Urinary Level of Liver-Type Fatty Acid Binding Protein Reflects the Degree of Tubulointerstitial Damage in Polycystic Kidney Disease

Background/Aims: Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a common, progressive, and heritable type of kidney disease. Although certain imaging modalities are useful for the diagnosis and staging of PKD, they cannot adequately monitor the severity of interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. Therefore, the present study evaluated the urinary level of liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) as a marker of interstitial inflammation and fibrosis in PKD. Methods: Male PCK/CrljCrl-Pkhd1pck/Crl (PCK) rats (n = 34) were used as an animal model of the PKD. Age-and sex-matched Sprague–Dawley rats (SD) (n = 34) were used as controls. Urine samples were obtained from the rats at 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks of age, and the sera and kidney tissues were obtained at 8, 16, 20, and 24 weeks of age. Results: All PCK rats developed cysts, and the degrees of tubular epithelial cell proliferation and interstitial inflammation increased linearly with age in these model rats relative to the controls. Interstitial fibrosis tended to increase in the PCK rats from 8 to 20 weeks of age, and revealed a peak level at 20 weeks. The urinary L-FABP levels increased linearly with age in the PCK rats, and the levels at 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks were significantly higher than those in the controls. The urinary levels of L-FABP in the PCK rats correlated significantly with the severity of tubulointerstitial damage; specifically, we observed a significant correlation of the urinary levels at 16 weeks of age with the total kidney volume at 20 weeks. In contrast, both PCK and SD rats exhibited similar serum levels of L-FABP. Conclusion: Urinary L-FABP reflects the progression of tubulointerstitial damage, and therefore, may be a useful marker for monitoring the progression of PKD

Millimeter-wave IC packaging technology-state of the art and future trends

This paper presents an overview of recent state of the art technologies and future trends in millimeter-wave MMIC packaging in the aspects of low cost, high productivity and high functionality. Developments of ceramic packages up to W-band have been progressed by design innovation. LTCC Technology with thick film printing has realized low-cost packages and 60GHz-band antenna integrated MCMs. Multi-junctional integrated modules have been proposed utilizing Si micromachining technologies

Millimeter-wave packaging and module technology developments in Japan

This paper presents an overview of recent trends in millimeter-wave packaging and module technology development in Japan. For commercial millimeter-wave applications such as wireless radio links, wireless LANs, automotive radars and so on, packaging and module technologies with high performance and productivity are required. Ceramic-base packages up to W-band, flip-chip bonding and packaging of CPW MMICs for low cost and high reproducible assembling, and extremely compact multi-layer HTCC transmitter/receiver MCMs for 60GHz band communications, have been developed

Ring compression test for high strength steel at high reduction in height under dry condition

Cold forging of automotive parts in high strength steel causes high pressure on the die. The high pressure or heavy load reduces a die life and accuracy of the forged parts, so prediction of a more accurate load helps us to design optimum die dimensions in the process. In this report, the more precise frictional coefficient was measured by a ring compression test to predict the more accurate load in cold upsetting of high strength steel. The experimental results indicated a frictional coefficient μ of about 0.19 within height reduction less than 20% under a dry condition. However, when the reduction in height exceeds 20%, the results deviate from the calibration curve assumed to be constant μ = 0.19. This means that the friction changing during compression. Slight adhesion was observed on the die surface, which must directly increase the frictional coefficient. The calibration curve was modified considering the change in friction during compression. Using the modified calibration curves, the experimental results are exactly plotted on the calibration curve which is drawn by changing μ from 0.19 to 0.25 at the reduction in height of 20%. This increasing frictional coefficient was helpful to estimate the accurate load when the rod of high strength steel is upset at high reduction under a dry condition

A patient with pachydermoperiostosis harboring SLCO2A1 variants with a history of differentiating from acromegaly

Pachydermoperiostosis (PDP) is a rare hereditary disease characterized by digital clubbing, pachydermia, and periostosis. We describe a Japanese male patient with PDP who was differentially diagnosed with acromegaly by identification of compound heterozygous variants in SLCO2A1. Recent studies have reported various clinical manifestations, as well as skeletal and dermal features, in patients with PDP. Genetic testing provided not only PDP diagnosis and differentiation from acromegaly, but also information about possible complications and comorbidities throughout life