Analysis of the Effect of Limb Rehabilitation Therapy Combined with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Therapy on Muscle Activity in Patients with Upper Limb Dysfunction After Cerebral Infarction

Objective:To analyze the effect of limb rehabilitation therapy combined with transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy on muscle activity in patients with upper limb dysfunction after cerebral infarction(CI).Methods:320 patients with upper limb dysfunction after CI were selected,all of whom were treated in our hospital between June 2021 and June 2023.They were randomly grouped according to the lottery method into the control group(limb rehabilitation therapy,160 cases)and the intervention group(transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy+limb rehabilitation therapy,160 cases).The upper limb function scores,neuro-electrophysiological indicators,daily living ability scores,and quality of life scores of the two groups were compared.Results:Compared with the control group,upper limb function scores and daily living ability scores in the intervention group were higher after treatment,and the neuro-electrophysiological indicators of the intervention group were lower after treatment(P<0.05).Conclusion:Transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy combined with limb rehabilitation therapy has significant effects in patients with upper limb dysfunction after CI and is worthy of promotion and application.

Evolving of treatment options for cerebral infarction

In this editorial,we comment on a recent article which addressed the therapeutic effect of aspirin plus edaravone in patients with cerebral infarction(CI).Herein,we outline the progress in therapy of CI.Apart from thrombolysis,aspirin is the most effective treatment for CI.Edaravone,a free radical scavenger,reduces endothelial cell damage and delays neuronal cell death.Aspirin plus edaravone mitigates damage to brain tissue by different mechanisms,thereby expediting the reinstation of neurological function.However,the nephrotoxic effect of edaravone,along with gastrointestinal bleeding associated with aspirin,may restrict this combination therapy.Although clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy and mechanical thrombectomy,patients receiving these treatments experience modest efficacy and many adverse events.Moreover,interest in exploring natural medicines for CI is increasing,and they appear to have a high potential to protect against CI.The evolution of therapeutic strategies is expected to improve clinical outcomes of patients with CI.

Application of a hospital–community–family trinity rehabilitation nursing model combined with motor imagery therapy in patients with cerebral infarction

BACKGROUND Rehabilitation nursing is considered an indispensable part of the cerebral infarction treatment system.The hospital–community–family trinity rehabilitation nursing model can provide continuous nursing services across hospitals,communities,and families for patients.AIM To explore the application of a hospital–community–family rehabilitation nursing model combined with motor imagery therapy in patients with cerebral infarction.METHODS From January 2021 to December 2021,88 patients with cerebral infarction were divided into a study(n=44)and a control(n=44)group using a simple random number table.The control group received routine nursing and motor imagery therapy.The study group was given hospital–community–family trinity rehabilitation nursing based on the control group.Motor function(FMA),balance ability(BBS),activities of daily living(BI),quality of life(SS-QOL),activation status of the contralateral primary sensorimotor cortical area to the affected side,and nursing satisfaction were evaluated before and after intervention in both groups.RESULTS Before intervention,FMA and BBS were similar(P>0.05).After 6 months’intervention,FMA and BBS were significantly higher in the study than in the control group(both P<0.05).Before intervention,BI and SS-QOL scores were not different between the study and control group(P>0.05).However,after 6months’intervention,BI and SS-QOL were higher in the study than in the control group(P<0.05).Before intervention,activation frequency and volume were similar between the study and the control group(P>0.05).After 6 months’intervention,the activation frequency and volume were higher in the study than in the control group(P<0.05).The reliability,empathy,reactivity,assurance,and tangibles scores for quality of nursing service were higher in the study than in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Combining a hospital–community–family trinity rehabilitation nursing model and motor imagery therapy enhances the motor function and balance ability of patients with cerebral infarction,improving their quality of life.

Effect of medical care linkage-continuous management mode in patients with posterior circulation cerebral infarction undergoing endovascular interventional therapy

BACKGROUND Acute cerebral infarction is a severe type of ischemic stroke that can be divided into anterior circulation cerebral infarction and posterior circulation cerebral infarction(PCCI).PCCI affects the structure of the posterior circulation brain,because posterior part of the brain,which has more complex anatomical structures and more prone to posterior circulation vascular variation.Therefore,improving the prognosis of PCCI patients is necessary.AIM To explore the effect of medical care linkage-continuous management mode(MCLMM)on endovascular interventional therapy(EIT)for PCCI.METHODS Sixty-nine patients with PCCI who received EIT and conventional nursing intervention were selected as the control group,and 78 patients with PCCI who received EIT and MCLMM intervention were selected as the observation group.The incidence of postoperative complications,compliance and disease selfmanagement behavior after six months of intervention,modified Rankin scale(mRS)and Barthel index(BI)scores in the acute phase and after one year of intervention,and recurrence within one year were compared between the two groups.RESULTS The total incidence rate of postoperative complications in the observation group(7.69%)was lower than that in the control group(18.84%)(P<0.05).The scores for medical compliance behavior(regular medication,appropriate diet,and rehabilitation cooperation rates)and disease self-management behavior(self-will,disease knowledge,and self-care ability)in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).After one year of intervention,in the observation group,the mRS score was significantly lower,and the BI score was significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The recurrence rate within one year in the observation group(3.85%)was significantly lower than that in the control group(13.04%)(P<0.05).CONCLUSION MCLMM can reduce the incidence of complications after EIT for PCCI,improve patient compliance behavior and disease self-management ability,and promote the recovery of neurological function.

Bridging therapy and direct mechanical thrombectomy in the treatment of cardiogenic cerebral infarction with anterior circulation macrovascular occlusion

BACKGROUND Intravenous thrombolysis is an important treatment for cerebral infarction.However,it is difficult to achieve good results if the patient is complicated with anterior circulation macrovascular occlusion.In addition,the vascular recanalization rate is low,so mechanical thrombectomy,that is,bridging therapy,is needed AIM To investigate the efficacy and safety of bridging therapy and direct mechanical thrombectomy in the treatment of cardiogenic cerebral infarction with anterior circulation macrovascular occlusion.METHODS Ninety-six patients in our hospital with cardiogenic cerebral infarction with anterior circulation macrovascular occlusion from January 2017 to July 2020 were divided into a direct thrombectomy group(n=48)and a bridging group(n=48).Direct mechanical thrombectomy was performed in the direct thrombectomy group,and bridging therapy was used in the bridging treatment group.Comparisons were performed for the treatment data of the two groups(from admission to imaging examination,from admission to arterial puncture,from arterial puncture to vascular recanalization,and from admission to vascular recanalization),vascular recanalization rate,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)and Glasgow Coma Scale(GCS)scores before and after treatment,prognosis and incidence of adverse events.RESULTS In the direct thrombectomy group,the time from admission to imaging examination was 24.32±8.61 min,from admission to arterial puncture was 95.56±37.55 min,from arterial puncture to vascular recanalization was 54.29±21.38 min,and from admission to revascularization was 156.88±45.51 min,and the corresponding times in the bridging treatment group were 25.38±9.33 min,100.45±39.30 min,58.14±25.56 min,and 161.23±51.15 min;there were no significant differences between groups(P=0.564,0.535,0.426,and 0.661,respectively).There was no significant difference in the recanalization rate between the direct thrombectomy group(79.17%)and the bridging group(75.00%)(P=0.627).There were no significant differences between the direct thrombectomy group(16.69±4.91 and 12.12±2.07)and the bridging group(7.13±1.23) and(14.40±0.59)in preoperative NIHSS score and GCS score(P=0.200 and 0.203,respectively).After the operation,the NIHSS scores in both groups were lower than those before the operation,and the GCS scores were higher than those before the operation.There was no significant difference in NIHSS and GCS scores between the direct thrombectomy group(6.91±1.10 and 14.19±0.65)and the bridging group(7.13±1.23 and 14.40±0.59)(P=0.358 and 0.101,respectively).There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients who achieved a good prognosis between the direct thrombectomy group(52.08%)and the bridging group(50.008%)(P=0.838).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse events between the direct thrombectomy group(6.25%)and the bridging group(8.33%)(P=0.913).CONCLUSION Bridging therapy and direct mechanical thrombectomy can safely treat cardiogenic cerebral infarction with anterior circulation macrovascular occlusion,achieve good vascular recanalization effects and prognoses,and improve the neurological function of patients.

Effect of adjuvant therapy with ginkgo-damole on apoptosis, nerve injury and platelet aggregation of patients with acute cerebral infarction

Objective:To investigate the effect of adjuvant therapy with ginkgo-damole on apoptosis, nerve injury and platelet aggregation of patients with acute cerebral infarction. Methods:A total of 74 patients with acute cerebral infarction treated in our hospital from March 2014 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into ginkgo-damole group and conventional treatment group according to a therapeutic schedule that whether ginkgo-diyidamolum were included. At Week 2 and Week 4 after treatment, contents of apoptosis molecule, nerve injury molecule and index of platelet aggregation in serum were detected. Results:At Week 2 after treatment, contents of soluble Fas, soluble Fas ligand, soluble tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand, S100β, neuron specific enolase, glial fibrillary acidic protein, myelin basic protein, malonaldehyde, endothelin-1, fibrinogen and D-dimer in patients' sera of ginkgo-damole group were significantly lower than those of conventional treatment group. Contents of nitric oxide in sera were obviously higher than that of conventional treatment group. At Week 4 after treatment, contents of soluble Fas, soluble Fas ligand, soluble tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis inducing ligand, S100β, neuron specific enolase, glial fibrillary acidic protein, myelin basic protein, malonaldehyde, endothelin-1, fibrinogen and D-dimer in patients' sera of ginkgo-damole group were significantly lower than those of conventional treatment group. Contents of nitric oxide in sera were obviously higher than that of conventional treatment group. Conclusions:Adjuvant therapy with ginkgo-damole can inhibit the apoptosis of neuron cells and neurogliocyte and reduce the neural function injury and the situation of platelet aggregation.

Effects of ganglioside + aspirin + atorvastatin triple therapy on oxidative stress and inflammatory response in patients with cerebral infarction

Objective: To investigate the effects of ganglioside + aspirin + atorvastatin triple therapy on oxidative stress and inflammatory response in patients with cerebral infarction. Methods:A total of 138 patients with acute cerebral infarction between July 2016 and July 2017 were divided into control group (n=69) and triple group (n=69) by random number table method. Control group accepted conventional symptomatic treatment combined with aspirin and atorvastatin therapy, triple group accepted conventional symptomatic treatment combined with ganglioside, aspirin and atorvastatin triple therapy, and both groups were treated for 1 month. The differences in oxidative stress and inflammatory response were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: Immediately after admission, There was no statistically significant difference in serum levels of oxidative stress indexes and inflammatory mediators between the two groups. After 1 week of treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment, serum oxidative stress indexes ROS and AOPPs levels of triple group were lower than those of control group whereas SOD and CAT contents were higher than those of control group;serum inflammatory mediators IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-β levels were lower than those of control group whereas IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13 levels were higher than those of control group. Conclusion: ganglioside + aspirin + atorvastatin triple therapy can effectively inhibit the systemic oxidative stress and inflammatory response in patients with cerebral infarction.

The Effect of Electro-Acupuncture on Motor Function Recovery in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction:A Randomly Controlled Trial

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture treatment in acute phase of cerebral infarction on the motor functions. In this randomly controlled trial, 86 patients were allocated to two groups, the experimental group given clinical and electro-acupuncture treatments for a period of 4 weeks, and the control group given clinical treatment plus active and/or passive functional exercise. The result showed that the level of impairment and disability in both groups were improvement according to the Chinese Stroke Scale, Brunnstrom-Fugl-Meyer score, and Barthel Index throughout the study and 3 months after. The motor functions and the activities of daily living (ADL) were improved significantly in the electro-acupuncture group as compared with the control group (P

Identification of microRNAs and messenger RNAs involved in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell treatment of ischemic cerebral infarction using integrated bioinformatics analysis

In recent years,a large number of differentially expressed genes have been identified in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell(hUMSC)transplants for the treatment of ischemic cerebral infarction.These genes are involved in various biochemical processes,but the role of microRNAs(miRNAs)in this process is still unclear.From the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database,we downloaded two microarray datasets for GSE78731(messenger RNA(mRNA)profile)and GSE97532(miRNA profile).The differentially expressed genes screened were compared between the hUMSC group and the middle cerebral artery occlusion group.Gene ontology enrichment and pathway enrichment analyses were subsequently conducted using the online Database for Annotation,Visualization,and Integrated Discovery.Identified genes were applied to perform weighted gene co-suppression analyses,to establish a weighted co-expression network model.Furthermore,the protein-protein interaction network for differentially expressed genes from turquoise modules was built using Cytoscape(version 3.40)and the most highly correlated subnetwork was extracted from the protein-protein interaction network using the MCODE plugin.The predicted target genes for differentially expressed miRNAs were also identified using the online database starBase v3.0.A total of 3698 differentially expressed genes were identified.Gene ontology analysis demonstrated that differentially expressed genes that are related to hUMSC treatment of ischemic cerebral infarction are involved in endocytosis and inflammatory responses.We identified 12 differentially expressed miRNAs in middle cerebral artery occlusion rats after hUMSC treatment,and these differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly involved in signaling in inflammatory pathways,such as in the regulation of neutrophil migration.In conclusion,we have identified a number of differentially expressed genes and differentially expressed mRNAs,miRNA-mRNAs,and signaling pathways involved in the hUMSC treatment of ischemic cerebral infarction.Bioinformatics and interaction analyses can provide novel clues for further research into hUMSC treatment of ischemic cerebral infarction.

Clinical effects of Xingnao Kaiqiao acupuncture on neurological impairment following cerebral infarction

BACKGROUND： Although the curative effects of acupuncture have been confirmed by various treatments of cerebral infarction, few studies have investigated when acupuncture can attain the best clinical effect. OBJECTIVE： Four different time points were selected for acupuncture treatment of cerebral infarction to evaluate the appropriate time course for Xingnao Kaiqiao therapy in terms of improved neurological function. DESIGN： Controlled observation. SETTING： Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy of the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Chinese Armed Police Forces. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 120 inpatients with cerebral infarction of different stages, including 75 males and 45 females, aged 41-75 years, were selected from November 2005 to December 2006 at the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy in Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Chinese Armed Police Forces. Diagnostic criteria： in accordance with ＂main points of diagnosis on different cerebrovascular disease＂ secondly revised in the Second Cerebrovascular Disease Academic Meeting of Chinese Medicine Association in 1986. All accepted subjects provided confirmed consent, and the experiment received ethical permission from the hospital＇s ethics committee. METHODS： ① Experiment grouping： All inpatients were divided into four groups with non-stochastic concurrent control method according to the disease course： Group Ⅰ （onset within 7 hours）, group Ⅱ （onset from 7 hours to 3 days）, group Ⅲ （onset within 4-7 days）, and group IV （onset within 21-180 days）. On the basis of symptomatic treatment with western medicine, each group received Xingnao Kaiqiao therapy after onset within 7 hours, 7 hours to 3 days, 4 to 7days, and 21 to 180 days. ① The principal acupoints were Neiguan, Renzhong, and Sanyinfiao. ② The auxiliary acupoints were Jiquan, Chize, and Weizhong. ③Acupuncture manipulations： initially, Neiguan （PC6, bilateral） was needled at 0.5-1.0 cun vertically with a reducing technique achieved by rotating-swirling and lifting-inserting for l minute. Subsequently, Renzhong （GV26） was needled at 0.3-0.5 cun obliquely towards the nasal septum, with a heavy bird-pecking method until eyeballs were moist or shed tears. Sanyinjiao （SP6, affected limb） was needled at 1.0-1.5 cun obliquely along the medial border of the tibia with a 45° angle between the needle and skin. The technique of reinforcing was achieved by a lifting-inserting method until the affected lower limb twitched three times. The auxiliary acupoint, Jiquan, was selected when the patient extended the affected upper limb abduction. Jiquan was along the downward channel, l cun from the quondam Jiquan （HT1） acupoint; the armpit hair was avoided. Jiquan （affected limb） was needled vertically at 1.0-1.5 cun. The technique of reduction was achieved by lifting-inserting until the affected upper limb twitched three times. Chize （LU5） was selected when the patient flexed the elbow at 120°. Chize was vertically needled at l cun with a lifting-inserting reducing technique until the affected forearm and fingers twitched three times. Weizhong （BL40） was selected when the patient＇s leg was raised straight in a supine position. Weizhong was vertically needled at 0.5 1.0 cun with a lifting-inserting reducing technique until the affected lower limb twitched three times. ⑤ Acupuncture manipulations were achieved by the doctor who is an associate chief physician and doctor of acupuncture and moxibustion and has aptitude for the post＇s specification. ⑥One course of treatment lasted for 10 days and each group was treated for two courses of treatment. ⑦Experiment evaluation： To apply neurological impairment scores for evaluating clinical curative effects before and after treatment with Xingnao Kaiqiao therapy on day 7, 14, and 21（range of 0 45; decreasing score indicates functional improvement）.To evaluate clinical curative effect by clinical effective power： Basic recovery： equal to or more than 81%; significant improvement： 56% to 81% （including 56%）; Improvement： between 36% to 56% （including 36%）; Slight Improvement： 11% to 36% （including 11%）; No change： less than 11%; Aggravation （including death）： negative value. Total effective rate was computed at the same time. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The total effective rate and amelioration of neurological impairment of the patients after treatment. RESULTS： All 120 patients with cerebral infarction were included in the final analysis, without deletion. ① Comparison of the total effective rate： the total effective rate of group Ⅰ, group Ⅱ, group Ⅲ and group IV was 97%, 93%, 93%, and 67%, respectively. There were significant differences of interclass synthetic curative effects （x^2 = 36.351 7, P 〈 0.01）. ② Amelioration of neurological impairment： A decreased neurological impairment score was observed in group Ⅰ on day 7, 14, and 21 after Xingnao Kaiqiao therapy. The differences between group Ⅳ and the remaining three groups were significant （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Xingnao Kaiqiao therapy is helpful for amelioration of neurological impairment in patients during the acute stage cerebral infarction.

Aortic Dissection Complicated with Fatal Cerebral Infarction: Case Report and Review of Literatures

Acute aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate assessment and therapy. Rarely, aortic dis-section involves carotid arteries and manifest cerebral infarction. Here, we report a case of aortic dissection complicated with fatal cerebral infarction. A 83-year-old man, who suddenly suffered consciousness disturbance and right hemiparesis, was transferred to our hospital for the treatment of stroke. Magnetic resonance image revealed massive cerebral infarction in the left cerebral hemisphere as well as occlusion of the left internal carotid artery. Duplex ultrasonography demonstrated arterial dissection in the bilateral carotid arteries and the blood flow was compromised especially in the left side. Aortic dissection was confirmed by the contrast enhanced computed tomography. He was treated conservatively and died of cerebral hernia three days after the onset. In conclusion, aortic dissection may involve carotid artery and results in cerebral infarction. Ultrasound screening can aid timely diagnosis of aortic dissection and further management.

Effect of Acupuncture on Plasmic Levels of Insulin,Glucagon and Hypercoagulability in NIDDM Complicated by Acute Cerebral Infarction

Twenty-one cases of acute cerebral infarction secondary to NIDDM were treated with acupuncture and conventional therapy, and compared with 16 cases treated with conventional therapy alone. The results showed that acupuncture was more effective in reducing insulin and glucagon levels (P

EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE ON PLASMA STRESS HORMONE LEVELS OF HYPOTHALAMUS-PITUITARY-ADRENAL AXIS IN TYPE II DIABETES WITH CONCURRENT ACUTE CEREBRAL INFARCTION PATIENTS

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture on the contents of stress hormones of the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis (HPA) in treatment of type II diabetes with concurrent acute cerebral infarction patients. Methods: 60 cases of inpatients were randomly and evenly divided into treatment group (conventional medication plus acupuncture) and control (conventional mediation) group. Plasma corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) and corticosteroid (CS) contents before and after treatment were measured using radioimmunoassay (RIA) and compared with those of healthy subject group (n=30). Results: Plasma CRH, ACTH and CS levels in patients of both treatment group and control group at admission were significant higher than those of normal subject group (P<0.05). After treatment for 15～30 days, results showed that plasma CRH, ACTH and CS levels in both treatment and control groups lowered significantly in comparison with those of pre treatment (P<0.05 or 0.01); while those of treatment group were even more lower (being closer to the normal values) than those of control group (P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion: Acupuncture therapy can reduce the stress state of HPA in type II diabetes with concurrent acute cerebral infarction patients, i.e. regulate the neuroendocrine immunological net, which may be one of the mechanisms for acupuncture treatment of cerebral stroke.

COMPARISON OF EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTURE ON CEREBRAL INFARCTION IN DIFFERENT PARTS

92 cases of acute cerebral infarction confirmed by CT were assigned to cerebral hemi sphere surface infarction group and cerebral hemisphere deep infarction gioup according to infarction parts. The two groups were further divided randomly into acupuncture groups and simp1e drug control groups, respectively, i. e, surface infarction acupuncture group, surface infarction control group, deep infarction acupuncture group and deep infarction control group. Changes of nervous function be fore and after treatment were investigated in the 4 groups. Results indicated that acupuncture treatment had a definite therapeutic effect on acute cerebral infarction, but it had different effects on cereral infarction of different parts, that is, the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on cerebral surface infarction was superi or to that on deep infarction. It is suggested that effects of acupuncture are related closely with the in farction part.

CLINICAL STUDY ON THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE CEREBRAL INFARCTION WITH ACUPUNCTURE COMBINED WITH MEDICINES

Objective： To observe the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with medicines for acute cerebral infarction and to study its mechanism. Methods; A total of 80 acute cerebral infarction patients were evenly randomized into treabnent and control groups. Patients of treatment group were treated with acupuncture of Baihui （百会 GV 20）, Fengchi （风池 GB 20）, Jiquan （极泉 HT 1 ）, Neiiguen （ 内关 PC 6）, etc. and those of control group treated with conventional medicines as low molecular dextran, compound Red Sage injection, Citicolinum, etc. Scores of clinical neurological deficits, blood flow velocity peak （Vp） and mean blood flow velocity （Vm） of the bilateral internal carotid artery （ICA）, middle cerebral artery （MCA）, anterior cerebral artery （ACA）, posterior cerebral artery （PCA）, basilar artery （BA） and vertebral artery （VA） were detected with transcranial Doppler （TCO） were analyzed before and after treatment. Results： After 12 days＇ treatment, the neurological deficit scores in both treatment and control groups decreased significantly, and the difference values of the score of the former group was significantly bigger than these of the later group （P〈0.01）. Vp and Vm of all the detected arteries in treatment group and bilateral ACA, MCA and PCA of control group increased significantly in comparison with pre-treatment （P〈0.05, P〈0.01） ; and the difference values of Vm of bilateral MCA and VA （between post- and pre-treatment） of treatment group were significantly bigger than those of control group （P〈0.01）. Conclusion; The therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with medication is significantly superior to that of simple medication in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction.

CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON THE TREATMENT OF ACUTE CEREBRAL INFARCTION WITH SCALP-ACUPUNCTURE

Abstract: In the present paper, the authors report the findings of scalp-acupuncture treatment of 50 cases of acute cerebral Infarction. A total of 100 patients were randomly divided into scalp acupuncture group (n = 50) and medication control group (n= 50). In the former group, penetration needling from Baihui (GV 20) to Qianding (GV 21) and from Shuaigu(GB 8) to Xuanli (GB 6) was performed, followed by conducting electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation; while in control group, intravenous drip of Ligustrazine injectio 120 mg plus 5% glucose solution 250 mL (once daily, with 14 days being a therapeutic course) was given in the first therapeutic course and then intravenous drip of Piracetum injectio (2 g plus 5% glucose or normal saline 250 mL, once daily, continuously for 14 days) conducted in the second therapeutic course. Results: After treatment, of the 50 cases in scalp acupuncture group, 26 (52%) were recovered basically, 15 (30%) had significant improvement, 7 (14%) had improvement and 2 (4%) failed in the treatment; while of the 50 cases in control group, 15 (30%) recovered basically, 17 (34%) had marked improvement, 16 (32%) had improvement and 2 (4%) failed in the treatment. The integral values of hemiplegia and aphasia of scalp acupuncture group were less than those of control group (P <0.01). It Indicates that the therapeutic effect of scalp acupuncture is superior to that of control group.

EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE ON EXPERIMENTAL CEREBRAL INFARCTION IN RATS

Objectives: To explore the effect of acupuncture on cerebral infarction in rats and to try providing some experimental parameters for clinical practice. Methods: 27 healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into pseudo operation (n=10), model (n=8) and acupuncture (n=9) groups. Neuro functional defect scoring, apoptosis of single brain slice and the number of bcl 2 immuno reaction (IR) positive neurons in CA1 area of the hippocampus were used as the indexes to investigate the possible mechanisms of acupuncture of "Nie San Zhen" (needling three acupoints in the temporal region) and "Si Shen Zhen" (needling four acupoints in the occiput region) in treating rats with cerebral infarction. Results: There existed significant differences between acupuncture group and model group in improving neurologic functional activities, inhibiting apoptosis of the brain cells and increasing bcl 2 IR positive neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area ( P <0.01). Conclusion: Acupuncture therapy can improve cerebral infarction in the rat by suppressing apoptosis and up regulation of the bcl 2 IR positive neuron expression.

Feasibility of Recruiting and Assessing Health-Related Quality of Life and Physical Function in Older Chinese Adults with Cerebral Infarction

Objective:While it is known that exercise therapy can improve physical and emotional function in cerebral infarction(CD)patients,few studies have examined how well this would be accepted by older adults in China.Methods:In this study,the feasibility of recruiting and asessing healh-related quality of life and physical function in older Chinese adults with cerebral infarction was asessed.Specific aims of the studly were to evalhuate the feasibility of recnuiting older adults,with and without CI,from three different locations/settings in China;Compare the quality of life and physical function measures between CI and control subjects;Propose future larger randomized controlled studies of aerobic and resistance exercise training in both human and animal models after CI.Results:Overall,66/275(24.0%)surveys that were sent to older Chinese adults were retumed and evaluated.Of those surveys returned,18(27%)met the study inclusion and exclusion critenia.Consequently,the results of this feasibility study indicate there is a recruitment yield(number of subject contacted/number of subjects who qualified for study)of 6.5%.These number varied at the different sites/settings.but the highest recruitment yield was seen in hospitalized patients.Despite small sample sizes,there were statistically sigmificant differences in health-related quality of life and physical function between CI patients and control subjects.Conclusion:This feasibility study demonstated that it is possible to successfully recruit CI patients for an exercise intervention study as well as to perform important assessments of health-related quality of life and physical fumction.Further randomized controlled trials,in humans and animal models,will be needed determine if aerobic and/or resistance exercise training can improve health and physical function in older CI patients.Additional studies will be needed to determine the specific mechanisms responsible for the benefits see with aerobic and resistance training.

Comparison of the anti-apoptotic effects of 15-and 35-minute suspended moxibustion after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

Heat-sensitive suspended moxibustion has a neuroprotective effect against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, but the underly- ing mechanisms remain unclear. The duration of heat-sensitive suspended moxibustion （usually from 30 minutes to 1 hour） is longer than traditional suspended moxibustion （usually 15 minutes）. However, the effects of 15- and 35-minute suspended moxibustion in rats with cerebra/ischemia/reperfusion injury are poorly understood. In this study, we performed 15- or 35-minute suspended moxibustion at acupoint Dazhui （GV14） in an adult rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Infarct volume was evaluated with the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride assay. Histopathological changes and neuronal apoptosis at the injury site were assessed by hematoxy- lin-eosin staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Caspase-9 and caspase-3 expression at the in- jury site was detected using immunofluorescent staining. Bax and Bcl-2 expression at the injury site was assessed using western blot assay. In the 35-minute moxibustion group, infarct volume was decreased, neuronal apoptosis was reduced, caspase-9, caspase-3 and Bax expres- sion was lower, and Bcl-2 expression was increased, compared with the 15-minute moxibustion group. Our findings show that 35-minute moxibustion has a greater anti-apoptotic effect than 15-minute moxibustion after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

EFFECTS OF ACUPUNCTURE AT FENGCHI POINT (GB 20) ON CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW

Blood velocity in the vertebral artery and the basilar artery was observed before and after acupuncture at Fengchi point (GB 20) in 97 patients by transcranial Doppler ultrasonic detecting. The results showed that the blood velocity in patients with either high or low blood flow had significant changes after acupuncture (P