Stoma surgery for colorectal cancer: a population-based study of patient concerns.

Objective: The difficulties and concerns of colorectal cancer patients with an ostomy are not well documented. This study describes the difficulties experienced by colorectal cancer patients with a temporary or permanent ostomy over the 2-year period following their diagnosis. Patients' satisfaction with the information provided to them by their healthcare providers was also assessed.

Antecedents of domain-specific quality of life after colorectal cancer.

Objective: The present study prospectively assessed the influence of medical, socio-demographic, psychological, and lifestyle variables on physical, social/family, emotional, functional well-being and colorectal cancer-specific concerns in a population-based sample of colorectal cancer survivors.

Methods: Participants (n=1822) were assessed at 6 and 24 months post-diagnosis. Predictor variables assessed at 6 months included socio-demographic and medical variables, symptoms/side-effects, body mass index, physical activity, optimism, social support, and cancer threat appraisal.

Comparative analysis of 60Co intensity-modulated radiation therapy.

In this study, we perform a scientific comparative analysis of using (60)Co beams in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). In particular, we evaluate the treatment plan quality obtained with (i) 6 MV, 18 MV and (60)Co IMRT; (ii) different numbers of static multileaf collimator (MLC) delivered (60)Co beams and (iii) a helical tomotherapy (60)Co beam geometry. We employ a convex fluence map optimization (FMO) model, which allows for the comparison of plan quality between different beam energies and configurations for a given case.

Expression of the p16(INK4a) gene product in premalignant and malignant epithelial lesions of the gallbladder.

The sequence of molecular changes leading to neoplastic transformation in the gallbladder remains elusive. The aim of this study is to characterize the spectrum of nuclear p16 protein product immunohistochemical expression in tissue microarray cores taken from resected gallbladders, comprising histologically normal gallbladder epithelia (n = 29), dyplastic epithelia (n = 19), reactive atypia (n = 7), and gallbladder adenocarcinoma (n = 23). Nuclear staining for p16 was evaluated for intensity (range, 0-3) and distribution (range, 0-3), and a summary staining score (range, 0-6) was obtained.

Self-reported information on the diagnosis of colorectal cancer was reliable but not necessarily valid.

Objective: Self-report is commonly used in epidemiologic studies; however, few data exist on the reliability and validity of this method for eliciting information related to the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. We examined the test-retest reliability and validity of colorectal cancer patients reporting on the process of their diagnosis.

Study Design And Setting: One hundred and sixteen participants completed two telephone interviews, 1 month apart, and 95 general practitioners (GPs) completed a written questionnaire, to elicit information relating to key elements of the process of diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Low-dose aminophylline for the treatment of neonatal non-oliguric renal failure-case series and review of the literature.

Objective: Aminophylline is a methylxanthine with multiple physiologic actions. At low doses, aminophylline can antagonize adenosine and improve renal function via increased glomerular filtration rate. Despite its clinical use, little data exists in neonates for this indication.

Predominance of a bacteriocin-producing Lactobacillus salivarius component of a five-strain probiotic in the porcine ileum and effects on host immune phenotype.

Relative predominance of each of five probiotic strains was investigated in the ileum of weaned pigs, compared with that in feces, when administered in combination at c. 5 x 10(9) CFU day(-1) for 28 days. Probiotic was excreted at 10(6)-10(9) CFU g(-1) feces, while ileal survival ranged from 10(2) to 10(6) CFU g(-1) digesta.

Health behaviors of Australian colorectal cancer survivors, compared with noncancer population controls.

Goal: A better understanding of health behaviors after a cancer diagnosis is important, as these behaviors are related to physical functioning, disease recurrence, development of second primary cancers, and risk of other chronic diseases. Body weight and health behaviors (smoking status, alcohol consumption, and physical activity) were examined in a population-based sample of colorectal cancer survivors and compared to a matched population group.

Materials And Methods: Data were collected by telephone interviews pre-diagnosis (retrospectively reported), 6 and 12 months post-diagnosis for colorectal cancer survivors (n = 1,250).

Describing and predicting psychological distress after colorectal cancer.

Background: Psychological distress in cancer survivors can be detrimental to treatment adherence and self-care tasks and is associated with poor health behaviors and decreased overall quality of life. The prevalence, course, and predictors of psychological distress after the diagnosis of colorectal cancer are to date not well described.

Methods: A prospective survey of 1822 colorectal cancer patients was undertaken assessing psychological distress and hypothesized predictors including optimism, cancer threat appraisal, social support, and physical activity at 6 and 12 months postdiagnosis.

A pilot study of delayed versus immediate serial casting after botulinum toxin injection for partially reducible spastic equinus.

Background: Serial casting is often prescribed after botulinum toxin injections to improve joint ranges of motion and to potentiate the decrease in hypertonia. The aim of this study was to compare delayed versus immediate serial casting as an adjunct to botulinum toxin therapy for partially reducible spastic equinus.

Methods: Twelve children who presented spastic equinus associated with mild gastrosoleus contracture took part.

Safety studies of l-alanyl-l-glutamine (l-AG).

The safety of l-alanyl-l-glutamine (l-AG) derived by fermentation using a recombinant Escherichia coli strain containing the l-amino acid alpha-ligase gene from Bacillus subtilis, was assessed in acute and subchronic toxicity studies in the rat. l-AG was tested in vitro in a bacterial reverse mutation assay and in a chromosome aberration assay. l-AG was not acutely toxic when administered to Sprague-Dawley rats by gavage at 2000mg/kg bw.

Physical activity, activity change, and their correlates in a population-based sample of colorectal cancer survivors.

Background: Physical activity can provide benefits to cancer survivors, including reduced symptoms and treatment side effects, improved overall quality of life, and decreased risk of other chronic diseases.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to describe physical activity before and after diagnosis of colorectal cancer and to examine the associations with sociodemographic and disease-related variables.

Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted with 1,996 colorectal cancer survivors recruited through a cancer registry.

Report of an Expert Panel on the reanalysis by of a 90-day study conducted by Monsanto in support of the safety of a genetically modified corn variety (MON 863).

MON 863, a genetically engineered corn variety that contains the gene for modified Bacillus thuringiensis Cry3Bb1 protein to protect against corn rootworm, was tested in a 90-day toxicity study as part of the process to gain regulatory approval. This study was reanalyzed by Séralini et al. who contended that the study showed possible hepatorenal effects of MON 863.

Assessment of BLS skills: optimizing use of instructor and manikin measures.

Background: The primary objective of layperson CPR training is to ensure that learners achieve minimal competence to provide aid that improves the odds of survival of victims of out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrest. During CPR courses, pronouncement of a learner's competence typically depends entirely on judgments made by an instructor; yet previous research strongly suggests that these judgments - particularly of chest compressions - are not sufficiently precise or accurate to ensure valid assessments. Comparisons of instructors' subjective assessments with objective data from recording manikins provide one means of understanding the magnitude and type of instructor errors in assessment.

Management of intractable nausea and vomiting in patients at the end of life: "I was feeling nauseous all of the time . . . nothing was working".

Nausea and vomiting, symptoms that occur commonly near the end of life, represent a substantial source of physical and psychological distress for patients and families. In the context of the case of Mr Q, a 50-year-old man with metastatic esophageal cancer admitted to the hospital with intractable nausea and vomiting, we review the evaluation and treatment of this symptom complex. A thorough history and physical examination are essential first steps in the management of these patients because they define the severity of the symptoms and clues to their underlying etiology.

Microfabricated silicon leak for sampling planetary atmospheres with a mass spectrometer.

A microfabricated silicon mass spectrometer inlet leak has been designed, fabricated, and tested. This leak achieves a much lower conductance in a smaller volume than is possible with commonly available metal or glass capillary tubing. It will also be shown that it is possible to integrate significant additional functionality, such as inlet heaters and valves, into a silicon microleak with very little additional mass.

Associations of leisure-time physical activity with quality of life in a large, population-based sample of colorectal cancer survivors.

Objective: To examine the associations between physical activity and quality of life for colorectal cancer survivors; and to describe the associations of medical and sociodemographic attributes with overall quality of life, and their moderating effects on the relationships between physical activity and quality of life.

Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted with 1,996 colorectal cancer survivors recruited through the Queensland Cancer Registry. Data were collected on current quality of life; leisure-time physical activity pre- and post-diagnosis; cancer treatment and side-effects; and general sociodemographic attributes.

Pulmonary biomarkers based on alterations in protein expression after exposure to arsenic.

Objective: Environmental exposure to arsenic results in multiple adverse effects in the lung. Our objective was to identify potential pulmonary protein biomarkers in the lung-lining fluid of mice chronically exposed to low-dose As and to validate these protein changes in human populations exposed to As.

Methods: Mice were administered 10 or 50 ppb As (sodium arsenite) in their drinking water for 4 weeks.

Retention of CPR skills learned in a traditional AHA Heartsaver course versus 30-min video self-training: a controlled randomized study.

Background: Bystander CPR improves outcomes after out of hospital cardiac arrest. The length of current 4-h classes in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a barrier to more widespread dissemination of CPR training and older adults in particular are underrepresented in traditional classes. Training with a brief video self-instruction (VSI) program has shown that this type of training can produce short-term skill performance at least as good as that seen with traditional American Heart Association (AHA) Heartsaver training, although it is unclear whether there is comparable skill retention.

Long chain fatty acid oxidation defects in children: importance of detection and treatment options.

Background: Mitochondrial beta oxidation plays a major role in energy production. Long chain fatty acid oxidation defects include deficiency of the trifunctional protein (rare) or more commonly defects of the long chain 3-hydroxy acyl-CoA dehydrogenase enzyme (LCHAD). These long chain defects have variable presentations, they may present in the neonate or infant with sudden death, hepatopathy (Reyes disease), hypoketotic hypoglycaemia, rhabdomyolysis, myopathy, cardiomyopathy and with late complications such as peripheral neuropathy, pigmentary retinopathy, retinal degeneration and progressive visual loss.

Ischaemic stroke in children secondary to post varicella angiopathy.

Varicella in childhood is a self-limiting disease, which usually follows a benign course. However, complications, although rare, may have serious consequences. Ischaemic stroke secondary to post varicella angiopathy is a well-described complication and is estimated to account for up to a third of all strokes in infants.

Modes of presentation and pathways to diagnosis of colorectal cancer in Queensland.

Objective: To describe the process of colorectal cancer diagnosis in Queensland, and to determine factors associated with time to diagnosis.

Design, Setting And Participants: Cross-sectional study of 1996 patients with colorectal cancer recruited through the Queensland Cancer Registry. Data were collected by computer-assisted telephone interview between May 2003 and August 2005.