Objective:To quantitatively evaluate the changes of the sciatic nerve of rabbits following acute cold exposure and intraperitoneal lavage rewarming therapy by applying shear wave elastography（SWE）technology.Methods:Thirty healthy adult New Zealand white rabbits，weighing approximately（4.0 ± 0.2）kgResults:Body temperature comparison：the body temperature of all 3 groups decreased at T2 compared to T1，with statistically significant differences（all P<0.05）. By T4，the body temperature of all groups had returned to normal，showing no significant differences compared to T1（ P>0.05）. The peritoneal lavage + rewarming platform group showed a faster recovery rate in body temperature during T2-T3 compared to both the rewarming platform group and the blank control group，with statistically significant differences（all P<0.05）. There were no significant differences in the recovery rate between the rewarming platform group and the blank control group during T2-T3（all P>0.05）. Comparison of conventional ultrasound parameters：the longitudinal width，cross-sectional area，and perimeter of the sciatic nerve showed statistically significant differences between T2 and T1（all P<0.05）. No significant differences were observed between T3 and T4，or between T1 and T4（all P>0.05）. Comparison of SWE parameters：T2 phase showed an increase in SWE values of the sciatic nerve，with statistically significant differences in the maximum（Emax）and average（Emean）Young's modulus compared to T1 and T4（all P<0.05）. No significant differences were observed between T1 and T4（all P>0.05）. Transmission electron microscopy results：under acute cold exposure，the sciatic nerve showed swelling，with vacuole formation visible in the axons. After peritoneal lavage rewarming therapy，the morphology of the sciatic nerve returned to normal. Conclusions:Following acute cold exposure，the rabbit's sciatic nerve exhibits contraction，with increased stiffness，which can be quantitatively assessed using conventional ultrasound combined with SWE. Peritoneal lavage therapy is an effective rewarming method that significantly enhances the rewarming rate.

Objective:To investigate any effect of aerobic exercise on the functioning of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and on the Akt/eNOS signaling pathway in type 2 diabetes.Methods:Forty-five 6-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats free of specific pathogens were randomly divided into a normal control group, a diabetic model group and an exercise group. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced in the model and exercise groups by feeding a high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection. After successful modeling, the exercise group underwent 8 weeks of non-weight-bearing swimming training after which blood was collected from their abdominal aortas to measure EPCs, serum nitric oxide and the level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Bone marrow-derived EPCs were isolated from the rats′ femurs and tibias for in vitro culture. The cells′ tube formation capacity was assessed using Matrigel assays, while the expression of protein kinase B (Akt) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were determined using western blotting.Results:Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited significantly reduced counts of EPCs in their peripheral blood. Serum NO and VEGF were also significantly lower, on average, and tube formation capacity was significantly impaired. p-Akt and p-eNOS protein expression were significantly downregulated. In contrast, the exercise group showed significantly increased EPC counts, elevated serum NO and VEGF levels, improved tube formation, and upregulated p-Akt and p-eNOS expression compared with the model group.Conclusions:Aerobic exercise improves EPC functioning in diabetic rats, and its mechanism may be associated with the regulation of the Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Modified Yinhuo Guiyuan Huayu Formula(MYGHF)in diabetic retinopathy(DR)patients with yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome and to observe its regulatory effects on the nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway.Methods A total of 100 DR patients(200 eyes)with yin deficiency and blood stasis syndrome admitted to the Fourth People's Hospital of Hengshui from January 2019 to April 2020 were equally randomized into a control group(50 cases,100 eyes)and an observation group(50 cases,100 eyes)using a random number table.Both groups were required to conduct intensive glycemic control.The control group was treated with conventional western medicine of lecithin-bound iodine,while the observation group received additional MYGHF for 3 months.Parameters of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,key components of NF-κB signaling pathway[NF-κB p65,inhibitor of kappa B kinase(IKK),inhibitor kappa B(IκB)],angiogenesis-related factors[fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF21),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),angiopoietin 2(Ang2)],and efficacy indicators[glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),fasting blood glucose(FBG),homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),visual field grayscale value,and best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)]in the two groups were evaluated before treatment and 1 and 3 month(s)after treatment.After treatment,the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were assessed.Results(1)After 3 months of treatment,the total effective rate was 88.00%(44/50)in the observation group versus 70.00%(35/50)in the control group,demonstrating significantly superior therapeutic effects of TCM syndrome differentiation in the observation group(tested by chi-square test,P＜0.05).(2)At 1 and 3 month(s)after treatment,both groups showed reduced scores for TCM symptoms of blurred vision,dizziness and tinnitus,soreness and weakness of waist and knees,and feverish sensation in the palms and soles compared to the baseline levels(all P＜0.05).The observation group exhibited significantly greater reductions in these symptom scores than the control group at both time points(all P＜0.05).(3)The protein expression levels of NF-κB p65,IKK were decreased and IκB was increased in both groups at 1 and 3 month(s)after treatment compared to the baseline levels(all P＜0.05),and the observation group demonstrated more pronounced improvement of these key pathway components compared to the control group(all P＜0.05).(4)The levels of angiogenesis-related factors of FGF21,Ang2,and VEGF were significantly reduced in both groups at 1 and 3 month(s)compared to the baseline levels(all P＜0.05),and the observation group showed superior decreases compared to the control group(all P＜0.05).(5)The efficacy indicators of HbA1c,FBG,HOMA-IR,visual field grayscale values,and BCVA were improved in both groups at post-treatment 1 and 3 month(s)compared to the baseline levels(all P＜0.05),and the observation group achieved significantly superior improvement in all indicators compared to the control group(all P＜0.05).(6)The total incidence of adverse reactions was 2.00%(1/50)in the observation group versus 8.00%(4/50)in the control group,with no statistically significant difference between groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion MYGHF effectively alleviates clinical symptoms in patients with DR of yin deficiency and blood stasis type,and is effective on modulating angiogenesis-related factors and suppressing NF-κB signaling pathway activation,demonstrating satisfactory efficacy and good safety profile.

Objective:To observe the impact of upper limb resistance exercise on the exercise tolerance, muscle strength and life quality of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) so as to provide a reference for optimizing their rehabilitation plans.Methods:Fifty-eight COPD patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 29. Both groups were given routine pulmonary rehabilitation training (including lip retraction and abdominal breathing) for 12 weeks, while the observation group also performed upper limb resistance exercises. Before and after the intervention, both groups were evaluated using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), St. George′s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC). Lung function, respiratory muscle strength and upper limb muscle strength were also measured.Results:After the intervention there was a significant increase in the average 6MWT distance, maximum inspiration pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, and upper limb muscle strength among the observation group. In the control group, maximum inspiration pressure and the average the dyspnea mMRC score had improved. The observation group showed a significant decrease in the average heart rate after the 6MWT, and in average dyspnea mMRC and SGRQ scores. So after the intervention there were significant differences between the groups in terms of 6MWT distance (312.3±50.2m), maximum inspiratory pressure (96.8±11.3cmH 2O), maximum expiratory pressure (88.6±11.3cmH 2O), heart rate after the 6MWT (113.8±4.9beats/min) and SGRQ score. Conclusions:Adding upper limb resistance exercise to routine pulmonary rehabilitation can further improve the exercise tolerance, respiratory muscle strength, upper limb muscle strength and life quality of COPD patients. Therefore, such therapy is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of inspiratory muscle training on autonomic nervous function, respiratory muscle strength, lung function and exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:Sixty COPD patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 30. Both groups received routine rehabilitation management (pharmacotherapy, pursed-lip breathing exercises, and abdominal breathing training), but the observation group also received threshold-loaded inspiratory muscle training at 30% of their maximum inspiration pressure. The regimen was three sessions weekly over a 12-week period. Before and after the intervention, everyone′s lung function and respiratory muscle strength were measured with an electronic spirometer. The 6min walking test (6MWT) was also administered, with the subjects′ heart rate variability (HRV) recorded.Results:After the intervention, no significant change was observed among the control group in any of the measurements except in their average maximum inspiratory pressure and 6MWT distance. In the observation group there was a significant increase in their average maximum inspiratory pressure (97.0±12.8cmH 2O) and 6MWT distance, but a significant decrease in the average heart rate after the 6MWT. Conclusions:Twelve weeks of low-intensity inspiratory muscle training can significantly improve the respiratory muscle strength, functional exercise capacity and cardiac function of stable COPD patients, relieving their risk of cardiovascular disease.

Objective:To explore the effect of combining resistance training with stem cell transplantation on vascular remodeling after myocardial infarction, so as to provide a theoretical basis and treatment for clinical use.Methods:Seventy-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, a stem cell group, and a training and model combination group. All except the sham operation group underwent myocardial infarction modeling by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The stem cell group then received transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the training group performed weight-bearing ladder training. The combination group was given both interventions. The experiments lasted 8 weeks. At the end of the final exercise session, cardiac structure and functioning and myocardial blood flow were assessed using color Doppler ultrasound. Any pathological changes were observed through HE and Masson staining. Capillary density in the heart was determined via CD31 immunohistochemical staining. The expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD31, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) proteins were measured using western blotting.Results:Compared with the model group, cardiac structure and function showed significant improvement in the stem cell, training and combination groups. This was manifested as decreased end-diastolic diameter and end-systolic diameter in the left ventricle, along with increased left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular fraction shortening, the ratio of early to late diastolic filling velocity, and myocardial blood flow. Histological examination revealed a significant increase in capillary density, reduced collagen area, and less pathological hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes in the stem cell, training and combination groups. In those groups there was also upregulation of angiogenesis-related cytokines (VEGF, CD31, α-SMA and p-eNOS). Notably, all these improvements were particularly pronounced in the combination group.Conclusion:Resistance training combined with stem cell transplantation effectively improves vascular remodeling and enhances cardiac function after a myocardial infarction, at least in rats. The combination is more effective than either intervention alone.

Objective:To explore the effect on cardiac remodeling of combining high-intensity interval training with metformin in cases of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and its possible mechanisms.Methods:Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control, model, exercise, drug and combination groups with twelve per group. T1DM was induced in all except the control group using a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60mg/kg of body weight). The control and model groups were then housed without intervention, while the drug and exercise groups underwent metformin gavage (300mg/kg/day) or 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training (3 sessions/week), respectively. The combination group receiving both. After the training, body weight, a cardiac index (heart weight/body weight), and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured in all of the rats. Echocardiography assessed cardiac structure and function, and myocardial tissue was collected for HE or Masson staining to measure cardiomyocyte width and collagen volume fraction respectively. Protein expression and the levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), collagen (Col), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), ryanodine receptor (RyR), and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) were determined using western blotting.Results:Compared with the control group, the model group showed significantly increased cardiac indices, FBG levels, and left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters. But they had significantly decreased body weight, left ventricular fractional shortening and ejection fraction. Compared with the control group, there was a significant increase in the cardiomyocyte width and collagen volume fraction, as well as in ANP, BNP, TGF-β, and Col levels in the model group, along with downregulated PGC-1α, p-AMPK, RyR, and SERCA protein expression. Compared with the model group, the exercise, drug, and combination groups exhibited varying degrees of improvement in all these indicators, with the most pronounced effects in the combination group.Conclusions:High-intensity interval training combined with metformin promotes cardiac remodeling in T1DM rats, outperforming either intervention alone. The mechanism may involve minimizing myocardial fibrosis and pathological hypertrophy, restoring mitochondrial function and intracellular calcium homeostasis.

Objective:To observe the impact of upper limb resistance exercise on the exercise tolerance, muscle strength and life quality of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) so as to provide a reference for optimizing their rehabilitation plans.Methods:Fifty-eight COPD patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 29. Both groups were given routine pulmonary rehabilitation training (including lip retraction and abdominal breathing) for 12 weeks, while the observation group also performed upper limb resistance exercises. Before and after the intervention, both groups were evaluated using the 6-minute walk test (6MWT), St. George′s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC). Lung function, respiratory muscle strength and upper limb muscle strength were also measured.Results:After the intervention there was a significant increase in the average 6MWT distance, maximum inspiration pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, and upper limb muscle strength among the observation group. In the control group, maximum inspiration pressure and the average the dyspnea mMRC score had improved. The observation group showed a significant decrease in the average heart rate after the 6MWT, and in average dyspnea mMRC and SGRQ scores. So after the intervention there were significant differences between the groups in terms of 6MWT distance (312.3±50.2m), maximum inspiratory pressure (96.8±11.3cmH 2O), maximum expiratory pressure (88.6±11.3cmH 2O), heart rate after the 6MWT (113.8±4.9beats/min) and SGRQ score. Conclusions:Adding upper limb resistance exercise to routine pulmonary rehabilitation can further improve the exercise tolerance, respiratory muscle strength, upper limb muscle strength and life quality of COPD patients. Therefore, such therapy is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of inspiratory muscle training on autonomic nervous function, respiratory muscle strength, lung function and exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:Sixty COPD patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 30. Both groups received routine rehabilitation management (pharmacotherapy, pursed-lip breathing exercises, and abdominal breathing training), but the observation group also received threshold-loaded inspiratory muscle training at 30% of their maximum inspiration pressure. The regimen was three sessions weekly over a 12-week period. Before and after the intervention, everyone′s lung function and respiratory muscle strength were measured with an electronic spirometer. The 6min walking test (6MWT) was also administered, with the subjects′ heart rate variability (HRV) recorded.Results:After the intervention, no significant change was observed among the control group in any of the measurements except in their average maximum inspiratory pressure and 6MWT distance. In the observation group there was a significant increase in their average maximum inspiratory pressure (97.0±12.8cmH 2O) and 6MWT distance, but a significant decrease in the average heart rate after the 6MWT. Conclusions:Twelve weeks of low-intensity inspiratory muscle training can significantly improve the respiratory muscle strength, functional exercise capacity and cardiac function of stable COPD patients, relieving their risk of cardiovascular disease.

Objective:To explore the effect of combining resistance training with stem cell transplantation on vascular remodeling after myocardial infarction, so as to provide a theoretical basis and treatment for clinical use.Methods:Seventy-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, a stem cell group, and a training and model combination group. All except the sham operation group underwent myocardial infarction modeling by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The stem cell group then received transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and the training group performed weight-bearing ladder training. The combination group was given both interventions. The experiments lasted 8 weeks. At the end of the final exercise session, cardiac structure and functioning and myocardial blood flow were assessed using color Doppler ultrasound. Any pathological changes were observed through HE and Masson staining. Capillary density in the heart was determined via CD31 immunohistochemical staining. The expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD31, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) proteins were measured using western blotting.Results:Compared with the model group, cardiac structure and function showed significant improvement in the stem cell, training and combination groups. This was manifested as decreased end-diastolic diameter and end-systolic diameter in the left ventricle, along with increased left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular fraction shortening, the ratio of early to late diastolic filling velocity, and myocardial blood flow. Histological examination revealed a significant increase in capillary density, reduced collagen area, and less pathological hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes in the stem cell, training and combination groups. In those groups there was also upregulation of angiogenesis-related cytokines (VEGF, CD31, α-SMA and p-eNOS). Notably, all these improvements were particularly pronounced in the combination group.Conclusion:Resistance training combined with stem cell transplantation effectively improves vascular remodeling and enhances cardiac function after a myocardial infarction, at least in rats. The combination is more effective than either intervention alone.