Closed-Loop and Precipitation-Free CO Capture Process Enabled by Electrochemical pH Gradient.

Carbon dioxide (CO) capture is a crucial negative-emission technology for the mitigation of climate change and global warming. The urgent need of combating climate change motivates the research and development of economical, effective and environmentally benign processes for CO capture. Herein, we design and report a flow cell for the CO capture from air or flue gas in a precipitate-free and closed-loop manner.

Activation of MAP2K signaling by genetic engineering or HF-rTMS promotes corticospinal axon sprouting and functional regeneration.

Facilitating axon regeneration in the injured central nervous system remains a challenging task. RAF-MAP2K signaling plays a key role in axon elongation during nervous system development. Here, we show that conditional expression of a constitutively kinase-activated BRAF in mature corticospinal neurons elicited the expression of a set of transcription factors previously implicated in the regeneration of zebrafish retinal ganglion cell axons and promoted regeneration and sprouting of corticospinal tract (CST) axons after spinal cord injury in mice.

Safety and effects of a therapeutic 15 Hz rTMS protocol administered at different suprathreshold intensities in able-bodied individuals.

High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) remains a promising strategy for neurorehabilitation. The stimulation intensity (SI) influences the aftereffects observed. Here, we examined whether single sessions of a 15 Hz rTMS protocol, administered at suprathreshold SI, can be safely administered to able-bodied (AB) individuals.

High-Frequency rTMS Combined with Task-Specific Hand Motor Training Modulates Corticospinal Plasticity in Motor Complete Spinal Cord Injury: A case report.

Since its first use in spinal cord injury (SCI) in the early 2000s [1], high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) demonstrated a capacity to modulate corticospinal excitability (CSE) and motor performance. Studies focused on individuals with incomplete SCI. Here, we examined the feasibility of a 15-day therapeutic stimulation protocol combining HF-rTMS with task-specific motor training targeting the weaker hand in an individual with early chronic complete SCI.

miR-206 Targets MALAT1 to Suppress Cell Progression of Ectopic Endometrial Stromal Cells in Endometriosis.

Background: miR-206 was reported to be a tumor suppressor in bladder cancer. In this study, we explore the expression and function of miR-206 in endometriosis (EM).

Methods: 40 EM patients undergoing total hysterectomy were selected as the experimental group.

Lithium-based Loop for Ambient-Pressure Ammonia Synthesis in a Liquid Alloy-Salt Catalytic System.

The Haber-Bosch process for ammonia (NH ) production in industry relies on high temperature and high pressure and is therefore highly energy intensive. In addition, the activity of the solid transition metal-based catalysts used is typically limited by the scaling relation between activation barrier for N dissociation and nitrogen-binding energy. Here, an innovative Li-based loop in a liquid alloy-salt catalytic system for ambient-pressure NH synthesis from N and H was developed.

Integrin α5β1, as a Receptor of Fibronectin, Binds the FbaA Protein of Group A To Initiate Autophagy during Infection.

Group A (GAS), one of the most common extracellular pathogens, has been reported to invade epithelial and endothelial cells. Our results reveal that M1 GAS strain SF370 can be effectively eliminated by respiratory epithelial cells. Emerging evidence indicates that autophagy is an important strategy for nonphagocytes to eliminate intracellular bacteria.

Concentric Stereotactic Technique of Percutaneous Endoscopic Transforaminal Discectomy and Radiation Exposure to Surgeons.

Objective: In percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discectomy (PETD), surgeons are exposed to intraoperative radiographic radiation over a long-term career, which may be correlated with high risk of iatrogenic radiation hazards. The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to assess the impact of concentric stereotactic technique on radiation exposure to surgeons in PETD.

Methods: Patients who underwent conventional PETD were regarded as group A, whereas those undergoing PETD with concentric stereotactic technique were considered as group B.

Epidural versus intravenous steroids application following percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy.

Retrospectively study.The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of intraoperative epidural steroids and single dose intravenous steroids following a percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD).Inflammatory irritation of dorsal root ganglia or sensory nerve roots may cause postoperative pain.

Antidepressant-like effects of a novel curcumin derivative J147: Involvement of 5-HT receptor.

Depression is a dysthymia disorder characterized by a pervasive or persistent mental disorder that causes mood, cognitive and memory deficits. J147, a curcumin analogue, increases brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and facilitates memory in animals. Because curcumin has the antidepressant-like activity, the present study investigated the potential antidepressant-like effects of J147 in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension tests (TST) and the involvement of 5-HT receptors related to cAMP signaling.

Synergistic interplay between the two major bone minerals, hydroxyapatite and whitlockite nanoparticles, for osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Unlabelled: The inorganic part of human bone is mainly composed of hydroxyapatite (HAP: Ca(PO)(OH)) and whitlockite (WH: CaMg(HPO)(PO)) minerals, where the WH phase occupies up to 20-35% of total weight. These two bone minerals have different crystal structures and physicochemical properties, implying their distinguished role in bone physiology. However, until now, the biological significance of the presence of a certain ratio between HAP and WH in bone is unclear.

Phase retrieval based on transport of intensity and digital holography.

We propose a technique in which intensity images are reconstructed from a digital hologram to provide inputs for the transport-of-intensity equation for unwrapped phase recovery. By doing this, we avoid shifting of the sample or the camera in the experiment, a method commonly employed while using the method of transport-of-intensity equation for phase retrieval. Computer simulations as well as experimental results have been demonstrated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed idea.

3D Printed Anchoring Sutures for Permanent Shaping of Tissues.

Sutures are one of the most widely used devices for adhering separated tissues after injury or surgery. However, most sutures require knotting, which can create a risk of inflammation, and can act as mechanically weak points that often result in breakage and slipping. Here, an anchoring suture is presented with a design that facilitates its propagation parallel to the suturing direction, while maximizing its resistive force against the opposite direction of external force to lock its position in tissues.

Significant reduction of fluoroscopy repetition with lumbar localization system in minimally invasive spine surgery: A prospective study.

The conventional location methods for minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) were mainly based on repeated fluoroscopy in a trial-and-error manner preoperatively and intraoperatively. Localization system mainly consisted of preoperative applied radiopaque frame and intraoperative guiding device, which has the potential to minimize fluoroscopy repetition in MISS. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a novel lumbar localization system in reducing radiation exposure to patients.

Isocentric Navigation of Percutaneous Endoscopic Transforaminal Discectomy at the L5/S1 Level in Difficult Puncture Cases: A Technical Note.

Background: Accurate puncture during percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy at the L5/S1 level in cases with high iliac crest and narrow foramen were difficult, even though the difficulties of foraminoplasty could be overcome by advanced instruments like reamers.

Objectives: The report aimed to describe an isocentric navigation technique with a definite pathway in difficult puncture cases at the L5/S1 level.

Study Design: Technical note.

Extrusion Bioprinting of Shear-Thinning Gelatin Methacryloyl Bioinks.

Bioprinting is an emerging technique for the fabrication of 3D cell-laden constructs. However, the progress for generating a 3D complex physiological microenvironment has been hampered by a lack of advanced cell-responsive bioinks that enable bioprinting with high structural fidelity, particularly in the case of extrusion-based bioprinting. Herein, this paper reports a novel strategy to directly bioprint cell-laden gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) constructs using bioinks of GelMA physical gels (GPGs) achieved through a simple cooling process.

Development of hydrogels for regenerative engineering.

The aim of regenerative engineering is to restore complex tissues and biological systems through convergence in the fields of advanced biomaterials, stem cell science, and developmental biology. Hydrogels are one of the most attractive biomaterials for regenerative engineering, since they can be engineered into tissue mimetic 3D scaffolds to support cell growth due to their similarity to native extracellular matrix. Advanced nano- and micro-technologies have dramatically increased the ability to control properties and functionalities of hydrogel materials by facilitating biomimetic fabrication of more sophisticated compositions and architectures, thus extending our understanding of cell-matrix interactions at the nanoscale.

Surgical Outcome of Two-Level Transforaminal Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy for Far-Migrated Disc Herniation.

To describe the two-level percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) technique in transforaminal approach for highly migrated disc herniation and investigate its clinical outcomes. A total of 22 consecutive patients with highly migrated lumbar disc herniation were enrolled for the study from June 2012 to February 2014. There were 12 males and 10 females, with a mean age of 41.

Hybrid Monte Carlo and continuum modeling of electrolytes with concentration-induced dielectric variations.

The distribution of ions near a charged surface is an important quantity in many biological and material processes, and has been therefore investigated intensively. However, few theoretical and simulation approaches have included the influence of concentration-induced variations in the local dielectric permittivity of an underlying electrolyte solution. Such local variations have long been observed and known to affect the properties of ionic solution in the bulk and around the charged surface.

Lower Learning Difficulty and Fluoroscopy Reduction of Transforaminal Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy with an Accurate Preoperative Location Method.

Background: Transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (tPELD) poses great challenges for junior surgeons. Beginners often require repeated attempts using fluoroscopy causing more punctures, which may significantly undermine their confidence and increase the radiation exposure to medical staff and patients. Moreover, the impact of an accurate location on the learning curve of tPELD has not been defined.

Recreating composition, structure, functionalities of tissues at nanoscale for regenerative medicine.

Nanotechnology offers significant potential in regenerative medicine, specifically with the ability to mimic tissue architecture at the nanoscale. In this perspective, we highlight key achievements in the nanotechnology field for successfully mimicking the composition and structure of different tissues, and the development of bio-inspired nanotechnologies and functional nanomaterials to improve tissue regeneration. Numerous nanomaterials fabricated by electrospinning, nanolithography and self-assembly have been successfully applied to regenerate bone, cartilage, muscle, blood vessel, heart and bladder tissue.

Rapid Continuous Multimaterial Extrusion Bioprinting.

The development of a multimaterial extrusion bioprinting platform is reported. This platform is capable of depositing multiple coded bioinks in a continuous manner with fast and smooth switching among different reservoirs for rapid fabrication of complex constructs, through digitally controlled extrusion of bioinks from a single printhead consisting of bundled capillaries synergized with programmed movement of the motorized stage.