1.Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Neurological Functions of Patients with Stroke
Xinhao JIN ; Bing ZHENG ; Xuelian WU ; Changqing LI ; Lingchuan NIU
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2017;23(3):323-325
Objective To investigate the effects of environmental enrichment (EE) on the neurological functions in patients with stroke. Methods From May, 2013 to November, 2015, 76 patients with stroke were selected and randomly divided into control group (n=39) and EE group (n=37). Both groups received routine therapy and the EE group received EE in addition. They were assessed with simplified Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and after treatment. Re-sults The scores of FMA, MoCA and MBI increased in both groups after treatment (t>2.339, P<0.05), and the scores of MoCA and MBI in-creased more in the EE group than in the control group (t>2.187, P<0.05). Conclusion EE could promote the recovery of cognitive function and activities of daily living in patients with stroke.
2.cAMP/PKA-pCREB signal transduction pathway may mediate a promoting effect of rehabilitation training on motor function after ischemic stroke in rats
Lingchuan NIU ; Yanhong ZHANG ; Changqing LI ; Bin LIU ; Ying JIANG ; Longling LI
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2014;(3):24-29
Objective To explore whether the cAMP-PKA-pCREB signal pathway plays a role in promoting the recovery of motor function after rehabilitation training in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats .Methods The middle cerebral artery occlusion model ( MCAO) was established by modified Longa nylon occlusion method in adult male Sprague -Dawley rats.The 84 MCAO rats were selected and randomly assigned to four groups:the natural recovery group without any special training (group B, n=24),natural recovery group with Rp-cAMP (group C, n=24), rehabilitation training group (group D, n=18) and rehabilitation training with Rp-cAMP (group E, n=18), and in addition a control group (group A, n =12).To establish rat MCAO models immediately after injection of Rp-cAMP into the lateral ventricle of the brain .The rats in the groups D and E were trained by balance beam , bar rotating and rolling exercises started at 48 h after MCAO.The ex-pression of PKA was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) and the pCREB protein expression was detected by Western blot assay .Motor function was assessed by balance beam test .Results (1) The motor function score in the group C was significantly higher than that of group B , suggesting that Rp-cAMP inhibited the recovery of motor func-tion in the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats .The score of group D was significantly lower than that of groups B and E , in-dicating that Rp-cAMP inhibited the promoting effect of rehabilitation training on motor function in the cerebral ischemia -reperfusion rats.(2) The expressions of PKA and pCREB proteins detected at 2nd, 7th, 14th, and 21th days after surgery showed that their expressions in the group D were significantly higher than those of the groups B and E , indicating that re-habilitation training promoted the expression of PKA and pCREB , and Rp-cAMP significantly inhibited the promoting effect of rehabilitation training on the expressions of PKA and pCREB proteins .Conclusion cAMP/PKA-pCREB signal trans-duction pathway may mediate a promoting effect of rehabilitation training on the recovery of motor function after ischemic stroke in rats.
3.Pathological changes of VX2 implanted breast cancer ablated with high intensity focused ultrasound in rabbits
Lingchuan NIU ; Wenbing ZOU ; Lian ZHANG ; Hui ZHU ; Like XIANG ; Zhibiao WANG
Tumor 2010;(2):105-108
Objective:To observe the pathological changes of VX2 implanted breast cancer ablated by high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in rabbits. Methods:Thirty-six rabbits implanted VX2 breast carcinoma were randomly divided into treatment group (n=24) and control group (n=12) two weeks after implantation. HIFU ablation was performed in the treatment group guided by ultrasound B. The pathological changes were observed under light microscope after hematoxylin-eosin staining and then observed under electron microscope. The activity of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) was measured. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was determined by immunohistochemistry. Results:Histopathologic observation found that the morphological features and nucleus karyotypes of tumor cells had no significant changes, but vacuole-like structure appeared in cytoplasm. Typical coagulation necrosis of tumor cells were observed under electron microscope. SDH activity detection showed that tumor cells were inactivated. The expressions of PCNA was positive in control group and negative in treatment group. Conclusion:Electron microscopy, enzyme property test, and immunohistochemistry verified that VX2 implanted breast cancer cells were dead after HIFU ablation in rabbits.
4.Changes in proliferative capability of remnant breast tumor after ablation with high intensity focused ultrasound
Lingchuan NIU ; Wenbing ZOU ; Lian ZHANG ; Hui ZHU ; Like XIANG ; Zhibiao WANG
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(medical Science) 2010;30(2):200-203,207
Objective To observe the changes in proliferative capability of remnant tumors implanted in rabbit breast after ablation with high intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU). Methods Rabbit implanted models were established by implanting VX_2 tumor mass into the breast of New Zealand rabbits.HIFU was applied to the tumors,and the remnant tumors were harvested by controlling temperature around probe of tumors.Fifty-six rabbits were randomly divided into control group (n=10)and HIFU group(n=40).The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)was detected by immunohistochemistry at different time points after ablation,and the survival time and organ metastasis status were observed after ablation. Results After ablation in HIFU group,the positive expression of PCNA was decreased shortly in remnant tumors,and restored to the level before ablation 21 days after treatment.The survival time in HIFU group was much longer than that in control group,and the time of lung and abdominal viscera metastasis in HIFU group appeared significantly later than that in control group(P<0.05). Conclusion Though HIFU ablation can not completely eradicate tumor after one treatment,the growth and metastasis of remnant tumors can be effectively inhibited for a short time,and HIFU ablation can prolong the survival time.
5.Effect of cerebellar fastigial nucleus treated by electrical stimulation on 70 patients with acute cerebral infarction
Lingchuan NIU ; Tao LI ; Jingan LEI ; Qi HAN ; Yaxin LI ; Baiquan ZHANG ; Pingjian YAN
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2005;11(10):795-796
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of cerebellar fastigial nucleus treated by electrical stimulation on patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods140 cerebral infarction patients with hemiplegia were randomly divided into the experimental group and control group with 70 cases in each group.The experimental group was treated with routine drugs and electrical stimulating on cerebellar fastigial nucleus;the control group was only treated with routine drugs.The changes of motor function of limbs and activities of daily living of two groups were evaluated after treatment.ResultsAfter 21 days treatment,the score of Fugl-Meyer assessment of the experimental group was 39.2±(7.7) and that of the control group was 26.3±8.1.There was a significant difference between two groups(t=4.22,P<0.01).The score of Barther index of the experimental group was 43.8±8.4 and that of the control group was 29.7±7.5.There was also a significant difference between two groups(t=4.97,P<0.01).ConclusionThe electrical stimulation on cerebellar fastigial nucleus is a new effective way to treat acute cerebral infarction.