AIM　To quatitatively disclose the relationship between activity and structure of a new class of COX-II inhibitors containing dialkylphenyl-linked heterocyclic moieties. METHODS AND RESULTS Seventeen COX-II inhibitors from literature as a training set were investigated with the aim of developing a 3D-QSAR model using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA). To reveal the pharmacophoric pattern, several modes of superimposition were explored. The significant model shows a higher ability to explain and predict the activity of COX-II inhibitors, with the cross-validation RCV2=0.718, non cross-validation R2=0.992, F=260.624, and SEE (standard error of estimate)=0.072. Three compounds were selected as a predicting set, the low deviations of calculated values from the measured ones suggesting a powerful predictive ability of the model. CONCLUSION　The 3D-QSAR explains the dependence of COX-2 inhibition upon the structures of the compounds. Some structure information for design of new COX-II inhibitors with higher activity has been given.

AIM　In order to improve the biological activity and reduce the side effects and toxicity, a series of novel estrogen receptor antagonists were designed. METHODS　The key triphenylethylene intermediates were obtained by the McMurry reaction. The target compounds were prepared by etherification. The binding affinities of the target compounds for the estrogen receptor in rat uterine cytosol were measured by a competitive binding assay and their estrogen agonistic/antagonistic properties were investigated in the 3-day uterine weight assay in the immature rats. RESULTS　Thirty-five new compounds have been synthesized and their geometric configuration were determined by X-ray crystallography and 1HNMR spectral data. CONCLUSION　All of the test compounds showed affinity for the estrogen receptor (IC50<10-6 mol.L-1), especially compound 35 with IC50 1.07×10-8 mol.L-1. Some compounds are antagonists, inhibiting uterus growth; others are agonists, promoting uterus growth. Compounds 14 and 27 are superior antagonists to tamoxifen.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of brain-computer interface (BCI) based on visual, auditory and motor feedback combined with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on upper limb function in stroke patients. MethodsFrom March to October, 2023, 45 stroke inpatients in Xuzhou Rehabilitation Hospital and Xuzhou Central Hospital were divided into BCI group (n = 15), tDCS group (n = 15) and combined group (n = 15) randomly. All the groups received routine rehabilitation, while BCI group received BCI training, tDCS group received tDCS, while the combined group received tDCS and followed by BCI training immediately, for four weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), modified Barthel Index (MBI) and delta-alpha ratio (DAR) and power ratio index (PRI) of electroencephalogram before and after treatment. ResultsThe scores of FMA-UE, ARAT and MBI increased in all the groups after treatment (|t| > 5.350, P < 0.001), and all these indexes were the best in the combined group (F > 3.366, P < 0.05); while DAR and PRI decreased in all the groups (|t| > 2.208 , P < 0.05), they were the best in the combined group (F > 5.224, P < 0.01). ConclusionBCI based on visual, auditory and motor feedback combined with tDCS can further improve the motor function of upper limbs and the activities of daily living of stroke patients.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of home exercise on pain, function and quality of life after operation for rotator cuff injury. MethodsFrom June, 2023 to June, 2024, 45 patients after operation for rotator cuff injury were selected from Xuzhou Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University and Xuzhou Central Hospital, and randomly divided into conventional group (n = 15), home-based group (n = 15) and combined group (n = 15). The conventional group received an eight-week routine rehabilitation program in hospital, the home-based group received an eight-week home exercise prescription training, and the combined group first received four weeks of routine rehabilitation in hospital, and followed by four weeks of home exercise prescription training. They were assessed with Visual Analogue Scale for pain (VAS), University of California at Los Angeles shoulder rating scale (UCLA), Constant-Murley Score (CMS), range of motion (ROM) of shoulder, and the Short-form of Health Survey-36 (SF-36) before treatment, and four and eight weeks after treatment. ResultsVAS scores decreased in all the three groups four and eight weeks after treatment (Z > 2.964, P < 0.001), which was the most in the home-based group four weeks after treatment (|Z| > 2.531, P < 0.05). The main effect of time was significant in scores of UCLA, CMS, and physical health and mental health of SF-36 (F > 498.102, P < 0.001), which improved after treatment (P < 0.001). The main effect of group was significant in score of mental health of SF-36 (F = 7.408, P = 0.002), which was the most in the home-based group four and eight weeks after treatment (P < 0.01). The interaction was significant in score of physical health of SF-36 (F = 10.138, P < 0.001), which was the least in the home-based group four weeks after treatment (P < 0.05). The main effect of time was significant in every direction of ROM, which improved after treatment (P < 0.001). The interaction was significant in ROM of abduction and external rotation (F > 4.059, P < 0.01), and almost significant in ROM of flexion (F = 2.412, P = 0.055). However, ROM of flexion was less in the home-based group than in the combined group four weeks after treatment (P = 0.047), which was less in the home-based group than in the conventional group eight weeks after treatment (P = 0.042); ROM of abduction was the least in the home-based group four weeks after treatment (P < 0.01), which was less in the home-based group than in the combined group eight weeks after treatment (P = 0.046); ROM of external rotation was less in the home-based group than in the combined group four weeks after treatment (P = 0.022). ConclusionHome exercise is effective on pain, function and quality of life in patients after operation for rotator cuff injury. There are benefits with both home exercise and institution-based rehabilitation, and almost the same in a whole eight weeks after treatment.