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Background Eliminating the symptoms during treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is only a temporary solution that does not cure the underlying cause. A biological method to treat this disorder may be possible by the newly discovered nucleus pulposus derived stem cells (NPDCs). However, the uncertain characteristics and potential of NPDCs calls for a comprehensive study. Methods In the present study, nucleus pulposus samples were obtained from 5 patients with IVDD undergoing discectomy procedure and NPDCs were harvested using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) by the co-expression of GD2 + and Tie2 + . After in vitro expansion, the properties of NPDCs were compared with those of bone marrow mesenchyme stem cells (BMSCs) from the same subjects. Results NPDCs performed similar properties in cell colony-forming ability, cell proliferation rate, cell cycle and stem cell gene expression similar to those of BMSCs. In addition, NPDCs could be differentiated into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes, and are found to be superior in chondrogenesis but inferior in adipocyte differentiation. Conclusions NPDCs derived from the degenerated intervertebral disc still keep the regeneration ability similar to BMSCs. Besides, the superior capacity in chondrogenesis may provide a promising cell candidate for cell-based regenerative medicine and tissue engineering in IVDD.

Measurements of the curvatures and warpages of a printed circuit board (PCB) during a thermal solder reflow process using strain gauges are proposed in this study. In the experiments, a shadow moiré is used for measuring the out-of-plane deformations (or warpage) of a bi-material plate and a PCB with dual in-line memory module (DIMM) sockets during solder reflow heating, while the finite element method (FEM) is used to analyze the thermally-induced deformation of the PCB specimen for ensuring the validity of the measurement. Conventional strain gauges are employed to measure the strains (albeit as in-plane strain data) in both specimens during the solder reflow process. The results indicate that the strain gauge-measured strain data from the top and bottom surfaces of both specimens during the solder reflow can be converted into curvature data with specific equations, and even into global out-of-plane deformations or warpages with a proposed simple beam model. Such results are also consistent with those from the shadow moiré and FEM. Therefore, it has been proved that the strain gauge measurement associated with the simple beam model can provide a method for the real-time monitoring of PCB deformations or warpages with different temperatures during the solder reflow process.

Developing a safe and effective vaccine remains a global priority for ending the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic. All HIV vaccine trials with protein, DNA, non-replication vector or their combinations failed in the past. We constructed the HIV-1 CN54 env , gag , and pol genes into both DNA and replicating vaccinia virus Tiantan vectors. In phase Ia, 12 healthy adults were given high ( n  = 6) or low ( n  = 6) doses of recombinant vaccinia virus Tiantan vaccine (rTV), to test its safety dose. In phase Ib, 36 healthy adults were assigned to the DNA ( n  = 6), DNA-L/rTV ( n  = 12), DNA-H/rTV ( n  = 12), and placebo ( n  = 6) groups. The DNA vaccine was injected intramuscularly at weeks 0, 4, and 8 and rTV with a bifurcated needle at week 12. All vaccines tested were safe and well-tolerated; most of the adverse events (AEs) were mild to moderate. The most commonly observed AEs were redness and papule at rTV vaccination sites and axillary enlarged lymph nodes at the same rTV vaccination arm. Smaller cutaneous lesions and shorter healing time were observed in smallpox vaccine experienced subjects. The DNA prime-rTV boost regimen induced anti-gp120 IgG and polyfunctional CD4 + T cells. No significant differences of anti-HIV IgG and T cell responses were found between the two prime-boost groups with high and low DNA doses. Moreover, smallpox vaccine naïve subjects elicited higher T cell responses and anti-gp120 antibodies. The result of this trial supports further development of HIV vaccine with DNA and replicating vaccinia vector for advanced clinical trials.

Recombinant protein vaccines, with highly pure ingredients and good safety, are gradually replacing some attenuated and inactivated vaccines in clinical practice. However, since their low immunogenicity of the recombinant proteins, adjuvants are often needed to enhance immune response after vaccination. Aluminum adjuvant has been widely used in some vaccines for decades, it can induce strong humoral immunity, but the deficiency of cellular immunity limits its application for some vaccines. Therefore, it is urgently needed to develop novel adjuvant to increase not only humoral but also cellular immune response. To address this, we designed and prepared a new nano adjuvant (PF3) through microfluidization by the combination of saponin (Ginsenoside Rg1) and oil-in-water nano emulsion (NE) in the present study. As compared to aluminum adjuvant, PF3 had stronger humoral and cellular immune induction effect because of high cellular uptake and activization of immune response pathways. Furthermore, PF3 showed better immune enhancement and acceptable biosafety equivalent to that of aluminum adjuvant. In addition, no obvious changes of PF3 were observed in size and zeta potential after 12 weeks storage at 4 and 37°C, demonstrating its high stability in vitro . This study provided an adjuvant platform to replace traditional aluminum adjuvant in design of recombinant vaccines.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most important pathogens causing respiratory tract infection in humans, especially in infants and the elderly. The identification and structural resolution of the potent neutralizing epitopes on RSV fusion (F) protein enable an “epitope-focused” vaccine design. However, the display of RSV F epitope II on the surface of the widely-used human hepatitis B virus core antigen (HBcAg) has failed to induce neutralizing antibody response in mice. Here, we used the hepadnavirus core protein (HcAg) from different mammalian hosts as scaffolds to construct chimeric virus-like particles (VLPs) presenting the RSV F epitope II. Mouse immunization showed that different HcAg-based chimeric VLPs elicited significantly different neutralizing antibody responses, among which the HcAg derived from roundleaf bat (RBHcAg) is the most immunogenic. Furthermore, RBHcAg was used as the scaffold platform to present multiple RSV F epitopes, and the immunogenicity was further improved in comparison to that displaying a single epitope II. The designed RBHcAg-based multiple-epitope-presenting VLP formulated with MF59-like adjuvant elicited a potent and balanced Th1/Th2 immune response, and offered substantial protection in mice against the challenge of live RSV A2 virus. The designed chimeric VLPs may serve as the potential starting point for developing epitope-focused vaccines against RSV. Our study also demonstrated that RBHcAg is an effective VLP carrier for presenting foreign epitopes, providing a promising platform for epitope-focused vaccine design.

Since the first case of human avian influenza A (H7N9) virus infection in 2013, five H7N9 epidemics have occurred in China, all of which caused severe diseases, including pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, and the fatality rates of these epidemics were as high as 30-40%. To control the prevalence of H7N9 influenza, an effective vaccine is urgently needed. In the present study, we used chitosan and recombinant human interleukin-2 as an adjuvant (JY) to promote the systemic and mucosal immune responses induced by the H7N9 vaccine. Mice were immunized intranasally with the inactivated split influenza A (H7N9) virus (A/Shanghai/02/2013) vaccine with or without JY. The hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers of mice immunized with the JY-adjuvanted vaccine were significantly higher than those of mice immunized with the vaccine without adjuvant (21.11 ± 9.58 vs. 5.04 ± 3, P < 0.05). The JY-adjuvanted H7N9 nasal spray vaccine induced higher HI titers (8 ± 0.82 vs. 6.7 ± 0.67, P = 0.0035) than those did the poly (I:C)-adjuvanted H7N9 vaccine or the LTB-adjuvanted H7N9 vaccine (8 ± 0.82 vs. 6.9 ± 0.88, P = 0.0186). The optimal immunization regimen for the nasal spray H7N9 vaccine was determined to be a 21-day interval between the primary immunization and booster, with a dose of 4.5 μg hemagglutinin per mouse. The immunogenicities of the nasal spray H7N9 vaccine and intramuscular vaccine (containing only the inactivated split virus) were compared in mice. Two doses of the nasal spray H7N9 vaccine induced higher titers of HI (6.7 ± 0.67 vs. 5.3 ± 1.16, P = 0.004) and anti-HA IgG in sera (19.26 ± 0.67 vs. 13.97 ± 0.82, P < 0.0001) and of anti-HA sIgA (7.13 ± 2.54 vs. 0, P = 0.0000) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) than one dose of intramuscular H7N9 vaccine 3 weeks after the last immunization. However, when we immunized the mice with two doses of both vaccines separately, the nasal spray H7N9 vaccine induced higher titers of anti-HA IgG (19.26 ± 0.67 vs. 17.56 ± 0.57, P < 0.0001) and anti-HA sIgA (7.13 ± 2.54 vs. 4.02 ± 0.33, P = 0.0026) than did the intramuscular H7N9 vaccine, and there was no difference in HI titer between the two groups (P = 0.3745). This finding indicates that the JY-adjuvanted nasal spray H7N9 vaccine induced not only the systemic immune response but also a local mucosal response, which may improve the efficacy of H7N9 influenza prevention through respiratory tract transmission.

The eutectic Sn–Zn–Al solder alloy was used [composition: 91Sn–9(5Al–Zn)] to investigate the intermetallic compounds (IMCs) formed between solder and a Cu substrate. Scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and electron diffraction analysis were used to study the IMCs between solder and a Cu substrate. The γ–Cu5Zn8 and γ–Cu9Al4 IMCs were found at the Sn–Zn–Al/Cu interface. Thermodynamic calculation can explain the formation of γ–Cu5Zn8 and γ–Cu9Al4 IMCs instead of Cu–Sn compounds. The formation and growth of γ–Cu9Al4 IMC at 423 K resulted in the decrease of adhesion strength at the interface of solder and a Cu substrate, where the Kirkendall voids were severely formed. As the heating time increased up to 1000 h at 423 K, the adhesion strength between the eutectic Sn–Zn–Al solder and a Cu substrate decreased from 7.6 ± 0.7 MPa to 4.4 ± 0.8 MPa.

The effects of process parameters such as flux, dipping temperature and the heat-treatment on the soldering behaviors of the eutectic solder (composition: 91Sn-9Zn) hot-dipped on Cu substrates were investigated. The most suitable flux as tested was oleic acid for the eutectic Sn-Zn solder system hot-dipped on Cu substrate for the solder coverage. The adhesion strength obtained increased from 9.6±0.6 MPa to 11.9±0.6 MPa when the dipping temperature increased from 250 °C to 300 °C. However, it decreased from 11.9±0.6 MPa to 5.2±2.2 MPa as the sample was heated at 150 °C for 1200 h. Planar γ-Cu^sub 5^Zn^sub 8^ isolate-shaped η-Cu^sub 6^Sn^sub 5^ intermetallic layers were found in the bulk sample after heating at 150 °C for 300 h but was not found in the as-cast sample. In the plate samples, scallop-shaped γ-Cu^sub 5^Zn^sub 8^/inverted trigonal-shaped η-Cu^sub 6^Sn^sub 5^ intermetallic layers were found after heating at 150 °C for 600 h. Some pores were found at the interface between γ-Cu^sub 5^Zn^sub 8^ intermetallic compound (IMC) and the solder alloy, which might come from the formation and growth of IMCs and decreased the adhesion strength. © 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and benefit response of extracorporeal high frequency thermotherapy (EHFT) combined with Chinese medicine (CM) in the treatment of patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer.MethodsThe study adopted a prospective, small sample and randomized controlled method, and the advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients were assigned to two groups according to the table of random digits, one having the treatment of EHFT combined with CM (the treatment group), the other only with CM (the control group). The patients in the treatment group were treated with EHFT one hour once per day, together with CM differentiation decoction, 250 mL orally taken, twice daily for 14 days as one cycle, and 3–4 cycles was performed. The patients in the control group were treated only with CM differentiation decoction using the same dose as the treatment group. The efficacies were evaluated after three to four cycles of treatment. Primary endpoints were disease control rate (DCR) and time to progression (TTP). Secondary endpoints were overall survival time and 1-year survival rate.ResultsSixty-six patients accomplished the study. After the patients underwent different treatments, none of the patients got a complete response or partial response in both groups. In the treatment group, DCR was 72.2%, and 10 had progression of disease (28.8%), while the DCR of the control group was 63.3%, and 11 had progression of disease (36.7%); there was a significant statistical difference (P <0.05), suggesting that the combined regimen had superiority on the DCR. As for long-term efficacy, the median survival time (MST) of the treatment group was 7.5 months, TTP was 5.5 months, and 1-year survival rate was 21.4 %; in the control group, the results were 6.8 months, 4.5 months and 16.6% respectively. There was significant statistical difference on TTP (P <0.05), but no difference on MST or 1-year survival rate.ConclusionEHFT combined with CM differentiation has better tolerance and short-term efficacy in the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) principles have been increasingly applied in various surgical disciplines to optimize patient outcomes and reduce recovery times. However, evidence regarding the application of ERAS-based nursing interventions in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) management remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ERAS-based nursing interventions in improving recovery outcomes for patients undergoing surgical treatment for LDH. A total of 345 patients diagnosed with LDH and undergoing surgical treatment between February 2022 and February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: 174 received ERAS-based nursing interventions, while 171 received standard care. ERAS interventions included preoperative education, multimodal pain management, early mobilization, and psychological support. Clinical outcomes, including postoperative pain measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), length of hospital stay (LOS), complication rates, and patient satisfaction, were assessed. Recovery milestones, such as time to ambulation and return to daily activities, were also analyzed.The ERAS group demonstrated significantly better outcomes compared to the standard care group. Postoperative VAS scores were lower in the ERAS group at 24 h (3.7 ± 1.2 vs. 5.1 ± 1.4, P  < 0.001) and 48 h (2.8 ± 0.9 vs. 4.3 ± 1.2, P  < 0.001). The ERAS group also had a shorter LOS (5.3 ± 1.7 days vs. 7.1 ± 2.2 days, P  < 0.001), fewer complications (6.9% vs. 12.3%, P  = 0.037), and higher patient satisfaction (92.6% vs. 78.9%, P  < 0.001). Recovery milestones, including time to ambulation (18.5 ± 4.6 h vs. 30.2 ± 5.9 h, P  < 0.001) and return to daily activities (7.4 ± 1.5 days vs. 10.2 ± 2.1 days, P  < 0.001), were achieved earlier in the ERAS group. ERAS-based nursing interventions significantly improve recovery outcomes for patients undergoing surgical treatment for lumbar disc herniation. These findings highlight the importance of integrating ERAS principles into perioperative nursing care to enhance patient recovery and satisfaction.