4 research outputs found
3D-Printed UHF-RFID Tag for Embedded Applications
This paper presents the design, manufacture and characterization of a novel 3D passive UHF-RFID tag for embedded applications. The prototype is fabricated using additive manufacturing techniques: 3D printing and copper electroplating. The design, manufacturing process and measurement set-up are presented and discussed in detail. We propose a biconical antenna design with spiral strips embedded in the cones to provide compactness without breaking the symmetry of the component and to improve bandwidth. The antenna is matched to a commercial UHF-RFID integrated circuit. We incorporate a packaging design that consists of a dielectric coating, to provide proper operation in different media or surrounding environments with changing electromagnetic properties. The good agreement between experimental results and Finite Element Method simulations allows us to validate the whole process. Finally, a compact capsule-type RFID tag is proposed and its performance in different media is reported
Relationship between immunometabolic status and cognitive performance among major depression disorder patients
Background: Alterations in cognitive performance have been described in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the specific risk factors of these changes are not yet known. This study aimed to explore whether inmunometabolic parameters are related to cognitive performance in MDD in comparison to healthy controls (HC) METHODS: Sample consisted of 84 MDD patients and 78 HC. Both groups were compared on the results of cognitive performance measured with the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and an inflammatory/oxidative index calculated by a principal component analysis of peripheral biomarkers (tumor necrosis factor, C-reactive protein and 4-hydroxynonenal). A multiple linear regression was carried out, to study the relationship between inmunometabolic variables and the global cognitive performance, being the latter the dependent variable. Results: Significant differences were obtained in the inflammatory/oxidative index between both groups (F(1157)= 12.93; p < .001), also in cognitive performance (F(1157)= 56.75; p < .001). The inmunometabolic covariate regression model (i.e., condition (HC/MDD), sex, age and medication loading, MetS, inflammatory/oxidative index and the interaction between MetS and inflammatory/oxidative index) was statistically significant (F(7157)= 11.24; p < .01) and explained 31% of variance. The condition, being either MDD or HD, (B=-0.97; p < .001), age (B=-0.28; p < .001) and the interaction between inflammatory/oxidative index and MetS (B=-0.38; p = .02) were factors associated to cognitive performance. Limitations: Sample size was relatively small. The cross-sectional design of the study limits the possibilities of analysis. Conclusions: Our results provide evidence on the conjoint influence of metabolic and inflammatory dysregulation on cognitive dysfunction in MDD patients. In this way, our study opens a line of research in immunometabolic agents to deal with cognitive decline associated with MDD
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Pediatric cutaneous mucormicosis
A 9-year-old boy diagnosed with acute myeloblastic leukemia and undergoing chemotherapy, was admitted with febrile neutropenia. During his admission, several violaceous plaques appeared on the upper extremities and anterior left hemithorax, which worsened and acquired a necrotic center. We performed a biopsy and histology showed a cutaneous infarction at the dermoepidermal and subcutaneous level. We observed abundant wide hyphae with right-angled branching and a culture isolated Rhizopus oryzae. A plastic surgery consultant performed a surgical debridement of the lesions and treatment was started with intravenous amphotericin B. The patient did well on treatment and after almost a month of hospitalization, he was discharged with oral posaconazole. Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection associated with immunosuppression, particularly involving prematurity and hematological diseases in the pediatric age group. Multiple lesions, as in our case, are infrequent. The clinical presentation is variable. Direct smear or histological observation is the quickest diagnostic technique whereas culture is the most definitive. The combination of surgical debridement and amphotericin B is the treatment with the highest survival rates
Relationship between immunometabolic status and cognitive performance among major depression disorder patients
Background: Alterations in cognitive performance have been described in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the specific risk factors of these changes are not yet known. This study aimed to explore whether inmunometabolic parameters are related to cognitive performance in MDD in comparison to healthy controls (HC) Methods: Sample consisted of 84 MDD patients and 78 HC. Both groups were compared on the results of cognitive performance measured with the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), the presence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and an inflammatory/oxidative index calculated by a principal component analysis of peripheral biomarkers (tumor necrosis factor, C-reactive protein and 4-hydroxynonenal). A multiple linear regression was carried out, to study the relationship between inmunometabolic variables and the global cognitive performance, being the latter the dependent variable. Results: Significant differences were obtained in the inflammatory/oxidative index between both groups (F= 12.93; p <.001), also in cognitive performance (F= 56.75; p <.001). The inmunometabolic covariate regression model (i.e., condition (HC/MDD), sex, age and medication loading, MetS, inflammatory/oxidative index and the interaction between MetS and inflammatory/oxidative index) was statistically significant (F= 11.24; p <.01) and explained 31% of variance. The condition, being either MDD or HD, (B=˗0.97; p <.001), age (B=˗0.28; p <.001) and the interaction between inflammatory/oxidative index and MetS (B=˗0.38; p =.02) were factors associated to cognitive performance. Limitations: Sample size was relatively small. The cross-sectional design of the study limits the possibilities of analysis. Conclusions: Our results provide evidence on the conjoint influence of metabolic and inflammatory dysregulation on cognitive dysfunction in MDD patients. In this way, our study opens a line of research in immunometabolic agents to deal with cognitive decline associated with MDD