Ten challenges to understand and manage the insect-transmitted, xylem-limited bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa.

An unprecedented plant health emergency in olives has been registered over the last decade in Italy, arguably more severe than what occurred repeatedly in grapes in the US in the last 140 years. These emergencies are epidemics caused by a stealthy pathogen, the xylem-limited, insect-transmitted bacterium Xylella fastidiosa. Although these epidemics spurred research that answered many questions about the biology and management of this pathogen, many gaps in knowledge remain. For this review, we set to represent both the US and European perspectives on the most pressing challenges that need to be addressed. These are presented in ten sections, that we hope will stimulate discussion and interdisciplinary research. We reviewed intrinsic problems that arise from the fastidious growth of X. fastidiosa, the lack of specificity for insect transmission, and the economic and social importance of perennial mature woody plant hosts. Epidemiological models and predictions of pathogen establishment and disease expansion, vital for preparedness, are based on very limited data. Most of the current knowledge has been gathered from a few pathosystems, while several hundred remain to be studied, probably including those that will become the center of the next epidemic. Unfortunately, aspects of a particular pathosystem are not always transferable to others. We recommend diversification of research topics of both fundamental and applied nature addressing multiple pathosystems. To increase preparedness through knowledge acquisition is the best strategy to anticipate and manage diseases caused by this pathogen described as 'the most dangerous plant bacteria known worldwide'.

Concordancia entre SPECT portátil y la gammagrafía convencional para detección de ganglio centinela en cáncer de mama / Concordance between freehand SPECT and conventional scintigraphy for sentinel lymph node detection in breast cancer

Introducción: La SPECT portátil puede ser una técnica de imagen útil para la planificación preoperatoria de la biopsia selectiva del ganglio centinela (BSGC) ya que permite la localización del ganglio centinela (GC) mediante imágenes tomográficas en 3D y en tiempo real y determina su profundidad, después de unos minutos de exploración. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la correlación entre el número de GC detectados entre las imágenes de la SPECT portátil y la linfogammagrafía (LG). Materiales y métodos: Cien pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama infiltrante y sin evidencia clínica de afectación ganglionar, se sometieron prospectivamente a una BSGC. El estudio preoperatorio incluyó imágenes de SPECT portátil a los 15 min tras la inyección y de LG a los 25 y 60-90 min (precoz y tardía). Se analizó el acuerdo observado y se realizó un estudio de concordancia entre el número de GC detectados con SPECT portátil y LG. Resultados: El acuerdo observado en la detección de GC entre SPECT portátil y LG precoz fue del 72%; entre SPECT portátil y LG tardía del 85%, y entre la LG precoz y la tardía de un 87%. En el estudio de concordancia se registró una concordancia moderada entre la SPECT portátil y la LG precoz (coeficiente kappa: 0,42); una concordancia moderada-alta entre la SPECT portátil y la LG tardía (coeficiente kappa: 0,60), y una concordancia de moderada-alta entre la LG precoz y la tardía (coeficiente kappa: 0,70), sin diferencias significativas entre ellos (valor p=0,16). Conclusión: La SPECT portátil presentó una concordancia moderada-alta con los estudios de imagen convencional y podría ser una alternativa válida para el estudio prequirúrgico de la BSGC en el cáncer de mama.(AU)

Introduction: Freehand SPECT can be a useful imaging technique for preoperative planning of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) as it allows localization of the sentinel node by 3D and real-time tomographic imaging and determines its depth after a few minutes of scanning. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between the number of detected SNs between freehand SPECT images and lymphoscintigraphy (LS). Materials and methods: One hundred patients with a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer and no clinical evidence of lymph node involvement prospectively underwent SLNB. The preoperative study included freehand SPECT imaging at 15min after injection and LS imaging at 25 and 60–90min after injection (early and late). The observed agreement was analyzed and a concordance study was performed between the number of SNs detected with freehand SPECT and LS. Results: The observed agreement in the detection of SNs between freehand SPECT and early LS was 72%; between freehand SPECT and late LS was 85%; and between early and late LS was 87%. In the concordance study, there was moderate concordance between freehand SPECT and early LS (kappa coefficient: 0.42); moderate-high concordance between freehand SPECT and late LS (kappa coefficient: 0.60); and moderate-high concordance between early and late LS (kappa coefficient: 0.70), with no significant differences between them (p-value=0.16). Conclusion: Freehand SPECT showed a moderate-high concordance with conventional imaging studies and could be a valid alternative for the presurgical study of SLNB in breast cancer.(AU)

Prognostic value of HER2DX in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer: a comprehensive analysis of 757 patients in the Sweden Cancerome Analysis Network-Breast dataset (SCAN-B).

BACKGROUND: The HER2DX risk-score has undergone rigorous validation in prior investigations involving patients with early-stage human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive (HER2+) breast cancer. In this study, we present the outcomes of the HER2DX risk-score within the most recent release of the Sweden Cancerome Analysis Network-Breast (SCAN-B) HER2+ cohort. This updated examination benefits from a larger patient sample, an extended follow-up duration, and detailed treatment information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and RNAseq data from the SCAN-B dataset were retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE81538). Among the 6600 patients, 819 had HER2+ breast cancer, with 757 individuals with research-based HER2DX risk-scores and corresponding survival outcomes. The HER2DX risk-score was evaluated (i) as a continuous variable and (ii) using predefined cut-offs. The primary endpoint for this study was overall survival (OS). The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox models were used to estimate OS and a multistate model with four states was fitted to better characterize patients' follow-up. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 7.5 years (n = 757). The most common systemic therapy was chemotherapy with trastuzumab (82.0%) and most tumors were classified as T1-T2 (97.1%). The HER2DX risk-score as a continuous variable was significantly associated with OS after adjustment for clinical variables and treatment regimen [hazard ratios (HR) per 10-unit increment = 1.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-1.51, P < 0.001] as well as within predefined risk groups (high versus low; HR = 2.57, 95% CI 1.36-4.85, P < 0.001). Patients classified as HER2DX high-risk also had higher risk of (i) breast cancer recurrence and (ii) death without previous recurrence. Within the subgroup of HER2+ T1N0 tumors (n = 297), those classified as high-risk demonstrated inferior OS compared to low-risk tumors (7-year OS 77.8% versus 96.8%, P < 0.001). The HER2DX mRNA ERBB2 score was associated with clinical HER2 status (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with early-stage HER2+ breast cancer, HER2DX risk-score provides prognostic information beyond clinicopathological variables, including treatment regimen with or without trastuzumab.

Circulating tumor DNA for predicting recurrence in patients with operable breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The incorporation of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) into the management of operable breast cancer (BC) has been hampered by the heterogeneous results from different studies. We aimed to assess the prognostic value of ctDNA in patients with operable (non metastatic) BC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of databases (PubMed/Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL) and conference proceedings was conducted to identify studies reporting the association of ctDNA detection with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with stage I-III BC. Log-hazard ratios (HRs) were pooled at each timepoint of ctDNA assessment (baseline, after neoadjuvant therapy, and follow-up). ctDNA assays were classified as primary tumor-informed and non tumor-informed. RESULTS: Of the 3174 records identified, 57 studies including 5779 patients were eligible. In univariate analyses, ctDNA detection was associated with worse DFS at baseline [HR 2.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.92-4.63], after neoadjuvant therapy (HR 7.69, 95% CI 4.83-12.24), and during follow-up (HR 14.04, 95% CI 7.55-26.11). Similarly, ctDNA detection at all timepoints was associated with worse OS (at baseline: HR 2.76, 95% CI 1.60-4.77; after neoadjuvant therapy: HR 2.72, 95% CI 1.44-5.14; and during follow-up: HR 9.19, 95% CI 3.26-25.90). Similar DFS and OS results were observed in multivariate analyses. Pooled HRs were numerically higher when ctDNA was detected at the end of neoadjuvant therapy or during follow-up and for primary tumor-informed assays. ctDNA detection sensitivity and specificity for BC recurrence ranged from 0.31 to 1.0 and 0.7 to 1.0, respectively. The mean lead time from ctDNA detection to overt recurrence was 10.81 months (range 0-58.9 months). CONCLUSIONS: ctDNA detection was associated with worse DFS and OS in patients with operable BC, particularly when detected after treatment and using primary tumor-informed assays. ctDNA detection has a high specificity for anticipating BC relapse.

Event-free survival by residual cancer burden with pembrolizumab in early-stage TNBC: exploratory analysis from KEYNOTE-522.

BACKGROUND: KEYNOTE-522 demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pathological complete response (pCR) with neoadjuvant pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy and event-free survival (EFS) with neoadjuvant pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy followed by adjuvant pembrolizumab in patients with high-risk, early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Prior studies have shown the prognostic value of the residual cancer burden (RCB) index to quantify the extent of residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In this preplanned exploratory analysis, we assessed RCB distribution and EFS within RCB categories by treatment group. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 1174 patients with stage T1c/N1-2 or T2-4/N0-2 TNBC were randomized 2 : 1 to pembrolizumab 200 mg or placebo every 3 weeks given with four cycles of paclitaxel + carboplatin, followed by four cycles of doxorubicin or epirubicin + cyclophosphamide. After surgery, patients received pembrolizumab or placebo for nine cycles or until recurrence or unacceptable toxicity. Primary endpoints are pCR and EFS. RCB is a prespecified exploratory endpoint. The association between EFS and RCB was assessed using a Cox regression model. RESULTS: Pembrolizumab shifted patients into lower RCB categories across the entire spectrum compared with placebo. There were more patients in the pembrolizumab group with RCB-0 (pCR), and fewer patients in the pembrolizumab group with RCB-1, RCB-2, and RCB-3. The corresponding hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for EFS were 0.70 (0.38-1.31), 0.92 (0.39-2.20), 0.52 (0.32-0.82), and 1.24 (0.69-2.23). The most common first EFS events were distant recurrences, with fewer in the pembrolizumab group across all RCB categories. Among patients with RCB-0/1, more than half [21/38 (55.3%)] of all events were central nervous system recurrences, with 13/22 (59.1%) in the pembrolizumab group and 8/16 (50.0%) in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of pembrolizumab to chemotherapy resulted in fewer EFS events in the RCB-0, RCB-1, and RCB-2 categories, with the greatest benefit in RCB-2. These findings demonstrate that pembrolizumab not only increased pCR rates, but also improved EFS among most patients who do not have a pCR.

Concordance between freehand SPECT and conventional scintigraphy for sentinel lymph node detection in breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Freehand SPECT can be a useful imaging technique for preoperative planning of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) as it allows localization of the sentinel node by 3D and real-time tomographic imaging and determines its depth after a few minutes of scanning. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between the number of detected SNs between freehand SPECT images and lymphoscintigraphy (LS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 patients with a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer and no clinical evidence of lymph node involvement prospectively underwent SLNB. The preoperative study included freehand SPECT imaging at 15min after injection and LS imaging at 25 and 60-90min after injection (early and late). The observed agreement was analyzed and a concordance study was performed between the number of SNs detected with freehand SPECT and LS. RESULTS: The observed agreement in the detection of SNs between freehand SPECT and early LS was 72%; between freehand SPECT and late LS was 85%; and between early and late LS was 87%. In the concordance study, there was moderate concordance between freehand SPECT and early LS (kappa coefficient: 0.42); moderate-high concordance between freehand SPECT and late LS (kappa coefficient: 0.60); and moderate-high concordance between early and late LS (kappa coefficient: 0.70), with no significant differences between them (p-value=0.16). CONCLUSION: Freehand SPECT showed a moderate-high concordance with conventional imaging studies and could be a valid alternative for the presurgical study of SLNB in breast cancer.

Early prediction of endocrine responsiveness in ER+/HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (MBC): Pilot study with 18F-Fluoroestradiol (18F-FES) CT/PET.

BACKGROUND: 18F-FES PET/CT is considered an accurate diagnostic tool to determine whole-body endocrine responsiveness. In the ET-FES trial, we evaluated 18F-FES PET/CT as a predictive tool in ER+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (MBC). METHODS: Eligible patients underwent a 18F-FES PET/CT at baseline. Patients with SUV≥2 received single agent ET until PD; patients with SUV<2 were randomized to single agent ET (Arm A) or chemotherapy (CT) (Arm B). Primary objective was to compare the activity of first line ET versus CT in patients with 18F-FES SUV <2. RESULTS: Overall, 147 patients were enrolled; 117 presented with 18F-FES SUV≥2 and received ET; 30 pts with SUV<2 were randomized to ET or CT. After a median follow up of 62.4 months, 104 patients (73.2%) had disease progression and 53 died (37.3%). Median PFS was 12.4 months (95%CI 3.1-59.6) in patients with SUV <2 randomised to Arm A versus 23.0 months (95%CI 7.7-30.0) in Arm B, (HR = 0.71, 95%CI 0.3 - 1.7); median PFS was 18.0 months (95%CI 11.2-23.1) in patients with SUV≥2 treated with ET. Median OS was 28.2 months (95%CI 14.2-NE) in patients with SUV <2 randomized to ET (Arm A) versus 52.8 months (95%CI 16.2-NE) in Arm B (CT). Median OS was not reached in patients with SUV≥2. 60-month OS rate was 41.6% (95%CI 10.4-71.1%) in Arm A, 42.0% (95%CI 14.0-68.2%) in Arm B and 59.6% (95%CI 48.6-69.0%) in patients with SUV≥2. In patients with SUV≥2, 60-months OS rate was 72.6% if treated with aromatase inhibitors versus 40.6% in case of fulvestrant or tamoxifen (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The ET-FES trial demonstrated that ER+/HER2- MBC patients are a heterogeneous population, with different levels of endocrine responsiveness based on 18F-FES CT/PET SUV.

Biodesulfurization of landfill biogas by a pilot-scale bioscrubber: Operational limits and microbial analysis.

Biogas serves as a crucial renewable energy vector to ensure a more sustainable energy future. However, the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) limits its application in various sectors, emphasizing the importance of effective H2S removal techniques for maximizing its potential. In the present study, the limits of a pilot-scale bioscrubber for biogas desulfurization was study in a real scenario. An increase in the superficial liquid velocity resulted in significant improvements in the H2S removal efficiency, increasing from 76 ± 8% (elimination capacity of 6.2 ± 0.5 gS-H2S m-3 h-1) to 97.7 ± 0.5% (elimination capacity of 8 ± 1 gS-H2S m-3 h-1) as the superficial liquid velocity increased from 50 ± 3 m h-1 to 200 ± 8 m h-1. A USL of 161.4 ± 0.5 m h-1 was able to achieve outlet H2S concentrations as low as 3 ± 1 ppmv (H2S removal efficiency of 97 ± 1%) for 7 days. High superficial liquid velocity favoured the aerobic H2S oxidation reducing the nitrate demand. The maximum EC reached throughout the operation was 50.8 ± 0.6 gS-H2S m-3 h-1 (H2S removal efficiency of 96 ± 1%) and a sulfur production of 60%. Studies in batch flocculation experiments showed sulfur removal rates up to 97.6 ± 0.9% with a cationic flocculant dose of 75 mg L-1. Microbial analysis revealed that the predominant genus with sulfo-oxidant capacity during periods of low H2S inlet load was Thioalkalispira-sulfurivermis (61-69%), while in periods of higher H2S inlet load, family Arcobacteraceae was the most prevalent (11%).

Reconstruction Techniques After Partial Nephrectomy: Classic vs. Sutureless Approach-A Narrative Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to update the information about the different types of reconstruction after partial nephrectomy, with special emphasis on the new methods of suture-free hemostasis currently available. RECENT FINDINGS: The aim of renal reconstruction is to avoid bleeding and leakage of the collecting system, but now the renorrhaphy technique used is considered one of the modifiable determinants of renal function after surgery. In an attempt to avoid the loss of renal function implicit in classic reconstruction, new techniques have been described to control hemostasis and urinary leakage, which employ fewer suture layers, different suture materials and designs, and a wide range of commercially available hemostatic materials. Multiple suture characteristics have been studied as a potential factor influencing the renal function observed after partial nephrectomy. Single-plane suture techniques, the use of bearded sutures, and running sutures seem to be associated with less deterioration in postoperative renal function, and deep medullary sutures should be avoided to avoid affecting the arcuate arteries. Sutureless hemostasis systems could prevent the deterioration of renal function and complications derived from suturing, also reducing ischemia time and surgical time without increasing the risk of complications.

Management of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer after trastuzumab deruxtecan failure.

The current treatment of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive advanced breast cancer (ABC) has been greatly impacted in the past decade by the introduction of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), which represent a relatively novel therapeutic class with the peculiar ability to deliver otherwise overtly toxic chemotherapeutics to tumor sites by exploiting the specificities of monoclonal antibodies. Indeed, drug engineering refinements in ADC design, such as through the introduction of cleavable linkers and hydrophobic payloads, resulted in improved patient outcomes in recent years. Two different ADCs, namely trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) and trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), have already entered clinical practice for the treatment of HER2-positive ABC. In this scenario, T-DXd has shown to portend better survival outcomes compared to T-DM1, while leaving a large unsought area of unmet medical need upon T-DXd failure. Treatment decision and benefit of cancer drugs following T-DXd still represent an area of clinical controversy, where a preclinical investigation and clinical development should be prioritized. As the pace of innovation is currently accelerating, and with novel ADC formulations advancing in early-phase clinical trials, the whole BC field is changing at an unprecedented rate, with potential broadenings of therapeutic indications. In this review, we present the clinical landscape of HER2-positive advanced BC and discuss our vision on how to tackle T-DXd resistance, providing a perspective on the priority areas of the cancer research in this setting.

Association of HER2DX with pathological complete response and survival outcomes in HER2-positive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The HER2DX genomic test predicts pathological complete response (pCR) and survival outcome in early-stage HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer. Here, we evaluated the association of HER2DX scores with (i) pCR according to hormone receptor status and various treatment regimens, and (ii) survival outcome according to pCR status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven neoadjuvant cohorts with HER2DX and clinical individual patient data were evaluated (DAPHNe, GOM-HGUGM-2018-05, CALGB-40601, ISPY-2, BiOnHER, NEOHER and PAMELA). All patients were treated with neoadjuvant trastuzumab (n = 765) in combination with pertuzumab (n = 328), lapatinib (n = 187) or without a second anti-HER2 drug (n = 250). Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) outcomes were available in a combined series of 268 patients (i.e. NEOHER and PAMELA) with a pCR (n = 118) and without a pCR (n = 150). Cox models were adjusted to evaluate whether HER2DX can identify patients with low or high risk beyond pCR status. RESULTS: HER2DX pCR score was significantly associated with pCR in all patients [odds ratio (OR) per 10-unit increase = 1.59, 95% confidence interval 1.43-1.77; area under the ROC curve = 0.75], with or without dual HER2 blockade. A statistically significant increase in pCR rate due to dual HER2 blockade over trastuzumab-only was observed in HER2DX pCR-high tumors treated with chemotherapy (OR = 2.36 (1.09-5.42). A statistically significant increase in pCR rate due to multi-agent chemotherapy over a single taxane was observed in HER2DX pCR-medium tumors treated with dual HER2 blockade (OR = 3.11, 1.54-6.49). The pCR rates in HER2DX pCR-low tumors were ≤30.0% regardless of treatment administered. After adjusting by pCR status, patients identified as HER2DX low-risk had better EFS (P < 0.001) and OS (P = 0.006) compared with patients with HER2DX high-risk. CONCLUSIONS: HER2DX pCR score and risk score might help identify ideal candidates to receive neoadjuvant dual HER2 blockade in combination with a single taxane in early-stage HER2+ breast cancer.

ESMO expert consensus statements (ECS) on the definition, diagnosis, and management of HER2-low breast cancer.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer has recently emerged as a targetable subset of breast tumors, based on the evidence from clinical trials of novel anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugates. This evolution has raised several biological and clinical questions, warranting the establishment of consensus to optimally treat patients with HER2-low breast tumors. Between 2022 and 2023, the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) held a virtual consensus-building process focused on HER2-low breast cancer. The consensus included a multidisciplinary panel of 32 leading experts in the management of breast cancer from nine different countries. The aim of the consensus was to develop statements on topics that are not covered in detail in the current ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline. The main topics identified for discussion were (i) biology of HER2-low breast cancer; (ii) pathologic diagnosis of HER2-low breast cancer; (iii) clinical management of HER2-low metastatic breast cancer; and (iv) clinical trial design for HER2-low breast cancer. The expert panel was divided into four working groups to address questions relating to one of the four topics outlined above. A review of the relevant scientific literature was conducted in advance. Consensus statements were developed by the working groups and then presented to the entire panel for further discussion and amendment before voting. This article presents the developed statements, including findings from the expert panel discussions, expert opinion, and a summary of evidence supporting each statement.

Implementación del uso del SPECT portátil para valoración de márgenes quirúrgicos en cáncer de mama con indicación de ROLL. Primeros resultados / Implementation of the use of SPECT-portable for evaluation of surgical margins in breast cancer with indication of ROLL: First results

Objetivo principal: comparar la efectividad para la comprobación de márgenes quirúrgicos entre SPECT portátil y la mamografía de la pieza (RxM). Objetivo secundario: estandarizar un protocolo preintraquirúrgico mediante SPECT portátil y evaluar el tiempo requerido en el uso de esta técnica. Material y métodos Estudio longitudinal prospectivo con 36 pacientes (39 lesiones) diagnosticadas de cáncer de mama con criterios para realización SNOLL/ROLL. Se realiza en estudio prequirúrgico de la lesión tumoral, tras la administración ecoguiada de [99mTc]Tc-nanocoloides de albúmina/[99mTc]Tc-macroagregados de albúmina, en la lesión tumoral. Mediante SPECT portátil se obtienen imágenes híbridas (óptico + SPECT) e imágenes de navegación en 3D con sonda gamma. En quirófano se obtienen 4-5 imágenes con SPECT portátil, I) sobre piel para localización tumoral II) tras exposición de lecho para guía de resección, III) del lecho tras exéresis, IV y V) a la pieza quirúrgica. Se decide ampliación o no de márgenes considerando tres criterios: a) actividad residual (cps) en bordes de resección del lecho; b) análisis visual de la captación en la pieza; c) una distancia mínima de 10mm de los bordes de la pieza hasta el centro de mayor captación, más el radio de la lesión. En este estudio se valora la concordancia de: la medición de la profundidad entre ecografía y SPECT portátil en el estudio prequirúrgico; los márgenes quirúrgicos entre SPECT portátil vs. RxM, teniendo de técnica de referencia anatomía patológica (AP); del tiempo quirúrgico empleado con SPECT portátil (AU)

Objectives Main objective: To compare the effectiveness for checking surgical margins between SPECT-portable and mammography of the piece (RxM). Secondary objective: To standardize a pre-operative protocol using SPECT-portable and to evaluate the time required in the use of this technique. Material and method Prospective longitudinal study with 36 patients (39 lesions) diagnosed with breast cancer (CM) with criteria for SNOLL/ROLL. A pre-surgical study of the tumor lesion was performed, after the eco-guided administration of 99mTc-nanocolloids of albumin/99mTc-macroaggregates of albumin, in the tumor lesion. Hybrid images (optical+SPECT) and 3D navigation images with gamma probe are obtained using freehandSPECT. In the operating room, 4–5 images are obtained with freehandSPECT, (I) on skin for tumor location, (II) after exposure of surgical bed for resection guide, (III) of the surgical bed after exeresis, (IV and V) the anterior–posterior and lateral surface of the surgical specimen. The three criteria to decide to extend the margins are: (a) residual activity (cps) at the edges of the surgical bed resection; (b) visual analysis of the uptake in the specimen; (c) a minimum distance of 10mm from the edges of the specimen to the center of greatest uptake, plus the radius of the lesion. We study the concordance of: the depth measurement between ultrasound and freehandSPECT; the surgical margins between freehandSPECT vs. mammography of the specimen (RxM), considering anatomical pathology (AP) as the gold standard technique as reference; surgical time used with freehandSPECT and RxM. Results Intraoperative localization was performed in all cases. False negative (FN: no detection margin affected) with freehandSPECT: 9 margins; with RxM: 8 (AU)

[Patients with COPD hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Spain: a comparison between the first and second wave]. / Pacientes con EPOC hospitalizados por COVID-19 en España: comparación entre la primera y la segunda ola.

Objective: This work aimed to compare the characteristics, progress, and prognosis of patients with COPD hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Spain in the first wave with those of the second wave. Material and methods: This is an observational study of patients hospitalized in Spain with a diagnosis of COPD included in the SEMI-COVID-19 registry. The medical history, symptoms, analytical and radiological results, treatment, and progress of patients with COPD hospitalized in the first wave (from March to June 2020) versus those hospitalized in the second wave (from July to December 2020) were compared. Factors associated with poor prognosis, defined as all-cause mortality and a composite endpoint that included mortality, high-flow oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, and ICU admission, were analyzed. Results: Of the 21,642 patients in the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry, 6.9% were diagnosed with COPD: 1,128 (6.8%) in WAVE1 and 374 (7.7%) in WAVE2 (p = 0.04). WAVE2 patients presented less dry cough, fever and dyspnea, hypoxemia (43% vs 36%, p < 0.05), and radiological condensation (46% vs 31%, p < 0.05) than WAVE1 patients. Mortality was lower in WAVE2 (35% vs 28.6%, p = 0.01). In the total sample, mortality and the composite outcome of poor prognosis were lower among patients who received inhalation therapy. Conclusions: Patients with COPD admitted to the hospital due to COVID-19 in the second wave had less respiratory failure and less radiological involvement as well as a better prognosis. These patients should receive bronchodilator treatment if there is no contraindication for it.

Pacientes con EPOC hospitalizados por COVID-19 en España: comparación entre la primera y la segunda ola / Patients with COPD hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Spain: a comparison between the first and second wave

Objetivo Comparar las características, evolución y pronóstico de los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) hospitalizados por COVID-19 en España en la primera ola con los de la segunda ola. Material y métodos Estudio observacional de los pacientes hospitalizados en territorio español con diagnóstico de EPOC incluidos en el registro SEMI-COVID-19. Se compararon los antecedentes, la clínica, los resultados analíticos y radiológicos, el tratamiento y la evolución de los pacientes con EPOC hospitalizados en la primera ola (desde marzo hasta junio del 2020 [OLA1]) frente a los que fueron ingresados en la segunda ola (desde julio hasta diciembre del 2020 [OLA2]). Se analizaron los factores de mal pronóstico, definidos como mortalidad por todas las causas y un evento combinado que incluía mortalidad, oxigenoterapia con alto flujo, ventilación mecánica e ingreso en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). Resultado De 21.642 pacientes del registro SEMI-COVID-19, están diagnosticados de EPOC 6,9%, 1.128 (6,8%) en la OLA1 y 374 (7,7%) en la OLA2 (p = 0,04). Los pacientes de la OLA2 presentan menos tos seca, fiebre y disnea, hipoxemia (43 vs. 36%, p < 0,05) y condensación radiológica (46 vs. 31%, p < 0,05) que los de la OLA1. La mortalidad es menor en la OLA2 (35 vs. 28,6%, p = 0,01). En el global de pacientes la mortalidad y la variable combinada de mal pronóstico fue menor entre aquellos que recibieron tratamiento inhalador. Conclusiones Los pacientes con EPOC con ingreso hospitalario por COVID-19 en la segunda ola presentan menos insuficiencia respiratoria y menor afectación radiológica, con mejor pronóstico. Estos deben recibir tratamiento broncodilatador si no hay contraindicación para el mismo (AU)

Objective This work aimed to compare the characteristics, progress, and prognosis of patients with COPD hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Spain in the first wave with those of the second wave. Material and methods This is an observational study of patients hospitalized in Spain with a diagnosis of COPD included in the SEMI-COVID-19 registry. The medical history, symptoms, analytical and radiological results, treatment, and progress of patients with COPD hospitalized in the first wave (from March to June 2020) versus those hospitalized in the second wave (from July to December 2020) were compared. Factors associated with poor prognosis, defined as all-cause mortality and a composite endpoint that included mortality, high-flow oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, and ICU admission, were analyzed. Results Of the 21,642 patients in the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry, 6.9% were diagnosed with COPD: 1,128 (6.8%) in WAVE1 and 374 (7.7%) in WAVE2 (p = 0.04). WAVE2 patients presented less dry cough, fever and dyspnea, hypoxemia (43% vs 36%, p < 0.05), and radiological condensation (46% vs 31%, p < 0.05) than WAVE1 patients. Mortality was lower in WAVE2 (35% vs 28.6%, p = 0.01). In the total sample, mortality and the composite outcome of poor prognosis were lower among patients who received inhalation therapy. Conclusions Patients with COPD admitted to the hospital due to COVID-19 in the second wave had less respiratory failure and less radiological involvement as well as a better prognosis. These patients should receive bronchodilator treatment if there is no contraindication for it (AU)

Patients with COPD hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Spain: a comparison between the first and second wave.

OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to compare the characteristics, progress, and prognosis of patients with COPD hospitalized due to COVID-19 in Spain in the first wave with those of the second wave. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is an observational study of patients hospitalized in Spain with a diagnosis of COPD included in the SEMI-COVID-19 registry. The medical history, symptoms, analytical and radiological results, treatment, and progress of patients with COPD hospitalized in the first wave (from March to June 2020) versus those hospitalized in the second wave (from July to December 2020) were compared. Factors associated with poor prognosis, defined as all-cause mortality and a composite endpoint that included mortality, high-flow oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, and ICU admission, were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 21,642 patients in the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry, 6.9% were diagnosed with COPD: 1128 (6.8%) in WAVE1 and 374 (7.7%) in WAVE2 (p = 0.04). WAVE2 patients presented less dry cough, fever and dyspnea, hypoxemia (43% vs 36%, p < 0.05), and radiological condensation (46% vs 31%, p < 0.05) than WAVE1 patients. Mortality was lower in WAVE2 (35% vs 28.6%, p = 0.01). In the total sample, mortality and the composite outcome of poor prognosis were lower among patients who received inhalation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COPD admitted to the hospital due to COVID-19 in the second wave had less respiratory failure and less radiological involvement as well as a better prognosis. These patients should receive bronchodilator treatment if there is no contraindication for it.

Development of an immune-nutritional prognostic index in patients with muscle-infiltrating bladder cancer candidates for radical cystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Muscle-infiltrating bladder tumor (MIBT) has a recurrence-free survival (RFS) of 50% at 5 years. Although neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) has increased it by 8%, which group of patients benefits the most from this treatment remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the prognostic value of immune-nutritional status in patients with MIBT who are candidates for cystectomy, and to develop a score that allows identifying patients with a worse prognosis (pT3-4 and/or pN0-1). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on 284 patients with MIBT treated with radical cystectomy. Preoperative laboratory tests were analyzed and immune-nutritional indices were calculated. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the PFS. Cox regression was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed a statistically significant relationship with leukocyte/lymphocyte index (p = 0.0001), neutrophil/lymphocyte index (p = 0.02), prognostic nutritional index (p = 0.002), and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, the leukocyte/lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.002) and PNI (p = 0.04) behaved as independent prognostic factors of decreased RFS. Based on these, a prognostic score was developed to classify patients into 3 prognostic groups. Eighty percent of patients with pT3-4 and/or pN0-1 tumors were in the intermediate-poor prognostic groups. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a precystectomy immune-nutritional score in clinical practice would help in the selection of a group of patients with a more unfavorable pathologic stage and worse PFS. We believe that these patients could benefit more from a NACT.

Recent advances in biological technologies for anoxic biogas desulfurization.

Recovery of the energy contained in biogas will be essential in coming years to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our current dependence on fossil fuels. The elimination of H2S is a priority to avoid equipment corrosion, poisoning of catalytic systems and SO2 emissions in combustion engines. This review describes the advances made in this technology using fixed biomass bioreactors (FBB) and suspended growth bioreactors (SGB) since the first studies in this field in 2008. Anoxic desulfurization has been studied mainly in biotrickling filters (BTF). Elimination capacities (EC) up to 287 gS m-3 h-1 have been achieved, with a removal efficiency (RE) of 99%. Both nitrate and nitrite have been successfully used as electron acceptor. SGBs can solve some operational problems present in FBBs, such as clogging or nutrient distribution issues. However, they present greater difficulties in gas-liquid mass transfer, although ECs of up to 194 gS m-3 h-1 have been reported in both gas-lift and stirred tank reactors. One of the major disadvantages of using anoxic biodesulfurization compared to aerobic biodesulfurization is the need to provide reagents (nitrates and/or nitrites), with the consequent increase in operating costs. A solution proposed in this respect is the use of nitrified effluents, some ammonium-rich effluents nitrified include landfill leachate and digested effluent from the anaerobic digester have been tested successfully. Among the microbial diversity found in the bioreactors, the genera Thiobacillus, Sulfurimonas and Sedimenticola play a key role in anoxic removal of H2S. Finally, a summary of future trends in technology is provided.