Stem cell-based therapy is a promising approach to repair brain damage after stroke. This study was conducted to investigate changes in neuroimaging measures using stem cell-based therapy in patients ...with ischemic stroke.
In this prospective, open-label, randomized controlled trial with blinded outcome evaluation, patients with severe middle cerebral artery territory infarct were assigned to the autologous mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) treatment or control group. Of 54 patients who completed the intervention, 31 for the MSC and 13 for the control groups were included in this neuroimaging analysis. Motor function was assessed before the intervention and 90 days after randomization using the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale. Neuroimaging measures included fractional anisotropy values of the corticospinal tract and posterior limb of the internal capsule from diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging and strength of connectivity, efficiency, and density of the motor network from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging.
For motor function, the improvement ratio of the Fugl-Meyer assessment score was significantly higher in the MSC group compared with the control group. In neuroimaging, corticospinal tract and posterior limb of the internal capsule fractional anisotropy did not decrease in the MSC group but significantly decreased at 90 days after randomization in the control group. Interhemispheric connectivity and ipsilesional connectivity significantly increased in the MSC group. Change in interhemispheric connectivity showed a significant group difference.
Stem cell-based therapy can protect corticospinal tract against degeneration and enhance positive changes in network reorganization to facilitate motor recovery after stroke. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT01716481.
This cross-sectional study assessed the oral and physical factors contributing to improvement of the masticatory performance of community-dwelling older adults in South Korea. We enrolled 84 healthy ...older adults (38 men, 46 women; age, 71.40 ± 5.15 years) and assessed their skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), functional tooth units (FTUs), and mixing ability index (MAI). Associations between variables were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient, and the effects of SMI and FTUs on the MAI were evaluated through linear multiple regression. FTUs were positively associated with the MAI in men and women (r = 0.339,
= 0.038 and r = 0.461,
= 0.001, respectively). SMI and FTUs were moderately associated in men (r = 0.459,
= 0.004). MAI showed an approximately 4.4 times increase for each FTU in men (B = 4.442,
= 0.037); however, after the SMI was added, this effect was no longer significant. In women, the MAI increased by about 6.7 times with each FTU (B = 6.685,
= 0.004). FTUs had a significant effect on the MAI only in women with low muscle mass. While there was no significant effect of the SMI on the MAI, its influence should not be overlooked.
Trends in dust events over China and Mongolia were examined using 34 years (1974–2007) of visibility data over dust source regions of China and 10 years (1998–2007) of dust reports from Synoptic ...Observations (SYNOP) stations over China and Mongolia. Dust occurrences in Mongolia and northern Inner Mongolia increased over the 1998–2007 SYNOP data period while most dust source regions of China experienced a continuous decrease over the 34-year data period. Increased dust occurrences in Mongolia as well as in Inner Mongolia appear to be caused by degraded surface vegetation and reduced soil moisture associated with intensified drought conditions after the mid-1990s. Results suggest that recent increases in dust events over Korea and Japan are linked to increased dust occurrences over Mongolia and Inner Mongolia.
► SYNOP Dust occurrences in Mongolia increased over the 1998–2007. ► Increased dust in Mongolia is related with recently intensified dry conditions. ► Recent dust increase over Korea is linked to dust increase over Mongolia.
BACKGROUNDThe perianesthetic morbidity, mortality risk and anesthesia-associated risk after preoperative coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) omicron variant in pediatric patients have not been fully ...demonstrated. We examined the association between preoperative COVID-19 omicron diagnosis and the incidence of overall perioperative adverse events in pediatric patients who received general anesthesia.METHODSThis retrospective study included patients aged < 18 years who received general anesthesia between February 1 and June 10, 2022, in a single tertiary pediatric hospital. They were divided into two groups; patients in a COVID-19 group were matched to patients in a non-COVID-19 group during the omicron-predominant period in Korea. Data on patient characteristics, anesthesia records, post-anesthesia records, COVID-19-related history, symptoms, and mortality were collected. The primary outcomes were the overall perioperative adverse events, including perioperative respiratory adverse events (PRAEs), escalation of care, and mortality.RESULTSIn total, 992 patients were included in the data analysis (n = 496, COVID-19; n = 496, non-COVID-19) after matching. The overall incidence of perioperative adverse events was significantly higher in the COVID-19 group than in the non-COVID-19 group (odds ratio OR, 1.92; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.89-1.94). The difference was significant for PRAEs (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.96-2.02) but not in escalation of care or mortality. The most pronounced difference between the two groups was observed in instances of high peak inspiratory pressure ≥ 25 cmH2O during the intraoperative period (OR, 11.0; 95% CI, 10.5-11.4). Compared with the non-COVID-19 group, the risk of overall perioperative adverse events was higher in the COVID-19 group diagnosed 0-2 weeks before anesthesia (OR, 6.5; 95% CI, 2.1-20.4) or symptomatic on the anesthesia day (OR, 6.4; 95% CI, 3.30-12.4).CONCLUSIONPediatric patients with the preoperative COVID-19 omicron variant had increased risk of PRAEs. Patients within 2 weeks after COVID-19 or those with symptoms had a higher risk of PRAEs.
In order to verify the statistical performance of the nonparametric tests used in the MARSSIM approach, all plausible contamination distribution types that can be encountered in a survey area should ...be investigated. As the first of such investigations, this study aims to perform the verification for normal distribution of the contamination in a survey area by simulating the collection of random samples from it through the Monte Carlo simulation. The results of the simulations conducted for a total of 81 simulation cases showed that Sign test and WRS test both exhibited an excellent statistical performance: 100% for the former and 98.8% for the latter. Therefore, in final status surveys of the MARSSIM approach, a high statistical performance can be expected in applying the nonparametric hypothesis tests to survey areas whose net contamination can be assumed to be normally distributed.
In this paper, we examine the possible influences of wind and surface vegetation on the dust occurrence over the Asian dust source regions using meteorological and dust information from synoptic ...observation reports and the satellite‐based normalized difference vegetation index for the period 1998–2006. It is found that the wind is the most important parameter controlling dust occurrence and is largely modulated by Mongolian cyclonic activity and the progress of the annual monsoon. By combining the spatial and temporal variations in the wind with the land cover types, the dust source regions are classified into three subregions: (1) region I, the nonvegetated Taklimakan region, with dust occurrence in spring and summer despite the persistent weak wind throughout the year; (2) region II, the nonvegetated regions of northern China and southern Mongolia, with significant temporal variations in both dust occurrence and wind speed; and (3) region III, the vegetated areas with dust occurrence mostly in spring. It is found that region I is most susceptible to wind because of the fine particles and smooth ground surface present. In the vegetated region (region III), the probability of dust occurrence seems to increase exponentially with wind speed but decreases with increasing vegetation. Accordingly, dust occurrence seems to be substantially suppressed after April because of the weaker Mongolian cyclonic activity and seasonal monsoon progress after April, concomitant with increasing vegetation.
Acquired myasthenia gravis (MG) is a prototype autoimmune disease of the neuromuscular junction, caused in most patients by autoantibodies to the muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR). There ...seem to be ethnic and regional differences in the frequency and clinical features of MG seronegative for the AChR antibody. This study aimed to describe the autoantibody profiles and clinical features of Korean patients with generalized MG seronegative for the AChR antibody. A total of 62 patients with a high index of clinical suspicion of seronegative generalized MG were identified from 18 centers, and we examined their sera for antibodies to clustered AChR, muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK), and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4) by cell-based assays (CBA) and to MuSK by radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA). We also included 8 patients with ocular MG, 3 with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, 5 with motor neuron disease, and 9 with other diagnoses as comparators for the serological testing. Antibodies were identified in 25/62 (40.3%) patients: 7 had antibodies to clustered AChR, 17 to MuSK, and 2 to LRP4. Three patients were double seropositive: 1 for MuSK and LRP4, and 2 for MuSK and clustered AChR. The patients with MuSK antibodies were mostly female (88.2%) and characterized by predominantly bulbar involvement (70%) and frequent myasthenic crises (58.3%). The patients with antibodies to clustered AChR, including 2 with ocular MG, tended to have a mild phenotype and good prognosis.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
To investigate the prevalence, mortalities, and patient characteristics of Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) according to the AARC (Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver ACLF ...Research Consortium) and European Association for the Study of the Liver CLIF-C (Chronic Liver Failure Consortium) definitions.
We collected retrospective data for 1470 hospitalized patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) and acute deterioration between January 2013 and December 2013 from 21 university hospitals in Korea.
Of the patients assessed, the prevalence of ACLF based on the AARC and CLIF-C definitions was 9.5% and 18.6%, respectively. The 28-day and 90-day mortality rates were higher in patients with ACLF than in those without ACLF. Patients who only met the CLIF-C definition had significantly lower 28-day and 90-day survival rates than those who only met the AARC definition (68.0% vs. 93.9%, P<0.001; 55.1% vs. 92.4%, P<0.001). Among the patients who had non-cirrhotic CLD, the 90-day mortality of the patients with ACLF was higher than of those without ACLF, although not significant (33.3% vs. 6.0%, P = 0.192). Patients with previous acute decompensation (AD) within 1- year had a lower 90-day survival rate than those with AD more than 1 year prior or without previous AD (81.0% vs. 91.9% or 89.4%, respectively, all P<0.001). Patients who had extra-hepatic organ failure without liver failure had a similar 90-day survival rate to those who had liver failure as a prerequisite (57.0% vs. 60.6%, P = 0.391).
The two ACLF definitions result in differences in mortality and patient characteristics among ACLF patients. We suggest that non-cirrhotic CLD, previous AD within 1 year, and extra-hepatic organ failure should be included in the ACLF diagnostic criteria. In addition, further studies are necessary to develop a universal definition of ACLF.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Background:
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) targets astrocytes and elevates the levels of astrocyte-injury markers during attacks. FAM19A5, involved in reactive gliosis, is secreted by ...reactive astrocytes following central nervous system (CNS) damage.
Objective:
To investigate the significance of serum FAM19A5 in patients with NMOSD.
Methods:
We collected clinical data and sera of 199 patients from 11 hospitals over 21 months. FAM19A5 levels were compared among three groups: NMOSD with positive anti-aquaporin-4 antibody (NMOSD-AQP4), other CNS demyelinating disease, and healthy controls.
Results:
The median serum FAM19A5 level was higher in the NMOSD-AQP4 (4.90 ng/mL (3.95, 5.79)) than in the other CNS demyelinating (2.35 ng/mL (1.83, 4.07), p < 0.001) or healthy control (1.02 ng/mL (0.92, 1.14), p < 0.001) groups. There were significant differences in the median serum FAM19A5 levels between the attack and remission periods (5.89 ng/mL (5.18, 6.98); 4.40 ng/mL (2.72, 5.13), p < 0.001) in the NMOSD-AQP4 group. Sampling during an attack (p < 0.001) and number of past attacks (p = 0.010) were independently associated with increased serum FAM19A5.
Conclusion:
Serum FAM19A5 was higher in patients with NMOSD-AQP4 and correlated with clinical characteristics. Thus, serum FAM19A5 may be a novel clinical biomarker for NMOSD-AQP4.
•NASA-GOLD obtained 2D images of low-latitude blobs above Africa.•Multiple LEO satellites complementarily observed the blobs: ICON, COSMIC-2, Swarm, and NextSat-1.•The two events in Africa generally ...support the previous case study in Central/South America.
Low-latitude plasma blobs are localized density enhancements of electron density that are occasionally observed in the night-time tropical ionosphere. Two-dimensional (2D) imaging of this phenomenon has been rare and frequently restricted to Central/South America, which is densely covered with ground-based airglow imagers and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers. In Africa, on the contrary, no 2D image of a blob has been reported. Here we present two low-latitude blob events above Africa, one in the Northern summer and the other in winter, in the 2-dimensional Far-UltraViolet (FUV) images from the Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission. Additionally, multiple satellites (four spacecraft per event) on the Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) encountered the blob events, some within the GOLD images and some outside. The LEO data support the robustness of GOLD observations and bridge time gaps between the consecutive images. Properties of the two blob events above Africa generally support the conclusions in a previous case study for Central/South America. Plasma therein exhibited higher O+ fraction and faster ion flow toward outer L-shells than the ambient. The blobs were conjugate to locally intensified Equatorial Ionization Anomaly crests without conspicuous equatorward-westward propagation. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of GOLD and multiple LEO satellites in monitoring the ionosphere above Africa, which is a fascinating laboratory of low-latitude electrodynamics but still waiting for more observatories to be deployed.
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