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This article presents a compact dual-band Bandpass Filter(BPF) based substrate integrated waveguide(SIW) used for C and X band applications. Complementary split-ring resonators(CSRR) are loaded into the waveguide surface to obtain more advantages of compactness and good performance. The SIW cavity undergoes initial optimization utilizing the powerful genetic algorithm, renowned for its robustness in solving complex problems, before proceeding to simulation with Ansys HFSS software with loaded CSRRs. The filter displays two passbands: the first has a bandwidth of 2 GHz and resonates at 6.8 GHz, while the second has a bandwidth of 5,55 GHz and resonates at 10.3 GHz. Moreover, with two resonance frequencies, the developed BPF has the benefit of low insertion loss(S21=-1.7dB and -1.9 dB) and improved return loss: (S11=-24dB and -22 dB) respectively. Furthermore, the proposed combination not only allows the implementation of a forward-wave passband propagating below the characteristic cutoff frequency of the waveguide but also exhibits good rejection, demonstrated by the presence of two transmission zeros with rejection of -16 dB and -19 dB, attained at 7.4 GHz and 14.8 GHz respectively. The proposed SIW BPF was designed using a 0.6mm thick FR4 dielectric substrate measuring 13mm × 15mm. The filter is manufactured to validate the concept and the measured results agree well with the simulation. With all these advantages: compact size, high rejection, and good filtering response, the proposed SIW BPF became suitable for microwave applications.

In this paper, we report a new design of a multifunction RFID tag antenna operating in the European band (665-868.5MHz) and the North American band (902-928 MHz) separately. The multifunction behavior can be achieved by changing the position of the RFID chip. It is found that at each feeding position, the RFID tag antenna can operate separately on both bands. The characteristics of the proposed design including S-parameters, impedance and reading range pattern have been investigated using simulation software CST Microwave Studio and experimental results. Further insight into the mechanism radiation is sought through the investigation of the current density and the equivalent circuit model. The tolerance of this design on various background materials is also investigated experimentally. The measured and simulated results show good agreement, providing a simple and low-cost design.

Introduction: Tuberculosis, a global major concern, causes millions of deaths annually despite WHO strategies. A persistent gap in detection and treatment facilitates rapid spread in high-burden countries., Aims: Analyze the clinical-epidemiological profile of tuberculosis patients in Laayoune and Tarfaya, Morocco, emphasizing risk factors and evolution of the tuberculosis Methods: Retrospective analysis of 1332 tuberculosis cases at the Respiratory Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment Center in Laayoune (2006-2012). Variables with P < 0.10 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis using multiple logistic regression to define the risk factors for tuberculosis, expressed as odds ratios (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI)., Results: The analysis revealed a pulmonary predominance (≈61%), with pleural (41.3%) and lymph node (31.5%) tuberculosis prevalent among extrapulmonary cases. Among 515 extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases, intestinal tuberculosis (14 cases) showed the highest mortality rate at 14.29%. The 15 to 64 age groups had a significantly higher risk of contracting pulmonary tuberculosis to children, and the 65 and over age group also had the highest risk of developing pulmonary tuberculosis (aOR=5.83 [2.43, 14.00]). Other risk factors included rural origin, personal history of tuberculosis, and smoking, all significantly associated with pulmonary tuberculosis (aOR=2.40 [1.001, 5.76]; aOR=2.00 [1.11, 3.61]; aOR=2.38 [1.40, 4.06]). Conversely, female gender was a protective factor (aOR=0.53 [0.40, 0.70]). Regarding recovery and loss to follow-up rates, they were higher in those with pulmonary tuberculosis (39.0% vs 2.1%; aOR=33.41 [17, 66.52]; 16.9% vs 10.3%; aOR=1.57 [1.02, 2.41], respectively)., Conclusion: Holistic initiatives across various sectors will be essential to eliminate tuberculosis by 2030.

Background: RASopathies are associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) there is ample evidence for this increased risk, while for other RASopathies this association has been studied less. No specific ASD profile has been delineated so far for RASopathies or a specific RASopathy individually., Methods: We conducted a systematic review to investigate whether a specific RASopathy is associated with a specific ASD profile, or if RASopathies altogether have a distinct ASD profile compared to idiopathic ASD (iASD). We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Open Grey for data about ASD features in RASopathies and potential modifiers., Results: We included 41 articles on ASD features in NF1, Noonan syndrome (NS), Costello syndrome (CS), and cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome (CFC). Individuals with NF1, NS, CS, and CFC on average have higher ASD symptomatology than healthy controls and unaffected siblings, though less than people with iASD. There is insufficient evidence for a distinct ASD phenotype in RASopathies compared to iASD or when RASopathies are compared with each other. We identified several potentially modifying factors of ASD symptoms in RASopathies., Conclusions: Our systematic review found no convincing evidence for a specific ASD profile in RASopathies compared to iASD, or in a specific RASopathy compared to other RASopathies. However, we identified important limitations in the research literature which may also account for this result. These limitations are discussed and recommendations for future research are formulated., (© 2024 The Authors. Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Primary autonomic failure (PAF) or Bradbury Eggleston syndrome is a neurodegenerative disorder of the autonomic nervous system characterized by orthostatic hypotension., Case Summary: We report the case of a 76-year-old patient with a history of hypertension, who presented with exercise-induced fatigue. He exhibited systolic hypertension and resting bradycardia in the supine position, with orthostatic hypotension without reactive tachycardia, suggesting dysautonomia. Neurological examination was unremarkable. The patient underwent cardiovascular autonomic testing, revealing evidence of beta-sympathetic deficiency associated with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. Causes of secondary dysautonomia were excluded. The patient was diagnosed with PAF. Even if managing the combination of supine hypertension and orthostatic hypotension was challenging, significant improvements in functional and haemodynamic status were observed with a personalized management approach., Discussion: Throughout this case report, we emphasize the critical need for an evaluation of autonomic function and blood pressure's dynamics in hypertensive patients experiencing orthostatic symptoms, enabling the implementation of tailored therapeutic strategies., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: None declared., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.)

Totipotency is the ability of a single cell to give rise to all of the differentiated cell types that build the conceptus, yet how to capture this property in vitro remains incompletely understood. Defining totipotency relies on a variety of assays of variable stringency. Here, we describe criteria to define totipotency. We explain how distinct criteria of increasing stringency can be used to judge totipotency by evaluating candidate totipotent cell types in mice, including early blastomeres and expanded or extended pluripotent stem cells. Our data challenge the notion that expanded or extended pluripotent states harbour increased totipotent potential relative to conventional embryonic stem cells under in vitro and in vivo conditions.

Background: Dyspnea is a subjective symptom of asthma whose perception is characterized by an interindividual variability. Poor dyspnea perception is usually associated with increased risk of exacerbation and may lead to inappropriate asthma management and under-treatment. We sought to identify factors associated with discrepancies between poor dyspnea perception and abnormal lung function in patients with moderate persistent asthma., Methodology: 65 patients, who attended their scheduled follow-up pulmonology consultation at Ibn Sina Hospital (Rabat - Morocco), underwent interrogation including modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale for dyspnea, physical examination and spirometry. Two groups, those with mMRC < 2 (poor dyspnea perceivers) and those with mMRC scale ≥ 2 were compared., Results: Poor dyspnea perception was found in 21 patients (32.3%). Associated factors were male sex (p : 0.03), low socio-economic income (p : 0.01), an onset of symptoms greater than 10 years (p : 0.01), BMI ≥ 25 Kg/m2 (p : 0.04) and depression (p : 0.04)., Conclusion: The results revealed factors significantly associated with poor dyspnea perception despite an obstructive ventilatory disorder. These factors could usefully be considered to successfully manage asthma as well as the regular prescription of an objective test like spirometry., (© 2020 Jniene A et al.)

Reprogramming female mouse somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) leads to X-chromosome reactivation. The extent to which increased X-chromosome dosage (X-dosage) in female iPSCs compared with male iPSCs leads to differences in the properties of iPSCs is still unclear. We show that chromatin accessibility in mouse iPSCs is modulated by X-dosage. Specific sets of transcriptional regulator motifs are enriched in chromatin with increased accessibility in XX or XY iPSCs. The transcriptome, growth and pluripotency exit are also modulated by X-dosage in iPSCs. To understand how increased X-dosage modulates the properties of mouse pluripotent stem cells, we used heterozygous deletions of the X-linked gene Dusp9. We show that X-dosage regulates the transcriptome, open chromatin landscape, growth, and pluripotency exit largely independently of global DNA methylation. Our results provide insights into how gene dosage modulates the epigenetic and genetic mechanisms that regulate cell identity., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Pulmonary artery aneurysms are a rare entity. Etiologies of these findings are multiple, but they are exceptionally associated with Fallot's Tetralogy. In this study, we present an unusual case of an important aneurysm of the left pulmonary artery associated with Fallot's Tetralogy disease., Case Presentation: A 30-year-old woman has been admitted for dyspnea and cyanosis. The data which had been obtained from echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, and angio-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggested the existence of an important aneurysm of the left pulmonary artery associated with a regular Fallot's disease with a pulmonic stenosis. We have noticed the presence of a small restrictive patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Therefore, the patient was referred to surgical correction., Conclusion: Pulmonary artery aneurysms associated with Fallot's Tetralogy are rarely reported. The natural history of these rare arterial aneurysms has to be clarified.

Introduction: Supine tachycardia, frequently encountered in diabetic patients, is usually considered as an isolated diabetic complication in cardiac autonomic neuropathy. The objective of this study was to determine independent predictor factors of supine tachycardia among the clinical characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus., Methods: This prospective study included type 2 diabetic patients. Supine tachycardia was considered as 10 minutes resting heart rate equal or higher than 80 beats/minutes. According to presence or not of supine tachycardia, two groups were identified: tachycardia diabetic patients and none tachycardia diabetic patients. Cardiovascular autonomic tests: deep breathing, hand-grip, and mental stress tests and blood tests were performed in all patients. Statistical analysis was done using the Student's t-test, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis., Results: We included 91 patients. The vagal response measured by the deep breathing test was 24.5 ± 5.7% in tachycardia diabetic patients vs 35.6 ± 6.8% in none tachycardia diabetic patients (P=0.007). The odds of supine tachycardia increased with serum creatinine (OR=1.350, 95% CI: 1.065-1.712, P=0.013) and serum uric acid levels (OR=1.034, 95% CI: 1.005-1.064, P=0.02) respectively, in diabetic patients. The prevalence of moderate renal failure was 45.5% in tachycardia diabetic patients vs. 21.6% in none tachycardia diabetic patients (P=0.034)., Conclusion: A high frequency of supine tachycardia in type 2 diabetic patients was significantly related with an impairment of the parasympathetic nervous system but other independent predictor factors were associated to the occurrence of this supine tachycardia, such as higher levels of serum creatinine and uric acid and moderate renal failure., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Primary Hypertension (HT) is the most prevalent cardiovascular disorder worldwide and is accompanied by significant morbidity and mortality., Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the kinetics of orthostatic Blood Pressure (BP) in primary hypertensive patients during the change from supine position to standing position as well as during the standing position using the Orthostatic Test (OT)., Patients and Methods: This prospective study included a group of 107 primary hypertensive patients (mean age: 55.82 ± 11.35 years, ranging from 39 to 80 years). Orthostatic systolic BP (Ortho SBP) was recorded for 10 minutes at the rhythm of 3 measurements per minute and was compared to the values of supine systolic preorthostatic (Preortho SBP). According to the changes in Ortho SBP, three subgroups of primary hypertensive patients were selected as follows: Subgroup A: Ortho SBP was higher than mean Preortho SBP by 10 mmHg or more. Subgroup B: Ortho SBP was lower than mean Preortho SBP by 20 mmHg or more. Subgroup C: -20 mmHg < (Ortho SBP - Preortho SBP) < + 10 mmHg. The kinetics of each group was then recorded., Results: In this study, the prevalence of subgroups A, B, and C was 27.1%, 15.9%, and 57.0%, respectively. In subgroup A, the adrenergic peripheral sympathetic alpha response was 20% during the OT., Conclusions: Hypertensives with very similar supine SBP behavior could exhibit widely different Ortho SBP. Thus, careful and effective treatment of hypertensives requires careful consideration and assessment of orthostatic BP.

Sympathetic hyperactivity may be involved in primary hypertension. The purpose of this study was to evaluate both sympathetic and vagal activity responses in patients receiving amlodipine as antihypertensive agent. Patients and Methods. This prospective study included a group of primary hypertensive patients (N = 32, mean age 54.6 ± 7.6 years). The cardiovascular autonomic tests performed in this group, before and after 3 months of daily oral administration of amlodipine, included deep breathing, hand-grip, and mental stress tests. Statistical analysis was done using the Student's t-test. Results. Cardiovascular autonomic reflexes responses before and after 3 months of amlodipine oral administration were as follows: the mental stress test stimulation method produced a central alpha adrenergic response of 23.9 ± 8.7% versus 11.2 ± 2.0% (P < 0.05), a central beta sympathetic response of 16.7 ± 9.2% versus 10.4 ± 1.3% (P < 0.05), a blood pressure increase in response to hand grip test of 20.5 ± 7.3% versus 10.7 ± 2.4% (P < 0.05), vagal response to deep breathing test was 21.2 ± 6.5% versus 30.8 ± 2.9%, (P < 0.05). Conclusion. The results attest that amlodipine may have an anti-sympathetic effect.

From well-known antioxidants agents, we developed a first pharmacophore model containing four common chemical features: one aromatic ring and three hydrogen bond acceptors. This model served as a template in virtual screening of Maybridge and NCI databases that resulted in selection of sixteen compounds. The selected compounds showed a good antioxidant activity measured by three chemical tests: DPPH radical, OH° radical, and superoxide radical scavenging. New synthetic compounds with a good correlation with the model were prepared, and some of them presented a good antioxidant activity.

Introduction: The authors report the results of an epidemiological study concerning 183 enucleated eyeballs., Material and Methods: [corrected] The study is realized over a 12-year period (1988-2000) in the department of Ophthalmology "B" (University Hospital--Rabat) on 183 enucleated eyes, only 90% having an histological examination., Results: The aetiologies are: trauma (40%), malignant tumours (30%), atrophies and glaucoma (17%), panophthalmitis (9%) and corneal lesions (4%). The authors compare their results with those of the literature., Conclusion: The causes of enucleation are the same throughout the world. The frequency has lately decreased due to the development of early diagnosis and to the use of more conservative treatments.

Orbital and ocular lesions are the third most frequent extramedullar locations of acute leukemia after the meninges and testicles. These lesions are treated as a central nervous system lesion; therefore diagnosis is essential to therapeutic adjustment. We present a retrospective study on charts of children treated for acute leukemia between 1996 and 1998. Ophthalmic examination was carried out when there were ocular symptoms. One hundred ninety-six children were treated for acute leukemia. Twelve children (6.1%) had an ocular and orbital lesion: 7 boys and 5 girls, with an average age of 6 years. Six had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 6 had acute myeloid leukemia. Visual acuity was 1/10 in 9 children. Four children had an initial orbital lesion with a rapidly progressing exophthalmos. The hemogram and myelogram showed a granulocytic sarcoma. Two children who had been previously treated for acute leukemia presented a bilateral anterior uveitis with hypopyon; anterior chamber paracentesis showed blast cells and confirmed the ocular relapse. A corneal lesion was found in 2 children and in 2 cases, the optic nerve had edema; a decrease in visual acuity was the sign of the optic nerve lesion. Two patients had retinal infiltration with hemorrhages in the posterior pole. Prophylaxis consists of intrathecal injection of methotrexate and reinforcement of chemotherapy. Central nervous system irradiation is seldom used in children. Orbital and ocular lesions carry a poor prognosis according to the majority of authors. Two years after diagnosis of the ocular lesions, only 1 of the children studied remains alive.

Most orbital cysts in childhood are epidermoids or dermoids. We report one uncommon case of an 8-years old girl with a lacrimal orbital cyst revealed by discrete proptosis and pseudo-ptosis in which the cystic histopathological study revealed a lacrimal structure.

Ocular tuberculosis is relatively rare; however, the most common ocular lesion during ocular tuberculosis is uveitis. The recrudescence of this disease is probably caused by human immunodeficiency virus or long-term corticotherapy. The authors report a of chronic unilateral tuberculosis-related uveitis complicated by panophthalmia with subconjunctival abcesess and scleral fistula. A histopathological study revealed a granulomatous inflammation with caseous material. An extensive work-up revealed no extraocular lesion. A systemic bactericidal treatement associated with topical steroids decreased the local inflammation with phthisis bulbi, and with no spread of the infection. The authors discuss the etiopathogenic, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of tuberculosis-related uveitis.

The diffuse form of orbital lymphangioma is well known for its difficult surgical treatment. A diffuse orbital lymphangioma was diagnosed in a 6-year-old girl, revealed by unilateral recurrent proptosis. The imaging procedure discovered a mass presumed to be vascular in nature. The initial incompleted surgical removal was followed by 3 recurrences motivating 3 reoperations. Finally, the tumor was removed incompletely, with an acceptable reduction of the proptosis. The pathologic analyses indicated lymphangioma. Some vascular orbital tumors such as lymphangioma, may be very difficult to manage because of local spreading and frequent recurrence.

Medulloepithelioma of the ciliary body is an uncommon intraocular tumor occurring during the first year of life. Malignant degeneration may occur. We report the case of a 4-year-old child who presented medulloepithelioma of the left eye disclosed by oesotropia at 2 years of age. Clinically, there was oesotropia, positive light perception and cataract with vascular membrane spreading to the nasal side of the irido-corneal angle. CT scan and ultrasound B revealed a ciliary body tumor involving the sclera and orbital fat. After exenteration, the pathology study reported malignant medulloepithelioma of the ciliary body with scleral extension. No local recurrence or metastasis has been observed at 8 months follow-up. We discuss the clinical, radiological and therapeutic features of this uncommon tumor.

Purpose: The aim of this work was to study epidemiological aspect of orbital processes occurring in childhood., Patients and Methods: Fifty-four cases of orbital processes treated between January 1990 and January 1997 were retrospectively reviewed., Results: Mean patient age was 4.2 years (range 1 to 15), 36 were males and 18 were females. Proptosis was the first manifestation in 34 cases, other manifestations were low vision (8 cases), ocular pain (14 cases), inflammatory signs (11 cases), ocular palsy (14 cases). The first cause of these processes was secondary tumors, especially retinoblastoma (13 cases). Other causes were rhabdomyosarcoma (9 cases), orbital hydatic cyst (8 cases), inflammatory pseudotumors (7 cases), capillary hemanigoma (4 cases) chloroma (3 cases), glioma (1 case), lymphangioma (8 cases), and mucocele (1 case)., Discussion: We emphasize the particular epidemiological aspect of orbital processes in Moroccan children where retinoblastoma predominates and compare our findings with data in the literature.

Lacrimal sac tumors are relatively uncommon tumors which recur readily and have poor prognosis if adequate care is not provided early. We report here a case of lacrimal sac tumor in a 56-year-old patient with bilateral pseudophakia and an atypical chronic dacryocystisis aspect of the left eye. After clinical and paraclinical investigations, the patient underwent surgical excision of the tumor followed by external radiotherapy. During follow-up, the patient developed a local recurrence which required surgical removal and radiotherapy. Despite early and adapted management, the prognosis of this tumor remains poor.

Three cases of isoniazid-induced toxic optic neuropathy are reported. These severe forms of the disease lead in all cases to bilateral blindness despite drug withdrawal. The epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of the disease are discussed. Further emphasis is placed on the importance of systematic screening of patients at risk using regular ophthalmological examinations before and after treatment.

The authors report 4 patients with complicated persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous. The complications observed are cataract (2 eyes) and retinal detachment (2 eyes). The affection is bilateral in two cases and unilateral in the two other cases. After a short embryologic vitreous recall, the authors present clinical and paraclinical aspects of the condition. The authors focus on the importance of echographic data.