BACKGROUND:The incidence rate of chronic non-specific neck pain is high and the etiology is unknown.Myofascial pain and deep cervical flexor atrophy are the key factors.Extracorporeal shockwave therapy can improve microcirculation,relieve local pain,and delay the degenerative development of the cervical spine,while motion control training can significantly improve neck muscle strength and endurance and reduce neck pain.However,both methods have limited effectiveness when applied individually.OBJECTIVE:To explore the therapeutic efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave intervention combined with motion control training at the upper trapezius muscle on chronic non-specific neck pain.METHODS:Forty-two patients with chronic non-specific neck pain recruited from Shenyang Sport University were randomly divided into three groups:a shock wave group(n=14),in which extracorporeal shockwave intervention at the upper trapezius muscle was given for 10-15 minutes,once a week for 4 weeks;a training group(n=14),in which motion control training was given for 40-50 minutes,three times a week for 4 weeks;and a combination group(n=14),in which extracorporeal shockwave intervention at the upper trapezius muscle combined with motion control training was performed for 4 weeks.Patients were assessed for pain intensity,cervical spine function,upper trapezius muscle thickness,hemodynamic parameters,and serum interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α levels before intervention,1 week and 4 weeks after intervention.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the pre-intervention period,the visual analogue scale scores and neck disability index in the three groups were lower after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05),and the visual analogue scale scores and neck disability index in the combination group were lower than those of the shock wave group and the training group(P＜0.05).(2)Compared with the pre-intervention period,the upper trapezius thickness increased in the training group and the combination group after 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05);the upper trapezius thickness was greater in the combination group than in the shock wave group and the training group after 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05).(3)The shock wave group and the combination group had an increase in the peak systolic velocity of the ascending segment of the transverse carotid artery(P＜0.05)and a decrease in the resistance index(P＜0.05)after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention,while the training group showed an increase in the peak systolic velocity of the ascending segment of the transverse carotid artery(P＜0.05)and a decrease in the resistance index(P＜0.05)after 4 weeks of intervention.The peak systolic velocity of the ascending segment of the transverse carotid artery in the combination group was higher(P＜0.05)and the resistance index was lower(P＜0.05)than those in the shockwave group and the training group after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention.(4)Compared with the pre-intervention period,the levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α were reduced in the shock wave and combination groups after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05),and in the training group after 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05).After 1 and 4 weeks of intervention,the levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α were lower in the combination group than in the shock wave group and the training group(P＜0.05).To conclude,extracorporeal shock wave combined with motion control training for chronic non-specific neck pain significantly reduces pain and improves neck function,and the mechanism of action may be to promote the blood flow velocity at the trigger point,reduce blood flow resistance,reduce the serum levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α,and increase the thickness of the upper trapezius muscle.

BACKGROUND:The incidence rate of chronic non-specific neck pain is high and the etiology is unknown.Myofascial pain and deep cervical flexor atrophy are the key factors.Extracorporeal shockwave therapy can improve microcirculation,relieve local pain,and delay the degenerative development of the cervical spine,while motion control training can significantly improve neck muscle strength and endurance and reduce neck pain.However,both methods have limited effectiveness when applied individually.OBJECTIVE:To explore the therapeutic efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave intervention combined with motion control training at the upper trapezius muscle on chronic non-specific neck pain.METHODS:Forty-two patients with chronic non-specific neck pain recruited from Shenyang Sport University were randomly divided into three groups:a shock wave group(n=14),in which extracorporeal shockwave intervention at the upper trapezius muscle was given for 10-15 minutes,once a week for 4 weeks;a training group(n=14),in which motion control training was given for 40-50 minutes,three times a week for 4 weeks;and a combination group(n=14),in which extracorporeal shockwave intervention at the upper trapezius muscle combined with motion control training was performed for 4 weeks.Patients were assessed for pain intensity,cervical spine function,upper trapezius muscle thickness,hemodynamic parameters,and serum interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α levels before intervention,1 week and 4 weeks after intervention.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the pre-intervention period,the visual analogue scale scores and neck disability index in the three groups were lower after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05),and the visual analogue scale scores and neck disability index in the combination group were lower than those of the shock wave group and the training group(P＜0.05).(2)Compared with the pre-intervention period,the upper trapezius thickness increased in the training group and the combination group after 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05);the upper trapezius thickness was greater in the combination group than in the shock wave group and the training group after 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05).(3)The shock wave group and the combination group had an increase in the peak systolic velocity of the ascending segment of the transverse carotid artery(P＜0.05)and a decrease in the resistance index(P＜0.05)after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention,while the training group showed an increase in the peak systolic velocity of the ascending segment of the transverse carotid artery(P＜0.05)and a decrease in the resistance index(P＜0.05)after 4 weeks of intervention.The peak systolic velocity of the ascending segment of the transverse carotid artery in the combination group was higher(P＜0.05)and the resistance index was lower(P＜0.05)than those in the shockwave group and the training group after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention.(4)Compared with the pre-intervention period,the levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α were reduced in the shock wave and combination groups after 1 and 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05),and in the training group after 4 weeks of intervention(P＜0.05).After 1 and 4 weeks of intervention,the levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α were lower in the combination group than in the shock wave group and the training group(P＜0.05).To conclude,extracorporeal shock wave combined with motion control training for chronic non-specific neck pain significantly reduces pain and improves neck function,and the mechanism of action may be to promote the blood flow velocity at the trigger point,reduce blood flow resistance,reduce the serum levels of interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α,and increase the thickness of the upper trapezius muscle.

Myopia prevalence is still rising worldwide, addressing the worldwide myopia “epidemic” is of utmost importance, since the World Health Organization estimates that half of the world's population will suffer from myopia by the middle of the century. In addition to causing vision loss, myopia is closely associated with irreversible blinding disorders such as glaucoma and retinopathy. The pathophysiology of myopia is strongly linked to the biomechanical effects of intraocular pressure(IOP)on the scleral structure. Scleral tissue undergoes considerable structural remodelling during myopia development, increasing its sensitivity to the mechanical stresses of IOP. Important mechanisms include increased collagen degradation brought on by matrix metalloproteinase(MMP-2)activity, extracellular matrix dynamics destabilization from an imbalance in the regulation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase(TIMPs), aberrant choroidal blood supply brought on by activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)pathway, and cascading regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in scleral remodeling. This study provides a significant scientific foundation and fresh concepts for the future research into myopia prevention and control strategies by methodically examining the connection between changes in IOP and the development of myopia as well as its molecular underpinnings.

OBJECTIVE:To develop a method for the simultaneous determination of 5 components in Shuganning injections. METHODS:HPLC method was adopted. The determination was performed on Symmetry? C18 column with mobile phase consisted of methanol-0.4% phosphoric acid(gradient elution)at the flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. The detection wavlengths were set at 238 nm (geniposide,baicalin) and 327 nm (chlorogenic acid,baicalein,scutellarin). The column temperature was 30 ℃ and the sample size was 10 μL. RESULTS:The linear ranges were 0.4062-26.0 μg/mL for chlorogenic acid(r=0.9999),2.5000-160.0 μg/mL for geniposide (r=0.9999),6.5620-420.0 μg/mL for baicalin (r=0.9999),0.3125-20.0 μg/mL for baicalein (r=0.9996), 0.5859-37.5 μg/mL for scutellarin (r=0.9998). The limits of quantify were no higher than 31.20 ng,limits of detection were no higher than 15.60 ng. RSDs of precision, stability and reproducibility tests were lower than 2.0% ;the recoveries were 97.72%-101.10%(RSD=1.21%,n=6),97.67%-102.40%(RSD=1.87%,n=6),97.64%-101.10%(RSD=1.31%,n=6), 96.45%-100.10%(RSD=1.47%,n=6),96.16%-101.10%(RSD=1.69%,n=6),respectively. CONCLUSIONS:The method is simple,precise,stable and reproducible,and can be used for simultaneous determination of 5 components in Shuganning injection.

Objective To define the functional mechanisms of two NSAIDs , paracetamol and ibuprofen , in specif-ic brain regions in headache control by observing the distribution of Fos -immunoreactive neurons in trigeminal ganglia and trigeminal nucleus caudalis in conscious rat models of vasculogenic headache .Methods Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group ( saline group ) , acetaminophen group and ibuprofen group .Each rat was given electrical stimulation ( frequency 20 Hz, current 3-5 mA, pulse width 0.25 ms) at 50 minutes after injec-tion .The rats were killed and perfusion fixed after electrical stimulation .Trigeminal ganglia and trigeminal nucleus caudalis of the brains were taken out for paraffin sections and immunohistochemical staining , and Fos-immunoreactive neurons were counted under the Image J system .Results After electrical stimulation , there were significant differences of Fos protein expression in bilateral trigeminal ganglia and spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis between the saline group and groups of non -steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , but no significant difference of Fos protein expression in bilateral trigeminal ganglia and spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis between the acetaminophen group and ibuprofen group .Conclusions The changes of Fos expression in bilateral trigeminal ganglia and spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis after treatment with NSAIDs suggest that such structures participate in the pain transmission and expression and the pharmacology course of analgesic drugs .