Objective To investigate the effects of ephedrine on glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.Methods Altogether 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group,natural recovery group and ephedrine treatment group.The unilateral ischemia-reperfusion models were induced by clue-blocked method.The expression level of GFAP around ischemic area was examined by immunohistochemical technique at weeks 1,2,3 and 4 after operation.Results GFAP expression began to increase at 1 w and stabilized at 3 w in ephedrine treatment group and natural recovery group.There was a significant increase of GFAP expression in ephedrine treatment group compared with that in natural recovery group (P

Objective To observe the protection of D-amphetamine on rat brain after focal cerebral ischemia.Methods The unilateral middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) models were established by using Koizumi's method.TUNEL was applied to detect quantitatively brain cell apoptosis at 1st,3rd and 6th week after operation.Immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR were respectively used to detect the expression of growth-associated protein 43(GAP-43) and GAP-43 mRNA around ischemic area.Results Apoptosis of brain cells reduced evidently in the group treated with D-amphetamine.GAP-43 protein detection demonstrated statistically significant increase in immunoreaction product as determined by optical density measurements in D-amphetamine treated group compared with the group without any agent treatment.The same results appeared in RT-PCR product.Conclusion D-amphetamine can reduce brain cell apoptosis and promote GAP-43 expression.

Objective To explore the effects of ephedrine on the hippocampal cell apoptosis and behavioral performance after hypoxia-ischemia brain injury in neonatal rats.Methods Totally 90 7-day rats were randomly divided into 3 groups,ephedrine treatment group,model group,and sham group.Hypoxia-ischemia brain injury model was established by permanently ligating right common carotid artery.Ephedrine (1.5 mg/kg,once per day) was injected intraperitoneally to the rats of ephedrine treatment group for 7 d,and the rats of model group was given normal saline at the same volume.At the following time interval of 6 and 12 h,and 1,3,and 7 d after hypoxia,the expression of bcl-2 and bax were detected in the hippocampal region by immunohistochemical staining.At 4 weeks after surgery,behavioral changes in the remaining rats were tested by Morris water maze.Results Compared with model group,the expression of bcl-2 in the ephedrine treatment group was significantly increased after hypoxic-ischemic injury,peaked at 1 d and decreased in 3 d after operation.And the expression of bax in the ephedrine treatment group was decreased in 1 d after hypoxic-ischemia.The average time of escape latency was gradually decreased in each group.However,from the 3rd to 5th day,it was much shorter in ephedrine treatment group than in model group.In addition,the frequency platform passing in the ephedrine treatment group and the percentage of swimming distance traveled in the previous target quadrant was significantly greater than those of the control group.Conclusion Ephedrine upregulates bcl-2 and downregulates bax in the hippocampus of neonatal rats after hypoxia-ischemia,and improves their ability of learning and memory.

Objective To study the gene mutations and clinical features of mandibuloacral dysplasia with type A lipodystrophy (MADA) in a Chinese family. Methods The information of 5 family members including 2 siblings suspected atyp-ical progeria was assembled. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 5 family members, the 12 exons of LMNA gene were ampliifed by PCR and then the PCR products were directly sequenced and analyzed by using Blast software online. The SIFT and PolyPhen-2 software were used to predict the harmfulness of mutations. Results The 2 siblings were clinically diagnosed as MADA. Heterozygous c.1579C>T (p.Arg527Cys) and c.1583C>T (p.Thr528Met) mutations were detected in this family. The father carried c.1583C>T (p.Thr528Met) mutation, the mother carried c.1579C>T (p.Arg527Cys) mutation, and their normal daughter were all heterozygous carriers with c.1583C>T (p.Thr528Met) mutation. Compound heterozygous c.1579C>T (p.Arg527Cys) and c.1583C>T (p.Thr528Met) mutations in 2 siblings led to MADA. The MADA showed an autosomal re-cessive inheritance pattern in this family. Conclusions The 2 siblings with MADA in this family were caused by compound heterozygous mutations in LMNA gene.

Objective To explore the effects of wearing ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) on motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP). Methods Fifty-two children with SCP were randomly divided into a wearing-for-training group (n = 16, group 1 ), a day-wearing group (n = 19, group 2) and a day-night-wearing group (n = 17, group 3). In addition to the conventional rehabilitative treatment given to all participants, the children in group 1 wore AFOs during movement training, and children in group 2 wore AFOs in the daytime for 6-8 h per day, while AFOs were applied to the children in group 3 for 24 hours a day except for cleaning and during certain training routines. All the treatments were continued for 2 months. Clinical assessments included the range of passive ankle dorsi-and plantarflexion (APROM) , modified Ashworth scale (MAS) ratings, and the D and E dimensions of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM). All were performed before and after treatment. Results Before treat-ment, no statistically significant differences were found among the three groups in terms of APROM, MAS, or GM-FM. There were significant subsequent improvements in groups 2 and 3 when compared with group 1 in terms of APROM, MAS and GMFM results. Group 2's improvements in APROM and MAS results were not significantly better than those of group 3, but their average GMFM score improvements were significantly better. Conclusion Wearing AFOs in the daytime 6-8 hours per day is more effective in reducing spasticity and improving functional performance in children with SCP.

Objective To study the amount of rhizospheric microorganisms and soil enzyme activity influenced by Paridis Rhizoma in different locations and of different strains. Methods The amount of rhizospheric microorganisms, soil enzyme activity and their correlation were researched through field survey and collection of rhizospheric soil in Paridis Rhizoma cultivated in Three Gorges Reservoir Region and by microbial dilution plate culture method. Results The amount of rhizospheric microorganisms in Paridis Rhizoma from different habitats showed significant differences. The dominant species in soil microflora was bacteria; the second one was actinomycetes; the fewest one was fungus. The variation trend of the amount of rhizospheric microorganisms was not consistent with the variation trend of rhizospheric microorganisms diversity index. The activity of soil phosphatase, invertase and pepsin in Paridis Rhizoma from different habitats varied. The correlation analysis showed that the correlation between the soil enzyme activity and the amount of rhizospheric microorganisms existed. Conclusion Choosing the suitable strains and habitats of Paridis Rhizoma is beneficial to enhancing the amount of rhizospheric microorganisms and soil enzyme activity, which can create good micro-ecological environment for growth and cultivation of Paridis Rhizoma.

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 investigate the effect of red light on the expression of caspase-8 and caspase-3 mRNA and protein during the acute stage of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in neonatal rats.Methods Forty-five seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham group,an HIBD model group (model group) and an irradiation group.The rats in the model and irradiation groups were subject to HIBD induced using the Rice-Vannucci method.The irradiation group was treated by irradiation with red light on the forehead immediately after the establishment of the HIBD model for 30 min/d on 3 consecutive days,while the sham group and the model group received no treatment.On the 3rd day after the operation,10 rats from each group were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the left hippocampus was rapidly isolated and snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen for mRNA and protein examination.Another 5 rats in each group were used for immunofluorescence testing to localize and semi-quantify the expression of caspase-8 and caspase-3.Results In the model group,expression of caspase-8 and caspase-3 mRNA and protein in the left hippocampus was higher than in the sham group on the 3rd day.After red light irradiation,expression of caspase-8 and caspase-3 mRNA and protein decreased significantly in the irradiation group compared with the HIBD group.In the CA 1 region of the hippocampus,the levels of caspase-8 and caspase-3 in the irradiation group were significantly lower than in the model group.Conclusion Red light irradiation can decrease the expression of such apoptosis factors as caspase-8 and caspase-3 in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage at the acute stage and inhibit neural cell apoptosis so as to exert therapeutic effects for hypoxic-ischemic brain damage.

BACKGROUND:Abnormal gaits are very common in children with cerebral palsy, and how to improve the gait is the focus of rehabilitation therapy. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the biomechanical parameters of gaits in cerebral palsy children and to observe the effects of brace control on the exercise capacity of dyskinetic cerebral palsy children. METHODS:In this paper, we compared the biomechanical parameters of children with cerebral palsy and normal children in the initial process of walking and during walking. Biomechanical parameters in the initial process of walking include spatial and temporal parameters, kinematic and kinetic parameters of the range of motion of the knee and ankle. Biomechanical parameters during walking include spatial and temporal parameters. With the aid of hand brace, dyskinetic cerebral palsy received postural control, gait training, and sling exercise therapy for 3 months. The Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) assessment and video control were conducted for evaluation of therapeutic efficiency. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Biomechanical parameters in the initial process of walking showed significant differences between children with cerebral palsy and normal children except for the peak of ground reaction force at frontal axis with the right foot to start walking. Biomechanical parameters during walking showed that the stance phase and bipedal stance phase were prolonged, while the step length and stride length were shortened in the children with cerebral palsy compared with the normal children. For cerebral palsy children with brace control, the GMFM-88 scores were significantly decreased after treatment, involuntary movements were reduced shown on the video, the neck and body were stable, and life skil s were improved. Children with epilepsy and cognitive impairment or who had imaging changes in the basal ganglia showed a little improvement, and children with dance-athetoid type and dystonia type had a better progress than those with athetoid spasm.

OBJECTIVETo study the dynamic changes of capillaries and inflammatory cells in different regions of brain in rat with middle cerebral artery obstruction (MCAO), and the effects of acupuncture in different frequencies on them.

METHODSIn reference to Zea-Longa's method, rat model of MCAO was established by thread-ligation. Shuigou point (DU26), the main acupoint for "awakening brain and opening apertures", was stimulated by high (180 times/s) or low (60 times/s) frequency puncturing 5 s every 12 h for 6 times totally. The amount of capillaries (AC) and inflammatory cells (AIC) in brain cortex (BC), hippocampus (Hp) and corpus striatum (CS) was counted.

RESULTSChanges in AC and AIC of all brain regions (except for CS) in rats immediately after modeling were statistically insignificant (P > 0.05). But 72 h later, AC in CS decreased, AC in Hp, AIC in BC and AIC in Hp increased significantly in the modeled rats, showing significant difference to the normal level, but AIC reduced to approach the normal. As compared with the rats un-intervened, AIC in BC and Hp was decreased in rats intervened with high frequency puncturing, AC and AIC in CS were increased in rats intervened by slow frequency puncturing (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAmount of capillaries and inflammation cells are changed dynamically in MCAO rats after brain ischemia, showing evident brain regional specificity; the ischemic improving effects of acupuncture in different frequencies are various in their action rings, also showing brain regional specificity.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Animals ; Brain ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; pathology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar