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The oblique corner joints (OCJ) of wood-frame furniture doors crack easily during common usage due to external loads or changes in temperature and humidity. Aiming to solve this technology issue, the effects of the selected factors, i.e., material type (MT), diameter of dowel hole (DDH), moisture content of dowel (MCD), and distance between two dowels (DTD), on the diagonal tensile strength of the oblique corner joint (OCJ), were investigated experimentally and optimized based on the response surface method. The results showed that there were two typical mechanical behaviors of OCJs when subjected to diagonal tensile loads, according to load and displacement curves and failure modes. The critical crack strength, Fc, and ultimate strength, Fu, of samples made of heat-treated alder were smaller than those of samples made of control alder. DDH had a significant effect on Fc but not on Fu, while the effect of DTD on both Fc and Fu was significant. The Fc defined in this study was a better indicator for evaluating the crack load resistance of OCJs than Fu. The OCJs constructed by double dowels were significantly greater than those of single dowels. The optimal parameters for constructing the OCJs were obtained: MT was the control wood material, DDH was 7.8 mm, double dowels with a DTD of 27 mm, and the MCD should be higher than that of the base material.

Introduction: Maternal immune activation (MIA) is closely related to the onset of autism-like behaviors in offspring, but the mechanism remains unclear. Maternal behaviors can influence offspring’s development and behaviors, as indicated in both human and animal studies. We hypothesized that abnormal maternal behaviors in MIA dams might be other factors leading to delayed development and abnormal behaviors in offspring.Methods: To verify our hypothesis, we analyzed poly(I:C)-induced MIA dam’s postpartum maternal behavior and serum levels of several hormones related to maternal behavior. Pup’s developmental milestones and early social communication were recorded and evaluated in infancy. Other behavioral tests, including three-chamber test, self-grooming test, open field test, novel object recognition test, rotarod test and maximum grip test, were performed in adolescence of pups.Results: Our results showed that MIA dams exhibit abnormal static nursing behavior but normal basic care and dynamic nursing behavior. The serum levels of testosterone and arginine vasopressin in MIA dams were significantly reduced compared with control dams. The developmental milestones, including pinna detachment, incisor eruption and eye opening, were significantly delayed in MIA offspring compared with control offspring, while the weight and early social communication showed no significant differences between the two groups. Behavioral tests performed in adolescence showed that only male MIA offspring display elevated self-grooming behaviors and reduced maximum grip.Discussion: In conclusion, MIA dams display abnormal postpartum static nursing behavior concomitantly with reduced serum levels of testosterone and arginine vasopressin, possibly involving in the pathogenesis of delayed development and elevated self-grooming in male offspring. These findings hint that improving dam’s postpartum maternal behavior might be a potential regime to counteract delayed development and elevated self-grooming in male MIA offspring.

A osteoartrite é a doença articular crônica mais prevalente no mundo. De natureza degenerativa e inflamatória, é considerada uma das dez principais afecções causadoras de incapacidade que acometem a população mundial. Sua incidência é maior nas pessoas acima de 50 anos de idade, comprometendo a qualidade de vida, gerando prejuízos diretos e indiretos à economia. Dentre todas as articulações possíveis de desenvolverem esta doença, o joelho é o segmento mais comumente afetado. Normalmente, manifesta-se com dor de início insidioso e gradativo, e que muitas vezes está acompanhada de rigidez articular e perda funcional. A Acupuntura é uma opção terapêutica não farmacológica descrita na literatura, no entanto sua eficácia no tratamento dessa condição específica ainda é controversa. O objetivo deste trabalho é de contribuir com a literatura mundial no que diz respeito à eficácia da Acupuntura na osteoartrite de joelho, e investigar se há algum incremento de benefício, quando associado ao uso da Ventosaterapia. Cento e vinte pacientes aguardando tratamento cirúrgico do ambulatório de joelho do IOT-HCFMUSP foram convidados para participarem do projeto. Foram aplicados os critérios de inclusão e exclusão, e os que aceitaram assinaram o Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido (TCLE), e posteriormente foram alocados nos grupos existentes: Grupo A Acupuntura Sham + Ventosa Sham; Grupo B - Acupuntura Sham + Ventosa Verdadeira; Grupo C - Acupuntura Verdadeira + Ventosa Sham; Grupo D Acupuntura Verdadeira + Ventosa Verdadeira. Foram utilizados os questionários de Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) que avaliam dor, rigidez e funcionalidade, e também foi registrada a quantidade de analgésicos e/ou anti-inflamatórios utilizada durante o período da pesquisa. A combinação da Acupuntura com a Ventosaterapia demonstrou melhora dos níveis de dor (EVA) e diminuição da quantidade do uso de medicamentos para dor dos pacientes com osteoartrite avançada do joelho Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent chronic joint disease in the world. As degenerative and inflammatory nature, it is considered one of the 10 main disabling conditions that affects the world population. Its incidence is higher in people over 50 years old, compromising the quality of life, causing direct and indirect damage to the economy. Among all the possible joints to develop this disease, the knee is the most commonly affected segment. It usually presents with pain of insidious and gradual onset, which is often accompanied by joint stiffness and functional loss. Acupuncture is a non- pharmacological therapeutic option described in the literature, however, its efficacy in the treatment of this specific condition is still controversial. The objective of this work is to contribute to the world literature regarding the effectiveness of Acupuncture in knee osteoarthritis, and if there is any increase in benefit when associated with the use of Cupping Therapy. 120 patients waiting for surgical treatment from the knee outpatient clinic of the IOT-HCFMUSP were invited to participate in the project. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and those who accepted signed an informed consent form (ICF), and later allocated to the existing groups: A. Group A Acupuncture Sham + Cupping Sham; B. Group B - Acupuncture Sham+ True Cupping; C. Group C - True Acupuncture + Cupping Sham; D. Group D True Acupuncture + True Cupping. The Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire was used, which assesses pain, stiffness and functionality, and the number of analgesics and/or anti-inflammatory drugs used during the research period was also recorded. The combination of Acupuncture with Cupping Therapy demonstrated pain improvement by Visual Analogue Score (VAS) and decrease the amount of pain medication used by patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis

Background/purpose Several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) harbor miRNA in their genome. MIR31HG harbors miR-31 in its intron and it is speculated that they are co-expressed in tumors. This study addressed whether frequent miR-31 and MIR31HG co-upregulation occurred in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its clinical implications. Materials and methods Microarray was performed to retrieve dis-regulated lncRNAs from tissue sample. The ectopic gene expression was carried out to specify the phenotypic influences of selected lncRNA screened from bioinformatic algorithms. The expression of miR-31 and MIR31HG in tissues or scrapped samples was analyzed using qRT-PCR. The implications of gene expression as related to metastasis or survival were further dissected. Results Microarray identified disrupted transcripts including MIR31HG and other 152 lncRNAs aberrantly expressed in OSCC tissues. In silico algorithms annotated an eminent involvement of aberrant transcripts in the regulation of cell cycle, extracellular modulation, adhesion, and wound healing. The enhancement of proliferation, wound healing, invasion and anchorage-independent colony formation mediated by MIR31HG was ascertained by ectopic expression in OECM1 cells. Besides, co-upregulation of miR-31 and MIR31HG was conspicuous in OSCC tissues. High expression of miR-31 and MIR31HG designated a trend of worse OSCC prognosis. Interestingly, high MIR31HG expression defined a very poor survival in stage IV diseases. By contrast, high miR-31 expression predicted nodal metastasis in stage I–III diseases. Conclusion Assessment of miR-31 and MIR31HG expression in OSCC may enable the prognostic prediction. The candidate lncRNAs isolated from this work can be further validated as crucial factors contributing to OSCC pathogenesis.

Background/purpose MicroRNA (miRNA) alterations play important roles in the neoplastic process of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Upregulation of miR-10b and miR-372 and downregulation of miR-375 are frequent events in OSCC. The aberrances of these miRNAs in oral potentially malignant lesions (OPMD) were studied to determine their status during the establishment of OSCC. Materials and methods Cytobrushed sampling was used to collect epithelial cells from 11 OSCC and 34 OPMD lesions and matched normal mucosa. The expression levels of miR-10b, miR-372, and miR-375 were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. The clinical implications of these aberrances were further investigated. Results Both miR-10b and miR-372 were upregulated in OPMD, but only miR-10b expression was upregulated in OSCC comparing to control. miR-375 was downregulated in OPMD and tended to be downregulated in OSCC. Dysplastic OPMD could be distinguished based on miR-372 expression level; miR-375 expression levels facilitated discrimination between OPMD and OSCC. The combined analysis of miR-375 and miR-372 remarkably enhanced the accuracy of differentiating OPMD from OSCC. Conclusion Aberrant miR-10b. miR-372, and miR-375 expression occurs early during oral carcinogenesis. The detection of miR-372 and miR-375 expression using cytobrush samples may assist in differentiating between OPMD and OSCC.

Herein, we report for the first time a facile strategy for the highly efficient (NH4)xCs1-xPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs). By modulating the amount of ammonium, (NH4)xCs1-xPbBr3 QDs with different photoluminescence (PL) quantum yields (QY) were synthesized. The results of X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that the crystal structure of (NH4)xCs1-xPbBr3 was altered by incorporation of NH4+ cations into the CsPbBr3 lattice. The (NH4)xCs1-xPbBr3 QDs showed enhanced PL QY, higher photostability, and long-term storage stability compared to CsPbBr3 QDs. Furthermore, (NH4)xCs1-xPbBr3 QDs could be conjugated with a photothermal dye (IR780) via a one-pot reaction using poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) and IR780-MPTS. To the best of our knowledge, the present work is the first attempt integrating perovskite QDs and phototherapeutic molecules into one system (abbreviated as PQD-IR780), demonstrating good water dispersibility and high photothermal conversion efficiency of 57.85%. In vitro experiments performed to examine subcellular uptake showed high fluorescence brightness was observed in HeLa, B16F1, and HepG2 cancer cells cultured with PQD-IR780. The results indicate that the internalization mechanism for uptaking of PQD-IR780 inside HeLa cells is energy-dependent and caveolin-mediated endocytosis. The in vitro cell viability assays and photothermal therapy revealed that PQD-IR780 showed good biocompatibility and can induce hyperthermia upon laser irradiation.