bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydralazine and Oxprenolol in the Treatment of Hypertension and the Effect of these Drugs on Plasma Renin Activity
Authors: Siitonen L 
Published: January 2017

The effect of a vasodilator (hydralazine), a beta-blocker (oxprenolol) and also their combination, on essential arterial hypertension and plasma renin activity (PRA), was studied. Eighteen patients with mild hypertension (WHO I or II) were treated for 4 weeks with oxprenolol, hydralazine and their combination, with 4-week placebo periods between the active treatment periods. Oxprenolol and hydralazine lowered the blood pressure to a similar degree and their combination accentuated this effect. PRA decreased significantly on both the oxprenolol and the combination therapy, but increased during the following placebo and hydralazine periods to a level slightly higher than the initial level. Another group of eleven patients were treated with oxprenolol for 20 weeks. Blood pressure decreased almost to a normotensive level during the first 4 weeks of treatment and a little lower during the following 4 weeks. It remained at this level until the end of the trial. PRA decreased significantly during the first 4 weeks on oxprenolol and remained low during the whole 20-week treatment period. No correlation was found between the change in blood pressure caused by oxprenolol treatment and the initial placebo value of PRA, or, the change in PRA on oxprenolol treatment. These results support the view that the level of PRA has no significance when an antihypertensive treatment is being selected, e.g. beta-blockers.
A Multicentre General Practice Study to Compare Psoradrate 0.1% and Dithrocream 0.1% in the Treatment of Chronic Psoriasis
Authors: Budden M G 
Published: January 2017

A multicentre general practice study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of two proprietary dithranol preparations, Psoradrate 0.1% and Dithrocream 0.1%, in the treatment of chronic psoriasis, using a single-blind, within-patient trial design. A total of forty-nine patients entered the study and treatment lasted for 6 weeks. Psoradrate 0.1% produced a greater mean per cent clinical improvement in psoriasis than Dithrocream 0.1% at each stage of the trial, and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.025) at 4 weeks. The evidence also suggested that Psoradrate 0.1% resulted in greater reductions in psoriatic scaling. Most patients found that the Psoradrate 0.1% was more effective and a significant majority (p=0.01) thought that it worked faster than Dithrocream 0.1%. Although the increased effectiveness of the Psoradrate 0.1% was associated with a higher incidence of stinging/burning of the skin, this was not reflected in the patients' overall opinions of the treatments. Twenty-three patients preferred Psoradrate as against seventeen who preferred Dithrocream.
Gallstone Dissolution after 6 Months of Ursodeoxycholic Acid (UDCA): Effectiveness of Different Doses
Authors: Podda Mauro , Zuin Massimo , Carulli Nicola , de Leon Maurizio Ponz , Dioguardi MariaLaura 
Published: January 2017

In order to compare the effects on gallstone dissolution of three different doses of UDCA (4, 8 and 12 mg/kg/day), a controlled trial was carried out with seventy-one patients. The dissolution rate was higher in the group treated with the highest dose. Stone size was the major factor affecting the outcome of treatment, with a significantly higher success rate in patients with gallstones less than 10 mm than with stones greater than 10 mm.
A Comparison of the Efficacy of Azelastine Nasal Spray and Loratidine Tablets in the Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis
Authors: Gambardella R 
Published: January 2017

A total of 30 patients suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis were treated in a 6-week randomized, double-blind, double-dummy parallel-group study, comparing azelastine nasal spray (0.14 mg/nostril administered twice daily) and loratidine tablets (10 mg once daily). Symptoms evaluated were sneezing, nose and/or eye itching, lacrimation, rhinorrhoea, photophobia, nasal occlusion, throat irritation, smell loss, nasal mucosa swelling, conjunctivitis, and pharyngeal mucosa reddening. Each symptom was assessed according to severity and given a score on a fourpoint rating scale. Compared with baseline, total symptom scores for both the azelastine and loratidine treatment groups were reduced at each of the assessments during treatment. No significant differences were observed between the two treatment groups. The investigator concluded that azelastine, formulated as a nasal spray, is as effective as loratidine tablets in the relief of the symptoms of seasonal rhinitis and that it has a rapid onset of action. Un gruppo di 30 pazienti affetti da rinite allergica stagionale è stato trattato, in uno studio radomizzato, tra gruppi paralleli, doppio cieco, double dummy della durata di 6 settimane con azelastina spray nasale (0.14 mg/narice 2 volte al giorno) e loratina compresse (10 mg/die). I sintomi controllati sono stati i seguenti: starnuti, prurito nasale e/o oculare, lacrimazione, rinorrea, fotofobia, occlusione nasale, irritazione faringea, perdita dell'olfatto, edema della mucosa nasale, congiuntivite ed arrossamento della mucosa faringea. I sintomi sono stati valutati in base alia loro gravità assegnando un punteggio variabile da 1 a 4. In entrambi i gruppi di trattamento il punteggio totale della sintomatologia è risultato inferiore a quello basale ad ogni controllo nel corso dei trattamenti. Non sono state rilevate differenze significative tra i due trattamenti che si sono dimostrati entrambi efficaci. I ricercatori hanno concluso che azelastina spray nasale ha la stessa efficacia di loratidina compresse nell'alleviare i sintomi della rinite allergica stagionale e possiede una notevole rapidità di azione ed una notevole maneggevolezza clinica.
Acute Experimental Canine Ehrlichiosis. II. Sequential Reaction of the Hemic and Lymphoreticular System of Selectively Immunosuppressed Dogs
Authors: Reardon M. J. , Pierce K. R. 
Published: January 2017

The lymphoreticular response of dogs to Ehrlichia canis infection was studied after immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide or antilymphocyte serum. Immunosuppression did not increase mortality, nor did it prevent or significantly modify the clinical manifestations of acute ehrlichiosis. The clinical, hematologic and serum biochemical characteristics of acute ehrlichiosis appeared seven or more days later in immunosuppressed than in immunologically intact infected dogs. Immunosuppressive therapy generally attenuated the lesions of acute ehrlichiosis. Lymphoreticular tissues were partially depleted of lymphocytes, as would be expected following cyclophosphamide therapy, but the hemopoietic tissue of cyclophosphamide-treated principals was much more cellular than that of the controls, perhaps demonstrating a direct stimulatory effect of E. canis infection on bone marrow. Antilymphocyte serum therapy reduced cellularity of the thymic-dependent areas in both the spleen and lymph nodes, but B-cell areas were not affected. The B-cell areas did not increase in activity during infection in the antilymphocyte serum-treated dogs, suggesting the need for an intact T-cell compartment for the lymphocytic proliferation that occurs in nonsuppressed infected dogs. Renal vasculitis and lympho-plasmacytosis were absent and the pulmonary and hepatic lesions were not as pronounced in the dogs given antilymphocyte serum as in immunologically competent infected dogs.
Efficacy of an Osteopathic Treatment Coupled With Lactation Consultations for Infants’ Biomechanical Sucking Difficulties
Authors: Herzhaft-Le Roy Juliette , Xhignesse Marianne , Gaboury Isabelle 
Published: January 2017

Background: Despite well-known recommendations from national and international bodies including the World Health Organization, few mothers achieve the goal of breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months. Half of mothers stop breastfeeding due to biomechanical issues in the first month, despite increasing support from lactation consultants. Osteopaths worldwide work with these babies, but there is little empirical evidence for this type of treatment. Research aim: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of an osteopathic treatment coupled with usual lactation consultations on infants’ ability to latch. Secondary objectives included assessment of nipple pain and mothers’ perceptions of the effect of treatment. Methods: We conducted a single blind, randomized controlled trial at a mother-to-mother support group between January and December 2015. Data were collected at four different times over a 10-day period (T0-T10) from 97 mother–infant dyads using the LATCH assessment tool, a visual analog scale (VAS) to document mothers’ nipple pain, and a de novo questionnaire for breastfeeding management and potential treatment side effects. Results: There were consistent statistical and clinical differences in the mean LATCH scores between the treatment and the control groups ( p < .001). However, no significant differences in the VAS scores were reported over time ( p = .713). Mothers reported no serious or unexpected side effects during the follow-up period. Conclusion: This study is one of the first to bring together lactation consultants and osteopaths to address infants with biomechanical sucking difficulties. Findings support the hypothesis that the addition of osteopathy to regular lactation consultations is beneficial and safe.
AIDS-Related Risk Perception and Sexual Behaviour among Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic Attenders
Authors: James Nicola J , Gillies Pamela A , Bignell Christopher J 
Published: January 2017

Perception of risk has been suggested as an important element of sexual behaviour change among people who engage in behaviours which place them at risk of HIV infection. A study of the relationship between perception of risk of HIV infection and risk-related sexual behaviours was conducted in a genitourinary medicine clinic. The sample comprised 767 patients attending over a 3-month period; data collection was by self-completed questionnaire. A total of 574 questionnaires were suitable for analysis, representing a response rate of 75%. The majority of people in the sample reported behaviours which increased their risk of HIV infection, but only 19% ( n = 112) of the sample perceived themselves to be personally ‘at risk’, despite adequate knowledge of HIV transmission and methods of risk reduction. Significant differences between social class groups were found for knowledge scores, with highest scores among professionals and lowest among unemployed subjects (Kruskal Wallis test χ2=24.6, P ≤ 0.001). Increasing age was significantly associated with better knowledge; significantly more young people aged 16–20 years who did not perceive themselves ‘at risk’ (64%), had lower knowledge scores than older people who did not perceive themselves ‘at risk’ (41%). Among heterosexuals who reported having sex with other people in addition to their regular partner, 79% did not perceive themselves as ‘at risk’ of HIV infection, and of these, 64% reported only infrequent condom use with casual sexual partners. Significantly more heterosexual men (67%) than women (44%) reported multiple sex partners. A high proportion of heterosexuals engaging in vaginal intercourse without a condom perceived the behaviour to be risky for HIV transmission, but of these, only 18% ( n = 72) perceived themselves to be personally ‘at risk’ of HIV infection. An increasing number of sexual partners was significantly associated with more frequent reporting of active oral sex without a condom (χ2 trend=4.63, df=1, P ≤ 0.05) and vaginal intercourse without a condom (χ2 trend=6.61, df=1, P ≤ 0.05) among people perceiving these behaviours as risky for HIV transmission. Changes in sexual behaviour such as using condoms more often, were reported significantly more frequently by people who perceived themselves ‘at risk’ of HIV infection (51%) than people who perceived themselves to be ‘not at risk’ (33%). Subjects who perceived themselves to be ‘not at risk’ were significantly more likely to report not having made any changes in their behaviour (19% compared with 7%).
Prostatitis—Clinical and Bacterial Studies
Authors: Chandiok S , Fisk P G , Riley V C 
Published: January 2017

Forty men with clinical prostatitis were studied to determine the value of symptomatology and categorization and 30 (75%) were classified as having prostatitis on the basis of prostatic localization studies. Of these 3 (10%) had chronic bacterial prostatitis, 18 (60%) had chronic abacterial prostatitis, and 9 (30%) had prostatodynia. No patient had acute bacterial prostatitis. Although Enterobacteriaciae were isolated from the 3 men with chronic bacterial prostatitis, these bacteria along with Staphlococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, and Chlamydia trachomatis were isolated from a further 6 patients. The mean pH of the expressed prostatic secretion was measured for each group and was found to be 7.6 for those with chronic bacterial prostatitis, 7.1 for chronic abacterial prostatitis, 6.5 for prostatodynia, and 6.9 for those with urethritis suggesting that this test may be of value in the diagnosis of chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Anogenital Warts in Prepubertal Children; Sexual Abuse or Not?
Authors: Handley J , Dinsmore W , Maw R , Corbett R , Burrows D , Bharucha H , Swann A , Bingham A 
Published: January 2017

Forty-two prepubertal children presenting with anogenital (AG) warts (15 boys and 27 girls) were prospectively followed up (mean 15.9 months, SD 12.24). Most (73.8%) of these children had perianal condylomatous-type warts and 11 (26.2%) had concurrent non-genital (NG) warts. None had any other AG infections or sexually transmitted disease (STD). Twelve (28.6%) children acquired their AG warts by vertical transmission from an infected maternal birth canal, 3 (7.1%) by autoinoculation from common hand warts and 2 children (4.8%) through sexual abuse. In the remaining 25 children (59.5%) mode of acquisition of AG warts was uncertain but not thought to be sexual. Human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA (types 6/11, 16/18 or 31,33,35–31 +) was detected in 10/32 (31.3%) of AG warts biopsied from these children, types 6/11 in the majority of positive biopsies (9/10). Detection of HPV DNA (types 6/11, 16/18 or 31 +) in a child's AG warts was significantly associated with either vertical or sexual transmission ( P<0.02). Thirty-one children had their warts treated with a combination of scissor excision and electrocautery under general anaesthesia. Warts recurred in 10 (31.4%) of these children all within 4 months following treatment. Spontaneous resolution of AG warts was seen in 9 (21.4%) children. Of 42 children with AG warts 10 (23.8%) had at least one adult family member with AG warts, 13 (36.9%) an adult family member with another AG infection or STD, and 23 (62.2%) had a mother with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Twenty (47.6%) of these children had a family member with NG warts. These findings suggest (a) the majority of children with AG warts do not acquire these sexually, (b) vertical transmission is an important means by which young children acquire AG warts, (c) household members of children with AG warts should be routinely screened for NG and AG warts, CIN lesions (mothers only) and other AG infections or STDs (adults only), (d) HPV typing of AG warts in children may help to clarify their mode of transmission, (e) spontaneous resolution of AG warts in children does occur, (f) scissor excision combined with electrocautery is a safe and efficacious treatment for AG warts in children.
A Comparison of Zidovudine, Didanosine, Zalcitabine and No Antiretroviral Therapy in Patients with Advanced HIV Disease
Authors: Torres Ramón A , Barr Michael R , McIntyre Kerry I , Thornton John R , Shay William M , Feldman Richard D , George Noel J , Britton Darren J 
Published: January 2017

Three nucleoside analogues, zidovudine (AZT), didanosine (ddI), and zalcitabine (ddC), are approved for use in the treatment of patients with HIV infection. This retrospective study compares the 3 drugs and examines the overall utility of antiretroviral therapy by way of comparisons to a no treatment (No Rx) group in patients with advanced HIV disease. Patients with advanced HIV disease were enrolled in didanosine (August 1989–December 1990) or zalcitabine (October 1990–February 1992) expanded access programmes; continued on zidovudine treatment despite fulfilling criteria for zidovudine failure or intolerance; or maintained on no antiretroviral treatment. Statistical analysis revealed that patients on nucleoside analogue therapy had fewer opportunistic infections ( P = 0.001) than those who received no antiretroviral treatment. The Kaplan-Meier 12-month estimate of survival was significantly longer among patients who switched from zidovudine to zalcitabine but not among patients who switched to didanosine, when compared to the other 2 groups ( P = 0.05).
Multicentre Clinical Trial with Herpes Simplex Virus Vaccine in Recurrent Herpes Infection
Authors: Mastrolorenzo Antonio , Tiradritti L , Salimbeni L , Zuccati G 
Published: January 2017

Summary: The aim of this work was to confirm our preliminary clinical and immunological evaluation of the protective effects of a herpes simplex virus (HSV) vaccine derived from killed virus in the treatment of relapsing facial or genital herpes simplex infection. A total of 142 patients were treated with the HSV vaccine and a control group of 50 were treated with intermittent oral acyclovir (ACV). The vaccine reduced annual active disease days in vaccinees to 11.59 (±15.3) after treatment (65.11±31.64 before treatment) compared to 30.4±17.49 days after treatment of the control group patients (71.86±32.5 before treatment).
Inhibition of protein synthesis by zinc: comparison between protein synthesis and RNA synthesis
Authors: Walther Udo Ingbert , Schulze Johannes , Forth Wolfgang 
Published: January 2017

Inhalation of zinc fumes may lead to the acute respiratory distress syndrome. The mechanisms of pulmonary zinc toxicity are not yet understood. Therefore we investigated zinc-dependent depression of protein and RNA synthesis in rat and human lung cell lines. 1 After exposure to 120 or 150 mmol/l zinc, RNA synthesis as assessed by uridine incorporation decreased by 60-70% between 0 and 2 h exposition in rat alveolar type II cells (L2 cells) and human fibroblast-like cells (11Lu and 16Lu cells), and by 90% between 0 and 4 h in carcinoma-derived cells (A549 cells). 2 After 2 h exposure, L2, 11Lu, and 16Lu cells were half-maximally inhibited by 50 mmol/l zinc, whereas A549 cells were more resistant with half-maximal inhibition at 100 mmol/zinc. 3 Protein and RNA synthesis was inhibited in parallel in L2, 11Lu, and A549 cells as indicated by simultaneous determination of uridine and amino acid incorporation. In 16Lu cells, the decline in protein synthesis preceded RNA synthesis inhibition. Pretreatment with RNA synthesis inhibitors (amanitin or actinomycin D) had no effect on time curve and intensity of RNA synthesis inhibition. Taken together, our results indicate that the suppression of RNA and protein synthesis likely are independent phenomena, due to direct zinc effects on these biosynthetic pathways.
Endovascular Management of Infective Intracranial Aneurysms with Acrylic Glue
Authors: Bhattacharyya A. , Mittal S. , Yadav R.R. , Jain K. , Gupta B. , Parihar A. , Handique A. , Jain K. , Phadke R.V. 
Published: January 2017

Cerebral mycotic aneurysms (MAs) also called infective aneurysms, are uncommon and are usually encountered in patients with infective endocarditis. These aneurysms often present with intracranial hemorrhage. MAs may resolve on treatment with antibiotics alone. However prognosis with medical management alone is unpredictable. Good prognosis with surgery has been reported for single accessible ruptured MAs. However surgery is associated with significant morbidity. Endovascular treatment of MAs along with appropriate antibiotics is emerging as an acceptable option for these patients. We describe two cases of infective endocarditis complicated by ruptured MA treated successfully by liquid embolic glue material.
Speech Reorganization after an AVM Bleed Cured by Embolization
Authors: La Piana R. , Klein D. , Cortes MDP. , Tampieri D. 
Published: January 2017

Intracerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are defined as the direct communication of arteries to abnormal veins without interposing capillaries. Although AVMs can have various clinical presentations due to their dynamic nature, the most common presenting sign is intracerebral hemorrhage. Whenever an AVM is discovered, the therapeutic choice is often not obvious and it is influenced not only by the hemodynamic features of the AVM, but also by considerations of the extent of intervention-related morbidity and mortality. A patient with a left frontal AVM is described. He bled three years after gamma knife radiosurgery and developed aphasia. The complete obliteration of the AVM was later achieved by embolization. Functional compensatory brain reorganization and plasticity is discussed, since our patient presented with a fast recovery from aphasia and unexpected contralateral redistribution of the speech function and with preference for his second spoken language.
Heart block and cardiac embolization of fractured inferior vena cava filter
Authors: Abudayyeh Islam , Takruri Yessar , Weiner Justin B 
Published: January 2017

Objective: A 66-year-old man underwent a placement of an inferior vena cava filter before a gastric surgery 9 years prior, presented to the emergency room with a complete atrioventricular block. Chest x-ray and transthoracic echocardiogram showed struts migrating to right ventricle with tricuspid regurgitation. Cardiothoracic surgery was consulted and declined an open surgical intervention due to the location of the embolized fragments and the patient’s overall condition. It was also felt that the fragments had migrated chronically and were adhered to the cardiac structures. Methods: The patient underwent a dual-chamber permanent pacemaker implantation. Post-implant fluoroscopy showed no displacement of the inferior vena cava filter struts due to the pacemaker leads indicating that the filter fracture had likely been a chronic process. Results: This case highlights a rare combination of complications related to inferior vena cava filter fractures and the importance of assessing for such fractures in chronic placements. Inferior vena cava filter placement for a duration greater than 1 month can be associated with filter fractures and strut migration which may lead to, although rare, serious or fatal complications such as complete atrioventricular conduction system disruption and valvular damage including significant tricuspid regurgitation. Conclusions: Assessing for inferior vena cava filter fractures in chronic filter placement is important to avoid such complications. When possible, retrieval of the filter should be considered in all patients outside the acute setting in order to avoid filter-related complications. Filter retrieval rates remain low even when a retrievable filter is in place and the patient no longer has a contraindication to anticoagulation.