Her2-Positive Cancers and Antibody-Based Treatment: State of the Art and Future Developments.

HER2 positive breast cancer represent about 20% of all breast cancer subtypes and it was considered the subtype with the worst prognosis until the discovery of therapies directed against the HER2 protein. The determination of the status of the HER2 must be very precise and well managed to identify this subtype, and there are very specific and updated guides that allow its characterization to be adjusted. Treatment in local disease has been considerably improved with less aggressive and highly effective approaches and very high cure rates. In metastatic disease, average median survival rates of 5 years have been achieved. New highly active molecules have also been discovered that allow disease control in very complicated situations. This article reviews all these options that can be used for the management of this disease.

Micronutrient fertilization enhances ROS scavenging system for alleviation of abiotic stresses in plants.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide at low concentrations act as signaling of several abiotic stresses. Overproduction of hydrogen peroxide causes the oxidation of plant cell lipid phosphate layer promoting senescence and cell death. To mitigate the effect of ROS, plants develop antioxidant defense mechanisms (superoxide dismutase, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase), ascorbate-glutathione cycle enzymes (ASA-GSH) (ascorbate peroxidase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase and glutathione reductase), which have the function of removing and transforming ROS into non-toxic substances to maintain cellular homeostasis. Foliar or soil application of fertilizers containing B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Se and Zn at low concentrations has the ability to elicit and activate antioxidative enzymes, non-oxidizing metabolism, as well as sugar metabolism to mitigate damage by oxidative stress. Plants treated with micronutrients show higher tolerance to abiotic stress and better nutritional status. In this review, we summarized results indicating micronutrient actions in order to reduce ROS resulting the increase of photosynthetic capacity of plants for greater crop yield. This meta-analysis provides information on the mechanism of action of micronutrients in combating ROS, which can make plants more tolerant to several types of abiotic stress such as extreme temperatures, salinity, heavy metals and excess light.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de pie diabético basado en clasificación Wagner / Surgical treatment of diabetic foot based on Wagner classification

Se realizó un estudio que caracterizó a los pacientes que reciben tratamiento quirúrgico en el Hospital Roosevelt por pie diabético según la Clasificación Wagner. El objetivo era determinar el tratamiento quirúrgico brindado al paciente con pie diabético, basado en la clasificación Wagner, en el Departamento de Cirugía del Hospital Roosevelt durante el período de enero a octubre 2015. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo estudiando a los pacientes con diagnóstico de pie diabético, con una muestra de 81 pacientes. Se encontró que 56% presentaron grado IV, edad de 56-65 años en 38%, de sexo masculino 65%. 134 procedimientos quirúrgicos realizados, más común lavado y desbridamiento en 38%. Principalmente diagnóstico de Diabetes mellitus tipo II, con tiempo diagnóstico mayor a 10 años en 51%. Uso de hipoglucemiantes orales 49%. De los estudiados, 41% no presentaba ninguna comorbilidad. Se concluyó que el tratamiento quirúrgico más frecuente para Pie diabético Wagner II y III fue el lavado y desbridamiento, grado IV amputación de dedos y grado V las amputaciones femorales supracondíleas. Caracterizados como pacientes en rango de edad entre los 56-65 años, de sexo masculino, que padece Diabetes mellitus tipo II, clasificado como pie diabético Wagner IV, ameritando tratamiento quirúrgico como amputación de dedos seguido de amputaciones radicales descritas como amputación supracondílea, con tiempo de diagnóstico mayor a 10 años, con tratamiento de hipoglucemiantes orales, y sin ninguna comorbilidad médica asociada. (AU)

A study was conducted that characterized patients receiving surgical treatment at Roosevelt Hospital for diabetic foot according to the Wagner Classification. The objective was to determine the surgical treatment provided to the patient with diabetic foot, based on the Wagner classification, in the Department of Surgery at Roosevelt Hospital during the period from January to October 2015. A descriptive study was carried out studying patients with a diagnosis of diabetic foot, with a sample of 81 patients. It was found that 56% had grade IV, age 56-65 years in 38%, male 65%. 134 surgical procedures performed, the most common was lavage and debridement in 38%. Mainly diagnosis of type II diabetes mellitus, with a diagnosis time greater than 10 years in 51%. Use of oral hypoglycemic agents 49%. Of those studied, 41% did not present any comorbidity. The conclusion was that the most frequent surgical treatment for Wagner II and III was lavage and debridement, grade IV finger amputation and grade V supracondylar femoral amputations. Characterized as patients in the age range between 56-65 years, male, suffering from type II diabetes mellitus, classified as Wagner IV diabetic foot, meriting surgical treatment such as amputation of fingers followed by radical amputations described as supracondylar amputation, with time of diagnosis greater than 10 years, with treatment of oral ypoglycemic agents, and without any associated medical comorbidity. (AU)

Ablación por radiofrecuencia versus crosectomía safenofemoral más oclusión endovascular distal en pacientes con insuficiencia de la vena safena mayor / Radiofrequency ablation versus sapheno-femoral crosectomy plus distal

Introducción: Actualmente se prefieren procedimientos mínimamente invasivos como las técnicas endovasculares para el tratamiento de la insuficiencia de vena safena mayor que pueden ser por ablación térmica, química o mecánica. Éstos tienen la ventaja de ser ambulatorios, presentar menos complicaciones postoperatorias, una rápida incorporación laboral y mejores resultados estéticos. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar los resultados del tratamiento con radiofrecuencia versus crosectomía safenofemoral más oclusión endovascular distal. Material y Métodos: Estudio descriptivo prospectivo que incluyó a todos los pacientes con diagnóstico de insuficiencia de la vena safena mayor de enero 2017 a octubre 2019. La elección de la técnica a utilizar se hizo al azar. Resultados: El 77% correspondió al género femenino, con edad media 49 años, el estadío C:2 de la clasificación clíica CEAP fue la más frecuente (57%) y el shunt tipo 3 (63%). La ablación por radiofrecuencia se realizó con mayor frecuencia (83%). El dolor y parestesias (fueron las complicaciones más frecuentes en ambos grupos sin diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p = 0.1470). No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativo entre las dos técnicas quirúrgicas realizadas en resultado estético (p = 0.4456), el retorno de actividades cotidianas (p = 0.992) ni las laborales (p = 0.901). Conclusiones: Tanto la ablación por radiofrecuencia de la vena safena mayor como la crosectomía safenofemoral más oclusión endovascular distal se consideran dos métodos seguros y efectivos para tratar insuficiencia de vena safena mayor; ya que los resultados finales fueron similares para ambas técnicas quirúrgicas.

Introduction: Minimally invasive endovascular procedures like thermal, chemical or mechanical ablation are currently preferred for the treatment of the great saphenous vein insufficiency, because have the advantage of being outpatient, with minimal postoperative complications, a faster incorporation to work and better aesthetic results. This study persuit to evaluate the results of radiofrequency treatment versus sapheno-femoral crosectomy plus distal endovascular occlusion. Methods: The study included all the patients with a diagnosis of great saphenous vein insufficiency from January 2017 to October 2019. The technic was chosen randomly. Results: 77% of patients was female , with a mean age of 49 , the C2 stage of the CEAP classification is present in 57% and the type 3 shunt in 63%. Radiofrequency ablation was performed in 83% of the cases. Pain and paresthesia were the most frequent complications, without statistically signification between both technics (p = 0.1470). The aesthetic result, the return to daily activities (p = 0.992) and to work (p = 0.901) had not statistically significant differences between the two surgical techniques. Conclusions: Both, radiofrequency ablation of the greater saphenous vein and sapheno-femoral crosectomy plus distal endovascular occlusion are considered safe and effective methods to treat great saphenous vein insufficiency because the final results were similar for both surgical techniques.

Second-Generation Lignocellulosic Supportive Material Improves Atomic Ratios of C:O and H:O and Thermomechanical Behavior of Hybrid Non-Woody Pellets.

Pellets refer to solid biofuels for heating and power. The pellet's integrity is of great relevant to ensure safe and effective transportation and storage, and comfort to stakeholders. Several materials that are supportive, whether organic and inorganic, to pellets exist. However, no work in the literature is linking making hybrid non-wood pellets with addition of residual biomass from distillation of cellulosic bioethanol, and this requires further investigations. Figuring out how effective this challenging agro-industrial residue could be for reinforcing non-wood pellets is accordingly the scientific point of this study focusing on management of waste and valorization of biomass. The pilot-scale manufacturing of hybrid pellets consisted of systematically pressing sugarcane bagasse with the lignocellulosic reinforcement at the mass ratios of 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3 on an automatic pelletizer machine at 200 MPa and 125 °C. Elemental contents of C and H, durability, and energy density all increased significantly from 50.05 to 53.50%, 5.95 to 7.80%, 95.90 to 99.55%, and 28.20 to 31.20 MJ kg-1, respectively, with blending the starting material with the reinforcement at 1:3. Preliminary evidence of residual biomass from distillation of second-generation bioethanol capable of highly improving molecular flammable/combustible properties, mechanical stability, and fuel power of composite non-wood pellets exist.

Detection of somatic mutations in peritoneal lavages and plasma of endometrial cancer patients: A proof-of-concept study.

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy in developed countries. Although most patients are diagnosed at early stages, 15-20% will relapse despite local treatment. Presently, there are no reliable markers to identify patients with worse outcomes who may benefit from adjuvant treatments, such as chemotherapy, and liquid biopsies may be of use in this setting. Peritoneal lavages are systematically performed during endometrial surgery but little data are available about their potential as liquid biopsies. We analyzed KRAS and PIK3CA mutations in paired surgical biopsies, blood and cytology-negative peritoneal lavages in a cohort of 50 EC patients. Surgical biopsies were submitted to next-generation sequencing (NGS) while circulating-free DNA (cfDNA) purified from plasma and peritoneal lavages was analyzed for KRAS and PIK3CA hotspot mutations using a sensitive quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. NGS of biopsies revealed KRAS, PIK3CA or concomitant KRAS + PIK3CA mutations in 33/50 (66%) EC patients. Of those, 19 cases carried hotspot mutations. Quantitative PCR revealed KRAS and/or PIK3CA mutations in the lavages of 9/19 (47.4%) hotspot EC patients. In contrast, only 2/19 (10.5%) blood samples from hotspot EC patients were positive. Mutations found in cfDNA consistently matched those in paired biopsies. One of the two patients positive in plasma and lavage died in less than 6 months. In conclusion, mutational analysis in peritoneal lavages and blood from early stage EC is feasible. Further studies are warranted to determine if it might help to identify patients with worse prognosis. Human genes discussed: KRAS, KRAS proto-oncogene, GTPase; PIK3CA, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha.