Objective:To observe any effect of dynamic scalp acupunture on the lower limb motor function and balance of stroke survivors.Methods:Eighty-two hemiplegic stroke survivors were randomly divided into a traditional scalp acupuncture group and a dynamic scalp acupuncture group, each of 41. In addition to routine symptom support treatment, the traditional scalp acupuncture group was given daily scalp acupuncture treatment and lower limb motor training 5 times a week for 3 consecutive weeks. The dynamic scalp acupuncture group was treated separately on the same schedule. Before and after the treatment, all were evaluated using the lower extremity part of the Fugl-Meyer motor function scale (FMA-LE), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the modified Barthel index (MBI) and functional ambulation categories (FAC).Results:Where was no significant difference between the two groups in any of the measurements before the treatment. Afterward the average FMA-LE, MBI and BBS scores of both groups had increased significantly, with greater improvement in the dynamic scalp acupuncture group. There was no significant difference in the two groups′ average functional ambulation categorization after the treatment.Conclusions:Dynamic scalp acupunture can effectively improve the lower limb motor function and balance of stroke survivors.

Objective To establish experimental autoimmune cerebral spinal cord inflammation ( EAE) model rats, and observe the pathological changes and effect of oxymatrine on EAE model.Methods 30 rats were randomly divided into control group,EAE ( model group) group and oxymatrine group.The EAE symptom score was used to evaluate the rats after the model, and to observe the changes of its behavior.By HE staining and Kluver &Barrera myelin dyeing to observe the inflammation of the brain and spinal cord demyelinating changes.Results The animals in control group had no change in behavior and pathological.In model group, all animals occured behavioral changes, accompanied by varying degrees of demyelination and inflammatory infiltration of the brain and spinal cord.In oxymatrine group,6 rats did not appear EAE clinical manifestations and behavioral change, and the myelin structure was intact.Conclusion Oxymatrine can extend the incubation period experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in rats of the disease, relieve symptoms and protect nerve.

Objective:This study aims to evaluate the clinical effect and adverse reactions of oxaliplatin or irinotecan plus capecitabine treatment for colorectal liver metastases. Methods:Data from 125 cases of colorectal liver metastasis patients were continuously enrolled and randomized into two groups, i.e., 63 in group one (treatment group) and the other 62 in group two (the control group). Capecitabine was administered at 1 000 mg/m2 doses, twice a day from d1 to d14, to all patients. Irinotecan was administered at 150 mg/m2 in d1 to group one, and oxaliplatin was administered at 130 mg/m2 in d1 to group two. The drug administration cycle lasted for 21 days in both regimens, with at least 6 administration cycles. The total course was for 6 months at most. The therapeutic efficacy, median progression-free survival time, median survival time, short-term clinical effect, and adverse drug reaction were monthly determined. Results:The overall response rates and disease control rates were 33.3%and 66.7%in group one, respectively, and 35.5%and 70.9%in group two, respectively, with no significant differences between the groups (P>0.05). The median survival time and median progression-free survival time were 14 months and 5 months in group one, respectively, and 12 months and 5 months in group two, with no significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). The level-Ⅲand-Ⅳadverse drug reactions mainly include hematological toxicity, gastrointestinal reactions, and hand-foot syndrome. The diarrhea frequency is obviously higher in group one than in group two, and the difference between the two groups is sta-tistically significant (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the other adverse reactions between the groups (P>0.05). Conclusion:The Oxaliplatin or Irinotecan plus Capecitabine treatment is effective for colorectal liver metastases, which enhances survival rate and reduces patient suffering because of it has less side effects and good tolerance. The treatment must be further generalized and clinically applied.

Objective To investigate the effect of Tetramethylpyrazine (extracted from Chinese herbal medicine Ligusticum wallichii) employed in the early stage of severe brain injury on the restoration of brain function in coma patients monitored with digitized cerebral state monitor and clinical signs.Methods A total of 364 patients were referred to us from Emergency Department and Neurosurgery Department,Shenzhen People's Hospital from January 2006 through May 2012.The scores of patients'GlasgowPittsburgh coma scales were between 7-20 as brain injury happened within 24 h and survived more than two weeks.All patients were randomly (random number) divided into two groups:Tetramethylpyrazine group (n =186) and control group (n =178).The patients of control group received routine treatment,and the patients of Tetramethylpyrazine group were treated with Tetramethylpyrazine in addition to routine treatment in early stage.The patients of two groups were assessed with cerebral state indexes (CSI) and GlasgowPittsburgh coma scales before treatment and 3,7,14 days after treatment.Statistical comparisons between groups were analyzed by using repeated measure design analysis of variance.Results A repeated measures design analysis of variance indicated that the CSI and clinical signs (Glasgow-Pittsburgh coma scale) were improved significantly in Tetramethylpyrazine group than those in the control group at 3,7,14 days after treatment (P =0.024).Conclusions Tetramethylpyrazine can protect brain function and improve clinical signs in patients with severe brain injury in the early stage.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) common deletion (CD) plays a significant role in aging and age-related diseases. In this study, we used D-galactose (D-gal) to generate an animal model of aging and the involvement and causative mechanisms of mitochondrial damage in such a model were investigated. Twenty 5-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: D-gal group (n=10) and control group (n=10). The quantity of the mtDNA CD in the hippocampus was determined using a TaqMan real-time PCR assay. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure in the hippocampus. Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of NADPH oxidase (NOX) and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). We found that the level of mtDNA CD was significantly higher in the hippocampus of D-gal-induced aging rats than in control rats. In comparison with the control group, the mitochondrial ultrastructure in the hippocampus of D-gal-treated rats was damaged, and the protein levels of NOX and UCP2 were significantly increased in the hippocampus of D-gal-induced aging rats. This study demonstrated that the levels of mtDNA CD and NOX protein expression were significantly increased in the hippocampus of D-gal-induced aging rats. These findings indicate that NOX-dependent reactive oxygen species generation may contribute to D-gal-induced mitochondrial damage.
Aging ; metabolism ; physiology ; Animals ; Galactose ; adverse effects ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; physiology ; Male ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; physiology ; NADPH Oxidases ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) common deletion (CD) plays a significant role in aging and age-related diseases. In this study, we used D-galactose (D-gal) to generate an animal model of aging and the involvement and causative mechanisms of mitochondrial damage in such a model were investigated. Twenty 5-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: D-gal group (n=10) and control group (n=10). The quantity of the mtDNA CD in the hippocampus was determined using a TaqMan real-time PCR assay. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the mitochondrial ultrastructure in the hippocampus. Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of NADPH oxidase (NOX) and uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). We found that the level of mtDNA CD was significantly higher in the hippocampus of D-gal-induced aging rats than in control rats. In comparison with the control group, the mitochondrial ultrastructure in the hippocampus of D-gal-treated rats was damaged, and the protein levels of NOX and UCP2 were significantly increased in the hippocampus of D-gal-induced aging rats. This study demonstrated that the levels of mtDNA CD and NOX protein expression were significantly increased in the hippocampus of D-gal-induced aging rats. These findings indicate that NOX-dependent reactive oxygen species generation may contribute to D-gal-induced mitochondrial damage.

ObjectiveTo observe the efficacy of maintenance hormonal treatment after response to chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer. Methods8 patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with chemotherapy,maintenance hormonal therapy were given after response to chemotherapy.The efficacy was evaluated every 2 cycles of chemotherapy and 2 months of endocrine therapy according to RECIST standard.Results8 patients received chemotherapy for 2-8 cycles (median 4 cycles). All patients got PR, the duration of chemotherapy was 1-6 months (median 2 months), the time to failure of chemotherapy was 4 months. Until the last follow-up day (31th December 2010), the time to progression was 6-86 months (median 13.5 months).Survival was 6-86 months(median 21.5 months).Seven patients quit the chemotherapy due to severe side effects of hematologic toxicity,fatigue or nausea vomiting.One patient died because of allergy to paclitaxol.Conclusion Maintenance hormonal treatment after patients with metastatic breast cancer response to chemotherapy may prolong the duration of effective therapy and improve the QOL.

ObjectiveTo analyze the gene expression of neuregulin1 (Nrg1)mRNA and protein in encephalic region and peripheral blood,and to explore the consistency of the expression in central and peripheral in schizophrenia model rat induced by dizocilpine maleate ( MK801 ).Methods30 adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups ( 10 cases per group):model group injected with MK801 (0.6 mg/kg and 100μl/20 g)on the right rear of ventrolateral compartment,control group 1 ( no treatment) and control group 2 injected with equal volume normal saline.Nrg1 mRNA was measured in peripheral blood and in prefrontal lobe by using semiquantitative RT-PCR in 3 groups,and Nrg1 protein was measured in encephalic region (prefrontal lobe,dentate band and hippocamp) by using immunohistochemistry.ResultsThere was significant difference of the amount of Nrg1 mRNA among 3 groups (for center:F=9.141,P =0.001 ;for peripheral blood F =8.389,P =0.001 ),and it was higher in model group ( center:2.08 ± 0.64; peripheral blood:1.43 ± 0.46) than that in two control groups ( control group1,center:1.17 ± 0.42,peripheral blood:0.78 ± 0.39 ; control group 2,center:1.31 ± 0.44,peripheral blood:0.79 ± 0.37 ),but no statistical significant difference existed between two control groups.There was positive correlation of Nrg1 mRNA between center and periphery.There was significant difference of Nrg1 protein in prefrontal lobe,dentate band and hippocamp among 3 groups ( F value was 7.275,21.50 and 4.619,and P value was 0.003,0.000 and 0.019,respectively),and it was higher in model( 7.71 ± 2.55,11.67 ± 1.83and 10.18 ±2.08,respectively)than that in two control groups( control group 1:4.89 ± 1.06,7.53 ± 1.14 and 7.10 ± 2.52,respectively; control group 2:5.31 ± 1.39,8.10 ± 1.60 and 7.81 ± 2.50),but no statistical significant difference existed between two control groups.ConclusionMK801 can effect on the expression of Nrg1 gene,Nrg1 mRNA and protein increase in MK801 model rat,and the change is synchronous between center and periphery.

Objective To explore the ultrasound characteristics of carotid atherosclerosis in acute stroke patients with early neurological deterioration (END). Methods END was defined as a increase by at least two points in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale between admission and day 7. Among 128 patients with acute stroke in whom carotid ultrasound examinations were performed within 24 hours after admission, 38 patients with END and 40risk-matched patients without END were included in the END group and the non-END group,respectively. The ultrasound characteristics of carotid atherosclerosis were compared in both groups. Results Plaque score (16.7 ±4.4 mm vs. 13.3 ±3.5 mm, t=2.673, P=0.009),intima-media cross-sectional area (26. 4 ± 8. 5 mm2 vs. 20. 5 ± 6. 8 mm2, t = 3. 394, P =0. 001), arterial stiffness index (28. 94 ±4. 29 vs. 21. 22 ±5. 85, t = 6. 618, P =0. 000), and the rates of unstable plaque (66. 7% υs. 43. 3%, χ2=9. 164, P =0. 003), eccentric plaque (62. 8% vs. 45. 6%, χ2=5. 008, P =0. 025), stenosis ≥50% (71. 1% vs. 37. 5%, χ2=8. 828, P =0. 003), and negative remodeling (28. 9% vs. 7. 5%, χ2=6.087, P =0.014) in the END group were significantly higher than those in the non-END group, while the distensibility coefficient ([14. 74 ±8. 66]×10-6/P υs. [19. 16 ±9.35] × 10-6/Pa, t =2. 163, P=0. 034)and compliance coefficient ([0.49 ±0. 13] × 10-4 mm2/Pa υs. [0. 58 ±0. 11] × 10-4 mm2/Pa,t =3.307, P =0. 001) were significantly lower than those in the non-END group. Conclusions The ultrasound characteristics such as plaque score, intima-media cross-sectional area, arterial stiffness index, unstable plaque, eccentric plaque, stenosis ≥ 50%, negative remodeling,distensibility and compliance may be useful to predict END in patients with acute stroke.

Objective To compare and evaluate the clinical efficacy and side effect of vinorelbine plus gemcitabine and vinorelbine plus cisplatin combinations in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer(NSCLC). Methods 56 cases with non-treated advanced NSCLC were unrandomly divided into two groups: the GN group (27patients) treated with vinorelbine plus gemcitabine, the NP group (29 patients) treated with vinorelbine plus cisplatin,1/3 weeks×2～6 cycles. Results For the GN group, the overall response rate was 37.7 %, MTTP was 5.1months,one year survival rate (1-ySR) was 40.7 %. There were no significant difference in the response rates and the survival rates for the GN group compared with the NP group (P ＞0.05); But on the side effect of toxicities, WHO grade anemia and nausea/vomiting and tiredness of the GN group was significantly milder than the NP group (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Vinorelbine combined Gemcitabine regimen (GN) is active and well-tolerated. It is worth to investigate GN recommended as the first line chemotherapeutic regimen for the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC.