Correlations Among the HLA-DQB1 Alleles and Suicidal Behavior.

Suicide is a worldwide health problem with multiple causes, including genetic factors. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is represented by an assembly of gene encoding the human leukocyte antigen (HLA). The purpose of our study was to determine associations between the HLA profiles and predisposition for suicidal behavior. We harvested blood samples from persons with history of suicidal attempts (case group) and persons never exhibiting such behavior (control group). The DNA was extracted and amplified via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the HLA-DQB1 profiles. Statistical data processing was performed with the Epi Info program. We found that the presence of the HLA-DQB1*02 allele increases the risk of suicidal behavior, while HLA-DQB1*05 alleviates such risk. The genotype that presented the most increased risk for suicidal behavior was found to be HLA-DQB1*02/HLA-DQB1*03. Our study has demonstrated the presence of several associations between HLA profiles and suicidal behavior.

Role of computer tomography and endoscopic ultrasonography in assessing portal and superior mesenteric vessels invasion in cephalo-pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the information given by contrast-enhanced computer tomography (CECT) and ultrasound endoscopy (EUS) regarding vascular involvement of cephalo-pancreatic cancer, data compared with intraoperative findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We choose to analyze the most often interested vessels by tumor development, such as superior mesenteric artery (SMA), superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and portal vein (PV). The patients included in the study (n=425) had a cephalo-pancreatic tumor diagnosed in our Institute and a positive histology for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The exclusion criteria were: tumors in sites other than the head of the pancreas (including metastases); tumor involvement of common hepatic artery, celiac trunk, inferior cava vein or aorta; CECT or EUS diagnosis performed in another center; and a delay of more than 35 days between the diagnostic imaging and surgery. RESULTS: In diagnosing SMA invasion CECT had an accuracy of 84,92% and EUS had an accuracy of 87,39%. In diagnosing PV and SMV involvement, CECT had an accuracy of 84,83% and EUS had an accuracy of 92,17%. The accuracy of the two combined examinations in diagnosing vascular invasion was 93%. CONCLUSONS: Both types of examination have showed good accuracies in diagnosing vascular invasion separately. A combination of the two may be used when the CECT result is uncertain as it provides a higher chance of a correct diagnosis. KEY WORDS: Pancreatic cancer, Resectability criteria, Vascular invasion.