Simultaneous detection of the shuttling motion of liquid metal droplets in channels under alternating pressure and capacitive sensor signals.

Implementing a signal-switching mechanism for the selective use of integrated sensors and actuators plays a crucial role in streamlining the functionality of miniaturized devices. Here, a liquid metal droplet (LMD)-based signal-switching mechanism is introduced to achieve such functionality. Pressure modulation with a 100-µm spatial resolution enabled precise control of the position of the LMDs within a channel. After integrating the channel with asymmetrically structured electrodes, the effect of the shuttle-like movement of LMD on the temporal changes in the overall capacitance was investigated. Consequently, analysis of the capacitive peaks revealed the directional movement of the LMDs, enabling estimation of the position of the LMDs without direct observation. In addition, we achieved successful signal extraction from the capacitive sensor that was linked to the activated electrodes, thereby enabling selective data retrieval. The proposed signal-switching mechanism method achieved a detection accuracy of ~0.1 pF. The sensor's ability to simultaneously detect the LMD position and generate a signal underscores its significant potential for multiplexing in multisensing systems, particularly in concealed environments, such as in vivo settings.

Establishment and Characterization of a New Cell Line Permissive for Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) cell culture systems have facilitated the development of efficient direct-acting antivirals against HCV. Huh-7.5, a subline of the human hepatoma cell line Huh-7, has been used widely to amplify HCV because HCV can efficiently replicate in these cells due to a defect in innate antiviral signalling. Recently, we established a novel cell line, KH, derived from human hepatocellular carcinoma, which showed atypical uptake of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) in a Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging study. KH cells expressed hepatocyte markers including microRNA-122 (miR-122) at a lower level than Huh-7.5 cells. We demonstrated that KH cells could support the entire life cycle of HCV; however, HCV replicated at a lower rate in KH cells compared to Huh-7.5 cells, and virus particles produced from KH cells seemed to have some disadvantages in viral assembly compared with those produced from Huh-7.5 cells. KH cells had more robust interferon-stimulated gene expression and induction upon HCV RNA transfection, interferon-α2b addition, and HCV infection than Huh-7.5 cells. Interestingly, both miR-122 supplementation and IRF3 knockout in KH cells boosted HCV replication to a similar level as in Huh-7.5 cells, suggesting that intact innate antiviral signalling and lower miR-122 expression limit HCV replication in KH cells. KH cells will enable a deeper understanding of the role of the innate immune response in persistent HCV infection.

The Efficacy of Corticosteroid Therapy in a Patient with Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis Overlapping Autoimmune Hepatitis.

The overlap of multiple liver diseases can cause the disease activity and severity to worsen rapidly in some cases. We rarely see patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with overlapping autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). A 64-year-old woman who had been prescribed oral drugs to treat diabetes and hypertension (metformin 500 mg/day and voglibose 0.9 mg/day, and termisartan 40 mg/day and amlodipine 5 mg/day, respectively) was diagnosed with NASH with histological confirmation. At 68 years of age, her liver injury worsened with an IgG of 2,871 mg/dL and a high serum anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) level of 2,560. We repeated the liver biopsy, which revealed NASH and mild interface hepatitis with some lobular focal necrosis consisting of overlapping AIH. Therefore, she was treated with 30 mg of prednisolone daily. The treatment led to an improvement in her IgG levels and ANA in the serum and an improvement in the histology results.

A case of cytomegalovirus infection with splenic infarction and an esophageal ulcer in an immunocompetent adult.

BACKGROUND: Recently, morbidities due to primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection have increased in young Japanese adults because of decreased anti-CMV antibodies in them. CMV infections are typically resolved naturally in immunocompetent individuals, and complications rarely occur. Here we present the case of an immunocompetent adult with CMV infection complicated by splenic infarctions and an esophageal ulcer. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old male complaining of a prolonged fever and liver injury was admitted to hospital for a closed examination. The patient had general malaise and mild appetite loss but no abdominal pain. Symptoms of infectious mononucleosis, including liver injury, appearance of atypical lymphocytes in the blood, and hepatosplenomegaly, were observed. A primary CMV infection was confirmed by CMV-IgM positive and CMV-IgG negative serological tests. Enhanced abdominal computed tomography confirmed hepatitis and splenic infarction, and an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed an esophageal ulcer. The patient exhibited no predisposing risk factors for thrombosis, and he was diagnosed with splenic infarctions associated with CMV infection. Because the patient was immunocompetent, he underwent symptomatic therapy without antiviral or anticoagulant therapies. The treatment improved his overall condition. Including the present case, only 11 cases of CMV infections with splenic infarction in immunocompetent individuals have been reported. Contrary to what is observed in immunocompromised hosts, upper gastrointestinal lesions with CMV infection are rare in immunocompetent individuals. The esophageal lesion observed in our patient was a typical punched-out ulcer. The immunohistochemical staining of the tissue biopsies revealed that the ulcer was associated with CMV. CONCLUSION: Although splenic infarctions and esophageal ulcers are rare, they should be considered as potential complications accompanying CMV infection in immunocompetent individuals. The administration of symptomatic therapy should be considered even when the patient is immunocompetent.

A rapidly growing, large, mature retroperitoneal teratoma in an adult male patient.

A 40-year-old man complaining of abdominal distention was referred to our hospital. Computed tomography of the abdomen demonstrated a very large abdominal mass with fat and calcification. The size of the mass rapidly increased from 30cm to 40cm over two weeks. The tumor was removed and diagnosed by pathological examination to be a retroperitoneal mature cystic teratoma that contained a 40-cm long, mature intestinal tract-like cyst, together with bone marrow and fat. The rapid growth of the tumor may have been caused by an increased secretion in the cyst.

Cytomegalovirus Reactivation Induced Acute Hepatitis and Gastric Erosions in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis under Treatment with an Anti-IL-6 Receptor Antibody, Tocilizumab.

Tocilizumab, an anti-human interleukin 6 receptor (IL-6R) monoclonal antibody, is widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is expected to exhibit clinical efficacy when used to treat other autoimmune diseases. However, a risk of opportunistic infection is occasionally recognized. A 54-year-old woman had received an oral corticosteroid and methotrexate to treat RA. Despite receiving these treatments, she received additional treatment with tocilizumab due to poor control of the disease activity. She presented at our hospital with a high fever and epigastralgia 19 days after receiving this treatment. A laboratory evaluation revealed liver injury and cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) revealed hepatosplenomegaly, but no ascites. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed gastric erosions induced by CMV, which were confirmed immunohistochemically. Hence, we diagnosed the patient with CMV reactivation-induced acute hepatitis and gastric erosions under tocilizumab treatment. She received an anti-cytomegalovirus drug, ganciclovir, for 14 days due to her viremia and impaired general condition, which was suggestive of a severe infection. Her general condition subsequently improved, the liver function test results normalized, and the gastric erosions disappeared. In conclusion, although tocilizumab is very useful for treating certain autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and will be prescribed more widely in the future, associated CMV infections must be closely monitored, as these can be lethal.