Planar Antennas

This article reviews the state of the art in broadband antennas for emerging UWB applications and addresses the important issues of the broadband antenna design for UWB applications. First, a variety of planar monopoles with finite ground planes are reviewed. Next, the roll antennas with enhanced radiation performance are outlined. After that, the planar antennas printed on PCBs are described. A directional antipodal Vivaldi antenna is also presented for UWB applications. Last, a UWB antenna for wearable applications is exemplifie

Parametric Study of Ultra-Wideband Dual Elliptically Tapered Antipodal Slot Antenna

Parametric study of the impedance and radiation characteristics of a dual elliptically tapered antipodal slot antenna (DETASA) is undertaken in this paper. Usually, the performance of the DETASA is sensitive to the parameters, the effects of major geometry parameters of the radiators and feeding transition of the DETASA on antenna performance are investigated across the frequency range of 1–18 GHz. The information derived from this study provides guidelines for the design and optimization of the DETASAs which are widely used for UWB applications

Evidence supported by Mendelian randomization: impact on inflammatory factors in knee osteoarthritis

BackgroundPrior investigations have indicated associations between Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) and certain inflammatory cytokines, such as the interleukin series and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα). To further elaborate on these findings, our investigation utilizes Mendelian randomization to explore the causal relationships between KOA and 91 inflammatory cytokines.MethodsThis two-sample Mendelian randomization utilized genetic variations associated with KOA from a large, publicly accessible Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS), comprising 2,227 cases and 454,121 controls of European descent. The genetic data for inflammatory cytokines were obtained from a GWAS summary involving 14,824 individuals of European ancestry. Causal relationships between exposures and outcomes were primarily investigated using the inverse variance weighted method. To enhance the robustness of the research results, other methods were combined to assist, such as weighted median, weighted model and so on. Multiple sensitivity analysis, including MR-Egger, MR-PRESSO and leave one out, was also carried out. These different analytical methods are used to enhance the validity and reliability of the final results.ResultsThe results of Mendelian randomization indicated that Adenosine Deaminase (ADA), Fibroblast Growth Factor 5(FGF5), and Hepatocyte growth factor (HFG) proteins are protective factors for KOA (IVWADA: OR = 0.862, 95% CI: 0.771–0.963, p = 0.008; IVWFGF5: OR = 0.850, 95% CI: 0.764–0.946, p = 0.003; IVWHFG: OR = 0.798, 95% CI: 0.642–0.991, p = 0.042), while Tumor necrosis factor (TNFα), Colony-stimulating factor 1(CSF1), and Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 12(TWEAK) proteins are risk factors for KOA. (IVWTNFα: OR = 1.319, 95% CI: 1.067–1.631, p = 0.011; IVWCSF1: OR = 1.389, 95% CI: 1.125–1.714, p = 0.002; IVWTWEAK: OR = 1.206, 95% CI: 1.016–1.431, p = 0.032).ConclusionThe six proteins identified in this study demonstrate a close association with the onset of KOA, offering valuable insights for future therapeutic interventions. These findings contribute to the growing understanding of KOA at the microscopic protein level, paving the way for potential targeted therapeutic approaches

Circulating tissue factor-positive procoagulant microparticles in patients with type 1 diabetes

Aim: To investigate the count of circulating tissue factor-positive (TF+) procoagulant microparticles (MPs) in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: This case-control study included patients with T1DM and age and sex-matched healthy volunteers. The counts of phosphatidylserine-positive (PS+) MPs and TF(+)PS(+)MPs and the subgroups derived from different cell types were measured in the peripheral blood sample of the two groups using multicolor flow cytometric assay. We compared the counts of each MP between groups as well as the ratio of the TF(+)PS(+)MPs and PS(+)MPs (TF(+)PS(+)MPs/PS(+)MPs). Results: We recruited 36 patients with T1DM and 36 matched healthy controls. Compared with healthy volunteers, PS(+)MPs, TF(+)PS(+)MPs and TF(+)PS(+)MPs/PS(+)MPs were elevated in patients with T1DM (PS(+)MPs: 1078.5 +/- 158.08 vs 686.84 +/- 122.04/mu L, P &lt;0.001; TF(+)PS(+)MPs: 202.10 +/- 47.47 vs 108.33 +/- 29.42/mu L, P &lt;0.001; and TF(+)PS(+)MPs/PS(+)MPs: 0.16 +/- 0.04 vs 0.19 +/- 0.05, P = 0.004), mostly derived from platelet, lymphocytes and endothelial cells. In the subgroup analysis, the counts of total and platelet TF(+)PS(+)MPs were increased in patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and with higher HbA1c, respectively. Conclusion: Circulating TF(+)PS(+)MPs and those derived from platelet, lymphocytes and endothelial cells were elevated in patients with T1DM.De tre första författarna delar förstaförfattarskapet.</p

Job burnout among primary healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional study in China

ObjectiveThis study evaluated job burnout among primary healthcare workers (PHCWs) in China during the COVID-19 pandemic, explored its influencing factors, and examined PHCWs' preferences for reducing job burnout.MethodWe conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study in Heilongjiang, Sichuan, Anhui, Gansu, and Shandong Provinces. An electronic questionnaire survey was conducted through convenience sampling in communities from May to July 2022. We collected sociodemographic characteristics, job burnout level, job satisfaction, and preferred ways to reduce job burnout among PHCWs.ResultsThe job burnout rate among PHCWs in China was 59.87% (937/1565). Scores for each dimension of job burnout were lower among PHCWs who had a better work environment (emotional exhaustion OR: 0.60; depersonalization OR: 0.73; personal accomplishment OR: 0.76) and higher professional pride (emotional exhaustion OR: 0.63; depersonalization OR: 0.70; personal accomplishment OR: 0.44). PHCWs with higher work intensity (emotional exhaustion OR: 2.37; depersonalization OR: 1.34; personal accomplishment OR: 1.19) had higher scores in all job burnout dimensions. Improving work environments and raising salaries were the preferred ways for PHCWs to reduce job burnout.ConclusionStrategies should be developed to improve job satisfaction among PHCWs, enhance their professional identity, and alleviate burnout to ensure the effective operation of the healthcare system, especially during periods of overwork

Plasma levels of microRNA-24, microRNA-320a, and microRNA-423-5p are potential biomarkers for colorectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs are stable and easy to detect in plasma. The plasma levels of microRNAs are often changed in disease conditions, including cancer. This makes circulating microRNAs a novel class of biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. Analyses of online microRNA data base revealed that expression level of three microRNAs, microRNA-24 (miR-24), microRNA-320a (miR-320a), and microRNA-423-5p (miR-423-5p) were down-regulated in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, whether the plasma level of these three microRNAs can serve as biomarkers for CRC diagnosis and prognosis is not determined. METHODS: Plasma samples from 223 patients with colorectal related diseases (111 cancer carcinoma, 59 adenoma, 24 colorectal polyps and 29 inflammatory bowel disease) and 130 healthy controls were collected and subjected to reverse transcription-quantitative real time PCR (RT-qPCR) analyses for the three microRNAs. In addition, plasma samples from 43 patients were collected before and after surgical treatment for the same RT-qPCR analyses. RESULTS: The concentrations of plasma miR-24, miR-320a and miR-423-5p were all decreased in patients with CRC and benign lesions (polyps and adenoma) compared with healthy controls, but increased in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The sensitivity of miR-24, miR-320a and miR-423-5p for early stage of CRC were 77.78 %, 90.74 %, and 88.89 %, respectively. Moreover, the plasma concentration of the three microRNAs was increased in patients after the surgery who had clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The plasma levels of miR-24, miR-320a, and miR-423-5p have promising potential to serve as novel biomarkers for CRC detection, especially for early stage of CRC, which are superior to the currently used clinical biomarkers for CRC detection, such as CEA and CA19-9. Further efforts to develop the three microRNAs as biomarkers for early CRC diagnosis and prediction of surgical treatment outcomes are warrant. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-015-0198-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users