2.The role of miR-146a-5p in enriched rehabilitation training′s ability to improve the cognition of stroke survivors
Hongyu ZHOU ; Zhaoxiang MENG ; Xing JIN ; Jiayu LIU ; Meng NIU ; Ping YAN ; Xin WANG
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2021;43(4):316-321
Objective:To observe the effect of enriched rehabilitation training on cognitive function, plasma mir-146a-5p microRNA precursor levels and inflammatory factors in persons with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI).Methods:Fifty-eight persons with PSCI were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 29. The observation group was given enriched rehabilitation training, while the control group was provided with conventional cognitive rehabilitation training. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), the Digit Span Test (DST), parts A and B of the Trail Making Test (TMT A-B) and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) were used to assess the subjects′ cognitive functioning and their ability in the activities of daily living (ADL). Plasma levels of mir-146a-5p, IL-6 and TNF-α were detected before and after the treatment.Results:After treatment, the average MOCA, DST and MBI scores, as well as the average TMT A-B times had improved significantly for both groups. However, the observation group′s averages were significantly better than those of the control group on all three tests. After the treatment, the average plasma expression of miR-146a-5p had increased significantly in both groups, but the increase in the observation group was significantly greater. Plasma IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly lower than before the treatment, with the average TNF-α level in the observation group significantly lower than that of the control group.Conclusions:Enriched rehabilitation training can improve the cognition of stroke survivors more effectively than conventional cognitive rehabilitation training. That may be related to the up-regulation of plasma miR-146a-5p and reducing inflammation.
3.Arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction of irreparable massive rotator cuff tearsras using "Sandwich" patch graft
Shaohua DING ; Mingguang BI ; Wei DING ; Minzhe ZHENG ; Jin LI ; Zhaoxiang PENG
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2021;41(24):1753-1761
Objective:To investigate the effect of arthroscopic superior capsular reconstruction (ASCR) of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs) using the "Sandwich" patch graft (autologous fascia lata + LARS artificial ligament + autologous fascia lata).Methods:The patients with irreparable massive RCTs who underwent ASCR by using "Sandwich" patch graft were retrospectively evaluated between December 2016 and October 2018. All cases were followed up more than two years. The pain and function of the shoulder were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS), active forward elevation (aFE), American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons score (ASES), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, and Constant-Murley score. The acromiohumeral distance (AHD) and patch healing were assessed by shoulder X-ray and MRI scan.Results:Twenty-nine patients (12 males and 17 females) were enrolled for final analysis. The average age was 66.0±5.88 years (range 55-77 years). The average length of follow-up was 35.3±7.20 months (range 24-46 months). The tendon of the subscapularis muscle was intacted in 13 cases and repairable in 16 cases. All patients' teres minor muscles were intact and the function of deltoid muscles was all complete. Based on Hamada classification of massive RCTs, 11 cases with type 2, 14 cases with type 3, and 4 cases with type 4. At the last follow-up visit, the AFE of the surgical shoulder was 158.45°±23.87° (range 70°-180°), which was significantly higher than before the surgery 92.59°±45.99° (range 20°-160°, t=6.190, P<0.001). The ASES score was 92.92±9.08 (range 64-100), UCLA score was 31.62±3.93 (range 19-35), and Constant-Murley score was 85.8±8.44 (range 68-94), which were higher than those before the operation 30.69±12.99 (range 68-95), 10.93±3.43 (range 4-17), 39.62±12.68 (range 14-55). There were significant differences between them, respectively ( t=21.145, P<0.001; t=21.348, P<0.001; t=16.333, P<0.001). The VAS was 0.41±0.57 (range 0-2 points), which was significantly lower than that of 4.90±1.05 (range 3-7 points) before operation ( t=20.267, P<0.001). At the last follow-up visit, MRI showed that the AHD increased from 3.31±1.57 mm (range 1.1-6.6 mm) to 6.94±1.76 mm (range 3.0-10.8 mm) significantly ( t=12.195, P<0.001). Radiological outcomes were evaluated according to MRI, the total healing rate was 89.7% (26/29). There were two cases of complete tears, which including one case of infection and 1 partial tears. Conclusion:ASCR of irreparable massive RCTs using "Sandwich" patch graft showed the high healing rate in the short-term follow-up, which is possible to restore the shoulder functions early. It is an effective method for the treatment of irreparable massive RCTs.
4.Thermosensitive Hydrogel Loaded with Primary ChondrocyteDerived Exosomes Promotes Cartilage Repair by Regulating Macrophage Polarization in Osteoarthritis
Xuehan SANG ; Xiuhong ZHAO ; Lianqi YAN ; Xing JIN ; Xin WANG ; Jianjian WANG ; Zhenglu YIN ; Yuxin ZHANG ; Zhaoxiang MENG
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine 2022;19(3):629-642
BACKGROUND:
Intra-articular injection is a classic strategy for the treatment of early osteoarthritis (OA). However, the local delivery of traditional therapeutic agents has limited benefits for alleviating OA. Exosomes, an important type of extracellular nanovesicle, show great potential for suppressing cartilage destruction in OA to replace drugs and stem cellbased administration.
METHODS:
In this study, we developed a thermosensitive, injectable hydrogel by in situ crosslinking of Pluronic F-127 and hyaluronic acid, which can be used as a slow-release carrier to durably retain primary chondrocyte-derived exosomes at damaged cartilage sites to effectively magnify their reparative effect.
RESULTS:
It was found that the hydrogel can sustainedly release exosomes, positively regulate chondrocytes on the proliferation, migration and differentiation, as well as efficiently induce polarization of M1 to M2 macrophages. Intraarticular injection of this exosomes-incorporated hydrogel significantly prevented cartilage destruction by promoting cartilage matrix formation. This strategy also displayed a regenerative immune phenotype characterized by a higher infiltration of CD163+ regenerative M2 macrophages over CD86+ M1 macrophages in synovial and chondral tissue, with a concomitant reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, IL-1b, and IL-6) and increase in anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in synovial fluid.
CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrated that local sustained-release primary chondrocyte-derived exosomes may relieve OA by promoting the phenotypic transformation of macrophages from M1 to M2, which suggesting a great potential for the application in OA.
5. Arthroscopic bridging reconstruction of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears using autogenous fascia lata
Wei DING ; Minzhe ZHENG ; Mingguang BI ; Ting ZHANG ; Lingxiao PAN ; Zhaoxiang PENG ; Peixing HU ; Jin LI ; Shaohua DING
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2020;40(3):138-145
Objective:
To investigate the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic bridging reconstruction of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears using autogenous fascia lata.
Methods:
From July 2015 to July 2017, a total of 10 cases (4 male and 6 female) who were treated with arthroscopic bridging reconstruction for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears using autogenous fascia lata were retrospectively analyzed. The age before surgery was 61.3±2.9 years (range 57-67 years). There were 7 patients with right shoulders and 3 with left shoulders. The dominate sides were involved in 7 cases. The trauma history was documented in 2 shoulders. The duration of preoperative symptoms was 14.0±13.5 months (1-48 months). The case with revision surgery was not included. The patients were examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the healing of fascia lata patch bridging in the joint at one week, six months, one year and two years after operation. The motion range of shoulder and the clinical scores, including visual analogue scale (VAS), University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, Constant-Murley score and American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, were measured before surgery and at follow-up duration.
Results:
All cases were reconstructed the horizontal couple. No perioperative complication was occurred and all surgery were completed safely and successfully. At the end of two years, the score of ASES was 92.2±3.5 (range 88.3-98.3), UCLA 31.6±2.0 (range 28-34), Constant-Murley 85.2±5.4 (range 78-93) with significant difference (
6.Transcranial magnetic stimulation can enhance the effectiveness of motor imagery therapy after a stroke
Leilei JU ; Guangxu XU ; Zhaoxiang MENG ; Xin WANG ; Xing JIN ; Yanan ZUO ; Jiahui WANG ; Shuangyue YANG
Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2022;44(7):599-603
Objective:To observe any effect of combining motor imagery therapy (MIT) with repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for improving upper limb motor functioning after a stroke.Methods:Ninety stroke survivors were randomly divided into a control group, an MIT group and a combination group, each of 30. All received conventional rehabilitation therapy, while the MIT group additionally received MIT and the combination group received the MIT along with 1Hz rTMS applied over the M1 region of the contralateral cortex. Before and after 4 weeks of treatment, everyone′s upper limb functioning was quantified using the Fugl-Meyer assessment scale (FMA) and the Hong Kong version of the hemiplegia upper limb function test (FTHUE-HK). Motor evoked potentials (MEPs), cortical latency (CL) and central motor conduction time (CMCT) were also recorded.Results:After the treatment the average FMA and FTHUE-HK scores of all three groups had improved significantly. The average CL and CMCT were significantly shortened. Compared with the control group, the average upper limb FMA score and FTHUE-HK scores of the treatment group were significantly higher. The combination group showed a significant improvement in its average MEP cortical latency and CMCT values.Conclusions:MIT therapy alone can improve the upper limb motor functioning of stroke survivors, but it is more effective in combination with rTMS.
7.Discussion on "dry needling" being part of acupuncture.
Zengfu PENG ; Nenggui XU ; Zhaoxiang BIAN ; Canhui LI ; Weidong LU ; Tao HUANG ; Shaobai WANG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2017;37(6):663-667
We think that all the methods of puncturing into the skin to prevent and treat diseases are belong to acupuncture science. In spite of its basic theory of meridian and acupoint, anatomy and physiology have been important parts of modern acupuncture science. "Dry needling", however, is limited to trigger point theory. As for the positions, acupuncture is applied mainly at acupoints, involving in skin, muscles, tendons, vessels and nerves; while "dry needling" is used mostly at muscles. The needles of acupuncture are in various lengths and diameters and its manipulations are abundant, including the traditional skills and the achievements of modern science and technology research, such as electroacupuncture. It is different from the "dry needling" with the single tool and manipulation. Thus, acupuncture is suitable for a large range of syndromes, but "dry needling" is mainly for fascia muscularis pain and other related disorders. The acupuncturists need to embrace Chinese and western medicine, which is more rigorous than the training for "dry needling" practitioners. Based on the above reasons, we consider "dry needling" as part of acupuncture science, and it is a method during the modern development of traditional acupuncture.