scholarly journals Enteral L-Arginine and Glutamine Supplementation for Prevention of NEC in Preterm Neonates

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. S. El-Shimi ◽  
H. A. Awad ◽  
M. A. Abdelwahed ◽  
M. H. Mohamed ◽  
S. M. Khafagy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Intake ◽  
Glutamine Supplementation ◽  
Preterm Neonates ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Preventive Role ◽  
Control Study ◽  
Group Serum

Objective. Evaluating the efficacy and safety of arginine and glutamine supplementation in decreasing the incidence of NEC among preterm neonates.Methods.Prospective case-control study done on 75 preterm neonates ≤34 weeks, divided equally into L-arginine group receiving enteral L-arginine, glutamine group receiving enteral glutamine, and control group. Serum L-arginine and glutamine levels were measured at time of enrollment (sample 1), after 14 days of enrollment (sample 2), and at time of diagnosis of NEC (sample 3).Results. The incidence of NEC was 9.3%. There was no difference in the frequency of NEC between L-arginine and control groups (P>0.05). NEC was not detected in glutamine group; L-arginine concentrations were significantly lower in arginine group than control group in both samples while glutamine concentrations were comparable in glutamine and control groups in both samples. No significant difference was found between groups as regards number of septic episodes, duration to reach full oral intake, or duration of hospital stay.Conclusion.Enteral L-arginine supplementation did not seem to reduce the incidence of NEC. Enteral glutamine may have a preventive role against NEC if supplied early to preterm neonates. However, larger studies are needed to confirm these findings. This work is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT01263041).

Hair nicotine concentration of cats with gastrointestinal lymphoma and unaffected control cases

2020 ◽  
Vol 186 (13) ◽  
pp. 414-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Smith ◽  
Clare Knottenbelt ◽  
David Watson ◽  
Dominic J Mellor ◽  
Alexandra Guillen Martinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Control Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Gastrointestinal Lymphoma ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Nicotine Concentration ◽  
Hair Samples ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Unaffected Control ◽  
And Control ◽  
Control Study

BackgroundA previous study showed an association between owner-reported exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and lymphoma in cats. This study aimed to investigate the association between ETS exposure and gastrointestinal lymphoma in cats, using hair nicotine concentration (HNC) as a biomarker.MethodsThis was a prospective, multi-centre, case–control study. Gastrointestinal lymphoma was diagnosed on cytology or histopathology. Hair samples were obtained from 35 cats with gastrointestinal lymphoma and 32 controls. Nicotine was extracted from hair by sonification in methanol followed by hydrophilic interaction chromatography with mass spectrometry. Non-parametric tests were used.ResultsThe median HNC of the gastrointestinal lymphoma and control groups was not significantly different (0.030 ng/mg and 0.029 ng/mg, respectively, p=0.46). When the HNC of all 67 cats was rank ordered and divided into quartiles, there was no significant difference in the proportion of lymphoma cases or controls within these groups (p=0.63). The percentage of cats with an HNC≥0.1 ng/mg was higher for the lymphoma group (22.9%) than the control group (15.6%) but failed to reach significance (p=0.45).ConclusionA significant association was not identified between HNC (a biomarker for ETS) and gastrointestinal lymphoma in cats; however, an association may exist and further studies are therefore required.

scholarly journals Assesment of Endometrial Vascularization with Immunohistochemical CD34 Assay in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A Case Control Study

2017 ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Emine Aydın ◽  
Taner Usta
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Loss ◽  
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Vessel Diameter ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Control Study

<p><strong>Objectives:</strong> We compared the endometrial vascularization in hysteroscopic endometrial samplings between recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and control group.</p><p><strong>Study Design:</strong> We prospectively evaluated hysteroscopic endometrial samplings from RPL and control groups. CD34 transmembrane protein was used for evaluating endometrial vascularization. The vascularization was assessed based on thickness of vessels, diameter of the largest vessel, and number of vessels per mm2 in CD34-stained slides.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> There was no significant difference in demographic findings and vascularization, such as largest vessel diameter (p: 0.572), and number of vessels per mm2 (p: 0.982) between the two groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> The cycling endometrium is a highly angiogenic tissue and may play a role in the etiology of RPL. However, we find a weak relationship between endometrial vascularization and RPL.</p>

scholarly journals Prostate-specific antigen and (free prostate-specific antigen/ prostate-specific antigen) ratio in patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Prostate Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (01) ◽  
pp. 17-25
Author(s):  
Amal A. Hussein ◽  
Rayah S. Baban ◽  
Alaa G. Hussein
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Prostate Specific Antigen ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Specific Antigen ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Control Study

Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in menworldwide. Many markers are suggested as markers of prostate cancer with differentspecificity and sensitivity.Objective : The present study’s main aim is to examine the possible utility ofprostate-specific antigen indices as markers of prostate cancer.Methods: A case-control study was conducted in the Department of Chemistry andBiochemistry, College of Medicine, Al- Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq from July2018 till March 2019, includes 84 subjects divided into three groups:Twenty Four patients with prostate cancer (PCA), thirty patients with benignprostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and thirty healthy subjects as a control group wereexamined in this study.Thirty healthy volunteer subjects were asked to be involved in this study as a controlgroup. Blood samples from these patients were collected before obtaining a prostaticbiopsy. Serum PSA, fPSA levels were quantified by the ELISA technique.Results: PSA cut-off value was found to be more than 9.57 ng/ml for Prostate Cancerpatients, values range between 3.17 - 9.57 ng/ml for BPH patients and cut-off valuefor control was found to be less than 3.17 ng/ml, while serum (fPSA/PSA) % cut-offvalue was less than 11.1% for Prostate Cancer patients, values range between 11.1% -31 % for BPH patients, and cut-off value was greater than 31% for the control group.Conclusion: There is a highly significant difference in serum PSA levels and(fPSA/PSA)% between the prostate cancer and control groups. Body mass indexshowed an inverse association with the risk of prostate cancer.

Effects of Virgin Coconut Oil as Adjunct Therapy in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Nazli Zainuddin ◽  
Nurul Azira Mohd Shah ◽  
Rosdan Salim
Keyword(s):  
Allergic Rhinitis ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Coconut Oil ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Nasal Symptom ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Virgin Coconut Oil ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

Introduction: The role of virgin coconut oil in the treatment of allergic rhinitis is controversial. Thus, the aim of the present study is to determine the effects of virgin coconut oil ingestion, in addition to standard medications, on allergic rhinitis. We also studied the side effects of consumption of virgin coconut oil. Methods: Fifty two subjects were equally divided into test and control groups. All subjects received a daily dose of 10mg of loratadine for 28 days. The test group was given 10ml of virgin coconut oil three times a day in addition to loratadine. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis were scored at the beginning and end of the study. Results:, the symptom score were divided into nasal and non-nasal symptom scores. Sneezing score showed a significant difference, however the score was more in control group than test group, indicating that improvement in symptom was more in control group. The rest of the nasal symptom and non-nasal symptom score showed no significant difference between test and control groups. Approximately 58% of the test subjects developed side effects from consumption of virgin coconut oil, mainly gastrointestinal side effects. Conclusion: In the present study, ingestion of virgin coconut oil does not improve the overall and individual symptoms of allergic rhinitis, furthermore it has side effects.

Impact of intrawound vancomycin powder on prevention of surgical site infection after posterior spinal surgery

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Hiroki Ushirozako ◽  
Tomohiko Hasegawa ◽  
Yu Yamato ◽  
Go Yoshida ◽  
Tatsuya Yasuda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Propensity Score ◽  
Spinal Surgery ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Propensity Score Model ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Surgical Data ◽  
Vancomycin Powder ◽  
Vancomycin Group ◽  
And Control

OBJECTIVESurgical site infection (SSI) after posterior spinal surgery is one of the severe complications that may occur despite administration of prophylactic antibiotics and the use of intraoperative aseptic precautions. The use of intrawound vancomycin powder for SSI prevention is still controversial, with a lack of high-quality and large-scale studies. The purpose of this retrospective study using a propensity score–matched analysis was to clarify whether intrawound vancomycin powder prevents SSI occurrence after spinal surgery.METHODSThe authors analyzed 1261 adult patients who underwent posterior spinal surgery between 2010 and 2018 (mean age 62.3 years; 506 men, 755 women; follow-up period at least 1 year). Baseline and surgical data were assessed. After a preliminary analysis, a propensity score model was established with adjustments for age, sex, type of disease, and previously reported risk factors for SSI. The SSI rates were compared between patients with intrawound vancomycin powder treatment (vancomycin group) and those without (control group).RESULTSIn a preliminary analysis of 1261 unmatched patients (623 patients in the vancomycin group and 638 patients in the control group), there were significant differences between the groups in age (p = 0.041), body mass index (p = 0.013), American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (p < 0.001), malnutrition (p = 0.001), revision status (p < 0.001), use of steroids (p = 0.019), use of anticoagulation (p = 0.033), length of surgery (p = 0.003), estimated blood loss (p < 0.001), and use of instrumentation (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in SSI rates between the vancomycin and control groups (21 SSIs [3.4%] vs 33 SSIs [5.2%]; OR 0.640, 95% CI 0.368–1.111; p = 0.114). Using a one-to-one propensity score–matched analysis, 444 pairs of patients from the vancomycin and control groups were selected. There was no significant difference in the baseline and surgical data, except for height (p = 0.046), between both groups. The C-statistic for the propensity score model was 0.702. In the score-matched analysis, 12 (2.7%) and 24 (5.4%) patients in the vancomycin and control groups, respectively, developed SSIs (OR 0.486, 95% CI 0.243–0.972; p = 0.041). There were no systemic complications related to the use of vancomycin.CONCLUSIONSThe current study showed that intrawound vancomycin powder was useful in reducing the risk of SSI after posterior spinal surgery by half, without adverse events. Intrawound vancomycin powder use is a safe and effective procedure for SSI prevention.

Thyroid Functions in Children on Levetiracetam or Valproic Acid Therapy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elif Karatoprak ◽  
Samet Paksoy
Keyword(s):  
Valproic Acid ◽  
Subclinical Hypothyroidism ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Thyroid Function Tests ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Acid Therapy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control ◽  
Tsh Levels

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the thyroid functions in children receiving levetiracetam or valproate monotherapy. We retrospectively reviewed the records of children with controlled epilepsy receiving valproic acid (VPA group) or levetiracetam monotherapy (LEV group) for at least 6 months. Free thyroxine 4 levels (fT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were compared between VPA group, LEV group, and age- and gender-matched healthy children (control group). A total of 190 children were included in the study: 63 were in the VPA, 60 in the LEV, and 67 in the control group. Although there was no significant difference regarding average fT4 levels, higher TSH levels were found in the VPA group when compared with the LEV and control groups (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in terms of fT4 and TSH values in the LEV group when compared with the control group (p = 0.56 and p = 0.61, respectively). Subclinical hypothyroidism (defined as a TSH level above 5 uIU/mL with a normal fT4 level was detected in 16% of patients in the VPA group, none in the LEV and control groups. Our study found that VPA therapy is associated with an increased risk of subclinical hypothyroidism while LEV had no effect on thyroid function tests.

scholarly journals Clinical and Immunological Efficacy of Mangosteen and Propolis Extracted Complex in Patients with Gingivitis: A Multi-Centered Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2604
Author(s):  
Jin-Young Park ◽  
Kyung-A Ko ◽  
Ji-Yeong Lee ◽  
Jae-Woon Oh ◽  
Hyun-Chang Lim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Reported Outcomes ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Immunological Parameters ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
And Control

Background: Mangosteen and propolis extracts (MAEC) have been potential therapeutic agents known to exhibit powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the clinical and immunological efficacy of MAEC as well as safety and patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) on gingivitis and incipient periodontitis. Methods: This study was performed on 104 patients diagnosed with gingivitis or incipient periodontitis. At baseline, the participants were randomly allocated to either the test group, with daily intake of a single capsule containing 194 mg of MAEC for eight weeks, or control group, with placebo. Clinical periodontal evaluation and immunological parameters from saliva and gingival sulcular fluid were assessed at baseline, four, and eight weeks. Individual PROMs were assessed by OHIP-14 questionnaires. Results: There was a significant difference of modified gingival index at four and eight weeks between the test and control groups. In the test group, crevicular interleukin (IL)-6 was reduced, and the salivary matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 was increased after eight weeks. PROMs were improved up to four weeks compared to placebo. Conclusion: Oral administration of MAEC would have a potential to reduce gingival inflammation clinically and immunologically in the patients with gingivitis and incipient periodontitis.

The Baby Shark (Songs Heard Affecting Resuscitation Kinetics) study

2020 ◽  
pp. bmjstel-2020-000657
Author(s):  
Rebecca Singer ◽  
Grace Leo ◽  
Tessa Davis ◽  
Ben Lawton ◽  
Henry Goldstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Target Zone ◽  
Compression Depth ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Training Exercises ◽  
And Control ◽  
Musical Cues

Previous research has examined the utilisation of musical cues to improve the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) delivered in training environments. We postulated a musical cue that is both contemporary and transcends cultures may improve CPR performance. Our aim was to establish whether chest compressions are performed with improved rate and depth if a song of a fixed beat (PinkFong’s ‘Baby Shark’ with a tempo of 115 beats per minute (bpm) and 15 beats in each verse) is played to a healthcare professional immediately before undertaking CPR compared to whale noises (a non-metronomic rhythm). 58 Participants of a paediatric conference (majority doctors) were randomly assigned to listen to a minute of Baby Shark (28) or whale song (30) and then undertake a minute of CPR. There was no significant difference in the mean compression rate between the Baby Shark and control groups, with the groups achieving 121 and 125 bpm, respectively (p=0.18). In relation to compression depth within the target zone, the Baby Shark group had more compressions completed within the target zone (55%) than the control group (39%) although this difference was not significant (p=0.08). Listening to Baby Shark prior to undertaking simulated CPR does not improve overall performance, but there is a potential tendency to improve adequate compression depth which may be beneficial in training exercises.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of Intravascular Linear Ablation Induced Restenosis in Rabbit Abdominal Aorta

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Qiang Chen ◽  
Manman Wang ◽  
Shuai Shao ◽  
Hongze Liu ◽  
Xiaodong Xia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intimal Hyperplasia ◽  
Coronary Intervention ◽  
Transluminal Angioplasty ◽  
Artery Dissection ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Cholesterol Diet ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Vsmc Proliferation ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Control

Objectives. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the mainstay treatment for coronary artery disease but complications such as in-stent restenosis and thrombosis remain problematic. Radiofrequency balloon angioplasty (RBA) can improve lumen dimension, fusing intimal tears, and artery dissection but is associated with higher restenosis rate. Methods. After establishing an atherosclerosis model based on endothelial abrasion and high cholesterol diet, forty-five rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: RBA (n=20), percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) (n=20), and control groups (n=5). The RBA and PTA groups were subdivided according to harvested time posttreatment, respectively (1 hour, 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days). Aorta segments were then isolated for hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot for TLR-4, NF-κB, MCP-1, and VCAM-1expression. Results. At 28 days, intimal area was significantly lower in the RBA group compared to the PTA and control groups, whilst luminal and medial area were comparable in the RBA and PTA group but higher and lower than the control group, respectively. Expression of TLR-4, NF-κB, MCP-1, and VCAM-1 showed no significant difference between RBA and PTA groups. Conclusions. RBA can depress the intimal hyperplasia and promote dilatation of the artery to greater extents than PTA at 28 days. However, this did not involve TLR-4 signaling pathway, which likely plays a negligible role in mediating restenosis. Reduction of intimal hyperplasia may be due to injury of ablation to the tunica media and inhibition of VSMC proliferation and migration.

Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Schizophrenia a Lateralisation Study

1990 ◽  
Vol 157 (6) ◽  
pp. 881-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Furlong ◽  
Paul Barczak ◽  
Gwilym Hayes ◽  
Graham Harding
Keyword(s):  
Index Finger ◽  
Objective Measure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Temporal Region ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
And Control ◽  
Stimulation Of

The SSEPs obtained from 19 schizophrenics defined by RDC, DSM–III and PSE criteria Were compared with those from a control group of healthy volunteers. Previous findings of an abnormal lack of lateralising response in schizophrenic patients were not replicated. No significant difference in either amplitude or morphology between the traces obtained from the two groups were recorded. Ipsilateral and contralateral latencies for stimulation of the left and right index finger showed no significant difference in peak latency for any component between patient and control group. When mean peak-to-peak amplitudes were plotted the contralateral component was always greater in amplitude than the ipsilateral one. An objective measure of the degree of lateralisation, the percentage lateralisation quotient, showed no lateralisation differences between the patient and control groups. A case of myogenic contamination of ipsilateral components was observed calling into doubt findings where no temporal region monitoring has been performed.

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