Feasibility of hemispatial neglect rehabilitation with virtual reality-based visual exploration therapy among patients with stroke: randomised controlled trial.

Background: Hemispatial neglect (HSN) was diagnosed using a virtual reality-based test (FOPR test) that explores the field of perception (FOP) and field of regard (FOR). Here, we developed virtual reality-visual exploration therapy (VR-VET) combining elements from the FOPR test and visual exploration therapy (VET) and examined its efficacy for HSN rehabilitation following stroke.

Methods: Eleven participants were randomly assigned to different groups, training with VR-VET first then waiting without VR-VET training (TW), or vice versa (WT).

Late Onset Foreign Body Reaction due to Poly-L-Lactic Acid Facial Injections for Cosmetic Purpose.

The safety and efficacy of Poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) as an injectable facial volumizer for the treatment of lipoatrophy and facial rejuvenation has been widely proven. We experienced a remarkable case of deep-seated nodules on both the cheeks of 57-year-old female 18-months after administration of PLLA filler injection for cosmetic purpose and performed a skin biopsy. With hematoxylin and eosin stain, the nodule showed non-caseating granulomas consisting of histiocytes with central foreign bodies in the dermis.

Virtual Reality Rehabilitation With Functional Electrical Stimulation Improves Upper Extremity Function in Patients With Chronic Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Study.

Objective: To compare virtual reality (VR) combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) with cyclic FES for improving upper extremity function and health-related quality of life in patients with chronic stroke.

Design: A pilot, randomized, single-blind, controlled trial.

Setting: Stroke rehabilitation inpatient unit.

Effects of virtual reality-based rehabilitation on distal upper extremity function and health-related quality of life: a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation has been reported to have beneficial effects on upper extremity function in stroke survivors; however, there is limited information about its effects on distal upper extremity function and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of VR-based rehabilitation combined with standard occupational therapy on distal upper extremity function and HRQoL, and compare the findings to those of amount-matched conventional rehabilitation in stroke survivors.

Methods: The present study was a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial.

The role of thioredoxin reductase and glutathione reductase in plumbagin-induced, reactive oxygen species-mediated apoptosis in cancer cell lines.

Plumbagin is a secondary metabolite that was first identified in the Plumbago genus of plants. It is a naphthoquinone compound with anti-atherosclerosis, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, contraceptive, cardiotonic, immunosuppressive, and neuroprotective activities. However, the mechanisms of plumbagin's activities are largely unknown.

Inhibition of cytochrome P450 2J2 by tanshinone IIA induces apoptotic cell death in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.

Cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) is highly expressed in human tumors and carcinoma cell lines, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of human cancers. The aim of this study was to identify a compound that could inhibit the activity of CYP2J2, and to examine its anticancer activity. To identify CYP2J2 inhibitors, 10 terpenoids obtained from plants were screened using astemizole as a CYP2J2 probe substrate in human liver microsomes (HLMs).

Protective effect of butylated hydroxylanisole against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes.

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a synthetic phenolic compound consisting of a mixture of two isomeric organic compounds: 2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole. We examined the effect of BHA against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. Cell viability was significantly decreased by H2O2 in a dose-dependent manner.

Protective effect of dieckol against chemical hypoxia-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes.

Hepatic ischemic injury is a major complication arising from liver surgery, transplantation, or other ischemic diseases, and both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory mediators play the role of key mediators in hepatic ischemic injury. In this study, we examined the effect of dieckol in chemical hypoxia-induced injury in mouse hepatocytes. Cell viability was significantly decreased after treatment with cobalt chloride (CoCl2), a well-known hypoxia mimetic agent in a time- and dose-dependent manner.

Rosmarinic acid inhibits chemical hypoxia-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured rat hepatocytes.

We examine the effect of rosmarinic acid (RA) in chemical hypoxia-induced injury in rat hepatocytes. Cell viability was significantly decreased by cobalt chloride (CoCl2), a well-known hypoxia mimetic agent in a time- and dose- dependent manner. RA pretreatment before exposure to CoCl2 significantly attenuated the CoCl2-induced decrease of cell viability.

Glycoepitopes of staphylococcal wall teichoic acid govern complement-mediated opsonophagocytosis via human serum antibody and mannose-binding lectin.

Serum antibodies and mannose-binding lectin (MBL) are important host defense factors for host adaptive and innate immunity, respectively. Antibodies and MBL also initiate the classical and lectin complement pathways, respectively, leading to opsonophagocytosis. We have shown previously that Staphylococcus aureus wall teichoic acid (WTA), a cell wall glycopolymer consisting of ribitol phosphate substituted with α- or β-O-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (GlcNAc) and d-alanine, is recognized by MBL and serum anti-WTA IgG.

Hijikia fusiforme protects against ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats.

The prophylactic effects of Hijikia fusiforme on bone metabolism were examined using in vitro indices of bone formation and resorption. As the indices of bone formation, osteoblast proliferation and differentiation were measured through mitochondrial enzyme activity [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay] and bone marker alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. The aqueous extract of H.