Las instituciones de investigación argentinas en el contexto de América Latina. Rankings y ordenamientos

The paper examines the location and relative performance of Argentine research institutions, taking as a reference point the rankings and arrangements of Latin American organizations.  It also emphasizes the importance of consolidating a culture of evaluation at the local level and advocates for the generation of appropriate indicators and procedures. The characteristics and limitations of the available global rankings are reviewed and those that show a higher level of coverage of Latin American universities and research institutions are chosen as a reference. The results and conclusions obtained from these rankings, which are strongly related to the volume of production, large institutions and aggregate indicators, are then compared to others in order to highlight the relevance of breaking them down so that other dimensions of quality, performance and excellence appear and allow smaller research institutes to be made visible that would otherwise be hidden behind the averages.El trabajo examina la ubicación y el desempeño relativo de las instituciones argentinas de investigación adoptando como punto de referencia los rankings y ordenamientos de las organizaciones de América Latina. Enfatiza asimismo la importancia de consolidar a nivel local una cultura de la evaluación y aboga para ello en pos de la generación de indicadores y procedimientos apropiados. Se revisan las características y limitaciones de los rankings mundiales disponibles y se escogen como referencia aquellos que muestran un mayor nivel de cobertura de las universidades e instituciones de investigación de América Latina. Los resultados y conclusiones obtenidos a partir de estos ordenamientos, fuertemente relacionados al volumen de producción, a instituciones grandes y a indicadores agregados, son comparados con otros buscando destacar la relevancia de descomponerlos de modo que aparezcan otras dimensiones de calidad, desempeño y excelencia y permitan visibilizar institutos de investigación menores que otra manera quedan ocultos detrás de los promedios

Recursos, Producción y Productividad del CONIC

   The work examines the extraordinary expansion experienced by the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) in the last fifteen years. It seeks to emphasize that the debate on science and technology in the country places excessive emphasis on the examination of investment in R & D and pays very little attention to the production and results obtained from that investment. The work ultimately struggles for an integral approach that requires the relationship between inputs and the production of the scientific system. For this purpose, it examines what happened with the CONICET budget, its human resources, the scholarship program and the production and scientific results obtained. The analysis adopts as a point of reference what happened with the countries of Latin America and the main research institutions of the region. The budget and human resources data come from the Ministry of Finance, CONICET itself and secondary sources, while the production is intended to quantify and qualify from the System of Financial Physical Monitoring of the Budgetary System, the Results by Programs and Projects in Institutional Order of the Investment Account and the scientific publications indexed in the WOS database (Web of Science). Based on this information, indicators of productivity and performance are finally drawn up looking for elements that help to qualify performance.    El trabajo examina la extraordinaria expansión experimentada por el Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) en los últimos quince años. Busca destacar que el debate sobre la ciencia y tecnología en el país pone excesivo énfasis en el examen de la inversión en I + D y presta muy poca atención a la producción y resultados obtenidos a partir de esa inversión. El trabajo brega en definitiva por un abordaje integral que precise la relación entre los insumos y la producción del sistema científico. Se examina para ello lo ocurrido con el presupuesto del CONICET, sus recursos humanos, el programa de becas y la producción y resultados científicos obtenidos. El análisis adopta como punto de referencia lo ocurrido con los países de América Latina y las principales instituciones de investigación de la región. Los datos de presupuesto y recursos humanos provienen del Ministerio de Hacienda, del propio CONICET y de fuentes secundarias, en tanto que la producción se intenta cuantificar y calificar a partir del Sistema de Seguimiento Físico Financiero del Sistema Presupuestario, los Resultados por Programas y Proyectos en Orden Institucional de la Cuenta de Inversión y las publicaciones científicas indizadas en la base de datos WOS (Web of Science). A partir de esta información se elaboran finalmente indicadores de productividad y rendimiento buscando elementos que ayuden a calificar el desempeño.&nbsp

Recursos, Producción y Productividad del CONICET

El trabajo examina la extraordinaria expansión experimentada por el Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) en los últimos quince años. Busca destacar que el debate sobre la ciencia y tecnología en el país pone excesivo énfasis en el examen de la inversión en I + D y presta muy poca atención a la producción y resultados obtenidos a partir de esa inversión. El trabajo brega en definitiva por un abordaje integral que precise la relación entre los insumos y la producción del sistema científico. Se examina para ello lo ocurrido con el presupuesto del CONICET, sus recursos humanos, el programa de becas y la producción y resultados científicos obtenidos. El análisis adopta como punto de referencia lo ocurrido con los países de América Latina y las principales instituciones de investigación de la región. Los datos de presupuesto y recursos humanos provienen del Ministerio de Hacienda, del propio CONICET y de fuentes secundarias, en tanto que la producción se intenta cuantificar y calificar a partir del Sistema de Seguimiento Físico Financiero del Sistema Presupuestario, los Resultados por Programas y Proyectos en Orden Institucional de la Cuenta de Inversión y las publi- caciones científicas indizadas en la base de datos WOS (Web of Science). A partir de esta información se elaboran finalmente indicadores de productividad y rendimiento buscando elementos que ayuden a calificar el desempeño

Políticas y Desempeño del Sector Lechero Argentino entre 2003 y 2011

Adjustments and state interventions in the Argentine dairy sector have had in recent years different signs, sometimes contradictory meanings and directions as well. In the eighties there was an appeal to both the Consultation Commission on Dairy Policy and the Fund for the Promotion of the Dairy Sector. Deregulation in the nineties dismantled both mechanisms: yet afterwards a sectorial policy was again implemented which involved greater state intervention. The present work focuses on this latter period, first describing the policy measures aimed to disconnect domestic prices from international prices and those that try to fix the new problems that appear. The results obtained in terms of prices, production, consumption and exports are evaluated. A final section summarizes the main conclusions.Los ajustes e intervenciones del Estado en el sector lácteo argentino han tenido en los últimos años diferentes signos, con sentidos y direcciones contradictorios.Durante la década de 1980 se apeló a la Comisión de Concertación de Políticas Lecheras y al Fondo de Promoción a la Actividad Lechera. La desregulación de los años noventa desarticuló ambos mecanismos y en este siglo se asistió nuevamente a una política sectorial de mayor intervención. El trabajo se concentra en este último período describiendo en primer lugar las medidas de política instrumentadas distinguiendo entre aquellas que apuntan al descalce de precios internos e internacionales y las que intentan corregir los nuevos problemas que aparecen. A continuación se evalúan los resultados obtenidos en materia de precios,producción, consumo y exportaciones. Una última sección resume las principales conclusiones

Metastatic breast cancer patients treated with low-dose metronomic chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and celecoxib: clinical outcomes and biomarkers of response

Background Preclinical results showing therapeutic effect and low toxicity of metronomic chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide (Cy) + celecoxib (Cel) for mammary tumors encouraged its translation to the clinic for treating advanced breast cancer patients (ABCP). Patients and methods A single-arm, mono-institutional, non-randomized, phase II, two-step clinical trial (approved by Bioethics Committee and Argentine Regulatory Authority) was designed. Patients received Cy (50 mg po.d) + Cel (200 mg p.o.bid). Patient eligibility criteria included: ABCP who progressed to anthracyclines, taxanes and capecitabine, ≤4 chemotherapy schemes, with good performance status. Several pro- and anti-angiogenic molecules and cells were determined as biomarkers. Informed consent was signed by all patients. Primary endpoint was clinical benefit (CB). Results Twenty patients were enrolled. Main clinical outcomes were prolonged disease stabilization and partial remission in 10/20 and 1/20 patients, respectively. CB was 55 %, and time to progression (TTP) was 21.1 weeks. Median TTP in patients who achieved CB was 35.6 weeks, and mean overall survival was 44.20 weeks. There were no grade 3/4 toxicities associated with treatment. Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) increased at the time of progression in patients who showed CB (P = 0.014). Baseline CECs and circulating endothelial progenitor cells showed marginal associations with TTP. Serum VEGF decreased (P = 0.050), sVEGFR-2 increased (P = 0.005) and VEGF/sVEGFR-2 ratio decreased during treatment (P = 0.041); baseline VEGF and VEGF/sVEGFR-2 were associated with TTP (P = 0.035 and P = 0.030, respectively), while sVEGFR-2 did not. Conclusions Treatment was effective, showing low toxicity profile and excellent tolerability. The combination had anti-angiogenic effect. Increased levels of CEC could be useful for detecting progression. Baseline VEGF and VEGF/sVEGFR-2 values could be useful as early predictors of response. Trial registration ANMAT#4596/09.Fil: Perroud, Herman A. Institute of Experimental Genetics. School of Medical Sciences. National University of Rosario; Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Alasino, Carlos María. Institute of Oncology of Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Rico, María José. Institute of Experimental Genetics. School of Medical Sciences. National University of Rosario; Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Mainetti, Leandro Ernesto. Institute of Experimental Genetics. School of Medical Sciences. National University of Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Queralt, Francisco. Institute of Oncology of Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Pezzotto, Stella Maris. Research Council of the National University of Rosario (CIUNR); ArgentinaFil: Rozados, Viviana R. Institute of Experimental Genetics. School of Medical Sciences. National University of Rosario; Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Scharovsky, O. Graciela. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Consejo de Investigaciones UNR, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin

Highlights from the 1st Latin American meeting on metronomic chemotherapy and drug repositioning in oncology, 27–28 May, 2016, Rosario, Argentina

Following previous metronomic meetings in Marseille (2011), Milano (2014), and Mumbai (2016), the first Latin American metronomic meeting was held in the School of Medical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina on 27 and 28 of May, 2016. For the first time, clinicians and researchers with experience in the field of metronomics, coming from different countries in Latin America, had the opportunity of presenting and discussing their work. The talks were organised in three main sessions related to experience in the pre-clinical, and clinical (paediatric and adult) areas. The different presentations demonstrated that the fields of metronomic chemotherapy and repurposing drugs in oncology, known as metronomics, constitute a branch of cancer therapy in permanent evolution, which have strong groups working in LatinAmerica, both in the preclinical and the clinical settings including large, adequately designed randomised studies. It was shown that metronomics offers treatments, which, whether they are combined or not with the standard therapeutic approaches, are not only effective but also minimally toxic, with the consequent improvement of the patient’s quality of life, and inexpensive, a feature very important in low resource clinical settings. The potential use of metronomic chemotherapy was proposed as a cost/effective treatment in low-/middle-income countries, for adjuvant therapy in selected tumours. The fundamental role of the governmental agencies and non-governmental alliances, as the Metronomic Global Health Initiative, in supporting this research with public interest was underlined

Implementation tells us more beyond pooled estimates: Secondary analysis of a multicountry mhealth trial to reduce blood pressure

Background: The uptake of an intervention aimed at improving health-related lifestyles may be influenced by the participant’s stage of readiness to change behaviors. Objective: We conducted secondary analysis of the Grupo de Investigación en Salud Móvil en América Latina (GISMAL) trial according to levels of uptake of intervention (dose-response) to explore outcomes by country, in order to verify the consistency of the trial’s pooled results, and by each participant’s stage of readiness to change a given lifestyle at baseline. The rationale for this secondary analysis is motivated by the original design of the GISMAL study that was independently powered for the primary outcome—blood pressure—for each country. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of a mobile health (mHealth) multicountry trial conducted in Argentina, Guatemala, and Peru. The intervention consisted of monthly motivational phone calls by a trained nutritionist and weekly tailored text messages (short message service), over a 12-month period, aimed to enact change on 4 health-related behaviors: salt added to foods when cooking, consumption of high-fat and high-sugar foods, consumption of fruits or vegetables, and practice of physical activity. Results were stratified by country and by participants’ stage of readiness to change (precontemplation or contemplation; preparation or action; or maintenance) at baseline. Exposure (intervention uptake) was the level of intervention (<50%, 50%-74%, and ≥75%) received by the participant in terms of phone calls. Linear regressions were performed to model the outcomes of interest, presented as standardized mean values of the following: blood pressure, body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, physical activity, and the 4 health-related behaviors. Results: For each outcome of interest, considering the intervention uptake, the magnitude and direction of the intervention effect differed by country and by participants’ stage of readiness to change at baseline. Among those in the high intervention uptake category, reductions in systolic blood pressure were only achieved in Peru, whereas fruit and vegetable consumption also showed reductions among those who were at the maintenance stage at baseline in Argentina and Guatemala. Conclusions: Designing interventions oriented toward improving health-related lifestyle behaviors may benefit from recognizing baseline readiness to change and issues in implementation uptake.Fil: Carrillo-Larco, Rodrigo M.. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Perú. Imperial College London; Reino UnidoFil: Jiwani, Safia S.. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; PerúFil: Diez Canseco, Francisco. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; PerúFil: Kanter, Rebecca. Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama; Guatemala. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Beratarrechea, Andrea Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy; ArgentinaFil: Irazola, Vilma. Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Ramirez Zea, Manuel. Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama; GuatemalaFil: Rubinstein, Adolfo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública; ArgentinaFil: Martinez, Homero. Nutrition International; Canadá. Hospital Infantil de Mexico Federico Gomez; MéxicoFil: Miranda, J. Jaime. Cronicas Centro de Excelencia En Enfermedades Crónicas; Perú. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; PerúFil: Alasino, Adrían. Funprecal; ArgentinaFil: Budiel Moscoso, Berneth Nuris. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; PerúFil: Carrara, Carolina. Instituto Universitario del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Espinoza Surichaqui, Jackelyn. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; PerúFil: Giardini, Gimena. Instituto Universitario del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Guevara, Jesica. Institute of Nutrition of Central America And Panama Guatemala; GuatemalaFil: Morales Juárez, Analí. Institute of Nutrition of Central America And Panama Guatemala; GuatemalaFil: Lázaro Cuesta, Lorena. Funprecal; ArgentinaFil: Lewitan, Dalia. Institute For Clinical Effectiveness And Health Policy; ArgentinaFil: Palomares Estrada, Lita. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; PerúFil: Martínez Ramírez, Carla. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; PerúFil: de la Cruz, Gloria Robles. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; PerúFil: Salguero, Julissa. Institute Of Nutrition Of Central America And Panama Guatemala; GuatemalaFil: Saravia Drago, Juan Carlos. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; PerúFil: Urtasún, María. Institute For Clinical Effectiveness And Health Policy; ArgentinaFil: Zavala Loayza, José Alfredo. Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia; Per

Clinical response in patients with ovarian cancer treated with metronomic chemotherapy

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death from gynaecological cancer. It is extremely hard to diagnose in the early stages and around 70% of patients present with advanced disease. Metronomic chemotherapy (MCT) is described as the chronic administration of, generally low, equally spaced, doses of chemotherapeutic drugs with therapeutic efficacy and low toxicity. This is an effective and low-cost way to treat several types of tumours, including ovarian cancer. Here, we present six cases of advanced ovarian cancer treated with MCT with low doses of cyclophosphamide, which showed clinical response and stable disease.Fil: Perroud, Herman A. Institute of Experimental Genetics. School of Medical Sciences. National University of Rosario; Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Scharovsky, Graciela Olga. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Consejo de Investigaciones UNR, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; ArgentinaFil: Rozados, Viviana R. Institute of Experimental Genetics. School of Medical Sciences. National University of Rosario; Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Alasino, Carlos María. Institute of Oncology of Rosario; Argentin

Association between baseline VEGF/sVEGFR-2 and VEGF/TSP-1 ratios and response to metronomic chemotherapy using cyclophosphamide and celecoxib in patients with advanced breast cancer

Background: Metronomic chemotherapy (MCT) with cyclophosphamide (Cy) and celecoxib (Cel) has therapeutic efficacy and low toxicity profile in advanced breast cancer patients (ABCP), but no reliable biomarkers of response have been found yet that allow patient selection for treatment. AIM: To investigate the potential role as biomarkers of pro- and antiangiogenic parameters and evaluate their response in ABCP receiving metronomic Cy 50 mg p.o./day + Cel 400 mg p.o./day. Materials and Methods: Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), soluble VEGF receptors 2 and 3 (sVEGFR-2, sVEGFR-3), were measured at different time points in 13/15 patients included in a phase II trial of MCT with Cy+Cel. Results: Serum levels of sVEGFR-2 and sVEGFR-3 increased significantly during treatment (P = 0.0392; P = 0.0066, respectively). VEGF-C showed no significant modifications. Previous determinations of VEGF and TSP-1 in the same patients were utilized. VEGF/sVEGFR-2, VEGF/TSP-1, and VEGF-C/sVEGFR-3 ratios decreased significantly along the treatment (P = 0.0092; P = 0.0072; P = 0.0141, respectively). Nonsignificant variations were observed for VEGF-C/sVEGFR-2 ratio. Baseline values of VEGF/sVEGFR-2 and VEGF/TSP-1 ratios were associated with time to progression (TTP) (P = 0.0407; P = 0.0394, respectively) meanwhile baseline VEGF was marginally significant (P = 0.0716). Patients with values lower than the 50 th percentile for both ratios showed longer TTP. Conclusions: We have identified the baseline VEGF/sVEGFR-2 and VEGF/TSP-1 ratios as potential biomarkers of response in ABCP treated metronomically with Cy+Cel. This finding warrants its confirmation in a higher number of patients.Fil: Perroud, Herman A. Institute of Experimental Genetics. School of Medical Sciences. National University of Rosario; Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Rico, María José. Institute of Experimental Genetics. School of Medical Sciences. National University of Rosario; Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Alasino, Carlos María. Institute of Oncology of Rosario; Rosario; Argentina.Fil: Pezzotto, Stella Maris. Research Council of the National University of Rosario (CIUNR); Rosario; Argentina.Fil: Rozados, Viviana R. Institute of Experimental Genetics. School of Medical Sciences. National University of Rosario; Rosario; Argentina.Fil: Scharovsky, Graciela Olga. Institute of Experimental Genetics. School of Medical Sciences. National University of Rosario; Rosario; Argentina

Safety and therapeutic effect of metronomic chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and celecoxib in advanced breast cancer patients

Metronomic chemotherapy (MCT), the chronic administration, at regular intervals, of low doses of chemotherapeutic drugs, without extended rest periods, allows chronic treatment with therapeutic efficacy and low toxicity. Our pre-clinical results suggested that combined MCT with cyclophosphamide (CY) and celecoxib (CEL) could inhibit breast cancer growth. The aim of this study was to determine the toxicity, safety and efficacy of the oral chronic administration of CY 50 mg p.o. daily, plus CEL 400 mg (200 mg p.o. bid) in advanced breast cancer patients (ABCP). The therapeutic response consisted in stable disease in a high proportion of patients and one partial response. The overall clinical benefit rate obtained was 66.7%. Toxicity was low. Evaluation of quality of life showed no changes during the response period. MCT with CY + Cel is safe and shows therapeutic effect in ABCP.Fil: Perroud, Herman A. Institute of Experimental Genetics. School of Medical Sciences. National University of Rosario; Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Rico, María José. Institute of Experimental Genetics. School of Medical Sciences. National University of Rosario; Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Alasino, Carlos María. Institute of Oncology of Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Queralt, Francisco. Institute of Oncology of Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Pezzotto, Stella Maris. Research Council of the National University of Rosario (CIUNR); ArgentinaFil: Rozados, Viviana R. Institute of Experimental Genetics. School of Medical Sciences. National University of Rosario; Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Scharovsky, O. Graciela. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Consejo de Investigaciones UNR, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentin