Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a noninvasive MRI technique, which can identify changes in microstructure of the brain, especially in the variations of the nerve fiber bundles. For stroke rehabilitation, DTI is applied in the functional evaluation and prognosis, ba-sic experimental research and efficacy evaluation of rehabilitation therapy.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are a group of ionotropic glutamate receptors, which are in close contact with the synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) in the cerebral cortex or the hippocampus. This article reviewed the recent development in this field.

Constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) is considered to be effective in restoring the impaired limb motor function in patients after stroke. CIMT enhanced neurogenesis in sub-ventricular zone and promoted the proliferation and long-term survival of the newborn neurons in the ischemic penumbra region. CIMT also enhanced the midline-crossing phenomenon, which means the midline crossing of the contralesional corticospinal tract originated nerve fibers to the denervated side in the cervical spinal cord. CIMT down-regulated the expression of Neurite outgrowth inhibitor-A (Nogo-A) as well as regulated other molecules to promote the growth of nerve fibers. In addition, CIMT ajusted the expression of brain- derived neurotrophic factor and Rho kinsase. Nevertheless, whether the structural plasticity caused by CIMT really participated in limb function remains unknown. And many studies on molecular mechanisms lack the evidence of necessary promotion and inhibition of the related molecule.

Micro positron emission computed tomography (PET) is a sort of tomography technique specifically for small animal stud-ies. It can be used to observe radionuclide labeling molecules in vivo, especially for neuronal activities noninvasively, dynamically and quan-titatively at the molecular level. MicroPET can be used for early detection of atherosclerotic plaques, measurement of cerebral blood flow, judgment of the survival status in cerebral ischemia area in animal model. It is important for the control of risk factors, disease diagnosis, dis-ease staging and evaluation of curative effect.

A varus dropped foot, one of the most common deformities of hemiplegic lower limb in stroke patients, significantly affected the ability of ambulation. Electric stimulation therapy was one of mostly used techniques for this problem. This paper focused on the application of low frequency electric stimulation in the treatment of the varus dropped foot in stroke patients, analyzed the clinical efficacy and advantage of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and functional electrical stimulation, and the discussion of their mechanism.

Music and speech may share the same neural pathway, and the role of music therapy in speech rehabilitation gradually attracts the attention from the rehabilitation medical profession in recent years. This article reviewed the effect, mechanism, and strategy of music therapy in speech rehabilitation.

Objective:To compare the histological differences between magnetic anastomosis and traditional suture in canine portal vein (PV) .Methods:Eighteen healthy Chinese garden dogs, either gender, 8-12 months and weighing 13.5-18.9 kg, were randomly divided into magnetic compressive anastomats (MCA) group ( n=9) and hand-sewing (HS) group ( n=9) for PV reconstruction. The time of PV anastomosis was compared between the two groups. HE and Masson staining were performed immediately and at 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks after operation. The ultrastructure of the anastomosis was observed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Results:All dogs survived. The PV anastomosis time was significantly shorter in MCA group (3.58±2.75) min than that HS group (12.89±3.12) min, P<0.01. In MCA group, the vascular wall of anastomotic stoma was well aligned immediately after operation, and the shrinkage was obvious in HS group by gross eyes. At 24 weeks, electron microscope scanning showed the re-endothelialization was smooth and endothelial cells arranged regularly at the anastomotic site of the MCA group, whereas different-sized and irregularly aligned endothelial cells and large collagenous fibers arranged in disorder were present at the HS anastomotic stoma. Representative HE and Masson staining confirmed that the magnetic device was associated with decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells and deposition of fibrotic collagen at 24 weeks explanted anastomotic stomas compared with the HS group. Conclusions:Compared with the HS, MCA produced shorter anastomosis time, smooth anastomotic intima, light fibrous tissue hyperplasia, no foreign body residue, mild inflammatory reaction and reliable technique for canines PV anastomosis.

Objective To explore the factors influencing the functional recovery of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) at discharge. Methods A total of 105 patients with SCI admitted to the rehabilitation medicine department at Huashan Hospital between December 2004 and October 2009 were studied. Data on eleven variables were collected including the patients' medical history, physical examination results and American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scores at admission. Functional status was registered according to the modified Barthel index (MBI) assessed at admission and before discharge. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the influence of the variables.Results After rehabilitation, average MBI and ASIA scores were significantly higher. The multiple regression analysis revealed that injury grade, motor and pinprick sensation scores at admission were related to MBI before discharge.The duration of rehabilitation, the rehabilitation treatment course and motor scores at admission were related to MBI increases during hospitalization. Conclusions Patients with different ages, injury levels and severity can improve their functional abilities through rehabilitation treatment, especially patients with better initial motor ability, longer treatment and earlier intervention.

Objective To investigate the effect of electromyographic biofeedback motion sensing game on upper limb function in chil-dren with obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP). Methods From March, 2013 to February, 2014, 41 children with OBPP were randomly as-signed into conventional rehabilitation group (n=21) and motion sensing game group (n=20). Both groups underwent a comprehensive course of rehabilitation, and the motion sensing game group received upper limb occupational therapy in the motion sensing game, for four weeks. They were assessed with Mallet shoulder function scale and the surface electromyogram (EMG) of the deltoid muscle when abduct-ing the shoulder before and after treatment. Results Before treatment, there was no significant difference in the Mallet scores between two groups (t=0.730, P>0.05), the scores improved after treatment in both groups (t>5.085, P<0.05), and the scores after treatment and the D-val-ue scores before and after treatment were higher in the motion sensing game group than in the conventional rehabilitation group (t>3.195, P<0.01). The integral EMG (iEMG) value, average EMG (aEMG) value and maximum EMG (EMGmax) value of the deltoid muscle improved in the motion sensing game group after treatment (t>4.420, P<0.05), however, only aEMG and iEMG improved in the conventional rehabili-tation group (t>2.282, P<0.05). All of them after treatment and the D-value were higher in the motion sensing game group than in the con-ventional rehabilitation group (t>2.155, P<0.05). Conclusion Electromyographic biofeedback motion sensing game therapy plays a role in the rehabilitation of upper limb function and muscle strength in children with OBPP.

Objective To evaluate the accuracy and sensitivity of three techniques in the diagnosis of renal diseases following multiple myeloma. Methods 41 serum samples from the kidney-damaged patients with multiple myeloma and 36 from the control group with general renal diseases were detected by quantitative analysis of immunoglobulins, serum protein electrophoresis and serum Immunofixation Electrophoresis. The accuracy and sensitivity of the three techniques were analysed by Two-way ANOVA and Multiple Comparisons of the check-out rate of monoclonal immunoglobulin. Results No monoclonal components were checked out by quantitative analysis of immunoglobulins. The checkout rate of IgG and IgM myelomas were 100% by serum protein electrophoresis, which had application limit on other types of myelomas. Whereas all secretarial myelomas could be diagnosed and typied by Immunofixation Electrophoresis, the sensitivity and accuracy was 100%, there was no false positive in the control group. Comparing with quantitative analysis of immunoglobulins and serum protein electrophoresis, serum Immunofixation electrophoresis had higher sensitivity and accuracy in diagnosis of renal diseases following multiple myeloma ( P