High-power vacuum terahertz photomixer and integrated circuits based on microscale phototubes.

Technologies and industrials in long-distance communication, detection, and imaging applications are still in great need of higher-output-power terahertz sources. This paper proposes two kinds of microscale vacuum phototube based high-power terahertz source: vacuum photomixer and terahertz integrated circuit. The principle of photomixer based on photoemission and field-assisted photoemission is demonstrated. Its capability of producing radiation power beyond 1 mW is estimated based on theoretical analysis and experimental evidence. Simulation and theoretical analysis have shown that the fundamental THz photodiode devices can operate with a space-charge limited current density of 4496 A/cm2 at 60 V, and the amplifier circuits are calculated to have a gain performance of around 10 dB. The two photoemission-based roadmaps have the potential to be developed from an emerging and interdisciplinary field to more promising future directions of THz science and technology.

Design of planar distributed three beam electron gun with narrow beam separation for W band staggered double vane TWT.

A novel planar distributed three-beam electron gun with narrow beam separations is designed based on grids loaded sheet beam method. The dimensions of the three-beam gun in the y-O-z plane are determined using our basic theoretical design method developed for sheet beam gun. The results show that the profile of focusing electrode in the y-O-z plane is related to the beam width in the x-O-z plane. Then, the characteristics and parameters of three-beam array formation with their stability are analyzed thoroughly by adjustment of control grids in the x-O-z plane. Each of the beamlet obtained is with a small axial deviation of the two transverse waists. Based on the theoretical analysis and simulations, the planar three-beam electron gun is constructed with the beam voltage of 22 kV and the current of 3 [Formula: see text] 0.15 A. The average radius of 0.08 mm at each beam waist is obtained with the compression factor of 4 for the 0.18 mm beam tunnel radius. The beam waist can be achieved at about 4.4 mm away from the cathode with the axis separation about 0.46 mm for each of beamlet. Thus, the design method can be generally used to construct such type of narrow beam separation and planar distributed multiple beam electron gun for the miniaturization and integrated vacuum electron devices in millimeter wave and terahertz band.

MiR-143-3p targets ATG2B to inhibit autophagy and promote endothelial progenitor cells tube formation in deep vein thrombosis.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common disease in vascular surgery. In recent study, microRNA (miRNA) plays a regulatory role in function of Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which showed promising therapeutic choice for DVT. However, the function of miR-143-3p in EPCs remains incomplete. Flow cytometry was used to identify EPCs surface markers. Cell viability, migration, invasion and tube formation of EPCs were detected by 3-[4,5-dimethylthylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyltetrazolium broide (MTT), wound healing, transwell and tube formation assay, respectively. TargetScan was used to predict miR-143-3p targeting genes. Dual-luciferase report assay was used to verify the interactions between miR-143-3p and autophagy-related 2B (ATG2B). Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to examine the mRNA expression levels of ATG2B and miR-143-3p. Western blot was used to examine the protein expression levels of ATG2B, LC3 and p62. The cultured EPCs showed cobblestone morphology and were identified by cell surface markers. Overexpression of miR-143-3p enhanced the viability, migration, invasion and tube formation of EPCs, but low expression of miR-143-3p obtained the reverse results. ATG2B directly bound to miR-143-3p. Overexpression of miR-143-3p reduced the expression of ATG2B, but low expression of miR-143-3p increased. Overexpression of miR-143-3p decreased the expression of LC3I/II, but increased the expression of p62. Overexpression of ATG2B reversed the above-mentioned effects of EPCs which regulated by overexpression of miR-143-3p. MiR-143-3p targets ATG2B to modulate the function of EPCs and recanalization and resolution of DVT.

Prognostic factors for acute kidney injury following transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an effective treatment for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, acute kidney injury (AKI) is a severe complication that commonly occurs in patients undergo TACE. In this study, we aim to investigate the incidence and risk factors associated with AKI in HCC patients received TACE treatment. METHODS: This study enrolled 380 HCC patients who received a total of 453 TACE treatments. The incidence, clinical outcomes and risk factors of AKI were examined. RESULTS: The incidence of post-TACE AKI was 9.05% (41/453). Of these, 3 patients (7.3%) progressed to chronic kidney failure while 7 patients (17.1%) died within 1 month of TACE. The Child-Pugh score (OR=3.784, 95% CI 1.899-7.542, p=0.000), pre-operative serum uric acid (OR=1.450, 95% CI 1.202-1.750, p=0.000), and proteinuria (OR=2.393, 95% CI 1.139-5.031, p=0.021) were independent risk factors for the development of post-TACE AKI. CONCLUSION: AKI is a common complication in HCC patients received TACE. The Child-Pugh score, preoperative serum uric acid and proteinuria may be used to predict the risk of post-TACE AKI in HCC patients undergo TACE.