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). The mechanical properties of the agarose/p-BNNT composite films surpass those of conventional commodity plastics. When the p-BNNT concentration increased, the neutron linear attenuation coefficient of the composite film increases from 0.574 ± 0.010 to 0.765 ± 0.062 mm-1, which is comparable to that of conventional rigid shielding materials. In particular, the addition of 10 wt % p-BNNTs to agarose results in excellent form-factor flexibility, neutron shielding, and mechanical properties, thus rendering it a promising candidate for the nuclear industry.

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. The primary outcome was emotion-related rating scales, and the secondary outcomes were total effectiveness rate, quality of life, clinical pregnancy rate, and adverse events. Twelve randomized controlled trials involving 1930 participants were included. A meta-analysis of these studies indicated that, as compared to the control treatment, acupuncture significantly improved the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Self-rating Anxiety Scale, Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale, and Self-rating Depression Scale scores, which were the primary emotion-related outcomes. Furthermore, the meta-analysis demonstrated that acupuncture treatment had a significant effect on the clinical pregnancy rate, which was the secondary outcome. No adverse events were reported in any of the studies. Our findings demonstrate the potential of acupuncture for treating emotional problems in women with infertility. However, well-designed and high-quality randomized clinical trials are required to confirm the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment. The protocol of the current study was registered in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42020166119).

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). We searched eight electronic databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of herbal medicines on puerperal wind syndrome. Nine RCTs, including 652 patients, were selected. Following a meta-analysis of RCTs, both herbal medicine and combination treatments improved the visual analog scale scores, total effective rate, scores of Traditional Chinese Medicine syndromes, Oswestry Disability Index, and quality of life in patients with role-emotional puerperal wind syndrome. All adverse events were minor, and the incidence rate was not high compared with that of the control group. In conclusion, herbal medicine supports the improvement in pain, other systemic symptoms, and the quality of life of patients with puerperal wind syndrome. Moreover, no serious side effects were observed; therefore, herbal medicines appear to be safe. It can be the preferred treatment option for puerperal wind syndrome, which is currently managed symptomatically.

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 via a two-step evaporation method. The surfactant was utilized for two different purposes, i.e., surface modification of the AuNPs to control their interfacial energy and as a template material for the formation of the superlattice. Depending on the size and concentration of the AuNPs, the mixture of AuNPs and surfactant self-assembled into three types of BNSLs, including CaF2, AlB2, and NaZn13, which were sensitive to temperature. This study is the first demonstration of the temperature- and particle size-dependent control of BNSLs in the bulk state without the covalent functionalization of NPs via a simple two-step solvent 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. As the temperature and concentration of PE6200 (as an additive) increased, the Pluronic P65/PE6200 copolymer blends sequentially self-assembled into an isotropic micellar-hexagonal-isotropic micellar or isotropic micellar-hexagonal-isotropic micellar-lamellar phase, which is a discontinuous ordered phase (called a closed looplike phase transition), and their phase transition temperature could be controlled. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a closed looplike phase transition of Pluronic block copolymer blends in aqueous solution, which can be easily applied to nanosized templates for temperature-selective highly ordered structures and optical devices such as optoelectronics or optical sensors.

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.e., it exerts a confinement effect and restricts the movement of AuNPs). Small-angle X-ray scattering studies revealed that AuNPs of different sizes assembled differently in the same confined geometry of the vesicular wall. In addition, optimal conditions for the formation of a regular NP array in the hydrophobic domain were determined. The AuNPs successfully self-assembled into a regular 2D lattice structure, forming a shell around the vesicle, when their size matched the thickness of the hydrophobic domain of the vesicular nanostructure. This study provides guidelines for the fabrication of nanoparticle arrays with controlled structures, which could enhance the functionality of materials and their physical properties.

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. The AuNPs in the block copolymer template, which has the closed looplike phase behavior upon heating, self-assembled into the highly ordered body centered cubic (BCC) or face centered cubic (FCC) structures at a specific temperature region that means a temperature-selective responsiveness. The formation of highly ordered self-assembled superlattices (BCC or FCC symmetries) of AuNPs with the closed looplike phase behavior was controlled by the additive and temperature. This study is the first demonstration for temperature-selective response of the cooperative self-assembly of AuNPs in the block copolymer 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. Eleven RCTs with 667 patients that used three acupuncture points (ST6, ST7, and LI4) were included. Two RCTs reported significant effects of EA plus microwave treatment compared with EA treatment alone on the total effectiveness rate (TER) for TMD. Further, two studies reported that compared with ultrashort wave alone, EA plus ultrashort wave had a significant effect on the TER for TMD and visual analog scale. All RCTs did not report adverse events. Our findings demonstrated the positive potential of EA in TMD management. However, there was weak evidence regarding EA use for TMD management given the poor quality and small sample sizes of the included studies. In the future, well-designed RCTs are required. It is necessary to investigate clinical trials and systematic reviews to compare the effectiveness and safety of EA and acupuncture for TMD.

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. This protocol aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for treating emotional problems in infertile women. METHODS: We will search the following databases from their inception to April 30, 2021: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Korean Medical Databases (KoreaMed, Korean studies Information Service System, Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System, Research Information Sharing Service, and National Digital Science Library), and Chinese databases (CNKI and Wan Fang Database). We will include randomized controlled trials on acupuncture for emotional problems in infertile women. There will be no restrictions regarding language or publication date. The primary outcome will be assessed using an emotion-related assessment scale. The risk of bias of the included studies will be measured using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. For meta-analysis, RevMan Version 5.4 software will be used to combine the relative risks for dichotomous outcomes, as well as the mean differences or standardized mean differences for continuous outcomes, with both having 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Based on current evidence, this study will assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for emotional problems in infertile women. CONCLUSION: This study will provide evidence for evaluating the acupuncture efficacy for infertile women with emotional problems. REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202150082.

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. The objective of this study was to outline studies using toxic animal-based medicinal materials (TMM) as endometriosis treatment and to explore its clinical applicability. Preclinical and clinical studies using TMM were searched for in four databases from inception to October 2020. A total of 20 studies of TMM on endometriosis were included. In eight clinical studies, herbal medicines containing TMM were effective in relieving symptoms of endometriosis, with no side effects. In twelve experimental studies, the main therapeutic mechanisms of TMM against endometriosis were proapoptotic, antiangiogenesis, estrogen level-reducing, and possible anti-inflammatory effects. TMM are thus considered promising sources for the development of an effective treatment method for endometriosis. Further studies are needed to clarify the therapeutic mechanism of TMM against endometriosis and to provide sufficient grounds for clinical application.

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. Depending on the temperature and additive, Pluronic P65 block copolymer with a lower molecular weight showed the closed loop-like (CLL) phase behavior with the disorder-order-disorder-order phase transition in aqueous solution, whereas Pluronic P105 and P85 block copolymers with higher molecular weights underwent highly ordered continuous phase transitions with face centered cubic (FCC), hexagonal, and lamellar phases. It is expected that the specific phase behavior of the block copolymer/additive complex can be applied in optical devices such as nanotemplates or optical sensors for a highly ordered superlattice. Furthermore, this study provides a new route to control the phase behavior of the block copolymers without a complicated process.

Fabrication of Noncovalently Functionalized Boron Nitride Nanotubes with High Stability and Water-Redispersibility.

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have attracted significant interest because of the remarkable difference in their physical properties compared with carbon nanotubes and their far-reaching potential applications, including electrical insulators; thermally conducting, catalytic, and piezoelectric materials; and neutron absorbers. Despite their unique physical properties, the bundling and insolubility of BNNTs in water because of its substantial van der Waals attraction and hydrophobicity, respectively, give rise to many limitations in practical applications. Here, we present a new way to produce a highly stable BNNT dispersion by the noncovalent functionalization of the BNNT surface in water. The noncovalently functionalized BNNTs (p-BNNTs) have been found to be highly stable in water for a long time (>1 year) and easily water-redispersible by mild vortex mixing for a few minutes even after freeze-drying at -45 °C. The p-BNNTs were cylindrically encapsulated with polymerizable surfactants (BNNT diameter = ca. 3 nm and surfactant thickness = 0.8 nm).

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. Staphylococcus aureus grew in both pericardial fluid and blood. Although an aggressive medical treatment including intravenous antibiotics and percutaneous drainage, the patient died 2 days after admission.

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. We report a case of a giant pseudoaneurysm in a femoral artery, which had developed as a complication of stenting in a patient with carotid artery stenosis and ischemic heart disease, and was subsequently successfully treated using percutaneous thrombin injection.

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. The patients were grouped by fixed blocked randomization and administered either Chiljehyangbuhwan or placebo for one menstrual period in a double blind model. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Verbal Rating Scale (VRS), and Multidimensional Verbal Rating Scale (MVRS) were used to evaluate dysmenorrhea severity. A total of 71 patients who passed the screening test and remained to the last were divided into either placebo or Chiljehyangbuhwan group, and each were further split into smaller subsets (indication, non-indication, and unspecified group) according to Korean Oriental medical diagnosis. RESULTS: In the non-indication group, the placebo and Chiljehyangbuhwan group did not show significant difference in VAS, VRS, and MVRS scores before medication (1st VAS, 1st VRS, 1st MVRS), after medication (2nd VAS, 2nd VRS, 2nd MVRS), and in changes in scores before and after (DeltaVAS, DeltaVRS, DeltaMVRS). In the indication group, the placebo and Chiljehyangbuhwan group showed significant difference in change in VAS and MVRS scores (DeltaVAS and DeltaMVRS). No evidence of toxicity could be found, and no serious adverse reactions to Chiljehyangbuhwan were reported. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Chiljehyangbuhwan is effective and safe in treating primary dysmenorrhea when prescribed appropriately under Korean Oriental medical diagnosis.

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. Reperfusion (R) was done immediately after PST disappeared, and epicardial echocardiographic examination was repeated for 1 hour. Transmural extent of myocardial necrosis was morphometrically analyzed with triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. RESULTS: PST measured by myocardial Doppler image was well correlated with that by M-mode (r = 0.63, P <.001). Immediately after L, all 22 cats showed akinesia in 2-dimensional imaging; among them PST was present in 13 cats (59%) and absent in the other 9 cats. The extent of ischemia by perimetric measurement with 2-dimensional imaging was smaller in cats with PST compared with those without (32 +/- 10% vs 47 +/- 5%, P <.001). In 13 cats with PST, the occlusion time until disappearance of PST (90-270 minutes, 160 +/- 70) and transmural extent of myocardial necrosis (0%-72%, 22 +/- 24) were quite variable. After R, PST promptly reappeared in all 13 cats. PST persisted until 1 hour after R in 5 cats, whereas it disappeared in 8 cats as systolic thickening became predominant; occlusion time was significantly longer (220 +/- 40 vs 120 +/- 40 minutes, P <.005) and transmural extent of myocardial necrosis was larger (43 +/- 17% vs 8 +/- 15%, P <.005) in cats with persistent PST until 1 hour after R. CONCLUSION: In acute ischemia and R, we observed variable patterns of PST genesis and maintenance, and different factors were related with these phenomena in each stage. PST could be used not only as a marker of acute ischemia but also as a marker of successful myocardial R, and further study is necessary to test whether PST represents different status of myocardial mechanics according to the extent of myocardial ischemia and necrosis in the clinical setting.