scholarly journals Charms & Harms: Devil's Claw

2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Barnes

SUMMARY MESSAGE: There is evidence that Devil’s Claw can be an effective short-term treatment for acute exacerbations of low back pain and, to a lesser extent, in rheumatic and osteoarthritic conditions. Acute adverse effects reported in clinical trials were mild diarrhoea and flatulence. Long-term adverse effects have not been studied. As with all herbal medicines, Devil’s Claw products differ in their pharmaceutical quality, and the implications of this for efficacy and safety should be considered.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Li ◽  
Chunhua Hu ◽  
Yi Chen ◽  
Rou Zhang ◽  
Shan Fu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background & Aims There is limited evidence on the efficacy and safety of nucleos(t) ide analogues (NAs) in the treatment of HBV-ACLF. Our objective was to evaluate the outcomes among TAF, TDF and ETV, three first-line antivirals against chronic hepatitis B, in patients with HBV-ACLF. Methods Patients with HBV-related ACLF were recruited and received daily TAF (25 mg/d), TDF (300 mg/d) and ETV (0.5 mg/d). They were prospectively followed-up. The primary endpoint was overall survival at week 12 and week 48, the secondary endpoints were virological response and biochemical response. Results Forty gender and age matched eligible subjects were recruited and divided into three groups: TAF group, TDF group and ETV group. By week 48, 8 (80%) patients in TAF group, 6 (60%) patients in TDF group and 17 (85%) patients in ETV group survived without liver transplantation (P = 0.251). After 4 weeks of NAs treatment, all three groups showed paralleling reduction of HBV DNA levels. All three groups presented similar biochemical responses at week 4, patients treated with TAF showed a priority in total bilirubin reduction, albumin and cholesterol maintenance. Additionally, although there was no significant difference in changes of serum urea, serum creatinine, serum cystatin C and estimated GFR among the three groups by treatment week 4, TDF showed unfavorable renal safety even in short -term treatment. The treatment using NAs was well-tolerated and there was no serious drug-related adverse event reported. Conclusions TAF, TDF and ETV are of similar efficacy and safety in short-term and long-term treatment of HBV-ACLF. Trial registration This study is ongoing and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03640728 (05/02/2019).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Li ◽  
Chunhua Hu ◽  
Yi Chen ◽  
Rou Zhang ◽  
Shan Fu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background & Aims: There is limited evidence on the efficacy and safety of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) in the treatment of HBV-ACLF. Our objective was to evaluate the outcomes among TAF, TDF and ETV, three first-line antivirals against chronic hepatitis B, in patients with HBV-ACLF. Methods: Patients with HBV-related ACLF were recruited and received daily TAF (25mg/d), TDF (300 mg/d) and ETV (0.5 mg/d). They were prospectively followed-up. The primary endpoint was overall survival at week 12 and week 48, the secondary endpoints were virological response and biochemical response. Results: Forty gender and age matched eligible subjects were recruited and divided into three groups: TAF group, TDF group and ETV group. By week 48, 8 (80%) patients in TAF group, 6 (60%) patients in TDF group and 17 (85%) patients in ETV group survived without liver transplantation (P = 0.251). After 4 weeks of NAs treatment, all three groups showed paralleling reduction of HBV DNA levels. All three groups presented similar biochemical responses at week 4, patients treated with TAF showed a priority in total bilirubin reduction, albumin and cholesterol maintenance. Additionally, although there was no significant difference in changes of serum urea, serum creatinine, serum cystatin C and estimated GFR among the three groups by treatment week 4, TDF showed unfavorable renal safety even in short term treatment. The treatment using NAs was well-tolerated and there was no serious drug-related adverse event reported. Conclusions: TAF, TDF and ETV are of similar efficacy and safety in short-term and long-term treatment of HBV-ACLF. This study is ongoing and is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03640728 (05/02/2019).


The term ‘pollution’ is taken in its broadest sense and effects are recognized to be due to interference, tainting and toxicity. Each of these types of impact is discussed and assessed. It is concluded that no long-term adverse effects on fish stocks can be attributed to oil but that local impacts can be extremely damaging in the short term and that produce from specific localities can be tainted and unmarketable for long periods. In some coastal areas oil can be one among several contributors to reduced water quality, and the implications of this are discussed.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 3 (9) ◽  
pp. 64-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary A. Christenson ◽  
Scott J. Crow ◽  
James E. Mitchell ◽  
Thomas B. Mackenzie ◽  
Ross D. Crosby ◽  
...  

AbstractThis short-term, open-label study investigates short- and long-term effects of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluvoxamine for the treatment of trichotillomania (TTM). Additionally, this study aimed to test the hypothesis that the presence of hair pulling compulsiveness is predictive of SSRI response. Nineteen subjects meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition Revised, (DSM-III-R) criteria for TTM were treated with fluvoxamine at doses up to 300 mg/day. Random regression analysis of change across time for patients who completed the study (n=14) and those who dropped out (n=5) revealed statistically significant improvements in Physician Rating Scale, hair-pulling episodes, Trichotillomania Impairment Scale, and Trichotillomania Symptom Severity Scale, but not in estimated amount of hair pulled. In addition, the percentage of patients' focused or compulsive hair-pulling symptoms was predictive of treatment response. Unfortunately, all three subjects who entered long-term treatment displayed substantial movement back toward baseline by the end of 6 months. We concluded that fluvoxamine produces moderate reductions in symptoms during the short-term treatment of TTM and that the presence of focused or compulsive hair pulling may be predictive of treatment response. However, responses may be short lived when treatment is extended.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-124
Author(s):  
Joy E. Ikekpeazu ◽  
Oliver C. Orji ◽  
Ikenna K. Uchendu ◽  
Lawrence U.S. Ezeanyika

Background and Objective: There may be a possible link between the use of HAART and oxidative stress-related mitochondrial dysfunction in HIV patients. We evaluated the mitochondrial and oxidative impacts of short and long-term administration of HAART on HIV patients attending the Enugu State University Teaching (ESUT) Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria following short and long-term therapy. Methods: 96 patients categorized into four groups of 24 individuals were recruited for the study. Group 1 comprised of age-matched, apparently healthy, sero-negative individuals (the No HIV group); group 2 consisted of HIV sero-positive individuals who had not started any form of treatment (the Treatment naïve group). Individuals in group 3 were known HIV patients on HAART for less than one year (Short-term treatment group), while group 4 comprised of HIV patients on HAART for more than one year (Long-term treatment group). All patients were aged between 18 to 60 years and attended the HIV clinic at the time of the study. Determination of total antioxidant status (TAS in nmol/l), malondialdehyde (MDA in mmol/l), CD4+ count in cells/μl, and genomic studies were all done using standard operative procedures. Results: We found that the long-term treatment group had significantly raised the levels of MDA, as well as significantly diminished TAS compared to the Short-term treatment and No HIV groups (P<0.05). In addition, there was significantly elevated variation in the copy number of mitochondrial genes (mtDNA: D-loop, ATPase 8, TRNALEU uur) in the long-term treatment group. Interpretation and Conclusion: Long-term treatment with HAART increases oxidative stress and causes mitochondrial alterations in HIV patients.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 518-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco P Donadini ◽  
Francesco Dentali ◽  
Samuela Pegoraro ◽  
Fulvio Pomero ◽  
Chiara Brignone ◽  
...  

Isolated distal deep vein thrombosis (IDDVT) is a common clinical manifestation of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, there are only scant and heterogeneous data available on the long-term risk of recurrent VTE after IDDVT, and the optimal therapeutic management remains uncertain. We carried out a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients diagnosed with symptomatic IDDVT between 2004 and 2011, according to a predefined short-term treatment protocol (low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for 4–6 weeks). The primary outcome was the occurrence of recurrent VTE. A total of 321 patients were enrolled. IDDVT was associated with a transient risk factor or cancer in 165 (51.4%) and 56 (17.4%) patients, respectively. LMWH was administered for 4–6 weeks to 280 patients (87.2%), who were included in the primary analysis. Overall, during a mean follow-up of 42.3 months, 42 patients (15%) developed recurrent VTE, which occurred as proximal DVT or PE in 21 cases. The recurrence rate of VTE per 100 patient-years was 3.5 in patients with transient risk factors, 7.2 in patients with unprovoked IDDVT, and 5.9 in patients with cancer ( p=0.018). At multivariable analysis, unprovoked IDDVT and previous VTE were significantly associated with recurrent VTE (HR 2.16, 95% CI 1.12–4.16 and HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.01–3.86, respectively). In conclusion, the long-term risk of recurrent VTE after IDDVT treated for 4–6 weeks is not negligible, in particular in patients with unprovoked IDDVT or cancer. Further studies are needed to clarify whether a longer, but definite treatment duration effectively prevents these recurrences.


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