Implementation of Ambipolar Polysilicon Thin-Film Transistors with Nickel Silicide Schottky Junctions by Low-Thermal-Budget Microwave Annealing.

In this study, the efficient fabrication of nickel silicide (NiSix) Schottky barrier thin-film transistors (SB-TFTs) via microwave annealing (MWA) technology is proposed, and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) inverters are implemented in a simplified process using ambipolar transistor properties. To validate the efficacy of the NiSix formation process by MWA, NiSix is also prepared via the conventional rapid thermal annealing (RTA) process. The Rs of the MWA NiSix decreases with increasing microwave power, and becomes saturated at 600 W, thus showing lower resistance than the 500 °C RTA NiSix. Further, SB-diodes formed on n-type and p-type bulk silicon are found to have optimal rectification characteristics at 600 W microwave power, and exhibit superior characteristics to the RTA SB-diodes. Evaluation of the electrical properties of NiSix SB-TFTs on excimer-laser-annealed (ELA) poly-Si substrates indicates that the MWA NiSix junction exhibits better ambipolar operation and transistor performance, along with improved stability. Furthermore, CMOS inverters, constructed using the ambipolar SB-TFTs, exhibit better voltage transfer characteristics, voltage gains, and dynamic inverting behavior by incorporating the MWA NiSix source-and-drain (S/D) junctions. Therefore, MWA is an effective process for silicide formation, and ambipolar SB-TFTs using MWA NiSix junctions provide a promising future for CMOS technology.

Single-Center Experience of Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Patients With Secondary Biliary Cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Secondary biliary cirrhosis (SBC) represents a unique form of cirrhosis that develops in the liver secondary to persistent biliary obstruction. This study aimed to review the living donor liver transplants (LDLTs) performed at our center for patients with SBC and end-stage liver disease and to share the perioperative strategies undertaken to achieve satisfactory outcomes. METHODS: The medical records of 29 patients who underwent LDLT for SBC between December 1994 and July 2018 at the Asan Medical Center (Seoul, South Korea) were retrospectively reviewed. Their clinical data were extracted and statistically analyzed. Survival curves were computed. RESULTS: The perioperative and in-hospital morbidity rates were 72.4% and 10.3%, respectively. The overall mean recipient follow-up was 80.0 (SD, 66.4) months (range, 0.8-246.8 months). Patient survival rates after 1, 3, 5, and 10 years after transplant were 82.8%, 79.3%, 79.3%, and 79.3%, respectively. For liver grafts, the survival rates were 82.8%, 75.8%, 75.8%, and 75.8% at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: LDLT is potentially a final lifesaving resort for patients with SBC with portal hypertension. However, considering the difficulty of surgery and perioperative management, LDLT should be performed by experienced transplant surgeons in a center where a multidisciplinary approach is possible.

Senescent Phenotype Induced by p90RSK-NRF2 Signaling Sensitizes Monocytes and Macrophages to Oxidative Stress in HIV-Positive Individuals.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of cardiovascular disease is higher in HIV-positive (HIV+) patients than it is in the average population, and combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, the molecular mechanisms that link cART and cardiovascular disease are currently unknown. Our study explores the role of the activation of p90RSK, a reactive oxygen species-sensitive kinase, in engendering senescent phenotype in macrophages and accelerating atherogenesis in patients undergoing cART. METHODS: Peripheral whole blood from cART-treated HIV+ individuals and nontreated HIV-negative individuals was treated with H2O2 (200 µmol/L) for 4 minutes, and p90RSK activity in CD14+ monocytes was measured. Plaque formation in the carotids was also analyzed in these individuals. Macrophage senescence was determined by evaluating their efferocytotic ability, antioxidation-related molecule expression, telomere length, and inflammatory gene expression. The involvement of p90RSK-NRF2 signaling in cART-induced senescence was assessed by p90RSK-specific inhibitor (FMK-MEA) or dominant-negative p90RSK (DN-p90RSK) and NRF2 activator (NRF2A). Further, the severity of atherosclerosis was determined in myeloid cell-specific wild-type and DN-p90RSK transgenic mice. RESULTS: Monocytes from HIV+ patients exhibited higher levels of p90RSK activity and were also more sensitive to reactive oxygen species than monocytes from HIV-negative individuals. A multiple linear regression analysis involving cART, Reynolds cardiovascular risk score, and basal p90RSK activity revealed that cART and basal p90RSK activity were the 2 significant determinants of plaque formation. Many of the antiretroviral drugs individually activated p90RSK, which simultaneously triggered all components of the macrophage senescent phenotype. cART inhibited antioxidant response element reporter activity via ERK5 S496 phosphorylation. NRF2A reversed the H2O2-induced overactivation of p90RSK in cART-treated macrophages by countering the induction of senescent phenotype. Last, the data obtained from our gain- or loss-of-function mice conclusively showed the crucial role of p90RSK in inducing senescent phenotype in macrophages and atherogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: cART increased monocyte/macrophage sensitivity to reactive oxygen species- in HIV+ individuals by suppressing NRF2-ARE activity via p90RSK-mediated ERK5 S496 phosphorylation, which coordinately elicited senescent phenotypes and proinflammatory responses. As such, our report underscores the importance of p90RSK regulation in monocytes/macrophages as a viable biomarker and therapeutic target for preventing cardiovascular disease, especially in HIV+ patients treated with cART.

[Chin augmentation with bone transplantation from the mandible].

OBJECTIVE: To explore a new method for mentoplasty. METHODS: The bilateral prominent mandibular angle or outer lamina was resected through the intraoral approach. The resected bone fragments were shaped and rigid fixed to the chin with miniplates and screws. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients (28 females, 2 males) accepted chin augmentation with this method. The mandibular angle bone was used in 20 cases and the mandibular outer lamina was used in 10 cases. The operative results were satisfactory, and the patient's facial contour was improved substantially. CONCLUSION: No rejection reaction was found after this procedure. Chin augmentation with autogenous mandibular bone is an ideal method for genioplasty.