Design of Compact Planar Diplexer Based on Novel Spiral-Based Resonators

A miniaturized planar diplexer utilizing the novel spiral-based resonators is proposed. The given cell which is initially proposed in this article is composed of two separated rectangular spirals which are asymmetrical to each other and thus, it is called as ‘asymmetrical separated spirals resonator’ (ASSR). ASSR has more superior transmission property than the previous prototype and extremely compact dimension is also achieved. It is demonstrated that ASSR can exhibit bandpass performance with high frequency selectivity and good transmission property within the relatively low frequency band. Based on the given characteristic, one planar diplexer composed of T-junction and two ASSRs is synthesized and the fabricated prototype with compact dimension is achieved, thanks to ASSRs explored. Simultaneously, the transversal dimension of each channel is extremely compact because ASSRs are completely embedded in the feed lines. Both the simulated and measured results indicate that satisfactory impedance matching and high isolation between two channels are achieved. Furthermore, the proposed diplexer is uniplanar and no defected ground structure is introduced

Polymeric implant of methylprednisolone for spinal injury: preparation and characterization

Purpose: To improve the effectiveness and reduce the systemic side effects of methylprednisolone in traumatic spinal injuries, its polymeric implants were prepared using chitosan and sodium alginate as the biocompatible polymers.Methods: Implants of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) were prepared by molding the drug-loaded polymeric mass obtained after ionotropic gelation method. The prepared implants were evaluated for drug loading, in vitro drug release and in vivo performance in traumatic spinal-injury rat model with paraplegia.Results: All the implant formulations were light pale solid matrix with smooth texture. Implants showed 86.56 ± 2.07 % drug loading. Drug release was 89.29 ± 1.25 % at the end of 7 days. Motor function was evaluated in traumatic spinal injury-induced rats in terms of its movement on the horizontal bar. At theend of 7 days, the test group showed the activity score (4.75 ± 0.02) slightly higher than that of standard (4.62 ± 0.25), but the difference was not statistically different (p > 0.05).Conclusion: MPSS-loaded implants produces good recovery in traumatic spinal injury rats.Keywords: Spinal injury, Spinal column, Methylprednisolone, Implant, Activity score, Motor functio

Crystallization of Adenylylsulfate Reductase from Desulfovibrio gigas: A Strategy Based on Controlled Protein Oligomerization

Adenylylsulfate reductase (adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate reductase, APS reductase or APSR, E.C.1.8.99.2) catalyzes the conversion of APS to sulfite in dissimilatory sulfate reduction. APSR was isolated and purified directly from massive anaerobically grown Desulfovibrio gigas, a strict anaerobe, for structure and function investigation. Oligomerization of APSR to form dimers–α_2β_2, tetramers–α_4β_4, hexamers–α_6β_6, and larger oligomers was observed during purification of the protein. Dynamic light scattering and ultracentrifugation revealed that the addition of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) or adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (APS) disrupts the oligomerization, indicating that AMP or APS binding to the APSR dissociates the inactive hexamers into functional dimers. Treatment of APSR with β-mercaptoethanol decreased the enzyme size from a hexamer to a dimer, probably by disrupting the disulfide Cys156—Cys162 toward the C-terminus of the β-subunit. Alignment of the APSR sequences from D. gigas and A. fulgidus revealed the largest differences in this region of the β-subunit, with the D. gigas APSR containing 16 additional amino acids with the Cys156—Cys162 disulfide. Studies in a pH gradient showed that the diameter of the APSR decreased progressively with acidic pH. To crystallize the APSR for structure determination, we optimized conditions to generate a homogeneous and stable form of APSR by combining dynamic light scattering, ultracentrifugation, and electron paramagnetic resonance methods to analyze the various oligomeric states of the enzyme in varied environments

[N,N-Bis(diphenyl­phosphan­yl)propanamine-κ2 P,P′]dichloridonickel(II)

In the title complex, [NiCl2(C27H27NP2)], the Ni2+ ion is coordinated by two chloride ions and two P atoms of the bidentate N,N-bis­(diphenyl­phosphan­yl)propyl ligand to generate a strongly distorted cis-NiCl2P2 square-planar geometry for the metal ion. A NiP2N rhombus occurs within the chelating ligand

Use of the lower concentration of trypan blue staining technique during cataract surgery

AIM: To determine the lowest concentration of trypan blue(TB)used to stain the anterior capsule satisfactorily and to evaluate the clinical significance of trypan-blue-assisted capsulorhexis in cataract surgery. METHODS:Totally 60 cases(60 eyes)of mature age-related cataract, of which the cortex lentis cloudy degree was C4-C5 and the nucleus of the lens was N3, were randomly divided into three groups. Different concentrations of TB, 0.03%, 0.015%, 0.0075%, were used in staining groups respectively to stain the anterior capsule during cataract surgery. All cases were performed with manual small-incision cataract surgery by the same ophthalmologist. The staining effects, the success rate of continuous circular capsulorrhexis(CCC), the posterior capsule rupture and the state of the intraocular lens(IOL)were studied during the operation. The significant statistics was conducted between the groups. The density of corneal endothelial cells, intraocular pressure(IOP), inflammation in anterior chamber, corneal edema, staining of other intraocular structures were also observed at 1d, 1wk, 3mo postoperatively. RESULTS: Trypan blue in concentrations as low as 0.015% stained the anterior capsule satisfactorily, allowing safe creation of a CCC. At concentrations of 0.03% and 0.015%, the success rate of CCC and the state of the intraocular lens(IOL)was significantly better than 0.0075% group, the difference was statistically significant(PP>0.0083). The staining of CCC margin and side port disappeared in 1wk after surgery. Inflammation in anterior chamber of all cases was slight. There was not any evidence of residual stain in the anterior segment during the postoperative period. There was no corneal edema and intraocular pressure higher after 1wk. CONCLUSION: Trypan blue staining of the anterior capsule is a safe and useful technique in cataract surgery, which can raise the success rate of cataract surgery. The 0.015% trypan blue staining, the lowest effective concentration, is strongly considered

Expression of TRPM8 in the distal cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons in the brain mesencephalon of rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It has been shown that distal cerebrospinal fluid-contacting neurons (dCSF-CNs) exist near the ventral midline of the midbrain aqueduct and also in the grey matter of the inferior third ventricle and the fourth ventricle floor in the superior segment of the pons. The dCSF-CNs communicate between the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the brain parenchyma and may participate in the transduction and regulation of pain signals. The cold sensation receptor channel, TRPM8 is involved in analgesia for neuropathic pain, but whether the TRPM8 receptor exists on dCSF-CNs remains unknown. However, there is preliminary evidence that TRPM8 is expressed in dCSF-CNs and may participate in the transmission and regulation of sensory information between brain parenchyma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Retrograde tracing of the cholera toxin subunit B labeled with horseradish peroxidase (CB-HRP) injected into the lateral ventricle was used to identify dCSF-CNs. A double-labeled immunofluorescent technique and laser scanning confocal microscopy were used to identify the expression of TRPM8 in dCSF-CNs. Software Image-Pro Plus was used to count the number of neurons in three sections where CB-HRP positive neurons were located in the mesencephalon of six rats.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The cell bodies of CB-HRP-positive dCSF-CNs were found in the brain parenchyma near the midline of the ventral Aq, also in the grey of the 3V, and the 4V floor in the superior segment of the pons. In the mesencephalon their processes extended into the CSF. TRPM8 labeled neurons were also found in the same area as were CB-HRP/TRPM8 double-labeled neurons. CB-HRP/TRPM8 double-labeled neurons were found in 42.9 ± 2.3% of neurons labeled by TRPM8, and all CB-HRP-labeled neurons were also labeled with TPRM8.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study has demonstrated that the cold sensation receptor channel, TRPM8, is localised within the dCSF-CNs of the mesencephalon. TRPM8 acts as receptor of dCSF-CNs for sensation transmission and pain regulation.</p