Self-Organization through a multi-agent system for orders distribution in large companies

This article presents the development of a multi-agent system in charge of self-managing a delivery system. The article focuses on the delivery management system and not on the movement systems of the different used vehicles./nThis system consists of different types of vehicles, each with different characteristics, and there may be several instances of each type of vehicle. There will be three operating agents (Drone Operator, Car Operator and Amphibious Operator), an agent that will be responsible for creating random tasks (used only in simulations) and another one that is responsible for distributing these tasks to the operators taking into account the algorithm. This algorithm follows the bases of backtracking and its main function is to assign a task to a vehicle taking into account the distance, the consumption, the limitations of weight and distances, etc. The whole system has been developed in JADE on java. The described software performs a complete simulation with a console in which it is indicated relevant information such as the tasks that are created, the type of vehicle and the instance of that type of vehicle that resolve the delivery, among others. The purpose of this system is to minimize costs and times

Myoinvasive pattern as a prognostic marker in low-grade, early-stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma

Low-grade and early Federation for Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (EEC) have an excellent prognosis. However, approximately 10% of patients develop recurrence, which cannot be correctly predicted at diagnosis. We evaluated myoinvasive patterns as a prognostic factor of relapse in low-grade, early-stage EEC. Two-hundred and fifty-eight cases were selected according to the following inclusion criteria: (i) endometrioid endometrial carcinomas, (ii) grade 1 or 2 with (iii) FIGO stage I or II, and (iv) clinical follow-up. Slides were reviewed to annotate the myoinvasive pattern present in each case (infiltrative glands, microcystic, elongated and fragmented –MELF-, broad front, adenomyosis-like and adenoma malignum). Microsatellite instability was studied by immunoexpression of mismatch repair proteins (MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6). There were 29 recurrences (11.2%) among the 258 cases analysed. A predominant broad front myoinvasive pattern was significantly associated with tumour relapse (p = 0.003). The presence of a pattern of infiltrative glands (p = 0.001) and microsatellite instability (p = 0.004) were associated with lower disease-free survival, without having an impact on overall survival. Our observations suggest the potential value of the pattern of myoinvasion as a prognostic factor in low-grade, early-stage endometrioid endometrial carcinomaThis research was funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) (PI17/01723), co-financed by the European Development Regional Fund ‘A way to achieve Europe’ (FEDER)

Clinicopathological features and prognostic significance of CTNNB1 mutation in low-grade, early-stage endometrial endometrioid carcinoma

Low-grade and early-stage endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (EECs) have an overall good prognosis but biomarkers identifying patients at risk of relapse are still lacking. Recently, CTNNB1 exon 3 mutation has been identified as a potential risk factor of recurrence in these patients. We evaluate the prognostic value of CTNNB1 mutation in a single-centre cohort of 218 low-grade, early-stage EECs, and the correlation with beta-catenin and LEF1 immunohistochemistry as candidate surrogate markers. CTNNB1 exon 3 hotspot mutations were evaluated by Sanger sequencing. Immunohistochemical staining of mismatch repair proteins (MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, and MSH6), p53, beta-catenin, and LEF1 was performed in representative tissue microarrays. Tumours were also reviewed for mucinous and squamous differentiation, and MELF pattern. Nineteen (8.7%) tumours harboured a mutation in CTNNB1 exon 3. Nuclear beta-catenin and LEF1 were significantly associated with CTNNB1 mutation, showing nuclear beta-catenin a better specificity and positive predictive value for CTNNB1 mutation. Tumours with CTNNB1 exon 3 mutation were associated with reduced disease-free survival (p = 0.010), but no impact on overall survival was found (p = 0.807). The risk of relapse in tumours with CTNNB1 exon 3 mutation was independent of FIGO stage, tumour grade, mismatch repair protein expression, or the presence of lymphovascular space invasion. CTNNB1 exon 3 mutation has a negative impact on disease-free survival in low-grade, early-stage EECs. Nuclear beta-catenin shows a higher positive predictive value than LEF1 for CTNNB1 exon 3 mutation in these tumoursThis research was funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) (PI17/01723), co-financed by the European Development Regional Fund ‘A way to achieve Europe’ (FEDER

High-throughput 3-dimensional culture of epithelial ovarian cancer cells as preclinical model of disease

Background: Recent reports have identified distinct genomic patterns in ovarian carcinoma, including proliferative and mesenchymal-like groups, with worse outcome. The exact mechanisms driving the onset and progression of these tumors are still poorly understood. Additionally, researchers are concerned about the correct subtype stratification of the available cell line models, and the exploration of alternatives to monolayer culture. Identification of biomarkers to stratify cell lines, characterization of important processes as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the use of three-dimensional (3D) cultures as alternative models could be useful for cell line classification. Methods and Results: In this work, we present a descriptive analysis of 16 commonly used ovarian cancer cell lines. We have studied their morphology in 2- and 3D culture, and their response to cisplatin, observing in the majority of them an increased resistance in 3D. We have also performed an immunohistochemical analysis for proliferation marker Ki-67, and EMT related markers to establish phenotypes. Epithelial cells tend to show higher proliferative rates, and mesenchymal cells show an increase in EMT related markers, especially when cultured in 3D conditions. Conclusions: We have stated the complex heterogeneity of ovarian cancer models, resembling primary tumors, agreeing with the argument that the cell line model for in vitro experiments must be carefully chosen. Our results also support that tridimensional culture could be a very helpful alternative in ovarian cancer research. Regarding EMT, a very important process for the development of this disease, some related biomarkers might be further characterized for their role in this disease developmentThis work was funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), as part of PN I+D+I 2008–2011 Program (#PI10/630) and Fundación Mutua Madrileña Funding Program. VHS was supported by a phD fellowship program (#FI11/00538, ISCIII) and CIBERONC CB16/12/0039

The Clinical Impact of Neoadjuvant Endocrine Treatment on Luminal-like Breast Cancers and Its Prognostic Significance: Results from a Single-Institution Prospective Cohort Study

Purpose: Neoadjuvant endocrine treatment (NET) has become a useful tool for the down-staging of luminal-like breast cancers in postmenopausal patients. It enables us to increase breast-conserving surgery (BCS) rates, provides an opportunity for us to assess in vivo NET effectiveness, and allows us to study any biological changes that may act as valid biomarkers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of NET, and to assess the role of Ki67 proliferation rate changes as an indicator of endocrine responsiveness. Methods: From 2016 to 2020, a single-institution cohort of patients, treated with NET and further surgery, was evaluated. In patients with Ki67 ≥ 10%, a second core biopsy was performed after four weeks. Information regarding histopathological and clinical changes was gathered. Results: A total of 115 estrogen receptor-positive (ER+)/HER2-negative patients were included. The median treatment duration was 5.0 months (IQR: 2.0–6.0). The median maximum size in the surgical sample was 40% smaller than the pretreatment size measured by ultrasound (p < 0.0001). The median pretreatment Ki67 expression was 20.0% (IQR: 12.0–30.0), and was reduced to 5.0% (IQR: 1.8–10.0) after four weeks, and to 2.0% (IQR: 1.0–8.0) in the surgical sample (p < 0.0001). BCS was performed on 98 patients (85.2%). No pathological complete responses were recorded. A larger Ki67 fold change after four weeks was significantly related to a PEPI score of zero (p < 0.002). No differences were observed between luminal A-and B-like tumors, with regard to fold change and PEPI score. Conclusions: In our cohort, NET was proven to be effective for tumor size and Ki67 downstaging. This resulted in a higher rate of conservative surgery, aided in therapeutic decision making, provided prognostic information, and constituted a safe and well-tolerated approachThis research received no external fundin

Proteomic analysis of low-grade, early-stage endometrial carcinoma reveals new dysregulated pathways associated with cell death and cell signaling

Low-grade, early-stage endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most frequent malignant tumor of the uterine corpus. However, the molecular alterations that underlie these tumors are far from being fully understood. The purpose of this study is to describe dysregulated molecular pathways from EC patients. Sixteen samples of tumor tissue and paired healthy controls were collected and both were subjected to mass spectrometry (MS)/MS proteomic analysis. Gene ontology and pathway analysis was performed to discover dysregulated pathways and/or proteins using different databases and bioinformatic tools. Dysregulated pathways were cross-validated in an independent external cohort. Cell signaling, immune response, and cell death-associated pathways were robustly identified. The SLIT/ROBO signaling pathway demonstrated dysregulation at the proteomic and transcriptomic level. Necroptosis and ferroptosis were cell death-associated processes aberrantly regulated, in addition to apoptosis. Immune response-associated pathways showed a dominance of innate immune responses. Tumor immune infiltrates measured by immunofluorescence demonstrated diverse lymphoid and myeloid populations. Our results suggest a role of SLIT/ROBO, necroptosis, and ferroptosis, as well as a prominent role of innate immune response in low-grade, early-stage EC. These results could guide future research in this group of tumorsThis research was funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) (PI17/01723), cofinanced by the European Development Regional Fund “A way to achieve Europe” (FEDER

Epistemología histórica e historiografía

Ensayos cuyo tema gira sobre la historicidad de la razón científica que ahora es cuestionada desde la misma ciencia. Desde ella se puede seguir una línea desde Gaston Bachelard a Michel Foucault del lado de la reflexión francesa, y, del lado anglosajón, desde el giro lingüístico al programa fuerte de la Escuela de Edimburgo. Por todo esto no es azaroso que la epistemología histórica y la historiografía surjan simultáneamente a partir de la década de 1960. Obras tan significativas como la de Kuhn en el ámbito de la ciencia, o como las de Foucault, se inscriben en este momento. Comparten pues, esta misma preocupación: repensar las condiciones de posibilidad del conocimiento y las de la historiografía. El libro está dividido en dos partes. La primera contiene las reflexiones que incumben directamente a la epistemología histórica, y la segunda parte, las de historiografía. Ambas tienen en común la centralidad de la historicidad.Norma Durán R. A., coordinador

One-Step Nucleic Acid Amplification (OSNA) of Sentinel Lymph Node in Early-Stage Endometrial Cancer: Spanish Multicenter Study (ENDO-OSNA)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) for the detection of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis compared to standard pathological ultrastaging in patients with early-stage endometrial cancer (EC). A total of 526 SLNs from 191 patients with EC were included in the study, and 379 SLNs (147 patients) were evaluated by both methods, OSNA and standard pathological ultrastaging. The central 1 mm portion of each lymph node was subjected to semi-serial sectioning at 200 μm intervals and examined by hematoxylin–eosin and immunohistochemistry with CK19; the remaining tissue was analyzed by OSNA for CK19 mRNA. The OSNA assay detected metastases in 19.7% of patients (14.9% micrometastasis and 4.8% macrometastasis), whereas pathological ultrastaging detected metastasis in 8.8% of patients (3.4% micrometastasis and 5.4% macrometastasis). Using the established cut-off value for detecting SLN metastasis by OSNA in EC (250 copies/μL), the sensitivity of the OSNA assay was 92%, specificity was 82%, diagnostic accuracy was 83%, and the negative predictive value was 99%. Discordant results between both methods were recorded in 20 patients (13.6%). OSNA resulted in an upstaging in 12 patients (8.2%). OSNA could aid in the identification of patients requiring adjuvant treatment at the time of diagnosis.El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la eficacia de la amplificación de ácido nucleico en un solo paso (OSNA) para la detección de metástasis en el ganglio linfático centinela (GC) en comparación con la ultraestadificación patológica estándar en pacientes con cáncer de endometrio (CE) en estadio temprano. Se incluyeron en el estudio un total de 526 SLN de 191 pacientes con EC, y 379 SLN (147 pacientes) fueron evaluados por ambos métodos, OSNA y ultraestadificación patológica estándar. La porción central de 1 mm de cada ganglio linfático se sometió a un seccionamiento semiserie a intervalos de 200 μm y se examinó mediante hematoxilina-eosina e inmunohistoquímica con CK19; el tejido restante fue analizado por OSNA para ARNm de CK19. El ensayo OSNA detectó metástasis en el 19,7 % de los pacientes (14,9 % micrometástasis y 4,8 % macrometástasis), mientras que la ultraestadificación patológica detectó metástasis en el 8,8 % de los pacientes (3. 4% micrometástasis y 5,4% macrometástasis). Usando el valor de corte establecido para detectar metástasis SLN por OSNA en EC (250 copias/μL), la sensibilidad del ensayo OSNA fue del 92 %, la especificidad fue del 82 %, la precisión diagnóstica fue del 83 % y el valor predictivo negativo fue del 99 % Se registraron resultados discordantes entre ambos métodos en 20 pacientes (13,6%). OSNA resultó en una sobreestadificación en 12 pacientes (8,2%). OSNA podría ayudar en la identificación de pacientes que requieren tratamiento adyuvante en el momento del diagnóstico. Se registraron resultados discordantes entre ambos métodos en 20 pacientes (13,6%). OSNA resultó en una sobreestadificación en 12 pacientes (8,2%). OSNA podría ayudar en la identificación de pacientes que requieren tratamiento adyuvante en el momento del diagnóstico. Se registraron resultados discordantes entre ambos métodos en 20 pacientes (13,6%). OSNA resultó en una sobreestadificación en 12 pacientes (8,2%). OSNA podría ayudar en la identificación de pacientes que requieren tratamiento adyuvante en el momento del diagnóstico