Comparison of combined virtual reality combined with standing balance training vs. standard practice in patients with hemiplegia: A single-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To determine whether virtual reality (VR)-based dynamic standing balance training improves three elements of sensory integration and investigate whether VR-based dynamic standing balance training results in improved outcomes, especially regarding balance and gait, compared to the standard training method.

Design: This single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial involved 30 patients with hemiplegia. The experimental (EG, n = 15) and control (CG, n = 15) groups received VR augmented-standing balance training or standard standing balance training, respectively, for 20 minutes, 5 days a week, for 3 weeks.

Comparative efficacy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor on diabetic macular edema diagnosed with different patterns of optical coherence tomography: A network meta-analysis.

Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections have emerged as the most common therapeutic approach for the management of diabetic macular edema (DME). Despite their proven superiority over other interventions, there is a paucity of data regarding the relative effectiveness of anti-VEGF agents in treating DME diagnosed with different patterns of optical coherence tomography (OCT). In this regard, we conducted a systematic review and comparative analysis of the therapeutic efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab, ranibizumab, aflibercept, and conbercept in the management of DME with diffuse retinal thickening (DRT), cystoid macular edema (CME), and serous retinal detachment (SRD) patterns identified using OCT.

Predicting of Mechanical Ventilation and Outcomes by Using Models and Biomarker in Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Background: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory neuropathy. The Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score (EGRIS) and the modified Erasmus GBS Outcome Score (mEGOS) are prognostic models used in the prediction of mechanical ventilation and outcome. Thus far, there are only few biomarkers for the prognosis prediction of GBS patients, and albumin level is one that is promising.

Hydrothermal Growth of an Al-Doped α-GaO Nanorod Array and Its Application in Self-Powered Solar-Blind UV Photodetection Based on a Photoelectrochemical Cell.

Herein, we successfully fabricated an Al-doped α-GaO nanorod array on FTO using the hydrothermal and post-annealing processes. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time that an Al-doped α-GaO nanorod array on FTO has been realized via a much simpler and cheaper way than that based on metal-organic chemical vapor deposition, magnetron sputtering, molecular beam epitaxy, and pulsed laser deposition. And, a self-powered Al-doped α-GaO nanorod array/FTO photodetector was also realized as a photoanode at 0 V (vs.

Clinical Features and Differences of Miller Fisher Syndrome in Southern China: Retrospective Analysis of 72 Patients in 13 Provinces of Southern China.

Background And Purpose: We aimed to determine the clinical features of Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) in southern China and compare them with those presenting in other countries.

Methods: We collected the medical records of patients diagnosed with MFS during 2013-2016. We analyzed the age, sex, onset season, precursor events, clinical symptoms and signs, findings of nerve conduction studies (NCS), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), therapeutic remedies, nadir time, and length of hospital stay of patients with MFS in southern China.

MicroRNA-23a-3p Is Upregulated in Plasma Exosomes of Bulbar-onset ALS Patients and Targets ERBB4.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease related to the progressive death of motor neurons. Understanding the pathogenesis of ALS continues to provide considerable challenges. Bulbar-onset ALS involves faster functional loss and shorter survival time than spinal cord-onset ALS.

Progress in Guillain-Barré syndrome immunotherapy-A narrative review of new strategies in recent years.

Guillain - Barré syndrome (GBS) is an immune-mediated neuropathy, the pathology of which is not clear. Both cellular and humoral immunity are involved in the occurrence of the disease, and molecular mimicry is currently the most widely recognized pathogenesis. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and plasma exchange (PE) have been proven to be effective in improving the prognosis of patients with GBS, but there has been no progress in the treatment of the disease or strategies to improve the prognosis.

Regional Differences of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in China: From South to North.

Background: The epidemiological features of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) were different in different areas; a comparison of the disease was needed to identify the variation and prognosis. We compare the epidemiological features of GBS in different areas in China.

Method: A total of 1,191 patients were included.

Curtailing Carbon Usage with Addition of Functionalized NiFeO Quantum Dots: Toward More Practical S Cathodes for Li-S Cells.

Smart combination of manifold carbonaceous materials with admirable functionalities (like full of pores/functional groups, high specific surface area) is still a mainstream/preferential way to address knotty issues of polysulfides dissolution/shuttling and poor electrical conductivity for S-based cathodes. However, extensive use of conductive carbon fillers in cell designs/technology would induce electrolytic overconsumption and thereby shelve high-energy-density promise of Li-S cells. To cut down carbon usage, we propose the incorporation of multi-functionalized NiFeO quantum dots (QDs) as affordable additive substitutes.

The Kickstart Walk Assist System for improving balance and walking function in stroke survivors: a feasibility study.

Background: Compared with traditional physical therapy for stroke patients, lower extremity exoskeletons can provide patients with greater endurance and more repeatable and controllable training, which can reduce the therapeutic burden of the therapist. However, most exoskeletons are expensive, heavy or require active power to be operated. Therefore, a lighter, easy to wear, easy to operate, low-cost technology for stroke rehabilitation would be a welcome opportunity for stroke survivors, caregivers and clinicians.

Guillain-Barré syndrome triggered by surgery in a Chinese population: a multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Surgery is a potential trigger of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a disorder which leads to an autoimmune-mediated attack of peripheral nerves. The present study was designed to explore clinical features of post-surgical GBS compared with those of general GBS in order to provide better clinical advice to patients undergoing surgery.

Methods: The medical records of GBS patients who were seen at 31 tertiary hospitals in southern China between January 1, 2013 and September 30, 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.

Case Report: Acute Bulbar Palsy Plus Syndrome: A Guillain-Barré Syndrome Variant More Prone to Be a Subtype Than Overlap of Distinct Subtypes.

Acute bulbar palsy plus (ABPp) syndrome is a rare regional variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) characterized by acute bulbar palsy combined with other cranial symptoms or ataxia without limb and neck weakness. We aim to investigate characteristics of ABPp syndrome and analyze its nosological position within the GBS spectrum. A patient with ABPp syndrome was reported, and previous case reports of patients who met the criteria for ABPp syndrome from the literature were reviewed.

Radiomics features of ascending and descending nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objectives: To evaluate the application value of CT-based radiomics features for the ascending and descending types of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: A total of 217 NPC patients (48 ascending type and 169 descending type), who obtained CT images before radiotherapy in Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University from February 2015 to October 2017, were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were randomly divided into a training set (=153) and a test set (=64).

The dynamic expression of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway in the pathologic process of experimental autoimmune neuritis.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), an autoimmune disease and an acute inflammation disorder, is currently the most frequent cause of acute flaccid paralysis worldwide. EAN, an animal model of GBS, is a CD4+ T cell-mediated autoimmune disease of the PNS. Wnt/β-catenin signals are critically important to several fundamental aspects of peripheral nerve development and play a crucial role in Schwann cell proliferation.

Incorporating Fe into Bismuthic Anode Systems: A Smart "Merits Combination/Complementation" Route to Build Better Ni-Bi Batteries.

The advancement of Ni-Bi batteries has turned sluggish because of impenetrable barriers related to physicochemical instability of bismuthic species under thermal conditions. This directly makes Bi-based anodes impossible to hybridize with graphitic carbons for a longer-term cyclic lifespan. To break this constraint, we herein propose an effective strategy by incorporating Fe into bismuthic systems to form multielement anodes.

Configuring Optimal FeS@Carbon Nanoreactor Anodes: Toward Insights into Pyrite Phase Change/Failure Mechanism in Rechargeable Ni-Fe Cells.

Pyrite FeS has long been a research focus as the alternative anode of rechargeable Ni-Fe cells owing to its eye-catching merits of great earth-abundance, attractive electrical conductivity, and output capacity. However, its further progress is impeded by unsatisfactory cyclic behaviors due to still "ill-defined" phase changes. To gain insights into the pyrite working principles/failure factors, we herein design a core-shell hybrid of a FeS@carbon nanoreactor, an optimal anode configuration approaching the practical usage state.

Pd(II)-NHDC-Functionalized UiO-67 Type MOF for Catalyzing Heck Cross-Coupling and Intermolecular Benzyne-Benzyne-Alkene Insertion Reactions.

A novel palladium N-heterocyclic bis-carbene dicarboxylate ligand (Pd-NHDC-HL) was successfully synthesized. In addition, an Pd-NHDC-containing UiO-67 type MOF (UiO-67-Pd-NHDC) was prepared on the basis of a size-matched ligand mixture of biphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid/Pd-NHDC-HL (9/1) and ZrCl under solvothermal conditions. The obtained UiO-67-Pd-NHC MOF can be a highly heterogeneous catalyst to promote Heck cross-coupling and intermolecular benzyne-benzyne-alkene insertion reactions.

[Adsorption of aflatoxin on montmorillonite modified by low-molecular-weight humic acids].

The adsorption of a typical biogenic toxin aflatoxin B1 on montmorillonite modified by low-molecular-weight humic acids (M(r) < 3 500) was investigated. The montmorillonite rapidly adsorbed the aflatoxin B1 until amounting to the maximal capacity, and then the adsorbed aflatoxin B1 slowly released into solution and reached the sorption equilibrium state after 12 h. The sorption isotherm of aflatoxin B1 by montmorillonite could be well described by Langmiur model, while the sorption isotherm by humic acid-modified montmorillonite was well fitted by using the Freundlich model.