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Biomedical subjects

E Ernst

Publications and source records attributed to E Ernst.

At least 451 records · Page 25Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Complementary medicine--a critical review.

In Israel, as in most other countries, complementary medicine (CM) is gaining in popularity. This article provides a critical review of the field. In particular, it addresses the issues of effectiveness, safety and costs. For none of these fundamental issues is evidence at present sufficient for forming firm conclusions. Research methodologies in CM do not, in principle, differ from those in mainstream medicine. In certain instances they may, however, require some adaptation to fit the special needs of CM. It is concluded that key questions in CM remain unanswered and research efforts to find these answers should be increased.

Complementary Therapies↗
PubMed1996

[Decision to use complementary medicine: fact oriented or irrational?].

PROBLEM AND OBJECTIVE: Complementary medicine is being used to varying extent in all industrial countries. There are incomplete data concerning efficacy, safety and costs of such treatment, while little is known about special features and motivation of those persons who choose complementary medicine. The aim of the study was to ascertain, among patients who use complementary medicine and those who prefer traditional medicine, any differences with regard to sociodemographic, disease-related and psychological characteristics and their life-style. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 419 patients were studied by a standardised interview and questionnaire (168 items) and divided into two groups (group 1: those using conventional treatment [n - 197; 91 women, 106 men; average age 43.2 +/- 16.9 years]; group 2: those preferring complementary medicine [n = 222; 159 women, 63 men; average age 43.2 +/- 15.0 years]). They were recruited from specialist internal medical or generalist medical practice with or without offer of complementary medicine (additional term: natural healing methods). Statistical analysis was with Student's-t-test and the chi(2)-test [correction of gamma-test]. RESULTS: Those patients who chose to be treated by complementary medicine clearly differed from the others with respect to sociodemographic, disease-related and psychological characteristics, as well as life-style. The patient-doctor relationship also differed between the two groups. On average those of group 2 had a higher educational level (higher education: 10.3% in group 1; 15.9 in group 2) and lower risk factors (68.9% nonsmokers in group 1, 77.8% in group 2; alcohol abstinence: 33.2 vs 46.4%). Patients in both groups preferred conventional medicine for serious diseases (cardiac infarct; tumour; AIDS). CONCLUSIONS: In general, those patients who choose complementary medicine have a healthier life-style. As the number of these patients is on the increase. Since as yet the efficacy, risks and costs of complementary medicine have been inadequately investigated, research in this area should be intensified.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[Risk-free homeopathy?].

It is often assumed that homeopathy, even though possibly ineffective, is free of risks. This notion is questioned in this review. Side-effects and complications associated with homeopathy have been reported in the literature. Furthermore the question whether the homeopath is risk-free in all cases needs discussing. As a case in point attitude of some homeopaths towards immunization is quoted as an example of particular concern. On the basis of these data the notion of totally risk-free homeopathy is untenable.

Drug Hypersensitivity↗
PubMed1996

A new sodium channel alpha-subunit gene (Scn9a) from Schwann cells maps to the Scn1a, Scn2a, Scn3a cluster of mouse chromosome 2.

We have used a total of 27 AXB/BXA recombinant inbred mouse strains to determine the chromosomal location of a newly identified gene encoding an alpha-subunit isoform of the sodium channel from Schwann cells, Scn9a. Linkage analysis established that Scn9a mapped to the proximal segment of mouse chromosome 2. The segregation of restriction fragment length polymorphisms in 145 progeny from a Mus spretus x C57BL/6J backcross indicates that Scn9a is very tightly linked to Scn1a (gene encoding the type I sodium channel alpha-subunit of the brain) and forms part of a cluster of four Scna genes located on mouse chromosome 2.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

[Ginkgo biloba in treatment of intermittent claudication. A systematic research based on controlled studies in the literature].

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of ginkgo biloba in the treatment of intermittent claudication. A Medline-search identified ten controlled trials on the subject. These were heterogeneous in all respects and, with only few exceptions, of poor methodological quality. All the studies implied that ginkgo biloba is an effective therapy for intermittent claudication. This hypothesis should be confirmed in further trials employing meticulous methodology. Furthermore it would also be important to determine whether oral ginkgo biloba can be usefully combined with walking exercise.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed1996

[Therapeutic effectiveness of Crataegus].

Hawthorn (crataegus) has been used since antiquity for medicinal purposes. More recent research suggests it to be useful in congestive heart failure. Rigorous clinical trials show benefit concerning objective signs and subjective symptoms of congestive heart failure stage NYHA-II. No adverse drug reactions have been reported. It is therefore concluded that crataegus is an effective and safe therapeutic alternative for this indication.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1996

Histochemical localization of zinc ions in the epididymis of the rat.

In the present study, the autometallograpic zinc sulphide technique, an improved version of the original Timm sulphide-silver method, was used. This technique reveals a particular pool of ionic zinc that is chelatable by diethyldithiocarbamate. At the light microscopical level, no reaction for zinc was found in tissues of young prepubertal rats. In adult mating and non-mating rats low zinc staining was found in the head and intermediate epididymis whereas the tail of the epididymis demonstrated high levels of zinc ions. Sections from the epididymal tail revealed a 'compartmentalization', based on pronounced differences in staining intensity along the epididymal ducts. At higher magnification zinc ions were found in the apical part of the principal cell and in the lumen. At the ultrastructural level autometallographic grains were located in vesicles and in lysosome-like structures of the apical parts of the principal cells. The luminal grains were found either associated with sperm cells, with the surface of the large microvilli (stereocilia), or free in the seminal fluid. The variation in content of zinc ions in the epididymal epithelium and lumen suggests that zinc ions are secreted into the lumen from the epididymal tail and may somehow be involved in maturation of the sperm cells.

Animals↗