Terbium Vanadate Nanowires-Based Electrochemical Sensors for Mercury Ions.

Terbium vanadate nanowires were synthesized via a facile chemical approach using sodium vanadate and terbium chloride. Morphology, structure, composition, and electrochemical characteristics of the terbium vanadate nanowires were investigated by different techniques. Terbium vanadate nanowires with single crystalline tetragonal TbVO4 phase possess smooth surface and flat tips. The length of the nanowires is longer than 5 µm, and diameter is 40-100 nm. Terbium vanadate nanowires modified electrode was used for trace-level mercury ions (Hg2+) detection. One well-defined stripping peak exists at - 0.34 V at the terbium vanadate nanowires modified electrode in 0.1 mM Hg2+ solution. Buffer solution pH value, deposition time, deposition potential, and standing time are pH = 1, 150 s, - 1.5 V, and 60 s, respectively. Detection limit for Hg2+ detection is 0.18 nM, and linear range is 0.01-100 µM. The proposed terbium vanadate nanowires modified electrode exhibits significant selectivity, stability, and reproducibility toward Hg2+. The usefulness of the developed sensor based on the terbium vanadate nanowires modified electrode was verified by Hg2+ detection in real samples.

Scientometric Research on Trend Analysis of Nano-Based Sustained Drug Release Systems for Wound Healing.

Nanomaterials, such as the nanoparticle (NP), nanomicelle, nanoscaffold, and nano-hydrogel, have been researched as nanocarriers for drug delivery more and more recently. Nano-based drug sustained release systems (NDSRSs) have been used in many medical fields, especially wound healing. However, as we know, no scientometric analysis has been seen on applying NDSRSs in wound healing, which could be of great importance to the relevant researchers. This study collected publications from 1999 to 2022 related to NDSRSs in wound healing from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database. We employed scientometric methods to comprehensively analyze the dataset from different perspectives using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix. The results indicated that China published the most significant number of documents in the last two decades, Islamic Azad Univ was the most productive institution, and Jayakumar, R was the most influential author. Regarding the analysis of keywords, trend topics indicate that "antibacterial", "chitosan (CS)", "scaffold", "hydrogel", "silver nanoparticle", and "growth factors (GFs)" are the hot topics in recent years. We anticipate that our work will provide a comprehensive overview of research in this field and help scholars better understand the research hotspots and frontiers in this area, thus inspiring further explorations in the future.

Cold atmospheric plasma induces apoptosis in human colon and lung cancer cells through modulating mitochondrial pathway.

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is an emerging and promising oncotherapy with considerable potential and advantages that traditional treatment modalities lack. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of plasma-inhibited proliferation and plasma-induced apoptosis on human lung cancer and colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Piezobrush® PZ2, a handheld CAP unit based on the piezoelectric direct discharge technology, was used to generate and deliver non-thermal plasma. Firstly, CAPPZ2 treatment inhibited the proliferation of HT29 colorectal cancer cells and A549 lung cancer cells using CCK8 assay, caused morphological changes at the cellular and subcellular levels using transmission electron microscopy, and suppressed both types of tumor cell migration and invasion using the Transwell migration and Matrigel invasion assay. Secondly, we confirmed plasma-induced apoptosis in the HT29 and A549 cells using the AO/EB staining coupled with flow cytometry, and verified the production of apoptosis-related proteins, such as cytochrome c, PARP, cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9, Bcl-2 and Bax, using western blotting. Finally, the aforementioned in vitro results were tested in vivo using cell-derived xenograft mouse models, and the anticancer effect was confirmed and attributed to CAP-mediated apoptosis. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the expression of cleaved caspase-9, caspase-3, PARP and Bax were upregulated whereas that of Bcl-2 downregulated after CAP treatment. These findings collectively suggest that the activation of the mitochondrial pathway is involved during CAPPZ2-induced apoptosis of human colon and lung cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Epigenetic Regulation in Knee Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complicated disease with both hereditary and environmental causes. Despite an increase in reports of possible OA risk loci, it has become clear that genetics is not the sole cause of osteoarthritis. Epigenetics, which can be triggered by environmental influences and result in transcriptional alterations, may have a role in OA pathogenesis. The majority of recent research on the epigenetics of OA has been focused on DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNAs. However, this study will explore epigenetic regulation in OA at the present stage. How genetics, environmental variables, and epigenetics interact will be researched, shedding light for future studies. Their possible interaction and control processes open up new avenues for the development of innovative osteoarthritis treatment and diagnostic techniques.

Controllable synthesis of BiPr composite oxide nanowires electrocatalyst for sensitive L-cysteine sensing properties.

BiPr composite oxide nanowires with rhombodedral Bi1.35Pr0.65O3, monoclinic Bi2O3and monoclinic Pr5O9phases were synthesized via a facile sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) assisted hydrothermal route. The obtained nanowires were characterized by x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements. The BiPr composite oxide nanowires possess poly-crystalline structure, semi-circular tips, diameter and length of 20-100 nm and several micrometers, respectively. SDS is essential for the formation of the BiPr composite oxide nanowires which can be explained by a SDS assisted hydrothermal growth process. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows that the electrons are easier to transfer by the surface of the BiPr composite oxide nanowires modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) than bare GCE. The BiPr composite oxide nanowires modified GCE possesses good electro-catalytic activity for L-cysteine detection with a pair of quasi-reversible cyclic voltammetry peaks at +0.04 V and -0.72 V for the oxidation and reduction of L-cysteine, respectively. The roles of the scan rate, electrolyte species and L-cysteine concentration on the electrochemical responses of L-cysteine at the nanowires modified GCE were systematically analyzed. The BiPr composite oxide nanowires modified GCE presents a linear response range from 0.001 to 2 mM and detection limit of 0.27µM, good reproducibility and stability.

Preliminary Study on Immediate Postoperative CT Images and Values of the Modular Polyetheretherketone Based Total Knee Arthroplasty: An Observational First-in-Human Trial.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is now frequently performed and is highly successful. However, patient satisfaction after TKA is often difficult to achieve. Because of the presence of metallic prosthetic knee joints, there is a lack of imaging tools that can accurately assess the patient's postoperative prosthetic position, soft tissue impingement, and periprosthetic bone density after TKA. We conducted a clinical trial of the world's first totally modular polyetheretherketone (PEEK) TKA and determined the bone density values in the stress concentration area around the prosthesis based on postoperative computed tomography data to reconstruct a three-dimensional model of the PEEK prosthetic knee joint after implantation. Based on the model, the overhang of the prosthesis was measured at various locations on the prosthesis. METHODS: All patients who underwent PEEK-based TKA were postoperatively assessed with radiography and computed tomography (CT). Hounsfield units (HUs) for the different components of the quantitative CT assessment were measured separately. RESULTS: Ten patients (nine female and one male) aged 59-74 (mean 66.9, median 67) years were included. The HU values were as follows: PEEK prosthesis mean 182.95, standard deviation (SD) 4.90, coefficient of variation (CV) 2.68; polyethylene mean -89.41, SD 4.14, CV -4.63; lateral femoral osteochondral mean 192.19, SD 55.05, CV 28.64; lateral tibial osteochondral mean 122.94, SD 62.14, CV 42.86; medial femoral osteophyte mean 180.76, SD 43.48, CV 24.05; and medial tibial osteophyte mean 282.59, SD 69.28, CV 24.52. Analysis of the data at 1, 3, and 6 months showed that the mean PE (p = 0.598) and PEEK (p = 0.916) measurements did not change with the time of measurement. There was a decrease in bone mineral density in the lateral tibia at 3 months (p = 0.044). Otherwise, there was no significant change in bone density in other regions (p = 0.124-0.803). There was no overhang in all femoral prostheses, whereas there were two cases of overhang in tibial prostheses. Overhang measurements do not differ significantly across time points. The overhang measurements were not significantly different at all time points (p = 0.186-0.967). CONCLUSION: PEEK knee joint prosthesis has excellent CT compatibility. The change in periprosthetic bone volume during the follow-up period can be determined using the HU value after CT scan, while the prosthesis position can be assessed. This assessment may potentially guide future improvements in knee prosthesis alignment techniques and artificial knee prosthesis designs.

A modified method for elastic properties of nanowires based on surface effect.

In this paper, a modified method for predicting surface effect parameters based on experimental data is developed using the surface effect theory. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanowires with diameters in a range of 100 nm - 320 nm are manufactured by electrospinning. The data of the effective elastic moduli of PAN nanowire varying with diameters are obtained by experimenting with contact atomic-force microscopy (C-AFM). It was found that the effective Young's modulus of nanowires increased with the diameter of the nanowires decreases. The validity of the method in this paper are confirmed by comparing with the existing work. By taking into account the effect of surface energy on the bending, the deviation of the prediction of surface effect parameters in the existing work is solved. The current results will also be useful for predicting nanowire surface effect parameters and be helpful for the design of nanostructures and nanodevices related to nanowires.

Regulation of DMT1 on autophagy and apoptosis in osteoblast.

Iron overload has recently been associated with the changes in the bone microstructure that occur in osteoporosis. However, the effect of iron overload on osteoblasts is unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the function of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) in the pathological processes of osteoporosis. Osteoblast hFOB1.19 cells were cultured in medium supplemented with different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 µmol/L) of ferric ammonium citrate (FAC) as a donor of ferric ions. We used western blotting and immunofluorescence to determine the levels of DMT1 after treatment with FAC. Apoptosis was evaluated by detecting the levels of cleaved caspase 3, BCL2, and BAX with western blotting. Autophagy was evaluated by detecting the levels of LC3 with western blotting and immunofluorescence. Beclin-1 expression was also assessed with western blotting. The autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine was used to determine whether autophagy affects the apoptosis induced by FAC. Our results show that FAC increased the levels of DMT1, upregulated the expression of BCL2, and downregulated the apoptosis-related proteins cleaved caspase 3 and BAX. Both LC3I/LC3II levels and beclin-1 were also increased, indicating that FAC increases the accumulation of autophagosomes in hFOB1.19 cells. FAC-induced autophagy was increased by the apoptosis inhibitor 3-MA but was reduced in DMT1 shRNA hFOB1.19 cells. These results suggest that the increased expression of DMT1 induces iron overload and iron overload induces osteoblast autophagy and apoptosis, thus affecting the pathological processes of osteoporosis. Clarifying the mechanisms underlying the effects of DMT1 will allow the identification of novel targets for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

[Treatment and analysis of the early postoperative complications of tibial plateau fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To analysis the early complications of tibial fracture and its related factors, and propose a solution. METHODS: From December 2003 to December 2013,38 patients with early complications of tibial plateau fracture after operation were retrospectively analyzed. There were 35 males and 3 females, aged from 37 to 69 years old (averaged 42.3 years). According to Schatzker classification, 3 cases were classified as type II, 2 cases as type III, 2 cases as type IV, 19 cases as type V, 12 cases as type VI. The intervals between injury and operation ranged from 9 hours to 9 days, 26 cases within 3 days. Fifteen cases were treated with internal fixation of plates and 23 were treated by plate fixation and bone transplantation. Early complications included skin necrosis in 15 cases, infection in 6 cases, osteofascial compartment syndrome in 3 cases, common peroneal nerve injury in 2 cases, the superficial peroneal nerve injury in 3 cases, popliteal artery injury in 2 cases, loss of reduction in 7 cases. RESULTS: The wound of 14 cases healed at the first stage and 24 cases healed delay. Hospitalization days ranged from 7 to 67 days (averaged 25.6 days). All patients were followed up for 12 to 36 months with an average of 16.4 months. The fracture healing time ranged from 3 to 9 months (averaged 6.9 months). According to Merchant knee function evaluation criteria, the results were excellent in 19 cases, good in 12, fair in 5 and poor in 2. CONCLUSION: Early complications of tibial fracture after operation is closely associated with the severe fracture complexity and related with preoperative preparation, surgical timing, operation incision selection and surgical technique. Early detection and timely processing reduce damage.

Role of orthopyroxene in rheological weakening of the lithosphere via dynamic recrystallization.

For plate tectonics to operate on a terrestrial planet, the surface layer (the lithosphere) must have a modest strength (Earth, ≤ 200 MPa), but a standard strength profile based on olivine far exceeds this threshold value. Consequently, it is essential to identify mechanisms that reduce the strength of the lithosphere on Earth. Here we report results of high-strain laboratory deformation experiments on a representative olivine-orthopyroxene composition that show the addition of orthopyroxene substantially reduces the strength in the ductile regime within a certain temperature window. The reduction in strength is associated with the formation of small orthopyroxene and olivine grains. Our samples show heterogeneous microstructures similar to those observed in natural peridotites in shear zones: fine-grained regions containing both orthopyroxene and olivine that form interconnected bands where a large fraction of strain is accommodated. A model is developed to apply these results to geological conditions. Such a model, combined with our experimental observations, suggests that orthopyroxene may play a key role in the plastic deformation of the lithosphere in a critical temperature range, leading to long-term weakening associated with strain localization in the lithosphere.

[Experimental study of Gukangling Decoction combined with technetium [99Tc] methylene diphosphonate injection in treating osteoporotic rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the advantage of Gukangling Decoction (GKLD), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, combined with technetium [(99)Tc] methylene diphosphonate injection ((99)Tc-MDP) in treating osteoporosis in rabbits. METHODS: A rabbit model of osteoporosis was established by intramuscular injection of dexamethasone (DX). Fifty-six rabbits were divided into 8 groups: Group A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H. Rabbits in groups A and B were intramuscularly injected normal saline as normal control, groups C and D were untreated groups, rabbits in group E were treated by (99)-MDP, rabbits in group F were treated by aminodiphosphate, rabbits in group G were treated by GKLD, and rabbits in group H were treated by (99)-MDP and GKLD. Rabbits in groups A and C were executed to demonstrate the establishment of the rabbit model of osteoporosis at the 8th week of experiment. Rabbits in the other six groups were executed after 16-week experiment (8-week treatment), and then bone structure and cell shape were observed by electron microscope, X-ray, CT and emission computed tomography (ECT). Bone density, biomechanical parameters, the levels of bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and bone Gla protein (BGP) were measured too. RESULTS: After 8-week of intramuscular injection of DX, the bone trabecula in group A were regular and showed normal configuration, while the bone trabecula in group C were sparse, ruptured and showed damaged form. The bone density and biomechanical parameters in group A were higher than those in group C, indicating that the rabbit model of osteoporosis was established successfully. At the 9th week of experiment, the results of cell pathology in group D showed that the bone trabeculas were sparse, ruptured, defected or had hollow section, but the bone trabeculas in group B were regular and dense. The bone trabeculas in groups H and E were restored, and were thicker than those in group D. The bone quality in groups H and E was better than group D significantly, the bone quality in group F was better than group G, and the bone quality in group G was better than group D slightly. CONCLUSION: GKLD combined with (99)-MDP had superiority in treating osteoporosis of rabbits as compared with the respective single therapy.