Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps in older adults : clinical presentation, pathophysiology, and comorbidity

Purpose of Review Chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is a common condition that significantly affects patients' life. This work aims to provide an up-to-date overview of CRSwNP in older adults, focusing on its aging-related clinical presentations, pathophysiology, and comorbidity associations including asthma. Recent Findings Recent large population-based studies using nasal endoscopy have shown that CRSwNP is a mostly late-onset disease. Age-related changes in physiologic functions, including nasal epithelial barrier dysfunction, may underlie the incidence and different clinical presentations of CRSwNP in older adults. However, there is still a paucity of evidence on the effect of aging on phenotypes and endotypes of CRSwNP. Meanwhile, late-onset asthma is a major comorbid condition in patients with CRSwNP; they frequently present with type 2 inflammatory signatures that are refractory to conventional treatments when they are comorbid. However, as they are more commonly non-atopic, causative factors other than classical atopic sensitization, such as Staphylococcus aureus specific IgE sensitization, are suggested to drive the type 2 inflammation. There are additional comorbidity associations in older patients with CRSwNP, including those with chronic otitis media and head and neck malignancy. Age is a major determinant for the incidence and clinical presentations of CRSwNP. Given the heterogeneity in phenotypes and endotypes, longitudinal investigations are warranted to elucidate the effects of aging on CRSwNP

Frequency Characteristics of Double-Walled Carbon Nanotube Resonator with Different Length

In this paper, we have conducted classical molecular dynamics simulations for DWCNTs of various wall lengths to investigate their use as ultrahigh frequency nano-mechanical resonators. We sought to determine the variations in the frequency of these resonators according to changes in the DWCNT wall lengths. For a double-walled carbon nanotube resonator with a shorter inner nanotube, the shorter inner nanotube can be considered to be a flexible core, and thus, the length influences the fundamental frequency. In this paper, we analyze the variation in frequency of ultra-high frequency nano-mechnical resonators constructed from DWCNTs with different wall lengths

Fabrication of Microstructure Array using the Projection Microstereolithography System

Microstereolithography technology is similar to the conventional stereolithography process and enables to fabricate a complex 3D microstructure. This is divided into scanning and projection type according to aiming at precision and fabrication speed. The scanning MSL fabricates each layer using position control of laser spot on the resin surface, whereas the projection MSL fabricates one layer with one exposure using a mask. In the projection MSL, DMD used to generate dynamic pattern consists of micromirrors which have per side. The fabrication range and resolution are determined by the field of view of the DMD and the magnification of the projection lens. If using the projection lens with high power, very fine microstructures can be fabricated. In this paper, the projection MSL system adapted to a large surface for array-type fabrication is presented. This system covers the meso range, which is defined as the intermediate range between micro and macro, with a resolution of a few . The fabrication of array-type microstructures has been demonstrated to verify the performance of implemented system

Evaluation of tensile properties using instrumented indentation technique for small scale testing

The Instrumented indentation technique (IIT) is a useful tool for estimating various mechanical properties such as tensile properties, fracture toughness, and residual stress by analyzing the load and depth curve. Unlike conventional test such as tensile test, CTOD, since IIT makes an indent with rigid indenter and measures load and depth continuously, it requires only a localized area and small area on the target material. IIT also has merits of simple specimen preparation and experimental procedure in terms of time and cost. Also, it can be applied to in-field structures nondestructively. In this study, we introduce a method for evaluating tensile properties, primary yield strength and tensile strength using representative stress-strain beneath the rigid spherical indenter through numerous investigations of instrumented indentation curves. Analytic models and procedures for estimating the mechanical characterization of materials using IIT are proposed. The representative stress-strain method directly correlates indentation stress and strain beneath indenter to true stress and strain of the tensile test by taking into account the plastic constraint effect. The experimental results from IIT were verified by comparing results from the uniaxial tensile test. In particular, the applications of IIT in small scale and localized area of materials are presented. Reference 1) D. Tabor: Hardness of metal, (first ed. Clarendon Press, New York, 1951) 2) W.C. Oliver and G.M. Pharr, J. Mater, Res, Vol. 7, (1992), p. 1564 3) S.-K. Kang, Y.-C. Kim, K.-H. Kim, J.-Y. Kim and D. Kwon, Int. J. Plast. 49, 1 (2013

Activation of CD147 with Cyclophilin A Induces the Expression of IFITM1 through ERK and PI3K in THP-1 Cells

CD147, as a receptor for Cyclophilins, is a multifunctional transmembrane glycoprotein. In order to identify genes that are induced by activation of CD147, THP-1 cells were stimulated with Cyclophilin A and differentially expressed genes were detected using PCR-based analysis. Interferon-induced transmembrane 1 (IFITM1) was detected to be induced and it was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. CD147-induced expression of IFITM1 was blocked by inhibitors of ERK, PI3K, or NF-κB, but not by inhibitors of p38, JNK, or PKC. IFITM1 appears to mediate inflammatory activation of THP-1 cells since cross-linking of IFITM1 with specific monoclonal antibody against it induced the expression of proinflammatory mediators such as IL-8 and MMP-9. These data indicate that IFITM1 is one of the pro-inflammatory mediators that are induced by signaling initiated by the activation of CD147 in macrophages and activation of ERK, PI3K, and NF-κB is required for the expression of IFITM1