Se-Won Lim

Effects of sugars and sugar alcohols on thermal transition and cold stability of corn starch gel

Abstract Various sugars and sugar alcohols (ribose, xylose, glucose, fructose, mannose, sucrose, maltose, isomaltose, trehalose, xylitol, mannitol, and sorbitol) were compared in their effects on thermal transitions and cold-storage stability of a corn starch–sugar gel (40% starch, starch:sugar=10:1 or 10:3 dry solids basis) using a differential scanning calorimetry. As the molar concentration of sugar increased, the onset temperature and enthalpy for starch melting were increased. Among the sugars, the samples with disaccharides exhibited higher onset temperature and enthalpy than those with monosaccharides at the same molar concentration. Under cold storage (4 or −20 °C), the sugars facilitated amylopectin recrystallization. Fructose and isomaltose produced higher degrees of amylopectin recrystallization than did other sugars. Sugar alcohols produced slightly greater recrystallization than did the corresponding sugars. Ice melting temperature and glass transition temperature ( T ′ g ) of the freeze-concentrated phase were decreased as the molar concentration of sugars increased, and there was no or little dependence on the chemical structure of sugars. Ice melting enthalpy for the gels showed no clear dependence on sugar concentration or structure. Sucrose addition lowered the ice melting enthalpy (ice formation by rapid freezing), whereas isomaltose or trehalose addition raised it. By cold storage, the T ′ g of the starch gels was increased, whereas the ice melting enthalpy was decreased, as a result of water consumption for starch recrystallization. In the gel system (40% starch), sugar addition (10 or 30% based on starch) enhanced starch recrystallization, but decreased the ice melting and glass transition temperatures.

Allelic Variants Interaction of CLOCK Gene and G‐Protein β3 Subunit Gene with Diurnal Preference

The 3111 C/T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the CLOCK gene and the 825C/T SNP in the G‐protein β3 subunit gene (GNB3) have been reported to influence diurnal preference. This study has attempted to characterize the association between the CLOCK gene and GNB3 polymorphisms and diurnal preference in healthy Korean college students. All subjects completed the 13‐item Composite Scale for Morningness (CSM). The interaction between the 3111 C/T SNP in the CLOCK gene and the 825 C/T SNP in the GNB3 gene significantly influenced diurnal preference, according to the CSM Performance subscore (F=10.94, p=0.001). However, when the different polymorphisms of the two genes were analyzed independently, no direct correlations with diurnal preference were detected. The CLOCK gene 3111 C/T SNP and GNB3 gene 825 C/T SNP were found to manifest a gene‐gene interaction that affects diurnal preference.

CLOCK gene 3111C/T polymorphism is not associated with seasonal variations in mood and behavior in Korean college students

Abstract  The present study tested the potential association between the 3111C/T polymorphism of the CLOCK gene and seasonal variations in mood and behavior. A total of 297 Korean college students were genotyped for the CLOCK polymorphism and the seasonal variation was evaluated using the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ). The seasonality scores were not different between CLOCK gene variants (P > 0.05). Comparison between seasonals (syndromal plus subsyndromal seasonal affective disorder according to SPAQ) and non‐seasonals found no significant difference in frequencies of genotypes (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that the CLOCK polymorphism does not play a major role in susceptibility to seasonal variations in a Korean population.

Effectiveness of paliperidone extended-release for patients with schizophrenia: focus on subjective improvement.

This study assessed whether the subjective experience of patients with schizophrenia improved after switching from an oral antipsychotic to flexibly‐dosed paliperidone extended‐release.

Clinical symptoms associated with suicidality in patients with panic disorder.

Background: Patients with panic disorder have higher rates of suicide than the general population. Among panic disorder subjects, early onset, female gender, alcohol abuse, and mood disorder increase the risk of suicidality. However, less is known about the unique relationships between discrete DSM-IV panic symptoms and higher suicidality. Therefore, in the current study we examined the panic symptom profile that is associated with higher suicidality in a sample of outpatients with panic disorder. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 427 patients diagnosed with current panic disorder on the basis of the DSM-IV-TR. In order to assess the contribution of the clinical variables, a univariate logistic regression was carried out examining the relationships between the demographic variables, suicidality from the suicide module of the Korean version of the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus, and DSM-IV panic symptoms. Additionally, a multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify specific panic symptoms that were significant risk factors for suicidality among patients with current panic disorder. Results: We found that 74 (17.33%) panic disorder patients experienced high suicidality. Univariate analyses showed that high suicidality was significantly associated with a younger age (OR = 13.66; 95% CI 2.68-69.70), comorbid depressive disorders (OR = 4.57; 95% CI 2.57-8.11), and the following panic symptoms: palpitations (OR = 2.20; 95% CI 0.90-5.35), trembling (OR = 0.61; 95% CI 0.362-1.18), nausea or abdominal distress (OR = 1.77; 95% CI 0.96-3.27), fear of losing control or going crazy (OR = 2.18; 95% CI 1.12-4.23), and paresthesia (OR = 1.57; 95% CI 0.83-2.98). Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that specific panic symptoms, such as palpitations (adjusted OR = 2.69; 95% CI 1.08-6.73) and fear of losing control or going crazy (adjusted OR = 2.28; 95% CI 1.21-4.31), were related to suicidality after controlling for confounding factors. Conclusion: Some panic symptoms (e.g. palpitations and fear of losing control or going crazy) are associated with a risk of suicidality among patients with panic disorder. A priori identification of high-risk suicidal subjects could lead to effective treatment strategies for panic disorder.

Age of pathological gambling onset: clinical and treatment-related features.

Objectives:This study examined differences in the clinical and treatment-related features of pathological gambling (PG) on the basis of the age of PG onset among pathological gamblers who sought treatment. Methods:A total of 702 male outpatients with a primary diagnosis of PG and who were treated in a clinical practice were assessed by retrospective chart review. We selected the age of 25 years and younger as the threshold for “group 1.” We then stratified the participants into 4 groups on the basis of the age of PG onset in 10-year intervals. Analysis of covariance with a covariant of age and the Pearson &khgr;2 test were used for analyses. Results:We found that the earlier-onset gamblers were less likely to be escape type (P < 0.05), used significantly more Internet-based gambling (P < 0.001), and were less likely to engage in nonstrategic gambling (P < 0.05) than the later-onset gamblers. In addition, the earlier-onset gamblers took anticraving medication, such as naltrexone, significantly more often (P < 0.05), and sought treatment significantly more slowly after the onset of PG than the later-onset group (P < 0.01). Regarding adherence to treatment, however, there was no significant difference among the 4 groups on the basis of the age of PG onset. Conclusions:The age of PG onset is associated with several important clinical and treatment features. More studies are needed to advance prevention and treatment strategies for each age group.

Comparison of anxiety-related traits between generalized and nongeneralized subtypes of social anxiety disorder.

This study aimed to investigate the possible difference in anxiety-related traits between the generalized and nongeneralized subtypes of social anxiety disorder (SAD). Two hundred seventy-three SAD Korean outpatients completed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), the Trait Form of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-T), Retrospective Self-Report of Inhibition (RSRI), and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) as part of their assessments. The unadjusted total scores of the ASI, STAI-T, RSRI, and LSAS differed between the two subtypes, according to an independent t-test. However, this result was not significant (ASI: F = 2.363, p = 0.127; STAI-T: F = 0.004, p = 0.949; RSRI: F = 1.518, p = 0.220) after adjusting for LSAS total score. The comparison of anxiety-related traits did not show any difference between the subtypes after adjusting for illness severity. These results may suggest that the two SAD subtypes are on a continuum of the same illness, differentiated only by symptom severity.

No Evidence for Association between Tyrosine Hydroxylase Gene Val81Met Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Tardive Dyskinesia in Schizophrenia

Objective Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine biosynthesis. Because the TH Val81Met polymorphism is located in the amino-terminal regulatory domain of the tetrameric enzyme, it is a candidate marker for susceptibility to dopamine-related traits. We investigated the hypothesis that TH Val81Met polymorphism can influence susceptibility to tardive dyskinesia (TD) in schizophrenia. Methods TH Val81Met polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-based methods in 83 schizophrenic patients with TD and 126 schizophrenic patients without TD, matched for antipsychotic drug exposure and other relevant variables. Results There was no significant association of the genotype and allele frequencies determined by the TH Val81Met polymorphism between TD and non-TD patients. In addition, there was no significant difference in terms of total Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale scores among the three genotype groups. Conclusion Within the limitations imposed by the size of the clinical sample, these findings suggest that the Val81Met polymorphism of the TH gene does not contribute significantly to the risk for TD.

Association Study of a Serotonin Receptor 2A Gene -1438A/G Polymorphism and Anxiety-Related Traits

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the -1438A/G polymorphism of serotonin receptor 2A (5HTR2A) and anxiety-related traits in Korean adolescent females. Methods A total of 174 Korean adolescent females were tested for the -1438A/G polymorphism of 5HTR2A using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods. Anxiety-related traits were evaluated using the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI) and the trait form of the Spielberg State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (T-STAI). Results There was no difference between the genotypes with respect to scores pertaining to anxiety-related traits. Although the G allele carriers (GG or AG genotype) scored lower on the psychological subscale of the ASI (4.76±3.00 vs 5.98±4.00, p=0.038), this difference was not significant after Bonferroni correction. Conclusion These findings suggest that the -1438A/G polymorphism of 5HTR2A might not be associated with anxiety sensitivity or trait anxiety.

The Korean Medication Algorithm for Major Depressive Disorder (KMA-MDD): Report of the Korean Society of Depressive and Bipolar Disorders

Objective. There are many differences in biological characteristics, clinical situations, and medical insurance systems with ethnic groups or countries. The Korean Society of Depressive and Bipolar Disorders decided to develop a Korean treatment algorithm for major depressive disorder. Methods. The Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Major Depressive Disorder (KMAP-MDD) was designed with the following principles: (1) to be an ideal algorithm, (2) to be a Korean algorithm, (3) to be a medication algorithm, (4) to be an evidence-based and formal consensus algorithm. After collecting and reviewing many literature citations and reports by evidence-based rule, we constructed a survey questionnaire for formal consensus of Korean experts. By employing panels of experts to review the evidence and survey results thoroughly, we used evidence-based algorithm development as a component of a formal consensus development process. Results. We developed two algorithms for the KMA-MDD: one for major depressive disorder without psychotic feature and the other for major depressive disorder with psychotic features. Clinical guidelines for the implementation of KMA-MDD were also developed. The KMA-MDD provides specific treatment strategies for each stage. Conclusions. The KMA-MDD is the first Korean algorithm for treatment of major depressive disorder. It is based on evidence which supports the efficacy of each treatment, and it has obtained the consensus of Korean experts. We hope that the KMA-MDD will be good practical tool for clinicians who treat major depressive disorder in Korea.