Jong-Il Park

Hypoxia decreases Runx2/Cbfa1 expression in human osteoblast-like cells.

To elucidate the molecular mechanism in relation to vascular supply and osteoporosis, we investigated the effect of hypoxia on Runx2 expression in MG63 cells. Also investigated was expression of type I collagen and osteocalcin, which are regulated by Runx2, alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) to see if they are affected by hypoxia. Quiescent cultures of MG63 cells were exposed to hypoxia (2% O(2)) and normoxia (18% O(2)) for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. In cells exposed to hypoxia, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis showed that mRNA expression of Runx2, type I collagen, osteocalcin, and ALPase were decreased in a time dependent manner to 96 h. Activity of ALPase was also reduced in the same manner. Western blotting showed a marked decrease in Runx2 protein at 96 h in cells under hypoxia compared to normoxia. These data indicate that Runx2 expression in osteoblasts is reduced by hypoxia, and may be a mechanism of osteoporosis by decreased vascular supply.

Predictors of suicidal ideation in a community sample: Roles of anger, self-esteem, and depression

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationships of anger, self-esteem, and depression with suicidal ideation. A survey was conducted in a wide range of community areas across Jeollabuk-do Province, Korea. A total of 2964 subjects (mean age=44.4yr) participated in this study. Hierarchical regression was used to investigate predictors of suicidal ideation in terms of their sociodemographic characteristics, depression, self-esteem, and anger. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that anger and self-esteem were significantly associated with suicidal ideation regardless of age and after controlling for depression. Moderation analysis showed that the impact of anger on suicidal ideation was significantly greater among females than males in adolescents, but not in other age groups. Additionally, there were some differences in sociodemographic predictors of suicidal ideation among age groups. Predictors included gender and family harmony in adolescents, marital status and family harmony in middle-aged individuals, and economic status and family harmony in elderly individuals. Our results revealed that anger and self-esteem play important roles in suicidal ideation beyond the effect of depression. Development and implementation of preventive strategies, including management of anger and self-esteem, could possibly reduce suicidal ideation and subsequent suicide attempts.

Long-acting injectable antipsychotics for first-episode schizophrenia: the pros and cons.

Clinical and psychosocial deterioration associated with schizophrenia occurs within the first few years following the onset of the illness. Therefore, to improve the long-term prognosis, it is important to provide schizophrenia patients with intensive treatment following their first episode. Relapse is highly associated with partial medication adherence or nonadherence in patients with first-episode schizophrenia. Recent studies suggest that long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics compared with oral antipsychotics are more effective for medication adherence and relapse prevention. Moreover, some clinical guidelines for the treatment of schizophrenia suggested that LAI antipsychotics should be considered when patients are nonadherent “at any stage.” Decreased compliance is a common cause of relapse during the initial stages of the disease. Therefore, LAI antipsychotics should be highly considered when treating patients with first-episode schizophrenia. In the present paper, clinical trial data and current guidelines on the use of LAI antipsychotics for first-episode schizophrenia are discussed as well as the pros and cons of this treatment option.

Predictors of suicidal ideation in older individuals receiving home-care services

Despite the importance of tending to older individuals who are vulnerable to suicide, little is known about suicidal ideation in the portion of this population receiving home‐care services in Asian countries. The objective of this cross‐sectional study was to examine predictors of suicidal ideation in older individuals using home‐care service.

Case report: diabetic muscle infarction presenting as knee arthralgia.

Abstract. Diabetic muscle infarction is a rare complication of diabetes and has characteristic clinical features including acute onset of pain with painful swelling, most commonly in the thigh or calf muscle, which gradually improves to complete resolution. Recently we experienced a case of diabetic muscular infarction presenting as knee joint pain due to involvement of the proximal portion of the leg muscle, which site has not been reported previously. This case shows that diabetic muscle infarction may involve sites other than the thigh and calf areas and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of knee arthralgia.

The effect of α‐lipoic acid on symptoms and skin blood flow in diabetic neuropathy

Aims  Multiple pathogenic pathways are involved in diabetic neuropathy and diverse treatments have been tried without success. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of α‐lipoic acid on skin blood flow in patients with diabetic neuropathy.

Factors associated with depression among elderly Koreans: the role of chronic illness, subjective health status, and cognitive impairment

The objective of this cross‐sectional study was to investigate the relationship between depression in elderly individuals and chronic illness, subjective health status, and cognitive impairment.

The Effects of Sociodemographic Factors on Psychiatric Diagnosis

Objective Several studies have reported that ethnic differences influence psychiatric diagnoses. Some previous studies reported that African Americans and Hispanics are diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders more frequently than Caucasians, and that Caucasians are more likely to be diagnosed with affective disorders than other ethnic groups. We sought to identify associations between sociodemographic factors and psychiatric diagnosis. Methods We retrospectively examined the medical records of all psychiatric inpatients (ages over 18 years) treated at Kern county mental hospital (n=2,051) between July 2003 and March 2007 for demographic, clinical information, and discharge diagnoses. Results African American and Hispanic males were more frequently diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorders than Caucasians, whereas Caucasian females were more frequently diagnosed with affective disorders than females in the other ethnic groups, suggesting that patient ethnicity and gender may influence clinical diagnoses. Demographic variables, that is, a lower education, failure of marriage, homelessness, and low quality insurance, were found to be significantly associated with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorders after adjusting for clinical variables. And, the presence of a family psychiatric history, failure of marriage, not-homelessness, and quality insurance were found to be associated with a diagnosis of affective disorders. Conclusion Our results show that these demographic factors, including ethnicity, have effects on diagnoses in psychiatric inpatients. Furthermore, these variables may help prediction of psychiatric diagnoses.

Mediastinal mass and brachial plexopathy caused by subclavian arterial aneurysm in Behçet's disease

Abstract Vascular involvement in Behçets disease is divided into venous and arterial thrombosis and arterial aneurysmal formation. Subclavian arterial aneurysm rarely occurs in Behçets disease; however, when it does occur, it causes serious aneurysmal rupture and local complications such as nerve compression and arterial ischemia. We describe the case of a 39-year-old male who presented with neurologic symptoms and signs of brachial plexopathy and mediastinal mass caused by Behçets subclavian arterial aneurysm. This case shows that the occurrence of brachial plexopathy should be considered a manifestation of Behçets disease, and that Behçets aneurysm should be considered in the differential diagnosis of upper mediastinal mass.

Prevalence of and risk factors for extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis in Korean Type 2 diabetic patients

Aims  The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of and risk factors for extracranial internal carotid artery stenosis in Type 2 diabetic patients.