Surgical resectability of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: CTA

Imaging studies play an important role in the diagnosis and management of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography (CT) is the most widely available and best validated modality for imaging these patients. Meticulous technique following a well-designed pancreas protocol is essential for maximizing the diagnostic efficacy of CT. After the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is made, the key to management is staging to determine resectability. In practice, staging often entails predicting the presence or absence of vascular invasion by tumor, for which several radiologic grading systems exist. With advances in surgical techniques, the definition of resectability is in evolution, and it is crucial that radiologists have an understanding of the implications of findings that are relevant to the determination of resectability

Reversible Decrease of Portal Venous Flow in Cirrhotic Patients: A Positive Side Effect of Sorafenib

Portal hypertension, the most important complication with cirrhosis of the liver, is a serious disease. Sorafenib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor is validated in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Because angiogenesis is a pathological hallmark of portal hypertension, the goal of our study was to determine the effect of sorafenib on portal venous flow and portosystemic collateral circulation in patients receiving sorafenib therapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Porto-collateral circulations were evaluated using a magnetic resonance technique prior sorafenib therapy, and at day 30. All patients under sorafenib therapy had a decrease in portal venous flow of at least 36%. In contrast, no specific change was observed in the azygos vein or the abdominal aorta. No portal venous flow modification was observed in the control group. Sorafenib is the first anti-angiogenic therapy to demonstrate a beneficial and reversible decrease of portal venous flow among cirrhotic patients

Fatty acid composition of cane molasses and yeasts Composição em ácidos graxos de melaço de cana-de-açúcar e de leveduras

Lipid extract and fatty acid composition of cane molasses and yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae M-300-A and Saccharomyces uvarum IZ-1904) grown in molasses medium were determined. In molasses, linoleic acid was found in higher levels (around 42%) and was followed by palmitic, oleic and linolenic acids. The lipid extract varied from 1.02 to 3.13 gkg-1. In yeasts, the level of lipid extract varied from 16.65 to 31.12 g.kg-1 (dry matter basis) depending on the molasses type and yeast species. Both yeasts were able to incorporate fatty acids from molasses' and therefore linoleic and palmitic acids were the major fatty acids found in them.<br>Foram determinados o extrato lipídico e a composição em ácidos graxos de melaço de cana-de-açúcar e das leveduras (Saccharomyces cerevisiae M-300-A e Saccharomyces uvarum Iz-1904) multiplicadas em meio fermentativo de melaço. Nos melaços, o ácido linoleico foi encontrado em maiores quantidades (cerca de 42% do total) e foi seguido pelos ácidos palmitic o, oleico e linolênico. O extrato lipídico variou de 1,02 até 3,13 g.Kg-1. Em leveduras, o nível do extrato lipídico variou de 16,65 até 31,12 g.kg-1(com base na matéria seca) e foi afetado pelo tipo de melaço e da espécie de levedura. Ambas as leveduras foram capazes de incorporar ácidos graxos presentes no melaço e portanto os ácidos linoleico e palmítico foram os principais ácidos graxos encontrados nessas leveduras