Biomedical subjects

V Duncan

Publications and source records attributed to V Duncan.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Melatonin for cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: There are a number of studies that suggest a relationship between decline of melatonin function and the symptoms of dementia. OBJECTIVES: The review assessed the evidence of clinical efficacy and safety of melatonin in the treatment of manifestations of dementia or cognitive impairment (CI). SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group's Specialized Register was searched for trials involving melatonin on 5 October 2005. The search terms used were MELATONIN, and N-ACETYL-5-METHOXYTRYPTAMINE. This Register contains records from all major health care databases as well as many ongoing trials databases and is updated regularly. SELECTION CRITERIA: All relevant, randomized controlled trials in which orally administered melatonin in any dosage was compared with a control group for the effect on managing cognitive, behavioural (excluding sleep), and/or affective disturbances of people with dementia of any degree of severity. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two to three reviewers independently assessed the retrieved articles for relevance and methodological quality, and extracted data from the selected studies. Statistically significant differences in changes in outcomes from baseline to end of treatment between the melatonin and control groups were examined. Each study was summarized using a measure of effect (e.g. mean difference) and meta-analyses were conducted when appropriate. MAIN RESULTS: Three studies met the inclusion criteria. This review revealed non-significant effects from the pooled estimates of MMSE cognitive, and ADAS-cognitive change scores. Individual study estimates for treatment effect demonstrated a significant improvement for melatonin compared with placebo in behavioural and affective symptoms as measured by the ADAS non-cognitive scale in a study of 20 patients, and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) following treatment with 2.5 mg/day (SR) melatonin, but not with 10mg/day (IR) melatonin in a larger study of 157 patients. The remainder of the treatment effects for affect, behaviour and activities of daily living were non-significant. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of melatonin in managing the cognitive and non-cognitive sequelae of dementia.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed1999

Effects of insulin-like growth factor I treatment on statural growth, body composition and phenotype of children with growth hormone insensitivity syndrome. GHIS Collaborative Group.

Eight children with growth hormone insensitivity syndrome (GHIS) have been treated with injections of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I (rhIGF-I) for more than 5 years each. After good acceleration of growth in the first year of therapy, the growth rate decreased to an average of 5-6 cm/year. In general, growth with IGF-I therapy is less exuberant than that observed with growth hormone (GH) therapy in GH-deficient children. IGF is well tolerated, though there may be overgrowth of the lymphoid tissues and the kidneys. Bone mineral density is improved by treatment. The benefits of therapy appear to exceed the risks.

Body Composition↗

PubMed1999

Dental arch size in healthy human permanent dentitions: ethnic differences as assessed by discriminant analysis.

Race and ethnicity variably influence the form of the human craniofacial complex. In the present study, the effects of ethnicity and sex on the global size of normal adult dental arches were analyzed. The dental arches of 47 northern Chilean mestizos (25 men, 22 women) and 95 northern Italian Caucasians (50 men, 45 women) were cast in stone. All subjects had a complete dentition in both arches. In all models the coordinates of dental cusp tips were digitized using an image analyzer. The center of gravity of each tooth was computed and arches were interpolated using a polynomial model (y = ax + bx2 + cx3 + dx4). In all arches, the intercanine, intermolar, and mid-intercanine to mid-intermolar distances were computed from the dental centers of gravity. These arch distances were entered in a linear discriminant function analysis. The polynomial model accurately interpolated data points in all instances, and most of the dental arch form was determined by the first and second degree coefficients. On average, Italian Caucasian arches were smaller than Chilean mestizo arches. Male mean distances were larger than female distances regardless of ethnic group or arch. The linear discriminant analysis performed between male and female arches within ethnic groups was significant only for both Italian Caucasian arches, but the percentage errors for the classification of a new individual were very high (about 30%). Conversely, Italian Caucasian arches could always be discriminated from Chilean mestizo arches of the same sex with a much smaller error.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Venous leg ulcers. Part 4: Wound care.

When assessing a leg ulcer the nurse should note the size and site of the wound, any exudate present and the presence of pain and allergies. A suitable wound dressing can then be selected.

Bandages↗

PubMed1993

Transverse process fractures of the cervical vertebrae: are they insignificant?

Transverse process fractures of the cervical vertebrae have been considered rare and insignificant. In a retrospective study of 216 patients with cervical fractures evaluated by plain films and computed tomography, we found that transverse process fractures were common. Transverse process fractures were present in 24% of patients with cervical fractures and accounted for 13.2% of all cervical fractures. Cervical radiculopathy and brachial plexus palsy were present in 10% of patients with transverse process fractures. In 78% of transverse process fractures, CT scanning showed that the fracture extended into the transverse foramen. Vertebral angiography, performed in eight patients with fractures involving the transverse foramen, showed dissection or occlusion of the vertebral artery in seven (88%) instances. Two of these seven patients had clinical evidence of vertebral-basilar artery stroke. Vertebral angiography should be considered when patients with transverse process fractures extending into the transverse foramen develop signs and symptoms of vertebral-basilar artery insufficiency.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Know how--ischaemic leg ulcers.

Arterial/ischaemic ulcers occur in up to 20% of the leg ulcer population. Accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure that the correct treatment is initiated. Choosing the appropriate dressing and offering adequate pressure and pain relief will contribute to patient comfort and promote healing.

Bandages↗