Preventing condensation of objective lens in noncontact wide-angle viewing systems during vitrectomy.

Aim: To assess the optimal conditions for preventing condensation of objective lens during vitrectomy with noncontact wide-angle viewing systems (WAVSs).

Methods: We explored the effectiveness of the coating with ophthalmic viscoelastic device (OVDs) on the corneal surface and the soaking the objective lens in warm-saline for preventing condensation of objective lens. First, to find the optimal soaking time to keep the objective lens warm, we measured the temperature of objective lens every minute after soaking in warm saline.

Management of Acute Submacular Hemorrhage with Intravitreal Injection of Tenecteplase, Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Gas.

Purpose: To evaluate the visual and anatomical outcomes for neovascular age-related macular degeneration with submacular hemorrhage after intravitreal injections of tenecteplase (TNK), anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and expansile gas.

Methods: This study was a retrospective clinical case series following 25 eyes of 25 patients. All patients received a triple injection using 0.

An operando surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) study of carbon deposition on SOFC anodes.

Thermally robust and chemically inert Ag@SiO2 nanoprobes are employed to provide the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect for an in situ/operando study of the early stage of carbon deposition on nickel-based solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anodes. The enhanced sensitivity to carbon enables the detection of different stages of coking, offering insights into intrinsic coking tolerance of material surfaces. Application of a thin coating of gadolinium doped ceria (GDC) enhances the resistance to coking of nickel surfaces.

CdS/C60 binary nanocomposite films prepared via phase transition of PS-b-P2VP block copolymer.

We demonstrate the well-defined control of phase transition of a polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) block copolymer from spherical micelles to lamellar structures, in which CdS and C60 nanoparticles (NPs) are selectively positioned at the P2VP domains. The CdS NPs are in situ synthesized using PS-b-P2VP block copolymer templates that are self-assembled in PS-selective solvents. The CdS-PS-b-P2VP micellar structures are transformed to lamellar phase by adjusting a solvent selectivity for both blocks.

Well-organized raspberry-like Ag@Cu bimetal nanoparticles for highly reliable and reproducible surface-enhanced Raman scattering.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is ideally suited for probing and mapping surface species and incipient phases on fuel cell electrodes because of its high sensitivity and surface-selectivity, potentially offering insights into the mechanisms of chemical and energy transformation processes. In particular, bimetal nanostructures of coinage metals (Au, Ag, and Cu) have attracted much attention as SERS-active agents due to their distinctive electromagnetic field enhancements originated from surface plasmon resonance. Here we report excellent SERS-active, raspberry-like nanostructures composed of a silver (Ag) nanoparticle core decorated with smaller copper (Cu) nanoparticles, which displayed enhanced and broadened UV-Vis absorption spectra.

Selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors increase paclitaxel sensitivity in taxane-resistant ovarian cancer by suppressing P-glycoprotein expression.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether selective cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors promote paclitaxel-induced apoptosis in taxane-resistant ovarian cancer cells by suppressing MDR1/P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression.

Methods: Taxane-resistant ovarian cancer cells were cultured with paclitaxel alone or combined with a selective COX inhibitors. The expression patterns of MDR1/P-gp and the ability of COX inhibitors to inhibit growth of taxane-resistant ovarian cancer cells were measured.

Etched graphite with internally grown Si nanowires from pores as an anode for high density Li-ion batteries.

A novel architecture consisting of Si nanowires internally grown from porous graphite is synthesized by etching of graphite with a lamellar structure via a VLS (vapor-liquid-solid) process. This strategy gives the high electrode density of 1.5 g/cm(3), which is comparable with practical anode of the Li-ion battery.

Multipositional silica-coated silver nanoparticles for high-performance polymer solar cells.

We demonstrate high-performance polymer solar cells using the plasmonic effect of multipositional silica-coated silver nanoparticles. The location of the nanoparticles is critical for increasing light absorption and scattering via enhanced electric field distribution. The device incorporating nanoparticles between the hole transport layer and the active layer achieves a power conversion efficiency of 8.

Preparation of silica nanospheres and porous polymer membranes with controlled morphologies via nanophase separation.

We successfully synthesized two different structures, silica nanospheres and porous polymer membranes, via nanophase separation, based on a sol-gel process. Silica sol, which was in situ polymerized from tetraorthosilicate, was used as a precursor. Subsequently, it was mixed with a polymer that was used as a matrix component.

Helical silicon/silicon oxide core-shell anodes grown onto the surface of bulk silicon.

We demonstrate a simple route for preparing Si/SiO(x) urchin-like structures in which Si/SiO(x) core-shell nanocoils protruded out from the surface of bulk Si, via high-temperature annealing of Pt-decorated Si powders. The carbon-coated urchin-like anodes with micro- and nanostructured composite exhibit a significantly improved electrochemical performance with a high specific capacity of 1600 mAh/g and a superior cycling performance of 70 cycles at a rate of 0.2 C due to the nanocoil conformation and SiO(x) buffer layer.

Shape control of cadmium hydroxides (Cd(OH)2) sensitive to pH quenching depth and massive production of CdSe nanocrystals by their chemical transformation.

This study demonstrates that the structure of cadmium hydroxides (Cd(OH)(2)) precipitated from a basic cadmium nitrate solution can be finely controlled by adjusting the pH of the precursor solution. The synthesis process involves only pouring the saturated solution into pure water to quench the pH and the total process is finished within 30 s. At a shallow pH quenching, the unstable nanoparticles turned into microparticles via a ripening process.

Patterning of various silicon structures via polymer lithography and catalytic chemical etching.

We demonstrate a facile fabrication of a rich variety of silicon patterns with different length scales by combining polymer lithography and a metal-assisted chemical etching method. Several types of polymer patterns were fabricated on silicon substrates, and silver layers were deposited on the patterned silicon surfaces and used to etch the silicon beneath. Various silicon patterns including topographic lines, concentric rings, and square arrays were created at a micro- and nanoscale after etching the silicon and subsequent removal of the patterned polymer masks.

Ocular toxocariasis in Korea.

Purpose: To analyze the characteristics and clinical manifestations of clinically diagnosed and serologically confirmed ocular toxocariasis in patients.

Methods: Thirty-three eyes of 33 patients diagnosed as having ocular toxocariasis at the Hallym University Medical Center between January 1999 and December 2008 were included in the study. The diagnosis of ocular toxocariasis was based on clinical features and confirmed serologically by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting.

The volume of tumor mass and visual field defect in patients with pituitary macroadenoma.

Purpose: We used the Swedish interactive threshold algorithms (SITA) standard strategy of Humphrey perimetry, to analyze the pattern of visual field (VF) defects and evaluate the quantitative correlation between the tumor volume and severity of VF defects in patients with pituitary macroadenoma.

Methods: We reviewed 50 patients with pituitary macroadenoma who received VF test and 11 patients were excluded. VF analysis was performed with Humphrey perimeter using the SITA standard strategy.

Extremely superhydrophobic surfaces with micro- and nanostructures fabricated by copper catalytic etching.

We demonstrate a simple method for the fabrication of rough silicon surfaces with micro- and nanostructures, which exhibited superhydrophobic behaviors. Hierarchically rough silicon surfaces were prepared by copper (Cu)-assisted chemical etching process where Cu nanoparticles having particle size of 10-30 nm were deposited on silicon surface, depending on the period of time of electroless Cu plating. Surface roughness was controlled by both the size of Cu nanoparticles and etching conditions.

Common polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene are associated with risks of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer in women with low serum folate and vitamin B12.

Objective: We evaluated associations between folate, vitamin B12, and the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene, and risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer.

Methods: This multicenter case-control study enrolled 927 Korean women (440 controls, 165 patients with CIN 1, 167 patients with CIN 2/3, and 155 patients with cervical cancer, aged 20-75 years).

Results: Patients with cervical cancer had significantly lower median serum folate and vitamin B12 concentrations vs.

A case of irritated seborrheic keratosis associated with a previous incision site.

An 83-year-old woman had undergone an external dacryocystorhinostomy with silicone intubation. Before the surgery, no skin lesions were observed on the incision site. Three months after surgery, the patient complained of a brown-to-black pigmented elevation at her previous skin incision site.

Intakes of vitamin A, C, and E, and beta-carotene are associated with risk of cervical cancer: a case-control study in Korea.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common gynecological malignancies in Korea, although the incidence has been declining in recent years. This study explored whether antioxidant vitamin intakes influenced the risk of cervical cancer. The association between antioxidant vitamin intakes and cervical cancer risk was calculated for 144 cervical cancer cases and 288 age-matched, hospital-based controls using unconditional logistic regression models.

The effects of polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthase (MTR), and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) on the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer in Korean women.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between cervical cancer risk and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in three one-carbon metabolism genes, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthase (MTR), and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) in Korean women. Twelve SNPs were identified in MTHFR, MTR, and MTRR in the 927 case-control samples, which included 165 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 1 (CIN1), 167 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 and 3 (CIN2/3), 155 cervical cancer patients, and 440 normal controls. The frequencies of the genotypes and haplotypes were assessed in the controls, CINs, and cervical cancers.

Preparation of ag-embedded polystyrene nanospheres and nanocapsules by miniemulsion polymerization.

An isopropyl myristate (IPM) biocompatible oil and an IPM solution of dodecanethiol-capped Ag nanoparticles (NPs, 4.5 nm) were used as hydrophobes to suppress the Ostwald ripening of monomer/hydrophobe miniemulsified droplets in a surfactant-stabilized water phase. The formation of non-IPM-encapsulated nanospheres (48 nm) and IPM-encapsulated nanocapsules (90 nm) were precisely controlled by using a water-soluble and an oil-soluble initiator, respectively, in the presence of a pure IPM as a hydrophobe in miniemulsion polymerization.

Functional polymorphism in manganese superoxide dismutase and antioxidant status: their interactions on the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer.

Objective: Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), the primary antioxidant enzyme in mitochondria, plays a key role in protecting cells from oxidative stress. Furthermore, the MnSOD rs4880 polymorphism is associated with enzyme activity. The authors evaluated the interaction between MnSOD genotypes and cervical carcinogenesis risk and the modulating effects of serum antioxidant nutrient status (beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin/lutein, retinol, alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol).

The fabrication of nanopatterns with Au nanoparticles-embedded micelles via nanoimprint lithography.

We fabricated nanopatterns with Au nanoparticles-embedded micelles (Au-micelles) by self-assembly of block copolymers via nanoimprint lithography. The micelle structure prepared by self-assembled block copolymers was used as a template for the synthesis of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs). Au NPs were synthesized in situ inside the micelles of polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS- b-P2VP).

Relationship of serum antioxidant micronutrients and sociodemographic factors to cervical neoplasia: a case-control study.

Background: Although there have been some epidemiological studies on the effects of diet and nutritional status on cervical carcinogenesis, evidence for a protective effect of antioxidant micronutrients against cervical neoplasia is insufficient. The relationship between serum antioxidant micronutrients and sociodemographic factors and the risk of cervical neoplasia was investigated in this multi-center, case-control study.

Methods: The study population included women with histopathological diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 (n=147), CIN 2/3 (n=177), cervical cancer (n=160), and a control group (n=378).

Well-Organized CdS/C(60) in Block Copolymer Micellar Cores.

CdS nanoparticles of 4.5 nm diameter were synthesized in poly(2-vinylpyridine) micellar cores which were obtained by solvating a polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) block copolymer in polystyrene-selective toluene. Then, a C(60) -toluene solution was dispersed into the CdS micelle solution with stirring.