BACKGROUND: Reviving patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (DOCs) has always been focused and challenging in medical research. Owing to the limited effectiveness of available medicine, recent research has increasingly turned towards neuromodulatory therapies, involving the stimulation of neural circuits. We summarised the progression of research regarding neuromodulatory therapies in the field of DOCs, compared the differences among different studies, in an attempt to explore optimal stimulation patterns and parameters, and analyzed the major limitations of the relevant studies to facilitate future research. METHODS: We performed a search in the PubMed database, using the concepts of DOCs and neuromodulation. Inclusion criteria were: articles in English, published after 2002, and reporting clinical trials of neuromodulatory therapies in human patients with DOCs. RESULTS: Overall, 187 published articles met the search criteria, and 60 articles met the inclusion criteria. There are differences among these studies regarding the clinical efficacies of neurostimulation techniques for patients with DOCs, and large-sample studies are still lacking. CONCLUSIONS Neuromodulatory techniques were used as trial therapies for DOCs wherein their curative effects were controversial. The difficulties in detecting residual consciousness, the confounding effect between the natural course of the disease and therapeutic effect, and the heterogeneity across patients are the major limitations. Large-sample, well-designed studies, and innovations for both treatment and assessment are anticipated in future research.
Clinical Trials as Topic ; Consciousness ; Consciousness Disorders/therapy* ; Humans ; Treatment Outcome

Comprehensive Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology is a compulsory open online course that integrates lab skill training and innovation ability training for undergraduates majoring in biology in Beijing Normal University. This course focuses on alkaline phosphatase, including cloning of the Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase gene, expression and purification of the protein, research on its enzymatic characteristics, preparation of its antibody and determination the titers of the antibody, etc. The comprehensive lab course covers from the gene to the protein, so that students can learn and master commonly used biochemical and molecular biology experimental techniques systematically. Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase is an ideal experimental research object. And there are very classic and systematic scientific research literature reports. As important auxiliary teaching means, these literature resources can help teachers and students to carry out learning inquiries, form rational and critical scientific attitudes and spirits, and also greatly improve the quality of teaching and students' scientific research quality, which plays an important role in the construction of first-class course of Comprehensive Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Objective:To study the changes in total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant enzyme activity of Polygala tenuifolia callus in MS medium with different concentrations of H₂O₂,in order to explore the physiological mechanism of Polygala tenuifolia callus in adapting to H₂O₂ environmental stress at the cellular level. Method:Five gradients of 0,5,10,15,20 mmol·L^-1 were set for H₂O₂ concentration and added to MS medium, with P. tenuifolia callus as the experimental material. Total phenols,total flavonoids and antioxidant enzyme activities of callus were determined after 5,10,15,20,25 d of culture,respectively. Result:The contents of total phenols and flavonoids were the highest when the concentration of H₂O₂ was 5 mmol·L^-1 for 15 d. The SOD activity was the highest when the callus was cultured for 5 d and the exogenous H₂O₂ concentration was 5 mmol·L^-1. POD activity was the highest at 25 d and 5 mmol·L^-1 concentration of exogenous H₂O₂.CAT activity was the highest at 25 d and 15 mmol·L^-1 concentration of exogenous H₂O₂. Conclusion:P. tenuifolia callus has the ability to adapt to the environmental stress of H₂O₂ at a certain concentration. When it is subjected to the environmental stress of H₂O₂,P. tenuifolia callus can alleviate the damage by regulating its secondary metabolites and protecting enzyme system. It can significantly promote the content of total phenols and flavonoids in secondary metabolites at 5-10 mmol·L^-1. SOD activity was significantly increased at 5 d and the concentration of exogenous H₂O₂ of 5 mmol·L^-1. POD activity was significantly increased at 25 d and the concentration of exogenous H₂O₂ of 5 mmol·L^-1. CAT activity was significantly increased at 25 d and concentration of exogenous H₂O₂ of 15 mmol·L^-1.

Objective:To study the effect of different hormone ratios on the callus induction of roots,stems and leaves of Polygala tenuifolia,and determine and analyze the amount of flavonoids in roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia. Method:With MS as the basic medium and roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia sterile seedings as explants,the effects of 2,4-D,NAA and 6-BA on callus induction and flavonoid accumulation in different parts of roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia were determined by orthogonal test. Result:2,4-D,NAA and 6-BA had significant effects on the callus induction rate of roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia. The optimal callus induction combination of leaves was MS+3.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D+1.0 mg·L^-1 NAA+1.5 mg·L^-1 6-BA,the optimal callus induction combination of stems was MS+1.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D+3.0 mg·L^-1 NAA+1.5 mg·L^-1 6-BA,the optimal callus induction combination for roots was MS+1.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D+1.0 mg·L^-1 NAA+1.0 mg·L^-1 6-BA. And 2,4-D,NAA and 6-BA had significant effects on flavonoid accumulation in the stem callus of P. tenuifolia,and MS+3.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D+1.0 mg·L^-1 NAA+0.5 mg·L^-1 6-BA was the best flavonoid accumulation combination.NAA,6-BA had significant effects on flavonoid accumulation in the leave callus of P. tenuifolia,while 2,4-D had no significant effect,and MS+3.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D+2.0 mg·L^-1 NAA+1.0 mg·L^-1 6-BA was the optimal flavonoid accumulation combination,the three hormones had no significant effect on the accumulation of flavonoids in the root callus of P. tenuifolia,and MS+2.0 mg·L^-1 2,4-D+1.0 mg·L^-1 NAA+1.5 mg·L^-1 6-BA was the best flavonoid accumulation combination. Conclusion:Under the conditions,the callus induction rate of roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia is 100%, especially, the callus of P. tenuifolia leaves was the optimal,which is followed by P. tenuifolia stems and P. tenuifolia roots. Under the conditions,the amount of flavonoids in roots,stems and leaves of P. tenuifolia reach 21.31,24.56,23.61 mg·g^-1,respectively.

Objective To investigate the influence and forecast value of stress hyperglycemia on the early vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) in stroke patients.Methods Totally 422 patients with acute non-diabetic stroke were divided into three groups according to the fasting plasma glucose level:the euglycemia group (<6.1 mmol/L),the mild stress hyperglycemia group (6.1-7.0 mmol/L),and the severe stress hyperglycemia group (≥7.0 mmol/L).Mini-mental state examination,Alzheimer's disease rating scale cognitive subscale,and clinical dementia rating scale were used to evaluate early cognition in post-stroke patients,and patients were divided into three groups accordingly:normal cognitive function group,mild VCI group,and vascular dementia group.Correlation analysis was carried out on the level of stress hyperglycemia and the degree of VCI.Results Of these 422 patients,stress hyperglycemia was identified in 62 cases (14.7%).The risk of stress hyperglycemia was higher in patients with a high degree of education [(8.39±3.85)years vs.(6.62±4.39)years,P=0.037)] or a history of cardiovascular disease (45.2% vs.18.3%,P=0.001).VCI was detected in 270 patients (64.0%).Age,sex,smoking,National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score,Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score,stress hyperglycemia,and history of cardiovascular disease were related with early VCI after non-diabetic ischemic stroke (P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that stress hyperglycemia was an independent risk factor for VCI in patients with non-diabetic ischemic stroke (OR=3.086,95% CI=1.065-8.929).The risks of cognitive impairment in the mild stress hyperglycemia group and the severe stress hyperglycemia group were higher than that of the euglycemia group,while it was also higher in the severe stress hyperglycemia group than in the mild stress hyperglycemia group (61.11% vs.75.00% vs.90.91%).Stress hyperglycemia was positively correlated with the high risk of early cognitive impairment in stroke patients (r=0.185,P=0.007).Conclusion There is a significant correlation between stress hyperglycemia and early VCI after ischemic stroke.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of gentle moxibustion plus oral Gushen Dingchuan pills in treating the clinical remission stage of bronchial asthma.Methods Ninety patients with bronchial asthma in the clinical remission stage were randomized to groups A,B and C,30 cases each.group A received moxa-stick gentle moxibustion;group B,oral administration of Gushen Dingchuan pills;group C,moxa-stick gentle moxibustion plus oral administration of Gushen Dingchuan pills.The course of treatment was three months in all the three groups.The TCM symptom score and the Asthma Control Test (ACT) score were recorded and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) content was measured in the two groups before and after treatment.The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the groups.Results The total efficacy rate was 76.7％ in group A,80.0％ in group B and 93.3％ in group C.there was a statistically significant difference in the total efficacy rate between group C and group A or B (P＜0.05).There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the TCM symptom score,the ACT score and serum IgE content in all the three groups (P＜0.01).There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the TCM symptom score,the ACT score and serum IgE content between between group C and group A or B (P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusion Gentle moxibustion plus oral Gushen Dingchuan pills can improve immunologic function in patients with bronchial asthma in the clinical remission stage.

BACKGROUNDThere were few studies on the relation between changes in libido and incidence of stroke recurrence. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between libido decrease at 2 weeks after stroke and recurrent stroke at 1-year.

METHODSIt is a multi-centered, prospective cohort study. The 14 th item of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 was used to evaluate changes of libido in poststroke patients at 2 weeks. Stroke recurrence was defined as an aggravation of former neurological functional deficit, new local or overall symptoms, or stroke diagnosed at re-admission.

RESULTSAmong 2341 enrolled patients, 1757 patients had completed follow-up data, 533 (30.34%) patients had decreased libido at 2 weeks, and 166 (9.45%) patients had recurrent stroke at 1-year. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, compared with patients with normal libido, the odds ratio (OR) of recurrent stroke in patients with decreased libido was reduced by 41% (OR = 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.40-0.87). The correlation was more prominent among male patients (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.31-0.85) and patients of ≥60 years of age (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.35-0.93).

CONCLUSIONSOne out of three stroke patients in mainland China has decreased libido at 2 weeks after stroke. Decreased libido is a protective factor for stroke recurrence at 1-year, which is more prominent among older male patients.

Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Libido ; physiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; epidemiology

A 44-year old male patient was admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine with left ptosis and pain on the left head and neck for 20 days.Brain MRI showed subacute cerebral infarction on left parietal lobe and intramural hematoma on left internal carotid artery. CT angiography showed stenosis line on the C1 segment of left internal carotid artery. Digital subtraction angiography showed dissection on the C1 segment of left internal carotid artery.The condition of patients was improved after anticoagulant therapy.
Adult ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; complications ; diagnosis ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; pathology ; Cerebral Infarction ; pathology ; Horner Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male

A 44-year old male patient was admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital , Zhejiang University School of Medicine with left ptosis and pain on the left head and neck for 20 days.Brain MRI showed subacute cerebral infarction on left parietal lobe and intramural hematoma on left internal carotid artery .CT angiography showed stenosis line on the C1 segment of left internal carotid artery .Digital subtraction angiography showed dissection on the C 1 segment of left internal carotid artery .The condition of patients was improved after anticoagulant therapy .