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We demonstrate rectifying Schottky diodes fabricated using as-grown single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) ensembles, without removing the metallic SWNTs, for optoelectronic device applications. The SWNTs are contact by a low work-function metal through a high-bandgap charge-blocking layer (ZnO) resulting in highly-nonlinear current-voltage properties compared to control ensemble SWNT devices, fabricated without a charge-blocking layer, which show resistive behaviour. This significant improvement in diode behaviour is obtained by reducing source-drain leakage from the metallic SWNTs using the charge-blocking layer which channels charge transport via the semiconducting SWNTs. Moreover, we explore an alternative method of creating the charge barrier layer via oxidizing a thin film of Zn deposited on directly on the SWNTs which could potentially reduce cost and increasing scalability of this technique to obtain highly rectifying diodes from as-grown ensemble SWNTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrafast photocurrent measurements are performed on individual carbon nanotube p-i-n photodiodes. The photocurrent response to subpicosecond pulses separated by a variable time delay &Dgr;t shows strong photocurrent suppression when two pulses overlap (&Dgr;t = 0). The picosecond-scale decay time of photocurrent suppression scales inversely with the applied bias VSD, and is twice as long for photon energy above the second subband E22 as compared to lower energy. The observed photocurrent behavior is well described by an escape time model that accounts for carrier effective mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the capacitive spring softening effect observed in single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) nanoelectromechanical (NEM) resonators. The nanotube resonators adopt a dual-gate configuration with both bottom-gate and end-gate capable of tuning the resonance frequency through capacitive coupling. Interestingly, downward resonance frequency shifting is observed with increasing end-gate voltage, which can be attributed to the capacitive softening of the spring constant. Furthermore, in-plane vibrational modes exhibit a much stronger spring softening effect than out-of-plan modes. Our dual-gate design should enable the differentiation between these two types of vibrational modes and open up the new possibility for nonlinear operation of nanotube resonators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We observed highly efficient generation of electron-hole pairs due to impact excitation in single-walled carbon nanotube p-n junction photodiodes. Optical excitation into the second electronic subband E22 leads to striking photocurrent steps in the device I-VSD characteristics that occur at voltage intervals of the band-gap energy EGAPle. Spatially and spectrally resolved photocurrent combined with temperature-dependent studies suggest that these steps result from efficient generation of multiple electron-hole pairs from a single hot E22 carrier. This process is both of fundamental interest and relevant for applications in future ultra-efficient photovoltaic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometrial Regenerative Cells (ERC) are a population of mesenchymal-like stem cells having pluripotent differentiation activity and ability to induce neoangiogenesis. In vitro and animal studies suggest ERC are immune privileged and in certain situations actively suppress ongoing immune responses. In this paper we describe the production of clinical grade ERC and initial safety experiences in 4 patients with multiple sclerosis treated intravenously and intrathecally. The case with the longest follow up, of more than one year, revealed no immunological reactions or treatment associated adverse effects. These preliminary data suggest feasibility of clinical ERC administration and support further studies with this novel stem cell type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a soft-tissue tumor with a unique t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2) chromosomal translocation that can be identified by polymerase chain reaction in tissue homogenates. Generally, the tumor occurs in the proximity of the joints. The current study presents the case of a 54-year-old female with primary SS (PSS) of the right kidney; this is an extremely rare tumor accounting for <2% of malignant renal carcinomas. The patient presented with an interrupted right flank pain of 20 years duration, with a precipitating factor of a hematuria of 8 days. Abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scan revealed a heterogeneous, unclear-marginated soft tissue arising in the upper pole of the right kidney with solid, necrotic components and heterogeneous enhancement. Renal cell carcinoma was diagnosed pre-operatively. A right nephrectomy was performed, and the patient is currently free of metastasis 12 months after the surgery. The current treatment for renal SS includes surgical resection and ifosfamide-based chemotherapy. To the best of our knowledge, <50 cases have been reported in the English literature. Urologists should be aware of the possibility of malignancy in cystic renal masses and consider a diagnosis of SS. Along with the case report, the current study presents a literature review on the diagnosis and treatment of PSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the physics of low-dimensional systems and the operation of next-generation electronics will depend on our ability to measure the electrical properties of nanomaterials at terahertz frequencies (∼100 GHz to 10 THz). Single-walled carbon nanotubes are prototypical one-dimensional nanomaterials because of their unique band structure and long carrier mean free path. Although nanotube transistors have been studied at microwave frequencies (100 MHz to 50 GHz), no techniques currently exist to probe their terahertz response. Here, we describe the first terahertz electrical measurements of single-walled carbon nanotube transistors performed in the time domain. We observe a ballistic electron resonance that corresponds to the round-trip transit of an electron along the nanotube with a picosecond-scale period. The electron velocity is found to be constant and equal to the Fermi velocity, showing that the high-frequency electron response is dominated by single-particle excitations rather than collective plasmon modes. These results demonstrate a powerful new tool for directly probing picosecond electron motion in nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in cancer therapy have been substantial in terms of molecular understanding of disease mechanisms, however these advances have not translated into increased survival in the majority of cancer types. One unsolved problem in current cancer therapeutics is the substantial immune suppression seen in patients. Conventionally, investigations in this area have focused on antigennonspecific immune suppressive molecules such as cytokines and T cell apoptosis inducing molecules such as Fas ligand. More recently, studies have demonstrated nanovesicle particles termed exosomes are involved not only in stimulation but also inhibition of immunity in physiological conditions. Interestingly, exosomes secreted by cancer cells have been demonstrated to express tumor antigens, as well as immune suppressive molecules such as PD-1L and FasL. Concentrations of exosomes from plasma of cancer patients have been associated with spontaneous T cell apoptosis, which is associated in some situations with shortened survival. In this paper we place the "exosome-immune suppression" concept in perspective of other tumor immune evasion mechanisms. We conclude by discussing a novel therapeutic approach to cancer immune suppression by extracorporeal removal of exosomes using hollow fiber filtration technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically cancer vaccines have yielded suboptimal clinical results. We have developed a novel strategy for eliciting antitumor immunity based upon homology between neoplastic tissue and the developing placenta. Placenta formation shares several key processes with neoplasia, namely: angiogenesis, activation of matrix metalloproteases, and active suppression of immune function. Immune responses against xenoantigens are well known to break self-tolerance. Utilizing xenogeneic placental protein extracts as a vaccine, we have successfully induced anti-tumor immunity against B16 melanoma in C57/BL6 mice, whereas control xenogeneic extracts and B16 tumor extracts where ineffective, or actually promoted tumor growth, respectively. Furthermore, dendritic cells were able to prime tumor immunity when pulsed with the placental xenoantigens. While vaccination-induced tumor regression was abolished in mice depleted of CD4 T cells, both CD4 and CD8 cells were needed to adoptively transfer immunity to naïve mice. Supporting the role of CD8 cells in controlling tumor growth are findings that only freshly isolated CD8 cells from immunized mice were capable of inducing tumor cell caspases-3 activation ex vivo. These data suggest feasibility of using xenogeneic placental preparations as a multivalent vaccine potently targeting not just tumor antigens, but processes that are essential for tumor maintenance of malignant potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 60-year-old man with macroscopic hematuria. It describes the patient's condition whose medical history included bladder cancer and dermatomyositis. It discusses the results of the patient's laboratory examinations which include a transurethral cystoscopy that revealed a solid tumor on the bladder's posterior wall. The patient was reportedly diagnosed with a rare paraneoplastic dermatomyositis that lead to death.

The low quality factor (Q) of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) resonators has limited their sensitivity in sensing application. To this end, we employ the technique of parametric amplification by modulating the spring constant of SWNT resonators at twice the resonant frequency and achieve 10 times Q enhancement. The highest Q obtained at room temperature is around ∼700, which is 3-4 times better than previous Q record reported for doubly clamped SWNT resonators. Furthermore, efficient parametric amplification is found to only occur in the catenary vibration regime. Our results open up the possibility to employ light-weight and high-Q carbon nanotube resonators in single molecule and atomic mass sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the ferroelectricity of perovskite-type oxides with alkylamine interlayer. Observed ferroelectric hysteresis loop in synthesized powder crystals; Element analysis.

Background: Increasing evidence suggeststhat lncRNA (Long non-coding RNA, lncRNA)-mediated ceRNA (competing endogenous RNA, ceRNA) networks are involved in the occurrence and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the roles of the lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA ceRNA network in distant metastasis of CRC are still unclear. Methods: In this study, we constructed a specific ceRNA network to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for distant metastasis of CRC. Specifically, RNA-Seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used to screen for differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and mRNAs (DEmRNAs) related to metastasis. After validation and selection by qRT–PCR and univariate and multivariate analysis of the metastasis- and prognosis-related lncRNAs, the regulated microRNAs (miRNAs) and coexpressed mRNAs were used to construct a ceRNA network for distant metastasis of CRC. Results: Two key distant metastasis-related DElncRNAs, AP002498.1 and LINC01871, were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis in combination with analyses of clinical data and expression levels. Furthermore, lncRNAassociated ceRNA subnetworks were constructed from the predicted miRNAs and 13 coexpressed DEmRNAs(SERPINA1, ITLN1, REG4, L1TD1, IGFALS, MUC5B, CIITA, CXCL9, CXCL10, GBP4, GNLY, IDO1, and NOS2). The AP002498.1- and LINC01871-associated ceRNA subnetworks regulated the expression of the target genes SERPINA1 and MUC5B and GNLY, respectively, through the associated miRNAs. Conclusion: The DElncRNA AP002498.1 and the LINC01871/miR-4644 and miR-185-5p/GNLY axes were identified as being closely associated with distant metastasis and could represent independent prognostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets in colorectal adenocarcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conspectus: Nanoelectronic devices based on nanomaterials such as nanowires, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and other 2D nanomaterials offer extremely large surface-to-volume ratios, high carrier mobility, low power consumption, and high compatibility for integration with modern electronic technologies. These distinct advantages promise great potential for nanoelectronic devices as next generation chemical and biological sensors. Currently, majority of existing nanoelectronic sensors are direct current (DC) sensors, which rely ubiquitously on detection of conductance change associated with molecular adsorption. However, despite the simplicity of the conventional DC sensing technology, it also has severe limitations such as the Debye screening effect in ionic solutions, and the speed-sensitivity trade-off for the detection of charge-neutral molecules. Hence, the development of nanoelectronic sensors calls for new sensing platform technologies that can truly showcase the advantages of electronic sensors. In this Account, we will summarize recent efforts from our group on the development of a new electronic sensing paradigm, the nanoelectronic heterodyne sensors. Unlike conventional charge-detection based sensors, the heterodyne sensor explores the frequency mixing response between molecular dipoles and a nanoscale transistor. As an example, we first discuss the capability of heterodyne sensing in gas sensing applications by using graphene devices. Rapid (down to 0.1 s) and sensitive (down to 1 ppb) detection of a wide range of vapor analytes is achieved, representing orders of magnitude improvement over state-of-the-art nanoelectronic sensors. Furthermore, the heterodyne sensing technique enables electrical probing and tuning of the noncovalent physisorption of polar molecules on graphene surface for the first time. These results provide insight into small molecule-nanomaterial interaction dynamics and signify the ability to electrically tailor interactions, which can lead to rational designs of complex chemical processes for catalysis and drug discovery. Finally, we discuss the application of heterodyne sensing in solution for chemical and biological sensors by using carbon nanotube devices. The fundamental ionic screening effect can be mitigated by operating carbon nanotube field effect transistor as a heterodyne biosensor. Electrical detection of streptavidin binding to biotin in 100 mM buffer solution can be achieved at a frequency beyond 1 MHz. The results should promise a new biosensing platform for point-of-care detection, where biosensors functioning directly in physiologically relevant condition are desired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report our experience with Chinese minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (Chinese MPCNL) to manage patients with intrarenal stones in solitary kidney, and evaluate the safety, efficiency and feasibility of this technique. Methods: Forty-one patients with intrarenal stones in solitary kidney underwent Chinese MPCNL in our department from March 2009 to February 2011. Demographic characteristics, operative parameters, number of tracts, stone-free rates (SFRs), stone analyses, hemoglobin levels, nephrostomy tube removal time, hospitalization time, and complications were evaluated. Serum creatinine (Scr) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured preoperatively, postoperatively at 1 month, and each follow-up visit. The 5-stage classification of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was used according to the National Kidney Foundation guidelines. Results: The initial stone-free status was achieved in 35 (85.4%) patients after Chinese MPCNL. The mean follow-up time was 16.964.7 months (range: 12-24), and the final SFR improved to 97.6% after auxiliary procedures. Among all patients, complex stones were detected in 26 (63.4%) patients, and 9 (22.0%) required multiple tracts. The mean operative time and mean hospitalization time were 71.3623.5 min (range: 40-139) and 6.160.5 days (range: 5-11), respectively. During preoperative period and postoperative period (1 month), Scr were 132.16-±41.3 umol/L (range: 78.2-231.4) and 108.9±30.7 umol/L (range: 71.6-136.9), respectively (P<0.05), while GFR were 74.9±24.2 ml/min (range: 35-110) and 83.9±27.4 ml/min (range: 65-110), respectively (P<0.05). According to CKD classification, the renal function was stable, improved, and worse in 29 (70.7%), 11 (26.8%), and 1 (2.5%) patients, compared with the preoperative levels. No patient progressed to end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis. Conclusions: Our experience with Chinese MPCNL demonstrates that it is safe, feasible and efficient for managing the intrarenal calculi in solitary kidney with a low complication rate. At long-term follow-up, renal function stabilized or even improved in the majority of patients with solitary kidney. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate a fully tunable diode structure utilizing a fully suspended single-walled carbon nanotube. The diode’s turn-on voltage under forward bias can be continuously tuned up to 4.3 V by controlling gate voltages, which is ∼6 times the nanotube band gap energy. Furthermore, the same device design can be configured into a backward diode by tuning the band-to-band tunneling current with gate voltages. A nanotube backward diode is demonstrated for the first time with nonlinearity exceeding the ideal diode. These results suggest that a tunable nanotube diode can be a unique building block for developing next generation programmable nanoelectronic logic and integrated circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of electric field induced band gap opening in bilayer graphene opens a new door for making semiconducting graphene without aggressive size scaling or using expensive substrates. However, bilayer graphene samples have been limited to μm2size scale thus far, and synthesis of wafer scale bilayer graphene poses a tremendous challenge. Here we report homogeneous bilayer graphene films over at least a 2 in. × 2 in. area, synthesized by chemical vapor deposition on copper foil and subsequently transferred to arbitrary substrates. The bilayer nature of graphene film is verified by Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Importantly, spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy confirms a bilayer coverage of over 99%. The homogeneity of the film is further supported by electrical transport measurements on dual-gate bilayer graphene transistors, in which a band gap opening is observed in 98% of the devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Emerging studies have shown that the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a potential predictor in various tumors. Our study was conducted to assess the prognostic value of the pretreatment NLR in bladder cancer and metastatic or unresectable urothelial carcinoma (mUC or uUC) patients up to July 2017. The correlation between the pretreatment NLR and pathological characteristics was also evaluated in bladder cancer patients. Methods: The hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratio (OR) with the 95% confidence interval (CI) were extracted or calculated from the included studies for further pooled analysis. A total of 21 studies were included in a pooled analysis. Results: The pooled results indicated that a high pretreatment NLR was associated with reduced overall survival (OS) (HR=1.27, 95% CI=1.12-1.43), relapsefree survival (RFS) (HR=1.41, 95% CI=1.23-1.60), progression-free survival (PFS) (HR=1.75, 95% CI=1.36-2.15), disease-specific survival (DSS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) (HR=1.27, 95% CI=1.19-1.35) in the bladder cancer patients. Additionally, an elevated pretreatment NLR suggested a worse OS rate in the mUC or uUC patients (HR=1.63, 95% CI=1.34-1.91). The pooled ORs and 95% CIs showed that a high pretreatment NLR could be a risk indicator for certain pathological features, such as lymphovascular invasion, a positive margin status and advanced tumor stage. Conclusions: our results showed that a high pretreatment NLR predicted poor prognosis in bladder cancer, mUC and uUC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collecting duct carcinoma (CDC), which is also known as Bellini duct carcinoma, accounts for less than 1% of all renal cell carcinoma, which has a poor prognosis. Predominantly, clinicians recognize this disease due to past experience and case reports, and a standard treatment is yet to be established. The present case report describes a 57-year-old male patient with CDC who was successfully treated with a left laparoscopic radical nephrectomy without any adjuvant therapy and compares the present patient's clinical presentation with previously reported cases. By analyzing the differences between these cases, the findings of the present case report and literature review suggested that surgery alone remains the only suitable choice for patients with advanced CDC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), which was previously known as inflammatory pseudotumor, is characterized by myofibroblastic spindle cells accompanied by inflammatory infiltrates. IMT is a rare lesion of unclear etiology, which induces non-specific clinical symptoms. The present case report describes a 74-year-old female patient with recurrent IMT, which was successfully re-resected 30 months subsequent to initial surgical removal. The patient presented with left hydroureteronephrosis and a 10-cm paravertebral mass which, upon surgery, was found to involve the descending colon. Successful, complete en bloc re-resection was achieved, and at 24 months follow-up, the patient remained clinically free of disease. Complete surgical extirpation, where feasible, is the recommended treatment for primary and recurrent IMT lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a modern wireless communication system, signal amplification is critical for overcoming losses during multiple data transformations/processes and long-distance transmission. Common mode and differential mode are two fundamental amplification mechanisms, and they utilize totally different circuit configurations. In this paper, we report a new type of dual-gate graphene ambipolar device with capability of operating under both common and differential modes to realize signal amplification. The signal goes through two stages of modulation where the phase of signal can be individually modulated to be either in-phase or out-of-phase at two stages by exploiting the ambipolarity of graphene. As a result, both common and differential mode amplifications can be achieved within one single device, which is not possible in the conventional circuit configuration. In addition, a common-mode rejection ratio as high as 80 dB can be achieved, making it possible for low noise circuit application. These results open up new directions of graphene-based ambipolar electronics that greatly simplify the RF circuit complexity and the design of multifunction device operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to tune the molecular interaction electronically can have profound impact on wide-ranging scientific frontiers in catalysis, chemical and biological sensor development, and the understanding of key biological processes. Despite that electrochemistry is routinely used to probe redox reactions involving loss or gain of electrons, electrical probing and tuning of the weaker noncovalent interactions, such as molecular physisorption, have been challenging, primarily due to the inability to change the work function of conventional metal electrodes. To this end, we report electrical probing and tuning of the noncovalent physisorption of polar molecules on graphene surface by using graphene nanoelectronic heterodyne sensors. Temperature-dependent molecular desorptions for six different polar molecules were measured in real-time to study the desorption kinetics and extract the binding affinities. More importantly, we demonstrate electrical tuning of molecule-graphene binding kinetics through electrostatic gating of graphene; the molecular desorption can be slowed down nearly three times within a gate voltage range of 15 V. Our results provide insight into small molecule-nanomaterial interaction dynamics and signify the ability to electrically tailor interactions, which can lead to rational designs of complex chemical processes for catalysis and drug discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thephoto-Dember effect arises from the asymmetric diffusivityof photoexcited electrons and holes, which creates a transient spatialcharge distribution and hence the buildup of a voltage. Conventionally,a strong photo-Dember effect is only observed in semiconductors witha large asymmetry between the electron and hole mobilities, such asin GaAs or InAs, and is considered negligible in graphene due to itselectron–hole symmetry. Here, we report the observation ofa strong lateral photo-Dember effect induced by nonequilibrium hotcarrier dynamics when exciting a graphene–metal interface witha femtosecond laser. Scanning photocurrent measurements reveal theextraction of photoexcited hot carriers is driven by the transientphoto-Dember field, and the polarity of the photocurrent is determinedby the device’s mobility asymmetry. Furthermore, ultrafastpump–probe measurements indicate the magnitude of photocurrentis related to the hot carrier cooling rate. Our simulations also suggestthat the lateral photo-Dember effect originates from graphene’s2D nature combined with its unique electrical and optical properties.Taken together, these results not only reveal a new ultrafast photocurrentgeneration mechanism in graphene but also suggest new types of terahertzsources based on 2D nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) present frequently altered expression in urologic cancers including prostate, bladder, and kidney cancer. The altered expression of miR-223 has been reported in cancers and other diseases in recent researches. MiR-223 is up-regulated in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. In neoplastic diseases, miR-223 is proved to be up-expressed in plasma or serum and cancer tissues compared with normal tissues in pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, et al. However, whether altered expression of miR-223 is associated with prostate cancer (PCa) and what it is potential functions in PCa remained unveiled. In this study, we firstly found miR-223-3p were up-regulated in prostate cancer tissues and then we study functional role of miR-223-3p in PCa using DU145, PC3 and LNCaP cell lines. Our data suggested that miR-223-3p might target gene SEPT6 and promoted the biological behavior of prostate cancer. Notably, we found increasing SEPT6 expression might reverse the biological activity induced by miR-223-3p, which might be a potential therapeutic target for PCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A method for analysis of spectroscopic ellipsometry data is demonstrated to extract the optical conductivity of mono- and bilayer chemical-vapor-deposited graphene. We model graphene as a truly two-dimensional (2D) material with a sheet conductivity, rather than a phenomenological effective refractive index as has been used in the literature. This technique measures both the real and imaginary part of the optical conductivity, which is important for graphene optoelectronics and metamaterials. Using this method, we obtain broadband measurements of the complex optical conductivity for mono- and bilayer graphene from ultraviolet to mid-infrared wavelengths. We also study how chemical doping with nitric acid modifies the complex optical conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermatomyositis is a rare Para neoplastic syndrome, especially in urinary tract malignancy. We report a case of bladder squamous cell carcinoma in a 50-year old patient who presented with Para neoplastic dermatomyositis when tumor recurred. A radical cystectomy was performed for him and symptoms of dermatomyositis improved dramatically. The case shows that complete resection of bladder cancer may lead to resolution of Para neoplastic dermatomyositis and to our knowledge it is the first case of dermatomyositis in association with squamous cell carcinoma of bladder reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports an unusual case of high-grade bladder cancer in a 10-year-old girl who complained of painless hematuria and urinary frequency. The tumor displayed sarcomatoid differentiation and an aggressive behavior, which required the administration of adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the disease progressed and the patient succumbed 6 months after surgery. It is known that the majority of malignant bladder cancers in pediatric patients are low-grade and present at an early stage, whereas sarcomatoid differentiation in the setting of a high-grade urothelial carcinoma is indicative of a poor prognosis. It is important that gross hematuria in pediatric patients is investigated carefully. It is recommended that the management of urothelial neoplasia in young patients should be predominantly decided on the basis of the grade and stage of the tumor rather than the age of the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present case report presents the case of exstrophy-epispadias complex (EEC) with the widest separation of the symphysis pubis to date. A 33-year-old male was referred to hospital with previously unreconstructed EEC malformation. The diagnosis established was of EEC with separation of the symphysis pubis and left inguinal hernia with adenocarcinoma of the bladder. The patient underwent radical cystectomy plus an ileal conduit and an expanded local lymphadenectomy. Osteotomy was not performed, and instead the defect of the pelvis and abdominal wall was repaired using meshes and a lower abdominal island skin flap. At 1 year after surgery the patient recovered well, with no indications of mesh distortion or major complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renal artery aneurysms (RAAs) are a rare condition; however, the coexistence of an RAA with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is extremely rare. The present study reports the case of a patient found to simultaneously have an operable RAA and RCC. The patient was treated by radical nephrectomy. Surgical intervention for RAA is controversial, and the appropriate treatment for RCC with RAA has not been well characterized and requires further study. The present study reports the examination of a patient with coexisting RAA and RCC and suggests possible treatments for this condition. In addition, a review of the English literature investigating the association of RCC with RAA is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coupling of charge carrier motion and pseudospin via chirality for massless Dirac fermions in monolayer graphene has generated dramatic consequences, such as the unusual quantum Hall effect and Klein tunneling. In bilayer graphene, charge carriers are massive Dirac fermions with a finite density of states at zero energy. Because of their non-relativistic nature, massive Dirac fermions can provide an even better test bed with which to clarify the importance of chirality in transport measurement than massless Dirac fermions in monolayer graphene. Here, we report an electronic cloaking effect as a manifestation of chirality by probing phase coherent transport in chemical-vapor-deposited bilayer graphene. Conductance oscillations with different periodicities were observed on extremely narrow bilayer graphene heterojunctions through electrostatic gating. Using a Fourier analysis technique, we identified the origin of each individual interference pattern. Importantly, the electron waves on the two sides of the potential barrier can be coupled through the evanescent waves inside the barrier, making the confined states underneath the barrier invisible to electrons. These findings provide direct evidence for the electronic cloaking effect and hold promise for the realization of pseudospintronics based on bilayer graphene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]