PURPOSE We aimed to compare the outcomes of the Endurant II (Medtronic) stent-graft used under instructions for use versus off-label in high-risk patients considered unfit for conventional surgery. METHODS Data from patients treated with the Endurant II stent-graft between December 2012 and March 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Sixty-four patients were included. Patients were assigned to ...

Multiple myeloma, a clonal B-cell malignancy, accounts for 10% of all hematologic cancers. In patients with multiple myeloma, median survival is approximately 30 to 36 months with conventional therapy, but high-dose chemotherapy resulted in better outcomes in a mature randomized trial. Pamidronate and other bisphosponates, used as supportive therapy, effectively reduce the incidence of skeletal...

OBJECTIVE The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) was designed to test the glucose hypothesis and determine whether the complications of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) could be prevented or delayed. The Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) observational follow-up determined the durability of the DCCT effects on the more-advanced stages of diabetes complications in...

INTRODUCTION One reason for patients with cancer to use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is that their cancer cannot be cured by conventional therapy. The aim of the present study is to explore whether use of CAM is associated with survival prognosis in long-term survivors of cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cancer patients who were alive 5 years or more after diagnosis were chosen t...

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common and debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that needs long-term levodopa administration and can result in progressive deterioration of body functions, daily activities and participation. The objective of this meta-analysis evaluates the clinical efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) as an adjunct therapy for PD patients. Methodological issues...

BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal disorders have serious impact on the profession of dentistry. There is common occurrence of pain due to incorrect posture in dental professionals. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies may cast a new light on preventing and intercepting musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). An epidemiological study was conducted in an effort to contribute to the prevention...

Objective To investigate the effects of puerarin (Pur) on myocardial perfusion and ventricular wall motion in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods Thirty-seven patients with ACS were randomly divided into two groups: conventional treatment group (n=17, 11 males, range of age: 32-80 years, average age: 60.9±4.9 years) and Pur treatment group (n=20,12 males, range of age: 40-76 ye...

BACKGROUND Uncertainty persists concerning the effect of improved long-term glycemic control on macrovascular disease in diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing interventions to improve glycemic control with conventional treatment in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Outcomes included the incidence rate ratios for ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We have reported previously that Waon therapy improves cardiac and vascular function, and prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). CHF is characterized by generalized sympathetic activation and parasympathetic withdrawal. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Waon therapy on autonomic nervous activity in patients with CHF. METHODS AND SU...

Poststroke patients with functional constipation, assessed by the Rome III criteria, from 6 hospitals were recruited in a study on the effects of the traditional Japanese medicine Daikenchuto (DKT) on constipation. Thirty-four patients (17 men and 17 women; mean age: 78.1 ± 11.6 years) were randomly assigned to 2 groups; all patients received conventional therapy for constipation, and patients ...