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Objective To study the immediate effect of applying a portable functional electrical stimulation device (PUEFESD) to the upper extremities of stroke patients.Methods Twenty stroke survivors were selected.Pairs of electrodes of the PUEFESD were applied on the dorsal and palm sides of the affected forearm and thenar to stimulate the extensors and flexors as well as the thenar muscles sequentially according to a programmed protocol.Functional evaluation was conducted before and immediately after the stimulation.All participants were assessed with regard to their motor function and performance in the activities of daily living using an upper extremity function test (UEFT),the upper extremity motor function portion of the Fugal-Meyer assessment (FMA),and rating with the modified Barthel index (MBI).A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain in the affected upper extremity.Results The patients' average FMA score was 19.4 ± 7.1 before the stimulation and 30.4 ± 9.6 after.The corresponding UEFT scores were 3.6 ± 3.7 and 26.9 ± 5.9,and the average MBI scores were 53.8 ± 26.2 and 65.8 ± 17.7.All of these increases were statistically significant.The average VAS score,however,did not change significantly.Conclusions Functional electric stimulation can quickly improve upper extremity function and the ADL ability of stroke patients,but pain is not relieved significantly.
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Objective To observe the effects of a rehabilitation robot and body weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT) on the walking ability of hemiplegic patients after stroke.Methods Sixty hemiplegic patients were divided randomly into treatment and control groups (n=30 in each).The treatment group received training assisted by a leg rehabilitation robot for 10-20 min once daily,6 days per week for 8 weeks in addition to conventional treatments and BWSTT.The control group was only given conventional treatments and BWSTT once daily for 8 weeks.Their lower extremity functions,balance and walking ability were assessed with a simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) and using the Berg balance scale (BBS) and Functional Ambulation Categories (FACs).Results After training,both groups showed significant improvements in terms of FMA,BBS and FAC results.The treatment group showed significantly better improvements in lower extremity function,balance and walking ability compared with the control group.Conclusions The lower-limb rehabilitation robot and BWSTT could together improve balance and walking ability.
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Objective To find the possible pathogenesis of enteric nervous system, gut hormone and gastric Cajal interstitial cell ( ICC ) in gastritis related gastrointestinal ( GI ) motor disorders on the changes of protein gene product 9. 5 in neurons , mucosal expression of C-kit, gastrin and somatostatin from the gastric wall of gastritis rat. Methods 45 rats were divided into 3 groups which included gastritis group A, gastritis group B and control group. Rats in gastritis group A were fed with Hp Sydney Strain 1, the mixture of 2% aspirin and 0. 6N hydrochloric acid was fed in gastritis group B. The control group only received saline. All of the rats were killed and mucosal tissue was obtained from antrum and greater curvature of the gastric body. Pathological and Hp examination were performed in the tissue slides, and then it was stained to check PGP 9. 5, gastric body's mucosal expression of C-kit, antrium's mucosal expression of gastrin and somatostatin. The cell body, the maximum diameter (Dmax, μm), mean area( μm2) and optical density (nm), integral optical density of the gastrin and somatostatin in the C-kit expression positive neurons from the gastric wall were compared among the groups. Result The mean area and optical density of PGP 9. 5 expression in neurons from the gastric wall of rat in group A or B were obviously lower than that of the control group ( P ＜0. 01 ), while there was no difference between gastric group A and B ( P ＞0. 05). Gastric group A had higher GAS expression than control group, while SS expression was lower than control group( P＜0. 05). There was no difference between group B and the control group in the two variances( P ＞0. 05).By linear correlation analysis, it showed that SS was negatively correlated with GAS ( r = - 0. 333, P ＜0. 01 ). The distributive area and diameter of cells with C-kit expression in both group A and B were significantly smaller than that in the control group ( P ＜ 0. 05 ), while there was no obvious difference between group A and B ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). There was no difference of integral optical density of the C-kit expression positive neurons among the three groups. Conclusions Hp infection and NSAIDs might cause gastritis and had influence on the structural changes of neurons from gastric wall and ICC. Hp infection could obviously inhibit SS excretion from antrum mucosa while increase Gastrin excretion. NSAIDs induced gastritis had little influence on GAS and SS.
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Objective To explore the activity of Elemene for glioma cell from the cellular and molecular level. Methods The human glioma cell U251 was cultured. The effect of Elemene for human glioma cell proliferation was studied by MTT assay. Cell cycle, Fas, PCNA, bcl-2, intracellular Ca~(2+) and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry analysis. Results Elemene exhibited antiproliferative effect on human glioma cell U251 markedly. The fifty percent inhibition on concentration (IC_(50)) of Elemene against glioma cells at different time points. 24 h was 40.60 μg/ml, the 48 h 38.14 μg/ml and the 72 h 34.35 μg/ml.Cell cycle was blocked in the S and G_2/M phases. The apoptosis ratio was increased by Annexin V staining markedly. Elemene decreased the gene expressions of PCNA and Fas, increased the intracellular Ca~(2+). There was no significant effect on the bcl -2 gene expression. Conclusion Elemene exhibits a marked antiproliferative effect on glioma cells and induces apoptosis by decreasing the expression of PCNA and increasing intracellular Ca~(2+). It also influences the expression of Fas. It might have no relationship with bcl-2 gene expression.
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Objective To establish an immature rabbit model of avascular necrosis of the femoral head in-duced by exercise. Methods Ten male, immature New Zealand white rabbits were subjected to large range, in- tense passive movement and concentric impingement on their right hips for 4 weeks. The left hips were used as self-controls. Then X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging, gross anatomical observation and histological examination were used to evaluate avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Result After 4 weeks, avascular necrosis of the femoral head was successfully replicated. Increased bone density, decreased osteoepiphysis height and indistinct bone trabec-ula were found in X-rays of the right hips. In MRI images obvious joint hydrops could be detected in all right hips, and schistic low signal areas in the femoral head could be seen in TIWI and T2WI images. Thin bone trabeculae of low density, with irregular and broken structures, were also found in H-E sections. Conclusion An immature rab-bit model of avascular necrosis of femoral head can be successfully induced through large range, intense, passive movement and concentric impingement.
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Objective To explore the therapeutic effects of isokinetic eccentric exercise (IEE)in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods Forty patients, including 70 knees with osteoarthritis, were measured and trained by use of Cybex-6000 and its isokinetic exercise system 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The peak of moment, single largest work, average power and accelerate energy of moment of isokinetic speed in 60?/s、120?/s and 180?/s were measured before and after exercise. The scores of pain and lower limb function were compared before and after IEE. Results The parameters of extensor and flexor groups were significantly increased after exercise, especially the parameters of knee flexors. The scores of pain and lower limb function were also improved. Conclusion IEE could improve effectively the function of knee extensors and flexors in patients with knee osteoarthritis, and relieve the pain.