Information gathered through draws-to-decision, social functioning, and personal recovery among patients with schizophrenia in Japan.

INTRODUCTION: In schizophrenia, social functioning and personal recovery are pivotal outcomes potentially influenced by cognitive biases such as Jumping to Conclusions (JTC). Despite their significance, the relationship between JTC, social functioning, and personal recovery remains unclear. This study aims to investigate this relationship to inform tailored interventions for schizophrenia management. METHODS: Data were collected from 94 schizophrenia patients using standardised measures. The Beads Task assessed JTC, whereas the Brief PANSS, TMT-J, SLOF-J, and RAS-J evaluated psychiatric symptoms, neurocognitive functioning, social functioning, and personal recovery, respectively. Statistical analyses included correlation and hierarchical regression. RESULTS: Correlation analyses revealed a significant negative correlation between JTC and personal recovery (r = -0.27, p < 0.05). Hierarchical regression indicated JTC as a significant negative predictor of personal recovery (ß = -0.33, p = 0.01). No significant correlation was found between JTC and social functioning. DISCUSSION: Increased JTC was associated with lower levels of personal recovery in schizophrenia patients, independent of demographic and clinical factors. In the case of individuals with schizophrenia who demonstrate JTC, there is a potential to suggest the paradox of insight or apparent personal recovery scores.

Clinical and Immunological Characterization of ICF Syndrome in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: Immunodeficiency, centromeric instability, and facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive primary immunodeficiency. Hypogammaglobulinemia is a major manifestation of ICF syndrome, but immunoglobulin replacement therapy does not seem to be effective for some ICF patients. Therefore, we aimed to reassess the immunological characteristics of this syndrome. METHODS: Eleven Japanese patients with ICF syndrome were enrolled. We performed whole-exome sequencing in four cases and homozygosity mapping using SNP analysis in two. We evaluated their clinical manifestations and immunological status. RESULTS: We newly diagnosed six ICF patients who had tentatively been diagnosed with common variable immunodeficiency. We identified two novel mutations in the DNMT3B gene and one novel mutation in the ZBTB24 gene. All patients showed low serum IgG and/or IgG2 levels and were treated by periodic immunoglobulin replacement therapy. Three of the six patients showed worse results of the mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation test. Analyses of lymphocyte subpopulations revealed that CD19+CD27+ memory B cells were low in seven of nine patients, CD3+ T cells were low in three patients, CD4/8 ratio was inverted in five patients, CD31+ recent thymic emigrant cells were low in two patients, and CD19+ B cells were low in four patients compared with those in the normal controls. ICF2 patients showed lower proportions of CD19+ B cells and CD16+56+ NK cells and significantly higher proportions of CD3+ T cells than ICF1 patients. T cell receptor excision circles were undetectable in two patients. Despite being treated by immunoglobulin replacement therapy, three patients died of influenza virus, fatal viral infection with persistent Epstein-Barr virus infection, or JC virus infection. One of three dead patients showed normal intelligence with mild facial anomaly. Two patients presented with autoimmune or inflammatory manifestations. Infectious episodes decreased in three patients who were started on trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and/or antifungal drugs in addition to immunoglobulin replacement therapy. These patients might have suffered from T cell immunodeficiency. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that patients with ICF syndrome have a phenotype of combined immunodeficiency. Thus, to achieve a better prognosis, these patients should be treated as having combined immunodeficiency in addition to receiving immunoglobulin replacement therapy.

Tuning Optoelectrical Properties of ZnO Nanorods with Excitonic Defects via Submerged Illumination.

When applied in optoelectronic devices, a ZnO semiconductor dominantly absorbs or emits ultraviolet light because of its direct electron transition through a wide energy bandgap. On the contrary, crystal defects and nanostructure morphology are the chief key factors for indirect, interband transitions of ZnO optoelectronic devices in the visible light range. By ultraviolet illumination in ultrapure water, we demonstrate here a conceptually unique approach to tune the shape of ZnO nanorods from tapered to capped-end via apical surface morphology control. We show that oxygen vacancy point defects activated by excitonic effects near the tip-edge of a nanorod serve as an optoelectrical hotspot for the light-driven formation and tunability of the optoelectrical properties. A double increase of electron energy absorption on near band edge energy of ZnO was observed near the tip-edge of the tapered nanorod. The optoelectrical hotspot explanation rivals that of conventional electrostatics, impurity control, and alkaline pH control-associated mechanisms. Thus, it highlights a new perspective to understanding light-driven nanorod formation in pure neutral water.

Plasmonic surface nanostructuring of Au-dots@SiO2 via laser-irradiation induced dewetting.

The in situ observation of Au dot formation and the self-assembly dynamics of Au nanoparticles (NPs) was successfully demonstrated via dewetting of Au thin films on SiO2 glass substrates under nano-second pulsed laser irradiation using a multi-quantum beam high-voltage electron microscope. Moreover, using electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) performed in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), the plasmonic properties of the formed Au/SiO2 nanostructure were analyzed to demonstrate its validity in advanced optical devices. The uniformly distributed Au NPs evolved into a dot alignment through movement and coalescence processes was demonstrated in this in situ observation. We carried out the plasmon-loss images of the plan view and the cross-section of the Au/SiO2 nanostructures were obtained at the plasmon-loss peak energy for investigate the three-dimensional distribution of surface plasmon. Furthermore, discrete-dipole approximation (DDA) calculations were used to simulate the plasmonic properties, such as the surface plasmon resonance and the surface plasmon field distribution, of isolated single Au/SiO2 nanostructures. This STEM-EELS-acquired surface plasmon map of the cross-sectional sample is in excellent agreement with the DDA calculations. This results demonstrated the influence of the contact condition between Au NP and SiO2 glass on the plasmonic properties, and may improve the technology for developing advanced optical devices.

Photophysical properties of luminescent silicon nanoparticles surface-modified with organic molecules via hydrosilylation.

Luminescent silicon nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention for their potential uses in various applications. Many approaches have been reported to protect the surface of silicon nanoparticles and prevent their easy oxidation. Various air-stable luminescent silicon nanoparticles have been successfully prepared. However, the effect of interactions of the π-electron system with the silicon surface on the excited state properties of silicon nanoparticles is unclear. In this study, we have successfully prepared silicon nanoparticles protected with three organic compounds (styrene, 1-decene, and 1-vinyl naphthalene) and have examined their photophysical properties. The ligand π-electron systems on the silicon surface promoted the light harvesting ability for the luminescence through a charge transfer transition between the protective molecules and silicon nanoparticles and also enhanced the radiative rate of the silicon nanoparticles.

Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Deep Neck Abscesses.

Pediatric deep neck abscesses are a relatively rare and can lead to critical or life-threatening situations. However, the clinical characteristics of pediatric deep neck abscesses are not fully understood in Japan. We conducted a retrospective study of the clinical characteristics of children presenting with pediatric deep neck abscesses at our hospital. All pediatric patients were diagnosed with deep neck abscesses on the basis of the clinical findings and computed tomography (CT) scanning of the neck between April 2009 and March 2014. The incidence, initial examining department, sex, age, presenting signs and symptoms, physical findings, duration between onset and admission, timing of CT scanning, abscess location, causative organism, and method of treatment were determined from the medical records. 　We identified a total of 20 pediatric patients with deep neck abscesses, with a mean incidence of 4.0±1.9 cases per year. Pediatric deep neck abscesses were more common during winter and spring. Most patients initially presented to the pediatric department before consulting an otolaryngologist. Fourteen (70%) patients were male and six (30%) were female, with no obvious peak age of onset. The mean duration between onset and admission was 7.2±3.9 days. The mean timing of CT scanning was 8.1±3.6 days after onset. The most commonly involved area was the retropharyngeal space in nine (45%) and the retro-cervical space in eight (40%) patients. The most frequent causative organism was Staphylococcus aureus (20%), with no cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria infection observed. Majority of the children were initially managed with conservative treatment. Five patients who failed to improve within 48 h of treatment subsequently underwent surgical drainage. No significant complications such as descending mediastinitis and septic shock were observed in any of the patients.

Enhanced magneto-optical properties of semiconductor EuS nanocrystals assisted by surface plasmon resonance of gold nanoparticles.

Remarkable magneto-optical properties of a new isolator material, that is, europium sulfide nanocrystals with gold (EuS-Au nanosystem), has been demonstrated for a future photo-information technology. Attachment of gold particles that exhibit surface plasmon resonance leads to amplification of the magneto-optical properties of the EuS nanocrystals. To construct the EuS-Au nanosystems, cubic EuS and spherical Au nanocrystals have been joined by a variety of organic linkers, that is, 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT), 1,6-hexanedithiol (HDT), 1,10-decanedithiol (DDT), 1,4-bisethanethionaphthalene (NpEDT), or 1,4-bisdecanethionaphthalene (NpDDT) . Formation of these systems was observed by XRD, TEM, and absorption spectra measurements. The magneto-optical properties of the EuS-Au nanosystem have been characterized by using Faraday rotation spectroscopy. The Faraday rotation angle of the EuS-Au nanosystem is dependent on the Au particle size and interparticle distance between EuS and Au nanocrystals. Enhancement of the Faraday rotation of EuS-Au nanosystems was observed. The spin configuration in the excited state of the EuS-Au nanosystem was also investigated using photo-assisted electron paramagnetic resonance.

Defect Driven Opto-Critical Phases Tuned for All-Solar Utilization.

Materials imbued with uniformly dispersed, photo-responsive nanoparticles are instrumental in sustainable energy and photonic applications. Conventional methods, however, constrain their all-solar response. An innovative alternative is proposed: submerged photo-synthesis of crystallites (SPsC). It is shown that strategic doping with copper and oxygen vacancies can induce opto-critical phases from the nonstoichiometric tungstic acids (WO3 ·H2 O). These opto-critical phases enable a dynamic equilibrium shift in lattice defect stabilization, facilitating an unprecedented a whole solar wavelength response. This response manifests as photothermal, photo-assisted water evaporation, and photo-electrochemical characteristics. Harnessing all-solar energy, this one-pot SPsC strategy may steer the design and development of advanced oxide materials, enhancing functionality across diverse application domains.

Investigation of variation factors in EMG measurement of swallowing: instruction can improve EMG reproducibility.

Variability in swallowing electromyography (EMG) has been reported to occur due to individual differences, even in studies with appropriate control of factors affecting EMG such as food type, properties, and posture. The increased variability broadens the confidence intervals of measures obtained from EMG, such as time and amplitude, and makes it difficult to detect differences in muscle activity. This makes it impossible to detect slight changes in swallowing function at an early stage, which is required for clinical examination. In this study, we focused on the tipper type and dipper type of oral swallows, which differ in the timing of muscle activity. The frequency of occurrence of both types varies between participants, and both types could occur in the same participant. In this study, we measured swallowing EMG wherein participants were instructed to swallow with a tipper and a dipper. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the between-participant duration between these two types of swallows. Within-participant variability was significantly lower in the tipper-dipper instruction condition compared to the baseline condition, which assumed a mixture of tipper-dipper swallowing. These results demonstrate that instructions on swallowing method are effective in improving the reproducibility of EMG.

Association Between Deleterious SCN5A Variants and Ventricular Septal Defect in Young Patients With Brugada Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of young patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and explore their genetic backgrounds. BACKGROUND: VSD is the most frequently occurring congenital heart disease among children. In contrast, BrS is a rare hereditary disease that is responsible for ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. Owing to their low incidence, the genetic background and clinical characteristics of patients with BrS with VSD have not been elucidated yet. METHODS: This study enrolled 36 individuals who were diagnosed with BrS when they were <20 years of age and performed genetic screening for SCN5A. The functional alteration in mutant Na+ channels was confirmed by patch clamp technique. RESULTS: Among the 36 patients with BrS, 5 had been diagnosed with VSD. This study found 14 heterozygous SCN5A variants in 15 unrelated patients. The 5 patients with VSD carried SCN5A variants, including R367S, R535∗, R893C, W1345C, and G1743R. The 3 missense variants (R893C, W1345C, and G1743R) have been proved to reduce peak Na+ current to <10%. A functional analysis of SCN5A R367S was performed and the variant was found to be nonfunctional. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified 5 loss-of-function SCN5A variants in 5 young patients with BrS with VSD. The study hypothesizes that altered blood flow in the right ventricular outflow tract leads to fibrosis and electrophysiological changes, predisposing the patients to earlier clinical presentation of BrS. In patients with VSD and ST-segment elevation in the right precordial leads, BrS should be considered and appropriate screening should be pursued accordingly.

Fabrication of a Au/Si nanocomposite structure by nanosecond pulsed laser irradiation.

A gold/silicon nanocomposite structure (NCS) was formed on a Si(100) surface by nanosecond pulsed laser irradiation. The Au/Si NCS contained both Au nanoparticles (NPs) and Au-Si alloy layers. We report that the use of laser irradiation to form Au NPs comprises two competing processes: a top-down effect involving decomposition into smaller NPs and a bottom-up effect involving self-assembly or self-organization into larger NPs. The formation of the periodic structure involved self-organization, i.e., the bottom-up effect, and was observed in situ using a pulsed-laser-equipped high-voltage electron microscope. The NCS formed by laser irradiation can be controlled by adjusting the laser energy density and the number of laser pulses.

Functional outcomes and subjective recovery of jumping to conclusions in schizophrenia.

This study investigated the effects of the bias known as jumping to conclusions (JTC) on objective functional outcomes as well as subjective assessments of quality of life (QoL) and personal recovery among a sample of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Specifically, this study assessed the variables of JTC, psychiatric symptoms, neurocognitive functioning, objective interpersonal and daily activities, vocational domains, subjective QoL, and personal recovery among 94 participants. Results showed that those in the JTC group had significantly lower neurocognitive and functional outcomes (moderate effect sizes); however, subjective measures such as QoL and personal recovery did not differ significantly according to JTC (small effect sizes). After adjusting for attributes, there were no statistically significant differences, but the JTC group demonstrated lower overall functional outcomes and higher individual recovery, each with a moderate effect size. This 'trade-off' is not evidence-guaranteed, and further research is recommended to examine the relationship between social functioning and personal recovery in people with JTC bias.

Visualization of aquaionic splitting via iron corrosion.

We report a water decomposition mode called 'Aquaionic Splitting (AiS)' by means of iron corrosion in aqueous solution. In this paper, we investigated the phenomenon by controlling the reaction between iron and water. A pseudo-sacrificial protection method with oil paint was employed to select the anode and cathode formation locations that govern iron corrosion. Then, the AiS reaction was visualized by using BTB solution, whose colour corresponds to pH, to produce colour patterning that corresponds to the aquaion distribution. It has become clear that water can be selectively separated into protons and hydroxide ions by corrosion control treatment. In this vein, the diffusion coefficient of protons was estimated by using the colour patterning of BTB solution that accompanies iron corrosion, and aquaion distribution was then computer simulated by solving the diffusion equation.

Photochemistry and the role of light during the submerged photosynthesis of zinc oxide nanorods.

Recently, metal oxide nanocrystallites have been synthesized through a new pathway, i.e., the submerged photosynthesis of crystallites (SPSC), and flower-like ZnO nanostructures have been successfully fabricated via this method. However, the photochemical reactions involved in the SPSC process and especially the role of light are still unclear. In the present work, we discuss the reaction mechanism for SPSC-fabricated ZnO nanostructures in detail and clarify the role of light in SPSC. The results show that both photoinduced reactions and hydrothermal reactions are involved in the SPSC process. The former produces OH radicals, which is the main source of OH - at the ZnO crystal tips, whereas the latter generates ZnO. Although ZnO nanocrystals can be obtained under both UV irradiation and dark conditions with the addition of thermal energy, light promotes ZnO growth and lowers the water pH to neutral, whereas thermal energy promotes ZnO corrosion and increases the water pH under dark conditions. The study concludes that the role of light in the submerged photosynthesis of crystallites process is to enhance ZnO apical growth at relatively lower temperature by preventing the pH of water from increasing, revealing the environmentally benign characteristics of the present process.

Evolution of 3D nanoporosity and morphology in selectively dealloying ternary Au55Cu25Si20 metallic glass ribbon with enhanced alcohol electro-oxidation performance.

Current fabrication methods of nanoporous gold (NPG) mainly rely on dealloying Ag-Au binary crystalline precursors, typically Ag65Au35, with the "dealloying threshold" or "parting limit" above 55 at%. Here we report a simple chemical dealloying process, through selective dissolution of one element from a Au55Cu25Si20 metallic glass ribbon with low 'parting limit', and a novel peculiar three-dimensional 'cone shaped protrusion' nanoporous structure which has never been reported before. In this structure, a metastable gold silicide formed in the initial dealloying stage was decomposed into gold nanoparticles and amorphous SiOx in the later coarsening stage. Our finding provides insights into the underlying relationship between 'parting limit' and atomic level structure of metallic glass. Comprehensive discussions on the porosity evolution stages as well as the correlation between the porous 'cone shaped protrusion' development and potential energy landscape are made in this report. The fabricated 3D NPG also exhibited excellent electro-oxidation catalytic ability attributed to the high density of low-coordinated atomic sites provided by the gold particle inside of 'cone shaped protrusion'.

Copy number variations of SCN5A in Brugada syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Loss-of-function mutations in SCN5A are associated in ∼20% of Brugada syndrome (BrS) patients. Copy number variations (CNVs) have been shown to be associated with several inherited arrhythmia syndromes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate SCN5A CNVs among BrS probands. METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 151 BrS probands who were symptomatic or had a family history of BrS, sudden death, syncope, or arrhythmic diseases. We performed sequence analysis of SCN5A by the Sanger method. For detecting CNVs in SCN5A, we performed multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification analysis of the 151 BrS probands. RESULTS: We identified pathogenic SCN5A mutations in 20 probands by the Sanger method. In 140 probands in whom multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification was successfully performed, 4 probands were found to present different CNVs (deletion in 3 and duplication in 1). Three of them had fatal arrhythmia events; the remaining 1 was asymptomatic but had a family history. Mean age at diagnosis was 23 ± 14 years. All of the baseline 12-lead electrocardiograms showed PQ-interval prolongation. The characteristics of these 4 probands with CNVs were similar to those of the probands with mutations leading to premature truncation of the protein or missense mutations causing peak INa reduction >90%. CONCLUSION: We identified SCN5A CNVs in 2.9% of BrS probands who were symptomatic or had a family history.

Formation of CuO nano-flowered surfaces via submerged photo-synthesis of crystallites and their antimicrobial activity.

We report the fabrication of flower-like CuO nanostructured surfaces via submerged photo-synthesis of crystallites (SPSC), which requires only UV illumination in neutral water. In this paper, we discuss the reaction mechanism of the photochemical formation of the SPSC-fabricated CuO nanostructures in detail based on surface microstructural analyses and a radiation-chemical consideration with additional gamma-ray irradiation. Since the SPSC method for surface nanostructural fabrication can work at low temperatures at atmospheric pressure without using harmful substances, it is a potential fabrication method for green nanotechnology applications. In this vein, the antibacterial activity of the nano-flowered CuO surfaces was tested against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli K12) bacteria, and the results demonstrate that the nano-flowered CuO nanostructures act as an effective antimicrobial agent.

A pathway of nanocrystallite fabrication by photo-assisted growth in pure water.

We report a new production pathway for a variety of metal oxide nanocrystallites via submerged illumination in water: submerged photosynthesis of crystallites (SPSC). Similar to the growth of green plants by photosynthesis, nanocrystallites shaped as nanoflowers and nanorods are hereby shown to grow at the protruded surfaces via illumination in pure, neutral water. The process is photocatalytic, accompanied with hydroxyl radical generation via water splitting; hydrogen gas is generated in some cases, which indicates potential for application in green technologies. Together with the aid of ab initio calculation, it turns out that the nanobumped surface, as well as aqueous ambience and illumination are essential for the SPSC method. Therefore, SPSC is a surfactant-free, low-temperature technique for metal oxide nanocrystallites fabrication.