• Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.376-382
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• 2018

We reviewed clinical studies investigating the pharmacological treatment of major depressive episodes (MDEs) with mixed features diagnosed according to the dimensional criteria (more than two or three [hypo]manic symptoms+principle depressive symptoms). We systematically reviewed published randomized controlled trials on the pharmacological treatment of MDEs with mixed features associated with mood disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases through December 2017 with the following key word combinations linked with the word OR: (a) mixed or mixed state, mixed features, DMX, mixed depression; (b) depressive, major depressive, MDE, MDD, bipolar, bipolar depression; and (c) antidepressant, antipsychotic, mood stabilizer, anticonvulsant, treatment, medication, algorithm, guideline, pharmacological. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We found few randomized trials on pharmacological treatments for MDEs with mixed features. Of the 36 articles assessed for eligibility, 11 investigated MDEs with mixed features in mood disorders: six assessed the efficacy of antipsychotic drugs (lurasidone and ziprasidone) in the acute phase of MDD with mixed features, although four of these were post hoc analyses based on large randomized controlled trials. Four studies compared antipsychotic drugs (olanzapine, lurasidone, and ziprasidone) with placebo, and one study assessed the efficacy of combination therapy (olanzapine+fluoxetine) in the acute phase of BD with mixed features. Pharmacological treatments for MDEs with mixed features have focused on antipsychotics, although evidence of their efficacy is lacking. Additional well-designed clinical trials are needed.

• Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.415-421
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• 2018

Objective: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairment in social skills and communication with repetitive behaviors. Etiology is still unclear although it is thought to develop with interaction of genes and environmental factors. Oxytocin has extensive effects on intrauterine brain development. Vitamin D, affects neural development and differentiation and contributes to the regulation of around 900 genes including oxytocin receptor gene. In the present study, the contribution of D vitamin receptor and oxytocin receptor gene polymorphisms in the development of ASD in Turkish community was investigated. To our knowledge, this is the first study examining these two associated genes together in the literature. Methods: Eighty-five patients diagnosed with ASD according to DSM-5 who were referred to outpatient clinics of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of Başkent University and Mersin University and 52 healthy, age and gender-matched controls were included in the present study. Vitamin D receptor gene rs731236 (Taq1), rs2228570 (Fok1), rs1544410 (Bsm1), rs7975232 (Apa1) polymorphisms and oxytocin receptor gene rs1042778 and rs2268493 polymorphisms were investigated using real time polymerase chain reaction method. Results: No significant difference between groups in terms of distribution of genotype and alleles in each of polymorphisms for these genes could be found. Conclusion: Knowledge of genes and polymorphisms associated with the development of ASD may be beneficial for early diagnosis and future treatment. Further studies with larger populations are required to demonstrate molecular pathways which may play part in the development of ASD in Turkey.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.475-485
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• 2006

The physical properties of the central and southwestern crust of South Korea were estimated by comparing values of ${Q_P}^{-1}\;and\;{Q_S}^{-1}$ in the Kimcheon and Mokpo areas. In order to get ${Q_P}^{-1}\;and\;{Q_S}^{-1}$ values, seismic data were collected from two stations of the KIGAM network (KMC and MUN) and four stations of the KMA network (CPN, KUC, MOP, and WAN). An extended coda-normalization method was applied to these data. Estimates of ${Q_P}^{-1}\;and\;{Q_S}^{-1}$ show variations depending on frequency. As frequencies vary from 3 Hz to 24 Hz, the estimates decrease from $(1.4{\pm}3.9){\times}10^{-3}\;to\;(2.3{\pm}3.5){\times}10^{-4}\;for\;{Q_P}^{-1}\;and\;(1.8{\pm}1.3){\times}10^{-3}\;to\;(1.9{\pm}1.5){\times}10^{-4}\;for\;{Q_S}^{-1}$ in central South Korea, and $(5.9{\pm}4.8){\times}10^{-3}\;to\;(2.2{\pm}3.8){\times}10^{-4}\;for\;{Q_P}^{-1}\;and\;(0.5{\pm}2.8){\times}10^{-3}\;to\;(1.8{\pm}1.6){\times}10^{-4}\;for\;{Q_S}^{-1}$ in southwestern South Korea. According that a frequency-dependent power law is applied to the data, the best fits of ${Q_P}^{-1}\;and\;{Q_S}^{-1}\;are\;0.003f^{-0.49}\;and\;0.005f^{-1.03}$ in central South Korea, and $0.026f^{-1.47}$ and $0.001f^{-0.49}$ in southwestern South Korea, respectively. These values almost correspond to those of seismically stable regions although ${Q_P}^{-1}$ values of southwestern South Korea are a little high due to lack of data used.

• Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.434-448
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• 2018

Objective: The Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Bipolar Disorder (KMAP-BP) was first published in 2002 through an expert consensus of opinion, and updated in 2006, 2010, and 2014. This study constitutes the fourth revision of the KMAP-BP. Methods: A 50-item questionnaire was used to obtain the consensus of experts regarding pharmacological treatment strategies for various phases of adult bipolar disorder and six items for pediatric bipolar disorder. The review committee included 84 Korean psychiatrists and 43 child and adolescent psychiatry experts. Results: The preferred first-step strategies for acute mania were the combination of a mood stabilizer (MS) and an atypical antipsychotic (AAP), MS monotherapy, and AAP monotherapy. A combination of a MS and an AAP, and AAP monotherapy were preferred for psychotic mania. The first-step strategies for mild to moderate bipolar depression were monotherapy with MS, AAP, or lamotrigine (LMT), and the combination of a MS and an AAP or LMT, or a combination of an AAP and LMT. The combination of two among a MS, AAP, and LMT were preferred for non-psychotic severe depression. A combination of a MS and an AAP or the combination of an AAP with an antidepressant or LMT were the first-line options for psychotic severe depression. Conclusion: The recommendations of the KMAP-BP 2018 have changed from the previous version by reflecting recent developments in pharmacotherapy for bipolar disorder. KMAP-BP 2018 provides clinicians with a wealth of information regarding appropriate strategies for treating patients with bipolar disorder.

• Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.398-406
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• 2018

Objective: Hospitalization of patients with delirium after visiting the emergency department (ED) is often required. However, the readmission risk after discharge from the ED should also be considered. This study aimed to explore whether (i) immediate hospitalization influences the readmission risk of patients with delirium; (ii) the readmission risk is affected by various risk factors; and (iii) the healthcare cost differs between groups within 28 days of the first ED visit. Methods: Using the National Health Insurance Research Database, the data of 2,780 subjects presenting with delirium at an ED visit from 2000 to 2008 were examined. The readmission risks of the groups of patients (i.e., patients who were and were not admitted within 24 hours of an ED visit) within 28 days were compared, and the effects of the severities of different comorbidities (using Charlson's comorbidity index, CCI), age, gender, diagnosis and differences in medical healthcare cost were analyzed. Results: Patients without immediate hospitalization had a higher risk of readmission within 3, 7, 14, or 28 days of discharge from the ED, especially subjects with more severe comorbidities ($CCI{\geq}3$) or older patients (${\geq}65years$). Subjects with more severe comorbidities or older subjects who were not admitted immediately also incurred a greater healthcare cost for re-hospitalization within the 28-day follow-up period. Conclusion: Patients with delirium with a higher CCI or of a greater age should be carefully considered for immediate hospitalization from ED for further examination in order to reduce the risk of re-hospitalization and cost of healthcare.

• Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.469-480
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• 2018

Objective: Pharmacogenomic-based antidepressant treatment (PGATx) may result in more precise pharmacotherapy of major depressive disorder (MDD) with better drug therapy guidance. Methods: An 8-week, randomized, single-blind clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of PGATx in 100 patients with MDD. All recruited patients were randomly allocated either to PGATx (n=52) or treatment as usual (TAU, n=48) groups. The primary endpoint was a change of total score of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAMD-17) from baseline to end of treatment. Response rate (at least 50% reduction in HAMD-17 score from baseline), remission rate (HAMD-17 score ${\leq}7$ at the end of treatment) as well as the change of total score of Frequency, Intensity, and Burden of Side Effects Ratings (FIBSER) from baseline to end of treatment were also investigated. Results: The mean change of HAMD-17 score was significantly different between two groups favoring PGATx by -4.1 point of difference (p=0.010) at the end of treatment. The mean change in the FIBSER score from baseline was significantly different between two treatment groups favoring PGATx by -2.5 point of difference (p=0.028). The response rate (71.7 % vs. 43.6%, p=0.014) were also significantly higher in PGATx than in TAU at the end of treatment, while the remission rate was numerically higher in PGATx than in TAU groups without statistical difference (45.5% vs. 25.6%, p=0.071). The reason for early drop-out associated with adverse events was also numerically higher in TAU (n=9, 50.0%) than in PGATx (n=4, 30.8%). Conclusion: The present study clearly demonstrate that PGATx may be a better treatment option in the treatment of MDD in terms of effectiveness and tolerability; however, study shortcomings may limit a generalization. Adequately-powered, well-designed, subsequent studies should be mandatory to prove its practicability and clinical utility for routine practice.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.156-166
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• 2000

This study was carried out to provide the information on seasonal variations of water content under highway asphalt pavements which influence on the dynamic behaviour and durability of pavements, and to assess the correlation between water content and soil or meteorological factors. Total eight sites for water content measurement which included fives sites in Kyungbu, two sites in Honam, and one site in Youngdong Highway were selected considering the variations in geology, topology and meteorology factors over all the country. Water contents under asphalt pavements were measured up to 170 cm depth every two week for total 13 months of August 1992 through September 1993 using neutron moisture meter(CPN-503DR). The range of water content ($\theta$$_{w}$) at the upper soils of above 50 cm depth was 7~12% and was not quite different regardless of sites, except for Iseo site. However, soil water contents below 60 or 70 cm depth were significantly different between the measurement sites, that is, the lowest water content was 5% at Kyungsan site and the highest water content was 20% at Iseo site. For all the sites, seasonal variations in water content during the experimental period were little, their range was within only 1 to 4%. Seasonal variations of water content in original or cutting area, which were 4% more or less, were slightly larger than in bedding areas, which were below 2%. Water contents under asphalt pavements had statistically significant positive correlations with silt and clay content in soil, but there were little correlations between water content and meteorological factors such as precipitation, relative humidity, mean air temperature, and wind velocity.