Clinical factors associated with subsequent surgical intervention in women undergoing early medical termination of viable or non-viable pregnancies.

Introduction: Mifepristone-misoprostol treatment for medical abortion and miscarriage are safe and effective. This study aimed to assess clinical factors associated with subsequent surgical intervention after medical termination of early viable or non-viable pregnancy. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included women who underwent medical abortion at Taipei Medical University between January 2010 and December 2019. A total of 1,561 subjects, with 1,080 viable and 481 non-viable pregnancies, who were treated with oral mifepristone 600 mg followed by misoprostol 600 mg 48 h later were included. Data of all pregnancies and medical termination of pregnancy were evaluated using regression analysis. The main outcome was successful termination of pregnancy. Results: The success rate of medical abortion was comparable in women with viable and non-viable (92.13% vs. 92.93%) pregnancies. Besides retained tissue, more existing pregnancies with ultrasonographic findings were found in the non-viable pregnancy group than in the viable pregnancy group (29.4% vs. 14.1%, p = 0.011). Multivariate analysis showed that previous delivery was an independent risk factor for failed medical abortion among all included cases. In women with viable pregnancy, longer gestational age [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.483, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.224-1.797, p < 0.001] and previous Cesarean delivery (aOR: 2.177, 95% CI: 1.167-40.62, p = 0.014) were independent risk factors for failed medical abortion. Number of Cesarean deliveries (aOR: 1.448, 95% CI: 1.029-2.039, p = 0.034) was an independent risk factor for failed medication abortion in women with non-viable pregnancies. Conclusion: This is the first cohort study to identify risk factors for subsequent surgical intervention in women with viable or non-viable pregnancies who had undergone early medically induced abortions. The success rate of medical abortion is comparable in women with viable and non-viable pregnancies. Previous delivery is an independent risk factor for failed medical abortion. Clinical follow-up may be necessary for women who are at risk of subsequent surgical intervention.

Far-infrared stimulation of Neiguan acupoints improves heart rate variability and ameliorate fatigue in hemodialysis patients: A randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: In 2018, 84 615 patients in Taiwan received hemodialysis, of which about 62% to 97% suffered from fatigue. Fatigue caused by hemodialysis may be mental or physical. However, the detailed mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate whether far-infrared stimulation of the Neiguan acupoint (P6) could effectively reduce fatigue and improve heart rate variability (HRV) in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: We conducted a two-arm, randomized trial in a hemodialysis center between March 2015 and March 2016. A total of 73 hemodialysis patients were included and were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 37) and a control group (n = 36). The experimental group received far-infrared radiation on Neiguan acupoint during hemodialysis for 12 weeks. The outcomes were fatigue level and HRV. RESULTS: All patients showed moderate fatigue ( M = 26.00 ± 13.01, range = 0-78) at baseline. Far-infrared stimulation on Neiguan acupoint significantly reduced overall fatigue ( ß = 24, p < 0.001) and improved HRV ( ß = 74.36, p < 0.001). Compared to the control group, the experiment group had significantly reduced fatigue levels in all aspects such as reduced energy and motivation ( ß = -2.97, p < 0.001), reduced physical strength ( ß = -1.28, p < 0.01), reduced mental capability ( ß = -2.38, p < 0.001), reduction in daily activities ( ß = -1.48, p < 0.01), depressed mood and loss of control ( ß = -1.21, p < 0.05) as well as increased autonomous nervous system activity ( ß = 14.71, p < 0.01) in the third month of stimulation. CONCLUSION: Far-infrared stimulation of the Neiguan acupoints effectively reduces fatigue and increases autonomic nervous system activity in hemodialysis patients.

Moxibustion for Managing Postoperative Urinary Retention After Hemorrhoidectomy and Anorectal Surgeries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

PURPOSE: Common surgical procedures for conditions affecting the anus and rectum such as hemorrhoidectomy are associated with high risks of postoperative urinary retention (POUR). Little is known about the efficacy of moxibustion in managing POUR after such surgical procedures. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to review the related literature and synthesize data on the effectiveness of moxibustion in managing POUR after common anorectal surgeries. DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), VIP information, and Wanfang databases were searched to October 1, 2021 using the keywords urinary retention, moxibustion, and moxa. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating patients who had developed POUR after hemorrhoidectomy or other anorectal surgeries were eligible for inclusion. Patients receiving moxibustion formed the intervention group and the control group received usual care alone. Primary outcomes were markedly effective rate, defined as spontaneous voiding with complete symptom relief within 30 to 60 minutes after treatment; and total effective rate (ie, markedly effective rate plus effective rate, defined as spontaneous voiding with partial relief of symptoms within 60 minutes to 4 hours after treatment). Secondary outcome was time to first urination after treatment. FINDINGS: Thirty-four RCTs met the eligibility criteria. Pooled analysis revealed that the markedly effective rate was significantly higher in the moxibustion group than that in the control group (pooled RR = 2.53, 95% CI = 2.17-2.95), and the total effective rate in the moxibustion group was also higher than that in the control group (pooled RR = 5.02, 95% CI = 4.01-6.28). The intervention group had significantly shorter times to first urination than controls (pooled effect = -2.81, 95% CI = -2.06 to -3.56). CONCLUSIONS: Moxibustion appears superior to usual care in relieving POUR after common anorectal surgeries. Future studies are still warranted to confirm these findings.

Predictive Role of Neutrophil-Percentage-to-Albumin Ratio (NPAR) in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Advanced Liver Fibrosis in Nondiabetic US Adults: Evidence from NHANES 2017-2018.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent globally and includes chronic liver diseases ranging from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The neutrophil-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) is a cost-effective, readily available biomarker of inflammation used to assess cancer and cardiovascular disease prognosis, and it may be of predictive value in NAFLD. This study was to evaluate the associations between the NPAR, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and the presence of NAFLD or advanced liver fibrosis, and to assess the predictive value of the NPAR in NAFLD in a nationally representative database. This population-based, cross-sectional, retrospective study analyzed the secondary data of adults with NAFLD or advanced liver fibrosis extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database 2017-2018. NHANES participants with complete information of vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) were enrolled. A logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associations between the variables in the participants with and without NAFLD or advanced liver fibrosis. The mean values of the lymphocyte counts, neutrophil counts, NPAR, aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HbA1c were significantly higher in the participants with NAFLD than in those without NAFLD or advanced liver fibrosis. The mean blood albumin levels of the subjects without NAFLD or advancing fibrosis were considerably greater than those of the individuals with these conditions. The mean values of the NLR, NPAR, AST, ALT, triglycerides, lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, and HbA1c were significantly higher in patients with advanced fibrosis than in those without advanced fibrosis. A multivariate analysis showed that per unit increases in both the NLR and NPAR were significantly associated with an increased risk of developing NAFLD, while neither the NLR nor NPAR was significantly associated with higher odds of advanced fibrosis. In conclusion, the novel biomarker NPAR demonstrates a good association with NAFLD, along with participants' clinical characteristics, in a nationwide population. The NPAR may serve as a biomarker for NAFLD and help clinicians refine the diagnosis and treatment of chronic liver disease.

Triglyceride glucose index and poor sleep patterns in non-diabetic adults: Evidence from NHANES 2005-2016.

Introduction: Sleep disorders are commonly encountered in modern populations. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the associations between triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and poor sleep patterns in non-diabetic adults. Methods: Data of non-diabetic adults aged 20-70 years were extracted from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database 2005-2016. Pregnant women, individuals with diabetes and cancer history, and individuals lacking complete data on sleep patterns or parameters for calculating TyG index were excluded. Poor sleep pattern was defined as having two or more following conditions: (1) abnormal sleep duration, defined as less than 7 h or longer than 9 h; (2) self-reported trouble sleeping; and (3) physician-confirmed sleep disorders. Associations between poor sleep patterns, TyG index, and an additional index incorporating body mass index (BMI), TyGBMI, and other study variables were determined by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 9,390 included participants, 1,422 had poor sleep patterns and 7,968 did not. The individuals with poor sleep patterns had a higher mean TyG index, were older, had higher BMI, and had higher proportions of hypertension and history of CVD than those without poor sleep pattern (all p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed no significant association between poor sleep pattern and TyG index. However, among the components of poor sleep pattern, TyG index in the highest quartile (Q4) was significantly associated with trouble sleeping [adjusted OR (aOR): 1.46, 95%CI: 1.04-2.03) as compared with the lowest TyG quartile (Q1). In addition, TyG-BMI in Q4 was indepently associated with increased likelihood for poor sleep patterns (aOR: 2.18, 95%CI: 1.61-2.95), trouble sleeping (aOR: 1.76, 95%CI: 1.30-2.39), abnormal sleep duration (aOR: 1.41, 95%CI: 1.12-1.78), and sleep disorders (aOR: 3.11, 95%CI: 2.08-4.64) as compared to Q1. Discussion: Among US adults without diabetes, elevated TyG index is correlated with self-reported trouble sleeping, independent of BMI. Future studies should build upon this preliminary work and examine these associations longitudinally and through treatment trials.

Conductivity and Stability Properties of Anion Exchange Membranes: Cation Effect and Backbone Effect.

The rise of heterocycle cations, a new class of stable cations, has fueled faster growth of research interest in heterocycle cation-attached anion exchange membranes (AEMs). However, once cations are grafted onto backbones, the effect of backbones on properties of AEMs must also be taken into account. In order to comprehensively study the influence of cations effect and backbones effect on AEMs performance, a series of AEMs were prepared by grafting spacer cations, heterocycles cations, and aromatic cations onto brominated poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (BPPO) or poly(vinylbenzyl chloride) (PVB) backbones, respectively. Spacer cation [trimethylamine (TMA), N,N-dimethylethylamine (DMEA)]-attached AEMs showed general ion transportation and stability behaviors, but exhibited high cationic reaction efficiency. Heterocycle cation [1-methylpyrrolidine (MPY), 1-methylpiperidine (MPrD)]-attached AEMs showed excellent chemical stability, but their ion conduction properties were unimpressive. Aromatic cation [1-methylimidazole (MeIm), N,N-dimethylaniline (DMAni)]-attached AEMs exhibited superior ionic conductivity, while their poor cations stabilities hindered the application of the membranes. Besides, it was found that PVB-based AEMs had excellent backbone stability, but BPPO-based AEMs exhibited higher OH- conductivity and cation stability than those of the same cations grafted PVB-based AEMs due to their higher water uptake (WU). For example, the ionic conductivities (ICs) of BPPO-TMA and PVB-TMA at 80 °C were 53.1 and 38.3 mS cm-1 , and their WU was 152.3 and 95.1 %, respectively. After the stability test, the IC losses of BPPO-TMA and PVB-TMA were 21.4 and 32.2 %, respectively. The result demonstrated that the conductivity and stability properties of the AEMs could be enhanced by increasing the WU of the membranes. These findings allowed the matching of cations to the appropriate backbones and reasonable modification of the AEM structure. In addition, these results helped to fundamentally understand the influence of cation effect and backbone effect on AEM performance.

Application of Artificial Intelligence in the Establishment of an Association Model between Metabolic Syndrome, TCM Constitution, and the Guidance of Medicated Diet Care.

BACKGROUND: This study conducted exploratory research using artificial intelligence methods. The main purpose of this study is to establish an association model between metabolic syndrome and the TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) constitution using the characteristics of individual physical examination data and to provide guidance for medicated diet care. METHODS: Basic demographic and laboratory data were collected from a regional hospital health examination database in northern Taiwan, and artificial intelligence algorithms, such as logistic regression, Bayesian network, and decision tree, were used to analyze and construct the association model between metabolic syndrome and the TCM constitution. Findings. It was found that the phlegm-dampness constitution (90.6%) accounts for the majority of TCM constitution classifications with a high risk of metabolic syndrome, and high cholesterol, blood glucose, and waist circumference were statistically significantly correlated with the phlegm-dampness constitution. This study also found that the age of patients with metabolic syndrome has been advanced, and shift work is one of the risk indicators. Therefore, based on the association model between metabolic syndrome and TCM constitution, in the future, metabolic syndrome can be predicted through the syndrome differentiation of the TCM constitution, and relevant medicated diet care schemes can be recommended for improvement. CONCLUSION: In order to increase the public's knowledge and methods for mitigating metabolic syndrome, in the future, nursing staff can provide nonprescription medicated diet-related nursing guidance information via the prediction and assessment of the TCM constitution.

Effect of platinum electrode materials and electrolysis processes on the preparation of acidic electrolyzed oxidizing water and slightly acidic electrolyzed water.

Electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) can be divided into acidic electrolyzed oxidizing water (AEOW) and slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW). AEOW has the characteristics of low pH (pH < 2.7) and high oxidation-reduction potential (ORP > 1100 mV). SAEW is slightly acidic (pH = 5-6) and has an ORP of 700-900 mV. AEOW and SAEW both have a certain amount of active chlorine content (ACC), so they have the characteristics of broad spectrum, rapidity and high efficiency of sterilization. At present, there is little systematic research on AEOW and SAEW preparation. However, it is very important to study the preparation process, including electrode material and electrolytic process. First, the effects of Pt electrodes with different thermal decomposition temperatures on AEOW's pH, ORP and ACC values were investigated in detail. Next, for the SAEW preparation, the process is based on the preparation of AEOW by ion-exchange membrane electrolysis, reasonably mixing the electrolyzed cathode and anode solution. The effects of technological conditions such as electrolysis time, current density and electrolyte concentration have been systematically studied, and it is expected to get SAEW with a pH value slightly less than 7, a higher ORP value and a certain amount of ACC.

Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation through acupoints of Pucan (BL 61) and Shenmai (BL 62) on intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) through acupoints on the intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with glaucoma. METHODS: A single-blinded, randomized experimental design study was conducted. Patients from the North of Taipei Ophthalmology outpatient department diagnosed with intraocular hypertension were selected and were further enrolled if they met the research subject criteria. The patients who met all criteria, and who met no exclusion criteria became the participants. Participants were randomly assigned into the treated group, wherein the TENS electrodes (Qing Ming Medical Device Co., Ltd., New Taipei City, China) were applied with direct current (DC) on the acupoints Pucan (BL 61) and Shenmai (BL 62) for 20 min. The control group received no TENS electrode treatments. Measurements of IOP were taken four times using a pneumotonometer (Clinico Co., Ltd., New Taipei City, China), before, immediately after, 30 min after, and 60 min after TENS electrode treatments. RESULTS: Eighty-two participants completed the experiment. IOP decreased more in the group treated with DC (P < 0.01) than in the control group. The IOPs were not affected by the age of the patients and their usage of medications. CONCLUSION: TENS of acupoints of Pucan (BL 61) and Shenmai (BL 62) could significantly reduce the IOP in patients with glaucoma.

Mushroom ß-Glucan May Immunomodulate the Tumor-Associated Macrophages in the Lewis Lung Carcinoma.

The present study showed that oral mushroom beta-glucan treatment significantly increased IFN-γ mRNA expression but significantly reduced COX-2 mRNA expression within the lung. For LLC tumor model, oral Ganoderma lucidum or Antrodia camphorata polysaccharides treatments significantly reduced TGF-ß production in serum. In addition, IL-12 and IFN-γ mRNA expression were significantly increased, but IL-6, IL-10, COX-2, and TGF-ß mRNA expression were substantially following oral mushroom polysaccharides treatments. The study highlights the efficacious effect of mushroom polysaccharides for ameliorating the immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment. Increased M1 phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages and attenuated M2 phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages could be achieved by ingesting mushroom polysaccharides.

Correlation of electrical conductance in meridian and autonomic nervous activity after auricular acupressure in middle-aged women.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine the correlation of heart rate variability (HRV) and meridian electrical conductance among middle-aged women during an 8-week period of auricular acupressure (AA) treatment for weight reduction. METHODS: Sixty (60) subjects were randomized either to a control group (n=30) or to a treatment group with AA (n=30). Anthropometric parameters, HRV indices, and meridian levels were measured before treatment, at the 5th week, and 1 week after the 8-week treatment period. RESULTS: Although no significant changes were observed in body weight (BW) and body-mass index (BMI) from baseline to 1 week after AA treatment, a significant decrease in Waist Circumference (WC) was observed in the acupressure group. In contrast, the subjects' BW, BMI, and WC were significantly increased from baseline to the 9th week in the control group. With adjustment for baseline low frequencies (LF) of HRV, the LF at the 5th and 9th weeks in the acupressure groups was generally lower than that in the control group, with a p-value=0.027 using the mixed linear model. The meridian levels for Spleen, Bladder, and Gallbladder were significantly lower in the group subjected to acupressure than in the control group at the 5th week. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicate that AA tends to inactivate the sympathetic nervous activity demonstrated by both HRV and meridian electrical conductance changes. As a result, AA may modulate the autonomic nervous system to exert its physiological effect through the pathway of the meridian system.

Oral Administration of MBG to Modulate Immune Responses and Suppress OVA-Sensitized Allergy in a Murine Model.

Recently studies performed on mushroom isolated polysaccharides demonstrated that ß -(1,3)-glucan may affect the balance of Th1/Th2 cell response. Using ovalbumin (OVA) as a hypersensitivity inducer, we evaluated the ability of mushroom beta-glucan (MBG) in modulating Th1/Th2 cell responses in B6 mice. As compared to the control group, administration of MBG resulted in an increase of phagocytic activities, Th1 cytokine productions, immunoglobulins including IgG2A and IgA, and a significant expression of the splenic surface markers including CD3, CD4, CD8, and F4/80. In contrast, administration of MBG has significantly suppressed IgE and IgG1 levels and Th2 cytokines including IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6. Histopathological observation of MBG-treated followed by OVA-treated mice showed less filtration of eosinophil in pulmonary tissue sections. Our data suggested that administration of MBG treatments alters the natural course of the IgE-mediated hypersensitivities. In this investigation, we realize the mushroom beta glucan alter the Th2 response toward the Th1 in the allergic, resulting in a reduction in IgE productions which played a substantive role in reducing the severity of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity.

Acupuncture or Acupressure at the Sanyinjiao (SP6) Acupoint for the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea: A Meta-Analysis.

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture or acupressure at the Sanyinjiao (SP6) acupoint in relieving pain associated with primary dysmenorrhea. We searched the scientific literature databases to identify randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score. Three acupuncture and four acupressure trials were included in the meta-analyses. For the acupuncture analysis, there was no difference in the mean VAS score reduction between the SP6 acupoint and control (GB39 acupoint) groups (-4.935; lower limit = -15.757, upper limit = 5.887; P = 0.371). For the acupressure analysis, there was a significant difference in the mean VAS score after intervention between the SP6 acupoint and control (rest/light touch at SP6/nonacupoint acupressure) groups, favoring the SP6 acupoint group (-1.011; lower limit = -1.622, upper limit = -0.400; P = 0.001). Sensitivity analyses demonstrated good reliability of the meta-analyses findings. These findings suggest that acupuncture at SP6 is not more effective than acupuncture at an unrelated acupoint in the relief from primary dysmenorrhea. Acupressure at SP6 may be effective in the relief from primary dysmenorrhea. High-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Effect of yoga on serum homocysteine and nitric oxide levels in adolescent women with and without dysmenorrhea.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study is to explore the effect of yoga on the serum levels of homocysteine and nitric oxide (NO) in a cohort of women with primary dysmenorrhea and normal healthy controls. METHODS: A prospective controlled trial was conducted in 35 women with primary dysmenorrhea and 35 healthy controls in a community-based study. Short-form Menstrual Distress Questionnaires (MDQs) were administered to assess the menstrual symptoms. All participants were provided yoga intervention, twice a week at 30 minutes/session, consecutively for 8 weeks. Blood samples were drawn from each woman on the third day of the menstrual cycle. Assessments of MDQs and blood samples for the determination of homocysteine and NO concentrations were performed at baseline and within the first 3 days of their next menses after completion of yoga intervention. RESULTS: A total of 30 women from the dysmenorrheal group and 30 from the control group completed the study. Homocysteine levels were higher in those with dysmenorrhea when compared with healthy controls before yoga intervention (Mann-Whitney U test, p<0.05); however, no statistically significant differences were found between the two groups after 8 weeks of yoga training (p<0.05). The concentrations of homocysteine in both the dysmenorrheal and control groups after 8 weeks decreased by 51.37% and 46.46%, respectively (p<0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in NO levels between the two groups at baseline and after intervention. The total scores on the MDQs decreased significantly after yoga intervention in the dysmenorrheal group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Yoga intervention was found to be associated with reductions in severity of dysmenorrhea and may be effective in lowering serum homocysteine levels after an intervention period of 8 weeks. These observations suggest that yoga may have therapeutic effects in women by restoring endothelial function.

The analgesic effect of thermal therapy after total knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVES: Pain induced by surgery is a dynamic symptom, which may be quite variable even in the same surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the analgesic effect of far infrared rays on the patients during the postoperative period of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The selection and application of analgesic methods after the orthopedic surgery are therefore valuable for advanced studies. DESIGN: The quasi-experimental design with a total five consecutive days of far infrared ray (FIR) thermal therapy was employed in this study. SUBJECTS: The study involved 41 participants assigned by register code entry on computer to either the intervention or the control group. INTERVENTION: The FIR pads were applied on the acupoints of ST37 (Shang Chu Hsu), ST38 (Tiao Kou), ST39 (Hsia Chu Hsu), and ST40 (Feng Lung) of the patients involved in the experimental group from the third day to the fifth day after the TKA. OUTCOME MEASURES: The analgesic effect was evaluated via the pain intensity of the numeric rating scale (NRS) level and serum concentration of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and endothelin-1 (ET-1). RESULTS: The FIR showed that the significant effects are on relieving pain and lowering the levels of IL-6 and ET-1. The results cannot only be the reference for the postoperative pain relief of TKA, but it can also be the database of another clinical application. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the FIR can lower the NRS of pain and thus reduce the discomfort experienced by the patient. Findings indicated that effective application of FIR decreased the serum level of IL-6 and ET-1, which represent the subjective indicator of pain.

Local thermal therapy effects on menopausal symptoms and bone mineral density.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of local thermal therapy with far-infrared rays (FIR) on menopausal symptoms and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized, controlled trial was conducted in female volunteers from communities in Northern Taiwan. The intervention group (n=22) received local thermal therapy with the help of FIR from an FIR emitter, for approximately 20 minutes per day, twice a week, for 20 sessions. They received the therapy on their backs while lying in a supine position. The control group (n=21) received no treatment. The primary outcome was the change in the Perceived Perimenopausal Disturbances Scale, designed for the measurement of menopause-related symptoms (MRS) before and after completion of treatment in a 10-week period. Secondary outcome parameters included serum levels of estradiol (E2) with osteocalcin (OC), and calcaneal BMD by quantitative ultrasound. RESULTS: After 10 weeks of intervention, MRS determined by the scale decreased in mean total scores and mean scores for vasomotor, musculoskeletal, urologic, reproductive, and psychologic domains (p<0.05), except for reproductive (sexuality-related) symptoms. In the control group, mean total scores and scores of each domain had no significant difference between baseline and follow-up examination after 10 weeks. There was no significant difference between the quantitative ultrasound parameters in the calcaneus, serum E2, and OC levels either at the baseline or in the changes from the baseline between the intervention and control groups of women (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Local thermal therapy with FIR results in a significant reduction of MRS in postmenopausal women. Serum E2, OC levels, and calcaneal BMD showed no significant changes between the two groups. These results suggest that FIR local thermal therapy may be a potential alternative for the management of postmenopausal symptoms.

Thermal therapy in dialysis patients - a randomized trial.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of far-infrared (FIR) rays on the meridian in hemodialysis (HD) patients. End-stage renal disease or kidney failure is the last stage of chronic renal failure, and often implies that the renal function cannot be restored and HD or kidney transplantation is required as a life-saving measure. HD patients often feel sick, debilitated, demotivated, and sad. A quasi-experimental design was conducted using convenience sampling with 61 HD patients from a hemodialysis center. Meridian testing and Brief Fatigue Inventory-Taiwan Form (BFI-T) were used as screening test for HD. The experimental group (n = 36) received FIR irradiation on each acupoint for 30 min, thrice a week, for two months, whereas the control group (n = 25) received no intervention. The outcome measures included meridian equipment, the level of hemoglobin (Hb), albumin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CRE), and BFI-T. Ryodoraku values reveal a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the left small intestine meridian, left large intestine meridian, and yin-yang ratio. Overall, the increase in the meridians of the patients of experimental group is significantly higher than that of the control group. The results establish that FIR treatment on Qihai (RN 6), Guanyuan (RN 4), Zhongji (RN 3), and Tianshu (ST 25) is effective. Based on these findings, one can believe that FIR regulates the Qi of the kidney. The findings of this study would help doctors effectively dealing with thermal therapy treatment of HD patients.

Joint preventive effects of swimming and Shenlian extract on rat atherosclerosis.

This work is to investigate the joint effect of extract from Shenlian (SL, the Chinese abbreviation for Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae and Andrographis paniculata) and swimming on atherosclerosis prevention and treatment. Atherosclerotic rat model was established by combining low shear stress by partial ligation of common carotid artery with afterwards feeding of a hyperlipotic diet. Sprague-Dawley rats after partial ligation of common carotid artery were allotted to a 3 × 3 factorial design with three levels of swimming (0, 1, and 2 hr per day) and three levels of SL extract (0, 2.56, and 5.12 g/kg once daily p.o.) for a total of 9 treatment groups. Then, the feeding of the hyperlipotic diet and the intervention of swimming and SL started at the same time, and lasted for 8 weeks. By the end, blood samples were collected to determine blood viscosity, hematocrit, blood lipids, MCP-1, NF-κB and NO levels. The common carotid arteries of the rats were harvested to investigate pathological changes. The animal model showed early sign of atherosclerosis according to the pathological findings. Joint effects of SL extract and swimming on preventing atherosclerosis appeared significantly: The combination of 1 hour swimming with 2.56 g/kg SL extract showed to be effective for lowering hematocrit, blood viscosity (at 10 s(-1) and 200 s(-1)) and low-density-lipoprotein (p < 0.001). Combined treatment of 2.56 g/kg SL extract with 2 hr swimming led to a synergistic decrease in serum level of MCP-1. As a single factor, SL extract (2.56 g/kg) alone could decrease serum levels of NF-κB significantly (p = 0.003). Swimming alone could decrease cholesterol, triacylglycerols level and increase high-density-lipoprotein. The study demonstrates the combined therapy of oral SL extract with swimming on inhibiting inflammatory factors, improving hemorheological parameters and lipoproteins in rat model of atherosclerosis. It highlights the promising effects of the drugs and shear stress of blood flow, the biomechenopharmacological means, for prevention of atherosclerosis.

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of acupoints changes body composition and heart rate variability in postmenopausal women with obesity.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electric acupoint stimulations (TEAS) on body composition and heart rate variability (HRV) in postmenopausal women with obesity. In this prospective study, 49 postmenopausal women were recruited in Taiwan. Body composition was used as a screening test for obesity (percentage body fat > 30%, waist circumference > 80 cm). The experimental group (n = 24) received TEAS treatment 30 min twice per week for 12 weeks at the Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) acupoints. The control group (n = 25) did not receive any intervention. The study of HRV was analyzed by time (standard deviation of the normal-to-normal (NN) intervals (SDNN) and square root of the mean squared differences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD) indices) and frequency domain methods. Power spectral components were obtained at low (LF) and high (HF) frequencies. Body composition and HRV values were measured at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. A total of 40 subjects completed this study. Waist circumference and percentage body fat in the experimental group (n = 20) were significantly less than those of the control group (n = 20) at the 8th and 12th weeks (all P < .05). Additionally, at the same time points, percentage lean body mass in the experimental group was significantly greater than that in the control group (P < .05). SDNN values increased significantly at the 4th and 8th weeks when compared with the control group (all P < .05). At 12 weeks, SDNN value was not significantly different from that of the control group (P = .105). TEAS treatment improves body composition, and has a transient effect on the HRV in postmenopausal women with obesity.