A Novel High Isolation 4-Port Compact MIMO Antenna with DGS for 5G Applications.

This paper presents the design and realization of a simple and low-profile, four-port multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna operating in a mm-wave band supporting 5G communication technologies. As part of the design methodology, the initial stage involved the development of a conventional monopole patch antenna optimized for operation at 26 GHz, which was matched to a 50 Ω stepped feed line. Afterward, a square-shaped defected ground structure (DGS) with semi-circle slots on the edges was placed on the ground to improve the isolation, and the circular and rectangular slots were incorporated as DGSs to optimize the antenna impedance bandwidth. Etching semi-circular-shaped slots on the ground plane achieved more than 34.2 dB isolation in the 26 GHz operating band. In addition, an arrangement of four symmetrical radiating elements was positioned orthogonally to minimize the antenna's physical size and improve the isolation. The proposed MIMO antenna's overall dimension was 25 × 25 mm2, which was printed on a Rogers 5880 substrate at a width of 0.787 mm and εr = 2.2. The proposed antenna covered the 5G mm-wave band with a 10 dB bandwidth ranging from 25.28-28.02 GHz, whereas the maximum gain attained for the proposed structure was 8.72 dBi. Additionally, the implementation of these slots effectively mitigated mutual coupling, resulting in reduced envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) values. Furthermore, other MIMO performance metrics, including channel capacity loss (CCL), mean effective gain (MEG), and diversity gain (DG), were analyzed for the proposed structure. The obtained results indicate its suitability for various usage areas, such as smart devices, mobile phones, and sensors in 5G applications.

Cellular Biomarkers in Mytilus galloprovincialis L. (Mediterranean Mussels) from Izmir Bay (Turkey).

In this study, cellular biomarkers and heavy metal concentration in the Mytilus galloprovincialis L. (Mediterranean mussels) collected from eight sites of Izmir Bay (Turkey) were determined to reveal water pollution for the first time in these stations. Results show that heavy metals (As, Cu, Hg, Zn, Cd, Sn, Pb) have been specified in mussels' tissues collected from all stations. According to GST, SOD, CAT activities, and TBARS contents, mussels in the outer bay have exposed more oxidative stress than the ones in the inner bay. Digestive gland tissues of them were showed more inhibition at AChE levels than gills. Also, abnormal nucleus rates and micronucleus frequencies (MN) were found to be higher in the inner bay than in the outer bay. This study showed that heavy metal pollution in different levels is an environmental issue on the Izmir Bay. Especially the coastal regions of the bay have been extremely affected by anthropogenic effects due to growing population.

A note on protein expression changes in chicken breast muscle in response to time in transit before slaughtering.

Aims of the research were to devise a proteome map of the chicken Pectoralis superficialis muscle, as resolved by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and to characterize protein expression changes in the soluble protein fraction in commercial conditions due to age and to time in transit before slaughtering. Broilers were reared under commercial conditions until they reached a mean 1.8 kg and 36 d, or 2.6 kg and 46 d of age. Transport to the slaughterhouse took 90 or 220 minutes. Transport-induced stress was assessed from blood metabolites and leukocyte cell counts, revealing significant changes in albumin, glucose and triglyceride concentrations, in heterophils and leukocyte counts for chickens in transit for longer, and in glucose depending mainly on age. The sarcoplasmic protein fractions were extracted from a total of 39 breast muscle samples, collected 15 min post mortem, for analysis by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Image and statistical analyses enabled us to study the qualitative and quantitative differences between the samples. Twelve up- or down-regulated protein spots were detected (P < 0.05): 8 related to the age effect, 2 to time in transit, and 2 to the interaction between the two. Age and time in transit influenced the avian proteome regulating the biological processes linked to the cellular housekeeping functions, related mainly to metabolism, cell division and control of apoptosis. Principal component analysis clustering was used to assess differences between birds. Age difference discriminated between the chickens analyzed better than time in transit, which seemed to have less general impact on the proteome fraction considered here. Isolating and identifying the proteins whose expression changes in response to transport duration and age shed some light on the biological mechanisms underlying growth and stress-related metabolism in chickens. Our results, combined with a further characterization of the chicken proteome associated with commercial chicken slaughtering management, will hopefully inspire alternative strategies and policies, and action to reduce the impact of stress related to time in transit.

Testicular tissue histology in rabbit testes after transparenchymal suturing with six different types of suture material.

AIM: Our aim was to investigate the changes in testicular tissue histology associated with six different types of commonly used suture material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one adult male New Zealand White rabbits were randomly assigned to seven groups of three animals each: sham-operated controls; polyglyconate suture; chromic catgut suture; polypropylene suture; polyglactin-910 suture; silk suture; and poliglecaprone-25 suture. All the materials tested were 6-0 caliber. In each suture-group rabbit, bilateral vertical paramedian incisions were made in the scrotal skin. Three interrupted transparenchymal sutures were then passed through the upper pole, middle, and lower pole of each testis and then fixed to the tunica albuginea using small tapered atraumatic needles. The control group underwent the same procedures but the needle was passed without suture attached. Bilateral orchiectomies were performed 30 days after suture placement, and the tissues were histologically scored. The parameters evaluated were the numbers of foreign-body giant cells and the proportion of the area that histiocytes infiltrated nearby the suture material; severity of fibrosis in the surrounding tissue; the proportion of tubules affected by the material; and spermatogenetic activity in the seminiferous tubules surrounding the suture material. RESULTS: The control tissues showed no inflammatory reaction and no changes in spermatogenesis. All tissue samples from all suture groups showed foreign-body reaction. In addition, all the suture-group specimens exhibited reduced spermatogenesis. Polypropylene suture had highest numbers of tubules with normal spermatogenesis and lowest numbers of maturation arrest. CONCLUSION: All the suture materials had a negative impact on spermatogenesis. Polypropylene suture caused less reaction and damage than the other five materials tested.

Evaluation of shockwave lithotripsy induced renal damage using heat shock protein 70 expression in the presence of different urinary obstruction periods.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the deleterious effects of shockwaves (SWs) using heat shock protein (HSP) 70 expression on obstructed kidneys with different obstruction periods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five rabbits were divided into two groups with 11 rabbits in each group. Both kidneys of the remaining three rabbits served as a sham group. All animals underwent right ureteral ligation using surgical clips. In group 1 (n = 6), 1500 SWs were applied to the obstructed kidney after 3 days of ligation, and the kidneys were removed on day 4. Group 1 control (n = 5) animals also underwent nephrectomy on day 4 without receiving SWs. Group 2 (n = 6) animals received the same dose of SWs after 6 days of ureteral ligation and were nephrectomized on day 7. Group 2 control (n = 5) animals did not receive SWs and were nephrectomized on day 7. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for HSP70 expression, and staining intensity was graded semiquantatively. RESULTS: HSP70 staining results were significantly lower in the sham group compared with results in the study groups. Immunostaining was significantly higher in the cortical collector tubuli in group 1 than group 1 control (P = 0.006). No significant difference was detected in group 2 compared with group 2 control. In the medullar cortical tubuli, HSP70 staining was significantly higher in group 1 than group 1 control (P = 0.03). It was also higher in group 2 than group 2 control (P = 0.04). The mean HSP70 glomerular staining scores were not statistically significant between each group. CONCLUSION: Application of SWs in the presence of obstruction has deleterious effects on the kidney tissue.

Does sildenafil affect uroflowmetry values in men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic enlargement?

AIMS: To investigate the effect of sildenafil on uroflowmetry values of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic enlargement (BPE). METHODS: Thirty-eight consecutive patients and 15 control subjects without voiding symptoms were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent uroflowmetry testing thrice on different occasions. The highest maximum urinary flow rate (Q(max)) values with a sufficient voided volume (> or =150 ml) were evaluated. The patients and controls were seen the day after the initial uroflowmetry measurements and were given 100 mg sildenafil. Afterwards uroflowmetry was repeated. The uroflowmetry values of both groups before and after sildenafil were compared. RESULTS: Of the 38 patients, 29 (76%) showed improvement in flow rates. The mean Q(max) was 11.4 +/- 0.39 and 15.7 +/- 0.74 ml/s before and after sildenafil, respectively (p < 0.0001). The mean percentage difference in Q(max) was +38% higher after sildenafil. The mean average flow rate (Q(ave)) and the mean voiding time values were also significantly improved. The mean voided volumes of the patients before and after sildenafil were 241 +/- 78 and 264 +/- 72 ml, respectively (p = 0.07). There were no significant differences in the Q(max), Q(ave) and voided volumes of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil exhibits a significant improvement in Q(max) and Q(ave) rates in men with LUTS.

Association of hypospadias with hypoplastic synpolydactyly and role of HOXD13 gene mutations.

OBJECTIVES: To present the association of hypospadias with hypoplastic synpolydactyly and discuss the molecular genetic basis of these conditions. METHODS: A large synpolydactyly kindred first described in 1995 was reinvestigated. Affected and unaffected subjects were interviewed, and pedigrees of the most recent generations were constructed. The marriages of two affected individuals were identified. The siblings who were homozygous for the deformity were asked to attend our institution and underwent a detailed clinical evaluation. Genetic studies and mutation screening were performed using polymerase chain reaction on genomic DNA extracted from venous blood. RESULTS: Of the 245 members of the kindred, 125 individuals were affected. Of these 125 individuals, 12 were homozygotes (6 females and 6 males) with a mean age of 12 years. The remaining 113 individuals (57 females and 56 males) were heterozygotes showing milder limb deformities. No sex-related phenotypic difference was found in the extremity findings, but all the males with a homozygote pattern had hypospadias. Three had distal penile, two had mid-shaft, and one had penoscrotal hypospadias. Of the affected 56 heterozygote males, 22 were also noted to have distal hypospadias in various forms. Neither the heterozygote nor the homozygote females had any genital anomalies. The laboratory tests and karyotype profiles of these individuals were normal. Mutation screening of the homozygote subjects revealed a polyalanine duplication band of nine additional alanine residues at the human HOXD13 gene. CONCLUSIONS: These findings strongly suggest that specific mutations in HOXD13 gene may cause both hypoplastic synpolydactyly and hypospadias.

Effect of carbon dioxide pneumoretroperitoneum on bacterial translocation in an experimental retroperitoneoscopy model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of artificial CO2 pneumoretroperitoneum on bacterial translocation in an experimental retroperitoneoscopy model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen adult male New Zealand White rabbits weighing 2.5 to 3 kg were divided into two groups. Group 1 (control group) consisted of 6 rabbits, while the remaining 12 served as the pneumoretroperitoneum group (group 2). In group 1, the left retroperitoneal space was dissected with a 50-mL balloon without CO2 insufflation, and the animals were kept under anesthesia for 3 hours with the balloons inflated. In group 2, after balloon dissection as in group 1, CO2 insufflation was applied at 1 L/min to achieve a pressure of 10 to 12 mm Hg for 3 hours. Afterward, all animals were sacrificed, and samples were taken from the blood, retroperitoneal area, lungs, liver, mesentery, heart, kidneys, ureters, bladder, colon, small intestine, and spleen and carried to the microbiology laboratory in Carry-Blair medium. Bacterial growth was evaluated using standard techniques. RESULTS: All animals survived the experimental procedures. None of the rabbits in the control group demonstrated any bacterial translocation in the sampled tissues. In the pneumoretroperitoneum group, one rabbit was found to have 10(2) colony-forming units of E. coli in the kidney, but this was considered to be the result of contamination, not translocation. CONCLUSION: Carbon dioxide pneumoretroperitoneum does not seem to cause bacteremia or bacterial translocation in this experimental model. Retroperitoneoscopy probably does not create any additional risk of septic complications.

The effect of carbon dioxide pneumoretroperitoneum on free oxygen radicals in rabbit retroperitoneoscopy model.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoretroperitoneum on free oxygen radicals in the kidney. Twelve male New Zealand rabbits were divided into 2 equal groups; group 1; control operation group (retroperitoneal space preparation without CO2 insufflation) and group 2; study group (10-12 mm Hg pneumoretroperitoneum for 3 hours with CO2). At the end of the procedure, laparotomy was performed to harvest ipsilateral and contralateral kidney in both groups after three hours. Kidney tissues were homogenized and were assayed for malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls (for protein oxidation), and reduced glutathione (GSH). Ipsilateral and contralateral kidney tissue levels of the MDA, protein carbonyls and GSH were not different in both the study and the control group (P > 0.05 for all comparisions). Corresponding ipsilateral and contralateral tissue levels of the markers, MDA and protein carbonyls were found to be significantly different in the study group as compared with the control group (P < 0.05 for the four comparisons mentioned). However, neither the ipsilateral nor the contralateral tissue levels of the marker GSH showed statistically relevant difference when the study group was compared with the control group. Oxidative stress was identified as a component of CO2 pneumoretroperitoneum-induced kidney injury using an animal model of retroperitoneoscopy. Oxidative stress is likely to contribute to the impairment of renal function after retroperitoneoscopy using a 10 mm-12 mm Hg CO2 pneumoretroperitoneum.

Sildenafil citrate does not alter ventricular repolarization properties: novel evidence from dynamic QT analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sildenafil citrate may have direct cardiac electrophysiological effects, and is possibly responsible for some cardiac events. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of sildenafil citrate on QT dynamicity properties with a new QT analysis program showing even small changes in ventricular repolarization. METHODS: Twenty-four-hour Holter electrocardiographic recordings were used to obtain the data in the predrug phase (1-hour rest position before drug administration), and in the postdrug phase (1-hour rest position, which began 60 minutes after 50 mg oral sildenafil citrate administration). With the special QT analysis program (Verda, Reynolds Medical Ltd., UK); mean values of RR, QT, QTo (corrected QT), J (the exponent of correction formula) and S (QT/RR plots slope) parameters together with QT variability indexes (QTVI) were calculated for study phases. RESULTS: Mean +/- SEM values for RR and QT were higher in postdrug phase than in predrug phase (RR: 845 +/- 42 ms vs 816 +/- 46 ms, P < 0.05; QT: 371 +/- 8 ms vs 361 +/- 9 ms, P < 0.05). However, sildenafil did not induce any significant change in mean +/- SEM values for QT(o), J, and S in postdrug phase compared with predrug phase (408 +/- 10 ms vs 406 +/- 8 ms, 0.474 +/- 0.030 vs 0.433 +/- 0.025, 0221 +/- 0.020 vs 0.198 +/- 0.017, respectively; P > 0.05). QTVIs were also not different in each phase (predrug: -0.874 +/- 0.071 vs postdrug: -0.997 +/- 0.067, P = 0.109). CONCLUSIONS: Fifty milligrams sildenafil does not affect QT dynamicity properties. The cardiac events associated with sildenafil could not be explained with ventricular arrhythmias.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for solitary distal ureteral stones: does the degree of urinary obstruction affect success?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is a safe and effective way to treat stones in the distal ureter, but the impact of urinary obstruction on outcome is not clear. We investigated the relation between the degree of stone-induced urinary obstruction and the outcome of SWL treatment in patients with solitary distal ureteral stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 165 consecutive patients with solitary distal ureteral stones underwent SWL (Multimed 9200 Lithotriptor, Elmed Medical Systems, Turkey) between October 2002 and September 2003 at two separate centers. Distal ureteral stones were defined as those located below the lower border of the sacroiliac joint. Patients were divided into four groups according to the degree of stone-induced urinary obstruction: group I (N = 62) had no urinary system dilation; group II (N = 40) had mild dilation, group III (N = 35) moderate dilation, and group IV (N = 28) severe dilation. In addition to degree of obstruction, stone size, average fluoroscopy time, total number of shockwaves applied, number of sessions required to achieve stone-free status, and stone clearance time were recorded. Treatment failure was defined as persistence of fragments after three SWL sessions. RESULTS: Overall, 152 (92.1%) of the patients became stone free after SWL. There were no statistically significant differences among the groups with respect to any of the factors studied. CONCLUSION: In cases where there is a solitary calculus in the distal ureter, the degree of urinary obstruction caused by the stone does not affect the success of stone clearance with SWL.

Effects of carbon dioxide pneumoretroperitoneum on free radical formation in remote organs and use of verapamil as an antioxidant.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Pneumoretroperitoneum (Prp) acts as an ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model. Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury causes production of reactive oxygen species, which affect organs remote from the sites of I/R. The aim of this study was to assess the remote organ changes after Prp and to explore the effects of antioxidants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen adult rabbits were randomized to three groups, each consisting of six rabbits. Group I (control) underwent balloon dissection of the left retroperitoneal space without gas insufflation. In group II (Prp), carbon dioxide at 10 mm Hg was applied for 2 hours after the balloon dissection (ischemia period) and for 1 hour after desufflation (reperfusion period). In group III (Prp + antioxidant), 5 minutes before the experiment, verapamil at 0.2 mg/kg was given intravenously and the same procedure was employed as in group II. Hepatic, pulmonary, opposite kidney, and treated kidney malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were evaluated to show response to Prp. RESULTS: Pneumoretroperitoneum exerted oxidative stress on all tissues with an increase of MDA (P < 0.05) and a decrease of GSH (P < 0.05). The verapamil-treated group showed lower values of MDA (P < 0.05) and higher values of GSH (P < 0.05) than group II. CONCLUSION: Pneumoretroperitoneum increased oxidative stress in all remote organs tested. Verapamil reduced the oxidative stress. We concluded that Prp should be employed carefully in patients with limited vital organ capacity. Verapamil administration may be considered for protection against tissue injury attributable to oxidative stress in these patients.

Plasma kinetic vaporization of the prostate: clinical evaluation of a new technique.

PURPOSE: We evaluated our results with bipolar plasma kinetic electrovaporization in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients with infravesical obstruction by BPH have been treated with bipolar plasma kinetic electrovaporization. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) with a quality of life (QOL) scoring questionnaire, uroflowmetry (maximum flow rate; Qmax), transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS), and residual urine volume and prostate specific antigen (PSA) measurements had been performed before surgery. The IPSS scores, prostate volumes, and residual urine volumes were reevaluated during the third postoperative month. Uroflowmetry was repeated on postoperative days 7, 15, 30, and 90. Total PSA and free PSA measurements were repeated on postoperative days 3, 5, 7, 15, 30, and 90. RESULTS: The results of 20 patients could be evaluated. The median age of these patients was 61 years. The median volume of the prostates was 42 cc (95% CI 56-53). The median operation time and postoperative hospitalization were 55 minutes (95% CI 40-65) and 3 days (95% CI 3-5), respectively. The mean period of time needed for vaporizing 1 g of tissue was calculated as 2.8 +/- 1.3 minutes. Postoperative day 90 values of IPSS, QOL, prostate volume, residual urine volume, and Qmax showed significant improvement compared with preoperative values (p < 0.05). The median preoperative PSA value was 1.64 mg/mL (95% CI 1-3.6). The value showed a statistically significant increase 24 hours after the intervention (p < 0.0001), but the PSA values on the 30th (p = 0.041) and 90th (p = 0.025) days were below preoperative values. CONCLUSION: The IPSS with QOL scores, prostate volumes, and residual urine volumes showed significant decreases and Qmax values showed a significant increase after bipolar plasma kinetic electrovaporization. This treatment modality causes a temporary increase in the PSA concentration, as do other interventional treatment methods, but the measurements on the 30th and 90th days were below preoperative values.

Comparison of changes in tissue oxidative-stress markers in experimental model of open, laparoscopic, and retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the oxidative stress in renal tissue during three types of surgery: open donor nephrectomy (ODN), laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN), and retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy (RDN). The aim was to find out which is the appropriate procedure for harvesting a donor kidney. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four New Zealand White rabbits were randomized to four groups, each consisting of six rabbits. Group I (control) was subjected to 180 minutes of anesthesia, and transperitoneal nephrectomy was performed without creation of warm ischemia. In group II (ODN), after 180 minutes of anesthesia, warm ischemia was created for 5 minutes, and nephrectomy was performed. Group III (LDN) was subjected to 5 minutes of warm ischemia after 180 minutes of pneumoperitoneum at 12 mm Hg, and the kidney was removed. In group IV (RDN), after pneumoretroperitoneum at 12 mm Hg for 180 minutes, warm ischemia was created for 5 minutes, and nephrectomy was performed. Renal tissues were analyzed to determine malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as oxidative-stress markers. RESULTS: Renal tissue GSH levels were decreased, whereas MDA levels were increased in groups II through IV compared with the control group (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the ODN, LDN, and RDN groups in the renal oxidative-stress markers. CONCLUSION: No differences were detected in oxidative-stress markers in renal tissue samples between ODN, LDN, and RDN. Therefore, we believe LDN and RDN can be used for live donor kidney harvesting as effectively as ODN without creating greater oxidative stress, which can have deleterious effects on a donor kidney.

Effect of retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy on tissue oxidative stress markers in rabbit pneumoretroperitoneum model.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy causes increased renal oxidative stress. There are no data about the effects of the retroperitoneoscopic route. The aim of our study was to evaluate the oxidative stress occurring in renal tissues during retroperitoneoscopic donor nephrectomy in a rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen adult rabbits were randomized to three groups, each consisting of six rabbits. Group I (control) underwent 50-mL balloon dissection of the left retroperitoneal space without CO(2) insufflation. Group II (pneumoretroperitoneum) received a 3-hour CO(2) insufflation at a pressure of 10 mm Hg in the retroperitoneal space after balloon dissection. Group III (pneumoretroperitoneum with warm ischemia), in addition to the procedure applied in Group II, underwent left renal artery clamping for 3 minutes and reperfusion for the next 5 minutes. Bilateral nephrectomy was performed in all animals for analysis of oxidative stress markers. Concentrations of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl, and reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured in renal tissue samples. RESULTS: The MDA and protein carbonyl content were increased both in the donor (P = 0.004 and P = 0.004, respectively) and in the remaining kidneys (P = 0.009 and P = 0.028, respectively) in Group II compared with Group I. There were no statistically significant increases in oxidative stress markers between Group II and Group III in donor kidneys. However, there were statistically significant decreases in MDA in the remaining kidneys in Group III compared with Group II (P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Pneumoretroperitoneum causes increased oxidative stress in both donor and remaining kidneys. Short-term warm ischemia and reperfusion do not exert an additive effect on pneumoretroperitoneum-associated oxidative stress in donor kidneys.