Evaluation of microvessel density and p53 expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic significance of microvessel density and p53 expression in pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Between 2008 and 2012, 49 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma underwent resection with curative intention. The resected specimens were immunohistochemically stained with anti-p53 and anti-CD34 antibodies. Microvessel density was assessed by counting vessels within ten areas of each tumoral section a highpower microscope. RESULTS: The microvessel density ranged from 21.2 to 54.2 vessels/mm2. Positive nuclear staining for p53 was found in 20 patients (40.6%). The overall median survival rate after resection was 24.1 months and there were no differences in survival rates related to microvessel density or p53 positivity. Microvessel density was associated with tumor diameter greater than 3.0 cm and with R0 resection failure. CONCLUSIONS: Microvessel density was associated with R1 resection and with larger tumors. p53 expression was not correlated with intratumoral microvessel density in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Auditory Brainstem Response in Term and Preterm Infants with Neonatal Complications: The Importance of the Sequential Evaluation

Introduction Literature data are not conclusive as to the influence of neonatal complications in the maturational process of the auditory system observed by auditory brainstem response (ABR) in infants at term and preterm. Objectives Check the real influence of the neonatal complications in infants by the sequential auditory evaluation. Methods Historical cohort study in a tertiary referral center. A total of 114 neonates met inclusion criteria: treatment at the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program of the local hospital; at least one risk indicator for hearing loss; presence in both evaluations (the first one after hospital discharge from the neonatal unit and the second one at 6 months old); all latencies in ABR and transient otoacoustic emissions present in both ears. Results The complications that most influenced the ABR findings were Apgar scores less than 6 at 5 minutes, gestational age, intensive care unit stay, peri-intraventricular hemorrhage, and mechanical ventilation. Conclusion Sequential auditory evaluation is necessary in premature and term newborns with risk indicators for hearing loss to correctly identify injuries in the auditory pathway. .

Resultados actuales de la pancreatoduodenectomía para el tratamiento de los tumores periampulares y análisis de factores pronósticos de sobrevida / Results of pancreaticoduodenectomy in the treatment of periampullary tumors

Background: The diagnosis and treatment of periampullary tumors represents a challenge for current medicine. Aim: To review the results of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PDD) in the treatment of periampullary tumors and to identify risk factors that impact the long-term survival. Patients and Methods: We performed a retrospective study of patients who underwent a PDD for periampullary tumors between 1993 and 2009. We reviewed perioperative results and long term survival. We performed a multivariate analysis for long-term survival. Results: A PDD was performed in 181 patients aged 58 ± 12 years (98 females). Piloric preservation was done in 53 percent and a pancreatogastric anastomosis was used in 94 percent of cases. Morbidity was 62 percent and postoperative mortality was 5.5 percent. Pancreatic cancer was the most frequent pathological finding in 41 percent, followed by ampullary cancer in 28 percent and distal bile duct cancer in 16 percent. Median survival was 17 months, with a five years survival of 24 percent. Survival for ampullary tumors was 28 months with a five years survival of 32 percent. The median and five years survival were 14 months and 16 percent for bile duct cancer and 11 months and 14 percent for pancreatic cancer. Multivariate analysis identified tumor type (pancreas /bile duct) and lymph node dissemination as independent predictors of mortality. Conclusions: One quarter of patients experienced long term survival. Mortality predictors were tumor type and lymph node dissemination.