Distal stenting technique for coil embolization of early branch aneurysms of middle cerebral artery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stent-assisted coil embolization of early branch aneurysms of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) can sometimes be challenging due to the small diameter and acute angle of the branches. This study aimed to analyze the treatment results and report the feasibility and outcomes of the distal stenting technique for these aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The distal stenting technique was used for 15 wide-neck MCA aneurysms (females, 10; males, 5; mean age, 65.1 years) originating from the early branch between December 2018 and October 2021. The average sizes of the dome, depth, and neck of the aneurysms were 4.17 mm (range: 2.99-6.21 mm), 2.86 mm (range: 1.82-3.72 mm), and 3.42 mm (range: 2.44-4.32 mm), respectively. RESULTS: The average diameter of the stents was 4.0 mm (3.0 mm, 3; 4.0 mm, 6; 4.5 mm, 6). Stents were successfully deployed in all 15 aneurysms (100%). The average length of the procedure was 69 min (range: 45-117 min). On postoperative angiography, nine (60.0%) aneurysms were completely occluded, four (26.7%) had neck remnants, and two (13.3%) had contrast flow in the sac. During the procedure, vasospasm and thrombus formation occurred in one case each, but no neurological sequelae were observed. On follow-up digital subtraction angiography of the 10 aneurysms after an average of 13.7 months (range: 12-18 months), the branches were well preserved, and neck remnants were noted in four aneurysms (40.0%). No thromboembolic events occurred during the clinical follow-up. CONCLUSION: The distal stenting technique using an open-cell stent can be a good option for coil embolization of early branch MCA aneurysms.

Treatment results of anterior choroidal artery aneurysms treated mostly with coil embolization: A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Anterior choroidal artery (AchA) aneurysms are usually small in diameter because of the size of the involved artery and are often wide-necked. Coil embolization of AchA aneurysm is thus challenging because of serious risks, such as thromboembolic occlusion of artery and perforation of aneurysm dome. Therefore, aneurysmal neck clipping remains widely performed despite a recent increase in the use of coil embolization for aneurysm treatment. We report the treatment results of AchA aneurysms mostly (92.3%) treated with coil embolization at our institute. METHODS: The database and medical records of patients who underwent coil embolization for AchA aneurysms were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical and imaging results and procedure-related complications were investigated after coil embolization performed between January 2006 and March 2022 at our institute. RESULTS: In total, 96 AchA aneurysms comprising 65 unruptured and 31 ruptured aneurysms, including only 1 ruptured aneurysm (1.0%) re-embolized at postoperative day 192 because of coil compaction, were evaluated. After the initial coil embolization, complete occlusion was attained in 41, residual neck in 45, and residual aneurysm in 10 patients. Follow-up radiological studies after 6-174 months were performed for 80 aneurysms. Complete occlusion was noted in 57 patients, residual neck in 22, and residual aneurysm in 1. The dysarthria experienced by one (1.0%) patient was the only symptomatic procedure-related complication. After coil embolization, neither delayed new rupture nor re-rupture was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that coil embolization is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with AchA aneurysms.

Distribution and Afferent Effects of Transplanted mESCs on Cochlea in Acute and Chronic Neural Hearing Loss Models.

Hearing loss is a sensory deprivation that can affect the quality of life. Currently, only rehabilitation devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants are used, without a definitive cure. However, in chronic hearing-deprived patients, in whom secondary auditory neural degeneration is expected, a relatively poor rehabilitation prognosis is projected. Stem cell therapy for cochlear neural structures would be an easier and feasible strategy compared with cochlear sensory cells. Considering the highly developed cochlear implantation technology, improving cochlear neural health has significant medical and social effects. Stem cell delivery to Rosenthal's canal in an acutely damaged mouse model has been performed and showed cell survival and the possibility of differentiation. The results of stem cell transplantation in chronic auditory neural hearing loss should be evaluated because neural stem cell replacement therapy for chronic (long-term) sensorineural hearing loss is a major target in clinics. In the present study, we established a mouse model that mimicked chronic auditory neural hearing loss (secondary degeneration of auditory neurons after loss of sensory input). Then, mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) were transplanted into the scala tympani and survival and distribution of transplanted cells were compared between the acute and chronic auditory neural hearing loss models induced by ouabain or kanamycin (KM), respectively. The mESC survival was similar to the acute model, and perilymphatic distribution of cell aggregates was more predominant in the chronic model. Lastly, the effects of mESC transplantation on neural signal transduction observed in the cochlear nucleus (CN) were compared and a statistical increase was observed in the chronic model compared with other models. These results indicated that after transplantation, mESCs survived in the cochlea and increased the neural signaling toward the central auditory pathway, even in the chronic (secondary) hearing loss mouse model.

Complete Genome Sequence of Weissella cibaria Strain BM2, Isolated from Korean Kimchi.

Weissella cibaria appears to have broad-spectrum health benefits. Here, we report the genome sequence of Weissella cibaria strain BM2, which was isolated from homemade kimchi; it consists of one circular chromosome of 2,462,443 bp and one plasmid of 11,067 bp. A total of 2,337 coding sequences were predicted, including 2,117 protein-coding sequences and a G+C content of 45.06%.

Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus velezensis Strain DKU_NT_04, Isolated from a Traditional Korean Food Made from Soybeans (Cheonggukjang).

In the present work, we report the complete genome sequence of Bacillus velezensis DKU_NT_04, isolated from cheonggukjang, which is a traditional Korean fermented soybean paste. The final genome assembly consists of a 4.328-Mbp chromosome with 4,134 coding sequences and a G+C content of 45.21%.

Complete Genome Sequence of Clostridium butyricum Strain DKU_butyricum 4-1, Isolated from Infant Feces.

Clostridium butyricum is a strictly anaerobic spore-forming bacillus that is commonly present in the gut of humans. We report here the complete genome sequence of Clostridium butyricum strain DKU_butyricum 4-1, isolated from infant feces.

High-speed polarized low coherence scanning interferometry based on spatial phase shifting.

In this investigation, we describe polarized low coherence scanning interferometry (PLCSI) to enhance the measurement speed based on the spatial phase shifting technique by using a polarized CMOS camera. In every scanning step, the visibility of the correlogram can be directly extracted by spatial phase shifting. PLCSI does not need any scanning conditions such as a scanning step size smaller than that determined by the Nyquist sampling limit and equidistant scanning step, which restrict the measurement speed of the typical low coherence scanning interferometry (LCSI). The measurement data can also be significantly reduced due to the larger scanning step size. PLCSI can be comparable to confocal scanning microscopy in the view of monitoring visibilities. In the experiments, three types of specimens such as a plane mirror, a concave mirror, and a step height specimen were measured by PLCSI with various scanning step sizes, and it was confirmed that the surface profiles were successfully reconstructed. Moreover, the compensation technique of the surface profile, precisely determined by the phase information, was also discussed.

Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus subtilis Strain DKU_NT_02, Isolated from Traditional Korean Food Using Soybean (Chung-gook-jang) for High-Quality Poly-γ-Glutamic Acid Activity.

The complete genome sequence of Bacillus subtilis strain DKU_NT_02, isolated from traditional Korean food using soybeans (chung-gook-jang), is presented here. This strain was chosen to help identify genetic factors with high-quality poly-γ-glutamic acid (γPGA) activity.

Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus subtilis Strain DKU_NT_03, Isolated from a Traditional Korean Food Using Soybean (Chung-gook-jang) for High-Quality Nattokinase Activity.

We present here the complete genome sequence of Bacillus subtilis strain DKU_NT_03 isolated from the traditional Korean food chung-gook-jang, which is made from soybeans. This strain was chosen to identify genetic factors with high-quality nattokinase activity.

Mortality and Epidemiology in 256 Cases of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: Korean Neuro-Trauma Data Bank System (KNTDBS) 2010-2014.

OBJECTIVE: Among pediatric injury, brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability. To improve outcomes, many developed countries built neurotrauma databank (NTDB) system but there was not established nationwide coverage NTDB until 2009 and there have been few studies on pediatric traumatic head injury (THI) patients in Korea. Therefore, we analyzed epidemiology and outcome from the big data of pediatric THI. METHODS: We collected data on pediatric patients from 23 university hospitals including 9 regional trauma centers from 2010 to 2014 and analyzed their clinical factors (sex, age, initial Glasgow coma scale, cause and mechanism of head injury, presence of surgery). RESULTS: Among all the 2617 THI patients, total number of pediatric patients was 256. The average age of the subjects was 9.07 (standard deviation±6.3) years old. The male-to female ratio was 1.87 to 1 and male dominance increases with age. The most common cause for trauma were falls and traffic accidents. Age (p=0.007), surgery (p<0.001), mechanism of trauma (p=0.016), subdural hemorrhage (SDH) (p<0.001), diffuse axonal injury (DAI) (p<0.001) were statistically significant associated with severe brain injury. CONCLUSION: Falls were the most common cause of trauma, and age, surgery, mechanism of trauma, SDH, DAI increased with injury severity. There is a critical need for effective fall and traffic accidents prevention strategies for children, and we should give attention to these predicting factors for more effective care.

Draft Genome Sequences of Bacillus subtilis Strain DKU_NT_01 Isolated from Traditional Korean Food Containing Soybean (Chung-gook-jang).

Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of Bacillus subtilis strain DKU_NT_01 isolated from traditional Korean food containing soybean (chung-gook-jang). The de novo genome of Bacillus subtilis strain DKU_NT_01 has one contig and G+C content of 55.4%, is 4,954,264 bp in length, and contains 5,011 coding sequences (CDSs).

Effects of a novel forced intensive strengthening technique on muscle size and upper extremity function in a patient with chronic stroke.

[Purpose] This research demonstrated a forced intensive strength technique as a novel treatment for muscle power and function in the affected upper extremity muscle to determine the clinical feasibility with respect to upper extremity performance in a stroke hemiparesis. [Subject and Methods] The subject was a patient with chronic stroke who was dependent on others for performing the functional activities of his affected upper extremity. The technique incorporates a comprehensive approach of forced, intensive, and strength-inducing activities to enhance morphological changes associated with motor learning of the upper extremity. The forced intensive strength technique consisted of a 6-week course of sessions lasting 60 minutes per day, five times a week. [Results] After the 6-week intervention, the difference between relaxation and contraction of the affected extensor carpi radialis muscle increased from 0.28 to 0.63 cm(2), and that of the affected triceps brachii muscle increased from 0.30 to 0.90 cm(2). The results of clinical tests including the modified Ashworth scale (MAS; from 1+ to 1), muscle strength (from 15 to 32 kg), the manual function test (MFT; scores of 16/32 to 27/32 score), the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA; scores of 29/66 to 49/66 score), and the Jebsen-Taylor hand function test (JTHFT; from 38/60 to 19/60 sec) were improved. [Conclusion] Our results suggest that the forced intensive strength technique may have a beneficial effect on the muscle size of the upper extremity and motor function in patients with chronic stroke.

Upregulation of peroxiredeoxin III in the hippocampus of acute immobilization stress model rats and the Foxo3a-dependent expression in PC12 cells.

Stress induces structural plasticity in neurons of the adult central nervous system (CNS) and alters the levels of cellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and these changes might involve modifications of the antioxidant defense system. This study investigated whether acute stress altered the expression pattern of peroxiredoxin (Prx) III, which is an antioxidant enzyme that controls cytokine-induced peroxide levels. Prx III immunoreactivity was upregulated in the pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus and in the motor neurons of the spinal cord in an acute immobilization stress (AIS) model. In addition, we tested whether the transcription factor Foxo3a was necessary for the expression of Prx III. The depletion of Foxo3a led to a marked reduction of Prx III and a compensatory enhancement of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) in PC12 cells. The results of this study suggest that Foxo3a mediates the neuronal levels of expression of Prx III and the levels of expression of Mn-SOD in mitochondria. These mechanisms may play an important role in neuroprotection against oxidative stress. Furthermore, Prx III upregulation might be an useful approach for the management of stress.