The American journal of the medical sciences
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Inhaled sevoflurane may promote progression of amnestic mild cognitive impairment: a prospective, randomized parallel-group study.
Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is thought to be a transitional stage between normal aging and the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies have suggested that the inhalational anesthetic isoflurane can induce caspase activation and apoptosis, increase aggregates of β-amyloid (Aβ) levels, and enhance Aβ aggregation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether previous exposure to different anesthetics induced progression of aMCI. ⋯ Inhaled sevoflurane accelerated the progression of aMCI to progressive MCI in this selected Chinese population.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Preoperative probiotics decrease postoperative infectious complications of colorectal cancer.
The objective is to elucidate the effects of oral bifid triple viable probiotics among patients with colorectal cancer. ⋯ The preoperative oral bifid triple viable probiotics minimize the postoperative occurrence of infectious complications, with possible mechanisms attributed to the maintenance of the intestinal flora and restriction of bacterial translocation from the intestine. It was representative of the enhancement of systemic/localized immunity and concurrent attenuation of systemic stress response.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Serum angiotensin I-converting enzyme levels and the therapeutic effects of octreotide in esophageal variceal hemorrhage.
The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between serum angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) levels and therapeutic effects of octreotide in the treatment of esophageal variceal hemorrhage (EVH) as a result of liver cirrhosis. ⋯ Octreotide treatment in patients with EVH can result in decreased serum ACE levels, which correlated with the dose of octreotide. The decline in serum ACE levels may be involved in the mechanisms by which octreotide lowers portal vein pressure in EVH treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Electromyographic assessment of dexamethasone in treatment of post-tonsillectomy pain: randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Surface electromyographic (sEMG) study of post-tonsillectomy swallow-evoked muscular reactions was performed to assess analgesic properties of dexamethasone. ⋯ If dexamethasone is administered, the reduction of the postoperative pain could be secondary to the reduction of edema. The sEMG might be used for quantitative evaluation of analgesics via assessment of neuromuscular reactions to analgesia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of gemfibrozil, niacin and cholestyramine combination therapy on metabolic syndrome in the Armed Forces Regression Study.
Metabolic syndrome is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular events independent of overt diabetes. Dietary restriction and weight loss modify metabolic syndrome components. This study addresses whether combination pharmacologic therapy focused on dyslipidemia provides additional benefit. ⋯ The combination of gemfibrozil, niacin and cholestyramine has profound, beneficial effects on the components of metabolic syndrome. These benefits are additive to those seen with aggressive diet and lifestyle modification.