Ultradian Rest-activity Rhythms Induced by Quinpirole in Mice Using Wavelet Analysis.

Objective: Ultradian rhythms are biological rhythms with periods of a few seconds to a few hours. Along with circadian rhythms, ultradian rhythms influence human physiology. However, such rhythms have not been studied as intensively as circadian rhythms.

Exploration of a Machine Learning Model Using Self-rating Questionnaires for Detecting Depression in Patients with Breast Cancer.

Objective: Given the long-term and severe distress experienced during breast cancer treatment, detecting depression among breast cancer patients is clinically crucial. This study aimed to explore a machine-learning model using self-report questionnaires to screen for depression in patients with breast cancer.

Methods: A total of 327 patients who visited the breast cancer clinic were included in this study.

Tackling Challenges of Long-Term Electrode Stability in Electrochemical Treatment of 1,4-Dioxane in Groundwater.

Electrochemical advanced oxidation is an appealing point-of-use groundwater treatment option for removing pollutants such as 1,4-dioxane, which is difficult to remove by using conventional separation-based techniques. This study addresses a critical challenge in employing electrochemical cells in practical groundwater treatment─electrode stability over long-term operation. This study aims to simulate realistic environmental scenarios by significantly extending the experimental time scale, testing a flow-through cell in addition to a batch reactor, and employing an electrolyte with a conductivity equivalent to that of groundwater.

Development of an aptasensor for dibutyl phthalate detection and the elucidation of assay inhibition factors.

We developed a fluorescence aptasensor (hereafter 'SG-aptasensor') using SYBR Green I, a newly truncated 20-mer aptamer, and probe DNA to detect dibutyl phthalate (DBP). The detection range of DBP was 0.1-100 ng L with 0.

Multi-target aptamer assay for endocrine-disrupting phthalic acid ester panel screening in plastic leachates.

A multi-target aptamer assay was developed as a phthalic acid ester (PAE) panel to screen selected PAEs in plastic leachate samples. The panel comprises 13 PAEs (PAE-13), namely dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, di-n-hexyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, diphenyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, and phthalic acid. Herein, we proposed an aptamer assay using a newly truncated aptamer (20-mer) and the 7-aminoactinomycin D fluorophore, which selectively binds to guanine in single-stranded DNA, resulting in increased fluorescence intensity.

Subjective Experience on Virtual Reality-Assisted Mental Health Promotion Program.

Objective: Mental health promotion programs using virtual reality (VR) technology have been developed in various forms. This study aimed to investigate the subjective experience of a VR-assisted mental health promotion program for the community population, which was provided in the form of VR experience on a bus to increase accessibility.

Methods: Ninety-six people participated in this study.

Prediction of High-Risk Neuroblastoma Among Neuroblastic Tumors Using Radiomics Features Derived from Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to predict high-risk neuroblastoma among neuroblastic tumors using radiomics features extracted from MRI.

Materials And Methods: Pediatric patients (age≤18 years) diagnosed with neuroblastic tumors who had pre-treatment MR images available were enrolled from institution A from January 2010 to November 2019 (training set) and institution B from January 2016 to January 2022 (test set). Segmentation was performed with regions of interest manually drawn along tumor margins on the slice with the widest tumor area by two radiologists.

The Dropout Rates and Associated Factors in Patients with Mood Disorders in Long-term Naturalistic Treatment.

Objective: Although maintenance treatment for mood disorders is important, the treatment discontinuation rate is reported to be high. This study aimed to investigate the dropout rates and associated factors in mood disorders.

Methods: The patients in a mood disorder clinic (n = 535) were examined.

Evaluating Linkage Quality of Population-Based Administrative Data for Health Service Research.

Background: To overcome the limitations of relying on data from a single institution, many researchers have studied data linkage methodologies. Data linkage includes errors owing to legal issues surrounding personal information and technical issues related to data processing. Linkage errors affect selection bias, and external and internal validity.

Comparison of elasticity changes in the paraspinal muscles of adolescent patients with scoliosis treated with surgery and bracing.

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional spinal deformity, and paraspinal muscles play an important role as stabilizers of the spinal curve. In this prospective study, we compared elasticity changes in the paraspinal muscles of adolescent patients with scoliosis after surgery or bracing. Elasticity was measured on the concave and convex sides of the paraspinal muscles at the apex of the curve at the beginning of treatment and 6 and 12 months after treatment.

Diesel exhaust particle exposure exacerbates ciliary and epithelial barrier dysfunction in the multiciliated bronchial epithelium models.

Airway epithelium, the first defense barrier of the respiratory system, facilitates mucociliary clearance against inflammatory stimuli, such as pathogens and particulates inhaled into the airway and lung. Inhaled particulate matter 2.5 (PM) can penetrate the alveolar region of the lung, and it can develop and exacerbate respiratory diseases.

Peroxymonosulfate-Based Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation: Complication by Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-based electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) have received widespread attention in recent years, but the precise nature of PMS activation and its impact on the overall process performance remain poorly understood. This study presents the first demonstration of the critical role played by the oxygen reduction reaction in the effective utilization of PMS and the subsequent enhancement of overall pollutant remediation. We observed the concurrent generation of HO via oxygen reduction during the cathodic PMS activation by a model nitrogen-doped carbon nanotube catalyst.

Changes of Locomotor Activity by Dopamine D2, D3 Agonist Quinpirole in Mice Using Home-cage Monitoring System.

Objective: : As dopamine is closely linked to locomotor activities, animal studies on locomotor activities using dopaminergic agents were widely done. However, most of animal studies were performed for a short period that there is a lack of longitudinal study on the effects of dopaminergic agents on locomotor activities. This study aimed to examine the longterm effect of a dopamine D2, D3 agonist quinpirole on locomotor activities in mice using a home-cage monitoring system.

Palladium Single-Atom (In)Stability Under Aqueous Reductive Conditions.

Here, we investigate the stability and performance of single-atom Pd on TiO for the selective dechlorination of 4-chlorophenol. A challenge inherent to single atoms is their high surface free energy, which results in a tendency for the surface migration and aggregation of metal atoms. This work evaluates various factors affecting the stability of Pd single-atoms, including atomic dispersion, coordination environment, and substrate properties, under reductive aqueous conditions.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography for the Evaluation of Crohn's Disease in Pediatric Patients.

Background: Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) of the bowel wall has been suggested as an alternative imaging modality for the follow-up of children with Crohn's disease. To demonstrate the feasibility and clinical usefulness of CEUS in the estimation of Crohn's disease activity in children with endoscopy as the reference standard.

Method: In this prospective study, 30 pediatric patients with Crohn's disease (24 males and 6 females; median age 14 years) underwent CEUS from December 2020 to August 2021.

A Validation Study of Mental Health Monitoring Through a Mobile Application.

Objective: Face-to-face evaluation is the most important in psychiatric evaluation, but smart healthcare, including non-face-to-face evaluation, can be beneficial considering the situation in which face-to-face evaluation is limited or the preventive aspect of mental illness. In this paper, we aimed to check whether mental health screening tests have the same significance as paper-based tests even when collected through mobile applications.

Methods: A smart mental healthcare screening test was conducted on the 1,327 community subjects.

Which obesity index is the most useful marker for predicting hepatic steatosis in children and adolescents with obesity? A cross-sectional study using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging.

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate the relationships between hepatic steatosis and various indices of obesity, and to identify the most useful index for the prediction of hepatic steatosis in children and adolescents with obesity.

Methods: A total of 226 children and adolescents with a mean body mass index (BMI) z-score of 2.65 and a mean age of 11.

Decrease of Muscle Mass in Young Patients With Neuromuscular Disease: Assessment of Sarcopenia.

Background: Sarcopenia can be associated with the disease etiologies other than degenerative processes, such as neurologic disease including cerebral palsy, myelomeningocele, or Duchenne muscular dystrophy, even in children. Although the relationship between neurologic disease and scoliosis or ambulatory function is known, the mediators affecting scoliosis or gait function in these patients are unclear, an example might be sarcopenia. This study aimed to assess the degree of sarcopenia in young patients with neurologic diseases using computed tomography (CT), and analyze the correlation between sarcopenia and scoliosis or ambulatory function.

Cluster Analysis on the Mental Health States in a Community Sample of Young Women During Pre-Pregnancy, Pregnancy, or the Postpartum Period.

Objective: It is necessary to identify the mental health types of young women considering the importance of the mental health during the peripartum period. This study aimed to classify the mental health types in a community sample of young women with pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, or the postpartum period.

Methods: A total of 293 young women during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, or the postpartum period were included in this study.