The effect of training using an upper limb rehabilitation robot (HEXO-UR30A) in chronic stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Upper limb robotic rehabilitation can be beneficial to the patients when applied appropriately. HEXO-UR30A is a novel exoskeletal type upper limb rehabilitation robot that provides continuous passive motion to the shoulder joint.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of HEXO-UR30A on the patient's functional change, spasticity, and range of motion (ROM).

Neuroprotective Effect of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Stroke.

The mechanism of the neuroprotective effect of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in vivo is unclear. We investigated whether the MIF promotes neurological recovery in an in vivo mouse model of ischemic stroke. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery was performed to make ischemic stroke mouse model.

Inducible Expression of Several Genes Encoding Juvenile Hormone Binding Proteins by a Plant Diterpene Secondary Metabolite, Methyl Lucidone.

Juvenile hormones prevent molting and metamorphosis in the juvenile stages of insects. There are multiple genes encoding a conserved juvenile hormone binding protein (JHBP) domain in a single insect species. Although some JHBPs have been reported to serve as carriers to release hormones to target tissues, the molecular functions of the other members of the diverse JHBP family of proteins remain unclear.

Hepatitis B virus X protein promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating SOCS1.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a primary type of liver cancer, is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths worldwide. HCC patients have poor prognosis due to intrahepatic and extrahepatic metastasis. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the major causes of various liver diseases including HCC.

Determining the Optimal Administration Conditions under Which MIF Exerts Neuroprotective Effects by Inducing BDNF Expression and Inhibiting Apoptosis in an In Vitro Stroke Model.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) exerts neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and inducing the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). However, the optimal administration conditions of MIF are currently unknown. Here, we aimed to identify these conditions in an in vitro model.

Zika Virus Induces Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL)-Mediated Apoptosis in Human Neural Progenitor Cells.

Zika virus (ZIKV) remains as a public health threat due to the congenital birth defects the virus causes following infection of pregnant women. Congenital microcephaly is among the neurodevelopmental disorders the virus can cause in newborns, and this defect has been associated with ZIKV-mediated cytopathic effects in human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs). In this study, we investigated the cellular changes that occur in hNPCs in response to ZIKV (African and Asian lineages)-induced cytopathic effects.

Anti-Osteoporotic Effects of the Herbal Mixture of and In Vitro and In Vivo.

Osteoporosis is a porous bone disease caused by bone density loss, which increases the risk of fractures. (CO) and (AJ) have been used as traditional herbal medicine for various disorders in East Asia. Although the anti-osteoporotic effects of single extract of CO and AJ have already been reported, the synergistic effect of a combined mixture has not been studied.

Antiobesity Effects of Extract on 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and a High-Fat Diet-Induced Mouse Model.

Obesity is one of the most common metabolic diseases resulting in metabolic syndrome. In this study, we investigated the antiobesity effect of L. (GL) extract on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and a high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced mouse model.

Antiadipogenic Effects of Mixtures of and Extracts on 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and High-Fat Diet-Induced Mice.

Medicinal plants have been used worldwide as primary alternative healthcare supplements. (CO) and (RF) are traditional medicinal plants applied in East Asia to treat human diseases such as hepatitis, osteoporosis, oxidative stress and allergy. The aim of this study was to examine the anti-obesity effect of CO and RF on preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells in vitro and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mice in vivo.

Altered Mitochondrial Functions and Morphologies in Epithelial Cells Are Associated With Pathogenesis of Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps.

Purpose: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a complex inflammatory disease of the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa. The disease is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, structural changes in the mitochondria, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. This study investigated whether there are functional and morphological changes in the mitochondria in the epithelial cells of nasal polyps (NPs) and enterotoxin B (SEB)-stimulated nasal epithelial cells.

Survey of characteristics of exposure to mainstream cigarette smoke using discarded cigarette butts from Korean smokers.

Evaluating the characteristics of exposure to mainstream cigarette smoke is an essential field in tobacco research because of the large risk burden among smokers. Detailed evaluation of the complex factors pertaining to the exposure of smokers to mainstream cigarette smoke was attempted by analysis of discarded cigarette butts. A total of 5475 samples of discarded cigarette butts was collected to investigate the exposure characteristics in relation to Korean smokers.

Insights into ZIKV-Mediated Innate Immune Responses in Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Epidermal Keratinocytes.

Zika virus (ZIKV) has emerged as a global pathogen causing significant public health concern. ZIKV infections in humans principally occur via mosquito bites. Thus, host skin cells are permissive to ZIKV infection and are the first line of defense against the virus.

Species-Specific Interactions between Plant Metabolites and Insect Juvenile Hormone Receptors.

Because juvenile hormone (JH) controls insect development and its analogs are used as insecticides, juvenile hormone disruptors (JHDs) represent potential sources from which novel pesticides can be developed. Many plant species harbor JHD activity, which has previously been attributed plant secondary metabolites (i.e.

A plant diterpene counteracts juvenile hormone-mediated gene regulation during Drosophila melanogaster larval development.

Many plant species possess compounds with juvenile hormone disruptor (JHD) activity. In some plant species, such activity has been attributed to diterpene secondary metabolites. Plant JHD diterpenes disrupt insect development by interfering with the juvenile hormone (JH)-mediated formation of JH receptor complexes.

SIRT2 reduces actin polymerization and cell migration through deacetylation and degradation of HSP90.

SIRT2, a member of the class III histone deacetylase family, has been identified as a tumor suppressor, which is associated with various cellular processes including metabolism and proliferation. However, the effects of SIRT2 on cancer cell migration caused by cytoskeletal rearrangement remain uncertain. Here we show that SIRT2 inhibits cell motility by suppressing actin polymerization.

Favipiravir and Ribavirin Inhibit Replication of Asian and African Strains of Zika Virus in Different Cell Models.

Zika virus (ZIKV) has recently emerged as a new public health threat. ZIKV infections have caused a wide spectrum of neurological diseases, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, myelitis, meningoencephalitis, and congenital microcephaly. No effective therapies currently exist for treating patients infected with ZIKV.

VBP1 represses cancer metastasis by enhancing HIF-1α degradation induced by pVHL.

von Hippel-Lindau-binding protein 1 (VBP1) physically interacts with pVHL, an E3-ubiquitin ligase, which degrades HIF-1α in an oxygen-dependent manner. HIF-1 is a key regulator of adaptive responses to a lack of oxygen that controls glucose metabolism, angiogenesis, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. However, the role of VBP1 in pVHL-mediated degradation of HIF-1α is not yet known.

Diagnostic Usefulness of Varicella-Zoster Virus Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Analysis of DNA in Saliva and Plasma Specimens From Patients With Herpes Zoster.

Background: We evaluated the diagnostic usefulness of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for detecting varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection and reactivation of VZV, using DNA extracted from saliva and plasma specimens obtained from subjects with suspected herpes zoster and from healthy volunteers during stressful and nonstressful conditions.

Methods: There were 52 patients with a diagnosis of herpes zoster (group 1), 30 with a diagnosis of zoster-mimicking disease (group 2), and 27 healthy volunteers (group 3). Saliva and plasma samples were evaluated for VZV DNA by real-time PCR analysis.

Schlafen 14 (SLFN14) is a novel antiviral factor involved in the control of viral replication.

Schlafen (SLFN) proteins have been suggested to play important functions in cell proliferation and immune cell development. In this study, we determined the antiviral activities of putative RNA-helicase domain-containing SLFN14. Murine SLFN14 expression was specifically induced by TLR3-mediated pathways and type I interferon (IFN) in RAW264.

Conifer Diterpene Resin Acids Disrupt Juvenile Hormone-Mediated Endocrine Regulation in the Indian Meal Moth Plodia interpunctella.

Diterpene resin acids (DRAs) are important components of oleoresin and greatly contribute to the defense strategies of conifers against herbivorous insects. In the present study, we determined that DRAs function as insect juvenile hormone (JH) antagonists that interfere with the juvenile hormone-mediated binding of the JH receptor Methoprene-tolerant (Met) and steroid receptor coactivator (SRC). Using a yeast two-hybrid system transformed with Met and SRC from the Indian meal moth Plodia interpunctella, we tested the interfering activity of 3704 plant extracts against JH III-mediated Met-SRC binding.

STING Is Involved in Antiviral Immune Response against VZV Infection via the Induction of Type I and III IFN Pathways.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a human-restricted α-herpesvirus that exhibits tropism for the skin. The VZV host receptors and downstream signaling pathways responsible for the antiviral innate immune response in the skin are not completely understood. Here, we show that STING mediates an important host defense against VZV infection in dermal cells including human dermal fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes.

HSV-1 ICP27 represses NF-κB activity by regulating Daxx sumoylation.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 ICP27 is a multifunctional protein responsible for viral replication, late gene expression, and reactivation from latency. ICP27 interacts with various cellular proteins, including Daxx. However, the role of interaction between ICP27 and Daxx is largely unknown.

HSV-1 ICP27 induces apoptosis by promoting Bax translocation to mitochondria through interacting with 14-3-3θ.

The subcellular localization of Bax plays a crucial role during apoptosis. In response to apoptotic stimuli, Bax translocates from the cytoplasm to the mitochondria, where it promotes the release of cytochrome c to the cytoplasm. In cells infected with HSV-1, apoptosis is triggered or blocked by diverse mechanisms.

Enhanced Viral Replication by Cellular Replicative Senescence.

Cellular replicative senescence is a major contributing factor to aging and to the development and progression of aging-associated diseases. In this study, we sought to determine viral replication efficiency of influenza virus (IFV) and Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) infection in senescent cells. Primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBE) or human dermal fibroblasts (HDF) were allowed to undergo numbers of passages to induce replicative senescence.