Bearing surfaces

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The traditional Chinese herb Panax notoginseng (PN) tonifies blood, and its main active ingredient is saponin. PN is processed by different methods, resulting in different compositions and effects. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate changes in the microstructure and composition of fresh PN processed by different techniques and the anti-anemia effects on tumor-bearing BALB/c mice after chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide (CTX). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh PN was processed by hot-air drying (raw PN, RPN), steamed at 120 °C for 5 h (steamed PN, SPN), or fried at 130 °C, 160 °C, or 200 °C for 8 min (fried PN, FPN1, FPN2, or FPN3, respectively); then, the microstructures were compared with 3D optical microscopy, quasi-targeted metabolites were detected by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC‒MS/MS), and saponins were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)...

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage, leading to joint pain and dysfunction. Gubi Zhitong formula (GBZTF), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been used in the clinical treatment of OA for decades, demonstrating definite efficacy. However, its mechanism of action remains unclear, hindering its further application. METHODS: The ingredients of GBZTF were analyzed and performed with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)...

Tribology is the science of measuring friction between surfaces. While it has been widely used to investigate texture sensations of food applications, it is seldom applied in pure edible oil systems. In this research, we measured friction, viscosity, and solid fat content (SFC) of nine vegetable oils at 30 and 60°C. Polarized static microscopy was used to assess crystal formation between 60 and 30°C. Descriptive sensory analysis and quantification of oral oil coatings were performed on the oils at 60°C...

Due to the putative role of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in regulation of acetylcholine levels and functions in the late stages of the Alzheimer's disease (AD), the potential of selective inhibitors (BChEIs) has been envisaged as an alternative to administration of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs). Starting from our recent findings, herein the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition of a novel series of some twenty 3,4,5,6-tetrahydroazepino[4,3-b]indol-1(2H)-one derivatives, bearing at the indole nitrogen diverse alkyl-bridged 4-arylalkylpiperazin-1-yl chains, are reported...

Rationale: Microbubble ( MB ) contrast agents combined with ultrasound targeted microbubble cavitation ( UTMC ) are a promising platform for site-specific therapeutic oligonucleotide delivery. We investigated UTMC-mediated delivery of siRNA directed against epidermal growth factor receptor ( EGFR ), to squamous cell carcinoma ( SCC ) via a novel MB-liposome complex ( LPX ). Methods: LPXs were constructed by conjugation of cationic liposomes to the surface of C4 F10 gas-filled lipid MBs using biotin/avidin chemistry, then loaded with siRNA via electrostatic interaction...

The influence of macro-micro structural design on the mechanical response of structural nanocomposites is substantial. The advancement of additive manufacturing especially three-dimensional (3-D) printing technology offers a promising avenue for the efficient and precise fabrication of multi-functional low-weight and high-strength nanocomposites. In contemporary discourse, there is a notable emphasis on carbon-based nanomaterials as nanofillers for structural composites due to their substantial specific surface area and exceptional load-bearing ability in mechanical structures...

Despite the prevalence of discharge of large volumes of heavy-metal-bearing seawater from coal-fired power plants into adjacent seas, studies on the associated ecological risks remain limited. This study continuously monitored concentrations of seven heavy metals (i.e. As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn) in surface seawater near the outfall of a coal-fired power plant in Qingdao, China over three years. The results showed average concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn of 2.63, 0.33, 2.97, 4.63, 0.008, 0...

In recent times, self-assembled electron transport materials for optoelectronic devices, both solar cells and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), have been gaining much interest as they help in fabricating high-efficiency devices. However, designing organic small molecular materials with star-shaped self-assembled networks is a challenge. To achieve this sort of target, we chose triazine and benzene-1,3,5-tricarbonyl cores for developing such architecture, and we developed four molecular systems, viz TCpCN, TCmCN, TmCN, and TpCN...

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune condition that causes non-scarring hair loss on the scalp or other hair-bearing surfaces. Various signalling molecules regulate the hair cycle and hair follicle regeneration. These include genes, growth factors, nuclear receptors, cytokines, and subcellular signalling pathways. Growth factors can cause the vascular endothelium and dermal fibroblasts to proliferate, extend the anagen phase, and delay the initiation of catagen in the hair follicle, thereby promoting hair growth...

Arsenopyrite and pyrite often coexist in metal deposits and tailings, thus simultaneous bioleaching of both sulfides has economic (as well as environmental) significance. Important targets in bio-oxidation operations are high solubilization rates and minimized accumulation of Fe(III)/As-bearing secondary products. This study investigated the role of pyrite bioleaching in the enhancement of arsenopyrite dissolution. At a pyrite to arsenopyrite mass ratio of 1:1, 93.6% of As and 93.0% of Fe were solubilized. The results show that pyrite bio-oxidation can promote arsenopyrite dissolution, enhance S0 bio-oxidation, and inhibit the formation of jarosites, tooeleite, and amorphous ferric arsenate...

Diabetes is a major global health concern, with millions of annual deaths. Monitoring glucose levels is vital for clinical management, and urine samples offer a noninvasive alternative to blood samples. Optical techniques for urine glucose sensing have gained notable traction due to their cost-effectiveness and portability. Among these methods, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has attracted considerable attention thanks to its remarkable sensitivity and multiplexing capabilities. However, challenges remain in achieving reliable quantification through SERS...

Conventional chemotherapy and poor targeted delivery in brain cancer resulting to poor treatment and develop resistance to anticancer drugs. Meanwhile, it is quite challenging to diagnose/detection of brain tumor at early stage of cancer which resulting in severity of the disease. Despite extensive research, effective treatment with real-time imaging still remains completely unavailable, yet. In this study, two brain cancer cell specific moieties i.e., AS1411 aptamer and RGD are decorated on the surface of chitosan-PLGA nanoparticles to improve targeted co-delivery of docetaxel (DTX) and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) for effective brain tumor therapy and real-time imaging...

BACKGROUND: Patients with moderate to severe hallux valgus (HV) sometimes exhibit second metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint dislocation. Second MTP joint instability due to plantar plate (PP) injury has been suggested as one of the causes. However, there have been no reports that quantitatively evaluate this instability. This study aimed to evaluate second MTP joint instability in patients with HV without dislocation via ultrasonography and investigate its relationship with the presence of PP injury or foot form...

BACKGROUND: The Philippines bears health and economic burden caused by high dengue cases annually. Presently, the Philippines still lack an effective and sustainable vector management. The use of Wolbachia , a maternally transmitted bacterium, that mitigate arbovirus transmission has been recommended. Cytoplasmic incompatibility and viral blocking, two characteristics that make Wolbachia suitable for vector control, depend on infection prevalence and density. There are no current Wolbachia release programs in the Philippines, and studies regarding the safety of this intervention...

Given the safety, tumor tropism, and ease of genetic manipulation in non-pathogenic Escherichia coli ( E. coli ), we designed a novel approach to deliver biologics to overcome poor trafficking and exhaustion of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, via the surface display of key immune-activating cytokines on the outer membrane of E. coli K-12 DH5α. Bacteria expressing murine decoy-resistant IL18 mutein (DR18) induced robust CD8 + T and NK cell-dependent immune responses leading to dramatic tumor control, extending survival, and curing a significant proportion of immune-competent mice with colorectal carcinoma and melanoma...

We explored the potential of overcoming the dense interstitial barrier in pancreatic cancer treatment by enhancing the uptake of hydrophilic chemotherapeutic drugs. In this study, we synthesized the squalenoyl-chidamide prodrug (SQ-CHI), linking lipophilic squalene (SQ) with the hydrophilic antitumor drug chidamide (CHI) through a trypsin-responsive bond. Self-assembled nanoparticles with sigma receptor-bound aminoethyl anisamide (AEAA) modification, forming AEAA-PEG-SQ-CHI NPs (A-C NPs, size 116.6 ± 0...

INTRODUCTION: Humeral shaft and distal humerus fractures have several different treatment options, including plate fixation and intramedullary nailing. Each has its own benefits, but typically, they are not used in conjunction. While nail-plate combinations (NPCs) have become more common in the lower extremity, literature on their use in upper extremity fractures remains scarce. CASE REPORT: A 74-year-old right-hand dominant male presented after a fall with a closed left transverse midshaft humerus fracture and an associated supracondylar distal humerus fracture with intercondylar extension through a medial column...

Spherical Ag particles have received considerable attention because of their unique properties as well as their applications in various fields. In the present study, the synthesis of micrometer-scale spherical Ag particles with an extremely narrow size distribution is demonstrated using a simple capacitively coupled atmospheric-pressure plasma reactor with an inkjet head. Droplets of a Ag nitrate aqueous solution are ejected from the inkjet head to synthesize Ag particles. The gaseous temperature in the reactor is adjusted such that Ag can be melted with a negligibly small vapor pressure...

Sunlight penetrates the ice surfaces of glaciers and ice sheets, forming a water-bearing porous ice matrix known as the weathering crust. This crust is home to a significant microbial community. Despite the potential implications of microbial processes in the weathering crust for glacial melting, biogeochemical cycles, and downstream ecosystems, there have been few explorations of its microbial communities. In our study, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun metagenomics of a Svalbard glacier surface catchment to characterise the microbial communities within the weathering crust, their origins and destinies, and the functional potential of the weathering crust metagenome...

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this project was to develop and validate a patient-specific, anatomically correct graft for cartilage restoration using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data and 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology. The specific aim was to test the accuracy of a novel method for 3D printing and implanting individualized, anatomically shaped bio-scaffolds to treat cartilage defects in a human cadaveric model. We hypothesized that an individualized, anatomic 3D printed scaffold designed from MRI data would provide a more optimal fill for a large cartilage defect compared to a generic flat scaffold...