• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2005

Objective:The purposes of this study were to investigate heart rate variability(HRV) in patients with generalized anxiety disorder(GAD) compared with major depressive disorder in Korea. Methods:Fifty-six GAD patients(20 male and 36 female) was classified into their comorbid psychiatric illness. Among them, Twenty-five patients(10 male and 15 female) who do not have any psychiatric comorbidity were compared with 30 major depressive disorder patients(12 male and 18 female). Clinical symptoms, HRV and MMPI were analysed between two group. Results:Comorbid psychiatric illnesses of GAD were ranked into no diagnosis(44.6%), MDD(32.1%), panic disorder(10.7%), social phobia(5.3%), PTSD(1.7%), OCD(1.7%), MDD+panic disorder(1.7%) and MDD+specific phobia(1.7%). GAD patients showed low functioning in HRV, but degree of decreasing HRV is not so severe compared with MDD patient. Balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve tone is more severely impaired in GAD patients compared with MDD patient. The score of MMPI did not reveal any differences between two groups. Conclusions:The result showed that HRV can differenciate GAD and MDD patients. GAD patients could show decreased HRV functioning, less than MDD patients. But autonomic imbalance could be more severe in GAD than MDD patients.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.595-601
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• 2005

In this study, we have isolated a rice (Oryza sativa L.) glutamate decarboxylase (RicGAD) clone from a root cDNA library, using a partial Arabidopsis thaliana GAD gene as a probe. The rice root cDNA library was constructed with mRNA, which had been derived from the roots of rice seedlings subjected to phosphorus deprivation. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicated that the RicGAD clone was 1,712 bp long, and harbors a complete open reading frame of 505 amino acids. The 505 amino acid sequence deduced from this RicGAD clone exhibited 67.7% and 61.9% identity with OsGAD1 (AB056060) and OsGAD2 (AB056061) in the database, respectively. The 505 amino acid sequence also exhibited 62.9, 64.1, and 64.2% identity to Arabidopsis GAD (U9937), Nicotiana tabacum GAD (AF020425), and Petunia hybrida GAD (L16797), respectively. The RicGAD was found to possess a highly conserved tryptophan residue, but lacks the lysine cluster at the C-proximal position, as well as other stretches of positively charged residues. The GAD sequence was expressed heterologously using the high copy number plasmid, pVUCH. Our activation analysis revealed that the maximal activation of the RicGAD occurred in the presence of both $Ca^{2+}$ and calmodulin. The GAD-encoded 56~58 kDa protein was identified via Western blot analysis, using an anti-GAD monoclonal antibody. The results of our RT-PCR analyses revealed that RicGAD is expressed predominantly in rice roots obtained from rice seedlings grown under phosphorus deprivation conditions, and in non-germinated brown rice, which is known to have a limited phosphorus bioavailability. These results indicate that RicGAD is a $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin-dependent enzyme, and that RicGAD is expressed primarily under phosphate deprivation conditions.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.324-329
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• 2004

In order to investigate the molecular mechanism of $\gamma$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production in lactic acid bacteria, we cloned a glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) gene from Lactobacillus plantarum using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One PCR product DNA was obtained and inserted into a TA cloning vector with a T7 promoter. The recombinant plasmid was used to transform E. coli. The insertion of the product was con­firmed by EcoRI digestion of the plasmid purified from the transformed E. coli. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that the insert is a full-length Lactobacillus plantarum GAD and that the sequence is $100\%$ and $72\%$ identical to the regions of Lactobacillus plantarum GAD and Lactococcus lactis GAD sequences deposited in GenBank, accession nos: NP786643 and NP267446, respectively. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cloned Lactobacillus plantarum GAD gene showed $100\%$ and $68\%$ identities to the GAD sequences deduced from the genes of the NP786643 and NP267446, respectively. To express the GAD protein in E. coli, an expression vector with the GAD gene (pkk/GAD) was constructed and used to transform the UT481 E. coli strain and the expression was confirmed by analyzing the enzyme activity. The Lactobacillus plantarum GAD gene obtained may facilitate the study of the molecular mechanisms regulating GABA metabolism in lactic acid bacteria.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.258-265
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to examine sex differences in the risk factors associated with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) among Korean adolescents to provide insights for drafting more effective prevention strategies. Methods: Data from 51845 middle and high school students in the 18th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey were analyzed. GAD was assessed using the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder tool, and factors such as grade, academic performance, economic status, living arrangements, smoking, drinking, sexual experience, and physical activity were included. The prevalence of GAD and its association with these factors were compared between male and female students using chi-square tests and logistic regression. Odds ratios were compared statistically to identify sex-specific differences. Results: GAD prevalence was higher among girls (42.1%) than boys (30.1%). Both sexes showed increased GAD risk with lower academic performance, lower economic status, smoking, drinking, and sexual experience. Boys living apart from their families had a higher GAD risk, but this was not significant for girls. Additionally, smoking and drinking were associated with a higher increase in GAD risk in girls than in boys. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of considering sex differences in the prevention of GAD among adolescents. Tailored sex-specific interventions are crucial for effective prevention and management of GAD in Korean adolescents.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.100-107
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• 2017

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate strategies used to cope with stress and the cognitive characteristics of somatic symptom perception in patients with generalized anxiety disorder(GAD). Methods : A total of 55 patients meeting DSM-5 criteria for GAD and 55 normal controls were recruited for participation in this study. We evaluated subjects using The Way of Stress Coping Questionnaire (SCQ), Somato-Sensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), Symptom Interpretation Questionnaire (SIQ), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder for 7 Item (GAD-7). We analyzed data using an independent t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis. Results : In terms of SCQ, GAD patients presented significantly lower scores on seeking social support and higher scores on wishful thinking than normal controls. GAD patients had significantly greater amplification of physical sensation in SSAS and higher scores in physical, psychological interpretation subsets of SIQ than normal controls. GAD-7 scores were positively correlated with physical interpretation scores on SIQ. Conclusion : Results reveal that patients with GAD have insufficient coping strategies for stress, greater amplification of body sensations, and tendency towards a physical, psychological interpretation of somatic symptoms.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.269-279
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of the spread of a new type of coronavirus infection (COVID-19) on the mental state in school-age children and parents focusing on the aspects of sleep disorders and depression. A questionnaire survey was conducted for 123 parents and 108 school-age children who visited Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital at Gangdong from April 2, 2020 through April 25, 2020, via the direct writing method. Participants were assessed with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)-7, Center for Epidemiology Scale for Depression. Logistic regressions were used with a level of significance of 5%. The prevalence of GAD, depression, and poor sleep in parents were 34.1%, 17.1% and 44.7%, respectively. The prevalence of GAD in children was 20.4%. Logistic regression showed that stress from Emergency Alert Messages about COVID-19 was associated with GAD and depression in parents. In children, the degree of emotional change after COVID-19 was associated with GAD. This study confirmed that there was a change in the psychological status of children and guardians due to the epidemic of coronavirus disease-2019, and it would be necessary to consider their psychological status during dental treatment.

• Korean Journal of School Psychology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.207-230
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• 2019

This study examined the effect of Attention Feedback Awareness and Control Training(A-FACT) on attention bias and generalized anxiety symptoms in college students. A total of 31 college students with at least 10 points on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale or at least 56 points on the Korean version of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (K-PSWQ) with attention bias were randomly assigned to one of three groups: A-FACT( n = 11), Attention Bias Modification (ABM)(n = 10) and Active Placebo Control (APC)(n = 10). Participants in A-FACT group received real-time feedback on attention bias based on their Baseline Neutral Response time(BNR) during A-FACT using a dot probe task. Participants in the ABM group received standard ABM, and those in the APC performed a dot probe task that they were informed was a program to reduce attention bias, but feedback was not provided. A total of eight sessions was conducted twice a week over a 4-week period. After every two sessions, GAD-7, K-PSWQ and K-STAI were rated. The effect of attention bias modification training was rated by changes in the Attention Bias Score(ABS), and in GAD-7, K-PSWQ and K-STAI scores. The results of repeated measure ANOVA indicated that the A-FACT group showed a significant decrease in ABS as well as in GAD-7, K-PSWQ and K-STAI scores compared to the other groups. Current results suggest that self-regulatory control of attention, that is, recognition of bias through feedback in A-FACT, may be effective in alleviating attention bias and generalized anxiety symptoms by recognizing bias through feedback on bias in attention bias modification training.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.300-305
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• 2015

The glutamate decarboxylase gene (gadB) from Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 was cloned and expressed as an N-terminal hexa-histidine-tagged fusion protein in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) as the host strain. Purified glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) was immobilized onto porous silica beads by covalent coupling. The pH dependence of activity and stability of the immobilized GAD was significantly altered, when compared to those of the free enzyme. Immobilized GAD was stable in the range of pH 3.5 to 6.0. The resulting packed-bed reactor produced 41.7 g of γ-aminobutyric acid/l·h at 45℃.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2022

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate depression, anxiety, trauma experience, and suicidal tendency among patients who were hospitalized in a community treatment center and to identify the factors that were associated with each symptom. Methods : A total of 213 patients who were hospitalized in the Tae-reung community treatment center between March 16, 2020 and April 30, 2020 were recruited into this study. A self-report questionnaire or interview by mental health professionals was used to assess PHQ-2, GAD-7, PC-PTSC and P4 screener. In 90 patients who completed the survey, multiple regression modeling was conducted to identify the burden of each psychiatric symptoms and associated demographic characteristics. Results : Female gender was significantly positively associated with GAD-7 score, score of each GAD-7 subscale of 1, 2, 3 or 4 (nervous, control of worry, worry, and trouble relaxing), and sum of GAD-7 subscale scores reflecting cognitive and emotional experience of anxiety (1. nervous+2. control of worry+3. worry+7. afraid). Previous psychiatric history and, number of counseling service used were significantly positively associated with the PHQ-2 score and the duration of isolation was significantly negatively associated with the PHQ-2 score. Conclusion : These results showed that depression and anxiety symptoms were more prevalent in COVID-19 patients at the community treatment center than in the general population. Among the demographic characteristics, female gender was positively associated with cognitive and emotional experience of anxiety. It shows the necessity of an appropriate psychiatric intervention protocol and health-policy preparation for community treatment centers.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.36-40
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• 2001

In order to study the molecular mechanism of $\gamma$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production in plants, we cloned and sequenced a partial glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) cDNA from the Arabidopsis thaliana cDNA library, using primers targeted at highly conserved sequences of the petunia GAD gene. The cDNA fragment was inserted into TA cloning vector with T7 promoter and the recombinant plasmid obtained was used to transform E. coli. The plasmid DNA purified from the transformed E. coli was digested with EcoRI and the presence of the insert was confirmed. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that the fragment is a partial Arabidopsis thaliana GAD gene and that the sequence showed 98% and 78% identity to the region of the putative Arabidopsis thaliana GAD sequences deposited in GenBank, Accession nos: U46665 and U10034, respectively. The amino acid sequence deduced from the partial Arabidopsis thaliana GAD gene showed 99% and 91% identities to the GAD sequences deduced from the genes of the U46665 and U10034, respectively. The partial cDNA sequence determined may facilitate the study of the molecular mechanism of GABA metabolism in plants.