["Houxi (SI 3) communicating the governor vessel" verified with the infrared thermal imaging technology].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect on facial acupoint temperature between acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) and Dazhui (GV 14) so as to verify "Houxi (SI 3) communicating the governor vessel" based on the infrared thermal imaging technology. METHODS: Thirty-five healthy subjects (5 cases dropped off) were collected and before-after study in the same subject was adopted. The subjects were successively assigned into a sham-acupuncture group, a Houxi group, a Wangu group and a Dazhui group. Sham-acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) on the left, acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) on the left, Wangu (SI 4) on the left and Dazhui (GV 14) were given respectively. One intervention was given and the needles were retained for 30 min in each group. 30 min before and after acupuncture, the infrared thermal images of the face were collected, and the facial temperature was compared among the following 5 acupoints, i.e. Yintang (GV 24+), Suliao (GV 25), Shuigou (GV 26), Duiduan (GV 27) and Chengjiang (CV 24). RESULTS: After acupuncture, the facial temperature at Yintang (GV 24+) and Chengjiang (CV 24) was increased compared before acupuncture in the sham-acupuncture group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The facial temperature at Suliao (GV 25) in the Houxi group was reduced after acupuncture (P<0.05). In the Wangu group, the temperature at Yintang (GV 24+) was increased compared before acupuncture (P<0.01). The facial temperature was increased at Duiduan (GV 27) and Chengjiang (CV 24) compared before acupuncture in the Dazhui group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The differences of facial temperature at Chengjiang (CV 24) and Suliao (GV 25) after acupuncture were larger than before acupuncture in the Houxi group and the Dazhui group (P<0.01). In comparison with the temperature at Suliao (GV 25) of the same group, the differences of facial temperature before and after acupuncture at Yintang (GV 24+), Shuigou (GV 26), Duiduan (GV 27) and Chengjiang (CV 24) were increased in the Houxi group (P<0.01, P<0.05); while, the increase was also obtained at Yintang (GV 24+), Shuigou (GV 26), Duiduan (GV 27) and Chengjiang (CV 24) in the Dazhui group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The difference of facial temperature at Yintang (GV 24+) before and after acupuncture was increased compared with Suliao (GV 25) in the Wangu group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at Houxi (SI 3) generates a similar thermal effect as Dazhui (GV 14). It regulates and dissipates the core temperature to "govern the yang qi of the whole body".

Experimental Investigation on a Novel Polyelectrolyte Molecular Deposition Film for Improved Injectivity in Low-Permeability Reservoirs.

Acrylamide and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride were used as monomers to synthesize a polyelectrolyte molecular deposition film (PMDF) injection agent for solving the problem of high injection pressure of water wells in low-permeability reservoirs. The structure of the PMDF injection agent was determined through IR and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The performance evaluation results show a change of wettability from hydrophilic to neutral wetting with the contact angle changing from 22.32 to 73.31° because of agent injection. It can also change the negative ζ-potential on the surface of the sand to a positive value. For comparison, core displacement experiments involving the commercial Gemini surfactant DF-G reveal that the effects of the depressurization of PMDF are more obvious than those of DF-G. The adsorption stability of the former is better than that of the latter. Especially, under a high-speed water flow of 30 pore volume (PV) injection, the depressurization rate of PMDF is still as high as 43.59%. Finally, the oil-water relative permeability curves and core nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments demonstrate that the PMDF treatment can reduce the irreducible water saturation, which indicated that the porosity of the flowable part of the core increased and the swept volume was increased. The suitable range of PMDF according to NMR pore-radius distribution within a low-permeability reservoir: the flowable partial pore required the throat radius greater than 0.01 µm.

Fabrication and Application of a 3D-Printed Poly-ε-Caprolactone Cage Scaffold for Bone Tissue Engineering.

Poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) is a promising synthetic material in bone tissue engineering (BTE). Particularly, the introduction of rapid prototyping (RP) represents the possibility of manufacturing PCL scaffolds with customized appearances and structures. Bio-Oss is a natural bone mineral matrix with significant osteogenic effects; however, it has limitations in being constructed and maintained into specific shapes and sites. In this study, we used RP and fabricated a hollow-structured cage-shaped PCL scaffold loaded with Bio-Oss to form a hybrid scaffold for BTE. Moreover, we adopted NaOH surface treatment to improve PCL hydrophilicity and enhance cell adhesion. The results showed that the NaOH-treated hybrid scaffold could enhance the osteogenesis of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs) both in vitro and in vivo. Altogether, we reveal a novel hybrid scaffold that not only possesses osteoinductive function to promote bone formation but can also be fabricated into specific forms. This scaffold design may have great application potential in bone tissue engineering.

Preliminary Clinical Application of Complete Workflow of Digitally Designed and Manufactured Sports Mouthguards.

PURPOSE: To establish a complete digital workflow for the design and manufacture of sports mouthguards and to observe preliminary clinical effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen healthy participants were included in this study. The self-controlled method was applied, and all participants were provided with two types of mouthguards. Digital mouthguards were designed and milled using CAD/CAM with polyetheretherketone, and conventional mouthguards were fabricated using the vacuum pressure-forming method with ethylene vinyl acetate. The order of wearing was determined using a random number table, and the washout period between was set as 1 month. Degrees of satisfaction in terms of retention, appearance, occlusal comfort, and labial comfort were evaluated. Distribution of occlusal force was tested using the T-scan analysis system. Participants were also asked to choose one mouthguard for future use. RESULTS: The complete workflow of digitally designed and manufactured sports mouthguards was successfully established. No significant difference was noted in retention between the types of mouthguard. The appearance score (P = .025), occlusal comfort score (P = .030), and labial side comfort score (P = .003) of the digital mouthguard group were significantly higher compared to the conventional mouthguard group. T-scan analysis results showed that in centric occlusion, participants exhibited occlusal contact in the second molar alone while wearing conventional mouthguards, while the occlusal force was uniformly distributed with digital mouthguards. Sixteen participants selected the digital mouthguard for future use. CONCLUSION: Digital design and manufacture of sports mouthguards improved the occlusal design and greatly simplified and optimized the conventional fabrication process.

Feasibility Study of Applying Modified Nano-SiO2 Hyperbranched Copolymers for Enhanced Oil Recovery in Low-Mid Permeability Reservoirs.

To improve oil recovery significantly in low-mid permeability reservoirs, a novel modified nano-SiO2 hyperbranched copolymer (HPBS), consisting of polyacrylamide as hydrophilic branched chains and modified nano-SiO2 as the core, was synthesized via an in situ free radical polymerization reaction. The structure and properties of the hyperbranched copolymer were characterized through a range of experiments, which showed that HBPS copolymers have better stability and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) capacity and also smaller hydrodynamic radius in comparison with hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM). The flooding experiments indicated that when a 1000 mg/L HPBS solution was injected, the resistance factor (RF) and residual resistance factor (RRF) increased after the injection. Following a 98% water cut after preliminary water flooding, 0.3 pore volume (PV) and 1000 mg/L HPBS solution flooding and extended water flooding (EWF) can further increase the oil recovery by 18.74% in comparison with 8.12% oil recovery when using HPAM. In this study, one can recognize that polymer flooding would be applicable in low-mid permeability reservoirs.