British medical bulletin
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2011
ReviewThe evidence of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for in vitro, animal and human fracture healing.
Physical stimulation therapies are currently available to enhance fracture healing. ⋯ There is heterogeneity among in vitro, animal studies and their application to human studies. Further randomized controlled trials of high methodological quality are needed.
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2011
ReviewWill stem cell therapies be safe and effective for treating spinal cord injuries?
A large number of different cells including embryonic and adult stem cells have been transplanted into animal models of spinal cord injury, and in many cases these procedures have resulted in modest sensorimotor benefits. In October 2010 the world's first clinical trial using human embryonic stem cells began, using stem cells converted into oligodendrocyte precursor cells. ⋯ Transplantation of cells into animals with a long lifespan is important to determine whether or not tumours will eventually form. It will also be important to determine whether long-term survival of cells is required for functional recovery, and if so, how many are optimal.
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During the past decades several rating scales have been developed to assess the functional status of patients with low back pain. ⋯ Further studies are required to evaluate the reliability, validity and sensitivity of the low back pain scoring systems used in the common clinical practice.
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2010
ReviewPulmonary hypertension: advances in pathogenesis and treatment.
Pulmonary hypertension is an orphan disease that until recently has received limited attention within the wider medical community. This has changed distinctly in the last 10 years with the advent of new classes of therapy and a renewed interest in mechanisms of pathogenesis. ⋯ We will discuss interesting new concepts in pathogenesis, including the importance of genetic forms of the disease and in particular the transforming growth factor receptor superfamily and the evolving evidence of the contribution of dysregulated immunity. Areas of research may yield therapeutic benefits in the not-too-distant future, including anti-proliferative therapies and stem cell therapy.
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2010
Review Meta AnalysisExtracorporeal cardiac mechanical stimulation: precordial thump and precordial percussion.
External cardiac mechanical stimulation is one of the fastest resuscitative manoeuvres possible in the emergency setting. Precordial thump (PT), initially reported for treatment of atrio-ventricular block, has been subsequently described to cardiovert also ventricular tachycardia (VT) and fibrillation (VF). PT efficacy, mechanics and mechanisms remain poorly characterized. ⋯ The 2005 ALS guidelines recommend PT delivery only by healthcare professionals trained in the technique. The use of training aids should therefore be explored, regardless of whether they are based on stand-alone devices or integrated within resuscitation mannequins.