Efficacy

Hypersensitivity to CGRP as a Predictive Biomarker for Migraine Prevention with Erenumab ABSTRACT Background: This study aimed to assess the predictive value of CGRP-induced migraine attacks for the effectiveness of erenumab treatment in individuals with migraine. Methods: 139 participants with migraine underwent a 20-minute infusion with CGRP, followed by a 24-week treatment period with erenumab. The primary endpoints were the predictive value of CGRP-induced migraine attacks on the effectiveness of erenumab, defined as a ≥50% reduction in monthly migraine days or a ≥50% reduction in either monthly migraine or monthly headache days of moderate to severe intensity. Results: Among participants… ➡️➡️➡️

Longitudinal Neurofunctional Changes in Medication Overuse Headache Patients After Mindfulness Practice Key Findings Mindfulness practice, when added to standard medication, led to significant reduction in headache frequency and improvement in clinical variables in Chronic Migraine associated with Medication Overuse Headache (CM-MOH) patients. The study revealed that patients practicing mindfulness showed increased functional connectivity in brain networks associated with pain perception, body-awareness, and cognitive processing of pain information. Practical Solutions and Value These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of mindfulness in managing chronic pain and negative emotions in CM-MOH patients. Clinical Trial Benefits Clinical trials are essential for developing safe and… ➡️➡️➡️

Efficacy of Green Tea Extract Cream on Improvement of Striae Distensae Introduction Striae distensae is a skin condition that often leads to dermatological consultations, causing itch and burning sensation. Green tea extract, containing polyphenols, amino acids, and minerals, has been suggested to improve stretch marks by reducing inflammation, increasing collagen production, fibroblast proliferation, and skin hydration. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of 3% green tea extract cream on striae distensae. Methods A clinical trial involving 36 subjects with striae distensae applied 3% green tea extract cream for eight weeks. The severity of striae distensae was assessed before and after treatment… ➡️➡️➡️

Are Dutch Adults Equally Susceptible to Nudging and Pricing Strategies for Healthier Diets? Practical Findings from the Supreme Nudge Supermarket Trial Supermarket interventions aimed at promoting healthier dietary patterns were studied to see if their effectiveness differed based on psychological and grocery shopping characteristics. Findings from the 12-month trial involving Dutch-speaking adults aged 30-80 years and regular shoppers in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods revealed that the interventions did not have an overall effect on diet quality. Stratified analyses showed no significant effects on diet quality for certain subgroups, and small, statistically non-significant negative effects for others. These negative effects were suggested… ➡️➡️➡️

Expanding Access to Malaria Diagnosis and Treatment Results from a Cluster Randomized Trial in Madagascar Global progress on malaria control has faced challenges in providing universal access to malaria diagnosis and treatment. Community health workers (CHWs) can improve access to malaria care for children under 5 years (CU5), but are often not permitted to treat older individuals. A trial in rural Madagascar assessed the impact of expanding malaria community case management (mCCM) to all ages on health care access and use. Thirty health centers and their associated CHWs were randomized to mCCM for all ages (intervention) or mCCM for CU5… ➡️➡️➡️

Preventive Effect of Prenatal Maternal Oral Probiotic Supplementation on Neonatal Jaundice (POPS Study): A Protocol for the Randomised Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Abstract Neonatal jaundice is a common and life-threatening health problem in newborns due to an excess of bilirubin. Gut flora may influence bilirubin metabolism, and the infant gut microbiome is often similar to the maternal gut. Maternal gut dysbiosis during pregnancy can be stabilized by probiotic supplementation. This study aims to evaluate the effect of prenatal maternal probiotic supplementation on the incidence of neonatal jaundice. Methods and Analysis This is a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 94… ➡️➡️➡️

Comparative Study on Treatment of Facial Vitiligo Published in Arch Dermatol Res. 2024 Jun 8;316(7):350 Loss and absence of melanocytes due to various factors lead to vitiligo, the most common pigmentation disorder. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness and safety of two treatments for facial vitiligo: excimer light with topical tacrolimus ointment 0.1% and excimer light with topical bimatoprost gel 0.01%. 48 patients with facial vitiligo participated in the study, with 24 patients in each treatment group. Clinical improvement based on the quartile grading scale at the end of treatment did not show any statistically significant difference between the… ➡️➡️➡️

Study on the Effect of Multiple Subcisions on Rolling Acne Scars Summary Acne scarring can greatly impact quality of life. Current treatments have limitations, but the subcision technique shows promise for treating rolling acne scars. This study evaluated the effects of multiple subcision treatments compared to no treatment. Methods Five patients with rolling acne scars on both sides of their face were enrolled. One side received treatment while the other side received no treatment. Subjects underwent five sequential subcision treatments, spaced 4 weeks apart, with follow-up visits at weeks 20 and 36. Assessments were done by the subjects, a blinded… ➡️➡️➡️

Clinical Trial Results: Long-pulsed nd: YAG Laser Treatment for Nail Psoriasis Overview Nail psoriasis is a challenging condition associated with significant impact on quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of long-pulsed 1064 nm Nd: YAG laser treatment for fingernail psoriasis using clinical and ultrasonographic assessments. Key Findings After three monthly treatment sessions, nails treated with Nd: YAG laser showed significant improvement in various measures compared to baseline, including NAPSI score, plate definition, matrix thickness, bed thickness, and bed vascularity. Ultrasonographic assessments also revealed positive changes in the treated nails. Conclusion The study concluded that Nd: YAG… ➡️➡️➡️

Effects of Intensive Lifestyle Changes on Alzheimer’s Disease Progression Background Research suggests that lifestyle factors may impact Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study is the first of its kind to investigate whether intensive lifestyle changes can positively influence the progression of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early dementia due to AD. Methods This phase 2 trial involved individuals aged 45-90 with MCI or early dementia due to AD. Participants underwent a 20-week intensive multidomain lifestyle intervention compared to a wait-list usual care control group. The study assessed changes in cognitive and functional tests, plasma biomarkers, and the correlation between lifestyle and… ➡️➡️➡️

Dapagliflozin Reduces Systemic Inflammation in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Key Findings: Dapagliflozin, a medication for type 2 diabetes, was found to reduce plasma IL-1B and increase ketone levels, indicating a potential anti-inflammatory effect. The drug also showed no change in PBMC mitochondrial respiration, suggesting a positive impact on inflammation. Practical Solutions and Value: This clinical trial provides evidence of the potential benefits of dapagliflozin in reducing systemic inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes, which could have implications for improving cardiovascular outcomes. The findings highlight the practical value of this medication in managing inflammation in diabetic patients without known… ➡️➡️➡️

Dose Escalation of Tolinapant in Combination with Chemoradiotherapy for Cervical Cancer Practical Solutions and Value Cervical cancer is a significant health concern, and the standard treatment has limitations. Tolinapant, an IAP antagonist, has shown promise in preclinical studies when combined with cisplatin and radiotherapy. The CRAIN trial aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of tolinapant when administered with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The study will involve up to 42 newly diagnosed cervix cancer patients from six UK secondary care sites. Treatment will consist of standard chemoradiotherapy with weekly cisplatin, along with tolinapant administered in fixed dose capsules on alternate weeks during… ➡️➡️➡️

Study Summary This clinical trial compared the effects of three different intracanal medicaments on postoperative pain and flare-up in patients with posttreatment apical periodontitis (PTAP) undergoing retreatment. Study Participants 120 patients with single-rooted teeth and single-canal PTAP, without spontaneous pain or swellings, were randomly divided into three groups. Interventions Patients received one of the following intracanal medicaments after removal of previous root canal fillings and re-instrumentation: calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH)2), chlorhexidine gel (CHX), or a combination of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine gel. Results No significant differences were found in postoperative pain scores between the groups. However, patients aged 35-49 showed… ➡️➡️➡️

Exploring Relationships with Food After Dietary Intervention in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Qualitative Analysis from the PRIMe Trial Abstract Purpose: Patients with cancer often face nutritional challenges and muscle mass loss. This study aimed to understand how participation in the PRIMe trial affected patients’ relationships with food. Methods: Patients with colorectal cancer participated in semi-structured interviews about their experience implementing dietary modifications. Data from 26 patients were included and qualitative content analysis was applied. Results: Five key themes emerged, providing deeper insights into patients’ relationship with food after the trial. Conclusion: The study explored the emotional and psychological effects… ➡️➡️➡️

Study Title: Saccharomyces boulardii Combined with Triple Therapy for H. pylori Infection Key Findings: A clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of combining Saccharomyces boulardii powder with triple therapy for eradicating H. pylori infection in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia. The study included 144 patients and monitored microbial composition, eradication rates, symptom alleviation, and adverse reactions. Results: The combination of Saccharomyces boulardii with triple therapy showed promising results, with a higher eradication rate of 93.18% in the BRAC group compared to 75% in the SRAC group and 65.2% in the RAC group. Patients receiving Saccharomyces boulardii treatment also experienced a reduction in… ➡️➡️➡️

Impact of Additional Copies of Chromosome 1 Long Arm in Multiple Myeloma Patients Key Findings: Patients with amplification (Amp1q, ≥4 copies of 1q) or gain (Gain1q, 3 copies of 1q) of chromosome 1 long arm (1q) may experience different outcomes and biology compared to those with normal 1q. Presence of Amp1q significantly hampered median progression-free survival (PFS), while Gain1q patients also had a shorter PFS compared to those with normal 1q. Amp1q patients with additional poor prognostic factors or failure to achieve MRD negativity had a median PFS of less than 12 months. Treatment with carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone plus autologous stem cell… ➡️➡️➡️

OpTAT Trial: Improving Adherence to Oral Anticancer Therapies Summary A pharmacist-led program improved patient adherence to oral anticancer therapies, specifically implementation, among patients with solid cancers. The program included monthly electronic and motivational feedback, educational support, and behavioral components over 12 months. Key Findings Patients in the intervention arm showed consistently higher day-by-day medication implementation compared to the control arm. The intervention did not significantly impact persistence, adherence, beliefs about medicines, or quality of life scores. However, it benefited certain patient groups, including men, those younger than 60 years, and those without metastasis. Implications Longer-term medication adherence interventions in clinical… ➡️➡️➡️

Lung Cancer Screening Intervention Trial Key Findings Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in the US, but early detection through screening improves outcomes. A nonrandomized controlled trial assessed a multifaceted intervention’s impact on identifying and completing recommended lung cancer screening (LCS) services. Study Details The trial involved patients aged 55 to 80 years with a history of smoking. The intervention was conducted at primary care and pulmonary clinics in Salt Lake City, Utah, using an electronic health record system. Interventions and Outcomes Period 1 interventions for clinicians included reminders and decision-making tools, leading to increased monthly rates of LCS care… ➡️➡️➡️

Study Results: Subcision with and without Suction for Acne Scars Overview Therapeutic options for acne scars were compared in a randomized control trial. The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of subcision alone versus subcision with suction for treating facial acne scars. Findings The study found that subjects perceived the combination treatment as working more quickly than monotherapy. At 1-month, the mean subject-assessed percent improvement for subcision-suction was higher than that for subcision alone (37% versus 24%). Subjects also preferred the combination therapy to monotherapy at both 1-month and 4-month assessment points. Conclusion Although blinded raters did not detect significant… ➡️➡️➡️

Systemic Antibiotics for Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infection in Outpatients with Lung Diseases: Clinical Trial Results Background The study aimed to determine the impact of dual systemic antibiotic therapy on Pseudomonas aeruginosa in outpatients with COPD, non-CF bronchiectasis, or asthma. Methods The trial was conducted at seven respiratory outpatient clinics in Denmark. Outpatients with pre-existing lung diseases and P. aeruginosa-positive lower respiratory tract culture were eligible. They were assigned to receive 14 days of dual systemic anti-pseudomonal antibiotics or no antibiotic treatment. Results The trial was stopped prematurely due to lack of recruitment during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the antibiotic group showed… ➡️➡️➡️