Predictive factor for lymph node metastasis in non-metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas

Objectives: To evaluate the predictive factors of lymph node involvement in non-metastatic colorectal adenocarcinomas (nmCRC). Methods: A total of 453 patients diagnosed with nmCRC were analyzed regarding T stage, lymphovascular invasion status, tumor grade and proposed risk score (RS), determined by the combination of these three factors for lymph node metastasis. Results: The median age was 62 (25-90 years), M/F ratio was 1.4:1 and majority of the patients had tumors localized on the left colon (70.6%). The number of excised lymph nodes was ≥12 in 77% of the cases. The postoperative pathological assessments revealed that 57.2% of patie,nts had N0 disease, 29.1% had N1 disease, and 13.7% had N2 disease. The T stages (p=0.007), grade (p<0.001), lymphovascular invasion (p=0.002), RS (p<0.001), and number of excised lymph nodes (p=0.029) were significantly different between N0, N1, and N2 patients. Higher RS was associated with lymph node metastasis (p<0.001). Conclusion: The risk score may predict lymph node metastasis in patients with nmCRC and if validated may be helpful in the decision-making of adjuvant chemotherapy, especially in the elderly and patients with inadequate lymph node dissection

The use of infrared thermography to detect the stages of estrus cycle and ovulation time in anatolian shepherd dogs

Abstract Background The aim of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of thermographic monitoring, using the temperature changes of perianal and perivulvar areas for the determination of estrus in Anatolian Shepherd bitches. Fifteen bitches were used in the study. Blood and vaginal smear samples were collected and thermographic monitoring of perianal and perivulvar areas were carried out starting from proestrus to early diestrus. Also, external signs of estrus were investigated. Smear samples were evaluated by light microscopy after Diff-Quik staining method and superficial and keratinized superficial cells were determined as percentage (S + KS%). Progesterone and luteinizing hormone measurements were done by radioimmunoassay. The difference in temperature between perianal and perivulvar areas was evaluated through thermographic images by FLIR ResearchIR Software. Results According to the results obtained from the study, differences between progesterone and S + KS% were statistically significant (P  0,05). Serum luteinizing hormone levels did not sign any difference (P > 0,05). Conclusions As a result, thermographic monitoring alone is not enough for estrus detection in Anatolian Shepherd bitches. However, it can be used to assist the actual estrus detection technique in terms of providing some foreknowledge by evaluating the differences in temperature

Diagnostic Value of Elastosonographic Evaluation of Cervix in Idiopathic Recurrent Spontaneous Miscarriage in the First Trimester

Aim: To detect prognostic role of cervical elastosonography (ES) among women with a history of idiopathic recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (IRSM) in early pregnancy. Methods: There were 40 women enrolled in the study. Of the 40, 20 were women diagnosed with IRSM in the first trimester and 20 were healthy women who had at least one childbirth experience. All patients underwent ES evaluation of the cervix. Strain ratio values of certain cervical tissue were recorded for all women. Results: The results of elastosonographic measures showed that external part of the upper lip of the cervix was significantly softer than the internal part and lower lip in women with IRSM. However, for women who had not experienced miscarriage, the results were not different. There were no significant differences observed between cervical length and elasticity among either group. Conclusion: Although we found that Region A was softer than Region C and D in women with IRSM, we also found similar results for women who have not experienced miscarriage. Our results support that cervical elasticity may not play a central role in the detection of etiopathogenesis of IRSM. Further studies with larger groups are needed

Panel Reactive Antibody Responses Against Influenza Vaccination in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Introduction. Seasonal influenza is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in thepost-transplant period; therefore, the influenza vaccination has been recommended for allkidney transplant recipients before the influenza season. However, at least theoretically,the introduction of antigens via vaccines may trigger rejection attacks by causing anantibody response. In this study, we examined the development of de novo panelreactive antibody (PRA) development against the influenza vaccine in kidney transplantrecipients.Materials and Methods. Overall, 41 kidney transplant recipients who received theinfluenza vaccination and 50 kidney transplant recipients (study group) who refused toreceive the influenza vaccination (control group) were enrolled in the study. Followingbasal biochemistry examination, the inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine was administeredintramuscularly. Panel reactive antibodies were screened in all patients before andafter vaccination on days 30 and 180. The primary outcome variable was development of denovo panel reactive antibodies.Results. One patient in the study group developed de novo class I and II PRA at 6months after vaccination (P &gt; .05), while no antibody development was noted in thecontrol group. Graft dysfunction or biopsy-confirmed rejection was not observed during thefollow-up period in both groups.Conclusion. The influenza vaccination is generally effective and safe in solid organtransplant recipients. The vaccination procedure has the potential to trigger antibodydevelopment and occurrence of rejection. Therefore, vaccinated kidney transplant recipientsshould be monitored more carefully with regard to PRA; if the graft deteriorates, arapid transplant biopsy should be performed