The exponential-GPR model tuned by Bayesian optimization showed superior performance with minimum MAD (0.0182), RMSE (0.0203), and high R2 (0.9914) values in the training phase and minimum MAD (0.0342), RMSE (0.0463), and high R2 (0.9841) values in the testing phase. The results of this study can help decision-makers to be aware of social-economic factors associated with waste management and ensure optimal usage of their resources in future planning.BACKGROUND AND AIMS Patients with embolic strokes of undetermined source (ESUS) usually present with mild symptoms. We aimed to compare the baseline characteristics between mild and severe ESUS, identify predictors for severe ESUS, and assess outcomes of patients with severe ESUS. METHODS In the AF-ESUS (AF-ESUS) dataset, we stratified ESUS severity using the median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission as cut-off. We performed multivariable stepwise regression analyses to identify independent predictors of severe ESUS and to assess the association between ESUS severity and stroke recurrence, death, and new incident atrial fibrillation (AF) on follow-up. The 10-year cumulative probabilities of outcome incidence were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier product limit method. RESULTS In 772 patients (median NIHSS 6 (interquartile range 3-12)), 414 (53.6%) patients had severe ESUS (i.e. NIHSS ≥6). Female sex was the only independent predictor for severe ESUS (odds ratio 1.72 (1.27-2.33)). The rates of recurrence (3.3%/year vs. 3.4%/year, adjusted-hazard ratio 1.09 (0.73-1.62)) and new incident AF (13.5% vs. 17.0%, adjusted odds ratio 0.67 (0.44-1.03)) were similar between severe and mild ESUS, but mortality was higher (5.4%/year vs. 3.7%/year, adjusted-hazard ratio 1.51 (1.05-2.16)) in severe ESUS. The 10-year cumulative probability for stroke recurrence was similar between severe and mild ESUS (38.1% (29.2-48.6) vs. 36.6% (27.8-47.0), log-rank test 0.01, p = 0.920). The 10-year cumulative probability of death was higher in patients with severe ESUS compared with mild ESUS (40.5% (32.5-50.0) vs. 34.0% (26.0-43.6) respectively; log-rank test 4.54, p = 0.033).  https://www.selleckchem.com/Androgen-Receptor.html  CONCLUSIONS Women have more severe ESUS compared with men. Patients with severe ESUS have similar rates of stroke recurrence and new incident AF, but higher mortality compared with mild ESUS.BACKGROUND It remains unclear whether thrombolysis outcomes can be influenced by the affected vascular territory (i.e. anterior circulation stroke vs. posterior circulation stroke) in stroke patients owing to the lack of randomized controlled trials. AIMS Using multiple comprehensive databases, we searched for observational studies of the safety and efficacy of intravenous thrombolytics and intra-arterial treatment with or without intravenous thrombolytics in accordance with the affected vascular territory. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. We evaluated symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, all-type intracerebral hemorrhage, mortality, and functional outcomes at three months. The recanalization rate was assessed in the intra-arterial treatment group. SUMMARY OF REVIEW Twenty-one studies including a report from our own stroke registry were included through quantitative synthesis. Compared with the anterior circulation stroke group, the posterior circulation stroke group had a lower risk of ICa-arterial treatment, and to identify patients' profiles associated with benefit of treatment.Objectives Statins have anti-inflammatory effects on several neurological diseases. However, their effects on post-stroke epilepsy and mortality have not been well studied.Method This is a retrospective cohort study, based on the one-million random data from National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. We identified stroke inpatients during 2000-2009. They were grouped into statin users and non-users, and followed up to 2010. Excluded were those with in-hospital mortality, in-hospital seizure(s), epileptic history, antiepileptic drug use before admission, or age under 45. The hazard ratios of statin-associated epilepsy and mortality were analyzed separately.Results There were 16,711 statin non-users and 2246 users. There was no significant differences between the two groups in terms of epilepsy (13.3 vs. 15.7 per 1000 person-years, p = 0.728) and overall mortality (66.3 vs. 104.6 per 1000 person-years, p = 0.351). Subgroup analysis of male patients showed that statin-users had lower mortality risk compared with non-users (60.2 vs. 113.0 per 1000 person-years, p = 0.032).Conclusion Statins have a modest but non-significant effect in preventing post-apoplectic epilepsy in Taiwan. Statins decrease post-stroke mortality only in men. Further studies are needed to depict their exact roles in these issues.Objective To assess botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) on mandibular movements and bite force (BF%) in bruxism.Methods Ten bruxers were divided into 2 groups based on BF% imbalance (G1 >10%, G2 less then 10%). BTX-A 140U was total injected into the masseter and temporalis muscles. A T-Scan® recorded BF%, occlusion time (OT), right, left, and protrusive disclusion time (DT) before administering BTX-A, as well as 15, 45, 90, and 120 days after injection.Results The Friedman and Wilcoxon tests found significant differences in BF% in G1 subjects at 15 days (p = 0.028 s), OT at 90 (p = 0.043 s), and 120 (p = 0.027 s) days, DTR at 90 (p = 0.046 s) and 120 (p = 0.028 s) days, DTL at 15 (p = 0.043 s) and 90 (p = 0.027 s) days, and DTP 45-90 days (p = 0.043 s).Conclusion BTX-A induced BF% starting at 15 days post-injection and influenced lateralities later.A3, generated as a monoclonal antibody against rat malignant fibrous histiocytoma cells, recognizes somatic stem cells in rats. We analyzed the distribution of A3-positive cells in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colonic lesions consisting of regenerating mucosa and fibrosis. Male 6-week-old F344 rats were administered 5% DSS in drinking water for 5 to 7 days, and lesions at recovery stage were also examined. In untreated control adult colons, A3-positive cells are localized around the crypts where stem cell niche is formed. Histopathologically, in colons of DSS-administered rats, mucosal atrophy, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrosis were observed in the lamina propria; thereafter, mucosal epithelia were desquamated, and crypts were decreased gradually with decrease in surrounding A3-positive cells. At the early recovery stage, crypts showed regeneration with reappearance of A3-positive cells. Interestingly, A3-positive cells aggregated in desquamated mucosa surface of fibrosis. Aggregated A3-positive cells coexpressed with vimentin, Thy-1, and partly CK19 but did not react simultaneously with α-SMA.