After a median follow-up of @ years , this report analyses @ patients with node-positive breast cancer , and randomly assigned to adjuvant anthracycline-based chemotherapy combined or not with taxanes .


Univariate analyses were used to study the effects of well known prognostic factors and BMI on DFS and OS .


BMI was obtained at baseline , before chemotherapy initiation , and obesity was defined as a BMI@kg/m ( @ ) .


Cox proportional hazards regression models were secondly used to assess the influence of BMI after adjusting for other factors .


Exhaustive analysis of the dose intensity delivered was also studied for comparison between obese and non-obese patients .


Obese patients initially present with more advanced disease at diagnosis compared to non-obese patients .


By univariate analysis , obesity was moderately associated with poorer DFS ( hazard ratio ( HR ) = @ -LSB- @-@ @ -RSB- P = @ ) , but mostly with poorer OS ( HR = @ -LSB- @-@ @ -RSB- P = @ ) .


Delivered dose intensity of anthracyclines and taxanes was not significantly different between obese and non-obese patients .


After adjustment for disease characteristics , BMI had no influence either on DFS or OS .


This report suggests that in a French population , obesity has no impact on breast cancer prognosis when modern adjuvant chemotherapy , at the appropriate dose intensity , is delivered .


We demonstrated the effectiveness of an accelerated hepatitis B vaccination schedule in drug users .


We compared the long-term effectiveness of accelerated ( @-@-@ months ) and standard ( @-@-@ months ) hepatitis B vaccination schedules in preventing hepatitis B virus ( HBV ) infections and anti-hepatitis B ( anti-HBs ) antibody loss during @-year follow-up in @ drug users ( HIV and HBV negative at enrollment and completed @ vaccine doses ) from February @ to October @ .


Drug users in the accelerated schedule group had significantly lower HBV infection rates , but had a similar rate of anti-HBs antibody loss compared with the standard schedule group over @ years of follow-up .


No chronic HBV infections were observed .


Hepatitis C positivity at enrollment and age younger than @ years were independent risk factors for HBV infection and antibody loss , respectively .


An accelerated vaccination schedule was more preferable than a standard vaccination schedule in preventing HBV infections in drug users .


To overcome the disadvantages of a standard vaccination schedule , an accelerated vaccination schedule should be considered in drug users with low adherence .


Our study should be repeated in different cohorts to validate our findings and establish the role of an accelerated schedule in hepatitis B vaccination guidelines for drug users .


Insect bite hypersensitivity ( IBH ) is a common cause of pruritus in horses , but there are few controlled studies on the efficacy of allergen-specific immunotherapy ( ASIT ) .


Atopic dermatitis and IBH can present with overlapping clinical signs ; multiple insect and environmental allergens could be indicated in these horses to achieve effective hyposensitization .


Although the success of ASIT using Culicoides spp .


whole-body extracts is controversial , there are no controlled studies published that clearly show benefit from this form of therapy .


The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of ASIT in horses with IBH using commercially available extracts and tests .


Twenty horses with seasonal pruritus and positive intradermal reactions to a whole Culicoides extract .


An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test ( Allercept ( ) ) was used to detect concurrent allergen-specific IgE for other insects and environmental allergens .


The ASIT was formulated by adding the relevant serologically positive allergens to the Culicoides extract .


After randomization , @ horses received ASIT and the rest a placebo solution .


Clinical response was assessed every @ months during @ year using a clinical scoring system based on the severity of four clinical signs at @ different body regions .


Horses were not stabled and , to minimize dropouts , an insect repellent was used weekly in both groups .


Differences in clinical scores between groups were nonsignificant at any re-evaluation , while both groups improved to a similar extent , probably due to the insecticide treatment .


Using commercially available extracts and tests , we could not demonstrate a beneficial effect of @ year multiple ASIT in nonstabled horses with IBH .


Expanded access to efficacious interventions is needed for women living with human immunodeficiency virus ( WLH ) in the United States .


Availability of `` prevention with ( human immunodeficiency virus -LSB- HIV ) -RSB- positives '' interventions in rural/remote and low HIV prevalence areas remains limited , leaving WLH in these communities few options for receiving effective behavioral interventions such as Healthy Relationships ( HR ) .


Offering such programs via videoconferencing groups ( VGs ) may expand access .


This analysis tests the effectiveness of HR-VG ( versus wait-list control ) for reducing sexual risk behavior among WLH and explores intervention satisfaction .


In this randomized controlled trial unprotected vaginal/anal sex occasions over the prior @ months reported at the @-month follow-up were compared across randomization groups through zero-inflated Poisson regression modeling , controlling for unprotected sex at baseline .


Seventy-one WLH were randomized and completed the baseline assessment ( n = @ intervention and n = @ control ) ; @ ( @ % in each group ) had follow-up data .


Among those who engaged in unprotected sex at @-month follow-up , intervention participants had approximately seven fewer unprotected occasions than control participants ( @ % confidence interval @-@ @ ) .


Intervention participants reported high levels of satisfaction with HR-VG ; @ % reported being `` very satisfied '' overall .


This study found promising evidence for effective dissemination of HIV risk reduction interventions via VGs .


Important next steps will be to determine whether VGs are effective with other subpopulations of people living with HIV ( i.e. , men and non-English speakers ) and to assess cost-effectiveness .


Possibilities for using VGs to expand access to other psychosocial and behavioral interventions and reduce stigma are discussed .


We determined the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of adding an evidence-based Internet behavioral weight loss intervention alone or combined with optional group sessions to ShapeUp Rhode Island @ ( SURI ) , a @-month statewide wellness campaign .


We randomized participants ( n = @ ; body mass index = @ @ kg/m ( @ ) ; @ % female ) to the standard SURI program ( S ) or to @ of @ enhanced programs : SURI plus Internet behavioral program ( SI ) or SI plus optional group sessions ( SIG ) .


The primary outcome was weight loss at the end of the @-month program .


Weight losses differed among all @ conditions ( S : @ % @ % ; SI : @ % @ % ; SIG : @ % @ % ; Ps @ ) .


Both SI and SIG increased the percentage of individuals who achieved a @ % weight loss ( SI : @ % ; SIG : @ % ; S : @ % ; Ps < @ ) .


Cost per kilogram of weight loss was similar for S ( $ @ ) and SI ( $ @ ) ; both were lower than SIG ( $ @ ) .


Although weight losses were greatest at the end of SURI with optional group sessions , the addition of an Internet behavioral program was the most cost-effective method to enhance weight losses .


Individuals with major depressive disorder ( MDD ) are characterized by maladaptive responses to both positive and negative outcomes , which have been linked to localized abnormal activations in cortical and striatal brain regions .


However , the exact neural circuitry implicated in such abnormalities remains largely unexplored .


In this study @ unmedicated adults with MDD and @ matched healthy controls ( HCs ) completed a monetary incentive delay task during functional magnetic resonance imaging ( fMRI ) .


Psychophysiological interaction ( PPI ) analyses probed group differences in connectivity separately in response to positive and negative outcomes ( i.e. monetary gains and penalties ) .


Relative to HCs , MDD subjects displayed decreased connectivity between the caudate and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex ( dACC ) in response to monetary gains , yet increased connectivity between the caudate and a different , more rostral , dACC subregion in response to monetary penalties .


Moreover , exploratory analyses of @ MDD patients who completed a @-week , double-blind , placebo-controlled clinical trial after the baseline fMRI scans indicated that a more normative pattern of cortico-striatal connectivity pre-treatment was associated with greater improvement in symptoms @ weeks later .


These results identify the caudate as a region with dissociable incentive-dependent dACC connectivity abnormalities in MDD , and provide initial evidence that cortico-striatal circuitry may play a role in MDD treatment response .


Given the role of cortico-striatal circuitry in encoding action-outcome contingencies , such dysregulated connectivity may relate to the prominent disruptions in goal-directed behavior that characterize MDD .


To assess the performance of QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube ( QFT-GIT ) test for active tuberculosis ( TB ) in HIV adults , and its variation over time in patients on antiretroviral therapy ( ART ) and/or isoniazide preventive therapy ( IPT ) .


Transversal study and cohort nested in the Temprano ANRS @ randomized controlled trial assessing benefits of initiating ART earlier than currently recommended by World Health Organization , with or without a @-month IPT .


Performance of QFT-GIT for detecting active TB at baseline in the first @ % participants , and @-month incidence of conversion/reversion in the first @ % participants were assessed .


QFT-GIT threshold for positivity was @ IU/ml .


Among the @ first participants ( median baseline CD@ count @/mm@ , positive QFT-GIT test @ % ) , @ % had active TB at baseline .


QFT-GIT sensitivity , specificity , positive and negative predictive value for active TB were @ % , @ % , @ % and @ % .


For the @ patients with a second test at @ months , rates for conversion and reversion were @ % and @ % .


Reversion was more frequent in patients without ART and younger patients .


IPT and early ART were not associated with reversion/conversion .


A negative QFT-GIT could rule out active TB in HIV-infected adults not severely immunosuppressed , thus avoiding repeated TB testing and accelerating diagnosis and care for other diseases .


The aim of the work is to study histomorphometric and histochemical properties of jaw bone loss in patients with full or partial edentulism , need to restoring their dentition integrity by dental implantation .


Cytological studies were carried out in @ patients , among which normal bone mass was observed in @ patients ( @ women and @ men ) , osteopenia in @ patients ( @ women and @ men ) , osteoporosis in @ ( @ women and @ men ) patients .


Histological examination of bone biopsies were performed in @ patients , among which normal bone mass was observed in @ ( @ women and @ men , osteopenia in @ patients ( @ women and @ men ) , osteoporosis in @ ( @ women and @ men ) patients .


Histomorphometric analysis of `` implant-bone '' contact in the entire length of the joint in patients with normal bone mass was @ + / - @ % , with osteopenia was @ + / - @ % , with osteoporosis was @ + / - @ % .


The intensity of bone remodeling in patients with normal bone mass was @ + / - @ , in patients with osteopenia was @ + / - @ , in patients with osteoporosis was @ + / - @ .


This demonstrates the significant difference between the patients with normal bone mass and osteoporotic patients .


The `` implant-bone '' interface in osteoporotic patients was significantly lower than in patients with normal bone mass .


Histomorphometric studies and quantitative histochemical analysis revealed that the decrease of bone mineral mass in patients often combined with a decrease of the `` implant surface-bone '' site contact area , with atrophy and with hypoplasia of perimplant tissues .


Since the @s , fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy has significantly reduced the risk of tumour recurrence in patients with stage III colon cancer .


We aimed to assess whether the addition of cetuximab to standard adjuvant oxaliplatin , fluorouracil , and leucovorin chemotherapy ( FOLFOX@ ) in patients with stage III colon cancer improved disease-free survival ( DFS ) .


For this open-label , randomised phase @ study done in nine European countries , we enrolled patients through an interactive voice response system to the central randomisation centre , with a central stratified permuted block randomisation procedure .


We randomly assigned patients with resected ( R@ ) stage III disease ( @:@ ) to receive @ cycles of FOLFOX@ twice a week with or without cetuximab .


Patients were stratified by N-status ( N@ vs N@ ) , T-status ( T@-@ vs T@ ) , and obstruction or perforation status ( no obstruction and no perforation vs obstruction or perforation or both ) .


A protocol amendment ( applied in June , @ , after @ patients had been randomly assigned to treatment-restricted enrolment to patients with tumours wild-type at codons @ and @ in exon @ of the KRAS gene ( KRAS exon @ wild-type ) .


The primary endpoint was DFS .


Analysis was intention to treat in all patients with KRAS exon @ wild-type tumours .


The study is registered at EudraCT , number @-@-@ .


Between Dec @ , @ , and Nov @ , @ , @ patients from @ sites in Europe were randomly assigned .


Of these patients , @ had KRAS exon @ wild-type tumours ( intention-to-treat population ) , @ in the FOLFOX@ plus cetuximab group and @ in the FOLFOX@ group .


Median follow-up was @ years ( IQR @-@ ) .


In the experimental and control groups , DFS was similar in the intention-to-treat population ( hazard ratio -LSB- HR -RSB- @ ; @ % CI @-@ ; p = @ ) , and in patients with KRAS exon @/BRAF wild-type ( n = @ , HR @ ; @ % CI @-@ ) or KRAS exon @-mutated tumours ( n = @ , HR @ ; @ % CI @-@ ) .


We noted heterogeneous responses to the addition of cetuximab in preplanned subgroup analyses .


Grade @ or @ acne-like rash ( in @ of @ patients -LSB- @ % -RSB- vs four of @ -LSB- < @ % -RSB- ) , diarrhoea ( @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- vs @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- ) , mucositis ( @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- vs @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- ) , and infusion-related reactions ( @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- vs @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- ) were more frequent in patients treated with FOLFOX@ plus cetuximab than in those patients who received FOLFOX@ alone .


The addition of cetuximab to FOLFOX@ did not improve DFS compared with FOLFOX@ alone in patients with KRAS exon @ wild-type resected stage III colon cancer .


This trial can not conclude on the benefit of cetuximab in the studied population , but the heterogeneity of response suggests that further investigation of the role of FOLFOX@ plus cetuximab in specific patient subgroups is warranted .


Low back pain is highly prevalent and a significant public health burden in Western society .


Feasibility studies suggest personalised pedometer-driven walking is an acceptable and effective motivating tool in the management of chronic low back pain ( CLBP@weeks ) .


The proposed study will investigate pedometer-driven walking as a low cost , easily accessible , and sustainable means of physical activity to improve disability and clinical outcomes for people with CLBP in Saskatchewan , Canada .


A fully-powered single-blinded randomised controlled trial will compare back care advice and education with back care advice and education followed by a @-week pedometer-driven walking programme in adults with CLBP .


Adults with self-reported CLBP will be recruited from the community and screened for elibility .


Two-hundred participants will be randomly allocated to one of two intervention groups .


All participants will receive a single back care advice and education session with a physiotherapist .


Participants in the walking group will also receive a physiotherapist-facilitated pedometer based walking programme .


The physiotherapist will facilitate the participant to monitor and progress the walking programme , by phone , on a weekly basis over @weeks following two face-to-face sessions .


Outcome measures of self-reported disability , physical activity , participants ' low back pain beliefs/perceptions , quality of life and direct/indirect cost estimates will be gathered at baseline , three months , six months , and @months by a different physiotherapist blinded to group allocation .


Following intervention , focus groups will be used to explore participants ' thoughts and experiences of pedometer-driven walking as a management tool for CLBP .


This paper describes the design of a community-based RCT to determine the effectiveness of a pedometer-driven walking programme in the management of CLBP .


This randomised , open label , phase I , immunotherapeutic study investigated the effects of interleukin ( IL ) -@ , granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor ( GM-CSF ) , recombinant human growth hormone ( rhGH ) , and therapeutic immunisation ( a Clade B DNA vaccine ) on combination antiretroviral therapy ( cART ) - treated HIV-@-infected individuals , with the objective to reverse residual T-cell dysfunction .


Twelve HIV-@ ( + ) patients on suppressive cART with baseline CD@ T-cell counts > @ cells/mm ( @ ) blood were randomised into one of three groups : ( @ ) vaccine , IL-@ , GM-CSF and rhGH ( n = @ ) ; ( @ ) vaccine alone ( n = @ ) ; or ( @ ) IL-@ , GM-CSF and rhGH ( n = @ ) .


Samples were collected at weeks @ , @ , @ , @ , @ , @ , @ , @ , @ and @ .


Interferon ( IFN ) - , IL-@ , IL-@ and perforin ELISpot assays performed at each time point quantified functional responses to Gag p@/p@ , Nef , Rev , and Tat peptides ; and detailed T-cell immunophenotyping was undertaken by flow cytometry .


Proviral DNA was also measured .


Median baseline CD@ T-cell count was @ cells/mm ( @ ) ( interquartile range -LSB- IQR -RSB- @-@ cells/mm ( @ ) ) , median age @ years ( IQR @-@ years ) , and plasma HIV-@-RNA < @ copies/ml for all subjects .


Patients who received vaccine plus IL-@ , GM-CSF and rhGH ( group @ ) showed the most marked changes .


Assessing mean changes from baseline to week @ revealed significantly elevated numbers of CD@ T cells ( p = @ ) and improved CD@/CD@ T-cell ratios ( p = @ ) .


This was accompanied by a significant reduction in expression of CD@ on CD@ T cells ( p = @ ) , significantly increased IFN - and IL-@ production in response to Gag ( p = @ ) and elevated IFN - production in response to Tat ( p = @ ) at week @ compared to baseline .


Subjects in all treatment groups showed significantly reduced PD-@ expression at week @ compared to baseline , with some reductions in proviral DNA .


Multifarious immunotherapeutic approaches in the context of fully suppressive cART further reduce immune activation , and improve both CD@ T-lymphocyte counts and HIV-@-specific T-cell responses ( NCT@ ) .


To investigate the analgesic and sedative effects of inhaling a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen on burn patient during and after dressing change .


A total of @ burn patients hospitalized in the Institute of Burn Research of Changhai Hospital Affiliated to the Second Military Medical University , Department of Burns of the First People 's Hospital in Zhengzhou , and Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from October @ to September @ were enrolled in our study , and they were all in accordance with the inclusion criteria .


The @ patients were divided into control group ( n = @ , treated with inhalation of oxygen during dressing change ) and treatment group ( n = @ , treated with inhalation of a mixture of @ % nitrous oxide and oxygen during dressing change ) according to the computer-generated list of random number .


The other treatments in control group and treatment group were the same .


Before , during , and after dressing change , heart rate ( HR ) , systolic blood pressure ( SBP ) , diastolic blood pressure ( DBP ) , oxygen saturation ( SO@ ) , and adverse effects were observed .


The degree of pain and anxiety felt by the patients were respectively evaluated with the visual analogue scale ( VAS ) and Chinese version of the burn specific pain anxiety scale ( C-BSPAS ) at the same time points as above .


Data were processed with analysis of covariance , chi-square test , analysis of variance , and rank sum test .


There were no significant differences between control group and treatment group in the levels of HR , SBP , DBP , and SO@ before dressing change ( with F values respectively @ , @ , @ , @ , P values all above @ ) .


Compared with those of control group , the levels of HR , SBP , DBP , and SO@ in treatment group were significantly ameliorated during dressing change ( with F values respectively @ , @ , @ , @ , P values all below @ ) .


After dressing change , the levels of DBP in the two groups were close ( F = @ , P > @ ) , but the levels of HR , SBP , and SO@ showed statistical differences ( with F values respectively @ , @ , @ , P < @ or P < @ ) .


Before dressing change , the VAS scores were approximate between control group and treatment group ( Z = @ , P > @ ) .


Compared with those in control group ( @ @ , @ @ ) , the VAS scores were significantly lowered in treatment group during and after dressing change ( @ @ , @ @ , with Z values respectively @ , @ , P values all below @ ) .


There was no significant difference in C-BSPAS score between control group and treatment group before dressing change ( Z = @ , P > @ ) .


Compared with those in control group ( @ @ , @ @ ) , the C-BSPAS scores in treatment group were decreased during and after dressing change ( @ @ , @ @ , with Z values respectively @ , @ , P values all below @ ) .


There were no obvious adverse effects in two groups before , during , and after dressing change .


A mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen seems to have obvious analgesic and sedative effects on burn patients during dressing change , and it can be widely used .


Although postmenopausal combined hormone replacement therapy reduces the risk of hip fracture , long-term use may be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer , and in women more than @ years after menopause it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease .


Isoflavones , because of preferential binding to estrogen receptor beta , may retain the beneficial effects on bone but lessen the adverse effects on the breast .


The objective of this study was to study the effects of an isoflavone obtained from red clover ( Rimostil ) on bone mineral density , and on low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) cholesterol .


In a double-blind , randomized , placebo-controlled trial , @ mg of Rimostil was given to women who were menopausal for at least @ year .


Bone mineral density of the spine , femoral neck and forearm and serum LDL cholesterol were measured at baseline and at @-month intervals .


The duration of follow-up was @ years .


There was no beneficial effect of Rimostil on bone density at any site .


There was a @ % fall in serum LDL cholesterol in the Rimostil-treated arm , which was significantly greater than the @ % drop seen in the control arm ( P = @ ) .


Patellofemoral pain syndrome ( PFPS ) is a frequent cause of anterior knee pain predominantly affecting young female patients who do not have significant chondral damage .


Development of PFPS is probably multifactorial , involving various knee , hip , and foot kinematic factors .


Biomechanical studies have described patellar maltracking and dynamic valgus ( functional malalignment ) in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome .


The literature provides evidence for short-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ; short-term medially directed taping ; and exercise programs focusing on the lower extremity , hip , and trunk muscles .


Evidence supporting the use of patellar braces is limited because previous studies have been low quality .


The aim of this article is to publish the design of a prospective randomized trial that examines the outcomes of patients with PFPS after treatment with a new patellar brace ( Patella Pro ) that applies medially directed force on the patella .


For this multicenter trial , @ patients ( adolescents and young adults ) with PFPS were recruited from orthopedic practices and orthopedic hospitals and randomly allocated to @ months of supervised physiotherapy in combination with the Patella Pro brace or supervised physiotherapy alone .


The primary outcome measures are pain ( numerical analog scale ) ; knee function ( Kujala score and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score ) ; and self-reported perception of recovery at baseline , @ weeks , @ months , and @ year .


Only limited evidence for the use of a patellar brace for the treatment of PFPS exists in the literature .


Disputable evidence for the use of orthoses for PFPS patients has been presented in one meta-analysis , in which only one of three studies found the effect of a medially directed patellar brace to be significant .


Because of these low-quality studies , the authors concluded that this evidence should be regarded as limited , and we feel there is a need for further well-designed studies to evaluate the effect of patellar bracing on PFPS-related pain .


The Patella Pro study is a prospective randomized trial in which supervised physiotherapy in combination with a patellar brace is compared with supervised physiotherapy alone .


This trial started in April @ and finished in October @ .


To compare the use of fluorine @ fluorodeoxyglucose ( FDG ) positron emission tomography ( PET ) / computed tomography ( CT ) with the use of a combination of ultrasonography ( US ) and chest radiography for systematic follow-up of patients with high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma .


Institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained .


In a single center between January @ and December @ , patients with advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma who had responded completely to first-line treatment were randomly assigned ( @:@ ) to follow-up with either PET/CT or US/chest radiography .


Follow-up included clinical and imaging procedures at @ , @ , @ , @ , @ , @ , @ , @ , @ , @ , @ , and @ months after treatment discontinuation .


When clinical and/or imaging results were positive , recurrence was confirmed histologically .


The primary endpoint was to compare the sensitivity of the two follow-up imaging approaches .


Secondary endpoints were their specificity , positive and negative predictive values , time to recurrence detection , radiation risks , and costs .


A total of @ patients were randomized into the two arms .


The study was closed after a median follow-up time of @ months , with a relapse rate of @ % .


Sensitivity for detection of Hodgkin lymphoma was similar for the two follow-up approaches .


All of the relapses ( @ of @ ) were identified with FDG PET/CT ( @ % ) and @ of @ relapses were identified with US/chest radiography ( @ % ; P = @ for the equivalence test ) .


US/chest radiography showed significantly higher specificity and positive predictive value than did PET/CT ( @ % -LSB- @ of @ -RSB- vs @ % -LSB- @ of @ -RSB- , respectively ; P = @ ; and @ % -LSB- @ of @ -RSB- vs @ % -LSB- @ of @ -RSB- , respectively ; P = @ ) .


Exposure to ionizing radiation was estimated to be @ mSv for one PET/CT examination versus @ mSv for one chest radiographic examination .


Estimated cost per relapse diagnosed with routine PET/CT was @-fold higher compared with that diagnosed with routine US/chest radiography .


US and chest radiography are diagnostic tools that enable effective , safe , and low-cost routine surveillance imaging for patients at high risk of Hodgkin lymphoma relapse .


Laparoscopic gastric plication ( LGP ) is emerging as a safe and effective bariatric procedure .


However , there are no reports on the comparison between the efficacy and complications of LGP and laparoscopic mini-gastric bypass ( LMGB ) , which is still an investigational bariatric procedure .


The objective of this study was to compare safety and efficacy of LGP and LMGB in the treatment of morbid obesity in a one-year follow-up study .


Forty patients met the National Institutes of Health criteria and were randomly assigned to receive either LGP ( n = @ ) or LMGB ( n = @ ) by a block randomization method .


Early and late complications , body mass index ( BMI ) , excess weight loss , and obesity-related co-morbidities were determined at the @-year follow-up .


Operative time and mean length of hospitalization were shorter in the LGP group ( @ minutes versus @ minutes , P < @ , and @ days versus @ days ; P < @ , respectively ) .


The mean percentage of excess weight loss ( % EWL ) at @ months follow-up was @ % in the LMGB group and @ % in the LGP group ( P = @ ) .


Improvement was observed in all co-morbidities in both groups , with the exception of hyperlipidemia , which remained unresolved in @ patients .


Lower incidence of iron deficiency occurred in the LGP group ( P = @ ) .


Rehospitalization and reoperation were not required in any cases .


Considering the cost of instruments used in the LMGB procedure and operative time , LGP saved approximately $ @,@ per case compared with LMGB .


Both LGP and LMGB are effective weight loss procedures .


LGP proved to be a simpler and less costly procedure compared with LMGB with a lower risk of iron deficiency during a @-year follow-up study .


Individuals involved in the early stages of a passionate romantic relationship can be consumed by the experience and report emotional dependence and constant focus on their romantic partner .


A few studies have shown that viewing pictures of a romantic partner can significantly reduce experimental pain .


The strength of the effect , however , varies substantially between individuals .


To study why some individuals experience significant pain reduction when looking at a picture of their partner , we examined partner preoccupation .


We hypothesized that a greater degree of preoccupation in the early stages of a romantic relationship would be associated with greater analgesia during a pain induction task .


Participants were shown pictures of their romantic partner or an equally attractive and familiar acquaintance while exposed to low , moderate , or high levels of thermal pain .


Participants were also asked to rate how much time they spent thinking about their romantic partner during an average day .


Degree of preoccupation was defined as the percentage of time participants spent thinking about their partner on an average day .


In two separate experiments , viewing pictures of a romantic partner produced an analgesic effect .


The degree of pain relief was positively correlated with partner preoccupation .


The results suggest that preoccupation with a romantic partner during early stage romantic love is a predictor of pain relief when viewing pictures of the beloved .


To compare the relative gentleness of a silicone tape to a paper tape in healthy infants and children .


A randomized , grader-blinded , comparative study .


The sample group comprised @ healthy infants and children @ to @ months of age ( mean SEM , @ @ ) .


The study was conducted at a dermatological research facility ( cyberDERM , Inc ) located in Broomall , Pennsylvania .


All volunteers were recruited from the surrounding community .


Tapes measuring @ @ inches were randomly applied to the left and right intrascapular regions of the upper back .


Tapes were removed in a standardized fashion after @ hours .


The primary study outcome , gentleness , was based on visual assessments of skin damage , discomfort , and quantification of keratin removal .


Four-point scales were used to assess skin damage , and a @-point Faces , Legs , Activity , Cry , and Consolability instrument was used to assess discomfort .


Secondary assessments included hair removal , tape edge-lift assessments , and parent preference for either tape .


There was a significantly lower mean SEM erythema response for the silicone tape ( @ @ vs @ @ , P = @ ) than for the paper tape .


No measurable epidermal stripping occurred with the silicone tape compared to a mean SEM response of @ @ for the paper tape ( P = @ ) .


Discomfort was significantly lower ( P = @ ) for the silicone tape as compared to the paper tape ( Faces , Legs , Activity , Cry , and Consolability score mean difference from baseline @ vs @ , P = @ ) .


Keratin removal was significantly less with the silicone as compared to paper tape ( @ @ g/mL vs @ @ g/mL , P < @ ) .


Few hairs were removed with either tape .


There was significantly less ( P < @ ) edge-lift with the paper tape than the silicone tape ; no statistically significant differences in parent preferences for silicone versus paper tapes were measured ( P = @ ) .


Gentleness assessments favored the silicone tape compared to a paper tape and warrant further clinical investigation in the neonatal intensive care unit .


The surgical management of symptomatic giant hiatus hernia ( GHH ) aims to improve quality of life ( QoL ) and reduce the risk of life threatening complications .


Previous reports are predominantly those with small sample sizes and short follow-up periods .


The present study sought to assess a large cohort of patients for recurrence and QoL over a longer time period .


This was a follow-up study of a prospectively collected database of @ consecutive patients .


Primary repair of GHH was evaluated by endoscopy/barium meal for recurrence and a standardised symptom questionnaire for QoL .


Recurrence was assessed for size , elapsed time , oesophagitis and symptoms .


Objective and subjective review was achieved in @ % and @ % of patients .


The median age was @ years ( range : @-@ years ) and @ % were female .


Laparoscopic repair was completed in @ % ( mesh in @ % and Collis gastroplasty in @ % ) .


The @-day mortality rate was @ % .


The proportion of patients alive at five and ten years were @ % and @ % respectively .


Postoperative QoL scores improved from a mean of @ to @ ( p < @ ) and were stable over time ( @ at @ years ) .


The overall recurrence rate was @ % ( @/@ ) at @ months ; this was @ % ( @/@ ) for hernias > @cm and @ % ( @/@ ) for < @cm .


The rate of new recurrence at @-@ years was @ % ( > @cm = @ % , < @cm = @ % ) , at @-@ years it was @ % ( > @cm = @ % , < @cm = @ % ) , at @-@ years it was @ % ( > @cm = @ % , < @cm = @ % ) and at over @ years it was @ % ( > @cm = @ % , < @cm = @ % ) .


Recurrence was associated with oesophagitis but not decreased QoL .


Revision surgery was required in @ % of cases ( @ % with recurrence ) .


There were no interval major GHH complications .


Surgery has provided sustained QoL improvements irrespective of recurrence .


Recurrence occurred progressively over ten years and may predispose to oesophagitis .


To assess the clinical effect of the ` prostatic urethral lift ' ( PUL ) on lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS ) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH ) through a crossover design study .


Men aged @ years with an International Prostate Symptom Score of @ , a maximum urinary flow rate ( Qmax ) of @ mL/s , and a prostate of @-@ mL were enrolled into a crossover study after completing a prospective , randomised , controlled , ` blinded ' pivotal study in which they were control subjects receiving a sham procedure .


Patients were followed for @ year after crossover PUL at @ centres in the USA , Canada and Australia .


The sham procedure involved rigid cystoscopy with simulated active treatment sounds .


PUL involved placing permanent UroLift ( NeoTract , Inc. , Pleasanton , CA , USA ) implants into the lateral lobes of the prostate to enlarge the urethral lumen .


Urinary symptom relief , health-related quality of life ( HRQL ) impact , urinary flow parameters , sexual function , and adverse events were assessed and compared between the sham and PUL using paired statistical analysis .


Symptom , flow , HRQL and sexual function assessments showed response improvements from baseline results , similar to results from other published studies , and most parameters were markedly improved after PUL vs the sham procedure in the same patients .


Symptom , flow , and HRQL improvements were durable over the @ months of the study .


Adverse events associated with the procedure were typically transient and mild to moderate ; one patient ( @ % ) required re-intervention with transurethral resection of the prostate in the first year .


There were no occurrences of de novo , sustained ejaculatory or erectile dysfunction .


The PUL can be performed under local anaesthesia , causes minimal associated perioperative complications , allows patients to quickly return to normal activity , provides rapid and durable improvement in symptoms , and preserves sexual function .


People with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis may benefit from renin-angiotensin inhibitors , angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors , and angiotensin-receptor blockers , but little is known about the factors associated with their use .


The Cardiovascular Outcomes in Renal Atherosclerotic Lesions study ( ClinicalTrials.gov identified : NCT@ ) is a prospective , international , multicenter clinical trial that randomly assigned participants with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis who received optimal medical therapy to stenting versus no stenting from May @ through January @ .


At baseline , medication information was available from @ of @ randomly assigned participants .


Kidney function was measured by serum creatinine-based eGFR at a core laboratory .


Before randomization , renin-angiotensin inhibitors were used in @ ( @ % ) of the @ participants .


Renin-angiotensin inhibitor use was lower in those with CKD ( eGFR < @ ml/min per @ m ( @ ) ) ( @ % versus @ % ; P = @ ) and higher in individuals with diabetes ( @ % versus @ % ; P < @ ) .


Presence of bilateral renal artery stenosis or congestive heart failure was not associated with renin-angiotensin inhibitor use .


Although therapy with renin-angiotensin inhibitors varied by study site , differences in rates of use were not related to the characteristics of the site participants .


Participants receiving a renin-angiotensin inhibitor had lower systolic BP ( mean SD , @ @ versus @ @ mmHg ; P = @ ) and more often had BP at goal ( @ % versus @ % ; P = @ ) .


Kidney function and diabetes were associated with renin-angiotensin inhibitor use .


However , these or other clinical characteristics did not explain variability among study sites .


Patients with renal artery stenosis who received renin-angiotensin inhibitor treatment had lower BP and were more likely to be at treatment goal .


This study was designed to investigate whether patients with stable coronary artery disease ( CAD ) receiving chronic statin treatment who are undergoing noncardiac emergency surgery benefit from acute atorvastatin reload .


A total of @ patients with stable CAD and regular administration of statin before noncardiac emergency surgery were randomized to atorvastatin reload ( n = @ ) or placebo ( n = @ ) .


All patients received atorvastatin treatment thereafter .


The primary end point was a @-day incidence of major adverse cardiac events ( MACE ) .


Secondary end points were the incidence of atrial fibrillation ( AF ) during hospitalization and length of hospital stay .


The primary end point occurred in @ % of patients treated with atorvastatin reload and in @ % in the placebo arm ( p = @ ) .


The incidence of AF during hospitalization was @ % in patients treated with atorvastatin reload and @ % in the placebo arm ( p = @ ) .


Compared with the placebo arm , the atorvastatin reload arm shortened the length of stay ( @ @ vs. @ @ days , p = @ ) .


Multivariable analysis suggested that atorvastatin reload conferred a @ % risk reduction of @-day MACE ( odds ratio @ , @ % confidence interval @-@ @ ; p = @ ) .


The trial suggests that atorvastatin reload may improve the clinical outcome of patients with stable CAD receiving chronic statin treatment who are undergoing noncardiac emergency surgery .


It is commonly known that ultrasonography ( US ) transducers function as both a reservoir and means of transfer for hospital infections .


The current study aimed to compare the antimicrobial effectiveness of using > @ C water versus antiseptic wipes to disinfect US transducers .


Subsequent to abdominal inspections in three groups of @ patients , a swab culture was taken from the transducer in each case .


Neither a mechanical nor chemical disinfection was applied to the transducer in the first group .


As for the second group , the transducer was placed in > @ C hot water for five minutes .


In the third group , the transducer was wiped clean using antiseptic wipes .


Of the @ swab samples collected , @ did not produce any growth .


The number of samples exhibiting growth in the first group involved @ cases of coagulase-negative staphylococcus ( CNS ) , as well as @ cases of Listeria spp. , one case of Corynebacterium spp .


and one case of Bacillus spp. , while only one case of CNS was observed in the second and third groups , respectively .


The culture growth and colony forming units rate were significantly higher in the samples obtained from the first group than in those obtained from the other groups ( p < @ ) .


As for the second and third groups , no significant differences were found in terms of the amount of colonization and growth ( p = @ ) .


Being a practical and a simple method for particular use in developing and underdeveloped countries , where it is hard to access relatively costly transducer disinfection materials , such as antiseptic wipes , hot water disinfection may play an active role in fighting hospital infections .


To study the effect of @ weeks of prophylactic zinc supplementation on incidence and duration of acute respiratory infections .


Randomized double blind controlled trial .


Community based ; urban resettlement area in North-East Delhi , India .


@ children aged @-@ months with acute respiratory infections .


Children receiving zinc supplement within the past @ months , severely malnourished , immuno-deficient , on steroid therapy , with severe illness requiring hospitalization , or children of families likely to migrate from the study area were excluded .


Placebo ( syrup base ) or zinc ( @ mg/@ mL elemental zinc as zinc sulfate ) orally given for a period of @ weeks .


Incidence , type and duration of acute respiratory infections , and adverse effects .


No effect on incidence of acute respiratory infections was noted .


A decrease of @ % ( @-@ @ ) in days and @ % ( @-@ @ ) in duration of episode in acute respiratory infections was observed .


Incidence of acute lower respiratory infections decreased by @ % ( @-@ @ ) and the effect remained for full five months of follow up .


There were no drop outs due to side effects .


Prophylactic zinc supplementation for two weeks may reduce the morbidity due to acute lower respiratory infections but not overall rate of acute respiratory infections in infants aged @-@ months in similar populations .


The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of primary tooth pulpotomies using two different white mineral trioxide aggregate ( MTA ) cements and calcium hydroxide ( CH ) .


Primary molars ( N = @ ) from three - to nine-year-old children were randomly assigned to be treated using either ProRoot MTA ( N = @ ) , MTA Angelus ( N = @ ) , or CH paste ( N = @ ) as pulpotomy medicaments .


All pulpotomized teeth received a Class I amalgam as a final restoration .


Recall examinations were carried out at one , three , six , @ , @ , and @ months .


The @-month cumulative clinical success rates for ProRoot MTA , MTA Angelus , and CH were approximately @ percent , @ percent , and @ percent , respectively .


The cumulative radiographic success rates for ProRoot MTA , MTA Angelus , and CH were approximately @ percent , @ percent , and @ percent , respectively .


For all parameters evaluated , the MTA cements showed similar clinical and radiographic outcomes ( P > @ ) , which were significantly better than those of CH ( P < @ ) .


The two-year clinical and radiographic survival probabilities for ProRoot MTA and MTA Angelus were comparable ( P = @ and P = @ , respectively ) and superior to calcium hydroxide ( all P > @ ) .


ProRoot MTA and MTA Angelus showed similar and favorable success rates as pulpotomy materials in primary molars .


To compare the difference in clinical efficacy on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) at stable stage in the patients among the combined therapy of cutting method and western medication ( combined therapy ) , simple cutting method and simple western medication .


One hundred and twenty cases of COPD were randomized into three groups , @ cases in each one .


In the cutting method group , for excessive phlegm pattern/syndrome , Feishu ( BL @ ) , Danzhong ( CV @ ) , Dingchuan ( EX-B @ ) and Yuji ( LU @ ) were selected as the main acupoints , and Lieque ( LU @ ) and Pianli ( LI @ ) were as the supplementary acupoints .


For the pattern/syndrome of failure to consolidate kidney primary , Shenshu ( BL @ ) , Pishu ( BL @ ) , Guanyuan ( CV @ ) and Yuji ( LU @ ) were selected as main acupoints , and Jueyinshu ( BL @ ) and Zusanli ( ST @ ) were as the supplementary acupoint .


Three acupoints were selected alternatively in each treatment and the cutting method was applied once every @ days .


Three treatments made one session .


Two sessions of treatment were required .


In the western medication group , salbutamol sulfate aerosol , one press ( @ g/press ) was used each night , as well as salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate powder for inhalation , one inhalation each night .


The treatment of @ month made one session .


Two sessions were required .


In the combined therapy group , the cutting method and western medication were applied in combination .


The results of clinical symptom score , lung function test , arterial blood gas analysis , degree of inflation as well as clinical efficacy were observed before and after treatment in each group .


Except the degree of lung inflation , the clinical symptom score , indices of lung function test , partial pressure of arterial blood gas ( PaO@ ) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide ( PaCO@ ) were all obviously improved after treatment as compared with those before treatment in each group ( all P < @ ) .


They were apparently improved after treatment in the combined therapy group and the cutting method group as compared with those in the western medication group ( all P < @ ) .


The total effective rate was @ % ( @/@ ) in the combined therapy group and was @ % ( @/@ ) in the cutting method group , both better than @ % ( @/@ ) in the western medication group ( both P < @ ) .


The simple cutting method based on syndrome differentiation and the combined therapy with western medication achieve the superior efficacy on COPD at stable stage as compared with the simple western medication .


The effect mechanism is possibly related to the improvement of bronchial airway function through constant acupoint stimulation .


All mothers in South Australia are offered a clinic or home-visit by a Child and Family Health community nurse in the initial postnatal weeks .


Subsequent support is available on request from staff in community clinics and from a telephone helpline .


The aim of the present study is to compare equivalence of a single clinic-based appointment plus a nurse-moderated group-based internet intervention when infants were aged @-@ months versus a single home-visit together with subsequent standard services ( the latter support was available to mothers in both study groups ) .


The evaluation utilised a pragmatic preference randomised trial comparing the equivalence of outcomes for mothers and infants across the two study groups .


Eligible mothers were those whose services were provided by nurses working in one of six community clinics in the metropolitan region of Adelaide .


Mothers were excluded if they did not have internet access , required an interpreter , or their nurse clinician recommended that they not participate due to issues such as domestic violence or substance abuse .


Randomisation was based on the service identification number sequentially assigned to infants when referred to the Child and Family Health Services from birthing units ( this was done by administrative staff who had no involvement in recruiting mothers , delivering the intervention , or analyzing results for the study ) .


Consistent with design and power calculations , @ mothers were recruited to the trial .


The primary outcomes for the trial are parents ' sense of competence and self-efficacy measured using standard self-report questionnaires .


Secondary outcomes include the quality of mother-infant relationships , maternal social support , role satisfaction and maternal mental health , infant social-emotional and language development , and patterns of service utilisation .


Maternal and infant outcomes will be evaluated using age-appropriate questionnaires when infants are aged < @ months ( pre-intervention ) , @ , @ , and @ months .


We know of no previous study that has evaluated an intervention that combines the capacity of nurse and internet-based services to improve outcomes for mothers and infants .


The knowledge gained from this study will inform the design and conduct of community-based postnatal mother and child support programs .


House dust contains mite allergens as well as bacterial products such as lipopolysaccharide ( LPS ) .


Asthma exacerbations are associated with the level of exposure to allergens and LPS .


LPS can potentiate allergen effects in steroid-nave patients .


Long-acting @-agonists ( LABA ) were shown to inhibit LPS-induced bronchial inflammation in healthy volunteers .


The aim of this study was to assess the effect of LPS on the allergen-induced eosinophilic inflammation -LSB- primary endpoints : eosinophil counts and eosinophil cationic protein ( ECP ) -RSB- induced by bronchial instillation of house dust mite ( HDM ) in patients with asthma on maintenance treatment with inhaled corticosteroids ( ICS ) .


Thirty-two nonsmoking asthmatics with HDM allergy were treated with run-in medication ( fluticasone propionate @ g bid ) during @ weeks before the study day .


All patients underwent bronchial challenge with HDM , and half of them were randomized to receive additional LPS .


Both groups were randomized to receive pretreatment with a single inhalation of @ g salmeterol @ min before bronchial segmental challenge .


Six hours later , bronchoalveolar lavage ( BAL ) was collected for leukocyte cell count , differentials , and cellular activation markers .


Challenge with HDM/LPS induced a significant increase in eosinophil cationic protein ( P = @ ) and a trend toward an increase in BALF eosinophils as compared to HDM challenge .


Lipopolysaccharide promotes eosinophilic airway inflammation in patients with asthma despite being on maintenance treatment with ICS .


Various positive psychology interventions have been experimentally tested , but only few studies addressed the effects of such activities in participants aged @ and above .


We tested the impact of four self-administered positive psychology interventions in an online setting ( i.e. , gratitude visit , three good things , three funny things , and using signature strengths in a new way ) on happiness and depressive symptoms in comparison with a placebo control exercise ( i.e. , early memories ) .


A total of @ females aged @-@ tried the assigned interventions or the placebo control exercise for one week and completed measures on happiness and depressive symptoms at five times ( pre - and post-test , @ , @ , and @ months ) .


Three out of the four interventions ( i.e. , gratitude visit , three good things , and using signature strengths in a new way ) increased happiness , whereas two interventions ( three funny things and using signature strengths in a new way ) led to a reduction of depressive symptoms on at one post-measure .


Positive psychology interventions yield similar results for people aged @ and above as for younger people .


The dissemination of such interventions via the Internet offers a valuable opportunity for older age groups as well .


This prospective randomized pilot study sought to determine whether fixation with Sonoma CRx intramedullary pin is a comparable alternative to minimally invasive plating fixation in patients with displaced clavicle fractures .


A total of @ consecutive patients ( Robinson class B@ or B@ ) were randomly allocated into two groups ; intramedullary pin ( IMP ) group ( n = @ , mean age ; @ years , @ males @ % ) received Sonoma CRx Collarbone pin ( Sonoma , USA ) whereas locking midshaft superior plating ( MIPPO ) group ( n = @ , @ years , @ males ) patients received minimally invasive locking midshaft superior plating ( Acumed , USA ) .


Patients were followed up with a mean time of @ and @ months , respectively .


Functional status , as the primary outcome measure , was assessed using quick disability of the arm , shoulder and hand ( DASH ) scores .


Mean time of operation and mean time of fluoroscopy were significantly shorter in the IMP group than those in MIPPO group ( p < @ and p = @ , respectively ) .


Time of hospital stay was significantly shorter in IMP group ( p < @ ) .


Complications were rare in the early postoperative period .


Time until bony union was significantly shorter in IMP group .


Mean quick DASH scores were not significantly different between two groups .


Implant failure occurred in one patient from each group .


Cosmetic dissatisfaction was more common in MIPPO group .


Given the shorter operative times and better cosmetic appearance , Sonoma CRx intramedullary pin may be an alternative to minimally invasive plating .


Further safety studies are warranted .


A randomized intervention study , `` Preventive consultations for @ - to @-year-old young adults '' , investigated whether preventive consultations with a general practitioner could help young adults with multiple psychosocial and lifestyle problems to change health behavior .


To optimize the response rate of questionnaires at @year post-intervention , the non-responders were reminded by telephone .


The aim of this study was to examine potential selection bias induced by non-response by comparing responder and non-responder populations at baseline , and to examine the impact on outcomes by comparing initial respondents to respondents after telephone reminding .


Non-responders were compared with primary responders using logistic regression models that included socio-demographic factors , health-related factors , and variables related to the intervention study .


In order to describe the impact of including responders after telephone reminding on the intervention 's effect on different health , resource , and lifestyle outcomes , we compared results in models including and excluding responders after telephone reminding .


Telephone contact raised the response by @ % from @ ( @ % ) to @ ( @ % ) among young adults with multiple problems .


Being male was the only factor that significantly predicted non-response in the model after adjustment for other variables .


The responders after telephone reminding tended to improve health and lifestyle more than the primary responders , but not significantly so .


Although the additional responses did not change the estimates of the @-year effect on health and lifestyle changes , it contributed to increased precision of the results .


Even though the population of primary non-responders had to some degree a different composition than the primary responders , inclusion of responders after telephone reminding did not significantly change the estimates for effect at the @-year follow-up ; however , the additional responses increased the precision of the estimates .


Echocardiogram reports , but not images , are usually available for the evaluation of potential donor hearts .


To assess the reliability of local reports of potential pediatric heart donors , we compared echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular ( LV ) systolic function between local hospitals and a central echocardiography laboratory .


We identified all potential donors aged < @ years managed by the California Transplant Donor Network from @ to @ .


Echocardiograms and reports were obtained from local hospitals .


All studies were reviewed in a central laboratory by an experienced pediatric cardiologist blinded to local reports .


Local and central measurements of fractional shortening ( FS ) were compared using the Bland-Altman method ( mean difference @ standard deviations ) .


LV function was categorized based on FS as normal or mild , moderately , or severely depressed .


There were @ studies from @ donors with local and central measurements of FS .


The mean difference between local and central FS was @ @ .


The limits of agreement ranged from -@ to @ .


Twenty-five studies had discordant measurements of LV function , with @ discordant by @ category and @ by @ or more categories .


Of @ studies categorized as normal by local measurement , @ were moderately to severely depressed by central review .


Of @ studies categorized as depressed by local measurement , @ were normal by central review .


Local and central measurements of LV systolic function were discordant in @ % of studies .


Given such discordance , efforts to obtain and view actual echocardiographic images should be part of the standard evaluation of potential pediatric heart donors .


We have shown that a low glutathione concentration and synthesis rate in erythrocytes are associated with a shortage of protein-derived cysteine in children with edematous severe acute malnutrition ( SAM ) .


We tested the hypothesis that methionine supplementation may increase protein-derived cysteine and upregulate cysteine synthesis , thereby improving glutathione synthesis during the early treatment of edematous SAM .


The cysteine flux , its de novo synthesis and release from protein breakdown , and erythrocyte glutathione synthesis rate were measured in @ children with edematous SAM in the fed state by using stable isotope tracers at @ clinical phases as follows : @ @ d ( SE ) -LSB- clinical phase @ ( CP@ ) -RSB- , @ @ d -LSB- clinical phase @ ( CP@ ) -RSB- , and @ @ d ( clinical phase @ ) after admission .


Subjects were randomly assigned to receive equimolar supplements ( @ mmol kg ( -@ ) d ( -@ ) ) of methionine or alanine ( control ) immediately after CP@ .


In the methionine compared with the alanine group , cysteine flux derived from protein breakdown was faster at CP@ than CP@ ( P < @ ) , and the change in plasma cysteine concentration from CP@ to CP@ was greater ( P < @ ) .


However , there was no evidence of a difference in cysteine de novo synthesis and its total flux or erythrocyte glutathione synthesis rate and concentration between groups .


Methionine supplementation increased cysteine flux from body protein but had no significant effect on glutathione synthesis rates .


Although cysteine is made from methionine , increased dietary cysteine may be necessary to partially fulfill its demand in edematous SAM because glutathione synthesis rates and concentrations were less than previous values shown at full recovery .


This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT@ .


Trauma stress and neuro-inflammation caused by surgery/anaesthesia releases cytokines .


This study analysed impact of Auditory Evoked Potential Index ( AAI ) depth-of-anaesthesia titration on the early plasma IL-@ release after eye surgery under general anaesthesia .


This is a subgroup analysis of a prospective randomized study on the effect of auditory evoked potential guided anaesthesia for eye surgery .


Plasma IL-@ levels taken before , @ and @ h after end of surgery from @ patients undergoing elective ophthalmic surgery under desflurane anaesthesia were analysed .


Minimal mental state examination ( MMSE ) was also tested at @-h .


IL - @ increased significantly at both @ and further at @ h after surgery ( @ , @ and @ base-line , @ and @-h respectively ) , the IL-@ increase showed different patterns between the @ groups ; IL-@ was significantly increased in the control group of patients between preoperative baseline and @ h after surgery ( p = @ ) also between @ h and @ h , ( p = @ ) after surgery while the AAI-group had only minor non-significant changes .


The @ patients that showed a @-h MMSE score less than @ had a significant higher @-h IL-@ compared to the @ patients with a MMSE score > @ ( p = @ ) .


The IL-@ increase after surgery was less pronounced in patients where anaesthesia was titrated by AAI compared to anaesthesia adjusted on clinical signs only .


IL-@ were also found to be higher in patients with a MMSE < @ at @-h .


Further studies are warranted evaluating the role of depth of anaesthesia monitoring on the risk for early cognitive impairment and neuro-inflammation .


To detect early changes in the metabolic profile of pregnant ewes subject to acute feed restriction at @ days of gestation , and to establish indicators of risk for ovine pregnancy toxaemia ( OPT ) for diagnostic purposes .


Twenty Corriedale ewes with known mating dates , carrying a single fetus , were used .


Ewes were maintained on meadow grasslands and at @ days of gestation were randomly divided in two groups of @ ewes .


The control group had ad libitum access to pasture .


Ewes in the restricted group were subjected to an acute feed restriction for a maximum of @ hours ( @ days ) , with free access to water .


From the start ( @ hours ) until the end of feed restriction , blood samples were collected from all ewes to monitor concentrations of cortisol , non-esterified fatty acids ( NEFA ) , - hydroxybutyrate ( BOHB ) daily , and glucose in plasma every @ hours ; urinary pH was also measured .


Every @ hours the food restricted ewes were observed to detect clinical signs of OPT e.g. apathy , grinding teeth , empty chewing movements , head leaning against the wall , tachypnea and not drinking water .


In food-restricted ewes , concentrations of glucose decreased and differed from control ewes from @ to @ hours ( p < @ ) , and @ to @ hours ( p < @ ) .


Concentrations of BOHB , cortisol and NEFA increased following feed restriction and differed from control ewes after @ to @ hours ( p < @ ) .


Eight of the @ restricted ewes showed clinical signs of OPT after @-@ hours .


Mean concentrations of glucose , BOHB and cortisol differed between control and restricted ewes prior to the onset of clinical signs of OPT , after @-@ hours of feed restriction ( p < @ ) .


Mean gestational length , and time from birth to placental expulsion was not affected by the feed restriction .


Our results suggest that concentrations of glucose , BOHB and cortisol in plasma may provide a precocious diagnosis of subclinical OPT , using values of @ ( SD @ ) mmol/L , @ ( SD @ ) mmol/L and @ ( SD @ ) nmol/L , respectively .


The identification of a potentially harmful metabolic imbalance could lead to the improvement of treatment success .


Recurrence of tuberculosis after treatment makes management difficult and is a key factor for determining treatment efficacy .


Two processes can cause recurrence : relapse of the primary infection or re-infection with an exogenous strain .


Although re-infection can and does occur , its importance to tuberculosis epidemiology and its biological basis is still debated .


We used whole-genome sequencing-which is more accurate than conventional typing used to date-to assess the frequency of recurrence and to gain insight into the biological basis of re-infection .


We assessed patients from the REMoxTB trial-a randomised controlled trial of tuberculosis treatment that enrolled previously untreated participants with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection from Malaysia , South Africa , and Thailand .


We did whole-genome sequencing and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit-variable number of tandem repeat ( MIRU-VNTR ) typing of pairs of isolates taken by sputum sampling : one from before treatment and another from either the end of failed treatment at @ weeks or later or from a recurrent infection .


We compared the number and location of SNPs between isolates collected at baseline and recurrence .


We assessed @ pairs of isolates .


Whole-genome sequencing identified @ cases with little genetic distance ( @-@ SNPs ) between strains , deemed relapses , and three cases for which the genetic distance ranged from @ to @ SNPs , deemed re-infections .


Six cases of relapse and six cases of mixed infection were classified differently by whole-genome sequencing and MIRU-VNTR .


We detected five single positive isolates ( positive culture followed by at least two negative cultures ) without clinical evidence of disease .


Whole-genome sequencing enables the differentiation of relapse and re-infection cases with greater resolution than do genotyping methods used at present , such as MIRU-VNTR , and provides insights into the biology of recurrence .


The additional clarity provided by whole-genome sequencing might have a role in defining endpoints for clinical trials .


Cardiac rehabilitation programs aim to improve health status and to decrease the risk of further cardiac events .


Persons undergoing rehabilitation often have difficulties transferring the learned health behaviors into their daily routine after returning home and maybe to work .


This includes physical activity as well as fruit and vegetable consumption .


Computer-based tailored interventions have been shown to be effective in increasing physical activity as well as fruit and vegetable consumption .


The aim of this study is , to support people in transferring these two learned behavior changes and their antecedents into their daily life after cardiac rehabilitation .


The study will have a randomized controlled design and will be conducted among German and Dutch people who participated in cardiac rehabilitation .


The study will consist of one intervention group which will be compared to a waiting list control group .


During the eight week duration of the intervention , participants will be invited to participate in the online after-care program once per week .


The intervention encourages participants to define individual health behavior goals as well as action , and coping plans to reach these self-determined goals .


The effectiveness of the program will be compared between the intervention condition and the control group in terms of behavior change , antecedents of behavior change ( e.g. , self-efficacy ) , ability to return to work and increased well-being .


Further , subgroup-differences will be assessed including differences between the two countries , socioeconomic inequalities and across age groups .


The present study will make a contribution to understanding how such an online-based tailored interventions enables study participants to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle .


Implications can include how such an online program could enrich cardiac rehabilitation aftercare further .


An AS@-adjuvanted H@N@ influenza vaccine elicited broad and persistent immune responses with an acceptable safety profile up to @ months following the first vaccination in children aged @-@ years .


In this follow-up of the Phase II study , we report immunogenicity persistence and safety at @ months post-vaccination in children aged @-@ years .


The randomized , open-label study assessed two doses of H@N@ A/Vietnam/@ / @ influenza vaccine ( @ g or @ g hemagglutinin antigen ) formulated with AS@A or AS@B ( @ mg or @ mg tocopherol , respectively ) .


Control groups received seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine .


Safety was assessed prospectively and included potential immune-mediated diseases ( pIMDs ) .


Immunogenicity was assessed by hemagglutination-inhibition assay @ and @ months after vaccination ; cross-reactivity and cell-mediated responses were also assessed .


( NCT@ ) .


The safety population included @ children .


Over @ months , five events fulfilled the criteria for pIMDs , of which four occurred in H@N@ vaccine recipients , including uveitis ( n = @ ) and autoimmune hepatitis ( n = @ ) , which were considered to be vaccine-related .


Overall , safety profiles of the vaccines were clinically acceptable .


Humoral immune responses at @ and @ months were reduced versus those observed after the second dose of vaccine , although still within the range of those observed after the first dose .


Persistence of cell-mediated immunity was strong , and CD@ ( + ) T cells with a TH @ profile were observed .


Two doses of an AS@-adjuvanted H@N@ influenza vaccine in children showed low but persistent humoral immune responses and a strong persistence of cell-mediated immunity , with clinically acceptable safety profiles up to @ months following first vaccination .


To compare the efficacy and safety of recombinant human interferon -@ b ( INF-@b ) monotherapy and combined therapy with entecavir ( ETV ) plus adefovir dipivoxil ( ADV ) in chronic hepatitis B patients with poor response to combined therapy with lamivudine and ADV.


A total of @ patients with chronic hepatitis B refractory to to combined therapy with lamivudine ( LAM ) and ADV were randomized to receive INF-@b monotherapy ( @ ( @ ) , three times a week ) ( group A ) or combined therapy with entecavir ( @ mg/day ) plus adefovir ( @ mg/day ) ( group B ) .


Serum levels of HBsAg , HBeAg and HBV viral load were analyzed at @ weeks using chemiluminescence assay and by real-time PCR as appropriate .


The drug resistance genes in HBV was tested by direct DNA sequencing .


At @ weeks of treatment , HBV DNA decreased significantly in groups A and B to @ log@ copies/ml and @ log@ copies/ml , respectively .


The rates of viral response , serological response , and biochemical response in groups A and B were @ % ( @/@ ) vs @ % ( @/@ ) , @ % ( @/@ ) vs @ % ( @/@ ) , and @ % ( @/@ ) vs @ % ( @/@ ) , showing no significant differences between the two groups ( P > @ ) .


The drug resistance gene mutation rate was significanty higher in group B ( @ % , @/@ ) than in group A ( @ % , @/@ , P < @ ) .


Chronic hepatitis B patients refractory to lamivudine combined with ADV have a good response to INF-@b monotherapy and combined therapy with entecavir and ADV , and interferon treatment is preferred to reduce potential drug resistance gene mutations .


Cryptococcal meningitis accounts for @ to @ % of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related deaths in Africa .


Antiretroviral therapy ( ART ) is essential for survival ; however , the question of when ART should be initiated after diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis remains unanswered .


We assessed survival at @ weeks among @ human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults in Uganda and South Africa who had cryptococcal meningitis and had not previously received ART .


We randomly assigned study participants to undergo either earlier ART initiation ( @ to @ weeks after diagnosis ) or deferred ART initiation ( @ weeks after diagnosis ) .


Participants received amphotericin B ( @ to @ mg per kilogram of body weight per day ) and fluconazole ( @ mg per day ) for @ days , followed by consolidation therapy with fluconazole .


The @-week mortality with earlier ART initiation was significantly higher than with deferred ART initiation ( @ % -LSB- @ of @ patients -RSB- vs. @ % -LSB- @ of @ patients -RSB- ; hazard ratio for death , @ ; @ % confidence interval -LSB- CI -RSB- , @ to @ ; P = @ ) .


The excess deaths associated with earlier ART initiation occurred @ to @ weeks after diagnosis ( P = @ for the comparison between groups ) ; mortality was similar in the two groups thereafter .


Among patients with few white cells in their cerebrospinal fluid ( < @ per cubic millimeter ) at randomization , mortality was particularly elevated with earlier ART as compared with deferred ART ( hazard ratio , @ ; @ % CI , @ to @ ; P = @ ) .


The incidence of recognized cryptococcal immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome did not differ significantly between the earlier-ART group and the deferred-ART group ( @ % and @ % , respectively ; P = @ ) .


All other clinical , immunologic , virologic , and microbiologic outcomes , as well as adverse events , were similar between the groups .


Deferring ART for @ weeks after the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis was associated with significantly improved survival , as compared with initiating ART at @ to @ weeks , especially among patients with a paucity of white cells in cerebrospinal fluid .


( Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and others ; COAT ClinicalTrials.gov number , NCT@ . )


Glucagon delivery in closed-loop control of type @ diabetes is effective in minimizing hypoglycemia .


However , high insulin concentration lowers the hyperglycemic effect of glucagon , and small doses of glucagon in this setting are ineffective .


There are no studies clearly defining the relationship between insulin levels , subcutaneous glucagon , and blood glucose .


Using a euglycemic clamp technique in @ subjects with type @ diabetes , we examined endogenous glucose production ( EGP ) of glucagon ( @ , @ , @ , and @ g ) at three insulin infusion rates ( @ , @ , and @ units/kg/h ) in a randomized , crossover study .


Infused @,@-dideuterated glucose was measured every @ min , and EGP was determined using a validated glucoregulatory model .


Area under the curve ( AUC ) for glucose production was the primary outcome , estimated over @ min .


At low insulin levels , EGP rose proportionately with glucagon dose , from @ @ to @ @ mg/kg ( P = @ linear trend ) , whereas at high levels , there was no increase in glucose output ( @ @ to @ @ mg/kg , P = NS ) .


Peak glucagon serum levels and AUC correlated well with dose ( r@ = @ , P < @ ) , as did insulin levels with insulin infusion rates ( r@ = @ , P < @ ) .


EGP increases steeply with glucagon doses between @ and @ g at lower insulin infusion rates .


However , high insulin infusion rates prevent these doses of glucagon from significantly increasing glucose output and may reduce glucagon effectiveness in preventing hypoglycemia when used in the artificial pancreas .


The aim of our study was to evaluate renal function assessed by serum creatinine as well as novel biomarkers in @ patients with stable coronary heart disease and normal serum creatinine undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions ( PCI ) depending on the type of hydration : physiological saline vs. sodium bicarbonate ( @:@ randomization ) .


Serum and urinary NGAL were evaluated before and after @-@ , and @ hours after PCI .


Serum cystatin C , serum creatinine , estimated glomerular filtration rate using different formulae were assessed before PCI , and @ hours after the procedure .


Only @ patients ( @ % ) from the saline-hydrated group fulfilled the criteria for CI-AKI .


In patients hydrated with sodium bicarbonate serum creatinine declined significantly ( p < @ ) .


In patients hydrated with sodium bicarbonate a significant fall in serum NGAL after @-@ hours was found .


In sodium bicarbonate group cystatin C decreased non significantly after @-@ hours , then returned to the baseline values .


In patients hydrated with physiological saline serum NGAL before PCI and after @ hours correlated positively with cystatin C and eGFR by CKD-EPI .


In patients hydrated with sodium bicarbonate baseline serum NGAL correlated with NGAL baseline cystatin C and eGFR by CKD-EPI , similarly serum NGAL after @ hours correlated with cystatin C.


We suggest to rather use sodium bicarbonate in a hydration protocol in patients undergoing PCI .


However , the value of NGAL in this setting remains to be elucidated and volume expansion remain the unquestionable prevention methods of CI-AKI .


To evaluate the sustainability of dedicated education units ( DEUs ) within an academic-service partnership .


A two-year , multisite , mixed-methods study with a randomized control trial was designed to isolate the effects of the DEU innovation on clinical education quality , teaching capacity , work life , and productivity .


Interview data from @ participants were analyzed for interactions and behaviors that indicated sustainability .


Seven themes portrayed successful participant interactions , revealing shifting roles based on mutual respect and collaboration among engaged partners working within complex adaptive systems .


Relationship building and partnership achievements were confirmed as key components in DEU sustainability .


Sustainable , mature clinical education partnerships depend on implementing routinizing , reinforcing , recognizing , and rewarding activities .


Unit level success relies on foundational structures that support the ongoing development of DEU clinical instructors .


DEU sustainability will depend on the continual creation of new meaning for participants and the generation of new resources and results .


There is wide interindividual variation in response to morphine for cancer-related pain ; @ % of patients do not have a good therapeutic outcome .


Alternative opioids such as oxycodone are increasingly being used , and opioid switching has become common clinical practice .


To compare clinical response to oral morphine vs. oral oxycodone when used as first-line or second-line ( after switching ) treatment in patients with cancer-related pain .


In this prospective , open-label , randomized , controlled trial ( ISRCTN@ ) with a selected crossover phase , patients with cancer-related pain were randomized to receive either oral morphine or oxycodone as first-line treatment .


Dose was individually titrated until the patient reported adequate pain control .


Patients who did not respond to the first-line opioid ( either because of inadequate analgesia or unacceptable adverse effects ) were switched to the alternative opioid .


Two hundred patients were recruited .


On intention-to-treat analysis ( n = @ , morphine @ , oxycodone @ ) , there was no significant difference between the numbers of patients responding to morphine ( @/@ = @ % ) or oxycodone ( @/@ = @ % ) when used as a first-line opioid .


Similarly , there was no significant difference in subsequent response when patients were switched to either morphine ( @/@ = @ % ) or oxycodone ( @/@ = @ % ) .


Per-protocol analysis demonstrated a @ % response rate when both opioids were available .


There was no difference in adverse reaction scores between morphine and oxycodone either in first-line responders or nonresponders .


In this population , there was no difference between analgesic response or adverse reactions to oral morphine and oxycodone when used as a first - or second-line opioid .


These data provide evidence to support opioid switching to improve outcomes .


New York City ( NYC ) is currently home to the largest Bangladeshi population in the United States ( US ) at approximately @,@ individuals .


The high prevalence of Type @ diabetes mellitus ( T@DM ) among Bangladeshis has been well documented in Bangladesh , as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom ( UK ) .


However , little is known about the diabetes prevalence and management practices of US Bangladeshis .


This paper describes the protocol for a Community Health Worker ( CHW ) intervention to improve diabetic management and control among Bangladeshis with diabetes in NYC .


For a two-arm , randomized controlled trial ( RCT ) , investigators will recruit a sample of @ participants , all of whom are @ ) of Bangladeshi descent , @ ) residing in NYC , @ ) diagnosed with T@DM and a recent Hemoglobin A@c ( HbA@c ) of@ @ , and @ ) between the ages of @-@ .


The treatment group receives a six-month CHW-led intervention consisting of five monthly group educational sessions , two one-on-one visits , and follow-up phone calls as needed from a CHW .


The control group receives an introductory educational session only .


Primary and secondary outcomes include clinical and behavioral measures , such as HbA@c and weight change , access to and utilization of care ( i.e. appointment keeping and use of specialty care ) , and knowledge and practice of physical activity and healthful eating .


Additionally , information regarding CHW characteristics , the processes and mechanisms for influencing healthful behavior change , and fidelity of the intervention are collected .


Outcomes are measured at Baseline , @-Months , @-Months for both groups , and at @-Months for the treatment group .


To our knowledge , this study represents the first attempt to document the efficacy of T@DM management strategies in the NYC Bangladeshi population .


Thus , future qualitative and quantitative findings of the submitted protocol will fill an important gap in the health disparities literature .


Greater than @ % of patients with cancer experience chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting .


In the current study , the authors examined the effects of electrostimulation of the K@ acupoint located on the sole of the foot because it is believed to have the potential to control chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting .


In this trial , @ patients diagnosed with primary or metastatic liver cancer were recruited before transcatheter arterial infusion ( TAI ) of cisplatin or oxaliplatin and randomized to either group A ( @ patients who were treated with the antiemetic tropisetron and acustimulation at the K@ acupoint for @ minutes approximately @ to @ hours before TAI on the first day and then daily for the subsequent @ days ) or group B ( @ patients who were treated with tropisetron and electrostimulation at a placebo point on the heel ) .


The rate , intensity , and duration of nausea and vomiting were collected at baseline and then daily for @ days after TAI .


Quality of life was assessed daily using the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory and the EuroQoL scale .


No differences were found between groups A and B with regard to the incidence and degree of nausea or vomiting on day @ or the following @ days .


Patients in group A had better EuroQoL scores compared with patients in group B ( @ in group A vs @ in group B ; P = @ ) on day @ but not on the other days .


No group differences were noted at any time point for MD Anderson Symptom Inventory scores .


Electrostimulation of K@ combined with antiemetics did not result in initial prevention of cisplatin-induced or oxaliplatin-induced nausea or vomiting .


Health-related quality of life in adults , who in adolescence participated in a scoliosis-specific exercise program , was not previously studied .


Design .


Cross-sectional study , with retrospective data collection .


Homogenous groups of @ persons ( @ women ) aged @ ( @-@ ) years , with mild or moderate scoliosis , and @ ( @ women ) able-bodied persons , aged @ ( @-@ ) years , who @ ( @-@ ) years earlier had completed scoliosis-specific exercise or observation regimes , participated .


Their respiratory characteristics did not differ from predicted values .


The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire , Oswestry Disability Questionnaire , and pain scale ( VAS ) were applied .


The transformed WHOQOL-BREF scores ranged from @ @ in the physical domain in the mild scoliotic subgroup to @ @ in the social domain in the able-bodied subgroup .


The ODQ values did not generally exceed @ @ .


Inter - and intragroup differences were nonsignificant .


Age , marital status , education , and gender were significantly associated with the ODQ scores .


Significant association between the ODQ and WHOQOL-BREF social relationships domain scores with the participation in exercise treatment was found .


Participants with the history of exercise treatment generally did not differ significantly from their peers who were only under observation .


This study can not conclude that scoliosis-specific exercise treatment in adolescence alters quality of life in adulthood .


To determine the safety and efficacy of an automated unified safety system ( USS ) in providing overnight closed-loop ( OCL ) control in children and adolescents with type @ diabetes attending diabetes summer camps .


The Diabetes Assistant ( DIAS ) USS used the Dexcom G@ Platinum glucose sensor ( Dexcom ) and t : slim insulin pump ( Tandem Diabetes Care ) .


An initial inpatient study was completed for @ participants to evaluate safety .


For the main camp study , @ participants with type @ diabetes were randomized to either OCL or sensor-augmented therapy ( control conditions ) per night over the course of a @ - to @-day diabetes camp .


Subjects completed @ OCL nights and @ control nights .


On an intention-to-treat basis , with glucose data analyzed regardless of system status , the median percent time in range , from @-@ mg/dL , was @ % ( @ , @ ) for OCL nights versus @ % ( @ , @ ) for sensor-augmented pump therapy ( P = @ ) .


A per-protocol analysis allowed for assessment of algorithm performance .


The median percent time in range , from @-@ mg/dL , was @ % ( @ , @ ) for OCL nights ( n = @ ) versus @ % ( @ , @ ) for control conditions ( n = @ ) ( P = @ ) .


There was less time spent in the hypoglycemic range < @ , < @ , and < @ mg/dL during OCL compared with the control period ( P = @ , P = @ , and P = @ , respectively ) .


The DIAS USS algorithm is effective in improving time spent in range as well as reducing nocturnal hypoglycemia during the overnight period in children and adolescents with type @ diabetes in a diabetes camp setting .


To our knowledge there has been no study investigating the impact of freeze-dried strawberry ( FDS ) supplementation on metabolic biomarkers of atherosclerosis in subjects with type @ diabetes ( T@D ) .


This study was carried out to determine the effects of FDS supplementation on glycemic control , biomarkers of oxidative stress , inflammation and serum total antioxidant status in subjects with T@D compared to matched control subjects .


Thirty-six subjects with T@D ( @ females ; mean body mass index @ @ ; mean age @ @ years ) were randomly divided into two groups .


The treatment group consumed @ cups of FDS beverage ( @ g of FDS is equivalent to @ g of fresh strawberries ) or macronutrient matched placebo powder with strawberry flavor daily for @ weeks in a randomized double-blind controlled trial .


Anthropometric measurements , dietary intakes , hemoglobin ( Hb ) A@c , antioxidant status , C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde ( MDA ) levels were assessed at baseline and @ weeks post-intervention .


FDS supplementation significantly decreased C-reactive protein levels as a biomarker of inflammation ( @ vs. @ mg/l , p < @ ) and lipid peroxidation in the form of MDA ( @ vs. @ nmol/ml , p < @ ) at @ weeks compared to the baseline .


Moreover , supplementation led to a decreasing trend in HbA@c ( -@ % , p < @ ) and significant increase in total antioxidant status in the FDS group ( @ vs. @ mmol/l , p < @ ) compared to the placebo group .


No significant changes were observed in serum glucose concentrations and anthropometric indices .


FDS improved glycemic control and antioxidant status , and reduced lipid peroxidation and inflammatory response in patients with T@D .


Supplementation with freeze-dried berry products , as natural sources of antioxidants with low glycemic index , could be considered as an adjunctive therapy in ameliorating metabolic complications of T@D .


To assess the @-year efficacy and safety of a regimen of tocilizumab plus methotrexate or placebo , which was augmented by a treat-to-target strategy from week @ .


ACT-RAY was a double-blind , @-year trial .


Adults with active rheumatoid arthritis despite methotrexate were randomised to add tocilizumab to ongoing methotrexate ( add-on strategy ) or to switch to tocilizumab plus placebo ( switch strategy ) .


Tocilizumab @ mg/kg was administered every @ weeks .


Conventional open-label disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs ( DMARDs ) other than methotrexate were added at week @ or later in patients with DAS@ > @ .


@ patients were randomised ; @ % completed @ weeks .


The proportion of patients receiving open-label DMARDs was comparable in the add-on ( @ % ) and switch ( @ % ) arms .


Overall , week @ results were maintained or further improved at week @ in both arms .


Some endpoints favoured the add-on strategy .


Mean changes in Genant-modified Sharp scores were small ; more add-on ( @ % ) than switch patients ( @ % ) had no radiographic progression .


At week @ , comparable numbers of patients had antidrug antibodies ( ADAs ; @ % and @ % of add-on and switch patients , respectively ) and neutralising ADAs ( @ % and @ % ) .


Rates of serious adverse events and serious infections per @ patient-year ( PY ) were @ and @ in add-on and @ and @ in switch patients .


In patients with normal baseline values , alanine aminotransferase elevations > @ upper limit of normal were observed in @ % of add-on and @ % of switch patients .


Despite a trend favouring the add-on strategy , these data suggest that both tocilizumab add-on and switch strategies led to meaningful clinical and radiographic responses .


Depression is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder in persons with epilepsy ( PWEs ) .


Despite its major impact on quality of life and risk of suicide , most PWEs are not treated for depression .


A current challenge in mental health care is how to close this treatment gap and increase access to psychological services .


Psychological online interventions ( POIs ) have shown efficacy in improving depression among individuals without neurologic disorders .


This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a psychological online intervention for depression ( Deprexis ) in PWEs who have symptoms of depression .


Participants with self-reported epilepsy and subjective complaints of depressive symptoms were randomized to an intervention condition ( Deprexis ) or to a waiting list control ( WLC ) condition .


After @weeks , participants were invited to complete an online reassessment .


Relative to the waiting list group , program users experienced a significant symptom decline on the Beck Depression Inventory - I ( BDI-I , primary outcome ) with a moderate effect size in the complete observations analysis and a small effect size in the intention-to-treat analysis .


Furthermore , there was a significant improvement with a moderate effect size on the `` energy/fatigue '' subscale of the Quality of Life In Epilepsy Inventory - @ ( QOLIE-@ ) .


The results of this trial suggest that POIs may be a feasible and beneficial tool for PWEs who have comorbid depressive symptoms .


This study investigates the effect of photodynamic therapy ( PDT ) as monotherapy during supportive periodontal therapy .


A split-mouth , randomized controlled trial was conducted in patients with chronic periodontitis ( N = @ ) presenting at least three residual pockets ( probing depth -LSB- PD -RSB- @ mm with bleeding on probing -LSB- BOP -RSB- ) .


The selected sites randomly received the following : @ ) PDT ; @ ) photosensitizer ( PS ) ; or @ ) scaling and root planing ( SRP ) .


At baseline and @ and @ months , clinical , microbiologic ( real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses ) , cytokine pattern ( multiplexed bead immunoassay ) , and patient-centered ( regarding morbidity ) evaluations were performed .


All therapies promoted similar improvements in clinical parameters throughout the study ( P < @ ) , except that BOP was not reduced in the PS protocol ( P > @ ) .


Lower levels of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans were observed in the PDT and SRP protocols at @ months when compared with the PS protocol ( P < @ ) .


An inferior frequency detection of Porphyromonas gingivalis was observed in the PDT protocol at @ and @ months and in the SRP protocol at @ months from baseline ( P < @ ) .


In addition , PDT protocol presented inferior frequency of P. gingivalis at @ months when compared with the other therapies ( P < @ ) .


Only patients in the PDT protocol exhibited augmented levels of anti-inflammatory interleukin ( IL ) -@ and reduced proinflammatory IL-@ and IL-@ throughout the study ( P < @ ) .


Intergroup analyses showed reduced IL-@ and increased interferon - and IL-@ levels in the PS protocol when compared with the other therapies during follow-ups ( P < @ ) .


No differences in morbidity were observed between the therapies ( P > @ ) , although the need for anesthesia was higher in SRP-treated sites ( P < @ ) .


PDT as an exclusive therapy may be considered a non-invasive alternative for treating residual pockets , offering advantages in the modulation of cytokines .


Functional dyspepsia ( FD ) is a common health problem currently without any optimal treatments .


Acupuncture has been traditionally sought as a treatment for FD .


The aim of this study is to investigate whether acupuncture treatment helps improve symptoms of FD .


A two-center , randomized , waitlist-controlled trial will be carried out to evaluate whether acupuncture treatment improves FD symptoms .


Seventy six participants aged @ to @ years with FD as diagnosed by Rome III criteria will be recruited from August @ to January @ at two Korean Medicine hospitals .


They will be randomly allocated either into eight sessions of partially individualized acupuncture treatment over @ weeks or a waitlist group .


The acupuncture group will then be followed-up for @ weeks with six telephone visits and a final visit will be paid at @ weeks .


The waitlist group will receive the identical acupuncture treatment after a @-week waiting period .


The primary outcome is the proportion of responders with adequate symptom relief and the secondary outcomes include Nepean dyspepsia index , EQ-@D , FD-related quality of life , Beck 's depression inventory , state-trait anxiety inventory questionnaire , and level of ghrelin hormone .


The protocol was approved by the participating centers ' Institutional Review Boards .


Results of this trial will help clarify not only whether the acupuncture treatment is beneficial for symptom improvement in FD patients but also to elucidate the related mechanisms of how acupuncture might work .


An examination of the effects of up to @ weeks of growth hormone ( GH ) therapy on metabolic parameters in Japanese children born small for gestational age ( SGA ) .


Data were analysed from a @-week extension of a @-week multicentre , randomised , double-blind , parallel-group trial .


Sixty-five children born SGA ( age @ - < @ years ) received @ g/kg/day ( n = @ , @ % male ) or @ g/kg/day ( n = @ , @ % male ) GH for @ weeks .


Changes in metabolic parameters - glucose , insulin , total cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol - were recorded .


Alterations in weight , body mass index standard deviation score ( BMI SDS ) and vital signs were also evaluated .


Over @ weeks of GH treatment , a positive correlation between height SDS and insulin-like growth factor-I SDS was observed .


Insulin and glucose levels were generally unaffected .


Favourable changes in lipid profiles were recorded , which were maintained for the study duration .


No adverse alterations in weight , BMI SDS or vital signs were noted .


Long-term , continuous GH treatment in children born SGA appears to be efficacious , associated with potential benefits for several metabolic parameters and associated with no long-term safety concerns .


To investigate whether a footbath inhibits spasticity in the hemiplegic lower limbs of post-stroke patients .


Randomized , controlled study .


Rehabilitation education and research hospital .


Twenty-two post-stroke patients were randomly allocated to control or experimental groups .


After relaxing in a supine posture for @min , the experimental group subject 's legs were immersed in @C water below the knee joint for @min , while the control group remained in a resting posture .


Modified Ashworth Scale ( MAS ) scores of the affected triceps surae muscle and F-wave parameters ( i.e. , F-wave amplitude , F/M ratio , and F-wave persistence ) were recorded before , immediately after , and @min after each intervention .


Physiological parameters were simultaneously monitored to determine the thermo-therapeutic mechanisms and side effects of footbath usage .


At the time immediately after the intervention , F-wave amplitudes decreased significantly in the experimental group , compared to the control group ( p < @ , difference : -@ ; @ % CI ; -@ to -@ ) .


F-wave amplitudes decreased significantly after @-min intervention in the experimental group , with a total reduction of @ V being recorded compared to @ V increase in the control group ( p < @ , difference : -@ ; @ % CI ; -@ to -@ ) .


There were also significant differences between the experimental and control group for both F/M ratio and F-wave persistence , immediately after and @min after the intervention .


Further , there were significant differences between the experimental and control group for the MAS scores immediately after the intervention ( p < @ , difference : -@ ; @ % CI ; -@ to -@ ) , and @min after the intervention ( p < @ , difference : -@ ; @ % CI ; -@ to -@ ) .


These findings demonstrate that the use of footbaths is an effective non-pharmacological anti-spastic treatment for use in stroke rehabilitation .


Advancements in mobile phone technology offer huge potential for enhancing the timely delivery of health behavior change interventions .


The development of smartphone-based health interventions ( apps ) is a rapidly growing field of research , yet there have been few longitudinal examinations of how people experience and use these apps within their day-to-day routines , particularly within the context of a hybrid Web - and app-based intervention .


This study used an in-depth mixed-methods design to examine individual variation in ( @ ) impact on self-reported goal engagement ( ie , motivation , self-efficacy , awareness , effort , achievement ) of access to a weight management app ( POWeR Tracker ) when provided alongside a Web-based weight management intervention ( POWeR ) and ( @ ) usage and views of POWeR Tracker .


Thirteen adults were provided access to POWeR and were monitored over a @-week period .


Access to POWeR Tracker was provided in @ alternate weeks ( ie , weeks @ and @ or weeks @ and @ ) .


Participants ' goal engagement was measured daily via self-report .