Effects of Mirror Therapy on Lower-limb Motor, Balance and Walking after Stroke: A Meta-analysis / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To evaluate the effect of mirror therapy on lower-limb motor, balance and walking of stroke patients. Methods:Randomized controlled trails (RCTs) about mirror therapy for lower limb function after stroke were recalled in PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase, Medline complete, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP and CBMdisc. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.3 software for eligible RCTs. Results:A total of twelve studies were retrieved, including 590 patients. Mirror therapy improved the scores of Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremity (MD = 6.67, 95%CI 5.60 to 7.74; Z = 12.20, P < 0.001), Brunnstrom stages (MD = 0.55, 95%CI 0.28 to 0.82; Z = 3.98, P < 0.001), Berg Balance Scale (MD = 3.45, 95%CI 1.40 to 5.50; Z = 3.30, P = 0.001), mini-BESTest (MD = 1.49, 95%CI 0.65 to 2.33; Z = 3.48, P < 0.001), Brunnel Balance Assessment (MD = 0.66, 95%CI 0.10 to 1.22; Z = 2.32, P = 0.02). However, it was not significant for 10-meter Walking Test (MD = 0.03, 95%CI -0.04 to 0.11; Z = 0.88, P = 0.38) and Timed "Up and Go" Test (MD = -1.43, 95%CI-4.31 to 1.45; Z = 0.97, P = 0.33). Conclusion:Mirror therapy can improve lower extremity motor function after stroke significantly, and somehow for balance. Further research is needed to explore its effects on walking.

Experiment of augmenting the survival areas of ischemic flap by transplanting endothelial progenitor cells / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility of transplanted endothelial progenitor cells to ischemic flap with increased neovascularization and augmented the survival areas.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>EPCs were isolated from human cord blood, cultured in vitro, identified by immunohistochemistry. Then EPCs were transplanted to ischemic flaps of 9 nude mice's back (experimental group), and 9 nude mice's back flaps was injected with M199(control group). And pedicle division time was 4 days after operation. CM-DiI was used to trace the transplanted cells. The blood perfusion of flaps was monitored by the laser Doppler flowetry, and the capillary density of flaps was detected by CD34 immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>EPCs expressed cell markers CD34, KDR and CD133. Transplanted EPCs survived and was incorporated into the capillary networks in the ischemic flaps of nude mice. The percent of experimental group's flap survival area was (60.3 +/- 2.1)%, significantly higher than the control group[ (34.2 +/- 1.8)%, P < 0.05 ]. The blood perfusion, capillary density of flaps of experimental group was significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>EPCs from human cord blood can increase ischemic flaps neovascularization and augment the survival areas.</p>