Mónica Delgado

Gastric and colon metastasis from breast cancer: case report, review of the literature, and possible underlying mechanisms

Gastrointestinal metastases from breast cancer are not common. We present a 58-year-old female diagnosed with lobular breast cancer some years before whose relapses were gastric and colonic mucosal. Simultaneous metastases are extremely rare. To our knowledge, no cases of initial dual affectation have been reported. The patient also showed gastritis by Helicobacter pylori. Invasive lobular breast carcinoma is the most frequent special type of breast cancer and carries some specific molecular alterations such as loss of expression of E-cadherin. Although underlying mechanisms of metastasization are not entirely known, chemokines as well as inflammatory events seem to be implicated in this process. Interaction between chemokines and their receptors frequently induces cell migration. We hypothesize that H. pylori, inflammatory cells, and chemokines may create a favorable environment attracting tumor cells.

Density and reproductive characteristics of female brown bears in the Cantabrian Mountains, NW Spain

Abstract Here we present annual nearest-neighbour distances (as a proxy of density) between females with cubs-of-the-year (hereafter FCOY) and reproductive characteristics of brown bears Ursus arctos in the Cantabrian Mountains (NW Spain), from 1989 to 2017. FCOY nearest-neighbour distances and reproduction parameters of 19 focal females followed over several consecutive years (from 2004 to 2017) were obtained from bears inhabiting the western sector of the Cantabrian Mountains, where most of the bear population resides. In contrast, general reproductive characteristics were studied in the whole Cantabrian Mountains (western and eastern sectors together) on a sample of 362 litter sizes and 695 cubs. Mean nearest-neighbour distance between FCOY was 2559 ± 1222 m (range = 1305–4757 m). Mean litter size was significantly larger in the west (1.8 ± 0.2 cubs) than in the east (1.3 ± 0.6 cubs). Mean litter size for the whole of the Cantabrian Mountains was 1.6 ± 0.3 cubs. Litter sizes of one, two and three cubs represented 33.4, 56.1 and 10.5% of observed family groups, respectively. Interannual variations in litter size were not significant for both the western and the eastern areas. Mean cub mortality was 0.2 ± 0.5 cubs and did not vary among years. Cub mortality per litter size was 3.9% for one cub, 69.2% for two cubs and 26.9% for three cubs. Mean reproductive rate of the 19 focal females was 1.5 ± 0.6 cubs (n = 58 litters). Litter size of focal FCOY did not differ from the litter size obtained from systematic observations in the whole Cantabrian Mountains. During this period, cub mortality occurred in 24.1% of the 58 litters. Females usually bred every second year (average litter interval = 2.2 years). The estimated reproductive rate for the bear population was 0.7 young born/year/reproductive adult female.

La tecnología en 10 películas

Presentamos criticas de diez filmes contemporaneos que nos parecieron relevantes por la manera en que aprovecharon los avances tecnologicos, o por la forma en que miran la tecnologia. Excluimos la cinta Avatar, que ya esta comentada en la entrevista con Rommel Comeca, pero igual esperamos extender esta lista en nuestro blog, de pronta aparicion.

Manías, fetiches y otras enfermedades

Dejar DVD regados en la cama, realizar compulsivamente listas de peliculas, ver cinco o seis peliculas al dia, dejar de ver filmes de directores “incomprensiblemente” prestigiosos, aferrarse al cine en su idioma original o en su formato correcto, son algunas de las escenas frecuentes en quienes no pueden dejar la obsesion del cine.

Rescatando películas: directores malos, desconocidos o one hit wonders

?Michael Bay y Robert Rodriguez realmente tienen alguna pelicula rescatable? ?Se acuerdan de cintas de Herk Harvey, Les Blank o Jonathan Glazer? Pues bien, a continuacion, una lista comentada de peliculas muy apreciables de directores malos o casi olvidados para algunos de nuestros colaboradores.