Effects of Interactive Dynamic Scalp Acupuncture on Motor Function and Gait of Lower Limbs after Stroke: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effects of interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture (IDSA), simple combination therapy (SCT), and traditional scalp acupuncture (TSA) on motor function and gait of the lower limbs in post-stroke hemiplegia patients.@*METHODS@#A total of 231 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia was randomly divided into IDSA (78 cases), SCT (78 cases), and TSA (75 cases) groups by a random number table. Scalp acupuncture (SA) and lower-limb robot training (LLRT) were both performed in the IDSA and SCT groups. The patients in the TSA group underwent SA and did not receive LLRT. The treatment was administered once daily and 6 times weekly for 8 continuous weeks, each session lasted for 30 min. The primary outcome measures included Fugl-Meyer assessment of the lower extremity (FMA-LE), berg balance scale (BBS), modified barthel index (MBI), and 6-min walking test (6MWT). The secondary outcome measures included stride frequency (SF), stride length (SL), stride width (SW), affected side foot angle (ASFA), passive range of motion (PROM) of the affected hip (PROM-H), knee (PROM-K) and ankle (PROM-A) joints. The patients were evaluated before treatment, at 1- and 2-month treatment, and 1-, and 2-month follow-up visits, respectively. Adverse events during 2-month treatment were observed.@*RESULTS@#Nineteen patients withdrew from the trial, with 8 in the IDSA and 5 in the SCT groups, 6 in the TSA group. The FMA-LE, BBS, 6MWT and MBI scores in the IDSA group were significantly increased after 8-week treatment and 2 follow-up visits compared with the SCT and TSA groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with pre-treatment, the grade distribution of BBS and MBI scores in the 3 groups were significantly improved at 1, 2-month treatment and 2 follow-up visits (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The SF, PROM-H, PROM-K and PROM-A in the IDSA group was significantly increased compared with the SCT and TSA groups after 8-week of treatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared with the SCT group, ASFA of the IDSA group was significantly reduced after 8-week of treatment (P<0.05). SF, SL, PROM-K and PROM-A were significantly increased at the 2nd follow-up visit whereas the ASFA was significantly reduced in the IDSA group compared with the SCT groups at 1st follow-up visit (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The SF was significantly increased in the SCT group compared with the TSA group after 8-week treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the TSA group, PROM-K, PROM-A were significantly increased at the 2nd follow-up visit (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The effects of IDSA on lower-limb motor function and walking ability of post-stroke patients were superior to SCT and TSA. The SCT was comparable to TSA treatment, and appeared to be superior in improving the motion range of the lower extremities. (Registration No. ChiCTR1900027206).

Effect of Interactive Dynamic Scalp Acupuncture on Post-Stroke Cognitive Function, Depression, and Anxiety: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effects of interactive dynamic scalp acupuncture (IDSA), simple combination therapy (SCT), and traditional scalp acupuncture (TSA) on cognitive function, depression and anxiety in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment.@*METHODS@#A total of 660 patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment who were admitted to 3 hospitals in Shenzhen City between May 2017 and May 2020 were recruited and randomly assigned to the IDSA (218 cases), SCT (222 cases) and TSA groups (220 cases) according to a random number table. All the patients received conventional drug therapy for cerebral stroke and exercise rehabilitation training. Scalp acupuncture and computer-based cognitive training (CBCT) were performed simultaneously in the IDSA group, but separately in the morning and in the afternoon in the SCT group. The patients in the TSA group underwent scalp acupuncture only. The course of treatment was 8 weeks. Before treatment (M0), 1 (M1) and 2 months (M2) after treatment, as well as follow-up at 1 (M3) and 2 months (M4), the cognitive function of patients was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) Scales; depression, anxiety, sleep quality, and self-care ability of patients were assessed using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Modified Barthel Index (MBI), respectively. During this trial, all adverse events (AEs) were accurately recorded.@*RESULTS@#There were no significant differences in the MMSE, MoCA, HAMD, HAMA, PSQI, and MBI scores among the 3 groups at M0 (all P>0.05). In the IDSA group, the MMSE, MoCA and MBI scores from M2 to M4 were significantly higher than those in the SCT and TSA groups, while the HAMD, HAMA and PSQI scores were significantly reduced (all P<0.01). The changes of all above scores (M2-M0, M4-M0) were significantly superior to those in the SCT and TSA groups (all P<0.01, except M4-M0 of HAMD). At M2, the severity of MMSE, HAMD, HAMA, PSQI and MBI in the IDSA group was significantly lower than that in the SCT and TSA groups (all P<0.01). There was no serious AE during this trial.@*CONCLUSIONS@#IDSA can not only significantly improve cognitive function, but also reduce depression, anxiety, which finally improves the patient's self-care ability. The effect of IDSA was significantly better than SCT and TSA. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR1900027206).

Interactive scalp acupuncture for cognitive dysfunction after stroke: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the efficacy of interactive scalp acupuncture, scalp acupuncture alone and scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training for cognitive dysfunction after stroke.@*METHODS@#A total of 660 patients with cognitive dysfunction after stroke were randomly divided into an interactive scalp acupuncture group (218 cases, 18 cases dropped off), a scalp acupuncture group (220 cases, 20 cases dropped off) and a scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training group (222 cases, 22 cases dropped off). All the patients were treated with routine medication and exercise rehabilitation training. The interactive scalp acupuncture group was treated with scalp acupuncture on the parietal midline, and contralateral anterior parietal temporal oblique line and posterior parietal temporal oblique line at the same time of cognitive training; the scalp acupuncture group was treated with scalp acupuncture alone, and the scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training group was treated with scalp acupuncture and cognitive training in the morning and afternoon respectively. All the treatments were given once a day, 6 times a week for 8 weeks. Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) scale score was used to evaluate the cognitive function before treatment, 4 weeks and 8 weeks into treatment.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the total score of MoCA was increased after 4-week treatment and 8-week treatment in the three groups (@*CONCLUSION@#The interactive scalp acupuncture could significantly improve the cognitive function in patients with cognitive dysfunction after stroke, and the efficacy is superior to scalp acupuncture alone and scalp acupuncture plus cognitive training.

Effect of exogenous carbon monoxide donor Hematin on photosynthesis parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of Coptis chinensis seedlings under NaCl stress / 中草药

Objective: Using exogenous carbon monoxide (CO) donor Hematin (H) to study the changes of photosynthesis parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics in Coptis chinensis seedlings under NaCl stress and get the way for promoting the resistance ability of C. chinensis seedlings under NaCl stress. Methods: Under 100 mmol/L NaCl stress, the several physiological indexes of C. chinensis seedlings treated by H at the different concentration, such as the contents of photosynthetic pigment and the parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthesis, were measured. Results: Under NaCl stress the photosynthetic physiology of C. chinensis seedlings was inhibited, but the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids could be obviously increased after the treatment of H at different concentration. The levels of the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and transpiration rate (Tr) in C. chinensis seedlings were all decreased, which would gradually increase with the time and concentration increase of NaCl stress, while the concentration of CO2 (Ci) increased with the opposite tendency. These results indicated that the main influencing factor of decreasing Pn of C. chinensis was non-stomatal factors. After being treated with different exogenous substances, the Pn, Gs, and Tr were all increased in different degrees, but the level of Ci was decreased. And the maximum fluorescence (Fm), photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), potential photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fo), photochemical efficiency (Fv'/Fm'), PSII actual photochemical efficiency (ΦPSII), photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), electronic transfer rate (ETR), and photochemistry rate (PCR) were obviously increased, while the levels of minimal fluorescence (Fo), non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ), and heat dissipation rate (HDR) were effectively decreased. Conclusion: Exogenous CO H with the appropriate concentration of 2.0 mmol/L could reduce the excess excitation dissipation, improve photochemical electron transport efficiency, and efficiently protect C. chinensis leaves from PSII damage by significantly alleviating the damages of salt stress to C. chinensis so that H could obviously promote the salt resistance to C. chinensis under salt stress.

Effect of exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid on seed germination and seedlings physiological characteristics of Coptis chinensis under NaCl stress / 中草药

Objective: To find get the method of alleviating salinity damage to Coptis chinensis under NaCl stress by studying the seed generation and seedling physiological nature. Methods: Several physiological indexes such as germination vigor, germination rate, germination index, and vigor parameters of C. chinensis were measured after treated by 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) under salt stress (NaCl with the concentration of 100 mmol∙L-1 NaCl). And other parameters such as memberane permeability, H2O2 content, production rate of superoxide anion, contents of soluble surge, soluble protein, free proline, and malondialdehyde (MDA), and activities of superoxide (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were also measured. Results: The seed germination indexes of C. chinensis under NaCl stress have an obvious inhibition. But after the treatment of ALA, germination indexes were all increased. The results also showed that the treatment of exogenous ALA obviously increased the contents of soluble sugars, free proline, and soluble protein, decreased the contents of MDA, H2O2, and production rate of superoxide anion. Meanwhile, the results also indicated that ALA could improve the activities of SOD, POD, CAT, and APX. Conclusion: Exogenous ALA with appropriate concentration could significantly alleviate the damages to the seeds and seedlings of C. chinensis under NaCl stress and promote the salt resistance of the seeds and seedlings through improving the germination indexes and activities of anti-oxidase, decreasing the memberane permeability, and so on.

A survey of occupational health among polyether-exposed workers / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the occupational health of the workers simultaneously exposed to acrylonitrile, epoxyethane, epoxypropane, and styrene.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A questionnaire survey was conducted in 70 front-line workers simultaneously exposed to acrylonitrile, epoxyethane, epoxypropane, and styrene (exposure group) and 50 managers (control group) in a polyether manufacturer; in addition, air monitoring at workplace and occupational health examination were also performed. The obtained data were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The female workers in exposure group and the spouses of male workers in exposure group had significantly higher spontaneous abortion rates than their counterparts in control group (P < 0.01). The exposure group had a significantly higher abnormal rate of blood urea nitrogen than the control group (P < 0.01). The workers with different polyether-exposed working years had significantly higher mean levels of DNA damage than the control group (P < 0.01); the workers with not less than 5 and less than 20 polyether-exposed working years and those with not less than 20 polyether-exposed working years had significantly higher mean micronucleus rates than the control group (P < 0.01); there were no significant differences in overall chromosome aberration rate and mean level of DNA damage between each two groups of workers with different polyether-exposed working years (P > 0.05); the workers with not less than 5 and less than 20 polyether-exposed working years and workers with not less than 20 polyether-exposed working years had significantly higher mean micronucleus rates than those with less than 5 polyether-exposed working years (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Simultaneous exposure to acrylonitrile, epoxyethane, epoxypropane, and styrene causes occupational hazards among the workers in polyether manufacturer.</p>

Effects of exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid on chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics and energy dissipation of Sarcandra glabra under drought stress / 中草药

Objective To study the effects of drought stress on chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics and energy dissipation of Sarcandra glabra and get the method of alleviating drought stress, so as to provide theoretical basis against drought in planting. Methods Several physiological indexes of S. glabra treated by 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) under drought stress (PEG-6000 at the concentration of 15%) were measured, such as the contents of photosynthetic pigment, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and energy parameters. Results Exogenous ALA obviously increased the content of chlorophyll and carotenoids, enhanced the maximum fluorescence (Fm), photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII, Fv/Fm), potential photochemical efficiency (FWFo), photochemical efficiency (Fv'/Fm'), PSII actual photochemical efficiency (φPSII), photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), electronic transfer rate (ETR), and photochemistry rate (PCR), as well as significnatly decreased the level of minimum fluorescence (Fo), non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) coefficient, and heat dissipation rate (HDR). The proportion of ALA absorbed light in photochemistry (P) was increased, the fraction of antenna pigment heat dissipation (D) and excess energy (E) for NPQ was decreased. The fraction off was the main pathway for excessive energy dissipation. ALA could promote the redistribution of energy reasonablely. Conclusion Exogenous ALA (100 mg/L) could significantly reduce the dissipation of excess excitation energy, improve the photochemical electron transport efficiency, and efficiently protect leaf blade of S. glabra from PSII damage under drought stress. ALA could obviously promote the drought resistance of S. glabra plantlet.

Effect of exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid on seed germination and antioxidase activities of Perilla frutescens seedlings under NaCl stress / 中草药

Objective: In order to get the method of improving the salt resistance of seeds and seedlings for Perilla frutescens under NaCl stress, seed germination and physiological characteristics of P. frutescens seedlings were studied. Methods: Several physiological indexes of P. frutescens seeds treated by 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) were measured. And other indexes of the seedlings like relative water content (RWC), the biomass, the content of soluble sugar, and malondialdehyde (MDA), the activities of superoxide (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) were also measured. Results: The germination indexes of P. frutescens seeds under NaCl stress have a obvious inhibition. But after the treatment at different concentrations of 5-ALA every germination index were all increased. And the seeds treated by 5-ALA with the concentration of 50 mg/L have the most significantly increase in every index. The germination vigor was 71.3%, the germination rate was 90.5%, the germination index and vigor index were 15.9 and 0.129 6, respectively. Every treatment of them coule improve the biomass and soluble sugar of the seedlings; The RWC of P. frutescens leaves decreased under NaCl stress, but after treated by 5-ALA, the rate of decrease has been relieved and the content of MDA in leaves was decreased. The activities of three enzymes including SOD, POD, and CAT were all increased. And the treatment of 5-ALA with the concentration of 50 mg/L got the maximin with 0.79, 7.69, and 5.84 U/mg, respectively. Conclusion: 5-ALA with the appropriate concentration of 50 mg/L could significantly alleviate the damages to the seeds and seedlings of P. frutescens under NaCl stress and promote the salt resistance of the seeds and seedlings.

Distributions of pathogenic capsular types and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of different serotypes of Streptococcus suis isolated from clinically healthy sows from 10 provinces in China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To determine the distributions of major pathogenic capsular types and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of different serotypes of Streptococcus suis isolated from clinically healthy sows in China. Methods Tonsil specimens of clinically healthy sows from 10 different provinces in China were collected, a total of 421 S.suis were isolated. Capsular types of S.suis were decided using the sera agglutination reaction. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using a broth microdilution method and the differences between serotypes were decided statistically. Results The prevalent capsular types of S.suis isolated from clinically healthy sows were 9(26.6% ), 3 (23.5%) and 7(15.7% ) types, respectively. 7.4% of isolates were confirmed to be S.suis type 2. Overall, differences in antimicrobial susceptibility among serotypes of S. suis were found. By comparison, lower resistance was observed for S.suis type 2 from clinically healthy sows. Conclusion The prevalence of pathogenic S.suis serotypes from clinically healthy sows again indicates S.suis is a conditional pathogenic bacterium. Differential prevention and treatment regimes should be considered according to antimicrobial susceptibility of different serotypes of S.suis.