2,514 Cases of Thoracoabdominal and Descending Thoracic Aorta Surgery: Strategies Associated with Improved Survival, Stroke and Paraplegia.

Background: Despite the remarkable outcome of open thoracoabdominal aortic repairs of high-volume aortic centers, generalized result that spans diverse clinical settings are needed in the era of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). This study explored the national real-world data focusing on the impact of cumulative surgical volume on the operative outcomes.

Methods: Using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service claims database, the cohort included adult patients who underwent open thoracoabdominal or descending thoracic aortic aneurysm repairs from 2008 to 2020.

Incorporation of pyromellitic dianhydride for enhanced performance in PBAT/thermoplastic starch blend.

Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)/thermoplastic starch (TPS) blends were prepared via a melt processing with combined systems of two different plasticizers: TPS with a glycerol and water plasticizer system and sTPS with a glycerol, water, and an epoxidized soybean oil (ESO), plasticizer system. The plasticizing effect on the optimized PBAT/sTPS compositions was evaluated. However, it was difficult to achieve the superior physical properties of hydrophobic PBAT with hydrophilic TPS.

Machine Learning Nonadiabatic Dynamics: Eliminating Phase Freedom of Nonadiabatic Couplings with the State-Interaction State-Averaged Spin-Restricted Ensemble-Referenced Kohn-Sham Approach.

Excited-state molecular dynamics (ESMD) simulations near conical intersections (CIs) pose significant challenges when using machine learning potentials (MLPs). Although MLPs have gained recognition for their integration into mixed quantum-classical (MQC) methods, such as trajectory surface hopping (TSH), and their capacity to model correlated electron-nuclear dynamics efficiently, difficulties persist in managing nonadiabatic dynamics. Specifically, singularities at CIs and double-valued coupling elements result in discontinuities that disrupt the smoothness of predictive functions.

Contact ion-pair S2 reactions activated by Lewis Base Phase transfer catalysts.

We present experimental probes of contact ion-pair (CIP) S2 reactions for simplest prototype systems by F-NMR spectroscopy. This study provides crucial evidences for the reactions of CIP metal salts facilitated by Lewis base phase transfer catalysts (PTCs) [2,2,2]-cryptand, 18-crown-6, pentaethylene glycols (pentaEGs) and BINOL-based pentaEG. The F-NMR spectra of MF (M = K, Cs) ion-pairs in various solvents are used as fingerprinting tools to identify the CIP CsF/PTC/substrate complexes in S2 reactions.

Risk and Mortality of Cardiovascular Diseases in Patients with Dupuytren's Disease: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a type of fibroproliferative disease that involves the palmar aspect of the hand. Although many benign fibroproliferative diseases have been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, the relationship between DD and myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke has not been fully elucidated.

Methods: A total of 35,909 patients with DD and a control cohort with 1,077,270 age- and sex-matched participants from the Korean National Health Insurance database were included.

Multidisciplinary Digital Therapeutics for Chronic Low Back Pain Versus In-Person Therapeutic Exercise with Education: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) is a global health issue leading to significant disability and socioeconomic burden. Traditional treatments, including exercise and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), are often limited by physical and temporal constraints. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of multidisciplinary digital therapeutics (MORA Cure LBP) compared to conventional treatments.

The Relationship Between Preoperative Vitamin D Levels and Keloid Recurrence.

Background: Keloids, characterized by excessive collagen deposition, often recur despite various treatments. This study explores the association between preoperative serum vitamin D levels and keloid recurrence in a Korean population.

Methods: A retrospective cohort of 160 patients who underwent keloid excision was analyzed.

A Comparative Analysis of Postoperative Single Fraction of 9.5 Gy Versus 10 Gy for Ear Keloids.

Background: The optimal radiotherapy doses for postoperative treatment of ear keloids are currently a topic of debate.

Objective: The authors compared the efficacy of 9.5-Gy and 10-Gy single-fraction electron beam radiation therapy after surgical excision and evaluated the impact of radiation timing on outcomes.

Subxiphoid Single-Port Robotic Thymectomy Using the Single-Port Robotic System versus VATS: A Multi-Institutional, Retrospective, and Propensity Score-Matched Study.

Subxiphoid thymectomy is a novel alternative to the transthoracic approach and sternotomy, with potential benefits, such as reduced postoperative pain and faster recovery. We previously reported the initial experience with subxiphoid single-port robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (SRATS) thymectomy using the single-port robotic system (SPS). However, the efficacy of this technique remains unknown.

Recurrent Auricular Keloid After Childbirth in a Patient With von Willebrand Disease.

The authors present a case of a 34-year-old female patient with von Willebrand disease who developed a recurrent right auricular keloid after childbirth. The patient had previously undergone surgical excision of the keloid in 2017, which led to the diagnosis of von Willebrand disease due to uncontrolled bleeding. After a successful pregnancy in 2023, the patient experienced keloid recurrence.

Robotic thoracic surgery using the single-port robotic system: Initial experience with more than 100 cases.

Objective: This study aimed to report the initial experiences of 115 patients who underwent robotic thoracic surgery using the da Vinci single-port robotic surgical system (Intuitive Surgical).

Methods: Robotic thoracic surgery using the da Vinci single-port robotic surgical system was performed on 115 patients between November 2020 and June 2023. Patient characteristics, intraoperative outcomes, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.

How to Safely Use the Perforator-based Keystone Island Flap in the Scalp: Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Scalp With Local Invasion to Calvarium.

Scalp reconstruction has always been a challenging problem for even the most experienced surgeon to provide good aesthetic and functional results. This is mainly because the scalp is less mobile and tight, requiring a much larger dissection for the size of the original defect. We hypothesized that the omega variant perforator-based keystone island flap at the subgaleal plane provides a versatile and easily reproducible reconstructive option for scalp reconstruction after wide skin cancer excision.

Is Gillies Temporal Incision Necessary to Successfully Reduce Zygomaticomaxillary Fracture Combined With Orbital Wall Fracture?

Gillies temporal approach has been widely used to reduce zygoma fractures. Traditionally, it is the preferred method to reduce the isolated zygomatic arch fracture. It can be combined with other approaches, such as subciliary and intraoral incisions for more complex zygomatic fractures, so-called tripod fractures.

How to Reduce Inferomedial Orbital Wall Fracture Using a Navigation System: Tips and Pearls.

The orbit is a confined space with a defined bony structure. Bony protrusion into the ethmoid or maxillary sinuses by the blowout fracture can displace orbital tissues, including rectus muscles and adjacent fascial septae. Especially, reconstructing the orbit's floor and medial wall can be challenging when the inferomedial strut or posterior bony ledge is affected, leading to a loss of critical anatomic landmarks and support.

Efficacy of Immediate Postoperative Single Fractional 10 Gy Radiotherapy for Earlobe Keloids.

Background: The ear is a common site for keloid formation, typically due to ear piercing or trauma. Auricular keloids are always difficult to treat and pose a challenging situation. The purpose of this study is to present our experience treating earlobe keloids through complete surgical excision followed by immediate postoperative single fraction 10 Gy radiation therapy either on the same day or the next day.

Mechanical Ptosis by Medial Upper Eyelid Fat Prolapse.

Common symptoms of medial fat pad prolapse may include a noticeable bulge in the inner corner of the upper eyelid, puffiness, and a tired or aged appearance. In some cases, this condition may contribute to mechanical ptosis. However, mechanical ptosis caused by medial upper eyelid fat prolapse has not been reported previously.

Genome-wide association analyses using machine learning-based phenotyping reveal genetic architecture of occupational creativity and overlap with psychiatric disorders.

Creativity is known to be heritable and exhibits familial aggregation with psychiatric disorders; however, the complex nature of their relationship has not been well-established. In the present study, we demonstrate that using an expanded and validated machine learning (ML)-based phenotyping of occupational creativity (OC) can allow us to further understand the trait of creativity, which was previously difficult to define and study. We conducted the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) on OC with 241,736 participants from the UK Biobank and identified 25 lead variants that have not yet been reported and three candidate causal genes that were previously associated with educational attainment and psychiatric disorders.

The Versatility of Keystone Flaps for Skin Cancer Reconstruction of the Nose.

Nasal reconstruction has been a challenging problem for even the most experienced surgeon to provide excellent esthetic and functional outcomes. Although the bilobed flap offers distinct advantages for reconstructing these defects using an adjacent tissue with similar esthetic qualities, this flap has several potential limitations. The authors hypothesized that the conventional keystone flap and its variants provide a versatile and easily reproducible reconstructive option for nasal reconstruction after wide skin cancer excision.

Indications for Furlow Double-Opposing Z-Plasty in Patients with Velopharyngeal Insufficiency following 2-Flap Palatoplasty.

Background: Various surgical methods have been developed for treating velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI); however, the choice of surgical treatment is controversial. The pharyngeal flap, which is commonly used, has a high success rate but frequently leads to airway complications. Furlow double-opposing Z-plasty (DOZ) does not deform the velopharyngeal port; therefore, it is expected to show good speech outcomes while reducing airway complications if an appropriate indication is noted.