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To develop smart ionic skins capable of multi‐responsiveness and switchable ionic conductivity, a stimuli‐responsive and ionic conductive azobenzene‐based monomer is newly synthesized, uniaxially oriented, and polymerized for anisotropic liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs). Since the uniaxially oriented monodomain LCE with ionic asymmetric azobenzene monomers (i‐AAM) is prepared by thermal oligomerization, uniaxial stretching, and subsequent photopolymerization, the stimuli‐responsive i‐AAM LCE is thermally contracted by increasing the temperature above TNI as well as is bent along the aligned direction by irradiating it with UV light. In addition to the change of shape, the ionic conductivity of the LCE is reversible in response to heat and light stimuli. Polydomain i‐AAM LCE polymerized without the stretching process exhibits higher ionic conductivity than stretched monodomain LCE due to the initially formed stable ionic pathways. Ionic conductivity can also be switched simultaneously by polarity changes in response to the photoisomerization of i‐AAM, increased mobility from heat, and an elastic mechanoresponse from external stresses. These i‐AAM LCE‐based soft grippers exhibit stimuli‐responsive grasping and releasing actuation and detect ionic conductivity switches finely, suggesting potential as smart skins for advanced soft robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examples of anisotropic movement paired with helical geometry abound in the animal and plant kingdoms are used for a variety of reasons, such as diverse social signaling directed at conspecifics or camouflage to avoid predation. Inspired by these natural phenomena, a smart sensor is developed with a chiroptical 3D actuator that can fold, bend, and twist in response to external stimuli, reflecting light of specific wavelengths, and possessing circular polarization properties. Chirophotonic crystal actuators are constructed with an asymmetric Janus structure and are fabricated by self‐assembly, screen printing, and in situ photopolymerization. The optically active layer consists of cholesteric liquid crystal polymer, and the mechanically active layer is composed of a polymeric gel thin film. The programmed in‐planar and out‐of‐planar asymmetric Janus structures control the directionality of various shapes morphing from 2D to 3D. Finite element simulations allow to predict the shape changes associated with these chirophotonic crystal actuators: flower blooming, tendril climbing, eagle hunting, ant lifting, and inchworm moving motions. By utilizing the chirophotonic crystal actuator, a reusable and portable methanol‐laced water identifier is developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examples of anisotropic movement paired with helical geometry abound in the animal and plant kingdoms are used for a variety of reasons, such as diverse social signaling directed at conspecifics or camouflage to avoid predation. Inspired by these natural phenomena, a smart sensor is developed with a chiroptical 3D actuator that can fold, bend, and twist in response to external stimuli, reflecting light of specific wavelengths, and possessing circular polarization properties. Chirophotonic crystal actuators are constructed with an asymmetric Janus structure and are fabricated by self‐assembly, screen printing, and in situ photopolymerization. The optically active layer consists of cholesteric liquid crystal polymer, and the mechanically active layer is composed of a polymeric gel thin film. The programmed in‐planar and out‐of‐planar asymmetric Janus structures control the directionality of various shapes morphing from 2D to 3D. Finite element simulations allow to predict the shape changes associated with these chirophotonic crystal actuators: flower blooming, tendril climbing, eagle hunting, ant lifting, and inchworm moving motions. By utilizing the chirophotonic crystal actuator, a reusable and portable methanol‐laced water identifier is developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The albumin–bilirubin (ALBI) score was created to assess the severity of liver dysfunction and to predict prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of the ALBI score in patients with stage III colon cancer using propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. This study analyzed 510 patients with stage III colon cancer who had surgery between 2014 and 2015. The ALBI score was calculated as follows: (log10 bilirubin (μmol/L) × 0.66) + (albumin (g/L) × −0.0852), and the optimal cut-off value was determined using a receiver operating characteristic analysis and the Youden Index. According to the calculated cut-off value, patients were divided into two groups: Group A (ALBI ≤ − 2.54) and Group B (ALBI > − 2.54). The average ALBI score was − 2.68 (from − 3.39 to − 0.69). Group A had a significantly higher 5-year disease-free survival rate (85.5% vs 75.7%, p = 0.02), 5-year cancer-specific survival rate (93.7% vs 84.4%, p = 0.02), and 5-year overall survival rate (90.6% vs 77.4%, p = 0.01) than Group B. High ALBI scores were found to be an independent risk factor for both disease-free survival (HR 1.68, p = 0.048) and cancer-specific survival (HR 2.24, p = 0.028). The preoperative ALBI score was found to be a promising prognostic indicator for predicting recurrence and survival in patients with stage III colon cancer in this study. Because the ALBI score is simple and inexpensive to obtain, it has the potential to be a useful clinical marker for colon cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article "Ionic Conductivity Switchable and Shape Changeable Smart Skins with Azobenzene-Based Ionic Reactive Mesogens," researchers Kwang-Un Jeong and colleagues discuss the development of a new type of smart skin using a synthesized azobenzene-based ionic monomer. This liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) is capable of shape-changing and has switchable ionic conductivity. The researchers suggest that this new material could be used as a multi-responsive and reversible smart actuator and ionic skin for soft robotic applications. [Extracted from the article]

Backgrounds: Radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy is an important treatment for rectal cancer, especially for advanced stage disease. Low serum haemoglobin levels are accepted as a negative indicator in the response to radiation therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between anaemia and the response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer and its effect on oncologic outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of primary rectal cancer patients who were treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision between January 2011 and December 2015. Anaemia was defined as serum haemoglobin levels ≤9 g/dL before or during radiotherapy. Patients were divided into good and poor responders according to pathologic tumour regression grades. The effect of anaemia on the response to radiation therapy, recurrence-free survival and overall survival were analysed after subgroup analysis. Results: Overall, 301 and 394 patients were categorized into good and poor responder groups, respectively. Proportions of anaemia patients were higher in the poor responder group than in the good responder group (7.6% versus 4.0%, P = 0.042). Anaemia was associated with less pathologic complete regression but was not a risk factor for worse recurrence-free or overall survival. There was no significant difference in survival between patients with and without anaemia. Conclusion: Haemoglobin levels ≤9 g/dL before or during radiotherapy were risk factors for achieving pathologic complete regression after preoperative chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer. However, anaemia was not independently associated with worse survival outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to evaluate the clinical feasibility of a new visual grading system. We included 50 patients who underwent resection of primary colorectal cancer. Before anastomosis, the marginal vessel was cut and the perfusion status was assessed by a visual grading system. The visual grading system is comprised of five grades according to the bleeding from the marginal vessel and is categorized into 4 groups: good (grade A and B), moderate (grade C), poor (grade D) and none (grade E). Colorectal anastomosis was performed only in the good and moderate groups. We compared postoperative outcomes between the good and moderate groups and analysed the factors affecting the perfusion grade. Among the patients, 48% were grade A, 12% were grade B, and 40% were grade C. There was no anastomotic leakage. Only one patient with grade C showed ischemic colitis and needed reoperation. Age was the only factor correlated with perfusion grade in multivariate analysis (OR 1.080, 95% CI 1.006–1.159, p = 0.034). The perfusion grades were significantly different between > 65 and < 65 year-old patients (> 65, A 29.2% B 12.5% C 58.3% vs. < 65, A 65.4% B 11.5% C 23.1%, p = 0.006). Our intraoperative perfusion assessment that uses a cutting method and a visual grading system is simple and useful for performing a safe anastomosis after colorectal resection. If the perfusion grade is better than grade C, an anastomosis can be performed safely. Age was found to be an important factor affecting the perfusion grade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An anastomotic stricture after colorectal surgery is principally managed by endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD). Although this intervention is effective, however, subsequent procedures or surgical interventions are often required. This study aimed to assess the long-term outcomes of EBD for anastomotic stricture arising from colorectal cancer surgery. Materials and methods: We analyzed 173 patients who received curative surgery for colorectal cancer at our hospital between January 2000 and December 2022 and had undergone EBD to manage anastomotic stricture. The medical records of these cases were retrospectively reviewed to assess the outcomes and risk factors for restenosis and permanent stoma. Results: Of the 173 study patients, 41 (23.7%) presented with restenosis with a median time to recurrence of 49 [37–150] days. The restenosis group was significantly younger (55.6 years versus 60.8 years), with a more prominent rectal location (80.5% versus 57.6%), a higher incidence of hand-sewn anastomosis (24.4% versus 5.3%), and a higher percentage of neoadjuvant radiotherapy (34.1% versus 5.3%, P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis indicated neoadjuvant radiotherapy (adjusted HR 2.48; 95% CI 1.03–5.95) and cerebral vascular disease (adjusted HR 6.97; 95% CI 2.15–22.54) as independent prognostic factors for restenosis. Fourteen patients (8.1%) required a permanent stoma due to treatment failure. All cases needing a permanent stoma were male (14 patients, 100%, P = 0.007) and this group had a higher rate of neoadjuvant radiotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy, and hand-sewn anastomosis. Conclusion: Patients receiving neoadjuvant radiotherapy are most prone to restenosis after an EBD intervention to manage an anastomotic stricture. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy is also a strong risk factor for requiring a permanent stomas due to treatment failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we developed extended-gate field-effect transistor (EG-FET)-based chemosensors with molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) on a gold-dendritic (AD) electrode to detect tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in serum. The poly(β-cyclodextrin) film was electrochemically prepared on the AD electrode using a potentiodynamic technique, followed by TNF-α immobilization by host-guest interaction. The MIP film was formed via electropolymerization of thiophene-3-amidoxime (T3A) monomer in PBS solution with one scan cycle at an applied voltage of 0–1.2 V. After electrochemical optimization, the sensing behavior (based on drain current, I ds) of the MIP films was investigated to explore the validity of the sensors, resulting in excellent reproducibility, reusability, and stability. Based on the Δ I ds – C TNF-α regression curves obtained in serum containing various analyte concentrations, the imprinting factor (IF) of MIP-based EG-FET sensor was 5.55. The selectivity was evaluated by comparing sensing property using analogous cytokine proteins (interleukin 1β [IL-1β] and interleukin-6 [IL-6]). The MIP-based EG-FET sensors exhibited high sensitivity (LOD: 0.55 pg/mL, LOQ: 1.82 pg/mL) and excellent selectivity (coefficient (α)> 3). Based on the excellent sensing performances, including high sensitivity and selectivity, excellent reproducibility, robustness, reusability, and stability, our (EG-FET)-based chemosensor with TNF-α-recognizing MIP film can be used for the early diagnosis and point–of–care of immune-related diseases. [Display omitted] • Highly selective detection of serum TNF-α was achieved. • Extended-gate field-effect transistors (EG-FETs) were employed for TNF-α sensing. • A poly (β-CD) layer was electrodeposited on gold dendrite electrodes. • The TNF-α template self-assembled on a poly(β-CD) layer. • Protein imprinting was performed on modified electrodes for TNF-α detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air mixing in an air mixing chamber affects an air-conditioning system's performances. Low air mixing effectiveness is associated with several problems. In this study, modified statistical air mixing effectiveness is proposed. An experimental study and CFD (Computational fluid dynamics) simulation were conducted for the development of high performance static air mixer over a short mixing distance. Based on the analysis results for the conventional air mixing chamber and the bridge type air mixer, it was determined that development strategies can be set as openings for an outdoor air discharge were placed between the openings for a return air discharge. This extends the mixing distance of an outdoor air and a return air as long as possible. Several applications to the strategies have been examined. According to the results, a "Double inducing chamber/three slits on each side wall" showed the best air mixing performance among the cases examined. Air mixing effectiveness was 87% for 30% outdoor air, and pressure loss approximately 19 Pa. The performances were validated in the experiment. The best case scenario results showed a very short air mixing distance. Air mixing effectiveness reached a high level with an air mixing distance of 0.2, and an air mixing effectiveness of 71–87% as a percent outdoor air varies from 10% to 90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preoperative chemoradiotherapy (pre-CRT) followed by total mesorectal excision (TME) is currently a standard therapy for locally advanced mid-to-low rectal cancer. Less aggressive, organ-preserving option such as local excision (LE) or watchful wait can alternatively be used for patients who respond well to pre-CRT. High-resolution rectal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most useful methods to assess pre-CRT response, and the MERCURY group has shown that the MR tumor regression grade (mrTRG) correlated with the pathologic TRG. The aim of this study is to compare postoperative complication and oncologic outcomes between LE and TME in mid-to-low rectal cancer patients whose tumors are mrTRG grade 1 (radiological complete remission) or 2 (predominant fibrosis; near-complete remission) after pre-CRT.Methods: A prospective, double-arm, randomized, open-labeled, single center, clinical trial will be conducted in patients with mid-to-low rectal cancer whose tumors are mrTRG 1/2 after pre-CRT at the Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, after approval from the Institution Review Board. Patient medical records will be de-identified using a serial number to protect personal information. Inclusion criteria will include rectal adenocarcinoma with an inferior border < 8 cm from the anal verge, mrTRG 1/2, age > 20, and provision of informed consent. Postoperative complications will be assessed by Clavien-Dindo Classification Grade. Oncologic and functional outcomes will be collected and risk factors related to these outcomes will be investigated.Discussion: We believed that the rate of postoperative complication of LE will be comparable to that of TME in mid-to-low advanced rectal cancer patients with a favorable response after pre-CRT.Trial Registration: KCT0002579 ( https://cris.nih.go.kr ) Dec-2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim. Ultralow anterior resection (uLAR) is a sphincter-saving procedure for very low-lying rectal cancers. This procedure, however, has complications related to defecation which can aggravate the patient’s quality of life postoperatively. In this study, we compared the anthropometric and nutritional parameters after uLAR and abdominoperineal resection (APR). Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent either uLAR or APR in 2012 for rectal cancers within 3 cm from the anal verge. Data including body weight, body mass index (BMI), levels of total protein, albumin, and hemoglobin and lymphocyte count were analyzed. We compared the changes of these parameters before operations to 3 years after discharge between uLAR and APR groups by ANOVA for repeated measures and Bonferroni comparison method. Results. After 3 years of discharge, the body weight and BMI of the APR group were fully recovered to the preoperative levels; however, those of the uLAR group did not. The hemoglobin level in the APR group was recovered to the preoperative level within 3 months of discharge; however, that in the uLAR group was recovered after 1 year of discharge. Conclusions. Recovery of anthropometric and nutritional status of patients was more stable after APR than after uLAR. These findings might indirectly reflect the low anterior syndrome effect of uLAR and help colorectal surgeons in selecting better surgical methods and in better counseling patients with very low-lying rectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Among individuals who respond well to preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for ypT0-1, local excision (LE) could provide acceptable oncological outcomes. However, in ypT2 cases, the oncological safety of LE has not been determined. This study aimed to compare oncological outcomes between LE and total mesorectal excision of ypT2-stage rectal cancer after chemoradiation therapy and investigate the oncological safety of LE in these patients.Methods: We included 351 patients who exhibited ypT2-stage rectal cancer after CRT followed by LE (n = 16 [5%]) or total mesorectal excision (TME) (n = 335 [95%]) after preoperative CRT between January 2007 and December 2013. After propensity matching, oncological outcomes between LE group and TME group were compared.Results: The median follow-up period was 57 months (range, 12-113 months). In the LE group, local recurrence occurred more frequently (18 vs. 4%; p = 0.034) but not distant metastases (12 vs. 11%; p = 0.690). The 5-year local recurrence-free (76 vs. 96%; p = 0.006), disease-free (64 vs. 84%; p = 0.075), and overall survival (79 vs. 93%; p = 0.045) rates of the LE group were significantly lower than those of the TME group. After propensity matching, 5-year local recurrence-free survival of the LE group was significantly lower than that of the TME group (76 vs. 97%, p = 0.029).Conclusion: The high local failure rate and poor oncological outcomes for ypT2-stage rectal cancer patients who undergo CRT followed by LE cannot be justified as an indication for LE. Salvage surgery should be recommended in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the synthesis method of water-soluble, low-toxicity, photostable highly luminescent probes based on I-III-VI type semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) and the possibility of tumor targeting in living animals. Cd-free high-quality CuInS/ZnS core/shell QDs were synthesized, and their surfaces were reacted with mercaptoundecanoic acid for aqueous phase transfer followed by reaction with glycol-chitosan; lastly, Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) integrin-binding peptide was covalently attached for in vivo tumor targeting. Dowtherm A, a highly viscous heat-transfer organic fluid, was used to control semiconductor crystal growth at high temperature (>230 °C) during organic synthesis. The structural and optical properties of the resulting CuInS/ZnS QDs were investigated. The average diameters of CuInS and CuInS/ZnS QDs were 3.0 and 3.7 nm, respectively. Cell toxicity and in vivo tumor targetability in RR1022 cancer cell-xenografted mice were further evaluated using cRGDyk-tagged glycol-chitosan-coated CuInS/ZnS QDs. Glycol-chitosan-coated MUA-QDs displayed a Z-average diameter of 203.8 ± 7.67 nm in water by dynamic light scattering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: helical nanostructures; heterogeneous assembly; selective reflection; smart sensors; soft actuators EN helical nanostructures heterogeneous assembly selective reflection smart sensors soft actuators 1 1 1 01/20/23 20230116 NES 230116 B Chiroptical 3D Actuators b In article number 2210680, Kwang-Un Jeong, Seung-Yeol Jeon, Dae-Yoon Kim, and co-workers develop chiroptical 3D smart actuators by assembling cholesteric liquid crystals onto a polymeric gel thin film. Helical nanostructures, heterogeneous assembly, selective reflection, smart sensors, soft actuators The newly developed chiroptical 3D smart actuators can be applied to soft robots and sensors. [Extracted from the article]

Helical nanostructures, heterogeneous assembly, selective reflection, smart sensors, soft actuators Keywords: helical nanostructures; heterogeneous assembly; selective reflection; smart sensors; soft actuators EN helical nanostructures heterogeneous assembly selective reflection smart sensors soft actuators 1 1 1 11/03/23 20230111 NES 230111 B Chiroptical 3D Actuators b In article number 2210680, Kwang-Un Jeong, Seung-Yeol Jeon, Dae-Yoon Kim, and co-workers develop chiroptical 3D smart actuators by assembling cholesteric liquid crystals onto a polymeric gel thin film. The newly developed chiroptical 3D smart actuators can be applied to soft robots and sensors. [Extracted from the article]

This study aims to predict the compressional wave velocity (V p) from the photographic images of cylindrically cored cement-reinforced soils using a convolutional neural network (CNN) model. The experimentally measured V p values and corresponding surficial core images were subjected to the CNN regression model based on a backbone network pre-trained by transfer learning. The model was retrained by fine-tuning and optimized with regularization strategies and data augmentation. The results showed that the trained network model reliably predicted V p with reasonable performance of R2 = 0.78. Three-dimensional X-ray computed tomographic imaging of both overestimated and underestimated specimens revealed that surficial core images did not sufficiently reflect the internal structures. The slightly scattered prediction seemed attributed to the insufficient dataset size and invisible internal structure. Nevertheless, the proposed approach allowed not only estimating V p at unmeasured spots in cores based on core images by fully leveraging artificial intelligence but also obtaining consecutive V p profiles. Furthermore, this study established the hardly seen correlation between core image and V p by the proposed CNN regression model and can be extended to estimation of other geophysical and geomechanical properties to construct a sufficient dataset for subsurface geostatistical modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Korean national air quality forecasting system, consisting of the Weather Research and Forecasting, the Sparse Matrix Operator Kernel Emissions, and the Community Modeling and Analysis (CMAQ), commenced from August 31, 2013 with target pollutants of particulate matters (PM) and ozone. Factors contributing to PM forecasting accuracy include CMAQ inputs of meteorological field and emissions, forecasters’ capacity, and inherent CMAQ limit. Four numerical experiments were conducted including two global meteorological inputs from the Global Forecast System (GFS) and the Unified Model (UM), two emissions from the Model Intercomparison Study Asia (MICS-Asia) and the Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment (INTEX-B) for the Northeast Asia with Clear Air Policy Support System (CAPSS) for South Korea, and data assimilation of the Monitoring Atmospheric Composition and Climate (MACC). Significant PM underpredictions by using both emissions were found for PM mass and major components (sulfate and organic carbon). CMAQ predicts PM2.5much better than PM10(NMB of PM2.5: -20~-25%, PM10: -43~-47%). Forecasters’ error usually occurred at the next day of high PM event. Once CMAQ fails to predict high PM event the day before, forecasters are likely to dismiss the model predictions on the next day which turns out to be true. The best combination of CMAQ inputs is the set of UM global meteorological field, MICS-Asia and CAPSS 2010 emissions with the NMB of -12.3%, the RMSE of 16.6μ/m3and the R2of 0.68. By using MACC data as an initial and boundary condition, the performance skill of CMAQ would be improved, especially in the case of undefined coarse emission. A variety of methods such as ensemble and data assimilation are considered to improve further the accuracy of air quality forecasting, especially for high PM events to be comparable to for all cases. Implications: The growing utilization of the air quality forecast induced the public strongly to demand that the accuracy of the national forecasting be improved. In this study, we investigated the problems in the current forecasting as well as various alternatives to solve the problems. Such efforts to improve the accuracy of the forecast are expected to contribute to the protection of public health by increasing the availability of the forecast system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

New techniques have been developed to treat severe anastomotic strictures after rectal surgery. This report describes a new approach using transanal minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of complete anastomotic occlusion. A 49‐year‐old man presented with a completely occluded anastomosis after low anterior resection with temporary ileostomy for rectal cancer. The lumen was completely obstructed with a blind wall. A transanal surgical approach was used to treat the obstruction. Water‐soluble radiopaque contrast medium was injected intraoperatively to identify the proximal lumen, and an incision was made by electrocautery until the luminal diameter was sufficient. There was no sign of bleeding or perforation after surgery. The patient underwent ileostomy takedown after all the chemotherapy sessions were completed. This report shows that transanal minimally invasive surgery is safe and feasible for the treatment of complete anastomotic occlusions requiring invasive interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The types of anastomotic leakage that develop following rectal cancer surgery and their impact on long-term outcomes are not well documented. This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics of various types of anastomotic leakage after anterior resection in rectal cancer patients and evaluate their impact on the long-term oncologic outcomes. Methods: This study analyzed data obtained from 2510 consecutive patients who underwent anterior resection for rectal cancers. Of these patients, 141 (5.6 %) developed anastomotic leakage. Three types of leakage were categorized according to presentation: generalized peritonitis (type I), localized peritonitis (type II), and fistula or chronic sinus (type III). The clinical characteristics and oncologic outcomes were compared. Results: Type I leakage was the most common (I 44.7 %, n = 63; II 30.5 %, n = 43; III 24.8 %, n = 35). Type III occurred more frequently in women ( p = 0.001) and patients with low rectal cancer ( p < 0.001). Patients with type II or III leakage more frequently underwent radiation therapy ( p < 0.001) and diverting ostomy ( p < 0.001). Leakage management differed according to the type of leakage ( p < 0.001). The local recurrence-free survival rate was significantly lower in patients with type II and III leakage ( p = 0.014). Conclusions: The clinical characteristics and oncologic results are distinct for each type of anastomotic leakage. Only a type II or III leakage increases the risk of local recurrence. Each type of leakage should thus be considered a different disease entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel detection method has been developed to explore changes in mechanical bending angles on a bilayer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). For an ovalbumin (OVA)-imprinted hydrogel layer, functional monomers were employed to achieve sufficient binding effect in the polymer matrix. The OVA amount added in the MIP precursor solution and the dimensions of OVA-imprinted hydrogel (MIH) strips were controlled to maximize the change in bending angles as an OVA sensing response within a valid detection range. The sensing behaviors were determined by monitoring the difference in the bending angles via protein adsorption based on the swelling-induced deformation of the OVA-extracted hydrogel (E-MIH) strip. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of the E-MIH strip was calculated via the Bradford protein assay. The detection limit, quantification limit, and imprinting factor were calculated. To compare the selectivity coefficients, the adsorption behaviors of three proteins were investigated. Finally, the reusability of the E-MIH strip was explored via repeated adsorption and extraction. Based on the results, the E-MIH strips demonstrated a promising protein sensing platform monitoring mechanical bending angles affected by swelling deformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, high–particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution episodes were examined in Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, which, based on the episode characteristics, were influenced by a distinct meteorological mode, long-range transport (LRT), from two-level meteorological observations: surface and 850–500-hPa level. We performed two-step statistical analysis including principal component (PC) analysis of meteorological variables based on the observation data, followed by multiple linear regression (MLR). The meteorological variables included surface temperature (Tsfc), wind speed (WSsfc), and the east–west (usfc) and north–south (υsfc) components of wind speed, as well as wind components at 850-hPa geopotential height (u850 and υ850, respectively) and the vertical temperature gradient between 850 and 500 hPa. Our two-step analysis of data collected during the period 2018–19 revealed that the dominant factors influencing high-PM2.5 days in Seoul (129 days) were upper-wind characteristics in winter, including positive u850 and negative υ850, that were controlled by the presence of continental anticyclones that increased the likelihood of LRT of PM2.5 pollutants. Regional-scale meteorological variables, including surface and upper-meteorological variables on normal and high-PM2.5 days, showed distinct covariation over Seoul, a megacity in the eastern part of northeast Asia with large anthropogenic emissions. Although this study examined only two atmospheric layers (surface and 500–850 hPa), our results clearly detected high-PM2.5 episodes with LRT characteristics, suggesting the importance of considering both geographical distinctiveness and seasonal meteorological covariability when scaling down continental to local response to emission reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic research into bullying has a short history spanning about 40 years. However, investigations into school bullying from a multicultural context are especially limited. As schools in the 21st century become increasingly diverse due to rapid globalization and immigration, there is a need to consider bullying within changing populations. The goals of this study were three-fold. First, to explore the prevalence of bullying between refugee, immigrant, and native born children. Second, to explore the impact of immigration status, and age and gender on the prevalence of bullying. Finally, through a socio-ecological model framework, this study examined the influence of individuals and teachers upon bullying among refugee children. This study employed a mixed methodology consisting of both the Swearer Bully Survey and in-depth interviews. A purposeful sampling of 116 Grade 3 and Grade 6 students and 13 teachers from an inner city USA public school participated. Quantitative results suggest that statistically significant differences were found only in regard to grade level. A new image of the concept of ‘victim’ emerged from the qualitative data. Refugee children responded as non passive victims in contrast to the ‘passive victim’ adopted by immigrant and native born children. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: Anorectal manometry provides objective information about anorectal function, but its results depend on the examiner's skill, the type of equipment, and subject characteristics like age or gender. This single institution, prospective study was performed to investigate the effect of gender and age on the results of anorectal manometry. Methods: All included subjects completed a questionnaire to assess their bowel function. The survey included 13 validated questions (eight on constipation and five on incontinence) and was used to exclude subjects with pathological constipation or incontinence. Subjects with normal bowel function underwent anorectal manometry to measure anal sphincter length (ASL), maximum resting pressure (MRP), and maximum squeeze pressure (MSP), and the results were compared by gender and age. Results: The mean age of the 154 participants (94 male and 60 female) was 59.1 years. ASL was greater in men (4.23 vs. 3.85 cm, p < 0.001). MRP was not significantly different according to gender ( p = 0.93), but MSP was higher in men (190.18 vs. 116.49 mmHg, p < 0.001). ASL did not correlate with age ( p = 0.707). MRP was inversely related to age in both men ( R = 0.152, p < 0.001) and women ( R = 0.282, p < 0.001), and MSP only in women ( R = 0.210, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Anorectal manometric parameters are influenced by gender and age. This should be taken into consideration when interpreting manometric readings in a clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most previous studies of intersphincteric resection (ISR) adopted a two-stage procedure involving abdominal and transanal approaches. We performed completely abdominal ISR via open and a robot-assisted (RA) approaches as treatments for lower rectal cancer (LRC). The RA approach might enable deep dissection and facilitate ISR in patients with restrictive pelvic anatomy. Methods: A consecutive cohort of 222 LRC patients who underwent completely abdominal ISR (RA ISR, n = 108; open ISR, n = 114) was enrolled prospectively, and their short-term outcomes were evaluated. Results: In a multivariate analysis, ISR was performed more frequently in the RA than in the open group (82.6 vs. 67.9 %, p = 0.008). The number of harvested lymph nodes was >12 in both groups. A positive distal resection margin was not observed in either group, and a positive circumferential resection margin was found in one patient in the RA group. Overall morbidity did not differ between the groups. Moderate to severe sexual dysfunction occurred 2.7-fold more frequently in the open group ( p = 0.023) among male patients ≤65 years. Mean Wexner's fecal incontinence scores at postoperative months 6 and 12 were greater in the open group than in the RA group ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Completely abdominal ISR may be feasible in the treatment of LRC, based on a short-term study. Furthermore, RA ISR had equivalent oncological outcomes and slightly improved functional recovery relative to open ISR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban photochemical ozone (O3) formation regimes (NOx- and VOC-limited regimes) at nine megacities in East Asia were diagnosed based on near-surface O3 columns from 900 to 700 hPa, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and formaldehyde (HCHO), which were inferred from measurements by ozone-monitoring instruments (OMI) for 2014–2018. The nine megacities included Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Shanghai, Seoul, Busan, Tokyo, and Osaka. The space-borne HCHO–to–NO2 ratio (FNR) inferred from the OMI was applied to nine megacities and verified by a series of sensitivity tests of Weather Research and Forecasting model with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) simulations by halving the NOx and VOC emissions. The results showed that the satellite-based FNRs ranged from 1.20 to 2.62 and the regimes over the nine megacities were identified as almost NOx-saturated conditions, while the domain-averaged FNR in East Asia was >2. The results of WRF–Chem sensitivity modeling show that O3 increased when the NOx emissions reduced, whereas VOC emission reduction showed a significant decrease in O3, confirming the characteristics of VOC-limited conditions in all of the nine megacities. When both NOx and VOC emissions were reduced, O3 decreased in most cities, but increased in the three lowest-FNRs megacities, such as Shanghai, Seoul, and Tokyo, where weakened O3 titration caused by NOx reduction had a larger enough effect to offset O3 suppression induced by the decrease in VOCs. Our model results, therefore, indicated that the immediate VOC emission reduction is a key controlling factor to decrease megacity O3 in East Asia, and also suggested that both VOC and NOx reductions may not be of broad utility in O3 abatement in megacities and should be considered judiciously in highly NOx-saturated cities in East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to develop and validate post- and preoperative models for predicting recurrence after curative-intent surgery using an FDG PET-CT metabolic parameter to improve the prognosis of patients with synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastasis (SCLM). Methods: In this retrospective multicenter study, consecutive patients with resectable SCLM underwent upfront surgery between 2006 and 2015 (development cohort) and between 2006 and 2017 (validation cohort). In the development cohort, we developed and internally validated the post- and preoperative models using multivariable Cox regression with an FDG metabolic parameter (metastasis-to-primary-tumor uptake ratio [M/P ratio]) and clinicopathological variables as predictors. In the validation cohort, the models were externally validated for discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness. Model performance was compared with that of Fong's clinical risk score (FCRS). Results: A total of 374 patients (59.1 ± 10.5 years, 254 men) belonged in the development cohort and 151 (60.3 ± 12.0 years, 94 men) in the validation cohort. The M/P ratio and nine clinicopathological predictors were included in the models. Both postoperative and preoperative models showed significantly higher discrimination than FCRS (p <.05) in the external validation (time-dependent AUC = 0.76 [95% CI 0.68–0.84] and 0.76 [0.68–0.84] vs. 0.65 [0.57–0.74], respectively). Calibration plots and decision curve analysis demonstrated that both models were well calibrated and clinically useful. The developed models are presented as a web-based calculator (https://cpmodel.shinyapps.io/SCLM/) and nomograms. Conclusions: FDG metabolic parameter-based prognostic models are well-calibrated recurrence prediction models with good discriminative power. They can be used for accurate risk stratification in patients with SCLM. Key Points: • In this multicenter study, we developed and validated prediction models for recurrence in patients with resectable synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastasis using a metabolic parameter from FDG PET-CT. • The developed models showed good predictive performance on external validation, significantly exceeding that of a pre-existing model. • The models may be utilized for accurate patient risk stratification, thereby aiding in therapeutic decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify the indication and prognostic significance of lateral lymph node (LLN) excision in locally advanced rectal cancer patients underwent preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Methods: Included were 67 consecutive patients with suspicious LLN metastasis who underwent chemoradiotherapy and surgery including selective LLN excision (82 excisions). The excisions were grouped according to the presence of LLN metastasis and compared in terms of the clinicopathological findings and oncological results. The correlation between the largest short-axis diameter of LLN measured by imaging and metastasis rates was explored. Results: LLN metastases were identified in 32 excisions (40.0 %). The calculated short-axis LLN diameter predicting metastasis was 11.7 mm (before chemoradiotherapy) and 11.4 mm (before surgery). LLN metastasis was observed more frequently in the low rectum ( p = 0.031) and associated with higher CEA levels ( p = 0.048). The 3-year overall survival rates for patients with and without LLN metastasis were 60.3 % and 90.3 % ( p = 0.048), while the 3-year disease-free survival rates were 31.4 % and 70.5 % ( p = 0.009). The hazard ratio of LLN metastasis for recurrence was 2.938 (95 % CI = 1.258–6.863). Conclusions: LLN metastasis in rectal cancer patients underwent chemoradiotherapy was a distinct poor prognostic factor. Selective LLN excision based on imaging studies may have a role for such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) has emerged as an alternative to transanal endoscopic microsurgery. We assessed the feasibility of TAMIS for lesions located in the mid rectum. Methods: From July 2010 to October 2011, 16 consecutive patients with rectal pathology underwent TAMIS. After a single-incision laparoscopic surgery port was introduced into the anal canal, pneumorectum was established with a laparoscopic device, followed by transanal excision with conventional laparoscopic instruments, including graspers, monopolar electrocautery, and needle drivers. Clinicopathological findings, surgical procedure results, and perioperative outcomes were determined prospectively. Results: Of the 16 patients, 11 had rectal cancers (3 T1 lesions and 8 after preoperative chemoradiotherapy), 4 had neuroendocrine tumors, and 1 had a mucocele. The median length of the lesions from anal verge was 7.5 cm (range 4-10 cm). All procedures were completed laparoscopically without conversion to conventional transanal approach. The median operating time was 86 min (range 33-160 min), and the median estimated blood loss was 15 ml (range 0-150 ml) with no patient requiring intraoperative transfusions. There was no surgical morbidity or mortality, but one patient died during follow-up due to synchronous advanced gastric cancer. The median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days (range 2-6 days). Conclusions: TAMIS seems to be a feasible and safe treatment option for lesions located in the mid rectum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Germline mutations within the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene are associated with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), an autosomal dominant disease predisposing individuals to colorectal cancer. Identification of APC mutations has important implications for genetic counseling and management of FAP patients. We examined the APC mutation status of 10 Korean FAP patients by polymerase chain reaction–direct sequencing method and found six APC mutations, including three novel mutations. Testing for MUTYH mutation was done for FAP patients in whom no mutation in the APC gene was identified. Three novel mutations (c.1654_1663delTCTTGGCGAG, c.3709C>T, and c.6092_6094delinsTT) and three previously reported mutations (c.3631_3632delAT, c.4438C>T, and c.4612_4613delGA) were detected. The MUTYH mutation was not detected in any of the four FAP patients without an APC mutation. This finding of three novel mutations in a group of Korean FAP patients broadens the spectrum of APC mutations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To evaluate the role of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as a predictor of response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and prognostic factor for rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: The study retrospectively evaluated 352 locally advanced rectal cancer patients who underwent preoperative CRT followed by surgery. Serum CEA levels were determined before CRT administration (pre-CRT CEA) and before surgery (post-CRT CEA). Correlations between pre-CRT CEA levels and rates of good response (Tumor regression grade 3/4) were explored. Patients were categorized into three CEA groups according to their pre-/post-CRT CEA levels (ng/mL) (Group A: pre-CRT CEA ≤ 3; B: pre-CRT CEA >3, post-CRT CEA ≤3; C: pre- and post-CRT CEA >3 ng/mL), and their oncologic outcomes were compared. Results: Of 352 patients, good responses were achieved in 94 patients (26.7%). The rates of good response decreased significantly as the pre-CRT CEA levels became more elevated (CEA [ng/mL]: ≤3, 36.4%; 3–6, 23.6%; 6–9, 15.6%; >9, 7.8%; p < 0.001). The rates of good response were significantly higher in Group A than in Groups B and C (36.4% vs. 17.3% and 14.3%, respectively; p < 0.001). The 3-year disease-free survival rate was significantly better in Groups A and B than in Group C (82% and 79% vs. 57%, respectively; p = 0.005); the CEA grouping was identified as an independent prognostic factor (p = 0.025). Conclusions: In locally advanced rectal cancer patients, CEA levels could be of clinical value as a predictor of response to preoperative CRT and as an independent prognostic factor after preoperative CRT and curative surgery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The extended D3 lymphadenectomy using a medial to lateral (MtL) approach for the treatment of curable right-sided colon cancer is performed with a view to improving oncologic surgery outcomes. However, the feasibility and safety of this procedure has not been fully examined. The present study investigated the feasibility and safety of D3 lymphadenectomy using the MtL approach for curable right-sided colon cancers. Between January 2005 and May 2007, 42 patients underwent a curative-intent right (25) or extended right (17) hemicolectomy including D3 lymphadenectomy using the MtL approach performed by the same single surgeon. The extent of the D3 lymphadenectomy followed the recommendations of the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum. There were 27 male and 15 female patients, with a mean age of 59.2 years (range, 30–83). The mean operation time was 172.5 min (range, 55–274) and the mean blood loss was 128.3 ml (range, 50–500). All procedures were successful and no conversions to open surgery were required in laparoscopic cases (32 patients, 76.2%). The mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 45 (range, 18–92). There was no surgical mortality or morbidity, except one case of postoperative ileus which was conservatively managed. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 8.6 days (range, 6–15). The findings indicate that a D3 lymphadenectomy using the MtL approach is a feasible and safe procedure for the treatment of curable right-sided colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laparoscopic approaches have become increasingly used in selected patients with either colorectal or liver cancer. However, the feasibility of laparoscopic-assisted combined colon and liver resection in primary colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to determine the feasibility of laparoscopic-assisted combined colon and liver resection for primary colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases. Laparoscopic surgery involving intestinal anastomosis was performed for primary colorectal cancer. The liver was then mobilized with the assistance of a hand inserted through the upper midline incision. For minor resections, the parenchymal transection was performed laparoscopically. For major resection involving a hilar dissection, transection was performed according to the standard open techniques under direct vision through the incision. Resected specimens were retrieved directly through the midline incision. Ten patients with primary colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases underwent the above procedure between September 2006 and April 2007. Surgical procedures for colorectal cancer included 5 low anterior resections, 3 anterior resections, 1 right hemicolectomy, and 1 subtotal colectomy. Combined hepatic surgery included 6 major hepatectomies, 3 segmentectomies, and 1 tumorectomy. All procedures were successful, with no conversions to open surgery required. The median operation time was 439 min (range: 210–690 min), and the median estimated blood loss was 350 ml (range: 300–1,200 ml). There was no surgical mortality or major morbidity, except in one patient in whom postoperative bleeding at the site of para-aortic node dissection was promptly controlled. Laparoscopic-assisted combined colon and liver resection is a feasible and safe procedure for the treatment of primary colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, etching characteristics of oval-shaped contact were investigated. The oval-shaped contact showed different etching characteristics compared to the circular contact. The long axis cross-section of oval-shaped contact showed a more vertical profile and a less bowing compared to the short axis. To explain these phenomena, we simulated ion reflection from sloped oval-shaped hard-mask. From the simulation, we found that the ions reflected from hard-mask accumulated more toward short axis sidewall first. This ion accumulation and asymmetric charging explained the reason behind larger bowing and slopped profile phenomena of short axis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Asian dust aerosol model (ADAM) and the aerosol dynamic model with the output of the fifth generation of mesoscale model (MM5) in a grid of 30×30km2 have been employed to simulate the temporal and spatial distribution of the Asian dust aerosol and the anthropogenic aerosol concentrations in East Asia for the period of 19–23 March 2002 when a severe Asian dust (Hwangsa) event was observed in Korea. The simulated aerosols are implemented to estimate radiative forcing at the surface and the top of atmosphere (TOA) with the use of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) column radiation model (CRM) of community climate model 3 (CCM3). The results indicate that the ADAM model simulates quite well the spectral-mass concentration distribution with the value of 0.7 whereas the aerosol dynamic model underestimates the observed anthropogenic aerosol by a factor of 4 over Korea. The estimated mean total aerosol mass in the analysis domain for the period of 19–20 March 2002 is found to be about 880mgm−2, of which 98% and 2% are, respectively contributed by the Asian dust aerosol and the anthropogenic aerosol. However, the direct radiative forcing contributed by the anthropogenic aerosol are about 40% of the mean radiative forcing at the surface (−11Wm−2) and 45% of the mean radiative forcing at TOA (−6Wm−2), implying the importance of the anthropogenic aerosol on the direct radiative forcings at both the surface and TOA. The difference between the radiative forcing at TOA and the surface that indicates the atmospheric absorption is found to be 5Wm−2, of which 3 and 2Wm−2 are, respectively contributed by the Asian dust aerosol and the anthropogenic aerosol, suggesting the importance of the Asian dust aerosol on the regional radiative energy balance especially in the high occurrence frequency season of spring. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An aerosol dynamic model including such processes of nucleation, condensation/evaporation, coagulation, sedimentation, hygroscopic growth and dry and wet deposition coupled with the gas-phase chemistry of the California Institute of Technology model and the aqueous-phase chemistry of the Regional Acid Deposition Model together with meteorological outputs of the MM5 model in a grid of 60×60 km2 has been used to estimate anthropogenic aerosols in East Asia (95–145E, 20–50N) for the period of 2–30 April 2001 in the ACE-Asia experimental period. During this period an Asian dust event has been observed from 10 to 13 and 24–26 April in the Korean peninsula. The estimated anthropogenic aerosols excluding the Asian dust are implemented to estimate radiative forcing at the surface, at the top of atmosphere (TOA) and atmospheric aerosol absorption in East Asia using the National Center for Atmospheric Research column radiation model of the community climate model. The results indicate that the area averaged column integrated anthropogenic aerosol concentration in East Asia is estimated to be about 20 mg m-2, of which 46%, 29%, 20%, 4% and 1% are contributed by mixed type, inorganic (IOC), sea salt, organic carbon and black carbon aerosol, respectively. The daytime area mean direct shortwave radiative forcing at the surface is found to be about -5.9 W m-2, of which IOC and the mixed type aerosol contribute about 95% whereas that at TOA is about -4.1 W m-2, of which the IOC and the mixed type aerosol contribute more than 90%. Consequently the area mean atmospheric absorption due to anthropogenic aerosol layer in East Asia is about 1.8 W m-2. The result clearly confirms the existence of a cooling effect (negative forcing) due to the direct effect of anthropogenic aerosols at the surface and TOA in East Asia. However, the atmosphere of the troposphere above the ground is slightly heated due to absorbing aerosol layers that are composed of black carbon and the mixed type aerosol. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Space-borne ozone (O3) measurements have indicated consistent positive trends across the entire Asia–Pacific region despite the considerable reduction of NOx since 2000s. The rate of increase in O3 derived from lower free tropospheric column measurements was observed to be 0.21 ± 0.05 DU/decade during 2005–2018. Our space-borne-based diagnosis of the nonlinear photochemical formation regimes, NOx-limited and NOx-saturated, show that O3 chemistry is undergoing a transitional process to the NOx-limited regime throughout most of the Asian region. Nevertheless, NOx-saturated conditions persist at present in and over eight major megacities. These NOx-saturated conditions in megacities contribute to the increased O3 due to NOx reduction, which could also affect the enhanced O3 concentrations throughout the Asia–Pacific region via long-range transport. This indicates that VOC limits along with NOx reductions are needed in megacities in the short term to reduce O3 levels. Moreover, NOx saturation in major megacities will continue until 2025, according to the forecast emission scenarios from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These scenarios gradually shift nearly all cities to the NOx-limited regime by 2050 with the exception of few cities under IPCC RCP8.5. Thus, continued reductions in NOx will be a key factor in reducing O3 in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prophylactic antibiotics (PAs) are standard for preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) post‐colorectal surgery. This study aims to compare the effect of additional empiric oral antibiotics (OAs) alongside routine PAs to identify SSI risk factors. Methods: A retrospective observatory analysis was conducted from January 2019 to December 2022 at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. The cohort was divided into two groups: PA given 1 h before surgery and discontinued within 24 h, and OA administered empiric OAs during mechanical bowel preparation in addition to PA. Results: From a total of 6736 patients, 3482 were in the PA group and 3254 in the OA group. SSI incidence showed no significant intergroup difference (p = 0.374) even after propensity score matching (p = 0.338). The multivariable analysis revealed male sex [odds ratio (OR): 2.153, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.626–2.852, and p = 0.001], open surgery (OR: 3.335, 95% CI: 2.456–4.528, and p = 0.001), dirty wound (OR: 2.171, 95% CI: 1.256–3.754, and p = 0.006), and an operation time of more than 145 min (OR: 2.110, 95% CI: 1.324–3.365, and p = 0.002) as SSI risk factors. In rectal surgery subgroup, OA demonstrated a protective effect against SSI (OR: 0.613, 95% CI: 0.408–0.922, and p = 0.019) and in laparoscopic approach (OR: 0.626, 95% CI: 0.412–0.952, and p = 0.028). Conclusions: OA did not affect SSI incidence in colorectal surgeries. Male sex, open surgery, dirty wounds, and longer operation time were risk factors for SSI. However, for rectal and laparoscopic surgery, OA was a protective factor for SSI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the proportion of hospitalized inpatients suitable for an acute and subacute home-based inpatient bed substitutive service, to examine the ability of treating teams to identify suitable patients for this service, and to examine potential barriers toward inpatients receiving home-based care. Prospective point prevalence study over 2 days in April 2019; analysis of responses to survey questionnaires regarding the suitability for home-based care among inpatients with multiday admissions to acute and subacute wards in the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), an Australian metropolitan tertiary referral center. Ward treating teams, clinicians affiliated with the home-based service called RMH@Home, and inpatients who were subsequently identified as being suitable for home-based care. Point prevalence and characteristics of inpatients suitable for a home-based bed substitutive service; identified by either treating teams or RMH@Home clinicians; and barriers to the provision of home-based care among ward inpatients. Survey responses were received for 620 of 635 inpatients [median age 69 years (interquartile range 53–81), 53% male], of which 69 (11.1%) were identified as being suitable for home-based inpatient bed substitution care. Treating team clinicians identified 26 patients, clinicians affiliated with RMH@Home identified a further 43 suitable patients. The most commonly reported barrier (38.1%) toward receiving home-based care was functional disability impeding ability to live at home. A substantial proportion of hospitalized older patients could use home-based inpatient bed substitutive services. Clinicians experienced in home-based care are more skilled than ward-based clinicians in identifying suitable patients for this care model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of low water temperature on flocculation kinetics was examined using ferric nitrate to coagulate kaolin clay in water under tightly controlled treatment conditions. Both the particle size distribution data obtained from an automatic image analysis system and the on-line measurement of the degree of turbidity fluctuation in a flowing suspension by a photometric dispersion analyzer were used to measure flocculation kinetics. Results show that cold water temperature had a pronounced detrimental effect on flocculation kinetics. To improve flocculation kinetics at low water temperature, maintaining constant pOH to adjust water chemistry for temperature changes was found to be partially effective, but only in the more acidic pH range studied (≤pH 6.8). However, the improved performance did not reach the performance at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the drivers of urban ozone (O 3) formation is challenging and requires uncovering the non-linear relationship between O 3 and its precursors. We used a novel method to differentiate between background O 3 levels and local photochemical O 3 generation using the observation-based O 3 production efficiency (OPE) from decade-long observations including nitrogen dioxide (NO 2), nitrogen monoxide (NO), reactive nitrogen compounds (NO y), O 3 , and 56 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) covering eight years (2009–2016). In this study, we employed O x (=O 3 +NO 2), and defined OPE x as the number of O x molecules produced from the oxidation of a single NO x molecule, and estimates the local contribution (in %) to total O 3 from the slope of the O x −NO z (=NO y –NO x) linear regression. We thus identified the local urban O 3 formation regime using the relationship of several factors, including nitrogen oxide (NO x), VOC/NO x , NO 2 , NO z , and long-range transported O x , and suggested how O 3 can be reduced in the Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA). The results show that the regional background dominates the annual level of O x with a contribution of about 66 ± 11%, while photochemical production acts as a stronger factor influencing the annual variability of Ox than regional background. Regional background varies by transport evidenced by its good correlation with the west wind fraction, whereas photochemical production depends on the VOC/NO x ratio, which is high in summer and low in winter. The relationship between photochemical production and VOC/NO x indicates that the transition of the O x formation regime occurs at a VOC/NO x ratio of approximately 4 in the SMA. Urban environments with NO x > 20 ppb typically lie in low VOC/NO x zone, where reduced NO 2 emissions lead to decreased NO z but increased OPE x, with no discernible change in photochemical O x production. Thus, NO x emission reductions in urban environments would have a negligible effect on O x reduction. In contrast, suburban environments such as usually NO x < 10 ppb are located in the higher VOC/NOx zone, where decreased NO 2 leads to decreased OPE x with no discernible change in NO z , consequently suppressing photochemical O x production. Together, these results suggest that any urban O 3 policy in the SMA should consider significant cuts in NO x emissions to allow the O 3 regime to shift. The OPEx method can also be applied to other urban areas for the development of effective O 3 reduction policies. • O x was examined in Seoul Metropolitan Area (SMA) by employing OPEx. • Local photochemical O x production and background contribution was separated in SMA. • Regional background to O x by about 66 ± 11% in SMA. • A significant cut in NO x or in both NO x and VOC emission was suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MWCNT content-dependent impedance characteristics of porous MWCNT/PDMS composites were investigated in detail. • MWCNT/PDMS composites with a high CNT density (≈ 2.79 wt.%) showed resistive-dominant properties. • Intermediate MWCNT (≈ 0.91 wt.%)-loaded composites possessed both capacitive and resistive characteristics. • A piezo-impedance physical sensor with an excellent GF of ≈ 55 was demonstrated in the moderate MWCNT-loaded composites. • This work provides key information for realizing practical applications of MWCNT/PDMS composites. Carbon nanotube (CNT) based physical sensors with high performance have been successfully applied to novel devices for human motion detection and healthcare monitoring. Here, porous multi-walled carbon nanotube/polydimethylsiloxane MWCNT/PDMS composites with different MWCNT contents were fabricated via the water-oil emulsion state, and their impedance characteristics were investigated in detail. Intermediate MWCNT content induced both resistive and capacitive properties in the composites, while the composite with the highest MWCNT concentration showed resistive-dominant properties. In addition, an excellent piezo-impedance physical sensor using the MWCNT-loaded composites was demonstrated using an improved impedance sensing method. This work provides key information for realizing practical applications of MWCNT/PDMS composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shape parameters of sand particles can be determined by either a Krumbein-Sloss chart or mathematical computation based on the particle image. However, these approaches are limited by user-dependent uncertainty and complicated algorithms with computational issues. This study explores the feasibility of predicting the shape parameters of sand particles via a well-trained deep learning model. Over 7000 sand particle images from six different sand types were used, and the corresponding shape parameters such as sphericity, roundness, slenderness, and circularity were computed. Inception-ResNet-v2 whose performance has been widely validated, as one of convolutional neural network-based model, used the pair dataset (i.e., image and each computed shape parameter) and comprised a pre-trained network for feature extraction and a regression output layer. Strategic data augmentation helped in increasing the number of training data to reduce the test loss efficiently. Several hyperparameters were carefully tuned to accomplish model optimization, while the generalization ability of the model was evaluated during training by using a validation dataset. The prediction results showed that the trained model yielded a highly accurate and precise prediction of the shape parameters, regardless of the image types. The predicted roundness had relatively scattered values in comparison with other parameters, presumably because of its indeterminate definition of the ground-truth. Thus, the proposed trained model enables accurate prediction of the shape parameters of sand particles solely based on an image containing the complete shape of the particle, without mathematical computation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, KCCM50549, was found to efficiently ferment the inulin-containing carbohydrates in Jerusalem artichoke without acidic or enzymatic pretreatment prior to fermentation. S. cerevisiae KCCM50549 could utilize almost completely the fructo-oligosaccharides present in Jerusalem artichoke (up to degree of polymerization (DP) of 15), in contrast to the other S. cerevisiae strain such as NCYC625 that fermented the fructo-oligosaccharides with DP of up to around six. Inulin-fermenting S. cerevisiae KCCM50549 produced c.a. 1.6 times more ethanol from Jerusalem artichoke compared with S. cerevisiae NCYC625. Direct ethanol fermentation of Jerusalem artichoke flour at 180g/L without any supplements or pretreatments by S. cerevisiae KCCM50549 in a 5L jar fermentor yielded 36.2g/L of ethanol within 36h. The conversion efficiency of inulin-type sugars to ethanol was 70% of the theoretical ethanol yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although neoadjuvant treatment is thought to provide optimal local control for stage II and III rectal cancers, many patients have been reported cured by total mesorectal excision (TME), alone or with additional chemotherapy (CTX). Methods: This study retrospectively evaluated outcomes in 2643 patients with cT3N0-2 rectal cancers undergoing curative TME during 2005–2015. Recurrence and survival outcomes were measured in three propensity-score matched groups, consisting of patients who underwent preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with postoperative CTX (NAPOC), postoperative CRT (POCRT), and exclusively postoperative CTX (EPOCT). Results: Near-complete or complete TME was conducted in more than 95.9% of patients and 80% of scheduled dose of postoperative CTX was completed in 99%. Except for higher SR rate in the POCRT group than the NAPOC group (p = 0.008), 5-year cumulative local and systemic recurrence (LR and SR) rates were 4.9% and 15.2% for cT3N0, and 4.2% and 21% for cT3N1-2 patients (LR, p = 0.703; SR, 0.065), respectively, with no significant differences associated with treatment exposure (p = 0.11–1). The 5-year cumulative disease-free (75.6% vs 65.7%, p = 0.018) and overall survival (87.1% vs 79.4%, p = 0.018 each) rates were higher in the NAPOC group than the POCRT group with cT3N1-2. However, any significant survival differences were not identified between the NAPOC and EPOCT groups according to tumor sub-stages or locations (p = 0.395–0.971). Conclusions: We found any treatment modalities including competent TME and postoperative adjuvant CTX efficiently reducing LR generating robust survival outcome in the propensity-matched cohorts, demanding further randomized controlled trials by clinical sub-stages II–III. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop advanced optical systems, many scientists have endeavored to create smart optical materials which can tune their photophysical properties by changing molecular states. However, optical multi‐states are obtained usually by mixing many dyes or stacking multi‐layered structures. Here, multiple molecular states are tried to be generated with a single dye. In order to achieve the goal, a diacetylene‐functionalized cyanostilbene luminogen (DACSM) is newly synthesized by covalently connecting diacetylene and cyanostilbene molecular functions. Photochemical reaction of cyanostilbene and topochemical polymerization of diacetylene can change the molecular state of DACSM. By thermal stimulations and the photochemical reaction, the conformation of polymerized DACSM is further tuned. The synergetic molecular cooperation of cyanostilbene and diacetylene generates multiple molecular states of DACSM. Utilizing the optical multi‐states achieved from the newly developed DACSM, switchable optical patterns and smart secret codes are successfully demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress-induced cellular senescence is now regarded as an important driving mechanism in chronic lung diseases-particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). 4 ′ ,5,7-trihydroxyflavone (Apigenin) is a natural flavonoid product abundantly present in fruits, vegetables, and Chinese medicinal herbs. It has been known that apigenin has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and liver-protecting effects. The efficacy of apigenin for lung aging, however, has not been reported. In this study, we selected the hydrogen peroxide (H2O 2) - or doxorubicin (DOXO)-induced senescence model in WI-38 human embryonic lung fibroblast cells to determine the potential anti-aging effects of apigenin in vitro and associated molecular mechanisms. We found that apigenin reduced senescence-associated β -galactosidase (SA- β -gal) activity and promoted cell growth, concomitant with a decrease in levels of Acetyl (ac)-p53, p21 W a f 1 / C i p 1 , and p16 I n k 4 a and an increase in phospho (p)-Rb. Apigenin also increased the activation ratio of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD +) , and NAD + /NADH and inhibited cluster of differentiation 38 (CD38) activity in a concentration-dependent manner. SIRT1 inhibition by SIRT1 siRNA abolished the anti-aging effect of apigenin. In addition, CD38 inhibition by CD38 siRNA or apigenin increased the SIRT1 level and reduced H2O2-induced senescence. Our findings suggest that apigenin is a promising phytochemical for reducing the impact of senescent cells in age-related lung diseases such as COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article takes a look at the importance of Sudeck's point in severe distal ischemic proctitis with venous congestion after anterior resection for sigmoid colon cancer in the case of a 67-year-old female with anal pain and bloody diarrhea. Topics covered include histologic examination of the resected tissue showing transmural ischemic necrosis with multiple ulcerations, subserosal fat necrosis, and edema.

Background: Robust serological assays are essential for long-term control of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many recently released point-of-care (PoCT) serological assays have been distributed with little premarket validation.Methods: Performance characteristics for 5 PoCT lateral flow devices approved for use in Australia were compared to a commercial enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and a recently described novel surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT).Results: Sensitivities for PoCT ranged from 51.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 43.1%-60.4%) to 67.9% (95% CI, 59.4%-75.6%), and specificities from 95.6% (95% CI, 89.2%-98.8%) to 100.0% (95% CI, 96.1%-100.0%). ELISA sensitivity for IgA or IgG detection was 67.9% (95% CI, 59.4%-75.6%), increasing to 93.8% (95% CI, 85.0%-98.3%) for samples >14 days post symptom onset. sVNT sensitivity was 60.9% (95% CI, 53.2%-68.4%), rising to 91.2% (95% CI, 81.8%-96.7%) for samples >14 days post symptom onset, with specificity 94.4% (95% CI, 89.2%-97.5%).Conclusions: Performance characteristics for COVID-19 serological assays were generally lower than those reported by manufacturers. Timing of specimen collection relative to onset of illness or infection is crucial in reporting of performance characteristics for COVID-19 serological assays. The optimal algorithm for implementing serological testing for COVID-19 remains to be determined, particularly in low-prevalence settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Geostationary Environmental Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) is a UV-visible (UV-Vis) spectrometer on board the GEO-KOMPSAT-2B (Geostationary Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite 2B) satellite launched into a geostationary orbit in February 2020. To evaluate the GEMS NO 2 total column data, a comparison was carried out using the NO 2 vertical column density (VCD) that measured direct sunlight using the Pandora spectrometer system at four sites in Seosan, South Korea, from November 2020 to January 2021. Correlation coefficients between GEMS and Pandora NO 2 data at four sites ranged from 0.35 to 0.48, with root mean square errors (RMSEs) from 4.7×1015 to 5.5×1015 molec. cm -2 for a cloud fraction (CF) <0.7. Higher correlation coefficients of 0.62–0.78 with lower RMSEs from 3.3×1015 to 5.0×1015 molec. cm -2 were found with CF <0.3 , indicating the higher sensitivity of GEMS to atmospheric NO 2 in less cloudy conditions. Overall, the GEMS NO 2 total column data tended to be lower than the Pandora data, owing to differences in the representative spatial coverage, with a large negative bias under high CF conditions. With a correction for horizontal representativeness in the Pandora measurement coverage, correlation coefficients ranging from 0.69 to 0.81, with RMSEs from 3.2×1015 to 4.9×1015 molec. cm -2 , were achieved for CF <0.3 , showing a better correlation with the correction than without the correction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]