bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Resistant Leg Ulcers by Retrograde Intravenous Pressure Infusions of Urokinase
Authors: Partsch H.
Published: January 2017

Ten patients with large resistant leg ulcers were treated by retrograde local pressure infusions containing 100 000 IU of urokinase three times per week for a total of 3–11 weeks. The effects of this therapy were assessed clinically, by laser Doppler flowmetry and by measurement of transcutaneous oxygen at the ulcer borders. Both methods revealed highly pathological findings before therapy, demonstrating a severe disturbance of local microcirculation in every case.

The drug is dissolved in 150 ml saline and injected into an empty leg vein while the circulation was blocked by a pressure cuff on the distal thigh for 15 min (Bier's block).

Nine patients showed an impressive clinical improvement. An increase in local skin blood flow was demonstrated by laser Doppler flowmetry, which revealed an increase in the peak flow values after release of the occlusion cuff and a shortening of the peak time with repeated injections.

The increase of transcutaneous oxygen tension with time was not statistically significant.

The beneficial effects of this therapeutic regime may be explained either by the fibrinolytic action of urokinase on intra- and extra-capillary fibrin and on blood viscosity, or by the haemodynamic changes and alterations to endothelial function caused by repeated limb occlusions.
A Double-Blind, Randomized, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled Trial of O-(β-Hydroxyetnyl)-Rutosides in Chronic Arm Oedema Resulting from Breast Cancer Treatment
Authors: Mortimer P. S. , Badger C. , Clarke I. , Pallett J.
Published: January 2017

Objective:

To assess the efficacy of O-(β-hydroxyethyl)-rutosides (HR) in the treatment of breast-cancer-related lymphoedema.

Design:

A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Setting:

Lymphoedema clinic, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, UK.

Patients:

Forty-six females with unilateral lymphoedema of the arm secondary to therapy for carcinoma of the breast.

Main outcome measures:

Arm volume, symptom assessment on a five-point scale.

Results:

The difference in arm volumes was significantly better for HR than placebo at 6 months, but not at 1–5 months.

Conclusion:

HR appears to stabilize the patients' condition against increasing lymphoedema in the placebo group.
Assessment and Treatment of Varicose Veins in the Northern Region
Authors: Lees T. A. , Holdsworth J. D.
Published: January 2017

Objective:

To identify the current practice of surgeons and variations between these surgeons in the investigation and treatment of varicose veins.

Design:

Questionnaire submitted to all surgeons treating varicose veins.

Setting:

All general surgeons in the Northern Region of England.

Results:

The response was 83% with 60 surgeons (85% of responders) treating varicose veins. Thirty-five per cent have a vascular specialist interest and treat 58% of all the varicose veins; 37% of surgeons complement initial assessment by clinical examination with hand-held Doppler examination. For long saphenous vein incompetence all surgeons perform high saphenous ligation, with 67% stripping the vein to the knee and 23% to the ankle. For short saphenous incompetence, 28% localize the saphenopopliteal junction by investigation prior to treatment, 92% perform saphenopopliteal ligation and 13% strip the vein.

Conclusions:

The extent of investigation and the nature of treatment of varicose veins vary considerably between consultants. Relatively few surgeons use hand-held Doppler and surgeons remain divided on the use and extent of stripping of the saphenous veins.
Limitation of Movement in the Ankle and Talo-Calcaneonavicular Joints Caused by Compression Bandages
Authors: Lentner A. , Späth F. , Wienert V.
Published: January 2017

Objective:

To investigate whether compression bandages cause a change in mobility, possibly a restriction in the ankle and talo-calcaneonavicular joint.

Design:

Comparative studies of mobility in the ankle and talo-calcaneonavicular joints using a special, graduated measuring device, both with and without compression bandages. Four different bandage systems with two different compression bandages were used in each case.

Setting:

University hospital.

Subjects:

Ten healthy volunteers.

Main outcome measures:

Ankle joint mobility with and without compression bandages.

Results:

All bandages greatly restricted mobility in both the ankle and talo-calcaneonavicular joint. The extent of this restriction depended on the bandage systems and material: thick bandages led to worse results than thin products.

Conclusions:

It must be assumed that long-term therapy with compression bandages may be partly responsible for the finding of ‘arthrogenic congestive syndrome’ (arthropathica ulcerosa). Because previous studies have shown that medical compression stockings cause very little restriction of mobility, patients with chronic venous insufficiency should, in the long term, be treated with compression stockings and not bandages.
A power-assisted exercise intervention in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities living in a residential facility: a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Bossink Leontien WM , van der Putten Annette AJ , Waninge Aly , Vlaskamp Carla
Published: January 2017

Objective:

To assess the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a twenty-week power-assisted exercise intervention in people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities and to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of this intervention.

Design:

Pilot randomised controlled trial.

Setting:

A large-scale twenty-four-hour residential facility in the Netherlands.

Subjects:

Thirty-seven persons with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.

Intervention:

Participants in the intervention group received a power-assisted exercise intervention three times a week for thirty minutes over a twenty-week period. Participants in the control group received care as usual.

Main measures:

Trial feasibility by recruitment process and outcomes completion rates; intervention feasibility by programme compliance rates; potential outcomes by functional abilities, alertness, body composition, muscle tone, oxygen saturation, cardiovascular fitness and quality of life.

Results:

Thirty-seven participants were recruited ( M age = 32.1, SD = 14.6) and were randomly allocated to intervention ( n = 19) and control ( n = 18) groups. Programme compliance rates ranged from 54.2% to 97.7% with a mean (SD) of 81.5% (13.4). Oxygen saturation significantly increased in the intervention group. Standardised effect sizes on the difference between groups in outcome varied between 0.02 and 0.62.

Conclusions:

The power-assisted exercise intervention and the trial design were feasible and acceptable to people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities living in a residential facility. This pilot study suggests that the intervention improves oxygen saturation, but further implementation with the aim of improving other outcomes should be considered with caution.
Cerebellar heterogeneity and its impact on PET data quantification of 5-HT receptor radioligands
Authors: Ganz Melanie , Feng Ling , Hansen Hanne Demant , Beliveau Vincent , Svarer Claus , Knudsen Gitte M , Greve Douglas N
Published: January 2017

In the quantification of positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer binding, a commonly used method is reference tissue modeling (RTM). RTM necessitates a proper reference and a ubiquitous choice for G-protein coupled receptors is the cerebellum. We investigated regional differences in uptake within the grey matter of the cerebellar hemispheres (CH), the cerebellar white matter (CW), and the cerebellar vermis (CV) for five PET radioligands targeting the serotonin system. Furthermore, we evaluated the impact of choosing different reference regions when quantifying neocortical binding. The PET and MR images are part of the Cimbi database: 5-HT1AR ([11C]CUMI-101, n = 8), 5-HT1BR ([11C]AZ10419369, n = 36), 5-HT2AR ([11C]Cimbi-36, n = 29), 5-HT4R ([11C]SB207145, n = 59), and 5-HTT ([11C]DASB, n = 100). We employed SUIT and FreeSurfer to delineate CV, CW, and CH and quantified mean standardized uptake values (SUV) and nondisplaceable neocortical binding potential (BPND). Statistical difference was assessed with paired nonparametric two-sided Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and multiple comparison corrected via false discovery rate. We demonstrate significant radioligand specific regional differences in cerebellar uptake. These differences persist when using different cerebellar regions for RTM, but the influence on the neocortical BPND is small. Nevertheless, our data highlight the importance of validating each radioligand carefully for defining the optimal reference region.
Opinions and attitudes of obstetricians and midwives in Turkey towards caesarean section and vaginal birth following a previous caesarean section
Authors: Kisa Sezer , Kisa Adnan , Younis Mustafa Z
Published: January 2017

Aim

To determine the opinions and attitudes of Turkish obstetricians and midwives to caesarean section (C-section) and vaginal birth following a C-section.

Methods

The study involved obstetricians and midwives who were working in a state women’s hospital and two private hospitals in Gaziantep, Turkey. Participants were asked to complete questionnaires on sociodemographic data and provide opinions about C-section.

Results

A total of 88 midwives and 22 obstetricians participated in the study. Approximately one-third of midwives believed caesarean rates were high at their institution and more than 50% thought that the rate should be reduced. In contrast, although approximately 80% of obstetricians thought that caesarean rates in their institutions ranged between 25–50%, only 18% believed the rate was high and 68% believed that the rate of should be reduced. Midwives and obstetricians tended to agree on most suggested reasons for high C-section rates. When asked about interventions that may reduce the C-section rates, midwives and obstetricians had opposing views. However, most participants agreed that prenatal childbirth preparation courses would be beneficial.

Conclusions

This study showed that most midwives and obstetricians believe the rate of C-section at their institution is high and should be reduced.
Interferon-α-induced CD100 on naïve CD8+ T cells enhances antiviral responses to hepatitis C infection through CD72 signal transduction
Authors: Li Bing Jie , He Yu , Zhang Ying , Guo Yong Hong , Zhou Yun , Zhang Pei Xin , Wang Wei , Zhao Jie Ru , Li Jin Ge , Zuo Wei Ze , Fan Chao , Jia Zhan Sheng
Published: January 2017

Objectives

We investigated the effects of CD100 on naïve CD8+ T cells during hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after interferon-α (IFN-α) therapy to clarify the mechanism underlying the effect of IFN-α in enhancing the antiviral response.

Methods

The CD100 molecules on subsets of CD8+ T cells were analysed with flow cytometry. The effects of CD100-overexpressing naïve CD8+ T cells were determined with ELISAs and an MTT cytotoxicity assay. The role of CD100–CD72 signal transduction was analysed with a neutralization and transwell assays.

Results

HCV infection reduced CD100 expression on CD8+ T cells, whereas IFN-α treatment significantly increased CD100 expression on naïve CD8+ T cells. The increased CD100 interacted with the CD72 receptor and enhanced PBMC cytokine secretion (IFN-γ and tumour necrosis factor-α) and cytotoxicity.

Conclusions

IFN-α-induced CD100 on naïve CD8+ T cells promotes PBMC cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity through CD100–CD72 signalling during HCV infection.
Shortened preoperative fasting for prevention of complications associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Duo , Zhu Xuejiao , Xu Yuan , Zhang Liqing
Published: January 2017

Objective

Routine fasting (12 h) is always applied before laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but prolonged preoperative fasting causes thirst, hunger, and irritability as well as dehydration, low blood glucose, insulin resistance and other adverse reactions. We assessed the safety and efficacy of a shortened preoperative fasting period in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to 20 November 2015 and selected controlled trials with a shortened fasting time before laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We assessed the results by performing a meta-analysis using a variety of outcome measures and investigated the heterogeneity by subgroup analysis.

Results

Eleven trials were included. Forest plots showed that a shortened fasting time reduced the operative risk and patient discomfort. A shortened fasting time also reduced postoperative nausea and vomiting as well as operative vomiting. With respect to glucose metabolism, a shortened fasting time significantly reduced abnormalities in the ratio of insulin sensitivity. The C-reactive protein concentration was also reduced by a shortened fasting time.

Conclusions

A shortened preoperative fasting time increases patients’ postoperative comfort, improves insulin resistance, and reduces stress responses. This evidence supports the clinical application of a shortened fasting time before laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Clinical Trial of Debrisan in Superficial Ulceration
Authors: Mummery R V , Richardson W W
Published: January 2017

A total of thirty cases of sacral and leg ulceration, burns, and infected sinuses were treated with Debrisan in glycerine (4/1 v/v), after removal of adherent necrotic tissue surgically. The preparation was effective in cleansing the wound, in most cases reducing the bacterial colonization, and lessening the local inflammation and oedema. Production of healthy granulation tissue resulted and the lesions healed faster than expected. One-third of the lesions failed to respond to treatment, and the reasons for this are discussed.

With some patient selection, this preparation proved to be valuable in the treatment of superficial ulcers and surgical wounds, in those lesions with sufficient exudate to enable Debrisan to act.
A Comparative Clinical Trial of Diflunisal and Ibuprofen in the Control of Pain in Osteoarthritis
Authors: Keet J G M
Published: January 2017

A randomized double-blind study in ambulatory patients with osteoarthritis of hip and/or knee was conducted, comparing the efficacy and safety of diflunisal 500 mg daily with ibuprofen 1200 mg daily, over a period of 8 weeks.

Thirty-five patients participated in the study.

The results revealed no significant differences between the treatment groups with regard to the efficacy parameters.
Euhypnos Forte® (Temazepam) for Resistant Insomnia: A Clinical Trial
Authors: Moon C A L , Schiller Maureen
Published: January 2017

Seventy insomniac patients, previously unresponsive to conventional hypnotic dosage, were treated for seven nights with temazepam in 20 mg soft gelatin capsules (Euhypnos Forte®). The patients adjusted the dose to suit themselves up to a maximum of 60 mg. Nineteen patients found that one 20 mg capsule suited them best in spite of previous lack of response to two 10 mg capsules, and were thus excluded from the final analysis. Out of the remaining fifty-one patients, thirty-five were best suited by 40 mg and sixteen by 60 mg of temazepam. Sleep was rated Very Good or Good by forty patients (78.4%) and significant hangover occurred in only four (7.8%), all of whom were on 40 mg. Adverse reactions were insignificant. Some observations by one author (CALM) on the significance of the results in the management of insomnia in general practice are included.
Treatment of Osteoarthrosis with Piroxicam in General Practice: Long-Term Follow-Up in a Multicentre Study
Authors: Gordon A J , Estabrooks T F , Dessain P
Published: January 2017

Thirty-eight investigators in Belgium, Finland, Germany, Italy and The Netherlands participated in a long-term follow-up of 154 patients who had shown adequate response without toleration problems in a short-term multicentre trial in osteoarthrosis.

Patients were from 37 to 85 years of age (mean 63) and 68% were female. They received piroxicam from 92 to 344 days (mean 182). The starting dose of 20 mg once daily was maintained throughout for 69% of patients; for 12% the final dose was 30 mg, for 16% it was 10 mg, and for 3% it was 40 mg. Forty-seven per cent of patients reported they were taking concurrent anti-inflammatory/analgesic medication at baseline but by the end of therapy only 18% were.

Most patients had moderate or severe involvement in one or more of the knee, hip, spine, shoulder, and finger joints. By the final visit, between 84% and 94% showed marked or moderate improvement in the physician's assessment of joint tenderness and limitation of motion. These results were in good agreement with patient self assessment: 83% to 90% reported marked or moderate improvement in ability to move and use joints and in their general overall feeling (‘quality of life’ measurement). Furthermore, steady improvement was observed throughout therapy in patient self-assessment of pain and stiffness relative to baseline. The 50% to 60% pain reduction recorded over the short-term (6 to 12 weeks) reached 70% at the end of therapy. The figures for stiffness were 50% to 55% short-term and 61% long-term. Onset of morning pain which occurred on the average within 1 hour of waking at baseline had risen to 8.4 hours (740% increase) by the end of therapy.

The drug was well tolerated with sixteen patients (10%) reporting side-effects attributed to piroxicam. Nearly all were mild or moderate and occurred without disruption of therapy during the first 1 or 2 months of treatment. Most adverse reactions were upper gastro-intestinal but there were no reports of ulceration. One patient, with gastro-intestinal pain after 99 days on drug, was discontinued.

In their global evaluation, physicians judged the efficacy of piroxicam as marked in 71%, moderate in 24%, slight in 4%, and not effective in 1% of patients. Toleration was considered excellent in 83%, good in 14 %, fair in 2%, and poor in only 1%. Compared to prior therapy, piroxicam was rated by the investigators as better in 90% of the 114 assessable cases.

The results suggest that patients with osteoarthrosis who respond well to piroxicam during a short course of treatment are likely to continue their good response and possibly obtain increased relief of symptoms during longer treatment periods.
A Comparison between the Efficacy of Ketotifen and Clemastine in Children
Authors: Hloušková Z , Gutová M , Hloušek Z
Published: January 2017

In a controlled single-blind study of 12 weeks' duration the prophylactic antiasthmatic effects of ketotifen and clemastine in children with bronchial asthma were compared. The drugs were administered in syrup form in doses from 1 to 2 mg per day according to the body-weight. Fifty-seven children, twenty-nine in the ketotifen group and twenty-eight in the clemastine group took part. The clinical parameters, namely asthmatic complaints, dyspnoea and total duration of asthmatic attacks initially improved with both drugs but only with ketotifen was there a further marked benefit leading to a significant superiority of this drug over clemastine in the 8th and 12th week of treatment. In the overall assessment ketotifen was considered to be very effective and effective in 83% of the patients, clemastine was considered to be very effective and effective in 29%. Both drugs were well tolerated.
Comparative Trial of Fucidin Ointment and Fucidin Cream in Skin Sepsis
Authors: Pakrooh H
Published: January 2017

A study has been conducted on 101 patients with superficial skin sepsis comparing the effectiveness of topical treatment with 2% sodium fusidate ointment and a new preparation containing 2% fusidic acid in a cream base.

The results showed that both topical preparations were equally effective in terms of the number of days for healing to take place and in the subjective assessment of the clinical response. Bacteriological investigation of the swabs from ninety-one patients showed Staphylococcus aureus to be the most frequently isolated pathogen. Both preparations were well tolerated and no adverse reactions were observed.

It is suggested that the new 2% fusidic acid cream is particularly suitable for use on lesions requiring no dry dressing, whereas the 2% sodium fusidate ointment is preferred for those conditions where a dressing is applied.
Ketazolam Compared to Diazepam and Placebo in the Treatment of Anxiety
Authors: Kleber Ronald J
Published: January 2017

Compared to placebo, ketazolam given once daily was more effective in alleviating the symptoms of anxiety than was diazepam given three times a day in this 28-day double-blind study in fifty-six out-patients. Ketazolam patients reported fewer, milder side-effects than diazepam patients. In particular, drowsiness was reported less than 8% as often during ketazolam treatment as during diazepam treatment.
Comparison of Efficacy of Timiperone, a New Butyrophenone Derivative, and Clocapramine in Schizophrenia: A Multiclinic Double-Blind Study
Authors: Nakazawa T , Ohara K , Sawa Y , Edakubo T , Matsui H , Sawa J , Kawaguchi K , Hattori S , Nakajima M
Published: January 2017

The clinical efficacy and safety of timiperone, a new butyrophenone derivative, on chronic schizophrenia was compared with clocapramine by the double-blind method using a total of eighty-eight patients, consisting of forty-four patients in each group.

In the final global improvement rating, the global improvement rating in each week and the general usefulness rating, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. However, in the global improvement rating in each symptom, timiperone was significantly superior to clocapramine in delusion and showed a superior tendency to clocapramine in contact. Timiperone showed a higher improvement rate than clocapramine in hallucination and disturbance of self-conciousness.

In the over-all safety rating, there were no significant differences between the two groups, but in accompanying symptoms and side-effects, timiperone showed significantly less tendency than clocapramine in dyskinesia, insomnia, constipation and nausea.

From these results, including the analysis by stratification, it was considered that timiperone was a superior or equivalent neuroleptic in comparison with clocapramine against the negative symptoms as well as the positive ones of chronic schizophrenia, and was equally safe or safer than clocapramine.
A Beta-Blocker as Anxiolytic and Haemostatic in Tonsillectomy
Authors: Basjrah Rizal , Lubis Harun R , Tann Gino
Published: January 2017

Administration of a beta-blocker, pindolol, was utilized in the pre-medication of patients selected for tonsillectomies (dissection), to study anxiolytic effects. A curious result observed was that bleeding during and after operation in patients on pindolol was remarkably reduced compared to those not on beta-blocker treatment. This effect was further explored in a small controlled study. Nineteen patients were given pindolol, 5 mg the evening before and on the morning, an hour prior to surgery. Seventeen controls were on placebos. The amount of bleeding was measured in both groups.

Patients on pindolol show significantly reduced bleeding when compared to controls (1·77 ± 1·15 ml versus 7·0 ± 6·05 ml; p < 0·005). Coagulation and fibrinolytic profiles were studied in a number of patients in both groups attempting to clarify the cause of the reduced bleeding. The results will be reported.

This preliminary study shows that pindolol is a useful drug for controlling bleeding in tonsillectomies. To our knowledge the haemostatic properties of pindolol have never been reported before.
Double-Blind Comparison of Single Oral Doses of Oxaprozin, Aspirin, and Placebo for Relief of Post-Operative Oral Surgery Pain
Authors: Winter Leo , Post Arthur
Published: January 2017

The safety and efficacy of single oral doses of Oxaprozin (1200 mg), aspirin (650 mg), and placebo were compared in an 8-hour double-blind study of 105 patients with moderate to severe post-operative dental-surgical pain. As measured by mean and cumulative mean scores obtained with the pain intensity and verbal pain relief scales, both active drugs produced significantly (p < 0·05) more analgesia than did placebo. A significantly (p < 0·05) greater proportion of patients reported effective (moderate or better) pain relief in the Oxaprozin and aspirin groups than in the placebo group at 2, 3, and 4 hours; significant (p < 0·05) differences between the Oxaprozin and placebo groups continued for the entire 8 hours. Oxaprozin provided more pain relief than aspirin during the latter part of the study. There were no statistically significant differences, however, in any of the efficacy assessments between the Oxaprozin and aspirin groups. By the end of the 8-hour observation, significantly (p < 0·01) fewer patients taking Oxaprozin (27%) than placebo (60%) were considered treatment failures and needed a replacement analgesic. Of those taking aspirin, 41% were treatment failures, not statistically different from the proportion of treatment failures with placebo. Adverse effects were infrequent, mild, comparable between the active treatment and placebo groups, and not definitely related to drug therapy. Oxaprozin provided greater pain relief than placebo and was comparable to aspirin during the first 4 hours of the evaluation; thereafter, greater pain relief occurred in the oxaprozin-treated group than either the aspirin- or placebo-treated group.
Clinical Comparison of Alclometasone Dipropionate Cream 0·05% with Hydrocortisone Butyrate Cream 0·1% in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis in Children
Authors: Lassus Allan
Published: January 2017

Alclometasone dipropionate cream 0·05% was compared to hydrocortisone butyrate cream 0·1% in the treatment of atopic dermatitis in forty children, 5 to 11 years old. In this double-blind, parallel-group trial, the experimental creams were applied twice daily for 2 weeks, without occlusion, to the study areas. Efficacy was evaluated 1 and 2 weeks after the start of treatment.

Both creams were effective treatments for atopic dermatitis; however, alclometasone dipropionate was judged slightly more efficacious. Improvement in erythema, induration, and pruritus averaged 76% for alclometasone dipropionate-treatedpatients and 70% for hydrocortisone butyrate-treated patients. At the end of treatment, the physician's global evaluation indicated nineteen of twenty patients in the alclometasone dipropionate group had between 51% and 100% improvement in disease signs and symptoms, compared with sixteen of twenty patients treated with hydrocortisone butyrate. Two patients in the alclometasone dipropionate-treated group and one in the hydrocortisone butyrate-treated group reported mild stinging.
Herpes Zoster Treatments: Results of a Clinical Trial Relative to the Use of Rifamycin SV versus Neuramide
Authors: Bruni L , Tagliapietra G , Innocenti P
Published: January 2017

The authors describe a controlled clinical study in which rifamycin SV 250 mg intramuscularly and topical b.i.d. was compared to intramuscular neuramide b.i.d. plus, where necessary, other drugs (antibiotics, polivitamins, analgesics, etc.) for the treatment of two groups of thirty randomly selected patients suffering from herpes zoster.

In all patients the symptoms were controlled by both treatments but statistical tests revealed that rifamycin SV was able to heal pain (p < 0·05), vesicles, crusts and burning sensation (p < 0·1) faster than neuramide.

Furthermore, by the seventh day of therapy, the authors found that rifamycin SV reduced the intensity of both pain and erythema (p < 0·01 for pain; p < 0·05 for erythema) more than neuramide.
Celestone® Phosphate Injection High Dose: Treatment of Septic Shock and Impending Transplant Rejection
Authors: Carreño C A
Published: January 2017

Celestone® Phosphate Injection was administered as an intravenous bolus to twenty patients, eighteen with septic shock and two with impending acute renal transplant rejection. Within 4 hours following the diagnosis of septic shock, adjunctive corticosteroid therapy in a dosage ranging from 2·88–3·11 mg/kg was given every 4 hours. The two patients with impending acute renal transplant rejection were dosed every 24 hours. Intravenous fluids, ventilatory assistance, antimicrobial agents, vasoactive agents, diuretics, digitalis and antipyretics were among the concomitant therapies.

Among measurements monitored during the study, vital signs, arterial blood gases, central venous pressure, complete blood count, blood chemistry, electrocardiograms and chest radiographs indicated improvement in each patient's condition by the end of therapy. Rapid clinical improvement occurred within 4–8 hours for patients with septic shock and within 48 hours for patients with kidney transplants. Two to three doses of medication were required. Complete reversal of shock was achieved in eighteen (100%) patients with septic shock; both (100%) renal transplant patients experienced reversal of impending rejection.

Tolerance was good and no adverse experiences were reported.
Augmentin in Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Bronchitis
Authors: Aigner K , Schindl R , Mittermayer H
Published: January 2017

Forty-five patients with acute chronic bronchitis were treated with Augmentin, an amoxycillin combined with the β-lactamase inhibitor clavulanic acid, initially by parenteral administration followed by oral treatment after 3 days lasting in the mean 7·1 days. The over-all clinical evaluation showed a cure rate of 93%. Side-effects were comparable to therapy with other amoxycillins. Bacteriological evaluation of the sputum samples demonstrated in 91% of cases an elimination of the initially isolated organism. Prior to therapy we found in 25% of the isolated strains β-lactamase-producing and Augmentin-sensitive organisms. The parenteral formulation of Augmentin seems to be a valuable addition to the parenteral therapy of lower respiratory tract infections.
Ionization with Diclofenac Sodium in Rheumatic Disorders: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Vecchini L , Grossi E
Published: January 2017

A double-blind randomized study was performed to compare ionization with diclofenac sodium (150 mg) and ionization with saline solution in two groups of patients with scapulo-humeral periarthritis or elbow epicondylitis. The subjects of both groups were treated with 20 ionization sessions each lasting 30 minutes during a 1-month period. There was a significantly greater improvement in pain at rest, pain on pressure, pain on movement and joint swelling in the eleven patients treated with diclofenac compared with the thirteen placebo-treated patients, but no significant differences between the two treatments as regards functional impairment. However, placebo treatment produced a slight but significant improvement in pain on pressure, pain on movement and functional impairment. Further studies are needed to assess the relative role of the current and of autosuggestion in saline ionization response since both have well-known therapeutic effects on chronic rheumatic pain.
An Open Trial of Ceftazidime in the Treatment of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Ferreira A Matos , Coelho Helder , de Carvalho M Pina
Published: January 2017

In an open prospective trial, twenty-two patients (twenty-one males and one female) with complicated urinary tract infections were treated with 2 g of ceftazidime every 12 hours (nineteen patients were treated intramuscularly and three intravenously for 7 or 10 days). The weight, age and underlying disorders of the urinary tract are indicated for each patient, as well as infecting pathogens and corresponding MICs. Clinical cure, as defined by complete resolution of symptoms and signs was obtained in all the patients. The over all bacteriological clearance rate was 93·3%. Four out of five Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections were cleared.

There were no adverse events during ceftazidime treatment except for slight pain around the site of intramuscular injection. No changes in laboratory parameters attributable to ceftazidime therapy were noted. Ceftazidime is a safe and effective drug in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections.
A Comparison of the Incidence of Peptic Ulceration for Fenbufena, Indomethacin and Aspirin Treated Patients Compared with the General Population
Authors: Cohen P M
Published: January 2017

Survival analysis techniques were used to compare the long-term incidence of peptic ulceration occurring in fenbufen, indomethacin and aspirin treated patients with a “background” incidence for the whole population.

The results of this analysis indicate that the incidence of peptic ulceration occurring in patients receiving long-term therapy with fenbufen is comparable to the background incidence for the whole population
A Double-Blind Randomized Comparison of the Effect and Tolerance of Varidase® versus Saline when Instilled in the Urinary Bladder in Patients with Catheter Problems
Authors: Andersson Håkan
Published: January 2017

Thirty-eight patients with problems with their urinary catheters were randomly treated with Varidase® or normal saline solution once a day for 10 days.

Photographs were taken by using a cystoscope before treatment, at day 10 and day 24 after the commencement of treatment. The photographs were evaluated according to the occurrence of pus, debris, coagula and rubor. In the Varidase® group the improvements from baseline to day 10 and day 24 were statistically significant (p < 0·05) in all parameters while there were no statistically significant improvements in the saline group.

Comparing the two treatment groups, regarding the changes from baseline to day 10 and day 24, it was statistically demonstrated that Varidase® was significantly more effective than saline in all parameters (p < 0·05).

In conclusion, this study shows that Varidase® effectively cleans the urinary bladder from pus, fibrin, necrotic tissue and blood clots.
Diclofenac Sodium versus Acetylsalicylic Acid: A Randomized Study in Febrile Patients
Authors: Bettini R , Grossi E , Rapazzini P , Giardina G
Published: January 2017

One hundred and twenty adult patients with high temperatures (≥38°C) brought about by influenza viruses or other conditions were randomly treated with two different antipyretics: a) a 25 mg sodium diclofenac tablet (Novapirina) every 12 hours for 2 consecutive days; b) a 500 mg tablet of acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) every 8 hours for 2 consecutive days. Antipyretic action (assessed at 6 hours following the first administration) was found to be equally rapid and consistent in both cases but significantly longer-lasting in the Novapirina-treated group than the Aspirin-treated group (p < 0·01). Mean temperature changes over the 48 hours of observation and the over-all judgement on the antipyretic effect expressed at the end of each day of treatment were similar for both groups and good in all cases.

The antiphlogistic-painkilling properties of both drugs were found to be effective in improving the symptomatology accompanying the high temperature during the course of the bout of influenza.

The effectiveness/tolerability ratio was found to be satisfactory for both groups: only one case of gastric intolerance to Novapirina was recorded and five cases of gastric intolerance to Aspirin.
A Comparison of Dothiepin versus Placebo in the Treatment of Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Association of Pain with Depression
Authors: Puttini P. Sarzi , Cazzola M. , Boccassini L. , Ciniselli G. , Santandrea S. , Caruso I. , Benvenuti C.
Published: January 2017

The effectiveness of dothiepin (a tricyclic anti-depressant) at a dose of 75 mg given orally at night was compared with placebo for 4 weeks in alleviating pain in 60 patients with classical or definite active rheumatoid arthritis. Patients were classified as either ‘depressed’ or ‘not depressed’. The week before, during and 2 weeks after the study, 600 mg ibuprofen was given orally three times daily to all patients. Compared with placebo, dothiepin produced a significant reduction in daytime pain by the end of the treatment period. The Hamilton rating scale in ‘depressed’ patients was significantly improved in patients given dothiepin. The Cassano–Castrogiovanni self-evaluation rating scale in both ‘depressed’ and ‘not depressed’ patients showed a tendency (not significant) to be improved following dothiepin treatment compared with placebo. These results suggest that patients with rheumatoid arthritis may experience an increase in pain symptoms due to an alteration of mood. Therapy with tricyclic anti-depressants, such as dothiepin, therefore, may determine an improvement of pain indexes besides having an anti-depressant effect.
Vulvovaginal Candidosis: Comparison of 3-Day Treatment with 2% Butoconazole Nitrate Cream and 6-Day Treatment with 1% Clotrimazole Cream
Authors: Hajman A. J.
Published: January 2017

Sixty-three women with laboratory confirmed diagnoses of vulvovaginal candidosis were enrolled into this randomized, single-blind, parallel comparison of treatment with 2% butoconazole nitrate cream for 3 days and 1% clotrimazole cream for 6 days. Approximately 1 week after treatment ended both medications had substantially relieved vulvovaginal discharge, itching, burning, erythema and swelling. Both fungal cultures and potassium hydroxide stained preparations of vaginal secretions were negative for 93.3% of the butoconazole nitrate-treated patients. Comparable results for clotrimazole-treated patients were 80.6% and 77.4%, respectively. Both treatments improved the clinical signs and symptoms of candidosis. More butoconazole nitrate-treated patients (53.3%) had a ‘very good’ clinical response to treatment than clotrimazole-treated patients (38.7%). None of these differences was statistically significant, nor were statistically significant differences found between the percentages of patients considered clinically, microbiologically, or therapeutically cured in each group. No adverse experiences were associated with either treatment. Thus, the 3-day butoconazole nitrate regimen was considered as efficacious and safe as the 6-day clotrimazole regimen.
The Acceptability, Safety and Efficacy of Nedocromil Sodium in Long-Term Clinical Use in Patients with Perennial Asthma
Authors: Carrasco E. , Sepulveda R.
Published: January 2017

The safety, acceptability and efficacy of nedocromil sodium, given by metered dose inhaler at a dosage of 4 mg four times daily, were investigated in a 52-week open assessment study of 79 perennial bronchial asthmatic patients maintained on oral bronchodilator therapy. Extensive laboratory monitoring of renal, hepatic and haematological functions before, during and at the end of the study failed to provide any evidence of drug-induced toxic effects. Nedocromil sodium was well tolerated with no serious adverse effects reported. Nineteen patients were withdrawn from the study, two complaining of sore throats and one of severe cough after nearly 1 year of treatment. The remainder were withdrawn because of intolerance to theophylline (one patient), non-cooperation (three), relocation outside the trial area (seven), onset of uncontrolled asthma (two) and pregnancy (three patients). Although this was an open assessment study, analysis of the diary card measurements and clinic assessments indicated that nedocromil sodium is an effective long-term therapy in the maintenance treatment of bronchial asthma.
Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial of a Selective 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibitor (AA-861) for the Prevention of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Ancill R.J. , Takahashi Y. , Kibune Y. , Campbell R. , Smith J.R.
Published: January 2017

In a randomized, double-blind, parallel group trial conducted in eight European centres, the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor AA-861 was administered orally, starting 2 weeks before the pollen season and continuing for 8 weeks; after the start of the season escape medication was permitted if necessary. Patients were enrolled who had a previous history of pollen allergy, confirmed by skin prick tests and/or relevant allergen-specific immunoglobulin E to pollen. Daily symptoms scores were recorded on diary cards and assessments were made by the investigator during the study period. Better global improvement ratings were achieved using AA-861, as assessed both by the investigators and the patients. The total nasal symptoms scores and activities of daily living were also improved compared to placebo. No significant adverse reactions were encountered.
A Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Topical Tetracycline and Oral Tetracycline in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Acne
Authors: Burton J. ,   The Dermatology Research Group
Published: January 2017

This double-blind, parallel group multicentre study in 85 hospital out-patients with mild to moderate acne evaluated the efficacy of 2.2 mg/ml topical tetracycline or placebo applied twice daily for 16 weeks together with an initial course of oral tetracycline, at doses of 1000 mg/day during weeks 1–4 and 500 mg/day during weeks 5–8. Acne severity improved significantly ( P < 0.01) with both treatments after 8 and 16 weeks. After 4 weeks, 78% of patients using topical tetracycline showed reduced acne severity compared with 50% using placebo and, by week 16, improvements were 94% and 57%, respectively ( P = 0.035). Global evaluations of patients and of investigators showed most improvement to occur within the first 8 weeks of treatment. Tingling and stinging were the most frequently reported adverse effects, occurring in similar frequencies in both treatment groups. Skin discoloration was more frequent in patients given topical tetracycline. Overall, 90% of patients rated topical tetracycline as ‘cosmetically acceptable’. In conclusion, topical tetracycline is useful in treatment of mild to moderate acne when given with an initial course of oral tetracycline and may enhance efficacy without unacceptable side-effects.
Red Cell Filterability and Erythrocyte Membrane Microviscosity during Ticlopidine Treatment
Authors: Caimi G. , Presti R. Lo , Serra A. , Francavilla G. , Catania A. , Sarno A.
Published: January 2017

The effects of 10 days' treatment with 500 mg/day ticlopidine on the filterability of red blood cells in suspension and on the microviscosity of the red blood cell membrane was evaluated in 11 patients with vascular atherosclerosis. The results show ticlopidine to be effective in influencing the rheological measures of red cell filterability and membrane microviscosity: filterability was increased and microviscosity was decreased. Ticlopidine also decreased the extent of fluorescence polarization. These results are discussed regarding possible mechanisms of action of ticlopidine.
Short-Course Treatment of Sinusitis and other Upper Respiratory Tract Infections with Azithromycin: A Comparison with Erythromycin and Amoxycillin
Authors: Felstead S.J. , Daniel R. ,   European Azithromycin Study Group
Published: January 2017

In two randomized, multicentre studies patients with upper respiratory tract infections treated with 1.5 g azithromycin in five or six doses over 5 days were compared with patients treated with 10 g erythromycin in 40 doses over 10 days or 15 g amoxycillin in 30 doses over 10 days. The majority of azithromycin- (65%) and erythromycin- (67%) treated patients in the azithromycin/erythromycin study and all patients in the azithromycin/amoxycillin study had sinusitis. Clinical cure was recorded in 83% of azithromycin- and 79% of erythromycin-treated patients, and in 81% and 87%, respectively, of azithromycin- and amoxycillin-treated patients. There was no significant difference in bacteriological eradication between the treatments. Adverse events, predominantly mild or moderate gastro-intestinal complaints, occurred in 17% and 15%, respectively, of azithromycin- and erythromycin-treated patients, and in 5% and 11%, respectively, of azithromycin- and amoxycillin-treated patients but there were no serious laboratory safety abnormalities. Azithromycin appeared to be an effective, simplified treatment for upper respiratory tract infections and may improve patient compliance compared with standard therapies.
Gastric Acid Secretion Controlled by Oestrogen in Women
Authors: Sakaguchi T. , Yamazaki M. , Itoh S. , Okamura N. , Bando T.
Published: January 2017

Gastric acid outputs were measured and related to plasma oestradiol concentrations in women. An inverse relationship between the acid output and the oestradiol concentrations was detected regardless of the stage of the menstrual cycle. It was also noted that the acid output was reduced in a dose-dependent manner after oral administration of conjugated oestrogen and that the response was partially blocked by atropine sulphate. These findings suggest that oestrogen participates in the control of gastric acid secretion in women and that a cholinergic action is involved in the mode of action.
Acute Hypertension after Renal Allograft Rejection Therapy with OKT3 Monoclonal Antibody
Authors: Spieker C. , Zidek W. , Barenbrock M. , Wieneke R. , Buchholz B. , Rahn K.-H.
Published: January 2017

Acute rejection of renal allografts was treated with the monoclonal antibody OKT3 given intravenously. A variety of adverse events were observed on days 1 and 2 following treatment with 5 mg/day OKT3 for 10 days including heart failure, pulmonary oedema and hypertension. Continuous monitoring of 19 patients treated with OKT3 for acute renal allograft rejection detected a transient increase, lasting 2 h, in systolic and diastolic blood pressures on day 1. A larger increase in systolic and diastolic pressures lasting 11 – 13 h was observed on day 2. Treatment with 5 mg OKT3 on day 3 did not significantly increase systolic or diastolic pressure. It is concluded that OKT3 can aggravate hypertension and hypertensive emergencies may be encountered during the initial phase of OKT3 treatment.
Mycoplasma bovis Infection in Gnotobiotic Calves and Combined Infection with Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Authors: Thomas L. H. , Howard C. J. , Stott E. J. , Parsons K. R.
Published: January 2017

Mycoplasma bovis was inoculated alone or in combination with respiratory syncytial virus into the respiratory tracts of 12 gnotobiotic calves. Clinical signs ranged from transient pyrexia to protracted fever accompanied by severe lower respiratory signs and in one case, arthritis. Pulmonary lesions included foci of coagulative necrosis surrounded by mononuclear cells and suppurative bronchiolitis with varying degrees of lympho-reticular hyperplasia. No enhancement of lesions occurred in the combined infections of M. bovis and respiratory syncytial virus. M. bovis was identified by immunoperoxidase labelling in lesions of necrosis, especially at interfaces between the lesion and mononuclear cells and in bronchiolar exudates. Organisms were also located in necrotic lesions of joint capsules, in tonsillar crypts, and in liver.
Effect of Diet or Reproductive Status on the Histology of Spontaneous Pituitary Tumors in Female Wistar Rats
Authors: Berry P. H.
Published: January 2017

Hypophyses of four groups of 50 female rats (F0—nulliparous, F0—multiparous, F1—standard diet, and F1—low protein) were examined by light microscopy and immunocytochemistry by the avidin-biotin complex method. In pituitary glands of rats fed a low protein diet, the incidence of neoplasms of the pars distalis, the number of multifocal tumors, and the degree of neoplastic cellular atypia were significantly reduced. Pituitary adenomata in rats fed a low protein diet also caused significantly less brain compression at the time of necropsy than in rats fed a standard diet. All but two neoplastic foci from the 83 tumors stained for prolactin, and 14 of these also stained for growth hormone. No differences were found in the frequency of hemorrhagic or solid patterns of tumor. These findings may reflect a reduction in pituitary tumor initiation, promotion, and/or progression in rats fed a low protein diet.