Nanomedicines Promote Cartilage Regeneration in Osteoarthritis by Synergistically Enhancing Chondrogenesis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Regulating Inflammatory Environment.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive erosion of the articular cartilage and inflammation. Mesenchymal stem cells' (MSCs) transplantation in OA treatment is emerging, but its clinical application is still limited by the low efficiency in oriented differentiation. In our study, to improve the therapeutic efficiencies of MSCs in OA treatment by carbonic anhydrase IX (CA9) siRNA (siCA9)-based inflammation regulation and Kartogenin (KGN)-based chondrogenic differentiation, the combination strategy of MSCs and the nanomedicine codelivering KGN and siCA9 (AHK-CaP/siCA9 NPs) was used.

Antithrombin III deficiency in a patient with recurrent venous thromboembolism: A case report.

Background: Antithrombin III (AT3) deficiency, an autosomal dominant disease, increases the likelihood of an individual developing venous thromboembolism (VTE). Long-term anticoagulation treatment is required for those suffering from AT3 deficiency.

Case Summary: A man aged 23, who had a history of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), experienced recurrent pain and swelling in his right lower extremity for three days following withdrawal of Rivaroxaban.

Consideration in Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial on Neck Pain to Avoid the Placebo Effect in Analgesic Action.

In neck pain treatment, many therapies are focused on etiology, while it is well-known that placebo analgesia is also present in these therapies. The specific efficacy for etiology may be underestimated by ignoring their actual placebo effect. In this study, a logistic regression analysis is used to explore the risk factors causing different placebo responses in patients with neck pain among two RCTs.

Intensive blood pressure control in patients with acute type B aortic dissection (RAID): study protocol for randomized controlled trial.

Background: Blood pressure control is an essential therapy for patients with acute type B aortic dissection (ABAD) and should be maintained throughout the entire treatment. Thus, vast majority current guidelines recommend control the blood pressure to lower than 140/90 mmHg. Theoretically, a much lower target may further decrease the risk of propagation of dissection.

Simultaneous Reduction and Functionalization of Graphene Oxide by 4-Hydrazinobenzenesulfonic Acid for Polymer Nanocomposites.

Graphene oxide (GO) was functionalized and reduced simultaneously by a new reductant, 4-hydrazinobenzenesulfonic acid (HBS), with a one-step and environmentally friendly process. The hydrophilic sulfonic acid group in HBS was grafted onto the surface of GO through a covalent bond. The successful preparation of HBS reduced GO (HBS-rGO) was testified by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

One-Step Reduction and Surface Modification of Graphene Oxide by 3-Hydroxy-2-Naphthoic Acid Hydrazide and Its Polypropylene Nanocomposites.

3-Hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid hydrazide (HNH), a new reductant and modifier, was applied to reduce and modify graphene oxide (GO) in a one-step process. The obtained HNH reduced graphene oxide (HNH-rGO) was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). The results demonstrated that GO was successfully reduced to graphene and the surface of HNH-rGO was grafted with HNH.

Clinical characteristics of hand, foot and mouth disease in Harbin and the prediction of severe cases.

Background: Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is an emerging public health problem in China, not only threatening the health of children, but also causing tremendous loss and burden to both families and society. The aim of this study was to characterize the epidemiology and clinical features of HFMD, and to understand the key factors affecting HFMD in the Harbin region to provide scientific evidence for effective prevention and control strategies.

Methods: Epidemiological and clinical information from 2379 randomly chosen cases of HFMD treated at the Harbin Center for Disease Control and Prevention from May 2008 to November 2011 were analyzed.

Preparation and properties of composites with staggered alignment of carbon nanotubes induced by electric field.

In this paper, bulk polymeric composites with staggered orientation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in polymer matrix were prepared by means of a macro layer-by-layer (MLBL) method, while an alternating current (AC) electric field was applied for inducing alignment of the CNTs. Test results verified that there existed a relationship between conductive capacity of the composites and orientation of the CNTs in matrix. Conductivity of the composites containing aligned CNTs represented a dependency on time and testing history on the composite specimens.

Alignment of carbon nanotubes in poly(methyl methacrylate) composites induced by electric field.

An ideal carbon nanotube (CNT) network structure in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) can be attained by adjusting simultaneously both evolution of the CNTs alignment in methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer under alternating current (AC) electric field and polymerization of MMA. Alignment of the CNTs in liquid media is time dependent and can be enhanced by increasing suitably the voltage and frequency of the electric field. There is an optimal time window in which the ideal alignment is achieved after which the alignment degrades and the CNTs start to agglomerate due to the transverse interactions.

Insight into congenital absence of the portal vein: is it rare?

Congenital absence of portal vein (CAPV) was a rare event in the past. However, the number of detected CAPV cases has increased in recent years because of advances in imaging techniques. Patients with CAPV present with portal hypertension (PH) or portosystemic encephalopathy (PSE), but these conditions rarely occur until the patients grow up or become old.