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Abstract: We study global periodicity for the difference equation of order given by , where is a continuous map, . Our main results are the following. We prove that if any solution of the equation is periodic, then there is a minimal such that the period of any solution divides (and therefore is called a -cycle). In addition, if , then for any there are, up to conjugacy, only a -cycle. Finally, if and gives a -cycle, then is topologically conjugate to: [•] , if is even. [•] The previous equation or , if is odd. Our results solve some open questions from [J. S. Cánovas, A. Linero and G. Soler, On global periodicity of difference equations, Taiwanese J. Math. (in press)] and [M. R. S. Kulenović and G. Ladas, Dynamics of Second Order Rational Difference Equations. With Open Problems and Conjectures, Chapman & Hall/CRC, Boca Raton, FL, 2002]. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The development of intestinal transplant (Tx) programs introduces thymoglobulin donor treatment as well as an almost complete warm dissection of the abdominal organs to allocate them to different recipients. Our aim is to assess the reproducibility and feasibility of the surgical technique of multi-organ procurement with the use of thymoglobulin donor pre-treatment and report the short- and long-term outcomes of every graft harvested as part of multi-organ procurement (MTOp), including the intestine. Methods: Data were collected of all organs harvested from MTOp, including the intestines allocated to our center from March 2006 to July 2011. Data from 92 recipients and 116 organs procured from 29 MTOp were analyzed. Twelve hearts, 2 lungs, and 1 cardio-pulmonary block were transplanted; primary graft dysfunction developed in 4 of the 12 hearts and in the cardio-pulmonary block. Results: The survival rate was 75% and 100% for hearts and lungs, respectively. Nineteen livers, 9 kidney-pancreas, 19 kidneys, and 29 intestines were transplanted. Delayed graft function (DGF) of the pancreas developed in 3 of 9 kidney-pancreas, and the other 3 exhibited DGF of the kidney; 4 of 19 Tx kidneys had DGF. The survival was 84%, 78%, 95%, and 65.5% for livers, kidney-pancreas, kidneys, and intestines, respectively. Conclusions: Organs procured during MTOp including the intestine can be safely used, increasing organ availability and transplant applicability without compromising allocation, quality, and long-term results of the non-intestinal-procured organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-line single-agent cetuximab in fit elderly patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, as well as potential molecular predictive factors for efficacy. Patients and methods: Patients aged 70 or older with metastatic CRC without criteria for frailty and no prior treatment for advanced disease were treated with single-agent cetuximab 400mg/m2 followed by weekly 250mg/m2 until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Results: Forty-one patients were included. Two patients achieved a complete response and 4 patients had a partial response for an overall response rate of 14.6%. Fifteen patients (36.6%) remained stable. Median time to progression was 2.9 months and median overall survival 11.1 months despite two-third of patients received chemotherapy at progression. Forty-five percent of EGFR gene copy number positive patients by FISH were progression-free at 12 weeks, in contrast with 12% of FISH negative patients (p =0.04). Grade 3 skin toxicity was reported in 5 patients (12.2%). Hypersensitivity infusion reactions were not reported and there were no toxic deaths. Conclusion: Cetuximab is a safe monoclonal antibody with moderate activity in first-line metastatic colorectal cancer, but the present study does not support the use of cetuximab as single-agent in first-line fit elderly patients with metastatic CRC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]