Po‐Yu Tseng

A 10-bit 1026-channel column driver IC with partially segmented piecewise linear digital-to-analog converters (DACs) was designed, simulated, and prototyped. This device is intended to improve the color depth of ultra-high-definition thin-film transistor liquid-crystal displays. The proposed column driver can output a precise gamma-corrected transfer curve without any loss of effective bit resolution. The overall chip area of the driver IC is minimized by including an area-efficient two-voltage selector, a 2-to-4 decoder embedded level shifter, and a DAC-embedded gm-modulation operational amplifier with linearity-enhanced differential pairs. A maximum inter-chip deviation voltage of output (DVO) of 16 mV was measured from five of the proposed column-driver ICs. The die dimensions of the 1026-channel column driver IC are of only 18.14 mm × 1.2 mm. The maximum settling time of the prototype is 5.6 μs when driving a load with 5-kΩ resistance and 300-pF capacitance within 10-mV tolerance of the final voltage.

Herein, a 10-bit 1026-channel column driver IC with partially segmented piecewise linear digital-to-analog converters (DACs) is designed, simulated, and prototyped. This device is intended to improve the color depth and gamut of ultra-high-definition thin-film transistor liquid-crystal displays. The proposed column driver can output a precise gamma-corrected transfer curve without loss of effective bit resolution. An area-efficient two-voltage selector, a level shifter with a two-to-four decoder function, and a linearity-enhancing DAC-embedded operational amplifier are included in the design to minimize the overall chip area. The die dimensions of the 1026-channel column driver IC are only 18.14 mm × 1.2 mm. The prototype achieves a maximum settling time of 5.6 μs for driving a load with 5-KΩ resistance and 300-pF capacitance within 10-mV tolerance of the final voltage.

A concise route for the total synthesis of (–)-negamycin is described. Key point features (a) Cu-mediated ring-opening reaction of the advanced epoxide with vinyl magnesium chloride leads to the introduction of the carboxyl synthon; (b) Consecutive placement of diamino groups via azides was designed, including an unexpected cleavage of the silyl protecting group; (c) removal of four hydrogenolytically labile groups in one step.

AIMS: A subset of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients exhibiting minimal change disease (MCD) like features present with nephrotic-range proteinuria and warrants immunosuppressive therapy (IST). However, the diagnosis of MCD-like IgAN varied by reports. We aimed to identify the key pathological features of MCD-like IgAN. METHODS: In this cohort, 228 patients had biopsy-proven IgAN from 2009 to 2021, of which 44 without segmental sclerosis were enrolled. Patients were classified into segmental (< 50% glomerular capillary loop involvement) or global (> 50%) foot process effacement (FPE) groups. We further stratified them according to the usage of immunosuppressant therapy after biopsy. Clinical manifestations, treatment response, and renal outcome were compared. RESULTS: 26 cases (59.1%) were classified as segmental FPE group and 18 cases (40.9%) as global FPE group. The global FPE group had more severe proteinuria (11.48 [2.60, 15.29] vs. 0.97 [0.14, 1.67] g/g, p = 0.001) and had a higher proportion of complete remission (81.8% vs. 20%, p = 0.018). In the global FPE group, patients without IST experienced more rapid downward eGFR change than the IST-treated population (-0.38 [-1.24, 0.06] vs. 1.26 [-0.17, 3.20]mL/min/1.73 m2/month, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The absence of segmental sclerosis and the presence of global FPE are valuable pathological features that assist in identifying MCD-like IgAN.

INTRODUCTION: Viable vascular access is the lifeline for hemodialysis patients. In the nondialysis population, emerging evidence suggests that circulating pentraxin 3 (PTX3), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) are associated with cardiovascular inflammation and endothelial injury. However, predictive values of these three biomarkers on arteriovenous fistula (AVF) outcomes are unknown. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study enrolled 135 hemodialysis patients using AVF and then followed them for 3 years. Plasma levels of PTX3, NGAL, and CHI3L1 were measured. Patients were followed up prospectively for two clinical outcomes, including AVF functional patency loss and death. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze hazard ratios for the commencement of AVF functional patency loss and mortality. RESULTS: Among 135 patients, the mean age was 66.0 ± 15.7 years old and 48.1% were male. The plasma level of PTX3, NGAL, and CHI3L1 was 2.8 ± 2.3 ng/mL, 349.2 ± 111.4 ng/mL, and 185.5 ± 66.8 ng/mL, respectively. During a 3-year follow-up period, the plasma level of PTX3 was an independent predictor for AVF functional patency loss (per 1 ng/mL increase, HR 1.112 [95% CI: 1.001-1.235], p = 0.048). Besides, patients with higher plasma levels of PTX3 were more likely to suffer from cardiovascular mortality (per 1 ng/mL increase, HR 1.320 [95% CI: 1.023-1.703], p = 0.033), infectious mortality (per 1 ng/mL increase, HR 1.394 [95% CI: 1.099-1.769], p = 0.006), and all-cause mortality (per 1 ng/mL increase, HR 1.233 [95% CI: 1.031-1.476], p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: The plasma level of PTX3, not NGAL or CHI3L1, was associated with higher risks of AVF functional patency loss in chronic hemodialysis patients, showing its value in reflecting AVF endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, PTX3 also predicts mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients.