The secretome from human-derived mesenchymal stem cells augments the activity of antitumor plant extracts in vitro.

Cancer is understood as a multifactorial disease that involve multiple cell types and phenotypes in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The components of the TME can interact directly or via soluble factors (cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, extracellular vesicles, etc.). Among the cells composing the TME, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) appear as a population with debated properties since it has been seen that they can both promote or attenuate tumor progression. For various authors, the main mechanism of interaction of MSCs is through their secretome, the set of molecules secreted into the extracellular milieu, recruiting, and influencing the behavior of other cells in inflammatory environments where they normally reside, such as wounds and tumors. Natural products have been studied as possible cancer treatments, appealing to synergisms between the molecules in their composition; thus, extracts obtained from Petiveria alliacea (Anamu-SC) and Caesalpinia spinosa (P2Et) have been produced and studied previously on different models, showing promising results. The effect of plant extracts on the MSC secretome has been poorly studied, especially in the context of the TME. Here, we studied the effect of Anamu-SC and P2Et extracts in the human adipose-derived MSC (hAMSC)-tumor cell interaction as a TME model. We also investigated the influence of the hAMSC secretome, in combination with these natural products, on tumor cell hallmarks such as viability, clonogenicity, and migration. In addition, hAMSC gene expression and protein synthesis were evaluated for some key factors in tumor progression in the presence of the extracts by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Multiplex, respectively. It was found that the presence of the hAMSC secretome did not affect the cytotoxic or clonogenicity-reducing activities of the natural extracts on cancer cells, and even this secretome can inhibit the migration of these tumor cells, in addition to the fact that the profile of molecules can be modified by natural products. Overall, our findings demonstrate that hAMSC secretome participation in TME interactions can favor the antitumor activities of natural products.

Integrated quantitative PIXE analysis and EDX spectroscopy using a laser-driven particle source.

Among the existing elemental characterization techniques, particle-induced x-ray emission (PIXE) and energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy are two of the most widely used in different scientific and technological fields. Here, we present the first quantitative laser-driven PIXE and laser-driven EDX experimental investigation performed at the Centro de Láseres Pulsados in Salamanca. Thanks to their potential for compactness and portability, laser-driven particle sources are very appealing for materials science applications, especially for materials analysis techniques. We demonstrate the possibility to exploit the x-ray signal produced by the co-irradiation with both electrons and protons to identify the elements in the sample. We show that, using the proton beam only, we can successfully obtain quantitative information about the sample structure through laser-driven PIXE analysis. These results pave the way toward the development of a compact and multifunctional apparatus for the elemental analysis of materials based on a laser-driven particle source.

Palliative endobronchial brachytherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) constitutes about 80% of all lung cancer cases. Although surgery is the only curative treatment of NSCLC, fewer than 20% of tumors can be radically resected. Radiotherapy is one of the main treatment modalities in lung cancer, contributing to both its cure and palliation. Endobronchial brachytherapy (EBB) has been used as one approach to improve local control either alone or in combination with other treatments. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of palliative EBB in increasing survival and to control thoracic symptoms in patients with advanced NSCLC compared with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or other alternative endoluminal treatments. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE and other databases were searched, as were reference lists and handsearching of selected journals and conference proceedings. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing different regimens of palliative EBB with EBRT or other endobronchial interventions in patients with advanced NSCLC. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Thirteen RCTs were included. There were important differences in the doses of radiotherapy investigated, patient characteristics and the outcomes measured. Because of this heterogeneity no meta-analysis was attempted. MAIN RESULTS: We found trials comparing EBB to EBRT alone, EBB plus EBRT to EBRT alone, EBB plus chemotherapy to EBB alone, EBB to Nd-YAG laser and comparisons between diverse fractionation schedules of high dose rate EBB. From the heterogeneous information obtained from several small RCTs, we concluded that EBRT alone is more effective for palliation of NSCLC symptoms than EBB alone. Our findings did not provide conclusive evidence to recommend EBB plus EBRT to relieve symptoms compared to EBRT alone. Overall, for the primary endpoint of survival there was no evidence of benefit for EBB compared to EBRT and Nd-YAG laser or for the combination of EBB with chemotherapy. Additionally, findings from one trial suggested that twice 7.4 Gy was superior to the four times per week 3.8 Gy schedule for mean time of local control and fatal haemoptysis. No significant differences were found for fatal haemoptysis as an adverse event of EBB. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The evidence did not provide conclusive results that EBB plus EBRT improved symptom relief over EBRT alone. We were not able to provide conclusive evidence to recommend EBB with EBRT, chemotherapy or Nd-YAG laser. For patients previously treated by EBRT who are symptomatic from recurrent endobronchial central obstruction, EBB may be considered in selected cases.

Eventos aórticos en el embarazo de pacientes con síndrome de Marfan. Lecciones de un estudio multicéntrico / Aortic events in pregnant patients with Marfan syndrome. Lessons from a multicenter study

Introducción y objetivos: El embarazo en el síndrome de Marfan (SM) incrementa el riesgo de eventos aórticos. La evidencia clínica actual es escasa y no existe un consenso específico sobre el tratamiento óptimo de estas pacientes. Se presenta nuestra experiencia multicéntrica. Métodos: Entre enero de 2004 y enero de 2020, 632 pacientes con SM mantuvieron revisiones periódicas en unidades de Marfan. Durante este periodo se identificó a todas las mujeres gestantes y se analizó la incidencia de eventos aórticos durante el embarazo y el puerperio. Resultados: Se hallaron 133 embarazos de 89 mujeres (8 con cirugía de aorta previa). No hubo mortalidad materna. Cinco mujeres sufrieron eventos aórticos durante el tercer trimestre del embarazo y el puerperio (2 disecciones tipo A, 1 disección tipo B y 2 crecimientos significativos de la aorta (≥ 3 mm). La incidencia de eventos aórticos fue del 3,7%. Se evidenció una mayor tendencia a eventos con diámetros aórticos pregestacionales ≥ 40 mm (p=0,058). La mortalidad fetal fue del 3%. El 37,6% de los partos se realizaron mediante cesárea. Conclusiones: Las mujeres con SM tienen un incremento del riesgo de eventos aórticos en el embarazo, especialmente durante el tercer trimestre y el periodo posparto. Se debería valorar, en centros de referencia, la cirugía aórtica profiláctica pregestacional con diámetros aórticos ≥ 40 mm. Es importante un diagnóstico precoz, un estudio pregestacional de toda la aorta, la administración de bloqueadores beta y un estrecho seguimiento durante el embarazo, especialmente durante el último trimestre y el posparto (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Pregnancy in women with Marfan syndrome (MS) is associated with an increased risk of aortic events. The clinical evidence on pregnant patients with MS is limited and there is no specific consensus on their optimal management. We report our multicenter experience. Methods: From January 2004 to January 2020, 632 patients with MS underwent periodic monitoring in Marfan units. During this period, we identified all pregnant women with MS and analyzed the incidence of aortic events during pregnancy and puerperium. Results: There were 133 pregnancies in 89 women with MS (8 women with prior aortic surgery). There were no maternal deaths, but 5 women had aortic events during the third trimester and puerperium (type A dissections in 2, type B dissection in 1, and significant [≥ 3mm] aortic growth in 2). The aortic event rate was 3.7%. Pregestational aortic diameter≥ 40 mm showed a nonsignificant association with aortic events (P=.058). Fetal mortality was 3% and 37.6% of births were cesarean deliveries. Conclusions: Women with MS have an increased risk of aortic events during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester and postpartum period. Patients with MS and aortic diameters ≥40mm should be assessed in experienced centers for prophylactic aortic surgery before pregnancy. It is important to provide early diagnosis, prepregnancy study of the aorta, beta-blocker administration, and close monitoring during pregnancy, especially during the last trimester and postpartum (AU)

[Correlation between myocardial perfusion and coronary angiography]. / Estudio de correlación entre perfusión miocárdica y angiografía coronaria. (escopean).

Determining the severity of coronary heart disease is of great importance to the cardiologist. There is a very good correlation between the severity of coronary heart disease and perfusion abnormalities to the myocardium as determined by radioisotope studies. We present our experience with forty (40) cases of ischemic heart disease diagnosed with sestamibi and its correlation with the obstruction of the coronary arteries by angiography. There is good correlation between the sestamibi findings and the coronary artery angiography obstructions and our findings concur with those published in the literature, which is between 75-85%.

Estudio de correlación entre perfusión miocárdica y angiografía coronaria. (escopean) / Correlation between myocardial perfusion and coronary angiography

Determining the severity of coronary heart disease is of great importance to the cardiologist. There is a very good correlation between the severity of coronary heart disease and perfusion abnormalities to the myocardium as determined by radioisotope studies. We present our experience with forty (40) cases of ischemic heart disease diagnosed with sestamibi and its correlation with the obstruction of the coronary arteries by angiography. There is good correlation between the sestamibi findings and the coronary artery angiography obstructions and our findings concur with those published in the literature, which is between 75-85 per cent

Convenio de cooperación técnica para el desarrollo institucional del Instituto Nacional de Aguas Potables y Alcantarillados; programa de adiestramiento

Contiene antecedentes del programa e información básica en forma resumida. Ademas, plantea la cobertura del adiestramiento hacia todos los niveles del INAPA, con enfasis en el área de operación y mantenimiento de los sistemas, así como el control de pérdidas en general, ya que expresa que la eficiencia del personal determina en forma directa la mayor eficacia de los servicios