Form Factor-Free Boron Nitride Nanotube-Agarose Composites for Neutron Shielding.

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have remarkable mechanical and thermal properties and are suitable for neutron shielding due to boron. Because BNNTs exist in bundled and stiff shapes, limiting their practical applications, however, it is essential to improve their formability and processability. In this study, we demonstrate form-factor-free BNNTs and agarose composites for use in neutron shielding for the first time; they are fabricated by mixing hydrophilic agarose with noncovalently functionalized water-soluble BNNTs (p-BNNTs).

Herbal Medicine for Postpartum Pain: A Systematic Review of Puerperal Wind Syndrome (Sanhupung).

Mothers in the postpartum period often experience musculoskeletal disorders and pain, impacting their ability to care for themselves and their infants. Conventional treatments have limitations, prompting interest in alternative options like herbal medicine. This systematic review aimed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicine treatment to improve maternal health in patients with postpartum pain (puerperal wind syndrome).

Acupuncture Treatment for Emotional Problems in Women with Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in treating emotional problems in women with infertility. We searched for randomized controlled trials using acupuncture treatment for emotional problems in women with infertility using 11 databases from their inception to 30 June 2023. The control intervention included no treatment, sham acupuncture treatment, and conventional treatment.

Temperature-responsive binary superlattices prepared by the selective solvent evaporation of O/W microemulsion composed of gold nanoparticles and surfactants.

Binary nanoparticle superlattices (BNSLs) are one of the important classes of nanomaterial architectures for a wide range of potential applications because they can provide synergistically enhanced properties depending on the morphology and spatial arrangement of nanoparticles (NPs). However, although many studies have been conducted on the fabrication of BNSLs, there are still several challenges in achieving BNSLs with a three-dimensional lattice due to their complicated synthesis, hindering their practical applications. Herein, we report the fabrication of temperature-sensitive BNSLs in complexes of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), Brij 58 surfactant, and water a two-step evaporation method.

Unusual Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Blends Induced by Control of Hydrophobic Interaction.

Block copolymer blend systems have been of great interest for a wide range of potential applications, such as nanobuilding blocks or guidance materials, because they can provide a rich phase behavior according to external conditions. However, a new and unique phase behavior of block copolymers, which can give us their more extended potential applications, has not yet been reported. Herein, we report the unusual self-assembly of two different types of Pluronic P65 and PE6200 triblock copolymer blends dependent on temperature and PE6200 concentration, which is unique for the block copolymer blends in aqueous solution.

Conformational control of two-dimensional gold nanoparticle arrays in a confined geometry within a vesicular wall.

The two-dimensional (2D) assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in a confined geometry is a rare phenomenon that has not been experimentally verified for complex systems. In this study, this process was investigated in detail using two types of block copolymers with hydrophobic and hydrophilic blocks and a series of AuNPs of three different sizes protected by hydrophobic ligands. In aqueous solutions, the selected block copolymers self-assembled into vesicular nanostructures with a hydrophobic domain in the wall, which functions as a confined geometrical space for hydrophobic AuNPs (i.

Temperature-Selective Self-Assembled Superlattices of Gold Nanoparticles Driven by Block Copolymer Template Guidance.

Self-assembly of nanoparticles (NPs) into highly ordered structure can enhance their electronic and optical properties that provide great potential applications such as nanoelectronics and nanophotonics. However, the self-assembly of NPs upon external stimuli was still mainly continuous and irreversible, making various potential applications of NPs difficult. Herein, the self-assembled superlattices of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with a temperature-selective response had been investigated by using the amphiphilic block copolymer as a template.

Electroacupuncture for Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Although electroacupuncture (EA) is an effective treatment for pain relief, there has been no systematic review of EA treatment for temporomandibular disorder TMD. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EA in TMD management. We searched 14 databases until April 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of EA on TMDs.

Acupuncture treatment for emotional problems in infertile women: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Infertility causes emotional and psychological problems, including anxiety, depression, low self-efficacy, and chronic mental stress in women. These emotional problems can negatively affect fertility treatment. Numerous studies have reported the clinical therapeutic effects of acupuncture on emotional problems; however, the efficacy and safety of acupuncture treatment for emotional problems in infertile women remain unclear.

Toxic Animal-Based Medicinal Materials Can Be Effective in Treating Endometriosis: A Scoping Review.

Animal toxins and venoms have recently been developed as cancer treatments possessing tumor cell growth-inhibitory, antiangiogenesis, and proapoptotic effects. Endometriosis is a common benign gynecological disorder in reproductive-age women, and no definite treatment for this disorder is without severe side effects. As endometriosis and malignant tumors share similar characteristics (progressive, invasive, estrogen-dependent growth, and recurrence), animal toxins and venoms are thought to be effective against endometriosis.

Molecular Weight-Dependent, Flexible Phase Behaviors of Amphiphilic Block Copolymer/Additive Complexes in Aqueous Solution.

Pluronic amphiphilic block copolymers, well known to have a phase behavior can be controlled by external conditions, have a wide range of potential for applications such as nanotemplates or nanobuilding blocks. However, the phase behaviors of Pluronic block copolymer/additive complexes with highly ordered phases have not been fully investigated. Here, we report the unusual molecular weight-dependent self-assembly of Pluronic block copolymer/additive complexes.

Staphylococcus aureus pericardial abscess presenting as severe sepsis and septic shock after acupuncture therapy.

Pericardial abscess is an extremely rare complication of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. We report a case of a 72-year-old woman with multiple acupuncture scars on both knees who presented with shortness of breath and general weakness. Transthoracic echocardiography and pericardiocentesis confirmed the presence of pericardial fluid collection.

Successful treatment of an iatrogenic giant femoral artery pseudoaneurysm with percutaneous thrombin injection.

A femoral artery pseudoaneurysm (FAP) is one of the most troublesome complications following invasive procedures related to the femoral arterial access. Post-procedure FAP rarely occurs; however, its occurrence tends to increase with the more frequently antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, and larger-sized catheter used for interventional procedures. Traditionally, surgical repair has been considered as the standard treatment modality for FAP; however, less invasive methods currently exist such as blind manual or ultrasound-guided compression repair (UGCR) as well as percutaneous thrombin injection, both of which have replaced the need for surgery.

Therapeutic effects of Chiljehyangbuhwan on primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study.

Objective: This clinical study was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of an oriental herbal medicine native to Korea, Chiljehyangbuhwan, in treating primary dysmenorrhea.

Design And Setting: A total of 100 primary dysmenorrhea patients who visited Kyung Hee University Korean Oriental Medicine Hospital between July 19 2004 and August 27 2004 were recruited. Secondary or drug-related dysmenorrhea was screened out through interviews and examination.

Temporal changes and histologic relation of postsystolic thickening in an animal model of acute ischemia and reperfusion.

Background: We investigated the incidence and temporal changes of postsystolic thickening (PST) during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion to determine factors associated with PST.

Methods: The inferoposterior wall infarction was induced by coronary artery ligation (L) in 22 male cats. Epicardial echocardiographic examination including 2-dimensional, M-mode, and pulsed wave myocardial Doppler imaging of inferoposterior wall was performed at short-axis view before L, and regularly repeated during L until PST was not detected by myocardial Doppler image.