Development of a desktop mask charger.

Polypropylene mesh, integrated in N95 respirators and surgical masks that are widely used in the current crisis of COVID-19, filters aerosols via electrostatics in addition to the physical block. However, any contact to water such as storage under high humidity, exposure to exhaling breath, and washing in water removes its charges and thus compromises its filtering efficiency. We developed a desk top device based on a Cockcroft-Walton's voltage multiplier that can restore the electrostatic charge of surgical masks within 1 min and recover the filtering efficiency of the polypropylene mesh from 87% to 97%.

Diverse Alterations of Glomerular Capillary Networks in Focal Segmental Glomerular Sclerosis.

Introduction: Focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) is caused by podocyte injury. It is characterized by obliteration of glomerular capillary tufts with increased extracellular matrix (ECM). Altered communication between podocytes and glomerular endothelial cells (ECs) contributes to sclerosis progression.

Importance of frequency and morphological characteristics of nodular diabetic glomerulosclerosis in diabetic nephropathy.

The Renal Pathology Society proposed a pathological classification for diabetic nephropathy (DN) (RPS 2010). We retrospectively examined the renal structural-functional relationships using the RPS 2010 classification in 49 DN cases. We also evaluated the importance of the percentage of glomeruli with nodular diabetic glomerulosclerosis and their morphological characteristics (cellular, cellular and extracellular matrix [ECM] or ECM types) in the pathology of DN.

Endothelial cell injury in acute and chronic glomerular lesions in patients with IgA nephropathy.

Endothelial cell injury may contribute to the progression of various glomerular diseases. In the present study, we examined glomerular capillary injury in acute and chronic glomerular lesions in patients with Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). We selected renal biopsy samples of IgAN (n = 200), and glomerular capillary injury in the acute and chronic glomerular lesions was assessed using immunohistochemistry for CD34 and electron microscopy.

Comparison of immunosuppressive therapies for IgA nephropathy after tonsillectomy: three-course versus one-course steroid pulse combined with mizoribine.

Purpose: It has been reported that steroid pulse therapy for IgA nephropathy improves renal prognosis. However, because of the side effects, steroid dose must be restricted to some cases. Treatment effects of steroid on cases already presenting with reduced renal function are unknown.

Glomerular endothelial cell injury and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis lesion in idiopathic membranous nephropathy.

Background: Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) lesions have often been discussed as a negative predictor in idopathic membranous nephropathy (MN). The mechanism of the development of FSGS lesion in MN is still uncertain.

Methods: From 250 cases of MN, 26 cases contained FSGS lesion.

Extraction of sodium and potassium perchlorates with benzo-18-crown-6 into various organic solvents. Quantitative elucidation of anion effects on the extraction-ability and -selectivity for Na(+) and K(+).

To investigate quantitatively the anion effect on the extraction-ability and -selectivity of benzo-18-crown-6 (B18C6) for alkali metal ions, the constants for overall extraction into various diluents having low dielectric constants (K(ex)) and aqueous ion-pair formation (K(MLA)) of B18C6-sodium and potassium perchlorate 1:1:1 complexes (MLA) were determined at 25 degrees C. The K(ex) value was analyzed by the four fundamental equilibrium constants. The K(MLA) values were determined by applying our established method to this perchlorate extraction system.