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Relative Improvement (relative + improvement)
Selected AbstractsEffects of physical exercise versus rosiglitazone on endothelial function in coronary artery disease patients with prediabetesDIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 9 2010S. Desch We conducted a three-arm, parallel-group, randomized, controlled trial to compare the effects of rosiglitazone and physical exercise on endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease and impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance over a 6-month period. Group A received rosiglitazone tablets 8 mg daily (n = 16), group B underwent a structured physical exercise programme (n = 15) and group C served as a control group (n = 12). At baseline and after 6 months, brachial artery ultrasound imaging was performed to assess reactive flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Rosiglitazone treatment and exercise both led to significant improvements in insulin resistance at 6 months, whereas no change was observed in control patients. FMD improved significantly in physical exercise patients, whereas no change could be observed in patients receiving rosiglitazone or in the control group. Between-group comparisons also showed a significant relative improvement in FMD in exercise patients compared with rosiglitazone. [source] MRI verified STN stimulation site , gait improvement and clinical outcomeEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 5 2010E. L. Johnsen Background:, Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is effective in alleviating Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms (tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia) and may improve gait and postural impairment associated with the disease. However, improvement of gait is not always as predictable as the clinical outcome. This may relate to the type of gait impairment or localization of the active DBS contact. Methods:, The active contact was visualized on peri-operative magnetic resonance imaging in 22 patients with idiopathic PD, consecutively treated with bilateral STN DBS. Stimulation site was grouped as either in the dorsal/ventral STN or medial/lateral hereof and anterior/posterior STN or medial/lateral hereof. The localization was compared with relative improvement of clinical outcome (UPDRS-III). In 10 patients, quantitative gait analyses were performed, and the improvement in gait performance was compared with stimulation site in the STN. Results:, Of 44 active contacts, 77% were inside the nucleus, 23% were medial hereof. Stimulation of the dorsal half improved UPDRS-III significantly more than ventral STN DBS (P = 0.02). However, there were no differences between anterior and posterior stimulation in the dorsal STN. Step velocity and length improved significantly more with dorsal stimulation compared with ventral stimulation (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02). Balance during gait was also more improved with dorsal stimulation compared with ventral stimulation. Conclusions:, Deep brain stimulation of the dorsal STN is superior to stimulation of the ventral STN. Possible different effects of stimulation inside the nucleus underline the need for exact knowledge of the active stimulation site position to target the most effective area. [source] One Man Two Hats: What's All the Commotion!FINANCIAL REVIEW, Issue 2 2009Jay Dahya G28; G30; G34 Abstract We examine performance in publicly listed U.K. companies over a period that encompasses the issuance of the Cadbury Committee's Code of Best Practice, which calls for the abolition of the combined CEO/COB position. We find that companies splitting the combined CEO/COB position to conform to the Code's requirement did not exhibit any absolute or relative improvement in performance when compared to various peer-group benchmarks. We do not necessarily scoff at mandated board structures, but the evidence suggests that this particular legislature coerced the abandonment of the combined CEO/COB position and appears to be wide of the mark. [source] Effects of a mandibular advancement device on the upper airway morphology: a cephalometric analysisJOURNAL OF ORAL REHABILITATION, Issue 5 2009M. H. J. DOFF Summary, The aims of this study were to assess changes in the upper airway morphology associated with an oral appliance in situ in patients suffering from the obstructive sleep apnoea,hypopnoea syndrome and to relate these changes to treatment response. Changes in upper airway morphology as a result of an oral appliance were assessed in 52 patients with obstructive sleep apnoea,hypopnoea syndrome by means of cephalometric analysis. Lateral cephalograms were taken at baseline and after 2,3 months of treatment. Baseline and follow-up cephalograms were traced twice and cephalometric variables were compared. The predictive value of changes in upper airway morphology for the treatment response was evaluated in univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Oral appliance therapy resulted in an increased posterior airway space at the level of the second vertebra, the uvular tip and the base of the tongue. The increase of the posterior airway space at the level of the second vertebra and the uvular tip were the best predictors for relative improvement of the apnoea,hypopnoea index. However, the predictive value for treatment response of these cephalometric upper airway changes should be interpreted with caution. [source] Food availability, cost disparity and improvement in relation to accessibility and remoteness in QueenslandAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 3 2002Amanda J. Lee This study is the first to describe disparity and change in the food supply between metropolitan, rural and remote stores by Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA)1 category. A total of 92 stores (97% response rate) within five aggregate ARIA categories participated throughout Queensland in 2000. There was a strong association between ARIA category and the cost of the basket of basic foods, with prices being significantly higher (20% and 31% respectively) in the ,remote' and ,very remote' categories than in the ,highly accessible' category. The association with ARIA was less marked for fruit and vegetables than for other food groups, but not for tobacco and take-away food items. Basic food items were less available in the more remote stores. Over the past two years, relative improvements in food prices have been seen in stores in the ,very remote' category, with observed increases less than the consumer price index (CPI) for food. Some factors which may have contributed to this improvement are discussed. [source] | ||||||||||