Clinical
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Lactobacillus casei Supplementation Improves Inflammatory Markers and Disease Activity Scores in Rheumatoid Arthritis
In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei 01 was provided to women with rheumatoid arthritis at a dosage of 108 colony forming units for a period of 8 weeks and compared to a placebo treatment. Disease activity score and levels of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-12 were found to be significantly decreased at the end of the intervention. Additional parameters of state and trait anxiety were also evaluated and were not significantly altered by therapies.
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Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Crohn’s Disease
This randomized, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that acupuncture and moxibustion treatment in patients with Crohn’s disease significantly improved the patient’s CD symptoms, quality of life, mucosal inflammation, serum hemoglobin, and C-reactive protein levels compared to the control group.
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Live Longer: Substitute in Whole Grains
When adjusted for possible confounding variables, this analysis of U.S. men and women found an association between higher whole grain intake and lower mortality from all causes, including cardiovascular disease, but no association for cancer mortality.
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The Disruptive Effects of Tablet Readers on Sleep Patterns
The use of light-emitting tablet devices prior to bedtime negatively impacts sleep patterns through disturbances in circadian rhythms.
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Endovascular Intracranial Clot Extraction Benefits Are Confirmed in Two More Clinical Trials
On April 17, 2015, the New England Journal of Medicine published the results of two randomized clinical trials of endovascular stent-retriever clot extraction for ischemic stroke, simultaneous with their presentation at the European Stroke Conference. These two studies, added to those presented and published at the International Stroke Conference in February, bring the total number of studies to five that have shown dramatic benefits of this therapy in appropriately selected patients with acute ischemic stroke.
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Hypothermia after Acute Traumatic Brain Injury Revisited
Hypothermia therapy is effective after severe traumatic brain injury for patients ages 50 years and younger. However, mortality was increased in patients treated with hypothermia who had diffuse injury with swelling on CT.
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Is Early MRI Warranted for Back Pain in the Elderly?
In an analysis of a large dataset from several large integrated health care systems of patients older than 65 years of age with new-onset low back pain, early spine imaging did not alter management or outcomes, but added considerable cost to their care.
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Does Traumatic Brain Injury Cause Sleep Disruption?
In a well-designed animal model of traumatic brain injury, a sleep disorder was induced that resembles, in many ways, what is observed in spontaneous human narcolepsy.
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Relationship Between Brain MRI Biomarkers and Cognition
In a prospective, longitudinal, cohort study of an asymptomatic, multi-ethnic Dallas community, brain MRI biomarkers measuring volume were associated with cognitive functions, as measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.
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Neurologic Disease and Criminal Behavior – A Medicolegal Conundrum
Patients with frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia, and Huntington’s disease exhibited antisocial and/or criminal behavior.