Multipactor discharges in parallel-plate dielectric-loaded waveguides including space-charge effects

[EN] The objective of this paper is to study the time evolution of multipactor discharges in a parallel-plate dielectric-loaded waveguide. The electron discharge phenomena investigated in this paper include the effects of space charge, as well as the presence of time varying static fields. In order to perform the simulations presented in this paper, an approach considering simultaneously multiple effective electrons has been used. The results obtained demonstrate that multipactor discharges do turn off by themselves under certain circumstances when they occur in such dielectric-loaded structures.This work was supported by the Spanish Government's Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia under Project TEC2007-67630-C03-01. The review of this paper was arranged by Editor W. Menninger.Coves, A.; Torregrosa-Penalva, G.; Vicente, C.; Gimeno, B.; Boria Esbert, VE. (2008). Multipactor discharges in parallel-plate dielectric-loaded waveguides including space-charge effects. IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices. 55(9):2505-2511. https://doi.org/10.1109/TED.2008.927945S2505251155

Green tea increases anti-inflammatory tristetraprolin and decreases pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor mRNA levels in rats

BACKGROUND: Tristetraprolin (TTP/ZFP36) family proteins have anti-inflammatory activity by binding to and destabilizing pro-inflammatory mRNAs such as Tnf mRNA, and represent a potential therapeutic target for inflammation-related diseases. Tea has anti-inflammatory properties but the molecular mechanisms have not been completely elucidated. We hypothesized that TTP and/or its homologues might contribute to the beneficial effects of tea as an anti-inflammatory product. METHODS: Quantitative real-time PCR was used to investigate the effects of green tea (0, 1, and 2 g solid extract/kg diet) on the expression of Ttp family genes (Ttp/Tis11/Zfp36, Zfp36l1/Tis11b, Zfp36l2/Tis11d, Zfp36l3), pro-inflammatory genes (Tnf, Csf2/Gm-csf, Ptgs2/Cox2), and Elavl1/Hua/Hur and Vegf genes in liver and muscle of rats fed a high-fructose diet known to induce insulin resistance, oxidative stress, inflammation, and TNF-alpha levels. RESULTS: Ttp and Zfp36l1 mRNAs were the major forms in both liver and skeletal muscle. Ttp, Zfp36l1, and Zfp36l2 mRNA levels were more abundant in the liver than those in the muscle. Csf2/Gm-csf and Zfp36l3 mRNAs were undetectable in both tissues. Tea (1 g solid extract/kg diet) increased Ttp mRNA levels by 50–140% but Tnf mRNA levels decreased by 30% in both tissues, and Ptgs2/Cox2 mRNA levels decreased by 40% in the muscle. Tea (2 g solid extract/kg diet) increased Elavl1/Hua/Hur mRNA levels by 40% in the liver but did not affect any of the other mRNA levels in liver or muscle. CONCLUSION: These results show that tea can modulate Ttp mRNA levels in animals and suggest that a post-transcriptional mechanism through TTP could partially account for tea's anti-inflammatory properties. The results also suggest that drinking adequate amounts of green tea may play a role in the prevention of inflammation-related diseases

Design of Narrow-Band Dielectric Frequency-Selective Surfaces for Microwave Applications

This paper is a postprint of a paper submitted to and accepted for publication in IET Microwaves Antennas and Propagation and is subject to Institution of Engineering and Technology Copyright. The copy of record is available at IET Digital LibraryTwo types of narrow-band dielectric frequency-selective surfaces (DFSSs) have been designed at microwave frequencies. First, a DFSS showing total reflection has been analysed under guided-mode resonance conditions, based on a single dielectric grating which is illuminated by a TM polarised two-dimensional plane wave at Brewster-angle incidence, presenting extremely low-reflectance sidebands adjacent to the resonance peak. Second, a DFSS exhibiting total transmission at normal TE incidence has been designed, by superimposing the resonance condition of a dielectric grating on the classical high-reflectance response of a periodic (band-gap based) structure formed by alternating homogeneous dielectric layers. Finally, the oblique incidence and polarisation effects on the spectral response of the designed DFSSs have been also studied. In addition, dielectric ohmic losses and the problem of the finite size of the periodic structures have been accounted for in both structures. The obtained results have been successfully validated with the commercial software tool high frequency structure simulator.This work was supported in part by Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (MINECO) under Coordinated Project TEC2013-47037-C5.Coves, A.; Marini, S.; Gimeno, B.; Sánchez-Escuderos, D.; Rodriguez Perez, AM.; Boria Esbert, VE. (2016). Design of Narrow-Band Dielectric Frequency-Selective Surfaces for Microwave Applications. IET Microwaves Antennas and Propagation. 10(3):251-255. https://doi.org/10.1049/iet-map.2015.0121S25125510

SEOM clinical guidelines for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (2020)

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive tumour with dismal prognosis arising in the pleura and associated with asbestos exposure. Its incidence is on the rise worldwide. In selected patients with early-stage MPM, a maximal surgical cytoreduction in combination with additional antitumour treatment may be considered in selected patients assessed by a multidisciplinary tumor board. In patients with unresectable or advanced MPM, chemotherapy with platinum plus pemetrexed is the standard of care. Currently, no standard salvage therapy has been approved yet, but second-line chemotherapy with vinorelbine or gemcitabine is commonly used. Novel therapeutic approaches based on dual immunotherapy or chemotherapy plus immunotherapy demonstrated promising survival benefit and will probably be incorporated in the future