A Comparative Study on the Neuroprotective Effect of Geopung-Chunghyuldan on In Vitro Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation and In Vivo Permanent Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Models.

Geopung-Chunghyuldan (GCD), which is a mixture of Chunghyuldan (CD), Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Radix Notoginseng, and Borneolum Syntheticum, is used to treat ischemic stroke in traditional Korean medicine. This study aimed to investigate the effects of GCD and CD on ischemic brain damage using in vitro and in vivo stroke models, as well as to elucidate the synergistic effects of GCD against ischemic insult. To study the effect of GCD in an in vitro ischemia model, SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Cell death after 16 h of OGD exposure was measured using the MTT assay and live/dead cell counting methods. An in vivo ischemia mice model was established through permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO). To determine the neuroprotective effect of GCD, it was orally administered immediately and 2 h after pMCAO. The infarct volume was measured through 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining at 24 h after pMCAO. Compared with the control group, GCD treatment significantly reduced OGD-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells; however, CD treatment did not show a significant protective effect. In the pMCAO model, compared with the control group, treatment with GCD and CD significantly and mildly reduced the infarct volume, respectively. Our findings indicate that compared with CD, GCD may allow a more enhanced neuroprotective effect in acute ischemic stroke, indicating a potential synergistic neuroprotective effect. The possibility of GCD as a novel alternative choice for the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke is suggested.

Deep learning-based optical authentication using the structural coloration of metals with femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures.

Structurally colored materials present potential technological applications including anticounterfeiting tags for authentication due to the ability to controllably manipulate colors through nanostructuring. Yet, no applications of deep learning algorithms, known to discover meaningful structures in data with far-reaching optimization capabilities, to such optical authentication applications involving low-spatial-frequency laser-induced periodic surface structures (LSFLs) have been demonstrated to date. In this work, by fine-tuning one of the lightweight convolutional neural networks, MobileNetV1, we investigate the optical authentication capabilities of the structurally colorized images on metal surfaces fabricated by controlling the orientation of femtosecond LSFLs. We show that the structural color variations due to a broad range of the illumination incident angles combined with both the controlled orientations of LSFLs and differences in features captured in the image make this system suitable for deep learning-based optical authentication.

Cavity-Suppressing Electrode Integrated with Multi-Quantum Well Emitter: A Universal Approach Toward High-Performance Blue TADF Top Emission OLED.

A novel device structure for thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) top emission organic light-emitting diodes (TEOLEDs) that improves the viewing angle characteristics and reduces the efficiency roll-off is presented. Furthermore, we describe the design and fabrication of a cavity-suppressing electrode (CSE), Ag (12 nm)/WO3 (65 nm)/Ag (12 nm) that can be used as a transparent cathode. While the TADF-TEOLED fabricated using the CSE exhibits higher external quantum efficiency (EQE) and improved angular dependency than the device fabricated using the microcavity-based Ag electrode, it suffers from low color purity and severe efficiency roll-off. These drawbacks can be reduced by using an optimized multi-quantum well emissive layer (MQW EML). The CSE-based TADF-TEOLED with an MQW EML fabricated herein exhibits a high EQE (18.05%), high color purity (full width at half maximum ~ 59 nm), reduced efficiency roll-off (~ 46% at 1000 cd m-2), and low angular dependence. These improvements can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the CSE and MQW EML. An optimized transparent CSE improves charge injection and light outcoupling with low angular dependence, and the MQW EML effectively confines charges and excitons, thereby improving the color purity and EQE significantly. The proposed approach facilitates the optimization of multiple output characteristics of TEOLEDs for future display applications.

Development and characterization of a superabsorbing hydrogel film containing Ulmus davidiana var. Japonica root bark and pullulan for skin wound healing.

Ulmus davidiana var. japonica (UD) has widely been used in Korean traditional medicine for the treatment of various types of diseases including inflammation and skin wounds. The UD root bark powders possess gelling activity with an excellent capacity for absorbing water. This distinct property could make the UD root bark powders to be a great material for manufacturing a gel film specifically for the healing of large and highly exudating wounds (e.g., pressure sores and diabetic ulcers). In this research, we separated the UD root bark powder into 4 different samples based on their sizes and then tested their water absorption capacity and flowability. Based on these results, 75-150 µm sized and below 75 µm sized samples of UD root bark powders were chosen, and UD gel films were prepared. The UD gel films showed good thermal stability and mechanically improved properties compared with pullulan only gel film with excellent swelling capacity and favorable skin adhesiveness. Further, in the animal studies with the skin wound mice model, the UD gel films exhibited significant therapeutic effects on accelerating wound closure and dermal regeneration. Overall, this study demonstrated the applicability of UD root bark powders for hydrogel wound dressing materials, and the potential of UD gel films to be superior wound dressings to currently available ones.

Radiologic and Clinical Outcomes After Hamstring Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using an Adjustable-Loop Cortical Suspension Device With Retensioning and Knot Tying.

PURPOSE: To report magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and clinical outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using an adjustable-loop device (ALD) with retensioning and knot tying. METHODS: The inclusion criteria were patients who underwent hamstring anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using an ALD with retensioning and knot tying between May and December 2015 and were followed up for a minimum of 2 years. The exclusion criteria were patients with combined ligament injury, revision surgery, or reinjury after reconstruction. After initial tightening of the adjustable loop, retensioning and knot tying were performed and the graft was fixed at the tibia. Multiplanar reformatted images of 3-T MRI scans were obtained on the immediate postoperative day and at 6 months after surgery to measure the gap between the top of the graft and the top of the femoral tunnel (i.e., tunnel-graft gap). Differences in the tunnel-graft gap between the immediate postoperative day and 6 months after surgery (i.e., gap difference) were calculated and correlated with knee stability and functional outcomes. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were enrolled in this study. The mean tunnel-graft gap was 2.1 ± 2.8 mm on the immediate postoperative day and 4.6 ± 3.5 mm at 6 months after surgery (P < .001). The mean gap difference was 2.5 ± 2.0 mm. The mean KT-1000 measurement was 1.5 ± 2.2 mm, and mean Lysholm score and Tegner activity scale score were 93.6 ± 5.5 and 5.6 ± 1.5, respectively. The gap difference correlated negatively with the follow-up Lysholm score (P = .004); however, knee stability and the Tegner activity scale score were not correlated. CONCLUSIONS: Although the ALD was secured by retensioning and knot tying, MRI showed that the graft was not fully inserted in some patients and the tunnel-graft gap increased at 6 months' follow-up. The increase in the tunnel-graft gap did not correlate with knee stability or the Tegner activity scale score but correlated negatively with the Lysholm score. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Effects of acupuncture at GB20 on CO2 reactivity in the basilar and middle cerebral arteries during hypocapnia in healthy participants.

OBJECTIVES: The acupoint GB20 is known to affect vertebrobasilar blood flow regulation. However, no previous study has used transcranial Doppler imaging to examine whether acupuncture at GB20 has a selective effect on blood flow in various cerebral arteries, such as the basilar artery (BA) and the middle cerebral arteries (MCAs). Therefore, this study sought to determine the specific effects of GB20 acupuncture on cerebral blood flow (CBF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood flow velocity and CO(2) reactivity were measured by transcranial Doppler imaging with a 2-MHz pulsed Doppler probe observed through both temporal windows for the MCAs and through the suboccipital window for the BA before and after GB20 acupuncture treatment in 15 healthy young male volunteers. The changes in hyperventilation-induced CO(2) reactivity and corrected blood flow velocities at 40 mmHg (CV40) were assessed for the BA and both MCAs. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and after the acupuncture treatment. RESULTS: CO(2) reactivity in the BA increased significantly after GB20 acupuncture treatment compared with baseline (p=0.041). In contrast, CO(2) reactivity in both MCAs remained unchanged. The CV40 in the BA and the MCAs showed no change after the GB20 acupuncture treatment. The mean heart rate decreased significantly after the GB20 acupuncture, whereas the mean blood pressure showed no change. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that acupuncture treatment on GB20 increases CO(2) reactivity specifically in the BA, with no effect in the MCAs. These results clinically support the use of GB20 to treat disorders of posterior cerebral circulation and support the idea that particular acupoints affect specific brain regions and cerebral arteries.

Prevention of inflammation-mediated neurotoxicity by butylidenephthalide and its role in microglial activation.

Microglial cells are the prime effectors in immune and inflammatory responses of the central nervous system (CNS). During pathological conditions, the activation of these cells helps restore CNS homeostasis. However, chronic microglial activation endangers neuronal survival through the release of various proinflammatory molecules and neurotoxins. Thus, negative regulators of microglial activation have been considered as potential therapeutic candidates to target neurodegeneration, such as that in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (Ligusticum wallichii Franch) has been widely used for the treatment of vascular diseases in traditional oriental medicine. Butylidenephthalide (BP), a major bioactive component from L. chuanxiong, has been reported to have a variety of pharmacological activities, including vasorelaxant, anti-anginal, anti-platelet and anti-cancer effects. The aim of this study was to examine whether BP represses microglial activation. In rat brain microglia, BP significantly inhibited the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1ß. In organotypic hippocampal slice cultures, BP clearly blocked the effect of LPS on hippocampal cell death and inhibited LPS-induced NO production in culture medium. These results newly suggest that BP provide neuroprotection by reducing the release of various proinflammatory molecules from activated microglia.

Spontaneous rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon in a tailor.

A spontaneous rupture of the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon is associated with rheumatoid arthritis, fractures of the wrist, systemic or local steroids and repetitive, and excessive abnormal motion of the wrist joint. The authors encountered a case of a spontaneous rupture of the EPL tendon. The patient had no predisposing factors including trauma or steroid injection. Although the patient had a positive rheumatoid factor, he did not demonstrate other clinical or radiological findings of rheumatoid arthritis. During surgery, the EPL tendon was found to be ruptured at the extensor retinaculum (third compartment). Reconstruction of the extensor tendon using the palmaris longus tendon was performed. At the 18-month follow-up, the patient showed satisfactory extension of the thumb and 40° extension and flexion at the wrist.

Biomechanical assessment with electromyography of post-stroke ankle plantar flexor spasticity.

Spasticity has been defined as a motor disorder characterized by a velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflex (muscle tone). Muscle tone consists of mechanical-elastic characteristics, reflex muscle contraction and other elements. The aims of this study were to determine whether to assess spasticity quantitatively, and to characterize biomechanical and electromyographic spasticity assessment parameters. These assessment parameters were described by investigating the correlation between clinical measures and the response to passive sinusoidal movement with consecutive velocity increments. Twenty post-stroke hemiplegic patients and twenty normal healthy volunteers were included in the study. Five consecutive sinusoidal passive movements of the ankle were performed at specific velocities (60, 120, 180, and 240 degrees/ sec). We recorded the peak torque, work, and threshold angle using a computerized isokinetic dynamometer, and simultaneously measured the rectified integrated electromyographic activity. We compared these parameters both between groups and between different velocities. The peak torque, threshold angle, work, and rectified integrated electromyographic activity were significantly higher in the post-stroke spastic group at all angular velocities than in the normal control group. The threshold angle and integrated electromyographic activity increased significantly and linearly as angular velocity increased, but the peak torque and work were not increased in the post-stroke spastic group. Peak torque, work, and threshold angle were significantly correlated to the Modified Ashworth scale, but the integrated electromyographic activity was not. The biomechanical and electromyographic approach may be useful to quantitatively assess spasticity. However, it may also be very important to consider the different characteristics of each biomechanical parameter.