Easily Scalable Shell-Structured Copper Catalyst with High Activity and Durability for Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation.

Inducing strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) has been a useful way to control the structure of surface active sites. The SMSI often causes the encapsulation of metal particles with an oxide layer. Herein, an amorphous ceria shell was formed on Cu nanoparticles under a mild gas condition with high activity and durability for surface reaction. Cu-Ce solid solution promoted the transfer of surface oxygen species, which induced the ceria shell formation on Cu nanoparticles. This catalyst was used for CO2 hydrogenation, selectively producing CO with high low-temperature activity and good durability for operation at high temperature. CO2 activation and H2 spillover could occur at low temperatures, enhancing the activity. The shell prevented the sintering, assuring durability. This catalyst was applied to a bench-scale reactor without loss in performance, resulting in high CO productivity in all temperature ranges.

Target movement according to cervical lymph node level in head and neck cancer and its clinical significance.

PURPOSE: To evaluate set-up error for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients according to each neck lymph node (LN) level. And clinical factors affecting set-up error were analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reference points (RP1, RP2, RP3, and RP4) representing neck LN levels I to IV were designated. These RP were contoured on simulation computed tomography (CT) and cone-beam CT of 89 HNC patients with the same standard. After image registration was performed, movement of each RP was measured. Univariable logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze clinical factors related to measured movements. RESULTS: The mean value of deviation of all axes was 1.6 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.8 mm, and 1.5 mm for RP1, RP2, RP3, and RP4, respectively. Deviation was over 3 mm in 24 patients. Movement of more than 3 mm was observed only in RP1 and RP3. In RP1, it was related to bite block use. Movement exceeding 3 mm was most frequently observed in RP3. Primary tumor and metastatic LN volume change were clinical factors related to the RP3 movement. CONCLUSION: Planning target volume margin of 4 mm for neck LN level I, 3 mm for neck LN level II, 5 mm for neck LN level III, and 3 mm for neck LN level IV was required to include all movements of each LN level. In patients using bite block, changes in primary tumor volume, and metastatic LN volume were related to significant movement.

Mebendazole Increases Anticancer Activity of Radiotherapy in Radiotherapy-Resistant Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells by Enhancing Natural Killer Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide and ranks first in terms of both prevalence and cancer-related mortality in women. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anticancer effect of mebendazole (MBZ) and radiotherapy (RT) concomitant use in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action. Breast cancer mouse models and several types of breast cancer cells, including TNBC-derived RT-resistant (RT-R) MDA-MB-231 cells, were treated with MBZ and/or RT. In mice, changes in body weight, renal and liver toxicity, tumor volume, and number of lung metastases were determined. In cells, cell viability, colony formation, scratch wound healing, Matrigel invasion, and protein expression using western blotting were determined. Our findings showed that MBZ and RT combined treatment increased the anticancer effect of RT without additional toxicity. In addition, we noted that cyclin B1, PH2AX, and natural killer (NK) cell-mediated cytotoxicity increased following MBZ + RT treatment compared to unaided RT. Our results suggest that MBZ + RT have an enhanced anticancer effect in TNBC which acquires radiation resistance through blocking cell cycle progression, initiating DNA double-strand breaks, and promoting NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Comprehensive Analysis of Set-Up Gain of 6-Dimensional Cone-Beam CT Correction Method in Radiotherapy for Head and Neck and Brain Tumors.

This study quantitatively analyzed the gain of the six-dimensional (6D) cone-beam CT (CBCT) correction method compared with the conventional set-up method in 60 patients who underwent radiation treatment of head and neck and brain tumors. The correction gain of CBCT was calculated for the translational and rotational motion components separately and in combination to evaluate the individual and overall effects of these motion components. Using a statistical simulation mimicking the actual set-up correction process, the effective gain of periodic CBCT correction during the entire treatment fraction was analyzed by target size and CBCT correction period under two different correction scenarios: translation alone and full 6D corrections. From the analyses performed in this study, the gain of CBCT correction was quantitatively determined for each situation, and the appropriate CBCT correction strategy was suggested based on treatment purpose and target size.

Temporal trend of first-ever ischaemic stroke incidence from 2010 to 2019 in South Korea: a nationwide retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Ischaemic stroke incidence is on the decline globally, but the trend in South Korea is unknown. In this study, the 10-year incidence trends of first-ever ischaemic stroke in South Korea were evaluated. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The National Health Insurance Services medical claim data were used to construct 10 annual cohorts of adults aged 20 years and older, who had not been diagnosed with stroke, to find out the incidence trends of first-ever ischaemic stroke from 2010 to 2019. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes were crude and age-adjusted incidence rates for 10 years. Crude incidence rates of the age groups and incidence age statistics were calculated. For comparison among the income groups, age-adjusted incidence rates were used. Incidence rates in all the groups were analysed separately by sex. RESULTS: Age-standardised incidence rates of ischaemic stroke per 100 000 were 101.0 in men, and 67.6 in women in 2010; and 92.2 in men, and 55.0 in women in 2019. By age group, there was a decrease in women over 40 years of age, and men over 60 years of age. The relative difference in stroke incidence rates between medical aid beneficiaries and the highest income group increased from 1.5 to 1.87 over 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: Age-standardised incidence rate of ischaemic stroke has decreased from 2010 to 2019 for both man and women. The incidence rate was stable in the younger age groups and decreased in the older age groups, and the disparities between income groups have widened over the past decade. Stroke prevention strategies are needed for the younger age group and the low-income group. Further research is needed to study the risk factors contributing to the incidence of ischaemic stroke in different groups.

Galvanic corrosion inhibition from aspect of bonding orbital theory in Cu/Ru barrier CMP.

In this report, the galvanic corrosion inhibition between Cu and Ru metal films is studied, based on bonding orbital theory, using pyridinecarboxylic acid groups which show different affinities depending on the electron configuration of each metal resulting from a π-backbonding. The sp2 carbon atoms adjacent to nitrogen in the pyridine ring provide π-acceptor which forms a complex with filled d-orbital of native oxides on Cu and Ru metal film. The difference in the d-orbital electron density of each metal oxide leads to different π-backbonding strength, resulting in dense or sparse adsorption on native metal oxides. The dense adsorption layer is formed on native Cu oxide film due to the full-filled d-orbital electrons, which effectively suppresses anodic reaction in Cu film. On the other hand, only a sparse adsorption layer is formed on native Ru oxide due to its relatively weak affinity between partially filled d-orbital and pyridine groups. The adsorption behaviour is investigated through interfacial interaction analysis and electrochemical interaction evaluation. Based on this finding, the galvanic corrosion behaviour between Cu and Ru during chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) processing has been controlled.

Abscopal Effect of Radiotherapy Enhanced with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors of Triple Negative Breast Cancer in 4T1 Mammary Carcinoma Model.

Local radiotherapy (RT) is important to manage metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Although RT primarily reduces cancer cells locally, this control can be enhanced by triggering the immune system via immunotherapy. RT and immunotherapy may lead to an improved systemic effect, known as the abscopal effect. Here, we analyzed the antitumor effect of combination therapy using RT with an anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibody in primary tumors, using poorly immunogenic metastatic mouse mammary carcinoma 4T1 model. Mice were injected subcutaneously into both flanks with 4T1 cells, and treatment was initiated 12 days later. Mice were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: (1) control (no treatment with RT or immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)), (2) RT alone, and (3) RT+ICI. The same RT dose was prescribed in both RT-alone and RT+ICI groups as 10Gy/fx in two fractions and delivered to only one of the two tumor burdens injected at both sides of flanks. In the RT+ICI group, 200 µg fixed dose of PD-1 antibody was intraperitoneally administered concurrently with RT. The RT and ICI combination markedly reduced tumor cell growth not only in the irradiated site but also in non-irradiated sites, a typical characteristic of the abscopal effect. This was observed only in radiation-sensitive cancer cells. Lung metastasis development was lower in RT-irradiated groups (RT-only and RT+ICI groups) than in the non-irradiated group, regardless of the radiation sensitivity of tumor cells. However, there was no additive effect of ICI on RT to control lung metastasis, as was already known regarding the abscopal effect. The combination of local RT with anti-PD-1 blockade could be a promising treatment strategy against metastatic TNBC. Further research is required to integrate our results into a clinical setting.

Effect of vibration foam rolling on the range of motion in healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Professionals use foam rollers to improve range of motion (ROM). Recently, a vibrating foam roller (VFR) that combines the vibration function with a foam roller (FR) has been used. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effects of a VFR on the improvement of ROM in healthy individuals. A systematic literature search was carried out in five international databases: PubMed, Embase, PEDro, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Eight clinical studies, composed of six randomized controlled trials and two randomized crossover trials that involved 230 healthy participants were selected for analysis. Methodological quality was identified using the PEDro scale. The mean scores, 4.75±0.71, of the eight included studies, were classified as fair. The results demonstrated that the VFR achieved better gains than the FR in improving ROM (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.53; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 0.29-0.77; I 2=55%). The VFR was more effective in improving the ROM than the FR in the hip and knee joints (hip: SMD, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.28-0.85; I 2=0%; knee: SMD, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.42-1.30; I 2=79%). The VFR may be an additional option to improve the ROM in healthy adults and athletes.

Anticancer Effect of Benzimidazole Derivatives, Especially Mebendazole, on Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) and Radiotherapy-Resistant TNBC In Vivo and In Vitro.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anticancer effect of benzimidazole derivatives on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and investigate its underlying mechanism of action. Several types of cancer and normal breast cells including MDA-MB-231, radiotherapy-resistant (RT-R) MDA-MB-231, and allograft mice were treated with six benzimidazole derivatives including mebendazole (MBZ). Cells were analyzed for viability, colony formation, scratch wound healing, Matrigel invasion, cell cycle, tubulin polymerization, and protein expression by using Western blotting. In mice, liver and kidney toxicity, changes in body weight and tumor volume, and incidence of lung metastasis were analyzed. Our study showed that MBZ significantly induced DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and downregulation of cancer stem cell markers CD44 and OCT3/4, and cancer progression-related ESM-1 protein expression in TNBC and RT-R-TNBC cells. In conclusion, MBZ has the potential to be an effective anticancer agent that can overcome treatment resistance in TNBC.

The potential impact of systemic anti-inflammatory therapies in psoriasis on major adverse cardiovascular events: a Korean nationwide cohort study.

This nationwide population-based cohort study aimed to investigate the impact of systemic anti-inflammatory treatment on the major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) risk in patients with psoriasis from January 2006 to December 2018, using a database provided by the Korean National Health Insurance Service. Patients were grouped based on the following treatment modalities: biologics, phototherapy, methotrexate, cyclosporine, and mixed conventional systemic agents. Patients who had not received any systemic treatment were assigned to the control cohort. The incidence of MACE per 1000 person-year was 3.5, 9.3, 12.1, 28.4, 39.5, and 14.5 in the biologic, phototherapy, methotrexate, cyclosporine, mixed conventional systemic agents, and control cohorts, respectively. During the 36-month follow-up, the cumulative incidence of MACE in the phototherapy and biologic cohorts remained lower than that of other treatment modalities. Cyclosporine (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.64-2.71) and mixed conventional systemic agents (HR = 2.57, 95% CI = 2.05-3.22) treatments were associated with increased MACE risk. Methotrexate treatment was not associated with MACE. Our finding demonstrates that treatment modalities may affect cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with psoriasis. Thus, an appropriate combination of anti-psoriatic therapies should be considered to manage patients with high cardiovascular risk.IRB approval status: Waiver decision was obtained by the institutional review board, Konkuk University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea (KUH1120107).

Re-dispersion of Pd-based bimetallic catalysts by hydrothermal treatment for CO oxidation.

The Pd/CeO2 catalyst, which is highly active catalyst in automobile emission control especially for CO oxidation, often suffers from severe sintering under harsh condition, specifically hydrothermal treatment. Here, we report re-dispersion of Pd-based bimetallic (Pd-Fe, Pd-Ni, and Pd-Co) catalysts deposited on ceria by hydrothermal treatment at 750 °C using 10% H2O. The re-dispersion was confirmed by various characterization techniques of transmission electron microscopy, CO chemisorption, CO-diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform, CO-temperature programmed desorption, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The dispersion of Pd increased significantly after hydrothermal treatment, resulting in improved CO oxidation activity. The presence of secondary transition metals enhanced the CO oxidation activity further, especially hydrothermally treated Pd-Fe bimetallic catalyst showed the highest activity for CO oxidation.

Effectiveness of stereotactic body radiotherapy for portal vein tumor thrombosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and underlying chronic liver disease.

AIM: Stereotactic-body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a treatment option for portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we report on our experience of treating PVTT using SBRT in patients with concomitant underlying chronic liver disease. METHODS: This study included 24 patients. The initial prescription dose was 45 Gy in three fractions in 17 (70.8%) patients, but it was modified in the remaining seven (29.2%) patients, with the dose ranging from 39 to 42 Gy in 3-4 fractions. After SBRT, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was performed in 16 (66.7%) patients. RESULTS: Of the 24 patients, 2 (8.3%) showed complete response, while 11 (45.8%) showed partial response. After a median follow-up of 8.4 months (range: 2.6-56.5 months), the 1-year overall survival (OS) and the median survival were 67.5% and 20.8 months, respectively. Both combined SBRT and TACE and grade ≥3 hepatic toxicity affected the 1-year OS (SBRT alone vs SBRT + TACE: 14.6% vs 71.4%, P < .001; presence of hepatic toxicity vs absence: 0% vs 81.1%, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, SBRT, especially in combination with TACE, is an effective treatment for patients with HCC and PVTT. An optimal dose schedule must be followed to reduce hepatic toxicity while maintaining tumor response.

Synergistic Tumoricidal Effects of Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Radiotherapy on Human Breast Cancer Cells via HMGB1.

PURPOSE: Radiotherapy (RT) is one of main strategies of cancer treatment. However, some cancer cells are resistant to radiation-induced cell death, including apoptosis. Therefore, alternative approaches targeting different anti-tumor mechanisms such as cell senescence are required. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on radiation-induced cell death and senescence in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cells were divided into four groups depending on the cell treatment (control, ALA, RT, and ALA+RT). Cells were analyzed for morphology, apoptotic cell death, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, membrane potential, cellular senescence, and cell cycle. RESULTS: Our data showed that ALA significantly promoted apoptotic cell death when combined with RT, as reflected by Annexin V staining, expression of apoptosis-related factors, mitochondrial damages as well as cell morphological changes and reduction of cell numbers. In addition, ALA significantly enhanced radiation-induced cellular senescence, which was shown by increased HMGB1 expression in the cytosol fraction compared to the control, increased p53 expression compared to the control, activation of p38 as well as nuclear factor кB, and G2/M cell cycle arrest. CONCLUSION: The current study is the first report showing a new mode of action (senescence induction) of ALA beyond apoptotic cell death in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells known to be resistant to RT.

Heterogeneous Atomic Catalysts Overcoming the Limitations of Single-Atom Catalysts.

Recent advances in heterogeneous single-atom catalysts (SACs), which have isolated metal atoms dispersed on a support, have enabled a more precise control of their surface metal atomic structure. SACs could reduce the amount of metals used for the surface reaction and have often shown distinct selectivity, which the corresponding nanoparticles would not have. However, SACs typically have the limitations of low-metal content, poor stability, oxidic electronic states, and an absence of ensemble sites. In this review, various efforts to overcome these limitations have been discussed: The metal content in the SACs could increase up to over 10 wt %; highly durable SACs could be prepared by anchoring the metal atoms strongly on the defective support; metallic SACs are reported; and the ensemble catalysts, in which all the metal atoms are exposed at the surface like the SACs but the surface metal atoms are located nearby, are also reported. Metal atomic multimers with distinct catalytic properties have been also reported. Surface metal single-atoms could be decorated with organic ligands with interesting catalytic behavior. Heterogeneous atomic catalysts, whose structure is elaborately controlled and the surface reaction is better understood, can be a paradigm with higher catalytic activity, selectivity, and durability and used in industrial applications.

Controlling the Oxidation State of Pt Single Atoms for Maximizing Catalytic Activity.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as promising materials in heterogeneous catalysis. Previous studies reported controversial results about the relative level in activity for SACs and nanoparticles (NPs). These works have focused on the effect of metal atom arrangement, without considering the oxidation state of the SACs. Here, we immobilized Pt single atoms on defective ceria and controlled the oxidation state of Pt SACs, from highly oxidized (Pt0 : 16.6 at %) to highly metallic states (Pt0 : 83.8 at %). The Pt SACs with controlled oxidation states were then employed for oxidation of CO, CH4 , or NO, and their activities compared with those of Pt NPs. The highly oxidized Pt SACs presented poorer activities than Pt NPs, whereas metallic Pt SACs showed higher activities. The Pt SAC reduced at 300 °C showed the highest activity for all the oxidations. The Pt SACs with controlled oxidation states revealed a crucial missing link between activity and SACs.

Tumor Control and Overall Survival after Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Pulmonary Oligometastases from Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: In pulmonary oligometastases from colorectal cancer (POM-CRC), the primarily recommended local therapy is metastasectomy. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is another local therapy modality that is considered as an alternative option in patients who cannot undergo surgery. The purpose of this meta-analysis is to demonstrate the effects of SBRT on POM-CRC by integrating the relevant studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors explored MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and SCOPUS, and selected studies including patients treated with SBRT for POM-CRC and availability of local control (LC) or overall survival (OS) rate. In this meta-analysis, the effect of SBRT was presented in the form of the LC and OS rates for 1, 2, 3, and 5 years after SBRT as pooled estimates, and the frequency of pulmonary toxicity of grade 3 or higher after SBRT (PTG3-SBRT). RESULTS: Fourteen full texts among the searched 4,984 studies were the objects of this meta-analysis. The overall number of POM-CRC patients was 495 as per the integration of 14 studies. The pooled estimate LC rate at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years after SBRT was 81.0%, 71.5%, 56.0%, and 61.8%, and the OS rate was 86.9%, 70.1%, 57.9%, and 43.0%, respectively. The LC and OS rates gradually declined until 3 years after SBRT in a similar pattern. Among the 14 studies, only two studies reported PTG3-SBRT as 2.2% and 10.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: For POM-CRC, SBRT is an ablative therapy with a benefit on LC and OS rates and less adverse effects on the lung.

Role of radiotherapy in the management of malignant airway obstruction.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of lung cancer patients suffer from malignant airway obstruction (MAO). Palliative external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) is often used to control the symptoms caused by MAO. In this study, we report the effect of palliative EBRT on lung cancer with MAO and analyze the factors that influence it. METHODS: This study included 75 patients with MAO in lung cancer who underwent palliative EBRT, between 2009 and 2018 and were analyzed retrospectively. Change of dyspnea, tumor response, and overall survival (OS) were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the prognostic factors for treatment outcomes. RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 2.5 months, and median OS was 2.3 months. Out of 75 patients, dyspnea was improved in 46 patients (61.3%), and tumor was partially decreased in 39 patients (52%). Symptoms improved in all tumor responding patients. The symptom improvement was significantly affected by radiation dose and time to EBRT. The tumor response was significantly affected by pathology, radiation dose, and time to EBRT. CONCLUSIONS: Palliative EBRT is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with MAO in lung cancer. In particular, high-dose irradiation and prompt treatment can improve treatment results. KEY POINTS: SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS OF THE STUDY: In MAO patients, tumor response is an important factor for resolving dyspnea and improving survival rate. In order to increase the tumor response, high-dose irradiation and prompt treatment after symptoms occur are necessary. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: Our study reported the effects of EBRT and prognostic factors in MAO patients. We emphasize that palliative EBRT is a relatively safe and effective treatment in MAO patients, which is a complement to previous studies.

Comparison of urologic complications between laparoscopic radical hysterectomy and abdominal radical hysterectomy: A nationwide study from the National Health Insurance.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the risks of intraoperative and postoperative urologic complications between laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) and abdominal radical hysterectomy (ARH). METHODS: Using the database of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and Health Insurance Review & Assessment (HIRA), we identified all Korean women who underwent radical hysterectomy between 2006 and 2018. Intraoperative and postoperative urologic complications were compared between the ARH and LRH groups. RESULTS: A total of 11,399 patients were identified to ARH and 8435 patients to LRH. Urologic complications occurred in 292 of 19,774 patients (1.48%) who underwent radical hysterectomy. LRH was associated with higher complication rates than ARH, although with a borderline significance (OR: 1.23; 90% CI: 1.02-1.51, p = 0.066). There was no difference in intraoperative urologic complications between the ARH and the LRH groups (OR: 1.1 95% CI: 0.86-1.43, p < 0.435). The incidence of postoperative urologic complications was significantly higher in the LRH group (OR: 2.01; 95% CI: 1.18-3.47, p = 0.009). In terms of postoperative urologic complications, the risk of ureterovaginal fistula was not significant between the two groups (OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 0.54-4.24, p = 0.403), whereas the risk of vesicovaginal fistula was significantly higher in the LRH group (OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.09-4.58, p = 0.028). There were no significant differences in the overall and urinary tract-specific complications between ARH and LRH in groups under 40 years of age and during the second half (2013-2018), with 2012 as the boundary. CONCLUSION: Among specific urologic complications, the incidence of vesicovaginal fistula was significantly higher in the LRH group than in the ARH group.

The New Diagnosis-Related Group Reimbursement System and Laboratory Test Quality in Korea: Analysis of External Quality Assessment Results.

Korea introduced a new diagnosis-related group (NDRG), which is a mixed-bundle reimbursement system. We evaluated the effects of NDRGs on laboratory test quality by analyzing data over three years (2016-2018) from the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service (KEQAS). A total of 42 NDRG-participating hospitals (CASE), 84 non-participating similar size-hospitals (CON-1), and 42 tertiary hospitals (CON-2) were included. We assumed the proportion of KEQAS results with a larger than 2 standard deviation index (SDI) to be a bad laboratory quality marker (BLQM). CASE BLQMs were lower than CON-1 BLQMs for more than 2 years in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), chloride, glucose, sodium, and total protein, and higher in creatinine. CASE BLQMs were higher than CON-2 BLQMs for more than 2 years in ALP, chloride, creatinine, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), phosphorus, potassium, sodium, total calcium, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and uric acid. Mean SDIs for general chemistry tests were not significantly different depending on NDRG participation. However, the NDRG is currently a pilot program that compensates the amount of each institution's reimbursement based on the fee-for-service system, and most participants were public hospitals. Thus, the effects of NDRGs on laboratory test quality should be re-evaluated after the NDRG program has stabilized and more private hospitals are participating.

Oxidative Methane Conversion to Ethane on Highly Oxidized Pd/CeO2 Catalysts Below 400 °C.

Methane upgrading into more valuable chemicals has received much attention. Herein, we report oxidative methane conversion to ethane using gaseous O2 at low temperatures (<400 °C) and atmospheric pressure in a continuous reactor. A highly oxidized Pd deposited on ceria could produce ethane with a productivity as high as 0.84 mmol gcat -1 h-1 . The Pd-O-Pd sites, not Pd-O-Ce, were the active sites for the selective ethane production at low temperatures. Density functional theory calculations confirmed that the Pd-O-Pd site is energetically more advantageous for C-C coupling, whereas Pd-O-Ce promotes CH4 dehydrogenation. The ceria helped Pd maintain a highly oxidic state despite reductive CH4 flow. This work can provide new insight for methane upgrading into C2 species.