Effects of professional rehabilitation training on the recovery of neurological function in young stroke patients

Young stroke patients have a strong desire to return to the society, but few studies have been conducted on their rehabilitation training items, intensity, and prognosis. We analyzed clinical data of young and middle-aged/older stroke patients hospitalized in the Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Capital Medical University, China from February 2014 to May 2015. Results demonstrated that hemorrhagic stroke （59.6%） was the primary stroke type found in the young group, while ischemic stroke （60.0%） was the main type detected in the middle-aged/older group. Compared with older stroke patients, education level and incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia were higher in younger stroke patients, whereas, incidences of hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease were lower. The average length of hospital stay was longer in the young group than in the middle-aged/older group. The main risk factors observed in the young stroke patients were hypertension, drinking, smoking, hyperlipidemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, diabetes, previous history of stroke, and heart disease. The most accepted rehabilitation program consisted of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion. Average rehabilitation training time was 2.5 hours/day. Barthel Index and modified Rankin Scale scores were increased at discharge. Six months after discharge, the degree of occupational and economic satisfaction declined, and there were no changes in family life satisfaction. The degrees of other life satisfaction （such as friendship） improved. The degree of disability and functional status improved significantly in young stroke patients after professional rehabilitation, but the number of patients who returned to society within 6 months after stroke was still small.

Interfacial phenomena of water striders on water surfaces: a review from biology to biomechanics

Water striders have intrigued researchers for centuries from the viewpoints of biology to biomechanics. In this review, we introduce the basic theories and techniques of physics and force measurement for biomechanical research into water striders. Morphological and behavioral traits of water striders are summarized and discussed from biomechanical perspectives, along with comparative study. This integrated review also highlights potential directions for studies on water-walking arthropods,which might inspire future biological and biomechanical research.

Hypoglycemic effects of Tibetan medicine Huidouba in STZ-induced diabetic mice and db/db mice

Objective:Huidouba(HDB) is a Chinese folk medicine used to treat diabetes in Sichuan Province,China.Therefore,we investigated the anti-diabetic effects of HDB and its underlying mechanisms.We hypothesized that HDB treatment could enhance glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity,and thus prevent a hyperglycemia state.Methods:To test the hypothesis,streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic mice and db/db mice,widely used models of hyperglycemia and insulin-resistant diabetes,were either treated with HDB,metformin,or acarbose.Blood glucose,oral glucose tolerance test,insulin tolerance test,pancreatic histopathology and serum biochemistry were detected to assess the hypoglycemic effect of HDB.Results:HDB treatments were found to show the effect in reducing glucose levels.HDB also resulted in a significant reduction in body weight and food intake in the STZ-induced diabetic mouse model.Furthermore,it significantly improved glucose and insulin tolerance in the two diabetic mouse models.Importantly,insulin,glucagon,pancreatic polypeptide,and somatostatin immunohistochemistry revealed that HDB treatment improved the function and the location of the cells in the islets compared with the other two treatments.HDB treatment resulted in significant restoration of islet function.Our results illustrated the underlying mechanism of HDB in the progression of diabetes,and HDB can be an effective agent for the treatment of diabetes.Conclusion:The results of this study suggested that HDB can reduce blood glucose levels in STZ-induced hyperglycemic mice and db/db mice.