There are little objective data to demonstrate the efficacy of the muscle energy technique for somatic dysfunction of the spine. To determine the efficacy of this technique, the authors compared active cervical range of motion among asymptomatic adults before and after this treatment protocol with corresponding motion in control subjects. The authors conclude that the application of the muscle energy technique can produce acute increases in the active cervical range of motion in asymptomatic subjects.
The authors sought to determine whether factors unrelated to case (eg, physician gender, primary specialty) influenced the disciplinary actions taken by the Texas Medical Board against physicians from 1989 to 1999. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with license revocation compared with other forms of disciplinary action. The authors conclude that factors associated with a greater likelihood of license revocation are primary medical specialty, number of years in practice, and history of multiple disciplinary actions.
The authors conducted a study of biophysically strained fibroblasts to produce a model of the cellular mechanisms underlying osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). They used a computer-assisted vacuum strain apparatus to deliver programmed strain regimens to fibroblasts. They then compared the morphology and viability of these strained cells against that of control cells. The authors report that human fibroblasts respond to in vitro strain by secreting inflammatory cytokines, undergoing hyperplasia, and altering cell shape and alignment. They conclude that the in vitro strain model they developed is useful for investigating the underlying mechanisms of OMT.
Researchers estimate that more than 2 million people in the United States have celiac disease, but diagnosis of this gastrointestinal disorder has been complicated by its subtle, nonspecific symptoms. New easy-to-administer serology tests have made diagnosis much less complicated. After conducting a review of the literature, the authors recommend a serologic testing sequence for diagnosis of celiac disease and urge that adults and children with an assortment of symptoms be tested for this disorder.
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