Detection of blood-brain barrier dysfunction using advanced imaging methods to predict seizures in dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown origin.

Background: The blood-brain barrier (BBB), which separates the intravascular and neuropil compartments, characterizes the vascular bed of the brain and is essential for its proper function. Recent advances in imaging techniques have driven the development of methods for quantitative assessment of BBB permeability.

Hypothesis/objectives: Permeability of the BBB can be assessed quantitatively in dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) and its status is associated with the occurrence of seizures.

Modular plasmonic antennas built of ultrathin silica-shell silver-core nanoparticles.

Dimers of metallic nanoparticles can serve as antennas to locally enhance optical fields through plasmonic excitations. Such dimeric structures can be particularly useful for sensing applications using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). It has been challenging to devise a synthetic scheme that facilitates creating dimer antennas from different types of particles, at the same time allowing control over the size of the gap between the particles and enabling the introduction of any molecule into the gap.

Single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy maps the folding landscape of a large protein.

Proteins attain their function only after folding into a highly organized three-dimensional structure. Much remains to be learned about the mechanisms of folding of large multidomain proteins, which may populate metastable intermediate states on their energy landscapes. Here we introduce a novel method, based on high-throughput single-molecule fluorescence experiments, which is specifically geared towards tracing the dynamics of folding in the presence of a plethora of intermediates.

Profile, burden, and quality of life of Israeli stroke survivor caregivers: a longitudinal study.

The aims of this study were to (1) delineate the sociodemographic profile of Israeli primary caregivers of stroke survivors; (2) examine the changes in caregivers' burden, physical and emotional health, social support network, and quality of life (QOL) during the first 6 months after the stroke occurrence; and (3) identify the predictors of caregivers' QOL for that time period. Primary caregivers (N = 140) were assessed at three intervals during this period: within 2 weeks after the stroke occurrence, in the geriatric rehabilitation ward, and at 3 and 6 months poststroke in the community. Results of the study revealed that during the 6-month period, caregivers' physical health remained stable.

Improving knowledge and skills for use of medication by patients after stroke: evaluation of a nursing intervention.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if a tailored nursing intervention, as opposed to usual rehabilitation care, can improve knowledge and behavioral skills for correct use of medication use in aged stroke patients.

Design: Stratified random sampling created two homogenous groups: 73 intervention patients, who were provided with the nursing intervention program along with usual rehabilitation care, and 82 controls, who underwent usual rehabilitation care alone. Participants were assessed within the first week of admission to the rehabilitation ward, 3 mos after stroke (at the end of the intervention), and 6 mos after stroke.

Structured nursing intervention versus routine rehabilitation after stroke.

Objective: The goal of this study was to examine the effect of a structured, comprehensive nursing intervention on the course of rehabilitation over the first 6 mos after a first-ever stroke.

Design: Intervention (experimental) study. The participants were 155 elderly stroke survivors who were admitted to a geriatric rehabilitation department.