SEARCH · PubMed Health
Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
A report on a patient having five consecutive molar pregnancies is presented. None of the pregnancies was associated with a fetus and all five hydatidiform moles were histologically benign. The treatment of recurrent moles is discussed and the literature concerning this problem is reviewed.
Haemosuccus pancreaticus is a rare cause of gastrointestinal haemorrhage, and when it presents in otherwise healthy people, can prove difficult to diagnose. The cardinal features are episodic epigastric pain associated with a raised serum amylase and the passage of melaena. Failure to make the connection between recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding and apparently unrelated symptoms attributable to pancreatitis may lead to a significant delay in diagnosis.
A 64-year-old woman, with history of hypertension and arteriosclerosis, developed left painful ophthalmoplegia in July, 1988. Neurological examination proved abnormality of the third cranial nerve innervation, otherwise normal. No systemic illness was present. With corticosteroid therapy, the symptoms regressed and completely disappeared in 3 months. In January, 1990, right painful ophthalmoplegia appeared. Neurological examination revealed involvement of right sixth nerve and first branch of the right fifth nerve. With corticosteroid therapy, the symptoms completely regressed in several weeks. In April, 1990, she developed severe pain in the right side of the face. The facial pain disappeared rapidly with corticosteroid therapy, but reappeared following quit of steroid. She complained of severe pain of the right face, the territory of first and second branch of the right fifth nerve, but neurological examination was negative. With corticosteroid therapy, the pain disappeared remaining with mild tingling sensation on the right face, but during the tapering of corticosteroid in August, a severe peripheral type right facial palsy developed. Corticosteroid therapy resumed and the facial palsy regressed almost completely in ten days. Our case suggests that THS might be a variant of so-called recurrent cranial neuropathy.
A cooperative study on surgical adjuvant immunochemotherapy for prevention of postoperative recurrence of gastric cancer was carried out by Kondo's group from July 1974 to December 1977. A total of 848 patients with gastric cancer underwent curative resection were eligible. Of 848 patients, 819 cases with complete description of patient's background were evaluable: Group A (surgery + MMC + 5-FU:chemotherapy) 253 cases, group B (surgery + MMC + 5-FU + OK-432 or PSK:immunochemotherapy) 282 and group C (surgery alone) 284. The 5-year corrected survival rates of total cases using Cox's proportional hazard model were 76.2% with group A, 73.6% with group B and 73.3% with group C. And the 10-year survival rates were 67.6% with group A, 64.3% with group B and 63.9% with group C. The difference in survival rate among groups A, B and C was not statistically significant. In the evaluation of prognostic factors by Cox's proportional hazard model, level of curative resection, extent of resection, histological stage and Kajitani's classification had an influence upon survival rates, in which degrees of metastasis in lymph node and serous infiltration were also involved. The significance of postoperative adjuvant immunochemotherapy has not been clarified.
Relationship between stone formation and crystal formation in urine was studied. Crystals in the sediments of early morning urine in 238 stone formers and the same numbers of non-stone formers were examined by light microscopy. Almost all crystals found in the early morning urine were composed of calcium oxalate both in stone formers and in non-stone formers. The frequency of calcium oxalate crystal formation was slightly higher in stone formers than in non-stone formers, but, no significant difference was noted. On the other hand, the urine containing calcium oxalate crystals of the stone formers had significantly lower specific gravity than that of the non-stone formers. Calcium oxalate crystals in the urine were formed significantly more frequently in the recurrent or bilateral male stone formers than in male unilateral stone formers without previous stone history. Frequency of calcium oxalate crystal formation was not influenced by urinary excretion of calcium, oxalate, uric acid, phosphate and magnesium. These finding led us to the conclusion that it was clinically useful to measure urinary specific gravity in which calcium oxalate crystals were formed in predicting the risk of stone formation.
Although controversial among dermatologists and surgeons, the conclusion based on this review is that basal cell carcinomas, with marginal histologic involvement, should be reexcised. When the margins contain tumor with one high-power field (400X), it is reasonable, in view of the 12 percent recurrence risk, to carefully follow patients who are elderly or are experiencing other extenuating circumstances.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the proposed relationship between persistent reduction of serum urate into the subsaturating range and reduction in the frequency of acute gouty attacks. METHODS: We retrospectively examined data derived from 267 patients who had experienced at least 1 gouty attack before their first visit to our clinic. Serum urate concentration, history of recurrent gouty attacks, and information about antihyperuricemic drug use were collected on each visit for up to 3 years from the first visit of each patient. Data derived from visits >1 year after study entry were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: When adjusted for baseline serum urate level and the number of gouty attacks prior to study entry, reduction of followup serum urate concentration and antihyperuricemic drug use were each significantly associated with a reduced risk of gouty attacks (odds ratio [OR] 0.42, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.31-0.57; OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.10-0.47, respectively). CONCLUSION: The data indicate that reduction of serum urate concentrations to 6 mg/dl or lower will eventually result in a reduced frequency or prevention of future gouty attacks.
Pediatric patients with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) were compared with patients with peptic disease, patients with emotional disorders, and well children with regard to (a) emotional and somatic symptoms and (b) theoretically derived variables, including negative life events, competence, family functioning, and the modeling and encouragement of illness behavior. RAP patients had levels of emotional distress and somatic complaints higher than those of well children and lower than those of psychiatric patients, but not different from those of patients with peptic disease. RAP patients had fewer negative life events, better family functioning, and higher competence than children with emotional disorders. In comparison with well children and psychiatric patients, both RAP and peptic disease patients had a higher incidence of illness in other family members and perceived greater parental encouragement of illness behavior for abdominal symptoms.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study in 157 patients with chronic recurrent sinusitis investigated the occurrence of acute relapses during treatment of patients with a bacterial immunostimulant (3 x 30 drops/day), comprised of cells and autolysate of human Enterococcus faecalis bacteria (Symbioflor 1, n = 78) in comparison to placebo (n = 79). The study included a treatment period of 6 months and a follow-up period of 8 months. Under verum the occurrence of relapses (50 incidents) was about half (56%) the number observed under placebo (90 incidents). In the Kaplan-Meier test the verum preparation emerged as significantly superior (p = 0.045, log rank test) compared to placebo. This superiority of verum was found during the treatment period with 17 vs. 33 relapses (p = 0.019) as well as during the follow-up observation with 33 vs. 57 relapses (p = 0.013). The time interval to the first relapse was clearly longer under verum (513 days) than under placebo (311 days). The relative risk for a relapse under the test preparation compared to placebo was 49.0% during the treatment and 55.8% during the follow-up period. Severity of the acute relapses was comparable in both groups. However, antibiotic therapy was only required in 2 patients treated with verum compared to 6 patients in the placebo group. Both preparations were well tolerated and serious side effects did not occur in either group. No changes in laboratory tests--hematology and clinical chemistry--were observed. Potential immunomodifying effects of the test preparation in view of the significant reduction in relapses were discussed.
BACKGROUND: Previous trials of intravenous immunoglobulin (IvIg) treatment of women with recurrent miscarriage (RM) have provided diverging results. This may be due to different inclusion criteria and suboptimal treatment protocols in some trials. METHODS: According to a computer-generated list, 58 women with at least four unexplained miscarriages were randomly assigned to receive infusions of high doses of IvIg or placebo starting as soon as the pregnancy test was positive. RESULTS: In the intention-to-treat analysis, a 45% live birth rate was found in both allocation groups. In patients with secondary RM, 50% in the treatment group and 23% in the placebo group had successful pregnancies (P = not significant). When data from the present and a previous placebo-controlled trial of the same treatment were combined, 15/26 (58%) of the patients with secondary RM in the treatment group versus 6/26 (24%) in the placebo group had successful outcomes (P < 0.02). Only 7% of the karyotyped abortuses were abnormal. CONCLUSIONS: IvIg may improve pregnancy outcome in patients with secondary RM. A new placebo-controlled trial focusing on this subgroup should be conducted to confirm the results.
PROBLEM: Unexplained primary recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) can be viewed as a partner-specific problem for which immunization with allogeneic leukocytes is being offered as therapy. Published data from randomized controlled trials have produced conflicting results regarding treatment effectiveness. The aim of this study was to perform a subgroup analysis of the data from a recent worldwide collaborative meta-analysis using the raw data for patients with primary RSA entered into randomized controlled trials of immunotherapy. METHODS: Data from randomized controlled trials in eight centers were included in this analysis. Individual patients were included only if they had had three or more spontaneous abortions, no previous pregnancy beyond 20 weeks' gestation, no identifiable cause for the abortions, and no evidence of antipaternal antibodies. Meta-analysis by centre and logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the overall effect of treatment in achieving live birth and to identify variables that affect the prognosis for a successful outcome. RESULTS: In the meta-analysis by center, immunotherapy significantly improved the live birth rate (common odds ratio = 1.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.20 to 3.12). In the analysis by patient, the likelihood of a successful outcome was also significantly better with treatment (relative risk = 1.46, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.69). The absolute treatment effect was 16.3% producing a number needed to treat of 6. The number of previous abortions had a significant negative correlation with live birth rate, such that for each additional pregnancy loss beyond three, the likelihood of live birth was reduced by 23%. CONCLUSION: Allogeneic leukocyte immunization is an effective treatment for unexplained primary RSA when pretreatment antipaternal antibodies are absent. Better diagnostic tests are required to identify patients who may derive maximal benefit from this therapeutic approach.
The role of dopaminergic activity in susceptibility of methamphetamine (MAP) psychosis (flashbacks) to subsequent spontaneous recurrences was studied. Plasma monoamine metabolite levels were assayed in 23 flashbackers, of whom 10 experienced a single flashback, 8 exhibited subsequent flashbacks and 5 with the last episode; 18 nonflashbackers with a history of MAP psychosis; 9 subjects with persistent MAP psychosis; and 19 MAP user and 10 nonuser controls. All flashbackers had undergone frightening stressful experiences during previous MAP use. Their flashbacks were triggered by mild psychosocial stressors. Plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels increased with the increase in plasma levels of 3-methoxytyramine (3-MT), an index of dopamine release, during flashbacks in the 23 flashbackers. Of these, the 8 with subsequent episodes had markedly increased NE levels and increased 3-methoxytyramine levels during flashbacks. However, the 5 flashbackers with the last episode had moderately increased NE levels, and the 10 with a single episode displayed small increases in NE levels during flashbacks. Their 3-MT levels did not significantly differ from the levels in the control groups. Thus, increased DA release in addition to robust noradrenergic hyperactivity in response to mild psychosocial stressors may be important in susceptibility to subsequent flashbacks.
PROBLEM: Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a common complication of pregnancy for which there is no known cure. Therefore, effective treatment is needed. Published results from controlled clinical trials of allogeneic leukocyte immunization of women suffering from RSA have given conflicting results. To address this controversy, the international raw data of all patients who had been entered into clinical trials that included a control group were collected and analyzed. The primary question to be answered was whether alloimmune stimulation of the female partner improves the subsequent live birth rate. METHODS: Fifteen clinical centers were identified worldwide because they controlled appropriate raw data. Consequently, nine randomized trials (seven double-blinded) were evaluated independently by two separate data analysis teams to assure conclusions were robust. One team also compared randomized trials to the results of six nonrandomized cohort-controlled studies to test for bias in nonrandomized trials. Factors predicting successful live births among couples with RSA were evaluated by logistic regression. RESULTS: Although the two independent analyses made use of different definitions and utilized different statistical methods, the results of both were similar. The live births ratios (ratio of live births in treatment and control groups) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 1.16 (CI, 1.01-1.34, P = 0.031) and 1.21 (CI, 1.04-1.37, P = 0.024), respectively. The absolute differences in live birth rates between treatment and control groups were 8% and 10% in respective analyses. Results in randomized and nonrandomized trials were surprisingly similar despite significant differences in composition of control and treatment groups. Live birth rates were lower with older female partners, more than five abortions, with a positive ANA or with positive anticardiolipin antibodies. Live birth rates were higher if the female partner had prior to treatment serum antibodies to paternal leukocytes or converted from negative to positive with immunization. Approximately 0.5% of controls and 2.1% of treated patients experience side effects for a 1.6% treatment related effect. There was no evidence of an increased risk of adverse effects on the fetus. CONCLUSIONS: Two independent analyses of worldwide data on allogeneic leukocyte immunization for treatment of RSA suggest that alloimmunization may be an effective treatment The treatment effect appears, however, to be small, and the data indicate that immunotherapy helps only 8% to 10% of affected couples. A current lack of diagnostic tests defining patients who most likely would benefit from immunotherapy, precludes the identification of a patient population that would benefit most from such treatment. The efficacy of treatment in such a subgroup could be expected to increase and could be of sufficient magnitude to allow the determination of more effective immunization protocols. This study does not exclude the possibility of a partial correction of a widely prevalent immunology defect by immunotherapy. The presence of such a defect would indicate a need for more effective therapy. The unexplained variation in pregnancy success rates of control groups among centers continues to present a statistical problem, limiting the statistical evaluation of retroactively obtained data.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
BACKGROUND: Inhaled corticosteroids are the cornerstone of anti-inflammatory asthma treatment. Anti-leukotrienes agents are currently being studied as alternative first line agents in the management of mild to moderate chronic asthma. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this review study are to compare the safety and efficacy of anti-leukotriene agents with inhaled glucocorticoids and to determine the dose-equivalence of anti-leukotrienes in mcg of inhaled corticosteroids in the management of chronic asthma. SEARCH STRATEGY: The searched Medline (1966 to 1999), Embase (1980 to 1999), Cinahl (1982 to 1999) and reference lists of review articles and trials; we contacted colleagues and international headquarters of anti-leukotrienes producers. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials were included if they compared leukotriene antagonists with inhaled corticosteroids during a minimal 30-day intervention period in asthmatic patients aged 2 years and older, and if measures of effectiveness other than compliance were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Assessments of methodological quality and data extraction were performed independently and blindly by two reviewers. The primary outcome was the rate of exacerbations requiring systemic corticosteroids. Secondary outcomes included lung function, indices of chronic asthma control, adverse effects and withdrawal rates. MAIN RESULTS: Of 137 identified studies, ten met the inclusion criteria. Two are currently published in full-text. Most focused on subjects with mild-to-moderate chronic asthma; two included children. Trial duration was 6 to 12 weeks with a few un-blinded trials lasting several months. Daily dose of inhaled corticosteroids varied from 250 to 400 mcg of beclomethasone-equivalent; various anti-leukotriene preparation were tested. There was no difference in the rate of patients with exacerbations that required systemic steroids [4 trials, Relative Risk (RR)=1.3, (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.9, 1.9)]. Few trials contributed data to other outcomes. Improvement in lung function (FEV1 [N=3 trials, Standardised Mean Difference (SMD)=0.3 (95% CI: 0. 2, 0.4)]: morning PEFR [3 trials, SMD=0.4, (95% CI: 0.2, 0.5)]) and in quality of life [N=3 trials, WMD=0.3, (95% CI: 0.1, 0.4)] favoured inhaled corticosteroids. A difference in favour of inhaled corticosteroids was observed for symptoms [N=3 trials, SMD=0.3, (95% CI: = 0.2, 0.4)], night awakenings [N=2 trials, WMD= 0.6, (95% CI: 0. 3, 0.9)], and rescue beta2-agonists [N=3 trials, SMD= 0.3, (95% CI: 0.2, 0.4)] Side effects were not different between groups, but anti-leukotriene therapy was associated with increase risk of "withdrawals for any cause" [N=3 trials, RR=1.4, (95% CI: 1.1, 1.9)] and "withdrawals due to adverse effects" [N=3 trials, RR=1.9, (95% CI: 1.1, 3.3)] REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Anti-leukotriene agents had a similar rate of exacerbations compared to inhaled corticosteroids, but inhaled steroids produced better lung function and quality of life as well as reduced symptoms, night awakenings and need for rescue beta2-agonist. Reliable conclusions cannot yet be drawn regarding the efficacy of this treatment due to the paucity of trials published in full text.