Evaluation of the energy generation potential by an experimental characterization of residual biomass blends from Córdoba, Colombia in a downdraft gasifier.

An experimental characterization of crop residue biomass blends to evaluate their energy potential was conducted using an experimental approach in a commercial scale downdraft gasifier. Corncobs, rice husks, sesame stalks and cotton gin refuse were used to study the effect of mixture proportions on equivalence ratio, gasification temperature, syngas lower heating value (LHV), and cold gas efficiency (CGE). Using an experimental mixture design, thirty-two sample blends were evaluated in an Ankur WBG-30 downdraft gasifier with 30 kg/h feed supply coupled with a syngas purification system, temperature sensors and a gas chromatograph. Syngas composition CO, H2, CH4, N2 and CO2 are presented for each blend. It was found that temperature, syngas composition, syngas lower heating value and cold gas efficiency were negatively affected as the proportion of rice husks in the mixture was increased. It was possible to reach CGE values up to 57.91% and LHV up to 4460 kJ/kg under certain blending conditions. A higher percentages of rice husks caused a considerable increase in the variability of the equivalence ratio resulting in suboptimal gasification conditions.

Impact of an osteoporosis specialized unit on bone health in breast cancer survivals treated with aromatase inhibitors / Impacto de una unidad de osteoporosis en la salud ósea de pacientes con cáncer de mama en tratamiento con inhibidores de la aromatasa

Objective: Considering the increased fracture risk in early breast cancer patients treated with aromatase inhibitors (AI), we assessed the impact of a preventive intervention conducted by a specialized osteoporosis unit on bone health at AI treatment start. Material and methods: Retrospective cohort of postmenopausal women who started treatment with AI after breast cancer surgical/chemotherapy treatment and were referred to the osteoporosis unit for a comprehensive assessment of bone health. Bone densitometry and fracture screening by plain X-ray were performed at the baseline visit and once a year for 5 years. Results: The final record included 130 patients. At AI treatment start, 49% had at least one high-risk factor for fractures, 55% had osteopenia, and 39% osteoporosis. Based on the baseline assessment, 79% of patients initiated treatment with bisphosphonates, 88% with calcium, and 79% with vitamin D. After a median of 65 (50-77) months, 4% developed osteopenia or osteoporosis, and 14% improved their densitometric diagnosis. Fifteen fractures were recorded in 11 (8.5%) patients, all of them receiving preventive treatment (10 with bisphosphonates). During the follow-up period, patients with one or more high-risk factors for fracture showed a greater frequency of fractures (15% vs. 3%) and experienced the first fracture earlier than those without high-risk factors (mean of 99 and 102 months, respectively; P=0.023). Conclusions: The preventive intervention of a specialized unit at the start of AI treatment in breast cancer survivors allows the identification of patients with high fracture risk and may contribute to preventing bone events in these patients

Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de la intervención preventiva de una unidad de osteoporosis en supervivientes de cáncer de mama que inician un tratamiento con inhibidores de la aromatasa (IA). Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo en mujeres posmenopáusicas con cáncer de mama precoz que iniciaron un tratamiento con IA tras la cirugía y/o quimioterapia, derivadas a la unidad de osteoporosis para una evaluación de la salud ósea, incluyendo densitometrías óseas y búsqueda sistemática de fracturas mediante Rx al inicio del tratamiento y anualmente durante 5 años. Resultados: Se incluyeron 130 pacientes. Al inicio del tratamiento con IA el 49% tenía al menos un factor de riesgo alto para fracturas, el 55% osteopenia y el 39% osteoporosis. Tras la evaluación inicial, el 79% de las pacientes inició un tratamiento con bifosfonatos, el 88% con calcio y el 79% con vitamina D. Tras una mediana de 65 (50-77) meses, el 4% desarrolló osteopenia u osteoporosis y el 14% mejoró el diagnóstico densitométrico. Se registraron 15 fracturas en 11 (8,5%) pacientes, todas ellas en tratamiento preventivo. Durante el seguimiento, las pacientes con ≥1 factores de riesgo altos registraron una mayor frecuencia de fracturas (15 vs. 3%) y un menor tiempo hasta la primera fractura (media de 99 vs. 102 meses; p=0,023). Conclusiones: La intervención preventiva de una unidad de osteoporosis al inicio del tratamiento con IA en supervivientes de cáncer de mama permite identificar pacientes con un elevado riesgo de fracturas y puede contribuir a la prevención de eventos óseos en estas pacientes

Impact of an osteoporosis specialized unit on bone health in breast cancer survivals treated with aromatase inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE: Considering the increased fracture risk in early breast cancer patients treated with aromatase inhibitors (AI), we assessed the impact of a preventive intervention conducted by a specialized osteoporosis unit on bone health at AI treatment start. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort of postmenopausal women who started treatment with AI after breast cancer surgical/chemotherapy treatment and were referred to the osteoporosis unit for a comprehensive assessment of bone health. Bone densitometry and fracture screening by plain X-ray were performed at the baseline visit and once a year for 5 years. RESULTS: The final record included 130 patients. At AI treatment start, 49% had at least one high-risk factor for fractures, 55% had osteopenia, and 39% osteoporosis. Based on the baseline assessment, 79% of patients initiated treatment with bisphosphonates, 88% with calcium, and 79% with vitamin D. After a median of 65 (50-77) months, 4% developed osteopenia or osteoporosis, and 14% improved their densitometric diagnosis. Fifteen fractures were recorded in 11 (8.5%) patients, all of them receiving preventive treatment (10 with bisphosphonates). During the follow-up period, patients with one or more high-risk factors for fracture showed a greater frequency of fractures (15% vs. 3%) and experienced the first fracture earlier than those without high-risk factors (mean of 99 and 102 months, respectively; P=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: The preventive intervention of a specialized unit at the start of AI treatment in breast cancer survivors allows the identification of patients with high fracture risk and may contribute to preventing bone events in these patients.

An unusual neck tumor in a young pregnant woman: challenge diagnosis and response to treatment.

We report the case of a 19-year-old woman 33 weeks pregnant who presented a painful mass of progressive growth in the neck, having also dysphonia and dyspnea. Physical examination revealed a primary laryngeal tumor. A neuroendocrine small-cell carcinoma was diagnosed after histopathology, immunohistochemistry and genetic studies. Chemo-radiotherapy with a cisplatin-etoposide schedule was administered. Despite obtaining a complete response, the patient relapsed and finally survived 35 months with successive cisplatin-based treatments. Small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the larynx is an uncommon entity, differential diagnosis can be problematic and treatment is challenging.