The ease by which graphene is affected through contact with other materials is one of its unique features and defines an integral part of its potential for applications. Here, it will be demonstrated that intercalation, the insertion of atomic layers in between the backside of graphene and the supporting substrate, is an efficient tool to change its interaction with the environment on the frontside. By partial intercalation of graphene on Ir(111) with Eu or Cs we induce strongly n-doped graphene patches through the contact with these intercalants. They coexist with nonintercalated, slightly p-doped graphene patches. We employ these backside doping patterns to directly visualize doping induced binding energy differences of ionic adsorbates to graphene through low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy. Density functional theory confirms these binding energy differences and shows that they are related to the graphene doping level.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the leading cause of the end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Vascular diseases are the most common cause of morbidity and mortality in the chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment on morphologic and hemodynamic vascular parameters of carotid arteries in diabetic type 2 and nondiabetic patients with ESRD during the period of one year after the start of PD treatment using ultrasonography of carotid arteries and their relation on uremia and PD inherent factors. Mean intima-media thickness, plaque score, peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and carotid diameter significantly decreased 12 months after PD treatment start in both groups. Significant reduction in median serum endothelin-1 concentration after 12 months on PD treatment was observed in the group of patients with DM (7.6–5.9 pg/mL) and also in group of patients without DM (3.6–3.3 pg/mL). Also median nitric oxide concentration significantly increased after 12 months on PD compared to baseline levels both in patients with DM (25.0–34.3 μmol/L) as was observed in patients without DM (49.6–56.5 μmol/L). PD treatment, with the regulation of these vasoactive molecules and other vascular risk factors, significantly contributes to vascular remodeling, especially in DM patients.

The incidence of postoperative death has changed little in recent years. Most deaths occur in older patients with coexisting medical diseases who undergo major surgery. The objective of our research was to investigate the significance of demographic factors (age, gender, preoperational physiological status) and type of surgery on the outcome of treatment. This study included 288 patients older than 18 years of age that were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) for at least 24 hours after a surgical procedure (both elective and emergency) between 1st January 2010 and 31st March 2011. The average age of patients included in the survey was 68 (range 19-88). APACHE II score was between 2.9 and 83.1 points, with an average value of 12.90 points. In this study, male gender (n=186) was much more common than female gender (n=102). Age of patients who died in the ICU was higher than the age of those who were discharged but it was not a statistically significant predictor of patient death. APACHE II score is associated with increased age of patients, neurosurgical operations and incidence of nosocomial infections. Patients’ age and female gender had a strong negative correlation with nosocomial infection. Actual mortality rate for patients was 21%. Ratio between actual and predicted mortality was 1.4.