Detection of genotypic clarithromycin-resistant Helicobacter pylori by string tests.

Aim: To evaluate the utility of the string test to detect genotypic clarithromycin-resistant Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Methods: Patients undergoing endoscopic examinations were enrolled in the present study.

Gastric glomus tumor: a case report and review of the literature.

Glomus tumors are usually thought of as benign tumors although some malignant cases have been reported. These tumors arise from the glomus body and are commonly observed in the dermis or subcutis, but rarely in visceral organs. Here, we report a 37-year-old female who initially presented with epigastric discomfort.

Influence of proton pump inhibitor use in gastrointestinal polyps.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most potent anti-acid agents and are extensively used worldwide. PPI-induced hypergastrinemia is one of the very few side effects associated with these drugs. However, because hypergastrinemia is related to the occurrence of colonic adenomatous polyps, the purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between the occurrence of gastrointestinal polyps and hypergastrinemia induced by PPIs.

Short-term celecoxib intervention is a safe and effective chemopreventive for gastric carcinogenesis based on a Mongolian gerbil model.

Aim: To evaluate the optimal intervention point of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, celecoxib, for inhibiting Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated gastric carcinogenesis in Mongolian gerbils (MGs).

Methods: One hundred and twelve MGs were divided into six groups (A-F).

Differentiation between malignant and benign gastric ulcers: CT virtual gastroscopy versus optical gastroendoscopy.

Purpose: To retrospectively compare computed tomographic virtual gastroscopy (VG) and conventional optical gastroendoscopy for the differentiation of malignant and benign gastric ulcers.

Materials And Methods: The institutional review board approved this study and confirmed that informed consent was not required. Gastric ulcers in 115 patients (mean age, 64.

Phase II study of biweekly gemcitabine followed by oxaliplatin and simplified 48-h infusion of 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (GOFL) in advanced pancreatic cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of a triplet regimen consisting of gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, and infusional fluorouracil and leucovorin (LV) in advanced pancreatic carcinoma (APC).

Patients And Methods: Chemotherapy-naïve patients with histo-/cytologically proven unresectable APC, and bi-dimensionally measurable diseases were eligible. Treatment consisted of fixed-dose rate (10 mg/m(2)/min) infusion of 800 mg/m(2) gemcitabine followed by 2-h infusion of 85 mg/m(2) oxaliplatin and then 48-h infusion of fluorouracil and LV (3,000 and 300 mg/m(2), respectively) every 2 weeks (the GOFL regimen).

Efficacy of levofloxacin-based rescue therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection after standard triple therapy: a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: This prospective study was designed to determine the efficacy of a levofloxacin-based rescue therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection after failure of standard triple therapies. We also surveyed the predictors of this rescue therapy.

Patients And Methods: From June 2005 to March 2007, 1036 patients infected with H.

A better method for confirming Helicobacter pylori infection in Mongolian gerbils.

Background: Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy of the stool antigen test and the optimal time point for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection in a Mongolian gerbil model.

Methods: We inoculated 8-week-old Mongolian gerbils with H. pylori (Vac A (+)/CagA(+)).

Evaluating the validity of the serologic test for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection in Mongolian gerbils.

A strong correlation between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric cancer has been reported. Mongolian gerbils are regarded as the most suitable animal model in which to study carcinogenesis associated with H. pylori.

A better method for preventing infection of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has been widely used to maintain enteral nutrition in dysphagic patients. Local and occasional life-threatening systemic infections are still the most common complications, and the major infection source may be nosocomial flora. The effect of antibiotic prophylaxis on reducing peristomal infection is popularly accepted.

The prognostic significance of total lymph node harvest in patients with T2-4N0M0 colorectal cancer.

In patients with radically resected colorectal carcinoma, lymph node involvement is particularly important for a good prognosis and adjuvant therapy. The number of such lymph node recoveries is still controversial, with recommendations ranging from 6 to 17 nodes. The aim of this study is to determine if a specified minimum number of lymph nodes examined per surgical specimen can have any effect on the prognosis of patients who have undergone curative resection for T(2-4)N(0)M(0) colorectal carcinoma.

Evaluation of the two immunochromatographic methods for detecting urine and serum IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori and comparison of accuracy and clinical utility.

Background/aims: To evaluate the accuracy and clinical utility of two immunochromatographic methods, the STAT-PAK and RAPIRUN tests, in detecting H. pylori antibodies in serum and in urine separately.

Methodology: 130 patients undergoing gastroendoscopy (70 men and 60 women; mean age, 50.

Clinical characteristics of patients with sporadic colorectal cancer and primary cancers of other organs.

Most cancer patients often neglect the possibility of secondary cancer. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer death in Taiwan. It is important to be aware of the clinical characteristics of double cancer in CRC patients for early diagnosis and treatment.

Successful localization and surgical removal of ingested sewing needles under mini C-arm fluoroscopy: a case report.

Foreign body ingestion is common, but ingestion of multiple sewing needles is rare. Most ingested sharp metallic bodies pass through the digestive tract spontaneously and patients can be managed conservatively. Sometimes, however, perforation develops and surgical treatment is necessary.

The clinical applications and accuracy of 2 rapid near-patient tests in detecting Helicobacter pylori infection.

Noninvasive methods for assessing Helicobacter pylori infection status are now an integral part of managing patients with upper gastrointestinal complaints. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of 2 rapid tests: a urine-based H. pylori antibody detection method (Rapirun) and a stool-based H.

Phase I-II trial of weekly gemcitabine plus high-dose 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in advanced pancreatic cancer.

Background: Pancreatic cancer is a dismal disease. Few drugs, including gemcitabine and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), have notable antitumor effects against advanced pancreatic cancer. The purpose of the present study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of 5-FU and the efficacy and toxicity profile of weekly gemcitabine plus infusional 5-FU/leucovorin in advanced pancreatic cancer.

Comparison of a new office-based stool immunoassay and (13)C-UBT in the diagnosis of current Helicobacter pylori infection.

Noninvasive methods to diagnose the infection status of Helicobacter pylori were a new developed trend. In this study, the authors sought to investigate the difference between a new office-based stool immunoassay (ImmunoCard STAT! HpSA) and (13)C-Urea Breath Test ((13)C-UBT). We studied 254 dyspeptic patients (159 men, 95 women; mean age=52.

Clinical and endoscopic features of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced colorectal ulcerations.

Background And Purpose: Data on the clinical and endoscopic features of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced colorectal ulcerations are very limited from Taiwan. We analyzed the clinical manifestations, endoscopic and histologic findings, and outcomes of patients with NSAID-induced colorectal ulcerations in Southern Taiwan.

Methods: From January 1997 to December 2001, 4200 patients underwent total colonoscopy at a tertiary referral center in Southern Taiwan.

The best method of detecting prior Helicobacter pylori infection.

Aim: Prior Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection has often been underestimated. These underestimations have misled physicians attempting to determine the significance between H pylori and certain gastrointestinal lesions such as intestinal metaplasia, atrophic gastritis, and gastric cancer. Our study endeavored to detect past H pylori infections accurately, easily, and rapidly with the newly developed immunoblot kit, Helico Blot 2.

Comparison of 13C-urea breath test values in gastric cancer, peptic ulcer and gastritis.

Background/aims: Results of urea breath test (UBT) are related to the severity of atrophic gastritis and the density of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Recently, it has been reported that low UBT values should be considered to suggest the possibility of gastric cancer.

Long-term results of anti-Helicobacter pylori therapy in early-stage gastric high-grade transformed MALT lymphoma.

Background: Several independent clinical studies have reported that Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy could achieve complete remission in some patients with H. pylori-positive early-stage gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

Methods: To compare the long-term results of anti-H.

Preoperative evaluation of endoscopic ultrasonography and portography in selecting devascularization surgery for esophagogastric varices.

This study assesses the role of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and portography in selection of mode of devascularization surgery for esophagogastric varices (EGV) in patients with portal hypertension and reports our experience in the treatment of EGV with modified devascularization surgery. Forty-two cirrhotic patients with EGV were treated with devascularization surgery for variceal hemorrhage. Preoperatively, percutaneous transhepatic portography (PTP) and EUS were used as the guiding mode for therapy of EGV.

Comparison of serum and urine ELISA methods for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori--a prospective pilot study.

Background/aims: Helicobacter pylori infection has a close relationship with many upper digestive tract diseases, but a gold standard for identifying this infection has not yet been well established, especially in clinical application. There is an increasing interest in non-invasive diagnostic tests. In this study, we will compare two non-invasive tests (ELISA method of urine and serum) in clinical use.

Effects of ingesting Lactobacillus- and Bifidobacterium-containing yogurt in subjects with colonized Helicobacter pylori.

Background: Evidence suggests that ingesting lactic acid bacteria exerts a suppressive effect on Helicobacter pylori infection in both animals and humans. Supplementing with Lactobacillus- and Bifidobacterium-containing yogurt (AB-yogurt) was shown to improve the rates of eradication of H. pylori in humans.