A Pentaband Compound Reconfigurable Antenna for 5G and Multi-Standard Sub-6GHz Wireless Applications

This work proposes a low-profile, printed antenna that offers pattern and frequency reconfiguration functionalities printed on FR-4 substrate with a size of 46 × 32 × 1.6 mm3. The proposed antenna can operate in five different frequency bands, each one identified as a Mode, wherein there are possibilities of pattern reconfiguration. The frequency and pattern reconfigurability are made possible through 12 p-i-n diode switches (S1 to S12). The former is enabled through the switches S1 to S4 within the radiating patch, hence effectively controlling the resonant bands of the antenna; the latter is made possible through main lobe beam steering, enabled by the rest of the eight switches (S5 to S12), loaded in split parasitic elements designed on both sides of the radiator. The proposed antenna operates in the 5 GHz (4.52–5.39 GHz) band when all switches are OFF. When S1 is ON, the operating band shifts to 3.5 GHz (2.96–4.17 GHz); it changes to a 2.6 GHz (2.36–2.95 GHz) band when S1 and S2 are ON. When S3 is also turned ON, the antenna shifts to the 2.1 GHz Band (1.95–2.30 GHz). When S1–S4 are ON, the operating band shifts to a 1.8GHz (1.67–1.90 GHz) band. In all these bands, the return loss remains less than −10 dB while maintaining good impedance matching. At each operating band, the ON/OFF states of the eight p-i-n diode switches (S5 through S12) enable beam steering. The proposed antenna can direct the main beam in five distinct directions at 3.5GHz, 2.6 GHz, and 2.1 GHz bands, and three different directions at 5 GHz and 1.8 GHz bands. Different 5G bands (2.1, 2.6, 3.5, and 5) GHz, which fall in the sub 6GHz range, are supported by the proposed antenna. In addition, GSM (1.8 GHz), UMTS (2.1 GHz), 4G-LTE (2.1 GHz and 2.6 GHz), WiMAX (2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz) and WLAN (5 GHz) applications are also supported by the proposed antenna, which is a candidate for handheld 5G/4G/3G devices

Update on the eradication of 'Helicobacter pylori' infection in adult and pediatric patients from the northern region of Pakistan

'Helicobacter pylori' infection is associated with different gastric diseases, notably gastric cancer. The present study is aimed at comparing the effectiveness of various 'H. pylori' eradication regimens among adult and pediatric patients. A total of 3178 (396 children) patients were recruited. 'H. pylori' infection was diagnosed by nuclear stable isotopic 13C urea breath test (UBT) and positive patients were randomly allocated first-line eradication regimens. The second or third-line regimens were assigned to those who had failed first-line treatment. A negative UBT at least 4 weeks after the completion of treatment indicated a successful eradication of 'H. pylori'. Eradication rates (ER) by per-protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis were recorded. The overall prevalence of 'H. pylori' infection was 61.2% and slightly higher in males as compared to females. The modified concomitant therapy showed higher PP (77.8%) and ITT (72.7%) ER as first-line treatment. Among second-line therapies, PP/ITT ER of 63.6% / 55.3% were observed for quadruple therapy in adults. Standard triple therapy with probiotic and modified concomitant therapy as first-line and quadruple therapy as a second line thus is the choice for 'H. pylori' eradication in adult gastric disease patients. In pediatric patients, standard triple therapy was more effective as a first-line with about 68.8% ER.Eine 'Helicobacter pylori'-Infection ist mit verschiedenen gastrischen Krankheiten assoziiert, insbesondere Magenkrebs. Diese Studie vergleicht die Effizienz verschiedener 'H. pylori'-Ausrottungs-Methoden bei erwachsenen Patienten und Kindern. Insgesamt wurden 3178 (396 Kinder) Patienten rekrutiert. Eine 'H. pylori'-Infection wurde mittels 13C-Harnstoff-Atemtest (UBT) diagnostiziert, und positive Patienten wurden nach dem Zufallsprinzip verschiedenen "first-line" Behandlungsverfahren zugeordnet. "Second" oder "third-line"-Behandlungen erhielten diejenigen, bei denen die erste Behandlung nicht erfolgreich war. Ein negativer UBT mindestens 4 Wochen nach der Beendigung der Behandlung indizierte die erfolgreiche Vernichtung von 'H. pylori'. Ausrottungsraten (ER) durch "per-protocol (PP)" und "intention-to-treat (ITT)"-Analysen wurden erfasst. Mit 61.2% waren etwas mehr Männer als Frauen infiziert. Die "modified concomitant"-Therapie zeigte höhere PP (77.8%) und ITT (72.7%) ER als erste Behandlung. Bei den "second-line"-Therapien wurden PP/ITT ER von 63.6% / 55.3% für die "quadruple"-Therapie in Erwachsenen beobachtet. Die "standard triple"-Therapie mit Probiotic und die "modified concomitant"-Therapie als "first" und die "quadruple"-Therapie als "second-line" ist daher die Wahl für eine 'H. pylori'-Vernichtung in erwachsenen Patienten mit gastrischen Krankheiten. In Kindern war die "standard triple"-Therapie effizienter als "first-line"-Behandlung mit ~68.8% ER