Evaluating Dielectric Properties for Assessing Water Content at Acupuncture Points: New Methodology.

Importance: Understanding acupuncture point microenvironments is vital for optimizing treatment efficacy. Evaluating changes in water content at these points can provide further insights into the effects of acupuncture on tissues.

Objective: This study aimed to measure tissue dielectric constant (TDC) and assess changes in water content, specifically at stomach 36 (ST36, Zusanli) and spleen 6 (SP6, Sanyinjiao) acupuncture points.

Acupuncture and Electroacupuncture Effects of ST-36 () and SP-9 () on Motor Behavior in Ischemic Gerbils.

Objective: Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. To find ways to reduce behavioral disabilities, researchers study animal models. By targeting ST-36 () and SP-9 (), this study investigated the effects of traditional acupuncture and electroacupuncture (EA) on motor behavior in gerbils following global cerebral ischemia.

Static magnetic field blocked alprazolam-induced behavior of Wistar rats in the elevated plus-maze test.

Studies have shown that psychotropic drugs change rat behavior in the elevated plus-maze test (EPM). This study investigated whether static magnetic fields could alter alprazolam-induced rat behavior in the EPM. 66 male Wistar rats (270-300 g weight) were assigned to one of the following groups: Sham Magnetic + Saline (SMS), North Pole + Saline (NPS), South Pole + Saline (SPS), Sham magnetic + alprazolam (SMA), NP + alprazolam (NPA), and SP + alprazolam (SPA).

Aerobic Exercise After Left-Sided Stroke Improves Gait Speed and Endurance: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on individuals who have had a stroke and showed baseline scores lower than the standard scores for the 6-min and 10-meter walk tests.

Design: Individuals were assigned to groups according to gait performance, defined by the standard values in the 6-min and 10-meter walk tests (standard baseline score and lower baseline score), and brain injury side. Aerobic exercise, 30 mins per day, 2 times a week, for a total of 12 wks.

Polycystic ovary syndrome associated with increased adiposity interferes with serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 differently from leptin and adiponectin.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to explore the relationship between body fat percentage and metabolic markers. Subjects and methods Sedentary women were assigned to PCOS (N = 60) and CONTROL (N = 60) groups. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to body fat percentage (22-27%, 27-32% and 32-37%).

Lower limb auriculotherapy points improves balance in young healthy subjects-assessed by computerized baropodometry.

Objective: To analyze the effects of Lower Limb (LL) auricular stimulation points on the static equilibrium of healthy subjects, assessed by computerized baropodometry.

Methods And Materials: Forty volunteers were assigned to one of two groups: Auriculotherapy (AT) who received unilateral needle stimulation of the coxofemoral, knee, and ankle points. Control (C) who did not receive any stimulation.

Ipsilateral proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation patterns improve overflow and reduce foot drop in patients with demyelinating polyneuropathy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the response of the tibialis anterior muscle (TAm) using surface electromyography in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT-IA), after ipsilateral proprioceptive neuromuscular patterns (PNF). Thirteen CMT-IA patients (both sexes) were treated twice a week, for 5 weeks, with bilateral PNF pattern, four times per treatment. During the execution of the patterns, we recorded the bilateral activation of the TAm in root mean square (RMS).

Continuous and not continuous 2-week treadmill training enhances the performance in the passive avoidance test in ischemic gerbils.

This study aims to investigate the frequency and total duration effects of the 2-week treadmill training after experimental ischemic stroke in the passive avoidance test. We performed bilateral occlusion of common external carotid arteries, for five minutes, in Mongolian gerbils. The training groups were: continuous training for twelve consecutive days or not continuous training for six non-consecutive days.

Physical training associated with Enalapril but not to Losartan, results in better cardiovascular autonomic effects.

Background: We investigated the cardiovascular autonomic effects of physical training associated with Enalapril or Losartan pharmacological treatments in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Methods: SHRs, 18weeks of age (N=48) was assigned to either sedentary (N=24) and trained (N=24; aerobic training by swimming for 10wk). Each group was subdivided in 3 subgroups (N=8) vehicle (control); Enalapril (10mg·kg·d); and Losartan (5mg·kg·d).

Laser photobiomodulation (830 and 660 nm) in mast cells, VEGF, FGF, and CD34 of the musculocutaneous flap in rats submitted to nicotine.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of laser photobiomodulation (PBM) on the viability of the transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap in rats subjected to the action of nicotine. We evaluated 60 albino Wistar rats, divided into six groups of ten animals. Group 1 (saline) underwent the surgical technique to obtain a TRAM flap; group 2 (laser 830 nm) underwent the surgical technique and was irradiated with a laser 830 nm; group 3 (laser 660 nm) underwent the surgical technique and was irradiated with a laser 660 nm; group 4 was treated with nicotine subcutaneously (2 mg/kg/2×/day/4 weeks) and underwent surgery; group 5 (nicotine + laser 830 nm) was exposed to nicotine, underwent the surgical technique, and was irradiated with a laser 830 nm; group 6 (nicotine + laser 660 nm) was exposed to nicotine, underwent the surgical technique, and was irradiated with a laser 660 nm.

Behavioral effects and neural changes induced by continuous and not continuous treadmill training, post bilateral cerebral ischemia in gerbils.

This study aims to investigate the effects of treadmill training and the possible influences of the start, regularity, and duration after experimental ischemic stroke. We performed bilateral occlusion of both the carotid arteries for 5 min in Mongolian gerbils. The training groups were: continuous training for 5 consecutive days or not continuous training for 3 non-consecutive days.

Behavioural profile of Wistar rats with unilateral striatal lesion by quinolinic acid (animal model of Huntington disease) post-injection of apomorphine and exposure to static magnetic field.

We analysed the motor behaviour of Wistar rats after 7 days lesion in the left striatum, injected with apomorphine (APO) and stimulated by a continuous magnetic field of 3,200 Gauss. For the behaviour assessment, we utilised the activity cage test and the rotarod test. Sixty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: control, sham, sham magnetic, lesion, and stimulated South and North Poles.

Electromyographic and strength analyses of activation patterns of the wrist flexor muscles after acupuncture.

This study analyzed the electromyographic and strength responses of the flexor muscles of the wrist following stimulation of acupuncture points. A total of 52 participants were randomly divided into four groups: local (heart 3, HT3), distant (heart 4, HT4), control (bladder 60, BL60), and naïve control groups. To obtain the root mean square electromyographic activity, we placed surface electrodes over the wrist flexors.

Neuropathology and behavioral impairments in Wistar rats with a 6-OHDA lesion in the substantia nigra compacta and exposure to a static magnetic field.

Studies have sought to assess various potential neuroprotective therapeutics in Parkinson's disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of static magnetic field stimulation 14 days after a 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) substantia nigra compacta (SNc) lesion on motor behavior, as assessed by the rotarod (RR) test and brain tissue morphology. Forty male Wistar rats were used and were divided into five groups: control group, sham group (SG), lesion group (LG), lesion north pole group (LNPG) and lesion south pole group (LSPG).

Neuropathology and behavioral impairments after bilateral global ischemia surgery and exposure to static magnetic field: Evidence in the motor cortex, the hippocampal CA1 region and the neostriatum.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of continuous magnetic field stimulation after four days of global encephalic ischemia on motor behavior and brain morphology in gerbils.

Material And Methods: Sixty Mongolian gerbils were divided into five groups: Control (CG), sham (SG), ischemia (IG), ischemia north (INPG) and south (ISPG) pole. Experimental animals underwent bilateral occlusion of the carotid artery.

Neuropathology and behavioral impairments after three types of global ischemia surgery in Meriones unguiculatus: evidence in motor cortex, hippocampal CA1 region and the neostriatum.

The effects of three types of global ischemia by occlusion of carotid artery on motor and exploratory behaviors of Gerbils were evaluated by the Activity Cage and Rota rod tests. Animals were divided based on two surgical criteria: unilateral (UNI) or bilateral (BIL) carotid occlusion, with (REP) or without (OCL) reperfusion; and their behavior was evaluated on the fourth (4) or sixth (6) day. There was reduction of cell number in striatum, motor cortex M1 area, and hippocampal CA1 area in all groups in comparison to control animals.

The immediate effects of local and adjacent acupuncture on the tibialis anterior muscle: a human study.

Background: This study compares the immediate effects of local and adjacent acupuncture on the tibialis anterior muscle and the amount of force generated or strength in Kilogram Force (KGF) evaluated by a surface electromyography.

Methods: The study consisted of a single blinded trial of 30 subjects assigned to two groups: local acupoint (ST36) and adjacent acupoint (SP9). Bipolar surface electrodes were placed on the tibialis anterior muscle, while a force transducer was attached to the foot of the subject and to the floor.

Influence of treadmill training on motor performance and organization of exploratory behavior in Meriones unguiculatus with unilateral ischemic stroke: histological correlates in hippocampal CA1 region and the neostriatum.

This study examined the effects of motor stimulation via treadmill on the behavior of male gerbils after external carotid ischemic brain lesion. The animals were assigned to five groups; ischemic with no stimulation (SIG), ischemic with stimulation (SIG 12/24/48/72h after surgery), non-ischemic with no stimulation (CC), non-ischemic with stimulation (CE) and sham, surgery without occlusion with no stimulation (SH). All the animals were tested in the open-field (OF) and rotarod (RR), 4 days after surgery in order to evaluate exploratory behaviors and motor performance.

Macroscopic and histological effects of magnetic field exposition in the process of tissue reparation in Wistar rats.

Exposing body tissue, in vivo, to a magnetic field promotes metabolic alterations in the cell membrane's permeability and in the apoptosis phenomenon. This aim of the study was to investigate magnetic field interactions in the process of tissue repair in rats. Twenty-four male Wistar rats, weighing 200-350 g, were assigned to one of the three different groups: Control (without exposure to the magnetic field), South Pole (with exposure to the South magnetic field), and North Pole (with exposure to the north magnetic field).