Influence of Emodin Gel on the Fibroblasts of Hypertrophic Scars in Rabbit Ear Model / 生物医学工程学杂志

This research was aimed to study the effect of Emodin gel on the hypertrophic scars of rabbit ears. A total of 18 rabbits were randomly divided into Emodin group (9 rabbits) and control group (9 rabbits) after the successful animal model for hypertrophic scars had been made. The rabbits in the Emodin group were treated with Emodin Gel, while no special treatment was given to those in the control group. The other living conditions were all kept the same in the two groups. The diameter,hardness, and expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) of hypertrophic scars were measured after 4 weeks. Transmission electron microscopy was applied to observe the ultra-structure of the fibroblasts of hypertrophic scars. But there was no difference between the two groups in the diameter of hypertrophic scars (P>0.05). The hardness, expression of TGF-beta and IL-1 in hypertrophic scars in the Emodin group decreased, compared to the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.05). Transmission electron microscopy showed that the fibroblast and organelle lessened in the cytoplasm and the collagen fibers dissolved obviously. The study showed that Emodin gel decreased the hardness of hypertrophic scars in the rabbit ears, and inhibited the proliferation of fibroblasts in local area. Therefore, Emodin gel treatment would be one of the methods to prevent and treat hypertrophic scars.

Meta-analysis of the effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on paretic hand recovery after stroke / 生物医学工程学杂志

Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation method that has been used in the treatments of stroke patients. Our purpose was to investigate the effects of low-frequency rTMS on the hand motor function recovery for stroke patients. After searching from electronic database from January 1990 to April 2012, we collected randomized controlled trials explored the low-frequency rTMS effects on the hand motor function rehabilitation. A total of 7 comparisons (N = 216) from 5 articles were included in this study. We summarized the effect size by calculating the standardized mean difference (SMD). Summary of effect size (SES) indicated positive effects of low-frequency rTMS on the finger motor ability (SMD = 0.58) and hand function (SMD = -0.98). Few adverse effects occurred. The evidence showed that low-frequency rTMS could improve the paretic hand recovery after stroke.