Effect of air bubbling on electroless Pd plating for the practical application of hydrogen selective membranes.

In this study, an air bubbling electroless plating (ELP) method was newly developed for the production of Pd composite membranes. The air bubble ELP alleviated the concentration polarization of Pd ions, making it possible to achieve a plating yield of 99.9% in 1 h and form very fine Pd grains with a uniform layer of ∼4.

Coverage with Evidence Development Programs for Medical Technologies in Asia-Pacific Regions: A Case Study of Japan and South Korea.

In this article, the operational characteristics of coverage with evidence development (CED) programs in Asia-Pacific regions, focusing on two countries-Japan and South Korea-are reviewed. Both countries recommended the introduction of CED to overcome the barrier of lack of robust clinical evidence in the early stages of the introduction of a medical technology. However, each country has a unique approach to CED implementation that reflects the differences in establishment and healthcare and policy environments.

Laparoscopic surgery versus open surgery for gastric cancer: big data analysis based on nationwide administrative claims data.

Purpose: Accumulated evidence indicates laparoscopic surgery (LS) has the advantages of less wound pain, less blood loss, shorter hospitalization, and faster functional recovery than open surgery (OS). Previous studies have analyzed the advantages of LS based on hospital data. This study is the first to compare surgical outcomes and health economic data using nationwide administrative claims datasets for gastric cancer.

Association between phthalate exposure and lower handgrip strength in an elderly population: a repeated-measures study.

Background: Decreased muscle strength can lead to adverse health outcomes in the elderly. A potential association between phthalate exposure and muscle strength was suggested previously, but has not been investigated directly. We hypothesized that phthalate exposure is associated with lower handgrip strength and that the association is modified by the dietary omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.

Association between Dietary Patterns and Atopic Dermatitis in Relation to GSTM1 and GSTT1 Polymorphisms in Young Children.

Previous research suggests the association of glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene polymorphisms or diet, but no interactions between these factors in atopic dermatitis (AD). We conducted a community-based case-control study including 194 AD and 244 matched non-AD preschoolers. Glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) present/null genotypes were evaluated uisng a multiplex PCR method.