Treatment of fibromyalgia at the Maharishi Ayurveda Health Centre in Norway II—a 24-month follow-up pilot study

Treatments offered at the Maharishi Ayurveda Health Centre in Norway are based on Maharishi Vedic Medicine (MVM). MVM is a consciousness-based revival by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program of the ancient Ayurvedic medicine tradition in India. To extend from 6 to 24 months, a pilot study of the effects of the treatment program at the Health Centre on fibromyalgia. Retesting 2 years after a clinical trial. In this intention to treat study, 31 women with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia received an individually tailored program of (1) physiological purification therapy (Maharishi Panchakarma) and (2) Ayurvedic recommendations regarding daily routine and diet including a novel approach to food intolerance. Five subjects chose to learn TM for stress reduction, pain management and personal development. All were recommended Ayurvedic herbal products for follow-up treatment. A modified Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) that included seven dimensions. Scores at 24 months follow-up were compared with pre-treatment scores. At 24-months follow-up, there were significant reductions (26% to 44%) in six of the seven fibromyalgia dimensions: impairment of working ability, pain, tiredness, morning tiredness, stiffness and anxiety. The 7th, depression, decreased 32% (borderline significant). At 24 months, the four subjects who continued practising TM, had almost no symptoms and significantly lower FIQ change scores (−92% to 97%) than the non-meditators on all outcomes. This pilot study suggests that the treatments and health promotion programs offered at the Maharishi Ayurveda Health Centre in Norway lead to long-term reductions in symptoms of fibromyalgia, which is considered a treatment-resistant condition, and further studies are warranted.     

Low perfusion pressure during CPB may induce cerebral metabolic and ultrastructural changes

Background. Recently we reported on cerebral metabolic changes suggesting ischemia in piglets during nitroprusside-induced low-pressure CPB. We here investigated whether a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 40–45 mmHg could provoke similar changes by a NO-independent intervention. Methods. Piglets underwent 60 minutes normothermic followed by 90 minutes hypothermic CPB. The LP-group (n=8) had MAP of 40–45 mmHg by phentolamine while the HP-group (n=8) had MAP of 60–80 mmHg by norepinephrine. Cerebral glucose, lactate, pyruvate and glycerol were determined. In the last two animals of each group, cerebral tissue was examined by electron microscopy. Results. Cerebral lactate was higher in the LP-group than the HP-group during normothermic CPB. Compared with baseline, cerebral glucose of the LP-group decreased whereas lactate/pyruvate-ratio, lactate and glycerol-concentrations increased during normothermic CPB. In the HP-group these parameters remained unchanged. Electron microscopy showed 31.2% and 8.3% altered mitochondria in the cortical micrographs taken from the LP- and the HP-group, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion. MAP below 45 mmHg during CPB was associated with cerebral biochemical and morphological changes consistent with anaerobic metabolism and subcellular injury.     

Amyloid-independent functional neural correlates of episodic memory in amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Purpose

Although amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) could have various biological characteristics, little attention has been given to the nature of episodic memory decline in aMCI with pathophysiologies other than Alzheimer’s disease (AD), i.e., aMCI with low beta-amyloid (Aβ) burden. This study aimed to identify the functional neural basis of episodic memory impairment in aMCI with Aβ burden negative (aMCI-Aβ?) and to compare these results with aMCI with Aβ burden positive (aMCI-Aβ+).

Methods

Individuals with aMCI (n?=?498) were selected from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database. Based on the mean florbetapir standard uptake value ratio, participants were classified as aMCI-Aβ? or aMCI-Aβ+. Correlations between memory scores and regional cerebral glucose metabolism (rCMglc) were analyzed separately for the two subgroups using a multiple regression model.

Results

For aMCI-Aβ?, significant positive correlations between memory and rCMglc were found in the bilateral claustrum, right thalamus, left anterior cingulate cortex, left insula, and right posterior cingulate. For aMCI-Aβ+, significant positive correlations between memory and rCMglc were found in the temporoparietal areas. These correlation patterns remained unchanged when clinical severity was added as a covariate

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that memory impairment in aMCI-Aβ? is related to multimodal integrative processing and the attentional control system, whereas memory impairment in aMCI-Aβ+?is related to the typical brain memory systems and AD signature. These results suggest that although the two subgroups are clinically in the same category as aMCI, the memory impairment process depends on completely different functional brain regions according to their Aβ burden level.

     

Intraoperative fluid balance during cardiopulmonary bypass: effects of different mean arterial pressures

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated whether two levels of mean arterial pressure (MAP) during cardiopulmonary bypass did influence per-operative fluid shifts. METHODS: Sixteen pigs underwent 60 minutes of normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) followed by 90 minutes of hypothermic CPB. Eight animals had a MAP of 60-80mmHg by norepinephrine (HP group). Another 8 animals had a MAP of 40-45 mmHg by phentolamine (LP group). Blood chemistry, plasma/interstitial colloid osmotic pressures, plasma volume, fluid balance, fluid extravasation rate and tissue water content were measured or calculated. RESULTS: The plasma volume was significantly lower in the HP group compared with the LP group after 60 minutes of CPB. Net fluid balance was 0.18 (0.05) ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) in the HP group and 0.21 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) in the LP group (P > 0.05) while fluid extravasation rate was 1.18 (0.5) and 1.13 (0.4) ml x kg(-1) x min(-1) in the HP group and the LP group during CPB (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Net fluid balance and fluid extravasation rate were similar in the animals with elevated and with lowered MAP during CPB.     

Incorporation of Copper-Doped Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Nanospheres in Experimental Dental Composites: Chemical and Mechanical Characterization

Experimental dental resin composites incorporating copper-doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanospheres (Cu-MBGN) were designed to impart antibacterial and remineralizing properties. The study evaluated the influence of Cu-MBGN on the mechanical properties and photopolymerization of resin composites. Cu-MBGN were synthesized using a microemulsion-assisted sol–gel method. Increasing amounts of Cu-MBGN (0, 1, 5, and 10 wt %) were added to the organic polymer matrix with inert glass micro- and nanofillers while maintaining a constant resin/filler ratio. Six tests were performed: X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM), Vickers microhardness (MH), and degree of conversion (DC). FS and MH of Cu-MBGN composites with silica fillers showed no deterioration with aging, with statistically similar results at 1 and 28 days. FM was not influenced by the addition of Cu-MBGN but was reduced for all tested materials after 28 days. The specimens with 1 and 5% Cu-MBGN had the highest FS, FM, MH, and DC values at 28 days, while controls with 45S5 bioactive glass had the lowest FM, FS, and MH. DC was high for all materials (83.7–93.0%). Cu-MBGN composites with silica have a potential for clinical implementation due to high DC and good mechanical properties with adequate resistance to aging.     

Two pathways of exocytosis of cytoplasmic granule contents and target cell killing by cytokine-induced CD3+ CD56+ killer cells

Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are non-major histocompatibility complex-restricted cytotoxic cells generated by incubation of peripheral blood lymphocytes with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (MoAb), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-1, and interferon-gamma. Cells with the greatest effector function in CIK cultures coexpress CD3 and CD56 surface molecules. CIK cell cytotoxicity can be blocked by MoAbs directed against the cell surface protein leukocyte function associated antigen-1 but not by anti-CD3 MoAbs. CIK cells undergo release of cytoplasmic cytotoxic granule contents to the extracellular space upon stimulation with anti-CD3 MoAbs or susceptible target cells. Maximal granule release was observed from the CD3+ CD56+ subset of effector cells. The cytoplasmic granule contents are lytic to target cells. Treatment of the effector cells with a cell-permeable analog of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) inhibited anti-CD3 MoAb and target cell- induced degranulation and cytotoxicity of CIK cells. The immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporin (CsA) and FK506 inhibited anti-CD3- mediated degranulation, but did not affect cytotoxicity of CIK cells against tumor target cells. In addition, degranulation induced by target cells was unaffected by CsA and FK506. Our results indicate that two mechanisms of cytoplasmic granule release are operative in the CD3+ CD56+ killer cells; however, cytotoxicity proceeds through a cAMP- sensitive, CsA- and FK506-insensitive pathway triggered by yet-to-be- identified target cell surface molecules.     

Human gingival fibroblasts function is stimulated on machined hydrided titanium zirconium dental implants

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different titanium zirconium (TiZr) alloy surfaces on primary human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) for improved soft tissue integration of dental implants.

Methods

TiZr polished, machined and machined + HCl/H₂SO₄ acid-etched surfaces were modified by cathodic polarization and/or HNO₃/HF acid etching. Contact angle of surfaces was measured. The influence of modified TiZr surfaces on HGF was evaluated through the analysis of cell number, morphology, recovery after a wound (wound healing assay) and the expression of several genes, including matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP1) and metallopeptidase inhibitor-1 (TIMP1).

Results

Modification of TiZr surfaces decreased its hydrophilicity. Hydride implementation on TiZr surfaces via cathodic polarization increased TIMP1 expression and decreased MMP1/TIMP1 mRNA ratio. Cathodic polarization of machined surfaces promoted cell attachment. Cells on machined and machined + cathodic polarization surfaces grew aligned to the microgrooves whereas on all polished surfaces they grew randomly. Acid etching of polished and machined surfaces did not improve HGF function.

Conclusions

Hydride implementation on TiZr machined surfaces may be used as new dental implant material for improved soft tissue integration.

Clinical significance

Enhancing dental implant surfaces’ bioactivity by hydride implementation may promote soft tissue attachment and sealing around the implant and reduce peri-implantitis related to ECM-destruction compared with conventional machined surfaces.