Southern marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) populations assessed using Amplicon Sequencing on fecal samples.

Populations in isolated and small fragments lose genetic variability very fast and are usually of conservation concern because they are at greater risk of local extinction. The largest native deer in South America, Blastocerus dichotomus (Illiger, 1815), is a Vulnerable species according to the IUCN categorization, which inhabits tropical and subtropical swampy areas. In Argentina, its presence has been restricted to four isolated fragments. Here we examine the genetic diversity and differentiation among three of them, including the three different patches that form the southernmost population, using 18 microsatellite markers genotyped by Amplicon Sequencing of DNA extracted from fecal samples. Genetic diversity was low (HE < 0.45) in all three populations studied. We found three genetic clusters compatible with the geographic location of the samples. We also found a metapopulation dynamics that involves the patches that make up the southernmost population, with evidence of a barrier to gene flow between two of them. Our results point to the creation of a corridor as a necessary and urgent management action. This is the first study, at the population level, employing microsatellite genotyping by Amplicon Sequencing with non-invasive samples in an endangered species.

Concordance between 21-gene recurrence score assay and clinicopathological predictive models in early-breast cancer patients cared for at a cancer center in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: The genomic-based 21-gene recurrence score assay (21-GRSA) allows to determine the usefulness of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with luminal-type early breast cancer (LTEBC). Additional predictive models have also been developed, such as Magee equations (ME), the Predict model (PM), and the Tennessee nomogram score (TNS). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the concordance between 21-GRSA, ME, PM and TNS. METHODS: Patients with unifocal LTEBC and 21-GRSA, ME, PM and TNS results were included. A subgroup analysis of women older than 50 years was carried out. Concordance between the models and 21-GRSA was evaluated using Cohen's kappa index (KI). RESULTS: One-hundred and twenty-two women were included. Concordance between 21-GRSA and ME (KI = 0.35) and PM (KI = 0.24) was fair (p < 0.001). Concordance between 21-GRSA and TNS was inferior (KI = 0.16, p = 0.04). Eighty patients older than 50 years with sufficient data to calculate all three predictive models were included. Concordance was found between the low-risk classification on 21-GRSA and all three combined models in 36/37 patients (negative predictive value of 97.3%). CONCLUSION: 21-GRSA can be omitted in women older than 50 years with LTEBC classified with low risk scores on all three predictive models.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La prueba genómica de recurrencia de 21 genes (PGR21) permite determinar la utilidad de la quimioterapia adyuvante en pacientes con cáncer de mama temprano luminal (CMTL). Se han desarrollado modelos predictivos adicionales, como las ecuaciones de Magee (EM), el modelo Predict (MP) y la puntuación del nomograma de la Universidad de Tennessee (NT). OBJETIVO: Evaluar la concordancia entre PGR21, EM, MP y NT. MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron pacientes con CMTL unifocal y con resultados de PGR21, EM, MP y NT. Se efectuó subanálisis de mujeres mayores de 50 años. La concordancia se evaluó mediante índice kappa de Cohen (IK). RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 122 mujeres. La concordancia entre PGR21 y EM (IK = 0.35) y MP (IK = 0.24) fue aceptable (p < 0.001); entre PGR21 y NT fue inferior (IK = 0.16, p = 0.04). Se incluyeron 80 pacientes mayores de 50 años con datos suficientes para calcular los tres modelos. Se encontró concordancia entre la clasificación de bajo riesgo mediante PGR21 y los tres modelos combinados en 36/37 pacientes (valor predictivo negativo de 97.3 %). CONCLUSIÓN: Se puede omitir la PGR21 en las mujeres mayores de 50 años con CMTL que se clasifica de bajo riesgo en los tres modelos predictivos.

Concordancia entre la prueba de puntuación de recurrencia de 21 genes y modelos clínico-patológicos predictivos en pacientes con cáncer de mama temprano en un centro oncológico en Colombia / Concordance between 21-gene recurrence score assay and clinicopathological predictive models in early-breast cancer patients cared for at a cancer center in Colombia

Resumen Introducción: La prueba genómica de recurrencia de 21 genes (PGR21) permite determinar la utilidad de la quimioterapia adyuvante en pacientes con cáncer de mama temprano luminal (CMTL). Se han desarrollado modelos predictivos adicionales, como las ecuaciones de Magee (EM), el modelo Predict (MP) y la puntuación del nomograma de la Universidad de Tennessee (NT). Objetivo: Evaluar la concordancia entre PGR21, EM, MP y NT. Métodos: Se incluyeron pacientes con CMTL unifocal y con resultados de PGR21, EM, MP y NT. Se efectuó subanálisis de mujeres mayores de 50 años. La concordancia se evaluó mediante índice kappa de Cohen (IK). Resultados: Se incluyeron 122 mujeres. La concordancia entre PGR21 y EM (IK = 0.35) y MP (IK = 0.24) fue aceptable (p < 0.001); entre PGR21 y NT fue inferior (IK = 0.16, p = 0.04). Se incluyeron 80 pacientes mayores de 50 años con datos suficientes para calcular los tres modelos. Se encontró concordancia entre la clasificación de bajo riesgo mediante PGR21 y los tres modelos combinados en 36/37 pacientes (valor predictivo negativo de 97.3 %). Conclusión: Se puede omitir la PGR21 en las mujeres mayores de 50 años con CMTL que se clasifica de bajo riesgo en los tres modelos predictivos.

Abstract Introduction: The genomic-based 21-gene recurrence score assay (21-GRSA) allows to determine the usefulness of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with luminal-type early breast cancer (LTEBC). Additional predictive models have also been developed, such as Magee equations (ME), the Predict model (PM), and the Tennessee nomogram score (TNS). Objective: To evaluate the concordance between 21-GRSA, ME, PM and TNS. Methods: Patients with unifocal LTEBC and 21-GRSA, ME, PM and TNS results were included. A subgroup analysis of women older than 50 years was carried out. Concordance between the models and 21-GRSA was evaluated using Cohen's kappa index (KI). Results: One-hundred and twenty-two women were included. Concordance between 21-GRSA and ME (KI = 0.35) and PM (KI = 0.24) was fair (p < 0.001). Concordance between 21-GRSA and TNS was inferior (KI = 0.16, p = 0.04). Eighty patients older than 50 years with sufficient data to calculate all three predictive models were included. Concordance was found between the low-risk classification on 21-GRSA and all three combined models in 36/37 patients (negative predictive value of 97.3%). Conclusion: 21-GRSA can be omitted in women older than 50 years with LTEBC classified with low risk scores on all three predictive models.

ß-Cyclodextrin hydrogels for the ocular release of antibacterial thiosemicarbazones.

Two types of hydrophilic networks with conjugated beta-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) were developed with the aim of engineering useful platforms for the localized release of an antimicrobial 5,6-dimethoxy-1-indanone N4-allyl thiosemicarbazone (TSC) in the eye and its potential application in ophthalmic diseases. Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) soft contact lenses (SCLs) displaying ß-CD, namely pHEMA-co-ß-CD, and super-hydrophilic hydrogels (SHHs) of directly cross-linked hydroxypropyl-ß-CD were synthesized and characterized regarding their structure (ATR/FT-IR), drug loading capacity, swelling and in vitro release in artificial lacrimal fluid. Incorporation of TSC to the networks was carried out both during polymerization (DP method) and after synthesis (PP method). The first method led to similar drug loads in all the hydrogels, with minor drug loss during the washing steps to remove unreacted monomers, while the second method evidenced the influence of structural parameters on the loading efficiency (proportion of CD units, mesh size, swelling degree). Both systems provided a controlled TSC release for at least two weeks, TSC concentrations (up to 4000µg/g dry hydrogel) being within an optimal therapeutic window for the antimicrobial ocular treatment. Microbiological tests against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus confirmed the ability of TSC-loaded pHEMA-co-ß-CD network to inhibit bacterial growth.

Dominance variation in the correlation between longevity and heat-stress resistance in Drosophila melanogaster.

The possible genetic correlation between longevity and knockdown resistance to high temperature (KRHT) was tested in reciprocal backcrosses between nearly-homozygous lines of D. melanogaster. These baselines differ dramatically for KRHT. Because nearly-homozygous lines were used, reciprocal backcrosses were informative to test for dominant versus additive genetic associations between the traits. The line of high KRHT was longer lived than the low KRHT line. The correlation between longevity and KRHT was dependent on the backcross (BC). When a BC was set up with males from the low KRHT line, the most KRHT resistant individuals were in turn the longest-lived flies. However, this was not found in the reciprocal backcross, indicating dominance. Alleles that confer increased KRHT are dominant in the correlation between longevity and KRHT. The between-line variation in the traits studied is consistent with the hypothesis that stress-resistant genotypes correspond to long-lived individuals.

Impact of computerised chemotherapy prescriptions on the prevention of medication errors.

OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to evaluate the impact of computerised chemotherapy prescription on the reduction of medication errors. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of errors present in electronic versus manual prescription. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data gathered from computerised chemotherapy prescription sheets were submitted to a prospective analysis as cases of the intervention groups. The control group was comprised of the handwritten chemotherapy prescription sheets. Chemotherapy prescriptions for consecutive oncology patients were analysed by 2 independent examiners, who investigated errors of omission, commission, interpretation of dates, abbreviations and illegible handwriting. The proportion of treatment prescriptions containing one or more errors and the median of errors were calculated in order in both groups. RESULTS: At least one error was detected in 100% of the manual prescriptions and in 13% of computerised prescriptions (p < 0.001). The median of errors per computerised prescription was 0 (range: 0- 1), whereas in manual prescriptions the median was 5 (range: 1-12) (p < 0.001). Errors of omission were predominant in manual prescriptions. Errors of commission were limited to 1 case of unjustified cytostatic agent infra-dosage in a computerised prescription. This error was present in 3 cases in handwritten prescriptions and, in addition, 1 case of premedication drug substitution was detected. Errors of interpretation of the date, use of abbreviations and illegible handwriting were frequent among manual prescriptions and were absent from computerised prescriptions. CONCLUSIONS: Electronic chemotherapy prescription is a powerful tool. In this study it has been shown to decrease chemotherapy-related medication errors and ensure that safe chemotherapy practices were followed.