AIM To study the effects of puerarin on the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax, genes relating to neuronal apoptosis after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS After global cerebral ischemia followed by reperfusion, changes in protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunohistochemical method. The number of neuronal apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL. The effects of puerarin intervention were observed. RESULTS In CA1, the level of positive expression of Bcl-2 varied to the duration of reperfusion and the peak level was at 6 h reperfusion after 10 min global cerebral ischemia,the peak expression of Bax was at 24 h. The number of neuronal apoptosis after cerebral ischemia reperfusion was increased. In puerarin group, the expression of Bcl-2 was up-regulated and that of Bax was down-regulated, the number of neuronal apoptosis after cerebral ischemia reperfusion was decreased. CONCLUSION Our result indicate that Bcl-2 may restrain apoptosisl. Bax may promote apoptosis after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion and puerarin ameliorate ischemic damage by reducing the apoptosis through regulating Bcl-2 and Bax.

BACKGROUND: Being a traditional Chinese herb, huangqi (astragalus membranaceus) resists free radical, enhances immunity, promotes microcirculation and protects vascular endothelial cell and nervous system; of which, the protection of huangqi (astragalus membranaceus) on nervous vessel is related to its regulation on local cerebral cortical blood flow rate. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of huangqi (astragalus membranaceus) on local cerebral cortical blood flow rate after traumatic injury. DESIGN: Randomized paired experiment.SETTING: Neurological Surgical Institute of Lanzhou Military Area Command of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed in Traumatic Experimental Room of Neurological Surgical Institute of Lanzhou Military Area Command of Chinese PLA from February to May 2000, in which, 75 healthy male SD rats were employed and randomized into the control (5 rats), saline control (35 rats) and experimental group (35 rats). The latter two groups were subdivided into 7 time spots of 1, 3, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours after traumatic injury, 5 rats were involved in each spot.METHODS: In normal control, the model was not prepared and in the other two groups, the modified Feeney's method was used to establish craniocerebral traumatic model. In experimental group, right after injury, huangqi injection (5 g/kg) was applied abdominally and in saline control, physiological saline 0.5 mL was injected abdominally. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: It was to determine the blood flow rates in local cerebral cortex at corresponding time spots after traumatic injury. Fenestration was done in normal control for direct determination. RESULTS: By supplemented, 75 rats entered result analysis. Blood flow rates in local cerebral cortex: the rate in saline control 1 hour after trauma was lower than the control [(6.90±0.68), (7.94±0.65), P < 0.05], it was de creased to the minimum in 24 hours and began increasing in 48 hours [(5.86±0.61), (6.15±0.60)]; the rate in experimental group at every time spot was higher than saline control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Huangqi (astragalus membranaceus) increases remark ably blood flow rate in local cerebral cortex, which is associated with its neurovascular protection.

BACKGROUND: The studies in recent years proved that the inflammatory reaction is of the main reasons in the damage of cerebral ischemia reperfusion. The nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), as a kind of transcription factor, plays an important role in regulating the expressions of various inflammatory cell factors in the inflammatory reaction of cerebral ischemia reperfusion. The previous experiments show that puerarin functions to resist the oxidated free radicals and the apoptosis of nerve cells. In case it has the functions of anti-inflammation, its brain protection can be explained further.OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of puerarin on NF-κB for the rats with the damage of ischemia reperfusion.DESIGN: A random parallel controlled study.SETTING: The Emergency Department of Beijing Hospital, Emergency Department of Tongji Hospital, Pathology Department and Experimental Animal Center of Tongji Medical College, and Health Statistics Department of Public Health College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology.MATERIALS: The experiment was started on April 12, 2003 in the Pathology Department of Tongji Medical College. The 75 healthy and clean Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups with 25 in each, Sham operation group, cerebral ischemia reperfusion group, and puerarin group. Each group was reperfused at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after ischemia and 5rats were used at each time point.METHODS: [1] Sham operation group: Without electric coagulation of bilateral vertebral arteries, without blockage of bilateral common carotid arteries, without medicinal administration. [2] Cerebral ischemia reperfusion group: Ten minutes after the blockage of bilateral common carotid arteries with non-invasive artery clamp, the reperfusion was given. At the beginning of reperfusion, the abdominal injection of normal saline 1 mL was applied and later every 6 hours the injection was repeated once. [3] Puerarin group:The procedure was the same as for the reperfusion group, only with normal saline changed to puerarin 100 mg/kg.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At the time points of 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours after reperfusion, the activity of NF-κB and inhibitory protein κB(IP-κB) in the hippocampus CA1 region was examined with immunohistochemical method; the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA was measured with in situ hybridization method; and the number of surviving neurons was detected with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining.RESULTS: After supplement, 75 rats entered the result analysis. [1] Activity of NF-κB: In the ischemia reperfusion group, it was obviously increased at 2 hours after reperfusion, to the highest at 6 hours, and still higher than that of the sham operation group, (P ＜ 0.01). In the puerarin group, it was lower at each time point than that of the ischemia reperfusion group (P ＜ 0.01). [2] Expression of TNF-α mRNA: In the ischemia reperfusion group, it was obviously increased at 2 hours after reperfusion, to the highest at 12 hours, and still higher than that of the sham operation group at 48 hours (P ＜ 0.01). In the puerarin group, it was lower than that of the ischemia reperfusion group at 6-48 hours (P ＜ 0.01). [3] Activity of IP-κB:In the ischemia reperfusion group, it was obviously decreased at 2 hours after reperfusion, to the lowest at 6 hours, and then gradually increased to the level of 12 hours. In the puerarin group, it was higher than that of the ischemia reperfusion group at each time point (P ＜ 0.01 or 0.05). [4] Number of surviving neurons: In the ischemia reperfusion group, it was decreased gradually with the time prolonging after reperfusion (P ＜ 0.01). In the puerarin group, at each time point, it was higher than that of the ischemia reperfusion group (P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01).CONCLUSION: In the cerebral ischemia reperfusion, puerarin can protect the brain through decreasing the degradation of IP-κB, the activity of NF-κB, the expression of TNF-α mRNA, and the inflammatory reaction.

Objective To discuss the application of Occupational Functioning Model (OFM) in occupational therapy teaching. Methods The students in grade 2009 and 2010 for their course of Occupational Therapy Clinical Application were included. The former were taught in routine way, and the latter were taught with OFM. They were investigated with questionnaires of satisfaction of course and teaching. Results There were 94.1% of the students felt beneficial in the clinical thinking, 86.3% in the comprehensive quality. There was more in the grade 2010 than 2009 of students reported to be benefited in such as guidance of the occupation mode for the clinical practice, independent thinking, clinical thinking, and the capability of evaluation and plan of systemic rehabilitation (P<0.05). Conclusion OFM may help students to understand occupational therapy deeply, develop the clinical thinking, and improve the comprehensive quality.

Objective To discuss the impact of the pattern of student-autonomous laboratories opening on the experimental teaching of rehabilitation specialty. Methods Laboratories were opened to sophomore students of rehabilitation specialty. Planned opening pattern is employed on students of 2009 class and autonomous opening pattern is used on students of 2010 class. At the end of each term, results of these opening patterns are compared. Results The total opening hours of planned opening pattern were 89 with 755 person-times involved. The accumulated opening hours of autonomous opening pattern were 323 with 2677 person-times involved. Students of the autonomous opening pattern class achieved better academic results than students of planned opening pattern (P<0.05) in 7 major courses. Opening laboratories to students contributed to the improvement of rehabilitation skills, better understanding of the curricular knowledge, the enhancement of problem-analyzing and problem solving abilities, the stimulation of interest in major study and also the fostering of teamwork spirit. And the autonomous opening pattern achieved more desirable results (P<0.05). Conclusion The student-autonomous lab opening pattern contributes more to the improvement of students' practical skills, innovative spirit as well as comprehensive clinical rehabilitation abilities.

Based on the framework and approaches of International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and psychometry,the theory and methods of the development and standardization of functioning and disability measurement for stroke were reviewed.

Objective To investigate the effect of robot-assisted walking therapy on gait of patients with incomplete spinal cord injury.Methods 10 patients with incomplete spinal cord injury accepted robot-assisted walking therapy with Lokomat for 12 weeks. The Lower Extremity Motor Scores (LEMS), step lenth (left and right), double support (left and right), single support (left and right), Symmetry Index (SI), overground gait speed, treadmill training speed, treadmill training distance and the amount of body-weight unload were recorded before,6 weeks and 12 weeks after training. Results All the patients finished the training. There was significant difference in all the indices among those were before, 6 weeks and 12 weeks after training (P<0.001). Conclusion Robot-assisted walking therapy with Lokomat facilitates to improve gait in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury.

AIM: To study the expression of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and receptor-CD36, and investigate the relationship between tumor invasive capability and microvessel density and thrombospondin-1. METHODS: 43 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases were under investigation. Tissues from tumor, corresponding adjacent non-HCC tissue were stained with CD34 to show the MVD. TSP-1 and CD36 were examined by immunohistochemistry (SP) and RT-PCR. Relationship between clinical pathological features and above parameters was analyed. RESULTS: The staining of TSP-1 in HCC tissue is significantly lower than that in corresponding adjacent non-HCC tissue. Expression of TSP-1 was correlated to tumor thrombi, capsule, tumor invasive capability and CD36. CD36 was also correlated to tumor thrombi and tumor invasive capability. MVD was significantly higher in TSP-1, CD36 positive group than that in negative group. CONCLUSION: TSP-1 inhibits the growth, invasion and angiogenesis in HCC. TSP-1 may take effect through CD36.

Objective To investigate the changes of the expression of HIF-1α (hypoxia induciblefactor-1a) mRNA in myocardium of rats after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the intervention effects of exogenous hydrogen sulfide on it. Method Forty five male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group ( n = 15 ), cardiopulmonary resuscitation group ( CPR group, n = 15 ) and NaHS + CPR group (n = 15 ) . Rats of control group were anesthetized and intubated without asphyxia and cardiac arrest. The rats of CPR group and NaHS + CPR group were operated to induce cardiac arrest by asphyxiation. In the rats of NaHS + CPR group, NaHS in dose of 50 ug/kg was administrated via the femoral venous line 1 minute before CPR. Hemodynamic was monitored continuously. The expression of HIF - lα mRNA in myocardium of rats in each group was determined by using RT-PCR and the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the myocardium of rats in each group was assayed by using a patent reagent box 6 h after CPR. The histopathological changes of myocardium were also observed. The t- test was used for statistical analysis. Results There was no statistically significant difference in hemodynamic changes between CPR group and CPR + NaHS group ( P ＞ 0. 05 ) . When compared with the control group, the activity of MPO and the expression of HIF-1α mRNA in CPR group and CPR + NaHS group were both increased, and those increased in CPR + NaHS group was more significant (P ＜ 0. 05) . When compared with CPR group, the expression of HIF-1α mRNA in CPR + NaHS group was higher, however, the activity of MPO in CPR + NaHS group was lower ( P ＜ 0. 05) . There were various histopathological changes of myocardium of rats found in CPR group and CPR + NaHS group, and the damage of myocardium of rats in CPR group was more obvious than that in CPR + NaHS group. Conclusions The expression of HIF-1α mRNA in myocardium of rats was increased after CPR. Exogenous hydrogen sulfide can protect myocardium cells from resuscitation-perfusion injury, and the protection is associated with increase in expression of HIF 1 αmRNA.

Objective To investigate the effects of hydrogen sulfide on sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction in rats.Methods Male SD rats were randomly ( random number) divided into 4 groups:control group ( Ⅰ group),sepsis group ( Ⅱ group),sepsis + NaHS group (Ⅲ group),sepsis + PAG group (Ⅳ group). Cecal ligation and puncture technique was used in Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ group. Hemodynamic was observed,and H2S synthesis,CSE (cystathionine-r-lyase) mRNA,MPO activity and the level of TNF-α,IL-1β were determined.The morphological changes and infiltration of inflammatory cells in myocardium were also observed.Results Compared with Ⅰ group,H2S synthesis,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1 β,the activity of MPO increased ( P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01 ),and the expression of CSE-mRNA increased,and blood pressure of rats decreased significantly in Ⅱ group.Compared with Ⅱ group,H2S synthesis,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and the activity of MPO increased (P ＜ 0.05),the expression of CSE mRNA did not change noticeably ( P ＞ 0.05),and blood pressure of rats decreased more significantly in Ⅲ group.Compared with Ⅱ group, H2S level decreased,the levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and the activity of MPO decreased significantly,the expression of CSE mRNA decreased and blood pressure of rats decreased in Ⅵ group (P ＜0.05).Histopathological changes of myocardium were aggravated in the following severity order: Ⅰ ＜ Ⅳ ＜＜ Ⅲ.Conclusions CSE/H2S system of the myocardium was upregulated in sepsis rats.Hydrogen sulfide could raise the levels of MPO,TNF-α,IL-1β,aggravating myocardial injury. Contrarily,the inhibitor of H2S could counteract it.