Various surveys show that interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is high among cancer patients. Patients want to explore all options that may help their treatment. Many CAM modalities offer patients an active role in their self-care, and the resulting sense of empowerment is very appealing. On the other hand, many unscrupulous marketeers promote alternative cancer “cures,” tar...

BACKGROUND Several studies have found that a high proportion of the population in western countries use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). However, little is known about whether CAM is offered in hospitals. The aim of this study was to describe to what extent CAM is offered in Norwegian and Danish hospitals and investigate possible changes in Norway since 2001. METHODS A one-page q...

Gaucher disease is an autosomal recessively inherited lysosomal storage disease that results from the defective activity of the enzyme acid β-glucosidase (glucocerebrosidase). Velaglucerase alfa was recently developed and approved as an alternative form to imiglucerase enzyme therapy. Despite differences in primary structure and glycosylation patterns, recent preclinical and clinical trials of ...

Although systemic absorption of estrogen with local treatment for vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) is most likely to be negligible, it is unknown whether this minimal absorption will affect outcomes in women with breast cancer. Use of adjuvant therapy with aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer is associated with high incidence of VVA symptoms. Because of the impact of moderate to severe VVA symptoms...

Clostridium difficile has been recognized as a pathogen in humans for over 40 years, but in the past decade the incidence has increased and, more importantly, the clinical presentation and consequences have become more serious, with increased morbidity and mortality. The emergence of a new, more pathogenic strain, BI/NAP1/027, has driven these shifts. Treatment of this disease has been with two...

BACKGROUND The use of the Internet for searching and sharing health information and for health care interactions may have a great potential for families of children affected with rare diseases. We conducted an online survey among Italian families of patients with rare diseases with the objective to describe their Internet user profile, and to explore how Internet use affects their health decisi...

This guideline is the result of a consensus reached during a panel discussion at the second International Consensus Meeting on Urticara, Urticaria 2004, a joint initiative of the EAACI Dermatology Section and GA2LEN. Urticaria has a profound impact on the quality of life, and effective treatment is therefore required. The recommended first line treatment are nonsedating H1 antihistamines. They ...

Bacteria isolated from marine sponges found off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were screened for the production of antimicrobial substances. We report a new Pseudomonas putida strain (designated P. putida Mm3) isolated from the sponge Mycale microsigmatosa that produces a powerful antimicrobial substance active against multidrug-resistant bacteria. P. putida Mm3 was identified on the basi...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSES Successful advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis rely on enrolment of patients into clinical trials with novel agents. The aim of this study was to assess the patients' perspectives and motivators to participate in clinical trials. METHODS Consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis attending three rheumatology departments in Romania underwent structured...

Searching MEDLINE (from 1966 to 1997) and EMBASE (from 1974 to 1997) were searched for publications in the English language using the following search criteria: MeSH term 'angina pectoris' or the textword 'angina', and publication type 'randomized controlled trial' or textword containing a form of the word 'random'. The authors also performed searches using publication type 'controlled clinical...