Nonlinear Channel Equalization Approach for Microwave Communication Systems

The theoretical principles of intersymbol interference (ISI) and channel equalization in wireless communication systems are addressed. Several conventional and well-known equalization techniques are discussed and compared such as zero forcing (ZF) and maximum likelihood (ML). The main section in this chapter is devoted to an abstract concept of equalization approach, namely, dual channel equalization (DCE). The proposed approach is flexible and can be employed and integrated with other linear and nonlinear equalization approaches. Closed expressions for the achieved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and bit error rate (BER) in the case of ZF-DCE and ML-DCE are derived. According to the obtained outcomes, the DCE demonstrates promising improvements in the equalization performance (BER reduction) in comparison with the conventional techniques

Analyzing Chaos Systems and Fine Spectrum Sensing Using Detrended Fluctuation Analysis Algorithm

A numerical study that uses detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) algorithm of time series obtained from linear and nonlinear dynamical systems is presented. The DFA algorithm behavior toward periodic and chaotic signals is investigated and the effect of the time scale under analysis is discussed. The displayed results prove that the DFA algorithm response is invariant (stable performance) to initial condition and chaotic system parameters. An initial idea of DFA algorithm implementation for fine spectrum sensing (SS) is proposed under two-stage spectrum sensor approach with test statistics based on the scaling exponent value. The outcomes demonstrate a promising new SS technique that can alleviate several imperfections such as noise power uncertainty and spatial correlation between the adjacent antenna array elements

Clinico-pathological characteristics and outcomes of patients with early-onset colorectal cancer

[Background]: The rising incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) among young patients is alarming. We aim to characterize the clinico-pathological features and outcomes of patients with early-onset CRC (EOCRC). [Methods]: We included all of the patients with pathologically confirmed diagnosis of CRC at Hospital Universitario La Paz from October 2016 to September 2020. EOCRC age cut-off was 50 years. All statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS v.25. [Results]: A total of 1152 patients were diagnosed with CRC, fifty-nine (5,1%) of them were After a median follow-up of 24 months, 279 patients have died. Median overall survival (OS) was not reached in either group (p = 0,06). Three-year OS was 80% (95%CI: 73-87) and 67 (95%CI: 65-69) in the younger and older group, respectively. In patients with localized disease that underwent surgery or other antineoplastic treatment ( n = 856), 159 events for disease-free survival (DFS) were observed. Median DFS was [Conclusions]: Patients with EOCRC are diagnosed at a more advanced stage and display distinct biological features (more prevalence of dMMR and WT tumors among others). Studies focusing on screening in this population and deeper molecular profiling are needed

Clinico-pathological characteristics and outcomes of patients with early-onset colorectal cancer

[Background]: The rising incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) among young patients is alarming. We aim to characterize the clinico-pathological features and outcomes of patients with early-onset CRC (EOCRC).[Methods]: We included all of the patients with pathologically confirmed diagnosis of CRC at Hospital Universitario La Paz from October 2016 to September 2020. EOCRC age cut-off was 50 years. All statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS v.25. [Results]: A total of 1152 patients were diagnosed with CRC, fifty-nine (5,1%) of them were After a median follow-up of 24 months, 279 patients have died. Median overall survival (OS) was not reached in either group (p ¼ 0,06). Three-year OS was 80% (95% CI: 73-87) and 67 (95%CI: 65-69) in the younger and older group, respectively. In patients with localized disease that underwent surgery or other antineoplastic treatment ( n ¼ 856), 159 events for disease-free survival (DFS) were observed. Median DFS was not reached in either group (p ¼0,144). Three-year DFS was 86% (95%CI: 79-93) and 73% (95%CI: 71-75, respectively). In patients with metastatic disease (n ¼ 332; synchronous or metachronic), median OS was not reach in the EOCRC group vs 18,1 (95%CI: 13,8-22,4), p ¼ 0,05). In those patients with metastatic EOCRC with mutational status assessed (n ¼23), no difference in OS according to RAS was observed (p ¼ 0,55).[Conclusions]: Patients with EOCRC are diagnosed at a more advanced stage and display distinct biological features (more prevalence of dMMR and WT tumors among others). Studies focusing on screening in this population and deeper molecular profiling are needed.Peer reviewe

SARS-CoV-2 Delta-variant breakthrough infections in nursing home residents at midterm after Comirnaty® COVID-19 vaccination

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) Delta variant break-through infections in nursing home residents following vaccination with Comirnaty®COVID‐19 vaccine were characterized. In total, 201 participants (median age, 87 years;range, 64–100; 133 female) from two nursing homes in the Valencian community (Spain)were included. SARS‐CoV‐2‐Spike (S) antibody responses were determined by a lateralflow immunocromatography (LFIC) assay and by quantitative electrochemiluminescentassay in LFIC‐negative participants. SARS‐CoV‐2‐S‐IFNγT cells were enumerated by flowcytometry in 10 participants. Nasopharyngeal SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA loads were quantified byreal‐time polymerase chain reaction assays. Vaccine breakthrough COVID‐19 due to theDelta variant occurred in 39 residents (median age, 87 years; range, 69–96; 31 female) ata median of 6.5 months after vaccination (nine requiring hospitalization). Breakthroughinfections occurred at a higher rate(p< 0.0001) in residents who had not been previouslyinfected with SARS‐CoV‐2 (naïve) (33/108; 18%) than in those with prior diagnosis ofSARS‐CoV‐2 infection (experienced) (6/93; 6.4%), and were more likely (p< 0.0001) todevelop in residents who tested negative by LFIC (20/49) at 3 months after vaccinationas compared to their LFIC‐positive counterparts (19/142). Among LFIC‐negativeresidents, a trend towards lower plasma anti‐RBD antibody levels was noticed in thosedeveloping breakthrough infection (p=0.16).SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA loads in nasopharyngealspecimens were lower in SARS‐CoV‐2‐experienced residents (p< 0.001) and in thosetesting positive by LFIC (p=0.13). The frequency of SARS‐CoV‐2‐S‐reactive T cells at3monthswassimilarinLFIC‐negative residents with (n=7) or without (n=3)breakthrough infection. Prior history of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and detection ofS‐reactive antibodies by LFIC at 3 months is associated with a lower risk of Delta‐variant breakthrough infection in nursing home residents at midterm after Comirnaty®COVID‐19 vaccination.We are grateful to the Vice‐presidency and Ministry of Equality andInclusive Policies of the Valencia Community, the Corporate Associationof Residences and Services for People with Dependency of the ValencianCommunity (AERTE), the Valencia Health System nursing homedepartmental committees, and the staff and residents of the participantnursing homes for their collaboration in developing the ProVaVacprogram. We would also like to thank Ana Berenguer, General Directorof Analysis and Public Policies of the Presidency of the Generalitat.Ignacio Torres (Río Hortega Contract; CM20/00090) and Eliseo Albert(Juan Rodés Contract; JR20/00011) hold contracts funded by the HealthInstitute Carlos III (co‐financed by the European Regional DevelopmentFund, ERDF/FEDER). This study received no public or private funds.Peer reviewe

Immunological response against SARS-CoV-2 following full-dose administration of Comirnaty® COVID-19 vaccine in nursing home residents

6 páginas, 2 figuras, 3 tablas. Se puede acceder al texto completo de este artículo desde PubMedCentral: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8490129 . Los datos de investigación utilizados en el mismo, se encuentran disponibles en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2021.09.031.Objectives: The current study was aimed at examining SARS-CoV-2 immune responses following two doses of Comirnaty® COVID-19 vaccine among elderly people in nursing homes. Methods: A prospective cohort study in a representative sample from nursing homes in Valencia (n = 881; males: 271, females 610; median age, 86 years) recruited residents using a random one-stage cluster sampling approach. A lateral flow immunochromatography device (LFIC) (OnSite COVID-19 IgG/IgM Rapid Test; CTK BIOTECH, Poway, CA, USA) was used as the front-line test for detecting SARS-CoV-2-Spike (S)-specific antibodies in whole blood obtained using a fingerstick. Residents returning negative LFIC results underwent venipuncture and testing for presence of SARS-CoV-2-S-reactive antibodies and T cells using the Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S (Roche Diagnostics, Pleasanton, CA, USA), the LIAISON® SARS-CoV-2 TrimericS IgG assay (Diasorin S.p.A, Saluggia, Italy) and by flow cytometry, respectively. Results: The SARS-CoV-2-S antibody detection rate in nursing home residents was 99.6% (283/284) and 98.3% (587/597) for SARS-CoV-2 recovered and naïve residents, respectively, within a median of 99 days (range 17-125 days) after full vaccination. Three out of five residents lacking SARS-CoV-2-S antibodies had detectable S-reactive CD8+ and/or CD4+ T cells. In addition, 50/50 and 40/50 participants with detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies also had SARS-CoV-2-S-reactive interferon-γ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, respectively. Discussion: The Comirnaty® COVID-19 vaccine is highly immunogenic in nursing home residents. Keywords: Comirnaty®COVID-19 vaccine; Nursing home residents; SARS-CoV-2; SARS-CoV-2-S antibodies.Ignacio Torres (Río Hortega Contract; CM20/00090), Eliseo Albert (Juan Rodes Contract; JR20/00011) and Estela Gimenez (Juan Rod es Contract, JR18/00053) hold contracts funded by the Health Institute Carlos III (co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, ERDF/FEDER).Peer reviewe

Consenso Mexicano para el Tratamiento de la Hepatitis C

El objetivo del Consenso Mexicano para el Tratamiento de la Hepatitis C fue el de desarrollar un documento como guía en la práctica clínica con aplicabilidad en México. Se tomó en cuenta la opinión de expertos en el tema con especialidad en: gastroenterología, infectología y hepatología. Se realizó una revisión de la bibliografía en MEDLINE, EMBASE y CENTRAL mediante palabras claves referentes al tratamiento de la hepatitis C. Posteriormente se evaluó la calidad de la evidencia mediante el sistema GRADE y se redactaron enunciados, los cuales fueron sometidos a voto mediante un sistema modificado Delphi, y posteriormente se realizó revisión y corrección de los enunciados por un panel de 34 votantes. Finalmente se clasificó el nivel de acuerdo para cada oración. Esta guía busca dar recomendaciones con énfasis en los nuevos antivirales de acción directa y de esta manera facilitar su uso en la práctica clínica. Cada caso debe ser individualizado según sus comorbilidades y el manejo de estos pacientes siempre debe ser multidisciplinario. Abstract The aim of the Mexican Consensus on the Treatment of Hepatitis C was to develop clinical practice guidelines applicable to Mexico. The expert opinion of specialists in the following areas was taken into account: gastroenterology, infectious diseases, and hepatology. A search of the medical literature was carried out on the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases through keywords related to hepatitis C treatment. The quality of evidence was subsequently evaluated using the GRADE system and the consensus statements were formulated. The statements were then voted upon, using the modified Delphi system, and reviewed and corrected by a panel of 34 voting participants. Finally, the level of agreement was classified for each statement. The present guidelines provide recommendations with an emphasis on the new direct-acting antivirals, to facilitate their use in clinical practice. Each case must be individualized according to the comorbidities involved and patient management must always be multidisciplinary