Search

The article presents the author's views on the medical methods used for removing toxins and poisons from the body. Details related to the methods of hydrotherapy including colonic lavage, medical irrigation, and their history, along with the rise of beauty centers offering such treatment is discussed.

Background: Data on the benefits of synbiotics in functional constipation are conflicting. The aim of this study was to assess whether the administration of the synbiotic supplement Psyllogel Megafermenti normalized stool consistency and decreased intestinal transit time (ITT) in patients with severe functional constipation, based on its ability to impact on the gut microbiota. Methods: We conducted a pilot randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. After a 2-week run-in period, patients from a tertiary care setting with severe functional constipation fulfilling the Rome III Diagnostic Criteria in the past year were randomly assigned to receive by mouth 2 bags/day of Psyllogel Megafermenti (Group A) or 2.8 g of maltodextrin twice daily (Group B) for 8 weeks. Primary endpoints were increase of bowel evacuations with normal stool consistency and volume, and ITT reduction. Secondary endpoints included symptom improvement according to the Rome III Diagnostic Criteria, reduction of the Agachan-Wexner score and changes in gut microbiota composition. Results: Twenty-nine patients completed the study: 17 were allocated to Group A and 12 to Group B. A statistically significant increase in stools with normal consistency was observed only in Group A ( p = 0.001), even when considering patients with normal stools ≤50 % of time at baseline. In Group A, a significant reduction in ITT was also found ( p = 0.022). According to polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiling of stool samples, 50 % of the patients treated with synbiotics harbored all the probiotic species of the study product. Conclusions: An 8-week treatment with Psyllogel Megafermenti improved the main clinical parameters of functional constipation in patients extremely homogeneous for disorder severity and underlying pathophysiology (, No. 2008-000913-30). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:This study was designed as an international validation study.Objective:The objective of this study was to assess the inter-rater reliability of the International Spinal Cord Injury Bowel Function Basic and Extended Data Sets.Setting:Three European spinal cord injury centers.Methods:In total, 73 subjects with spinal cord injury and a history of bowel dysfunction, out of which 77% were men and median age of the subjects was 49 years (range 20-81), were studied. The inter-rater reliability was estimated by having two raters complete both data sets on the same subject. First and second tests were separated by 14 days. Cohen's kappa was computed as a measure of agreement between raters.Results:Inter-rater reliability assessed by kappa statistics was very good (0.81) in 5 items, good (0.61-0.80) in 11 items, moderate (0.41-0.60) in 20 items, fair (0.21-0.40) in 11 and poor (<0.20) in 5 items.Conclusion:Most items within the International Spinal Cord Injury Bowel Function Data sets have acceptable inter-rater reliability and are useful tools for data collection in international clinical practice and research. However, minor adjustments are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:Review article.Objectives:To provide a consensus expert review of the treatment modality for transanal irrigation (TAI).Methods:A consensus group of specialists from a range of nations and disciplines who have experience in prescribing and monitoring patients using TAI worked together assimilating both the emerging literature and rapidly accruing clinical expertise. Consensus was reached by a round table discussion process, with individual members leading the article write-up in the sections where they had particular expertise.Results:Detailed trouble-shooting tips and an algorithm of care to assist professionals with patient selection, management and follow-up was developed.Conclusion:This expert review provides a practical adjunct to training for the emerging therapeutic area of TAI. Careful patient selection, directly supervised training and sustained follow-up are key to optimise outcomes with the technique. Adopting a tailored, stepped approach to care is important in the heterogeneous patient groups to whom TAI may be applied.Sponsorship:The review was financially supported by Coloplast A/S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of an environmental risk assessment study of exotic natural enemies used in inundative biological control, life-history characteristics of Harmonia axyridis (Pallas), Hippodamia variegata (Goeze) and Adalia bipunctata (L.) (Col., Coccinellidae) were quantified under laboratory conditions at 25°C on Myzus persicae (Sulzer) as prey. Comparative studies showed significant differences among pre-adult development times: H. axyridis developed slower ( &Xsline; = 19.8 days) than H. variegata (&Xsline; = 18.1 days) and A. bipunctata (&Xsline; = 18.4 days). Differences were also evident in the duration of egg, larval and pupal stages. No measurable differences among the three species were found for fecundity, oviposition rate and adult longevity. Harmonia axyridis exhibited the longest pre-oviposition ( &Xsline; = 7.4 days) and interoviposition ( &Xsline; = 3.6 days) periods and the shortest oviposition period (&Xsline; = 13.7 days). The Bieri model was used to describe age-specific fecundity for the three species of coccinellids. The intrinsic rate of increase ( rm), net reproductive rate ( R0) and mean generation time ( T) were higher for H. variegata ( rm = 0.114, R0 = 52.75, T = 41.88 days) than for H. axyridis ( rm = 0.089, R0 = 26.27, T = 38.81 days) or A. bipunctata ( rm = 0.081, R0 = 18.49, T = 40.06 days). Our findings show that the biological traits of H. axyridis do not seem to be factors that may contribute to the invasiveness of this coccinellid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:Randomized controlled trial.Objectives:To establish whether the use of mechanical insufflation/exsufflation leads to a significant improve in tracheostomy subjects with upper spinal cord injuries (C1–C7), ASIA classification grade A and bronchial hyper secretion the following parameters: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced exspiratory volume on the first second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, peak exspiratory flow (PEF), arterious pressure of O2 (Pa O2), arterious pressure of CO2 (Pa CO2), pH, saturation of O2 (Sa O2).Setting:Spinal Cord Unit, Montecatone Rehabilitation Institute, Imola, Italy.Methods:The patients were split into two groups: the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). Each patient was given 10 treatments: the EG was given manual respiratory kinesitherapy associated with mechanical insufflation/exsufflation with inhale and exhale pressure between 15 cm H2O and 45 cm H2O, while the CG was only given manual kinesitherapy. The treatment sessions covered the necessary amount of time in order to achieve sufficient clearance. The study has been approved by the local ethic committee. The patients were informed before being enrolled in that study and gave their written consent.Results:At the end of the treatment associated with the mechanical insufflation/exsufflation, the EG showed a significant increase in FVC, FEV1 and PEF, although it was not possible to compare the latter with the CG. The other parameters were also subject to variations, although not statistically significant. The CG did not show signs of any significant change.Conclusion:The use of mechanical insufflation/exsufflation in subjects with the aforementioned characteristics is shown to be an effective adjunct to manual respiratory kinesitherapy, since it makes it possible to achieve adequate bronco-pulmonary clearance, even removing thick, deep secretions and making it possible to insufflate any areas affected by atelectasis.Spinal Cord (2006) 44, 614–616. doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3101870; published online 13 December 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Transanal irrigation is increasingly used against chronic constipation and fecal incontinence in selected patients. The aims were to estimate the incidence of irrigation-related bowel perforation in patients using the Peristeen Anal Irrigation system, and to explore patient- and procedure-related factors associated with perforation. Methods: External independent expert audit on the complete set of global vigilance data related to Peristeen Anal Irrigation from 2005 to 2013. Results: In total, 49 reports of bowel perforation had been recorded. Based on sales figures, this corresponds to an average risk of bowel perforation of 6 per million procedures. The latest two-year data indicate a risk of 2 per million procedures. In 29 out of 43 evaluable cases (67 %), perforation happened within the first 8 weeks since start of treatment. After 8 weeks, long-term use has an estimated risk of less than 2 per million procedures. Among patients with non-neurogenic bowel dysfunction, 11 out of 15 (73 %) had a history of pelvic organ surgery compared to 5 out of 26 (19 %) in neurogenic bowel dysfunction. In 11 of 46 (24 %) evaluable cases, burst of the rectal balloon was reported. Conclusion: Enema-induced perforation is a rare complication to transanal irrigation with Peristeen Anal Irrigation, which increases the benefit risk ratio in support of the further use of transanal irrigation. Increased risk is present during treatment initiation and in patients with prior pelvic organ surgery. Careful patient selection, patient evaluation and proper training of patients are critical to safe practice of this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:Clinical controlled trial.Objectives:To evaluate the effectiveness of an occupational therapy (OT) program combined with neuromotor rehabilitation, by assessing the degree of functional independence reached by patients with spinal cord injuries at first hospitalization.Settings:Subjects selected from the Spinal Cord Unit of the Rehabilitation Institute of Montecatone (Imola, Italy).Participants:Thirty-six male patients below age 60, with complete paraplegia (ASIA-A) in thoracic-lumbar level, at first hospitalization.Methods:Patients were divided into experimental and control groups. Subjects in the experimental group underwent neuromotor rehabilitation coupled with an OT program, whereas those in the control group followed neuromotor rehabilitation only. Increase in functional independence at discharge was evaluated by the Valutazione Funzionale Mielolesi (VFM) assessment scale.Results:Patients in the experimental group showed a significant increase in the total VFM score, and in domains concerning transfers and wheelchair use. A significant improvement was observed in unmarried patients as compared to married ones.Conclusion:An OT service within a Spinal Cord Unit allows us to achieve a higher level of functional independence.Spinal Cord (2008) 46, 78–81; doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3102072; published online 24 April 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]