Metasurface-Enhanced Antennas for Microwave Brain Imaging.

Stroke is a very frequent disorder and one of the major leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Timely detection of stroke is essential in order to select and perform the correct treatment strategy. Thus, the use of an efficient imaging method for an early diagnosis of this syndrome could result in an increased survival's rate.

Experimental Validation of Microwave Tomographywith the DBIM-TwIST Algorithm for Brain StrokeDetection and Classification.

We present an initial experimental validation of a microwave tomography (MWT) prototypefor brain stroke detection and classification using the distorted Born iterative method, two-stepiterative shrinkage thresholding (DBIM-TwIST) algorithm. The validation study consists of firstpreparing and characterizing gel phantoms which mimic the structure and the dielectric propertiesof a simplified brain model with a haemorrhagic or ischemic stroke target. Then, we measure theS-parameters of the phantoms in our experimental prototype and process the scattered signals from 0.

Feasibility Study of Enhancing Microwave Brain Imaging Using Metamaterials.

We present an approach to enhance microwave brain imaging with an innovative metamaterial (MM) planar design based on a cross-shaped split-ring resonator (SRR-CS). The proposed metasurface is incorporated in different setups, and its interaction with EM waves is studied both experimentally and by using CST Microwave Studio and is compared to a "no MM" case scenario. We show that the MM can enhance the penetration of the transmitted signals into the human head when placed in contact with skin tissue, acting as an impedance-matching layer.

Design and Experimental Validation of a Multiple-Frequency Microwave Tomography System Employing the DBIM-TwIST Algorithm.

We present a first prototype of a wideband microwave tomography system with potential application to medical imaging. The system relies on a compact and robust printed monopole antenna which can operate in the 1.0⁻3.

A Glucose Sensing System Based on Transmission Measurements at Millimetre Waves using Micro strip Patch Antennas.

We present a sensing system operating at millimetre (mm) waves in transmission mode that can measure glucose level changes based on the complex permittivity changes across the signal path. The permittivity of a sample can change significantly as the concentration of one of its substances varies: for example, blood permittivity depends on the blood glucose levels. The proposed sensing system uses two facing microstrip patch antennas operating at 60 GHz, which are placed across interrogated samples.

Pharmacotherapy in smoking cessation: Corticotropin Releasing Factor receptors as emerging intervention targets.

Smoking represents perhaps the single most important health risk factor and a global contributor to mortality that can unquestionably be prevented. Smoking is responsible for many diseases, including various types of cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and peptic ulcer, while it adversely affects fetal formation and development. Since smoking habit duration is a critical factor for mortality, the goal of treatment should be its timely cessation and relapse prevention.

Prognostic factors in patients presenting with pleural effusion revealing malignancy.

Background: The survival of patients with malignant pleural effusion is considered generally poor. Most of the studies reporting results of prognostic factors are retrospective, using pleural thoracentesis for diagnosis. The objectives of our study were to reveal possible prognostic factors in patients initially presenting with undiagnosed pleural effusion proven to be malignant by diagnostic thoracoscopy.

Respiratory muscle strength and lung function in patients undergoing medical thoracoscopy.

Background: Medical thoracoscopy (MT) is a procedure considered as minimally invasive. The safety of the procedure has been questioned recently in fragile patients, but no explanation of the pathophysiologic mechanism has been given. Although MT is applied by respiratory physicians who are also dealing with patients with impairment of lung function, it is surprising that there are no data concerning lung mechanics and function in this patient population.

Plasma visfatin levels in severe obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Visfatin is an insulin-mimicking adipokine, which is considered a link between obesity and insulin resistance. Aim of this study was to evaluate levels of plasma visfatin in patients with severe OSAS and examine their potential correlation with sleep characteristics and several biochemical parameters.

Global impairment of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Rationale: The implication of T cells in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is controversial. CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) are pivotal in maintaining immune homeostasis, but their role in IPF pathophysiology has not yet been studied.

Objectives: To explore Treg dynamics and function in IPF.