Human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells with silk fibroin biomaterial in the repair of articular cartilage defects.

Cartilage tissue engineering requires a porous biodegradable scaffold and nonimmunogenic cells with chondrogenic potential. In this study, the ability of the placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PMSCs) to grow on silk fibroin (SF) biomaterial was determined, and the potential of a SF biomaterial serving as a delivery vehicle for human PMSCs in a rabbit articular cartilage defects model was evaluated. Human PMSCs were maintained in vitro in an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR) system to investigate the suppressive effects on T cell proliferation.

Optimization of the coagulation-flocculation process for pulp mill wastewater treatment using a combination of uniform design and response surface methodology.

Pulp mill wastewater was treated using the coagulation-flocculation process with aluminum chloride as the coagulant and a modified natural polymer, starch-g-PAM-g-PDMC [polyacrylamide and poly (2-methacryloyloxyethyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride], as the flocculant. A novel approach with a combination of response surface methodology (RSM) and uniform design (UD) was employed to evaluate the effects and interactions of three main influential factors, coagulant dosage, flocculant dosage and pH, on the treatment efficiency in terms of the supernatant turbidity and lignin removals as well as the water recovery. The optimal conditions obtained from the compromise of the three desirable responses, supernatant turbidity removal, lignin removal and water recovery efficiency, were as follows: coagulant dosage of 871 mg/L, flocculant dosage of 22.

A gold-sputtered carbon paper as an anode for improved electricity generation from a microbial fuel cell inoculated with Shewanella oneidensis MR-1.

Gold is among the highly conductive and stable materials, which are ideal anodes for microbial fuel cells (MFCs). However, previous studies have shown that bare gold surface is recalcitrant for the colonization of some exoelectrogens, e.g.

Microbial communities involved in electricity generation from sulfide oxidation in a microbial fuel cell.

Simultaneous electricity generation and sulfide removal can be achieved in a microbial fuel cell (MFC). In electricity harvesting from sulfide oxidation in such an MFC, various microbial communities are involved. It is essential to elucidate the microbial communities and their roles in the sulfide conversion and electricity generation.

Fetal reduction by bipolar cord coagulation in managing complicated monochorionic multiple pregnancies: preliminary experience in China.

Background: Monochorionic multiple pregnancies (MMPs) are associated with higher rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality caused by interfetal vascular anastomoses in the monochorionic placenta, which can lead to fetal health interactions. In some circumstances, selective feticide of the affected fetus is necessary to save the healthy co-twin. We evaluated the effects and safety of our initial experiences using bipolar cord coagulation for the management of complicated MMPs.

[Effect of acupoint-catgut implantation on the physical agility of professional athletes].

Objectives: To observe the impact of acupoint-catgut implantation on physical agility of athletes and to probe into its underlying mechanism.

Methods: A total of 68 volunteer athletes were recruited in the present study. Sixteen rowers of China National Women's Racing Boat Team (CNWRBT) underwent comparative observation between pre- and post-treatment with acupoint-catgut implantation.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel cationic chitosan-based flocculant with a high water-solubility for pulp mill wastewater treatment.

In this work, pulp mill wastewater was treated using a novel copolymer flocculant with a high water-solubility, which was synthesized through grafting (2-methacryloyloxyethyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride (DMC) onto chitosan initiated by potassium persulphate. The experimental results demonstrate that the two main problems associated with the utilization of chitosan as a flocculant, i.e.

Microbe-assisted sulfide oxidation in the anode of a microbial fuel cell.

Sulfide oxidation is coupled with electricity generation in a sulfide-fed microbial fuel cell (MFC). This study demonstrated that both electrochemical reactions and microbial catalysis were involved in such a complex sulfide oxidation process in the anode of an MFC. The microbe-assisted sulfide oxidation generated a higher persistent current density than the sulfide oxidation via single electrochemical reactions only.

[Comparison between transabdominal and transcervical chorionic villus sampling in clinical application for prenatal diagnosis].

Objective: To compare transabdominal and transcervical chorionic villus sampling (TC-CVS) in application for prenatal diagnosis, and to summarize the experience of transabdominal chorionic villus sampling (TA-CVS).

Methods: One hundred and nine TA-CVS between April 2005 and November 2007 and 69 TC-CVS between August 1999 and March 2005 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: (1) The mean gestational age was (12.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at acupoints on exercise fatigue and study on the mechanism].

Objective: To probe into the therapeutic effect of catgut implantation at acupoint on exercise fatigue and to study on the mechanism.

Methods: Catgut implantation was given at main points Guanyuan (CV 4), Shen shu (BL 23), Mingmen (GV 4), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in 41 players during training for 2 courses. Training-related condition and changes of blood testosterone (T) and hemoglobin (Hb) before and after training were observed.

A chitosan-based flocculant prepared with gamma-irradiation-induced grafting.

A natural polymer, chitosan, was modified to prepare an efficient flocculant using grafting method initiated by gamma ray in acid-water solution. A vinyl monomer, acrylamide, was used as the grafted monomer. The graft copolymer obtained was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis.

Removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol from aqueous solution by static-air-activated carbon fibers.

Static-air-activated carbon fibers (ACFs) with lotus-root-like axially porous structure were used to adsorb 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) from aqueous solution. The adsorption isotherm was evaluated in the pH range 3.0-11.

[Relationship between the genotype and hematologic characteristics in the fetuses with thalassemia].

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between the genotype and the hematologic characteristics in the fetuses with different types of thalassemia.

Methods: Fetal blood samples were taken by cordocentesis, and hemograms from 572 fetuses at the gestational age of 18 to 38 weeks were examined. According to the genotypes of thalassemia, there were 117 fetuses with heterozygous alpha-thalassemia-1, and 60 with homozygous alpha-thalassemia-1.

Gamma radiation-induced grafting of a cationic monomer onto chitosan as a flocculant.

Grafting of (2-methacryloyloxyethyl) trimethyl ammonium chloride onto chitosan through gamma-radiation in acidic aqueous solutions was achieved for production of a novel flocculant. The grafted copolymer was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared, X-ray powder diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of reaction parameters, such as total absorbed dose, dose rate, monomer concentration and temperature, on grafting percentage were investigated.

[Perinatal outcome of discordant twin pregnancies].

Objective: To discuss peripartum obstetrics events and perinatal outcomes of discordant twin pregnancies.

Methods: Discordant growth was defined as the intrapair difference in birth weight more than 20%. Ninety-six discordant twin pregnancies (observed group) and 349 concordant ones (control group) were compared in pregnant complications and perinatal outcomes.