Objective To observe the efficacy of continuous ultrasonic wave therapy on post-stroke gastrocnemius spasticity. Methods 26 patients with gastrocnemius spasticity after stroke were randomly divided into ultrasonic group and control group. The stretch therapy was used in the two groups,and the continuous ultrasonic wave therapy was added on ultrasonic group for 4 weeks. The scores of modefied Ashworth scale (mAS),the ratio of Hmax and Mmax,and the fascicle length of gastrocnemius pre and post treatment were observed and compared respectively in the two groups.Results Compared with pre treatment,the score of mAS and the value of Hmax/Mmax in ultrasonic group wrer significantly reduced post treatment(all P

Objective To observe the structural abnormalities of the painful shoulder in patients soon after stroke by M RI,and to identify the possible causes of post-stroke shoulder pain (PSSP).Methods Patients with hemiplegia following their first cerebrovascular accident were divided into 2 groups:PSSP group (32 patients) and post-stroke no shoulder pain (PSNSP) group (20 patients).Physical findings of affected shoulder and MRI findings of both affected and unaffected shoulders were evaluated.Results Shoulder subluxation was significantly more frequent in PSSP group than in PSNSP group (53％ vs 15％,P ＜0.05).In PSSP group,the incidence rate of rotator cuff injury,subacromial-subdeltoid bursa effusion,glenohumeral joint effusion,effusion of long head of biceps tendon was higher in affected side than that in unaffected side(63％ vs 13％,53％ vs 13％,75％ vs 31％,41％ vs 13％,respectively).In PSNSP group,the incidence rate of glenohumeral joint effusion was higher in affected side than that in unaffected side (70％ vs 17％).But compared with no pain hemiplegic shoulder,only rotator cuff injury and subacromial-subdeltoid bursa effusion were significantly higher in PSSP patients (63％ vs15％,53％ vs 25％,respectively),and there was significant difference between the two groups (P ＜0.05).Conclusion Rotator cuff injury was found to be a possible cause of PSSP.

Objective To investigate the expression of Fascin-1 protein in colorectal adenocarcinoma,and the relationship with its clinicopathologic features.Methods The expressions of Fascin-1 protein in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues of 60 cases,colorectal adenoma tissues of 30 cases and normal mucosa tissues (4 cm distance to neoplasm) of 30 cases were detected by Microwave-EliVisionTM immunohistochemistry method,and the relationship between the expression of Fascin-1 protein in colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues and its clinicopathologic characteristics was analyzed.Results The expression of Fascin-1 protein was located in cytoplasm.The positive expression rates of Facsin-1 protein were 3.3% (1/30),30.0% (9/30) and 53.3% (32/60) in normal mucosa tissues,colorectal adenoma tissues and colorectal adenocarcinoma tissues,respectively.The expression of Fascin-1 was gradually increased in these three tissues,and there was statistical difference among the three tissues (P0.05).Conclusion The high expression of Fascin-1 protein is correlated to high invasion ability and lymph node metastasis,which can play as a sensitive index in predicting the invasion and metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Objective To investigate the influence of aerobic exercise on the vulnerability of atherosclerotic plaques and to observe the concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-9 ( MMP-9 ) and matrix metalloproteinase-14(MMP-14) in carotid atherosclerotic plaques in apolipoprotein E (APoE) gene deficient mice.Methods Eighty male, APoE gene deficient mice were divided into two equal groups: an aerobic exercise group and a limited action control group. Carotid atherosclerotic lesions were induced by perivascular constrictive collars placed on the right common carotid artery. Blood lipid levels in the exercise group were measured after 8 weeks of treadmill running and also in the control group. The morphological characteristics of carotid atherosclerotic plaques were observed in the two groups. Plaque area and fibrous cap thickness were measured. Lipid and collagen positive areas were quantified and the ratios correlated with the entimal areas were calculated. Plaque rupture rate and vulnerable index were calculated.Immunostaining was used to detect MMP-9 and MMP-14 expression in the atherosclerotic plaques. The mRNA levels of MMP-9 and MMP-14 mRNA in the fresh carotid plaques were quantified using a real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Western blotting was performed for examining MMP-9 and MMP-14 protein expression in the fresh carotid plaques.Results No significant difference in serum lipid profiles or plaque area was found between the exercise and control groups. Compared with the control group, mean fibrous cap thickness, cap/core ratio and collagen content were all significantly higher in the exercise group, and lipid content was significantly lower. Plaque rupture rate and the vulnerable index were both significantly lower in the exercise group. Immunostaining showed that MMP-9 and MMP-14 expression were lower in the exercise group compared with the control group.The mRNA expression of MMP-9 and MMP-14 was also significantly lower.Conclusions Aerobic exercise can decrease the expression of MMP-9 and MMP-14 in carotid atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE gene deficient mice. Aerobic exercise may play a role in forestalling atherosclerosis by increasing the stability of plaque and decreasing plaque vulnerability.

Objective To investigate the effects of inhalation of different concentrations of isoflurane on the expression of cytochrome c ( Cyt c) in hippocampus in aged rats.Methods Sixty-three aged male SD rats (20 months) weighing 500-600 g were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=21each):control group inhaling 30%O2 for 2h (group C) and 2 isoflurane groups anesthetized with 0.75 % and 1.5 % isoflurane in 30 % O2 for 2 h respectively (group Ⅰ1 and Ⅰ2 ).Arterial blood samples were obtained from 5 rats at 30 min, 1 and 2 h of anesthesia for blood gas analysis. Eight animals were killed at 24 h after anesthesia in each group.Their hippocampi were immediately removed for determination of Gyt c expression by immuno-histochemistry and Western blot analysis.Cognitive function was assessed by Morris water maze test the day before experiment and once a day for 6 consecutive days starting from the 1st postoperative day.Results The Cyt c expression in hippocampus was significantly increased in Ⅰ1 and Ⅰ2 groups in a concentration-dependent manner as compared with group C.The escape latency was significantly prolonged and the frequency of crossing the original platform and the duration of staying at the original platform quadrant were decreased in group Ⅰ1 and Ⅰ2 compared with group C.Conclusion Inhalation of isoflurane anesthesia can decrease cognitive function through up-regulating the Gyt c expression in hippocampus in aged rats.

Objective To investigate the effects of isoflurane on receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (R(A)GE) expression in the hippocampus in rats. Methods Forty-five male 4-month-old and 45 male 24-month-old rats were used in this study. The animals were divided into 2 age groups ( n = 45 each): the aged group (group O) and the adult group (group A). Each group was further divided into 3 subgroups ( n = 15 each):Ⅰ control subgroup (group OC,AC) inhaled 30% O2 in air; 1 single isoflurane inhalation subgroup (group OS,AS) inhaled 1.5 % isoflurane for 2 h and Ⅲ repeated isoflurane inhalation subgroup (group OR, AR) inhaled 1.5 % isoflurane 2 h per day for 3 days. One day after isoflurane inhalation, learning and memory function was assessed using Morris water maze test in 8 animals in each subgroup. The rest of each subgroup were killed and their hippocampi were immediately isolataed for detection of RAGE mRNA and protein expression by RT-PCR and immuno-histochemistry. Results The cognitive function was impaired after signle or repeataed isoflurane anesthesia as compared with control animals in both aged and adult groups. The expression of RACE mRNA and protein in hippocampus was significantly increased after either single or repeated isoflurane anesthesia in aged group but only after repeated isoflurane anesthesia in adult gpoup. There was no significant difference in RAGE mRNA and protein expression in the hippocampus between control and single isoflurane inhalation animals in adult group. Conclusion Isoflurane can reduce learning and memory function in both aged and adult rats by increasing RAGE expression in hippocampus especially in aged rats.

Objective To explore the effect of isofluranee on receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) expression of hippocampus and learning and memory function in rats. Methods 24-month Sprague-Dawley male rats (n=45) and 4-month Sprague-Dawley male rats (n=45) were randomly divided into six groups with 15 rats each group. Group C1 (aged control group),group C2(adult control group) breath 30% oxygen and air mixed gas; Group S1(single inhalation of isoflurane aged group),Group S2(single inhalation of isoflurane adult group)were anesthetized with 1.5% isoflurane,breath 30% oxygen and air mixed gas for 2h;Group R1(Repeated inhalation of isoflurane aged group), group R2(Repeated inhalation of isoflurane adult group) were anesthetized with 1.5% isoflurane,breath 30% oxygen and air mixed gas 2h a day for three days. Eight rats randomly selected from each group were killed and their hippocampus were immediately isolated for detection of RAGE expression by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR after accomplished treatment 24h. The remained rats' learning and memory function were assessed using Morris water-maze test. Results The results of Morris water-maze test showed that the times of acerossing the original platform and the time consumption of staying the original platform quadrant was shorter in group S1 and group R1,but the escape latency was longer than group C1(escape latency C1 (9.42± 2.63)s,S1(13.20±3.85)s,R1(17.20±3.44)s, F=12.773, P<0.05). In the group R2,the escape latency was longer but the times of accrossing the original platform and the time consumption of staying the original plat-form quadrant was shorter than group C2 (times of accrossing the original platform C1(7.30±2.40), S1(3.90± 2.42),R1(3.44±2.40), F=7.448, P<0.01).To contrast with the group C2,there were no significant differ-enees in spatial probe test in the group S2(P>0.05). The levels of mRNA and protein of RAGE in hippocampus was significantly higher in group S1 and group R1 than group C1(RAGE mRNA expression C1(0.11±0.02),S1 (0.56±0.09), R1(0.73±0.14), F=179.447, P<0.01). To contrast with the group C2, there were no differ-ences found in the levels of mRNA and protein of RAGE in group S1(P>0.05), but it was higher in the group R2 (RAGE mRNA express C2(0.22±0.04), R2 (0.41±0.08), F=40. 209, P < 0. 01). Conclusion Isoflurane can reduce learning and memory function in both aged and adult rats, but aged rats are particularly significant im-pacted. This effect may be induced by the increase of RAGE expression in hippocampas.

Objective To explore the effects of three- stage swallowing rehabilitation on the swallowing a-bility of stroke patients with dysphagia. Methods 60 stroke patients were divided into primary cerebral infarction and primary cerebral hemorrhage groups, then further divided into treated and control groups randomly. All groups were given the same routine internal medicine treatment. Patients in the treated group were given three stage swallo-wing rehabilitation training additionally. All patients were assessed using Caiteng's Grading Method at the outset and at the end of the 2nd week, the Ist month and the 2nd month. Results Swallowing function scores in the treated groups were higher than those in the control groups at every stage (P≤0.05). The treated groups' scores also im-proved more quickly than those in the control groups. Conclusion Three stage swallowing rehabilitation can signifi-cantly improve stroke patients' swallowing function.

Objective To observe the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the expression of Bcl2 and Bax in atrophied muscles.Methods Immature rats (80～ 100 g) were anesthetized to collect marrow from their femurs and tibias.BMSCs were isolated from the marrow,cultured and purified using the whole bone marrow adherence method.Their right hindlimbs were immobilized fiom the thigh to the paw with the knee in extension and the ankle in plantar flexion.After the modeling,24 of the male rats were divided into a sham-operation group,a BMSC group and a phosphate buffer solution (PBS) group,each of 8.The BMSC and PBS groups were injected with either approximately 106 BMSCs or an equal volume of PBS into the belly of the soleus muscle after they had been immobilized for 48 hours,while the control group did not undergo any treatment except for the injection of PBS.All of the rats were sacrificed for analysis after 14 days.Results The BMSCs were mainly spindle cells,showing radial colony arrangement.They grew vigorously and could passage in a continuous and stable manner over 10 passages.At the 4th passage the BMSCs were positive for CD44 (95.84％) and CD90 (96.00％),but negative for CD34 and CD45.Western blotting assay demonstrated that the expression of Bax protein as measured in grey-scale value (0.41±0.08)in the BMSC group was significantly lower than in the PBS group (0.63±0.10),but significantly higher than in the control group (0.14±0.11) on average.The expression of Bcl-2 (0.47±0.14) was also significantly higher in the BMSC group than in the PBS group (0.22-± 0.13),but significantly lower than in the control group (0.81 ± 0.06).Conclusion Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can upregulate the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein and downregulate that of the apoptotic Bax protein when injected early into the belly of a muscle in an immobilized limb.

Objective To observe the change in memory of aged rats and the expression of alpha 4 acetylcholine receptor in hippocampus 5 h after inhalation of 1.2% isoflurane.Methods Fifty healthy adult and 50 aged SD rats were randomly divided into aged normal control group(A0),aged water labyrinth normal control group(WA0),1 day isoflurane aged water labyrinth group(WA1),3-day isoflurane aged water labyrinth group(WA3),7-day isoflurane aged water labyrinth group(WA7),adult normal control group(B0), adult water labyrinth normal control group(WB0),adult 1 day isoflurane water labyrinth group(WB1),3-day isoflurane water labyrinth group(WB3),and 7-day isoflurane water labyrinth group(WB7),10 rats in each group.Memory of rats in WA1,WA3,WA7 groups was detected 5 h after inhalation of 1.2% isoflurane while memory in rats of WB1,WB3 and WB7 groups was detected during the Morris water maze testing.The rats in A0,WA0,WA7,B0,WB0 and WB7 groups were killed on day 7 to detect the expression of ?4 acetylcholine receptor by Westernblotting for observation of changes in distribution of positive immune reaction cells in hippocampus.Results Water maze test showed that there was no significant difference in expression of alpha 4 acetylcholine receptor between WA0 and WB0 groups.However,the expression level of alpha 4 acetylcholine receptor was significantly lower in latent period of WA1 than in latent period of WA0,WB0 and WB7 groups(P