The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is known to have discriminative power for patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Recently Cognitive Reserve (CR) has been introduced as a factor that ...compensates cognitive decline. We aimed to assess whether the MoCA reflects CR. Furthermore, we assessed whether there were any differences in the efficacy between the MoCA and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in reflecting CR.
MoCA, MMSE, and the Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq) were administered to 221 healthy participants. Normative data and associated factors of the MoCA were identified. Correlation and regression analyses of the MoCA, MMSE and CRIq scores were performed, and the MoCA score was compared with the MMSE score to evaluate the degree to which the MoCA reflected CR.
The MoCA reflected total CRIq score (CRI; B = 0.076, P < 0.001), CRI-Education (B = 0.066, P < 0.001), and CRI-Working activity (B = 0.025, P = 0.042), while MMSE reflected total CRI (B = 0.044, P < 0.001) and CRI-Education (B = 0.049, P < 0.001) only. The MoCA differed from the MMSE in the reflection of total CRI (Z = 2.30).
In this study, we show that the MoCA score reflects CR more sensitively than the MMSE score. Therefore, we suggest that MoCA can be used to assess CR and early cognitive decline.
Genipin, the aglycone of geniposide, is metabolically produced from the geniposide in body tissues. The purpose of this study is to clarify some pharmacological actions of genipin. Genipin showed ...concentration-dependent inhibition on lipid peroxidation induced by Fe
++/ascorbate in rat brain homogenate. Genipin exhibited significant topical antiinflammatory effect shown as an inhibition of croton oil-induced ear edema in mice. Nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is increased in inflammatory diseases and leads to cellular injury. Genipin concentration-dependently (50–300 μM) inhibited NO production and iNOS expression upon stimulation by lipopolysaccharide/interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in RAW 264.7, a murine macrophage cell line. Genipin markedly blocked lipopolysaccharide-evoked degradation of inhibitor-κB-β (IκB-β), indicating that it exhibits inhibitory effect on NO production through the inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. It was also shown to contain potent antiangiogenic activity in a dose-dependent manner, which was detected by chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay. In summary, we demonstrate that genipin possesses antiinflammatory and is a specific hydroxyl radical scavenger. Its antiangiogenic and NO production-inhibitory properties are also presented.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Objective
It is unclear if stopping treatment with dabigatran, a new oral anticoagulant (NOAC), induces a paradoxical rebound prothrombotic state. We investigated if short‐term (1–3 days) dabigatran ...cessation is associated with a higher thrombus volume than expected from a simple reversal of the anticoagulant effect.
Methods
Ten‐week‐old C57Bl/6 mice (n = 338) received one of the following oral treatments: phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), dabigatran for 7 days with or without 1 to 4 day cessation, and aspirin in either a single dose or daily for 7 days. Some of the animals that ceased dabigatran for 1 to 3 days received single‐dose aspirin. Thereafter, we induced FeCl3‐mediated carotid thrombosis in 130 mice, after which we performed micro computed tomography thrombus imaging. The other 208 mice underwent coagulation assays or platelet function tests. As an explorative pilot study, we reviewed the medical records of 18 consecutive patients with NOAC cessation‐related cerebral infarction in a large acute stroke cohort.
Results
We observed a ~ 40% higher volume of carotid thrombus after dabigatran cessation at 1 to 3 days than after vehicle treatment and showed that this effect could be prevented by single‐dose aspirin pretreatment. Dabigatran cessation unduly increased platelet aggregability for 2 days after drug cessation, an effect mediated through thrombin or arachidonic acid, which effect was significantly attenuated by single‐dose aspirin pretreatment. In patients, short‐term (≤ 3 days) cessation of NOAC therapy, compared with longer‐term (≥ 5 days) cessation, tended to be associated with relatively high stroke severity.
Interpretation
We provide the first preclinical evidence that a rebound prothrombotic state follows short‐term cessation of dabigatran therapy. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:444–458
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It is not clear whether the fornix and cingulum are involved in cognition after putaminal hemorrhage (PH). We investigated structural changes and differences of the neural tracts, and the ...relationship between the integrity of the neural tracts and cognition not only at the affected but also at the unaffected side.Sixteen patients with left chronic putaminal hemorrhage and 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Using diffusion tensor tractography (DTT), we compared fiber number (FN), fractional anisotropy (FA), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the neural tracts between patient and control groups. The relationship between the neural tract parameters and neuropsychological results was also analyzed.The left fornix FN was significantly lower than the right fornix FN in the patient group. Except for the cingulum FA, the neural tracts parameters for both the affected and unaffected hemispheres differed significantly between the groups. The fornix FA and ADC at the affected side were significantly correlated with intelligence quotient (IQ), mini-mental status examination (MMSE), and short-term memory. Interestingly, the fornix ADC at the unaffected side was significantly correlated with MMSE. However, none of the cingulum parameters was correlated with neuropsychological results.The fornix integrity is critical for cognitive impairment after putaminal hemorrhage.
Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a causative treatment for various allergic diseases such as allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, and bee venom allergy that induces tolerance to offending allergens. ...The need for uniform practice guidelines in AIT is continuously growing because of the increasing discovery of potential candidates for AIT and evolving interest in new therapeutic approaches. This guideline is an updated version of the Korean Academy of Asthma Allergy and Clinical Immunology recommendations for AIT published in 2010. This updated guideline proposes an expert opinion by allergy, pediatrics, and otorhinolaryngology specialists with an extensive literature review. The guideline deals with basic knowledge and methodological aspects of AIT, including mechanisms, clinical efficacy, patient selection, allergens extract selection, schedule and doses, management of adverse reactions, efficacy measurements, and special consideration in pediatrics. The guidelines for sublingual immunotherapy will be covered in detail in a separate article.
Body Distribution of Inhaled Fluorescent Magnetic Nanoparticles in the Mice：Jung-Taek KWON, et al. Laboratory of Toxicology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea－Reducing ...the particle size of materials is an efficient and reliable tool for improving the bioavailability of a gene or drug delivery system. In fact, nanotechnology helps in overcoming the limitations of size and can change the outlook of the world regarding science. However, a potential harmful effect of nanomaterial on workers manufacturing nanoparticles is expected in the workplace and the lack of information regarding body distribution of inhaled nanoparticles may pose serious problem. In this study, we addressed this question by studying the body distribution of inhaled nanoparticles in mice using approximately 50-nm fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles(FMNPs)as a model of nanoparticles through nose-only exposure chamber system developed by our group. Scanning mobility particle sizer(SMPS)analysis revealed that the mice were exposed to FMNPs with a total particle number of 4.89×105±2.37×104/cm3(low concentration)and 9.34×105±5.11×104/cm3(high concentration)for 4wk(4h/d, 5d/wk). The body distribution of FMNPs was examined by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope(CLSM)analysis. FMNPs were distributed in various organs, including the liver, testis, spleen, lung and brain. T2-weighted spin-echo MR images showed that FMNPs could penetrate the blood-brain-barrier(BBB). Application of nanotechnologies should not produce adverse effects on human health and the environment. To predict and prevent the potential toxicity of nanomaterials, therefore, extensive studies should be performed under different routes of exposure with different sizes and shapes of nanomaterials.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
This study aimed to assess the inter-platform reproducibility of ultrasound attenuation examination in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Between March 2021 and April 2021, ...patients with clinically suspected or known NAFLD were prospectively enrolled; each patient underwent ultrasound attenuation examinations with three different platforms (Attenuation Imaging ATI, Canon Medical System; Tissue Attenuation Imaging TAI, Samsung Medison; and Ultrasound-Guided Attenuation Parameter UGAP, GE Healthcare) on the same day. The mean attenuation coefficient (AC) values of the three platforms were compared using repeated-measures analysis of variance with the Bonferroni correction. To evaluate inter-platform reproducibility, the AC values obtained for each platform were compared using Bland-Altman analysis with the calculation of 95% limits of agreement (LOA), intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and coefficients of variation (CVs).
Forty-six patients (23 men; mean age±standard deviation, 52.3±12.4 years) were enrolled. The mean AC values showed significant differences among the three platforms (0.75±0.12, 0.80±0.11, and 0.74±0.09 dB/cm/MHz for ATI, TAI, and UGAP, respectively; P<0.001). For inter-platform reproducibility, the 95% LOAs were -0.22 to 0.11 dB/cm/MHz between ATI and TAI, -0.17 to 0.18 dB/cm/MHz between ATI and UGAP, and -0.08 to 0.20 dB/cm/MHz between TAI and UGAP, respectively. The pairwise ICCs were 0.790-0.797 in terms of absolute agreement among the three platforms; the CVs were 8.23%-9.47%.
The AC values obtained from different ultrasound attenuation examination platforms showed significant differences, with significant inter-platform variability. Therefore, the AC values measured using different ultrasound attenuation examination techniques should not be used interchangeably for longitudinal follow-up of patients with NAFLD.
Since oxidative stress has been implicated in a neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), natural antioxidants are promising candidates of chemopreventive agents. This study ...examines antioxidant and neuronal cell protective effects of various fractions of the methanolic extract of Erigeron annuus leaf and identifies active compounds of the extract.
Antioxidant activities of the fractions from Erigeron annuus leaf were examined with 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenz thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid diammonium salt) (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Neuroprotective effect of caffeic acid under oxidative stress induced by H2O2 was investigated with 3-(4,5-dimethythiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays.
This study demonstrated that butanol fraction had the highest antioxidant activity among all solvent fractions from methanolic extract E. annuus leaf. Butanol fraction had the highest total phenolic contents (396.49 mg of GAE/g). Caffeic acid, an isolated active compound from butanol fraction, showed dose-dependent in vitro antioxidant activity. Moreover, neuronal cell protection against oxidative stress induced cytotoxicity was also demonstrated.
Erigeron annuus leaf extracts containing caffeic acid as an active compound have antioxidative and neuroprotective effects on neuronal cells.
A cathode of zinc-air fuel cells (ZAFCs) comprises a catalyst layer and a diffusion layer. We propose a new type of cathode, which overcomes the disadvantages of a double-layer cathode used in ZAFCs. ...To improve the performance of the single-layer cathode, dispersing the particles and reducing their size in the cathode mixture were conducted. The single-layer cathode had the same hydrophobicity as with the diffusion layer of the double-layer cathode and showed better electrochemical properties than the catalyst layer of the double-layer cathode. The single-layer cathode had a dense microstructure and a flat surface. The electrochemical performance and mechanical strength of the single-layer cathode were superior to those of a double-layer cathode. We showed single-layer cathode cell had better electrochemical performance than the double-layer cathode cell through a newly designed flexible-tubular-type ZAFC.
•Diffusion layer and catalyst layer manufacturing process were merged.•The materials needed for cathode fabrication were pulverized using a ball mill.•The new single-layer cathode showed high discharge voltage and energy density.•Flexible tubular metal-air fuel cells are available.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Zn‐MnO2 battery with mild‐acid electrolytes has been considered as a promising alternative to Li‐ion battery for safe and cost‐effective energy storage systems (ESSs), and for full electrification. ...However, the governing mechanism of MnO2 electrochemistry has not been fully elucidated, hindering further advances in highly reversible MnO2 cathodes. Eventual Mn2+ ion dissolution into the electrolyte adversely triggers the irreversible loss of Mn2+ ions and the excessive precipitation of zinc hydroxyl sulfate (Zn4SO4(OH)6·xH2O, ZHS), leading to irreversible capacity loss upon prolonged cycling. To overcome these drawbacks, a rationally renovated cell structure is proposed by integrating an acid‐treated carbon supportive layer (aCSL) in the MnO2 cathode, which can play multifunctional roles rendering the additional reaction sites for the reversible formation/decomposition of ZHS and re‐utilization of the dissolved Mn2+ ions. Furthermore, the improved affinity of the aCSL toward the electrolyte is beneficial for increasing active surface area and facilitating charge transfer at the cathode side. Benefiting from these features, compared to the conventional cell configuration, the aCSL‐integrated Zn‐MnO2 cell exhibits superior cycling over 3000 cycles with negligible capacity decay (85.6% retention) at a current of 3 A g−1.
Compared to the Zn‐MnO2 cell with a common porous separator showing gradual capacity decay during cycling, the cell incorporating an acid‐treated carbon support layer (aCSL) shows better cycle and rate performances, owing to confinement of Mn2+ between cathode and aCSL, revitalization of Mn2+/Mn4+ reactions, and facilitation of zinc hydroxyl sulfate formation/decomposition by rendering extra e‐pathway, resulting in robust cycling of the Zn‐MnO2 cell.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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