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Selected AbstractsRabeprazole- versus Esomeprazole-Based Eradication Regimens for H. pylori InfectionHELICOBACTER, Issue 6 2007I-Chen Wu Abstract Background: Different kinds of proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapies could result in different Helicobacter pylori eradication rates. Aim: The aims of this study were to compare the efficacy and safety of rabeprazole- and esomeprazole-based triple therapy in primary treatment of H. pylori infection in Taiwan. Patients and Methods: From June 2005 to March 2007, 420 H. pylori -infected patients were randomly assigned to receive a 7-day eradication therapy with either esomeprazole 40 mg daily (EAC group, n = 209) or rabeprazole 20 mg b.i.d. (RAC group, n = 211) in combination with amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d. and clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d.. Follow-up endoscopy with biopsy was done 12,16 weeks after completion of eradication therapy. Those who refused endoscopic exams underwent 13C-urea breath test to assess the treatment response. Results: Intention-to-treat analysis revealed that the eradication rate was 89.4% in the EAC group and 90.5% in RAC groups (p -value = .72). All of the subjects returned for assessment of compliance (100% in EAC group vs. 99.5% in RAC group, p -value = .32) and adverse events (3.83% in EAC group vs. 6.16% in RAC group, p -value = .27). Sixty (28.7%) and 37 (17.6%) patients in EAC and RAC group, respectively, refused endoscopy and underwent a 13C-urea breath test to determine the treatment effect. Conclusion: In conclusion, rabeprazole- and esomeprazole-based primary therapies for H. pylori infection are comparable in efficacy and safety. [source] Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic nephrectomyINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 2 2001Kazuhiro Yoshimura AbstractPurpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic nephrectomy. Methods: From June 1994 to November 1999, 10 patients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy at Osaka University Medical Hospital and Osaka Rosai Hospital. Laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed either via transperitoneal or retroperitoneal approach under general anesthesia. These 10 cases were reviewed in respect of primary disease of the kidney, operative time, complications and postoperative convalescence. Results: Of the 10 patients, five were preoperatively diagnosed as having a non-functioning kidney with hydronephrosis, two patients were diagnosed as having an atrophic kidney, two had renal cell carcinoma and one had renal pelvic tumor. The average operative time was 374 min (range 270,675 min). The mean blood loss was 330 mL (range 60,800 mL). One patient required transfusion due to postoperative oozing. The average hospital stay after operation was 7 days. No major postoperative complications were observed. Conclusion: Laparoscopic nephrectomy is an option in surgically managing renal disorders, including malignancies, although it has a longer operative time compared to conventional open surgery. [source] Administration of adalimumab in the treatment of Crohn's disease of the ileal pouchALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 5 2009B. SHEN Summary Background, Crohn's disease (CD) of the pouch can develop in patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). Scant data are available on the treatment of this disease entity. Aim, To evaluate efficacy and safety of adalimumab in treating CD of the ileal pouch. Methods, From June 2007 to June 2008, 17 IPAA patients with inflammatory (n = 10), fibrostenotic (n = 2) or fistulizing (n = 5) CD of the pouch treated with adalimumab were evaluated. Inclusion criteria were CD of the pouch who failed medical therapy and were otherwise qualified for permanent pouch diversion or excision. All qualified patients received the standard dosing regimen of subcutaneous injection adalimumab (160 mg at week 0, 80 mg at week 1, and 40 mg every other week thereafter). Complete clinical response was defined as resolution of symptoms. Partial clinical response was defined as improvement in symptoms. Endoscopic inflammation before and after therapy was recorded, using the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI) endoscopy subscores. Results, The median age was 36 years with 12 patients (70.6%) being male. At 4 weeks, seven patients (41.2%) had a complete symptom response and 6 (35.3%) had a partial response. There was also a significant improvement in the PDAI endoscopy subscores at week 4 (P < 0.05). At the last follow-up (median of 8 weeks), eight patients (47.1%) had a complete symptom response and 4 (23.5%) had a partial response. Four patients (23.6%) developed adverse effects. Three patients (17.7%) eventually had pouch failure after failing to respond to adalimumab therapy. Conclusion, Adalimumab appeared to be well-tolerated and efficacious in treating CD of the pouch in this open-labelled induction study. [source] Surgical treatment of thoracolumbar fracture through an approach via the paravertebral muscleORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY, Issue 3 2009Wei Pang MD Objective:, To investigate the methods for, and clinical outcome of, the operative treatment of thoracolumbar fractures through an approach via the paravertebral muscle (PVM). Methods:, From June 2005 to August 2006, 62 patients, comprising 48 men and 14 women with an average age of 45.2 years (range, 21,58) with thoracolumbar fractures without neurological involvement underwent surgical treatment. Twenty-one fractures were located at T12, 24 at L1 and 17 at L2. The study comprised 15 compression and 47 burst fractures with an intact posterior column. Thirty-four cases were selected randomly to undergo surgery through the above approach, while the other 28 cases underwent the traditional procedure. After making a posterior midline incision, which not only facilitates insertion of pedicle screws and fusion of the graft bone at facet joints, but spares the attachment of PVM, the interval between the longissimus and multifidus muscles was undermined. Drainage was not routinely needed and the patients became ambulant with a brace earlier post-operatively. Results:, The new approach had statistically significant advantages (P < 0.005) over the traditional one in regard to blood loss, drainage, duration of recumbency and visual analogue scale (VAS), although the time required was almost the same for the two procedures. Till August 2007, 56 patients were successfully followed up for 12 to 26 months (mean, 18.6) and bone fusion was identified in all cases. Neither reduction loss nor loosening or breakage of the fixation occurred. Conclusion:, The technique of operating through an approach between the PVM is recommended for thoracolumbar fractures because it is much less invasive, can reduce blood loss and accelerates rehabilitation. [source] Use of Illicit Drugs and Erectile Dysfunction Medications and Subsequent HIV Infection among Gay Men in Sydney, AustraliaTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 8 2009Garrett Prestage PhD ABSTRACT Introduction., Use of illicit drugs and oral erectile dysfunction medications (OEM) have been associated with risk behavior among gay men. Aim., To determine the effects of illicit drugs and OEM as risk factors for HIV seroconversion in a community-based cohort of HIV-negative homosexually active men in Sydney, Australia. Main Outcome Measures., Drug use in the previous 6 months and at the most recent sexual encounter; Most recent occasions of unprotected and protected anal intercourse; HIV-positive diagnosis. Methods., From June 2001 to June 2007, participants were followed up with 6-monthly detailed behavioral interviews and annual testing for HIV. Detailed information about sexual, drug-using and other behavior was collected. Results., Among 1,427 participants enrolled, 53 HIV seroconverters were identified by June 2007. At baseline, 62.7% reported using illicit drugs in the previous 6 months, including 10.7% who reported at least weekly use. Illicit drug use was associated with unprotected anal intercourse with casual partners (P < 0.001). Use of illicit drugs was associated with increased risk of HIV infection at a univariate level, and this risk increased with greater frequency of use. This was also true of the use of OEM. Use of each type of illicit drug was included in multivariate analysis, and after controlling for sexual risk behaviors, only use of OEM remained significantly predictive of HIV infection (Hazard ratios [HR] = 1.75, CI = 1.31,2.33, P < 0.001), although amyl nitrite was of borderline significance (HR = 1.26, CI = 0.98,1.62, P = 0.074). Conclusion., The association between drug use and increased risk of HIV infection was strongest for drugs used specifically to enhance sexual pleasure, particularly OEM. The risk of infection was substantially increased when both OEM and methamphetamine were used. Within more "adventurous" gay community subcultures, the interconnectedness of sexual behavior and drug use may be key to understanding HIV risk and is an appropriate priority in HIV-prevention efforts in this population. Prestage G, Jin F, Kippax S, Zablotska I, Imrie J, and Grulich A. Use of illicit drugs and erectile dysfunction medications and subsequent HIV infection among gay men in Sydney, Australia. J Sex Med 2009;6:2311,2320. [source] |