The procedure was well tolerated , and there were no clinically significant adverse events related to AAV@-neurturin .


Suicide behaviour in psychosis is a significant clinical and social problem .


There is a dearth of evidence for psychological interventions designed to reduce suicide risk in this population .


To evaluate a novel , manualised , cognitive behavioural treatment protocol ( CBSPp ) based upon an empirically validated theoretical model .


A randomly controlled trial with independent and masked allocated and assessment of CBSPp with TAU ( n = @ , @ sessions ) compared to TAU alone ( n = @ ) using standardised assessments .


Measures of suicide probability , and suicidal ideation were the primary outcomes and measures of hopelessness , depression , psychotic symptoms , functioning , and self-esteem were the secondary outcomes , assessed at @ and @ months follow-up .


The CBSPp group improved differentially to the TAU group on two out of three primary outcome measures of suicidal ideation and suicide probability , and on secondary outcomes of hopelessness related to suicide probability , depression , some psychotic symptoms and self-esteem .


CBSPp is a feasible intervention which has the potential to reduce proxy measures of suicide in psychotic patients .


Lack of concordance between medications listed in the medical record and taken by the patient contributes to poor outcomes .


We sought to determine whether patients who received health coaching by medical assistants improved their medication concordance and adherence .


This was a nonblinded , randomized , controlled , pragmatic intervention trial .


English - or Spanish-speaking patients , age @ to @ years , with poorly controlled type @ diabetes , hypertension , and/or hyperlipidemia were enrolled from @ urban safety net clinics and randomized to receive @ months of health coaching versus usual care .


Outcomes included concordance between medications documented in the medical record and those reported by the patient and adherence based on the patient-reported number of days ( of the last @ ) on which patient took all prescribed medications .


The proportion of medications completely concordant increased in the coached group versus the usual care group ( difference in change , @ % ; P = @ ) .


The proportion of medications listed in the chart but not taken significantly decreased in the coached group compared with the usual care group ( difference in change , @ % ; P = @ ) .


The mean number of adherent days increased in the coached but not in the usual care group ( difference in change , @ ; P < @ ) .


Health coaching by medical assistants significantly increases medication concordance and adherence .


The main purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether intra-alveolar chlorhexidine ( CHX ) gel is an effective preventative treatment for alveolar osteitis ( AO ) , as has been strongly suggested by previous investigators .


Another goal was to evaluate whether there is a correlation between the use of analgesics during the postoperative week and the development of AO , a correlation that could be a supplement to the commonly used diagnostic criteria for AO .


A double-blinded randomized study was performed to assess whether intra-alveolar administration of CHX decreases AO .


To achieve this objective , the extraction and postoperative course of @ impacted mandibular third molars were studied .


Ninety-seven percent of teeth operated on had a diagnosed pathology .


The extraction alveoli were treated with CHX or placebo .


The intake of analgesics was recorded for @ days after the operation .


Statistically important differences in AO between the control and experimental groups were not found .


The intake of analgesics reflected the occurrence of AO with a high degree of importance .


The present study did not verify that application of CHX gel improves healing after removal of impacted third molars .


The patients ' postoperative analgesic intake reflected the development of AO .


To observe the curative effect of Huqian Wan on liver and kidney-Yin deficiency knee osteoarthritis ( KOA ) .


One hundred patients were randomly divided , into a treatment ( @ patients ) and control group ( @ patients ) .


In the treatment group , patients orally took the Chinese medicine Huqian Wan .


Control group patients orally took Votalin , @ mg , once a day , for @ weeks .


The visual analog scale ( VAS ) , Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index ( WOMAC ) , and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form @-Item Health Survey ( SF @ ) were used to evaluate the curative effect before treatment and after @ and @ weeks of treatment .


VAS and WOMAC scores significantly decreased and SF @ scores significantly increased after treatment in both groups compared with before treatment ( P < @ ) .


There were significant differences in VAS , WOMAC , and SF @ score changes between the two groups at week @ ( P < @ ) .


There was a significant increase in VAS and WOMAC scores in the control groups ( P < @ ) between weeks @ and @ , but no significant difference was found in the treatment group ( P > @ ) .


Huqian Wan could effectively improve the clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with KOA .


It could also have a better and longer lasting curative effect without obvious adverse events compared with Votalin .


Highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H@N@ viruses continue to circulate in birds and infect humans causing serious illness and death .


In this randomized , observer-blinded study , adults @ years of age ( n = @ ) received @ or @ g hemagglutinin antigen ( HA ) of an AS@-adjuvanted ( AS@A or AS@B ) A/Indonesia/@ / @ H@N@ ( subclade @ ) vaccine ( priming ) , followed by the same HA dose of AS@-adjuvanted A/turkey/Turkey / @/@ H@N@ ( clade @ ) influenza vaccine as a booster @ or @ months after priming ; an unprimed group received placebo at Day @ , and @ g HA of AS@A-adjuvanted booster vaccine at @ and @ months .


Antibody responses were assessed by hemagglutination-inhibition assay ( HI ) .


Microneutralization ( MN ) antibody and cellular immunoassays were assessed in a subset of participants .


Geometric mean titers ( GMTs ) and seroconversion rates ( SCRs ) were higher in primed vs. unprimed subjects against the booster strain @ days following booster vaccination at month @ and month @ .


After the booster at @ months , the lower limit of the @ % confidence interval for the difference in SCR and GMT ratios between primed and unprimed subjects was > @ % and > @ , respectively , fulfilling the primary endpoint criteria for superiority against the booster strain .


MN and cellular immune responses corresponded with the immunogenicity seen in HI measures .


Adults primed with a dose-sparing oil-in-water adjuvanted H@N@ subclade vaccine had rapid and durable antibody responses to a heterologous subclade boosting vaccine given @ or @ months later .


Sodium picosulfate plus magnesium citrate ( PMC ) is a very effective , safe , and tolerated low-volume preparation for colon cleansing .


This study evaluates whether split dosing is associated with a further increase in efficacy and acceptability compared with the standard dosing regimen .


This was a multicenter , randomized , single-blind study .


Adult outpatients undergoing colonoscopy received PMC either in the standard dosing ( two sachets taken the day before endoscopy ) or in split dosing ( the second sachet taken on the morning of colonoscopy ) .


Bowel cleansing was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale ( BBPS ) and was rated as adequate when BBPS was@ in each segment .


Patient acceptance , satisfaction , and related symptoms were recorded .


A total of @ patients were included in the study ( @ in the standard group and @ in the split-dose group ) .


Preparation was adequate in only @ % of patients in the standard group compared with @ % of those in the split-dose group ( P = @ ) .


Mean BBPS scores for the whole colon and the right colon were also statistically significantly higher in the split-dose group ( P = @ ) .


Both regimens were well tolerated , and only @ % of patients reported discomfort .


Compliance was better with the split regimen ( @ % vs. @ % unable to take @ % of the preparation ; P < @ ) , and willingness to repeat the preparation was similar .


Performing colonoscopy within @ hours after preparation was associated with better colon cleansing .


Other predictors of poor cleansing at multivariate analysis were constipation , obesity , and discomfort during preparation .


The split-dose regimen of PMC was superior to the standard regimen in terms of effective colon cleansing and compliance.ClinicalTrial.gov ( NCT@ ) .


Predictive low glucose management ( PLGM ) may help prevent hypoglycemia by stopping insulin pump delivery based on predicted sensor glucose values .


Hypoglycemic challenges were simulated using the Food and Drug Administration-accepted glucose simulator with @ virtual patients .


PLGM was then tested with a system composed of a Paradigm ( ) insulin pump ( Medtronic , Northridge , CA ) , an Enlite glucose sensor ( Medtronic ) , and a BlackBerry ( ) ( Waterloo , ON , Canada ) - based controller .


Subjects ( n = @ ) on continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion ( five females , @ males ; median -LSB- range -RSB- age , @ -LSB- range , @-@ -RSB- years ; median -LSB- range -RSB- diabetes duration , @ -LSB- @-@ -RSB- years ; median -LSB- range -RSB- glycated hemoglobin , @ % -LSB- @-@ @ % -RSB- ) exercised until the PLGM system suspended insulin delivery or until the reference blood glucose value ( HemoCue ( ) ; HemoCue GmbH , Groostheim , Germany ) reached the predictive suspension threshold setting .


PLGM reduced hypoglycemia ( < @mg/dL ) in silico by @ % compared with no insulin suspension , as opposed to a @ % reduction in hypoglycemia with use of low glucose suspend ( LGS ) .


The median duration of hypoglycemia ( time spent < @mg/dL ) with PLGM was significantly less than with LGS ( @min vs. @min , respectively ; P < @ ) .


In the clinical trial the hypoglycemic threshold during exercise was reached in @ % of the patients , and hypoglycemia was prevented in @ % of the successful experiments .


The mean ( SD ) sensor glucose at predictive suspension was @mg/dL , resulting in a postsuspension nadir ( by HemoCue ) of @mg/dL .


The suspension lasted for @ ( range , @-@ ) min , resulting in a sensor glucose level at insulin resumption of @mg/dL .


In silico modeling and early feasibility data demonstrate that PLGM may further reduce the severity of hypoglycemia beyond that already established for algorithms that use a threshold-based suspension .


To improve the quality of life ( QOL ) of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma ( NPC ) after chemoradiotherapy ( CRT ) , it is necessary to find an effective method to reduce the toxic side-effects of CRT .


Between June @ and June @ , @ previously untreated patients with NPC were randomized to receive CRT either with or without non-invasive extracorporeal radiofrequency ( ERF ) .


All the patients underwent radiation , and weekly chemotherapy of paclitaxel @-@ mg/m ( @ ) and cisplatin @-@ mg/m ( @ ) .


In addition , the patients in the treatment group also underwent non-invasive ERF on a radiofrequency machine at @ MHz for @ hour at @-@C .


After the completion of treatment , evaluation was carried out to determine the survival rate , disease-free survival time , and QOL .


QOL was analyzed by using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core @ ( EORTC QLQ-C@ ) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Head and Neck Cancer Module ( EORTC QLQ-H & N@ ) every @ months during the three-year period .


After completion of the treatments , the @-month survival rate was @ in the treatment group and @ in the reference group ( p = @ ) ; the average disease-free survival time was @ months in the treatment group and only @ months in the reference group ( p = @ ) .


In the post - treatment questionnaires , several NPC-specific ( pain , swallowing , speech , social eating , opening mouth , dry mouth , sticky saliva ) QOL domains were better preserved with CRT + ERF compared to CRT at different time-points .


The combination treatment of ERF with CRT can prolong the survival rate and disease-free survival time and improve the QOL for patients with NPC .


The antiproteinuric effect of a renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade can be magnified by dietary salt restriction .


This study sought to determine the effect of intensive low-salt diet education on BP and urine albumin excretion in nondiabetic patients with hypertension and albuminuria .


This study was conducted between March of @ and March of @ as an open-label , randomized , controlled trial .


After a run-in period of @ weeks , all patients received the angiotensin II receptor blocker olmesartan ( @ mg daily ) .


Patients were then divided into two groups .


One group was treated for another @ weeks with angiotensin II receptor blocker plus conventional low-salt diet education , and the other group was treated for @ weeks with angiotensin II receptor blocker plus intensive low-salt diet education .


The final analyses was performed with @ completed patients .


The amount of daily albuminuria was significantly decreased from @ ( @ -LSB- @-@ @ -RSB- mg/d ) to @ weeks ( @ -LSB- @-@ @ -RSB- mg/d ; P < @ ) .


From @ to @ weeks , the @-hour urinary sodium excretion was decreased by @ mmol/d in the intensive education group and @ mmol/d in the conventional education group ( interaction P < @ ) .


Patients who completed intensive low-salt diet education exhibited greater decreases in urinary albumin excretion than the control group ( change in albuminuria from @ to @ weeks , -@ versus @ mg/d ; P = @ ) .


Urinary albumin excretion tended to decrease as the @-hour urinary sodium excretion amount decreased ( R = @ ; @ % confidence interval , @ to @ ; P < @ ) .


The @-hour urinary albumin excretion was decreased more in patients in the intensive low-salt diet education group than patients in the conventional education group .


Weekly intensive education on a low-salt diet would be a suitable method for clinical practice .


This study was conducted to develop an asthma management education program for preschool children using Roy 's adaptation theory as a framework and examining the effects of this program on adaptation to asthma treatment .


A non-equivalent control group pre-post-test design was used with @ preschool children diagnosed with asthma and required to be hospitalized for inhalation therapy .


An intervention group ( n = @ ) participated in the educational program and a control group ( n = @ ) received regular treatment .


The education program was conducted and evaluated from June @ to October @ @ , a maximum @ times every @ hours during hospitalization .


Two nurses conducted the program using the teaching method of Gagne and Briggs ; instruction design theory through questionnaires to measure perception of disease , behavior of adaptation to treatment with inhalation therapy .


Effects of asthma management education program ; scores for face-pain rating decreased and time of adaptation to treatment increased significantly in the experimental group compared to the control group but no significant differences were found for perception of the disease 's cause and treatment .


Results indicate that the asthma management education program has positive effects on adaptation to asthma treatment of preschoolers .


Nutrition in the first @,@ days of life ( during pregnancy and the first two years ) is critical for child growth and survival .


Poor maternal , infant and young child nutrition ( MIYCN ) practices are widely documented in Kenya , with potential detrimental effects on child growth and survival .


This is particularly a problem in slums , where most urban residents live .


For example , exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months is only about two per cent .


Innovative strategies to reach slum residents are therefore needed .


Strategies like the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative have proven effective in some settings but their effectiveness in resource-limited settings , including slums where many women do not deliver in hospital , is questionable .


We propose to test the effectiveness of a home-based intervention on infant feeding practices , nutrition and health outcomes of infants born in two slums in Nairobi , Kenya .


The study , employing a cluster-randomised study design , will be conducted in two slums in Nairobi : Korogocho and Viwandani where @ community units ( defined by the Government 's health care system ) will form the unit of randomization .


A total of @ pregnant women and their respective child will be recruited into the study .


The mother-child pair will be followed up until the child is one year old .


Recruitment will last approximately one year and three months from September @ to December @ .


The mothers will receive regular , personalised , home-based counselling by trained Community Health Workers on MIYCN .


Regular assessment of knowledge , attitudes and practices on MIYCN will be done , coupled with assessments of nutritional status of the mother-child pairs and diarrhea morbidity for the children .


Statistical methods will include analysis of covariance and multinomial logistic regression .


Additionally , cost-effectiveness analysis will be done .


The study is funded by the Wellcome Trust and will run from March @ to February @ .


Interventions aimed at promoting optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices are considered to have high impact and could prevent a fifth of the under-five deaths in countries with high mortality rates .


This study will inform policy and practice in Kenya and similar settings regarding delivery mechanisms for such high-impact interventions , particularly among urban poor populations .


Precut techniques have been used to facilitate biliary cannulation during difficult endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography .


Presently , needle-knife sphincterotomy ( NKS ) is a commonly used precut technique .


Since its first description , transpancreatic sphincterotomy , as an alternative method for bile duct entry when conventional biliary cannulation failed , has been debated on its success rate of cannulation and its complications , such as increased incidence of pancreatitis .


Guidewire techniques are another effective method to improve the success rate of selective bile duct cannulation .


This is a single-center prospective randomized controlled trial aimed to compare success rate , cannulation time , and complications of guidewire-assisted transpancreatic sphincterotomy ( GATS ) and NKS for difficult biliary cannulation .


Between July @ and October @ , consecutive patients who failed in the standard biliary cannulation were randomly assigned to the GATS and NKS groups .


The outcome measures included success rate , cannulation time , and complications .


A total of @ patients were enrolled and analyzed : @ in the GATS group and @ in the NKS group .


The characteristics of the @ groups were similar .


Bile duct cannulation was successful in @ patients ( @ % ) in the GATS group and @ ( @ % ) in the NKS group ( P = @ ) .


The median cannulation time spent in precut was @ seconds in the GATS group and @ seconds in the NKS group ( P < @ ) .


There was no difference between the groups for the incidence of complications , pancreatitis , and hemorrhage ( @ % vs. @ % , @ % vs. @ % , @ % vs. @ % , respectively ) .


No perforation occurred .


GATS compared with NKS increases biliary cannulation rate and requires less cannulation time during difficult biliary access .


This technique is not associated with an increased risk for complications .


It seems to be an effective and safe alternative for biliary access during difficult endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography .


The postprandial triglyceride-rich lipoprotein ( TRL ) concentration is a recognized independent cardiovascular disease risk factor .


Diet is the natural approach for these postprandial alterations .


Dietary polyphenols and long chain n-@ polyunsaturated fatty acids ( LCn@s ) are associated with a lower cardiovascular disease risk .


This randomized controlled study evaluated , in persons with a high risk of cardiovascular disease , the effects of diets naturally rich in polyphenols and/or marine LCn@s on plasma TRLs and urinary @-isoprostane concentrations , a biomarker of oxidative stress .


According to a @ @ factorial design , @ overweight/obese individuals with a large waist circumference and any other component of the metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned to an isoenergetic diet @ ) poor in LCn@s and polyphenols , @ ) rich in LCn@s , @ ) rich in polyphenols , or @ ) rich in LCn@s and polyphenols .


The diets were similar in all other components .


Before and after the @-wk intervention , fasting and postmeal TRLs and @-isoprostane concentrations in @-h urine samples were measured .


Dietary adherence was good in all participants .


Polyphenols significantly reduced fasting triglyceride concentrations ( @-factor ANOVA ) in plasma ( P = @ ) and large very-low-density lipoproteins ( VLDLs ) ( P = @ ) and postprandial triglyceride total area under the curve in plasma ( P = @ ) and large VLDLs ( P = @ ) .


LCn@s reduced postprandial chylomicron cholesterol and VLDL apolipoprotein B-@ .


The concentrations of urinary @-isoprostane decreased significantly with the polyphenol-rich diets .


Lipoprotein changes induced by the intervention significantly correlated with changes in @-isoprostane .


Diets naturally rich in polyphenols positively influence fasting and postprandial TRLs and reduce oxidative stress .


Marine LCn@s reduce TRLs of exogenous origin .


Through their effects on postprandial lipemia and oxidative stress , polyphenols may favorably affect cardiovascular disease risk .


Poor adherence to CPAP treatment in OSA adversely affects the effectiveness of this therapy .


This randomized controlled trial ( RCT ) examined the efficacy of a brief motivational enhancement education program in improving adherence to CPAP treatment in subjects with OSA .


Subjects with newly diagnosed OSA were recruited into this RCT .


The control group received usual advice on the importance of CPAP therapy and its care .


The intervention group received usual care plus a brief motivational enhancement education program directed at enhancing the subjects ' knowledge , motivation , and self-efficacy to use CPAP through the use of a @-min video , a @-min patient-centered interview , and a @-min telephone follow-up .


Self-reported daytime sleepiness adherence-related cognitions and quality of life were assessed at @ month and @ months .


CPAP usage data were downloaded at the completion of this @-month study .


One hundred subjects with OSA ( mean SD , age @ @ years ; Epworth Sleepiness Scales -LSB- ESS -RSB- , @ @ ; median -LSB- interquartile range -RSB- apnea-hypopnea index , @ -LSB- @ , @ -RSB- events/h ) prescribed CPAP treatment were recruited .


The intervention group had better CPAP use ( higher daily CPAP usage by @ h/d -LSB- Cohen d = @ , P < @ -RSB- , a fourfold increase in the number using CPAP for @ % of days with @ h/d -LSB- P < @ -RSB- ) , and greater improvements in daytime sleepiness ( ESS ) by @ units ( P = @ ) and treatment self-efficacy by @ units ( P = @ ) compared with the control group .


Subjects with OSA who received motivational enhancement education in addition to usual care were more likely to show better adherence to CPAP treatment , with greater improvements in treatment self-efficacy and daytime sleepiness .


This study aimed to observe the postoperative pain rate and degree of pain in preschool children with cleft lip and palate , and investigate the effect of nursing intervention on pain relief .


A total of @ hospitalized cases of three - to seven-year-old preschool children with cleft lip and palate were selected from May to October @ .


The subjects were randomly divided into the control group and experimental groups @ , @ , and @ .


The control group used conventional nursing methods , experimental group @ used analgesic drug treatment , experimental group @ used psychological nursing interventions , and experimental group @ used both psychological nursing intervention and analgesic drug treatment .


After @ , @ , @ , and @ h , pain self-assessment , pain parent-assessment , and pain nurse-assessment were calculated for the four groups using the pain assessment forms , and their ratings were compared .


The postoperative pain rates of the four groups ranged from @ % to @ % .


The difference among the four groups was statistically significant ( P < @ ) .


The differences among the control group and experimental groups @ and @ were not statistically significant ( P = @ ) , whereas the differences among experimental group @ and the other groups were statistically significant ( P < @ ) .


Postoperative pain in preschool children with cleft lip and palate is common .


Psychological nursing intervention with analgesic treatment is effective in relieving postoperative pain .


We conducted a pilot study comparing problem solving therapy for primary care ( PST-PC ) to a dietary education control condition in middle-aged and older veterans with symptoms of emotional distress and subsyndromal depression .


This was a two-site study at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and Philadelphia VA Medical Center .


Participants included veterans > @ years of age referred from primary care clinics who were eligible if they obtained a pre-screen score > @ on the Centers for Epidemiologic Studies Depression ( CES-D ) scale .


Exclusions were a DSM-IV Major Depressive Episode within the past year , active substance abuse/dependence within @ month , current antidepressant therapy , and a Mini mental status exam score < @ .


Participants were randomized to receive one of two interventions -- either PST-PC or an attention control condition consisting of dietary education ( DIET ) -- each consisting of six to eight sessions within a @-month period .


Of @ individuals randomized , @ ( @ PST-PC and @ DIET ) completed treatment .


Using regression models in completers that examined outcomes at end of treatment while controlling for baseline scores , there were significant differences between treatment groups in SF-@ mental health component scores but not in depressive symptoms ( as assessed with either the @-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression or the Beck Depression Inventory ) , social problem solving skills , or physical health status ( SF-@ physical health component score ) .


These pilot study findings suggest that a six-to-eight session version of PST-PC may lead to improvements in mental health functioning in primary care veterans with subsyndromal depressive symptoms .


To evaluate the effectiveness of Koru , a mindfulness training program for college students and other emerging adults .


Ninety students ( @ % female , @ % white , @ % graduate students ) participated between Fall @ and Spring @ .


Randomized controlled trial .


It was hypothesized that Koru , compared with a wait-list control group , would reduce perceived stress and sleep problems , and increase mindfulness , self-compassion , and gratitude .


As hypothesized , results showed significant Group ( Koru , Wait-List ) Time ( Pre , Post ) interactions for improvements in perceived stress ( F -LSB- @ , @ -RSB- = @ , p = @ , d = @ ) , sleep problems ( F -LSB- @ , @ -RSB- = @ , p = @ , d = @ ) , mindfulness ( F -LSB- @ , @ -RSB- = @ , p < @ , d = @ ) , and self-compassion ( F -LSB- @ , @ -RSB- = @ , p < @ , d = @ ) .


All significant effects were replicated in the wait-list group .


Significant correlations were observed among changes in perceived stress , sleep problems , mindfulness , and self-compassion .


Results support the effectiveness of the Koru program for emerging adults in the university setting .


Past studies have shown that higher macular pigment optical density ( MPOD ) and lutein ( L ) and zeaxanthin ( Z ) supplementation are related to improvements in glare disability , photostress recovery , and chromatic contrast .


This study assessed those links using a randomized , double-blind , placebo-controlled design .


The visual effects of @ year of supplementing L ( @ mg/d ) and Z ( @ mg/d ) were investigated .


One hundred fifteen young , healthy subjects were recruited and randomized into the study ( @ received placebo , @ L+Z ) .


Several dependent measures were collected at baseline and then once every @ months : serum L and Z measured by HPLC chromatography ; MPOD measured using customized heterochromatic flicker photometry ; photostress recovery assessed by measuring the time needed to recover visual acquisition of a grating target after @ seconds of an intense xenon white flash exposure ; glare disability evaluated as the energy in a surrounding annulus necessary to veil a central grating target ; and chromatic contrast assessed by measuring thresholds for a yellow grating target superposed on a @-nm background .


Macular pigment optical density increased significantly versus placebo at all eccentricities ( @ , @ , @ , and @ minutes from the center of the macula ) .


Serum L and Z also increased significantly by the first follow-up visit ( at @ months ) , and remained elevated throughout the intervention period of @ year .


Chromatic contrast and photostress recovery time improved significantly versus placebo .


Glare disability was correlated with macular pigment density throughout the study period but did not increase significantly in the treated group .


Daily supplementation with L+Z resulted in significant increase in serum levels and MPOD and improvements in chromatic contrast and recovery from photostress .


These results are consistent with past studies showing that increasing MPOD leads to improved visual performance .


( ClinicalTrials.gov number , NCT@ . )


Combination therapy may help high-risk patients achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) goals .


Impact of rosuvastatin @ or @ mg plus ezetimibe @ mg ( RSV@/EZE@ and RSV@/EZE@ ) has not been fully characterized previously .


GRAVITY ( NCT@ ) compared efficacy , safety and effect on biomarkers of RSV@/EZE@ and RSV@/EZE@ vs. simvastatin @ mg and @ mg plus EZE@ ( SIM@/EZE@ and SIM@/EZE@ ) in patients with coronary heart disease ( CHD ) or CHD risk equivalent .


Adult patients ( n = @ ) were randomized to RSV@/EZE@ , RSV@/EZE@ , SIM@/EZE@ or SIM@/EZE@ .


Following a @-week dietary lead-in , patients received @ weeks ' statin monotherapy followed by same statin dose plus ezetimibe for @ more weeks .


Primary endpoint was LDL-C change from baseline to @ weeks .


Significantly greater ( p < @ ) reductions in LDL-C and other atherogenic lipids were observed with RSV@/EZE@ vs. SIM@/EZE@ and SIM@/EZE@ and with RSV@/EZE@ vs. SIM@/EZE@ .


A significantly greater proportion of patients achieved LDL-C goals of < @ mg/dl and < @ mg/dl with RSV@/EZE@ vs. SIM@/EZE@ and SIM@/EZE@ and with RSV@/EZE@ vs. SIM@/EZE@ .


LDL-C was reduced @-@ % further with combination therapy vs. monotherapy .


Statin monotherapy reduced cholesterol and bile acid synthesis biomarkers , ezetimibe reduced - sitosterol ( sterol absorption marker ) , and combination therapy achieved additive reductions in lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A@ mass and activity , free cholesterol and @-ketocholesterol .


Safety profiles of rosuvastatin/ezetimibe and simvastatin/ezetimibe combinations were comparable .


Co-administration of rosuvastatin @ or @ mg plus ezetimibe achieved significant improvements in lipid profiles in high-risk patients vs. simvastatin @ or @ mg plus ezetimibe .


Micronutrient deficiencies occur early in human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV ) infection , and supplementation with micronutrients may be beneficial ; however , its effectiveness has not been investigated early in HIV disease among adults who are antiretroviral therapy ( ART ) naive .


To investigate whether long-term micronutrient supplementation is effective and safe in delaying disease progression when implemented early in adults infected with HIV subtype C who are ART-naive .


Randomized clinical trial of supplementation with either daily multivitamins ( B vitamins and vitamins C and E ) , selenium alone , or multivitamins with selenium vs placebo in a factorial design for @ months .


The study was conducted in @ patients infected with HIV subtype C with a CD@ cell count greater than @/L who were not receiving ART at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone , Botswana , between December @ and July @ .


Daily oral supplements of B vitamins and vitamins C and E , selenium alone , or multivitamins plus selenium , compared with placebo .


Reaching a CD@ cell count less than @/L until May @ ; after this date , reaching a CD@ cell count of @/L or less , consistent with the standard of care in Botswana for initiation of ART at the time of the study .


There were @ participants enrolled and randomized into the study .


All participants were ART-naive throughout the study .


In intent-to-treat analysis , participants receiving the combined supplement of multivitamins plus selenium had a significantly lower risk vs placebo of reaching CD@ cell count @/L or less ( adjusted hazard ratio -LSB- HR -RSB- , @ ; @ % CI , @-@ @ ; P = @ ; absolute event rate -LSB- AER -RSB- , @ / @ person-years ; censoring rate , @ ; @ events ; placebo AER , @ / @ person-years ; censoring rate , @ ; @ events ) .


Multivitamins plus selenium in a single supplement , vs placebo , also reduced the risk of secondary events of combined outcomes for disease progression ( CD@ cell count @/L , AIDS-defining conditions , or AIDS-related death , whichever occurred earlier -LSB- adjusted HR , @ ; @ % CI , @-@ @ ; P = @ ; AER , @ / @ person-years ; censoring rate , @ ; @ events -RSB- ) .


There was no effect of supplementation on HIV viral load .


Multivitamins alone and selenium supplementation alone were not statistically different from placebo for any end point .


Reported adverse events were adjudicated as unlikely to be related to the intervention , and there were no notable differences in incidence of HIV-related and health-related events among study groups .


In ART-naive HIV-infected adults , @-month supplementation with a single supplement containing multivitamins and selenium was safe and significantly reduced the risk of immune decline and morbidity .


Micronutrient supplementation may be effective when started in the early stages of HIV disease .


The production of high quality systematic reviews requires rigorous methods that are time-consuming and resource intensive .


Citation screening is a key step in the systematic review process .


An opportunity to improve the efficiency of systematic review production involves the use of non-expert groups and new technologies for citation screening .


We performed a pilot study of citation screening by medical students using four screening methods and compared students ' performance to experienced review authors .


The aims of this pilot randomised controlled trial were to provide preliminary data on the accuracy of title and abstract screening by medical students , and on the effect of screening modality on screening accuracy and efficiency .


Medical students were randomly allocated to title and abstract screening using one of the four modalities and required to screen @ citations from a single systematic review update .


The four screening modalities were a reference management software program ( EndNote ) , Paper , a web-based systematic review workflow platform ( ReGroup ) and a mobile screening application ( Screen@Go ) .


Screening sensitivity and specificity were analysed in a complete case analysis using a chi-squared test and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test according to screening modality and compared to a final set of included citations selected by expert review authors .


Sensitivity of medical students ' screening decisions ranged from @ % to @ % , with students using the web-based platform performing significantly better than the paper-based group .


Specificity ranged from @ % to @ % with the lowest specificity seen with the web-based platform .


There was no significant difference in performance between the other three modalities .


Medical students are a feasible population to engage in citation screening .


Future studies should investigate the effect of incentive systems , training and support and analytical methods on screening performance .


To evaluate the clinical effect of Traditional Chinese Spinal Orthopedic Manipulation ( TCSOM ) in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome ( IBS ) in comparison with Pinaverium Bromide Dicetel ( PBD ) , and to assess a possible cause for IBS .


@ cases of IBS patients were randomly divided into two groups : TCSOM and PBD .


All patients in the TCSOM group were treated with a @-time spinal manipulations .


The symptoms of pre-treatment and post-treatment were evaluated based on bowel symptom scale ( BSS ) scores .


A symptom improvement rating ( SIR ) and patient subjective assessment ( PSA ) were implemented in order to evaluate the effects of the treatments , and to statistically compare the two groups .


The symptoms of @ patients of the TCSOM group disappeared soon after spinal manipulation and @ cases were significantly improved .


The BSS scores in the TCSOM group were significantly lower than those in the PBD group post-treatment .


According to the SIR which was based on the BSS , the TCSOM research group included @ cases with excellent results , @ cases with good , and @ cases with poor .


Adverse side effects to the treatment were not reported .


Based on the BSS , the PBD research group reported @ cases with excellent results , @ cases with good and @ cases with poor .


All cases were statistically analyzed , revealing a significant difference ( P < @ ) between the two groups .


The displacement of inter-vertebral disks and/or vertebra in the thoracic or lumbar region seems to be a contributing factor in the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome .


Thumb pressing manipulation on jiaji points in the thoracic and/or lumbar region can correct the displacement of inter-vertebral disks and/or vertebra , resolving the stimuli caused by pressure exerted on the nerves and vessels around the spine .


So it is an effective treatment for IBS .


Major depressive disorder ( MDD ) is associated with decreased physical activity and increased rates of the metabolic syndrome ( MetS ) , a risk factor for the development of type @ diabetes and cardiovascular disorders .


Exercise training has been shown to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic syndrome factors .


Therefore , our study aimed at examining whether patients receiving an exercise program as an adjunct to inpatient treatment will benefit in terms of physiological and psychological factors .


Fourty-two inpatients with moderate to severe depression were included .


Twenty-two patients were randomized to additional @x weekly exercise training ( EXERCISE ) and compared to treatment as usual ( TAU ) .


Exercise capacity was assessed as peak oxygen uptake ( VO@peak ) , ventilatory anaerobic threshold ( VAT ) and workload expressed as Watts ( W ) .


Metabolic syndrome was defined according to NCEP ATPIII panel criteria .


After @ weeks of treatment , cardiorespiratory fitness ( VO@peak , VAT , Watt ) , waist circumference and HDL cholesterol were significantly improved in EXERCISE participants .


Treatment response expressed as @ % MADRS reduction was more frequent in the EXERCISE group .


Adjunctive exercise training in depressed inpatients improves physical fitness , MetS factors , and psychological outcome .


Given the association of depression with cardiometablic disorders , exercise training is recommended as an adjunct to standard antidepressant treatment .


Ten-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine ( PCV@ ) was earlier shown to reduce clinically suspected , non-laboratory-confirmed invasive pneumococcal disease ( IPD ) in a cluster-randomized trial ( the Finnish Invasive Pneumococcal disease trial ) .


PCV@ was introduced into the Finnish national vaccination program in September @ using a @-dose schedule .


We evaluated the impact of PCV@ on clinically suspected IPD among vaccine-eligible children in a population-based nationwide study .


The target cohort eligible for vaccination program ( children born June @-September @ ) was compared with @ season - and age-matched ( ages @-@ months ) reference cohorts before PCV@ introduction .


The trial period ( January @-August @ ) was excluded .


Hospitals ' inpatient and outpatient discharge notifications with International Classification of Diseases , @th Revision , diagnoses compatible with IPD ( A@ @ / B@ @ / G@ @ / M@ @ ) and unspecified sepsis ( A@ @ / A@ @ / A@ @ / G@/G@ @ / I@ @ / M@/M@ @ / B@ @ ) were collected from the national Care Register .


Laboratory-confirmed IPD cases were excluded .


Rates of register-based non-laboratory-confirmed IPD ( or unspecified sepsis ) before and after PCV@ implementation were calculated .


The rate of register-based non-laboratory-confirmed IPD episodes was @ in @ person-years in the vaccine-eligible target cohort and @ in the combined reference cohorts .


Relative rate reduction was @ % ( @ % confidence interval : @-@ ) and absolute rate reduction @ in @ person-years .


For the more sensitive case definition of register-based non-laboratory-confirmed IPD or unspecified sepsis , the relative rate reduction was @ % ( @ % confidence interval @-@ ) , but the absolute reduction was as high as @ in @ person-years .


This is the first report demonstrating nationwide PCV impact on clinically suspected IPD during routine vaccination program .


The large absolute rate reductions observed have major implications for cost-effectiveness of PCVs .


The authors analyzed a preliminary report of patient-reported outcomes ( PROs ) among men who received high-dose radiation therapy ( RT ) on Radiation Therapy Oncology Group study @ ( a phase @ dose-escalation trial ) with either @-dimensional conformal RT ( @D-CRT ) or intensity-modulated RT ( IMRT ) .


Patients in the @D-CRT group received @ gray ( Gy ) to the prostate and proximal seminal vesicles and were allowed an optional field reduction ; then , they received @ Gy to the prostate only .


Patients in the IMRT group received @ Gy to the prostate and proximal seminal vesicles .


PROs were assessed at @ months ( baseline ) , @ months , @ months , @ months , and @ months and included bladder and bowel function assessed with the Functional Alterations due to Changes in Elimination ( FACE ) instrument and erectile function assessed with the International Index of Erectile Function ( IIEF ) .


Analyses included the patients who completed all data at baseline and for at least @ follow-up assessment , and the results were compared with an imputed data set .


Of @ patients who were randomized to the @-Gy arm , @ patients and @ patients who responded to the FACE instrument and @ patients and @ patients who responded to the IIEF were included in the completed and imputed analyses , respectively .


There were no significant differences between modalities for any of the FACE or IIEF subscale scores or total scores at any time point for either the completed data set or the imputed data set .


Despite significant reductions in dose and volume to normal structures using IMRT , this robust analysis of @D-CRT and IMRT demonstrated no difference in patient-reported bowel , bladder , or sexual functions for similar doses delivered to the prostate and proximal seminal vesicles with IMRT compared with @D-CRT delivered either to the prostate and proximal seminal vesicles or to the prostate alone .


Extensive coronary artery disease ( CAD ) is associated with higher risk .


In this substudy of the PLATO trial , we examined the effects of randomized treatment on outcome events and safety in relation to the extent of CAD .


Patients were classified according to presence of extensive CAD ( defined as @-vessel disease , left main disease , or prior coronary artery bypass graft surgery ) .


The trial 's primary and secondary end points were compared using Cox proportional hazards regression .


Among @,@ study patients for whom the extent of CAD was known , @,@ ( @ % ) had extensive CAD .


Patients with extensive CAD had more high-risk characteristics and experienced more clinical events during follow-up .


They were less likely to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention ( @ % vs @ % , P < @ ) but more likely to undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery ( @ % vs @ % , P < @ ) .


Ticagrelor , compared with clopidogrel , reduced the composite of cardiovascular death , myocardial infarction , and stroke in patients with extensive CAD ( @ % vs @ % , hazard ratio -LSB- HR -RSB- @ -LSB- @-@ @ -RSB- ) similar to its reduction in those without extensive CAD ( @ % vs @ % , HR @ -LSB- @-@ @ -RSB- , Pinteraction = @ ) .


Major bleeding was similar with ticagrelor vs clopidogrel among patients with ( @ % vs @ % , HR @ -LSB- @-@ @ -RSB- ) and without ( @ % vs @ % , HR @ -LSB- @-@ @ -RSB- , Pinteraction = @ ) extensive CAD .


Patients with extensive CAD have higher rates of recurrent cardiovascular events and bleeding .


Ticagrelor reduced ischemic events to a similar extent both in patients with and without extensive CAD , with bleeding rates similar to clopidogrel .


The efficacy and safety of interferon-free regimens for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) infections require further evaluation and comparison with those of interferon-containing regimens .


We compared a regimen of peginterferon , ribavirin , and sofosbuvir with a regimen of simeprevir and sofosbuvir in patients with HCV infection and unfavorable treatment features .


We performed a prospective open-label study of @ patients with chronic HCV genotype @a infection and Child 's grade A cirrhosis enrolled from @ clinics at a single center in Atlanta , Georgia , from December @ through January @ .


Fifty patients ( @ % ) had not responded to treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin ( null responders ) , and @ ( @ % ) were therapy naive ; @ ( @ % ) were African American .


Subjects were assigned randomly to groups given simeprevir ( @ mg/day ) and sofosbuvir ( @ mg/day ) ( n = @ in the final analysis ) or peginterferon alfa @b ( @ mcg/kg/wk ) , ribavirin ( @-@ mg/day ) , and sofosbuvir ( @ mg/day ) ( n = @ in the final analysis ) .


Both regimens were given for @ weeks .


The primary trial end point was the proportion of patients with undetectable HCV-RNA levels @ weeks after therapy completion ( SVR@ ) .


A significantly greater percentage of patients ( @ % ) given simeprevir and sofosbuvir achieved an SVR@ than those given the interferon-containing regimen ( @ % ) ( P = @ ) .


Patients given the interferon-containing regimen had a significantly higher rate of virologic relapse than patients given simeprevir and sofosbuvir ( P = @ ) , as well as worse self-reported outcomes and more side effects .


Quality-of-life scores were higher in patients with SVR@ than those without , regardless of treatment regimen .


In a prospective study of patients with chronic HCV genotype @a infection and cirrhosis ( @ % African American and @ % prior null responders ) , a @-week regimen of simeprevir and sofosbuvir produced a significantly higher rate of SVR@ and was better tolerated , with a lower viral relapse rate , than a @-week regimen of peginterferon , ribavirin , and sofosbuvir .


Clinicaltrials.gov no : NCT@ .


Knowledge and skills of primary health care workers ( PHCWs ) in primary eye care have been demonstrated to be inadequate in several districts of Kenya , Malawi , and Tanzania .


We tested whether enhanced supervision , focused on improving practical skills over two years , would raise the scores of these workers on a test of basic knowledge and skills .


This was a randomised controlled trial .


All primary health care ( PHC ) facilities within two districts of each country were enrolled and randomly assigned by district ( Kenya , Malawi ) or by health care facility ( Tanzania ) to receive quarterly skills-based supervision by a district eye coordinator or to continue existing routine supervision .


At baseline , a test of basic knowledge and skills in five key areas was administered to PHCWs , and visual acuity ( VA ) charts and working torches were provided .


After two years the test was administered again .


Changes in test scores were compared between the intervention ( enhanced supervision ) and the non-intervention ( routine supervision ) facilities .


All @ facilities in the six districts were enrolled including @ PHCWs .


At baseline , no facility had a visual acuity chart and @ ( @ % ) had a working torch ; the average total skills scores were @ and @ ( maximum of @ ) in the non-intervention and the intervention facilities , respectively .


After two years , @ intervention facilities ( @ % ) had a visual acuity chart correctly placed and @ ( @ % ) had a working torch , compared to @ ( @ % ) and @ ( @ % ) , respectively , in the routine supervision facilities .


At the facility level , the change in overall test scores was +@ points in the intervention sites compared to +@ points in the non-intervention sites ( p < @ ) .


Staff turnover included about @ % of the staff by the end of the study .


The improvements in the enhanced supervision facilities were very modest and of questionable clinical significance .


The low impact of the intervention may be due to the high turnover of PHCWs or high absenteeism .


A better understanding of the quality of eye care at PHC facilities and influencing factors are urgently needed before continuing to invest resources in the scale up of this model of task shifting in Africa .


Fall prevention is important for maintaining mobility and independence into old age .


Approaches for reducing falls include exercise , tai chi , and home modifications ; however , causes of falling are multifactorial and include not just physical but cognitive factors .


Cognitive decline occurs with age , but older adults with the greatest declines in executive function experience more falls .


The purpose of this study was twofold : to demonstrate the feasibility of a community-based cognitive training program for cognitively intact Black older adults and to analyze its impact on gait and balance in this population .


This pilot study used a pretest/posttest randomized trial design with assignment to an intervention or control group .


Participants assigned to the intervention completed a computer-based cognitive training class that met @ days a week for @ min over @ weeks .


Classes were held at senior/community centers .


Primary outcomes included balance as measured by the Berg Balance Scale ( BBS ) , @-meter gait speed , and @-meter gait speed under visuospatial dual-task condition .


All measures were assessed at baseline and immediately post-intervention .


Participants were community-dwelling Black adults with a mean age of @ and history of falls ( N = @ ) .


Compared to controls , intervention participants experienced statistically significant improvements in BBS and gait speed .


Mean performance on distracted gait speed also improved more for intervention participants compared to controls .


Findings from this pilot randomized trial demonstrate the feasibility of a community-based cognitive training intervention .


They provide initial evidence that cognitive training may be an efficacious approach toward improving balance and gait in older adults known to have a history of falls .


The effectiveness of greater occipital nerve block ( GONB ) in patients with primary headache syndromes is controversial .


Few studies have been evaluated the usefulness of GONB in patients with migraine without aura ( MWOA ) .


To compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided GONB using bupivacaine @ % and placebo on clinical improvement in patients with refractory MWOA in a randomized , double-blinded clinical trial .


A prospective , randomized , placebo-controlled , double-blind pilot trial .


Physical medicine and rehabilitation and neurology departments of a University Hospital .


Thirty-two patients with a diagnosis of MWOA according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders-II criteria were included in the study .


Twenty-three patients ( @ men , @ women ) completed the study .


They were randomly assigned to receive either GONB with local anesthetic ( bupivacaine @ % @ mL ) or greater occipital nerve ( GON ) injection with normal saline ( @ % @ mL ) .


Ultrasound-guided GONB was performed to more accurately locate the nerve .


All procedures were performed using a @ - @ MHz high-resolution linear ultrasound transducer .


The treatment group was comprised of @ patients and the placebo group was comprised of @ patients .


The primary outcome measure was the change in the headache severity score during the one-month post-intervention period .


Headache severity was assessed with a visual analogue scale ( VAS ) from @ ( no pain ) to @ ( intense pain ) .


In both groups , a decrease in headache intensity on the injection side was observed during the first post-injection week and continued until the second week .


After the second week , the improvement continued in the treatment group , and the VAS score reached @ at the end of the fourth week .


In the placebo group after the second week , the VAS values increased again and nearly reached the pre-injection levels .


The decrease in the monthly average pain intensity score on the injected side was statistically significant in the treatment group ( P = @ ) , but not in the placebo group ( P = @ ) .


No statistically significant difference in the monthly average pain intensity score was observed on the uninjected side in either group ( treatment group , P = @ ; placebo group , P = @ ) .


No serious side effect was observed after the treatment in either group .


Only one patient had a self-limited vaso-vagal syncope during the procedure .


This trial included a relatively small sample .


This may have been the result of the inclusion of only those patients who correctly completed their pain diaries .


Another major limitation is the short follow-up duration .


Patients were followed for one month after the injection , thus relatively long-term effects of the injection have not been observed .


Ultrasound guided GONB with @ mL of @ % bupivacaine for the treatment of migraine patients is a safe , simple , and effective technique without severe adverse effects .


To increase the effectiveness of the injection , and to implement the isolated GONB , ultrasonography guidance could be suggested .


X-linked retinitis pigmentosa is a severe inherited retinal degenerative disease with a frequency of @ in @,@ persons .


Because no cure is available for this orphan disease and treatment options are limited , slowing of disease progression would be a meaningful outcome .


To determine whether high-dose docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ) , an -@ polyunsaturated fatty acid , slows progression of X-linked retinitis pigmentosa measured by cone electroretinography ( ERG ) .


A @-year , single-site , randomized , placebo-controlled , double-masked phase @ clinical trial at a research center specializing in medical retina .


Seventy-eight male patients diagnosed as having X-linked retinitis pigmentosa were randomized to DHA or placebo .


Data were omitted for @ patients with non-X-linked retinitis pigmentosa and @ patients who were unable to follow protocol during the first year .


The remaining participants were tested annually and composed a modified intent-to-treat cohort ( DHA group , n = @ ; placebo group , n = @ ) .


All participants received a multivitamin and were randomly assigned to oral DHA ( @ mg/kg/d ) or placebo .


The primary outcome was the rate of loss of cone ERG function .


Secondary outcomes were rod and maximal ERG amplitudes and cone ERG implicit times .


Capsule counts and red blood cell DHA levels were assessed to monitor adherence .


Average ( @-month to @-year ) red blood cell DHA levels were @-fold higher in the DHA group than in the placebo group ( P < @ ) .


There was no difference between the DHA and placebo groups in the rate of cone ERG functional loss ( @ vs @ log V/y , respectively ; P = @ ) .


No group differences were evident for change in rod ERG ( P = @ ) , maximal ERG ( P = @ ) , or cone implicit time ( no change over @ years ) .


The rate of cone loss ( ie , event rate ) was markedly reduced compared with rates in previous studies .


No severe treatment-emergent adverse events were found .


Long-term DHA supplementation was not effective in slowing the loss of cone or rod ERG function associated with X-linked retinitis pigmentosa .


Participant dropout and lower-than-expected disease event rate limited power to detect statistical significance .


A larger sample size , longer trial , and attainment of a target blood DHA level ( @ % ) would be desirable .


While DHA supplementation at @ mg/kg/d does not present serious adverse effects , routine monitoring of gastrointestinal tolerance is prudent .


To investigate the effect of Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction ( , CQCQD ) on regulating serum matrix metalloproteinase @ ( MMP-@ ) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis ( SAP ) .


Thirty-five SAP patients hospitalized in West China Hospital from September @ , @ to February @ , @ were randomly assigned to two groups using a computer-derived random number sequence in a ratio of @:@ , treatment group ( @ patients ) and the placebo control group ( @ patients ) .


The patients in the treatment group were administered with CQCQD by gastric perfusion ( @ mL/@ h ) and retention enema ( @ mL/@ h ) for @ days .


The two groups had similar baseline information .


The clinical indicators , including the initial Balthazar 's computed tomography ( CT ) score , acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II ( APACHE II ) scores on @st , @rd , @th and @th day , incidences and durations of complications and the serum C-reactive protein ( CRP ) , levels of MMP-@ on the @st , @rd , @th and @th day , were recorded and compared between the two groups .


The serum MMP-@ , CRP and the APACHE II scores on the @rd , @th and @th day in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group ( P < @ ) .


The serum MMP-@ was positively correlated with the APACHE II score on the @st day ( r = @ , P = @ ) .


The durations of acute respiratory distress syndrome ( @ vs. @ ) , acute hepatitis ( @ vs. @ ) and acute heart failure ( @ vs. @ , < @ ) in the control group were longer than those in the treatment group .


CQCQD could decrease the serum MMP-@ to relieve the severity of clinical symptoms and prevent the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in patients with SAP .


WSG-ARA plus trial evaluated the effect of adjuvant darbepoetin alfa ( DA ) on outcome in node positive primary breast cancer ( BC ) .


One thousand two hundred thirty-four patients were randomized to chemotherapy either with DA ( DA + ; n = @ ) or without DA ( DA - ; n = @ ) .


DA ( @ g q@w ) was started at hemoglobin ( Hb ) levels < @ g/dl ( < @ g/dl after DA label amendment ) and stopped at Hb levels @ g/dl ( @ g/dl after label amendment ) .


Primary efficacy end point was event-free survival ( EFS ) ; secondary end points were toxicity , quality of life ( QoL ) and overall survival ( OS ) .


Venous thrombosis ( DA + : @ % , DA - : @ % ; P = @ ) was significantly higher for DA + , but not pulmonary embolism ( @ % in both arms ) .


Median Hb levels were stable in DA + ( @ g/dl ) and decreased in DA - ( @ g/dl ) .


Hb levels > @ g/dl were reported in @ % of cycles .


QoL parameters did not significantly differ between arms .


At @ months , DA had no significant impact on EFS ( DA + : @ % , DA - : @ % ; Plog-rank = @ ) or OS ( DA + : @ % , DA - : @ % ; Plog-rank = @ ) .


DA treatment did not impact EFS or OS in routine adjuvant BC treatment .


To observe clinical therapeutic effects of acupuncture for pattern of liver-stagnation and spleen-deficiency in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome ( D-IBS ) and its impact on cell factors .


Forty cases were selected and divided into an acupuncture group ( @ cases ) in which acupuncture was applied and a medicine group ( @ cases ) in which oral administration of dicetel and bifidobacterium lactobacillus triple viable capsules were applied .


The symptom scores , level of Th@-type cytokine ( IFN-gamma , IL-@ ) and Th@-type cytokine ( IL-@ , IL-@ ) and ratio of IFN-gamma to IL-@ were compared in two groups before and after treatment to analyze acupuncture effect .


The clinical symptoms were improved after one-week treatment in the acupuncture group ( P < @ ) , which had faster onset than the medicine group ( P < @ ) .


The total effective rate was @ % ( @/@ ) in the acupuncture group , which was superior to @ % ( @/@ ) in the medicine group ( P < @ ) .


Compared with medicine treatment , imbalanced condition of Th@/Th@ was turning towards the direction of Th@ after acupuncture , indicating a tendency to recover the balance .


The clinical efficacy of acupuncture for D-IBS has close relationship with effectively improving balance of Th@/Th@ in patients with liver-stagnation and spleen-deficiency .


The advanced life support guidelines recommend @min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation ( CPR ) and minimal hands-off time to ensure sufficient cardiac and cerebral perfusion .


We have observed doctors who shorten the CPR intervals during resuscitation attempts .


During simulation-based resuscitation training , the recommended @-min CPR cycles are often deliberately decreased in order to increase the number of scenarios .


The aim of this study was to test if keeping @-min CPR cycles during resuscitation training ensures better adherence to time during resuscitation in a simulated setting .


This study was designed as a randomised control trial .


Fifty-four @th-year medical students with no prior advanced resuscitation training participated in an extra-curricular one-day advanced life support course .


Participants were either randomised to simulation-based training using real-time ( @s ) or shortened CPR cycles ( @-@s instead of @s ) in the scenarios .


Adherence to time was measured using the European Resuscitation Council 's Cardiac Arrest Simulation Test ( CASTest ) in retention tests conducted one and @ weeks after the course .


The real-time group adhered significantly better to the recommended @-min CPR cycles ( time-@s ) ( mean @ ; standard derivation ( SD ) @ ) than the shortened CPR cycle group ( mean @ ; SD @ ) when tested ( p < @ . )


This study indicates that time is an important part of fidelity .


Variables critical for performance , like adherence to time in resuscitation , should therefore be kept realistic during training to optimise outcome .


Weight loss is associated with reduction in bone mineral density ( BMD ) .


The objective was to address the role of changes in fat mass ( FM ) and lean mass ( LM ) in BMD decline in both sexes .


A @-year randomized controlled trial , the Preventing Overweight Using Novel Dietary Strategies ( POUNDS-LOST ) .


The setting was the general community .


Enrolled were @ overweight and obese participants ( mean age , @ @ y ; @ % females ) .


Intervention included weight loss diets differing in fat , protein , and carbohydrates .


Main outcome measures were change in spine , total hip ( TH ) , and femoral neck ( FN ) BMD and sex differences after dietary intervention .


At baseline , a stronger correlation between BMD and body composition measurements was observed in women , primarily with LM ( r = @ , @ , and @ for spine , FN , and TH , respectively ; all P < @ ) .


In men , only LM correlated with hip BMD ( r = @ ; P < @ ) .


Mean weight loss at @ years was -@ % , without differences among diets .


Two-year changes in BMD were @ ( P = @ ) , -@ ( P < @ ) , and -@ g/cm ( @ ) ( P < @ ) , at the spine , TH , and FN , respectively .


These changes directly correlated with changes in LM in women ( r = @ , @ , and @ for spine , FN , and TH , respectively ) , whereas FM loss correlated only with changes in TH BMD ( @ ; P < @ ) .


In men , changes in LM ( -@ ; P < @ ) and FM ( -@ ; P = @ ) negatively correlated with changes in spine BMD .


Weight loss diets result in sex-specific effects on BMD .


Although men exhibited a paradoxical increase in spine BMD , women tended to decrease in BMD at all sites .


Determine whether a church-based social marketing program increases older adults ' participation in balance classes for fall prevention .


In @-@ , @ churches ( @ total members aged @ ) in Colorado , U.S.A. were randomized to receive no intervention or a social marketing program .


The program highlighted benefits of class participation ( staying independent , building relationships ) , reduced potential barriers ( providing convenient , subsidized classes ) , and communicated marketing messages through church leaders , trained `` messengers , '' printed materials and church-based communication channels .


Between-group differences in balance class enrollment and marketing message recall among congregants were compared using Wilcoxon Two-Sample Test and regression models .


Compared to @ control churches , @ churches receiving the social marketing program had a higher median proportion ( @ % vs. @ % ; p < @ ) and mean number ( @ vs. @ ; IRR = @ -LSB- @ % CI : @ , @ -RSB- ) of older adult congregants who joined balance classes .


Intervention church members were also more likely to recall information about preventing falls with balance classes ( AOR = @ ; @ % CI : @ , @ ) and availability of classes locally ( AOR = @ ; @ % CI : @ , @ ) .


Church-based social marketing effectively disseminated messages about preventing falls through balance classes and , by emphasizing benefits and reducing barriers and costs of participation , successfully motivated older adults to enroll in the classes .


Low serum @-hydroxyvitamin D -LSB- @ ( OH ) D -RSB- concentrations have been associated with insulin resistance , the metabolic syndrome , and type @ diabetes .


Because many non-Western immigrants in the Netherlands are vitamin D deficient , obese , and at high risk of diabetes , vitamin D supplementation may contribute to prevent diabetes and insulin resistance .


We examined the effect of vitamin D supplementation on insulin sensitivity and cell function in overweight , vitamin D-deficient , non-Western immigrants at high risk of diabetes .


The study was a @-wk , randomized , placebo-controlled trial .


A total of @ non-Western immigrants with prediabetes ( fasting glucose concentration > @ mmol/L or random glucose concentration from @ to @ mmol/L ) and vitamin D deficiency ( serum @ -LSB- OH -RSB- D concentration < @ nmol/L ) were randomly assigned after stratification by sex to receive either cholecalciferol ( @ IU/d ) or a placebo for @ wk .


All participants received @ mg Ca/d as calcium carbonate .


The primary outcome was the difference in the area under the curve of insulin and glucose after a @-g oral-glucose-tolerance test after @ mo of treatment .


Secondary outcomes were insulin-sensitivity variables , cell-function variables , and metabolic syndrome .


Mean serum @ ( OH ) D concentrations increased significantly in the vitamin D compared with placebo groups .


After @ mo of therapy , the mean between-group difference was @ nmol/L ( @ % CI : @ , @ nmol/L ; P < @ ) .


There was no significant effect on insulin sensitivity and cell function .


In a post hoc analysis , when patients with diabetes at baseline were excluded , a significant increase in the insulinogenic index was observed in participants who obtained a @ ( OH ) D concentration @ nmol/L ( P = @ ) .


Vitamin D supplementation in non-Western vitamin D-deficient immigrants with prediabetes did not improve insulin sensitivity or cell function or change the incidence of metabolic syndrome .


However , after the exclusion of diabetic subjects , an improvement in the insulinogenic index was observed in participants who obtained a @ ( OH ) D concentration @ nmol/L .


This trial was registered at trialregister.nl as NTR@ .


Unilateral spatial neglect ( USN ) is a visual-perceptual disorder that entails the inability to perceive and integrate stimuli on one side of the body , resulting in the neglect of one side of the body .


Stroke patients with USN present with extensive functional disability and duration of therapy input .


To determine the effect of saccadic eye movement training with visual scanning exercises ( VSEs ) integrated with task-specific activities on USN poststroke .


A matched-pair randomized control trial was conducted .


Subjects were matched according to their functional activity level and allocated to either a control ( n = @ ) or an experimental group ( n = @ ) .


All patients received task-specific activities for a @-week intervention period .


The experimental group received saccadic eye movement training with VSE integrated with task specific activities as an `` add on '' intervention .


Assessments were conducted weekly over the intervention period .


Statistical significant difference was noted on the King-Devick Test ( P = @ ) , Star Cancellation Test ( P = @ ) , and Barthel Index ( P = @ ) .


Intensive saccadic eye movement training with VSE integrated with task-specific activities has a significant effect on USN in patients poststroke .


Results of this study are supported by findings from previously reviewed literature in the sense that the effect of saccadic eye movement training with VSE as an intervention approach has a significant effect on the visual perceptual processing of participants with USN poststroke .


The significant improved visual perceptual processing translate to significantly better visual function and ability to perform activities of daily living following the stroke .


In this study we used nationwide population based data to compare perioperative outcomes , including severe bladder injury , between monopolar andbipolar transurethral resection of bladder tumors .


Data of patients with clinical T@ or less bladder cancer who underwent monopolar or bipolar transurethral bladder tumor resection were collected from @ hospitals in the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination database @-@ .


One-to-one propensity score matching was performed .


End points assessed were severe bladder injury requiring placement ofadrainage tube or repair surgery within @ postoperative days , hemostasis procedures consisting of clot removal or transurethral coagulation within @postoperative days , transfusion , other complications , anesthesia duration , postoperative length of stay and total costs .


Multivariate analyses compared outcomes of bipolar and monopolar transurethral bladder tumor resection with gender , age , Charlson comorbidity index , clinical stage , hospital volume and hospital academic status as covariates .


A total of @,@ pairs were generated .


Compared with monopolar transurethral bladder tumor resection , bipolar resection was associated with a significantly lower incidence of severe bladder injury ( @ % vs @ % , OR @ ) , other complications ( @ % vs @ % , OR @ ) , slightly shorter postoperative stay ( mean @ vs @ days , difference -@ % ) and slightly lower total costs ( mean $ @,@ vs $ @,@ ; difference -@ % , all p < @ ) .


There were no differences in postoperative hemostasis procedures , transfusion and anesthesia duration .


Bipolar transurethral bladder tumor resection was associated with a substantially lower incidence of several perioperative complications including severe bladder injury .


The findings support the benefit of bipolar transurethral bladder tumor resection over monopolar resection in real-world clinical practice .


To examine effects of a rowing exercise regimen versus a chest physical therapy program on pulmonary function in children with Down syndrome .


Twenty-nine participants of both sexes , between @ to @ years of age , participated in this study .


They were assigned randomly into @ study groups .


The first group ( A ) received a chest physical therapy program , while the second group ( B ) received an aerobic exercise regimen using a rowing ergometer .


Vital capacity , forced vital capacity , forced expiratory volume after @ second , and peak expiratory flow rate were measured before and after @ successive weeks of treatment .


Significant improvements in all measured variables were found posttreatment in both study groups .


No significant difference between the @ groups was found posttreatment .


Rowing exercise could be effective in improving pulmonary functions in children with Down syndrome .


A systematic assessment of potential disease-modifying compounds for Parkinson 's disease concluded that pioglitazone could hold promise for the treatment of patients with this disease .


We assessed the effect of pioglitazone on the progression of Parkinson 's disease in a multicentre , double-blind , placebo-controlled , futility clinical trial .


Participants with the diagnosis of early Parkinson 's disease on a stable regimen of @ mg/day rasagiline or @ mg/day selegiline were randomly assigned ( @:@:@ ) to @ mg/day pioglitazone , @ mg/day pioglitazone , or placebo .


Investigators were masked to the treatment assignment .


Only the statistical centre and the central pharmacy knew the treatment name associated with the randomisation number .


The primary outcome was the change in the total Unified Parkinson 's Disease Rating Scale ( UPDRS ) score between the baseline and @ weeks , analysed by intention to treat .


The primary null hypothesis for each dose group was that the mean change in UPDRS was @ points less than the mean change in the placebo group .


The alternative hypothesis ( of futility ) was that pioglitazone is not meaningfully different from placebo .


We rejected the null if there was significant evidence of futility at the one-sided alpha level of @ .


The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT@ .


@ patients from @ sites in the USA were enrolled between May @ , @ , and July @ , @ .


The primary analysis included @ patients in the @ mg group , @ in the @ mg group , and @ in the placebo group .


The mean total UPDRS change at @ weeks was @ ( @ % CI @-@ ) for @ mg pioglitazone , @ ( @ % CI @-@ ) for @ mg pioglitazone , and @ ( @ % CI @-@ ) for placebo ( higher change scores are worse ) .


The mean difference between the @ mg and placebo groups was -@ ( @ % CI -@ to -@ ) and the null hypothesis could not be rejected ( p = @ ) .


The mean difference between the @ mg and placebo groups was -@ ( @ % CI -@ to @ ) and the null hypothesis was rejected in favour of futility ( p = @ ) .


Planned sensitivity analyses of the primary outcome , using last value carried forward ( LVCF ) to handle missing data and using the completers ' only sample , suggested that the @ mg dose is also futile ( p = @ for LVCF , p = @ for completers ) but failed to reject the null hypothesis for the @ mg dose ( p = @ for LVCF , p = @ for completers ) .


Six serious adverse events occurred in the @ mg group , nine in the @ mg group , and three in the placebo group ; none were thought to be definitely or probably related to the study interventions .


These findings suggest that pioglitazone at the doses studied here is unlikely to modify progression in early Parkinson 's disease .


Further study of pioglitazone in a larger trial in patients with Parkinson 's disease is not recommended .


Compared with adults without type @ diabetes mellitus , those with the disease experience more limitations in their physical functioning ( PF ) .


Look AHEAD is a large multicenter trial that examined the effects of an intensive lifestyle intervention ( ILI ) for weight loss on cardiovascular outcomes compared with diabetes support and education ( DSE ) .


Although the current study compared treatment differences between ILI and DSE on PF , the primary goal was to examine whether this effect was moderated by age and history of cardiovascular disease at enrollment .


Overweight or obese adults with type @ diabetes mellitus ( n = @,@ ) were randomly assigned to either ILI or DSE .


The mean ( SD ) age and % females in ILI was @ years ( @ ) and @ % ; it was @ years ( @ ) and @ % in DSE .


Analysis in @,@ participants assessed the differential rates of decline in PF across a period of @ years for the ILI and DSE groups .


ILI resulted in improved PF compared with DSE after @ year ( p < @ ) and was maintained across time .


Within the ILI , older adults experienced greater improvements than younger adults ( p < @ ) .


By year @ , persons in ILI with preexisting cardiovascular disease were no different in PF than in DSE participants with preexisting cardiovascular disease .


With the exception of persons who had a history of cardiovascular disease , ILI slowed the decline in PF with type @ diabetes mellitus despite weight regain , an effect that was stronger for older than younger participants and could translate into reductions in falls and disability .


Flexible laryngeal mask airway is a commonly used supraglotic airway device ( SAD ) during ophthalmic surgeries .


Air-Q intubating laryngeal airway ( ILA ) is a newer SAD used as primary airway device and as a conduit for intubation as well .


Available literature shows that air-Q performs equal or better than other SADs in children and adults .


However , limited data is available using air-Q in infants and small children < @ kg .


So , our aim was To compare the performance and efficacy of these two devices in infants and small children .


Our hypothesis is that air-Q due to its improved cuff design will yield better airway seal pressures and improved laryngeal alignment as compared to flexible laryngeal mask airway .


ASA III infants and children weighing < @ kg , undergoing cataract or glaucoma surgery , were randomly divided into two groups of @ each .


After induction of anesthesia and muscle relaxation , we measured oropharyngeal leak pressure ( OLP ) , fibre-optic ( FO ) view of glottis , first insertion success rate , time to insert , and any other complications .


There was no difference between the groups in demographic data , first insertion success rate , time to insert , and postoperative complications .


Air-Q provided significantly more OLP -LSB- @ @ cmH@O vs @ @ cmH@O , P = @ -RSB- and better FO view of glottis ( good view @ % vs @ % , P = @ ) as compared to flexible laryngeal mask airway .


We conclude that air-Q is superior to flexible laryngeal mask airway in providing higher airway sealing pressures and better FO grade of laryngeal view in infants and children .


Initial posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) care is often delayed and many with PTSD go untreated .


Acupuncture appears to be a safe , potentially nonstigmatizing treatment that reduces symptoms of anxiety , depression , and chronic pain , but little is known about its effect on PTSD .


Fifty-five service members meeting research diagnostic criteria for PTSD were randomized to usual PTSD care ( UPC ) plus eight @-minute sessions of acupuncture conducted twice weekly or to UPC alone .


Outcomes were assessed at baseline and @ , @ , and @ weeks postrandomization .


The primary study outcomes were difference in PTSD symptom improvement on the PTSD Checklist ( PCL ) and the Clinician-administered PTSD Scale ( CAPS ) from baseline to @-week follow-up between the @ treatment groups .


Secondary outcomes were depression , pain severity , and mental and physical health functioning .


Mixed model regression and t test analyses were applied to the data .


Mean improvement in PTSD severity was significantly greater among those receiving acupuncture than in those receiving UPC ( PCL = @ vs. @ , P < @ ; CAPS = @ vs. @ , P < @ ) .


Acupuncture was also associated with significantly greater improvements in depression , pain , and physical and mental health functioning .


Pre-post effect-sizes for these outcomes were large and robust .


Acupuncture was effective for reducing PTSD symptoms .


Limitations included small sample size and inability to parse specific treatment mechanisms .


Larger multisite trials with longer follow-up , comparisons to standard PTSD treatments , and assessments of treatment acceptability are needed .


Acupuncture is a novel therapeutic option that may help to improve population reach of PTSD treatment .


To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at Hegu ( LI @ ) on central facial nerve paralysis after ischemic stroke , and explore dose-effect relationship among different stimulation intensities of acupuncture at Hegu ( LI @ ) as well as its optimal treatment plan .


According to different acupuncture stimulation intensities which were based on treatment time and needle insertion direction , fifty patients were randomly divided into a Hegu @ group , a Hegu @ group , a Hegu @ group , a Hegu @ group and a control group , ten cases in each one .


Different stimulation intensities of acupuncture at Hegu ( LI @ ) combined with facial paralysis acupoints , including Yingxiang ( LI @ ) , Dicang ( ST @ ) , Jiache ( ST @ ) and Quanliao ( SI @ ) , were applied in Hegu @ to @ groups ; meanwhile acupuncture at stroke acupoints , including Neiguan ( PC @ ) , Shuigou ( GV @ ) and Sanyinjiao ( SP @ ) , and medication treatment were adopted .


Except acupuncture at Hegu ( LI @ ) , the treatment of the control group was identical as Hegu groups .


The treatment duration lasted for @ days .


The House-Brackmann facial never grading systems ( H-B ) , Toronto facial grading system ( TFGS ) , degrees of facial never paralysis ( DFNP ) , facial disability index ( FDI ) and clinical efficacy were compared among groups .


( @ ) Compared before the treatment , H-B , TFGS , DFNP and physical function score in FDI were all improved significantly in the Hegu @ to @ groups ( all P < @ ) , but social function score in FDI was not obviously improved ( all P > @ ) ; all the scores in the control group were not evidently changed ( all P > @ ) .


( @ ) Compared with the control group , differences of H-B before and after treatment in the Hegu @ to @ groups , differences of TFGS in the Hegu @ group and differences of DFNP in the Hegu @ and Hegu @ group were significantly improved ( all P < @ ) .


The differences of any scale among Hegu @ to @ groups were not significant ( all P > @ ) , in which the most evident change was found in Hegu @ group .


( @ ) The total effective rate was @ % ( @/@ ) , @ % ( @/@ ) , @ % ( @/@ ) and @ % ( @/@ ) in Hegu @ to @ groups , which were significantly higher than @ % ( @/@ ) in the control group ( all P < @ ) .


Acupuncture at Hegu ( LI @ ) has affirmative clinical efficacy on central facial nerve paralysis after ischemic stroke , in which oblique insertion along the opposite direction of meridian for @ s of twirling manipulation has the best clinical effect .


Internet support group ( ISG ) members benefit from receiving social support and , according to the helper therapy principle , by providing support to others .


To test the mental health benefits of providing support to others , this trial compared the efficacy of a standard ISG ( S-ISG ) and an enhanced prosocial ISG ( P-ISG ) .


A two-armed randomized controlled trial with @-month pretest and post-test assessments was conducted with women ( N = @ ) diagnosed in the past @ months with nonmetastatic breast cancer who reported elevated anxiety or depression .


Women were randomly assigned to either the S-ISG or P-ISG condition .


Both conditions included six professionally facilitated live chat sessions ( @-minute weekly sessions ) and access to an asynchronous discussion board ; P-ISG also included structured opportunities to help and encourage others .


Relative to the S-ISG , participants in the P-ISG condition exhibited more supportive behaviors ( emotional , informational , and companionate support ) , posted more messages that were other-focused and fewer that were self-focused , and expressed less negative emotion ( P < @ ) .


Relative to the S-ISG , participants in the P-ISG condition had a higher level of depression and anxiety symptoms after the intervention ( P < @ ) .


Despite the successful manipulation of supportive behaviors , the P-ISG did not produce better mental health outcomes in distressed survivors of breast cancer relative to an S-ISG .


The prosocial manipulation may have inadvertently constrained women from expressing their needs openly , and thus , they may not have had their needs fully met in the group .


Helping others may not be beneficial as a treatment for distressed survivors of breast cancer .


Polychlorinated biphenyls ( PCBs ) and dioxin given to experimental animals increase the blood pressure .


We therefore investigated if circulating levels of persistent organic pollutants ( POPs ) were related to hypertension in a population-based sample of men and women .


One thousand and sixteen subjects aged @ years were investigated in the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors ( PIVUS ) study .


Twenty-three POPs were analyzed using high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry ( HRGC/HRMS ) .


Hypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure @mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure @mmHg , and/or use of antihypertensive medication .


Seven hundred and thirty-two subjects ( @ % ) showed hypertension .


When the POPs were treated as continuous variables and adjusted for gender only , two PCBs with a low number of chlorine atoms ( PCB @ and @ ) were related to prevalent hypertension .


Also the OC pesticide p , p ' - DDE was related to hypertension .


The strongest of these associations was seen for p , p ' - DDE ( OR @ for a @ SD change , @ % CI @-@ @ , p < @ ) .


Following further adjustment also for BMI , smoking status , education level and exercise habits , only p , p ' - DDE was still significantly related to hypertension ( OR @ for a @ SD change , @ % CI @-@ @ , p = @ ) .


In this cross-sectional analysis of an elderly population , high levels of circulating levels of p , p ' - DDE were associated with prevalent hypertension , further strengthening the experimental findings that POPs might influence blood pressure .


To compare the effectiveness of buddy strapping and aluminum orthosis for treatment of proximal interphalangeal ( PIP ) joint hyperextension injuries .


We also evaluated the effect of age on the outcome by comparing our results in adults and children .


One hundred twenty-one consecutive patients with a PIP joint hyperextension injury of the index , middle , ring , or little finger and without fracture were evaluated .


Patients were randomly assigned into @ groups .


In the first group , treatment included buddy strapping of the injured finger to its neighbor noninjured finger for a week .


In the second group , immobilization was secured with an aluminum extension blocking orthosis for a week in @ flexion .


Assessment of motion , edema , pain , and strength were performed weekly for the first month and then at @ , @ , and @ months after injury .


The patients treated with buddy strapping exhibited similar outcomes compared with those treated with aluminum orthoses .


In patients with full recovery , buddy strapping allowed earlier recovery of motion and resolution of edema and pain compared with aluminum orthosis immobilization .


Furthermore , PIP injuries appear to have better outcomes in children than in adults .


Buddy strapping is easy and effective treatment for PIP joint hyperextension injuries .


Approximately @ % of newborns infants need respiratory support at birth .


This study evaluated whether video-based education could improve quality of positive pressure ventilation ( PPV ) performed by inexperienced staff during neonatal resuscitation .


Fourth-year medical students were randomly paired and instructed to give PPV to a modified manikin as single-person resuscitators and as two-person-paired resuscitators using either an air cushion rim mask or a round mask before and after watching a self-instructional video .


Airway pressure , gas flow , tidal volume and mask leak were recorded .


PPV performance quality was analysed using video recording .


Mask leak was lower during one-person ventilation when using the air cushion rim mask ( @ @ % ) compared to the round mask ( @ @ % ) .


Round mask leak during one-person ventilation was significantly lower when using the two point top hold in contrast to the ` o.k. ' rim hold ( before training : @ @ % vs. @ @ % , after training : @ @ % vs. @ @ % ) .


Watching a self-instructional video improved performance quality scores of both correct head positioning , and the quality of airway manoeuvres compared to baseline , however mask leak was not significantly reduced .


A self-instructional video significantly improved bag mask PPV performance in inexperienced providers but did not improve mask leak in a model of neonatal resuscitation .


Internet-based interventions for smoking cessation could help millions of people stop smoking at very low unit costs ; however , long-term biochemically verified evidence is scarce and such interventions might be less effective for smokers with low socioeconomic status than for those with high status because of lower online literacy to engage with websites .


We aimed to assess a new interactive internet-based intervention ( StopAdvisor ) for smoking cessation that was designed with particular attention directed to people with low socioeconomic status .


We did this online randomised controlled trial between Dec @ , @ , and Oct @ , @ , in the UK .


Participants aged @ years and older who smoked every day were randomly assigned ( @:@ ) to receive treatment with StopAdvisor or an information-only website .


Randomisation was automated with an unseen random number function embedded in the website to establish which treatment was revealed after the online baseline assessment .


Recruitment continued until the required sample size had been achieved from both high and low socioeconomic status subpopulations .


Participants , and researchers who obtained data and did laboratory analyses , were masked to treatment allocation .


The primary outcome was @ month sustained , biochemically verified abstinence .


The main secondary outcome was @ month , @ day biochemically verified point prevalence .


Analysis was by intention to treat .


Homogeneity of intervention effect across the socioeconomic subsamples was first assessed to establish whether overall or separate subsample analyses were appropriate .


The study is registered as an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial , number ISRCTN@ .


We randomly assigned @ participants to the StopAdvisor group ( n = @ ) or the control group ( n = @ ) ; @ participants were of low socioeconomic status and @ participants were of high status .


The overall rate of smoking cessation was similar between participants in the StopAdvisor and control groups for the primary ( @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- vs @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- participants ; relative risk -LSB- RR -RSB- @ , @ % CI @-@ ; p = @ ) and the secondary ( @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- vs @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- participants ; @ , @-@ ; p = @ ) outcomes ; however , the intervention effect differed across socioeconomic status subsamples ( @ , @-@ ; p = @ and @ , @-@ ; p = @ , respectively ) .


StopAdvisor helped participants with low socioeconomic status stop smoking compared with the information-only website ( primary outcome : @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- of @ vs @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- of @ participants ; RR @ , @ % CI @-@ ; p = @ ; secondary outcome : @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- vs @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- participants ; @ , @-@ , p = @ ) , but did not improve cessation rates in those with high socioeconomic status ( @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- of @ vs @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- of @ participants ; @ , @-@ ; p = @ and @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- vs @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- participants ; @ , @-@ , p = @ , respectively ) .


StopAdvisor was more effective than an information-only website in smokers of low , but not high , socioeconomic status .


StopAdvisor could be implemented easily and made freely available , which would probably improve the success rates of smokers with low socioeconomic status who are seeking online support .


The efficiency of inhibitory pain descending pathways ( evaluated using conditioned pain modulation -LSB- CPM -RSB- ) has not been studied in postherpetic neuralgia ( PHN ) .


To compare CPM in PHN patients with healthy controls .


Nine PHN patients and nine control individuals were matched according to age and sex .


Amplitudes of cortical thermal-evoked potentials were recorded on the surface of the scalp ; clinical pain and thermal pain were evaluated on a @ to @ numerical rating scale , at baseline and at intervals during the @ min after CPM ( elicited by a cold pressor test , @C ) .


A battery of cognitive tests was performed .


Amplitude differences , percentages and related areas under the curve ( AUC <spanstyle="vertical-align:sub"> CPM <span> ) were calculated and all data were compared between both groups ; P < @ was considered to be statistically significant .


AUC <spanstyle="vertical-align:sub"> CPM@-@ min <span> was significantly lower in PHN patients compared with controls ( -@ Vmin versus -@ Vmin ; P = @ ) and correlated ( P = @ ) with clinical pain intensity .


Pain ratings before CPM were similar in both groups but were significantly lower in the control group @ min after the cold pressor test .


Cognitive test results were not significantly different .


Psychophysical and electrophysiological approaches have shown that patients with PHN exhibit a deficiency of pain inhibition modulation , which could signal a predisposing factor to developing chronic pain .


This deficiency was not linked to the cognitive performance but rather to subtle in situ cognitivoemotional adaptations , which remain to be investigated .


To present detailed adverse event ( AE ) data from a randomized controlled trial ( RCT ) of a home-based exercise program delivered to an elderly high-risk population by an exercise therapist after medical clearance from a general practitioner ( GP ) .


Randomized controlled trial .


General practitioner practices and participant homes .


Community-dwelling , chronically ill , mobility-limited individuals aged @ and older ( mean @ @ ) participating in a RCT of an exercise program ( HOMEfit ; ISRCTN@ ) ( N = @ ; n = @ experimental , n = @ control ; @ % female ) .


A @-week multidimensional home-based exercise program ( experimental ) versus baseline physical activity counseling ( control ) .


An exercise therapist delivered both interventions to participants during counseling sessions at the GP 's practice and on the telephone .


Adverse events were documented at least at every counseling session and assessed by the GP and an AE manager .


One hundred fifty-one AEs were reported in @ % ( n = @ ) of all participants .


Twenty-one ( @ % ) events were classified as serious .


In six events ( @ % ; n = @ experimental , n = @ control ) , participation in the study had to be discontinued immediately .


In @ events ( @ % ; n = @ experimental , n = @ control ) , the intervention had to be suspended .


The intervention was determined to have caused two events ( both nonserious and in the experimental group ) .


Even though the program appears to be safe , high morbidity unrelated to exercise can constitute a critical challenge for sustained exercise participation .


Candidates for liver transplantation may have malnutrition , fatigue , loss of muscle mass and function .


The combination of these factors leads to overall physical disability and physical inactivity .


The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a respiratory physiotherapeutic program on liver transplantation candidates .


Forty-two patients were evaluated by respiratory muscle strength , surface electromyography of the rectus abdominis and diaphragm , and spirometry .


We also applied the SF-@ .


The patients were divided into two groups : @ randomly assigned to the control group and @ in the intervention group .


The intervention consisted of an explanatory and illustrative manual to be followed at home with diaphragmatic breathing exercises , diaphragmatic isometric exercise , Threshold IMT , lifting the upper limbs with a bat , and strengthening the abdominals .


Significant difference was found between initial forced expiratory flow ( FEF ) @-@ % ( P = @ ) and final FEF@-@ in the intervention group .


The control group had significant difference ( P = @ ) in the diaphragm RMS between initial time and end time .


In conclusion , the control group showed greater electrical activity of the diaphragm after @ months .


The intervention group benefited from the exercise , thus improving the FEF@-@ % .


To evaluate the effects of a tailored information package for rectal cancer patients on satisfaction with information , anxiety and depression and readjustment .


The study used a randomised control trial method .


Seventy six patients undergoing surgery and treatment for rectal cancer were randomly assigned to an intervention ( n = @ ) or control group ( n = @ ) .


The intervention group received an information pack tailored according to their treatment plan and preferred information .


The control group received the information currently given to these patients .


Satisfaction with information was measured using the Patient Satisfaction with Cancer Treatment Education ( PSCaTE ) scale , anxiety and depression were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ( HADS ) and readjustment was measured using the Reintegration to Normal Living Index , at three time points .


There was a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control group on pre and post intervention scores with patients in the intervention group expressing a higher level of satisfaction with information than those in the control group at Times @ and @ ( p = @ for both ) .


The intervention group also had a significantly lower anxiety score than the control group at Time @ ( p = @ ) .


There was no difference between depression and readjustment scores in the two groups .


The results support the hypothesis that a tailored information pack for patients with rectal cancer will positively affect satisfaction with information .


These results will enhance the knowledge base surrounding the provision of tailored information to specific patient groups .