Plos One
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized pilot trial for the efficacy of the MMF07 foot massager and heat therapy for restless legs syndrome.
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor condition with a wide range of severity. Symptoms negatively affect sleep and quality of life. Pharmacologic options are not universally effective and side effects are common. Objective data regarding non-pharmacologic treatment is limited. The study objective was to evaluate the efficacy of the MMF07 foot massager and heat therapy on the severity of RLS symptoms. ⋯ Results suggest that the MMF07 foot massage device and heat therapy may be feasible and effective treatment options to improve RSL symptoms.
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Observational Study
Evaluation of current practice of antimicrobial use and clinical outcome of patients with pneumonia at a tertiary care hospital in Ethiopia: A prospective observational study.
Antimicrobial resistance, which is commonly observed in the management of pneumonia, is a major threat to public health and is driven by inappropriate antimicrobial use. The aim of this study was therefore to assess the current practice of antimicrobial utilization and clinical outcomes in the management of adult pneumonia at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. ⋯ Antimicrobials are empirically prescribed without sufficient evidence of indication and microbiological or radiological findings. The practice also is not based on local guidelines and no multidisciplinary approach is apparent. [How about: "It is likely that these factors contributed to higher rates of mortality (18.5%) when compared with similar studies in other countries" instead of this "As a result, there were higher rates of mortality (18.5%) when compared with other similar studies"]. Hence, the hospital requires a coordinated intervention to improve rational use of antimicrobials and clinical outcomes through establishing an antimicrobial stewardship program.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Evaluation of usefulness in surfactant protein D as a predictor of mortality in myositis-associated interstitial lung disease.
Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is considered a serum biomarker of various forms of interstitial lung disease (ILD). In this study, we examined the utility of SP-D as a predictive biomarker for mortality in patients with ILD associated with polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) using large-scale multicentre cohort data. ⋯ Serum SP-D levels behave differently among patients with stratified by anti-MDA5 antibody, anti-ARS antibody and both negativity in PM/DM-associated ILD. Its use in clinical practice should be applied with caution on the basis of the presence or absence of anti-MDA5 antibody or anti-ARS antibody.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Assessment of the sublingual microcirculation with the GlycoCheck system: Reproducibility and examination conditions.
The glycocalyx is an extracellular layer lining the lumen of the vascular endothelium, protecting the endothelium from shear stress and atherosclerosis and contributes to coagulation, immune response and microvascular perfusion. The GlycoCheck system estimates glycocalyx' thickness in vessels under the tongue from perfused boundary region (PBR) and microvascular perfusion (red blood cell (RBC) filling) via a camera and dedicated software. ⋯ Measurements with the GlycoCheck system have a moderate reproducibility, but highly increases with multiple measurements and a small day-to-day variability. Smoking, meal and coffee intake had effects up to 180 minutes, abstinence is recommended at least 180 minutes before GlycoCheck measurements. Future studies should standardise conditions during measurements.
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Observational Study
Distribution and predictive performance of the temporal phase of dynamic spot sign appearance in acute intracerebral hemorrhage.
Dynamic CT angiography (dCTA) contrast extravasation, known as the "dynamic spot sign", can predict hematoma expansion (HE) in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Recent reports suggest the phase of spot sign appearance is related to the magnitude of HE. We used dCTA to explore the association between the phase of spot sign appearance and HE, clinical outcome, and contrast extravasation rates. ⋯ Our exploratory analyses suggest that spot sign appearance in the arterial phase may be more likely associated with HE and poorer prognosis in ICH. This may be related to higher extravasation rates of arterial phase spot signs. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm the findings.