Caffeine improves bladder function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

AIMS: To examine the protective effects of caffeine in rats with diabetes mellitus (DM) by using urodynamics. METHODS: Female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 24) were divided into four groups: control group, DM group, DM + caffeine (5 mg/kg/day), and DM + caffeine (10 mg/kg/day). DM was induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Cystometric studies were conducted on all rats. After 8 weeks of treatment with caffeine, the urodynamic parameters, including bladder capacity, residual urine volume, voiding time, and peak voiding pressure, were measured. RESULTS: DM rats had a higher bladder capacity and post-void residual urine volume (PVR), an increased voiding time and peak voiding pressure, and a markedly lower voiding efficiency than the control group rats. After treatment with caffeine, bladder capacity, post-void residual urine volume, and peak voiding pressure were significant lower than those in the DM group, but voiding efficiency was markedly higher. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that caffeine (5 or 10 mg/kg/day) may improve the bladder function at 8 weeks after STZ induction. Thus, this may represent a potential strategy to increase voiding efficiency in diabetes.

Curcumin ameliorates cisplatin-induced cystopathy via activating NRF2 pathway.

OBJECTIVES: The present work evaluated preventive effect of curcumin on cisplatin-induced bladder cystopathy. METHODS: Fifteen female rats were divided into (i) Control group administered with physiological saline solution for 5 days; (ii) Cis-P group injected with cisplatin (6 mg/kg); and (iii) Cis-Cur group given cisplatin (6 mg/kg) with curcumin for 5 consecutive days. The function of bladder was measured by means of urodynamic analysis. Furthermore, hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining were performed for morphological analysis. The cell apoptosis was evaluated through terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and flow cytometry. The expression of nerve growth factor (NGF), NF-E2-related factor 2, and hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) levels were measured through Western blotting. RESULTS: Urodynamic assay and histopathological manifestations revealed that curcumin ameliorated the bladder dysfunction induced by cisplatin. The level of cisplatin-induced apoptosis in the bladder decreased following curcumin treatment. Also, the increased protein expression of NGF indicated that the curcumin could offer neuroprotection for bladder against cisplatin. Curcumin also activated NRF2, and elevated the expression of HO-1, but curcumin could not rescue cisplatin-induced apoptosis in the cell lines with knockdown of NRF2. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the results of this paper showed that curcumin could ameliorate cisplatin-induced cystopathy and inhibit the apoptosis of bladder cell in cisplatin-treated rats. This may be attributed to curcumin's broad biological functions, particularly antioxidant effect, and to its ability to activate the NRF2 protein.

Effectiveness of Tai Chi Yunshou motor imagery training for hemiplegic upper extremity motor function in poststroke patients: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Evidence concerning the effect of Tai Chi Yunshou motor imagery training (TCY-MIT) on upper extremity motor function (UE-MF) recovery in poststroke patients is lacking, and few studies have examined the neural mechanisms of MIT. The study was designed to assess the effectiveness of TCY-MIT and its possible neural mechanisms. METHODS/DESIGN: The study is an assessor-blinded, parallel, superiority, randomized clinical trial. A total of 78 eligible participants will be randomly assigned to 2 groups in a 1:1 ratio. Participants in the control group will receive (conventional rehabilitation therapies) CRTs for 40 min per day, 6 days per week, for 3 weeks. Participants in the intervention group will receive CRTs combined with TCY-MIT (30 min per day, 6 days per week, for 3 weeks). The primary outcome measure is the Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Upper Extremity. Secondary outcome measures are the Box and Block Test, muscle strength test, modified Barthel index, and Pearson correlation coefficients. All outcomes will be assessed at baseline, after completion of the intervention (1, 2, and 3 weeks), and at the end of follow-up (2 months). The outcome assessor will be blinded to the group allocation of the participants. DISCUSSION: We expect this assessor-blinded, parallel, superiority, randomized clinical trial to explore the effectiveness of TCY-MIT combined with CRTs compared with CRTs alone for UE-MF in poststroke patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ID: ChiCTR2100048868 . Registered on 19 July 2021.

Effects of Training with a Brain-Computer Interface-Controlled Robot on Rehabilitation Outcome in Patients with Subacute Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke is always associated with a difficult functional recovery process. A brain-computer interface (BCI) is a technology which provides a direct connection between the human brain and external devices. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether training with a BCI-controlled robot can improve functions in patients with subacute stroke. METHODS: Subacute stroke patients aged 32-68 years with a course of 2 weeks to 3 months were randomly assigned to the BCI group or to the sham group for a 4-week course. The primary outcome measures were Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOCTA) and Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Lower Extremity (FMA-LE). Secondary outcome measures included Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Balance (FMA-B), Functional Ambulation Category (FAC), Modified Barthel Index (MBI), serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and motor-evoked potential (MEP). RESULTS: A total of 28 patients completed the study. Both groups showed a significant increase in mean LOCTA (sham: P < 0.001, Cohen's d =  - 2.972; BCI: P < 0.001, Cohen's d =  - 4.266) and FMA-LE (sham: P < 0.001, Cohen's d =  - 3.178; BCI: P < 0.001, Cohen's d =  - 3.063) scores. The LOCTA scores in the BCI group were 14.89% higher than in the sham group (P = 0.049, Cohen's d =  - 0.580). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of FMA-B (P = 0.363, Cohen's d =  - 0.252), FAC (P = 0.363), or MBI (P = 0.493, Cohen's d =  - 0.188) scores. The serum levels of BDNF were significantly higher within the BCI group (P < 0.001, Cohen's d =  - 1.167), and the MEP latency decreased by 3.75% and 4.71% in the sham and BCI groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Training with a BCI-controlled robot combined with traditional physiotherapy promotes cognitive function recovery, and enhances motor functions of the lower extremity in patients with subacute stroke. These patients also showed increased secretion of BDNF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese clinical trial registry: ChiCTR-INR-17012874.

Transcranial pulse current stimulation improves the locomotor function in a rat model of stroke.

Previous studies have shown that transcranial pulse current stimulation (tPCS) can increase cerebral neural plasticity and improve patients' locomotor function. However, the precise mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. In the present study, rat models of stroke established by occlusion of the right cerebral middle artery were subjected to tPCS, 20 minutes per day for 7 successive days. tPCS significantly reduced the Bederson score, increased the foot print area of the affected limbs, and reduced the standing time of affected limbs of rats with stroke compared with that before intervention. Immunofluorescence staining and western blot assay revealed that tPCS significantly increased the expression of microtubule-associated protein-2 and growth-associated protein-43 around the ischemic penumbra. This finding suggests that tPCS can improve the locomotor function of rats with stroke by regulating the expression of microtubule-associated protein-2 and growth-associated protein-43 around the ischemic penumbra. These findings may provide a new method for the clinical treatment of poststroke motor dysfunction and a theoretical basis for clinical application of tPCS. The study was approved by the Animal Use and Management Committee of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China (approval No. PZSHUTCM190315003) on February 22, 2019.

Autophagy-Related Beclin 1 and Head and Neck Cancers.

Beclin 1, a positive regulator of autophagy, behaves as a double-edged sword in tumorigenesis. Beclin 1 contributes to tumor suppression by removing defective or damaged organelles and other cellular components; however, its activity can also stimulate cancer initiation and progression. In head and neck cancer, Beclin 1 overexpression promotes autophagy, which limits DNA damage and chromosomal instability and increases necrosis and inflammation by impacting apoptotic and autophagic pathways. This paper reviews the relationship between Beclin 1, carcinogenesis and head and neck cancer prognosis.

Effectiveness of theta and gamma electroacupuncture for post-stroke patients on working memory and electrophysiology: study protocol for a double-center, randomized, patient- and assessor-blinded, sham-controlled, parallel, clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Practitioners of complementary and alternative medicine have suggested that electroacupuncture (EA) could improve post-stroke cognitive impairment, based on the clinical evidence. This study protocol is aimed at showing the effectiveness of theta and gamma EA for post-stroke patients on working memory (WM) and electrophysiology. METHODS: After assessing their eligibility, 66 patients with stroke will be enrolled from two Chinese medicine hospitals and randomly divided into theta frequency EA group, gamma frequency EA group, and sham-EA group according to the ratio of 1:1:1. All patients will receive 20 sessions of EA procedures for 4 weeks. Patients in three groups will receive EA at two same acupoints in the head: Baihui (GV20) and Shenting (GV24). The frequency of the three groups of EA is set as follows: 6 Hz (theta-EA group), 40 Hz (gamma-EA group), and no current through the electrodes (sham EA). Patients and assessors will be blinded throughout the entire study. The primary outcome is the performance accuracy of 1-back task which is a frequently used measure of WM in cognitive neuroscience research contexts. Secondary outcome measures will include the response time of 1-back task, the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test, Trail Making Test, Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment Scale, modified Barthel Index, and electroencephalogram (EEG) signals during 1-back tasks. A blinding index will be assessed. Data will be statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA, at 5% of significance level. DISCUSSION: We expect this double-center, randomized, patient- and assessor-blinded, sham-controlled, parallel, clinical trial to explore the effectiveness of theta and gamma EA therapy, compared with sham EA, for post-stroke WM. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000031995 . Registered on 17 April 2020.

Aphasia rehabilitation based on mirror neuron theory: a randomized-block-design study of neuropsychology and functional magnetic resonance imaging.

When watching someone performs an action, mirror neurons are activated in a way that is very similar to the activation that occurs when actually performing that action. Previous single-sample case studies indicate that hand-action observation training may lead to activation and remodeling of mirror neuron systems, which include important language centers, and may improve language function in aphasia patients. In this randomized-block-design experiment, we recruited 24 aphasia patients from, Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, China. The patients were divided into three groups where they underwent hand-action observation and repetition, dynamic-object observation and repetition, or conventional speech therapy. Training took place 5 days per week, 35 minutes per day, for 2 weeks. We assessed language function via picture naming tests for objects and actions and the Western Aphasia Battery. Among the participants, one patient, his wife and four healthy student volunteers underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging to analyze changes in brain activation during hand-action observation and dynamic-object observation. Results demonstrated that, compared with dynamic-object observation, hand-action observation led to greater performance with respect to the aphasia quotient and affiliated naming sub-tests and a greater Western Aphasia Battery test score. The overall effect was similar to that of conventional aphasia training, yet hand-action observation had advantages compared with conventional training in terms of vocabulary extraction and spontaneous speech. Thus, hand-action observation appears to more strongly activate the mirror neuron system compared with dynamic-object observation. The activated areas included Broca's area, Wernicke's area, and the supramarginal gyrus. These results suggest that hand-action observation combined with repetition might better improve language function in aphasia patients compared with dynamic-object observation combined with repetition. The therapeutic mechanism of this intervention may be associated with activation of additional mirror neuron systems, and may have implications for the possible repair and remodeling of damaged nerve networks. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee of Nanjing Medical University, China (approval number: 2011-SRFA-086) on March 11, 2011. This trial has been registered in the ISRCTN Registry (ISRCTN84827527).

The diagnostic role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

The aim of the present study was to assess the role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in hypopharyngeal carcinoma. A total of 40 hypopharyngeal carcinoma tissues and 15 benign lesion tissues were retrospectively analyzed. DWI, and T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of conventional MRI were 97.5, 66.7, and 89.1%, respectively. The mean ADC value [diffusion sensitive factor (b)=1,000× sec/mm2) for hypopharyngeal carcinomas was (1.0285±0.0328)×10-3 mm2/sec, which was significantly lower than the mean ADC value for benign lesions [(1.5333±0.1061)×10-3 mm2/sec; P<0.001]. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.921 while the optimal threshold for the cut-off point of the ADC was 1.075×10-3 mm2/sec. The mean ADC value of the metastatic nodes was (0.9184±0.0538)×10-3 mm2/sec, lower than the mean value for the benign nodes [(1.2538±0.1145)×10-3 mm2/sec; P=0.005]. Two groups were created according to the mean of the ADC value of hypopharyngeal carcinomas [≤(1.0285±0.0328)×10-3 mm2/sec vs. >(1.0285±0.0328)×10-3 mm2/sec]. The 2-year survival rates of the two groups were 55.6 and 100.0%, respectively (P=0.024). ADC values may aid in distinguishing hypopharyngeal carcinomas from benign lesions and differentiating metastatic lymph nodes of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas from reactive cervical lymph nodes. In conclusion, mean ADC values may be useful prognostic factors in univariate analysis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

Inability of PET/CT to identify a primary sinonasal inverted papilloma with squamous cell carcinoma in a patient with a submandibular lymph node metastasis: A case report.

The present study describes the first reported case of a sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that presented as a cancer of unknown primary in the English-language literature. In July 2010, a 66-year old male presented with a 6-month history of a painless, progressive mass in the right submandibular region. Physical examination revealed a 3×4-cm smooth, non-tender mass and subsequently, excision of the right submandibular gland was performed. Post-operative pathological examination indicated poorly-differentiated SCC of the submandibular lymph node. Positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was unable to identify the primary tumour site in this case, and 14 months later the patient presented with nasal obstruction, leading to the diagnosis of right sinonasal IP with coexistent SCC. The patient received pre-operative radiotherapy, a right total maxillectomy and post-operative radiotherapy. However, the patient succumbed to a distant metastasis 37 months after the initial presentation. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake on PET/CT may be not a reliable predictor of malignancy in sinonasal IPs. Therefore, we suggest emphasis of the use of multiple biopsies for suspected sinonasal IPs in order to improve diagnostic accuracy.

[Effects of different host plants on the cold-resistant substances in overwintering larvae of Carposina sasakii Matsumura (Lepidoptera: Carposinidae)].

To evaluate the influence of different host plants including apple, wild jujube, jujube, pear and hawthorn on the cold-tolerance substances in overwintering larvae of the peach fruit moth Carposina sasakii Matsumura, we measured the larvae super-cooling capacity, the water content (W), total fat content (TFC), total protein content (TPC) and total glycogen content (TGC) in the body. Results showed that the mean super-cooling point (SCPs) and freezing point (FPs) of overwintering larvae from the 5 host plant fruits differed significantly, ranging from -15.53 to -8.50 degrees C and -11.31 to -4.04 degrees C, respectively. The overwintering larvae fed on hawthorn owned the highest SCP, FP, TGC and the lowest W, while those fed on apple had the lowest SCP, FP, TFC and TGC but the highest W and TPC. The fresh mass (FM) of the overwintering larvae fed on pear was the highest, while those fed on jujube was very low. Those fed on jujube accumulated the highest TFC but the lowest TPC.

[Resistance mechanisms and cross-resistance of phoxim-resistant Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande population].

To understand the resistance risks of Frankliniella occidentalis Pergande against phoxim, this paper studied the resistance mechanisms of phoxim-resistant F. occidentalis population against phoxim and the cross-resistance of the population against other insecticides. The phoxim-resistant population had medium level cross-resistance to chlorpyrifos, lambda-cyhalothrin, and methomyl, low level cross-resistance to chlorfenapyr, imidacloprid, emamectin-benzoate, and spinosad, but no cross-resistance to acetamiprid and abamectin. The synergists piperonyl butoxide (PBO), s, s, s-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF), and triphenyl phosphate (TPP) had significant synergism (P < 0.05) on the toxicity of phoxim to the resistant (XK), field (BJ), and susceptible (S) populations, while diethyl maleate (DEM) had no significant synergism to XK and S populations but had significant synergism to BJ population. As compared with S population, the XK and BJ populations had significantly increased activities of mixed-functional oxidases P450 (2.79-fold and 1.48-fold), b, (2.88-fold and 1.88-fold), O-demethylase (2.60-fold and 1.68-fold), and carboxylesterase (2.02-fold and 1.61-fold, respectively), and XK population had a significantly increased acetylcholine esterase activity (3.10-fold). Both XK and BJ population had an increased activity of glutathione S-transferases (1.11-fold and 1.20-fold, respectively), but the increment was not significant. The increased detoxification enzymes activities in F. occidentalis could play an important role in the resistance of the plant against phoxim.