Objective:To observe any effect of function-oriented training on the balance of recovering stroke survivors and on their ability in the activities of daily living.Methods:Sixty stroke survivors in recovery were randomly divided into an observation group ( n=30) and a control group ( n=30). The control group received routine rehabilitation training, while the observation group underwent function-oriented training for 6 weeks. Before and after the intervention, both groups were evaluated using the Berg balance scale (BBS), the Fugl-Meyer lower extremity assessment (FMA-L), the timed up-and-go test (TUGT) and the modified Barthel index (MBI). Results:After the treatment, significant improvement was observed in all of the measurements in both groups. The improvements in the average BBS, FMA-L and MBI scores and in the TUGT times of the observation group were significantly better than those of the control group.Conclusion:Function-oriented training can improve the balance and the ability in the activities of daily living of stroke survivors more effectively than the routine therapy.

Objective To establish a mouse model of lung adenocarcinoma brain metastasis with human luc+-PC?9 cells stably expressing luciferase and to compare the evaluation values of bioluminescence imaging and18 F?FDG ( 18 F?flu?orodeoxyglucose) SPECT/CT in these models. Methods Suspension of luc+?PC?9 cells was injected into the left ventri?cle of BALB/c nude mice to establish a mouse model of brain metastasis from lung cancer. Bioluminescence imaging and18 F?FDG SPECT/CT were used to evaluate the metastasis of tumors as compared with HE?staining pathology as a golden standard. Results The success rate of brain metastases was 85% through injecting luc+?PC?9 cells into the left ventricle. The number of tumor cells was positively related to the intensity of light, with a linear correlation (R2 =0. 96). Fluores?cence was observed in the brain, spine and femur by bioluminescence imaging, and the metastases were confirmed by H&E pathological examination. 18 F?FDG SPECT/CT observed abnormal density collective foci in the spine or femur but not in the brain. Conclusions Injection of tumor cell suspension into the mouse left ventricle is a good method to establish a brain metastasis of lung cancer. Bioluminescence has a higher sensitivity and specificity in detecting brain metastasis and bone metastasis, with advantages of real?time, dynamical and non?invasive detection of tumor metastasis growth. 18 F?FDG SPECT/CT does not have superiority in detection of brain metastases but is suitable for detecting bone metastasis.

Objective To observe the influences of sonophoresis of Fufang Sanqi Xiaotong (Compound Notoginseng Pain-relieving) Ointment on changes of synovial morphology and expressions of chondrocyte caspase-9 and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) in rabbits with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).Methods New Zealand white rabbits (n =32,6 months old) were randomly divided into group of sonophoresis of Fufang Sanqi Xiaotong (sonophoresis group),group of coupling agent ultrasound treatment (coupling agent group),model group and normal group (each n =8).Except of normal group,other groups received anterior cruciate ligament transaction (ACLT).After 6 weeks,sonophoresis group and coupling agent group were given corresponding therapies for 2 treatment courses and model group and normal group were not given any interventions.The changes of synovial histomorphology were observed with light microscope after HE staining,and expressions of caspase-9 and XIAP were detected by using immunohistochemistry technique in all groups after 2 treatment courses.Results The degeneration degree of synovial membrane under light microscope showed an ascending order in all groups as follows:normal group,sonophoresis group,coupling agent group and model group.The value of integral optical density (IOD) of caspase-9 was higher,and IOD value of XIAP was lower in sonophoresis group,coupling agent group and model group than those in normal group.The IOD value of caspase-9 was lower,and IOD value of XIAP was higher in sonophoresis group and coupling agent group than those in model group.The IOD value of caspase-9 was lower,and IOD value of XIAP was higher in sonophoresis group than those in coupling agent group.Conclusion The sonophoresis of Fufang Sanqi Xiaotong is superior to ultrasound treatment,and has the protective effect on cartilage and relief effect on synovial inflammation,and can delay KOA development.The mechanism may be related to decrease of caspase-9 expression and increase of XIAP expression.

Objective To explore the effects of electroacupuncture at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) on cognitive dysfunction after stroke. Methods Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group (n=15), model group (n=15) and electroacupuncture group (n=15). The latter two groups were occluded their middle cerebral artery for two hours and reperfused. The electroacupuncture group accepted electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui 24 hours after modeling for seven days. They were assessed with Morris water maze once a day since the second day of intervention. Their brains were stained with TTC staining to measure cerebral infarction volume after treatment, while the expression of cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) and phosphorylation (p-CREB) in hippocampal CA1 area were detected with immunohistochemistry. Results The escape latency and swimming distance of place navigation shortened in the electroacupuncture group compared with those in the model group (P<0.05) from the fourth day of intervention. The number of cross platform of spatial probe increased (P<0.05). The infarction volume was less in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group (P< 0.05), with increased expression of CREB and p-CREB in hippocampal CA1 area (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui can increase the expression of CREB and phosphorylation in hippocampal CA1 area in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, to protect the neurons from ischemia and improve the learning and memory function.

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) acupoints on hippocampal synaptic plasticity and learning and memory function, and its possible mechanism in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Methods Thirty-two male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=8), model group (n=8), electroacupuncture (EA) group (n=8) and non-acupoint group (n=8). The model group, EA group and non-acupoint group were performed with left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The EA group received electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui, while the non-acupoint group received electroacupuncture at two fixed non-acupoints from bilateral ribs, for fourteen days. Then they were tested with Morris Water Maze test, and their synaptic structure of hippocampal neurons was observed with transmission electron microscope. The level of total LIM-domain containing protein kinase 1 (T-LIMK1) and LIM-domain containing protein kinase 1 phosphorylation (p-LIMK1) were detected with Western blotting. Results Compared with the sham group, the latency increased (t>6.789, P<0.01) and the frequence crossing platform decreased (t= 8.695, P<0.001) in the model group, while the number of synapse in hippocampal neurons decreased, and the level of T-LIMK1 (t=7.568, P< 0.01) and p-LIMK1 (t=8.874, P<0.001) decreased. Compared with the model group, the latency decreased (t>4.938, P<0.01) and the frequence crossing platform increased (t=- 7.891, P<0.001) in the EA group, while the number of synapses increased, and the level of T-LIMK1 (t=-6.473, P<0.01) and p-LIMK1 (t=-6.579, P<0.01) increased. There was no significant difference between the the non-acupoint group and the model group in all the indices (P>0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui can improve the ability of learning and memory in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, which may relate with the increase of LIMK1 phosphorylation and hippo-campal synaptic plasticity.

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture on learning and memory, and discuss the therapeutic mechanism. Methods 45 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=15), model group (n=15) and electroacupuncture group (n= 15). The latter 2 groups were modeled with middle cerebral artery occlusion for 1.5 h and reperfusion. The rats of electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) for 7 days. Learning and memory ability was tested with Morris water maze. Neurologic impairment was assessed with Longa's score. Their hippocampus were observed under HE staining and the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) protein were determined with Western blotting. Results Compared with the model group, the latency of water maze decreased and the times crossing the platform increased in electroacupuncture group (P<0.05), while the Longa's score significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the lesion of nerve cells were alleviated, with the decrease of p75NTR and increase of BDNF in the ischemic hippocampus (P<0.01). Conclusion Electroacupuncture can improve the learning and memory of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats, which may relate with up-regulating BDNF and down-regulating p75NTR in hippocampus.

Objective To explore the effects of electroacupuncture at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) on learning and memory ability in the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats and its possible mechanism. Methods 45 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group (n=15), ischemia group (n=15) and electroacupuncture group (n=15). The latter 2 groups were modeled as focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) for 7 days. They were tested with Morris Water Maze, observed with Nissl's staining. The protein expression of RhoA was detected with Western blotting. Results The learning and memory ability improved in the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05), the injury of the neurons reduced (P<0.05) and the expression of RhoA in hippocampus decreased compared with the ischemia group (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture could ameliorate the learning and memory ability in ischemia- reperfusion rats, which may relate with the inhibition of the expression of RhoA in hippocampus.

BACKGROUND:Mineralized nodules are the mature marker of osteoblast differentiation, and the observation methods mainly use alizarin red staining.
OBJECTIVE:To compare the observation results of mineralized nodules by three methods, and to explore their characteristics and advantages, as wel as further application in the research of bone disease.
METHODS:The rat osteoblast-like cellline UMR-106 were cultured in the fresh medium that was changed every day, for 14 days. Alizarin red staining-light microscope, tetracycline fluorescence labeling-laser confocal scanning microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to observe mineralized nodules. The calcium content of mineralized nodules was quantified using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. In addition, tumor necrosis factor alpha that could inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts was used as the control.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The three morphology methods could be used to observe the mineralized nodules of normal osteoblasts. As for tumor necrosis factor alpha, no mineralized nodules of osteoblasts were observed by alizarin red staining-light microscopy;smal mineralized nodules were observed by tetracycline staining-laser scanning confocal microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, suggesting tetracycline staining and scanning electron microscopy were more sensitive in the observation. Scanning electron microscopy could be used to observe the submicroscopic structures of mineralized nodules in the osteoblasts, and the formation of mineralized nodules, including the calcium secretion. Additional y, scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis can successful y quantify and position the mineralized nodules, indicating a potential application in the research of bone diseases.

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture at Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) on learning and memory ability, as well as the nerve cell and the expression of mRNA of Bcl-2 and Bax in the hippocampus of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods 45 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly diveded into sham group (n=15), control group (n=15) and electroacupuncture group (n=15). The latter 2 groups were modeled with middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2 h and reperfusion. The electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Shenting and Baihui for 7 days. They were tested with Morris water maze, and then, their hippocampus was observed under Nissl staining and the level of Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA were determined with RT-PCR. Results The escape latency decreased (P<0.001) and the frequence the platform was crossed increased (P=0.001) in the electroacupuncture group compared with the model group, with less damage of the nerve cell and the expression of Bax mRNA, and more of Bcl-2 mRNA (P<0.05). Conclusion Electroacupuncture can prevent learning and memory ability from cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats, which may associate with adjustment of expression of apoptosis-related gene to inhibit apoptosis of nerve cell.

BACKGROUND:Tougu Xiaotong capsule is the clinical prescription for the treatment of osteoarthritis in Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the previous studies mainly focus on effect to cartilage.
OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of Tougu Xiaotong capsule on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts as wel as the expressions of bone remodeling correlated factors.
METHODS:Rat osteoblast-like cel line ROS17/2.8 cel s were incubated with Tougu Xiaotong capsule. The ROS17/2.8 cel s were divided into blank control group and Tougu Xiaotong capsule groups with different
concentrations. The cel proliferation was determined by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assay. Osteoblast differentiation biomarkers alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin and bone mineralized nodules were measured with colorimetry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and alizarin red staining, respectively. The real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to detect the expressions of bone remodeling factors osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factorκB ligand.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group, the Tougu Xiaotong capsule with the
concentration of 0.25-2 g/L could significantly promote the ROS17/2.8 cel proliferation (P<0.05), up-regulate the alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin expression level and mineralized nodules area, and increase the
percentage of bone remodeling factors osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factorκB ligand (P<0.05). The mechanism of Tougu Xiaotong capsule protecting osteoarthritis may partly result from the regulation of
proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and bone remodeling.