Search

Abstract: Macrocyclic ionophores d,l-3 and d,l-4 with four amide carbonyl ligands were synthesized and investigated in lithium ion-selective electrodes. In solvent PVC membranes, ion selectivity of d,l-3 and d,l-4 for lithium relative to sodium was observed as and −1.23, respectively. Spiromacrocycle d,l-3 and analogue dibenzospiromacrocycle d,l-4 have similar ion selectivity patterns for alkali metal ions, but d,l-4 could discriminate against alkaline earth metal ions better than d,l-3. It is an example of an endopolarophilic/exolipophilic macrocyclic ionophore whose selectivity for monovalent cations over divalent cations is enhanced by thick lipophilic shells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes and anatomical predictors of the complications of flared limb (FL) use for ectatic common iliac arteries accompanied by abdominal aortic aneurysm treated with endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)., Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, we reviewed data from 391 patients (638 limbs) treated between 2005 and 2020. The cohort was divided into two groups. The standard limbs (SLs, n = 403) included stent graft (SG) of <20 mm in diameter and the FLs ( n = 235) included stent graft of ≥20 mm in diameter. Complications within 30 days were investigated as the short-term outcome. Limb events during follow-up including type Ib endoleak (EL), type IIIa EL, and limb occlusion were compared between SLs and FLs using log-rank test., Results: Early results indicated that the FL group had a significantly higher incidence of intraoperative type Ib EL at 5.1% (12), than 1.7% (7) in the SLs ( p = .016). For 19 patients in whom intraoperative type Ib EL was discovered, SG extension alone or internal iliac artery embolization was all performed before completing the procedure. Overall, we noted one case of type Ib EL and two cases of limb events in each group at 30 days. Over a median follow-up of 39 months, 31 (4.9%) events (17 type Ib EL, 2 type IIIa EL, and 12 limb events), 13 (5.5%) in FLs and 18 (4.5%) in SLs ( p = .984), were observed. The FLs had significantly higher rates of aortic sac enlargement, with 46 (19.6%) cases for FLs and 36 (8.9%) for SLs ( p < .001). The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significant differences at 5 years in SLs versus FLs for freedom from type Ib EL (96.6% vs 82.4%, respectively; p < .001) and no difference in freedom from limb events (94.7% vs 84.5%, respectively; p = .519). Furthermore, no difference was observed for overall survival and aneurysm-related mortality., Conclusions: Although an FL for EVAR is used to treat dilated iliac arteries, there is an increased risk of intraoperative and late type Ib EL and aortic sac enlargement. Long-term close follow-up is mandatory, especially in the patients who undergo EVAR using FLs., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Purpose: The number of international visiting scholars has been on the increase in Korea and we aim to investigate the program's current situation., Methods: This cross-sectional study is based on an online survey questionnaire responded by international visiting scholars in surgical departments of 8 Korean hospitals between 2014 and 2018 about their experiences and satisfaction with the visiting scholar program., Results: A total of 1,496 international scholars from 80 countries visited various surgical departments in 8 Korean hospitals between 2014 and 2018. The numbers have been on the increase over the years. Out of 355 visiting scholars in 2018, 71 replied to the online survey, of whom 52 were male and 19 female, and mostly in their 30s and 40s. Information about the program was accessed mostly through friends or colleagues (42.3%) and international conferences (36.6%). The commonest funding source was private (35.2%) and more than half stayed for less than 3 months. The visiting scholar's main roles were mostly observation or participation in surgery and clinical research. All but 1 were satisfied with the program (98.6%) and would recommend it to friends and colleagues, although the language barrier was identified as an inconvenience. Those aged 20-39 years with governmental or institutional funding were associated with stays of more than 1 year., Conclusion: The number of international visiting scholars at surgical departments in Korean hospitals has been on the increase with high satisfaction levels. Improvements need to be made on funding sources and lengthening visiting period to maximize the benefits of the program., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported., (Copyright © 2020, the Korean Surgical Society.)