Although previous studies have demonstrated that transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation protects the ischemic brain,clear criteria for the stimulation time window and intensity are lacking.Electrical impedance to...Although previous studies have demonstrated that transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation protects the ischemic brain,clear criteria for the stimulation time window and intensity are lacking.Electrical impedance tomography enables real-time monitoring of changes in cerebral blood perfusion within the ischemic brain,but investigating the feasibility of using this method to assess post-stroke rehabilitation in vivo remains critical.In this study,ischemic stroke was induced in rats through middle cerebral artery occlusion surgery.Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation was used to treat the rat model of ischemia,and electrical impedance tomography was used to measure impedance during both the acute stage of ischemia and the rehabilitation stage following the stimulation.Electrical impedance tomography results indicated that cerebral impedance increased after the onset of ischemia and decreased following transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation.Furthermore,the stimulation promoted motor function recovery,reduced cerebral infarction volume in the rat model of ischemic stroke,and induced the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the ischemic brain.Our results also revealed a significant correlation between the impedance of the ischemic brain post-intervention and improvements in behavioral scores and infarct volume.This study shows that daily administration of transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation for 20 minutes to the ischemic hemisphere 24 hours after cerebral ischemia enhanced motor recovery in a rat model of ischemia.Additionally,our findings indicate that electrical impedance tomography can serve as a valuable tool for quantitatively evaluating rehabilitation after ischemic stroke in vivo.These findings suggest the feasibility of using impedance data collected via electrical impedance tomography to clinically assess the effects of rehabilitatory interventions for patients with ischemic stroke.展开更多
The major aim of stroke therapy is to stimulate brain repair and improve behavioral recovery after cerebral ischemia.One option is to stimulate endogenous neurogenesis in the subventricular zone and direct the newly f...The major aim of stroke therapy is to stimulate brain repair and improve behavioral recovery after cerebral ischemia.One option is to stimulate endogenous neurogenesis in the subventricular zone and direct the newly formed neurons to the damaged area.However,only a small percentage of these neurons survive,and many do not reach the damaged area,possibly because the corpus callosum impedes the migration of subventricular zone-derived stem cells into the lesioned cortex.A second major obstacle to stem cell therapy is the strong inflammatory reaction induced by cerebral ischemia,whereby the associated phagocytic activity of brain macrophages removes both therapeutic cells and/or cell-based drug carriers.To address these issues,neurogenesis was electrically stimulated in the subventricular zone,followed by isolation of proliferating cells,including newly formed neurons,which were subsequently mixed with a nutritional hydrogel.This mixture was then transferred to the stroke cavity of day 14 post-stroke mice.We found that the performance of the treated animals improved in behavioral tests,including novel object,open field,hole board,grooming,and“time-to-feel”adhesive tape tests.Furthermore,immunostaining revealed that the stem cell marker nestin,the neuroepithelial marker Mash1,and the immature neuronal marker doublecortin-positive cells survived in the transplanted area for 2 weeks,possibly due to reduced phagocytic activity and supportive angiogenesis.These results clearly indicate that the transplantation of committed subventricular zone stem cells combined with a protective nutritional gel directly into the infarct cavity after the peak of stroke-induced neuroinflammation represents a feasible approach to improve neurorestoration after cerebral ischemia.展开更多
Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)is a kind of physical therapy that use electric cur-rent through the electrodes placed on the surface of acupoints to produce clinical effects in the human body,whic...Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)is a kind of physical therapy that use electric cur-rent through the electrodes placed on the surface of acupoints to produce clinical effects in the human body,which is characterized by less adverse reaction and convenient operation.It has been widely used in the treatment of various diseases.This review introduces six major clinical applications of TEAS,named analgesia,regulation of gastrointestinal function,improvement of reproductive function,enhancement of cognitive function,promotion of limb function recovery and relief of fatigue.Besides,TEAS has been ap-plied to the treatment of other chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes,achieving satisfactory clinical effects.However,two crucial challenges are encountered in the development of TEAS.One is the lack of standardization in the selection of parameters such as waveform,frequency,intensity and stimula-tion duration.The other is the limitation on the flexibility in the acupoint selection.This review analyzes key issues that need to be addressed in the current clinical application of TEAS,such as the selection of parameters and acupoints,and this review provides a certain reference value for optimizing regimens of TEAS and promoting its development and application.展开更多
BACKGROUND Although gastroscopy is a commonly used diagnostic and therapeutic technique,postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction is prone to occur.Traditional Chinese medicine theory suggests that postoperative gast...BACKGROUND Although gastroscopy is a commonly used diagnostic and therapeutic technique,postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction is prone to occur.Traditional Chinese medicine theory suggests that postoperative gastrointestinal disorders are related to spleen and stomach weakness.This study hypothesizes that the combination of acupoint application at the Ziwu Liuzhu acupoint and percutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation can promote postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery and alleviate stress reactions.AIM To investigate the effects of acupoint application of Ziwu Liuzhu combined with percutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation on postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery and stress response in patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy surgery.METHODS A total of 120 patients who underwent gastroscopy surgery were selected and treated between October 2024 and January 2025.This study used a stratified block randomization method,and then allocated groups using computer-generated random number sequences(SAS 9.4 software).The groups were divided into two groups:A control group of 60 patients who received routine postoperative intervention measures,and an observation group of 60 patients who received acupuncture point application combined with transcutaneous acupoint electrical CONCLUSION The combination of percutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation in gastroscopy patients has been demonstrated to be both highly safe and effective.The benefits of this approach include the promotion of postoperative gastrointestinal function,the reduction of stress response,the attainment of optimal results,and the enhancement of patient satisfaction.展开更多
This review elucidates the impact of electrical stimulation(ES)and blood flow restriction(BFR)training on muscle function.ES induces a transformation in muscle fibers type by rearranging myosin heavy chain isoform pat...This review elucidates the impact of electrical stimulation(ES)and blood flow restriction(BFR)training on muscle function.ES induces a transformation in muscle fibers type by rearranging myosin heavy chain isoform patterns.Additionally,it influences muscle protein synthesis and degradation through specific signaling pathways such as protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin(Akt/mTOR),as well as via autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome system,thereby effectively maintaining muscle mass.BFR,on the other hand,restricts muscle blood flow,leading to metabolic products accumulation and localized hypoxia,which not only promotes the recruitment of fast-twitch fibers but also activates the mTOR signaling pathway,enhancing muscle protein synthesis.The combination of ES and BFR synergistically facilitates muscle protein synthesis through the mTOR pathway,thereby accelerating the recovery of muscle function following peripheral nerve injury.展开更多
Rapidly-advancing microneedle-based bioelectronics integrated with electrical stimulation(ES)therapy exhibit significant potential for improving chronic wound management.Herein,bio-inspired by the serrated structure o...Rapidly-advancing microneedle-based bioelectronics integrated with electrical stimulation(ES)therapy exhibit significant potential for improving chronic wound management.Herein,bio-inspired by the serrated structure of bee-stingers,we developed a temperature-sensitive,two-stage microneedle-based electro active platform(GP-PPy/PLA-MN)featuring rivet-like micros tructures that integrates intelligent,precise drug-releasing,ES-transmission,and real-time wound-assessment monitoring for comprehensive chronic wound-management and diagnostic therapy.The bionic-design mechanically anchors the microneedle beneath the skin's dermis,while GP-PPy/PLA-MN demonstrates versatile therapeutic characteristics,including outstanding biocompatibility,antimicrobial properties,and antimigratory origins.The GP-PPy/PLA-MN enables the sustained release of insulin at body temperature for up to24 hours through the poly-N-isopropyl acrylamide grafted amidated-gelatin-based thermo-sensitive hydrogel at the needle-tip,thereby providing long-term stable blood glucose control.GP-PPy/PLA-MN indicates its potential as a novel bioelectronics-based patch to record the temperature and humidity during the wound-healing process,realizing significant wound diagnosis and real-time wound assessment,and fundamentally facilitating the therapeutic efficacy by supplying solid data to protect the clinical practice.Extensive in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that GP-PPy/PLA-MN can provide effective ES and sustained drug release,thereby promoting chronic wound healing and increasing the wound healing rate by 20%compared to the control group after 14 days of treatment.This innovative approach combines bioelectronics with intelligent drug delivery and microneedling technology to effectively address the critical challenges of chronic wound management,offering promising prospects for precision diagnostics and therapeutic interventions.展开更多
Direct electrical stimulation of the human cortex can produce subjective visual sensations,yet these sensations are unstable.The underlying mechanisms may stem from differences in electrophysiological activity within ...Direct electrical stimulation of the human cortex can produce subjective visual sensations,yet these sensations are unstable.The underlying mechanisms may stem from differences in electrophysiological activity within the distributed network outside the stimulated site.To address this problem,we recruited 69 patients who experienced visual sensations during invasive electrical stimulation while intracranial electroencephalography(iEEG)data were recorded.We found significantly flattened power spectral slopes in distributed regions involving different brain networks and decreased integrated information during elicited visual sensations compared with the non-sensation condition.Further analysis based on minimum information partitions revealed that the reconfigured network interactions primarily involved the inferior frontal cortex,posterior superior temporal sulcus,and temporoparietal junction.The flattened power spectral slope in the inferior frontal gyrus was also correlated with integrated information.Taken together,this study indicates that the altered electrophysiological signatures provide insights into the neural mechanisms underlying subjective visual sensations.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)for muscle atrophy in patients with immobilization after surgical fixation of foot and ankle fractures.Methods:This ...Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)for muscle atrophy in patients with immobilization after surgical fixation of foot and ankle fractures.Methods:This was a two-arm randomized controlled trial wherein 80 patients were recruited and divided into control(n=40)and intervention(n=40)groups.The control group received conventional orthopedic treatment,whereas the intervention group received TEAS and conventional treatment.The intervention group received TEAS 3 times a week for 30 min each time for 8 weeks.The primary out-comes were muscle thickness(MT)and cross-sectional area(CSA)of the rectus femoris and gastroc-nemius muscles,whereas the secondary outcome measure was echo intensity(EI).Data were collected before the fixation operations(baseline assessment)and 4 and 8 weeks after intervention.Results:Compared with baseline,the MT and CSA were reduced in both groups by the end of treatment,whereas EI increased in both groups.At week 4,the reduction in the rectus femoris CSA in the inter-vention group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P=0.02);however,the between-group differences in the MT and EI(all P>0.05)were not significant.No serious adverse events were observed in either group.Conclusion:Our study showed that TEAS can improve muscle atrophy by attenuating the decline in the muscle CSA.Because this was only a pilot trial,subsequent studies will need longer follow-ups and larger sample sizes.展开更多
Voluntary participation of hemiplegic patients is crucial for functional electrical stimulation therapy.A wearable functional electrical stimulation system has been proposed for real-time volitional hand motor functio...Voluntary participation of hemiplegic patients is crucial for functional electrical stimulation therapy.A wearable functional electrical stimulation system has been proposed for real-time volitional hand motor function control using the electromyography bridge method.Through a series of novel design concepts,including the integration of a detecting circuit and an analog-to-digital converter,a miniaturized functional electrical stimulation circuit technique,a low-power super-regeneration chip for wireless receiving,and two wearable armbands,a prototype system has been established with reduced size,power,and overall cost.Based on wrist joint torque reproduction and classification experiments performed on six healthy subjects,the optimized surface electromyography thresholds and trained logistic regression classifier parameters were statistically chosen to establish wrist and hand motion control with high accuracy.Test results showed that wrist flexion/extension,hand grasp,and finger extension could be reproduced with high accuracy and low latency.This system can build a bridge of information transmission between healthy limbs and paralyzed limbs,effectively improve voluntary participation of hemiplegic patients,and elevate efficiency of rehabilitation training.展开更多
Objective To seek a better therapy for treating post-stroke dysphagia. Methods Patients with stroke and swallowing disorders were randomly divided into ordinary acupuncture group （group A, 58 cases） and swallowing n...Objective To seek a better therapy for treating post-stroke dysphagia. Methods Patients with stroke and swallowing disorders were randomly divided into ordinary acupuncture group （group A, 58 cases） and swallowing neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with acupuncture group （group B, 62 cases）. Two-group patients were given the same basic internal medical treatment. In addition, group A was given normal acupuncture treatment with the choice of local points： Junjin （金津 EX-HN 12）, Yuye（玉液 EX-HN 23）, Fengchi （风池 GB 20）, Yifeng （翳风 TE 17）, Lianquan （廉泉 CV 23）, Wangu （完骨 GB 12）. Group B was given swallowing neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with acupuncture： GB 20, Fengfu （风夜 GV 16）, TE 17, Yiming （翳明 EX-HN 14）, Yamen （哑门 GV 15）, Tianrong（天容 SI 17）, Tianchuang （天窗 SI 16）, CV 23, the uniform reinforcing-reducing manipulation was used; EX- HN 12, EX-HN 13, the piercing and blood-letting method （1-2 mL blood） was used; at the same time, the swallowing neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy device was used to electrically stimulate the nerves and muscles in the throat and neck at specific output pulse current （50-100 Hz）. Treatment was made twice a day, 30 minutes each time. Two weeks after the treatment, the patients were assessed in symptoms improvement and clinical efficacy. Results The total effective rate in group B was 91.4% and 75.8% in group A; in the total efficiency comparison in both groups, χ^2=5.232, P〈0.05. The difference in improvement of symptoms with post-stroke dysphagia treated with above mentioned combination treatment was statistically significant between both groups （P〈0.05）. Conclusion The above mentioned swallowing neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with acupuncture treatment has a better clinical effect when compared with ordinary acupuncture.展开更多
Gait recognition is the key question of functional electrical stimulation (FES) system control for paraplegic walking. A new risk-tendency-graph (RTG) method was proposed to recognize the stability information in FES-...Gait recognition is the key question of functional electrical stimulation (FES) system control for paraplegic walking. A new risk-tendency-graph (RTG) method was proposed to recognize the stability information in FES-assisted walking gait. The main instrument was a specialized walker dynamometer system based on a multi-channel strain-gauge bridge network fixed on the walker frame. During walking process, this system collected the reaction forces between patient's upper extremities and walker and converted them into RTG morphologic curves of dynamic gait stability in temporal and spatial domains. To demonstrate the potential usefulness of RTG, preliminary clinical trials were done with paraplegic patients. The gait stability levels of two walking cases with 4- and 12-week FES training from one subject were quantified (0.43 and 0.19) from the results of temporal and spatial RTG. Relevant instable phases in gait cycle and dangerous inclinations of patient's body during walking process were also brought forward. In conclusion, the new RTG method is practical for distinguishing more useful gait stability information for FES system control.展开更多
A low-power IC for function electrical stimulation （FES） of nerves is designed for an implantable system and fabricated in CSMC＇s 0.6μm CMOS technology. The IC can be used for stimulating animals＇ spinal nerve bu...A low-power IC for function electrical stimulation （FES） of nerves is designed for an implantable system and fabricated in CSMC＇s 0.6μm CMOS technology. The IC can be used for stimulating animals＇ spinal nerve bundles and other nerves connected with a cuff type electrode. It consists of a pre-amplifier,a main amplifier,and an output stage. According to the neural signal spectrum,the bandwidth of the FES signal generator circuit is defined from 1Hz to 400kHz. The gain of the circuit is about 66dB with an output impedance of 900. The 1C can function under a single supply voltage of 3-5V. A rail-to-rail output stage helps to use the coupled power efficiently. The measured time domain performance shows that the bandwidth and the gain of the IC agree with the design. The power consumption is lower than 6mW.展开更多
Neuromodulation techniques effectively intervene in cognitive function,holding considerable scientific and practical value in fields such as aerospace,medicine,life sciences,and brain research.These techniques utilize...Neuromodulation techniques effectively intervene in cognitive function,holding considerable scientific and practical value in fields such as aerospace,medicine,life sciences,and brain research.These techniques utilize electrical stimulation to directly or indirectly target specific brain regions,modulating neural activity and influencing broader brain networks,thereby regulating cognitive function.Regulating cognitive function involves an understanding of aspects such as perception,learning and memory,attention,spatial cognition,and physical function.To enhance the application of cognitive regulation in the general population,this paper reviews recent publications from the Web of Science to assess the advancements and challenges of invasive and non-invasive stimulation methods in modulating cognitive functions.This review covers various neuromodulation techniques for cognitive intervention,including deep brain stimulation,vagus nerve stimulation,and invasive methods using microelectrode arrays.The non-invasive techniques discussed include transcranial magnetic stimulation,transcranial direct current stimulation,transcranial alternating current stimulation,transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation,and time interference stimulation for activating deep targets.Invasive stimulation methods,which are ideal for studying the pathogenesis of neurological diseases,tend to cause greater trauma and have been less researched in the context of cognitive function regulation.Non-invasive methods,particularly newer transcranial stimulation techniques,are gentler and more appropriate for regulating cognitive functions in the general population.These include transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation using acupoints and time interference methods for activating deep targets.This paper also discusses current technical challenges and potential future breakthroughs in neuromodulation technology.It is recommended that neuromodulation techniques be combined with neural detection methods to better assess their effects and improve the accuracy of non-invasive neuromodulation.Additionally,researching closed-loop feedback neuromodulation methods is identified as a promising direction for future development.展开更多
Background: Chemotherapy?induced nausea and vomiting adversely affects the quality of life of patients who receive chemotherapy via intravenous infusion or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE). This study ai...Background: Chemotherapy?induced nausea and vomiting adversely affects the quality of life of patients who receive chemotherapy via intravenous infusion or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE). This study aimed to investigate the clinical effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS) on nausea and vomiting after TACE.Methods: A total of 142 patients who received TACE with cisplatin for primary or metastatic liver cancer were assigned to the active?acupuncture(n = 72) or placebo?acupuncture(n Hegu(LI4), Neiguan(P6), an= 70) groups using a covariate?adaptive randomization at a ratio of 1:1. The acupointsd Zusanli(ST36) were stimulated twice daily for 6 days. The effects of TEAS on nausea and vomiting were assessed by using occurrence rate and severity of these symptoms. Anorexia scale and M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory(MDASI) scores were secondary endpoints and were used to assess the effect of TEAS on patient appetite and quality of life. The safety of the treatments was also monitored.Results: Between the two groups, the differences in occurrence rates and severities of nausea and vomiting after TACE were not significant(all P > 0.05). From the second day after TACE, anorexia scores were significantly lower in the active?acupuncture group than in the placebo?acupuncture group and continued to decrease over time with treat?ment(all P values less than 0.01). On days 0, 1, and 2, the mean MDASI scores for the active?acupuncture group were slightly lower than those for the placebo?acupuncture group, but the differences were not statistically significant(all P > 0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups in the occurrence rate of any adverse event(P > 0.05).Conclusion: TEAS appears to be a safe and effective therapy to relieve patients' gastrointestinal discomfort after chemotherapy.展开更多
Cardiac tissue engineering aims to efficiently replace or repair injured heart tissue using scaffolds,relevant cells,or their combination.While the combination of scaffolds and relevant cells holds the potential to ra...Cardiac tissue engineering aims to efficiently replace or repair injured heart tissue using scaffolds,relevant cells,or their combination.While the combination of scaffolds and relevant cells holds the potential to rapidly remuscularize the heart,thereby avoiding the slow process of cell recruitment,the proper ex vivo cellularization of a scaffold poses a substantial challenge.First,proper diffusion of nutrients and oxygen should be provided to the cell-seeded scaffold.Second,to generate a functional tissue construct,cells can benefit from physiological-like conditions.To meet these challenges,we developed a modular bioreactor for the dynamic cellularization of full-thickness cardiac scaffolds under synchronized mechanical and electrical stimuli.In this unique bioreactor system,we designed a cyclic mechanical load that mimics the left ventricle volume inflation,thus achieving a steady stimulus,as well as an electrical stimulus with an action potential profile to mirror the cells’microenvironment and electrical stimuli in the heart.These mechanical and electrical stimuli were synchronized according to cardiac physiology and regulated by constant feedback.When applied to a seeded thick porcine cardiac extracellular matrix(pcECM)scaffold,these stimuli improved the proliferation of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells(MSCs)and induced the formation of a dense tissue-like structure near the scaffold’s surface.Most importantly,after 35 d of cultivation,the MSCs presented the early cardiac progenitor markers Connexin-43 andα-actinin,which were absent in the control cells.Overall,this research developed a new bioreactor system for cellularizing cardiac scaffolds under cardiac-like conditions,aiming to restore a sustainable dynamic living tissue that can bear the essential cardiac excitation–contraction coupling.展开更多
In this study, rats were put into traumatic brain injury-induced coma and treated with median nerve electrical stimulation. We explored the wake-promoting effect, and possible mechanisms, of median nerve electrical st...In this study, rats were put into traumatic brain injury-induced coma and treated with median nerve electrical stimulation. We explored the wake-promoting effect, and possible mechanisms, of median nerve electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation upregulated the expression levels of orexin-A and its receptor OX1R in the rat prefrontal cortex. Orexin-A expression gradually in-creased with increasing stimulation, while OX1R expression reached a peak at 12 hours and then decreased. In addition, after the OX1R antagonist, SB334867, was injected into the brain of rats after traumatic brain injury, fewer rats were restored to consciousness, and orexin-A and OXIR expression in the prefrontal cortex was downregulated. Our ifndings indicate that median nerve electrical stimulation induced an up-regulation of orexin-A and OX1R expression in the pre-frontal cortex of traumatic brain injury-induced coma rats, which may be a potential mechanism involved in the wake-promoting effects of median nerve electrical stimulation.展开更多
Previous studies have indicated that electrical stimulation of the cerebellar fastigial nucleus in rats may reduce brain infarct size, increase the expression of Ku70 in cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion area, and decrea...Previous studies have indicated that electrical stimulation of the cerebellar fastigial nucleus in rats may reduce brain infarct size, increase the expression of Ku70 in cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion area, and decrease the number of apoptotic neurons. However, the anti-apoptotic mechanism of Ku70 remains unclear. In this study, fastigial nucleus stimulation was given to rats 24, 48, and 72 hours before cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Results from the electrical stim- ulation group revealed that rats exhibited a reduction in brain infarct size, a significant increase in the expression of KuT0 in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion regions, and a decreased number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL）-positive cells. Double immunofluorescence staining revealed no co-localization of Ku70 with TUNEL-positive cells. However, Ku70 partly co-localized with Bax protein in the cytoplasm of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. These findings suggest an involvement of Ku70 with Bax in the cy- toplasm of rats exposed to electrical stimulation of the cerebellar fastigial nucleus, and may thus provide an understanding into the anti-apoptotic activity of KuT0 in cerebral ischemia/reperfu- sion injury.展开更多
Aim: To investigate the effects of androgen on penile erection through the reflex arc and penile corpus cavernosum,and study the respective roles of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in penile erection in...Aim: To investigate the effects of androgen on penile erection through the reflex arc and penile corpus cavernosum,and study the respective roles of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in penile erection in rats. Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were castrated and implanted with silastic brand silicone tube containing T or DHT, with orwithout daily injections of a 5α-reductase inhibitor, MK-434. The penile reflex, erectile response to electrical stimula-tion (ES) of the cavernous nerves and penile nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) activity were observed under varying andro-genic status. Results: Penile reflex erection in the rat was, on the whole, related to serum T levels though the numberof glans engorgements was not. The number of cups and flips was significantly decreased by castration, and restoredto the control level by T supplementation. Erectile response to ES and NOS activity in penile tissue was also related toserum T level. T administered together with a 5α-reductase inhibitor no longer restored the number of reflex erection,erectile responses to ES and NOS activity in the corpus cavernosum. Conclusion: Androgen influenced the penile re-flex arc, corpus cavernosum, and the perineal striated muscles. In reflex erection, erectile response to ES and penileNOS activity in the rat, T seems to be first converted to DHT, the more active androgen modality. (Asian J Androl1999 Dec; 1: 169-174)展开更多
Previous studies on the mechanisms of peripheral nerve injury(PNI)have mainly focused on the pathophysiological changes within a single injury site.However,recent studies have indicated that within the central nervous...Previous studies on the mechanisms of peripheral nerve injury(PNI)have mainly focused on the pathophysiological changes within a single injury site.However,recent studies have indicated that within the central nervous system,PNI can lead to changes in both injury sites and target organs at the cellular and molecular levels.Therefore,the basic mechanisms of PNI have not been comprehensively understood.Although electrical stimulation was found to promote axonal regeneration and functional rehabilitation after PNI,as well as to alleviate neuropathic pain,the specific mechanisms of successful PNI treatment are unclear.We summarize and discuss the basic mechanisms of PNI and of treatment via electrical stimulation.After PNI,activity in the central nervous system(spinal cord)is altered,which can limit regeneration of the damaged nerve.For example,cell apoptosis and synaptic stripping in the anterior horn of the spinal cord can reduce the speed of nerve regeneration.The pathological changes in the posterior horn of the spinal cord can modulate sensory abnormalities after PNI.This can be observed in cases of ectopic discharge of the dorsal root ganglion leading to increased pain signal transmission.The injured site of the peripheral nerve is also an important factor affecting post-PNI repair.After PNI,the proximal end of the injured site sends out axial buds to innervate both the skin and muscle at the injury site.A slow speed of axon regeneration leads to low nerve regeneration.Therefore,it can take a long time for the proximal nerve to reinnervate the skin and muscle at the injured site.From the perspective of target organs,long-term denervation can cause atrophy of the corresponding skeletal muscle,which leads to abnormal sensory perception and hyperalgesia,and finally,the loss of target organ function.The mechanisms underlying the use of electrical stimulation to treat PNI include the inhibition of synaptic stripping,addressing the excessive excitability of the dorsal root ganglion,alleviating neuropathic pain,improving neurological function,and accelerating nerve regeneration.Electrical stimulation of target organs can reduce the atrophy of denervated skeletal muscle and promote the recovery of sensory function.Findings from the included studies confirm that after PNI,a series of physiological and pathological changes occur in the spinal cord,injury site,and target organs,leading to dysfunction.Electrical stimulation may address the pathophysiological changes mentioned above,thus promoting nerve regeneration and ameliorating dysfunction.展开更多
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,Nos.G2021KY05107,G2021KY05101the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.32071316,32211530049+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province,No.2022-JM482the Education and Teaching Reform Funds for the Central Universities,No.23GZ230102(all to LL and HH).
文摘Although previous studies have demonstrated that transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation protects the ischemic brain,clear criteria for the stimulation time window and intensity are lacking.Electrical impedance tomography enables real-time monitoring of changes in cerebral blood perfusion within the ischemic brain,but investigating the feasibility of using this method to assess post-stroke rehabilitation in vivo remains critical.In this study,ischemic stroke was induced in rats through middle cerebral artery occlusion surgery.Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation was used to treat the rat model of ischemia,and electrical impedance tomography was used to measure impedance during both the acute stage of ischemia and the rehabilitation stage following the stimulation.Electrical impedance tomography results indicated that cerebral impedance increased after the onset of ischemia and decreased following transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation.Furthermore,the stimulation promoted motor function recovery,reduced cerebral infarction volume in the rat model of ischemic stroke,and induced the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the ischemic brain.Our results also revealed a significant correlation between the impedance of the ischemic brain post-intervention and improvements in behavioral scores and infarct volume.This study shows that daily administration of transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation for 20 minutes to the ischemic hemisphere 24 hours after cerebral ischemia enhanced motor recovery in a rat model of ischemia.Additionally,our findings indicate that electrical impedance tomography can serve as a valuable tool for quantitatively evaluating rehabilitation after ischemic stroke in vivo.These findings suggest the feasibility of using impedance data collected via electrical impedance tomography to clinically assess the effects of rehabilitatory interventions for patients with ischemic stroke.
基金supported by European Union Funding Programme,PNRR,No. 760058(to DMH)the UEFISCDI Project,No. PN-III-P4-IDPCE-2020-059(to APW)
文摘The major aim of stroke therapy is to stimulate brain repair and improve behavioral recovery after cerebral ischemia.One option is to stimulate endogenous neurogenesis in the subventricular zone and direct the newly formed neurons to the damaged area.However,only a small percentage of these neurons survive,and many do not reach the damaged area,possibly because the corpus callosum impedes the migration of subventricular zone-derived stem cells into the lesioned cortex.A second major obstacle to stem cell therapy is the strong inflammatory reaction induced by cerebral ischemia,whereby the associated phagocytic activity of brain macrophages removes both therapeutic cells and/or cell-based drug carriers.To address these issues,neurogenesis was electrically stimulated in the subventricular zone,followed by isolation of proliferating cells,including newly formed neurons,which were subsequently mixed with a nutritional hydrogel.This mixture was then transferred to the stroke cavity of day 14 post-stroke mice.We found that the performance of the treated animals improved in behavioral tests,including novel object,open field,hole board,grooming,and“time-to-feel”adhesive tape tests.Furthermore,immunostaining revealed that the stem cell marker nestin,the neuroepithelial marker Mash1,and the immature neuronal marker doublecortin-positive cells survived in the transplanted area for 2 weeks,possibly due to reduced phagocytic activity and supportive angiogenesis.These results clearly indicate that the transplantation of committed subventricular zone stem cells combined with a protective nutritional gel directly into the infarct cavity after the peak of stroke-induced neuroinflammation represents a feasible approach to improve neurorestoration after cerebral ischemia.
基金Supported by Shanghai 2020“Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan”Medical Innovation Research Special Program:20Y21902800Shanghai Municipal Health Commission Shanghai Three-Year Action Plan to Further Accelerate the Development of Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance and Innovation:ZY(2021-2023)−0302)+1 种基金Shanghai Key Specialty(Acupuncture)Construction Project:shslczdzk04701Shanghai 2024"Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan"star cultivation(Sail special):24YF2740600.
文摘Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)is a kind of physical therapy that use electric cur-rent through the electrodes placed on the surface of acupoints to produce clinical effects in the human body,which is characterized by less adverse reaction and convenient operation.It has been widely used in the treatment of various diseases.This review introduces six major clinical applications of TEAS,named analgesia,regulation of gastrointestinal function,improvement of reproductive function,enhancement of cognitive function,promotion of limb function recovery and relief of fatigue.Besides,TEAS has been ap-plied to the treatment of other chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes,achieving satisfactory clinical effects.However,two crucial challenges are encountered in the development of TEAS.One is the lack of standardization in the selection of parameters such as waveform,frequency,intensity and stimula-tion duration.The other is the limitation on the flexibility in the acupoint selection.This review analyzes key issues that need to be addressed in the current clinical application of TEAS,such as the selection of parameters and acupoints,and this review provides a certain reference value for optimizing regimens of TEAS and promoting its development and application.
基金Supported by Zhejiang Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Plan Project,No.2023ZL230。
文摘BACKGROUND Although gastroscopy is a commonly used diagnostic and therapeutic technique,postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction is prone to occur.Traditional Chinese medicine theory suggests that postoperative gastrointestinal disorders are related to spleen and stomach weakness.This study hypothesizes that the combination of acupoint application at the Ziwu Liuzhu acupoint and percutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation can promote postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery and alleviate stress reactions.AIM To investigate the effects of acupoint application of Ziwu Liuzhu combined with percutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation on postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery and stress response in patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy surgery.METHODS A total of 120 patients who underwent gastroscopy surgery were selected and treated between October 2024 and January 2025.This study used a stratified block randomization method,and then allocated groups using computer-generated random number sequences(SAS 9.4 software).The groups were divided into two groups:A control group of 60 patients who received routine postoperative intervention measures,and an observation group of 60 patients who received acupuncture point application combined with transcutaneous acupoint electrical CONCLUSION The combination of percutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation in gastroscopy patients has been demonstrated to be both highly safe and effective.The benefits of this approach include the promotion of postoperative gastrointestinal function,the reduction of stress response,the attainment of optimal results,and the enhancement of patient satisfaction.
文摘This review elucidates the impact of electrical stimulation(ES)and blood flow restriction(BFR)training on muscle function.ES induces a transformation in muscle fibers type by rearranging myosin heavy chain isoform patterns.Additionally,it influences muscle protein synthesis and degradation through specific signaling pathways such as protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin(Akt/mTOR),as well as via autophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome system,thereby effectively maintaining muscle mass.BFR,on the other hand,restricts muscle blood flow,leading to metabolic products accumulation and localized hypoxia,which not only promotes the recruitment of fast-twitch fibers but also activates the mTOR signaling pathway,enhancing muscle protein synthesis.The combination of ES and BFR synergistically facilitates muscle protein synthesis through the mTOR pathway,thereby accelerating the recovery of muscle function following peripheral nerve injury.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foun-dation of China(22278257)the Key R&D Program of Shaanxi Province(2024SF-YBXM-586)the Project of Innovation Capability Support Program in Shaanxi Province(2024ZC-KJXX-005)。
文摘Rapidly-advancing microneedle-based bioelectronics integrated with electrical stimulation(ES)therapy exhibit significant potential for improving chronic wound management.Herein,bio-inspired by the serrated structure of bee-stingers,we developed a temperature-sensitive,two-stage microneedle-based electro active platform(GP-PPy/PLA-MN)featuring rivet-like micros tructures that integrates intelligent,precise drug-releasing,ES-transmission,and real-time wound-assessment monitoring for comprehensive chronic wound-management and diagnostic therapy.The bionic-design mechanically anchors the microneedle beneath the skin's dermis,while GP-PPy/PLA-MN demonstrates versatile therapeutic characteristics,including outstanding biocompatibility,antimicrobial properties,and antimigratory origins.The GP-PPy/PLA-MN enables the sustained release of insulin at body temperature for up to24 hours through the poly-N-isopropyl acrylamide grafted amidated-gelatin-based thermo-sensitive hydrogel at the needle-tip,thereby providing long-term stable blood glucose control.GP-PPy/PLA-MN indicates its potential as a novel bioelectronics-based patch to record the temperature and humidity during the wound-healing process,realizing significant wound diagnosis and real-time wound assessment,and fundamentally facilitating the therapeutic efficacy by supplying solid data to protect the clinical practice.Extensive in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that GP-PPy/PLA-MN can provide effective ES and sustained drug release,thereby promoting chronic wound healing and increasing the wound healing rate by 20%compared to the control group after 14 days of treatment.This innovative approach combines bioelectronics with intelligent drug delivery and microneedling technology to effectively address the critical challenges of chronic wound management,offering promising prospects for precision diagnostics and therapeutic interventions.
基金supported by STI2030-Major Projects(2021ZD0204300 and 2022ZD0205000)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32020103009)+2 种基金a Ministry Key Project(GW089000)the Scientific Foundation of the Institute of Psychology,Chinese Academy of Sciences(E2CX4215CX)the CAAE Epilepsy Research Fund-UCB Fund(CU-2023-052).
文摘Direct electrical stimulation of the human cortex can produce subjective visual sensations,yet these sensations are unstable.The underlying mechanisms may stem from differences in electrophysiological activity within the distributed network outside the stimulated site.To address this problem,we recruited 69 patients who experienced visual sensations during invasive electrical stimulation while intracranial electroencephalography(iEEG)data were recorded.We found significantly flattened power spectral slopes in distributed regions involving different brain networks and decreased integrated information during elicited visual sensations compared with the non-sensation condition.Further analysis based on minimum information partitions revealed that the reconfigured network interactions primarily involved the inferior frontal cortex,posterior superior temporal sulcus,and temporoparietal junction.The flattened power spectral slope in the inferior frontal gyrus was also correlated with integrated information.Taken together,this study indicates that the altered electrophysiological signatures provide insights into the neural mechanisms underlying subjective visual sensations.
基金supported by the funded project(HYZHX M05005)in the field of space medical experiments of manned spaceflight engineering.
文摘Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)for muscle atrophy in patients with immobilization after surgical fixation of foot and ankle fractures.Methods:This was a two-arm randomized controlled trial wherein 80 patients were recruited and divided into control(n=40)and intervention(n=40)groups.The control group received conventional orthopedic treatment,whereas the intervention group received TEAS and conventional treatment.The intervention group received TEAS 3 times a week for 30 min each time for 8 weeks.The primary out-comes were muscle thickness(MT)and cross-sectional area(CSA)of the rectus femoris and gastroc-nemius muscles,whereas the secondary outcome measure was echo intensity(EI).Data were collected before the fixation operations(baseline assessment)and 4 and 8 weeks after intervention.Results:Compared with baseline,the MT and CSA were reduced in both groups by the end of treatment,whereas EI increased in both groups.At week 4,the reduction in the rectus femoris CSA in the inter-vention group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P=0.02);however,the between-group differences in the MT and EI(all P>0.05)were not significant.No serious adverse events were observed in either group.Conclusion:Our study showed that TEAS can improve muscle atrophy by attenuating the decline in the muscle CSA.Because this was only a pilot trial,subsequent studies will need longer follow-ups and larger sample sizes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.90307013,90707005,61534003the Science&Technology Pillar Program of Jiangsu Province in China,No.BE2013706
文摘Voluntary participation of hemiplegic patients is crucial for functional electrical stimulation therapy.A wearable functional electrical stimulation system has been proposed for real-time volitional hand motor function control using the electromyography bridge method.Through a series of novel design concepts,including the integration of a detecting circuit and an analog-to-digital converter,a miniaturized functional electrical stimulation circuit technique,a low-power super-regeneration chip for wireless receiving,and two wearable armbands,a prototype system has been established with reduced size,power,and overall cost.Based on wrist joint torque reproduction and classification experiments performed on six healthy subjects,the optimized surface electromyography thresholds and trained logistic regression classifier parameters were statistically chosen to establish wrist and hand motion control with high accuracy.Test results showed that wrist flexion/extension,hand grasp,and finger extension could be reproduced with high accuracy and low latency.This system can build a bridge of information transmission between healthy limbs and paralyzed limbs,effectively improve voluntary participation of hemiplegic patients,and elevate efficiency of rehabilitation training.
文摘Objective To seek a better therapy for treating post-stroke dysphagia. Methods Patients with stroke and swallowing disorders were randomly divided into ordinary acupuncture group （group A, 58 cases） and swallowing neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with acupuncture group （group B, 62 cases）. Two-group patients were given the same basic internal medical treatment. In addition, group A was given normal acupuncture treatment with the choice of local points： Junjin （金津 EX-HN 12）, Yuye（玉液 EX-HN 23）, Fengchi （风池 GB 20）, Yifeng （翳风 TE 17）, Lianquan （廉泉 CV 23）, Wangu （完骨 GB 12）. Group B was given swallowing neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with acupuncture： GB 20, Fengfu （风夜 GV 16）, TE 17, Yiming （翳明 EX-HN 14）, Yamen （哑门 GV 15）, Tianrong（天容 SI 17）, Tianchuang （天窗 SI 16）, CV 23, the uniform reinforcing-reducing manipulation was used; EX- HN 12, EX-HN 13, the piercing and blood-letting method （1-2 mL blood） was used; at the same time, the swallowing neuromuscular electrical stimulation therapy device was used to electrically stimulate the nerves and muscles in the throat and neck at specific output pulse current （50-100 Hz）. Treatment was made twice a day, 30 minutes each time. Two weeks after the treatment, the patients were assessed in symptoms improvement and clinical efficacy. Results The total effective rate in group B was 91.4% and 75.8% in group A; in the total efficiency comparison in both groups, χ^2=5.232, P〈0.05. The difference in improvement of symptoms with post-stroke dysphagia treated with above mentioned combination treatment was statistically significant between both groups （P〈0.05）. Conclusion The above mentioned swallowing neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with acupuncture treatment has a better clinical effect when compared with ordinary acupuncture.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.60501005)Key Programof Tianjin Science Technology Support Plan(No.2007-68)
文摘Gait recognition is the key question of functional electrical stimulation (FES) system control for paraplegic walking. A new risk-tendency-graph (RTG) method was proposed to recognize the stability information in FES-assisted walking gait. The main instrument was a specialized walker dynamometer system based on a multi-channel strain-gauge bridge network fixed on the walker frame. During walking process, this system collected the reaction forces between patient's upper extremities and walker and converted them into RTG morphologic curves of dynamic gait stability in temporal and spatial domains. To demonstrate the potential usefulness of RTG, preliminary clinical trials were done with paraplegic patients. The gait stability levels of two walking cases with 4- and 12-week FES training from one subject were quantified (0.43 and 0.19) from the results of temporal and spatial RTG. Relevant instable phases in gait cycle and dangerous inclinations of patient's body during walking process were also brought forward. In conclusion, the new RTG method is practical for distinguishing more useful gait stability information for FES system control.
文摘A low-power IC for function electrical stimulation （FES） of nerves is designed for an implantable system and fabricated in CSMC＇s 0.6μm CMOS technology. The IC can be used for stimulating animals＇ spinal nerve bundles and other nerves connected with a cuff type electrode. It consists of a pre-amplifier,a main amplifier,and an output stage. According to the neural signal spectrum,the bandwidth of the FES signal generator circuit is defined from 1Hz to 400kHz. The gain of the circuit is about 66dB with an output impedance of 900. The 1C can function under a single supply voltage of 3-5V. A rail-to-rail output stage helps to use the coupled power efficiently. The measured time domain performance shows that the bandwidth and the gain of the IC agree with the design. The power consumption is lower than 6mW.
基金supported by STI 2030-Major Projects,No.2021ZD0201603(to JL)the Joint Foundation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,No.8091A170201(to JL)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.T2293730(to XC),T2293731(to XC),T2293734(to XC),62471291(to YW),62121003(to XC),61960206012(to XC),62333020(to XC),and 62171434(to XC)the National Key Research and Development Program of China,Nos.2022YFC2402501(to XC),2022YFB3205602(to XC).
文摘Neuromodulation techniques effectively intervene in cognitive function,holding considerable scientific and practical value in fields such as aerospace,medicine,life sciences,and brain research.These techniques utilize electrical stimulation to directly or indirectly target specific brain regions,modulating neural activity and influencing broader brain networks,thereby regulating cognitive function.Regulating cognitive function involves an understanding of aspects such as perception,learning and memory,attention,spatial cognition,and physical function.To enhance the application of cognitive regulation in the general population,this paper reviews recent publications from the Web of Science to assess the advancements and challenges of invasive and non-invasive stimulation methods in modulating cognitive functions.This review covers various neuromodulation techniques for cognitive intervention,including deep brain stimulation,vagus nerve stimulation,and invasive methods using microelectrode arrays.The non-invasive techniques discussed include transcranial magnetic stimulation,transcranial direct current stimulation,transcranial alternating current stimulation,transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation,and time interference stimulation for activating deep targets.Invasive stimulation methods,which are ideal for studying the pathogenesis of neurological diseases,tend to cause greater trauma and have been less researched in the context of cognitive function regulation.Non-invasive methods,particularly newer transcranial stimulation techniques,are gentler and more appropriate for regulating cognitive functions in the general population.These include transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation using acupoints and time interference methods for activating deep targets.This paper also discusses current technical challenges and potential future breakthroughs in neuromodulation technology.It is recommended that neuromodulation techniques be combined with neural detection methods to better assess their effects and improve the accuracy of non-invasive neuromodulation.Additionally,researching closed-loop feedback neuromodulation methods is identified as a promising direction for future development.
基金supported by grants from the Shanghai Municipal Health Bureau Programs (No.2010L058A)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81403248, No.81273955)
文摘Background: Chemotherapy?induced nausea and vomiting adversely affects the quality of life of patients who receive chemotherapy via intravenous infusion or transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE). This study aimed to investigate the clinical effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS) on nausea and vomiting after TACE.Methods: A total of 142 patients who received TACE with cisplatin for primary or metastatic liver cancer were assigned to the active?acupuncture(n = 72) or placebo?acupuncture(n Hegu(LI4), Neiguan(P6), an= 70) groups using a covariate?adaptive randomization at a ratio of 1:1. The acupointsd Zusanli(ST36) were stimulated twice daily for 6 days. The effects of TEAS on nausea and vomiting were assessed by using occurrence rate and severity of these symptoms. Anorexia scale and M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory(MDASI) scores were secondary endpoints and were used to assess the effect of TEAS on patient appetite and quality of life. The safety of the treatments was also monitored.Results: Between the two groups, the differences in occurrence rates and severities of nausea and vomiting after TACE were not significant(all P > 0.05). From the second day after TACE, anorexia scores were significantly lower in the active?acupuncture group than in the placebo?acupuncture group and continued to decrease over time with treat?ment(all P values less than 0.01). On days 0, 1, and 2, the mean MDASI scores for the active?acupuncture group were slightly lower than those for the placebo?acupuncture group, but the differences were not statistically significant(all P > 0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups in the occurrence rate of any adverse event(P > 0.05).Conclusion: TEAS appears to be a safe and effective therapy to relieve patients' gastrointestinal discomfort after chemotherapy.
基金funded by the Israeli Ministry of Innovation,Science and Technology(Grant No.3-11873)the Israel Science Foundation(Grant No.1563/10)+1 种基金the Randy L.and Melvin R.Berlin Family Research Center for Regenerative Medicinethe Gurwin Family Foundation.
文摘Cardiac tissue engineering aims to efficiently replace or repair injured heart tissue using scaffolds,relevant cells,or their combination.While the combination of scaffolds and relevant cells holds the potential to rapidly remuscularize the heart,thereby avoiding the slow process of cell recruitment,the proper ex vivo cellularization of a scaffold poses a substantial challenge.First,proper diffusion of nutrients and oxygen should be provided to the cell-seeded scaffold.Second,to generate a functional tissue construct,cells can benefit from physiological-like conditions.To meet these challenges,we developed a modular bioreactor for the dynamic cellularization of full-thickness cardiac scaffolds under synchronized mechanical and electrical stimuli.In this unique bioreactor system,we designed a cyclic mechanical load that mimics the left ventricle volume inflation,thus achieving a steady stimulus,as well as an electrical stimulus with an action potential profile to mirror the cells’microenvironment and electrical stimuli in the heart.These mechanical and electrical stimuli were synchronized according to cardiac physiology and regulated by constant feedback.When applied to a seeded thick porcine cardiac extracellular matrix(pcECM)scaffold,these stimuli improved the proliferation of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells(MSCs)and induced the formation of a dense tissue-like structure near the scaffold’s surface.Most importantly,after 35 d of cultivation,the MSCs presented the early cardiac progenitor markers Connexin-43 andα-actinin,which were absent in the control cells.Overall,this research developed a new bioreactor system for cellularizing cardiac scaffolds under cardiac-like conditions,aiming to restore a sustainable dynamic living tissue that can bear the essential cardiac excitation–contraction coupling.
基金funded by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81260295the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province of China,No.20132BAB205063
文摘In this study, rats were put into traumatic brain injury-induced coma and treated with median nerve electrical stimulation. We explored the wake-promoting effect, and possible mechanisms, of median nerve electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation upregulated the expression levels of orexin-A and its receptor OX1R in the rat prefrontal cortex. Orexin-A expression gradually in-creased with increasing stimulation, while OX1R expression reached a peak at 12 hours and then decreased. In addition, after the OX1R antagonist, SB334867, was injected into the brain of rats after traumatic brain injury, fewer rats were restored to consciousness, and orexin-A and OXIR expression in the prefrontal cortex was downregulated. Our ifndings indicate that median nerve electrical stimulation induced an up-regulation of orexin-A and OX1R expression in the pre-frontal cortex of traumatic brain injury-induced coma rats, which may be a potential mechanism involved in the wake-promoting effects of median nerve electrical stimulation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30860291
文摘Previous studies have indicated that electrical stimulation of the cerebellar fastigial nucleus in rats may reduce brain infarct size, increase the expression of Ku70 in cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion area, and decrease the number of apoptotic neurons. However, the anti-apoptotic mechanism of Ku70 remains unclear. In this study, fastigial nucleus stimulation was given to rats 24, 48, and 72 hours before cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Results from the electrical stim- ulation group revealed that rats exhibited a reduction in brain infarct size, a significant increase in the expression of KuT0 in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion regions, and a decreased number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling （TUNEL）-positive cells. Double immunofluorescence staining revealed no co-localization of Ku70 with TUNEL-positive cells. However, Ku70 partly co-localized with Bax protein in the cytoplasm of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. These findings suggest an involvement of Ku70 with Bax in the cy- toplasm of rats exposed to electrical stimulation of the cerebellar fastigial nucleus, and may thus provide an understanding into the anti-apoptotic activity of KuT0 in cerebral ischemia/reperfu- sion injury.
文摘Aim: To investigate the effects of androgen on penile erection through the reflex arc and penile corpus cavernosum,and study the respective roles of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in penile erection in rats. Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were castrated and implanted with silastic brand silicone tube containing T or DHT, with orwithout daily injections of a 5α-reductase inhibitor, MK-434. The penile reflex, erectile response to electrical stimula-tion (ES) of the cavernous nerves and penile nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) activity were observed under varying andro-genic status. Results: Penile reflex erection in the rat was, on the whole, related to serum T levels though the numberof glans engorgements was not. The number of cups and flips was significantly decreased by castration, and restoredto the control level by T supplementation. Erectile response to ES and NOS activity in penile tissue was also related toserum T level. T administered together with a 5α-reductase inhibitor no longer restored the number of reflex erection,erectile responses to ES and NOS activity in the corpus cavernosum. Conclusion: Androgen influenced the penile re-flex arc, corpus cavernosum, and the perineal striated muscles. In reflex erection, erectile response to ES and penileNOS activity in the rat, T seems to be first converted to DHT, the more active androgen modality. (Asian J Androl1999 Dec; 1: 169-174)
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81801787(to XZS)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation,No.2018M640238(to XZS)the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin,No.20JCQNJC01690(XLC).
文摘Previous studies on the mechanisms of peripheral nerve injury(PNI)have mainly focused on the pathophysiological changes within a single injury site.However,recent studies have indicated that within the central nervous system,PNI can lead to changes in both injury sites and target organs at the cellular and molecular levels.Therefore,the basic mechanisms of PNI have not been comprehensively understood.Although electrical stimulation was found to promote axonal regeneration and functional rehabilitation after PNI,as well as to alleviate neuropathic pain,the specific mechanisms of successful PNI treatment are unclear.We summarize and discuss the basic mechanisms of PNI and of treatment via electrical stimulation.After PNI,activity in the central nervous system(spinal cord)is altered,which can limit regeneration of the damaged nerve.For example,cell apoptosis and synaptic stripping in the anterior horn of the spinal cord can reduce the speed of nerve regeneration.The pathological changes in the posterior horn of the spinal cord can modulate sensory abnormalities after PNI.This can be observed in cases of ectopic discharge of the dorsal root ganglion leading to increased pain signal transmission.The injured site of the peripheral nerve is also an important factor affecting post-PNI repair.After PNI,the proximal end of the injured site sends out axial buds to innervate both the skin and muscle at the injury site.A slow speed of axon regeneration leads to low nerve regeneration.Therefore,it can take a long time for the proximal nerve to reinnervate the skin and muscle at the injured site.From the perspective of target organs,long-term denervation can cause atrophy of the corresponding skeletal muscle,which leads to abnormal sensory perception and hyperalgesia,and finally,the loss of target organ function.The mechanisms underlying the use of electrical stimulation to treat PNI include the inhibition of synaptic stripping,addressing the excessive excitability of the dorsal root ganglion,alleviating neuropathic pain,improving neurological function,and accelerating nerve regeneration.Electrical stimulation of target organs can reduce the atrophy of denervated skeletal muscle and promote the recovery of sensory function.Findings from the included studies confirm that after PNI,a series of physiological and pathological changes occur in the spinal cord,injury site,and target organs,leading to dysfunction.Electrical stimulation may address the pathophysiological changes mentioned above,thus promoting nerve regeneration and ameliorating dysfunction.
