Purpose: Angiogenesis is critical in various biological processes, such as blood vessel growth, fetal differentiation, wound healing, and organ regeneration. Various growth factors have been associated with vascular regeneration, including insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). One of the most important mediators of vascular regeneration is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is known to increase vascular permeability, induce the proliferation of endothelial cells, and stimulate capillary formation in vivo, which are core angiogenic functions. Methods: The hydrolysates of lactic acid bacteria were produced by hydrolyzing Lactobacillus plantarum with proteases, treated with MG-63 osteoblasts, and screened to obtain samples with an excellent VEGF production effect. These samples were applied to human dermal papilla cells (hDPC) to examine the correlation between cell growth and VEGF secretion. Furthermore, the hair growth rate was measured in hair growth experiments using C57BL/6 male mice. Results: The hydrolysates of the lactic acid bacteria produced in this study produced hair growth superior to the growth obtained with 5% minoxidil in hair growth experiments using C57BL/6 male mice. Conclusions: This study aims to develop a material for application to the scalp that promotes angiogenesis in the scalp and facilitates the exchange of nutrients and wastes in the follicles to promote hair growth.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a horse-riding simulator (HRS) with virtual reality (VR) on gross motor function, balance control, and body composition in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Seventeen preschool and school-aged children with spastic CP were included; 10 children in the intervention group (HRS group) received 30 min of HRS with VR training twice a week for a total of 16 sessions in addition to conventional physiotherapy. Seven children in the control group were instructed to perform home-based aerobic exercises twice a week for 8 weeks in addition to conventional physiotherapy. Gross motor function measure (GMFM) and body composition were evaluated before the first session and after the last session. Before and after the 2-month intervention, Pediatric Balance Scale and Timed Up and Go test were evaluated for the HRS group. GMFM scores and body composition changed significantly in the HRS group (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in the control group. Changes in the GMFM total scores, GMFM dimension D scores, and skeletal muscle mass significantly differed between the HRS and control groups (p < 0.05). HRS with VR may be an effective adjunctive therapeutic approach for the rehabilitation of children with CP.

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of mixed extracts of Achyranthes japonica Nakai (AJ) and Aralia continentalis Kitagawa (AC) (ratios of 1:2, 1:3, 1:5, 2:1, 3:1 and 5:1) on RAW264.7 macrophages and evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the mixed extracts of AJ and AC by measuring IL-1 β , IL-6, and TNF α using the ELISA kit assay. In particular, the formation of nitric oxide (NO) was found to decrease in the group treated with the combined extracts of AJ and AC at all ratios. In particular, extracts of ratio of 2:1 (AJ:AC) deceased the formation of NO level that is approximately 60% of the group treated with only lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Also, extracts of ratio of 2:1 (AJ:AC) reduced the production of IL-1 β , IL-6, TNF α and PGE2 with statistical significance. Volunteers over the age of 50 who complain of discomfort in knee joints were selected as the experimental subjects. The subjects took daily administration of 2000 mg of the combined extracts of ratio of 2:1 (AJ:AC) for 12 weeks. A survey (VAS (Visual Analog Scale), WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index)) was conducted after the 12 weeks of oral administration. The experimental group showed the change between each visit and baseline time compared with the control group. In the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, VAS score and WOMAC stiffness score decreased significantly. And the WOMAC total score and function score tended to decrease. In the per-protocol (PP) analysis, the WOMAC stiffness score was significantly decreased and the VAS and WOMAC total and function scores were decreased. There was no significant difference in all parameters of ITT and PP in radiological examinations.

Abstract:Two new diastereomeric chiral stationary phases (CSPs) based on (+)-(18-crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid as a chiral tethering group and a Π-basic chiral unit such as (R)-1-(1-naphthyl) ethylamine (CSP 1) or (S)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine (CSP 2) were prepared. The two CSPs were applied to the enantiomeric separation of N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)-1-phenylalkylamines and N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)-α-amino acid derivatives using 20% isopropyl alcohol in hexane as a normal mobile phase. To elucidate the effect of the two chiral units on the chiral recognition, the chiral recognition abilities of the two CSPs were compared with each other and with that of a CSP (CSP 3) based on (R)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine. From the chromatographic chiral recognition results, (R)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine and (+)−(18-crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid constituting CSP 1 were concluded to show a cooperative ("matched") effect on the chiral recognition while (S)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine and (+)-(18-crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid constituting CSP 2 were concluded to show an uncooperative ("mismatched") effect on the chiral recognition. From these results, it was concluded that (+)-(18-crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid can be successfully used as a chiral tethering group for the preparation of new CSPs.

Streptococcus parauberis is a known etiologic agent that causes damage leading to death in flatfish ( paralichthys olivaceus ). Liposomes were used to deliver streptococcal oral vaccines to the intestinal mucous membranes of paralichthys olivaceus . The liposomes were coated for stabilization, and stability was measured with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The liposomes were stable until day nine and were orally administered to flatfish as a vaccine. The resultant antibody titers were analyzed. The titers resulting from the uncoated liposomes were highest two weeks after the oral administration, and those resulting from the coated liposomes were highest one week after boosting. In addition, the bacteria were subcutaneously injected to artificially infect flatfish and the survival rates and relative survival rates were analyzed. The coated liposomes were found to yield the highest survival rate.