Clarifying the nomenclature of intervertebral disc degeneration and displacement: from bench to bedside

As a significant determinant of low back pain, intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) has attracted more and more attention of both investigators and physicians. Disc herniation, termed as intervertebral disc displacement, is amongst the most prevalent spinal diseases closely linked with IDD. Due to the same origins and similar pathophysiology, the ambiguity regarding the similarity and difference of IDD and intervertebral disc displacement thus remains. The aim of this study was to clarify the nomenclature of IDD and disc herniation in terms of molecular etiology, pathophysiology, nature history and clinical outcomes. Collectively, IDD is a type of multifaceted, progressive spinal disease with or without clinical symptoms as back pain, characterized by extracellular matrix and the integrity of NP and AF lost, fissures formation. Disc herniation (termed as intervertebral disc displacement) is a type of spinal disease based on IDD or not, with local pain and/or sciatica due to mechanical compression and autoimmune cascades upon the corresponding nerve roots. Clarifying the nomenclature of intervertebral disc degeneration and displacement has important implications both for investigators and for physicians.published_or_final_versio

Magnetocapacitance of a three-probe mesoscopic capacitor

We report a numerical calculation of the magnetocapacitance for a three-probe capacitor and investigate the asymmetry property of the electrochemical capacitance under a magnetic-field reversal. At low magnetic fields the quantum magnetocapacitance shows a large asymmetry under a field reversal. At higher fields the capacitance is dominated by Aharonov-Bohm type oscillations and the fluctuations of the asymmetry is reduced.published_or_final_versio

Steps on Fe3O4(100): STM measurements and theoretical calculations

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) measurements of the step structure on natural single-crystal samples of Fe3O4(100) have been performed. Step edges are found to occur along both [110] and [1 (1) over bar0] directions. For step heights of 4.2 +/- 0.3 angstrom, the step edges are found to be straight, whereas for step heights of 2.1 +/- 0.2 angstrom, alternate step edges are straight and jagged. The straight (jagged) step edges are parallel (perpendicular) to the octahedral iron rows on the upper terrace. The concepts of coordinative unsaturation and excess surface charge are used to predict which atomic geometries are likely to be most stable along step edges. Our calculations show that steps parallel to the octahedral iron rows on the upper terrace are expected to be more stable than those perpendicular to them, in agreement with our STM observations. This step stability is found to be independent of both terrace structure and step height

Garment patterns generating based on 3-D body scanning

2009-2010 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Surfactant-Assisted in situ Chemical Etching for the General Synthesis of ZnO Nanotubes Array

In this paper, a general low-cost and substrate-independent chemical etching strategy is demonstrated for the synthesis of ZnO nanotubes array. During the chemical etching, the nanotubes array inherits many features from the preformed nanorods array, such as the diameter, size distribution, and alignment. The preferential etching along c axis and the surfactant protection to the lateral surfaces are considered responsible for the formation of ZnO nanotubes. This surfactant-assisted chemical etching strategy is highly expected to advance the research in the ZnO nanotube-based technology

Possible complete miscibility of (BN)x(C2)1−x(BN)_x(C_2)_{1-x} alloys

The stabilities of $(BN)_x(C_2)_{1-x}$ alloys and related superlattices are investigated by ab initio pseudopotential calculations. We find that the $(BN)_1/(C_2)_1$ superlattices in (111) orientations have the lowest formation energy among many short-range ordered $BNC_2$ structures due to the smallest number of B-C and C-N bonds. Based on the calculated formation energies at several compositions and for various ordered structures and assuming thermodynamic equilibrium, the solid solution phase diagram of $(BN)_x(C_2)_{1-x}$ alloys is constructed. We find that the complete miscibility of $(BN)_x(C_2)_{1-x}$ alloys is possible, which is in contrast with previous theoretical predictions but in agreement with experimental reports.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure

A potato NOA gene increased salinity tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana

The purpose of this study is to produce recombinant StNOA1 in transgenic plants and to test its potential role in plant salt stress responses. The newly cloned StNOA1 gene from Solanum tuberosum L. was inserted into AtnOA1 mutant plant genome by Agrobaterium-mediated floral dip method. Transgene integration was verified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 4 different lines of transgenic Atnoa1. Expression of StNOA1 gene was further analyzed by reverse trancription (RT)-PCR. Physiological analyses indicated that the transgenic line TL9 had higher proline, soluble protein and chlorophyll contents as well as lower content of malondialdehyde (MDA) compared to its receptor, Atnoa1 mutant, under salt stress condition. Root elongation and survival rate in TL9 were significantly higher than those in Atnoa1 seedlings under salt stress. Present study proved that StNOA1 participated in Arabidopsis thaliana salt stress responses and increased its salinity tolerance.Keywords: StNOA1 transformation, Solanum tuberosum, Atnoa1 mutant, salt toleranceAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(36), pp. 5869-5878, 6 September, 201

Immune cascades in human intervertebral disc: the pros and cons

The unique structural hallmark of the intervertebral disc has made its central composition, the nucleus pulposus (NP), excluded from the immunologic tolerance. Consequently, the intervertebral disc is identified as an immune-privileged organ. Traditionally, local detrimental immune activities caused by NP at the lesion sites of the disc are noted as a significant factor contributing to disc degeneration. However, given the beneficial activities of immune cells in other immune-privileged sites on basis of current evidence, the degenerate disc might need the assistance of a subpopulation of immune cells to restore its structure and lessen inflammation. In addition, the beneficial impact of immune cells can be seen in the absorption of the herniated NP, which is an important factor causes the mechanical compression of nerve roots. Consequently, a modulated immune network in degenerate disc is essential for the restoration of this immune-privileged organ. Until now, the understandings of immune response in disc degeneration still rest on the harmful aspect. Further studies are needed to explore its beneficial influence. Accordingly, there are no absolutely the pros and cons in terms of immune reactions caused by NP.published_or_final_versio