Lancet
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Comparison of Edmonston-Zagreb and Schwarz strains of measles vaccine given by aerosol or subcutaneous injection.
The serological response to measles vaccine was tested in Bangladesh in groups of infants aged 4-6 months who received equal doses of Edmonston-Zagreb or Schwarz vaccine by subcutaneous injection or by aerosol. Seroconversion (as measured by the haemagglutination test) occurred in 62% of infants receiving Edmonston-Zagreb strain by injection compared with only 37% of those receiving Schwarz strain. Seroconversion occurred in 35% of those given Edmonston-Zagreb and 34% of those given Schwarz vaccine by aerosol. Edmonston-Zagreb strain appears more effective than Schwarz vaccine in this population and further studies are indicated in other populations where early measles immunisation is desirable.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Randomised trial of fentanyl anaesthesia in preterm babies undergoing surgery: effects on the stress response.
In a randomised controlled trial, preterm babies undergoing ligation of a patent ductus arteriosus were given nitrous oxide and d-tubocurarine, with (n = 8) or without (n = 8) the addition of fentanyl (10 micrograms/kg intravenously) to the anaesthetic regimen. Major hormonal responses to surgery, as indicated by changes in plasma adrenaline, noradrenaline, glucagon, aldosterone, corticosterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, and 11-deoxycortisol levels, in the insulin/glucagon, molar ratio, and in blood glucose, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations were significantly greater in the non-fentanyl than in the fentanyl group. ⋯ Compared with the fentanyl group, the non-fentanyl group had circulatory and metabolic complications postoperatively. The findings indicate that preterm babies mount a substantial stress response to surgery under anaesthesia with nitrous oxide and curare and that prevention of this response by fentanyl anaesthesia may be associated with an improved postoperative outcome.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Multicentre double-blind study of effect of intrathecally administered natural human fibroblast interferon on exacerbations of multiple sclerosis.
In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-year multicentre study intrathecally administered natural human fibroblast interferon (IFN-B) was effective in reducing exacerbations of multiple sclerosis (MS) in patients with exacerbating/remitting disease. The mean reduction in exacerbation rate of 34 patients who received IFN-B (recipients) was significantly greater during the study than that of 35 patients who received placebo (p less than 0.04). ⋯ IFN-B was well tolerated in 95% of the recipients, and the side-effects experienced were clearly acceptable for the benefits achieved. Low doses of indomethacin reduced the toxicity of IFN-B and played an important role in successful double-blinding.