Objective:To explore the effect of swallowing fluids of different viscosities in different head positions on the surface electromyography (sEMG) of the suprahyoid muscles.Methods:Twenty healthy adults were asked to swallow 5ml of liquids with 5 different viscosities in 3 different head positions. sEMG signals were recorded from their suprahyoid muscles in real time. The interactions between viscosity, head position and suprahyoid muscle activation were determined using simple effect analysis.Results:Significant head position and viscosity effects were observed. In the head-turning-right or the right head-flexion position, the net amplitude values of the left suprahyoid muscles were significantly higher than those from the right side when swallowing fluid of the same viscosity. Meanwhile, the net amplitude values of the left suprahyoid muscles increased gradually and significantly from the neutral position to the head-turning-right and the right head-flexion positions. When swallowing fluid with a viscosity of 0 to 3, the net amplitude values of the right suprahyoid muscles in the right head-flexion position were significantly lower than in the neutral and right head-flexion positions. With a viscosity of 4 the values of the former were significantly higher than the latter. The net amplitude of the left superhyoid muscle group when swallowing zero-viscosity food in a head-turning-right position was significantly lower than that when swallowing food of viscosity 1 to 4. In the right head-flexion position, the net amplitude of the left superhyoid muscle group when swallowing zero-viscosity food was significantly lower than that when swallowing food of viscosity 2 to 4. When swallowing fluid of viscosity 1 it was also significantly lower than that when swallowing food of viscosity 3 to 4. In the same position, the net amplitude of the right suprhyoid muscle group when swallowing fluid of viscosity 4 was significantly higher than that with a viscosity of 0 to 1. At viscosity 3 it was significantly higher than with a viscosity of 1.Conclusion:Swallowing fluids of different viscosities in different head positions can affect the contraction of the suprahyoid muscles to different degrees.

Objective To study the effect of the trauscranial magnetic stimulation on the migration of phosphoprotein-enriched astrocytes-15kDa (PEA-15).Methods Third or fourth generation rat astrocytes cuhured in vitro were divided into a control group,a transfected group,a magnetic stimulation group and a transfected + magnetic stimulation group.The control group was undergone transfect of negative siRNA.In transfected group and the transfected + magnetic stimulation group the liposome in the astrocyte was transfected instantly with chemically synthesized PEA-15 siRNA,so as to interfere with the expression of PEA-15 protein.Magnetic stimulation was applied to both tranfected and transfected + magnetic stimulation groups 24 h after plating of astrocytes at 1 Hz and 60％ the maximal output of the stimulator.Cell scratch tests were used to assess the astrocytes' migration,and Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of PEA-15 and protein phosphorylation.Results Compared with the control group,the expression of PEA-15 protein decreased significantly in the transfected groups.The cell migration in the transfected group,the magnetic stimulation group,and the transfected + magnetic stimulation group was significantly greater than in the control group.Compared with the control group,the phosphorylation of PEA-15 increased significantly in the magnetic stimulation group.Conclusion When PEA-15 expression is interfered with,the migration of astrocytes increases significantly.Magnetic stimulation may promote the migration of astrocytes by enhancing PEA-15 phosphorylation.

Objective To examine the effect of the inter-stimulus interval (ISI) in magnetic stimulation (MS) on astrocyte migration and its related mechanism.Methods Cultured astrocytes were treated with intermittent MS with intervals of 1,5 and 10 seconds.The PEA-15 inhibitor BisI (10 μmol/ml) and the ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 (10 μmol/ml) were administered and cell migration assays evaluated the astrocytes' migration.The expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and PEA-15 was detected using Western blotting.Results The 1 second interval significantly facilitated astrocyte migration,the phosphorylation of PEA-15 and ERK1/2,and the expression of MMP-9 (browse matrix metalloproteinase-9).The addition of Bis I significantly reduced the production of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and MMP-9,as well as astrocyte migration induced by MS.In addition,pretreatment with U0126 also significantly decreased the astrocyte migration induced by MS.Conclusion 1s-ISI MS can induce PEA-15 activation and subsequently lead to ERK1/2 phosphorylation and upregulation of MMP-9,which may contribute to the migration of astrocytes.

Objective To observe the effect of iliopsoas tensile vibration training on the walking ability of stroke survivors.Methods Thirty stroke survivors were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group,each of 15.Both groups were given traditional rehabilitation treatment,while the observation group was additionally provided with iliopsoas tensile vibration training.Both groups were evaluated in terms of the root mean square (RMS) of iliopsoas,active range of motion (A-ROM) of the hip joint,the kinematic parameters of gait and Berg balance scale (BBS) scores before and after the 4-week treatment.Results Before the treatment there were no significant differences between the two groups in any of the measurements.After the treatment improvement in all of the measurements was observed in both groups,with the average RMS iliopsoas,A-ROM,step length,step velocity and BBS score of the observation group significantly better than those of the control group.Conclusions Tensile vibration training of the iliopsoas can significantly improve the muscle excitability of the affected iliopsoas in stroke survivors,and improve their balance and walking ability.

Objective To observe the effect of variable frequency vibration therapy while sitting in an anti-spasmodic posture on spasticity and the motor function of the upper limbs among stroke survivors.Methods Thirty stroke survivors with upper limb spasticity were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group,each of 15.Both groups were given routine rehabilitation training for 4 weeks while the treatment group was additionally provided with variable frequency vibration training while sitting in anti-spasmodic postures.Before and after the treatment,the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) was used to assess spasticity.The root mean square (RMS) value of the surface electromyogram amplitude of the affected biceps when extended passively and those of the triceps,obliques and multifidus in maximum isometric contraction was measured and recorded.The motor function of the affected upper limbs was evaluated using the active range of motion (A-ROM) of the shoulder,elbow and wrist,as well as a Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA).Moreover,ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed using the modified Barthel index (MBI).Results After the treatment,significant improvement was observed in the average MAS,A-ROM,RMS,FMA and MBI results in both groups compared to those before the treatment.Moreover,the results in the treatment group were significantly better than those of the control group,on average.Conclusions Variable frequency vibration therapy while sitting in an anti-spasmodic posture combined with traditional rehabilitation is more effective than the latter alone in relieving spasticity as well as improving motor function and ability in the activities of daily living among stroke survivors with the upper limb spasticity.

Objective To examine the molecular mechanism involved in astrocyte migration induced by magnetic stimulation (MS),and the role of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in migration.Methods Astrocytes were isolated from the cortical tissues of 2-3 day old Sprague-Dawley rats and divided into a stimulus group given MS and a control group without MS.The stimulus group was further divided into an experimental group and a control group,with the former pre-stimulated with 10 μmol/ml U0126 for 30 minutes and no pre-stimulation for the latter.The cells in the experimental group were also randomly divided into siRNA and HMGB1-siRNA transfection groups to examine the role of HMGB1 in astrocyte migration induced by MS.The SiRNA group was transfected with HMGB1 siRNA.Western blotting was used to detect any effect of MS on HMGB1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2).The migration of astrocytes was detected using the scratch assay.Results MS (10 Hz) can promote the phosphorylation of ERK,increase the migration of astrocytes and the expression of HMGB1.After the U0126 treatment and transfection with HMGB1 siRNA,the effects of MS on expression of HMGB1 and migration of astrocytes decreased significantly.Conclusions Magnetic stimulation-mediated migration of astrocytes via activation of the ERK pathway phosphorylation and autocrine of HMGB1.

Objective To observe the effect of low-frequency, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation ( rTMS) at different frequencies on the cognitive function of traumatic brain injury patients with a history of epilepsy. Methods Sixty traumatic brain injury patients were randomly divided into a 0. 5 Hz group, a 1. 0 Hz group and a control group, each of 20. In addition to routine drug therapy and cognition training, the control group was given fake stimulation, the 0.5 Hz group was treated with 0.5 Hz rTMS, and the 1.0 Hz group was provided with 1.0 Hz rTMS for 4 weeks, eleven times per week. Before and after treatment, the cognitive function of all three groups was assessed using the Montreal cognitive assessment ( MOCA) , the Rivermead behavior memory test ( RBMT) and a symbol can-cellation test. The number of patients reporting headache or epilepsy during the treatment period was also counted. Results During the treatment, there was no headache case in any of the groups, and no significant difference was found in the occurrence of seizures. After the treatment, all of the measurements in all 3 groups had improved signifi-cantly. The average MOCA and RBMT scores in the 1.0 Hz group were all significantly better than those in the control group, but there was no significant difference between the 0.5 Hz group and the control group. The symbol cancella-tion test efficiency of the 1. 0 Hz group was not significantly better than that of the 0. 5 Hz and control groups. Conclusions Repeated 1.0 Hz transcranial magnetic stimulation can significantly improve cognition after traumatic brain injury among patients with a history of epilepsy without increasing the risk of seizures.

Objective To observe the surface electromyographic characteristics of the bilateral submen-tal muscles in dysphagia secondary to unilateral brainstem stroke. Methods A total of 25 subjects were recrui-ted. There were 8 stroke patients with dysphagia secondary to a left brainstem stroke and 7 stroke patients with dysphagia secondary to a right brainstem stroke. There were also 10 healthy controls matched in age and gender. The duration and peak amplitude of the submental muscle when swallowing 5 ml of warm water were recorded u-sing a surface electromyograph. Results The average amplitude of the left submental muscle in patients with a left brainstem stroke was significantly longer than that of those with a right brainstem stroke, but no significant differences in average duration were observed. Conversely, the amplitude of the right submental muscle in pa-tients with a right brainstem stroke was significantly longer than that of those with left brainstem stroke, but again there were no significant differences in duration. No significant differences were observed among the healthy con-trols. The amplitude and duration of both the affected and healthy sides of the patients were of course significantly longer or stronger than those of the healthy controls. Conclusion The swallowing function of the bilateral sub-mental muscles may be impaired among unilateral stroke survivors with dysphagia. The damage on the affected side is more severe than on the opposite side.

Objective To observe the movement patterns of the geniohyoid muscle in swallowing of healthy subjects by using the real-time B/M-mode ultrasound imaging.Methods Thirty healthy subjects were recruited and the movement patterns of their geniohyoid muscles in swallowing of 5 ml juice-like,thin liquid,honey-like and budding-like bolus.The parameters included the range and the duration of geniohyoid muscle movement.Each subject was measured for 3 times to get the average.Results The range of geniohyoid muscle movement in swallowing of the above bolus was (6.993 ± 1.776)mm,(7.463 ± 1.947)mm,(8.446 ±2.293)mm and (8.905 ±2.057)mm,respectively,with significant differences among them except that between juice-like and thin liquid bolus swallowing,as well as between honey-like and budding-like bolus swallowing.The duration of geniohyoid muscle movement was (0.899 ±0.129)s,(1.019 ±0.149)s,(1.119 ±0.111)s and (1.211 ±0.141)s in juice-like,thin liquid,honey-like and budding-like bolus swallowing,with significant differences among them.When swallowing the same bolus,the range and duration of geniohyoid muscle movement of males were significantly longer than those of females.Conclusions B/M-mode imaging provides a useful technique for assessment the movement of the geniohyoid muscle.The bolus viscosity has an impact on the movement of the geniohyoid muscle.Compared with the range of movement,the duration of geniohyoid muscle movement is a better index for evaluating the effect of bolus viscosity on the geniohyoid muscle movement.

Objective To assess the effect of stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) on the migration of neural stem cells and recovery of lower limb function after spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods A modified version of Allen's method was used to establish a SCI model in each of 96 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.They were then randomly divided into group A which received an injection of phosphate buffer solution,group B which received an injection of neural stem cells,group C which received a combination of SDF-1 and neural stem cells,and group D which received AMD3100 and neural stem cells 7 days after the modeling.The functioning of the hind limbs of all of the rats was assessed on the 7th,14th,21st and 28th day after the modeling.The rats were then sacrificed and frozen sections of their spinal cords were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and marked with CM-Dil under fluorescent light.Results An accumulation of fluorescing cells were observed in spine cords from both group B and C,with the counts of group B [(23.6 ±3.7),(18.9 ±5.6)and(15.2 ±4.3) respectively] at the day 14,21 and 28 after modeling significantly smaller than those of group C [(27.4 ± 4.7),(20.4 ± 5.2) and (18.3 ± 3.9) respectively].During the same period of time,the average BBB scores of groups B and C were significantly better than those of groups A and D.Moreover,the average score of group C was significantly higher than group B's at all time points.Conclusions Transplanted neural stem cells can migrate to the injured site,surviving and differentiating to promote the recovery of limb function in rats with spinal cord injury.SDF-1 can promote that migration and proliferation.Moreover,CXCR4 receptor's antagonist AMD3100 can significantly hinder neural stem cells' migration to the injured site on the spinal cord.