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Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent psychiatric disorders, characterized by a chronic course and often accompanied by comorbid symptoms that impair functionality and decrease quality of life. Despite advances in basic and clinical research in our understanding of these disorders, currently available pharmacological options are associated with limited clinical benefits and side effects that frequently lead to treatment discontinuation. Importantly, a significant number of patients do not achieve remission and live with lifelong residual symptoms that limit daily functioning. Since the 1970s, basic and clinical research on cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotomimetic compound found in the Cannabis sativa plant, has indicated relevant anxiolytic effects, garnering attention for its therapeutic potential as an option in anxiety disorder treatment. This chapter aims to review the history of these studies on the anxiolytic effects of CBD within the current understanding of anxiety disorders. It highlights the most compelling current evidence supporting its anxiolytic effects and explores future perspectives for its clinical use in anxiety disorders.

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El cáncer de tiroides (CT) es el primer tumor maligno en glándulas endocrinas, y se estima que al 2030 estará en el top cinco de cáncer a nivel mundial. En Chile, el CT fue incluido, recientemente, como la patología N° 82 con Garantías Explícitas de Salud, lo que implica destinar importantes recursos públicos y privados al tratamiento de pacientes con un cáncer que va en aumento en el mundo. Existen grupos de pacientes jóvenes con tumores pequeños que presentan un comportamiento clínico más agresivo desde el inicio, donde se podría adelantar la toma de decisiones. Específicamente, destaca un grupo de pacientes menores de 55 años con tumores pequeños menores de 2 cm, pero con metástasis regionales, que quedan fuera de la indicación de radioyodoterapia y podrían requerir tratamiento complementario o presentar peor evolución. Las herramientas clínicas y moleculares para guiar el tratamiento adecuado en pacientes con metástasis linfonodales son limitadas y no han sido actualizadas hasta el momento. Existen factores de tumorigenicidad y pronóstico, tales como los marcadores de Transición Epitelio-Mesenquimal (TEM) y Cáncer Stem Cells (CSC) que se han incorporado al estudio de otros tumores y recientemente en cáncer de tiroides. Actualmente estudios que relacionan TEM y CSC con CT apuntan a la descripción molecular y genética, con escasos reportes que correlacionen, clínicamente, estos hallazgos, (particularmente en subgrupos con características particulares de agresividad) y que los propongan como marcadores de tumorigenicidad y pronóstico. La descripción de estos biomarcadores en la población descrita podría facilitar la toma de decisiones en cuanto a seguimiento, terapia quirúrgica y radioyodoterapia.

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the first malignant tumor in endocrine glands, and it is estimated that by 2030 it will be in the top five cancers worldwide. In Chile, TC was recently included as pathology No. 82 with Explicit Health Guarantees, which implies allocating significant public and private resources to the treatment of patients with a cancer that is on the rise. There are groups of young patients with small tumors that present a more aggressive clinical behavior, where decision-making could be advanced. Specifically, a group of patients under 55 years of age with tumors less than 2 cm in size but with regional metastases, that lack indication for radioiodine therapy and could require complementary treatment or present a worse evolution. Clinical and molecular tools to guide appropriate treatment in patients with lymph node metastases are limited and have not been updated. There are tumorigenicity and prognostic factors, such as EpithelialMesenchymal Transition (EMT) and Cancer Stem Cells (CSC) markers that have been incorporated into the study of other tumors and recently in thyroid cancer. Studies linking EMT and CSC with TC currently point to molecular and genetic description, with few reports clinically correlating these findings (particularly in subgroups with particular characteristics of aggressiveness) and proposing them as tumorigenicity and prognosis markers. The description of these biomarkers in the described population could facilitate decision-making regarding follow-up, surgical therapy, and radioiodine therapy.

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Tissue-engineered products (TEPs) are at the forefront of developmental medicines, precisely where monoclonal antibodies and recombinant cytokines were 30 years ago. TEPs development for treating skin wounds has become a fast-growing field as it offers the potential to find novel therapeutic approaches for treating pathologies that currently have limited or no effective alternatives. This review aims to provide the reader with the process of translating an idea from the laboratory bench to clinical practice, specifically in the context of TEPs designing for skin wound healing. It encompasses historical perspectives, approved therapies, and offers a distinctive insight into the regulatory framework in Brazil. We explore the essential guidelines for quality testing, and nonclinical proof-of-concept considering the Brazilian Network of Experts in Advanced Therapies (RENETA) and International Standards and Guidelines (ICH e ISO). Adopting a multifaceted approach, our discussion incorporates scientific and industrial perspectives, addressing quality, biosafety, non-clinical viability, clinical trial and real-word data for pharmacovigilance demands. This comprehensive analysis presents a panoramic view of the development of skin TEPs, offering insights into the evolving landscape of this dynamic and promising field.

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In the 21st century, advances in basic research have provided new insights in the field of pediatric oncology. Pediatric patients tend to experience higher levels of distressing symptoms, which together form a symptom cluster. In clinical practice, these symptom clusters are reported daily by children and adolescents with cancer. Translational research has emerged as the translation of new knowledge from basic science into clinical practice. Understanding how neuroimmunoendocrine pathways regulate cancer development and the aspects underlying the specific therapies, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy, is an important frontier for future research in pediatric oncology. The goal of translational research is to show how different variables in tumor and patient characteristics explain the differential effects of interventions, as translational research provides new insights into the management of cancer symptoms in children and adolescents with cancer. Together, this approach could lead to improvements in pediatric oncology care worldwide.

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Objective: Basic and translational research in pediatric cancer are essential to improve patient care. To critically assess the developments achieved in these areas in Latin America, we systematically reviewed information published between 2013 and 2023. Methods: Studies of basic and translational research performed by investigators in Latin America evaluating pediatric malignant solid and central nervous system tumors were retrieved from PubMed. Original articles published in English between 2013 and 2023 were included. Collaborations among Latin American authors or among Latin American authors working with researchers from other continents were also included. Studies were excluded if they focused only on adults or on basic research in tumor biology not specifically related to the tumor types analyzed in this review. Results: A total of 550 articles were retrieved, but after removal of duplicates, 514 articles were included in the analysis, the majority of which were authored by researchers affiliated with institutions in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. These countries also had the highest number of collaborations on original articles published with authors from Europe and North America. Argentina had the highest number of collaborations on original publications, with coauthors from Brazil and Uruguay. The median impact factor of the 244 journals in which articles were published was 3.5. The most commonly studied tumors were osteosarcomas, neuroblastomas and medulloblastomas; the most commonly studied areas were molecular analysis, tumor cell biology and biomarkers. Conclusions: In Latin America, research in pediatric oncology is on the agenda, despite a notable disparity in publication rates and frequency of collaboration between countries. There is a need to strengthen scientific collaboration within Latin America and with countries from other continents to promote research and to develop novel treatment strategies that reflect the local needs of children in Latin America who have solid tumors and brain cancer.

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Mental illnesses have a huge impact on individuals, families, and society, so there is a growing need for more efficient treatments. In this context, brain-computer interface (BCI) technology has the potential to revolutionize the options for neuropsychiatric therapies. However, the development of BCI-based therapies faces enormous challenges, such as power dissipation constraints, lack of credible feedback mechanisms, uncertainty of which brain areas and frequencies to target, and even which patients to treat. Some of these setbacks are due to the large gap in our understanding of brain function. In recent years, large-scale genomic analyses uncovered an unprecedented amount of information regarding the biology of the altered brain function observed across the psychopathology spectrum. We believe findings from genetic studies can be useful to refine BCI technology to develop novel treatment options for mental illnesses. Here, we assess the latest advancements in both fields, the possibilities that can be generated from their intersection, and the challenges that these research areas will need to address to ensure that translational efforts can lead to effective and reliable interventions. Specifically, starting from highlighting the overlap between mechanisms uncovered by large-scale genetic studies and the current targets of deep brain stimulation treatments, we describe the steps that could help to translate genomic discoveries into BCI targets. Because these two research areas have not been previously presented together, the present article can provide a novel perspective for scientists with different research backgrounds. This article is categorized under: Neurological Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Neurological Diseases > Biomedical Engineering.

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ABSTRACT Objective. Basic and translational research in pediatric cancer are essential to improve patient care. To critically assess the developments achieved in these areas in Latin America, we systematically reviewed information published between 2013 and 2023. Methods. Studies of basic and translational research performed by investigators in Latin America evaluating pediatric malignant solid and central nervous system tumors were retrieved from PubMed. Original articles published in English between 2013 and 2023 were included. Collaborations among Latin American authors or among Latin American authors working with researchers from other continents were also included. Studies were excluded if they focused only on adults or on basic research in tumor biology not specifically related to the tumor types analyzed in this review. Results. A total of 550 articles were retrieved, but after removal of duplicates, 514 articles were included in the analysis, the majority of which were authored by researchers affiliated with institutions in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. These countries also had the highest number of collaborations on original articles published with authors from Europe and North America. Argentina had the highest number of collaborations on original publications, with coauthors from Brazil and Uruguay. The median impact factor of the 244 journals in which articles were published was 3.5. The most commonly studied tumors were osteosarcomas, neuroblastomas and medulloblastomas; the most commonly studied areas were molecular analysis, tumor cell biology and biomarkers. Conclusions. In Latin America, research in pediatric oncology is on the agenda, despite a notable disparity in publication rates and frequency of collaboration between countries. There is a need to strengthen scientific collaboration within Latin America and with countries from other continents to promote research and to develop novel treatment strategies that reflect the local needs of children in Latin America who have solid tumors and brain cancer.

RESUMEN Objetivo. La investigación básica y aplicada en el campo de la oncología pediátrica es fundamental para mejorar la atención al paciente. Con el objetivo de realizar una evaluación crítica de los avances logrados en este campo en América Latina, hemos realizado una revisión sistemática de la información publicada entre el 2013 y el 2023. Metodología. Se recopilaron de PubMed los artículos de investigación básica y traslacional publicados por investigadores de América Latina en los que se evaluaron tumores malignos sólidos y del sistema nervioso central en la población infantil. Se incluyeron artículos originales publicados en inglés entre el 2013 y el 2023. También se incluyeron artículos fruto de la colaboración científica entre autores e investigadores de América Latina y otros continentes. Se excluyeron aquellos estudios que se centraron solo en personas adultas o en la investigación básica en biología tumoral no relacionada específicamente con los tipos de tumores analizados en esta revisión. Resultados. Se encontraron 550 artículos en total. Después de eliminar los artículos duplicados, se incluyeron 514 artículos en la revisión, la mayoría de los cuales fueron escritos por investigadores vinculados a centros de investigación de Argentina, Brasil y México. También procedieron de estos tres países la mayor parte de los artículos originales escritos en colaboración con autores de Europa y América del Norte. Argentina tuvo el mayor número de colaboraciones en publicaciones originales, con coautores de Brasil y Uruguay. La mediana del índice de impacto de las 244 revistas en las que se publicaron los artículos fue de 3,5. Los tumores más estudiados fueron osteosarcomas, neuroblastomas y meduloblastomas. Los temas más estudiados fueron el análisis molecular, la biología de las células tumorales y los biomarcadores. Conclusiones. La investigación en oncología pediátrica forma parte de la agenda de investigación de América Latina, si bien hay una disparidad notoria en las tasas de publicación y la frecuencia de la colaboración entre países. Es necesario fortalecer la colaboración científica dentro de América Latina y con los países de otros continentes para promover la investigación y desarrollar estrategias de tratamiento novedosas que respondan a las necesidades locales de los niños y niñas de América Latina que tienen tumores sólidos o cáncer del sistema nervioso central.

RESUMO Objetivo. A pesquisa básica e translacional em câncer pediátrico é essencial para melhorar o atendimento dos pacientes. No intuito de realizar uma avaliação crítica dos avanços alcançados nessa área na América Latina, fez-se uma revisão sistemática de informações publicadas entre 2013 e 2023. Métodos. Pesquisas básicas e translacionais realizadas por pesquisadores da América Latina que avaliaram tumores sólidos malignos e tumores do sistema nervoso central em crianças foram obtidas da base de dados PubMed. Foram incluídos artigos originais publicados em inglês entre 2013 e 2023. Também foram incluídas colaborações entre autores latino-americanos ou entre autores latino-americanos que trabalham com pesquisadores de outros continentes. Estudos que tratavam apenas de adultos ou pesquisas básicas sobre biologia tumoral não especificamente relacionadas aos tipos de tumor analisados nesta revisão foram excluídos. Resultados. No total, a busca recuperou 550 artigos da base de dados. Após a remoção dos artigos duplicados, foram incluídos 514 artigos na análise, a maioria de autoria de pesquisadores de instituições da Argentina, do Brasil e do México. Esses países também tiveram o maior número de colaborações em artigos originais publicados com autores da Europa e da América do Norte. A Argentina teve o maior número de colaborações em publicações originais, com coautores do Brasil e do Uruguai. O fator de impacto mediano dos 244 periódicos nos quais os artigos foram publicados era de 3,5. Os tumores mais estudados foram osteossarcomas, neuroblastomas e meduloblastomas; as áreas mais estudadas foram análise molecular, biologia de células tumorais e biomarcadores. Conclusões. Na América Latina, a pesquisa em oncologia pediátrica está na ordem do dia, apesar de uma evidente disparidade nos índices de publicação e na frequência de colaboração entre os países. É necessário fortalecer a colaboração científica dentro da América Latina e com países de outros continentes a fim de promover a pesquisa e desenvolver novas estratégias de tratamento que reflitam as necessidades locais das crianças latino-americanas com tumores sólidos e câncer cerebral.

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Social determinants of health contribute to health disparities and inequities. We conducted a community forum on the topic of isolation with the objectives of (1) identifying and prioritizing key health-related issues needing attention in isolated communities in Puerto Rico; (2) developing strategies in terms of Policies, Programs, and Practices to address the community priorities we identified. We used the triangulation method for qualitative data, integrating the Colorado State University's Tri-ethnic Center Model and the Delphi Technique for a better understanding of community health needs and priorities. The five community health-related priorities identified in the community forum were: (1) access to health services (physical and mental); (2) older adults; (3) access to basic services; (4) preparedness for future disasters/emergencies; and (5) COVID-19 and access to vaccination. The Alliance Leaders and Advisory Boards understand that we will work with the priorities of preparedness for future natural disasters/emergencies and COVID-19 and access to vaccination. Fifteen strategies were developed for these priorities and were grouped into five areas that require more attention in order to reduce health disparities. Isolated communities in Puerto Rico present an intersectionality of factors that affect a wide range of health-related risks and outcomes.

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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most diagnosed malignancies worldwide, and it is also the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite recent progress in screening programs, noninvasive accurate biomarkers are still needed in the CRC field. In this study, we evaluated and compared the urinary proteomic profiles of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma and patients without cancer, aiming to identify potential biomarker proteins. Urine samples were collected from 9 patients with CRC and 9 patients with normal colonoscopy results. Mass spectrometry (label-free LC—MS/MS) was used to characterize the proteomic profile of the groups. Ten proteins that were differentially regulated were identified between patients in the experimental group and in the control group, with statistical significance with a p value ≤ 0.05. The only protein that presented upregulation in the CRC group was beta-2-microglobulin (B2M). Subsequent studies are needed to evaluate patients through different analysis approaches to independently verify and validate these biomarker candidates in a larger cohort sample. (AU)

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Antineoplastic treatment induces a type of gastrointestinal toxicity known as mucositis. Findings in animal models are usually easily reproducible, and standardized treatment regimens are often used, thus supporting translational science. Essential characteristics of mucositis, including intestinal permeability, inflammation, immune and oxidative responses, and tissue repair mechanisms, can be easily investigated in these models. Given the effects of mucositis on the quality of life of patients with cancer, and the importance of experimental models in the development of more effective new therapeutic alternatives, this review discusses progress and current challenges in using experimental models of mucositis in translational pharmacology research.

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