[Effect of nape cluster acupuncture on swallowing function and respiratory function in patients with post-stroke dysphagia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of nape cluster acupuncture on swallowing function and respiratory function in patients with post-stroke dysphagia, and to explore its relationship to cerebral arterial flow and neurotrophic factors. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with post-stroke dysphagia were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 60 patients in each one. The conventional swallowing rehabilitation therapy and respiratory function training were adopted in the control group. On the basis of treatment in the control group, nape cluster acupuncture was applied at Fengchi (GB 20), Tianzhu (BL 10), Wangu (GB 12), Lianquan (CV 23), Panglianquan (Extra), once a day; pricking blood was applied at Jinjin (EX-HN 12) and Yuye (EX-HN 13), once every 2 days. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. The therapeutic efficacy was compared between the two groups, and the swallowing function (scores of Kubota water swallowing test, standardized swallowing assessment [SSA] and video fluoroscopic swallowing study [VFSS]), the respiratory function indexes (forced vital capacity [FVC], maximal voluntary ventilation [MVV] and maximal expiratory time), the bilateral cerebral arterial hemodynamics parameters (systolic peak velocity [Vs], mean flow velocity [Vm] and vascular resistance index [RI]) and the serology indexes (brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF], nerve growth factor [NGF] and insulin-like growth factors-1 [IGF-1]) before and after treatment were observed in the both groups. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 80.0% (48/60) in the observation group, which was superior to 60.0% (36/60) in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of Kubota water swallowing test and SSA in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05), the VFSS score, FVC, MVV and maximal expiratory time were higher than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the Vs and Vm of bilateral cerebral artery and serum levels of BDNF, NGF and IGF-1 in the observation group were higher than the control group (P<0.05), the RI of bilateral cerebral artery was lower than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: On the basis of the conventional rehabilitation training, nape cluster acupuncture can effectively improve the swallowing function and respiratory function in patients with post-stroke dysphagia, its mechanism may be related to the improvement of cerebral hemodynamics and the regulation of neurotrophic factors.

Two Co(II) coordination polymers: magnetic properties and application values against chronic subdural hematoma.

In this current experiment, by applying the mixed-ligand synthesis method, two coordination polymers (CPs) containing Co(II) were created triumphantly with reaction between 1,3-bis(1-imidazoly)benzene (mbib) and Co(II) salts with the aid of diverse carboxylic ligands, and their chemical formulae are [Co3(opda)3(mbib)4(H2O)4]·2H2O (1, H2opda is 1,2-phenylenediacetic acid) and [Co(mpda)(mbib)]·H2O (2, H2mpda is 1,3-phenylenediacetic acid). The two compounds' magnetic performances suggest that between the adjacent metal ions, there present the antiferromagnetic coupling. The evaluation of their treatment activity against chronic subdural hematoma was carried out and the relevant mechanism was studied simultaneously. Firstly, before the treatment of compound, the chronic subdural hematoma was generated. Furthermore, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detection kit was implemented and in hematoma capsule, the anti-inflammatory cytokines level and pro-inflammatory cytokines level was detected. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of compounds 1 and 2 on the normal human cells was determined with Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. Above all, we proved compound 1 decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines content and increased the anti-inflammatory cytokines content in the hematoma capsule, which is much stronger than that of compound 2. Both compounds 1 and 2 showed no cytotoxicity on the normal human cells.

A comparative study of pull-out performance of bolted joints in pultruded FRP with drilled holes or punched holes.

In this study, we investigate the pull-out performance of bolted joints of pultruded fiber reinforced polymer (PFRP) profile specimens with drilled and punched holes, respectively, and investigate the effects of different resin matrices and different fiber directions on the pull-out performance of the bolted joints. The experiment results show that the pull-out performance of the bolted joints in the uni-axial polyurethane-based PFRP is better than that in the uni-axial unsaturated polyester resin-based PFRP. The pull-out capacity of bolted joints on the multi-axial PFRP specimens with drilled holes is better than that of bolted joints in the uni-axial PFRP specimens with drilled holes. The multi-axial fiber can effectively prevent longitudinal splitting of pultruded profiles and significantly improve their pull-out performance. The punching process has little impact on the pull-out performance of bolted joints in the uni-axial PFRP specimens. However, it greatly undermines the pull-out performance of the bolt hole of the multi-axial PFRP specimens. Finally, using the progressive damage analysis (PDA) model, and combined with the Hashin failure criteria, we establish a model by means of the C3D8R solid elements in ABAQUS to simulate the pull-out mechanical behavior of the bolted joints.

[Effect of exogenous α-naphthaleneacetic acid on carbon metabolism of soybean under drought stress at flowering stage]. / 外源α-è˜ä¹™é ¸å¯¹èŠ±æœŸå¹²æ—±å¤§è±†ç¢³ä»£è°¢çš„å½±å“.

With pot experiment, two soybean (Glycine max) varieties, Jindou 21 (drought-tole-rant) and Xudou 22 (drought-sensitive), were used to examine the effects of α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) on carbon metabolism of soybean under drought stress at flowering stage. The results showed that under drought stress, compared to Xudou 22, Jindou 21 had smaller decrease in net photosynthetic rate (Pn), smaller increase in photorespiration rate (Pr) and soluble sugar content of leaves, while a greater increase in the activities of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and sucrose synthetase (SS) (synthesis) of leaves and sucrose content of roots. NAA treatment increased Pn and decreased Pr under drought stress, and thus obviously alleviated the growth inhibition of drought stress on plants. NAA treatment reduced the activities of starch-degrading enzymes, acid invertase (AI) and SS (cleavage), thereby inhibited the accumulation of soluble sugar induced by drought stress. In addition, NAA treatment increased SPS and SS (synthesis) activities of leaves, sucrose content of roots and shoot-root ratio, indicating that NAA treatment improved the transportation of sucrose from leaf blade to root under drought stress. In conclusion, exogenous NAA could enhance drought tolerance in soybean by regulating carbon metabolism.

Feasibility study of high-temperature thermoseed inductive hyperthermia in melanoma treatment.

Current treatment modalities for melanoma do not offer satisfactory efficacy. We have developed a new, minimally invasive hyperthermia technology based on radio-frequency hyperthermia. Herein, we investigated the feasibility of using a nickel-copper thermoseed for inductive hyperthermia at a relatively high temperature (46-55 ˚C). In vitro, the thermoseed showed good thermal effects and effective killing of B16/F10 melanoma cells. Temperatures of 53.1 ± 0.5 ˚C were achieved for a single thermoseed and 56.5 ± 0.5 ˚C for two in parallel (spacing 5 mm). No B16/F10 melanoma cells survived with heating time longer than 20 min in the parallel thermoseed group. Magnetic fields or thermoseeds alone did not affect the survival rate of B16/F10 cells (P>0.05). In vivo, B16/F10 melanoma cells were subcutaneously injected into the right axilla of C57BL/6 mice. After the tumors grew to ~11-13 mm, two thermoseeds (spacing 5 mm) were implanted into the tumors and the mice were subjected to an alternating magnetic field (100-250 kHz, 15 kA/m) to induce hyperthermia. The temperature at the center of the tumor reached 46 ˚C at 5 min and plateaued at 50 ˚C. Thermoseed treatment produced large necrotic areas, inhibited tumor growth in 60% (6 of 10) of animals and prolonged survival time (P<0.05). Thus, with further optimization and testing, high-temperature thermoseed inductive hyperthermia may have therapeutic potential for melanoma.