Serum Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Are Associated With Autonomic Dysfunction and Impaired Cerebral Autoregulation in Patients With Epilepsy

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) may regulate the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in epilepsy. The present study investigated the role of IGF-1 and BDNF in the regulation of autonomic functions and cerebral autoregulation in patients with epilepsy.Methods: A total of 57 patients with focal epilepsy and 35 healthy controls were evaluated and their sudomotor, cardiovagal, and adrenergic functions were assessed using a battery of ANS function tests, including the deep breathing, Valsalva maneuver, head-up tilting, and Q-sweat tests. Cerebral autoregulation was measured by transcranial doppler during the breath-holding test and the Valsalva maneuver. Interictal serum levels of BDNF and IGF-1 were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.Results: During interictal period, reduced serum levels of BDNF and IGF-1, impaired autonomic functions, and decreased cerebral autoregulation were noted in patients with epilepsy compared with healthy controls. Reduced serum levels of BDNF correlated with age, adrenergic and sudomotor function, overall autonomic dysfunction, and the autoregulation index calculated in Phase II of the Valsalva maneuver, and showed associations with focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures. Reduced serum levels of IGF-1 were found to correlate with age and cardiovagal function, a parameter of cerebral autoregulation (the breath-hold index). Patients with a longer history of epilepsy, higher seizure frequency, and temporal lobe epilepsy had lower serum levels of IGF-1.Conclusions: Long-term epilepsy and severe epilepsy, particularly temporal lobe epilepsy, may perturb BDNF and IGF-1 signaling in the central autonomic system, contributing to the autonomic dysfunction and impaired cerebral autoregulation observed in patients with focal epilepsy

Solution-processed blue/deep blue and white phosphorescent organic light emitting diodes (PhOLEDs) hosted by a polysiloxane derivative with pendant mCP (1, 3-bis(9-carbazolyl)benzene)

The synthesis and characterization is reported of an efficient polysiloxane derivative containing the 1,3-bis(9-carbazolyl)benzene (mCP) moiety as a pendant unit on the polysiloxane backbone. In comparison with mCP, the mCP-polysiloxane hybrid (PmCPSi) has significantly improved thermal and morphological stabilities with a high decomposition temperature (Td = 523 °C) and glass transition temperature (Tg = 194 °C). The silicon–oxygen linkage of PmCPSi prevents intermolecular π-stacking and ensures a high triplet energy level (ET = 3.0 eV). Using PmCPSi as a host, blue phosphorescent organic light emitting devices (PhOLEDs) effectively confine triplet excitons, with efficient energy transfer to the guest emitter and a relatively low turn-on voltage of 5.8 V. A maximum external quantum efficiency of 9.24% and maximum current efficiency of 18.93 cd/A are obtained. These values are higher than for directly analogous poly(vinylcarbazole) (PVK) based devices (6.76%, 12.29 cd/A). Good color stability over a range of operating voltages is observed. A two-component “warm-white” device with a maximum current efficiency of 10.4 cd/A is obtained using a blend of blue and orange phosphorescent emitters as dopants in PmCPSi host. These results demonstrate that well-designed polysiloxane derivatives are highly efficient hosts suitable for low-cost solution-processed PhOLEDs

Individual Fit Testing of Hearing-Protection Devices Based on Microphones in Real Ears among Workers in Industries with High-Noise-Level Manufacturing

Hearing-protection devices (HPDs) are particularly important in protecting the hearing of workers. The aim of this study was to prevent hearing damage in workplaces in Taiwan. It was conducted to determine the actual sound attenuation of the personal attenuation rating (PAR) values when wearing HPDs via measurements from field microphones in workers’ real ears (F-MIRE). Across 105 measurement trials for the Classic™ roll-down foam earplug HPDs worn by the workers, there were 23 cases of ineffective protection (including caution and fail); the proportion was 20% (including the first measurement and re-wear of HPDs after education and training). In addition, re-education and training in how to wear the HPDs was provided, improving wearing skills. A total of 29 testees wearing the Classic™ roll-down foam earplug HPDs failed to meet the pass standard for the first PAR test, and 6 of them improved and subsequently passed the PAR test. The improvement rate was 20%. These 23 testees switched to another HPD, namely Kneading-Free Push-Ins™ earplugs. From this group, 16 effective sound attenuation values were obtained, with an improvement rate of 70%. However, seven testees failed to pass the PAR test, and after education, training, and replacement of HPDs with different types, they still could not pass the PAR test. At that time, even if the UltraFit™ pre-molded earplugs were adopted again for wear and replacement, they were still unable to pass the PAR test. This HPD was eventually replaced with the PELTOR X4A Earmuff HPD and then tested again, with these HPDs finally passing the PAR test. In Taiwan, the use of fit testing has been increasing but it is not a common practice, and few studies on hearing-protection fit testing have been conducted in this country. The goal of this study was to gain more insight into the current hearing protection situation, including field attenuation of HPDs obtained by workers, the effects of training on improving the attenuation of HPDs after F-MIRE measurements, and the awareness of hearing health and motivation on the use of HPDs in a high-noise-level environment

Influences of Technological Attributes and Environmental Factors on Technology Commercialization

Technology commercialization, Technological attributes, Environmental factors, Market potential, Green technology,