The efficacy of a pneumatic compression device in the treatment of plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is a common foot disorder that affects more than two million Americans each year. Conservative management of plantar fasciitis is the first line of treatment by the medical specialist who frequently encounters this common foot complaint. In this study, 50 patients with plantar fasciitis of 4 weeks duration but less than 12 weeks were randomized into two groups. One group of 25 patients used the AirHeel (Aircast, Inc.) and the second group of 25 used the 1st Step prefabricated foot insert (Wrymark, Inc). Standardized weight-bearing radiographs were obtained in order to categorize the foot type: normal arch, pes planus, or pes cavus. Patients were initially evaluated and at 12 weeks they returned for a subsequent visit. The contact area of the foot with the AirHeel and 1st Step insert were similar, an increase of 27% and 26%, respectively, over the contact area barefoot. There was a noted difference in force reduction with the two devices. The AirHeel reduced the midstance force by 20.19%, as compared to the 1st Step insert which showed a 1.03% increase in midstance force. Patients with a higher initial pain score seemed to respond better initially to the AirHeel (p = 0.015) than the 1st Step insert (p = 0.035). This study demonstrates the benefits of offloading the foot at midstance with two devices to relieve the discomfort associated with plantar fasciitis. The Aircast AirHeel is a new modality for dynamic, functional treatment of proximal plantar fasciitis.     

Lidocaine patch (5%) is no more potent than placebo in treating chronic back pain when tested in a randomised double blind placebo controlled brain imaging study

ABSTRACT: The 5% Lidocaine patch is used for treating chronic neuropathic pain conditions such as chronic back pain (CBP), diabetic neuropathy and complex regional pain syndrome, but is effective in a variable proportion of patients. Our lab has reported that this treatment reduces CBP intensity and associated brain activations when tested in an open labelled preliminary study. Notably, effectiveness of the 5% Lidocaine patch has not been tested against placebo for treating CBP. In this study, effectiveness of the 5% Lidocaine patch was compared with placebo in 30 CBP patients in a randomised double-blind study where 15 patients received 5% Lidocaine patches and the remaining patients received placebo patches. Functional MRI was used to identify brain activity for fluctuations of spontaneous pain, at baseline and at two time points after start of treatment (6 hours and 2 weeks). There was no significant difference between the treatment groups in either pain intensity, sensory and affective qualities of pain or in pain related brain activation at any time point. However, 50% patients in both the Lidocaine and placebo arms reported a greater than 50% decrease in pain suggesting a marked placebo effect. When tested against an untreated CBP group at similar time points, the patch treated subjects showed significantly greater decrease in pain compared to the untreated group (n=15). These findings suggest that although the 5% Lidocaine is not better than placebo in its effectiveness for treating pain, the patch itself induces a potent placebo effect in a significant proportion of CBP patients.     

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy for Management of Residual Stones after Ureterolithotripsy versus Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Retrospective Study

Purpose

To compare the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in managing residual stones after ureterolithotripsy and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study was carried out of 71 patients with proximal urinary tract stones (greater than 10 mm) who underwent ureterolithotripsy or mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy at a single institution from 2009 to 2011. The 71 patients were divided into two groups: group I (n = 37) comprised patients who underwent ureterolithotripsy, and group II (n = 34) comprised patients who underwent mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Clinical characteristics, stone-free rates, stone demographics, and complications were evaluated.

Results

The overall stone-free rate was 90.1%. The stone-free rates in groups I and II were 97.3% and 82.4%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the stone-free rates between groups I and II (P = 0.035). Neither serious intraoperative nor postoperative complications were observed. No significant difference in complications was observed between the two groups (P = 0.472).

Conclusions

The results of our study suggest that extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is an effective and safe auxiliary procedure for managing residual stones after primary endoscopic surgery. This procedure is associated with a satisfactory stone-free rate and a low complication rate, particularly for residual stones after ureteroscopic procedures.     

点压按摩第二掌骨全息穴点联合冲击波治疗慢性肩袖损伤的临床研究

摘要 目的：探究点压按摩第二掌骨全息穴点联合冲击波治疗慢性肩袖损伤患者的临床疗效。方法：选取2019年1月-2019年12月本院接诊的122例慢性肩袖损伤患者展开研究,使用随机数字表法将两组患者随机分为研究组和常规组,每组患者均61例。给予常规组患者体外冲击波治疗,在常规组治疗的基础上给予研究组患者第二掌骨全息穴点点压按摩治疗。观察两组患者的临床疗效、美国加州大学肩关节评分量表(UCLA)评分、视觉疼痛模拟评分（VAS）、肩关节活动度(ROM)以及并发症的发生率。结果：研究组患者的总有效率显著高于常规组（P＜0.05）;治疗后,两组患者的UCLA评分均得到显著改善,且研究组患者改善优于常规组（P＜0.05）;两组患者的VAS评分显著降低,且研究组患者VAS评分显著低于常规组（P＜0.05）;两组患者的前屈、外展、体侧外旋ROM均优于治疗前,研究组患者ROM显著优于常规组（P＜0.05）。治疗后随访1年,研究组患者并发症发生率显著低于常规组（P＜0.05）。结论：第二掌骨全息穴点点压按摩结合冲击波治疗慢性肩袖损伤患者,可以提升患者的临床疗效,改善患者的肩关节功能,减轻疼痛,降低患者的并发症,具有较高的临床意义,值得在临床推广使用。     

Finite element modelling of radial shock wave therapy for chronic plantar fasciitis

Therapeutic use of high-amplitude pressure waves, or shock wave therapy (SWT), is emerging as a popular method for treating musculoskeletal disorders. However, the mechanism(s) through which this technique promotes healing are unclear. Finite element models of a shock wave source and the foot were constructed to gain a better understanding of the mechanical stimuli that SWT produces in the context of plantar fasciitis treatment. The model of the shock wave source was based on the geometry of an actual radial shock wave device, in which pressure waves are generated through the collision of two metallic objects: a projectile and an applicator. The foot model was based on the geometry reconstructed from magnetic resonance images of a volunteer and it comprised bones, cartilage, soft tissue, plantar fascia, and Achilles tendon. Dynamic simulations were conducted of a single and of two successive shock wave pulses administered to the foot. The collision between the projectile and the applicator resulted in a stress wave in the applicator. This wave was transmitted into the soft tissue in the form of compression–rarefaction pressure waves with an amplitude of the order of several MPa. The negative pressure at the plantar fascia reached values of over 1.5 MPa, which could be sufficient to generate cavitation in the tissue. The results also show that multiple shock wave pulses may have a cumulative effect in terms of strain energy accumulation in the foot.     

Withdrawal of long-term diuretic medication in elderly patients: a double blind randomised trial.

OBJECTIVES: About 20% of elderly people use long-term diuretic medication, but there is doubt whether prolonged diuretic medication on such a large scale is necessary. We performed a study to assess what proportion may successfully be withdrawn from diuretic therapy. DESIGN: Double blind randomised controlled trial with six month follow up. SETTING: General practice. SUBJECTS: 202 patients taking long-term diuretics without manifest heart failure or hypertension. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were allocated to either placebo (withdrawal group, n = 102) or continuation of diuretic treatment (control group, n = 100). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Occurrence of clinical conditions requiring diuretic therapy based on fixed criteria. RESULTS: During follow up diuretic therapy was required in 50 patients in the withdrawal group and 13 in the control group (risk difference 36%; 95% confidence interval 22% to 50%). Heart failure was the most frequent cause of prescribing diuretic therapy (n = 25). Cessation of diuretic therapy caused a mean increase in systolic blood pressure of 13.5 (9.2 to 17.8) mm Hg and in diastolic pressure of 4.6 (1.9 to 7.3) mm Hg. CONCLUSION: Withdrawal of long-term diuretic treatment in elderly patients leads to symptoms of heart failure or increase in blood pressure to hypertensive values in most cases. Any attempt to withdraw diuretic therapy requires careful monitoring conditions, notably during the initial four weeks.     

Comparison of efficacy of eight treatments for plantar fasciitis: A network meta-analysis

The objective of this network meta-analysis (NMA) was to assess the pain relief performance of eight different plantar fasciitis therapies, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid injections (CSs), autologous whole blood, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), ultrasound therapy (US), botulinum toxin A (BTX-A), and dry needling (DN). Published prospective or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as for the above eight therapies were identified by searching CNKI, PubMed, and Embase. Mean difference (MD) and 95% credible intervals (CrIs) of visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate multiaspect comparisons. The ranking result was obtained by utilizing surface under cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). Node-splitting plots were conducted to assess the consistency between direct and indirect evidence. Egger’s test and funnel plots were performed to examine publication bias. Forty-one trials with a total of 2,889 cases were involved in this NMA. In terms of 1-month VAS, only ESWT turned out to be of better efficacy than placebo (MD = −3.3; CrI: [−5.3, −1.1]). No statistically significant difference was found between pair-wise comparisons concerning 2-month VAS. ESWT also demonstrated better efficacy as for 3-month results (MD = −2.7; CrI: [−4.2, −1.3]). Besides, CSs was significantly better than placebo as well in 3-month results (MD = −2.1; CrI: [−4.1, −0.19]). With regard to 6-month VAS results, ESWT performed better than placebo (MD = −3.0; CrI: [−5.0, −0.51]). According to the SUCRA, ESWT ranked the first as for all seven outcomes. ESWT might be the optimal treatment. In addition, BTX-A and PRP were considered as suboptimal.     

First-dose analgesic effect of the cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective inhibitor lumiracoxib in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled comparison with celecoxib [NCT00267215]

Cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective inhibitors are frequently used to manage osteoarthritis. We compared the analgesic efficacy of the novel cyclo-oxygenase-2 selective inhibitor lumiracoxib (Prexige) versus placebo and celecoxib in patients with knee osteoarthritis. This seven day, double-blind, placebo and active comparator controlled, parallel group study included 364 patients aged > or = 50 years with moderate-to-severe symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Patients received lumiracoxib 400 mg/day (four times the recommended chronic dose in osteoarthritis; n = 144), placebo (n = 75), or celecoxib 200 mg twice daily (n = 145). The primary variable was actual pain intensity difference (100 mm visual-analogue scale) between baseline and the mean of three hour and five hour assessments after the first dose. Actual pain intensity difference, average and worst pain, pain relief and functional status (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [WOMAC]) were measured over seven days. Patients also completed a global evaluation of treatment effect at study end or premature discontinuation. For the primary variable, the superiority of lumiracoxib versus placebo, the noninferiority of lumiracoxib versus celecoxib, and the superiority of lumiracoxib versus celecoxib were assessed by closed test procedure adjusting for multiplicity, thereby maintaining the overall 5% significance level. In addition, celecoxib was assessed versus placebo in a predefined exploratory manner to assess trial sensitivity. Lumiracoxib provided better analgesia than placebo 3-5 hours after the first dose (P = 0.004) through to study end. The estimated difference between lumiracoxib and celecoxib 3-5 hours after the first dose was not significant (P = 0.185). Celecoxib was not significantly different from placebo in this analysis (P = 0.069). At study end 13.9% of lumiracoxib-treated patients reported complete pain relief versus 5.5% and 5.3% of celecoxib and placebo recipients, respectively. WOMAC total and subscales improved for both active treatments versus placebo except for difficulty in performing daily activities, for which celecoxib just failed to achieve significance (P = 0.056). In the patient's global evaluation of treatment effect, 58.1% of patients receiving lumiracoxib rated treatment as 'excellent' or 'good', versus 48.6% of celecoxib and 25.3% of placebo patients. Lumiracoxib was well tolerated. The overall incidence of adverse events was similar across treatment groups.     

Efficacy of injections with Disci/Rhus toxicodendron compositum for chronic low back pain--a randomized placebo-controlled trial

Background

The effectiveness of injection therapy for low-back pain is still debatable. We compared the efficacy of local injections of the homeopathic preparation Disci/Rhus toxicodendron compositum (verum) with placebo injections and with no treatment in patients with chronic low back pain.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In a randomized controlled partly double blind multicenter trial patients with chronic low back pain from 9 German outpatient clinics were enrolled and randomly allocated in a 1∶1∶1 ratio to receive subcutaneous injections (verum or placebo) into painful sites on the lower back over 12 treatment sessions within eight weeks, or no treatment (rescue pain medication with paracetamol or NSAIDs). All trial personnel and participants were masked to treatment allocation. The primary outcome measure was the average pain intensity over the last seven days on a visual analogue scale (0–100 mm, 0 = no pain, 100 = worst imaginable pain) after eight weeks. Follow-up was 26 weeks. Primary analysis was by intention to treat. Between August 2007 and June 2008, 150 patients were randomly allocated to three groups (51 verum, 48 placebo and 51 no treatment). The mean baseline-adjusted low back pain intensity at week eight was: verum group 37.0 mm (97.5% CI 25.3;48.8), no treatment group 53.0 (41.8;64.2), and placebo group 41.8 (30.1;53.6). The verum was significantly superior to no treatment (P = 0.001), but not to placebo (P = 0.350). No significant side effects were reported.

Conclusions/Significance

The homeopathic preparation was not superior to placebo. Compared to no treatment injections resulted in significant and clinical relevant chronic back pain relief.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00567736","term_id":"NCT00567736"}}NCT00567736     

Weight loss produced by tesofensine in patients with Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease

Objective: Tesofensine (TE) is a norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin reuptake inhibitor. We conducted a meta‐analysis of TE's effect on body weight in trials investigating its potential for treatment of Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. Methods and Procedures: Four randomized, double‐blind, multicenter trials compared TE (n = 740) and placebo (n = 228), two in each disease. Patients received oral TE or placebo once daily for 14 weeks without any weight loss program. Results were adjusted for baseline values, age, and study. Results: In the placebo group, 14% were obese and 21% were in the TE group. In the total cohort, weight change after 14 weeks was +0.5, ?0.5, ?0.9, ?1.8, ?2.8% in the placebo, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg in the TE groups, respectively (P = 0.015 for dose effect). In the obese subgroup, weight changes were ?0.2, ?1.7, ?1.6, ?1.5, ?3.7%, and 2.1, 8.2, 14.1, 20.9, 32.1% of the obese patients achieved ≥5% weight loss (P < 0.001 for 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg vs. placebo for both end points). Changes in heart rate were ?0.4, 2.1, 4.2, 6.0, and 6.8 bpm after 14 weeks (TE vs. placebo: P < 0.001 from 0.25 mg), but no effect on blood pressure was observed. Discussion: TE produced a placebo‐subtracted weight loss of ～4% for >14 weeks without any diet and lifestyle therapy, which is similar to that of sibutramine, but with no effect on blood pressure. On the basis of these results, TE is now being developed for obesity management.     

Acupuncture for chronic headache in primary care: large,pragmatic, randomised trial

Objective To determine the effects of a policy of “use acupuncture” on headache, health status, days off sick, and use of resources in patients with chronic headache compared with a policy of “avoid acupuncture.”Design Randomised, controlled trial.Setting General practices in England and Wales.Participants 401 patients with chronic headache, predominantly migraine.Interventions Patients were randomly allocated to receive up to 12 acupuncture treatments over three months or to a control intervention offering usual care.Main outcome measures Headache score, SF-36 health status, and use of medication were assessed at baseline, three, and 12 months. Use of resources was assessed every three months.Results Headache score at 12 months, the primary end point, was lower in the acupuncture group (16.2, SD 13.7, n = 161, 34% reduction from baseline) than in controls (22.3, SD 17.0, n = 140, 16% reduction from baseline). The adjusted difference between means is 4.6 (95% confidence interval 2.2 to 7.0; P = 0.0002). This result is robust to sensitivity analysis incorporating imputation for missing data. Patients in the acupuncture group experienced the equivalent of 22 fewer days of headache per year (8 to 38). SF-36 data favoured acupuncture, although differences reached significance only for physical role functioning, energy, and change in health. Compared with controls, patients randomised to acupuncture used 15% less medication (P = 0.02), made 25% fewer visits to general practitioners (P = 0.10), and took 15% fewer days off sick (P = 0.2).Conclusions Acupuncture leads to persisting, clinically relevant benefits for primary care patients with chronic headache, particularly migraine. Expansion of NHS acupuncture services should be considered.     

替格瑞洛在急性冠脉综合征患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗术后的应用价值

目的:评价替格瑞洛在急性冠脉综合征(acute coronary syndrome,ACS)患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(percutaneous coronary intervention,PCI)术后的应用价值。方法:将我院收治的565例成功行PCI的急性冠脉综合征(acute coronary syndrome,ACS)患者随机分为2组:氯吡格雷组253例,术后口服氯吡格雷75 mg、QD;替格瑞洛组312例,术后口服替格瑞洛首剂180 mg,维持量90mg、BID。两组患者术后常规口服阿司匹林100 mg、QD。研究主要终点为主要不良心血管事件(major adverse cardiovascular events,MACE),包括全因死亡、靶血管血运重建和脑梗塞;次要终点为TIMI主要出血(定义为血红蛋白下降50 g/L或颅内出血有关的临床显著出血事件)。结果:565例患者平均随访12个月,替格瑞洛组MACE发生率低于氯吡格雷组(3.8%vs.8.7%,P0.05),两组TIMI主要出血事件发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(2.9%vs.3.2%,P0.05)。结论:替格瑞洛能明显减少PCI术后主要不良心血管事件,并不增加主要出血。     

Controlled trial of long term oral potassium supplements in patients with mild hypertension.

A 15 week randomised double blind placebo controlled trial of oral potassium supplements (48 mmol daily) was conducted in 37 patients who had mildly increased blood pressure and a normal dietary intake of sodium. After a two month run in and a one week baseline period the patients were randomly assigned to receive either potassium supplements (n = 18) or placebo (n = 19). By the third week of treatment blood pressure in the actively treated group had decreased significantly compared with that in the placebo group, though the decrease reached its maximum after 15 weeks. Urinary potassium excretion increased significantly in the group who received potassium supplements, but no significant changes were found in plasma sodium and potassium concentrations or in urinary sodium excretion. In a subgroup of 13 patients who underwent a further nine weeks of treatment with oral potassium supplements at half of the previous dose (24 mmol daily) their blood pressure, at the end of this second study period, was still significantly lower compared with their baseline value but not with that of the placebo group. These results show that moderate oral potassium supplements are associated with a long term reduction in blood pressure in patients who have mild hypertension.     

心理干预联合氟哌噻吨美利曲辛片对老年高血压伴焦虑抑郁患者血压的影响

目的:研究心理干预联合氟哌噻吨美利曲辛片对老年高血压伴焦虑抑郁患者的血压影响。方法:选取2013年4月到2014年4月某院收治的老年高血压伴焦虑抑郁的患者110例,按照随机数字表法将患者分为研究组和对照组,每组55例,对照组给予常规降压治疗,研究组在对照组的基础上给予心理干预,同时服用氟哌噻吨美利曲辛片,治疗时间均为8周,应用抑郁自评量表(HAMD)和汉密尔顿焦虑自评量表(HAMA)的评分来评价患者的抑郁状态,比较两组降压疗效、HAMD评分、HAMA评分以及不良反应。结果:研究组降压总有效率94.5%(52/55),对照组降压总有效率为67.3%(37/55),两组比较差异具有统计学意义(x2=12.952,P=0.013);研究组治疗后HAMA评分和HAMD评分分别为(10.5±0.6)分、(11.9±1.1)分显著低于治疗前的(20.8±0.4)分、(31.2±0.7)分,与治疗前比较差异具有统计学意义(t=9.923,10.628,P=0.025,0.019),与对照组比较差异具有统计学意义(t=9.823,11.628,P=0.023,0.016);两组不良反应比较差异无统计学意义(x2=5.492,P=0.072)。结论:心理干预联合氟哌噻吨美利曲辛片治疗老年高血压伴焦虑抑郁者具有较好的降压效果,能改善患者焦虑抑郁状态,且无严重不良反应。     

阿司匹林、氯吡格雷及西洛他唑预防和治疗老年冠脉支架植入术后血小板高反应性的临床效果观察

目的:探讨阿司匹林、氯吡格雷及西洛他唑预防和治疗老年冠脉支架植入术后血小板高反应性的临床效果。方法:选择60例拟行冠脉支架植入术的老年患者,随机地分为加用或未加用200 mg西洛他唑负荷剂量组。术前、术后24小时及术后30天时检测和比较各组患者的血小板聚集功能。结果:三联抗血小板治疗组的PRU、ARU及P2Y12%inhibition值均较两联抗血小板治疗组显著降低,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。三联抗血小板治疗和两联负荷剂量的抗血小板治疗的给药时间(第一次投药至冠脉介入治疗的时间间隔)分别为10.2小时(95%可信区间:7.4-13.1小时)和7.8小时(95%可信区间:4.5-11.2小时),三联抗血小板治疗组术前HPPR(83.3%和46.7%,P=0.003)、术后24小时(36.7%和13.3%,P=0.018)及术后30天HPPR(40.0%和16.7%,P=0.045)的发生率均较两联抗血小板治疗组明显降低(P0.05)。在术后30天的随访观察期间,两联抗血小板治疗组2例患者出现支架内血栓,并进行了血运重建术;无1例心源性死亡、缺血性卒中及出血性并发症的发生。两组次要终点的发生率比较无显著性差异(P0.05)。结论:在两联抗血小板聚集治疗的基础上附加200 mg西洛他唑可显著降低冠状动脉支架植入术后血小板的高反应性。     

MOTOmed下肢智能运动训练联合运动想象疗法对脑卒中偏瘫患者下肢功能、步行能力和躯干屈伸肌群肌力的影响

摘要 目的：探讨MOTOmed下肢智能运动训练联合运动想象疗法对脑卒中偏瘫患者下肢功能、步行能力和躯干屈伸肌群肌力的影响。方法：148例脑卒中偏瘫患者来源于我院2019年5月~2021年5月期间我院接收的患者,根据随机数字表法分为对照组（n=74,常规康复训练的基础上结合MOTOmed下肢智能运动训练）和研究组（n=74,对照组的基础上结合运动想象疗法）。两组均干预12周。对比两组下肢功能、步行能力和躯干屈伸肌群肌力变化。结果：两组干预12周后Fugl-Meyer运动功能量表（FMA）、Barthel指数（BI）、功能性步行能力分级量表（FAC）评分升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组干预12周后步频、步速、跨步长比率升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组干预12周后健侧腹直肌、竖脊肌表面肌电信号的均方根值未见明显变化,且组间同时点对比无差异（P>0.05）。两组干预12周后患侧腹直肌、竖脊肌表面肌电信号的均方根值升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：脑卒中偏瘫患者在MOTOmed下肢智能运动训练的基础上进行运动想象疗法,可促进下肢功能改善,提高步行能力,同时还可改善患侧躯干屈伸肌群肌力。     

Hormonal treatment for unilateral inguinal testis: comparison of four different treatments.

BACKGROUND: Hormonal treatment of cryptorchidism has been used since the 30s, but controversies persist on its efficacy. It is also unclear whether there are differences with the use of different hormonal trials. Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of four hormonal treatments on testicular descent in a homogeneous group of cryptorchid boys. PATIENTS: 155 patients (age 10-48 months) with unilateral inguinal palpable testis were studied. Methods: The patients were subdivided into four groups according to hormonal treatment: group 1 = hCG [500 IU/week (if the chronological age was <2 years) or 1,000 IU/week (if the chronological age was >2 years) for 6 weeks]; group 2 = hCG + hMG (hCG as in group 1 + hMG 75 IU/week for 6 weeks); group 3 = GnRH (1,200 microg/daily for 28 days); group 4 = GnRH + hCG (1,200 microg/daily for 28 days + 1,500 IU/week for 3 weeks, respectively). The results were evaluated at the end of the treatment period and 6 months later to exclude temporarily positive results. RESULTS: At the end of the hormonal therapy, scrotal testicular descent was present in 30 of 155 boys (success rate 19.3%). Seven testes relapsed during follow-up (23.3%). The long-term success rate was 14.8% (23/155 testes). No significant differences were observed in success rates as well as in relapse rates among the four groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hormonal therapy induced permanent testicular descent in a minority of young cryptorchid boys with inguinal palpable testis. Similar results were obtained with four different trials.     

Assessing the therapeutic use of Lafoensia pacari St. Hil. extract (mangava-brava) in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori: double-blind randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND: The eradication of Helicobacter pylori is easily achieved by combining antisecretory agents and antibiotics; however, the cost of these associations is very high for the population of Third World countries, where the prevalence of the infection is even higher and leads to markedly reduced treatment effectiveness. We tested a plant (Lafoensia pacari) that is used in the central region of Brazil. According to previous studies, this plant has high concentrations of ellagic acid, which presents gastric antisecretory and antibacterial actions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred dyspeptic, urease-positive patients were randomized to receive 500 mg of methanolic extract of L. pacari (n = 55) or placebo (n = 45), for 14 days, in a double-blind clinical trial. The main variables assessed were the eradication of H. pylori 8 weeks after the intervention and complete symptom relief at the end of the treatment. RESULTS: The examinations (urease and histology) showed persistence of H. pylori in 100% of participants. Complete symptom relief was experienced by 42.5% of patients (95% CI: 29.4-55.8) in the intervention group and by 21% (95% CI: 8.8-33.1) in the control group, p = .020. The side-effects were minimal and similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The extract of L. pacari as a single agent was not effective to eradicate H. pylori. However, it was well tolerated and many participants reported relief of symptoms. Future studies may test the agent using larger doses and longer periods, in monotherapy or in combination with antibiotics.     

Cross training effects of non-paralytic dorsiflexion muscle strengthening exercise on paralytic dorsiflexor muscle activity,gait ability,and balancing ability in patients with chronic stroke: A randomized,controlled, pilot trial

Objective:To investigate the effects of non-paralytic dorsiflexion muscle strengthening exercise on functional abilities in chronic hemiplegic patients after stroke.Methods:A total of 21 patients with chronic stroke underwent dorsiflexion muscle strengthening exercise (MST) 5 times a week for 6 weeks (the experimental group, MST to non-paralytic dorsiflexion muscles, n=11; the control group, MST to paralytic dorsiflexion muscles; n=10). Paralytic dorsiflexor muscle activities (DFA) and 10 m walking tests (10MWT) and timed up and go tests (TUG) were measured before and after intervention.Results:A significant increase in DFA was observed after intervention in the experimental and control groups (p<0.05) (experimental 886.6% for reference voluntary contraction (RVC), control 931.6% for RVC). TUG and 10MWT results showed significant reductions post-intervention in the experimental and control groups (experimental group -5.6 sec, control -4.8 sec; experimental group -3.1 sec, control, -3.9 sec; respectively). No significant intergroup difference was observed between changes in DFA or between changes in TUG and 10MWT results after intervention (p>.05).Conclusion:Strengthening exercise performed on non-paralytic dorsiflexion muscles had positive cross-training effects on paralytic dorsiflexor muscle activities, balance abilities, and walking abilities in patients with chronic stroke.