Maximum carotid intima-media thickness and NT-pro BNP in association with retinal vein occlusion.

The purpose is to clarify the relationship between patients with retinal vein occlusion (RVO), maximal intima-media complex thickness (Max IMT), and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), which is useful in assessing atherosclerosis. This was a retrospective observation, single center study. The patients were 86 RVO patients (male: female = 43:43, mean age 63.

Chiral Van Der Waals Superlattices for Enhanced Spin-Selective Transport and Spin-Dependent Electrocatalytic Performance.

The emergence of the chiral-induced spin-selectivity (CISS) effect offers a new avenue for chiral organic molecules to autonomously manipulate spin configurations, thereby opening up possibilities in spintronics and spin-dependent electrochemical applications. Despite extensive exploration of various chiral systems as spin filters, one often encounters challenges in achieving simultaneously high conductivity and high spin polarization (SP). In this study, a promising chiral van der Waals superlattice, specifically the chiral TiS crystal, is synthesized via electrochemical intercalation of chiral molecules into a metallic TiS single crystal.

A compact and hand-held infection-screening system for use in rapid medical inspection at airport quarantine stations: system design and preliminary validation.

To conduct mass screening and thereby reduce the spread of infection, a compact (13.5 cm × 8.5 cm × 2.

Design an easy-to-use infection screening system for non-contact monitoring of vital-signs to prevent the spread of pandemic diseases.

The outbreak of infectious diseases such as influenza, dengue fever, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are threatening the global health. Especially, developing countries in the South-East Asia region have been at serious risk. Rapid and highly reliable screening of infection is urgently needed during the epidemic season at mass gathering places, such as airport quarantine facilities, public health centers, and hospital outpatients units, etc.

Mechanism of the chaperone-like and antichaperone activities of amyloid fibrils of peptides from αA-crystallin.

The amyloid fibril of a fragment of the substrate binding site of αA-crystallin (αAC(71-88)) exhibited chaperone-like activity by suppressing the aggregation of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and luciferase. By contrast, the amyloid fibril of the cytotoxic fragment of amyloid β protein (Aβ(25-35)) facilitated the aggregation of the same proteins. We have determined the zeta potential of the amyloid fibril by measuring their electrophoretic mobility to study the effects of the surface charge on the modulation of protein aggregation.

Dynamic evaluation of the spinal cord in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy using a kinematic magnetic resonance imaging technique.

Study Design: This prospective study analyzed preoperative and postoperative dynamic changes of the spinal cord in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Objective: (1) To study preoperative kinematic characteristics of the spinal cord in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and compare results with healthy individuals, (2) to understand the dynamic changes of the spinal cord after posterior decompression, and (3) to discover whether the degree of posterior shifting is correlated with surgical outcomes using kinematic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Summary Of Background Data: Laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy increases the space occupied by the spinal cord leading to a decompressive effect on the cord.

Kinetic analysis of the cervical spinal cord in patients after spinous process-splitting laminoplasty using a kinematic magnetic resonance imaging technique.

Study Design: An in vivo flexion-extension magnetic resonance imaging study.

Objective: To evaluate the kinetic changes of the cervical spinal cord after laminoplasty in patients with cervical myelopathy.

Summary Of Background Data: Laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy increases the space occupied by the spinal cord, leading to a decompressive effect on the cord.

Horner's syndrome caused by a thoracic dumbbell-shaped schwannoma: sympathetic chain reconstruction after a one-stage removal of the tumor.

Study Design: A case of Horner's syndrome caused by a thoracic dumbbell-shaped schwannoma is reported.

Objectives: To report a rare case of a mediastinal dumbbell-shaped schwannoma as a cause of Horner's syndrome and to show the result of intercostal nerve grafting for sympathetic chain reconstruction after resection of the sympathetic nerve.

Summary Of Background Data: It has been reported that approximately 10% of neurogenic mediastinal tumors extend through the neural foramen into the spinal canal, creating a dumbbell shape.