Preoperative Novel Magnetic Resonance Fusion Imaging for Carotid Endarterectomy Patients with Contrast Contraindications: A Pilot Study.

Objective: For carotid endarterectomy (CEA) patients with renal dysfunction and allergies to contrast media, we developed a preoperative novel method of noncontrast 3-dimensional magnetic resonance fusion imaging (NC-3DMRFI) which could describe well blood vessels, plaques, and bony structures even in surgical position. In this study, we examined the usefulness of this method.

Methods: We extracted noncontrast magnetic resonance images of bones, blood vessels, and plaques to create a 3-dimensionalusion image.

Conductometric and light scattering studies on the complexation between cationic polyelectrolyte nanogel and anionic polyion.

This work aims to provide a basic understanding of the water dispersibility of a 1:1 stoichiometric polyelectrolyte complex (SPEC) in water in the absence of low-molecular-weight salts. We studied the complexation of a linear polyanion, potassium poly(vinyl alcohol sulfate) (KPVS), with a cationic polyelectrolyte nanogel (CPENG) composed of a lightly cross-linked copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide and 1-vinylimidazole, in an aqueous salt-free solution (pH 3 and 25 °C), as a function of the molar mixing ratio (Mmr) of anionic to cationic groups. Also studied for comparison was the complexation of KPVS with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA), which is a standard reaction in colloid titration.

On the water dispersibility of a 1:1 stoichiometric complex between a cationic nanogel and linear polyanion.

This work aimed to obtain information on the water dispersibility of a 1:1 stoichiometric polyelectrolyte nanogel complex (SPENC). We synthesized a cationic polyelectrolyte nanogel (CPENG) composed of a cross-linked copolymer of 1-vinylimidazole and N-isopropylacrylamide. SPENC was then prepared at 25 degrees C from the mixing of equimolar amounts (based on fixed charges) of CPENG and potassium poly(vinyl alcohol) sulfate, which were dissolved in an aqueous solution without adding salt and at pH 3.

Neurophysiological analyses in different color environments of cognitive function in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Colors are thought to elicit various emotional effects. Red, with its high likelihood of attracting attention, is considered to have an exciting, active effect; whereas green, with its low attention value, is considered to have a relaxing, sedative effect. Colors are also thought to affect human cognition and emotion.

Geometrical characteristics of polyelectrolyte nanogel particles and their polyelectrolyte complexes studied by dynamic and static light scattering.

The geometric characteristics of nanogel particles in aqueous solutions were studied by determining their ratios of radius of gyration (mean-square radius; Rg) to hydrodynamic radius (Rh), Rg/Rh, derived from static light scattering and dynamic light scattering experiments, respectively. The various nanogel samples studied included ones composed of lightly cross-linked N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) polymer, NIPA-based anionic or cationic copolymers, and amphoteric terpolymers. Polyelectrolyte complexes between anionic or cationic nanogels and oppositely charged polyions or nanogels having opposite charges were also studied.