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Ice, one of the most enigmatic materials on Earth, exhibits diverse polymorphism, with research mainly focusing on the most commonly observed phases: hexagonal ice (Ih), cubic ice (Ic), and stacking-disordered ice (Isd). While their formation or structural changes are crucial for advancements in cloud science, climate modeling, and cryogenic technology, the molecular mechanisms driving these phenomena remain unexplored. Herein, utilizing cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, we investigate the formation of ice at two different temperatures, demonstrating a size-dependent phase shift from Ic to Isd. Furthermore, a relatively metastable cubic phase in Isd transitions to a hexagonal phase under electron beam radiation. This transition, facilitated by crystal defects, contrasts with perfect crystalline Ic, which maintains its original phase, emphasizing the importance of defects in polymorphic phase transitions. Our findings provide novel insights on phase control during the ice growth processes and polymorphic phase transitions from the cubic-to-hexagonal phases.
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BACKGROUND: Tongue-strengthening exercises may be used at home to strengthen swallowing-related oropharyngeal muscles in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenic dysphagia; however, evidence of their effectiveness remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a home-based tongue-strengthening exercise (hTSE) using portable tool on swallowing-related oropharyngeal muscles in community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenic dysphagia. METHODS: Forth community-dwelling older adults with sarcopenic dysphagia were enrolled in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM) of tongue muscle was measured in the experimental group using the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument, and hTSE was performed using a portable tool with an intensity corresponding to approximately 70%-80% of the range based on the 1-RM value (90 times/day, 5 days/week, for 8 weeks). The control group did not perform any tongue exercises. The primary outcome measures were tongue strength and thickness. The secondary outcome measure was suprahyoid muscle strength (digastric and mylohyoid muscles). RESULTS: The experimental group showed significantly greater increases in suprahyoid muscle (mylohyoid and digastric) thickness (p = .01 and .011, d = 1.0 and .55), as well as tongue strength and thickness (p < .001 and .029, d = 2.2 and .6) than the control group. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that hTSE using a portable tool is effective in increasing swallowing-related oropharyngeal muscle activity in older adults with sarcopenic dysphagia. Therefore, hTSE is recommended as an inexpensive, safe, and easy-to-use therapy for sarcopenic dysphagia in older adults.
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BACKGROUND: Since severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, it has spread rapidly, and many coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases have occurred in Gwangju, South Korea. Viral mutations following the COVID-19 epidemic have increased interest in the characteristics of epidemics in this region, and pathogen genetic analysis is required for infection control and prevention. METHODS: In this study, SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome analysis was performed on samples from patients with COVID-19 in Gwangju from 2020 to 2022 to identify the trends in COVID-19 prevalence and to analyze the phylogenetic relationships of dominant variants. B.41 and B.1.497 prevailed in 2020, the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak; then, B.1.619.1 mainly occurred until June 2021. B.1.617.2, classified as sublineages AY.69 and AY.122, occurred continuously from July to December 2021. Since strict measures to strengthen national quarantine management had been implemented in South Korea until this time, the analysis of mutations was also able to infer the epidemiological relationship between infection transmission routes. Since the first identification of the Omicron variant in late December 2021, the spread of infection has been very rapid, and weekly whole-genome analysis of specimens has enabled us to monitor new Omicron sublineages occurring in Gwangju. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that conducting regional surveillance in addition to nation-level genomic surveillance will enable more rapid and detailed variant surveillance, which will be helpful in the overall prevention and management of infectious diseases.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Genome, Viral , Phylogeny , SARS-CoV-2 , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Humans , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , SARS-CoV-2/classification , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/virology , COVID-19/transmission , Genome, Viral/genetics , Mutation , Whole Genome Sequencing , GenomicsABSTRACT
The social restriction measures implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the pattern of occurrences of respiratory viruses. According to surveillance results in the Gwangju region of South Korea, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) did not occur during the 2020/2021 season. However, there was a delayed resurgence in the 2021/2022 season, peaking until January 2022. To analyze this, a total of 474 RSV positive samples were investigated before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Among them, 73 samples were selected for whole-genome sequencing. The incidence rate of RSV in the 2021/2022 season after COVID-19 was found to be approximately three-fold higher compared to before the pandemic, with a significant increase observed in the age group from under 2 years old to under 5 years old. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that, for RSV-A, whereas four lineages were observed before COVID-19, only the A.D.3.1 lineage was observed during the 2021/2022 season post-pandemic. Additionally, during the 2022/2023 season, the A.D.1, A.D.3, and A.D.3.1 lineages co-circulated. For RSV-B, while the B.D.4.1.1 lineage existed before COVID-19, both the B.D.4.1.1 and B.D.E.1 lineages circulated after the pandemic. Although atypical RSV occurrences were not due to new lineages, there was an increase in the frequency of mutations in the F protein of RSV after COVID-19. These findings highlight the need to continue monitoring changes in RSV occurrence patterns in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic to develop and manage strategies in response.
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COVID-19 , Phylogeny , Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections , Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/virology , Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/epidemiology , Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/virology , Child, Preschool , Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/genetics , Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/isolation & purification , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , Infant , Child , Female , Male , Incidence , Whole Genome Sequencing , Adult , Seasons , Pandemics , Middle Aged , Aged , Infant, Newborn , AdolescentABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A dysphagia rehabilitation method using kinesiology taping (KT) was recently introduced, and its potential for clinical efficacy was demonstrated by evaluating muscle activity and thickness. However, its effect on the swallowing function in patients with dysphagia remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of effortful swallowing against KT resistance on the swallowing function in patients with post stroke dysphagia. METHODS: Thirty patients with poststroke dysphagia were recruited and randomly assigned to the experimental and placebo groups. In the experimental group, the KT was attached to the front of the neck (the hyoid bone between the sternum) with a tension of approximately 70% to 80%, and effortful swallowing was performed against the KT tension. In contrast, the placebo group performed effortful swallowing with KT applied at the same location without tension. The intervention was performed 30 times/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks. The videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS) and penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) based on a videofluoroscopic swallowing study were used to analyze oropharyngeal swallowing function. RESULTS: The experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in the oral and pharyngeal phases of the VDS (Pâ =â .029 and .007, respectively) and PAS (Pâ =â .034) compared with the placebo group. Effect sizes were observed for the oral (0.3) and pharyngeal phases (0.5) of the VDS and PAS (1.1). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that effortful swallowing against resistance to KT is an effective therapeutic exercise for improving the swallowing function in patients with poststroke dysphagia.
Subject(s)
Athletic Tape , Deglutition Disorders , Deglutition , Stroke Rehabilitation , Stroke , Humans , Deglutition Disorders/etiology , Deglutition Disorders/therapy , Deglutition Disorders/rehabilitation , Deglutition Disorders/physiopathology , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Stroke/complications , Stroke/physiopathology , Stroke Rehabilitation/methods , Deglutition/physiology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Single-molecule techniques are powerful microscopy methods that provide new insights into biological processes. Liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (LP-TEM) is an ideal single-molecule technique for overcoming the poor spatiotemporal resolution of optical approaches. However, single-molecule LP-TEM is limited by several challenges such as electron-beam-induced molecular damage, difficulty in identifying biomolecular species, and a lack of analytical approaches for conformational dynamics. Herein, a single-molecule graphene liquid-cell TEM (GLC-TEM) technique that enables the investigation of real-time structural perturbations of intact amyloid fibrils is presented. It is demonstrated that graphene membranes significantly extend the observation period of native amyloid beta proteins without causing oxidative damage owing to electron beams, which is necessary for imaging. Stochastic and time-resolved investigations of single fibrils reveal that structural perturbations in the early fibrillar stage are responsible for the formation of various amyloid polymorphs. The advantage of observing structural behavior in real time with unprecedented resolution will potentially make GLC-TEM a complementary approach to other single-molecule techniques.
Subject(s)
Graphite , Graphite/chemistry , Amyloid/chemistry , Electrons , Amyloid beta-Peptides , Microscopy, Electron, TransmissionABSTRACT
The non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have affected the epidemiology of other respiratory viruses. In South Korea, Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) typically occurs from winter to the following spring; however, it was not detected for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic and re-emerged in the fall of 2022, which is a non-epidemic season. To examine the molecular genetic characteristics of HMPV before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, we analyzed 427 HMPV-positive samples collected in the Gwangju area from 2018 to 2022. Among these, 24 samples were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Compared to the period before the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence rate of HMPV in 2022 increased by 2.5-fold. Especially in the age group of 6-10 years, the incidence rate increased by more than 4.5-fold. In the phylogenetic analysis results, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the A2.2.2 lineage was predominant, while in 2022, the A2.2.1 and B2 lineage were observed. The non-pharmaceutical interventions implemented after COVID-19, such as social distancing, have reduced opportunities for exposure to HMPV, subsequently leading to decreased acquisition of immunity. As a result, HMPV occurred during non-epidemic seasons, influencing the age distribution of its occurrences.
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BACKGROUND: Recently, swallowing resistive exercise using kinesiology taping (KT) has been reported as a novel method for dysphagia rehabilitation However, clinical evidence is still unclear, and effects in the elderly have not been confirmed. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of suprahyoid muscle strengthening exercise using KT on muscle activation and thickness in community-dwelling elderly. METHODS: A total of 24 healthy older people were enrolled in this study and randomly assigned to an experimental group and a placebo group. In the experimental group, KT was attached to the front of the neck with a tension of about 70% to 80%, and a resistive swallowing exercise was performed. In the placebo group, the tape was applied similarly but without tension. Both groups performed resistive swallowing exercises 10 times a day (50 swallows per day) for 6 weeks. The activation and thickness of the suprahyoid muscles were measured using portable ultrasound equipment and an surface electromyelograph device. RESULTS: The experimental group showed a significant increase in suprahyoid muscle activation (mean and peak) and muscle thickness (digastric and mylohyoid) than the placebo group (all, P < .05). CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that suprahyoid muscle strengthening exercise using KT had a positive effect on the suprahyoid muscles in healthy older adults, thus suggesting the possibility of a therapeutic exercise method for dysphagia rehabilitation.
Subject(s)
Deglutition Disorders , Aged , Humans , Independent Living , Neck Muscles , Exercise , Exercise TherapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Whether to sacrifice or spare the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) when papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) involves a functioning RLN remains controversial. Oncological outcomes after shaving PTC with gross remnant on the RLN have been rarely reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate the oncological outcomes of patients who underwent shaving of a PTC from the RLN, leaving a gross residual tumor with the intent of vocal function preservation. METHODS: A retrospective, cohort study was conducted in 47 patients who were determined to have PTC invasion of the RLN via intraoperative inspection and underwent tumor shaving with macroscopic remnant (R2 resection) less than 1 cm in length and 4 mm in thickness. Median follow-up period was 93 (range, 60-215) months. The primary endpoint was the recurrence-free survival and the progression-free survival. Secondary endpoints were biochemical outcomes (serum thyroglobulin) and vocal cord function. RESULTS: Of the 47 patients, five (10.6%) patients showed recurrence (central neck, 3; lateral neck, 2) without death or distant metastasis. The RLN was resected along with the tumor in one (2.1%) patient who presented with progression of the residual tumor. Postoperative temporary vocal cord paralysis occurred in six (12.8%) patients without permanent cases. The final nonstimulated serum thyroglobulin was 0.7 ± 1.8 ng/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Shaving a tumor from a RLN with gross residual disease may be considered an alternative strategy to preserve vocal function when complete tumor resection with nerve preservation is impossible in patients with PTC invading a functioning RLN.
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Carcinoma, Papillary , Thyroid Neoplasms , Humans , Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/surgery , Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/pathology , Thyroglobulin , Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology , Retrospective Studies , Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve/surgery , Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve/pathology , Cohort Studies , Neoplasm, Residual/pathology , Carcinoma, Papillary/pathology , Thyroidectomy/adverse effectsABSTRACT
Sexuality is a common concern among people with disabilities or chronic conditions, and failure to address sexuality can lead to poorer rehabilitation outcomes. To explore the factors affecting addressing the sexuality of adult clients in clinical practice as perceived by Korean Occupational Therapists (OTs) and the perspective on what needs to be established to address sexuality in occupational therapy practice. This descriptive qualitative study using focus group interviews was conducted with 15 OTs providing rehabilitation services for adult clients in the post-onset maintenance phase or for outpatients in Seoul, South Korea. Data collected through focus groups were analyzed using the constant comparative method. The main factors influencing addressing clients sexuality in clinical practice were identified: "absence of institutional system for addressing sexuality in rehabilitation setting" for environmental factors; "lack of professional competency" for therapist-related factors; and "repressed sexuality" for client-related factors. Moreover, recognizing that "sexual health is one of the goals of rehabilitation" and prioritizing it in rehabilitation settings are essential. OTs must be "experts with knowledge and skills" to access the client's sexuality, and "education and publicity" should be actively conducted to raise awareness of sexual health for clients. To deal with clients sexuality, institutional preparation should be prioritized under the recognition that sexual health is one of the goals of rehabilitation. In addition, it is necessary to prepare a relevant curriculum for OTs and create awareness so that clients can recognize improving sexual activity as a role of OTs.
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Occupational Therapists , Occupational Therapy , Humans , Adult , Focus Groups , Sexual Behavior , Sexuality , Occupational Therapy/methodsABSTRACT
An ankle foot orthosis (AFO) is a standard type of orthosis applied to immediately treat foot drop symptoms. Kinesiology taping (KT) is a therapeutic method used in patients with neurological diseases, such as stroke, as well as in patients after orthopedic and sports injuries. This study aimed to compare outcomes of AFO treatment with those of KT to investigate the effect on gait ability in patients with foot drop after stroke. We recruited 18 patients exhibiting foot drop from stroke. Gait ability was assessed under 2 conditions: treatment with KT and that with AFO using the GAITRite system according to the following parameters: cadence, velocity, swing time, stance time, step length, and stride length. As a result, gait ability after treatment with KT and that after treatment with AFO showed no significant differences in cadence (P = .851), velocity (P = .865), swing time (P = .289 and .123), stance time (P = .255 and .711), step length (P = .955 and .975), and stride length (P = .711 and .690) of the affected and less-affected limbs. This study demonstrated that KT and AFO use have similar effects on gait function in patients with foot drop after stroke. Thus, treatment of foot drop with KT may be an alternative in patients for whom AFO use is contraindicated.
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Foot Orthoses , Gait Disorders, Neurologic , Peroneal Neuropathies , Stroke Rehabilitation , Stroke , Humans , Ankle , Stroke/complications , Stroke/therapy , Gait , Paresis , Biomechanical Phenomena , Gait Disorders, Neurologic/etiology , Gait Disorders, Neurologic/therapyABSTRACT
Mumps is the second-most reported infectious disease in South Korea; however, due to the low pathogen confirmation rate in laboratory diagnoses, we proposed a method for reevaluating the high incidence rate via the laboratory verification of other viral diseases. In 2021, 63 cases of pharyngeal or cheek mucosal swabs of suspected mumps cases in Gwangju, South Korea, were assessed for causative pathogens using massive simultaneous pathogen testing. More than one respiratory virus was detected in 60 cases (95.2%), 44 (73.3%) of which were codetected. Human rhinovirus was detected in 47 cases, followed by human herpesvirus (HHV)6 in 30; HHV4 (17), human bocavirus (17), HHV5 (10), and human parainfluenza virus 3 (6) were also detected. Our findings suggest the need for further investigations on the pathogenesis of diseases mimicking mumps, which are considered to aid with appropriate public health responses, treatment, and the prevention of infectious disease outbreaks.
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Herpesvirus 6, Human , Human bocavirus , Mumps , Virus Diseases , Viruses , Humans , Mumps/diagnosis , Mumps/epidemiology , Virus Diseases/diagnosis , Virus Diseases/epidemiology , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , Mumps virusABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Chin-tuck are effective in patients with dysphagia, where aspiration can occur due to pharyngeal swallowing delays. This study aims to verify whether Chin-tuck Assistant System Maneuver (CAS-M) supplemented with Chin-Tuck Maneuver (CTM) is effective for learning and maintaining correct chin-tuck postures. In addition, we investigated the possibility of using CAS-M as a customized rehabilitation treatment program for patients with poor cognitive ability, attention issues, and general swallowing disorders. INTERVENTION: To demonstrate the effectiveness of CAS, we recruited 52 healthy adults and assigned them to 2 groups. The CTM group was trained to maintain the correct chin-tuck posture using the general Chin-Tuck Maneuver, while the CAS-M group was trained using CAS. Four evaluations were conducted using CAS to investigate the degree of postural maintenance of chin-tuck before and after intervention. RESULTS: The CAS-M group showed a statistically significant difference in TIME, BEEP, and change (P < .05), but the CTM group showed no statistically significant differences (P < .05). YZ evaluation showed no statistically significant differences in both groups. CONCLUSION: After examining the effects of CAS-M using CAS on healthy adults, we confirmed this to be a more effective method for correct chin-tuck posture than conventional CTM.
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Deglutition Disorders , Posture , Adult , Humans , Chin , Feedback , Deglutition Disorders/therapy , DeglutitionABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The association between reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the ChAdOx1 nCOV-19 is controversial. We aimed to evaluate this association among South Korean healthcare workers (HCWs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants received two doses of the ChAdOx1vaccine 12 weeks apart. Blood samples were tested for anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein receptor binding domain antibodies about 2 months after the first and second doses using the Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S assay kits. Adverse events were noted using an online self-reporting questionnaire. RESULTS: Among the 232 HCWs, pain (85.78% after the first dose vs. 58.62% after the second dose, p<0.001) was the most prominent local reaction, and myalgia or fatigue (84.05% vs. 53.02%, p<0.001) was the most prominent systemic reaction. The frequency of all adverse events was significantly reduced after the second dose. After the first dose, the anti-SARS-CoV-2 S showed significantly higher titer in the group with swelling, itching, fever, and nausea. Also, the anti-SARS-CoV-2 S titer significantly increased as the grade of fever (p=0.007) and duration of fever (p=0.026) increased; however, there was no significant correlation between immunogenicity and adverse event after the second dose. The group with pain after the first dose showed a greater increase in the anti-SARS-CoV-2 S difference between the second and first doses compared to the group without pain (542.2 U/mL vs. 363.8 U/mL, p=0.037). CONCLUSION: The frequency of adverse events occurring after the first dose of the ChAdOx1 was significantly reduced after the second dose. Interestingly, the elevation of anti-SARS-CoV-2 S titer was significantly increased in the group with pain after the first dose.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19 , Humans , COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects , ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 , COVID-19/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2 , Health Personnel , Fever , Pain/etiology , Antibodies , Republic of KoreaABSTRACT
An elastic printed circuit board (E-PCB) is a conductive framework used for the facile assembly of system-level stretchable electronics. E-PCBs require elastic conductors that have high conductivity, high stretchability, tough adhesion to various components, and imperceptible resistance changes even under large strain. We present a liquid metal particle network (LMPNet) assembled by applying an acoustic field to a solid-state insulating liquid metal particle composite as the elastic conductor. The LMPNet conductor satisfies all the aforementioned requirements and enables the fabrication of a multilayered high-density E-PCB, in which numerous electronic components are intimately integrated to create highly stretchable skin electronics. Furthermore, we could generate the LMPNet in various polymer matrices, including hydrogels, self-healing elastomers, and photoresists, thus showing their potential for use in soft electronics.
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Demand for healthy diets has led researchers to explore new saccharide as sucrose alternatives. á´ -Psicose, the C-3 epimer of á´ -fructose, has a similar sweetness intensity to sucrose but contributes fewer calories. This study proposes a disaccharide with a stable structure derived from á´ -psicose. The compound with a spiro-tricyclic core was generated at 32% conversion via caramelization of á´ -psicose under acidic anhydrous conditions. The compound was identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry and multi-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The molecular formula was established as C12H20O10 from the molecular weight of m/z 324.1055. Twelve signals were observed by the 13C NMR spectrum. This compound, denoted di-á´ -psicose anhydride (DPA), exhibited a lower water solubility (40 g/L) and higher thermal stability (peak temperature = 194.7 °C) than that of á´ -psicose (peak temperature = 126.5 °C). The quantitatively evaluated metal ion scavenging ability of DPA was the best in magnesium (average 98.6 ± 1.1%). This synthesis methodology can provide disaccharides with high stability-reducing heavy metals.
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Anhydrides , Fructose , Fructose/chemistry , Sucrose , GlycoconjugatesABSTRACT
Gait assessment is an important tool for determining whether a person has a gait disorder. Existing gait analysis studies have a high error rate due to the heel-contact-event-based technique. Our goals were to overcome the shortcomings of existing gait analysis techniques and to develop more objective indices for assessing gait disorders. This paper proposes a method for assessing gait disorders via the observation of changes in the center of pressure (COP) in the medial-lateral direction, i.e., COPx, during the gait cycle. The data for the COPx were used to design a gait cycle estimation method applicable to patients with gait disorders. A polar gaitogram was drawn using the gait cycle and COPx data. The difference between the areas inside the two closed curves in the polar gaitogram, area ratio index (ARI), and the slope of the tangential line common to the two closed curves were proposed as gait analysis indices. An experimental study was conducted to verify that these two indices can be used to differentiate between stroke patients and healthy adults. The findings indicated the potential of using the proposed polar gaitogram and indices to develop and apply wearable devices to assess gait disorders.
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Gait Analysis , Wearable Electronic Devices , Adult , Biomechanical Phenomena , Gait , Heel , Humans , WalkingABSTRACT
Recently, a therapeutic method to stimulate the suprahyoid muscle using peripheral magnetic stimulation for dysphagia rehabilitation has been reported. However, clinical evidence, application protocol, and intervention method remain unclear. Therefore, a systematic review of the published literature is needed. The objective of this study was to systematically review clinical studies of peripheral magnetic stimulation applied for rehabilitation of dysphagia. Issues to be considered in future studies are also suggested. This systematic review performed a literature search of four databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science) to identify relevant studies published on the application of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) for swallowing-related muscles between 2010 and 2022. Seven studies were reviewed. Randomized controlled trials and one-group pre-post, case study designs were included. In the included studies, rPMS was applied to strengthen the submental suprahyoid muscles. The intervention regime varied. The rPMS was applied at a frequency of 30 Hz for 2 s. Rest time ranged from 8 s to 27-28 s. The number of intervention sessions ranged from 2-3 to 30. The intensity ranged from pain-inducing minimum intensity (90% of maximum stimulus output) to non-painful intensity (70-80% of maximum intensity). The rPMS on the suprahyoid muscles had positive effects on physiological changes in the swallowing function, such as displacement of the hyoid bone, muscle strength (cervical flexor, jaw-opening force), swallowing safety, swallowing performance, and swallowing-related quality of life. Participants also reported little pain and adverse reactions during rPMS. Although rPMS is a therapeutic option that can help improve the swallowing function as a non-invasive stimulation method in the rehabilitation of dysphagia, clinical evidence is needed for the development of clear stimulation protocols and guidelines.
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Deglutition Disorders , Stroke Rehabilitation , Deglutition , Deglutition Disorders/therapy , Humans , Magnetic Phenomena , Quality of Life , Stroke Rehabilitation/methodsABSTRACT
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recent findings from single-cell transcriptomic studies prompted us to revisit the role of plaque foamy macrophages in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In this review, we compared the gene expression profile of plaque foamy macrophages with those of other disease-associated macrophages and discussed their functions in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. RECENT FINDINGS: To understand the phenotypes of macrophages in atherosclerotic aorta, many research groups performed single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and found that there are distinct phenotypic differences among intimal foamy, nonfoamy and adventitial macrophages. Especially, the plaque foamy macrophages express triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), a key common feature of disease-associated macrophages in Alzheimer's disease, obesity, cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. These TREM2 + macrophages seem to be protective against chronic inflammation. SUMMARY: As the gene expression profile of plaque foamy macrophages is highly comparable to that of lipid-associated macrophages from obesity, we named the plaque foamy macrophages as plaque lipid-associated macrophages (PLAMs). PLAMs have a high level of gene expression related to phago/endocytosis, lysosome, lipid metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation. Considering the protective function of lipid-associated macrophages against adipose tissue inflammation, PLAMs may suppress atherosclerotic inflammation by removing modified lipids and cell debris in the plaque.