Search

The Multi-Modal Ultrasound Breast Imaging platform (MUBI) is a joint development of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM). It is composed of a ring of 16 transducers with 128 elements each, with a diameter of 22 cm, and working with a central frequency of 3.2 MHz. The total number of elements is 2048, and the electronic system can operate in single-element emission-reception or phased-array modes. It is intended to be a flexible platform for multi-modal ultrasound imaging research, combining reflection, transmission, and elasticity imaging, mainly oriented to breast diagnosis. In this work, research advances on the system are presented: Development of a fully operational prototype to be used with patients, design and manufacturing of calibration and anthropomorphic phantoms and design of an elastography device based on a waveform generator controlled vibrator. The work describes the design and laboratory preliminary tests of the new system components.

Background Available information on the causes of death among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remains scarce. We aimed to provide data on causes of death in PLHIV from two LMICs, Brazil and Mozambique, to assess the impact of clinical misdiagnosis on mortality rates and to evaluate the accuracy of minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) in determining the cause of death in PLHIV. Methods We performed coupled MITS and complete autopsy on 164 deceased PLHIV (18 children, 36 maternal deaths, and 110 adults). HIV antibody levels and HIV RNA viral loads were determined from postmortem serum samples. Results Tuberculosis (22.7%), toxoplasmosis (13.9%), bacterial infections (13.9%), and cryptococcosis (10.9%) were the leading causes of death in adults. In maternal deaths, tuberculosis (13.9%), bacterial infections (13.9%), cryptococcosis (11.1%), and cerebral malaria (8.3%) were the most frequent infections, whereas viral infections, particularly cytomegalovirus (38.9%), bacterial infections (27.8%), pneumocystosis (11.1%), and HIV-associated malignant neoplasms (11.1%) were the leading cause among children. Agreement between the MITS and the complete autopsy was 100% in children, 91% in adults, and 78% in maternal deaths. The MITS correctly identified the microorganism causing death in 89% of cases. Conclusions Postmortem studies provide highly granular data on the causes of death in PLHIV. The inaccuracy of clinical diagnosis may play a significant role in the high mortality rates observed among PLHIV in LMICs. MITS might be helpful in monitoring the causes of death in PLHIV and in highlighting the gaps in the management of the infections.

Background Although there is a significant increase of evidence regarding the prevalence and impact of COVID-19 on maternal and perinatal outcomes, data on the effects of the pandemic on the obstetric population in sub-Saharan African countries are still scarce. Therefore, the study aims were to assess the prevalence and impact of COVID-19 on maternal and neonatal outcomes in the obstetric population at Central Hospital of Maputo (HCM), Mozambique. Methods Prospective cohort study conducted at teaching and referral maternity, HCM, from 20 October 2020 to 22 July 2021. We collected maternal and perinatal outcomes up to six weeks postpartum of eligible women (pregnant and postpartum women - up to the 14th day postpartum) screened for COVID-19 (individual test for symptomatic participants and pool testing for asymptomatic). The primary outcome was maternal death, SARS and UCI admission. We estimated the COVID-19 prevalence and the unadjusted RR (95% CI) for maternal and perinatal outcomes. We used the chi-square or Fisher's exact test to compare qualitative variables (two-sided p-value

Purpose: Mozambique is a country with a very high prevalence of gynecological cancer and, until 2018 had no training program in gynecologic oncology and no gynecologic oncology specialists. Through the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) global fellowship program, three gynecologists in Mozambique were trained to become gynecologic oncologists and completed training in October 2020. Methods: The training program pairs specialists in gynecologic oncology with gynecologists in countries without a formal training program in gynecologic oncology. In Mozambique, fellows were paired with specialists from Brazil and the United States, due to a common language with Brazilians and pre-existing partnerships. Over a 2.5 year period, fellows performed self-study using an on-line curriculum, received training in clinical practice and surgery with specialist mentors who traveled to Mozambique 3-4 times/year, attended monthly tumor boards and other regular virtual meetings, and visited the mentors' hospitals in Brazil for a 3 month observership. All surgical cases were logged in REDCap. after completing all requirements, the fellows successfully completed a final exam and received a certificate of successful completion of training. Results: During the training, each fellow participated on average of 251 surgical procedures where they performed: 69 radical hysterectomies, 80 simple hysterectomies, 92 salpingo-oophorectomies, 73 pelvic lymphadenectomies, 2 para-aortic lymphadenectomies, 14 radical vulvectomies, 19 inguinal lymphadenectomies, 34 cold knife conizations and 38 loop electrosurgical excision procedures (LEEPs). At the conclusion of the fellowship, the fellows were performing these procedures independently. Conclusion: The IGCS program and international mentors supported the training of physicians in Mozambique, a country without formal gynecologic oncology training, facilitating the acquisition of the knowledge and skills to effectively care for women with gynecologic cancers. Citation Format: Ricardina Rangeiro, Dercia Changule, Siro Daud, Magda Ribeiro, Elvira Luis, Flora Mabota, Georgia Cintra, Renato Moretti-Marques, Andre Lopes, Marcelo Vieira, Mila Salcedo, Ellen Baker, Cesaltina Lorenzoni, Kathleen Schemeler. IGCS Fellowship Program in Mozambique: the Results [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 9th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; Global Cancer Research and Control: Looking Back and Charting a Path Forward; 2021 Mar 10-11. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2021;30(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 91.

Abstract 5 Purpose There are more than 530,000 new cases of cervical cancer and 275,000 related deaths annually worldwide. More than 85% of cases and deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries and some areas of the United States. There is a shortage of medical specialists to provide prevention, screening, and treatment services in these regions. Needed are programs that are focused on increasing the clinical capacity to improve cancer prevention services via innovative, locally held, hands-on training courses in conjunction with regular telementoring. Locally held, hands-on training courses for colposcopy, cervical biopsy, and loop electrosurgical excisional procedures using innovative training models and theoretical practical lectures were held in conjunction with telementoring using Project ECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes). Methods We initiated a cervical cancer prevention education program with two complementary components: locally held, hands-on training courses using innovative teaching aids that were developed by Rice University, and Project ECHO telementoring using regularly held videoconferences to ensure regular mentoring. These innovative training models are low cost (< $80 USD) and allow course participants to simulate different cervical cancer screening and early treatment techniques, including VIA, colposcopy, cervical biopsies, cryotherapy, and loop electrosurgical excisional procedures. Results To date, four hands-on training programs have been held in Mozambique (n = 2) and underserved areas of Texas, including the Rio Grande Valley (n = 1) and Laredo (n = 1). In addition, since 2014, 99 ECHO telementoring sessions have been held with providers in the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo (average, n = 23 providers) as well as Mozambique (average, n = 11 providers). Conclusion Through this cervical cancer prevention education program, we have found that locally held, hands-on training courses using innovative models, complemented with Project ECHO telementoring, is an innovative way to improve cervical cancer screening and prevention efforts in low-resource settings. Evaluation is ongoing to determine the efficacy of these programs compared with traditional training methods. Funding: The Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas, The University of Texas MD Anderson Sister Institution Network Fund, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Moon Shots program, and The Prevent Cancer Foundation. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No COIs from the authors.

Abstract 8 Background: Worldwide, 14.1 million new cancer cases and 8.2 million cancer-related deaths occur annually. Of global cancer deaths, 65% occur in low- and middle-income countries, where there are not enough medical specialists to provide prevention, screening, and treatment services. For example, there are 245 physicians per 100,000 people in the United States and four physicians per 100,000 people in Mozambique. We undertook this work to investigate how to increase clinical capacity and improve cancer prevention and treatment services to ultimately reduce cancer mortality in Mozambique. Methods: Our education program has three complementary components: Strong partnerships with four academic institutions in Brazil, the Ministry of Health of Mozambique, Maputo Central Hospital, and Mavalane Hospital (Maputo) to develop educational programs and collaborative research; use of technology to implement resource-specific and culturally appropriate telementoring programs; and in-country, hands-on training. Collaboration with Brazilian institutions facilitates communication and provides clinical expertise and program expansion opportunities. The telementoring component uses the Project ECHO model, a program that was developed at the University of New Mexico to engage providers in a horizontal manner through regular case-based discussions. Hands-on training complements the telementoring program and increases the level of expertise. Results: Since January 2015, 120 training hours have been provided through ECHO videoconferences to an average of 11 participants on breast, cervical, and head and neck cancers. Two in-country workshops have provided an average of 1,200 training hours to approximately 100 providers in diagnosis, secondary prevention, and surgical management of breast, cervical, and head and neck cancers, as well as training for medical oncology, oncology nursing, palliative care, and radiation physics. Conclusion: Collaborations with Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon, US academic institutions, and industry partners are being developed to strengthen these programs. Funding: The Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas Grant No. PP150012; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center R. Lee Clark Fellowship award, generously supported by the Jeanne F. Shelby Scholarship Fund; The University of Texas MD Anderson Sister Institution Network Fund (SINF) award; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center HPV-related cancers Moon Shot program; and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Cancer Prevention and Control Platform. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST Melissa S. Lopez No relationship to disclose Ellen S. Baker Stock or Other Ownership: Merck Cesaltina Lorenzoni No relationship to disclose Elvira Xavier Luis No relationship to disclose Flora Mabota No relationship to disclose Pedro Rafael Machava No relationship to disclose Jose Humberto Tavares No relationship to disclose Donato Callegaro Filho No relationship to disclose Thiago Chulam Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: AC Camargo Cancer Center Kathleen M. Schmeler Research Funding: Becton Dickinson Patents, Royalties, Other Intellectual Property: UpToDate

La investigación se llevó a cabo en la granja Los Naranjos ubicada en la Vereda La Venta del Municipio de Cajibío del Departamento del Cauca. La sombra de los árboles no permite el progreso del forraje cultivado en su entorno y no se conocen especies tolerantes a la sombra que se adapten a las condiciones de clima medio y suelos de mediana a baja fertilidad.Teniendo en cuenta lo anterior se adelantó el estudio sobre el manejo agronómico y potencial forrajero del pasto palmera (Setaria poiretiana) bajo tres ambientes diferentes de sombra. La evaluación se desarrolló bajo el diseño en bloques completos al azar con 3 tratamientos y 4 repeticiones. Los tratamientos en diferentes porcentajes de sombríoartificial utilizando polisombra (libre exposición, semisombra y sombra con 0,44 y 70% de sombrío)y las repeticiones (bloques) fueron las condiciones de sombra dadas por el sombrío del bosque en torno al proyecto. El tratamiento que mejor comportamiento agronómico presentó en cuanto a producción de materia seca fue el T1 (libre exposición); no se encontraron diferencias estadísticas para las variables vigor, cobertura, altura, porcentaje de materia seca The research was conducted at the Los Naranjos farm located in the Vereda La sale in the municipality of Cajibío of the Cauca Department. The shade of the trees do not allow the progress of the forage grown in your environment and are not known the shade-tolerant species that adapt to climate conditions medium and medium to low fertility soils.Was therefore undertaken a study on agronomic management and forage potential of palm grass (Setariapoiretiana) under three distinct shadow. The evaluation was conducted under the design in randomized complete block with 3 treatments and 4 replications. Treatments consisted of different percentages of shadow artificial using polisombra(free exposure, partial shade and shadow with 0,44 and 70% dark) mesh and repetitions (blocks) were the conditions given by the shadow of the forest around the project. The treatment that showed better agronomic performance in terms of dry matter production was T1 (free exhibition); no statistical differences were found for variables vigor, coverage, height, dry matter content; did not show damage by pests and diseases. A pesquisa foi realizada na fazenda Los Naranjos localizada na venda La Vereda no município de Cajibío do Departamento de Cauca. A sombra das árvores não permitem o progresso da forragem cultivada em sua sombra espécies tolerantes que se adaptam ao meio de condições de clima e ambiente e médio para solos de baixa fertilidade não são conhecidos. Tendo em conta o acima veio para a frente estudar na forragem potenciais e agronómicos gestão grama Palm (Setaria poiretiana) abaixo dos três diferentes ambientes da máscara. A avaliação foi desenvolvida sob os blocos de projeto completo ao acaso com 3 tratamentos e 4 repetições. Tratamentos em diferentes percentagens de sombrio artificiais usando polisombra (Exposição livre, sombra parcial e sombra com 0,44 e 70% escuro)e as replicações (blocos) foram as condições de sombra dadas pela floresta sombria em torno do projeto. O tratamentomelhor agronómicos comportamentoapresentadoem termos de produção de matéria seca foi T1 (exposiçãolivre); no houvediferençaestatística para a variávelforça, cobertura, altura, porcentagem de matéria seca.