Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of using low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) along with donepezil in the rehabilitation of aphasia after cerebral infarction. Methods Fortythree aphasic patients with acute cerebral infarction were assigned into a treatment group or a control group.Both groups received standard basic treatment for acute cerebral infarction.From day 7 on,both groups received oral donepezil hydrochloride (5 mg/d) for 12 consecutive weeks.The treatment group received in addition 2 sessions of low frequency rTMS on the language center of the right hemisphere.The first session started at day 7 after onset,and each session consisted of rTMS on 10 consecutive days (once per day).There was a resting interval of 3 d between the two sessions.The rehabilitation of the aphasia was assessed prior to and after each session,and at the end of the entire 12 weeks of treatment using the western aphasia battery ( WAB ) scoring system and the aphasia quotient (AQ). Results There was no significant difference between the two groups after the first session in terms of the WAB or AQ results.However,the difference in improvement became statistically significant after the second session,as well as at the end of the entire 12 weeks.The average change in AQ was significantly greater in the treatment group. Conclusion Donepezil combined with rTMS early in the acute phase of cerebral infarction is helpful for the rehabilitation of aphasia.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at high and low frequency for the rigidity and tremors of Parkinson's disease (PD).Methods Sixty-nine patients with PD received rTMS at 5 Hz or 0.5 Hz.The efficacy was assessed using the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS),motor function tests and motor evoked potentials (MEPs).Results Thirty-two patients with rigidity from PD received 5 Hz rTMS therapy,and their UPDRS total scores decreased significantly.Their motor function test results improved significantly and their MEP relaxed motor thresholds were significantly elevated.Thirtyseven patients with tremors from PD received 0.5 Hz rTMS therapy,and their UPDRS total scores were significantly decreased.Their motor function test results improved significantly and their MEP relaxed motor thresholds were significantly elevated.Conclusion High frequency rTMS may improve the symptoms of patients with PD rigidity and low frequency rTMS may improve the symptoms of patients with PD tremors.

Objective To compare the effect of diversification rehabilitation team mode on function in patients with cerebral infarction. Methods Sixty-six patients with cerebral infarction were divided into diversification rehabilitation team mode group (diversification group) and routine rehabilitation mode (routine group) according to the rehabililation method with 33 cases each. All patients of 2 groups were treated for 2 weeks. Evaluations were made before and after treatment. The simplified Fugl-Meyer motor function rating scale was used to evaluate motor function, modified Barthel index was used to evaluate activities of daily living, and MOS 36-item short form health survey was used to evaluate quality of life;and 0-100 digital simulation assessment was used to evaluate patient satisfaction after treatment. Results The simplified Fugl-Meyer motor function rating scale score, modified Barthel index score, MOS 36-item short form health survey score and patient satisfaction rate after treatment in diversification group were significantly better than those in routine group: (76 ± 4) scores vs. (63 ± 3) scores, (65 ± 3) scores vs. (52 ± 4 ) scores, (57 ± 7) scores vs. (44 ± 6) scores, (92 ± 5) scores vs. (77 ± 3) scores, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). Conclusions Both kinds of rehabilitation model can promote functional recovery in patients with cerebral infarction, but diversification rehabilitation team model is better than conventional model.

This paper is to report the exploration of the activation of Rho/ROCK signal pathway in 5-HT-induced proliferation of rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and the inhibitory effect of m-Nis on this pathway. PASMCs were cultured with the explant technique. MTT assay was used to explore the proliferation of PASMCs after 5-HT treated for different time and the intervening effect of m-Nis. RT-PCR and Western blot were used respectively to explore the mRNA expression of RhoA, ROCK1 and the protein expression of p-MYPT1 in 5-HT-treated PASMCs and intervening effect of m-Nis. The results of MTT assay suggested that 5-HT (1 µmol · L(-1)) treatment for 12-72 h significantly induced the proliferation of rat PASMCs (P<0.05 or P < 0.01), which were inhibited by m-Nis (1 x 10(-5), 1 x 10(-6), l x 10(-7), 1 x10(-8) mol · L(-1)) in dose-dependent manners (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Similarly, the mRNA expression of RhoA, ROCK1 and the protein expression of p-MYPT1 were also inhibited by m-Nis in different degrees (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Thus, the results of this study suggested that Rho/ROCK pathway played an important role in 5-HT-induced proliferation of rat PASMCs, m-Nis inhibited 5-HT-induced proliferation obviously, which may be related to the blockage of Rho/ROCK signal pathway.

Aim To explore the changes of Apelin/APJ system in LPS-induced injury of rat pulmonary mi-crovascular endothelial cells( PMVECs) , and the effect and mechanism of Apelin. Methods PMVECs were cultured with the explant technique, and the identifica-tion of rat PMVECs was carried out by immunocyto-chemical staining of factorⅧrelated antigen. MTT as-say was used to evaluate the viability of PMVECs. The mRNA expression of Apelin and APJ was detected by RT-PCR. The protein expression of PCNA and the phosphorylation of Akt was analyzed by Western blot. Results The mRNA expression of Apelin and APJ showed a compensatory increase after LPS treatment for a short period of time ( P<0. 01 ) , but with the exten-sion of time, which was significantly inhibited, even lower than the control group ( P<0. 05 or P<0. 01 ) , suggesting that Apelin/ APJ system might be involved in LPS-induced PMVECs injury. MTT results showed that 10 -6 ~10 -9 mol · L-1 Apelin obviously promoted the proliferation of rat PMVECs ( P <0. 05 or P <0. 01 ) , and with certain concentration and time de-pendence. Moreover, Apelin also improved the LPS-induced PMVECs injury in different degrees ( P<0. 05 or P < 0. 01 ) . In addition, Western blot analysis showed that Apelin significantly reversed the decrease of the protein expression of PCNA and the Akt phos-phorylation level induced by LPS ( P <0. 05 or P <0. 01 ) . Conclusions The Apelin/APJ system is in-volved in LPS-induced PMVECs injury. Apelin plays an important role in protecting the pulmonary microvas-cular endothelial function and reversing the LPS-in-duced PMVECs injury, which might be related to the activation of Akt phosphorylation pathway.

OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of extracts from Siegesbeckiae herba (HS) on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced chronic myocardial injury in mice. METHODS:48 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups. Mice in blank control(Con)group received distilled water once every day,ig,and normal saline(2 mL/100 g)once every day,ip,for 8 weeks;mice in DOX mice received distilled water(2 mL/100 g)once every day,ig,and DOX(3 mg/kg)once every week,ip,for 8 weeks;mice in DOX+HS group received HS(340 mg/kg)once every day,ig,and DOX(3 mg/kg)once every week,ip,for 8 weeks. After administra-tion,body mass,heart coefficient,cardiac function changes,serum biochemical index levels [alanine aminotransferase(ALT),as-partate aminotransferase (AST), creatine phosphokinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)and total cholesterol(TC)] of mice were determined. RESULTS:Compared with Con group,body mass of mice in DOX group was decreased(P<0.01);heart coefficient was increased(P<0.05);heart rate slowed down,R-wave was increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);serum biochemical indexed were increased,there was significant difference in AST(P<0.01). Compared with DOX group,heart coefficient of mice in DOX+HS group was decreased (P<0.01);heart rate was increased (P<0.01);serum biochemical indexes were decreased,there was significant differences in CK,LDH,TC(P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:HS has cer-tain protective effects on DOX-induced chronic myocardial injury in mice.

Objective To assess the therapeutic effect of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on poststroke dysphagia.Methods A total of 90 patients with poststroke dysphagia were enrolled.They were randomly divided into either a NMES + rTMS group or a NMES + sham rTMS group (n =45 in each group).The Kuhota water drinking test and Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA) were used to assess the swallowing function.Results The scores of Kuhota water drinking test (F=82.001,P＜0.001) and the SSA (F =33.743,P ＜0.001) before treatment,treatment of one course,treatment of two courses,and at 3 months after treatment in the NMES + rTMS group had significant differences.Compared with before treatment,they were improved significantly for treatment of one course (P ＜0.01 and P ＜0.05,respectively),two courses (all P＜0.01),and at 3 months (all P＜0.01) after treatment.The scores of Kuhota water drinking test (F =53.647,P＜0.001) and the SSA (F=19.178,P＜0.001) in the NMES + sham rTMS group also had significant difference.Compared with before treatment,they had significant improvement for treatment of one course (all P ＜0.05),two courses (P ＜0.05 and P ＜0.01,respectively) and at 3 months (all P＜0.01)after treatment.The scores of Kuhota water drinking test for treatment of one course,two courses,and at 3 months after treatment (treatment of one course:t=2.217,P=0.02;treatment of two courses:t =2.406,P =0.019;at 3 months after treatment:t =2.128,P =0.037) and the SSA (treatment of one course:t =2.196,P =0.030,treatment of two courses:t =2.425,P =0.016;at 3 months after treatment:t =2.512,P=0.013) in the NMES + rTMS group were significantly better than those in the NMES + sham rTMS group.Conclusions High-frequency rTMS combined with NMES may significantly improve the swallowing function in patients with stroke.Its efficacy is superior to NMES.

Objective:To investigate any anti-aging effect of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and explore the relationship between the effect and relief of clinical symptoms in patients with Parkinson′s disease (PD).Methods:A total of 108 PD patients were randomly divided into an rTMS group and a control group, each of 54, while another 54 healthy counterparts were selected to form a normal group. In addition to anti-PD drug therapy, the rTMS group was given daily rTMS treatment, 5 days a week for 4 weeks, while the control group received sham rTMS treatment, with no treatment of the normal group. Before the treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment as well as and 1 month after the ending of the treatment, the subjects′ clinical exercise symptoms were evaluated using the Unified Parkinson′s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), a timed exercise test and the 10m re-entry exercise test. Non-exercise symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE). Fasting venous blood samples were analyzed to quantify the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3).Results:Four weeks and 1 month after the treatment, the average UPDRS scores, exercise test times and 10m re-entry exercise test results of the rTMS group were significantly better than those before treatment and significantly better than those of the control group at the same time point. The rTMS group′s average HAMA, HAMD and MMSE scores, as well as its average P300 latency and amplitude were also significantly better than those of the control group at the same time point and significantly better than those before treatment. After 4 weeks, the average MMP-3 content in the rTMS group was significantly lower than the control group′s average, and after a month the average levels of TNF, IL-6, IL-1β and MMP-3 of the rTMS group were all significantly different from those before treatment and those of the control group. The TNF, IL-6, IL-1β and MMP-3 levels were all positively correlated with the average UPDRS total score.Conclusion:High-frequency rTMS therapy can change the phenotypes related to cell senescence, and thus has good therapeutic effect on motor and non-motor symptoms of PD.

Objective To construct,implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the virtual simulation technology-based prenatal health education course.Methods The curriculum included 4 parts:"warm delivery room and easy delivery","medicated analgesic delivery","non-medicated analgesic delivery"and"early maternal and infant health care".From May to September 2022,100 primiparas in an obstetrics and gynecology hospital in Zhejiang Province were investigated by convenient sampling method.Random number table method was used to divide the participants into an experimental group and a control group,with 50 participants per group.The control group received conventional health education,while the experimental group received an augmented virtual reality technology-based prenatal health education course during the late stages of pregnancy on this basis.We conducted a post-intervention comparative analysis of antenatal anxiety levels,fear of childbirth,and birth outcomes between the 2 groups.Furthermore,a post-intervention satisfaction survey was administered to the experimental group.Results After intervention,the antenatal anxiety of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group(x2=4.943,P=0.026),and the decrease in fear of childbirth scores was higher than that of the control group(t=3.200,P=0.002).The experimental group was highly satisfied with all of the 4 dimensions of the course,and the overall evaluation was(31.8±3.23)points.However,there were no significant differences in vaginal delivery rate,postpartum bleeding volume,postpartum hemorrhage incidence,perineal injury degree and duration of each labor stage between the 2 groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion The virtual reality technology-based prenatal health education course was effective in improving the antenatal anxiety and fear of childbirth of primipara,and the use satisfaction is high.

Adipose tissue is the energy storage organ of the body, and excess energy is stored in adipocytes in the form of lipid droplets. The homeostasis of adipose tissue is the basis for the body to maintain normal metabolic activity. Prostaglandin E (PGE) is an important lipid mediator in the body. It is synthesized in almost all tissues and participates in the regulation of many physiological processes such as blood pressure, glucose and lipid metabolism, and inflammation. PGE is abundant in white adipose tissue, where it is involved in the regulation of fat metabolism. PGE plays its biological role through binding to four G protein coupled receptors (prostaglandin E receptors), including EP-1, -2, -3, and -4. The EP4 subtype has been proved to play an important role in adipogenesis and adipose metabolism: it could inhibit adipogenesis while it was activated, whereas its knockout could promote lipolysis. This review summarized the relationship between EP4 and adipose metabolism, hoping to identify new targets of drug development for metabolic disorders.
Adipocytes ; Adipogenesis ; Adipose Tissue ; metabolism ; Humans ; Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype ; physiology