Potential therapeutic applications of microbial surface-activecompounds

Numerous investigations of microbial surface-active compounds or biosurfactants over the past two decades have led to the discovery of many interesting physicochemical and biological properties including antimicrobial, anti-biofilm and therapeutic among many other pharmaceutical and medical applications. Microbial control and inhibition strategies involving the use of antibiotics are becoming continually challenged due to the emergence of resistant strains mostly embedded within biofilm formations that are difficult to eradicate. Different aspects of antimicrobial and anti-biofilm control are becoming issues of increasing importance in clinical, hygiene, therapeutic and other applications. Biosurfactants research has resulted in increasing interest into their ability to inhibit microbial activity and disperse microbial biofilms in addition to being mostly nontoxic and stable at extremes conditions. Some biosurfactants are now in use in clinical, food and environmental fields, whilst others remain under investigation and development. The dispersal properties of biosurfactants have been shown to rival that of conventional inhibitory agents against bacterial, fungal and yeast biofilms as well as viral membrane structures. This presents them as potential candidates for future uses in new generations of antimicrobial agents or as adjuvants to other antibiotics and use as preservatives for microbial suppression and eradication strategies

Intrahepatic Lymphatic Invasion but not Vascular Invasion is a Major Prognostic Factor after Resection of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in diagnosis and surgical strategies, up to 70% of patients will develop recurrence of the disease after resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM). The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency of four different mechanisms of intrahepatic dissemination, and to evaluate the impact of each mechanism on patient outcomes. METHODS: The medical records of 118 patients who underwent a first resection of CRCLM during the period between 2000 and 2010 were reviewed. Clinicopathologic variables and outcome parameters were examined. Resected specimens were submitted to routine histological evaluation, and immunohistochemical staining with D2-40 (lymphatic vessels), CD34 (blood vessels), CK-7 (biliary epithelium), and CK-20 (CRC cells). RESULTS: The mean follow-up after resection was 38 months. Tumor recurrence was observed in 76 patients, with a median interval of 13 months after resection. Overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) rates after hepatectomy were 62 and 56%, and 26 and 24% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. Intrahepatic microscopic invasion included portal venous in 49 patients, sinusoidal in 43 patients, biliary in 20 patients, and lymphatic in 33 patients. Intra-hepatic lymphatic invasion was the only mechanism of dissemination independently associated with the risk of hepatic recurrence (odds ratio 2.75) and shorter DFS (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Intrahepatic lymphatic invasion is a significant prognostic factor. Other mechanisms of invasion, although frequently observed, are not related to recurrence or survival, suggesting that the lymphatic system is the main route for dissemination of CRCLM. Furthermore, immunohistochemical detection of intrahepatic lymphatic invasion might be of value in clinical practice

Tratamento cirúrgico do câncer colorretal: série histórica de três anos de um serviço em Salvador, Bahia Surgical treatment of colorectal cancer: three-year historical series of a health service in Savador, Bahia, Brazil

O reduzido número de registro de câncer colorretal no Brasil tem demonstrado a dificuldade para o conhecimento da epidemiologia dessa patologia, levando a um mau planejamento dos governos para o diagnóstico precoce. O objetivo desse trabalho foi relatar a casuística de um serviço, em Salvador (BA), durante um período de três anos e compará-la com a literatura nacional. Os dados obtidos foram analisados, sendo observada semelhança com a literatura brasileira. Ocorreu maior incidência dessa neoplasia entre indivíduos do sexo feminino (53,7%), com média de idade de 57 anos ao diagnóstico. Nota-se estádio III em 40,4% dos pacientes, sendo a retossigmoidectomia a cirurgia mais realizada (54%). Este estudo demonstrou um conhecimento epidemiológico da poplação baiana, na qual foi observado um atraso do diagnóstico da doença, bem como a necessidade de investimentos na descoberta precoce.<br>The low number of registration of colorectal cancer cases in Brazil has shown the difficulty in understanding the epidemiology of this disease, thus leading to a poor government planning for early diagnosis. The aim of this study was to report the cases of a service in Salvador during three years and compare it with the national literature data. The data were analyzed, and we found similarity to the Brazilian literature: higher incidence among females (53.7%), mean age of 57 years at diagnosis. Stage III was observed in 40.4% of patients, and retossigmoidectomy surgery was most often performed (54%). This study showed epidemiological characteristics of the population of Bahia, being observed late diagnosis of the disease and the need for investment in early detection