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Background: Cognitive reserve (CR) is a concept proposed to account for discrepancies between the extent of brain pathology and clinical manifestations of that pathology. This study aimed to explore the associations between CR and the effects of cognitive training using fully immersive virtual reality (VR). Methods: A total of 44 older adults (22 cognitively normal, 22 with mild cognitive impairment) underwent eight cognitive training sessions using VR for a period of 4 weeks. CR was assessed using the Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq). To evaluate baseline cognitive function and the effects of VR training, the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) neuropsychological battery was administered to all participants before and after the training. Results: Greater improvement in the total CERAD score was seen for cognitively normal participants with higher versus lower scores on the Education subdomain of the CRIq. Among patients with mild cognitive impairment, none of the CRIq subdomain scores (Education, Working Activity, Leisure Time) were related to a change in CERAD total scores. The CRIq total score did not predict the improvement of global cognition in either group. Conclusions: This study revealed different impacts of CR on cognitive training according to the participants' cognitive status. It also suggests that employing three proxies of CR rather than using a composite score would provide a more accurate understanding of one's CR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have reported that suicides tend to occur on Mondays. However, owing to a lack of controls, conclusive findings on the potential effects of a day of the week on suicides have been lacking. We analyzed public data for causes of death from 1997 to 2015 in the Republic of Korea. Accidental death was used as a control group. The probability of suicide on each day of the week according to age group was calculated. A total of 377,204 deaths (188,601 suicides and 188,603 accidental deaths) were used. The frequency of suicide was highest on Monday and decreased throughout the week until Saturday. Accidental death was highest on Saturday and showed no variations according to weekday. For people in their teens and 20s, the probabilities of suicide on Monday were 9% and 10% higher, respectively, than those on Sunday. As age increased, the differences in suicide probability according to the day of the week were attenuated. The so-called Blue Monday effect is real, particularly for people in their teens and 20s. Suicide prevention strategies that aim to attenuate the burden and stress of Mondays should be planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human melanocortin‐4 receptor (hMC4R) is a receptor of the alpha‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) which regulates food intake and energy consumption. It is therefore considered to be a main part of human energy homeostasis and body weight. It has been reported that a D90N mutation in the second transmembrane domain (TM2) was especially found in the patients with severe‐early onset obesity. We expressed the mutant types of hMC4R TM2 (m‐hMC4R TM2) to consider the relationship between the function and the structure. When the expressed m‐hMC4R TM2 was purified, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used as a detergent in a fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) system to separate the protein based on its hydrophobicity. However, SDS binds too strongly to m‐hMC4R TM2, interfering with the various techniques used for structural characterization. Thus, we discovered more efficient SDS removal methods by using KCl‐SDS precipitation, resulting in improved resolution and sensitivity of the analytical techniques. The high yield of m‐hMC4R TM2 obtained from the diverse optimizations was confirmed and characterized by various techniques such as CD, MALDI‐TOF MS, and solution NMR spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report the development and validation of the National Cancer Center Psychological Symptom Inventory (NCC-PSI).Methods: Psychometric properties of the NCC-PSI were examined by using multicenter surveys involving 400 patients with cancer in 5 cancer-treatment hospitals throughout Korea. Related measures including the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview were administered.Results: Convergent validity was supported by NCC-PSI's significant associations with related measures. Known-group validity was proven with higher scores of helplessness/hopelessness and anxious preoccupation on the Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer in the depression and anxiety diagnosis group, defined by the NCC-PSI. Cutoff scores for insomnia, anxiety, and depression were identified. Overall, the screening performance of the NCC-PSI was comparable to that of the distress thermometer and Patient Health Questionnare-2.Conclusions: The NCC-PSI represents a meaningful effort to develop a distress screening tool that addresses specific psychological symptoms common in cancer, which are tailored to the local oncology care system with varying degrees of psychosocial care resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive intervention is accepted as a potential therapy to prevent the incident dementia. It was found that computerized cognitive training might be effective for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in previous studies. We aimed to find the effect of multidomain cognitive training using tablet computer on the cognitive and psychological function in patients with MCI. Method: Participants in training group (n = 15) conducted a multidomain cognitive training program using table computer and those in control group (n = 13) conducted an educational book reading twice a week for eight weeks. They were evaluated of their cognitive and psychiatric function before and after the program. The differences of the pre‐ and post‐ scores were compared between training and control groups. Result: Participants in training group showed improvement in cognitive domains such as language (p = 0.012), memory (p = 0.050), and frontal executive function (p = 0.017), and psychiatric symptoms such as apathy (p = 0.001) and quality of life (p = 0.035) after the training. Control group participants showed improvements in frontal executive function (p = 0.013), positive affect (p = 0.019), apathy (p = 0.022) and mild behavioral impairment score (p = 0.049). Between group comparison of the pre‐ and post‐training difference showed significant improvement in training group compared to control group in memory (p = 0.020), frontal executive function (p = 0.024), positive affect (p = 0.037), apathy (p = 0.048), and quality of life (p = 0.047). Conclusion: We found the effect of multidomain cognitive training using tablet computer in cognitive domain including memory and executive function, positive affect, apathy, and quality of life in MCI patients. Tablet computer cognitive training may be effective in multidomain cognitive training with transfer effect in the prodromal stage of dementia. Future trials with larger sample size and various devices would find the effect of the computerized cognitive training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We investigated family caregivers' awareness of disease status and attitude toward disclosure of disease progression compared with those of cancer patients and explored the potential association between family caregivers' attitudes and patients' quality of life (QOL). Methods We carried out a survey using self-administered questionnaires answered by pairs of family caregivers and patients diagnosed with advanced cancer ( n = 136 pairs). To assess patients' QOL, we used the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire. Results More than half of family caregivers (54%) did not have full knowledge of patients' advanced stage and goal of therapy. Positive attitudes toward disclosure were less common in family caregivers than in patients (59.4% and 85.4%, respectively; p < 0.01). The family caregivers' positive attitudes toward disclosure were inversely associated with patients' low functional scores (emotion [ p = 0.04] and cognition [ p = 0.02]) and high symptom scores (nausea and vomiting, pain, and insomnia; p < 0.05). However, in most QOL scales, patients' attitudes were not significantly associated with functioning and symptom scores. Conclusions A large portion of family caregivers may not know the patients' exact status. This study also suggests that the family caregivers' attitudes may differ from patients' and may be associated with patients' QOL. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the patterns of use and perceived helpfulness of self-help interventions for depressive symptoms and sub-threshold depression in Korean samples drawn from the general population, patients with depression, and psychiatrists. A total of 1000 adults from the community, 114 patients with sub-threshold or mild depression, and 201 psychiatrists were asked to complete questionnaires about the use and helpfulness of 20 self-help interventions for depression chosen via the Delphi method. Psychiatrists (82.6%) and the general population (67.2%) were more likely to prefer self-help methods than were patients with depressive disorders (28.4%). Lifestyle change and psychological approaches were the preferred interventions among those with depressive disorders. Although the general population was more likely to prefer to use health supplements and dietary interventions, the perceived helpfulness of these approaches was generally lower than that of the other interventions. Although self-help strategies have been widely used, psychiatrists, patients with depression, and the general population differ with respect to their preferred intervention. Members of the general population were more likely than were psychiatrists and patients to use not consensually accepted interventions. The evidence-based use of self-help strategies for depression should be promoted by providing information about their effectiveness. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Previous studies have reported an association between biogenetic temperament/character and circadian preference in Spanish or French college students. Our aim is to investigate the association between temperament/character and circadian preference in psychiatrically healthy, community-dwelling Korean adults of a wide age range. Methods Subjects free of Axis I disorders ( n = 342) completed the Morningness- Eveningness Questionnaire and the Temperament and Character Inventory. Results High Novelty Seeking and low Self- Directedness was associated with eveningness. In contrast to prior studies on college students, eveningness was associated with high (not low) Harm Avoidance. Eveningness- Novelty Seeking association and Eveningness- Harm Avoidance association were prominent in females. Eveningness- Novelty Seeking was prominent in the older group (age ≥40), while Eveningness- Harm Avoidance was prominent in the younger group (age ≤40). Discussion Despite the limitation of the small sample size, the present study suggests that eveningness is associated with high Novelty Seeking/ Harm Avoidance and low Self- Directedness in community-dwelling adults, and that this association may be related to age, gender, and other sociocultural factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective A genome-wide association study and several replication studies have shown significant association between BTBD9 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and restless legs syndrome (RLS). The aim of this study is to investigate the association between the BTBD9 gene polymorphisms and antipsychotic-induced RLS in schizophrenic patients. Methods Restless legs syndrome symptoms were evaluated using the diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group in 190 Korean schizophrenic patients. We genotyped the rs9357271 and rs3923809 polymorphisms of the BTBD9 gene in schizophrenic patients with ( n = 96) and without ( n = 94) RLS symptoms. Results There was a significant difference in the allele frequency ( χ2 = 8.14, p = 0.004) of the rs9357271 polymorphism between schizophrenic patients with and without RLS symptoms. Significant genotypic association of this single nucleotide polymorphisms with RLS symptoms was also observed for the dominant model ( χ2 = 10.32, p = 0.001) and heterozygous model ( χ2 = 10.9, p = 0.001). When we compared the frequencies of the rs3923809-rs9357271 haplotypes between the two groups, the overall haplotype frequencies were significantly different (permuted p = 0.037), and the A-T haplotype was significantly more frequent in the RLS symptom group than in the no RLS symptom group (0.112 vs. 0.041, permuted p = 0.007). Conclusions These data suggest that the BTBD9 gene is associated with antipsychotic-induced RLS symptoms in schizophrenic patients. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using 7-year mortality follow-up data ( n = 341) from the 1998 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys of South Korean individuals ( N = 5,414), the authors found that survey participants with suicide ideation were at increased risk of suicide mortality during the follow-up period compared with those without suicide ideation. The cause-specific analyses showed that, in men, suicide ideation was significantly associated with mortality due to cardiovascular disease, external causes, and other causes. However, there was no significant association between suicide ideation and cause-specific mortality in women. The relationship between suicide ideation and cause-specific mortality in men was not fully explained by baseline health status, socioeconomic status, health behavior, or psychosocial factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To date there have been no reports of long-term efficacy of aripiprazole in Asian populations. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the long-term efficacy, safety and tolerability of aripiprazole in a large number of patients with schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, or schizoaffective disorder in Korea. Methods: This study was a prospective, multicenter, single-group, 26-week open study of patients with schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, or schizoaffective disorder. A total of 300 Korean patients participated in the study. The primary efficacy measure was the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score, and secondary efficacy measures included the PANSS positive and negative subscales, Clinical Global Impression–Severity of Illness (CGI-S). Tolerability and safety were assessed by monitoring the frequency and severity of treatment-emergent adverse events, extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), vital signs, weight, and laboratory tests. Results: Aripiprazole produced rapid and significant improvements on all efficacy measures. As evidenced by PANSS total score, PANSS positive subscales and the CGI-S scores, first-episode drug-naïve patients demonstrated significantly greater efficacy relative to patients who had previously experienced one or more episodes of relapse. Aripiprazole was associated with significant decrease of serum prolactin level. The subjects showed mild weight gain. Conclusion: Aripiprazole is an effective antipsychotic in the long-term treatment of both positive and negative symptoms. This study extends the findings of previous long-term studies, and has found that there is no significant difference with regard to ethnicity in response to aripiprazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusion Computerized cognitive training (CCT) has been proposed as a potential therapy for cognitive decline. One of the benefits of CCT is a transfer effect, but its mechanism on the memory domain is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the transfer effect of non‐memory multidomain CCT on the memory domain and its neural basis in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) through a randomized controlled trial.Patients with MCI recruited from memory clinics were randomly assigned to either the CCT or the control group. The CCT group received multidomain CCT training excluding memory training, while the control group read educational books with learning‐based quizzes twice a week for 8 weeks. Participants underwent memory tests yielding a composite score, other cognitive domain tests, non‐cognitive scales, and resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI), at baseline and after intervention. Within‐ and between‐group comparisons, group × time interactions, and seed‐to‐voxel analyses in memory‐involving brain networks were performed.The CCT group showed improvement over the control group in memory domain (Group × time, F = 5.87, P = 0.03, η2 = 0.31), which was related with the increased connectivity in the hippocampal‐frontal and fusiform‐occipital network. No other cognitive and non‐cognitive symptoms differed between groups after adjusting for covariates.Eight weeks of multidomain CCT without memory training improved memory function and restored functional network in the hippocampal and medial temporal region in MCI patients. These results can provide evidence for the transferring ability of CCT on memory functioning with its neural basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to investigate the association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and morningness-eveningness in adulthood. Subjects without psychiatric comorbidity on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders ( n = 344) completed the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) and the Adult Self-Report Scale for ADHD. MEQ showed an independent and negative association with ADHD symptoms ( P < 0.0001). In male subjects, both inattention ( P < 0.0001) and hyperactivity-impulsivity were associated with MEQ ( P = 0.01). In female subjects, only inattention was associated with MEQ ( P < 0.001). Our findings suggest that eveningness may be strongly associated with inattention of adult ADHD and that it may be associated with hyperactivity-impulsivity of adult ADHD in male subjects only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An energy‐efficient capacitor switching digital‐to‐analogue converter (DAC) is proposed for successive‐approximation register analogue‐to‐digital converters (SAR ADCs). The proposed charge‐average switching with floating capacitors (CASFCs) DAC disconnects the most significant bit (MSB) capacitors from the capacitor array after determining the MSB. The switching energy of the proposed CASFC DAC is lower than that of the recently published DAC, because the CAS technique is only employed in the CASFC DAC, while both the traditional and CAS methods are used in the previous DAC depending on inputs. In addition, the energy during the reset period is also minimised because the floated MSB capacitors do not consume the reset energy. The CASFC DAC reduces the switching energy with and without reset by 64.4 and 37.5%, respectively, compared with the aforementioned previous DAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]