9 research outputs found
Analysis of Energy Consumption Performance towards Optimal Radioplanning of Wireless Sensor Networks in Heterogeneous Indoor Environments
In this paper the impact of complex indoor environment in the deployment and energy consumption of a wireless sensor network infrastructure is analyzed. The variable nature of the radio channel is analyzed by means of deterministic in-house 3D ray launching simulation of an indoor scenario, in which wireless sensors, based on an in-house CyFi implementation, typically used for environmental monitoring, are located. Received signal power and current consumption measurement results of the in-house designed wireless motes have been obtained, stating that adequate consideration of the network topology and morphology lead to optimal performance and power consumption reduction. The use of radioplanning techniques therefore aid in the deployment of more energy efficient elements, optimizing the overall performance of the variety of deployed wireless systems within the indoor scenario
Clinical Application of the COPD Assessment Test: Longitudinal Data From the COPD History Assessment in Spain (CHAIN) Cohort
OBJECTIVE: The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) has been proposed for assessing health status in COPD, but little is known about its longitudinal changes. The objective of this study was to evaluate 1-year CAT variability in patients with stable COPD and to relate its variations to changes in other disease markers. METHODS: We evaluated the following variables in smokers with and without COPD at baseline and aft er 1 year: CAT score, age, sex, smoking status, pack-year history, BMI, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), lung function, BODE (BMI, obstruction, dyspnea, exercise capacity) index, hospital admissions, Hospital and Depression Scale, and the Charlson comorbidity index. In patients with COPD, we explored the association of CAT scores and 1-year changes in the studied parameters. R ESULTS: A total of 824 smokers with COPD and 126 without COPD were evaluated at baseline and 441 smokers with COPD and 66 without COPD 1 year later. At 1 year, CAT scores for patients with COPD were similar ( ± 4 points) in 56%, higher in 27%, and lower in 17%. Of note, mMRC scale scores were similar ( ± 1 point) in 46% of patients, worse in 36%, and better in 18% at 1 year. One-year CAT changes were best predicted by changes in mMRC scale scores ( ÎČ -coefficient, 0.47; P<, .001). Similar results were found for CAT and mMRC scale score in smokers without COPD. CONCLUSIONS: One-year longitudinal data show variability in CAT scores among patients with stable COPD similar to mMRC scale score, which is the best predictor of 1-year CAT changes. Further longitudinal studies should confirm long-term CAT variability and its clinical applicability. © 2014 AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CHEST PHYSICIANS.The
authors have reported to CHEST the
follow ing conflicts of interest: Dr de Torres
received fees for speaking activities for
GlaxoSmithKline plc, AstraZeneca,
Novartis AG, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp,
and Takeda Pharmaceuticals International
GmbH and received consultancy fees for
participating on advisory boards for Takeda
Pharmaceuticals International GmbH
and Novartis AG between 2010 and 2013.
Dr Martinez-Gonzalez received fees for
speaking activities for Almirall, SA;
AstraZeneca; Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH;
Pfi zer Inc; GlaxoSmithKline plc; and Chiesi
Farmaceutici SpA between 2010 and
2013. Dr de Lucas-Ramos received fees for
speaking activities for Almirall, SA; Boehringer
Ingelheim GmbH; Takeda Pharmaceuticals
International GmbH; and GlaxoSmithKline
plc and received grants from Almirall, SA,
and Foundation Vital Aire between 2010
and 2013. Dr Cosio received fees for
speaking activities for Almirall, SA; Takeda
Pharmaceuticals International GmbH; The
Menarini Group; Boehringer Ingelheim
GmbH; Pfizer Inc; GlaxoSmithKline plc;
and Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA between
2010 and 2013. Dr Peces-Barba received
fees for speaking activities for Almirall,
SA; Takeda Pharmaceuticals International
GmbH; Novartis AG; Boehringer Ingelheim
GmbH; AstraZeneca; Esteve; GlaxoSmithKline
plc, and Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA; received
consultancy fees for participating in advisory
boards of Takeda Pharmaceuticals
International GmbH, Novartis AG, and
Ferrer Internacional; and received grants
from GlaxoSmithKline plc between 2010
and 2013. Dr Solanes-GarcĂa received fees
for speaking activities for Esteve; AstraZeneca;
Th e Menarini Group; Boehringer Ingelheim
GmbH; Pfizer Inc; GlaxoSmithKline plc,
Biodatos InvestigaciĂłn SL, and Chiesi
Farmaceutici SpA between 2010 and 2013.
Dr AgĂŒero Balbin received fees for speaking
activities for Almirall, SA; AstraZeneca;
Novartis AG; Boehringer Ingelheim
GmbH; Takeda Pharmaceuticals International
GmbH; GlaxoSmithKline plc; and
Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA between 2010
and 2013. Dr de Diego-Damia received
fees for speaking activities for Boehringer
Ingelheim GmbH, AstraZeneca, Pfizer Inc,
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp, GlaxoSmithKline
plc, and Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA between
2010 and 2013. Dr Alfageme Michavila
received fees for speaking activities for
Almirall, SA; Boehringer Ingelheim
GmbH; and Pfizer Inc between 2010 and
2013. Dr Irigaray received fees for speaking
activities for Novartis AG, Takeda
Pharmaceuticals International GmbH,
GlaxoSmithKline plc, and Chiesi Farmaceutici
SpA between 2010 and 2013. Dr Llunell
Casanovas received fees for speaking activities
for AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Co, and
Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA between 2010
and 2013. Dr Galdiz Iturri received fees for
speaking activities for Almirall, SA; Novartis
AG; AstraZeneca; Boehringer Ingelheim
GmbH; GlaxoSmithKline plc; and Chiesi
Farmaceutici SpA between 2010 and 2013.
Dr Soler-Cataluña participated in speaking
activities, on an industry advisory committee,
or with other related activities sponsored
by Almirall, SA; AstraZeneca; Boehringer
Ingelheim GmbH; Pfizer Inc; Ferrer
Internacional; GlaxoSmithKline plc; Takeda
Pharmaceuticals International GmbH;
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp; Novartis
AG; and Grupo Uriach between 2010 and
2013. Dr Soriano received grants from
GlaxoSmithKline plc in 2011 and Chiesi
Farmaceutici SpA in 2012 through his
home institution and participated in
speaking activities, on an industry advisory
committee, or with other related
activities sponsored by Almirall, SA;
Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH; Pfizer Inc;
Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA; GlaxoSmithKline
plc; and Novartis AG between 2010 and
2013. Dr Casanova participated in speaking
activities for Almirall, SA; Takeda
Pharmaceuticals International GmbH;
Chiesi Farmaceutici SpA; GlaxoSmithKline
plc; and Novartis AG between 2010 and
2013. Drs Marin, Mir-Viladrich, CalleRubio,
Feu-Collado, Balcells, MarĂn Royo,
and Lopez-Campos have reported that no
potential conflicts of interest exist with any
companies/organizations whose products
or services may be discussed in this article
Metallomic Signatures of Lung Cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can increase LC risk. Metallomics may provide insights into both of these tobacco-related diseases and their shared etiology. We conducted an observational study of 191 human serum samples, including those of healthy controls, LC patients, COPD patients, and patients with both COPD and LC. We found 18 elements (V, Al, As, Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, Se, W, Mo, Sb, Pb, Tl, Cr, Mg, Ni, and U) in these samples. In addition, we evaluated the elemental profiles of COPD cases of varying severity. The ratios and associations between the elements were also studied as possible signatures of the diseases. COPD severity and LC have a significant impact on the elemental composition of human serum. The severity of COPD was found to reduce the serum concentrations of As, Cd, and Tl and increased the serum concentrations of Mn and Sb compared with healthy control samples, while LC was found to increase Al, As, Mn, and Pb concentrations. This study provides new insights into the effects of LC and COPD on the human serum elemental profile that will pave the way for the potential use of elements as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. It also sheds light on the potential link between the two diseases, i.e., the evolution of COPD to LC