Metal-Coordinated, Dual-Crosslinked PIM Polymer Membranes for Upgraded CO Separation: Aging and Plasticization Resistance.

The practical use of polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) in CO separation is often hindered by their moderate selectivity, performance instability over time, and pressure constraints. To address these limitations, a straightforward approach is presented to enhance the CO separation capability of PIM-1 by incorporating metal ions into uniformly hydrolyzed PIM-1 (cPIM). This dual linking strategy, achieved via ionic and coordination bonding of metal ions with the polymeric side chains including ─COOH and ─CONH, restructures the polymer, disrupting hydrogen bonds between cPIM chains and creating active sites for CO via π-complexation.

Can a Continuous Wound Infiltration System Replace Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia for Postoperative Pain Management after a Single-Port Access Laparoscopy?

The aim of this study was to determine whether continuous wound infiltration (CWI) can replace intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) and to investigate effective pain control strategies after a single-port access (SPA) laparoscopy for adnexal disease. : A total of 470 patients (the CWI group [n = 109], the IV PCA group [n = 198], and the combined group [n = 163]) who underwent an SPA adnexal laparoscopy and who received CWI or IV PCA for postoperative pain management were retrospectively reviewed. The numeric rating scale (NRS) pain score at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h (h) after surgery and the total amount of fentanyl administered via IV PCA were collected.

Tailoring the Structure-Property Relationship of Ring-Opened Metathesis Copolymers for CO-Selective Membranes.

In this work, we explore the use of ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) facilitated by a second-generation Grubbs catalyst (G2) for the development of advanced polymer membranes aimed at CO separation. By employing a novel copolymer blend incorporating 4,4'-oxidianiline (ODA), 1,6-hexanediamine (HDA), 1-adamantylamine (AA), and 3,6,9-trioxaundecylamine (TA), along with a CO-selective poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(propylene glycol) copolymer (Jeffamine2003) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) units, we have synthesized membranes under ambient conditions with exceptional CO separation capabilities. The strategic inclusion of PDMS, up to a 20% composition within the PEG/PPG matrix, has resulted in copolymer membranes that not only surpass the 2008 upper limit for CO/N separation but also meet the commercial targets for CO/H separation.

Does Robot Assisted Laparoscopy (RAL) Have an Advantage in Preservation of Ovarian Reserve in Endometriosis Surgery? Comparison of Single-Port Access (SPA) RAL and SPA Laparoscopy.

The purpose of this study was to compare single-port access (SPA) laparoscopy and SPA robot assisted laparoscopy (RAL) for endometriosis with respect to ovarian reserve preservation and surgical outcomes. Clinical factors affecting any reduction in ovarian function after surgery were also evaluated. Patients with endometriosis who underwent SPA laparoscopy (n = 87) or RAL (n = 78) were retrospectively reviewed.

Efficacy of a continuous wound infiltration system for postoperative pain management in gynecologic patients who underwent single-port access laparoscopy for adnexal disease.

Introduction: Single-port access (SPA) laparoscopy requires only one incision, unlike conventional laparoscopy. However, its umbilical incision is larger than that of conventional laparoscopy and can be vulnerable to postoperative pain. This study aimed to evaluate whether simultaneous use of a continuous wound infiltration (CWI) system and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) effectively decreases surgical site pain in patients who underwent SPA laparoscopy due to gynecologic adnexal disease.

Role of reactive thrombocytosis after primary cytoreductive surgery in advanced ovarian cancer.

We investigated the incidence of reactive thrombocytosis after maximal cytoreductive surgery in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and its role in patient survival. We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of patients who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery for advanced EOC from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2017. We analyzed the serum platelet counts at various time points from before surgery, during the peri-operative period, and after each cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Comparison of Surgical Outcomes of Hysterectomy by Vaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (vNOTES) versus Single-Port Access (SPA) Surgery.

Single-port access (SPA) laparoscopic surgery and vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) have many advantages. The objective of the present study is to compare patient characteristics, operative details, and postoperative outcomes between the two surgical methods. Patients who were planned to undergo vNOTES or SPA laparoscopic surgery between April 2020 and June 2021 were prospectively enrolled.

Surface Modification of Matrimid 5218 Polyimide Membrane with Fluorine-Containing Diamines for Efficient Gas Separation.

Polyimide membranes have been widely investigated in gas separation applications due to their high separation abilities, excellent processability, relatively low cost, and stabilities. Unfortunately, it is extremely challenging to simultaneously achieve both improved gas permeability and selectivity due to the trade-off relationship in common polymer membranes. Diamine modification is a simple strategy to tune the separation performance of polyimide membranes, but an excessive loss in permeability is also generally observed.

Recent Developments in Nanoporous Graphene Membranes for Organic Solvent Nanofiltration: A Short Review.

Graphene-based membranes are promising candidates for efficient organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN) processes because of their unique structural characteristics, such as mechanical/chemical stability and precise molecular sieving. Recently, to improve organic solvent permeance and selectivity, nanopores have been fabricated on graphene planes via chemical and physical methods. The nanopores serve as an additional channel for facilitating ultrafast solvent permeation while filtering organic molecules by size exclusion.

The prevention of postoperative port-site adhesion following single-port access (SPA) laparoscopic surgeries.

No studies have examined the issue of intraabdominal port-site adhesion following single-port access (SPA) laparoscopic surgeries. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the clinical effects of temperature-sensitive adhesion barrier solution in preventing periumbilical adhesion in SPA laparoscopy. This was a prospective, single-arm study in which patients were given GUARDIX-SGTM after SPA laparoscopic surgery for benign gynecologic diseases.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery-Based Combination Treatment Strategies Improve Survival in Patients With Central Nervous System Metastases From Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis of Two Academic Institutions in Korea and Taiwan.

Central nervous system (CNS) metastases from epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) are rare. We investigated the clinico-pathological prognostic factors of patients with CNS metastases from EOC and compared the outcomes of various treatment modalities. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with CNS metastases from EOC between 2000 and 2020.

First Drinking Experiences during Adolescence in South Korea: A Qualitative Study Focusing on the Internal and External Factors.

This study explored the internal and external factors affecting the first drinking experience during Korean adolescence. To achieve this, we collected 34 cases revealing specific drinking experiences during adolescence in Alcoholic Anonymous (A.A.

Single-port access (SPA) laparoscopic myomectomy with uterine artery ligation via a retroperitoneal approach is feasible in women with large uterine leiomyoma.

Objective: Uterine artery ligation (UAL) at the time of myomectomy has shown to decrease blood loss during the operation. However, little is known about the efficacy and feasibility of UAL during single-port access (SPA) myomectomy. The present study was performed to investigate the clinical benefits of UAL in SPA myomectomy and to provide details of the surgical techniques.

Clinical factors associated with prognosis in low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma: experiences at two large academic institutions in Korea and Taiwan.

Low-grade ovarian serous carcinoma (LGSOC) has clinical features different from high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) accounting for the majority of epithelial ovarian cancer. Because of its rarity, previous studies have only focused on the high-grade disease without considering the differences between the two subtypes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the clinical prognostic factors known for HGSOC on survival in patients with LGSOC.

Prognostic Significance of Tumor Regression Rate during Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Cervix Cancer: Analysis by Radiation Phase and Histologic Type.

This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of tumor regression rate according to radiation phase and histologic subtype in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) treated with chemoradiation. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 398 patients with FIGO stage IIB-IVA cervical cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) between 2001 and 2019. Tumor response was assessed using serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at three time points: pre-treatment, post-external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), and post-intracavitary radiotherapy (ICR).

Feasibility of Single-Port Access (SPA) Laparoscopy for Large Ovarian Tumor Suspected to Be Borderline Ovarian Tumor.

Objectives: To compare the surgical, pathological and oncological outcomes of single-port access (SPA) laparoscopy against laparotomy for large ovarian tumor (>15 cm) suspected to be a borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) on preoperative imaging.

Methods: A retrospective review of the patients who underwent SPA laparoscopy (SPA Group) or laparotomy (Laparotomy Group) for suspected BOT was performed. Surgical outcomes, including the rates of iatrogenic spillage of tumor contents, and oncological outcomes, such as recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), were compared between the two groups.

Comparison of Laparoscopy and Laparotomy for Para-Aortic Lymphadenectomy in Women With Presumed Stage I-II High-Risk Endometrial Cancer.

To compare laparoscopic surgery to laparotomy for harvesting para-aortic lymph nodes in presumed stage I-II, high-risk endometrial cancer patients. Patients with histologically proven endometrial cancer, presumed stage I-II with high-risk tumor features who had undergone hysterectomy, bilateral salpingoophorectomy, or pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy by either laparoscopy or laparotomy in Samsung Medical Center from 2005 to 2017 were retrospectively investigated. The primary outcome was para-aortic lymph node count.

Chemoradiotherapy response prediction model by proteomic expressional profiling in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

Objective: Resistance to chemo-radiation therapy is a substantial obstacle that compromises treatment of advanced cervical cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate if a proteomic panel associated with radioresistance could predict survival of patients with locally advanced cervical cancer.

Methods: A total of 181 frozen tissue samples were prospectively obtained from patients with locally advanced cervical cancer before chemoradiation.

Impact of Angiotensin Receptor Blockers, Beta Blockers, Calcium Channel Blockers and Thiazide Diuretics on Survival of Ovarian Cancer Patients.

Purpose: We investigated the impact of four types of antihypertensive medications, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta blockers (BBs; both selective and non-selective), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), and thiazide diuretics (TDs) on survival outcomes in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

Materials And Methods: A single-institutional retrospective chart review of 878 patients with EOC was performed. Survival was compared according to use of the four antihypertensive medications during primary treatment.

Pretreatment Lymph Node Metastasis as a Prognostic Significance in Cervical Cancer: Comparison between Disease Status.

Purpose: Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is the most significant prognostic factor in cervical cancer that was recently incorporated into the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system. This study was performed to evaluate whether the prognostic significance of LNM differs according to disease status.

Materials And Methods: Patients with FIGO stage IB or higher cervical cancer who had pretreatment computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging studies as well as long-term follow-up were enrolled in this retrospective study.

Optimal timing for performing hysterectomy according to different phase of menstrual cycle: Which is best?

The aim of this study was to determine whether the different phases of the menstrual cycle could affect operative bleeding in women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy. This was a retrospective comparative study. Based on the adjusted day of menstrual cycle, 212 women who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy were classified into three groups: the follicular phase (n = 51), luteal phase group (n = 125), and menstruation group (n = 36).

Efficacy of TachoSil(®) in preventing hemorrhage after loop electrosurgical excision procedure.

Study Objective: To assess the utility of TachoSil for achieving hemostasis after loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).

Design: Case-control study (Canadian Task Force Classification II-2).

Setting: University hospital.

Comparison of hemostatic sealants on ovarian reserve during laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy.

Objective: To determine whether different methods of hemostasis and pathologic subtypes would lead to significant differences regarding ovarian reserve after laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy.

Study Design: Data were prospectively collected from 129 patients who underwent laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy with either a hemostatic sealant (FloSeal or TachoSil) or bipolar coagulation to achieve hemostasis. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels as measured by enzyme immunoassay.