Carolina Coradi

Background/Objectives: Breast cancer is a leading cause of female mortality worldwide. Immune system dynamics, reflected in hematological ratios derived from leukocytes, have been increasingly recognized for their prognostic value in cancer patients. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of leukocyte-based hematological ratios in breast cancer patients undergoing cytotoxic polychemotherapy, focusing on their association with prognosis, chemoresistance, recurrence, metastasis, and mortality. Methods: A mixed observational study was conducted with 185 breast cancer patients undergoing AC-T chemotherapy. Hematologic ratios, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte (MLR), and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR), were calculated at multiple treatment points (D0–D168) and correlated with clinical outcomes. Statistical analyses included ANOVA and ROC curve evaluations to determine the prognostic accuracy of these markers. Results: Significant alterations in hematological ratios were observed during chemotherapy. An increase in MLR correlated with intermediate risk for death and metastasis, while elevated PLR and platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR) were strongly associated with metastasis, recurrence, and mortality. Decreases in lymphocyte-to-platelet ratio (LPR) were linked to chemoresistance and adverse outcomes. ROC curve analysis identified PLR at D84 (sensitivity: 83.33%) and PNR at D126 (specificity: 87.01%) as robust prognostic markers. Conclusions: Leukocyte-based hematological ratios provide valuable insights into immune dynamics and prognosis in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Their integration into routine clinical evaluations could enhance risk stratification and personalized treatment approaches.

This study analyzes global data on human exposure to pesticides, focusing on glyphosate, POPs, carbamates, and organophosphates, which are among the most widely used in agricultural and urban environments, providing an overview of global human contamination by these substances. Current research has increasingly focused on the unintended consequences of pesticide use, including food, water, and soil contamination, biodiversity loss (especially beneficial insects such as pollinators), and the growing evidence of adverse impacts on human health (neurological, reproductive, endocrine, and carcinogenic effects). Therefore, we compiled information from several existing studies that evaluated pesticide residues in human biological samples, specifically urine, blood, and breast milk, to assess the extent of exposure. The analysis takes a global perspective, highlighting the importance of monitoring exposure in countries that demonstrate exceptionally high pesticide use (in terms of absolute volume), such as Brazil, the United States, and China, which are among the largest global consumers. The data cover both contemporary pesticides, whose consumption is driven by intensive agriculture in these and other countries, and persistent legacy compounds (POPs) that continue to circulate in nature and accumulate in the human body decades after their ban in many countries. Globally, there is a wide disparity in global regulations, and many developing countries continue to use pesticides that have been banned or severely restricted in more developed nations. Finally, it provides a critical overview of global data on human pesticide contamination. The data reinforce the critical importance of establishing preventive initiatives and strengthening surveillance and monitoring systems to detect and control pesticide residues in human populations globally, ultimately aiming to mitigate the harms of chronic pesticide exposure to human health and well-being.

B-type acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. Despite significant advancements in treatment, chemotherapy resistance and relapse remain major challenges to be overcome. Oxidative stress markers, including lipoperoxides, have emerged as potential biomarkers in B-ALL patients under treatment. This study evaluated lipoperoxide levels in the peripheral blood of pediatric B-ALL patients during the induction phase of chemotherapy using high-sensitivity chemiluminescence and analyzed their association with clinical prognostic factors and patient outcomes, including definitive hospital discharge, disease relapse, and patient death. Lower lipoperoxide levels were observed in patients over 10 years old, those who achieved remission and were discharged from the hospital, and those with central nervous system (CNS) involvement. In contrast, significantly higher lipoperoxide levels were found in patients who relapsed, died, or had platelet counts exceeding 50,000/mm³. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggests that lipoperoxides may serve as potential biomarkers during the induction phase of chemotherapy, distinguishing B-ALL patients undergoing treatment from those not in treatment (sensitivity: 92.31%; specificity: 71.43%). These findings highlight the potential utility of lipoperoxides as prognostic biomarkers in B-ALL patients.

Glyphosate is a broad-spectrum pesticide that has become the most widely used herbicide globally. However, concerns have risen regarding its potential health impacts due to food contamination. Studies have detected glyphosate in human blood and urine samples, indicating human exposure and its persistence in the organism. A growing body of literature has reported the health risks concerning glyphosate exposure, suggesting that the daily intake of contaminated food and water poses a public health concern. Furthermore, countries with high glyphosate usage and lenient regulations regarding food and water contamination may face more severe consequences. In this context, in this review, we examined the literature regarding food contamination by glyphosate, discussed its detection methods, and highlighted its risks to human health.

O objetivo do estudo foi verificar as principais alterações na linhagem leucocitária causadas pela infecção pelo SARS-CoV-2, vírus de origem zoonótica responsável pela doença conhecida como COVID-19. O SARS-CoV-2 afeta vários sistemas, incluindo o sistema hematopoiético, o que ocasiona alterações nas linhagens dos leucócitos. Os pacientes infectados pelo vírus SARS-CoV-2 apresentavam alterações numéricas e morfológicas na linhagem de leucócitos, sendo mais significativo a linfopenia e a neutrofilia. Quanto à morfologia, foram observadas várias anomalias. Os linfócitos reativos plasmocitóides e os semelhantes às células de Downey foram observados com frequência. Monócitos displásicos e neutrófilos com hipolobulação, classificados como anomalia Pseudo Pelger-Huet adquirida, também estavam presentes. Essas anormalidades foram correlacionadas com maior chance de admissão na UTI e evolução para óbito. Houve correspondência entre a contagem normal de eosinófilos com a progressão positiva da doença, o que sugere que, a regeneração dos eosinófilos esteja relacionada com a recuperação da doença. Esse conjunto de alterações não foi observado em nenhuma outra pneumonia de origem viral. A contagem diferencial de leucócitos é um exame rápido e de fácil realização, que pode auxiliar a equipe médica na classificação de pacientes graves ou não graves, e fornecer direcionamento da evolução da doença.