PMID: 

Antibiotics (Basel). 2020 Jan 21 ;9(2). Epub 2020 Jan 21. PMID: 31973242

Abstract Title: 

Honey as a Strategy to Fightin Mixed-Biofilms with.

Abstract: 

Fungal contaminations withspecies are commonly responsible for several infections, especially when associated to bacteria. The therapeutic approach commonly used is being compromised due to microbial resistances of these microorganisms to antimicrobial agents, especially in biofilm. The use of honey as an antimicrobial agent has been emerging as a valuable solution and proving its potential in planktonic and in biofilm cells. This work aims to assess the effect of different honeys on biofilms ofand. The effect of Portuguese heather (PH) and manuka honeys on planktonic growth ofwas initially evaluated by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Then, the same effect was evaluated in mixed biofilms, by colony-forming units numeration and fluorescence microscopy. The combinations of honey plus fluconazole and gentamicin were also tested. The results showed that the honeys tested enabled a great reduction of, both in planktonic (12.5% and 25% of MIC for PH and manuka) and in biofilm. In polymicrobial biofilms, the use of PH and manuka honeys was revealed to be a promising choice and an alternative treatment, since they were able to reduce cells from both species. No synergistic effect was observed in antimicrobial combinations assays against polymicrobial biofilms.

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PMID: 

J Antimicrob Chemother. 2020 Jan 16. Epub 2020 Jan 16. PMID: 31977042

Abstract Title: 

Antimicrobial activity of honey in periodontal disease: a systematic review.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Honey has shown positive antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions in several dermatological studies; however, it is unclear if it could be effective in the treatment of periodontal disease.OBJECTIVES: To answer the question: Does honey have antimicrobial activity against periodontopathogens?METHODS: Six electronic databases were screened from initiation to 31 January 2019 for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and controlled in vitro studies exploring the antimicrobial effect of honey against periodontopathogens. Honey's botanical origin, periopathogens that showed microbial susceptibility to honey, MICs, microbial growth conditions, control product and clinical follow-up were the main investigated outcomes. The risk of bias (RoB) of included RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration RoB tool. The RoB of in vitro studies was evaluated based on the Sarkis-Onofre judgement model adapted to the context of honey.RESULTS: A total of 1448 publications were found as search results in the screened databases. Sixteen eligible papers were included based on predetermined inclusion criteria. Retained studies included 5 RCTs and 11 in vitro controlled trials. Manuka and multifloral honeys were the most studied varieties. The tested honeys showed a significant antimicrobial action, with different MICs, against eight periopathogens. Four of the five RCTs showed a high RoB, while 4 of the 11 retained in vitro studies showed a medium RoB.CONCLUSIONS: Honey showed a significant antimicrobial activity against all targeted periopathogens. Additional experiments are required to explore the entire antimicrobial spectrum of honey towards all pathogens involved in periodontal disease.

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PMID: 

J Surg Res. 2020 02 ;246:170-181. Epub 2019 Oct 4. PMID: 31590030

Abstract Title: 

Electroacupuncture Attenuates Limb Ischemia-Reperfusion-Induced Lung Injury Via p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-Nuclear Factor Erythroid-2-Related Factor-2/Heme Oxygenase Pathway.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture has been reported to protect the body from organ damages, but its mechanisms remain to be explored. This research was designed to investigate the function of electroacupuncture in lung injury resulted from hind limb ischemia-reperfusion (LIR) and whether p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK)-mediated nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase (HO)-1 pathway contributes to the protective effect of electroacupuncture on LIR-originated lung damage.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rabbits were subjected to occluding femoral artery for 2 h. Then they received reperfusion for 4 h to establish lung injury model. Electroacupuncture stimulation was performed bilaterally at Feishu and Zusanli acupoints for 15 min once a day for 5 d before the experiment and throughout the hind LIR model performing in the experimental day. Blood samples and lung tissues were collected to examine the role of electroacupuncture treatment in inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and lung injury. Both the protein expression and the messenger RNA level of Nrf2 and HO-1 were detected.RESULTS: The results showed that electroacupuncture treatment remarkably alleviated lung injury, decreased inflammatory cytokines secretion, attenuated lung oxidative stress, increased the amount of Nrf2 and HO-1, and increased the ratio of phospho-p38 MAPK to p38 MAPK after LIR. However, the protective effects exerted by electroacupuncture were reversed to some extent by the preconditioning with SB203580, a p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor.CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that electroacupuncture could attenuate lung injury in rabbits subjected to LIR by inhibition of proinflammatory cytokine response and oxidative stress through activating p38 MAPK-mediated Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

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PMID: 

Altern Ther Health Med. 2019 Oct 1. Epub 2019 Oct 1. PMID: 31634868

Abstract Title: 

Acupuncture for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial Studying Changes in Clinical Symptoms and Electrodiagnostic Tests.

Abstract: 

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most frequent entrapment neuropathy in humans. Nonsurgical management is still a matter of debate, and conservative treatments include splinting, local steroid injections, ultrasound, and oral steroids. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture therapy for symptomatic CTS may improve symptoms and aid nerve repair as well as improve sensory and motor functions. However, limited evidence based on comprehensive evaluation methods is available regarding the effects of those treatments.Objective: The study intended to compare the short-term effects of acupuncture and conventional medical treatment on CTS patients' clinical symptoms and on the results of their electrodiagnostic tests.Design: The research team designed a randomized controlled trial.Setting: The study took place at the electrodiagnostic clinic of the School of Persian and Complementary Medicine at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Mashhad, Iran).Participants: Participants were 60 patients at the clinic with the clinical diagnosis of CTS.Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups. Patients in the control group received 100 mg of Celebrex as tablets, 2 times daily. Patients in the intervention group received 12 sessions of acupuncture, each for 30 min, for 4 wk. The needle insertion points were fixed for all sessions. In addition, wrist braces were provided to wear at night for 1 mo in both groups.Outcome Measures: At baseline, postintervention at the end of week 4, and at a 3-mo follow-up at the end of week 16, participants' clinical symptoms-pain, numbness, tingling, weakness/clumsiness, and night awakenings-and the results of their electrodiagnostic studies were evaluated and compared.Results: In total, 49 patients completed the study-24 in the control group and 25 in the intervention group. Compared with the control group, the intervention group's clinical symptoms-pain, numbness, tingling, and muscular weakness-based on the subscales of the global symptoms score questionnaire as well as the overall score on that questionnaire improved significantly (P

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PMID: 

Zhen Ci Yan Jiu. 2019 Oct 25 ;44(10):715-21. PMID: 31657160

Abstract Title: 

[Effects of electroacupuncture on morphology of neovascularization and expression of angiogenesis-related factors in ischemic brain tissue of cerebral ischemia rats].

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: To observe the change of neovascular morphology and angiogenesis related factors in the ischemic cerebral area after cerebral infarction and the intervention effect of electroacupuncture (EA).METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into model group(=90), EA group(=90), sham operation group(=90) and control group(=10). The first three groups were further divided into 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 9 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3 d, 7 d and 12 d subgroups(=10 in each subgroup). The cerebral infarction model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO). EA(15 Hz, 2 mA) was applied to"Shuigou"(GV26) for 20 min in the EA group. The 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 h subgroups were treated immediately after modeling, the 3, 7, 12 d subgroups were treated once daily for 3, 7 or 12 days. The neovascular endothelial cells were displayed by immunofluorescence double labeling staining. Quantitive real-time PCR and Western blot were applied to detect the changes of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), angiogenin (Ang) -1, 2, platelet-derived growth factor b (PDGF-b) in ischemic brain tissue, respectively.RESULTS: After modeling, CD31 and Ki67 positive cells were first observed at 24 h in the model group, and reached the peak at 3 d, decreased at 7 d. While in the EA group, the CD31 and Ki67 positive cells were first observed at 12 h, and reached the peak at 3 d, and gradually decreased until 12 d. Compared with the control group, the mRNA expressions of bFGF at 9 h-12 h, Ang-1 at 12 h-12 d, Ang-2 at 1 h-12 d and PDGF-b at 1 h, 6 h, 9 h, 24 h-12 d were increased in the model group(

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PMID: 

Complement Med Res. 2018 ;25(6):406-412. Epub 2018 Oct 30. PMID: 30372690

Abstract Title: 

Efficacy of Non-Invasive Auricular Acupressure for Treating Constipation in Leukemia Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the available evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of auricular acupressure (AA) therapy for preventing constipation in leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy.METHODS: We searched 5 English databases and 4 Chinese databases, from their inception until August 2017. Quantitative syntheses of RCTs were conducted using RevMan 5.3 software. Study selection, data extraction, and validation were performed independently by 2 reviewers. Cochrane criteria for risk-of-bias were used to assess the methodological quality of the trials.RESULTS: Five RCTs met the inclusion criteria, and most were of low methodological quality. All RCTs compared AA + routine care with routine care alone. Our analysis found that complementary effects of AA can improve the scores of the Bristol Stool Form (BSF), the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS), and the Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality of Life (PAC-QOL). However, the same positive results were not found in terms of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), the EuroQoL 5-domain (EQ-5D), and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS).CONCLUSIONS: Overall, as a potential safety therapy, AA may be recommended in addition to routine care including use of laxatives to prevent constipation in leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy. In the future, more rigorous RCTs must be conducted to overcome the limitations of our existing data and to confirm the effect and safety of AA for managing constipation in leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy.

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PMID: 

Support Care Cancer. 2019 Nov ;27(11):4155-4163. Epub 2019 Feb 22. PMID: 30796521

Abstract Title: 

Auricular acupressure: reducing side effects of chemotherapy in women with ovarian cancer.

Abstract: 

PURPOSE: Many women with ovarian cancer may experience adverse effects from adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery. Non-pharmacological interventions can be used to reduce these side effects. We tested auricular acupressure to reduce treatment side effects in this population.METHODS: A prospective, quasi-randomized controlled trial was carried out at a publicly-funded hospital in southern Taiwan. Thirty-four women in the intervention group received auricular acupressure at four points (Shenmen, subcortex, endocrine, and heart), three times per day for 3 min per time, for 6 weeks. Thirty-one women in the control group received routine nursing care alone. The M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) was completed at four time points.RESULTS: After receiving the third cycle of chemotherapy, side effect severity was elevated among both groups. Auricular acupressure reduced side effects such as disturbed sleep (t = - 11.99; p 

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PMID: 

Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2019 May ;35:316-322. Epub 2019 Mar 18. PMID: 31003676

Abstract Title: 

Effects of auricular acupressure on obesity in adolescents.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: and purpose: Adolescent obesity has been increasing globally, and intervention is important. This study examined the effects of auricular acupressure on reducing obesity in adolescents.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were 58 obese adolescents, divided into an experimental (n = 32) and a control group (n = 26). The study design was a randomized controlled trial. Auricular acupressure using vaccaria seeds was administered to the experimental group, while placebo auricular acupressure using vaccaria seeds was administered to the control group. Sessions continued for 8 weeks. Outcome measures included body weight, abdominal circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio, body-mass index, body-fat mass, body-fat percentage, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, serum glucose, and leptin.RESULTS: Adolescents in the experimental group showed significant improvement in total cholesterol levels and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels after 8 weeks compared with those in the control group (p 

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PMID: 

Pain Manag Nurs. 2019 Dec ;20(6):623-632. Epub 2019 Jun 14. PMID: 31204029

Abstract Title: 

Preliminary Effectiveness of Auricular Point Acupressure on Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy: Part 2 Laboratory-Assessed and Objective Outcomes.

Abstract: 

PURPOSE: To manage chemotherapy-induced neuropathy (CIN), this paper explores reliable and valid objectives measures to evaluate the treatment effects of auricular point acupressure (APA).DESIGN/METHOD: This study was a repeated-measures one-group design. Participants received four weeks of APA to manage their CIN. The laboratory-assessed and objective outcomes included quantitative sensory testing, grip and pinch strength, and inflammatory biomarkers. Wilcoxon matched pairs signed-rank tests were conducted to determine change scores of outcomes at pre- vs. post- and pre- vs. 1-month follow-up. Spearman's rho correlation coefficient was used to examine the linear association of score changes of all objective study outcomes.RESULTS: Comparing pre-and-post APA, (1) the mean score of the monofilament for all lower extremity sites tested decreased after APA, indicating sensory improvement; (2) the suprathreshold pinprick stimuli mean scores on the upper extremities increased, except the scores from the index finger and thumb; (3) the pain tolerance of thumb and trapezius areas increased; (4) decreasing IL1β (p = .05), IFNγ (p = .02), IL-2 (p = .03), IL-6 (p = .05), IL-10 (p = .05), and IP10/CXCL10 (p = .04) were observed pre-post APA. Conditional pain modulation was significantly (p

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PMID: 

Gastroenterol Nurs. 2019 Jun 25. Epub 2019 Jun 25. PMID: 31246633

Abstract Title: 

Effects of Auricular Acupressure on Women With Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Abstract: 

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of auricular acupressure on bowel symptoms, stress, mental health, and heart rate variability in women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A quasi-experimental study design with a nonequivalent control group assessed a total sample of 56 women diagnosed with IBS according to Rome III criteria. There were 29 women in the experimental group who received auricular acupressure; 27 women were in the control group. Semen sinapis albae seeds were used to administer acupressure to four auricular points: endocrine, large intestine, lung, and Shenmen for 5 days/week for 4 weeks; the control group received no treatment. Bowel symptoms, stress, mental health, and heart rate variability were measured twice, once before and once after the intervention. Chi-square tests, t tests, and paired t tests were used for analysis. The experimental group had decreased loose stools, abdominal pain, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, stress, and heart rate variability compared with the control group (p

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