13 research outputs found
Alternative medicine and herbal remedies in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: A systematic review
Objectives: To systematically review and discuss the current evidence from placebo-controlled
clinical trials that investigated the use of alternative medicines and herbal remedies in the
management of erectile dysfunction (ED).
Methods: A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-
based systematic review using specific keyword combinations was conducted on the PubMed
and Scopus databases. Randomised controlled trials investigating herbal medicine in at least
one group and using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) as an outcome in
patients primarily diagnosed with ED were included for review.
Results: Following the literature search, screening and eligibility analysis, a total of 42 articles
were included. The 42 articles were categorised as single herb extractions (n = 14), combination
herbal formula (n = 5), combination of herbal formula and non-herbal nutraceuticals (n = 7),
non-herbal nutraceuticals (n = 5), acupuncture and moxibustion (n = 2), diet and nutrition
(n = 3), exercise (n = 5), and topical treatments (n = 1). Based on the results, Korean ginseng,
Pygnogenol and Prelox, Tribulus terrestris, Lepidium meyenii, L-arginine, acupuncture and lifestyle
interventions were the more predominantly investigated treatments interventions for ED.
Conclusions: Panax ginseng, Pygnogenol, Prelox and Tribulus terrestris have promising evidence
as herbal products, alongside L-arginine as a nutritional supplement, for ED based on
IIEF outcomes, and warrant further clinical investigation. The mechanisms of action remain
unclear, but each of these appears to in part increase nitric oxide synthesis. Importantly,
improved diet and exercise should be considered, particularly in patients with obesity or
diabetes mellitus
Synthesis of new heterocycles through the reaction of β-lapachone with 1,2-diamines using Triton X-100 surfactant as catalyst in aqueous medium
Endogenous Intra-household Balance of Power and its Impact on Expenditure Patterns: Evidence from India
This paper extends the collective approach to household behaviour by proposing and estimating a model in which the weights attached to individual members are endogenously determined. The estimation is conducted using two different data-sets from three Indian states. We find that relative bargaining power of the adult decision-makers has a statistically significant effect on the budget share of an item and that the effects are typically nonlinear and vary significantly across items. This implies that household welfare is better protected in households where bargaining power is spread evenly between the spouses than where one partner enjoys a dominant position. Copyright (c) The London School of Economics and Political Science 2006.
Intra-Household Resource Allocation, Consumer Preferences and Commodity Tax Reforms: Australian Evidence
On the Suitability of Elekta's Agility 160 MLC for Tracked Radiation Delivery: Closed-loop Machine Performance
For motion adaptive radiotherapy, dynamic multileaf collimator (dMLC) tracking can be employed to reduce treatment margins by steering the beam according to the organ motion. Until now, the Elekta Agility 160 MLC has hitherto not been evaluated for its tracking suitability under physiologic conditions. Both dosimetric performance and latency are key figures and need to be assessed generically, independent of the used motion sensor. In this paper, we propose to use harmonic functions directly fed to the MLC to determine its latency during continuous motion. Furthermore, a control variable is extracted from a camera system and fed to the MLC. Using this setup, film dosimetry and subsequent γ statistics are performed, evaluating the response when tracking magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based physiologic motion in a closed-loop. The delay attributed to the MLC itself was shown to be a minor contributor to the overall feedback chain as compared to the impact of imaging components such as MRI sequences. Delay showed a linear phase behaviour of the MLC employed in continuously dynamic applications, which enables a general MLC-characterization. Using the exemplary feedback chain, dosimetry showed a vast increase in pass rate employing γ statistics. In this early stage, the tracking performance of the Agility using the test bench yielded promising results, making the technique eligible for the translation to tracking using clinical imaging modalities
Implications of Environmental Chores for Schooling: Children’s Time Fetching Water and Firewood in Tanzania
Bronchoscopic lung cryobiopsy: An Indian association for bronchology position statement
Background: Bronchoscopic lung cryobiopsy (BLC) is a novel technique for obtaining lung tissue for the diagnosis of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases. The procedure is performed using several different variations of technique, resulting in an inconsistent diagnostic yield and a variable risk of complications. There is an unmet need for standardization of the technical aspects of BLC. Methodology: This is a position statement framed by a group comprising experts from the fields of pulmonary medicine, thoracic surgery, pathology, and radiology under the aegis of the Indian Association for Bronchology. Sixteen questions on various technical aspects of BLC were framed. A literature search was conducted using PubMed and EMBASE databases. The expert group discussed the available evidence relevant to each question through e-mail and a face-to-face meeting, and arrived at a consensus. Results: The experts agreed that patients should be carefully selected for BLC after weighing the risks and benefits of the procedure. Where appropriate, consideration should be given to perform alternate procedures such as conventional transbronchial biopsy or subject the patient directly to a surgical lung biopsy. The procedure is best performed after placement of an artificial airway under sedation/general anesthesia. Fluoroscopic guidance and occlusion balloon should be utilized for positioning the cryoprobe to reduce the risk of pneumothorax and bleeding, respectively. At least four tissue specimens (with at least two of adequate size, i.e., ≥5 mm) should be obtained during the procedure from different lobes or different segments of a lobe. The histopathological findings of BLC should be interpreted by an experienced pulmonary pathologist. The final diagnosis should be made after a multidisciplinary discussion. Finally, there is a need for structured training for performing BLC. Conclusion: This position statement is an attempt to provide practical recommendations for the performance of BLC in DPLDs