Wearable All-Fabric Hybrid Energy Harvester to Simultaneously Harvest Radiofrequency and Triboelectric Energy.

Distributed micro-energy harvesting devices offer the flexibility, sustainability, and multi-scenario applicability that will be critical to wearable electronic products in the Internet of Things. The radiofrequency and triboelectric (RF-TE) hybrid energy harvester (HEH) concept and prototype is presented for the first time, to simultaneously capture the energy from ambient electromagnetic waves and biological motions. The proposed hybrid energy harvesting system consists of a wearable rectenna, a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG), and a power management circuit (PMC). Among them, the all-fabric rectenna exhibits good impedance matching characteristics in the ISM frequency. The flexible TENG unit can generate a maximum power density of 0.024 µW cm-2. The designed multifunctional fabric-based PMC can considerably enhance the controllability of harvested hybrid energy. Additionally, a normalizable fabric circuit board quasi surface mount technology (FCB-SMT) is proposed to integrate all modules on the same fabric substrate in one step, making the entire system superior mechanical robustness. The proposed wearable fabric-based RF-TE hybrid energy harvester is capable of successfully driving consumer electronics (such as sensors, watches, etc.). It provides a new energy solution strategy for self-powered wearable electronic devices and is anticipated to encourage the efficient utilization of renewable energy.

Multilevel Printed Wearable Radio-Frequency Intelligent Identification Platform for Object Recognition.

As a noncontact target recognition technique, radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology demonstrates attractive potential in constructing human-machine interaction (HMI) systems. However, the current development of RFID technologies in HMI systems is hampered by critical challenges in manufacturing high-performance RFID readers with superior flexibility and wearing comfort. Hence, we propose a multilevel printing strategy to overcome the difficulties in manufacturing high-performance large-scale microwave systems. Compared to traditional processes, the RFID system fabricated by the hybrid additive manufacturing technique exhibits equivalent electromagnetic performance and has obvious advantages in terms of manufacturing cost and environmental friendliness. A printed reconfigurable antenna with intelligent radiation mode is seamlessly integrated with the reader circuit via a "one-step" printing technology. Additionally, through chemical doping and artificial intelligence (AI) prediction, we have developed a modified polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) encapsulation to miniaturize the system volume and enhance reliability. Electromagnetic and mechanical measurements demonstrated that our flexible RFID platform offers superior reliability and stability during long-term daily use. The RFID platform possesses exceptional capabilities in target positioning and accurate identification, demonstrating unique potential in noncontact sensing and recognition, which are highly demanded by flexible and wearable HMI systems.

Immunogenicity of a divalent group A streptococcal vaccine.

We designed and recombined the polypeptide based on the M protein of group A streptococci (GAS)--the causative pathogen of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease, which would be a divalent vaccine to prevent and defend the diseases in relation to the different GAS strains. A divalent vaccine comprising three different peptide epitopes of the antiphagocytic M protein of GAS--an aminoterminal specific sequences, respectively, from the M1 and M12 proteins and J14 peptide (ASREAKKQVEKALE) within the highly conserved C-terminal repeat region of the M1 and M12 proteins--was subcutaneously delivered to mice with the adjuvant. Furthermore, the antisera titers of mice inoculated with the divalent vaccine were assayed by ELISA, and then opsonization and percentage killing against two different GAS serotypes were completed. Our data demonstrated that antisera raised against the divalent vaccine containing amino acids and M-protein-conserved C repeat region are able to kill several GAS strains isolated from the Guangzhou population. Therefore, the divalent vaccine can be used to prevent those diseases caused by GAS in an endemic area. We successfully construct the M-protein-based divalent vaccine that can bring out a high-level antisera titer of mice vaccinated with it. So, the vaccine has the potential to be used to prevent diseases caused by GAS in our country.

A Study on the Dynamic Tunning Range of CVD Graphene at Microwave Frequency: Determination, Prediction and Application.

In recent years, graphene has shown great application prospects in tunable microwave devices due to its tunable conductivity. However, the electromagnetic (EM) properties of graphene, especially the dynamic tunning characteristics, are largely dependent on experimental results, and thus are unable to be effectively predicted according to growth parameters, which causes great difficulties in the design of graphene-based tunable microwave devices. In this work, we systematically explored the impact of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) parameters on the dynamic tunning range of graphene. Firstly, through improving the existing waveguide method, the dynamic tunning range of graphene can be measured more accurately. Secondly, a direct mathematical model between growth parameters and the tunning range of graphene is established. Through this, one can easily obtain needed growth parameters for the desired tunning range of graphene. As a verification, a frequency tunable absorber prototype is designed and tested. The good agreement between simulation and experimental results shows the reliability of our mathematic model in the rapid design of graphene-based tunable microwave devices.

Stretchable and self-healable spoof plasmonic meta-waveguide for wearable wireless communication system.

Microwave transmission lines in wearable systems are easily damaged after frequent mechanical deformation, posing a severe threat to wireless communication. Here, we report a new strategy to achieve stretchable microwave transmission lines with superior reliability and durability by integrating a self-healable elastomer with serpentine-geometry plasmonic meta-waveguide to support the spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP). After mechanical damage, the self-healable elastomer can autonomously repair itself to maintain the electromagnetic performance and mechanical strength. Meanwhile, the specially designed SSPP structure exhibits excellent stability and damage resistance. Even if the self-healing process has not been completed or the eventual repair effect is not ideal, the spoof plasmonic meta-waveguide can still maintain reliable performance. Self-healing material enhances strength and durability, while the SSPP improves stability and gives more tolerance to the self-healing process. Our design coordinates the structural design with material synthesis to maximize the advantages of the SSPP and self-healing material, significantly improving the reliability and durability of stretchable microwave transmission lines. We also perform communication quality experiments to demonstrate the potential of the proposed meta-waveguide as interconnects in future body area network systems.

The Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score is a highly discriminatory measure of disease activity and efficacy following tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitor therapies in ankylosing spondylitis and undifferentiated spondyloarthropathies in China.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the clinical value of the new Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Scores (ASDASs) in assessing the disease activity and efficacy of TNF-α inhibitor in AS and uSpA patients in China. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty patients were included in our study. They consisted of patients with active AS (n = 87) and uSpA (n = 30) participating in a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of etanercept and patients with active AS (n = 58) and uSpA (n = 55) treated with infliximab. The disease activity and treatment effects were assessed by ASDAS, BASDAI, patient global and the acute inflammation score of lumbar and SI joints by MRI. Discriminatory ability of all the measures was analysed by standardized mean difference and t-score. RESULTS: In both the AS and uSpA groups, ASDAS correlated well with patient global score (AS group: r = 0.65-0.72; uSpA group: r = 0.52-0.62), ESR (AS group: r = 0.57-0.81; uSpA group: r = 0.63-0.85) and CRP (AS group: r = 0.51-0.70; uSpA group: r = 0.61-0.76) both at baseline and in changes from baseline to 6 weeks after TNF-α inhibitor treatment. The ASDAS scores outperformed BASDAI, patient global score, ESR, CRP and the acute inflammation score by MRI in differentiating patients with different levels of disease activity and patients with different levels of change in both AS and uSpA groups. There was little difference in performance between the two versions of the ASDAS. CONCLUSION: The new ASDAS is a highly effective measure in assessing disease activity and a great discriminatory measurement to assess the efficacy of TNF-α inhibitor in Chinese AS patients and uSpA patients.

An animal model of chronic rheumatic valvulitis induced by formalin-killed streptococci.

Rheumatic heart disease is the most severe complication of rheumatic fever. Till date, very few successful animal models of rheumatic valvular disease have been reported. This study aimed at developing a suitable animal model of chronic rheumatic valvulitis for further investigation and prevention of rheumatic heart disease. Lewis rats were immunized with one administration of formalin-killed and sonicated group A streptococci together with Complete Freund's Adjuvant every 7 days for three cycles followed by group A streptococci alone till killing. Control rats were administered adjuvants and saline. Rats in group 1 were killed 12 weeks after the initial injection. Rats in group 2 and control group were killed 24 weeks after the initial injection. Results 62.5% (5/8) of rats in group 1 developed myocarditis and 50% (4/8) developed valvulitis. Histological examination of cardiac sections showed only cellular infiltrates. In contrast, 75% (6/8) of rats in group 2 developed rheumatic-like myocarditis and 62.5% (5/8) developed chronic valvulitis. Histological manifestations of the hearts in group 2 animals involved not only acute damage such as cellular infiltrates, Aschoff-like cells, verrucous vegetation, but also chronic lesions such as fibrosis, vascular neogenesis. None of the rats (0/8) in control group presented myocarditis or valvulitis. Lewis rat repeatedly immunized with formalin-killed GAS may be a suitable animal model of chronic rheumatic valvulitis. It may be useful for future investigation of the pathogenesis and possible preventive strategies of human rheumatic heart disease.

Changes of manifestations of 122 patients with rheumatic fever in South China during last decade.

The main objective of this study is to investigate changes of features of rheumatic fever (RF) in recent 10 years. A total of 315 patients with RF during 1985­1995 (group 1) and 1997­2007(group 2) were selected. Their manifestations were compared. Results show that the female/male ratio was 2.0. Group 2 had higher rate of low-grade fever and carditis, and lower rate of heart failure, lower positive rate of C-reactive protein and antistreptolycin o than group 1. In group 2, 61.4% patients fulfilled the updated Jones criteria, however, 76.2% fulfilled 2002­2003 WHO criteria. Diagnosing rheumatic carditis, sensibility and specificity of lymphocyte procoagulant activity (PCA) were 79.1 and 71.4%, respectively, and those of antibody to streptococcal polysaccharide (ASP) were 70.3 and 70%, respectively. Follow-up data of 35 cases were available. Recurrent rate of RF was 62.8%. Only 1/3 cases received regular secondary prevention. In conclusion, mild carditis was increasing. PCA and ASP were valuable tests for diagnosing rheumatic carditis. Atypical cases and secondary prevention need more attention.

Sinomenine suppresses TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Sinomenine (SN), an alkaloid prepared from the root of Sinomenium acutum Rehd. Et wils, is used to alleviate the symptoms of rheumatism in Chinese medicine. In the present study, the potential inhibition of TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was evaluated in vitro. HUVECs were isolated from freshly collected umbilical cords. Positive controls were stimulated with TNF-alpha, omitting SN. Negative controls were cultured omitting TNF-alpha and SN. Experimental groups were co-cultured with TNF-alpha and SN at different concentrations (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mol/L), or TNF-alpha and Dexamethasone (Dex) at a concentration of 1.0 x 10(-6) mol/L. Cells were harvested after culturing with the above drugs for 12 h. VCAM-1 mRNA expression was detected by real-time quantitative PCR, and VCAM-1 expression was detected by flow cytometry. The experimental data indicated that VCAM-1 mRNA and VCAM-1 were induced by TNF-alpha. The relative VCAM-1 mRNA expression decreased in the experimental groups (p<0.05). Concentrations of SN at 0.5 and 1.0 mol/L inhibited expression of VCAM-1 (p<0.05). SN at concentration of 0.25 mol/L and Dex at concentration of 1.0 x 10(-6) mol/L did not show an inhibitory effect on VCAM-1 expression in TNF-alpha-induced HUVECs. Our preliminary data indicates that SN has an inhibitory effect in vitro on TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 expression at both mRNA level and protein level in HUVECs, and suggests that SN may be a novel method of immunotherapy for rheumatic carditis or rheumatic heart disease.

Predictive Factors of Clinical Response of Infliximab Therapy in Active Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis Patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficiency and the predictive factors of clinical response of infliximab in active nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis patients. METHODS: Active nonradiographic patients fulfilling ESSG criteria for SpA but not fulfilling modified New York criteria were included. All patients received infliximab treatment for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was ASAS20 response at weeks 12 and 24. The abilities of baseline parameters and response at week 2 to predict ASAS20 response at weeks 12 and 24 were assessed using ROC curve and logistic regression analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Of 70 axial SpA patients included, the proportions of patients achieving an ASAS20 response at weeks 2, 6, 12, and 24 were 85.7%, 88.6%, 87.1%, and 84.3%, respectively. Baseline MRI sacroiliitis score (AUC = 0.791; P = 0.005), CRP (AUC = 0.75; P = 0.017), and ASDAS (AUC = 0.778, P = 0.007) significantly predicted ASAS20 response at week 12. However, only ASDAS (AUC = 0.696, P = 0.040) significantly predicted ASAS20 response at week 24. Achievement of ASAS20 response after the first infliximab infusion was a significant predictor of subsequent ASAS20 response at weeks 12 and 24 (wald χ(2) = 6.87, P = 0.009, and wald χ(2) = 5.171, P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Infliximab shows efficiency in active nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis patients. ASDAS score and first-dose response could help predicting clinical efficacy of infliximab therapy in these patients.

A genome-wide association study in Han Chinese identifies new susceptibility loci for ankylosing spondylitis.

To identify susceptibility loci for ankylosing spondylitis, we performed a two-stage genome-wide association study in Han Chinese. In the discovery stage, we analyzed 1,356,350 autosomal SNPs in 1,837 individuals with ankylosing spondylitis and 4,231 controls; in the validation stage, we analyzed 30 suggestive SNPs in an additional 2,100 affected individuals and 3,496 controls. We identified two new susceptibility loci between EDIL3 and HAPLN1 at 5q14.3 (rs4552569; P = 8.77 × 10(-10)) and within ANO6 at 12q12 (rs17095830; P = 1.63 × 10(-8)). We also confirmed previously reported associations in Europeans within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region (top SNP, rs13202464; P < 5 × 10(-324)) and at 2p15 (rs10865331; P = 1.98 × 10(-8)). We show that rs13202464 within the MHC region mainly represents the risk effect of HLA-B*27 variants (including HLA-B*2704, HLA-B*2705 and HLA-B*2715) in Chinese. The two newly discovered loci implicate genes related to bone formation and cartilage development, suggesting their potential involvement in the etiology of ankylosing spondylitis.

Verification of Berlin algorithm for diagnosing undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy patients in Chinese population.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnosing value of the Berlin algorithm, comparing to that of the established ESSG and Amor criteria in Chinese patients with undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy. METHODS: A total of 92 clinically diagnosed undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy patients with axial involvement were compared to 123 patients with other kinds of rheumatic diseases by using the parameters listed in the Berlin algorithm, ESSG criteria, and Amor criteria. RESULTS: In the 92 undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy patients with axial involvement, the prevalence rate of HLA-B27 was 71.76% (61/85). Elevated ESR and/or CRP was found in 40.96% (34/83) SpA patients and abnormal MRI manifestation of sacroiliac joint was found in 91% (39/43) SpA patients. The specificity of HLA-B27 was 78% and similar with the Berlin study. The sensitivity/specificity of ESSG, Amor criteria and Berlin algorithm on diagnosing USpA was 72.83%/92.68%, 64.13%/93.50% and 67.39%/95.93%, respectively. The coincidence between the three diagnosing criteria and the rheumatologist's opinion was moderate. CONCLUSION: Our study showed the new Berlin algorithm has important value of diagnosing undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy in China, which has the similar diagnosing capacity comparing to the traditional criteria ESSG and Amor criteria.