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Due to the present significant need to repair and maintain our buildings and the building repair sector’s minimal experience in special structural elements, we here describe a study on the repair of ceramic violin joist slabs in an actual intervention on a building erected in the 1950s that had been unsuccessfully repaired several times. Due to damp and being close to the sea, the main reinforcement elements had undergone considerable corrosion causing a significant risk to the building’s safety. The intervention necessarily involved replacing the affected steel rebars with appropriate elements with mechanical and corrosion resistance properties, as required by the latest building codes. An appropriate strengthening and repair system was developed with a stainless steel prosthesis fitted to the lower third of the joists that almost tripled their resistance, gave them 120 min of fire resistance, and increased their durability against corrosion at a cost of less than 50% of the current repair systems with minimum generation of construction waste. One of the most appealing characteristics of this new repair system is its avoidance of the full replacement of the joists, which can be considered as a relevant contribution to the sustainability of the construction industry.

508 Background: For platinum-eligible patients (pts) with advanced UC, 1L cisplatin- or carboplatin-based chemotherapy regimens followed by avelumab maintenance in pts without progression has become the standard of care. This is based on the results of the phase 3 JAVELIN Bladder 100 trial (NCT02603432), which showed significantly longer OS and progression-free survival (PFS) from start of maintenance (randomization) with avelumab maintenance + best supportive care (BSC) vs BSC alone (median OS, 23.8 vs 15.0 months; HR, 0.76 [95% CI, 0.63-0.91]; p=0.0036). We report post hoc analyses of long-term outcomes by 1L chemotherapy regimen and OS from start of 1L chemotherapy. Methods: Pts with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic UC that did not progress with 4-6 cycles of 1L cisplatin + gemcitabine or carboplatin + gemcitabine were randomized 1:1 to receive avelumab + BSC (n=350) or BSC alone (n=350). The primary endpoint was OS measured from randomization. Secondary endpoints included PFS and safety. Results: At data cutoff (June 4, 2021), median follow-up from randomization was ≥38 months in both arms. In subgroups treated with 1L cisplatin + gemcitabine or carboplatin + gemcitabine, OS and PFS (measured from start of maintenance [randomization]) were longer in the avelumab + BSC arm than in the BSC alone arm (Table). Safety findings were similar in both subgroups. In the overall population, median OS measured from the start of 1L chemotherapy was 29.7 months (95% CI, 25.2-34.0) in the avelumab + BSC arm and 20.5 months (95% CI, 19.0-23.5) in the BSC alone arm (HR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.635-0.921]). Conclusions: Long-term follow-up from the JAVELIN Bladder 100 trial confirms that avelumab 1L maintenance provides similar OS and PFS benefits in pts with advanced UC who are progression free following standard-of-care 1L cisplatin- or carboplatin-based chemotherapy, with an acceptable safety profile. The median OS measured from start of chemotherapy further supports the use of avelumab 1L maintenance as standard of care in this setting and provides a benchmark for future clinical trials. Clinical trial information: NCT02603432 . [Table: see text]

236 Background: Alterations on the tumor suppressor genes (TSG) RB1, PTEN and TP53 are associated with treatment resistance and aggressive clinical evolution of prostate cancer patients (pts). We developed and assessed the role of a TSG gene expression signature in mHSPC pts. Methods: This is a multicenter retrospective biomarker study in mHSPC pts receiving different therapies. RB1, PTEN and TP53 mutations were assessed by targeted sequencing and its gene expression was determined by the nCounter platform in FFPE tumor samples. Normalized and transformed (z-score) expression data of a training cohort was used to establish the cut-off for RB1, PTEN and TP53 expression, those cut-offs were then applied to the other cohorts. TSGlow was considered when ≥2 out of 3 TSG presented low expression, and TSGwt in the remaining cases. TSG signature was correlated with castration resistance-free survival (CRPC-FS) (primary endpoint) and overall survival (OS) by Kaplan Meier and multivariate Cox analysis. Results: Overall, 297 pts (baseline characteristics are shown) were included: 125 treated with ADT+Docetaxel (ADT+D) (54 and 71 in training and validation cohorts, respectively), 93 with ADT, and 79 with ADT+Abiraterone or Enzalutamide (ADT+A/E). Training cohort pts were tested for both, gene expression and targeted sequencing of TSG. Pts with low expression of PTEN showed higher frequency of PTEN mutations (plow (14 (25.9%) out of 54 pts) had a worse CRPC-FS (14.3 vs. 21.7 months (m); HR 2.2 (95% CI, 1.1 - 4.4), p=0.022). In the validation cohort, 7 (9.9%) pts were TSGlow and had a worse CPRC-FS (11.7 vs. 20 m, HR 2.5 (95% CI, 1.1 - 5.5), p=0.027) and OS (27.6 vs 58.1 m, HR 3.5 (95% CI, 1.3 - 9.5) p=0.012). TSGlow signature was independently associated with CPRC-FS (HR 2.66 (95% CI, 1.17 - 6.06), p=0.02) and OS (HR 3.67 (95% CI, 1.33 - 10.10), p=0.012). In the ADT and ADT+A/E cohorts, 20 (21.5%) and 14 (17.7%) pts were TSGlow, respectively. TSGlow was not predictive of either CRPC-FS (p=0.23 and p=0.242, respectively) or OS (p=0.091 and p=0.66, respectively). We analyzed together high-volume pts from both ADT+D and ADT cohorts. TSGlow pts (16, 10.74%) treated with ADT+D had a CRPC-FS (13.6 m) similar to pts treated with ADT (TSGlow = 14.5 m and TSGwt = 12.8 m). Moreover, TSGwt pts treated with ADT+D had a better CRPC-FS (19.3m) (p=0.022) and OS (ADT/TSGlow = 31.7 m, ADT/TSGwt = 38.6 m, ADT+D/TSGlow = 31.5 m, ADT+D/TSGwt = 52.2 m, p=0.07). Conclusions: A TSG gene expression signature is predictive of taxanes benefit in mHSPC pts and may be useful to personalize the treatment in this setting. [Table: see text]

168 Background: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. A number of important systemic therapies have been developed to treat mCRPC and now comprise the current therapeutic landscape. Docetaxel became the first systemic therapy to improve survival in these men in a randomized study demonstrating superiority versus mitoxantrone (18.9 months versus 16.5, p=0,004). But, inexorably, after stopping, disease progresses. Methods: A prospective phase II trial was designed to test Olaparib maintenance efficacy, in terms of progression free survival (PFS), in patients with mCRPC with DNA-repair defects that have achieved partial or complete response after being treated with systemic therapy (at least six cycles of docetaxel). Results: 134 mCRPC patients were included since Feb-2018 to Nov-2020 and were tested for DDR alterations. 19.4% of patients had somatic mutations (30.8% BRCA2, 3.8% BRCA1, 19.2% ATM, 7.7% CHEK2, 7.7% PALB2). 53,8% received Olaparib maintenance treatment, with a median follow-up of 23.3 months. Median age was 73 years. Median basal PSA was 17 ng/dL. 100% were metastatic (14.3% de novo and 85.7% relapsed after primary treatment), 78.6% had bone metastasis, 35.7% visceral and 35.7% adenopathies. 42.9% had previous treatment with abiraterone and 35.7% with enzalutamide. 46.2% received at least 8 cycles of docetaxel. 7.1% achieved a partial response and 92.9% a disease stabilization. Response to Olaparib treatment was 14.3% partial response, 71.4% stabilization and 7.1% disease progression.14.3% had a PSA50 decrease. Median duration of response was 8.27 months. Median PFS was 10.1 months. Median PSA-PFS was 3.5 months. G3/4 adverse events were 21.4% asthenia,14.3% anemia and 7.1% neutropenia. Conclusions: Olaparib maintenance after at least six cycles of docetaxel shows promising activity in mCRPC with DDR alterations, with an acceptable toxicity profile. Our pathogenic mutations percentage (19,4%) is in line with previous publications. Clinical trial information: NCT03434158 .

En este trabajo se ha estudiado la viabilidad de un tratamiento combinado de extracción electroquímica de cloruros (EEC) y protección catódica (PC) en estructuras de hormigón armado utilizando como ánodo una pasta conductora de cemento-grafito. Se ha comprobado que la aplicación previa de un tratamiento de extracción electroquímica de cloruros conlleva una mayor durabilidad del ánodo. Se ha demostrado que, para estructuras de hormigón armado situadas en ambientes marinos agresivos, la combinación de tratamientos electroquímicos, primero EEC para reducir el contenido de cloruros y a continuación PC para mantener las condiciones de pasivación, es capaz de proveer condiciones adecuadas de protección a la armadura, siempre que se aplique el valor de densidad de corriente adecuado, de acuerdo con el contenido medio de cloruros presente en las estructuras de hormigón armado.

Management of first-line advanced urothelial carcinoma (UC) has consisted during the past three decades in the administration of platinum-based chemotherapy followed by observation. Despite moderate to high response rates to first-line treatment, most patients will relapse shortly after and the outcomes with subsequent therapies are poor with 5-year overall survival rates of 5% in the pre-immunotherapy era. Nonetheless, recent therapeutic developments including the paradigm shift of first-line maintenance therapy with avelumab after response or stabilization on platinum-based chemotherapy, along with the incorporation of new drug classes in further lines of treatment such as antibody drug-conjugates and fibroblast growth factor receptor inhibitors have reshaped the field leading to better outcomes in this patient population. This article reviews the current state of the art with an overview on UC management, recent advances, and the upcoming strategies currently in development in advanced UC with an insight into the biology of this disease.

The therapeutic repertoire available for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immunotherapy, required for molecular biomarkers for response.This was a phase I to II trial on the combination of pazopanib with interferon-alpha (INF-2A) as first-line treatment for advanced RCC. The primary endpoint was recommended phase II dose (RP2D) and efficacy in terms of objective response rate (ORR, RECIST 1.1 criteria). Secondary endpoints included safety and a translational study of molecular biomarkers in serum and exosomes from peripheral blood samples at three-time points: baseline, 8 weeks of treatment, and progression of the disease.Between July 2011 and July 2017, 53 eligible patients were treated and followed up (I, n = 20; II, n = 33). Pazopanib 800 mg + INF-2A 3 MIUs showed a manageable safety profile; therefore, it was selected for dose expansion. Overall, grade 3/4 toxicities were reported in 24 (72.7%) patients. The ORR was 27.2%. The 12-month OS rate was 83.6% (median not reached), and after 30.9 months of follow-up, 24 (72.7%) patients were still alive. CCL2, IL8, TNF-α, and PD-L1 were significantly overexpressed after treatment initiation, while TGF-β1 and CCL5 were significantly decreased. TNF-α, endoglin, and PD-L1 expression are correlated with the response after treatment initiation.The trial did not reach its pre-specified target ORR. However, OS was longer than expected with pazopanib monotherapy. Changes in the molecular profile suggest a crucial role of vascular remodeling and inflammatory-mediated immune cell infiltration in optimal response to pazopanib plus INF-2A.

A problemática da durabilidade de estruturas de concreto armado inseridas em ambientes de severa agressividade se apresenta como uma das principais dificuldades enfrentadas pela cadeia da construção civil. Dos vários agentes capazes de degradar estas estruturas tem-se atenção especial aos íons cloreto capazes de causar a corrosão de armaduras, estes íons estão amplamente presentes em ambientes marinhos. Neste espectro, a estimativa de vida útil das estruturas de concreto armado se torna uma temática fundamental na avaliação da durabilidade de estruturas. Apesar de vários processos causarem penetração de cloretos no concreto tem-se praticamente como consenso que o mecanismo de difusão é o predominante, tendo-se como um modelo clássico de caracterização da penetração de cloretos a 2ª Lei da difusão de Fick. O processo de difusão iónica sofre forte influência do grau de saturação (GS) dos poros do concreto, está influencia incide diretamente sobre o coeficiente de difusão de cloretos (D). Ainda que se tenham desenvolvido metodologias de medição do GS elas se apresentam dispendiosas em tempo e recursos. Objetiva-se então apresentar estimativas do Grau de Saturação, baseadas nas condições ambientais de exposição da estrutura, e analisar a influência deste parâmetro na estimativa de vida útil de elementos estruturais de concreto armado sob a ótica da confiabilidade. São utilizados dados meteorológicos e de medição do GS de duas regiões litorâneas, sendo uma em Rio Grande, no sul do Brasil e outra em Santa Pola, sudeste da Espanha. Obtiveram-se modelos de estimativa do GS do concreto para cada situação pesquisada e também para ambos os ambientes em conjunto. Constatou-se então, através de uma abordagem probabilística, a forte influência do uso destes modelos na estimativa de vida útil de elementos de concreto armado. The problematic of the durability of reinforced concrete structures inserted in environments of severe aggressiveness is presented as one of the main difficulties faced by the civil construction chain. Of the various agents capable of degrading these structures, special attention is paid to chloride ions capable of causing corrosion of reinforcing steel, these ions are widely present in marine environments. In this sense, the estimated useful service life of reinforced concrete structures becomes a fundamental theme in the evaluation of the durability of concrete structures. Although several processes cause penetration of chlorides in the concrete, it is practically agreed that the diffusion mechanism is the predominant one, being Fick’s 2nd Law of diffusion a classic model for the characterization of chloride penetration into concrete. The ionic diffusion process is strongly influenced by the saturation degree (GS) of the pores in the concrete, it influences directly on the chloride diffusion coefficient (D). Although GS measurement methodologies have been developed, they are costly in time and resources. The objective of this study is to present estimates of GS, based on the environ-mental exposure conditions of the structure, and to analyze the influence of this parameter on the estimated useful service life of structural elements of reinforced concrete from the point of view of reliability. Meteoro-logical and GS measurement data from two coastal regions are used, one in Rio Grande, in southern Brazil and the other in Santa Pola, southeast of Spain. Concrete GS estimation models were obtained for each stud-ied situation and also for both environments together. It was verified, through a probabilistic approach, the strong influence of the use of these models in the estimation of useful service life of reinforced concrete structures. O presente trabalho foi realizado com apoio da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Supe-rior - Brasil (CAPES) - Código de Financiamento 001.

One of the most aggressive attacks to which cement-based materials can be exposed is that produced by sulphate. During this attack, expansive products are formed, causing volumetric strains in hardened materials, which brings microcracking and the reduction of their strength and durability. The use of non-destructive techniques for characterizing the microstructure of cement-based materials, and for following the development of deleterious processes which can affect them, has become an important research field. Among them, non-linear ultrasonic (NLU) techniques have shown to be useful for evaluating the material degradation. The aim of this work is to study the possibility of using the NLU technique for the non-destructive evaluation of initial development of internal sulphate attack in cement-based materials. Cement pastes were prepared using ordinary Portland cement, to which an appropriate amount of calcium sulphate 2-hydrate was added during the setting for producing an internal attack in the samples. Furthermore, its effects in the microstructure have been followed with mercury intrusion porosimetry. The expansion and linear ultrasonic pulse velocity were also determined. The preliminary results indicate that the NLU technique could be useful for studying the development of sulphate attacks in the short-term, complementing the information provided by other techniques. This research was funded by the Conselleria de Educación, Investigación, Cultura y Deporte (at present re-named as Conselleria de Innovación, Universidades, Ciencia y Sociedad Digital) de la Generalitat Valenciana (Spain) (grant code GV/2019/070), by the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (grant code BIA2016-80982-R) and by the European Regional Development Fund (grant code BIA2016-80982-R). M. M. is indebted to Spanish Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte for a pre-doctoral fellowship (FPU16/04078).

512 Background: Pembrolizumab (pembro) has shown efficacy in advanced/unresectable and metastatic UC (mUC). There is interest in determining whether pts should be treated subsequently with checkpoint inhibitors such as anti–PD-1 therapy if mUC responds then later progresses. Pembro retreatment after disease progression has shown efficacy in melanoma and NSCLC. This post hoc exploratory analysis investigated the efficacy of pembro retreatment for pts with advanced UC or mUC enrolled in KEYNOTE-045 and KEYNOTE-052 with a best overall response (BOR) of SD or better and whose disease progressed after discontinuation or completion of 2 y of therapy. Methods: The phase 3 KEYNOTE-045 trial (NCT02256436) was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of pembro vs chemotherapy (chemo) in pts with mUC that recurred/progressed on platinum containing chemo; ≤2 prior lines of systemic chemo for mUC were permitted. The phase 2 KEYNOTE-052 trial (NCT02335424) was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-line pembro in cisplatin-ineligible pts with advanced UC. In both studies, pembro was administered for up to 2 y; pts were eligible for retreatment if they stopped pembro after CR or had a BOR of CR, PR, or SD and completed 2 y of treatment. Pts must have investigator-confirmed radiographic PD after therapy cessation, have ECOG PS score 0-1, and not have received anticancer treatment after the last pembro dose. BOR to retreatment is reported. Results: At data cutoff for KEYNOTE-045 (Oct 1, 2020), 11 pts were retreated: 5 (45%) achieved objective response to retreatment (3 CR; 2 PR; Table) and 6 had SD, for a disease control rate (DCR; CR+PR+SD) of 100%. Median treatment-free interval was 7.7 mo (IQR, 3.6-16.5); median duration of retreatment was 11.4 mo (IQR, 7.6-12.0). Seven pts (64%) were alive at cutoff. At data cutoff for KEYNOTE-052 (Sep 26, 2020), 10 pts were retreated; 5 (50%) had objective response to retreatment (1 CR; 4 PR) and 4 had SD, for a DCR of 90%. Retreatment BOR was PD for 1 pt (10%). Median treatment-free interval was 13.0 mo (9.2-16.6); median duration of retreatment was 6.0 mo (IQR, 4.9-9.2). Four pts (40%) were alive at cutoff. Conclusions: Although the number of pts who received retreatment was small, objective responses were observed. The findings are generally consistent with observations from retreatment in other tumor types (e.g., melanoma). Clinical trial information: NCT02256436 and NCT02335424. [Table: see text]

[EN] Currently, reduction of environmental effects of the cement industry is an issue of global interest and one of the alternatives is to replace clinker with additions such as volcanic powder. The purpose of this work is to study the influence of up to 400 hardening days of volcanic powder, obtained from the last eruption of the Calbuco volcano (Chile), on the pore structure, mechanical performance, and durability-related properties of mortars which incorporate up to 20% volcanic powder as a substitution for clinker. In addition, an evaluation of greenhouse gases emissions was performed in order to quantify the possible environmental benefits of incorporating the volcanic powder in the mortars. The results obtained indicated that mortars with contents of 10% and 20% of volcanic powder had adequate service properties and improved all durability-related properties overall as compared with those noted for ordinary Portland cement. Additionally, the use of up to 20% volcanic powder makes it possible to reduce the CO2 emissions of mortars by almost 20%, demonstrating the advantages of incorporating this addition in mortars., This research was funded by the Universidad de La Frontera (Chile) (grant code DI19-0019, project entitled "Desarrollo de una dosificacion de morteros con baja conductividad termica para utilizar en prefabricados"), by the Conselleria de Educacion, Investigacion, Cultura y Deporte (at present renamed as Conselleria de Innovacion, Universidades, Ciencia y Sociedad Digital) de la Generalitat Valenciana (Spain) (grant code GV/2019/070), by the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigacion (grant code BIA2016-80982-R) and by the European Regional Development Fund (grant code BIA2016-80982-R).

This paper presents a study of skin friction change of cement pastes used for micropiles as a geotechnical foundation when grout surface is affected by sulfate attack. In this research skin friction coefficient between cement paste – cement paste was measured, studying change in friction depending on the initial roughness of samples. Tests were performed after 3 and 6 months of immersion in a 15% Na2SO4 solution. Results show that sulfate attack increases skin friction coefficient for both surface finishes, concluding that this attack does not have a negative effect on friction in the experimental conditions of this work. This research work has been financially supported by the “Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad” (formerly “Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación”) of Spain and FEDER through project BIA2011-25721, and the University of Alicante through project GRE13-25.

It has been studied the sensitivity of the technique of intermodulation of ultrasonic waves to detect different damage states of concrete due to embedded steel corrosion. Accelerated corrosion tests have been conducted on reinforced cement mortar specimens, while monitoring the appearance and width evolution of visible surface cracks and performing intermodulation measurements. It has been established a statistically acceptable “upper control limit” for the initial (undamaged) Intensity Modulation Ratio (R) values. After subjecting the samples to the corrosion tests, it was observed that the greater the degree of damage, the higher the value ranges and the variability degree of R. This research was funded by the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (grant code BIA2016-80982-R) and by the European Regional Development Fund (grant code BIA2016-80982-R).

[EN] Recently, there has been a great effort to incorporate industrial waste into cement-based materials to reach a more sustainable cement industry. In this regard, the Bayer process of obtaining alumina from bauxite generates huge amounts of waste called red mud. Few research articles have pointed out the possibility that red mud has pozzolanic activity. In view of that, the objective of this research is to analyse the short-term effects in the pore structure, mechanical performance and durability of mortars which incorporate up to 20% of red mud as a clinker replacement. As a reference, ordinary Portland cement and fly ash Portland cement mortars were also studied. The microstructure was characterised through mercury intrusion porosimetry and non-destructive impedance spectroscopy, which has not previously been used for studying the pore network evolution of red mud cement-based materials. The possible pozzolanic activity of red mud has been checked using differential scanning calorimetry. The non-steady state chloride migration coefficient and the mechanical properties were studied too. According to the results obtained, the addition of red mud entailed a greater microstructure refinement of the mortar, did not worsen the resistance against chloride ingress and reduced the compressive strength compared to control binders., Part of this research was funded by the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigacion (grant code BIA2016-80982-R) and by the European Regional Development Fund (grant code BIA2016-80982-R).

An electrochemical model is presented to calculate the rebar shape time-evolution in reinforced mortar specimens during forced corrosion tests. This provides a more realistic description than the usually used geometric models. The current distribution along the rebar perimeter is calculated by using Finite Element Method (FEM) to solve Laplace equation. Then, Faraday&rsquo, s law is used to relate current distribution to rebar volume increase due to corrosion products creation. The shape of the rebar section is obtained as a function of corrosion time.

It has been studied the possibility of using a graphite–cement paste anode for combined treatments of electrochemical chloride extraction plus cathodic protection on reinforced concrete elements. These treatments would be interesting in cases of structures heavily contaminated with chlorides and continuously exposed to a harsh chloride environment. It has been shown that, in the experimental conditions of this work, the anode is not damaged during the electrochemical chloride extraction step. The application of a previous chloride extraction step allows working with a lower current density at the cathodic protection step, which reduces the risk of damages of the anodic system. A chloride barrier effect parameter has been defined, based on the reduction of the chloride uptake by concrete, due to cathodic protection action, referred to the chloride uptake of the reference (not treated) specimens. The values of the chloride barrier effect parameter found in this work are about 20%. Se ha estudiado la posibilidad de utilizar un ánodo de pasta de grafito-cemento para tratamientos combinados de extracción electroquímica de cloruros y protección catódica de elementos de hormigón armado. Dichos tratamientos serían interesantes en casos de estructuras contaminadas con cloruros y permanentemente expuestas a un ambiente salino agresivo. Se ha demostrado que, en las condiciones de este trabajo, el ánodo no resulta dañado durante la etapa de extracción de cloruros. La aplicación de una etapa previa de extracción de cloruros permite aplicar la protección catódica con una densidad de corriente menor, hecho que reduce el riesgo de daños del sistema anódico. Se ha definido un parámetro de efecto barrera de cloruros, basado en la reducción de la penetración de cloruros, debida a la protección catódica, referida a la penetración de cloruros de referencia (sin protección catódica). Los valores de dicho parámetro encontrados en este trabajo son del 20%, aproximadamente. This research was funded by the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) through project BIA2016-80982-R. We acknowledge also funding from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MAT2009-10866), and Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2013/035).

Nowadays, the reuse of wastes is essential in order to reach a more sustainable environment. The cement production results in CO2 emissions which significantly contribute to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. One way to reduce them is by partially replacing clinker by additions, such as silica fumes or other wastes. On the other hand, the pore structure of cementitious materials has a direct influence on their service properties. One of the most popular techniques for characterizing the microstructure of those materials is mercury intrusion porosimetry. In this work, this technique has been used for studying the evolution of the pore network of mortars with different percentages of silica fume (until 10%), which were exposed to aggressive sodium and magnesium sulfate solutions up to 90 days. Between the results of this technique, intrusion-extrusion curves and logarithms of differential intrusion volume versus pore size curves were studied. This characterization of the pore network of mortars has been complemented with the study of their compressive strength and their steady-state ionic diffusion coefficient obtained from samples&rsquo, resistivity. Generally, silica fume mortars showed different performance depending on the aggressive condition, although the greatest deleterious effects were observed in the medium with presence of both magnesium and sodium sulfates.

The use of additions as clinker replacement has become very popular, due to the advantages that they provide, especially regarding the improvement of cement industry sustainability. The microstructure of cement-based materials has a direct influence on their service properties. In this research, mortars with different contents of silica fume (up to 10%) have been studied. These mortars were exposed to aggressive media with presence of sodium and magnesium sulphate along 90 days. On one hand, the evolution of their pore structure was characterised using different results provided by mercury intrusion porosimetry technique, such as intrusion-extrusion curves and logarithm of differential intrusion volume versus pore size curves. On the other hand, the compressive strength and the steady-state ionic diffusion coefficient obtained from resistivity of the samples, which was measured using impedance spectroscopy, were also studied. In general, silica fume mortars showed good performance, although the greatest deterioration of these mortars was observed in a mixed magnesium and sodium sulphate solution.

In the last decade, prostate cancer management has dramatically evolved to such a complexity that different medical specialties have to participate for its optimization, even making necessary in many cases super specialization in every discipline for such aim. All Guidelines and every Scientific Association do recommend multidisciplinary teams for its management as a rule, but translation from multidisciplinary committees to daily assistance is heterogeneous and faces, many times, particular interests and conflicts between different specialties implying that objective information of all the therapeutic options does not reach the patient to enroll him in his own therapeutic pathway.This is an opinion paper reviewing the advantages of the multidisciplinary team daily work as a prolongation of the multidisciplinary committee decisions, relying in the literature to set the legal framework and recommendations to generate an operative and real model of multidisciplinary teamwork for the benefit of both patient and all professionals involved in prostate cancer management.

At present, reusing waste constitutes an important challenge in order to reach a more sustainable environment. The cement industry is an important pollutant industrial sector. Therefore, the reduction of its CO2 emissions is now a popular topic of study. One way to lessen those emissions is partially replacing clinker with other materials. In this regard, the reuse of waste glass powder as a clinker replacement could be possible. This is a non-biodegradable residue that permanently occupies a large amount of space in dumping sites. The aim of this work is to study the long-term effects (400 days) of the addition of waste glass powder on the microstructure and service properties of mortars that incorporate up to 20% of this addition as clinker replacement. The microstructure has been characterised using the non-destructive impedance spectroscopy technique and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Furthermore, differential thermal analysis was also performed. Compressive strength and both steady-state and non-steady-state chloride diffusion coefficients have also been determined. Considering the obtained results, mortars with 10% and 20% waste glass powder showed good service properties until 400 days, similar to or even better than those made with ordinary Portland cement without additions, with the added value of contributing to sustainability. The research work included in the paper has been financially supported by project DI17-0013 “Análisis del efecto de la trituración en el comportamiento del polvo de vidrio como reemplazo de cemento”, funded by the Universidad de La Frontera (Chile).

One way to reach a more sustainable cement industry is replacing clinker by additions, such as waste brick powder. The objective of this research is to analyse the influence in the long-term (until 400 days) of waste brick powder in the microstructure, durability and mechanical properties of mortars which incorporate up to 20% of this addition as a clinker replacement. The microstructure has been studied with the non-destructive impedance spectroscopy technique. According to the obtained results, mortars with 10% and 20% of brick powder, showed good service properties in the long-term, even better than those made with ordinary Portland cement. The research work included in the paper has been financially supported by project DFP17-0006 ‘‘Aplicación de un tratamiento térmico para mejorar las prestaciones mecánicas de residuos de mampostería como reemplazo de cemento”, funded by Universidad de La Frontera (Chile).

Nowadays, cement manufacture is one of the most polluting worldwide industrial sectors. In order to reduce its CO2 emissions, the clinker replacement by ground granulated blast–furnace slag and fly ash is becoming increasingly common. Both additions are well-studied when the hardening conditions of cementitious materials are optimum. Therefore, the main objective of this research was to study the short-term effects of exposure, to both laboratory simulated and real in situ Mediterranean climate environments, on the microstructure and durability-related properties of mortars made using commercial slag and fly ash cements, as well as ordinary Portland cement. The real in situ condition consisted of placing the samples at approximately 100 m away from the Mediterranean Sea. The microstructure was analysed using mercury intrusion porosimetry. The effective porosity, the capillary suction coefficient and the non-steady state chloride migration coefficient were also studied. In view of the results obtained, the non-optimum laboratory simulated Mediterranean environment was a good approach to the real in situ one. Finally, mortars prepared using sustainable cements with slag and fly ash exposed to both Mediterranean climate environments, showed adequate service properties in the short-term (90 days), similar to or even better than those in mortars made with ordinary Portland cement. The fee for publishing this open access paper has been provided by the R&D Center of Excellence in Architecture, Engineering and Design of European University (Spain). The research work included in the paper has been financially supported by the “Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad” (formerly “Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación”) of Spain and FEDER through project BIA2011-25721.

Today, the characterisation of the microstructure of cement-based materials using non-destructive techniques has become an important topic of study, and among them, the impedance spectroscopy has recently experienced great progress. In this research, mortars with two different contents of fly ash were exposed to four different constant temperature and relative humidity environments during a 180-day period. The evolution of their microstructure was studied using impedance spectroscopy, whose results were contrasted with mercury intrusion porosimetry. The hardening environment has an influence on the microstructure of fly ash cement mortars. On one hand, the impedance resistances R1 and R2 are more influenced by the drying of the materials than by microstructure development, so they are not suitable for following the evolution of the porous network under non-optimum conditions. On the other hand, the impedance spectroscopy capacitances C1 and C2 allow studying the microstructure development of fly ash cement mortars exposed to those conditions, and their results are in accordance with mercury intrusion porosimetry ones. Finally, it has been observed that the combined analysis of the abovementioned capacitances could be very useful for studying shrinkage processes in cement-based materials kept in low relative humidity environments. This work has been financially supported by the “Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad” (formerly “Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación”) of Spain and FEDER through project BIA2011-25721.

At present, one of the most suitable ways to get a more sustainable cement industry is to reduce the CO2 emissions generated during cement production. In order to reach that goal, the use of ground granulated blast-furnace slag as clinker replacement is becoming increasingly popular. Although the effects of this addition in the properties of cementitious materials are influenced by their hardening conditions, there are not too many experimental studies in which slag concretes have been exposed to real in situ environments. Then, the main objective of this research is to study the short-term effects of exposure to real Mediterranean climate environment of an urban site, where the action of airborne chlorides from sea water and the presence of CO2 are combined, in the microstructure and service properties of a commercial slag cement concrete, compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The microstructure was studied with mercury intrusion porosimetry. The effective porosity, capillary suction coefficient, chloride migration coefficient, carbonation front depth, and compressive strength were also analyzed. Considering the results obtained, slag concretes exposed to a real in situ Mediterranean climate environment show good service properties in the short-term (180 days), in comparison with OPC. The research work included in the paper has been financially supported by the “Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad” (formerly “Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación”) of Spain and FEDER through project BIA2011-25721.

The microstructural effects of exposure to a 15% magnesium sulphate, 15% sodium sulphate, and mixed solutions were observed in mortars with and without silica fume, using the non-destructive impedance spectroscopy technique. The non-destructive “Wenner” resistivity test and the classical mercury intrusion porosimetry were used as contrast techniques. The compressive strength of the mortars was also studied. In view of the results obtained, impedance spectroscopy was the most sensitive technique for detecting changes in the porous network of the studied mortars. The addition of silica fume results in a more refined microstructure and a higher compressive strength in mortars exposed to aggressive sulphate solutions. The research work included in the paper has been financially supported by the “Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad” (formerly “Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación”) of Spain and FEDER through projects BIA2010-20548 and BIA2011-25721, and by the University of Alicante through project GRE13-25.

This paper presents a study on the possibility of using fly ash cement as grouts for micropiles. This type of special geotechnical work is commonly used for many applications. Generally, micropiles grouts are prepared using Portland cement, although the standards do not restrict the cement type to use, as long as they achieve a strength requirement. In this research, fly ash cement grouts made with w:c ratios 0.40, 0.45, 0.50 and 0.55 were studied from 2 up to 90 days of age. Their microstructure was characterized using the non-destructive impedance spectroscopy technique, electrical resistivity, and mercury intrusion porosimetry. Their durability properties have been studied by determining the water penetration under pressure, and the chloride diffusion coefficient. The compressive strength was also measured and determined, and a maximum water:cement ratio, different for each cement type was obtained. All the results were compared to those obtained for Portland cement grouts. The results obtained confirm that the performance of micropiles made using fly ash cement grouts is adequate, and as it is well know the cements with mineral admixtures provide environmental benefits, so the use of cement including fly ash will contribute to the sustainability, with similar properties to those given by OPC. This work has been financially supported by the ‘‘Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad” (formerly ‘‘Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación”) of Spain and FEDER through projects BIA2010-20548 and BIA2011-25721, and the University of Alicante through project GRE13-25. M. Pilar López is indebted to the government of Spain for a fellowship of the ‘‘Formación de Personal Investigador (FPI)” programme (reference BES-2011-046401).

Nowadays, getting a more environmentally sustainable cement production is one of the main goals of the cement industry. In this regard, the use of active additions, like fly ash and ground granulated blast-furnace slag, has become very popular. The behaviour, in the short-term, of cement-based materials with those additions is well-known when their hardening is produced under optimum conditions. However, real structures are exposed to different environments during long periods, which could affect the development of microstructures and the service properties of cementitious materials. The objective of this work is to analyse the effects in the long-term (up to 5 years approximately) produced by the exposure to different non-optimum laboratory conditions in the microstructure, mechanical and durability properties of mortars made with slag and fly ash commercial cements. Their performance was compared to that observed for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) mortars. The microstructure has been analysed using mercury intrusion porosimetry. The effective porosity, the capillary suction coefficient, the chloride migration coefficient and mechanical strengths were analysed too. According to the results, mortars prepared using slag and fly ash sustainable commercial cements, exposed to non-optimum conditions, show a good performance after 5-years hardening period, similar or even better than OPC mortars. This research has been financially supported by the “Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad” (formerly “Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación”) and AEI of Spain and FEDER (EU) with projects BIA2006-05961, BIA2010-20548, BIA2011-25721 and BIA2016-80982-R.

We present two cases of enterovaginal and enterocutaneous fistulae associated to treatment with pazopanib, which is an angiogenesis inhibitor for the treatment of metastatic renal cancer. The times from drug administration and the first appearance of a fistula were 6 and 16 months, respectively. None of the cases had a history of surgery or radiotherapy in the area where the complication was observed. Enterovaginal and enterocutaneous fistula represent less than 1% of all published complications caused by the use of antiangiogenic drugs. However, they must be taken into account as the reported mortality rate is close to 30%. Given its low incidence, we believe that sharing this data is a great way to help specialists who have to treat these patients to take the necessary precautions and decide on an adequate approach.

In this work, the microstructure of mortars made with an ordinary Portland cement and slag cement has been studied. These mortars were exposed to four different constant temperature and relative humidity environments during a 180-day period. The microstructure has been studied using impedance spectroscopy, and mercury intrusion porosimetry as a contrast technique. The impedance spectroscopy parameters make it possible to analyze the evolution of the solid fraction formation for the studied mortars and their results are confirmed with those obtained using mercury intrusion porosimetry. The development of the pore network of mortars is affected by the environment. However, slag cement mortars are more influenced by temperature while the relative humidity has a greater influence on the OPC mortars. The results show that slag cement mortars hardened under non-optimal environments have a more refined microstructure than OPC mortars for the studied environmental conditions. This work has been financially supported by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain through projects BIA2010-20548 and BIA2011-25721.