Ozone, an allotropic form of oxygen, is successfully used in the treatment of different diseases for more than a hundred years. It is highly valued for various effects, such as antimicrobial, antihypoxic, analgesic, immunostimulating etc. on biological systems. These mechanisms of action supported with a lot of case reports and scientific studies allow using it in different fields of medicine. ...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential benefit of an ultrasonic device in apical surgery on the outcome of treatment. STUDY DESIGN A randomized prospective design was used in a standardized treatment protocol. Patients were allocated to treatment with an ultrasonic device (P-Max Newtron) or treatment with a bur in an otherwise similar protocol. One year after treatm...

BACKGROUND Fidelity to the treatment protocol is key to successful trials but often problematic. This article reports the staff's views on delivering a complex rehabilitation intervention: patient-led therapy during inpatient stroke care. METHODS An exploratory qualitative study using focus groups with staff involved in a multicenter (n = 12) feasibility trial of patient-led therapy (the MAES...

BACKGROUND Although the standard treatment for appendicitis (since 1883) is an appendectomy, this is not always possible in a maritime or military setting. To avoid relying on improvisation in such situations this study examines the evidence for conservative management of appendicitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS PubMed was searched for studies on conservative treatment of appendicitis. Both prospec...

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of high-dose, single-fraction electron beam radiotherapy for therapy-resistant keloids. Before 2010, intractable keloids were treated at our institution with post-operative irradiation of 6-15 Gy in 3-5 fractionations. For convenience and cost effectiveness, we have changed our treatment protocol to high-dose single-fraction radio...

Quality of life is impaired in patients with epilepsy and can be improved by effective therapy. Randomised clinical trials have shown that lamotrigine treatment is associated with improved quality of life. However, little information is available on quality of life or treatment effects in patients with epilepsy in the general population. The objective of this study was to estimate the impact of...

Diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) is an effective topical immunotherapy for recalcitrant alopecia areata (AA), which sometimes requires prolonged treatment. We developed a new treatment protocol to shorten the duration of therapy. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of the new treatment protocol with the standard treatment protocol in the treatment of recalcitrant AA. We conducted a...

What we know: Patient self-management improves asthma outcomes. The key features of self-management are having a written asthma action plan, monitoring asthma symptoms and seeking regular review. Self-management is an important goal. Doctors can learn how to improve patient self-management. Multiple attitudinal barriers limit adherence to asthma preventers, especially inhaled corticosteroids in...

BACKGROUND Self blood pressure monitoring at home may improve blood pressure control and patients' compliance with treatment, but its implementation in daily practice faces difficulties. Teletransmission facilities may offer a more efficient approach to long-term home blood pressure monitoring. METHODS Twelve general practitioners screened 391 consecutive uncontrolled mild-moderate hypertensi...

Several surgical methods are used to treat peritonsillar abscess, but no protocol for outpatient medical treatment has yet been published. Between February 2002 and February 2005, we treated 98 peritonsillar abscess patients with an outpatient medical regimen that involved hydration, antibiotics, steroids, and good pain control. All patients were Native Americans, who are known to have a partic...