Methods. The following databases were searched: the Cochrane Library, Biosis, Web of Science, Embase, ASCO Abstracts and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform.

Randomized controlled trials on the following comparisons were included: (1) neoadjuvant therapy versus surgery alone and (2) neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Results. We identified 17 and 5 relevant trials that enrolled 8,568 and 2,393 patients, respectively. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy improved local control (hazard ratio 0.59; 95 % confidence interval 0.48-0.72) compared to surgery alone even after total FG4592 mesorectal excision, whereas its benefit in overall survival just failed to reach statistical significance (0.93; 0.85-1.00). However, it was associated NCT-501 in vivo with increased perioperative mortality (1.48; 1.08-2.03), in particular if a dose of 5 Gy per fraction was administered (1.85; 1.23-2.78). Chemoradiotherapy improved local control as opposed to radiotherapy (0.53; 0.39-0.72), with no impact on perioperative outcome and long-term survival. Conclusions. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy improves local control in patients with rectal cancer, particularly when chemoradiotherapy is administered. The question if the use of more effective chemotherapy protocols improves overall survival warrants further investigation.”
“Mastits is infrequent in meat ewes. However

Santa Ines ewes have a high incidence of this disease and it is severe and difficult to treat. The goal of this study was to characterize clinical, epidemiological and etiological aspects of clinical mastitis in meat

ewes reared in the north of Parana, Brazil. Fifith four farms were visited from October 2009 to September 2010. The surveyed data included frequency, breeds of sheep affected, lamb mortality rates, main clinical signs, attempts and outcome of treatment, method and period of weaning and management features. Seventy ewes with clinical mastitis were fully examinated and samples of mammary secretion were asseptically taken for bacteriological culture. Mastitis was identified in 39 farms (72.3%) as a relevant problem (mean frequency was 6,74%). RepSox ic50 Chronic and acute mastitis were observed in 69% and 31% of the examinated ewes, respectively. In both cases, phlegmonous mastitis was the most prevalent form (65.5%). Coagulase negative Staphylococccus (CNS) was the main isolated microorganism (54.5%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Arcanobacterium pyogenes (11.5%, each one). Mannheimia haemolytica was found in two cases. The risk factors for clinical mastitis were intensive management system and Santa Ines breed. Weaning after 120 days of lactation and isolation of affected ewes were associated with lower frequency of mastitis. Preventive measures recommended are daily cleaning of facilities and delayed weaning, mainly in Santa Ines flocks.”
“OBJECTIVE.