Radiation Influence on Edible Materials

Innovations in the food industry are shaped both by new technologies available and by society’s requirements. A good knowledge on the chemistry and biological role of the macro-nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and also energy and water) and micro-nutrients (minerals and vitamins) is required. Food production foundations include not only the design of the food products but also the materials, mechanics, ingredients, conversion and transformation all must be taken into consideration. Edible polymers are polymeric materials that can be easily consumed by human beings or lower animals in whole or part via the oral cavity and given harmless effect to the health. An edible polymer is originated from natural products such as polysaccharides, proteins and lipids, with the addition of plasticizers and surfactants. Radiation-processing technologies are used currently for numerous applications of commercial and economic importance, but it is an emerging application with the use of ionizing radiation to enhance properties of edible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins. This chapter aims at supplying the state of the art about the effects of ionizing radiation on edible polymers: starch and vegetal proteins and also on gelatin that comes from animal origin

Taxane-containing chemotherapy in the treatment of early breast cancer patients

In primary breast cancer, taxane-based compared with anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy significantly reduces the relative risk of recurrence (ranging from 17% to 36%) and sometimes improves overall survival. Different dosages and schedules of anthracyclines and taxanes have been tested. Randomized studies comparing sequential versus concurrent administrations are in progress and no data about efficacy are available. However, based on a single randomized trial and on indirect comparisons, safety and tolerability seem to be better with sequential schema. A formal comparison between weekly and every 3 weeks administration of taxanes reported no substantial difference in terms of efficacy. However, taking into account a subgroup analysis of this study, and results coming from metastatic disease, the best way to give taxanes seems to be either weekly paclitaxel or docetaxel every 3 weeks. In the majority of the study, taxane efficacy seems to be independent of hormonal receptor status, i.e. active in both hormonal receptor positive and negative disease. In conclusion, taxane-based adjuvant chemotherapy is a standard option for most early breast cancer patients with node-positive disease. No sufficient and dedicated data are available in node-negative disease

A radiação ionizante na promoção da alimentação adequada e saudável

Treatment of food by specific ionizing radiation to improve microbiological safety and storability is one of the most extensively studied technologies of the 20th century. As any other food process, food irradiation presents a limited range of applicability. Innumerable studies have certified that this process, when applied according to the conditions where it should be employed, can be a powerful tool against food losses as well as the best method to control foodborne diseases. Researchers have revealed that some food products can be specially improved through specific actions of radiation acting on certain food components. Lack of information about the process itself and alterations in the irradiated products are the main difficulties that prevent larger-scale application today. Because health authorities are the most credible spokespersons in society on the topic, opportunities for information exchange between health officials and academicians must be developed to highlight the benefits and disadvantages of this method when applied to food.O tratamento de alimentos por um tipo de radiação ionizante para promover a segurança microbiológica e a conservação é uma das tecnologias do século XX mais extensivamente estudadas1. O tratamento pela radiação, como todo e qualquer processamento de alimentos, apresenta uma faixa limitada de aplicação. Inúmeros estudos atestam que esse tratamento de produtos alimentícios, nas condições determinadas para o objetivo proposto, pode ser uma ferramenta poderosa contra perdas de alimentos, bem como se constitui no melhor método disponível para controlar doenças transmitidas por alimentos. Também, as pesquisas revelam que certos produtos podem ser beneficiados por algumas ações específicas da interação deste método físico com os componentes dos alimentos. O desconhecimento do grande público em relação ao processo em si e as alterações que podem ocorrer nos produtos assim processados são hoje o fator limitante para sua aplicação em grande escala. As autoridades da área da saúde são os componentes da sociedade com maior credibilidade. Assim, devem ser desenvolvidas maiores oportunidades de intercâmbio de informações entre aquelas e o meio acadêmico que pode esclarecer as dúvidas e propiciar o esclarecimento das vantagens e limitações do processo quando aplicado em produtos alimentícios

Reply to V. Turan et al

SCOPUS: le.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Methods to Address Computed Tomography-Related Risk Factors in Oncology Patients: An Expert Opinion Based on Current Evidence

Background: The present paper is intended to be a practical guide organized by statements describing methods to reduce risks related to CT examinations in cancer patients. Methods: A panel of radiologists, oncologists and nephrologists were selected based on their publication records in the field and expertise. Ten clinical questions, which were derived from clinical needs and an integration of all the committee members' suggestions, were stated. The modified Delphi approach was used; it involved a detailed literature review and the collective judgement of experts, including electronic and face-to-face discussions. Results: Ten statements were derived from expert opinions based on the current literature, recently developed guidelines and technological advancements. Each statement is discussed in a short paragraph reporting the current key evidence. Conclusion: This paper addresses the clinical implications of performing numerous CT examinations in patients with cancer, providing clinicians with information regarding methods to reduce risk factors in this patient population

Improving Adjuvant Endocrine Treatment Tailoring in Premenopausal Women With Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer

The Oncology Grand Rounds series is designed to place original reports published in the Journal into clinical context. A case presentation is followed by a description of diagnostic and management challenges, a review of the relevant literature, and a summary of the authors' suggested management approaches. The goal of this series is to help readers better understand how to apply the results of key studies, including those published in Journal of Clinical Oncology, to patients seen in their own clinical practice

State of the art on oocyte cryopreservation in female cancer patients: A critical review of the literature

During the last decades, important advances in therapeutic options have led to increased survival rates in cancer patients; however, cancer treatments are associated with several potential adverse effects including infertility in those diagnosed during their reproductive years. A proper discussion about fertility preservation options before the use of therapies with potential gonadotoxicity (i.e. oncofertility counseling) is standard of care and should be offered to all patients of childbearing age. Temporary ovarian suppression with LH-RH analogs, oocyte and embryo cryopreservation are standard strategies for fertility preservation in female cancer patients. Oocyte cryopreservation should be preferred to embryo cryopreservation when this latter is prohibited by law, avoided for ethical or religious issues and in single women refusing sperm donation. Despite the increasing use of this strategy, data are still lacking about the efficacy and safety of the procedure in female cancer patients, with most of the evidence on this regard deriving from infertile non-oncologic women. This article aims at critically review the available evidence about the success of oocyte cryopreservation in female cancer patients with the final goal to further improve the oncofertility counseling of these women

Hormone Receptor/Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-positive breast cancer: Where we are now and where we are going

AbstractNear 75% of all breast cancers (BC) express estrogen receptors (ER) and/or progesterone receptors (PgR), while up to 20% of BC show an overexpression/amplification of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2). Around 50% of all HER2-overexpressing BC show the coexistence of both HER2 overexpression/amplification and ER and/or PgR overexpression. Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies suggest the existence of a cross-talk between their downstream pathways, which seem to affect the natural history, response to therapy and outcome of patients affected by this subset of BC. Meta-analyses or subgroup analysis of numerous neo-/adjuvant trials demonstrated significant clinical implications deriving from ER/HER2 co-existence, consisting in a different pattern of relapse and dissimilar outcome in response to anti-HER2 therapy. However, only two randomized trials in early disease and three in advanced disease specifically addressed the issue whether a combined approach with both hormonal and anti-HER2 therapy would have a better therapeutic impact in this subset of BC compared to the lone anti-HER2 or hormonal therapies (HT). None of these trials demonstrated improvements in overall survival, even though several efficacy end-points such as progression free survival, in advanced setting, or pCR rates in neoadjuvant setting, often favored the combined hormonal and anti-HER2 therapeutic approach. In the next few years, a certain number of ongoing randomized trials, both in neoadjuvant and advanced setting, will evaluate the efficacy of new anti-HER2 drugs, T-DM1 and pertuzumab, in combination with HT, helping to improve the therapeutic strategy for this specific subtype of breast tumors