Emesis in patients receiving acupuncture,sham acupuncture or standard care during chemo-radiation: A randomized controlled study

ObjectiveTo study nausea, vomiting and need for rescue antiemetics in patients receiving antiemetic acupuncture, sham acupuncture or standard care during concomitant chemotherapy during pelvic radiotherapy.MethodsIn total, 68 patients participated (75% women, mean age 56 years, 53% had gynecological, 43% colorectal, and 4% other cancer types). Fifty-seven of them were blinded randomized to verum (n = 28) or sham (n = 29) acupuncture, median 10 sessions. During the study period of four weeks, the patients daily registered their nausea, vomiting and consumption of antiemetics. They were compared to a reference group (n = 11) receiving standard care only, who delivered these data once (after receiving mean 27 Gy radiotherapy dose).ResultsMore patients in the sham acupuncture group (17 of 20; 85%, p = 0.019, RR 1.81, CI 1.06–3.09) consumed antiemetics, compared to the verum acupuncture group (8 of 17; 47%). In the standard care group, 7 of 11 (63%) consumed antiemetics. The verum acupuncture treated patients experienced lower intensity of nausea than the other patients (p = 0.049). There was a non-significant tendency that more patients receiving either sham acupuncture or standard care experienced nausea (21 of 31; 68%) than patients receiving verum acupuncture (9 of 17; 53%: p = 0.074, RR 1.58, CI 0.91–2.74).ConclusionPatients treated with verum acupuncture needed less antiemetics and experienced milder nausea than other patients. Our study was small and many analyses lacked statistical power to detect differences; we welcome further sham-controlled efficacy studies and studies regarding the role of non-specific treatment components for experiencing antiemetic effects of acupuncture.     

Exercises improve body composition,cardiovascular risk factors and bone mineral density for menopausal women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundMenopause has been considered as an aggravating factor for developing cardiovascular diseases and the metabolic syndromes for women. Exercise might be an effective intervention for reducing such threats.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the exercise effects on body composition, cardiovascular risk factors, and bone mineral density of menopausal women.MethodsTwo reviewers did a complete search of five electronic database (Medline, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and the Chinese Electronic Periodical Service) records up to January 31, 2014. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared female menopausal participants with exercises, and those without exercise or with placebo were included. Risk of bias was classified based on the Cochrane Collaboration tool, the meta-analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 2.2. The study selection, data extraction, and validation were performed independently by the 2 reviewers.ResultsA total of 17 RCTs with 792 participants were included for meta-analysis. Among the eight RCTs (247 participants), a moderate effect size of exercise on body fat was found (SMD = − 0.34, 95% CI: − 0.60 to − 0.08). In five RCTs (195 participants), a moderate effect size of exercise on waist circumference (SMD = − 0.39, 95% CI: − 0.68 to − 0.09), in seven RCTs (162 participants), a moderate effect size on triglyceride level (SMD = − 0.37, 95% CI: − 0.62 to − 0.11), and in five RCTs (311 participants), a moderate effect size on bone mineral density (SMD = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.08–0.68). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant effect of aerobic exercise on body fat (SMD = − 0.29, 95% CI: − 0.53 to − 0.06), and a short-term exercise on body fat (SMD = − 0.50, 95% CI: − 0.89 to − 0.11) and on triglycerides (SMD = − 0.42, 95% CI: − 0.79 to − 0.04). The trials included in this meta-analysis were small and some had methodologic limitations.ConclusionsThis study provides evidences to clinical practice for menopause women that exercise, compared with nonexercise or placebo exerted significant benefits on body fat, waist circumference, triglyceride level, and lumbar spine bone mineral density. Particularly, aerobic exercise did help menopausal women improve their body fat. A short-term exercise intervention had a benefit on not only body fat but also triglyceride level. However, well-designed, well-executed RCTs, and a detailed long-term clinical research should be needed in the future.     

Recent Highlights of Experimental Research for Inhibiting Tumor Growth by Using Chinese Medicine

To give an overview of contemporary experimental research using Chinese medicine (CM) for the treatment of cancer. As an integral part of mainstream medicine in the People''s Republic of China, CM emphasizes improvements in holistic physical condition instead of merely killing tumor cells, which is consistent with the current medical model that advocates patient-oriented treatment. Great progress has been made in experimental research, and the principle aspects include anti-tumor angiogenesis, inducing apoptosis and differentiation, reversing multidrug resistance, and improving immune function. As a current hot topic in cancer research, tumor microenvironment (TME) highlights the mutual and interdependent interaction between tumor cells and their surrounding tissues, and the CM treatment concept bears a striking resemblance to it. To date, primary points of TME include extracellular matrix remodeling, inflammation, hypoxia, and angiogenesis, but trials using CM with a focus on TME are rare. Despite considerable recent development, experimental research on CM for solving cancer issues appears insufficient. Greater efforts in this field are urgently needed.     

Sulphoraphane Improves Neuronal Mitochondrial Function in Brain Tissue in Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Rats

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is one of the leading causes of toxicity‐related mortality and morbidity worldwide, primarily manifested by acute and delayed central nervous system (CNS) injuries and other organ damages. However, its definite pathogenesis is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to explore the pathogenesis of the ultrastructural and functional impairment of mitochondria and the protection of sulphoraphane (SFP) at different dosages on hippocampus neurons in rats after exposure to CO. We found that CO poisoning could induce advanced cognitive dysfunction, while the mitochondrial ultrastructure of neurons in rats of the CO poisoning group was seriously damaged and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was accordingly reduced by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and JC‐1 fluorescent probe assay. CO poisoning could also increase the expressions of both nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf‐2) and thioredoxin‐1 (Trx‐1) proteins and their mRNA in brain tissue with immunohistochemistry and quantitative PCR (qPCR) techniques. Early administration of either middle‐dose or high‐dose SFP could efficiently improve mitochondrial structure and function and enhance the antioxidative stress ability, thus exerting a positive effect against brain damage induced by acute CO poisoning.     

Effects of thermal therapy on uremic pruritus and biochemical parameters in patients having haemodialysis

Title.  Effects of thermal therapy on uremic pruritus and biochemical parameters in patients having haemodialysis.
Aim.  This paper is a report of a trial to identify the effect of thermal therapy with far-infrared rays in comparison with non-thermal therapy on uremic pruritus and biochemical parameters.
Background.  Uremic pruritus remains one of the most frustrating, common, and potentially disabling symptoms in patients undergoing haemodialysis. The mechanism underlying uremic pruritus is poorly understood. Although enough is known to determine a reasonable treatment approach, more research is needed to evaluate more reliable treatments.
Methods.  A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted in 2005 using questionnaires and measurement of blood biochemical parameters. A total of 41 uremic patients on maintenance haemodialysis were randomly assigned either to the thermal therapy group or the control group. The thermal therapy group was treated with 40°C thermal therapy with far-infrared rays at the Sanyinjiao acupoint for 15 minutes once a day on two days a week for a total of 18 sessions. The control group received a plain adhesive patch placed on the same acupoint.
Findings.  Both groups showed statistically significant improvements but there were no differences between groups, while a relatively large decrease in pruritus scores was found in the thermal therapy group ( P  < 0·001) as compared with the non-thermal therapy group. Serum calcium level decreased statistically significantly in the thermal therapy group and was statistically significantly different from that of the control group.
Conclusion.  The lack of effect does not necessarily demonstrate that thermal therapy is not effective or has no therapeutic benefits for uremic pruritus in patients having haemodialysis. Further investigation is warranted, with larger samples and longer intervention.     

益气活血法对脑出血大鼠血肿区血管新生的形态学影响

目的：观察益气活血法对脑出血大鼠脑内损伤区血管新生和血肿吸收的影响及作用机制。方法：180只SD大鼠分为正常组5只,假手术组35只,另140只利用胶原酶诱导建立大鼠脑出血模型后分为模型组、益气组（益气方灌胃）、活血组（活血方灌胃）及益气活血组各35只,不同时间点灌注取脑。采用脑微血管银染法观察各组血管新生情况、测量血肿面积。结果：与正常组及假手术组比较,第1天时,造模的4组大鼠血肿内可见大量结构不清的液化坏死脑组织、炎性细胞浸润,内皮细胞肿胀,血肿周围少量呈毛细血管扩张,中线移位。与造模后的其它3组比较,造模后第7天益气活血组血肿开始明显吸收,35d时部分切片完全吸收（P〈0.01）。第14-28天时血肿周围及内部新生血管增多。第28天后各组新生血管开始消退。结论：益气活血法可能通过提高血肿区巨噬细胞吞噬功能,增强血管新生和血肿吸收,以促进脑组织修复。