Effects of closed- versus open-system intensive care units on mortality rates in patients with cancer requiring emergent surgical intervention for acute abdominal complications: a single-center retrospective study in Korea.

Background: In this study, we aimed to compare the in-hospital mortality of patients with cancer who experienced acute abdominal complications that required emergent surgery in open (treatment decisions made by the primary attending physician of the patient's admission department) versus closed (treatment decisions made by intensive care unit [ICU] intensivists) ICUs.

Methods: This retrospective, single-center study enrolled patients with cancer admitted to the ICU before or after emergency surgery between November 2020 and September 2023. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the associations between patient characteristics in the open and closed ICUs and in-hospital mortality.

Stretchable and biodegradable self-healing conductors for multifunctional electronics.

As the regenerative mechanisms of biological organisms, self-healing provides useful functions for soft electronics or associated systems. However, there have been few examples of soft electronics where all components have self-healing properties while also ensuring compatibility between components to achieve multifunctional and resilient bio-integrated electronics. Here, we introduce a stretchable, biodegradable, self-healing conductor constructed by combination of two layers: (i) synthetic self-healing elastomer and (ii) self-healing conductive composite with additives.

Water-powered, electronics-free dressings that electrically stimulate wounds for rapid wound closure.

Chronic wounds affect ~2% of the U.S. population and increase risks of amputation and mortality.

The Diels-Alder Cross-Linked Gelatin/Dextran Nanocomposite Hydrogels with Silver Nanoparticles for Wound Healing Applications: Synthesis, Characterization, and In Vitro Evaluation.

Wound healing involves a sophisticated biological process that relies on ideal conditions to advance through various stages of repair. Modern wound dressings are designed to imitate the natural surroundings around cells and offer properties such as moisture regulation, strength, and antimicrobial defense to boost healing. A recent research project unveiled a new type of gelatin (Gel)/dextran (Dex) hydrogels, linked through Diels-Alder (D-A) reactions, loaded with silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) for cutting-edge wound treatment.

Recent advances in soft, implantable electronics for dynamic organs.

Unlike conventional rigid counterparts, soft and stretchable electronics forms crack- or defect-free conformal interfaces with biological tissues, enabling precise and reliable interventions in diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. Intrinsically soft and elastic materials, and device designs of innovative configurations and structures leads to the emergence of such features, particularly, the mechanical compliance provides seamless integration into continuous movements and deformations of dynamic organs such as the bladder and heart, without disrupting natural physiological functions. This review introduces the development of soft, implantable electronics tailored for dynamic organs, covering various materials, mechanical design strategies, and representative applications for the bladder and heart, and concludes with insights into future directions toward clinically relevant tools.

Customizable Nichrome Wire Heaters for Molecular Diagnostic Applications.

Accurate sample heating is vital for nucleic acid extraction and amplification, requiring a sophisticated thermal cycling process in nucleic acid detection. Traditional molecular detection systems with heating capability are bulky, expensive, and primarily designed for lab settings. Consequently, their use is limited where lab systems are unavailable.

Synthesis of shape-programmable elastomer for a bioresorbable, wireless nerve stimulator.

Materials that have the ability to manipulate shapes in response to stimuli such as heat, light, humidity and magnetism offer a means for versatile, sophisticated functions in soft robotics or biomedical implants, while such a reactive transformation has certain drawbacks including high operating temperatures, inherent rigidity and biological hazard. Herein, we introduce biodegradable, self-adhesive, shape-transformable poly (L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (BSS-PLCL) that can be triggered via thermal stimulation near physiological temperature (∼38 °C). Chemical inspections confirm the fundamental properties of the synthetic materials in diverse aspects, and study on mechanical and biochemical characteristics validates exceptional stretchability up to 800 % and tunable dissolution behaviors under biological conditions.

Effects of Early Initiation of Polymyxin B Hemoperfusion Therapy in Patients with Cancer with Refractory Septic Shock.

: We aimed to analyze the correlation between in-hospital mortality and hemodynamic changes, using polymyxin B-immobilized fiber column direct hemoperfusion (PMX-DHP) initiation time in patients with cancer with refractory septic shock. : Forty-six patients with cancer who received PMX-DHP for refractory septic shock were retrospectively analyzed and classified into early (≤3 h between refractory septic shock and PMX-DHP; = 17) and late (>3 h; = 29) initiation groups. The vasopressor inotropic score (), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, and lactate clearance before and 24 h post-PMX-DHP were compared.

Delirium in patients with COVID-19 treated in the intensive care unit.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can lead to acute organ dysfunction, and delirium is associated with long-term cognitive impairment and a prolonged hospital stay. This retrospective single-center study aimed to investigate the risk factors for delirium in patients with COVID-19 infection receiving treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU). A total of 111 patients aged >18 years with COVID-19 pneumonia who required oxygen therapy from February 2021 to April 2022 were included.

Soft, Long-Lived, Bioresorbable Electronic Surgical Mesh with Wireless Pressure Monitor and On-Demand Drug Delivery.

Current research in the area of surgical mesh implants is somewhat limited to traditional designs and synthesis of various mesh materials, whereas meshes with multiple functions may be an effective approach to address long-standing challenges including postoperative complications. Herein, a bioresorbable electronic surgical mesh is presented that offers high mechanical strength over extended timeframes, wireless post-operative pressure monitoring, and on-demand drug delivery for the restoration of tissue structure and function. The study of materials and mesh layouts provides a wide range of tunability of mechanical and biochemical properties.

Micropatterned Elastomeric Composites for Encapsulation of Transient Electronics.

Although biodegradable, transient electronic devices must dissolve or decompose via environmental factors, an effective waterproofing or encapsulation system is essential for reliable, durable operation for a desired period of time. Existing protection approaches use multiple or alternate layers of electrically inactive organic/inorganic elements combined with polymers; however, their high mechanical stiffness is not suitable for soft, time-dynamic biological tissues/skins/organs. Here, we introduce a stretchable, bioresorbable encapsulant using nanoparticle-incorporated elastomeric composites with modifications of surface morphology.

Study on the real-time object detection approach for end-of-life battery-powered electronics in the waste of electrical and electronic equipment recycling process.

With the growing use of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), managing end-of-life EEE has become critical. Thus, the demand for sorting and detaching batteries from EEE in real time has increased. In this study, we investigated real-time object detection for sorting EEE, which using batteries, among numerous EEEs.

Anastomotic leakage after resection of the rectosigmoid colon in primary ovarian cancer.

Background: The aim of the study is to evaluate the risk factors of anastomotic leakage (AL) and develop a nomogram to predict the risk of AL in surgical management of primary ovarian cancer.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 770 patients with primary ovarian cancer who underwent surgical resection of the rectosigmoid colon as part of cytoreductive surgery between January 2000 to December 2020. AL was defined based on radiologic studies or sigmoidoscopy with relevant clinical findings.

Ultra-stretchable and biodegradable elastomers for soft, transient electronics.

As rubber-like elastomers have led to scientific breakthroughs in soft, stretchable characteristics-based wearable, implantable electronic devices or relevant research fields, developments of degradable elastomers with comparable mechanical properties could bring similar technological innovations in transient, bioresorbable electronics or expansion into unexplored areas. Here, we introduce ultra-stretchable, biodegradable elastomers capable of stretching up to ~1600% with outstanding properties in toughness, tear-tolerance, and storage stability, all of which are validated by comprehensive mechanical and biochemical studies. The facile formation of thin films enables the integration of almost any type of electronic device with tunable, suitable adhesive strengths.

Predicting factors associated with prolonged intensive care unit stay of patients with COVID-19.

Background: Predicting the length of stay (LOS) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) is essential for efficient use of ICU resources. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients with severe COVID-19 based on their clinical care and determined the predictive factors associated with prolonged LOS.

Methods: We included 96 COVID-19 patients who received oxygen therapy at a high-flow nasal cannula level or above after ICU admission during March 2021 to February 2022.

Zebra-inspired stretchable, biodegradable radiation modulator for all-day sustainable energy harvesters.

Recent advances in passive radiative cooling systems describe a variety of strategies to enhance cooling efficiency, while the integration of such technology with a bioinspired design using biodegradable materials can offer a research opportunity to generate energy in a sustainable manner, favorable for the temperature/climate system of the planet. Here, we introduce stretchable and ecoresorbable radiative cooling/heating systems engineered with zebra stripe-like patterns that enable the generation of a large in-plane temperature gradient for thermoelectric generation. A comprehensive study of materials with theoretical evaluations validates the ability to accomplish the target performances even under external mechanical strains, while all systems eventually disappear under physiological conditions.

Screening of antioxidant capacity of Nepali medicinal plants with a novel singlet oxygen scavenging assay.

Unlabelled: Pollutant exposure due to industrial development increases oxidative stress in human bodies. Dietary intake of antioxidant shows a protective effect against oxidative damage induced by oxidative stress. Therefore, the development of natural antioxidants is needed.

Association of estimated white matter hyperintensity age with cognition in elderly with controlled hypertension.

Introduction: Hypertension is associated with white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and cognitive impairment. Further, WMH is associated with cognitive impairment including executive, attention and visuospatial functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of controlled hypertension (cHT) and previously developed concept, 'WMH age' on cognitive function and the mediating role of WMH in the effect of cHT on cognitive impairment.

Effect of a Wireless Vital Sign Monitoring System on the Rapid Response System in the General Ward.

While wireless vital sign monitoring is expected to reduce the vital sign measurement time (thus reducing the nursing workload), its impact on the rapid response system is unclear. This study compared the time from vital sign measurement to recording and rapid response system activation between wireless and conventional vital sign monitoring in the general ward, to investigate the impact of wireless vital sign monitoring system on the rapid response system. The study divided 249 patients (age > 18 years; female: 47, male: 202) admitted to the general ward into non-wireless (n = 101) and wireless (n = 148) groups.

Overexpression of mir-135b and mir-210 in mesenchymal stromal cells for the enrichment of extracellular vesicles with angiogenic factors.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are known as molecular carriers involved in cell communication and the regulation of (patho)physiological processes. miRNAs and growth factors are the main contents of EVs which make them a good candidate for the treatment of diseases caused by ischemia, but the low production of EVs by a cell producer and a significant variation of the molecular contents in EVs according to the cell source are the main limitations of their widespread use. Here, we show how to improve the therapeutic properties of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-derived EVs (MSC-EVs) by modifying MSCs to enrich these EVs with specific angiomiRs (miR-135b or miR-210) using lentiviral vectors carrying miR-135b or miR-210.

Low-cost, open-source contact angle analyzer using a mobile phone, commercial tripods and 3D printed parts.

Measurement of contact angle is important in many areas of science and engineering research. Contact angle analyzers are however not easily accessible due to their expensive cost, which hinders their use in research and also in education. In this study we propose a low-cost contact angle analyzer that can be assembled with 3D printed parts.