Separators and Membranes for Advanced Alkaline Water Electrolysis.

Traditionally, alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) uses diaphragms to separate anode and cathode and is operated with 5-7 M KOH feed solutions. The ban of asbestos diaphragms led to the development of polymeric diaphragms, which are now the state of the art material. A promising alternative is the ion solvating membrane.

The "Weekend Effect" in Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Background: The phenomenon known as the "weekend effect" impacts various medical disciplines. We compared outcomes between regular hours and off hours to investigate the presence of the weekend effect in extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR).

Methods: Between January 2018 and December 2020, 159 patients at our center were treated with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for cardiac arrest.

Surgical Outcomes of Centrifugal Continuous-Flow Implantable Left Ventricular Assist Devices: Heartmate 3 versus Heartware Ventricular Assist Device.

Background: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are widely employed as a therapeutic option for end-stage heart failure. We evaluated the outcomes associated with centrifugal-flow LVAD implantation, comparing 2 device models: the Heartmate 3 (HM3) and the Heartware Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD).

Methods: Data were collected from patients who underwent LVAD implantation between June 1, 2015 and December 31, 2022.

Outcomes after Mechanical Aortic Valve Replacement in Children with Congenital Heart Disease.

Background: The optimal choice of valve substitute for aortic valve replacement (AVR) in pediatric patients remains a matter of debate. This study investigated the outcomes following AVR using mechanical prostheses in children.

Methods: Forty-four patients younger than 15 years who underwent mechanical AVR from March 1990 through March 2023 were included.

Long-term Surgical Outcomes in Oligometastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Single-Center Study.

Background: We reviewed the clinical outcomes of patients with oligometastatic (OM) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received multimodal therapy including lung surgery.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 117 patients with OM NSCLC who underwent complete resection of the primary tumor from 2014 to 2017.

Results: The median follow-up duration was 2.

Zirconia Toughened Alumina-Based Separator Membrane for Advanced Alkaline Water Electrolyzer.

Hydrogen is nowadays considered a favorable and attractive energy carrier fuel to replace other fuels that cause global warming problems. Water electrolysis has attracted the attention of researchers to produce green hydrogen mainly for the accumulation of renewable energy. Hydrogen can be safely used as a bridge to successfully connect the energy demand and supply divisions.

The Structural Effect of Electrode Mesh on Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Performance for Alkaline Water Electrolysis.

Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) is a mature water electrolysis technology that can produce green hydrogen most economically. This is mainly attributed to the use of Ni-based materials that are easy to process and inexpensive. The nickel-based meshes with various structures such as woven mesh and expanded mesh are widely used as electrode in the AWE due to its common availability and easy fabrication.

Outcomes after Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in Neonates with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Single-Center Experience.

Background: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a rare disease often requiring mechanical ventilation after birth. In severe cases, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be needed. This study analyzed the outcomes of patients with CDH treated with ECMO and investigated factors related to in-hospital mortality.

Cerium Oxide-Polysulfone Composite Separator for an Advanced Alkaline Electrolyzer.

The intermittent and volatile nature of renewable energy sources threatens the stable operation of power grids, necessitating dynamically operated energy storage. Power-to-gas technology is a promising method for managing electricity variations on a large gigawatt (GW) scale. The electrolyzer is a key component that can convert excess electricity into hydrogen with high flexibility.

Eighteen Years of Follow-up after Resection of a Giant Coronary Artery Aneurysm and Reconstruction with a Vein Graft.

Giant coronary artery aneurysms are rare and challenging to treat because of variation in the presenting symptoms and the lack of established management guidelines. We report the case of a patient with a 6-cm-wide giant coronary artery aneurysm that was resected, followed by reconstruction using a saphenous vein graft and 18 years of follow-up.

Transit Time Flowmetry and Vein Size Are Predictive of Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation.

Background: This study aimed to assess the effect of vessel size and flow characteristics on the maturation of autogenous radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulae (RCAVFs).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed records of patients undergoing RCAVF creation at a single medical center from January 2013 to December 2019. Operative variables were compared between patients whose fistulae matured and those whose fistulae failed to mature.

Extracorporeal Life Support in Adult Patients with Hematologic Malignancies and Acute Circulatory and/or Respiratory Failure.

Background: The primary goal of this study was to characterize the clinical outcomes of adult patients with hematologic malignancies (HM) who were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support when conventional treatments failed.

Methods: In this retrospective, observational study at a tertiary medical center, we reviewed the clinical course of 23 consecutive patients with HM requiring ECMO who were admitted to the intensive care unit at Asan Medical Center from March 2010 to April 2015.

Results: A total of 23 patients (8 female; median age, 44 years; range, 29-51 years) with HM and severe acute circulatory and/or respiratory failure received ECMO therapy during the study period.

A Minimally Invasive Approach for the Treatment of Mid-Aortic Syndrome in Takayasu Arteritis.

A 61-year-old woman who presented with claudication and dyspnea on exertion was found to have severe calcified narrowing of the descending aorta and severe insufficiency of the aortic valve. These findings were compatible with Takayasu arteritis. To treat these hemodynamic abnormalities, extra-aortic bypass surgery combined with replacement of the aortic valve and ascending aorta-to-hemiarch replacement was performed through a separated upper hemi-sternotomy and limited median laparotomy.

Surgical Outcomes of Radiographically Noninvasive Lung Adenocarcinoma according to Surgical Strategy: Wedge Resection, Segmentectomy, and Lobectomy.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of surgical resection in patients with radiographically noninvasive lung adenocarcinoma according to the surgical strategy.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of 128 patients who underwent pulmonary resection for ground-glass opacity (GGO)-dominant nodules measuring ≤2 cm with a consolidation/tumor ratio ≤0.25 based on computed tomography between 2008 and 2015.

5L-Scale Magnesio-Milling Reduction of Nanostructured SiO for High Capacity Silicon Anodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Nanostructured silicon (Si) is useful in many applications and has typically been synthesized by bottom-up colloid-based solution processes or top-down gas phase reactions at high temperatures. These methods, however, suffer from toxic precursors, low yields, and impractical processing conditions (i.e.

Essential Thrombocytosis-Associated Thromboembolism in the Abdominal Aorta.

Essential thrombocytosis (ET) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by an anomalous increase in platelet production. Many patients with ET are asymptomatic. Few studies have reported ET-associated thromboembolism in large vessels such as the aorta.

Surgical Outcomes of Cardiac Myxoma: Right Minithoracotomy Approach versus Median Sternotomy Approach.

Background: The standard approach in treating cardiac myxoma is the median full sternotomy. With the evolution of surgical techniques, the right minithoracotomy approach has emerged as an alternative method. Since few studies have been published assessing the right minithoracotomy approach, we performed a retrospective study to compare the clinical outcomes of the right minithoracotomy approach with those of the sternotomy approach.

Synthesis of alkylsulfonyl and substituted benzenesulfonyl curcumin mimics as dual antagonist of L-type Ca(2+) channel and endothelin A/B2 receptor.

We synthesized a library of curcumin mimics with diverse alkylsulfonyl and substituted benzenesulfonyl modifications through a simple addition reaction of important intermediate, 1-(3-Amino-phenyl)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-propenone (10), with various sulfonyl chloride reactants and then tested their vasodilatation effect on depolarization (50 mM K(+))- and endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced basilar artery contraction. Generally, curcumin mimics with aromatic sulfonyl groups showed stronger vasodilation effect than alkyl sulfonylated curcumin mimics. Among the tested compounds, six curcumin mimics (11g, 11h, 11i, 11j, 11l, and 11s) in a depolarization-induced vasoconstriction and seven compounds (11g, 11h, 11i, 11j, 11l, 11p, and 11s) in an ET-1-induced vasoconstriction showed strong vasodilation effect.

Heart Transplantation With Pulmonary Vein Reconstruction in Ewing's Sarcoma in the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract.

Ewing's sarcoma is a histological type of malignant mesenchymal tumor and rarely originates from the heart. We report a case of Ewing's sarcoma located in the right ventricular outflow tract that invaded the left pulmonary vein in a 29-year-old female.

Prolonged pericardial drainage using a soft drain reduces pericardial effusion and need for additional pericardial drainage following orthotopic heart transplantation.

Objectives: Pericardial effusion can cause haemodynamic compromise after heart transplantation. We identified the effects of soft drains on the development of pericardial effusion.

Methods: We enrolled 250 patients ≥17 years of age who underwent heart transplantation between July 1999 and April 2012 and received two conventional tubes (n = 96; 32 French), or two tubes with a soft drain (n = 154; 4.

Fixation of Traumatic Sternal Fractures Using SternaLock Plating System.

A 43-year-old man experienced chest trauma due to a car accident. Compound sternal fractures with severe dislocation were seen on computed tomography of the chest. Using a SternaLock plating system with manual reduction, fixation of the sternal fracture was successfully performed.

Primary repair of tuberculous pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch.

We report a successful primary repair of a tuberculous pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch by open surgery.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor minimizes negative remodeling of decellularized small diameter vascular graft conduits but not medial degeneration.

Background: Poor endothelialization and intimal hyperplasia are major causes of small diameter vascular conduit (SDVC) failure. The present study was aimed to investigate the influence of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on inhibiting adverse remodeling of decellularized SDVCs.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats implanted with allograft infra renal abdominal aortic conduits were divided into 2 groups according to whether they were treated with G-CSF (+G-CSF group; n=6) or without (Decell group; n=6).

Mechanical valve replacement versus bioprosthetic valve replacement in the tricuspid valve position.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and risk of tricuspid valve replacements and to compare bioprosthetic versus mechanical valves.

Methods: Between 1991 and 2009, 104 consecutive patients (71 women; mean age, 57 ± 10.8 years) with tricuspid valvular disease underwent mechanical TVR (mechanical group; n = 59) or bioprosthetic TVR (bioprosthesis group; n = 45).

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor arising from the left ventricle.

We report a case of a 32-year-old female who underwent complete excision of a malignant left ventricular peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors in the mediastinum, including the pericardium, are rare. This case report describes a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor arising from the left ventricular origin for which complete excision was possible.