Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Among surgically treated patients with colon cancer, lower long-term mortality has been demonstrated in those with 12 or more lymph nodes evaluated. We examined whether patients receiving adequate lymph node evaluation were also more likely to receive comprehensive postsurgical care, leading to lower mortality. ⋯ Adequate lymph node evaluation for colon cancer was associated with lower mortality among all patients. However, among 3-year survivors, the association between lymph node evaluation and lower hazard of death was no longer significant, while postsurgical care remained strongly associated with lower long-term mortality, indicating that postsurgical care may partially explain the relationship between lymph node evaluation and mortality.
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Complete resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) is a critical determinant of long-term survival. This study validates a previously reported preoperative clinical T staging system for determining resectability of HCCA. ⋯ The preoperative clinical T staging system of Blumgart, defined by the radial and longitudinal tumor extent, accurately predicts resectability of HCCA. The full outcomes benefit of resection is realized only if a concomitant partial hepatectomy is performed.
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Comparative Study
Quantitative comparison and analysis of species-specific wound biofilm virulence using an in vivo, rabbit-ear model.
Although bacterial biofilm is recognized as an important contributor to chronic wound pathogenesis, differences in biofilm virulence between species have never been studied in vivo. ⋯ Our novel analysis demonstrates that individual bacterial species possess distinct levels of biofilm virulence. Biofilm EPS may represent an integral part of their distinct pathogenicity. Rigorous examination of species-dependent differences in biofilm virulence is critical to developing specific therapeutics, while lending insight to the interactions within clinically relevant, polybacterial biofilms.