Cochrane Db Syst Rev
-
Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2003
ReviewCervical stitch (cerclage) for preventing pregnancy loss in women.
A cervical stitch has been used to prevent preterm deliveries in women with previous second trimester pregnancy losses, or other risk factors such as short cervix on digital or ultrasound examination. ⋯ The use of a cervical stitch should not be offered to women at low or medium risk of mid trimester loss, regardless of cervical length by ultrasound. The role of cervical cerclage for women who have short cervix on ultrasound remains uncertain as the numbers of randomised women are too few to draw firm conclusions. There is no information available as to the effect of cervical cerclage or its alternatives on the family unit and long term outcome.
-
Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2003
ReviewAmino acids for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / motor neuron disease.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as motor neuron disease, is a progressive neuromuscular disease that causes disability and eventual death. Various amino acid preparations, the three branched-chain amino acids (L-leucine, L-valine and L-isoleucine) or, alternatively, L-threonine have been used as experimental therapy. ⋯ There is no evidence to support a beneficial effect of either branched-chain amino acids or L-threonine in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease.
-
Cochrane Db Syst Rev · Jan 2003
ReviewOral immunoglobulin for the prevention of rotavirus infection in low birth weight infants.
Rotavirus infection is the most common neonatal nosocomial viral infection. Epidemics with the newer P(6)G9 strains have been reported in neonatal units worldwide. These strains can cause severe symptoms in infected infants. Infection control measures become necessary and the utilisation of hospital resources increase. Local mucosal immunity in the intestine to rotavirus is important in the resolution of infection and protection against subsequent infections. Boosting local immunity by oral administration of anti-rotaviral immunoglobulin preparations might be a useful strategy in preventing rotaviral infections, especially in low birth weight babies. ⋯ Current evidence from one randomised controlled trial does not support the routine use of oral immunoglobulin preparations for the prevention of rotavirus infection in low birth-weight infants. However, newer immunoglobulin preparations which have been found to be effective in older children have not been tested in neonatal trials. Therefore, researchers should be encouraged to conduct well designed trials in neonates at risk for rotavirus infections using the newer preparations of anti-rotaviral immunoglobulins (colostrum, egg yolk immunoglobulins). Such trials should also include cost effectiveness evaluations.
-
Abnormal involuntary movements known as dyskinesias are amongst the most disabling side-effects of levodopa therapy. It is thought that amantadine, an NMDA-receptor antagonist, may reduce dyskinesias in patients with Parkinson's disease without worsening Parkinsonian symptoms. ⋯ Due to lack of evidence it is impossible to determine whether amantadine is a safe and effective form of treatment for levodopa-induced dyskinesias in patients with Parkinson's disease.
-
It is generally accepted that taxanes are among the most active chemotherapy agents in the management of metastatic breast cancer. ⋯ When all trials are considered, taxane-containing regimens appear to improve overall survival, time to progression and overall response in women with metastatic breast cancer. The degree of heterogeneity encountered indicates that taxane-containing regimens are more effective than some, but not all non-taxane-containing regimens.