Preoperative psychological profile of women with increased risk of breast cancer

Aim: analyze depressive and anxiety symptomatology, body image and quality of life in a group of women with genetic vulnerability to breast cancer who were going to undergo a riskreducing mastectomy. Method:184 women participated in this study, all of whom had an increased risk of breast cancer, either because they were BRCA1/2 mutation carriers or because they had several affected relatives. The psychological instruments used were: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Body Image Scale, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Questionnaire Core 30 and BR23. Results: The results of this study showed that the participants presented clinical anxiety symptomatology and subclinical depressive symptomatology. However, all the sample were at normative levels in body image and quality of life. Participants with previous diagnosis of cancer showed, higher dissatisfaction with their body image, lower levels on the scales of physical, and cognitive and global functioning on quality of life, as well as higher fatigue, more general pain also in the breast and in the arm compared to women without diagnosis. Conclusions: BRCA1/2 non-mutation carriers showed more symptomatology in the breast and in the arm fatigue than BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. BRCA1/2 mutation carriers had more economic difficulties than non-carriers. It is highly recommended a psychological intervention before a risk-reducing surgery.Objetivo: analizar los niveles de sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva, imagen corporal y calidad de vida en un grupo de mujeres con vulnerabilidad genética de cáncer de mama que se iban a someter a una mastectomía reductora de riesgo. Método: 184 mujeres participaron en este estudio, todas ellas tenían riesgo aumentado de cáncer de mama, bien por ser portadoras de una mutación BRCA1/2 o por agregación familiar. Los instrumentos utilizados fueron: Escala de Ansiedad y Depresión Hospitalaria, Escala de Imagen Corporal, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer calidad de vida oncológica C30 y BR23. Resultados: Los resultados de este estudio mostraron que las participantes presentaban niveles clínicos en sintomatología ansiosa y subclínicos en sintomatología depresiva. Sin embargo, se encontraban en niveles normativos en imagen corporal y calidad de vida. Las participantes con antecedentes oncológicos manifestaban, mayor insatisfacción con la imagen corporal, niveles inferiores en las escalas de funcionamiento físico, cognitivo y global de la calidad de vida, así como mayor fatiga, dolor general, en el brazo y en la mama en comparación con las mujeres sin diagnósticos previos. Conclusiones: Las mujeres sin mutación poseían mayor sintomatología en la mama y en el brazo que las mujeres con mutación, las cuales presentaban más dificultades económicas que las mujeres no portadoras. Evidenciando la necesidad de realizar una intervención psicológica antes de la cirugía especialmente en este colectivo

Heterologous hyperimmune polyclonal antibodies against SARS-COV-2: A broad coverage, affordable, and scalable potential immunotherapy for Covid-19

The emergence and dissemination of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the resulting COVID-19 pandemic triggered a global public health crisis. Although several SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been developed, demand far exceeds supply, access to them is inequitable, and thus, populations in low- and middle-income countries are unlikely to be protected soon (1). Furthermore, there are no specific therapies available, which is a challenge for COVID-19 patient care (2). Thus, the appearance of SARS-CoV-2 variants and reports of reinfections associated with immune escape (3, 4) highlight the urgent need for effective and broad coverage COVID-19 therapeutics. Intravenous administration of human or heterologous antibodies is a therapy successfully used in patients with viral respiratory diseases (5). Accordingly, formulations containing SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies are an attractive therapeutic option for COVID-19 patients (6). SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies could limit infection by direct virion neutralization and/or by targeting infected cells for elimination via complement or antibody-mediated cytotoxicity (6). Specific SARS-CoV-2 antibody-based therapeutics include convalescent plasma (CP), monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), human polyclonal IgG formulations purified from CP or transgenic animals, and heterologous hyperimmune polyclonal antibodies (pAbs) (6). Although the window for using antibody-based therapeutics varies, clinical data show that they are mainly effective if administered early after symptoms onset (6).Universidad de Costa Rica/[741-C0-198]/UCR/Costa RicaCaja Costarricense del Seguro Social/[]/CCSS/Costa RicaBanco Centroamericano de Integración Económica/[]/BCIE/Costa RicaGerman academic exchange services/[57592642]/DAAD/AlemaniaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Instituto Clodomiro Picado (ICP)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Salud::Facultad de Medicina::Escuela de MedicinaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias de la Salud::Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET

Single-Cell DNA Sequencing and Immunophenotypic Profiling to Track Clonal Evolution in an Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patient

Single-cell DNA sequencing can address the sequence of somatic genetic events during myeloid transformation in relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We present an NPM1-mutated AML patient with an initial low ratio of FLT3-ITD (low-risk ELN-2017), treated with midostaurin combined with standard chemotherapy as front-line treatment, and with salvage therapy plus gilteritinib following allogenic stem cell transplantation after relapse. Simultaneous single-cell DNA sequencing and cell-surface immunophenotyping was used in diagnostic and relapse samples to understand the clinical scenario of this patient and to reconstruct the clonal composition of both tumors. Four independent clones were present before treatment: DNMT3A/DNMT3A/NPM1 (63.9%), DNMT3A/DNMT3A (13.9%), DNMT3A/DNMT3A/NPM1/FLT3 (13.8%), as well as a wild-type clone (8.3%), but only the minor clone with FLT3-ITD survived and expanded after therapy, being the most represented one (58.6%) at relapse. FLT3-ITD was subclonal and was found only in the myeloid blast population (CD38/CD117/CD123). Our study shows the usefulness of this approach to reveal the clonal architecture of the leukemia and the identification of small subclones at diagnosis and relapse that may explain how the neoplastic cells can escape from the activity of different treatments in a stepwise process that impedes the disease cure despite different stages of complete remission.This research was funded by INSTITUTO DE SALUD CARLOS III (ISCIII), grants PI18/01946 (Co-funded by European Regional Development Fund “A way to make Europe”) and PI21/01705 (Co-funded by the European Union), and by the Accelerator Award Program (co-founders Cancer Research UK [C355/A26819], FC AECC and AIRC). M.G.-Á., C.J. and A.M.-H. were funded by the Spanish Society of Hematology Foundation (FEHH).Peer reviewe

Relación entre el cansancio emocional de los estudiantes universitarios con su autoestima y satisfacción con los estudios

El trabajo que se presenta está enmarcado en la Red docente Cansancio emocional, autoestima y satisfacción con los estudios de los estudiantes universitarios, en la que participa profesorado de varios departamentos y diferentes universidades (Alicante, Elche, Murcia y Granada/campus Melilla). La competencia emocional que el estudiante tenga durante todo su proceso de aprendizaje puede ser un elemento de freno al estrés académico y a la actitud de estar quemado (burnout), teniendo como consecuencia una actitud positiva o negativa hacia los estudios y tareas que realiza. Este trabajo se plantea como objetivo analizar la relación entre el cansancio emocional, la autoestima y la satisfacción con los estudios del alumnado universitario. Estos aspectos se analizan en una muestra representativa de estudiantes de diferentes titulaciones y universidades. Los resultados nos permiten conocer la relación de variables emocionales con el grado de satisfacción con los estudios, aspectos que repercuten a lo largo de todo el proceso de aprendizaje de los estudiantes

Impact of Biological Agents on Postsurgical Complications in Inflammatory Bowel Disease : A Multicentre Study of Geteccu

Background: The impact of biologics on the risk of postoperative complications (PC) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still an ongoing debate. This lack of evidence is more relevant for ustekinumab and vedolizumab. Aims: To evaluate the impact of biologics on the risk of PC. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 37 centres. Patients treated with biologics within 12 weeks before surgery were considered "exposed". The impact of the exposure on the risk of 30-day PC and the risk of infections was assessed by logistic regression and propensity score-matched analysis. Results: A total of 1535 surgeries were performed on 1370 patients. Of them, 711 surgeries were conducted in the exposed cohort (584 anti-TNF, 58 vedolizumab and 69 ustekinumab). In the multivariate analysis, male gender (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2-2.0), urgent surgery (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.2), laparotomy approach (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-1.9) and severe anaemia (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3-2.6) had higher risk of PC, while academic hospitals had significantly lower risk. Exposure to biologics (either anti-TNF, vedolizumab or ustekinumab) did not increase the risk of PC (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 0.97-1.58), although it could be a risk factor for postoperative infections (OR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.03-2.27). Conclusions: Preoperative administration of biologics does not seem to be a risk factor for overall PC, although it may be so for postoperative infections

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Impact of Biological Agents on Postsurgical Complications in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multicentre Study of Geteccu

Background: The impact of biologics on the risk of postoperative complications (PC) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still an ongoing debate. This lack of evidence is more relevant for ustekinumab and vedolizumab. Aims: To evaluate the impact of biologics on the risk of PC. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 37 centres. Patients treated with biologics within 12 weeks before surgery were considered “exposed”. The impact of the exposure on the risk of 30-day PC and the risk of infections was assessed by logistic regression and propensity score-matched analysis. Results: A total of 1535 surgeries were performed on 1370 patients. Of them, 711 surgeries were conducted in the exposed cohort (584 anti-TNF, 58 vedolizumab and 69 ustekinumab). In the multivariate analysis, male gender (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2–2.0), urgent surgery (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2–2.2), laparotomy approach (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1–1.9) and severe anaemia (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3–2.6) had higher risk of PC, while academic hospitals had significantly lower risk. Exposure to biologics (either anti-TNF, vedolizumab or ustekinumab) did not increase the risk of PC (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 0.97–1.58), although it could be a risk factor for postoperative infections (OR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.03–2.27). Conclusions: Preoperative administration of biologics does not seem to be a risk factor for overall PC, although it may be so for postoperative infections

Extinction risk of Mesoamerican crop wild relatives

Ensuring food security is one of the world's most critical issues as agricultural systems are already being impacted by global change. Crop wild relatives (CWR)—wild plants related to crops—possess genetic variability that can help adapt agriculture to a changing environment and sustainably increase crop yields to meet the food security challenge. Here we report the results of an extinction risk assessment of 224 wild relatives of some of the world's most important crops (i.e. chilli pepper, maize, common bean, avocado, cotton, potato, squash, vanilla and husk tomato) in Mesoamerica—an area of global significance as a centre of crop origin, domestication and of high CWR diversity. We show that 35% of the selected CWR taxa are threatened with extinction according to The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List demonstrates that these valuable genetic resources are under high anthropogenic threat. The dominant threat processes are land use change for agriculture and farming, invasive and other problematic species (e.g. pests, genetically modified organisms) and use of biological resources, including overcollection and logging. The most significant drivers of extinction relate to smallholder agriculture—given its high incidence and ongoing shifts from traditional agriculture to modern practices (e.g. use of herbicides)—smallholder ranching and housing and urban development and introduced genetic material. There is an urgent need to increase knowledge and research around different aspects of CWR. Policies that support in situ and ex situ conservation of CWR and promote sustainable agriculture are pivotal to secure these resources for the benefit of current and future generations