METHODS: Thirty consented adult patients who underwent craniotomy were randomly allocated into two groups of 15 patients each. The non-balanced group received 0.9% normal saline while the balanced group received Sterofundin®ISO as the intraoperative fluid for maintenance. Biochemical indices for acid-base balance and serum electrolytes were analyzed periodically.
RESULTS: In the non-balanced group, significant changes were noted in the pH, base excess and bicarbonate values over time compared to its respective baseline values (P<0.01). Four patients (27.7%) also developed a pH<7.35 and 5 patients (33.3%) developed marked acidosis with base excess sodium and chloride levels were also significantly higher compared to its baseline values respectively (142.6±2.4 versus 138±2.7 mmol/L, P<0.01 and 105.7±4.1 versus 113.2±3.0 mmol/L (P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: A balanced solution (Sterofundin®ISO) provided significantly better control over acid-base balance, sodium and chloride levels when used as intraoperative fluid maintenance and replacement during elective neurosurgery.
METHODS: In this randomized, multi-arm parallel single-centre trial, 73 diabetics with dry eye disease (30 female and 43 male) aged 18 to 50 years were recruited. They were randomly assigned to four weeks of treatment of either TI 0.5 unit/drop, AT or NS four times per day. Tear sample analysis and clinical parameters of dry eye (Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal Oxford score and Schirmers test) were evaluated at baseline and four weeks later. Objective clinical parameters for corneal Oxford score and tear break-up time were assessed by two masked investigators.
RESULTS: Significant reduction was seen in all inflammatory biomarkers (IL-1a, IL-6 and MMP-9) in all treatment groups at 4 weeks. In addition, inflammatory biomarkers demonstrated a significant reduction with TI (p
METHODOLOGY: Patients with GERD and a control group of healthy asymptomatic volunteers were recruited. All subjects underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and the acid-saline perfusion test. Symptomatic ERD and NERD patients were given rabeprazole 20 mg twice daily for 2 weeks and their response to treatment assessed.
RESULTS: A total of 105 subjects were recruited: ERD=37 (symptomatic=24, asymptomatic=13), NERD=34 and controls=34. During saline perfusion, only the NERD group recorded a significantly higher sensitivity score compared to controls (2.74±7.28 vs. 0) (p=0.035). During acid perfusion, symptomatic ERD (15.42±13.42) and NERD (16.71±15.04) had significantly higher scores versus controls and asymptomatic ERD patients (both p<0.001). The mean %∆ reflux symptom score following treatment was significantly higher in symptomatic ERD patients compared to NERD patients (89.08±21.67 vs. 58.53±32.54; p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Patients with NERD were a generally hypersensitive group while asymptomatic ERD patients represent a hyposensitive group of patients which merits further study.
Methods: Seeds of T. ammi were extracted using three different solvents n-hexane, chloroform, and methanol by using soxhlet apparatus. To assess the immunomodulatory effect, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) assay method was used and by the DTH assay, the effect of T. ammi on the skin thickness of rats was estimated. To find the exact dose for administration, acute toxicity test was performed using crude methanolic extract at a dose of 400, 800, 1600, and 3200mg/kg. After acute toxicity test, 500mg/kg dose was determined as safe for therapeutic effect and immunomodulatory effect was evaluated at this dose. Dose of 500mg/kg was administered to Wistar rats daily for 14 days and skin thickness of rats was measured at 24, 48, and 72h.
Results: Results were obtained from six groups of rats, which were positive control group, negative control group, and the groups receiving the test drugs. Standard drug was the combination of sodium selenite, vitamin E, and sodium chloride and it showed more positive results as compared to that of test drug. Furthermore, among the three extracts, methanol extract showed more effectiveness on skin thickness.
Conclusion: There was a meaningful difference was observed between the skin thickness of rats which shows that T. ammi have good immunomodulatory as well as immunostimulant activity.