Sucrose-based fabrication of 3D-networked, cylindrical microfluidic channels for rapid prototyping of lab-on-a-chip and vaso-mimetic devices.
We present a new fabrication scheme for 3D-networked, cylindrical microfluidic (MF) channels based on shaping, bonding, and assembly of sucrose fibers. It is a simple, cleanroom-free, and environment-friendly method, ideal for rapid prototyping of lab-on-a-chip devices. Despite its simplicity, it can realize complex 3D MF channel architectures such as cylindrical tapers, internal loops, end-to-side junctions, tapered junctions, and stenosis. The last two will be of special use for realizing vaso-mimetic MF structures. It also enables molding with polymers incompatible with high-temperature processing.

title: Elastomeric microwire-based optical gas flowmeter with stretching-enabled tunability in measurement range.
abstract: We report the utilization of transparent poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microwires as the transducer for optical gas flowmetry. The elasticity of the PDMS microwire was exploited not only to miniaturize and simplify the flowmeter but also to widen and tune the measurement range through mechanical stretching. Using a 9 mm long microwire, we achieved 2.8~9.8 dB/SLM sensitivity. A 500 μm stretching of the microwire also shifted the measurement range from 1 to 4 SLM. The experimental results agreed well with predictions based on the fluid dynamic/optical model.

title: MRI findings in Kirner deformity: normal insertion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon without soft-tissue enhancement
abstract: Kirner deformity is characterized by volar and radial incurvature of the distal phalanx of the 5th finger. A proposed causative mechanism includes abnormal distal insertion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon along the volar surface of the distal phalanx of the 5th finger. A chronic inflammatory process or altered vascularisation of the soft tissues has also been suggested as the underlying causative mechanism based on MRI findings. We present a teenage boy with Kirner deformity, along with supplementary imaging of his father who also has the deformity, to illustrate MRI findings that dispute the above hypotheses. MRI in both son and father show normal insertion of the deep flexor tendon and no signs of inflammation.

title: Bioconjugated Ag nanoparticles and CdTe nanowires: metamaterials with field-enhanced light absorption.
abstract: The hybrid assembly of inorganic and metallic nanomaterials by means of chemical and biological bonding to yield manifold optical and electromagnetic properties has received widespread attention. Currently available highly monodispersed nanomaterials such as semiconductors and noble metals that can be conjugated by ligand–receptor, antigen– antibody reactions, polymer tethering, and DNA hybridization are used as building blocks for 2D or 3D superstructures in which new collective properties of these artificial assemblies have been obtained. They represent a large class of newmaterials (i.e., metamaterials) in which the properties are determined not only by classical atomic composition, but also by nanoscale organization of structural components. Recently, metamaterials based on metallic composites have received special attention as these are expected to display negative values for permittivity and refractive index. This property should lead to a multitude of unique optical effects. Many of these effects are related to surface plasmons on Au or Ag nanoparticles (NPs), which generate exceptionally high localized electromagnetic fields, and have been exploited in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and some optoelectronic devices. 22] Metamaterials from semiconductors and their combinations with metals can also produce optical effects that are useful for development of advanced sensing and imaging technologies. Recently, we

title: Bi-compartmental communication contributes to the opposite proliferative behavior of Notch1-deficient hair follicle and epidermal keratinocytes
abstract: Notch1-deficient epidermal keratinocytes become progressively hyperplastic and eventually produce tumors. By contrast, Notch1-deficient hair matrix keratinocytes have lower mitotic rates, resulting in smaller follicles with fewer cells. In addition, the ratio of melanocytes to keratinocytes is greatly reduced in hair follicles. Investigation into the underlying mechanism for these phenotypes revealed significant changes in the Kit, Tgfβ and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling pathways, which have not been previously shown to be downstream of Notch signaling. The level of Kitl (Scf) mRNA produced by Notch1-deficient follicular keratinocytes was reduced when compared with wild type, resulting in a decline in melanocyte population. Tgfβ ligands were elevated in Notch1-deficient keratinocytes, which correlated with elevated expression of several targets, including the diffusible IGF antagonist Igfbp3 in the dermal papilla. Diffusible stromal targets remained elevated in the absence of epithelial Tgfβ receptors, consistent with paracrine Tgfβ signaling. Overexpression of Igf1 in the keratinocyte reversed the phenotype, as expected if Notch1 loss altered the IGF/insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) balance. Conversely, epidermal keratinocytes contained less stromal Igfbp4 and might thus be primed to experience an increase in IGF signaling as animals age. These results suggest that Notch1 participates in a bi-compartmental signaling network that controls homeostasis, follicular proliferation rates and melanocyte population within the skin.

title: Korean version of the Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale: a translation and validation study.
abstract: This paper is a report of a study to examine the reliability and validity of a Korean version of the Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale with Korean caregivers of older stroke survivors.



The Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale was developed in the United States of America for an American English-speaking population to measure primary caregivers' appraisals of potential stressors and the efficacy of their coping efforts related to caregiving experiences.



Using the back-translation method, the instrument was translated into Korean. The Korean version of the Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale was self-administered by 147 primary family caregivers recruited from three outpatient clinics and two home health agencies in Korea. The study was conducted in 2005.



In this sample, Cronbach's alpha for the total scale was 0.86. Reliability coefficients for each of the five subscales ranged from 0.40 to 0.85. Two subscales, burden and satisfaction, showed good reliability; one subscale, impact, showed marginally acceptable reliability; two subscales, mastery and demand, had low reliability. Principal components factor analysis of the Korean version of the Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale yielded six factors. Except for the mastery domain, which was divided into two factors, the other factors were similar to those in the original scale.



The Korean version of the Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale had adequate reliability and validity in a sample of Korean caregivers of stroke survivors. It can be used to assess the impact of caregiving and interventions on Korean caregiver attitudes. Further studies are needed with different categories of caregiver.

title: Statistical intensity variation analysis for rapid volumetric imaging of capillary network flux.
abstract: We present a novel optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based technique for rapid volumetric imaging of red blood cell (RBC) flux in capillary networks. Previously we reported that OCT can capture individual RBC passage within a capillary, where the OCT intensity signal at a voxel fluctuates when an RBC passes the voxel. Based on this finding, we defined a metric of statistical intensity variation (SIV) and validated that the mean SIV is proportional to the RBC flux [RBC/s] through simulations and measurements. From rapidly scanned volume data, we used Hessian matrix analysis to vectorize a segment path of each capillary and estimate its flux from the mean of the SIVs gathered along the path. Repeating this process led to a 3D flux map of the capillary network. The present technique enabled us to trace the RBC flux changes over hundreds of capillaries with a temporal resolution of ~1 s during functional activation.