Vegetation Loss Measurements for Single Alley Trees in Millimeter-Wave Bands.

As fixed wireless access (FWA) is still envisioned as a reasonable way to achieve communications links, foliage attenuation becomes an important wireless channel impairment in the millimeter-wave bandwidth. Foliage is modeled in the radiative transfer equation as a medium of random scatterers. However, other phenomena in the wireless channel may also occur. In this work, vegetation attenuation measurements are presented for a single tree alley for 26-32 GHz. The results show that vegetation loss increases significantly after the second tree in the alley. Measurement-based foliage losses are compared with model-based, and new tuning parameters are proposed for models.

Long-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy-a Single-Center, Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the most popular bariatric procedures. We present our long-term results regarding weight loss, comorbidities, and gastric reflux disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We identified patients who underwent LSG in our institution between 2006 and 2009. We revised the data, and the patients with outdated contact details were tracked with the national health insurance database and social media (facebook). Each of the identified patients was asked to complete an online or telephone survey covering, among others, their weight and comorbidities. On that basis, we calculated the percent total weight loss (%TWL) and percent excess weight loss (%EWL), along with changes in body mass index (ΔBMI). Satisfactory weight loss was set at >50% EWL (for BMI = 25 kg/m2). We evaluated type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and arterial hypertension (AHT) based on the pharmacological therapy. GERD presence was evaluated by the typical symptoms and/or proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-seven patients underwent LSG between 2006 and 2009. One hundred twenty patients were qualified for this study. Follow-up data was available for 100 participants (47 female, 53 male). Median follow-up period reached 8.0 years (from 7.1 to 10.7). Median BMI upon qualification for LSG was 51.6 kg/m2. Sixteen percent of patients required revisional surgery over the years (RS group), mainly because of insufficient weight loss (14 Roux-Y gastric bypass-LRYGB; one mini gastric bypass, one gastric banding). For the LSG (LSG group n = 84), the mean %EWL was 51.1% (±22.3), median %TWL was 23.5% (IQR 17.7-33.3%), and median ΔBMI was 12.1 kg/m2 (IQR 8.2-17.2). Fifty percent (n = 42) of patients achieved the satisfactory %EWL of 50%. For RS group, the mean %EWL was 57.8% (±18.2%) and median %TWL reached 33% (IQR 27.7-37.9%). Sixty-two percent (n = 10) achieved the satisfactory weight loss. Fifty-nine percent of patients reported improvement in AHT therapy, 58% in T2DM. After LSG, 60% (n = 60) of patients reported recurring GERD symptoms and 44% were treated with proton pomp inhibitors (PPI). In 93% of these cases, GERD has developed de novo. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated LSG provides fairly good effects in a long-term follow-up with mean %EWL at 51.1%. Sixteen percent of patients require additional surgery due to insufficient weight loss. More than half of the subjects observe improvement in AHT and T2DM. Over half of the patients complain of GERD symptoms, which in most of the cases is a de novo complaint.

Life with a Gastric Band. Long-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding-a Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is the third most popular bariatric procedure worldwide. Various authors present ambivalent long-term follow up results. METHODS: We revised records of the patients who underwent LAGB between 2003 and 2006 along with history of additional check-ins. Patients with outdated details were tracked with the national health insurance database and social media (Facebook). An online survey was sent. The patients who did not have their band removed were included in this study. We calculated the percent total weight loss (%TWL) and percent excess weight loss (%EWL), along with changes in body mass index (ΔBMI). Satisfactory weight loss was set at >50% EWL (for BMI = 25 kg/m2). Since eight patients gained weight, we decided to include negative values of %TWL, %EWL, and ΔBMI. RESULTS: One hundred seven patients underwent LAGB from 2003 to 2006. The mean follow-up time was 11.2 (±1.2) years. Eleven percent of patients were lost to follow up (n = 12). There was one perioperative death. Fifty-four of the patients (n = 57) had their band removed. Thirty-seven patients still have the band (39%) and were included in the study. The mean %EWL was 27% (-56-112%) and %TWL was 11% (-19-53%). Twelve patients achieved %EWL > 50% (32%). Thiry-two patients still suffer from obesity, with BMI over 30 kg/m2. Eight patients (22%) gained additional weight. Patients with %EWL > 50% suffered less from gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms than those with EWL < 50% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Out of 107 cases, only 11.2% of patients with gastric band (n = 12) achieved satisfactory %EWL. Twenty-two percent of patients regained their weight or even exceeded it. Overall results suggest that LAGB is not an effective bariatric procedure in long term observation.