Transnasal targeted delivery of therapeutics in central nervous system diseases: a narrative review.

Currently, neurointervention, surgery, medication, and central nervous system (CNS) stimulation are the main treatments used in CNS diseases. These approaches are used to overcome the blood brain barrier (BBB), but they have limitations that necessitate the development of targeted delivery methods. Thus, recent research has focused on spatiotemporally direct and indirect targeted delivery methods because they decrease the effect on nontarget cells, thus minimizing side effects and increasing the patient's quality of life.

Aesthetic Genioplasty Based on Strategic Categorization.

Background: Genioplasty is a popular procedure used for lower facial contour correction. Various osteotomy techniques enable us to perform advancement, setback, reduction, or narrowing procedures. Computed tomographic images facilitate preoperative planning in detail.

Angiogenesis in Free-Standing Two-Vasculature-Embedded Scaffold Extruded by Two-Core Laminar Flow Device.

Rapid construction of pre-vascular structure is highly desired for engineered thick tissue. However, angiogenesis in free-standing scaffold has been rarely reported because of limitation in growth factor (GF) supply into the scaffold. This study, for the 1 time, investigated angiogenic sprouting in free-standing two-vasculature-embedded scaffold with three different culture conditions and additional GFs.

Deep learning-based quantitative estimation of lymphedema-induced fibrosis using three-dimensional computed tomography images.

In lymphedema, proinflammatory cytokine-mediated progressive cascades always occur, leading to macroscopic fibrosis. However, no methods are practically available for measuring lymphedema-induced fibrosis before its deterioration. Technically, CT can visualize fibrosis in superficial and deep locations.

Swallowing study using water-soluble contrast agents may increase aspiration sensitivity and antedate oral feeding without respiratory and drug complications: A STROBE-compliant prospective, observational, case-control trial.

Although the modified barium swallowing study (MBSS) is considered the gold standard for assessing aspiration risk, aspiration of lipid-soluble barium can cause chemical pneumonitis or impair radiologic interpretation of the lungs. Water-soluble contrast agents (WSCAs) may avoid these complications while maintaining sensitivity on aspiration. This prospective, observational, case-control cohort trial evaluated all patients >3 years old referred for swallowing study from September 2015 to November 2017.

Synthetic Formatotrophs for One-Carbon Biorefinery.

The use of CO as a carbon source in biorefinery is of great interest, but the low solubility of CO in water and the lack of efficient CO assimilation pathways are challenges to overcome. Formic acid (FA), which can be easily produced from CO and more conveniently stored and transported than CO, is an attractive CO-equivalent carbon source as it can be assimilated more efficiently than CO by microorganisms and also provides reducing power. Although there are native formatotrophs, they grow slowly and are difficult to metabolically engineer due to the lack of genetic manipulation tools.

Five-day rehabilitation of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty using an end-effector gait robot as a neuromodulation blending tool for deafferentation, weight offloading and stereotyped movement: Interim analysis.

Deafferentation and weight offloading can increase brain and spinal motor neuron excitability, respectively. End-effector gait robots (EEGRs) can blend these effects with stereotyped movement-induced neuroplasticity. The authors aimed to evaluate the usefulness of EEGRs as a postoperative neuro-muscular rehabilitation tool.

Escherichia coli is engineered to grow on CO and formic acid.

We engineered Escherichia coli to grow on CO and formic acid alone by introducing the synthetic CO and formic acid assimilation pathway, expressing two formate dehydrogenase genes, fine-tuning metabolic fluxes and optimizing the levels of cytochrome bo and bd-I ubiquinol oxidase. Our engineered strain can grow to an optical density at 600 nm of 7.38 in 450 h, and shows promise as a platform strain growing on CO and formic acid alone.

Coaxial printing of double-layered and free-standing blood vessel analogues without ultraviolet illumination for high-volume vascularised tissue.

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) were coaxially and continuously extruded without ultraviolet illumination using a microfluidic-based nozzle. Type I collagen (3 mg ml) containing HUVECs and a crosslinking reagent (100 mM CaCl) were supplied as the core material. A mixture of 3 mg ml of type I collagen (25%) and 1.

Magnetically guided targeted delivery of erythropoietin using magnetic nanoparticles: Proof of concept.

The objective of this proof-of-concept study was to demonstrate the targeted delivery of erythropoietin (EPO) using magnetically guided magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs).MNPs consisting of a ferric-ferrous mixture (FeCl3·6H2O and FeCl2·4H2O) were prepared using a co-precipitation method. The drug delivery system (DDS) was manufactured via the spray-drying technique using a nanospray-dryer.

Comparison of a novel algorithm quantitatively estimating epifascial fibrosis in three-dimensional computed tomography images to other clinical lymphedema grading methods.

No method has yet been approved for detecting lymphedema fibrosis before its progression. This study assessed the feasibility of computed tomography-based estimation of fibrosis. This observational, cross-sectional study included patients with lymphedema affecting one limb.

Immediate muscle strengthening by an end-effector type gait robot with reduced real-time use of leg muscles: A case series and review of literature.

Background: De-afferentation or non-weight bearing induces rapid cortical and spinal α-motor neuron excitability. Author supposed that an end-effector type gait robot (EEGR) could provide patients with a training condition that was specific enough to activate rapid cortical/spinal neuroplasticity, leading to immediate muscle strengthening. The electromyographic and biomechanical comparisons were conducted.

A multicenter, randomized, open-label comparative study of prabotulinumtoxinA with two different dosages and diverse proportional injection styles for the reduction of gastrocnemius muscle hypertrophy in Asian women.

A botulinum toxin (BTX) injection can be a simple and safe alternative to calf reduction surgery or liposuction without interrupting daily life. However, its optimum dosage and clinical response are not yet well known. A total of 40 patients with bilateral gastrocnemius muscle hypertrophy were enrolled in this study.

Revision malarplasty guided by strategic categorization.

Background: Esthetic reduction malarplasty is popular in East Asia, where a small and balanced facial profile is considered a desirable characteristic. Various surgical techniques have been applied; however, several complications can impact the bony structure and final esthetic appearance. We examined the outcomes of revision malarplasty with regard to strategic assessments to achieve facial balance and skeletal stability.

Effects of robot-(Morning Walk) assisted gait training for patients after stroke: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective:: To investigate the effects of Morning Walk-assisted gait training for patients with stroke.

Design:: Prospective randomized controlled trial.

Setting:: Three hospital rehabilitation departments (two tertiary and one secondary).

Therapeutic time window for the effects of erythropoietin on astrogliosis and neurite outgrowth in an in vitro model of spinal cord injury.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms and the therapeutic time window for preventing astrogliosis with erythropoietin (EPO) treatment after in vitro modeled spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Cultured rat spinal cord astrocytes were treated with kainate and scratching to generate an in vitro model of SCI. EPO (100U/mL or 300U/mL) was added immediately or 2, 4, or 8 hours after injury.

Enhanced Reality Showing Long-Lasting Analgesia after Total Knee Arthroplasty: Prospective, Randomized Clinical Trial.

To overcome the limitation of short-term efficacy of virtual reality (VR), an enhanced reality (ER) analgesia, (combination of the VR, real-time motion capture, mirror therapy [MT]) involving a high degree of patients' presence or embodiment was explored. Patients, who underwent unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA), received ER analgesia. The duration was 5 times a week, for 2 weeks for one group and 5 times a week, for 1 week in the other.

Feasibility and Neurobehavioral Changes of 10-Day Simulated Microgravity in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate feasibility and functional changes of simulated microgravity with 6-degree head-down-tilt (HDT) bed rest in acute ischemic stroke.

Design: Patients without lesions in the cingulate cortex and/or cerebellum were enrolled. They underwent HDT for 30 minutes twice per day for 10 weekdays.

Intermittent Oroesophageal Tube Feeding via the Airway in Patients With Dysphagia.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of the use of the oropharyngeal airway (OPA) during intermittent oroesophageal tube (IOET) feeding.

Methods: Ten patients, who were evaluated using the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), were enrolled. One patient withdrew from the study during the study period.

A Model of Glial Scarring Analogous to the Environment of a Traumatically Injured Spinal Cord Using Kainate.

Objective: To develop an model analogous to the environment of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), the authors evaluated change of astrogliosis following treatments with kainate and/or scratch, and degree of neurite outgrowth after treatment with a kainate inhibitor.

Methods: Astrocytes were obtained from the rat spinal cord. Then, 99% of the cells were confirmed to be GFAP-positive astrocytes.

Ataxic gait following total gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

A 58-year-old woman, who had undergone total gastrectomy for early gastric cancer 9 years previously, visited the outpatient clinic complaining of progressive difficulty in walking for 15 d. Laboratory examinations showed macrocytic anemia and a decreased serum vitamin B12 concentration and increased serum concentrations of folate, vitamin E and copper. Magnetic resonance imaging showed multifocal high signal intensities along the posterior column of the cervical and thoracic spinal cord.

Velopharyngeal Incoordination Caused by Phenytoin-Induced Toxicity.

Phenytoin induces lymphoid proliferation, resulting in complications that can range from tissue hyperplasia to lymphoma. Some of the complications resolve spontaneously after drug discontinuation. This report describes for the first time a case of dysphagia with lack of velopharyngeal coordination and nasopharyngeal reflux combined with massive palatine tonsillar hypertrophy.

Reduction malarplasty using a zygomatic arch-lifting technique.

Background: Broad or excessive malar protrusion is a trait associated with aggression and old age in Asian cultures. Although various methods of shifting the zygoma have been introduced for reduction malarplasty, soft tissue sagging and inadequate bony union still remain great challenges. We have devised an arch-lifting technique that helps overcome these issues.