Is BRAF mutation associated with interval colorectal cancers?

Introduction: Colon cancers diagnosed in the interval after a complete colonoscopy may occur due to limitations of colonoscopy or due to rapid tumor growth. The aim of this study was to compare the association of BRAF V600E mutation in interval versus non-interval colorectal cancers and to determine the relationship between BRAF mutation and 5-year survival.

Methods: We searched our institution's cancer registry for interval cancers, defined as colon cancers that developed within 5 years of a complete colonoscopy.

Unexpected domino reaction via Pd-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling of benzimidoyl chlorides with 1,6-enynes and cyclization to synthesize quinoline derivatives.

A domino reaction via palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira coupling of benzimidoyl chlorides with 1,6-enynes and then cyclization to form quinoline derivatives has been developed. The reaction conditions and the scope of the process are examined, and a plausible mechanism is proposed. The procedure is simple, rapid, and general, and the substrates are readily available.

Effects of supplemental vitamin D and calcium on oxidative DNA damage marker in normal colorectal mucosa: a randomized clinical trial.

The exact antineoplastic effects of calcium and vitamin D(3) in the human colon are unclear. Animal and in vitro studies show that these two agents reduce oxidative stress; however, these findings have never been investigated in humans. To address this, we conducted a pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 x 2 factorial clinical trial to test the effects of calcium and vitamin D(3) on a marker of oxidative DNA damage, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), in the normal colorectal mucosa.

CIMP status of interval colon cancers: another piece to the puzzle.

Objectives: Colon cancers diagnosed in the interval after a complete colonoscopy may occur due to limitations of colonoscopy or due to the development of new tumors, possibly reflecting molecular and environmental differences in tumorigenesis resulting in rapid tumor growth. In a previous study from our group, interval cancers (colon cancers diagnosed within 5 years of a complete colonoscopy) were almost four times more likely to demonstrate microsatellite instability (MSI) than non-interval cancers. In this study we extended our molecular analysis to compare the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) status of interval and non-interval colorectal cancers and investigate the relationship between the CIMP and MSI pathways in the pathogenesis of interval cancers.

Effects of vitamin d and calcium on proliferation and differentiation in normal colon mucosa: a randomized clinical trial.

To investigate the potential efficacy of calcium and vitamin D in reducing risk for colorectal neoplasms and to develop "treatable" phenotypic biomarkers of risk for colorectal neoplasms, we conducted a pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 x 2 factorial clinical trial to test the effects of these agents on cell cycle markers in the normal colorectal mucosa. Ninety-two men and women with at least one pathology-confirmed colorectal adenoma were treated with 2 g/day calcium and/or 800 IU/day vitamin D(3) versus placebo over 6 months. Overall expression and distributions of p21(waf1/cip1) (marker of differentiation), MIB-1 (marker of short-term proliferation), and hTERT (marker of long-term proliferation) in colorectal crypts in the normal-appearing rectal mucosa were detected by automated immunohistochemistry and quantified by image analysis.

Variation in detection of adenomas and polyps by colonoscopy and change over time with a performance improvement program.

Background & Aims: There has been no prospective, community-based study to track changes in adenoma detection by individual physicians over time and to determine the effectiveness of targeted educational interventions.

Methods: We prospectively collected information on 47,253 screening colonoscopies in average-risk individuals 50 years and older performed by a community-based practice in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. During a period of 3 years, 5 specific interventions were implemented; each was designed to improve adenoma detection rates.

Prevalence and prediction of left atrial thrombus in patients with a recent cerebral ischemic event, who are in sinus rhythm: a single-center experience.

Background: Left atrial thrombus (LAT) is frequently present in patients with cerebral ischemic events (CIE) who are in atrial fibrillation. The prevalence and predictor of LAT in patients who are in sinus rhythm (SR) is unclear.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and identify predictors of LAT formation in patients with CIE who are in SR.

Spin-polarized structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of diluted magnetic semiconductors Cd(1-x)Mn(x)S and Cd(1-x)Mn(x)Se in zinc blende phase.

We studied the structural, spin-polarized electronic band structures, density of states, and magnetic properties of the diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMSs) Cd(1-x)Mn(x)S and Cd(1-x)Mn(x)Se in zinc blende phase (B3) with 25% Mn by using the ab initio method. The calculations were performed by using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave plus local orbitals (FP-L/APW+lo) method within the spin-polarized density functional theory and the local spin density approximation (LSDA). Calculated electronic band structures and the density of states of these DMSs are discussed in terms of the contribution of Mn 3d(5)4s(2), Cd 4d(10)5s(2), S 3s(2)3p(4), and Se 4s(2)4p(4) partial density of states and we also compute the local magnetic moments.

Management of chronic hepatitis B.

Objectives: Synthesize evidence of the natural history of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and effects and harms of antiviral drugs on clinical, virological, histological, and biochemical outcomes.

Data Sources: MEDLINE, electronic databases, and manual searches of systematic reviews.

Review Methods: We included original observational studies to assess natural history and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adults with CHB published in English to assess treatment effects and harms if they reported mortality, incidence of hepato-cellular carcinoma (HCC), cirrhosis or failure, HBeAg or HBsAg, viral load (HBV DNA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, histological necroinflammatory and fibrosis scores, and adverse events after interferon alfa-2b, pegylated interferon alfa 2-a, lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir, tenovir or telbivudine.

Clinical outcomes in adults with chronic hepatitis B in association with patient and viral characteristics: A systematic review of evidence.

We systematically reviewed the literature on the extent to which population characteristics or clinical features predict groups of individuals likely to develop advanced liver disease or die from chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). We searched Medline to include studies with reported cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer, or death outcomes after at least 1 year of follow-up from the measurement of predictive factors (age, age at infection, geographic location, race/ethnicity, sex, positive family history, presence of coinfections, HBV viral level, change in hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg] status, genotype, HBV mutations, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, alcohol consumption, liver enzymes, and liver biopsy finding). Evidence from 41 included articles suggested that cirrhosis, higher HBV viral level, and male sex were consistently associated with significantly increased risk of death and liver cancer.

Can calcium chemoprevention of adenoma recurrence substitute or serve as an adjunct for colonoscopic surveillance?

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the potential cost-effectiveness of calcium chemoprevention post-polypectomy as a substitute or adjunct for surveillance.

Methods: We constructed a Markov model of post-polypectomy adenoma recurrence and colorectal cancer (CRC) development, calibrated to data from prospective chemoprevention trials of fiber, calcium, antioxidants, and aspirin. We modeled four scenarios for 50-year-old patients immediately after polypectomy: (i) natural history with no further intervention; (ii) elemental calcium 1,200 mg/day from age 50-80; (iii) surveillance colonoscopy from age 50-80 every 5 years, or 3 years for large adenoma; (iv) calcium + surveillance.

Effects of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on markers of apoptosis in normal colon mucosa: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

To further clarify and/or develop calcium and vitamin D as chemopreventive agents against colorectal cancer in humans, understand the mechanisms by which these agents reduce risk for the disease, and develop "treatable" biomarkers of risk for colorectal cancer, we conducted a pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 x 2 factorial clinical trial to test the effects of calcium and vitamin D3, alone and in combination on markers of apoptosis, in the normal colorectal mucosa. Ninety-two men and women with at least one pathology-confirmed colorectal adenoma were treated with 2.0 g/d calcium or 800 IU/d vitamin D3, alone or in combination, versus placebo over 6 months.

Antiviral therapy for adults with chronic hepatitis B: a systematic review for a National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference.

Background: Chronic hepatitis B infection can lead to liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of antiviral therapy for adults with chronic hepatitis B infection.

Data Sources: Randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) of interferon (alpha2b and pegylated alpha2a), lamivudine, adefovir, entecavir, and telbivudine published from 1990 to 2008.

Crohn's disease in an African-American population.

Objective: African-Americans have been underrepresented in most large Crohn's disease (CD) trials. This study was undertaken to assess the course and character of CD in African-Americans in comparison with whites.

Methods: We retrospectively compared the course and character of CD in African-American and white patients at 3 Atlanta hospitals.

Chronic total occlusion--use of a 5 French guiding catheter in a 6 French guiding catheter.

We present a case of a chronic total occlusion that required the use of a 5 Fr in a 6 Fr guiding catheter. The 5 Fr in a 6 Fr guiding catheter method allows ultra-deep seating to increase backup support and assist stent delivery. This technique was paramount in this case, as there were technical challenges with failure to track drug-eluting stents due to vessel tortuosity and lack of support.

Fatal haemoptysis in a young man with tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenitis. A case report and review of the literature.

A young man presented with a short febrile illness associated with signs of cough, sputum and haemoptysis (>200 ml/24 h) to his local hospital. The chest radiograph revealed a small cavity in the upper zone with patchy consolidation. He was kept in isolation awaiting a bronchoscopy for tuberculosis (TB).

Teaching strategies and academic performances of undergraduates in quaid-I-azam medical college, bahawalpur.

Objective: to assess the outcomes and competencies of medical undergraduates regarding their learning abilities after introducing Clinical Presentation Curriculum (CPC) instead of Traditional Curriculum in Quaid-i-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur.

Design: a cross-sectional comparative study.

Place And Duration Of Study: 3rd and 4th year MBBS class during session 2004-2005 at Quaid-i-Azam Medical College (QMC), Bahawalpur.

Genomic profiles of colorectal cancers differ based on patient smoking status.

Human sporadic colorectal cancer is the result of a lengthy somatic evolutionary process facilitated by various forms of genomic instability. Such instability arises endogenously from mutations in genes whose role is to preserve genomic integrity, and exogenously from environmental agents that generate genomic damage. We have found that cigarette smoking shifts the genomic profiles and genomic instability patterns of colorectal carcinomas.

Review of epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of invasive mould infections in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Invasive mould infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients (HSCT). Allogeneic HSCT recipients are at substantially higher risk than autologous HSCT recipients. Although neutropenia following the conditioning regimen remains an important risk factor for opportunistic fungal infections, most cases of invasive mould infection in allogeneic HSCT recipients occur after neutrophil recovery in the setting of potent immunosuppressive therapy for graft-versus-host disease.

Cardiac function after chemoradiation for esophageal cancer: comparison of heart dose-volume histogram parameters to multiple gated acquisition scan changes.

In this paper we determine if preoperative chemoradiation for locally advanced esophageal cancer leads to changes in cardiac ejection fraction. This is a retrospective review of 20 patients treated at our institution for esophageal cancer between 2000 and 2002. Multiple gated acquisition cardiac scans were obtained before and after platinum-based chemoradiation (50.

Estrogen replacement therapy for depression in perimenopausal women.

Objective: To determine the effect of a four-week course of oral estrogen therapy on depression in aging women.

Design: Quasi experimental.

Place And Duration Of Study: The OPD, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, from September 2000 to January 2004.