Prognostic impact of the lymph node metastatic ratio on 5-year survival of patients with rectal cancer not submitted to preoperative chemoradiation

Lymph node metastases are a major prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. Inadequate lymph node resection is related to shorter survival. The lymph nodes ratio (LNR) has been used as a prognostic factor in patients with colon cancer. Few studies have evaluated the impact of LNR on the 5-year survival of patients with rectal cancer. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of LNR on the survival of patients with rectal cancer not submitted to preoperative chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: Ninety patients with rectal cancer excluding colon tumors, synchronous tumors, hereditary colorectal cancer and those undergoing preoperative chemoradiation. The patients were divided into three groups according t < 0.05). RESULTS: The 5-year survival was related to the Dukes classification, TNM, number of metastatic lymph nodes and LNR. A difference was observed in 5-year survival between the different classes of LNR. Patients classified as LNR-0 had a survival rate of 85%, while classes LNR-1 and LNR-2, 73 and 19%, respectively (p=0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the LNR has an impact on 5-year survival of patients with rectal cancer not submitted to neoadjuvant therapy. (AU)

Metástases linfonodais representam um dos principais fatores prognósticos no câncer colorretal. A ressecção linfonodal inadequada relaciona-se à menor sobrevida. A proporção entre linfonodos metastáticos (PLM) vem sendo utilizada como fator prognóstico em doentes com câncer de cólon. Poucos estudos avaliaram o impacto da PLM na sobrevida de doentes com câncer retal. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto da PLM na sobrevida de doentes com câncer de reto não submetidos à quimioradioterapia pré-operatória. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos 90 doentes com adenocarcinoma retal excluindo-se tumores de cólon, tumores sincrônicos, câncer colorretal hereditário e aqueles submetidos a tratamento radioquimioterápico pré-operatório. Os doentes foram divididos em três grupos segundo a PLM: PLM-0, sem linfonodos comprometidos; PLM-1, 1 a 20% dos linfonodos comprometidos; e PLM-2, mais de 21% dos linfonodos comprometidos. A identificação do ponto de corte da amostra selecionada foi obtida a partir da curva de características de operação do receptor (curva ROC). A sobrevida foi avaliada pelo teste de Kaplan-Meier, a diferença entre os grupos pelo teste de Cox-Mantel e a correlação entre as variáveis pelo teste de Pearson, adotando-se um nível de significância de 5% (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: A sobrevida em cinco anos relacionou-se à classificação de Dukes, TNM, número de linfonodos metastáticos e PLM. Houve diferença na sobrevida ao compararem-se as diferentes classes de PLM. Doentes classificados como PLM-0 apresentaram sobrevida de 85%, enquanto os pertencentes às classes PLM-1 e PLM-2, de 73 e 19%, respectivamente (p=0,0001). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados encontrados mostraram que a PLM tem impacto na sobrevida de doentes com câncer de reto não submetidos à neoadjuvância. (AU)

5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) can reduce levels of oxidative DNA damage in cells of colonic mucosa with and without fecal stream.

BACKGROUND: No studies have evaluated the effectiveness of 5-ASA against oxidative DNA damage in experimental models of diversion colitis. AIM: To evaluate the effects of 5-ASA against oxidative DNA damage in an experimental model of diversion colitis. METHODS: Twenty-six Wistar rats were divided into two groups corresponding to sacrifice at 2 or 4 weeks after fecal diversion of the left colon by means of proximal colostomy and distal mucosa fistula. Each group was divided into two subgroups according to intervention in excluded colon performed with 0.9% saline solution or 5-ASA. Level of oxidative DNA damage was determined by comet assay in cells obtained from segments with and without fecal stream before and after H2O2 challenge. For statistical analysis, was used one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), adopting a 5% significance level (P<0.05). RESULTS: Levels of DNA damage were always higher in colon segments without fecal stream, regardless of the intervention solution employed. DNA damage in colon segments with and without fecal stream in animals irrigated with 5-ASA was lower when compared with those treated with saline solution, regardless of time of irrigation. These levels remained lower after intervention with 5-ASA, even after H2O2 challenge. CONCLUSIONS: Enema with 5-ASA reduces oxidative DNA damage in epithelial cells of colon segments without fecal stream, even after H2O2 challenge, confirming the effects of 5-ASA against DNA damage by oxygen free radicals.

Analysis of the hydrodynamic profile in different roller pumps models used in cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: Among the equipments used in cardiopulmonary bypass the roller pumps have great importance with various models available from several manufacturers. The calibration is an important factor in hemolysis rates and its potential is different in each. Researchers do not always approach details on the pump bed profiles assuming that the standardized calibration settings ensure equal and comparable values for all models of roller pumps. We have mainly two methods for calibration of pumps which also interferes on the hemolytic potential. In both of them, the characteristics of fluid impulsion defined by the pump bed design are not considered. The aim of this study is to compare the hydrodynamic profile of three models of roller pumps available in the Brazilian market. METHOD: The rollers occlusion was performed by measures of drop and dynamic calibration. Two different silicone diameter tubes were used (3/8 x 1/16 and 1/2 x 3/32 inches). RESULTS: The profiles showed differences in their variances, P<0.01 for drop rate measures and P<0.0001 for dynamic calibration. Different changes in pressure were found between the pumps analyzed (P<0.002). CONCLUSION: The measures of occlusion are dependent on the design of the pump bed and comparisons involving roller pumps should be performed with caution. Blood tests should be performed to verify the influence of changes in hemolysis pressure.

Análise do perfil hidrodinâmico em diferentes modelos de bombas de rolete utilizadas em circulação extracorpórea / Analysis of the hydrodynamic profile in different roller pumps models used in cardiopulmonary bypass

OBJETIVO: Dentre os equipamentos utilizados em circulação extracorpórea, as bombas de rolete têm grande importância, com diversos modelos disponíveis de vários fabricantes. A calibração é um fator importante nas taxas de hemólise e o seu potencial difere em cada uma delas. Pesquisadores nem sempre abordam detalhes sobre os perfis do leito rígido, supondo que as formas padronizadas de calibração garantem valores iguais e comparáveis para todos os modelos de bombas de rolete. Dispomos principalmente de dois métodos para a calibração das bombas, o que também interfere com o potencial hemolítico. Nenhum dos métodos considera as características de impulsão do fluído, definido pela forma construtiva do leito rígido. O objetivo é avaliar o perfil hidrodinâmico de três modelos de bombas de roletes disponíveis no mercado brasileiro. MÉTODOS: A oclusão dos roletes foi feita por medidas de velocidade de queda e calibração dinâmica. Foram utilizados dois diferentes diâmetros de tubos de silicone (3/8 x 1/16 e 1/2 x 3/32 polegadas). RESULTADOS: Os perfis apresentaram diferenças em suas variâncias. P<0,01 para medidas de velocidade de queda e P<0,0001 para medidas de calibração dinâmica. Foram encontradas diferenças nas variações de pressão entre as bombas analisadas (P<0,002). CONCLUSÃO: As medidas de oclusão são dependentes da forma do leito rígido e comparações envolvendo bombas de rolete devem ser feitas com cautela. Testes com sangue deveriam ser realizados para verificar a influência das variações de pressão na hemólise.

OBJECTIVE: Among the equipments used in cardiopulmonary bypass the roller pumps have great importance with various models available from several manufacturers. The calibration is an important factor in hemolysis rates and its potential is different in each. Researchers do not always approach details on the pump bed profiles assuming that the standardized calibration settings ensure equal and comparable values for all models of roller pumps. We have mainly two methods for calibration of pumps which also interferes on the hemolytic potential. In both of them, the characteristics of fluid impulsion defined by the pump bed design are not considered. The aim of this study is to compare the hydrodynamic profile of three models of roller pumps available in the Brazilian market. METHODS: The rollers occlusion was performed by measures of drop and dynamic calibration. Two different silicone diameter tubes were used (3/8 x 1/16 and 1/2 x 3/32 inches). RESULTS: The profiles showed differences in their variances, P<0.01 for drop rate measures and P<0.0001 for dynamic calibration. Different changes in pressure were found between the pumps analyzed (P<0.002). CONCLUSION: The measures of occlusion are dependent on the design of the pump bed and comparisons involving roller pumps should be performed with caution. Blood tests should be performed to verify the influence of changes in hemolysis pressure.

[Pap smear, hybrid capture II, and visual inspection in screening for uterine cervical lesions]. / Citologia oncológica, captura de híbridos II e inspeção visual no rastreamento de lesões cervicais.

The objective of this study was to evaluate alterations in Pap smear, hybrid capture II (HCII), and visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) in 684 women treated at a primary health care unit. The performance and agreement of the exams were evaluated. The study also described social, demographic, and reproductive factors and their association with uterine cervical lesions. Women had specimens taken for Pap smear, HCII, and VIA. When at least one of the tests was positive, colposcopy was performed and targeted biopsies were taken from any suspicious lesions. Performance of tests was evaluated. Women's distribution in relation to social, demographic, and reproductive factors and histological diagnosis was evaluated using the odds ratio. Among 198 women with at least one positive screening test, only 21 showed histological disease. Sensitivities of the tests were similar. VIA and Pap smear presented higher specificity than HCII. Only absence of a previous Pap smear was associated with the presence of histological disease. Pap smear performed better than VIA and HC II. Absence of previous cytology was associated with histological disease.

Citologia oncológica, captura de híbridos II e inspeção visual no rastreamento de lesões cervicais / Pap smear, hybrid capture II, and visual inspection in screening for uterine cervical lesions

Avaliar as alterações na citologia oncológica, na captura híbrida II e na inspeção visual com ácido acético (IVA) a 5 por cento em 684 mulheres atendidas em uma unidade de saúde, e avaliar o desempenho e a concordância entre os exames. Procurar descrever as características sócio-demográficas e reprodutivas (SDR) destas mulheres e sua associação com a presença de doença. As mulheres foram submetidas à coleta de citologia, captura e IVA, e as com exame positivo foram submetidas à colposcopia com biopsia, se necessário. Foi calculado o desempenho dos testes e a associação dos fatores SDR com o diagnóstico histológico foi avaliada por intermédio do cálculo do odds ratio. Embora 198 mulheres apresentassem pelo menos um teste alterado, apenas 21 apresentaram lesão histológica. A sensibilidade dos testes foi semelhante enquanto as especificidades da IVA e da citologia foram maiores que a da captura híbrida II. Apenas a ausência de citologia esteve associada à presença de doença. O desempenho da citologia foi maior que o da IVA, que foi maior que o da captura. A ausência de citologia foi associada com doença histológica.