Cross-national difference in the prevalence of depression caused by the diagnostic threshold

BACKGROUND: According to published reports, the prevalence rates of major depressive disorder (MDD) in East-Asian countries are lower than in the West, but the reasons for this difference have not been fully investigated. METHODS: This study compared the Korean Epidemiologic Catchment Area study (KECAS) sample with the National Comorbidity Survey (NCS, USA) sample. In total, this study included 5349 participants in KECAS and 7423 in NCS aged 18-54 years. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) assessed for MDD. Analysis of the individual symptoms of MDD was completed. RESULTS: Diagnostic threshold of MDD was higher in KECAS participants than in NCS participants. Koreans diagnosed with MDD showed more work impairment than Americans with MDD. Koreans were more likely to express the symptoms like "low energy" and "concentration difficulty," but less to the symptoms like "depressed mood" and "thoughts of death" during an episode of MDD. LIMITATIONS: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) framework was the basis for the majority of the comparisons made in this study. Various depressive symptoms not included in the DSM framework were unlikely to be detected. CONCLUSIONS: Cross-cultural differences in rates of MDD are attributable to diagnostic thresholds. Symptom patterns and forms of depression in Korea, as defined by the DSM framework, are not identical to those in the U.S.     

Economic burden of schizophrenia in South Korea

This study estimates the treated prevalence of schizophrenia and the annual costs associated with the illness in Korea in 2005, from a societal perspective. Annual direct healthcare costs associated with schizophrenia were estimated from National Health Insurance and Medical Aid records. Annual direct non-healthcare costs were estimated for incarceration, transport, community mental health centers, and institutions related to schizophrenia. Annual indirect costs were estimated for the following components of productivity loss due to illness: unemployment, reduced productivity, premature mortality, and caregivers' productivity loss using a human capital approach based on market wages. All costs were adjusted to 2005 levels using the healthcare component of the Consumer Price Index. The treated prevalence of schizophrenia in 2005 was 0.4% of the Korean population. The overall cost of schizophrenia was estimated to be $ 3,174.8 million (3,251.0 billion Won), which included a direct healthcare cost of $ 418.7 million (428.6 billion Won). Total direct non-healthcare costs were estimated to be $ 121 million (123.9 billion Won), and total indirect costs were estimated at $ 2,635.1 million (2,698.3 billion Won). Unemployment was identified as the largest component of overall cost. These findings demonstrate that schizophrenia is not rare, and that represents a substantial economic burden.     

Isolation and characterization of multipotent human keloid-derived mesenchymal-like stem cells

In this study, we report the isolation and characterization of a population of multipotent keloid-derived mesenchymal-like stem cells (KMLSCs) from keloid scalp tissues. These KMLSCs expressed the typical mesenchymal stem cell marker proteins CD13, CD29, CD44, CD90, fibronectin, and vimentin when they were cultured in serum-containing medium and when subsequent exposure to various differentiation media resulted in their differentiation into adipocytes, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, smooth muscle cells, and angiogenic endothelial cells. When KMLSCs were cultured in neural stem culture conditions (i.e., in the presence of epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor 2 in substrate-free conditions), they produced large numbers of neurospheres containing nestin-, CD133-, and SOX2-positive cells that expressed neural-crest stem cell markers. Subsequent exposure of these cells to different differentiation conditions resulted in cells that expressed neuronal cell-, astrocyte-, oligodendrocyte-, or Schwann cell-specific markers. Our study suggests that KMLSCs may be an alternative adult stem cell resource for regenerative tissue repair and auto-transplantation.     

Butin reduces oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction via scavenging of reactive oxygen species

This study investigated the cytoprotective effect of butin, a flavonoid, on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction. Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrometry revealed butin’s significant scavenging effects on superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals. When H₂O₂ was used to induce an increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79-4) cells, butin treatment decreased high level of ROS. Butin also attenuated intracellular Ca²⁺ levels that have been induced by H₂O₂. Furthermore, butin recovered ATP levels and succinate dehydrogenase activity that had been decreased by H₂O₂ treatment. We conclude these results suggest butin decreased mitochondrial ROS accumulation, balanced intracellular Ca²⁺ levels, and improved mitochondrial energy production, thus recovering mitochondrial function.     

不同胰岛素促泌剂单药治疗对2型糖尿病患者死亡率和心血管风险的影响

研究纳入丹麦1997～2006年间107806例起始胰岛素促泌剂或二甲双胍单药治疗的2型糖尿病患者(年龄>20岁,没有使用过胰岛素单药和联合治疗)其中9607例患者既往存在心肌梗死史.随访时间3.3年,每3个月为一个区间,收集不同胰岛素促泌剂或二甲双胍的处方,如果某区间无处方量则以之前最多3个处方量的区间 作为参考.     

Impact of acute coronary syndrome on clinical outcomes after revascularization with the dual-therapy CD34 antibody-covered sirolimus-eluting Combo stent and the sirolimus-eluting Orsiro stent

Objectives

To compare the efficacy and safety of the dual-therapy CD34 antibody-covered sirolimus-eluting Combo stent (DTS) and the sirolimus-eluting Orsiro stent (O-SES) in patients with and without acute coronary syndrome (ACS) included in the SORT OUT X study.

Background

The incidence of target lesion failure (TLF) after treatment with modern drug-eluting stents has been reported to be significantly higher in patients with ACS when compared to patients without ACS. Whether the results from the SORT OUT X study apply to patients with and without ACS remains unknown.

Methods

In total, 3146 patients were randomized to stent implantation with DTS (n = 1578; ACS: n = 856) or O-SES (n = 1568; ACS: n = 854). The primary end point, TLF, was a composite of cardiac death, target-lesion myocardial infarction (MI), or target lesion revascularization (TLR) within 1 year.

Results

At 1 year, the rate of TLF was higher in the DTS group compared to the O-SES group, both among patients with ACS (6.7% vs. 4.1%; incidence rate ratio: 1.65 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.08–2.52]) and without ACS (6.0% vs. 3.2%; incidence rate ratio: 1.88 [95% CI: 1.13–3.14]). The differences were mainly explained by higher rates of TLR, whereas rates of cardiac death and target lesion MI did not differ significantly between the two stent groups in patients with or without ACS

Conclusion

Compared to the O-SES, the DTS was associated with a higher risk of TLF at 12 months in patients with and without ACS. The differences were mainly explained by higher rates of TLR.