Local infiltration analgesia versus femoral nerve block in total knee arthroplasty: A meta-analysis

AbstractIntroductionLocal infiltration analgesia (LIA) and femoral nerve block (FNB) are both used for the pain management after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Controversy still remains regarding the optimal technique for pain relief in patients undergoing TKA. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the analgesia achieved with LIA and the one from FNB following TKA.HypothesisLIA achieves better pain control than FNB in patients with TKA.MethodsDatabases, including Pubmed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science were comprehensively searched to identify studies comparing LIA with FNB for patients with TKA. Two reviewers independently selected trials, extracted data, and assessed the methodological qualities of included studies. Data were analyzed by RevMan 5.2.ResultsNine RCTs involving 782 patients were included. LIA achieved more rapid pain relief (VAS) at 6h postoperatively [SMD6h=−0.92, 95% CI (−1.38, −0.47)] than FNB. There were no significant differences at 24h and 48h [SMD24h=−0.03, 95% CI (−0.46, 0.40); SMD48h=0.28, 95% CI (−0.35, 0.91)], VAS with activity at 24h and 48h [SMD6h=−0.54, 95% CI (−1.62, 0.54); SMD24h=−0.22, 95% CI (−1.41, 0.96); SMD48h=−0.08, 95% CI (−0.52, 0.69)], opioid consumption at 24h and 48h [SMD24h=−0.24, 95% CI (−0.82, 0.34); SMD48h=0.15, 95% CI (0.25, 0.54)] and length of hospital stay [MD=−0.52, 95% CI (−1.13, 0.09)].DiscussionLIA may be the better choice in the pain management of TKA for it could achieve fast pain relief and is easier to perform than FNB for patients with TKA.Level of evidenceLevel II, meta-analysis and systematic review

Single-molecule detection of α-Synuclein oligomers in Parkinson's disease patients using nanopores

α-Synuclein (α-Syn) is an intrinsically disordered protein whose aggregation in the brain has been significantly implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD). Beyond the brain, oligomers of α-Synuclein are also found in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood, where the analysis of these aggregates may provide diagnostic routes and enable a better understanding of disease mechanisms. However, detecting α-Syn in CSF and blood is challenging due to its heterogeneous protein size and shape, and low abundance in clinical samples. Nanopore technology offers a promising route for the detection of single proteins in solution; however, the method often lacks the necessary selectivity in complex biofluids, where multiple background biomolecules are present. We address these limitations by developing a strategy that combines nanopore-based sensing with molecular carriers that can specifically capture α-Syn oligomers with sizes of less than 20 nm. We demonstrate that α-Synuclein oligomers can be detected directly in clinical samples, with minimal sample processing, by their ion current characteristics and successfully utilize this technology to differentiate cohorts of PD patients from healthy controls. The measurements indicate that detecting α-Syn oligomers present in CSF may potentially provide valuable insights into the progression and monitoring of Parkinson's disease

Anti-angiogenesis therapy based on the bone marrow-derived stromal cells genetically engineered to express sFlt-1 in mouse tumor model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BMSCs) are important for development, tissue cell replenishment, and wound healing in physiological and pathological conditions. BMSCs were found to preferably reach sites undergoing the process of cell proliferation, such as wound and tumor, suggesting that BMSCs may be used as a vehicle for gene therapy of tumor.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Mouse BMSCs were loaded with recombinant adenoviruses which express soluble Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 (sFlt-1). The anti-angiogenesis of sFlt-1 in BMSCs was determined using endothelial cells proliferation inhibition assay and alginate encapsulation assay. The anti-tumor effects of BMSCs expressing sFlt-1 through tail-vein infusion were evaluated in two mouse tumor metastases models.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>BMSCs genetically modified with Adv-GFP-sFlt-1 could effectively express and secret sFlt-1. BMSCs loaded with sFlt-1 gene could preferentially home to tumor loci and decrease lung metastases and prolong lifespan in mouse tumor model through inducing anti-angiogenesis and apoptosis in tumors.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We demonstrated that BMSCs might be employed as a promising vehicle for tumor gene therapy which can effectively not only improve the concentration of anticancer therapeutics in tumors, but also modify the tumor microenvironment.</p

Self and Peer Assessment in K–12 Chinese Language Classrooms: Teachers’ Perceptions and Implementation

This is the final version. Available on open access from Van Yuzuncu Yil University via the link in this recordLittle research has been conducted on self and peer assessment (hereafter, SA and PA) in Chinese language education in the United States, despite the fact that both forms of assessment have multiple benefits for language learning and it is argued they should be an integral component of language teachers’ repertoire of classroom assessment. Particularly, little is known about Chinese language teachers’ perceptions of SA and PA and their classroom SA and PA practices. To address this knowledge gap, this study aimed at exploring Chinese language teachers’ perceptions and implementation of SA and PA and establishing a ground for future research in this field. Using a qualitative methodology, we interviewed ten K–12 Chinese language teachers in US schools. By examining the interview responses of those teachers, this study revealed some important findings. Notably, all the teachers realized the benefits of SA and PA for student learning. Yet, there was rare use of them in most teachers’ classrooms. We discussed this gap by drawing upon the probed responses of the teachers as well as our inferences. The findings of this study inform SA and PA of Chinese language in K–12 classrooms and professional development for Chinese language teachers in US schools.US Department of EducationMichigan State University (MSU), College of Educatio

Vibration error compensation algorithm in the development of laser interference absolute gravimeters

Measurement error arising from vibration interference is recognized as the primary obstacle limiting the accuracy and stability of laser interference absolute gravimeters. The present work addresses this issue by proposing a global search optimization algorithm that determines the optimal absolute value of gravity based on the measured time–displacement coordinates of a falling body and the signal obtained from the passive vibration isolation system of the inertial reference corner cube in a laser interference absolute gravimeter. Results of numerical calculations conducted under vibration interference conditions with added white noise resulting in a signal-to-noise ratio of 40 dB demonstrate the following. The accuracy and standard deviation of the gravimeter obtained using the proposed algorithm are −0.04 µGal (1µGal=1×10-8 m s−2) and 0.24 µGal, respectively, while those values obtained by the standard least-squares solution are 10.19 and 154.11 µGal, respectively. The test results indicate that the average response of the reference value of acceleration due to gravity superimposed by a disturbance of 1.00 µGal is 1.01 µGal using the proposed algorithm and 0.87 µGal using the standard least-squares solution.</ol

K-12 Chinese Language Teachers’ Perceptions of Classroom Portfolio Assessment

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Routledge via the link in this record As an approach of assessment as learning, classroom portfolio assessment (CPA) has received much attention in the language assessment community. In this study, ten K-12 Chinese language teachers in U.S. schools were interviewed to examine their understandings, perceptions, and implementations of CPA. Overall, corroborating the findings of previous questionnaire studies on the assessment literacy of language teachers, the participants demonstrated rather limited knowledge of CPA (i.e., a knowledge gap). In addition, while the benefits of CPA were recognized by the participants, they showed little interest in implementing it in their classrooms (i.e., a gap between teacher thinking and classroom practice). These two gaps are discussed in light of the importance of a strong knowledge base for effective implementation of CPA and external factors that may affect teachers’ motivation, intention, or decision to implement CPA. It is recommended that language teachers be provided with systematic initial training and professional development in CPA; and that contextual constraints on the implementation of CPA be recognized and support be provided to teachers to promote their professional learning of language assessment