Lancet
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Mechanical ventilation is indispensable in support of patients with respiratory failure who are critically ill. However, use of this technique has adverse effects, including increased risk of pneumonia, impaired cardiac performance, and difficulties associated with sedation and paralysis. ⋯ Moreover, modification of mechanical ventilation so that VALI is kept to a minimum improves survival of patients with ARDS. Here, we outline the effects of mechanical ventilation on injured lungs and explore the underlying mechanisms.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial Retracted Publication
Combination treatment of angiotensin-II receptor blocker and angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor in non-diabetic renal disease (COOPERATE): a randomised controlled trial.
Present angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor treatment fails to prevent progression of non-diabetic renal disease. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of combined treatment of angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin-II receptor blocker, and monotherapy of each drug at its maximum dose, in patients with non-diabetic renal disease. ⋯ Combination treatment safely retards progression of non-diabetic renal disease compared with monotherapy. However, since some patients reached the combined primary endpoint on combined treatment, further strategies for complete management of progressive non-diabetic renal disease need to be researched.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Radiofrequency lesioning of dorsal root ganglia for chronic lumbosacral radicular pain: a randomised, double-blind, controlled trial.
Results of observational studies have shown pain reduction with percutaneous radiofrequency lesioning of dorsal root ganglia for lumbosacral radicular pain, but there are few randomised controlled trials. We aimed to assess the efficacy of radiofrequency lesioning of dorsal root ganglia for lumbosacral radicular pain. ⋯ Lumbosacral radiofrequency lesioning of dorsal root ganglia failed to show advantage over control treatment with local anaesthetics. Thus, its use as routine treatment in lumbosacral radicular pain should not be advocated.
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Despite great advances in medicine, the common cold continues to be a great burden on society in terms of human suffering and economic losses. Of the several viruses that cause the disease, the role of rhinoviruses is most prominent. About a quarter of all colds are still without proven cause, and the recent discovery of human metapneumovirus suggests that other viruses could remain undiscovered. ⋯ Increasing evidence is also available for the central role of viruses in predisposing to complications. New antivirals for the treatment of colds are being developed, but optimum use of these agents would require rapid detection of the specific virus causing the infection. Although vaccines against many respiratory viruses could also become available, the ultimate prevention of the common cold seems to remain a distant aim.