Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Mirror Therapy on Upper Limb Motor Function for Patients after Stroke / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To investigate the effects of combination of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and mirror therapy (MT) on upper limb motor function after stroke. Methods:From April, 2018 to March, 2019, 78 stroke inpatients were randomly assigned into tDCS group (n = 26), MT group (n = 26) and combined group (n = 26). All the patients received their related therapy, respectively, based on routine medicine and rehabilitation. Their motor-evoked potential cortical latency (CL) and central motor conduction time (CMCT) in affected brain area were measured before and four weeks after treatment, while they were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and modified Barthel Index (MBI). Results:All CL, CMCT, and the scores of FMA-UE and MBI improved significantly in all the groups after treatment (|t| > 2.609,P < 0.05), and improved more in the combined group than in both tDCS group and MT group (P < 0.05). Conclusion:Both tDCS and MT could improve excitability of cerebral cortex of the affected brain area and promote the recovery of upper limb motor function for patient after stroke, and it is more effective in combination mode.

Influence of Bushen Huoxue decoction on beta-catenin, MMP-7 of synoviocytes in rats with knee osteoarthritis / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe beta-catenin expression of Wnt signaling pathway in rats with knee osteoarthritis, and influence of Bushen Huoxue decoction on beta-catenin and MMP-7 expression of synoviocytes in rats with knee osteoarthritis (OA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rats model with knee osteoarthritis were established by Hulth method. Primary synoviocytes and OA synoviocytes were cultured with collagenase digestion method. The cultured synoviocytes were divided into normal group, OA model group and Bushen Huoxue decoction group. Western blotting method was used to detect beta-catenin, MMP-7 protein expression of synoviocytes after acting by Bushen Huoxue decoction for 48 h; ELISA method was used to detect MMP-7 expression of synovial supernatant.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>OA synoviocytes were cultured successfully. Western blotting showed that beta-catenin, MMP-7 expression in OA synoviocytes was significantly higher than normal group, Bushen Huoxue decoction could significantly reduce beta-catenin, MMP-7 expression; ELISA results showed that MMP-7 expression of OA synovial supernatant was significantly higher than normal synoviocytes supernatant, Bushen Huoxue decoction significantly regulated the level MMP-7 down.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>(1) High expression of beta-catenin in OA synoviocytes indicates that Wnt classical signal pathway is activated in rat with knee osteoarthritis; (2) High expression of MMP-7 expression in OA synoviocytes confirms the MMP-7 is downstream genes of Wnt/beta-catenin signal pathway; (3) Activation of Wnt signal pathway and increase of MMP-7 may cause degradation of articular cartilage, and promote the formation of osteoarthritis; (4) Bushen Huoxue decoction can reduce expression of MMP-7, and promote cartilage repair, which may be one of mechanisms of osteoarthritis.</p>

Manifestation of synovial lesions in osteoarthritis / 中国骨伤

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease,with the characters of degradation of articular cartilage, the formation of the joint marginal osteophyte and synovium lesions. Previous studies have focused on the treatment of articular cartilage lesions. In recent years, new research in shows synovial inflammation plays an important role in OA. Synovium lesions and synovial inflammation-related factors induced the degradation and destruction of articular cartilage, and promoted the development of osteoarthritis. The role of synovial lesions in osteoarthritis is increasingly prominent, and the treatment for synovial lesions will become a new target. So this paper reviews the various manifestations of synovial in osteoarthritis.