Better methods are required to identify patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS) at risk of future stroke. Two potential markers of high risk are echolucent plaque morphology on carotid ...ultrasound and embolic signals (ES) in the ipsilateral middle cerebral artery on transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD). We explored the predictive value of a score based on these 2 measures in the prospective, observational, international multicenter Asymptomatic Carotid Emboli Study.
A total of 435 recruited subjects with ACS ≥70% had baseline ultrasound images and TCD data available. Subjects were prospectively followed up for 2 years.
A total of 164 (37.7%) plaques were graded as echolucent. Plaque echolucency at baseline was associated with an increased risk of ipsilateral stroke alone (hazard ratio HR 6.43, 95% confidence interval CI 1.36-30.44, p = 0.019). A combined variable of plaque echolucency and ES positivity at baseline was associated with a markedly increased risk of ipsilateral stroke alone (HR 10.61, 95% CI 2.98-37.82, p = 0.0003). This association remained significant after controlling for risk factors, degree of carotid stenosis, and antiplatelet medication.
Plaque morphology assessed using a simple, and clinically applicable, visual rating scale predicts ipsilateral stroke risk in ACS. The combination of ES detection and plaque morphology allows a greater prediction than either measure alone and identifies a high-risk group with an annual stroke risk of 8%, and a low-risk group with a risk of <1% per annum. This risk stratification may prove useful in the selection of patients with ACS for endarterectomy.
Currently, the characteristics of carotid plaques are considered important factors for identifying subjects at high risk of stroke. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that carotid plaque ...composition assessed by CTA is associated with an increased risk of future major adverse cardiovascular events among asymptomatic subjects with moderate-to-severe carotid artery stenosis.
This single-center, retrospective cohort study included 194 carotid plaques from 176 asymptomatic subjects with moderate-to-severe carotid artery stenosis. The association of CTA-determined plaque composition with the risk of subsequent adverse cardiovascular events was analyzed.
During a median follow-up of 41 months, the adverse cardiovascular event incidence among 194 carotid plaques was 19.6%. There were significant differences in plaque Hounsfield units (
< .001) and spotty calcium presence (
< .001) between carotid plaques from subjects with and without subsequent adverse cardiovascular events. Multivariable analysis revealed carotid plaque Hounsfield unit density (
< .001) and spotty calcium (
< .001) as independent predictors of subsequent adverse cardiovascular events. In association with moderate carotid artery stenosis, the plaque Hounsfield unit values were significantly lower among carotid plaques from subjects who experienced subsequent adverse cardiovascular events (
= .002), strokes (
= .01), and cardiovascular deaths (
= .04); the presence of spotty calcium was significantly associated with the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events (
= .001), acute coronary syndrome (
= .01), and cardiovascular death (
= .04).
Carotid plaque Hounsfield unit density and spotty calcium were independent predictors of a greater risk of adverse cardiovascular event occurrence.
To investigate the characteristics and prevalence of poststroke depression (PSD) and poststroke emotional incontinence (PSEI) and the factors related to these conditions at admission and 3 months ...after stroke.
We evaluated 508 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke for PSD and PSEI at admission and 3 months later. PSD was evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory, and PSEI was evaluated using Kim's criteria. Blood samples were collected and genotyped for the promoter region of the serotonin transporter protein (5-HTTLPR) and the number of tandem repeats within intron 2 (STin2 VNTR). Perceived social support (the ENRICHD Social Support Inventory) was also measured.
PSD and PSEI were present in 13.7% and 9.4% of patients, respectively, at admission and in 17.7% and 11.7%, respectively, at 3 months after stroke. Multivariate analyses showed that PSD at admission was associated with the NIH Stroke Scale score at admission (p < 0.001), whereas PSD at 3 months was associated with the presence of microbleeds (p < 0.01) and perceived low social support (p < 0.001). In contrast, only lesion location (p = 0.022) was associated with PSEI at admission, whereas modified Rankin Scale score (p = 0.019), STin2 VNTR (p = 0.040), and low social support (p = 0.042) were related to PSEI 3 months after stroke.
Diverse factors such as neurologic dysfunction, lesion location, microbleeds, genetic traits, and social support are differently related to acute and subacute emotional disturbances. Strategies to prevent or manage these problems should consider these differences.
Globally, the East Asian monsoon region is one of the richest environments in terms of biodiversity. The region is undergoing rapid human development, yet its river ecosystems have not been well ...studied. Global warming represents a major challenge to the survival of species in this region and makes it necessary to assess and reduce the potential consequences of warming on species of conservation concern. We projected the effects of global warming on stream insect (Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera EOPT) diversity and predicted the changes of geographical ranges for 121 species throughout South Korea. Plecoptera was the most sensitive (decrease of 71.4% in number of species from the 2000s through the 2080s) order, whereas Odonata benefited (increase of 66.7% in number of species from the 2000s through the 2080s) from the effects of global warming. The impact of global warming on stream insects was predicted to be minimal prior to the 2060s; however, by the 2080s, species extirpation of up to 20% in the highland areas and 2% in the lowland areas were predicted. The projected responses of stream insects under global warming indicated that species occupying specific habitats could undergo major reductions in habitat. Nevertheless, habitat of 33% of EOPT (including two‐thirds of Odonata and one‐third of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera) was predicted to increase due to global warming. The community compositions predicted by generalized additive models varied over this century, and a large difference in community structure in the highland areas was predicted between the 2000s and the 2080s. However, stream insect communities, especially Odonata, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera, were predicted to become more homogenous under global warming. Impacto Potencial del Calentamiento Global sobre la Diversidad y la Distribución de Insectos de Arroyo en Corea del Sur
It is unknown whether the development of cerebral microbleeds (MBs), small areas of signal loss on T2*-weighted gradient-echo imaging (GRE), follows a slow or a rapid process. We hypothesized that ...MBs may develop rapidly after certain critical events, such as strokes, and investigated the frequency, location, and factors associated with the formation of new MBs after acute ischemic stroke.
We retrospectively examined 237 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent MRI within 24 hours and follow-up MRI during the week after symptom onset. We defined new MBs as MBs that newly appeared on follow-up GRE outside the infarcted area. We examined the association of new MBs with demographics, risk factors, laboratory data, baseline MBs, and small vessel disease (SVD; leukoaraiosis and lacunar infarctions).
Seventy-five patients (31.6%) had baseline MBs, and 30 (12.7%) developed new MBs. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that the presence of baseline MBs (odds ratio OR 5.72, 95% confidence interval CI 2.12-15.42, p = 0.001) and severe SVD (OR 2.94, 95% CI 1.12-7.77, p = 0.03) independently predicted the development of new MBs. Of the 56 new MBs, 29 (51.8%) appeared in the lobar location, 17 (30.4%) appeared in the deep location, and 10 (17.9%) appeared in the infratentorial location.
This study suggests that new microbleeds (MBs) can develop rapidly after acute ischemic stroke. Baseline MBs and severe small vessel disease are predictors for the development of new MBs. Further studies will be needed to investigate the clinical implications and mechanisms of these findings.
•The Silicon with NanoParticle were obtained by using the thermal plasma method.•Through the water granulation process, microsized powders are generated.•An x value of 1.06 was determined to be the ...optimum value for SiOx.•SiOx with graphite (3 wt%)has high capacity and high Coulombic efficiency.
The development of a method for synthesizing granulated silicon oxide nanoparticles (SiOx NPG) via a thermal plasma and water granulation process and determination of the optimum stoichiometry of silicon oxide (SiOx) for achieving high electrochemical performance of an anode based on the developed material are presented herein. The structure of the SiOx NPGs was confirmed by means of X-ray fluorescence, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. A high initial capacity of ∼1196 mA·h·g-1 was achieved using the fabricated SiOx anode with x ∼1.06, giving rise to a Coulombic efficiency of 75% after the first cycle. Further combination of SiOx with graphite (3 wt%) for use as an anode gave rise to high capacity (397 mA·h·g-1) and a very high Coulombic efficiency of 99.99% after 200 cycles. The physical properties of the synthesized materials were investigated based on micrometric analysis. On the basis of the volume expansion and cycle capacity, the optimal oxygen ratio of SiOx was determined to be x ∼1.06.
Background and purpose
White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are a predictor of stroke among elderly individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the association between WMH severity and the risk of ...recurrent vascular events among Asian patients with ischaemic stroke with small‐vessel disease (SVD) including micro/macrobleeds and lacunes.
Methods
Data from participants (n = 1454) in the PICASSO (PreventIon of CArdiovascular Events in iSchemic Stroke Patients with High Risk of Cerebral HemOrrhage) trial were reviewed. The severity of WMH in baseline brain magnetic resonance imaging scans was assessed using the Fazekas scale. The association between WMH severity and stroke (ischaemic or hemorrhagic) and major vascular events (MVEs) (a composite of stroke/myocardial infarction/vascular death) was assessed.
Results
Study patients had a significant burden of SVD: Fazekas score 0 (n = 2), 1 (n = 426), 2 (n = 650) and 3 (n = 376) median Fazekas score 2 (mean follow‐up, 1.9 ± 1.3 years). The stroke incidence rate per 100 personyears was 2.6 in the Fazekas 0–1 group, 3.6 in the Fazekas 2 group and 7.0 in the Fazekas 3 group, and the rates for MVEs were 3.3, 4.3 and 7.6, respectively. Compared with the Fazekas 0–1 group, the Fazekas 3 group was associated with a higher risk of stroke adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 2.15; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19–3.88; P = 0.011, ischaemic stroke (adjusted HR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.07–4.15; P = 0.031), hemorrhagic stroke (adjusted HR, 3.72; 95% CI, 1.09–12.70; P = 0.036) and MVEs (adjusted HR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.20–3.66; P = 0.010).
Conclusion
Advanced WMH in Asian patients with ischaemic stroke with SVD burden was associated with an increased risk of recurrent vascular events. It may exert an effect as a prognostic indicator in high risk of recurrent vascular events.
High-resolution MR imaging has recently been introduced as a promising diagnostic modality in intracranial artery disease. Our aim was to compare high-resolution MR imaging with digital subtraction ...angiography for the characterization and diagnosis of various intracranial artery diseases.
Thirty-seven patients who had undergone both high-resolution MR imaging and DSA for intracranial artery disease were enrolled in our study (August 2011 to April 2014). The time interval between the high-resolution MR imaging and DSA was within 1 month. The degree of stenosis and the minimal luminal diameter were independently measured by 2 observers in both DSA and high-resolution MR imaging, and the results were compared. Two observers independently diagnosed intracranial artery diseases on DSA and high-resolution MR imaging. The time interval between the diagnoses on DSA and high-resolution MR imaging was 2 weeks. Interobserver diagnostic agreement for each technique and intermodality diagnostic agreement for each observer were acquired.
High-resolution MR imaging showed moderate-to-excellent agreement (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.892-0.949; κ = 0.548-0.614) and significant correlations (R = 0.766-892) with DSA on the degree of stenosis and minimal luminal diameter. The interobserver diagnostic agreement was good for DSA (κ = 0.643) and excellent for high-resolution MR imaging (κ = 0.818). The intermodality diagnostic agreement was good (κ = 0.704) for observer 1 and moderate (κ = 0.579) for observer 2, respectively.
High-resolution MR imaging may be an imaging method comparable with DSA for the characterization and diagnosis of various intracranial artery diseases.
This study evaluated the effects of proximal segment rotation and the extent of mandibular setback on post-sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) relapse using three-dimensional (3D) analysis. ...Thirty-one patients diagnosed with a skeletal class III malocclusion who underwent SSRO alone were enrolled in this study. The movements of the mandibular condyles were assessed using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and a 3D imaging program at ≤1 month before the operation (T0), 1 week after the operation (T1), and 6 months (T2) and 1year (T3) postoperative. Yaw and roll were increased at T1 as compared to T0. However, the proximal segments reverted to their original positions between T2 and T3. There was a positive correlation between the extent of the posterior movement of the mandible and relapse at 6 months and 1year postoperative. Although the proximal bone segments showed displacement in three dimensions at T1, they reverted to their original positions over time. In addition, although there was a positive correlation between the extent of the posterior movement of the mandible and the occurrence of post-surgical relapse at 6 months and 1year post-surgery, the rotation of the proximal bone segment during surgery had no relationship with postoperative relapse.
It is important to confirm the reliability of postural balance variables because the results of balance tests would be different with different balance test protocols, i.e., stance conditions such as ...natural and feet-together stances. The aim of this study was to investigate the test–retest reliability of postural balance variables during the natural and feet-together stance conditions. Sixteen young healthy adults were instructed to sustain their center of body mass as stably as possible on the force plate. As balance standing conditions, natural (a comfortable self-selected stance width) and feet-together stances (placing the feet
0
∘
apart) were selected. The mean distance, mean velocity, mean frequency, and 95% confidence ellipse area were derived from the center of pressure (COP) time series in the overall, anteroposterior (AP), and mediolateral (ML) directions. To evaluate the test–retest reliability of the postural balance variables, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was calculated in each stance condition. Mean velocity was the most reliable variable particularly in three repeated balances within both the natural and feet together stances (
α
=
0
.
8
0
5
–0.921). The reliability of all variables of the three balance test was greater than that of the two balance tests, mainly in the natural stance. In contrast, the mean ML distance of the feet-together stance had poor reliability despite three balance tests (
α
=
0
.
2
4
3
). These results suggest that the balance test protocol should consider the appropriate stance conditions as well as the number of balance trials to select the reliable postural balance variables.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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