Performance Study of High-Speed Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor with Amorphous Alloy Considering Temperature Effect.

Because the magnetic properties of an amorphous alloy (AA) obviously change with the change of temperature, a finite element simulation method for a motor, considering the effect of temperature, is proposed in this paper. In the early design stage of the high-speed permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), the simulation of motor performance is mainly based on the magnetic performance test data at room temperature provided by the material's manufacturer. However, the influence of the temperature rise during the actual operation of the motor will lead to large errors between the simulation results and the measured results. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to measure the magnetic properties of the AA at different temperatures and use them for simulation purposes. In this paper, the magnetization characteristics and iron loss characteristics of the AA and silicon steel (ST100) used for comparison are measured at different temperatures, and the iron loss separation of the two materials at different temperatures is completed, and the hysteresis loss coefficient and eddy current loss coefficient at different temperatures are obtained. On this basis, the performance simulation of a motor model is carried out. The more accurate simulation method proposed in this paper can provide a reference for the design of AA motors in industry.

Research on the Magnetic Properties of High-Saturation Magnetically Induced Alloy Motors under Magnetocaloric Coupling.

In the face of the rapid development of the motor industry, some motors with traditional soft magnetic materials can no longer meet the needs of the market. Using new high-saturation magnetic density materials has become a new breakthrough to improve the torque density of motors. Fe-Co alloys (1J22) have high-saturation magnetic induction strength, which can effectively improve the motor's magnetic field strength and increase its torque density. At the same time, the temperature rise of the motor is also an important factor to consider in the motor design process. In particular, the change in core temperature caused by loss makes the coupling of the internal temperature field and the electromagnetic field of the motor more common. Therefore, it is necessary to test the temperature and magnetic properties of 1J22 together. In this paper, a coupling measurement device for magnetic properties of soft magnetic materials is built, and a 1J22 temperature field-electromagnetic field coupling experiment is completed. It is found that the maximum loss of 1J22 decreases by 4.44% with the increase in temperature; the maximum loss is 6.41% less than that of traditional silicon steel. Finally, a finite element simulation model is built to simulate the actual working conditions of the motor, and it is verified that the magnetic properties of the material at high temperature will have a certain impact on the performance of the motor.

Collagen/chitosan/genipin hydrogel loaded with phycocyanin nanoparticles and ND-336 for diabetic wound healing.

Diabetic wound healing remains a healthcare challenge due to the overexpression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and the imbalance between angiogenic factors and vascular inhibitory factors. In this study, we developed a nanocomposite injectable collagen/chitosan hydrogel for the treatment of delayed diabetic wound healing, which can promote cell migration to the wound site (through the addition of phycocyanin) and reduce the expression of MMP-9 (through the use of ND-336) to improve the therapeutic effect of diabetic wound healing. Furthermore, different weight ratios of collagen and chitosan hydrogels were prepared to select the hydrogel with proper mechanical properties. In vitro experiments confirmed that all hydrogels have favorable biocompatibility and hemocompatibility. Notably, Gel 2, with a weight ratio of collagen and chitosan at 25:75, was found to have an excellent capability to facilitate cell migration and in vivo studies further proved that Gel 2 nanocomposite hydrogel had the best ability to improve diabetic wound healing by promoting cell migration and decreasing MMP-9 expression. The collagen/chitosan/genipin hydrogel loaded phycocyanin and ND-336 can be harnessed for non-toxic and efficient treatment of wound healing management of diabetes.

Biochemical characterization of bioinspired nanosuspensions from Swertia chirayita extract and their therapeutic effects through nanotechnology approach.

Swertia chirayita is used as a traditional medicinal plant due to its pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic. This study was aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of newly synthesized nanosuspensions from Swertia chirayita through nanotechnology for enhanced bioactivities. Biochemical characterization was carried out through spectroscopic analyses of HPLC and FTIR. Results revealed that extract contained higher TPCs (569.6 ± 7.8 mg GAE/100 g)) and TFCs (368.5 ± 9.39 mg CE/100 g) than S. chirayita nanosuspension, TPCs (500.6 ± 7.8 500.6 ± 7.8 mg GAE/100 g) and TFCs (229.5± 3.85 mg CE/100 g). Antioxidant activity was evaluated through DPPH scavenging assay, and nanosuspension exhibited a lower DPPH free radical scavenging potential (06 ±3.61) than extract (28.9± 3.85). Anti-dabetic potential was assessed throughα-amylase inhibition and anti-glycation assays. Extract showed higher (41.4%) antiglycation potential than 35.85% nanosuspension and 19.5% α-amylase inhibitory potential than 5% nanosuspension. Biofilm inhibition activity against E. coli was higher in nanosuspension (69.12%) than extract (62.08%). The extract showed high cytotoxicity potential (51.86%) than nanosuspension (33.63%). These nanosuspensions possessed enhanced bioactivities for therapeutic applications could be explored further for the development of new drugs.

Comprehensive repair of the alveolar cleft using cortical and cancellous bone layers: A retrospective study.

To retrospectively review the clinical effect of comprehensive treatment of alveolar cleft (CTAC) using the mandible as the bone source. Patients with alveolar clefts who met the inclusion criteria were subjected to a CTAC protocol that included the following: (1) preoperative orthodontic treatment for creating good soft-tissue conditions; (2) 'area-like grafting' with subperiosteal osteogenic chin bone instead of cartilaginous osteogenic iliac bone; (3) simulation of normal bone anatomy via a sandwich-like bone graft consisting of 'cortical bone + cancellous bone + cortical bone'; and (4) strong internal fixation to ensure initial bone block stability. At 6 months postoperatively, the titanium plate was removed and cone-beam computed tomography was performed to evaluate the surgical results. A total of 54 patients underwent treatment with the CTAC protocol. The average age at the initial operation was 10.3 ± 2.1 years, and the average hospital stay was 2.8 ± 0.6 days. At 6 months postoperatively, 49 patients (90.7%) showed good clinical results. The transplanted bone block formed a 'cortical bone + cancellous bone + cortical bone' structure similar to that of the normal jawbone. A mature bone bridge formed, and the impacted permanent teeth continued to erupt and enter the bone graft area. CTAC is a comprehensive restorative solution for alveolar cleft repair that integrates multiple concepts, including orthodontics, embryology, anatomy, and improvements to surgical methods. The method is easy to perform, causes little surgical trauma, and shows a stable success rate, and is thus worth promoting.

Evaluating Middle Cerebral Artery Plaque Characteristics and Lenticulostriate Artery Morphology Associated With Subcortical Infarctions at 7T MRI.

BACKGROUND: Lenticulostriate artery (LSA) obstruction is a potential cause of subcortical infarcts. However, MRI LSA evaluation at 3T is challenging. PURPOSE: To investigate middle cerebral artery (MCA) plaque characteristics and LSA morphology associated with subcortical infarctions in LSA territories using 7-T vessel wall MRI (VW-MRI) and time-of-flight MR angiography (TOF-MRA). STUDY TYPE: Prospective. POPULATION: Sixty patients with 80 MCA atherosclerotic plaques (37 culprit and 43 non-culprit). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 7-T with 3D TOF-MRA and T1-weighted 3D sampling perfection with application-optimized contrast using different flip angle evolutions (SPACE) sequences. ASSESSMENT: Plaque distribution (superior, inferior, ventral, or dorsal walls), LSA origin involvement, LSA morphology (numbers of stems, branches, and length), and plaque characteristics (normalized wall index, maximal wall thickness, plaque length, remodeling index, intraplaque hemorrhage, and plaque surface morphology (regular or irregular)) were assessed. STATISTICAL TESTS: Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, generalized estimating equations regression, receiver operating characteristic curve, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and intra-class coefficient. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Plaque irregular surface, superior wall plaque, longer plaque length, LSA origin involvement, fewer LSA stems, and shorter total and average lengths of LSAs were significantly associated with culprit plaques. Multivariable logistic analysis confirmed that LSA origin involvement (OR, 28.51; 95% CI, 6.34-181.02) and plaque irregular surface (OR, 8.32; 95% CI, 1.41-64.73) were independent predictors in differentiating culprit from non-culprit plaques. A combination of LSA origin involvement and plaque irregular surface (area under curve = 0.92; [95% CI, 0.86-0.98]) showed good performance in identifying culprit plaques, with sensitivity and specificity of 86.5% and 86.0%, respectively. DATA CONCLUSION: 7-T VW-MRI and TOF-MRA can demonstrate plaque involvement with LSA origins. MCA plaque characteristics derived from 7-T VW-MRI showed good diagnostic accuracy in determining the occurrence of subcortical infarctions. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

Glymphatic system impairment in Alzheimer's disease: associations with perivascular space volume and cognitive function.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate glymphatic function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) using the diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) method and to explore the associations between DTI-ALPS index and perivascular space (PVS) volume, as well as between DTI-ALPS index and cognitive function. METHODS: Thirty patients with PET-CT-confirmed AD (15 AD dementia; 15 mild cognitive impairment due to AD) and 26 age- and sex-matched cognitively normal controls (NCs) were included in this study. All participants underwent neurological MRI and cognitive assessments. Bilateral DTI-ALPS indices were calculated. PVS volume fractions were quantitatively measured at three locations: basal ganglia (BG), centrum semiovale, and lateral ventricle body level. DTI-ALPS index and PVS volume fractions were compared among three groups; correlations among the DTI-ALPS index, PVS volume fraction, and cognitive scales were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients with AD dementia showed a significantly lower DTI-ALPS index in the whole brain (p = 0.009) and in the left hemisphere (p = 0.012) compared with NCs. The BG-PVS volume fraction in patients with AD was significantly larger than the fraction in NCs (p = 0.045); it was also negatively correlated with the DTI-ALPS index (r = - 0.433, p = 0.021). Lower DTI-ALPS index was correlated with worse performance in the Boston Naming Test (ß = 0.515, p = 0.008), Trail Making Test A (ß = - 0.391, p = 0.048), and Digit Span Test (ß = 0.408, p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: The lower DTI-ALPS index was found in patients with AD dementia, which may suggest impaired glymphatic system function. DTI-ALPS index was correlated with BG-PVS enlargement and worse cognitive performance in certain cognitive domains. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space index may be applied as a useful indicator to evaluate the glymphatic system function. The impaired glymphatic system in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia may provide a new perspective for understanding the pathophysiology of AD. KEY POINTS: • Patients with Alzheimer's disease dementia displayed a lower diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) index, possibly indicating glymphatic impairment. • A lower DTI-ALPS index was associated with the enlargement of perivascular space and cognitive impairment. • DTI-ALPS index could be a promising biomarker of the glymphatic system in Alzheimer's disease dementia.

Differentiation Between the Low and High Trans-Stenotic Pressure Gradient in Patients With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Using 4D Flow MRI-Derived Hemodynamic Parameters.

BACKGROUND: Trans-stenotic pressure gradient (TPG) measurement is essential for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) patients with transverse sinus (TS) stenosis. Four-D flow MRI may provide a noninvasive imaging method for differentiation of IIH patients with different TPG. PURPOSE: To investigate the associations between 4D flow parameters and TPG, and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of 4D flow parameters in differentiating patients with high TPG (GroupHP) from low TPG (GroupLP). STUDY TYPE: Prospective. POPULATION: 31 IIH patients with TS stenosis (age, 38 ± 12 years; 23 females) and 5 healthy volunteers (age, 25 ± 1 years; 2 females). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3T, 3D phase contrast MR venography, and gradient recalled echo 4D flow sequences. ASSESSMENT: Scan-rescan reproducibility of 4D flow parameters were performed. The correlation between TPG and flow parameters was analyzed. The netflow and velocity difference between inflow plane, outflow plane, and the stenosis plane were calculated and compared between GroupHP and GroupLP. STATISTICAL TESTS: Pearson's correlation or Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, Independent samples t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland-Altman analyses, Receiver operating characteristic curves. A P value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between TPG and netflow parameters including Favg,out-s, Favg,in-s, Fmax,out-s, and Fmax,in-s (r = 0.525-0.565). Significant differences were found in Favg,out-s, Fmax,out-s, Favg,in-s, and Fmax,in-s between GroupHP and GroupLP. Using the cut-off value of 2.19 mL/sec, the Favg,out-s showed good estimate performance in distinguishing GroupHP from GroupLP (AUC = 0.856). The ICC (ranged 0.905-0.948) and Bland-Altman plots indicated good scan-rescan reproducibility. DATA CONCLUSIONS: 4D flow MRI derived flow parameters showed good correlations with TPG in IIH patients with TS stenosis. Netflow difference between outflow and stenosis location at TS shows the good performance in differentiating GroupHP and GroupLP cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Increased glymphatic system activity in migraine chronification by diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space.

BACKGROUND: Preliminary evidence suggests that several headache disorders may be associated with glymphatic dysfunction. However, no studies have been conducted to examine the glymphatic activity in migraine chronification. PURPOSES: To investigate the glymphatic activity of migraine chronification in patients with episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM) using the diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) method. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, patients with EM, CM, and healthy controls (HCs) were included. All participants underwent a standard brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. Bilateral DTI-ALPS indexes were calculated for all participants and compared among EM, CM, and HC groups. Correlations between the DTI-ALPS index and clinical characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients with EM, 24 patients with CM, and 41 age- and sex-matched HCs were included in the analysis. Significant differences were found in the right DTI-ALPS index among the three groups (p = 0.011), with CM showing significantly higher values than EM (p = 0.033) and HCs (p = 0.015). The right DTI-ALPS index of CM group was significantly higher than the left DTI-ALPS index (p = 0.005). And the headache intensity was correlated to DTI-ALPS index both in the left hemisphere (r = 0.371, p = 0.011) and in the right hemisphere (r = 0.307, p = 0.038), but there were no correlations after Bonferroni correction. CONCLUSIONS: Glymphatic system activity is shown to be increased instead of impaired during migraine chronification. The mechanism behind this observation suggests that increased glymphatic activity is more likely to be a concomitant phenomenon of altered vascular reactivity associated with migraine pathophysiology rather than a risk factor of migraine chronification.

Hyperperfusion of bilateral amygdala in patients with chronic migraine: an arterial spin-labeled magnetic resonance imaging study.

BACKGROUND: Amygdala, an essential element of the limbic system, has served as an important structure in pain modulation. There is still a lack of clarity about altered cerebral perfusion of amygdala in migraine. This study aimed to investigate the perfusion variances of bilateral amygdala in episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM) using multi-delay pseudo-continuous arterial spin-labeled magnetic resonance imaging (pCASL-MRI). METHODS: Twenty-six patients with EM, 55 patients with CM (33 CM with medication overuse headache (MOH)), and 26 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were included. All participants underwent 3D multi-delay pCASL MR imaging to obtain cerebral perfusion data, including arrival-time-corrected cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial cerebral blood volume (aCBV). The CBF and aCBV values in the bilateral amygdala were compared among the three groups. Correlation analyses between cerebral perfusion parameters and clinical variables were performed. RESULTS: Compared with HC participants, patients with CM were found to have increased CBF and aCBV values in the left amygdala, as well as increased CBF values in the right amygdala (all P < 0.05). There were no significant differences of CBF and aCBV values in the bilateral amygdala between the HC and EM groups, the EM and CM groups, as well as the CM without and with MOH groups (all P > 0.05). In patients with CM, the increased perfusion parameters of bilateral amygdala were positively correlated with MIDAS score after adjustments for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). CONCLUSION: Hyperperfusion of bilateral amygdala might provide potential hemodynamics evidence in the neurolimbic pain network of CM.

Transcriptome-wide analysis of trigeminal ganglion and subnucleus caudalis in a mouse model of chronic constriction injury-induced trigeminal neuralgia.

Trigeminal neuropathic pain (TNP) induces mechanical allodynia and hyperalgesia, which are known to alter gene expression in injured dorsal root ganglia primary sensory neurons. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been linked to TNP. However, the functional mechanism underlying TNP and the expression profile of ncRNAs in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) and trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Sp5C) are still unknown. We used RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to examine the TG and Sp5C transcriptomes after infraorbital nerve chronic constrictive injury (IoN-CCI). The robust changes in the gene expression of lncRNAs, circRNAs, and mRNAs were observed within the TG and Sp5C from mice that underwent IoN-CCI and the sham-operated mice (day 7). In total, 111,003 lncRNAs were found in TG and 107,157 in Sp5C; 369 lncRNAs were differentially expressed in TG, and 279 lncRNAs were differentially expressed in Sp5C. In addition, 13,216 circRNAs in TG and 21,658 circRNAs in Sp5C were identified, with 1,155 circRNAs and 2,097 circRNAs differentially expressed in TG and Sp5C, respectively. Furthermore, 5,205 DE mRNAs in TG and 3,934 DE mRNAs in Sp5C were differentially expressed between IoN-CCI and sham groups. The study revealed a high correlation of pain-related differentially expressed genes in the TG and Sp5C to anxiety, depression, inflammation, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that binding-related molecular functions and membrane-related cell components were significantly enriched. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis shows the most significant enrichments in neurogenesis, nervous system development, neuron differentiation, adrenergic signaling, cAMP signaling, MAPK signaling, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction analysis showed that hub genes were implicated in neuropeptide signaling pathways. Functional analysis of DE ncRNA-targeting genes was mostly enriched with nociception-related signaling pathways underpinning TNP. Our findings suggest that ncRNAs are involved in TNP development and open new avenues for research and treatment.

A computational study of fluid transport characteristics in the brain parenchyma of dementia subtypes.

The cerebral environment is a complex system consisting of parenchymal tissue and multiple fluids. Dementia is a common class of neurodegenerative diseases, caused by structural damages and functional deficits in the cerebral environment. In order to better understand the pathology of dementia from a cerebral fluid transport angle and provide clearer evidence that could help differentiate between dementia subtypes, such as Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, we conducted fluid-structure interaction modelling of the brain using a multiple-network poroelasticity model, which considers both neuropathological and cerebrovascular factors. The parenchyma was further subdivided and labelled into parcellations to obtain more localised and detailed data. The numerical results were converted to computed functional images by an in-house workflow. Different cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) clearance abnormalities were identified in the modelling results, when comparing Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. This paper presents our preliminary results as a proof of concept for a novel clinical diagnostic tool, and paves the way for a larger clinical study.

Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting the risk of vasovagal reactions after plasma donation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vasovagal reactions (VVRs) are the most common adverse reactions and are frequently associated with serious donor adverse events. Even mild VVRs can lead to a significant reduction in the likelihood of subsequent donations. The purpose of this study is to explore the factors related to the occurrence of VVRs after plasma donation and to construct a nomogram to identify individuals at risk for VVRs to improve the safety of plasma donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected the donation data from July 2019 to June 2020 from a plasma center in Sichuan, China, to explore the independent risk factors for vasovagal reactions. From these data, we constructed and validated a predictive model for vasovagal reactions. RESULTS: VVRs after plasma donation occurred 737 times in 120 448 plasma donations (0.66%). Gender, season, donor status, weight, pulse, duration of donation, and cycle were independent risk factors for VVRs (P< 0.05). The concordance index (C-index) of a logistic model in the derivation cohort was 0.916, with a Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit probability of 0.795. The C-index of a logistic model in the validation cohort was 0.916, with a Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit probability of 0.224. The calibration curve showed that the predicted results were in good agreement with the actual observed results. CONCLUSION: This study preliminarily constructed and verified a prediction model for VVRs after plasma donation. The model nomogram is practical and can identify high-risk donors.

Tri-element nanozyme PtCuSe as an ingenious cascade catalytic machine for the amelioration of Parkinson's disease-like symptoms.

Parkinson's disease (PD), as the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's, has become intractable with the increasing aging global population. The exploration of nanomedicine has broadened the opportunities for developing novel neuroprotective therapies. In particular, polymetallic functional nanomaterials have been widely used in the biomedicine field in recent years, exhibiting flexible and diversified functions and controllable properties. In this study, a tri-element nanozyme (PtCuSe nanozyme) has been developed with desirable CAT- and SOD-like activities for the cascade scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In particular, the nanozyme is suitable for relieving nerve cell damage by removing reactive oxygen species in cells and mitigating the behavioral and pathological symptoms in animal models of Parkinson's disease. Therefore, this ingenious tri-element nanozyme may have potential in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Normal glymphatic system function in patients with new daily persistent headache using diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the glymphatic function in patients with new daily persistent headache (NDPH) using the diffusion tensor image analysis along the perivascular space (DTI-ALPS) method. BACKGROUND: NDPH, a rare and treatment-refractory primary headache disorder, is poorly understood. There is limited evidence to suggest that headaches are associated with glymphatic dysfunction. Thus far, no studies have evaluated glymphatic function in patients with NDPH. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study conducted in the Headache Center of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, patients with NDPH and healthy controls were enrolled. All participants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Clinical characteristics and neuropsychological evaluation were examined in patients with NDPH. ALPS indexes for both hemispheres were measured to determine the glymphatic system function in patients with NDPH and healthy controls. RESULTS: In total, 27 patients with NDPH (14 males, 13 females; age [mean ± standard deviation (SD)]: 36.6 ± 20.6) and 33 healthy controls (15 males, 18 females; age [mean ± SD]: 36.0 ± 10.8) were included in the analysis. No significant differences between groups were observed in the left ALPS index (1.583 ± 0.182 vs. 1.586 ± 0.175, mean difference = 0.003, 95% confidence interval [CI] of difference = -0.089 to 0.096, p = 0.942), or right ALPS index (1.578 ± 0.230 vs. 1.559 ± 0.206, mean difference = -0.027, 95% CI of difference = -0.132 to 0.094, p = 0.738). Additionally, ALPS indexes were not correlated with clinical characteristics or neuropsychiatric scores. CONCLUSION: No glymphatic dysfunction was detected in patients with NDPH by means of the ALPS method. Additional studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these preliminary findings and improve the understanding of glymphatic function in NDPH.

Three-dimensional aneurysm wall enhancement in fusiform intracranial aneurysms is associated with aneurysmal symptoms.

Background and purpose: Aneurysm wall enhancement (AWE) in high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) is a potential biomarker for evaluating unstable aneurysms. Fusiform intracranial aneurysms (FIAs) frequently have a complex and curved structure. We aimed to develop a new three-dimensional (3D) aneurysmal wall enhancement (AWE) characterization method to enable comprehensive FIA evaluation and to investigate the ability of 3D-AWE to predict symptomatic FIA. Methods: We prospectively recruited patients with unruptured FIAs and received 3 T HR-MRI imaging from September 2017 to January 2019. 3D models of aneurysms and parent arteries were generated. Boundaries of the FIA were determined using 3D vessel diameter measurements. Dmax was the greatest diameter in the cross-section, while Lmax was the length of the centerline of the aneurysm. Signal intensity of the FIA was normalized to the pituitary stalk and then mapped onto the 3D model, then the average enhancement (3D-AWEavg), maximum enhancement (3D-AWEmax), enhancement area (AWEarea), and enhancement ratio (AWEratio) were calculated as AWE indicators, and the surface area of the entire aneurysm (Aarea) was also calculated. Areas with high AWE were defined as those with a value >0.9 times the signal intensity of the pituitary stalk. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine independent predictors of aneurysm-related symptoms. FIA subtypes were defined as fusiform, dolichoectasia, and transitional. Differences between the three FIA subtypes were also examined. Results: Forty-seven patients with 47 FIAs were included. Mean patient age was 55 ± 12.62 years and 74.5% were male. Twenty-nine patients (38.3%) were symptomatic. After adjusting for baseline differences in age, hypertension, Lmax, and FIA subtype, the multivariate logistics regression models showed that 3D-AWEavg (odds ratio [OR], 4.029; p = 0.019), 3D-AWEmax (OR, 3.437; p = 0.022), AWEarea (OR, 1.019; p = 0.008), and AWEratio (OR, 2.490; p = 0.045) were independent predictors of aneurysm-related symptoms. Dmax and Aarea were larger and 3D-AWEavg, 3D-AWEmax, AWEarea, and AWEratio were higher with the transitional subtype than the other two subtypes. Conclusion: The new 3D AWE method, which enables the use of numerous new metrics, can predict symptomatic FIAs. Different 3D-AWE between the three FIA subtypes may be helpful in understanding the pathophysiology of FIAs.

Biochemical, structural characterization and in-vitro evaluation of antioxidant, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and antidiabetic activities of nanosuspensions of Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark extract.

Cinnamomum zeylanicum is a traditional medicinal plant known for its anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Its therapeutic efficacy using nanosuspensions is still unclear for treating infectious diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the bioactivities, biochemical characterization, and bioavailability of freshly prepared nanosuspensions of C. zeylanicum. Structural and biochemical characterization of C. zeylanicum and its biological activities, such as antioxidants, antimicrobials, antiglycation, α-amylase inhibition, and cytotoxicity was performed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). C. zeylanicum extract and nanosuspensions showed TPCs values of 341.88 and 39.51 mg GAE/100 g while showing TFCs as 429.19 and 239.26 mg CE/100g, respectively. DPPH inhibition potential of C. zeylanicum extract and nanosuspension was 27.3% and 10.6%, respectively. Biofilm inhibition activity revealed that bark extract and nanosuspension showed excessive growth restraint against Escherichia coli, reaching 67.11% and 66.09%, respectively. The α-amylase inhibition assay of extract and nanosuspension was 39.3% and 6.3%, while the antiglycation activity of nanosuspension and extract was 42.14% and 53.76%, respectively. Extracts and nanosuspensions showed maximum hemolysis at 54.78% and 19.89%, respectively. Results indicated that nanosuspensions possessed antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. Further study, however, is needed to assess the clinical studies for the therapeutic use of nanosuspensions.

Systemic immune-inflammation index is associated with aneurysmal wall enhancement in unruptured intracranial fusiform aneurysms.

Introduction: Inflammation plays a key role in the progression of intracranial aneurysms. Aneurysmal wall enhancement (AWE) correlates well with inflammatory processes in the aneurysmal wall. Understanding the potential associations between blood inflammatory indices and AWE may aid in the further understanding of intracranial aneurysm pathophysiology. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 122 patients with intracranial fusiform aneurysms (IFAs) who underwent both high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and blood laboratory tests. AWE was defined as a contrast ratio of the signal intensity of the aneurysmal wall to that of the pituitary stalk ≥ 0.90. The systemic immune-inflammation (SII) index (neutrophils × platelets/lymphocytes) was calculated from laboratory data and dichotomized based on whether or not the IFA had AWE. Aneurysmal symptoms were defined as sentinel headache or oculomotor nerve palsy. Multivariable logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to determine how well the SII index was able to predict AWE and aneurysmal symptoms. Spearman's correlation coefficients were used to explore the potential associations between variables. Results: This study included 95 patients, of whom 24 (25.3%) presented with AWE. After adjusting for baseline differences in neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios, leukocytes, and neutrophils in the multivariable logistic regression analysis, smoking history (P = 0.002), aneurysmal symptoms (P = 0.047), maximum diameter (P = 0.048), and SII index (P = 0.022) all predicted AWE. The SII index (P = 0.038) was the only independent predictor of aneurysmal symptoms. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the SII index was able to accurately distinguish IFAs with AWE (area under the curve = 0.746) and aneurysmal symptoms (area under the curve = 0.739). Discussion: An early elevation in the SII index can independently predict AWE in IFAs and is a potential new biomarker for predicting IFA instability.

Alterations in regional homogeneity and multiple frequency amplitudes of low-frequency fluctuation in patients with new daily persistent headache: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

BACKGROUND: New daily persistent headache (NPDH) is a rare primary headache that is highly disabling. The pathophysiology of NDPH is still unclear, and we aimed to reveal the underlying mechanism of NDPH through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) analysis. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, thirty patients with NDPH and 30 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. The blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) sequences of all participants were obtained using the GE 3.0 T system. We performed ReHo, ALFF (conventional band: 0.01-0.08 Hz, slow-5: 0.01-0.027 Hz, slow-4: 0.027-0.073 Hz) and seed-based to the whole brain functional connectivity (FC) analysis in the NDPH and HC groups. The sex difference analysis of ReHo, ALFF, and FC values was conducted in the NDPH group. We also conducted Pearson's correlation analysis between ReHo, ALFF, FC values and clinical characteristics (pain intensity, disease duration, HIT-6, GAD-7, PHQ-9, and PSQI scores). RESULTS: Both increased ReHo (PFWE-corr = 0.012) and ALFF values (0.01-0.08 Hz, PFWE-corr = 0.009; 0.027-0.073 Hz, PFWE-corr =0.044) of the left middle occipital gyrus (MOG_L) were found in the NDPH group compared to the HC group. There was no significant difference in FC maps between the two groups. Compared to the HC group, no difference was found in ReHo (p = 0.284), ALFF (p = 0.246), and FC (p = 0.118) z scores of the MOG_L in the NDPH group. There was also no sex difference in ReHo (p = 0.288), ALFF (p = 0.859), or FC z score (p = 0.118) of the MOG_L in patients with NDPH. There was no correlation between ReHo, ALFF, FC z scores and clinical characteristics after Bonferroni correction (p < 0.05/18). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with NDPH may have abnormal activation of the visual system. Abnormal visual activation may occur mainly in higher frequency band of the classical band. No sex differences in brain activity were found in patients with NDPH.

Changes in gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate/glutamine levels in the right thalamus of patients with episodic and chronic migraine: A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate/glutamine (Glx) levels in the right thalamus of patients with episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM) and their effects on the chronification of migraine. BACKGROUND: Migraine affects approximately 1 billion people worldwide, with 2.5%-3% of people with EM progressing to CM each year. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies have revealed altered GABA and Glx levels in the thalamus of patients with migraine without aura, but these neurometabolic concentrations are underexplored in the thalamus of patients with CM. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, patients with EM and CM were recruited. Mescher-Garwood point resolved spectroscopy sequence was used to acquire neurotransmitter concentrations in the right thalamus of patients with EM and CM and matched healthy controls (HCs). RESULTS: A total of 26 patients (EM, n = 11; CM, n = 15) and 16 age- and sex-matched HCs were included in the analysis. There were significantly lower GABA+/Water levels in the right thalamus of the CM group (mean ± standard deviation: 2.27 ± 0.4 [institutional units]) than that of the HC group (2.74 ± 0.4) (p = 0.026; mean difference [MD] = -0.5 [i.u.]), and lower Glx/Cr levels in the EM group (mean ± SD: 0.11 ± < 0.1) than in the HCs (0.13 ± < 0.1) and CM group (0.13 ± < 0.1) (p = 0.023, MD < -0.1, and p = 0.034, MD < -0.1, respectively). The GABA+/Glx ratio was lower in the CM group (mean ± SD: 0.38 ± 0.1) compared to the EM group (0.47 ± 0.1) (p = 0.024; MD = -0.1). The area under the curve for GABA+/Water levels in differentiating patients with CM from HCs was 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.68, 0.98; p = 0.004). Correlation analyses within the migraine group revealed no significant correlation between metabolite concentration levels and headache characteristics after Bonferroni correction. CONCLUSION: Reduced GABA+/Water levels and imbalance of excitation/inhibition in the right thalamus may contribute to migraine chronification.