Piezostrain-Driven Bidirectional Enhancement of Optical Synaptic Plasticity in Wafer-Scale Co-Phased Tin Selenide Layers.

Tin (Sn)-based two-dimensional (2D) materials exhibit intriguing mechanical and optoelectrical properties owing to their non-centrosymmetric crystallinity and tunable band structures. A judicious integration of these individually decoupled properties is projected to introduce unparalleled functionalities into them, which remain largely unexplored. Herein, we develop wafer-scale tin selenide (SnSe, 0 < < 1) 2D layers composed of thermodynamically stable coexisting phases of SnSe and SnSe with distinct functionalities and identify a strong interplay between their mechanical and optoelectrical characteristics.

Introducing Semiconducting-to-Metallic Transitions into Wafer-Scale 2D PdSe Layers by Low-Temperature Anion Exchange and Thickness Modulation.

Two-dimensional (2D) palladium diselenide (PdSe) layers are projected to exhibit a number of intriguing electrical properties such as semiconducting-to-metallic transitions. Precisely modulating their morphology and chemistry is essential for realizing such opportunities, which is particularly demanded on a large dimension under flexible processing conditions toward broadening their practical device applicability. Herein, we explore a wafer-scale growth of 2D PdSe layers and introduce semiconducting-to-metallic transitions into them at as low as 330 °C, a temperature compatible with a range of polymeric substrates as well as the back-end-of-line (BEOL) processes.

Wafer-Scale Freestanding Monocrystalline Chalcogenide Membranes by Strain-Assisted Epitaxy and Spalling.

Monocrystalline chalcogenide thin films in freestanding forms are very much needed in advanced electronics such as flexible phase change memories (PCMs). However, they are difficult to manufacture in a scalable manner due to their growth and delamination challenges. Herein, we report a viable strategy for a wafer-scale epitaxial growth of monocrystalline germanium telluride (GeTe) membranes and their deterministic integrations onto flexible substrates.

Review of Scoring Systems for Predicting 30-Day Mortality in Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Background: Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAAs) are a serious disease that can lead to high mortality; thus, their early prediction can save patients' lives. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracies of various models for predicting rAAA mortality-including the Glasgow Aneurysm Score, Vancouver Scoring System, Dutch Aneurysm Score, Edinburgh Ruptured Aneurysm Score (ERAS), and Hardman index-based on rAAA treatment outcomes at our institution.

Methods: Between 2016 and 2022, we retrospectively analyzed the early outcome data-including 30-day mortality-of patients who underwent emergency surgery for rAAA at our institution.

Calcium Alginate as an Active Device Component for Light-Triggered Degradation of 2D MoS-Based Transient Electronics.

Transient electronics technology has enabled the programmed disintegration of functional devices, paving the way for environmentally sustainable management of electronic wastes as well as facilitating the exploration of novel device concepts. While a variety of inorganic and/or organic materials have been employed as media to introduce transient characteristics in electronic devices, they have been mainly limited to function as passive device components. Herein, we report that calcium (Ca) alginate, a natural biopolymer, exhibits multifunctionalities of introducing light-triggered transient characteristics as well as constituting active components in electronic devices integrated with two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum disulfide (MoS) layers.

Centimeter-Scale Tellurium Oxide Films for Artificial Optoelectronic Synapses with Broadband Responsiveness and Mechanical Flexibility.

Prevailing over the bottleneck of von Neumann computing has been significant attention due to the inevitableness of proceeding through enormous data volumes in current digital technologies. Inspired by the human brain's operational principle, the artificial synapse of neuromorphic computing has been explored as an emerging solution. Especially, the optoelectronic synapse is of growing interest as vision is an essential source of information in which dealing with optical stimuli is vital.

Tailoring the Degradation of Cyanoarene-Based Photocatalysts for Enhanced Visible-Light-Driven Halogen Atom Transfer.

We present the strategic design of donor-acceptor cyanoarene-based photocatalysts (PCs) aiming to augment beneficial PC degradation for halogen atom transfer (XAT)-induced dehalogenation reactions. Our investigation reveals a competitive nature between the catalytic cycle and the degradation pathway, with the degradation becoming dominant, particularly for less activated alkyl halides. The degradation behavior of PCs significantly impacts the efficiency of the XAT process, leading to exploration into manipulating the degradation behavior in a desirable direction.

Staged angioplasty using a full-length balloon catheter to achieve maturation of arteriovenous fistulas.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of staged full-length balloon-assisted maturation (BAM) for the maturation of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) on entire segmental veins, including stenosis, causing primary AVF failure.

Methods: This study included patients who underwent AVF surgery using an autogenous vein between February 2020 and June 2021 and received staged angioplasty with a full-length balloon catheter. To minimize balloon overlap and the risk of barotrauma to the immature vein, serial-staged upsizing balloon angioplasty with a long balloon catheter covering the entire vein segment was employed approximately 2 weeks apart.

Impact of insertion into the left internal jugular vein in chemoport-associated infections: a retrospective single-center study of 1690 cases.

We analyzed chemoport insertion procedures to evaluate infectious morbidity and factors causing infection. This single-center retrospective study included 1690 cases of chemoport implantation between January 2017 and December 2020. Overall, chemoports were inserted in 1582 patients.

Rejoining Veins for Forced Maturation of Small-Caliber Arteriovenous Fistula.

Background: To evaluate the efficacy of rejoining mainstream and accessory veins for forced maturation of autogenous arteriovenous fistula (AVF).

Methods: Twenty-three patients who underwent forced maturation through vein rejoining between January 2018 and September 2022 were included. In cases where AVF maturation failure due to the presence of accessory veins, rejoining was primarily considered when distinguishing the main branch becomes challenging.

Investigating the influence of collagen cross-linking on mechanical properties of thoracic aortic tissue.

Vascular diseases, such as abdominal aortic aneurysms, are associated with tissue degeneration of the aortic wall, resulting in variations in mechanical properties, such as tissue ultimate stress and a high slope. Variations in the mechanical properties of tissues may be associated with an increase in the number of collagen cross-links. Understanding the effect of collagen cross-linking on tissue mechanical properties can significantly aid in predicting diseased aortic tissue rupture and improve the clarity of decisions regarding surgical procedures.

Benefit in physical function and quality of life to nonsurgical treatment of varicose veins: Pilot study.

Background: Studies on varicose veins have focused its effects on physical function; however, whether nonsurgical treatments alter muscle oxygenation or physical function remains unclear. Moreover, the differences in such functions between individuals with varicose veins and healthy individuals remain unclear.

Aim: To investigate changes in physical function and the quality of life (QOL) following nonsurgical treatment of patients with varicose veins and determine the changes in their muscle oxygenation during activity.

Venous adventitial cystic disease is a very rare disease that can cause deep vein thrombosis: A case report.

Background: Venous adventitial cystic disease (VACD) is a rare disease characterized by cysts, filled with a gelatinous mucous substance similar to joint fluid, in the adventitia of blood vessels adjacent to the joints. It is often misdiagnosed as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), femoral varices, venous tumors, or lymphadenopathy.

Case Summary: A 69-year-old woman visited our hospital with a complaint of swelling in the right lower extremity.

Gut microbiota differences induced by Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity in stray cats in South Korea.

T. gondii is a highly prevalent parasite worldwide, with cats serving as its final host. However, few studies have investigated the impact of T.

Is Prone Position [F]FDG PET/CT Useful in Reducing Respiratory Motion Artifacts in Evaluating Hepatic Lesions?

Prone position is useful in reducing respiratory motion artifacts in lung nodules on 2-Deoxy-2-[F] fluoro-D-glucose ([F]FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). However, whether prone position PET/CT is useful in evaluating hepatic lesions is unknown. Thirty-five hepatic lesions from 20 consecutive patients were evaluated.

Comparison between Kissing Stents and Direct Surgical Bypass for Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease.

Background: The optimal management strategy for aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) remains debatable. This study compared early and late outcomes between direct surgical bypass and kissing stents for AIOD treatment.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data, including age, sex, risk factors, comorbidities, symptoms, TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) II classification, operation time, perioperative complications, in-hospital mortality, and length of hospital stay, from a cohort of 46 patients treated for AIOD (24 with kissing stents and 22 with direct surgical bypass) at Pusan National University Hostpital from January 2007 to December 2016.

Spatial Transcriptomics: Technical Aspects of Recent Developments and Their Applications in Neuroscience and Cancer Research.

Spatial transcriptomics is a newly emerging field that enables high-throughput investigation of the spatial localization of transcripts and related analyses in various applications for biological systems. By transitioning from conventional biological studies to "in situ" biology, spatial transcriptomics can provide transcriptome-scale spatial information. Currently, the ability to simultaneously characterize gene expression profiles of cells and relevant cellular environment is a paradigm shift for biological studies.

Acute limb ischemia after minimally invasive cardiac surgery using the ProGlide: A case series.

Background: We report two cases of acute femoral artery occlusion following the use of ProGlide in minimally invasive cardiac surgery and insertion of large-bore catheters through the common femoral artery. This will add to the existing body of literature by highlighting the possible complications associated with the use of ProGlide and reiterate that the use of the sono-guided ProGlide skill will reduce the incidence of these complications.

Case Summary: A 78-year-old man underwent minimally invasive cardiac surgery for severe aortic valve stenosis.

Comparing carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting: retrospective single-center analysis.

Background: Extracranial cerebrovascular diseases represent approximately 20% of ischemic stroke cases. Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) was the gold standard procedure for carotid artery stenosis treatment until the introduction of carotid artery stenting (CAS) in the 1980s. While there have been several multicenter randomized trials comparing CEA and CAS, a more efficacious procedure has not been conclusively distinguished.

Failure to preserve the internal iliac artery during abdominal aortic aneurysm repair is associated with mortality and ischemic complications.

Objective: Open or endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) can involve sacrifice of the internal iliac artery (IIA). In the present study, we investigated the effect of IIA exclusion on ischemic complications and overall mortality.

Methods: The data from 326 patients who had undergone elective open surgical or endovascular treatment of a nonruptured AAA from January 2010 to December 2019 in a tertiary hospital were retrospectively reviewed.

Nerve Cable Graft Interposition in Patients with Brachial Plexus Schwannoma: Case Reports.

Schwannomas are rare benign tumors that develop in Schwann cells lining peripheral nerves. Schwannomas of the brachial plexus are especially rare, accounting for 5% of all cases. Although several treatments can be considered, the exact method of treatment is unclear owing to the scarcity and sporadic occurrence of schwannomas.