Prospective comparison of dysphagia following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with and without rhBMP-2.

Background Context: Previous studies have called into question the safety of using rhBMP-2 in anterior cervical fusion due to the possibility of airway compromise and dysphagia. A retrospective chart review identified a significant increase in the severity of dysphagia after II-level ACDF with rhBMP-2 compared to patients who did not receive rhBMP-2. To date, this topic has not been studied prospectively.

Potential benefits for caregivers of stroke survivors receiving BTX-A and exercise for upper extremity spasticity.

Purpose: To explore possible extended benefits to caregivers of stroke survivors receiving a treatment of onabotulinumtoxinA (BTX-A) or saline with a structured exercise program.

Design: A comparative, prospective, companion study using a nonrandom sample of 16 caregivers of stroke survivors enrolled in a pilot clinical trial comparing BTX-A or saline and exercise for upper extremity spasticity.

Methods: The caregiver measures were depressive symptoms, care demands, family conflict surrounding stroke recovery, and mental and physical health status.

Further assessment to determine the additive effect of botulinum toxin type A on an upper extremity exercise program to enhance function among individuals with chronic stroke but extensor capability.

Objective: To determine whether dose-specified botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) and a standardized exercise protocol produce better upper extremity function than placebo and the same exercise program.

Design: Double-blind randomized trial.

Setting: A rehabilitation research center.

A 7% decrease in the differential renal uptake of MAG3 implies a loss in renal function.

Objectives: To address the fact that a decrease in the relative renal uptake of 99mTc-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) on serial MAG3 scans may indicate a loss of function and require a change in management by providing guidance as to what constitutes a meaningful change in serial relative function measurements as well determining the normal variation of other common MAG3 renogram parameters.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 24 male urology patients with stable renal function. The mean age was 66.

The impact of minor adverse event tracking on subject safety: a web-based system.

BASED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT MINOR symptoms may presage serious events, we report four years' experience with a web-based adverse event (AE) tracking system (eAETS) designed to capture AEs of a minor nature that would not meet criteria for ethical review. The eAETS has supported 175 diverse clinical protocols, is user-friendly and navigationally intuitive, and restricts access based on protocol ownership. The user creates an initial risk profile for comparison to subsequent AEs to identify unanticipated patterns.

Monitoring renal function: a prospective study comparing camera-based technetium-99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine clearance and creatinine clearance.

Objectives: To determine the value and limitations of technetium-99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) clearance measurements obtained using a gamma camera (camera-based MAG3 clearance), a prospective study was conducted to evaluate the reproducibility of camera-based MAG3 clearance compared with that of conventional creatinine clearance.

Methods: A total of 24 male patients with stable renal function were entered into the study. The mean age was 66.