OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Chinese patent medicine Huatuo Zaizao Pill (HTZZ) on neurological function and limb motor in ischemic stroke (IS) patients during convalescence. METHODS: This is a prospective, open-labelled, randomized controlled trial. Patients with IS were recruited from the Neurology Department of Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from May 2021 to June 2023. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to the HTZZ (40 cases) or control group (40 cases) at a ratio of 1:1. The HTZZ group was treated with oral HTZZ (8 g, thrice daily) combined with conventional treatment, while the control group received only conventional treatment. The treatment duration was 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score from baseline to week 6 and 12. Secondary outcomes included changes in scores of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FM), and Barthel Index (BI) from baseline to week 6 and 12, as well as lipid indices after 12 weeks. All adverse events (AEs) were recorded and liver and kidney indices were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients completed the study (38 in the HTZZ group and 34 in the control group). Compared with the control group, the HTZZ group demonstrated significant improvements in MAS, NIHSS, FM, and BI scores following 6 and 12 weeks of treatment in both intent-to-treat and per-protocol analyses (all P<0.05). No significant differences were noted between groups in lipid indices, AEs, and liver and kidney dysfunction after 12 weeks (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS HTZZ alleviated spasticity and enhanced neurological function and prognosis of IS patients during convalescence. However, further evaluation of HTZZ's effect on IS outcomes is warranted in clinical trials with larger sample sizes and extended observation periods. (Trial registration No. NCT04910256).
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Male ; Female ; Ischemic Stroke/physiopathology* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Recovery of Function/drug effects* ; Convalescence ; Extremities/physiopathology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Prospective Studies

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a multi-system disease that can lead to various severe complications. Acute limb ischemia (ALI) has been increasingly recognized as a COVID-19-associated complication that often predicts a poor prognosis. However, the pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms underlying COVID-19-associated ALI remain poorly understood. Hypercoagulability and thrombosis are considered important mechanisms, but we also emphasize the roles of vasospasm, hypoxia, and acidosis in the pathogenesis of the disease. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) pathway, inflammation, and platelet activation may be important molecular mechanisms underlying these pathological changes induced by COVID-19. Furthermore, we discuss the hypotheses of risk factors for COVID-19-associated ALI from genetic, age, and gender perspectives based on our analysis of molecular mechanisms. Additionally, we summarize therapeutic approaches such as use of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) blocker tocilizumab, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, providing insights for the future treatment of coronavirus-associated limb ischemic diseases.
Humans ; COVID-19/physiopathology* ; Ischemia/etiology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Extremities/blood supply* ; Risk Factors ; Interleukin-6/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Acute Disease ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of virtual reality (VR) training on the gross motor function of the lower limb and the fine motor function of the upper limb in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy.

METHODSThirty-five children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy were randomly assigned to VR training group (n=19) and conventional training group (n=16). The conventional training group received conventional physical therapy and occupational therapy for three months. The VR training group received VR training and occupational therapy for three months. Grip and visual-motor integration subtests in Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 were used to evaluate the fine movement in patients before and after treatment. The D and E domains of the 88-item version of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used to evaluate the gross movement in patients before and after treatment.

RESULTSBefore treatment, there were no significant differences in grip, visual-motor integration, fine motor development quotient, scores of D and E domains of GMFM-88, MAS score, or BBS score between the two groups (P>0.05). After treatment, all the indices were significantly improved in the VR training group compared with the conventional training group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSVR training can effectively improve the gross motor function of the lower limb and the fine motor function of the upper limb in children with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy.

Cerebral Palsy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Extremities ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Movement ; Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy

Objective To observe the effect of the expanded human umbilical cord blood CD34+cells in ischemic limb of mice and analyse the relationship between the CD34+cells and angiogenesis. Methods Human umbilical cord blood was collected and CD34+cells were separated for expanding. Mice limbs ischemia models were established (n=15) and randomly divided into three groups:expanded CD34+cells group (n=5),fresh CD34+cells group (n=5),and control group(n=5). CD34+cells were detected by DiI dye tracing and antihuman nuclear antigen antibody(HNA) immunohistochemical staining. The improvement of blood reperfusion was evaluated by indicators including limb temperature,CD31 staining,and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) mRNA expression. Results On days 14 (t=5.421,P=0.001;t=0.616,P=0.000) and 28(t=10.780,P=0.000; t=12.123,P=0.000),both expanded CD34+cells group and fresh CD34+cells group enjoyed better temperature improvement. Days 28 later,the vascular densities in the expanded CD34+cells group and the fresh CD34+cells group were 592.3±24.6 (t=26.386,P=0.000) and 530.7±25.5 (t=21.502,P=0.000),which were significantly higher than that in control group 219.7±19.9. The TGF-β1 mRNA expression in the expanded CD34+cells group and the fresh CD34+cells group were (0.578±0.050) copies (t=12.376,P=0.000) and (0.504±0.080) copies (t=7.098,P=0.000),both over control group [(0.224±0.040)copies]. Conclusions In vitro culture of cord blood CD34+cells can emigrate to ischemic zone and induce angiogenesis to alleviate ischemia. Thus,it may provide a treatment option for lower limb ischemia.
Animals ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Cell Transplantation ; Cells, Cultured ; Extremities ; physiopathology ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Ischemia ; therapy ; Mice ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Random Allocation ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the long-term clinical effect of autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PB-MNC) on critical limb ischemia (CLI) in patients with thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) patients.

METHODSThe clinical data of 22 patients with CLI caused by TAO from July 2004 to May 2013 were analyzed retrospectively, 22 patients were divided into 2 groups; out of them 12 cases in one group were treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cells (auto-PBMNC group), 10 cases in another group received conservative treatment (CT group). The log-rank test was used to compare the long-term outcomes in auto-PBMNC group and CT group.

RESULTSThe wound healing rate (P=0.016) and CLI-free rate (P=0.013) were significantly higher in PB-MNC group compared with that in CT group. No difference was found in amputation rates between the 2 groups (major amputation: P=0.361, minor and major amputation: P=0.867). No patients died or no serious adverse events occurred during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONThe auto-PBMNC therapy can significantly promote the wound healing, and protect against CLI in TAO patients, but the risk of amputation is not low in comparison with conservative treatment.

Amputation ; Extremities ; physiopathology ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Ischemia ; therapy ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; transplantation ; Retrospective Studies ; Thromboangiitis Obliterans ; therapy ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of marginal division of the human brain in the pain modulation.

METHODSResting functional magnetic resonance imaging was applied in a patient with right extremities pain caused by a malacia lesion in the left putamen and in 8 healthy volunteers. Marginal division was defined using manual drawing on structure images, and was applied to the computation of fuctional connectivity maps.

RESULTSThe functional connectivities in the left marginal division showed an evident decrease in the patient when compared with healthy controls. These connectivities were mainly located in the bilateral head of caudate nucleus, putamen, and left globus pallidus.

CONCLUSIONThe marginal division may be involved in the pain modulation.

Adult ; Brain ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo verify whether peripheral blood circulation and arterial wall distensibility are influenced by atmospheric pressure (AtPr) and to examine if their association is dependent on age and/or sex.

METHODSAssociations among natural AtPr levels (on the examination day as well as 1 and 2 days prior), limb muscle hemodynamics, and distensibility of conduit arteries were retrospectively examined in an observational study of 276 untreated patients with primary moderate hypertension (mean age 56.4 years, 194 men). Forearm and calf circulations at rest and 3 min after ischemia were measured by venous occlusion plethysmography. Compliance of the brachial and shank arteries was assessed by oscillometry.

RESULTSAfter adjustment for age, degree of hypertension, and season, correlation and multiple regression analyses revealed a season-independent but age-dependent direct correlation between the stiffness of limb arteries and AtPr levels on the examination day in men, but not women. The association weakened with the degree of hypertension, disappeared with age, and was more evident in the arms than in the legs.

CONCLUSIONParameters of arterial wall distensibility in adult hypertensive men are susceptible to AtPr changes within the usually observed limits (730-770 mmHg). It is proposed that reduction of arterial wall barometric responsiveness in women and aging men is a likely mechanism underlying their meteosensitivity.

Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; physiology ; Atmospheric Pressure ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Extremities ; blood supply ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Skeletal ; blood supply ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons ; Sex Characteristics ; Vascular Stiffness

OBJECTIVEThis review aims to illustrate the relationship between clinical features and the prognosis of patients with limb-shaking transient ischemic attack (LS-TIA).

DATA SOURCESRelevant articles published in two main Chinese medical periodical databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure and China Science Periodical Database) from 1986 to June 2013 were identified with keywords "limb shaking" and "transient ischemic attack".

STUDY SELECTIONOriginal articles and case reports about LS-TIA were selected.

RESULTSA total of 63 cases collected from 19 articles were included in the pooled analysis. LS-TIA presented in two cerebrovascular diseases, of which atherosclerotic high-grade stenosis or occlusion in carotid artery system and moyamoya disease formed 95.2% and 4.8%, respectively. Of 63 patients, 11 (17.5%) were once misdiagnosed as epileptic and prescribed useless antiepilepsy drugs. The multivariable Logistic regression model showed a significant protective effect of patients with revascularization therapy on prognosis, compared with patients treated with drugs (odds ratio 0.20, 95% CI 0.05-0.74, P = 0.016).

CONCLUSIONSChronic carotid artery system hypoperfusion can induce limb(s) shaking, followed by high possibility of ischemic stroke in the same brain territorial. Revascularization of the responsible artery may work better than conservative drug-based therapy.

Aged ; Extremities ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis

Anti-Infective Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Child, Preschool ; Dermatomyositis ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Edema ; etiology ; therapy ; Electromyography ; Extremities ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Hormones ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; etiology ; therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo explore the protective effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on the lung injury following with limbs ischemia /reperfusion (LI/R).

METHODSThe models of LI/R injury were constructed in rabbits. The blood from right external jugular vein and left common carotid artery, into and out-flowing pulmonary blood (IPB, OPB) respectively. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) in IPB and OPB and lung tissues were measured, as well as total nitric oxide synthase (tNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lung tissues were detected in different groups. The effects of IPC on the lung injury were observed.

RESULTSCompared with sham and before ischemic, the activity of SOD decreased and the content of MDA and NO increased after 4 h ischemia followed by 4 h reperfusion in IPB, OPB and lung tissues. The activity of tNOS and iNOS in lung tissues increased remarkably as well, there was statistical significance (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). SOD increased and MDA, NO, tNOS, iNOS decreased significantly by IPC before ischemia/reperfusion. The correlation analysis indicated that MDA was negatively correlated with SOD and was positively correlated with MDA, NO, iNOS (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONOxygen free radicals metabolic confusion of lung occurred in the course of LI/R, IPC could strengthen the resistance of peroxidation in lung and had protective effects on the lung injury following with LI/R.

Animals ; Extremities ; blood supply ; Female ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Lipid Peroxidation ; physiology ; Lung Injury ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion Injury ; physiopathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism