Biomedical subjects

E Thom

Publications and source records attributed to E Thom.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

Visualization of 3-D treatment plans with fast neutrons.

The treatment planning for radiotherapy with fast neutrons requires modifications of the planning systems used for photons. The neutron- and photon-component of the treatment fields must be determined and can then be used for separate calculations. The corrections for inhomogeneities are performed by use of attenuation coefficients and the corresponding corrections for changes in the kerma. The treatment planning system MEVAPLAN (Siemens) was modified to follow these requirements. Thus treatment planning for 14 MeV DT-neutrons could be performed. The multiplanar option is used to calculate 3D-dose distributions based on up to 40 serial CT slices. The generated three-dimensional dose matrix and the CT data are transferred via magnetic tape to the visualization system VOXEL-MAN developed at the University Hospital of Hamburg. This system uses a ray casting algorithm based on the generalized Voxel-model to display detailed 3D-images of human anatomy together with the calculated dose distribution. Different treatment plans for neutrons and photons are calculated and visualized. Various manipulations of the data-sets are displayed to improve the critical examination of the simulated dose distribution and to discern the quality of treatment techniques.

Fast Neutrons↗

PubMed1990

Neutron dose planning with the MEVAPLAN system.

For treatment planning with fast neutrons the neutron and photon components have to be calculated separately. The data base and the source code of the MEVAPLAN system (Siemens) have been modified to fulfil these requirements. Major changes were made to enable the kerma-corrections for organs of different atomic compositions. Furthermore, the linear attenuation coefficients are used to calculate the transmission of neutrons through different organs. The data can be obtained indirectly from CT data, if the calibration of the CT data into density is known. The DT-neutron generators require a modified inverse square law for different SSD's. The corresponding coefficients are determined and are included in the data base of the system. A comparison between measured and calculated isodoses and treatment plans based on CTs is shown.

Energy Transfer↗

PubMed1985

Carbamazepine therapy in restless legs. Discrimination between responders and non-responders.

One hundred and seventy-four patients suffering from restless legs were included in a double-blind trial. Eighty-four patients were treated with carbamazepine (CBZ) and 90 with placebo. Discrimination analysis was carried out in order to characterize the patients who did not benefit from the treatment. Patients treated with CBZ were divided into responders and non-responders. A discriminant function classified 15 out of 19 actual non-responders as non-responders and 60 out of 65 actual responders as responders. By using the "leaving-one-out" technique, 14 of the non-responders and 57 of the responders were still correctly classified. The probability of erroneously classifying a patient increased from about 10 to 15% by this correction. The discriminant function classified approximately 80% of the patients in the placebo group as responders to CBZ.

Adult↗

PubMed1979

Effect of diclofenac and naproxen on gastroduodenal mucosa.

The increases in medan scoresfluence on gastroduodenal mucosa of naproxen, 500 mg/day, and diclofenac, 100 mg/day, for 1 wk was investigated in 14 subjects in a double-blind randomized crossover study. Endoscopic examination of the gastroduodenal mucosa was carried out before and after each drug with regard to gastritis and hemorrhagic and erosive lesions. A 20-cm visual analogue scale was used for grading severity of mucosal changes. Naproxen caused statistically significant increases inmedian scores for all 3 variables, and 10 subjects showed a score increase in at least 1 variable; reaction to diclofenac occurred in only 4 subjects and the changes in median scores were not significant.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sexual desire in men: effects of oral ingestion of a product derived from fertilized eggs.

A commercial product, Libido (Libid, Libbido, Erosom and Ardorare, names used in different markets), which is based on components derived from fertilized, partly incubated chickens' eggs, has been used to treat diminished sexual desire in men. The results from two double-blind cross-over placebo-controlled experiments indicate that Libido has a significant enhancing effect on sexual desire in men with normal and reduced sexual drive. Over periods as short as 2 weeks, 58% of the participants with low sexual desire noticed improvement as assessed using a visual analogue scale. Data obtained from consumers suggest significant effects on the frequency of sexual intercourse, on increased self-esteem, on the level of happiness, and on stamina. In a separate Swedish study, 84% of 31 men reported increased sexual desire during 3 weeks on Libido. It takes 1-2 weeks of regular use of Libido (3 g twice daily) before noticeable changes are observed.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a new weight-reducing agent of natural origin.

The efficacy and tolerability of a new weight-reduction agent, based on natural ingredients, was investigated in this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. The product reduces the absorption of different types of sugar from the gastrointestinal tract. Forty obese volunteers were included in the 12-week study. Body weight, body composition and blood pressure were recorded at baseline and every month during the study. The results show a significant difference in weight reduction in favour of the active group (3.5 kg versus 1.2 kg). Body composition measurements showed that > 85% of the reduction in the active group is fat loss. The tolerability was similar and good in both groups. This product shows promising results and should be studied more extensively at different dose levels.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy and tolerability of Hairgain in individuals with hair loss: a placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was designed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of a new agent for the treatment of hair loss, based on a marine protein, minerals and vitamins. Sixty subjects with hair loss of different aetiologies participated in the 6-month blinded phase of the study. Objective assessments indicated that the treatment was effective and subjective assessments showed a statistically significant positive effect of treatment. Exposure to the active preparation for a further 6 months in an open phase indicated a further improvement in hair growth. Exposure of the patients previously treated with placebo to the active preparation for 12 months gave similar results. Tolerability was good and no side-effects were reported. The product investigated may provide an alternative to pharmacotherapy for the treatment of hair-loss problems in individuals with androgenic alopecia.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Conjugated linoleic acid reduces body fat in healthy exercising humans.

This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of daily conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in healthy exercising humans. This was a random-double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 20 healthy humans of normal body weight and body mass index less than 25.0 kg/m2, who did standardized physical exercise in a gym for 90 min three times weekly. Participants took either placebo (hydrogel) or CLA 0.6 g [DOSAGE ERROR CORRECTED], three times daily, as two capsules during meals, for 12 weeks. Body fat, measured using near infrared light, was significantly reduced in the CLA group during the study, but not in the placebo group. No effects on body weight were observed. Tolerability was good and similar in the two groups. Compliance, as judged by the number of returned capsules, was more than 80% of the recommended dose for all participants. Thus CLA reduces body fat but not body weight in healthy exercising humans of normal body weight.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections.

Elderberry has been used in folk medicine for centuries to treat influenza, colds and sinusitis, and has been reported to have antiviral activity against influenza and herpes simplex. We investigated the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry syrup for treating influenza A and B infections. Sixty patients (aged 18-54 years) suffering from influenza-like symptoms for 48 h or less were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study during the influenza season of 1999-2000 in Norway. Patients received 15 ml of elderberry or placebo syrup four times a day for 5 days, and recorded their symptoms using a visual analogue scale. Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving elderberry extract compared with placebo. Elderberry extract seems to offer an efficient, safe and cost-effective treatment for influenza. These findings need to be confirmed in a larger study.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the clinical efficacy of oral treatment with DermaVite on ageing symptoms of the skin.

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 40 women with ageing symptoms of the skin were randomized to receive DermaVite, a new preparation containing marine proteins, alpha-lipoic acid, pine bark extract, vitamins and minerals (n = 20), or placebo (n = 20) twice daily for 6 months. Objective measurements of skin thickness and elasticity, together with subjective clinical assessments of various parameters (fine wrinkles, coarse wrinkles, tactile roughness and teleangiectasia) were used to evaluate changes after 2, 4 and 6 months' treatment. Self-evaluations were also made by the study participants. There was a significant improvement in skin quality in both objective and subjective parameters after treatment with Dermavite compared with placebo. Participants' self-evaluations also showed a statistically significant difference in favour of the active treatment. The treatment was very well tolerated. Based on this efficacy and tolerability study, DermaVite can be considered a suitable therapy for ageing symptoms of the skin.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nourkrin: objective and subjective effects and tolerability in persons with hair loss.

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of Nourkrin, a new natural agent for the treatment of hair loss based on marine proteins, and minerals and vitamins. Fifty-five subjects with hair loss of different aetiologies participated in the 6-month blinded phase of the study. Objective assessments showed a significant positive effect of treatment on hair growth. Intake of the active preparation for a further 6 months in an open phase indicated a subjective further improvement in hair growth. Exposure of the patients previously treated with placebo to the active preparation for 12 months gave similar results. Tolerability was good and no side-effects were reported. Nourkrin may provide an alternative to pharmacotherapy for the treatment of hair-loss problems in individuals with androgenetic alopecia.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Combination of diet, exercise and intermittent treatment of cimetidine on body weight and maintenance of weight loss. A 42 months follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to investigate the long term effect of diet, exercise and intermittent treatment of cimetidine on body weight and maintenance of weight lost during treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty women and five men who had completed a 8 week randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of cimetidine for weight loss were invited to participate in an open, non-randomized follow-up study of 42 months. The study was designed to compare weight loss and/or weight gain in subjects who, dependent on their level of motivation, volunteered to participate in an intervention or non-intervention group. In the intervention group the subjects were treated with cimetidine for 8 weeks twice a year, followed a diet restriction and performed regular exercise. In the non-intervention group the subjects had no behavioral treatment. Twenty two subjects volunteered to participate in the intervention program whereas 33 subjects volunteered to participate in the non-intervention group. RESULTS: In the intervention group, non-significant reductions in body weight (1.9 +/- 5.5 kg), BMI (0.6 +/- 1.7 kg/m2), body fat% (1.7 +/- 2.9) and waist circumference (2.1 +/- 5.9 cm) were found. In the non-intervention group there was a significant increase in body weight (7.5 +/- 5.3 kg), BMI (2.6 +/- 1.8 kg/m2), body fat% (3.0 +/- 3.3) and waist circumference (6.7 +/- 5.1 cm). Among the group of subjects initially treated with cimetidine for 8 weeks and who followed a subsequent intervention of additional 42 months (n = 16), there was a 15.1% weight loss. Among the group initially treated with placebo for 8 weeks and who volunteered to participate in the non-intervention group (n = 22), there was a weight gain of 8.6%. In conclusion, the combination of diet restriction, regular exercise and intermittent treatment of cimetidine appears to have long term effects on body weight and maintenance of weight loss.

Adolescent↗