Current medical research and opinion
-
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Approximately 15% of all first-ever strokes occur due to atheroembolism from a previously undetected/untreated asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS). Despite that, international guidelines do not recommend screening for ACS. ⋯ Detection of ACS should not be viewed as an indication for surgery, but rather as an opportunity to implement best medical treatment (BMT) and lifestyle changes to prevent not only strokes, but also cardiac events. The implementation of screening programs for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has led to a considerable reduction in the number of ruptured AAAs and AAA-related deaths. Similarly, screening high-risk individuals for ACS would enable timely identification of patients with ACS and implementation of BMT and lifestyle measures to prevent future strokes and cardiac events.
-
By definition, Richter's syndrome represents the transformation of low-grade B-cell lymphoma into high-grade B-cell lymphoma, usually refractory to treatment. Exceptional cases of transformation into very aggressive mature T-cell lymphomas have been described as an unusual manifestation of the syndrome in patients died after few months from the diagnosis, despite chemotherapy. ⋯ In practice, it represents the transformation of low-grade B-cell lymphoma into high-grade T-cell lymphoma, burdened by a very poor prognosis, because of the underlying B-cell lymphoma, which negatively interferes with the immune response of the patient. Against this distinct lymphomatous T clone, the major therapeutic efforts should be addressed.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
HL301 versus Umckamin in the treatment of acute bronchitis: a phase III, randomized, controlled, double-blind, multicenter study.
Objective: HL301 is a combination product of seven medicinal plants that has been proven effective in acute bronchitis by two phase II studies. In the present study, its efficacy and safety compared with those of Umckamin in the treatment of acute bronchitis were evaluated in phase III, randomized, controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial design. Methods: A total of 246 acute bronchitis patients were randomized to receive either HL301 (600 mg/day) or Umckamin (333 mg/day) for seven days. ⋯ HL301 or Umckamin treated participants showed an equal level of response, improvement, and satisfaction rates with treatment. Both the HL301 group and Umckamin group showed the same safety profile. Conclusions: HL301 (600 mg/day) was as effective and safe as Umckamin (333 mg/day) in treating acute bronchitis.