H Reduction Annealing Induced Phase Transition and Improvements on Redox Durability of Pt Cluster-Decorated Cu@Pd Electrocatalysts in Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Hierarchical structures in shell with transition metal underneath is a promising design for high-performance and low-cost heterogeneous nanocatalysts (NCs). Such a design enables the optimum extent of synergetic effects in NC surface. It facilitates intermediate reaction steps and, therefore, boosts activity of NC in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).

Heterogeneous Cu-Pd binary interface boosts stability and mass activity of atomic Pt clusters in the oxygen reduction reaction.

A ternary metallic CuPdPt nanocatalyst (NC) is synthesized using a wet chemical reduction method, which is sequentially designed, in the presence of acid treated carbon nanotubes. This NC is a nanocrystal with a configuration of a Cu@Pd core and atomic Pt clusters (∼9 wt%) on the top (Cu@Pd/Pt). A residual current of 92.

Manufacture of radio frequency micromachined switches with annealing.

The fabrication and characterization of a radio frequency (RF) micromachined switch with annealing were presented. The structure of the RF switch consists of a membrane, coplanar waveguide (CPW) lines, and eight springs. The RF switch is manufactured using the complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process.

Haze effect removal from image via haze density estimation in optical model.

Images/videos captured from optical devices are usually degraded by turbid media such as haze, smoke, fog, rain and snow. Haze is the most common problem in outdoor scenes because of the atmosphere conditions. This paper proposes a novel single image-based dehazing framework to remove haze artifacts from images, where we propose two novel image priors, called the pixel-based dark channel prior and the pixel-based bright channel prior.

Inhibition of corneal neovascularization with the combination of bevacizumab and plasmid pigment epithelium-derived factor-synthetic amphiphile INTeraction-18 (p-PEDF-SAINT-18) vector in a rat corneal experimental angiogenesis model.

Bevacizumab, a 149-kDa protein, is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody to VEGF. PEDF, a 50-kDa glycoprotein, has demonstrated anti-vasopermeability properties. In this study, we demonstrated that the combination of bevacizumab and plasmid pigment epithelium-derived factor-synthetic amphiphile INTeraction-18(p-PEDF-SAINT-18) has a favorable antiangiogenic effect on corneal NV.

Gene knockdown of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR1 subunit with subcutaneous small interfering RNA reduces inflammation-induced nociception in rats.

Background: Spinal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors have been demonstrated to play an important role in the facilitation and maintenance of nociception. To avoid adverse effects of blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the central nervous system, blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor in peripheral nervous system is an ideal alternative. Transfection of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into cells has been revealed to provide potent silencing of specific genes.

Therapeutic potential of RNA interference in pain medicine.

In recent years RNA interference (RNAi) has rapidly become the most widely used tool for gene knockdown due to its high specificity and potency. RNAi is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism for silencing gene expression by targeted degradation of mRNA. In the past decade, hundreds of molecular targets have been identified for their roles in pain modulation.

Sevoflurane with or without antiemetic prophylaxis of dexamethasone in spontaneously breathing patients undergoing outpatient anorectal surgery.

Study Objective: To evaluate the prophylactic use of dexamethasone with sevoflurane in outpatient anorectal surgery.

Design: Randomized, controlled study.

Setting: Operating room and Postanesthesia Care Unit of a general hospital.

Inhibition of corneal neovascularization with plasmid pigment epithelium-derived factor (p-PEDF) delivered by synthetic amphiphile INTeraction-18 (SAINT-18) vector in an experimental model of rat corneal angiogenesis.

The use of Synthetic Amphiphile INTeraction-18 (SAINT-18) carrying plasmid pigment epithelium-derived factor (p-PEDF) as an anti-angiogenesis strategy to treat corneal neovascularization in a rat model was evaluated. Four partially dried forms (Group A: 0 microg, B: 0.1 microg, C: 1 microg, D: 10 microg) of a p-PEDF-SAINT-18 were prepared and implanted into the rat subconjunctival substantia propria 1.

Comparing the use of the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire and Beck Depression Inventory for screening depression in patients with chronic pain.

Background: Studies have shown that the validity of self-reported depression questionnaires may be influenced by somatic symptoms such as chronic pain. The purpose of this study was to compare the validity of two self-reported questionnaires, the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire (TDQ) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), for screening depression in patients with chronic pain.

Methods: One hundred patients with chronic pain were enrolled and assessed using the TDQ, BDI, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R.

A novel vector system for gene transfer into the cornea using a partially dried plasmid expressing 18 basic fibroblast growth factor-synthetic amphiphile INTeraction-18 (SAINT-18) complex.

Purpose: We describe a novel vector system of nonviral gene transfer into the cornea using a partially dried form of a plasmid expressing 18-kDa basic fibroblast growth factor (p-bFGF)-synthetic amphiphile INTeraction-18 (SAINT-18) complex.

Methods: Corneal neovascularization (NV) was evaluated in 48 eyes of Sprague-Dawley rats after implantation of SAINT-18 containing 2 micro g of plasmid-expressing green fluorescent protein (p-GFP; control group), 0.2 micro g, 2 micro g, or 20 micro g of p-bFGF from day 0 to day 60.

Preincisional subcutaneous infiltration of ketamine suppresses postoperative pain after circumcision surgery.

Objective: N-methyl-D-aspartate and other glutamate receptors have been shown to present on the peripheral axons of primary afferents, and peripheral injection of N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor antagonists can suppress hyperalgesia and allodynia. Thus, this study examined postoperative analgesic and adverse effects of local ketamine administered postoperatively.

Methods: Ketamine (0.

Heme oxygenase 1, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2, and nuclear factor kappaB are involved in hemin inhibition of type 2 cationic amino acid transporter expression and L-Arginine transport in stimulated macrophages.

Background: L-Arginine transport mediated by type 2 cationic amino acid transporter (CAT-2) is one crucial mechanism that regulates nitric oxide production mediated by inducible nitric oxide synthase. Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 induction has been reported to significantly attenuate inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide production. The authors sought to explore the effects of HO-1 induction on CAT-2 expression and L-arginine transport.

Combined subdural and epidural block in a case of epidural catheterization for postoperative analgesia.

We report a case of unusual block caused by postoperative epidural analgesia for laparotomy in a gynecologic patient in consequence of inadvertent epidural catheterization. The clinical manifestation included agitation, spotty distribution of analgesia, wide spread of sensory block and loss of motor power. The radiological findings suggested a multicompartmental block with the anchorage of the catheter tip stretching over the epidural and subdural spaces.

The effect of acute smoking on spinal fusion: an experimental study among rabbits.

Background: The establishment of an environment to force animals to inspire cigarette smoke is mandatory to study the true effects of smoking. This model has been used to study long-bone healing but has not yet been used to study spinal fusion.

Methods: Forty male rabbits were divided into four equal groups.

Dehydrated form of plasmid expressing basic fibroblast growth factor-polyethylenimine complex is a novel and accurate method for gene transfer to the cornea.

Purpose: We describe a novel vector system of nonviral gene transfer into the cornea using a dehydrated form of a plasmid expressing basic fibroblast growth factor-polyethylenimine (p-bFGF-PEI) complex to induce angiogenesis.

Methods: Corneal neovascularization was evaluated in 48 eyes of Sprague-Dawley rats after implantation of a dehydrated form of PEI containing 1 microg green fluorescent protein (p-GFP-PEI; control group), or 10 microg, 1 microg, or 0.1 microg of p-bFGF-PEI introduced by spin vacuum at ambient temperature.

Gene transfer of pro-opiomelanocortin prohormone suppressed the growth and metastasis of melanoma: involvement of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-mediated inhibition of the nuclear factor kappaB/cyclooxygenase-2 pathway.

Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) is a prohormone of various neuropeptides, including corticotropin, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), and beta-endorphin (beta-EP). POMC neuropeptides are potent inflammation inhibitors and immunosuppressants and may exert opposite influences during tumorigenesis. However, the role of POMC expression in carcinogenesis remains elusive.

Treatment of empty sella syndrome with ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

A symptomatic empty sella developed in a female patient undergoing bromocriptine therapy for microprolactinoma. Placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt dramatically improved the symptoms of headache and blurred vision. The post-operative imaging showed resolution of the empty sella.

Intrathecal gene delivery of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor ameliorated paraplegia in rats after spinal ischemia.

Paraplegia is a catastrophic complication of thoracic aortic surgery. At present, there is no effective mean to prevent the ischemia-induced spinal cord trauma. Gene delivery of neurotrophic factors may hold promises for prevention of spinal injury.

Inhibition of corneal angiogenesis by local application of vasostatin.

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the effects of the locally supplied endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor vasostatin (VS) on corneal angiogenesis.

Methods: Recombinant VS was expressed and purified. The effects of VS on the proliferation of endothelial cells were investigated using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay in the absence or presence of angiogenic factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Intrathecal cdk5 inhibitor, roscovitine, attenuates morphine antinociceptive tolerance in rats.

Aim: To investigate the effect of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) inhibitor roscovitine on the morphine antinociceptive tolerance development in rats.

Methods: Tail-flick test as pain threshold measurement and intrathecal injection techniques were used.

Results: Intrathecal roscovitine infusion alone produced an antinociceptive effect.

Single versus separate registration for computer-assisted lumbar pedicle screw placement.

Study Design: This is a retrospective study conducted to evaluate the efficacy of single versus separate registration in assessing the pedicle screw accuracy in the computer-assisted lumbar spinal instrumentation.

Objectives: To see if separate registration reduced lumbar pedicle screw misplacement.

Summary Of Background Data: Computer-assisted spinal instrumentation has been shown to improve pedicle screw installation accuracy, but 2.

Double-blind parallel comparison of multiple doses of apraclonidine, clonidine, and placebo administered intra-articularly to patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery.

Objective: This clinical study assessed and compared the potential analgesic and adverse effect of IA apraclonidine with IA clonidine.

Methods: Eighty patients scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery under general anesthesia were randomized to receive, in a double-blind manner, either IA normal saline (group 1), 50 microg IA apraclonidine (group 2), 150 microg IA apraclonidine (group 3), or 150 microg IA clonidine (group 4), all in a volume of 20 mL subsequent to surgery. Visual analog pain scores (VAS), the duration of analgesia as defined by the time to first demand for supplemental analgesics, the subsequent 24-hour consumption of postoperative supplementary analgesics, and patient adverse effects were evaluated.

Cranial repair using BMP-2 gene engineered bone marrow stromal cells.

Background: Bone grafts, allografts, and biocompatible artificial bone substitutes all have their shortcomings when used for the repair of cranial bone defects. Tissue engineered bone shows promise as an alternative for the repair of these defects.

Materials And Methods: Rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were separated from iliac crest aspirates and expanded in a monolayer culture 1 month before implantation.

Intramuscular electroporation with the pro-opiomelanocortin gene in rat adjuvant arthritis.

Endogenous opioid peptides have an essential role in the intrinsic modulation and control of inflammatory pain, which could be therapeutically useful. In this study, we established a muscular electroporation method for the gene transfer of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) in vivo and investigated its effect on inflammatory pain in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis. The gene encoding human POMC was inserted into a modified pCMV plasmid, and 0-200 microg of the plasmid-POMC DNA construct was transferred into the tibialis anterior muscle of rats treated with complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) with or without POMC gene transfer by the electroporation method.