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The design is presented of aperture-coupled microstrip line-fed patch antennas (ACMPAs) and 4 x 4 planar arrays on Ferro A6-S low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) substrate operating in the 60-GHz frequency band. In addition to the traditional ACMPA design, air cavities processed inside the LTCC substrate are used to improve the bandwidth and gain of the antennas. The arrays are excited through the microstrip-line feed networks using quarter-wave matched T-junctions and using Wilkinson power dividers. The results show that ACMPAs and arrays can be fabricated with a standard LTCC process even for the millimeter-wave region. Good agreement is achieved between simulations and measurements. The measured S-parameters indicate impedance bandwidths of 9.5% and 5.8% for the array elements with and without an embedded cavity. The measured maximum gains for the 16-element patch arrays (with and without cavity) are 18.2 and 15.7 dBi, respectively. Index Terms--Array, cavity, 60 GHz, low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC), patch.

The effects of long-term exercise on glucose and fat utilization, muscle glycogen synthesis and their associations were investigated by measuring the rate of glucose and fat utilization and glycogen synthesis in leg muscles after the day of a 42-km marathon race using a euglycemic clamp technique. Basal serum free fatty acid level, glycogen synthase activity and lipid oxidation increased while glycogen content and glucose oxidation decreased. There was a positive correlation between glycogen content and lipid oxidation, suggesting that insulin-stimulated glucose disposal decreased after exercise because of increased lipid oxidation.

Wide-angle coverage, fine angular resolution, and low-power consumption are the key characteristics of millimeter-wave short-range wireless systems, such as access points in fifth-generation cellular networks and automotive radars. In this paper, we present a 60 GHz switched-beam antenna system addressing all these requirements. It consists of two identical parallel-fed arrays of eight slots, each fed by a passive pillbox beamformer. A switch network comprising four single-pole-multiple-throw switches excites one of the two arrays at a time and selects the radiated beam. The whole system is fully integrated into a multilayer low-temperature cofired ceramic module. The antenna covers a scan range of about ±39° in one plane using 11 beams between 57 and 66 GHz. The proposed architecture enables the simultaneous achievement of continuous coverage (beam crossover levels of about −3 dB) and of low sidelobe levels. Dedicated numerical tools are used for a preliminary design of the antenna. The design procedure, the technological development, and the experimental results are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A millimeter-wave communication system needs a directive beam-steering antenna with a low scan loss to compensate the high free space loss. In this letter, an electronically beam-switching integrated lens antenna (ILA) system with low scan loss is designed for lower E-band (71–76 GHz). An ILA with hemispherical collimating surface of 26 mm radius and spherical feed surface of 37.5 mm radius is fabricated from Teflon material. A conformal 1 × 16 linear beam-switching feed array based on SP4T switches and Vivaldi antennas is designed. The maximum simulated and measured realized gain including the switch network losses is 21.8 and 19.6 dBi, respectively. The measured scan loss of the ILA excluding the switch network loss is less than 1.3 dB in the lower E-band for beams within $\pm$ 40°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new services available through smart devices require very high cellular network capacity. The capacity requirement is expected to increase exponentially with the forthcoming 5G networks. The only available spectrum for truly wideband communication (>1 GHz) is at millimeter wavelengths. The high free space loss can be overcome by using the directive and beam-steerable antennas. This paper describes a design and the measurement results for a lens antenna system for $E$ -band having 2-D beam-steering capability. Continuous beam-switching range of about \pm 4 {^{\circ }} \times \pm 17^{\circ } is demonstrated with the lens having the maximum measured directivity of 36.7 dB. Link budget calculation for backhaul application using the presented lens antenna system is presented and compared with the measurement results of the implemented demo system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background Many children with permanent brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) develop shoulder problems, with subsequent joint deformity without treatment. We assessed the indications and outcome of shoulder operations for BPBI. Patients and methods 31 BPBI patients who had undergone a shoulder operation in our hospital between March 2002 and December 2005 were included in the study. Relocation of the humeral head had been performed in 13 patients, external rotation osteotomy of the humerus in 5 patients, subscapular tendon lengthening in 5 patients, and teres major transposition in 8 patients. Subjective results were registered. Shoulder range of motion was measured, and function assessed according to the Mallet scale. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed pre- and postoperatively. Glenoscapular angle (GSA) and percentage of humeral head anterior to the middle of the glenoid fossa (PHHA) were measured. Congruency of the glenohumeral joint (GHJ) was estimated. The mean follow-up time was 3.8 (1.7-6.8) years. Results At follow-up, the subjective result was satisfactory in 30 of the 31 patients. There were 4 failures, which in retrospect were due to wrong choice of surgical method in 3 of these 4 patients. Mean increase in Mallet score was 5.5 after successful relocation, 1.4 after rotation osteotomy, 2.2 after subscapular tendon lengthening, and 3.1 after teres major transposition. Congruency of the shoulder joint improved in 10 of 13 patients who had undergone a relocation operation, with mean improvement in GSA of 33º and mean increase in PHHA of 25%. There were no substantial changes in congruency of the glenohumeral joint in patients treated with other operation types. Interpretation Restriction of the range of motion and malposition of the glenohumeral joint can be improved surgically in brachial plexus birth injury. Remodeling of the joint takes place after successful relocation of the humeral head in young patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reader module at 60 GHz for high data-rate short-range backscattering-based communications is presented. The reader consists of a CMOS-based oscillator, amplifiers, and a mixer on a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate. The filter, power splitter, and antennas are directly patterned on the LTCC. All millimeter-wave components are contained within the module and the only interfaces to the module are the IF and bias lines. Transmit power of the module is +\11.6-dBm effective isotropic radiated power with an IF bandwidth of 400 MHz. The LTCC module measures \ 13\times \ 24~\ mm^2 and has a dc power consumption of 130 mW. Reception of a 20-MHz square wave from a tag 5 cm apart from the reader is demonstrated; the suggested millimeter-wave identification concept enables a \10^2–\10^3-fold data-rate increase in comparison to the present near-field communication technique, with similar size, range, and power consumption of the reader. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereditary gelsolin amyloidosis (AGel amyloidosis) is a systemic disorder caused by a G654A or G654T gelsolin mutation, reported from Europe, North America, and Japan. Principal clinical signs are corneal lattice dystrophy, cutis laxa and cranial neuropathy, often deleterious at advanced age. Peripheral neuropathy, if present, is usually mild. We report a 78-year-old male Finnish patient who presented with ataxia and mainly sensory peripheral polyneuropathy (PNP) signs, causing severe disability and ambulation loss. Electrophysiological studies showed severe generalized chronic mainly axonal sensorimotor PNP with facial paralysis. In magnetic resonance imaging proximal lower limb and axial muscle atrophy with fatty degeneration as well as moderate spinal cord atrophy were seen. A G654A gelsolin mutation was demonstrated but no other possible causes of his disability were found. At age 79 years he became bedridden and died of pulmonary embolism. Neuropathological examination revealed marked gelsolin amyloid deposition at vascular and connective tissue sites along the entire length of the peripheral nerves extending to the spinal nerve roots, associated with severe degeneration of nerve fibers and posterior columns. Our report shows that advanced AGel amyloidosis due to degeneration of central and distal sensory nerve projections results in deleterious ataxia with fatal outcome. Severe posterior column atrophy may reflect radicular AGel deposition, although even altered gelsolin-actin interactions in neural cells possibly contribute to neurodegeneration with successive ataxia in carriers of a G654A gelsolin mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereditary gelsolin amyloidosis (AGel amyloidosis) is a systemic disorder caused by a G654A or G654T gelsolin mutation, reported from Europe, North America, and Japan. Principal clinical signs are corneal lattice dystrophy, cutis laxa and cranial neuropathy, often deleterious at advanced age. Peripheral neuropathy, if present, is usually mild. We report a 78- year old male Finnish patient who presented with ataxia and mainly sensory peripheral polyneuropathy (PNP) signs, causing severe disability and ambulation loss. Electrophysiological studies showed severe generalized chronic mainly axonal sensorimotor PNP with facial paralysis. In magnetic resonance imaging proximal lower limb and axial muscle atrophy with fatty degeneration as well as moderate spinal cord atrophy were seen. A G654A gelsolin mutation was demonstrated but no other possible causes of his disability were found. At age 79 he became bedridden and died of pulmonary embolism. Neuropathological examination revealed marked gelsolin amyloid deposition at vascular and connective tissue sites along the entire length of the peripheral nerves extending to the spinal nerve roots, associated with severe degeneration of nerve fibers and posterior columns. Our report shows that advanced AGel amyloidosis due to degeneration of central and distal sensory nerve projections results in deleterious ataxia with fatal outcome. Severe posterior column atrophy may reflect radicular AGel deposition, although even altered gelsolin – actin interactions in neural cells possibly contribute to neurodegeneration with successive ataxia in carriers of a G654A gelsolin mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the first Finnish case of hepatitis C associated osteosclerosis. In which the patient's bone symptoms and bone density were resolved with hepatitis C treatment. Suspecting the possibility of osteosclerosis underlying bone pains in a hepatitis C patient is well-founded, although osteoporotic fractures are a more common problem.

Background: Anoctaminopathies are muscle diseases caused by recessive mutations in the ANO5 gene. The effects of anoctaminopathy on oxidative capacity have not previously been studied in a controlled setting., Objective: To characterize oxidative capacity in a clinically and genetically well-defined series of patients with anoctaminopathy., Methods: We sequenced the ANO5 gene in 111 Finnish patients with suspected LGMD2. Patients with positive findings underwent close clinical examination, including electromyography, muscle MRI, and, in selected cases, muscle biopsy. Oxidative capacity was analyzed using spiroergometry and compared to age-matched healthy controls., Results: We characterized 12 newly identified and 2 previously identified patients with ANO5 mutations from 11 families. Our material was genetically homogeneous with most patients homozygous for the Finnish founder variant c.2272C>T (p.Arg758Cys). In one family, we found a novel p.Met470Arg variant compound heterozygous with p.Arg758Cys. Lower limb muscle MRI revealed progressive fatty degeneration of specific posterior compartment muscles. Patients' spiroergometric profiles showed that anoctaminopathy significantly impaired oxidative capacity with increasing ventilation., Conclusions: Our findings support earlier reports that anoctaminopathy progresses slowly and demonstrate that the disease impairs the capacity for aerobic exercise.

A previously quite healthy 65-year-old woman sought emergency hospital care due to fatigue, weight loss and sensation of thirst appearing over a couple of months. Further analysis revealed a process affecting the neurohypophysis and extensive lytic sclerotic bone lesions. Eventually a rare generalized underlying disease was unraveled: the diagnosis included both Langerhans cell histiocytosis and Erdheim-Chester disease.

A middle-aged male patient was examined due to chest pain. At the same time blisters appeared on his palms and soles of the foot. Radiologic examinations revealed lesions in the thoracic vertebral bodies, in the first rib and in the sternum. Inflammatory markers were elevated in the blood. The patient subsequently developed arthritis in a previously injured knee.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the use and optimal timing of ultrasonographic (US) screening for posterior shoulder subluxation in infantswith brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI)., Materials and Methods: Approval of the ethics committee and informed consent of guardians was obtained. This population-based prospective study included neonates with BPBI who were born in Helsinki from January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2006, and in whom BPBI was verified with sequential clinical examinations. US was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Size (width and height) of the humeral head and its ossification center and congruency of the shoulder (alpha angle) were measured. Frequency of BPBI and permanent changes were evaluated. This study also included patients who were referred from the tertiary catchment area. For statistical analysis, 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and analysis of variance was performed., Results: BPBI was seen in 132 of 41980 neonates (3.1 per 1000). In 27 cases (0.64 per 1000), BPBI did not heal during the 1st year of life and was considered permanent. The humeral head and its ossification center were smaller on the affected side in permanent BPBI. Nine patients with permanent palsy had posterior subluxation of the humeral head depicted with US (alpha angle, >30 degrees ). In five patients, posterior subluxation [corrected] was detected at 3 months. Nineteen of 21 patients with BPBI from the tertiary catchment area had permanent palsy. Ten of 19 patients developed posterior subluxation of the shoulder, which was verified with US. Altogether, three of these cases were not detected by surgeons. Posterior subluxation of the humeral head developed during the 1st year of life in one-third of patients with permanent BPBI. In more than one-half (55% [five of nine]) of the patients, posterior subluxation [corrected] was detected with US at 3 months, and in 89% (eight of nine), it was detected at 6 months., Conclusion: US is a fast and useful tool for diagnosis of posterior subluxation of the humeral head, and examination of the glenohumeral joint should be performed at 3 and 6 months of age in infants with BPBI if symptoms persist.

Hereditary gelsolin amyloidosis (AGel amyloidosis) is a systemic disorder caused by a G654A or G654T gelsolin mutation, reported from Europe, North America, and Japan. Principal clinical signs are corneal lattice dystrophy, cutis laxa and cranial neuropathy, often deleterious at advanced age. Peripheral neuropathy, if present, is usually mild. We report a 78- year old male Finnish patient who presented with ataxia and mainly sensory peripheral polyneuropathy (PNP) signs, causing severe disability and ambulation loss. Electrophysiological studies showed severe generalized chronic mainly axonal sensorimotor PNP with facial paralysis. In magnetic resonance imaging proximal lower limb and axial muscle atrophy with fatty degeneration as well as moderate spinal cord atrophy were seen. A G654A gelsolin mutation was demonstrated but no other possible causes of his disability were found. At age 79 he became bedridden and died of pulmonary embolism. Neuropathological examination revealed marked gelsolin amyloid deposition at vascular and connective tissue sites along the entire length of the peripheral nerves extending to the spinal nerve roots, associated with severe degeneration of nerve fibers and posterior columns. Our report shows that advanced AGel amyloidosis due to degeneration of central and distal sensory nerve projections results in deleterious ataxia with fatal outcome. Severe posterior column atrophy may reflect radicular AGel deposition, although even altered gelsolin - actin interactions in neural cells possibly contribute to neurodegeneration with successive ataxia in carriers of a G654A gelsolin mutation.

Introduction: Although it is known that some degenerative changes occur in the spines of fighter pilots, it is not clear whether their frequent exposure to high acceleration is associated with premature development of such changes. This case-control study was designed help answer that question., Methods: There were 12 Finnish Air Force pilot cadets and their controls who were examined using cervical and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before the pilots started fighter training (baseline) and 13 yr later (follow-up) when the pilots had accumulated a total of 1200 +/- 470 h in fighter aircraft., Results: No statistical differences were found between groups with respect to the frequency of degenerative changes in either the cervical or lumbar spine. Cervical changes in pilots were for the most part observed in the lower part of the neck, while controls showed more variability as to location. In the lumbar region, pilots showed a non-significant tendency toward more changes in disks L4-S1, including changes in signal intensity, height, protrusions, and end plates., Conclusion: Occupational exposure to acceleration in fighter aircraft did not cause significant radiological changes in the spinal column during the first 13 yr of a fighter pilot's flying career. Assessments for the need of a fighter pilot's follow-up imaging should be based on clinical outcome, not on periodic imaging.