Effects of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Somatosensory Recovery After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary somatosensory cortex on the recovery of somatosensation, motor function, and the activities of daily living in patients with subacute stroke. DESIGN: This study was a prospective, randomized sham controlled, double-blinded study. Patients with subacute stroke having somatosensory deficits (N = 24) were enrolled and assigned randomly to the anodal and sham stimulation groups. Patients received 10 consecutive anodal or sham transcranial direct current stimulations over the primary somatosensory cortex on the side of the stroke lesion. Before and after each stimulation session, Nottingham sensory assessments, Semmes Weinstein monofilaments examination, and manual function tests were performed, and modified Brunnstrom classification, modified Barthel index, and functional ambulation categories were assessed. RESULTS: Although there was no clear significant difference between the two groups, when the changes from baseline to posttreatment evaluation were compared between the groups, a partially significant improvement was observed in the anodal stimulation group compared with the sham stimulation group. Interestingly, the tactile sensation of the unaffected side also improved. Moreover, the greater improvement in activities of daily living function was observed in the anodal stimulation group too. CONCLUSION: Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the primary somatosensory cortex may be a useful adjuvant therapy for the recovery of somatosensation and activities of daily living function in patients with sensory deficits after stroke.

Reference values for hand grip strength in the South Korean population.

OBJECTIVE: To establish reference values for hand grip strength (HGS) in a healthy Korean population and to identify the dependent anthropometric variables that affect HGS. METHODS: Based on the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2014 to 2015, we analyzed the HGS data of 7,969 South Koreans. Individuals with specific chronic diseases and who reported poor subjective health status were excluded to ensure a healthy population sample. Means with standard deviations (SDs) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each 5-year interval starting from 10 years of age. To determine the relationship between HGS and anthropometric variables, we performed correlation analyses between HGS and height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Additionally, based on these findings, the cut-off value for low HGS was presented by deriving -2SD values of healthy young adults as recommended by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. RESULTS: The mean age and BMI of men and women were 38.3 and 38.2 years and 23.8 and 22.4 kg/m2, respectively. Mean HGS of the dominant hand in men and women was 39.5 and 24.2 kg, respectively. The peak in HGS was at 35-39 years of age, after which HGS decreased in both sexes. HGS was significantly correlated with height, weight, and BMI. The cut-off values for weak HGS were < 28.9 and < 16.8 kg in men and women, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results provide useful reference values to assess HGS in patients who undergo hand surgery or who have various diseases that affect HGS. Moreover, a cut-off value for low HGS may help in defining sarcopenia among the Korean population.

Enhanced switching behavior of iron oxide nanoparticle-doped liquid-crystal display.

It is well known that doping nanoparticles (NPs) in liquid crystals (LCs) can easily change the physical and electro-optical properties of LC mixture. In this paper, we demonstrate homogeneous, aligned nematic LC (N-LC) system dispersed in iron oxide (Fe2O3) NPs. The prepared Fe2O3 NPs have an average particle size of 50 nm. By changing the doping concentration of Fe2O3 NPs, we observed the characteristics of LC systems. Electrooptical (EO) characteristics included faster rising and falling times (2.14 ms and 10.24 ms, respectively) and lower driving voltage (1.45 V) compared with a pure N-LC cell. We demonstrated these results via the relationship between dielectric con- stant and LC device properties. The results were verified by software simulation based on general physical properties. Moreover, we observed that LC system with Fe2O3 NPs could be accomplished without capacitance hysteresis by capturing charged impurities. Superior performance of LC cell with Fe2O3 NPs indicates that the proposed LC system have strong potential for use in the production of advanced LC displays.

Radiological and Clinical Characteristics of a Military Outbreak of Pandemic H1N1 2009 Influenza Virus Infection

OBJECTIVE: To describe detailed clinical and radiological features of the pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza viral infection among healthy young males in a semi-closed institutionalized setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 patients confirmed with the pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza virus infection from July 18 to July 30, 2009 were enrolled in this study. Each patient underwent an evaluation to determine detailed clinical and radiological features. RESULTS: All patients presented with high fever (> 38.0degrees C), with accompanying symptoms of cough, rhinorrhea, sore throat, myalgia and diarrhea, and increased C-reactive protein (CRP) values with no leukocytosis nor elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). All patients, including one patient who progressed into acute respiratory distress syndrome, were treated with oseltamivir phosphate and quickly recovered from their symptoms. Chest radiographs showed abnormalities of small nodules and lobar consolidation in only two out of 18 patients. However, six of 12 patients who underwent thin-section CT examinations showed abnormal findings for small ground-glass opacities (GGOs) in addition to poorly-defined nodules with upper lobe predominance. CONCLUSION: In a population of healthy young adults, elevated CRP with normal ESR and white blood cell levels combined with GGOs and nodules on thin-section CT scans may indicate early signs of infection by the pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza virus.

Histogram Analysis of Noise Performance on Fractional Anisotropy Brain MR Image with Different Diffusion Gradient Numbers

PURPOSE: We wished to analyze, qualitatively and quantitatively, the noise performance of fractional anisotropy brain images along with the different diffusion gradient numbers by using the histogram method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diffusion tensor images were acquired using a 3.0 T MR scanner from ten normal volunteers who had no neurological symptoms. The single-shot spin-echo EPI with a Stejskal-Tanner type diffusion gradient scheme was employed for the diffusion tensor measurement. With a b-valuee of 1000 s/mm2, the diffusion tensor images were obtained for 6, 11, 23, 35 and 47 diffusion gradient directions. FA images were generated for each DTI scheme. The histograms were then obtained at selected ROIs for the anatomical structures on the FA image. At the same ROI location, the mean FA value and the standard deviation of the mean FA value were calculated. RESULTS: The quality of the FA image was improved as the number of diffusion gradient directions increased by showing better contrast between the WM and GM. The histogram showed that the variance of FA values was reduced as the number of diffusion gradient directions increased. This histogram analysis was in good agreement with the result obtained using quantitative analysis. CONCLUSION: The image quality of the FA map was significantly improved as the number of diffusion gradient directions increased. The histogram analysis well demonstrated that the improvement in the FA images resulted from the reduction in the variance of the FA values included in the ROI.

Purification of r-Glutamyltranspeptidase from Rat Primary Hepatoma Tissue and Preparation of a Tumor Associated Antigen

r-Glutamyltranspeptidase (r-GT) from a rat hepatoma induced by 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (3'-Me DAB) was purified 833 fold. The purified enzyme had a specific activity of 15.0 U/mg protein with an overall yield of 3.8%. The molecular weight of native r-GT was estimated as about 350,000 daltons, whichs a multicomplex of a single polypetide having a M W of 59,000. Anti r-GT rabbit antiserum cross-reacted with kidney r-GT as well as liver r-GT. Tryptic digestion of r-GT followed by separation with Con A sepharose column chromatography resulted in two major glycopeptides. A tumor associated antigen was prepared by the conjugation of a tryptic glycopeptide of r-GT to keyhole limpets hemocyanin and an antibody against this antigen cross-reacted preferentially with r-GT in rat hepatoma tissue.

Clonorchiasis and its complications: cholangiogram revisited

Clonorchiasis is known to be closely related with the development of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis and carcinoma of the bile ducts. In order to ascertain the cholangiographic signs for recurrent pyogenic cholangitis or carcinoma of the bile ducts arising in patients with clonorchiasis. we reviewed cholangiograms in 42 patients with proven clonorchiasis. The population consisted of 29 patients with clonorchiasis alone, six patients with clonorchiasis and recurrent pyogenic cholangitis, and seven patients with clonorchiasis and carcinoma of the bile ducts. Cholangiographic abnormalities in 29 patients with clonorchiasis alone, six patients with clonorchiasis and recurrent pyogenic cholangitis, and seven patients with clonorchiasis and carcinoma of the bile ducts. Cholangiographic abnormalities in 29 patients with clonorchiasis alone were intrahepatic multiple, oval, or elliptic filling defects measuring 2-10 mm in size, representing adult flukes (n=24). The peripheral bile duct were obstructed (n=18), and the margins were ragged (n=20) and hazy (n=12) the intrahepatic bile ducts were dilated diffusely (n=27), and the dilated peripheral small tributaries gave the impression of "too many ducts appearance" (n=7) and dilatation was mid (n=17) In six patients with clonorchiasis and recurrent pyogenic cholangitis, there were filling defects of stones, and the extrahepatic ducts and larger intrahepatic ducts were predominantly dilated. In seven patients with clonorchiasis and cholangiocarcinoma all the biliary tree proximal to the tumor was markedly and diffusely dilated In the latter two groups, filling defects of flukes and associated findings were less prominent, but there was disproportionately severe dilatation of too many intrahepatic ducts. In patients with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis or cholangiocarcinoma, clonorchiasis should be considered as a underlying cause when cholangiogram shows "disproportionately" severe dilatation of too many intrahepatic ducts. intrahepatic ducts.