Characteristics of Sunsik, a Cereal-Based Ready-to-Drink Korean Beverage, with Added Germinated Wheat and Herbal Plant Extract.

The purpose of this study was to develop a formulation of Sunsik with improved health benefits by adding germinated wheat (GW) and herbal plant extract (HPE) using a response surface methodology (RSM). The central composite experimental design (CCD) was used to evaluate the effects of Sunsik with added HPE (2-4%) and GW (10-20%) on total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, gamma butyric acid (GABA) content, total color changes (△E), browning index (BI), water absorption index (WAI), and water solubility index (WSI). As a result of the CCD, the independent and dependent variables were fitted by the second-order polynomial equation, and the lack of fit for response surface models was not significant except in relation to WSI. The GABA content, TPC, and TEAC were more adequate for a linear model than for a quadratic model, and they might be affected by GW rather than HPE. Alternatively, the TFC, DPPH radical scavenging capacity, WAI, WSI, △E, and BI were fitted with quadratic models. The optimum formulation that could improve antioxidant and physicochemical properties was Sunsik with 3.5% and 20% added HPE and GW, respectively.

Preparation of "Constrained Geometry" Titanium Complexes of [1,2]Azasilinane Framework for Ethylene/1-Octene Copolymerization.

The Me2Si-bridged ansa-Cp/amido half-metallocene, [Me2Si(η5-Me4C5)(NtBu)]TiCl2, termed a "constrained-geometry catalyst (CGC)", is a representative homogeneous Ziegler catalyst. CGC derivatives with the [1,2]azasilinane framework, in which the amide alkyl substituent is joined by the Si-bridge, were prepared, and the catalytic performances of these species was studied. Me4C5HSi(Me)(CH2CH=CH2)-NH(C(R)(R')CH=CH2) (R, R' = H or methyl; Me4C5H = tetramethylcyclopentadienyl) was susceptible to ring closure metathesis (RCM) when treated with Schrock's Mo-catalyst to afford -Si(Me4C5H)(Me)CH2CH=CHC(R)(R')NH- containing a six-membered ring framework. Using the precursors and the products of RCM, various CGC derivatives, i.e., [-Si(η5-Me4C5)(Me)CH2CH=CHC(R)(H)N-]TiMe2 (13, R = H; 15, R = Me), [-Si(η5-Me4C5)(Me)CH2CH2CH2CH2N]TiMe2 (14), [(η5-Me4C5)Si(Me)(CH2CH=CH2)NCH2CH=CH2]TiMe2 (16), [(η5-Me4C5)Si (Me)(CH=CH2)NCH2CH=CH2]TiMe2 (17), and [(η5-Me4C5)Si(Me)(CH2CH3)NCH2CH2CH3]TiMe2 (18), were prepared. The catalytic activity of the newly prepared complexes was lower than that of CGC when activated with [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4]/iBu3Al. However, the catalytic activity of these species was improved by using tetrabutylaluminoxane ([iBu2Al]2O) instead of iBu3Al and the activity of 14/[Ph3C][B(C6F5)4]/[iBu2Al]2O was comparable to that of CGC/[Ph3C][B(C6F5)4]/iBu3Al (4.7 and 5.0 × 106 g/mol-Ti, respectively). Advantageously, the newly prepared complexes produced higher molecular weight poly(ethylene-co-1-octene)s than CGC.

Polystyrene Chain Growth from Di-End-Functional Polyolefins for Polystyrene-Polyolefin-Polystyrene Block Copolymers.

Triblock copolymers of polystyrene (PS) and a polyolefin (PO), e.g., PS-block-poly(ethylene-co-1-butene)-block-PS (SEBS), are attractive materials for use as thermoplastic elastomers and are produced commercially by a two-step process that involves the costly hydrogenation of PS-block-polybutadiene-block-PS. We herein report a one-pot strategy for attaching PS chains to both ends of PO chains to construct PS-block-PO-block-PS directly from olefin and styrene monomers. Dialkylzinc compound containing styrene moieties ((CH2=CHC6H4CH2CH2)2Zn) was prepared, from which poly(ethylene-co-propylene) chains were grown via "coordinative chain transfer polymerization" using the pyridylaminohafnium catalyst to afford di-end functional PO chains functionalized with styrene and Zn moieties. Subsequently, PS chains were attached at both ends of the PO chains by introduction of styrene monomers in addition to the anionic initiator Me3SiCH2Li·(pmdeta) (pmdeta = pentamethyldiethylenetriamine). We found that the fraction of the extracted PS homopolymer was low (~20%) and that molecular weights were evidently increased after the styrene polymerization (ΔMn = 27⁻54 kDa). Transmission electron microscopy showed spherical and wormlike PS domains measuring several tens of nm segregated within the PO matrix. Optimal tensile properties were observed for the sample containing a propylene mole fraction of 0.25 and a styrene content of 33%. Finally, in the cyclic tensile test, the prepared copolymers exhibited thermoplastic elastomeric properties with no breakage up over 10 cycles, which is comparable to the behavior of commercial-grade SEBS.

The clinical value of 3-T magnetic resonance myelography in far lateral disk herniation.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study of 30 patients suspected of suffering from far lateral lumbar disk herniation. OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic and clinical value of a new technique 3-T magnetic resonance myelography (MRM) in patients with far lateral disk herniation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: No studies have reported regarding the usefulness of MRM images in assessing far lateral disk nor correlated it with clinical outcomes. METHODS: We evaluated 3-T MRM of 30 patients, whom we suspected of suffering from far lateral disk herniation. Using an assessment scale, 5 observers independently examined the images. We analyzed observer agreement and the accentuation of each image. RESULTS: We found complete match and observer agreement for 3-T MRM for diagnosing far lateral disk herniation. Furthermore, 3-T MRM revealed the disease's severity on the basis of the nerve root exit zone angle differences. CONCLUSIONS: MRM is an appropriate diagnostic tool and reduces the chance of misdiagnosis in far lateral disk herniation. Furthermore, through the use of this technique, we can evaluate postoperative clinical outcomes.

A comparison of the area of chest compression by the superimposed-thumb and the alongside-thumb techniques for infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether the superimposed-thumb technique could reduce the chest compression area in infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). METHODS: Charts and multidirectional computed tomography images of infants presented to four hospitals from January 2007 to September 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. We measured at the point of maximal anterior-posterior heart diameter the width of the sternum meter (S(ap)), vertical heart length from S(ap), length and width of the superimposed-thumb technique and length and width of the alongside-thumb technique. We studied the structures located underneath thumbs superimposed and thumbs alongside at S(ap) and S(nipple) (the sternum of the inter-nipple line). RESULTS: In the 84 infants enrolled, the width of the sternum at S(ap), and the vertical heart length from S(ap) were 0.85 ± 0.31 and 1.71 ± 0.47 cm, respectively. The length and width of the superimposed-thumb technique were 1.65 ± 0.13 and 2.73 ± 0.22 cm, respectively. The length and width of the alongside-thumb technique were 3.00 ± 0.48 and 3.77 ± 0.24 cm, respectively. The liver was situated underneath thumbs superimposed at S(ap) in 59.5% infants. The livers and lungs of 73.8% and 64.3% infants, respectively, were underneath thumbs alongside at S(nipple). CONCLUSION: In this study, we confirmed that the superimposed-thumb technique may reduce chest compression area in infant CPR. The lungs or livers were located more often underneath thumbs alongside at S(nipple) than underneath thumbs superimposed at S(ap). However, further studies are needed to validate the efficiency and safety of this technique.

Identification of an autosomal dominant locus for intracranial aneurysm through a model-based family collection in a geographically limited area.

Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is characterized by an abnormal bulging of one of the arteries in the brain and is heavily affected by genetic factors. Although IA is a very serious disease because of its severity and prevalence in the general public, the gene causing IA has not yet been identified due mainly to the lack of definitive genetic loci for the disease. Following a model-based family collection that recruited families from a geographically limited area that inherited IA as an autosomal dominant trait, we conducted a genome-wide linkage analysis. Significant evidence of linkage to IA was found on chromosome 8p22.2 with a maximum two-point logarithm of the odds ratio score of 3.61 under an autosomal dominant model of inheritance. The methods described in this study could be applied to localize disease-causing genes of other complex diseases through either a genome-wide linkage analysis or a genome-wide association study.

Treatment for Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Presenting beyond Six Hours of Ischemic Symptom Onset : Effectiveness of Intravenous Direct Thrombin Inhibitor, Argatroban.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to analyze the outcome and hemorrhagic risk of intravenous (IV) argatroban in patients with acute ischemic stroke presenting beyond six hours of ischemic symptom onset. METHODS: Eighty patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to the hospital beyond six hours from ischemic symptom onset were retrospectively analyzed. We could not perform IV thrombolysis or intra-arterial thrombolysis because of limited time window. So, IV argatroban was performed to prevent recurrent thrombosis and progression of infarcted area. The outcome was assessed by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and related hemorrhagic risk was analyzed. Also, each outcome was analyzed according to the initial stroke severity, subtype, and location. RESULTS: The median NIHSS was 8.0 at admission, 4.1 upon discharge, and 3.3 after three months. A good outcome was achieved in 81% of patients upon discharge and 88% after three months. Symptomatic hemorrhage occurred in only two patients (3%). IV argatroban was effective regardless of initial stroke severity, subtype, and location. CONCLUSION: IV argatroban may be an effective and safe treatment modality for acute ischemic stroke presenting beyond six hours of ischemic symptom onset.

Multimodal therapy for patients with acute ischemic stroke : outcomes and related prognostic factors.

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to analyze the recanalization rates and outcomes of multimodal therapy that consisted of sequential intravenous (IV)/intra-arterial (IA) thrombolysis, mechanical thrombolysis including mechanical clot disruption using microcatheters and microwires, balloon angioplasty, and stenting for acute ischemic stroke, and to evaluate the prognostic factors related to the outcome. METHODS: Fifty patients who were admitted to the hospital within 8 hours from ischemic symptom onset were retrospectively analyzed. Initial IV thrombolysis and subsequent cerebral angiography were performed in all patients. If successful recanalization was not achieved by IV thrombolysis, additional IA thrombolysis with mechanical thrombolysis, including balloon angioplasty and stenting, were performed. The outcomes were assessed by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) change and modified Rankin scale (mRS) and prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Successful recanalization was achieved in 42 (84%) of 50 patients, which consisted of 8 patients after IV thrombolysis, 19 patients after IA thrombolysis with mechanical clot disruption, and 15 patients after balloon angioplasty or stenting. Symptomatic hemorrhage occurred in 4 (8%) patients. Good outcomes were achieved in 76% and 70% of patients upon discharge, and 93% and 84% of patients after 3 months according to the NIHSS change and mRS. The initial clinical status, recanalization achievement, and presence of symptomatic hemorrhage were statistically related to the outcomes. CONCLUSION: Multimodal therapy may be an effective and safe treatment modality for acute ischemic stroke. Balloon angioplasty and stenting is effective for acute thrombolysis, and produce higher recanalization rates with better outcomes.

Effect of vagus nerve stimulation in post-traumatic epilepsy and failed epilepsy surgery : preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been used in epilepsy patients refractory to standard medical treatments and unsuitable candidates for resective or disconnective surgery. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of VNS to patients who had refractory result to epilepsy surgery and patients with post-traumatic epilepsy. METHODS: We analyzed the effect of VNS in 11 patients who had undergone previous epilepsy surgery and patients with intractable post-traumatic epilepsy associated with brain injury. All patients underwent VNS implantation between October 2005 and December 2006. RESULTS: We evaluated seizure frequency before and after implantation of VNS and maximum follow up period was 24 months. In the first 6 months, 11 patients showed an average of 74.3% seizure reduction. After 12 months, 10 patients showed 85.2% seizure reduction. Eighteen months after implantation, 9 patients showed 92.4% seizure reduction and 7 patients showed 97.2% seizure reduction after 24 months. Six patients were seizure-free at this time. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the VNS is a helpful treatment modality in patients with surgically refractory epilepsy and in patients with post-traumatic epilepsy due to severe brain injury.

Selection of neural differentiation-specific genes by comparing profiles of random differentiation.

Differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into neurons requires a high level of transcriptional regulation. To further understand the transcriptional regulation of neural differentiation of ESCs, we used oligonucleotide microarray to examine the gene expressions of the guided differentiation (GD) model for dopaminergic (DA) neurons from mouse ESCs. We also determined the gene expression profiles of the random differentiation (RD) model of mouse ESCs into embryoid bodies. From K-means clustering analysis using the expression patterns of the two models, most of the genes (1,282 of 1,884 genes [68.0%]) overlapped in their expression patterns. Six hundred twenty-two differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the GD model by random variance F-test were classified by their critical molecular functions in neurogenesis and DNA replication (Gene Ontology analysis). However, 400 genes among GD-DEGs (64.3%) showed a high correlation with RD in Spearman's correlation analysis (Spearman's coefficient p(s) >or= .6). The genes showing marginal correlation (-.4 < p(s) < .6) were present in the early stages of differentiation of both GD and RD, which were non-specific to brain development. Finally, we distinguished 66 GD-specific genes based on p(s)