The epidemiology of male lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia: Results of 20 years of Korean community care and surveys.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia in a Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Korean Prostate & Voiding Health Association provided free prostate-related community health care and conducted surveys in all regions of Korea from 2001 to 2022 with the cooperation of local government public health centers. A total of 72,068 males older than 50 were surveyed and analyzed. History taking, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), transrectal ultrasonography, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, uroflowmetry, and urine volume testing were performed. RESULTS: The mean prostate volumes in males in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s or above were 24.7 g, 27.7 g, 31 g, and 33.7 g, respectively. The proportion of males with high PSA greater than 3 ng/mL was 3.8% among males in their 50s, 7.7% among males in their 60s, 13.1% among males in their 70s, and 17.9% among males 80 years of age or older. The mean IPSS total scores in males in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s or above were 10.7, 12.7, 14.5, and 16, respectively. Severe symptoms were reported by 27.3% of males, whereas 51.7% reported moderate symptoms. The mean Qmax in males in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s or above were 20 mL/s, 17.4 mL/s, 15.4 mL/s, and 13.8 mL/s, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based study, mean prostate volume, IPSS, PSA, and Qmax were 30.6±15.1 g, 14.8±8.2, 1.9±4.7 ng/mL, and 15.6±6.5 mL/s, respectively. Aging was significantly associated with increased prostate volume, PSA levels, and IPSS scores, and with decreased Qmax and urine volume.

Fluorine plasma treatment on carbon-based perovskite solar cells for rapid moisture protection layer formation and performance enhancement.

A fluorine plasma-treated carbon electrode is used in HTM-free perovskite solar cells for high efficiency and moisture resistance. The fluorine-treated device with a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.86% is achieved with a highly enhanced FF (FF = 0.69), showing superior long-term stability and excellent moisture penetration suppression.

ZnO quantum dot-decorated carbon nanofibers derived from electrospun ZIF-8/PVA nanofibers for high-performance energy storage electrodes.

Hierarchical fibrous structures composed of ZnO quantum dots, amorphous carbons, and carbon nanofibers are synthesized via a single carbonization process of electrospun ZIF-8/PVA nanofibers. This newly designed electrode material for supercapacitors exhibits outstanding electrochemical performances with high capacitance, reliable rate capability, and long cycle life.

High-Performance Three-Dimensional Mesoporous Graphene Electrode for Supercapacitors using Lyophilization and Plasma Reduction.

In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) mesoporous plasma-reduced graphene oxide web (mPrGO web) was fabricated via lyophilization of graphene oxide (GO) solution and subsequent plasma reduction. The lyophilized graphene oxide web (GO web) was successfully reduced by a short plasma treatment (<2 s) using a commercially available plasma apparatus. The degree of reduction of the mPrGO web was determined by the applied plasma power (W) of the apparatus; the optimum power level for effective reduction was identified. The as-synthesized mPrGO web showed a high degree of reduction and robust graphitic characteristics, with a unique crack-like mesoporous structure created on corrugated graphene sheets. In addition to the above characteristics, the mPrGO web possessed a 3D web-like architecture that provided enhanced surface area along with ion-transportable channels derived from lyophilization. Owing to the synergistic effect of lyophilization and plasma reduction, the mPrGO web exhibited high electrical conductivity (87 S cm-1) and increased surface area (642 m2 g-1). Accordingly, the mPrGO web showed outstanding specific capacitance of 253.8 F g-1 at 0.2 A g-1 along with the excellent rate capability (76% capacitance retention at 5 A g-1). Furthermore, the assembled all-solid-state symmetric supercapacitor also exhibited remarkable electrochemical performances, demonstrating the potential applicability of the mPrGO web as an effective supercapacitor electrode material.

A comparative study of the electrorheological properties of various N-doped nanomaterials using ammonia plasma treatment.

A new, simple method is reported to enhance the electrorheological (ER) activity of nanomaterials. Plasma treatment was the ideal technique owing to its ease of use, versatility, and common usage in mass production. Multi-gram quantities of ER nanomaterials with different morphologies, sizes, and compositions were successfully treated by ammonia plasma.