Radiation protraction schedules for low-grade gliomas: A comparison between different mathematical models

We optimize radiotherapy administration strategies for treating low-grade gliomas. Specifically, we consider different tumour growth laws, both with and without spatial effects. In each scenario we find the optimal treatment in the sense of maximizing the overall survival time of a virtual low-grade glioma patient, whose tumour progresses according to the examined growth laws. We discover that an extreme protraction therapeutic strategy, which amounts to substantially extending the time interval between radiotherapy sessions, may lead to better tumour control. The clinical implications of our results are also presented

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Functionalized Cotton Fabric with Nanocomposite Based on Silver Nanoparticles and Carboxymethyl Chitosan

Cotton is the most widely used natural fiber for textiles; however, the capacity of cotton fibers to absorb large amounts of moisture, retain oxygen, and have a high specific surface area makes them more prone to microbial contamination, becoming an appropriate medium for the growth of bacteria and fungi. In recent years, the incorporation of silver nanoparticles in textile products has been widely used due to their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and low toxicity towards mammalian cells. The aim of the current study is to continue the assessment of our developed nanocomposite and evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal activity of the nanocomposite based on silver nanoparticles and carboxymethyl chitosan (AgNPs-CMC) against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, evaluated by the well diffusion method. The antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus was also evaluated by the qualitative method of inhibition zone and the quantitative method of colony counting. Likewise, the antifungal activity of the functionalized fabric against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger was determined by the inhibition zone method and the antifungal activity method GBT 24346-2009, respectively. The functionalized fabric showed 100% antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus and good antifungal activity against C. albicans and A. niger. Our results indicate that the functionalized fabric could be used in garments for hospital use to reduce nosocomial infections

Mitochondria transfer from tumor-activated stromal cells (TASC) to primary Glioblastoma cells

International audienceThe tumor microenvironment (TME) controls many aspects of cancer development but little is known about its effect in Glioblastoma (GBM), the main brain tumor in adults. Tumor-activated stromal cell (TASC) population, a component of TME in GBM, was induced in vitro by incubation of MSCs with culture media conditioned by primary cultures of GBM under 3D/organoid conditions. We observed mito-chondrial transfer by Tunneling Nanotubes (TNT), extracellular vesicles (EV) and cannibalism from the TASC to GBM and analyzed its effect on both proliferation and survival. We created primary cultures of GBM or TASC in which we have eliminated mitochondrial DNA [Rho 0 (r 0) cells]. We found that TASC, as described in other cancers, increased GBM proliferation and resistance to standard treatments (radio-therapy and chemotherapy). We analyzed the incorporation of purified mitochondria by r 0 and r þ cells and a derived mathematical model taught us that r þ cells incorporate more rapidly pure mitochondria than r 0 cells

Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Functionalized Cotton Fabric with Nanocomposite Based on Silver Nanoparticles and Carboxymethyl Chitosan

Cotton is the most widely used natural fiber for textiles; however, the capacity of cotton fibers to absorb large amounts of moisture, retain oxygen, and have a high specific surface area makes them more prone to microbial contamination, becoming an appropriate medium for the growth of bacteria and fungi. In recent years, the incorporation of silver nanoparticles in textile products has been widely used due to their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and low toxicity towards mammalian cells. The aim of the current study is to continue the assessment of our developed nanocomposite and evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal activity of the nanocomposite based on silver nanoparticles and carboxymethyl chitosan (AgNPs-CMC) against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, evaluated by the well diffusion method. The antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus was also evaluated by the qualitative method of inhibition zone and the quantitative method of colony counting. Likewise, the antifungal activity of the functionalized fabric against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger was determined by the inhibition zone method and the antifungal activity method GBT 24346-2009, respectively. The functionalized fabric showed 100% antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus and good antifungal activity against C. albicans and A. niger. Our results indicate that the functionalized fabric could be used in garments for hospital use to reduce nosocomial infections

Experimental and computational modeling for signature and biomarker discovery of renal cell carcinoma progression

International audienceAbstract Background Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is difficult to treat with 5-year survival rate of 10% in metastatic patients. Main reasons of therapy failure are lack of validated biomarkers and scarce knowledge of the biological processes occurring during RCC progression. Thus, the investigation of mechanisms regulating RCC progression is fundamental to improve RCC therapy. Methods In order to identify molecular markers and gene processes involved in the steps of RCC progression, we generated several cell lines of higher aggressiveness by serially passaging mouse renal cancer RENCA cells in mice and, concomitantly, performed functional genomics analysis of the cells. Multiple cell lines depicting the major steps of tumor progression (including primary tumor growth, survival in the blood circulation and metastatic spread) were generated and analyzed by large-scale transcriptome, genome and methylome analyses. Furthermore, we performed clinical correlations of our datasets. Finally we conducted a computational analysis for predicting the time to relapse based on our molecular data. Results Through in vivo passaging, RENCA cells showed increased aggressiveness by reducing mice survival, enhancing primary tumor growth and lung metastases formation. In addition, transcriptome and methylome analyses showed distinct clustering of the cell lines without genomic variation. Distinct signatures of tumor aggressiveness were revealed and validated in different patient cohorts. In particular, we identified SAA2 and CFB as soluble prognostic and predictive biomarkers of the therapeutic response. Machine learning and mathematical modeling confirmed the importance of CFB and SAA2 together, which had the highest impact on distant metastasis-free survival. From these data sets, a computational model predicting tumor progression and relapse was developed and validated. These results are of great translational significance. Conclusion A combination of experimental and mathematical modeling was able to generate meaningful data for the prediction of the clinical evolution of RCC

Memorias del 28 Curso de Actualizacion en Ginecología y Obstetricia

RESUMEN: PRÓLOGO: Con inmensa satisfacción presentamos el texto del XVIII Curso de Actualización en Ginecología y Obstetricia de la Universidad de Antioquia, evento que año tras año, se desarrolla con la participación de profesionales cuyo objetivo primordial es y será siempre la salud de la mujer. La globalización, los avances científicos y el desarrollo del conocimiento han convertido la actualización en una necesidad imperiosa que las Universidades deben atender oportunamente, y con mayor razón, cuando se trata de garantizar la salud sexual y reproductiva femenina. Bien sabemos que la educación es una secuencia que no termina y permanece a lo largo de la vida; el aprendizaje de cualquier área del saber es infinito y es fundamental para el avance de la humanidad. Si tenemos en cuenta los nuevos retos médicos y sociales y la desbordante cantidad de información publicada en la literatura médica, la educación continuada es una respuesta acertada para aquellos profesionales de la salud, que desean mejorar y profundizar permanentemente su saber, lo cual repercutirá de manera directa en un manejo más acertado de la situación particular de cada paciente. Este curso, por tanto, quiere ser una contribución para que los médicos generales y especialistas tengan un canal de acceso a conocimientos nuevos y relevantes que los capaciten para enfrentar los desafíos en la atención integral de nuestras mujeres. Agradecemos a todos aquellos que han aportado sus saberes para hacer realidad tanto el Congreso como la redacción de este texto. Gracias a la Universidad de Antioquia, a la Facultad de Medicina, a nuestros profesores, a toda la comunidad académica, a las secretarias del departamento, a la Oficina de Comunicaciones y al Centro de Extensión de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Antioquia. Gracias a todas las personas de nuestro entorno familiar y a nuestros amigos que nos apoyan y entienden la dedicación, casi de tiempo completo, a nuestra profesión. Nuestro deseo es que este texto sirva de referente en el desempeño de la labor médica, una forma de recordar que cada día debemos estar dispuestos a enriquecer nuestros conocimientos para ponerlos al servicio de nuestra sociedad y procurar nuestro crecimiento profesionalTabla de Contenido Capítulo 1. Enfermedad pélvica inflamatoria: un problema de salud pública Capítulo 2. Hemorragia uterina anormal en la adolescente Capítulo 3. Candiadiasis vulvovaginal recurrente Capítulo 4. Condilomatosis: diagnóstico y tratamiento Capítulo 5. Virus del papiloma humano y su vacuna una mirada clínica Capítulo 6. Patología mamaria en la consulta médica general: guía rápida Capítulo 7. Hiperandrogenismo o estados de exceso de andrógenos Capítulo 8. Diversidad de género. Cuidado de las personas transgénero en la consulta médica de hoy Capítulo 9. Actualización sobre temas de interés en endometriosis Capítulo 10. Anticoncepción en la perimenopausia Capítulo 11. Estreptococo del grupo B durante el embarazo Capítulo 12. Complicaciones urológicas en el embarazo Capítulo 13. Manejo médico del aborto Capítulo 14. Tratamiento farmacológico de la diabetes durante la gestación Capítulo 15. Sepsis puerperal: de la prevención al tratamiento Capítulo 16. Seguimiento del embarazo múltiple Capítulo 17. Hemorragia posparto primaria: aspectos recientes acerca de losmedicamentos y terapia transfusional Capítulo 18. Tromboprofilaxis durante la gestación y el puerperio Capítulo 19. Perspectiva de la morbilidad materna extrema en antioquia Capítulo 20. Salud mental materno perinata

TIII - Arquitectura y Entorno - AR307 - 202101

Descripción: El curso TIII - Arquitectura y Entorno, es un curso de especialidad en la carrera de Arquitectura; parte del estudio del patrimonio edificado y la ciudad histórica, y propone el adiestramiento en el diseño arquitectónico a partir de la transformación y/o reciclaje de un objeto arquitectónico preexistente, y/o la propuesta de edificaciones nuevas relacionadas con el espacio urbano, desde un enfoque contemporáneo. Propósito: El TIII - Arquitectura y Entorno busca que el futuro arquitecto tome conciencia que todo proyecto arquitectónico está destinado a relacionarse con el contexto urbano. A través de la identificación y el análisis, el alumno adquiere las herramientas para diseñar respondiendo al entorno. El curso contribuye directamente al desarrollo de las competencias generales de Ciudadanía y Pensamiento Innovador y la competencia específica de Diseño Fundamentado (que corresponde a los criterios NAAB: PC2, PC3, PC5, PC8, SC3, SC5). Tiene como requisitos: Dibujo Arquitectónico (AR286) y TII - Arquitectura y Arte (AR306)

Delayed colorectal cancer care during covid-19 pandemic (decor-19). Global perspective from an international survey

Background The widespread nature of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been unprecedented. We sought to analyze its global impact with a survey on colorectal cancer (CRC) care during the pandemic. Methods The impact of COVID-19 on preoperative assessment, elective surgery, and postoperative management of CRC patients was explored by a 35-item survey, which was distributed worldwide to members of surgical societies with an interest in CRC care. Respondents were divided into two comparator groups: 1) ‘delay’ group: CRC care affected by the pandemic; 2) ‘no delay’ group: unaltered CRC practice. Results A total of 1,051 respondents from 84 countries completed the survey. No substantial differences in demographics were found between the ‘delay’ (745, 70.9%) and ‘no delay’ (306, 29.1%) groups. Suspension of multidisciplinary team meetings, staff members quarantined or relocated to COVID-19 units, units fully dedicated to COVID-19 care, personal protective equipment not readily available were factors significantly associated to delays in endoscopy, radiology, surgery, histopathology and prolonged chemoradiation therapy-to-surgery intervals. In the ‘delay’ group, 48.9% of respondents reported a change in the initial surgical plan and 26.3% reported a shift from elective to urgent operations. Recovery of CRC care was associated with the status of the outbreak. Practicing in COVID-free units, no change in operative slots and staff members not relocated to COVID-19 units were statistically associated with unaltered CRC care in the ‘no delay’ group, while the geographical distribution was not. Conclusions Global changes in diagnostic and therapeutic CRC practices were evident. Changes were associated with differences in health-care delivery systems, hospital’s preparedness, resources availability, and local COVID-19 prevalence rather than geographical factors. Strategic planning is required to optimize CRC care