Search results for "TF"
showing 10 items of 1652 documents
Transmucosal fentanyl vs intravenous morphine in doses proportional to basal opioid regimen for episodic-breakthrough pain
2007
The use of supplemental doses of opioids is commonly suggested to manage breakthrough pain. A comparative study of intravenous morphine (IV-MO) and oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) given in doses proportional to the basal opioid regimen was performed in 25 cancer patients receiving stable opioid doses. For each episode, when it occurred and 15 and 30 min after the treatment, pain intensity and opioid-related symptoms were recorded. Fifty-three couples of breakthrough events, each treated with IV-MO and OTFC, were recorded. In episodes treated with IV-MO, pain intensity decreased from a mean of 6.9 to 3.3 and to 1.7 at T1 and T2, respectively. In episodes treated with OTFC, pain int…
Postural stability in subjects with whiplash injury symptoms: results of a pilot study
2014
Posturographic tests can be used to assess and confirm the body's imbalance in subjects with whiplash injury. Further studies with larger cohorts are necessary to confirm this pilot study.To verify through a posturographic exam the qualitative and quantitative alterations of postural stability in subjects with previous cervical trauma in comparison with healthy subjects.A total of 42 subjects were analysed for the study; 22 as the control group (NM) and 20 (WM) with a positive anamnesis of whiplash injury from 3 to 12 month from diagnosis through a force platform. Centre of pressure (CoP) movements of the two groups with their eyes open and closed were recorded.During the closed eye test, t…
Biomechanical and skeletal muscle determinants of maximum running speed with aging.
2009
Purpose: Aging diminishes the ability to run fast, but the specific mechanisms responsible for this deterioration remain largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the age-related decline in sprint running ability through a cross-sectional examination of biomechanical and skeletal muscle characteristics in 77 competitive male sprinters aged 17-82 yr. Methods: Ground reaction force (GRF) and kinematic stride cycle parameters were measured during the maximum-velocity phase using a 9.4-m-long force platform. Knee extensor (KE) and ankle plantar flexor (PF) structural characteristics were investigated using ultrasonography and muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis). Force production cha…
Metabolic and psychosocial effects of minimal invasive gastric banding for morbid obesity
2003
Obesity is considered a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease and related mortality. The current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of minimal invasive gastric banding (GB) surgery for reducing caloric intake in morbid obesity, and to analyze the effects of weight loss on body composition and metabolic and psychosocial outcomes. Twenty-six adult severely obese patients (mean body mass index [BMI], 48.1 kg/m(2); range, 42 to 56) underwent adjustable silicone laparoscopic GB. Nine additional obese patients who declined surgery were treated with metformin (2 g daily) and served as a small additional group (BMI, 50.5 kg/m(2); range, 41 to 68). Presurgery and 17 +/- 2.2 months post…
Liraglutide Reduces Oxidative Stress And Restores Heme Oxygenase-1 and Ghrelin Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Pilot Study
2014
Abstract Context: Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 analog and glucose-lowering agent whose effects on cardiovascular risk markers have not been fully elucidated. Objective: We evaluated the effect of liraglutide on markers of oxidative stress, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and plasma ghrelin levels in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Design and Setting: A prospective pilot study of 2 months' duration has been performed at the Unit of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Prevention at University of Palermo, Italy. Patients and Intervention(s): Twenty subjects with T2DM (10 men and 10 women; mean age: 57 ± 13 y) were treated with liraglutide sc (0.6 mg/d for 2 wk, followed by 1.2 mg/d…
Left ventricular hypertrophy in chronic kidney disease: A diagnostic criteria comparison.
2020
Background and aims: CKD patients have a high prevalence of LVH and this leads to an increase of cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and left ventricular geometry in a group of 293 hypertensive patients with stage 2–5 chronic kidney disease (CKD), compared with 289 essential hypertensive patients with normal renal function. Methods and results: All patients underwent echocardiographic examination. Patients on stage 1 CKD, dialysis treatment, or with cardiovascular diseases were excluded. LVH was observed in 62.8% of patients with CKD and in 51.9% of essential hypertensive patients (P < 0.0001). We found increasingl…
Diagnostic accuracy of current sonographic criteria for the detection of outflow abnormalities in the internal jugular veins
2012
Objectives: This study was aimed at evaluation of the diagnostic value of Doppler sonography for the assessment of abnormalities in the internal jugular veins (IJVs). Method: One hundred and sixteen IJVs were assessed in 58 patients with associated multiple sclerosis. Findings of Doppler sonography were compared with results of the reference test: catheter venography. Results: At least one positive extracranial sonographic criterion suggesting venous abnormality was found in 92.2% of the assessed veins. Yet, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of sonography were low: 93.4%, 12.0%, 79.4% and 33.3% for at least one positive criterion, and for at least two positiv…
Extracranial Venous Drainage Pattern in Multiple Sclerosis and Healthy Controls: Application of the 2011 Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Cerebrospina…
2015
The etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is still largely unknown and it has been proposed that an impaired venous drainage from the central nervous system, defined as chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), may play a role in this. We investigated the prevalence of extracranial venous drainage pattern alterations in a cohort of MS patients based on the 2011 revised diagnostic criteria for CCSVI. Thirty-nine MS patients and 18 healthy subjects underwent blinded extra-cranial venous echo-color Doppler sonography to reveal the presence of CCSVI. There was no statistically significant difference between MS patients and healthy controls regarding CCSVI prevalence (p value = 0.53). Th…
Chronic kidney disease as a cardiovascular risk factor.
2020
: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health threat with impact in cardiovascular risk. All forms of cardiovascular disease and mortality are more common in CKD. Treatment of cardiovascular risk factors, hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes is essential for cardiovascular and kidney protection. CKD is a marker of high or very high cardiovascular risk and its presence require early treatment and specific goals. Lifestyle is a pivotal factor, stopping smoking, reducing weight in the overweight or obese, starting regular physical exercise and healthy dietary pattern are recommended. Office BP should be lowered towards 130/80 mmHg or even lower if tolerated with sodium restriction and s…
A telemedicine platform to improve clinical parameters in paranoid schizophrenia patients: Results of a one-year randomized study
2018
Objective The study objective was to test a smartphone-based MONEO platform designed to improve the clinical condition of paranoid schizophrenia patients. Telemedicine treatment is considered to be as effective as traditional treatment in outpatient clinics. Method A total of 290 patients with paranoid schizophrenia in the symptomatic remission state were recruited to this 12-month multicenter, open-label randomized trial. A study group (n = 191) received a smartphone with the MONEO platform installed. Patients conducted cognitive training twice a week. Patients' mental state was assessed every month via teleconference. A placebo group (n = 99) received a platform with functionality limited…