Looking for Strategies to Re-launch Retail Banking: The Mobile Payment Ecosystem

The mobile payments service includes all theinitiatives that enable payments or money transfer by cellularphone, regardless of the means of payment used (credit-debitprepaidcards, phone bill) and the technology involved (remotepayment via internet, contactless payments at a POS or directremittance by cellphones). The industry of mobile paymentstoday is still in a start-up phase and the nature and extend ofapproaches to these innovations are not uniform around theworld and inside the same countries. The way and the intensity itwill be widespread in the market is going to depend on theecosystems that would be designed and developed. As for thispurpose, the scope of the article is first to highlight the mainvariables enabling or limiting its diffusion in the market. Andsecondly it is to highlight why retail banks should enter themobile ecosystem mainly to regain their key role in the market asthey had in the past

Quality of life of therapies for hormone receptor positive advanced/metastatic breast cancer: Regulatory aspects and clinical impact in Europe

In recent years, the number of trials incorporating health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data has increased. The impact of HRQoL on regulatory decision making in the European context and on clinical practice is not well established. We conducted an analysis of the role of QoL data extracted from the clinical trials of the drugs approved for hormone receptor positive/HER2-negative advanced/metastatic breast cancer (mBC). The results from the HRQoL were collected and a meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of experimental drugs compared to standard treatments. The results showed a non-detrimental effect in HRQoL from the new treatments. As regards the approval process, from an examination of the European Medicine Agency (EMA) documents, HRQoL was reported nonextensively and contained and discussed in the European assessment reports (EPARs) for eleven trials in the approval process and cited in three cases in the EPARs and summary of medicinal product characteristics (SmPC). An effort should be made by all the stakeholders to increase the visibility of the HRQoL results in order to allow increased consideration in the approval process to make QoL data more easily and visibly available for the clinician and the patients. The evaluation should be reflected in the SmPC in order to increase the amount of information provided to the physician

Production of an Anise-and Woodruff-like Aroma by Monokaryotic Strains of Pleurotus sapidus Grown on Citrus Side Streams

The production of natural flavors by means of microorganisms is of great interest for the food and flavor industry, and by-products of the agro-industry are particularly suitable as substrates. In the present study, Citrus side streams were fermented using monokaryotic strains of the fungus Pleurotus sapidus. Some of the cultures exhibited a pleasant smell, reminiscent of woodruff and anise, as well as herbaceous notes. To evaluate the composition of the overall aroma, liquid/liquid extracts of submerged cultures of a selected monokaryon were prepared, and the volatiles were isolated via solvent-assisted flavor evaporation. Aroma extract dilution analyses revealed p-anisaldehyde (sweetish, anisic-and woodruff-like) with a flavor dilution factor of 218 as a character impact compound. The coconut-like, herbaceous, and sweetish smelling acyloin identified as (2S)-hydroxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone also contributed to the overall aroma and was described as an aroma-active substance with an odor threshold in air of 0.2 ng L−1 to 2.4 ng L−1 for the first time. Supplementation of the culture medium with isotopically substituted L-tyrosine elucidated this phenolic amino acid as precursor of p-anisaldehyde as well as of (2S)-hydroxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone. Chiral analysis via HPLC revealed an enantiomeric excess of 97% for the isolated product produced by P. sapidus

Role of Intrinsic Subtype Analysis with PAM50 in Hormone Receptors Positive HER2 Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Endocrine therapy (ET), associated with CDK 4/6 inhibitors, represents the first choice of treatment for HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Primary or secondary endocrine resistance could develop; however validated biomarkers capable of predicting such a conditions are not available. Several studies have shown that HR+/HER2- mBC comprises five intrinsic subtypes. The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the potential correlations between intrinsic subtype, efficacy of treatment, and patient outcome. Five papers that analyzed the intrinsic subtype with PAM50 assay in patients (pts) with HR+/HER2- mBC treated with ET (alone or in combination) within seven phase III clinical trials (EGF30008, BOLERO-2, PALOMA-2,3, MONALEESA-2,3,7) were identified. Non-luminal subtypes are more frequent in endocrine-resistant pts and in metastatic sites (vs. primary tumors), have less benefit from ET, and worse prognosis. Among these, HER2-enriched subtypes are similar to HER2+ tumors and benefit from the addition of anti-HER2 agents (lapatinib) and, for less clear reasons, of ribociclib (unconfirmed data for palbociclib and everolimus). Basal-like subtypes are similar to triple-negative tumors, making them more sensitive to chemotherapy. The intrinsic subtype is also not static but can vary over time with the evolution of the disease. Currently, the intrinsic subtype does not play a decisive role in the choice of treatment in clinical practice, but has potential prognostic and predictive value that should be further investigated

Targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway in Breast Cancer: From Biology to Clinical Challenges

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common women cancer and cause of cancer death. Despite decades of scientific progress in BC treatments, the clinical benefit of new drugs is modest in several cases. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway mutations are frequent in BC (20-40%) and are significant causes of aggressive tumor behavior, as well as treatment resistance. Improving knowledge of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is an urgent need. This review aims to highlight the central role of PI3K-mTORC1/C2 mutations in the different BC subtypes, in terms of clinical outcomes and treatment efficacy. The broad base of knowledge in tumor biology is a key point for personalized BC therapy in the precision medicine era

erbb2 and pi3kca mutations in endocrine resistant breast cancer bc

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Endocrine therapy alone versus targeted combination strategy as first line treatment in elderly patients with hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer: Meta-analysis of phase II and III randomized clinical trial

Background Combined endocrine/targeted approaches have been investigated as first-line treatment in hormone receptors positive metastatic breast cancer (BC). Randomized trials showed that the addiction of CDK (cyclin-dependent kinase) 4/6 inhibitors to endocrine therapy (ET) increase progression free survival (PFS). Elderly patients (aged >65 years) are under represented in most of the trials. Due to the multi-morbidity and the major toxicity associated with the targeted agents, the combination strategy in that subgroup is widely discussed. The present meta-analysis aimed to understand the role of the new endocrine approaches in elderly women. Methods This meta-analysis included first line phase II/III randomized published trials comparing ET to the experimental strategy. Trials with no data about hazard ratios (HR) for PFS in the subgroup of patients aged > 65 years were excluded. The heterogeneity of the data was evaluated by Chi-square Q test and I2 statistic. Prospero registration number: CRD42019120215. Results 8 studies were included: 4 (Paloma1/TRIO-18, Paloma2, Monaleesa2, Monarch3) investigated the role of CDK 4/6 inhibitors, 2 trials (SWOG and FACT) analysed the combination of Fulvestrant plus Aromatase Inhibitors, while other two trials explored the association of ET with Bevacizumab (LEA) and Temsirolimus (HORIZON), respectively. Overall, the meta-analysis showed a PFS advantage for the experimental arms [HR 0.77, p 0.016] with a significant high/moderate heterogeneity [I2 65.46%, p 0.005]. The 4 studies adding CDK4/6 inhibitors to ET showed a significant improvement in PFS compared to ET alone. No significant advantages for the addition of anti-angiogenic agents or Fulvestrant to ET have been found. Conclusions The novel experimental strategies showed an improvement in PFS in elderly patients. Adding CDK4/6 inhibitors to ET significantly prolongs PFS as compared to ET alone, the magnitude of PFS benefit is age-independent. To define the role of novel agents, future trials should be designed taking in account not only the age, but also adequate geriatric assessment and comorbidity status

Primary and secondary prevention to effectively reduce the risk of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients with bone metastases .

Background Bone is one of the most frequent sites of metastasis in patients with advanced cancer. Nearly all patients with myeloma, 65–75% of patients with prostate or breast cancer, and 30–40% of patients with lung cancer or other solid tumors, eventually develop bone metastases. Bisphosphonates (BP), particularly zoledronic acid and denosumab, were demonstrated to effectively reduce skeletal complications in patients with bone metastases. However, bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) can occur spontaneously, favored by dental extraction, dental implant surgery, or denture wearing. The purpose of this study was to underline the role of dental prevention as an effective tool to reduce the risk of BRONJ. Material and methods BRONJ was identified with the standardized query “osteonecrosis” among all data from patients treated at Modena Cancer Center from 2005 to 2016. For each case, demographic and medical information were analyzed, as well as data about notification (year of occurrence, outcome), type and duration of BP exposure, and associated risk factors (dento-alveolar surgery, chemotherapy, antiangiogenics). Data were differently analyzed taking into account the implementation of a Dental Prevention Service in patients who are candidates for BP therapy.Results Among 1663 patients treated with BP, 63 cases of BRONJ were identified (3.8%). 44 female and 19 men with a median age of 69 years (range 47-90 years), have been treated with BP for bone metastases from breast cancer (54%), hematologic malignancy (21%), prostate cancer (13%), renal cancer (5%), lung cancer (2%) and other tumors (5%). 15 maxillae and 48 mandibles were involved. The trigger event was a dental extraction in 29% of the cases, being spontaneously the other 71%. The median time to BRONJ was 28 months (range 1-89.1 months) from the first dose of BP, and 25 was the mean number of BP doses administered before BRONJ. Overall, a preliminary odontoiatric evaluation was performed in only 14 cases (22%). All but one of these dentistry opinions were obtained after 2010 when the Dental Prevention Service was created, which is a drop out of the risk of BRONJ from 4.1 to 1.9%. Conclusions. Prevention of the BRONJ is critical in in bone metastatic patients. The incidence of BRONJ over time can drop to 1.9% when primary and secondary prevention measures are implemented in routine clinical practice

Efectividad del aceite esencial de orégano mexicano de República Dominicana (Lippia graveolens) contra plagas del maíz (Sitophilus zeamais y Fusarium verticillioides)

The insecticidal and antifungal properties of Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens) essential oil from the Dominican Republic were investigated under laboratory conditions against two main pests of stored grains: Sitophilus zeamais and Fusarium verticillioides. Although oregano essential oil at 600 ?l/l air did not result in a significant mortality of S. zeamais after 24 hours of exposure by fumigation, this essential oil was a powerful acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor in vitro. One of the main components of oregano essential oil, p-cymene, presented fumigant toxicity and AChE inhibition activity against the maize weevil. The L. graveolens essential oil antifungal activity against F. verticillioides was evaluated at 50, 100 and 200 ?l/l, and it was found that growth parameters were affected by the presence of oregano essential oil in the media, whereas FB1 production was not inhibited. The results demonstrate that oregano essential oil and p-cymene can be used as alternatives to synthetic pesticides against F. verticillioides and S. zeamais, respectively.Se estudiaron en condiciones de laboratorio las propiedades insecticidas y fungicidas del aceite esencial de orégano mexicano (Lippia graveolens) de República Dominicana contra dos plagas principales de granos almacenados: Sitophilus zeamais y Fusarium verticillioides. Aunque el aceite esencial de orégano a 600 ?l/l de aire no resultó en una mortalidad significativa de S. zeamais después de 24 horas de exposición a la fumigación, fue un potente inhibidor de la acetilcolinesterasa (AChE) in vitro. El p-cimeno, uno de los principales componentes del aceite esencial, presentó actividad fumigante y de inhibición de la AChE contra el gorgojo del maíz. Además se evaluó la actividad antifúngica frente a F. verticillioides a 50, 100 y 200 ?l/l y se encontró que los parámetros de crecimiento del hongo fueron afectados por la presencia del aceite esencial de orégano en el medio, mientras que la producción de fumonisina B1 (FB1) no se inhibió. Los resultados demuestran que el aceite esencial de orégano y el p-cimeno se pueden usar como alternativas a los pesticidas sintéticos contra F. verticillioides y S. zeamais, respectivamente

Prognostic significance of germline BRCA mutations in patients with HER2-POSITIVE breast cancer.

Background: HER2-positive breast cancers are rare amongst BRCA mutation carriers. No data exist regarding clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of this subgroup of patients. Materials and methods: Using a retrospective matched cohort design, we collected data from 700 women who were diagnosed with operable invasive breast cancer from January 2006 to December 2016 and were screened for germline BRCA mutations. Clinicopathological features and survival rates were analyzed by BRCA and HER2 status. Results: One hundred and fifteen HER2-positive/BRCA mutated cases were evaluated in comparison to the three control groups: HER2-positive/BRCA wild type (n = 129), HER2-negative/BRCA mutated (n = 222), HER2-negative/BRCA wild type (n = 234). HER2-positive breast cancers were more likely to have high histologic grade and high proliferation rate than HER2-negative neoplasms, regardless of BRCA mutation status. An interaction between BRCA mutations and HER2-positive status was found to correlate with worse survival after adjusting for prognostic variables (HR = 3.4; 95% CI: 1.3-16.7). Conclusions: Co-occurrence of BRCA mutations and HER2-positive status is a poor prognostic factor in patients with early or locally advanced breast cancer. This finding may be a proof of concept that a combined pharmacological intervention directed to these targets could be synergistic