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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect on post-stroke dysphagia treated with acupuncture of meridian differentiation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and thirty patients of post-stroke dysphagia were randomized into an observation group (67 cases) and a control group (63 cases). Conventional medication and rehabilitation training were applied in the two groups. In the observation group, acupuncture based on meridian differentiation was adopted. The main acupoints were Neiguan (PC 6), Shuigou (GV 26), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Fengchi (GB 20), Lianquan (CV 23), Jialianquan (Extra), Jinjin (EX-HN 12), Yuye (EX-HN 13), etc. The supplementary points were selected according to different patterns/syndromes. In the control group, the points were selected 5 cm lateral to the acupoints used in the observation groups and stimulated with shallow puncture. The needles were retained for 30 min, once daily, 5 treatments a week and continuously for 6 weeks in the two groups. Separately, before treatment, in 6 weeks after treatment and in follow-up after 3 months, the standardized swallowing assessment (SSA), the video fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), the modified Barthel index (MBI) and the swallowing related quality of life (SWAL-QOL) were observed in the two groups and the efficacy was assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 6 weeks of treatment, the scores of SSA, VFSS, MBI and SWAL-QOL were improved apparently as compared with those before treatment (<0.01,<0.05) in the patients of the two groups. The results in the observation group were better apparently than those in the control group (<0.01,<0.05). In follow-up after 3 months, the scores of SSA, MBI and SWAL-QOL were improved apparently as compared with those before treatment in thepatients of the two groups (all<0.01), in which, MBI score was improved apparently as compared with that in 6 weeks of treatment in the patients of the two groups (both<0.05). Those scores in the observation group were improved apparently as compared with those in the control group (<0.01,<0.05). In 6 weeks of treatment and in 3 months of follow-up, the effective rates in the observation group were 91.8% (56/61) and 93.4% (57/61), better than 80.0% (44/55) and 85.5% (47/55) in the control group separately, indicating the significant difference (both<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The acupuncture of meridian differentiation improves significantly swallowing function and survival quality in patients of stroke.</p>
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Construction of recombinant plasmid vector for gene expression is a key step in making transgenic plants and important to study gene function and plant genetic engineering. A right choice of gene construction method can be cost-effective and achieve more diverse recombinant plasmids. In addition to the traditional methods in construction of plant gene expression vectors, such as Gateway technology, three DNA method and one step cloning, a few novel methods have been developed in recent years. These methods include oligonucleotide synthesis-based construction of small fragment gene expression vectors via competitive connection; construction of small RNA expression vector using pre-microRNA; recombination-fusion PCR method which inserts DNA fragments of multiple restriction sites into the target vector; and insertion of a DNA fragment into any region of a linear vector via In-Fusion Kit. Construction of complex vectors with many fragments uses sequence and ligation-independent cloning method, Gibson isothermal assembly or Golden Gate assembly. This paper summarizes our working experience in the area of recombinant vector construction and reports from others with an intention to disseminate ideas about currently widely used DNA recombination methods for plant transformation.
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Cloning, Molecular , DNA , Gene Expression , Genes, Plant , Genetic Engineering , Methods , Genetic Vectors , Plants, Genetically Modified , Plasmids , Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of kidney-reinfocing and Du meridian-regulating acupuncture plus ginger moxibustion in treating ankylosing spondylitis. Methods Sixty patients with ankylosing spondylitis were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 30 cases each. The treatment group received kidney-reinfocing and Du meridian-regulating acupuncture plus ginger moxibustion and the control group, medication. After three months of treatment, the clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. Results The cure and marked efficacy rate and the total efficacy rate were 76.7%and 100.0%, respectively, in the treatment group and 53.3%and 70.0%, respectively, in the control group. There were statistically significant differences in both the rates between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Kidney-reinfocing and Du meridian-regulating acupuncture plus ginger moxibustion is an effective way to treat ankylosing spondylitis.
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Objective To investigate the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with swallowing training for relieving dysphagia in stroke patients.Methods A total of 150 chronic stroke patients at least 3 months post-stroke who were afflicted with dysphagia were randomly and evenly divided into a conventional swallowing training group,an NMES group,and an NMES combined with conventional swallowing training group.Prior to and after treatment,surface electromyography (sEMG) signals from the swallowing muscles were detected,swallowing function was evaluated using the standardized swallowing assessment (SSA),their swallowing was studied videofluoroscopically (VFSS),and a swallowing-related quality of life questionnaire (SWAL-QOL) was administered.Results There were significant differences in the maximum amplitude of sEMG signals,and the scores on the SSA,VFSS and SWAL-QOL in both groups between prior to and after treatment.After 4 weeks of treatment,the maximum amplitude of the sEMG signals and all three assessment scores were significantly higher where NMES had been combined with conventional swallowing training group compared with the other two groups.Indeed,there was no significant difference between the group which had received conventional swallowing training and the NMES groups.The analysis of coefficients revealed correlation between sEMG maximum amplitude and the SSA,VFSS and SWALQOL results.Conclusions NMES combined with conventional swallowing training is helpful for improving swallowing function in chronic stroke patients with dysphagia.
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To investigate the effects of VitalStim therapy coupled with conventional swallowing training on recovery of post-stroke dysphagia, a total of 120 patients with post-stroke dysphagia were randomly and evenly divided into three groups: conventional swallowing therapy group, VitalStim therapy group, and VitalStim therapy plus conventional swallowing therapy group. Prior to and after the treatment, signals of surface electromyography (sEMG) of swallowing muscles were detected, swallowing function was evaluated by using the Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA) and Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS) tests, and swallowing-related quality of life (SWAL-QOL) was evaluated using the SWAL-QOL questionnaire. There were significant differences in sEMG value, SSA, VFSS, and SWAL-QOL scores in each group between prior to and after treatment. After 4-week treatment, sEMG value, SSA, VFSS and SWAL-QOL scores were significantly greater in the VitalStim therapy plus conventional swallowing training group than in the conventional swallowing training group and VitalStim therapy group, but no significant difference existed between conventional swallowing therapy group and VitalStim therapy group. It was concluded that VitalStim therapy coupled with conventional swallowing training was conducive to recovery of post-stroke dysphagia.
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Objective To study the validity and reliability of Tengdao's swallowing standard for stroke pa-tients with dysphagia.Methods A total of 128 patients with postroke dysphagia took the swallowing test and then were divided into three sub-groups.Their scores on Tengdao's evaluation and their fluoroscopy results were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient.Intra-class coefficients (ICCs)were used to examine the intra-rater and in-ter-rater reliability of Tengdao's evaluation.Results TenIgdao's evaluation possessed good validity and reliability.There was a high correlation between the scores in Tengdao's evaluation and fluoroscopy results. Conclusions Tengdao's evaluation is valid,reliable,simple and safe.It can be used in the clinic to evaluate the stroke patients with dysphagia.