bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fluoroscopic-guided stent placement in failed tentative endoscopic approaches to malignant gastroduodenal obstructions
Authors: Kim Soo Hwan , Song Ho-Young , Park Jung-Hoon , Zhou Wei-Zhong , Cho Young Chul , Shin Ji Hoon , Kim Jin Hyoung 
Published: January 2017

Background Fluoroscopic or endoscopic placement of metallic stents is used as a safe, non-surgical, palliative treatment option for malignant gastroduodenal obstructions. However, endoscopic stent placement is not always feasible, due to the tight or tortuous stricture of the obstructed area and insufficient visualization of the stomach due to remnant food material. Purpose To assess the technical feasibility and clinical outcomes of fluoroscopic-guided stent placement in malignant gastroduodenal obstructions following the technical failure of endoscopic stent placement. Material and Methods In all, 19 patients (14 men, 5 women; age range, 36–85 years) were referred due to technical failures of tentative endoscopic stent placement. Indications were failure to pass the guide wire through the obstruction (n = 13), failure to reach the stricture lesion due to short endoscope (n = 5), and acute angulation of the stricture lesion (n = 1). Data were retrospectively collected regarding the technical and clinical success of the fluoroscopy, the dysphagia score before and after stent placement, and major complications and their management. Results Fluoroscopic stent placement was technically successful in 15/19 patients (79%). Failures were due to complete obstruction (n = 3) and acute angulation of the stricture lesion (n = 1). Clinical success was achieved in all 15 patients with successful stent placement. The dysphagia score significantly improved after stent placement ( P < 0.001). Complications occurred in 4/15 patients (27%), including tumor overgrowth (n = 2), stent collapse (n = 1), and jaundice (n = 1). Conclusion Fluoroscopic stent placement in malignant gastroduodenal obstructions following a technical failure of endoscopic stent placement is technically feasible and has an acceptable clinical outcome.
A General Practitioner Study of Dothiepin and Amitriptyline
Authors: Lambourn J , Rees J A 
Published: January 2017

Forty-one patients completed a four-week double-blind study comparing dothiepin and amitriptyline. The anti-depressant effect of the two drugs was measured by the Hamilton depression rating scale and a five-point global scale. Side-effects were recorded as mild, moderate or severe. Analysis of the results failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the anti-depressant effect of the two drugs, but dothiepin was the favoured therapy in all assessments. Both drugs produced a significant improvement (p < 0·01) after only one week's therapy. The incidence and severity of side-effects were much less with dothiepin. An unexpected difference in the Hamilton scores at the end of the fourth week is to be investigated further.
Double-Blind Comparison of Alclofenac and Aspirin in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Bedi S S 
Published: January 2017

In a double-blind short term cross-over study, designed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of alclofenac, 500 mg thrice daily against aspirin, 866 mg thrice daily, fifty patients in a chronic stage of classical or definite rheumatoid arthritis (according to American Rheumatism Association ( 1959) criteria) were selected. The criteria of assessment included pain, function and morning stiffness. The patients' and physician's overall preferences and opinion on tolerance were also recorded. Forty-eight patients completed the study successfully. The study showed that both drugs were significantly effective in relieving pain but there was no difference between the two preparations and neither drug made any improvement to function or morning stiffness. The patients' and physician's preferences and opinion on the therapeutic efficacy were almost equally divided between the two drugs. However, the instances of side-effects were a little higher ( 44%) with aspirin than with alclofenac ( 34%). It appears from this study that in chronic rheumatoid arthritis the analgesic activity of 1·5 g alclofenac is equivalent to 2·6 g (approx.) of aspirin.
The Effect of Tinidazol in Amoebic Proctosigmoiditis: A Study of Thirty-Six Cases
Authors: de Esesarte Gerardo 
Published: January 2017

A total of thirty-six patients with amoebic proctitis were treated with 2,000 mg of tinidazole administered once daily for two days. Clinical, endoscopic and parasitological examinations were carried out on two occasions subsequently; namely five to ten days and thirty days respectively, following commencement of treatment. A cure rate of 91·1 per cent was achieved with two treatment failures, one possible re-infection and two drop-outs from the study. Side-effects were minimal with only two patients complaining of slight nausea whilst on treatment.
Urinary Hormone Excretion Patterns during Low-Dose Progestogen Administration
Authors: Varga L , Tamme E 
Published: January 2017

The effects on pituitary-ovarian function of long-term administration of 0·5 mg of lynestrenol and 0·35 mg of norethisterone in continuous daily doses were investigated in 9 female subjects. The parameters employed were the basal body temperature charts and urinary assays of LH, total oestrogen and pregnanediol. At the start of administration, ovulation was usually inhibited, but as a rule this effect disappeared as administration continued. Corpus luteum function appeared to be reduced.
Patient Preference for a Combined Diuretic/Potassium Regimen: Burinex K
Authors: Murphy J E , Maneksha S , Brodie N H 
Published: January 2017

A cross-over investigation was performed to compare patient preference of potassium supplement tablets. Seventy-seven patients requiring diuretics for the long-term management of congestive heart failure were randomly allotted to two therapeutically equivalent regimens; either Burinex K tablets + a placebo Burinex tablet or Slow K tablets + an active Burinex tablet. Forty-two patients found Burinex K easier to swallow, 9 found Slow K easier to swallow, and 26 patients expressed no preference. There was an appreciably higher incidence of gastro-intestinal upset when patients were taking Slow K. These results indicate that when long-term diuretic/potassium supplement therapy is required, Burinex K is a more acceptable regimen to the patient than one in which diuretic + Slow K are given separately.
Assessment of Metoprolol, a Cardioselective Beta-Blocking Agent, during Chronic Therapy in Patients with Angina Pectoris
Authors: Borer J S , Comerford M B , Sowton E 
Published: January 2017

Ten patients with typical angina pectoris and without hypertension, congestive heart failure or other disease were treated with alternating four-week courses of metoprolol ( a β1 cardioselective beta-blocking agent), propranolol and placebo. Midway through each four-week period, drug dosage was doubled; thus, regimes were metoprolol, 150 and 300 mg/day, propranolol, 120 and 240 mg per day and placebo, 3 and 6 tablets per day. Serum concentrations of metoprolol increased with increasing dosage in a proportion very similar to that seen with propranolol. Statistically significant reductions in angina frequency/nitroglycerin consumption, and statistically significant increases in total work performed on a bicycle ergometer, were found with both active compounds when compared with placebo. No significant differences were noted between the two active compounds. Though most patients showed greatest improvement on the higher of the two drug dosages, three patients with metoprolol and two with propranolol responded best on the lower dose regime. Both compounds reduced heart rate at rest and during exercise. Neither reduced arterial pressure at rest, but both reduced arterial pressure during excercise. It is concluded that metoprolol is as effective as propranolol in the reduction of angina attacks and improvement in exercise tolerance during chronic therapy in patients with uncomplicated angina pectoris. It is now appropriate to study the effects of metoprolol in patients with coronary artery disease in whom the harmful effects of non-selective beta-blockade heretofore have precluded optimal therapy with beta-blocking drugs.
Timolol and Bendroflumethiazide in the Treatment of Hypertension
Authors: Karatzas N B , Papazachos G , Clouva P , Tsaknakis T 
Published: January 2017

The effects on mild to moderate essential hypertension of 20 mg timolol and 5 mg bendroflumethiazide daily were compared in a randomized double-blind, crossover study in twenty-seven out-patients with pre-treatment diastolic blood pressure ranging from 100 to 130 mm Hg. After a four-week placebo period, a six-week treatment period for each drug followed, with one week on placebo before the crossover. All the patients then received a combination tablet containing the two drugs for another six weeks, using the same doses, except in those patients whose diastolic blood pressure had fallen to 90 mm Hg or below with either timolol or bendroflumethiazide alone, in whom the daily doses were halved. The lying diastolic blood pressure in the group of patients receiving timolol before bendroflumethiazide was 108 mm Hg on placebo, 90 mm Hg on timolol, 94 mm Hg on bendroflumethiazide and 86 mm Hg on the combination tablet. In the group of patients receiving bendroflumethiazide before timolol, it was 109 mm Hg on placebo, 95.5 mm Hg on bendroflumethiazide, 94 mm Hg on timolol and 84 mm Hg on the combination tablet. Of the twenty-seven patients, eleven achieved a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or below with timolol, ten with bendroflumethiazide and twenty-three with the combination tablet. Two patients could not tolerate timolol, one because of bradycardia and the other because of bronchospasm, but in the rest, tolerance of all treatment regimens was excellent.
An Open Comparison between Free and a Fixed Combination of Diuretic and β-Blocker in the Management of Essential Hypertension
Authors: Forrest W A 
Published: January 2017

A total of 1,117 patients with inadequately controlled hypertension in spite of treatment with a combination of diuretic and β-adrenergic blocker were studied. Treatment was changed to one or two tablets daily of Trasidrex (160 mg oxprenolol hydrochloride in a sustained release formulation and 0.25 mg cyclopenthiazide) with a subsequent improvement, 4 weeks later, in blood pressure control. Side-effects of treatment were uncommon and treatment was approved by the majority of patients. The majority of doctors participating thought a fixed combination would improve patient compliance with therapy.
The Antihypertensive and Biochemical Effects of Hydrochlorothiazide/Amiloride (Moduretic) versus Chlorthalidone
Authors: van Soeren F 
Published: January 2017

In an open two-period crossover study hydrochlorothiazide/amiloride and chlorthalidone were compared with regard to their anti-hypertensive and biochemical properties in ambulatory patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Twenty-five out of twenty-six patients completed the study. In the chlorthalidone group plasma potassium was consistently lower than in the hydrochlorothiazide/amiloride group, the difference achieved significance at 8 and 12 weeks after the start of treatment. With regard to the hypertension and other parameters no statistically significant differences were found.
Tolciclate versus Miconazole, a Double-Blind Trial in Patients with Dermatomycosis
Authors: Cucè L C , Assunção B F Contijo , Medawar L G A , Salibian A , Groppi W 
Published: January 2017

Eighty-one patients with dermatomycosis such as tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea pedis and pityriasis versicolor were treated with tolciclate 1% cream or miconazole 2% cream. Parasitological cure was obtained in 100% of the patients given tolciclate and in 97.4% of those given miconazole. Patients and investigator considered tolciclate treatment as excellent, respectively, in 76.2% and 73.8% of the cases. The corresponding figures for miconazole were 74.4% and 66.7%. Both treatments were well tolerated.
Triamcinolone Hexacetonide in the Treatment of Therapy-Refractory Gonitis
Authors: Jalava S , Virsiheimo B 
Published: January 2017

Thirty-seven patients suffering from sustained gonitis with recurrent hydrops, not satisfactorily controlled by systemic treatment, participated in the study. Twenty-three patients had bilateral and fourteen patients had unilateral gonitis. Controls were obtained through the use of the contra-lateral knee joint in the twenty-three patients with bilateral gonitis. A total of 60 knees were randomized into three groups of 20 knees and received either 30 mg triamcinolone hexacetonide (TH), 60 mg methylprednisolone (MP) or 9 mg betamethasone (BM). The clinical parameters evaluated were: recurrence of hydrops, pain, local tenderness, range of joint movement and joint circumference. The period of time elapsing between the injection and the need for a new injection or other treatment was used as the criterion for the duration of effect. Relief lasting for an average of 176 days was obtained in the 20 knees treated with local injections of TH, compared to 125 days for MP and 79 days for BM. No general or local adverse effects were noted in the patients studied. The observed long duration of effect and the absence of adverse effects justify the use of TH in cases of therapy-refractory gonitis.
Effect of Terfenadine and Ipratropium Bromide on Ultrasonically Nebulized Distilled Water-Induced Asthma
Authors: Azevedo M. , da Costa J. Torres , Fontes P. , da Silva J. P. Moreira , Araujo O. 
Published: January 2017

Inhalation of ultrasonically nebulized distilled water was used to evaluate non-specific bronchial reactivity and to investigate non-immunologically mediated asthma. Release of histamine and other mediators from mast cells and stimulation of lung irritant receptors are mechanisms that may be involved in nebulized distilled water-induced bronchoconstriction. To investigate the contribution of these mechanisms the effect of terfenadine and ipratropium bromide on the bronchial response to this stimulus was assessed. A total of 30 asthmatics (mean 28.7 years) were submitted on three different days to distilled water challenge with or without prior treatment with oral terfenadine or inhaled aerosolized ipratropium bromide. The decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s induced by the same dose of distilled water was significantly ( P < 0.001) reduced from 35.6 ± 15.8% to 19.5 ± 16% with terfenadine and to 23.9 ± 19.7% with ipratropium bromide. The results suggest that histamine release and reflex bronchoconstriction are mechanisms involved in asthma induced by ultrasonically nebulized distilled water. A inalação de água destilada em nebulisação ultrassónica é um método para avaliar a hiperreactividade brônquica inespecífica e investigar a asma mediada por mecanismos não imunológicos. A libertação de histamina dos mastócitos e a estimulaçao das terminações irritativas pulmonares parecem estar envolvidas na broncoconstrição induzida pel a água destilada em nebulisação ultrassónica. Investigamos a contribuição destes mecanismos, avaliando o efeito da terfenadina e do brometo de ipratrópio na resposta brônquica à água destilada. Submeteram-se 30 asmáticos (idade média de 28,7 anos) a provocação com água destilada em tres dias diferentes, sem pre-medicação e após medicação com terfenadina oral ou brometo de ipratrópia em aerosol. Verificou-se uma reduçao significativa ( P < 0.001) da queda do volume expiratório máximo por segundo induzida pela mesma dose de água destilada, após administraç ão de ambos os fármacos 35,6 ± 15,8%, para 19,5 ± 16,0% com terfenadina e para 23,9 ± 19,7% com brometo de ipratrópio. Os resultados sugerem que a libertação de histamina e a broncoconstrição reflexa estão envolvidas na asma induzida pela água destilada em nebulisaçáo ultrassónica.
The Safety and Efficacy of Zolpidem in Insomniac Patients: A Long-Term Open Study in General Practice
Authors: Maarek L , Cramer P , Attali P , Coquelin J P , Morselli P L 
Published: January 2017

The safety and efficacy of 10 or 20 mg/day zolpidem, a new hypnotic belonging to the imidazopyridine class, were studied over a 180-day period in 96 patients with sleep disorders. The treatment was continued for a further 180 days by 49 of these patients. Follow-up information from 21 patients who discontinued treatment after 180 days showed no rebound insomnia or withdrawal signs. Efficacy of treatment with respect to reduction of sleep onset latency and number of nocturnal wakenings, and improvement in duration of sleep, quality of sleep and morning wakenings was found in nearly 90% of patients and was maintained in those patients who continued treatment for 360 days. This efficacy was achieved with a stable percentage of patients receiving 10 mg/day and 20 mg/day zolpidem from day 30 to the final visit. Zolpidem, therefore, has been shown to be an effective and safe hypnotic, and to be devoid of rebound and withdrawal effects. La sécurité d'utilisation et l'efficacité du 10 ou 20 mg par jour de zolpidem, un nouvel hypnotique appartenant à la classe des imidazopyridines, ont été étudiées sur une période de 180 jours chez 96 patients souffrant de troubles du sommeil. Le traitement s'est poursuivi pendant 180 jours supplémentaires chez 49 de ces patients. Le suivi de 21 patients ayant cessé le traitement au bout de 180 jours n'a montré ni rebond d'insomnie, ni syndrome de sevrage. L'efficacité du traitement se mesure par la reduction du temp d'endormissement et le nombre de réveils noctures, ainsi que l'amélioration de la durée du sommeil, de la qualité du sommeil et du réveil au matin ont été retrouvés chez près de 90% des patients; ces effets se sont maintenus chez les patients qui ont poursuivi le traitement pendant 360 jours. Cette efficacité a été obtenue pour un pourcentage assez constant de patients qui ont reçu 10 mg par jour de zolpidem, puis 20 mg par jour du 30 ème jour à la fin du traitement. Pour ces raisons, le zolpidem, s'est donc révélé être un hypnotique efficace et sûr, dépourvu d'effets de rebond et de sevrage.
Body Mass Index in Persons with Schizophrenia
Authors: Coodin Shalom 
Published: January 2017

Background: Schizophrenia has been associated with several health concerns and risks. Overall mortality among persons with schizophrenia has been shown to be about twice that of the general population. There is growing concern that persons with schizophrenia may also be at risk for being overweight or obese, compared with the general population. To examine this possibility, the author compared the distribution of body mass index values (BMI = kg/m2) in people with schizophrenia with that of the Canadian population as a whole. Method: Weights and heights were obtained for 183 patients receiving treatment in a hospital-based program for persons with schizophrenia. These BMI values were compared with the results of Statistics Canada's 1996–1997 National Population Health Survey (NPHS), which provided average BMI values for the general population. Results: The average BMI in the study sample was 29.02, with the average for men being 28.49 (range 15.55 to 49.22, SD 6.25) and the average for women, 30.02 (range 19.30 to 45.71, SD 6.45). This is compared with the NPHS average BMI of 26.3 for men and 24.3 for women. The prevalence of obesity (BMI >30) in the sample was 42.08%, 3.5 times that of the Canadian average of 12% and 2.8 times that of the 15% prevalence in Manitoba. In this sample, 26.78% had a BMI in the acceptable range, in contrast to the 48% of those in the NPHS who had a weight appropriate to their height. Conclusions: This analysis provides evidence that the BMI distribution of the sample population is different from that of the national population as represented in the NPHS data. The data indicate that patients with schizophrenia are significantly heavier than the general population.
Continuity of Care in Mental Health Services: Toward Clarifying the Construct
Authors: Joyce Anthony S , Wild T Cameron , Adair Carol E , McDougall Gerald M , Gordon Alan , Costigan Norman , Beckie Anora , Kowalsky Laura , Pasmeny Gloria , Barnes Fran 
Published: January 2017

Objective: To clarify “continuity of care” (COC), a construct associated with the delivery of services for persons suffering from severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI), with attention to the service recipient's perception of COC. Method: The study involved a systematic appraisal of the literature on COC, supplemented by interviews with 36 SPMI patients and their families. Statements highlighting attributes of COC were extracted from both sources. Results: Comments by patients and families corresponded to descriptions of COC in the mental health literature. Attribute classifications by independent teams of judges showed good consistency. The following 4 attribute domains of the COC construct were identified: service delivery, accessibility, relationship base, and individualized care. Conclusions: Service recipients' perceptions of COC overlapped with representations of the construct in the mental health literature. The qualitative inquiry resulted in a draft, 47-item, self-report questionnaire for use in studies of interventions designed to facilitate COC.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor and Venlafaxine Use in Children and Adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review of Published Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Courtney Darren B 
Published: January 2017

Objective: This review critiques published randomized placebo-controlled trials pertaining to the efficacy and safety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and venlafaxine in the treatment of major depressive disorder in children and adolescents. Method: Medline was searched for articles meeting defined inclusion criteria. The following key terms were used: depressive disorders, antidepressive agents, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram, fluvoxamine, venlafaxine, child, and adolescent. Results: Six articles met inclusion criteria. Only 2 studies claim efficacy by significant results in primary outcomes; both have since been contested in further analysis. Not one study adequately examines safety, particularly with respect to whether a link exists between antidepressant use and induction of suicidal ideation or attempts. Conclusion: Published studies on SSRI or venlafaxine use in children and adolescents are inconclusive with respect to safety and efficacy, owing to inappropriate claims of efficacy, lack of improvement in global functioning scores, nonstandardized data collection regarding adverse effects, exclusion of suicidal subjects in the recruitment process, grouping of children and adolescents together, small sample sizes, conflict of interest posed by pharmaceutical company sponsorship, and publishing bias. Future investigators should consider these factors when developing study designs.