Different Modulation of the Cortical Silent Period by Two Phases of Short Interval Intracortical Inhibition

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of 2 phases of short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) on the cortical silent period (SP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single- and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulations (TMSs) at 1 and 2.5ms interstimulus intervals (ISIs) were applied to the left motor cortex in 12 healthy subjects while their right hand muscles were moderately activated. Conditioning stimulation intensity was 90% of the active motor threshold (AMT). Test stimulation intensities were 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 220, 240, 260% of the AMT and at 100% of the maximal stimulator output, the order of which was arranged randomly. The rectified electromyography area of motor evoked potential (MEP) and duration of the SP were measured off-line using a computerized program. RESULTS: At high-test stimulation intensities, MEP areas were saturated in both single- and paired-pulse stimulations, except that saturated MEPs were smaller for the paired-pulse TMS at 1ms ISI than for the other conditions. As the test stimulation intensity increased, SP was progressively prolonged in both single- and paired-pulse stimulations but was shorter in paired-pulse than single-pulse TMS. Overall, the ratio of SP duration/MEP area was comparable between single- and paired-pulse TMS except for the paired-pulse TMS at 1 ms ISI with a test stimulation intensity at 140-180% of the AMT, in which the ratio was significantly higher than in the single pulse TMS. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that 2 phases of SICI modulate MEP saturation and SP duration differently and provide additional evidence supporting the view that 2 phases of SICI are mediated by different inhibitory mechanisms.ope

Preparation and Characterization of Self-Emulsified Docetaxel

The aim of this paper was to prepare a self-microemulsifying docetaxel (Dtx) using PLGA, Tetraglycol, Labrasol, and Cremophor ELP. The prepared Dtx-loaded self-microemulsifying system (SMES) showed the initial size of the range of 80–100 nm with narrow size distribution and the negative zeta-potential values. Its morphology was a spherical shape by atomic force microscopy. In experiment of stability, Dtx-loaded SMES prepared in DW and BSA condition showed good stability at 37∘C for 7 days. The viability of the B16F10 cells incubated with Dtx-loaded SMES, Dtx-solution, and Taxol were decreased as a function of incubation time. In conclusion, we confirmed that Dtx-loaded SMES showed an inhibitory effect for proliferation of B16F10 melanoma cells

Catalytic Performance for Hydrocarbon Production from Syngas on the Promoted Co-Based Hybrid Catalysts; Influence of Pt Contents

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) reaction from syngas was investigated on the Pt-promoted cobalt-based hybrid catalysts prepared by co-precipitation method in a slurry of ZSM-5 (Si/Al=25). The hybrid catalysts were compared with each other for the different content of Pt as a promoter and are characterized using BET, XRD, H2-TPR and NH3-TPD. Their physicochemical properties were correlated with the activity and selectivity of the catalysts. As results, all hybrid catalysts show the C5-C9 yield (%) higher than that of Co-Al2O3/ZSM-5 catalyst. The Pt-promoted hybrid catalysts were found to be more promising towards production of the hydrocarbons of gasoline range and over C10.

Single-stage C6-7 ACDF with T1-2 Oblique Keyhole Transcorporeal Disectomy to Treat Cervico-thoracic Tandem Disc Herniation: A Case Report

Symptomatic cervico-thoracic tandem disc herniation occurs very rarely. On the other hand, cervical disc herniations are common and may be treated via a variety of surgical procedures. Symptomatic upper thoracic disc herniations are extremely rare, and use of a surgical approach in their treatment is controversial due to the narrow operative space within which surgical procedures must be performed. We report an extremely rare case of symptomatic tandem C6-7 and T1-2 disc herniation successfully treated via single-stage, single-incision, C6-7 anterior cervical decompression and fusion, and T1-2 oblique keyhole transcorporeal discectomy. This is the first symptomatic cervico-thoracic tandem disc herniation with its treatment

Spectroscopic ellipsometry and absorption study of Zn1-xMnxO/Al2O3 (0 \u3c= x \u3c= 0.08) thin films

We grow Zn1−xMnxO∕Al2O3 (0⩽x⩽0.08)thin films on sapphire (0001) using radio-frequency sputtering deposition method with Ar and various N2 flow rates. We examine the effect of N2 codoping on the band gap and Mn-related midgap absorption of (Zn,Mn)O. Using spectroscopic ellipsometry, we measure pseudodielectric functions in the spectral range between 1 and 4.5eV. Using the model of Holden et al. [T. Holden et al., Phys. Rev. B56, 4037 (1997)], we determine the uniaxial (Zn,Mn)O dielectric function and the E0 band-gapenergy. The fitted band gap does not change appreciably with increasing Mn composition up to 2%. We find a very large broadening of both the E0 band gap and its exciton partner E0x peaks even for less than 2% of optically determined Mn composition. In ellipsometric spectra, we also find Mn-related 3eV optical structure. In particular, optical absorption spectra with varying N2 gas flow rate show that the Mn-related peak intensity decreases with increasing N2 flux. The decrease of the 3eV Mn-related peak intensity is attributed to increasing N2 flow rate and Mn–N hybridization

Enhanced hemangioblast generation and improved vascular repair and regeneration from embryonic stem cells by defined transcription factors

SummaryThe fetal liver kinase 1 (FLK-1)+ hemangioblast can generate hematopoietic, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). ER71/ETV2, GATA2, and SCL form a core transcriptional network in hemangioblast development. Transient coexpression of these three factors during mesoderm formation stage in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) robustly enhanced hemangioblast generation by activating bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and FLK-1 signaling while inhibiting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, WNT signaling, and cardiac output. Moreover, etsrp, gata2, and scl inhibition converted hematopoietic field of the zebrafish anterior lateral plate mesoderm to cardiac. FLK-1+ hemangioblasts generated by transient coexpression of the three factors (ER71-GATA2-SCL [EGS]-induced FLK-1+) effectively produced hematopoietic, endothelial, and SMCs in culture and in vivo. Importantly, EGS-induced FLK-1+ hemangioblasts, when codelivered with mesenchymal stem cells as spheroids, were protected from apoptosis and generated functional endothelial cells and SMCs in ischemic mouse hindlimbs, resulting in improved blood perfusion and limb salvage. ESC-derived, EGS-induced FLK-1+ hemangioblasts could provide an attractive cell source for future hematopoietic and vascular repair and regeneration

Clinical implementation of whole-genome array CGH as a first-tier test in 5080 pre and postnatal cases

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is currently the most powerful method for detecting chromosomal alterations in pre and postnatal clinical cases. In this study, we developed a BAC based array CGH analysis platform for detecting whole genome DNA copy number changes including specific micro deletion and duplication chromosomal disorders. Additionally, we report our experience with the clinical implementation of our array CGH analysis platform. Array CGH was performed on 5080 pre and postnatal clinical samples from patients referred with a variety of clinical phenotypes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 4073 prenatal cases (4033 amniotic fluid and 40 chorionic villi specimens) and 1007 postnatal cases (407 peripheral blood and 600 cord blood) were studied with complete concordance between array CGH, karyotype and fluorescence <it>in situ </it>hybridization results. Among 75 positive prenatal cases with DNA copy number variations, 60 had an aneuploidy, seven had a deletion, and eight had a duplication. Among 39 positive postnatal cases samples, five had an aneuploidy, 23 had a deletion, and 11 had a duplication.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study demonstrates the utility of using our newly developed whole-genome array CGH as first-tier test in 5080 pre and postnatal cases. Array CGH has increased the ability to detect segmental deletion and duplication in patients with variable clinical features and is becoming a more powerful tool in pre and postnatal diagnostics.</p