55 research outputs found
An application of the FIS-CRM model to the FISS metasearcher: Using fuzzy synonymy and fuzzy generality for representing concepts in documents
AbstractThe main objective of this work is to improve the quality of the results produced by the Internet search engines. In order to achieve it, the FIS-CRM model (Fuzzy Interrelations and Synonymy based Concept Representation Model) is proposed as a mechanism for representing the concepts (not only terms) contained in any kind of document. This model, based on the vector space model, incorporates a fuzzy readjustment process of the term weights of each document. The readjustment lies on the study of two types of fuzzy interrelations between terms: the fuzzy synonymy interrelation and the fuzzy generality interrelations (âbroader thanâ and ânarrower thanâ interrelations). The model has been implemented in the FISS metasearcher (Fuzzy Interrelations and Synonymy based Searcher) that, using a soft-clustering algorithm (based on the SISC algorithm), dynamically produces a hierarchical structure of groups of âconceptually relatedâ documents (snippets of web pages, in this case)
Next generation flow for minimally-invasive blood characterization of MGUS and multiple myeloma at diagnosis based on circulating tumor plasma cells (CTPC)
Here, we investigated for the first time the frequency and number of circulating tumor plasma cells (CTPC) in peripheral blood (PB) of newly diagnosed patients with localized and systemic plasma cell neoplasms (PCN) using next-generation flow cytometry (NGF) and correlated our findings with the distinct diagnostic and prognostic categories of the disease. Overall, 508 samples from 264 newly diagnosed PCN patients, were studied. CTPC were detected in PB of all active multiple myeloma (MM; 100%), and smoldering MM (SMM) patients (100%), and in more than half (59%) monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) cases (p < 0.0001); in contrast, CTPC were present in a small fraction of solitary plasmacytoma patients (18%). Higher numbers of CTPC in PB were associated with higher levels of BM infiltration and more adverse prognostic features, together with shorter time to progression from MGUS to MM (p < 0.0001) and a shorter survival in MM patients with active disease requiring treatment (p <= 0.03). In summary, the presence of CTPC in PB as assessed by NGF at diagnosis, emerges as a hallmark of disseminated PCN, higher numbers of PB CTPC being strongly associated with a malignant disease behavior and a poorer outcome of both MGUS and MM
THERAPIST: Towards an Autonomous Socially Interactive Robot for Motor and Neurorehabilitation Therapies for Children
Neurorehabilitation therapies exploiting the use-dependent plasticity of our neuromuscular system are devised to help patients who suffer from injuries or diseases of this system. These therapies take advantage of the fact that the motor activity alters the properties of our neurons and muscles, including the pattern of their connectivity, and thus their functionality. Hence, a sensor-motor treatment where patients makes certain movements will help them (re)learn how to move the affected body parts. But these traditional rehabilitation processes are usually repetitive and lengthy, reducing motivation and adherence to the treatment, and thus limiting the benefits for the patients
Next generation flow for minimally-invasive blood characterization of MGUS and multiple myeloma at diagnosis based on circulating tumor plasma cells (CTPC)
© The Author(s) 2018.Here, we investigated for the first time the frequency and number of circulating tumor plasma cells (CTPC) in peripheral blood (PB) of newly diagnosed patients with localized and systemic plasma cell neoplasms (PCN) using next-generation flow cytometry (NGF) and correlated our findings with the distinct diagnostic and prognostic categories of the disease. Overall, 508 samples from 264 newly diagnosed PCN patients, were studied. CTPC were detected in PB of all active multiple myeloma (MM; 100%), and smoldering MM (SMM) patients (100%), and in more than half (59%) monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) cases (pâ<0.0001); in contrast, CTPC were present in a small fraction of solitary plasmacytoma patients (18%). Higher numbers of CTPC in PB were associated with higher levels of BM infiltration and more adverse prognostic features, together with shorter time to progression from MGUS to MM (pâ<0.0001) and a shorter survival in MM patients with active disease requiring treatment (pââ€â0.03). In summary, the presence of CTPC in PB as assessed by NGF at diagnosis, emerges as a hallmark of disseminated PCN, higher numbers of PB CTPC being strongly associated with a malignant disease behavior and a poorer outcome of both MGUS and MM.This work has been supported by the International Myeloma Foundation-Black Swan Research Initiative and the EuroFlow Consortium; Centro de InvestigaciĂłn BiomĂ©dica en Red de CĂĄncer (CIBER-ONC; Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de EconomĂa y Competitividad, Madrid, Spain and FONDOS FEDER), numbers: CB16/12/00400, CB16/12/00369, CB16/12/00489 and CB16/12/00233; grant SA079U14 from the ConsejerĂa de EducaciĂłn, Junta de Castilla y LeĂłn, Valladolid, Spain and; grant DTS15/00119 from Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de EconomĂa y Competitividad, Madrid, Spain. Acuerdo de colaboraciĂłn con FundaciĂłn de Hemoterapia y HemodonaciĂłn de Castilla y LeĂłn, Valladolid, Spain. This study was also supported by the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) Award No. 7-916-3-237, the AACR-Millennium Fellowship in Multiple Myeloma Research (15-40-38-PAIV), ERA-NET TRANSCAN-2 (iMMunocell), by a 2017 Leonardo Grant (BZG10931) for Researchers and Cultural Creators, BBVA Foundation, and the European Research Council (ERC) 2015 Starting Grant (MYELOMANEXT)
Costs and benefits of automation for astronomical facilities
The Observatorio Astrof\'isico de Javalambre (OAJ{\dag}1) in Spain is a young
astronomical facility, conceived and developed from the beginning as a fully
automated observatory with the main goal of optimizing the processes in the
scientific and general operation of the Observatory. The OAJ has been
particularly conceived for carrying out large sky surveys with two
unprecedented telescopes of unusually large fields of view (FoV): the JST/T250,
a 2.55m telescope of 3deg field of view, and the JAST/T80, an 83cm telescope of
2deg field of view. The most immediate objective of the two telescopes for the
next years is carrying out two unique photometric surveys of several thousands
square degrees, J-PAS{\dag}2 and J-PLUS{\dag}3, each of them with a wide range
of scientific applications, like e.g. large structure cosmology and Dark
Energy, galaxy evolution, supernovae, Milky Way structure, exoplanets, among
many others. To do that, JST and JAST are equipped with panoramic cameras under
development within the J-PAS collaboration, JPCam and T80Cam respectively,
which make use of large format (~ 10k x 10k) CCDs covering the entire focal
plane. This paper describes in detail, from operations point of view, a
comparison between the detailed cost of the global automation of the
Observatory and the standard automation cost for astronomical facilities, in
reference to the total investment and highlighting all benefits obtained from
this approach and difficulties encountered. The paper also describes the
engineering development of the overall facilities and infrastructures for the
fully automated observatory and a global overview of current status,
pinpointing lessons learned in order to boost observatory operations
performance, achieving scientific targets, maintaining quality requirements,
but also minimizing operation cost and human resources.Comment: Global Observatory Control System GOC
Un examen actualizado de la percepción de las barreras para la implementación de la farmacogenómica y la utilidad de los pares fårmaco/gen en América Latina y el Caribe
La farmacogenĂłmica (PGx) se considera un campo emergente en los paĂses en desarrollo. La investigaciĂłn sobre PGx en la regiĂłn de AmĂ©rica Latina y el Caribe (ALC) sigue siendo escasa, con informaciĂłn limitada en algunas poblaciones. Por lo tanto, las extrapolaciones son complicadas, especialmente en poblaciones mixtas. En este trabajo, revisamos y analizamos el conocimiento farmacogenĂłmico entre la comunidad cientĂfica y clĂnica de ALC y examinamos las barreras para la aplicaciĂłn clĂnica. Realizamos una bĂșsqueda de publicaciones y ensayos clĂnicos en este campo en todo el mundo y evaluamos la contribuciĂłn de ALC. A continuaciĂłn, realizamos una encuesta regional estructurada que evaluĂł una lista de 14 barreras potenciales para la aplicaciĂłn clĂnica de biomarcadores en funciĂłn de su importancia. AdemĂĄs, se analizĂł una lista emparejada de 54 genes/fĂĄrmacos para determinar una asociaciĂłn entre los biomarcadores y la respuesta a la medicina genĂłmica. Esta encuesta se comparĂł con una encuesta anterior realizada en 2014 para evaluar el progreso en la regiĂłn. Los resultados de la bĂșsqueda indicaron que los paĂses de AmĂ©rica Latina y el Caribe han contribuido con el 3,44% del total de publicaciones y el 2,45% de los ensayos clĂnicos relacionados con PGx en todo el mundo hasta el momento. Un total de 106 profesionales de 17 paĂses respondieron a la encuesta. Se identificaron seis grandes grupos de obstĂĄculos. A pesar de los continuos esfuerzos de la regiĂłn en la Ășltima dĂ©cada, la principal barrera para la implementaciĂłn de PGx en ALC sigue siendo la misma, la "necesidad de directrices, procesos y protocolos para la aplicaciĂłn clĂnica de la farmacogenĂ©tica/farmacogenĂłmica". Las cuestiones de coste-eficacia se consideran factores crĂticos en la regiĂłn. Los puntos relacionados con la reticencia de los clĂnicos son actualmente menos relevantes. SegĂșn los resultados de la encuesta, los pares gen/fĂĄrmaco mejor clasificados (96%-99%) y percibidos como importantes fueron CYP2D6/tamoxifeno, CYP3A5/tacrolimus, CYP2D6/opioides, DPYD/fluoropirimidinas, TMPT/tiopurinas, CYP2D6/antidepresivos tricĂclicos, CYP2C19/antidepresivos tricĂclicos, NUDT15/tiopurinas, CYP2B6/efavirenz y CYP2C19/clopidogrel. En conclusiĂłn, aunque la contribuciĂłn global de los paĂses de ALC sigue siendo baja en el campo del PGx, se ha observado una mejora relevante en la regiĂłn. La percepciĂłn de la utilidad de las pruebas PGx en la comunidad biomĂ©dica ha cambiado drĂĄsticamente, aumentando la concienciaciĂłn entre los mĂ©dicos, lo que sugiere un futuro prometedor en las aplicaciones clĂnicas de PGx en ALC.Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is considered an emergent field in developing countries. Research on PGx in the Latin American and the Caribbean (LAC) region remains scarce, with limited information in some populations. Thus, extrapolations are complicated, especially in mixed populations. In this paper, we reviewed and analyzed pharmacogenomic knowledge among the LAC scientific and clinical community and examined barriers to clinical application. We performed a search for publications and clinical trials in the field worldwide and evaluated the contribution of LAC. Next, we conducted a regional structured survey that evaluated a list of 14 potential barriers to the clinical implementation of biomarkers based on their importance. In addition, a paired list of 54 genes/drugs was analyzed to determine an association between biomarkers and response to genomic medicine. This survey was compared to a previous survey performed in 2014 to assess progress in the region. The search results indicated that Latin American and Caribbean countries have contributed 3.44% of the total publications and 2.45% of the PGx-related clinical trials worldwide thus far. A total of 106 professionals from 17 countries answered the survey. Six major groups of barriers were identified. Despite the regionâs continuous efforts in the last decade, the primary barrier to PGx implementation in LAC remains the same, the âneed for guidelines, processes, and protocols for the clinical application of pharmacogenetics/pharmacogenomicsâ. Cost-effectiveness issues are considered critical factors in the region. Items related to the reluctance of clinicians are currently less relevant. Based on the survey results, the highest ranked (96%â99%) gene/drug pairs perceived as important were CYP2D6/tamoxifen, CYP3A5/tacrolimus, CYP2D6/opioids, DPYD/fluoropyrimidines, TMPT/thiopurines, CYP2D6/tricyclic antidepressants, CYP2C19/tricyclic antidepressants, NUDT15/thiopurines, CYP2B6/efavirenz, and CYP2C19/clopidogrel. In conclusion, although the global contribution of LAC countries remains low in the PGx field, a relevant improvement has been observed in the region. The perception of the usefulness of PGx tests in biomedical community has drastically changed, raising awareness among physicians, which suggests a promising future in the clinical applications of PGx in LAC
Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
Next generation flow for minimally-invasive blood characterization of MGUS and multiple myeloma at diagnosis based on circulating tumor plasma cells (CTPC)
Here, we investigated for the first time the frequency and number of circulating tumor plasma cells (CTPC) in peripheral blood (PB) of newly diagnosed patients with localized and systemic plasma cell neoplasms (PCN) using next-generation flow cytometry (NGF) and correlated our findings with the distinct diagnostic and prognostic categories of the disease. Overall, 508 samples from 264 newly diagnosed PCN patients, were studied. CTPC were detected in PB of all active multiple myeloma (MM; 100%), and smoldering MM (SMM) patients (100%), and in more than half (59%) monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) cases (p < 0.0001); in contrast, CTPC were present in a small fraction of solitary plasmacytoma patients (18%). Higher numbers of CTPC in PB were associated with higher levels of BM infiltration and more adverse prognostic features, together with shorter time to progression from MGUS to MM (p < 0.0001) and a shorter survival in MM patients with active disease requiring treatment (p <= 0.03). In summary, the presence of CTPC in PB as assessed by NGF at diagnosis, emerges as a hallmark of disseminated PCN, higher numbers of PB CTPC being strongly associated with a malignant disease behavior and a poorer outcome of both MGUS and MM
Evolution of the use of corticosteroids for the treatment of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Spain between March and November 2020: SEMI-COVID national registry
Objectives: Since the results of the RECOVERY trial, WHO recommendations about the use of corticosteroids (CTs) in COVID-19 have changed. The aim of the study is to analyse the evolutive use of CTs in Spain during the pandemic to assess the potential influence of new recommendations. Material and methods: A retrospective, descriptive, and observational study was conducted on adults hospitalised due to COVID-19 in Spain who were included in the SEMI-COVID- 19 Registry from March to November 2020. Results: CTs were used in 6053 (36.21%) of the included patients. The patients were older (mean (SD)) (69.6 (14.6) vs. 66.0 (16.8) years; p < 0.001), with hypertension (57.0% vs. 47.7%; p < 0.001), obesity (26.4% vs. 19.3%; p < 0.0001), and multimorbidity prevalence (20.6% vs. 16.1%; p < 0.001). These patients had higher values (mean (95% CI)) of C-reactive protein (CRP) (86 (32.7-160) vs. 49.3 (16-109) mg/dL; p < 0.001), ferritin (791 (393-1534) vs. 470 (236- 996) ”g/dL; p < 0.001), D dimer (750 (430-1400) vs. 617 (345-1180) ”g/dL; p < 0.001), and lower Sp02/Fi02 (266 (91.1) vs. 301 (101); p < 0.001). Since June 2020, there was an increment in the use of CTs (March vs. September; p < 0.001). Overall, 20% did not receive steroids, and 40% received less than 200 mg accumulated prednisone equivalent dose (APED). Severe patients are treated with higher doses. The mortality benefit was observed in patients with oxygen saturation </=90%. Conclusions: Patients with greater comorbidity, severity, and inflammatory markers were those treated with CTs. In severe patients, there is a trend towards the use of higher doses. The mortality benefit was observed in patients with oxygen saturation </=90%
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