Effect of cardiac rehabilitation care after coronary intervention on cardiac function recovery and negative mood in patients with myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease,particularly myocardial infarction(MI)profound impact on patients'quality of life and places a substantial burden on the healthcare and economy systems.Developments in medical technology have led to the emer-gence of coronary intervention as an essential method for treating MI.AIM To assess the effects of cardiac rehabilitation care on cardiac function recovery and negative emotions in MI after coronary intervention.METHODS This study included a total of 180 patients with MI during the period from June 2022 to July 2023.Selected patients were divided into two groups:An observation group,which receiving cardiac rehabilitation care;a control group,which re-ceiving conventional care.By comparing multiple observation indicators such as cardiac function indicators,blood pressure,exercise tolerance,occurrence of adverse cardiac events,and negative emotion scores between the two groups of patients.All the data were analyzed and compared between two groups.RESULTS There were 44 males and 46 females in the observation group with an average age of 36.26±9.88 yr;there were 43 males and 47 females in the control group,with an average age of 40.87±10.5 yr.After receiving the appropriate postoperative nursing measures,the results of the observation group showed significant improvement in several indicators compared with the control group.Indicators of cardiac function,such as left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter and left ventricular ejection fraction were significantly better in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).Exercise endurance assessment showed that the 6-minute walking test distance was significantly increased in the patients of the observation group(P<0.01).In addition,the incidence of adverse cardiac events was significantly lower in the observation group,and negative mood scores were significantly reduced(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Cardiac rehabilitation care after coronary intervention has a significant positive impact on functional recovery.This emphasizes the importance of cardiac rehabilitation care to improve patient recovery.

Punicalagin prevents obesity-related cardiac dysfunction through promoting DNA demethylation in mice

The aim of this study was to investigate whether punicalagin(PU)could prevent obesity-related cardiac dysfunction by promoting DNA demethy lation,and to explore its possible mechanism.C57BL/6J mice were fed with standard diet,high-fat diet(HFD),HFD supplemented with resveratrol,low-dose PU(LPU)and high-dose PU(HPU)for 8 weeks.Compared with HFD group,body weight was significantly lower in PU treatment groups,number of cardionwocytes and the protein level of myosin heavy chain 7B were significantly higher in PU treatment groups.Levels of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and 5-formylcytosine were significantly lower in HFD group than in other groups.Compared with the HFD group,the protein level of ten-eleven translocation enzyme(TET)2 was significantly higher in PU treatment groups,p-AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)was significantly higher in LPU group.Levels of total antioxidant capacity and the protein levels of complexesⅡ/Ⅲ/Ⅴ,oxoglutarate dehydrogenase,succinate dehydrogenase B and fumarate hdrolase were significantly lower in HFD group than PU treatment group.The ratio of(succinic acid+fumaric acid)/a-ketoglutarate was significantly higher in HFD group than other groups.In conclusion,PU up-regulated TETs enzyme activities and TET2 protein stability through alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction and activating AMPK,so as to promote DNA demethylation,thus preventing obesity-related cardiac dysfunction.

Quality of life and functional capacity in patients after cardiac surgery intensive care unit

Coronary heart disease and aortic stenosis are prevalent cardiovascular diseases worldwide,leading to morbidity and mortality.Coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG)and surgical aortic valve replacement(SAVR)have therapeutic benefits,including improved postoperative quality of life(QoL)and enhanced patient functional capacity which are key indicators of cardiac surgery outcome.In this article,we review the latest studies of QoL outcomes and functional capacity in patients who underwent cardiac surgery.Many standardized instruments are used to evaluate QoL and functional conditions.Preoperative health status,age,length of intensive care unit stay,operative risk,type of procedure,and other pre-,intra-,and postoperative factors affect postoperative QoL.Elderly patients experience impaired physical status soon after cardiac surgery,but it improves in the following period.CABG and SAVR are associated with increases of physical and mental health and functional capacity in the immediate postoperative and the long long-term.Cardiac rehabilitation improves patient functional capacity,QoL,and frailty following cardiac surgery.

The Effect of Predictive Nursing Intervention on Cardiac Function and Clinical Outcomes in CCU Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction After Interventional Therapy

Objective:To evaluate the impact of predictive nursing on the care of acute myocardial infarction(AMI)patients in the Coronary Care Unit(CCU)after interventional therapy.Methods:From September 2021 to September 2023,84 AMI patients admitted to the CCU were randomly divided into two groups:the experimental group(42 patients)received predictive nursing,and the reference group(42 patients)received conventional nursing.Cardiac function and clinical outcomes were compared between the groups.Results:Before nursing,there was no difference in cardiac function between the two groups(P>0.05).After nursing,the cardiac function of the experimental group was better than that of the reference group(P<0.05).The clinical outcomes of the experimental group were better than those of the reference group(P<0.05).Before nursing,there was no difference in psychological scores between the two groups(P>0.05).After nursing,the psychological scores of the experimental group were lower than those of the reference group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Predictive nursing can improve the cardiac function and clinical outcomes of AMI patients after interventional therapy and can also regulate patients’negative psychological states.

Analysis of Cardiac Functional Status and Factors Influencing Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Pregnant Women with Combined Heart Disease

Objective:To investigate the cardiac function of pregnant women with complicated heart disease during pregnancy and the factors influencing the adverse pregnancy outcome.Methods:A total of 162 cases of pregnant women with complicated heart disease admitted to the Beijing Anzhen Hospital from October 2021 to December 2023 were selected to compare the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with complicated heart disease at different levels of cardiac function and to analyze the single and multi factors leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with complicated heart disease.Results:Among 162 pregnant women with combined heart disease in pregnancy,the highest percentage of heart disease type was congenital heart disease(80/49.38%),and the lowest percentage was other(9/5.56%);the overall incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with combined heart disease in pregnancy with cardiac function grades of 3–4 cardiac function(30/68.18%)was higher than that in pregnant women with combined heart disease in cardiac function grades of 1–2(40/33.90%)(P=0.000);age,marital status,hypertension,and past history of all pregnant women were not statistically significant(P>0.05);gestational age,type of heart disease,and cardiac function grading were statistically significant(P<0.05),and these factors were all independent risk factors for adverse pregnancy resolution in pregnant women with combined heart disease(P<0.05).Conclusion:The overall incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes was higher in pregnant women with heart disease than in those with heart disease grades 1–2,and the number of pregnancies,the type of heart disease,and heart function grades were all independent risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with heart disease.

Effectiveness of Atorvastatin Combined with Trimetazidine in the Treatment of Coronary Heart Disease in the Elderly and Their Effect on Cardiac Function

Objective:To analyze the effect of atorvastatin combined with trimetazidine in the treatment of elderly coronary artery disease and the effect on patients’cardiac function.Methods:60 cases of elderly coronary artery disease patients were divided into 2 groups by randomization method,and all of them received conventional symptomatic treatment,while atorvastatin was added to the control group and trimetazidine was combined with atorvastatin in the observation group,and the clinical indexes were compared.Results:After treatment,the angina attack,cardiac function indexes,and inflammatory factor levels of the observation group were better than those of the control group(P<0.05),and the differences in adverse reactions between the two groups were not significant(P>0.05).Conclusion:Combined treatment of coronary heart disease in the elderly with atorvastatin and trimetazidine can positively reduce angina symptoms,improve cardiac function,and reduce inflammatory reactions,and the effect is definite.

Effects of Continuous Precision Nursing Model on Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) Behavior and Cardiac Function in Patients after Percutaneous Coronary Angiography and Stent Implantation

Objective:To explore the impact of a continuous precision nursing model on patients’Knowledge,Attitudes,and Practices(KAP)and cardiac function during the nursing process of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary angiography and stent implantation.Methods:Ninety patients who underwent percutaneous coronary angiography and stent implantation in our hospital from April 2022 to April 2023 were selected and randomly divided into the control group(45 cases),in which routine nursing support was carried out during the treatment process,and the observation group(45 cases),in which continuous precision nursing model was carried out during the treatment process.Comparisons were made between the two groups of patients on their KAP,cardiac function,and quality of life during recovery.Results:There was no difference in the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),cardiac output(CO),and cardiac index(CI)levels before intervention.After the intervention,the levels of cardiac function in the observation group were higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).There was no difference in the Exercise of Self-Care Agency(ESCA)self-care ability scale scores before the intervention.After the intervention,the observation group had higher ESCA scores than the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Implementation of a continuous precision nursing model in the care of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary angiography and stent implantation improved the patient’s cardiac function,and KAP,and promoted recovery.

The Impact of Cardiac Pacing Site on Patient's Cardiac Function and Psychological State

With the widespread application of artificial permanent pacemakers in clinical practice,there have been new changes in the indications for pacemaker implantation.The current clinical indications include high atrioventricular block,sick sinus syndrome,cardiac resynchronization therapy for heart failure,and implantation of cardioverter defibrillators for ventricular arrhythmias.The implantation of a pacemaker can improve the quality of life and prognosis of patients with arrhythmia.In the past,permanent pacemaker implantation was performed in clinical practice,and the right ventricular pacing electrode was often fixed at the apex of the right ventricle,which belongs to non physiological pacing.Through long-term clinical follow-up,it was found that apex pacing can easily cause abnormal depolarization of the left ventricle,asynchronous contraction of the myocardium,and ultimately lead to myocardial fibrosis,which has adverse effects on the patient's cardiac function and psychological state.In recent years,Scholars have found that pacing in the right ventricular outflow tract septum is closer to the atrioventricular node and closer to the His bundle Purkinje fibers.The pacing impulse almost simultaneously expands towards both ventricles,closer to the physiological pacing state,thereby reducing the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients.This article explores the impact of pacing in different parts of the heart on the cardiac function and psychological state of patients based on clinical data from the past three years.

Hypidone hydrochloride(YL-0919)ameliorates functional deficits after traumatic brain injury in mice by activating the sigma-1 receptor for antioxidation

Traumatic brain injury involves complex pathophysiological mechanisms,among which oxidative stress significantly contributes to the occurrence of secondary injury.In this study,we evaluated hypidone hydrochloride(YL-0919),a self-developed antidepressant with selective sigma-1 receptor agonist properties,and its associated mechanisms and targets in traumatic brain injury.Behavioral experiments to assess functional deficits were followed by assessment of neuronal damage through histological analyses and examination of blood-brain barrier permeability and brain edema.Next,we investigated the antioxidative effects of YL-0919 by assessing the levels of traditional markers of oxidative stress in vivo in mice and in vitro in HT22 cells.Finally,the targeted action of YL-0919 was verified by employing a sigma-1 receptor antagonist(BD-1047).Our findings demonstrated that YL-0919 markedly improved deficits in motor function and spatial cognition on day 3 post traumatic brain injury,while also decreasing neuronal mortality and reversing blood-brain barrier disruption and brain edema.Furthermore,YL-0919 effectively combated oxidative stress both in vivo and in vitro.The protective effects of YL-0919 were partially inhibited by BD-1047.These results indicated that YL-0919 relieved impairments in motor and spatial cognition by restraining oxidative stress,a neuroprotective effect that was partially reversed by the sigma-1 receptor antagonist BD-1047.YL-0919 may have potential as a new treatment for traumatic brain injury.

Notum protects against myocardial infarction-induced heart dysfunction by alleviating cardiac fibrosis

Background and Objective:Cardiac fibrosis is a pathological reparative process that follows myocardial infarctionand is associated with compromised cardiac systolic and reduced cardiac compliance.The Wnt signaling pathway is closely implicated in organ fibrosis,and Notum,a highly conserved secreted inhibitor,modulates Wnt signaling.The objective of this study was to explore the role and mechanism of Notum in cardiac fibrosis.Methods:A mouse model of cardiac remodeling was established through left coronary artery ligation surgery,with the addition of Notum injection following myocardial infarction surgery.The protective effect of Notum on myocardial infarction was assessed by evaluating cardiac function,including survival rate,echocardiographic assessment,and cardiac contraction analyses.Inflammatory cell necrosis and infiltration were confirmed through H&E and Masson staining.The expression of fibrosis-related genes andβ-catenin pathway markers was detected using Western blot quantificational RT-PCR(qRT-PCR).Additionally,EdU,wound healing,and immunofluorescence staining analyses were performed to detect the effect of Notum's in transforming growth factor beta-1(TGF-β1)induced myofibroblast transformation.Results:The administration of Notum treatment resulted in enhanced survival rates,improved cardiac function,and decreased necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells in mice subjected to left coronary artery ligation.Furthermore,Notum effectively impeded the senescence of cardiac fibroblasts and hindered their pathological transformation into cardiac fibroblasts.Additionally,it significantly reduced collagen production and attenuated the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.Our preliminary investigations successfully demonstrated the therapeutic potential of Notum in both fibroblasts in vitro and in a mouse model of myocardial infarction-induced cardiac fibrosis in vivo.Conclusion:Notum inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and cardiac fibroblast senescence ultimately hampers the onset of cardiac fibrosis.Our findings suggest that Notum could represent a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease-associated fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD),particularly in the presence of liver fibrosis,increases the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality,but the nature of the cardio-hepatic interaction in the context type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is not fully understood.AIM To evaluate the changes in cardiac morphology and function in patients with T2DM and MASLD-associated liver fibrosis.METHODS T2DM patients with MASLD underwent a medical evaluation that included an assessment of lifestyle,anthropometric measurements,vital signs,an extensive laboratory panel,and a standard echocardiography.Liver fibrosis was evaluated using two scores[Fibrosis-4(FIB4)and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-Fibrosis Score(NFS)],and subjects were classified as having advanced fibrosis,no fibrosis,or an indeterminate risk.The correlations between structural and functional cardiac parameters and markers of liver fibrosis were evaluated through bivariate and multiple regression analyses.Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.RESULTS Data from 267 T2DM-MASLD subjects with complete assessment was analyzed.Patients with scores indicating advanced fibrosis exhibited higher interventricular septum and left ventricular(LV)posterior wall thickness,atrial diameters,LV end-systolic volume,LV mass index(LVMi),and epicardial adipose tissue thickness(EATT).Their mean ejection fraction(EF)was significantly lower(49.19%±5.62%vs 50.87%±5.14%vs 52.00%±3.25%;P=0.003),and a smaller proportion had an EF≥50%(49.40%vs 68.90%vs 84.21%;P=0.0017).Their total and mid LV wall motion score indexes were higher(P<0.05).Additionally,they had markers of diastolic dysfunction,with a higher E/e’ratio[9.64±4.10 vs 8.44(2.43-26.33)vs 7.35±2.62;P=0.026],and over 70%had lateral e’values<10 cm/second,though without significant differences between groups.In multiple regression analyses,FIB4 correlated with left atrium diameter(LAD;β=0.044;P<0.05),and NFS with both LAD(β=0.039;P<0.05)and right atrium diameter(β=0.041;P<0.01),Moreover,LVMi correlated positively with age and EATT(β=1.997;P=0.0008),and negatively with serum sex-hormone binding protein(SHBP)concentrations(β=-0.280;P=0.004).SHBP also correlated negatively with LAD(β=-0.036;P<0.05).CONCLUSION T2DM patients with markers of MASLD-related liver fibrosis exhibit lower EF and present indicators of diastolic dysfunction and cardiac hypertrophy.Additionally,LVMi and LAD correlated negatively with serum SHBP concentrations.

Emerging insights into the function of very long chain fatty acids at cerebellar synapses

Very long chain-saturated and-polyunsaturated fatty acids(VLC-SFA and VLC-PUFA, respectively) are a functionally important class of fatty acids containing 28 carbons or more in their acyl chain. They are synthesized by the elongation of very long fatty acids-4(ELOVL4) enzyme, expressed mainly in the brain, retina, skin, testes, and meibomian gland, where these fatty acids are found(Agbaga et al., 2008). Further, these organs exhibit tissuespecific VLC-PUFA and VLC-SFA biosynthesis and incorporation into complex lipids for specific functions. In the brain, skin, and Meibomian glands, the ELOVL4 mainly makes VLC-SFA, which are incorporated into complex sphingolipids. In the retina, the ELOVL4 makes VLC-PUFA that are incorporated into phosphatidylcholine, that are critical for visual function, while in testes and sperm, the VLC-PUFA are incorporated into sphingolipids that are critical for fertility(Yeboah et al., 2021).

Hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells protect neurons from cardiac arrest-induced pyroptosis

Cardiac arrest can lead to severe neurological impairment as a result of inflammation,mitochondrial dysfunction,and post-cardiopulmonary resuscitation neurological damage.Hypoxic preconditioning has been shown to improve migration and survival of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells and reduce pyroptosis after cardiac arrest,but the specific mechanisms by which hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells protect against brain injury after cardiac arrest are unknown.To this end,we established an in vitro co-culture model of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells and oxygen–glucose deprived primary neurons and found that hypoxic preconditioning enhanced the protective effect of bone marrow stromal stem cells against neuronal pyroptosis,possibly through inhibition of the MAPK and nuclear factor κB pathways.Subsequently,we transplanted hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells into the lateral ventricle after the return of spontaneous circulation in an 8-minute cardiac arrest rat model induced by asphyxia.The results showed that hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells significantly reduced cardiac arrest–induced neuronal pyroptosis,oxidative stress,and mitochondrial damage,whereas knockdown of the liver isoform of phosphofructokinase in bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells inhibited these effects.To conclude,hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells offer a promising therapeutic approach for neuronal injury following cardiac arrest,and their beneficial effects are potentially associated with increased expression of the liver isoform of phosphofructokinase following hypoxic preconditioning.

The complex role of protocadherin-19 in brain function:a focus on the oxytocin system

Mutations in the protocadherin-19(PCDH19)gene(Xq22.1)cause the X-linked syndrome known as developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 9(DEE9,OMIM#300088)(Dibbens et al.,2008).DEE9 is characterized by early-onset clustering epilepsy associated with intellectual disability ranging from mild to profound,autism spectrum disorder,and other neuropsychiatric features including schizophrenia,anxiety,attentiondeficit/hyperactivity,and obsessive or aggressive behaviors.While seizures may become less frequent in adolescence,psychiatric comorbidities persist and often worsen with age(Dibbens et al.,2008;Kolc et al.,2020).

Neuropeptide cholecystokinin:a key neuromodulator for hippocampal functions

Spatial memory is crucial for survival within external surroundings and wild environments.The hippocampus,a critical hub for spatial learning and memory formation,has received extensive investigations on how neuromodulators shape its functions(Teixeira et al.,2018;Zhang et al.,2024).However,the landscape of neuromodulations in the hippocampal system remains poorly understood because most studies focus on classical monoamine neuromodulators,such as acetylcholine,serotonin,dopamine,and noradrenaline.The neuropeptides,comprising the most abundant neuromodulators in the central nervous system,play a pivotal role in neural information processing in the hippocampal system.Cholecystokinin(CCK),one of the most abundant neuropeptides,has been implicated in regulating various physiological and neurobiological statuses(Chen et al.,2019).CCK-A receptor(CCK-AR)and CCK-B receptors(CCK-BR)are two key receptors mediating the biological functions of CCK,both of which belong to class-A sevenfold transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors(Nishimura et al.,2015).CCK-AR preferentially reacts to sulfated CCK,whereas CCK-BR binds both CCK and gastrin with similar affinities(Ding et al.,2022).The expression patterns of CCK-AR and CCK-BR are distinct,implying that CCK has various functions in target regions.For instance,CCK-AR is widely expressed in the GI and brain subregions and is hence implicated in the control of digestive function and satiety regulation.Conversely,CCK-BR is abundantly and widely distributed in the central nervous system,which majorly regulates anxiety,learning,and memory(Ding et al.,2022).However,the roles of endogenous CCK and CCK receptors in regulating hippocampal function at electrophysiological and behavioral levels have received less attention.

Corrigendum: MicroRNA-502-3p regulates GABAergic synapse function in hippocampal neurons

There is an error in the name of the cell line in the abstract of the published paper“MicroRNA-502-3p regulates GABAergic synapse function in hippocampal neurons”published on pages 2698-2707,Issue 12,Volume 19 of Neural Regeneration Research(Sharma et al.,2024),because of oversight during final proof checking.The correct description should be“human-GABA receptor A-α1/β2/γ2L human embryonic kidney(HEK)recombinant cell line.”The authors apologize for any inconvenience this correction may cause for readers and editors of Neural Regeneration Research.

Chondroitinase ABC combined with Schwann cell transplantation enhances restoration of neural connection and functional recovery following acute and chronic spinal cord injury

Schwann cell transplantation is considered one of the most promising cell-based therapy to repair injured spinal cord due to its unique growth-promoting and myelin-forming properties.A the Food and Drug Administration-approved Phase I clinical trial has been conducted to evaluate the safety of transplanted human autologous Schwann cells to treat patients with spinal cord injury.A major challenge for Schwann cell transplantation is that grafted Schwann cells are confined within the lesion cavity,and they do not migrate into the host environment due to the inhibitory barrier formed by injury-induced glial scar,thus limiting axonal reentry into the host spinal cord.Here we introduce a combinatorial strategy by suppressing the inhibitory extracellular environment with injection of lentivirus-mediated transfection of chondroitinase ABC gene at the rostral and caudal borders of the lesion site and simultaneously leveraging the repair capacity of transplanted Schwann cells in adult rats following a mid-thoracic contusive spinal cord injury.We report that when the glial scar was degraded by chondroitinase ABC at the rostral and caudal lesion borders,Schwann cells migrated for considerable distances in both rostral and caudal directions.Such Schwann cell migration led to enhanced axonal regrowth,including the serotonergic and dopaminergic axons originating from supraspinal regions,and promoted recovery of locomotor and urinary bladder functions.Importantly,the Schwann cell survival and axonal regrowth persisted up to 6 months after the injury,even when treatment was delayed for 3 months to mimic chronic spinal cord injury.These findings collectively show promising evidence for a combinatorial strategy with chondroitinase ABC and Schwann cells in promoting remodeling and recovery of function following spinal cord injury.

Emerging role of A-kinase anchoring protein 5 signaling in reward circuit function

There is a strong evidence supporting the hypothesis of synaptic dysfunction as a major contributor to neural circuit and network disruption underlying emotional and mood dysregulation in psychiatric disorders(Simmons et al.,2024).Diverse sets of distinct molecular signaling pathways converge on the synapse to regulate synaptogenesis,synaptic function,and synaptic plasticity in brain regions and circuits through complex interactions organized by numerous multivalent protein scaffolds,including the family of proteins known as A-kinase anchoring proteins(AKAPs).

Resting-state brain network remodeling after different nerve reconstruction surgeries:a functional magnetic resonance imaging study in brachial plexus injury rats

Distinct brain remodeling has been found after different nerve reconstruction strategies,including motor representation of the affected limb.However,differences among reconstruction strategies at the brain network level have not been elucidated.This study aimed to explore intranetwork changes related to altered peripheral neural pathways after different nerve reconstruction surgeries,including nerve repair,endto-end nerve transfer,and end-to-side nerve transfer.Sprague–Dawley rats underwent complete left brachial plexus transection and were divided into four equal groups of eight:no nerve repair,grafted nerve repair,phrenic nerve end-to-end transfer,and end-to-side transfer with a graft sutured to the anterior upper trunk.Resting-state brain functional magnetic resonance imaging was obtained 7 months after surgery.The independent component analysis algorithm was utilized to identify group-level network components of interest and extract resting-state functional connectivity values of each voxel within the component.Alterations in intra-network resting-state functional connectivity were compared among the groups.Target muscle reinnervation was assessed by behavioral observation(elbow flexion)and electromyography.The results showed that alterations in the sensorimotor and interoception networks were mostly related to changes in the peripheral neural pathway.Nerve repair was related to enhanced connectivity within the sensorimotor network,while end-to-side nerve transfer might be more beneficial for restoring control over the affected limb by the original motor representation.The thalamic-cortical pathway was enhanced within the interoception network after nerve repair and end-to-end nerve transfer.Brain areas related to cognition and emotion were enhanced after end-to-side nerve transfer.Our study revealed important brain networks related to different nerve reconstructions.These networks may be potential targets for enhancing motor recovery.

Enhancement of motor functional recovery in thoracic spinal cord injury: voluntary wheel running versus forced treadmill exercise

Spinal cord injury necessitates effective rehabilitation strategies, with exercise therapies showing promise in promoting recovery. This study investigated the impact of rehabilitation exercise on functional recovery and morphological changes following thoracic contusive spinal cord injury. After a 7-day recovery period after spinal cord injury, mice were assigned to either a trained group(10 weeks of voluntary running wheel or forced treadmill exercise) or an untrained group. Bi-weekly assessments revealed that the exercise-trained group, particularly the voluntary wheel exercise subgroup, displayed significantly improved locomotor recovery, more plasticity of dopaminergic and serotonin modulation compared with the untrained group. Additionally, exercise interventions led to gait pattern restoration and enhanced transcranial magnetic motor-evoked potentials. Despite consistent injury areas across groups, exercise training promoted terminal innervation of descending axons. In summary, voluntary wheel exercise shows promise for enhancing outcomes after thoracic contusive spinal cord injury, emphasizing the role of exercise modality in promoting recovery and morphological changes in spinal cord injuries. Our findings will influence future strategies for rehabilitation exercises, restoring functional movement after spinal cord injury.