Hair loss in women

August 27th, 2010

Minerva Ginecol. 2009 Oct;61(5):445-52.

Hair loss in women.
Tosti A, et al

Abstract
Hair loss in women is a very common clinical complaint, and is usually associated with severe emotional distress. In this article, the authors review the most common clinical causes of hair loss in women, and emphasize the role of hormonal changes in the regulation of hair loss and hair growth.

Hair loss treatment at the Proctor clinic

August 4th, 2010

Hair loss treatment. We treat hair loss due to alopecia androgenica and alopecia areata.

Hair loss treatment program

July 20th, 2010

Hair Loss Treatment

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July 13th, 2010

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Pattern Hair loss and insulin resistance

July 2nd, 2010

Clin Exp Dermatol. 2009;34:694

Pattern Hair loss and insulin resistance
Nabaie L, ET AL

Edited for Hair regrowth blog

Hair loss in androgenic alopecia is androgen-dependent. Insulin is found in hair follicles and may play a role in the regulation of androgen metabolism and the hair-regrowth cycle. To compare the insulin resistance between people with male pattern hair loss and a control group. A case-control study was conducted with 97 cases in the patient and 87 in the control group. …… There was no difference in serum fasting insulin level, fasting blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and insulin resistance between the two groups. Despite previous reports suggesting a link, our study found no significant relationship between insulin resistance and androgenic alopecia. Further studies are warranted.

Hair loss treatment hair loss regrowth

1% topical minoxidil solution in the treatment of pattern hair loss

June 26th, 2010

Eur J Dermatol. 2007 ;17:37.

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 1% topical minoxidil solution in the treatment of pattern hairloss in Japanese women.
Tsuboi R,.et al

Minoxidil is effective in inducing hair regrowth in patients with androgenetic alopecia by stimulating hair follicles to undergo transition from early to late anagen phase. However, there have been no controlled studies of topical minoxidil in Asian women. The objective of this trial was to investigate the efficacy of 1% topical minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia in Japanese female patients using a double-blind controlled method. This trial included 280 Japanese female patients aged 20 years or older with androgenetic alopecia who were administered either 1% topical minoxidil or placebo (n = 140) for 24 weeks. The primary efficacy variable was mean change from baseline in non-vellus hair count/cm(2). The mean change was 8.15 in the 1% topical minoxidil group and 2.03 in the placebo group, with a significant difference between groups (p < 0.001) [difference: 6.12 (two-sided 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.29-8.96)]. Secondary variables included investigators’ assessments and patients’ self-assessments. As assessed by investigators, 29.2% (40/137) of the patients had moderate or better improvement in the 1% topical minoxidil group compared to 11.8% (16/136) in the placebo group (p < 0.001 versus placebo). The effect on hair growth was assessed as improved or better by 36.5% (50/137) of the patients themselves in the 1% topical minoxidil group compared to 23.5% (32/136) in the placebo group (p = 0.019 versus placebo). The patients tolerated hair loss treatment with 1% topical minoxidil well without significant adverse effects.

edited foir hair loss and hair regrowth blog use

Kallman’s syndrome

December 30th, 2009

Hinyokika Kiyo.1988;34:517

A case of Kallmann’s syndrome

Koide T, et al
edited for hair loss treatment blog

A 13-year-old boy visited our hospital with the chief complaint of right undescended testis and retardation of secondary sexual characteristics. Central hyposmia and sensorineural hearing loss were found. The plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were low and the reaction to LH-releasing hormone (RH) test was poor. After repeated LH-RH tests, a good response in plasma levels of LH and FSH was observed. The diagnosis of Kallmann’s syndrome was made from the above findings. The testicular biopsy specimen from him showed immature testis without any developed Leydig or Sertoli cells. To induce secondary sexual characteristics, 2000 I.U. of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was administered to him twice a week for 3 months. The administration of hCG resulted in elevation of plasma testosterone level, swelling of testes, increase of pubic hair and spurt of height.

Hair loss treatment

December 29th, 2009

hair loss treatment at the Proctor clinic

More on the Hair loss cycle

December 2nd, 2009

Table I summarizes the results of immunohistochemical staining of activated caspases 1-10, usurpin and XIAP in normal human hair from the scalp. Tables II and III summarize the results of positive immunoreactivity for men with AGA affected scalp and the same men 6 months after finasteride treatment, respectively. Histological analysis reveals that caspases 1, 3, 8 and 9 are all detected predominately within the isthmic and upper portion of the hair shaft in both normal and AGA patients. This is the area where the inner and outer root sheaths still surround the hair shaft. Staining is detected in sections of lower isthmus, near the sebaceous duct where the infundibulum commences. Within the catagen phase of the hair follicle cycle, more robust staining for activated caspase-3 was observed than in any other phases of the cycle, suggesting an effector role for caspase-3 in the distal portion of the hair apoptotic pathway. snipAll specimens, whether normal or AGA affected, as well as treated specimens, exhibit the same caspases, however, the levels of expression differ between the groups. In AGA affected tissues, the expression of caspase 1, 3, 8 and 9 is greater then normal, and after 6 months of finasteride treatment, the expression of caspases decreases, similar to the level found in normal scalp.

Radiation-induced temporary alopecia

November 27th, 2009

Radiation-induced temporary alopecia after embolization of cerebral aneurysms
Nuria Marti, Veronica Lopez, Carolina Pereda, Jose M Martin, Encarnacion Montesinos, Esperanza Jorda
Dermatology Online Journal 14(7):19

“..The patient underwent two courses of embolization of the aneurysms with an interval of 3 months between courses. No neurologic deficits occurred after these procedures. However, hair loss over her occipital area was noted 2 weeks after the initial embolization. Physical examination revealed a 13 x 10 cm square patch of almost total hair loss on the occipital region.

The scalp was normal, exclamation-mark hairs were not visible; results of the pull test were normal. Her bilateral occipital and superficial temporal arteries had good pulses. A cutaneous biopsy was not performed because of the anticoagulant treatment of the patient. The hair regrew but 2 weeks after the second embolization, that was performed 3 months later, she again experienced the appearance of a similar patch of diffuse hair loss on the occipital scalp. The hair regrew 4 months after the occurrence of hair loss without treatment…”

Protective effect of ursolic acid from Cornus officinalis

November 25th, 2009

Am J Chin Med. 2009;37(4):735-46.

Protective effect of ursolic acid from Cornus officinalis on the hydrogen peroxide-induced damage of HEI-OC1 auditory cells.
Yu HH, et al

Department of Food and Nutrition, Kunsan National University, Kunsan, South Korea.

The fruits of Cornus officinalis have been used in traditional oriental medicine for treatment of inner ear diseases, such as tinnitus and hearing loss. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of C. officinalis on hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity in HEI-OC1 auditory cells. snip.. In addition, pre-treatment with ursolic acid significantly attenuated the decrease of activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), but superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was not significantly affected by ursolic acid. These results indicate that ursolic acid protects hydrogen peroxide-induced HEI-OC1 cell damage through inhibition of lipid peroxidation and induction of antioxidant enzymes, CAT and GPX, and may be one of the active components responsible for these effects of C. officinalis fruits.

Hair loss in the inner ear.

Hair loss treatment

November 17th, 2009

Hair loss treatment at the Proctor Clinic.

Treatment for hair regrowth.

November 15th, 2009

Clin Pharm. 1987 May;6(5):386-92.

Treatment for hair regrowth.

Rumsfield et al

The pathogenesis of hair loss, the postulated mechanisms of minoxidil action on hair growth,  Topical minoxidil seems to normalize hair follicles and increase blood flow to the scalp.  ..snip… Improved hair growth occurred after four to six months of therapy; twice-daily application seems to be indicated.snip…. For alopecia areata, which involves hair loss on the body or scalp, usually patchy and of sudden onset, no reliable treatment,  ..snip…. Hair loss must be better understood before more effective treatment regimens can be designed.

Another kind of hair loss

November 9th, 2009
4(1):53-6.Ototoxic effects of streptomycin in vestibular organotypic cultures]

 RESULTS: Morphological feature of vestibular hair cells were good in normal control cultures. However, the density of hair cells was decreased in evidence with increase of streptomycin sulfate concentrations. Twenty-four hours after streptomycin cultures, 0.25 mmol/L streptomycin caused a 10% hair cell missing, 50% hair cell loss from 1 mmol/L streptomycin treatment, and more than 75% hair cells gone post-3 mmol/L streptomycin cultures. After streptomycin treatment, the nuclear shrinkage and fragmentation were found in vestibular hair cells, whereas the vestibular supporting cells were normal. CONCLUSION: Streptomycin induced-vestibular hair cells lesion was in a dose dependent manner with nuclear shrinkage and fragmentation. This may suggest that streptomycin leads vestibular hair cell die through apoptosis.

Slow hair regrowth in senescent mice

November 2nd, 2009

J Gerontol. 1973 ;28:13-7.

Retardation of hair regrowth, a phenomenon of senescence in C57B1-6J male mice.

Finch CE.

Hair Loss blogspot

October 29th, 2009

October 27th, 2009

J Dermatol. 1992;19(10):614

Localized basaloid follicular hamartoma.

Kato N, et al

edited for hair loss blog

A 39-year-old Japanese woman with a 30 x 10 mm, skin-colored, soft, hair less, irregularly elevated plaque in the left retroauricular area. Histologically, it consistently showed features of atypical hair follicles; some showed immaturely developed basaloid epithelial islands invaginated with condensed stromal cells, and others were replaced or associated with solid strands, branching cords, or lace-like networks of undifferentiated basaloid cells. Although the clinical appearance of a typical localized basaloid follicular hamartoma is a plaque of hair loss, this case seems to be a variant, because the histological findings are so characteristic of the entity. .

Hair loss in alopecia areata

October 25th, 2009

Dermatologica. 1987;175 Suppl 2:36

Topical minoxidil in extensive hair loss due to alopecia areata

Price VH.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of topical minoxidil is the fact that this drug can promote hair regrowth in two unrelated conditions: alopecia areata (AA) and androgenetic alopecia or pattern hair loss.    The two conditions have quite different underlying mechanisms.  snip… It may be that minoxidil influences some fundamental signal to the follicular apparatus, irrespective of the pathophysiology involved.  …snip…. Minoxidil-treated patients responded better than placebo-treated patients. Both 3 and 5% topical minoxidil solutions have been used, and treatment of hair loss with the 3% solution has continued for up to 3 years. The results of these studies will be discussed. While topical minoxidil is not very effective for those with 100% scalp hair loss, it is an effective, easy and safe treatment for those with AA affecting 25-99% of the scalp.

PMID: 3691913 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

 

A disease associated with hair loss

October 23rd, 2009

Med Cutan Ibero Lat Am. 1985;13(2):175

Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans (Siemens’ syndrome) associated with other abnormalities

Domenech P,  et al

Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans (ichthyosis follicularis or Siemens’s syndrome) is considered a general form of keratosis pilaris decalvans. Localized types are keratosis pilaris atrophicans and atrophoderma vermicularis. A case of this unusual process is presented. Clinical, histological and scanning electron microscopic studies of the hair were performed… snip…. Scanning electronmicroscopy shows a brittle hair with cuticular abnormalities. Siemens’s syndrome can be considered a specific pilosebaceous dysplasia because the absence or hypoplasia of sebaceous glands; which produces follicular hyperkeratosis and pilar atrophy with perifollicular fibrosis and hair loss.

Adenexal tumes associated with hair loss

October 21st, 2009

J Invest Dermatol.1984;83(4):276

Basement membrane laminin and type IV collagen in various benign and malignant adnexal tumors of the skin

Kallioinen M,  et al-

Thirty benign and seven malignant adnexal tumors of the skin and one lymph node metastasis were stained for laminin and type IV collagen with rabbit antibodies against the human basement membrane (BM) proteins using the immunoperoxidase technique.  …snip…. The seven malignant tumors and the only metastasis studied here all contained small, narrow strips of BM material extracellularly between the infiltrating tumor clusters. Only in two cases was faint staining for laminin found within the cells. The pepsin pretreatment of the formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples had most probably degraded the intracytoplasmic BM material in most cases. The BM defects were found to be associated with malignancy and low differentiation of the adnexal skin tumors, as reported previously for other tumor types, but a partial loss of BM was also associated with high differentiation in some benign adnexal tumors.    Hair loss and hair loss treatment

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Antigenic treatment of hair loss in alopecia areata

October 21st, 2009

Arch Dermatol Res. 1980;267(1):109

Antigenic competition as a therapeutic concept for alopecia areata.

Happle R.

Hair loss in alopecia areata is often treated effectively by topical application of potent contact allergens. To explain the response, the following hypothesis is presented. Alopecia areata is considered an autoimmune disease. The characteristic peribulbar round cell infiltrates probably reflect a cell-mediated immune reaction to some hair-associated antigen. With the elicitation of contact allergy, a second antigen is introduced at the same site. The infiltrates of the allergic contact dermatitis contain suppressor T cells and suppressor macrophages which, in terms of local immunoregulation, exert a nonspecific inhibitory effect on the immune response against hair follicles. Regrowth of hair would be due to a change in the local balance between helper and suppressor cells. In conclusion, the phenomenon of antigenic competition is proposed as a therapeutic concept.

Androgens in male pattern hair loss

October 20th, 2009

Int J Cosmet Sci. 1981 Feb;3(1):1-8.  Links

The metabolism of androgens in male pattern alopecia: a review.

Bingham KD.

The studies carried out on the metabolism of testosterone and other circulating androgens in human scalp skin and hair follicles have been reviewed with the aim of understanding the role of these androgens in male pattern alopecia (baldness).

hair follicle disorder

October 12th, 2009

J Am Acad Dermatol. 1986 Jul;15(1):54-60. 

 Intermittent hair follicle dystrophy. Report of a new disorder.

Birnbaum PS, et al
A new disorder of the hair follicle is described that leads to increased fragility of the shaft.   Light microscopic studies of hair follicles revealed disturbances of keratinization in the shafts that are very likely responsible for the breakage. The most consistent change seen by transmission electron microscopy was intercellular edema of the outer root sheath, while scanning electron microscopy of the hair revealed disturbances of the surface and broken ends. Specific biochemical abnormalities of the hair proteins were not found. Possible mechanisms for the disease are discussed.

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Hair loss blogs

October 10th, 2009

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Vitamin D and Hair regrowth

October 9th, 2009

Nippon Hifuka Gakkai Zasshi. 1990 Feb;100(2):211-4.  Links

The effect of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on cultured human hair follicle cells from a patients with vitamin D-dependent rickets type II with alopecia

[Article in Japanese]
Sadamoto Y, Arase S, Kato S, Nakanishi H, Fujie K, Takeda E, Takeda K.

Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Tokushima.

We examined the effects of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the growth and differentiation of cultured human hair follicle cells from a patient with vitamin D-dependent rickets type II [DDR-II] with alopecia. In the presence of 100 nM 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, the clonal growth of normal hair follicle cells was inhibited and terminal differentiation was markedly stimulated. However, the cells from a patient with DDR-II with hairloss did not respond to the hormone, suggesting a lack of the specific receptors in the cells. The difference in the cellular response to the hormone between the normal hair follicle cells and those from a patient were clear and easily distinguished, and these studies may provide a basis for the rapid diagnosis of DDR-II. Large number of hairs were difficult to obtain from patients with alopecia, and we developed a new culture method to accomplish these studies. Our system may be useful in the culture of HFC from only a few hair follicles.

A 5-AR inhibitor on pattern hair loss

October 9th, 2009
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1987 Jul;65(1):188-93

The effects of N,N-diethyl-4-methyl-3-oxo-4-aza-5 alpha-androstane-17 beta-carboxamide, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor and antiandrogen, on the development of baldness in the stumptail macaque.

Rittmaster RS, Uno H, Povar ML, Mellin TN, Loriaux DL.

We used a primate model of male-pattern hair loss to test the efficacy of a topically applied 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor and antiandrogen (4-MA) in the prevention of baldness. Six periadolescent stumptail macaques were given daily topical applications of either 4-MA in dimethylsulfoxide or dimethylsulfoxide alone for 27 months. The three control monkeys developed varying degrees of baldness, while the three 4-MA-treated monkeys retained their juvenile pattern of hair growth. The percentage of actively growing hair follicles in the frontal scalp did not change in the 4-MA-treated group [46 +/- 6 (+/- SE) vs. 48 +/- 4], while a significant decrease occurred in the control group (63 +/- 6 vs. 25 +/- 12; P less than 0.025). Skin 5 alpha-reductase activity was reduced in the scalp of the 4-MA-treated monkeys. We conclude that topical 4-MA can prevent the development of baldness in the stumptail macaque, a primate model of androgen-dependent baldness.

PMID: 3584395

Scalp as a donor site.

October 4th, 2009

Am J Surg. 1977 Feb;133(2):218-20.

Scalp as a donor site.

Taylor JW, Wilmore DW, Peterson HD, Pruitt BA Jr.

Our experience in twenty-six patients suggests that the scalp is an excellent source of split thickness skin grafts. Healing is rapid, infection is rare, and  hair regrowth conceals the donor site.

Cataract associated with finasteride for hair loss treatment

October 2nd, 2009

Clin Experiment Ophthalmol. 2004 Feb;32(1):106-8.

Propecia-associated bilateral cataract.

Chou SY, Kao SC, Hsu WM.

A 43-year-old man presented suffering from decreasing vision in both eyes for 3 months. The patient’s visual acuity was 6/20 (non-corrected) in the right eye and 6/10 (-1.75/-1.00 x 91) in the left. Ocular examination of both eyes revealed anterior subcapsular opacities of both lenses with the right eye being more severe than the left. He had been taking finasteride (Propecia; Merck, Sharp and Dohme) at 1 mg/day for 3 years to treat early stage androgenic alopecia  ( male pattern <a href=”http://www.ca.ro”>hair loss<A> }.    It was highly suspected that finasteride was associated with the anterior subcapsular opacity on the lens, and the patient therefore discontinued use of finasteride. He underwent uneventful cataract extraction surgery and intraocular lens implantation of the right eye. One month after cataract surgery in the right eye, the best-corrected visual acuity was right 6/6 (-1.25) and left 6/10 (-2.00/-0.50 x 100).  To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case cataract associated with propecia treatment of male pattern <a href=”http://www.us.ro”>hair loss</A>.

Male alopecia

October 2nd, 2009

Rev Med Liege. 1997 Aug;52(8):526-31.  Links

[Male alopecia: etiopathogenic concepts and current therapies]

[Article in French]
Piérard-Franchimont C, Piérard GE.

Service de Dermatopathologie, Université de Liège.

PMID: 9381002

Follow-up of 1 mg finasteride treatment of male pattern baldness

September 30th, 2009

Dermatol Surg. 2004 May;30(5):761-3.

Follow-up of 1 mg finasteride treatment of male pattern baldness-difference between clinical trials and private office follow-up: influences on prescribing habits evaluated.

Rapaport MJ.

UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90210, USA.

BACKGROUND: Finasteride (Propecia) was approved by the FDA in 1998 for treating men with androgenetic alopecia or male pattern hair loss. The published clinical trials demonstrated statistical differences between drug and placebo. Rarely do new drugs undergo further non-drug-company-sponsored studies of efficacy. Concerns about clinical studies and marketing of drugs prompted this evaluation of a large group of patients taking this medication. OBJECTIVE: Finasteride usage offered an opportunity not only to understand the acceptance of a cosmetically oriented medication, but also to evaluate subjective comments and compliance after a long period of time. METHODS: A total of 1261 patients were monitored with phone calls every 3 months after finasteride was initially prescribed. After 12 months, a detailed questionnaire was sent to all patients with an additional letter and two telephone calls if no response was received. Statistical analysis of the patients’ data was made. RESULTS: Thirty-two percent or 414 men continued to take finasteride daily for 1 to 3 years. Twenty-four percent or 297 men discontinued the drug between 3 and 15 months owing to poor results. The remaining 44% or 549 men were lost to follow-up despite numerous attempts to contact them. CONCLUSION: A total of 414 men continued to take the medication, but only 211 returned detailed questionnaires. A small percentage of this group felt that they grew hair. The remaining patients noted poor results

Finasteride for male pattern hair loss

September 25th, 2009

Clin Ter. 1996 Jun;147(6):305-15. 

Finasteride: a new drug for the treatment of male hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia?

Spinucci G, Pasquali R.

Dipartimento di Medicina interna e Gastroenterologia, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna.

Finasteride is a drug which inhibits the transformation of testosterone into its active metabolite, dihydrotestosterone, in the target organs, i.e. the skin, the scalp, the liver and the prostate. In the pathogenic mechanism of hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia ( pattern hair loss ), and important role is presumably played by alterations of the mechanisms which transform testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. In some conditions an increase in dihydrotestosterone has been demonstrated, due to increased activity of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase. The effect of finasteride develops above all at the level of type II 5 alpha-reductase. Recent studies have evaluated the effect of finasteride in patients of both sexes with hirsutism and androgenetic alopecia.       In women with various forms of hyperandrogenism, the use of the drug at the doses commonly used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia seems to have induced a significant reduction in the degree of hirsutism.   Furthermore, both in animals and men with alopecia, the drug seems to have led to an increase in the number and an improvement in the shape of the follicles in the anagen phase, and a simultaneous decrease of dehydrotestosterone at the level of the scalp. This study represents a review of the main results obtained over the last two years and reports the prospects which the use of finasteride may have in this context.

Hair regrowth promoting activity of Eclipta alba

September 8th, 2009

Arch Dermatol Res. 2008 Aug;300(7):357-64.

Hair growth promoting activity of Eclipta alba in male albino rats.

Roy RK, Thakur M, Dixit VK.

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dr HS Gour University, Sagar, MP, India.

Alopecia is a dermatological disorder with psychosocial implications on patients with hair loss. Eclipta alba Hassk. is a well-known Ayurvedic herb with purported claims of hair growth promotion. In the reported work attempts were undertaken to evaluate petroleum ether and ethanol extract of E. alba Hassk. for their effect on promoting hair growth in albino rats. The extracts were incorporated into oleaginous cream (water in oil cream base) and applied topically on shaved denuded skin of albino rats. The time (in days) required for hair growth initiation as well as completion of hair growth cycle was recorded. Minoxidil 2% solution was applied topically and served as positive control for comparison. Hair growth initiation time was significantly reduced to half on treatment with the extracts, as compared to control animals. The time required for complete hair growth was also significantly reduced. Quantitative analysis of hair growth after treatment with petroleum ether extract (5%) exhibited greater number of hair follicles in anagenic phase (69 +/- 4) which were higher as compared to control (47 +/- 13). The result of treatment with 2 and 5% petroleum ether extracts were better than the positive control minoxidil 2% treatment.

Minoxidil for Hair Loss

September 7th, 2009

G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 1990 Oct;125(10):XLVII-LIII.  Links

[Efficacy and cardiovascular tolerability of minotricon in the treatment of seborrheic alopecia]

Rigoni C, Pinelli S, Toffolo P, Scarabelli G, Terenzio C.

Istituto di Clinica Dermatologica I e Dermatologia Pediatrica, Università degli Studi di Milano.

The paper reports the results of local treatment using minoxidil 2%  for hair loss treatment in a watery solution at a dose of 2 ml/day in 50 patients affected by androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss). The results were analysed statistically using Wilcoxon’s non-parametric test and Mac Nemar’s test.

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September 7th, 2009

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