Near-Infrared Photometry of the Star Clusters in the Dwarf Irregular Galaxy IC 5152

We present JHK-band near-infrared photometry of star clusters in the dwarf irregular galaxy IC 5152. After excluding possible foreground stars, a number of candidate star clusters are identified in the near-infrared images of IC 5152, which include young populations. Especially, five young star clusters are identified in the (J-H, H-K) two color diagram and the total extinction values toward these clusters are estimated to be A_V =2 - 6 from the comparison with the theoretical values given by the Leitherer et al. (1999)'s theoretical star cluster model.Comment: Accepted by the Journal of the Korean Astronomical Society, 2006 December issue (Vol. 39, No. 4

Ultrasonographic measurement of shoulder subluxation in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ultrasonographic measurement of shoulder subluxation in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia. DESIGN: Prospective, single blind study. PATIENTS: A total of 41 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia were included (24 men and 17 women, mean age 56 years (standard deviation 11), age range 34-78 years). METHODS: Clinical evaluation of the affected shoulder was assessed using the Motricity Index scores and the Modified Ashworth Scale. Two ultrasonographic measurements were taken to check intra-rater reliability. The shoulder subluxation ratio was determined as the ratio of the radiographic vertical and horizontal distance, and the ultrasonographic lateral and anterior distances in the affected shoulder divided by that in the unaffected shoulder. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficients of the repeated ultrasonographic lateral/anterior distance measurements in the unaffected and affected shoulders were 0.979/0.969 and 0.950/0.947, respectively. Ultrasonographic lateral/anterior distance ratios were negatively correlated with Motricity Index scores of the affected shoulder abduction (r = -0.490, p < 0.001/ r = -0.671, p < 0.001). Ultrasonographic anterior distance ratio was negatively correlated with Modified Ashworth Scale score of the affected shoulder (r = -0.374, p < 0.05). However, there was no correlation between radiographic distance ratios and clinical evaluation scores. CONCLUSION: We strongly recommend ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool to measure the degree of shoulder subluxation in patients with post-stroke hemiplegia

Self-assembled arrays of zinc oxide nanoparticles from monolayer films of diblock copolymer micelles

A hexagonal array of optically active ZnO nanoparticles was synthesized in situ on the solid substrate by utilizing a single-layered film of diblock copolymer micelles as a nanostructured template

Safety and optimal neuroprotection of neu2000 in acute ischemic stroke with reCanalization: study protocol for a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase-II trial

BACKGROUND: The potential of neuroprotective agents should be revisited in the era of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for acute large-artery occlusion because their preclinical effects have been optimized for ischemia and reperfusion injury. Neu2000, a derivative of sulfasalazine, is a multi-target neuroprotectant. It selectively blocks N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and scavenges for free radicals. This trial aimed to determine whether neuroprotectant administration before EVT is safe and leads to a more favorable outcome. METHODS: This trial is a phase-II, multicenter, three-arm, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, blinded-endpoint drug trial that enrolled participants aged ≥ 19 years undergoing an EVT attempt less than 8 h from symptom onset, with baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥ 8, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score ≥ 6, evidence of large-artery occlusion, and at least moderate collaterals on computed tomography angiography. EVT-attempted patients are randomized into control, low-dose (2.75 g), and high-dose (5.25 g) Neu2000KWL over 5 days. Seventy participants per group are enrolled for 90% power, assuming that the treatment group has a 28.4% higher proportion of participants with functional independence than the placebo group. The primary outcome, based on intention-to-treat criteria is the improvement of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at 3 months using a dichotomized model. Safety outcomes include symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 5 days. Secondary outcomes are distributional change of mRS, mean differences in NIHSS score, proportion of NIHSS score 0-2, and Barthel Index > 90 at 1 and 4 weeks, and 3 months. DISCUSSION: The trial results may provide information on new therapeutic options as multi-target neuroprotection might mitigate reperfusion injury in patients with acute ischemic stroke before EVT

Leptomeningeal collaterals are associated with modifiable metabolic risk factors

We seek to identify potentially modifiable determinants associated with variability in leptomeningeal collateral status in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Acute respiratory alkalosis occurring after endoscopic third ventriculostomy -A case report-

An endoscopic third ventriculostomy was performed in a 55-year-old man with an obstructive hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis. The vital signs and laboratory studies upon admission were within the normal limits. Anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide in oxygen and 6% desflurane. The patient received irrigation with approximately 3,000 ml normal saline during the procedure. Anesthesia and operation were uneventful. However, he developed postoperative hyperventilation in the recovery room, and arterial blood gas analysis revealed acute respiratory alkalosis. We report a rare respiratory alkalosis that occurred after an endoscopic third ventriculostomy