Evaluation of Best Supportive Care and Systemic Chemotherapy as Treatment Stratified according to the retrospective Peritoneal Surface Disease Severity Score (PSDSS) for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis of Colorectal Origin

Background: We evaluate the long-term survival of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) treated with systemic chemotherapy regimens, and the impact of the of the retrospective peritoneal disease severity score (PSDSS) on outcomes. Methods: One hundred sixty-seven consecutive patients treated with PC from colorectal cancer between years 1987-2006 were identified from a prospective institutional database. These patients either received no chemotherapy, 5-FU/Leucovorin or Oxaliplatin/Irinotecan-based chemotherapy. Stratification was made according to the retrospective PSDSS that classifies PC patients based on clinically relevant factors. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and comparison with the log-rank test. Results: Median survival was 5 months (95% CI, 3-7 months) for patients who had no chemotherapy, 11 months (95% CI, 6-9 months) for patients treated with 5 FU/LV, and 12 months (95% CI, 4-20 months) for patients treated with Oxaliplatin/Irinotecan-based chemotherapy. Survival differed between patients treated with chemotherapy compared to those patients who did not receive chemotherapy (p = 0.026). PSDSS staging was identified as an independent predictor for survival on multivariate analysis [RR 2.8 (95%CI 1.5-5.4); p < 0.001]. Conclusion: A trend towards improved outcomes is demonstrated from treatment of patients with PC from colorectal cancer using modern systemic chemotherapy. The PSDSS appears to be a useful tool in patient selection and prognostication in PC of colorectal origin

Adaptive immune response to lipoproteins of Staphylococcus aureus in healthy subjects

Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent commensal but also a dangerous pathogen, causing many forms of infection ranging from mild to life-threatening conditions. Among its virulence factors are lipoproteins, which are anchored in the bacterial cell membrane. Lipoproteins perform various functions in colonization, immune evasion, and immunomodulation. These proteins are potent activators of innate immune receptors termed Toll-like receptors 2 and 6. This study addressed the specific B-cell and T-cell responses directed to lipoproteins in human S. aureus carriers and non-carriers. 2D immune proteomics and ELISA approaches revealed that titers of antibodies (IgG) binding to S. aureus lipoproteins were very low. Proliferation assays and cytokine profiling data showed only subtle responses of T cells; some lipoproteins did not elicit proliferation. Hence, the robust activation of the innate immune system by S. aureus lipoproteins does not translate into a strong adaptive immune response. Reasons for this may include inaccessibility of lipoproteins for B cells as well as ineffective processing and presentation of the antigens to T cells

Métodos cualitativos en Europa: La variedad de la investigación social

Der Aufsatz bietet eine Einführung in die FQS-Schwerpunktausgabe über qualitative Methoden in Europa. Er schildert die besondere Situation der qualitativen Forschung in diesem Raum, die durch Vielfalt und Einheit geprägt ist. Vielfalt, denn die verschiedenen geistigen Traditionen und institutionellen Strukturen der Sozialwissenschaft, die den Hintergrund der qualitativen Forschung bilden, unterscheiden sich zwischen den einzelnen Ländern beträchtlich. Vielfalt verweist auf eine Reihe von selbständigen Weisen der Forschungspraxis, die neben den bekannten anglosächsischen Entwicklungen zu finden sind und diese ergänzen. Eine Einheit findet sich trotz aller Unterschiede der Forschungspraktiken darin, dass sie alle an einem interpretativen Paradigma ausgerichtet sind, eine Ausrichtung, die auf Sinn, Verstehen und Kontextualität aufbaut. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0503342This paper serves as an introduction to the special issue of FQS on "Qualitative Methods in Europe". It outlines the particular situation of qual­itative research in this realm, which is charac­terised by diversity and unity. Diversity since the different intellectual traditions and institutional structures of the social sciences, which form the background of qualitative research differ signifi­cantly between the various countries. This variation indicates a number of traditional ways to do qual­itative research that complement and complete the well-known Anglo-Saxon development. Unity, since despite all the differences, the various ways of doing research are characterised by the inter­pretive paradigm, a way of "doing" social sciences that builds on meaning, understanding and context. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0503342Este artículo sirve de introducción al volumen especial de FQS sobre Métodos Cualitativos en Europa. Resume la situación particular de la investigación cualitativa en este territorio, que se caracteriza por la diversidad y la unidad. Diversidad desde las diferentes tradiciones intelectuales y las estructuras institucionales de las ciencias sociales, que desde el bagaje de la investigación cualitativa son diferentes significativamente en los distintos países. Esa variación ofrece un conjunto de formas tradicionales de hacer investigación cualitativa que complementa y completa el bien conocido desarrollo anglo-sajón. Unidad, a pesar de todas las diferencias, las variadas formas de hacer investigación se caracterizan mediante el paradigma interpretativo, una forma de "hacer" ciencia social que se construye a partir de los significados, la comprensión y el contexto. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs050334

Qualitative methods in Europe: the variety of social research

Der Aufsatz bietet eine Einführung in die FQS-Schwerpunktausgabe über qualitative Methoden in Europa. Er schildert die besondere Situation der qualitativen Forschung in diesem Raum, die durch Vielfalt und Einheit geprägt ist. Vielfalt, denn die verschiedenen geistigen Traditionen und institutionellen Strukturen der Sozialwissenschaft, die den Hintergrund der qualitativen Forschung bilden, unterscheiden sich zwischen den einzelnen Ländern beträchtlich. Vielfalt verweist auf eine Reihe von selbständigen Weisen der Forschungspraxis, die neben den bekannten anglosächsischen Entwicklungen zu finden sind und diese ergänzen. Eine Einheit findet sich trotz aller Unterschiede der Forschungspraktiken darin, dass sie alle an einem interpretativen Paradigma ausgerichtet sind, eine Ausrichtung, die auf Sinn, Verstehen und Kontextualität aufbaut.This paper serves as an introduction to the special issue of FQS on "Qualitative Methods in Europe". It outlines the particular situation of qual­itative research in this realm, which is charac­terised by diversity and unity. Diversity since the different intellectual traditions and institutional structures of the social sciences, which form the background of qualitative research differ signifi­cantly between the various countries. This variation indicates a number of traditional ways to do qual­itative research that complement and complete the well-known Anglo-Saxon development. Unity, since despite all the differences, the various ways of doing research are characterised by the inter­pretive paradigm, a way of "doing" social sciences that builds on meaning, understanding and context.Este artículo sirve de introducción al volumen especial de FQS sobre Métodos Cualitativos en Europa. Resume la situación particular de la investigación cualitativa en este territorio, que se caracteriza por la diversidad y la unidad. Diversidad desde las diferentes tradiciones intelectuales y las estructuras institucionales de las ciencias sociales, que desde el bagaje de la investigación cualitativa son diferentes significativamente en los distintos países. Esa variación ofrece un conjunto de formas tradicionales de hacer investigación cualitativa que complementa y completa el bien conocido desarrollo anglo-sajón. Unidad, a pesar de todas las diferencias, las variadas formas de hacer investigación se caracterizan mediante el paradigma interpretativo, una forma de "hacer" ciencia social que se construye a partir de los significados, la comprensión y el contexto

Qualitative Methods in Europe: The Variety of Social Research

This paper serves as an introduction to the special issue of FQS on "Qualitative Methods in Europe". It outlines the particular situation of qual­itative research in this realm, which is charac­terised by diversity and unity. Diversity since the different intellectual traditions and institutional structures of the social sciences, which form the background of qualitative research differ signifi­cantly between the various countries. This variation indicates a number of traditional ways to do qual­itative research that complement and complete the well-known Anglo-Saxon development. Unity, since despite all the differences, the various ways of doing research are characterised by the inter­pretive paradigm, a way of "doing" social sciences that builds on meaning, understanding and context. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs050334

LTCC-Based Sensors for Mechanical Quantities

Besides their excellent dielectric and thermo-mechanical characteristics Low Temperature Cofiring Ceramics (LTCC) are also well suited for the fabrication of 3D micromechanical components such as sensors for mechanical quantities. This paper describes the development of such sensors covering some material and technological aspects. Furthermore, the design process for mechanical sensors is discussed as well as application examples of sensors for the detection of pressure, force, acceleration and flow

Incidence, time course and independent risk factors for metachronous peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric origin – a longitudinal experience from a prospectively collected database of 1108 patients

Background Comprehensive evidence on the incidence, time course and independent risk factors of metachronous peritoneal carcinomatosis (metaPC) in gastric cancer patients treated with curative intent in the context of available systemic combination chemotherapies is lacking. Methods Data from a prospectively collected single-institutional Center Cancer Registry with 1108 consecutive patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (GC), clinical, histological and survival data were analyzed for independent risk factors and prognosis with focus on the development of metaPC. Findings were then stratified to the time periods of treatment with surgery alone, 5-Fluorouracil-only and contemporary combined systemic perioperative chemotherapy strategies, respectively. Results Despite R0 D2 gastrectomy (n = 560), 49.6% (±5.4%) of the patients were diagnosed with tumour recurrence and 15.5% (±1.8%) developed metaPC after a median time of 17.7 (15.1-20.3) months after surgery resulting in a tumour related mortality of 100% with a median survival of 3.0 months (2.1 – 4.0). Independent risk factors for the development of metaPC were serosa positive T-category, nodal positive-status, signet cell and undifferentiated gradings (G3/G4). Contemporary systemic combination chemotherapy did not improve the incidence and prognosis of metaPC (p = 0.54). Conclusions Despite significant improvements in the overall survival for the complete cohort with gastric cancer over time, those patients with metaPC did not experience the same benefits. The lack of change in the incidence, and persistent poor prognosis of metaPC after curative surgery expose the need for further prevention and/or improved treatment options for this devastating condition

Multimodal therapy in treatment of rectal cancer is associated with improved survival and reduced local recurrence - a retrospective analysis over two decades

Background The management of rectal cancer (RC) has substantially changed over the last decades with the implementation of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, adjuvant therapy and improved surgery such as total mesorectal excision (TME). It remains unclear in which way these approaches overall influenced the rate of local recurrence and overall survival. Methods Clinical, histological and survival data of 658 out of 662 consecutive patients with RC were analyzed for treatment and prognostic factors from a prospectively expanded single-institutional database. Findings were then stratified according to time of diagnosis in patient groups treated between 1993 and 2001 and 2002 and 2010. Results The study population included 658 consecutive patients with rectal cancer between 1993 and 2010. Follow up data was available for 99.6% of all 662 treated patients. During the time period between 2002 and 2010 significantly more patients underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (17.6% vs. 60%) and adjuvant chemotherapy (37.9% vs. 58.4%). Also, the rate of reported TME during surgery increased. The rate of local or distant metastasis decreased over time, and tumor related 5-year survival increased significantly with from 60% to 79%. Conclusion In our study population, the implementation of treatment changes over the last decade improved the patient’s outcome significantly. Improvements were most evident for UICC stage III rectal cancer