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Background: The inferior labial artery (ILA) and horizontal labiomental artery (HLA) can be regarded as the main arteries used in the lower lip pedicle for the perioral reconstruction. However, the courses of the ILA and HLA are described in diverse ways, and there is no obvious standard for distinguishing between them. The aim of this study was to elucidate the distribution patterns of the ILA and HLA, and the significance of the HLA in the vascularization of the lower lip. Materials and methods: Sixty-three hemifaces from 18 Korean and 19 Thai cadavers were used in this study. The distribution patterns of the arteries of the lower lip area were classified based on the assumption that the HLA travels in the middle of the lower lip area, while the ILA runs along the lower lip border. The arterial distribution pattern of the HLA was classified into three types (I-III): type I, where the HLA ran horizontally in the lower lip area; type II, where the HLA curved upward to the vermilion border of the lower lip; and type III, where the HLA bifurcated into two branches. The ILA was also classified into three types (A-C): type A, where the ILA was not observed; type B, ILA was ramified from facial artery at the level of mouth corner; and type C, ILA arose from the superior labial artery (SLA) and supplied the lower lip vermillion border. Results: Types I, II, and III were observed in 52.4 % (33/63), 39.7 % (25/63), and 7.9 % (5/63) of cases, respectively; and types A, B, and C were observed in 52.4 % (33/63), 36.5 % (23/63), and 11.1 % (7/63) of cases. Consideration of the two artery classifications together revealed seven types: type IA (14.3 %, 9/63), type IB (28.6 %, 18/63), type IC (9.5 %, 6/63), type IIA (30.2 %, 19/63), type IIB (7.9 %, 5/63), type IIC (1.6 %, 1/63), and type III (7.9 %, 5/63). The distance between the HLA and the midpoint between the mouth corner and the inferior mandibular margin was 0.4 ± 3.1 mm (mean ± SD) inferior to this point. Conclusion: The ILA and HLA should be differentiated according to the location of their origin rather than their terminating areas. The HLA could be considered as the main artery supplying the lower lip mucosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we propose a novel impedance-variation scheme in a half-quarter-wave stack (HQWS) structure to achieve desired bandpass filtering performances such as quasi-flat tops, steep bandedges and wide surrounding bandgaps. Specifically, only the characteristic impedances of constituent half-wave layers are varied without altering the phase shift of π at the center frequency of the target passband that is the Fabry–Perot resonance frequency of the unperturbed original HQWS structure. Because the simultaneous control of characteristic impedance and phase shift in each of the constituent half-wave layers is not achievable only by layer-sizing, the varied layers must be realized by metamaterials. So, specially-configured aluminum-based metamaterials having a double-slit void inhomogeneity are engineered and the actual wave transmission performance of the metamaterial-realized HQWS structure is examined numerically and experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marker assisted selection (MAS) for disease resistance is widely applied in practical tomato breeding programs in the public and private sectors. Due to its commercial value and importance as a model crop, tomato has taken the lead in MAS among the horticultural crops. Tomato yellow leaf curl virus, which is transmitted by the whitefly ( Bemisia tabaci), is a major threat to tomato production worldwide. The Ty1 and Ty3 resistance loci originated from Solanum chilense LA1969 and LA1932/LA2779, respectively. Recently, the gene responsible for Ty1 resistance was identified as a DFDGD-class RNA-dependent RNA polymerase and was demonstrated to be allelic with Ty3 resistance. The Ph3 resistance locus from S. pimpinellifolium (L3708), which confers incomplete resistance against a widerange of Phytophthora infestans isolates, is considered the most effective source of resistance against tomato late blight. A coiled-coil nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat gene on chromosome 9 was determined to be responsible for Ph3 resistance. Resistance against verticillium wilt diseases in tomato is conferred by the Ve locus that contains two closely linked, inversely oriented genes: Ve1 and Ve2. The Ve locus provides resistance against Verticillium alboatrum race 1 and encodes an extracellular leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein class of disease resistance proteins. We developed reliable and comprehensive molecular markers based on either the single nucleotide polymorphisms or insertions/deletions directly responsible for the resistance provided by the Ty1, Ph3, and Ve1 loci. These gene-based functional molecular markers are expected to enhance the effectiveness and accuracy of MAS for disease resistance in tomato breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Disease resistance against xylem-colonizing pathogenic bacteria in crops. Abstract: Plant pathogenic bacteria cause destructive diseases in many commercially important crops. Among these bacteria, eight pathogens, Ralstonia solanacearum, Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, X. campestris pv. campestris, Erwinia amylovora, Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii, Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae, and Xylella fastidiosa, infect their host plants through different infection sites and paths and eventually colonize the xylem tissues of their host plants, resulting in wilting symptoms by blocking water flow or necrosis of xylem tissues. Noticeably, only a relatively small number of resistant cultivars in major crops against these vascular bacterial pathogens except X. oryzae pv. oryzae have been found or generated so far, although these pathogens threaten productivity of major crops. In this review, we summarize the lifestyles of major xylem-colonizing bacterial pathogens and then discuss the progress of current research on disease resistance controlled by qualitative disease resistance genes or quantitative trait loci against them. Finally, we propose infection processes of xylem-colonizing bacterial pathogens as one of possible reasons for why so few qualitative disease resistance genes against these pathogens have been developed or identified so far in crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery (Fbr) is vulnerable to damage triggered by iatrogenic manipulation by both dermal filler and BoNT-A injection. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the branching pattern of Fbr and to determine its location and course on the lateral border of the frontal belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle (FB). Methods: Sixty-four hemifaces from 38 Korean cadavers (26 males and 12 females; mean age 71.9 years) were dissected, and the location and course of the Fbr were identified with reference to the lateral border of the FB. Results: The ramification of the frontal branch from the superficial temporal artery (STA) occurred 36.9 ± 14.24 mm (mean ± SD) superior and 17.2 ± 8.2 mm anterior to the posterior-most point of the tragus [i.e., tragion (Tg)]. The Fbr was observed as a single branch in 96.9 % of cases and reached its destination at a single point in 71.9 %. It reached the Fbr 14.8 ± 7.7 mm superior to the uppermost point of the eyebrow and 15.8 ± 9.1 mm from the lateral epicanthus. The Fbr bifurcated into superior and inferior branches before reaching the FB in 25.0 % of cases. In two cases (3 %), the Fbr ramified from the STA within 1 mm of the Tg. The diameter of the superior division of Fbr was 1.6 ± 0.5 mm at the lateral border of the FB and 1.8 ± 0.6 mm at other locations. Conclusion: Physicians performing injection treatments such as botulinum toxin type A and dermal filler injection to the posterior frontal area should be aware of the various distributions of the Fbr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spasticity is a motor disease characterized by a velocity-dependent acceleration in muscle tone or tonic stretch reflexes linked to hypertonia. Lower limb spasticity has been successfully treated with botulinum neurotoxin; however, the injection sites have not been generalized. Sihler's stain has been used to visualize intramuscular nerve distribution to guide botulinum neurotoxin injection. Sihler staining is a whole-mount nerve staining technique that allows visualization of nerve distribution and mapping of entire nerve supply patterns in skeletal muscle with hematoxylin-stained myelinated nerve fibers. This study reviewed and summarized previous lower extremity spasticity studies to determine the ideal injection site for botulinum neurotoxin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemic diseases of domestic animals, such as high pathogenic avian influenza, can be directly spread by poultry-related business personnel/vehicles visiting farms and can be indirectly caused by aerial spread. However, most of comprehensive analysis studies have considered only direct or indirect causes. The purpose of this study is to construct a direct HPAI spread network based on the relationships between farms using poultry-related business data from 39 farms in the Kimje district of South Korea and an indirect HPAI spread network using the aerial spread from each farm during the HPAI outbreak in 2008. Direct/indirect HPAI spread networks were also analysed using centrality analyses to identify highly vulnerable farms for infection and highly influential farms on other farms so the initial spread can be prevented. This study proposes an optimal prevention solution through a comprehensive spread simulation and compares the centrality of infected/suspected farms by tracing the infection routes for network validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents a possibility of structural health monitoring of axially-cracked pipes by using helically propagating shear-horizontal waves. The present approach is motivated by the facts that circumferentially- or helically-incident waves can detect an axial crack in a pipe more sensitively than longitudinally-incident waves and that guided waves are more advantageous for long-range inspection. For effective detection of axial cracks, a shear-horizontal guided wave magnetostrictive transducer that has wide beam directivity but can focus more power along the circumferential direction than the longitudinal direction is designed. Upon inputting a single Gabor pulse to the transmitting transducer, the receiver catches a series of pulses due to its unique directivity pattern. Damage estimation is achieved by comparing the signals measured in cracked pipes and those in an un-cracked pipe. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Postoperative pain after breast reconstruction surgery with the latissimus dorsi flap is a common occurrence. Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection during surgery is effective in reducing postoperative pain. This study aimed to determine the most appropriate locations for BoNT injection. A modified Sihler's method was performed on the latissimus dorsi muscles in 16 specimens. Intramuscular nerve arborization was noted under the landmark of the medial side surgical neck of the humerus to the line crossing the spinous process of T5 and the middle of the iliac crest. The latissimus dorsi muscles were divided into medial, middle, and lateral segments with 10 transverse divisions to give 10 sections (each 10%). Intramuscular nerve arborization of the latissimus dorsi muscle was the largest from the medial and lateral part of the muscle ranging from 40 to 60%, middle part from 30 to 60% and medial, middle and lateral part from 70 to 90%. The nerve entry points were at the medial and lateral part with 20–40% regarding the medial side of surgical neck of the humerus to the line crossing spinous process of T5 to the middle of iliac crest. These outcomes propose that an injection of BoNT into the latissimus dorsi muscles should be administered into specific zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast reconstruction after mastectomy is commonly performed using transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap. Previous studies have demonstrated that botulinum neurotoxin injections in TRAM flap surgeries lower the risk of necrosis and allow further expansion of arterial cross-sectional diameters. The study was designed to determine the ideal injection points for botulinum neurotoxin injection by exploring the arborization patterns of the intramuscular nerves of the rectus abdominis muscle. A modified Sihler's method was performed on 16 rectus abdominis muscle specimens. Arborization of the intramuscular nerves was determined based on the most prominent point of the xyphoid process to the pubic crest. All 16 rectus abdominis muscle specimens were divided into four muscle bellies by the tendinous portion. The arborized portions of the muscles were located on the 5–15%, 25–35%, 45–55%, and 70–80% sections of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th muscle bellies, respectively. The tendinous portion was located at the 15–20%, 35–40%, 55–60%, and 90–100% sections. These results suggest that botulinum neurotoxin injections into the rectus abdominis muscles should be performed in specific sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are still concerns about masseteric bulging due to a lack of knowledge about the internal architecture of the masseter muscle. Further investigations are therefore required of the most-effective botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection points and strategies for managing masseteric bulging. The purpose of this study was to identify safer and more effective botulinum neurotoxin injection points and strategies by using ultrasonography to determine the structural patterns of the deep inferior tendon. We also measured the precise depths and locations of the deep inferior tendon of the masseter muscle. Thirty-two healthy volunteers participated in this study, and ultrasonography was used to scan the masseter muscle both longitudinally and transversely. Three structural patterns of the deep inferior tendon were identified: in type A, the deep inferior tendon covered the anterior two-thirds of the masseter muscle (21.8%); in type B, the deep inferior tendon covered the posterior two-thirds of the masseter muscle (9.4%); and in type C, the deep inferior tendon covered most of the inferior part of the masseter muscle (68.8%). Depending on the ultrasonography scanning site, the depth from the skin surface to the mandible in the masseteric region ranged from 15 to 25 mm. The deep inferior tendon was typically located 2 to 5 mm deep from the mandible. Ultrasonography can be used to observe the internal structure of the masseter muscle including the deep inferior tendon in individual patients. This will help to reduce the side effects of masseteric bulging when applying retrograde or dual-plane injection methods depending on the structural pattern of the deep inferior tendon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A comprehensive understanding of neural distribution within the vastus medialis is crucial for the effective administration of botulinum neurotoxin injections to manage spasticity. The aim of this study was to develop an anatomically informed approach to guide the administration of botulinum neurotoxin injections into the vastus medialis muscle. Methods: Using a modified Sihler's method, we examined the vastus medialis muscles (20 specimens) to delineate the distribution of nerves relative to a transverse line extending from the anterior superior iliac spine to the base of patella. The vastus medialis muscle was divided into 10 areas from top to bottom. Then, using two fresh cadavers, ultrasonography-guided injections were performed based on the distribution of nerves within the vastus medialis. Each specimen was subsequently dissected to verify if the dye was accurately directed to the most densely innervated regions of the vastus medialis and to assess the precision of the injections. Results: The intramuscular nerve distribution within the vastus medialis muscle showed distinct patterns, particularly in areas between 6 and 9. Four injections were successfully administered on each side, targeting the regions between 6 and 9 of the vastus medialis. Upon dissection of the cadavers, the dye was found to be distributed along the muscle fiber. Conclusion: We recommend targeting botulinum neurotoxin injections toward regions displaying a prominent nerve distribution, specifically focusing on areas between 6 and 9. By adhering to these guidelines, clinicians can minimize doses and mitigate potential adverse effects, such as gait disturbances, antibody development, and bruising, resulting from multiple injections. Furthermore, these findings can be incorporated into electromyography practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the nerve entry point and intramuscular nerve branching of the rhomboid major and minor, providing essential information for improved performance of botulinum toxin injections and electromyography. A modified Sihler method was performed on the rhomboid major and minor muscles (10 specimens each). The nerve entry point and intramuscular arborization areas were identified in terms of the spinous processes and medial and lateral angles of the scapula. The nerve entry point for both the rhomboid major and minor was found in the middle muscular area between levels C7 and T1. The intramuscular neural distribution for the rhomboid minor had the largest arborization patterns in the medial and lateral sections between levels C7 and T1. The rhomboid major muscle had the largest arborization area in the middle section between levels T1 and T5. In conclusion, botulinum neurotoxin injection and electromyography should be administered in the medial and lateral sections of C7−T1 for the rhomboid minor and the middle section of T1−T7 for the rhomboid major. Injections in the middle section of C7−T1 should also be avoided to prevent mechanical injury to the nerve trunk. Clinicians can administer safe and effective treatments with botulinum toxin injections and other types of injections by following the methods in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to elucidate the intramuscular distribution pattern of the medial plantar nerve and determine its motor nerve ending territories within the abductor hallucis muscle using modified Sihler's staining and external anatomical landmarks. The study included 40 specimens of the abductor hallucis muscle (13 men and seven women) from formalin-fixed (ten cadavers) and fresh cadavers (ten cadavers), with a mean age of 77.6 years. The entry point of the medial plantar nerve into the muscle was examined, followed by Sihler's staining to analyze the intramuscular distribution pattern and motor nerve ending location within the abductor hallucis muscle. Ultrasound- and palpation-guided injections were performed to verify the applicability of motor nerve ending location-based injections. The areas with the highest concentrations of nerve entry points and nerve endings were identified in the central portion of the muscle. Ultrasound- and palpation-guided injections were safely positioned near the densest nerve ending region of the muscle. These detailed anatomical data and injection methods would be beneficial for proceeding with safe and effective injection treatments using various analgesic agents to alleviate abductor hallucis muscle-associated pain disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mode-entangled resonance (MER) enables mode-preserving full transmission of a Lamb wave. • Symmetric (S) or asymmetric (A) Lamb wave can pass through an asymmetric waveguide using the MER. • MER develops when S- and A-modes individually satisfy specific phase-matching conditions. • Super-enhancement of transduction efficiency for A-mode is achievable using the MER. We report a novel resonance phenomenon called the mode-entangled resonance. It can occur at a specific frequency in a plate carrying both symmetric and antisymmetric Lamb wave modes. We show that at this resonance, a symmetric or antisymmetric Lamb wave can be fully transmitted with its mode preserved from one plate to another through a matching plate geometrically misaligned with the two base plates. This phenomenon appears to be counter-intuitive because both symmetric and antisymmetric waves are generally formed in the reflected and transmitted wave fields when the misaligned plate is used as a matching plate. Our analysis shows that if both symmetric and antisymmetric Lamb wave modes at the resonance are entangled in the misaligned matching plate to satisfy the established phase matching condition, the matching plate fully transmits any wave mode across the two base plates. The discovered phenomenon is related to the classical Fabry-Perot resonance (FPR), but FPR is only applicable for single-mode transmission through a matching plate aligned with two base plates. Numerical and experimental results were presented to validate the discovered mode-entangled resonance phenomenon. Furthermore, we show that the discovered phenomenon can be used for super-amplification of the amplitude of the antisymmetric Lamb wave when it is excited by plate-surface-mounted patch transducers. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study evaluated the collateral map's ability to predict lesion growth and penumbra after acute anterior circulation ischemic strokes. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of selected data from a prospectively collected database. The lesion growth ratio was the ratio of the follow-up lesion volume to the baseline lesion volume on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The time-to-maximum (Tmax)/DWI ratio was the ratio of the baseline Tmax > 6 s volume to the baseline lesion volume. The collateral ratio was the ratio of the hypoperfused lesion volume of the phase_FU (phase with the hypoperfused lesions most approximate to the follow-up DWI lesion) to the hypoperfused lesion volume of the phase_baseline of the collateral map. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent predictors of lesion growth. The concordance correlation coefficients of Tmax/DWI ratio and collateral ratio for lesion growth ratio were analyzed. Results: Fifty-two patients, including twenty-six males (mean age, 74 years), were included. Intermediate (OR, 1234.5; p < 0.001) and poor collateral perfusion grades (OR, 664.7; p = 0.006) were independently associated with lesion growth. Phase_FUs were immediately preceded phases of the phase_baselines in intermediate or poor collateral perfusion grades. The concordance correlation coefficients of the Tmax/DWI ratio and collateral ratio for the lesion growth ratio were 0.28 (95% CI, 0.17–0.38) and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.82–0.92), respectively. Conclusion: Precise prediction of lesion growth and penumbra can be possible using collateral maps, allowing for personalized application of recanalization treatments. Further studies are needed to generalize the findings of this study. Clinical relevance statement: Precise prediction of lesion growth and penumbra can be possible using collateral maps, allowing for personalized application of recanalization treatments. Key Points: • Cell viability in cerebral ischemia due to proximal arterial steno-occlusion mainly depends on the collateral circulation. • The collateral map shows salvageable brain extent, which can survive by recanalization treatments after acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke. • Precise estimation of salvageable brain makes it possible to make patient-specific treatment decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increases in aging and chronic disease, there have been efforts to apply IT to healthcare. Many studies show that the will to exercise (self-efficacy) is the most important factor contributing to physical activity. However, those who need exercise do not have this will so that an approach to increase the motivation for physical activity should be unconscious. Thus, playing Pokémon GO, an augmented reality (AR) mobile game requiring players to ambulate in reality, increases the physical activity of individuals with a simple motivation of enjoyment. A survey on 237 Pokémon GO players was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) considering libertarian paternalism. The results show that self-efficacy had a non-significant effect on attitude toward the game Pokémon GO, while previous studies found that self-efficacy is the most important factor in increasing physical activity. This indicates that playing AR drives physical activity, subconsciously and effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroinflammation and dysfunction of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) are two prominent mechanisms of secondary injury in neurotrauma. It has been suggested that Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play important roles in initiating and propagating neuroinflammation resulting from traumatic brain injury (TBI), but potential beneficial effects of targeting these receptors in TBI have not been broadly studied. Here, we investigated the effect of targeting TLRs with proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) on post-traumatic neuroinflammation and BBB function. PRG4 is a mucinous glycoprotein with strong anti-inflammatory properties, exerting its biological effects by interfering with TLR2/4 signaling. In addition, PRG4 has the ability to inhibit activation of cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), a cell-surface glycoprotein playing an important role in inflammation. Using the controlled cortical impact model of TBI in rats, we showed a rapid and prolonged upregulation of message for TLR2/4 and CD44 in the injured cortex. In the in vitro model of the BBB, recombinant human PRG4 (rhPRG4) crossed the endothelial monolayers through a high-capacity, saturable transport system. In rats sustaining TBI, PRG4 delivery to the brain was enhanced by post-traumatic increase in BBB permeability. rhPRG4 injected intravenously at 1 h post-TBI potently inhibited post-traumatic activation of nuclear factor kappa B and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2, the two major signal transduction pathways associated with TLR2/4 and CD44, and curtailed the post-traumatic influx of monocytes. In addition, PRG4 restored normal BBB function after TBI by preventing the post-traumatic loss of tight junction protein claudin 5 and reduced neuronal death. Our observations provide support for therapeutic strategies targeting TLRs in TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate neural patterns within the gluteus maximus (Gmax) muscle to identify optimal EMG placement and injection sites for botulinum toxin and other injectable agents. Methods: This study used 10 fixed and 1 non-fixed adult Korean cadavers. Intramuscular arborization patterns were confirmed in the cranial, middle, and caudal segments of 20 Gmax muscles using Sihler staining. Ultrasound images were obtained from one cadaver, and blue dye was injected using ultrasound guidance to confirm the results. Results: The intramuscular innervation pattern of the Gmax was mostly in the middle part of this muscle. The nerve endings of the Gmax are mainly located in the 40–70% range in the cranial segment, the 30–60% range in the middle segment, and the 40–70% range in the caudal segment. Discussion: Addressing the spasticity of the gluteus maximus requires precise, site-specific botulinum toxin injections. The use of EMG and other injection therapies should be guided by the findings of this study. We propose that these specific sites, which correspond to areas with the densest nerve branches, are the safest and most efficient locations for both botulinum toxin injections and EMG procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]