Objectives. The texture of the autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) that is used in treating degenerative joint diseases such as knee osteoarthritis (OA) is usually in liquid form. However, the ...turnover rate of protein metabolism in the knee synovial fluid (SF) is less than one hour. This study examined the feasibility of the thermal oscillation technique in converting the liquid-form PRP into an injectable viscous paste-like PRP that may delay the degradation of PRP and continuously release growth factors in the knee joint for a longer period of time. Methods. This study was conducted in the rehabilitation department of a tertiary hospital. A total of 10 elderly patients with an average age of greater than 65 years and diagnosed with moderate degree of knee OA were recruited. The RegenPRP (RegenLab, Le Mont-sur-Lausanne, Switzerland) test tube chamber was used for PRP generation. A total of 60 milliliters (mL) of blood was drawn from each patient. 10 mL of blood was injected into each PRP test tube chamber. As a result, a total of 6 test tube chambers were obtained and each chamber was centrifuged for 15 minutes. Approximately 5 mL of PRP supernatant (the liquid-form end product) was aspirated and sent for thermal oscillation treatment. Five temperatures were tested: 55, 65, 75, 85, and 95 degrees Celsius. Oscillation was set at 200 revolutions per minute (rpm) for 15 minutes. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was applied in measuring the concentration of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in picogram/milliliter (pg/mL). Repeated measures ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni post hoc test was used to compare the PDGF concentrations between each testing condition. Results. Under 75 degrees Celsius of heating, the resultant paste-like PRP end product had the highest concentration of PDGF in picograms per milliliter (pg/mL) as compared with other heating conditions (p<0.05). The viscosity of the paste-like PRP was measured to be 70,000 centipoise (cP), which is similar to the viscosity of a toothpaste. The paste-like PRP end product was able to release PDGF continuously for about 14 days, with the highest concentration achieved on the 8th day with an average of 35646±2499 pg/mL. In nonthermally treated liquid-form PRP sample, the highest number of PRP was observed on the 4th day with an average value of 8444±831 pg/mL. Under the heating conditions of 55 and 95 degrees Celsius, the highest concentration of PDGF was observed on the 5th day (13346±764 pg/mL and 3440±303 pg/mL, respectively). Under the heating conditions of 65 and 85 degrees Celsius, the highest concentration of PDGF was observed on the 7th day (15468±744 pg/mL and 20432±1118 pg/mL, respectively). Conclusion. Through thermal oscillation, liquid-form PRP can be converted to paste-like PRP end product with a viscosity similar to that of a toothpaste. The best heating condition was discovered to be 75 degrees Celsius. The paste-like PRP was able to release PDGF continuously for about 2 weeks, with the highest concentration obtained on the 8th day. The findings in this study suggested that paste-like PRP may be a viable option in treating degenerative knee joint diseases.
The effects of the plating current density (j) on the electroplated Cu microstructure, impurity distribution, and the solderability of the electroplated Cu were investigated. Analyses of electron ...backscatter diffraction and transmission electron microscopy showed that the Cu grain size (D) decreased from microscale to submicron-scale, and the predominant crystallographic orientation translated from 111||ND+101||ND into 101||ND (ND: Cu deposition direction) with increasing j. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis showed that the impurity content in the Cu platings (especially the Cl content) increased as a function of j. These investigations showed that j posed a significant influence on the characteristics of the electroplated Cu. Two intermetallic compound (IMC) species (η-Cu6Sn5 and Cu3Sn) accompanied with some material defects (e.g., nanovoids and microcracks) formed at the solder/Cu pillar interface after reflow. The IMC (Cu6Sn5) growth morphology and orientation, and the defect distribution were also strongly j-dependent. These j-dependent interfacial microstructures were closely related to different D and impurity contents of the Cu platings. The results of this study advanced our understanding of the effects of j on electrochemical metal deposition, and they were helpful in the development of the high-speed Cu electrodeposition technology.
•High-speed Cu electrodeposition and its solderability•Strong effect of plating current density (j) on Cu pillar bumps•Strong dependences of Cu grain size and Cu orientation on j•Nanocrystallized Cu microstructure was obtained with a high j.•High j caused nanovoid formation at the interface, degrading joint reliability.
Edible and medicinal fungi are one of the major sources for extraction and identification of polysaccharides, which are important biological response modifiers with notable antitumor, ...hepatoprotective effect and other pharmacological activities. This study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of isolated Phellinus linteus polysaccharide (PL-N1) against acetaminophen (APAP) induced liver injury in mice. Mice were treated intragastrical with PL-N1 (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg) and APAP (300 mg/kg) injection. APAP alone caused increased serum aminotransferase levels and changes in hepatic histopathology, promoted oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation and decreasing anti-oxidant enzyme activities, leading to hepatocellular necrosis and reduced liver function. PL-N1 decreased cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) expression and hepatic release of cytokines to enhance the level of phase II enzymes. Also, PL-N1 obviously accelerates the metabolism of APAP in the rat model. Molecular docking analysis revealed the α-d-glucopyranosyl exhibit maximum interaction (−8.099) against CYP2E1 as comparably less than standard drug silibinin (−13.767). PL-N1 could be a promising natural substance for ameliorating acute APAP-induced oxidative stress and hepatic injury.
The effect of the capacity matchup between cathode and anode in the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4/Li4Ti5O12 cell system on cycling properties, choice of electrolyte, high voltage and overcharge tolerances was ...investigated by comparing the cells with Li4Ti5O12 limiting capacity with the cells with LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 limiting capacity. The former exhibited better cycling performance and less limitation of electrolyte choice than the latter. The Li4Ti5O12-limited cell exhibited better tolerance to high voltage and overcharge than the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4-limited cell, due to the extra capacity of Li4Ti5O12 below 1 V. It is thus recommended that the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4/Li4Ti5O12 cell whose capacity is limited by the Li4Ti5O12 anode should be used to extend the applications of the state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries. 17 refs.
An active reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) has been shown to be able to enhance the sum-of-degrees-of-freedom (DoF) of a two-user multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) interference channel ...(IC) with equal number of antennas at each transmitter and receiver. However, for any number of receive and transmit antennas, when and how an active RIS can help to improve the sum-DoF are still unclear. This paper studies the sum-DoF of an active RIS-assisted two-user MIMO IC with arbitrary antenna configurations. In particular, RIS beamforming, transmit zero-forcing, and interference decoding are integrated together to combat the interference problem. In order to maximize the achievable sum-DoF, an integer optimization problem is formulated to optimize the number of eliminating interference links by RIS beamforming. As a result, the derived achievable sum-DoF can be higher than the sum-DoF of two-user MIMO IC, leading to a RIS gain. Furthermore, a sufficient condition of the RIS gain is given as the relationship between the number of RIS elements and the antenna configuration.
Summary
Background
Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is the most common autoimmune bullous disease. Whether there is an increased risk for subsequent BP among patients with cancer is still unclear.
Objectives
...To evaluate the risk for subsequent BP in patients with cancer.
Methods
This nationwide population‐based cohort study was based on data obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database between 2000 and 2011. A total of 36 838 patients with cancer and 147 352 age‐, sex‐ and index‐date‐matched controls were recruited. The hazard ratio (HR) of subsequent BP in the patients with cancer was analysed using a Fine–Gray competing risk regression model with mortality as the competing event.
Results
The incidence of BP per 100 000 person‐years was 17·2 in the patients with cancer and 19·8 in the controls; therefore, the crude incidence rate ratio was 0·87 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·53–1·36. The HR of subsequent BP in the patients with cancer was 0·47 (95% CI 0·23–0·94) using the Fine‐Gray competing risk regression model. Age (HR 1·05, 95% CI 1·03–1·07), diabetes mellitus (HR 1·69, 95% CI 1·10–2·59) and cerebrovascular disease (HR 2·14, 95% CI 1·36–3·34) were independent risk factors for BP.
Conclusions
The incidence of BP in patients with cancer was not higher than in the control group. Cancer is not a risk factor for BP.
What's already known about this topic?
Patients with cerebrovascular or neurological diseases (e.g. dementia, Parkinson disease) have a higher risk of bullous pemphigoid (BP) development.
Whether cancer is a risk factor for BP remains controversial.
What does this study add?
In this population‐based study, there was no increased risk for BP in patients with cancer.
Age, diabetes mellitus and cerebrovascular disease were independent risk factors for BP.
Respond to this article
Linked Comment: Hammers and König. Br J Dermatol 2019; 180:451–452.
Plain language summary available online
Background
The objective of this study is to evaluate titanium decontamination after different protocols while assessing changes in surface roughness, chemical composition, and wettability.
Methods
...Ninety‐six smooth (S) and 96 minimally rough (R) titanium microimplants were used. Pristine microimplants were reserved for negative control (S‐nC/R‐nC, n = 9), while the remaining microimplants were incubated in Escherichia coli culture. Non‐decontaminated microimplants were used as positive control (S‐pC/R‐pC, n = 3). The other microimplants were divided into seven different decontamination protocols (12 S/R per group): 24% EDTA, 2% chlorhexidine (CHL), gauze soaked in 2% chlorhexidine (GCHL), gauze soaked in ultrapure water (GMQ), scaling (SC), titanium brush (TiB), and implantoplasty (IP). Contaminated areas were assessed by scanning electron microscope images, chemical composition by energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, wettability by meniscus technique, and roughness by an optical profiler.
Results
Higher residual bacteria were observed in R‐pC compared with S‐pC (P <0.0001). When comparing S and R with their respective pC groups, the best results were obtained with GCHL, SC, TiB, and IP, with no difference between these protocols (P >0.05). Changes in surface roughness were observed after all treatments, with S/R‐IP presenting the smoother and a less hydrophilic surface (P <0.05). Apart from IP protocol, all the other groups presented a more hydrophilic surface in R than in S microimplants (P <0.003). All decontamination protocols resulted in a lower percentage of superficial Ti when compared with S/R‐nC (P <0.002).
Conclusions
All decontamination protocols resulted in changes in roughness, wettability, and chemical composition, but GCHL, SC, TiB, an IP presented the best decontamination outcomes.
Interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes (ISGs) are antiviral effectors that are induced by IFNs through the formation of a tripartite transcription factor ISGF3, which is composed of IRF9 and ...phosphorylated forms of STAT1 and STAT2. However, we found that IFN-independent ISG expression was detectable in immortalized cell lines, primary intestinal and liver organoids, and liver tissues. The constitutive expression of ISGs was mediated by the unphosphorylated ISGF3 (U-ISGF3) complex, consisting of IRF9 together with unphosphorylated STAT1 and STAT2. Under homeostatic conditions, STAT1, STAT2, and IRF9 were found in the nucleus. Analysis of a chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data set revealed that STAT1 specifically bound to the promoters of ISGs even in the absence of IFNs. Knockdown of STAT1, STAT2, or IRF9 by RNA interference led to the decreased expression of various ISGs in Huh7.5 human liver cells, which was confirmed in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) from
,
, or
mice. Furthermore, decreased ISG expression was accompanied by increased replication of hepatitis C virus and hepatitis E virus. Conversely, simultaneous overexpression of all ISGF3 components, but not any single factor, induced the expression of ISGs and inhibited viral replication; however, no phosphorylated STAT1 and STAT2 were detected. A phosphorylation-deficient STAT1 mutant was comparable to the wild-type protein in mediating the IFN-independent expression of ISGs and antiviral activity, suggesting that ISGF3 works in a phosphorylation-independent manner. These data suggest that the U-ISGF3 complex is both necessary and sufficient for constitutive ISG expression and antiviral immunity under homeostatic conditions.
Based on experimental investigations, we propose a coupled elastoplastic damage model to simulate the mechanical behavior of granite under compressive stress conditions. The granite is taken from the ...Beishan area, a preferable region for China’s high-level radioactive waste repository. Using a 3D acoustic emission monitoring system in mechanical tests, we focus on the cracking process and its influence on the macroscopic mechanical behavior of the granite samples. It is verified that the crack propagation coupled with fractional sliding along the cracks is the principal mechanism controlling the failure process and nonlinear mechanical behavior of granite under compressive stress conditions. Based on this understanding, the coupled elastoplastic damage model is formulated in the framework of the thermodynamics theory. In the model, the coupling between damage and plastic deformation is simulated by introducing the independent damage variable in the plastic yield surface. As a preliminary validation of the model, a series of numerical simulations are performed for compressive tests conducted under different confining pressures. Comparisons between the numerical and simulated results show that the proposed model can reproduce the main features of the mechanical behavior of Beishan granite, particularly the damage evolution under compressive stress conditions.
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