Evaluation of the histopathologic status of rectal adenocarcinoma and its regional lymph nodes after neoadjuvant therapy, and its relation to the duration of disease-free survival

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors and has a relatively poor prognosis. Lymph node involvement is considered the most important prognostic factor. Materials and Methods: During a retrospective cohort study, 132 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery for resectable rectal cancer from 2010 to 2015 in Sina hospital were reviewed. Results: Multivariable analysis was performed and shown the clinical stage was not a representative factor for disease-free survival (P = 0.187), but Dworak Tumor Regression Grading were significantly associated with higher disease-free survival (P = 0.000) in stage II and stage III. The total number of retrieved lymph nodes and involved lymph nodes in the same clinical stage were statistically associated with higher mean disease-free survival in patients (P = 0.000 in both conditions). Conclusion: In the same clinical stage, increasing the Dworak Tumor Regression Grading reduced the risk of rectal cancer recurrence. Increasing total number of retrieved lymph nodes and involved lymph nodes, 2.14 times and 3.87 times increased the risk of recurrence, respectively.

Use of common reagent containers to stain sputum smears for acid fast bacilli using ziehl-neelsen technque

The use of common reagent containers for mass staining of sputum smears for acid fast bacilli (AFB) by the Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN:) Technique has previously been discouraged for fear of cross contamination. We undertook the present study to ascertain whether this fear has any justification. Out of 1296 smears prepared from 198 specimens including 9 known negative controls; 108 stainings were performed. 70 specimens and all positive controls were repeatedly positive on different stainings. 69 (99) cases and all positive controls were confirmed by culture. No carry over of AFB from positive to negative smears was experienced. Time; cost and staining mess was significantly reduced during mass eestaining. The use of a common container for staining of sputum smears for AFB by the ZN technique is not only economical but also ideal for laboratories where space is insufficient and larg numbers of sputum specimens are involved