Enhanced Performance of Polymer Photodetectors Using a Metal-Doped Zinc Oxide Interfacial Layer.

Organic photodetectors (OPDs) are cheaper and more flexible than conventional photodetectors based on inorganic precursors, but their wider commercial application is limited by their low electron extraction efficiency under reverse bias conditions (when operating under photoconductive mode). Zinc oxide (ZnO) has shown promise as an electron transport layer for OPDs owing to its wide band gap, but its electron extraction efficiency has been limited by issues such as photoinstability and the formation of surface detects. This study investigated the effects of doping ZnO nanoparticles with indium gallium (i.

Optimal Cerebral Blood Flow Thresholds for Ischemic Core Estimation Using Computed Tomography Perfusion and Diffusion-Weighted Imaging.

Objective: Computed tomography perfusion (CTP) imaging is crucial in quantifying cerebral blood flow (CBF) and thereby making an endovascular treatment (EVT) after large vessel occlusion. However, CTP is prone to overestimating the ischemic core. We sought to delineate the optimal regional CBF (rCBF) thresholds of pre-EVT CTP.

Hybrid Nanoparticle Engineered with Transforming Growth Factor -β1-Overexpressed Extracellular Vesicle and Cartilage-Targeted Anti-Inflammatory Liposome for Osteoarthritis.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) possess the characteristics of their parent cells, based on which various studies have actively investigated treatments for diseases using mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs due to their regenerative activity. Furthermore, in recent years, there have been significant efforts to engineer EVs to improve their native activities and integrate additional functions. Although both endogenous and exogenous methods are used for engineering EVs, endogenous methods may pose the problem of administering substances to cells undergoing metabolic changes, which can cause potential side effects.

Positional effects of electron-donating and withdrawing groups on the photophysical properties of single benzene fluorophores.

We investigated how the positional arrangement of electron-donating (amino) and electron-withdrawing (ester) groups in single benzene-based fluorophores influences their emission properties. By synthesizing 26 regioisomeric fluorophores, we achieved wavelength modulation from 322 to 539 nm, revealing key correlations between functional group positioning and photophysical behavior.

Speech Perception Ability and Subjective Satisfaction After Upgrade of Speech Processor in Cochlear Implantation.

Cochlear implant (CI) users face the decision of whether to upgrade to a new sound processor (SP) with technological advances. We wanted to assess the changes of speech perception ability and aided hearing thresholds as well as subjective satisfaction after upgrade to a new SP. Fifty-five patients who have used CI for 10 years or more and upgraded to a new SP were enrolled.

Change in Plantar Pressure and Plain Radiography in Pediatric Flexible Flatfoot: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To investigate longitudinal changes in plantar pressure examinations and plain radiographs and to assess the correlations between these two modalities in pediatric patients with flexible flatfoot (FFF).

Methods: Pediatric patients diagnosed with FFF were analyzed in this retrospective cohort study. Medical records were reviewed to collect data on plain radiographs and plantar pressure examinations.

Multifunctional extracellular vesicles and edaravone-loaded scaffolds for kidney tissue regeneration by activating GDNF/RET pathway.

With the severity of chronic kidney disease worldwide, strategies to recover renal function via tissue regeneration provide alternatives to kidney replacement therapy. To exclude side effects from direct cell transplantation, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are great substitutes representing paracrine cell signaling. To build three-dimensional structures for implantation into the 5/6 nephrectomy model by incorporating bioactive materials, including multifunctional EVs (mEVs), porous PMEZE/mEV scaffolds were developed in combination with edaravone (EDV; E) and mEV based on PMEZ scaffolds with PLGA (P), MH-RA (M), ECM (E), ZnO-ALA (Z).

The Effect of Strength and Balance Training on Kinesiophobia, Ankle Instability, Function, and Performance in Elite Adolescent Soccer Players with Functional Ankle Instability: A Prospective Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial.

We aimed to implement strength and balance training for elite adolescent male soccer players with functional ankle instability (FAI) to assess kinesiophobia, ankle instability, ankle function, and performance. This cluster randomized controlled trial comprised 51 elite adolescent male soccer players with FAI recruited from six different teams, divided into strength, balance, and control groups (SG, n = 17; BG, n = 17; and CG, n = 17, respectively). The SG and BG underwent strength and balance training sessions three times per week for 6 weeks.

Safety and feasibility of same-day discharge for per-oral endoscopic myotomy.

Aims: Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a recognised treatment for achalasia, with the accepted approach involving admission for imaging and dietary progression. However, recent publications suggest same-day discharge (SDD) may be possible, which could be time and cost-saving. We sought to investigate the safety of SDD following POEM.

Quantitative proteomics and immunohistochemistry uncover NT5DC2 as a diagnostic biomarker for papillary urothelial carcinoma.

The accurate diagnosis of papillary urothelial carcinoma (PUC) is frequently challenging due to benign mimickers. Other than morphology-based diagnostic criteria, reliable biomarkers for differentiating benign and malignant papillary urothelial neoplasms remain elusive, so we sought to discover new markers to address this challenge. We first performed tandem mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics using diverse papillary urothelial lesions, including PUC, urothelial papilloma (UP), inverted urothelial papilloma, and cystitis cystica.

Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer on CuO/TiCT MXene for Propane (CH) Synthesis from Electrochemical CO Reduction.

Electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR) to produce value-added multi-carbon chemicals has been an appealing approach to achieving environmentally friendly carbon neutrality in recent years. Despite extensive research focusing on the use of CO to produce high-value chemicals like high-energy-density hydrocarbons, there have been few reports on the production of propane (CH), which requires carbon chain elongation and protonation. A rationally designed 0D/2D hybrid CuO anchored-TiCT MXene catalyst (CuO/MXene) is demonstrated with efficient CORR activity in an aqueous electrolyte to produce CH.

Effects of structural variation in electrospray systems on spray characteristics.

Electrospraying is a method of atomizing fluids using a high voltage potential difference. Since the atomization of electrostatic atomization does not directly charge the nozzle but only uses the potential difference, various equipment structures are possible. In the case of this study, 12 different equipment structures of nozzle, ring electrode, and substrate were configured, and data on atomization characteristics of electrospray, such as spray modes applied voltage, coating area, coating current, spray velocity, and factors used in industrial processes, were verified.

Machine learning-assisted label-free colorectal cancer diagnosis using plasmonic needle-endoscopy system.

Early and accurate detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) is critical for improving patient outcomes. Existing diagnostic techniques are often invasive and carry risks of complications. Herein, we introduce a plasmonic gold nanopolyhedron (AuNH)-coated needle-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor, integrated with endoscopy, for direct mucus sampling and label-free detection of CRC.

Comparison of Midterm Outcomes between All-Inside Arthroscopic and Open Modified Broström Procedures as Treatment for Chronic Ankle Instability.

Background: Although the all-inside arthroscopic modified Broström operation (AMBO) and open modified Broström operation (OMBO) for chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) showed favorable outcomes up to 1-year short-term follow-up, concerns about the long-term stability of AMBO are still present. Therefore, we aimed to compare midterm outcomes between the 2 methods by extending the observation period.

Methods: Fifty-four patients undergoing ankle surgery between August 2013 and July 2017 were included in the AMBO (n = 37) and OMBO (n = 17) groups.

Identification of shared genetic risks underlying metabolic syndrome and its related traits in the Korean population.

Observational studies have demonstrated strong correlations between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its related traits. To gain insight into the genetic architecture and molecular mechanism of MetS, we investigated the shared genetic basis of MetS and its related traits and further tested their causal relationships. Using summary statistics from genome-wide association analyses of about 72,000 subjects from the Korean Genome and Epidemiological Study (KoGES), we conducted genome-wide multi-trait analyses to quantify the overall genetic correlation and Mendelian randomization analyses to infer the causal relationships between traits of interest.

Divine mathematics: Leibniz's combinatorial theory of compossibility.

Leibniz's famous proposition that God has created the best of all possible worlds holds a significant place in his philosophical system. However, the precise manner in which God determines which world is the best remains somewhat ambiguous. Leibniz suggests that a form of "Divine mathematics" is employed to construct and evaluate possible worlds.

Culture-based susceptibility-guided tailored versus empirical concomitant therapy as first-line Helicobacter pylori treatment: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: With the increasing resistance to antimicrobial agents, susceptibility-guided tailored therapy has been emerging as an ideal strategy for Helicobacter pylori treatment. However, susceptibility-guided tailored therapy requires additional cost, time consumption, and invasive procedure (endoscopy) and its superiority over empirical quadruple therapy as the first-line H. pylori treatment remains unclear.

Emerging Perspectives of YAP/TAZ in Human Skin Epidermal and Dermal Aging.

Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are key downstream effectors of the Hippo signaling pathway, which plays a central role in tissue homeostasis, organ development, and regeneration. While the dysregulation of YAP/TAZ has been linked to various human diseases, their involvement in the aging of human skin has only recently begun to manifest. In the skin, the YAP/TAZ effectors emerge as central regulators in maintaining homeostasis of epidermal stem cells and dermal extracellular matrix, and thus intimately linked to skin aging processes.

Combinatory Nanovesicle with siRNA-Loaded Extracellular Vesicle and IGF-1 for Osteoarthritis Treatments.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been found to have the characteristics of their parent cells. Based on the characteristics of these EVs, various studies on disease treatment using mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived EVs with regenerative activity have been actively conducted. The therapeutic nature of MSC-derived EVs has been shown in several studies, but in recent years, there have been many efforts to functionalize EVs to give them more potent therapeutic effects.