Sex determination method using the third cervical vertebral body by head and neck CT.

Objectives: This study aimed to measure the volume of the third cervical vertebra using head and neck multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and establish a sex determination model based on sex differences in volume.

Methods: Head and neck CT images of 85 patients were obtained for dental diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data obtained from head and neck CT were constructed using a three-dimensional image analysis software.

A multisite observational real-world study on the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy for patients with treatment-resistant depression in Japan.

The objective of this study was to reveal the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for Japanese patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in clinical practice, based on real-world data from a nationwide multicenter observational study in Japan. Clinical data of patients with TRD treated with rTMS (NeuroStar TMS treatment system) under public insurance coverage were retrospectively collected from 21 institutes nationwide between June 2019 and December 2023. Depression severity was assessed by the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17).

Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy on weight and lipid metabolism in patients with treatment-resistant depression: A preliminary single-center retrospective cohort study.

Aim: This study aimed to elucidate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on weight, body mass index (BMI), and lipid metabolism in patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

Methods: This retrospective observational study included patients with TRD who received rTMS treatment at the Jikei University Hospital from September 2018 to August 2021. The patients were diagnosed based on the DSM-5 and ICD-10 criteria and treated using the NeuroStar TMS System.

Gender differences and mental distress during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study in Japan.

Background: To identify risk factors for mental distress and investigate whether the factors were different between men and women during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), using KOKOROBO data, which is an online platform that aims to facilitate access to mental health services.

Methods: We used baseline data on KOKOROBO users 13 years of age or older in Japan who accessed it from October 11, 2021, to April 6, 2023, excluding those receiving treatment for mental health problems. Global severity, based on the most severe measure on Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression with baseline characteristics for each gender, and for under 30 and 30 years of age or older in women.

Fertilization and developmental competence of fertilized embryos from C57BL/6J mice of different ages and the impact of vitrification.

Prepubertal animals are often preferred as sources of oocytes for assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in laboratory mice, but the normality and developmental competence of these oocytes remain controversial. This study systematically examined in vitro fertilization competence, embryo development, and fetal development after embryo transfer (ET) using oocytes from C57BL/6J mice aged 3 to 10 weeks. Oocytes were collected from superovulated females, fertilized, and cultured in vitro for 96 h or transferred at 2-cell stage to recipient females.

Theta Burst Stimulation Protocols for Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Importance: To date, several theta burst stimulation (TBS) protocols, such as intermittent TBS (iTBS), have been proposed; however, previous systematic reviews have revealed inconsistent efficacy findings in individual TBS studies for schizophrenia.

Objective: To examine which TBS protocols are associated with the most favorable and acceptable outcomes in adults with schizophrenia.

Data Sources: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases were searched for studies published before May 22, 2024.

Optimal combination of collimator angles for dual-arc volumetric modulated arc therapy planning in stereotactic body radiotherapy for spinal metastases.

In planning the treatment of spinal metastases using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), the optimal blocking of the spinal cord to match the leaf travel can be achieved with a first-arc collimator angle of approximately 90°. We aim to clarify the optimal second-arc collimator angles when the first-arc collimator angle is fixed to 90° in dual-arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). For this retrospective study, we considered 37 spinal segments with spinal metastases and created dual-arc VMAT plans.

The Association Between Distinct Delusional Ideations and Depressive Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease: A Re-Analysis of CATIE-AD.

Background: Delusional ideations, one of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs), are frequently shown in the long-term progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and comorbid with other NPSs including depression or agitation. Despite various types of delusional ideations, the comorbidity between each delusional ideation and depressive symptoms has not been discussed.

Objective: The present cross-sectional study is aimed at testing the hypothetical mechanism of comorbid pattern in AD.

Psychological treatments for mental health symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection: A scoping review.

The aim of this scoping review was to synthesize published studies and ongoing clinical trials of psychological interventions for mental health problems associated with COVID-19 infection. The study protocol was developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews. We conducted systematic searches for studies published or registered between January 2020 and October 2022 using eight scientific databases and clinical trial registries, which identified 40 complete published studies and 53 ongoing clinical trials.

Association between Stimulation-Site Pain and Clinical Improvement during Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Patients with Major Depressive Disorders: A Prospective Observational Study at Two Sites.

Introduction: The clinical efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in Japan has not been adequately investigated. Furthermore, the relationship between stimulation-site pain and the antidepressant effects of rTMS has not been thoroughly examined. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify (1) the real-world efficacy and safety of rTMS for TRD in Japan and (2) the relationship between stimulation-site pain and clinical improvement of depressive symptoms.

Primary obsessive slowness in a young woman who benefited from continuous psychoeducation and modeling with video recordings during hospitalization: a case report.

Background: Obsessive slowness, a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), is characterized by compulsive behavior and significant slowness of movement. Primary obsessive slowness (POS) is defined as a condition in which a series of actions are segmented, and the patient spends an unlimited amount of time performing each action while checking each action, resulting in cessation or slowness of movement. It is often difficult to treat POS with exposure and response prevention, which is considered effective in general OCD, and no treatment has been established.

Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy using CW diode laser for diagnostics of argon-ion velocity distribution near AC-biased electrode.

Controlling the ion velocity in an ion sheath by applying an alternating current (AC) voltage to an electrode and/or a substrate is critical in plasma material processes. To externally control the velocity distribution of incident ions on a substrate, the application of tailored-waveform AC voltages instead of sinusoidal voltages has garnered interest in recent years. In this study, to investigate temporal changes in ion-velocity distributions, we developed a time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIF) system using a continuous-wave diode laser as an excitation-laser source.

Phase I/II study of stereotactic body radiotherapy boost in patients with cervical cancer ineligible for intracavitary brachytherapy.

Purpose: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) boost is a promising treatment for cervical cancer patients who are ineligible for intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT). The aim of this multicenter, single-arm, phase I/II study was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of SBRT boost.

Materials And Methods: ICBT-ineligible patients with untreated cervical cancer were enrolled.

Cost-effectiveness analysis comparing repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy with antidepressant treatment in patients with treatment-resistant depression in Japan.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) became covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI) in Japan since 2019. Although the evidence of rTMS for TRD is well established, the cost-effectiveness of rTMS versus antidepressants has not been thoroughly analyzed in Japan. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of rTMS for TRD under the NHI system using a microsimulation model to compare the direct costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).

UVC-Protective Activity of Lemongrass Among 12 Fat-soluble Herbal Extracts: Rapid Decay Due to Cytotoxicity.

Background/aim: The COVID-19 pandemic led to the rapid spread of the use of ultraviolet C (UVC) sterilizers in many public facilities. Considering the harmful effects of prolonged exposure to UVC, manufacturing of safe skin care products is an important countermeasure. In continuation of our recent study of water-soluble herbal extracts, the present study aimed at searching for anti-UVC components from fat-soluble herbal extracts.

Feasibility Study of Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Patients With Depression: Protocol for an Open Trial and Therapeutic Intervention.

Background: The clinical usefulness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for patients with depression who do not remit with pharmacotherapy has been recognized. However, the longer time burden on health care providers associated with conducting CBT and the lack of a system for providing CBT lead to inadequate CBT provision to patients who wish to receive it.

Objective: We aim to evaluate the feasibility of introducing virtual reality (VR) into CBT for patients with depression.

Stray radiation dose reduction using a backscatter shield and a rectangular collimator for a handheld intraoral X-ray unit.

The objective of this study was to study the dose reduction effect on occupational exposure of operators and public exposure other than operators when a backscatter shield and a rectangular collimator are used in conjunction with a handheld intraoral X-ray unit. The occupational exposure was reduced to 40% when the backscatter shield was attached to the cone-tip, to 13% when the rectangular collimator was attached and to 7.7% when the backscatter shield and rectangular collimator were used together.