Background The special pathological change of diabetic retinopathy(DR)is microvascular disorder.Angiopoietin-like protein 2(Ang-2)is a new protein associated with genesis of blood vessels.Quercetin has multiple pharmacological action,including improving the microcircularion and the permeability of blood capillary.However,the action mechanism of Ang-2 on DR was unclear.Objective The present study was to investigate the effects of quercetin on Ang-2 and its receptor Tie2 expression in retina with diabetes mellitus.Methods Sixty clean male Wistar rats were randomized into 7 groups and 10 rats for each group,and 10 rats served as blank control group.Streptozotocin of 35 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in 60 rats to establish the diabetic models.Quercetins encapsulated by liposome with the doses of 50,150 and 250 mg/(kg · d)(3-5 ml)were used to gavage in different groups of models for 12 weeks,and normal saline solution and calcium dobesilate were used at the same fashion as the negative control group and positive control group,respectively.Twelve weeks later,the animals were sacrificed and retinas were isolated.Expressions of Ang-2 protein and Tie2 mRNA in retinas were detected by ELISA and RT-PCR,respectively.The usage and rearing of the animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Sciences and Technology Commission.Results ELISA showed that the A450 of Ang-2 in 150 and 250 mg/(kg · d)quercetin groups was 0.796±0.057 and 0.842±0.043 respectively and was lower than that negative group(1.012±0.046),showing statistically significant differences(q =2.95,2.698,P＜0.05).RT-PCR assay showed that expression of Tie2 mRNA(Tie2 mRNA/GAPDH mRNA)in retinas was 0.712±0.092 and 0.821±0.087,presenting statistically significant differences in comparison with negative group(1.182±0.098)(q =3.497,2.852,P＜0.05).The expression levels of Ang-2 and Tie2 mRNA in retina were lowest in 150 mg/(kg · d)quercetin group.Conclusions Quercetin can improve the retinal microcirculation by downregulating the expressions of Ang-2 and its receptor in early period of diabetic rats.

To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of phototherapeutic keratectomy ( PTK ) in the treatment of bullous keratopathy ( BK) .METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 60 cases ( 60 eyes) of BK patients from Department of Ophthalmology in our hospital October 2011 to July 2014 was undergone. Clinical data of all patients with treatment of PTK were analyzed. Best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) , corneal curvature, corneal astigmatism, corneal thickness and corneal endothelial cell density ( ECD ) , postoperative complications before and after surgery were compared. RESULTS: BCVA, corneal curvature, corneal astigmatism of patients before surgery were 0. 05 ± 0. 01 and 37. 02±5. 38, 1. 08±0. 67D, which were significantly less than those of postoperative ( respectively 0. 45 ± 0. 13 and 46. 27 ± 7. 02, 1. 92 ± 0. 73D ), the differences were statistically significant (all P<0. 05). Corneal thickness of patients was 492. 33 ± 18. 27μm before surgery, which was higher than that after surgery 377.27±22.49μm (P<0.05). The difference of visual acuity before and after surgery was statistically significant in this group (P<0. 05). During the follow-up period of 6mo, no recurrence of the original corneal lesions, only 2 cases of postoperative slight haze, it was completely dissipated after given the hormone eye drops.CONCLUSlON: Excimer laser technology has high safety in the treatment of bullous keratopathy, it should be promoted in clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the effects of exercising on a cycle ergometer on lower limb motor function and the walking ability of hemiplegic stroke patients.MethodsSixty hemiplegic stroke patients were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group with 30 in each. Both groups were treated with routine rehabilitation, but the treatment group also undertook cycle ergometer training. The training lasted for 10-20 min/d, 6 d/week for 6 weeks. All patients were assessed with the Fugl-Meyer lower limb assessment ( FMA), functional ambulation category (FAC) classification and the modified Barthel index (MBI) pretreatment and 6 weeks post treatment.ResultsBefore intervention there was no significant difference between the two groups in any of the assessments. Six weeks post treatment, the average FMA, FCA classification and MBI results in the treatment group were significantly better than those pretreatment and better than those in the control group.ConclusionsCycling exercise combined with routine rehabilitation training can distinctly improve the motor function of the lower limbs and the walking ability of hemiplegic stroke patients.

Objective To observe the effects of a rehabilitation robot and body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on the walking ability of hemiplegic patients after stroke.Methods Sixty hemiplegic patients were divided randomly into treatment and control groups (n=30 in each).The treatment group received training assisted by a leg rehabilitation robot for 10-20 min once daily,6 days per week for 8 weeks in addition to conventional treatments and BWSTT.The control group was only given conventional treatments and BWSTT once daily for 8 weeks.Their lower extremity functions,balance and walking ability were assessed with a simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and using the Berg balance scale (BBS) and Functional Ambulation Categories (FACs).Results After training,both groups showed significant improvements in terms of FMA,BBS and FAC results.The treatment group showed significantly better improvements in lower extremity function,balance and walking ability compared with the control group.Conclusions The lower-limb rehabilitation robot and BWSTT could together improve balance and walking ability.

Objective To explore the value of an advanced reciprocating gait orthosis (ARGO) combined with comprehensive rehabilitation treatment in rehabliltating complete spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. Methods Twelve patients with complete SCI at the T4~L2 level were fitted with an ARGO. Before and after fitting the ARGO,comprehensive rehabilitative excecises were conducted. After training, ambulation was evaluated, and competence in the activities of daily living was evaluated using the Barthel index and Functional Independence Measure. Results The patients' ambulation improved markedly after fitting the ARGO and training. Barthel index and FIM scres improved significantly. All 12 patients achieved therapeutic or functional ambulation. Conclusion With the aid of an ARGO, patients suffering from complete SCI below the T4 level can achieve functional walking and improve their quality of life.

Objective To summarize our experience with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) during previous 13 years. Methods Data from 3703 patients who underwent OPCAB between October 1996 and December 2008 were collected and analyzed in this study. Following perioperative variables were reviewed and evaluated: changes in the number of patients, demographic characteristics of patients, coexisting conditions such as hypertension, and diabetes, grafting options,numbers of grafts per patient, and postoperative complications and clinical outcomes. Patients were divided into four age subgroups: those who were less than 45 years were assigned to group 1, those who were 45 to 60 years were assigned to group 2,those who were 60 to 75 years were assigned to group 3, and those older than 75 years of age were assigned to group 4. Perioperative data, including the use of internal mammary artery and the constituent of the grafts, were collected retrospectively and analyzed. Results Three thousand and twenty-five patients were male (81.7%) and 678 were female ( 18.3% ), mean age was (61.35 ±9.38) years old. The number of patients who underwent OPCAB increased steadily over time. The mean grafts per patient were 3.3 ± 0.8. The use of left internal mammary artery and "hybrid" bypass grafts composed of vein and artery played a predominant role in this cohort (P<0.05) . During this period of 13 years, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP)was performed in 41 patients and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)was required in 12 patients. Main complications included rethoracotomy for bleeding and tamponade in 1.49% of patients, deep sternal wound infection requiring re-exploration in 1.38%, perioperative myocardial infarction in 1.03%, neurological adverse events in 0.62%, tracheotomy in 0.59%, acute renal dysfunction in 0.77%, and other complications in 0.77%. The overall in-hospital mortality was 0.7% (26 of 3703 patients). A trend toward a reduction in morbidity and mortality was shown in this study. Diseases associated with hospital mortality were cardiac sudden death, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, low cardiac output syndrome, severe infection, extensive myocardial infarction and neurological adverse events. Conclusion The indications for OPCAB, an innovative revascularization strategy, have been expanded and the curative rate for OPCAB has been improved in recent years. Appropriate and practical grafting strategies, as well as complete perioperative management, are considered as contributors to the improved outcomes.

Animals ; Dentate Gyrus ; metabolism ; Epilepsy ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Kainic Acid ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Neurons ; metabolism ; Neuropeptides ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the effect of motor imagery therapy based on mirror neuron theory on the motor function and gait in stroke survivors.Methods Forty-nine stroke survivors were randomly divided into a treatment group (n =24) and a control group (n =25) using a random number table.All the patients in both groups were given similar conventional rehabilitation treatment.In addition,the patients in the treatment group were given motor imagery training based on mirror neuron theory once a day for 20 min each time,5 days a week,lasting 8 weeks.The Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA),Functional Ambulation Categories (FACs),average step length,the percentage of time spent on the intact foot and the paralyzed foot,and 6 minute walking distance were used to evaluate the subjects' motor function and gait before and after 8 weeks of treatment.Results Before the intervention there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of any of the measurements.At the end of the 8 weeks of treatment all measurements in both groups had significantly improved compared with before training.The averages of all the measures were significantly better in the treatment group than in the control group.Conclusions Motor imagery training based on mirror neuron theory can improve the motor function and gait of stroke survivors.

Objective To investigate the effects of robot-assisted lower limb rehabilitation on the lower limb motor function of hemiplegic patients in the acute stage.Methods Forty-two hemiplegic patients in the acute stage were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group with 21 in each.Both groups were treated with routine rehabilitation interventions,but the treatment group also undertook robot-assisted lower limb rehabilitation training.The training lasted for 10 to 20 min/d,6 d/week for 8 weeks.Lower limb motor function,balance,ability in the activities of daily living and walking ability were assessed with a simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment,the Berg balance scale,the Rivermead motility index (RMI) and functional ambulation categories (FACs).Results Before the intervention there was no significant difference between the two groups in any of the assessments.After training,both groups showed significant improvements in terms of their FMA,BBS,RMI and FAC results.The treatment group showed significantly better improvements in lower limb motor function,balance,ability in daily living and walking ability compared with the control group.Conclusions Robot-assisted lower limb rehabilitation can significantly improve the lower limb motor function of hemiplegic patients in the acute stage.

Objective To compare the effects of robot-assisted gait training with supported treadmill training (BWSTT) for hemiplegic patients after stroke.Methods A randomized,single-blind,controlled study was performed.Forty-eight hemiplegic patients were divided randomly into a BWSTT group and a robot group with 24 in each Both groups received routine rehabilitation training.The robot group also received robot-assisted gait training,while the BWSTT group received treadmill training in which their body weight was supported.Both groups trained 20-30 minutes daily,5 days a week for 8 weeks in addition to their normal rehabilitation sessions.Their lower extremity functions and walking ability were assessed with the simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and using functional ambulation categories (FACs).Average step length,percentage of loading time on each foot and 3 min walking distance were tested using a Biodex Gait Trainer.All the assessments were administered before and 8 weeks after treatment.Results Both groups showed significant improvements in terms of the FMA,FACs,average step length,loading time on each foot and 3 min walking distance.The robot group,on average,showed significantly better improvements in average step length,percentage of loading time on each foot and 3 min walking distance than the BWSTT group.There was no significant difference in lower extremity function or walking ability in terms of the FMA or FACs.Conclusions Robot-assisted training gives better results than BWSTT in terms of improving average step length,equalizing the loading time on each foot and 3 min walking distance.