Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of colored peppers ( L.).

Peppers are spices consumed all around the world. This study evaluated the physicochemical properties and antioxidant activities of red, orange, yellow, green, and purple peppers. Total capsaicinoids showed the highest concentration in the green pepper (2416.

Transdural Revascularization by Multiple Burrhole After Erythropoietin in Stroke Patients With Cerebral Hypoperfusion: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: In patients with acute symptomatic stroke, reinforcement of transdural angiogenesis using multiple burr hole (MBH) procedures after EPO (erythropoietin) treatment has rarely been addressed. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of cranial MBH procedures under local anesthesia for augmenting transdural revascularization after EPO treatment in patients with stroke with perfusion impairments.

Methods: This prospective, randomized, blinded-end point trial recruited patients with acute ischemic stroke with a perfusion impairment of grade ≥2 within 14 days of symptom onset, steno-occlusive mechanisms on imaging examinations, and absence of transdural collaterals on transfemoral cerebral angiography.

Prognostic Effects of Vasomotor Reactivity during Targeted Temperature Management in Post-Cardiac Arrest Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Early and precise neurological prognostication without self-fulfilling prophecy is challenging in post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS), particularly during the targeted temperature management (TTM) period. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of vasomotor reactivity (VMR) using transcranial Doppler (TCD) to determine whether final outcomes of patients with comatose PCAS are predicted. This study included patients who had out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in a tertiary referral hospital over 4 years.

Correction: Stepwise stroke recognition through clinical information, vital signs, and initial labs (CIVIL): Electronic health record-based observational cohort study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Prediction of Infarct Growth and Neurological Deterioration in Patients with Vertebrobasilar Artery Occlusions.

We aimed to identify predictors of infarct growth and neurological deterioration (ND) in vertebrobasilar occlusions (VBOs) with a focus on clinical-core mismatch. From 2010 to 2018, VBO patients were selected from a university hospital registry. In total, 138 VBO patients were included.

Optic nerve sheath diameter change in prediction of malignant cerebral edema in ischemic stroke: an observational study.

Background: In acute large anterior circulation infarct patients with large core volume, we evaluated the role of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) change rates in prediction of malignant progression.

Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study including patients with anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke with large ischemic cores from January 2010 to October 2017. Primary outcome was defined as undergoing decompressive surgery or death due to severe cerebral edema, and termed malignant progression.

The Clinical Usefulness of Targeted Temperature Management in Acute Ischemic Stroke with Malignant Trait After Endovascular Thrombectomy.

Background/objective: Targeted temperature management (TTM) may be more beneficial after endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with a large ischemic core. Therefore, we assessed the usefulness of TTM for such patients from a multicenter endovascular registry.

Methods: Anterior circulation stroke patients who underwent endovascular recanalization were included; acute ischemic stroke with malignant traits was designated as (1) baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) below 6 and (2) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesion volume measurement (> 82 ml) or National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score > 20 and item Ia > 0.

Stepwise stroke recognition through clinical information, vital signs, and initial labs (CIVIL): Electronic health record-based observational cohort study.

Background: Stroke recognition systems have been developed to reduce time delays, however, a comprehensive triaging score identifying stroke subtypes is needed to guide appropriate management. We aimed to develop a prehospital scoring system for rapid stroke recognition and identify stroke subtype simultaneously.

Methods And Findings: In prospective database of regional emergency and stroke center, Clinical Information, Vital signs, and Initial Labs (CIVIL) of 1,599 patients suspected of acute stroke was analyzed from an automatically-stored electronic health record.

Optimal Multiphase Computed Tomographic Angiography-based Infarct Core Estimations for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

We evaluated the best methods for predicting various infarct core thresholds for endovascular treatment of ischemic stroke using parameters obtained by multiphase computed tomographic angiography (mCTA). Consecutive patients evaluated for endovascular treatment who concomitantly underwent mCTA and stroke magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were analyzed. The ability of CTA-based collaterals (single-phase [sCTAc] and multiphase [mCTAc]) and ASPECTS or their combined interpretation for the selection of patients with cores of <31 ml and <70 ml, and ≥100 ml, were compared.

Cranial burr hole with erythropoietin administration induces reverse arteriogenesis from the enriched extracranium.

It is challenging to revitalize ischemic penumbra after an acute stroke with intracranial perfusion insufficiency. To evaluate whether cranial burr hole and erythropoietin (EPO) generate effective revascularization, we investigated the efficacy of the augmentation method for reverse arteriogenesis from the healthy extracranial milieu. An intracranial perfusion insufficiency was created through bilateral internal carotid artery ligation (bICAL) in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Low Testosterone Level as a Predictor of Poststroke Emotional Disturbances: Anger Proneness and Emotional Incontinence.

Background: The role of sex hormones in poststroke mood and emotional disturbances is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the impact of sex hormones on poststroke emotional disturbance, especially anger proneness (AP) and emotional incontinence (EI). We also investigated whether statins, which are widely used for stroke prevention, affect sex hormone levels or the presence of poststroke AP/EI based on the hypothesis that intensive treatment with statins would inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol, the preferred substrate of testosterone.

Feasibility of Multiple Burr Hole With Erythropoietin in Acute Moyamoya Patients.

Background And Purpose: In patients with acute symptomatic moyamoya (<2 weeks), the feasibility of a combination therapy of multiple burr hole procedure under local anesthesia and intravenous erythropoietin pretreatment was assessed. We also identified the factors associated with transdural revascularization.

Methods: In this prospective single-arm study, perfusion-impaired patients presenting with transient ischemic attack or acute cerebral infarction were assessed.

Erythrocyte Fraction Within Retrieved Thrombi Contributes to Thrombolytic Response in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Recent advent of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) enables us to provide a new perspective on the use of tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) through histological analysis of retrieved thrombus. We investigated the responsiveness of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) according to the thrombus composition in EVT-attempted patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: We reviewed 92 consecutive patients with anterior circulation stroke who received combined IVT and EVT for 2 years.

Central and cerebral haemodynamic changes after antihypertensive therapy in ischaemic stroke patients: A double-blind randomised trial.

Central and cerebral haemodynamic parameters can vary under similar brachial blood pressure (BP). We aimed to investigate the effects of antihypertensive agents on central and cerebral haemodynamic parameters in hypertensive patients with ischaemic stroke. The Fimasartan, Atenolol, and Valsartan On haemodynamic paRameters (FAVOR) study was conducted in a prospective, double-blinded manner.

Cardiac sympathetic denervation and dementia in de novo Parkinson's disease: A 7-year follow-up study.

Background: Postganglionic cardiac sympathetic denervation is evident in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD). Cardiac iodine-123-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) uptake is correlated with the non-motor symptoms of PD, suggesting that low cardiac MIBG uptake may reflect wider alpha-synuclein pathology. In addition, low cardiac MIBG could be related to orthostatic hypotension in PD, which may affect cognition.

Cilostazol improves endothelial function in acute cerebral ischemia patients: a double-blind placebo controlled trial with flow-mediated dilation technique.

Background: In order to evaluate the impact of cilostazol on endothelial function, we compared the changes of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) between aspirin and cilostazol groups in patients with acute cerebral ischemia.

Methods: Patients presenting with acute cerebral ischemic events were randomly assigned into aspirin (n = 40) or cilostazol (n = 40) group in a double-blinded manner. FMD was measured at baseline (T0) and 90 days (T1).

Useful Computed Tomography Score for Estimation of Early Neurologic Outcome in Post-Cardiac Arrest Patients With Therapeutic Hypothermia.

Background: The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) is used to assess early ischemic stroke damage. This study compared bilateral ASPECTS (ASPECTS-b) with the gray:white matter ratio (GWR) and quantitative regional abnormality (QRA) to evaluate the prognostic utility of early computed tomography (CT) findings in post-cardiac arrest patients.

Methods and results: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) who underwent brain CT (<6 h after onset) and therapeutic hypothermia were recruited from a university hospital over a 2-year period.

Effect of smart phone use on dynamic postural balance.

[Purpose] The present study investigated what kind of effect smart phone use has on dynamic postural balance. [Subjects] The study subjects were 30 healthy students in their 20's who were recruited from a University in Busan, Korea. [Methods] The present experiment was quasi-experimental research which measured the postural balance (Biodex) of subjects while they sent text messages via smart phones in the standing position with the eyes open, and while they used two-way SNS.