Data-Driven Discovery of High-Performance Heterobilayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenide-Based Sliding Ferroelectrics.

The development of efficient sliding ferroelectric (FE) materials is crucial for advancing next-generation low-power nanodevices. Currently, most efforts focus on homobilayer two-dimensional materials, except for the experimentally reported heterobilayer sliding FE, MoS/WS. Here, we first screened 870 transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) bilayer heterostructures derived from experimentally characterized monolayer TMDs and systematically investigated their sliding ferroelectric behavior across various stacking configurations using high-throughput calculations.

Towards a Theory of Compassion Fatigue in Palliative Care and Oncology: A Systematic Scoping Review.

Background: In their care of terminally ill patients, palliative care physicians and oncologists are increasingly predisposed to physical and emotional exhaustion, or compassion fatigue (CF). Challenges faced by physicians include complex care needs; changing practice demands, and sociocultural contextual factors. Efforts to better understand CF have, however, been limited.

Deciphering and Enhancing Rate-Determining Step of Sodium Deposition towards Ultralow-Temperature Sodium Metal Batteries.

Achieving high ionic conductivity and stable performance at low temperatures remains a significant challenge in sodium-metal batteries (SMBs). In this study, we propose a novel electrolyte design strategy that elucidates the solvation structure-function relationship within mixed solvent systems. A mixture of diglyme and 1,3-dioxolane was developed to optimize the solvation structure towards superior low-temperature electrolyte.

Characterizing biomarkers of ageing in Singaporeans: the ABIOS observational study protocol.

Ageing is the primary driver of age-associated chronic diseases and conditions. Asian populations have traditionally been underrepresented in studies understanding age-related diseases. Thus, the Ageing BIOmarker Study in Singaporeans (ABIOS) aims to characterise biomarkers of ageing in Singaporeans, exploring associations between molecular, physiological, and digital biomarkers of ageing.

Choroidal thickness under pilocarpine versus cyclopentolate.

Bruch´s membrane (BM) is firmly connected posteriorly to the optic nerve head through the peripapillary choroidal border tissue, and anteriorly through the longitudinal ciliary muscle to the scleral spur. We assessed, whether a difference in the contractile state of the ciliary muscle influences the position of the posterior BM by lifting the posterior BM pole, i.e.

Suppression of Aedes aegypti may not affect sympatric Aedes albopictus populations: findings from two years of entomological surveillance in Singapore.

Globally, multiple trials have successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of novel tools, such as the sterile and incompatible insect techniques, in suppressing Aedes aegypti populations. However, there is concern that Aedes albopictus, another arbovirus-competent vector, may occupy the niches vacated by Ae. aegypti in areas where these species occur in sympatry.

Understanding the role of metabolic syndrome in prostate cancer risk: A UK Biobank prospective cohort study.

Predictive value of metabolic syndrome for prostate cancer risk is not clear. We aimed to assess the association between metabolic syndrome and its components with prostate cancer incidence. The primary outcome was prostate cancer incidence, i.

Nanoconfinement-Enabled Resistance to Water Matrix Components for Selective Degradation of Micropollutants.

Despite recent substantial advances in water treatment, the ability to selectively degrade trace micropollutants in real waters with complex matrix components remains a grand challenge. Here we report rational crafting of graphene oxide (GO)-wrapped defective TiO2 composite catalysts that creates nanoscopic confinement over the TiO2 surface within GO, thereby enabling the selective degradation of micropollutants through effectively excluding natural organic matter (NOM) and anions from the nanoconfined catalytic sites. In contrast to unconfined counterparts, the nanoconfined composite catalysts retain high degradation efficiency when exposed to various concentrations of NOM and anions, even in real water samples.

Safety and Feasibility of Robotic Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy With Immediate Direct-to-Implant Reconstruction - Insights From the One of the Largest Centers in Asia.

Background: The use of robotic-assisted nipple-sparing mastectomy (R-NSM) with immediate direct-to-implant (DTI) reconstruction in treatment of breast cancer has been a controversial topic. The adoption of robotic surgery in breast cancer treatment has gained traction globally due to its minimally invasive nature, potential for improved cosmetic outcomes and better intraoperative visualization. This study provides insights on safety and feasibility robotic mastectomy at one of the largest centers in Asia.

Guidance on the assessment of the functionality of biomaterials for periodontal tissue regeneration: Methodologies and testing procedures.

Innovative biomaterials and tissue engineering strategies show great promise in regenerating periodontal tissues. This guidance provides an overview and detailed recommendations for evaluating the biological functionality of these new biomaterials in vitro, focusing on mineralization, immunomodulatory effects, cellular differentiation, and angiogenesis. Additionally, it discusses the use of in vivo experimental models that mimic periodontitis and scrutinizes methods such as osteogenic differentiation, immunomodulation, and anti-inflammatory responses to assess the effectiveness of these biomaterials in promoting periodontal tissue reconstruction.

Consensus and Guidelines on Diagnosis and Management of Polypoidal Choroidal Vasculopathy (PCV) from the Asia-Pacific Vitreo-retina Society (APVRS).

A panel of 21 international experts are formed by the Asia-Pacific Vitreo-retina Society to work out the consensus and guidelines on polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). PCV is a common subtype of neovascular age-related macular degeneration and is more prevalent in Asian populations. Recent advancement in imaging technology allows greater understanding of the disease process of PCV.

Outcomes after medical treatment for primary aldosteronism: an international consensus and analysis of treatment response in an international cohort.

Background: Primary aldosteronism can be treated medically but there is no standardised method to evaluate treatment outcomes. We aimed to develop criteria for assessing the outcomes of targeted medical treatment of primary aldosteronism, analyse outcomes across an international cohort, and identify factors associated with a complete treatment response.

Methods: An international panel of 31 primary aldosteronism experts used the Delphi method to reach consensus on the definition of complete, partial, or absent biochemical and clinical outcomes of medical treatment of primary aldosteronism.

Aspirin after completion of standard adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer (ASCOLT): an international, multicentre, phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Aspirin is a simple, globally available medication that has been shown to reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer. We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of aspirin in the secondary prevention of colorectal cancer.

Methods: This phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at 66 centres across 11 countries and territories (ten in Asia-Pacific; one in the Middle East).

Insight into the abundance and optical characteristics of water-soluble organic compounds (WSOC) in PM in urban areas.

Airborne particulate matter (PM) poses significant environmental and health challenges, particularly in urban areas. This study investigated the characteristics of water-soluble organic compounds (WSOC) in PM (PM with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less) in Singapore, a tropical Asian city-state, over a six-month period.

Modelling the impact and cost-effectiveness of upcoming Zika virus vaccines on congenital Zika syndrome.

Background: Zika virus (ZIKV) continues to circulate in Southeast Asia following the 2015-2016 global epidemic, posing an ongoing risk of importation and disease spread for Singapore, a tropical city-state in the region. The virus remains a threat to pregnant women and their fetuses due to the risk of Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). Vaccines currently in development offer hope for reducing ZIKV infections and CZS cases.

Evaluation of the Feasibility of Transfusing Leukocyte Depletion Filter-Processed Intraoperative Cell Salvage Blood in Metastatic Spine Tumor Surgery: Protocol for a Non-Randomized Study.

Background: Metastatic spine tumor surgery (MSTS) is often complex and extensive leading to significant blood loss. Allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) is the mainstay of blood replenishment but with immune-mediated postoperative complications. Alternative blood management techniques (salvaged blood transfusion [SBT]) allow us to overcome such complications.

Characterizing Cardiac Adipose Tissue in Post-AMI Patients via CT Imaging: A Comparative Cross-sectional Study.

Aims: To identify differences in CT-derived perivascular (PVAT) and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) characteristics that may indicate inflammatory status differences between post-treatment acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.

Methods And Results: A cohort of 205 post-AMI patients (age 59.8±9.

Versatile adhesive skin enhances robotic interactions with the environment.

Electronic skins endow robots with sensory functions but often lack the multifunctionality of natural skin, such as switchable adhesion. Current smart adhesives based on elastomers have limited adhesion tunability, which hinders their effective use for both carrying heavy loads and performing dexterous manipulations. Here, we report a versatile, one-size-fits-all robotic adhesive skin using shape memory polymers with tunable rubber-to-glass phase transitions.

Plasticity of cell death pathways ensures GSDMD activation during Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection.

Macrophages express pattern recognition and cytokine receptors that mediate proinflammatory signal transduction pathways to combat microbial infection. To retaliate against such responses, pathogenic microorganisms have evolved multiple strategies to impede innate immune signaling. Recent studies demonstrated that YopJ suppression of TAK1 signaling during Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection promotes the assembly of a RIPK1-dependent death-inducing complex that enables caspase-8 to directly cleave and activate gasdermin D (GSDMD).

Unraveling the Stoichiometric Interactions and Synergism between Ligand-Protected Gold Nanoparticles and Proteins.

Nanomaterials that engage in well-defined and tunable interactions with proteins are pivotal for the development of advanced applications. Achieving a precise molecular-level understanding of nano-bio interactions is essential for establishing these interactions. However, such an understanding remains challenging and elusive.

Predicting Body Fat Percentage from Anthropometric Measurements in Asian Athletes.

Purpose: Researchers have predicted body fat percentage (BF%), as indicated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), from skinfold thicknesses in North American and European athletes, but not athletes from other regions. We sought to estimate an equation to predict BF% in elite Asian athletes from their skinfold thickness and girth measurements, with DXA as a reference method.

Methods: We collected data from two samples of athletes on Singaporean national teams.