This paper proposes a circularly polarized ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna for a Uni-Traveling-Carrier Photodiode (UTC-PD) to meet the growing demand for bandwidth and polarization diversity in ...terahertz (THz) communication. In the design of the UTC-PD integrated antenna, the planar electrodes of the chip are directly integrated with the antenna to simplify the integration process. However, this integration introduces new problems, such as asymmetry inside the spiral antenna, which leads to a deterioration in the corresponding high-frequency performance. To address this issue, the antenna's structure is optimized, and a lens is integrated to enhance directivity and eliminate surface waves. As a result, the proposed antenna achieves a 100-1500 GHz (175%) impedance bandwidth and a 150-720 GHz (131%) axial ratio bandwidth for the UTC-PD. The maximum gain of the antenna is 21.05 dBi at 1 THz.
Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular neurodegenerative disorder in diabetic patients. Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer changes have been described in patients with preclinical diabetic ...retinopathy, but study results have been inconsistent.
To assess changes in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in diabetic patients with preclinical diabetic retinopathy.
A literature search was conducted through PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. Case-control studies on RNFL thickness in preclinical diabetic retinopathy patients and healthy controls were retrieved. A meta-analysis of weighted mean difference and a sensitivity analysis were performed using RevMan 5.2 software.
Thirteen case-control studies containing 668 diabetic patients and 556 healthy controls were selected. Peripapillary RNFL thickness was significantly reduced in patients with preclinical diabetic retinopathy compared to healthy controls in studies applying Optical Coherence Tomography (-2.88 μm, 95%CI: -4.44 to -1.32, P = 0.0003) and in studies applying Scanning Laser Polarimeter (-4.21 μm, 95%CI: -6.45 to -1.97, P = 0.0002). Reduction of RNFL thickness was significant in the superior quadrant (-3.79 μm, 95%CI: -7.08 to -0.50, P = 0.02), the inferior quadrant (-2.99 μm, 95%CI: -5.44 to -0.54, P = 0.02) and the nasal quadrant (-2.88 μm, 95%CI: -4.93 to -0.82, P = 0.006), but was not significant in the temporal quadrant (-1.22 μm, 95%CI: -3.21 to 0.76, P = 0.23), in diabetic patients.
Peripapillary RNFL thickness was significantly decreased in preclinical diabetic retinopathy patients compared to healthy control. Neurodegenerative changes due to preclinical diabetic retinopathy need more attention.
Abstract
Background
Cancer patients were found at a high risk of death from cardiovascular disease. This study aims to assess cardiovascular mortality risk and identify the potential risk factors ...associated with cardiovascular mortality among gastric cancer patients.
Methods
Gastric cancer patients were collected from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database during 1975–2016. Standardized mortality ratios were calculated to compare cardiovascular mortality rates between gastric cancer patients and the general US population. Univariable Cox analysis and multivariable stepwise Cox analysis were adopted to identify the potential risk factors for cardiovascular disease death after gastric cancer diagnosis.
Results
There were 10 886 cardiovascular disease deaths identified among 165 433 individuals with gastric cancer observed for 410207.20 person-years. Gastric cancer patients were at a higher cardiovascular disease mortality risk (standardized mortality ratio = 3.35, 95% confidence interval: 3.24–3.47, P < 0.05). The study showed that older age at diagnosis (>80 years vs. 0–69 years, hazard ratio = 7.05, 95% confidence interval: 6.66–7.46, P < 0.001; 70–80 years vs. 0–69 years, hazard ratio = 3.35, 95% confidence interval: 3.19–3.53, P < 0.001), male sex (vs. female, hazard ratio = 1.39, 95% confidence interval: 1.33–1.45, P < 0.001), black race (vs. white, hazard ratio = 1.31, 95% confidence interval: 1.24–1.38, P < 0.001), without a partner (divorced/separated vs. married/partnered, hazard ratio = 1.35, 95% confidence interval: 1.25–1.45, P < 0.001; single vs. married/partnered, hazard ratio = 1.20, 95% confidence interval: 1.12–1.29, P < 0.001; widowed vs. married/partnered, hazard ratio = 1.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.34–1.48, P < 0.001), living in the northern plains (vs. pacific coast, hazard ratio = 1.23, 95% confidence interval: 1.16–1.29, P < 0.001) and surgery not performed (vs. performed, hazard ratio = 1.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.61–1.79, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease death. Compared with patients with localized stage, distant staged patients were less likely to die of cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio = 0.88, 95% confidence interval: 0.83–0.94, P < 0.001).
Conclusions
Gastric cancer patients were at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease death. Older age at diagnosis, male sex, black race, without a partner, living in the northern plains and surgery not performed were significantly associated with cardiovascular disease death after gastric cancer diagnosis.
It was confirmed that simulated microgravity (SMG) led to ultrastructural alterations and apoptosis in many types of microvascular endothelial cells. However, whether SMG would also affect choroidal ...vascular endothelial cells (CVECs) remains unknown. This study was designed to investigate the effects of SMG on ultrastructure and apoptosis of CVECs.
The rotary cell culture system (RCCS) was utilized to simulate microgravity condition. Human CVECs were cultured under normal gravity (NG) or SMG condition for 3 days. The ultrastructure was viewed under transmission electron microscopy, and the organization of F-actin was observed by immunofluorescence staining. Additionally, the apoptosis percentage was calculated using flow cytometry. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression of BAX, Bcl-2, Caspase3, Cytochrome C, p-AKT, and p-PI3K were detected with quantitative PCR and Western blot at different exposure time.
In the SMG group, CVECs presented with a shrunk cell body, chromatin condensation and margination, mitochondria vacuolization, and apoptotic bodies. The amount of F-actin decreased, and the filaments of F-actin were sparse or even partly discontinuous after cultivation under SMG for 72 h. The proportions of apoptotic CVECs in SMG groups at 24 and 72 h were significantly higher than those in the NG group (
< 0.001). The mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Caspase3, and Cytochrome C of CVECs in SMG groups at 24 and 72 h significantly increased than those of the NG group, respectively (
< 0.001). The alterations of p-AKT and p-PI3K protein expression possessed similar trends. On the contrary, the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 in CVECs under SMG at 24 and 72 h were significantly less than that of the NG group, respectively (
< 0.001).
Simulated microgravity conditions can lead the alterations of the F-actin structure and apoptosis of CVECs. The Bcl-2 apoptosis pathway and PI3K/AKT pathway may participate in the damage of CVECs caused by SMG.
Purpose
To explore the relationships between the aqueous and vitreous levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), interleukin-8 (IL-8), placental growth factor (PlGF) and erythropoietin ...(EPO) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and neovascular glaucoma (NVG).
Methods
Aqueous and vitreous samples were obtained from patients with PDR and NVG during surgery. Aqueous and vitreous concentrations of VEGF-A, IL-8, PlGF and EPO were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results
No correlation between the aqueous and vitreous levels of VEGF-A, IL-8, PlGF or EPO was found in both the PDR and the NVG eyes. Aqueous VEGF-A was significantly higher in the NVG group (317.55 ± 36.25 pg/ml,
n
= 15) than that in the PDR group (256.23 ± 46.11 pg/ml,
n
= 17,
P
< 0.001). The level of VEGF-A in aqueous (317.55 ± 36.25 pg/ml,
n
= 15) was significantly higher than that in vitreous (224.74 ± 60.32 pg/ml,
n
= 15,
P
< 0.001) in NVG patients. The level of IL-8 in aqueous (76.55 ± 10.88 pg/ml,
n
= 17) was significantly higher than that in vitreous (63.55 ± 10.74 pg/ml,
n
= 17,
P
= 0.001) in PDR patients. The level of EPO in aqueous (18.62 ± 2.87 mIU/ml,
n
= 15) was significantly higher than that in vitreous (15.97 ± 3.11 mIU/ml,
n
= 15,
P
= 0.022) in NVG patients. The ratio of aqueous versus vitreous for VEGF-A was significantly higher in the NVG group (1.475 ± 0.289,
n
= 15) than that in the PDR group (0.996 ± 0.227,
n
= 17,
P
< 0.001).
Conclusion
Aqueous levels of VEGF-A, IL-8, PlGF and EPO do not correlate with vitreous levels of those proteins. The relationship between protein levels in aqueous humor and vitreous might be dependent on different disease status or protein types investigated.
Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress after traumatic brain injury (TBI) can further lead to neuronal apoptosis, which plays a crucial role in the process of neuron death. Curcumin, which is derived ...from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, has multiple pharmacological effects.
The objective of this study was to investigate whether curcumin treatment has neuroprotective effects after TBI, and to elucidate the underlying mechanism.
A total of 124 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Sham group, TBI group, TBI+Vehicle group, and TBI+Curcumin group. The TBI mice model used in this study was constructed with TBI device induced by compressed gas, and 50 mg/kg curcumin was injected intraperitoneally 15 minutes after TBI. Then, the blood-brain barrier permeability, cerebral edema, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis-related protein, and behavioral tests of neurological function were utilized to evaluate the protective effect of curcumin after TBI.
Curcumin treatment markedly alleviated post-trauma cerebral edema and blood-brain barrier integrity, and suppressed neuronal apoptosis, reduced mitochondrial injury and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Moreover, curcumin also attenuates TBI-induced inflammatory response and oxidative stress in brain tissue and improves cognitive dysfunction after TBI.
These data provide substantial evidence that curcumin has neuroprotective effects in animal TBI models, possibly through the inhibition of inflammatory response and oxidative stress.
The method of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is related to vascular anatomy and stroke etiology. Meniscus sign and thrombus permeability as imaging markers may be instructive for the selection of MT. ...This study aims to clarify the relationship among meniscus sign, thrombus permeability, and choice of MT in patients with acute middle cerebral artery occlusion.
A total of 111 patients with acute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) who underwent MT were retrospectively analyzed. Clot meniscus sign was defined as the appearance of meniscoid/edge-like or single- or double-wall contrast channels besides or around insular blood clots. The radiographic, clinical, and surgical data of patients with MCAO with or without meniscus sign were compared.
The meniscus sign positive group (
= 26) has higher thrombus permeability (HUs) (26.92 ± 9.69 vs. 22.84 ± 7.88,
= 0.031) than those without it. Shorter puncture-to-recanalization (P2R) time (65.5 vs. 88,
= 0.012), higher complete recanalization rate (85.71 vs. 33.33%,
< 0.01), and better clinical outcome (
< 0.01) were obtained by selecting contact aspiration (CA) over stent retriever (SR) in patients with positive meniscus sign. In patients with negative meniscus sign, there was no significant difference in clinical outcome after receiving CA or SR.
Patients with MCAO with positive meniscus sign have higher thrombus permeability and are more suitable for CA to acquire better clinical outcomes.
Peripheral blood leukocyte (PBL) DNA methylation may serve as a surrogate marker to evaluate the susceptibility to and prognosis of gastric cancer (GC). In this study, blood-derived DNA methylation ...levels of two tumour-related genes, namely, ZNF331 and WIF1, and their impacts on the risk and prognosis of GC were evaluated.
In total, 398 GC cases and 397 controls were recruited for the study. Then, all cases were followed up for 5 years. ZNF331 and WIF1 promoter methylation status in PBLs was measured using a methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting method. Logistic and Cox regression models were used to analyse the correlation between gene methylation and the risk and prognosis of GC. Confounders were balanced through propensity score (PS) matching.
High ZNF331 methylation significantly decreased GC risk after PS adjustment (OR = 0.580, 95% CI: 0.375-0.898, P = 0.015), which also presented in males (OR = 0.577, 95% CI: 0.343-0.970, P = 0.038). However, WIF1 methylation was not associated with GC risk. Additionally, significant combined effects between ZNF331 methylation and the intake of green vegetables and garlic were observed (OR = 0.073, 95% CI: 0.027-0.196, P < 0.001 and OR = 0.138, 95% CI: 0.080-0.238, P < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, ZNF331 and WIF1 methylation had no impact on the prognosis of GC.
ZNF331 methylation in PBLs may affect GC risk in combination with the consumption of green vegetables and garlic and may act as a potential biomarker of GC.
Background and Objective:
Branch atheromatous disease (BAD) is distinctive from large-artery atherosclerosis and small-vessel disease, which is single subcortical infarction caused by the occlusion ...of perforator's orifice. This study aimed to indicate whether intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with alteplase could prevent early neurological deterioration (END) and improve functional outcome for patients with BAD within 4.5 h after symptom onset.
Methods:
We retrospectively analyzed data collected from patients with BAD who were admitted to our hospital from January 2015 to August 2019. To investigate the efficacy and safety of IVT, subjects were classified into alteplase and control groups. A propensity score matching analysis was performed to control substantial heterogeneity of subgroup. The coprimary outcomes were END that is defined as an increase of ≥2 points in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score within 7 days after stroke, and favorable outcome at 3 months after stroke that defined by a score of 0–1 point on the modified Rankin scale (mRS).
Results:
A total of 135 patients were eventually enrolled in this study (
n
= 51 for the alteplase group and
n
= 84 for the control group). Additionally, 42 pairs of subjects were successfully matched by propensity score matching. Intravenous alteplase within 4.5 h after stroke onset reduced the incidence of END unadjusted odds ratio (OR), 3.32; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06–10.37 and improved the clinical outcome at 3 months after stroke, with more patients achieving favorable functional prognosis (mRS, 0–1 point; unadjusted OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.10–0.62). Patients in the alteplase group were more likely to be independent (mRS, 0–2 points) at 3 months after stroke (unadjusted OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.12–0.90). The rate of death or dependence (mRS, ≥4 points) in the alteplase group was also markedly lower than that in the control group (unadjusted OR, 4.06; 95% CI, 1.03–16.02).
Conclusion:
Our findings indicated that intravenous thrombolysis may be a safe and effective therapy for patients with BAD.
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