Background: Hyperintense vessels (HVs) on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) are frequently observed in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The presence of HVs represents altered blood flow from collaterals distal to arterial occlusion or stenosis. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of HVs in AIS. Methods: Fifty-four consecutive patients with acute middle cerebral artery occlusion were enrolled in the study. The location and extent of the HVs was determined by FLAIR. Clinical data were obtained and compared between patients with different grades of HVs. Additionally, the relationship between distal HVs and leptomeningeal collaterals (LMCs) was assessed using angiography. Results: HVs were observed in 41 (75.9%) of the 54 patients enrolled. The initial NIHSS score was lower (p < 0.001) and the infarction volume was smaller (p < 0.001) in patients with distal HVs. Adjusting of other factors, regression analysis revealed that distal HVs are an independent predictor of a favorable outcome at 90 days (p = 0.006; OR 0.049; 95% CI 0.006–0.420). Furthermore, the presence of distal HVs was correlated with the presence of LMCs. Conclusion: Distal HVs may be a marker for LMCs and act as a predictor of a favorable clinical outcome for patients with AIS.

The sensitivities and maximum responses to each agent differed between the clasp fibers and sling fibers. This suggests that the two kinds of fiber have different roles in establishing tension in the lower esophageal sphincter, with implications for the medical and surgical treatment of disorders in this region.

Spatiotemporal coordination of a nanorobot ensemble is critical for their operation in complex environments, such as tissue removal or drug delivery. Current strategies of achieving this task, however, rely heavily on sophisticated, external manipulation. We here present an alternative, biomimetic strategy by which oscillating Ag Janus micromotors spontaneously synchronize their dynamics as chemically coupled oscillators. By quantitatively tracking the kinetics at both an individual and cluster level, we find that synchronization emerges as the oscillating entities are increasingly coupled as they approach each other. In addition, the synchronized beating of a cluster of these oscillating colloids was found to be dominated by substrate electroosmosis, revealed with the help of an acoustic trapping technique. This quantitative, systematic study of synchronizing micromotors could facilitate the design of biomimetic nanorobots that spontaneously communicate and organize at micro- and nanoscales. It also serves as a model system for nonlinear active matter.

Esophageal myotomy for achalasia can reduce the resting pressures of the esophageal body and LES and improve esophageal transit and dysphagia. Myotomy in combination with antireflux procedure can prevent gastroesophageal reflux to a certain extent, but further randomized studies should be carried out to demonstrate its efficacy.