Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that is caused by breakdown of cartilage, with eventual loss of the cartilage of the joints. The ability of self-repair in damaged cartilage tissue is limited; the aim of this work is to fabricate and characterize an oxidized hyaluronic acid/resveratrol (Oxi-HA/Res) hydrogel for future applications in cartilage tissue engineering. Under physiological conditions, the Oxi-HA/Res hydrogel was prepared by chemical crosslinking of Oxi-HA with resveratrol solution and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry assay; the biocompatibility and gene expression of chondrocytes within the Oxi-HA-Res hydrogel then analyzed. The cell viability and cytotoxicity assays showed that the Oxi-HA/Res hydrogel has good biocompatibility. Oxi-HA/Res hydrogel can upregulate expression of type II collagen, aggrecan, and Sox-9 genes; while down-regulating IL-1β, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP13 gene expression. It can also reduce LPS-induced inflammation and chondrocyte damage. The results of this study showed that the Oxi-HA/Res hydrogel is biocompatible with chondrocytes, allows for extracellular matrix synthesis, and also reduce LPS-induced inflammation and damage. These results suggest that Oxi-HA/Res hydrogel may be a potential suitable cell carrier for chondrocyte cells in the treatment of cartilage defect. However, further in vivo study is mandatory for future possible clinical applications.

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In this study, we would like to develop a portable round argon atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (APPJ) which can be applied for general use of bacteria inactivation. The APPJ was characterized electrically and optically, which include measurements of absorption power, gas temperature and optical properties of plasma generated species. Measured OH* number density at 5 mm downstream was estimated to be 5.8 × 1015 cm−3 and the electron density and electron temperature were estimated to be 2.4 × 1015 cm−3 and 0.34 eV, respectively, in the discharge region. This APPJ was demonstrated to effectively inactivate E. coli within seconds of treatment, which shows its great potential in the future use of general bacteria inactivation and sterilization.

F (2022) Application of tomosynthesis for vertebral compression fracture diagnosis and bone healing assessment in fracture liaison services.