Social distancing policy and mental health during COVID-19 pandemic: an 18-month longitudinal cohort study in South Korea

BackgroundDespite the effectiveness of social distancing policies in preventing the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), their impact on mental health remains a concern. Longitudinal studies investigating the psychological effects of social distancing are limited.MethodsLongitudinal data on psychological variables were collected eight times between May 2020 and November 2021 through online surveys in South Korea.ResultsThe participants in the study reported a worsening of depressive and anxiety symptoms, suicide risk, and psychological distress with increasing levels of social distancing. Specifically, during the third wave, when social distancing levels peaked, the highest levels of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress were observed, and the second-lowest levels of vitality were reported. Furthermore, psychological risk factors, such as depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and suicidal risk, were closely associated with vitality levels in daily life.DiscussionsDuring the pandemic, although social distancing helped prevent the spread of COVID-19, it also led to increased depression, anxiety, suicide risk, psychological distress, and decreased vitality. Engagement at a personal level in fundamental daily activities is important to cope with psychological distress. Our results indicate that commitment to fundamental daily activities and following routines is an important protective factor against psychological distress, notwithstanding COVID-19

A study on decoding models for the reconstruction of hand trajectories from the human magnetoencephalography

Decoding neural signals into control outputs has been a key to the development of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). While many studies have identified neural correlates of kinematics or applied advanced machine learning algorithms to improve decoding performance, relatively less attention has been paid to optimal design of decoding models. For generating continuous movements from neural activity, design of decoding models should address how to incorporate movement dynamics into models and how to select a model given specific BCI objectives. Considering nonlinear and independent speed characteristics, we propose a hybrid Kalman filter to decode the hand direction and speed independently. We also investigate changes in performance of different decoding models (the linear and Kalman filters) when they predict reaching movements only or predict both reach and rest. Our offline study on human magnetoencephalography (MEG) during point-to-point arm movements shows that the performance of the linear filter or the Kalman filter is affected by including resting states for training and predicting movements. However, the hybrid Kalman filter consistently outperforms others regardless of movement states. The results demonstrate that better design of decoding models is achieved by incorporating movement dynamics into modeling or selecting a model according to decoding objectives.open0

Atypical iliac vein compression in patients with symptomatic May–Thurner syndrome

PURPOSEWe aimed to investigate the incidence, etiology, treatment, and clinical course of atypical iliac vein compressions (AIVCs) among patients with May–Thurner syndrome (MTS).METHODSA total of 173 patients who presented with MTS were retrospectively analyzed at a single center. Computed tomographic venography (CTV) was used to diagnose MTS. An AIVC was defined as the compression of the left common iliac vein (LCIV) by structures other than the right common iliac artery (RCIA) or the compression of other venous structures in the pelvic cavity instead of the LCIV. The patients with AIVC were categorized into the LCIV compression group (category A) and non-LCIV compression group (category B).RESULTSTen patients with AIVC were identified (5.8%; male/female, 5/5), five in category A and five in category B. The median age of patients was 76 years (range, 51–94 years), and the median follow-up duration was 388 days (range, 12–4694 days). In category A, the LCIVs were compressed by the left common iliac artery (LCIA) (n=2), uterine leiomyoma (n=1), LCIA aneurysm (n=1), and RCIA aneurysm (n=1). In category B, the right common iliac veins were compressed by the RCIA (n=4) and L5 osteophyte (n=1). Endovascular treatment, including balloon angioplasty and stent placement, was performed in six patients, three from each group. Three patients underwent conservative treatment due to their advanced age and comorbidities. Endovascular aneurysm repair was performed in one patient with RCIA aneurysm. Follow-up images were available for six patients, and all of them had patent venous flow.CONCLUSIONThe AIVC had an incidence of 5.8% (10/173) among symptomatic MTS patients and wide spectrum of etiologies. Pathogenesis-tailored endovascular treatments are safe and effective

Current Status of Cognitive Remediation for Psychiatric Disorders: A Review

Cognition is an important factor that affects daily functioning and quality of life. Impairment in cognitive function is a common symptom present in various psychological disorders, which hinders patients from functioning normally. Given that cognitive impairment has devastating effects, enhancing this in patients should lead to improvements in compromised quality of life and functioning, including vocational functioning. Over the past 50 years, several attempts have been made to improve impaired cognition, and empirical evidence for cognitive remediation (CR) has accumulated that supports its efficacy for treating schizophrenia. More recently, CR has been successfully applied in the treatment of depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and anorexia nervosa. This study critically reviews recent CR studies and suggests their future direction. This study aimed to provide a modern definition of CR, and examine the current status of empirical evidence and representative CR programs that are widely used around the world

Early Growth, Pigmentation, Protein Content, and Phenylalanine Ammonia-lyase Activity of Red Curled Lettuces Grown under Different Lighting Conditions

Early growth, pigmentation, protein content, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity of red curly lettuces (Lactuca sativa L.) grown under different lighting conditions were investigated. Fluorescent lamps (control), blue, red, and blue plus red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were used as light sources for 10 days. An equal proportion (1:1) of blue and red LEDs was used in the mixed radiation condition. Compared with the control, monochromic red or blue lighting increased fresh and dry weights of 'Ttuksum' and 'Jaju' lettuces. Anthocyanin synthesis was also significantly promoted by the mixed radiation of blue and red LEDs. The mixed radiation also increased the protein content and PAL enzyme activity of 'Ttuksum' leaves by about 200% compared to other treatments. Anthocyanin content was the highest in lettuces subjected to the mixture radiation of blue and red light treatment, while anthocyanin synthesis was inhibited by monochromic red light. The results of the present study indicate that growth and pigment synthesis in lettuces are significantly enhanced by exposure to mixed radiation from blue and red LEDs.This study was carried out with the support of Research Program for Agricultural Science & Technology Development (Project No. PJ0076662011), National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.OAIID:oai:osos.snu.ac.kr:snu2012-01/102/0000027607/2SEQ:2PERF_CD:SNU2012-01EVAL_ITEM_CD:102USER_ID:0000027607ADJUST_YN:YEMP_ID:A075898DEPT_CD:517CITE_RATE:.237FILENAME:2012-2-kjhst-led적치마상추-허정욱.pdfDEPT_NM:식물생산과학부EMAIL:[email protected]_YN:NCONFIRM:

Successful treatment of type I endoleak of common iliac artery with balloon expandable stent (Palmaz XL stent) during endovascular aneurysm repair

Type 1 endoleak of common iliac artery (type Ib endoleak) should be treated during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). An 86-year-old female was diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysm measuring 6.6 cm in diameter and right internal iliac artery aneurysm measuring 4.0 cm in diameter. She underwent EVAR after right internal iliac artery embolization. There was type Ib endoleak, which was repaired by balloon-expandable stent, Palmaz XL stent (Cordis). We report successful treatment of type Ib endoleak with Palmaz XL stent, which may be considered as an alternative option for type Ib endoleak after EVAR

Early Outcome of Posterior Cervical Endoscopic Discectomy: An Alternative Treatment Choice for Physically/Socially Active Patients

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is currently the standard treatment for cervical disc disease. Some patients wish to be treated with a less invasive method, because of their social/physical situations. Here we present one method of treatments for socially/physically active patients. Three patients had triceps weakness and mild posterior neck pain. The offending lesions were at the C6-7 level. All were middle-aged soldiers with families. If conventional ACDF were performed, they would have to retire from the military according to the regulation. They had to be able to perform military drills after the treatment if they were going to be able to keep their jobs. Because of their social/physical situations, all wanted to choose method with that they could treat the disease and keep their jobs. For these reasons, the posterior cervical endoscopic discectomies were performed. Ruptured fragments were successfully removed in all. The arm pain improved by more than 90% in two patients by 7 days and in the other patient by 2 months, respectively (excellent outcome by Macnab's criteria). None of the operations caused instability. All of the patients are currently able to successfully perform their military drills without difficulty. The posterior cervical endoscopic discectomy may be a promising alternative for the physically/socially active patients

Pathological Classification of the Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors According to 2021 World Health Organization Classification of Central Nervous System Tumors, a Single-Institute Experience

According to the new 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) the classification of the primary intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IM-SCT) follows that of CNS tumors. However, since the genetics and methylation profile of ependymal tumors depend on the location of the tumor, the ‘spinal (SP)’ should be added for the ependymoma (EPN) and subependymoma (SubEPN). For an evidence-based review, the authors reviewed SCTs in the archives of the Seoul National University Hospital over the past decade. The frequent pathologies of primary IM-SCT were SP-EPN (45.1%), hemangioblastoma (20.0%), astrocytic tumors (17.4%, including pilocytic astrocytoma [4.6%] and diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27-altered [4.0%]), myxopapillary EPN (11.0%), and SP-subEPN (3.0%) in decreasing order. IDH-mutant astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, glioneuronal tumors, embryonal tumors, and germ cell tumors can occur but are extremely rare in the spinal cord. Genetic studies should support for the primary IM-SCT classification. In the 2021 WHO classifications, extramedullary SCT did not change significantly but contained several new genetically defined types of mesenchymal tumors. This article focused on primary IM-SCT for tumor frequency, age, sex difference, pathological features, and genetic abnormalities, based on a single-institute experience

Comparison of the Novel Human Papillomavirus 4 Auto-capillary Electrophoresis Test with the Hybrid Capture 2 Assay and with the PCR HPV Typing Set Test in the Detection of High-Risk HPV Including HPV 16 and 18 Genotypes in Cervical Specimens

The aim of this study was to compare the novel human papillomavirus (HPV) detection method, the HPV 4 Auto-capillary Electrophoresis (ACE) test with the hybrid capture (HC) 2 assay for the detection of high-risk HPVs. In addition, we compared the HPV 4 ACE test with the polymerase chain reaction HPV Typing Set test for the detection of HPV 16 and HPV 18 genotypes. One hundred ninety-nine cervical swab samples obtained from women with previous abnormal Pap smears were subjected to testing with the three HPV tests. The HPV 4 ACE test and the HC 2 assay showed substantial agreement for detection of high-risk HPVs (85.4%, kappa=0.71). The HPV 4 ACE test also showed substantial agreement with the PCR HPV Typing Set test in the detection of HPV 16 and HP V 18 genotypes (89.9%, kappa=0.65). In correlation with cytologic results, the sensitivities and specificities of the HPV 4 ACE test and HC 2 assay were 92.9% vs. 92.9% and 48.1% vs. 50.8%, respectively, when high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were regarded as abnormal cytologies. The novel HPV 4 ACE test is a valuable tool for the detection of high-risk HPVs and for genotyping of HPV 16 and HPV 18