Ultrafast Photoconductivity and Terahertz Vibrational Dynamics in Double-Helix SnIP Nanowires.

Tin iodide phosphide (SnIP), an inorganic double-helix material, is a quasi-1D van der Waals semiconductor that shows promise in photocatalysis and flexible electronics. However, the understanding of the fundamental photophysics and charge transport dynamics of this new material is limited. Here, time-resolved terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is used to probe the transient photoconductivity of SnIP nanowire films and measure the carrier mobility.

Percutaneous Ultrasound-Guided Core Needle Biopsy: Comparison of 16-Gauge versus 14-Gauge Needle and the Effect of Coaxial Guidance in 1065 Breast Biopsies - A Prospective Randomized Clinical Noninferiority Trial.

Purpose:  Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) is considered the standard assessment to diagnose sonographically visible suspicious breast mass lesions. Based on nonrandomized trials, the current German guidelines recommend at least three cylinders with ≤ 14-gauge needle biopsy. However, no recommendation is made as to how many specimens are needed with a smaller needle size, such as 16-gauge, or if biopsy with coaxial guidance improves diagnostic accuracy and quality.

Ultrasound-Assisted Tumor Surgery in Breast Cancer - A Prospective, Randomized, Single-Center Study (MAC 001).

Purpose:  Breast-conserving therapy is associated with a risk of tumor-involved margins. For intraoperative orientation, non- palpable or indistinctly palpable lesions are wire-marked prior to surgery. Ultrasound-guided surgery has the potential to reduce the number of tumor-involved margins.

Dynamics of Genome Alterations in Crohn's Disease-Associated Colorectal Carcinogenesis.

Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, that is, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease (CD), face an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). Evidence, mainly from ulcerative colitis, suggests that mutations represent an initial step in the progression from inflamed colonic epithelium to CRC. However, the pathways involved in the evolution of CRC in patients with CD are poorly characterized.

Sex-Based Differences in Incidence of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases-Pooled Analysis of Population-Based Studies From Western Countries.

Background & Aims: Although the incidence of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) varies with age, few studies have examined variations between the sexes. We therefore used population data from established cohorts to analyze sex differences in IBD incidence according to age at diagnosis.

Methods: We identified population-based cohorts of patients with IBD for which incidence and age data were available (17 distinct cohorts from 16 regions of Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand).

Advanced Mucinous Colorectal Cancer: Epidemiology, Prognosis and Efficacy of Chemotherapeutic Treatment.

Background: The clinicopathological significance of the mucinous subtype of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial. As of today, none of the current guidelines differentiate treatment with respect to mucinous or nonmucinous cancer. Due to the lack of substantiated data, best treatment remains unclear and the mucinous subtype of CRC is usually treated along the lines of recommendations for adenocarcinoma of the colon.

Chemotherapy for metastatic colon cancer: No effect on survival when the dose is reduced due to side effects.

Background: 5-Fluorouracil (5FU), Folinic acid (FA), and Oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) or 5FU, FA, and Irinotecan (FOLFIRI) are standard regimens for palliative chemotherapy of metastatic colon cancer. Since data showing the influence of dose reduction in palliative treatment are rare, the objective of this single center, retrospective study was to further characterize the influence of dose reduction on efficacy of these therapeutic regimens.

Methods: One hundred nine patients, diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer between 2004 and 2012 and receiving palliative first-line chemotherapy with either FOLFOX or FOLFIRI regimens in our outpatient clinic were analyzed for treatment efficacy.

Air-Stable Room-Temperature Mid-Infrared Photodetectors Based on hBN/Black Arsenic Phosphorus/hBN Heterostructures.

Layered black phosphorus (BP) has attracted wide attention for mid-infrared photonics and high-speed electronics, due to its moderate band gap and high carrier mobility. However, its intrinsic band gap of around 0.33 electronvolt limits the operational wavelength range of BP photonic devices based on direct interband transitions to around 3.

Room temperature high-detectivity mid-infrared photodetectors based on black arsenic phosphorus.

The mid-infrared (MIR) spectral range, pertaining to important applications, such as molecular "fingerprint" imaging, remote sensing, free space telecommunication, and optical radar, is of particular scientific interest and technological importance. However, state-of-the-art materials for MIR detection are limited by intrinsic noise and inconvenient fabrication processes, resulting in high-cost photodetectors requiring cryogenic operation. We report black arsenic phosphorus-based long-wavelength IR photodetectors, with room temperature operation up to 8.

A Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial of Trichuris suis ova in Active Crohn's Disease.

Background And Aims: To investigate the efficacy and safety of three different dosages of embryonated, viable eggs of Trichuris suis [TSO] versus placebo for induction of remission in mildly-to-moderately active ileocolonic, uncomplicated Crohn's disease [CD].

Methods: Adults with active CD [n = 252] randomly received six fortnightly doses of 250, 2500, or 7500 TSO/15 ml suspension/day [TSO 250, TSO 2500, TSO 7500], or 15 ml placebo solution/day, in a double-blind fashion, with 4 weeks' follow-up. Primary endpoint was the rate of clinical remission [Crohn's Disease Activity Index [CDAI] < 150] at end of treatment, ie at Week 12 or withdrawal.

Inorganic Double Helices in Semiconducting SnIP.

SnIP is the first atomic-scale double helical semiconductor featuring a 1.86 eV bandgap, high structural and mechanical flexibility, and reasonable thermal stability up to 600 K. It is accessible on a gram scale and consists of a racemic mixture of right- and left-handed double helices composed by [SnI] and [P] helices.

Smoking increases the risk of extraintestinal manifestations in Crohn's disease.

Aim: To demonstrate a high prevalence of extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) in a prospective population-based cohort of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients at first diagnosis as well as during the early course of the disease.

Methods: EIMs are common in patients with IBD. Data on the frequency of EIMs have mostly been assessed in patients from tertiary centers; however, data about the prevalence of EIMs at first diagnosis as well as factors influencing their incidence during the early course of disease from prospective population-based cohorts are scarce.

How fast up the ladder? Factors associated with immunosuppressive or anti-TNF therapies in IBD patients at early stages: results from a population-based cohort.

Background: With the introduction of anti-TNF therapies in the treatment of IBD, the therapeutic strategies have changed to an accelerated step-up care to avoid long-term complications. Little is known about the implementation of these strategies into daily care. We aimed to evaluate this question and to identify factors associated with the early use of immunosuppressants or anti-TNF therapies in a population-based IBD cohort.

Golimumab in unresponsive ulcerative colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammation mainly affecting the colon mucosa. It predominantly occurs in younger patients. Until recently, the main goals in the treatment of UC were to temper the symptoms, such as diarrhea, pain, and weight loss, by using mesalazine and steroids.

Extraintestinal manifestations and complications in IBD.

More than one-third of patients with IBD are affected by extraintestinal manifestations or extraintestinal complications beyond the intestinal manifestation of the disease. The most common manifestations include arthropathies, mucocutaneous and ophthalmological manifestations, as well as conditions affecting the hepatobiliary system, both in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. However, less frequent manifestations, such as pulmonary or neurological manifestations, should also be considered in patients with IBD.

Assessment of disease behavior in patients with Crohn's disease by MR enterography.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the bowel is an increasingly used modality to evaluate patients with Crohn's disease. The Montreal classification of the disease behavior is considered as an excellent prognostic and therapeutic parameter for these patients. In our study, we correlated the behavior assessment performed by a radiologist based on MRI with the surgeons' clinical assessment based on the assessment during abdominal surgery.

High prevalence but insufficient treatment of iron-deficiency anemia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: results of a population-based cohort.

Background. Iron-deficiency anemia is described to be a common problem in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is frequently associated with a reduced quality of life. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in a population-based cohort at time of first diagnosis and during the early course of the disease.

Successful treatment of HCV/HBV/HDV-coinfection with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.

Dual and triple infections with hepatitis virus C (HCV), B (HBV) and D (HDV) frequently lead to severe liver damage. Hereby we describe a 38-year-old Caucasian male coinfected with HCV (genotype 3a), HBV [positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen; negative hepatitis B e antigen (HbeAg) and antibody to hepatitis B e antigen (anti-HBe)] and HDV. Laboratory diagnostics revealed increased liver enzymes and histological examination of the liver showed signs of fibrosis with moderate inflammation.

Magnetic resonance enterography with and without biphasic contrast agent enema compared to conventional ileocolonoscopy in patients with Crohn's disease.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the bowel is a valuable diagnostic tool for assessing disease activity in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We compared magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) with and without water enema to conventional ileocolonoscopy to evaluate the advantage of a water enema for MRI diagnostics of Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 50 patients with known CD.

Low risk of Clostridium difficile infections in hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease in a German tertiary referral center.

Introduction: Many reports, mainly from the US and Canada but also a recent report from a center in Europe, have documented the increasing impact of Clostridium difficile infections in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during the last years. To determine the prevalence of C. difficile infections in hospitalized IBD patients in a tertiary referral center in Germany, we conducted this retrospective analysis.

Causes of bolus impaction in the esophagus.

Background: Bolus impaction in the esophagus is a common indication for emergency endoscopy. The aim of this study was to determine the most common causes of esophageal bolus impaction.

Methods: In this retrospective study, data of 54 patients (41 male, 13 female) with bolus impaction in the esophagus were analyzed.

Influence of percutaneous abscess drainage on severe postoperative septic complications in patients with Crohn's disease.

Purpose: Severe postoperative intra-abdominal septic complications (IASC) such as an anastomotic leak, intra-abdominal abscess, and fistula are significantly associated with the presence of spontaneous intra-abdominal abscess at the time of laparotomy in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of severe postoperative IASC in patients undergoing intestinal resections with and without preoperative percutaneous abscess drainage (PAD) before definitive surgery.

Methods: Using a prospective surgical database, we searched for patients with CD and spontaneous intra-abdominal abscesses who underwent intestinal resection at our hospital from May 2005 to February 2009.

Fibrin glue in the endoscopic treatment of fistulae and anastomotic leakages of the gastrointestinal tract.

Background: Fistulae or leakages of anastomotic junctions of the gastrointestinal tract used to be an indication for surgery. However, patients often are severely ill and endoscopic therapeutic options have been suggested to avoid surgical intervention.

Purpose: This is a retrospective analysis of fibrin glue application in the treatment of gastrointestinal fistulae or anastomotic leakages.