Influence of heat and moisture exchanger respiratory load on transcutaneous oxygenation in laryngectomized individuals: a randomized crossover study.

Background: High-resistance heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs) have been reported to increase transcutaneous oxygenation (tcpO(2)) values in laryngectomized individuals and to negatively influence patient compliance. The goal of the present study was to validate earlier published results on short-term transcutaneous oxygenation changes by high-resistance HMEs.

Methods: We conducted a randomized crossover study, monitoring the influence of an HME on tcpO(2) over a 2-hour time interval in 20 subjects.

Limited beta2-adrenoceptor haplotypes display different agonist mediated airway responses in asthmatics.

Background: In vitro and some in vivo studies suggested that genetic haplotypes may have an impact on beta2-agonist mediated airway responses in asthmatics. Due to strong linkage disequilibrium the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the beta2-adrenoceptor gene result in only a limited number of haplotypes. We intended to evaluate the impact of beta2-adrenoceptor haplotypes on beta2-agonist mediated airway responses and the development of tolerance in mild to moderate asthmatics.

New insight into rectal function in pediatric defecation disorders: disturbed rectal compliance is an essential mechanism in pediatric constipation.

Objective: To evaluate rectal sensitivity in patients with pediatric constipation (PC) and nonretentive fecal soiling (FNRFS) using pressure-controlled distention (barostat).

Study Design: Thresholds for rectal sensitivity (first sensation, urge to defecate, and pain), and rectal compliance were determined using a barostat.

Results: A total of 69 patients with PC (50 males; mean age, 10.

Gastrointestinal toxicity and its relation to dose distributions in the anorectal region of prostate cancer patients treated with radiotherapy.

Purpose: To study the correlations between the dose distributions in the anorectal region and late GI symptoms in patients treated for localized prostate carcinoma.

Methods And Materials: Data from a randomized study were analyzed. In this trial, patients were treated with either rectangular or conformal fields with a dose of 66 Gy.

Isolated limb perfusion prolongs the limb recurrence-free interval after several episodes of excisional surgery for locoregional recurrent melanoma.

Background: The influence of isolated limb perfusion (ILP) on the limb recurrence-free interval (LRFI) and the number of lesions per recurrence was studied for patients with frequently recurring regional in-transit metastases previously managed by excisional surgery.

Methods: All 43 patients who had their first ILP for a third or further limb recurrence were selected from our computer database of 451 patients who underwent therapeutic ILP for recurrent extremity melanoma in our centers. Eighteen patients had resectable and 25 had locally unresectable lesions at the time of ILP.

Impact of volume and location of irradiated rectum wall on rectal blood loss after radiotherapy of prostate cancer.

Purpose: To identify dose-volume parameters related to late rectal bleeding after radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: Clinical complication data from a randomized trial were collected and linked to the individual dose-volume data. In this trial, patients with prostate cancer were treated with either conventional (with rectangular fields) or three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy to a dose of 66 Gy.