Susceptibility of corythaica cyathicollis costa to a native isolation of beauveria bassiana (vuillemin)

The research aimed to evaluate a native isolation of B. bassiana under laboratory conditions as a biological alternative control for the eggplant lace bug (C. cyathicollis). The experiments were conducted in the Pathology and Entomology Laboratories at the Universidad de Córdoba, Monteria (Colombia). Initially, the pathogenicity of B. bassiana on adult insects was studied using a concentration of 1·107 spores/mL, in which mortality and intrinsic mortality were determined, in addition, the presented symptomatology was described. Subsequently, the concentrations 1·100 (control treatment), 1·103, 1·105, 1·106, 1·107 and 1·108 spores/mL were evaluated to determine the lethal concentrations of CL50 and CL90 through Probit analysis. The results obtained showed that the native isolation was pathogenic since post-inoculation was observed, between the fifth and sixth days, with 50% mortality (and 87.7% at 12 days), in addition, the intrinsic mortality was 92.4%. The symptomatology showed loss of mobility and lack of appetite between 11 and 12 hours post-inoculation, approximately, and the presence of mycelium 2 days after death. The percentages of mortality for the evaluated concentrations were 0, 46.6, 73.3, 83.3, 90.0 and 96.6% respectively, and the lethal concentrations of CL50 and CL90 were 1.8·103 and 6.5·106 spores/mL respectively. These results indicate the potential of entomopathogenic fungus as an alternative that could be articulated into integrated pest management

Concurrent trastuzumab with adjuvant radiotherapy in HER2-positive breast cancer patients: acute toxicity analyses from the French multicentric study

Background: Trastuzumab (T) combined with chemotherapy has been recently shown to improve outcome in HER2-positive breast cancer (BC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxic effects of concurrent radiation therapy (RT) and T administration in the adjuvant setting. Patients and methods: Data of 146 patients with stages II-III HER2-positive BC were recorded. Median age was 46 years. In all, 32 (23%) and 114 (77%) patients received a weekly and a 3-week T schedule, respectively. A median dose of 50 Gy was delivered after surgery. Internal mammary chain (IMC) was irradiated in 103 (71%) patients. Results: Grade >2 dermatitis and esophagitis were noted in 51% and 12%, respectively. According to the Common Toxicity Criteria v3.0 scale and HERA (HERceptin Adjuvant) trial criteria, respectively, 10% and 6% of the patients had a grade ≥2 of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decrease after RT. Multivariate analyses revealed two independent prognostic factors: weekly T administration (for LVEF decrease) and menopausal status (for dermatitis). Higher level of T cumulative dose (>1600 mg) was only borderline of statistical significance for acute esophagitis toxicity. Conclusion: We showed that weekly concurrent T and RT are feasible in daily clinical practice with, however, a decrease of LVEF. Cardiac volume sparing and patient selections for IMC irradiation are highly recommended. Longer follow-up is warranted to evaluate late toxic effect

La investigación colaborativa: ¿una herramienta para transformar la educación científica?

En este trabajo presentamos una experiencia de investigación colaborativa entre la universidad y un instituto de formación docente, experiencia ampliada a la participación de un gran número de escuelas; a través de la cual pretendemos construir conocimiento desde la práctica, llevando a cabo diversos procesos de reflexión y análisis teórico, e incluyendo el desarrollo de un espacio de formación docente. La presentación incluye los sustentos teóricos y su estado de avance.Trabajos del área Ciencias NaturalesDepartamento de Ciencias Exactas y Naturale

Concurrent trastuzumab with adjuvant radiotherapy in HER2-positive breast cancer patients: acute toxicity analyses from the French multicentric study

BACKGROUND: Trastuzumab (T) combined with chemotherapy has been recently shown to improve outcome in HER2-positive breast cancer (BC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxic effects of concurrent radiation therapy (RT) and T administration in the adjuvant setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 146 patients with stages II-III HER2-positive BC were recorded. Median age was 46 years. In all, 32 (23%) and 114 (77%) patients received a weekly and a 3-week T schedule, respectively. A median dose of 50 Gy was delivered after surgery. Internal mammary chain (IMC) was irradiated in 103 (71%) patients. RESULTS: Grade >2 dermatitis and esophagitis were noted in 51% and 12%, respectively. According to the Common Toxicity Criteria v3.0 scale and HERA (HERceptin Adjuvant) trial criteria, respectively, 10% and 6% of the patients had a grade >/=2 of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decrease after RT. Multivariate analyses revealed two independent prognostic factors: weekly T administration (for LVEF decrease) and menopausal status (for dermatitis). Higher level of T cumulative dose (>1600 mg) was only borderline of statistical significance for acute esophagitis toxicity. CONCLUSION: We showed that weekly concurrent T and RT are feasible in daily clinical practice with, however, a decrease of LVEF. Cardiac volume sparing and patient selections for IMC irradiation are highly recommended. Longer follow-up is warranted to evaluate late toxic effects

Preoperative bi-fractionated accelerated radiation therapy for combined treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer in a consectutive series of unselected patients

Background: although preoperative RT (Radiation Therapy) is becoming the preferred approach for combined treatment of locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma, no regimen can be now considered as a standard. Since the toxicity of preoperative RT isn't yet completely known, and the advantages of preoperative RT could be counterbalanced by increased postoperative morbidity and mortality, a monocentre series of preoperative bifractionated accelerated RT was retrospectively reviewed to clarify toxicity and outcomes after a prolonged follow up. Methods: patients were screened following these eligibility criteria: histology-proven adenocarcinoma of the rectum; distal tumour extent at 12 cm or less from the anal verge; clinical stage T3-4/anyN, or anyT/ N1-2; ECOG Performance Status 0-2. A total dose of 41.6 Gy (26 twice daily fractions of 1.6 Gy) was delivered. Surgery was carried out 17 \ub1 2 days after RT completion, adopting the total mesorectal excision technique. Results: 24 men and 23 women were enrolled; median age was 55 years (r.: 39-77). Twenty-eight patients were stage II and 19 stage III. 9 patients suffered from a recurrent tumour. 2 patients experienced a severe grade 4 gastrointestinal toxicity (a colo-vaginal fistula and an intestinal obstruction, both successfully treated). Operative mortality was nil; postoperative early complications occurred in 13 cases; mean length of hospital stay was 15 days. After a mean follow up of 44 months (r.: 18-84) 8 patients had deceased for recurrent disease, 15 were alive with a disease progression (2 pelvic recurrences and 13 pure distant deposits) and 24 were alive, without disease. The 5-year actuarial overall survival was 74.2%, the disease-free survival 62.9% and the regional control rate 84.7%. Long-term complications included 1 case of radiation enteritis requiring surgery, 2 cases of anastomotic stricture and 3 cases of bladder incontinence. Conclusion: bifractionated accelerated RT administered in the preoperative setting to patients bearing locally advanced rectal cancer is reliable and safe, as its immediate and late toxicity (mainly infectious) is acceptably low and long-term survivals are achievable. These findings support the increasing use of preoperative RT for treatment of this malignancy in experienced centres. Ongoing multicentric trials are expected to address still unsolved issues, including the benefit of CT adjunct to preoperative RT