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Abstract Oxide/Nitride/Oxide/Nitride (ONON; SiO2/SiNx/SiO2/SiNx) stacked structure is widely used in the 3D vertical structure of semiconductor cells. Previously, to form a 3D cells, photoresist (PR) was patterned and repeatedly trimmed on the top of ONON after the etching of one ON layer. Due to the time-consuming process of etching layer-by-layer of ON layer, two-step etch processing using C4F8-based or C4F6-based gases composed of maskless ONON stack feature etching and followed one ON layer-by layer etching by PR trimming in the ONON stack feature are employed these days. However, the two-step etching method resulted in poor etch profiles of maskless ONON stack feature in addition to high global warming potential of C4F8 and C4F6. In this study, we investigated the etching of maskless ONON stack feature using C4H2F6-based gas having a low global warming potential and the effects of C4H2F6-based gas on the etch characteristics of maskless ONON stack feature such as etch rate, etch profile, change in critical dimensional (CD), and etch selectivity between SiO2 and SiNx have been investigated. C4H2F6-based gas showed the highest etch rates compared to C4F6 and C4F8-based gases in addition to the etch selectivity of ~ 1:1 between SiO2 and SiNx due to hydrogen included in the gas structure. In addition, the change in horizontal CD was lower in the order of C4H2F6, C4F6, and C4F8-based gases due to the more effective sidewall passivation in the order of C4F8, C4F6, and C4H2F6-based gases. The thicker carbon-based polymer layer on the sidewall also played an important role in maintaining the shape of the top edge shape of maskless ONON stack feature when etching a line feature in an environment without a mask.

Objectives: This study evaluated usual dietary intakes of total fat and fatty acids among the Korean population based on the revised Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans 2020 (2020 KDRIs). Methods: This study utilized data from the eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES 2019–2021). We included 18,895 individuals aged 1 year and above whose 1-day 24-hour dietary recall data were available. To calculate the external variability using the National Cancer Institute 1-day method, data from the U.S. NHANES 2017-March 2020 Pre-pandemic dataset were employed. The total fat and fatty acid intake were evaluated based on the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDRs) and Adequate intake (AI) of 2020 KDRIs for each sex and age groups. Results: Approximately 86% of the Korean population obtained an adequate amount of energy from total fat consumption (within the AMDRs), indicating an appropriate level of intake. However, the percentage of individuals consuming saturated fatty acids below the AMDR was low, with only 12% among those under 19 years of age and 52% aged 19 years and older. On a positive note, approximately 70% of the population showed adequate consumption of essential fatty acids, exceeding the AI. Nevertheless, monitoring the intake ratio of omega 3 (n-3) to omega 6 (n-6) fatty acids is essential to ensure an optimum balance. Conclusions: This study explored the possibility of estimating the distribution of nutrient intake in a population by applying the external variability ratio. Therefore, if future KNHANES conduct multiple 24-hour recalls every few years-similar to the U.S. NHANES-even for a subset of participants, this may aid in the accurate assessment of the nutritional status of the population.

Abstract In this study, an isotropic etching process of SiO2 selective to Si3N4 using NF3/H2/methanol chemistry was investigated. HF was formed using a NF3/H2 remote plasma, and in order to remove the F radicals, which induces spontaneous etching of Si-base material, methanol was injected outside the plasma discharge region. Through this process, etch products were formed on the surface of SiO2, and then the (NH4)2SiF6 was removed by following heating process. When the H and F radicals were abundant, the highest SiO2 etch per cycle (EPC) was obtained. And, the increase of H2 and methanol percentage in the gas chemistry increased the etch selectivity by decreasing the F radicals. The etch products such as (NH4)2SiF6 were formed on the surfaces of SiO2 and Si3N4 during the reaction step and no noticeable spontaneous etching by formation of SiF4 was observed. By optimized conditions, the etch selectivity of SiO2 over Si3N4 and poly Si higher than 50 and 20, respectively, was obtained while having SiO2 EPC of ~ 13 nm/cycle. It is believed that the cyclic process using NF3/H2 remote plasma and methanol followed by heating can be applied to the selective isotropic SiO2 etching of next generation 3D device fabrication.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to compare the functional movement screen (FMS) scores of baseball players according to their careers, for the purpose of injury prevention and healthcare programs. METHODS The study subjects were evaluated by measuring the differences in the seven fundamental movement patterns of FMS between groups according to their baseball career stages. The study included 27 college baseball players and 17 middle and high school baseball players, and analysis was conducted using STATA Version 15.0 (STATA Corp., College Station, TX, USA). RESULTS In the FMS total score, the rate of poor FMS total score (≤14) was statistically higher in 96.3% of the college baseball player than 41.18% of the middle and high school baseball player (p

The pathophysiology of functional bowel disorders is complex, involving disruptions in gut motility, visceral hypersensitivity, gut–brain–microbiota interactions, and psychosocial factors. Light pollution, as an environmental stressor, has been associated with disruptions in circadian rhythms and the aggravation of stress-related conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of environmental stress, particularly continuous light exposure, on intestinal motility and inflammation using zebrafish larvae as a model system. We also evaluated the efficacy of probiotics, specifically Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum), at alleviating stress-induced constipation. Our results showed that continuous light exposure in zebrafish larvae increased the cortisol levels and reduced the intestinal motility, establishing a stress-induced-constipation model. We observed increased inflammatory markers and decreased intestinal neural activity in response to stress. Furthermore, the expressions of aquaporins and vasoactive intestinal peptide, crucial for regulating water transport and intestinal motility, were altered in the light-induced constipation model. Administration of probiotics, specifically B. longum, ameliorated the stress-induced constipation by reducing the cortisol levels, modulating the intestinal inflammation, and restoring the intestinal motility and neural activity. These findings highlight the potential of probiotics to modulate the gut–brain axis and alleviate stress-induced constipation. Therefore, this study provides a valuable understanding of the complex interplay among environmental stressors, gut function, and potential therapeutic strategies.

Abstract Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) has been attracting interest as a new radiation modality for cancer therapy because it can selectively destroy cancer cells while maintaining the healthy state of surrounding normal cells. Many experimental trials have demonstrated significant BNCT treatment efficacy using neutron beams from research reactors. However, nuclear reactor technology cannot be scaled to sites in hospitals delivering patient treatment. Therefore, compact accelerator-based neutron sources that could be installed in many hospitals are under development or have even been commissioned at many facilities around the world. In Korea, a radio-frequency (RF) linac-based BNCT (A-BNCT) facility is under development by DawonMedax (DM). It provides the highly efficient production of an epithermal neutron beam with an optimized neutron energy spectrum range of 0.1~10 keV. With a 2-mA 10-MeV proton beam from the accelerator, the irradiation port epithermal neutron flux is higher than 1 × 109 n/cm2⋅s. Comprehensive verification and validation of the system have been conducted with the measurement of both proton and neutron beam characteristics. Significant therapeutic effects from BNCT have been confirmed by DM in both in vitro and in vivo non-clinical trials. Further, during exposure to epithermal neutrons, all other unintended radiation is controlled to levels meeting International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommendations. Recently, the Korean FDA has accepted an investigational new drug (IND) and the first-in-human clinical trial of BNCT is now being prepared. This paper introduces the principles of BNCT and accelerator-based neutron sources for BNCT and reports the recent advances of DM A-BNCT facility which is the main part of this paper.

Abstract Adsorption of particles at fluid–fluid interfaces is of great scientific and industrial importance, encompassing a variety of applications, from the stabilization of bubbles and emulsions to the fabrication of sophisticated materials with micro‐ and nanostructures. The enormous adsorption energy of a particle is believed to be the origin of adsorption, but it cannot fully explain many systems that do not adsorb, even with large adsorption energy. Here, it is systematically shown that the dynamic process of particle adsorption plays a critical role in determining whether particles are adsorbed at interfaces. Using a model system composed of a droplet and solid particle monolayer, the adsorption dynamics of cellulose nanofibrils are studied, focusing on the drainage time of a liquid thin film between the droplet and solid surface. Both the experimental and theoretical results indicate that the drainage time is regulated by the dimensionless capillary number. Controllable particle adsorption in conventional emulsions is further examined, confirming that results from this model system can be extended to large capillary numbers. This study provides important insight that it is not the adsorption energy, but the drainage process that governs particle adsorption, which can be quantitatively controlled by viscosity, interfacial tension, and particle approaching velocity.

Campylobacter spp. constitute a significant global threat as a leading cause of foodborne illnesses, with poultry meat as a prominent reservoir for these pathogens. South Korea is known for its diverse poultry consumption habits, and continuous outbreaks make it a matter of concern to perform a meta-analysis to identify the primary source of contamination. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess and compare the prevalence of Campylobacter in various poultry and meat types while also considering the importance of environmental factors in South Korea. The meta-analysis revealed that duck meat exhibited the highest prevalence of Campylobacter, with a pooled estimate of 70.46% (95% CI: 42.80% to 88.38%), followed by chicken meat at a pooled prevalence of 36.17% (95% CI: 26.44% to 47.91%). Additionally, our analysis highlighted the predominance of C. jejuni and C. coli in South Korea. These findings underscore the importance of implementing rigorous food safety measures and establishing robust surveillance programs in the poultry industry to mitigate the risk of Campylobacter-related foodborne illnesses associated with meat consumption in South Korea.

Food poisoning outbreaks in schools can affect many students, causing physical and psychological damage and time and economic loss. Fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) have been used to monitor the contamination; however, the detection is time-consuming and confirms the contamination from all warm-blooded animals. Microbial source tracking (MST) is a molecular-based detection method that is host specific. This study aimed to evaluate MSTs and FIBs for tracing contamination in the school cafeteria. The average total aerobic count was 0.89 to 3.63 log CFU/100 cm2, and the faucets in the cooking area showed a significantly high aerobic count. The stove valve, faucet, and hand-washer were the most contaminated area, with a concentration of 1.90 to 6.80 log CFU/100 cm2 from the frequent hand contact. Escherichia coli was not detected on any surfaces, and coliform was detected on five surfaces: the sink and faucet in the food preparation area, the faucet in the cooking area, the hand-washer, and the toilet seat in the restroom with 0.33 to 3.64 log CFU/100 cm2. Human-specific crAssphage appeared on a faucet in the food preparation area, while HF183 was not detected. The result indicates that the continuous monitoring of frequent hand-contact areas is recommended to maintain the hygiene condition in the school cafeteria.

A 60-year-old man diagnosed with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presented to the hospital with pain in the perineal region. He had been taking lenvatinib every day for 2 months after he was diagnosed with HCC with metastases to the lymph node, small bowel mesentery, and retroperitoneal space. Enhanced abdominal computed tomography revealed mild elevation in intensity in the perineal subcutaneous tissue with subcutaneous emphysema. The patient was diagnosed with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grade 3, skin ulceration of stage IV with full-thickness skin loss and tissue necrosis in the muscular layer. The patient was taken off the medication with prescription of antibiotics, and after 3 weeks, the skin has fully recovered. This is the first report of an HCC patient who presented with a skin ulceration of stage IV after lenvatinib treatment. We recommend stopping the medication immediately and changing to alternative treatments with appropriate supportive care.

We investigated the effectiveness of integrative Korean medicine treatment in patients with pre-existing scoliosis who received inpatient care for traffic-accident-induced acute LBP. We selected 674 patients diagnosed with scoliosis between 1 January 2015, and 30 June 2021, using lumbar spine (L-spine) imaging, across four Korean medicine hospitals in Korea for a retrospective chart review and sent them a questionnaire-based follow-up survey. The primary outcome was a numeric rating scale (NRS) score of LBP. The secondary outcomes were the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 5-level EuroQol 5-dimension (EQ-5D-5L), and patient global impression of change (PGIC) scores. In total, 101 patients responded to the follow-up survey. NRS scores decreased from 4.86 (4.71–5.02) to 3.53 (3.17–3.90) from admission to discharge, subsequently decreasing to 3.01 (2.64–3.38) (p < 0.001) at the last follow-up. Similarly, ODI scores decreased from 35.96 (33.08–38.85) to 22.73 (20.23–25.24) and 14.21 (11.74–16.67) (p < 0.001), respectively. Approximately 87.1% of patients were satisfied with their inpatient care. There were no significant differences in the degree of improvement according to the severity of scoliosis. Integrative Korean medicine treatment can improve pain, lumbar dysfunction, and quality of life in patients with traffic-accident-induced acute low back pain and pre-existing mild scoliosis.

In this review of the most recent applications of deep learning to ultrasound imaging, the architectures of deep learning networks are briefly explained for the medical imaging applications of classification, detection, segmentation, and generation. Ultrasonography applications for image processing and diagnosis are then reviewed and summarized, along with some representative imaging studies of the breast, thyroid, heart, kidney, liver, and fetal head. Efforts towards workflow enhancement are also reviewed, with an emphasis on view recognition, scanning guide, image quality assessment, and quantification and measurement. Finally some future prospects are presented regarding image quality enhancement, diagnostic support, and improvements in workflow efficiency, along with remarks on hurdles, benefits, and necessary collaborations.

This paper presents a novel adaptive learning-rate backpropagation neural network (ALR-BPNN) algorithm based on the minimization of mean-square deviation (MSD) to implement a fast convergence rate and robustness to impulsive noises. The learning rates of the weights in each hidden layer are derived to minimize the upper bound of the MSD obtained by the analysis, which guarantees a fast convergence rate in a stable range. Moreover, by adopting the variance of the kind of the measurement noises in each layer through the variance of the error signals, the proposed scheme provides robustness to the impulsive noises. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated on various sequential signals and industrial data including the impulsive noise and compared with conventional ALR-BPNN algorithms. Simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing algorithms.

This paper proposes a new active noise control (ANC) system based on a recursive least-squares lattice (RLSL) algorithm by designing secondary-path innovation (SPI) and lattice-order decision (LOD) algorithms. The SPI algorithm associated with the power spectral factorization of the secondary path is designed to apply the RLSL algorithm to the ANC system without the filtered-input structure. The SPI algorithm whitens the error microphone signals into the virtual error signals just ahead of the secondary path to construct the virtual desired signals corresponding to the outputs of the lattice filter. The LOD algorithm is designed to operate the ANC system without knowing the tap length of the optimal finite impulse response (FIR) filter. The decision algorithm using the initial and final estimation errors of the lattice filter estimates the tap length of the optimal FIR filter by increasing the lattice order one-by-one until the final estimation error reaches below a threshold value. Even in environments where the tap length of the optimal FIR filter is unknown, the proposed ANC system with low computational complexity shows almost the same performance as the ANC system based on a filtered-input recursive least squares algorithm.

The beta-2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) regulates the proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, migration, and metastasis of cancer cells. However, its function in the progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is unknown. Here, we report that ADRB2 can be a novel prognostic factor for patients with ccRCC. The differential expression of ADRB2 in low-stage (stages I and II), high-stage (stages III and IV), low-grade (grades I and II), and high-grade (grades III and IV) ccRCC was identified in cohorts of patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas and the International Cancer Genome Consortium. We evaluated ADRB2 expression as a prognostic factor using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve, multivariate analysis, time-dependent area under the curve (AUC) of Uno’s C-index, and AUC of the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) at five years. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that reduced ADRB2 expression is associated with poor prognosis in ccRCC patients. Analysis of C-indices and AUC-ROC further confirmed this result. Moreover, multivariate analysis confirmed the prognostic significance of ADRB2 expression. Collectively, these findings suggest that ADRB2 is a potential prognostic factor for ccRCC.

The aim of this study was to evaluate different herbicides for optimum growth, yield and nutritive value of corn-soybean mixed forage under randomized complete block design. The experimental site was selected and divided equally into 3 blocks. Each block was further divided into 5 plots that each plot had 15 square meter space (3 × 5). Five herbicidal treatments were randomly applied over 5 plots and herbicides were used under 5 herbicidal treatments, viz. 1) No herbicide (control); 2) Pendimethalin; 3) Linuron; 4) S-metolachlor and 5) Ethalfluralin. The collected data were analyzed using ANOVA through SAS 9.1.3 software. The results indicated that growth characteristics were not influenced (p > 0.05) by any herbicide. However, arithmetically corn stalk height was highest in the field of Pendimethalin treatment, whereas highest soybean height was found in the field of S-metolachlor. Arithmetically dry matter (DM) yield was increased with herbicidal treatments as compared to that of control treatment. Relatively highest DM yield (130%) was recorded in the treatment of Ethalfluralin followed by Pendimethalin (126%), S-metolachlor (126%) and Linuron (108%) as compared to that of control treatment. The weed emergence was significantly reduced in all herbicidal treatments as compared to that of control (p > 0.05), but the difference among herbicidal treatments was non-significant. It was concluded that weed emergence can be effectively controlled by use of any tested herbicide. However, optimum DM yield can be achieved through using herbicides; Ethalfluralin, Pendimethalin and S-metolachlor.

Abstract The detection of foodborne pathogenic microorganisms is an essential issue in molecular diagnostics. Fluorescence-based assays have been widely utilized in molecular diagnostics because of their ability to detect and measure low analyte concentrations. However, conventional fluorescence-based assays require sophisticated optics systems, such as a specific light source and light filter. To overcome these limitations, we developed an optical sensing system using a retroreflective Janus microparticle (RJP) as a signaling probe. Compared to fluorescent dyes, RJPs have the advantage of not requiring complicated optic systems because they can be observed using visible light without a filter. To confirm that RJPs can be used as a probe for molecular diagnostics, Salmonella was detected using a biotinylated stem-loop DNA probe to capture the target gene DNA and a streptavidin-conjugated RJP (SA-RJP) as the detection molecule. When the target gene DNA was present at the sensing surface where the stem-loop DNA probe was immobilized, the biotinylated stem-loop DNA probe was stretched, exposing biotin, which can react with SA-RJP. Since the amount of exposed biotin increased according to the concentration of the applied target gene DNA, the number of observed RJPs on the sensing surface increased with the concentration of the target gene DNA. Consequently, the concentration of Salmonella could be quantitated by counting the number of observed RJPs. Using this system, Salmonella at concentrations ranging from 0 to 100 nM could be analyzed, with high sensitivity and selectivity, with a limit of detection of 2.48 pM.

The aspirating smoke detector (ASD) is one of the most critical pieces of equipment for detecting smoke in a protected area when a fire occurs. It has more advantages than a conventional smoke detector because it can be used in extreme conditions, such as cold storage facilities or hot aisle containment areas. ASD uses a fan to draw air from the protected area into the pipe network system via pipe holes. The sucked air is transported into the sensing chamber to detect smoke. If the obscuration in the sensing chamber is greater than the setpoint, the ASD will sound an alarm so that people realize there is a fire. For this reason, investigating the effect of the pipe hole network on obscuration in the ASD is critical. In this study, a Pipe Hole Network Program was developed to consider the pipe flow parameter. A numerical study based on the program and an experimental study was performed. The results showed that the numerical results had the same trend as the experimental study. The further the location of the fire source was, the lower the obscuration was. In addition, the correlation between the obscuration parameter and the fire source distance was also derived. It could be used to predict the fire source location in the aspirating smoke detection system.

BackgroundThe effect of dexamethasone injection on cisatracurium-induced neuromuscular block was compared according to different injection time points.MethodsOne hundred seventeen patients were randomly assigned to three groups: 8 mg of dexamethasone injected intravenously 2–3 h before anesthesia (group A), just before anesthesia induction (group B), and at the end of surgery (control group). Three minutes after anesthesia induction, intubation was performed without neuromuscular blockers, and acceleromyography was initiated. All patients received 0.05 mg/kg cisatracurium; the onset time and recovery profiles were recorded.ResultsEighty patients were finally enrolled. The onset time (median [interquartile range], seconds) was significantly hastened in group A (520.0 [500.0–560.0], n = 30) compared to that in group B (562.5 [514.0–589.0], n = 22) (P = 0.008) and control group (586.5 [575.0–642.5], n = 28) (P < 0.001). The onset time in group B was faster than the control group (P = 0.015). The recovery time [mean (95% CI) minutes] was significantly hastened in group A [28.5 (27.3–29.6)] compared to that in group B [32.3 (31.0–33.6)] (P < 0.001) and control group [30.9 (29.9–31.8)] (P = 0.015). The total recovery time was significantly hastened more in group A [47.1 (45.5–48.6)] than group B [52.8 (51.6–54.0) minutes] (P < 0.001) and control group [50.5 (48.7–52.3) minutes] (P = 0.008).ConclusionsA single dose of 8 mg of dexamethasone hastened the onset and total recovery times of cisatracurium-induced block by approximately 15 and 9%, respectively if administered 2–3 h prior to surgery.

This article describes the key features of the Well-D, a mobile dietary self-monitoring application developed to assess and track dietary intake. To test the acceptability of the app, 102 adults aged 18 years or older were asked to use Well-D for 3 days or more. After using the app, they recorded their likes/dislikes and recommendations regarding ways to improve Well-D. A mobile application for dietary assessment and monitoring may have the potential to help individuals and groups to engage in healthy behaviors.

In order to improve the portability of basic absorbents monoethanolamine (MEA) and glycine (Gly), both were supported on microporous activated carbon (AC). Chemical modification by alkali-metal ion exchange (of Li, Na, K) was carried out on Gly-based absorbents. All supported absorbents were subjected to CO2 absorption capacity (pure CO2) and selectivity (indoor level) tests. Textural and chemical characterizations were carried out on test sorbents. All impregnation brought about significant reduction of specific surface area and microporosity of the adsorbent Depreciation in the textural properties was found to result to reduction in pure CO2 sorption. Contrarily, low-level CO2 removal capacity was enhanced as the absorbent dosage increases, resulting in supported 5 molar MEA in methanol solution. Adsorption capacities were improved from 0.016 and 0.8 in raw ACs to 1.065 mmol/g for MEA’s. Surface chemistry via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of the supported sorbents showed the presence of amine, pyrrole and quaternary-N. In reducing sequence of potency, pyridine, amine and pyrrolic-N were noticed to contribute significantly to CO2 selective adsorption. Furthermore, the adsorption isotherm study confirms the presence of various SNGs heterogeneously distributed on AC. The adsorption mechanism of the present AC adsorbents favored Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm at lower and higher CO2 concentrations respectively.

The rapid development of drone technologies, such as unmanned aerial systems (UASs) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has led to the widespread application of three-dimensional (3D) point clouds and digital surface models (DSMs). Due to the number of UAS technology applications across many fields, studies on the verification of the accuracy of image processing results have increased. In previous studies, the optimal number of ground control points (GCPs) was determined for a specific area of a study site by increasing or decreasing the amount of GCPs. However, these studies were mainly conducted in a single study site, and the results were not compared with those from various study sites. In this study, to determine the optimal number of GCPs for modeling multiple areas, the accuracy of 3D point clouds and DSMs were analyzed in three study sites with different areas according to the number of GCPs. The results showed that the optimal number of GCPs was 12 for small and medium sites (7 and 39 ha) and 18 for the large sites (342 ha) based on the overall accuracy. If these results are used for UAV image processing in the future, accurate modeling will be possible with minimal effort in GCPs.

A methodology for optimal volume computation for the environmental management of waste stockpiles was derived by integrating the terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies. Among the UAV-based point clouds generated under various flight scenarios, the most accurate point cloud was selected for analysis. The root mean square errors (RMSEs) of the TLS- and UAV-based methods were 0.202 and 0.032 m, respectively, and the volume computation yielded 41,226 and 41,526 m3, respectively. Both techniques showed high accuracy but also exhibited drawbacks in terms of their spatial features and efficiency. The TLS and UAV methods required 800 and 340 min, respectively, demonstrating the high efficiency of the UAV method. The RMSE and volume obtained using the TLS/UAV fusion model were calculated as 0.030 m and 41,232 m3, respectively. The UAV approach generally yielded high point cloud accuracy and volume computation efficiency.

The role of diet in the behavior of children has been controversial, but the association of several nutritional factors with childhood behavioral disorders has been continually suggested. We conducted a case-control study to identify dietary patterns associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study included 192 elementary school students aged seven to 12 years. Three non-consecutive 24-h recall (HR) interviews were employed to assess dietary intake, and 32 predefined food groups were considered in a principal components analysis (PCA). PCA identified four major dietary patterns: the “traditional” pattern, the “seaweed-egg” pattern, the “traditional-healthy” pattern, and the “snack” pattern. The traditional-healthy pattern is characterized by a diet low in fat and high in carbohydrates as well as high intakes of fatty acids and minerals. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of ADHD for the highest tertile of the traditional-healthy pattern in comparison with the lowest tertile was 0.31 (95% CI: 0.12–0.79). The score of the snack pattern was positively associated with the risk of ADHD, but a significant association was observed only in the second tertile. A significant association between ADHD and the dietary pattern score was not found for the other two dietary patterns. In conclusion, the traditional-healthy dietary pattern was associated with lower odds having ADHD.

Purpose Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is treated by use of various protocols. We compared tamsulosin monotherapy with tamsulosin in combination with antibiotics or anti-inflammatory agents and evaluated the efficacy of these treatments in patients with CPPS. Methods Patients (n=107) who were younger than 55 years and diagnosed with CPPS were randomly assigned to treatment with tamsulosin at 0.2 mg (group A), tamsulosin at 0.2 mg plus anti-inflammatory drugs (group B) or tamsulosin at 0.2 mg plus antibiotics (group C) daily. We applied the National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) to evaluate 100 patients who were treated for 12 weeks (7 withdrew). Scores of the three groups were compared by analysis of variance and we also evaluated subscores, which included pain, voiding and quality of life (QoL). Results All three groups showed statistically significant decreases in NIH-CPSI score, IPSS and subscore scores (P