SummaryNon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most frequent causes of mortality in the western world. v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) is a member of the Raf kinase family and plays a critical role in cellular growth, proliferation, and differentiation through the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. The incidence of BRAF mutations in NSCLC is low, accounting for 0–3% of all cases of lung cancer. Given the results obtained in metastatic melanoma, several studies have reported the efficacy of anti-BRAF therapies in NSCLC treatment. In this review, we describe changes in the landscape of BRAF-mutated lung cancer treatment and analyze insights from major clinical trials in the context of future therapeutic prospects.

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Aims: Eupatorium laevigatum Lam. is commonly used as anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antirheumatic, and in the treatment of colds and ulcers. The present study aimed to characterize the active fractions of the aerial parts of E. laevigatum, isolate its major constituents and to evaluate its cytotoxic effects against human tumor cells. Methodology: Phytochemical analysis of the aerial parts of E. laevigatum detected the presence of flavonoids, saponins and coumarins. Nuclear magnetic resonance with carbon and hydrogen determined that coumarin to be scopoletin. The human cancer cell lines HT-29, NCI-H460, MCF-7 and RXF-393 were used to evaluate cytotoxicity through the sulforodamine B assay as well the evaluation of oxidative damage through the thiobarbituric acid reactive species assay. Short Research ArticleResults: Our study has shown that E. laevigatum crude extract and chloroform, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions are not cytotoxic in the concentrations used (up to 100 µg/mL), but the coumarin scopoletin isolated from the aerial parts of E. laevigatum presented a cytotoxic effect against NCI-H460 and RXF-393 cells (IC 50 value of 19.1 and 23.3 µg/mL, respectively). Scopoletin did not show any oxidative effect. Conclusion:The coumarin scopoletin can be found in E. laevigatum and this compound induces cytotoxicity in NCI-H460 and RXF-393 cell lines. Moreover, it is suggested that the cytotoxic effect of scopoletin is no related to oxidative damage.

In freshwater, saxitoxins (STX) are produced by different cyanobacteria genera, including Raphidiopsis. Data regarding cytogenotoxicity effects of STX on human cells are scarse, this merit further studies of its toxicology. This study assessed the cytotoxicity and the chromosome instability of STX on SHSY-5Y human cell line. The CBMN assay allows the detection of chromosome breaks and abnormal chromosomal segregation. Additionally, in silico systems biology approach, used to search for known and predicted interaction networks, was applied to study the interactions between STX and SHSY-5Y cellular components. The results of the CBMN assay demonstrated that STX concentrations of 2.5 -10 µg/L induced cytostasis and chromosome instability in a dose-response relationship. Apoptosis was detected after exposure of SHSY-5Y cultured cells to STX concentration of 10 µg/L. The results of the systems biology analysis revealed the interaction of STX with proteins related with acetylcoline pathway, cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. Furthermore, combining the in vitro and in silico approachs, it was possible to suggest a mechanism of action of STX in SHSY-5Y cells.Overall, the data demonstrated the cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of environmentally relevant concentrations of STX. These results should be considered when setting up guidelines for monitoring STX in water supply.

The integration of robotic manipulators and mobile robots is a challenging task involving control of both the mobile base and the manipulator in an coordinated way. In order to study this coordination, in this paper a robotics simulation environment is used. Combining ROS (Robot Operating System) and a realistic robotics simulator, V-REP (Virtual Experimentation Platform), a KUKA youBot robot was used to integrate mobile navigation and object manipulation. The omni-directional mobile base is controlled using a fuzzy position controller, the detection of an object of interest over a table is performed using a simulated camera (with a blob detection algorithm), and then the manipulator arm is controlled for object grasping. The use of the simulator allows for a first step in the development of a complete ROS solution to manipulation/pick-and-place, and its use in industrial/commercial/residential environments.