Neuroimaging for Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease: a Review.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects people above the age of 60 all around the world. As of now, the cause is unknown and there is no effective cure. The pathological changes of AD have occurred many years before the onset of the disease, and current treatment techniques can only delay the progression of the disease.

Grey matter alterations in generalized anxiety disorder: A voxel-wise meta-analysis of voxel-based morphometry studies.

Objective: Grey matter, a crucial component of the brain, has been found altered in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) of several voxel-based morphometry studies. The conclusive and consistent grey matter alterations in GAD have not been confirmed.

Method: Eleven voxel-based morphometry studies of GAD patients were included in the current systematic review and meta-analysis.

Monorail snare technique for retrieval of stretched coil.

Coil stretching is a recognized complication during cerebral aneurysm embolization. For over a decade, the microsnare has proven effective in retrieving migrated coils. Fiorella et al.

Coil embolization of distal vascular lesion using a 1.5 Fr Marathon microcatheter and 'free-running' technique.

In distal vascular lesions, such as the distal anterior inferior cerebellar artery or posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) dissecting aneurysm, and dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) and arteriovenous malformation (AVM), super-selective catheterization and embolization using liquid agents, such as NBCA or Onyx liquid embolic system, is the preferred treatment.1 2 We used a flow-directed 1.5 Fr Marathon microcatheter (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN, USA) for embolization because commonly used detachable coil-compatible microcatheters can be too short or rigid for superselection.

Transvenous embolization of a direct carotid-cavernous fistula through the pterygoid plexus approach.

We present a transvenous embolization technique for a direct carotid-cavernous fistula through the pterygoid plexus to the cavernous sinus which only 2 cases have been previously reported in the English literature. This method is appropriate when transarterial techniques or other attempts at transvenous access have failed due to vessel tortuosity, hypoplasia, stenosis, or occlusion. A middle-aged female patient presented with progressive left exophthalmos with conjunctiva chemosis and bruit after sustaining a falling injury.

Reactive Oxygen Species and Inflammatory Responses of Macrophages to Substrates with Physiological Stiffness.

Macrophages play essential roles in innate immunity and their functions can be activated by different signals at pathological sites. Concerning changes in the rigidity of the microenvironment as a disease progresses, the influence of stiffened substrates on macrophage physiology remains elusive. In this study, to evaluate the effect of stiffened substrates on macrophages, we used J774A.

Evaluation of plant seed DNA and botanical evidence for potential forensic applications.

Seeds, the reproductive organs of plants, are common as trace evidence from crime scenes. Seed evidence could be grouped into several categories based on the types of crimes they are associated with, including child abuse, homicides and drugs. Most commonly, seeds are examined microscopically and identified to the plant species level to show a linkage between persons and places.

An evaluation of tactile symbols in public environment for the visually impaired.

This study evaluated the identification performance of a set of tactile symbols used in public environments for the visually impaired. A questionnaire survey was carried out to investigate the public environment needs from 60 visually impaired associations. A two-stage experiment with a matching test was then conducted to explore the identification efficiency of graphic tactile public information symbols.

The acute effect of exposure to noise on cardiovascular parameters in young adults.

Objective: In this study, an experiment was conducted to examine whether noise exposure produced acute changes in cardiovascular responses, and whether these responses differed based on psycho-acoustic parameters to noises of low to high intensity.

Methods: Thirty healthy subjects were enrolled. Three industrial noises were binaurally presented with a supra-aural earphone.

Assessment of a simple obstacle detection device for the visually impaired.

A simple obstacle detection device, based upon an automobile parking sensor, was assessed as a mobility aid for the visually impaired. A questionnaire survey for mobility needs was performed at the start of this study. After the detector was developed, five blindfolded sighted and 15 visually impaired participants were invited to conduct travel experiments under three test conditions: (1) using a white cane only, (2) using the obstacle detector only and (3) using both devices.

DNA analysis of digested tomato seeds in stomach contents.

Examination of stomach contents is one of the important steps in medical legal autopsy. Vegetative materials such as stems, roots, and seeds in stomach contents can be valuable evidence for providing investigative leads in death investigation. Currently, the identification of plant materials relies on microscopic and morphologic examination.

DNA analysis of ingested tomato and pepper seeds.

Ingested food is one of the important types of forensic evidence obtained during a medicolegal autopsy. Many materials containing seeds pass through the human digestive system and are still recognizable; thus, they can be valuable for providing investigative leads. Currently, the identification of seeds relies on microscopic and morphologic examination.

Forensic botany: using plant evidence to aid in forensic death investigation.

Forensic botany is still an under-utilized resource in forensic casework, although it has been used on occasion. It is an area of specialty science that could include traditional botanical classification of species, DNA, or materials evidence (trace and transfer evidence), crime mapping or geo-sourcing, all dependent on the specific case application under consideration. Critical to the evaluation of plant evidence is careful collection, documentation, and preservation for later scientific analysis.

A three-dimensional mathematical model for predicting spinal joint force distribution during manual liftings.

OBJECTIVE: A three-dimensional dynamic mathematical model was developed to discover what loads are imposed on the lumbar structures by performance of asymmetric manual liftings. DESIGN: An external model was used to estimate the intersegmental resultant forces and moments at the L(5)/S(1) joint in this dynamic biomechanical model. Using an optimization algorithm, an internal model then distributed the intersegmental resultants to forces of muscle, disc, facet joints, and ligaments.