Fabrication of a Three-Dimensional Microfluidic System from Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) Using an Intermiscibility Vacuum Bonding Technique.

In this study, the fabrication of microfluidic chips through the bonding of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) boards featuring designed patterns to create a three-dimensional sandwich structure with embedded microchannels was explored. A key focus was optimization of the interface quality of bonded PMMA pairs by adjusting the solvent, such as such as acetone, alcohol, and their mixture. Annealing was conducted below 50 °C to leverage the advantages of low-temperature bonding. Because of the differences in the chemical reactivity of PMMA toward acetone, alcohol, and their combinations, the resulting defect densities at the bonding interfaces differed significantly under low-temperature annealing conditions. To achieve the optimal sealing integrity, bonding pressures of 30 N, 40 N, and 50 N were evaluated. The interface was analyzed through microstructural examination via optical microscopy and stress measurements were determined using digital photoelasticity, while the bonding strength was assessed through tensile testing.

Geographic distribution of echinococcosis in Tibetan region of Sichuan Province, China.

BACKGROUND: Echinococcosis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by Echinococcus larvae parasitism causing high mortality. The Tibetan Region of Sichuan Province is a high prevalence area for echinococcosis in China. Understanding the geographic distribution pattern is necessary for precise control and prevention. In this study, a spatial analysis was conducted to explore the town-level epidemiology of echinococcosis in the Sichuan Tibetan Region and to provide guidance for formulating regional prevention and control strategies. METHODS: The study was based on reported echinococcosis cases by the end of 2017, and each case was geo-coded at the town level. Spatial empirical Bayes smoothing and global spatial autocorrelation were used to detect the spatial distribution pattern. Spatial scan statistics were applied to examine local clusters. RESULTS: The spatial distribution of echinococcosis in the Sichuan Tibetan Region was mapped at the town level in terms of the crude prevalence rate, excess hazard and spatial smoothed prevalence rate. The spatial distribution of echinococcosis was non-random and clustered with the significant global spatial autocorrelation (I = 0.7301, P = 0.001). Additionally, five significant spatial clusters were detected through the spatial scan statistic. CONCLUSIONS: There was evidence for the existence of significant echinococcosis clusters in the Tibetan Region of Sichuan Province, China. The results of this study may assist local health departments with developing better prevention strategies and prompt more efficient public health interventions.

[Efficacy observation on traumatic nerve injury treated with different acupuncture therapies].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the difference in the efficacy on traumatic nerve injury among electroacupuncture, warm needling therapy and electroacupuncture plus warm needling therapy and explore the better therapeutic method. METHODS: The electromyography (EMG) and electroneurography (ENG) of 93 cases showed traumatic nerve injury of moderate damage. According to the single blind randomization principle, they were divided into an electroacupuncture (EA) group, a warm needling therapy (WN) group and an EA plus WN group, 31 cases in each one. The main acupoints were selected from Yangming Meridian and Shaoyang Meridian corresponding to the distribution of damaged nerves. EA, WN and EA plus WN were applied separately. The treatment was given once every day, 15 treatments made one session. After 3 sessions of treatment (45 treatments in total), EMG and ENG were re-checked and the results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Regarding the total effective rate and effective rate, it was 96. 8% (30/31) in the EA plus WN group, which was better than 74.2% (23/31) in the EA group and 77. 4% (24/31) in the WN group (P<0. 05). Concerning to the improvements of EMG, the result in the EA plus WN group was 96.8% (30/31), which was better than the other two groups [74. 2%(23/31),74. 2%(23/31)] (P<0. 05). In terms of the recovery of nerve conduction and amplitude, the results in EA plus WN group [(50.9+/-4. 6)m/s,(8. 8+/-2. 9),microVx1 000] were better than the other two groups [(43.7+/-3.1)m/s,(4. 2+/-1. 9)microV X 1 000,(43. 8+/-3. 3)m/s,(4. 5+/-2. 2)microV X 1 000] (P<0. 05). CONCLUSION: EA combined with WN is a better therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of traumatic nerve injury.