The distinct and potentially conflicting effects of tDCS and tRNS on brain connectivity, cortical inhibition, and visuospatial memory.

Noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques, including transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), are emerging as promising tools for enhancing cognitive functions by modulating brain activity and enhancing cognitive functions. Despite their potential, the specific and combined effects of tDCS and tRNS on brain functions, especially regarding functional connectivity, cortical inhibition, and memory performance, are not well-understood. This study aims to explore the distinct and combined impacts of tDCS and tRNS on these neural and cognitive parameters.

Cortical Excitability by Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation as Biomarkers for Seizure Controllability in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Objective: To investigate whether indicators of cortical excitability are good biomarkers of seizure controllability in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Materials And Methods: Three groups of subjects were recruited: those with poorly controlled (PC) TLE (N = 41), well-controlled (WC) TLE (N = 71), and healthy controls (N = 44). Short- and long-latency recovery curves were obtained by paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Application of a stable carbon isotope for identifying Broussonetia papyrifera pollen.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether δC values can be used to identify pollen specie in the atmosphere. A Burkard 7-day recording volumetric spore trap was used to collected pollens in the atmosphere in Tainan City, Taiwan, from January 2 to December 28, 2006, and a light microscope was used to identify the pollen species and concentrations. A Burkard cyclone sampler was used to collect particulate matter and an elemental analyzer with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer was used to analyze the δC values.

Composite Polyelectrolyte Multilayer and Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Nanoparticle Coating on 316L Stainless Steel for Controlled Antibiotic Release and Biocompatibility.

Bacterial infection in wounds or implants can cause osteomyelitis, eventually leading to orthopedic implant failure. In this study, polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) coating comprising collagen as the cationic layer, chitosan as the barrier layer and -poly-glutamic acid as the anionic layer were fabricated onto a 316L stainless steel substrate by spin coating technique. Tetracycline-loaded 57S mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (57S MBG, SiO₂:CaO:P₂O = 57:33:10 by wt%) were introduced into the -poly-glutamic acid layers.

The influences of inter-trial interval on the thermal and thermal pain thresholds in quantitative sensory testing.

Purpose: Thermal threshold and thermal pain threshold determinations are part of quantitative sensory tests. Usually the average of many repeated trials is defined as the threshold. The inter-trial interval (ITI) may have an effect on the later trials.

Power spectral analyses of index finger skin blood perfusion in carpal tunnel syndrome and diabetic polyneuropathy.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the applicability of frequency domain analysis on laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) data recorded from the index fingers of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN). Patients with numbness of the palm were recruited and grouped according to the results of electrophysiological examinations into 2×2 groups by the existence or nonexistence of CTS and/or DPN. Skin blood perfusion was recorded by LDF in both the neutral position and the maximally flexed position (the Phalen test).

Influence of age on thermal thresholds, thermal pain thresholds, and reaction time.

The main goals of this study were to investigate the effect of age on thermal and thermal pain thresholds and reaction time, and to analyze the influence of age-related changes in reaction time on thermal and thermal pain thresholds. Thermal thresholds (warm/cold) and thermal pain thresholds (hot/cold) were evaluated by the method of limits. Visual reaction time was evaluated in a similar way by a customized computer program.

Muscle tone of upper limbs evaluated by quantitative pendulum test in patients with acute cerebellar stroke.

The main objective of this study was to quantify the muscle tone of upper limbs in patients with acute cerebellar stroke. Quantitative pendulum test was conducted, and model analysis was performed. Four parameters (number of swings, relaxation index, stiffness coefficient and damping coefficient) were formulated and the differences between the intact and affected sides were documented.

Predicted unfolding order of the 13 alpha-helices in the catalytic domain of glucoamylase from Aspergillus awamori var. X100 by molecular dynamics simulations.

The unfolding mechanism of the 13 alpha-helices in the catalytic domain of Aspergillus awamori var. X100 glucoamylase was investigated by 200 ps molecular dynamics simulations in explicit water with temperature jump technique. Rather than a simultaneous event, the unfolding of these 13 alpha-helices followed a random ordered mechanism as alpha8-->alpha1-->alpha11-->alpha7-->alpha10-->alpha3-->alpha12-->alpha13-->alpha4-->alpha5-->alpha9-->alpha6-->alpha2.

Protein engineering to improve the thermostability of glucoamylase from Aspergillus awamori based on molecular dynamics simulations.

Twelve mutations were constructed to improve the thermostability of glucoamylase from Aspergillus awamori based on the results of molecular dynamics simulations. The thermal unfolding of the catalytic domain followed a putative hierarchical behavior. In addition, the unfolding of the 13 alpha-helices obeyed the random ordered mechanism, in which the alpha-helices 8, 1 and 11 unfolded more rapidly than the others.

Molecular dynamics simulations of the unfolding of the starch binding domain from Aspergillus niger glucoamylase.

The 600 ps molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the unfolding of the starch binding domain from Aspergillus niger glucoamylase were conducted in vacuum as well as in an external field with the dielectric constant of 80 with temperature jump technique. Electrostatic interactions play an important role in determining the stability of the beta-strands in this domain. The starch binding site 1 is less stable than site 2 since it is more exposed to the surface.

Molecular dynamics simulations of the unfolding mechanism of the catalytic domain from Aspergillus awamori var. X100 glucoamylase.

In this study, 200 ps molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to investigate the unfolding mechanism of the catalytic domain of glucoamylase from Aspergillus awamori var. X100. The unfolding of this domain was suggested to follow a putative hierarchical manner, in which the heavily O-glycosylated belt region from residues T440 to A471 acted as the initiation site, followed by the alpha-helix secondary structure destruction, and then the collapse of the catalytic center pocket.