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The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an inflammatory index that has been considered as a potential prognostic factor in human cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the available evidence regarding the NLR as a prognostic value in patients affected by urothelial cancer. This literature review, including papers on NLR in urothelial cancers, was done on PubMed/Medline and Cochrane libraries in November 2015. The selection of the articles followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses process. Twenty-three of 99 articles fulfilled all the inclusion criteria, including data on 6240 patients affected by urothelial cancers. Overall, cancer-specific, and recurrence-free survival were evaluated as the main oncological outcomes. There was significant heterogeneity among studies, and the majority of studies were of poor quality. Overall, NLR was considered as a prognostic marker in 87.5%, 80%, and 60% of the studies on upper tract urothelial cancer, urothelial bladder cancer, and metastatic and advanced disease, respectively. The NLR cut-off value ranged between 2 and 5. A high NLR was associated with worse overall, cancer-specific, and recurrence-free survival. NLR is a widely available, easy-to-collect, costless, prognostic marker in urothelial cancers. Its clinical use still remains under investigation, especially for the need for cut-off values, particularly in different subsets of patients., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) represents a new diagnostic, endoscopic technology for colonic exploration. Current protocols of preparation led to discordant rates of adequate cleansing level or CCE excretion., Aim: To evaluate the effect of a new regimen of bowel preparation for CCE on colon cleansing levels and on rate of capsule excretion., Study: 60 patients were prospectively enrolled. The new regimen of preparation consisted of a split regimen of PEG administration and of a 45 mL dose of sodium phosphate (NaP). Four senna tablets and a low-residue diet were also included. CCE excretion rate, colon cleansing, and accuracy were assessed., Results: Forty-six patients were included in the final analysis, 13 patients (22%) being excluded because of preparation protocol deviations and one due to CCE technical failure (2%). At CCE, bowel preparation was rated as good in 78% of patients, fair in 20% and poor in 2%. CCE excretion rate occurred in 83% of patients. CCE sensitivity and specificity for significant findings was 100% and 95%, respectively., Conclusions: The combination of a split-dose of PEG solution with a low dose of NaP boosters resulted in high rates of adequate cleansing level and CCE excretion., (Copyright © 2010 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Small-bowel contents can hamper the quality of video-capsule endoscopy (VCE). No standardized protocol has been proposed and overnight fasting remains the proposed preparation for VCE., Aims: The aim was to evaluate the effects of 2 regimens of bowel preparation on small intestine cleansing, diagnostic yield and capsule transit times., Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, blinded, and controlled study. Sixty patients referred for VCE were randomized into 2 groups. Group A ingested 2l of a polyethylene glycol and simethicone solution 16h before VCE. Group B were instructed to consume a fibre-free diet and allowed to consume clear liquids the day before VCE. The small-bowel cleansing was graded as "complete" if the entire wall was assessable, "incomplete" if more than 50% of the wall was visible, and "insufficient" if less than 50% of the wall was visible., Results: In group A, a "complete", "incomplete" and "insufficient" small-bowel cleansing was achieved in 42%, 39% and 19% of cases respectively. In group B, a "complete", "incomplete" and "insufficient" small-bowel cleansing was achieved in 43%, 33% and 24% of cases respectively. No significant differences were observed between the two groups, regarding small-bowel cleansing level (p=0.65). No differences were also observed in the diagnostic yield (48.2%, 13.8% and 38% vs 65.5%, 6.9% and 27.6% of positive, suspicious and no findings respectively, in groups A and B [p=0.39]) and small-bowel transit times (mean 288min and 299 min in groups A and B respectively [p=0.70])., Conclusions: The results of the present study do not support the use of 2l of a polyethylene glycol and simethicone solution before VCE., (Copyright 2009 Editrice Gastroenterologica Italiana S.r.l. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Recently reports have indicated that both cimetidine and ranitidine delay cell proliferation in rats following 70% partial hepatectomy and result in an increased mortality following this procedure. The present study was designed to determine whether three H2 blocking agents (cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine) and a new, powerful antisecretory drug (omeprazole) specifically influence hepatocyte proliferation in primary culture. Hepatocytes were isolated from livers of normal male rats by the standard collagenase perfusion technique. Hepatic DNA synthesis and percent of labelled nuclei were determined after 48 h incubation. Hepatocytes in culture were incubated with the H2 blocking agents and omeprazole or with different concentrations of serum obtained from sham-operated or 70% hepatectomized rats treated or not with the same agents. Rats were injected intraperitoneally at 8:00 a.m. on two consecutive days. In hepatectomized rats, the first dose was injected at 8:00 a.m. immediately after surgery, the second, 24 h later. The serum of sham-operated or 70% hepatectomized rats that did not receive drugs served as control. No changes in DNA synthesis, percentage of labelled nuclei and transaminase were detected when the agents were added to the hepatocytes in culture at concentrations within the effective pharmacological dosage and 30 times higher. Similarly, no changes in these parameters were obtained when different concentrations of serum obtained from sham-operated rats treated with H2 blocking agents or omeprazole were added to the basal culture medium. However, a significant inhibition of DNA synthesis and of percentage of labelled nuclei was observed when hepatocytes were incubated in the presence of serum from 70% hepatectomized rats that had been treated with cimetidine or with ranitidine. The serum of 70% hepatectomized rats treated with famotidine and omeprazole had no effect on hepatocyte proliferation in vitro. No effect on transaminase was found in these conditions.