Background: Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy is essential and widely used; however, it is associated with high error rates, largely due to human factors, necessitating constant and careful monitoring by medical staff. Gravity-based systems are prone to errors, whereas electronic pumps, though more accurate, are limited by size, cost, and complexity. In this study, the impact of single-drop weight measurement and real-time light source monitoring on the accuracy of gravity-based infusion systems was evaluated. Methods: Gravity-based IV sets with IV infusion flow regulators (IIFRs) from three manufacturers were tested using 1,000 ml of 0.9% saline. The drops per min and the drop weight were recorded using a pulse oximeter, which served as a light source. The flow rates from the pulse oximeter group (PO) were compared with those from the manufacturer’s drop volume (C) and the IIFR groups. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of predicted versus actual volumes was analyzed along with correlations between the residual volume and drop rate. Results: The PO group values were statistically closer to those of the actual measurements than the C and IIFR groups values (P < 0.05), demonstrating higher accuracy and lower MAPE, except at 300 ml/h when than those of the C group, independent of residual volume. The residual volume strongly correlated with the drop rate (r > 0.9). Conclusions Real-time drop measurements using light sources combined with single-drop weight assessment improve the accuracy of these systems. Integrating pulse oximeters into IV sets may enhance clinical precision and reduce provider workload.

Purpose: This study aimed to establish baseline morphological and functional data for normal mouse kidneys via a clinical 33 MHz ultra-high-frequency (UHF) transducer, compare the data with the findings from fibrotic mice, and assess correlations between ultrasonography (US) parameters and fibrosis-related markers. Methods: This retrospective study aggregated data from three separate experiments (obstructive nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy, and acute-to-chronic kidney injury models). Morphological parameters (kidney size, parenchymal thickness [PT]) and functional (shear-wave speed [SWS], stiffness, resistive index [RI], and microvascular imaging-derived vascular index [VI]) were assessed and compared between normal and fibrotic mouse kidneys. Semi-quantitative histopathologic scores were calculated and molecular markers (epithelial cadherin), Collagen 1A1 [Col1A1], transforming growth factor-β, and α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA]) were evaluated using western blots. Correlations with US parameters were explored. Results: Clinical UHF US successfully imaged the kidneys of the experimental mice. A three-layer configuration was prevalent in the normal mouse kidney parenchyma (34/35) but was blurred in most fibrotic mouse kidneys (33/40). US parameters, including size (11.14 vs. 10.70 mm), PT (2.07 vs. 1.24 mm), RI (0.64 vs. 0.77), VI (22.55% vs. 11.47%, only for non-obstructive kidneys), SWS (1.67 vs. 2.06 m/s), and stiffness (8.23 vs. 12.92 kPa), showed significant differences between normal and fibrotic kidneys (P<0.001). These parameters also demonstrated strong discriminative ability in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (area under the curve, 0.76 to 0.95; P<0.001). PT, VI, and RI were significantly correlated with histological fibrosis markers (ρ=-0.64 to -0.68 for PT and VI, ρ=0.71-0.76 for RI, P<0.001). VI exhibited strong negative correlations with Col1A1 (ρ=-0.76, P=0.006) and α-SMA (ρ=-0.75, P=0.009). Conclusion Clinical UHF US effectively distinguished normal and fibrotic mouse kidneys, indicating the potential of US parameters, notably VI, as noninvasive markers for tracking fibrosis initiation and progression in mouse kidney fibrosis models.

Purpose: This study aimed to establish baseline morphological and functional data for normal mouse kidneys via a clinical 33 MHz ultra-high-frequency (UHF) transducer, compare the data with the findings from fibrotic mice, and assess correlations between ultrasonography (US) parameters and fibrosis-related markers. Methods: This retrospective study aggregated data from three separate experiments (obstructive nephropathy, diabetic nephropathy, and acute-to-chronic kidney injury models). Morphological parameters (kidney size, parenchymal thickness [PT]) and functional (shear-wave speed [SWS], stiffness, resistive index [RI], and microvascular imaging-derived vascular index [VI]) were assessed and compared between normal and fibrotic mouse kidneys. Semi-quantitative histopathologic scores were calculated and molecular markers (epithelial cadherin), Collagen 1A1 [Col1A1], transforming growth factor-β, and α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA]) were evaluated using western blots. Correlations with US parameters were explored. Results: Clinical UHF US successfully imaged the kidneys of the experimental mice. A three-layer configuration was prevalent in the normal mouse kidney parenchyma (34/35) but was blurred in most fibrotic mouse kidneys (33/40). US parameters, including size (11.14 vs. 10.70 mm), PT (2.07 vs. 1.24 mm), RI (0.64 vs. 0.77), VI (22.55% vs. 11.47%, only for non-obstructive kidneys), SWS (1.67 vs. 2.06 m/s), and stiffness (8.23 vs. 12.92 kPa), showed significant differences between normal and fibrotic kidneys (P<0.001). These parameters also demonstrated strong discriminative ability in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (area under the curve, 0.76 to 0.95; P<0.001). PT, VI, and RI were significantly correlated with histological fibrosis markers (ρ=-0.64 to -0.68 for PT and VI, ρ=0.71-0.76 for RI, P<0.001). VI exhibited strong negative correlations with Col1A1 (ρ=-0.76, P=0.006) and α-SMA (ρ=-0.75, P=0.009). Conclusion Clinical UHF US effectively distinguished normal and fibrotic mouse kidneys, indicating the potential of US parameters, notably VI, as noninvasive markers for tracking fibrosis initiation and progression in mouse kidney fibrosis models.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most important opportunistic viral pathogen in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients.The Korean guideline for the prevention of CMV infection in SOT recipients was developed jointly by the Korean Society for Infectious Diseases and the Korean Society of Transplantation. CMV serostatus of both donors and recipients should be screened before transplantation to best assess the risk of CMV infection after SOT. Seronegative recipients receiving organs from seropositive donors face the highest risk, followed by seropositive recipients. Either antiviral prophylaxis or preemptive therapy can be used to prevent CMV infection. While both strategies have been demonstrated to prevent CMV infection post-transplant, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. CMV serostatus, transplant organ, other risk factors, and practical issues should be considered for the selection of preventive measures. There is no universal viral load threshold to guide treatment in preemptive therapy. Each institution should define and validate its own threshold.Valganciclovir is the favored agent for both prophylaxis and preemptive therapy. The evaluation of CMV-specific cellmediated immunity and the monitoring of viral load kinetics are gaining interest, but there was insufficient evidence to issue recommendations. Specific considerations on pediatric transplant recipients are included.

Background: Focal adhesions (FAs) is the most important process in the first step of osseointegration between preosteoblasts andtitanium (Ti). FAs improvement and pre-osteoblasts cell proliferation leads to successful Ti-based dental implants. This study aimed to confirm the applicability of rosmarinic acid (RA) as a functional substance for improving FAs and cell proliferation of MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts on Ti surfaces during the first stage of osseointegration for successful Ti-based dental implants. Methods: We used MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts on Ti discs incubated in a medium supplemented with or without 14 µg/ml to decipher the effects of RA on FAs and cell proliferation. FAs and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells on Ti discs were assessed via MTT assay.Actin-labeled cells and paxillin contacts were observed and imaged by fluorescent microscopy, and the associated signaling pathways were revealed through western blot analysis. Results: In RA-treated MC3T3-E1 cells on Ti discs, FAs between MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts and Ti surfaces and the expression offocal adhesion kinase (FAK), phosphorylated FAK and paxillin proteins and filamentous-actin formation increased. RA increased the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts on the Ti surface as well as the expression of Grab2, Ras, pERK1/2, and ERK1/2. In addition, the expression of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor and thymosin b4, known as nanomolecules that enhance the interaction between implanted Ti materials and preosteoblasts in the RA-treated MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts, increased. RA not only increased the FAs of MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts on the Ti surface through the FAK/Paxillin signaling pathway, but also increased cell proliferation and mitosis through the FAK/Grab2/Ras/ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Conclusion RA can be applied as an effective functional substrate to improve the FAs and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 preosteoblatson Ti surfaces, which are essential in the first step of osseointegration between implanted Ti and bone tissue for the clinical success of Ti based dental implants.