scholarly journals Subjects living in an onchocerciasis focus and treated 3-monthly with ivermectin develop fewer new onchocercal nodules than subjects treated annually

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérémy Campillo ◽  
Cédric B. CHESNAIS ◽  
Sébastien D. Pion ◽  
Jacques Gardon ◽  
Joseph Kamgno ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Little information is available on the effect of ivermectin on the third and fourth stage larvae of Onchocerca volvulus . To assess a possible prophylactic effect of ivermectin on this parasite, we compared the effects of different ivermectin regimens on the acquisition of onchocercal nodules. Methods We analyzed data from a controlled randomized clinical trial of ivermectin conducted in the Mbam valley (Cameroon) between 1994 and 1998 in a cohort of onchocerciasis infected individuals. The number of nodules that appeared between the start and the end of the clinical trial was analyzed, using ANOVA and multivariable Poisson regressions, between four treatment arms: 150 µg/kg annually, 800 µg/kg annually, 150 µg/kg 3-monthly, and 800 µg/kg annually. Results The mean number of nodules that appeared during the trial was reduced by 17.7% in subjects treated 3-monthly compared to those treated annually (regardless of the dose). Poisson regression model, adjusting on subject’s age and weight, initial number of nodules and intensity of O. volvulus infection in his village of residence, confirmed that the incidence of new nodules was reduced in 3-monthly treatment arms compared to annually treatment arms, and that the dosage of ivermectin does not seem to influence this effect. Besides, the number of newly acquired nodules was positively associated with the initial number of nodules. Analysis of disappearance of nodules did not show any significant difference between the treatment groups. Conclusions Our result suggest, for the first time in humans, that ivermectin has a prophylactic effect on O. volvulus . Three-monthly treatment seems more effective than annual treatment to prevent the appearance of nodules.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérémy T. Campillo ◽  
Cédric B. Chesnais ◽  
Sébastien D. Pion ◽  
Jacques Gardon ◽  
Joseph Kamgno ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Little information is available on the effect of ivermectin on the third and fourth stage larvae of Onchocerca volvulus. To assess a possible prophylactic effect of ivermectin on this parasite, we compared the effects of different ivermectin regimens on the acquisition of onchocercal nodules.Methods: We analyzed data from a controlled randomized clinical trial of ivermectin conducted in the Mbam valley (Cameroon) between 1994 and 1998 in a cohort of onchocerciasis infected individuals. The number of nodules that appeared between the start and the end of the clinical trial was analyzed, using ANOVA and multivariable Poisson regressions, between four treatment arms: 150 µg/kg annually, 800 µg/kg annually, 150 µg/kg 3-monthly, and 800 µg/kg 3-monthly. Results: The mean number of nodules that appeared during the trial was reduced by 17.7% in subjects treated 3-monthly compared to those treated annually (regardless of the dose). Poisson regression model, adjusting on subject’s age and weight, initial number of nodules and intensity of O. volvulus infection in his village of residence, confirmed that the incidence of new nodules was reduced in 3-monthly treatment arms compared to annually treatment arms, and that the dosage of ivermectin does not seem to influence this effect. Besides, the number of newly acquired nodules was positively associated with the initial number of nodules. Analysis of disappearance of nodules did not show any significant difference between the treatment groups. Conclusions: Our result suggest, for the first time in humans, that ivermectin has a partial prophylactic effect on O. volvulus. Three-monthly treatment seems more effective than annual treatment to prevent the appearance of nodules.


Author(s):  
Reihanak Talakoub ◽  
Keyvan Bagheri ◽  
Mitra Jabalameli ◽  
Fahimeh Salehi ◽  
Hamidreza Shetabi

Background: Sore throat, cough and hoarseness after tracheal extubation are common complications after surgery. Due to the proven effect of dexamethasone on reducing these complications, in this study, we compared the prophylactic effect of intravenous dexamethasone and dexamethasone gargle on sore throat and cough after extubation. Methods: In this clinical trial study, 96 patients between the ages of 18-64 years who underwent elective surgery and intubation under general anesthesia were randomly divided into three groups, respectively, the first group received 6 mg dexamethasone gargle. The second group received 6 mg intravenous dexamethasone and the third group received normal saline. The frequency of cough and sore throat were assessed and compared in these three groups. Results: There was no significant difference between the three groups based on hemodynamic variables and demographic data (P> 0.05). The frequency of cough in the first (1.54± 2.82) and second (1.57±2.73) groups was less than the third group (1.79±3.14), but this difference was not statistically significant (P>0.66). The mean severity of sore throat in the second group and then in the first group was lower at the time of entry into recovery and 2 hours after surgery, than the third group. (P <0.005) Also, the mean severity of sore throat in the second group and then the first group in 24 hours after surgery was significantly lower than the third group. (P <0.005). Conclusion: Prophylactic single-dose intravenous dexamethasone is more effective than dexamethasone gargle in reducing sore throat due to endotracheal intubation. Also, gargling and intravenous injection of dexamethasone, both are effective in reducing postoperative cough without any side effects after extubation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. e33-e33
Author(s):  
Atena Mohammady Rouzbahani ◽  
Mahrokh Dolatian ◽  
Tayebeh Jahedbozorgan ◽  
Faraz Mojab ◽  
Majid Tajik

Introduction: Episiotomy is a surgical incision at the vaginal opening performed in the second stage of labor during childbirth. The purpose of performing an episiotomy is to increase the size of the soft tissue of the pelvis floor and prevent damage to the perineum, facilitate delivery, and reduce the time during childbirth. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of Teucriumpolium ointment on wound healing in primiparous women. Patients and Methods: This triple-blinded clinical trial was conducted on 84 primiparous women referred to Mahdieh hospital in Tehran. Participants randomly received 2% T. polium ointment and placebo. The first time the ointment was started 24 hours after delivery and continued twice a day for 10 days. Wound healing rate was measured by redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, and approximation (REEDA) scale on days 1, 5, and 10 postpartum. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: The results were performed on 84 women, 43 people using T. polium ointment and 41 people using placebo ointment. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding obstetrics and demographic characteristics at the beginning of the study. The mean scores of REEDA in the T. polium group in the first 12 hours, days 5 and 10 were significantly different from the placebo group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Wound healing following episiotomy can be accelerated due to antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties of T. polium ointment. Trial Registration: The trial protocol was approved by the Iranian registry of clinical trial (#IRCT20100130003226N18; https://en.irct.ir/trial/40004, ethical code# IR.SBMU.RETECH.1398.055).


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jumara Martins ◽  
Ana Francisca Vaz ◽  
Regina Celia Grion ◽  
Lúcia Costa-Paiva ◽  
Luiz Francisco Baccaro

Abstract Background We aimed to evaluate the effects of different therapeutic options to prevent the evolution of vaginal stenosis after pelvic radiotherapy in women with cervical cancer. Methods open-label randomized clinical trial of 195 women, stage I-IIIB, aged 18–75 years, using topical estrogen (66), topical testosterone (34), water-based intimate lubricant gel (66), and vaginal dilators (29) to assess the incidence and severity of vaginal stenosis after radiotherapy at UNICAMP-Brazil, from January/2013 to May/2018. The main outcome measure was vaginal stenosis assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) scale and percental changes in vaginal volume. The women were evaluated at four different times: shortly after the end of radiotherapy, and four, eight, and 12 months after the beginning of the intervention. Statistical analysis was carried out using Symmetry test, Kruskal-Wallis test and multiple regression. Results the mean age of women was 46.78 (±13.01) years, 61,03% were premenopausal and 73,84% had stage IIB-IIIB tumors. The mean reduction in vaginal volume in the total group was 25.47%, with similar worsening in the four treatment groups with no statistical difference throughout the intervention period. There was worsening of vaginal stenosis evaluated by CTCAE scale after 1 year in all groups (p < 0.01), except for the users of vaginal dilator (p = 0.37). Conclusions there was a reduction in vaginal volume in all treatment groups analyzed, with no significant difference between them. However, women who used vaginal dilators had a lower frequency and severity of vaginal stenosis assessed by the CTCAE scale after one year of treatment. Trial registration Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials, RBR-23w5fv. Registered 10 January 2017 - Retrospectively registered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 723-727
Author(s):  
I. Gusti Agung Ayu Putu Swastini ◽  
I. Gusti Agung Ayu Dharmawati ◽  
Ni Nengah Sumerti ◽  
Tjokorda Gde Bagus Mahadewa ◽  
I. Putu Eka Widyadharma

The use of mouthwash is an effective way to help cure gingivitis. Mouthwash that is often used is mouthwash containing antiseptic. Recently, there has been increasing use of traditional medicines that are considered safer such as areca nuts compared to chemically synthesized agents. The aim of this study was to calculate the difference in the healing of chronic gingivitis due to calculus between gargling using areca nut (Areca catechu) extract and using Chlorhexidine 0.2% solution. This was an experimental test with pre and post-test control group design and involved two treatment groups. A total of 30 subjects with grade 2 gingivitis were being admitted. The first group was given mouthwash with areca nut (Areca catechu) extract and another group with Chlorhexidine 0.2% twice daily for three days. The mean gingival index in the group which gargled using betel nut seed (Areca catechu) extract on the first day was 1,93±0,704 followed by 0,40±0,507 on the second day, and 0,00±0,00 on the third day, on the other hand the mean gingival index in the group which gargled using Chlorhexidine 0.2% solution was 1,93±0,704 on the first day, 0,40±0,507 on the second day, and 0,00±0,00 on the third day. The mean gingival index decreased significantly during observation period in both treatment groups but when being compared to each other there was no significant difference in the healing time of chronic gingivitis in group which gargled using betel nut seed extract (Areca catechu) and Chlorhexidine 0.2% solution.


Author(s):  
Eva C. Böckmann ◽  
E. S. Debus ◽  
R. T. Grundmann

Abstract Purpose The publication activity of 38 German general/visceral surgery university departments, documented by first or last authorship from staff surgeons (chief and consultants), was evaluated. Methods The observation period extended from 2007 to 2017 and all PubMed-listed publications were considered. Impact factor (IF) was evaluated through the publishing journal’s 5-year IF in 2016, as was the IF for each individual publication. Ranking was expressed in quartiles. Results The staff surgeons of the 38 departments comprised 442 surgeons, of which only 351 (79.4%) were active as first or last authors. Four thousand six hundred and ninety-nine publications published in 702 journals were recorded. The four leading departments in publication number published as much as the last 20 departments (1330 vs. 1336 publications, respectively). The mean of the first (most active) department quartile was 19.6 publications, the second 15.4, the third 11.0, and the last quartile 7.6 per publishing surgeon. The total cumulative impact factor was 14,130. When examining the mean number of publications per publishing surgeons per the 10 year period, the mean of the first quartile was 57.9 cumulative IF, the second 45.0, the third 29.5, and the fourth quartile 17.1. With 352 (7.5%) publications, the most frequently used journal was Chirurg, followed by Langenbeck’s Archives of Surgery with 274 (5.8%) publications. Pancreas-related topics led in terms of publication number and IF generated per individual publication. Conclusion A significant difference in publication performance of individual departments was apparent that cannot be explained by staff number. This indicates that there are as yet unknown factors responsible for minor publication activity in many university departments.


1988 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Kristensen ◽  
K. Tveteraas ◽  
P. Hein ◽  
H. B. Poulsen ◽  
K. E. Outzen

AbstractThe pain-relieving efficacy of naproxen and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in tonsillectomized patients was compared in a double blind parallel clinical trial comprising 83 patients, among whom 42 were treated with naproxen and 41 with ASA. The patients were treated post-operatively for two days with either naproxen suppositories 500 mg. twice, or ASA effervescent tablets 1000 mg. three times, daily.The therapeutic gain was evaluated by recording the intensity of pain, reduced ability to open the mouth (trismus), consumption of supplementary analgesic (parcetamol), and pain-related sleep disturbances.The statistical analysis of the results revealed no differences in pain intensity, consumption of additional analgesics or pain-related sleep disturbances in the two treatment groups. A considerable degree of trismus was demonstrated in most of the tonsillectomized patients. This reduced ability to open the mouth was gradually overcome in the naproxen group while it remained unchanged in the ASA group, however, no statistical significant difference could be demonstrated. Additionally, no significant positive correlation between pain intensity and trismus was proven. The pain-relieving effect, however, was unsatisfactory in both the naproxen and the ASA group, and clinical controlled trial studies of alternative analgetics in tonsillectomized patients are still to be encouraged.


2012 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
SEYED EHSAN SAFFAR ◽  
ROBIAH ADNAN ◽  
WILLIAM GREENE

A Poisson model typically is assumed for count data. In many cases, there are many zeros in the dependent variable and because of these many zeros, the mean and the variance values of the dependent variable are not the same as before. In fact, the variance value of the dependent variable will be much more than the mean value of the dependent variable and this is called over–dispersion. Therefore, Poisson model is not suitable anymore for this kind of data because of too many zeros. Thus, it is suggested to use a hurdle Poisson regression model to overcome over–dispersion problem. Furthermore, the response variable in such cases is censored for some values. In this paper, a censored hurdle Poisson regression model is introduced on count data with many zeros. In this model, we consider a response variable and one or more than one explanatory variables. The estimation of regression parameters using the maximum likelihood method is discussed and the goodness–of–fit for the regression model is examined. We study the effects of right censoring on estimated parameters and their standard errors via an example.


2016 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. E93-E101 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Wang ◽  
AC Magalhães ◽  
LF Francisconi-dos-Rios ◽  
MP Calabria ◽  
DFG Araújo ◽  
...  

SUMMARY Objectives: This randomized clinical trial tested the three-month desensitizing effect of two protocols using nano-hydroxyapatite formulations compared with Pro-Argin and fluoride varnish. Methods: Twenty-eight subjects with 137 teeth presenting dentin exposure with a minimal hypersensitivity of four on the visual analog scale (VAS) took part of this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to four groups: Desensibilize Nano-P paste (20% hydroxyapatite [HAP], potassium nitrate, and sodium fluoride [NaF]; 9000 ppm fluoride [F]); Desensibilize Nano-P associated with experimental home-care pastes (10% HA, potassium nitrate, and NaF; 900 ppm F); Pro-Relief professional paste (8% arginine with Pro-Argin technology) associated with home-care toothpaste (8% arginine, sodium monofluorophosphate, 1450 ppm F); and Duraphat professional varnish (NaF varnish, 22,600 ppm F). The professional treatments were performed in weekly appointments over three weeks. The home-care products were used continuously for three months. A VAS was used to assess the tooth sensitivity response after standardized evaporative stimulus at baseline and after one month and three months. The baseline score was deducted from the final score, and the means were analyzed using nested analysis of variance, while the comparison between times was performed by a general linear model (p&lt;0.05). Results: At the first month all treatments were effective, but there were no significant differences among them (p=0.94). At the third month, despite the fact that NaF varnish had the lowest effect in reducing hypersensitivity, no significant difference was found among the treatments (p=0.09). Only Pro-Relief increased its effect over time (p=0.049). Conclusions: Nano-hydroxyapatite formulations (with or without home-&gt;care product association) were as effective as the other treatments in reducing dentin hypersensitivity over three months.


Parasitology ◽  
1941 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Haddow

1. Isolated unmated female body-lice were worn in pillboxes between the skin and the clothes. They were kept constantly on the body but, by a simple device, groups of ten were permitted feeding periods of different length. These groups were fed for 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 hr. per day respectively. Another group of ten were never allowed to feed after the last moult.2. Some of the figures for egg yield were high. Lice in the 24 hr. group were able to maintain a rate of ten eggs per day for 4−5 days at a time.3. No significant difference in longevity or rate of egg-laying was found to exist between the 12, 16, 20 and 24 hr. groups nor between the 4 and 8 hr. groups but a pronounced and significant difference exists between the 8 and 12 hr. groups. Below 12 hr. there is a sharp fall in longevity and rate of egg production. The unfed group all died, without laying, on the third day.4. The rate of laying as shown by the mode increases progressively with increase in time allowed daily for feeding.5. With regard to the mean eggs per louse the position is less clear. It is felt that the 24 hr. group may differ significantly from the 12, 16 and 20 hr. groups but this is uncertain.


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