Left dominance of EEG abnormalities in patients with transient global amnesia

AbstractPurposeTransient global amnesia (TGA) is a syndrome of unknown etiology. Electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities in TGA have been reported previously. We analyzed the frequency and characteristics of EEG abnormalities in patients with TGA.MethodsWe collected EEGs of patients with a clinical diagnosis of TGA who had visited the emergency room or the outpatient clinic over a period of 8 years and compared clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients with normal EEGs with those with abnormal EEGs.ResultsEEG abnormalities were found in 35 (22.9%) out of 153 patients and epileptiform discharges were seen in 26 (74.3%) out of these 35 patients. Spikes or sharp waves were detected on the left side only (48.6%) or on both sides (25.7%), but none of the patients showed spikes or sharp waves on right side only. In six patients the EEG had normalized within three months of presentation, in ten within six months, and in twelve by one year. The EEG remained abnormal in eleven out of the 23 patients one year after presentation.ConclusionIn this largest consecutive EEG study at one center, the proportion of patients with TGA in whom epileptiform discharges were demonstrated within days of the episode of TGA was significantly higher than in the previous literature. EEG abnormalities such as spikes or sharp waves spontaneously disappeared in almost half of cases over one-year of follow-up. There was a clear left dominance of EEG abnormalities in patients with TGA

산소환원반응의 전기화학적 반응성을 결정하는 요인인 탄소 결함

Department of Energy EngineeringCarbon-based metal-free electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline media have attracted significant attentions and have been vigorously investigated to replace precious metal-based catalysts. To enhance ORR activities of the metal-free catalysts into the level close to those of precious metals, it is crucial to understand active sites of the carbon-based electrocatalysts. To test a null hypothesis that defects of carbon play an important role of ORR, we used carbon balls that were prepared from glucose solution via hydrothermal process. Defects generated through thermal decomposition of functional groups of as-synthesized carbon balls were controlled by temperature of thermal post-treatment in argon. Degree of defects was quantified by disorder/graphitic (D/G) ratios from Raman spectra and full widths at half maximum (FWHMs) of sp2 C1s peaks from x-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). Higher defect densities were obtained in carbon balls annealed at higher temperatures between 400 oC and 1000 oC. Carbon balls of higher D/G ratios as well as higher FWHMs showed higher ORR activities. However, carbon ball annealed at 2300 oC was deviated from the defect-activity relation: its ORR activity decreased even if high D/G ratio was obtained. At such a high temperature, carbon ball was densified with generating highly developed crystallite phases and more amorphous phases. For comparison, carbon balls annealed at lower temperatures had no clear phase separation and more coarse structure. The densified structure does not allow a portion of defects to be exposed to electrolyte. Therefore, the carbon ball annealed at 2300 oC showed low ORR activity due to its closed defects. Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) confirmed that preferential adsorption of oxygen on defects is responsible for the ORR activity improvement. The role of defects was also confirmed by comparing ORR activities between bare carbon balls and defect-blocked carbon balls obtained by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Blocking defects of carbon balls with Al2O3 which disrupts electron conductivity would badly influence electroactivities of oxygen reduction reaction.ope

Introduction of Deep Learning-Based Infrared Image Analysis to Marginal Reflex Distance1 Measurement Method to Simultaneously Capture Images and Compute Results: Clinical Validation Study

Marginal reflex distance1 (MRD1) is a crucial clinical tool used to evaluate the position of the eyelid margin in relation to the cornea. Traditionally, this assessment has been conducted manually by plastic surgeons, ophthalmologists, or trained technicians. However, with the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology, there is a growing interest in the development of automated systems capable of accurately measuring MRD1. In this context, we introduce novel MRD1 measurement methods based on deep learning algorithms that can simultaneously capture images and compute the results. This prospective observational study involved 154 eyes of 77 patients aged over 18 years who visited Chungnam National University Hospital between 1 January 2023 and 29 July 2023. We collected four different MRD1 datasets from patients using three distinct measurement methods, each tailored to the individual patient. The mean MRD1 values, measured through the manual method using a penlight, the deep learning method, ImageJ analysis from RGB eye images, and ImageJ analysis from IR eye images in 56 eyes of 28 patients, were 2.64 ± 1.04 mm, 2.85 ± 1.07 mm, 2.78 ± 1.08 mm, and 3.07 ± 0.95 mm, respectively. Notably, the strongest agreement was observed between MRD1_deep learning (DL) and MRD1_IR (0.822, p < 0.01). In a Bland–Altman plot, the smallest difference was observed between MRD1_DL and MRD1_IR ImageJ, with a mean difference of 0.0611 and ΔLOA (limits of agreement) of 2.5162, which was the smallest among all of the groups. In conclusion, this novel MRD1 measurement method, based on an IR camera and deep learning, demonstrates statistical significance and can be readily applied in clinical settings

Smartphone-Based LiDAR Application for Easy and Accurate Wound Size Measurement

The accurate assessment of wound size is a critical step in advanced wound care management. This study aims to introduce and validate a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technique for measuring wound size. Twenty-eight wounds treated from December 2022 to April 2023 at the Chungnam National University Hospital were analyzed. All the wounds were measured using three techniques: conventional ruler methods, the LiDAR technique, and ImageJ analysis. Correlation analysis, linear regression, and Bland–Altman plot analysis were performed to validate the accuracy of the novel method. The measurement results (mean ± standard deviation) obtained using the ruler method, LiDAR technique, and ImageJ analysis were 112.99 ± 110.07 cm2, 73.59 ± 72.97 cm2, and 74.29 ± 72.15 cm2, respectively. The Pearson correlation coefficient was higher for the LiDAR application (0.995) than for the conventional ruler methods (mean difference, −5.0000 cm2), as was the degree of agreement (mean difference, 38.6933 cm2). Wound size measurement using LiDAR is a simple and reliable method that will enable practitioners to conveniently assess wounds with a flattened and irregular shape with higher accuracy. However, non-flattened wounds cannot be assessed owing to the technical limitations of LiDAR

Dental and Dental Hygiene Students\u27 Knowledge and Perception on Fluoride Use in Dentistry

AIM: The 75th anniversary of community water fluoridation in the United States was celebrated in 2020. However, there are studies that stimulate polarized discussion over the use of fluoride in dentistry. The purpose of this study was to evaluate dental and dental hygiene students\u27 knowledge and perception of fluoride use in dentistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was conducted to gauge participant\u27s knowledge and perception of fluoride and their opinion on the need for developing viable alternatives to fluoride. An Institutional Review Board (IRB# 5190496) application was filed and approved. A hard copy survey was distributed to all student classes at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry (U.S.) between January 13, 2020, and February 5, 2020. Descriptive data were compiled and analyzed. Knowledge-based questions were compared using Kruskal-Wallis procedure to evaluate correct percentage among different classes. Perception questions were analyzed using a Likert scale and also a Chi-squared test. All tests were two-sided with α at 0.05. RESULTS: Out of 482 students, 282 students responded (58.5%). The mean of correct responses for knowledge ranged from 49 to 69%. There was a statistically significant difference among the classes. Overall the perception of the use of fluoride in dentistry was positive, and it changed with exposure to lectures on fluoride over the years. CONCLUSION: There was a correlation between knowledge and the perception of the use of fluoride in dentistry, indicating the importance of adequate delivery of didactic teaching on knowledge of fluoride to dental and dental hygiene students. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The oral healthcare provider plays a pivotal role in communicating pertinent information on the benefits of fluoride in preventing dental caries to the general public, prompting adequate delivery of didactic teaching on this topic in dental education