Abstract: A bone nail apparatus includes a bone nail, a light source unit and a focalizing unit. The bone nail has a tube wall and at least one through hole. The tube wall is enclosed to form a receiving space. The at least one through hole extends through the tube wall and communicates with the receiving space. The light source unit includes a light emitter and at least one light transmission tube. The at least one light transmission tube is connected to the light emitter and receives a light therefrom. The at least one light transmission tube is received in the receiving space of the bone nail. Each light transmission tube has a light-outputting end aligned with a respective one of the at least one through hole. The focalizing unit has a light-receiving face facing one of the at least one through hole.

Abstract: A series of peptides with divergent confirmations including structures of formula (1A), (1B), (2) and (3) are provided. In the formula, wherein U, G, A, B, R1, R2 and T are as defined in the specification. The divergent peptides disclosed in the present invention are characterized in a mineral binding affinity function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrophilic drug and ?-tricalcium phosphate (?-TCP) coating on a surface area of biopolymer matrix to form a sustained release system. The present invention also provides a method for preparing a sustained release system, comprising providing a surface are of biopolymer matrix coated with a hydrophilic drug and ?-TCP.

Abstract: A series of peptides with divergent confirmations including structures of formula (1A), (1B), (2) and (3) are provided. In the formula, wherein U, G, A, B, R1, R2 and T are as defined in the specification. The divergent peptides disclosed in the present invention are characterized in a mineral binding affinity function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gold fluorescence resonance energy transfer nanoprobe comprising a gold fluorescence donor, a gold fluorescence acceptor, and a linker fragment that connects the gold fluorescence donor and the gold fluorescence acceptor, wherein the fluorescence resonance energy transfer is carried out between the gold fluorescence donor and the gold fluorescence acceptor. This all gold probe employing fluorescence resonance energy transfer technique can be used for detecting diseases such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and cancer metastasis.

Abstract: A series of peptides with divergent confirmations including structures of formula (1A), (1B), (2) and (3) are provided. In the formula, wherein U, G, A, B, R1, R2 and T are as defined in the specification. The divergent peptides disclosed in the present invention are characterized in a mineral binding affinity function.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biomaterial comprising a scaffold consisting of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and gelatin, which are cross-linked via ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide (EDC) between any two of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and gelatin. The present invention further provides a method for preparing the biomaterial and a method for enhancing wound healing with the biomaterial.

Abstract: A method for bone regeneration which comprises administering a short term release composition into a bone area of a subject in need thereof, wherein the composition comprises a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) cross-linked alendronate (PLGA-ALN), wherein the composition releases the alendronate into the bone area, wherein the bone tissue of the bone area is exposed in situ to a therapeutically effective amount of the alendronate over 9 days.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a composition comprising porous ceramic, comprising the following steps: (a) synthesizing poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-methacrylic acid) (p(NIPAAM-MAA)) or similar thermo-response compound thereof; (b) mixing a dispersant with hydroxyapatite or calcium phosphate salt; (c) mixing the p(NIPAAM-MAA) of the step (a) or similar thermo-response compound thereof with water to obtain a hydrogel solution; (d) mixing the hydrogel solution of the step (c) and product of the step (b) to produce a mixture; (e) adding macromolecular particles to the mixture of the step (d) and stirring to produce a slurry; (f) filling the slurry of the step (e) into a template slot; and disposing the template slot filling with the slurry of the step (f) on a crucible, then proceeding high temperature sinter in a furnace to form the composition comprising porous ceramic.

Abstract: A series of peptides with divergent confirmations including structures of formula (1A), (1B), (2) and (3) are provided. In the formula, wherein U, G, A, B, R1, R2 and T are as defined in the specification. The divergent peptides disclosed in the present invention are characterized in a mineral binding affinity function.

Abstract: A series of peptides with divergent confirmations including structures of formula (1A), (1B), (2) and (3) are provided. In the formula, wherein U, G, A, B, R1, R2 and T are as defined in the specification. The divergent peptides disclosed in the present invention are characterized in a mineral binding affinity function.

Abstract: A method for locally controlled release of an effective amount of PTH(1-34) by a hyaluronic acid based hydrogel that can injected intra-articularly for the treatment of osteoarthritis is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a controlled release microsphere with mean average size greater than 50 ?m, comprising preparing a water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion comprising an inner aqueous layer containing a pharmaceutically effective amount of a biologically active polypeptide with activity similar to parathyroid hormone, and an oil layer containing a polymer substance of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), then adding the w/o emulsion into aqueous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution to form a water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) double emulsion and then desorbing the solvent in the oil layer. The present invention also provides a controlled release microsphere prepared by the method and use thereof.

Abstract: A controlled release system and manufacturing method is provided. The method comprises providing a first aqueous solution containing a hydrophilic drug and an alkaline agent, providing an organic solution containing a hydrophobic molecule, providing a second aqueous solution containing a hydrophilic surfactant, mixing the first hydrophilic solution with the organic solution to form a first emulsion, and mixing the first emulsion with a second aqueous solution to form a second emulsion containing delayed-release microsphere.

Abstract: A method for treating early-stage osteoarthritis in an animal is provided. The method comprises delivery of a therapeutically effective amount of a parathyroid hormone (PTH) or a PTH derived substance to an affected joint cavity of the patient. Methods for inhibiting articular chondrocytes apoptosis and for inhibiting a degenerative process of articular chondrocytes in an afflicted animal are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biomaterial comprising a scaffold consisting of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and gelatin, which are cross-linked via ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide (EDC) between any two of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and gelatin. The present invention further provides a method for preparing the biomaterial and a method for enhancing wound healing with the biomaterial.

Abstract: A method for treating and/or inhibiting arthritis is provided. The method includes administering an effective amount of a composition including a parathyroid hormone and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or salt to a subject with arthritis. Additionally, a method for inhibiting and/or rescuing terminal differentiation of cells is also provided.

Abstract: A method for locally controlled release of an effective amount of PTH(1-34) by a hyaluronic acid based hydrogel that can injected intra-articularly for the treatment of osteoarthritis is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogel comprising a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) cross-linked hyaluronic acid. The present invention also provides a method of synthesizing a hydrogel comprising poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) cross-linked hyaluronic acid, which comprises (a) synthesizing methacrylated hyaluronic acid; and (b) copolymerizing methacrylated hyaluronic acid with N-isopropylacrylamide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a three-dimensional culture containing human articular chondrocytes with induced terminal differentiation changes, as well as a process for preparing the same. The three-dimensional culture, which was found to mimic the biological characteristics of articular chondrocytes that undergo terminal differentiation in vivo, can be used as a tool in the studies of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of osteoarthritis, and in the screening of candidate drugs for use in treatment of a disorder associated with articular chondrocytes.