The Integration of Nanomedicine with Traditional Chinese Medicine: Drug Delivery of Natural Products and Other Opportunities

The integration of progressive technologies such as nanomedicine with the use of natural products from traditional medicine (TM) provides a unique opportunity for the longed-for harmonization between traditional and modern medicine. Although several actions have been initiated decades ago, a disparity of reasons including some misunderstandings between each other limits the possibilities of a truly complementation. Herein, we analyze some common challenges between nanomedicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). These challenges, if solved in a consensual way, can give a boost to such harmonization. Nanomedicine is a recently born technology, while TCM has been used by the Chinese people for thousands of years. However, for these disciplines, the regulation and standardization of many of the protocols, especially related to the toxicity and safety, regulatory aspects, and manufacturing procedures, are under discussion. Besides, both TCM and nanomedicine still need to achieve a wider social acceptance. Herein, we first briefly discuss the strengths and weaknesses of TCM. This analysis serves to focus afterward on the aspects where TCM and nanomedicine can mutually help to bridge the existing gaps between TCM and Western modern medicine. As discussed, many of these challenges can be applied to TM in general. Finally, recent successful cases in scientific literature that merge TCM and nanomedicine are reviewed as examples of the benefits of this harmonization

Elastic anomalies associated with domain switching in BaTiO3 single crystals under in-situ electrical cycling

The elastic response of BaTiO3 single crystals during electric field cycling at room temperature has been studied using in-situ Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS), which allows monitoring of both the elastic and anelastic changes caused by ferroelectric polarization switching. We find that the first ferroelectric switching of a virgin single crystal is dominated by ferroelastic 90° switching. In subsequent ferroelectric switching, ferroelastic switching is reduced by domain pinning and by the ferroelectric domains, as confirmed by polarized light microscopy. RUS under in-situ electric field therefore demonstrates to be an effective technique for the investigation of electromechanical coupling in ferroelectrics

Aplicación de un cd multimedia de energías convencionales y renovables en la enseñanza universitaria y de secundaria

Hace un año, se inició, por parte de varios departamentos de la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales de Terrassa, un CD interactivo sobre energías convencionales y otras alternativas renovables. Lo que en principio fue una iniciativa dirigida a estudios semipresenciales universitarios fue acogido también con agrado por profesores de secundaria presentes en algunos congresos en que fue presentado. Durante este año, varios municipios se han involucrado plenamente en la realización de este CD multimedia, cuya finalización está prevista para finales de Febrero o Marzo de 2005, con el objetivo de distribuir libremente el CD en sus escuelas. En este artículo se describe el desarrollo de este CD multimedia, sus contenidos y su posible aplicación en el campo de la enseñanza. Las energías tratadas en este CD son las convencionales: nuclear, térmica, hidroeléctrica y las alternativas renovables: marinas, eólica, solar, geotérmica y biomasa. En los distintos apartados del CD se tratan tanto aspectos históricos como medioambientales y de reglamentación. Se evalúa además el futuro de estos materiales y su posible implantación en la enseñanza.Eje: Educación secundaria y profesional: Uso de las NTICRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Aplicación de un cd multimedia de energías convencionales y renovables en la enseñanza universitaria y de secundaria

Hace un año, se inició, por parte de varios departamentos de la Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros Industriales de Terrassa, un CD interactivo sobre energías convencionales y otras alternativas renovables. Lo que en principio fue una iniciativa dirigida a estudios semipresenciales universitarios fue acogido también con agrado por profesores de secundaria presentes en algunos congresos en que fue presentado. Durante este año, varios municipios se han involucrado plenamente en la realización de este CD multimedia, cuya finalización está prevista para finales de Febrero o Marzo de 2005, con el objetivo de distribuir libremente el CD en sus escuelas. En este artículo se describe el desarrollo de este CD multimedia, sus contenidos y su posible aplicación en el campo de la enseñanza. Las energías tratadas en este CD son las convencionales: nuclear, térmica, hidroeléctrica y las alternativas renovables: marinas, eólica, solar, geotérmica y biomasa. En los distintos apartados del CD se tratan tanto aspectos históricos como medioambientales y de reglamentación. Se evalúa además el futuro de estos materiales y su posible implantación en la enseñanza.Eje: Educación secundaria y profesional: Uso de las NTICRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Elastic anomalies associated with domain switching in BaTiO3 single crystals under in situ electrical cycling

The elastic response of BaTiO3 single crystals during electric field cycling at room temperature has been studied using in situ Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS), which allows monitoring of both the elastic and anelastic changes caused by ferroelectric polarization switching. We find that the first ferroelectric switching of a virgin single crystal is dominated by ferroelastic 90° switching. In subsequent ferroelectric switching, ferroelastic switching is reduced by domain pinning and by the predominance of 180° ferroelectric domains, as confirmed by polarized light microscopy. RUS under in situ electric field therefore demonstrates to be an effective technique for the investigation of electromechanical coupling in ferroelectrics

EULAR Sjogren's syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI):a user guide

The EULAR Sj\uf6gren's syndrome (SS) disease activity index (ESSDAI) is a systemic disease activity index that was designed to measure disease activity in patients with primary SS. With the growing use of the ESSDAI, some domains appear to be more challenging to rate than others. The ESSDAI is now in use as a gold standard to measure disease activity in clinical studies, and as an outcome measure, even a primary outcome measure, in current randomised clinical trials. Therefore, ensuring an accurate and reproducible rating of each domain, by providing a more detailed definition of each domain, has emerged as an urgent need. The purpose of the present article is to provide a user guide for the ESSDAI. This guide provides definitions and precisions on the rating of each domain. It also includes some minor improvement of the score to integrate advance in knowledge of disease manifestations. This user guide may help clinicians to use the ESSDAI, and increase the reliability of rating and consequently of the ability to detect true changes over time. This better appraisal of ESSDAI items, along with the recent definition of disease activity levels and minimal clinically important change, will improve the assessment of patients with primary SS and facilitate the demonstration of effectiveness of treatment for patients with primary SS