Recent Progresses in the Growth of Two-dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides

Jung, Yeonjoon,Ji, Eunji,Capasso, Andrea,Lee, Gwan-Hyoung The Korean Ceramic Society 2019 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.56 No.1

Recently, considerable progress and many breakthroughs have been achieved in the growth of two-dimensional materials, especially transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), which attract significant attention owing to their unique properties originating from their atomically thin layered structure. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) has shown great promise to fabricate large-scale and high-quality TMDC films with exceptional electronic and optical properties. However, the scalable growth of high-quality TMDCs by CVD is yet to meet industrial criteria. Therefore, growth mechanisms should be unveiled for a deeper understanding and further improvement of growth methods are required. This review summarizes the recent progress in the growth methods of TMDCs through CVD and other modified approaches to gain insights into the growth of large-scale and high-quality TMDCs.

Laparoscopic vs. robotic-assisted laparoscopy in endometrial cancer staging: large retrospective single institution study

Emanuele Perrone,Ilaria Capasso,Tina Pasciuto,Alessandro Gioè,Salvatore Gueli Alletti,Stefano Restaino,Giovanni Scambia,Francesco Fanfani 대한부인종양학회 2021 Journal of Gynecologic Oncology Vol.32 No.3

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze and draw the potential differences between therobotic-assisted surgery (RS) and the laparoscopy (LPS) in endometrial cancer staging. Methods: In this single-institution retrospective study we enrolled 1,221 consecutive clinicalstage I–III endometrial cancer patients undergone minimally invasive surgical staging. Wecompared patients treated by LPS and by RS, on the basis of perioperative and oncologicaloutcomes (disease-free survival [DFS] and overall survival [OS]). A sub-analysis of the high risk endometrial cancer population was performed in the 2 cohorts. Results: The 2 cohorts (766 treated by LPS and 455 by RS) were homogeneous in termsof perioperative and pathological data. We recorded differences in number of relapse/progression (11.7% in LPS vs. 7% in RS, p=0.008) and in number of deaths (9.8% in LPSvs. 4.8% in RS, p=0.002). Whereas, univariate and multivariate analyses according to DFSand OS confirmed that the surgical approach did not influence the DFS or the OS. In themultivariable analysis the association of the age and grading was significant for DFS and OS. In the sub-analysis of the 426 high risk EC patients (280 in LPS and 146 in RS) the univariateand the multivariate confirmed the influence of the age in DFS and OS, independently of theminimally invasive approach. Conclusions: In our large retrospective analysis, we confirmed that the RS and LPS havesimilar efficacy and safety for endometrial cancer staging also for the high-risk endometrialcancer patients.

Neural stem cells from a mouse model of Rett syndrome are prone to senescence, show reduced capacity to cope with genotoxic stress, and are impaired in the differentiation process

Nicola Alessio,Francesco Riccitiello,Tiziana Squillaro,Stefania Capasso,Stefania Del Gaudio,Giovanni Di Bernardo,Marilena Cipollaro,Mariarosa A. B. Melone,Gianfranco Peluso,Umberto Galderisi 생화학분자생물학회 2018 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.50 No.-

Several aspects of stem cell life are governed by epigenetic variations, such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling. Epigenetic events are also connected with the impairment of stem cell functions. For example, during senescence, there are significant changes in chromatin organization that alter transcription. The MECP2 protein can bind methylated cytosines and contribute to regulating gene expression at one of the highest hierarchical levels. Researchers are particularly interested in this protein, as up to 90% of Rett syndrome patients have an MECP2 gene mutation. Nevertheless, the role of MECP2 in this disease remains poorly understood. We used a mouse model of Rett syndrome to evaluate whether residual MECP2 activity in neural stem cells (NSCs) induced the senescence phenomena that could affect stem cell function. Our study clearly demonstrated that the reduced expression of MECP2 is connected with an increase in senescence, an impairment in proliferation capacity, and an accumulation of unrepaired DNA foci. Mecp2+/− NSCs did not cope with genotoxic stress in the same way as the control cells did. Indeed, after treatment with different DNA-damaging agents, the NSCs from mice with mutated Mecp2 accumulated more DNA damage foci (γ-H2AX+) and were more prone to cell death than the controls. Senescence in Mecp2+/− NSCs decreased the number of stem cells and progenitors and gave rise to a high percentage of cells that expressed neither stem/progenitor nor differentiation markers. These cells could be senescent and dysfunctional.

Genial tubercle position and genioglossus advancement in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment: a systematic review

Chang, Edward T.,Kwon, Yong-Dae,Jung, Junho,Capasso, Robson,Riley, Robert,Liu, Stanley C.,Camacho, Macario Korean Association of Maxillofacial Plastic and Re 2019 Maxillofacial Plastic Reconstructive Surgery Vol.41 No.-

Background: To systematically review the literature for methods to localize the genial tubercle as a means for performing an advancement of the genioglossus muscle. Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, CRISP, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Scopus were searched from inception through June 16, 2015. Results: One hundred fifty-two articles were screened, and the full text versions of 12 articles were reviewed in their entirety and 7 publications reporting their methodology for localizing the genial tubercle. Based upon these measurements and the results published from radiographic imaging and cadaveric dissections of all the papers included in this study, we identified the genial tubercle as being positioned within the mandible at a point 10 mm from the incisor apex and 10 mm from the lower mandibular border. Conclusion: Based upon the results of this review, the genial tubercles were positioned within the mandible at a point 10 mm from the incisor apex and 10 mm from the lower mandible border. It may serve as an additional reference for localizing the genial tubercle and the attachment of the genioglossus muscle to the mandible, although the preoperative radiological evaluation and the palpation of the GT are recommended to accurately isolate.

Electrically Conducting and Mechanically Strong Graphene-Polylactic Acid Composites for 3D Printing

Kim, Mirae,Jeong, Jae Hwan,Lee, Jong-Young,Capasso, Andrea,Bonaccorso, Francesco,Kang, Seok-Hyeon,Lee, Young-Kook,Lee, Gwan-Hyoung American Chemical Society 2019 ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES Vol.11 No.12

<P>The advent of 3D printing has had a disruptive impact in manufacturing and can potentially revolutionize industrial fields. Thermoplastic materials printable into complex structures are widely employed for 3D printing. Polylactic acid (PLA) is among the most promising polymers used for 3D printing, owing to its low cost, biodegradability, and nontoxicity. However, PLA is electrically insulating and mechanically weak; this limits its use in a variety of 3D printing applications. This study demonstrates a straightforward and environment-friendly method to fabricate conductive and mechanically reinforced PLA composites by incorporating graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). To fully utilize the superior electrical and mechanical properties of graphene, liquid-exfoliated GNPs are dispersed in isopropyl alcohol without the addition of any surfactant and combined with PLA dissolved in chloroform. The GNP-PLA composites exhibit improved mechanical properties (improvement in tensile strength by 44% and maximum strain by 57%) even at a low GNP threshold concentration of 2 wt %. The GNP-PLA composites also exhibit an electrical conductivity of over 1 mS/cm at >1.2 wt %. The GNP-PLA composites can be 3D-printed into various features with electrical conductivity and mechanical flexibility. This work presents a new direction toward advanced 3D printing technology by providing higher flexibility in designing multifunctional 3D printed features.</P> [FIG OMISSION]</BR>

Angular emission characteristics of quantum cascade spiral microlasers

Hentschel, Martina,Kwon, Tae-Yoon,Belkin, Mikhail A.,Audet, Ross,Capasso, Federico The Optical Society 2009 Optics express Vol.17 No.12

<P>We perform ray and wave simulations of passive and active spiral-shaped optical microcavities, comparing our results to experimental data obtained with mid-infrared quantum cascade spiral microlasers. Focusing on the angular emission characteristics, we find that both ray and wave simulations are consistent with the experimental data, showing richly-featured, multidirectional far-field emission patterns in the case of uniform pumping and TM-polarized light. Active cavity simulations using the Schr odinger-Bloch model indicate that selective pumping of the quantum cascade spiral microlasers near the resonator boundary will yield unidirectional laser emission.</P>

Protein substitutions as new-generation pharmanutrition approach to managing phenylketonuria

Duygu Ağagündüz,Fatma Nur Keskin,Teslime Özge Şahin,Raffaele Capasso 대한소아청소년과학회 2023 Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics (CEP) Vol.66 No.8

Phenylketonuria (PKU), an autosomal recessive inherited metabolic disorder, is caused by a mutation in the phenylalaninehydroxylase (PAH) gene on the 12th chromosome. DefectivePAH activity ultimately leads to increased phenylalanine (Phe)blood concentrations (hyperphenylalaninemia) that harm thebrain. The primary purpose of PKU treatment is to maintainthe blood Phe level to prevent certain undesired effects. Hence, lifelong medical nutrition therapy is recommendedfor these patients. The usefulness of natural protein sourcesmay be limited, as they are based on individual Phe tolerance,and a patient’s daily protein requirements are supported byPhe-free amino acid mixtures. A few PKU treatment centersrecently started using supplemental casein glycomacropeptide,pegvaliase, or large neutral amino acids, and some patients aretreated by responding to tetrahydrobiopterin, which works asa pharmaceutical chaperone (prescribed as sapropterin dihydrochloride). This review discusses the efficacy and safetyconsiderations of basic medical nutrition approaches and newgeneration protein substitutes that are used to treat PKU.

Ultrasmooth, Highly Spherical Monocrystalline Gold Particles for Precision Plasmonics

Lee, You-Jin,Schade, Nicholas B.,Sun, Li,Fan, Jonathan A.,Bae, Doo Ri,Mariscal, Marcelo M.,Lee, Gaehang,Capasso, Federico,Sacanna, Stefano,Manoharan, Vinothan N.,Yi, Gi-Ra American Chemical Society 2013 ACS NANO Vol.7 No.12

<P>Ultrasmooth, highly spherical monocrystalline gold particles were prepared by a cyclic process of slow growth followed by slow chemical etching, which selectively removes edges and vertices. The etching process effectively makes the surface tension isotropic, so that spheres are favored under quasi-static conditions. It is scalable up to particle sizes of 200 nm or more. The resulting spherical crystals display uniform scattering spectra and consistent optical coupling at small separations, even showing Fano-like resonances in small clusters. The high monodispersity of the particles we demonstrate should facilitate the self-assembly of nanoparticle clusters with uniform optical resonances, which could in turn be used to fabricate optical metafluids. Narrow size distributions are required to control not only the spectral features but also the morphology and yield of clusters in certain assembly schemes.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/ancac3/2013/ancac3.2013.7.issue-12/nn404765w/production/images/medium/nn-2013-04765w_0006.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/nn404765w'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>