Surface-Originated Weak Confinement in Tetrahedral Indium Arsenide Quantum Dots.

While the shape-dependent quantum confinement (QC) effect in anisotropic semiconductor nanocrystals has been extensively studied, the QC in facet-specified polyhedral quantum dots (QDs) remains underexplored. Recently, tetrahedral nanocrystals have gained prominence in III-V nanocrystal synthesis. In our study, we successfully synthesized well-faceted tetrahedral InAs QDs with a first excitonic absorption extending up to 1700 nm. We observed an unconventional sizing curve, indicating weaker confinement than for equivalently volumed spherical QDs. The (111) surface states of InAs QDs persist at the conduction band minimum state even after ligand passivation with a significantly reduced band gap, which places tetrahedral QDs at lower energies in the sizing curve. Consequently, films composed of tetrahedral QDs demonstrate an extended photoresponse into the short-wave infrared region, compared to isovolume spherical QD films.

The preventative effects of statin on lung cancer development in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis using the National Health Insurance Service Database in Korea.

Little is known about the effect of statin use in lung cancer development in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We analyzed the database of the National Health Insurance Service to further investigate the clinical impacts of statin on lung cancer development and overall survival (OS) in IPF patients. The analysis included 9,182 individuals diagnosed with IPF, of which 3,372 (36.7%) were statin users. Compared to statin non-users, the time from diagnosis of IPF to lung cancer development and OS were longer in statin users in IPF patients. In Cox proportional hazard regression models, higher statin compliance, statin use, and being female had an inverse association with lung cancer risk, while older age at diagnosis of IPF and smoking history were associated with higher risk of lung cancer in IPF patients. For OS, statin use, female sex, higher physical activity frequency, and diabetes were associated with longer survival. In contrast, older age at diagnosis of IPF and smoking history were associated with shorter OS in IPF patients. These data from a large population indicate that statin had an independent protective association with lung cancer development and mortality in IPF patients.

Effect of complicated, untreated and uncontrolled diabetes and pre-diabetes on treatment outcome among patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with tuberculosis and diabetes have a higher risk of unfavourable anti-tuberculosis treatment outcomes. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of various diabetes statuses on the outcomes of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: Among the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis enrolled in the Korea Tuberculosis Cohort (KTBC) registry and the multicentre prospective cohort study of pulmonary tuberculosis (COSMOTB), those with diabetes and complicated diabetes were identified. The primary and secondary outcomes were unfavourable outcomes and mortality, respectively. The effect of diabetes and complicated diabetes on the outcomes was assessed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Using COSMOTB, subgroup analyses were performed to assess the association between various diabetes statuses and outcomes. RESULTS: In the KTBC, diabetes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.64-2.26) and complicated diabetes (aOR = 1.96, 95% CI = 1.67-2.30) were significantly associated with unfavourable outcomes, consistent with the COSMOTB data analysis. Based on subgroup analysis, untreated diabetes at baseline was an independent risk factor for unfavourable outcomes (aOR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.26-5.61). Prediabetes and uncontrolled diabetes increased unfavourable outcomes and mortality without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Untreated and complicated diabetes at the time of tuberculosis diagnosis increases the risk of unfavourable outcomes and mortality.

Assessment of toxicological validity using tobacco emission condensates: A comparative analysis of emissions and condensates from 3R4F reference cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

The tobacco emission condensate, henceforth referred to as "tobacco condensate," plays a critical role in assessing the toxicity of tobacco products. This condensate, derived from tobacco emissions, provides an optimized liquid concentrate for storage and concentration control. Thus, the validation of its constituents is vital for toxicity assessments. This study used tobacco condensates from 3R4F cigarettes and three heated tobacco product (HTP) variants to quantify and contrast organic compounds (OCs) therein. The hazard index (HI) for tobacco emissions and condensates was determined to ascertain the assessment validity. The total particulate matter (TPM) for 3R4F registered at 17,667 µg cig-1, with its total OC (TOC) at 3777 µg cig-1. HTPs' TPM and TOC were 9342 ± 1918 µg cig-1 and 5258 ± 593 µg stick-1, respectively. 3R4F's heightened TPM likely arises from tar, while HTPs' OC concentrations are influenced by vegetable glycerin (2236-2688 µg stick-1) and propylene glycol (589-610 µg stick-1). During the condensation process, a substantial proportion of OCs in 3R4F smoke underwent significant concentration decreases, in contrast to HTPs, where fewer than half of the examined OCs exhibited notable concentration declines. The HI for tobacco emissions exhibited a marginally higher value compared to tobacco condensate, with variations ranging from 7.92% (HTPs) to 18.6% (3R4F), denoting a minimal differential. These observations emphasize the importance of accurate OC recovery techniques to maintain the validity and reliability of toxicity assessments based on tobacco condensates. This study not only deepens the comprehension of chemical behaviors in tobacco products but also establishes a novel benchmark for their toxicity evaluation, with profound implications for public health strategies and consumer protection.

Three-Year Cardiovascular Outcomes of Telmisartan in Patients with Hypertension: An Electronic Health Record-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Telmisartan exhibits superior efficacy in controlling 24-hour blood pressure (BP) compared with other angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). However, data on its cardiovascular effects in patients with hypertension are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular outcomes in patients taking telmisartan compared to those taking other ARBs. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study used data from the Korea University Medical Center database, built from electronic health records. A total of 19,247 patients taking two or more antihypertensive medications were identified. Patients prescribed telmisartan (telmisartan users) were compared with those prescribed an ARB other than telmisartan (other ARB users). The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and hospitalizations due to heart failure. The adjusted outcomes were compared using 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching. RESULTS: Overall, 3,437 (17.9%) patients were telmisartan users. These patients were more likely to be younger and male and less likely to have a history of chronic kidney disease, dialysis, or heart failure. In the PS-matched cohort, BP control was similar in both groups; however, telmisartan users exhibited significantly lower visit-to-visit BP variability. The adjusted 3-year MACE rate was similar between telmisartan users (4.6%) and other ARB users (4.7%, log-rank p = 0.75), with comparable safety profiles. CONCLUSIONS: In real-world practice, telmisartan showed cardiovascular outcomes similar to those of other ARBs in patients with hypertension taking two or more antihypertensive drugs.

NIR-responsive carboxymethyl-cellulose hydrogels containing thioketal-linkages for on-demand drug delivery system.

Near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive hydrogels have emerged as a highly promising strategy for effective anticancer therapy owing to the remotely controlled release of chemotherapeutic molecules with minimal invasive manner. In this study, novel NIR-responsive hydrogels were developed from reactive oxygen species (ROS)-cleavable thioketal cross-linkers which possessed terminal tetrazine groups to undergo a bio-orthogonal inverse electron demand Diels Alder click reaction with norbornene modified carboxymethyl cellulose. The hydrogels were rapidly formed under physiological conditions and generated N2 gas as a by-product, which led to the formation of porous structures within the hydrogel networks. A NIR dye, indocyanine green (ICG) and chemotherapeutic doxorubicin (DOX) were co-encapsulated in the porous network of the hydrogels. Upon NIR-irradiation, the hydrogels showed spatiotemporal release of encapsulated DOX (>96 %) owing to the cleavage of thioketal bonds by interacting with ROS generated from ICG, whereas minimal release of encapsulated DOX (<25 %) was observed in the absence of NIR-light. The in vitro cytotoxicity results revealed that the hydrogels were highly cytocompatible and did not induce any toxic effect on the HEK-293 cells. In contrast, the DOX + ICG-encapsulated hydrogels enhanced the chemotherapeutic effect and effectively inhibited the proliferation of Hela cancer cells when irradiated with NIR-light.

Carrier density and delocalization signatures in doped carbon nanotubes from quantitative magnetic resonance.

High-performance semiconductor materials and devices are needed to supply the growing energy and computing demand. Organic semiconductors (OSCs) are attractive options for opto-electronic devices, due to their low cost, extensive tunability, easy fabrication, and flexibility. Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (s-SWCNTs) have been extensively studied due to their high carrier mobility, stability and opto-electronic tunability. Although molecular charge transfer doping affords widely tunable carrier density and conductivity in s-SWCNTs (and OSCs in general), a pervasive challenge for such systems is reliable measurement of charge carrier density and mobility. In this work we demonstrate a direct quantification of charge carrier density, and by extension carrier mobility, in chemically doped s-SWCNTs by a nuclear magnetic resonance approach. The experimental results are verified by a phase-space filling doping model, and we suggest this approach should be broadly applicable for OSCs. Our results show that hole mobility in doped s-SWCNT networks increases with increasing charge carrier density, a finding that is contrary to that expected for mobility limited by ionized impurity scattering. We discuss the implications of this important finding for additional tunability and applicability of s-SWCNT and OSC devices.

A facile approach for oil-water separation using superhydrophobic polystyrene-silica coated stainless steel mesh bucket.

Inspired by traditional shaduf technology in the irrigation field, we fabricated a superhydrophobic stainless steel mesh bucket by layering polystyrene and SiO2 nanoparticles through a facile dip coating technique for effective oil-water separation. The superhydrophobic steel mesh bucket could effectively lift oil as well as microplastic pollutants from the water surface. The water contact angle of a two-layered polystyrene-silica coating was 158.5° ± 2°, while the oil contact angle was nearly 0°. The oil-water separation performance of superhydrophobic mesh was tested using several kinds of oil. The separation efficiency achieved for low viscous oil was 99.33 %, while 86.66 % efficiency was recorded for high viscous oil. The superhydrophobic mesh showed high durability against mechanical tests including bending, folding, twisting, adhesive tape tearing (25 cycles), and sandpaper abrasion (20 cycles). The mesh presented admirable thermal and chemical durability. The present superhydrophobic steel mesh bucket is a suitable candidate for large-scale application.

Repeated intratracheal instillation of whole-cigarette smoke condensate to assess lung damage in a rat model.

Cigarette smoke induces an inflammatory response in the lungs by recruiting inflammatory cells, leading to lung diseases such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and pulmonary fibrosis. Existing inhalation exposure methods for assessing the adverse effects of cigarette smoke require expensive equipment and are labor-intensive. Therefore, we attempted to develop a novel method to assess these adverse effects using intratracheal instillation (ITI) of whole cigarette smoke condensate (WCSC). The WCSC (0, 5, 10, or 20 mg/mL) was administered by ITI once daily for 6 or 12 days using an automatic video instillator. Repeated WCSC ITI increased the lung weight, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), neutrophil, and lymphocyte levels within bronchoalveolar lavage fluid compared to the control. In the histopathological analysis of the lung tissue, a mild inflammatory response was observed in the 6 and 12 days 20 mg/mL WCSC exposure groups. The genome-wide RNA-seq expression patterns revealed that inflammatory and immune response-related genes, such as the chemokine signaling pathway, Th1/Th2 cell differentiation, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, were employed following WCSC exposure. In addition, MCP-1 was time-dependent and increased in the 10 mg/mL exposure group compared to the control group. These results suggested that the WCSC might induce the potential pulmonary inflammatory response. Furthermore, we proposed that ITI may be a rapid and effective method of evaluating the adverse effects of WCSC within a short exposure period (less than 2 weeks), and it can be used to evaluate cigarette inhalation toxicity studies as an alternative method.

Cardiovascular outcomes according to on-treatment systolic blood pressure in older hypertensive patients: a multicenter cohort using a common data model.

OBJECTIVE: In the growing population of older patients with hypertension, limited evidence supports an association between lowering systolic blood pressure (SBP) and decreased adverse events. We aimed to investigate cardiovascular outcomes according to on-treatment SBP in older hypertensive patients. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study used data from the Korea University Medical Center database built on electronic health records from 2017 to 2022. Patients initiated on at least two antihypertensive drugs in combination were followed for three years. The patients were grouped by average on-treatment SBP in 10-mmHg increments from <110 to 160 mmHg or more. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and hospitalization due to heart failure. RESULTS: A total of 6427 patients aged ≥75 years (mean age, 80 years) were identified. The incidence of the primary outcome was lowest in individuals with an SBP of 120-129 mmHg (14.0%, P  < 0.001), and the adjusted hazard ratio for the primary outcome showed a J-shaped relationship with on-treatment SBP. Achieving an SBP of 120-129 mmHg showed acceptable safety profiles, including electrolyte imbalance, acute kidney injury, new-onset atrial fibrillation, and new-onset dementia or Alzheimer's disease when compared to the group with SBP of 130-139 mmHg. CONCLUSIONS: An average on-treatment SBP of less than 130 mmHg was associated with improved outcomes in older hypertensive patients without raising safety concerns. These findings support the target SBP of 130 mmHg in older patients, if tolerated.

Facile Fabrication of NIR-Responsive Alginate/CMC Hydrogels Derived through IEDDA Click Chemistry for Photothermal-Photodynamic Anti-Tumor Therapy.

Novel chemically cross-linked hydrogels derived from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and alginate (Alg) were prepared through the utilization of the norbornene (Nb)-methyl tetrazine (mTz) click reaction. The hydrogels were designed to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) from an NIR dye, indocyanine green (ICG), for combined photothermal and photodynamic therapy (PTT/PDT). The cross-linking reaction between Nb and mTz moieties occurred via an inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder chemistry under physiological conditions avoiding the need for a catalyst. The resulting hydrogels exhibited viscoelastic properties (G' ~ 492-270 Pa) and high porosity. The hydrogels were found to be injectable with tunable mechanical characteristics. The ROS production from the ICG-encapsulated hydrogels was confirmed by DPBF assays, indicating a photodynamic effect (with NIR irradiation at 1-2 W for 5-15 min). The temperature of the ICG-loaded hydrogels also increased upon the NIR irradiation to eradicate tumor cells photothermally. In vitro cytocompatibility assessments revealed the non-toxic nature of CMC-Nb and Alg-mTz towards HEK-293 cells. Furthermore, the ICG-loaded hydrogels effectively inhibited the metabolic activity of Hela cells after NIR exposure.

Effects of comorbid chronic kidney disease on mortality in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients and influence of pirfenidone.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a comorbidity in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and managing IPF with CKD is challenging due to limited options for antifibrotic therapy. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of CKD and prescription status of pirfenidone in IPF patients and to analyze its impact on mortality. Data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database between October 2015 and September 2021 were used. IPF and CKD were defined based on both International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes and Rare Intractable Disease (RID) codes. The risk of mortality was assessed based on accompanying CKD with or without antifibrotic therapy. Among 5038 patients with IPF, 8.4% had comorbid CKD and 83.3% with CKD did not receive renal replacement therapy (RRT). Patients with IPF and CKD were older, predominantly male, and had more frequent comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus than subjects without CKD. Pirfenidone was prescribed to 105 (24.6%) of 426 CKD patients, and 89.5% of them did not receive RRT. Pirfenidone was also prescribed to 775 (16.8%) of 4612 IPF patients without CKD. Significant difference was not found in all-cause mortality between the IPF patients with or without CKD regardless of pirfenidone treatment. The use of antifibrotics in IPF patients with CKD is limited due to CKD severity; however, evidence is lacking. Mortality did not increase with accompanying CKD regardless of antifibrotic use. Further research on IPF and CKD is needed.

Seven-day and In-hospital Mortality According to Left and Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Patients With Septic Shock.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prognostic implications of septic cardiomyopathy have not been clearly demonstrated. We evaluated serial changes in left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) function in patients with septic shock and their prognostic value on 7-day and in-hospital mortality. METHODS: Transthoracic echocardiography was performed within 48 hours of the diagnosis of septic shock and 7 days after the initial evaluation. In addition to traditional echocardiographic parameters, LV and RV function was evaluated using global longitudinal strain (GLS), and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). RESULTS: A total of 162 patients (men, 83, 51.5%; 70.7±13.4 years; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation [APACHE] II, 30.6±9.2) were enrolled. Initial GLS and TAPSE were -14.9±5.2% and 16.9±5.5 mm, and improved in the follow-up evaluation (GLS, -17.6±4.9%; TAPSE, 19.2±5.4 mm). Seven-day and in-hospital mortality were 24 (14.9%) and 64 (39.8%). Seven-day mortality was significantly associated with initial GLS >-16% (odds ratio [OR], 14.066, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.178-167.969, p=0.037) and APACHE II score (OR, 1.196, 95% CI, 1.047-1.365, p=0.008). The in-hospital mortality of 7-day survivors was associated with follow-up TAPSE <16 mm (OR, 10.109, 95% CI, 1.640-62.322, p=0.013) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (OR, 1.340, 95% CI, 1.078-1.667, p=0.008). GLS was not associated with in-hospital mortality of 7-day survivors. CONCLUSIONS: Fluctuation of both ventricular function was common in septic shock. Seven-day mortality of patients with septic shock was related to GLS, whereas in-hospital mortality of 7-day survivors was related to TAPSE, not to GLS.

Development and validation of a method for preparing heated tobacco product aerosol condensate (HTPAC) for large-scale toxicity data acquisition.

A method of preparing heated tobacco product aerosol condensate (HTPAC) was developed to expedite HTP toxicity evaluation, and the effectiveness was assessed. To prepare HTPAC, HTP aerosol was generated and collected using a Cambridge filter (particulate phase) and Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline (DPBS; gaseous phase). The aerosol collected on the Cambridge filter was extracted using methanol, which was thereafter removed by nitrogen purging. The HTP aerosol residue was mixed with DPBS loaded with the collected HTP vapor, ultimately yielding HTPAC. Nicotine and formaldehyde, key harmful compounds in HTP aerosol, were detected in HTPAC (901 ± 224 and 22.2 ± 3.90 µg stick-1, respectively, comparable to those in HTP aerosol (990-1350 (nicotine) and 2.33-21.9 µg stick-1 (formaldehyde)). Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, which influence the amount of HTP aerosol, were detected at similar levels in HTPAC and HTP aerosol (propylene glycol = 616 ± 57.1 (HTPAC) and 320-630 µg stick-1 (aerosol) and vegetable glycerin = 2418 ± 224 (HTPAC) and 1667-4000 µg stick-1 (aerosol)). Known components of HTP aerosol (hydroxyacetone, acetic acid, triacetin, and 2-furanmethanol) were also detected in HTPAC. Consequently, HTPAC offers an effective method for concentrating harmful compounds found in HTP aerosols. This, in turn, facilitates comprehensive toxicity assessments, paving the way for guidelines ensuring the safe utilization of HTP.

Metabolic Disorders Are Associated With Drug-Induced Liver Injury During Antituberculosis Treatment: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Cohort Study in Korea.

Background: Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) may lead to the discontinuation of antituberculosis (anti-TB) treatment (ATT). Some studies have suggested that metabolic disorders increase the risk of DILI during ATT. This study aimed to identify risk factors for DILI, particularly metabolic disorders, during ATT. Methods: A multicenter prospective observational cohort study to evaluate adverse events during ATT was conducted in Korea from 2019 to 2021. Drug-susceptible patients with TB who had been treated with standard ATT for 6 months were included. The patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the presence of 1 or more metabolic conditions, such as insulin resistance, hypertension, obesity, and dyslipidemia. We monitored ATT-related adverse events, including DILI, and treatment outcomes. The incidence of DILI was compared between individuals with and without metabolic disorders, and related factors were evaluated. Results: Of 684 patients, 52 (7.6%) experienced DILI, and 92.9% of them had metabolic disorders. In the multivariable analyses, underlying metabolic disorders (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.85; 95% CI, 1.01-8.07) and serum albumin <3.5 g/dL (aHR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.29-3.96) were risk factors for DILI during ATT. In the 1-month landmark analyses, metabolic disorders were linked to an elevated risk of DILI, especially significant alanine aminotransferase elevation. The treatment outcome was not affected by the presence of metabolic disorders. Conclusions: Patients with metabolic disorders have an increased risk of ATT-induced liver injury compared with controls. The presence of metabolic disorders and hypoalbuminemia adversely affects the liver in patients with ATT.

An Aqueous Process for Preparing Flexible Transparent Electrodes Using Non-Oxidized Graphene/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Solution.

In this study, we prepared flexible and transparent hybrid electrodes based on an aqueous solution of non-oxidized graphene and single-walled carbon nanotubes. We used a simple halogen intercalation method to obtain high-quality graphene flakes without a redox process and prepared hybrid films using aqueous solutions of graphene, single-walled carbon nanotubes, and sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant. The hybrid films showed excellent electrode properties, such as an optical transmittance of ≥90%, a sheet resistance of ~3.5 kΩ/sq., a flexibility of up to ε = 3.6% ((R) = 1.4 mm), and a high mechanical stability, even after 103 bending cycles at ε = 2.0% ((R) = 2.5 mm). Using the hybrid electrodes, thin-film transistors (TFTs) were fabricated, which exhibited an electron mobility of ~6.7 cm2 V-1 s-1, a current on-off ratio of ~1.04 × 107, and a subthreshold voltage of ~0.122 V/decade. These electrical properties are comparable with those of TFTs fabricated using Al electrodes. This suggests the possibility of customizing flexible transparent electrodes within a carbon nanomaterial system.

Safety and cardiovascular effectiveness of olmesartan in combination therapy for advanced hypertension: an electronic health record-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Compared with placebo, olmesartan has been linked to numerical imbalances in cardiovascular mortality. There is a paucity of contemporary real-world evidence on this agent for different study populations. This study investigated the clinical outcomes of olmesartan and other antihypertensives in patients with advanced hypertension. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study used data from the Korea University Medical Center database, built from electronic health records. Patients prescribed at least two antihypertensive medications as a combined therapy were followed-up for 3 years. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure. Adjusted outcomes were compared using propensity score (PS) matching. RESULTS: Among 24 806 patients, 4050 (16.3%) were olmesartan users between January 2017 and December 2018. The average patient age was 64 years, 45% were women, and 41% had diabetes. Olmesartan users were younger and less likely to have diabetes mellitus or chronic kidney disease. In PS-matched cohort, the 3-year cumulative incidences of the primary outcome were similar between the two groups ( P  = 0.91). The cumulative incidence of MI at 3 years was 1.4% in olmesartan users (4.8 per 1000 person-years) and 1.5% in active comparators (5.2 per 1000 person-years; P  = 0.74). Olmesartan also showed similar safety profiles, including acute kidney injury and newly started dialysis. CONCLUSIONS: In real-world practice, olmesartan use in combination therapy resulted in similar cardiovascular outcomes when compared with those of active comparators, and our findings did not show any conclusive evidence that olmesartan is harmful in patients with hypertension.

Identification of predictive factors for early relapse in patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer receiving consolidation durvalumab after concurrent chemoradiation therapy.

BACKGROUND: Patients with locally advanced, unresectable, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving definitive concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) benefit from durvalumab consolidation therapy. However, predictive factors for early relapse during durvalumab maintenance have not yet been identified. METHODS: The present study included the lung cancer cohort of the Catholic Medical Centers at the Catholic University of Korea from January 2018 to December 2021. A total of 51 NSCLC patients treated with durvalumab consolidation therapy after definitive CCRT were included in the analysis. Early relapse was defined as patients experiencing relapse within 6 months of starting initial durvalumab therapy. RESULTS: Among the 51 patients, 15 (29.4%) relapsed during the study period. Median time from initial therapy of durvalumab to progression was 451.00 ± 220.87 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 18.10-883.90) in overall patients. In multivariate analysis, younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.792; 95% CI: 0.642-0.977; p = 0.030), higher pack-years (aOR, 1.315; 95% CI: 1.058-1.635; p = 0.014), non-COPD (aOR, 0.004; 95% CI: 0.000-0.828; p = 0.004) and anemia (aOR, 234.30; 95% CI: 1.212-45280.24; p = 0.042), were independent predictive factors for early relapse during durvalumab consolidation therapy. CONCLUSION: Younger age, higher number of pack-years, non-COPD, and anemia were independent predictive factors for early relapse during durvalumab consolidation therapy in patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC after definitive CCRT. Careful patient selection and clinical attention are needed for high-risk individuals.

Phase-dependent Friction on Exfoliated Transition Metal Dichalcogenides Atomic Layers.

The fundamental aspects of energy dissipation on 2-dimensional (2D) atomic layers are extensively studied. Among various atomic layers, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) exists in several phases based on their lattice structure, which give rise to the different phononic and electronic contributions in energy dissipation. 2H and 1T' (distorted 1T) phase MoS2 and MoTe2 atomic layers exfoliated on mica substrate are obtained and investigated their nanotribological properties with atomic force microscopy (AFM)/ friction force microscopy (FFM). Surprisingly, 1T' phase of both MoS2 and MoTe2 exhibits ≈10 times higher friction compared to 2H phase. With density functional theory analyses, the friction increase is attributed to enhanced electronic excitation, efficient phonon dissipation, and increased potential energy surface barrier at the tip-sample interface. This study suggests the intriguing possibility of tuning the friction of TMDs through phase transition, which can lead to potential application in tunable tribological devices.

Self-Healable Conductive Hydrogels with High Stretchability and Ultralow Hysteresis for Soft Electronics.

Stretchable sensors based on conductive hydrogels have attracted considerable attention for wearable electronics. However, their practical applications have been limited by the low sensitivity, high hysteresis, and long response times of the hydrogels. In this study, we developed high-performance poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) based hydrogels post-treated with NaCl, which showed excellent mechanical properties, fast electrical response, and ultralow hysteresis properties. The hydrogels also demonstrated excellent self-healing properties with electrical and mechanical properties comparable to those of the original hydrogel and more than 150% elongation at break after the self-healing process. The high performance of the optimized hydrogels was attributed to the enhanced intermolecular forces between the PVA matrix and PEDOT:PSS, the favorable conformational change of the PEDOT chains, and an increase in localized charges in the hydrogel networks. The hydrogel sensors were capable of tracking large human motion and subtle muscle action in real time with high sensitivity, a fast response time (0.88 s), and low power consumption (<180 µW). Moreover, the sensor was able to monitor human respiration due to chemical changes in the hydrogel. These highly robust, stretchable, conductive, and self-healing PVA/PEDOT:PSS hydrogels, therefore, show great application potential as wearable sensors for monitoring human activity.