An open-label, non-comparative, non-interventional, multi-center, post-authorization safety study on the administration of rabeprazole to adults with gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

Background: Rabeprazole produces a profound and long-lasting inhibition of gastric acid secretion. The aim of the study was to monitor the safety and efficacy of rabeprazole administered to patients with erosive or symptomatic non-erosive reflux disease, in real-life healthcare settings.

Methods: Male and female patients, aged ≥18 years, with endoscopy diagnosed GERD were included; patients received at least 8 weeks treatment with rabeprazole.

Pancreatic duct guidewire placement for biliary cannulation in a single-session therapeutic ERCP.

Aim: To investigate the technical success and clinical complication rate of a cannulated pancreatic duct with guidewire for biliary access.

Methods: During a five-year study period, a total of 2843 patients were included in this retrospective analysis. Initial biliary cannulation method consisted of single-guidewire technique (SGT) for up to 5 attempts, followed by double-guidewire technique (DGT) when repeated unintentional pancreatic duct cannulation had taken place.

Comparative study of balloon and metal olive dilators for endoscopic management of benign anastomotic rectal strictures: clinical and cost-effectiveness outcomes.

Background: Postoperative anastomotic strictures frequently complicate colorectal resection. Currently, various endoscopic techniques are being employed in their management, but the establishment of an optimal therapeutic strategy is still pending. The purpose of our study is to compare through-the-scope (TTS) balloon dilators versus Eder-Puestow metal olive dilators in the treatment of postoperative benign rectal strictures, considering the clinical outcome and cost-effectiveness of each method.

European vs. Egyptian HCV-4 patients with elevated baseline HCV RNA, treated with PEG-IFN-α2a and ribavirin: the role of rapid and early virologic response.

Background And Aims: Despite the recent spread of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 (HCV-4) into European countries, very little is known about the influence of ethnicity on treatment outcomes in patients with HCV-4. The aim of this study was to compare the virologic response (VR) rates of: rapid virologic response (RVR), early virologic response (EVR), VR at 24 weeks of treatment, at end of treatment (EoT), and sustained virologic response (SVR) of European and Egyptian HCV-4 patients.

Methods: Sixty (30 Europeans - Group A; and 30 Egyptians - Group B) chronic HCV-4 subtype A adult patients with elevated baseline viral load (>800 000 IU/m L) were treated for a fixed period of 48 weeks with pegylated interferon α2a (PEG-IFN- α2a) and ribavirin.

Peginterferon/ribavirin treatment achieves a higher compliance rate than interferon/ribavirin combination in patients chronically infected with HCV on methadone maintenance.

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is the most common infectious disease among intravenous drug users.

Aims: To determine and compare compliance rates between two groups of chronic HCV patients from the methadone substitution program of the National Greek Organization Against Drugs treated with either pegylated interferon alpha-2b/ribavirin or with interferon alpha-2b/ribavirin during 48 weeks of therapy and 24 weeks of follow-up. Furthermore, to evaluate the efficacy of each treatment modality.

Differential viral kinetics in treated genotype 4 chronic hepatitis C patients according to ethnicity.

Data concerning the efficacy of PEG-IFN alpha 2a plus ribavirin treatment in treatment-naive, genotype 4-infected chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients from Europe are limited. Hence the aim of this study was to investigate the viral kinetics as well as the sustained virological response (SVR) rates and their predictors, in these patients. One hundred and twenty-three patients were retrospectively analysed.

Self-expanding plastic stents for inoperable malignant strictures of the cervical esophagus.

Dysphagia and respiratory complications are the major problems in patients suffering from malignant strictures of the cervical esophagus. In inoperable cases, interventional palliation is the cornerstone of treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of self-expanding plastic stents (SEPS) in this group of patients.

Gemcitabine as palliative treatment in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer previously treated with placement of a covered metal stent. A randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of gemcitabine as palliative treatment in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (PC) previously treated with placement of a covered metal biliary stent, taking into account survival and quality of life (QoL).

Patients And Methods: Forty-nine patients with unresectable PC and obstructive jaundice, previously treated with the placement of a covered metal biliary endoprosthesis, were randomized to receive gemcitabine (group A: 9 males, 7 females) or to be followed without any anticancer intervention (group B: 18 males, 15 females). Gemcitabine was administered weekly as intravenous (i.

Immunohistochemical localization of glutathione S-transferase-pi in human colorectal polyps.

Aim: To investigate the distribution of the placental form of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in colon polyps in order to evaluate the role of GST-pi in these tissues.

Methods: Sixteen polyp tissues removed at colonoscopy were examined. Tissues were investigated histologically and ultrastructurally.

Impact of shorter duration of treatment on virological response rate in genotype 2 or 3 chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of shortened duration of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RIB) treatment on sustained virological response (SVR) rates in treatment-naomicronve patients with chronic hepatitis due to genotype 2 or 3 hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and high pre-treatment viral load (>800,000 IU/mL).

Methods: Records of 142 patients with chronic hepatitis C (22 with cirrhosis) who had been treated with PEG-IFN and RIB for 24 weeks (Group A, n=88), both drugs for 12-16 weeks (Group B, n=39), or with PEG-IFN for 12-16 weeks and RIB for 24 weeks (Group C, n=15), were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: Overall, 81.

Long acting octreotide in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular cancer and overexpression of somatostatin receptors: randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Aim: To estimate if and to what extent long acting octreotide (LAR) improves survival and quality of life in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: A total of 127 cirrhotics, stages A-B, due to chronic viral infections and with advanced HCC, were enrolled in the study. Scintigraphy with 111Indium labeled octreotide was performed in all cases.

Palliative treatment of advanced esophageal cancer with metal-covered expandable stents. A cost-effectiveness and quality of life study.

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic therapy with self-expanding metallic endoprostheses in the management of inoperable primary malignant esophageal obstruction or stenosis and the cost-effectiveness of the method.

Patients And Methods: Between 5/1997-12/2002, obstruction of the esophagus was diagnosed in 78 patients (52 males, 26 females, age range 53-102, mean 72.3 years).

Hepatitis C virus survival curve analysis in naïve patients treated with peginterferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin. A randomized controlled trial for induction with high doses of peginterferon and predictability of sustained viral response from early virologic data.

Aim: To evaluate the significance of induction with high doses of pegylated interferon -2b (Peg-IFNalpha-2b) and the predictability of sustained virologic response (SVR) in naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: 188 consecutive naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled in a randomised controlled clinical trial. Patients were randomised to receive either Peg-IFN -2b 3.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 in peptic ulcer disease: an inverse association with Helicobacter pylori.

Aim: To assess the frequency of herpes simplex virus type I in upper gastrointestinal tract ulcers and normal mucosa with the modern and better assays and also with a larger number of well characterized patients and controls and its relationship to Helicobacter pylori(H pylori).

Methods: Biopsy specimens from 90 patients (34 with gastric ulcer of the prepyloric area and 56 with duodenal ulcer) were evaluated. Biopsies from 50 patients with endoscopically healthy mucosa were considered as the control group.

Prospective, randomized, controlled, observer-blinded trial of combined infrared photocoagulation and micronized purified flavonoid fraction versus each alone for the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease.

Background: Infrared photocoagulation (IRP) is commonly used in the treatment of hemorrhoids, but rectal bleeding can persist after this procedure. Adjuvant therapy may thus be considered for more definitive control of symptoms, particularly bleeding.

Objective: The goal of this study was to compare the efficacy of a treatment combining IRP and oral micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) versus each treatment used alone on bleeding cessation in patients with grades I, II, and III acute internal hemorrhoids.

Effects of rabeprazole on early symptom relief in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: the Hellenic Rabeprazole Study Group surveillance study.

Background: In controlled clinical trials, rabeprazole effectively improves symptoms and heals oesophageal erosions in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).

Aim: To examine symptom relief during week 1 of rabeprazole therapy, in addition to GORD healing, in a clinical practice setting.

Methods: In this 8-week, prospective, multicentre, postauthorisation surveillance study conducted in Greece, patients with GORD (intent-to-treat: efficacy, 272; safety, 273) were treated with rabeprazole 20 mg once daily.

The effect of adherence to therapy on sustained response in daily or three times a week interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin treatment of naive and nonresponder chronic hepatitis C patients.

The aim was to demonstrate adherence to treatment has been suggested to enhance rates of sustained response in patients with hepatitis C. In this study, we evaluated the effect of drug dosage reduction or the duration of the expected therapy in patients treated with interferon (IFN)-alpha2b plus ribavirin. Virologic response rates were re-analysed according to compliance to therapy in (i) 301 naive and (ii) 142 nonresponders to previous IFN therapy treated with either IFN 5 MU TIW for 8 weeks followed by IFN 3 MU TIW for 40 weeks plus ribavirin or IFN 3 MU QD for 16 weeks followed by IFN 3 MU TIW for 24 weeks plus ribavirin.

Natural course of inoperable esophageal cancer treated with metallic expandable stents: quality of life and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background And Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic therapy with self-expanding metallic endoprostheses in the management of malignant esophageal obstruction or stenosis and the cost-effectiveness of the method in patients suffering from primary esophageal carcinoma. All patients with inoperable esophageal cancers treated with either laser palliation or endoprosthesis insertion were studied retrospectively.

Method: Between May 1997 and December 2002 obstruction of the esophagus was diagnosed in 78 patients (52 male, 26 female, age range 53-102 years, mean 72.

Scintigraphic detection of carcinoid tumors with a cost effectiveness analysis.

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy and the cost-effectiveness of this technique in the detection of gastroenteropancreatic carcinoid tumors and their metastases in comparison with conventional imaging methods.

Methods: Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) was performed in 24 patients with confirmed carcinoids and 7 under investigation. The results were compared with those of conventional imaging methods (chest X-ray, upper abdominal ultrasound, chest CT, upper and lower abdominal CT).

SR-A1, a member of the human pre-mRNA splicing factor family, and its expression in colon cancer progression.

SR (serine-arginine) proteins are essential pre-mRNA splicing factors. Several SR proteins have been characterized in humans, among them SR-A1. It has been demonstrated by members of our group that the SR-A1 gene is constitutively expressed in most of the human tissues, while its transcription is increased in breast carcinoma cell lines.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient treated with interferon alfacon-1.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura is an acquired disorder characterized by severe thrombocytopenia and caused by one or more antiplatelet autoantibodies. We present a case of a 20-year-old woman referred to our Unit for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. At week 28 of treatment with interferon (alfacon-1), undetectable HCV RNA and transaminase levels within normal limits, the patient presented with immune thrombocytopenic purpura, which was successfully treated with immunoglobulin and methylprednisolone.

Development of a highly sensitive RT-PCR luminometric hybridization assay for human telomerase reverse-transcriptase beta-plus transcript.

Background: Telomerase is a general diagnostic and prognostic molecular tumor marker since it is expressed in the majority of human tumors in contrast to most healthy tissues. Alternate splicing of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) has been shown to affect telomerase activity.

Patients And Methods: We have developed a hybridization assay that selectively detects the hTERT beta-plus transcript.

Stenting or stoma creation for patients with inoperable malignant colonic obstructions? Results of a study and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy, safety, and cost of endoscopic palliative treatment with selfexpanding metallic stents with that of stoma creation in the management of inoperable malignant colonic obstructions.

Methods: A total of 30 patients with inoperable malignant partial obstruction (due to metastases, hemodynamic instability, or pulmonary instability) in the left colon arising from colorectal or ovarian cancer were included in the study. Fifteen were randomized to undergo palliative metallic colonic stent placement and 15 to undergo stoma creation.

A randomized trial to assess the efficacy of interferon alpha in combination with ribavirin in the treatment of interferon alpha nonresponders with chronic hepatitis C: superior efficacy of high daily dosage of interferon alpha in genotype 1.

A randomized trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of daily (QD) or thrice weekly (TIW) administration of interferon-alpha (IFN) in high doses in combination with ribavirin (1.0-1.2 g/day) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) who were nonresponders to previous IFN monotherapy.