Multifunctioning of carboxylic-cellulose nanocrystals on the reinforcement of compressive strength and conductivity for acrylic-based hydrogel.

Simultaneously having competitive compressive properties, fatigue-resistant stability, excellent conductivity and sensitivity has still remained a challenge for acrylic-based conductive hydrogels, which is critical in their use in the sensor areas where pressure is performed. In this work, an integrated strategy was proposed for preparing a conductive hydrogel based on acrylic acid (AA) and sodium alginate (SA) by addition of carboxylic-cellulose nanocrystals (CNC-COOH) followed by metal ion interaction to reinforce its compressive strength and conductivity simultaneously. The CNC-COOH played a multifunctional role in the hydrogel by well-dispersing SA and AA in the hydrogel precursor solution for forming a uniform semi-interpenetrating network, providing more hydrogen bonds with SA and AA, more -COOH for metal ion interactions to form uniform multi-network, and also offering high modulus to the final hydrogel.

Cepharanthine ameliorates titanium particle-induced osteolysis by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and modulating OPG/RANKL ratio in a murine model.

Periprosthetic asepteic loosening, caused by wear debris, is one of the most severe complications, generally resulting in implant failure. Extensive osteoclast formation and activation are considered as the cause for periprosthetic osteolysis. However, few approaches have been approved to be used for preventing early-stage periprosthetic osteolysis.

New irrigation methods sustain malaria control in Sichuan Province, China.

Malaria appears to have been all but eradicated from certain areas of Sichuan Province mainly as a consequence of draining a sufficient proportion of rice paddy fields. The two main malaria vectors, both members of the Anopheles hyrcanus group, breed prolifically in rice paddy fields, which farmers have traditionally kept flooded all year round to ensure an adequate water supply. Over the last three decades, the irrigation network has been gradually extended, thus ensuring water security and increasing the area of arable land that could be farmed by intermittent wet/dry irrigation (IWDI).