Effect Of Preventive Treatment Research Articles

Comparative study on effects of different treatments in preventing myocardial ischemia caused by coronary artery ligation in diabetic rats

Objective: To compare the preventive effect of treatment with different methods of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) for myocardial ischemia caused by coronary artery ligation in diabetic rats.Methods:Animal models established by streptozotocin plus coronary artery ligation were treated by modified Taoren Chengqi Decoction (MTRCQD) and different combinations of its ingredients respectively, and the effects on ischemia area, occurrence of arrhythmia, T-wave in ECG and 2 hrs post-operational survival rate were observed and compared.Results: MTRCQD and different combinations of its ingredients could reduce the area of ischemia and elevate survival rate significantly (P<0.05–0.01), especially in the group treated with MTRCQD plus leech. Improvement of T-wave was shown in the groups treated with MTRCQD or with MTRCQD plus leech.Conclusion: TCM treatment of invigorating Qi, nourishing Yin, purging Heat and activating blood circulation is an effective treatment for diabetic coronary heart disease.

Effects of octreotide treatment on early TNF-alpha production and localization in experimental chronic colitis.

Colitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNB) is a model of Th1 disease, mainly explored from the third day of induction. It has recently been shown that octreotide and other somatostatin analogues can modify inflammatory/immune processes by acting on cytokines. To examine TNFalpha production and the effect of preventive treatment with octreotide, during the early phase of TNB-colitis. Thirty milligrams TNB with 50% ethanol was instilled into the colon of male Wistar rats. Treated groups received octreotide (2x10 microg x day/rat) or dexamethasone (1x2 mg x day/kg), subcutaneously, with the first injection before TNB. Eight and 80 h later, the colon was excised and processed for histology, TNFalpha immunohistochemistry, quantification of cytokine release ex vivo and tissue-inducible NO synthase (iNOS) activity. Maximal TNFalpha production was observed at the 8th hour, associated with intense immunostaining of the external muscle layer. Octreotide treatment decreased TNFalpha expression (staining and activity) and iNOS activity. At the 80th hour, submucosal macrophages were positive for TNFalpha and colonic production of IL1beta and interferon gamma was increased; all these effects were reduced by octreotide treatment. TNFalpha was expressed early by resident muscle cells, before staining of infiltrated immune cells and increased production of interferon gamma. TNFalpha regulation by octreotide suggests that this drug might exert anti-inflammatory properties via smooth muscle cells.

The effect of first season chemoprophylaxis in calves on second season pasture contamination and acquired resistance and resilience to gastrointestinal nematodes

Two groups of second grazing season cattle, which had been treated with an ivermectin-sustained-release bolus (ISRB) in their first grazing season, were monitored during consecutive years (1995 and 1996) on the same second grazing season pasture. In the preceding year (1994), this pasture had been grazed by yearlings that had not received chemoprophylaxis in their first grazing season. The objectives of the study were, firstly, to investigate whether the chemoprophylactic-treated yearlings were less resistant to gastrointestinal nematodes upon subsequent exposure, and hence excreted more strongyle eggs compared to the control yearlings; secondly, whether an increased susceptibility of the previously treated animals resulted in a yearly increase of the pasture infestation on the second grazing season pasture; and finally, whether this affected the second year weight gain of the animals. In 1996, the yearlings that had been chemoprophylactic-treated in 1995 excreted higher numbers of nematode eggs, compared to the previously `untreated' yearlings. In addition, the proportion of Cooperia larvae was markedly higher in the faecal cultures from the chemoprophylactic treated-animals, suggesting a negative effect of preventive treatment with an ISRB on the acquired resistance of the animals. However, there was no evidence that the slightly higher egg output in the previously treated yearlings had an effect on the larval contamination of the second grazing season pasture. A significant yearly decrease in the second season average daily weight gains was observed, but it could not be inferred from the results of the parasitological parameters that the differences in second year growth were caused by different levels of resilience between chemoprophylactic-treated and -untreated animals. As the study covered three consecutive second grazing seasons, an effect of differences between years (e.g. in weather conditions or grass growth) on the results cannot be excluded.

Effect of preventive treatment for tuberculosis in adults infected with HIV: systematic review of randomised placebo controlled trials

Objective: To determine whether preventive treatment for tuberculosis in adults infected with HIV reduces the frequency of tuberculosis and overall mortality.Design: Systematic review and data synthesis of randomised placebo controlled...

Long-term outcome of migraine.

Migraine prevalence increases from childhood up until 40 years of age, and thereafter declines. Several hypotheses can be advanced to explain the decrease in migraine with advancing age: (i) favorable effect of preventive treatments; (ii) increased mortality in migraineurs (due to higher vulnerability to other fatal diseases); (iii) cohort effect (increased incidence in young subjects); (iv) spontaneous remission. The first two theses are poorly supported by data in the literature. Although a cohort effect may exist, a spontaneous remission of migraine in middle and old age (at least partially due to the loss of sex hormone changes after the menopause in females) is the more likely hypothesis. In a small subgroup of patients (most of them drug abusers), migraine has a "malignant" course and changes into chronic daily headache. The risk factors for a poor outcome of migraine have been little studied. In a case-control study, we found that a history of head trauma and a long duration of contraceptive intake were risk factors for a bad outcome, whilst a long duration of prophylactic treatments had a protective effect.

Economic aspects of treatment with captopril for patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction in The Netherlands.

To estimate the costs and effects of preventive treatment with captopril compared with the current treatment policy in patients with asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction after a myocardial infarction. Estimates of effects are based on the results of the SAVE trial. Costs are estimated on the basis of current treatment patterns in four Dutch hospitals. All knowledge is incorporated in a mathematical model extrapolating the SAVE results to 20 years. Captopril treatment is expected to increase survival at certain costs. The average additional costs per patient are estimated at DF1 2,491 in 4 years and at DF1 8,723 in 20 years of treatment. Costs per additional survivor after 4 years are estimated at DF1 69,126. After extrapolation of the results of the SAVE trial to 20 years, costs per life-year gained can be estimated at DF1 15,799. From univariate sensitivity analysis it appears that the results are highly sensitive for the costs of treatment with captopril and the occurrence and prevention of clinical heart failure. Varying all estimates randomly between upper and lower limits-in 5,000 simulations-an estimate of costs per life-year gained of DF1 15,729 is made for 20 years of treatment, with 95% of all estimates between DF10 and DF1 50, 000. On a national level, undiscounted costs are expected to increase up to approximately DF1 42 million annually during the first 40 years after introduction of the preventative strategy.

NSAID-Induced Gastroduodenal Damage

We have reviewed the effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the gastroduodenal mucosa and then, by means of meta-analysis, have evaluated the results of therapeutical trials in the prevention of NSAID-induced gastroduodenal mucosal damage. We searched the literature through Medline (1980-1990) and through the references of relevant articles. Of 19 trials retrieved by these means, 11 proved eligible for meta-analysis on the basis of eight selection criteria defined a priori. The data included seven studies where the effect of preventive treatment during short-term use of NSAIDs was analyzed and four studies dealing with prevention of mucosal damage in subjects treated with NSAIDs for long periods. Results were expressed in terms of the percentage of patients developing severe mucosal damage or an ulcer during short- and long-term treatment with NSAIDs, respectively. The pooling of the results showed that, during short-term NSAID use, 37% of the subjects developed severe gastric mucosal damage as compared to 12% of subjects given some protective agent. The figures for the duodenum are 13% and 4%, respectively. Owing to the small number of studies on prevention of chronic NSAID-induced gastroduodenal damage, results were not pooled together; misoprostol was shown to be highly effective in reducing the prevalence of gastric ulcer, and ranitidine prevented the occurrence of duodenal but not gastric ulcer. Despite these positive results, there is no proof that protective agents should be recommended to the general population requiring NSAIDs therapy. Nor is there yet evidence that taking a protective agent will avoid the complications of NSAIDs, such as bleeding or perforation.

Febrile Seizures: A Revisit to an Old Problem

Febrile seizures are a common clinical problem occurring in about 3% of children. They recur in about 30% to 40% of patients, particularly in those whose initial seizure occurs before one year of age. There is very little risk of epilepsy, neurological deficit or mental retardation to justify long term phenobarbitone therapy. Intermittent prophylactic therapy with oral or rectal diazepam at time of subsequent fever, has been found to be useful. Emphasis should be placed on parental counselling and education.

Caries in fissures of permanent first molars as a predictor for caries increment.

A group of 268 children were checked for caries experience at the age of 7.2 yr later at the age of 9 and 4 yr later at the age of 11 yr. Caries experience of fissures in permanent first molars at the age of 7 yr served as a screening criterion for caries increment between the ages of 7 and 11 yr. This screening resulted in a sensitivity of 0.62, a specificity of 0.82, and a diagnostic power of 0.83 for total caries increment in the permanent dentition and in a sensitivity of 0.68, a specificity of 0.80, and a diagnostic power of 0.78 for caries increment in fissures of permanent first molars. It was concluded that this screening offered the best method available for identifying children at risk from fissure caries in their permanent first molars. Cost effectiveness of preventive treatment directed towards individuals, for instance the application of fissure sealants, can be improved by using this screening method.

Method for the measurement of susceptibility to decubitus ulcer formation.

A method for measuring the susceptibility of a patient to develop decubitus ulcers is described and initially evaluated. It is based on an indirect, noninvasive measurement of the transient regional blood flow response after a test pressure load which simulates the external stimulus for pressure-sore formation. This method was developed to determine the individual risk of a patient and to study the subfactors which contribute to the susceptibility. This would also offer the possibility of evaluating the effect of preventive treatment aimed at reducing the susceptibility. The method was found to discriminate between preselected elderly patients at risk on the one hand, and non-risk patients and healthy young adults on the other hand. No differences in blood flow responses were found between the non-risk elderly patients and the healthy young adults. This suggests that age per se is not a factor in the formation of pressure sores. In the risk group the recovery time after pressure relief was found to be three times as long as the duration of the pressure exercise. This indicates that the recovery time after pressure exercise may be as important as the period of pressure exercise in deducing the risk of developing decubitus ulcers.

Letter: Isoniazid and cancer risks.

To the Editor.— The question of the potential carcinogenicity of isoniazid, raised by Dr. Carolyn T. Miller of the University of Ottawa (230:1254, 1974), is of serious concern. Dr. Miller has kindly agreed to make her data available to the Center for Disease Control for careful study by our staff. Meanwhile, we are reviewing the current status of persons who had isoniazid for preventive therapy some years ago in studies conducted by the Public Health Service. We have kept up a periodic review of long-term results, not only of the continued effectiveness of preventive treatment in tuberculosis, but also for any indication that there might be delayed adverse effects, such as cancer. To now, we have seen no indication of a carcinogenic effect. Tuberculosis mortality and morbidity continue to decline, and we hope to see that decline accelerated in the coming years with vigorous application of effective chemotherapy for those who

Method of Measuring the Effectiveness of Preventive Treatment in Reducing Morbidity

Method of Measuring the Effectiveness of Preventive Treatment in Reducing Morbidity C. A. Sargent, and Margaret Merrell CopyRight*Paper from the New York State Health Department and from the Department of Biostatistics, School of Hygiene and Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, No. 213. Read before the Epidemiology Section of the American Public Health Association at the Sixty-ninth Annual Meeting in Detroit, Mich., October 11, 1940. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.30.12.1431 Published Online: August 29, 2011