ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the effects of mirror therapy on the lower-limb muscles of hemiplegic stroke survivors. Methods Sixty-two hemiplegic stroke survivors were divided by stratified random grouping into a mirror group and a control group, each of 31. Both groups accepted routine rehabilitation training, while the mirror group was additionally provided with mirror therapy to train the non-paretic limb for 30 min per day, 5 days a week, lasting 4 weeks. Before and after the 4 weeks of training, integrated electromyography was performed and the maximum voluntary contraction force (MVC) of the tibialis anterior, rectus femoris and biceps femoris of the paretic limb were recorded and compared. Results Compared with before the training, the average root mean square values of the electromyographs and the average MVCs of all three muscles had improved significantly in both groups after training. Compared with the control group, the improvements were significantly greater in the mirror group. Conclusion Mirror therapy can promote the activation and synchronization of motor units, as well as increase the number discharging and the total discharge, promoting the recovery of muscle strength.
ABSTRACT
Pleural effusion is one of the common complications after abdominal surgery, which has a high incidence rate. It not only extends the length of hospital stay and increases the economic burden, but also may affect the prognosis of patients or even endanger lives. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of pleural effusion are important for postoperative rehabilitation. So far,the relationship between pleural effusion and clinical pathological factors of postoperation has not been revealed clearly and definitely. Preventive measures and the causes are summarized by reading a large number of literatures and combining with clinical experience to reduce incidence rate.
ABSTRACT
Ribavirin is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent and glycyrrhizin has activities of anti-inflammation, immunoregulation and anti-viral infections. To enhance antiviral efficacy and weaken side-effects of ribavirin, antiviral effects of the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin were studied in the present study. Firstly, a mouse model of viral pneumonia was established by inoculation of influenza H1N1 virus. Protective effects of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin used alone or in combination against H1N1 virus infection in mice were evaluated based on the survival rate, lung index and virus titer in lungs of mice. Results showed that the combination of glycyrrhizin and ribavirin significantly inhibited the lung consolidation with a 36% inhibition ratio on the lung swell of infected mice. The combination of the two drugs exhibited synergetic effects on survival of infected mice. The combination of 50 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) glycyrrhizin and 40 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) ribavirin resulted a 100% protection for infected mice with a synergetic value of 36, which was significantly higher than the control group and each drug alone. This combination also resulted a significant drop of lung virus titer (P < 0.01), as well as inhibition on the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 (P < 0.01), TNF-α (P < 0.01) and IL-1β (P < 0.05) induced by virus infection compared to the control. The treatment of ribavirin plus glycyrrhizin was more effective in influenza A infection in mice than either compound used alone, which suggested a potential clinical value of the combination of the two agents.