All patients underwent mechanical bowel preparation and received a single intravenous dose of flomoxef immediately before operation .


Probiotics were administered in Group A ; oral antibiotics were administered in Group B ; and neither probiotics nor oral antibiotics were administered in Group C. Stool samples were collected @ and @ days before and @ and @ days after the procedure .


Clostridium difficile toxin and the number of bacteria in the intestine were determined .


The rates of incisional surgical-site infection were @ % , @ % , and @ % in Groups A , B , and C , and the rates of leakage were @ % , @ % , and @ % in Groups A , B , and C , respectively , indicating that both rates were lesser in Group B than in Groups A and C ( P = @ and P = @ , respectively ) .


The detection rates of C. difficile toxin were not changed among the three groups .


We recommend oral antibiotics , rather than probiotics , as bowel preparation for elective colon cancer procedures to prevent surgical-site infections .


Orthodontic appliances can promote accumulation of dental plaque , with associated enamel decalcification or gingival inflammation .


The aim of this study was to examine longer-term microbiological changes during orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances .


Twenty-four orthodontic patients aged @-@ years undergoing fixed appliance therapy were recruited into the study .


Each was randomized for cross-mouth assignment of molar bands and bonded molar tubes to contralateral quadrants of the mouth .


All patients received self-ligating brackets , but again using randomization , one upper lateral incisor bracket ( left or right ) also received an elastomeric ligature .


Plaque samples from the molars and upper lateral incisors were obtained at intervals during treatment and up to @ year after appliance removal .


Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and @S rDNA microarray were used to compare plaque microbial fingerprints .


Plaque populations changed within @ months of commencing treatment at all sites .


The greatest differences in plaque composition were seen with self-ligating brackets with an elastomeric ligature .


Post-treatment plaque associated with both types of molar attachment contained increased levels of periodontal pathogens Porphyromonas gingivalis , Tannerella forsythia , and Eubacterium nodatum , while Campylobacter rectus , Parvimonas micra , and Actinomyces odontolyticus were also elevated with bonds .


The results suggest that orthodontic treatment may cause sustained changes in plaque microbiotas and that molar bond-associated plaque may have raised disease potential .


Oral corticosteroids were used to control stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) decades ago .


However , recent guidelines do not recommend long-term oral corticosteroids ( LTOC ) use for stable COPD patients , partly because it causes side-effects such as respiratory muscle deterioration and immunosuppression .


Nonetheless , the impact of LTOC on life prognosis for stable COPD patients has not been clarified .


We used the data of patients randomized to non-surgery treatment in the National Emphysema Treatment Trial .


Severe and very severe stable COPD patients who were eligible for volume reduction surgery were recruited at @ clinical centers in the United States and randomized during @-@ .


Patients were followed-up for at least five years .


Hazard ratios for death by LTOC were estimated by three models using Cox proportional hazard analysis and propensity score matching .


The pre-matching cohort comprised @ patients ( prescription of LTOC : @ % .


Age : @ year old .


Female : @ % .


Percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second : @ % .


Mortality during follow-up : @ % ) .


Hazard ratio using a multiple-variable Cox model in the pre-matching cohort was @ ( P = @ ) .


Propensity score matching was conducted with @ parameters ( C-statics : @ ) .


The propensity-matched cohort comprised of @ LTOC ( + ) cases and @ LTOC ( - ) cases ( prescription of LTOC : @ % .


No parameters differed between cohorts .


The hazard ratio using a single-variable Cox model in the propensity-score-matched cohort was @ ( P = @ ) .


The hazard ratio using a multiple-variable Cox model in the propensity-score-matched cohort was @ ( P = @ ) .


LTOC may increase the mortality of stable severe and very severe COPD patients .


Induction methods for therapeutic cooling are under investigated .


We compared the effectiveness and safety of cold infusions ( CI ) and nasopharyngeal cooling ( NPC ) for cooling induction in stroke patients .


A prospective , open-label , randomised ( @:@ ) , single-centre pilot trial with partially blinded safety endpoint assessment was conducted at the neurointensive care unit of Heidelberg University .


Intubated stroke patients with an indication for therapeutic cooling and an intracranial pressure ( ICP ) / temperature brain probe were randomly assigned to CI ( @C , @L at @L/h ) or NPC ( @L/min for @ h ) .


Previous data suggested a maximum decrease of tympanic temperature for CI ( @ L within @ min ) after @ min .


Therefore the study period was @ hour ( @ min subperiods I-IV ) .


The brain temperature course was the primary endpoint .


Secondary measures included continuous monitoring of neurovital parameters and extracerebral temperatures .


Statistical analysis based on repeated-measures analysis of variance .


Of @ patients screened , @ were randomized within @ months .


Infusion time of @L CI was @ min in @ patients and @ patients received NPC for @ min .


During active treatment ( first @ min ) , brain temperature decreased faster with CI than during NPC ( I : -@ @ versus -@ @ C , P = @ ; II : -@ @ versus -@ @ C , P = @ ) .


In the CI-group , after the infusion was finished , the intervention no longer decreased brain temperature , which increased after @ min .


Oesophageal temperature correlated best with brain temperature during CI and NPC .


Tympanic temperature reacted similarly to relative changes of brain temperature during CI , but absolute values slightly differed .


CI provoked three severe adverse events during subperiods II-IV ( two systolic arterial pressure ( SAP ) , one shivering ) compared with four in the NPC-group , all during subperiod I ( three SAP , one ICP ) .


Classified as possibly intervention-related , two cases of ventilator failure occurred during NPC .


In intubated stroke patients , brain cooling is faster during CI than during NPC .


Importantly , contrary to previous expectations , brain cooling stopped soon after CI cessation .


Oesophageal but neither bladder nor rectal temperature is suited as surrogate for brain temperature during CI and NPC .


Several severe adverse events in CI and in NPC demand further studying of safety .


Despite widespread popularity , text messaging has rarely been used for data collection in clinical research .


This paper reports on the development , feasibility , acceptability , validity , and discriminant utility of a single item depression rating scale , delivered weekly via an automated SMS system , as part of a large randomised controlled trial .


@ depressed patients ( BDI-II score @ ) were recruited from primary care into a randomised trial of acupuncture versus counselling or usual care , and invited to opt into a repeated-measures text messaging sub-study .


Two weeks following random allocation , trial participants were sent a weekly text message for @ weeks .


Texts were a single question asking , on a scale from @ to @ , the extent to which they felt depressed .


Feasibility and acceptability of the automated SMS system were evaluated according to cost , ease of implementation , proportion consenting , response rates , and qualitative feedback .


Concurrent validity was estimated by correlating SMS responses with the Patient Health Questionnaire ( PHQ-@ ) .


SMS responses were compared between groups over time to explore treatment effects .


@ ( @ % ) trial participants consented to the texting sub-study , of whom @ ( @ % ) responded to at least one message .


Participants provided a valid response to an average of @ messages .


Invalid responses accounted for @ % of texts .


The automated SMS system was quick to set-up , inexpensive , and well received .


Comparison of PHQ-@ and SMS responses at @ months demonstrated a moderate to high degree of agreement ( Kendall 's tau-b = @ , p < @ , n = @ ) .


SMS depression scores over the @ weeks differed significantly between trial arms ( p = @ ) , with participants allocated to the acupuncture and counselling arms reporting improved depression outcomes compared to usual GP care alone , which reached statistical significance ten weeks after randomisation .


Overall , the single item SMS scale also appeared more responsive to changes in depression , resulting from treatment , than the PHQ-@ .


Automated SMS systems offer a feasible and acceptable means of monitoring depression within clinical research .


This study provides clear evidence to support the regular use of a simple SMS scale as a sensitive and valid outcome measure of depression within future randomised controlled trials .


To explore the effectiveness and safety of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation ( TEAS ) combined with infusion of propofol in anodynia bronchoscopy .


Ninety patients who received selective bronchoscopy were randomized into a group of compound TEAS with infusion of propofol ( group A ) , a group of compound fentanyl with propofol ( group B ) and a group of simple propofol ( group C ) .


In group A , the plaster electrode stimulation was applied at bilateral Hegu ( LI @ ) , Laogong ( PC @ ) , Neiguan ( PC @ ) and Waiguan ( TE @ ) .


The anesthesia was induced after @ min of stimulation till the end of examination .


In group B and group C , the electric stimulation was not adopted .


In group B , before anesthesia , fentanyl @ microg/kg was injected intravenously .


Afterwards , the intravenous infusion of propofol was used in the the three groups for anesthesia .


The mean arterial pressure ( MAP ) , heart rate ( HR ) , saturation of pulse oximetry ( SpO@ ) and respiratory rate ( RR ) were recorded at different time points .


The induced dosage and total dosage of propofol , examination time , the awakening time and adverse reactions were observed in the patients of each group .


The difference in examination time was not significant among the three groups ( P > @ ) .


The postoperative awakening time in group A was earlier than that in group B and group C -LSB- ( @ + / - @ ) s vs ( @ + / - @ ) s , ( @ + / - @ ) s , both P < @ -RSB- .


The total dosage of propofol in group C was larger than those in group A and group B -LSB- ( @ + / - @ ) mg vs ( @ + / - @ ) mg , ( @ + / - @ ) mg , both P < @ -RSB- .


The induced dosage in group C was larger than those in group A and group B -LSB- ( @ + / - @ ) mg vs ( @ + / - @ ) mg , ( @ + / - @ ) mg , both P < @ -RSB- .


Every life physical sign in group A during examination was more stable as compared with that in group B and group C.


The incidence of hypotension and bradycardia in group A were lower than those in group C -LSB- @ % ( @/@ ) vs @ % ( @/@ ) , @ % ( @/@ ) vs @ % ( @/@ ) , both P < @ -RSB- .


The adverse incidence of oxygen supply in group A was lower than that in group B -LSB- @ % ( @/@ ) vs @ % ( @/@ ) , P < @ -RSB- .


Intraoperative awareness and improper memory did not happen in postoperative investigation .


In the transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation combined with infusion of propofol in anodynia bronchoscopy , the physical sign of patient is stable with less adverse reactions .


This method reduces anesthetic dosage and shortens the postoperative awakening time , which can be effectively applied in bronchoscopy .


The purpose of this study was to assess the association between positive post-radiation therapy ( RT ) biopsy results and subsequent clinical outcomes in males with localized prostate cancer .


Radiation Therapy Oncology Group study @-@ analyzed @ males with prostate cancer , stage T@b-T@b and prostate-specific antigen concentrations of @ ng/dL , to investigate whether @ months of total androgen suppression ( TAS ) added to RT improved survival compared to RT alone .


Patients randomized to receive TAS received flutamide with luteinizing hormone releasing hormone ( LHRH ) agonist .


According to protocol , patients without evidence of clinical recurrence or initiation of additional endocrine therapy underwent repeat prostate biopsy @ years after RT completion .


Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of positive post-RT biopsy results on clinical outcomes .


A total of @ patients underwent post-RT biopsy , @ were treated with RT alone and @ with RT plus TAS .


Patients with positive post-RT biopsy results had higher rates of biochemical failure ( hazard ratio -LSB- HR -RSB- = @ ; @ % confidence interval -LSB- CI -RSB- = @-@ @ ) and distant metastasis ( HR = @ ; @ % CI = @-@ @ ) and inferior disease-specific survival ( HR = @ ; @ % CI = @-@ @ ) .


Positive biopsy results remained predictive of such outcomes after correction for potential confounders such as Gleason score , tumor stage , and TAS administration .


Prior TAS therapy did not prevent elevated risk of adverse outcome in the setting of post-RT positive biopsy results .


Patients with Gleason score @ with a positive biopsy result additionally had inferior overall survival compared to those with a negative biopsy result ( HR = @ ; @ % CI = @-@ @ ) .


Positive post-RT biopsy is associated with increased rates of distant metastases and inferior disease-specific survival in patients treated with definitive RT and was associated with inferior overall survival in patients with high-grade tumors .


To compare the extent of bleeding and patient discomfort during packing removal of three different polyvinyl alcohol ( PVA ) packs : @ ) a standard PVA sponge ( s-PVA ) ( Mondocel Standard @ cm ; Mondomed NV , Hamont-Achel , Belgium ) ; @ ) a PVA sponge with oxidized cellulose ( oc-PVA ) ( Merocel Hemox @ cm ; Medtronic Xomed Surgical Products , Jacksonville , FL ) ; and @ ) a PVA sponge with polyethylene film ( pf-PVA ) ( Merocel @ @ cm ; Medtronic Xomed Surgical Products , Jacksonville , FL ) , after functional endoscopic sinus surgery and inferior turbinoplasty .


A prospective , randomized , blinded , controlled trial .


Ninety consecutive patients were enrolled and randomized to receive in each side one pack in the middle meatus and another pack of the same material in the nasal fossa .


The patients were equally divided in three groups of @ patients each .


Group A received the pf-PVA ; group B received oc-PVA ; and group C received s-PVA .


Postoperatively , bleeding after removal of the entire nasal packing was evaluated by an observer , whereas the severity of pain was rated by patients with visual analog scales .


Our study evaluated three nasal packing materials , demonstrating that the pf-PVA is less painful than the others but with intermediate bleeding ratio .


However , the oc-PVA has an intermediate pain score but minimum bleeding .


The s-PVA showed the worst pain and bleeding results .


Considering that removal of the second pack ( middle meatus ) is more painful than the first ( nasal fossa ) , our results suggest that a pf-PVA can be placed in the middle meatus and a oc-PVA in the nasal fossa in order to reduce patient 's discomfort in terms of pain and bleeding .


To compare patency and overall survival achieved with covered versus uncovered metallic stents among patients with inoperable malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction .


There were @ patients enrolled in this prospective randomized study between January @ and July @ .


Mean age of patients was @ years ( range , @-@ y ) .


The malignancies causing extrahepatic biliary obstruction were pancreatic cancer ( n = @ ) , stomach cancer ( n = @ ) , gallbladder cancer ( n = @ ) , common bile duct cancer ( n = @ ) , and other cancer types ( n = @ ) .


Uncovered ( n = @ ) and covered ( n = @ ) stents were used .


Stent patency , overall survival , and complications were evaluated and statistically compared .


Mean patency of uncovered stents ( @ d @ ) was significantly longer than mean patency of covered ones ( @ d @ ; P = @ ) .


Mean overall survival was @ days @ for uncovered stents , which was statistically similar to survival of @ days @ for covered stents ( P = @ ) .


Causes of recurrent obstruction included tumor ingrowth ( n = @ ) , tumor overgrowth ( n = @ ) , debris or food material ( n = @ ) , and stent migration ( n = @ ) .


One case of acute cholecystitis occurred in covered stent group .


Uncovered metallic stents had superior patency duration than covered stents for patients with malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction .


However , the overall complication and survival rates achieved with covered and uncovered stents were similar .


To evaluate the clinical and microbiological effects of neodymium : yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser therapy as an adjunct to scaling and root planing during the hygienic phase .


In eight patients , sites with a mean probing pocket depth ( PPD ) of @ mm were treated by either scaling and root planing ( n = @ ) ( control ) or by scaling and root planing and adjunctive laser therapy ( n = @ ) ( power : @W ) .


Re-evaluation was at @-@ weeks .


Thereafter , remaining pockets ( mean PPD @ mm ) were eliminated by either laser surgery ( power : @ W ) or gingivectomy ( control ) .


At baseline , the mean PPD of sites originally presenting with a mean PPD @ mm were @ and @ mm in the test and control sites , respectively .


Six months following surgery , there was a similar average mean PPD reduction in the test ( @ mm , P < @ ) and control sites ( @ mm , P < @ ) .


Also , the reduction in bleeding on probing in both groups was statistically significant ( P < @ , paired t-tests ) .


No statistically-significant differences between the test and control sites were found for any clinical or microbiological parameters at baseline , after initial , and @ or @ months ' post-surgical therapy .


During the hygienic phase , neodymium : yttrium-aluminum-garnet ( @ nm ) laser treatment yielded no superiority in clinical efficacy compared to conventional debridement .


Laser gingivectomy resulted in similar treatment outcomes ( mean PPD and bleeding on probing reduction ) , as did conventional gingivectomy .


A pilot study to compare the effectiveness of an individual therapy program with the effects of a general physical therapy program .


A randomized , single-blind cross-over design .


Ten ambulant children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy , age four to nine years .


Participants were randomly assigned into a ten-week individually defined , targeted or a general program , followed by a cross-over .


Evaluation was performed using the Gross Motor Function Measure-@ and three-dimensional gait analysis .


General outcome parameters were Gross Motor Function Measure-@ scores , time and distance parameters , gait profile score and movement analysis profiles .


Individual goal achievement was evaluated using z-scores for gait parameters and Goal Attainment Scale for gross motor function .


No significant changes were observed regarding gross motor function .


Only after individualized therapy , step - and stride-length increased significantly ( p = @ ; p = @ ) .


Change in step-length was higher after the individualized program ( p = @ ) .


Within-group effects were found for the pelvis in transversal plane after the individualized program ( p = @ ) and in coronal plane after the general program ( p = @ ) .


Between-program differences were found for changes in the knee in sagittal plane , in the advantage of the individual program ( p = @ ) .


A median difference in z-score of @ and @ was measured after the general and individualized program , respectively .


Functional goal attainment was higher after the individual therapy program compared with the general program ( @ to @ ) .


The results indicate slightly favorable effects towards the individualized program .


To detect clinically significant changes , future studies require a minimal sample size of @ to @ participants .


Mental illness stigma is a serious societal problem and a critical impediment to treatment seeking for mentally ill people .


To improve the understanding of mental illness stigma , this study focuses on the simultaneous analysis of people 's aetiological beliefs , attitudes ( i.e. perceived dangerousness and social distance ) , and recommended treatments related to several mental disorders by devising an over-arching latent structure that could explain the relations among these variables .


Three hundred and sixty university students randomly received an unlabelled vignette depicting one of six mental disorders to be evaluated on the four variables on a Likert-type scale .


A one-factor Latent Class Analysis ( LCA ) model was hypothesized , which comprised the four manifest variables as indicators and the mental disorder as external variable .


The main findings were the following : ( a ) a one-factor LCA model was retrieved ; ( b ) alcohol and drug addictions are the most strongly stigmatized ; ( c ) a realistic opinion about the causes and treatment of schizophrenia , anxiety , bulimia , and depression was associated to lower prejudicial attitudes and social rejection .


Beyond the general appraisal of mental illness an individual might have , the results generally point to the acknowledgement of the specific features of different diagnostic categories .


The implications of the present results are discussed in the framework of a better understanding of mental illness stigma .


We examined data from a Phase @ trial -LCB- NCT@ -RCB- of ivacaftor , a CFTR potentiator , in cystic fibrosis ( CF ) patients with aG@D mutation to evaluate standardized approaches to sweat chloride measurement and to explore the use of sweat chloride and nasal potential difference ( NPD ) to estimate CFTR activity .


Sweat chloride and NPD were secondary endpoints in this placebo-controlled , multicenter trial .


Standardization of sweat collection , processing , and analysis was employed for the first time .


Sweat chloride and chloride ion transport ( NPD ) were integrated into a model of CFTR activity .


Within-patient sweat chloride determinations showed sufficient precision to detect differences between dose-groups and assess ivacaftor treatment effects .


Analysis of changes in sweat chloride and NPD demonstrated that patients treated with ivacaftor achieved CFTR activity equivalent to approximately @ % @ % of normal .


Sweat chloride is useful in multicenter trials as a biomarker of CFTR activity and to test the effect of CFTR potentiators .


This study aims to determine whether vitamin D levels are associated with menopause-related symptoms in older women .


A randomly selected subset of @,@ women , among @,@ potentially eligible participants of the Women 's Health Initiative Calcium and Vitamin D trial of postmenopausal women aged @ to @ years , had @-hydroxyvitamin D -LSB- @ ( OH ) D -RSB- levels measured at the Women 's Health Initiative Calcium and Vitamin D trial baseline visit .


Information about menopause-related symptoms at baseline was obtained by questionnaire and included overall number of symptoms and composite measures of sleep disturbance , emotional well-being , and energy/fatigue , as well as individual symptoms .


After exclusions for missing data , @ women ( mean -LSB- SD -RSB- age , @ -LSB- @ -RSB- y ) were included in these analyses .


Borderline significant associations between @ ( OH ) D levels and total number of menopausal symptoms were observed ( with P values ranging from @ to @ for fully adjusted models ) ; however , the effect was clinically insignificant and disappeared with correction for multiple testing .


No associations between @ ( OH ) D levels and composite measures of sleep disturbance , emotional well-being , or energy/fatigue were observed ( P 's > @ for fully adjusted models ) .


There is no evidence for a clinically important association between serum @ ( OH ) D levels and menopause-related symptoms in postmenopausal women .


Hypothermia in patients undergoing major clean surgery results in higher incidence of perioperative complications .


The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the additional use of a thermal reflective blanket can prevent hypothermia in patients undergoing primary unilateral total hip or knee replacement surgery .


A randomized , single-blinded study design was used .


A total of @ patients were randomized , @ received a thermal reflective blanket , and @ did not .


Outcome measures included core temperature , thermal comfort , and shivering .


The mean of the lowest core temperature was below @C in both the groups ( @ C vs @ C ) ; thermal comfort and shivering were not significantly different between the groups .


A thermal reflective blanket did not prevent hypothermia in this group of patients .


Labelling of food from fast food restaurants at point-of-purchase has been suggested as one strategy to reduce population energy consumption and contribute to reductions in obesity prevalence .


The aim of this study was to examine the effects of energy and single traffic light labelling systems on the energy content of child and adult intended food purchases .


The study employed a randomised controlled trial design .


English speaking parents of children aged between three and @ years were recruited from an existing research cohort .


Participants were mailed one of three hypothetical fast food menus .


Menus differed in their labelling technique either energy labels , single traffic light labels , or a no-label control .


Participants then completed a telephone survey which assessed intended food purchases for both adult and child .


The primary trial outcome was total energy of intended food purchase .


A total of @ participants completed the follow-up telephone interview .


Eighty-two percent of the energy labelling group and @ % of the single traffic light labelling group reported noticing labelling information on their menu .


There were no significant differences in total energy of intended purchases of parents , or intended purchases made by parents for children , between the menu labelling groups , or between menu labelling groups by socio-demographic subgroups .


This study provided no evidence to suggest that energy labelling or single traffic light labelling alone were effective in reducing the energy of fast food items selected from hypothetical fast food menus for purchase .


Additional complementary public health initiatives promoting the consumption of healthier foods identified by labelling , and which target other key drivers of menu item selection in this setting may be required .


The local anaesthetics used in day-case spinal anaesthesia should provide short recovery times .


We aimed to compare hyperbaric prilocaine and bupivacaine in terms of sensory block resolution and time to home readiness in day-case spinal anaesthesia .


MeTHODS : Fifty patients undergoing perianal surgery were randomized into two groups .


The bupivacaine-fentanyl group ( Group B ) received @ mg , @ % hyperbaric bupivacaine + @ g fentanyl in total @ mL .


The prilocaine-fentanyl group ( Group P ) received @ mg , @ % hyperbaric prilocaine + @ g fentanyl in the same volume .


Time to L@ block and maximum block was shorter in Group P than in Group B ( Group P @ @ min versus Group B @ @ min , P = @ , and Group P @ @ min versus Group B @ @ min , P = @ ) .


The time to L@ regression and S@ regression of the sensorial block was significantly shorter in Group P than in Group B ( @ @ min versus @ @ min , P = @ , and @ @ min versus @ @ min , P < @ ) .


The mean time to home readiness was shorter for Group P than for Group B ( @ @ min versus @ @ min ( P < @ ) ) .


Day-case spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric prilocaine + fentanyl is superior to hyperbaric bupivacaine in terms of earlier sensory block resolution and home readiness and the surgical conditions are comparable for perianal surgery .


The present randomized study was designed to compare the efficacy between two active vitamin D analogs , alfacalcidol ( ACD ) and maxacalcitol ( OCT ) , for the management of mild secondary hyperparathyroidism ( SHPT ) in dialysis patients .


SHPT in all @ patients analyzed in the study was initially treated with OCT. .


Once patients ' intact PTH levels decreased to the target range of @ - @ pg/mL , they were randomized either to switch to ACD at @ g/day ( n = @ ) , or to remain on an effectively unchanged dose of OCT ( n = @ ) .


Phosphate , calcium , and intact PTH levels were measured every @ weeks for @ weeks and vitamin D doses were changed according to target ranges of phosphate ( @ - @ mg/dL ) , calcium ( albuminadjusted calcium : @ - @ mg/dL ) , and intact parathyroid hormone ( @ - @ pg/mL ) .


Achievement rates of the target ranges of the parameters were estimated .


Baseline calcium levels in the OCT group were significantly higher than in the ACD group .


Changes in achievement rates of target ranges of intact PTH and calcium during the study did not differ significantly between the vitamin D drugs .


Changes in calcium levels in the OCT and ACD groups were similar during the study .


Achievement rates of the target range of phosphate in both groups were also similar until @ weeks , although the rate in the OCT group declined at @ weeks .


The efficacy and safety of OCT for the treatment of mild SHPT are similar to those of ACD in hemodialysis patients .


Trimetazidine has been shown to improve angina pectoris and left ventricular ( LV ) function in diabetic patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy .


The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of trimetazidine on recurrent angina pectoris and LV structure after drug-eluting stent ( DES ) implantation in elderly multivessel coronary heart disease ( CHD ) patients with diabetes mellitus ( DM ) and a left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF ) of @ % .


This was a single-centre , prospective , randomized , double-blind evaluation study .


Between January @ and September @ , @ CHD patients with DM who were aged @ years and undergoing coronary angiography at An Zhen Hospital ( Beijing , China ) were recruited and prospectively randomized to receive trimetazidine ( @ mg three times daily ) or placebo after DES implantation as an addition to conventional CHD treatment .


The primary end points were the incidence of recurrent angina pectoris and measures of various echocardiographic parameters , which included LVEF .


At @-year follow-up , patients in the trimetazidine group ( n = @ ) showed significant improvements in the incidence ( P = @ ) and severity of angina pectoris , compared with the control group , as well as silent myocardial ischaemia ( P = @ ) and angina pectoris-free survival ( P = @ ) .


LV function and structure in trimetazidine-treated patients were relatively stable at @-year follow-up , while they deteriorated in the control group ( n = @ ) with a significant difference between groups ( all P < @ ) .


The E peak to A peak ( E/A ) ratio in trimetazidine-treated patients and in the control group decreased after @ years ; the E/A ratio in trimetazidine-treated patients was slightly better than that in the control group , without a significant difference ( P = @ ) .


There was no significant difference in event-free survival for the composite end point including death , myocardial infarction , cerebrovascular accident ( P = @ ) and subsequent revascularization ( P = @ ) .


Adjunctive therapy with trimetazidine after DES implantation can have a beneficial effect on recurrent angina pectoris as well as LV function and structure in elderly multivessel CHD patients with DM .


To study the factors affecting long-term treatment results of displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures ( DIACFs ) .


A post hoc analysis .


Tertiary care teaching hospitals .


Eight to twelve years of results from a randomized controlled multicenter trial of operative versus nonoperative treatment ( n = @ ) were divided into @ groups : the superior @ % results ( n = @ ) and the inferior @ % results ( n = @ ) , regardless of the treatment given .


The determinant of this division was a visual analog score for pain and function .


The operative treatment consists of open reduction and internal fixation , whereas the nonoperative treatment consists of nonweight bearing and early range of motion exercise .


A visual analog score for pain and function , the short-form @ ( SF-@ ) general health outcome questionnaire , the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ( AOFAS ) hindfoot scale , and Olerud-Molander score .


We compared age , sex , fracture type ( Sanders classification ) , treatment given , Bhler angle , residual articular surface step-off at healing , type of occupation , and injury insurance between the @ groups .


Patients of the superior group had higher physical SF-@ , AOFAS , and Olerud-Molander score than in the inferior group .


Operative treatment , better Bhler angle and articular surface restoration , light labor/retirement , and absence of injury insurance were more common in the superior group .


Age , sex , pretreatment Bhler angle , and fracture type were comparable in the superior and inferior groups .


The decision making for definitive treatment of intraarticular calcaneal fractures is multifactorial with a spectrum of results and trends such as patient demographic features that should be considered in choosing the best treatment option .


Prognostic Level II .


See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence .


This phase II study examined the efficacy of mapatumumab in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ) .


Patients with stage IIIB or stage IV advanced primary NSCLC were randomly assigned ( @:@:@ ) to receive up to @ courses of standard-dose paclitaxel and carboplatin or a combination of paclitaxel , carboplatin , and mapatumumab ( @ mg/kg or @ mg/kg ) .


Primary efficacy end points were overall response rate and median progression-free survival ( PFS ) .


Secondary efficacy end points included disease control rate , overall survival ( OS ) , time to response , and duration of response .


Exploratory studies included evaluation of historical biopsy materials for TRAIL-R@ expression by immunohistochemical analysis and serum levels of M@ , a marker of apoptosis , before and after the first @ doses of mapatumumab .


Safety parameters , including adverse events ( AEs ) , laboratory tests , and immunogenicity , were assessed .


The majority of patients had stage IV disease ( @ % ) and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group ( ECOG ) performance status of @ ( @ % ) ; baseline characteristics were similar across treatment arms .


No improvements in response or disease control rates , PFS , or OS were gained from the addition of mapatumumab .


Adverse events in the mapatumumab arms were generally consistent with toxicities seen in the carboplatin and paclitaxel control arm .


Levels of M@ were highly variable , and consistent patterns were not seen across treatment arms .


This study showed no clinical benefit from adding mapatumumab to carboplatin and paclitaxel in unselected patients with NSCLC .


The combination was generally well tolerated .


The possibility of subgroups sensitive to mapatumumab is discussed .


In the context of a group randomized field trial , we evaluated whether parents who participated in a workplace intervention , designed to increase supervisor support for personal and family life and schedule control , reported significantly more daily time with their children at the @-month follow-up compared with parents assigned to the Usual Practice group .


We also tested whether the intervention effect was moderated by parent gender , child gender , or child age .


The Support-Transform-Achieve-Results Intervention was delivered in an information technology division of a US Fortune @ company .


Participants included @ parents ( @ % mothers ) of a randomly selected focal child aged @ to @ years ( @ % daughters ) who completed daily telephone diaries at baseline and @ months after intervention .


During evening telephone calls on @ consecutive days , parents reported how much time they spent with their child that day .


Parents in the intervention group exhibited a significant increase in parent-child shared time , @ minutes per day on average , between baseline and the @-month follow-up .


By contrast , parents in the Usual Practice group averaged @ fewer minutes with their child per day at the @-month follow-up .


Intervention effects were evident for mothers but not for fathers and for daughters but not sons .


The hypothesis that the intervention would improve parents ' daily time with their children was supported .


Future studies should examine how redesigning work can change the quality of parent-child interactions and activities known to be important for youth health and development .


Otolaryngology residents need concise , easily accessible modules to expand educational opportunities between surgical cases .


These modules should be inexpensive to create and improve learning outcomes .


The purpose of this pilot study was to assess whether otolaryngology residents at multiple institutions used online video modules to supplement their studying for the Otolaryngology Training Exam , whether the modules had any effect on their Otolaryngology Training Examination Scores , and to obtain survey feedback about the modules .


This randomized trial was conducted in @ academic departments of otolaryngology in the United States among @ residents enrolled in @ otolaryngology residency programs .


Residents were randomized into @ groups , one with access to the educational modules and the other with no access .


Otolaryngology training examination scores were obtained from the year prior to the intervention ( @ ) and the year following module access ( @ ) .


Residents with access to the modules were also surveyed to assess use and obtain feedback about the modules .


Otolaryngology training examination scores improved significantly from @ to @ among both residents who had access to the modules and those who did not in the sections of head and neck , laryngology , and sleep medicine .


However , scores in the sections of pediatric otolaryngology ( @ % increase , P = @ ) , otology ( @ % increase , P = @ ) , and facial plastic surgery ( @ % increase , P = @ ) improved from @ to @ only among residents with access to the modules .


All respondents rated the videos as very helpful , with a rating of @ of @ on a Likert scale .


Online otolaryngology educational modules are an inexpensive way to expand resident learning opportunities .


Despite the lack of quantifiable improvement in otolaryngology training examination scores in this study , use of online modules sends a message to otolaryngology residents that their education is a priority ; self-study outside the hospital and clinics is necessary and expected ; and that instructors are willing to try more nontraditional or progressive forms of education to increase resident knowledge .


The aim of the present prospective , randomized , controlled , clinical study was to compare the outcomes of periradicular surgery of the maxillary first molar tooth using the vestibular approach between @ preoperative radiologic evaluation methods : cone beam computed tomography ( CBCT ) and conventional radiography .


Periradicular surgery was applied to the maxillary first molar tooth in @ patients .


The patients were divided into @ groups .


The patients in group @ underwent examination and preoperative planning with CBCT , and the patients in group @ underwent examination and preoperative planning with conventional radiography .


The outcomes of the treatment were evaluated radiographically and clinically , and the data were analyzed statistically .


The mean operative time was significantly shorter in group @ than in group @ .


According to the radiographic and clinical healing criteria used in the present study , the healing of patients in group @ was rated as a success in @ % , an improvement in @ % , and a failure in @ % .


In the group @ patients , healing was rated as a success in @ % , an improvement in @ % , and a failure in @ % .


Sinus membrane elevation was performed in @ % of all patients .


Sinus membrane perforation occurred in @ % of the patients in group @ and @ % of the patients in group @ .


Periradicular surgery of maxillary first molars using a vestibular approach is a viable treatment method with a low complication rate .


Preoperative CBCT examination demonstrated positive contributions to the treatment outcomes .


To evaluate safety and visual outcomes after proton beam irradiation ( PBI ) therapy for subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation ( CNV ) secondary to causes other than age-related macular degeneration ( AMD ) .


This study is a prospective , unmasked and randomised clinical trial using two dosage regimens , conducted in the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary .


The study included @ patients with CNV secondary to non-AMD and best-corrected visual acuity of @/@ or better .


Patients were randomly assigned to receive @ or @ cobalt gray equivalents ( CGE ) of PBI in two equal fractions .


Complete ophthalmological examinations , fundus photography and fluorescein angiography were performed at baseline and @ , @ , @ and @months after treatment .


At @year after treatment , @ % and @ % lost fewer than @ lines of vision in the @ CGE and in @ CGE groups , respectively .


At @years after therapy , @ % in the lower dose group and @ % in the higher dose group lost fewer than @ lines of vision .


Mild radiation complications such as radiation vasculopathy developed in @ % of patients .


PBI is a safe and efficacious treatment for subfoveal CNV not due to AMD .


The data with respect to visual outcomes and radiation complications trend in favour of the @ CGE group , although differences do not reach statistical significance .


PBI may be considered as an alternative to current therapies .


Recently , rimabotulinumtoxinB has been increasingly used as an off-label treatment of primary axillary hyperhidrosis ( PAH ) .


However , the optimal conversion ratios for onabotulinumtoxinA and rimabotulinumtoxinB remain to be determined .


To compare effectiveness , satisfaction level , and safety of rimabotulinumtoxinB with onabotulinumtoxinA at a conversion ratio of @:@ for the treatment of PAH .


Adults with PAH were enrolled in this bilaterally paired single-subject study .


Each patient was randomly treated with @,@ U rimabotulinumtoxinB on @ axilla and @ U onabotulinumtoxinA contralaterally .


Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale was assessed before and after treatment up to @ weeks .


A @-cm visual analog scale representing improvement of hidrotic symptom and starch-iodine test were also used to assess therapeutic efficacy .


Twenty-four patients completed the study .


Both groups showed comparable and efficacious anhidrotic effects through @ weeks for any variable .


There were no significant differences in terms of the onset of action or mean duration of action between the @ groups .


Overall satisfaction with the treatment was equally high in both groups .


Both toxins showed comparable anhidrotic effect for the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis at a conversion ratio of @:@ .


Video capsule endoscopy ( VCE ) is recommended as the first exploration in obscure digestive bleeding .


The efficiency of the PillCam SB@ ( Given Imaging ) has been widely reported .


The CapsoCam capsule ( Capsovision ) has four cameras allowing the exploration of the small bowel through @ lateral viewing .


This system does not include a recording system so the capsule has to be retrieved by the patient after expulsion in order for the film to be downloaded .


The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic concordance ( kappa value ) of the PillCam SB@ and CapsoCam capsules in the same patients .


This was a prospective comparative study in four French referral endoscopy units .


Consecutive patients ingested the two capsules @ hour apart and in a randomized order .


In the @ included patients there were @ technical issues ( @ CapsoCam , @ PillCam SB@ ) .


Of the @ patients with analyzable data , and following expert review of all discordant cases , a concordant positive diagnosis was obtained in @ ( @ % ) and a negative diagnosis was obtained and @ patients ( @ % ) .


Concordance was good , with a kappa value of @ in analyzable patients , and @ % diagnosis with CapsoCam vs. @ % with PillCam SB@.CapsoCam and PillCam SB@ procedures identified @ % ( @/@ ) and @ % ( @/@ ) of positive patients , respectively ( P = @ ) .


In a per lesion analysis , the CapsoCam capsule detected significantly more lesions ( @ vs. @ lesions ; P = @ ) .


Reading time was longer for CapsoCam procedures ( @ vs. @ minutes ; P = @ ) .


This study shows comparable efficiency of the CapsoCam and PillCam SB@ capsule systems in terms of diagnostic yield and image quality .


The impact of omega-@ polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) for prevention of atrial fibrillation ( AF ) is still part of a lively debate .


The present study evaluates the impact of orally administered omega-@ ethyl ester concentrate ( omega-@ PUFA ) on postoperative onset of AF in patients with recent myocardial infarction ( @ months ) undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting ( CABG ) .


Patients and


The study included a total of @ patients with recent ( @ months ) myocardial infarction .


The treatment group consisted of @ prospectively and randomly assigned patients .


A matched control group was generated out of the entirety of patients undergoing isolated CABG during the same time period , being not treated with omega-@ PUFA .


Primary endpoint was onset of postoperative AF .


Patients of the treatment group received a daily dose of @g omega-@ PUFA , initiated @ days before surgery .


Effective serum levels were confirmed by laboratory testing .


Patients of the treatment group had less frequently postoperative AF ( treatment : @ % vs. control : @ % ; p = @ ) .


The reduction in relative risk was @ % in the treatment group , which conforms a number needed to treat ( NNT ) of @ patients .


A more pronounced effect with a NNT of @ was observed in patients@ years ( p = @ ) .


Besides , patients of the treatment group had a shorter intensive care unit stay ( p = @ ) and suffered less frequently from impaired wound healing by trend ( p = @ ) .


One patient out of treatment group and two out of control group died during hospital stay ( p = @ ) .


Preoperative administration of @g omega-@ PUFA reduces incidence of postoperative AF in patients with recent ( @ months ) myocardial infarction undergoing isolated CABG .


Magnesium enhances the effect of rocuronium .


Sugammadex reverses rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block .


The authors investigated whether magnesium decreased the efficacy of sugammadex for the reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block .


Thirty-two male patients were randomized in a double-blinded manner to receive magnesium sulfate ( MgSO@ ) @ mg/kg or placebo intravenously before induction of anesthesia with propofol , sufentanil , and rocuronium @ mg/kg .


Neuromuscular transmission was monitored using TOF-Watch SX acceleromyography ( Organon Ltd. , Dublin , Ireland ) .


In @ patients , sugammadex @ mg/kg was administered intravenously at reappearance of the second twitch of the train-of-four ( moderate block ) .


In @ further patients , sugammadex @ mg/kg was administered intravenously at posttetanic count @ to @ ( deep block ) .


Primary endpoint was recovery time from injection of sugammadex to normalized train-of-four ratio @ .


Secondary endpoint was recovery time to final T@ .


Average time for reversal of moderate block was @ min ( SD , @ ) in patients pretreated with MgSO@ and @ min ( @ ) in those pretreated with placebo ( P = @ ) .


Average time for reversal of deep block was @ min ( @ ) in patients pretreated with MgSO@ and @ min ( @ ) in those pretreated with placebo ( P = @ ) .


Times to final T@ were longer compared with times to normalized train-of-four ratio @ , without any difference between patients pretreated with MgSO@ or placebo .


Pretreatment with a single intravenous dose of MgSO@ @ mg/kg does not decrease the efficacy of recommended doses of sugammadex for the reversal of a moderate and deep neuromuscular block induced by an intubation dose of rocuronium .


Systemic glucocorticoids reduce the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia among extremely preterm infants , but they may compromise brain development .


The effects of inhaled glucocorticoids on outcomes in these infants are unclear .


We randomly assigned @ infants ( gestational age , @ weeks @ days to @ weeks @ days ) to early ( within @ hours after birth ) inhaled budesonide or placebo until they no longer required oxygen and positive-pressure support or until they reached a postmenstrual age of @ weeks @ days .


The primary outcome was death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia , confirmed by means of standardized oxygen-saturation monitoring , at a postmenstrual age of @ weeks .


A total of @ of @ infants assigned to budesonide for whom adequate data were available ( @ % ) , as compared with @ of @ infants assigned to placebo for whom adequate data were available ( @ % ) , died or had bronchopulmonary dysplasia ( relative risk , stratified according to gestational age , @ ; @ % confidence interval -LSB- CI -RSB- , @ to @ ; P = @ ) .


The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia was @ % in the budesonide group versus @ % in the placebo group ( relative risk , stratified according to gestational age , @ ; @ % CI , @ to @ ; P = @ ) ; death occurred in @ % and @ % of the patients , respectively ( relative risk , stratified according to gestational age , @ ; @ % CI , @ to @ ; P = @ ) .


The proportion of infants who required surgical closure of a patent ductus arteriosus was lower in the budesonide group than in the placebo group ( relative risk , stratified according to gestational age , @ ; @ % CI , @ to @ ; P = @ ) , as was the proportion of infants who required reintubation ( relative risk , stratified according to gestational age , @ ; @ % CI , @ to @ ; P = @ ) .


Rates of other neonatal illnesses and adverse events were similar in the two groups .


Among extremely preterm infants , the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia was lower among those who received early inhaled budesonide than among those who received placebo , but the advantage may have been gained at the expense of increased mortality .


( Funded by the European Union and Chiesi Farmaceutici ; ClinicalTrials.gov number , NCT@ . )


To observe the impact of Xinkeshu on top of standard medication on psychological stress-related emotional and biophysiological parameters in patients with mental stress-induced myocardial ischemia ( MSIMI ) .


A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on @ patients with MSIMI and patients were randomized into treatment group ( n = @ ) and control group ( n = @ ) by random number table method .


Patients in the treatment group received Xinkeshu ( @ capsules/d ) on top of standard therapy , and the control group received placebo on top of standard therapy .


Serum homocysteine ( Hcy ) , Patient Health Questionnaire-@ ( PHQ-@ ) , Generalized Anxiety Disorder-@ ( GAD-@ ) , left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF ) and left ventricular fractional shortening ( LVFS ) were compared between the groups at baseline and after @ weeks therapy .


( @ ) Baseline data were similar between the @ groups ( all P > @ ) .


( @ ) After @ weeks , LVFS was significantly increased ( from ( @ @ ) % to ( @ @ ) % , P = @ ) and serum Hcy ( from ( @ @ ) mol/L to ( @ @ ) mol/L ) , PHQ-@ ( from @ @ to @ @ ) and GAD-@ ( from @ @ to @ @ ) were significantly reduced in treatment group ( all P < @ ) compared to baseline .


In the control group , only GAD-@ was significantly reduced ( from @ @ to @ @ , P = @ ) after @ weeks therapy compared to baseline ( P < @ ) while other parameters remained unchanged ( all P > @ ) .


Xinkeshu on the top of standard therapy can improve the emotional state and left ventricular systolic function in patients with MSIMI .


To study the effect of protocolized measurement ( three times daily ) of the Modified Early Warning Score ( MEWS ) versus measurement on indication on the degree of implementation of the Rapid Response System ( RRS ) .


A quasi-experimental study was conducted in a University Hospital in Amsterdam between September and November @ .


Patients who were admitted for at least one overnight stay were included .


Wards were randomized to measure the MEWS three times daily ( `` protocolized '' ) versus measuring the MEWS `` when clinically indicated '' in the control group .


At the end of each month , for an entire seven-day week , all vital signs recorded for patients were registered .


The outcomes were categorized into process measures including the degree of implementation and compliance to set monitoring standards and secondly , outcomes such as the degree of delay in physician notification and Rapid Response Team ( RRT ) activation in patients with raised MEWS ( MEWS@ ) .


MEWS calculations from vital signs occurred in @ % ( @/@ ) on the protocolized wards versus @ % ( @/@ ) in the control group .


Compliance with the protocolized regime was presents in @ % ( @/@ ) , compliance in the control group was present in @ % ( @/@ ) of the measurements .


There were @ calls to primary physicians on the protocolized and @ calls on the control wards .


Additionally on protocolized wards , there were twice as much RRT calls per admission .


Vital signs and MEWS determination three times daily , results in better detection of physiological abnormalities and more reliable activations of the RRT .


Influenza virus infection-induced inflammatory responses are associated with fever and other symptoms .


Although macrolide antibiotics ( macrolides ) provide anti-inflammatory effects , these effects have not been well studied in influenza patients .


We examined the effects of clarithromycin on influenza symptoms .


A randomized , prospective , and open-label study was performed between December @ and March @ and between December @ and March @ in patients with pandemic A/H@ @ influenza or seasonal influenza virus infections .


Patients aged > @ years received either neuraminidase inhibitors ( control group ) or clarithromycin plus neuraminidase inhibitors ( clarithromycin group ) .


Body temperature and other symptoms were recorded for @ days after initiating treatment .


Serum interleukin ( IL ) -@ and IL-@ levels were also measured .


Herein , @ patients were enrolled over the two influenza seasons , and data from @ patients were analyzed .


All patients showed fever and other symptoms , including rhinorrhea ( n = @ ) , cough ( n = @ ) , sore throat ( n = @ ) , arthralgia or myalgia ( n = @ ) , and general malaise ( n = @ ) .


Fever duration was approximately @ % shorter in patients with temperatures @ C ( p = @ ) , decreasing from @ h to @ h. Among patients with pandemic influenza infections ( n = @ ) , the rhinorrhea improvement rate was higher in the clarithromycin group ( p = @ ; @ % vs. @ % ) .


Serum IL-@ levels decreased @ days after treatment , but no differences between the two groups were detected .


Clarithromycin may have the additional clinical benefit of improving fever , the main symptom of influenza , in patients treated with neuraminidase inhibitors .


Community-based participatory research ( CBPR ) approaches that involve community and academic partners in activities ranging from protocol design through dissemination of study findings can increase recruitment of medically underserved and underrepresented racial/ethnic minority populations into biomedical research .


Five cancer screening and prevention trials in three National Cancer Institute ( Bethesda , MD ) - funded Community Networks Program Centers ( CNPC ) , in Florida , Kansas , and South Carolina , were conducted across diverse populations .


Data were collected on total time period of recruitment , ratios of participants enrolled over potential participants approached , selected CBPR strategies , capacity-building development , and systematic procedures for community stakeholder involvement .


Community-engaged approaches used included establishing colearning opportunities , participatory procedures for community-academic involvement , and community and clinical capacity building .


A relatively large proportion of individuals identified for recruitment was actually approached ( between @ % and @ % ) .


The proportion of subjects who were eligible among all those approached ranged from @ % to more than @ % ( in the community setting ) .


Recruitment rates were very high ( @ % -@ % of eligible individuals approached ) and the proportion who refused or who were not interested among those approached was very low ( @ % -@ % ) .


Recruitment strategies used by the CNPCs were associated with low refusal and high enrollment ratios of potential subjects .


Adherence to CBPR principles in the spectrum of research activities , from strategic planning to project implementation , has significant potential to increase involvement in biomedical research and improve our ability to make appropriate recommendations for cancer prevention and control programming in underrepresented diverse populations .


CBPR strategies should be more widely implemented to enhance study recruitment .


Affecting mother and child , malaria during pregnancy ( MiP ) provokes a double morbidity and mortality burden .


Within a package of interventions to prevent MiP in endemic areas , the WHO currently recommends intermittent preventive treatment ( IPTp ) .


Concerns about anti-malarial resistance have however prompted interest in intermittent screening and treating ( IST ) as an alternative approach to IPTp .


IST involves screening for malaria infection at scheduled antenatal care ( ANC ) clinic visits and treating malaria cases .


In light of the need to comprehensively evaluate new interventions prior to roll out , this article explores the acceptability of IST with artemether-lumefantrine ( AL ) compared to IPTp with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine ( SP ) and in Upper East Region , northern Ghana .


Data were collected alongside an open-label , randomized , controlled trial of IST-AL and IPTp-SP in Kassena-Nankana District .


Thirty pregnant women enrolled in the clinical trial participated in six focus group discussions .


Ten in-depth interviews were carried out with clinical trial staff .


Observations were also made at the health facilities where the clinical trial took place .


Trial participants were generally willing to endure the discomfort of the finger prick necessary for a rapid diagnostic test for malaria and this reflected a wider demand for diagnostic techniques .


Reports of side effects were however linked to both trial anti-malarials .


Direct complaints about SP were particularly severe with regard to women 's experience of vomiting .


Although the follow-up treatment doses of AL for IST were not supervised , based on blister inspection and questioning trial , staff were confident about participants ' adherence to the treatment course .


One case of partial adherence to the AL treatment course was reported .


Despite the discomfort of the finger prick required to perform the intermittent malaria screening , trial participants generally expressed more positive sentiments towards IST-AL than IPTp-SP .


Nonetheless , questions remain about adherence to a multiple dose anti-malarial regimen during pregnancy , particularly in endemic areas where MiP is often non-symptomatic .


Any implementation of IST must be accompanied by appropriate health messages on adherence and the necessary training for health staff regarding case management .


The treatment of patients with varicose veins constitutes a considerable workload and financial burden to the National Health Service .


This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy ( UGFS ) and endovenous laser ablation ( EVLA ) compared with conventional surgery as treatment for primary varicose veins .


Participant cost and utility data were collected alongside the UK CLASS multicentre randomized clinical trial , which compared EVLA , surgery and UGFS .


Regression methods were used to estimate the effects of the alternative treatments on costs to the health service and quality-adjusted life-years ( QALYs ) at @ months .


A Markov model , incorporating available evidence on clinical recurrence rates , was developed to extrapolate the trial data over a @-year time horizon .


Compared with surgery at @ months , UGFS and EVLA reduced mean costs to the health service by @ and @ respectively .


When additional overhead costs associated with theatre use were included , these cost savings increased to @ and @ respectively .


UGFS produced @ fewer QALYs , whereas EVLA produced @ additional QALYs .


Extrapolating to @ years , EVLA was associated with increased costs and QALYs compared with UGFS ( costing @ per QALY gained ) , and generated a cost saving ( @-@ ) and QALY gain ( @ ) compared with surgery .


Applying a ceiling willingness-to-pay ratio of @ @ per QALY gained , EVLA had the highest probability ( @ per cent ) of being cost-effective .


The results suggest , for patients considered eligible for all three treatment options , that EVLA has the highest probability of being cost-effective at accepted thresholds of willingness to pay per QALY .


This study investigated whether self-reports of alcohol-related postings on Facebook by oneself or one 's Facebook friends were related to common motives for drinking and were uniquely predictive of self-reported alcohol outcomes ( alcohol consumption , problems , and cravings ) .


Pacific Northwest undergraduates completed a survey of alcohol outcomes , drinking motives , and alcohol-related Facebook postings .


Participants completed the survey online as part of a larger study on alcohol use and cognitive associations .


Participants were randomly selected through the university registrar 's office and consisted of @,@ undergraduates ( @ men , @ women , @ transgender , @ declined to answer ) between the ages of @ and @ years ( M = @ , SD = @ ) at a large university in the Pacific Northwest .


Seven participants were excluded from analyses because of missing or suspect data .


Alcohol-related postings on Facebook were significantly correlated with social , enhancement , conformity , and coping motives for drinking ( all ps < @ ) .


After drinking motives were controlled for , self-alcohol-related postings independently and positively predicted the number of drinks per week , alcohol-related problems , risk of alcohol use disorders , and alcohol cravings ( all ps < @ ) .


In contrast , friends ' alcohol-related postings only predicted the risk of alcohol use disorders ( p < @ ) and marginally predicted alcohol-related problems ( p = @ ) .


Posting alcohol-related content on social media platforms such as Facebook is associated with common motivations for drinking and is , in itself , a strong predictive indicator of drinking outcomes independent of drinking motives .


Moreover , self-related posting activity appears to be more predictive than Facebook friends ' activity .


These findings suggest that social media platforms may be a useful target for future preventative and intervention efforts .


We aimed to compare the effectiveness of intravenous piracetam with that of intravenous dimenhydrinate in the treatment of acute peripheral vertigo in the emergency department .


This double-blind study comprised a total of @ patients , aged between @ and @ years , who had presented to the emergency department of Ankara Training and Research Hospital and were diagnosed with peripheral vertigo .


Evaluation of the severity of the patients ' vertigo was performed using a visual analogue scale , before and after drug administration .


Both drugs were found to be effective ( p < @ ) and had comparable effects ( p < @ ) .


Dimenhydrinate was also found to have about two times the side effects of piracetam .


Drowsiness was found to be the most common side effect of these two drugs .


Dimenhydrinate and piracetam have similar levels of effectiveness with regard to acute vertigo .


We conclude that piracetam , which has fewer side effects than dimenhydrinate , better vestibular compensation , and is effective for both acute and chronic vertigo , could be more frequently used in the emergency treatment of acute vertigo .


Chronic constipation is frequent in children .


The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of PEG @ and lactulose for the treatment of chronic constipation in young children .


This randomised , double-blind study enrolled @ young children aged @ to @ months , who were randomly assigned to receive lactulose ( @ g per day ) or PEG @ ( @ g per day ) for four weeks .


The primary efficacy variable was stool frequency during the fourth week of treatment .


Secondary outcomes were the number and frequency of subjective symptoms associated with defecation at each visit .


Stool frequency was comparable in the two groups at baseline ( lactulose : @ @ ; PEG @ : @ @ ) .


Mean stool frequency increased from @ @ stools/day at baseline to @ @ at Week @ in the lactulose group and from @ @ to @ @ stools/day in the PEG @ group .


A significant difference was observed in the adjusted mean change from baseline , which was @ stools/day in the lactulose group and @ stools/day in the PEG @ group , with a least-squares mean difference of @ stools/day -LSB- @ % CI : @ to @ -RSB- .


With respect to secondary outcome variables , stool consistency and ease of stool passage improved more in the PEG @ group ( p = @ ) .


The incidence of adverse events was similar in both groups , the majority of which were mild .


PEG @ has superior efficacy to lactulose for the treatment of chronic constipation in young children and is well tolerated .


Stem cell-based therapy has emerged as a potential therapy in acute myocardial infarction ( AMI ) .


Although various approaches have been studied , intracoronary injection of bone marrow autologous mononuclear cells ( BMMC ) and the ability of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor ( G-CSF ) to mobilize endogenous cells have attracted the most attention .


This study compares , for the first time , the efficacy of BMMC injection , G-CSF mobilization , and the combination of both with standard treatment .


On Day @ after primary percutaneous coronary intervention , @ patients were randomized to a @ ) intracoronary BMMC injection ; @ ) mobilization with G-CSF ; @ ) both ( BMMC injection plus G-CSF ) ; or @ ) conventional treatment ( control group ) .


G-CSF , @ g/kg/day subcutaneously , was started Day @ and maintained for @ days .


BMMC injection was performed on Days @ to @ .


Our primary endpoint was absolute change in @-month left ventricular ejection fraction ( LVEF ) and left ventricular end-systolic volume ( LVESV ) relative to baseline measured by cardiac magnetic resonance .


The mean change in LVEF between baseline and follow-up for all patients was @ @ % ( p = @ ) .


Change in LVEF and LVESV over time did not differ significantly among the @ groups .


Patients actively treated with any stem cell approach showed similar changes in LVEF and LVESV versus control subjects , with a small but significant reduction in infarct area ( p = @ ) .


In our study , @ different bone marrow-derived stem cell approaches in AMI did not result in improvement of LVEF or volumes compared with standard AMI care ( Trial of Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Acute Myocardial Infarction -LSB- TECAM -RSB- ; NCT@ ) .


The impact of anaesthetic agents on cognitive recovery during the first post-operative week in a middle-aged population undergoing general anaesthesia is insufficiently studied .


We hypothesised that patients receiving anaesthesia based on desflurane would have a quicker recovery and regain cognitive capacity faster than patients receiving anaesthesia based on propofol .


We performed a prospective , randomised , single-blinded study comparing the effects of desflurane and propofol as primary anaesthetic agents on cognitive recovery in @ American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System I-II women undergoing breast surgery .


Cognitive recovery was evaluated using the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire and a modified version of the Post-operative Quality of Recovery Scale .


Post-operative cognitive recovery according to Cognitive Failure Questionnaire was @ % and @ % at @h , and @ % and @ % at @ week for the desflurane and the propofol groups , respectively .


Recovery according to Post-operative Quality of Recovery Scale was @ % and @ % at @h , increasing to @ % and @ % at @h for the desflurane and the propofol groups , respectively .


At the final point of measurement ( Cognitive Failure Questionnaire @ week , Post-operative Quality of Recovery Scale @h ) , many of the patients had still not reached their baseline cognitive performance .


There was no difference in overall cognitive recovery between the desflurane and propofol groups .


Cognitive recovery was not complete @ week after surgery in any of the groups .


There was no difference in the rate of cognitive recovery in middle-aged patients receiving desflurane or propofol anaesthesia during ambulatory breast surgery .


The purpose of this study was to compare the discomfort and surgical outcomes of a piezosurgery device with those of rotatory instruments in lower third molar extraction .


A split-mouth , randomized , unblinded clinical study was designed ; the @ molars had to have the same extraction difficulty score .


The test side was extracted using a piezosurgery technique and the control side was extracted using a conventional handpiece .


The primary endpoint was patient discomfort evaluated with the Postoperative Symptom Severity ( PoSSe ) scale , which was administered to each patient ; secondary endpoints were pain , trismus , swelling , and surgical time evaluation .


Paired-samples t test and repeated-measures analysis of variance were used to compare outcomes within patients .


Ten consecutive patients ( @ female , @ male ; mean age , @ @ yr ) were recruited .


The total score on the PoSSe scale was significantly lower for piezosurgery compared with the conventional rotating handpiece ( @ @ vs @ @ ; t = -@ ; P = @ ) .


Moreover , postoperative swelling @ week after surgery was significantly lower for piezosurgery than for the conventional rotating handpiece ( @ @ vs @ @ cm ; t = -@ ; P = @ ) .


Piezosurgery was associated with less postoperative discomfort and yielded better results for swelling .


Piezosurgery seems to be a good technique in daily surgical practice , especially if applied in the critical steps in which safety and respect for soft tissue , bone , and nerves are necessary .


Many strategies have been evaluated to improve the prevention and control of cardiovascular ( CVD ) risk factors .


Nursing telephonic and tele-counseling individualized lifestyle educational programs have been found to improve blood pressure control and adherence to lifestyle recommendation .


This study tested the efficacy of a nurse-led reminder program through email ( NRP-e ) to improve CVD risk factors among hypertensive adults .


All participants received usual CVD prevention and a guideline-based educational program .


Subjects in the NRP-e group also received weekly email alerts and phone calls from a nurse care manager for @ months .


Emails contained a reminder program on the need for adherence with a healthy lifestyle based upon current guidelines .


Follow-up visits were scheduled at @ , @ and @ months after enrollment ; randomization was made centrally and blood samples were evaluated into a single laboratory .


The final sample consisted of @ ( control ) and @ ( NRP-e ) subjects ( mean age @ @ years ; @ % males ) .


After @ months , the following CVD risk factors significantly improved in both groups : body mass index , alcohol and fruit consumption , cigarette smoking , adherence to therapy hours , systolic and diastolic blood pressure , fasting blood glucose , low-density lipoproteins ( LDL ) and total cholesterol , triglycerides , and physical activity .


In the NRP-e group , however , the prevalence of several behaviors or conditions at risk decreased significantly more than in the control group : obesity ( -@ % ) , low fruit consumption ( -@ % ) , uncontrolled hypertension ( -@ % ) , LDL ( -@ % ) , and total cholesterol ( -@ % ) .


The NRP-e improved a range of CVD risk factors .


The program had low costs , required only an average of < @ min per day in addition to normal practice , and may deserve further evaluation for the inclusion among existing care management approaches .


Epilepsy is the most common neurological problem that affects people with learning disabilities .


The high seizure frequency , resistance to treatments , associated skills deficit and co-morbidities make the management of epilepsy particularly challenging for people with learning disabilities .


The Books Beyond Words booklet for epilepsy uses images to help people with learning disabilities manage their condition and improve quality of life .


Our aim is to conduct a randomized controlled feasibility trial exploring key methodological , design and acceptability issues , in order to subsequently undertake a large-scale randomized controlled trial of the Books Beyond Words booklet for epilepsy .


We will use a two-arm , single-centre randomized controlled feasibility design , over a @-month period , across five epilepsy clinics in Hertfordshire , United Kingdom .


We will recruit @ eligible adults with learning disabilities and a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy and will randomize them to use either the Books Beyond Words booklet plus usual care ( intervention group ) or to receive routine information and services ( control group ) .


We will collect quantitative data about the number of eligible participants , number of recruited participants , demographic data , discontinuation rates , variability of the primary outcome measure ( quality of life : Epilepsy and Learning Disabilities Quality of Life scale ) , seizure severity , seizure control , intervention 's patterns of use , use of other epilepsy-related information , resource use and the EQ-@D-@L health questionnaire .


We will also gather qualitative data about the feasibility and acceptability of the study procedures and the Books Beyond Words booklet .


Ethical approval for this study was granted on @ April @ , by the Wales Research Ethics Committee @ .


Recruitment began on @ July @ .


The outcomes of this feasibility study will be used to inform the design and methodology of a definitive study , adequately powered to determine the impact of the Books Beyond Words intervention to improve the management of epilepsy in people with learning disabilities .


To study the efficacy and safety of low-dose oral tetrahydrocannabinol ( THC ) in the treatment of dementia-related neuropsychiatric symptoms ( NPS ) .


This is a randomized , double-blind , placebo-controlled study .


Patients with dementia and clinically relevant NPS were randomly assigned to receive THC @ mg or matched placebo ( @:@ ) @ times daily for @ weeks .


Primary outcome was change in Neuropsychiatric Inventory ( NPI ) , assessed at baseline and after @ and @ days .


Analyses were based on intention-to-treat .


Twenty-four patients received THC and @ received placebo .


NPS were reduced during both treatment conditions .


The difference in reduction from baseline between THC and placebo was not significant ( mean difference NPItotal : @ , @ % confidence interval -LSB- CI -RSB- -@ to @ ) , nor were changes in scores for agitation ( Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory @ , @ % CI -@ to @ ) , quality of life ( Quality of Life-Alzheimer 's Disease -@ , @ % CI -@ to @ ) , or activities of daily living ( Barthel Index @ , @ % CI -@ to @ ) .


The number of patients experiencing mild or moderate adverse events was similar ( THC , n = @ ; placebo , n = @ , p = @ ) .


No effects on vital signs , weight , or episodic memory were observed .


Oral THC of @ mg daily showed no benefit in NPS , but was well-tolerated , which adds valuable knowledge to the scarce evidence on THC in dementia .


The benign adverse event profile of this dosage allows study of whether higher doses are efficacious and equally well-tolerated .


This study provides Class I evidence that for patients with dementia-related NPS , low-dose THC does not significantly reduce NPS at @ days , though it is well-tolerated .


This study aimed to investigate the effects of an interpersonal-psychotherapy-oriented postnatal psychoeducation programme on postpartum depressive symptoms , social support and maternal role competence in Chinese first-time mothers .


A randomized , controlled trial was conducted in the postnatal unit of a regional hospital in China .


The intervention consisted of a @-h education session before discharge and one telephone follow-up within the @ weeks after discharge from the hospital .


One hundred and eighty first-time Chinese mothers were randomly assigned to the study group ( n = @ ) or the control group ( n = @ ) .


Outcomes of the study included symptoms of postpartum depression , social support and maternal role competence which were measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale , the Perceived Social Support Scale and the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale-Efficacy subscale , respectively .


Women receiving the postnatal psychoeducation programme had significantly fewer depressive symptoms ( Mean -LSB- SD -RSB- = @ -LSB- @ -RSB- versus @ -LSB- @ -RSB- ; t = -@ ; p = @ ) , higher level of social support ( Mean -LSB- SD -RSB- = @ -LSB- @ -RSB- versus @ -LSB- @ -RSB- ; t = @ ; p = @ ) and better maternal role competence ( Mean -LSB- SD -RSB- = @ -LSB- @ -RSB- versus @ -LSB- @ -RSB- ; t = @ ; p < @ ) at @ weeks postpartum as compared with those who received routine postnatal care .


An interpersonal-psychotherapy-oriented postnatal psychoeducation programme may have the potential to facilitate the Chinese first-time mothers ' transition to motherhood .


A larger trial is needed to test for therapist effects , a full economic evaluation , and whether the intervention is acceptable to staff and feasible to use in current practice .


Reduced epidermal ceramide content may lead to an impaired skin barrier in atopic dermatitis .


Plasma concentration of the ceramide precursor sphingomyelin increases after milk-fat consumption due to affected lipoprotein metabolism , although sphingomyelin , a main component of milk phospholipids , might also directly influence plasma sphingomyelin levels .


The aim was to determine whether supplementation of a dairy drink with milk phospholipids improves skin parameters and influences plasma lipid profile .


In a double-blind cross-over study , @ patients were randomized into @ groups and daily received phospholipid milk ( @g phospholipids @ g sphingomyelin ) or normal whole milk as placebo control for @ weeks .


SCORAD indices , serum immune and plasma lipid parameters were determined .


SCORAD indices did not differ between groups following control and phospholipid milk supplementation ( control milk : @ vs. phospholipid milk : @ , P = @ ) , but were significantly decreased compared to baseline ( baseline : @ , P < @ ) .


Plasma sphingomyelin proportions were also similar after the treatments ( control milk : @ vs. phospholipid milk : @ % of total phospholipids , P = @ ) , but were significantly increased compared to baseline ( @ % of total phospholipids , P < @ ) .


Supplementation of a dairy drink with milk phospholipids has no beneficial effect on skin parameters compared to consumption of whole milk in patients with atopic dermatitis .


To elucidate an impact of the plasma sphingomyelin proportion on skin conditions , further studies are necessary .


Clinical trial ID : Registered under ClinicalTrials.gov .


Identifier no .


NCT@ .


Our study examined the effect of a ChinaYuan ( CNY ) @ cash incentive on the participation rate in a face-to-face health survey among the general Chinese population .


Subjects older than @ years of age and had been living in the two selected districts for more than @ months were selected using multistage random sampling .


Participants from only one district received a cash incentive ( CNY @ ) for completing the survey .


The participation rates in the nonincentive and incentive groups were @ % and @ % , respectively , P < @ .


In the nonincentive group , the @-@ years age group had the highest participation rate ( @ % ) ; no significant difference was found between men ( @ % ) and women ( @ % ) , P = @ .


In the incentive group , the highest participation rate was observed in the @ years ( @ % ) age group .


The cost for a completed interview was CNY @ in the incentive group and CNY @ in the nonincentive group .


Cash incentives might increase participation rates in face-to-face surveys in China .


The absolute cost was higher for the incentive group , whereas cost for a completed interview was actually the lowest .


Furthermore , participation rate did not differ between men and women , but elders were more likely to participate in health surveys .


Vitamin D , its biologically most active metabolite @,@-dihydroxyvitamin D ( @,@ ( OH ) D ) , and the vitamin D receptor ( VDR ) are important for adipose tissue biology .


We extrapolated genomic VDR association loci in adipocytes from @ conserved genome-wide VDR-binding sites in nonfat tissues .


Taking the genes DUSP@ , TRAK@ , NRIP@ , and THBD as examples , we confirmed the predicted VDR binding sites upstream of their transcription start sites and showed rapid mRNA up-regulation of all four genes in SGBS human pre-adipocytes .


Using adipose tissue biopsy samples from @ participants of a @-month vitamin D intervention study , we demonstrated that all four primary VDR target genes can serve as biomarkers for the vitamin D responsiveness of human individuals .


Changes in DUSP@ gene expression appear to be the most comprehensive marker , while THBD mRNA changes characterized a rather different group of study participants .


We present a new approach to predict vitamin D target genes based on conserved genomic VDR-binding sites .


Using human adipocytes as examples , we show that such ubiquitous VDR target genes can be used as markers for the individual 's response to a supplementation with vitamin D.


To examine the relationship between premature ejaculation and plasma melatonin levels , and assess the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treating premature ejaculation .


A total of @ men with lifelong premature ejaculation and @ healthy male controls were included in the present study .


For each participant , a medical history was obtained , a physical examination was carried out , and intravaginal ejaculation latency time and melatonin levels were measured .


Premature ejaculation patients were randomly categorized into three treatment groups : group@ received fluoxetine ( @mg/day ) , group@ received paroxetine ( @mg/day ) and group@ received sertraline ( @mg/day ) .


The mean baseline plasma melatonin levels in men with premature ejaculation were significantly lower than in the healthy controls ( @ vs @ pg/mL ) .


After @weeks of treatment , the mean intravaginal ejaculation latency time scores for all of the premature ejaculation treatment groups showed a significant improvement from the baseline values .


The plasma melatonin levels were also significantly increased ( P < @ ) from baseline ( @ pg/mL ) to @ pg/mL , @ pg/mL or @ pg/mL for groups@ , @ and @ , respectively .


Our findings show that premature ejaculation is associated with decreased plasma melatonin levels .


After treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors , an increased plasma melatonin level can retard ejaculation , presumably by both central and peripheral mechanisms .


This is the first study to evaluate the possible role of serotoninergic interactions on the melatoninergic system in premature ejaculation .


To develop a whole joint scoring system , the Anterior Cruciate Ligament OsteoArthritis Score ( ACLOAS ) , for magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) - based assessment of acute anterior cruciate ligament ( ACL ) injury and follow-up of structural sequelae , and to assess its reliability .


Baseline and follow-up @ T MRI examinations from @ patients of the KANON study , a randomized controlled study comparing a surgical and non-surgical treatment strategy , were assessed for up to six longitudinal visits using a novel MRI scoring system incorporating acute structural tissue damage and longitudinal changes including osteoarthritis ( OA ) features .


Joint features assessed were acute osteochondral injury , traumatic and degenerative bone marrow lesions ( BMLs ) , meniscus morphology and extrusion , osteophytes , collateral and cruciate ligaments including ACL graft , Hoffa-synovitis and effusion-synovitis .


Cross-sectional ( baseline ) and longitudinal ( all time points and change ) intra - and inter-observer reliability was calculated using weighted ( w ) kappa statistics and overall percent agreement on a compartmental basis ( medial tibio-femoral , lateral tibio-femoral , patello-femoral ) .


Altogether @ time points were evaluated .


Intra-observer reliability ranged between @ ( baseline , Hoffa-synovitis ) and @ ( several features ) , percent agreement between @ % ( all time points , Hoffa-synovitis ) and @ % ( several features ) .


Inter-observer reliability ranged between @ and @ , which is explained by low frequency of some of the features .


Altogether , @ % of all assessed @ parameters showed w-kappa values between @ and @ and @ % showed agreement above @ % .


ACLOAS allows reliable scoring of acute ACL injury and longitudinal changes .


This novel scoring system incorporates features that may be relevant for structural outcome not covered by established OA scoring instruments .


Gliomas are among the biggest challenges in neurological and oncology rehabilitation and optimising treatment is of major clinical importance in this population .


Although inpatient rehabilitation among glioma patients ' results in improved functional measures , rehabilitation efforts are still not emphasised in this patient group and the literature lacks studies investigating the impact of outpatient rehabilitation .


This protocol describes a randomised @-week parallel group rehabilitation study investigating an outpatient interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme .


The intervention consists of @weeks intensive physiotherapy as groups exercise in conjunction with @-@weeks of individual occupational therapy if a need is present .


The aim of this study is to describe the design of the upcoming randomised control trial ( RCT ) .


The results of the RCT will add to the growing body of literature investigating the potential role of exercise as a supportive therapeutic intervention for a patient with cancer .


The positive effects of weight loss on obesity-related risk factors diminish unless weight loss is maintained .


Yet little work has focused on the translation of evidence-based weight loss interventions with the aim of sustaining weight loss in underserved populations .


Using a community-based participatory approach ( CBPR ) that engages the strong faith-based social infrastructure characteristic of rural African American communities is a promising way to sustain weight loss in African Americans , who bear a disproportionate burden of the obesity epidemic .


Led by a collaborative community-academic partnership , The WORD aims to change dietary and physical activity behaviors to produce and maintain weight loss in rural , African American adults of faith .


The WORD is a randomized controlled trial with @ participants nested within @ churches .


All churches will receive a @-session core weight loss intervention .


Half of the churches will be randomized to receive an additional @-session maintenance component .


The WORD is a cultural adaptation of the Diabetes Prevention Program , whereby small groups will be led by trained church members .


Participants will be assessed at baseline , @ , @ , and @ months .


A detailed cost-effectiveness and process evaluation will be included .


The WORD aims to sustain weight loss in rural African Americans .


The utilization of a CBPR approach and the engagement of the faith-based social infrastructure of African American communities will maximize the intervention 's sustainability .


Unique aspects of this trial include the focus on weight loss maintenance and the use of a faith-based CBPR approach in translating evidence-based obesity interventions .


Rates of weight-based stigmatization have steadily increased over the past decade .


The psychological and physiological consequences of weight stigma remain understudied .


This study examined the effects of experimentally manipulated weight stigma on the stress-responsive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis ( HPA ) in @ female undergraduate participants ( BMI : M = @ , SD = @ ) .


Objective BMI and self-perceived body weight were examined as moderators of the relationship between stigma and HPA reactivity .


Results indicated participants ' perceptions of their own body weight ( but not objective BMI ) moderated the effect of weight stigma on cortisol reactivity : F ( @,@ ) = @ , P < @ , ( @ ) p = @ ( interaction @ % CI range -LSB- -@ to -@ , -@ to -@ -RSB- ) .


Specifically , participants who perceived themselves as heavy exhibited sustained cortisol elevation post-manipulation compared with individuals who did not experience the weight-related stigma .


Cortisol change did not vary by condition for participants who perceived themselves as average weight .


In the first study to examine physiological consequences of active interpersonal exposure to weight stigma , experiencing weight stigma was stressful for participants who perceived themselves as heavy , regardless of their BMI .


These results are important because stress and cortisol are linked to deleterious health outcomes , stimulate eating , and contribute to abdominal adiposity .


To observe the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture ( EA ) at Neimadian ( Extra ) and Neiguan ( PC @ ) for analgesia after thoracic surgery .


One hundred and twenty cases of thoracic surgery were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture ( EA ) group ( @ cases ) and a medication group ( @ cases ) .


EA was applied at Neimadian ( Extra ) and Neiguan ( PC @ ) for postoperation analgesia in the EA group , while patient-controlled intravenous analgesia ( PCIA ) was applied in the medication group .


The score of visual analogue scale ( VAS ) , analgesia effect , safety and beta-endorphin level after the treatment in both groups were compared .


Compared with those before the treatment , the VAS scores in every time point after surgery were decreased ( all P < @ ) , which were lower in the EA group ( P < @ ) .


The excellent and good rates were @ % ( @/@ ) and @ % ( @/@ ) seperately , the analgesia effect in the EA group ( @ h after operation ) was superior to that in the medication group ( P < @ ) .


The safety degree in EA group was higher to that in the medication group ( P < @ ) .


Compared with that before the treatment , the beta-endorphin level in two groups after treatment was both increased , which was higher in the EA group ( P < @ ) .


Electroacupuncture at Neimadian ( Extra ) and Neiguan ( PC @ ) has better analgesia effect ( @ h after operation ) and safety than PICA on analgesia after thoracic surgery .


To evaluate the short-term effect on spinal mobility , pain perception , neural mechanosensitivity , and full height recovery after high-velocity , low-amplitude ( HVLA ) spinal manipulation ( SM ) in the lumbosacral joint ( L@-S@ ) .


Randomized , double-blind , controlled clinical trial with evaluations at baseline and after intervention .


University-based physical therapy research clinic .


Men ( N = @ ; mean age SD , @ @ y ) with diagnosed degenerative lumbar disease at L@-S@ were randomly divided into @ groups : a treatment group ( TG ) ( n = @ ; mean age SD , @ @ y ) and a control group ( CG ) ( n = @ ; mean age SD , @ @ y ) .


All participants completed the intervention and follow-up evaluations .


A single L@-S@ SM technique ( pull-move ) was performed in the TG , whereas the CG received a single placebo intervention .


Measures included assessing the subject 's height using a stadiometer .


The secondary outcome measures included perceived low back pain , evaluated using a visual analog scale ; neural mechanosensitivity , as assessed using the passive straight-leg raise ( SLR ) test ; and amount of spinal mobility in flexion , as measured using the finger-to-floor distance ( FFD ) test .


The intragroup comparison indicated a significant improvement in all variables in the TG ( P < @ ) .


There were no changes in the CG , except for the FFD test ( P = @ ) .


In the between-group comparison of the mean differences from pre - to postintervention , there was statistical significance for all cases ( P < @ ) .


An HVLA SM in the lumbosacral joint performed on men with degenerative disk disease immediately improves self-perceived pain , spinal mobility in flexion , hip flexion during the passive SLR test , and subjects ' full height .


Future studies should include women and should evaluate the long-term results .


To compare the clinical efficacy of warmed irrigation fluid and room-temperature fluid in decreasing perioperative hypothermia during arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery .


In this prospective , randomized , comparative study , warmed ( @C ) arthroscopic irrigation fluid ( group W , n = @ ) or room-temperature irrigation fluid ( group RT , n = @ ) was used without intraoperative warming devices during arthroscopic shoulder surgery in @ patients .


The serial core body temperature and the last and lowest core body temperatures were measured by use of an esophageal stethoscope with a thermometer and a digital tympanic thermometer at @-minute intervals during the operation and recovery period , respectively .


When patients arrived in the postanesthesia care unit ( PACU ) after surgery , they were warmed immediately and monitored thereafter for body temperature and development of hypothermia-related adverse effects such as postoperative shivering and cardiac events .


We evaluated the changes in the patients ' weight and prothrombin time on postoperative day @ and the hemoglobin level and visual analog scale pain score immediately after the operation and on postoperative day @ .


The @ groups did not differ in demographic and surgical data and incidence of intraoperative hypothermia ( @ of @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- in group RT and @ of @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- in group W , P = @ ) .


The core body temperatures decreased throughout the surgery and increased linearly in the PACU , without any intergroup differences ( P > @ ) .


All patients were normothermic within @ hour of arrival in the PACU .


The @ groups did not differ in postoperative weight change , prothrombin time , hemoglobin level , or postoperative visual analog scale pain score ( all P > @ ) .


Postoperative shivering occurred in @ patients and @ patient in group RT and group W , respectively .


No cardiac events occurred in either group .


Warmed irrigation fluid was not superior to room-temperature irrigation fluid in reducing the occurrence of perioperative hypothermia during arthroscopic shoulder surgery .


Level I , randomized controlled trial .


Sweat testing in young infants ( @ months ) with a positive newborn screen for Cystic Fibrosis ( CF ) can yield higher rates of inadequate sweat collection .


The role of salt supplements in improving sweat collection has not been studied before .


All young infants referred to our CF center for sweat testing were randomized to either receive salt supplements -LCB- @/@th teaspoon salt ( @ mg ) -RCB- mixed in formula feeds @ day prior to sweat testing ( study group ) or no salt supplement ( controls ) .


Of the @ young infants that underwent sweat testing over @ months , @ received salt supplements , while @ did not .


A total of @ ( @ % ) infants in the salt supplement group had inadequate sweat collection , as compared to @ ( @ % ) infants in the control group ( p = @ , Fisher 's Exact Test ) .


Oral salt supplementation for young infants prior to sweat testing does not help to reduce the rates of inadequate sweat collection .


Although the relationship between smoking and prostate cancer risk is inconsistent , some studies show that smoking is associated with prostate cancer mortality .


Whether this reflects delayed diagnosis or direct smoking-related effects is unknown .


REDUCE , which followed biopsy-negative men with protocol-dictated prostate-specific antigen ( PSA ) - independent biopsies at @ and @ years , provides an opportunity to evaluate smoking and prostate cancer diagnosis with minimal confounding from screening biases .


Logistic regression was conducted to test the association between smoking and cancer on the first on-study biopsy ( no cancer , low-grade Gleason @-@ , high-grade Gleason @-@ ) in REDUCE .


Of @,@ men with complete data and @ on-study biopsy , @,@ ( @ % ) never smoked , @ ( @ % ) were current smokers , and @,@ ( @ % ) were former smokers .


Among men with negative first on-study biopsies , smokers were @ % less likely to receive a second on-study biopsy ( P < @ ) .


At first on-study biopsy , @ ( @ % ) men had cancer .


Both current and former smoking were not significantly associated with either total or low-grade prostate cancer ( all P > @ ) .


Current ( OR = @ , P = @ ) but not former smokers ( OR = @ , P = @ ) were at increased risk of high-grade disease .


On secondary analysis , there was an interaction between smoking and body mass index ( BMI ; Pinteraction = @ ) : current smokers with BMI @ kg/m ( @ ) had an increased risk of low-grade ( OR = @ , P = @ ) and high-grade disease ( OR = @ , P = @ ) , with null associations for BMI @ kg/m ( @ ) .