Previous studies have defined low-frequency, spatially consistent networks in resting fMRI data which may reflect functional connectivity. We sought to explore how a complex somatosensory stimulation, acupuncture, influences intrinsic connectivity in two of these networks: the default mode network (DMN) and sensorimotor network (SMN). We analyzed resting fMRI data taken before and after verum a...

Background. Acupuncture has been shown to reduce spasticity and prevent the onset of spasticity after stroke. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of "Deqi" during needling "Wang's Jiaji" acupoints treating spasticity in the early stage of stroke. Methods. This study is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial. 238 patients with stroke (<21 days) participated and we...

Galium species are used as diuretics, choleretics, against diarrhea and in the treatment of some stomach complaints, gout and epilepsy in folk medicine. Most of these species have been extensively investigated for antraquinones and iridoids but little is known about other bioactive compounds classes. Our research aimed to investigate the chemical composition of four Romanian species of Galium i...

Chinese star anise (Illicium verum Hook) is widely used as culinary and medicinal fruit and is most popular in indigenous system of medicine. The fruit is an important source of essential and volatile oil. Tradionally the fruit has been used as carminative, digestive, dyspepsia, antispasmodic, and stimulant, antirheumatic and diuretic. Preclinical studies indicate the therapeutic potential of o...

We identify a large number of microsatellites from Galium trfidum, a plant species considered rare and endangered in Central and Western Europe. Using a combination of a total enriched genomic library and small-scale 454 pyrosequencing, we determined 9755 contigs with a length of 100 to 6192 bp. Within this dataset, we identified 153 SSR motifs in 144 contigs. Here, we tested 14 microsatellite ...

Migraine is a common neurological disease with a high prevalence and unsatisfactory treatment options. The specific pathophysiological mechanisms of migraine remain unclear, which restricts the development of effective treatments for this prevalent disorder. The aims of this study were to 1) compare the spontaneous brain activity differences between Migraine without Aura (MwoA) patients and hea...