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Small Pilot Study (small + pilot_study)
Selected AbstractsA Randomized Trial to Determine the Influence of Laser Therapy, Monopolar Radiofrequency Treatment, and Intense Pulsed Light Therapy Administered Immediately after Hyaluronic Acid Gel ImplantationDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 5 2007MITCHEL P. GOLDMAN MD BACKGROUND Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers, such as hyaluronic acid gel (Restylane, Q-Medical AB, Uppsala, Sweden), are widely used for tissue augmentation of the nasolabial folds. Additional dermatologic treatments using infrared light, radiofrequency (RF), and intense pulsed light (IPL) are also important tools for facial rejuvenation. This study was designed to evaluate whether these therapies could be safely administered immediately after hyaluronic acid gel treatment without compromising the effect of the dermal filler. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to confirm or refute any possible subtractive effects of augmentation of the nasolabial folds when followed by 1,320-nm Nd:YAG laser, 1,450-nm diode laser, monopolar RF, and/or IPL treatments. METHODS Thirty-six patients with prominent nasolabial folds were treated with hyaluronic acid gel implantation on one side of the face and hyaluronic acid gel followed by one of the nonablative laser/RF/IPL therapies on the contralateral side of the face. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences between wrinkle severity or global aesthetic scores for hyaluronic acid gel implantation alone and hyaluronic acid gel with laser/RF/IPL treatment at any time point. In a small sample, histologic changes were not apparent after laser/RF/IPL treatment. CONCLUSIONS Based on this small pilot study, laser, RF, and IPL treatments can safely be administered immediately after hyaluronic acid gel implantation without reduction in overall clinical effect. [source] Association of prostate cancer with rapid N -acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1*10) in combination with slow N -acetyltransferase 2 acetylator genotypes in a pilot case-control studyENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 3 2002David W. Hein Abstract N -acetyltransferase-1 (NAT1) and N -acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) are important in the metabolism of aromatic and heterocyclic amine carcinogens that induce prostate tumors in the rat. We investigated the association of genetic polymorphisms in NAT1 and NAT2, alone and in combination, with human prostate cancer. Incident prostate cancer cases and controls in a hospital-based case-control study were frequency-matched for age, race, and referral pattern. The frequency of slow acetylator NAT1 genotypes (NAT1*14, *15, *17) was 5.8% in controls but absent in cases. In contrast, in comparison with all other NAT1 genotypes the putative rapid acetylator NAT1 genotype (NAT1*10) was significantly higher in prostate cancer cases than controls (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.08,4.33; P = 0.03). Combinations of NAT1*10 with NAT2 slow acetylator genotypes (OR, 5.08; 95% CI, 1.56,16.5; P = 0.008) or with NAT2 very slow (homozygous NAT2*5) acetylator genotypes (OR, 7.50; 95% CI, 1.55,15.4; P = 0.016) further increased prostate cancer risk. The results of this small pilot study suggest increased susceptibility to prostate cancer for subjects with combinations of NAT1*10 and slow (particularly very slow) NAT2 acetylator genotypes. This finding should be investigated further in larger cohorts and in other ethnic populations. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 40:161,167, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Acupuncture for radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with cancer: A pilot studyHEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 10 2009DrPH, M. Kay Garcia LAc Abstract Background This pilot study evaluated if acupuncture can alleviate radiation-induced xerostomia among patients with cancer. Secondary objectives were to assess the effects of acupuncture on salivary flow and quality of life (QOL). Methods Nineteen patients received acupuncture twice a week for 4 weeks. Results Xerostomia inventory (XI) and patient benefit questionnaire (PBQ) scores were significantly better after acupuncture on weeks 4 and 8 than at baseline (XI: p = .0004 and .0001; PBQ: p = .0004 and .0011, respectively). For QOL at weeks 4 and 8, there was a significant difference for questions related to head/neck cancer (p = .04 and .006, respectively). At week 8, there was a significant difference in physical well-being (p = .04). At weeks 5 and 8, there were significant differences in the total score (p = .04 and .03, respectively). Conclusions Acupuncture was effective for radiation-induced xerostomia in this small pilot study. Further research is needed. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009 [source] Nocturnal Hemodialysis Is Better Than Quotidian HemodialysisHEMODIALYSIS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 1 2003MP Kooistra Background. It is unknown whether long nocturnal (6,7 times weekly 6,8 hours) hemodialysis (NHD) is better than frequent short hemodialysis (,daily', quotidian hemodialysis, QHD). Methods. A Dutch NHD pilot study (,Nocturne') started in December 2001. We can now evaluate effects of 4 months NHD in 14 patients. Baseline dialysis frequency was 3.5 or less (3.13 ± 0.23, M ± SD) in group A (n = 8), and 4 or more (5.0 ± 0.89) in group B (n = 6), weekly dialysis time was equal in both groups. Results. Single pool Kt/V, being higher in group B at baseline, increased in both groups (A: 3.1 ± 0.8/week to 9.5 ± 2.3, B: 3.8 ± 1.0 to 10.9 ± 4.1). Baseline nPCR, being higher in group B, increased in both groups (A: 1.0 ± 0.3 g/kg/week to 1.4 ± 0.3, and B: 1.2 ± 0.5 to 1.8 ± 0.5). Baseline albumin was higher in group B, and increased in group A (39.6 ± 3.7 g/l to 43.2 ± 1.5), not in B (41.4 ± 2.3 to 42.8 ± 2.3). Target weight increased only in group A (71.8 ± 10.5 kg to 75.3 ± 11.9), not in B (71.4 ± 25.5 to 71.3 ± 26.7). NHD resulted in normophosphatemia in both groups despite phosphate supplementation and cessation of phosphate binders. PTH decreased in both groups (A: 40.6 ± 38.0 pmol/l to 14.4 ± 11.7, B: 35.6 ± 37.7 to 22.4 ± 41.5). In both groups, pre- and postdialysis mean arterial pressure decreased (A: 106.8 ± 7.9 mmHg to 94.4 ± 12.1 and 97.3 ± 9.5 mmHg to 86.3 ± 8.2, B: 102.2 ± 28.4 to 89.4 ± 9.5 and 90.3 ± 26.8 to 82.7 ± 12.9). Antihypertensives were discontinued or markedly reduced. Fatigue, insomnia, prurigo, restlessness, appetite, physical condition, working ability and quality of life (SF36) improved significantly in both groups. Conclusion. This small pilot study suggests that phosphate and PTH control, blood pressure, uremic symptoms and quality of life improve when conventional hemodialysis or QHD patients switch to NHD. Nutritional parameters improve only in the previously conventionally treated group. [source] Lessons from a review of thyroglobulin assays in the management of thyroid cancerINTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL, Issue 6a 2008J. Wong Abstract Thyroglobulin (Tg) measurement has become increasingly an important and integral part of the follow up and management of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Clinicians predominantly rely on Tg for decision-making for surveillance of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, but despite this new reliance, issues regarding Tg measurement have not been appropriately addressed especially within a local context. In the process of developing an institutional protocol we have identified that there are significant clinical and technical issues regarding Tg measurement, and surprisingly Tg assessment is currently not part of an external quality control programme. We conducted a small pilot study to specifically emphasize some of the assay issues. We aim to inform endocrinologists, pathologists and nuclear medicine physicians, the need and urgency for these issues to be addressed to improve the ongoing surveillance of differentiated thyroid cancer. [source] Effectiveness of kukui nut oil as a topical treatment for psoriasisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 8 2005Amy C. Brown PhD Background, No cure for psoriasis exists for the 1,3% of the American population who suffer from it; however, anecdotal reports from patients with psoriasis visiting Hawaii who purchased kukui nut oil, claim it helped reduce the severity of their lesions. Objective, This pilot study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of kukui nut oil as a topical treatment for psoriasis. Methods, Thirty adult subjects (18,78 year) were recruited from the community for a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Subjects were previously diagnosed with mild, stable plaque psoriasis (less than 15% of total body surface area [TBSA]) and agreed to abstain from other treatments during the course of the study. Following a 4-week washout period the subjects were randomized into a treatment group (15 subjects applying kukui nut oil) or a control group (15 applying the mineral oil placebo). Patients were seen every 2 weeks (seven visits at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks) by a dermatological nurse practitioner under the general supervision of a board certified dermatologist. Measurable outcomes included evaluation of one targeted lesion and of the overall severity of their psoriasis using clinical evaluation, Psoriasis Area and Sensitivity Index (PASI), Global Severity of Psoriasis Scale, and photographs. Each patient also evaluated their own lesions daily using the Global Severity of Psoriasis Scale, and noted any side-effects or other treatments used. Results, Although both groups improved, we found no significant difference between the treatment (kukui nut oil) and the placebo (mineral oil) among the 24 out of 30 subjects (80%) who completed the study. No side-effects or adverse events were reported. Conclusion, Kukui nut oil did not significantly reduce symptoms of psoriasis; however, this was a small pilot study, and the use of this oil cannot be dismissed without using a larger study population of patients with psoriasis. [source] Improving efficiency in radio surveys for gravitational lensesMONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, Issue 1 2007N. Jackson ABSTRACT Many lens surveys have hitherto used observations of large samples of background sources to select the small minority which are multiply imaged by lensing galaxies along the line of sight. Recently surveys such as SLACS and OLS have improved the efficiency of surveys by pre-selecting double-redshift systems from SDSS. We explore other ways to improve survey efficiency by optimum use of astrometric and morphological information in existing large-scale optical and radio surveys. The method exploits the small position differences between FIRST radio positions of lensed images and the SDSS lens galaxy positions, together with the marginal resolution of some larger gravitational lens systems by the FIRST beam. We present results of a small pilot study with the VLA and MERLIN, and discuss the desirable criteria for future surveys. [source] Nitrogen balance and ,15N: why you're not what you eat during nutritional stressRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 18 2005Benjamin T. Fuller While past experiments on animals, birds, fish, and insects have shown changes in stable isotope ratios due to nutritional stress, there has been little research on this topic in humans. To address this issue, a small pilot study was conducted. Hair samples from eight pregnant women who experienced nutritional stress associated with the nausea and vomiting of morning sickness (hyperemesis gravidarum) were measured for carbon (,13C) and nitrogen (,15N) stable isotope ratios. The ,13C results showed no change during morning sickness or pregnancy when compared with pre-pregnancy values. In contrast, the ,15N values generally increased during periods of weight loss and/or restricted weight gain associated with morning sickness. With weight gain and recovery from nutritional stress, the hair ,15N values displayed a decreasing trend over the course of gestation towards birth. This study illustrates how ,15N values are not only affected by diet, but also by the nitrogen balance of an individual. Potential applications of this research include the development of diagnostic techniques for tracking eating disorders, disease states, and nitrogen balance in archaeological, medical, and forensic cases. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Intensive and Prolonged Treatment of Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis Recurrence in Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Pilot StudyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 5 2009G. Canaud No treatment has consistently induced long-term remission of proteinuria in adult patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) recurrence after kidney transplantation. We undertook an open-label, nonrandomized pilot trial of intensive and prolonged treatment of FSGS recurrence. Over an 18-month period, 10 adult kidney transplant recipients with FSGS recurrence received concomitantly high-dose steroids, intravenous cyclosporine for 14 days followed by oral cyclosporine therapy, and an intensive and prolonged course of plasma exchanges (PE). We compared this treatment with those of a control group of 19 patients with a FSGS recurrence transplanted between 1997 and 2005. Complete, rapid (mean 23 ± 7 days) and sustained remission was obtained in 9/10 patients (90%) as opposed to 27% in the control group. At month 3 and month 12, proteinuria was 0.16 g/day (range 0.05,0.3 g/day) and 0.19 g/day (range 0.05,1 g/day) respectively. Only one patient remained in partial remission at month 12 but he had already lost two previous grafts due to FSGS recurrence. PEs were stopped at month 9 in all patients except for the patient with a partial remission who remains PE-dependent. This small pilot study provides very encouraging results demonstrating that this treatment rapidly achieves complete and sustained remission in a high proportion of patients. [source] Brief report: validity of Finnish registry-based diagnoses of autism with the ADI-RACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 9 2010KM Lampi Abstract Aims:, The aim of the study was to explore the validity of registry-based diagnoses of autism in Finland using the Autism Diagnostic Interview , Revised (ADI-R). This study was designed for the Finnish Prenatal Study of Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (FIPS-A), an ongoing research project where registry-based diagnoses will be used for epidemiological studies. Methods:, In this small pilot study, a clinical sample of 95 subjects diagnosed with childhood autism or pervasive developmental disorder/pervasive developmental disorder , not otherwise specified (PDD/PDD-NOS) or Asperger,s syndrome according to the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register (FHDR) was gathered nationwide. A small control group consisting of siblings without any registered diagnoses of those being examined was also included in the study. Diagnoses were further re-evaluated by interviewing parents with the ADI-R. Results:, The mean scores of autistic subjects clearly exceeded cut-off limits for autism on all three ADI-R domains and 96% of the subjects with registered diagnosis of childhood autism fulfilled the criteria based on the instrument as well. Conclusion:, These results suggest that the validity of Finnish registry-based diagnoses of childhood autism can be considered good. Our findings lay important groundwork for further population- based studies of the aetiology of autism. [source] | ||||||||||