Objective To investigate the effects of rehabilitation training on hippocampal amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) and insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) levels in vascular dementia (VD).Methods Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a rehabilitation group (n =10),a model group (n =10) or a sham-operation group (n =10).An experimental VD model was established in the rats of the first 2 groups by bilateral common carotid artery permanent ligation.The rats in the rehabilitation group then received 1 h of rehabilitation training daily.Learning and memory were assessed at 4 weeks aftet the operation.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect Aβ and IDE expression in the hippocampus dentate gyrus (DG) area.Results The rats in the rehabilitation group showed significantly better learning ability compared with the model group.The expression of Aβ in the rehabilitation group was significantly less than in the model group.The expression of IDE in the rehabilitation group was significantly greater Conclusion Rehabilitation can accelerate the recovery of learning and memory in VD,at least in rats The mechanism is possibly related to decreased accumulation of Aβ in the hippocampus due to up-regulation of the expression of IDE.

Objective To investigate the effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the proliferation of neural stem cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the expression of miR-9 in the ipsilesional hemisphere of rats with focal cerebral ischemia.Methods A rat model of acute focal cerebral ischemia was established using transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO).Rats were then randomly assigned to a sham group,a control group or an rTMS group.Daily rTMS treatments (10 trains with 30 pulses per train and 50-second breaks between trains at 120％ of the resting motor threshold) were targeted at the ipsilesional MI cortex beginning one day after the tMCAO.After the treatment the proliferation of neural stem cells in the ipsilesional SVZ was identified by double immunofluorescence staining (BrdU/nestin).The expression of miR-9 was evaluated using quantitative PCR.Results Compared with the other two groups,BrdU + Nestin + cells in the ipsilesional SVZs of the rTMS group increased and the expression of miR-9 decreased significantly.Conclusion rTMS can promote the proliferation of neural stem cells and inhibit the expression of miR-9 in the ipsilesional hemisphere after focal cerebral ischemia.

Objective To observe the effect of electromyographic biofeedback combined with swallowing training on dysphagia after stroke.Methods Ninety-five patients with difficulty in swallowing after stroke were randomly divided into a treatment group (48 eases) and a control group (47 cases).The patients in the treatment group were provided electromyographic biofeedback and swallowing training; the patients in the control group received swallowing training only.The therapeutic effect was assessed with Kubota's drinking water test before treatment and 30d after treatment.Results Swallowing in both groups improved after treatment.The total recovery rate in the treatment group was 87.5％,and in the control group it was 68.0％,a significant difference.Conclusion Electromyographic biofeedback can improve the effectiveness of swallowing training after stroke.

Objective To study the mechanism by which a high-intensity pulsed electromagnetic field (HIPEMF) (0.1 Hz,4 T,8 pulses) facilitates the proliferation of neural stem cells by detecting the expression of β-catenin genes and protein.Methods Neural stem cells (NSCs) were isolated from the sub-ventricular zone (SVZ) of neonatal rats and cultured in supplemented,serum-free medium for two weeks.The NSCs were then divided into an experimental group exposed to a HIPEMF for 8 pulses and a control group given sham stimulation.The gene and prorein expression of β-catenin in the NSCs were assayed by RT-PCR and Western blotting on the 1st,3rd,5th and 7th day after the stimulation.Results The NSCs' cloned spheres were round and translucent,and showed red fluorescence after staining with anti-nestin (cy3).The RT-PCR results showed β-catenin genes were highly expressed in the exposed group (significantly more than in the controls).The Western blotting showed that expression of β-catenin protein was also higher in the experimental group,especially at the 7th day after stimulation,a difference which was also statistically significant Conclusion HIPEMF at 0.1 Hz,4 T,in 8 pulse trains can promote NSC proliferation,perhaps through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.

Objective To explore the impacts of magnetic fields of different intensities on the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdchvde (MDA) levels in rat pancreatic islet cells under normal and hypoxic conditions.Methods Rat pancreatic islet cells were culured,and after 3 days were subjected to a magnetic field of either 44.8 mT,90.6 mT or 182.1 mT under either normal or hypoxic conditions.Control cells received no magnetic field exposure,SOD activity and MDA level were measured after 72 hr.Results The cultured cells grew linearly with optical density (OD) of 0.067 ± 0.021 after 2 days and 0.449 ± 0.113 afier 5 days.SOD activity was significantly lower in the three magnetic field intervention groups than in the control group.Under hypoxic culture conditions,in all the magnetic field intervention groups SOD activity increased at first and then deereased.Under normal culture conditions,MDA content was significantly higher in the 182.1 mT group than in the control group.In the other two groups it was significantly lower.Conclusion Magnetic field exposure can cause oxidative damage to pancreatic islet cells,at least rat cells in culture.Under hypoxic culture conditions a magnetic field can inhibit such damage.

Objective To observe any therapeutic effect of laser irradiation on pathological inflammatory reactions in ulcerative colitis (UC) induced by oxazolone,and to investigate possible mechanisms.Methods Six rats were selected as a normal control group.Another 24 rats with UC induced by oxazolone were randomly assigned to a UC model group (n =8),a 400 mW laser group (161.3 mW/cm2,n =8),and a 200 mW laser group (80.6 mW/cm2,n =8).All the rats were fixed in custom-built devices.Those in the therapy groups were treated daily,10 min per time,for 10 days.After the end of the last irradiation session,disease activity indexes (DAIs)were observed.Rats from every group were sacrificed 24 h after the last irradiation in order to observe any pathological changes in colon tissue,the weight of fresh ulcerated tissues,and gross changes in morphology.Colon segments were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and histological lesion scoring was performed under a light microscope.Any changes in inflammatory edema in the colonic mucous membrane were observed before and after laser irradiation.Results The UC model was successfully established.Average body weight in the 400 mW laser group increased significantly more than in the UC model group,approaching that of the normal control group.DAI decreased significantly.The thickness of the epithelial mucous membrane,lamina propria and submucosa was basically restored.Histological lesion scores also improved significantly,and the weight of fresh ulcerative tissue was significantly lower.Mucous membrane ulcers,submucosa edema and inflammatory cell infiltration all were alleviated significantly,merely presenting a few inflamed cells and small amounts of periphlebitis.In the 200 mW laser group all these outcome measures improved significantly compared with the UC model group,but were not as good as in the 400 mW laser group,and the rats needed longer to recover.Conclusion Laser irradiation at 400 mW has advantages over 200 mW,and could significantly relieve the pathological inflammatory response in colonic tissue,decrease submucosa edema and ameliorate other symptoms of ulcerative colitis,at least in rats.

Objective To investigate the effect of massage on quadriceps femoris repair after injury by external force and the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and collagen-Ⅰ (COL-Ⅰ) mRNA.To explore the molecular mechanisms inhibiting scar tissue formation and promoting muscle repair.Methods Forty New Zealand white rabbits weighing (2.0 ±0.5) kg were randomly divided into a normal control group (A) (n =4),a selfrepair group (B) (n =20,further divided into the 3rd,7th,11th,15th and 19th day time points),and a massage group (C) (n =16,further divided as in group B).In group A the rabbits were not treated,as normal controls.In groups B and C rabbit models of quadriceps femoris injury were prepared using a self-made beater.In group B no massage therapy was given as a natural recovery control; in group C,massage therapy was given after 5 days.Realtime quantitative PCRs were used to detect TGF-β1 and COL-Ⅰ mRNA expression.Resnlts There was no significant difference between groups B and C in the expression of TGF-β1 or COL-Ⅰ mRNA on day 7.At the later time points,expression of both mRNAs in group C was significantly less than in group B.Conclusion Massage can effectively reduce the expression of TGF-β1 and COL-Ⅰ mRNA,inhibit excessive scar formation and promote repair of injured tissue.

Objective To determine whether isometric handgrip exercise can increase collateral flow to the ischemic myocardium in acute coronary occlusion patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods Sixty-five patients with one-vessel CAD were randomly assigned to either an isometric exercise (IME) group or no-exercise (NE) group.Patients in the IME group performed isometric handgrip exercises (50％ of the maximum voluntary contraction) during 1 min of coronary balloon occlusion.Patients in the NE group remained sedentary during the procedure.The collateral flow index (CFI),heart rare (HR),systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were determined prior to and at the end of 1 min of coronary occlusion.Results In the IME group the average CFI improved significantly more during the occlusion than in the NE group.The differences in HR,SBP and DBP were also significantly grcatcr in the CFI group than in the NE group controls.Conclusion Isometric exercise can induce significantly increased coronary collateral flow in CAD patients during acute vessel occlusion.

Objective To explore the effects of group sand play on the behavior of cerebral palsy (CP)children with behavioral problems.Methods Ninety children with CP aged 3-5 with behavioral problems were selected,after those with mental retardation had been excluded through the Peabody picture vocabulary test (PPVT).Their behavioral problems were diagnosed using Achenhach's child behavior check list (CRCL).The children were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group with 45 cases in each.The experimental group received 10 weeks of sand play treatment in addition to routine rehabilitation.The controls received only routine rehabilitation.Results After treatment,the social withdrawal,depression,aggression and disruptive behavior scores of the 3-year olds in the experimental group were significantly lower than before treatment and significantly lower than those of the controls.For the 4 and 5 year-old boys the results were similar in terms of soclal withdrawal,depression,immaturity,sexual behavior,aggression and delinquent behavior,For the 4 and 5 year-old girls the scores for depression,somatic complaints,social withdrawal,compulsion,aggression,and hyperauctivity showed similar significant improvements.Conclusion Group sand play can improve the behavior and promote the mental health of CP children.

Objective To compare the effect of injection with botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) before serial casting with BTX-A injection alone for the treatment of spastic equinus in children with cerebral palsy (CP).Methods Sixty patients were divided into an experimental group and a control group with 30 patients in each.Those io the experimental group received a BTX-A injection followed by serial casting,while the controls received BTX-A only.Before treatment and 1 month,3 months and 6 months after treatment,the dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM)of the ankle recorded while the knee in flexion and extension were measured,and gait was evaluated with an observational gait scale.Results Before treatment there was no significant inter-group difference in any of the 3 outcome measures.At 1 montb,3 months and 6 months after treatment,there were significant inter-group differences in all 3 measures,and also significant differences compared with before treatment in both groups.Conclusion Lower muscle tone,greater ankle mobility and better gait patterns can be promoted in CP children with spastic equinus using serial casting combined with BTX-A injection.The improvements may last longer than those after BTX-A injection alone.