Effects of a 12-hour neuromuscular electrical stimulation treatment program on the recovery of upper extremity function in sub-acute stroke patients: a randomized controlled pilot trial.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of a 12-hour neuromuscular electrical stimulation program in the evening hours on upper extremity function in sub-acute stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Forty-five subjects were randomized to one of three groups: 12-hour neuromuscular electrical stimulation group (n=15), which received 12 hours of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and conventional rehabilitation for the affected upper extremity; neuromuscular electrical stimulation group (n=15), which received 30 min of neuromuscular electrical stimulation and conventional rehabilitation; and control group (n=15), which received conventional rehabilitation only. The Fugl-Meyer assessment, Action Research Arm Test, and modified Ashworth scale were used to evaluate the effects before and after intervention, and 4 weeks later. [Results] The improvement in the distal (wrist-hand) components of the Fugl-Meyer assessment and Action Research Arm Test in the 12-hour neuromuscular electrical stimulation group was more significant than that in the neuromuscular electrical stimulation group. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the proximal component (shoulder-elbow) of the Fugl-Meyer assessment. [Conclusion] The 12-hour neuromuscular electrical stimulation group achieved better improvement in upper extremity motor function, especially in the wrist-hand function. This alternative therapeutic approach is easily applicable and can be used in stroke patients during rest or sleep.

Gut commensal Christensenella minuta modulates host metabolism via acylated secondary bile acids.

A strong correlation between gut microbes and host health has been observed in numerous gut metagenomic cohort studies. However, the underlying mechanisms governing host-microbe interactions in the gut remain largely unknown. Here we report that the gut commensal Christensenella minuta modulates host metabolism by generating a previously undescribed class of secondary bile acids with 3-O-acylation substitution that inhibit the intestinal farnesoid X receptor. Administration of C. minuta alleviated features of metabolic disease in high fat diet-induced obese mice associated with a significant increase in these acylated bile acids, which we refer to as 3-O-acyl-cholic acids. Specific knockout of intestinal farnesoid X receptor in mice counteracted the beneficial effects observed in their wild-type counterparts. Finally, we showed that 3-O-acyl-CAs were prevalent in healthy humans but significantly depleted in patients with type 2 diabetes. Our findings indicate a role for C. minuta and acylated bile acids in metabolic diseases.

Safety and effectiveness of rehabilitation training for stroke complicated with muscular call vein thrombosis: An observational study.

This study aimed to explore the safety and effectiveness of rehabilitation treatment for stroke patients with muscular call vein thrombosis (MCVT) in the lower limbs. A total of 173 patients were recruited with stroke complicated by MCVT, including 130 who received rehabilitation training and 43 who did not receive rehabilitation training. The t test and chi-square test were used to analyze the basic data of the 2 groups. There were no significant differences in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores between 2 groups at the beginning of recruitment (P = .149). There was a significant difference in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores of the lower limbs in patients with MCVT after 3 weeks of rehabilitation treatment (P < .001), and there was a significant difference in the rate of MCVT recanalization and extension between the 2 groups (χ2 = 11.646, P = 0001). Combined with anticoagulation therapy, rehabilitation training did not increase the thrombosis progression of MCVT and was effective in the recovery of lower limb motor function in stroke patients.