Botulinum toxin treatment for oropharyngeal dysphagia in patients with stroke.

Background: In a previous pilot study, we demonstrated that a single injection of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) in the cricopharyngeus muscle is effective in patients with neurologic dysphagia with upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening dysfunction and presence of some pharyngeal contraction (>25 mmHg). The aim of this study was to confirm the long-lasting efficacy of this procedure after stroke.

Methods: We prospectively studied 23 patients with stroke for at least 6 months before administration of a BTX-A injection.

Co-immobilization of biomolecules on ultrathin reactive chemical vapor deposition coatings using multiple click chemistry strategies.

Immobilization of biomolecules, such as proteins or sugars, is a key issue in biotechnology because it enables the understanding of cellular behavior in more biological relevant environment. Here, poly(4-ethynyl-p-xylylene-co-p-xylylene) coatings have been fabricated by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) polymerization in order to bind bioactive molecules onto the surface of the material. The control of the thickness of the CVD films has been achieved by tuning the amount of precursor used for deposition.

[Results of a study on populational colorectal cancer screening].

Introduction: As colorectal cancer (CRC) screening based on occult blood detection has been shown to be effective in reducing mortality due to this disease, it is now important to decide on the best methods to obtain the maximum numbers of participants. The aim of the study was to analyse the results from a pilot CRC screening programme in a general population sample in Barcelona. A follow-up of false positive cases was made after five years.

Variation among endoscopy units in the achievement of the standards of colonoscopic performance indicators.

Background/aims: To assess the achievement of quality standards of colonoscopy at six endoscopy units.

Methodology: Three indicators were used to assess the quality of 1056 colonoscopies performed at six hospitals: cecal intubation; adequate colon cleansing; and removal and recovery of all detected polyps. Analyses were performed on the total number of colonoscopies and on colonoscopies in which polyps were actually detected.

[Patient satisfaction in gastrointestinal endoscopy: results of a multicenter study].

Background And Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the main quality problems perceived by patients in gastrointestinal endoscopy through a satisfaction survey.

Patients And Methods: A total of 321 patients from five gastrointestinal endoscopy units were included. Telephone interviews using a previously validated questionnaire on several aspects related to the procedure were carried out.

Long-lasting effect of a single botulinum toxin injection in the treatment of oropharyngeal dysphagia secondary to upper esophageal sphincter dysfunction: a pilot study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin (BTX-A) injection in the cricopharyngeus muscle in patients with neurological dysphagia caused by alteration in the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening and with preserved pharyngeal contraction.

Material And Methods: A prospective pilot study was undertaken in 10 patients (7 brain lesions and 3 cervical spinal cord injuries), with a minimum time-lapse of 6 months from neurological lesion to BTX-A injection. Dysfunction of the UES opening and the presence of pharyngeal contraction were diagnosed by videofluoroscopy (VDF) and esophageal manometry (EM).

Gastrointestinal involvement in mantle cell lymphoma: a prospective clinic, endoscopic, and pathologic study.

The frequency of gastrointestinal (GI) tract involvement in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) at diagnosis is reported to be below 30%. To investigate the actual frequency of GI involvement by MCL, upper and lower endoscopy was prospectively performed on 13 untreated MCL patients at diagnosis. Multiple biopsies from endoscopically normal and abnormal gastric and colonic mucosa were studied with immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CD20, CD5, and cyclin D1, as well as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for t(11;14) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for immunoglobulin heavy chain gene.

Role of Helicobacter pylori in stomach cancer after partial gastrectomy for benign ulcer disease.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients having undergone gastrectomy for non-neoplastic disease who later developed gastric stump cancer.

Material And Methods: Retrospective study of all patients with partial gastrectomy for non-malignant peptic disease who were submitted to an endoscopic exploration between 1995 and 2001. A comparison was made of major clinical and histological characteristics, and the presence of Helicobacter pylori among patients with and without gastric cancer in the stomach remnant.

Applicability of the Rockall score in patients undergoing endoscopic therapy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background: The Rockall score is used to assess the prognosis of patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Aim: To assess the applicability of the Rockall score in patients undergoing endoscopic therapy for upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Methods: Retrospective evaluation of the Rockall score in the period 1995-2001.

[Helicobacter pylori and gastric cancer: relationship with histological subtype and tumor location].

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (HP) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of gastric adenocarcinoma. Published data on HP infection and its association with both histological subtype and tumor localization are contradictory and few data are available on this topic in Spain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of HP infection with histological subtype and tumor localization in a series of patients with gastric adenocarcinoma.

Participation in a colorectal cancer screening programme: influence of the method of contacting the target population.

We assessed the effect of two different methods of contacting the target population on the rate of participation in a colorectal cancer screening programme. All individuals aged between 50 and 74 years enlisted in one primary health care centre in Barcelona (Spain) were included in a prospective randomized controlled trial. An invitation letter signed by a doctor together with two containers for faecal sample collection were sent by post to subjects in the 'standard' group (n = 1060), while subjects in the 'study' group (direct contact, n = 965) were visited by a trained non-health professional who supplied them with the same documentation as the standard group.

[Results of long-term follow-up of patients with ureterosigmoidostomy].

The late results of ureterosigmoidostomy (US) have been known for many years; however, the incidence rates of second neoplasms that have been reported for the foregoing procedure are in disagreement with our own findings. A comprehensive review we had undertaken demonstrates that although it is a risk factor, its true incidence is much lower than that widely-accepted and published. Its very long latency period make it a currently valid surgical procedure in some adult conditions.