In this paper, a P(NIPAAm-co-AAc) hydrogel with rapid temperature sensitivity and improved oscillatory properties over small temperature cycles around the physiologic temperature of 37 °C was synthesized in an alkaline solution (Tris/HCl solution, pH 8.8 and I ) 0.5 M). SEM micrographs revealed that the unique properties achieved can be attributed to the expanded network structure generated in the alkaline solution during the copolymerization reaction. As a result of the dissociation of the carboxyl groups (-COOH) of AAc to carboxylate anions (-COO -), the electrostatic repulsion between carboxylate anions was strong and led to the expanded conformations of polymer chains. Therefore, the network of the hydrogels thus obtained was extremely expanded and exhibited fast temperature sensitivity and improved oscillating swelling-deswelling properties.

A method to reduce coherent noise in digital holographic phase contrast microscopy is proposed. By slightly shifting the specimen, a series of digital holograms with different coherent noise patterns is recorded. Each hologram is reconstructed individually, while the different phase tilts of the reconstructed complex amplitudes due to the specimen shifts are corrected in the hologram plane by using numerical parametric lens method. Afterward, the lateral displacements of the phase maps from different holograms are compensated in the image plane by using digital image registration method. Thus, all phase images have same distribution, but uncorrelated coherent noise patterns. By a proper averaging procedure, the coherent noise of phase contrast image is reduced significantly. The experimental results are given to confirm the proposed method.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a chronic microvascular complication of diabetes. The purpose of this study is to find the underlying mechanism for the effects of acupuncture in DPN rats. Rats were rendered diabetic with a single injection of 35 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). These STZ-diabetic rats were treated with acupuncture for 20 min once daily. The therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture was assessed using mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) evaluations. After 14 days treatment, acupuncture markedly reduced the pathological injury in STZ-diabetic rats. Moreover, it significantly down-regulated P2X4 and OX42 expression along with the reduced levels of inflammatory factors (CXCR3, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6), GSP and lipid metabolisms in the spinal cord of the DPN rats. Acupuncture could relieve DPN in rats by regulating P2X4 expression and inflammation in spinal microglia.

Worldwide, the most prevalent metabolic disorder is diabetes mellitus (DM), an important condition that has been widely studied. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a complication that can occur with DM, is associated with pain and can result in foot ulcers and even amputation. DPN treatments are limited and mainly focus on pain management. There is a clear need to develop treatments for DPN at all stages. To make this progress, it is necessary to understand the molecular signaling pathways related to DPN. For this review, we aimed to concentrate on the main signaling cascades that contribute to DPN. In addition, we provide information with regard to treatments that are being explored.