Brain network functional connectivity as unilateral or bilateral upper limb training for patients with upper limb motor dysfunction after stroke: study with functional near-infrared spectroscopy / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo compare the functional connectivity of brain networks in stroke patients with upper limb motor dysfunction during unilateral or bilateral upper limb movement using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). MethodsFrom April to June, 2021, 40 stroke patients with upper limb motor dysfunction in Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Huashan Hospital, finished unilateral (affected) and bilateral upper limb movement. Eight-minute fNIRS data were collected before and after movement, and the functional activities and connectivity of prefrontal cortex (PFC), upper limb and hand functional area (H), primary sensory cortex (S1) were analyzed based on oxygenated hemoglobin. ResultsFunctional activities increased in affected H after unilateral task (t = -3.135, P < 0.05), while the functional connectivity increased between affected H and affected S1, affected H and unaffected S1, and affected S1 and unaffected S1 (|t| > 3.218, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the functional activities and connectivity of all the areas after bilateral upper limb task (|t| < 2.385, P > 0.05). The improvement of affected H was more after unilateral task than after bilateral upper limb task (t = 2.026, P < 0.05). ConclusionUnilateral affected upper limb training is more effective on functional activities and connectivity for corresponding brain regions than bilateral task.

Study on the relationship between serum lipid levels and the risk of pulmonary embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum lipid levels and the risk of pulmonary embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.Methods:Patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation admitted to Tianjin Chest Hospital from January 2014 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.According to whether pulmonary embolism was present on CT pulmonary angiography, patients were divided into two groups, the atrial fibrillation with pulmonary embolism group(the AP group)and the control group(the AF group). Clinical data and serum lipid test results were compared between the two groups.The relationship between serum lipid levels and the risk of pulmonary embolism was evaluated.Results:Levels of apolipoprotein A1(ApoA1)and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)in the AP group were(1.09±0.25)g/L and(1.03±0.28)mmol/L, which were lower than those in the AF group(1.24±0.25)g/L and(1.21±0.37)mmol/L)( t=3.255, P=0.002; t=2.972, P=0.004, respectively). Levels of very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(VLDL-C)in the AP group were(0.41±0.24)mmol/L, which were higher than those in the AF group(0.26±0.18)mmol/L)( t=-3.761, P=0.000). The grade of cardiac function on admission in the AP group was higher than that in the AF group( χ2=13.074, P=0.004). The proportion of patients treated for atrial fibrillation in the AP group was lower than that in the AF group( χ2=5.445, P=0.020). Logistic regression analysis showed that decreased ApoA1 and left cardiac insufficiency were risk factors for pulmonary embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation( OR=8.793, 95% CI: 1.815~42.607, P=0.007; OR=4.388, 95% CI: 1.352~14.244, P=0.014, respectively). Decreased VLDL-C and atrial fibrillation therapy were protective factors for pulmonary embolism( OR=0.180, 95% CI: 0.053~0.610, P=0.006; OR=0.268, 95% CI: 0.072~0.992, P=0.049, respectively). Conclusions:Pulmonary embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation is related to serum lipid levels.Regulating levels of serum lipids may reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

The effects of light intensity on the voluntary exercise level of rats in an enriched environment / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To study the effects of light at different intensities and an enriched environment (EE) on rats' level of voluntary exercise,and to explore the resulting benefits.Methods Thirty male SpragueDawley rats were tested successively under 4 different experimental conditions:EE + strong light,EE + dim light,open-field environment (OFE)+ strong light and OFE + dim light.Each rat's path in the different conditions was recorded using an automated tracking system.Distance moved (m),velocity (m/s),mobile duration (s),mobile frequency,moving duration (s) and moving frequency were recorded over a one-hour period. ResultsThe EE rats were significantly more active than the OFE rats in both strong and dim light.All rats were more mobile under dim light than under strong light.Conclusion Environment and light intensity are independent factors affecting rats' voluntary exercise levels,and they can exert their influence in synergy.