Effect of Acupuncture on Cognitive Function in Patients With Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of acupuncture on post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). BACKGROUND: PSCI is a major barrier to stroke patients' rehabilitation, and acupuncture is one of the treatments. However, the benefit of acupuncture on PSCI is unclear. DESIGN: A meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: Up to February 1, 2024, databases in PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, and Wanfang Data were searched. The risk of bias was investigated using the Cochrane Handbook for systematic reviews of treatments. Random-effect and fix-effect models were used to report the effects. RESULTS: There were 29 randomized clinical trials with 2477 participants included. The findings demonstrated that the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores were higher in the acupuncture group than medicine group (mean difference [MD] = 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) CI [1.26, 2.23], I2 = 59%, p < 0.01). Compared to medicine group, the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) score exhibited a significant decrease and demonstrated improvement in the acupuncture group. Statistically significant outcomes were observed in the Barthel Index scores and P300 event-related potential (ERP). According to subgroup analysis, acupuncture was superior to conventional therapy for improving cognitive function in PSCI patients at 4 weeks after treatment. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture therapy has shown promise in ameliorating cognitive deficits and enhancing daily functional abilities in individuals diagnosed with PSCI. But future research should focus on the duration and implement large sample, high-quality RCTs. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Clinical workers in practical clinical work can select appropriate acupoints according to the actual conditions of patients, as well as confirm the treatment course of PSCI patients, while paying attention to observing and evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture, to improve the health outcomes of patients in a patient-centered way.

Efficacy of robot-assisted gait training on lower extremity function in subacute stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Robot-Assisted Gait Training (RAGT) is a novel technology widely employed in the field of neurological rehabilitation for patients with subacute stroke. However, the effectiveness of RAGT compared to conventional gait training (CGT) in improving lower extremity function remains a topic of debate. This study aimed to investigate and compare the effects of RAGT and CGT on lower extremity movement in patients with subacute stroke. METHODS: Comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Embase, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang, SinoMed and Vip Journal Integration Platform. The database retrieval was performed up until July 9, 2024. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: A total of 24 RCTs were included in the analysis. The results indicate that, compared with CGT, RAGT led to significant improvements in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Lower Extremity [MD = 2.10, 95%CI (0.62, 3.59), P = 0.005], Functional Ambulation Category[MD = 0.44, 95%CI (0.23, 0.65), P < 0.001], Berg Balance Scale [MD = 4.55, 95%CI (3.00, 6.11), P < 0.001], Timed Up and Go test [MD = -4.05, 95%CI (-5.12, -2.98), P < 0.001], and 6-Minute Walk Test [MD = 30.66, 95%CI (22.36, 38.97), P < 0.001] for patients with subacute stroke. However, it did not show a significant effect on the 10-Meter Walk Test [MD = 0.06, 95%CI (-0.01, 0.14), P = 0.08]. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that RAGT can enhance lower extremity function, balance function, walking ability, and endurance levels compared to CGT. However, the quality of evidence for improvements in gait speed remains low.

A trend of Tai Chi in osteoporosis research: A bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tai chi has been used to treat different forms of osteoporosis and increase bone density without the use of pharmaceuticals. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to use bibliometric analysis to methodically examine trends and hotspots of tai chi treatment for osteoporosis in order to generate references for further investigation. METHODS: The articles on Tai Chi to treat osteoporosis was obtained from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang, Web of Science (WOS) and PubMed between inception and November 8,2023. The annual publication volume, authors, institutions, and keywords, along with co-citation, clustering, and burst analysis, were analyzed using CiteSpace. RESULTS: Totally, 328 publications were included. The number of annual publications has been rising rapidly in recent years. Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and Shanghai University of Sport are two of the best universities for Tai Chi treatment in osteoporosis. This area of research is dominated by Zhou, Y; Yu, DH; Pence, BC and Qin,L. Core authors and core institutions having a relatively low level of collaboration indicates that there may be limited interaction and cooperation between these key players in the field. China had the highest volume of publications, followed by the United States. Furthermore, the majority of the study subjects and influence mechanism are the focus of current research in this field. CONCLUSION: Tai Chi in osteoporosis research field is in a stage of stable development. Universities and higher education institutions are the leading institutions in this field. China and the United States emerging as high productivity nations. The study of Tai Chi in osteoporosis not only focuses on the applicable population, effects and intervention methods, but also gradually shifts to the mechanism study such as "secretion of beneficial factors", "physical exercise load" and "oxidative stress status".

Unleashing the Power of Osmotic Energy: Metal Hydroxide-Organic Framework Membranes for Efficient Conversion.

Osmotic energy, as a renewable clean energy with huge energy density and stable yield, has received widespread attention over the past decades. Reverse electrodialysis (RED) based on ion-exchange membranes is an important method of obtaining osmotic energy from salinity gradients. The preparation of ion-exchange membranes with both high ion selectivity and ion permeability is in constant exploration. In this work, metal hydroxide-organic framework (MHOF) membranes are successfully prepared onto porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes by a facile hydrothermal method to form Ni2(OH)2@AAO composite membranes, used for osmotic energy conversion. The surface is negatively charged with cation selectivity, and the asymmetric structure and extreme hydrophilicity enhance the ionic flux for effective capture of osmotic energy. The maximum output power density of 5.65 W m-2 at a 50-fold KCl concentration gradient is achieved, which exceeds the commercial benchmark of 5 W m-2. Meanwhile, the composite membrane can also show good performance in different electrolyte solutions and acid-base environments. This work provides a new avenue for the construction and application of MHOF membranes in efficient osmotic energy conversion.

Flexible Self-Supporting MOF-Based Bean Pod Cube Hollow Nanofibers for Ultralong Cycling and High Rate Na Storage.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have garnered significant attention due to their potential as an emerging energy storage solution. Tin sulfide (SnS) has emerged as a promising anode material for SIBs due to its impressive theoretical specific capacity of 1022 mA h g-1 and excellent electrical conductivity. However, its practical application has been hindered by issues such as large volume expansion, which adversely affects cycling stability and rate performance during the charge/discharge processes. In this study, a novel approach to address these issues by synthesizing the bean pod cube hollow metal-organic framework (MOF)-SnSx/NC@N-doped carbon nanofibers through a process involving electrospinning, PDA coating, and calcination. The Sn-MOF serves as a self-sacrificing template, facilitating the simultaneous dissociation of MOF and polymerization of dopamine, leading to the creation of hollow intermediates that retain tin components. Subsequent sulfidation results in the integration of the hollow MOF-SnSx/NC nanoparticles within 3D nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers, forming the distinctive bean pod cube composite structure. This unique configuration effectively shortens the diffusion path and mitigates volume expansion for sodium ions, ultimately yielding an exceptional high rate performance of 130 mA h g-1 (10 A g-1) and an ultralong cycling performance of 328 mA h g-1 even after 3500 cycles (2 A g-1) as the anode for SIBs.

In Situ Growth of MOF-303 Membranes onto Porous Anodic Aluminum Oxide Substrates for Harvesting Salinity-Gradient Energy.

As an emerging metal-organic framework (MOF) material in recent years, the MOF-303 membrane has shown great potential applications in seawater desalination, dehydration, and atmospheric water harvesting. Herein, we report on a dense and uniform MOF-303 membrane fabricated by a facile in situ hydrothermal synthesis approach in the presence of an anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) channel membrane acting as the only Al source and substrate. Interestingly, the MOF-303 isomer can be obtained due to an insufficient amount of organic ligand caused by the less hydrophilic and larger pore size of the AAO substrate. The MOF-based composite membranes possessed surface-charge-governed ionic transport behavior. Moreover, the MOF-303/AAO membrane yielded an output power density of 1.87 W/m2 under a 50-fold KCl concentration gradient. Under a 50-fold gradient of artificial seawater and river water, a maximum power density of 1.46 W/m2 can be obtained. After 30 days of stability testing, the composite membrane still maintained the power output, and the power density was higher than 1.20 W/m2. This work provides a facile and effective strategy for constructing Al-based MOF composite membranes and boosts their applications in harvesting salinity-gradient energy.

Multi-Pleated Alkalized Ti3 C2 Tx MXene-Based Sandwich-Like Structure Composite Nanofibers for High-Performance Sodium/Lithium Storage.

The volume expansion of CoFe2 O4 anode poses a significant challenge in the commercial application of lithium/sodium-ion batteries (LIBs/SIBs). However, metal-organic-frameworks (MOF) offer superior construction of heterostructures with refined interfacial interactions and lower ion diffusion barriers in Li/Na storage. In this study, the CoFe2 O4 @carbon nanofibers derived from MOF are produced through electrospinning, in situ growth followed by calcination, which are then confined within an MXene-confined MOF-derived porous CoFe2 O4 @carbon composite architecture under alkali treatment. The CoFe2 O4 nanofibers anchor on the alkalized MXene that is decorated with the NaOH solution to form a multi-pleated structure. The sandwich-like structure of the composite effectively alleviates the volume expansion and shortens the Li/Na-ion diffusion path, which displays high capacity and outstanding rate performance as anode materials for LIBs/SIBs. As a consequence, the obtained CoFe2 O4 @carbon@alkalized MXene composite anode shows satisfied rate performance at current density of 10 A g-1 for LIBs (318 mAh·g-1 ) and 5 A g-1 for SIBs (149 mAh g-1 ). The excellent cycling performance is further demonstrated at a high current density, where it maintains a discharge capacity of 807 mAh g-1 at 2 A g-1 after 400 cycles for LIBs and 130 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1 even after 1000 cycles for SIBs.

The effects of the mirror therapy on shoulder function in patients with breast cancer following surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Shoulder dysfunction is one of the most bothersome questions for breast cancer survivors. Studies show that mirror therapy can improve shoulder function in patients with a limited shoulder range of motion and shoulder pain. Here, this article reports the results of a randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of the mirror therapy on shoulder function in patients with breast cancer following surgical treatments. METHODS: Totally, 79 participants were divided to two groups receiving active range-of-motion upper limb exercise based on the mirror therapy or active range-of-motion upper limb exercise respectively for 8 weeks. Shoulder range of motion, Constant-Murley Score, Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Visual analog scale, and grip strength were measured at baseline (T0), 2 weeks (T1), 4 weeks (T2), and 8 weeks (T3). The effects of the intervention on shoulder function were analyzed in generalized estimation equation, from group, time, and the interactions between group and time based on the data from participants who completed at least one post-baseline observation RESULTS: At least one post-baseline observation was performed by 69 participants (n=34 mirror group, n=35 control group). 28(82.35%) participants in the mirror group adhered to the exercise compared to 30(85.71%) in the control group. Generalized estimation equation model showed group had main effects on forward flexion (Waldχ²=6.476, P=0.011), with the Cohen's d=0.54. The effects of the group on abduction, Constant-Murley Score, and Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire were significant when fix the effects of the time. At 8 weeks, participants in the mirror group showed an improvement in abduction compared to the control group (P=0.005), the Cohen's d was 0.70. At 8 weeks, participants in the mirror group had a higher Constant-Murley Score than control group (P=0.009), with Cohen's effect size value of d=0.64. The mirror group showed a greater improvement on the Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire than control group at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks (P≤0.032), but with a weak effect size value of all (r≤0.32). Group had main effects on Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (Waldχ²=6.631, P=0.010), with the Cohen's effect size value of d=0.56. CONCLUSIONS: Mirror therapy improved shoulder flexion, abduction, shoulder function in daily life, and arm function and symptom of the affected shoulder in patients with breast cancer following surgical treatment, while decreasing fear of movement/(re)injury. Mirror configuration needs to be improved in further research to increase its feasibility. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Breast cancer survivors can try mirror therapy as a practical and effective method in shoulder rehabilitation for a promotion on effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov Identifier: ChiCTR2000033080.

The Effect of Exercise on Weight and Body Composition of Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy is a primary adjuvant treatment strategy for breast cancer patients, accompanied by weight gain and negative changes in body composition. However, it is unknown whether exercise is effective in preventing said weight gain and mitigating body composition changes of breast cancer patients undergoing treatment. OBJECTIVES: The current study used meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis to determine exercise effect on weight and body composition of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, Scopus, and SinoMed were searched (from the database start date up to August 16, 2021) for randomized controlled studies evaluating the effect of exercise on weight or body composition among breast cancer patients during chemotherapy. RevMan software and TSA Software were used to assess the risk of bias and analyze study results. RESULTS: In total, 13 studies comprising 1828 participants were included. Meta-analysis showed that exercise could lead to lower weight, body mass index (BMI), and percentage of body fat during chemotherapy for breast cancer patients, and muscular strength showed significant improvement. Trial sequential analysis showed that evidence of muscular strength was sufficient, but BMI evidence requires further confirmation. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis found significant differences in body weight, BMI, percentage of body fat, and muscular strength between exercise intervention groups and control groups. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Exercise during chemotherapy is beneficial in preventing weight gain and negative changes in body composition. Medical practitioners should encourage patients to start exercising during chemotherapy. However, further studies are required because insufficient sample sizes meant that outcomes of body composition remain unconfirmed.

The effects of exercise intervention on cognition and motor function in stroke survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment was a common sequela among stroke survivors, and exercise intervention was a promising non-pharmacological treatment modality for it. PURPOSE: To explore the effects of exercise intervention programs on cognitive and motor function in patients with cognitive impairment after stroke. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Seven online databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycInfo, and SPORTDiscus) were searched from their inception to 10 February 2022. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of exercise with non-exercise rehabilitation, using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination, Mini-Mental State Examination, Trial Making Test, Upper and Lower Extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Berg Balance Scale, and Barthel Index, were selected. Calculations for each assessment were performed for the overall effect and the therapy of interest, taking into account the effect of stroke severity or stimulus parameters. RESULTS: Twelve RCTs involving 975 participants and investigating nine different types of exercise interventions were included. The results were not affected by participant characteristics or reactive balance outcomes. Our results emphasise the importance of lightweight and operable aerobic exercises. Exercise itself had a high potential to improve cognitive impairment and motor function after stroke. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise had significant positive effects on alleviating cognitive and motor impairments after stroke.

The Efficacy of Reminiscence Therapy in Cancer-Related Symptom Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: At present, simple reminiscence has been widely used in the field of neurocognitive disorders, life review/life review therapy has been widely used in the field of cancer, and both simple reminiscence and life review/life review therapy are suitable for psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. However, the efficacy of reminiscence in treating cancer-related symptom has not been fully assessed. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of reminiscence therapy (RT) on relieving cancer-related symptoms such as anxiety and depression in cancer survivals. METHODS: China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP database, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China Biomedical Database, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, EBSCO, Scopus, and Ovid databases were searched. To collect clinical randomized controlled trials (RCT) on RT and cancer-related studies published from the establishment of the database to October 05, 2021. Two researchers independently evaluated the articles that met the inclusion criteria, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.4 software. RESULTS: A total of 20 RCTs published in 2010 to 2021 were included, with a total of 1853 cancer patients. Meta-analysis results showed that the anxiety scale (HADS-A and HAMA and SAS) and depression scale (HADS-D and HAMD and SDS) scores of the RT group were significantly lower than those of the control group (HADS-A: P = .0002; HAMA: P < .00001; SAS: P = .0010; HADS-D: P = .01; HAMD: P < .00001; SDS: P = .0001). Meta-analysis results showed that RT can improve overall quality of life of cancer patients of RT group to a certain extent hope (P < .00001). Meta-analysis results showed that the scores on the hope and dignity were significantly increased, and the difference were statistically significant (P < .001). CONCLUSION: This review indicates that RT has significant efficacy on cancer-related symptoms such as anxiety and depression. RT for cancer survivals can effectively improve quality of life, self-hope, and self-esteem. The findings of this meta-analysis can provide direction for future symptom management research.

Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on post-stroke patients with cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) is one of the common symptoms in stroke survivors, by which their quality of life and rehabilitation progress are severely limited. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been proven to regulate cognition in a non-invasive way. However, the inconsistency in its effectiveness on PSCI reported in previous studies cannot be ruled out. A critical and comprehensive systematic review of rTMS on PSCI patients is necessary. METHODS: Trials published before the end of February 2022 on rTMS and PSCI were systematically retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Embase and SCOPUS. High-quality literature was selected following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, with their references being screened. Meta-analysis of data was carried out using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: Ten trials involving 347 participants were included in the current review. Global cognition as measured by MMSE or MoCA (SMD=0.54; 95% CI=0.31, 0.76; P < 0.00001; I2 = 38%) and modified Barthel index (MD=9.00; 95% CI=2.93, 15.06; P = 0.004; I2 = 0%) were significantly improved by rTMS compared to sham stimulation in PSCI patients. Performance of the digit symbol test, rivermead behavioral memory test and attention in PSCI patients were also significantly improved. Subgroup analyses showed that significant differences were found in both MoCA and MMSE among PSCI patients by rTMS. MoCA was significantly improved by high frequency rTMS, while both MoCA and MMSE were significantly improved targeting on left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSION: rTMS provides a non-invasive and effective technique for the treatment of post-stroke patients with cognitive impairment.

Mediating effect of circadian rhythm between work stress and sleep quality in Chinese shift-working nurses: A cross-sectional survey.

AIM: This study examined the mediating effect of circadian rhythm amplitude (LV) and stability (FR) between work stress and sleep quality among Chinese shift-working nurses (SWNs). DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: Three-hundred and seventy-nine nurses working in shifts were investigated by convenient sampling from six hospitals in Shanghai, China. The mediating effect was analysed using the structural equation model with bootstrapping procedures. RESULTS: Work stress could directly affect shift nurses' sleep quality and indirectly affect sleep quality through circadian rhythm amplitude and stability. The total indirect effects of work stress on sleep quality accounted for 36.7% of the total effect. The study revealed that poor sleep quality is very common among SWNs, which deserves attention. The mediating effect of the circadian rhythm provides new insights to improve sleep quality, not only by lightening the work stress but also by improving circadian rhythm in SWNs.

Adaptive Auricular Point Acupressure for Sleep Disturbance in Women with Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the preliminary effect and efficacy of auricular point acupressure (APA) on the quality of sleep in women with breast cancer who were undergoing chemotherapy. Sample & Setting. We conducted a randomized controlled trial on 68 patients with breast cancer who reported poor sleep quality based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores (>7). Methods & Variables. Participants were randomly assigned to an APA treatment group or a control group. Patients in the APA group had magnetic pellets attached to selected auricular points and were instructed to apply pressure to these points 4×/day for three consecutive weeks. We objectively measured sleep quality using the Actiwatch Spectrum and the PSQI at the baseline and postintervention. Statistical analyses of changes in sleep data were performed using the t-test, a rank-sum test, and analyses of covariance. Results: In patients treated with APA, the PSQI total score and sleep onset latency had significantly decreased, while the total sleep time and sleep efficiency had significantly increased. Although the total PSQI score differed between groups at the baseline, ANCOVA results showed that the APA group had a significantly lower total PSQI score. Conclusion: APA could be an inexpensive and effective approach to improving sleep quality and reducing sleep disturbance in patients with breast cancer. Further research needs a larger sample size to verify our findings.

Effects of Baduanjin exercise on cognitive function and cancer-related symptoms in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Cognitive decline is one of the main side effects of breast cancer patients after relevant treatment, but there is a lack of clear measures for prevention and management without definite mechanism. Moreover, postoperative patients also have a need for limb rehabilitation. Whether the cognitive benefits of Baduanjin exercise can improve the overall well-being of breast cancer patients remains unknown. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 70 patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy who were randomly assigned and allocated to (1:1) a supervised Baduanjin intervention group (5 times/week, 30 min each time) or a control group for 3 months. The effects of Baduanjin exercise intervention were evaluated by outcome measures including subjective cognitive function, symptoms (fatigue, depression, and anxiety), and health-related quality of life at pre-intervention (T0), 4 weeks (T1), 8 weeks (T2), and 12 weeks (T3). The collected data were analyzed by using an intention-to-treat principle and linear mixed-effects modeling. RESULTS: Participants in the Baduanjin intervention group had a significantly greater improvement in terms of FACT-Cog (F = 14.511; p < 0.001), PCI (F = 15.789; p < 0.001), PCA (F = 6.261; p = 0.015), and FACT-B scores (F = 8.900; p = 0.004) compared with the control group over the time. The exercise-cognition relationship was significantly mediated through the reduction of fatigue (indirect effect: ß = 0.132; 95% CI 0.046 to 0.237) and the improvement of anxiety (indirect effect: ß = - 0.075; 95% CI - 0.165 to -0.004). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study revealed the benefits of Baduanjin exercise for subjective cognition and health-related quality of life of Chinese breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and outlined the underlying mediating mechanism of exercise-cognition. The findings provided insights into the development of public health initiatives to promote brain health and improve quality of life among breast cancer patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR 2,000,033,152.

Heterostructure Fe2O3 nanorods@imine-based covalent organic framework for long cycling and high-rate lithium storage.

Fe2O3 as an anode for lithium-ion batteries has attracted intense attention because of its high theoretical capacity, natural abundance, and good safety. However, the inferior cycling stability, low-rate performance, and limited composite varieties hinder the application of Fe2O3-based materials. In this work, an Fe2O3@COF-LZU1 (FO@LZU1) anode was prepared via an imine-based covalent organic framework (COF-LZU1) covering on the exterior surface of Fe2O3 after rational optimization. With its unique heterostructure, the COF-LZU1 layer not only effectively alleviated the volume expansion during cycling but also improved the charge-transfer capability because of the π-conjugated system. Moreover, the organic functional group (CN, benzene ring) for COF-LZU1 provided more redox-active sites for Li+ storage. Under the contributions of both Fe2O3 nanorods and COF-LZU1, the FO@LZU150% exhibited an ultrahigh initial capacity and long-term cycling performance with initial discharge capacities of 2143 and 2171 mA h g-1 after 300 cycles under 0.1 A g-1, and rate performance of 1310 and 501 mA h g-1 at 0.3 and 3 A g-1, respectively. In addition, a high retention capacity of 1185 mA h g-1 was achieved at 1 A g-1 after 500 cycles. Furthermore, a full-cell with the FO@LZU150% anode and LiCoO2 cathode exhibited superior cycling and rate performance, which still maintained a reversible capacity of 260 mA h g-1 after 200 cycles even at a current density of 1 A g-1. The proposed strategy offers a new perspective for exploring the high-rate capability and designability of Fe2O3-based electrode materials.

Effects of free range-of-motion upper limb exercise based on mirror therapy on shoulder function in patients after breast cancer surgery: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder function complications are common after treatment for breast cancer. Quite a few survivors still report a limited shoulder range of motion, even though the free range-of-motion upper limb exercise is helpful to restore shoulder function. Mirror therapy (MT) is a classical and effective rehabilitation technique to recover motor and sensory function for the limbs; in addition, studies have reported that MT has an influence on patients with shoulder functional dysfunction including increasing shoulder range of motion, improving shoulder function scores, and decreasing pain scores. Here, we describe a protocol of a randomized controlled trial to explore if free range-of-motion upper limb exercise based on MT has efficacy on shoulder function in survivors after surgery of breast cancer. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a prospective, single-blind, two-arm randomized controlled trial. An estimated 70 participants will be randomly allocated to (1) the MT group or (2) the control group. The participants in the control group receive free range-of-motion upper limb exercise, and participants in the MT group will engage in free range-of-motion upper limb exercise based on MT. The intervention will start on the first day after surgery and be completed at 8 weeks after surgery. The primary outcome in this protocol is shoulder range of motion (ROM), while the Constant-Murley Score (CMS); Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (DASH); Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (13-item TSK); visual analog scale (VAS); grip strength; arm circumference; and lymphedema are the secondary outcomes. Assessment will be conducted before allocation (baseline) and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after surgery. DISCUSSION: Based on the results that MT has an influence on shoulder function immediately after intervention in patients without nerve injury, this randomized controlled trial is to observe the efficacy of MT on shoulder function after a long-term intervention in breast cancer survivors. We look forward to the innovation of this study for both breast cancer rehabilitation and MT. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( ChiCTR ) ChiCTR2000033080. Registered on 19 May 2020.

Plantago asiatica L. seeds extract protects against cardiomyocyte injury in isoproterenol- induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting excessive autophagy and apoptosis in mice.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac hypertrophy is the early stage of many heart diseases, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, valvular dysfunction and cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyocyte autophagy and apoptosis play an important role in the process of cardiac hypertrophic response. Plantago asiatica L. seeds extract (PASE) is prepared from a traditional herbal medicine in Asia with tremendous pharmacological activities. However, whether PASE could relieve cardiac hypertrophy has not been elucidated. The present study is aimed to investigate the effect of PASE on cardiac hypertrophy and explore its potential underlying mechanism. METHODS: Cardiac hypertrophy was induced in C57BL/6 mice by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (ISO) for two weeks. Meanwhile, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with PASE at dosages of 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg/day. Cardiac hypertrophy was evaluated by echocardiographic examination, haematoxylin and eosin staining and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Expressions of proteins involved in autophagy and apoptosis such as Beclin1, p62, LC3II, Bax, Bcl-2 and Cleaved-caspase-3 were detected by western blot analysis. Western blot, transient transfection, acridine orange staining, TUNEL staining and autophagy inducer were used to observe the effect and explore the mechanism of PASE on cardiomyocyte and H9c2 cells with excessive autophagy and apoptosis induced by ISO. RESULTS: ISO induction for two weeks disturbed the myocardial contractility and cardiac function of left ventricles of mice. PASE treated mice showed significantly improved cardiac function indexes, including EF, FS, SV and CO, compared with the ISO group. Treatment with PASE also decreased the heart weight/body weight ratio and cardiomyocyte size, and downregulated the mRNA and protein expressions of hypertrophic markers ANP, BNP, and ß-MHC. Furthermore, the changes of autophagy and apoptosis markers, such as LC3II, Beclin1, p62, Bcl-2, Bax and Cleaved-caspase-3 induced by ISO were resumed by PASE treatment. Consistently, PASE demonstrated similar effects on ISO-induced H9c2 cells as it did in vivo. In addition, PASE could counteract the increased autophagy induced by the autophagy inducer, rapamycin. CONCLUSION: PASE attenuated ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice by inhibiting excessive autophagy and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. The novel findings may pave the way for the clinical usage of PASE for the prevention of heart diseases related with cardiac hypertrophy.

Effect of Baduanjin exercise intervention on cognitive function and quality of life in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: More than 50% cognitive impairment was reported by cancer patients before and after medical treatment. However, there are no effective interventions to manage the cognitive problem in women with breast cancer. This pilot study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Baduanjin exercise on cognitive function and cancer-related symptoms in women with early-stage breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. METHOD: A single-blinded, randomized control trial was designed. The trial will recruit 70 patients with early-stage breast cancer scheduled to receive chemotherapy from Shanghai in China. All participants will be randomly assigned to (1:1) the supervised Baduanjin group (5 times/week, 30 min each time) or the wait-list control group for 3 months. The effect of Baduanjin exercise intervention will be evaluated by outcome measures including subjective and objective cognitive function, symptoms (fatigue, depression, and anxiety), and health-related quality of life at pre-intervention (T0), 8 weeks (T1), and 12 weeks (T2). The PCI score in the FACT-Cog as the primary cognitive outcome will be reported descriptively, while effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) will be calculated. The collected data will be analyzed by using an intention-to-treat principle and linear mixed-effects modeling. DISCUSSION: This is the first randomized clinical trial to investigate whether Baduanjin exercise will have a positive role in improving cognitive function in women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. If possible, Baduanjin exercise will be a potential non-pharmacological intervention to manage cognitive dysfunction and promote survivorship care among breast cancer survivors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) ChiCTR2000033152 . Registered on 22 May 2020.