Comparison of 5-Fluorouracil/Leucovorin and Capecitabine as Adjuvant Therapies in Biliary Tract Cancer.

Background: The prognosis of biliary tract cancer (BTC) is poor, and recurrence rates remain high even after curative resection. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of capecitabine and 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (FL) as adjuvant treatments following curative resection in patients with BTC.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with BTC (including gallbladder and extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile duct cancers) who underwent curative surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy between 2011 and 2023.

Phosphorus-Doped Highly Crystalline Carbon for High Platinum Stability and Robust Support in Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells.

Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) require durable and efficient catalyst supports to overcome the limitations of Pt-based catalysts and conventional low-crystalline carbon (LCC) supports, such as high cost, susceptibility to corrosion, and poor electrochemical durability. While highly crystalline carbon (HCC) offers improved stability, its intrinsic hydrophobicity and low defect density hinder Pt nanoparticles (NPs) nucleation and dispersion. In this study, a spin-on-dopant (SOD) approach is employed to synthesize phosphorus-incorporated HCC (HCC) providing stable anchoring sites that facilitate uniform Pt NPs distribution.

Prevention of stent migration of covered self-expandable metal stents in distal malignant biliary obstruction: a review of literature.

Distal malignant biliary obstruction (dMBO) is a common complication of advanced malignancies, particularly pancreatic cancer and biliary tract cancer, requiring biliary drainage to relieve symptoms. Endoscopic drainage using self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) is widely preferred due to improved long-term patency compared with plastic stents. However, the choice between fully covered SEMS (FCSEMS) and uncovered SEMS (UCSEMS) remains controversial, primarily due to migration risks associated with FCSEMS.

Stabilized Co Single-Atom Catalyst via Ion Implantation for Efficient Hydrogen Production.

Although single-atom catalysts (SACs) are garnering significant attention due to their exceptional catalytic properties, the synthesis of SACs remains challenging due to their thermodynamic instability. Herein, stabilized Co-based SACs enabled by the ion implantation technique are presented. It is revealed that implantation of Co ions with an accelerating energy of 120 keV and a controlled fluence not only leads to the formation of stabilized Co single atoms without notable aggregation of Co atoms into nanoclusters, but also induces the creation of defects in the NiO support, such as oxygen vacancies.

Understanding cross-talk-induced anode slippage in high-voltage mid-Ni NCM/graphite full cells.

While high-voltage operation of mid-Ni layered oxide cathodes in full-cell Li-ion batteries is essential for achieving high energy density, it inevitably accelerates electrode degradation, ultimately resulting in capacity loss. However, the underlying degradation mechanisms under high-voltage conditions remain poorly understood. In this study, we reveal that anode slippage - induced by cross-talk-driven surface degradation - is the dominant factor in capacity fade during high-voltage (4.

Comparison of lesion segmentation performance in diffusion-weighted imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient images of stroke by artificial neural networks.

Stroke is the second leading cause of death, accounting for 11% of deaths worldwide. Comparing diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) images is important for stroke diagnosis, but most studies have focused on lesion segmentation using DWI. In this study, we compared the performance of lesion segmentation using DWI and ADC images.

A 3D vascularized tumor spheroid microfluidic platform for head and neck cancer research: new insights.

Conventional in vitro cancer models often fail to replicate the complexity of the tumor microenvironment. We have developed a 3D micro-engineered vascularized organoid chip (VOC) platform to enhance the physiological relevance of in vivo tumor models. This platform incorporates patient-derived tumor spheroids from head and neck cancer patients, providing a more accurate simulation of the native tumor microenvironment.

Elucidating and controlling phase integration factors in Co-free Li-rich layered cathodes for lithium-ion batteries.

Li- and Mn-rich layered oxides (LLOs) with a Co-free composition are promising candidates for next-generation cathodes in low-cost and high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries. Despite their potential, the commercialization of Co-free LLOs encounters several electrochemical challenges, such as low activity and initial coulombic efficiency of the first activation cycle and compromised cycle retention, which are primarily attributed to the poor phase integrity between LiTMO and LiMnO domains. In this study, we identified that the compromised phase integrity in Co-free LLOs can be driven by the sticking Ni compositional design, which induces Li-Ni site-exchange defects in the LiTMO domain, leading to severe TMO slab mismatches between phases and resulting in a penalty in enthalpy mixing energy.

Vase-Life Monitoring System for Cut Flowers Using Deep Learning and Multiple Cameras.

Here, we developed a vase-life monitoring system (VMS) to automatically and accurately assess the post-harvest quality and vase life (VL) of cut roses. The VMS integrates camera imaging with the YOLOv8 (You Only Look Once version 8) deep learning algorithm to continuously monitor major physiological parameters including flower opening, fresh weight, water uptake, and gray mold disease incidence. Our results showed that the VMS can automatically measure the main physiological factors of cut roses by obtaining precise and consistent data.

Arthroscopic-guided Release of Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus Muscles for Repair of Large-to-Massive Rotator Cuff Tear and Suprascapular Nerve Release.

This technical note presents an all-arthroscopic technique designed to release and advance the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles in cases of massive posterosuperior rotator cuff tears involving the retracted muscles. The aim is to avoid neuromuscular damage and facilitate tension-free repair by reducing the anatomical tendon footprint. Traditionally, such tears have been considered irreparable and have been treated with superior capsular reconstruction or tendon-transfer procedures.

Endoscopic hemostasis with a self-expandable metal stent as bridge therapy for hemobilia.

Background And Study Aims: Management of hemobilia is often challenging. Recently, endoscopic hemostasis with a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) has shown promising efficacy for controlling bleeding at the endoscopic sphincterotomy site. This study aimed to assess efficacy and feasibility of endoscopic hemostasis as bridge therapy for hemobilia.

Highly Efficient and Durable Ammonia Electrolysis Cell Using Zirfon Separator.

Most studies on ammonia electrolysis have focused on anion exchange membranes (AEMs), which face limitations in operating conditions, such as pH and ammonia concentration. This study introduces a novel concept of an ammonia electrolysis cell (AEC) utilizing a Zirfon separator capable of operating under high pH and ammonia concentrations. The Zirfon-based AECs achieve a peak current density of 915 mA cm, representing the highest reported value in AEC literature.

Efficacy of an Autologous Dermal Fibroblast Injection in Reducing the Retear Rate After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Interest in biological augmentation for improving bone-tendon interface (BTI) healing after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) is growing. Dermal fibroblasts, known for collagen synthesis similar to tenocytes, have shown effectiveness in BTI healing in chronic rotator cuff tear (RCT) models in rabbits. However, no human clinical trials have been conducted.

Understanding mechanical failure behaviours and protocol optimization for fast charging applications in Co-free Ni-based cathodes for lithium-ion batteries.

Currently, it is a significant challenge to achieve long-term cyclability and fast chargeability in lithium-ion batteries, especially for the Ni-based oxide cathode, due to severe chemo-mechanical degradation. Despite its importance, the fast charging long-term cycling behaviour is not well understood. Therefore, we comprehensively evaluate the feasibility of fast charging applications for Co-free layered oxide cathodes, with a focus on the extractable capacity and cyclability.

Enhancing Mechanical Resilience in Li-Ion Battery Cathodes with Nanoscale Elastic Framework Coatings.

Lattice volume changes in Li-ion batteries active materials are unavoidable during electrochemical cycling, posing significant engineering challenges from the particle to the electrode level. In this study, we present an elastic framework coating designed to absorb and reversibly release strain energy associated with particle volume changes, thereby enhancing mechanical resilience at both the particle and electrode levels. This framework, composed of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), is applied to nickel-rich LiNiCoMnO (NCM9055) cathodes at a low loading of 0.

A Study on Breast Cancer Patient Care Using Chatbot and Video Education for Radiation Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the use of chatbot and video education to reduce anxiety in patients with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy (RT).

Methods And Materials: This randomized controlled trial included patients with breast cancer scheduled for RT after surgery at an outpatient department of radiation oncology in a cancer center, randomly assigned to 4 groups: (1) video + chatbot, (2) video + paper, (3) paper + chatbot, and (4) paper + paper. In each group, patients received information regarding the treatment process and were frequently asked questions using the designated tool.

ATR inhibition promotes synergistic antitumor effect in platinum-resistant pancreatic cancer.

Background: Oxaliplatin is a commonly used platinum-based chemotherapy drug for patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). Drug resistance is a major challenge in PC treatment, underscoring the urgent need for new approaches. Targeting DNA damage repair, one of the factors responsible for platinum resistance, is an attractive strategy to overcome drug resistance.

Digital single-operator cholangioscopy for difficult anastomotic biliary strictures in living donor liver transplant recipients after failure of standard ERCP: SPYPASS-2 study (with videos).

Background And Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) is a curative treatment for end-stage liver disease. Anastomotic biliary strictures (ABSs) are more common in living donor LT (LDLT). However, the success rate of ERCP for ABSs remains unsatisfactory.

Reversal of Denervation Changes in Infraspinatus Muscle After Operative Management of Paralabral Cysts: An MRI-Based Study.

Background: Paralabral cysts at the spinoglenoid notch are rare disorders that can potentially lead to compressive suprascapular neuropathy. Given their infrequency, a standard treatment protocol has not yet been established.

Hypothesis/purpose: This study aimed to assess changes in the infraspinatus muscle using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to compare the outcomes of 2 different surgical methods.