Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment on motor function, cerebral blood flow, cerebral infarction volume, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model rats. Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, and an EA group, with eight rats in each group. The middle cerebral artery ischemia-reperfusion model was established by the suture-occluded method in the model group and the EA group, while not in the normal group. The EA group was pretreated with EA at bilateral Fengchi (GB20) before model preparation, once a day for 30 min each time for a total of 7 d. The changes in the CatWalk gait parameters, modified Bederson neurological deficit score, cerebral blood flow, cerebral infarction volume after ischemia, and VEGF level in the brain tissue of rats in each group were observed. Results: Compared with the normal group, the modified Bederson neurological deficit score in the model group and the EA group increased after modeling (P<0.05), and the CatWalk gait parameters (one-leg stance duration, gait cadence, and gait cycle) were all changed (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the modified Bederson neurological deficit score in the EA group decreased (P<0.05), and the CatWalk gait parameters improved (P<0.05). Immediately after ischemia, the cerebral blood flow in the normal group was greater than that in the model group and the EA group (P<0.05); after reperfusion, the cerebral blood flow in the EA group was greater than that in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the cerebral infarction volume in the model group and the EA group increased (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the cerebral infarction volume in the EA group decreased (P<0.05). The expression level of VEGF-positive cells in the rat brain tissue in the model group was higher than that in the normal group (P<0.05), and was higher in the EA group than in the model group (P<0.05). Conclusion: EA pretreatment improves the limb motor function in MCAO model rats, alleviates the symptoms of neurological deficits, promotes the recovery of cerebral blood flow, reduces the cerebral infarction area after MCAO modeling, and increases the VEGF expression in the brain tissue.

Objective To study the effect of electroencephalograph (EEG) bionic electrical stimulation at Wangu (GB12), Tianzhu (BL10), Neiguan (PC6) on cerebral blood flow and metabolism in patients with persistent vegetative state (PVS). Methods 60 patients with PVS were divided into observation group (n=30) and control group (n=30) according to the random number table. The control group received routine treatment, including basic management, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, awaking medicine, sensory stimulation, and so on; while the observation group received EEG bionic electrical stimulation at bilateral Tianzhu, Wangu (cheif electrodes) and Neiguan (auxiliary electrodes) in addition. They were treated for 30 days. They were assessed with the PVS score, and observed with transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) one day before and one day after treatment. Results The incidence of improvement was 86.67% in the observation group, more than 60.00% in the control group (P<0.05). The difference of blood flow velocity before and after treatment (ΔVm) of anterior-middle cerebral artery was more in the observation group than in the control group respectively (P< 0.001), as well as those of posterior cerebral-vertebral-basilar artery (P<0.01). The N-acetyl aspartic acid/creatine (NAA/Cr) increased more in the observation group than in the control group respectively (P<0.01), and the choline/creatine (Cho/Cr) decreased more (P<0.01), after treatment. Conclusion EEG bionic electrical stimulation can improve the cerebral circulation and metabolism in patients with PVS, which may associate with the wake promoting.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features, differential diagnosis and prognosis of proliferative nodules(PNs) in congenital melanocytic nevi(CMN).

METHODSHistopathologic evaluation and immunohistochemical study by EnVision method were carried out in 8 cases of PNs in CMN. The clinical information and follow-up data were analyzed.

RESULTSThe age of patients ranged from 1 to 54 years (mean 27.6 years). Tumors were located on face (3 cases), on back (2 cases), upper extremities (2 cases) and lower extremities(1 case). Microscopically, PNs with expansile growth were observed in 8 cases of CMN. Melanocytes in PNs show variable pleomorphism with a mitotic activity of 0 to 4 per 10 high power fields. Blending of cells with adjacent CMN was noted in 6 cases. According to the morphology of melanocytes in PNs, it was classified into different types including large oval melanocytes (4 cases), small melanocytes (2 cases) and Spitz-nevus-like forms (2 cases). Immunohistochemically, melanocytes in PNs were consistent with those in adjacent CMN. They were diffusely positive for S-100 protein, but were either negative or focally positive for HMB45. Less than 5% of melanocytes were positive for Ki-67 in 8 cases of PN. Follow-up was available in all cases, ranging from 9 to 82 months. Seven patients with excision of single PN in CMN were alive with no evidence of disease, while 1 patient with multiple PNs in CMN was stable with disease after 62 months follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSPN is a rare melanocytic lesion arising in CMN. Recognition of its specific histologic features can help to avoid being misdiagnosed as melanoma. Long term follow-up should be recommended in patients with PNs, especially in those with atypical histologic features. Further investigation is needed to elucidate its clinical behavior.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Back ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Extremities ; Facial Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Melanocytes ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Nevus, Pigmented ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Skin Neoplasms ; pathology

Objective To investigate the impact flat deformity of the cerebral cortex induced by congenital hydrocephalus on motor functioning and cognition.Methods Tomography was used to confirm the presence of flat cortex deformity in three congenital hydrocephalus patients ranging in age from 20 to 33.Their motor control,balance,cognition and ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA),the Berg balance scale (BBS),the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the modified Barthel index (MBI).Speech dysfunction was judged on the basis of clinical communication.The patients were scanned using a 64-slice spiral CT and size-of-ventricle indices were calculated.Results All 3 patients underwent ventrideperitoneal shunt.Their FMA scores were 75.5,83 and 100,with BBS scores of 4,24 and 56,MMSE scores of 14,23 and 26,and the MBIs of 40,90 and 100.CT images showed obvious ventricle enlargement and a thinner cortex layer in all three,with the thinnest part 0.18 cm,0.22 cm and 0.57 cm.Their ventricle indexes were 303％,288％ and 192％,respectively.Conclusion Although there is no systematic rehabilitation therapy for such patients,their motor,cognition and speech functioning were good,indicating the great potential for plasticity of the human brain.