Using mental simulations and the strength model of self-control as the theoretical bases of the intervention , the study will adopt a fully randomized @ ( mental simulation : mental simulation vs. control irrelevant visualization exercise ) @ ( self-control training : challenging Stroop task vs. easy Stroop task ) between-participants design .


Non-abstinent undergraduate students aged @years or older will be eligible to participate in the study .


Participants will complete an initial survey including self-reported alcohol consumption measures , measures of motivation and self - measures .


Participants will be randomly allocated to receive either a mental simulation exercise presented in print format or a control irrelevant visualization exercise .


Thereafter , participants will be randomly assigned to receive a challenging online self-control training exercise or an easy training exercise that has little self-control demand over the course of the next four weeks .


Four weeks later participants will complete a follow-up alcohol consumption , motivation and self-control measures .


This study will provide the first evidence for the individual and interactive effects of motivational and self-control training techniques in an intervention to reduce alcohol consumption .


It will also demonstrate the importance of adopting multiple theoretical perspectives and a factorial design to identify the unique and interactive impact of behavior-change techniques on health behavior .


Safetac-based soft silicone dressings used in a management setting decrease the severity of radiation-induced acute skin reactions but do not affect moist desquamation rates .


Here we investigate the prophylactic use of another Safetac product , Mepitel Film , on moist desquamation rates .


A total of @ breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy were recruited between October @ and April @ ; @ participants contributed data for analysis .


Lateral and medial halves of the skin areas to be irradiated were randomised to Mepitel Film or aqueous cream ; skin dose was measured using thermoluminescent dosimeters ; skin reaction severity was assessed using RISRAS and RTOG scales .


Overall skin reaction severity was reduced by @ % ( p < @ ) in favour of Mepitel Film ( RISRAS ) .


All patients developed some form of reaction in cream-treated skin which progressed to moist desquamation in @ % of patients ( RTOG grades I : @ % ; IIA : @ % ; IIB : @ % ; III : @ % ) .


Only @ % of patients had a skin reaction under the Film , which did not progress to moist desquamation in any of the patients ( RTOG grades I : @ % ; IIA : @ % ) .


Mepitel Film completely prevented moist desquamation and reduced skin reaction severity by @ % when used prophylactically in our cohort .


To determine whether the @-year success rate of penetrating keratoplasty for corneal endothelial disorders is associated with donor age .


Multicenter , prospective , double-masked clinical trial .


A total of @ participants undergoing penetrating keratoplasty at @ sites for Fuchs ' dystrophy ( @ % ) , pseudophakic/aphakic corneal edema ( @ % ) , or another corneal endothelial disorder ( @ % ) and followed for up to @ years .


Forty-three eye banks provided corneas from donors aged @ to @ years , using a randomized approach to assign donor corneas to study participants without respect to recipient factors .


Surgery and postoperative care were performed according to the surgeons ' usual routines .


Graft failure defined as a regraft or , in the absence of a regraft , a cloudy cornea that was sufficiently opaque to compromise vision for @ consecutive months .


In the primary analysis , the @-year success rate was @ % for @ corneas from donors aged @ to @ years compared with @ % for @ donors aged @ to @ years ( difference , +@ % ; @ % confidence interval , -@ to +@ ; P = @ ) .


When analyzed as a continuous variable , higher donor age was associated with lower graft success beyond the first @ years ( P < @ ) .


Exploring this association further , we observed that the @-year success rate was relatively constant for donors aged @ to @ years ( @ % ) .


The success rate was higher for @ donors aged @ to @ years ( @ % ) and lower for @ donors aged @ to @ years ( @ % ) .


The relative decrease in the success rate with donor ages @ to @ years was not observed until after year @ .


Although the primary analysis did not show a significant difference in @-year success rates comparing donor ages @ to @ years and @ to @ years , there was evidence of a donor age effect at the extremes of the age range .


Because we observed a fairly constant @-year success rate for donors aged @ to @ years , which account for approximately @ % of corneas in the United States available for transplant , the Cornea Donor Study results indicate that donor age is not an important factor in most penetrating keratoplasties for endothelial disease .


Perimenopause is accompanied by an increased risk of new and recurrent depression .


The coincidence of declining ovarian function with the onset of depression led to the inference that `` withdrawal '' from physiologic estradiol levels underpinned depression in perimenopause .


To our knowledge , this is the first controlled systematic study to directly test the estrogen withdrawal theory of perimenopausal depression ( PMD ) .


To examine the role of estradiol withdrawal in PMD .


Initial open-label treatment with estradiol followed by randomized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , parallel-design evaluation of continued estradiol treatment was evaluated at an outpatient research facility at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center .


An intent-to-treat analysis was performed between October @ and July @ .


Participants included asymptomatic postmenopausal women with past PMD responsive to hormone therapy ( n = @ ) and asymptomatic postmenopausal women with no history of depression ( n = @ ) matched for age , body mass index , and reproductive status who served as controls .


Data were analyzed between November @ and October @ by repeated-measures analysis of variance .


After @ weeks of open-label administration of transdermal estradiol ( @ g/d ) , participants were randomized to a parallel design to receive either estradiol ( @ g/d ; @ participants ) or matched placebo skin patches ( @ participants ) for @ additional weeks under double-blind conditions .


Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale and @-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( completed by raters blind to diagnosis and randomization status ) , self-administered visual analog symptom ratings , and blood hormone levels obtained at weekly clinic visits .


None of the women reported depressive symptoms during open-label use of estradiol .


Women with past PMD who were crossed over from estradiol to placebo experienced a significant increase in depression symptom severity demonstrated using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale and @-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale , with mean ( SD ) scores increasing from estradiol ( ie , @ -LSB- @ -RSB- and @ -LSB- @ -RSB- ) to placebo ( @ -LSB- @ -RSB- and @ -LSB- @ -RSB- , respectively -LSB- P = @ for both -RSB- ) .


Women with past PMD who continued estradiol therapy and all women in the control group remained asymptomatic .


Women in both groups had similar hot-flush severity and plasma estradiol levels during use of placebo .


In women with past PMD that was previously responsive to hormone therapy , the recurrence of depressive symptoms during blinded hormone withdrawal suggests that normal changes in ovarian estradiol secretion can trigger an abnormal behavioral state in these susceptible women .


Women with a history of PMD should be alert to the risk of recurrent depression when discontinuing hormone therapy .


Most persons with dementia live at home and are treated in the primary care .


However , the ambulatory health care system in Germany contains a lot of `` interface problems '' and is not optimized for the future challenges .


Innovative concepts like regional networks in dementia care exist on a project level and need to be tested for efficacy to encourage implementation .


The goal of the study is the scientific evaluation of an already existing regional dementia network .


Prospective randomized controlled trial of @ community-living elderly with dementia and their family caregivers of network treatment ( n = @ ) compared to usual care ( n = @ ) in a predominantly rural region .


The allocation to intervention or control group was based on network membership of their General Practitioner .


Intervention patients received diagnostic evaluation and subsequent treatment according to network guidelines .


Main outcome measures were the early contact with a neurologic or psychiatric specialist and dementia-specific medication as well as quality of life of the patients , and as secondary outcomes caregiver burden and caregiver health-related quality of life .


Network patients were more likely to receive antidementive drugs ( @ % vs. @ % ; p = @ ) and had more often contact to a neurologist ( @ % vs. @ % ; p < @ ) .


No group differences were found on patient 's quality of life nor overall effects or treatment by time effects .


Intervention caregivers reported no significant improvements in health related quality of life measured by SF-@ and EQ-@D .


The management of dementia patients in an interdisciplinary regional network solelyprovides measurable advantages with respect to the provision of dementia-specific medication and utilization of medical treatment i.e. referral rates to specialists .


Further evaluation research is needed to identify relevant mechanismsof collaborative processes with respect to their impact on patient and caregiver related outcomes .


To evaluate the efficacy and safety of enteral recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor ( rhG-CSF ) and recombinant human erythropoietin ( rhEPO ) in preventing feeding intolerance .


An interventional randomized control trial was conducted in @ preterm infants born at @ weeks gestational age .


The neonates were assigned to @ groups ; @ received rhG-CSF , @ received rhEPO , @ received both , and @ received distilled water ( placebo control ) .


The test solution was given at the beginning of enteral feeding and was discontinued when enteral intake reached @ mL/kg/day or after a maximum of @ days , whichever came first .


Feeding tolerance and adverse effects of treatment were assessed .


Serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and erythropoietin levels were measured on days @ and @ of treatment .


All neonates tolerated the treatment without side effects .


Neonates who received rhG-CSF and/or rhEPO had better feeding tolerance , as reflected by earlier achievement of @ mL/kg/day , @ mL/kg/day , and full enteral feeding of @ mL/kg/day with earlier weight gain and a shorter hospital stay ( P < @ ) .


The risk of necrotizing enterocolitis was reduced from @ % to @ % in all treatment groups ( P < @ ) .


There was a shorter duration of withholding of feeding secondary to feeding intolerance among neonates receiving both rhG-CSF and rhEPO compared with those receiving placebo ( P < @ ) .


Serum levels of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and erythropoietin at @ and @ days did not differ across the treatment groups .


Enteral administration of rhG-CSF and/or rhEPO improves feeding outcome and decreases the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm neonates .


The mechanism may involve the prevention of villous atrophy .


To evaluate the effects of whole-body resistance training on exercise capacity , health-related quality of life ( HRQOL ) , and muscle strength in patients hospitalized for exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease .


Randomized controlled trial .


University hospital .


Patients ( N = @ ) were randomized to either a control group ( CG ) or training group ( TG ) , and @ patients completed the study .


Training consisted of weight-lifting exercises for @ muscle groups in the upper and lower limbs ( @ sets of @ repetitions each ) , and the initial load was set at @ % of the @-repetition maximum load .


Patients were evaluated on the second day of hospitalization , at hospital discharge , and @ days postdischarge .


Patients were evaluated on the basis of the @-minute walking distance ( @MWD ) , HRQOL , muscle strength , systemic inflammatory markers , and level of physical activity in daily life ( PADL ) .


The CG showed a reduction in the strength of lower-limb muscles ( P < @ ) but not in the @MWD ( P > @ ) .


In contrast , patients from the TG improved strength in the lower-limb muscles and @MWD during and @ days after hospitalization ( P < @ ) .


The TG also improved the impact domain in HRQOL after hospitalization .


No improvement in PADL was observed in the TG .


Finally , a reduction in the blood levels of inflammatory markers was observed only in the TG after hospitalization .


Our results suggest that resistance training during hospitalization improves the @MWD , HRQOL , and lower-limb muscle strength , without altering the levels of systemic inflammation .


However , future research should explore this intervention in larger randomized trials .


Neoadjuvant hormonal therapy ( NHT ) is playing an increasing role in the clinical management of breast cancer ( BC ) and may improve surgical outcomes for postmenopausal , oestrogen receptor ( ER ) - positive BC patients .


However , there is currently no consensus on the optimal duration of NHT before surgery .


Here , we present the outcomes of the TEAM IIA trial , a multicentre , phase II trial investigating the efficacy of six months of neoadjuvant exemestane in postmenopausal , strong ER-positive ( ER + , @ % ) BC patients .


@ patients ( stage T@-T@ac ) were included in the study after exclusion of ineligible patients .


Primary end-point was clinical response at @ and @ months as measured by palpation .


Secondary end-point was radiological response as measured by magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) , mammography and/or ultrasound .


Linear mixed models ( @ % confidence interval ( CI ) ) were used to compare changes in mean tumour size ( in mm ) between baseline , @ and @ months after the start of endocrine therapy .


Conversion rates from mastectomy to breast conserving surgery ( BCS ) were evaluated .


Median age of all patients was @ years ( range @-@ ) .


Overall response rate by clinical palpation was @ % in all patients with a final palpation measurement .


Four patients had clinically progressive disease .


@ patients had both @-month and > @-month palpation measurements .


Overall response was @ % at @ months and @ % at final palpation ( > @ months ) .


Mean tumour size by clinical palpation at T = @ was @ mm ( @ % CI @-@ @ mm ) , and decreased to @ mm ( @ % CI @-@ @ mm ) and @ mm ( @ % CI @-@ @ ) at T = @ and T > @ months , respectively ( p = @ ) .


Final radiological response rates at the end of treatment for MRI ( n = @ ) , ultrasound ( n = @ ) and mammography ( n = @ ) were @ % , @ % and @ % , respectively .


Feasibility of BCS improved from @ % to @ % ( McNemar p = @ ) .


@ months of neoadjuvant exemestane therapy helps reduce mean tumour size further in strongly ER-positive BC patients without significant side-effects compared to @ months .


Nevertheless , some patients still experience disease progression under exemestane .


Feasibility of breast conservation rates improved by almost @ % .


Hypoparathyroidism results in impaired mineral homoeostasis , including hypocalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia .


Treatment with high-dose oral calcium and active vitamin D does not provide adequate or consistent control of biochemical indices and can lead to serious long-term complications .


We aimed to test the efficacy , safety , and tolerability of once-daily recombinant human parathyroid hormone @-@ ( rhPTH -LSB- @-@ -RSB- ) in adults with hypoparathyroidism .


In this double-blind , placebo-controlled , randomised phase @ study ( REPLACE ) , we recruited patients with hypoparathyroidism ( @ months duration ) aged @-@ years from @ sites in eight countries .


After an optimisation period , during which calcium and active vitamin D doses were adjusted to achieve consistent albumin-corrected serum calcium , patients were randomly assigned ( @:@ ) via an interactive voice response system to @ g per day of rhPTH ( @-@ ) or placebo for @ weeks .


Active vitamin D and calcium were progressively reduced , while rhPTH ( @-@ ) could be titrated up from @ g to @ g and then @ g ( weeks @-@ ) .


The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients at week @ who achieved a @ % or greater reduction from baseline in their daily dose of oral calcium and active vitamin D while maintaining a serum calcium concentration greater than or the same as baseline concentrations and less than or equal to the upper limit of normal , analysed by intention to treat .


This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT@ .


Between June @ , @ , and Feb @ , @ , @ eligible patients were recruited and randomly assigned to rhPTH ( @-@ ) ( n = @ ) or placebo ( n = @ ) .


Six patients in the rhPTH ( @-@ ) group and seven in the placebo group discontinued before study end .


@ ( @ % ) patients in the rhPTH ( @-@ ) group achieved the primary endpoint compared with one ( @ % ) patient in the placebo group ( percentage difference @ % , @ % CI @-@ @ ; p < @ ) .


The proportions of patients who had at least one adverse event were similar between groups ( @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- patients in the rhPTH -LSB- @-@ -RSB- group vs @ -LSB- @ % -RSB- patients in the placebo group ) , with hypocalcaemia , muscle spasm , paraesthesias , headache , and nausea being the most common adverse events .


The proportions of patients with serious adverse events were also similar between the rhPTH ( @-@ ) group ( ten -LSB- @ % -RSB- patients ) and the placebo group ( four -LSB- @ % -RSB- patients ) .


@ g , @ g , or @ g per day of rhPTH ( @-@ ) , administered subcutaneously in the outpatient setting , is efficacious and well tolerated as a PTH replacement therapy for patients with hypoparathyroidism .


Second line endocrine therapy has limited antitumour activity .


Fulvestrant inhibits and downregulates the oestrogen receptor .


The mitogen-activated protein kinase ( MAPK ) pathway is one of the major cascades involved in resistance to endocrine therapy .


We assessed the efficacy and safety of fulvestrant with selumetinib , a MEK @/@ inhibitor , in advanced stage breast cancer progressing after aromatase inhibitor ( AI ) .


This randomised phase II trial included postmenopausal patients with endocrine-sensitive breast cancer .


They were ramdomised to fulvestrant combined with selumetinib or placebo .


The primary endpoint was disease control rate ( DCR ) in the experimental arm .


ClinicalTrials.gov Indentifier : NCT@ .


Following the planned interim efficacy analysis , recruitment was interrupted after the inclusion of @ patients ( @ in each arm ) , because the selumetinib-fulvestrant arm did not reach the pre-specified DCR .


DCR was @ % ( @ % confidence interval ( CI ) @-@ % ) in the selumetinib arm and @ % ( @ % CI @-@ % ) in the placebo arm .


Median progression-free survival was @ months ( @ % CI @-@ @ ) in the selumetinib arm and @ months ( @ % CI @-@ @ ) in the placebo arm .


Median time to treatment failure was @ ( @ % CI @-@ @ ) and @ ( @ % CI @-@ @ ) months , respectively .


The most frequent treatment-related adverse events observed in the selumetinib-fulvestrant arm were skin disorders , fatigue , nausea/vomiting , oedema , diarrhoea , mouth disorders and muscle disorders .


The addition of selumetinib to fulvestrant did not show improving patients ' outcome and was poorly tolerated at the recommended monotherapy dose .


Selumetinib may have deteriorated the efficacy of the endocrine therapy in some patients .


Biochemical markers of myocardial injury are frequently altered after cardiac surgery .


So far there is no evidence whether oral beta-blockers may reduce myocardial injury after coronary artery bypass grafting .


To determine if oral administration of prophylactic metoprolol reduces the release of cardiac troponin I in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting , not complicated by new Q waves .


A prospective randomized study , including @ patients , divided in @ groups : Group A ( n = @ , control ) and B ( n = @ , beta-blockers ) .


In group B , metoprolol tartrate was administered @ mg/day .


The myocardial injury was assessed by troponin I with @ hour and @ hours after coronary artery bypass grafting .


No significant difference between groups regarding pre-surgical , surgical , complication in intensive care ( @ % versus @ % , P = @ ) and the total number of hospital events ( @ % versus @ % , P = @ ) was observed .


The median value of troponin I with @ hours in the study population was @ ng/ml and was lower in group B than in group A ( @ ng/ml versus @ ng/ml , P < @,@ ) .


In the multivariate analysis , the variables that have shown to be independent predictors of troponin I release after @ hours were : no beta-blockers administration and number of vessels treated .


The results of this study in uncomplicated coronary artery bypass grafting , comparing the postoperative release of troponin I at @ hours between the control group and who used oral prophylactic metoprolol for at least @ hours , allow to conclude that there was less myocardial injury in the betablocker group , giving some degree of myocardial protection .


The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation ( RFCA ) versus antiarrhythmic drugs ( AADs ) for treatment of patients with frequent ventricular premature beats ( VPBs ) originating from the right ventricular outflow tract ( RVOT ) .


A total of @ eligible patients were included in the study and were randomly assigned to RFCA or AADs group .


The absolute number and the burden of VPBs on @-lead Holter monitors were measured at baseline and at @st , @rd , @th , and @th months after randomization .


Left ventricular eject fraction was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiogram at baseline and at @ and @ months after randomization .


During the @-year follow-up period , VPB recurrence was significantly lower in patients randomized to RFCA group ( @ patients , @ % ) versus AADs group ( @ patients , @ % ; P < @ , log-rank test ) .


In a Poisson generalized estimating equations ( GEE ) regression model , RFCA was associated with a greater decrease in the burden of VPBs ( incidence rate ratio @ ; @ % confidence intervals -LSB- @-@ @ -RSB- ; P < @ ) compared with AADs .


In a liner GEE model , the left ventricular eject fraction had a tendency to increase after the treatment in both groups ( coefficient , @ ; @ % confidence intervals -LSB- @-@ @ -RSB- ; P < @ ) .


In a Cox proportional model , the QS morphology in lead I was the only predictor of VPB recurrence free for catheter ablation ( hazards ratio , @ ; @ % confidence intervals -LSB- @-@ @ -RSB- ; P = @ ) .


Catheter ablation is more efficacious than AADs for preventing VPB recurrence in patients with frequent VPBs originating from the RVOT .


QS morphology in lead I was associated with better outcome after ablation .


Although there is no direct evidence , it is generally believed that bed rest shifts the haemostatic system towards hypercoagulability ; thus , immobilized patients are commonly treated with anticoagulants .


We therefore aimed to investigate whether long-term bed rest actually leads to an elevated risk for thromboembolic events .


Eleven healthy men were enrolled in our study ( bed rest campaign in MEDES Clinique d'Investigation , Toulouse , France ) .


Besides various standard laboratory methods , we used calibrated automated thrombography ( CAT ) and thrombelastometry ( TEM ) .


Activation of samples with minute amounts of relipidated tissue factor allowed sensitive detection of hyper - or hypocoagulable states .


CAT and TEM values were not indicative of bed rest-induced hypercoagulability .


On the contrary , several parameters were indicative of a tendency towards a hypocoagulable state .


Peak and thrombin formation velocity ( VELINDEX ) were significantly decreased during bed rest compared to baseline .


Coagulation times were significantly increased and alpha angles were significantly decreased , indicating attenuated clot formation .


Moreover , F@ +@ and thrombin/antithrombin complex ( TAT ) values were significantly decreased during bed rest , indicating suppressed coagulation activation .


FVII plasma levels were also significantly decreased during the first week of bed rest .


Our data indicate that the re-ambulation period is associated with a tendency towards hypercoagulability : ttPeak and StartTail were significantly shorter , Peak and VELINDEX were significantly higher compared to baseline .


Moreover , plasma levels of F@ +@ , TAT , FVII and FVIII were significantly higher compared to baseline .


The results from our study suggest that bed rest by itself is not associated with hypercoagulable states in healthy subjects .


Specific immunotherapy ( SIT ) with an ultrarush administration schedule with Purethal for tree pollen allergens has been evaluated to assess its efficacy and safety .


The study group consisted of @ patients with symptoms of allergic rhinitis and confirmed allergy to tree pollens .


Patients were randomized and given an administration schedule of either ultrarush therapy or conventional preseasonal SIT .


Treatment was performed during three consecutive years .


After three years of treatment , a similar reduction in nasal symptoms was observed ; according to the visual analog scale , there was a decrease from @ @ points to @ @ in the ultrarush group and from @ @ to @ @ in the group desensitized using the conventional method ( P > @ ) .


There was also a comparable reduction in the use of relief drugs during pollen season and an increase in the serum concentration of IgG@ to tree pollens .


No significant differences in the safety profile were observed .


An administration schedule of ultrarush SIT with Purethal Trees is a safe treatment in preliminary observations .


This therapy is comparable with conventional administration of SIT in the field of efficacy and safety .


To evaluate the feasibility and safety of utilizing a commercially available virtual reality gaming system as a treatment intervention for balance training .


A randomized controlled trial in which assessment and analysis were blinded .


An inpatient rehabilitation facility .


Interventions included balance-based physical therapy using a Nintendo Wii , as monitored by a physical therapist , and receipt of one-on-one balance-based physical therapy using standard physical therapy modalities available for use in the therapy gym .


Participants in the standard physical therapy group were found to have slightly higher enjoyment at mid-intervention , while those receiving the virtual reality-based balance intervention were found to have higher enjoyment at study completion .


Both groups demonstrated improved static and dynamic balance over the course of the study , with no significant differences between groups .


Correlational analyses suggest a relationship exists between Wii balance board game scores and BBS scores for measures taken beyond the baseline assessment .


This study provides a modest level of evidence to support using commercially available VR gaming systems for the treatment of balance deficits in patients with a primary diagnosis of TBI receiving inpatient rehabilitation .


Additional research of these types of interventions for the treatment of balance deficits is warranted .


Monitoring of fruit and vegetable ( F&V ) intake is fraught with difficulties .


Available dietary assessment methods are associated with considerable error , and the use of biomarkers offers an attractive alternative .


Few studies to date have examined the use of plasma biomarkers to monitor or predict the F&V intake of volunteers consuming a wide range of intakes from both habitual F&V and manipulated diets .


This study tested the hypothesis that an integrated biomarker calculated from a combination of plasma vitamin C , cholesterol-adjusted carotenoid concentration and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power ( FRAP ) had more power to predict F&V intake than each individual biomarker .


Data from a randomized controlled dietary intervention study -LSB- FLAVURS ( Flavonoids University of Reading Study ) ; n = @ -RSB- in which the test groups observed sequential increases of @ , @ , and @ portions of F&V s every @ wk across an @-wk period were used in this study .


An integrated plasma biomarker was devised that included plasma vitamin C , total cholesterol-adjusted carotenoids , and FRAP values , which better correlated with F&V intake ( r = @ , P < @ ) than the individual biomarkers ( r = @ , P < @ ; r = @ , P < @ ; and r = @ , respectively ; P = @ ) .


Inclusion of urinary potassium concentration did not significantly improve the correlation .


The integrated plasma biomarker predicted F&V intake more accurately than did plasma total cholesterol-adjusted carotenoid concentration , with the difference being significant at visit @ ( P < @ ) and with a tendency to be significant at visit @ ( P = @ ) .


Either plasma total cholesterol-adjusted carotenoid concentration or the integrated biomarker could be used to distinguish between high - and moderate-F & V consumers .


This trial was registered at www.controlled-trials.com as ISRCTN@ .


Nearly @ % of youths suffer from chronic migraine or chronic tension-type headache ( CTTH ) .


A contributing factor in approximately @ % -@ % of these youths is medication overuse , which involves taking analgesics three or more times per week for three months .


The objective of this study was to test motivational interviewing ( MI ) as an approach to promote adherence to recommendations regarding not only analgesic overuse but also other aspects of treatment plans .


A randomized controlled trial was conducted comparing the experimental condition ( standard of care clinic-based treatment with supplemental MI phone calls ; N = @ ) to a control condition ( standard of care clinic-based treatment without these supplemental MI phone calls ; N = @ ) .


Four months after enrollment , a research assistant who was blinded to study condition telephoned adolescents inquiring about headache frequency , headache severity , and disability .


Headache frequency was lower in the experimental condition versus control condition for those with relatively lower initial levels of headache frequency .


In contrast , we did not find greater improvement in headache severity and disability for the experimental condition relative to the control condition .


Our findings provided some preliminary , albeit limited , support for MI as an approach to improve outcomes for adolescent medication-overuse headache ( MOH ) .


Single-injection transversus abdominis plane ( TAP ) block provides postoperative analgesia and decreases supplemental analgesic requirements .


However , there is currently no evidence from randomized , controlled studies investigating the possible benefits of continuous TAP blocks .


Therefore , the aim of this randomized , triple-masked , placebo-controlled study was to determine if benefits are afforded by adding a multiple-day , ambulatory , continuous ropivacaine TAP block to a single-injection block following hernia surgery .


Preoperatively , subjects undergoing unilateral inguinal ( N = @ ) or peri-umbilical ( N = @ ) hernia surgery received unilateral or bilateral TAP perineural catheter ( s ) , respectively .


All received a ropivacaine @ % ( @ mL ) bolus via the catheter ( s ) .


Subjects were randomized to either postoperative perineural ropivacaine @ % or normal saline using portable infusion pump ( s ) .


Subjects were discharged home where the catheter ( s ) were removed the evening of postoperative day ( POD ) @ .


Subjects were contacted on POD @-@ .


The primary endpoint was average pain with movement ( scale : @-@ ) queried on POD @ .


Twenty subjects of a target @ were enrolled due to the primary surgeon 's unanticipated departure from the institution .


Average pain queried on POD @ for subjects receiving ropivacaine ( N = @ ) was a mean ( standard deviation ) of @ ( @ ) vs @ ( @ ) for subjects receiving saline ( N = @ ; @ % confidence interval difference in means -@ to @ ; P = @ ) .


There were no statistically significant differences detected between treatment groups in any secondary endpoint .


The results of this study do not support adding an ambulatory , continuous ropivacaine infusion to a single-injection ropivacaine TAP block for hernia surgery .


However , the present investigation was underpowered , and further study is warranted .


To determine whether prescription opioid use is associated with higher dementia risk or greater cognitive decline .


Prospective cohort study .


Group Health , an integrated healthcare delivery system .


Community-dwelling individuals aged @ and older without dementia with at least @ years of Group Health enrollment at baseline ( N = @,@ ; median age @ ) .


The Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument ( CASI ) was administered every @ years .


Low scores triggered detailed evaluation , and a multidisciplinary committee assigned dementia diagnoses .


From computerized pharmacy data , cumulative opioid exposure was defined as total standardized doses ( TSDs ) dispensed over @ years ( excluding the most recent year because of possible prodromal symptoms ) .


For comparison , use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ) , characterized similarly , was examined .


Dementia risk was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models and CASI trajectory using linear regression models and generalized estimating equations .


Seven hundred ninety-seven participants ( @ % ) developed dementia over a mean follow-up of @ years ; @ ( @ % ) had possible or probable Alzheimer 's disease .


For cumulative opioid use , the hazard ratios ( HRs ) for dementia were @ ( @ % confidence interval ( CI ) = @-@ @ ) for @ to @ TSDs , @ ( @ % CI = @-@ @ ) for @ to @ TSDs , and @ ( @ % CI = @-@ @ ) for @ or more TSDs , versus @ to @ TSDs .


A similar pattern was seen for NSAID use .


Heavier opioid use was not associated with more-rapid cognitive decline .


People with the heaviest opioid or NSAID use had slightly higher dementia risk than people with little or no use .


These results may reflect an effect of chronic pain on cognition or residual confounding .


Although opioids have other risks , little evidence of long-term cognitive harm specific to opioids was found .


Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation ( rTMS ) of the dorsolateral-prefrontal cortex ( DLPFC ) with conventional figure-of-@ ( = butterfly ) coils has been used as an antidepressant therapeutic tool for almost twenty years .


Very recently , an innovative rTMS coil , the so-called double cone coil ( DC ) , was introduced allowing the modulation of the anterior cingulate cortex ( AC ) .


We investigated safety and therapeutic effectiveness of this stimulation in a naturalistic clinical setting .


Forty-five patients suffering a moderate to severe depressive episode were randomized to receive @ sessions of either conventional rTMS of the left DLPFC ( `` butterfly-rTMS '' ; @Hz ; @ stimuli/day , RMT @ % ) , mediofrontal double cone coil stimulation of the anterior cingulate cortex ( `` ACDC-rTMS '' with equal parameters ) , or sham-stimulation .


The primary outcome was the change in the @-items Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression ( HAMD ) from baseline to the end of treatment .


Secondary outcome measures were changes over the course of the trial regarding the HAMD , the Beck Depression Inventory ( BDI ) , the Clinical Global Impression ( CGI ) and the Global Assessment of Functioning ( GAF ) scales .


There was a significant grouptime interaction effect regarding the primary outcome ( F = @ ; df = @,@ ; P = @ ) .


Post-hoc t-testing revealed a significant effect for the comparison ACDC vs. butterfly at week @/end of treatment ( T = @ ; df = @ ; P = @ ) .


No severe adverse events occurred during the study .


ACDC-stimulation was well tolerated by the majority of patients similar like butterfly-rTMS and sham-stimulation .


This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of ACDC-rTMS-stimulation as an add-on-treatment for depression .


Its clinical effects warrant further investigation in the future .


The duration of the spinal block is a concern for anesthetists .


Low dose intrathecal lidocaine has vasodilatory effects and increases the local anesthetic clearance from the intrathecal space .


The aim was to investigate whether this effect of lidocaine can be used to increase the resolution of levobupivacaine spinal anesthesia .


After obtaining ethical approval and informed patient consent , @ patients underwent transurethral prostate resection were studied .


Patients were randomized into two groups and patients received either levobupivacaine @ mg + @ mL @ % lidocaine ( Group L ) or levobupivacaine @ mg + saline ( Group C ) .


The main outcome measures were the difference between groups regarding the duration of the spinal block and PACU stay .


Secondary outcome measures were the difference between groups in onset and resolution of the spinal block , adverse events and treatments were also investigated .


Spinal block resolved faster in Group L than Group C ; @ min vs @ @ min ( p = @ ) .


PACU time was shorter in Group L ( @ @ min in Group L vs @ @ min in Group C ) ( p = @ ) .


There was no difference between groups with respect to the incidence of adverse events and treatments .


Groups were also similar regarding complications .


PDPH and TNS were not observed in any group .


Addition of low dose lidocaine to hyperbaric levobupivacaine reduces the duration of the intrathecal block provided by hyperbaric levobupivacaine .


This technique can be used to reduce the spinal block duration for relatively short procedures like TUR-P .


Brain injury affects neurologic function and quality of life in survivors after cardiac arrest .


To compare the effects of @ target temperature regimens on long-term cognitive function and quality of life after cardiac arrest .


In this multicenter , international , parallel group , assessor-masked randomized clinical trial performed from November @ , @ , through January @ , @ , we enrolled @ unconscious adults with cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac cause from @ intensive care units in Europe and Australia .


Eleven patients were excluded from analysis for a total sample size of @ .


Targeted temperature management at @C vs @C .


Cognitive function was measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination ( MMSE ) and assessed by observers through the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly ( IQCODE ) .


Patients reported their activities in daily life and mental recovery through Two Simple Questions and their quality of life through the Medical Outcomes Study @-Item Short Form Health Survey , version @ .


In the modified intent-to-treat population , including nonsurvivors , the median MMSE score was @ in the @C group ( interquartile range -LSB- IQR -RSB- , @-@ ) vs @ in the @C group ( IQR , @-@ ) ( P = @ ) , and the IQCODE score was @ ( IQR , @-@ ) vs @ ( IQR , @-@ ) ( P = @ ) in the @C and @C groups , respectively .


The median MMSE score for survivors was within the reference range and similar ( @C group median , @ ; IQR , @-@ ; vs @C group median , @ ; IQR , @-@ ; P = @ ) .


The median IQCODE score was within the minor deficit range ( @C group median , @ ; IQR , @-@ @ ; vs @C group median , @ ; IQR , @-@ @ ; P = @ ) .


A total of @ % vs @ % of survivors reported needing help with everyday activities ( P = @ ) , and @ % in the @C group vs @ % in the @C group reported that they thought they had made a complete mental recovery ( P = @ ) .


The mean ( SD ) mental component summary score was @ ( @ ) vs @ ( @ ) ( P = @ ) , and the mean ( SD ) physical component summary score was @ ( @ ) and @ ( @ ) ( P = @ ) , comparable to the population norm .


Quality of life was good and similar in patients with cardiac arrest receiving targeted temperature management at @C or @C .


Cognitive function was similar in both intervention groups , but many patients and observers reported impairment not detected previously by standard outcome scales .


Progression-free survival ( PFS ) is frequently used as an efficacy end point in oncology clinical trials .


However , there is limited evidence to support a positive association between improvement in PFS and improvement in health-related quality of life ( HRQoL ) .


The association between PFS and HRQoL was evaluated in two randomised trials .


Data from two randomised controlled trials in patients with non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLC ; LUX-Lung @ and LUX-Lung @ ) were used to investigate HRQoL in patients to determine whether tumour progression is accompanied by worsening HRQoL .


HRQoL was assessed using the cancer-specific European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer ( EORTC ) core questionnaire QLQ-C@ , the EuroQol EQ-@D overall utility and EuroQol EQ visual analogue scale .


In both studies , progression was evaluated by independent review using RECIST criteria ( primary end point ) and also by investigator assessment .


The relationship between tumour progression and HRQoL was evaluated using analysis of covariance and a longitudinal model .


Compliance with HRQoL questionnaire completion was high .


In both studies , patients with progression consistently experienced numerically poorer HRQoL at the time of progression than patients without progression .


Differences in mean scores were statistically significant ( p < @ ) between patients with and without progression at week @ in all analyses in LUX-Lung @ and at multiple time points in LUX-Lung @ .


Results from the longitudinal analysis showed that progression ( by independent review and investigator assessment ) appears to have consistent negative impact on all three HRQoL measures ( all p < @ ) .


Tumour progression in patients with NSCLC was associated with statistically significant worsening in HRQoL .


These findings confirm the value of PFS as a patient-relevant end point .


Falls are very common , especially in adults aged @ years and older .


Within the current international European Commission 's Seventh Framework Program ( FP@ ) project ` iStoppFalls ' an Information and Communication Technology ( ICT ) based system has been developed to regularly assess a person 's risk of falling in their own home and to deliver an individual and tailored home-based exercise and education program for fall prevention .


The primary aims of iStoppFalls are to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention program , and its effectiveness to improve balance , muscle strength and quality of life in older people .


This international , multicenter study is designed as a single-blinded , two-group randomized controlled trial .


A total of @ community-dwelling older people aged @ years and older will be recruited in Germany ( n = @ ) , Spain ( n = @ ) , and Australia ( n = @ ) between November @ and May @ .


Participants in the intervention group will conduct a @-week exercise program using the iStoppFalls system through their television set at home .


Participants are encouraged to exercise for a total duration of @ minutes per week .


The training program consists of a variety of balance and strength exercises in the form of video games using exergame technology .


Educational material about a healthy lifestyle will be provided to each participant .


Final reassessments will be conducted after @ weeks .


The assessments include physical and cognitive tests as well as questionnaires assessing health , fear of falling , quality of life and psychosocial determinants .


Falls will be followed up for six months by monthly falls calendars .


We hypothesize that the regular use of this newly developed ICT-based system for fall prevention at home is feasible for older people .


By using the iStoppFalls sensor-based exercise program , older people are expected to improve in balance and strength outcomes .


In addition , the exercise training may have a positive impact on quality of life by reducing the risk of falls .


Taken together with expected cognitive improvements , the individual approach of the iStoppFalls program may provide an effective model for fall prevention in older people who prefer to exercise at home .


Polymorphisms of the HLA-DP gene are associated with the natural clearance of the hepatitis B virus in Asian patients .


To investigate the association of HLA-DP polymorphisms with response to peginterferon ( PEG-IFN ) in Caucasian chronic hepatitis B ( CHB ) patients .


We studied @ Caucasian chronic hepatitis B patients infected with HBV genotype A or D , treated with PEG-IFN for @ year in two randomised controlled trials ( HBV @-@ and PARC study ) .


Response was defined as an HBV DNA < @ IU/mL at @ months post-treatment .


Variations at HLA-DPA@ and HLA-DPB@ were genotyped .


Of the @ patients , @ % was HBeAg-positive and HBV genotype A and D was observed in @ % and @ % , respectively .


At @ months post-treatment , @ ( @ % ) patients had achieved an HBV DNA < @ IU/mL .


HLA-DPB@ was independently associated with virological response -LSB- adjusted odds ratio ( OR ) @ , @ % confidence interval ( CI ) :@ -@ , P = @ -RSB- , and with an undetectable HBV DNA ( adjusted OR @ @ % CI : @-@ @ , P = @ ) when adjusted for HBeAg status and other known response modifiers .


In HBeAg-positive patients , combined HBeAg seroconversion with HBV DNA < @ IU/mL was increasingly observed with each addition of an HLA-DPB@ G-allele ( adjusted OR @ , @ % CI : @-@ @ , P = @ ) .


Furthermore , HLA-DPA@ and HLA-DPB@ haplotype block GG showed comparable results for virological and combined response .


In this large cohort of Caucasian chronic hepatitis B patients infected with HBV genotypes A or D , polymorphisms of HLA-DP are independently associated with both virological and serological response to PEG-IFN therapy at @ months post-treatment .


It is well documented that childhood abuse , neglect and household dysfunction are disproportionately present in the backgrounds of homeless adults , and that these experiences adversely impact child development and a wide range of adult outcomes .


However , few studies have examined the cumulative impact of adverse childhood experiences on homeless adults with mental illness .


This study examines adverse events in childhood as predictors of duration of homelessness , psychiatric and substance use disorders , and physical health in a sample of homeless adults with mental illness .


This study was conducted using baseline data from a randomized controlled trial in Vancouver , British Columbia for participants who completed the Adverse Childhood Experiences ( ACE ) scale at @ months follow-up ( n = @ ) .


Primary outcomes included current mental disorders ; substance use including type , frequency and severity ; physical health ; duration of homelessness ; and vocational functioning .


In multivariable regression models , ACE total score independently predicted a range of mental health , physical health , and substance use problems , and marginally predicted duration of homelessness .


Adverse childhood experiences are overrepresented among homeless adults with complex comorbidities and chronic homelessness .


Our findings are consistent with a growing body of literature indicating that childhood traumas are potent risk factors for a number of adult health and psychiatric problems , particularly substance use problems .


Results are discussed in the context of cumulative adversity and self-trauma theory .


Sensory isolation in a flotation tank is a method known for inducing deep relaxation and subsequent positive health effects for patients suffering from e.g. stress or muscle tensions pains .


Very few studies have investigated this method as a preventive health-care intervention .


The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects in healthy participants after receiving a series of flotation tank treatment .


Sixty-five participants ( @ men and @ women ) who were all part of a cooperative-health project initiated by their individual companies , were randomized to either a wait-list control group or a flotation tank treatment group where they participated in a seven weeks flotation program with a total of twelve flotation sessions .


Questionnaires measuring psychological and physiological variables such as stress and energy , depression and anxiety , optimism , pain , stress , sleep quality , mindfulness , and degree of altered states of consciousness were used .


Data were analysed by two-way mixed MANOVA and repeated measures ANOVA .


Stress , depression , anxiety , and worst pain were significantly decreased whereas optimism and sleep quality significantly increased for the flotation-REST group .


No significant results for the control group were seen .


There was also a significant correlation between mindfulness in daily life and degree of altered states of consciousness during the relaxation in the flotation tank .


It was concluded that flotation-REST has beneficial effects on relatively healthy participants .


Levodopa is the most effective therapy for Parkinson 's disease , but chronic treatment is associated with the development of potentially disabling motor complications .


Experimental studies suggest that motor complications are due to non-physiological , intermittent administration of the drug , and can be reduced with continuous delivery .


We aimed to assess efficacy and safety of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel delivered continuously through an intrajejunal percutaneous tube .


In our @-week , randomised , double-blind , double-dummy , double-titration trial , we enrolled adults ( aged @ years ) with advanced Parkinson 's disease and motor complications at @ centres in Germany , New Zealand , and the USA .


Eligible participants had jejunal placement of a percutaneous gastrojejunostomy tube , and were then randomly allocated ( @:@ ) to treatment with immediate-release oral levodopa-carbidopa plus placebo intestinal gel infusion or levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel infusion plus oral placebo .


Randomisation was stratified by site , with a mixed block size of @ or @ .


The primary endpoint was change from baseline to final visit in motor off-time .


We assessed change in motor on-time without troublesome dyskinesia as a prespecified key secondary outcome .


We assessed efficacy in a full-analysis set of participants with data for baseline and at least one post-baseline assessment , and imputed missing data with the last observation carried forward approach .


We assessed safety in randomly allocated patients who underwent the percutaneous gastrojejunostomy procedure .


This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , numbers NCT@ and NCT@ .


From baseline to @ weeks in the full-analysis set , mean off-time decreased by @ h ( SE @ ) for @ patients allocated to the levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel group compared with a decrease of @ h ( @ ) for @ patients allocated to immediate-release oral levodopa-carbidopa ( difference -@ h -LSB- @ % CI -@ to -@ -RSB- ; p = @ ) .


Mean on-time without troublesome dyskinesia increased by @ h ( SE @ ) in the intestinal gel group and @ h ( @ ) in the immediate-release oral group ( difference @ -LSB- @ % CI @ to @ -RSB- ; p = @ ) .


In the safety analyses @ ( @ % ) of @ patients allocated to the levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel group had adverse events ( five -LSB- @ % -RSB- serious ) , as did @ ( @ % ) of @ patients allocated to the immediate-release oral levodopa-carbidopa group ( seven -LSB- @ % -RSB- serious ) , mainly associated with the percutaneous gastrojejunostomy tube .


Continuous delivery of levodopa-carbidopa with an intestinal gel offers a promising option for control of advanced Parkinson 's disease with motor complications .


Benefits noted with intestinal gel delivery were of a greater magnitude than were those obtained with medical therapies to date , and our study is , to our knowledge , the first demonstration of the benefit of continuous levodopa delivery in a double-blind controlled study .


Mobile health services may improve chronic illness care , but interventions rarely support informal caregivers ' efforts .


To determine whether automated feedback to caregivers of chronic heart failure patients impacts caregiving burden and assistance with self-management .


Randomized comparative effectiveness trial .


A total of @ heart failure patients were recruited from a Veterans Health Administration health care system .


All patients participated with a `` CarePartner '' or informal caregiver outside their household .


Patients randomized to `` standard mHealth '' received weekly automated self-care support calls for @ months with notifications about problems sent to clinicians .


`` mobile health + CarePartner '' ( mHealth + CP ) patients received identical services , plus email summaries and suggestions for self-care assistance automatically sent to their CarePartners .


At baseline , @ , and @ months , CarePartners completed assessments of caregiving strain , depressive symptoms , and participation in self-care support .


mHealth + CP CarePartners reported less caregiving strain than controls at both @ and @ months ( both P@ @ ) .


That effect as well as improvements in depressive symptoms were seen primarily among CarePartners reporting greater burden at baseline ( P@ @ for interactions between arm and baseline strain/depression at both endpoints ) .


Although most mHealth + CP CarePartners increased the amount of time spent in self-care support , those with the highest time commitment at baseline reported decreases at both follow-ups ( all P < @ ) .


mHealth + CP CarePartners reported more frequently attending patients ' medical visits at @ months ( P = @ ) and greater involvement in medication adherence at both endpoints ( both P@ @ ) .


When CarePartners experienced significant caregiving strain and depression , systematic feedback about their patient-partner decreased those symptoms .


Feedback also increased most CarePartners ' engagement in self-care .


The VACS Index is highly predictive of all-cause mortality among HIV infected individuals within the first few years of combination antiretroviral therapy ( cART ) .


However , its accuracy among highly treatment experienced individuals and its responsiveness to treatment interventions have yet to be evaluated .


We compared the accuracy and responsiveness of the VACS Index with a Restricted Index of age and traditional HIV biomarkers among patients enrolled in the OPTIMA study .


Using data from @/@ ( @ % ) patients in OPTIMA , we evaluated associations between indices and mortality using Kaplan-Meier estimates , proportional hazards models , Harrel 's C-statistic and net reclassification improvement ( NRI ) .


We also determined the association between study interventions and risk scores over time , and change in score and mortality .


Both the Restricted Index ( c = @ ) and VACS Index ( c = @ ) predicted mortality from baseline , but discrimination was improved with the VACS Index ( NRI = @ % ) .


Change in score from baseline to @ weeks was more strongly associated with survival for the VACS Index than the Restricted Index with respective hazard ratios of @ ( @ % CI @-@ @ ) and @ ( @ % CI @-@ @ ) among the @ % most improved scores , and @ ( @ % CI @-@ @ ) and @ ( @ % CI @-@ @ ) for the @ % least improved scores .


The VACS Index predicts all-cause mortality more accurately among multi-drug resistant , treatment experienced individuals and is more responsive to changes in risk associated with treatment intervention than an index restricted to age and HIV biomarkers .


The VACS Index holds promise as an intermediate outcome for intervention research .


The purpose of this study was to compare the impact of music therapy ( MT ) versus music medicine ( MM ) interventions on psychological outcomes and pain in cancer patients and to enhance understanding of patients ' experiences of these two types of music interventions .


This study employed a mixed methods intervention design in which qualitative data were embedded within a randomized cross-over trial .


Thirty-one adult cancer patients participated in two sessions that involved interactive music making with a music therapist ( MT ) and two sessions in which they listened to pre-recorded music without the presence of a therapist ( MM ) .


Before and after each session , participants reported on their mood , anxiety , relaxation , and pain by means of visual analogue and numeric rating scales .


Thirty participants completed an exit interview .


The quantitative data suggest that both interventions were equally effective in enhancing target outcomes .


However , @ % of participants expressed a preference for MT sessions .


The qualitative data indicate that music improves symptom management , embodies hope for survival , and helps connect to a pre-illness self , but may also access memories of loss and trauma .


MT sessions helped participants tap into inner resources such as playfulness and creativity .


Interactive music making also allowed for emotional expression .


Some participants preferred the familiarity and predictability of listening to pre-recorded music .


The findings of this study advocate for the use of music in cancer care .


Treatment benefits may depend on patient characteristics such as outlook on life and readiness to explore emotions related to the cancer experience .


Home and school environments conducive for unhealthy eating and physical inactivity are precursors of obesity .


The aim of this study is evaluation of the effectiveness of a multi-component school-based weight management programme for overweight and obese primary school children via a home-school joint venture .


This study made use of variety of behavioural modification strategies integrating into the Health Promoting School approach to promote healthy lifestyles .


The participants were overweight and obese students aged between @ and @ from six participating schools .


The interventions involved students attending ten @ minutes after-school sessions and one @-hour week-end session of practical interactive and fun activities on healthy eating and exercise , and meal plan together with parents and printed tailor-made management advices .


Parents received an introductory seminar with @ sets of specially designed exercise for their overweight children .


The tools to measure bodyweight and fat percentage and standing height were bio-impedance body fat scale and a portable stadiometer .


Self-administered questionnaire was used to measure knowledge , attitudes and behaviours .


McNemar test was utilized to compare the proportions of behaviour changes within the same group to assess for the trends of changes .


BMI z-score and body fat percentage of intervention participants at baseline , @ month and @ month were compared pair-wisely using tests of within subject contrasts in repeated measures ANOVA to assess for programme sustainability .


Those students in the intervention group reduced their BMI z-score ( -@ , @ % CI -@ to -@ , P = @ ) and body fat ( -@ % , @ % CI -@ to -@ , P = @ ) compared to wait list control group with statistical significant , and the intervention group also had a significant reduction in BMI z-score ( -@ , @ % CI -@ , -@ , P = @ ) and body fat ( -@ % , @ % CI , -@ to @ , P = @ ) after a @ month maintenance period .


Improvement of dietary habits and positive attitudes towards exercise were observed among the intervention group .


School based weight management programme integrated into a Health Promoting School approach with improved school policies and environment in supporting individual skills of obese students and their parents appears to be a promising practice for sustaining weight control .


Need for recovery and work ability are strongly associated with high employee turnover , well-being and sickness absence .


However , scientific knowledge on effective interventions to improve work ability and decrease need for recovery is scarce .


Thus , the present study aims to describe the background , design and protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce need for recovery and improve work ability among industrial workers .


A two-year cluster randomized controlled design will be utilized , in which controls will also receive the intervention in year two .


More than @ workers from three companies in Denmark will be aimed to be cluster randomized into intervention and control groups with at least @ workers ( at least @ work teams ) in each group .


An organizational resources audit and subsequent action planning workshop will be carried out to map the existing resources and act upon initiatives not functioning as intended .


Workshops will be conducted to train leaders and health and safety representatives in supporting and facilitating the intervention activities .


Group and individual level participatory visual mapping sessions will be carried out allowing team members to discuss current physical and psychosocial work demands and resources , and develop action plans to minimize strain and if possible , optimize the resources .


At all levels , the intervention will be integrated into the existing organization of work schedules .


An extensive process and effect evaluation on need for recovery and work ability will be carried out via questionnaires , observations , interviews and organizational data assessed at several time points throughout the intervention period .


This study primarily aims to develop , implement and evaluate an intervention based on the abovementioned features which may improve the work environment , available resources and health of industrial workers , and hence their need for recovery and work ability .


In @-year-old children with Down 's syndrome ( DS ) , early T@ treatment was found to result in slightly better motor development and growth .


This study sought to determine long-term effects of early T@ treatment on development and growth in children with DS with either an elevated or normal neonatal TSH concentration .


Patients received a single follow-up visit @ years after a randomized placebo-controlled trial ( RCT ) comparing T@ and placebo treatment during the first @ years of life .


Dutch Academic Hospital .


All children who completed the RCT ( N = @ , of @ randomly assigned children ) were invited for the follow-up study .


A total of @ participants enrolled , at a mean age of @ years .


T@ or placebo treatment from the neonatal period until @ years .


Primary : mental and motor development .


Secondary : communication skills , fine-motor coordination , height , weight , and head circumference ( HC ) .


Outcomes were compared between T@ - and placebo-treated children , and between treatment groups with either a normal ( < @ mIU/L ) , or elevated ( @ mIU/L ) TSH concentration at original trial entry .


Mental or motor development , communication skills , or fine-motor coordination did not differ between T@ - ( N = @ ) and placebo-treated children ( N = @ ) .


T@-treated children had a larger HC ( @ vs @ cm , P = @ ) and tended to be taller ( @ vs @ cm , P = @ ) .


These differences were somewhat greater in children with TSH @ mIU/L ( HC : T@ , @ vs placebo , @ cm ; P = @ ; height : T@ , @ vs placebo , @ cm ; P = @ ) , but were not found in children with TSH < @ mIU/L ( HC : T@ , @ vs placebo , @ cm ; P = @ ; height : T@ , @ vs placebo , @ cm ; P = @ ) .


Early T@ treatment of children with DS does not seem to benefit mental or motor development later in life .


However , the positive effect on growth is still measurable , especially in children with an elevated plasma TSH concentration in the neonatal period .


To compare pressure-support ventilation with spontaneous breathing through a T-tube for interrupting invasive mechanical ventilation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass .


Adults of both genders were randomly allocated to @ minutes of either pressure-support ventilation or spontaneous ventilation with `` T-tube '' before extubation .


Manovacuometry , ventilometry and clinical evaluation were performed before the operation , immediately before and after extubation , @h and @h after extubation .


Twenty-eight patients were studied .


There were no deaths or pulmonary complications .


The mean aortic clamping time in the pressure support ventilation group was @ @ minutes and @ @ minutes in the T-tube group ( P = @ ) .


The mean cardiopulmonary bypass duration in the pressure-support ventilation group was @ @ minutes and @ @ minutes in the T-tube group ( P = @ ) .


The mean Tobin index in the pressure support ventilation group was @ @ and @ @ in the T-tube group ( P = @ ) .


The duration of intensive care unit stay for the pressure support ventilation group was @ @ days and @ @ days in the T-tube group ( P = @ ) .


The atelectasis score in the T-tube group was @ @ and @ @ ( P = @ ) in the pressure support ventilation group .


The study groups did not differ significantly in manovacuometric and ventilometric parameters and hospital evolution .


The two trial methods evaluated for interruption of mechanical ventilation did not affect the postoperative course of patients who underwent cardiac operations with cardiopulmonary bypass .


This study represents an effort to advance our understanding of the nature of school readiness among children with language impairment ( LI ) , a population of children acknowledged to be at risk of poor academic achievement .


The academic , social-emotional , and behavioural competencies with which children arrive at kindergarten affect the nature of their future educational experiences , and their overall academic achievement .


To examine whether there are reliable profiles that characterize children with LI just prior to kindergarten entrance , and the extent to which profile membership is associated with characteristics of children 's homes and preschool experiences .


Questions addressed were twofold : ( @ ) To what extent are there reliable profiles of children with LI with respect to their school readiness ?


( @ ) To what extent is children 's profile membership associated with characteristics of their homes and preschool classrooms ?


Participants were @ children with LI from early childhood special education classrooms .


We utilized latent class analysis ( LCA ) to classify individuals into profiles based on individual responses on school readiness measures .


We then used multilevel hierarchical generalized linear models to examine the relations between profile membership and children 's home/classroom experiences .


LCA analyses revealed that a four-profile solution was the most appropriate fit for the data and that classroom experiences were predictive of these profiles , such that children in classrooms with more instructional/emotional support were more likely to be placed in profiles characterized by higher school readiness skills .


These results suggest that the school readiness profiles of young children with LI are associated with the quality of children 's classroom experiences , and that high-quality classroom experiences can be influential for ensuring that young children with LI arrive in kindergarten ready to learn .


Preclinical studies have shown that low-dose methylene blue increases mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase activity in the brain and improves memory retention after learning tasks , including fear extinction .


The authors report on the first controlled experiment to examine the memory-enhancing effects of posttraining methylene blue administration on retention of fear extinction and contextual memory following fear extinction training .


Adult participants displaying marked claustrophobic fear were randomly assigned to double-blind administration of @ mg of methylene blue ( N = @ ) or administration of placebo ( N = @ ) immediately following six @-minute extinction trials in an enclosed chamber .


Retesting occurred @ month later to assess fear renewal as indexed by peak fear during exposure to a nontraining chamber , with the prediction that the effects of methylene blue would vary as a function of fear reduction achieved during extinction training .


Incidental contextual memory was assessed @ and @ days after training to assess the cognitive-enhancing effects of methylene blue independent of its effects on fear attenuation .


Consistent with predictions , participants displaying low end fear posttraining showed significantly less fear at the @-month follow-up if they received methylene blue posttraining compared with placebo .


In contrast , participants displaying moderate to high levels of posttraining fear tended to fare worse at the follow-up if they received methylene blue posttraining .


Methylene blue 's enhancement of contextual memory was unrelated to initial or posttraining claustrophobic fear .


Methylene blue enhances memory and the retention of fear extinction when administered after a successful exposure session but may have a deleterious effect on extinction when administered after an unsuccessful exposure session .


Many maternity providers recommend that women with diabetes in pregnancy express and store breast milk in late pregnancy so breast milk is available after birth , given ( @ ) infants of these women are at increased risk of hypoglycaemia in the first @ h of life ; and ( @ ) the delay in lactogenesis II compared with women without diabetes that increases their infant 's risk of receiving infant formula .


The Diabetes and Antenatal Milk Expressing ( DAME ) trial will establish whether advising women with diabetes in pregnancy ( pre-existing or gestational ) to express breast milk from @ weeks gestation increases the proportion of infants who require admission to special or neonatal intensive care units ( SCN/NICU ) compared with infants of women receiving standard care .


Secondary outcomes include birth gestation , breastfeeding outcomes and economic impact .


Women will be recruited from @ weeks gestation to a multicentre , two arm , unblinded randomised controlled trial .


The intervention starts at @ weeks .


Randomisation will be stratified by site , parity and diabetes type .


Women allocated to the intervention will be taught expressing and encouraged to hand express twice daily for @ min and keep an expressing diary .


The sample size of @ ( @ per group ) will detect a @ % difference in proportion of babies admitted to SCN/NICU ( @ % power , @ ) .


Data are collected at recruitment ( structured questionnaire ) , after birth ( abstracted from medical record blinded to group ) , and @ and @ weeks postpartum ( telephone interview ) .


the intervention group will be compared with the standard care group by intention to treat analysis , and the primary outcome compared using ( @ ) and ORs .


Smoking prevalence is @ % among Medicaid enrollees in Ohio .


The objective of this pilot project was to test a comprehensive tobacco dependence treatment program targeting rural Medicaid-enrolled smokers for both physician-level and smoker-level outcomes .


Using a group-randomized trial design , intervention group physicians ( n = @ ) were exposed to systems-level changes in their clinics , and smokers in these clinics were offered @ weeks of telephone cessation counseling .


Control group physicians ( n = @ ) were given the clinician 's version of the U.S. Public Health Serivce ( USPHS ) Clinical Practice Guideline , and smokers in these clinics were given information about the Ohio Tobacco Quitline .


Physician-level and smoker-level outcomes were assessed at @ week and @ months , respectively .


Costs per quit were estimated .


A total of @ Medicaid smokers were enrolled .


At @ week , there were no reported differences in rates of being asked about tobacco use ( @ % intervention , @ % control ) or advised to quit ( @ % intervention , @ % control ) .


However , @ % of intervention and @ % of control smokers reported receiving a prescription for pharmacotherapy ( p < @ ) .


At @ months , there were no differences in quit attempts ( @ % intervention , @ % control ) , use of pharmacotherapy ( @ % intervention , @ % control ) , or abstinence ( @ % intervention , @ % control for self-reported abstinence ; @ % intervention , @ % control for cotinine-confirmed abstinence ) .


The intervention group proved more cost-effective at achieving confirmed quits ( $ @,@ vs. $ @,@ ) .


We found few differences in outcomes between physicians exposed to a brief intervention and physicians who were intensively trained .


Future studies should examine how tobacco dependence treatment can be further expanded in Medicaid programs .


To compare the efficacy of lidocaine , bupivacaine , and a mixture of both in patients undergoing peribulbar anesthesia for vitreoretinal surgery .


Cross-sectional study .


Ninety patients .


Patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery were randomized into @ groups based on the peribulbar injection they received : lidocaine , bupivacaine , or a combination of lidocaine and bupivacaine .


Time of onset of analgesia , akinesia , and intraoperative pain , if any , was noted .


The efficacy of the block was graded from @ to @ depending on the adequacy of anesthesia and akinesia and the need for local supplementation .


Mean times of onset ( standard deviation ) of sensory blockade for the lidocaine , bupivacaine , and combination groups were @ , @ , and @ minutes , respectively ( P = @ ) .


Mean times of onset ( standard deviation ) of motor blockade for the lidocaine , bupivacaine , and combination groups were @ , @ , and @ minutes , respectively ( P = @ ) .


Mean time of onset of intraoperative pain for the bupivacaine group , @ minutes , was prolonged significantly compared with that of the combination group , @ minutes , and that of the lidocaine group , @ minutes ( P < @ ) .


Adequate anesthesia and akinesia ( grade @ ) were achieved in @ % of the patients in the bupivacaine group compared with @ % in the lidocaine group and @ % in the combination group ( P = @ ) .


In peribulbar anesthesia , @ % bupivacaine solution provides better quality of anesthesia than does combination @ % lidocaine and @ % bupivacaine in patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery .


Intimate partner violence ( IPV ) and heavy drinking are co-occurring public health problems , but integrated brief interventions for these conditions have not been tested .


To determine whether a brief motivational intervention provided at the time of an emergency department ( ED ) visit reduces IPV and heavy drinking .


A randomized clinical trial conducted at @ US academic urban EDs between January @ and December @ to assess the effectiveness of a motivational intervention for IPV-involved female ED patients ( ages : @-@ years ; N = @ ) who exceeded sex-specific safe drinking limits .


All received social service referrals ; @:@:@ to brief intervention ( n = @ ) , assessed control ( n = @ ) , or no-contact control ( n = @ ) .


A @ - to @-minute manual-guided motivational intervention ( recorded and monitored for fidelity ) delivered by master 's - level therapists with a follow-up telephone booster .


The assessed control group received the same number of assessments as the brief intervention group ; the no-contact control group was assessed only once at @ months .


Incidents of heavy drinking and experiencing IPV measured over prespecified , @ weekly assessments using an interactive voice response system .


Of @ participants , @ % were black women with a mean age of @ years .


Retention was @ % for @ or more interactive voice response system calls .


Seventy-eight percent of women completed the @-month interview , @ % at @ months , and @ % at @ months .


During the @-week period following the brief motivational intervention , there were no significant differences between the intervention group and the assessed control group on weekly assessments for experiencing IPV ( odds ratio -LSB- OR -RSB- , @ ; @ % CI , @-@ @ ) or heavy drinking ( OR , @ ; @ % CI , @-@ @ ) .


From baseline to @ weeks , the number of women with any IPV in the past week decreased from @ % ( @ of @ ) in the intervention group to @ % ( @ of @ ) and from @ % ( @ of @ ) in the assessed control group to @ % ( @ of @ ) ( absolute difference of @ % ) .


From baseline to @ weeks , the number of women with past week heavy drinking decreased from @ % ( @ of @ ) in the intervention group to @ % ( @ of @ ) and from @ % ( @ of @ ) in the assessed control group to @ % ( @ of @ ) ( absolute difference of @ % ) .


At @ months , @ % ( @ of @ ) of the intervention group and @ % ( @ of @ ) of the assessed control group reported no IPV during the previous @ months and @ % ( @ of @ ) of the intervention group and @ % ( @ of @ ) of the control group had reduced their alcohol consumption to sex-specific National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism safe drinking levels .


For women experiencing IPV and heavy drinking , the use of a brief motivational intervention in the ED compared with assessed and no-contact controls did not significantly reduce the days of heavy drinking or incidents of IPV .


These findings do not support a brief motivational intervention in this setting .


Whether a coronary artery calcium ( CAC ) scan provides added value to coronary computed tomographic angiography ( CCTA ) in emergency department patients with acute chest pain remains unsettled .


We sought to determine the value of CAC scan in patients with acute chest pain undergoing CCTA .


In the multicenter Rule Out Myocardial Infarction using Computer-Assisted Tomography ( ROMICAT ) II trial , we enrolled low-intermediate risk emergency department patients with symptoms suggesting acute coronary syndrome ( ACS ) .


In this prespecified subanalysis of @ patients ( @ years , @ % men ) who underwent both CAC scanning and CCTA , the ACS rate was @ % .


Overall , @ % of patients had CAC = @ of whom @ ( @ % ) developed ACS , whereas @ % had CAC > @ with @ % whom developed ACS .


C-statistic of CAC > @ was @ , whereas that using the optimal cut point of CAC@ was @ .


Continuous CAC score had lower discriminatory capacity than CCTA ( c-statistic , @ versus @ ; P = @ ) .


Compared with CCTA alone , there was no benefit combining CAC score with CCTA ( c-statistic , @ ; P = @ ) or with selective CCTA strategies after initial CAC > @ or optimal cut point CAC@ ( P@ @ ) .


Mean radiation dose from CAC acquisition was @ mSv .


Higher CAC scores resulted in more nondiagnostic CCTA studies although the majority remained interpretable .


In emergency department patients with acute chest pain , CAC score does not provide incremental value beyond CCTA for ACS diagnosis .


CAC = @ does not exclude ACS , nor a high CAC score preclude interpretation of CCTA in most patients .


Thus , CAC results should not influence the decision to proceed with CCTA , and the decision to perform a CAC scan should be balanced with the additional radiation exposure required .


The duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding in infancy have been inversely associated with future cardiometabolic risk .


We investigated the effects of an experimental intervention to promote increased duration of exclusive breastfeeding on cardiometabolic risk factors in childhood .


We followed-up children in the Promotion of Breastfeeding Intervention Trial , a cluster-randomized trial of a breastfeeding promotion intervention based on the World Health Organization/United Nations Children 's Fund Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative .


In @ to @ , @ @ breastfeeding mother-infant pairs were enrolled from @ Belarusian maternity hospitals and affiliated polyclinics ( @ intervention versus @ control sites ) ; @ @ ( @ % ) children were followed up at @ years , with @ @ ( @ % ) who had fasted and did not have diabetes mellitus .


The outcomes were blood pressure ; fasting insulin , adiponectin , glucose , and apolipoprotein A@ ; and the presence of metabolic syndrome .


Analysis was by intention to treat , accounting for clustering within hospitals/clinics .


The intervention substantially increased breastfeeding duration and exclusivity in comparison with the control arm ( @ % versus @ % and @ % versus @ % exclusively breastfed at @ and @ months , respectively ) .


Cluster-adjusted mean differences at @ years between experimental versus control groups were as follows : @ mm Hg ( @ % confidence interval , -@ to @ ) for systolic and @ mm Hg ( -@ to @ ) for diastolic blood pressure ; -@ mmol/L ( -@ to @ ) for glucose ; @ % ( -@ % to @ % ) for insulin ; -@ g/mL ( -@ to @ ) for adiponectin ; and @ g/L ( -@ to @ ) for apolipoprotein A@ .


The cluster-adjusted odds ratio for metabolic syndrome , comparing experimental versus control groups , was @ ( @ to @ ) .


An intervention to improve breastfeeding duration and exclusivity among healthy term infants did not influence cardiometabolic risk factors in childhood .


Agitation is prevalent among people with dementia ( PWD ) in nursing homes .


It frustrates both the PWD and their caregivers .


Acupressure is a non-pharmacological intervention whose effectiveness is supported by preliminary studies .


However , there is still a dearth of evidence to explain its effect for clinical use and further research .


The present study is being conducted primarily to investigate the effects of acupressure as compared with sham-acupressure and usual care .


This study is a multicenter , assessor/participant/statistician-blinded , parallel group , randomized controlled trial taking place in Hong Kong nursing homes .


We have been recruiting PWD over @ years of age in nursing homes , who are experiencing agitation ; @ participants will be recruited in order to demonstrate a significant effect difference ( that is , f = @ ) with a power of @ and a significance level of @ among the three groups .


Participants are assigned by permuted block randomization into three groups in a @:@:@ ratio .


In the acupressure group , participants receive acupressure at the Fengchi ( GB@ ) , Baihui ( GV@ ) , Shenmen ( HT@ ) , Niguan ( PC@ ) and Yingtang ( EX-HN@ ) acupoints .


In the sham-acupressure group , participants receive pressure on five non-acupoints .


In the usual-care group , participants receive no intervention apart from the care provided by the nursing homes .


Participants assigned to the sham-acupressure and usual-care groups receive free acupressure , like those in the acupressure group , after completion of the study .


The whole study lasts for @ weeks , and its primary outcome measure is agitation .


The general estimated equation model will be used to compare the effects among groups and time points .


The trial is currently recruiting participants .


This trial will provide a higher quality of evidence than previous studies on the use of acupressure for agitation in PWD .


It will also provide newer evidence on acupressure in the population of PWD with agitation for clinical application and further research , including the effect on moderating stress , the delayed effect , the added effect on the placebo , and the effect on moderating the participant 's use of psychotropic drugs .


To evaluate the effects of repeated intravitreal injections of bevacizumab ( IVB ) versus triamcinolone acetonide ( IVT ) in the treatment of acute central retinal vein occlusion ( CRVO ) .


In this randomized clinical trial , @ eyes with recent onset ( < @ weeks ) CRVO were assigned to two groups : IVB group ( @ eyes ) that received three monthly injections of @ mg of IVB , and IVT group ( @ eyes ) that received two injections of @ mg IVT @ months apart .


Outcomes were best-corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) , central macular thickness ( CMT ) , and intraocular pressure ( IOP ) changes .


Mean BCVA improved significantly at @ months in both groups ; from @ @ to @ @ logMAR in IVB group , and from @ @ to @ @ logMAR in IVT group ( p < @ ) .


However , between-group differences reach a significant level at months @ ( p = @ ) and @ ( p < @ ) in favour of the IVB group .


In terms of CMT reduction , the difference between the groups was statistically significant ( p = @ ) at month @ .


Significant differences were noted more in the ischaemic cases in favour of the IVB group .


Mean IOP rise was significantly higher in the IVT group at all visits .


Both @-times monthly IVB injections and @-times IVT injections could be effective in cases with recent onset CRVO up to @ months .


However , considering the better outcomes after IVB injections and the potential complications of IVT injections , we would recommend prescheduled repeated IVB injections for such cases .


The observed favourable responses were more pronounced in the ischaemic types ; nevertheless , this should be confirmed in larger studies .


This randomized controlled study compared acceptance and commitment therapy ( ACT ) , cognitive-behavioral therapy ( CBT ) , and a control group .


The participants were @ incarcerated women diagnosed with current substance use disorder .


Two psychologists carried out pre - and posttreatment assessment and a @-month follow-up assessment using the following instruments : Anxiety Sensitivity Index , Addiction Severity Index-@ , Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview , and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire .


The study shows that the women who received treatment benefited differentially from the interventions .


At posttreatment , CBT was more effective than ACT in reducing anxiety sensitivity ; however , at follow-up , ACT was more effective than CBT in reducing drug use ( @ vs. @ % , respectively ) and improving mental health ( @ % vs. @ % , respectively ) .


ACT may be an alternative to CBT for treatment of drug abuse and associated mental disorders .


In fact , at long-term , ACT may be more appropriate than CBT for incarcerated women who present serious problems .


Gatekeeper training ( GKT ) programs are an increasingly popular approach to addressing access to mental health care in adolescent and young adult populations .


This study evaluates the effectiveness of a widely used GKT program , Mental Health First Aid , in college student populations .


A randomized control trial was conducted on @ colleges and universities between @ and @ .


Campus residence halls were assigned to the intervention ( Mental Health First Aid plus pre-existing trainings ) or control condition ( pre-existing trainings only ) using matched pair randomization .


The trainings were delivered to resident advisors ( RAs ) .


Outcome measures include service utilization , knowledge and attitudes about services , self-efficacy , intervention behaviors , and mental health symptoms .


Data come from two sources : ( @ ) surveys completed by the students ( resident advisors and residents ; N = @,@ ) , @-@months pre - and post-intervention ; and ( @ ) utilization records from campus mental health centers , aggregated by residence .


The training increases trainees ' self-perceived knowledge ( regression-adjusted effect size -LSB- ES -RSB- = @ , p < @ ) , self-perceived ability to identify students in distress ( ES = @ , p = @ ) , and confidence to help ( ES = @ , p = @ ) .


There are no apparent effects , however , on utilization of mental health care in the student communities in which the trainees live .


Although GKT programs are widely used to increase access to mental health care , these programs may require modifications to achieve their objectives .


To investigate whether nursing staff can successfully use the I-gel and the intubating laryngeal mask Fastrach ( ILMA ) during cardiopulmonary resuscitation .


Although tracheal intubation is considered to be the optimal method for securing the airway during cardiopulmonary resuscitation , laryngoscopy requires a high level of skill .


Forty five nurses inserted the I-gel and the ILMA in a manikin , with continuous and without chest compressions .


Mean intubation times for the ILMA and I-gel without chest compressions were @ and @ s , respectively ( p < @ ) .


ILMA proved more successful than the I-gel regardless of compressions .


Continuation of compressions caused a prolongation in intubation times for both the I-gel ( p < @ ) and the ILMA ( p < @ ) .


In this mannequin study , nursing staff can successfully intubate using the I-gel and the ILMA as conduits with comparable success rates , regardless of whether chest compressions are interrupted or not .


Postoperative bleeding has a great clinical importance and can contribute to increased mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery .


In this prospective , randomized , double-blind study , we evaluated the effect of prophylactic administration of fibrinogen concentrate on post-coronary artery bypass graft surgery bleeding .


A total of @ patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery were randomly divided into two groups .


Patients in the fibrinogen group received @g of fibrinogen concentrate @ min prior to the operation , while patients in the control group received placebo .


Post-operative bleeding volumes , prothrombin time , partial thromboplastin time , INR , hemoglobin and transfused blood products in both groups were recorded .


A strict red blood cell transfusion protocol was used in all patients .


There were no significant differences between intra-operative packed red blood cells infusion in the studied groups ( @ in fibrinogen group , and @ in control group ) .


Less postoperative bleeding was observed in the fibrinogen group ( @ versus @ , p = @ ) .


Fifteen patients in the fibrinogen group and @ in the control group required post-op packed red blood cells infusion ( p = @ ) .


No thrombotic event was observed through @ h after surgery .


Prophylactic fibrinogen reduces post-operative bleeding in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft .


We conducted a competitive efficacy trial in order to examine whether grafting the raw area of the urethral plate ( UP ) with inner preputial skin in children with primary hypospadias ( PH ) during tubularized incised plate urethroplasty ( TIP ) improves the results of the operation .


Fifty consecutive patients with pathology ranging from glanular to proximal penile PH were randomized into two groups , comparable for age and pathology , to be operated on either with TIP or a grafted TIP ( G-TIP ) procedure .


Three patients failed the re-examination protocol , so the TIP group comprised @ children aged @ months-@ @ years ( mean age @ years ) and the G-TIP group comprised @ children , aged @ months-@ @ years ( mean @ years ) .


The patients were followed up for a period of @-@ years ( mean @ years ) .


Within the TIP group , we observed the development of fistula with concomitant neourethral stenosis in two cases ( @ % ) , stenosis without fistula in four ( @ % ) , and glans dehiscence in one case ( @ % ) .


Within the G-TIP group there was one case of fistula without stenosis ( @ % ) , no case of neourethral stenosis , and one case of glans dehiscence ( @ % ) .


Two cases of non-slit-like meatus were observed in the TIP group .


The results show that the complications of neourethral stenosis are significantly reduced ( p < @ ) in the G-TIP group , as is the total number of complications and unsatisfactory results .


The duration of the TIP operation was @-@ ( mean @ ) min , and for the G-TIP @-@ ( mean @ ) min .


No postoperative symptoms were observed that could be attributed to prolonged anesthesia time .


UP grafting with inner preputial skin , when added to the TIP procedure in the treatment of PH , results in a significantly smaller number of unsatisfactory results , and particularly fewer cases of neourethral stenosis .


G-TIP can be used as the procedure of choice in PH patients .


It has been suggested that the anticonvulsant drug pregabalin may be useful in some anxiety disorders .


The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of pregabalin augmentation of standard treatment ( selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and sodium valproate ) for patients with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) .


This doubleblind , placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted at Ibn-E-Sina Psychiatric Hospital ( Mashhad , Iran ) in @ .


Thirty-seven male patients diagnosed with combat-related PTSD based on DSM-IV-TR criteria were randomly assigned to two groups : @ patients , the case group , received pregabalin ( @ mg/day ) while @ patients , the control group , received placebo for @ weeks .


Assessments were done at baseline and at @ , @ , and @ weeks after the onset of treatment , using the PTSD Check List-Military Version ( PCL-M ) , the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale , the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale , and the Spitzer Quality of Life Index .


Pregabalin was just significantly effective in improving PCL-M scores ( p = @ ) in comparison to placebo .


Although depression and anxiety scores diminished significantly in both groups ( p = @ and @ , respectively ) , comparison of the efficacy of pregabalin and placebo did not show significant differences in depression , anxiety , and quality of life scores ( p = @ , @ , and @ , respectively ) .


Pregabalin effectively reduced the severity of PTSD symptoms but it was not effective in improving the severity of depression , anxiety , and quality of life .


Further investigations are required to confirm or refute these findings .


To compare the effects of local anesthetic intraperitoneal nebulization with intraperitoneal instillation during laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy on postoperative morphine consumption and pain .


Multicenter , randomized , case-control trial .


Canadian Task Force Classification I.


University hospitals in Italy .


One hundred forty patients scheduled for laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy .


Patients were randomized to receive either nebulization of ropivacaine @ mg before surgery or instillation of ropivacaine @ mg before surgery .


Nebulization was performed using the Aeroneb Pro device ( Aerogen , Galway , Ireland ) .


One hundred forty patients were enrolled , and @ completed the study .


There was no difference between the @ groups in average morphine consumption ( @ @ mg in the nebulization group vs @ @ mg in the instillation group ; p = @ ) .


Eighty-two percent of patients in the nebulization group required morphine compared with @ % in the instillation group ( p < @ ) .


Patients receiving nebulization had a lower dynamic Numeric Ranking Scale compared with those in the instillation group in the postanesthesia care unit postanesthesia care unit and @ hours after surgery ( p < @ ) .


Ten patients ( @ % ) in the nebulization group experienced shivering in the postanesthesia care unit compared with @ patients ( @ % ) in the instillation group ( p = @ ) .


Nebulization of ropivacaine prevents the use of morphine in a significant proportion of patients , reduced postoperative pain during the first hours after surgery , and was associated with a higher incidence of postoperative shivering when compared with instillation .


Since @ , the Australian Know your numbers ( KYN ) program has been used in community settings to raise awareness about blood pressure and stroke .


In @ , the program was modified to include assessment for type @ diabetes risk .


However , it is unclear which approach for assessing diabetes risk in pharmacies is best .


We compared two methods : random ( non-fasting ) blood glucose testing ( RBGT ) ; and the Australian type @ diabetes risk assessment tool ( AUSDRISK ) ; according to @ ) identification of ` high risk ' participants including head-to-head sensitivity and specificity ; @ ) number of referrals to doctors ; and @ ) feasibility of implementation .


@ Queensland pharmacies voluntarily participated and were randomly allocated to RBGT and AUSDRISK or AUSDRISK only .


Although discouraged , pharmacies were able to change allocated group prior to commencement .


AUSDRISK is a validated self-administered questionnaire used to calculate a score that determines the @-year risk of developing type @ diabetes .


AUSDRISK ( score @ + ) or RBGT ( @ mmol/I ) indicates a high potential risk of diabetes .


Median linear regression was used to compare the two measures .


Staff from @ pharmacies also participated in a semi-structured interview during a site visit to provide feedback .


Data were submitted for @,@ KYN participants ( @ % female , @ % aged > @ years , @ % history of diabetes ) .


Approximately half of the participants without existing diabetes were identified as ` high risk ' based on either RBGT or AUSDRISK score .


Among participants who undertook both measures , @ % recorded a high RBGT and high AUSDRISK .


There was a significant association between RBGT and AUSDRISK scores .


For every one point increase in AUSDRISK score there was a half point increase in RBGT levels ( coefficient @ , @ % CI : @ , @ ) .


Pharmacy staff reported that AUSDRISK was a simple , low cost and efficient method of assessing diabetes risk compared with RBGT , e.g. since management of sharps is not an issue .


In a large , community-based sample of Australians about half of the participants without diabetes were at ` high risk ` of developing diabetes based on either AUSDRISK or RBGT results .


AUSDRISK was considered to be an acceptable method for assessing the risk of diabetes using opportunistic health checks in community pharmacies .


Nursing home residents often have a high number of comorbidities resulting in polypharmacy .


Inappropriate prescribing is therefore likely to occur , which in turn is expected to worsen cognitive impairment , to increase the fall risk and to decrease residents ' quality of life .


The objective of the ` Discontinuing Inappropriate Medication in Nursing Home Residents ' ( DIM-NHR ) study is to examine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the Multidisciplinary Multistep Medication Review ( @MR ) that is aimed at optimising prescribing and discontinuing inappropriate medication .


A cluster randomised controlled trial will be conducted .


Elderly care physicians and their wards ( clusters ) will be randomised .


Data will be collected at baseline and @months after the @MR has taken place .


Six hundred nursing home residents will be recruited of whom more than half are expected to suffer from dementia .