Ageing Effects on a Softened Bitumen by the Addition of DSA (Dodecenyl Succinic Anhydride).

The softening of aged bitumen is necessary for a successful asphalt rejuvenation in road recycling operations. Thus, this study proposes a novel and successful approach by using Dodecenyl Succinic Anhydride (DSA), a reactive surfactant with a polar head capable of reacting with some polar compounds of bitumen. On this basis, this paper analyses the softening potential and ageing inhibition capability of the addition of 3 wt.% DSA before and after the application of standard laboratory ageing methods (rolling thin film oven, RTFOT and pressure aging vessel (PAV) tests). To that end, different modified bitumens were evaluated by analysing the linear viscoelastic behaviour, viscous flow properties, thin layer chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), contact angle measurements and compactibility tests. The results obtained for DSA show its greater potential to soften a model bitumen, when compared to a diluent oil, through physico-chemical processes that bring about a lowering in the polarity along with the alteration of its colloidal stability. Even though ageing processes in bitumen negatively affect its softening capacity, the developed structures still retain the ability to partially compensate for the adverse hardening effects. Furthermore, DSA addition greatly enhances the binder's wettability on a siliceous-type aggregate and favours asphalt compaction.

Prognostic value of histopathological DCIS features in a large-scale international interrater reliability study.

PURPOSE: For optimal management of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), reproducible histopathological assessment is essential to distinguish low-risk from high-risk DCIS. Therefore, we analyzed interrater reliability of histopathological DCIS features and assessed their associations with subsequent ipsilateral invasive breast cancer (iIBC) risk. METHODS: Using a case-cohort design, reliability was assessed in a population-based, nationwide cohort of 2767 women with screen-detected DCIS diagnosed between 1993 and 2004, treated by breast-conserving surgery with/without radiotherapy (BCS ± RT) using Krippendorff's alpha (KA) and Gwet's AC2 (GAC2). Thirty-eight raters scored histopathological DCIS features including grade (2-tiered and 3-tiered), growth pattern, mitotic activity, periductal fibrosis, and lymphocytic infiltrate in 342 women. Using majority opinion-based scores for each feature, their association with subsequent iIBC risk was assessed using Cox regression. RESULTS: Interrater reliability of grade using various classifications was fair to moderate, and only substantial for grade 1 versus 2 + 3 when using GAC2 (0.78). Reliability for growth pattern (KA 0.44, GAC2 0.78), calcifications (KA 0.49, GAC2 0.70) and necrosis (KA 0.47, GAC2 0.70) was moderate using KA and substantial using GAC2; for (type of) periductal fibrosis and lymphocytic infiltrate fair to moderate estimates were found and for mitotic activity reliability was substantial using GAC2 (0.70). Only in patients treated with BCS-RT, high mitotic activity was associated with a higher iIBC risk in univariable analysis (Hazard Ratio (HR) 2.53, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) 1.05-6.11); grade 3 versus 1 + 2 (HR 2.64, 95% CI 1.35-5.14) and a cribriform/solid versus flat epithelial atypia/clinging/(micro)papillary growth pattern (HR 3.70, 95% CI 1.34-10.23) were independently associated with a higher iIBC risk. CONCLUSIONS: Using majority opinion-based scores, DCIS grade, growth pattern, and mitotic activity are associated with iIBC risk in patients treated with BCS-RT, but interrater variability is substantial. Semi-quantitative grading, incorporating and separately evaluating nuclear pleomorphism, growth pattern, and mitotic activity, may improve the reliability and prognostic value of these features.

Detection of Intestinal Parasites in Stray Dogs from a Farming and Cattle Region of Northwestern Mexico.

Stray dogs are one of the main reservoirs of intestinal parasitic infections and some have zoonotic potential. An epidemiological survey was carried out between September 2017 and May 2018 in Mexicali Valley, this area sacrifices around 92,470 head of cattle monthly, which represents 27% of the national slaughter and has 71,307 hectares for crops. In this period the Municipal Animal Control Center during their routine visits to the Mexicali Valley captured 103 dogs. All the dogs were evaluated using copromicroscopic techniques to detect intestinal parasites. The general frequency of parasitic infections was 28.15% (29/103), the most frequent parasite being Dipylidium caninum 16.50% (17/103), followed by Taenia spp. 6.79% (7/103), Taenia hydatigena 2.91% (3/103), Taenia serialis 0.97% (1/103), Taenia pisiformis (0.97%), Toxocara canis 3.88% (4/103), Toxascaris leonina 1.94% (2/103), and Cystoisospora spp. 1.94% (2/103). No significant statistical associations were found between parasitic infections and the studied variables (sex, age, and size) however; there was a significant statistical association with the capture area. Most of the parasites found in this survey have potential to affect the human population and animal production.

Prevalence and risks factors associated with ESBL-producing faecal carriage in a single long-term-care facility in Spain: emergence of CTX-M-24- and CTX-M-27-producing Escherichia coli ST131-H30R.

OBJECTIVES: To address the faecal carriage prevalence of antibiotic-multiresistant bacteria and associated risk factors in a public long-term care facility (LTCF). METHODS: A prospective study in a single government-funded LTCF of 300 residents in Ciudad Real, Spain. Residents' clinical and demographic data were collected, as well as recent antibiotic consumption in the institution. Each participant contributed a rectal swab, which was plated on selective and differential-selective media. Colonies were identified by MALDI-TOF and ESBL production was confirmed by the double-disc synergy method, with characterization of the molecular mechanism by PCR. Isolates were typed by PFGE and submitted for ST131 screening by PCR. RESULTS: Faecal carriage of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales was detected in 58 (31%) of 187 participants and previous infection by MDR bacteria was identified as a risk factor. The genes characterized were: blaCTX-M-15 (40.6%); blaCTX-M-14 (28.8%); blaCTX-M-27 (13.5%); and blaCTX-M-24 (10.1%). Some 56.4% of the isolates were grouped into the E. coli ST131 clone; 70.9% of these corresponded to the O25b serotype, 51.6% of them to Clade C1 (H30) and 12.9% to Clade C2 (H30Rx). Clade C1 isolates were mostly C1-M27, whereas the C2 sublineage was mainly related to the production of CTX-M-15. ST131-CTX-M-24 isolates (n = 6) corresponded to Clade A with serotype O16. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacterales faecal carriage has been detected in a single LTCF, highlighting the emergence of ST131 Clade A-M24 and Clade C1-M27 lineages.

Short- and Long-Term Epoxy Modification of Bitumen: Modification Kinetics, Rheological Properties, and Microstructure.

Aiming to gain knowledge in the epoxy-bitumen modification mechanisms, this work explores the effects that epoxy concentration and ambient curing exert on the physico-chemistry and thermo-rheological properties of epoxy-modified binders. Process rheokinetics of epoxy-bitumen blends indicates that binder short-term modification (i.e., during processing) is accelerated by epoxy concentration. Furthermore, a synergistic effect of epoxy concentration and ambient curing is found during long-term modification (i.e., during curing at ambient conditions). As a result, viscous and viscoelastic rheological properties of binders are enhanced at medium/high in-service temperatures, at least, after one month of curing. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy) tests and SARAs (Saturates, Aromatics, Resins and Asphaltenes) analysis confirm the existence of esterification/etherification reactions between epoxy oxirane groups and the carbonyl groups available in aromatic and resin molecules. Thus, the new high molecular weight compounds increase the asphaltenic fraction of modified bitumen. Likewise, nonreversing heat flow curves obtained by modulated calorimetry corroborate the formation of such highly structured domains responsible for the final binder performance.

Hybrid Rubberised Bitumen from Reactive and Non-Reactive Ethylene Copolymers.

Hybrid modification is a relatively new concept of incorporating two or more polymeric modifiers of different nature to a bitumen, in order to take advantage of their complementary features. Aiming to this, in this paper, the so-called Hybrid Systems (HSs) were prepared by the addition of an ethylene-based copolymer (reactive or non-reactive) to a model rubberised binder (Crumb Tyre Rubber Modified Bitumen). The resulting binders (referred to as reactive and non-reactivate HSs, depending on copolymer used) were evaluated by means of thermorheological analysis, technological characterisation, fluorescence microscopy and modulated differential scanning calorimetry. From the experimental results, it may be deduced a positive synergistic effect of non-dissolved Crumb Tyre Rubber (CTR) particles and a second polymeric phase that not only improves the in-service performance but also the high-temperature storage stability. This enhancement is attributed to the development of a multiphasic system composed of non-dissolved CTR particles, a polymer-rich phase and an asphaltene-rich phase. In the case of non-reactive HSs, droplets of swollen ethylene copolymer form a well-defined dispersed phase. By contrast, reactive HSs display a different morphology, almost invisible by optical microscopy, related to the development of a chemical network that yields, by far, the highest degree of modification.

Pancreatic non-functioning neuroendocrine tumor: a new entity genetically related to Lynch syndrome.

Some pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (P-NETs) are associated with hereditary syndromes. An association between Lynch syndrome (LS) and P-NETs has been suggested, however it has not been confirmed to date. We describe the first case associating LS and P-NETs. Here we report a 65-year-old woman who in the past 20 years presented two colorectal carcinomas (CRC) endometrial carcinoma (EC), infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma, small intestine adenocarcinoma, two non-functioning P-NETs and sebomatricoma. With the exception of one P-NET, all these conditions were associated with LS, as confirmed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). LS is caused by a mutation of a mismatch repair (MMR) gene which leads to a loss of expression of its protein. CRC is the most common tumor, followed by EC. Pancreatic tumors have also been associated with LS. Diagnosis of LS is based on clinical criteria (Amsterdam II and Bethesda) and genetic study (MMR gene mutation). The association between LS and our patient's tumors was confirmed by IHC (loss of expression of proteins MLH1 and its dimer PMS2) and the detection of microsatellite instability (MSI) using PCR.

Tratamiento definitivo de las lesiones premalignas de la mama sin cirugía: la escisión percutánea Intact R-BLES / Definitive treatment of premalignant breast lesions without surgery: the Intact R-Breast Lesion Excision System (BLES)

Objetivo. El hallazgo en una biopsia de mama de lesiones proliferativas atípicas, implica la necesidad de cirugía y extirpación de dicha lesión. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la tasa de escisiones completas mediante el uso del dispositivo IntactR-BLES de lesiones categorizadas B3 en biopsia asistida por vacío (BAV). Pacientes y métodos. Realizamos un estudio descriptivo observacional de la utilidad de este sistema que consigue, con anestesia local y ambulatoriamente, la obtención percutánea de una muestra de tejido de 20 × 20 mm, permitiendo la valoración de los márgenes de resección, llevado a cabo entre febrero de 2012 y septiembre de 2014. Resultados. Se analizaron 25 procedimientos. La biopsia inicial demostraba principalmente la presencia de atipia epitelial plana (56%) e hiperplasia ductal atípica (32%). El tamaño medio de la pieza extirpada fue de 20 × 10 × 8 mm, en un espécimen único, permitiendo la valoración de márgenes en todas ellas (100%). En el estudio anatomopatológico definitivo no se encontró lesión residual en el 68% de los casos, así como 2 casos (8%) de carcinoma intraductal (CDIS), infradiagnosticados con la biopsia inicial. El estudio de márgenes demostró estar libres en el 85% de los casos. No ha habido ningún efecto adverso importante, solo un caso de hematoma y un caso de dolor superior al normal. Conclusiones. El sistema de escisión percutánea (Intact®-BLES) permite mediante un procedimiento con anestesia local, de forma ambulatoria y sin complicaciones importantes evitar la cirugía en un 88% de los casos de lesiones premalignas en la biopsia inicial. Así mismo, permite demostrar la presencia de CDIS en un 8% de los casos (infradiagnosticados) (AU)

Objective. The finding of an atypical proliferative lesion in a breast biopsy implies the need for surgical removal of the lesion. The aim of this study was to determine the complete excision rate with the IntactR-BLES device of B3 lesions diagnosed in vacuum-assisted biopsy. Patients and methods. A descriptive study was carried out to appraise the usefulness of this system, which obtains a percutaneous 20×20 mm tissue sample under local anaesthesia and on an outpatient basis, allowing assessment of the resection margins performed between February 2012 and September 2014. Results. We analysed 25 procedures. The initial biopsy showed mostly the presence of flat epithelial atypia (56%) and atypical ductal hyperplasia (32%). The mean size of the resected specimen was 20×10×8 mm, in a single specimen, allowing assessment of margins in all of them (100%). The definitive pathological analysis reported no residual lesion in 68% of the patients and intraductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in 2 patients (8%), which had been underdiagnosed with the initial biopsy. Study of margins also demonstrated free margins in 85% of the patients. There were no major adverse effects, and only 1 case of haematoma and 1 case of higher-than-normal pain. Conclusions. The percutaneous excision system (Intact®-BLES) can be performed under local anaesthesia on an outpatient basis without major complications, thus avoiding surgery in 88% of cases of premalignant lesions in the initial biopsy. In addition, this procedure revealed the presence of DCIS in 8% of the patients (underdiagnosed) (AU)

Prevalence of Taenia saginata Larvae (Cysticercus bovis) in Feedlot Cattle Slaughtered in a Federal Inspection Type Abattoir in Northwest México.

The prevalence of bovine cysticercosis was established using routine postmortem inspection of 52,322 feedlot cattle slaughtered at 1 Federal Inspection Type abattoir (TIF 301) located in the Mexicali Valley in Baja California, México. The study included 31,393 animals (60.0%) purchased and transported to Baja California from stocker operations located in 17 states of México and 20,929 animals (40.0%) native to Baja California. A total of 208 carcasses showed lesions suggestive of cysticercosis, and 109 were confirmed as positive for the parasite with a prevalence of 0.21%, equivalent to 2.1 cases/1000 carcasses inspected, 2.8 cases/1000 carcasses for cattle purchased in other states, and 1.0 cases/1000 carcasses for cattle native from Baja California. The sensitivity of the postmortem inspection, when compared to a gold standard of stereoscopic microscopy, was 52.4%. The prevalence of cysticercosis was 2.8 times higher in cattle from other states compared with those native to Baja California. Cysticerci were most frequently found in the heart, followed by liver and masseter muscles. In cattle from other states, 96.6% of cysticerci were classified as calcified and <4% as viable; in cattle native to Baja California, 29% of cysticerci were classified as calcified and 71% as viable. The prevalence of bovine cysticercosis established at TIF 301 was found to be 28% lower than a previous report for Baja California. However, given the sensitivity of the postmortem inspection calculated between 10% and 50%, it is possible that an undetermined number of carcasses pass as being free of cysticerci and that the meat reached both domestic and international wholesale markets, increasing the possibility of human infection and causing substantial economic loss through condemnation of infected meat and trade restrictions for endemic regions.

Liposarcoma mixoide de mama. A propósito de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Myxoid liposarcoma of the breast. A case report and review of the literature

Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 40 años, sin antecedentes de interés, que consulta por palpación de nódulo mamario. La mamografía muestra una lesión nodular, bien delimitada, heterogénea, de 34mm, en el cuadrante superoexterno/prolongación axilar derecha. Se estudia mediante biopsia guiada por ecografía, con resultado de tumor mesenquimal con estroma mixoide, patrón vascular plexiforme y ocasionales células compatibles con lipoblastos. Con este diagnóstico se procede a la exéresis total de la lesión, que a la sección macroscópica muestra nódulo de bordes expansivos, de aspecto gelatinoso y características microscópicas de liposarcoma mixoide. Se presenta el caso y se revisa la literatura médica(AU)

A 40 year old woman presented with a palpable swelling in her right breast. She had no relevant past medical history. Mammography revealed a 34mm, well-defined heterogeneous nodular mass in the axillary tail of the upper external quadrant of the right breast. An ultrasound guided biopsy was performed, in which a mesenchymal tumour was found, with myxoid stroma, a plexiform capillary pattern and scattered cells that resembled lipoblasts. Subsequently, the tumour was excised. Macroscopy showed regular margins on the cut surface and a myxoid lesion. Microscopically the lesion was diagnosed as myxoid liposarcoma. The clinico-pathological features of the case are described and the pertinent literature discussed(AU)