Objective:To investigate the effect of astragaloside A (AS-A) on the photoreceptor degeneration induced by sodium iodate (NaIO 3) and its related mechanism. Methods:Sixty healthy male C57BL/6J mice, aged 6-8 weeks, were randomly divided into normal control (NC) group, NaIO 3 group, and ASA group, with twenty mice in each group. 30 min before modeling, AS-A group mice were intraperitoneally injected with 100 μl AS-A at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. 30 min later, mice in NaIO 3 group and AS-A group were intraperitoneally injected with 100 μl NaIO 3 at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight. Subsequently, AS-A group mice were administered AS-A twice daily at 12 h intervals until the end of the experiment. On day 1 post-modeling, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) immunohistochemistry was performed to observe the structure of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells; real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was conducted to detect the mRNA expression of various retinal chemokine ligand-2 ( Ccl2), interleukin-1 beta ( Il-1β), mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein ( Mlkl), receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 ( Ripk3), and tumor necrosis factor ( Tnf). On day 3 post-modeling, immunohistochemistry was performed to observe the expression of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) in the retina; TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was used to detect photoreceptor cell death in each group. On day 4 post-modeling, fundus morphology of mice in each group was observed by fundus color photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) was used to observe the morphological structure of the retina in each group. Inter-group comparisons between two groups were conducted using independent samples t-test, while comparisons among three groups were performed using one-way ANOVA. Results:Fundus color photography and OCT examination showed that a large number of scattered yellow-white subretinal nodular structures in the fundus of NaIO 3 group mice, and a large number of strong reflection areas in the RPE layer. The number of strong reflection areas in the RPE layer was reduced in the AS-A group. Immunohistochemical analysis of ZO-1 showed that ZO-1 was largely lost on the RPE cell membrane in that NaIO 3 group; whereas in the AS-A group, ZO-1 was evenly distributed on the RPE cell membrane. HE staining results showed circular black deposits were visible in the RPE layer of the NaIO 3 group, and the inner and outer segments of photoreceptors were severely damaged, with a significant decrease in the number of outer nuclear layer (ONL) cell nuclei; whereas in the AS-A group, the RPE layer pigments were orderly, the inner and outer segments of photoreceptors were intact, and the number of ONL cell nuclei significantly increased. The results of TUNEL staining show that numerous TUNEL-positive cell nuclei were observed in the ONL of the retina in the NaIO 3 group, while the number of TUNEL-positive cell nuclei in the ONL of the retina was significantly reduced in the AS-A group, with statistically significant differences ( t=2.66, P<0.05). The analysis of qPCR data showed that compared with the AS-A group, the relative expression levels of Mlkl, Ripk3, Ccl2, Il-1β and Tnf mRNA in the retina were significantly increased in the NaIO 3 group, with statistically significant differences ( F=39.18, 10.66, 53.51, 41.40, 24.13; P<0.001). Immunohistochemical staining results showed that compared with NC group and AS-A group, the positive expression of GFAP in retina of NaIO 3 group was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=9.62, P<0.05). Conclusion:AS-A antagonizes NaIO 3-induced photoreceptor degeneration in part by inhibiting photoreceptor cell death and neuroinflammation. Meanwhile, AS-A treatment protects against NaIO 3-triggered perturbation of retinal homeostasis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of cathodic transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) combined with upper limb robot therapy (RT) on the rehabilitation of upper limb motor function in stroke patients.Methods:Forty patients with stroke hemiplegia who met the enrollment criteria were randomly divided into a pseudo-stimulation group ( n = 20) and a stimulation group ( n = 20). In addition to conventional treatment in both groups, ctDCS + RT was used in the stimulation group, and sham stimulation + RT was used in the sham-stimulation group. Treatment was performed 10 times, 5 times per week, for 30 minutes each time. Patients in both groups were evaluated before, during, and after treatment using the Brunnstrom Staging Scale, the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) scale, and the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), respectively. Results:Compared with the same group before treatment, there were statistically significant differences in Brunnstrom’s rating grade Ⅳ for upper limbs and hands in both groups during and after treatment (all P < 0.05). Compared with the same group during treatment, there were statistically significant differences in Brunnstrom’s rating grade Ⅳ for upper limbs and hands in both groups after treatment (all P < 0.05). MBI scores were higher in two groups during and after treatment compared to the same group before treatment (all P < 0.05). MBI scores were higher in two groups after treatment compared to the same group during treatment (all P < 0.05). The MBI scores after treatment in the stimulation group were higher than those in the pseudo-stimulation group ( P < 0.05). The MAS scores of elbow flexion grade 2 and extension grade 4 and shoulder flexion grade 2, extension grade 2, adduction grade 2, and abduction grade 2 were lower in both groups after treatment compared with the same group before treatment (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:Cathodic transcranial direct current stimulation combined with robotic therapy can effectively promote upper limb motor function rehabilitation in stroke patients and is superior to upper limb robotic therapy alone.

Objective:To investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the behavior and the mismatch negativity (MMN) component of the auditory evoked potential of autistic children.Methods:Thirty-four autistic children were randomly divided into an anode stimulation group ( n=19) and a pseudo-stimulation group ( n=16). Both groups were given one hour of routine rehabilitation five times a week for 4 weeks, while the anode stimulation group was additionally provided with 20 minutes of tDCS 3 times a week. Before and after the treatment, both groups′ behavior was evaluated by using autism behavior checklist (ABC) as well as any changes in MMN of the auditory evoked EEG signals. Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups in any of the measurements before the treatment. Afterwards behavior had improved significantly in both groups, with significantly greater improvement in the stimulated group. In the stimulated group the average MMN amplitude had increased significantly and the average latency had decreased significantly. However, no such significant changes were observed in the pseudo-stimulation group. There was a significant linear correlation between the changes in the incubation period of MMN components and the improvements in ABC, vestibular functioning, tactile defense and proprioception.Conclusion:Anodal tDCS combined with conventional rehabilitation therapy can effectively increase the MMN amplitude and shorten the latency in autistic children, improving their brain function.

Objective To evaluate the effect of isokinetic muscle training combined with semiconductor laser on acute knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods Ninety-eight KOA patients were randomly divided into 4 groups. All patients were treated with conventional rehabilitation treatment and nursing. Based on that treatment, the group 1 received semiconductor laser irradiation, the group 2 received isokinetic muscle training, and the group 3 received laser irradiation combined with isokinetic muscle training. All patients were assessed with WOMAC osteoarthritis rating scale and affected knee extensor and flexor muscles strength measurement including peak torque, peak work, average power, average work and flex/extend before and 4 weeks after the treatment. Results All of the four treatments can significantly alleviate the condition of acute KOA patients and improve the muscle condition around the ipsilateral knee joint. The isokinetic muscle training improves the knee function of KOA patients better than the laser irradiation treatment. Isokinetic strength training combined with laser irradiation can get the most significant improvement of knee joint pain, stiffness, dysfunction, muscle strength of flexors and extensors in KOA patients. Conclusions The combination of isokinetic muscle training and semiconductor laser irradiation has a significant effect on relieving pain, reducing the stiffness, improving the function of knee of the patients with KOA in the acute phase and improving the muscle strength of the affected lower extremities. That methad is superior to drug therapy, physical therapy, or exercise alone, and is better to solve the problem of relieving symptoms and enhancing function simultaneously.

The upper limb dysfunction after stroke has a high incidence,and is difficult to recovery,which seriously affects the patients' activities of daily living and the quality of life.Scholars have been exploring new and effective rehabilitation strategies for upper limb dysfunction after stroke.Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS),a typical form of non-invasive brain stimulation,is widely used in upper limb function rehabilitation by modulating the excitability of the cerebral cortex to improve motion performance.Some results showed that tDCS combined with repetitive rehabilitation training can significantly improve the motion function of stroke patients.Robotic therapy (RT) provides high-intensity,repetitive motion therapy that meets the training needs of patients at different levels.Therefore,tDCS combined with RT can effectively enhance the upper limb function rehabilitation effect of stroke patients.In this paper,the research status of tDCS combined with RT in the treatment of upper limb function after stroke were reviewed such as target patients,treatment methods,rehabilitation effects,combination methods,etc.The research trends and future development ideas in this field were discussed.

Objective To investigate protective effect of tribulus terrestris L (TTL) on photoreceptor in the model of light-induced retinal degeneration.Methods BALB/c mice were exposed to bright light at the intensity of 10 000 lux for 30 minutes to establish the retinal light damage models.The BALB/c mice were divided into normal control group,model group and treatment group,6 cases in each group.TTL decoction was intraperitoneally administered to mice 30 minutes prior to illumination in the treatment group.Saline vehicle was administered in the normal control group and model group.Photoreceptor protection of TTL was assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) at 3 hours and 7 days after illumination.Gross histology and immunohistochemistry approaches were also taken to examine the retinal protection conferred by TTL at 7 days after bright light exposure.Results Compared to normal retinal morphology in the normal control group,prominent photoreceptor loss and diminished rod and cone photoreceptors evidenced by attenuated retinal expression of rhodopsin and M-opsin were observed in the model group.In contrast,TTL treatment resulted in significant protection against bright light-induced photoreceptor degeneration and remarkable preservation of rod and cone photoreceptor cells.The outer retinal nuclear layer in the model group was thinner than that in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.05),but the treatment group was thicker than the model group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Bright light induces obviously degeneration in photoreceptors in BALB/c mice.Moreover,TTL is shown for the first to significantly protect the photoreceptors from bright light-induced degeneration.

Objective To investigate the effect of isokinetic training on shoulder function in patients underwent surgery of breast cancer.Methods Seventy breast cancer patients were randomly allocated into an isokinetic group(36 cases) and a control group (34 cases).Both groups were treated with traditional rehabilitation treatments,and the patients in the isokinetic group also received isokinetic training in addition.The lymphatic return,the circumference of upper limb,the maximum torque(MT),the total work(TW),the average work(AW),the shoulder function and the range of motion of the shoulder at the affected side were recorded before and after training.Results ① After training,the lymphatic return and the circumference of upper limb improved in both groups compared with baseline,while those in the isokinetic group improved to a significantly greater extent(P＜0.05).②After training,average MT,TW and AW increased significantly in isokinetic group(P＜0.05);the shoulder function and the range of motion of affected side shoulder increased in both groups compared with baseline,but the isokinetic group increased significantly better(P＜0.05).Conclusion Isokinetic training can improve the shoulder function of patients underwent breast cancer surgery.

Objective To assess the effect of variable durations of warm ischemia on renal function early after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy ( LPN ) and make the definite safety duration of renal warm ischemia.Methods The clinical data of 76 patients treated with LPN from October 2012 to June 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into 3 groups based on warm ischemic time,namely group A (28 cases) with warm ischemia time less than 20 min,group B (34 cases) with warm ischemia time more than 20 min and less than 30 min, group C ( 14 cases ) with warm ischemia time more than 30 min.LPN was performed with renal artery clamping alone in all the patients.Preoperative and postoperative renal scintigraphic scan was performed to access glomerular filtration rate ( GFR) in all patients.The GFR values were compared among before, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after operation.The factors predicting the early renal injury were assessed by multivariate regression analysis.Results The renal GFR of the kidney underwent LPN decreased 19.43(17.70,22.06) ml/min at 1 week,17.04(13.94,20.70) ml/min at 1 month,13.82(10.72,18.73) ml/min at 3 months after the surgery in group C,respectively.In group A, the renal GFR of the operated-side decreased 12.07(10.91,13.42) ml/min,10.04(9.16,11.75) ml/min, 8.44(7.07,9.72) ml/min,respectively.In group B, the renal GFR of the operated-side decreased 13.64 (12.48,16.72) ml/min,10.29(9.17,14.27)ml/min,9.63(7.85,12.59) ml/min,respectively.The GFR decreased greater in group C than that in group A and B(P<0.05).The total renal GFR decreased (10.70 ± 4.93)ml/min at three months in group C,compared with (5.64 ±4.12)ml/min in group A and (6.37 ± 4.32)ml/min in group B,respectively.The decreased value in group C was greater than that in group A and B(P<0.05).However,the differences of the total renal GFR among the 3 groups were not significant at 1 week and 1 month(P>0.05).The multivariate regression analysis revealed that warm ischemia duration was the independent risk factor of the early renal injury.Conclusions Warm ischemia duration is the major factor regarding the early renal recovery after LPN.Warm ischemia time more than 30 min may not only greatly affect the renal function but also the renal function recovery rate.

Objective To evaluate the effect of acupuncture point stimulation on the urodynamics of spinal cord injury patients.Methods Sixty spinal cord injury cases were divided into a research group and a comparison group.Both groups were given bladder training, but the research group also received acupuncture point stimulation.The subjects' maximum cystometric capacity, maximum detrusor pressure and residual urine were measured, along with renal function and any urinary tract infections.The scale of activity of their daily lives was compared before and 3 months and 6 months after the treatment.Results There were no statistically significant differences between the groups before the treatment.There were statistically significant differences in maximum cystometric capacity, maximum detrusor pressure, residual urine and Barthel index (BI) after 3 and 6 months of treatment.In the research group, maximum detrusor pressure, residual urine and BI scores had all improved after 6 months compared with the 3 month values.In the comparison group only the BI score had improved significantly between 3 and 6 months, and this was not reflected in a significant change in the scale of activity in daily life.After 3 months, only the average BI differed significantly between the two groups.After 6 months all indexes except the BI and maximum cystometric capacity differed significantly.There were also significant differences between the groups in reflex voiding, percussion voiding, and abdominal pressure voiding.Conclusions Acupuncture point stimulation can improve the bladder function of spinal cord injury patients.It can also decrease the incidence of urinary tract infection and the possibility of renal dysfunction.

Objective To explore the nonlinear complexity characteristics of electroencephalogram (EEG) in ischemic stroke patients with different course. Methods Sample entropy of all bands of EEG signals in 20 ischemic stroke patients and 10 healthy controls was extracted and analyzed using statistical analysis methods. Results The full-band EEG in sample entropy of stroke patients was significantly lower than that of healthy controls in most locations. Theα-band sample entropy of different course had significant differences in the frontal, temporal and occipital lobe (P<0.05), and the parameters had significant negative linear correlation with the post-stroke time in some locations. Conclusions There is an abnormal neural electrical activity in post-stroke patients. It is feasible to detect the aberrant EEG complexity using sample entropy, which is worth of further research.