Continuous production machine for separating and shaping Taiping Houkui tea.

In response to the challenges of low automation and a lack of a continuous processing system for Taiping Houkui tea, this study proposed a design scheme for a continuous processing line and built a continuous processing prototype for testing by combining the production requirements of Taiping Houkui tea, the characteristics of withered leaves, and the existing relevant production equipment. First, the physical properties of Taiping Houkui tea were determined. A simulation was performed using the Hertz-Mindlin model, and the motion states of the tea leaves were obtained under different conditions to define the parameter design range of the experimental platform and verify its structural rationality.

Biomimetic Inorganic Nanoparticle-Loaded Silk Fibroin-Based Coating with Enhanced Antibacterial and Osteogenic Abilities.

Poor osseointegration and infection are the main reasons leading to the failure of hard tissue implants; especially, in recent years, the failure rate has been increasing every year owing to the continuously increasing conditions such as injury, trauma, diseases, or infections. Therefore, the development of a biomimetic surface coating of bone tissues with antibacterial function is an effective means to improve bone healing and inhibit bacterial infection. Mimicking the natural bone, in this study, we have designed a silk fibroin (collagen-like structure)-based coating inlaid with nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for promoting antibacterial ability and osteogenesis, especially focusing on the bone mimetic structure for enhancing bone health.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy Has Limited Effect on Increasing Bone Mass Density in Older Men: a Meta-analysis.

Background: Testosterone insufficiency may play a role in age-related decreases in bone mass density (BMD) and osteoporosis in aging men. Testosterone replacement therapy (T therapy) seems to be a simple and convenient way to increase BMD and improve the condition of osteoporosis.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of T therapy in increasing BMD among older men with low serum testosterone concentrations.

ERβ compensates for the absence of ERα function to promote osteoblast viability by inhibition of SOST signaling.

Estrogen receptors α and β (ERα and ERβ) serve key functions in bone development and maintenance, and in the metabolism of bone mineral. ERβ and ERα form heterodimers, and ERβ negatively regulates the transactivation of ERα. ERβ also inhibits recruitment of ERα to the estrogen-responsive promoters.

[Preliminary Study on Comfortableness of Motorized Wheelchair Cushion].

This paper aims to explore the thermal feelings of different cover materials effect on wheelchair cushion comfortableness,and to build a mathematical model for motorized wheelchair cushion comfortableness.By measuring temperature and humidity between the contact face of motorized wheelchair cushion and human body as well as the setting posture adjustment time while cushion cover materials are nylon cloth,leather,fishnets cloth.At the same time,each volunteer took a questionnaire about the comfort of different cushion cover materials.

Preparation and application of collagen scaffold-encapsulated silver nanoparticles and bone morphogenetic protein 2 for enhancing the repair of infected bone.

The healing of contaminated/infected bone defects is a significant clinical challenge. Here, a novel collagen scaffold composite encapsulating silver nanoparticles (AgNP) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) was prepared to enhance the healing of infected bone defects. Collagen scaffolds conjugated with AgNP possessed strong antibacterial properties that were dependent on the release rate of Ag(+).

Cementless bilateral synchronous total hip arthroplasty in ankylosing spondylitis with hip ankylosis.

Purpose: This study was a retrospective analysis of early and mid-term clinical effects and perioperative management of cementless bilateral synchronous total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with bilateral hip ankylosis.

Methods: Fifteen AS patients (30 hips) with bilateral hip ankylosis were managed with cementless bilateral synchronous THA. Surgical outcome was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the range of motion and the Harris score.