Objective To investigate the effect of elispheric motion on balance and walking ability of hemiplegic patients after stroke. Methods From September to December, 2016, 40 hemiplegic patients after stroke were randomly divided into control group (n=20) and ob-servation group (n=20). Both groups received conventional rehabilitation, additionally, the control group received juggling ball training, and the observation group received elispheric motion combined with juggling ball training, 20 minutes a day, six days a week for six weeks. They were assessed with the Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Sensory (FMA-S), Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremity (FMA-LE), Berg Bal-ance Scale (BBS) and TimedUp and GoTest (TUGT) before and six weeks after training. Results After training, the scores of FMA-S, FMA-LE, BBS significantly increased (t>10.012, P<0.05) in both groups, and were higher in the observation group than in the control group (t>2.129, P<0.05);the time of TUGT significantly shortened (t>10.001, P<0.001) in both groups, and were shorter in the observation group than in the control group (t>4.669, P<0.05). Conclusion Elispheric motion can facilitate to improve the balance and walking ability of hemi-plegic patients after stroke.

Objective To investigate the influence of citalopram on the fast response action potential,slow response action potential,in vitro electrocardiogram(ECG) and in vivo ECG of cardiac myocytes,and explore its mechanism of adverse cardiac effects. Methods Conventional microelectrode technique was employed to record the fast and slow response action potentials of the isolated papillary muscles of guinea pigs.In vivo and in vitro ECG were recorded from anesthetized animals and Langendorff-perfused hearts,respectively. Results Citalopram could prolong the RR interval and QRS duration of in vivo ECG.The premature ventricular contraction and atrial ventricular block were induced by 12.5?10-6 mol/L citalopram.The maximum ascending velocity of 0 phase(Vmax),action potential amplitude(APA) and action potential duration(APD50 and APD90) were dose-dependently decreased by citalopram in the fast and slow response action potentials of guinea pigs,respectively. Conclusion Citalopram can inhibit sodium and calcium channels effectively,which may be the ionic mechanism that citalopram induces arrhythmia in the clinical practice.

Objective To observe the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with abdominal muscle electrical stimulation on the pulmonary ventilation of patients with cervical spinal cord injury.Methods Twenty-five patients with cervical spinal cord injury were randomized into an experimental group (n =13) and a control group (n =12).The control group was given comprehensive rehabilitation treatment,including upper limb movements,standing training and training of respiratory function,while the experimental group was given repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and abdominal muscle electrical stimulation in addition to the comprehensive rehabilitation treatment.The patients' maximum lung capacity (VC),forced expiratory volume for 1 second (FEV1),peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) and tidal volume (VT) were measured at the outset and after 3 months of treatment.Results The lung function indexes increased in both groups after treatment,but each index improved significantly more in the experimental group,on average,than in the control group.Conclusion As a supplement to routine respiratory function training,repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with abdominal intermediate frequency electrical stimulation can improve the pulmonary ventilation function of patients with middle and lower cervical spinal cord injury.

ObjectiveTo observe the relationship between astrocytes and neurons in rat's medulla oblongata after exposed to 8Hz, 90dB/130dB infrasound for different times. MethodsRats were exposed to 8Hz, 90dB/130dB infrasound for 2 hours per day.At the 1st,7th,12th,21th and 28th day, the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Fos in medulla oblongata were detected using double-labling immunohistochemical method.Results GFAP-positive astrocytes and Fos-positive neurons were increased after exposure for one time. They showed similar topographic localization and formed close relationship. Their number increased as the exposure times increasing, and decreased gradually after 14 days. The reaction of 130dB group was stronger than that of 90dB group.Conclusions 8Hz, 90dB/130dB infrasound can activate both astrocytes and neurons in rats' medulla oblongata which might participate and regulate the response to infrasound.

AIMTo determine the feasibility of establishing the heterologous expression model of human- serotonin transporter(hSERT or 5-HTT).

METHODScRNA of SERT was transcribed from cDNA, which was cloned in the pOTV vector. Each oocyte of mature xenopus laevis was injected with transcribed cRNA in vivo and incubated at room temperature for 4-9 days. Recording the current induced by 5-HT with voltage clamp technique tested the function of the expressed 5-HT transporter.

RESULTSThe transporter current could be observed in Ringer's solution containing 5-HT, and the 5-HT induced current were concentration-dependent. Norepinephrine and dopamine could not induce the transporter current while the 5-HT induced current could be specifically inhibited by 5-HTT blocker, desipramine.

CONCLUSIONThe results demonstrate that the heterologous expression product in xenopus laevis oocytes is human 5-HT transporter.

Animals ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Models, Animal ; Oocytes ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Serotonin ; metabolism ; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Xenopus laevis

The slowing down mechanism of heart rate during growth of the body after birth was studied in isolated rabbit heart and sinus node (SN) preparation with Langendorff perfusion method, conventional microelectrode recording and perforated patch for recording pacemaker current I(f). The radioimmunoassay was also used to measure the concentration of cAMP within SN cells. The results indicate that without the influence of nervous and humoral factors, the spontaneous heart rate would also become slower as the rabbit grew older, which is due to the decrease of spontaneous depolarized rate of phase 4 in SN cells. The negative directed shift of the threshold potential of I(f) and the decrease in cAMP concentration within SN cells may be responsible for the phenomenon. The results obtained suggest that besides the nervous and humoral factors which influence the heart rate, the changes in automaticity of SN cell itself may take part in the slowing down process as the body grows up.
Animals ; Cyclic AMP ; physiology ; Heart Rate ; In Vitro Techniques ; Microelectrodes ; Perfusion ; Rabbits ; Sinoatrial Node ; physiology

Objective To evaluate the ability of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) as a prognostic indicator of renal function in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.Methods A total of 122 patients with CKD were collected,and patients with allergies to sulfur hexafluoride,pregnancy,cardiopulmonary insufficiency,urinary calculus and tumour were excluded.These patients were divided into estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR,ml·min1· (1.73 m2)-1] ≥60 group,eGFR 30-59 group and eGFR ＜ 30 group.CEUS was performed after an intravenous bolus injection of 1.5 ml SonoVue (BR1;Bracco Milan,Italy).Time-intensity curves (TICs) and quantitative indexes were created using QLAB quantification software.Followed up for 2 years,and patients with eGFR dropped 50％,double serum creatinine and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) were regarded as having kidney failure events.Risk factors related to kidney survival were investigated using a multivariate Cox regression model.Results One hundred patients were enrolled in the study,with 78％ patients in CKD 1-2 stages,16％ in CKD 3 stage and 6％ in CKD 4-5 stages.Patients were followed for a mean period of 14.1 months,ten (10％) patients exhibited composite kidney failure events.Among 3 groups,significant differences in the left kidney length derived peak intensity (DPI) were noted (P=0.014,P=0.010).Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the DPI was an independent factor of progression of kidney disease.Multiple linear regression showed that age,basic eGFR,peak intensity were associated with eGFR decline rate.Patients with DPI ＜ 12.27 db were less to recover from kidney disease progression as compared with patients with DPI≥ 12.27 db (P=0.008).The area under the curve (AUC) for DPI was 0.778(95％ CI 0.612-0.944,P＜ 0.05),with a sensitivity of 64％ and a specificity of 88％.Conclusions The DPI might be the most valuable CEUS parameter for the evaluation of renal function.The DPI could serve as an independent predictor of the long-term prognosis of CKD patients.

Objective: To investigate the possibility of adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cell-derived microvesicles (ADSC-MVs) to improve the retention volume of fat transplantation. Methods: Human adipose tissue was obtained from 5 healthy female patients aged from 20 to 30 years, who came to the hospital for abdominal liposuction. Adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) were acquired by collagenase enzymatic hydrolysis. ADSC-MVs were isolated from the supernatant of cultured ADSCs through ultra-centrifugation, and characterized by transmission electron microscope and PKH26 staining. Sixteen BALB/c-nu nude mice were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=8, mice/group) by random number table method. In EV group, the mice were subcutaneously injected 0.35 ml human fat, with 7 μg ADSC-EVs (final concentration is 20 μg/ml), while 0.35 ml human fat were in blank group. The mice were sacrificed and the grafts were harvested at 1 month and 3 months after transplantation. Weight and volume of transplanted fat were tested. Morphology of adipocytes, fibrosis and necrosis of fat tissue were confirmed by HE staining. Blood vessel density were accessed by CD31 staining.SPSS 13.0 was used for statistical analysis and Student-t test was applied to compare the data from two groups. Results: One month after fat transplantation, the volume of fat grafts in blank group was lower than that in MV group. Besides, lipoliquefaction can be observed in fat grafts of blank group. Fat grafts in MV group had a higher volume and littler necrosis and lipolique faction. Three months after grafting, the volume of fat grafts in blank group [(0.057±0.009) ml] was significantly lower than that in MV group [(0.103±0.015) ml], t=8.117, P<0.001. MV group had an increased number of vessels (29.6±4.0/field) compared with grafts from the Blank group (23.0±2.4/field), t=2.825, P=0.022. Histological analysis revealed that the fat grafts in MV group consisted less fat necrosis and fibrosis than control group. Conclusions ADSC-MVs can improve the retention volume of fat transplantation.

Objective To assess the clinical predictability of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) among female civil servants who had experienced risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Methods Data was gathered from 4153 female civil servants aged 21-91 y working at universities who were enrolled in health screening centre at the Second Hospital Attached to Hebei Medical University, in 2006. WHR quartiles were determined as: <0.80, 0.80-<0.84, 0.84-<0.90 and ≥0.90. Subjects were placed into high-risk categories for cardiovascular disease on the basis of national health reference on range norms of protocol including hypertension, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. Results Participants had an increased likelihood of hypertension (systolic blood pressure) , dyslipidemia (elevated triacylglycerol and descending HDL-C) and diabetes mellitus at WHR≥0.84. All aforementioned variables had a significant odds ratio at WHR ≥0.84. This trend was further persisted after adjustment had been made on smoking, age, and BMI. Descended HDL-C was observed at the 0.80≤WHR<0.84 when compared with WHR< 0.80. Conclusion These data indicated an upward shift in the critical threshold for WHR to ≥0.84. Above which point, there was an elevation of risk factors on cardiovascular diseases among all the female civil servants. The trend persisted regardless of smoking, BMI