NCI SEER-Linked Virtual Tissue Repository Pilot.

BACKGROUND: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program with the National Cancer Institute tested whether population-based cancer registries can serve as honest brokers to acquire tissue and data in the SEER-Linked Virtual Tissue Repository (VTR) Pilot. METHODS: We collected formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue and clinical data from patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and breast cancer (BC) for two studies comparing cancer cases with highly unusual survival (≥5 years for PDAC and ≤30 months for BC) to pair-matched controls with usual survival (≤2 years for PDAC and ≥5 years for BC). Success was defined as the ability for registries to acquire tissue and data on cancer cases with highly unusual outcomes. RESULTS: Of 98 PDAC and 103 BC matched cases eligible for tissue collection, sources of attrition for tissue collection were tissue being unavailable, control paired with failed case, second control that was not requested, tumor necrosis ≥20%, and low tumor cellularity. In total, tissue meeting the study criteria was obtained for 70 (71%) PDAC and 74 (72%) BC matched cases. For patients with tissue received, clinical data completeness ranged from 59% for CA-19-9 after treatment to >95% for margin status, whether radiation therapy and chemotherapy were administered, and comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: The VTR Pilot demonstrated the feasibility of using SEER cancer registries as honest brokers to provide tissue and clinical data for secondary use in research. Studies using this program should oversample by 45% to 50% to obtain sufficient sample size and targeted population representation and involve subspecialty matter expert pathologists for tissue selection.

Perceptions of Preventable Cancer Burden Among US-Based Firefighters: A Mixed Methods Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: Characterize experiences with cancer and perceptions of the preventable cancer burden attributable to diet among firefighters. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to assess cancer history and perceptions of cancer. SETTING: US. PARTICIPANTS: US-based firefighters. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): History of cancer, perceptions of cancer, and perceptions of diet as a means to prevent cancer. ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics and use of the Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy v1 (BCTTv1) to evaluate qualitative responses. RESULTS: A total of 471 firefighters participated. Nearly half (48.4%) voiced they strongly agreed that they were at risk for cancer, whereas 44.6% agreed that changing diet could decrease cancer risk. The most common BCTTv1 codes focused on types of education, including "Instruction on how to perform the behavior" (45.1%, n = 189), followed by those centered on behavior execution (eg, "Action planning" [24.8%, n = 104]). Qualitatively, many were concerned about misinformation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Firefighters acknowledge the role of diet in cancer risk and have a desire for knowledge and behavioral support (eg, goal setting) that includes an emphasis on evidence and tackling misinformation. This information should serve as the basis of future interventions that target diet.

NKX2-2 based nuclei sorting on frozen human archival pancreas enables the enrichment of islet endocrine populations for single-nucleus RNA sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Current approaches to profile the single-cell transcriptomics of human pancreatic endocrine cells almost exclusively rely on freshly isolated islets. However, human islets are limited in availability. Furthermore, the extensive processing steps during islet isolation and subsequent single cell dissolution might alter gene expressions. In this work, we report the development of a single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) approach with targeted islet cell enrichment for endocrine-population focused transcriptomic profiling using frozen archival pancreatic tissues without islet isolation. RESULTS: We cross-compared five nuclei isolation protocols and selected the citric acid method as the best strategy to isolate nuclei with high RNA integrity and low cytoplasmic contamination from frozen archival human pancreata. We innovated fluorescence-activated nuclei sorting based on the positive signal of NKX2-2 antibody to enrich nuclei of the endocrine population from the entire nuclei pool of the pancreas. Our sample preparation procedure generated high-quality single-nucleus gene-expression libraries while preserving the endocrine population diversity. In comparison with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) library generated with live cells from freshly isolated human islets, the snRNA-seq library displayed comparable endocrine cellular composition and cell type signature gene expression. However, between these two types of libraries, differential enrichments of transcripts belonging to different functional classes could be observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our work fills a technological gap and helps to unleash frozen archival pancreatic tissues for molecular profiling targeting the endocrine population. This study opens doors to retrospective mappings of endocrine cell dynamics in pancreatic tissues of complex histopathology. We expect that our protocol is applicable to enrich nuclei for transcriptomics studies from various populations in different types of frozen archival tissues.

Caso Clínico: Tiroides Lingual Ectópica en Paciente Adulta Hipotiroidea. Diagnóstico Casual por Tomografía Computarizada. / Clinical Case: Ectopic Lingual Thyroid in Adult Hypothyroid Patient. Casual Diagnosis by Computed Tomography.

Introducción: Los casos de tiroides ectópica localizados en la base de la lengua son anormalidades congénitas raras y difíciles de diagnosticar. Razón de presentación del caso. Caso Clínico: El caso corresponde a una mujer de 41 años con tiroides en base de la lengua diagnosticada incidentalmente con tomografía computarizada (TC), con antecedentes de hipotiroidismo y cáncer de mama derecha. Al examen físico de cuello no se palpa glándula tiroidea ni se observa masa o protuberancia en cavidad bucal. Por control del cáncer de mama, se solicita tomografía por emisión de positrones (PET) y ecografía de cuello, reportándose captación del radiofármaco en la región cervical anterior y superior de cuello, y ausencia de tejido glandular tiroideo a nivel habitual, respectivamente. Por cuanto, se realiza TC simple y contrastada observándose a nivel de la raíz de la lengua una imagen nodular hipercaptante que mide 23x20x20 mm, bien definida, contornos regulares, no infiltra tejidos adyacentes, impronta luz de la orofaringe, sin individualizar la glándula tiroides a nivel habitual, corroborando así el diagnóstico de tiroides ectópica lingual. Conclusión: El diagnóstico de tiroides ectópica en paciente adulto hipotiroideo es raro, por lo que debe considerarse la realización de TC si al examen físico y ecográfico no es palpable ni observable

Introduction: Cases of ectopic thyroid located at the base of the tongue are rare and difficult to diagnose congenital abnormalities. Reason for presenting the case. Clinical case: The case corresponds to a 41-year-old woman with thyroid based on the tongue diagnosed incidentally with computed tomography (CT), with a history of hypothyroidism and right breast cancer. On the physical examination of the neck, the thyroid gland is not palpated, and no mass or bump is observed in the oral cavity. For breast cancer control, positron emission tomography (PET) and neck ultrasound are requested, radiopharmaceutical uptake is reported in the anterior and upper cervical neck region, and absence of thyroid glandular tissue at the usual level, respectively. As a simple and contrasted CT scan, a hypercapting nodular image measuring 23x20x20 mm, well defined, regular contours is observed at the root of the tongue, does not infiltrate adjacent tissues, oropharynx light imprint, without individualizing the thyroid gland to usual level, thus corroborating the diagnosis of lingual ectopic thyroid. Conclusion: The diagnosis of ectopic thyroid in an adult hypothyroid patient is rare, so CT should be considered if the physical and ultrasound examination is not palpable or observable.

Chaotic printing: using chaos to fabricate densely packed micro- and nanostructures at high resolution and speed.

Nature generates densely packed micro- and nanostructures to enable key functionalities in cells, tissues, and other materials. Current fabrication techniques, due to limitations in resolution and speed, are far less effective at creating microstructures. Yet, the development of extensive amounts of surface area per unit volume will enable applications and manufacturing strategies not possible today. Here, we introduce chaotic printing-the use of chaotic flows for the rapid generation of complex, high-resolution microstructures. A simple and deterministic chaotic flow is induced in a viscous liquid, and its repeated stretching and folding action deforms an "ink" (i.e., a drop of a miscible liquid, fluorescent beads, or cells) at an exponential rate to render a densely packed lamellar microstructure that is then preserved by curing or photocrosslinking. This exponentially fast creation of fine microstructures exceeds the limits of resolution and speed of the currently available 3D printing techniques. Moreover, we show that the architecture of the microstructure to be created with chaotic printing can be predicted by mathematical modelling. We envision diverse applications for this technology, including the development of densely packed catalytic surfaces and highly complex multi-lamellar and multi-component tissue-like structures for biomedical and electronics applications.

Uso del balón cervical vs. prostaglandinas endocervicales para la inducción del parto en embarazo a término: revisión breve de literatura / Use of the cervical balloon vs. endocervical prostaglandins for the induction of labor in term pregnancy: literature brief review / Usando a bola cervical vs prostaglandinas endocervicais para indução do parto em gestação a termo: breve revisão da literatura

ResumenLas prácticas del cuidado del embarazo y el parto varían ampliamente entre los países, las instituciones y los diferentes equipos encargados del cuidado obstétrico: en este contexto con prácticas tan diversas, la práctica clínica basada en la evidencia permite que el accionar de los profesionales encargados del cuidado obstétrico se fundamente en la mejor evidencia disponible. El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar la mejor evidencia científica disponible sobre los efectos adversos del uso del balón cervical durante y posterior a la labor de parto, en comparación con el uso de prostaglandinas endocervicales para la inducción del parto en mujeres con embarazo a término. La secuencia de etapas para la recolección de la información se inició con la aplicación del mapa de búsqueda en las bases de datos MEDLINE, PUBMED y COCHRANE LIBRARY, a partir de los siguientes criterios de filtro de información: artículos publicados entre los años 2010 al 2015, mujeres gestantes de cualquier edad, únicamente se incluyó estudios como ensayos aleatorizados controlados, revisiones sistemáticas, meta-análisis o guías de práctica clínica y de preferencia artículos científicos en idioma inglés o portugués. Esta búsqueda y análisis de la evidencia encontrada se realizó durante los meses de abril y mayo del año 2015 por dos revisores. Los resultados obtenidos para el análisis crítico fueron revisados minuciosamente a través de la plataforma informática FCL 2.0 con las plantillas de ensayo clínico y revisión sistemática incluidas en los anexos. Se concluye que la utilización del balón endocervical comparado con el uso de prostaglandinas endocervicales presenta menos efectos adversos de manera específica durante la labor del parto. En relación con los efectos adversos posteriores, no se encuentra mayor diferencia entre uno u otro método.

AbstractPregnancy and childbirth care practices vary widely across countries, institutions, and different obstetrical care teams: in this context with such diverse practices, evidence-based clinical practice allows the Obstetric care is based on the best available evidence. The objective of the present study is to analyze the best available scientific evidence on the adverse effects of cervical balloon use during and after labor, compared to the use of endocervical prostaglandins for induction of labor in women with term pregnancy. The sequence of steps for the collection of information was initiated with the application of the search map in the databases MEDLINE, PUBMED and COCHRANE LIBRARY, based on the following information filter criteria: articles published between the years 2010 to 2015, Pregnant women of any age, only included studies such as randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyzes or guidelines of clinical practice and preferably scientific papers in English or Portuguese. This search and analysis of the evidence found was carried out during the months of April and May of the year 2015 by two reviewers. The results obtained for the critical analysis were carefully reviewed through the FCL 2.0 computer platform with the clinical trial templates and systematic review included in the annexes. It is concluded that the use of the endocervical balloon compared to the use of endocervical prostaglandins presents less adverse effects specifically during labor. In relation to the subsequent adverse effects, no greater difference is found between one or the other method.

ResumoPráticas de cuidados a gravidez eo parto variam amplamente entre os países, instituições e diferentes equipas de cuidados obstétricos; neste contexto como práticas diversas, a prática clínica baseada em evidências permite que as ações dos profissionais responsáveis pela assistência obstétrica é baseada na melhor evidência disponível. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a melhor evidência científica disponível sobre os efeitos adversos durante e após o parto com o uso de bola cervical em comparação com o uso de prostaglandina endocervical para indução do parto em mulheres com gravidez a termo. A sequência dos passos para a recolha de dados começa com a busca do mapa aplicação em Medline, PubMed e os dados Cochrane Library, onde os seguintes critérios de filtro de informação artigos introduzidos foram seleccionados publicação período entre 2010 e 2015, a população foi delimitada a mulheres grávidas de qualquer idade, digite apenas ensaios estudos clínicos randomizados, revisões sistemáticas, meta-análises ou diretrizes de prática clínica e artigos científicos de preferência em Inglês ou Português foram incluídos. Esta pesquisa e análise da evidência encontrada foi realizado durante os meses de Abril e Maio de 2015, dois colaboradores. Os resultados obtidos para a análise crítica foram cuidadosamente controlados através da plataforma FCL computador 2,0 modelos ensaio clínico e revisão sistemática estão incluídos nos anexos. Concluiu-se que o uso de bola endocervical em comparação com a utilização de prostaglandinas endocervicais tem menos efeitos adversos especificamente durante o trabalho de parto. Em ligação com os efeitos adversos subsequentes não é maior diferença entre qualquer um dos métodos.

Insulinorresistencia / Insulin resistance

La resistencia insulínica o insulinorresistencia (IR) es una disminución en la función biológica de esta hormona caracterizada por un alto nivel de la insulina plasmática que es requerido para mantener la homeostasis metabólica.Se ha estimado que aproximadamente un 25% de individuos tienen IR. Su estudio ha cobrado gran importancia en los últimos años en el ámbito médico, pues se ha demostrado que la IR conduce al desarrollo de un “síndrome de insulinorresistencia” (SIR), que comprende un conjunto de alteraciones metabólicas (hiperinsulinismo, obesidad visceral, hipertensión arterial sistólica y diastólica y dislipidemia). Todas estas alteraciones son factores de riesgo conocidos de enfermedad cardiovascular, siendo ésta una de las principales causas de morbilidad y mortalidad a nivel mundial. Fue Reaven quien en 1988 sugirió que la diabetes mellitus, la hipertensión arterial y la dislipemia eran factores que tendían a ocurrir en un mismo individuo en la forma de un síndrome, al que denominó “X”, en el que la IR constituía el mecanismo fisiopatológico básico.El incremento en la incidencia de enfermedades como la diabetes tipo 2, enfermedad cardiovascular y obesidad, es producido en muchos casos, por el aumento en la prevalencia de IR en la población, lo que podría atribuirse, en parte, a los cambios en el estilo de vida que ha experimentado la sociedad occidental a lo largo de las últimas décadas.

Insulin resistance (IR) is a decrease of the biological function of this hormone characterized by a high level of plasmic insulin which is required for the metabolic homeostasis.It is estimated that approximately 25% of people have IR. Its’ study has acquired great importance in the last years, because it has been demonstrated to lead to an insulin resistance syndrome (IRS), which includes various metabolic disorders: hiperinsulinesm, visceral obesity, systolic and diastolic hypertension, dislipidemia. All these alterations are well known to be risk factors for coronary heart disease, constituting one of the main causes of morbimortality worldwide.It was reaven who suggested in 1988, that diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and dislipidemia are factors which tended to occur in this the same individual as a syndrome, which he demonstrated “X”, where the IR constituted the basic fisiopathological mechanism.The increase in the incidence of diseases such as DM2, cardiovascular disease, and obesity is due mainly, to the increase in the prevalence of IR among the population, which could be attributed to the life style changes experimented by the occidental society during the last decades.

Profilaxis en endocartis infecciosa / Prevention in infectious endocarditis

Considerando que no ha sido posible demostrar la efectividad de la profilaxis antibiótica en la prevención de Endocarditis Infecciosa (EI) en seres humanos y que se ha observado un significativo aumento de esta enfermedad en pacientes sin cardiopatía previa, la relación costo/beneficio se inclina progresivamente a la no-recomendación de su uso universal. La posibilidad de desarrollar EI se relaciona con: 1) ciertos procedimientos médicos que se asocian a una alta tasa de bacteremias transitorias; 2) agresividad del germen; 3)cardiopatía previa (hay enfermedades más susceptibles de ser colonizadas por gérmenes); y 4) factores relacionados con el huésped (condiciones predisponentes o favorecedoras de la expresión de esta enfermedad en corazones previamente sanos; hemodiálisis, inmunodepresión, uso de marcapasos definitivos, drogadicción endovenosa, enfermedades inflamatorias crónicas, SIDA y utilización de mayores técnicas endovenosas invasivas en las unidades de cuidados intensivos). Probablemente su utilización futura se limitará a procedimientos con alto porcentaje de invasión y en poblaciones muy específicas (portador de prótesis valvulares, antecedentes de EI previa y congénitos con secuelas hemodinámicas); sin embargo, mientras se acumulan mayores evidencias, es aconsejable mantener las actuales recomendaciones de la AHA sobre prevención de la enfermedad con el ánimo de unificar criterios de manejo, quedando todas estas indicaciones supeditadas a modificaciones aconsejadas por la realidad de cada medio hospitalario.