Outcomes and adverse factors for endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of colorectal polyps in elderly patients.

Introduction: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is an invaluable technique, however it is associated with significant risks. In the elderly in particular, the long-term survival benefits of polyp resection with EMR are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcomes in elderly patients who had undergone EMR and to identify any adverse factors.

Power to the voice hearer - The German version of the voice power differential scale.

Voice power is an important concept in daily life of voice hearers and in the support and therapy for voice hearers who seek help. Therefore, the ability to examine voice power differentials between a voice and a voice hearer is essential. The present study aimed to collect data on voice power differentials and to further validate the Voice Power Differential Scale (VPD).

[Beliefs and distress related to hearing voices: the German version of the Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-Revised (BAVQ-R)].

Background: Beliefs about voices are a determining factor with regards to distress, coping and therapeutic interventions in verbal auditory hallucinations. Aim of the present study was to use and validate the internationally well established Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-Revised (BAVQ-R) in a German translation with people suffering from schizophrenic psychoses.

Methods: 93 participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and current verbal auditory hallucinations completed the BAVQ-R autonomously for their dominant voice.

Evaluation and long-term outcomes of the different modalities used in colonic endoscopic mucosal resection.

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) has been used in western countries to remove colonic polyps for at least the last two decades. Significant experience has been accumulated and the efficacy of the method has recently been evaluated in a large meta-analysis. A number of variations to modify the technique, including knife-assisted, cap-assisted, ligation devices, and underwater EMR, have been developed in an attempt to improve outcomes.

Partially hydrolyzed guar gum accelerates colonic transit time and improves symptoms in adults with chronic constipation.

Background And Aim: Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) is a water-soluble, non-gelling dietary fiber with a wide range of uses in clinical nutrition. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the effect of guar gum on colonic transit time (CTT) and symptoms of chronic constipation.

Methods: We enrolled patients fulfilling Rome III criteria for chronic constipation.

Clinical characteristics in patients with non-cardiac chest pain could favor gastroesophageal reflux disease diagnosis.

Background: In patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is thought to be the commonest cause. Ambulatory pH monitoring and/or endoscopy are usually performed in order to confirm GERD diagnosis. At present, clinical diagnosis of reflux in patients with NCCP is uncertain.

Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of dialectical behaviour therapy for self-harming patients with personality disorder: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Background: A primary goal of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is to reduce self-harm, but findings from empirical studies are inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of DBT in reducing self-harm in patients with personality disorder.

Methods: Participants with a personality disorder and at least 5 days of self-harm in the previous year were randomised to receive 12 months of either DBT or treatment as usual (TAU).

Bravo 48-hour Wireless pH Monitoring in Patients With Non-cardiac Chest Pain. Objective Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Parameters Predict the Responses to Proton Pump Inhibitors.

Background/aims: In patients with non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the commonest cause and ambulatory pH is of great value in identifying these patients. However, parameters in the context of predicting therapeutic response are still unknown. By extending the monitoring period, we could better evaluate the best evidence for GERD association.

Yield of combined impedance-pH monitoring for refractory reflux symptoms in clinical practice.

Background/aims: In patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, persistent symptoms on proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy may be due to residual acid or non-acid reflux. Combined impedance-pH has been suggested to be superior to pH alone in the management of refractory patients to PPI. The utility of implementation of this technique in every day clinical practice is still unknown.

New endoscopy devices to improve population adherence to colorectal cancer prevention programs.

Despite recent advances in medicine, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the greatest hazards for public health worldwide and especially the industrialized world. It has been well documented with concrete data that regular screening colonoscopy aimed at early detection of precancerous polyps can help decrease the incidence of CRC. However, the adherence of the general population to such screening programs has been shown to be lower than that expected, thus allowing CRC to remain a major threat for public health.

Herpes simplex Virus Esophagitis in an Immunocompetent Patient with Ebstein-Barr Virus Infection.

Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis can cause transient immune deficiency which may predispose to reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in the immunocompetent host. We report the case of a 15-year-old male who presented with severe odynophagia and herpes labialis during the course of Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis that had been diagnosed ten days before. Esophagoscopy revealed extensive ulcerations with distinct borders and whitish exudates at the mid and distal esophagus.

Primary ovarian lymphoma: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Ovarian lymphoma is a rare entity. Clinicians should be aware of its clinical manifestations and management since surgery alone often is not adequate treatment. Here, we present two cases of ovarian lymphoma and discuss what is known about ovarian lymphoma.

Carboplatin and paclitaxel in advanced or metastatic endometrial cancer.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity and toxicity of carboplatin and paclitaxel combination in advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma.

Methods: Forty-seven eligible patients with measurable advanced or recurrent endometrial carcinoma were treated with carboplatin [area under the curve (AUC) 5] and paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) every 3 weeks for 6-9 cycles or until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.

Results: There were 10 complete responses (CRs) (21%) and 19 partial responses (PRs) (41%) for an overall response rate (RR) of 62% (29 patients) (95% confidence interval [CI], 47-76%).

A randomized trial to compare the efficacy and safety of antiemetic treatment with ondansetron and ondansetron zydis in patients with breast cancer treated with high-dose epirubicin.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of a disintegrating tablet of ondansetron (ODT) and the conventional tablet formulation of ondansetron (OT) in controlling nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients.

Patients And Methods: A total of 134 breast cancer patients receiving high-dose epirubicin participated in a randomized trial comparing the antiemetic efficacy and safety of an 8 mg OT given twice daily to an 8 mg orally ODT given twice daily, both for 3 days.

Results: OT was significantly better in the complete control of emesis (72% versus 52%, p=0.

Successful treatment with cyclosporine of thymoma-related aplastic anemia.

Aplastic anemia is a rare immune-mediated complication of thymoma. Thymomas, especially of the cortical type, have the capacity to generate mature T-cells from their immature precursors. Furthermore, mature intratumorous T-cells have an increased autoantigen-specific potential.

Two cases of complete response after imatinib mesylate treatment of advanced GIST.

Background: Imatinib mesylate has undoubted efficacy in the treatment of advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), but complete responses have only been reported rarely.

Case Report: A 47-year-old man with liver metastasis from GIST achieved a complete response after 7 months of treatment with imatinib and a 47-year old woman with local relapse of GIST on the stomach after gastrectomy, showed complete remission, 9 months after treatment with imatinib.

Conclusion: Although the response rate is high in patients with advanced GIST treated with imatinib mesylate, complete responses remain rare.

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy for merkel cell carcinoma of the skin.

Purpose: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare tumor of the skin with aggressive behavior, is usually fatal when advanced disease is present. The role of chemotherapy (CT) in the treatment of patients with MCC is unclear.

Methods: Over 15 years, 9 patients with locally advanced or metastatic disease were treated with carboplatin (CBDCA) (300 mg/m(2) of AUC 5 on Day 1) and etoposide (VP-16) (100 mg/m(2) on Days 1-3) every 3 weeks.

Dermatomyositis associated with breast cancer.

An increased risk of underlying malignancy has been found in patients with dermatomyositis (DM). The risk is increased even in patients with DM aged 45 or younger and remains high for many years after diagnosis. Breast carcinoma does not represent the most common solid tumor associated with this autoimmune disorder.

HER-2/neu status of primary breast cancer and corresponding metastatic sites in patients with advanced breast cancer treated with trastuzumab-based therapy.

Background: The aim of this prospective study was to investigate whether there were changes in HER-2/neu status in newly-developed metastatic lesions following treatment with trastuzumab in advanced breast cancer patients overexpressing HER-2/neu. The utility of serological assays for HER-2/neu in such patients was also studied.

Patients And Methods: Sixteen patients with HER-2/neu-overexpressing tumors (15 were 3+ by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and one 2+ by IHC and positive by the chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) test) were included in the study.

Clinical value of bone remodelling markers in patients with bone metastases treated with zoledronic acid.

Background: Bisphosphonates have an established role in the treatment of bone metastases from a variety of solid tumours. The objective response to anti-resorptive treatment cannot be evaluated by imaging techniques. A number of bone remodelling markers have been associated with bone metastases status; among them, urine and serum levels of N-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (NTx) seem to have the best diagnostic accuracy.

Intramedullary spinal cord metastases in breast cancer: report of four cases and review of the literature.

Intramedullary spinal cord metastases (ISCM) are usually the result of rapidly progressing systemic cancer. Breast cancer represents one of the most common solid tumors associated with the development of ISCM at rather advanced stages of disease. In the present report we describe four new cases with advanced breast cancer developing ISCM.

Comparison of docetaxel and docetaxel-irinotecan combination as second-line chemotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a randomized phase II trial.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether docetaxel (taxotere) treatment with or without irinotecan improved patient outcomes with similar toxicity in recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients And Methods: Patients with recurrent platinum-refractory NSCLC with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2 were randomized to either docetaxel 30 mg/m(2) and irinotecan 60 mg/m(2) (days 1 and 8) or docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) (day 1), both administered every 3 weeks.

Results: A total of 130 patients were randomized.

Oxaliplatin plus high-dose leucovorin and 5-fluorouracil (FOLFOX 4) in platinum-resistant and taxane-pretreated ovarian cancer: a phase II study.

Objective: A prospective phase II study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of oxaliplatin plus 5-fluoruracil (5-FU) and high-dose leucovorin (LV) (FOLFOX-4) in patients with platinum-resistant, taxane-pretreated recurrent ovarian cancer.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-eight patients, with a median age of 58 years (range 33-77), were treated with oxaliplatin 85 mg m(-2) as a 2-h infusion on day 1, LV 200 mg m(-2) day(-1) as a 2-h infusion followed by bolus 5-FU 400 mg m(-2) day(-1) and a 22-h infusion of 5-FU 600 mg m(-2) day(-1) for 2 consecutive days. Treatment was repeated every 3 weeks.