Protected carotid artery stenting in patients with severe stenosis.

Intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) and ulcers are the major findings of unstable plaques. In addition, initial symptoms are associated with postprocedural complications after carotid artery stenting (CAS). The aim of this study was to determine the safety of CAS using an embolic protection device in symptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis and unstable plaques such as IPH and ulcers.

Electrochemical Properties According to the Particle Size Effect of Poly(ethylene oxide)-Poly(propylene oxide)-Poly(ethylene oxide) Triblock Copolymer Electrolyte.

The electrolyte of lithium secondary batteries is an important component. Among lithium secondary batteries, the lithium polymer battery, which has similar performance to the lithium secondary battery, is made of a solid polymer electrolyte. Lithium ions in a solid polymer electrolyte exist in the form of a solution by a polar group in a polymer matrix.

Abuse potential of 2-(4-iodo-2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (25INBOMe); in vivo and ex vivo approaches.

25INBOMe ("25-I", "N-Bomb"), one of new psychoactive substances (NPSs), is being abused for recreational purpose. However, the liability for abuse or dependence has not been systematically studied yet. The objective of the present study was to evaluate rewarding and reinforcing effects of 25INBOMe using conditioned place preference (CPP) and self-administration (SA) paradigms.

Rewarding and reinforcing effects of 4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine and AH-7921 in rodents.

New psychoactive substances (NPSs), i.e., newly designed substances with chemical residues that are slightly different from those of known psychoactive substances, have been emerging since the late 2000s, and social problems related to the use of these substances are increasing globally.

Abuse potential and dopaminergic effect of alkyl nitrites.

The abuse of alkyl nitrites is common among adolescents and young adults worldwide. However, the information regarding the effects of alkyl nitrites on the central nervous system and the associated psychological abuse potential is scarce. The abuse potential of 3 representative alkyl nitrites - isobutyl nitrite, isoamyl nitrite, and butyl nitrite - was evaluated in mice using conditioned place preference tests with an unbiased method.

Neurotoxicity induced by alkyl nitrites: Impairment in learning/memory and motor coordination.

Although alkyl nitrites are used as recreational drugs, there is only little research data regarding their effects on the central nervous system including their neurotoxicity. This study investigated the neurotoxicity of three representative alkyl nitrites (isobutyl nitrite, isoamyl nitrite, and butyl nitrite), and whether it affected learning/memory function and motor coordination in rodents. Morris water maze test was performed in mice after administrating the mice with varying doses of the substances in two different injection schedules of memory acquisition and memory retention.

Saikosaponin a, an active compound of Radix Bupleuri, attenuates inflammation in hypertrophied 3T3-L1 adipocytes via ERK/NF-κB signaling pathways.

Bupleurum falcatum L. is employed in oriental medicine in Korea. This root has been used for anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, and anti-hepatotoxic effects in the treatments of common cold, fever, and hepatitis.

Usefulness of permanent tracheostoma in chronic brain injured patients: a case series.

Patients with severe neurological deficit, such as hypoxic ischemic injury, cerebral infarction, and traumatic brain injury, often show comatose mental status and require maintenance of long-term tracheostomy for pulmonary toileting. However, several complications, which are mostly related to the cannula, invariably occur. Permanent tracheostoma is a short, skin-lined, noncollapsing, self-sustaining opening by suturing the denuded skin lining to the margin of the tracheal stoma.

Effect of exercise on balance in persons with mild cognitive impairment.

Background: Individuals with definite cognitive impairment and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) show motor dysfunction.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether exercise changes balance and whether the effects of exercise on balance are different in patients with MCI as compared to the control group.

Methods: Posturography was used to assess balance by measuring the mediolateral and anteroposterior sway distance and sway speed.

Effect of rhythmic auditory stimulation on gait and balance in hemiplegic stroke patients.

Background: Rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS) improves gait velocity, cadence, and stride length in hemiplegic stroke patients, yet little is known about the effectiveness of RAS on standing balance.

Objectives: To examine and compare the effectiveness on standing balance and gait parameter of two different types of gait trainings, gait training with RAS versus gait training without RAS, was compared in two groups of hemiplegic stroke patients over a three-week period (RAS group, n = 8; control group = 8).

Methods: Sixteen hemiplegic stroke patients were included in the study.

Improvement of the working memory and naming by transcranial direct current stimulation.

Objective: To investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied over the prefrontal cortex on the improvement of verbal, visuospatial working memory and naming in healthy adults.

Method: Thirty two healthy adults (15 males and 17 females, mean age 37.3±13.