Impact of Tai Chi on Peripheral Neuropathy Revisited: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Exercise may be beneficial to older persons living with peripheral neuropathy (PN), but maintaining an exercise program is challenging. After participating in a 12-week tai chi (TC) study, 12 participants requested classes continue. A mixed-methods design was used to explore long-term engagement of older persons with bilateral PN enrolled in a TC class for 18 months beyond the original 3-month study.

Nursing journal editor survey results to help nurses publish.

This study gathered data from 61 nursing journal editors (31% response rate) on 7 variables. The information is designed to help novice and seasoned authors make decisions about journal selection for article submission. Variables include the average number of submitted manuscripts annually, the percentage of initially accepted and resubmitted manuscripts, weeks from submission to decision, number of reviewers, types of accepted manuscripts, and top reasons for rejection.

Phase I trial of sunitinib and gemcitabine in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Purpose: Combining cytotoxic agents with bevacizumab has yielded significant benefits in a number of solid tumors. Combining small-molecule kinase inhibitors of VEGFR with chemotherapy has yet to demonstrate clinical benefit. The dose, schedule and agents used may be critical to the development of this combinatorial therapy.

Phase II and pharmacokinetic trial of rebeccamycin analog in advanced biliary cancers.

Purpose: Advanced cancers of the bile duct and gallbladder carry an ominous prognosis. Rebeccamycin analogue (RA) is a novel antitumor antibiotic where phase I trials suggested clinical efficacy in patients with biliary cancers.

Methods: The primary objective was to determine the response rate to RA in patients with advanced gallbladder and bile duct tumors.

Phase II study of docetaxel and gefitinib as second-line therapy in gemcitabine pretreated patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Background: There is no standard second-line therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). We evaluated the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor gefitinib and docetaxel in a phase II study following gemcitabine failure.

Methods: EGFR overexpression was not required.

Scientific ways to study intercessory prayer as an intervention in clinical research.

The purpose of this article is to share a "research journey" to study the somewhat controversial subject of Christian intercessory prayer (CIP) utilized as a clinical intervention, and the knowledge gained along the way. This article will explore the steps in the development and implementation of clinical research to scientifically examine a phenomenon that many say cannot--and should not--be studied. The sequential steps in developing this area of study are detailed and explained from the conception of the initial idea through utilization of concept analysis and literature review to develop the researchable topic.

A multi-center phase II study of oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and capecitabine in advanced gastric/gastroesophageal junction carcinoma.

Background: There is no standard first-line therapy for advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma and the prognosis remains poor. Our institution conducted a phase I study of oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and capecitabine given in a novel, weekly schedule. The regimen was tolerated; pharmacodynamic studies revealed no drug interactions, and there was one confirmed response in a gastric cancer patient.