Articles: disease.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Tamoxifen for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A randomized double-blind clinical trial.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common cause of motor neuron disease, and effective treatment for ALS is still lacking. Transactive response (TAR) -DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43) is aggregated in the neurons of ALS patients. Animal studies shown TDP-43 aggregation can be attenuated by enhancing autophagy by tamoxifen. However, its beneficial effects for ALS patients remain unknown. ⋯ Tamoxifen exerted only a modest effect on attenuate progression for 6 months in this small trial. Additional larger scale studies should be necessary to confirm whether enhancing autophagy can attenuate ALS progression.
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Case Reports
Rehabilitative management of an infant with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease: A case report.
Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) is an X-linked recessive trait and a rare disease characterized by abnormal myelin formation in the central nervous system. Since Pelizaeus and Merzbacher reported the pathology of PMD in the 1990s most studies have examined pharmacological treatments. No studies have reported the effects of rehabilitation on patients with PMD aimed at improving their functional abilities. We report the first case of improved development after rehabilitation in a patient with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease. ⋯ Rehabilitation training can help PMD patients achieve maximal function and catch-up in their growth.
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Lephalale Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa, has seen significant economic and industrial development owing to expansion of the coal mining and power generation sectors. This development has coincided with substantial population growth of 65% between 2001 and 2016, attributable to largely (migrant) males living in the area who, overall, outnumbered females by ~121:100. The local HIV prevalence is reported to be higher than national rates. ⋯ Lower median CD4+ counts and a dramatic increase in volumes of CD4+ tests performed from 2007 onwards revealed a high burden of advanced and very advanced HIV disease in patients accessing care in Lephalale. Viewed together with Statistics South Africa census documentation of a disproportionately high number of males compared with females living in the area, these figures suggest that improved systems are urgently needed to encourage and accommodate access to HIV care for male (migrant worker) patients living and working in emerging industrial centres.
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Observational Study
The impact of tamsulosin on cognition in Alzheimer disease with benign prostate hyperplasia: A study using the Hallym Smart Clinical Data Warehouse.
Studies suggest that the use of alpha-blockers increases the risk of dementia in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Due to study limitations, the relationship between the use of alpha-blockers, such as tamsulosin, and the risk of dementia is still unclear. However, alpha1-adrenoreceptors are also present in the brain, so there is potential for adverse effects on cognitive function. ⋯ After propensity score matching, clinical characteristics such as educational attainment and vascular risk factors were similar in the tamsulosin and no-medication groups. The MMSE scores did not differ significantly between the tamsulosin and no-medication groups (P = .470). The results suggest that tamsulosin for BPH is not associated with worsening of the cognitive decline in patients with AD.
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Review Case Reports
Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis: A case report and review of the literature.
Acquired reactive perforating collagenosis (ARPC) is a rare skin disorder, which is associated with various internal diseases and even malignant neoplasms. A comprehensive knowledge of the concomitant diseases in ARPC patients is helpful to decrease the misdiagnosis. Although the treatment of ARPC is challenging, systemic assessment of existing regimens is not available. ⋯ We present a case of ARPC associated with T2DM, CRF, and hypothyroidism, which has rarely been described. There is no standardized treatment for ARPC. Co-administration of two or more agents for dermatologic interventions and treatment for associated diseases may help to improve skin symptoms.