Exploring Real-World HER2-Low Data in Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Insights and Implications.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the clinical behavior, clinicopathological and sociodemographic characteristics of patients with early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who belong to the HER2-low and HER2-zero subgroups. Patients and Methods: This study involved a thorough search in the internal database of a single Brazilian institution to identify women with TNBC who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by curative surgery within the period from January 2010 to December 2014. HER2 analysis through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and, if required, amplification by in situ hybridization, was conducted using core biopsy samples. The study assesses outcomes of residual cancer burden (RCB), event-free survival (EFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 170 cases were analyzed, with a mean age of 51.4 years (standard deviation, SD 11.2). The HER2 status was categorized as IHC 0, 1+, or 2+ in 80 (47.1%), 73 (42.9%), and 17 (10%) patients, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the prevalence of clinical pathological characteristics among the subgroups. The absence of significant results for clinicopathological and demographic features hindered the multivariate analysis of HER2 subgroups. Similarly, no significant differences were found in the RCB, EFS, and OS outcomes between HER2 subgroups. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that, in early-stage TNBC, the clinical behavior and survival outcomes of the HER2-low subgroup may not differ significantly from those of the HER2-zero subgroup.

Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer With CNS Metastasis: Disparities From a Real-World Analysis (GBOT-LACOG 0417).

PURPOSE: Despite the advances in the approach to non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with CNS metastasis, access to timely diagnosis and treatment may not be optimal in many instances. Our main objective was to describe a cohort of patients with NSCLC with brain metastases from public and private cancer centers, and the differences between patients' presentation, treatment, and outcomes. METHODS: GBOT-LACOG 0417 is a multi-institutional retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with NSCLC and CNS metastasis in Brazil. All patients had confirmed diagnosis of NSCLC between January 2010 and December 2015. CNS metastases were identified by imaging. RESULTS: A total of 273 patients were included. Patients treated at public institutions were more often Black or Brown (38.8% v 15.4%), current or former smoker (88.6% v 60.0%), of squamous cell histology (25.0% v 9.1%), EGFR- and ALK-negative (95.9% v 74.9%), and were less frequently assessed by using brain magnetic resonance imaging (38.8% v 83.6%). At public institutions, patients were more often symptomatic (78.1% v 44.6%) and had worse performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 2 or higher 61.5% v 10.3%). CNS metastases were larger (median size 25 v 15 mm) and more often surrounded by edema (67.7% v 55.2%) at public institutions. Patients at public institutions were more frequently treated with whole-brain radiation therapy (72.9% v 45.4%) and less frequently with radiosurgery (6.3% v 24.1%). Among patients from private care, median overall survival was 24.2 months (95% CI, 20.0 to 30.6), significantly higher than in public care (median 12.1 months; 95% CI, 6.7 to 13.6; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the discrepancy between public and private health care system in the critical setting of patients with CNS metastasis from NSCLC.

Differential responses of the antioxidant system of ametryn and clomazone tolerant bacteria.

The herbicides ametryn and clomazone are widely used in sugarcane cultivation, and following microbial degradation are considered as soil and water contaminants. The exposure of microorganisms to pesticides can result in oxidative damage due to an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study investigated the response of the antioxidant systems of two bacterial strains tolerant to the herbicides ametryn and clomazone. Bacteria were isolated from soil with a long history of ametryn and clomazone application. Comparative analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain CC07 is phylogenetically related to Pseudomonas aeruginosa and strain 4C07 to P. fulva. The two bacterial strains were grown for 14 h in the presence of separate and combined herbicides. Lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione content (GSH) and antioxidant enzymes activities were evaluated. The overall results indicated that strain 4C07 formed an efficient mechanism to maintain the cellular redox balance by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequently scavenging ROS in the presence of the herbicides. The growth of bacterium strain 4C07 was inhibited in the presence of clomazone alone, or in combination with ametryn, but increased glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, and a higher GSH concentration were detected. Meanwhile, reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and GST activities and a lower concentration of GSH were detected in the bacterium strain CC07, which was able to achieve better growth in the presence of the herbicides. The results suggest that the two bacterial strains tolerate the ametryn and clomazone herbicides with distinctly different responses of the antioxidant systems.

Atividade in vitro da tigeciclina frente aos isolados de Acinetobacter baumannii no Hospital Júlia Kubitschek da Fundação Hospitalar de Minas Gerais / In vitro activity of tigecycline against Acinetobacter baumannii isolates in Hospital Júlia Kubitschek of Minas Gerais Hospital Foundation

Acinetobacter baumannii, importante patógeno nosocomial, pode ser difícil de ser tratado devido à resistência a váriasclasses de antimicrobianos, evidenciando a necessidade do uso de drogas de novas classes terapêuticas para estes microorganismos. A tigeciclina, uma nova glicilciclina, tem um amplo espectro de ação, incluindo Acinetobacter baumannii. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a atividade da tigeciclina contra cepas de Acinetobacter baumannii isoladas entre setembro de 2008 a maio de 2009 de pacientes internados no Hospital Júlia Kubitschek. Os testes de sensibilidade pelo método de disco difusão foram realizados de acordo com metodologia padronizada pelo CLSI. Com relação ao perfil de resistência, foi observado que a maioria das cepas de Acinetobacter baumannii eram multirresistentes e a tigeciclina apresentou atividade in vitro contra todas estas cepas.

Acinetobacter baumannii, a nosocomial pathogen, can be problematic to treat due to resistance to multiple classes ofantibiotics, further highlighting the need for new therapeutic agents effective against this organism. Tigecycline, a novel glycylcycline, has a broad spectrum of activity which includes Acinetobacter baumannii. The aim of this study was to verify the tigecycline activity profile against A. baumannii isolated between September 2008- May 2009 from patients interned in Hospital Júlia Kubitschek. To perform the assay, disk diffusion susceptibility testing was performed according to the CLSI guidelines. Regarding the profile ofresistance, it was observed that the majority of the strains of Acinetobacter baumannii were multiresistant and tigecycline were active in vitro against all of this strains.

Atendimento odontológico ao paciente diabético tipo 1: [revisão] / Dental care for type 1 diabetic patients: [review]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) é uma desordem metabólica caracterizada por uma alteração nos níveis de insulina. Há dois tipos principais de DM: tipo 1, onde há deficiência total de secreção de insulina, e tipo 2, onde há uma inadequada secreção compensatória. Dentre as alterações bucais destes pacientes estão: baixo fluxo salivar e aumento de seu pH e viscosidade, que são fatores de risco para cárie. A presente revisão da literatura tem por objetivo fornecer maiores informações sobre esta síndrome, assim, como orientar o clínico como proceder com estes pacientes.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by deficient management of insulin. Two main types of DM exist: type 1, a total deficiency in insulin secretion, and type 2, a combination of resistance to insulin action and inadequate compensatory insulin secretion. Amongst the buccal alterations of these patients, there are reduction of the flow and increase of the saliva's acidity and viscosity, risk factors for caries. This review intends to provide not only general information about this syndrome, but also orientations how to preceed with these patients.

Selection of microorganisms degrading S-Metolachlor herbicide

The aim of this work was to study herbicide degradation through selected microorganisms from humus and soil subjected to different plantation systems. The following bacterial species were identified: Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumoniae GC s.B strain 1, Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Enterobacter aerogenes GC s.A and Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumoniae GC s.B strain 2. Growth studies yet suggested the possibility of a very long lag phase. Although, culture with the herbicide presented biofilm formation and there were color changes in the herbicide that could have interfered with the espectrophotometry readings. After 5 days of incubation at 35°C, the difference in the concentration of herbicide was 14.42 percent on average and after 10 days, 35.01 percent.

Os herbicidas representam 65 por cento do consumo geral, sendo que o S-Metolachlor é um dos mais utilizados e está trazendo preocupações ambientais. Objetivamos detectar a degradação do S-Metolachlor por microorganismos de solos sob plantio. Foram identificadas as espécies bacterianas: Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumoniae GC s.B linhagem 1, Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Enterobacter aerogenes GC s.A e Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumoniae GC s.B linhagem 2. Resultados da curva de crescimento por espectrofotometria não permitiram definir diferentes fases, levando a pensar em uma fase Lag longa. Frascos de cultura demonstraram a formação de biofilme, provocando mudança na cor do herbicida, interferindo na leitura do crescimento. É possível a existência de fase Log, mas não detectável pelo método. Após 5 dias de incubação a 35°C, a diferença média de concentração do S-Metolachlor foi de 14.42 por cento, e em 10 dias, 35.01 por cento. Observou-se o aparecimento de um halo em volta das colônias, o que corrobora a hipótese de degradação microbiana do herbicida.