Best additional management after non-curative endoscopic resection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic resection (ER) is an accepted first-line treatment for superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but when curative resection is not achieved, further treatment is not standardised. We aimed at evaluating outcomes of management strategies (esophagectomy, chemoradiotherapy/radiotherapy (CRT/RT) or follow-up (FUP)) after a non-curative ESCC ER. METHODS: A systematic review was performed evaluating outcomes of different management strategies after ESCC submitted to primary ER (T1a/T1b), without curative criteria (R1/Rx, T1a-m3/T1b, lymphovascular invasion (LVI) or poor differentiation). Primary outcomes included recurrence, overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Secondary outcomes consisted of treatment-related adverse events. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were included for qualitative analysis (16 observational and 1 randomized controlled trial) including 788 patients with ESCC submitted to ER, managed by additional CRT/RT (n = 530), surgery (n = 98) or FUP (n = 160). Eight studies suited quantitative analysis. Patients only followed up after ER experienced recurrence rates of 0-36.4% (OR 3.6 (95%CI 1.06-12.20) vs further treatments). When submitted to CRT/RT following non-curative ER, recurrence was observed in 0-27.2% (OR 8.00 (95%CI 1.74-36.80) whereas after surgery no recurrence was noticeable. Reported 5 y-OS after CRT/RT for non-curative ER ranged among 75-100% whereas, for those offered surgeries, 5 y-OS was 89.5%. OS ranged between 54.5% and 100% after FUP. CRT/RT and surgery-related adverse events ranged from 0% to 32% and 14% to 28.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Additional treatment should be provided in ESCC after non-curative ER. Adjuvant esophagectomy might be the preferred treatment to medically fit patients with high-risk features (namely LVI). Properly designed trials assessing the role of CRT/RT are needed to manage these patients.

[Isolated left ventricular non-compaction: a single-center experience]. / Não compactação isolada do ventrículo esquerdo: experiência de um centro.

Isolated left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare cardiomyopathy characterized by excessive and prominent trabeculations associated with deep recesses that communicate with the ventricular cavity. Determining the natural history of this condition has been hampered by differences in clinical features and prognosis in published series, which are partly the result of differing diagnostic criteria and the lack of management guidelines. This work aims to contribute to the characterization of isolated LVNC by analyzing an affected population in terms of clinical presentation, diagnosis, risk stratification, treatment and follow-up. We also discuss the most relevant data from the literature concerning this cardiomyopathy.

DNA methylation biomarkers accurately detect esophageal cancer prior and post neoadjuvant chemoradiation.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer (ECa) is associated with high mortality, mostly due to late diagnosis, precluding curativeintent surgery. Hence, neoadjuvant chemoradiation (ChRT) is recommended in most patients regardless of histological subtype. A proportion of these patients, however, achieve complete disease remission and might be spared of radical surgery. The lack of reliable, minimally invasive biomarkers able to detect post-ChRT disease persistence is, nonetheless, a major drawback. We have previously shown that miRNA promotor methylation enables accurate cancer detection in tissues and liquid biopsies but has been seldom explored in ECa patients. AIMS: Herein, we sought to unveil and validate novel candidate biomarkers able to detect ECa prior and post ChRT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Promoter methylation of miR129-2, miR124-3 and ZNF569 was assessed, using quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP), in tissue samples from normal esophagus, treatment-naïve and post-ChRT ECa, as well as in liquid biopsies from ECa patients. RESULTS: All genes disclosed significantly different promoter methylation levels between ECa and normal esophagus, accurately detecting post-ChRT disease, especially for adenocarcinoma. Remarkably, miR129-2me /ZNF569me methylation panel identified ECa in liquid samples with 53% sensitivity and 87% specificity. DISCUSSION: MiR129-2me , miR124-3me and ZNF569me accurately discriminate ECa, either pre- or post-ChRT, from normal tissue, enabling ECa detection. Furthermore, circulalting methylation-based biomarkers are promising minimally invasive tools to detect post-ChRT residual ECa. CONCLUSION: Overall, our results encourage the use of miRNA methylation biomarkers as accurate ECa detection tools as a novel approach for ChRT response monitoring.

Physical exercise alleviates oxidative stress in brown adipose tissue and causes changes in body composition and nutritional behavior in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome.

AIM: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a very common endocrine disorder in women. We investigate the effect of physical exercise on body composition, nutritional parameters, and oxidative stress in rats with PCOS. METHODS: Female rats were into three groups: Control, PCOS, and PCOS + Exercise. PCOS was induced by letrozole (1 mg/kg via p.o.) for 21 days consecutively. Physical exercise was swimming, for 21 consecutive days, 1 h/day with 5 % load. In all groups, we assessed the nutritional and murinometric parameters, body composition, thermography, and oxidative stress in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and peri-ovarian adipose tissue (POAT). KEY FINDINGS: In PCOS we observed an increase (P < 0.05) in body weight vs. the Control group. But, the PCOS + Exercise group prevent this weight gain (P < 0.05). The temperature in BAT, decrease (P < 0.05) in the PCOS group vs. Control group. PCOS + Exercise prevented this reduction (P < 0.05) in BAT temperature vs. PCOS groups. We observed decreases (P < 0.05) in Lee Index and BMI in POS + Exercise vs. PCOS group. In PCOS rats, we observed an increase (P < 0.05) in murinometric (SRWG, EI, and FE) and body composition parameters (TWB, ECF, ICF, and FFM) vs. the Control group. The PCOS + Exercise prevents (P < 0.05) these changes in all groups, compared with PCOS. Regarding the BAT, we observe an increase (P < 0.05) in MPO and MDA levels in the PCOS vs. Control group. PCOS + Exercise prevents (P < 0.05) these increases vs. the PCOS group. SIGNIFICANCE: PCOS modifies body composition, and nutritional parameters, and induces changes in oxidative stress in BAT. Physical exercise prevented these alterations.

[Transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation for failed aortic bioprosthesis]. / Implantação percutânea de válvula aórtica sobre bioprótese cirúrgica degenerada.

Percutaneous valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis has been shown to be an alternative treatment option for high surgical risk patients. We describe our first valve-in-valve procedure in a patient with a degenerated aortic bioprosthesis and severe regurgitation.

Percutaneous implantation of a ventricular partitioning device for treatment of ischemic heart failure: initial experience of a center.

The Parachute is a novel left ventricular (LV) partitioning device that is deployed percutaneously in the left ventricle in patients with anteroapical regional wall motion abnormalities, dilated LV and systolic dysfunction after anterior myocardial infarction (MI). The implantable device is a partitioning membrane that isolates the dysfunctional region of the ventricle and decreases chamber volume. Data from the first-in-human clinical trial - the Percutaneous Ventricular Restoration in Chronic Heart Failure (PARACHUTE) trial- has shown that this new device is associated with significant and sustained LV volume reduction and improvement in LV hemodynamics and functional capacity in the 12 months after implantation, with a relatively low rate of clinical events, indicating that it may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of ischemic heart failure. We aim to describe our initial experience with implantation of the Parachute LV partitioning device and its short-term safety, defined as the successful delivery and deployment of the device.

Entire hemithorax irradiation for Masaoka stage IVa thymomas.

Thymomas are rare neoplasms that have an indolent growth with a preferentially intra-thoracic dissemination pattern. Surgery is currently the standard treatment of thymomas; however radiotherapy is often used in an adjuvant setting due to a high sensitivity of these tumors to such treatment. Postoperative entire hemithoracic irradiation has been used in selected Masaoka stage IVa cases after complete surgical excision of metastatic lesions. In the present article, the authors report three cases of Masaoka stage IVa thymoma that underwent entire hemithorax irradiation after surgical excision of metastatic lesions. The first two patients presented as stage IVa thymomas. The third case consisted of a pleural recurrence of a thymoma. Hemithoracic irradiation with low doses has been used by different authors; the available data shows that it is a well-tolerated treatment that could potentially lead to better loco-regional control and increased overall survival.

A novel exonic rearrangement affecting MLH1 and the contiguous LRRFIP2 is a founder mutation in Portuguese Lynch syndrome families.

PURPOSE: Although Lynch syndrome is characterized by marked genetic heterogeneity, some specific mutations are observed at high frequency in well-defined populations or ethnic groups due to founder effects. METHODS: Genomic breakpoint identification, haplotype analysis, and mutation age determination were performed in 14 unrelated patients and 95 family members presenting the same MLH1 exonic rearrangement, among a series of 84 Lynch syndrome families with germline mutations in MLH1, MSH2, or MSH6. RESULTS: All 14 probands harbored an identical deletion, comprising exons 17-19 of the MLH1 gene and exons 26-29 of the LRRFIP2 gene, corresponding to the MLH1 mutation c.1896 + 280_oLRRFIP2:c.1750-678del. This mutation represents 17% of all deleterious mismatch repair mutations in our series. Haplotype analysis showed a conserved region of approximately 1 Mb, and the mutation age was estimated to be 283 ± 78 years. All 14 families are originated from the Porto district countryside. CONCLUSION: We have identified a novel MLH1 exonic rearrangement that is a common founder mutation in Lynch syndrome families, indicating that screening for this rearrangement as a first step may be cost-effective during genetic testing of Lynch syndrome suspects of Portuguese ancestry, especially those originating from the Porto district.

[Multislice computed tomography in the selection of candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation]. / Tomografia computorizada multicorte na avaliação de candidatos a implantação de prótese aórtica percutânea.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is an emerging treatment option for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis in patients considered unsuitable for surgical valve replacement. The authors review the use of multislice computed tomography in the selection of candidates for transcatheter aortic valve replacement, procedural support and post-interventional follow-up. A single-center experience of the role of this imaging technique is also described. Multislice computed tomography is an essential imaging tool in the selection and exclusion of candidates for transcatheter aortic valve implantation, providing evaluation of coronary anatomy and the relationship of the coronary ostia with the aortic valve structure, and accurate analysis of the valve annulus and aortic root, left ventricular outflow tract, aorta and peripheral vascular access routes. Multislice computed tomography is also central to the choice of appropriate prosthesis size. In addition, it guides arterial puncture by image fusion techniques and enables correct prosthesis apposition to be verified. This review aims to describe the role of computed tomography in this increasingly common interventional valve procedure, providing an overview of current knowledge and applications.

Treatment optimization of locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer (Review).

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignant tumor types, being the sixth leading cause of mortality worldwide and the fourth in Europe. Globally, it has a mortality/incidence ratio of 98%, and the 5­year survival rate in Europe is only 3%. Although risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, smoking, alcohol consumption and genetic factors, have been identified, the causes of PDAC remain elusive. Additionally, the only curative treatment for PDAC is surgery with negative margins. However, upon diagnosis, ~30% of the patients already present with locally advanced disease. In these cases, a multidisciplinary approach is required to improve disease­related symptoms and prolong patient survival. In the present article, a comprehensive review of PDAC epidemiology, physiology and treatment is provided. Moreover, guidelines on patient treatment are suggested. Among the different available therapeutic options for the treatment of advanced PDAC, results are modest, most likely due to the complexity of the disease, and so the prognostic remains poor. Molecular approaches based on multi­omics research are promising and will contribute to groundbreaking personalized medicine. Thus, economic investment that promotes research of pancreatic cancer will be critical to the development of more efficient diagnostic and treatment strategies.

Risk rates of workplace accidents in Brazil: effect of the Accidental Prevention Factor (APF)? / Taxas de risco de acidentes de trabalho no Brasil: efeito do Fator Acidentário de Prevenção (FAP)?

Historically, the conflict of interests between employers and workers obliged the State to assume the role of regulating this relationship, instituting laws and overseeing the application of health and safety standards at work. The Accident Prevention Factor (FAP) is one of these guidelines. This article aims to analyze the correlations between the FAP and the risk rate for occupational accidents in Brazil in the period between 2006 and 2016. Ecological study, which analyzed the occupational accidents, registered in the Brazilian Social Security database in the period between 2006 and 2016. The analysis included the calculation of accident risk rates according to the Brazilian regions, divisions of the CNAE, reason/situation, ICD-10 chapters, sex and age. The comparison between results from the two periods was performed using the average risk rates from the two periods using Student t test, Spearman correlation and beta value. Basically, all rate series analyzed had a strong downward trend in the FAP period, contrary to what occurred in the immediately previous period.

A ocorrência de acidentes e de doenças relacionadas ao trabalho são expressões concretas da exposição dos trabalhadores aos riscos presentes no ambiente laboral. Historicamente o conflito de interesses entre empregadores e trabalhadores obrigou o Estado a assumir a função de regulação desta relação, instituindo leis e fiscalizando a aplicação das normas de saúde e segurança no trabalho. O Fator Acidentário de Prevenção (FAP) é uma dessas estratégias. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a correlação entre as taxas de risco de acidentes de trabalho no Brasil antes (2006-2009) e depois (2010-2016) da vigência do FAP. Estudo ecológico com análise temporal de séries de taxas de acidentes de trabalho registrados nas bases de dados da Previdência Social no período 2006 e 2016. A análise incluiu o cálculo das taxas de risco de acidentes segundo grandes regiões brasileiras, divisões do CNAE, motivo/situação, capítulos do CID-10, sexo e idade. A comparação entre os resultados dos dois períodos foi realizada utilizando-se as taxas de risco médias com a aplicação do teste t de Student e da correlação de Spearman. Basicamente todas as séries de taxas analisadas obtiveram forte tendência de redução no período de vigência do FAP, ao contrário do que ocorreu no período imediatamente anterior.

Long-term outcomes after radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrioventricular node: The experience of a Portuguese tertiary center.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with supraventricular arrhythmias and high ventricular rate, unresponsive to rate and rhythm control therapy or catheter ablation, atrioventricular (AV) node ablation may be performed. OBJECTIVES: To assess long-term outcomes after AV node ablation and to analyze predictors of adverse events. METHODS: We performed a detailed retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent AV node ablation between February 1997 and February 2019, in a single Portuguese tertiary center. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients, mean age 69±9 years and 52% male, underwent AV node ablation. Most of them presented atrial fibrillation at baseline (65%). During a median follow-up of 8.5 years (interquartile range 3.8-11.8), patients improved heart failure (HF) functional class (NYHA class III-IV 46% versus 13%, p=0.001), and there were reductions in hospitalizations due to HF (0.98±1.3 versus 0.28±0.8, p=0.001) and emergency department (ED) visits (1.1±1 versus 0.17±0.7, p=0.0001). There were no device-related complications. Despite permanent pacemaker stimulation, left ventricular ejection fraction did not worsen (47±13% vs. 47%±12, p=0.63). Twenty-eight patients died (23%). The number of ED visits due to HF before AV node ablation was an independent predictor of the composite adverse outcome (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.24-2.61, p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Despite pacemaker dependency, the clinical benefit of AV node ablation persisted at long-term follow-up. The number of ED visits due to HF before AV node ablation was an independent predictor of the composite adverse outcome. AV node ablation should probably be considered earlier in the treatment of patients with supraventricular arrhythmias and HF, especially in cases that are unsuitable for selective ablation of the specific arrhythmia.

Colorectal carcinomas with microsatellite instability display a different pattern of target gene mutations according to large bowel site of origin.

BACKGROUND: Only a few studies have addressed the molecular pathways specifically involved in carcinogenesis of the distal colon and rectum. We aimed to identify potential differences among genetic alterations in distal colon and rectal carcinomas as compared to cancers arising elsewhere in the large bowel. METHODS: Constitutional and tumor DNA from a test series of 37 patients with rectal and 25 patients with sigmoid carcinomas, previously analyzed for microsatellite instability (MSI), was studied for BAX, IGF2R, TGFBR2, MSH3, and MSH6 microsatellite sequence alterations, BRAF and KRAS mutations, and MLH1 promoter methylation. The findings were then compared with those of an independent validation series consisting of 36 MSI-H carcinomas with origin from each of the large bowel regions. Immunohistochemical and germline mutation analyses of the mismatch repair system were performed when appropriate. RESULTS: In the test series, IGFR2 and BAX mutations were present in one and two out of the six distal MSI-H carcinomas, respectively, and no mutations were detected in TGFBR2, MSH3, and MSH6. We confirmed these findings in the validation series, with TGFBR2 and MSH3 microsatellite mutations occurring less frequently in MSI-H rectal and sigmoid carcinomas than in MSI-H colon carcinomas elsewhere (P = 0.00005 and P = 0.0000005, respectively, when considering all MSI-carcinomas of both series). No MLH1 promoter methylation was observed in the MSI-H rectal and sigmoid carcinomas of both series, as compared to 53% found in MSI-H carcinomas from other locations (P = 0.004). KRAS and BRAF mutational frequencies were 19% and 43% in proximal carcinomas and 25% and 17% in rectal/sigmoid carcinomas, respectively. CONCLUSION: The mechanism and the pattern of genetic changes driving MSI-H carcinogenesis in distal colon and rectum appears to differ from that occurring elsewhere in the colon and further investigation is warranted both in patients with sporadic or hereditary disease.

[Hybrid approach to structural cardiac disease: three clinical cases]. / Tratamento híbrido de doença estrutural cardiac: a propósito de três casos clínicos.

Structural cardiac diseases can be successfully treated by a multidisciplinary team using a hybrid strategy. We report a small series of complex cases were the team effort of cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and anaesthesiologists allowed a favourable result.

Late gadolinium enhancement location assessed by magnetic resonance and arrhythmogenic risk in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) extent has emerged as a predictor of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), however little is known about the arrhythmogenic relevance of its specific location in the left ventricle. Our aim was to analyze the influence of LGE location on the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and SCD in patients with HCM. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of clinical and Holter records of HCM patients who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance at our center. LGE extent and distribution were assessed using the American Heart Association 17-segment model. VA was defined as non-sustained or sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation or SCD. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients (age 57.0±16.7 years) were included and VA occurred in 24.6% (n=15). Patients with VA showed greater LGE extent than those without (7.40±5.3 vs. 3.52±3.0 segments, p=0.007). Analyzing the distribution of LGE, a set of arrhythmogenic segments (apex/basal inferior/basal anterolateral/mid inferoseptal) was found. The extent of LGE involvement in these segments was also greater in patients with VA (2.07±1.03 vs. 0.65±0.71 segments, p<0.001; area under the curve 0.861 for VA) and this difference remained significant after adjustment for potentially confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of LGE involvement of a set of segments with an apparent relation to cardiac areas of increased mechanical stress was significantly and independently associated with the occurrence of VA, suggesting that not only the extent but also the location of LGE is important for the assessment of SCD risk in HCM patients.

A DNA methylation-based test for esophageal cancer detection.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer (ECa) is the 7th most incident cancer and the 6th leading cause of cancer-related death. Most patients are diagnosed with locally advanced or metastatic disease, enduring poor survival. Biomarkers enabling early cancer detection may improve patient management, treatment effectiveness, and survival, are urgently needed. In this context, epigenetic-based biomarkers such as DNA methylation are potential candidates. METHODS: Herein, we sought to identify and validate DNA methylation-based biomarkers for early detection and prediction of response to therapy in ECa patients. Promoter methylation levels were assessed in a series of treatment-naïve ECa, post-neoadjuvant treatment ECa, and normal esophagus tissues, using quantitative methylation-specific PCR for COL14A1, GPX3, and ZNF569. RESULTS: ZNF569 methylation (ZNF569me) levels significantly differed between ECa and normal samples (p < 0.001). Moreover, COL14A1 methylation (COL14A1me) and GPX3 methylation (GPX3me) levels discriminated adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, respectively, from normal samples (p = 0.002 and p = 0.009, respectively). COL14A1me & ZNF569me accurately identified adenocarcinomas (82.29%) whereas GPX3me & ZNF569me identified squamous cell carcinomas with 81.73% accuracy. Furthermore, ZNF569me and GPX3me levels significantly differed between normal and pre-treated ECa. CONCLUSION: The biomarker potential of a specific panel of methylated genes for ECa was confirmed. These might prove useful for early detection and might allow for the identification of minimal residual disease after adjuvant therapy.

Asymmetricity Between Sister Cells of Pluripotent Stem Cells at the Onset of Differentiation.

Various somatic stem cells divide asymmetrically; however, it is not known whether embryonic stem cells (ESCs) divide symmetrically or asymmetrically, not only while maintaining an undifferentiated state but also at the onset of differentiation. In this study, we observed single ESCs using time-lapse imaging and compared sister cell pairs derived from the same mother cell in either the maintenance or differentiation medium. Mouse ESCs were cultured on E-cadherin-coated glass-based dishes, which allowed us to trace single cells. The undifferentiated cell state was detected by green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression driven by the Nanog promoter, which is active only in undifferentiated cells. Cell population analysis using flow cytometry showed that the peak width indicating distribution of GFP expression broadened when cells were transferred to the differentiation medium compared to when they were in the maintenance medium. This finding suggested that the population of ESCs became more heterogeneous at the onset of differentiation. Using single-cell analysis by time-lapse imaging, we found that although the total survival ratio decreased by changing to differentiation medium, the one-live-one-dead ratio of sister cell pairs was smaller compared with randomly chosen non-sister cell pairs, defined as an unsynchronized cell pair control, in both media. This result suggested that sister cell pairs were more positively synchronized with each other compared to non-sister cell pairs. The differences in interdivision time (the time interval between mother cell division and the subsequent cell division) between sister cells was smaller than that between non-sister cell pairs in both media, suggesting that sister cells divided synchronously. Although the difference in Nanog-GFP intensity between sister cells was smaller than that between non-sister cells in the maintenance medium, it was the same in differentiation medium, suggesting asymmetrical Nanog-GFP intensity. These data suggested that ESCs may divide asymmetrically at the onset of differentiation resulting in heterogeneity.

Malignant thymomas--the experience of the Portuguese Oncological Institute, Porto, and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Epithelial thymic tumours (ETT), which comprise the majority of thymomas, are neoplasias developed from the epithelial cells of the thymus and constitute around 30% of anterior mediastinal masses in adults. Thymomas consist of cells with no cytological characteristics of malignity; malignant behaviour is determined by invasion of the capsule and adjacent structures. These tumours present a broad spectrum of clinical and morphological characteristics and the small series of known patients makes establishing a standard treatment difficult. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was made into thymoma diagnosed patients admitted to the Portuguese Oncology Institute in Porto (IPO-Porto) from 1983 to 2004. Clinical characteristics were analysed and a histological classification made in accordance with World Health Organization criteria, Masaoka staging, and their relation to treatment methods. A review of the clinical records of these patients was then made, as well as a review of histological material for classification in line with 1999 WHO criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-eight ETT patients were treated at the IPO-Porto between 1983 and 2004. Of these, 21 had invasive thymomas and these are the subject of this study. Eleven subjects were male and 10 female, with a median age of 55 years (24-79 years). The WHO histological classification was as follows: 2 patients (9.5%) type A, 6 (28.6%) type AB, 4 (19%) type B1, 2 (9.5%) type B2, 7 (33.4%) type B3. Masaoka staging was 9 patients (42.8%) with stage II, 6 (28.6%) with stage III and 6 (28.6%) with stage IVa. The majority of patients had local symptoms, with only one subject diagnosed with erythrocyte aplasia and five with Myasthenia Gravis (MG). The 6 patients who were given complete surgical resection only showed no evidence of disease recurrence (2 type A-II, 2 type AB-II, 1 type B1-II, 1 type B2- IVa), with follow-up from 8-144 months. Ten patients with complete resection received adjuvant treatment; 6 radiotherapy (4 B3-II patients, 2 B3-III patients), 2 chemotherapy (AB-IVa) and 2 chemo and radiotherapy (B1-IVa, B2-III). Only the 2 patients who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy relapsed, at 168 and 46 months, dying at 168 and 49 months, respectively. The remaining patients who were given adjuvant treatment did not present signs of disease. Of the 5 subjects having incomplete resection followed by complementary treatment (2 AB-III patients, 2 B1-IVa patients, 1 B3-III patient), 3 died, at 11 months (B3-III), 12 months (B1-IVa) and 241 months (AB-III), the latter with MG. CONCLUSIONS: Predictive factors of bad prognosis here were incomplete resection, advanced staging and B3 histological subtype, the smallness of this series notwithstanding. It is necessary to investigate the role of adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatment in a group of subjects with advanced disease of the B3 histological subtype.

Os efeitos clínicos e institucionais do dispositivo "Construção do Caso Clínico" em um Serviço Residencial Terapêutico / Clinical and institutional effects of the "Case-building method" in a Terapeutic Residential Service / Les effects cliniques et institucionnels de la méthode "Construction de Cas Cliniques" dans un Service Thérapeutique Résidentiel / Los efectos clínicos e institucionales del dispositivo "Consctrucción de Caso Clínico" en Servicio Residencial Terapéutico

Este artigo apresenta os Serviços Residenciais Terapêuticos (SRT) como equipamentos destinados à moradia de pessoas egressas de longos períodos de internação em hospital psiquiátrico, analisando, a partir da teoria psicanalítica, o trabalho desenvolvido por uma equipe de SRT orientada pelo método da Construção do Caso Clínico. Objetiva discutir os efeitos clínicos e institucionais da Construção do Caso Clínico para a estabilização da psicose de um morador do SRT. O campo de estudo é localizado no Bairro Bom Jardim, na cidade de Fortaleza-CE. A pesquisa foi realizada de dezembro de 2020 a agosto de 2021. Conclui-se que a Construção do Caso Clínico é uma contribuição rica da psicanálise para a noção de Projeto Terapêutico Singular (PTS), possibilitando redimensionar a direção do cuidado. Convoca-se, assim, a equipe a partir do caso; e não sobre o saber prévio acerca dele.

This article presents the Therapeutic Residential Services (TRS) as facilities for housing people discharged from long hospitalization periods at a psychiatric hospital by analyzing, based on psychoanalytic theory, the work developed by a SRT team guided by the case-building method. It discusses the clinical and institutional effects of case-building for stabilizing the psychosis of a SRT resident. The SRT surveyed is located at Bom Jardim, a neighborhood in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Research was conducted from December 2020 to August 2021. In conclusion, case-building is a rich contribution from psychoanalysis to the notion of the Singular Therapeutic Project (STP), allowing to restructure the scope of care offered. Thus, the team is convened based on the case itself and not on the previous knowledge about it.

Cet article présente les Services Thérapeutiques Résidentiels (SRT) comme des équipements d'accueil pour les personnes sortant d'une longue hospitalisation en hôpital psychiatrique en analysant, à partir de la théorie psychanalytique, le travail développé par une équipe SRT guidée par la méthode de construction de cas clinique. On discute les effets cliniques et institutionnels de la construction de cas clinique pour stabiliser la psychose d'un résident du SRT. Le SRT enquêté est situé dans le quartier Bom Jardim, dans la ville de Fortaleza, Ceará, Brésil. La recherche a été menée de décembre 2020 à août 2021. En conclusion, la construction de cas clinique est un apport riche de la psychanalyse à la notion de Projet Thérapeutique Singulier (PTS), permettant de restructurer l'orientation du soin. Ainsi, l'équipe est convoquée en fonction du cas lui-même et non en fonction des connaissances préalables à celui-ci.

Este artículo presenta los Servicios Residenciales Terapéuticos (SRT) como mecanismos destinados al alojamiento de personas egresadas de largos períodos de hospitalización en un hospital psiquiátrico, además analiza, desde la teoría psicoanalítica, el trabajo desarrollado por un equipo SRT guiado por el método de construcción de casos. Su objetivo es discutir los efectos clínicos e institucionales de la construcción del caso clínico para estabilizar la psicosis de un residente de SRT. El campo de estudio está ubicado en el barrio Bom Jardim, en la ciudad de Fortaleza, en Ceará (Brasil), y la encuesta se realizó entre diciembre de 2020 y agosto de 2021. Se concluye que la construcción del caso clínico es un gran aporte del psicoanálisis a la noción de Proyecto Terapéutico Singular (PTS) por permitir redimensionar la orientación del cuidado. Así, no se convoca el equipo desde el conocimiento previo del caso, sino desde su función.

In vivo dosimetry using Gafchromic films during pelvic intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT).

OBJECTIVE: To characterize in vivo dose distributions during pelvic intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT) for rectal cancer and to assess the alterations introduced by irregular irradiation surfaces in the presence of bevelled applicators. METHODS: In vivo measurements were performed with Gafchromic films during 32 IOERT procedures. 1 film per procedure was used for the first 20 procedures. The methodology was then optimized for the remaining 12 procedures by using a set of 3 films. Both the average dose and two-dimensional dose distributions for each film were determined. Phantom measurements were performed for comparison. RESULTS: For flat and concave surfaces, the doses measured in vivo agree with expected values. For concave surfaces with step-like irregularities, measured doses tend to be higher than expected doses. Results obtained with three films per procedure show a large variability along the irradiated surface, with important differences from expected profiles. These results are consistent with the presence of surface hotspots, such as those observed in phantoms in the presence of step-like irregularities, as well as fluid build-up. CONCLUSION: Clinical dose distributions in the IOERT of rectal cancer are often different from the references used for prescription. Further studies are necessary to assess the impact of these differences on treatment outcomes. In vivo measurements are important, but need to be accompanied by accurate imaging of positioning and irradiated surfaces. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: These results confirm that surface irregularities occur frequently in rectal cancer IOERT and have a measurable effect on the dose distribution.