Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Humans ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy

Objective To explore the effects of virtual reality (VR) combined with motor imagery therapy on the upper limb function of hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods Thirty-nine hemiplegic stroke patients were divided randomly into a treatment group (n =20) and a control group (n =19).Both groups were treated with motor imagery therapy,but the treatment group also received VR training lasting 20 min/day,6 days/week for 8 weeks.All of the patients were assessed with the Fugl-Meyer (FMA) upper limb assessment,the modified Barthel index (MBI) and electromyography at the beginning and after eight weeks of treatment.Results Before the intervention there was no significant difference between the groups in any of the assessments.After eight weeks of treatment,all the assessment results in the treatment group were significantly better than those in the control group.Conclusion Virtual reality combined with motor imagery therapy can distinctly improve the upper limb motor function of hemiplegic stroke survivors and their ability in the activities of daily living.

Objective To analyse the relative factors of the linear growth velocity(GV)in girls with central precocious puberty(CPP)during gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog(GnRHa)therapy,and to investigate the factors affecting the height gain during two-year GnRHa treatment.Methods In 86 girls aged (8.04?1.28)years with CPP treated with GnRHa for more than 2 years,the data including target height,age of onset,pubertal course,chronological age,bone age,linear GV,serum estradiol level and mature index of vaginal smear were analyzed,then the correlations and stepwise regression were performed.Results During GnRHa therapy,GV decreased year by year.The GV in the second year(GV_(2nd))was negatively correlated with the age of onset,bone age(BA_0,BA_2)and chronologic age(CA_0,CA_2)at the onset and by the end of the first year of GnRHa therapy(r=-0.37,-0.59,-0.57,-0.51 and-0.52,respectively,all P

Objective: To observe the effect of L-carniti ne (L-CN) in the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF). Meth ods: Fifty-six cases of chronic CHF randomly received routine treatment (Digitalis, diuretics, vasodilator, ACEI or βblocker) or L-CN (3.0 g/d ,V D×10 d) with routine therapy. Results: The treatment efficiency of L-CN group and control group were 89.3% and 60.7% (P<0.01), respect ively. No adverse reactions related to the drug were observed. Conclusio n: L-CN with routine therapy might be a safe way to the treat CHF.

OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of Yunpi Rougan Fang on serum and colon tissue serum serotonin(5-HT),vasoactive peptide(VIP)and substance P(SP)in constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome rats,to explore its possi-ble mechanism and relevance.METHODS 42 SPF Wistar rats,Six rats were randomly selected as normal group,the remai-ning 36 rats were modeled by ice water for 14 d,evaluation model,30 rats were randomly selected and randomly divided into Chinese medicine high,medium and low dose group,western medicine group,model control group,each group had 6 rats.The Chinese medicine low,middle and high dose groups were treated with 12.2,24.4,48.8 g/(kg·d),Mosapride group with moxapril suspension 1.35 mg/(kg·d)gavage,model control group and blank group were given equal amount of distilled water to fill the stomach.After 14 d,the levels of 5-HT,VIP and SP in the serum and the levels of 5-HT and VIP in the colon tissue were measured.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,the expression of 5-HT and VIP in serum and colon tissue immu-nization in the model control group was increased significantly(P<0.01),the expression of SP in serum was decreased(P<0.05).Different doses can decrease the levels of serum 5-HT and VIP in C-IBS model rats(P<0.01),significantly increased the serum SP level(P<0.05).Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression of 5-HT in colon tissue was signifi-cantly decreased(P<0.05),and the expression of VIP was significantly decreased(P<0.01).Although the expression of each treatment group no significant difference(P >0.05),from the numerical changes,Yunpi Rougan Fang was superior to mosapride and showed dose-dependency.CONCLUSION Yunpi Rougan Fang can obviously improve the symptoms of constipation in C-IBS model rats,by reducing the expression of 5-HT and VIP,improving the expression of SP to regulate intestinal function,which plays a therapeutic role in C-IBS.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Equiguard in old patients with Shen-yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS).

METHODSTwenty old patients with diagnosis matching the criteria of SYDS selected from out-patients were administered with Equiguard capsule 3 times per day, 0.70 g each time for 3 successive months. The changes in general condition, peripheral blood picture, function of the liver and kidney, and sex hormones before and after treatment were observed. The changes in the American Urinary Surgery Association (AUA) score of prostatism, urosis and residue urine in the urinary bladder were also estimated.

RESULTSAfter the 3-month treatment, no significant change was found in the patients' general condition, peripheral blood picture, liver and kidney function and sex hormones, while the symptoms of prostatism and urosis were markedly improved (P<0.01), and the volume of residue urine in the urinary bladder was obviously reduced.

CONCLUSIONEquiguard shows a significant therapeutic effect in treating old patients with SYDS, which could effectively improve the symptoms of prostatism and urosis in patients and is highly safe.

Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Syndrome ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of antisense RNA of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on rat liver fibrosis.

METHODSGene recombinant techniques were used to construct a rat antisense RNA of CTGF recombinant plasmid which could be expressed in eukaryotic cells. The recombinant plasmids were encapsulated with lipofectamine and then transducted into a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced rat liver fibrosis model. Expression of CTGF was assessed by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify type I and III collagens. HE stained liver slides were used for pathological study.

RESULTSThe mRNA and protein expression of CTGF in the fibrotic liver transfected with antisense-CTGF were significantly decreased compared with those of the controls (P<0.01). The depositions of type I and type III collagens were also decreased (P<0.05). Antisense-CTGF also minimized the pathological fibrosis in the rat livers (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe results demonstrate that the antisense RNA of CTGF recombinant plasmid has certain effects in preventing liver fibrosis and makes it a possible candidate for use in future gene therapy.

Animals ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; genetics ; Genetic Therapy ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; pathology ; Male ; Plasmids ; RNA, Antisense ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between children's motor coordination and their physical growth to provide clues for clarifying the causal relationship between them and to effectively enhance the children's physical growth.

METHODTen kindergartens were selected randomly from district of Hongkou, Putuo and Pudong in Shanghai, and 1099 children were included in the analysis. The children's motor coordination was assessed using Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ). The relationship between the children's motor coordination and their physical growth were analyzed by Structural Equation Model (SEM). The above relationship by different gender, age and BMI (overweight or not) were analyzed with multi-group SEM.

RESULTSOf 1099 subjects, 561 were boys (51%), and 538 were girls (49%). Of the total subjects, 354 (32.2%) were children aged 3-years old, 441 (40.1%) were children aged 4-years, 276 (25.2%) were children aged 5-years, and 28 were children (2.5%) aged 6-years old. The result of SEM showed that the children's gross motor, fine motor and general motor ability was correlated positively with children's physical growth (P < 0.001), their standardized estimation of structural coefficient were 0.40, 0.36, 0.37 respectively. The result of multi-group SEM showed that there was no significant difference in the SEM between different gender and ages. The fine motor ability was positively correlated with child physical growth (P < 0.001). There was no inter-group difference in the structural model (each P > 0.05). However, there was difference in the structural model between overweight and normal group, of them, only the structural coefficient of gross motor and physical growth were different between the two groups (t = 1.697, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is a relationship between children's motor coordination and physical growth. The degree of association between the gross moter and physical growth in overweight children were different from the normal children. Further study on the factors influencing the children's physical growth is needed.

Child Development ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Motor Skills ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Yanggan Yishui Granule (YGYSG) on collagen protein I, III, and IV, as well as fibronection (EN) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and to explore its possible renal protective mechanisms.

METHODSFourty SHR were randomly divided into four groups, i.e., the model group, the Benazepril group, the low dose YGYSG group, and the high dose YGYSG group, 10 in each group. A normal control group was set up with recruited Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. After 6 weeks of treatment, the expression of collagen protein I, III, and IV, as well as FN in the 5.1 image analysis system.

RESULTSIn the WKY-control group, there was only a small amount of brown particles in the mesenchymal region, the glomerular basement membrane, or the mesangial region. The expression of collagen I, Ill, and IV, as well as EN significantly increased more in the model group than in the normal control group (P < 0.01). After treatment, the expression of collagen I, III, and IV, as well as FN significantly decreased in each treated group, showing statistical difference when compared with the model group (P < 0.01). Besides, decresed expression of collagen I, III, and IV was shown in the low dose YGYSG group and the Benazepril group (P > 0.05). The expression of collagen I, III, and IV could be further reduced in the high dose YGYSG group, showing statistical difference when compared with the Benazepril group and the low dose YGYSG group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONYGYSG might play an important role in the renal protective effect through reducing the synthesis of renal collagen I, III, and IV, as well as FN, increasing the degradation of renal collagen I, III, and IV, as well as FN, thereby reducing excessive deposition of renal extracellular matrix (ECM).

Animals ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibronectins ; metabolism ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of long-term exposure to carbon disulfide (SC(2)) on cardiovascular system of workers.

METHODSThe concentrations of CS(2) were detected in the representative workshops with different exposure levels. The indicators related to cardiovascular system were tested in 633 workers occupationally exposed to CS(2), which included blood pressure, electrocardiogram, blood routine (blood RT), cholesterol (TCHO), triglyceride (TG) and so on. The data were analyzed by chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSThe exposure concentration of CS(2) for 389 workers was less than or equal to 5 mg/m(3), which for other 244 workers was higher than 5 mg/m(3). The maximum exposure concentration of CS(2) was 15.73 mg/m(3). There were no significant effects of CS(2) on the electrocardiogram, red blood cells, white blood cells, blood platelet, TCHO and TG of workers. However, the positive effects of CS(2) on blood pressure and negative effects of CS(2) on hemoglobin were found. The rates of high TCHO, TG and hypertension in male workers were significantly higher than those in female workers (P < 0.05). The rates of high TCHO, hypertension and sinus arrhythmia in older workers (≤ 30 years old) were significantly higher than those in young workers (> 30 years old) (P < 0.05). The rate of sinus arrhythmia in workers with 1 - 10 working years was significantly higher than that in workers with more than 10 working years (P < 0.05). The rate of hypertension in workers with 1 - 10 working years was significantly lower than that in workers with more than 10 working years (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere were no significant effects of CS(2) exposure on the indexes of cardiovascular system of workers.

Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Carbon Disulfide ; adverse effects ; Cardiovascular System ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Erythrocyte Count ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult