Changes in PEDF, MMP-2, and TGF-β2 levels in the aqueous humor of cataract patients and their correlation with disease severity.

Objective: To explore the changes of Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF), Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), and Transforming Growth Factor-β2 (TGF-β2) levels in the aqueous humor of cataract patients and their correlation with disease severity.

Methods: 93 cataract patients and 56 healthy subjects were study objects. PEDF, MMP-2, and TGF-β2 levels of aqueous humor were compared, and the correlation between each index and Lens Opacity Classification System (LOCS) III classification was analyzed.

Research progress on the application of framework nucleic acid in bone regeneration.

Framework nucleic acid (FNA) is a set of DNA nanostructures characterized by the framework morphology. It can design rational DNA sequences and follow the principle of complementary base pairing to construct FNA. The recent discovery of FNA constructed by DNA nanotechnology has great application potential in the field of bone regene-ration.

Hypoalbuminemia differently affects the serum bone turnover markers in hemodialysis patients.

Renal osteodystrophy (ROD) represents bone disorders related to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and several bone biomarkers are used clinically to predict ROD in CKD and hemodialysis (HD) patients. Serum albumin associates with inflammation other than nutritional status in these patients. Chronic inflammation is proved to relate with bone loss, however, the influence of hypoalbuminemia on bone biomarkers is still unclear.

Role of vitamin C in wound healing after dental implant surgery in patients treated with bone grafts and patients with chronic periodontitis.

Background: Postoperative wound healing is an important part of the success of the dental implant surgery. However, in case of complex surgery or unfavorable factors, wound healing is often unsatisfactory.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of vitamin C supplementation in wound healing, following the placement of dental implants with or without bone grafts and patients with chronic periodontitis.

Kayaking paddle blade compression load distribution sensing system based on optical fiber with a polydimethylsiloxane membrane.

This paper proposed a novel real-time compression load measurement system for a kayaking paddle based on optical fiber technology. The optical fiber sensor, fiber Bragg grating, is embedded in a 2 mm polydimethylsiloxane membrane, which serves as a pressure mat that can be easily attached/detached to/from the kayaking paddle. The proposed system is proposed for measuring and evaluating both handgrip loading and paddle blade load distribution during on-water kayaking, e.

Observation of Resistive Switching Memory by Reducing Device Size in a New Cr/CrO /TiO /TiN Structure.

The resistive switching memory characteristics of 100 randomly measured devices were observed by reducing device size in a Cr/CrO /TiO /TiN structure for the first time. Transmission electron microscope image confirmed a via-hole size of 0.4 µm.

Development of refractory ascites during amiodarone therapy in a hemodialysis patient with nephrogenic and cardiogenic ascites.

In this report, the clinical characteristics of a 65-year-old female patient with tricuspid regurgitation, ischemic cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and chronic renal failure were retrospectively evaluated. Laboratory studies revealed cardiogenic ascites coincided with nephrogenic ascites and subclinical amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism. The ascites of the patient was responsive to management of congestive heart failure and therapeutic paracentesis during the first episode, add-on therapy with intensified hemodialysis during the second episode, and add-on therapy with low-dose eltroxin during the third episode.

Pharmacokinetics and disposition of nanomedicine using biodegradable PEG/PCL polymers as drug carriers.

Micelles assembled from amphiphilic poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(-caprolactone) (PEG/PCL) copolymers are promised as safe and effective drug delivery systems. They offer the potential to achieve high solubility of hydrophobic drugs, long blood circulation time and effective delivery to target organs. These advantages contribute to their application as vehicles of a broad variation of therapeutic compounds.

[The protective effect of low molecular weight heparin on nephropathy in rats with pregnancy induced hypertension].

Aim: To investigate the protective effect of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on nephropathy in rats with pregnancy induced hypertension and to study its possible mechanism.

Methods: The levels of the expression of renal ERK1/2 protein and mRNA were detected in PIH rats which were made by injection of L-NAME, normal pregnant rats and rats treated with LMWH by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). The renal tissue was observed by using light microscopy.

Correlation of serum leptin concentrations with body composition and gender in Taiwanese hemodialysis patients without diabetes.

Objective: (1) To evaluate the impact of body composition and gender on serum leptin concentration in hemodialysis patients. (2) To study which marker of adiposity is most appropriate in Taiwanese hemodialysis patients without diabetes. (3) To compare the nutrition status between nonlean and lean subjects.

Ligand-dependent recruitment of the ErbB4 signaling complex into neuronal lipid rafts.

Neuregulin (NRG) regulates synapse formation and synaptic plasticity, but little is known about the regulation of NRG signaling at synapses. Here we show that the NRG receptor ErbB4 was localized in anatomically defined postsynaptic densities in the brain. In cultured cortical neurons, ErbB4 was recruited to the neuronal lipid raft fraction after stimulation by NRG.