Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Post-treatment Period (post-treatment + period)
Selected AbstractsPositive health-care effects of an alcohol ignition interlock programme among driving while impaired (DWI) offendersADDICTION, Issue 11 2007Bo Bjerre ABSTRACT Aims To compare the costs of hospital care and sick leave/disability pensions between two groups of driving while impaired (DWI) offenders: participants in an alcohol ignition interlock programme (AIIP) and controls with revoked licences, but with no comparable opportunity to participate in an AIIP. Setting As an alternative to licence revocation DWI offenders can participate in a voluntary 2-year AIIP permitting the offender to drive under strict regulations entailing regular medical check-ups. The participants are forced to alter their alcohol habits and those who cannot demonstrate sobriety are dismissed from the programme. Participants are liable for all costs themselves. Design Quasi-experimental, with a non-equivalent control group used for comparison; intent-to-treat design. Based on the number of occasions/days in hospital and on sick leave/disability pension, the health-care costs for public insurance have been calculated. Finding Average total health-care costs were 25% lower among AIIP participants (1156 individuals) than among controls (815 individuals) during the 2-year treatment period. This corresponds to over ,1000 (SEK9610) less annual costs per average participant. For those who complete the 2-year programme the cost reduction was more pronounced; 37% during the treatment and 20% during the post-treatment period. Conclusions The positive health-care effects were due apparently to reduced alcohol consumption. The social benefit of being allowed to drive while in the AIIP may also have contributed. The reduction in health-care costs was significant only during the 2-year treatment period, but among those who completed the entire AIIP sustained effects were also observed in the post-treatment period. The effects were comparable to those of regular alcoholism treatment programmes. [source] Older patients' experiences of treatment for colorectal cancer: an analysis of functional status and service useEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER CARE, Issue 5 2004C. BAILEY msc, rgn Age and ageing are an important part of the context within which the care and treatment of people with cancer is provided. More information is needed about the effects of cancer treatment on the lives of older people following inpatient care. We conducted a 3-year study in which older people with colorectal cancer completed a detailed questionnaire on multidimensional function and service use before and after elective treatment. Here we present an analysis of changes in functional status and service use over the pre- to post-treatment period, and set out a detailed picture of older people's experiences before and after treatment. In total, 337 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma aged 58,95 years were interviewed before treatment using the OARS Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire (OMFAQ), Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL) and a severity of morbidity score. Study end points were defined as post-treatment functional status, symptom distress, severity of morbidity and frequency of service use. Pre- and post-treatment data were compared using matched analyses. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between age and the main outcome measures, and frequency of service use after treatment was compared between age groups using the ,2 test. Overall, patients experienced both positive and negative outcomes following treatment. It was notable that patients aged ,,75 years showed improvement in only one of the principal outcome measures. Patterns of service use following treatment suggest that support at home is a key issue for patients. With the exception of nursing care, however, help at home is provided on a majority of occasions by families themselves. This raises important questions about how much preparation patients and families receive or would like before they leave hospital after treatment for cancer. A collaborative, family-centred approach to meeting people's needs is called for in the months following inpatient care. [source] Effect of five diatomaceous earth formulations against Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) and Rhyzopertha dominica (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae)INSECT SCIENCE, Issue 5 2007MASUMEH ZIAEE Abstract Laboratory bioassays were conducted to determine the effect of food source on the survival of Tribolium castaneum Herbst, Oryzaephilus surinamensis L. and Rhyzopertha dominica F., after exposure to five diatomaceous earth (DE) formulations: Protect-It®, Insecto®, Perma-GuardŌ, Dryacide® and SilicoSec®. Adults of these species were exposed to DEs at the rate of 0.5 mg/cm2 for 1 day on filter paper inside plastic Petri dishes. After exposure, the initial mortality was counted and live individuals of the three species were held for a week in glass vials containing 50 mg wheat flour, rice and whole wheat, respectively. In the second experiment, after 1 day exposure to DEs, beetles were transferred to Petri dishes without food and held for a week to determine if the presence of food source would decrease the mortality of beetles. Experiments were carried out at 27°C and 55% RH in the dark. The initial mortality in both of the experiments reached 100% for the three species exposed to Protect-It® and in the case of R. dominica and O. surinamensis exposed to Dryacide®. In contrast, low level of mortality (< 10%) was observed for T. castaneum exposed to Perma-GuardŌ and Insecto®. The mortality after the post-treatment period on food was decreased for the three species exposed to Perma-GuardŌ and in the case of T. castaneum and R. dominica exposed to Insecto® and SilicoSec®. Adults of O. surinamensis were the most susceptible followed by R. dominica and 100% adult mortality was obtained, whereas T. castaneum were the least susceptible beetles to DEs. Protect-It® and Dryacide® were the most efficient DE formulations and can be used effectively in a stored grain integrated pest management program. [source] Oral colonization by Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 after exposure to probioticsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 5 2009ESBER ĒAGLAR Objective., The aim of this study was to investigate whether Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 can be detected in the oral cavity after discontinuation of administration of a product prepared with this bacterium. Materials and Methods., The study consisted of three 2-week periods: clearance period, intervention period, and post-treatment period. Twenty-five volunteers consumed a chewable tablet of L. reuteri ATCC 55730 (108 cfu/tablet) during a 14-day trial period. Saliva samples were collected and cultured onto MRS agar after a clearance period of 2 weeks and then daily after a 2-week intervention period for as long as L. reuteri was found. Lactobacillus reuteri colonies were analysed in saliva samples. The analysis was performed using selective media for L. reuteri followed by confirmation using the specific detection of reuterin produced by L. reuteri. Results., The number of L. reuteri carriers decreased gradually, and after 1 week only 8% of the subjects harboured the bacterium. After 5 weeks, L. reuteri was not detected in any of the subjects. Conclusion., Consuming L. reuteri for 2 weeks does not seem to be sufficient for permanent colonization of L. reuteri in the oral cavity. [source] A Double-Blind Trial of Gabapentin Versus Lorazepam in the Treatment of Alcohol WithdrawalALCOHOLISM, Issue 9 2009Hugh Myrick Introduction:, Some anticonvulsants ameliorate signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, but have an unacceptable side effect burden. Among the advantages of using anticonvulsant agents in this capacity is their purported lack of interaction with alcohol that could increase psychomotor deficits, increase cognitive impairment, or increase intoxication. The aim of this study was to evaluate alcohol use and symptom reduction of gabapentin when compared with lorazepam in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal in a double-blinded randomized clinical trial. Methods:, One hundred individuals seeking outpatient treatment of alcohol withdrawal with Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol,Revised (CIWA-Ar) ratings ,10 were randomized to double-blind treatment with 2 doses of gabapentin (900 mg tapering to 600 mg or 1200 tapering to 800 mg) or lorazepam (6 mg tapering to 4 mg) for 4 days. Severity of alcohol withdrawal was measured by the CIWA-Ar on days 1 to 4 of treatment and on days 5, 7, and 12 post-treatment and alcohol use monitored by verbal report and breath alcohol levels. Results:, CIWA-Ar scores decreased over time in all groups; high-dose gabapentin was statistically superior but clinically similar to lorazepam (p = 0.009). During treatment, lorazepam-treated participants had higher probabilities of drinking on the first day of dose decrease (day 2) and the second day off medication (day 6) compared to gabapentin-treated participants (p = 0.0002). Post-treatment, gabapentin-treated participants had less probability of drinking during the follow-up post-treatment period (p = 0.2 for 900 mg and p = 0.3 for 1200 mg) compared to the lorazepam-treated participants (p = 0.55). The gabapentin groups also had less craving, anxiety, and sedation compared to lorazepam. Conclusions:, Gabapentin was well tolerated and effectively diminished the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal in our population especially at the higher target dose (1200 mg) used in this study. Gabapentin reduced the probability of drinking during alcohol withdrawal and in the immediate postwithdrawal week compared to lorazepam. [source] CONTROLLING PHOSPHORUS IN RUNOFF FROM LONG TERM DAIRY WASTE APPLICATION FIELDS,JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN WATER RESOURCES ASSOCIATION, Issue 5 2004Anne M.S. McFarland ABSTRACT: Phosphorus (P) in runoff from long term animal waste application fields can contribute to accelerated eutrophication of surface waters. Manure when applied at nitrogen (N) agronomic rates generally increases soil P concentrations, which can increase runoff of soluble P. Along the North Bosque River in central Texas, dairy waste application fields are identified as the most controllable nonpoint source of soluble P in a total maximum daily load. To evaluate P reduction practices for fields high in soil extractable P, edge-of-field runoff was measured from paired plots of Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)/ winter wheat (Triticum spp.). Plots (about 0.4 ha) received manure at P agronomic rates following Texas permit guidelines and commercial N during the pretreatment period. During the post-treatment period, control plots continued to receive manure at P agronomic rates and commercial N. Treatment plots received only commercial N during the post-treatment period. Use of only commercial N on soils with high extractable P levels significantly decreased P loadings in edge-of-field runoff by at least 40 percent, but runoff concentrations sometimes increased. No notable changes in extractable soil P concentrations were observed after five years of monitoring due to drought conditions limiting forage uptake and removal. [source] Skeletal effects of bite jumping therapy on the mandible , removable vs. fixed functional appliancesORTHODONTICS & CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005G Shen Structured Abstract Authors , Shen G, Hägg U, Darendeliler MA Objective , Based on an extensive review of the literature, the aim of this study was to explore the mainstream consensus on the controversial topic of whether the bite jumping treatment could enhance mandibular growth. Design , The data for removable and fixed functional appliances were respectively comprehended and analyzed with regard to their attributes in mandibular growth modification. Furthermore, numerous reported findings were assessed by relating them to some important factors influencing the effects of bite jumping, such as treatment timing, treatment duration and post-treatment follow-up, to allow for a more objective and accurate evaluation. Results , The key differences between removable and fixed appliances are working hours (intermittent vs. continuous), length of treatment time (long vs. short), optimal treatment timing (before puberty growth vs. at or after puberty spurt), and mode of bite-jumping (considerable vertical opening vs. limited vertical opening). These different features lead to different treatment effects on mandibular and TMJ growth, such as the intensity of possibly increased growth (clinically less significant vs. significant), the direction of enhanced growth (vertical vs. horizontal), and the stability of treatment changes (unstable vs. stable). The short-term or long-term post-treatment relapse mainly relates to the rebound of dental position. Conclusion , The immediate effects of bite jumping functional appliances on the mandibular growth enhancement are convincing during actual treatment. This extra gain of growth might be sustainable during the short-term and long-term post-treatment period. [source] Panax ginseng reduces adriamycin-induced heart failure in ratsPHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 12 2005Jyh-Sheng You Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Panax ginseng on adriamycin-induced heart failure. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, adriamycin, ginseng and adriamycin with ginseng. Adriamycin (cumulative dose, 15 mg/kg) was administered to rats in six equal intraperitoneal injections over a period of 2 weeks. Ginseng was administered via an oral feeding tube once a day for 30 days (cumulative dose, 150 g/kg). At the end of the 5 week post-treatment period, the hearts of the rats were used to study the synthesis rates of DNA, RNA and protein, myocardial antioxidants and lipid peroxidation. At the end of 3 weeks treatment, heart failure was characterized by ascites, congested liver and depressed cardiac function. Nucleic acid as well as protein synthesis was inhibited, lipid peroxidation was increased and myocardial glutathione peroxidase activity was decreased indicating adriamycin-induced heart failure. In contrast, the administration of ginseng, before and concurrent with adriamycin, significantly attenuated the myocardial effects, lowered the mortality as well as the amount of ascites, increased in myocardial glutathione peroxidase, macromolecular biosynthesis and superoxide dismutase activities, with a concomitant decrease in lipid peroxidation. These findings indicated that ginseng may be partially protective against adriamycin-induced heart failure. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ,What does it mean?' uncertainty, trust and communication following treatment for pre-cancerous cervical abnormalitiesPSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 6 2007Ilona Juraskova Abstract The early detection of pre-cancerous cervical conditions has risen dramatically, prompting more in-depth investigations regarding psychological implications inherent within the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. This study aimed to identify factors that influence women's experience of diagnosis and treatment of cervical abnormalities and factors that facilitate positive adjustment. Using a semi-structured telephone interview, we interviewed 21 women (age 24,54) treated at a colposcopy clinic. Systematic recruitment of women with varying degrees of cervical abnormality (CIN 1,3) and time since treatment was undertaken to ensure representation of all relevant experiences and allow the identification of long-term factors. Coding of audio-taped, transcribed interviews and searching for themes was achieved by using NUD*IST software. The results identified uncertainty, trust and communication as the key factors for women following diagnosis and treatment. The primary concern following diagnosis was related to cancer but changed to a more prominent concern with future reproductive issues in the post-treatment period. The majority of women acknowledged the importance of the doctor's empathic communication style. These findings have important implications for future studies and clinical practice. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Noradrenergic Control of Arginine Vasopressin Release from the Ewe Hypothalamus In Vitro: Sensitivity to OestradiolREPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS, Issue 2 2008SPS Ghuman Contents The present study aims at ascertaining the influence of ,1 -adrenoreceptors on arginine vasopressin (AVP) release in vitro and determine whether E2 modulates the ,1 -adrenoreceptor and AVP interaction. Ten minutes after ewe killing, sagittal midline hypothalamic slices (from the anterior preoptic area to the mediobasal hypothalamus with the median eminence, 2 mm thick, 2 per sheep) were dissected, placed in oxygenated minimum essential media- , (MEM- ,) at 4°C and within 2 h were singly perifused at 37°C with oxygenated MEM- , (pH 7.4; flow rate 0.15 ml/min), either with or without E2 (24 pg/ml). After 4 h equilibration, 10 min fractions were collected for 4 h interposed with 10 min exposure at 60 min to a specific ,1 -adrenoreceptor agonist or antagonist at various doses (0.1,10 mm). At the end of all perifusions, slices responded to KCl (100 mm) with AVP efflux (p < 0.05). Release of AVP was enhanced (p < 0.05) by the ,1 -adrenoreceptor agonist (methoxamine 10 mm; no E2, n = 7 perifusion chambers: from 14.3 ± 2.7 to 20.9 ± 3.9, with E2, n = 10: from 10.7 ± 1.2 to 18.4 ± 3.4 pg/ml) or the antagonist (thymoxamine 10 mm; no E2, n = 5: from 9.5 ± 3.1 to 30.4 ± 6.0, with E2, n = 10: from 10.8 ± 0.9 to 39.1 ± 6.3 pg/ml). With the agonist, the response occurred only at 80 min (p < 0.05) both in the presence and absence of E2. Whereas, after the antagonist, values were higher (p < 0.05) throughout the post-treatment period (80,170 min) without E2, but declined by 150 min in the presence of E2. Furthermore, the response to the ,1 -adrenoreceptor antagonist was greater (p < 0.05; 90,140 min) than the agonist only in the presence of E2. In conclusion, these results reveal direct ,1 -adrenoreceptor-mediated control of the hypothalamic AVP neuronal system which is modulated by E2. [source] Clinical practice guidelines for the psychosocial care of cancer survivors,,§CANCER, Issue S18 2009Current status, future prospects Abstract Upon completion of their primary treatment, many cancer survivors become "lost in transition," and receive inadequate or, at best, poorly coordinated follow-up care. Unmet psychosocial and educational needs figure prominently among the concerns identified by survivors of adult-onset cancers in the post-treatment period. This article focuses on the role clinical practice guidelines could play in improving the quality of psychosocial care provided to these post-treatment survivors. After defining clinical practice guidelines and describing their development, the article provides an overview of existing clinical practice guidelines for the psychosocial care of cancer patients and identifies their strengths and weaknesses. A major weakness relevant to this article is that none of the existing guidelines focus on the post-treatment period. Two recent efforts in the field of cancer survivorship are identified that should stimulate and inform the development of guidelines for psychosocial care in the post-treatment period. One effort is the growing movement to implement survivorship care planning at the end of primary treatment. Assessing and addressing unmet and anticipated psychosocial needs have been identified as major components of survivorship care planning. The other effort is the release by the Children's Oncology Group of Long-term Follow-up Guidelines for Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancers. These guidelines provide a useful model of how guidelines for the psychosocial care of survivors of adult-onset cancers might be developed, organized, and implemented. Cancer 2009;115(18 suppl):4419,29. © 2009 American Cancer Society. [source] Variation in GABRA2 Predicts Drinking Behavior in Project MATCH SubjectsALCOHOLISM, Issue 11 2007Lance O. Bauer Background:, Previous studies demonstrated, and replicated, an association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the GABRA2 gene and risk for alcohol dependence. The present study examines the association of a GABRA2 SNP with another definition of alcohol involvement and with the effects of psychosocial treatment. Methods:, European-American subjects (n = 812, 73.4% male) provided DNA samples for the analysis. All were participants in Project Matching Alcoholism Treatment to Client Heterogeneity (MATCH), a multi-center randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of 3 types of psychosocial treatment for alcoholism: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET), or twelve-step facilitation (TSF). The daily probabilities of drinking and heavy drinking were estimated during the 12-week treatment and 12-month post-treatment periods. Results:, Subjects homozygous for the allele associated with low risk for alcohol dependence in previous studies had lower daily probabilities of drinking and heavy drinking in the present study. This low-risk allele was also associated with a greater difference in drinking outcomes between the treatments. In addition, it enhanced the relative superiority of TSF over CBT and MET. Population stratification was excluded as a confound using ancestry informative marker analysis. Conclusions:, The assessment of genetic vulnerability may be relevant to studies of the efficacy of psychosocial treatment: GABRA2 genotype modifies the variance in drinking and can therefore moderate power for resolving differences between treatments. [source] | ||||||||||