Direct Visualization of the Self-Alignment Process for Nanostructured Block Copolymer Thin Films by Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Herein, this work aims to directly visualize the morphological evolution of the controlled self-assembly of star-block polystyrene--polydimethylsiloxane (PS--PDMS) thin films via in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations. With an environmental chip, possessing a built-in metal wire-based microheater fabricated by the microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technique, in situ TEM observations can be conducted under low-dose conditions to investigate the development of film-spanning perpendicular cylinders in the block copolymer (BCP) thin films via a self-alignment process. Owing to the free-standing condition, a symmetric condition of the BCP thin films can be formed for thermal annealing under vacuum with neutral air surface, whereas an asymmetric condition can be formed by an air plasma treatment on one side of the thin film that creates an end-capped neutral layer.

Controlled Self-Assembly of Polystyrene--Polydimethylsiloxane for Fabrication of Nanonetwork Silica Monoliths.

Herein, this work aims to carry out controlled self-assembly of single-composition block copolymer for the fabrication of various nanonetwork silica monoliths. With the use of lamellae-forming polystyrene--polydimethylsiloxane (PS--PDMS), nanonetwork-structured films could be fabricated by solvent annealing using a PS-selective solvent (chloroform). By simply tuning the flow rate of nitrogen purge to the PS-selective solvent for the controlled self-assembly of the PS--PDMS, gyroid- and diamond-structured monoliths can be formed due to the difference in the effective volume of PS in the PS--PDMS during solvent annealing.

An Innovative Thread-looping Method for Facial Rejuvenation: Minimal Access Multiple Plane Suspension.

Background: Management of facial rejuvenation has evolved over past decades. Facelift with barbed suture is a minimally invasive surgical technique for facial rejuvenation. This study examined the efficacy and associated complications of a new thread-looping procedure called minimal access multiple plane suspension.

Directed Self-Assembly of Star-Block Copolymers by Topographic Nanopatterns through Nucleation and Growth Mechanism.

Exploring the ordering mechanism and dynamics of self-assembled block copolymer (BCP) thin films under confined conditions are highly essential in the application of BCP lithography. In this study, it is aimed to examine the self-assembling mechanism and kinetics of silicon-containing 3-arm star-block copolymer composed of polystyrene (PS) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) blocks as nanostructured thin films with perpendicular cylinders and controlled lateral ordering by directed self-assembly using topographically patterned substrates. The ordering process of the star-block copolymer within fabricated topographic patterns with PS-functionalized sidewall can be carried out through the type of secondary (i.

Effects of calcium channel blockers comparing to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease stage 3 to 5 and dialysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Calcium channel blocker (CCB) or two renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockades (RAAS), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), are major potent and prevalently used as initial antihypertensive agents for mild to moderate hypertension, but no uniform agreement as to which antihypertensive drugs should be given for initial therapy, especially among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Design: A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing CCBs and the two RAAS blockades for hypertensive patients with CKD stage 3 to 5D. The inclusion criteria for this systematic review was RCT that compared the effects of CCBs and the two RAAS blockades in patients with hypertension and CKD.

Generalized bullous fixed drug eruption is distinct from Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis by immunohistopathological features.

Background: Generalized bullous fixed drug eruption (GBFDE), a particular form of fixed drug eruption (FDE), is characterized by widespread blisters and erosions and can be confused with Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN).

Objective: We sought to analyze specific features of GBFDE and differentiate it from SJS/TEN.

Methods: We retrospectively studied patients with GBFDE and SJS/TEN during a period of 10 years.

Clinicopathologic analysis of coxsackievirus a6 new variant induced widespread mucocutaneous bullous reactions mimicking severe cutaneous adverse reactions.

Background: The cutaneous manifestations of human enterovirus (HEV) infection are usually limited, such as hand-foot-mouth disease. By comparison, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is a life-threatening severe cutaneous adverse reaction (SCAR), mainly caused by drugs. During the HEV outbreaks in 2010-2012 in Taiwan, we identified 21 patients who developed widespread blistering mucocutaneous reactions without any suspected drug causality.

Acute pulmonary embolism in a patient with hypereosinophilia and psoriasis.

Peripheral blood hypereosinophilia reflects various underlying disorders. However, its thromboembolic consequences are not often highlighted. We report a case of acute pulmonary embolism in a 42 year-old male prisoner hospitalized for erythrodermic psoriasis who presented with generalized edema and shortness of breath.