Lung cancer with superior vena cava syndrome diagnosed by intravascular biopsy using EBUS-TBNA

AbstractSince superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is a critical condition, immediate diagnostic approach and therapy are imperative to avoid potentially life-threatening complications. Here, we report a case of lung cancer with SVCS, which was diagnosed through intravascular tumor biopsy using endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). EBUS-TBNA enabled us to obtain tissue sufficient for diagnosis, without significant complications. Prompt diagnosis was followed by appropriate anticancer treatment and improvement in the symptoms. For patients suspected of SVCS and requiring prompt pathologic diagnosis, we can consider EBUS-TBNA to diagnose intravascular or mediastinal tumors and provide an accurate diagnosis

The Ability of β-Cells to Compensate for Insulin Resistance is Restored with a Reduction in Excess Growth Hormone in Korean Acromegalic Patients

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of diabetes and to study the effects of excess growth hormone (GH) on insulin sensitivity and β-cell function in Korean acromegalic patients. One hundred and eighty-four acromegalic patients were analyzed to assess the prevalence of diabetes, and 52 naïve acromegalic patients were enrolled in order to analyze insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. Patients underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test with measurements of GH, glucose, insulin, and C-peptide levels. The insulin sensitivity index and β-cell function index were calculated and compared according to glucose status. Changes in the insulin sensitivity index and β-cell function index were evaluated one to two months after surgery. Of the 184 patients, 17.4% were in the normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group, 45.1% were in the pre-diabetic group and 37.5% were in the diabetic group. The insulin sensitivity index (ISI0,120) was significantly higher and the HOMA-IR was lower in the NGT compared to the diabetic group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.037, respectively). The ISI0,120 and disposition index were significantly improved after tumor resection. Our findings suggest that both insulin sensitivity and β-cell function are improved by tumor resection in acromegalic patients

CURRENT STATUS OF INTEGRITY ASSESSMENT BY SIPPING SYSTEM OF SPENT FUEL BUNDLES IRRADIATED IN CANDU REACTOR

In terms of safety and the efficient management of spent fuel storage, detecting failed fuel is one of the most important tasks in a CANada Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) reactor operation. It has been successfully demonstrated that in a CANDU reactor, on-power failed fuel detection and location systems, along with alarm area gamma monitors, can detect and locate defective and suspect fuel bundles before discharging them from the reactor to the spent fuel storage bay. In the reception bay, however, only visual inspection has been used to identify suspect bundles. Gaseous fission product and delayed neutron monitoring systems cannot precisely distinguish failed fuel elements from each fuel bundle. This study reports the use of a sipping system in a CANDU reactor for the integrity assessment of spent fuel bundles. The integrity assessment of spent fuel bundles using this sipping system has shown promise as a nondestructive test for detecting a defective fuel bundle in a CANDU reactor

High-Performance and Stability of CsPbBr3/WSe2 Hybrid Photodetectors Functionalized Using Quaternary Ammonium Ligands

The 2D–0D hybrid photodetector, with its special structure, high sensitivity, and wavelength tunability, is reported as a promising candidate system for optoelectronic devices. As research on hybrid lead halide perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) has progressed, PQDs with high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield and excellent absorption properties are increasingly applied in optoelectronic devices; however, PQD stability remains one of the biggest limitations on device performance. Here, it is reported that the properties and stability of the hybrid photodetectors are improved by surface passivation using the quaternary ammonium ligand (didodecyldimethylammonium bromide, DDAB). The average carrier lifetime of DDAB treated CsPbBr3 PQDs (DDAB-capped PQDs) is longer than that of pristine CsPbBr3 PQDs by 6.68–14.88 ns. It is confirmed that the durability against water is reduced by only 25.8% at PL intensity and is preserved for more than 16 h. A 2D–0D hybrid photodetector is then fabricated by deposition of DDAB-capped PQDs on the WSe2 field-effect transistor device for a high-performance photodetector. The WSe2/DDAB-capped PQD hybrid photodetector exhibits an enhanced responsivity of 1.4 × 103 A W−1 and an improved detectivity of 3.1 × 1013 Jones under 40.0 µW cm−2 of a 405 nm laser. © 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.FALS

Age Hardening and Re-crystallization Softening of a CoCrFeMnNi High Entropy Alloy

Age hardening and re-crystallization softening of a type of high entropy alloy, CoCrFeMnNi, was performed to investigate the relationship between microstructure and the property of mechanical hardness. Equiatomic CoCrFeMnNi was produced by casting followed by homogenizing, cold rolling and post heat treatments. TEM analysis revealed that the microstructure of the as-rolled alloy was composed of elongated grains with twin laths and a shear band with fine grains, which exhibited a hardness of 371 HV. Following a 500 degrees C heat treatment the microstructure was composed of nano-twins and nano-grains, which represented age hardening, with 454 HV hardness. The microstructure of 700 degrees C heat treated samples was composed of re-crystallized grains and annealing twins, which represented annealed softening, with 244 HV hardness. The 700 degrees C heat treatment also produced spherical particles of 0.1 mu m maximum grain size, identified as Cr23C6 type carbide.11sciescopuskc