Objective To observe the effects of swimming in cold water on the functioning and structure of the peripheral nerves of diabetic rats,and to compare the effects of seawater and fresh water. Methods Forty SD rats weighing ( 250 ± 20) g were randomly divided into a normal control group (A),a diabetic model group ( B ),a seawater swimming group (C) and a fresh water swimming group (D) with 10 rats in each group.The swimming training was carried on 5 times a week for 8 weeks.At the end of the 4th and 8th week of training,caudal nerve conduction velocity (CNCV) was measured.The nerve structure of the caudal nerves was observed at the end of the 8th week. Results By the 4th week,CNCV had slowed significantly in group B compared with group A,but not in groups C and group D.Compared with group B,CNCV had increased significantly in group C.There was no significant difference in CNCV between groups C and D.At the 8th week,compared with group A,CNCV had slowed in groups B and C.Compared with group B,CNCV was significantly faster in groups C and D.However,there was no significant difference between group C and group D with regard to CNCV.At the end of the 8th week demyelination was observed in the caudal nerves under a light microscope and an electron microscope in groups B,C and D,but the demyelination was milder in groups D and C. Conclusion Swimming in cold water can prevent or delay diabetic neuropathy in diabetic rats.There was no significant difference between seawater and fresh water swimming in terms of its effect on CNCV.

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture combined with minimally invasive hematoma aspiration on a rabbit model of brain injury in the acute stage of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods A total of 65 healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a sham operation (SO) group, an ICH group,a hematoma aspiration (HA) group, and an acupuncture and hematoma aspiration (AHA) group. Models of ICH were established in the latter three groups. The HA group was treated with minimally invasive hematoma aspiration and the AHA group was treated with both acupuncture and minimally invasive hematoma aspiration. At 6 hours and 1, 3 and 7 days after the ICH models were established, brain water content (BWC) was measured, and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 ( MMP-9 ) in the rabbits' brains was detected by immunohistochemistry. MMP-9activity was detected by gelatin zymography. Results The BWCs of the ICH group, HA group and AHA group rabbits were significantly higher than those of the SO group. The BWCs of the HA group and AHA group animals descended significantly more than those in the ICH group as time went on, especially on the 3rd day in the AHA group. Immunohistochemistry and gelatin zymography showed that the expression and activity of MMP-9 in these test groups decreased with time, especially on the 3rd day in the AHA group. Conclusions Acupuncture combined with hematoma aspiration can reduce injury in the acute stage of ICH, and inhibition of the expression of MMP-9 may be the mechanism.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a stroke unit combined with community health services for treating stroke survivors. Methods A total of 120 stroke patients were randomly divided into a " stroke unit combined with community medicine" group ( combined group) , a stroke unit group and a general treatment group. Patients in the former 2 groups were treated in a hospital stroke unit during their hospitali-zation. The general treatment group was given conventional medical treatment. After discharge, the combined group continued to receive regular rehabilitation therapy and guidance in the form of community medical services, while the stroke unit group received follow-up only. Assessment was by means of Fugl-Meyer scores, the Barthel index and self-rating on a depression scale ( SDS). The patients were assessed at admission, on discharge and 3 months after discharge. Results There were no significant differences in average limb motor function, ability in the activities of daily living ( ADL) or depressive mood among the 3 groups on admission, but at discharge, limb motor function and ADL ability in the combined group and stroke unit groups were significantly superior to those in the general therapy group. Limb motor function and ADL ability in the combined and stroke unit groups had improved further 3 months after discharge, with more significant improvements in the combined group. No significant change in depression was observed in any group at discharge, but average depression scores in the combined and stroke unit groups improved significantly in the 3 months after discharge, and there was a statistically significant difference between the combined group and the general group. Conclusion Supplementing the work of a stroke unit with community health services significantly improves stroke patients' recovery of limb motor function and ADL ability.