Attempts have been made to modulate motor sequence learning (MSL) through repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, targeting different sites within the sensorimotor network. However, the target with the optimum modulatory effect on neural plasticity associated with MSL remains unclarified. This study was therefore designed to compare the role of the left primary motor cortex and the left supplementary motor area proper (SMAp) in modulating MSL across different complexity levels and for both hands, as well as the associated neuroplasticity by applying intermittent theta burst stimulation together with the electroencephalogram and concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation. Our data demonstrated the role of SMAp stimulation in modulating neural communication to support MSL, which is achieved by facilitating regional activation and orchestrating neural coupling across distributed brain regions, particularly in interhemispheric connections. These findings may have important clinical implications, particularly for motor rehabilitation in populations such as post-stroke patients.
Humans ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation ; Motor Cortex/physiology* ; Male ; Electroencephalography ; Neuronal Plasticity/physiology* ; Female ; Adult ; Evoked Potentials, Motor/physiology* ; Young Adult ; Learning/physiology*

Gypenosides, structurally analogous to ginsenosides and derived from a sustainable source, are recognized as the principal active compounds found in Gynostemma pentaphyllum, a Chinese medicinal plant used in the treatment of the metabolic syndrome. By bioactive tracking isolation of the plants collected from different regions across China, we obtained four new gypenosides (1-4), together with nine known gypenosides (5-13), from the methanol extract of the plant. The structures of new gypenosides were elucidated by one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, complemented by chemical degradation experiments. Through comprehensive evaluation involving COL1A1 promoter assays and PP2Cα activity assays, we established a definitive structure-activity relationship for these dammarane-type triterpenoids, affirming the indispensability of the C-3 saccharide chain and C-17 lactone ring in effectively impeding extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition within hepatic stellate cells. Further in vivo study on the CCl₄-induced liver damage mouse model corroborated that compound 5 significantly ameliorated the process of hepatic fibrosis by oral administration. These results underscore the potential of dammarane-type triterpenoids as prospective anti-fibrotic leads and highlight their prevalence as key molecular frameworks in the therapeutic intervention of chronic hepatic disorders.
Animals ; Mice ; Gynostemma ; Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Ginsenosides ; Extracellular Matrix ; Dammaranes

Objective To investigate Shanghai rehabilitation resources and services, define the status and problems and provide suggestions for making Shanghai rehabilitation health care system planning. Methods Based on the "Structure-Process-Result" theoretical framework, the questionnaire survey and field investigation were conducted on medical institutions in term of the rehabilitation departments setting, manpower, beds, equipment, housing, income and expenditure, and referral services. Results There were 321 rehabilitation doctors, 860 rehabilitation therapists and 666 rehabilitation nurses, 2199 preparation beds and 2573 real beds in all kinds of rehabilitation medical institutions. The rates of carrying out rehabilitation services were 94.79% in general hospitals, 100.00% in rehabilitation hospitals, 75.56% in community health service centers, rehabilitation equipment rates were 50.79%, 71.15%, 17.77%, and 27.73 %, 30.00%, 13.21% of them provided outpatient rehabilitation services. Conclusion Shanghai tertiary rehabilitation medical services architecture has initially formed, however, there are still many problems in the rehabilitation function. The rehabilitation health care system planning should focus on rehabilitation services capacity, rehabilitation staff team, rehabilitation resources and services referrals.

Objective To investigate the status of rehabilitation personnel in Shanghai. Methods Shanghai medical institutions were investigated through self-questionnaire including rehabilitation personnel quantity, basic characteristics of sociology and training from 2011 to 2013. Results There are 2262 rehabilitation personnel on duty in the medical institutions, with 321 rehabilitation doctors, 860 rehabilitation therapists and 666 rehabilitation nurses, 415 people without identity; female rehabilitation doctors, female rehabilitation therapists and female rehabilitation nurses account for 48.91%, 54.77%, 98.80% respectively; 25-34 years old group accounts for 44.24%, 38.84% and 39.79% respectively; working less than 5 years accounts for 30.84%, 65.00% and 60.81% respectively. Rehabilitation doctors with bachelor degree and clinical profession account for 56.70% and 75.07% respectively; rehabilitation therapists with college degree and rehabilitation profession account for 48.37% and 89.19% respectively; rehabilitation nurses with college degree and nursing profession account for 52.25% and 99.55% respectively; rehabilitation physicians, therapists and rehabilitation nurses who didn't accept the professional training of rehabilitation account for 4.36%, 4.07% and 28.68% respectively. Conclusion Shanghai rehabilitation personnel are deficient and some staff has not yet been identified, rehabilitation personnel structure and functional reeducation also need to be reinforced.