Estimation of the Radio Channel Parameters using the SAGE Algorithm

This paper presents the problem of estimating the parameters of a given number of superimposed signals, as is the case of the received signal in wireless communications. Based on the description of the received signal in the frequency domain, one version of the SAGE (Space-Alternating Generalized Expectation-Maximization) algorithm is presented, allowing the estimation, for each impinging ray, the delay, azimuth, elevation and complex amplitude. Ray retrieval results are presented in synthetic channels, using data generated with the extended Saleh Valenzuela (ESV) model, and also in real channels

Synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity studies of N-(4-methoxybenzyl) thiosemicarbazone derivatives and their ruthenium(II)-p-cymene complexes

The reaction of [Ru2Cl2(μ-Cl)2(η6-p-cymene)2] with two thiosemicarbazones obtained by the condensation of N-(4-methoxybenzyl) thiosemicarbazide and 1,4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethan-1-one (HL1) or 2-fluoro-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (HL2) was studied. The cationic complexes of formula [RuCl(η6-p-cymene)(HL)]+ were isolated as solid chloride and trifluoromethylsulfate (TfO) salts. A study of the solid state and NMR spectra suggests the presence in the material of two isomers that differ in the configuration in the iminic bond, C2=N3, of the coordinated thiosemicarbazone in the triflate salts and only the E isomer in the chloride. An X-ray study of single crystals of the complexes supports this hypothesis. The thiosemicarbazone ligand coordinates with the ruthenium center through the iminic and sulfur atoms to form a five-membered chelate ring. Furthermore, the isolation of single crystals containing the thiosemicarbazonate complex [Ru2(μ-L2)2(η6-p-cymene)2]2+ suggests the easy labilization of the coordinated chloride in the complex. The redox behavior of the ligands and complexes was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. It seems to be more difficult to oxidize the complex derived from HL1 than HL2. The ability of the complexes to inhibit cell growth against the NCI-H460, A549 and MDA-MB-231 lines was evaluated. The complexes did not show greater potency than cisplatin, although they did have greater efficacy, especially for the complex derived from HL1.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. PID2019-110218RB-I0

Synthesis of iridaoxaphospholane complexes

Financiaciado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGAn alkenylphosphinite compound has been used to synthesize the unknown iridaoxaphospholane complexes which have been characterized in solution and solid state. The reactions took place in mild conditions and the product were obtained in good yields. The synthesis of the iridaoxaphospholane complexes is based on the capability of the alkenylphosphinite compound to behave as a κ1P or κ3(P, C, C) ligand when bonded to a metal complex. Theoretical calculations have been performed to explain the formation of the iridaoxaphospholane derivative due to a lower energy barrier for the nucleophilic attack at the terminal carbon of the olefin.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. GRC2019/2

Atypical carcinoid tumours of the lung: prognostic factors and patterns of recurrence

Background: Atypical carcinoids (AC) of the lung are rare intermediate-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms. Prognostic factors for these tumours are undefined. Methods: Our cooperative group retrieved data on 127 patients operated between 1980 and 2009 because of an AC. Several clinical and pathological features were studied. Results: In a univariable analysis, T-status (p=0.005), N-status (p=0.021), preoperative M-status (previously treated) (p=0.04), and distant recurrence developed during the outcome (p<0.001) presented statistically significant differences related to survival of these patients. In a multivariable analysis, only distant recurrence was demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for survival (p<0.001; HR: 13.1). During the monitoring, 25.2% of the patients presented some kind of recurrence. When we studied recurrence factors in a univariable manner, sublobar resections presented significant relationship with locoregional recurrence (p<0.001). In the case of distant recurrence, T and N status presented significant differences. Patients with preoperative M1 status presented higher frequencies of locoregional and distant recurrence (p=0.004 and p<0.001, respectively). In a multivariable analysis, sublobar resection was an independent prognostic factor to predict locoregional recurrence (p=0.002; HR: 18.1). Conclusions: Complete standard surgical resection with radical lymphadenectomy is essential for AC. Sublobar resections are related to locoregional recurrence, so they should be avoided except for carefully selected patients. Nodal status is an important prognostic factor to predict survival and recurrence. Distant recurrence is related to poor outcome

Towards the growth of Cu2ZnSn1 xGexS4 thin films by a single stage process Effect of substrate temperature and composition

Cu2ZnSn1-xGexS4 (CZTGS) thin films prepared by flash evaporation of a Zn-rich Cu2ZnSn0.5Ge0.5S4 bulk compound in powder form, and a subsequent thermal annealing in S containing Ar atmosphere are studied. The effect of the substrate temperature during evaporation and the initial composition of the precursor powder on the growth mechanism and properties of the final CZTGS thin film are investigated. The microstructure of the films and elemental depth profiles depend strongly on the growth conditions used. Incorporation of Ge into the Cu2ZnSnS4 lattice is demonstrated by the shift of the relevant X-ray diffraction peaks and Raman vibrational modes towards higher diffraction angles and frequencies respectively. A Raman mode at around 348-351 cm-1 is identified as characteristic of CZTGS alloys for x = [Ge]/([Sn]+[Ge]) = 0.14-0.30. The supply of Ge enables the reduction of the Sn loss via a saccrifical Ge loss. This fact allows increasing the substrate temperature up to 350º C during the evaporation, forming a high quality kesterite material and therefore, reducing the deposition process to one single stageRC acknowledges financial support from Spanish MINECO within the Ramón y Cajal programme (RYC-2011-08521) and VIR for the Juan de la Cierva fellowship (JCI-2011-10782). GB also acknowledges the CSIC-JAE pre-doctoral program, co-funded by the European Social Fund. This work was supported by the Marie Curie-IRSES project (PVICOKEST, GA: 269167), Marie Curie-ITN project (KESTCELL, GA: 316488), DAAD project (INTERKEST, Ref: 57050358), and MINECO projects (SUNBEAM, ENE2013-49136-C4-3-R) (TEC2012-38901-C02-01). A. Scheu is acknowledged for GDOES measurement

MALT1 Small Molecule Inhibitors Specifically Suppress ABC-DLBCL In Vitro and In Vivo

SummaryMALT1 cleavage activity is linked to the pathogenesis of activated B cell-like diffuse large B cell lymphoma (ABC-DLBCL), a chemoresistant form of DLBCL. We developed a MALT1 activity assay and identified chemically diverse MALT1 inhibitors. A selected lead compound, MI-2, featured direct binding to MALT1 and suppression of its protease function. MI-2 concentrated within human ABC-DLBCL cells and irreversibly inhibited cleavage of MALT1 substrates. This was accompanied by NF-κB reporter activity suppression, c-REL nuclear localization inhibition, and NF-κB target gene downregulation. Most notably, MI-2 was nontoxic to mice, and displayed selective activity against ABC-DLBCL cell lines in vitro and xenotransplanted ABC-DLBCL tumors in vivo. The compound was also effective against primary human non-germinal center B cell-like DLBCLs ex vivo

Short-term regulation of peptide YY secretion by a mixed meal or peritoneal glucose-based dialysate in patients with chronic renal failure

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in "Nephrology Dialysis Trasnplantation" following peer review. The version of the record is avaliable online at Oxford Academic website.Instituto de Salud Carlos III, PI051024Instituto de Salud Carlos III, PI070413Xunta de Galicia, PS07/12Xunta de Galicia, 2006/2

Crit Care Sci

We hypothesized that the use of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation can reduce the incidence of acute respiratory failure within the 48-hour post-extubation period in intensive care unit-acquired weakness patients. This was a prospective randomized controlled open-label trial. Patients diagnosed with intensive care unit-acquired weakness were consecutively enrolled based on a Medical Research Council score ≤ 48/60. The patients randomly received two daily sessions; in the control group, conventional chest physiotherapy was performed, while in the intervention group, chest physiotherapy was associated with mechanical insufflation-exsufflation. The incidence of acute respiratory failure within 48 hours of extubation was evaluated. Similarly, the reintubation rate, intensive care unit length of stay, mortality at 28 days, and survival probability at 90 days were assessed. The study was stopped after futility results in the interim analysis. We included 122 consecutive patients (n = 61 per group). There was no significant difference in the incidence of acute respiratory failure between treatments (11.5% control group versus 16.4%, intervention group; p = 0.60), the need for reintubation (3.6% versus 10.7%; p = 0.27), mean length of stay (3 versus 4 days; p = 0.33), mortality at Day 28 (9.8% versus 15.0%; p = 0.42), or survival probability at Day 90 (21.3% versus 28.3%; p = 0.41). Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation combined with chest physiotherapy seems to have no impact in preventing postextubation acute respiratory failure in intensive care unit-acquired weakness patients. Similarly, mortality and survival probability were similar in both groups. Nevertheless, given the early termination of the trial, further clinical investigation is strongly recommended. NCT01931228

Association of Candidate Gene Polymorphisms With Chronic Kidney Disease: Results of a Case-Control Analysis in the Nefrona Cohort

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major risk factor for end-stage renal disease, cardiovascular disease and premature death. Despite classical clinical risk factors for CKD and some genetic risk factors have been identified, the residual risk observed in prediction models is still high. Therefore, new risk factors need to be identified in order to better predict the risk of CKD in the population. Here, we analyzed the genetic association of 79 SNPs of proteins associated with mineral metabolism disturbances with CKD in a cohort that includes 2, 445 CKD cases and 559 controls. Genotyping was performed with matrix assisted laser desorption ionizationtime of flight mass spectrometry. We used logistic regression models considering different genetic inheritance models to assess the association of the SNPs with the prevalence of CKD, adjusting for known risk factors. Eight SNPs (rs1126616, rs35068180, rs2238135, rs1800247, rs385564, rs4236, rs2248359, and rs1564858) were associated with CKD even after adjusting by sex, age and race. A model containing five of these SNPs (rs1126616, rs35068180, rs1800247, rs4236, and rs2248359), diabetes and hypertension showed better performance than models considering only clinical risk factors, significantly increasing the area under the curve of the model without polymorphisms. Furthermore, one of the SNPs (the rs2248359) showed an interaction with hypertension, being the risk genotype affecting only hypertensive patients. We conclude that 5 SNPs related to proteins implicated in mineral metabolism disturbances (Osteopontin, osteocalcin, matrix gla protein, matrix metalloprotease 3 and 24 hydroxylase) are associated to an increased risk of suffering CKD

Expression of MALT1 oncogene in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells recapitulates the pathogenesis of human lymphoma in mice

Chromosomal translocations involving the MALT1 gene are hallmarks of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. To date, targeting these translocations to mouse B cells has failed to reproduce human disease. Here, we induced MALT1 expression in mouse Sca1(+)Lin(-) hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, which showed NF-κB activation and early lymphoid priming, being selectively skewed toward B-cell differentiation. These cells accumulated in extranodal tissues and gave rise to clonal tumors recapitulating the principal clinical, biological, and molecular genetic features of MALT lymphoma. Deletion of p53 gene accelerated tumor onset and induced transformation of MALT lymphoma to activated B-cell diffuse large-cell lymphoma (ABC-DLBCL). Treatment of MALT1-induced lymphomas with a specific inhibitor of MALT1 proteolytic activity decreased cell viability, indicating that endogenous Malt1 signaling was required for tumor cell survival. Our study shows that human-like lymphomas can be modeled in mice by targeting MALT1 expression to hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, demonstrating the oncogenic role of MALT1 in lymphomagenesis. Furthermore, this work establishes a molecular link between MALT lymphoma and ABC-DLBCL, and provides mouse models to test MALT1 inhibitors. Finally, our results suggest that hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of human mature B-cell lymphomas