[Purpose] Lower-limb spasticity after stroke may be associated with worse functional outcome. Our study aim was to establish whether a low-dose botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injection in subacute stroke patients can improve spasticity, gait, and daily living abilities. [Subjects] Twenty-three subacute stroke patients were randomly allocated to BTX-A treatment group (11 patients) and control group (12 patients). [Methods] In the BTX-A treatment group patients, 200 units BTX-A was injected into the triceps surae (150 iu) and posterior tibial (50 iu) by electrical stimulation-guided. The patients in the control group received the same volume of placebo solution into the same injection locations. Gait analysis (step length, cadence, speed), the 6-min walking test, Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) of the lower limbs, modified Ashworth scale assess (MAS) assessment of the lower limbs, surface electromyography (sEMG), and modified Barthel index (MBI) assessment were performed before and at 4,8 weeks after treatment. [Results] We found that the FMA of the low limbs and MBI were significantly improved in both groups. The gait analysis, FMA, and MBI results in the BTX-A treatment group were better than those in the control group. MAS and surface electromyography (sEMG) showed better improvement of spasticity in the treatment group. [Conclusion] Early low-dose botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injection in subacute stroke patients into the lower-limb may improve gait, spasticity, and daily living abilities.

Local anesthetics (LAs) are commonly used to provide peri-operative pain control in the peripheral joints. In the field of regenerative medicine, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are gaining attention as a cellular source for repair and regeneration in degenerative diseases. However, previous studies have demonstrated that the commonly used drugs lidocaine, ropivacaine, bupivacaine and mepivacaine may be toxic to human chondrocytes, which has raised concerns over whether they exert similar negative effects on ADMSCs during early chondrogenic differentiation. In the present in vitro study, the cytotoxicity of different LAs to ADMSCs was determined during early chondrogenic differentiation. At concentrations similar to those after physiological dilution once injected into the degenerative tissues, LAs (1% lidocaine, 0.5% bupivacaine, 0.5% ropivacaine or 2% mepivacaine) and PBS (control group) were incubated with rabbit ADMSCs (rADMSCs) for 60 min. Following further culture for 3 or 7 days, the cell viability, apoptosis and morphological alterations of chondrogenic differentiation were measured by determining the mitochondrial activity, by flow cytometric analysis, Safranine Fast Green double staining and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction of chondrogenesis-associated genes. The results indicated that the mitochondrial activity in rADMSC was decreased and the apoptotic rate was increased, following treatment with LAs (P<0.05). Lidocaine (1%) was less cytotoxic to rADMSCs during early chondrogenesis compared with other LAs. The expression levels of chondrogenesis-associated markers, including collagen I, collagen III and sex-determining region Y box 9 were all decreased at day 3 following exposure to LAs compared with the control group (P<0.05). The expression levels of these chondrogenesis-associated genes began to increase on day 7 following exposure but remained lower compared with the control group (P<0.05). Of note, 2% mepivacaine and 1% lidocaine exhibited a less pronounced negative effect on chondrogenesis-associated gene expression compared with other LAs. Therefore, the present study concluded that LAs are cytotoxic to rADMSCs during early chondrogenesis. Attention should be paid to the different types of LA selected in conjunction with ADMSC injection therapy.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to observe the relationships among heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, and oxygen consumption in stroke patients and the effectiveness of improving aerobic capacity during routine rehabilitation therapy. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-six stroke patients participated in the study. A K4b2 pulmonary function device was used to record heart rate (beats per minute), oxygen consumption (Equation Section (Next)ml·min−1·kg−1), and rate of perceived exertion. Results were recorded after completing the following activities continuously: (1) silent sitting, (2) sit-to-stand transfers, (3) hip extension while standing against a wall, (4) weight loading on the affected leg, (5) upward and downward leg movements on a stall bar, (6) walking up and down a flight of stairs, and (7) a 60-meter walk. Correlation analyses were performed to demonstrate the relationship of oxygen consumption with HR and RPE. [Results] Moderate correlation was found between HR and oxygen consumption, and low correlation was found between rate of perceived exertion and oxygen consumption. The routine rehabilitation therapy could reduce the accumulation of lactate. [Conclusion] HR is a better index than rate of perceived exertion in evaluating exercise intensity in stroke patients. The routine rehabilitation therapy can improve the aerobic capacity of stroke patients.

Ox-LDL may be involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis by injuring the endothelial cells directly and may cause the endothelial dysfunction. Huaxia shallot preparation can protect against Ox-LDL induced endothelial cell injury by up-regulating the protein expressions and mRNA levels of PPAR-gamma and eNOS. It suggests that Huaxia shallot preparation may play a role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal malignancy and a major public health concern worldwide. Considering the public health risk posed by HCC, it is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms underlying liver cancer progression in order to identify more therapeutic targets. In this study, we will elucidate the role of LncRNA HULC in regulating HCC cell proliferation, apoptosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via the miR-372/CXCR4 axis. Material and Methods: Target genes were predicted using the online TargetScan database. Cell models of gene over-expression and silencing were established by transfection, and the mRNA and protein expression levels were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Cell viability, proliferation and apoptosis were measured by the CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, respectively. In situ protein expression in tissues was examined by immunohistochemical staining. Results: HULC and CXCR4 were upregulated and miR-372 was downregulated in HCC tissue and cells. TargetScan prediction and dual luciferase assay revealed that miR-372 can target HULC or CXCR4. Furthermore, HULC and CXCR4 enhanced the viability of HCC cells, whereas miR-372 had the opposite effect. Consistent with this, HULC and CXCR4 increased the proliferation of these cells and miR-372 showed an inhibitory effect. Furthermore, HULC and CXCR4 blocked apoptosis in liver cancer cells and miR-372 facilitated the same. Finally, HULC and CXCR4 promoted EMT, as indicated by E-cadherin downregulation and Vimentin upregulation, whereas miR-372 had the opposite effects. Conclusion: HULC upregulates CXCR4 in HCC cells by inhibiting miR-372, which in turn promotes the proliferation, inhibits the apoptosis and accelerates the EMT of HCC cells.