Strain-invariant stretchable radio-frequency electronics.

Wireless modules that provide telecommunications and power-harvesting capabilities enabled by radio-frequency (RF) electronics are vital components of skin-interfaced stretchable electronics1-7. However, recent studies on stretchable RF components have demonstrated that substantial changes in electrical properties, such as a shift in the antenna resonance frequency, occur even under relatively low elastic strains8-15. Such changes lead directly to greatly reduced wireless signal strength or power-transfer efficiency in stretchable systems, particularly in physically dynamic environments such as the surface of the skin. Here we present strain-invariant stretchable RF electronics capable of completely maintaining the original RF properties under various elastic strains using a 'dielectro-elastic' material as the substrate. Dielectro-elastic materials have physically tunable dielectric properties that effectively avert frequency shifts arising in interfacing RF electronics. Compared with conventional stretchable substrate materials, our material has superior electrical, mechanical and thermal properties that are suitable for high-performance stretchable RF electronics. In this paper, we describe the materials, fabrication and design strategies that serve as the foundation for enabling the strain-invariant behaviour of key RF components based on experimental and computational studies. Finally, we present a set of skin-interfaced wireless healthcare monitors based on strain-invariant stretchable RF electronics with a wireless operational distance of up to 30 m under strain.

TCTP regulates genotoxic stress and tumorigenicity via intercellular vesicular signaling.

Oncogenic intercellular signaling is regulated by extracellular vesicles (EVs), but the underlying mechanisms remain mostly unclear. Since TCTP (translationally controlled tumor protein) is an EV component, we investigated whether it has a role in genotoxic stress signaling and malignant transformation. By generating a Tctp-inducible knockout mouse model (Tctp-/f-), we report that Tctp is required for genotoxic stress-induced apoptosis signaling via small EVs (sEVs). Human breast cancer cells knocked-down for TCTP show impaired spontaneous EV secretion, thereby reducing sEV-dependent malignant growth. Since Trp53-/- mice are prone to tumor formation, we derived tumor cells from Trp53-/-;Tctp-/f- double mutant mice and describe a drastic decrease in tumori-genicity with concomitant decrease in sEV secretion and content. Remarkably, Trp53-/-;Tctp-/f- mice show highly prolonged survival. Treatment of Trp53-/- mice with sertraline, which inhibits TCTP function, increases their survival. Mechanistically, TCTP binds DDX3, recruiting RNAs, including miRNAs, to sEVs. Our findings establish TCTP as an essential protagonist in the regulation of sEV-signaling in the context of apoptosis and tumorigenicity.

Tctp, a unique Ing5-binding partner, inhibits the chromatin binding of Enok in Drosophila.

The MOZ/MORF histone acetyltransferase complex is highly conserved in eukaryotes and controls transcription, development, and tumorigenesis. However, little is known about how its chromatin localization is regulated. Inhibitor of growth 5 (ING5) tumor suppressor is a subunit of the MOZ/MORF complex. Nevertheless, the in vivo function of ING5 remains unclear. Here, we report an antagonistic interaction between Drosophila Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) (Tctp) and ING5 (Ing5) required for chromatin localization of the MOZ/MORF (Enok) complex and H3K23 acetylation. Yeast two-hybrid screening using Tctp identified Ing5 as a unique binding partner. In vivo, Ing5 controlled differentiation and down-regulated epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, whereas it is required in the Yorkie (Yki) pathway to determine organ size. Ing5 and Enok mutants promoted tumor-like tissue overgrowth when combined with uncontrolled Yki activity. Tctp depletion rescued the abnormal phenotypes of the Ing5 mutation and increased the nuclear translocation of Ing5 and chromatin binding of Enok. Nonfunctional Enok promoted the nuclear translocation of Ing5 by reducing Tctp, indicating a feedback mechanism between Tctp, Ing5, and Enok to regulate histone acetylation. Therefore, Tctp is essential for H3K23 acetylation by controlling the nuclear translocation of Ing5 and chromatin localization of Enok, providing insights into the roles of human TCTP and ING5-MOZ/MORF in tumorigenesis.

Ultrathin Serpentine Insulation Layer Architecture for Ultralow Power Gas Sensor.

Toxic gases have surreptitiously influenced the health and environment of contemporary society with their odorless/colorless characteristics. As a result, a pressing need for reliable and portable gas-sensing devices has continuously increased. However, with their negligence to efficiently microstructure their bulky supportive layer on which the sensing and heating materials are located, previous semiconductor metal-oxide gas sensors have been unable to fully enhance their power efficiency, a critical factor in power-stringent portable devices. Herein, an ultrathin insulation layer with a unique serpentine architecture is proposed for the development of a power-efficient gas sensor, consuming only 2.3 mW with an operating temperature of 300 °C (≈6% of the leading commercial product). Utilizing a mechanically robust serpentine design, this work presents a fully suspended standalone device with a supportive layer thickness of only ≈50 nm. The developed gas sensor shows excellent mechanical durability, operating over 10 000 on/off cycles and ≈2 years of life expectancy under continuous operation. The gas sensor detected carbon monoxide concentrations from 30 to 1 ppm with an average response time of ≈15 s and distinguishable sensitivity to 1 ppm (ΔR/R0 = 5%). The mass-producible fabrication and heating efficiency presented here provide an exemplary platform for diverse power-efficient-related devices.

Ocular motor and vestibular dysfunction in central nervous system lymphoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diagnosis of lymphoma involving the central nervous system (CNS) is challenging. This study aimed to explore the abnormal vestibular and ocular motor findings in CNS lymphoma. METHODS: A retrospective search of the medical records identified 30 patients with CNS lymphoma presenting ocular motor and vestibular abnormalities from four neurology clinics of university hospitals in South Korea (22 men, age range 14-81 years, mean 60.6 ± 15.2). The demographic and clinical features and the results of laboratory, radiological and pathological evaluation were analyzed. RESULTS: Patients presented with diplopia (13/30, 43%), vestibular symptoms (15/30, 50%) or both (2/30, 7%). In 15 patients with diplopia, abnormal ocular motor findings included ocular motor nerve palsy (n = 10, 67%), internuclear ophthalmoplegia (n = 2, 13%), external ophthalmoplegia (n = 2, 13%) and exophoria (n = 1, 7%). The vestibular abnormalities were isolated in 14 (82%) of 17 patients with vestibular symptoms and included combined unilateral peripheral and central vestibulopathy in three from lesions involving the vestibular nuclei. CNS lymphoma involved the brainstem (53%), cerebellum (33%), leptomeninges (30%), deep gray nuclei (23%) or cranial nerves (17%). Two patients showed the "double-panda" sign by involving the midbrain. CONCLUSIONS: This study expands the clinical and radiological spectra of CNS lymphoma. Neuro-ophthalmological and neuro-otological evaluation may guide the early diagnosis of CNS lymphoma.

Molecular characterization, expression profiling, and functional analysis of prohibitin 1 in red seabream, Pagrus major.

Prohibitin 1 (PHB1) is ubiquitously expressed in multiple compartments within cells and is involved in the cell cycle, cell signaling, apoptosis, transcriptional regulation, and mitochondrial biogenesis at the cellular level and in the inflammation-associated and immunological functions of B and T lymphocytes. PHB1 is an important protein that performs antioxidant regulation and immune functions inside and outside cells but has not been sufficiently studied in teleost fish. Our study aimed to elucidate the functional properties and gain new insights into the biological processes and immune system of red seabream (Pagrus major), a commercially important fish cultured in South Korea and East Asia. PHB1 mRNA was most abundantly expressed in the head kidney of healthy red seabream, and significant changes in its expression were observed after artificial infection with bacteria and viruses. On analysis, reporter gene was also significantly upregulated by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, lipopolysaccharides, and hydrogen peroxide. Consequent to the functional characterization of PHB1 in cells via recombinant protein preparation, the activity of leukocytes was enhanced and the reactive oxygen species-induced stress in red blood cells was reduced. The results reveal the functional characteristics of PHB1 and provide new insights into the biological processes and immune system of P. major, with beneficial implications in the study of stress responses.

Right lower lung midline herniation as a rare complication in an infant with heart-lung transplantation: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Lung herniation is a rare complication of heart-lung transplantation that can be fatal owing to vascular compromise and airway obstruction. To date, only five cases of lung herniation related to heart-lung transplantation have been reported in the literature; however, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first worldwide report of heart-lung transplantation-related lung herniation in an infant. METHODS: We describe the case of lung herniation as a rare heart-lung transplantation-related complication in an infant. A 12-month-old female baby developed severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia with severe pulmonary hypertension, and she underwent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiac collapse and lung support. Then, we performed heart-lung transplantation to manage the irreversible deterioration of her lung function. After the heart-lung transplantation, we found the radiological abnormalities persisted on follow-up chest radiographs until the 13th postoperative day diagnosed as lung herniation of the right lower lobe on chest computed tomography. RESULTS: After the relocation of the herniated lung, the clinical condition of the patient improved, and the patient is currently growing without any respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: In this case report, we emphasize that clinical awareness and high suspicion of this rare complication are needed for early diagnosis and proper treatment to prevent post-transplantation morbidity and mortality related to potential ischemic injury.

Anatomical changes in idiopathic epiretinal membrane at 2-year follow-up assessed using spectral domain optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomographic angiography.

PURPOSE: To evaluate anatomical changes in the low-stage partial attachment-type idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) over 2 years. METHODS: Data from patients with low-stage partial attachment-type iERM (stage 2) were analyzed. The main outcome measures were anatomical changes, including changes in the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, vessel density (VD) in the vascular plexus, and thickness of retinal sublayers during the follow-up period. RESULTS: Thirty patients (mean age: 68±12 years) were included in the study. The FAZ area on the superficial vascular plexus (SVP) significantly decreased from baseline (0.12±0.08 mm2) to month 24 (0.10±0.08 mm2, p=0.024). However, the FAZ area on the deep vascular plexus (DVP) did not significantly decrease from baseline (0.15±0.13 mm2) to month 24 (0.14±0.14 mm2, p=0.099). VDs on both the SVP and DVP did not show significant change from baseline (29.51±8.14% vs. 28.35±5.63%) to month 24 (29.79±9.77%, p=0.564 vs. 28.17±5.75%, p=0.417). Parafoveal ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness decreased from baseline (108.77±13.61 µm) to month 24 (103.03±15.54 µm, p=0.004). The central total retinal layer thickness did not significantly change from baseline (396.07±64.86 µm) to month 24 (392.04±72.72 µm, p=0.570). CONCLUSION: Even in low-stage ERM, inner retinal changes, including GCIPL thickness, occurred during follow-up periods, which might be owing to degenerative changes or centrifugal movement.

IMAGING AND CLINICAL FEATURES OF PULSATILE POLYPOIDAL CHOROIDAL VASCULOPATHY.

PURPOSE: To investigate the imaging and clinical features of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) with pulsation. METHODS: The PCV eyes were classified into pulsatile and nonpulsatile PCV groups according to the pulsation on indocyanine green angiography. Imaging features including the dye filling time of the polyp and clinical features were compared. RESULTS: A total of 75 eyes were classified into the pulsatile PCV (30 eyes) and the nonpulsatile PCV (45 eyes) groups. The initial filling time and complete filling time of the polyp of the pulsatile PCV group (2.59 ± 0.93 and 8.33 ± 3.42 seconds) were shorter than those of the nonpulsatile PCV group (4.11 ± 1.87 and 10.63 ± 3.81 seconds, P < 0.001 and P = 0.010, respectively). The pigment epithelial detachment height of the pulsatile PCV group (414.90 ± 377.15 µ m) was greater than that of the nonpulsatile PCV group (247.81 ± 164.07 µ m, P = 0.030). The pulsatile PCV group showed a higher prevalence of subretinal hemorrhage (43.33%) after intravitreal injection than the nonpulsatile PCV group (13.95%, P = 0.005) during 12 months. The mean number of injections during 12 months of the pulsatile PCV group (5.48 ± 1.46) was greater than that of the nonpulsatile PCV group (4.09 ± 1.21, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Eyes with pulsatile PCV showed shorter filling time of the polyp, greater pigment epithelial detachment height, higher prevalence of subretinal hemorrhage, and more intravitreal injection numbers during 12 months. These might suggest that PCV has distinct imaging and clinical features according to the polyp pulsation.

First report of Perkinsus marinus occurrence associated with wild Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas from the west coast of Korea.

This study reports the occurrence of Perkinsus marinus associated with wild Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) specimens collected along the west coast of Korea. Confirmation of P. marinus presence was achieved by conventional PCR using World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH)-recommended primers that specifically targeted regions of the rDNA locus (ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2). Sequencing of 10 samples revealed two distinct sequences differing by a single base pair, indicating potential haplotype variability. One sequence closely resembled the P. marinus strain found in Maryland, USA, whereas the other exhibited divergence, indicative of species diversity in the Korean strain, as was evident from the haplotype network analysis. Further validation involved the Ray's Fluid Thioglycollate Medium (RFTM) assay, which initially yielded inconclusive results, possibly due to low infection intensity. Subsequently, RFTM and 2 M NaOH assays conducted on the isolates in the present study, cultured P. marinus cells in standard DMEM/F12 medium, and a positive P. marinus strain (ATCC 50509), revealed characteristic hypnospores of P. marinus upon Lugol's iodine staining. These comprehensive investigations underscore the conclusive confirmation of P. marinus in Korean waters and mark a significant milestone in our understanding of the distribution and characteristics of this parasite in previously unreported regions.

Novel function of N-acetyltransferase for microtubule stability and JNK signaling in Drosophila organ development.

Regulation of microtubule stability is crucial for the maintenance of cell structure and function. While the acetylation of α-tubulin lysine 40 by acetylase has been implicated in the regulation of microtubule stability, the in vivo functions of N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs) involved in the acetylation of N-terminal amino acids are not well known. Here, we identify an N-terminal acetyltransferase, Mnat9, that regulates cell signaling and microtubule stability in Drosophila Loss of Mnat9 causes severe developmental defects in multiple tissues. In the wing imaginal disc, Mnat9 RNAi leads to the ectopic activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling and apoptotic cell death. These defects are suppressed by reducing the level of JNK signaling. Overexpression of Mnat9 can also inhibit JNK signaling. Mnat9 colocalizes with mitotic spindles, and its loss results in various spindle defects during mitosis in the syncytial embryo. Furthermore, overexpression of Mnat9 enhances microtubule stability. Mnat9 is physically associated with microtubules and shows a catalytic activity in acetylating N-terminal peptides of α- and ß-tubulin in vitro. Cell death and tissue loss in Mnat9-depleted wing discs are restored by reducing the severing protein Spastin, suggesting that Mnat9 protects microtubules from its severing activity. Remarkably, Mnat9 mutated in the acetyl-CoA binding site is as functional as its wild-type form. We also find that human NAT9 can rescue Mnat9 RNAi phenotypes in flies, indicating their functional conservation. Taken together, we propose that Mnat9 is required for microtubule stability and regulation of JNK signaling to promote cell survival in developing Drosophila organs.

An Experimental Design to Compare the Compatibility of Absorbable and Nonabsorbable Suture Materials in the Lateral Canthus Area.

Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) and polypropylene (Prolene) are common suture materials used in ophthalmic surgical procedures. However, there are limited studies assessing tissue reactions to different sutures in eyelid areas. In this study, these suture materials were used subcutaneously in 10 lateral canthi of 5 pigs. Clinical reactive score (CRS) was assessed 14 days and 60 days after surgery. On histology, subcutaneous tissue reactions were assessed by the presence of different inflammatory cells, and the aggregate tissue irritation score was calculated. CRS and the histology score did not differ between these sutures. None of the suture materials used were superior for use in the lateral canthi of pig eyes. Therefore, we recommend both of these sutures for use in the subcutaneous tissue of the eyelid area in animal experiments or clinical practice.

A Surface Acoustic Wave-Based PM 1.0 Fine Dust Detection System Using Full Digital Time-Interleaved Counters.

This paper proposed a fine dust detection system using time-interleaved counters in which surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors changed the resonance point characteristic. When fine dust was applied to the SAW sensor, the resonance point decreased. The SAW oscillator made of the SAW sensor and radio frequency (RF) amplifier generated an oscillation frequency that was the same as the resonance frequency. The oscillation frequency was transferred to digital data by a 20-bit asynchronous counter. This system has two channels: a sensing channel and a reference channel. Each channel has a SAW oscillator and a 20-bit asynchronous counter. The difference of the two channel counter results is the frequency difference. Through this, it is possible to know whether fine dust adheres to the SAW sensor. The proposed circuit achieved 0.95 ppm frequency resolution when it was operated at a frequency of 460 MHz. This circuit was implemented in a TSMC 130 nm CMOS process.

Effects of Mild Closed-Head Injury and Subanesthetic Ketamine Infusion on Microglia, Axonal Injury, and Synaptic Density in Sprague-Dawley Rats.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) affects millions of people in the U.S. Approximately 20-30% of those individuals develop adverse symptoms lasting at least 3 months. In a rat mTBI study, the closed-head impact model of engineered rotational acceleration (CHIMERA) produced significant axonal injury in the optic tract (OT), indicating white-matter damage. Because retinal ganglion cells project to the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in the thalamus through the OT, we hypothesized that synaptic density may be reduced in the LGN of rats following CHIMERA injury. A modified SEQUIN (synaptic evaluation and quantification by imaging nanostructure) method, combined with immunofluorescent double-labeling of pre-synaptic (synapsin) and post-synaptic (PSD-95) markers, was used to quantify synaptic density in the LGN. Microglial activation at the CHIMERA injury site was determined using Iba-1 immunohistochemistry. Additionally, the effects of ketamine, a potential neuroprotective drug, were evaluated in CHIMERA-induced mTBI. A single-session repetitive (ssr-) CHIMERA (3 impacts, 1.5 joule/impact) produced mild effects on microglial activation at the injury site, which was significantly enhanced by post-injury intravenous ketamine (10 mg/kg) infusion. However, ssr-CHIMERA did not alter synaptic density in the LGN, although ketamine produced a trend of reduction in synaptic density at post-injury day 4. Further research is necessary to characterize the effects of ssr-CHIMERA and subanesthetic doses of intravenous ketamine on different brain regions and multiple time points post-injury. The current study demonstrates the utility of the ssr-CHIMERA as a rodent model of mTBI, which researchers can use to identify biological mechanisms of mTBI and to develop improved treatment strategies for individuals suffering from head trauma.

Comparison of Inter-Method Agreement and Reliability for Automatic Brain Volumetry Using Three Different Clinically Available Software Packages.

Background and Objectives: No comparative study has evaluated the inter-method agreement and reliability between Heuron AD and other clinically available brain volumetric software packages. Hence, we aimed to investigate the inter-method agreement and reliability of three clinically available brain volumetric software packages: FreeSurfer (FS), NeuroQuant® (NQ), and Heuron AD (HAD). Materials and Methods: In this study, we retrospectively included 78 patients who underwent conventional three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighed imaging (T1WI) to evaluate their memory impairment, including 21 with normal objective cognitive function, 24 with mild cognitive impairment, and 33 with Alzheimer's disease (AD). All 3D T1WI scans were analyzed using three different volumetric software packages. Repeated-measures analysis of variance, intraclass correlation coefficient, effect size measurements, and Bland-Altman analysis were used to evaluate the inter-method agreement and reliability. Results: The measured volumes demonstrated substantial to almost perfect agreement for most brain regions bilaterally, except for the bilateral globi pallidi. However, the volumes measured using the three software packages showed significant mean differences for most brain regions, with consistent systematic biases and wide limits of agreement in the Bland-Altman analyses. The pallidum showed the largest effect size in the comparisons between NQ and FS (5.20-6.93) and between NQ and HAD (2.01-6.17), while the cortical gray matter showed the largest effect size in the comparisons between FS and HAD (0.79-1.91). These differences and variations between the software packages were also observed in the subset analyses of 45 patients without AD and 33 patients with AD. Conclusions: Despite their favorable reliability, the software-based brain volume measurements showed significant differences and systematic biases in most regions. Thus, these volumetric measurements should be interpreted based on the type of volumetric software used, particularly for smaller structures. Moreover, users should consider the replaceability-related limitations when using these packages in real-world practice.

Efficient evaluation of a three-dimensional eye-box in a near-eye display using light-field acquisition of luminance distribution.

We propose, what we believe to be, a novel assessment methodology for evaluating three-dimensional (3D) characteristics of an eye-box volume in a near-eye display (NED) using a light-field (LF) data acquired at a single measuring distance. In contrast to conventional evaluation methods for the eye-box, where a light measuring device (LMD) changes its position in lateral and longitudinal directions, the proposed method requires an LF of the luminance distribution (LFLD) for the NEDs captured only at the single observation distance, and the 3D eye-box volume is evaluated via a simple post-analysis. We explore an LFLD-based representation for the efficient evaluation of the 3D eye-box, and the theoretical analysis is validated by simulation results using Zemax OpticStudio. As experimental verifications, we acquired an LFLD for an augmented reality NED at a single observation distance. The assessed LFLD constructed a 3D eye-box successfully over the distance range of 20 mm, which included assessment conditions where it was hard to measure the light rays' distributions directly in the conventional methodologies. The proposed method is further verified by comparing with actual observed images of the NED both inside and outside of the evaluated 3D eye-box.

Trace assay of insulin in a pharmacy drug with a paste electrode.

This paper describes the development of a voltammetric assay of insulin using a DNA immobilized onto a carbon nanotube paste electrode (CNPE), the peak potential of which was 0.2 V, vs. Ag/AgCl on the CNPE. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square-wave (SW) stripping voltammetry parameters of the optimized conditions were determined. Low analytical working ranges of 10-80 ugL-1 CV and 0.01-0.1 ngL-1 SW were attained. The precision of the insulin concentration of 0.01 ugL-1 was 0.14 (n = 15) RSD using the optimum conditions, in which the detection limit was 0.004 ngL-1 (6.9 × 10-12 M) (S/N = 3) using only an accumulation time of 400 s. The developed method was applied to determine insulin in a pharmacy drug from analytical-grade chemicals (from Aldrich).

Clinical characteristics of tetralogy of Fallot with left pulmonary artery acute angulation on computed tomography.

Left pulmonary artery (LPA) stenosis with acute angulation commonly necessitates surgical revision in the treatment of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). We investigated the clinical characteristics of acute angulation of the LPA in patients with TOF via computed tomography (CT). Between 2011 and 2022, 160 patients were diagnosed with TOF using CT. After excluding 28 patients due to insufficient records or age, 132 patients were included in the present analysis. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of acute angulation of the LPA: group I (TOF with an acute angle of the LPA, n = 53) and group II (TOF without an acute angle of the LPA, n = 79). We retrospectively collected clinical data from electronic medical records. T-tests were used to analyze continuous variables (i.e., age, sex, weight, right ventricular outflow tract [RVOT] pressure on echocardiography, and distance to bifurcation), and Fisher's exact and chi-square tests were used to analyze categorical data (i.e., presence of the right aortic arch, pulmonary arterial atresia/hypoplasia, atrial septal defect [ASD], patent ductus arteriosus [PDA], and pulmonary valve). The groups did not differ significantly in terms of sex, weight, presence of the right aortic arch, pulmonary arterial atresia/hypoplasia, ASD, or distance to the bifurcation. Moreover, there was no significant difference between the presence and absence of PDA (P = 0.057); however, patients in group I were significantly older (143.2 ± 97.8 days) than those in group II (91.1 ± 76.0 days, P = 0.002). Furthermore, RVOT pressure was significantly higher among patients in group I (45.1 ± 22.5 mmHg) than in group II (25.0 ± 12.4 mmHg, P < 0.001). In the current study, acute angulation of the LPA in patients with TOF, as observed on CT, was associated with older age and higher RVOT pressure on echocardiography.

Non-contrast low-dose CT can be used for volumetry of ADPKD.

BACKGROUND: Kidney volume provides important information for the diagnosis and prognosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), as well as for the evaluation of the effects of drugs such as tolvaptan. Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) is commonly used for volumetry, and this study examined the correspondence and correlation of kidney volume measured by standard-dose or low-dose CT. METHODS: Axial standard-dose and low-dose CT images with 1-mm slices were obtained from 24 ADPKD patients. The kidney was segmented in the Synapse 3D software and the kidney volume was calculated using stereology. The kidney volume was compared between the two sets of images using R2, Bland-Altman plots, coefficient of variation, and intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). RESULTS: The mean age of the 24 patients was 48.4 ± 10.9 years, and 45.8% were men (n = 11). The mean total kidney volume on standard-dose CT was 1501 ± 838.2 mL. The R2 of volume between standard-dose and low-dose CT was 0.995. In the Bland-Altman plot, except for one case with a large kidney volume, the two measurements were consistent, and the coefficient of variation and ICC were also good (0.02, 0.998). The CT radiation dose (dose-length product) was 229 ± 68 mGy·cm for standard-dose CT and 50 ± 19 mGy·cm for low-dose CT. A comparable volume was obtained with 20% of the radiation dose of standard-dose CT. CONCLUSIONS: Standard-dose and low-dose CT showed comparable kidney volume in ADPKD. Therefore, low-dose CT can substitute for ADPKD volumetry while minimizing radiation exposure.

First report of Perkinsus olseni infections in blood cockles Tegillarca granosa on the south coast of Korea.

The protozoan parasite Perkinsus olseni has become a focus of attention since it has been responsible for mass mortalities and economic losses in a wide range of bivalve hosts globally. The P. olseni host range along the south coast of Korea may extend beyond what was previously understood, and blood cockles in the Family Arcidae are also suggested to be potential hosts of P. olseni. In the present study, we applied histology and molecular techniques to identify Perkinsus sp. infections in the blood cockles Tegillarca granosa, which have been commercially exploited on the south coast of Korea for several decades. Histology and molecular techniques, including genus-specific immunofluorescence assay, species-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization, and phylogeny based on the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer region revealed that T. granosa is infected by P. olseni, although the prevalence was low (0.5%). Histology revealed massive hemocyte infiltrations in the mantle, gill, and digestive gland connective tissues, indicating that the infection exerts negative impacts on the host cockles.