Comparison of a prototype reverse hybridization assay and MethyLight for detection of SFRP2 promotor methylation in fecal DNA.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a novel nonquantitative methylation-specific reverse hybridization (MSRH) assay to detect secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2) promotor methylation in fecal DNA.

Methods: SFRP2 promoter methylation was investigated in stool DNA isolated from 18 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and 22 healthy controls using the MSRH assay based on methylation-specific DNA amplification followed by reverse hybridization of biotinylated amplicons to sequence-specific methylation detection probes, with MethyLight serving as a reference method.

Results: SFRP2 promotor methylation as determined by MSRH vs.

Damage control with abdominal vacuum therapy (VAC) to manage perforated diverticulitis with advanced generalized peritonitis--a proof of concept.

Purpose: Perforated diverticulitis with advanced generalized peritonitis is a life-threatening condition requiring emergency operation. To reduce the rate of colostomy formation, a new treatment algorithm with damage control operation, lavage, limited closure of perforation, abdominal vacuum-assisted closure (VAC; V.A.

Anal submucosal carbon bead injection for treatment of idiopathic fecal incontinence: a preliminary report.

Purpose: Submucosal injection of bulking agents is a treatment option for idiopathic fecal incontinence. This study sought to assess whether the injection of carbon beads can significantly improve anal continence.

Methods: Consecutive patients presenting with fecal incontinence were evaluated with standardized incontinence grading and quality-of-life grading scores, by anoproctoscopy, endoanal ultrasound, and anomanometry before, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after injection.

Circulating cell-free DNA in plasma of locally advanced rectal cancer patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiation: a potential diagnostic tool for therapy monitoring.

Circulating cell-free DNA opens up an interesting field for therapy monitoring, in particular during multimodal therapy protocols. The objective of this proof of principle study was to evaluate whether the amount of circulating plasma DNA has the potential to serve as a marker for therapy monitoring during the treatment course of locally advanced rectal cancer patients. We especially focused on kinetics of circulating DNA to assess whether variances in kinetics have the potential to discriminate between therapy responders and nonresponders.

SFRP2 methylation in fecal DNA--a marker for colorectal polyps.

Introduction: DNA methylation of secreted frizzled-related proteins (SFRPs) can be detected in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue, in tissue of adenomas, and in aberrant crypt foci, whereas in normal colorectal mucosa tissue, SFRP genes are unmethylated. Recently, our study group was able to demonstrate SFRP2 methylation as the most sensitive single DNA-based marker in stool for identification of CRC. The purpose of this study was to clarify whether SFRP2 methylation in fecal DNA can be found in stool of individuals with hyperplastic and adenomatous colorectal polyps.

Disseminated tumor cells in peripheral blood: a novel marker for therapy response in locally advanced rectal cancer patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiation.

Purpose: This study was designed to examine whether disseminated tumor cells in peripheral blood of locally advanced rectal cancer patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiation have the potential to serve as a marker for therapy response. Studies suggest that patients with advanced rectal cancer who respond to preoperative chemoradiation most likely benefit from this treatment.

Methods: From advanced rectal cancer patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiation, peripheral blood was obtained at defined times: before, during, and after chemoradiation and during surgery.

Assessment of risk-independent follow-up to detect asymptomatic recurrence after curative resection of colorectal cancer.

Background And Aims: Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death. We analyzed the value of standardized, risk-independent postoperative surveillance.

Materials And Methods: Between 1995 and 2001, 564 patients with colorectal cancer underwent standardized oncologic resection.

Methylation changes in faecal DNA: a marker for colorectal cancer screening?

DNA methylation is a common molecular alteration in colorectal cancer cells. We report an assessment of faecal DNA from patients with colorectal cancer and controls to determine the feasibility, sensitivity, and specificity of this approach. By use of MethyLight analysis of faecal DNA from three independent sets of patients, we identified SFRP2 methylation as a sensitive single DNA-based marker for identification of colorectal cancer in stool samples (sensitivity 90% [CI 56-100] and specificity 77% [46-95] in the training set [n=23]; sensitivity 77% [46-95] and specificity 77% [46-95] in an independent test set [n=26]).

The association between late-onset fecal incontinence and obstetric anal sphincter defects.

Hypothesis: Endoanal ultrasonographic results have demonstrated that clinically occult anal sphincter damage during vaginal delivery is common. This may or may not be associated with postpartum fecal incontinence (FI). Bayesian meta-analysis of the literature revealed that at least two thirds of obstetric sphincter disruptions are asymptomatic in the postpartum period.

Outcome of patients with indeterminate colitis undergoing a double-stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of patients with indeterminate colitis undergoing double-stapled ileal pouch anal anastomosis.

Methods: A retrospective review of demographic, disease-related, and outcome variables of all patients undergoing double-stapled ileal pouch anal anastomosis from August 1988 to January 2000 was undertaken. All patients were evaluated using the validated American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Fecal Incontinence Severity Index.

Impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiation on anal sphincter function in patients with carcinoma of the midrectum and low rectum.

Hypothesis: Preoperative chemoradiation for patients with stage II and III midrectal and low rectal cancer may improve survival and decrease local recurrence rate. We evaluated the long-term impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiation on anal sphincter function.

Design: Prospective analysis.

Adjustable gastric and esophagogastric banding: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Adjustable gastric banding and esophagogastric banding may affect the function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and esophageal motility in the long-term. Both methods were evaluated in a prospective randomized trial.

Materials And Methods: Group 1 comprised 28 patients who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and Group 2 consisted of 24 patients in whom adjustable esophagogastric banding was performed.