Efficacy and safety of generic escitalopram (Lexacure(®)) in patients with major depressive disorder: a 6-week multicenter, randomized, rater-blinded, escitalopram-comparative, non-inferiority study.

Objectives: The primary aim of this non-inferiority study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness and safety of generic escitalopram (Lexacure(®)) versus branded escitalopram (Lexapro(®)) for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods: The present study included 158 patients, who were randomized (1:1) to receive a flexible dose of generic escitalopram (n=78) or branded escitalopram (n=80) over a 6-week single-blind treatment period. The clinical benefits in the two groups were evaluated using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity scale (CGI-S), and the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale (CGI-I) at baseline, week 1, week 2, week 4, and week 6.

Prevalence of distorted body image in young Koreans and its association with age, sex, body weight status, and disordered eating behaviors.

Purpose: To define the prevalence of distorted body image in 10-24-year-old Koreans and determine its relationship with sex, age, body weight status, and disordered eating behaviors.

Methods: A total of 3,227 young Koreans were recruited from elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as from universities. The participants completed a self-reported questionnaire on body image, eating behaviors (Eating Attitude Test-26), and body weight status.

One-year rehospitalization rates of patients with first-episode bipolar mania receiving lithium or valproate and adjunctive atypical antipsychotics.

Aim: We compared the 1-year rehospitalization rates of first-episode bipolar manic patients who were discharged while being treated with lithium or valproate in combination with an atypical antipsychotic.

Methods: We investigated the rehospitalization status of first-episode bipolar manic patients who were discharged between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2010 while they were taking lithium or valproate in combination with aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, or risperidone. Rehospitalization rates during a 1-year period after discharge were compared between the group receiving lithium plus an atypical antipsychotic and the group receiving valproate plus an atypical antipsychotic using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Aripiprazole plus divalproex for recently manic or mixed patients with bipolar I disorder: a 6-month, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind maintenance trial.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy in preventing relapse of a mood episode in recently manic or mixed episode patients with bipolar I disorder stabilized with aripiprazole and divalproex combination.

Methods: This randomized, 24-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study enrolled patients from 23 centers in Korea. Patients with bipolar I disorder who had manic or mixed episode entered a 6-week open-label stabilization phase.

Gossypin protects primary cultured rat cortical cells from oxidative stress- and beta-amyloid-induced toxicity.

The present study investigated the effects of gossypin, 3,3',4',5,7,8-hexahydroxyflavone 8-glucoside, on the toxicity induced by oxidative stress or beta-amyloid (Abeta) in primary cultured rat cortical cells. The antioxidant properties of gossypin were also evaluated by cell-free assays. Gossypin was found to inhibit the oxidative neuronal damage induced by xanthine/xanthine oxidase or by a glutathione depleting agent, D,L-buthionine (S,R)-sulfoximine.

Neuroprotective effects of antioxidative flavonoids, quercetin, (+)-dihydroquercetin and quercetin 3-methyl ether, isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten.

The flavonoids quercetin, (+)-dihydroquercetin, and quercetin 3-methyl ether were isolated from the ethyl acetate fractions of the fruits and stems of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten. In the present study, we evaluated their protective effects against oxidative neuronal injuries induced in primary cultured rat cortical cells and their antioxidant activities by using three different cell-free bioassays.