Design of Novel S-Shaped Quad-Band Antenna for MedRadio/WMTS/ISM Implantable Biotelemetry Applications

A novel S-shaped quad-band planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) is proposed for implantable biotelemetry in the Medical Device Radiocommunications Service (MedRadio) band (401–406 MHz), Wireless Medical Telemetry Service (WMTS) band (1427–1432 MHz), and industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) bands (433-434 MHz and 2.4–2.4835 GHz). The proposed antenna reveals compact dimension of 254 mm3 (10×10×2.45 mm3) and is composed of three substrates and a superstrate, which are constructed from an S-shaped radiator (layer 1) and two twin radiators of spiral structures (layer 2 and layer 3). The optimal antenna characteristics were measured in the ground pork skin, and the measured bandwidths are 150 MHz for the MedRadio and ISM bands (433 MHz), 52 MHz for the WMTS band, and 102 MHz for the ISM band (2.4 GHz), respectively. The characteristics of proposed antenna are enough to support the applications of implantable body area networks (BAN) for biotelemetry and can completely cover main available frequency bands of BAN for biotelemetry below 3 GHz

CT Images of a Malignant-Transformed Ovarian Mature Cystic Teratoma with Rupture: a Case Report

A malignant transformation or a tumor rupture is a rare complication of ovarian mature cystic teratoma (MCT). A tumor rupture in a malignant-transformed MCT has never been reported in the literature. We present the CT images of a 39-year-old woman showing a large, predominantly cystic mass in the lower abdomen, with fat-fluid-level ascites. A contrast-enhanced solid component, with regional discontinuity within the cystic lesion, is also demonstrated. The pathologic diagnosis of the ruptured MCT unveils the malignant transformation (squamous cell carcinoma) and mesenteric carcinomatosis

Application of Three-Dimensional Printing in Surgical Planning for Medical Application

Three-dimensional printing (3DP) is an evolving technology with a wide range of medical applications. It complements the traditional methods of visualizing the cardiovascular anatomy and assists in clinical decision making, especially in the planning and simulation of percutaneous surgical procedures. The doctor–patient relationship has changed substantially, and patients have become increasingly aware of their rights and proactively make decisions regarding their treatment. We present our experience in using 3DP for aortic repair, preoperative surgical decision making for congenital heart disease, and simulation-based training for junior vascular surgeons. 3DP can revolutionize individualized treatment, especially for congenital heart disease, which involves unique anatomy that is difficult to examine using traditional computed tomography. As cardiovascular medicine and surgery require increasingly complex interventions, 3DP is becoming an essential technology for surgical instructors and trainees, who can learn to become responsible and humane medical doctors. 3DP will play an increasingly crucial role in the future training of surgeons

Electroluminescent Characteristics of DBPPV–ZnO Nanocomposite Polymer Light Emitting Devices

We have demonstrated that fabrication and characterization of nanocomposite polymer light emitting devices with metal Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and 2,3-dibutoxy-1,4-poly(phenylenevinylene) (DBPPV). The current and luminance characteristics of devices with ZnO nanoparticles are much better than those of device with pure DBPPV. Optimized maximum luminance efficiencies of DBPPV–ZnO (3:1 wt%) before annealing (1.78 cd/A) and after annealing (2.45 cd/A) having a brightness 643 and 776 cd/m2at a current density of 36.16 and 31.67 mA/cm2are observed, respectively. Current density–voltage and brightness–voltage characteristics indicate that addition of ZnO nanoparticles can facilitate electrical injection and charge transport. The thermal annealing is thought to result in the formation of an interfacial layer between emissive polymer film and cathode

Functions of Some Capsular Polysaccharide Biosynthetic Genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae NTUH K-2044

The growing number of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections, commonly acquired in hospitals, has drawn great concern. It has been shown that the K1 and K2 capsular serotypes are the most detrimental strains, particularly to those with diabetes. The K1 cps (capsular polysaccharide) locus in the NTUH-2044 strain of the pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) K. pneumoniae has been identified recently, but little is known about the functions of the genes therein. Here we report characterization of a group of cps genes and their roles in the pathogenesis of K1 K. pneumoniae. By sequential gene deletion, the cps gene cluster was first re-delimited between genes galF and ugd, which serve as up- and down-stream ends, respectively. Eight gene products were characterized in vitro and in vivo to be involved in the syntheses of UDP-glucose, UDP-glucuronic acid and GDP-fucose building units. Twelve genes were identified as virulence factors based on the observation that their deletion mutants became avirulent or lost K1 antigenicity. Furthermore, deletion of kp3706, kp3709 or kp3712 (ΔwcaI, ΔwcaG or Δatf, respectively), which are all involved in fucose biosynthesis, led to a broad range of transcriptional suppression for 52 upstream genes. The genes suppressed include those coding for unknown regulatory membrane proteins and six multidrug efflux system proteins, as well as proteins required for the K1 CPS biosynthesis. In support of the suppression of multidrug efflux genes, we showed that these three mutants became more sensitive to antibiotics. Taken together, the results suggest that kp3706, kp3709 or kp3712 genes are strongly related to the pathogenesis of K. pneumoniae K1

Mortality risk factors related to listeriosis — A meta-analysis

Background: Relatively few studies have focused on mortality risk factors for listeriosis in the literature. Information on the mortality of populations with listeriosis is needed. We aimed to explore the mortality risk factors related to listeriosis in this meta-analysis. Methods: The studies were considered eligible for inclusion only if they directly compared the mortality risk factors for listeriosis between dead patients and surviving patients. The mortality risk factors included clinical predisposing factors and predisposing comorbidities. Results: Thirteen studies were included in this study. There were 12,265 listeriosis patients, including 2863 (23.3%) dead patients. The meta-analysis provided evidence that the mortality risk factors related to listeriosis were as follows: 1. Clinical predisposing factors included age ≥ 60 years, primary bacteremia and central nervous system involvement; 2. Predisposing comorbidities included non-hematological malignancies, alcoholism, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and pulmonary disease. In addition, autoimmune disease comorbidity had a protective effect against listeriosis. Conclusion: The presence of older patients, primary bacteremia, central nervous system involvement, non-hematological malignancies, alcoholism, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and pulmonary disease should alert physicians to the higher risk of mortality

Imaging findings of primary urachal actinomycosis

Primary actinomycosis in urachal remnant is documented rarely in the English literature. The disease is usually misdiagnosed as urachal carcinoma because of its infiltrating and enhancing natures. We illustrate a case of urachal actinomycosis with ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance images. The clinical, radiological, and pathological findings are reviewed. Some imaging findings may help us to differentiate an inflammatory process from malignancy