Objective: knowledge regarding prognostic factors in gastric cancer is essential to decide on single patient management. We aim to establish the value of large lymph node size in order to improve perioperative approach. Material and methods: charts of one hundred and twenty-eight consecutive patients undergoing gastrectomy for resectable gastric cancer were reviewed between January 1996 and December 2005. Patients were split in two groups according to large lymph node size harvested, group I, lymph node size ≤ 10 mm and group II, lymph node size > 10 mm. Overall five-year survival related to cancer were analyzed as a main endpoint. Prognostic factors as TNM classification and degree of differentiation have been considered. Results: there were no differences regarding age and gender (67.4 vs. 64; p = 0.34 and 66,1 vs. 68,1%; p = 0.27, respectively). Nevertheless, a significant difference has been found according to T1-T2 of TNM stage (78.1 vs. 39.1% p = < 0.001), for N grade staging, has statistical signification for grade N0 (62.7 vs. 30.5%; p < 0.001), and for Ia and Ib stages (57.6 vs. 17.4%). Five years overall survival has a great statistical signification (p log-rank = 0.0003), however, overall survival between groups with positive lymph nodes according to lymph node size was close to signification, (p log-rank = 0.0636). Conclusions: our data indicates that large lymph node size could be a powerful predictor for overall survival in gastric cancer, when it could be evaluated in preoperative period. In our opinion lymph node size should be considered for perioperative chemotherapy schemas. Detection and staging techniques for lymph node affection acquire much more importance.

Objetivo: valorar el interés del diámetro del ganglio mayor extirpado como factor pronóstico en los pacientes intervenidos por cáncer gástrico, para determinar si su detección puede ser un factor de interés en el periodo preoperatorio, para indicar tratamiento neoadyuvante. Material y métodos: se analiza un registro de 128 casos consecutivos de pacientes afectos de adenocarcinoma gástrico resecable, durante un periodo de 10 años en los que en el estudio anatomopatológico se determinó el diámetro del ganglio mayor aislado. Se estudia la relación del mismo con factores pronósticos universalmente aceptados, el grado de penetración, la presencia y extensión de metástasis ganglionares y el estadio TNM, y con la supervivencia a 5 años, estudiándose dos grupos, el grupo I compuesto por aquellos enfermos con diámetro menor o igual a 10 mm, y el grupo II con diámetros superiores a 10 mm. Resultados: no se han detectado diferencias estadísticas respecto a edad y sexo (67,4 vs. 64; p = 0,34 y 66,1 vs. 68,1%; p = 0,27, respectivamente). Existen diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos en el grado de penetración tumoral, T1-T2, (78,1% por 39,1%, p < 0,001), en el porcentaje de pacientes sin metástasis ganglionares (62,7 vs. 30,5%; p < 0,001), así como en el porcentaje de estadios precoces (Ia y Ib, 57,6% por 17,4, p < 0,001). La supervivencia global acumulada a los 60 meses fue significativa entre ambos grupos (p log-rank = 0,0003), aunque sin alcanzar significación estadística en los pacientes N+ (p < 0,006). Conclusiones: la relación del diámetro ganglionar mayor puede ser un factor pronóstico útil y junto con otros factores pronósticos facilitaría la valoración de quimioterapia neoadyuvante. Su detección mediante exploraciones complementarias adquiriría por consiguiente un mayor interés.

Por meio de um trabalho multidisciplinar entre Engenheiros e Dentistas, foram estudados oito diferentes tipos de grãos abrasivos de diamantes para a fabricação de pontas adiamantadas e/ou rebolos de pequeno diâmetro. Verificou-se qual o grão mais adequado para ser empregado nas pontas, as quais são utilizadas em equipamentos que possuem um pequeno torque disponível. Uma metodologia de experimentação para avaliação da capacidade de corte destas ferramentas foi desenvolvida, utilizando-se o vidro como material a ser desgastado. Como resultados, observou-se que a estrutura e a friabilidade do grão de diamante afetam diretamente a capacidade de corte das pontas adiamantadas. Desta forma, o melhor tipo de diamante foi aquele que apresentou, ao mesmo tempo, as melhores condições de remoção de material e o menor preço.

This paper presents a multi-area research involving Dentists and Engineers, in which eight different types of diamond abrasive grains, which are used in dental burs (small diameter grinding wheels) were tested. The most appropriated grain to be used in burs was evaluated. These burs are used in dental equipment characterized by low torque and low spindle rotation. A test methodology was developed in order to evaluate the cutting capacity of these burs, using glass as a machining material. The results show that it was possible to verify that the grain structure and friability were the properties that affect the cutting capacity. Consequently, the best diamond grain is the one that presented, simultaneously, the best material removal conditions and the lowest price.