Objective:To explore the effect of combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with acupuncture in the treatment of patients with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI).Methods:A total of 40 VCI patients were randomly assigned to either the control group or the experimental group ( n=20 per group) using a random number table. Both groups received routine treatment and rTMS, while the experimental group was additionally provided with acupuncture for four weeks. The rTMS was at 10Hz at 90% of the motor threshold. Before and after the treatment, both groups′ cognition was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) was quantified using the modified Barthel Index (MBI). Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results:Significant improvement was observed in both groups′ average MoCA, MMSE, and MBI scores, along with reductions in peripheral serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels. The experimental group exhibited significantly higher MoCA subdomain scores in the visuospatial and executive function, attention, and delayed recall subdomains, as well as a higher total MoCA score compared to the control group. The average MMSE and MBI scores were significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group, and that group′s serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly lower, on average. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between the improvements in MoCA and MMSE scores and the reductions in IL-6 and TNF-α levels in both groups.Conclusions:rTMS combined with acupuncture effectively improves cognition and ADL ability among VCI patients. The underlying mechanism may be associated with the reduction of neuroinflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α.

Objective:To explore the effect of combining transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with acupuncture in the treatment of patients with vascular cognitive impairment (VCI).Methods:A total of 40 VCI patients were randomly assigned to either the control group or the experimental group ( n=20 per group) using a random number table. Both groups received routine treatment and rTMS, while the experimental group was additionally provided with acupuncture for four weeks. The rTMS was at 10Hz at 90% of the motor threshold. Before and after the treatment, both groups′ cognition was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) was quantified using the modified Barthel Index (MBI). Serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results:Significant improvement was observed in both groups′ average MoCA, MMSE, and MBI scores, along with reductions in peripheral serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels. The experimental group exhibited significantly higher MoCA subdomain scores in the visuospatial and executive function, attention, and delayed recall subdomains, as well as a higher total MoCA score compared to the control group. The average MMSE and MBI scores were significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group, and that group′s serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly lower, on average. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between the improvements in MoCA and MMSE scores and the reductions in IL-6 and TNF-α levels in both groups.Conclusions:rTMS combined with acupuncture effectively improves cognition and ADL ability among VCI patients. The underlying mechanism may be associated with the reduction of neuroinflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α.

Objective To construct a recombinant Bifidobacterium bifidum (Bb)vaccine[Bb (pGEX-Sj26GST-Sj14-3-3)] of Schistosomajaponicum (Sj) and analyze the expression of the fusion gene Sj26GST-Sj14-3-3 of Sj in Bb.Methods The recombinant plasmid pGEX-Sj26GST-Sj14-3-3 was electroporated into Bb to construct a recombinant Bb (pGEX-Sj26GST-Sj14-3-3) vaccine.Mter induction with isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG),double restriction enzymes digestion and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to identify the recombinant Bb (pGEX-Sj26GST-Sj14-3-3),expression of the recombinant protein was analyzed and identified by sodium dodecyl sulfonate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blotting.Results The recombinant plasmid pGEX-Sj26GST-Sj14-3-3 was successfully transformed into Bb identified by double restriction enzymes digestion and PCR.SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the relative molecular mass of the expressed recombinant protein was approximately 67 × 103.The expressed protein could be recognized by the immune sera from rabbits infected with Sj by Western blotting.Conclusions The recombinant Bb (pGEX-Sj26GST-Sj14-3-3) vaccine of Sj is successfully constructed.The fusion gene Sj26GST-Sj14-3-3 can be expressed in recombinant Bb and the expressed target protein shows specific antigenicity.

Objective To study the effects of dynamic,support-inducing exercise on the support,balance and gait ability of patients with moderate-to-severe hemiplegia after stroke.Methods Fourteen stroke patients were randomly assigned to an experimental or a control group (7 cases to each).The patients in the experimental group received both dynamic,support-inducing exercise and routine exercises,while the patients in the control group received routine exercises only.Before training and after 40 and 60 days of training,their functional capacity was evaluated with the Chinese stroke scale (CSS) for neurological deficits,Berg's balance scale (BBS) and using functional ambulation categories (FACs).Results Before training there was no inter-group difference in average CSS or BBS scores or in FACs.For the experimental group there were significant intra-group differences compared with 0th day in all three items at both time points.At days 40 and 60 there were also significant intra-group differences in BBS scores and FACs in the control group,and CSS scores improved significantly only in the experimental group.At day 40 there were significant inter-group differences in average CSS,BBS and FAC results.However,by day 60 a significant difference persisted only in average CSS scores.Conclusions Dynamic,support-inducing exercise can improve support,balance and gait in patients with moderate-to-severe hemiplegia after stroke.