Assessment of vaccine testing at three laboratories using the guinea pig model of tuberculosis

The guinea pig model of tuberculosis is used extensively in different locations to assess the efficacy of novel tuberculosis vaccines during pre-clinical development. Two key assays are used to measure protection against virulent challenge: a 30 day post-infection assessment of mycobacterial burden and long-term post-infection survival and pathology analysis. To determine the consistency and robustness of the guinea pig model for testing vaccines, a comparative assessment between three sites that are currently involved in testing tuberculosis vaccines from external providers was performed. Each site was asked to test two "subunit" type vaccines in their routine animal model as if testing vaccines from a provider. All sites performed a 30 day study, and one site also performed a long-term survival/pathology study. Despite some differences in experimental approach between the sites, such as the origin of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain and the type of aerosol exposure device used to infect the animals and the source of the guinea pigs, the data obtained between sites were consistent in regard to the ability of each "vaccine" tested to reduce the mycobacterial burden. The observations also showed that there was good concurrence between the results of short-term and long-term studies. This validation exercise means that efficacy data can be compared between sites.     

Effects of yoga on cardiovascular disease risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The aim of this review was to systematically assess and meta-analyze the effects of yoga on modifiable biological cardiovascular disease risk factors in the general population and in high-risk disease groups.

Methods

MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and IndMED were screened through August 2013 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on yoga for predefined cardiovascular risk factors in healthy participants, non-diabetic participants with high risk for cardiovascular disease, or participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.

Results

Forty-four RCTs with a total of 3168 participants were included. Risk of bias was high or unclear for most RCTs. Relative to usual care or no intervention, yoga improved systolic (mean difference (MD) = − 5.85 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval (CI) = − 8.81, − 2.89) and diastolic blood pressure (MD = − 4.12 mm Hg; 95%CI = − 6.55, − 1.69), heart rate (MD = − 6.59 bpm; 95%CI = − 12.89, − 0.28), respiratory rate (MD = − 0.93 breaths/min; 95%CI = − 1.70, − 0.15), waist circumference (MD = − 1.95 cm; 95%CI = − 3.01, − 0.89), waist/hip ratio (MD = − 0.02; 95%CI = − 0.03, − 0.00), total cholesterol (MD = − 13.09 mg/dl; 95%CI = − 19.60, − 6.59), HDL (MD = 2.94 mg/dl; 95%CI = 0.57, 5.31), VLDL (MD = − 5.70 mg/dl; 95%CI = − 7.36, − 4.03), triglycerides (MD = − 20.97 mg/dl; 95%CI = − 28.61, − 13.32), HbA1c (MD = − 0.45%; 95%CI = − 0.87, − 0.02), and insulin resistance (MD = − 0.19; 95%CI = − 0.30, − 0.08). Relative to exercise, yoga improved HDL (MD = 3.70 mg/dl; 95%CI = 1.14, 6.26).

Conclusions

This meta-analysis revealed evidence for clinically important effects of yoga on most biological cardiovascular disease risk factors. Despite methodological drawbacks of the included studies, yoga can be considered as an ancillary intervention for the general population and for patients with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.     

Predictors of Health Behavior Change After an Integrative Medicine Inpatient Program

Background

Health behavior change can improve physical and psychosocial outcomes in internal medicine patients.

Purpose

This study aims to identify predictors for health behavior change after an integrative medicine inpatient program.

Method

German internal medicine patients' (N?=?2,486; 80 % female; 53.9?±?14.3 years) practice frequency for aerobic exercise (e.g., walking, running, cycling, swimming), meditative movement therapies (e.g., yoga, tai ji, qigong), and relaxation techniques (e.g., progressive relaxation, mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, guided imagery) was assessed at admission to a 14-day integrative medicine inpatient program, and 3, 6, and 12 months after discharge. Health behavior change was regressed to exercise self-efficacy, stage of change, and health locus of control (internal, external-social, external-fatalistic).

Results

Short-term increases in practice frequency were found for aerobic exercise: short- and long-term increases for meditative movement therapies and relaxation techniques (all p?p?p?Conclusion Health behavior change after an integrative medicine inpatient program was predicted by self-efficacy, stage of change, and health locus of control. Considering these aspects might improve adherence to health-promoting behavior after lifestyle modification programs.     

Effects of two different fabrics on skin barrier function under real pressure conditions

Background

Pressure Ulcers (PUs) are a severe form of skin and soft tissue lesions, caused by sustained deformation. PU development is complex and depends on different factors. Skin structure and function change during prolonged loading on PU predilection sites and surfaces being in direct contact with skin are likely to have an impact as well. Little is known about the influence of fabrics on skin function under pressure conditions.

Therapeutische Effekte eines externen chinesischen Arzneimittelteilbades bei 64 fastenden und nicht-fastenden Patienten mit rheumatoider Arthritis

Background

We conducted a controlled, non-randomized observational study on 64 participants suffering from rheumatoide arthritis of hands and/or feet.

Methods

32 inpatient participants were fasting 7–14 days according to Buchinger's method. In addition they bathed their hands and/or feet for 20 minutes in a Chinese medical bath on a daily basis (group A). The other 32 patients only bathed their hands and/or feet in the Chinese medical bath (group B). Both patient collectives completed a questionaire concerning pain recognition, morning stiffness, mobility, additional medication and therapies, co-medication, co-therapies and side effects.

Results

Both therapeutical groups showed a significant reduction of pain, morning stiffness and an improvement of mobility. There were no significant differences concerning their efficacy of treatment. In group A, additional medication could be reduced in 50 % of these participants, as opposed to 23 % of the patients in group B. This result showed no statistical significance due to the small group size. 10 % of the patients in group A noticed side effects of the therapy as opposed to 26 % of the patients in group B.

Conclusions

The study shows that the treatment with the external Chinese medical bath may provide a treatment option for patients with rheumatoide arthritis of the hands and/or feet who are not suited for fasting therapy.     

Normal kidney function and elevated natriuresis in young men born with low birth weight

The aim of our study was to characterize renal function and its relationship to blood pressure in healthy young Caucasian men born with a birth weight under 2,500 g (LBW). Urinary protein patterns, N-acetylglucosamine and γ-glutamyltransferase activities, fractional sodium and potassium excretions, glomerular filtration rate, blood pressure, and erythrocyte Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activities were determined in 65 subjects, of whom 49 were born with LBW. Signs of glomerular or tubular damage were not detected in the LBW population. However, the blood pressure and the renal sodium excretion were inversely correlated to the subjects’ birth weight and were higher in LBW subjects than in controls. In contrast, the erythrocyte Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activities were lower in LBW subjects. An inverse correlation was detected between the subjects’ Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activities and the renal sodium excretion or blood pressure. In summary, our results suggest that: (1) in young LBW Caucasian males signs of early glomerular and tubular impairment are not present; (2) the elevated renal sodium excretion may be a result of higher blood pressure; (3) the alteration of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity might play a role either in the elevation of blood pressure and/or in the enhanced natriuresis of LBW subjects. Received: 29 November 1999 / Revised: 20 March 2000 / Accepted: 22 March 2000     

Experience with results of treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma]

Thirty primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated between 1983-1990 were reviewed to reveal the efficacy of various treatment strategies. The average age at the diagnosis 53.6 (18-76) years. The histologic material were evaluated according to the Kiel classification: 22 patients had high grade malignant lymphoma (centroblastoma 8, immunoblastoma 6, lymphoblastoma 2, non classifiable 5, T-cell lymphoma 1) 8 patients low grade malignant lymphoma (lymphocytic 2, immunocytic 2, MALT lymphoma 1, centrocytoma 1, non-classifiable 1, pleomorph small cell lymphoma 1). 21 were primary gastric lymphoma, 5 involved the small intestine, 2 the ileocecal region, and 2 the large intestine. According to the Ann Arbor staging system 7 patients were stage I/E, 16 patients stage II/E, 5 patients stage III/E and 2 patients stage IV/E. Every patients underwent surgical resection. After surgical treatment high grade malignancies were treated with ProMACE-COPP (9) and CHOP-Bleo (10) polychemotherapy; low grade malignancies received VEP (5) and CVP (3) chemotherapy. 23 of 30 patients achived complete remission. The patients with low grade malignancy are in remission. All but one patients with high grade malignant gastric lymphoma achieved complete remission with a median of 37 (3-81) months relapse-free survival. Out of 5 cases in the small intestine only in 1 case was remission achieved. Histological type (Kiel) and surgical resection were the most important prognostic factors.     

Treatment of multiple adjacent RT 1 gingival recessions with the modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT) technique and a collagen matrix or palatal connective tissue graft: 9-year results of a split-mouth randomized clinical trial

Clinical Oral Investigations - To evaluate t he long-term outcomes following treatment of RT 1 multiple adjacent gingival recessions (MAGR) using the modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT) with...     

Field investigation comparing diffusion badge and charcoal tube monitoring for styrene

A short investigation was completed to compare organic vapor monitor and charcoal tube results for airborne styrene in three fiberglass boat manufacturing plants. Time-weighted average results were compared for 15 paired samples (12 breathing zone/3 area). Linear regression analysis showed a strong predictive relationship and an R2 value of 0.96. The organic vapor monitors had 31 percent higher results than the charcoal tubes across the range of concentrations 5.6 ppm to 150 ppm. Paired t-test validated this inference by demonstrating statistically significant differences between the means.