Anthocyanin-Loaded Polymers as Promising Nature-Based, Responsive, and Bioactive Materials.

Anthocyanins are a specific group of molecules found in nature that have recently received increasing attention due to their interesting biological and colorimetric properties that have been successfully applied in several fields such as food preservation and biomedicine. Consequently, reviews devoted to a general overview of these flavonoids have proliferated in recent years. Meanwhile, the incorporation of anthocyanins into polymeric systems has become an interesting strategy to widen the applicability of these molecules and develop new smart and functional polymers in the above cited areas. However, anthocyanin-based polymers have been scarcely reviewed in the literature. Accordingly, this review aims to be a systematic summary of the most recent approaches for the incorporation of anthocyanins into macro-, micro-, or nanostructured polymers. Moreover, this work describes the fundamentals of the applicability of smart anthocyanin-based polymers and offers an updated review of their most interesting applications as sensors, biological regulators, and active materials.

Hospital Radiopharmacy in Argentina during the COVID-19 pandemic. Criteria and rationale for the organization of work. / Radiofarmacia Hospitalaria en Argentina durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Criterios y fundamentos para la organización del trabajo.

This publication presents criteria and bases for the work organization in the safe practice of Hospital Radiopharmacy, in order to minimize the risk of viral transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a reference facility of the National Energy Commission Atomic of Argentina, while continuing to perform essential services for the health system. For this purpose, documents from the National Energy Commission Atomic, IAEA, WHO and other scientific publications were consulted as reference. These recommendations are under constant review and are permanently updated. Within this framework, the present model of work organization for this essential activity is proposed, including general and specific recommendations and its epidemiological and immunological basis.

[Ileostomy closure after necrotizing enterocolitis. When is the best moment?] / Cierre de ileostomía tras enterocolitis necrotizante. ¿Cuándo es el mejor momento?

INTRODUCTION: In more than 50% of the necrotizing enterocolitis that underwent surgery will require an ileostomy. The optimal time to reestablish intestinal transit still is a controversial subject. Many times ileostomies cause medical issues that require early intestinal reconstruction. Our objective is to compare the early closure against late close, being the shift point 35 days according to other published research. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study off all patients that in the last 10 years have had an episode of necrotizing enterocolitis which required an intestinal derivation like ileostomy. RESULTS: We studied 39 patients, 22 had an early closure (EC) and 17 in had a late closure (LC). There were statistically significant differences in age and weight between both groups, being younger in the EC group (p<0,05). All the morbidity factors were greater in the EC group (days of parenteral nutrition, days of central venous catheter, inotropic use, surgical wound infection and intestinal occlusions). The days of mechanical ventilation were greater in the EC group (2,33 vs p=0,017). The rate of reoperation was higher in the EC group (31%) against the LE group (17%). CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to perform prospective studies with larger number of patients to be able to recommend a late closure ileostomy. In our experience the early closure has more morbidity and a higher rate of surgical reoperations.

INTRODUCCION: En más del 50% de las enterocolitis necrotizantes intervenidas es necesario realizar una ileostomía. El tiempo óptimo para restablecer el tránsito intestinal continúa siendo un tema controvertido. En muchas ocasiones las ileostomías dan problemas, requiriendo una reconstrucción precoz. El objetivo es comparar el cierre precoz con el cierre diferido, estableciendo el punto de corte en 35 días, desde el momento de realización del estoma, de acuerdo con otros trabajos publicados así como con la práctica realizada en nuestro hospital.. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Revisión retrospectiva de todos los pacientes que en los últimos diez años han presentado un episodio de enterocolitis necrotizante en nuestro hospital, precisando una derivación intestinal tipo ileostomía y en los que, además, se realizó el cierre de la misma. RESULTADOS: Se han estudiado 39 pacientes, en 22 se realizó un cierre precoz (CP) y en 17 un cierre diferido (CD). En ambos grupos, la edad y el peso presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas, siendo menores en el grupo de CP (p<0,05). Todas las variables de morbilidad estudiadas fueron mayores en el grupo de CP (días de nutrición parenteral total, días de catéter venoso central, uso de inotrópicos, infección de herida quirúrgica y oclusiones intestinales). Los días de ventilación mecánica fueron mayores en el grupo CP (2,33 vs 0 p=0,017). La tasa de reintervención quirúrgica fue mayor en el grupo CP (31%) frente al grupo CD (17%). CONCLUSIONES: Es necesario realizar estudios prospectivos y con mayor número de pacientes para poder recomendar un cierre diferido. En nuestra experiencia el cierre precoz presenta mayor morbilidad, así como mayor tasa de reintervenciones.

Comparisons between conventional, ultrasound-assisted and microwave-assisted methods for extraction of anthraquinones from Heterophyllaea pustulata Hook f. (Rubiaceae).

This work reports a comparative study about extraction methods used to obtain anthraquinones (AQs) from stems and leaves of Heterophyllae pustulata Hook (Rubiáceae). One of the conventional procedures used to extract these metabolites from a vegetable matrix is by successive Soxhlet extractions with solvents of increasing polarity: starting with hexane to eliminate chlorophylls and fatty components, following by benzene and finally ethyl acetate. However, this technique shows a low extraction yield of total AQs, and consumes large quantities of solvent and time. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) have been investigated as alternative methods to extract these compounds, using the same sequence of solvents. It was found that UAE increases the extraction yield of total AQs and reduces the time and amount of solvent used. Nevertheless, the combination UAE with benzene, plus MAE with ethyl acetate at a constant power of 900 W showed the best results. A higher yield of total AQs was obtained in less time and using the same amount of solvent that UAE. The optimal conditions for this latter procedure were UAE with benzene at 50 °C during 60 min, followed by MAE at 900 W during 15 min using ethyl acetate as extraction solvent.

Utilización de tubo de Kehr en anastomosis intestinales complejas / Using Kehr's tube in complex anastomoses

Objetivo. Presentar una nueva técnica utilizando el tubo de Kehr (TK) en las anastomosis intestinales complejas.material y métodos. Estudio retrospectivo descriptivo de 8 pacientes, intervenidos desde 2007 hasta 2011, con anastomosis intestinal tutorizada por un TK. 7 pacientes fueron operados por atresia intestinal (5 yeyunales, 1 ileal y 1 duodenal) y 1 caso por estenosis yeyunal asociada a gastrosquisis. 4 casos (50%) fueron pacientes que habían sido intervenidos previamente, y en los que existieron complicaciones con la primera cirugía. técnica quirúrgica: consiste en introducir un TK por el asa dilatada. Un extremo de la "T" del TK se deja, con una ligadura, proximal a la sutura y el otro distal a la misma, actuando como tutor transanastomó-tico. El cabo restante es abocado a la piel y utilizado para alimentación enteral. Las variables estudiadas fueron: inicio de alimentación enteral, tiempo de alimentación a través del TK, de recuperación del tránsito intestinal, tiempo hasta alimentación oral completa y complicaciones. Resultados. No se presentaron complicaciones derivadas de la técnica. La alimentación se inició a través del TK entre 2º-10º día (mediana: 4.5), con una duración de 4-33 días (mediana: 7). Iniciaron tránsito intestinal con deposiciones entre el 2º-7º día (mediana: 3,5). Los pacientes que habían sido intervenidos previamente presentaban signos de colestasis y sepsis, que se solucionaron tras la cirugía. El TK se mantuvo entre 11-51 días (mediana: 22), retirándose sin incidencias. Conclusiones. Este estudio preliminar sugiere que el uso de TK en anastomosis complejas presenta ventajas, como la alimentación enteral precoz y tutorización de la sutura previniendo su acodamiento. Este procedimiento no ha sido reportado en la literatura consultada (AU)

Objective. To present a new technique using the Kehr’s T tube (KT) in complex intestinal anastomoses. materials and methods. Restrospective descriptive analysis of 8 patients intervened from 2007 to 2011. We performed intestinal anastomoses guided by a KT in 7 patients with intestinal atresia (yeyunal n=5, ileal n=1, duodenal n=1), and in 1 patient with yeyunal stenosis associated with gastroschisis. 4 cases (50%) were reoperations because of complications after the first surgery. Surgical technique: the KT is introduced through the dilated proximal bowel. The proximal end of the "T" is tied and the distal one acts as a transanastomotic guide and feeding tube. The long end of the T is externalized through the skin and used for the administration of the enteral nutrition formula. Studied variables were: beginning of enteral feeding, feeding time through the KT, time of intestinal motility recovery, time to complete oral feeding and complications. Results. There were no complications derived from the technique. Feeding was started through the KT between day 2 and 10 (median: 4.5), with a period of 4 to 33 days (median: 7). Patients started intestinal transit between days 2 and 7 (median: 3.5). Reoperated patients showed cholestasis and/or sepsis signs, which were solved with surgery. The KT was left in place between 11-51 days (median: 22), with no complications during or after the removal. Conclusions. The results of this preliminary study suggests that the use of the KT in complex anastomoses as a transanastomotic guide and feeding tube presents advantages, such as early enteral feeding and prevention of leakage and kinking of the intestinal suture. There were no complications derived from the procedure.As far as we know, this technique has not been previously reported in the literature (AU)

[Using Kehr's tube in complex anastomoses]. / Utilización de tubo de Kehr en anastomosis intestinales complejas.

OBJECTIVE: To present a new technique using the Kehr's T tube (KT) in complex intestinal anastomoses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Restrospective descriptive analysis of 8 patients intervened from 2007 to 2011. We performed intestinal anastomoses guided by a KT in 7 patients with intestinal atresia (yeyunal n = 5, ileal n = 1, duodenal n = 1), and in 1 patient with yeyunal stenosis associated with gastroschisis. 4 cases (50%) were reoperations because of complications after the first surgery. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: the KT is introduced through the dilated proximal bowel. The proximal end of the "T" is tied and the distal one acts as a transanastomotic guide and feeding tube. The long end of the T is externalized through the skin and used for the administration of the enteral nutrition formula. Studied variables were: beginning of enteral feeding, feeding time through the KT, time of intestinal motility recovery, time to complete oral feeding and complications. RESULTS: There were no complications derived from the technique. Feeding was started through the KT between day 2 and 10 (median: 4.5), with a period of 4 to 33 days (median: 7). Patients started intestinal transit between days 2 and 7 (median: 3.5). Reoperated patients showed cholestasis and/or sepsis signs, which were solved with surgery. The KT was left in place between 11-51 days (median: 22), with no complications during or after the removal. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this preliminary study suggests that the use of the KT in complex anastomoses as a transanastomotic guide and feeding tube presents advantages, such as early enteral feeding and prevention of leakage and kinking of the intestinal suture. There were no complications derived from the procedure. As far as we know, this technique has not been previously reported in the literature.

Molecular characterization of small peripheral lung tumors based on the analysis of fine needle aspirates.

The computed tomography (CT)-based early lung cancer diagnostic technologies allow the detection of very small stage I lung tumors. As part of these screening protocols any suspicious nodule has to be diagnosed morphologically, which requires CT-guided Fine Needle Aspiration, open biopsy or surgery. Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) cytology is a well-recognised method for a rapid and accurate diagnosis of small lung tumors. Molecular analysis of the FNA specimens could complement cytology diagnosis by the characterization of the biological traits at the preoperative stage. In this study, we aimed to characterize the biological profile of 33 paraffin-embedded transthoracic FNA samples obtained from three groups of lung cancer patients: two groups of small early-detected lung adenocarcinomas (radiologically subsolid and solid nodules) and a third group of small metastatic adenocarcinomas. Genetic analysis was performed by fluorescence in situ hybridization using the four-color LAVysion probe. p53 and Ki-67 protein expression was also evaluated by immunocytochemistry. The samples showed gains for all targets analyzed; two cases had EGFR gene amplification and two cases had MYC amplification. There were no significant differences in the percentage of genetically malignant cells and the expression of Ki-67 among the three groups. However, p53 accumulation was significantly higher in the metastatic group compared to the subsolid early-detected group (P = 0.001). In conclusion, molecular analysis of FNA specimens may provide useful information at preoperative stages. In our series, a good prognostic profile in subsolid early detected adenocarcinomas is suggested.

Incidence and cytological features of pulmonary hamartomas indeterminate on CT scan.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary hamartomas have a characteristic heterogeneous radiological appearance. However, when composed predominantly of undifferentiated mesenchymal fibromyxoid component, their homogeneous appearance on computed tomography is indeterminate for malignancy. Rendering an accurate preoperative diagnosis in these cases can alter management. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and accuracy of cytodiagnosis for hamartomas 'indeterminate' by imaging. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed records for hamartomas diagnosed by transthoracic fine needle aspiration (FNA) including immediate impressions and final diagnoses. Cytological features evaluated included the presence of fibromyxoid stroma, bronchioloalveolar cell hyperplasia, fibroadipose tissue, cartilage and smooth muscle. RESULTS: Eighteen (1.3%) hamartomas were identified from 1355 transthoracic FNAs. The immediate impression was hamartoma in 13 (72%), carcinoid in one (6%), mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma in two (11%) and non-diagnostic in two (11%). The final diagnosis of hamartoma in cases diagnosed as carcinoid, mucinous bronchioloalaveolar carcinoma and non-diagnostic on immediate impression was rendered following assessment of all cytological material. CONCLUSION: Overall, FNAs are highly reliable for diagnosing hamartomas even when composed principally of undifferentiated mesenchymal fibromyxoid stroma, especially with the aid of all available preparations including Diff-Quik smears, Papanicolaou smears, ThinPreps and cell block material.

Lung tumors with neuroendocrine morphology. A perspective for the new millennium.

Pulmonary neuroendocrine cell proliferations represent a spectrum of lesions ranging from reactive processes to highly malignant carcinomas. The histogenesis and classification of these lesions is controversial and confusing. Radiologists are performing many diagnostic fine needle aspirations and biopsies, and must be familiar with these tumors. This article describes the various lesions and provides guidelines for their differential diagnosis.

Small peripheral glandular lesions detected by screening CT for lung cancer. A diagnostic dilemma for the pathologist.

The early detection of lung cancer by helical CT provides an important opportunity for radiologic-pathologic and clinical correlation of borderline glandular lesions. Little is known about the clinical course of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, solitary noninvasive, nonmucinous BAC, and early-phase invasive adenocarcinomas, therefore, a single protocol for specimen handling and a central tissue registry are essential. The most important separation among the various types of adenocarcinoma is the diagnosis of BAC, a potentially curable malignancy, from invasive adenocarcinoma. Therefore, for small lesions of 2 cm or less, the entire tumor should be processed. For larger lesions, one section per centimeter should be sampled, and if the initial sections show a purely lepidic growth pattern, additional sections should be taken to exclude an invasive component. If foci of invasion are identified, the tumor should be classified as an adenocarcinoma with bronchioloalveolar features. At the International Conference on Screening for Lung Cancer held in October 1997, it was recommended that an international panel be used to reach consensus on difficult lesions of the lung detected by CT screening, and that a tissue bank of these lesions be established to ensure further clinical, radiographic, light microscopic, immunohistochemical, and molecular studies of putative precursor lesions and small carcinomas. Through the collection of these lesions, we can further our understanding of the biologic behavior of lung cancer, particularly because little is known about the progression from a purely lepidic growth pattern to invasive adenocarcinoma.

The radiologic appearance of solitary pulmonary nodules and their cytologic-histologic correlation.

In this article, we review the various causes of solitary pulmonary nodules. Based on the underlying histology, we attempt to account for the radiologic pattern associated with each. This includes features related to density, edge characteristics, and texture. Similarly, the radiologic appearance of the nodule can be helpful to the cytologist when interpreting cytological samples obtained through image guidance.

Stereotactic fine-needle aspiration biopsy for the evaluation of nonpalpable breast lesions: report of an experience based on 2,988 cases.

BACKGROUND: The increasing use of mammography has led to a significant increase in the detection of clinically occult lesions, the majority of which prove to be benign. SFNB has been suggested as a means of expediting a diagnosis for lesions that are malignant while limiting surgical biopsies for those that are benign. METHODS: Clinically occult mammographic lesions were assessed by SFNB in 2,988 patients. Definitive histologic diagnoses were made on surgical specimens in all instances in which the cytologic diagnosis was malignant, suspicious, or atypical. Patients with benign cytology were either followed with interval mammograms or underwent surgical biopsy. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety-one of the 295 lesions (99%) diagnosed as cancer via SFNB were confirmed by histopathology. Twenty-two of the 22 lesions (100%) that were diagnosed as suspicious were diagnosed on histopathology as malignant. Forty-three of the 70 lesions (61%) with cytologic atypia were diagnosed on histopathology to be malignant. CONCLUSIONS: SFNB is an accurate means of diagnosing carcinoma, but must be followed by surgical biopsy when the cytology shows atypia. For lesions diagnosed as benign by SFNB, close interval mammography is essential.

Mammographically detected breast lesions: clinical importance of cytologic atypia in stereotaxic fine-needle aspiration biopsy samples.

PURPOSE: To correlate cytologic findings of stereotaxic fine-needle aspiration biopsy samples with histologic findings of excised samples of nonpalpable mammographically detected lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective review of 2,988 consecutive stereotaxic fine-needle aspiration biopsy samples of nonpalpable breast lesions obtained within 5 years, 70 samples were categorized as atypical. Excision with needle localization and specimen radiography were performed in all lesions; cytologic findings of aspirates were correlated with histologic findings of excised samples. Histologic findings were the standard of reference. RESULTS: Of the 70 atypical aspirates, 27 were benign (38%) and 43 were malignant (61%). Both the benign and the malignant lesions had an average size at mammography of 1.1 cm. The nuclear grade was low in 21 (49%), moderate in 16 (37%), and high in six (14%) of the malignant lesions. There were axillary lymph node metastases in four samples (9%). CONCLUSION: Although lesions with atypical aspirates usually are benign, to achieve a low prevalence of false-negative diagnoses atypia must be interpreted as potential malignancy.

Malpractice litigation involving patients with carcinoma of the breast.

BACKGROUND: We sought to evaluate recent trends in the United States of America regarding malpractice awards for patients with carcinoma of the breast. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review was performed of 118 cases of purported malpractice in the diagnosis and management of patients with carcinoma of the breast and related problems. The information was tabulated from Westlaw Transmission, a computerized database. RESULTS: Gynecologists were the specialists most often sued and accounted for 47 percent of the physicians involved in lawsuits. Radiologists were cited in only 13 percent of the cases. Health maintenance organizations (HMOs) were cited in 5 percent of the cases. The most common complaint was delay in diagnosis, made by a plaintiff who detected her own breast mass (52 percent). In 15 percent of the cases, the plaintiffs complained that a mammogram was not obtained, and 9 percent complained that other diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound or fine-needle aspiration biopsy, were not performed. The average delay in diagnosis was 14 months. The average award to plaintiffs with carcinoma of the breast was $691,449. The average plaintiff's age was 44 years. CONCLUSIONS: Most malpractice complaints related to carcinoma of the breast are instituted by women under the age of 50 years who identified the breast mass by themselves and were assumed by their physicians to have fibrocystic disease of the breast. Complaints can be expected to increase regarding failure to order further diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound or fine-needle aspiration biopsy, despite a negative mammogram. Complaints against HMOs are now also being made, citing failure to properly diagnose or treat patients with carcinoma of the breast.

Stereotactic aspiration biopsy of nonpalpable nodules of the breast.

To evaluate the reliability of stereotactic aspiration biopsy (SAB) in assessing which nonpalpable nodules of the breast should be excised, SAB was performed upon 373 nodules. The nodules were classified as well-circumscribed or irregular and evaluated for the presence of microcalcifications. The cytologic diagnoses were classified as malignant, atypical or benign. Cytologically malignant and atypical nodules were excised. Benign nodules were excised if there was a family or past history of carcinoma of the breast or if they changed mammographically. Twenty-five nodules proved to be malignant. Of these, the diagnoses by stereotactic aspiration biopsy were adenocarcinoma in 20 patients, atypical in three, malignant hemangiopericytoma in one patient and benign in one. The borders of the malignant nodules were well-defined in eight patients and irregular in 17. Three malignant nodules with irregular borders had clustered microcalcifications. One false-positive instance was a sclerosing papilloma with atypical hyperplasia. Twenty-four nodules with benign cytologic diagnoses, which were excised, proved to be benign. An additional 132 nodules with benign cytologic diagnoses had six month interval mammograms for two years; 131 were without interval change and one increased in size and proved to be a carcinoma. SAB is reliable for diagnosing nonpalpable nodules. Nodules with malignant and atypical results must be excised. It is reasonable to have follow-up evaluation of well-defined nodules mammographically when the aspirate is benign.

Breast cancer malpractice litigation in New York State.

PURPOSE: To identify causes of purported malpractice in diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed cases from The New York Jury Verdict Reporter listed between 1985 and 1991 to look for those in which there was alleged delay in diagnosis or treatment of breast cancer. RESULTS: Of 34 cases identified, 32 (94%) were based on presumed delay in diagnosis and only two (6%) on claims of therapeutic malpractice. Delay in diagnosis was commonly claimed in patients younger than 50 years (76%). Palpable masses were present in 94% of these cases. Either mammograms were not obtained (16 cases, 50%) or findings were interpreted as normal or as fibrocystic disease (12 cases, 38%). Specialists most frequently cited were gynecologists (16 of 39,41%). Highest awards (> or = $1 million) were more commonly given to patients younger than 50 years with proved distant or nodal metastasis (six of 34, 18%). CONCLUSION: Emphasis on early diagnosis has led to the perception that purported delay in diagnosis, however short, even in the presence of a palpable mass, changes the chances for survival.

Localization of nonpalpable masses in patients with breast implants.

Nonpalpable nodules in patients with breast implants may represent silicone granulomas, fibrocystic mastopathy, or cancer. We describe a modified technique for needle localization which facilitates the surgical excision of these nodules while minimizing the possibility of rupture.