Effect of the Proximity to the Quintero-Puchuncaví Industrial Zone on Compounds Isolated from Baccharis macraei Hook. & Arn: Their Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activity.

Baccharis macraei Hook. & Arn (Asteraceae), commonly known as Vautro, is found in the coastal areas of central-southern Chile, including the industrial zone of Quintero-Puchuncaví, known for the contamination of its soils with heavy metals, which together with other factors generate abiotic stress in plant species, against which they present defensive mechanisms. For this reason, the objective was to evaluate the effect of abiotic stress generated by the proximity of B. macraei to the industrial complex by assessing the physiological and metabolic states reported by the extracts and compounds isolated from the species, as well as the photosynthetic capacity, metal content and production, and antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity against tumorigenic cell lines of the phytoconstituents. To this end, B. macraei was collected at two different distances from the industrial complex, observing that the closer the species is, the greater the concentration of copper in the soil, generating a decrease in the rate of electron transport in situ, but an increase in antioxidant activity with low cytotoxicity. This activity could be due to the presence of flavonoids such as Hispidulin, Cirsimaritina, and Isokaempferida, as well as monoterpenes, oxygenated and non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes identified in this study.

Complicaciones de la laringectomía total: experiencia de 7 años en un hospital universitario de Paraguay / Complications of total laryngectomy: a 7-year experience in a university hospital in Paraguay

Introducción: El cáncer de laringe es la neoplasia maligna más común de las vías aerodigestivas superiores. La laringectomía total es el tratamiento de elección en casos avanzados, pero se asocia a una alta tasa de complicaciones. Objetivos: Conocer la prevalencia de las complicaciones posquirúrgicas de la laringectomía total y los factores asociados en pacientes con cáncer de laringe. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo, de corte transversal, revisando el comportamiento de la laringectomía total y sus principales complicaciones en la Cátedra y Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Hospital de Clínicas de la Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de Asunción, Paraguay, de 2015 a 2022. Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 18 años, de ambos sexos, postoperados de laringectomía total, con diagnóstico anatomopatológico de neoplasia de laringe. Se excluyeron pacientes no operados, con fichas incompletas o que abandonaron el tratamiento. Se analizaron variables demográficas, clínicas, quirúrgicas y anatomopatológicas. Resultados: Se incluyeron 10 pacientes, todos varones, con edad media de 56,3 ± 10,2 años. El 90% presentaba hábitos tóxicos. La complicación más frecuente fue la fístula faringocutánea (70%), seguida por infección del sitio quirúrgico (10%) y sangrado posoperatorio (10%). El 71,4% de las fístulas se resolvieron con medidas conservadoras. El 30% tenía afectación supraglótica y el 57,1% de los que presentaron complicaciones recibieron radioterapia previa. Conclusión: Las complicaciones de la laringectomía total son frecuentes, principalmente la fístula faringocutánea. La afectación supraglótica y la radioterapia previa se asociaron a mayor tasa de complicaciones. Se requieren estudios prospectivos con muestras más grandes para confirmar estos hallazgos.

Introduction: Laryngeal cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm of the upper aerodigestive tract. Total laryngectomy is the treatment of choice in advanced cases, but it is associated with a high rate of complications. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of postoperative complications of total laryngectomy and associated factors in patients with laryngeal cancer. Materials and methods: Observational, descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study, reviewing the behavior of total laryngectomy and its main complications in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the Hospital de Clínicas, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Asunción, Paraguay, from 2015 to 2022. Patients over 18 years of age, of both sexes, who underwent total laryngectomy, with anatomopathological diagnosis of laryngeal neoplasm were included. Non-operated patients, those with incomplete records or who abandoned treatment were excluded. Demographic, clinical, surgical and anatomopathological variables were analyzed. Results: Ten patients were included, all male, with a mean age of 56.3 ± 10.2 years. Ninety percent had toxic habits. The most frequent complication was pharyngocutaneous fistula (70%), followed by surgical site infection (10%) and postoperative bleeding (10%). Conservative measures resolved 71.4% of the fistulas. Thirty percent had supraglottic involvement and 57.1% of those who presented complications received previous radiotherapy. Conclusion: Complications of total laryngectomy are frequent, mainly pharyngocutaneous fistula. Supraglottic involvement and previous radiotherapy were associated with a higher rate of complications. Prospective studies with larger samples are required to confirm these findings.

Elderly patients with hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors in a multicentre cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 inhibitors (CDK 4/6i) combined with endocrine therapy have become the gold standard in hormone receptor-positive (HR +) HER2-negative (HER2-) metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, there is a significant lack of data regarding the efficacy and safety of these treatments in elderly patients. We present the results of a real-world data (RWD) cohort stratified by age at treatment initiation (≥ 70 years compared to patients < 70 years). METHODS: Clinico-pathological data of HR + HER2- MBC patients who were candidates for CDK4/6i therapy between January 2017 and December 2020 at the Institut Català d'Oncologia (Spain) were retrospectively collected. The primary goal was to assess Progression-Free Survival (PFS), Overall Survival (OS), and safety outcomes within this patient population. RESULTS: A total of 274 patients with MBC who received CDK4/6i treatment were included in the study. Among them, 84 patients (30.8%) were aged ≥ 70 years, with a mean age of 75, while 190 patients (69.2%) were under the age of 70, with a mean age of 55.7 years. The most frequently observed grade 3-4 toxicity was neutropenia, with similar rates in both the < 70 group (43.9%) and the ≥ 70 group (47.9%) (p = 0.728). The median Progression-Free Survival (mPFS) for the first-line CDK4/6i treatment was 22 months (95% CI, 15.4-39.8) in the < 70 group and 20.8 months (95% CI 11.2-NR) in the ≥ 70 group (p = 0.67). Similarly, the median PFS for the second-line CDK4/6i treatment was 10.4 months (95% CI, 7.4-15.1) and 7.1 months (95% CI 4.4-21.3) (p = 0.79), respectively. Median overall survival (mOS) was not reached either for the first- and second-line treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our RWD suggests that elderly patients, when compared to those under 70, experience similar survival outcomes and exhibit comparable tolerance for CDK4/6i therapy.

To transfer or not to transfer: the dilemma of mosaic embryos - a narrative review.

A frequent finding after preimplantation genetic diagnostic testing for aneuploidies using next-generation sequencing is an embryo that is putatively mosaic. The prevalence of this outcome remains unclear and varies with technical and external factors. Mosaic embryos can be classified by the percentage of cells affected, type of chromosome involvement (whole or segmental), number of affected chromosomes or affected cell type (inner mass cell, trophectoderm or both). The origin of mosaicism seems to be intrinsic as a post-zygotic mitotic error, but some external factors can play a role. As experience has increased with the transfer of mosaic embryos, clinical practice has gradually become more flexible in recent years. Nevertheless, clinical results show lower implantation, pregnancy and clinical pregnancy rates and higher miscarriage rates with mosaic embryo transfer when compared with the transfer of euploid embryos. Prenatal diagnosis is highly recommended after the transfer of mosaic embryos. This narrative review is intended to serve as reference material for practitioners in reproductive medicine who must manage a mosaic embryo result after preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies.

Laser Powder Bed Fusion of Sm-Fe-N Bonded Magnets Employing Flake Powders.

In this work, the role of the binder volumetric fraction used on the consolidation process of Sm-Fe-N-based bonded magnets obtained via the laser powder bed fusion technique has been investigated and explained. The magnetic samples have been obtained via the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process, using a mixture of polyamide-12 powder (PA12, DuraForm PA2200) and isotropic Sm-Fe-N melt-spun ribbons (Daido Electronics, Inc.) as feedstocks. The binder content has been varied between 34% and 65% vol. Geometrical density values increased systematically as the PA12 content was increased, reaching a maximum value of ρ = 3.35 g/cm3 (60% vol.), which represents 89% of a fully dense composite. In this composition, the maximum magnetic properties values have been achieved, Jr = 369 mT and (BH)max = 24 kJ/m3. A further increase on the PA12 fraction up to 65% vol. resulted on magnetic samples with 97% relative density, but at the expense of magnetic performance. The formation of a continuous polymeric matrix has been observed via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis when PA12 fraction was on the interval between 60% and 65% vol., not observable for the other explored conditions. Volumetric binder fractions comparable with other published works, which used spherical particles as raw materials for feedstock production, showed inadequate consolidation and required adjustments for proper densification.

Contribution of Mine-Derived Airborne Particulate Matter to Ca, Fe, Mn and S Content and Distribution in the Lichen Punctelia hypoleucites Transplanted to Bajo de la Alumbrera Mine, Catamarca (Argentina).

The aim of this work was to relate the contribution of mine-derived airborne particulate matter to Ca, Fe, Mn and S content and distribution in Punctelia hypoleucites transplanted to Bajo de la Alumbrera, an important open-pit mine in Catamarca, Argentina. Lichen samples were transplanted to four monitoring sites: two sites inside the mine perimeter and two sites outside the mine. After three months, elemental distribution in samples was analyzed by microparticle-induced X-ray emission (microPIXE), and elemental concentration was determined by specific techniques: Ca and Fe by instrumental neutron activation analysis, Mn by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and S by a turbidimetric method. A differential distribution of S and Ca in thalli transplanted in-mine sites was detected compared to that of samples transplanted outside-mine sites. An overlap of Fe and S in the upper cortex of the apothecium section was observed, leading to infer a mineral association of both elements. Similar association was observed for Ca and S. In addition to these results, the significantly higher concentration detected for S and Mn in in-mine site samples suggests a contribution of Fe, S, Ca and Mn of mining origin to the content and distribution of these elements in P. hypoleucites. MicroPIXE complemented with Mössbauer spectroscopy analysis determined the presence of pyrite particles together with other iron-bearing minerals displaying different degrees of oxidation. These results point to a mining origin of the airborne particulate matter trapped by the lichen thalli transplanted to Bajo de la Alumbrera. These findings indicate that P. Hypoleucites acts as an excellent air quality biomonitor in the Bajo de la Alumbrera mine area.

Redefining the treponemal history through pre-Columbian genomes from Brazil.

The origins of treponemal diseases have long remained unknown, especially considering the sudden onset of the first syphilis epidemic in the late 15th century in Europe and its hypothesized arrival from the Americas with Columbus' expeditions1,2. Recently, ancient DNA evidence has revealed various treponemal infections circulating in early modern Europe and colonial-era Mexico3-6. However, there has been to our knowledge no genomic evidence of treponematosis recovered from either the Americas or the Old World that can be reliably dated to the time before the first trans-Atlantic contacts. Here, we present treponemal genomes from nearly 2,000-year-old human remains from Brazil. We reconstruct four ancient genomes of a prehistoric treponemal pathogen, most closely related to the bejel-causing agent Treponema pallidum endemicum. Contradicting the modern day geographical niche of bejel in the arid regions of the world, the results call into question the previous palaeopathological characterization of treponeme subspecies and showcase their adaptive potential. A high-coverage genome is used to improve molecular clock date estimations, placing the divergence of modern T. pallidum subspecies firmly in pre-Columbian times. Overall, our study demonstrates the opportunities within archaeogenetics to uncover key events in pathogen evolution and emergence, paving the way to new hypotheses on the origin and spread of treponematoses.

Risk of endometrial cancer after RRSO in BRCA 1/2 carriers: a multicentre cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To know the risk of endometrial cancer (EC) in a population of women with BRCA 1/2 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants after risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO). METHODS: The study cohort included data from 857 women with BRCA mutations who underwent RRSO visited four hospitals in Catalonia, Spain, from January 1, 1999 to April 30, 2019. Standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of EC was calculated in these patients using data from a regional population-based cancer registry. RESULTS: After RRSO, eight cases of EC were identified. Four in BRCA 1 carriers and four in BRCA2 carriers. The expected number of cases of EC was 3.67 cases, with a SIR of 2.18 and a 95% CI (0.93-3.95). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, the risk of EC in BRCA1/2 carriers after RRSO is not greater than expected. Hysterectomy is not routinely recommended for these patients.

Astrocytes: Role in pathogenesis and effect of commonly misused drugs in the HIV infected brain.

The roles of astrocytes as reservoirs and producers of a subset of viral proteins in the HIV infected brain have been studied extensively as a key to understanding HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). However, their comprehensive role in the context of intersecting substance use and neurocircuitry of the reward pathway and HAND has yet to be fully explained. Use of methamphetamines, cocaine, or opioids in the context of HIV infection have been shown to lead to a faster progression of HAND. Glutamatergic, dopaminergic, and GABAergic systems are implicated in the development of HAND-induced cognitive impairments. A thorough review of scientific literature exploring the variety of mechanisms in which these drugs exert their effects on the HIV brain and astrocytes has revealed marked areas of convergence in overexcitation leading to increased drug-seeking behavior, inflammation, apoptosis, and irreversible neurotoxicity. The present review investigates astrocytes, the neural pathways, and mechanisms of drug disruption that ultimately play a larger holistic role in terms of HIV progression and drug use. There are opportunities for future research, therapeutic intervention, and preventive strategies to diminish HAND in the subset population of patients with HIV and substance use disorder.

Effect of Industrial Pollution in Puchuncaví Valley on the Medicinal Properties of Senecio fistulosus Poepp. ex Les (Asteraceae): Content of Phytoconstituents and Their Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities.

Senecio fistulosus, an endemic plant in Chile, is highly regarded for its medicinal properties and is popular in alternative medicine. It thrives even in polluted areas, like Puchuncaví Valley, Chile. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the impact of industrial pollution in Puchuncaví Valley, Chile, on the phytoconstituent content, as well as the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities, of S. fistulosus. Phenols, flavonoids, and anthraquinones content were measured, alongside the assessment of antioxidant activities. Additionally, a GC-MS analysis was conducted to profile the phytoconstituents, while the cytotoxic potential was evaluated in HT-29 and MCF-7 and cell line non-tumorigenic MCF-10. The Wild sample exhibited a greater concentration of phytoconstituents (0 to 169.48 mg·L-1) compared to the Commercial control (0 to 95.38 mg·L-1), directly correlating with its antioxidant activity. While the Wild species showed cytotoxic activity, the Commercial control demonstrated cytotoxic effects on MCF-10 and MCF-7. Noteworthy compounds identified were hexadecanoic acid (12.76 to 19.57% relative area) and (Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid (18.36% relative area), with anticancer properties. In conclusion, the abiotic stress experienced by S. fistulosus led to higher phytoconstituent content and improved antioxidant activity when contrasted with the Commercial control. The Commercial species showed increased cytotoxic activity against both tumorigenic and non-tumorigenic cell lines.

La enseñanza de la bioética en el ámbito universitario: el desafío de la educación a distancia

¿cómo enseñar bioética de manera rigurosa y atractiva? El presente trabajo desarrolla una de las estrategias pedagógicas implementadas por un equipo de investigación de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad de Buenos Aires para la transmisión de la Bioética por medio de plataformas en línea. A partir de la metodología del Casebook Unesco de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental se diseñó un ejercicio de tipo multiple-choice en la plataforma educativa Moodle, el cual presenta dilemas éticos complejos de manera sencilla y clara. El propósito de la actividad es proporcionar una herramienta que permita contemplar los efectos del curso de acción para el campo de la salud y la subjetividad. La ejercitación consiste en proveer distintos niveles de ayuda para la resolución de la situación dilemática, mediante la referencia a fuentes bibliográficas pertinentes, con especial énfasis en la articulación con la Declaración Universal sobre Bioética y Derechos Humanos y los códigos deontológicos que rigen el ejercicio profesional. La utilización de los casos-viñeta en entornos virtuales tiene por objetivo el desarrollo de competencias que permitan a los estudiantes participar de forma activa en los procesos de toma de decisión. Ello apela a la construcción colectiva del saber por medio del intercambio dialógico y la deliberación ética.

how to teach bioethics rigorously and attractively? This paper develops one of the pedagogical strategies implemented by a research team of the Faculty of Psychology of the University of Buenos Aires to transmit Bioethics through online platforms. Based on the methodology of the Casebook Unesco of Psychiatry and Mental Health, a multiple-choice exercise was designed in Moodle's educational platform, which presents complex ethical dilemmas clearly. The purpose of the activity is to provide a tool to contemplate the effects of the course of action for the field of health and subjectivity. The exercise consists of providing different levels of help for the resolution of the dilem- matic situation, through the reference to relevant bibliographic sources, with particular emphasis on the articulation of the Universal Declaration on Bioethics and Human Rights and the deontological codes that govern professional practice. Using case-vignettes in virtual environments aims to develop competencies that allow students to participate in decision-making processes actively. This calls for the collective construction of knowledge through dialogic exchange and ethical deliberation.

como ensinar bioética de maneira rigorosa e atrativa? Este trabalho desenvolve uma das estratégias pedagógicas implementadas por uma equipe de pesquisa da Faculdade de Psicologia da Universidad de Buenos Aires para transmitir a bioética por meio de plataformas on-line. A partir da metodologia do Casebook Unesco de Psiquiatria e Saúde Mental, foi desenhado um exercício de tipo múltipla escolha na plataforma educacional Moodle, o qual apresenta dilemas éticos complexos de maneira simples e clara. O objetivo da atividade é proporcionar uma ferramenta que permita contemplar os efeitos do curso de ação para o campo da saúde e da subjetividade. O exercício consiste em fornecer diferentes níveis de ajuda para resolver a situação dilemática, mediante a referência a fontes bibliográficas pertinentes, com especial ênfase na articulação com a Declaração Universal sobre Bioética e Direitos Humanos, e os códigos deontológicos que regem o exercício profissional. A utilização dos casos-vinheta em ambientes virtuais tem o objetivo do desenvolvimento de competências que permitam aos estudantes participar de forma ativa nos processos de tomada de decisão. Isso apela para a construção coletiva do saber por meio do intercâmbio dialógico e a deliberação ética.

Evaluation of breast cancer screening indicators in the female population using the National Health System, Brazil, 2018-2019: a descriptive study.

OBJETIVE: to analyze breast cancer screening monitoring indicators in the female population using the Brazilian National Health System, from 2018 to 2019. METHODS: this was a descriptive study based on Cancer Information System (SISCAN) data; screening indicators were calculated following deterministic linkage of the mammography and histopathology databases. RESULTS: in 2018, 807,430 women aged 50 to 69 years were screened for breast cancer, 91% of whom had a benign result, 1.8% probably benign, 6.7% inconclusive results and 0.5% results suggestive of cancer; the positive mammogram rate was 9.0%; biopsy was estimated to be indicated for 1.6% of the women, 33.9% of whom had a malignant result, and the cancer confirmation rate was 5.4 per 1,000 women. CONCLUSION: high benign lesion loss to follow-up was identified; the positive mammogram rate was lower than the international parameter, but the cancer detection rate was adequate and the percentage of inconclusive mammograms was acceptable.

Vibrational properties of metastable orthorhombic Bi2Se3.

Chalcogenide materials are being considered as some of the most promising systems for energy harvesting and energy conversion. Among them, the orthorhombic family of compounds X2Y3 (with X = Bi, Sb and Y = S, Se) has attracted special attention due to its interesting atomic structure and thermoelectric and optical properties. While Bi2S3 and Sb2Se3 have already been applied to solar cells, practical application of the new metastable Bi2Se3 is still a challenge due to the lack of data and knowledge on its properties. Here, the vibrational and structural properties of the orthorhombic metastable phase of Bi2Se3 are investigated by using Raman spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. We perform Raman spectroscopy measurements along with in situ thermal treatment on samples grown by electrochemical deposition. We show that by increasing the temperature an improved crystallization occurs in the orthorhombic structure, followed by recrystallization to the usual rhombohedral phase. Our results point out specific Raman modes of the orthorhombic phase. First principles computational results based on the density functional theory support the experimental data and describe three singlet Raman active vibrational modes, such as B(2)3g, B(2)2g and A(6)g.

A risk assessment on Zostera chilensis, the last relict of marine angiosperms in the South-East Pacific Ocean, due to the development of the desalination industry in Chile.

Seagrasses, which are considered among the most ecologically valuable and endangered coastal ecosystems, have a narrowly limited distribution in the south-east Pacific, where Zostera chilensis is the only remaining relict. Due to water scarcity, desalination industry has grown in the last decades in the central-north coasts of Chile, which may be relevant to address in terms of potential impacts on benthic communities due to their associated high-salinity brine discharges to subtidal ecosystems. In this work, we assessed ecophysiological and cellular responses to desalination-extrapolable hypersalinity conditions on Z. chilensis. Mesocosms experiments were performed for 10 days, where plants were exposed to 3 different salinity treatments: 34 psu (control), 37 psu and 40 psu. Photosynthetic performance, H2O2 accumulation, and ascorbate content (reduced and oxidized) were measured, as well as relative gene expression of enzymes related to osmotic regulation and oxidative stress; these, at 1, 3, 6 and 10 days. Z. chilensis showed a decrease in photosynthetic parameters such as electron transport rate (ETRmax) and saturation irradiance (EkETR) under hypersalinity treatments, while non-photochemical quenching (NPQmax) presented an initial increment and a subsequent decline at 40 psu. H2O2 levels increased with hypersalinity, while ascorbate and dehydroascorbate only increased under 37 psu, although decreased along the experimental period. Increased salinities also triggered the expression of genes related to ion transport and osmolyte syntheses, but salinity-dependent up-regulated genes were mostly those related to the reactive oxygen species metabolism. The relict seagrass Z. chilensis has shown to withstand increased salinities that may be extrapolable to desalination effects in the short-term. As the latter is not fully clear in the long-term, and considering the restricted distribution and ecological importance, direct brine discharges to Z. chilensis meadows may not be recommended.

Implantación coclear en pacientes de edad avanzada: Resultados auditivos / Cochlear implantation in elderly patients: Hearing results

Introducción: El envejecimiento de la población, así como la ampliación en las indicaciones de implantación, hace que cada día haya más pacientes implantados mayores de 65 años, lo que supone un reto a nivel de ajuste y optimización auditiva. Se ha constatado que la implantación coclear en pacientes de edad avanzada generalmente conduce a una mejoría, tanto auditiva como en la neurocognición, la depresión, el aislamiento social, la actividad física y la calidad de vida. Objetivo: Los objetivos de este estudio son valorar las características de los pacientes implantados a partir de 65 años en un centro terciario, analizar los beneficios e identificar particularidades clínicas en este grupo de pacientes. Material y Método: Se llevó a cabo un estudio retrospectivo con un seguimiento de 5 años postcirugía de pacientes con implante MED-EL y se realizó una visita preoperatoria y un seguimiento con audiometría en campo libre y audiometría verbales postquirúrgica al año, 3 años y 5 años postquirúrgico. Resultados: Se incluyó a 16 pacientes implantados unilateralmente. La edad media inicio pérdida fue de 36,75 años. La edad media de cirugía fue de 71,44 años. Los resultados auditivos fueron satisfactorios, con una media de audiometría en campo libre de 44,33 dB al año, 43,33 dB a los 3 años y 41,66 dB a los 5 años. El resultado en las audiometrías verbales (test de bisílabos y test de frases) fue mejor en el grupo de pacientes con adaptación bimodal. Conclusión: En nuestra experiencia, la implantación coclear en ≥65 años sí que logra mejorar las capacidades auditivas medidas, tanto en audiometría de campo libre como en pruebas verbales. La adaptación bimodal mejora los resultados auditivos, a pesar de la dificultad de procesamiento de los dos estímulos diferentes.

Introduction: The aging of the population, as well as the expansion in the indications for implantation means that every day there are more implanted patients over 65 years of age, which represents a challenge in terms of hearing adjustment and optimization. Cochlear implantation in elderly patients has been found to generally lead to improvements in hearing and neurocognition, depression, social isolation, physical activity, and quality of life. Aim: The objectives of this study are to assess the characteristics of patients over 65 years of age implanted in a tertiary center, analyze the benefits and identify clinical particularities in this group of patients. Material and Method: A retrospective study was carried out with a 5-year post-surgery follow-up of patients with a MED-EL implant, and a preoperative visit and follow-up with free-field audiometry and post-surgical speech audiometry were performed at one year, 3 years and 5 years post-surgery. Results: Sixteen unilaterally implanted patients were included. The mean age at onset of loss was 36.75 years. The mean age at surgery was 71.44 years. Hearing results were satisfactory, with a mean free field audiometry of 44.33 dB at one year, 43.33 dB at 3 years, and 41.66 dB at 5 years. The result in the verbal audiometries (disyllable test and sentence test) was better in the group of patients with bimodal adaptation. Conclusión: In our experience, cochlear implantation in patients ≥ 65 years of age does manage to improve hearing capacities measured both in free-field audiometry and in verbal tests. Bimodal adaptation improves auditory results, despite the difficulty ofprocessing the two different stimuli.

Ten-year experience of bone SBRT in breast cancer: analysis of predictive factors of effectiveness.

PURPOSE: Data on the benefit of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in patients with breast cancer (BC) and bone metastases remain limited. The purpose of this study is to report our 10-year experience of bone SBRT, analyzing toxicity and prognostic factors for local control (LC); progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS). METHODS/PATIENTS: We analyzed all spine and non-spine bone SBRT performed in patients with BC during the 2012-2022 period at our institution. Treatments carried out with ablative intent in stereotactic conditions with dose/fraction ≥ 5 Gy in 5 or fewer sessions were considered. Demographic, treatment, and toxicity data were recorded according to CTCAEv4. Risk factors were assessed through univariate and multivariate analysis by Cox regression. RESULTS: 60 bone SBRT treatments were performed during the study period. 75% were spine SBRT and 25% were non-spine SBRT (median BED4Gy was 80 Gy4). The median age was 52.5 years (34-79). The median tumor volume was 2.9 cm3 (0.5-39.4). The median follow-up was 32.4 months (1.2-101.7). 1 and 2 years LC were 92.9 and 86.6%, respectively. 1 and 2 years OS were 100 and 90.6%, respectively. Multivariate analysis (MVA) associated volume of the treated lesion ≥ 13 cm3 with worse LC (p = 0.046; HR 12.1, 95%CI = 1.1-140.3). In addition, deferring SBRT > 3 months after lesion diagnosis to prioritize systemic treatment showed a significant benefit, improving the 2 years LC up to 96.8% vs. 67.5% for SBRT performed before this period (p = 0.031; HR 0.1, 95%CI = 0.01-0.8). Hormonal receptors, the total number of metastases, and CA15-3 value were significantly associated with OS in MVA. During follow-up, three non-spine fractures (5%) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: According to our data, bone SBRT is a safe and effective technique for BC. Upfront systemic treatment before SBRT offers a benefit in LC. Therefore, SBRT should be considered after prior systemic treatment in this population.

Papaya dietary fiber concentrates for providing functionality to muffin formulations.

BACKGROUND: Papaya leftovers are a good source of dietary fiber (DF) and antioxidants. They can be transformed in dietary fiber concentrates (DFCs) to be used as ingredients in food formulation, improving consumers' health status. RESULTS: Using the peel or the pulp of papaya, DFCs were produced. These DFCs were used in muffin production. Muffins produced with 7.7% DFCs and 47.6 g water had the same specific volume (2.0 cm3  g-1 ) but softer crumb than those obtained with a reference formulation without DF addition, showing average hardness of 15 N. In general, the addition of DFCs of pulp or peel slightly affected other textural profile parameters. Also, non-significant differences were observed for muffins containing pulp or peel DFCs, which showed average values of 10.9 N for chewiness, 0.95 for springiness, 0.76 for cohesiveness and 0.42 for resilience. Regarding the crumb structure, muffins with pulp DFCs showed the lowest value for d3.2 (1.3 ± 0.3 mm). Meanwhile, the highest anti-radical and reducing capacity, 240 ± 2 and 1050 ± 6 mgeq Trolox g-1 muffin (dry basis), respectively, were observed in the muffins with peel DFC. Finally, the addition of DFCs allowed us to maintain lower hardness values than those of the reference formulation during the whole storage period studied (22 days). Muffins with peel DFCs tended to have a lower rate of crumb hardening (0.08 ± 0.02) d-1 . CONCLUSION: The addition of papaya DFCs to muffin formulations confers interesting properties for industry and consumers, providing functionality, extending the shelf life as well as transforming papaya leftovers in new functional ingredients, contributing to a circular economy. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Avaliação de indicadores de monitoramento do rastreamento do câncer de mama na população do sexo feminino atendida no Sistema Único de Saúde, Brasil, 2018-2019: estudo descritivo / Evaluación de indicadores del tamizaje de cáncer de mama en la población femenina atendida en el Sistema Único de Salud, Brasil, 2018-2019: estudio descriptivo / Evaluation of breast cancer screening indicators in the female population using the National Health System, Brazil, 2018-2019: a descriptive study

Objetivo: analisar indicadores de monitoramento do rastreamento do câncer de mama na população feminina usuária do Sistema Único de Saúde, Brasil, no período 2018-2019. Métodos: estudo descritivo, a partir do Sistema de Informação do Câncer; foram calculados indicadores de rastreamento após relacionamento determinístico das bases de dados de mamografia e histopatologia. Resultados: em 2018, 807.430 mulheres na faixa etária de 50-69 anos foram rastreadas, e dessas, 91% apresentaram resultado benigno, 1,8% provavelmente benigno, 6,7% inconclusivo e 0,5% sugestivo de câncer; a taxa de mamografia positiva foi de 9,0%; estimou- -se indicação de biópsia para 1,6% das mulheres, resultado maligno para 33,9% delas, e taxa de confirmação de câncer de 5,4 por 1 mil mulheres. Conclusão: identificou-se elevada perda de seguimento das lesões benignas; a taxa de mamografias positivas foi inferior ao parâmetro internacional; contudo, a taxa de detecção de câncer foi adequada, e o percentual de mamografias inconclusivas, aceitável.

Objetivo: analizar indicadores del tamizaje de cáncer de mama en población femenina atendida por Sistema Único de Salud Brasileño, de 2018-2019. Métodos: estudio descriptivo basado en Sistema de Información del Cáncer (Siscan). Los indicadores de detección se calcularon después de vinculación determinista de bases de datos de mamografía e histopatología. Resultados: en 2018, 807.430 mujeres de 50-69 años examinaram cáncer de mama. De estos, 91% tuvo resultado benigno, 1,8% probablemente benigno, 6,7% resultado no concluyente y 0,5% sugestivo de cáncer. La tasa de mamografías positivas fue 9,0%. Se estimó indicación de biopsia en 1,6% de las mujeres, resultado maligno en 33,9% y tasa de confirmación de cáncer de 5,4 por 1.000 mujeres. Conclusión: se identificó alta pérdida de seguimiento de las lesiones benignas. La tasa de mamografías positivas fue inferior al parámetro internacional, pero la tasa de detección de cáncer fue adecuada y el porcentaje de mamografías no concluyentes aceptable.

Objetive: to analyze breast cancer screening monitoring indicators in the female population using the Brazilian National Health System, from 2018 to 2019. Methods: this was a descriptive study based on Cancer Information System (SISCAN) data; screening indicators were calculated following deterministic linkage of the mammography and histopathology databases. Results: in 2018, 807,430 women aged 50 to 69 years were screened for breast cancer, 91% of whom had a benign result, 1.8% probably benign, 6.7% inconclusive results and 0.5% results suggestive of cancer; the positive mammogram rate was 9.0%; biopsy was estimated to be indicated for 1.6% of the women, 33.9% of whom had a malignant result, and the cancer confirmation rate was 5.4 per 1,000 women. Conclusion: high benign lesion loss to follow-up was identified; the positive mammogram rate was lower than the international parameter, but the cancer detection rate was adequate and the percentage of inconclusive mammograms was acceptable.