Adaptability and Comparative Biology of Fall Armyworm on Maize and Perennial Forage Species and Relation with Chemical-Bromatological Composition.

This study compared the development of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), on forage species of different genera (Arachis, Axonopus, and Cynodon) in relation to maize (preferred host) as well as its adaptability on these forage species, which are the main cultivated forages in southern Brazil. The biological performance of S. frugiperda fed on host plants studied showed the highest adaptation index (AI) in maize (26.89), followed by bermudagrass (22.02), suggesting that bermudagrass is the most suitable alternative host for the development of S. frugiperda. In contrast, the giant missionary grass (18.80) and Pinto peanut (13.81) showed lower adequacy, with a relative adaptation index (RAI) 69.93 and 51.35%, respectively, using maize as standard. The cluster analysis based on similarity of the chemical-bromatological parameters showed that maize has a richer composition than the other plant species studied. The multivariate correlation analysis between AI and chemical-bromatological composition showed a positive correlation between AI and contents of ashes, ethereal extract, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium and, to a lesser extent, with contents of nitrogen, crude protein, and copper. In this context, complexity of host composition and balance between components could explain the biological fitness of S. frugiperda on host plant species. Pasture diversification with giant missionary grass, or especially with Pinto peanut, may be an interesting strategy for integrated pest management of fall armyworm in pasturelands in a regional context.

[Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma : Results after 84 resections]. / Das intrahepatische Cholangiokarzinom : Ergebnisse nach 84 Resektionen.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is increasing worldwide. Surgical resection is the only curative treatment option. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study analyzed the prognostic factors after resection of ICC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 84 patients were surgically treated under potentially curative intent. Perihilar and distal cholangiocarcinomas were excluded. The 5­year survival was analyzed with respect to tumor stage (TNM), number of lesions, complete surgical resection (R0), peritoneal carcinosis and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The 5­year survival was 27% and 77% of patients underwent R0 resections. In the univariate analysis a T stage >2, an N+ situation or an R+ resection as well as peritoneal and multilocular intrahepatic spread were associated with a poorer prognosis. Postoperative complications also negatively influenced survival. On multivariate analysis the absence of peritoneal spread, node-negative tumor stages, singular hepatic lesions and a low T stage as well as the absence of complications were associated with improved survival. DISCUSSION: The prognosis of ICC is poor even after successful surgical resection. Well-known tumor characteristics such as TNM are relevant prognostic factors. Surgical resection is accompanied by postoperative complications (most frequently biliary), which negatively influence survival. Adjuvant strategies are urgently needed to improve long-term survival even after complete surgical resection.

[Hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma--results and analysis of the current literature]. / Leberresektion beim Hepatozellulären Karzinom - Eigene Ergebnisse und Literaturübersicht.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth-leading cause of cancer death world-wide. Although less frequent in Western Europe, its incidence is increasing in this region. Causes involved in the pathogenesis of HCC are, besides viral hepatitis, metabolic and nutritional factors (alcohol, diabetes, obesity). The therapeutic management depends strongly on the initial extent of disease and includes hepatic resection, liver transplantation and local ablation. In this context, we present our results on liver resection for HCC and a discussion of the current literature about (potentially curative) treatment for HCC. PATIENTS: From 1999 until 2008 93 patients [83 % male, median age 64 (range: 39-94) years] underwent hepatic resection for HCC. Postoperative follow-up was available in 85 patients [median follow-up: 1.2 (0.25-8) years]. RESULTS: In contrast to data, especially from Asia, a viral hepatitis as the origin of HCC was found in only 28 % of the patients in our series. Half of the patients had proven liver cirrhosis. The median number of intrahepatic tumours was one (1-11), median size of the largest tumour was 55 mm (5-250 mm). 58 % of the HCC were removed by atypical or segmental resection, 42 % of the patients underwent hemihepatectomy or extended -hemihepatectomy. Tumor-free resection margins were -achieved in 95 %. Total postoperative morbidity was 61 %. A reoperation for complications was -necessary in 10 %. Hospital mortality was 8.6 % in the entire study period but decreased from 14.9 % in 1999-2004 to 2.2 % in 2005 to 2008 (p = 0.03). Actuarial survival was 81 % after 1 year, 58 % after 3 years and 26 % after 5 years. The T-stage could be identified tendentially as a prognostic factor influencing survival. CONCLUSION: With the proper selection of patients, liver resection for HCC may be performed with a curative intention (i. e., free resection margins) in over 90 %. Although it decreased during the study period peri-operative mortality was higher than after resection of other hepatic tumours. Long-term survival in our series was comparable to reports from other European centres.

Laser laparoscopy versus laparotomy in lysis of pelvic adhesions.

Severe adhesions were induced at laparotomy by laser ablation of the surface of one uterine horn and 1 cm2 of pelvic sidewall in 20 rabbits. Three weeks later the rabbits were selected at random for laparoscopy or laparotomy. Adhesions at the horn, sidewall and incidental sites were scored and lysed with laser at similar power densities. Three weeks later animals were killed and adhesions were blindly scored. We found a significant and similar reduction in severe adhesions at uterine horns after either laser laparoscopy or laser laparotomy, better lysis of sidewall and incidental adhesions by laser laparoscopy and formation of de novo adhesions at nonoperative sites after laparotomy but not after laparoscopy. We conclude that (1) de novo adhesions are common after laparotomy; (2) severe uterine horn adhesions can be reduced equally well by both laparoscopy and laparotomy but laparoscopy is superior to laparotomy with less severe peripheral adhesions; (3) outcome of adhesiolysis depends on several variables, including adhesion density and location and approach (laparotomy or laparoscopy), even when the tool (laser) is constant.