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This study evaluates the nutritional value of spray-dried Nannochloropsis oceanica biomass to infer its applicability for weaner piglet feeding. Twenty-four piglets were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments ( n = 6) with increasing N. oceanica inclusion (0, 5, 10, and 15%) levels. After a 4-day adaptation period, the digestibility experiment lasted two weeks, with daily excreta collection. Total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD), N balance, intestinal pH, histomorphology, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were measured. No significant differences were observed in feed intake, growth, or intestinal morphology ( p > 0.05). N intake increased linearly ( p = 0.005) with N. oceanica inclusion, while N retention efficiency remained unchanged ( p = 0.058). VFA concentrations decreased linearly ( p < 0.001). The TTAD of dry matter (DM), organic matter, ether extract, and gross energy decreased ( p < 0.05) with higher N. oceanica levels, while the ash TTAD increased ( p < 0.001). The estimated TTAD values for N. oceanica biomass were 72.5% for DM, 82.9% for N, and 64.4% for gross energy. The digestible energy, metabolisable energy, and digestible crude protein values estimated for N. oceanica were 12.74 MJ/kg DM, 12.40 MJ/kg DM, and 20.4% DM, respectively. This information enabled the first nutritional characterisation of N. oceanica for weaner piglets, ultimately leveraging its use in piglet diet formulation.

There are many causes of peripheral blood eosinophilia (PBE), including allergic, infectious, rheumatic, and hematologic disorders. Solid tumor cancers, such as lung cancer, can also cause PBE, and although rare, being diagnosed with PBE in this way is associated with a worse prognosis than for lung cancer patients without PBE. Additionally, some cancer patients develop PBE when receiving treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). When PBE is caused in this way, the outcome varies. On the one hand, there are reports of severe adverse events, while on the other, ICIs-induced PBE may be a predictive biomarker of better outcomes. This article reports on the case of a 66-year-old male patient with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma presenting with paraneoplastic hypereosinophilia aggravated by pembrolizumab., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Comissão de Ética para a Saúde da Unidade Local de Saúde Amadora/Sintra issued approval 118/2024. Após reunião, a 30 de Outubro de 2024, tendo parecer favorável da UIC (Unidade de Investigação Clínica), estando a documentação entregue de acordo com as normas de submissão impostas por esta Comissão de Ética, deliberou-se emitir parecer favorável. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Pereira et al.)

Background: The first medical oncology appointment serves as a platform for patients to comprehend their diagnosis and prognostic implications of cancer. This study aimed to determine patients' communication preferences during their first medical oncology appointment and to assess the disparities between patients' preferences and perceptions., Methods: A total of 169 cancer patients participated by completing the Communication in First Medical Oncology Appointment Questionnaire (C-FAQ), a two-section questionnaire designed to assess patients' preferences and perceptions regarding Content (information provided and its extent), Facilitation (timing and location of information delivery), and Support (emotional support) during their first medical oncology appointment. A comparative analysis was conducted to assess the variations between preferences and perceptions., Results: Content emerged as the most significant dimension compared to Facilitation and Support. The physician's knowledge, honesty, and ability to provide clear information were considered the most important attributes. Patients evaluated most of their preferences as "very important". Patients' perception of the communication dimensions present during their appointment was below preferences for 11 items, indicating significant discrepancies in clinical practice., Conclusions: Patients highly valued their preferences concerning Content, Facilitation, and Support dimensions of communication. However, patient preferences were more prominently oriented towards the Content dimension. The discrepancies between preferences and perceptions should be viewed as an opportunity for enhancing communication skills through training., (© 2023 The Authors. Psycho-Oncology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Basal cell adenocarcinoma (BCAC) is a rare malignant tumor of the salivary glands, representing 1-2% of salivary gland neoplasms. It is considered a low-grade tumor, often associated with a good prognosis. We report a case of a 60-year-old man with 3-month history of a growing, painless mass in the right ascending ramus of the mandible. Ultrasound and CT scan showed an asymmetry between parotid glands, depicting a nodular structure on the right side. A parotid fine needle aspiration cytology revealed neoplastic cells suggestive of adenoid cystic carcinoma. The patient underwent a total parotidectomy with lymph node dissection. Histopathology result was reported as BCAC. The patient concluded adjuvant radiotherapy and continued follow-up surveillance without evidence of relapse. The adjuvant approach in this case was decided by a multidisciplinary team given the absence of classically known risk factors. We highlight the importance of considering BCAC in the differential diagnosis in salivary gland tumors., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2022 by The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Introduction: Cancer care providers have faced many challenges in delivering safe care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional survey-based study investigated the impact of the pandemic on clinical practices of Portuguese medical oncologists caring for patients with breast cancer., Methods: An anonymous online survey comprising 42 questions gathered information regarding COVID-19 testing, treatment in (neo)adjuvant and metastatic settings, and other aspects of breast cancer management. Practices before and during the pandemic were compared, and potential differences in outcomes according to respondents' regions, case volumes, and practice type were explored., Results: Of 129 respondents, 108 worked in the public health system, giving a representative national picture of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer management. Seventy-one percent of respondents reported a reduction in visits for new cases of breast cancer, and there was a shift towards increased use of telemedicine. Clinical decision-making was largely unaffected in the most aggressive indications (i.e., triple-negative, HER2-positive, visceral crisis). The use of neoadjuvant therapy increased when access to surgery was difficult, whereas dose-dense regimens decreased, and cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor treatment decreased for less aggressive disease and increased for more aggressive disease. The use of oral formulations and metronomic chemotherapy regimens increased, and clinical trial participation decreased. Some differences by respondents' region and case volume were noted., Conclusion: Medical oncologists in Portugal implemented many changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, most of which were logical and reasonable responses to the current healthcare emergency; however, the true impact on patient outcomes remains unknown., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

With the current increase in meat and animal products consumption, there is a need to make production systems more sustainable. The use of microalgae in monogastric feeds, replacing widely used conventional feedstuffs such corn and soybean, can be a solution to overcome this problem. Several studies have shown promising results in the use of microalgae in feeding of both pigs and poultry. However, there are several important constraints associated to the production of microalgae. Such constraints are particularly limiting in the context of tropical regions. Research and scientific development on microalgae production systems are thus essential so that may be widely used in monogastric feeding. Herein, we conduct an overview of the major findings in the use of microalgae in the context of monogastric feeding and analyse the major constraints associated to its production and use, particularly in the specific context of tropical regions., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Q fever is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii. It often manifests as a flu-like syndrome; other common manifestations are pneumonia, hepatitis and endocarditis. Its course may be acute or chronic. The authors present two clinical cases of Q fever with rare manifestations. Case 1: A 55-year-old man admitted due to abdominal pain, diarrhoea and fever. Blood tests showed elevated transaminases, low platelets and elevated C reactive protein, with normal white cell counts; abdominal ultrasound showed splenic and hepatic abscesses. Serologies to C burnetii were positive (1:640), leading to the diagnosis of Q fever with splenic and hepatic abscesses. Case 2: A 47-year-old man admitted due to headache after sneezing, with unstable gait and vertigo. A brain tomography showed cerebral venous thrombosis. After an exhaustive investigation, antibodies to C burnetii were found and were undoubtedly positive (1:5120), leading to the diagnosis of Q fever. Both patients were treated with oral doxycycline.