
MRI-Guided Biopsy of Recurrent Prostate Cancer After Radiotherapy
Recurrent Prostate CancerIn this study we will test a new procedure to guide needle biopsies into the prostate gland based on MRI. This study will be conducted in patients who may have recurrence of their cancer in the prostate gland after radiation therapy in order to map out the location of the recurrence. Using this technique, we will be able to measure the accuracy of MR images in identifying the site of tumour recurrence.

Evaluation of Safety & Efficacy of Synbiotic on the Incidence and Recurrence of Spontaneous Bacterial...
Cirrhosis With AscitesBackground: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a serious complication in patients of cirrhosis with ascites and may occur despite antibiotic prophylaxis. Small bowel dysmotility and bacterial overgrowth have been documented to be related to SBP. Aims: To investigate whether addition of prebiotic plus probiotics (synbiotics) to norfloxacin enhances the efficacy of norfloxacin in prevention of SBP in high risk patients with ascites. Methods: A prospective, double blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted in consecutive high-risk cirrhotic patients with ascites who had either recovered from an episode of SBP (secondary prophylaxis) or who never had SBP but were at high risk for development of SBP (low ascitic fluid protein or serum bilirubin ≥2.5 mg/dL; primary prophylaxis). Norfloxacin 400 mg once daily with synbiotic capsules (Streptococcus faecalis JPC 30 million, Clostridium butyricum 2 million, Bacillus mesentericus JPC 1 million, Lactobacillus sporogenes 50 million spores) 2 t.i.d. (group I) or norfloxacin 400 mg once daily with placebo (group II) was given and occurrence of SBP within a period of 6 months (primary endpoint) or side-effects of therapy and mortality (secondary endpoints) were recorded. Every patient received IV albumin to maintain a serum albumin level of >3.2 g/dl. SBP was treated with intravenous antibiotics with albumin.

Ciprofloxacin for the Prevention of Postoperative Endoscopic Recurrence in Crohn's Disease
Crohn's DiseaseDespite extensive medical treatment, surgical resection is required in approximately 70% of the patients at some time. However, recurrence of the disease after operation occurs in the majority of patients and is a serious limitation of surgical management. Therapeutic options to maintain postoperative clinical remission are urgently needed. Several drugs including mesalazine, antibiotics (metronidazole, ornidazole) and azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine have been studied in the past. But the efficacy is very limited (mesalazine), overshadowed by intolerability during long-term therapy (metronidazole, ornidazole) or inconclusive (azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine). Research demonstrating the absence of inflammation in patients with diverting ileostomy and the clinical benefit of a postoperative antibiotic therapy using metronidazole or ornidazole implicates a role of the resident bacterial flora in the postoperative relapse. Ciprofloxacin has a broad antibacterial spectrum. More interestingly it also suppresses E. coli strains, which can be found in high numbers in early and chronic ileal lesions of Crohn's disease patients Ciprofloxacin has demonstrated beneficial effects in the therapy of inflammatory bowel diseases, but the available data of the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin allow only a very limited judgement of the safety and tolerability of a 6 months therapy of ciprofloxacin. Therefore an exploratory multicenter prospective, placebo-controlled trial is planned to analyze the safety and tolerability of a 6 months therapy with ciprofloxacin compared to placebo in 40 patients (randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio) undergoing ileocecal resection (or resection of parts of the colon). If this therapeutic regimen demonstrates tolerability, a second larger study improving the superiority of ciprofloxacin versus placebo can be initiated.

Effectiveness of GW468816, an NMDA Glycine Site Antagonist, for Prevention of Relapse to Smoking...
Nicotine DependenceThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the glycine antagonist, GW468816, compared with placebo on duration of abstinence and rates of relapse in recently quit female smokers in a randomized, double-blind, five-week clinical trial. According to the investigators, the new medication, GW468816, is thought to send certain signals in the brain that may be effective in helping people stay abstinent after they have recently quit smoking. GW468816 is a non-nicotine drug. The investigators of this study hypothesize that subjects receiving GW468816 will demonstrate a significantly longer time to relapse to smoking than those in the placebo group, as measured by the primary outcome measure (see below).

Vernakalant (Oral) Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation Recurrence Post-Conversion Study
Atrial FibrillationTo evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of 3 doses of vernakalant (oral) (150 mg, 300 mg and 500 mg b.i.d.) administered for up to 90 days in subjects with sustained symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF duration > 72 hours and < 6 months).

Truvada Versus Truvada Plus Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIg) in Prevention of Chronic Hepatitis...
Chronic Hepatitis BThe objective of this 96-week study was to evaluate the safety and antiviral efficacy of emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (FTC/TDF, coformulated; Truvada®) with or without hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) in preventing the recurrence of chronic hepatitis B following liver transplantation, in participants who were chronically infected with hepatitis B prior to transplantation. Prior to enrollment, participants were required to have received at least 12 weeks of HBIg therapy following liver transplantation. Enrolled participants then received FTC/TDF plus HBIg for an initial 24-week pre-randomization treatment period. Participants who completed the pre-randomization period and who achieved sustained viral suppression were randomized to continue treatment with FTC/TDF with or without HBIg for an additional 72 weeks (randomized period). The antiviral efficacy of treatment was assessed by measuring hepatitis B virus levels in the blood (HBV DNA). Safety and tolerability was monitored by assessing adverse events and various laboratory parameters.

Prevention of Recurrence of Diverticulitis
DiverticulitisThe purpose of this study is to determine whether SPD476 is effective in reducing recurrence of diverticulitis.

Vaccine for Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Women
Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in WomenThe purpose of this study is determine whether a vaginal mucosal vaccine given to women with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections can reduce the number of infections occurring in a six-month study period, as compared to placebo treatment.

Smoking Cessation and Relapse Prevention in Women Postpartum
Smoking CessationBackground: Pregnancy was found to be a significant triggering factor for smoking cessation and the reduction of nicotine consumption, but 50 - 70 % of mothers who stopped smoking during pregnancy resume tobacco smoking after delivery. One main reason for the high relapse rates is that many women are solely motivated to quit smoking for the baby's sake. After birth, the external reason for having quit has vanished and no other internal or external motives exist for many women to maintain being smoke-free. Therefore, under consideration of the Transtheoretical Model approach, relapse prevention and smoking cessation interventions have to focus on two aspects: (1) on a specific reformulation of the stages of change for women who show a temporarily and externally motivated change in smoking behavior during pregnancy, (2) on intervention strategies taking advantage of the behavioral change already done and evoking the cognitive and behavioral processes necessary for maintenance. In Germany pediatricians are in a unique position to address this issue because nearly every mother attends a pediatric practice for preventive examination of the newborn. Objectives: To adapt and implement motivational enhancement interventions in pediatric practices. The aim is to examine the effectiveness of a modified stage-matched motivational enhancement intervention added to the common pediatricians´ advice. A second aim is the reformulation and reassessment of the stages of change for women who have recently given birth. Methods: The study design is a randomized controlled trial. Mothers smoking at the beginning of the pregnancy and attending pediatric practices in West Pomerania will be assigned to an intervention group (n = 330) and referred to a liaisonal service providing a face-to-face motivational enhancement intervention followed by telephone brush-up sessions. A control group (n = 330) receives treatment from the pediatrician as usual at the preventive examination. The core outcome measures comprise abstinence, and progress in the stages of change 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after baseline. Expected impact: Data will evaluate the usefulness of intervening in pediatric offices and will provide information about a tailored intervention program. The processes of change favorable for intervention in this population will be identified. This is of great relevance with regard to the prevention of health damage for mother and child. Furthermore, results will serve as a basis for guidelines for pediatricians to deal with women smoking postpartum. Relationship to the objective of the collaboration: As in the other studies, this study provides empirical data of a new proactive approach to reach underserved populations in the addiction field. This project will add knowledge on how to intervene (motivational enhancement vs. usual advice), on setting-specific advantages of pediatric offices and on the impact of the chosen intervention strategy.

Combination Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy, and Surgery in Treating Patients With Primary or Recurrent...
Stage III Adult Soft Tissue SarcomaRecurrent Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma3 moreRATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Combining chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of combination chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery in treating patients who have primary or recurrent sarcoma.