Effect of Silver Nanowire Alignment on Electrical Resistance and Mechanical Reliability.

Given the increasing demands for high portability and large screens, electronic devices are evolving toward flexible electronics. Since the flexible devices will be operated by a current generated by repeated mechanical deformations, high mechanical stability, electrical conductivity, and optical properties of transparent conductive electrodes (TCE) under mechanical deformations are required; hence silver nanowire (AgNW) electrodes are attracting much interest. However, the anisotropic shape of AgNW can result in different electrical properties and mechanical reliability depending on the AgNW alignment. In this study, two kinds of AgNW films were prepared by roll-to-roll screening printing. One film has an isotropic arrangement of AgNW, the other an anisotropic arrangement, along the roll-to-roll machine direction (MD). These samples were cut with different directions from the MD. Whereas the isotropic sample exhibited an identical electrical resistance regardless of sample direction, the anisotropically aligned samples showed low resistance when parallel to the MD and high resistance when perpendicular to the MD. The mechanical reliability during repeated bending fatigue according to the AgNW alignment direction was also evaluated. Depending on the direction of alignment of the AgNW, the fatigue lifetime differed because the mechanical stability at the AgNW junction was different.

A comparative study of experimental rat models of renal calcium oxalate stone formation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to design a simple and convenient rat model with significant calcium oxalate crystal deposition in the kidney. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups of 30 rats each. One group of rats was untreated to serve as controls. Two of the groups of rats were provided with drinking water supplemented with 1% ethylene glycol (EG), and of these two groups, one group was also administered vitamin D. Two groups of rats received intraperitoneal injections of EG, and of these two groups, one group also received vitamin D. Two groups of rats received intraperitoneal injections of glyoxylate, and of these two groups, one group also received vitamin D. We analyzed 24-hour urine samples for urinary constituents for all experimental groups, including calcium, oxalate, citrate, uric acid, pH, and urine volume. The kidneys were examined for crystal deposition using histologic examination and for osteopontin expression using immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Calcium-oxalate crystals were found in all rats injected with glyoxylate after 1 week. The degree of crystal deposition in rats injected with glyoxylate for 1 week was significantly increased compared with rats fed EG for 4 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Intraperitoneal injection of glyoxylate is a faster, more exact, and more reliable method to produce calcium oxalate crystal deposition in the kidney than previous urolithiasis animal models.

Bilateral recurrent thigh abscesses for five years after a transobturator tape implantation for stress urinary incontinence.

The synthetic, tension-free midurethral sling procedure using transobturator tape (TOT) was introduced in 2001 and has become the most widely used procedure for the treatment of female urinary incontinence worldwide. However, infectious complications associated with erosions have occasionally been reported because of a foreign body reaction to the polypropylene mesh. We observed a case of a bilateral recurrent thigh abscess manifesting 5 years after a TOT sling procedure. The patient had recurrent thigh abscesses with repeated incisions and drainages in the past 1 year. Five months earlier, she had undergone a procedure to remove the eroded suburethral mesh, but incompletely. The right thigh abscess recurred, and ultimately the residual mesh was completely excised with abscess drainage. Complete mesh removal is very important to prevent abscess recurrence, and it is necessary for any urologist treating women who have undergone the TOT procedure to be aware of the possibility of abscesses occurring for a long time after the operation.

Significance of S100A2 and S100A4 Expression in the Progression of Prostate Adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern of calcium-binding proteins S100A2 and S100A4. We also sought to determine the prognostic value of these markers for patients with prostate adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect S100A2 and S100A4 expression in 26 tissue samples obtained during transurethral resection from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and in 67 tissue samples obtained during prostate biopsy and radical prostatectomy from patients with prostate carcinoma. The immunoreactivity of these proteins was stratified on a scale of 0 to 3 and was correlated with the pathologic features of prostate adenocarcinoma. RESULTS: High expression of S100A2 was observed in the tissue of patients with BPH, whereas low or no expression was observed in prostate cancer (CaP) cells. The protein level of S100A4 was significantly higher in CaP than in BPH cells. The higher level of S100A4 observed in CaP tissue correlated with increasing tumor grade. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased expression of S100A2 and increased expression of S100A4 may be important in the progression of CaP. This finding could aid in identifying aggressive CaP. The simultaneous analysis of S100A2 and S100A4 expression in prostate tissues may be a useful prognostic marker for CaP.