Number of lymph nodes assessed has no prognostic impact in node-negative rectal cancers after neoadjuvant therapy. Results of the "Italian Society of Surgical Oncology (S.I.C.O.) Colorectal Cancer Network" (SICO-CCN) multicentre collaborative study.

INTRODUCTION: We retrospectively investigated the impact of number or complete absence of nodes retrieved on survival of patients with rectal cancer (RC) treated with neoadjuvant radiation-therapy (NAT). METHODS: All patients with RC treated with NAT followed by curative surgery from 2000 to 2014 in 14 Italian referral Centres for Colorectal Surgery were enrolled. Information about number of nodes harvested, node ratio, type of radiation therapy schedule and tumour stage were recorded. Impact of number or complete absence of nodes retrieved on overall survival (OS) and on cumulative incidence of death for disease (CIDD) was assessed and factors influencing node yield were investigated. RESULTS: In total, 1407 patients were included. Mean number of nodes retrieved was 12.9, while no lymph nodes were found in only 32 patients (2%, ypNnull). Definite nodal stage was ypN0 in 1001 patients (71%) and ypN+ in 372 patients (27%). In multivariable analysis ypNnull patients showed worse OS and CIDD compared to both ypN0 and ypN+. In ypN0 patients, number of nodes assessed, stratified in 4 groups (<5, 5-10, 11-15 and > 15), did not significantly influence OS and CIDD. Long-course radiation schedule and early T stages negatively affected node assessment. CONCLUSION: Complete absence of nodes assessed was associated with worse prognosis compared to node-negative and node-positive patients. In node-negative patients number of nodes was not associated to OS and CIDD. Based on data from this large population of irradiated RC, number of nodes assessed has no prognostic impact in node-negative patients.

Avaliação de cultivares de mamona em três ambientes, no estado do Tocantins, safra 2007/2008 / Avaluation of castor bean cultivars in three environments in the state of Tocantins, agricultural year 2007/2008

A mamona (Ricinus communis L.) surge como fonte alternativa de energia na produção de biodiesel, tornando a cultura da mamoneira importante potencial econômico e estratégico ao País. Com o objetivo de avaliar o comportamento produtivo das cultivares de mamonas, foram realizados ensaios de competição em três locais no Estado do Tocantins. O experimento foi instalado em blocos casualizados com três repetições. Cada parcela experimental, foi constituída por duas linhas de 6 metros de comprimento por 1,5 metros entre linhas, totalizando 18 metros quadrados por parcela, utilizando as cultivares (IAC 226, Guarani, Nordestina e Paraguaçu), semeadas em Gurupi, Natividade e Formoso do Araguaia As características avaliadas foram altura da planta, altura dos cachos, número cachos por planta, produtividade de cachos por hectare, peso de sementes por hectare e diâmetro de caule. A metodologia utilizada proporcionou informações, que permitiram conhecimento tanto das cultivares avaliadas, quanto aos ambientes estudados. Utilizou-se o teste de Tukey para as médias da produção de sementes (kg.ha-1), foram detectadas diferenças significativas entre as cultivares em todos os ambientes e na média geral, porém os resultados indicam a superioridade de alguns materiais. Os ensaios apresentaram um comportamento diferencial das cultivares nos ambientes diferentes, sendo realizados os desdobramentos. Analisou-se a produtividade em kg.ha-1 nos três ambientes. Em Gurupi a média de produtividade foi superior aos demais ambientes. A cultivar Guarani a que mais se destacou e revelando um comportamento potencialmente promissor em todos os ambientes estudados.

The castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) has emerged as an alternative source of energy in biodiesel production, making the cultivation of the castor and important potential economic and strategic to the country In order to evaluate. The production of the castor bean cultivars, was avaluated at Tocantins. The experiment was conducted in blocks with three replications. Each experimental plot consisted of two rows of six meters long and 1.5 meters between two lines, totaling 18 square meters per plot, using cultivars (IAC 226, Guarani, and Northeastern Paraguaçu), seeded in Gurupi Nativity and Formoso do Araguaia. The traits evaluated were plant height, height of the clusters, many clusters per plant, yield of bunches per hectare, seed weight per hectare and stem diameter. The methodology provided information that allowed knowledge of the cultivars and environmental variations. We used the Tukey test for means of production of seed (kg ha-1), significant differences between cultivars in all environmental and in general average, but the results indicate the superiority of some materials. The tests showed a differential behavior of the cultivars in distinct environments and being performed developments. We analyzes the yield in (kg ha-1) in the three environments. In Gurupi the average yield was higher than the other environments. The Guarani cultivar that stood out and revealing to be a potentially promising behavior in all environmental studied.