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This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial aimed to investigate the impact of DOxofylline compaRed tO THEOphylline (DOROTHEO 1 study) on functional and clinical outcomes in asthma. Patients with asthma ≥ 16 years of age (with Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second [FEV1] ≥ 50% and < 80% and with ≥ 15% post-bronchodilator increase in FEV1) were randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive doxofylline 200 mg, doxofylline 400 mg, theophylline 250 mg, or placebo. All double-blind treatments were taken orally with immediate release formulations and three times daily for 12 weeks. Data evaluating the effect of doxofylline 400 mg, theophylline 250 mg and placebo on peak FEV1, asthma events rate, use of salbutamol as rescue medication and Adverse Events (AEs) were investigated. The analysis of 263 patients demonstrated that both doxofylline 400 mg and theophylline 250 mg significantly increased peak FEV1, reduced the rate of asthma events and use of salbutamol to relieve asthma symptoms compared to placebo (p < 0.05). No significant differences were detected between doxofylline 400 mg and theophylline 250 mg. Doxofylline 400 mg did not significantly (p > 0.05) increase the risk of AEs compared to placebo, conversely in patients treated with theophylline 250 mg the risk of AEs was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than in those that received placebo. The analysis on doxophylline 200 mg is ongoing for non-inferiority vs. theophylline 250 mg, and will be reported in a further publication. Doxofylline offers a promising alternative to theophylline with similar efficacy and superior safety profile in the management of patients with asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate and summarize the current evidence in the literature on the effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for the management of health problems in kidney patients. Methods: Randomized controlled trials in English were selected through PubMed, Medline, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and CINAHL. There were no time limits on the research. Results: Thirty-four articles were selected for the review. Most of the studies were reported in 2013 and 2014 and were conducted in China. Multiple types of CAM used for various problems in kidney patients (pruritus, reduced respiratory capacity, poor quality of sleep, abnormal blood values, pain, anxiety) emerged from the analyzed studies. The most studied types of CAM were the herbs used in Chinese medicine that can help to control proteinuria, creatinine and hematuria, and to reduce the dose of traditional medicines; acupuncture, which can relieve pruritus and disturbed sleep; respiratory training, which increases the respiratory capacity and muscle strength; and Benson relaxation, which helps to improve pain and sleep. Conclusions: Although the evidence of the included studies is limited, CAM may be helpful for the treatment and control of health problems in kidney patients. To actually recommend its use, further studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Several observational studies showed that the button hole technique is easy to apply, fast, with a reduction in the formation of hematomas, scars and pain perception. Anyway, other studies showed that the button hole technique has been associated to an increase of the risk of infection, with high rates of infection incidence in arterio venous fistula (AVF) site and septicemia, compared to a rope ladder technique. Objective: The aim of this study is to test the use of a dressing with release of silver ions, for the reduction of the infection incidence rate and the pain symptomatology in patients on hemodialysis with AVF cannulation by button hole technique. Materials and Methods: A prospective, regional, multicenter, randomized pilot study, with balanced allocation 1: 1, with parallel-groups, controlled with standard care group. Results: A solid experimental protocol which can be used as a model for RCT pilot studies which have the objective to study the impact of a dressing for the reduction of the infection incidence rate and pain symptomatology. Conclusions: This pilot study can produce results and trends for the structuring of a subsequent national and mul- ticenter RCT. This model can be used in other similar clinical settings for an evidence-based research approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]