Digital Chaotic Synchronized Communication System

The experimental study of a secure chaotic synchronized communication system is presented. The synchronization betweentwo digital chaotic oscillators, serving as a transmitter-receiver scheme, is studied. The oscillators exhibit rich chaotic behaviorand are unidirectionally coupled, forming a master-slave topology. Both the input information signal and the transmittedchaotic signal are digital ones

Global Variability in Administrative Approval Prescription Criteria for Biologic Therapy in Severe Asthma

Background: Regulatory bodies have approved five biologics for severe asthma. However, regional differences in accessibility may limit the global potential for personalized medicine. Objective: To compare global differences in ease of access to biologics. Methods: In April 2021, national prescription criteria for omalizumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab, benralizumab, and dupilumab were reviewed by severe asthma experts collaborating in the International Severe Asthma Registry. Outcomes (per country, per biologic) were (1) country-specific prescription criteria and (2) development of the Biologic Accessibility Score (BACS). The BACS composite score incorporates 10 prescription criteria, each with a maximum score of 10 points. Referenced to European Medicines Agency marketing authorization specifications, a higher score reflects easier access. Results: Biologic prescription criteria differed substantially across 28 countries from five continents. Blood eosinophil count thresholds (usually ≥300 cells/μL) and exacerbations were key requirements for anti-IgE/anti–IL-5/5R prescriptions in around 80% of licensed countries. Most countries (40% for dupilumab to 54% for mepolizumab) require two or more moderate or severe exacerbations, whereas numbers ranged from none to four. Moreover, 0% (for reslizumab) to 21% (for omalizumab) of countries required long-term oral corticosteroid use. The BACS highlighted marked between-country differences in ease of access. For omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, and dupilumab, only two, one, four, and seven countries, respectively, scored equal or higher than the European Medicines Agency reference BACS. For reslizumab, all countries scored lower. Conclusions: Although some differences were expected in country-specific biologic prescription criteria and ease of access, the substantial differences found in the current study present a challenge to implementing precision medicine across the world. © 2022 The Author

Comparative effectiveness of Anti-IL5 and Anti-IgE biologic classes in patients with severe asthma eligible for both

Background: Patients with severe asthma may present with characteristics representing overlapping phenotypes, making them eligible for more than one class of biologic. Our aim was to describe the profile of adult patients with severe asthma eligible for both anti-IgE and anti-IL5/5R and to compare the effectiveness of both classes of treatment in real life. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study that included adult patients with severe asthma from 22 countries enrolled into the International Severe Asthma registry (ISAR) who were eligible for both anti-IgE and anti-IL5/5R. The effectiveness of anti-IgE and anti-IL5/5R was compared in a 1:1 matched cohort. Exacerbation rate was the primary effectiveness endpoint. Secondary endpoints included long-term-oral corticosteroid (LTOCS) use, asthma-related emergency room (ER) attendance, and hospital admissions. Results: In the matched analysis (n = 350/group), the mean annualized exacerbation rate decreased by 47.1% in the anti-IL5/5R group and 38.7% in the anti-IgE group. Patients treated with anti-IL5/5R were less likely to experience a future exacerbation (adjusted IRR 0.76; 95% CI 0.64, 0.89; p < 0.001) and experienced a greater reduction in mean LTOCS dose than those treated with anti-IgE (37.44% vs. 20.55% reduction; p = 0.023). There was some evidence to suggest that patients treated with anti-IL5/5R experienced fewer asthma-related hospitalizations (IRR 0.64; 95% CI 0.38, 1.08), but not ER visits (IRR 0.94, 95% CI 0.61, 1.43). Conclusions: In real life, both anti-IgE and anti-IL5/5R improve asthma outcomes in patients eligible for both biologic classes; however, anti-IL5/5R was superior in terms of reducing asthma exacerbations and LTOCS use. © 2023 The Authors. Allergy published by European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Analysis of comorbidities and multimorbidity in adult patients in the International Severe Asthma Registry

9 páginasBackground: Investigation for the presence of asthma comorbidities is recommended by the Global Initiative for Asthma because their presence can complicate asthma management. Objective: To understand the prevalence and pattern of comorbidities and multimorbidity in adults with severe asthma and their association with asthma-related outcomes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using data from the International Severe Asthma Registry from 22 countries. A total of 30 comorbidities were identified and categorized a priori as any of the following: (1) potentially type 2–related comorbidities, (2) potentially oral corticosteroid (OCS)–related comorbidities, or (3) comorbidities mimicking or aggravating asthma. The association between comorbidities and asthma-related outcomes was investigated using multivariable models adjusted for country, age at enrollment, and sex (ie male or female). Results: Of the 11,821 patients, 69%, 67%, and 55% had at least 1 potentially type 2–related, potentially OCS-related, or mimicking or aggravating comorbidities, respectively; 57% had 3 or more comorbidities, and 33% had comorbidities in all 3 categories. Patients with allergic rhinitis, nasal polyposis, and chronic rhinosinusitis experienced 1.12 (P = .003), 1.16 (P < .001), and 1.29 times (P < .001) more exacerbations per year, respectively, than those without. Patients with nasal polyposis and chronic rhinosinusitis were 40% and 46% more likely (P < .001), respectively, to have received long-term (LT) OCS. All assessed potential OCS-related comorbidities (except obesity) were associated with a greater likelihood of LTOCS use (odds ratios [ORs]: 1.23-2.77) and, except for dyslipidemia, with a greater likelihood of uncontrolled asthma (ORs: 1.29-1.68). All mimicking or aggravating comorbidities assessed were associated with more exacerbations (1.24-1.68 times more), all (except bronchiectasis) with increased likelihood of uncontrolled asthma (ORs: 1.57-1.81), and all (except chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) with increased likelihood of LTOCS use (ORs: 1.37-1.57). A greater number of comorbidities was associated with worse outcomes. Conclusion: In a global study, comorbidity or multimorbidity is reported in most adults with severe asthma and is associated with poorer asthma-related outcomes. Clinical Trial Registration: The International Severe Asthma Registry database has ethical approval from the Anonymous Data Ethics Protocols and Transparency (ADEPT) committee (ADEPT0218) and is registered with the European Union Electronic Register of Post-Authorization Studies (European Network Centres for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance [ENCEPP]/DSPP/23720). The study was designed, implemented, and reported in compliance with the European Network Centres for Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance (ENCEPP) Code of Conduct (EMA 2014; EUPAS44024) and with all applicable local and international laws and regulations, and registered with ENCEPP (https://www.encepp.eu/encepp/viewResource.htm?id=48848). Governance was provided by ADEPT (registration number: ADEPT1121). © 2023 The AuthorsEl aprendizaje de la medicina utilizando recursos de las humanidades es un proceso complejo que requiere de estrategias pedagógicas que eviten la fragmentación y la paradoja de la transferencia. La aplicación del diseño pedagógico con estos propósitos en la educación en cirugía, ha sido limitada. Objetivos. Presentar los resultados de una estrategia pedagógica para integrar la enseñanza de la cirugía con las humanidades con base en el modelo teórico de aprendizaje cognitivo, y evaluar su asociación con las percepciones de los estudiantes en torno al aprendizaje. Materiales y métodos. Se desarrolló un diseño pedagógico para la enseñanza de condiciones clínicas en cirugía utilizando recursos de las humanidades médicas. Se evaluaron las percepciones estudiantiles en torno al soporte y la articulación ofrecidos por los profesores para la integración de ambas disciplinas, así como en torno a su propio aprendizaje mediante cuestionarios validados. Se utilizaron modelos de regresión lineal para evaluar la asociación propuesta. Resultados. Se incluyeron 216 estudiantes en el análisis y se obtuvieron altos promedios en cada una de las variables. Por cada unidad adicional atribuida al soporte y la articulación desplegadas por los profesores para integrar ambas disciplinas, la percepción del aprendizaje (b) aumentó en 0,45 (IC95% 30-0,60) y en 0,40 (IC95% 25-55) (coeficiente de determinación múltiple -R2=0,64, p &lt; 0,001), respectivamente. Conclusiones. Las estrategias educativas centradas en las técnicas de soporte y articulación orientadas a integrar las humanidades médicas y la cirugía en el proceso de enseñanza, se asociaron positivamente con las percepciones de los estudiantes sobre el aprendizaje. Se requieren nuevos estudios que evalúen los efectos de estas intervenciones en el aprendizaje y la memoria a largo plazo. © 2019, Instituto Nacional de Salud