TGF-β Mediated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Purpose: Recent studies have showed that epithelial-mesen-chymal transition (EMT) is a key process of glomerular and tubulointerstitial pathology in many chronic kidney diseases. However, there are no data of EMT in humane autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Patients and Methods: ADPKD kidneys (N = 5) with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and control kidneys (N = 4) were analyzed immnunohistochemically. We evaluated α-SMA, E-cadherin, vimentin, TGF-β1 and Smad 2/3 expression in ADPKD and compared them with those in control kidney. These immuno-histochemical findings were quantitatively analyzed by com-puter-assisted image analyzer and positive tubules (%). Results: There were severe interstitial fibrosis and prolifera-tion of α-SMA+ myofibroblasts in ADPKD. Cystic tubular epithelial cells in ADPKD lost epithelial marker (E-cadherin) and expressed mesenchymal markers (α-SMA, vimentin). There were significant increases of α-SMA (34.3 ± 11.7 % vs 0.9 ± 1.5%), vimentin (19.9 ± 3.9 % vs 3.3 ± 1.4%), TGF-β1 (5.42 ± 2.83 % vs 0%) and Smad 2/3 (3.4 ± 1.7 % vs 0.7 ± 0.6%) in ADPKD kidneys compared with control kidneys evidenced by computer-assisted image analyzer. When we analyze the posi-tive tubules (%), the results were the same as computer-assisted image analyzer. Conclusion: Our results showed that the end stage of ADPKD is associated with TGF-β, Smad 2/3 and markers of EMT. It suggests that TGF-β mediated EMT has a role in progression of ADPKD. Key Words: Epithelial mesenchymal transition, antosomal dominant polycystic kidney diseas

Probing the messenger of supersymmetry breaking by the muon anomalous magnetic moment

Motivated by the recently measured muon's anomalous magnetic moment $a_{\mu}$, we examine the supersymmetry contribution to $a_{\mu}$ in various mediation models of supersymmetry breaking which lead to predictive flavor conserving soft parameters at high energy scale. The studied models include dilaton/modulus-mediated models in heterotic string/$M$ theory, gauge-mediated model, no-scale or gaugino-mediated model, and also the minimal and deflected anomaly-mediated models. For each model, the range of $a^{SUSY}_{\mu}$ allowed by other experimental constraints, e.g. b --> s\gamma and the collider bounds on superparticle masses, is obtained together with the corresponding parameter region of the model. Gauge-mediated models with low messenger scale can give any $a^{SUSY}_{\mu}$ within the $2\sigma$ bound. In many other models, b --> s\gamma favors $a^{SUSY}_{\mu}$ smaller than either the $-1\sigma$ value ($26\times 10^{-10}$) or the central value ($42\times 10^{-10}$).Comment: RevTeX, 29 pages, 14 eps figures, figure for deflected anomaly mediation is corrected, reference adde

Real-time bladder volume monitoring by the application of a new implantable bladder volume sensor for a small animal model

AbstractAlthough real-time monitoring of bladder volume together with intravesical pressure can provide more information for understanding the functional changes of the urinary bladder, it still entails difficulties in the accurate prediction of real-time bladder volume in urodynamic studies with small animal models. We studied a new implantable bladder volume monitoring device with eight rats. During cystometry, microelectrodes prepared by the microelectromechanical systems process were placed symmetrically on both lateral walls of the bladder, and the expanded bladder volume was calculated. Immunohistological study was done after 1 week and after 4 weeks to evaluate the biocompatibility of the microelectrode. From the point that infused saline volume into the bladder was higher than 0.6mL, estimated bladder volume was statistically correlated with the volume of saline injected (p<0.01). Additionally, the microelectromechanical system microelectrodes used in this study showed reliable biocompatibility. Therefore, the device can be used to evaluate changes in bladder volume in studies with small animals, and it may help to provide more information about functional changes in the bladder in laboratory studies. Furthermore, owing to its biocompatibility, the device could be chronically implanted in conscious ambulating animals, thus allowing a novel longitudinal study to be performed for a specific purpose

Bright color optical switching device by polymer network liquid crystal with a specular reflector

The color optical switching device by polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) with color filter on a specular reflector shows excellent performance; white reflectance of 22%, color gamut of 32%, and contrast ratio up to 50:1 in reflective mode measurement. The view-angle dependence of the reflectance can be adjusted by changing the PNLC thickness. The color chromaticity shown by the device is close to the limit value of color filters, and its value nearly remains with respect to the operating voltage. These optical properties of the device can be explained from the prediction based on multiple interactions between the light and the droplets of liquid crystal. The high reflectance, vivid color image, and moderate responds time allow the PNLC device to drive good color moving image. It can widely extend the applications of the reflective device. © 2011 Optical Society of America.1

Correlation between low skeletal muscle index and 3D anthropometric data measured by 3D body scanner: screening sarcopenia

BackgroundThe screening tools for sarcopenia are measuring calf circumference, SARC-F or SPPB. However, not all of these tools have high sensitivity, specificity, and low margins of error. This research investigates potential of 3D anthropometry of the lower extremities on screening of sarcopenia.MethodsFrom October 2022 to February 2023, we retrospectively analyzed results of 3D body scanner and bio-impedance analysis for patients aged 45 to 85 at risk of sarcopenia. The 3D scanner measured the surface and volume values of both thighs and calves. When skeletal muscle index (SMI) is less than 5.7, patients were classified to Low SMI group, indicative of sarcopenia.ResultsA total six out of 62 patients were classified to Low SMI group, showing significantly lower values of right, left, mean calf volumes and mean calf surface than the other patients (right calf volume 2.62 L vs. 3.34 L, p = 0.033; left calf volume 2.62 L vs. 3.25 L, p = 0.044; mean calf volume 2.62 L vs. 3.29 L, p = 0.029; mean calf surface 0.12 m2 vs. 0.13 m2, p = 0.049). There was no statistical difference in thigh volume and surface. Through AUC-ROC analysis, mean calf volume was the most significant cut-off value (right calf volume 2.80 L, AUC = 0.768; left calf volume 2.75 L, AUC = 0.753; mean calf volume 3.06 L, AUC = 0.774; mean calf surface 0.12 m2, AUC = 0.747).ConclusionThe calf volume and surface values have significant relationship with low SMI, and the mean calf volume was the most significant cut-off screening value for Low SMI. The 3D scanner demonstrated its value as a new means for screening sarcopenia

Locally Controlled Sensing Properties of Stretchable Pressure Sensors Enabled by Micro-Patterned Piezoresistive Device Architecture.

For wearable health monitoring systems and soft robotics, stretchable/flexible pressure sensors have continuously drawn attention owing to a wide range of potential applications such as the detection of human physiological and activity signals, and electronic skin (e-skin). Here, we demonstrated a highly stretchable pressure sensor using silver nanowires (AgNWs) and photo-patternable polyurethane acrylate (PUA). In particular, the characteristics of the pressure sensors could be moderately controlled through a micro-patterned hole structure in the PUA spacer and size-designs of the patterned hole area. With the structural-tuning strategies, adequate control of the site-specific sensitivity in the range of 47~83 kPa-1 and in the sensing range from 0.1 to 20 kPa was achieved. Moreover, stacked AgNW/PUA/AgNW (APA) structural designed pressure sensors with mixed hole sizes of 10/200 µm and spacer thickness of 800 µm exhibited high sensitivity (~171.5 kPa-1) in the pressure sensing range of 0~20 kPa, fast response (100~110 ms), and high stretchability (40%). From the results, we envision that the effective structural-tuning strategy capable of controlling the sensing properties of the APA pressure sensor would be employed in a large-area stretchable pressure sensor system, which needs site-specific sensing properties, providing monolithic implementation by simply arranging appropriate micro-patterned hole architectures

Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Thymus: A Two-Case Report

A large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the thymus is a very rare malignant tumor that has a very poor prognosis. The detailed clinical features of LCNEC are still unknown, including the long term prognoses and the definitive modalities of the treatment for LCNEC of the thymus. We are reporting 2 cases of an enlarged LCNEC of the thymus, both of which were diagnosed and treated by surgical resection followed by postoperative adjuvant chemoradiation therapy. Although recurrences and metastases of the LCNEC were noticed 1 and 4 years postoperatively for each case, aggressive surgical resection and adjuvant chemoradiation therapy may be helpful for a patient's long term survival