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Objectives: This study investigated the association between sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and the risk of cardio‐cerebrovascular disease (CCVD) among older adults in South Korea. Methods: Data from 38,426 patients in the Korean National Health Insurance Service‐Senior Cohort from 2002 to 2019 were collected. The risk of CCVD includes both stroke and acute myocardial infarction. Propensity score matching (1:1) was used to identify pairs of individuals with and without SSNHL (n = 19,213 for cases and controls). Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the associations between variables. Results: Patients with SSNHL had a higher risk of CCVD (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11–1.24) compared to those without. The risk of CCVD was higher among those who experienced a stroke than those who did not (HR = 1.17 95% CI = 1.10–1.25). Compared to their matched controls, patients with SSNHL were 1.69 times (HR = 1.69 CI = 1.46–1.94) more likely to have CCVD during the first 12 months of the follow‐up period. Conclusion: Older patients with SSNHL are at an increased risk of CCVD. Hence, a more attentive approach featuring aggressive monitoring of patients with SSNHL is required to lessen their risk of CCVD. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:2372–2376, 2024 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Downsizing a catalyst nanoparticle (NP) to a single atom (SA) has proven to be highly effective in increasing catalytic activity and decreasing the amount of catalyst required for various electrochemical reactions. However, insufficient stability of the single‐atom site catalysts (SACs) is still a significant challenge for their practical application. Here, SACs firmly bound to stable metal oxide NPs are proposed to dramatically increase the electrochemical activity and stability of SA‐based catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Starting from a Ru‐infiltrated, Zr‐based metal‐organic framework (MOF), the tetragonal zirconium oxide (ZrO2‐x) NPs‐embedded carbon matrix is fabricated as support through facile pyrolysis. Simultaneously, Ru SAs as active sites are well dispersed on the surface of ZrO2‐x NPs due to the generation of oxygen vacancies in the tetragonal ZrO2‐x. The Ru‐ZrO2‐x SAC exhibits a 4–5 times higher mass activity than commercial Pt and Ru catalysts and superior durability due to strong metal‐support interaction (SMSI) between Ru atoms and ZrO2‐x substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in electrocatalysts for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) have led to several promising results, including the large‐scale production of low‐carbon fuels. One of the next steps in this route is the generation of economically and scientifically valuable multicarbon (e.g., C4) chemicals. However, this process has rarely been reported to‐date and has generally suffered from a low production rate (jpartial ≤ 0.097 mA cm−2) and Faradaic efficiency (FE) of ≤ 1%. This is largely due to the lack of efficient electrocatalysts for the complicated and interconnected reaction pathway of C4 generation. Herein, CuxIr1–x alloy nanoparticles (NPs) are shown to convert CO2 into (CH3)3COH (t‐BuOH) with a jpartial of 0.207 mA cm–2 at a FE of 14.8%, which is the best performance toward C4 production demonstrated so far. Furthermore, this study proposes a probable mechanism of C4 formation based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The findings suggest that the C4 production is facilitated by the strong electronic interaction between Cu and Ir and the high oxophilicity of the Ir‐rich surface, which enhances the binding strength of oxygen‐bound intermediates. This work opens the potential of Ir‐based alloys for the CO2RR and highlights the production of C4 chemicals beyond the currently available C1–C3 products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to their remarkable electrochemical activities, 1T phase transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials have attracted considerable interest in recent decades. However, metastable 1T phases are difficult to prepare and readily change phases. Therefore, for the first time, a monolayer nanotubular 1T Ru dichalcogenide comprising 92% of the 1T phase is synthesized, which is the highest value ever obtained using solvothermal methods. In the tubular geometry, the 1T phase exhibits superior durability against various external stimuli and electrocatalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction. According to density‐functional‐theory‐based and molecular dynamics calculations, sufficiently curved architectures can change their bond identities to safely maintain 1T phases, hence providing a strategy for stabilizing metastable phases. The study results form a basis for extensively applying 1T phases and will stimulate interest for applying tubular structures for stabilizing metastable materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When breast cancer is surgically removed, a rim of normal tissue surrounding the tumor is also removed. This rim of normal tissue is called a margin and is studied by a pathologist to determine whether or not all tumor was removed. The pathologist achieves this by cutting the surgically removed tissue into thin slices and observing each slice under a microscope. This process is time‐consuming. Here, we investigate the feasibility of using a portable carbon nanotube (CNT)‐based X‐ray system for in situ detection of the presence of tumor cells in the surgical margin. Using the proposed technique, we successfully obtain X‐ray images, which clearly show cancer masses and microcalcifications. This feasibility study shows that portable CNT‐based X‐ray systems are promising candidates for next‐generation in situ pathological examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the Pt group metals, Pd has been considered the most efficient for application in electrocatalysts as an alternative to Pt. Despite the comparable electrochemical activities of Pd and Pd‐metal alloys, they are vulnerable to liquid acidic electrolytes, leading to degradation of catalytic activity. Pd–Ni alloys have been used to enhance catalytic activity because the electronic structure of Pd can be easily changed by adding Ni. In other studies, N atoms have been introduced for more stable M–Ni catalysts by inducing the formation of Ni4N species; however, the structural analysis and the role of nitrogen have not been fully understood yet. Herein, the Pd–Ni alloy nitride with a unique crystal structure shows a promising catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The nitride PdNi nanoparticles have a novel monolithic antiperovskite structure of chemical formula (PdxNi1−x)NNi3. The unique antiperovskite crystal (PdxNi1−x)NNi3 possesses superior ORR activity and stability, originating from the downshifted d‐band center of the monolayer Pd/antiperovskite surface and the lower formation energy of the antiperovskite core nanocrystal. Consequently, (PdxNi1−x)NNi3, as a Pt‐free Pd‐based electrocatalyst, overcomes the stability issue of Pd under acidic conditions by achieving 99‐times higher mass activity than commercial Pd/C, as shown by the durability test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: NADPH oxidase (NOX) plays an important role in inflammatory response by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS). The inhibition of NOX has been shown to induce anti‐inflammatory effects in a few experimental models. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), a NOX inhibitor, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced acute lung injury (ALI) in a rat model. Sprague‐Dawley rats were intraperitoneally administered by DPI (5 mg/kg) 30 minutes after intratracheal instillation of LPS (3 mg/kg). After 6 hours, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were collected. The NOX activity in lung tissue was significantly increased in LPS‐treated rats. It was significantly attenuated by DPI. DPI‐treated rats showed significant reduction in the intracellular ROS, the number of inflammatory cells, and cytokines (TNF‐α and IL‐6) in BALF compared with LPS‐treated rats. In lung tissue, DPI‐treated rats showed significantly decreased malondialdehyde content and increased activity of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase compared with LPS‐treated rats. Lung injury score, myeloperoxidase activity, and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression were significantly decreased in DPI‐treated rats compared with LPS‐treated animals. Western blotting analysis demonstrated that DPI significantly suppressed LPS‐induced activation of NF‐κB and ERK1/2 and SAPK/JNK in MAPK pathway. Our results suggest that DPI may have protective effects on LPS‐induced ALI thorough anti‐oxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects which may be due to inactivation of the NF‐κB, ERK1/2, and SAPK/JNK pathway. These results suggest the therapeutic potential of DPI as an anti‐inflammatory agent in ALI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: carbon dioxide reduction; copper alloys; iridium; multicarbon productions; t-BuOH EN carbon dioxide reduction copper alloys iridium multicarbon productions t-BuOH 1 1 1 06/13/23 20230609 NES 230609 B Carbon Dioxide Reduction b In article number 2300749, Woong Kim and co-workers demonstrate that Cu SB x sb Ir SB 1-x sb alloy nanoparticles can electrochemically convert CO SB 2 sb into I t i -BuOH with a Faradaic efficiency of 14.8%. Carbon dioxide reduction, copper alloys, iridium, multicarbon productions, t-BuOH The study suggests that the strong electronic interaction between Cu and Ir along with the high oxophilicity of the Ir-rich surface can effectively stabilize oxygen-bound intermediates, thereby promoting a productive pathway for multi-carbon production. [Extracted from the article]

The purpose of the present study was to define the differential diagnostic markers of benign and malignant bile duct strictures without demonstrable mass on ultrasonography (US) or computed tomography (CT) using aspects of clinical, laboratory and imaging findings. Between February 1995 and February 2001, 24 patients who underwent surgical resection for dilations of the bile duct (peripheral and hilar) without visible mass lesion on US or CT were included in our study. Hospital records, laboratory results, findings of imaging studies and pathological findings were reviewed retrospectively. For laboratory results, levels of alkaline phosphatase (benign 163.9 ± 145.1 vs malignant 407.25 ± 481.7; p < 0.05) and CA 19–9 (benign 25.0 ± 41.1 vs malignant 614.6 ± 818.5; p < 0.05) levels were significantly elevated in the malignant group compared with that of the benign group. Findings such as thickening of the bile duct wall ≥ 5 mm ( P < 0.05) on radiological examination, significant regional lymph node enlargement (> 1 cm, p = 0.01) on CT scan and abrupt cut-off ( P < 0.01), and separation of bile ducts ( P < 0.05) on cholangiogram were differential diagnostic markers between the two groups. Preoperative laboratory data such as alkaline phosphatase and CA 19–9, and imaging findings such as significant wall thickening and regional lymph node enlargement on CT, abrupt cut-off and separation of bile duct on cholangiogram are useful differential diagnostic markers for benign and malignant bile duct strictures without demonstrable mass on US or CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dual‐mode transimpedance amplifier (TIA) is realised in a 0.18 μm CMOS technology for the applications of 1 Gbit/s laser detection and ranging (LADAR) systems. The proposed dual‐mode CMOS feed‐forward TIA consists of a voltage‐mode inverter input stage with a feedback resistor, followed by a current‐mode common‐gate amplifier with a feed‐forward technique applied at the gate so as to achieve low noise, low power consumption, high gain and wide bandwidth characteristics simultaneously. The measured results demonstrate 76 dBΩ transimpedance gain, 720 MHz bandwidth for 0.5 pF photodiode capacitance, −26.3 dBm sensitivity for 10−12 bit error rate and 20.7 mW power dissipation from a single 1.8 V supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: acidic media; atomic-scale engineering; electrocatalysis; electrochemical reactions; palladium alloys EN acidic media atomic-scale engineering electrocatalysis electrochemical reactions palladium alloys 1 1 1 04/19/21 20210415 NES 210415 In article number 2009241, Docheon Ahn, Pil Kim, Sung Jong Yoo, and co-workers synthesize monolithic antiperovskite crystals through atomic-scale engineering. Atomic-Scale Engineering: Anion Constructor for Atomic-Scale Engineering of Antiperovskite Crystals for Electrochemical Reactions (Adv. Funct. Acidic media, atomic-scale engineering, electrocatalysis, electrochemical reactions, palladium alloys. [Extracted from the article]

The exploitation of state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C electrocatalysts for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is mostly limited, due to high Pt loading and durability issues caused by electrochemical instability of the carbon support in high potential regimes. In this study, the authors report that high‐compressive 3D Pt nanostructured thin films can considerably increase the catalytic activity and electrochemical durability of electrocatalysts under PEMFC device operating conditions. The nanostructure fabrication relies on the dealloying or selective leaching of solid alloys of Pt–C binary film to produce a residual 3D nanoporous thin‐film structure. A very rich structural behavior from the dealloying is shown, in which stress relief plays a governing role; the films possess a 3D structure of randomly interpenetrating ligaments and hierarchical pores with sizes between less than 50 nm and several tens of micrometers. In addition, a significant change is observed in the average lattice constant (1.55% compressive strain), which can tune the structural and electronic states of catalytic sites for enhancing the activity of the Pt electrocatalysts. Electrochemical performance of the fabricated porous strained Pt thin‐film electrocatalysts in both half‐cell and single‐cell analyses has demonstrated activity and durability superior to benchmark carbon support Pt catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented regarding the toxicity that intravitreal bevacizumab might cause to the functions of intraocular tissues.