To investigate the kinetic expression of cytokine in allografts in rats and the effect of hydrocamptothecin on such expression, syngenic and allogenic heart transplantation models were developed. Recipient rats were divided into 3 groups: group A, SD-SD; group B, Wistar-SD group C,Wistar-SD plus treatment with HPCT 2. Omg/(kg ?d). The grafts and spleens were harvested on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 post-transplantation for morphology and RT-PCR detecting the expressions of IL-2, IFN-?, IL-4, IL-10 mRNA. The results showed that the cytokine generally increased commensurately with the infiltration of this leukocyte population. The cytokine mRNA transcript could be detected on days 1 and 3 after transplantation in group A. The IL-2 and IFN-? mRNA transcript could be detected on days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 with a peak on day 7 in group B, but on day 3 in group C. The IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA transcript could be detected on days 1,3,5,7 and 14 with a peak on day 5 in group B, while on day 7 in group C. The levels of IL-2 IFN-? mRNA expression were significantly lower in grafts of group C than those in grafts of group B, whereas the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA were significantly higer in grafts of group C than those in grafts of group B. The level of cytokine mRNA expression in the grafts was similar to that of spleen of recipients. Our conculssion is the expression of cytokine mRNA in allografts can be detected on day 1 after transplantation ,with peaking of IL-2 and IFN-? on day 7, IL-4 and IL-10 on day 5. The survival time of allograft can be prolonged by HCPT. The levels of IL-2 and IFN-? mRNA expression can be reduced, while the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA expression be enhanced by HCPT.

Objective To observe among stroke survivors the timing of muscle activation at the stance phase during walking using the surface electromyography ( sEMG) combined with 3D gait analysis. Methods Twenty stroke survivors assessed as at Brunnstrom stages Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ were assigned to groups designated Ⅲ, Ⅳ and V. sEMG and 3D gait analysis were used to assess the activation timing of the bilateral rectus femoris ( RF) and biceps femoris ( BF) , the tibialis anterior ( TA) and the gastrocnemius medialis ( GM) . The activation timing and the dura-tion of activation of the muscles were compared among the 3 groups, as well as with those of healthy muscles. Results The onset time of the RF on the affected side was significantly later than on the healthy side, while that of the GM was significant earlier. The durations of BF and GM activation on the affected side were significantly shorter than on the unaffected side in group III. The onset times of the TA and GM on the affected side were significantly ear-lier than on the healthy side in group IV, as was the onset time of the TA of the affected side in group V. The average RF and BF onset times on the affected side in group Ⅳ were significantly earlier than in group Ⅲ. The onset time of the TA on the unaffected side and the average BF onset time on the affected side in group Ⅴ were significantly later than in group IV. The onset time of the RF and TA on the unaffected side in group Ⅳ and the onset time of the GM on the affected side were significantly later than in group III, while the onset time of the BF and TA on the affected side was significantly earlier. The average duration of BF activation on the unaffected side in group Ⅳ was significant-ly shorter than that of group Ⅲ. The average duration of TA activation on the unaffected side in group Ⅴ was signifi-cantly shorter than that of group IV. The duration of RF activation on the affected side in group Ⅴ was significantly shorter than that in group Ⅲ, and the same was true of the RF, BF, TA and GM activation times on the healthy side. Conclusions There are significant differences in the onset and duration of muscle activation when stroke survivors at different stages of recovery walk. Some muscles are activated too early and others are over-activated. These abnormali-ties gradually disappear with the recovery of motor function.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Qili Qiangxin capsules on the amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and cardiac function in patients with silicosis.

METHODSHospitalized silicosis patients with heart failure were divided into treatment group (41 cases) and control group (30 cases) according to their own will. Both groups received comprehensive symptomatic treatment; in addition, the treatment group received Qili Qiangxin capsules. The treatment lasted 6 months. The observed items included NT-proBNP level, 6-minute walk test, ultrasonic cardiogram, and NYHA classification before and after treatment.

RESULTSAccording to NYHA classification, the response rate was 29.27%in the treatment group and 10.00%in the control group; there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The average walk distance in the treatment group was increased from 150.96±73.12 m before treatment to 169.32±77.04 m after treatment, and the improvement was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The average NT-proBNP level in the treatment group was reduced from 1154.44 ± 480.79 ng/L before treatment to 494.49 ± 342.61 ng/L after treatment, and the reduction was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly improved in the treatment group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQili Qiangxin capsules in addition to comprehensive symptomatic treatment can significantly reduce NT-proBNP level and improve cardiac function in silicosis patients, and thereby improve patients' quality of life.

Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Echocardiography ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Peptide Fragments ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Quality of Life ; Silicosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

Objective:To observe the impact of core stability training in the sling exercise therapy pattern on the balance of stroke survivors.Methods:Sixty stroke survivors were randomly divided into a control group ( n=30) and an experimental group ( n=30). In addition to routine rehabilitation training, the control group received traditional core stability training, while the experimental group underwent core stability training applying the sling exercise therapy pattern. Before and after 4 weeks of training, the standing balance of both groups was evaluated using the Prokin balance trainer, with the length and area of motion recorded when performing the balance test with the eyes open and closed. Surface electromyography was used to record the average EMG (AEMG) values of the bilateral erector spinae and multifidus muscles during the balance testing. Results:After the 4 weeks of training the length and the area of progression of the center of the pressure were both significantly smaller for both groups than before the training with the eyes both open and closed. The average length and area in the experimental group were significantly less than among the controls. The AEMG values recorded during the balance tests were significantly higher than those before the intervention for both groups, with the multifidus muscle averages on the affected side significantly greater in the experimental group than among the controls when performing the balance test with the eyes closed.Conclusion:Core stability training in the sling exercise therapy pattern is superior to conventional core stability training because it can better improve the balance of stroke survivors.