizophrenia and factors affecting adherence were identified. This survey involved 131 psychiatrists from 80 psychiatry clinics and 2824 patients with schizophrenia were enrolled. RESULTS: Partial adherence in patients with schizophrenia was prevalent (over 60%) in Korea. From the psychiatrists' point of view, the most prevalent factors associated with partial adherence in their patients were poor awareness of the illness (85%) and embarrassment at having to take medication daily (80%). Psychiatrists believed that most patients (83%) needed help from someone to remind them to take the medication regularly. Of patients, 57% reported feeling upset at having to take medication daily and 76% of caregivers reported preferring long-acting medications. CONCLUSION: Based on the study results, a specific strategy to deal successfully with the prevalent partial adherence to medication in patients with schizophrenia should be developed, and long-acting medication may be one solution to improve partial adherence problems.

Antipsychotic Agents↗

PubMed2006

Bullying and victimization behaviors in boys and girls at South Korean primary schools.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and correlates of bullying and victimization behaviors in boys and girls at South Korean primary schools. METHOD: In a cross-sectional survey, 1,344 fourth-grade primary school children completed a questionnaire on self-reported bullying and victimization behaviors, depression, anxiety, body image, coping strategies, and self-esteem as well as the self-report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Parents completed a questionnaire on demographic data, the General Health Questionnaire-12, and the Korean version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of bullies, victims, and bullies/victims was 12.0%, 5.3%, and 7.2%, respectively. Boys were significantly more likely to be bullies and bullies/victims. In the multivariate analyses, bullying and victimization behaviors were associated with gender, greater than average height, higher depression, higher trait anxiety, lower self-esteem, and total difficulties of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Differences in the associations were found between boys and girls. CONCLUSIONS: The authors found that bullying is common among South Korean primary school students and that bullying and victimization behaviors are related to various emotional, behavioral, and social problems; some gender-related differences are also evident.

Crime Victims↗

PubMed2006

A prospective study of changes in subjective memory complaints and onset of dementia in South Korea.

OBJECTIVE: Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are associated with an increased incidence of dementia, but changes in SMCs have received little investigation. This study aimed to investigate the prospective association between change in self-reported memory and incident dementia in a community sample. METHOD: Korean residents aged 65+ without dementia were followed over a 2.4-year period (N = 686). SMCs were ascertained on both occasions using the Geriatric Mental State schedule. Incident dementia was ascertained at follow up, applying Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria. RESULTS: Compared with those without SMCs on either occasion, dementia incidence was higher in those with persistent SMCs (present on both occasions) and transient SMCs (present at baseline but not follow up). There was no association with new onset of SMCs during follow up. The association with transient SMCs was weakened when those with cognitive impairment at baseline were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Incident dementia is associated with memory complaints that persist or disappear but not with new complaints.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Vascular risk factors and incident late-life depression in a Korean population.

BACKGROUND: Causal relationships between vascular factors and late-life depression are controversial. AIMS: To investigate prospective associations between risk factors for vascular disease and incidence of late-life depression. METHOD: Of 661 community participants aged 65 years or over, without depression at baseline, 521 (79%) were re-evaluated 2 years later. At baseline and follow-up, a diagnostic interview for depression was carried out and information on vascular status, disability and cognitive function was gathered. RESULTS: Pre-existing heart disease, incident stroke and lower baseline high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level were significantly associated with incidence of late-life depression, independently of disability and cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide some support for a vascular aetiology of late-life depression. However, important risk factors for cerebrovascular disease such as hypertension and diabetes were not implicated, and the associations with lipid levels might still be explained by affective states earlier in life.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Physical health, depression and cognitive function as correlates of disability in an older Korean population.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS II) measures functioning and disability in concordance with the bio-psycho-social model of the WHO's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Our objectives were to investigate the independent associations of physical health, depression and cognitive function with WHODAS II disability in an older Korean population. METHODS: The WHODAS II was administered to a community sample of 1204 residents age 65 or over. Data on demographic characteristics (age, gender, living area, marital state, and religion), socio-economic state (education, type of accommodation, number of rooms, previous occupation, current employment, monthly income), social support, number of physical illness, depression (GMS), and cognitive function (MMSE) was gathered. A subsample (n = 746) received a clinical examination for dementia. RESULTS: Scores on the WHODAS II were significantly and independently associated with worse physical health, depression, and lower cognitive function. Associations with other factors were no longer apparent after adjustment for these. These associations persisted in the absence of dementia. In participants with dementia (n = 110), WHODAS II scores were principally associated with physical health and accommodation type. CONCLUSIONS: Level of disability, as measured by the WHODAS II, was principally associated with physical health, depression and cognitive function, rather than socio-demographic factors.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase polymorphism is not associated with incidence of Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND: The association between the mutant allele of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2*2) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been controversial and only so far investigated in cross-sectional studies. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between ALDH2*2 and incidence of AD. METHODS: Of 592 participants aged 65 or over without dementia at baseline, 510 (86%) were re-evaluated after 2.4 years and comprised the study sample. Baseline measures included: demographic characteristics, drinking behavior, cognitive function (MMSE), clinical diagnoses of dementia and AD, and genotype (ALDH2 and apolipoprotein E). At the follow up examination, alcohol related characteristics, MMSE and clinical diagnoses of dementia and AD were reassessed. RESULTS: There were no significant associations between the ALDH2*2 and any cognitive outcomes (incidence of dementia or AD, or cognitive decline). These findings were not changed after adjustment for alcohol consumption. No interaction was found between ALDH2 and apolipoprotein E. CONCLUSIONS: ALDH2*2 does not seem to be important in the etiology of dementia.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Comparing effects of methylphenidate, sertraline and placebo on neuropsychiatric sequelae in patients with traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effects of methylphenidate and sertraline compared with placebo on various neuropsychiatric sequelae associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: This was a 4 week, double-blind, parallel-group trial. Thirty patients with mild to moderate degrees of TBI were randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups (n = 10 in each group) with matching age, gender and education, i.e. methylphenidate (starting at 5 mg/day and increasing to 20 mg/day in a week), sertraline (starting at 25 mg/day and increasing to 100 mg/day in a week) or placebo. At the baseline and at the 4 week endpoint, the following assessments were administered: subjective (Beck Depression Inventory) and objective (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) measures of depression; Rivermead Postconcussion Symptoms Questionnaire for postconcussional symptoms; SmithKline Beecham Quality of Life Scale for quality of life; seven performance tests (Critical Flicker Fusion, Choice Reaction Time, Continuous Tracking, Mental Arithmetic, Short-Term memory, Digit Symbol Substitution and Mini-Mental State Examination); subjective measures of sleep (Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire) and daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale). All adverse events during the study period were recorded and their relationships to the drugs were assessed. RESULTS: Neuropsychiatric sequelae seemed to take a natural recovery course in patients with traumatic brain injury. Methylphenidate had significant effects on depressive symptoms compared with the placebo, without hindering the natural recovery process of cognitive function. Although sertraline also had significant effects on depressive symptoms compared with the placebo, it did not improve many tests on cognitive performances. Daytime sleepiness was reduced by methylphenidate, while it was not by sertraline. CONCLUSIONS: Methylphenidate and sertraline had similar effects on depressive symptoms. However, methylphenidate seemed to be more beneficial in improving cognitive function and maintaining daytime alertness. Methylphenidate also offered a better tolerability than sertraline.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Galatosylation and sialylation of mammalian glycoproteins produced by baculovirus-madiated gene expression in insect cells.

The baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) is used extensively for the production of proteins from exogenous cDNAs. However, BEVS is not ideal for pharmaceutical production of glycoproteins owing to the properties of the N-glycans in the expressed products and that insect cells lack several of the enzymes required for mammalian-type N-glycan synthesis. This study describes the effective mammalian-like production of glycoproteins, such as beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase and alpha-2,6-sialyltransferase, in the insect cell line Sf9.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Changes in cellular secretory processing during baculovirus infection.

In the baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS), secretory green fluorescent protein (sGFP) transcripts were expressed from day 2 to day 5 post-infection (p.i.), while transcripts of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) molecular chaperone Bombyx mori protein disulfide isomerase (bPDI) were measurable in mock cells and in cells at day 1 p.i. The GFP was expressed from day 3 to day 5 p.i. whereas the levels of two ER chaperone proteins, bPDI and calnexin, decreased from day 3 p.i. and were not detected from day 4 p.i. These findings suggest that the rate-limited expression of ER molecular chaperones is strongly associated with the maximal expression of exogenous proteins in BEVS.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Transconjunctival laser blepharoplasty of lower eyelids: Asian experience with 1,340 cases.

BACKGROUND: Lower eyelid bulging is a result of the aging process, but it can sometimes be severe in young people. This condition can cause considerable aesthetic problems to many patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of transconjunctival laser blepharoplasty in treating Asian skin. METHODS: Since 1995, our clinic has performed 1,340 procedures to remove the fat bulging of lower eyelids using a carbon dioxide laser. RESULTS: The most common complaints were edema and transient discomfort and red eye; 82% of the patients were satisfied (1,099 patients rated a score of 3 or 4). The incidence of complications was very low. CONCLUSION: Transconjunctival laser blepharoplasty of lower eyelids is a safe, low-risk procedure with excellent cosmetic results. It makes no visible scar and reduces downtime. This is also good for patients with previous surgical scars on their lower eyelid.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mirtazapine treatment for pathological laughing and crying after stroke.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been recognized as the treatment of choice for pathological laughing and crying (PLC), which is a common, distressing condition that follows stroke. There have been few reports about other treatment options for PLC. Here, the authors report rapid responses to mirtazapine in two patients with poststroke PLC who failed to respond to SSRIs or bupropion. In the first case, a 63-year-old woman with severe long-standing crying spells that had persisted for 3 months responded well to low-dose mirtazapine within a few days; she could not tolerate citalopram or sertraline. In the second case, both the laughing and crying spells of a 64-year-old woman were improved within a few days of mirtazapine administration, after they had not responded to bupropion. This is one of the first reports to suggest that mirtazapine may be an alternative to SSRIs for treating poststroke PLC.

Antidepressive Agents↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bupropion may improve restless legs syndrome: a report of three cases.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common disorder for which agents that enhance dopaminergic activity, including dopamine agonists and levodopa, are the treatment of choice. However, long-term use of dopaminergic drugs can cause unwanted effects such as rebound, tolerance, and augmentation. Bupropion, an inhibitor of dopamine and noradrenalin reuptake, is an antidepressant that modulates dopaminergic systems. The authors report that a low dose of bupropion rapidly and completely ameliorated RLS symptoms in 3 depressed patients within a few days of the initiation of treatment. To their knowledge, this is the first report to show that bupropion may be an effective alternative for treating RLS. Consequently, bupropion may be useful for the treatment of patients with both depression and RLS.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Association between attitude toward medication and neurocognitive function in schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVES: A patient's attitude toward medication is important for medication adherence, which is a key determinant of outcome in schizophrenia. This study examined the association between attitude toward antipsychotic medication and clinical status, particularly neurocognitive function, in patients with schizophrenia. METHOD: Ninety-two patients meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria for schizophrenia participated in this study. The attitudes of the subjects toward medication were evaluated using the Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI). Clinical characteristics, including psychiatric symptoms and side effects of medication were evaluated. Neurocognitive function was measured using the Mini Mental State Examination and a computerized battery consisting of the Digit Span Test, Verbal Learning Test, Continuous Performance Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Finger Tapping Test, and Trail Making Test, parts A and B. The associations between attitude toward medication and neurocognitive function and clinical characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: The scores on the DAI were not significantly correlated with the clinical characteristics, such as psychopathology, subjective well-being, or neuroleptic-induced extrapyramidal side effects. Instead, the scores on the DAI were significantly correlated with the learning index and delayed free recall on the Verbal Learning Test, the number of categories completed on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, and omission and commission errors on the Continuous Performance Test; the scores were not significantly correlated with measures on the Mini Mental State Examination, Digit Span Test, Finger Tapping Test, or Trail Making Test. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that a patient's attitude toward medication is associated with neurocognitive function. Specifically, verbal learning memory, executive functioning, and sustained attention were associated with attitude toward medication.

Adolescent↗