Summary
Although different injection locations for retrolaminar and erector spinae plane blocks have been described, the two procedures have a similar anatomical basis. In this cadaveric study we ...compared anatomical spread of dye in the thoracic region following these two procedures. Following randomisation, 10 retrolaminar blocks and 10 erector spinae plane blocks were performed on the left or right sides of 10 unembalmed cadavers. For each block, 20 ml of dye solution was injected at the T5 level. The back regions were dissected and the involvement of the thoracic spinal nerve was also investigated. Twenty blocks were successfully completed. A consistent vertical spread, with deep staining between the posterior surface of the vertebral laminae and the overlaying transversospinalis muscle was observed in all retrolaminar blocks. Moreover, most retrolaminar blocks were predominantly associated with fascial spreading in the intrinsic back muscles. With an erector spinae plane block, dye spread in a more lateral pattern than with retrolaminar block, and fascial spreading in the back muscles was also observed. The number of stained thoracic spinal nerves was greater with erector spinae plane blocks than with retrolaminar blocks; median 2.0 and 3.5, respectively. Regardless of technique, the main route of dye spread was through the superior costotransverse ligament to the ipsilateral paravertebral space. Although erector spinae plane blocks were associated with a slightly larger number of stained thoracic spinal nerves than retrolaminar blocks, both techniques were consistently associated with posterior spread of dye and with limited spread to the paravertebral space.
The relativistic magnetron is one of the most attractive high-power microwave sources, due to its compactness with high efficiency. It can generate hundreds of megawatts of microwave power in the L- ...and S-bands. However, the efficiency of the magnetron is often limited due to the mode stability. In this Letter, three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation suggests even further increase of total efficiency of the magnetron can be realised via mode stabilisation using a self-excited extended interaction in a collector region. A six-vaned radial relativistic magnetron with a single radial output port powered by 400 kV, <10 kA electron beam with a 70 ns pulse demonstrates >900 MW with an efficiency of ∼48%. This improvement is attributed to the mode locking of operating π-mode by a power-boosted TE315 mode excited in the extended cavity.
We statistically examined the plasmapause location (Lpp) under quiet geomagnetic conditions (Kp ≤ 1) using the electron density inferred from the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions ...during Substorms (THEMIS) spacecraft potential for 2 year period (2008 and 2009). Five hundred forty‐three Lpp samples were identified under steady quiet conditions with Kp values ≤ 1 during 12 h prior to the plasmapause crossing. From our large data set, we determined the medians and means of Lpp in L and magnetic local time (MLT). They are located near geosynchronous orbit and nearly circular. The Lpp medians show a slight bulge located in postdusk sector. Comparing with previous models, our median or mean Lpp is extended ∼1–2 L from the Earth than the model Lpp along the local time from 0800 to 2400 MLT. That is, Lpp locations in the previous models are underestimated during quiet geomagnetic conditions.
Key Points
Plasmapause locations under quiet geomagnetic conditions
Plasmaspheric bulge in the dusk sector
Quiet time plasmapause extended toward geosynchronous orbit
The scale and capabilities of single-cell RNA-sequencing methods have expanded rapidly in recent years, enabling major discoveries and large-scale cell mapping efforts. However, these methods have ...not been systematically and comprehensively benchmarked. Here, we directly compare seven methods for single-cell and/or single-nucleus profiling-selecting representative methods based on their usage and our expertise and resources to prepare libraries-including two low-throughput and five high-throughput methods. We tested the methods on three types of samples: cell lines, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and brain tissue, generating 36 libraries in six separate experiments in a single center. To directly compare the methods and avoid processing differences introduced by the existing pipelines, we developed scumi, a flexible computational pipeline that can be used with any single-cell RNA-sequencing method. We evaluated the methods for both basic performance, such as the structure and alignment of reads, sensitivity and extent of multiplets, and for their ability to recover known biological information in the samples.
Summary
Both weight gain and weight loss in type 2 diabetic population were associated with increased risk of hip fracture, while maintaining weight lowered the risk of hip fracture. Regarding the ...risk of hip fracture, we can propose active monitoring to maintain the weight of type 2 diabetes patients.
Introduction
In type 2 diabetes, patients are often asked to control their weight in order to reduce their diabetic morbidity. The American Diabetes Association recommends that diabetic patients conduct high-intensity interventions for regulating diet, physical activity, and behavior to reduce weight, followed by long-term comprehensive weight maintenance programs. Although such weight control attempts are required in diabetic patients, there are few studies on the effect of weight change on hip fracture in this population. We aim to investigate the association between body weight change and the incidence of hip fracture in subjects with type 2 diabetes using large-scale, nationwide cohort data on the Korean population.
Materials and methods
A total of 1,447,579 subjects (894,204 men and 553,375 women) > 40 years of age, who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, were enrolled in this study. Weight change within 2 years was divided into five categories: from weight loss ≥ 10% to weight gain ≥ 10%. The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals for the incidence of hip fracture were analyzed, compared with the reference of the stable weight group (weight change < 5%).
Results
Among 5 weight change groups, more than 10% weight loss showed the highest HR (HR, 1.605; 95% CI, 1.493 to 1.725), followed by more than 10% weight gain (HR, 1.457; 95% CI, 1.318 to 1.612). The effect of weight change on hip fracture risk was greater in males than in females, and those under 65 years of age were greater than those over 65 years of age. Baseline BMI did not play a role of weight change affecting the risk of hip fracture. The HR for hip fracture of subjects with regular exercise was lower than those without regular exercise.
Conclusions
In the type 2 diabetes population, both weight gain and weight loss were significantly associated with a higher risk of hip fracture, whereas maintaining body weight reduced the risk of hip fracture the most.
Background and purpose
In 2013, the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) introduced a novel pooled cohort risk (PCR) model for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. ...In this study, we evaluated the relationship between the PCR score and cerebral large‐ and small‐vessel diseases (cLVD and cSVD) in a healthy population,
Methods
We assessed consecutive health check‐up volunteers from 2006 to 2013. We calculated the estimated 10‐year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk as the PCR score based on the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines. We evaluated both cSVD/cLVD, including the prevalence of cLVD, lacunes and cerebral microbleed (CMB), and the volume of white matter hyperintensity (WMH). In addition to PCR score, the risk factors that were associated with outcome variables at P < 0.10 in univariate analysis were included for further multivariable linear or regression analyses.
Results
A total of 2720 participants were evaluated (mean age, 57 years, male sex, 54%). In multivariable analysis, PCR score was associated with WMH volume β = 0.361; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.320–0.402, P < 0.001, cLVD adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.66; 95% CI, 1.29–2.16, P < 0.001, lacunes (aOR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.52–2.14, P < 0.001) and CMBs (aOR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.40–2.19, P < 0.001). Furthermore, PCR score also showed dose‐response tendencies according to the burden of cLVD, WMH, lacunes and CMB.
Conclusions
A higher PCR score based on the ACC/AHA guidelines is closely associated with a higher prevalence and burden of cLVD and cSVD.
Covering: up to February 2016Identification of the target proteins of natural products is pivotal to understanding the mechanisms of action to develop natural products for use as molecular probes and ...potential therapeutic drugs. Affinity chromatography of immobilized natural products has been conventionally used to identify target proteins, and has yielded good results. However, this method has limitations, in that labeling or tagging for immobilization and affinity purification often result in reduced or altered activity of the natural product. New strategies have recently been developed and applied to identify the target proteins of natural products and synthetic small molecules without chemical modification of the natural product. These direct and indirect methods for target identification of label-free natural products include drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS), stability of proteins from rates of oxidation (SPROX), cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), thermal proteome profiling (TPP), and bioinformatics-based analysis of connectivity. This review focuses on and reports case studies of the latest advances in target protein identification methods for label-free natural products. The integration of newly developed technologies will provide new insights and highlight the value of natural products for use as biological probes and new drug candidates.
Background and purpose
Although non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) shares common cardiovascular risk factors with cerebral white matter hyperintensity (WMH), few studies have reported the ...association between NAFLD and WMH. The association between the presence of NAFLD with its severity and the volume of WMH was investigated.
Methods
This cross‐sectional study was conducted for 2460 subjects who voluntarily participated in health screening check‐ups including brain magnetic resonance imaging and liver ultrasonography at the Health Promotion Center at Seoul National University Hospital from 2009 to 2013. Ultrasonography was used to detect the presence and severity of NAFLD combined with the NAFLD fibrosis score and the FIB‐4 index. The volume of WMH was measured using a semi‐automated quantification method by a trained neurologist.
Results
The prevalence of NAFLD was 36.5%, and the median volume of WMH in all the subjects was 1.1 ml (interquartile range 0.2–2.7 ml). The presence of NAFLD was associated with a smaller volume of WMH β (standard error, SE) −0.051 (0.046); P = 0.012. Moderate to severe NAFLD was associated with a smaller volume of WMH than was non‐NAFLD β (SE) −0.067 (0.061); P = 0.002. The negative correlation observed between NAFLD severity and WMH volume was persistent only in those with low FIB‐4 index and low NAFLD fibrosis scores, whereas there was a positive association in those with high FIB‐4 index and NAFLD fibrosis scores.
Conclusions
Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, and its severity, showed a favorable association with WMH volume. However, its causality and mechanism should be evaluated in further relevantly designed studies.
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