British medical bulletin
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Yaws, caused by Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue, is endemic in parts of West Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The WHO has launched a campaign based on mass treatment with azithromycin, to eradicate yaws by 2020. ⋯ Studies to complete baseline mapping, integrate diagnostic tests into surveillance and assess the impact of community mass treatment with azithromycin are ongoing.
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2015
ReviewEfficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for orthopedic conditions: a systematic review on studies listed in the PEDro database.
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is an effective and safe non-invasive treatment option for tendon and other pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. ⋯ Future randomized controlled trials should primarily address systematic tests of the aforementioned optimum treatment protocol and direct comparisons between radial and focused ESWT.
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Theoretical advantages of endoscopic cubital tunnel release are the short incision, lower risk of nerve damage, reduced manipulation of the nerve and possible faster recovery. ⋯ There is a need to perform randomized clinical trials with common and validated scoring system with a longer duration of follow-up. The literature pertinent to endoscopic cubital tunnel release is lacking in the evaluation of the learning curve. Further investigations are necessary to assess the role of ulnar nerve instability.
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2015
ReviewHuman embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells in clinical trials.
Human embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells (hESC and hiPSC) have tremendous potential for clinical implementation. In spite of all hurdles and controversy, clinical trials in treatment of spinal cord injury, macular degeneration of retina, type 1 diabetes and heart failure are already ongoing. ⋯ Development of hESC- and/or iPSC-based cellular therapy for other diseases.
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British medical bulletin · Jan 2015
ReviewPotential compounds for the treatment of mitochondrial disease.
Mitochondrial diseases are a group of heterogeneous disorders for which no curative therapy is currently available. Several drugs are currently being pursued as candidates to correct the underlying biochemistry that causes mitochondrial dysfunction. ⋯ Drug development teams should continue to screen existing and novel compound libraries for therapeutics that can enhance mitochondrial function. Therapies for mitochondrial disorders could hold potential cures for a myriad of other ailments associated with mitochondrial dysfunction such as neurodegenerative diseases.