Pentoxifylline and Norcantharidin Modify p62 Expression in 2D and 3D Cultures of B16F1 Cells.

Three-dimensional cell cultures have improved the evaluation of drugs for cancer therapy, due to their high similarity to solid tumors. In melanoma, autophagy appears to show a dual role depending on the progression of the disease. p62 protein has been proposed for the evaluation of autophagic flux since its expression is an indicator of the state of autophagy. Pentoxifylline (PTX) and Norcantharidin (NCTD) are drugs that have been shown to possess anticancer effects. In this work, we used B16F1 mouse melanoma cells in two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cultures and three-dimensional (3D) spheroids to test the effect of PTX and NCTD over the p62 expression. We analyzed the effect on p62 expression through Western blot and immunofluorescence assays. Our results indicate that PTX decreases p62 expression in both cell culture models, while Norcantharidin increases its expression in 3D cultures at 24 h. Therefore, these drugs could have a potential therapeutic use for the regulation of autophagy in melanoma, depending on the state of evolution of the disease.

Primary explants of the postnatal thymus allow the expansion of clonogenic thymic epithelial cells that constitute thymospheres.

BACKGROUND: Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are responsible for shaping the repertoires of T cells, where their postnatal regeneration depends on a subset of clonogenic TECs. Despite the implications for regenerative medicine, their cultivation and expansion remain challenging. Primary explant cell culture is a technique that allows the seeding and expansion of difficult-to-culture cells. Here, we report a reliable and simple culture system to obtain functional TECs and thymic interstitial cells (TICs). METHODS: To establish primary thymic explants, we harvested 1 mm cleaned fragments of thymus from 5-week-old C57/BL6 mice. Tissue fragments of a complete thymic lobe were placed in the center of a Petri dish with 1 mL of DMEM/F-12 medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin‒streptomycin. To compare, thymic explants were also cultivated by using serum-free DMEM/F-12 medium supplemented with 10% KnockOut™. RESULTS: We obtained high numbers of functional clonogenic TECs and TICs from primary thymic explants cultivated with DMEM/F-12 with 20% FBS. These cells exhibited a highly proliferative and migration profile and were able to constitute thymospheres. Furthermore, all the subtypes of medullary TECs were identified in this system. They express functional markers to shape T-cell and type 2 innate lymphoid cells repertoires, such as Aire, IL25, CCL21 and CD80. Finally, we also found that ≥ 70% of lineage negative TICs expressed high amounts of Aire and IL25. CONCLUSION: Thymic explants are an efficient method to obtain functional clonogenic TECs, all mTEC subsets and different TICs Aire+IL25+ with high regenerative capacity.

Citalopram improves vasomotor syndrome and urogenital syndrome of menopause in Mexican women: a randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of non-hormonal therapy with citalopram vs fluoxetine for treating vasomotor syndrome (VMS) and urogenital syndrome of menopause (GSM) in Mexican women. METHODS: A parallel prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted in 91 postmenopausal women with a total score on the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) ≥ 17 and with the clinical diagnosis of VSM and GSM. Patients were randomly assigned to receive citalopram (n = 49) or fluoxetine (n = 42). Follow-up was carried out at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: The citalopram group experienced a significant improvement compared to the fluoxetine group in the MRS total score (p < 0.01), as well as in the psychological (p < 0.001) and somatic (p < 0.0001) domains at 3 and 6 months of follow-up. After 6 months of follow-up, the group that received citalopram decreased the relative risk (RR) to present VMS symptoms (RR = 0.30, CI 0.19-0.5, p = 0.0001), depressed mood (RR = 0.31, CI 0.15-0.6, p = 0.0002), irritability (RR = 0.40, CI 0.22-0.73, p = 0.002), anxiety (RR = 0.30, CI 0.13-0.69, p = 0.003), physical and mental exhaustion (RR = 0.35, CI 0.18-0.67, p = 0.001), sexual problems (RR = 0.18, CI 0.06-0.48, p = 0.0001), vaginal dryness (RR = 0.34, CI 0.14-0.80, p = 0.01), and urinary problems (RR = 0.36, CI 0.14-0.92, p = 0.043). CONCLUSION: We conclude that citalopram tends to improve VSM and GSM symptoms in postmenopausal Mexican women. Thus, we recommend the daily use of citalopram 20 mg. However, further studies will be required to support the results of the present work. These should include a larger number of patients and a placebo group. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This clinical trial was retrospectively registered by the United States National Library of Medicine in the www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov database on 04/20/2022. The given test Registration Number is NCT05346445.

Factores que cuantifican la percepción de calidad en el servicio al cliente en un restaurante mexicano / Factors that quantify the perception of quality in customer service in a Mexican restaurant

Resumen Una de las industrias más destacadas de la economía mexicana es la restaurantera. Su importancia, debido a su número de empresas, creación de empleos y emprendimientos, ha ocasionado que se genere un alto índice de competitividad. Esto provoca que se busquen estrategias para mejorar la calidad del servicio que ofrecen, con el propósito de retener y atraer clientes. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar los factores que conforman la percepción de la calidad en el servicio en un restaurante mexicano. Para ello, se utilizó el instrumento DINESERV, mediante un enfoque cuantitativo y un análisis factorial confirmatorio. Los resultados mostraron que el instrumento DINESERV es válido para restaurantes mexicanos. Asimismo, se detectaron los factores que integran el servicio al cliente, enfatizando los aspectos de tangibilidad, confiabilidad, respuesta y empatía. Características como personal competente y con experiencia, tener siempre presente los intereses del cliente y la apariencia de la vestimenta y limpieza del personal de servicio son elementos clave para que el restaurante genere mayor satisfacción en sus clientes.

Abstract One of the most prominent industries in the Mexican economy is the restaurant industry. Its importance, due to the number of companies, job creation and business ventures, has caused a high competitiveness index to be generated. This causes the search of strategies to be sought to improve the quality of the service they offer, in order to retain and attract customers. The objective of this work was to identify the factors that comprise service quality perception in a Mexican restaurant. For that purpose, we employed the DINESERV instrument, through a quantitative approach and a confirmatory factor analysis. Results showed that the DINESERV instrument is valid for Mexican restaurants. Likewise, the factors that make up customer service were identified, emphasizing the aspects such as tangibility, reliability, response and empathy. Factors such as competent and experienced staff, always keeping in mind the interests of the client, the appearance of the service personnel´s clothing and cleanliness are key elements for the restaurant to generate greater satisfaction in its customers.

An Evaluation of a Virtual Food Safety Program for Low-Income Families: Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior.

Low-income families are reported to have a limited knowledge of food safety and resources to follow food safety practices compared with the rest of the population. This paper evaluated a virtual food safety educational program targeting food handlers in low-income families. Trained native speakers of English and Spanish delivered course materials in both languages. A total of 60 individuals participated in the program, with 30 participants in each language group. Most were female, and most had fewer than three children. After the program, participants' food safety knowledge and self-reported safe food practice behavior scores increased significantly from 5.32 to 7.43 (out of 8.00) and from 24.78 to 29.30 (out of 35.00), respectively. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) was used to understand individuals' behavior change intention of food safety practices. All the TPB constructs' scores, including attitudes toward the behavior, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and behavior change intentions, were improved significantly; however, only the subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were significantly correlated with the behavior change intentions. This virtual educational program improved low-income individuals' food safety knowledge and changed their food safety attitudes and behaviors, giving a path to develop and evaluate more virtual food safety educational programs in the future.

Social and cultural influences on food choices: A review.

Human food choices (FC) influence food production systems. Agriculture is responsible for feeding the entire population, and somehow generates different types of environmental degradation. Consumers play a decisive role in consumption trends because FC has shaped habits and behaviors. Food is an expression of people's identity, values, and lifestyle. The objective of this article is to analyze the factors that influence FC and to consider intervention strategies used to work on improving behaviors and FC. The influence of socio-cultural aspects, such as cultural capital, social stratifications, and the inequalities could possibly trigger consumers' FC. The effects of different factors such as foodscapes, social environments, tastes, and even nutritional information, have generated that, the consumer chooses a product under pressure or makes an uninformed choice that generally is unhealthy. Restricting food accessibility generates a reactive but non-aware action, so it is necessary to work creating a sustainable food culture, with the first step of consumers being self-aware of their current FC.

Myxedema Psychosis: Systematic Review and Pooled Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The term myxedema psychosis (MP) was introduced to describe the occurrence of psychotic symptoms in patients with untreated hypothyroidism, but the optimal assessment and treatment of this condition are unclear. We aimed to synthesize data from the literature to characterize the clinical presentation and management of MP. METHODS: We performed a systematic review according to the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines in PubMed (Medline), Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases, including observational studies, case series, and case reports published from 1/1/1980 to 31/12/2019 in the English language. Descriptive statistics along with univariate and multivariate analysis were used for data synthesis. RESULTS: Out of 1583 articles screened, 71 case reports met our inclusion criteria providing data on 75 MP cases. The median age at diagnosis was 42 years [32-56]. About 53% had no prior hypothyroidism diagnosis. Delusions occurred in 91%, with a predominance of persecutory ideas (84%), while hallucinations occurred in 78%. Physical symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism were absent in 37% and 26%, respectively. If symptoms occurred, nonspecific fatigue was seen most frequently (63%). The median thyroid-stimulating hormone value was 93 mIU/L [60-139]. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies were found positive in 75% (23/33) of reported cases. Creatinine kinase was reported abnormal in seven cases. Cranial imaging (CT or MRI) and electroencephalogram were normal in 89%, 75%, and 73% of the cases reported. The majority of patients were treated orally with thyroxine in combination with short-term antipsychotics. More than 90% of them showed complete recovery. Univariate analysis revealed a trend towards a shorter duration of psychosis with IV thyroid hormone therapy (p= 0.0502), but the effect was not consistent in a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: While we identified a substantial lack of published research on MP, our pooled analysis of case observations suggests that the condition presents a broad spectrum of psychiatric and physical symptoms lending support to the value of screening for thyroid dysfunction in patients with first-ever psychosis. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020160310.

Comparative Evaluation of Four Extraction Methods of Antioxidant Compounds from Decatropis bicolor in Aqueous Medium Applying Response Surface Design.

The objective of this paper is to compare conventional, ultrasound, microwave, and French press methods for the extraction of antioxidant compounds from Decatropis bicolor in an aqueous medium. This plant is widely used in Mexican traditional medicine for breast cancer treatment. Despite that, there are few studies on D. bicolor. Two response surface designs were applied to establish the best conditions of the liberation of antioxidants from D. bicolor, which were determined by DPPH• and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) techniques. The total phenolic content was evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The results showed that D. bicolor is a source of antioxidants (669-2128 mg ET/100 g and 553-1920 mg EFe2+/100 g, respectively) and phenolic compounds (2232-9929 mg EGA/100 g). Among the physical factors that were analyzed, the temperature was the determinant factor to liberate the compounds of interest by using low concentrations of the sample and short times of extraction. The French press was the most efficient method, obtaining values of antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds even higher than those reported by using extraction methods with solvents such as methanol.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Social Development Index.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The complex etiology of CVD is known to be significantly affected by environmental and social factors. There is, however, a lag in our understanding of how population level components may be related to the onset and severity of CVD, and how some indicators of unsatisfied basic needs might be related to known risk factors. Here, we present a cross-sectional study aimed to analyze the association between cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and Social Development Index (SDI) in adult individuals within a metropolitan urban environment. The six components of SDI as well as socioeconomic, anthropometric, clinical, biochemical, and risk behavior parameters were explored within the study population. As a result, several CVRF (waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, glucose, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and sodium) were found in a higher proportion in the low or very low levels of the SDI, and this pattern occurs more in women than in men. Canonical analysis indicates a correlation between other socioeconomic features and anthropometric, clinical, and biochemical factors (canonical coefficient = 0.8030). Further studies along these lines are needed to fully establish how to insert such associations into the design of health policy and interventions with a view to lessen the burden of cardiovascular diseases, particularly in metropolitan urban environments.

Exploring Food Safety Messages in an Era of COVID-19: Analysis of YouTube Video Content.

ABSTRACT: Although severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is not a proven foodborne pathogen, the COVID-19 pandemic has put the food system on alert, and food safety has been identified as an important pillar in mitigating the crisis. Therefore, an understanding of how popular media are used as a vital disseminator of food safety and health information for the public is more important than ever. YouTube deserves particular attention as one of the most highly trafficked Web sites on the Internet, especially because YouTube has been blamed during the pandemic for spreading misleading or untrustworthy information that contradicts validated information. This study was conducted to evaluate the food safety information and practices circulating on YouTube during the COVID-19 pandemic and the alignment of these practices with recommendations from government agencies. A search for videos on YouTube was conducted using the key words "food and COVID-19," "food safety and COVID-19," and "groceries and COVID-19." After applying a series of inclusive and exclusive criteria, 85 videos from the United States and Canada were evaluated. More than half (69%) of the videos presented hand washing procedures, 26% showed kitchen disinfection, and most (86%) showed take-out food or grocery store practices. Multiple produce washing procedures were also shown throughout videos. Food was not considered hazardous in 39% of the videos, but 24% mentioned that food packaging is potentially hazardous. Most videos cited government agencies and had a host or guest who was a health care professional, professor, or expert. Three videos were not aligned with a government agency's guideline or information cited; two were presented by a health care professional. These findings reveal the need to develop educational interventions that increase YouTube video host and guest awareness of social media use as a tool for food safety dissemination and the need to provide trustworthy information.

Consumer Knowledge and Behaviors Regarding Food Safety Risks Associated with Wheat Flour.

ABSTRACT: Consumers do not consider flour, a low-moisture food product, a high risk for microbial contamination. In the past 10 years, however, flour has been identified as a source of pathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella and Escherichia coli. Online surveys were conducted to study consumers' flour handling practices and knowledge about food safety risks related to flour. The survey also evaluated message impact on three food safety messages in communicating information and convincing consumers to adopt safe flour handling practices. Flour-using consumers (n = 1,045) from the United States reported they used flour to make cakes, cookies, and bread. Most consumers stored flour in sealed containers. Less than 1% kept a record of product identification numbers, such as lot numbers, and less than 11% kept brand and use-by date information. Many consumers (85%) were unaware of flour recalls, or outbreaks, and few (17%) believed they would be affected by flour recalls or outbreaks. If the recall affected the flour they bought, nearly half of the consumers (47%) would buy the same product from a different brand for a few months before they returned to the recalled brand. Among consumers who use flour to bake, 66% said they ate raw cookie dough or batter. Raw dough "eaters" were more difficult to convince to avoid eating and playing with raw flour than "noneaters." Food safety messages were less impactful on those raw dough eaters than noneaters. Compared with the food safety message with only recommendations, those messages with recommendations and an explanation as to the benefits of the practice were more effective in convincing consumers to change their practices. These findings provide insight into effective consumer education about safe flour handling practices and could assist in the accurate development of risk assessment models related to flour handling.

A bioinformatic prediction of antigen presentation from SARS-CoV-2 spike protein revealed a theoretical correlation of HLA-DRB1*01 with COVID-19 fatality in Mexican population: An ecological approach.

SARS-CoV-2 infection is causing a pandemic disease that is reflected in challenging public health problems worldwide. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-based epitope prediction and its association with disease outcomes provide an important base for treatment design. A bioinformatic prediction of T cell epitopes and their restricted HLA Class I and II alleles was performed to obtain immunogenic epitopes and HLA alleles from the spike protein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus. Also, a correlation with the predicted fatality rate of hospitalized patients in 28 states of Mexico was done. Here, we describe a set of 10 highly immunogenic epitopes, together with different HLA alleles that can efficiently present these epitopes to T cells. Most of these epitopes are located within the S1 subunit of the spike protein, suggesting that this area is highly immunogenic. A statistical negative correlation was found between the frequency of HLA-DRB1*01 and the fatality rate in hospitalized patients in Mexico.

Lactobacillus pentosus ABHEAU-05: An in vitro digestión resistant lactic acid bacterium isolated from a traditional fermented Mexican beverage / Lactobacillus pentosus ABHEAU-05: una bacteria ácido láctica resistente a la digestión in vitro aislada de una bebida fermentada tradicional mexicana

Abstract The health benefits attributed to probiotics generate interest in the search of competent strains adapted to several ecological niches, especially those related to traditional beverages and foods of each country. Pineapple tepache, a traditional Mexican fermented beverage, was used for the isolation of lactic acid bacteria with probiotic potential, one of which withstood the in vitro tests. The isolated strain AB-05, which exhibited the tested probiotic functional properties, was designated as Lactobacillus pentosus ABHEAU-05. The sequence was registered in GenBank under access code MK587617. This study is the first report of a lactic acid bacterium with in vitro digestion resistance isolated from pineapple tepache. The survival of L. pentosus ABHEAU-05 in a symbiotic medium was proven using fermented milk enriched with inulin. The in vitro digestion-resistant probiotic activity of lactobacilli was measured through analysis of pH and proteolysis. Results showed that L. pentosus grew properly in fermented milk; therefore, this microorganism could be used in the manufacture of this kind of products. The concentration of L. pentosus reached up to 8.5 logCFU/ml after 40 h of fermentation. In addition, the production of peptides and the decrease in pH indicated the vigorous and active metabolic state of the lactic acid bacterium tested. The activity and the concentration of this microorganism were maintained during refrigeration. The results of this research conclude that L. plantarum ABHEAU-05 is an in vitro digestion-resistant microorganism that can be used as a starter culture for the production of functional foods of dairy origin.

Resumen Los beneficios a la salud atribuidos a los probióticos generan interés en la búsqueda de cepas competentes adaptadas a varios nichos ecológicos, especialmente los relacionados con bebidas y alimentos tradicionales de cada país. En este estudio, se aisló del tepache de pina, una bebida fermentada tradicional mexicana, una bacteria láctica resistente a la digestión in vitro. Entre 5 bacterias aisladas, una de ellas soportó las pruebas simuladas de digestión gastrointestinal. Se analizó la resistencia a sales biliares, a condiciones ácidas y al ataque enz-imático con pepsina. La bacteria aislada, que exhibió las propiedades funcionales probióticas referidas, fue identificada como Lactobacillus pentosus y designada como L. pentosus ABHEAU-05. La secuencia fue depositada en GenBank (acceso MK587617). Se comprobó la supervivencia de L. pentosus ABHEAU-05 en una leche fermentada adicionada con inulina y su resistencia a la digestión in vitro mediante el análisis del pH y la proteólisis. Los resultados muestran que la leche fermentada es una matriz adecuada, donde L. pentosus ABHEAU-05 se desarrolla sin inconvenientes, alcanzando un título de 8,5 logufc/ml después de 40 h de fermentación. Además, la producción de péptidos y el descenso del pH indicaron el estado metabólico vigoroso y activo del microorganismo probiótico. Se concluye que L. pentosus ABHEAU-05 es un microorganismo resistente a la digestión in vitro, que puede servir como cultivo iniciador para la producción de alimentos de origen lácteo. Este es el primer informe acerca del aislamiento de una bacteria ácido láctica resistente a la digestión in vitro a partir del tepache de piña.

Lactobacillus pentosus ABHEAU-05: An in vitro digestion resistant lactic acid bacterium isolated from a traditional fermented Mexican beverage.

The health benefits attributed to probiotics generate interest in the search of competent strains adapted to several ecological niches, especially those related to traditional beverages and foods of each country. Pineapple tepache, a traditional Mexican fermented beverage, was used for the isolation of lactic acid bacteria with probiotic potential, one of which withstood the in vitro tests. The isolated strain AB-05, which exhibited the tested probiotic functional properties, was designated as Lactobacillus pentosus ABHEAU-05. The sequence was registered in GenBank under access code MK587617. This study is the first report of a lactic acid bacterium with in vitro digestion resistance isolated from pineapple tepache. The survival of L. pentosus ABHEAU-05 in a symbiotic medium was proven using fermented milk enriched with inulin. The in vitro digestion-resistant probiotic activity of lactobacilli was measured through analysis of pH and proteolysis. Results showed that L. pentosus grew properly in fermented milk; therefore, this microorganism could be used in the manufacture of this kind of products. The concentration of L. pentosus reached up to 8.5logCFU/ml after 40h of fermentation. In addition, the production of peptides and the decrease in pH indicated the vigorous and active metabolic state of the lactic acid bacterium tested. The activity and the concentration of this microorganism were maintained during refrigeration. The results of this research conclude that L. plantarum ABHEAU-05 is an in vitro digestion-resistant microorganism that can be used as a starter culture for the production of functional foods of dairy origin.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of head and neck. A 5-year retrospective study: Experience in a single third-level reference center.

INTRODUCTION: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumor, with an annual incidence of 3-4.5 cases/million. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive and retrospective study. We included patients diagnosed with ACC of head and neck of a single third-level referral center, from January 2008 to December 2013. RESULTS: A total of 23 patients were included in the study, 10 males (43.5%) and 13 females (56.5%) (F:M ratio 1.3:1). Median age was 52 years. Localization was predominantly observed in the oral cavity (26%) followed by the palate (17.4%). At presentation, 15 patients (65.2%) had clinical Stage II. The most frequent histology was the cribriform type in 10 patients (43.5%). Following resection, positive margins were observed in 15 (65.2%), neural invasion in 8 (34.8%), and lymphovascular invasion in 2 (8.7%) patients. The median time to recurrence in our population was 23 months. Recurrence at 5 years was observed in 15 patients (65%). At 2 years, recurrence was predominantly local in 7 patients (46%); whereas after 2 years, it was predominantly pulmonary 6 patients (40%). Overall, 5 year-survival was 78%. CONCLUSIONS: Cystic adenoid carcinoma is characterized by a high recurrence rate. Nevertheless, it has a high overall 5-year survival, which justifies an aggressive treatment.

ANTECEDENTES: El carcinoma adenoide quístico es un tumor raro, con una incidencia anual de 3-4.5 casos por millón. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, que incluyó pacientes con carcinoma adenoide quístico de cabeza y cuello de un centro de referencia de tercer nivel, desde enero de 2008 hasta diciembre de 2013. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 23 pacientes, 10 hombres (43.5%) y 13 mujeres (56.5%) (relación 1.3:1), con una media de edad de 52 años. Predominó en la cavidad bucal (26%), seguida del paladar (17.4%). Al diagnóstico, 15 pacientes (65.2%) tenían estadio clínico II. La histología cribiforme fue la más frecuente (10 pacientes; 43.5%). Posterior a la cirugía, se observaron márgenes positivos en 15 (65.2%), invasión neural en 8 (34.8%) e invasión linfovascular en 2 (8.7%) pacientes. La media de recurrencia fue de 23 meses. La recurrencia a 5 años se observó en 15 pacientes (65%). A los 2 años predominó la recurrencia local (7 pacientes; 46%); después de los 2 años predominaron las metástasis pulmonares (6 pacientes; 40%). La supervivencia a 5 años fue del 78%. CONCLUSIONES: El carcinoma adenoide quístico se caracteriza por una alta tasa de recurrencia. Sin embargo, tiene una alta supervivencia global a 5 años, lo que justifica un tratamiento agresivo.

Older breast cancer undertreatment: unconscious bias to undertreat-potential role for the international geriatric radiotherapy group?

The prevalence of breast cancer increases with age. Older breast cancer patients often present with locally advanced disease at presentation because mammography, which diagnosed early stage disease, is not recommended after the age of 75. In addition, they are often undertreated even when they are physically fit and have non-metastatic disease. As a result, survival is often poor. Physicians bias may be a factor in their undertreatment and lack of representation in prospective clinical trials. Physicians should be educated that chronological age is not a contraindication to curative treatment for older breast cancer patients. As a research group devoted to older cancer patients, women, and minorities, the International Geriatric Radiotherapy Group (IGRG) plans to conduct prospective trials to assess biomarkers for frailty, the controversial issue of mammography for older breast cancer patients, and the incorporation of frailty index for curative breast cancer treatment. The data obtained may help to decrease physician bias and to establish future guidelines for older breast cancer patients treatment.

Phyllodes tumor of the breast. Experience and clinical-pathological characteristics of patients treated in a third level oncologic referral center / Tumor phyllodes de la mama. Experiencia y características clínico-patológicas de los pacientes tratados en un centro oncológico de referencia de tercer nivel

Introduction: Phyllodes tumors are rare fibroepithelial lesions, with an incidence of 2.1 cases per million. They represent 0.2-2% of all breast tumors. The breast tumor department treats the largest number of patients per year at the Oncology Hospital, National Medical Center Siglo XXI, Mexican Social Security Institute, representing 17.4% of all patients treated in this centre. Material and methods: Retrospective, descriptive study. We assessed clinical and pathological characteristics, recurrences and overall survival at 5 years in patients with phyllodes tumor of the breast treated at the Oncology Hospital, Siglo XXI National Medical Center, from January 2000 to December 2017. Results: Thirty-two patients were included in the analysis. Mean age was 43.5 years, presentation was in the right breast in 66% of the patients and pain was present in 19%. 66% presented in the right breast, presented pain 19%. A total of 41% were benign phyllodes tumors, 41% were borderline and 18% malignant. In all, 18% of the cases were treated with wide resection, 65% with simple total mastectomy and 15% with modified radical mastectomy. Recurrence at 5 years was observed in 12%. Overall survival at 5 years was 94%, 100% for patients with benign histology, 100% for patients with borderline histology, and 66% for those with malignant histology (p=0.09). Conclusions: In our population, phyllodes tumors show a tendency towards size greater than 5cm, which is reflected in the greater number of mastectomies in contrast to other reports

Introducción: Los tumores phyllodes son lesiones fibroepiteliales raras, con una incidencia de 2,1 casos por millón, representando del 0,2 al 2% de todos los tumores de mama. El departamento de tumores de mama del Hospital de Oncología, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, ocupa el primer lugar en la atención, por el número de pacientes al año, lo que representa el 17,4% de todos los pacientes tratados en este centro. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo. Se analizaron las características clínico-patológicas, la recurrencia y la supervivencia general a los 5 años en pacientes con tumor phyllodes de la mama, tratados en el Hospital de Oncología, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, desde enero de 2000 hasta diciembre de 2017. Resultados: Incluimos 32 pacientes. La edad media fue 43,5 años. El 66% se localizó en la mama derecha y el 19% presentó dolor. El 41% correspondió a tumor phyllodes benigno, 41% límítrofe y el 18% maligno. El 18% se trató con resección amplia, 65% con mastectomía total simple y 15% con mastectomía radical modificada. La recurrencia a 5 años se observó en el 12%. La supervivencia global a 5 años fue del 94%; para la histología benigna del 100%, limítrofe 100% y maligna 66% (p = 0,09). Conclusiones: En nuestra población el tumor phyllodes presentó una tendencia hacia un tamaño mayor a 5 cm, lo cual se refleja en el mayor número de mastectomías que contrasta con otros estudios

Fabrication of Micro-Patterned Surface for Pool-boiling Enhancement by Using Powder Injection Molding Process.

In this study, two kinds of copper micro-patterned surfaces with different heights were fabricated by using a powder injection molding (PIM) process. The micro-pattern's size was 100 µm, and the gap size was 50 µm. The short micro-pattern's height was 100 µm, and the height of the tall one was 380 µm. A copper powder and wax-polymer-based binder system was used to fabricate the micro-patterned surfaces. The critical heat flux (CHF) and heat transfer coefficient (HTC) during pool-boiling tests were measured with the micro-patterned surfaces and a reference plain copper surface. The CHF of short and tall micro-patterned surfaces were 1434 and 1444 kW/m², respectively, and the plain copper surface's CHF was 1191 kW/m². The HTC of the plain copper surface and the PIM surface with short and tall micro-patterned surfaces were similar in value up to a heat flux 1000 kW/m². Beyond that value, the plain surface quickly reached its CHF, while the HTC of the short micro-patterned surface achieved higher values than that of the tall micro-patterned surface. At CHF, the maximum values of HTC for the short micro-pattern, tall micro-pattern, and the plain copper surface were 68, 58, and 57 kW/m² K.

Bioactive compounds in aqueous extracts of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) cultivated in Mexico

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a plant in the family of Lamiaceae. In Mexican traditional medicine it is used to alleviate gastrointestinal and hepatic problems. Studies carried out mainly in ethanolic and methanolic extracts, have revealed the presence of diverse compounds to which those medicinal properties are attributed. The objective of this research work was to extract in aqueous solution the antioxidants present in lemon balm and identify them through HPLC-MS. A Box-Behnken design was applied to determine the physical conditions of antioxidant extraction, where the analyzed variables were time, temperature and sample quantity. The antioxidant activity was determined through methodologies of DPPH*, FRAP and total phenolics. The aqueous solution with the highest antioxidant activity was analyzed through HPLC-MS. The results showed that the interaction temperature-time has a positive influence on the liberation of antioxidants. The best condition for a conventional extraction of antioxidants was 90°C, 15 min and 2 g of sample. Higher correlations were observed at r2>0.6 between determined antioxidant activity by DPPH* (or FRAP) vs Total phenolics; this would indicate that such activity could be attributed to phenolic compounds whose presence was confirmed through an analysis by HPLC-MS(AU)

El toronjil (Melissa officinalis) es una planta de la familia Lamiaceae. En la medicina tradicional mexicana es utilizado para aliviar problemas gastrointestinales y hepáticos. Algunos estudios realizados con extractos etanólicos y metanólicos de dicha planta, han revelado la presencia de diversos compuestos a los que se les atribuye sus propiedades medicinales. El objetivo de esta investigación fue extraer en solución acuosa los antioxidantes presentes en el toronjil e identificarlos a través de HPLC-MS. Para ello, se aplicó un diseño de experimentos Box-Behnken a fin de determinar las condiciones físicas de extracción de antioxidantes; las variables analizadas fueron tiempo, temperatura y cantidad de muestra. La actividad antioxidante fue determinada a través de las metodologías de DPPH*, FRAP y fenoles totales. El extracto acuoso con la mayor actividad antioxidante fue analizado mediante HPLCMS. Los resultados mostraron que la interacción tiempotemperatura tuvo una influencia positiva en la liberación de antioxidantes. La mejor condición para la extracción de antioxidantes presentes en el toronjil fue 90°C, 15 min y 2 g de muestra. Correlaciones superiores a r2>0.6 fueron determinadas entre la actividad antioxidante medida por DPPH* (o FRAP) vs Fenoles totales; esto podría indicar que la actividad antioxidante encontrada podría atribuirse a compuestos de tipo fenólico cuya presencia fue confirmada por el análisis en HPLC-MS(AU)