Acute effects of kinesiology tape on dynamic balance control in chronic ankle instability: An exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the acute effect of the four-strip kinesiology taping (KT) technique on dynamic balance control in the Y Balance Test (YBT), and to explore the relationship between the YBT and Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) scores in individuals with and without chronic ankle instability (CAI). METHODS: 16 CAI and 16 non-CAI participants were involved. Two groups completed the YBT in the no-tape barefoot and the KT condition at random. The CAIT was completed on the first day. Bonferroni test was used to analyze YBT scores in three directions for post hoc analysis. Spearman's correlation was used to analyze the relationship between YBT scores in the no-tape barefoot condition and CAIT scores. RESULTS: This KT application significantly improved YBT performance. The YBT scores in the anterior direction (YBT-A), posteromedial direction (YBT-PM), and posterolateral direction (YBT-PL) for the CAI group were significantly improved after taping. However, in the non-CAI group, only YBT-PM score was significantly improved after taping. Three YBT scores were all moderately correlated with the CAIT score. CONCLUSION: This KT technique can immediately improve dynamic balance in CAI patients. Dynamic balance performance was moderately related to the degree of self-perceived instability in individuals with and without CAI.

Homocysteine-Induced Disturbances in DNA Methylation Contribute to Development of Stress-Associated Cognitive Decline in Rats.

Chronic stress is generally accepted as the main risk factor in the development of cognitive decline; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Previous data have demonstrated that the levels of homocysteine (Hcy) are significantly elevated in the plasma of stressed animals, which suggests that Hcy is associated with stress and cognitive decline. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the cognitive function, plasma concentrations of Hcy, and brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) levels in rats undergoing chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS). The results showed that decreased cognitive behavioral performance and decreased BDNF transcription and protein expression were correlated with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) levels in stressed rats. Diet-induced HHcy mimicked the cognitive decline and BDNF downregulation in the same manner as CUMS, while Hcy reduction (by means of vitamin B complex supplements) alleviated the cognitive deficits and BDNF reduction in CUMS rats. Furthermore, we also found that both stress and HHcy disturbed the DNA methylation process in the brain and induced DNA hypermethylation in the BDNF promoter. In contrast, control of Hcy blocked BDNF promoter methylation and upregulated BDNF levels in the brain. These results imply the possibility of a causal role of Hcy in stress-induced cognitive decline. We also used ten-eleven translocation (TET1), an enzyme that induces DNA demethylation, to verify the involvement of Hcy and DNA methylation in the regulation of BDNF expression and the development of stress-related cognitive decline. The data showed that TET1-expressing viral injection into the hippocampus inhibited BDNF promoter methylation and significantly mitigated the cognitive decline in HHcy rats. Taken together, novel evidence from the present study suggests that Hcy is likely involved in chronic stress-induced BDNF reduction and related cognitive deficits. In addition, the negative side-effects of HHcy may be associated with Hcy-induced DNA hypermethylation in the BDNF promoter. The results also suggest the possibility of Hcy as a target for therapy and the potential value of vitamin B intake in preventing stress-induced cognitive decline.

Bacterial diversity in phosphorus immobilization of the South China Sea.

Marine bacteria play indispensable roles in the phosphorus (P) cycle, primarily responsible for P assimilation and remineralization. The aim of this study was to determine diversity of marine aerobic bacteria from the South China Sea capable of P immobilization. Highly efficient P immobilized genera reached 87.72% of all genera, which were mainly distributed in epipelagic seawater zone and semi-deep sediment zone. Accumulated P in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) accounted for about 70% of immobilized P of representative bacteria. The sum of bioavailable P (non-apatite inorganic phosphorus, organic phosphorus) amounted to more than 90% of total P in representative bacteria, and orthophosphate monoester was identified as the only extracellular P species. Marine bacteria which participated in P cycle were general, not specific genus. EPS of marine bacteria played an important role in P immobilization, and accumulated P species were bioavailable. Our results may provide a better insight for understanding roles of marine bacteria in P cycle.

[Roles and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients in treating epilepsy].

At present,Western medicine is widely used in the treatment of epilepsy.However,about 30%-40% of epileptic patients are resistant to them and are affected by the side effects of these drugs.Traditional Chinese medicine is effective in treating epileptic seizures and relieving complications caused by Western medicine.However,the active ingredients and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine remain unclear.This article reviews and summarizes the advances and mechanisms in treating epilepsy,such as Chinese medicine monomer,the extracts of single Chinese medicine and Chinese medicine compound.Chinese medicine monomers,including gastrodin,asarone,rhynchophylline,ligustrazine,tanshinone ⅡA,curcumin,etc.,have antiepileptic effects via regulating excitatory neurotransmitters and receptors,the expression of inflammatory factors,sodium/potassium ion channels and the expression of apoptotic protein,therefore protecting neurons.The extracts of single Chinese herbal including the extracts of Gastrodiae Rhizoma,Acori Tatarinowii Rhizoma,Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Ganoderma,Scutellariae Radix and Ginkgo Folium,etc.,have antiepileptic effects related to the inhibition of γ-aminobutyric acid receptor,upregulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway and reduction of glutamate-induced excitotoxicity and oxidative stress response.Furthermore,these extracts can regulate ion channels and reduce oxidative damage of neurons.Chinese medicine compounds including Dianxian Qing Granules,Danxing Ningxian Granules,Huoxue Dingxian formulae,etc.,can improve the therapeutic effect on epilepsy through simultaneously regulating excitatory transmitters,apoptosis factors and cytokines.

Decay Chain Deduction of Uranium Fission Products.

Delayed gamma spectrum is the fingerprint of uranium materials in arms control verification technology. The decay chain is simplified into basic state linear chain and excitation state linear chain to calculate and analyze the delayed gamma spectra of fission products. Formulas of the changing rule for nuclide number before and after zero-time are deduced. The C program for calculating the delayed gamma ray spectra data is constructed, and related experiments are conducted to verify this theory. Through analysis of the delayed gamma counts of several nuclides, the calculated results are found to be consistent with experimental values.

Atorvastatin combined with poly-unsaturated fatty acid confers better improvement of dyslipidemia and endothelium function.

BACKGROUND: Atorvastatin and poly-unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) are beneficial for lipid-modification, whether atorvastatin plus PUFA could confer better improvement on dyslipidemia and endothelium function is unknown. METHODS: Dyslipidemia model of 40 rabbits were produced with atherogenic diet, and thereafter saline, atorvastatin, PUFA, or atorvastatin plus PUFA were prescribed for 1 week. Ten rabbits given normal diet served as the sham group. Parameters of interest including lipid profiles, endothelium function (nitric oxide, NO) and activation (solution vascular-cellular adhesion molecule, (sVCAM) and intracellular adhesion molecule, (sICAM)), markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, CRP) and oxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA) were compared among groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference of parameters among groups at the initial. With 1 week of atherogenic diet administration, serum levels of lipid profiles, sVCAM and sICAM, CRP and MDA were significantly increased, accompanying with profound NO reduction, as compared to the sham group. After 1 week of medical intervention, as compared to the control group (saline administration), dyslipidemia and endothelium function were modestly improved with either atorvastatin or PUFA therapy. Nevertheless, these efficacies were further and significantly enhanced with combined therapy when compared to the control group (p<0.005), suggesting that there was synergistic effects of atorvastatin and PUFA co-therapy in rabbits with dyslipidemia. CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin plus PUFA therapy could immediately contribute to better improvement of lipid-modification and endothelium function in rabbits with dyslipidemia.

Ligustilide inhibits microglia-mediated proinflammatory cytokines production and inflammatory pain.

Ligustilide is the main component of Danggui essential oil, and recently reported to have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect. Increasing evidence suggests that glia-mediated neuroinflammation in the spinal cord plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of chronic pain. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effect of ligustilide both in vitro and in vivo. In microglial cell line BV2 cells, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) time-dependently increased the mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6), which was decreased by pretreatment with ligustilide in a dose-dependent manner. Ligustilide also decreased LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokines production in primary cultured microglia. In vivo, intrathecal injection of LPS induced mechanical allodynia in mice. Intravenous injection of ligustilide prevented LPS-induced mechanical allodynia, and decreased LPS-induced TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 up-regulation in the spinal cord. In addition, repetitive intravenous injection of ligustilide attenuated intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. The same treatment of ligustilide also inhibited CFA-induced TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 up-regulation and microglial activation in the spinal cord. Taken together, our data suggest that ligustilide can alleviate inflammatory pain partly through inhibition of microglial activation and proinflammatory cytokines production, which indicates a possible benefit from the use of ligustilide in the treatment of inflammatory pain and neuroinflammation-associated disorders.