A Shift from Efficiency to Adaptability: Recent Progress in Biomimetic Interactive Soft Robotics in Wet Environments.

Research field of soft robotics develops exponentially since it opens up many imaginations, such as human-interactive robot, wearable robots, and transformable robots in unpredictable environments. Wet environments such as sea and in vivo represent dynamic and unstructured environments that adaptive soft robots can reach their potentials. Recent progresses in soft hybridized robotics performing tasks underwater herald a diversity of interactive soft robotics in wet environments.

Regulatory Mechanisms of the Ihh/PTHrP Signaling Pathway in Fibrochondrocytes in Entheses of Pig Achilles Tendon.

This study is aimed at exploring the effect of stress stimulation on the proliferation and differentiation of fibrochondrocytes in entheses mediated via the Indian hedgehog (Ihh)/parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) signaling pathway. Differential stress stimulation on fibrochondrocytes in entheses was imposed. Gene expression and protein levels of signaling molecules including collagen type I (Col I), Col II, Col X, Ihh, and PTHrP in the cytoplasm of fibrochondrocytes were detected.

Worldwide research productivity in the field of spine surgery: a 10-year bibliometric analysis.

Purpose: Bibliometrics is increasingly used to assess the quantity and quality of scientific research output in many research fields worldwide. However, the bibliometric studies in the field of spine surgery are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the worldwide research productivity in the field of spine surgery using bibliometric methods and to provide an insight into the spine research for surgeons and researchers.

Gemcitabine for the treatment of patients with osteosarcoma.

Background: Patients with recurrent or refractory osteosarcoma are considered to have a very poor prognosis, and new regimens are needed to improve the prognosis in this setting. Gemcitabine, a nucleoside antimetabolite, is an analog of deoxycytidine which mainly inhibits DNA synthesis through interfering with DNA chain elongation and depleting deoxynucleotide stores, resulting in gemcitabine-induced cell death. Here we performed a systemic analysis to evaluate gemcitabine based chemotherapy as salvage treatment for patients with recurrent or refractory osteosarcoma.

Impact of vascular endothelial growth factor expression on overall survival in patients with osteosarcoma: a meta-analysis.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor of childhood. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression has been implicated in tumor development and progression of osteosarcoma, but previous studies investigating the impact of VEGF expression on overall survival in patients with osteosarcoma report conflicting findings. A meta-analysis of published studies was performed.

Serum EGF and NGF levels of patients with brain injury and limb fracture.

Objective: To explore the expression and significance of human epidermal growth factor (EGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to measure the serum EGF and NGF expression levels of patients with limb fracture and brain trauma injurry after 1 d, 3 d, 7 d, 14 d and the relationship between them was analyzed. The level was compared among the simple fracture group, traumatic brain injury group and the normal control group, with 40 cases in each group.

[Efficacy of double-door laminoplasty combined with hydroxyapatite artificial bone grafting for cervical spinal stenotic myelopathy].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of double-door laminoplasty and hydroxyapatite artificial bone grafting in the treatment of cervical spinal stenotic myelopathy.

Methods: Twelve cases of cervical spinal stenotic myelopathy underwent expansive double-door laminoplasty of the cervical spine and hydroxyapatite artificial bone grafting. The clinical outcome of the patients and the operative procedures were assessed.

[Suppression of neutrophil immune function in rabbit models of hemorrhagic shock complicated by intra-abdominal hypertension].

Objective: To investigate the effects of hemorrhagic shock and intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) on inflammatory responses of peripheral circulating neutrophils such as intracellular cytokine production, phagocytic capacity and expression of nuclear factor (NF)- kappaB.

Methods: Twenty-four rabbits were divided equally into 4 groups including a hemorrhagic shock (HS) group complicated by abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) (Group A), a HS group (Group B), a ACS group (Group C) and a normal control group (Group D). Intracellular interleukin (IL)-8 production in the peripheral neutrophils were measured in the rabbits by flow cytometry, phagocytic function of the neutrophils evaluated by a chemiluminescence method and the NF-kappaB expression detected by immunocytochemistry before, immediately and 4 h after the traumatization.