Etchant-Free Dry-Developable Extreme Ultraviolet Photoresist Materials Utilizing N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Metal Complexes.

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography has enabled significant reductions in device dimensions but is often limited by capillary force-driven pattern collapse in conventional wet processes. Recent dry-development approaches, while promising, frequently require toxic etchants or specialized equipment, limiting their broader applicability and highlighting the need for more sustainable, cost-effective alternatives. In this study, highly reactive, etchant-free dry-developable EUV photoresists using N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based metal-ligand complexes, achieving half-saturation at EUV doses of 8.

l-DOPA-Based Polymer Coatings via Oxidative Radical Polymerization and Their Antifouling Applications.

Bioinspired coatings that mimic the adhesive properties of mussels have received considerable attention for surface modification applications. While polydopamine chemistry has been widely used to develop functional coatings, 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-l-alanine (l-DOPA), a key component of mussel adhesive proteins, has received less attention because, compared to dopamine, it is relatively difficult to form effective coatings on solid substrates in mildly alkaline solutions. Although several methods have been explored to improve the efficiency of l-DOPA coatings, there is still a need to expand the l-DOPA-based surface chemistry.

Artificial Intelligence Models May Aid in Predicting Lymph Node Metastasis in Patients with T1 Colorectal Cancer.

Background/aims: Inaccurate prediction of lymph node metastasis (LNM) may lead to unnecessary surgery following endoscopic resection of T1 colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to validate the usefulness of artificial intelligence (AI) models for predicting LNM in patients with T1 CRC.

Methods: We analyzed the clinical data, laboratory results, pathological reports, and endoscopic findings of patients who underwent radical surgery for T1 CRC.

CD8+ cell dominance in immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced colitis and its heterogeneity across endoscopic features.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced colitis is a significant adverse event associated with ICI therapy, known to be linked to increased cytotoxic T-cell activity.

Objectives: To compare T-cell subsets based on the endoscopic features of ICI-induced colitis and to compare these findings with those of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Characteristics and outcomes of portal vein thrombosis in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Korea.

Background/aims: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) frequently occurs in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly when influenced by factors such as abdominal infections, IBD flare-ups, or surgical procedures. The implications of PVT range from immediate issues such as intestinal ischemia to long-term concerns including portal hypertension and its complications. However, there is a notable gap in comprehensive studies on PVT in IBD, especially with the increasing incidence of IBD in Asia.

Comparison of L L Polyethylene Glycol Plus Ascorbic Acid and Oral Sodium Sulfate Tablets for Colonoscopy Bowel Preparation.

A low-volume (1 L) polyethylene glycol plus ascorbic acid (PEG-A) solution and an oral sodium sulfate tablet (OST) formulation are recently introduced agents for colonoscopy bowel preparation. This study investigated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of 1 L PEG-A vs. OST.

Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Chronic Antibiotic-Refractory Pouchitis in Korean Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.

Background/aims: The study investigated the incidence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of chronic antibiotic-refractory pouchitis (CARP) in Korean patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: This single-center retrospective study included patients with UC who underwent total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis at the Asan Medical Center in Korea between January 1987 and December 2022. The primary outcomes were endoscopic remission and pouch failure.

Advanced Secondary Intention Healing for Complex Soft-Tissue Defects Using Reprocessed Micronized Acellular Dermal Matrix.

Secondary intention healing offers an alternative when surgical options are infeasible. This study analyzed the effect of micronized acellular dermal matrices (mADMs; CGderm Matrix, CG Bio, Seoul, Republic of Korea) on secondary intention healing in patients with complex soft-tissue defects and assessed mADMs' efficacy in promoting secondary healing and improving clinical outcomes in these challenging cases. This retrospective study included 26 patients treated with sheet-type reprocessed mADMs between August 2022 and December 2022 at Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital.

Skin graft monitoring using forward-looking infrared thermal imaging.

This study examined the feasibility of non-invasive infrared thermography to monitor skin graft viability. Sixty-three patients with skin defects attending a single institution from May 2022 to August 2023 were included. Patients underwent full-thickness or split-thickness skin grafts based on clinical indication.

The role of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in ulcerative colitis and changes following tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells treatment.

Background/aims: The programmed death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway has not been fully evaluated in inflammatory bowel disease. We evaluated PD-1/PD-L1 levels in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and their significance in tonsil-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TMSCs) treatment.

Methods: Using acute and chronic murine colitis model, we measured the PD-1 and PD-L1 levels in inflamed colonic tissues pre- and post-treatment with TMSCs.

Fluorescence-guided tumor visualization of colorectal cancer using tumor-initiating probe yellow in preclinical models.

Fluorescence-guided surgery has emerged as an innovative technique with promising applications in the treatment of various tumors, including colon cancer. Tumor-initiating probe yellow (TiY) has been discovered for identifying tumorigenic cells by unbiased phenotypic screening with thousands of diversity-oriented fluorescence library (DOFL) compounds in a patient-derived lung cancer cell model. This study demonstrated the clinical feasibility of TiY for tumor-specific fluorescence imaging in the tissues of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Risk of Lymphedema After Sentinel Node Biopsy in Patients With Breast Cancer.

Purpose: Although numerous studies have identified potential risk factors for ipsilateral lymphedema development in patients with breast cancer following axillary node dissection, the risk factors for lymphedema in patients undergoing sentinel node biopsy without axillary dissection remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine the real-world incidence and risk factors for lymphedema in such patients.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, retrospective review of medical records of patients with breast cancer who underwent sentinel node biopsy alone.

Artificial intelligence-aided colonoscopic differential diagnosis between Crohn's disease and gastrointestinal tuberculosis.

Background And Aim: Differentiating between Crohn's disease (CD) and gastrointestinal tuberculosis (GITB) is challenging. We aimed to evaluate the clinical applicability of an artificial intelligence (AI) model for this purpose.

Methods: The AI model was developed and assessed using an internal dataset comprising 1,132 colonoscopy images of CD and 1,045 colonoscopy images of GITB at a tertiary referral center.

A prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial on artificial intelligence assisted colonoscopy for enhanced polyp detection.

Colon polyp detection and removal via colonoscopy are essential for colorectal cancer screening and prevention. This study aimed to develop a colon polyp detection program based on the RetinaNet algorithm and verify its clinical utility. To develop the AI-assisted program, the dataset was fully anonymized and divided into 10 folds for 10-fold cross-validation.

Flexible endoscope manipulating robot using quad-roller friction mechanism.

A robotic system for manipulating a flexible endoscope in surgery can provide enhanced accuracy and usability compared to manual operation. However, previous studies require large-scale, complex hardware systems to implement the rotational and translational motions of the soft endoscope cable. The conventional control of the endoscope by actuating the endoscope handle also leads to undesired slack between the endoscope tip and the handle, which becomes more problematic with long endoscopes such as a colonoscope.

Extracellular Cleavage of Microglia-Derived Progranulin Promotes Diet-Induced Obesity.

Hypothalamic innate immune responses to dietary fats underpin the pathogenesis of obesity, in which microglia play a critical role. Progranulin (PGRN) is an evolutionarily conserved secretory protein containing seven and a half granulin (GRN) motifs. It is cleaved into GRNs by multiple proteases.

Clinical characteristics and long-term disease course in patients with Crohn's disease as diagnosed by video capsule endoscopy: a multicenter retrospective matched case-control study.

Background/aims: Video capsule endoscopy is rarely used to diagnose Crohn's disease in patients with negative ileocolonoscopy or cross-sectional image findings. We evaluated clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of these rare cases.

Methods: This multicenter study included patients with Crohn's disease from 3 tertiary hospitals from January 2007 to October 2022.

Highly Sustainable h-BN Encapsulated MoS Hydrogen Evolution Catalysts.

Despite the importance of the stability of the 2D catalysts in harsh electrolyte solutions, most studies have focused on improving the catalytic performance of molybdenum disulfide (MoS) catalysts rather than the sustainability of hydrogen evolution. In previous studies, the vulnerability of MoS crystals is reported that the moisture and oxygen molecules can cause the oxidation of MoS crystals, accelerating the degradation of crystal structure. Therefore, optimization of catalytic stability is crucial for approaching practical applications in 2D catalysts.

Extremely Rare Case of Successful Treatment of Foot Ulcer Associated with Evans' Syndrome and Buerger's Disease.

Evans Syndrome (ES) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Thrombotic complications in ES patients are uncommon, particularly involving Buerger's Disease (BD). We report a case of a 49-year-old male with ES and a history of diabetes and heavy smoking, presenting with a necrotic wound on his right great toe.

An Experimental and Clinical Study of Flap Monitoring with an Analysis of the Clinical Course of the Flap Using an Infrared Thermal Camera.

Flap surgery is a common method used to cover defects following tumor ablation, trauma, or infection. However, insufficient vascularity in the transferred flap can lead to flap necrosis and failure. Proper postoperative monitoring is essential to prevent these complications.

A novel strategy and characteristics of PVA/citric acid cross-linked hydrophilic elastic sponge of cellulose based on medicinal herb residue.

A new ultra-hydrophilic elastic sponge composite has been proposed. Medicinal herbs, commonly used in herbal medicine and subsequently discarded, are rich in natural polymer substances, making them promising candidates for various material industries. TEMPO-oxidized cellulose was extracted from medicinal herb residue, and the physicochemical properties of an ultra-hydrophilic elastic sponge, prepared through a PVA and CA impregnate cross-linking process, were investigated.

Moderation of thyroid hormones for the relationship between amyloid and tau pathology.

Background: Altered thyroid hormone levels have been associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia and related cognitive decline. However, the neuropathological substrates underlying the link between thyroid hormones and AD dementia are not yet fully understood. We first investigated the association between serum thyroid hormone levels and in vivo AD pathologies including both beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau deposition measured by positron emission tomography (PET).