Effects of rolling manipulation with different durations on erector spinae muscle tonus and low back pain in patients with lumbar muscle strain

Objective:To observe the effects of rolling manipulation with different durations on erector spinae muscle tonus and low back pain in patients with lumbar muscle strain and to explore the best duration for rolling manipulation in treating lumbar muscle strain.Methods:A total of 75 patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into a 5-minute rolling manipulation group,a 10-minute rolling manipulation group,and a 15-minute rolling manipulation group using the random number table method,with 25 cases in each group.All three groups were treated with the same rolling manipulation,while the treatment time was 5 min,10 min,and 15 min,respectively.The treatment was performed 3 times a week for 2 consecutive weeks.The muscle tonus of bilateral erector spinae and visual analog scale(VAS)score for low back pain were compared among the three groups before and after treatment.Results:A total of 63 patients completed the study.Before treatment and after the last treatment,there were no statistical differences in the muscle tonus of the left erector spinae and right erector spinae among the three groups(P>0.05).After the last treatment,bilateral erector spinae muscle tonus dropped compared with the baseline in all three groups(P<0.01).Before treatment and after the last treatment,there were no significant differences in comparing the low back pain VAS score among the three groups(P>0.05).After the last treatment,the VAS score for low back pain in all three groups decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Under the condition that the forward swing force is 50-70 N,the backward swing force is 20-40 N,and the frequency is 138 times/min,the 5-minute rolling manipulation can significantly reduce the muscle tonus of erector spinae and relieve low back pain.

Local regulator adrenomedullin contributes to the circulatory disturbance in cirrhotic rats

AIM： To investigate whether adrenomedullin, a potent vasodilator peptide, plays a role in the circulatory disturbance in cirrhosis. METHODS： Cirrhosis was induced in rats by weekly gavage of carbon tetrachloride. Hemodynamic studies were performed in vivo using radioactive microspheres and in vitro using isolated aortic rings. The adrenomedullin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS： Acute administration of adrenomedullin to the control rats reduced the systemic arterial pressure along with an increase of serum levels of the stable metabolite of nitric oxide （NOx）, in a dose-dependent manner. Chronic infusion of adrenomedullin reduced the vascular resistance and increased the blood flow in the systemic and splanchnic circulation. Intravenous administration of anti-adrenomedullin antibody did not affect any hemodynamic parameters in the cirrhotic rats, whereas this antibody ameliorated the blunted contractile response to phenylephrine, o-adrenergic receptor agonist, in the aortic rings of the cirrhotic rats. The adrenomedullin concentrations in the aorta were higher in the cirrhotic rats than in the controls, and correlated with the mean arterial pressure in the cirrhotic rats. Moreover, adrenomedullin blunted the contractile response to phenylephrine in both of the control aorta and cirrhotic aorta, but not in the presence of NG-nitro L-arginine methyl ester, an NO synthase inhibitor. CONCLUSION： Adrenomedullin overproduced in the vascular wall may contribute to the circulatory disturbance in cirrhosis as a local regulator of the vascular tonus rather than a circulating hormone.

Efficiency and safety evaluation of Baimai ointment for alleviating hypermyotonia following cerebral infarction

Baimai ointment has Shujin and Huoluo efficiency. It has been confirmed by basic pharmacodynamic experiments that Baimai ointment has some therapeutic effects on stroke. However, the detailed evaluations of Baimai ointment on clinically treating stroke patients for function recovery are still insufficient with little reports. OBJECTIVE： To observe the efficiency and safety of Baimai ointment on alleviating hypermyotonia following cerebral infarction DESIGN： A randomized, parallel and controlled experiment. SETTING： Department of Neurology, Beijing Aerospace General Hospital. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 120 patients with acute front-cycle cerebral infarction were selected from Department of Neurology, Beijing Aerospace General Hospital from July to December 2006 and met the diagnosis criteria modified by Forth National Seminar on Cerebrovascular Disease. The experiment had got confirmed consent from local ethic committee. All 120 patients with cerebral infarction were randomly divided into experimental group （n =80; 32 in the acute phase, 32 in the recovery phase and 16 in the sequela phase） and control group （n =40; 16 in the acute phase, 16 in the recovery phase and 8 in the sequela phase）. METHODS： Within 4 weeks after the patients were enrolled in this study, no other traditional Chinese medicines containing similar components were adopted besides routine supporting therapy. The Baimai ointment being consisted of jianghuang, Roudoukou, Gansong, Yangqishi, Gancao, She, shannai, Zanghuixiang, Zangchangpu, Huajiao and dianhua was used by trial group （20 g/ampoule, Tibet Lingzhiqizheng Tibetan Drug Factory; batch number： 050403）, 2-3 times per day, the ointment was moderately coated traveling parts of Baimai. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The evaluation of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale （NIHSS）, Modified Rankin Scale and Modified Ashworth Scale were performed before administration, 2 and 4 weeks after administration. RESULTS： All 120 patients with acute front-cycle cerebral infarction were involved in the final analysis. ① Evaluation of therapeutic effects： After 4 weeks, the comparison of overall muscular tension and muscular tension in acute phase between the two groups （acute phase, chronic phase and recovery phase） demonstrated that the experimental group improved significantly （Z = - 2.25, - 2.06, P 〈 0.05）. After 2 weeks, the change of muscular tension was not significantly different from baseline （P 〉 0.05）. Whereas after 4 weeks, the change of muscular tension in acute phase was significantly different from baseline （P 〈 0.05）; however, the change of muscular tension in recovery phase and sequelae phase was not significantly different from baseline （P 〉 0.05）. After the treatment, the overall NIHSS and disability score of both groups did not change significantly （P 〉 0.05）. ② Adverse reaction and side effect： There were two adverse events in experimental groups. One patient underwent petechia, and the symptom disappeared following stopping medication which did not reappear after remedication. The other patient complained of a pain coming from the place where the medication was used, and the symptom went away without treatment. Two cases of adverse events were not significantly correlated with the usage of medication, so both of which could not be confirmed to be adverse reactions. CONCLUSION： Baimai ointment achieves some therapeutic effects on treating hypermyotonia of cerebral infarction patients, especially significantly preventing the hypermyotonia in acute phase with good safety.

Prevalence and Characterization of the Cerebral Palsy in Maceio,a Northeast City of Brazil

Background: Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders arising from a static damage or brain development defects occurring during fetal life and in the first months of life. Methods: The sample consisted of 800 individuals living in 50 districts of the city of Maceio. A standardized questionnaire was applied. Results: The prevalence of cerebral palsy in the sample was 5/1000. All were born at term, 75% were male, 50% had severe cerebral palsy and 50% was moderate. 75% had quadriplegia and 25% had diplegia. Fifty percent of the cerebral palsy was caused by meningitis and 50% for prolonged labor. Conclusions: The prevalence of cerebral palsy in Maceió is 140.38% higher than the highest prevalence found in developed countries, predominantly in low-income and related to postnatal infection in families.

Regulation mechanisms of endocrine disruptors on vasodilation andvasoconstriction: Insights from ex vivo models

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The knowledge andunderstanding of CVD are based on the study of vascular physiology and how the smooth muscle cells and tissuesperform their different functions. Exposure to endocrine disruptors (EDCs), such as phytoestrogens, polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbons, flame retardants, plasticizers, pesticides, and cosmetics, is an integral and fundamental part ofhuman exposure. Humans are exposed to EDCs by multiple pathways including air, food, water, and consumerproducts. However, this exposure can lead to several adverse effects on human health, including on the cardiovascular(CV) system. The negative impact that EDC toxicity has on human CV health is a serious problem that must not beoverlooked. In this point of view, we proposed the use of the human umbilical artery as a human model to study thedirect effects of EDCs on the vascular level. Several works where these cells were directly exposed to EDC’s werepresented to highlight this well-established model as a great strategy to be used. In the future, we emphasize the needto continue to carry out different investigations using HUA to unveil and understand the vascular toxicity of EDCsand improve human CV health.

Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of the Maximus^TMSystem for Facial Wrinkles

Introduction: There is a growing demand for non-invasive methods with no down time and minimal risk for facial skin rejuvenation and treatment of wrinkles. The Maximus system, based on TriLipo technology, combines radiofrequency and Dynamic Muscle Activation (DMA). We evaluated the safety and efficacy of the MaximusTM system for the treatment of facial wrinkles. Methods: Twenty women received 8 weekly treatments for facial wrinkles using the Maximus system. Treatment efficacy was assessed by comparing pre- and post-treatment photographs, assessing skin characteristics using the 3D Visioscan system, assessing skin microtopography using the DUB ultrasonic scanning system, assessing microcirculation conditions of facial skin using Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) and subjective evaluation of skin improvement. Results: No adverse events were observed. Following the treatments, positive changes in skin flakiness (scaliness), roughness, smoothness and wrinkles were demonstrated using Visioscan. A thickening of the epidermal-dermal layer and increased structural homogeneity were observed by ultrasound, hyperechogenicity was increased and areas of hypoechogenicity reduced. Microcirculation was improved, corresponding with a positive trend for improved skin characteristics. Conclusions: The Maximus system powered by the TriLipo technology is a non-invasive, effective, safe, and virtually painless treatment for reduction of wrinkles and facial skin rejuvenation.