141 research outputs found
Is evidence-based medicine relevant to the developing world?
No full textSystematic reviews have yet to achieve their potential as a resource for practitioners in developing countries, argue Chinnock et al
Interventions in the alcohol server setting for preventing injuries.
No full textBACKGROUND: Injuries are a significant public health burden and alcohol intoxication is recognised as a risk factor for injuries. There is increasing attention on supply-side interventions, which aim to modify the environment and context within which alcohol is supplied and consumed. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the effectiveness of interventions implemented in the server setting for reducing injuries. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Injuries Group Specialised Register (September 2004), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2004), MEDLINE (January 1966 to September 2004), EMBASE (1980 to 2004, wk 36), other specialised databases and reference lists of articles. We also contacted experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised controlled studies (NRS) of the effectiveness of interventions administered in the server setting which attempted to modify the conditions under which alcohol is served and consumed, to facilitate sensible alcohol consumption and reduce the occurrence of alcohol-related harm. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently screened search results and assessed the full texts of potentially relevant studies for inclusion. Data were extracted and methodological quality was examined. Due to variability in the intervention types investigated, a pooled analysis was not appropriate. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall methodological quality was poor. Five studies used an injury outcome measure; only one of these studies was randomised. The studies were grouped into broad categories according to intervention type. One NRS investigated server training and estimated a reduction of 23% in single vehicle night-time crashes in the experimental area (controlled for crashes in the control area). Another NRS examined the impact of a drink driving service, and reported a reduction in injury road crashes of 15% in the experimental area, with no change in the control; no difference was found for fatal crashes. One NRS investigating the impact of a policy intervention, reported that pre-intervention the serious assault rate in the experimental area was 52% higher than the rate in the control area. After intervention, the serious assault rate in the experimental area was 37% lower than in the control. The only RCT targeting the server setting environment with an injury outcome compared toughened glassware (experimental) to annealed glassware (control) on number of bar staff injuries; a greater number of injuries were detected in the experimental group (relative risk 1.72, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.59). A NRS investigating the impact of a intervention aiming to reduce crime experienced by drinking premises; found a lower rate of all crime in the experimental premises (rate ratio 4.6, 95% CI 1.7 to 12, P = 0.01), no difference was found for injury (rate ratio 1.1. 95% CI 0.1 to 10, P = 0.093). The effectiveness of the interventions on patron alcohol consumption is inconclusive. One randomised trial found a statistically significant reduction in observed severe aggression exhibited by patrons. There is some indication of improved server behaviour but it is difficult to predict what effect this might have on injury risk. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is no reliable evidence that interventions in the alcohol server setting are effective in reducing injury. Compliance with interventions appears to be a problem; hence mandated interventions may be more likely to show an effect. Randomised controlled trials, with adequate allocation concealment and blinding are required to improve the evidence base. Further well conducted non-randomised trials are also needed, when random allocation is not feasible
Gangliosides for acute spinal cord injury.
No full textBACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in loss of feeling and movement. The consequences can be devastating for the patient and his or her carers. Global estimates of the number of new cases annually range from 15 to 40 per million. Leading causes of acute SCI are road traffic injury, violence, and injuries sustained in sports and other recreational activities. Care for people with SCI has improved, leading to an increase in survival rates. Attempts to improve patients' feeling and movement have involved the use of a wide range of treatments. Gangliosides are compounds that occur naturally in cell membranes. Laboratory studies have suggested they may have protective effects on nerves and even help them to re-grow. Clinical trials have taken place using gangliosides (usually GM1 ganglioside) for a number of neurological conditions. OBJECTIVES: To quantify the evidence for the effectiveness and safety of gangliosides when used to treat acute SCI. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the following databases to identify trials for inclusion: CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the National Research Register. We also searched web-based trials registers, such as Current Controlled Trials. We approached the manufacturers of the most widely used ganglioside and researchers in this field to try to locate any unpublished data. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials of any ganglioside versus controls, in patients with SCI. Outcome measures specified were: mortality, recovery of motor function, improvement in sensory measures, measures of functional activity, infections and any other adverse events. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted from published studies and authors were contacted for further information. All data found was dichotomous and odds ratios (with 95% CIs) were calculated. A fixed-effects model was assumed. MAIN RESULTS: Two studies met the inclusion criteria. There were no deaths in one (n=37). In the other (n=760), there were slightly more deaths in the treatment group than in the control group; odds ratio 1.07 (0.57, 2.00 95%CI) - a result that can be explained by the play of chance. Methodological weaknesses regarding the collection and presentation of data from the two studies made it impossible to reach any conclusions regarding the effect of gangliosides on the other specified outcomes. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The evidence available does not support the use of ganglioside treatment to reduce the death rate in SCI patients. No evidence has yet emerged that ganglioside treatment improves recovery or quality of life in survivors
Taxonomic Studies in the Genus Disphyma N. E. Br
No full textA taxonomic study of the genus Disphyma N.E.Br. has been made with particular emphasis on the validity of the generic characters and the position of D. australe (Ait.) J.M. Black within the genus. Disphyma australe was also found to be the type species of the genus and not D. crassifolium as has been generally accepted. It was also found that no holotype or lectotype of D. australe exists.
D. australe is shown to comprise three taxa, one in Australia, and two in New Zealand. One N.Z. taxon is abundant on all the N.Z. Islands except the Chathams, and the other is restricted to the Chatham Islands. The former species, D. australe in the emended sense, is shown to lack all the characters of the genus of which it is the designated type. This problem is discussed; and it is considered that D. australe should be rejected as the type species as it is contrary to the protologue description of the genus. Another element studied by Brown must be selected as the type species. Capsule structures are studied in detail and the generic characters, as understood by Brown, are considered too narrow if one continues to include D. australe (emended) in the genus. The author considers that the generic limits should be expanded to include this species and that the genus be divided into two sub-genera.
Seed of all the species of Disphyma were examined and a comparison of ultra-structures of the seed testa in two species is given
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