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Parallel Design (parallel + design)
Selected AbstractsRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation improve tinnitus in normal hearing patients: a double-blind controlled, clinical and neuroimaging outcome studyEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 1 2010R. A. Marcondes Background and purpose:, Tinnitus is a frequent disorder which is very difficult to treat and there is compelling evidence that tinnitus is associated with functional alterations in the central nervous system. Targeted modulation of tinnitus-related cortical activity has been proposed as a promising new treatment approach. We aimed to investigate both immediate and long-term effects of low frequency (1 Hz) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients with tinnitus and normal hearing. Methods:, Using a parallel design, 20 patients were randomized to receive either active or placebo stimulation over the left temporoparietal cortex for five consecutive days. Treatment results were assessed by using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory. Ethyl cysteinate dimmer-single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging was performed before and 14 days after rTMS. Results:, After active rTMS there was significant improvement of the tinnitus score as compared to sham rTMS for up to 6 months after stimulation. SPECT measurements demonstrated a reduction of metabolic activity in the inferior left temporal lobe after active rTMS. Conclusion:, These results support the potential of rTMS as a new therapeutic tool for the treatment of chronic tinnitus, by demonstrating a significant reduction of tinnitus complaints over a period of at least 6 months and significant reduction of neural activity in the inferior temporal cortex, despite the stimulation applied on the superior temporal cortex. [source] Effect of a controlled-release chlorhexidine chip on clinical and microbiological parameters of periodontal syndromeJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 10 2002Daniela C. Grisi Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a controlled-released chlorhexidine chip (CHX) as adjunctive therapy to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Material and methods: Twenty patients with at least four sites with probing depth ,,5 mm and bleeding on probing were selected. This randomized single-blind study was carried out in parallel design. The control group received SRP alone, while the test group received SRP plus CHX chip. The clinical parameters, Plaque Index (PlI), Papillary Bleeding Score (PBS), Bleeding on Probing (BOP), Gingival Recession (GR), Probing Depth (PD) and Relative Attachment Level (RAL), and the microbiological parameter BANA test were recorded at baseline and after 3, 6 and 9 months. Results: Both groups presented significant improvements in all parameters analyzed over the study period. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups for any parameter analyzed after 9 months, except for BOP, which was significantly reduced in the control group. The mean reductions on PD and RAL were 2.4 mm and 1.0 mm for the control group and 2.2 mm and 0.6 mm for the test group, respectively. Conclusion: The CHX chip did not provide any clinical or microbiological benefit beyond that achieved with conventional scaling and root planning, after a 9-month period. Zusammenfassung Wirkung eines Chlorhexidin-Chips mit kontrollierter Wirkstoff-Freisetzung auf klinische und mikrobiologische Parameter parodontaler Erkrankungen Zielsetzung: Das Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Evaluierung der Wirksamkeit eines Chlorhexidin-Chips mit kontrollierter Wirkstoff-Freisetzung (CHX) als Adjunktivtherapie zu Zahnsteinentfernung (Scaling) und Wurzelglätten (Root planing) bei der Behandlung einer chronischen Parodontitis. Material und Methodik: Zur Teilnahme an der Studie wurden zwanzig Patienten mit mindestens vier Stellen mit einer Sondiertiefe von ,5 mm und Blutung bei der Sondierung ausgewählt. Diese randomisierte einfach-blinde Studie wurde mit Parallelgruppenaufbau durchgeführt. Die Kontrollgruppe erhielt ausschliesslich SRP, die Testgruppe dagegen erhielt SRP plus den CHX-Chip. Zu Baseline und nach 3, 6 und 9 Monaten wurden die klinischen Parameter Plaque-Index (PlI), Papillarblutungs-Score (PBS), Blutung bei Sondierung (BOP), Gingivaretraktion (GR), Sondiertiefe (PD), Relatives Attachmentniveau (RAL) und die mikrobiologischen Parameter (BANA-Test) verzeichnet. Ergebnisse: Beide Gruppen zeigten signifikante Verbesserungen aller analysierten Parameter über den Studienzeitraum. Nach 9 Monaten konnten mit Ausnahme von BOP, was in der Kontrollgruppe eine signifikante Reduktion zeigte, keine statistisch signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen den beiden Gruppen für die untersuchten Parameter festgestellt werden. Die durchschnittlichen Reduktionen bei PD und RAL waren 2,4 mm und 1,0 mm in der Kontrollgruppe und 2,2 mm bzw. 0,6 mm in der Testgruppe. Schlussfolgerung: Nach einer 9-monatigen Behandlungszeit konnten mit dem CHX-Chip zusätzlich zu dem durch konventionelles Scaling und Wurzelglätten erzielten klinischen und mikrobiologischen Nutzen keine weiteren Vorteile erzielt werden. Résumé Influence d'une capsule de chlorhexidine à libération contrôlée sur les paramètres cliniques et microbiologiques de la maladie parodontale But: Le but de cette étude était d'évaluer l'efficacité d'une capsule de chlorhexidine (CHX) à libération contrôlée comme thérapie complémentaire au détartrage et au surfaçage radiculaire (scaling and root planing, SRP) dans le traitement de la parodontite chronique. Matériaux et méthodes: Vingt patients avec au moins quatre sites présentant une profondeur au sondage ,5 mm et un saignement au sondage ont été sélectionnés. Cette étude randomisée en simple aveugle a été conduite en parallèle. Le groupe contrôle a uniquement bénéficié de SRP, tandis que le groupe test a reçu SRP plus une capsule CHX. Les paramètres cliniques, l'indice de plaque (plaque index, PlI), l'indice de saignement papillaire (papillary bleeding score, PBS), la saignement au sondage (bleeding on probing, BOP), la récession gingivale (gingival recession, GR), la profondeur au sondage (probing depth, PD), le niveau d'attache relatif (relative attachment level, RAL) et les paramètres microbiologiques (test BANA) ont été enregistrés à la base puis après 3, 6 et 9 mois. ésultats: Les deux groupes présentaient une amélioration significative de tous les paramètres analysés au cours de la période d'étude. Entre les deux groupes, il n'y avait de différence statistiquement significative pour aucun des paramètres analysés au bout de 9 mois, sauf pour le BOP qui était considérablement réduit dans le groupe contrôle. Les baisses moyennes de PD et RAL valaient respectivement 2,4 mm et 1,0 mm pour le groupe contrôle, et 2,2 mm et 0,6 mm pour le groupe test. Conclusion: A l'issue d'une période de 9 mois, la capsule CHX n'a apporté aucun bénéfice clinique ou microbiologique supérieur à celui obtenu par détartrage et surfaçage radiculaire conventionnels. [source] Stain, plaque and gingivitis reduction by combining chlorhexidine and peroxyborateJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 1 2000L. J. M. M. Gründemann Abstract Background: Previous studies have shown that using an oxidising agent in addition to chlorhexidine reduces staining. Aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether, compared to chlorhexidine alone, the use of an oxidising mouthrinse as an adjunct to chlorhexidine is efficacious in reducing stain, plaque and gingivitis. Method: This study had a single-blind, 2-group parallel design, including a 14-day experimental non-brushing period during which 1 group (n=14) used chlorhexidine alone (CHX) (chlorhexidine mouthrinse, 0.12% Oral-B® laboratories, Ireland), and the other (n=14) used chlorhexidine in combination with an oxidising agent (sodiumperborate-monohydrate-Bocasan®, Oral-B laboratories, Ireland). Patients were randomly assigned to either group. All participants received a scaling and polishing before the start of the trial. No oral hygiene instructions were given. Since, at the start of the experiment, all stain and plaque were removed, only the gingival condition was evaluated at baseline by means of bleeding on marginal probing. The examination after 14 days of rinsing included the evaluation of plaque, bleeding on marginal probing and stain (GMSI: gingival modification of the stain index). Results: The results showed at day 14, a significant difference between the 2 groups for plaque (CHX: 0.18, CHX+PER: 0.08, p=0.03) and gingival bleeding (CHX: 0.38, CHX+PER: 0.21, p<0.001). The proportion of stained surfaces was less in the CHX+PER group (28%), than in the chlorhexidine group (48%) (p=0.04). Conclusions: In conclusion, the adjunctive use of an oxidising agent peroxyborate to chlorhexidine, proved to be superior to chlorhexidine alone with regard to the inhibition of plaque and development of gingivitis. In addition, the proportion of stained surfaces was significantly less when adding the oxidising mouthrinse to chlorhexidine. [source] Short-term effects of a mandibular advancement device on obstructive sleep apnoea: an open-label pilot trialJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 8 2005G. AARAB summary, Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder, which is, among others, associated with snoring. OSA has a considerable impact on a patient's general health and daily life. Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) is frequently used as a ,gold standard' treatment for OSA. As an alternative, especially for mild/moderate cases, mandibular advancement devices (MADs) are prescribed increasingly. Their efficacy and effectiveness seem to be acceptable. Although some randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have been published recently, most studies so far are case studies. Therefore, our department is planning a controlled RCT, in which MADs are compared with both nCPAP and a control condition in a parallel design. As a first step, an adjustable MAD was developed with a small, more or less constant vertical dimension at different mandibular positions. To test the device and the experimental procedures, a pilot trial was performed with 10 OSA patients (six mild, four moderate; one women, nine men; mean age = 47·9 ± 9·7 years). They all underwent a polysomnographic recording before as well as 2,14 weeks after insertion of the MAD (adjusted at 50% of the maximal protrusion). The apnoea,hypopnoea index (AHI) was significantly reduced with the MAD in situ (P = 0·017). When analysed as separate groups, the moderate cases showed a significantly larger decrease in AHI than the mild cases (P = 0·012). It was therefore concluded from this pilot study that this MAD might be an effective tool in the treatment of, especially, moderate OSA. [source] Contradistinction between doxorubicin and epirubicin: in-vivo metabolism, pharmacokinetics and toxicodynamics after single- and multiple-dosing in ratsJOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY: AN INTERNATI ONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCE, Issue 7 2001Sandhya Ramanathan-Girish There is compelling in-vitro evidence that the evaluation of doxorubicin or epirubicin pharmacokinetics based solely on plasma concentration may not fully elucidate the differences between the two drugs. Both compounds bind to erythrocytes and their different binding to haemoglobin may influence their disposition in the body. The purpose of the present study was to compare the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of doxorubicin and epirubicin based on the plasma concentration, amount associated with blood cells and simultaneous monitoring of biliary and urinary elimination of unchanged drug and metabolites after single- and multiple-dose injections. The level of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase in the heart was also measured as a biomarker of cardiotoxicity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated in a parallel design with doxorubicin or epirubicin on a multiple-dosing basis (4 mg kg,1 per week) or as a single dose injection (20 mg kg,1). Blood, urine and bile samples were collected periodically after each dose in the multiple-dosing regimen and the single dose injection, and at the end of each experiment the hearts were removed. The concentrations of each drug in plasma, blood cells, bile and urine samples were determined, and by simultaneous curve-fitting of plasma and bile data according to compartmental analysis, the pharmacokinetic parameters and constants were estimated. The concentration of drug associated with blood cells was analysed according to non-compartmental analysis. The bile and urine samples provided the in-vivo metabolic data. The level of Ca2+ ATPase in the heart, determined by Western blotting, was used as the toxicodynamic parameter to correlate with the kinetic data. Multiple-dosing regimens reduced the total plasma clearance and increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve of both drugs. Also, the area under the curve of doxorubicin associated with blood cells increased with the weekly doses, and the related mean residence time (MRT) and apparent volume of distribution (Vdss) were steadily reduced. In contrast to doxorubicin, the MRT and Vdss of epirubicin increased significantly. Metabolic data indicated significant differences in the level of alcohol and aglycones metabolites. Doxorubicinol and doxorubicin aglycones were significantly greater than epirubicinol and epirubicin aglycone, whereas epirubicinol aglycone was greater than doxorubicinol aglycone. The area under the blood cells concentration-time curve correlated linearly with the changes in Ca2+ ATPase net intensity. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of the kinetics of epirubicin and doxorubicin associated with blood cells. Linear correlation between the reduction of net intensity of the biomarker with the area under the curve of doxorubicin associated with blood cells confirms that the differences between the two compounds are related to their interaction with blood cells. This observation together with the observed differences in metabolism may underline a significant role for blood cells in distribution and metabolism of doxorubicin and epirubicin. [source] Lack of Clinical Efficacy of a Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitor for Treatment of Heaves in HorsesJOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2006Jean-Pierre Lavoie Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE 4) enzyme inhibitors have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in various animal disease processes and therefore could be effective drugs for the treatment of equine airway diseases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of the PDE 4 inhibitor L-826,141 in horses with heaves. In a blinded parallel design, horses with heaves exposed daily to moldy hay were given a placebo for 14 days and then administered either L-826,141 (n = 6; loading dose of 1 mg/kg IV followed by 0.5 mg/kg IV q48h) or dexamethasone (n = 6; 0.04 mg/kg IV q24h) from days 15 to 29 (study 1). Pulmonary function and bronchoalveolar (BAL) cytology were evaluated weekly from baseline (day 0) to 29 days. In study 2, horses were treated with L-826,141 (1.0 mg/kg IV q24h) for 8 days. Although ex vivo lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-, and LTB4 production by fresh blood were inhibited up to 90% after repeated administrations of L-826,141, this treatment failed to improve lung function. In contrast, dexamethasone (positive control) treatment resulted in significant improvement in lung mechanics and airway function in all horses. Neither drug had a significant effect on BAL total cell counts and differential cytology. Administration of the PDE 4 inhibitor L-826,141 for up to 14 days to horses with heaves was not associated with an improvement in airway function or inflammation. These findings suggest that the PDE 4 enzyme is not a key mediator of lung inflammation in heaves. [source] SOY ISOFLAVONE TABLETS REDUCE OSTEOPOROSIS RISK FACTORS AND OBESITY IN MIDDLE-AGED JAPANESE WOMENCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2004Mari Mori Summary 1.,This study examines whether the supplementation of isoflavones (ISO) exerts beneficial effects on the bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). 2.,Eighty-one healthy Japanese pre- and postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to the following two groups taking either ISO (100 mg) tablets (ISO group) or placebo tablets (P group) containing vitamins C (25 mg) and E (5 mg) daily for 24 weeks in a double-blind placebo controlled parallel design. 3.,Seventy women completed the intervention study (34 on ISO, 36 on P), only ISO group was proven to increase significantly BMD (P < 0.05 vs before) and to significantly decrease body fat measured by the DEXA (P < 0.0001 vs before and P < 0.05 vs P group), while BMI was maintained in ISO group despite significant BMI increase in P group. Thus, percent changes in BMI were significantly different between ISO and P groups (P < 0.05) 24 weeks after the intervention. 4.,This prospective DEXA study confirmed a long-term ISO supplementation, 100 mg/day could not only prevent menopausal bone resorption but also increase BMD and decrease body fat concomitantly with BMI reduction. Enough ISO supplementation may contribute to the risk reduction of osteoporosis and obesity and, thus to overall health promotion in menopausal women. [source] The optimum design of 6-DOF isotropic parallel manipulatorsJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 6 2005K. Y. Tsai How to obtain 6-DOF parallel manipulators with optimum global isotropy is investigated in this paper. A systematic method is first presented to get isotropic parallel designs. A measure for spatial isotropy is then proposed to evaluate and compare the global isotropy of obtained manipulators. Efficient methods to find the minimum and maximum singular values of matrices are developed to facilitate the evaluation process. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||