Overview of the Role of Liquid Biopsy in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

Solid tumour tissue has traditionally been used for cancer molecular diagnostics. Recently, biomarker assessment in blood or liquid biopsies has become relevant because it allows genotyping in a less invasive and costly manner. In addition, it is a very useful technique in cases with insufficient tumour samples. Recent data have shown that this method can provide the baseline molecular characteristics of the tumour and resistance changes that emerge during cancer treatment. In terms of diagnostic application, the platforms available for clinical use in lung cancer focus on the isolation and detection of circulating DNA (ctDNA) and generally cover a limited number of mutations in genes such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) and BRAF, as well as anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements. In parallel, there are plasma genotyping platforms based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques, which are much broader in scope, allowing multiple genes to be studied simultaneously in a more efficient manner. More recently, promising research scenarios for liquid biopsy have emerged, such as its utility for early diagnosis and evaluation of minimal residual disease after oncological treatment. In light of these advances, knowledge of the benefits and limitations of liquid biopsy, as well as awareness of emerging information on new indications for this technique in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), are of paramount importance in developing more effective management strategies for patients with this neoplasm.

Global Health System Resilience during Encounters with Stressors - Lessons Learnt from Cancer Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

AIMS: The protracted COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed health systems globally, including many aspects of cancer control. This has underscored the multidimensional nature of cancer control, which requires a more comprehensive approach involving taking a wider perspective of health systems. Here, we investigated aspects of health system resilience in maintaining cancer services globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. This will allow for health systems to be resilient to different types of system stressors/shocks in the future, to allow cancer care to be maintained optimally. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the World Health Organization health system framework (capturing aspects of service delivery, health workforce, information, medical products, vaccines and technologies, financing and governance and leadership), we carried out a comparative analysis of the impact of COVID-19 and the synthesis of the findings in responses in cancer care in 10 countries/jurisdictions across four continents comprising a wide diversity of health systems, geographical regions and socioeconomic status (China, Colombia, Egypt, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, India, Singapore, Sri Lanka, UK and Zambia). A combination of literature and document reviews and interviews with experts was used. RESULTS: Our study revealed that: (i) underlying weaknesses of health systems before the pandemic were exacerbated by the pandemic (e.g. economic issues in low- and middle-income countries led to greater shortage of medication and resource constraints compounded by inadequacies of public financing and issues of engagement with stakeholders and leadership/governance); (ii) no universal adaptive strategies were applicable to all the systems, highlighting the need for health systems to design emergency plans based on local context; (iii) despite the many differences between health systems, common issues were identified, such as the lack of contingency plan for pandemics, inadequate financial policies for cancer patients and lack of evidence-based approaches for competing priorities of cancer care/pandemic control. CONCLUSION: We identified four key points/recommendations to enhance the resilient capacity of cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic and other system stressors: (i) effective pandemic control approaches in general are essential to maintain the continuity of cancer care during the emergency health crises; (ii) strong health systems (with sufficient cancer care resources, e.g. health workforce, and universal health coverage) are fundamental to maintain quality care; (iii) the ability to develop response strategies and adapt to evolving evidence/circumstances is critical for health system resilience (including introducing systematic, consistent and evidence-based changes, national support and guidance in policy development and implementation); (iv) preparedness and contingency plans for future public health emergencies, engaging the whole of society, to achieve health system resilience for future crises and to transform healthcare delivery beyond the pandemic.

Otitis media aguda: un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico / Acute middle otitis: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

La otitis media es una de las entidades más comunes de la infancia. Es de origen multifactorial, siendo la infección respiratoria el principal factor asociado. La patogénesis de esta enfermedad incluye la interacción entre disfunción de la tuba timpánica, inmunodeficiencia, infección, atopia y la respuesta inmune del huésped. El diagnóstico es clínico, el examen del oído medio debe realizarse idealmente con un otoscopio neumático que permita evaluar la membrana timpánica y su movilidad. Las pruebas audiológicas como la impedanciometría y la audiometría, deben hacer parte del seguimiento de todo paciente porque confirman la presencia de líquido en el oído medio y descartan alteraciones conductivas y neurosensoriales. Todas las OM deben tratarse, el manejo debe fundamentarse en el conocimiento de los principios farmacológicos de los medicamentos existentes, para poder elegir el más adecuado. Para los casos de otitis media con efusión el uso de corticoides ha demostrado ser efectivo. En algunos casos puede ser necesaria la intervención quirúrgica, la inserción de tubos de timpanostomía, para facilitar el drenaje de efusiones no resueltas. Lo más importante es el conocimiento de la patogénesis de la OM, para realizar un acertado manejo médico y disminuir la aparición de complicaciones y secuelas que puedan comprometer el desarrollo normal de los niños que padecen o han padecido la infeccion