Petrología y geoquímica isotópica de los depósitos de magnesita de la cuenca de Calatayud (provincia de Zaragoza). Interpretación paleoambiental

Los sedimentos miocenos de la Cuenca de Calatayud, en particular los correspondientes a las unidades Inferior e Intermedia, contienen nllmerosos niveles de magnesita, que aparecen comúnmente asociados con depósitos lacustres sulfatados (anhidrita, yeso, glauberita), así como con margas y arcillas. L¡t magnesita de la Cuenca de Calatayud es de tipocriptocristalino, presentándose en capas masivas de color blanquecino, de espesor variable (mm a dm), entre arcillas, margas, niveles de yeso laminado y yeso nodular. Se han distinguido cuatro asociaciones de facies (MLH, Mys, Myp, MIN) con presencia de magnesita. Estas asociaciones de facies se ordenan básicamente en dos tipos de secuencias sedimentarias principales que reflejan, en un caso, la evolución de subambientes lacustres de alta salinidad y, en otro, de salinidad moderada a alta. La textura de la magnesita, observada mediante M.E.B. en muestras con alta pureza en este mineral, se caracteriza por presentar mosaicos densos y homogéneos de cristales romboédricos euhedrales a subeuhedrales, con tamaño alrededor de 1 m.Los valores de isótopos estables (0180, 013C) de la magnesita (n=34) muestran una ciertadispersión, con valores de 0180 de -4,8 a +4,9 %0 PDB y valores negativos de 013C, de -9,3 a +0,4 %0 PDB, más bajos en los niveles de magnesita correspondientes a las asociaciones de facies MLH y Mys. Las características estratigráficas, texturales e isotópicas sugieren que la magnesita se formó en condiciones evaporíticas, posiblemente por precipitación primaria a partir de soluciones concentradas con mezcla de aguas meteóricas, ricas en CO2 biogénico, aunque los valores negativos de o\3C pueden interpretarse también como reflejo de la actividad bacteriana en la precipitación de la magnesita. El análisis de las asociaciones de facies en que aparece la magnesita y su evolución secuencial permiten concluir que los depósitos de magnesita de la Cuenca de Calatayud se formaron tanto en condiciones lacustres hipersalinas como de salinidad moderada a alta

Root-Locus Analysis of Delayed First and Second Order Systems

For finite dimensional linear system the root-locus method is well established however for the case of delayed systems the method has some problems due to the transcendental term involved. This work intends to illustrate the problems that arises when a root-locus diagram is performed as well as to develop a Matlab function that provides the root-locus diagram for delayed low order systems. In this way, some comments about the problems that should be tackled to obtain a generalization of the computational method for delayed systems with real m poles and n zero

Treatment patterns for metastatic colorectal cancer in Spain

Abstract Purpose The primary aim of this retrospective study was to describe the treatment patterns according to the type of treatment received by patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in Spain. Methods This was a retrospective, observational, multicenter study performed by 33 sites throughout Spain that included consecutive patients aged 18 years or older who had received or were receiving treatment for mCRC. Results At the time of inclusion, of the 873 evaluable patients, 507 (58%) had received two lines, 235 (27%) had received three lines, 106 (12%) had received four lines, and the remaining patients had received up to ten lines. The most frequent chemotherapy schemes were the FOLFOX or CAPOX regimens (66%) for frst-line treatment, FOLFOX, CAPOX or FOLFIRI (70%) for second-line treatment, and FOLFOX, FOLFIRI or other fuoropyrimidine-based regimens for third- and fourth-line (over 60%) treatment. Sixty percent of patients received targeted therapy as part of their frst-line treatment, and this proportion increased up to approximately 70% of patients as part of the second-line of treatment. A relevant proportion of patients were treated with unknown KRAS, and especially the BRAF, mutation statuses. Conclusions This study reveals inconsistencies regarding adherence to the recommendations of the ESMO guidelines for the management of mCRC in Spain. Improved adherence to the standard practice described in such guidelines for the determination of RAS and BRAF mutation statuses and the use of targeted therapies in frst-line treatment should be considered to guarantee that patients can beneft from the best therapeutic approaches available. Keywords Colorectal cancer · Metastatic · Treatment patterns · KRAS/BRAF mutation status · Clinical practice guidelin

Association of the superior semicircular canal and tegmen tympani dehiscences and its relationship with the pneumatisation of the temporal bone

To analyse the degree of pneumatisation of the temporal bone when there is an association between dehiscence of the superior semicircular canal and dehiscence of the tegmen tympani. Materials and methods We analysed a retrospective CT study of 124 selected cases. A single inclusion criterion was applied: the presence of a dehiscence of the tegmen tympani. On the other hand, the degree of temporal pneumatisation was assessed by axial and coronal planes, and has been divided into the following grades O, I, II and III, according to the status and relationship of the mastoid, the bony labyrinth, the petrous segment of the carotid canal and sigmoid sinus. Results Of the 124 cases studied, 35 (28.2%) presented both dehiscences. In 26 of the 35 (47.3%), grade II pneumatisation, 4 (14,8%), grade I, and 5 (11,9%) grade III was observed, with a statistically significant relationship (p < 0.001). On the other hand, we did not find a significant relationship when relating both dehiscences in any age or sex group. However, when relating the degree of pneumatisation to sex, among those with grade III pneumatisation, the proportion of men (52.4%) was significantly higher than that of women (47.6%) (p = 0.017). Conclusion We have detected a statistically significant relationship between the coexistence of grade II pneumatisation and the presence of both dehiscences in the temporal bone

Correlación entre el diagnóstico de depresión y la sintomatología presentada en pacientes de atención primaria

La depresión mayor es una enfermedad crónica con una alta prevalencia que cursa habitualmente de manera episó- dica, con una duración media del episodio de 16 semanas. No se han encontrado análisis que evalúen la concordancia entre la aparición de los mismos y la evolución del episodio. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la concordancia entre la evolución sintomática (aparición, mantenimiento, remisión de los diversos síntomas) y la evolución del diagnóstico de depresión mayor (aparición, mantenimiento y remisión) en una cohorte de personas con y sin diagnóstico de depresión mayor. Se realizó un estudio de cohortes prospectivo a un año de seguimiento en el que se entrevistó a una muestra aleatoria de 741 sujetos que acudían a consultas de atención primaria, se elaboró el diagnóstico de depresión según criterios del DSM-IV y se analizó la sintomatología que presentaba. Estos sujetos fueron re-evaluados a los 6 meses y 12 meses. El estado de ánimo deprimido, la disminución del interés o anhedonia y los síntomas relacionados con el sueño (insomnio o hipersomnia), la agitación, el sentimiento de culpa y la fatiga o pérdida de energía son concordantes con el diagnóstico. El resto de los síntomas muestran una evolución independiente de la evolución del diagnóstico. En Atención Primaria, es importante conocer qué síntomas son claves en la evolución del diagnóstico con la finalidad de conseguir la remisión total de la depresión y evitar mantenimiento de sintomatología residual que puede dar lugar a pródromos

Incorporating BEAMing technology as a liquid biopsy into clinical practice for the management of colorectal cancer patients : an expert taskforce review

The importance of mutation identification for advanced colorectal cancer treatment with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor agents is well established. However, due to delays in turnaround time, low-quality tissue samples, and/or lack of standardization of testing methods a significant proportion of patients are being treated without the information that Kirsten rat sarcoma and neuroblastoma rat sarcoma (RAS) testing can provide. The detection of mutated circulating tumor DNA by BEAMing technology addresses this gap in care and allows these patients to receive international guideline-recommended expanded RAS testing with rapid turnaround times. Furthermore, the overall concordance between OncoBEAM RAS colorectal cancer testing and standard of care tissue testing is very high (93.3%). This article presents an overview of the clinical utility and potential applications of this minimally invasive method, such as early detection of emergent resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy. If appropriately implemented, BEAMing technology holds considerable promise to enhance the quality of patient care and improve clinical outcomes

Oncologist’s knowledge and implementation of guidelines for breakthrough cancer pain in Spain: CONOCE study

[Purpose]: Breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) has been shown to be a prevalent and poor prognostic factor for oncologic patients, which remain under diagnosed and undertreated. In 2012, the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) published a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the treatment of cancer pain which specifically addressed the management of BTcP.[Methods]: Fundación ECO designed a qualitative study using an Internet-based survey to investigate the attitudes toward, compliance with, and use of SEOM Guideline.[Results]: A total of 83 oncologists with a mean experience of 13 years responded. Overall, 82% were aware of different guidelines to manage BTcP. Notably, attitudes toward guidelines were highly positive and there was nearly unanimous agreement that CPG provided the best scientific evidence available (99%), on the minimum information to be gathered for the medical history (100%), on the need for a specific treatment for BTcP (100%), and fentanyl as the first-choice drug (99%). Interestingly, there were discrepancies between what oncologists agreed with and what they do in clinical practice. In fact, 87.6% declare full compliance with SEOM guideline, although adherence to registration of BTcP data in medical records ranged from 30.1 to 91.6% (mean 64.5%); therapeutic management compliance was higher ranging from 75.9 to 91.6%. Main barriers identified were time pressure together with vague statements and limited dissemination of the guidelines.[Conclusion]: Despite oncologist’s clinical practice is increasingly guided by GPC, it suffers from limited compliance, at least in part due to suboptimal statements. Improved dissemination and education are needed to enhance guideline implementation.This study was funded by Kyowa Kirin Farmacéutica S. L.U. through Fundación ECO

Depósitos de magnesita en la Cuenca de Calatayud: facies y asociaciones mineralógicas

Sedimentary magnesite is largely present in the Miocene evaporite formations (Lower and Intermediate units) of the Calatayud Basin (NE Spain). Magnesite deposits are forming part of sedimentary sequences corresponding to hypersaline and moderate-to-high concentrated saline lakes. Both field and mineralógica! studies show that magnesite is associated with a wide range of lithofacies, but most commonly with phyllosilicates and gypsum. Trioctahedral clay minerals (Mg-smectites) were identified in mudflat environments of the hypersaline Lower Unit, probably formed by transformation of inherited phases in Mg and Si-rich saline-alkaline environments. Moderate to well ordered smectites (diocta-trioctahedral) in green clay lithofacies in absence of magnesite suggest a genetic competition forming magnesite or Mg-smectite. In contrast, the exclusive presence of illite associated with interestratified illite/smectite in sequences that correspond to moderate-to-high concentrated saline lakes could result from illitization processes of smectites in Mg-K-rich environments, under periodical dry/wet cycles

Schedule-selective biochemical modulation of 5-fluorouracil in advanced colorectal cancer – a phase II study

BACKGROUND: 5-fluorouracil remains the standard therapy for patients with advanced/metastatic colorectal cancer. Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated the biological modulation of 5-fluorouracil by methotrexate and leucovorin. This phase II study was initiated to determine the activity and toxicity of sequential methotrexate – leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were enrolled onto the study. Methotrexate – 30 mg/m(2) was administered every 6 hours for 6 doses followed by a 2 hour infusion of LV – 500 mg/m(2). Midway through the leucovorin infusion, patients received 5-fluorouracil – 600 mg/m(2). This constituted a cycle of therapy and was repeated every 2 weeks until progression. RESULTS: The median age was 64 yrs (34–84) and the Eastern Cooperative Group Oncology performance score was 0 in 37%, 1 in 55% and 2 in 8% of patients. Partial and complete responses were seen in 31% of patients with a median duration of response of 6.4 months. The overall median survival was 13.0 months. The estimated 1-year survival was 53.7%. Grade III and IV toxic effects were modest and included mucositis, nausea and vomiting. CONCLUSIONS: This phase II study supports previously reported data demonstrating the modest clinical benefit of 5-FU modulation utilizing methotrexate and leucovorin in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Ongoing studies evaluating 5-fluorouracil modulation with more novel agents (Irinotecan and/or oxaliplatin) are in progress and may prove encouraging