Clustered ultra-small iron oxide nanoparticles as potential T/Tdual-modal magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents and application to tumor model.

Many studies have been conducted on the use of ultra-small iron oxide nanoparticles (USIONs) (d < 3 nm) as potential positive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-contrast agents (CAs); however, there is dearth of research on clustered USIONs. In this study, nearly monodispersed clustered USIONs were synthesized using a simple two-step one-pot polyol method. First, USIONs (d = 2.

Exploring the Impact of Positive Psychology-Based Virtual Music Therapy on Mental Health in Stressed College Students during COVID-19: A Pilot Investigation.

This study explored the effectiveness of a virtual music therapy program, based on positive psychotherapy principles, in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-four undergraduate students with partial PTSD were initially assigned to either an experimental group or a control group, with 11 participants in each group by the study's end. The experimental group underwent 15 video sessions of the therapy program, completing one session per weekday over 3 weeks.

Psychological Characteristics and Quality of Life of Patients With Functional Dyspepsia.

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the psychosocial characteristics of functional dyspepsia (FD) with its subgroups, epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) and postprandial distress syndrome (PDS), against a healthy control group, and to investigate the quality of life (QoL).

Methods: All of the subjects were 210 adults, 131 patients with FD were diagnosed by gastroenterologist and 79 adults with no observable symptoms of FD were selected as the normal control group. Demographic factors were investigated.

Robust control chart for nonlinear conditionally heteroscedastic time series based on Huber support vector regression.

This study proposes a control chart that monitors conditionally heteroscedastic time series by integrating the Huber support vector regression (HSVR) and the one-class classification (OCC) method. For this task, we consider the model that incorporates nonlinearity to the generalized autoregressive conditionally heteroscedastic (GARCH) time series, named HSVR-GARCH, to robustly estimate the conditional volatility when the structure of time series is not specified with parameters. Using the squared residuals, we construct the OCC-based control chart that does not require any posterior modifications of residuals unlike previous studies.

Preventive effect of aripiprazole once-monthly on relapse into mood episodes in bipolar disorder: A multicenter, one-year, retrospective, mirror image study.

Background: We conducted a one-year, retrospective, mirror-image study to investigate the clinical effectiveness and safety of aripiprazole once monthly (AOM) in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). We compared pre-treatment conditions with outcomes after 12 months of AOM treatment.

Methods: Seventy-five bipolar patients were recruited from 12 hospitals in Korea.

Patient's Perspective on Psychiatric Drugs: A Multicenter Survey-Based Study.

Objective: We aimed to identify the expectations and preferences for medication and medical decision-making in patients with major psychiatric disorders.

Methods: A survey was conducted among patients with major psychiatric disorders who visited psychiatric outpatient clinics at 15 hospitals between 2016 and 2018 in Korea. The survey consisted of 12 questions about demographic variables and opinions on their expectations for medication, important medical decision-makers, and preferred drug type.

The effect of deep neck flexor endurance on craniovertebral angle changes and neck and shoulder muscle activities during a computer task.

The deep neck flexors are important for maintaining neck posture by stabilizing and supporting it through low-intensity contraction, ensuring static endurance. The subjects performed computer tasks after having their deep neck flexor endurance measured using a pressure biofeedback unit. The craniovertebral angle (CVA) and the muscle activities were measured while participants were completing computer tasks for 10 min.

Neural mechanisms of acceptance-commitment therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a resting-state and task-based fMRI study.

Background: There is growing evidence for the use of acceptance-commitment therapy (ACT) for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, few fully implemented ACT have been conducted on the neural mechanisms underlying its effect on OCD. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the neural correlates of ACT in patients with OCD using task-based and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Monitoring parameter change for bivariate time series models of counts.

In this study, we consider an online monitoring procedure to detect a parameter change for bivariate time series of counts, following bivariate integer-valued generalized autoregressive heteroscedastic (BIGARCH) and autoregressive (BINAR) models. To handle this problem, we employ the cumulative sum (CUSUM) process constructed from the (standardized) residuals obtained from those models. To attain control limits, we develop limit theorems for the proposed monitoring process.

The Korean Version of Pandemic Stress Questionnaire: Validation in Korean Population.

Objective: The spread of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has acted as a significant stressor among individuals, causing a variety of psychological problems. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of stress caused by COVID-19 by translating and validating the Pandemic Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) in Korean, which measures stressful event caused by COVID-19.

Methods: A statistical analysis was performed on 167 participants.

Effects of 3D Postural Correction and Abdominal Muscle Contraction on the Symmetry of the Transverse Abdominis and Spinal Alignment in Patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of 3D postural correction (3DPC) using corrective cushions (CCs) and abdominal muscle contraction (AMC) on the thickness symmetry of the transversus abdominis (TrA) and spinal alignment in patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS). In the first experiment, ultrasound measurements were taken of the TrA thickness on both the convex and concave sides of the lumbar curve in the supine position during AMC and non-AMC without 3DPC, and during AMC and non-AMC with 3DPC using CCs, in 11 IS patients. In the second experiment, 37 IS patients participated in a four-week 3DPC exercise program that aimed to maintain TrA thickness symmetry based on the results of the first experiment.

Psychometric Properties of the Korean Version of Functioning Assessment Short Test in Bipolar Disorder.

Objective: The Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) is a relatively specific test for bipolar disorders designed to assess the main functioning problems experienced by patients. This brief instrument includes 24 items assessing impairment or disability in 6 domains of functioning: autonomy, occupational functioning, cognitive functioning, financial issues, interpersonal relationships, and leisure time. It has already been translated into standardized versions in several languages.

Effects of Psychosocial Interventions for Patients with Breast Cancer: A Meta-analysis.

Objective: This study involved a meta-analysis of South Korean studies regarding psychosocial interventions for patients with breast cancer to provide basic data to support the development of an integrated healthcare service model.

Methods: Randomized controlled studies with a pretest-posttest design were selected, and those presenting means, standard deviations, and standardized mean differences were included. For quality evaluation and heterogeneity testing, the Jadad scale and the Q-value and I2 were used.

Psychological Characteristics and Quality of Life of Patients with Upper and Lower Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders.

Background: This study aimed to identify the differences in the psychological characteristics of the anatomical location of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and the factors that influence the quality of life (QOL). Methods: Altogether, 233 patients with FGIDs were classified into the upper gastrointestinal disorder (UGID; n = 175) group and the lower gastrointestinal disorder group (LGID; n = 58). Psychological characteristics and QOL were evaluated using the validated questionnaires.

Forecasting and change point test for nonlinear heteroscedastic time series based on support vector regression.

SVR-ARMA-GARCH models provide flexible model fitting and good predictive powers for nonlinear heteroscedastic time series datasets. In this study, we explore the change point detection problem in the SVR-ARMA-GARCH model using the residual-based CUSUM test. For this task, we propose an alternating recursive estimation (ARE) method to improve the estimation accuracy of residuals.

Mono and Multiple Tumor-Targeting Ligand-Coated Ultrasmall Gadolinium Oxide Nanoparticles: Enhanced Tumor Imaging and Blood Circulation.

Hydrophilic and biocompatible PAA-coated ultrasmall GdO nanoparticles (d = 1.7 nm) were synthesized and conjugated with tumor-targeting ligands, i.e.

Mental Health and Quality of Life for Disaster Service Workers in a Province under COVID-19.

Objective: Healthcare workers and disaster service workers have been reported to be vulnerable to mental health problems during outbreaks of infectious diseases such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the psychosocial characteristics of disaster service workers in charge of COVID-19-related work and also identify the factors affecting their quality of life. Methods: From June 2020 to June 2021, a survey was conducted of 526 disaster service workers in charge of COVID-19-related work.

Introduction to methodology for the development of an integrative medical service model.

Background: The purpose of this article was to present a valid and reliable theoretical framework and method for the development of an integrated medical service model for the four major diseases.

Methods: Methodologies for each process were presented based on three theoretical frameworks. The three theories were the double diamond process model, the Donabedian model, and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health model.

The Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder 2021: Comparisons with Other Treatment Guidelines.

The Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder (KMAP-DD) first was published in 2002, and has been revised four times, in 2006, 2012, 2017, and 2021. In this review, we compared recommendations from the recently revised KMAP-DD 2021 to four global clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for depression published after 2010. The recommendations from the KMAP-DD 2021 were similar to those from other CPGs, although there were some differences.

Mental Health and Quality of Life for Healthcare Workers in a University Hospital Under COVID-19.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the psychosocial characteristics of the employees working at a university hospital and investigated the factors affecting their quality of life (QOL) under COVID-19.

Methods: This study enrolled 1,191 healthcare workers from a university hospital, including doctors, nurses, administrative officer and technicians. Besides demographic information, depression, anxiety, somatization, insomnia, resilience, and QOL were assessed.

A Dimensional Understanding of Borderline Personality Disorder Using MMPI-2 PSY-5 Scales in Clinical Samples.

Objective: This study aims to understand borderline personality disorder (BPD) features by employing the Personality Psychopathology Five (PSY-5) scales from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2).

Methods: A total of 156 psychiatric patients completed PSY-5 scales of MMPI-2 and Personality Assessment Inventory-Borderline Subscale (PAI-BOR). Pearson's partial correlation analysis was conducted to control the impact of age and gender and to determine the relationship between PSY-5 scales and BOR.