• Anxiety and mood
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.37-47
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• 2023

This review article explores the psychological characteristics, comorbid mental disorders, and psychosocial assessments throughout the solid organ transplant journey, spanning the pre-transplant, peri-transplant, and post-transplant phases for transplant recipients. The psychological burden and anxiety in the pre-transplant phase are high for organ failure patients with complex physical difficulties who are deciding to undergo transplantation and are on the waiting list. The pre-transplant psychosocial evaluation covers various aspects, including the patient's readiness, awareness of, and commitment to transplant treatment, medical compliance, psychopathological conditions such as cognitive function and personality disorders, lifestyle factors, including substance abuse, as well as various psychosocial factors like social support. During the peri-transplant phase, mental health problems such as postoperative delirium should be carefully recognized and addressed. After transplantation, it is essential to assist patients in coping with the various stressful experiences they encounter, manage psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia, and improve treatment adherence and quality of life during long-term care for the transplanted organ. Managing psychiatric problems in post-transplant patients requires a deep understanding of immunosuppressant medications and a keen awareness of associated risks, including adverse effects and potential drug interactions. This comprehensive review emphasizes the significance of proactive mental health care and psychosocial evaluation, highlighting the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach to enhance the quality of life and overall success of transplant patients throughout all phases of transplantation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.464-478
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Chronic alcohol consumption causes oxidative stress in the body, which may accumulate excessively and cause a decline in memory; problem-solving, learning, and exercise abilities; and permanent damage to brain structure and function. Consequently, chronic alcohol consumption can cause alcohol-related diseases. MATERIALS/METHODS: In this study, the protective effects of Phyllostachys edulis (Carrière) J. Houz (PE) against alcohol-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment were evaluated using a mouse model. Alcohol (16%, 5 g/kg/day for 6 weeks) and PE (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg/day for 21 days) were administered intragastrically to mice. RESULTS: PE showed a protective effect against memory deficits and cognitive dysfunction caused by alcohol consumption, confirmed through behavioral tests such as the T-maze, object recognition, and Morris water maze tests. Additionally, PE attenuated oxidative stress by reducing lipid oxidation, nitric oxide, and reactive oxygen species levels in the mice's brains, livers, and kidneys. Improvement of neurotrophic factors and downregulation of apoptosis-related proteins were confirmed in the brains of mice fed low and medium concentrations of PE. Additionally, expression of antioxidant enzyme-related proteins GPx-1 and SOD-1 was enhanced in the liver of PE-treated mice, related to their inhibitory effect on oxidative stress. CONCLUSION: This suggests that PE has both neuroregenerative and antioxidant effects. Collectively, these behavioral and histological results confirmed that PE could improve alcohol-induced cognitive deficits through brain neurotrophic and apoptosis protection and modulation of oxidative stress.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.178-186
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• 2020

Background: Cognitive impairment is a public health burden. Our objective was to investigate associations between work hours and cognitive function. Methods: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) participants (n = 2,497; 50.7% men; age range 44-84 years) reported hours per week worked in all jobs in Exams 1 (2000-2002), 2 (2002-2004), 3 (2004-2005), and 5 (2010-2011). Cognitive function was assessed (Exam 5) using the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (version 2), a measure of global cognitive functioning; the Digit Symbol Coding, a measure of processing speed; and the Digit Span test, a measure of attention and working memory. We used a prospective approach and linear regression to assess associations for every 10 hours of work. Results: Among all participants, associations of hours worked with cognitive function of any type were not statistically significant. In occupation-stratified analyses (interaction p = 0.051), longer work hours were associated with poorer global cognitive function among Sales/Office and blue-collar workers, after adjustment for age, sex, physical activity, body mass index, race/ethnicity, educational level, annual income, history of heart attack, diabetes, apolipoprotein E-epsilon 4 allele (ApoE4) status, birth-place, number of years in the United States, language spoken at MESA Exam 1, and work hours at Exam 5 (β = -0.55, 95% CI = -0.99, -0.09) and (β = -0.80, -1.51, -0.09), respectively. In occupation-stratified analyses (interaction p = 0.040), we also observed an inverse association with processing speed among blue-collar workers (adjusted β = -0.80, -1.52, -0.07). Sex, race/ethnicity, and ApoE4 did not significantly modify associations between work hours and cognitive function. Conclusion: Weak inverse associations were observed between work hours and cognitive function among Sales/Office and blue-collar workers.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.277-287
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• 1996

Objective : It has been proposed that cognition and related aspects of mental functioning are decreased in depression as well as in alcoholism. The objective of the study was to compare behavioral side effects of paroxetine and amitriptyline in depressed patients accompanied by alcoholism. The focused comparisons were drug effects concerning psychomotor performance, cognitive function, sleep and daytime sleepiness during the first 2 weeks of treatment. Methods : After an alcohol detoxification period(3 weeks) and a washout period(1 week), a total of 20 male inpatients with alcohol use disorder (DSM-IV), who also had a major depressive episode(DSM-IV), were treated double-blind with paroxetine 20mg/day(n=10) or amitriptyline 25mg/day(n=10) for 2 weeks. All patients were required to have a scare of at least 18 respectively on bath the Hamilton Rating Scale far Depression(HAM-D) and Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) at pre-drug baseline. Patients randomized to paroxetine received active medication in the morning and placebo in the evening whereas those randomized to amitriptyline received active medication in the evening and placebo in the morning. All patients performed the various tasks in a test battery at baseline and at days 3, 7 and 14. The test battery included : critical flicker fusion threshold for sensory information processing capacity : choice reaction time for gross psychomotor performance : tracking accuracy and latency of response to peripheral stimulus as a measure of line sensorimotor co-ordination and divided attention : digit symbol substitution as a measure of sustained attention and concentration. To rate perceived sleep and daytime sleepiness, 10cm line Visual analogue scales were employed at baseline and at days 3, 7 and 14. The subjective rating scales were adapted far this study from Leeds sleep Evaluation Questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. In addition a comprehensive side effect assessment, using the UKU side effect rating scale, was carried out at baseline and at days 7 and 14. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated using HAM-D, BDI and clinical global impression far severity and improvement at days 7 and 14. Results : The pattern of results indicated thai paroxetine improved performance an mast of the lest variables and also improved sleep with no effect on daytime sleepiness aver the study period. In contrast, amitriptyline produced disruption of performance on same tests and improved sleep with increased daytime sleepiness in particular at day 3. On the UKU side effect rating scale, mare side effects were registered an amitriptyline. The therapeutic efficacy was observed in favor of paroxetine early in day 7. Conclusion : These results demonstrated thai paroxetine in much better than amitriptyline for the treatment of depressed patients accompained by alcoholism at least in terms of behavioral safety and tolerability, furthermore the results may assist in explaining the therapeutic outcome of paroxetine. For example, and earlier onset of antidepressant action of paroxetine may be caused by early improved cognitive function or by contributing to good compliance with treatment.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.39-52
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• 2002

The present experiments were designed to study the influence of Baekgumhwan on immune function of ICR mice under stress condition. Baekgumhwan was orally administered to the mice for 15days. on the 11th day the mice subjected to electric footshock for 5days(2 session a day, 11 footshocks a 31 min-session). B/T cell populations in splenocytes were studied by FACS analysis and cytokines($IFN-{\gamma}$ rand IL-10) production of the mouse splenocytes treated with PHA were studied by sandwich ELISA assay on the 15th day. The results were as follows. 1. After electric footshock, mice became sluggish and crowded to one side of the cage. Increased B/T cell populations in splenocytes were observed. These results confirm that electric footshock caused stress inducing immunological and behavioral changes in ICR mice. 2. Baekgumhwan administration without stress increase B cell populations in splenocytes, but T cell populations and cytokines($IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-10) production of the mouse splenocytes treated with PHA maintain as similar levels as in the normal group. 3. Baekgumhwan administration with stress significantly antagonized the effect of electric footshock on behavior, increased B cell populations in splenocytes, so maintain as similar levels as in the normal group. cytokines($IFN-{\gamma}$ rand IL-10) production of the mouse splenocytes treated with PHA maintain as similar levels as in the normal group and T cell populations in splenocytes were increased as stress control.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2011

Purpose: To investigate the clinical characteristics of late-onset epilepsy combined with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the relationship between certain types of electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities in ASD and associated neuropsychological problems. Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with ASD in early childhood and later developed clinical seizures were reviewed retrospectively. First, the clinical characteristics, language and behavioral regression, and EEG findings of these late-onset epilepsy patients with ASD were investigated. The patients were then classified into 2 groups according to the severity of the EEG abnormalities in the background rhythm and paroxysmal discharges. In the severe group, EEG showed persistent asymmetry, slow and disorganized background rhythms, and continuous sharp and slow waves during slow sleep (CSWS). Results: Between the two groups, there was no statistically significant difference in mean age (P=0.259), age of epilepsy diagnosis (P=0.237), associated family history (P=0.074), and positive abnormal magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings (P=0.084). The severe EEG group tended to have more neuropsychological problems (P=0.074). The severe group statistically showed more electrographic seizures in EEG (P=0.000). Rett syndrome was correlated with more severe EEG abnormalities (P=0.002). Although formal cognitive function tests were not performed, the parents reported an improvement in neuropsychological function on the follow up checkup according to a parent's questionnaire. Conclusion: Although some ASD patients with late-onset epilepsy showed severe EEG abnormalities, including CSWS, they generally showed an improvement in EEG and clinical symptoms in the longterm follow up. In addition, severe EEG abnormalities tended to be related to the neuropsychological function.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.63-76
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• 2014

Although most behavioral reaction times (RTs) for cognitive tasks exhibit positively skewed distributions, the majority of studies primarily rely on a measure of central tendency (e.g. mean) which can cause misinterpretations of data's underlying property. The purpose of current study is to introduce procedures for describing characteristics of RT distributions, thereby effectively examine the influence of experimental manipulations. On the basis of assumption that RT distribution can be represented as a convolution of Gaussian and exponential variables, we fitted the ex-Gaussian function under a maximum-likelihood method. The ex-Gaussian function provides quantitative parameters of distributional properties and the probability density functions. Here we exemplified distributional analysis by using empirical RT data from two conventional visual search tasks, and attempted theoretical interpretation for setsize effect leading proportional mean RT delays. We believe that distributional RT analysis with a mathematical function beyond the central tendency estimates could provide insights into various theoretical and individual difference studies.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.439-446
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• 2019

Poststroke depression can have a secondary effect on social cognition, and this can lead to behavioral problems. The purpose of this study was to verify the effects of a Cognitive Stimulation Circulative Program(CSCP) based on occupational therapy. The participants of this study were 12 stroke patients. The CSCP was organized in such a way to promote the cognitive process. This program were carried out as a circuit program(16 sessions). As a result of this study, the depression scale of the subjects had statistically significant benefit(p<.05). Also, the evaluation results verified partial improvement in quality of life, and the relationship change scale which was used to evaluate role of physical and social cognitive function ability had statistically significant benefit(p<.05). The above results of this study verified that the CSCP was an efficient intervention program that reduces the depression of stroke patients and improve their social cognitive function ability, thus enhancing the quality of life.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.43-48
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• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the memory enhancing properties of extract of Hoelen Cum Radix (HCR) and its possible mechanism in mice of normal condition. Methods : We evaluated the effects of HCR on cognitive function and memory enhancement in normal mice. Male ICR mice were orally administrated with HCR 100 mg/kg for 7 days and equal volume of saline was administrated to the control group in the same condition. We conducted two behavioral tests which measure the spatial working memory (Y-maze test) and cognitive fear memory (passive avoidance test). We also investigated whether HCR affects the hippocampal neurogenesis in the brain. To assess the effects of HCR on neural progenitor cell differentiation and neurite outgrowth in the early stage of hippocampal neurogenesis, we performed doublecortin (DCX), a direct neurogenesis marker, immunohistochemical analysis in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the mouse hippocampus. Results : HCR significantly enhanced memory and cognitive function as determined by the Y-maze test (p<0.05) and passive avoidance test (p<0.001). Moreover, HCR increased DCX positive cells (p<0.01) and neurite length (p<0.01) compared to the control group. These results indicated that HCR stimulates differentiation of neural progenitor cells and promotes neurite outgrowth in hippocampal DG of the mice. Conclusion : We concluded that HCR shows memory enhancing effects through the stimulation of hippocampal neurogenesis as a consequence of accelerated neuronal differentiation and neurite outgrowth in the DG of the hippocampus after HCR treatment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Transportation
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.119-130
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• 2009

The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of DVR(Driving Video Recorder) operation on decreasing the number of traffic accidents, the cost of traffic accident claim, and the behavioral change in drivers' driving. The data for this research are obtained from taxi drivers in Busan. For this, Structural Equation Model and two-way ANOVA are employed for empirical analysis. Overall results of this study show that the number of traffic accidents of 4 taxi corporations in Busan has decreased by average 32.7 percent after using DVRs. In addition, as to the cost of taxi accident claims, it is expected that the DVR operation has a considerable effect on economic benefits of taxi corporations. Moreover, this study could make clear the difference in behaviors between DVR users and non-users, and discriminate the positive and negative impacts of the DVR operation on the drivers' driving behavior. The study quantitatively examined the indirect impact of 'attitude', 'subject norm' and 'behavioral control' factors on planned 'behavior', and the direct impact of 'behavioral control' factor on the planned 'behavior'. This study suggests that they should add the video recoding function of DVRs when operation recorder(blackbox for the car) is obligatorily set up on cars for business by traffic security law.