PVDF/KNO3 Composite Sub-Microfibers Produced by Solution Blow Spinning as a Hydrophobic Matrix for Fertilizer Delivery System.

Nutrient supplementation is a common practice in agriculture to increase crop productivity in the field. This supplementation is usually excessive, causing nutrient leaching in periods of rainfall leading to environmental problems. To overcome such issues, many studies have been devoted to developing polymeric matrices for the controlled and continuous release of nutrients, reducing losses, and keeping plants nourished for as long as possible. However, the release mechanism of these matrices is based on water diffusion. They start immediately for swellable polymeric matrices, which is not interesting and also may cause some waste, because the plant only needs nutrition only after the germination process. Here, as proof of concept, we tested a hydrophobic polymeric matrix based on sub-microfibers mats, produced by solution blow spinning, filled with potassium nitrate (KNO3) for the controlled release of nutrients to plants. In this work, we used the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer to produce composite nanofibers containing pure potassium nitrate in the proportion of 10% weight. PVDF/KNO sub-microfibers mats were obtained with 370 nm average diameter and high occurrence of beads. We performed a release test using PVDF/KNO3 mats in a water bath. The release kinetic tests showed an anomalous delivery mechanism, but the composite polymeric fibrous mat showed itself to be a promising alternative to delay the nutrient delivery for the plants.

Barriers and Opportunities of Oncofertility Practice in Nine Developing Countries and the Emerging Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network.

PURPOSE: Oncofertility practice continues to grow in developing countries despite the lack of health care services, especially those related to cancer care. The purpose of this study is to further explore oncofertility practice in these countries and identify opportunities for field-wide coalescence. METHODS: We generated a survey to learn more about oncofertility practice in nine developing countries within our Oncofertility Consortium Global Partners Network-Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina, Chile, Nigeria, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and India. Their responses were collected, reviewed, and discussed. RESULTS: Surveyed centers from the nine developing countries continue to experience a similar set of common challenges, including a lack of awareness among providers and patients, cultural and religious constraints, lack of insurance coverage and funding to help to support oncofertility programs, and high out-of-pocket costs for patients. Despite these barriers, many opportunities exist and there is great potential for the future. CONCLUSION: The current need is to unify the new technologies and best practices that emerge from rural communities and developing countries with those in large metropolitan cities, both domestically (US based) and abroad, into a functional unit: the Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network. The Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network will bridge the gap between domestic and international programs to establish a strong global network in which members share resources, methodologies and experiences and further build cultural competency.

Barriers and Opportunities of Oncofertility Practice in Nine Developing Countries and the Emerging Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network.

PURPOSE: Oncofertility practice continues to grow in developing countries despite the lack of health care services, especially those related to cancer care. The purpose of this study is to further explore oncofertility practice in these countries and identify opportunities for field-wide coalescence. METHODS: We generated a survey to learn more about oncofertility practice in nine developing countries within our Oncofertility Consortium Global Partners Network-Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina, Chile, Nigeria, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and India. Their responses were collected, reviewed, and discussed. RESULTS: Surveyed centers from the nine developing countries continue to experience a similar set of common challenges, including a lack of awareness among providers and patients, cultural and religious constraints, lack of insurance coverage and funding to help to support oncofertility programs, and high out-of-pocket costs for patients. Despite these barriers, many opportunities exist and there is great potential for the future. CONCLUSION: The current need is to unify the new technologies and best practices that emerge from rural communities and developing countries with those in large metropolitan cities, both domestically (US based) and abroad, into a functional unit: the Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network. The Oncofertility Professional Engagement Network will bridge the gap between domestic and international programs to establish a strong global network in which members share resources, methodologies and experiences and further build cultural competency.

Breast Carcinoma in Childhood and Adolescence: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Secretory breast carcinoma is a rare tumor originally described in children and adolescent women with a characteristic morphology and a controversial choice of treatment. We report an additional case of a 4-year-old girl with a breast tumor diagnosed as a secretory carcinoma without involvement of the axillary lymph nodes. The therapy consisted of simple mastectomy and low axillary dissection. She presented with a local recurrence near the surgical scar 8 months later, and a wide elliptical excision of the scar and underlying tissue was performed with subsequent radiotherapy of the surgical bed. This tumor has a relatively benign behavior and rarely metastasizes. A literature review revealed only 22 cases of breast carcinoma in childhood and adolescence.