[Electroacupuncture improves learning and memory function and promotes hippocampal synaptic regeneration in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury].

Objectives: To explore the neuroprotective mechanism of electroacupuncture at the acupoints and in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury.

Methods: Forty-eight male SD rats were equally randomized into sham operation group, cerebral IR model group, acupoint electroacupuncture group and non-acupoint acupuncture group. In the latter 3 groups, cerebral focal ischemic injury was induced using the Longa method; in the two electroacupuncture groups, electroacupuncture was performed either at the acupoints and or at non-acupoint sites for 7 days.

Oxysophoridine inhibits oxidative stress and inflammation in hepatic fibrosis via regulating Nrf2 and NF-κB pathways.

Background: Hepatic fibrosis (HF) runs through multiple stages of liver diseases and promotes these diseases progression. Oxysophoridine (OSR), derived from Sophora alopecuroides l., is a bioactive alkaloid that has been reported to antagonize alcoholic hepatic injury.

Moxibustion Promoted Axonal Regeneration and Improved Learning and Memory of Post-stroke Cognitive Impairment by Regulating PI3K/AKt and TACC3.

Background: This study aimed to investigate whether moxibustion could affect PI3K/Akt pathway to regulate Transforming acidic coiled-coil containing protein 3 (TACC3) and promote axonal regeneration to improve learning and memory function in middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats.

Methods: Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham-operated control group (SC), model control group (MC), model + moxibustion group (MM), and model + inhibitor + moxibustion group (MIM). The rats in MC, MM, and MIM groups were made into MCAO models, and PI3K inhibitor LY294002 was injected into the rats in MIM group before modeling; while the rats in SC group were only treated with artery separation without monofilament inserting.

Effects of microRNA-320 on learning and memory in mice with vascular cognitive impairment caused via cerebral ischemia.

We aimed to explore microRNA (miR)-320's impacts on learning and memory in mice with vascular cognitive impairment induced via cerebral ischemia. After establishment of a cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) cognitive impairment model, application of corresponding treatment methods was in the model mice to inject miR-320 antagomir/agomir and their negative controls to the lateral ventricles: Test of the learning and memory abilities of mice was conducted; Detection of oxidative stress, inflammation, miR-320, Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endostatin (ES) was implemented; Taking mouse hippocampal neuron cells was to detect the cell advancement. MiR-320 was elevated in the CSVD model; MiR-320 was negatively linked with the learning and memory abilities of mice; Repressing miR-320 was available to memorably elevate the learning and memory abilities of CSVD mice; Depressing miR-320 clearly drove CSVD mouse neovascular protein VEGF, but reduced inflammation, oxidative stress response and ES; Restraining miR-320 was available to contribute to mouse neuronal cell advancement.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Global Cognitive Functioning and Ability in Daily Life Activities in Poststroke Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation on global cognition and ability in daily life activities of patients with poststroke cognitive impairment.

Design: Nine electronic databases were searched from their respective inceptions through January 2022. We included the randomized controlled trials that used transcranial direct current stimulation for poststroke cognitive impairment and included at least one global cognitive function or ability in daily life activities outcome indicators.

Cephalic electroacupuncture restores learning and memory in rats with induced ischemic stroke via inhibition of NF-κB nuclear translocation.

Inflammatory responses in the brain contribute to cognitive deficits. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), a critical transcription factor in inflammatory responses, is activated in post-stroke cognitive deficit. Baihui (DU20) and Shenting (DU24) acupoints, the main acupoints of Du Meridian, are widely used to improve cognitive deficits in Chinese patients with stroke.

Effects of Virtual Reality Rehabilitation Training on Cognitive Function and Activities of Daily Living of Patients With Poststroke Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To determine the effects of virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation training on the cognitive function and activities of daily living (ADL) of patients with poststroke cognitive impairment (PSCI).

Data Sources: Four Chinese databases and 6 English databases were systematically searched for studies published until August 31, 2021, by using Medical Subject Headings of the National Library of Medicine terms such as virtual reality, cognition disorders, cognitive dysfunction, and stroke and free terms such as virtual environment, VR, cognition impairment, cerebrovascular accident, and PSCI.

Study Selection: Randomized controlled trials treating PSCI with VR training were included.

Electroacupuncture Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment Through the Inhibition of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation by Regulating Melatonin-Mediated Mitophagy in Stroke Rats.

Previous studies found that electroacupuncture (EA) at the Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) acupoints alleviates cognitive impairment in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury rats. Nonetheless, the mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory effects of EA are unclear. Cerebral I/R injury was induced in rats by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

The effects of computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation on cognitive impairment after stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation in improving cognitive function in patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment.

Background: In recent years, computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation has been accepted as a good substitute or supplement for traditional cognitive rehabilitation. Some clinical randomised controlled trials have been carried out, but no relevant systematic evaluations have been performed.

Tougu Xiaotong capsule exerts a therapeutic effect by improving knee meniscus in the early osteoarthritis rat model.

The aim of the study was to observe the effects of Tougu Xiaotong capsule (TGXTC) on the microstructure and ultrastructure of meniscus in rats with early knee osteoarthritis (KOA). A total of 27 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: The normal group (non-papain-induced KOA; received saline only), the model group (papain-induced KOA; received saline only) and the TGXTC group [papain-induced KOA; received TGXTC (0.31g·kg·d)].

Electroacupuncture Improves Synaptic Function in SAMP8 Mice Probably via Inhibition of the AMPK/eEF2K/eEF2 Signaling Pathway.

Synaptic loss and dysfunction is associated with cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent evidence indicates that the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase (eEF2K)/eukaryotic elongation factor-2 (eEF2) pathway was implicated in synaptic plasticity in AD. Therapeutic strategies for AD treatment are currently limited.

Inflammatory cytokines via up-regulation of aquaporins deteriorated the pathogenesis of early osteoarthritis.

Background: Inflammatory cytokines enhanced the progress of the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, however the mechanisms remain unclear. The objective is to determine aquaporins (AQPs) in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

Methods And Findings: Primary rat articular chondrocytes were treated with IL-1β to mimic the early stage of osteoarthritis in vitro.

Establishment of a Rat Model of Superior Sagittal-Sinus Occlusion and Recanalization via a Thread-Embolism Method.

There are many uncontrollable factors in the pathogenesis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). In order to further explore the pathophysiology and morphology of CVST, it is necessary to establish a highly compatible CVST animal model that can standardize the site and stage of venous thrombosis. The present study employed the insertion of a self-made thread embolism into the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) to establish a rat model of SSS occlusion that emulates CVST.

Tougu Xiaotong capsule exerts a therapeutic effect on knee osteoarthritis by regulating subchondral bone remodeling.

Previous studies have shown that Tougu Xiaotong capsule (TGXTC) has therapeutic effects on knee osteoarthritis (OA) through multiple targets. However, the mechanisms of action underlying its regulation of subchondral bone reconstruction remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of TGXTC on subchondral bone remodeling.

Electroacupuncture ameliorates cognitive impairment through inhibition of Ca-mediated neurotoxicity in a rat model of cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

Background: The hippocampus is vulnerable to severe damage after cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study aimed to explore the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on cognitive impairment and its relationship with Caneurotoxicity in a rat model of I/R injury induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

Methods: 60 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control (sham surgery) group, untreated MCAO group and EA-treated MCAO+EA group.

Electroacupuncture ameliorate learning and memory by improving N-acetylaspartate and glutamate metabolism in APP/PS1 mice.

Objective: To explore the precise mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) to delay cognitive impairment in Alzheimer disease.

Methods: N-Acetylaspartate (NAA), glutamate (Glu) and myoinositol (mI) metabolism were measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy, learning and memory of APP/PS1 mouse was evaluated by the Morris water maze test and the step-down avoidance test, neuron survival number and neuronal structure in the hippocampus were observed by Nissl staining, and BDNF and phosphorylated TrkB detected by Western blot.

Results: EA at DU20 acupuncture significantly improve learning and memory in behavioral tests, up-regulate NAA, Glu and mI metabolism, increase the surviving neurons in hippocampus, and promote the expression of BDNF and TrkB in the APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

Potential Clinical Risk of Inflammation and Toxicity from Rare-Earth Nanoparticles in Mice.

Background: Nanotechnology is emerging as a promising tool to perform noninvasive therapy and optical imaging. However, nanomedicine may pose a potential risk of toxicity during in vivo applications. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential toxicity of rare-earth nanoparticles (RENPs) using mice as models.

High-efficiency X-ray luminescence in Eu-activated tungstate nanoprobes for optical imaging through energy transfer sensitization.

X-ray luminescence optical imaging has been recognized as a powerful technique for medical diagnosis due to its deep penetration and low auto-fluorescence in tissues. However, the low luminescence efficiency of current X-ray luminescence nanoprobes remains a major hurdle for sensitive bioimaging in practical medical applications. Here we present a new kind of energy transfer-sensitized X-ray luminescence nanoprobe (PEG-NaGd(WO):Eu) for highly effective optical bioimaging.

Ultrastructural change of the subchondral bone increases the severity of cartilage damage in osteoporotic osteoarthritis of the knee in rabbits.

Osteoporotic osteoarthritis is a phenotype of osteoarthritis (OA) manifested as fragile and osteoporotic subchondral bone. However, the ultrastructural features of subchondral bone in osteoporosis OA have not been determined. The study was aimed to investigate the ultrastructural dynamic changes of subchondral bone in osteoporotic OA model and how the ultrastructural damage in the subchondral bone caused by osteoporosis deteriorated the cartilage damage in OA.

Mechanism of salvianolic acid B neuroprotection against ischemia/reperfusion induced cerebral injury.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cerebral protection of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) against cerebral I/R injury and investigate the underlying mechanism. As shown by 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analyses, Sal B significantly reduced cerebral infarct size, and accompanied with improved neurobehavioral functions as indicated by the modified Bederson score and Longa five-point scale. Sal B decreased the production of reactive oxygen species (p < .

Rare-earth Nanoparticle-induced Cytotoxicity on Spatial Cognition Memory of Mouse Brain.

Background: Luminescent rare-earth-based nanoparticles have been increasingly used in nanomedicine due to their excellent physicochemical properties, such as biomedical imaging agents, drug carriers, and biomarkers. However, biological safety of the rare-earth-based nanomedicine is of great significance for future development in practical applications. In particular, biological effects of rare-earth nanoparticles on human's central nervous system are still unclear.

Electro-acupuncture ameliorates cognitive impairment via improvement of brain-derived neurotropic factor-mediated hippocampal synaptic plasticity in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injured rats.

A previous study by our group found that electro-acupuncture (EA) at the Shenting (DU24) and Baihui (DU20) acupoints ameliorates cognitive impairment in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the precise mechanism of action has remained largely unknown. The present study investigated whether brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) mediates hippocampal synaptic plasticity as the underlying mechanism.

Electroacupuncture attenuates learning and memory impairment via activation of α7nAChR-mediated anti-inflammatory activity in focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injured rats.

Studies have reported that electroacupuncture (EA) may reduce learning and memory impairment following cerebral ischemic injury. However, the precise mechanism of action remains unclear. In the present study, the attenuation of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by EA in rats was investigated.

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis of neurochemical changes in the atrophic hippocampus of APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by neuropathological changes and progressive cognitive decline, which is associated with the volume loss and neurochemical alterations. However, the specific neurochemical alterations in cerebral regions that contribute to cognitive decline still remain unknown. In the present study, we measured cerebral morphological and neurochemical alterations using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS) in an AD model of APP/PS1 transgenic mice.