Impact of autologous platelet-rich plasma therapy vs. hyaluronic acid on synovial fluid biomarkers in knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled clinical trial

ObjectiveObserve the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy on inflammatory cytokines in the synovial fluid of the knee joint of patients with KOA, and explore the effects of PRP intra-articular injection on the inflammation of the knee joint environment and the possible mechanism of action.MethodsSeventy patients were randomized to undergo three blinded weekly intra-articular injections of PRP or hyaluronic acid (HA). The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-8, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10, in the synovial fluid were evaluated before the intervention and 1 month after the third injection. The Western Ontario and McMaster University (WOMAC) and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were used to assess pain and functional status of the knee joints in both groups before the intervention, immediately post-intervention, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the intervention.ResultsBaseline characteristics were similar in both groups with no statistical difference. The IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-17A, and IL-10 levels in the synovial fluid of the observation group decreased significantly after, vs. before, the intervention (p < 0.05), whereas the IL-8, IL-17F, and IL-4 levels decreased (p > 0.05) and IL-5 levels increased (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between inflammatory cytokine levels in the synovial fluid of the samples from the control group before and after the intervention (p > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups immediately after intervention (p > 0.05). At 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after intervention, the WOMAC and VAS scores were significantly better in the observation group than in the control group (p < 0.05).ConclusionPlatelet plasma therapy can reduce the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-17A, and IL-10 in the synovial fluid of KOA patients, reduce the expression levels of IL-8, IL-17F, and IL-4, clear the pro-inflammatory factors, improve the inflammatory environment of the affected knee joint, and alleviate pain caused by inflammation. Thus, alleviating pain and improving knee function in patients with KOA

Research of Subway’s Train Control System Based on TCN

International audienceContraposing the subway car control equipment being scattered, the subway train controlnetwork system based on TCN RTP is designed. By constructing the virtual network environmentnetwork with simulation software NS2 and writing message data of transmission layer protocols.Through testing train control network communication efficiency, the influent factors of communication efficiency is known.Train control telecommunications devices based on TCN RTP communication function is developed. Using XML technology and JAVA language JDOM analytical mode, the compatible TCCL cross-platform configuration software of other train control communication equipments is designed.Through the train control communications equipment configuration of the basic functions and setting device configuration of network communication operation parameters to the purpose

Simultaneous Measurement Method and Error Analysis of Six Degrees of Freedom Motion Errors of a Rotary Axis Based on Polyhedral Prism

A novel method is proposed for measuring the six degrees-of-freedom (DOF) geometric motion errors of a rotary axis based on a polyhedral prism. An error-sensitive unit which consists of a polyhedral prism and a planar reflector, is designed to carry out measurement of all six DOF errors, including the angular positioning error, the tilt motion error around the Y axis, the tilt motion error around the X axis, the radial motion error along the X and Y axes, and the axial motion error along the Z axis. The mathematical error model, including the six DOF geometric motion errors of the rotary axis, the installation errors between the polyhedral prism and the rotary axis, the manufacturing errors of the polyhedral prism, and the position errors of the sensors, are established. The effectiveness of the proposed method and the compensation model was simulated and experimentally verified

Smart grid encounters edge computing: opportunities and applications

Smart grids (SGs) are reforming towards utilizing massive data for operations and services. During this reform, the information and communication technologies (ICTs) play a critical role, especially for the computing model, which determines how data analytics in SG can be executed. Edge computing (EC), a novel computing paradigm innovation, has high potential to help with the digitization of SG. This paper seeks to provide a comprehensive review of interdisciplinary research on EC applications in SG. First, an in-depth analysis of EC, including the definition, architectures, characteristics, and key enabling technologies is conducted from the perspective of SG application requirements. Afterward, this paper systematically explores application scenarios of EC in SG based on its characteristics. Beyond that, the synergistic effect of the integration of EC and SG is also assessed: SG not only benefits from EC but also supports EC to become sustainable. Challenges and open questions are then investigated.ISSN:2666-792

Investigation of an Influence Function Model as a Self-Rotating Wheel Polishing Tool and Its Application in High-Precision Optical Fabrication

A new and patented polishing tool (ZL2020102387137) called a Self-rotating Wheel Polishing Tool (SWPT) was built, and its tool influence function (TIF) was investigated in this study. The polishing wheel is an innovative two-layer structure: a rigid hub inside and a flexible polishing pad outside. By using finite element analysis, the dynamic contact characteristics between the polishing wheel and the workpiece were studied, and the theoretical TIF was modeled. Due to the influence of friction resistance, the TIF is not circular, but oval. We then ran material removal experiment, and it was found that the experimental TIF and the theoretical TIF are very close and both are close to the Gaussian shape. Finally, optical fabrication was performed. After four times of about 3 h fabrication, the form error converged from PV-1.434λ (λ = 632 nm), RMS-0.308λ to PV-0.144λ, RMS-0.009λ, and PV and RMS converged by 90% and 97%, respectively. The form accuracy achieved the expected target of RMS-0.02λ, which proves that the SWPT has the characteristics of high convergence rate and high fabrication accuracy. The SWPT has a broad application prospect in the field of high-precision optical fabrication

Path Planning for Wheeled Mobile Robot in Partially Known Uneven Terrain

Path planning for wheeled mobile robots on partially known uneven terrain is an open challenge since robot motions can be strongly influenced by terrain with incomplete environmental information such as locally detected obstacles and impassable terrain areas. This paper proposes a hierarchical path planning approach for a wheeled robot to move in a partially known uneven terrain. We first model the partially known uneven terrain environment respecting the terrain features, including the slope, step, and unevenness. Second, facilitated by the terrain model, we use A⋆ algorithm to plan a global path for the robot based on the partially known map. Finally, the Q-learning method is employed for local path planning to avoid locally detected obstacles in close range as well as impassable terrain areas when the robot tracks the global path. The simulation and experimental results show that the designed path planning approach provides satisfying paths that avoid locally detected obstacles and impassable areas in a partially known uneven terrain compared with the classical A⋆ algorithm and the artificial potential field method