An open-label, non-comparative, non-interventional, multi-center, post-authorization safety study on the administration of rabeprazole to adults with gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

Background: Rabeprazole produces a profound and long-lasting inhibition of gastric acid secretion. The aim of the study was to monitor the safety and efficacy of rabeprazole administered to patients with erosive or symptomatic non-erosive reflux disease, in real-life healthcare settings.

Methods: Male and female patients, aged ≥18 years, with endoscopy diagnosed GERD were included; patients received at least 8 weeks treatment with rabeprazole.

Immunohistochemical localization of glutathione S-transferase-pi in human colorectal polyps.

Aim: To investigate the distribution of the placental form of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in colon polyps in order to evaluate the role of GST-pi in these tissues.

Methods: Sixteen polyp tissues removed at colonoscopy were examined. Tissues were investigated histologically and ultrastructurally.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 in peptic ulcer disease: an inverse association with Helicobacter pylori.

Aim: To assess the frequency of herpes simplex virus type I in upper gastrointestinal tract ulcers and normal mucosa with the modern and better assays and also with a larger number of well characterized patients and controls and its relationship to Helicobacter pylori(H pylori).

Methods: Biopsy specimens from 90 patients (34 with gastric ulcer of the prepyloric area and 56 with duodenal ulcer) were evaluated. Biopsies from 50 patients with endoscopically healthy mucosa were considered as the control group.

Natural course of inoperable esophageal cancer treated with metallic expandable stents: quality of life and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background And Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic therapy with self-expanding metallic endoprostheses in the management of malignant esophageal obstruction or stenosis and the cost-effectiveness of the method in patients suffering from primary esophageal carcinoma. All patients with inoperable esophageal cancers treated with either laser palliation or endoprosthesis insertion were studied retrospectively.

Method: Between May 1997 and December 2002 obstruction of the esophagus was diagnosed in 78 patients (52 male, 26 female, age range 53-102 years, mean 72.

The role of sandostatin LAR in treating patients with advanced hepatocellular cancer.

Background/aims: The overexpression of somatostatin receptors in the liver of some patients with hepatocellular carcinoma is well documented. The daily administration of octreotide in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma was shown to have a marginal clinical effectiveness. The aim of the study was to estimate if and to what extent the administration of octreotide long-acting formulation (Sandostatin LAR) improves survival and quality of life in patients with advanced unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.