Prognostic factors for early relapse in non-metastatic triple negative breast cancer — real world data

BACKGROUND: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has the worst prognosis amongst all subtypes. Studies have shown that the achievement of pathologic complete response in the breast and axilla correlates with improved survival. The aim of this study was to identify clinical or pathological features of real-life TNBC patients with a higher risk of early relapse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single-centre retrospective analysis of 127 women with TNBC, stage II-III, submitted to neoadjuvant treatment and surgery between January 2016 and 2020. Multivariate Cox regression analysis for disease free survival (DFS) at 2 years was performed and statistically significant variables were computed into a prognostic model for early relapse. RESULTS: After 29 months of median follow-up, 105 patients (82.7%) were alive and, in total, 38 patients (29.9%) experienced recurrence. The 2-year DFS was 73% (95% CI: 21.3–22.7). In multivariate analysis, being submitted to neoadjuvant radiotherapy [HR 2.8 (95% CI: 1.2–6.4), p = 0.017] and not achieving pathologic complete response [HR 0.3 (95% CI: 0.1–1.7), p = 0.011] were associated with higher risk of recurrence. In our prognostic model, the presence of at least one of these variables defined a subgroup of patients with a worse 2-year DFS than those without these features (59% vs. 90%, p < 0.001, respectively).  CONCLUSIONS: In this real-life non-metastatic TNBC cohort, neoadjuvant radiotherapy (performed due to insufficient clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy or significant toxicity) impacted as an independent prognostic factor for relapse along with the absence of pathologic complete response identifying a subgroup of higher risk patients for early relapse that might merit a closer follow-up

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Diabetes gestacional e programação fetal

Trabalho final de mestrado integrado em Medicina (Endocrinologia), apresentado á Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de CoimbraIntrodução: A diabetes gestacional é, actualmente, um problema de saúde pública. Sendo um estado patológico, aumenta a incidência de complicações tanto maternas como fetais. A programação fetal representa a oportunidade crucial para uma possível estratégia de prevenção na tentativa de parar a progressão da epidemia crescente da diabetes e outros distúrbios metabólicos. Objectivos: Conhecimento dos mecanismos moleculares subjacentes a um ambiente intrauterino adverso, mais precisamente, gerado numa gravidez complicada por diabetes gestacional e suas modificações epigenéticas no feto com consequências para a sua vida futura, nomeadamente, no desenvolvimento de diabetes e síndrome metabólica. Conhecimento de possíveis estratégias de prevenção a partir daquele momento de oportunidade que é a programação fetal, de forma a reduzir o risco pré-programado de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 e síndrome metabólica. Métodos: Pesquisa na base de dados da PubMed de literatura científica referente a diabetes gestacional, obesidade, síndrome metabólica e epigenética, bem como artigos mais específicos e relevantes para a programação fetal e recomendações para a avaliação e acompanhamento destas patologias. Desenvolvimento: A epidemia crescente de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 e obesidade nos países desenvolvidos não pode ser apenas explicada pela sobrenutrição, baixa actividade física e/ou factores genéticos. Um ambiente intrauterino adverso poderá alterar a expressão génica permanentemente. Um insulto, durante esta fase crítica e sensível que é o desenvolvimento fetal, pode significar o aumento do risco de desenvolvimento de determinadas patologias Diabetes Gestacional e Programação Fetal Rita Inês Félix Soares 3 FMUC - Mestrado Integrado em Medicina numa fase posterior da vida do indivíduo, nomeadamente, diabetes mellitus tipo 2, obesidade e doenças cardiovasculares. Desta forma, é fulcral definir estratégias de prevenção de forma a contrariar a crescente epidemia. Os mecanismos epigenéticos poderão ser, em parte, a chave dessa prevenção. Conclusão: É necessário ter em conta que os distúrbios metabólicos na descendência exposta a diabetes gestacional resultam de uma combinação de factores genéticos e epigenéticos, sendo que os epigenéticos também envolvem alterações no transporte placentar, insulina, leptina, marcadores inflamatórios. Assim, é necessário focar a atenção no controlo e abordagem da mulher grávida com diabetes e obesidade, no que diz respeito ao rastreio, alterações do estilo de vida, controlo glicémico e ponderal, bem como a abordagem ao recémnascido com o incentivo ao aleitamento materno. É urgente definir estratégias eficazes para o controlo dos distúrbios metabólicos.Introduction: Gestational diabetes is currently a public health problem. As a pathological state, gestational diabetes increases the incidence of complications both maternal and fetal. Fetal programming represents a crucial opportunity for possible prevention strategies in an attempt to stop the progression of the growing epidemic of diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Objectives: To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying an adverse intrauterine environment, more precisely in a pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus and its epigenetic modifications in the fetus with consequences for their future life, in particular the development of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. To know the potential prevention strategies from that window of opportunity which is the fetal programming in order to reduce the pre-programmed risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. Methods: This review is based on searches from PubMed database of scientific literature relating to gestational diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome and epigenetics, as well as more specific and relevant articles for fetal programming and recommendations for the assessment and monitoring of these diseases. Results: The growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity in developed countries cannot only be explained by the over nutrition, low physical activity and/or genetic factors. An adverse intrauterine environment can change the gene expression permanently. An insult during this critical and sensitive stage that is fetal development could mean an increase in the risk of developing certain diseases later in life, namely, diabetes mellitus type 2, obesity and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is essential to define prevention strategies in order to counteract the growing epidemic. Epigenetic mechanisms may be, in part, the key to the prevention. Conclusion: It is necessary to take into account that the metabolic disorders in the offspring exposed to gestational diabetes result from a combination of genetic and epigenetic factors. Epigenetic mechanisms also involve changes in the placentar transfer, insulin, leptin, inflammatory markers. Thus it is necessary to focus attention on control and approach of the pregnant woman with diabetes and obesity, with regard to the screening, lifestyle changes, glycaemic and weight control, as well as the approach to the newborn with the encouragement of breastfeeding. There is an urgent need to define effective strategies for the control of metabolic disorder

Streptococcal sex syndrome: a curious association between sex and cellulitis

Women undergoing pelvic lymphadenectomy and radiation therapy for gynaecological cancer are prone to acute and often recurrent cellulitis as a consequence of compromised lymphatic circulation. Vaginal intercourse can trigger the infection, a condition named streptococcal sex syndrome (SSS). We report a 63-year old female patient with a history of pelvic lymphadenectomy and radiation therapy for gynaecological cancer. She presented to the obstetrics/gynaecology department for vaginal haemorrhage during sexual intercourse the day before. Gynaecological examination was unremarkable but she was febrile and presented inflammatory signs on the abdomen and lower left limb. The diagnostic workup suggested cellulitis and intravenous antibiotics were initiated, with complete recovery. Blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus mitis/oralis. One month later, the infection recurred at the same location, promptly after sexual intercourse. Keywords: Cellulitis, Sex, Streptococcus, Lymphadenectom

Comparison of continental Portugal and Azores Islands aerosol during a Sahara dust storm

Copyright © 2002 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Airborne particulate matter plays an important role in the Earth's energy balance. One of the main reasons is that the real size of a significant number of the particles, mainly those of anthropogenic origin, is similar to the wavelength of visible light. Knowledge of the composition of such particles, as well as their dynamics and trajectories in the atmosphere is therefore very important. In the period from 23 February to 22 March 2000, a movement of airborne particulate matter going over Europe and towards Azores was identified based on satellite observation. This work presents a preliminary study based on PIXE and nuclear micro-probe analysis of samples collected during that period both in Portugal mainland and in Terceira Island in the Azores. Time-shifted correlation of sample composition and individual particle composition are presented and discussed. Results point to the possibility of inferring long-range transport of aerosol particles from the samples multi-element analysis, and to the existence of fractions of the North Atlantic aerosol identical at both Portugal mainland and Terceira Island

Comparison of continental Portugal and Azores Islands aerosol during a Sahara dust storm

Copyright © 2002 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Airborne particulate matter plays an important role in the Earth's energy balance. One of the main reasons is that the real size of a significant number of the particles, mainly those of anthropogenic origin, is similar to the wavelength of visible light. Knowledge of the composition of such particles, as well as their dynamics and trajectories in the atmosphere is therefore very important. In the period from 23 February to 22 March 2000, a movement of airborne particulate matter going over Europe and towards Azores was identified based on satellite observation. This work presents a preliminary study based on PIXE and nuclear micro-probe analysis of samples collected during that period both in Portugal mainland and in Terceira Island in the Azores. Time-shifted correlation of sample composition and individual particle composition are presented and discussed. Results point to the possibility of inferring long-range transport of aerosol particles from the samples multi-element analysis, and to the existence of fractions of the North Atlantic aerosol identical at both Portugal mainland and Terceira Island

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data