Wireless Power Transfer to Biomedical Implants Using a Class-E Inverter and a Class-DE Rectifier

In this article, we propose a strategy for the design of a wireless power transfer system consisting of a class-E inverter, a half-bridge class-DE rectifier, and two coupled coils. The system is optimized for maximum power transfer efficiency. The design is validated via a case study, for which a wireless power transfer link to a neuroprosthesis was designed. After circuit simulations, a prototype was realized and measured. There is a good agreement between the calculated, simulated and measured voltages and currents. The prototype delivers 80 mW, 7 V to a biomedical implant at 6.78 MHz, the transfer efficiency is 52 to 68%, depending on the alignment. The end-to-end efficiency, with the controller and gate driver also taken into account, is 39 to 57%. Electromagnetic and thermal simulations were performed to verify compliance with relevant safety regulations on specific absorption rate (SAR) levels, magnetic field strength, and heat generation in the implant, for separation distances between the coils of 8 to 15 mm, and transverse misalignment from 0 to 15 mm.</p

Modulation by epidermal growth factor of the basal 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor level and the heterologous up-regulation of the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor in clonal osteoblast-like cells

The effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on basal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) receptor level and on parathyroid hormone (PTH)-induced 1,25-(OH)2D3 (OH)2D3 receptor up-regulation were studied in the phenotypically osteoblastic cell line UMR 106. EGF in concentrations exceeding 0.1 ng/ml reduced the number of 1,25(OH)2D3 binding sites without changing the binding affinity. Maximal reduction was 30% at about 1 ng/ml. This reduction was independent of a change in cAMP content. EGF dose-dependently attenuated both PTH-induced 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor up-regulation and PTH-stimulated cAMP production without and effect on the ED50 of the PTH effects. For both PTH responses the IC50 and the maximal effective dose were similar, 0.1 ng/ml an 1 ng/ml EGF, respectively. Reduction was first seen at 0.01 ng/ml EGF. At this concentration. EGF reduced PTH-stimulated 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor binding without an inhibition of the cAMP response. Time-course studies with 1 ng/ml EGF revealed that at 2 h preincubation EGF reduced the heterologous up regulation by PTH, and maximal inhibition was seen after 4 h. In contrast, PTH-stimulated cAMP production was just significantly inhibited only after 6 h, with 60% inhibition after 24 h preincubation. The effects of prostaglandin E2 and forskolin on both 1,25(OH)2D3 binding and cAMP production were inhibited in a similar fashion. On the other hand, dibutyryl cAMP- and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthinestimulated 1,25(OH)2D3 binding were not affected by EGF. Taken together, our results demonstrate that EGF reduces both the basal number of 1,25(OH)2D3 binding sites and the heterologous up-regulation of the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor. The current data suggest that EGF reduces heterologous upregulation of the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor independent of as well as dependent on the cAMP messenger system. The EGF effect is not primarily located at the PTH receptor, at cAMP phosphodiesterase, or at protein kinase A level

Diet quality, food intake and incident adult-onset asthma:a Lifelines Cohort Study

PURPOSE: Dietary factors have been suggested as drivers of the rising prevalence of adult-onset asthma, but evidence is inconclusive, possibly due to the complex interrelation with obesity. We aim to explore the relation of diet quality and food intake with incident adult-onset asthma in normal weight and overweight adults of the prospective population-based Lifelines Cohort Study.METHODS: Incident adult-onset asthma was defined as self-reported asthma at ± 4-year follow-up, in adults free of airway disease at baseline. Diet quality scores and food group intake were assessed at baseline. Log-binomial regression analyses were used to estimate adjusted relative risks (RR) between dietary intake (per portion) and incident adult-onset asthma, in categories of BMI (cutoff: 25 kg/m 2). RESULTS: 477 incident asthma cases (75% female, 62% overweight) and 34,698 controls (60% female, 53% overweight) were identified. Diet quality-assessed by the Lifelines Diet Score and Mediterranean Diet Score-was not associated with incident adult-onset asthma in the two BMI groups. Although the dietary intake of several food groups differed between cases and controls, after adjustment for confounders only few remained associated with adult-onset asthma, including red and processed meat (RR: 0.93 per 15 g intake; 95% CI 0.86-0.99) in the normal weight group and intake of cheese (RR 1.09 per 20 g intake; 95% CI 1.00-1.17) and vegetables (RR 1.10 per 50 g intake; 95% CI 1.00-1.21) in the overweight group.CONCLUSION: The results of this study question the role of food as a 'simple' predictor of adult-onset asthma and call for an integrative approach, including a range of modifiable lifestyle factors and further asthma phenotyping.</p

Fibrinolysis during liver transplantation is enhanced by using solvent/detergent virus-inactivated plasma (ESDEP)

After the introduction of solvent/detergent-treated plasma (ESDEP) in our hospital, an increased incidence of hyperfibrinolysis was observed (75% vs 29%; P = 0.005) compared with the use of fresh frozen plasma for liver transplantation. To clarify this increased incidence, intraoperative plasma samples of patients treated with fresh frozen plasma or ESDEP were analyzed in a retrospective observational study. During the anhepatic phase, plasma levels of D-dimer (6.58 vs 1.53 microg/mL; P = 0.02) and fibrinogen degradation products (60 vs 23 mg/L; P = 0.018) were significantly higher in patients treated with ESDEP. After reperfusion, differences increased to 23.5 vs 4.7 microg/mL (D-dimer, P = 0.002) and 161 vs 57 mg/L (fibrinogen degradation products, P = 0.001). The amount of plasma received per packed red blood cell concentrate, clotting tests, and levels of individual clotting factors did not show significant differences between the groups. alpha(2)-Antiplasmin levels, however, were significantly lower in patients receiving ESDEP during the anhepatic phase (0.37 vs 0.65 IU/mL; P < 0.001) and after reperfusion (0.27 vs 0.58 IU/mL; P = 0.001). Analysis of alpha(2)-antiplasmin levels in ESDEP alone showed a reduction to 0.28 IU/mL (normal >0.95 IU/mL) because of the solvent/detergent process. Therapeutic consequences for the use of ESDEP in orthotopic liver transplantation are discussed in view of an increased incidence of hyperfibrinolysis caused by reduced levels of alpha(2)-antiplasmin in the solvent/detergent-treated plasma. IMPLICATIONS: The use of solvent/detergent virus-inactivated plasma is of increasing importance in the prevention of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus transmission. Since the use of this plasma during orthotopic liver transplantation has increased, the incidence of hyperfibrinolysis was observed. Clotting analysis of the patients revealed small alpha(2)-antiplasmin concentrations because of the solvent/detergent process

Effect of dietary interventions on markers of type 2 inflammation in asthma:A systematic review

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 (T2) inflammation is a key mechanism in the pathophysiology of asthma. Diet may have immunomodulatory effects, and a role for diet in T2 inflammation has been suggested in the literature. Indeed, diet and food allergies play a role in children with atopic asthma, but less is known about diet in relation to adult asthma, which is often non-atopic.OBJECTIVE: To review the effect of dietary interventions on markers of T2 inflammation in adults with asthma.METHODS: The databases PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were searched for eligible studies until December 2022. We included studies of all types of foods, nutrients, diets or supplements, either as an exposure or as an intervention, in adults and adolescents with asthma. Outcomes of interest included the T2 biomarkers FeNO, eosinophils, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, eosinophil cationic protein and eosinophil peroxidase. The methodological quality of eligible studies was systematically evaluated, and the results were summarised according to dietary clusters.RESULTS: The systematic search identified studies on the dietary clusters antioxidants (n = 14), fatty acids, (n = 14), Mediterranean-style diets (n = 5), phytotherapy (n = 7), prebiotics &amp; probiotics (n = 8), vitamin D (n = 7), and other dietary factors (n = 5). Studies within the phytotherapy and omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) clusters showed possible improvements in T2 inflammation. Furthermore, we found little evidence for an effect of antioxidants, prebiotics &amp; probiotics, and Mediterranean-style diets on T2 inflammation. However, heterogeneity in study protocols, methodological shortcomings and limited power of almost all studies make it difficult to fully determine the impact of different dietary approaches on T2 inflammation in asthma.CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the current evidence does not support a specific dietary intervention to improve T2 inflammation in asthma. Interventions involving phytotherapy and omega-3 PUFA currently have the best evidence and warrant further evaluation in well-designed and adequately powered studies, while taking into account T2-high phenotypes of asthma.</p

Effect of dietary interventions on markers of type 2 inflammation in asthma:A systematic review

INTRODUCTION: Type 2 (T2) inflammation is a key mechanism in the pathophysiology of asthma. Diet may have immunomodulatory effects, and a role for diet in T2 inflammation has been suggested in the literature. Indeed, diet and food allergies play a role in children with atopic asthma, but less is known about diet in relation to adult asthma, which is often non-atopic.OBJECTIVE: To review the effect of dietary interventions on markers of T2 inflammation in adults with asthma.METHODS: The databases PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were searched for eligible studies until December 2022. We included studies of all types of foods, nutrients, diets or supplements, either as an exposure or as an intervention, in adults and adolescents with asthma. Outcomes of interest included the T2 biomarkers FeNO, eosinophils, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, eosinophil cationic protein and eosinophil peroxidase. The methodological quality of eligible studies was systematically evaluated, and the results were summarised according to dietary clusters.RESULTS: The systematic search identified studies on the dietary clusters antioxidants (n = 14), fatty acids, (n = 14), Mediterranean-style diets (n = 5), phytotherapy (n = 7), prebiotics &amp; probiotics (n = 8), vitamin D (n = 7), and other dietary factors (n = 5). Studies within the phytotherapy and omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) clusters showed possible improvements in T2 inflammation. Furthermore, we found little evidence for an effect of antioxidants, prebiotics &amp; probiotics, and Mediterranean-style diets on T2 inflammation. However, heterogeneity in study protocols, methodological shortcomings and limited power of almost all studies make it difficult to fully determine the impact of different dietary approaches on T2 inflammation in asthma.CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the current evidence does not support a specific dietary intervention to improve T2 inflammation in asthma. Interventions involving phytotherapy and omega-3 PUFA currently have the best evidence and warrant further evaluation in well-designed and adequately powered studies, while taking into account T2-high phenotypes of asthma.</p

The Features of the Synovium in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis According to the 2010 ACR/EULAR Classification Criteria

OBJECTIVES: It has been shown in early arthritis cohorts that the 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) enable an earlier diagnosis, perhaps at the cost of a somewhat more heterogeneous patient population. We describe the features of synovial inflammation in RA patients classified according to these new criteria. METHODS: At baseline, synovial tissue biopsy samples were obtained from disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naïve early RA patients (clinical signs and symptoms <1 year). Synovial tissue was analyzed for cell infiltration, vascularity, and expression of adhesion molecules. Stained sections were evaluated by digital image analysis. Patients were classified according to the two different sets of classification criteria, autoantibody status, and outcome. FINDINGS: Synovial tissue of 69 RA patients according to 2010 ACR/EULAR criteria was analyzed: 56 patients who fulfilled the criteria for RA at baseline and 13 who were initially diagnosed as undifferentiated arthritis but fulfilled criteria for RA upon follow up. The synovium at baseline was infiltrated by plasma cells, macrophages, and T cells as well as other cells, and findings were comparable to those when patients were selected based on the 1987 ACR criteria for RA. There was no clear cut difference in the characteristics of the synovium between RA patients initially diagnosed as undifferentiated arthritis and those who already fulfilled classification criteria at baseline. CONCLUSION: The features of synovial inflammation are similar when the 2010 ACR/EULAR classification criteria are used compared to the 1987 ACR criteria

Frequency-Scanning Multi-Yagi-Uda Array Antenna

We propose a wide coverage frequency scanning antenna consisting of multiple Yagi-Uda array antennas, sharing one common active element. A prototype antenna, scanning 90 degrees, in the frequency range 2.3 – 4.3 GHz is designed, realized and characterized, validating the idea and design method