OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided acupuncture at myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) on treating post-stroke foot drop. METHODS: Sixty patients with post-stroke foot drop were randomly assigned to an observation group 1 (20 cases, 1 case dropped out), an observation group 2 (20 cases, 2 casses dropped out), and a control group (20 cases). The control group received conventional acupuncture at Yanglingquan (GB34), Jiexi (ST41), Taichong (LR3), Zusanli (ST36), Xuanzhong (GB39), and Qiuxu (GB40) on the affected side, once daily. In addition to the treatment of the control group , the observation group 1 received acupuncture at the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius MTrPs, once every other day, while the observation group 2 received ultrasound-guided acupuncture at the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius MTrPs, once every other day. All groups were treated for two weeks. Three-dimensional gait analysis was performed using an infrared motion capture system, and the Holden walking scale was used to evaluate walking ability before and after treatment in the three groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the patients in the observation groups 1 and 2 showed increased walking speed (P<0.05, P<0.01), and improved Holden walking scale grades (P<0.05, P<0.01) after treatment; the patients in the observation group 2 also showed increased ankle dorsiflexion angles (P<0.05). The walking speeds of the observation groups 1 and 2 were faster than those of the control group after treatment (P<0.05), the Holden walking scale grade in the observation group 2 was superior to that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The ultrasound-guided acupuncture at MTrPs could effectively improve gait function in post-stroke foot drop patients.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Stroke/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Trigger Points/physiopathology* ; Gait ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Ultrasonography ; Treatment Outcome ; Gait Disorders, Neurologic/etiology*

Objective:To study the effect of repetitive facilitative exercise (RFE) combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on upper limb motor function in subacute stroke patients.Methods:A total of 80 patients with subacute stroke diagnosed and treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from November 2023 to March 2024 were prospectively selected and divided into control group, RFE group, RFE+ low frequency rTMS group and RFE+ high frequency rTMS group by random number table method, with 20 cases in each group. The control group received conventional rehabilitation therapy, the RFE group received conventional rehabilitation therapy +RFE, the RFE+ low frequency rTMS group received conventional rehabilitation therapy +RFE+ low frequency (1 Hz) rTMS therapy, and the RFE+ high frequency rTMS group received conventional rehabilitation therapy +RFE+ high frequency (10 Hz) rTMS therapy. All of four groups were treated continuously for 2 weeks. The changes of Fugl-Meyer Scale (Motor Function) Upper Limb (FMA-UE) score, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score, Modified Barthel Index (MBI) score, hemiplegic hand grip strength and BrunnstromScale (BRSS) score before and after treatment were compared among the four groups.Results:There were no statistical differences in the FMA-UE score, MAS grade, MBI score and hemiplegic hand grip strength among the four groups before treatment ( P>0.05). After treatment, the FMA-UE, MBI scores and hemiplegic hand grip strength were increased in the four groups, and MAS grade were decreased, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). RFE+ low-frequency rTMS group had the highest FMA-UE, MBI score and hemiplegic hand grip strength, and MAS grade was the lowest, and compared with RFE+ high-frequency rTMS group, there were statistical differences : (43.65 ± 2.11) scores vs. (40.95 ± 2.12) scores, (49.20 ± 4.06) scores vs. (44.80 ± 2.48) scores, (32.45 ± 2.59) kg vs. (29.30 ± 2.94) kg, (0.37 ± 0.09) grade vs. (0.56 ± 0.10) grade, P<0.01. The BRSS unupgradingrate among the four groups after treatment were 10/20, 8/20, 2/20, 5/20, there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 8.65, P = 0.031), and the RFE+ low-frequency rTMS group had the lowest number of BRSS unupgraded cases. Conclusions:The efficacy of RFE combined with low-frequency rTMS in the treatment of subacute stroke is obvious, which is conducive to promoting the recovery of muscle strength, grip strength and motor function of the hemiplegic side of the patients.

Objective:To study the effect of repetitive facilitative exercise (RFE) combined with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on upper limb motor function in subacute stroke patients.Methods:A total of 80 patients with subacute stroke diagnosed and treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from November 2023 to March 2024 were prospectively selected and divided into control group, RFE group, RFE+ low frequency rTMS group and RFE+ high frequency rTMS group by random number table method, with 20 cases in each group. The control group received conventional rehabilitation therapy, the RFE group received conventional rehabilitation therapy +RFE, the RFE+ low frequency rTMS group received conventional rehabilitation therapy +RFE+ low frequency (1 Hz) rTMS therapy, and the RFE+ high frequency rTMS group received conventional rehabilitation therapy +RFE+ high frequency (10 Hz) rTMS therapy. All of four groups were treated continuously for 2 weeks. The changes of Fugl-Meyer Scale (Motor Function) Upper Limb (FMA-UE) score, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score, Modified Barthel Index (MBI) score, hemiplegic hand grip strength and BrunnstromScale (BRSS) score before and after treatment were compared among the four groups.Results:There were no statistical differences in the FMA-UE score, MAS grade, MBI score and hemiplegic hand grip strength among the four groups before treatment ( P>0.05). After treatment, the FMA-UE, MBI scores and hemiplegic hand grip strength were increased in the four groups, and MAS grade were decreased, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). RFE+ low-frequency rTMS group had the highest FMA-UE, MBI score and hemiplegic hand grip strength, and MAS grade was the lowest, and compared with RFE+ high-frequency rTMS group, there were statistical differences : (43.65 ± 2.11) scores vs. (40.95 ± 2.12) scores, (49.20 ± 4.06) scores vs. (44.80 ± 2.48) scores, (32.45 ± 2.59) kg vs. (29.30 ± 2.94) kg, (0.37 ± 0.09) grade vs. (0.56 ± 0.10) grade, P<0.01. The BRSS unupgradingrate among the four groups after treatment were 10/20, 8/20, 2/20, 5/20, there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 8.65, P = 0.031), and the RFE+ low-frequency rTMS group had the lowest number of BRSS unupgraded cases. Conclusions:The efficacy of RFE combined with low-frequency rTMS in the treatment of subacute stroke is obvious, which is conducive to promoting the recovery of muscle strength, grip strength and motor function of the hemiplegic side of the patients.

Objective To analyze the spatial relationship between the roots of maxillary anterior premolars and the maxillary sinus,thus providing an anatomical basis for timing,planning,surgical approaches,and implant selection at this site.Methods Cone beam CT(CBCT)images were collected from 264 patients(aged 20-65 years)who visited the Ruihua Dental Clinic between January 2017 and March 2023.The minimum distance from the apex of the maxillary an-terior premolar roots to the lower wall of the maxillary sinus was measured on the coronal plane.The classification of the vertical relationship between the tooth root and the lower wall of the maxillary sinus was performed,and comparisons were made bilaterally,between genders,and among different age groups.Results The minimum distance(Q50)from the apex of the first maxillary premolar root to the lower wall of the maxillary sinus was 7.34 mm for the single-root type,7.80 mm for the buccal root of the double-root type,and 7.36 mm for the palatal root.For the second maxillary premo-lar,the median distance was 2.56 mm for the single root type,1.73 mm for the buccal root type,and 1.23 mm for the palatal root type.There was a significant difference in the shortest distance from the apex of the right second maxillary premolar single root to the lower wall of the maxillary sinus among the different age groups(P＜0.05),with the 20-29-year-old group having the smallest median distance(1.52 mm)and the≥40-year-old group having the largest(4.44 mm).There was no significant difference in the effect of sex or laterality on distance(P＞0.05).The most common vertical relationship between the apex of the maxillary anterior premolar roots and the lower wall of the maxillary sinus was non-contact.There was no significant difference in the vertical relationship classification between the single-root and dou-ble-root types(P＞0.05).Conclusion Most maxillary first premolar roots can provide sufficient bone height,which makes it easy to achieve immediate implantation.The maxillary second premolar root frequently involves insufficient bone,which is necessary to make full use of the bone wall of the extraction socket or the sinus floor cortical bone to achieve initial stability.The vertical relationship between the premolar root and maxillary sinus was influenced by age and dental position.Younger age groups often exhibit inadequate bone height,and the indication for immediate implan-tation should be carefully considered.The number of roots does not significantly affect the relationship between the sinus and root;however,double-rooted premolars offer more support for immediate implantation and socket healing due to the small root diameter and bony separation between the roots.

Eye organoid refers to a structure that possesses resembling cell types and functions to intraocular tissues, which is induced by stem cells in vitro. Transplanting it into the body for eye repair and regeneration is one of the key research directions in regenerative medicine, which also provides a novel direction and strategy for the treatment of major blinding diseases. As a carrier of biological tissue or cell growth, tissue engineering scaffold could support in vivo transplantation of eye organoids and promote their maturation. Organic combination of eye organoids and tissue engineering is a critical approach to realize in vivo integration of eye organoids and reconstruct corresponding structures and functions. In this review, the latest research status of eye organoids and in vivo transplantation were summarized, and relevant studies of tissue engineering scaffold-assisted eye organoid transplantation were highlighted, aiming to provide ideas and reference for subsequent inter-disciplinary research of eye organoids and tissue engineering.

Extubation during the recovery period of general anesthesia patients often causes hemodynamic fluctuations and increases myocardial oxygen consumption, which is easy to cause myocardial hypoxia, ischemia and cardiovascular complications. Especially for patients with hypertension, hemodynamic fluctuation is more obvious, and the risk of anesthesia is greater. The timing of tracheal catheter extubation is one of the key factors affecting cardiovascular reactions and related complications. This paper reported the data of 35 patients with hypertension who underwent general anesthesia from May. 2020 to Jun. 2021 in Wuhu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and analyzed the technical advantages of tracheal catheter removal before consciousness recovery under general anesthesia.

Objective:To observe the effect of mirror visual feedback (MVF) on the motor functioning and balance of stroke survivors, and to observe any morphological and structural changes in the tibialis anterior (TA) after MVF training.Methods:Thirty-six stroke survivors were divided into a mirror group ( n=18) and a control group ( n=18). Both groups received conventional drugs and routine rehabilitation treatment, while the mirror group was additionally provided with MVF training 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Before and after the treatment, both groups were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer assessment for the lower extremities (FMA-LE) and the Berg balance scale (BBS). Moreover, the pennation angle (PA), the muscle thickness (MT) and the fascicle length (FL) of the tibialis anterior were measured at rest and in maximum isometric voluntary contraction (MVC) using ultrasonic imaging. Results:After the treatment the average PA of the affected side at rest and the MVC of the TA increased significantly in both groups compared with before the treatment, with the average improvement in the mirror group significantly greater than in the control group. The average TA thickness at rest and the MVC were both significantly greater in the mirror group than among the control group after the treatment. The average FMA-LE and BBS scores of both groups had improved significantly, but the mirror group′s average scores were significantly better than those of the control group.Conclusion:MVF can improve the motor function and balance ability of stroke survivors. Moreover, ultrasound can be used to evaluate the changes of TA morphology in such patients quantitatively, providing an objective foundation for tracking clinical efficacy.

Objective: To investigate the incidence and prognosis of cognitive impairment and to find out the risk factors associated with the outcome for better understanding and preventing cognitive impairment in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods: The patients who met the criteria as below: MHD patients (≥3 months) in Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2000 to July 2014, ≥18 years old were enrolled and could carry on the montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) of voluntary cooperation. According to the score of MoCA, all enrolled patients were divided into two groups: cognitive impairment (MoCA<26) group and non-cognitive impairment (MoCA≥26) group. The follow-up period was 3 years. There were 130 males, and the incidence, demography data, medical history, hemodialysis data, laboratory examination and prognosis of cognitive impairment in hemodialysis patients were prospectively compared and analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors of cognitive impairment. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox regression model were used for prognostic analysis. Results: A total of 219 MHD patients were enrolled. The incidence of cognitive impairment in MHD patients was 51.6%. There were 130 males, and the ratio of male to female was 1.46∶1. Age was (60.07±12.44) years old and dialysis vintage was (100.79±70.23) months. Compared with non-cognitive impairment group (n=106), patients in cognitive impairment group (n=113) were older, and had higher proportion of education status<12 years, history of diabetes and anuria (all P<0.05); however, the post-dialysis systolic pressure, pre-dialysis diastolic pressure, post-dialysis diastolic pressure, platelet and spKt/V were lower (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that education status<12 years (OR=3.428, 95%CI 1.919-6.125, P<0.001), post-dialysis diastolic pressure<73 mmHg (OR=2.234, 95%CI 1.253-3.984, P=0.006) and spKt/V<1.72(OR=1.982, 95%CI 1.102-3.564, P=0.022) were the independent risk factors for cognitive impairment in MHD patients. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the survival rate of patients with cognitive impairment was lower than that of non-cognitive impairment group in MHD patients during 3 years follow-up (χ²=3.977, P=0.046). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that cognitive impairment was an independent risk factor for death in MHD patients (RR=2.661, 95%CI 0.967-7.321, P=0.058). Conclusions Cognitive impairment is one of the common complications and an independent risk factor for death in MHD patients. The mortality is high in patients who suffer cognitive impairment. Education status<12 years, post-dialysis diastolic pressure<73 mmHg and spKt/V<1.72 are the independent risk factors for cognitive impairment in MHD patients.

Recently, a novel atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) in pig was reported. In this study, two APPV strains, APPV-China/GZ01/2016 (GZ01) and APPV-China/GD-SD/2016 (GD-SD), were identified in two newborn piglet herds with congenital tremor from China. The open reading frame of the two strains shared an 83.5% nucleotide identity. Phylogenetically, the APPV strains were placed into two groups: GZ01 belonged to group I and GD-SD belonged to group II. A high viral load was detected in the cerebellum (quantification cycles < 26). Further studies should be carried out to thoroughly elucidate the development of congenital tremors caused by APPV.
Cerebellum ; China ; Genome ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Open Reading Frames ; Pestivirus ; Tremor ; Viral Load

Objective To observe the effects of mirror therapy (MT) combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) on motor of lower extremities, walking ability and activities of daily living for subacute stroke patients. Methods From July, 2016 to December, 2017, 38 subacute stroke patients were randomly divided into treatment group (n=20) and control group (n=18). All the patients received routine rehabilitation. The control group accepted FES, and the treatment group accepted FES and MT, for eight weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremities (FMA-LE), Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC) and modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and after treatment. Results Both groups improved in the scores of FMA-LE and MBI, and grade of FAC after treatment (Z>3.002, t>7.985, P<0.01), and the scores of FMA-LE improved more in the treatment group than in the control group (Z=-2.037, P<0.05). There was no difference between two groups in the scores of MBI and grade of FAC (t=-1.044, Z=-1.287, P>0.05). Conclusion The addition of MT on FES may further improve the lower extremities motor function, but not enough to improve their walking and activities of daily living in subacute stroke patients.