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Objective To develop a symptom experience scale for stroke survivors and to test its reliability and validity. Methods The initial item pool was formulated by combining the results of a literature review with ex-isting stroke-related scales and interviews with stroke patients. Items were added, deleted or modified after expert con-sultation and a pilot study to set up the scale. Then 200 in-patients in the rehabilitation departments of two hospitals in Shanghai were surveyed using the scale. The scale′s reliability and validity were examined. Results The final scale consisted of 19 items. An exploratory factor analysis identified six principal factors which explained 62％ of the total variance in the results. The average scale-level content validity index was 0. 95 and the item content validity index ranged from 0.80 to 1. The scale results correlated well with those using the Stroke Impact Scale. The Cronbach′s αcoefficient was 0.81 and the split-half coefficient was 0.76. Conclusion The symptom experience scale for stroke survivors has good reliability and validity. It can be used to evaluate the symptom experiences of stroke survivors and provide information for the management of symptoms.
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Objective To evaluate the effect and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy ( ESWT) for knee osteoarthritis ( KOA) and its effect on the articular cartilage. Methods Sixty-three persons with KOA were randomly divided into an ESWT group ( n=32) and a control group ( n=31) . Both groups received routine knee mus-cle strength training, but the ESWT group was also given ESWT ( a total of 2000 pulses at 8 Hz and 2.5 bar pressure) once a week for four consecutive weeks. The control group was given sham therapy at 0.2 bar with the rest of the pa-rameters the same as in the ESWT group. All of the subjects were assessed using a visual analogue scale ( VAS) , the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Score ( WOMAC) , the Lequesne Index and knee cartilage T2 values before as well as one and 8 weeks after the intervention. Results The average VAS score, WOMAC in-dex, and Lequesne index of the ESWT group at 8 weeks after the treatment were significantly better than those before the intervention, and significantly better than the control group' s averages. The T2 values of the ESWT group at 8 weeks after the treatment were significantly better than before the intervention, though not significantly different from those of the control group at that point. No serious adverse reactions occurred in either group, and all of the minor ad-verse reactions had disappeared before the end of the assessment period. Conclusion ESWT can significantly im-prove the lower limb functioning of KOA patients, and its influence on knee cartilage is within the safe range.
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Objective To explore whether the low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPU) could induce apoptosis on SMMC-7721 cells and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods The SMMC-7721 cells were randomly divided into 4 groups:a blank control group,which was subject to sham exposure to ultrasound,and 3 ultrasound intervention groups exposed to ultrasound at intensities of 0.5,1.3 and 2.0 W/cm2,respectively.Then they were incubated for 6 h.The cell apoptosis,necrosis and changes of cell cycles were measured using the flow cytometry.The transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to observe microstructural changes in the cells.The agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) was used to examine the DNA fragmentation,and Western-blotting was employed to assess the protein expression of caspase-3.Results The average cell apoptosis rate of the 3 intervention groups were 4.66％,8.99％ and 32.41％,respectively.The percentage of cells in G2 phase increased significantly and those in G1 phase decreased significantly in the 3 intervention groups compared to the blank control group at the same time points.In the intervention groups,significant cell apoptosis was observed under TEM,and DNA ladders was seen in AGE,with DNA fragments appearing obviously when cells were incubated for 6 h and 9 h after ultrasound exposure.In intervention groups subject to 1.3 and 2.0 W/cm2 ultrasound exposure,the protein expression of caspase-3 was significantly higher than that of the control group.Conclusion LIPU can inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells with a dose-dependent feature.The possible mechanism underlying the LIPU-induced cell apoptosis might be related to the activation of the mitochondria pathway,and especially the caspase-3 protein.
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Background and purpose:Low intensity ultrasound (LIUS) can kill cancer cells and promote their apoptosis. However, it is still unknown how it affects the migration and invasion of tumor cells. This study aimed to explore the effect of LIUS on human hepatocellular line MHCC97H in migration and metastasis and the possible mechanismin vitro.Methods:According to the intensity of ultrasonic irradiation, 4 experimental groups were established: control group (0 W/cm2), 0.5 W/cm2, 1.0 W/cm2 and 1.5 W/cm2group. The migration and invasion ability of hepatocellular cells was detected by scratch assay and Transwell migration and invasion assay after the irradiation of LIUS. The changes of cytoskeleton after irradiation were observed by microscope and F-actin green lfuorescence staining. The expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were examined by real-time lfuorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTFQ-PCR) and Western blot.Results:Low intensity ultrasound (≤1.5 W/cm2) promoted the migration and invasion of hepatocellular line MHCC97H. Scratch assay and Transwell assay showed much more cells under irradiation migrated through membrane than untreated. It was found that morphology of liver cancer cells changed after LIUS irradiation using optical microscope and lfuorescence microscope. The results of RTFQ-PCR and Western blot showed upregulation of MMP-2 expression by LIUS in MHCC97H and high expression of MMP-9 mRNA. Conclusion:Low intensity ultrasound may promote the migration and invasion of MHCC97H through changing cytoskeleton and upregulating protein expression of MMP-2.
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Objective To explore the effect of high voltage alternating electric field therapy on fracture healing in rats. Methods An animal model of cortical bone defect was successfully established in the unilateral proximal tibia of 41 rats.They were then randomized into an experimental group (21 rats) and a control group (20 rats).The animals in the experimentsl group were given high voltage alternating electric field therapy for 30 minutes daily,while those in the control group only had sham exposure to the high voltage alternating electric field therapy.Rats in each group were sacrificed at days 7,14,21 and 28 post-operation.After blood collection,the operated tibias of the rats were resected with muscle and other soft tissue removed.Bone mineral density (BMD) of the callus at the fracture point was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).The calluses were then cut down and fixed,decalcificated and sliced for histological observation.At the same time serum osteocalcin ( OC ) and bone alkaline phosphatase (RAP) were also detected by ABC-ELISA. Results The BMD examination showed that callus BMD in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group at days 14 and 28.Serum OC and RAP in the experimental group were also higher at days 14 day 21,and OC was still significantly higher in the experimental group at day 28.Histological examination showed that in the early stages of bone healing hematoma absorption and organization appeared earlier in the experimental group than in the control group,with remarkable osteoblast and chondroblast proliferation.While at the later stage,bone trabeculas connection and mineralization also appeared earlier in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusions High voltage alternating electric field therapy may promote fracture healing by accelerating hematoma absorption and organization,elevating osteoblast proliferation and differentiation as well as promoting extracellular matrix secretion and mineralization.The underlying therapeutic mechanism might be related to the increased expression of OC and RAP caused by exposure to the high voltage alternating electric field.
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Objective To study the role of transversus abdominis in lumbar spine stability,and to find a way to assess the abdominal muscles function.Methods 15 healthy subjects performed rapid arm flexion,abduction,and exten- sion.Electromyographic(EMG)activity of transversus abdominis,rectus abdominis,obliquus externus abdominis, obliquus internus abdominis and deltoid was evaluated with surface electrodes,latency between onset of the abdominal muscles and of the deltoid was calculated.Results The transversus abdominis invariably contracted before the deltoid and the other abdominal muscles,except the obliquus internus abdominis during arm extension.Conclusion(1)It's an effective way that latency between onset of abdominal muscles and of deltoid is used to assess the abdominal muscles function with arm movement as a factor of influencing the balance of spine.(2)Transversus abdominis,as deeper mus- cles acting earlier with all movements play an important role in maintaining the stability of lumbar spine.