Changing epidemiology of hepatitis B and migration--a comparison of six Northern and North-Western European countries.

Background: Increased migration volume and different Hepatitis B prevalence between immigration and emigration countries have changed the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) epidemiology considerably in Northern and North-Western European migrants-receiving countries. Due to the difference in migration status monitoring, the HBV infection data on migrants are not easily comparable among those countries. The study aims were: to compare the migration status indicators used by the national surveillance system in six Northern and North-Western European countries (the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden and the UK); to determine the impact of the migration status on HBV infection by comparing the available data on prevalence and transmission routes of Hepatitis B in the migration and the general population in the six countries; to recommend sensible indicators and pertinent measures for HBV infection surveillance and control in the region.

Comparison of the prevalence of malnutrition diagnosis in head and neck, gastrointestinal, and lung cancer patients by 3 classification methods.

Background: Malnutrition is prevalent among patients within certain cancer types. There is lack of universal standard of care for nutrition screening and a lack of agreement on an operational definition and on validity of malnutrition indicators.

Objective: In a secondary data analysis, we investigated prevalence of malnutrition diagnosis with 3 classification methods using data from medical records of a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center.

[The impact of the proportion of qualified nursing personnel on the incidence of pressure ulcers in nursing homes].

In Germany a minimal quota of 50% professionally qualified nursing personnel is statutory for the care of nursing home inhabitants. The influence of this quota on the quality outcome of nursing care is controversially discussed. The study investigated the question, whether there is an association between the proportion of qualified personnel and the incidence of pressure ulcers in nursing homes.

Docetaxel and cisplatin as first-line treatment for patients with metastatic esophageal cancer: a pilot study.

Background: We investigated the combination of docetaxel and cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy in patients with metastatic esophageal cancer.

Patients And Methods: 16 chemotherapy-naïve patients with distant metastases were included in the study (15 male, 1 female; median age: 58.5 years (range 37-69); median ECOG performance status: 1).

Docetaxel and carboplatin as second-line chemotherapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the activity and toxicity of docetaxel plus carboplatin as second-line treatment in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients received docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) followed by carboplatin AUC 5 on day 1 every 3 weeks in an out-patient setting. Twenty-six patients were enrolled; 23 patients were diagnosed stage IV disease and three patients had a IIIB disease with malignant pleural effusion.