A Novel Passive Shoulder Exoskeleton Using Link Chains and Magnetic Spring Joints.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders represent a major occupational disability issue, and 53.4% of these disorders occur in the back or shoulders. Various types of passive shoulder exoskeletons have been introduced to support the weight of the upper arm and work tools during overhead work, thereby preventing injuries and improving the work environment.

Pectoral nerve block (Pecs block) with sedation for breast conserving surgery without general anesthesia.

Most regional anesthesia in breast surgeries is performed as postoperative pain management under general anesthesia, and not as the primary anesthesia. Regional anesthesia has very few cardiovascular or pulmonary side-effects, as compared with general anesthesia. Pectoral nerve block is a relatively new technique, with fewer complications than other regional anesthesia.

Gold nanorod-photosensitizer complex obtained by layer-by-layer method for photodynamic/photothermal therapy in vitro.

Gold nanorod (GNR)-photosensitizer (PS) complex was prepared using anionic PS (sodium salt of purpurin-18) and cationic poly(allylamine hydrochloride) by layer-by-layer method, and was characterized by transmission electron microscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, and zeta potential. The GNR-PS complex is a promising agent for synergistic (photothermal and photodynamic) therapy (PTT/PDT), in which PTT generates heat as well as operates the PS release which maximize the following PDT activity. The combined dual therapy, PTT followed by PDT, exhibits a significantly higher photocytotoxicity result based on synergistic effect of hyperthermia from PTT as well as singlet oxygen photogeneration from PDT.

Magnetic resonance findings of acute severe lower back pain.

Objective: To determine abnormal MRI findings in adults hospitalized with acute severe axial LBP.

Method: Sixty patients with back pain were divided into 3 groups consisting of 1) 23 adults with acute axial severe LBP who could not sit up or stand up for several days, but had not experienced previous back-related diseases or trauma (group A), 2) 19 adults who had been involved in a minor traffic accident, and had mild symptoms but not limited mobility (group B), and 3) 18 adults with LBP with radicular pain (group C)., Various MRI findings were assessed among the above 3 groups and compared as follows: disc herniation (protrusion, extrusion), lumbar disc degeneration (LDD), annular tear, high intensity zone (HIZ), and endplate changes.

Notch signal activates hypoxia pathway through HES1-dependent SRC/signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 pathway.

We report a Notch signal-induced pathway that leads to transcriptional activation of HIF1-alpha gene. HeLa/rtTAA/TRE-N1-IC cell line capable of doxycycline-induced expression of human Notch1-IC was established. The induction of Notch signaling activates HIF1-alpha and its target gene expression in HeLa/rtTAA/TRE-N1-IC cells.

Intracellular delivery enhancement of poly(amino acid) drug carriers by oligoarginine conjugation.

Poly(2-hydroxytethyl aspartamide) (PHEA) was effectively translocated in both fixed and unfixed HeLa cells, when oligoarginine (Arg(8)) known as one of the cell-penetrating peptides was conjugated via a thioether linkage. The internalization of PHEA-Arg(8) into cells was a temperature-dependent process, and the studies at endocytosis inhibition conditions suggested that an endocytosis was a key mechanism. The fluorescence spectra of PHEA-Arg(8) in liposome solutions showed that PHEA-Arg(8) was collectively adsorbed in the negative liposome membrane due to the high cationic property of a conjugated Arg(8), representing that a surface adsorption was a first step in the internalization of PHEA-Arg(8).

14-3-3epsilon inhibits MK5-mediated cell migration by disrupting F-actin polymerization.

The signal pathway by which 14-3-3epsilon inhibits cell migration induced by MAPK-activated protein kinase 5 (MK5) was investigated in cultured HeLa cells. Both in vivo and in vitro analyses have revealed that 14-3-3epsilon interacts with MK5. 14-3-3epsilon bound to MK5 inhibits the phosphorylation of HSP27, a known substrate of MK5.

Inhibition of NF-kappaB acetylation and its transcriptional activity by Daxx.

We propose a biochemical mechanism by which Daxx modulates NF-kappaB transcriptional activity. Both chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) have confirmed Daxx-mediated repression of transcriptional competence of NF-kappaB in HeLa cells. Overexpression of Daxx repressed the expression of NF-kappaB-regulated genes such as I kappa B alpha and IL8.

Dose-dependent UV stabilization of p53 in cultured human cells undergoing apoptosis is mediated by poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation.

The effect of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation on the stability of p53 in SK-HEP1 cells treated with UV light was examined. Intracellular levels of p53 increased in cells treated with a low dose of UV light (20 J/m2), whereas they increased but then declined after a higher dose of UV (100 J/m2). Intracellular levels of p53 in the UV treated SK-HEP1 cells were dependent on the UV dose.

Self-aggregates of oligoarginine-conjugated poly(amino acid) derivatives as a carrier for intracellular drug delivery.

N(omega)-2,2,4,6,7-Pentamethyldihydrobenzofuran-5-sulfonyl (N(omega)-Pbf)-protected oligoarginine was directly conjugated to poly(amino acid) derivatives modified with a long alkyl chain. The final concentration of conjugated peptides was easily controlled by the feed ratio of oligoarginine to polymer backbone and a final soluble polymeric system was obtained by the deprotection of N(omega)-Pbf groups. The polymeric conjugates formed stable self-aggregates of size range of 8-40 nm in aqueous solution and effectively internalized into HeLa cells by adsorptive endocytosis.