In summary, the biomechanical stimulations can augment osteotendinous healing processes by facilitating better fibrocartilagious transitional zone regeneration as well as the restoration of proprioceptions, and the early application showed the more beneficial effects. However, further experimental and clinical studies are still needed to explore the optimal timing, intensity, frequency, and duration of the proposed postoperative biomechanical stimulation protocols. / LIPUS is a "non-contact" biomechanical stimulation, which can provide a direct mechanical stimulation through cavitation and acoustic microstreaming effects to improve tissue healing in a less-than-rigid biomechanical environment. So the mechanical stimulation induced from LIPUS could be applied immediately after surgery without worrying about the mechanical strain exceed the structural property at the osteotendinous healing interface in the early phase of repair. In this part of study, we also examined the effects of the regime of biomechanical stimulations applying immediately after repair on the osteotendinous healing interface. By using the same healing junction model, forty-two female New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups; daily mechanical stimulation was applied immediately after surgery lasting up to post-operative 12 weeks on the healing interface in the treatment group. The regime of mechanical stimulations included by LIPUS was 20 minutes, 5 days per week for 4 weeks, followed by cyclic mechanical stimulation generated from quadriceps muscles induced by FES for 8 weeks. Results showed that early application of biomechanical stimulations on the osteotendinous healing interface were significantly better radiologically, histologically and biomechanically than that of not any or later application of the biomechanical stimulations during the osteotendinous healing processes when assessing at the same healing time point. In addition, the early application of biomechanical stimulations showed the better functional recovery in terms of the restoration of the proprioceptions, which an increased numbers of sensory nerve endings labeled by calcitonin gene-relate peptide (CGRP) was detected in the whole osteotendinous healing complex. / Sports or trauma injuries around osteotendinous junctions are common; treatments usually require surgical reattachment of the involved tendon to bone. Restoration of osteotendinous junction after repair is slow and difficult due to regenerating the intermitted fibrocartilage zone to connect two different characteristic tissues, tendon to bone. Although the factors influencing fibrocartilage zone regeneration and remodeling during osteotendinous repair are poorly understood, however, is believed that the mechanical environment plays an important role in such healing process. In present study, the effects of mechanical stimulation on osteotendinous healing process were examined, in the way of mechanical stimulations induced by biophysical stimulations, surface functional electric stimulation (FES) and low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), applying on the patellar tendon to patellar bone healing interface in an established partial patellectomy model in rabbits. / The mechanotransductive stimulation linked to the transmission of forces across osteotendinous junction can be generated from its muscle contraction induced by FES. In the partial patellectomy model, thirty-five female New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups with initial immobilization for 6 weeks, daily FES was applied to quadriceps muscles for 30 minutes, 5 days per week for 6 weeks in treatment group and compared with non-treatment control group at postoperative week 6, 12 and 18, radiologically, histologically and biomechanically. Results showed that FES-induced cyclic mechanical stimulation significantly increased new bone formation and its bone mineral density. An elevated expression of tenascin C and TGFbeta1; an increased proteoglycant stainability; mature fibrocartilage zone formation with better resumptions of biomechanical properties also observed on the osteotendinous healing interface, indicating that the post-operative programmed cyclic mechanical stimulation generated from its muscle contraction has beneficial effects on osteotendinous healing processes by facilitating the fibrocartilagious transitional zone regeneration. / by Wang Wen. / Advisers: Kai Ming Chan; Ling Qin. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-03, Section: B, page: 1550. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 159-175). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Establishment of animal model for studying treatment efficacy of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulations for accelerating bone-tendon repair. Standard partial patellectomy was conducted in the 18-week old rabbits that were then divided into the LIPUS treatment and control groups. The animals were followed for 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks for various tissue analyses. LIPUS was applied to the experimental animals from postoperative day 3 to 16 weeks. We demonstrated that the healing process of PPT junction was initiated through endochondral ossification. The results showed that the size and length of newly formed bone, and its bone mineral content (BMC), but not its bone mineral density (BMD) were correlated with the failure load, ultimate strength and energy at failure. Using radiographic, biomechanical, histomorphologic and biomechanical methods, it was found that LIPUS had significant accelerating effect on PPT junction repair. We validated our study hypothesis in that LIPUS enhances bone-tendon junction healing by stimulating angiogenesis, chondrogenesis and osteogenesis. / Establishment of in vitro model for mechanism study on effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulations. An in vitro model of osteoblast-like cell line (SaOS-2 cells) was studied using cDNA microarray to explore the molecular mechanism mediated by LIPUS. This microarray analysis revealed a total of 165 genes that were regulated at 4 and 24 hours by LIPUS treatment in osteoblastic-like cells. These genes belonged to more than ten protein families based on their function and were involved in some signal transduction pathways. This study has validated the hypothesis that LIPUS can regulate a number of critical genes transient expressions in osteoblast cell line Saos-2. / Keywords. partial patellectomy model; bone-tendon junction repair; low intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulations (LIPUS); gene expression; complementary DNA microarray; rabbit. / This study explored the intact morphology, regular healing and the augmented healing under the effects of low intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulations (LIPUS) on the patella-patella tendon (PPT) junction in a rabbit partial patellectomy model. To probe its possible mechanism, the key genes involved in regulating osteogenesis mediated by LIPUS were identified using the state-of-the-art methods---complementary DNA microarray. / Lu Hongbin. / "June 2006." / Advisers: Ling Qin; Kwok Sui Leung. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-03, Section: B, page: 1548. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 259-288). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Lam, Mak Ham. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-131). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Approximately 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur annually in the United States, with an annual estimated societal cost of at least $76.5 billion. Addressing the growing TBI epidemic will require a multi pronged approach: developing novel treatment strategies and enhancing existing preventative measures. The specific aims of this thesis are: (1) to modulate astrocyte activation as a potential therapeutic strategy post TBI, (2) to determine the relationship between tissue deformation and alterations in electrophysiological function in the living brain, and (3) to investigate underlying mechanisms of functional changes post TBI by utilizing stretchable microelectrode arrays (SMEAs). In response to disease or injury, astrocytes become activated in a process called reactive astrogliosis. Activated astrocytes generate harmful radicals that exacerbate brain damage and can hinder regeneration of damaged neural circuits by secreting neuro developmental inhibitors and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Since mechanically-activated astrocytes upregulate GAG production, delivery of GFP-TAT, a mock therapeutic protein conjugated to the cell-penetrating peptide TAT, increased significantly after activation. A TAT-conjugated peptide JNK inhibitor was delivered to activated astrocytes and significantly reduced activation. These results suggest a potentially new, targeted therapeutic utilizing TAT for preventing astrocyte activation with the possibility of limiting off-target, negative side effects. While modulating astrocyte activation is a promising treatment strategy for TBI, effective therapeutic treatments are still lacking. Preventing TBI, by developing more effective safety systems, remains crucial. We determined functional tolerance criteria for the hippocampus and cortex based on alterations in electrophysiological function in response to controlled mechanical stimuli. Organotypic hippocampal and cortical slice cultures were mechanically injured at tissue strains and strain rates relevant to TBI, and changes in electrophysiological function were quantified. Most changes in electrophysiological function were dependent on strain and strain rate in a complex, nonlinear manner. Our results provide functional data that can be incorporated into finite element (FE) models to improve their biofidelity of accident and collision reconstructions. TBI causes alterations in macroscopic function and behavior, which can be characterized by alterations in electrophysiological function in vitro. We utilized a novel in vitro platform for TBI research, the SMEA, to investigate the effects of TBI on pharmacologically induced, long lasting network synchronization in the hippocampus. Mechanical stimulation of organotypic hippocampal slice cultures significantly disrupted this network synchronization 24 hours after injury. Our results suggest that the ability of the hippocampal neuronal network to develop and sustain network synchronization was disrupted after mechanical injury, while also demonstrating the utility of the SMEA for TBI research. Herein, we identified a novel therapeutic strategy for treating the deleterious effects of astrocyte activation post-TBI. We also developed tolerance criteria relating mechanical injury parameters to electrophysiological function, an important step in developing more accurate computational simulations of TBI. Equipping FE models with new information on the functional response of the living brain will enhance their biofidelity, potentially leading to improved safety systems while reducing development costs. Finally, we utilized a novel in vitro TBI research platform, the SMEA, to investigate the effects of TBI on long-lasting network synchronization in the hippocampus. Compared to more labor intensive in vivo approaches, the ability of the SMEA to efficiently test TBI hypotheses within a single organotypic slice culture over extended durations could increase the speed of drug discovery through high-content screening. This multi-pronged approach is necessary to address the growing public health concern of TBI.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the signature injury of modern military conflicts due to widespread use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and modern body armor. However, the exact biophysical mechanisms of blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) and its pathological effects on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) – a structure essential for maintaining brain homeostasis – remain poorly understood. The specific aims of this thesis are to: 1) determine a threshold for primary blast-induced BBB dysfunction in vitro; 2) determine the effect of repeated blast on BBB integrity in vitro; 3) improve BBB recovery in vitro as a potential therapeutic strategy for mitigating effects of blast; and 4) quantify the time course and pore-size of BBB opening in vivo. In this work we utilized a shock tube driven by compressed gas to generate operationally relevant, ideal pressure profiles consistent with IEDs. By multiple measures, the barrier function of an in vitro BBB model was disrupted after exposure to a range of blast-loading conditions. Trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER) decreased acutely in a dose-dependent manner that was most strongly correlated with impulse, as opposed to peak overpressure or duration. Significantly increased hydraulic conductivity and solute permeability post-injury further confirmed acute alterations in barrier function. Compromised ZO-1 immunostaining identified a structural basis for BBB breakdown. These results are the first to demonstrate acute disruption of an in vitro BBB model after primary blast exposure; defined tolerance criteria may be important for development of novel helmet designs to help mitigate effects of blast on the BBB. After determining that exposure to a single primary blast caused BBB disruption, we hypothesized that exposure to two consecutive blast injuries would result in exacerbated damage to the BBB in vitro. However, contrary to our hypothesis, repeated mild or moderate primary blast delivered within 24 or 72 hours did not significantly exacerbate reductions in TEER across a brain endothelial monolayer compared to sister cultures receiving a single exposure. Single blast exposure significantly reduced immunostaining of ZO-1 and claudin-5 tight junction proteins, but subsequent exposure did not cause additional damage to tight junctions. The second injury delayed recovery of TEER and hydraulic conductivity in BBB cultures. Extending the inter-injury interval to 72 hours, the effects of repeated injury on the BBB were independent given sufficient recovery time between consecutive exposures. Investigation of repeated blast on the BBB will help identify a temporal window of vulnerability to repeated exposure. Restoration of the BBB after blast injury has emerged as a promising therapeutic target. We hypothesized that treatment with dexamethasone (DEX) after primary blast would potentiate recovery of an in vitro BBB model. DEX treatment resulted in complete recovery of TEER and hydraulic conductivity 1 day after injury, compared with 3 days for vehicle-treated injured cultures. Administration of RU486 (mifepristone) inhibited effects of DEX, confirming that barrier restoration was mediated by glucocorticoid receptor signaling. Potentiated recovery with DEX treatment was accompanied by stronger ZO-1 tight junction immunostaining and expression, suggesting that increased ZO-1 expression was a structural correlate to BBB recovery. This is the first study to provide a mechanistic basis for potentiated functional recovery of an in vitro BBB model due to glucocorticoid treatment after blast injury. Using an in vivo bTBI model, systemic administration of sodium fluorescein (NaFl; 376 Da), Evans blue (EB; 69 kDa when bound to serum albumin) and dextrans (3 – 500 kDa) was used to estimate the pore-size of BBB opening and time required for recovery. Exposure to blast resulted in significant acute extravasation of NaFl, 3 kDa dextran, and EB. However, there was no significant acute extravasation of 70 kDa or 500 kDa dextrans, and minimal to no extravasation of NaFl, dextrans, or EB 1 day after exposure. This work is the first to quantify the time course and size of BBB opening after bTBI, suggesting that the BBB recovered 1 day post-injury. This study supports our hypothesis that transient opening of the BBB may permit serum-components to infiltrate the brain parenchyma and contribute to pathological secondary cascades. This research has shown that BBB damage, demonstrated in vitro and in vivo, is a major mechanism contributing to vascular and neuronal pathology of bTBI at exposure levels above a critical threshold. Compared with published studies on blast-induced damage to the BBB, we have developed primary blast injury tolerance criteria by precisely controlling the biomechanical initiators of injury and measuring resulting alterations to the structure and function of an in vitro BBB model by methods not possible in vivo. We have also developed a potential glucocorticoid treatment to rapidly restore the BBB after injury, which may lead to more promising therapeutic strategies to treat TBI-related pathologies. This work will also guide the development of novel armor designs to protect service members and civilians in order to more effectively address the burden to society of bTBI.

影響全球數百萬的患者的慢性傷口，以其持續性過度發炎，纖維細胞增殖放緩，及血管生成受損為表徵。藥用草藥地黃已證明在大鼠糖尿足模型上有顯著傷口癒合作用。然而，關於地黃的炮製及其活性成分對此等傷口癒合的活動主要是未知的。 / 我們首先在地黃的炮製中，以抗一氧化氮（NO）和纖維細胞增殖實驗，確定了乾地黃表現出有效的傷口癒合活動。採用多方位生物活性導引分離（BGF），我們進一步研究乾地黃在抗炎，纖維細胞增殖，血管生成的活性成分，分別以抗NO產生，纖維細胞增殖，和TG(fli1:EGFP)y1/+(AB)斑馬魚芽血管生成模型為生物測定。此等具傷口癒合效果的活性成分將會作進一步研究。此外，我們會以電子細胞基質阻抗判斷(ECIS)的技術，對名為NF3(含RR的中草藥配方)在人類血管內皮細胞(HECV)上作體外血管生成及其信息的研究。 / 通過抗NO測定導引分離，我們證明活性萃取物C3比其粗提物擁有100倍更有效的抗炎效果。C3中含地黃苦甙元。地黃苦甙元可顯著地抑制NO的產生。C3中地黃苦甙元的存在可能是其具抗炎的原因。C3進一步以抑制一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)，環氧合酶-2(COX-2)和細胞白介素第六因子(IL-6)的基因，蛋白質，及/或中介物的表達，證明其舒緩炎症的作用。因此，C3可能對慢性傷口癒合中的炎症有治療作用。此外，我們發現先從水提的RR粗提物，再以乙酸乙酯提取的活性萃取物C2-B4，證明此萃取物在纖維細胞增殖中具最有效及劑量依存作用。 / 斑馬魚芽誘導模型導引分離顯示，C1-1萃取物在RR中具有最有效的血管生成作用。為斑馬魚芽誘導度身設計的30個血管生成相關基因顯示，C1-1廣泛地引發血管生成中的基因差異表達，特別在生長因子和血管穩定方面。就促進血管生成，C1-1進一步以體外人類微血管內皮細胞的血管生成檢測進行研究，結果發現C1-1具細胞移動及類血管生成能力。此外，降毛荚醛(norviburtinal)，在地黃提取物中首次被發現和具有血管生成作用。如此，C1-1和降毛荚醛為RR中血管生成作用的活性成分。 / 此外，應用ECIS技術，含RR配方的NF3能通過磷酯肌醇激酶(PI3K)及WiskottAldrich氏症候群神經元蛋白 (N-WASP) 路徑在人類血管內皮細胞（HECV）上誘導內皮細胞粘附，遷移及類血管生成。西方墨點法分析表明，NF3 在HECV上激活Akt和有絲分裂活化蛋白質激酶(MAPKs)的表達。這些誘導在各方面促進血管生成。因此，這顯示NF3能在分子及功能上激活血管生成作用的複雜性。此外，我們進一步支持ECIS在血管內皮細胞篩選傷口癒合劑中的高靈敏度。 / 總括而言，通過靶向抗炎，纖維細胞增殖增長和改善血管生成，各地黃生物活性導引化合物和萃取物，及其含RR的配方，可以在治療慢性傷口癒合上發揮功效。 / Chronic wounds, which influence millions of patients worldwide, are manifested with its sustained hyperinflammation, slackened fibroblast proliferation, and impaired angiogenesis. Agents retrieving these activities could facilitate the healing. Medicinal herb, Rehmanniae Radix (RR) demonstrated profound wound healing effect in rat diabetic foot model. However, the subtypes and the active components behind RR for such wound healing activities were largely unknown. / Here we firstly identified that dried RR, among its subtypes, exhibited potent wound healing activities through nitric oxide (NO) anti-inflammatory and fibroblast proliferation assays. Using multi-directional bioassay-guided fractionation (BGF), we further studied the active component(s) of dried RR in anti-inflammation, fibroblast proliferation, and angiogenesis, respectively, by anti-NO production, fibroblast proliferation, and TG(fli1:EGFP)[superscript y]¹/+(AB) zebrafish sprout angiogenesis model. Active component(s) of such wound healing effects were further characterized. Furthermore, with a RR-containing herbal formula, NF3, the in vitro angiogenic activities and its underlying signaling of NF3-treated human vascular endothelial cells (HECV) were studied using electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) technology. / Via anti-NO assay-guided fractionation of dried RR, we demonstrated that the sub-fraction C3, possessed 100-fold more potent anti-inflammatory effect than that of the crude extract. Characterization of C3 showed that the anti-inflammatory activity could be partly due to the presence of rehmapicrogenin, which could significantly inhibit NO production. C3 was further demonstrated in blocking inflammation by inhibiting gene, protein, and/or mediator expression of inducible NO synthase, COX-2 and IL-6. Hence, C3 could be useful in treating inflammation in chronic wound healing. Additionally, we revealed that an active sub-fraction, C2-B4, from the ethyl acetate extract of the aqueous extract of RR, demonstrated the most potent and dose-dependent fibroblast proliferative effect. / Zebrafish sprout-inducing model-guided fractionation suggested C1-1 sub-fraction possessed the most potent angiogenesis effect in RR. A 30 tailor-made angiogenesis-associated gene panel designed for zebrafish sprout angiogenesis revealed that C1-1 triggered differential gene expression across wide angiogenic events, particularly concerned with those of growth factors and vessel stabilization. The pro-angiogenic activity was further supported by in vitro human microvascular endothelial cell-based angiogenesis assays, with C1-1 being pro-motogenic and tubule inducing. Also, norviburtinal was, for the first time, found in the extract of RR and possessed novel angiogenesis effect. Thus, C1-1 and norviburtinal were the active components responsible for the pro-angiogenesis effect of RR. / Moreover, RR-containing formula (NF3), which induced endothelial cell attachment, migration, and tubule formation in human vascular endothelial cell (HECV), could be mediated through PI3K and N-WASP pathways. Activated Akt and MAPK kinases expression in western blot analysis were also demonstrated in NF3-treated HECV. These inductions would promote angiogenesis at various levels. Hence, the complexity of angiogenesis effect activated by the NF3 treatment molecularly and functionally was shown, and we further supported the high sensitivity of ECIS in the screening of wound healing agents with endothelial cells. / In conclusion, through targeting anti-inflammation, elevated fibroblast proliferation and improved angiogenesis, our respective bioassay-guided active fractions and compounds in Rehmanniae Radix, and the RR-containing formula, could play beneficial uses in treating chronic wound healing. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Liu, Cheuk Lun. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 221-249). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese. / Table of Contents --- p.i / Abstract (in English) --- p.vi / Abstract (in Chinese) --- p.ix / Statement of Originality --- p.xiii / Acknowledgements --- p.xiv / Publications --- p.xiv / List of Tables --- p.xvii / List of Figures --- p.xviii / List of Abbreviations --- p.xxi / Chapter Chapter 1: --- Literature Review and Study Objectives / Chapter 1.1 --- Overview on wound healing / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Normal wound healing --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Chronic wound healing / Chapter 1.1.2.1 --- Venous ulcers --- p.8 / Chapter 1.1.2.2 --- Diabetic ulcers --- p.11 / Chapter 1.1.2.3 --- Mechanism of chronic wound healing --- p.13 / Chapter 1.1.2.4 --- Current treatments for chronic wound healing --- p.19 / Chapter 1.2 --- Rehmanniae Radix (RR) overview / Chapter 1.2.1 --- RR and its subtypes --- p.29 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Chemistry of RR --- p.34 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Pharmacology of RR --- p.38 / Chapter 1.2.3.1 --- RR and chronic wound healing / Chapter 1.3 --- Study objectives --- p.42 / Chapter Chapter 2: --- comparison of wound healing effect of the subtypes of rr / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Preparation and authentication of subtypes of RR --- p.46 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- RAW 264.7 murine macrophage culture and sample treatment protocol, and cell viability test --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Nitric oxide inhibitory assay --- p.47 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Hs27 human fibroblast culture and sample treatment protocol --- p.48 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Fibroblast proliferation assay --- p.48 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Statistical analysis --- p.49 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.63 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Nitric oxide anti-inflammatory effect of the subtypes of RR --- p.49 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Fibroblast proliferative effect of the subtypes of RR --- p.52 / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.54 / Chapter Chapter 3: --- Fibroblast proliferative effect of RR / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.57 / Chapter 3.2 --- Methods / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Preparation of aqueous extracts of RR --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Hs27 human fibroblast culture and sample treatment protocol --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Hs27 human fibroblast proliferation assay --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Bioassay-guided fractionation of RR --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- LC-MS analysis of bioassay-guided fraction, C2-B4 --- p.65 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- Statistical analysis --- p.66 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Fibroblast proliferative effect of RR aqueous crude extract and its bioassay-guided fractions --- p.67 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Chemical structure of the isolated compounds --- p.70 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- LC-MS analysis of bioassay-guided fraction, C2-B4 --- p.72 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.73 / Chapter Chapter 4: --- Anti-inflammatory effect and its underlying mechanism of RR / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.77 / Chapter 4.2 --- Methods / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Preparation of aqueous extracts of RR --- p.82 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- RAW 264.7 murine macrophage culture and sample treatment protocol, and cell viability test --- p.82 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Assay for nitric oxide inhibitory effect using RAW264.7 cells --- p.83 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Bioassay-guided fractionation of RR --- p.83 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/QTOF-MS) analysis of sub-fraction, C3 --- p.85 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) assay --- p.87 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Real-time PCR --- p.87 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Western blot analysis --- p.89 / Chapter 4.2.9 --- Statistical analysis --- p.91 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Nitric oxide inhibitory effects of L-NMMA, RR aqueous crude extract and its bioassay guided fractions --- p.92 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- LC-MS analysis of bioassay-guided fraction, C3 --- p.96 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Suppression of inflammation-related mRNA expression level in macrophages by C3 --- p.97 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Suppression of protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and COX-2 in macrophages by C3 --- p.99 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Inhibition of release of inflammatory cytokine in macrophages by C3 --- p.102 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.103 / Chapter Chapter 5: --- Angiogenesis effect and its underlying mechanism of RR / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.111 / Chapter 5.2 --- Methods / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Preparation of aqueous extracts of RR --- p.113 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Zebrafish culture --- p.113 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Collection of zebrafish embryos and herbal treatment protocol --- p.115 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Microinjection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to zebrafish embryos --- p.116 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- Screening of zebrafish embryos using fluorescence microscopy --- p.116 / Chapter 5.2.6 --- Bioassay-guided fractionation of RR / Chapter 5.2.7 --- Isolation and structure elucidation of compound C2A --- p.120 / Chapter 5.2.8 --- Gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of bioassay-guided fraction of RR, C1-1 --- p.120 / Chapter 5.2.9 --- Detection of zebrafish mRNA expression level by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) --- p.122 / Chapter 5.2.10 --- Human microvascular endothelial cell (HMEC-1) culture and sample treatment protocol --- p.125 / Chapter 5.2.11 --- HMEC-1 proliferation assay --- p.125 / Chapter 5.2.12 --- HMEC-1 scratch assay --- p.126 / Chapter 5.2.13 --- HMEC-1 tubule formation assay --- p.126 / Chapter 5.2.14 --- Statistical analysis --- p.127 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Angiogenesis effects of RR aqueous crude extract, its bioassay-guided fractions and isolated compound, in zebrafish model --- p.128 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Chemical structure and angiogenesis effect of the isolated compound C2A, norviburtinal --- p.133 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Components of C1-1 from GC-MS analysis --- p.135 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Angiogenesis effect of C1-1 in angiogenesis-related mRNA expression level in zebrafish --- p.137 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Effect of endothelial cell proliferation of C1-1 in HMEC-1 cell --- p.142 / Chapter 5.3.6 --- Cell migration effect of C1-1 in HMEC-1 cell --- p.143 / Chapter 5.3.7 --- Tubule formation of C1-1 in HMEC-1 cell --- p.145 / Chapter 5.4 --- Discussion --- p.147 / Chapter Chapter 6: --- Angiogenesis effect and its underlying mechanism of RR AND AR-containing two-herbs formula, NF3 using ecis model / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.165 / Chapter 6.2 --- Methods / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Preparation and authentication of aqueous extracts of NF3 --- p.176 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Human vascular endothelial cells (HECV) culture --- p.177 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- HECV cell proliferation assay --- p.178 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- Scratch assay --- p.178 / Chapter 6.2.5 --- Tubule formation assay --- p.179 / Chapter 6.2.6 --- Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS)-based cell attachment and motility assay --- p.180 / Chapter 6.2.7 --- Western blot analysis --- p.181 / Chapter 6.2.8 --- Statistical analysis --- p.182 / Chapter 6.3 --- Results / Chapter 6.3.1 --- LC-MS analysis of NF3 --- p.184 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Effects of NF3, AR and RR on cell viability and migration of HECV --- p.185 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Tubule formation effect of NF3, AR and RR in HECV cell --- p.188 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Effects of NF3, AR, and RR on HECV cell attachment using ECIS model --- p.190 / Chapter 6.3.5 --- Effects of NF3, AR and RR on HECV cell migration using ECIS model --- p.191 / Chapter 6.3.6 --- Effects of NF3 on HECV for MAPK and Akt protein activation --- p.195 / Chapter 6.4 --- Discussion --- p.197 / Chapter Chapter 7: --- General Discussion and Conclusions / Chapter 7.1 --- General discussion and conclusions --- p.206 / Chapter 7.2 --- Limitation of the study --- p.215 / Chapter 7.3 --- Future work --- p.215 / Appendix --- p.218 / References --- p.221

Thesis (M. A. (Psychology)) --University of Limpopo, 2017 / This study investigated the perceptions of African families of TBI. Caregivers and TBI victims were given the opportunity to talk about their TBI perceptions. The study revealed that people’s knowledge of TBI is not good. This is proven by the way in which the participants understood and explained the conditions the victims found themselves in, after the accidents and how their family members are. Findings reveal that culture does play a vital role in the perceptions of African people. The study illustrates that the perceptions are culturally-rooted. The study interviewed five individuals (n=5) with TBI and a total of nine caregivers (n=9) were interviewed. A total of fourteen (n=14) participants were interviewed. The study reveals that the causes of TBI were attributed a number of things. According to the participants TBI is caused by witchcraft, the will of God and ancestors. The study also helped highlight the beliefs and the cultural system of Africans. It also explained the reality of an African. The Afrocentric theory helped shape the study as it helped in explaining the importance of an Africans’ view. The Afrocentric theory postulates that Africans have a different reality from that of Westerns and it has been proven by the findings. Although the participants were told about TBI by the doctors, they still had their own explanations and attributions to the problem.

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The present study examined the effects of physical disability in fathers on the development and adjustment of their children. There is little empirically based information about the influence of physical characteristics of parents on children, but speculative articles have described many deleterious effects of being raised by a physically handicapped parent. These hypothesized relations between parental disability and child adjustment were tested. Two groups of adult children selected through the Veterans Administration Spinal Cord Injury system were studied: (a) Disabled Parent (DP)--17 male and 28 female children, mean age 21.6, who were raised by a spinal cord injured father from a mean age of 1.31, and (b) Comparison (C)--15 male and 21 female children, mean age 23.8, with nondisabled fathers. The two groups were matched on father's age, education level, state of residence, and disposable family income. Children had lived with both parents until age 15, and their fathers were veterans. Subjects completed a battery of tests: the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF), Bem Sex Role Inventory, Body-Cathexis scale, Parent-Child Relations Questionnaire II (PCR), and Buck-Hohmann questionnaire (designed specifically for this study). The results did not support any of the hypothesized relations between parental disability status and child adjustment. DP and C children scored within the normal range on the MMPI and 16PF. The only significant difference which emerged was that DP children tended to be more cautious in emotional expression than did C subjects. The DP and C groups did not differ in body image or sex role orientation. On the Rokeach Value Survey, DP children ranked national security, a world at peace, clean, obedient, and responsible higher than did C children. C children valued being logical more than DP children. As perceived by the children, DP and C fathers did not differ significantly in the degree to which they were loving or rejecting, casual or demanding (PCR). On the Buck-Hohmann questionnaire, there was no evidence that disabled fathers excluded themselves from discipline and childrearing aspects of parenthood or that disabled fathers lose control over their children. DP children were found to hold significantly more positive attitudes toward their fathers than were C children. There were no effects on children's health patterns or interpersonal relations as a function of the father's disability status. DP children expressed more interest and participation in athletics than did C children. It was concluded that parental disability does not pose a severe threat to child adjustment. Children with spinal cord injured fathers appeared to be well-adjusted, emotionally stable persons who highly regarded their fathers. Limitations of the study and implications for rehabilitation programs, adoption and court custody decisions, and future research were discussed.

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an imagery/relaxation program on athletes with a surgical knee injury. More specifically the study examined changes in state and trait anxiety, locus of control, and attitude/opinion as a result of the imagery/relaxation program. A qualitative design was used to allow for an in-depth examination into each participant's behavior. Since a qualitative design was utilized, the procedures were slightly different for each participant.The following is a general outline for the procedures used. One week prior to surgery the participant was taught progressive relaxation. One week post-surgery the participant was administered the STAI, LCRS, and ERAIQ. The participant was also given a different imagery/relaxation script each week to rehearse beginning one week post-surgery to 11 weeks post-surgery. The participant also completed journal worksheets weekly. At each session the researcher asked interview questions. Twelve weeks post-surgery the participant was given the STAI, LCRS, ERAIQ, and exit questionnaire. Due to the lack of adherence to the program there were no conclusive results. / School of Physical Education