scholarly journals A critical review of the possible benefits associated with homeopathic medicine

2003 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 324-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renan Moritz V. Rodrigues Almeida
Keyword(s):  
Critical Review ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Reference Source ◽  
Ample Evidence ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Plausible Mechanism ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Positive Results

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the recent scientific research progress on homeopathy. METHODOLOGY: Homeopathy was evaluated in terms of its clinical research; in vitro research, and physical foundations. The Medline database was the main reference source for the present research, concerning data of approximately the last 10 years. Secondary references (not available in this database) were obtained by means of direct requests to authors listed in the primary references. RESULTS: Clinical studies and in vitro research indicate the inefficacy of homeopathy. Some few studies with positive results are questionable because of problems with the quality and lack of appropriate experimental controls in these studies. The most recent meta-analyses on the topic yielded negative results. One of the few previous meta-analyses with positive results had serious publication bias problems, and its results were later substantially reconsidered by the main authors. The sparse in vitro homeopathic research with positive results has not been replicated by independent researchers, had serious methodological flaws, or when replicated, did not confirm the initial positive results. A plausible mechanism for homeopathic action is still nonexistent, and its formulation, by now, seems highly unlikely. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the recent scientific research on homeopathy, it can be concluded that ample evidence exists to show that the homeopathic therapy is not scientifically justifiable.

scholarly journals Basic Research on Homeopathy: Analysis of the Top Ten Best Investigated Substances

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 5-6
Author(s):  
Beate Stock-Schroeer ◽  
P. Christian Endler ◽  
Petra Koczy ◽  
Stephan Baumgartner
Keyword(s):  
Inorganic Compounds ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Bibliographic Databases ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Apis Mellifica ◽  
Positive Results

1. Introduction Almost fifteen years after introducing HomBRex database [1] the number of registered experiments increased from about 900 at that time to more than 2000 in 2016. This worldwide unique database provides the most comprehensive library on basic research in the field of homeopathy. The first overview on classification of systems and methods used in basic research came to the conclusion that a variety of research questions can be derived from the huge number of data collected in HomBRex [2]. After evaluation of proving and therapeutic experiments [3], infection models [4] and the use of high potencies in basic research on homeopathy [5], the current study deals with the question which homeopathic substances in what sort of experiments were mainly under investigation. 2. Methods The HomBRex database is updated continuously by systematic searching of bibliographic databases. Each registered experiment is analyzed by scientists of the Carstens-foundation (lately BS, PK) to provide detailed information on the following items: organism, condition, substance, in vitro/in vivo, prophylactic/therapeutic, potency, and others. For the current study, the entire database was categorized according to the substances investigated. For selected substances, further subgroups were analyzed (e.g. organism, research field, and others). 3. Results The following substances rank among the top ten of investigated substances in basic research: Arsenicum album (N=189), Sulfur (N=103), Thuja occidentalis (N=77), Belladonna (N=72), Natrium chloratum (N=70), Cuprum sulfuricum (N=70), Arnica montana (N=70), Mercurius corrosivus (N=60), Phosphorus (N=60) and Apis mellifica (N=60). Arsenicum album, first on the list, was tested on animals in 78 experiments, in 52 on plants. 91 experiments were conducted in vitro and 98 in vivo. 175 authors report positive results, 14 state negative results. Apis mellifica, the number ten,s tested on animals (N=16, mainly on guinea pigs and rats) in the field of toxicology or physiology. Sixteen experiments deal with human cells, mainly on reaction in blood cells granulocytes and lymphocytes e.g. with different potencies of the substance. Experiments with plants focus on virus infected plants and their treatment with Apis, only two experiments belong to the field of physical chemistry. Most of the authors report on positive results in their papers (N=57), only three state negative results. 4. Discussion/Conclusion The most often used substances in published homeopathic basic research are well proven, well known and also frequently used homeopathic remedies in human therapy. Inorganic compounds predominate. Quantitative meta-analyses are still difficult due to the heterogeneity of experimental models used. The current analysis provides an overview on which substances are most relevant for future replication trials in defined experimental models.

scholarly journals Charcoal-based dentifrices and powders: analyses of product labels, Instagram engagement, and altmetrics

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-89
Author(s):  
Laura D. Bauler ◽  
Cinthia S. dos Santos ◽  
Giana S. Lima ◽  
Rafael R. Moraes
Keyword(s):  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Control Group ◽  
The Public ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Label Information ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Product Description ◽  
Demineralization Prevention ◽  
Positive Results

Abstract This study identified charcoal-based dentifrices and abrasive powders sold in Brazil and analyzed their label information. The products were searched in four online shopping platforms. The same products were searched on Instagram and their engagement metrics were investigated. Furthermore, a literature review of international publications assessing charcoal dentifrices and powders was conducted, and altmetrics were collected (Altmetric and PlumX). Thirty-six products were found with prices between $0.4-22 USD. Most frequent words in product description were sodium, stain, whitening, oil, xylitol, and coconut. Only 3 products contained fluoride. Bactericidal, antiviral, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities were indicated, in addition to non-scientific claims such as calming teeth or increasing oral immunity. In total, 72% of products had Instagram profiles, which generally showed low engagement rates (81%) and medium audience quality scores (65%). Twenty-two articles were found in the literature, from which 21 were in vitro studies. The single clinical study was sponsored by a charcoal product and had no control group. In total, 23% of studies showed positive results and 55% reported negative results for the charcoal products, which included no whitening ability, increased roughness, surface alterations, and lower demineralization prevention ability. Altmetric scores for the included articles varied from 0 to 55, with 40.9% of studies mentioned online. In conclusion, charcoal-based products are using marketing strategies on Instagram but their current engagement with the public is not high. Consumers are being exposed to charcoal products whose potential risks to health are still unknown.

Which Data to Meta-Analyze, and How?

2019 ◽  
Vol 227 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Voracek ◽  
Michael Kossmeier ◽  
Ulrich S. Tran
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Curve Analysis ◽  
Research Progress ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Statistical Procedures ◽  
Graphical Displays ◽  
Primary Data Analysis ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Data Analytic

Abstract. Which data to analyze, and how, are fundamental questions of all empirical research. As there are always numerous flexibilities in data-analytic decisions (a “garden of forking paths”), this poses perennial problems to all empirical research. Specification-curve analysis and multiverse analysis have recently been proposed as solutions to these issues. Building on the structural analogies between primary data analysis and meta-analysis, we transform and adapt these approaches to the meta-analytic level, in tandem with combinatorial meta-analysis. We explain the rationale of this idea, suggest descriptive and inferential statistical procedures, as well as graphical displays, provide code for meta-analytic practitioners to generate and use these, and present a fully worked real example from digit ratio (2D:4D) research, totaling 1,592 meta-analytic specifications. Specification-curve and multiverse meta-analysis holds promise to resolve conflicting meta-analyses, contested evidence, controversial empirical literatures, and polarized research, and to mitigate the associated detrimental effects of these phenomena on research progress.

Critical Evaluation of Impedance Phlebography for the Diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis

1974 ◽  
Vol 31 (02) ◽  
pp. 273-278
Author(s):  
Kenneth K Wu ◽  
John C Hoak ◽  
Robert W Barnes ◽  
Stuart L Frankel
Keyword(s):  
Deep Vein Thrombosis ◽  
False Positive ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Original Method ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
False Negative Results ◽  
Deep Vein ◽  
Positive Results

SummaryIn order to evaluate its daily variability and reliability, impedance phlebography was performed daily or on alternate days on 61 patients with deep vein thrombosis, of whom 47 also had 125I-fibrinogen uptake tests and 22 had radiographic venography. The results showed that impedance phlebography was highly variable and poorly reliable. False positive results were noted in 8 limbs (18%) and false negative results in 3 limbs (7%). Despite its being simple, rapid and noninvasive, its clinical usefulness is doubtful when performed according to the original method.

PET/CT WITH 68GA-PSMA-11 IN DETECTION OF PRIMARY TUMOR AND RECURRENCE OF PROSTATE CANCER

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 799-804
Author(s):  
Darya Ryzhkova ◽  
M. Poyda
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Primary Tumor ◽  
Biochemical Recurrence ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Primary Prostate Cancer ◽  
Pet Ct ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
T Category

Purpose: To study the diagnostic value of PET-CT with 68Ga-PSMA-11 in the diagnosis of a primary prostate cancer, preoperative staging, and the detection of recurrence of prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: 28 patients aged 64.7 ± 8.74 years were included. 10 patients primary prostate cancer, and 18 patients with biochemical recurrence of the disease after radical treatment were examined. All patients underwent PET-CT with 68Ga-PSMA-11 according the whole body protocol. Interpretation of images was performed visually and quantitatively by calculation of SUL max. Results: High focal or diffuse 68Ga-PSMA-11 uptake was found in prostate parenchyma in patients with primary prostate cancer. Additionally metastases in regional lymph nodes were diagnosed in 4 patients and bone metastases were found in one patient. The correlation between 68Ga-PSMA-11 uptake level and Gleason index in the primary tumor (R Spearmen = 0.25, p = 0.57) was not observed. PET-positive results were obtained in 14 patients and PET-negative results in 4 patients with biochemical recurrence of PCa. The relationship between the frequency of PET-positive results and Gleason index was not revealed (R Spearmen = 0.2, p = 0.39). We found a weak but significant correlation between the frequency of PET-positive results and the prostate tumor stage according to the T category (R Spearmen = 0.49, p = 0.049). In patients with low values of PSA (less than 1.0 ng/ml) in 4 out of 9 cases, PET-negative results were obtained. In patients with PSA level more than 1.0 ng/ml PET-positive results were obtained in all cases. Conclusions: PET/CT with 68Ga-PSMA-11 allows to diagnose the primary prostate cancer, to establish the stage of the disease in categories N and M, and also to determine the localization and dissemination of the tumor in patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer. The relationship between 68Ga-PSMA-11 uptake in primary tumor and Gleason index was not found. The probability of obtaining PET-positive results in cases of biochemical recurrence is affected by a PSA level above 1 ng/ml and a high stage of the disease according to the T category (T3-T4).

Adverse Effects of Natural Products: A Brief Pre-Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 01 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Pires ◽  
Ana Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Adverse Event ◽  
Natural Products ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Google Scholar ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Exclusion Criteria ◽  
Meta Analyses

Background: Natural products are commonly used for treating health problems. These products may be associated with adverse events, which are defined as "noxious and unintended response to a medicinal product" by the European Medicine Agency. Objectives: To identify studies describing at least one adverse event (or with potential to promote an adverse event) related to the use of natural products, as well as to describe the involved product(s) and adverse event(s). Methods: A pre-systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria. Keywords: "natural product(s)" and ["adverse drug reaction(s)" or "adverse effect(s)"]. Screened databases: PubMed, SciELO, DOAJ and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria: papers describing at least one adverse event associated with the use of natural products and published between 2017 and 2019. Exclusion criteria: Repeated studies, reviews and papers written in other languages than English, Portuguese, French or Spanish. Results: 104 studies were identified (20 PubMed; 0 SciELO; 2 DOAJ; 82 Google Scholar), but only 10 were selected (4 PubMed and 6 Google Scholar): 1 in-vitro study; 2 non-clinical studies, 1 study reporting in-vitro and clinical data and 5 studies were cases reports. Globally, 997 reports of adverse drug reactions with natural products were identified, mainly non-severe cases. Conclusion: Since a limited number of studies was found, we conclude that adverse events due to natural products may be underreported, or natural products may have a good safety profile. This review contributes for assuring the safety of natural products consumers, by evaluating the knowledge/information on the potential adverse events and interactions of these products.

scholarly journals TO010A NEW IMMUN-TOXICOLOGICAL TEST TO DETECT POLYSULFONE HYPERSENSITIVITY IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joachim Beige ◽  
Ralph Wendt ◽  
Despina Rüssmann ◽  
Karl-Peter Ringel
Keyword(s):  
False Negative ◽  
False Negative Rate ◽  
Lymphocyte Transformation ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Lymphocyte Transformation Test ◽  
Laboratory Research ◽  
Humoral Immune ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Positive Results

Abstract Background and Aims Incompatibility of dialysis procedure due to hypersensitivity against dialyzer material which currently is mainly based on polysulfone and derivatives can not be assessed by routine laboratory tests. Although the frequency of such symptoms is suspected to be low (below 2%) such resembles an important clinical problem because dialysis procedures are frequently accompanied by symptoms of non-tolerability with reasons not being entirely clear while circulatory reasons are suspected to play a major role. Method To enlighten the role of polysulfone hypersensitivity, we adapted known standardized material immune-toxicological tests (lymphocyte transformation test, basophil degranulation test) to the specific conditions of dialysis and polysulfone material sensitivity. We developed a method of polysulfone micronisation and measured humoral immune response of isolated patient´s lymphocytes when incubated with polysulfone dispersion. Results 39 samples from 103 patients with suspected polysulfone hypersensitivity showed positive results for type 1 (n=19), type 4 (n=18) or both type (n=2) reactions. There were no significant differences in the level of stimulation measured for DI, SI and lymphogenesis before and after dialysis (average delta -0.4; -0.28; - 1.74, p = 0.71; 0.34; 0.37) and with different dialyzer materials (Tab. 1). Patients with pos. type 4 results (LTT and lymphogenesis) showed highly correlated results in either LTT or lymphogenesis test (Fig. 1, R=0.87, p<0.0001). 8 out of 8 samples from patients with repeated test on different PS showed positive results on either PS. One patient tested positive on PS showed no hypersensitivity with another non-PS (PMMA) material. Conclusion This is the first methodological report showing plausible in-vitro results of patients samples concerning polysulfone intolerance. On the first superficial view, a “false-negative” rate of 60% looks rather disappointing, because all samples derived from patients with suspicion of PS hypersensitivity. However, due to the clinical variability of intolerance symptoms and the high prevalence of any problems after HD initiation, mainly of circulatory origin after initiating extracorporeal circuit, this rate may obviously express the true frequency of isolated PS material hypersensitivity in suspected patients. Alternative pathophysiological pathways of material sensitivity like complement activation, remain to be elucidated and incorporated into a comprehensive future testing panel. Further clinical and laboratory research is needed to define true polysulfone hypersensitivity and to enlighten the field of hypothetic subclinical material incompatibility in patients with impaired dialysis tolerability.

scholarly journals Systematic Review: Allogenic Use of Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF) and Decellularized Extracellular Matrices (ECM) as Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) in Tissue Regeneration

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 4982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pietro Gentile ◽  
Aris Sterodimas ◽  
Jacopo Pizzicannella ◽  
Laura Dionisi ◽  
Domenico De Fazio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Stromal Vascular Fraction ◽  
Lateral Epicondylitis ◽  
Medicinal Products ◽  
Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products ◽  
Advanced Therapy ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Clinical Experiments

Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) containing adipose stem cells (ASCs) has been used for many years in regenerative plastic surgery for autologous applications, without any focus on their potential allogenic role. Allogenic SVF transplants could be based on the possibility to use decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) as a scaffold from a donor then re-cellularized by ASCs of the recipient, in order to develop the advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP) in fully personalized clinical approaches. A systematic review of this field has been realized in accordance with the Preferred Reporting for Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. Multistep research of the PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Pre-MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Clinicaltrials.gov, Scopus database, and Cochrane databases has been conducted to identify articles and investigations on human allogenic ASCs transplant for clinical use. Of the 341 articles identified, 313 were initially assessed for eligibility on the basis of the abstract. Of these, only 29 met all the predetermined criteria for inclusion according to the PICOS (patients, intervention, comparator, outcomes, and study design) approach, and 19 have been included in quantitative synthesis (meta-analysis). Ninety-one percent of the studies previously screened (284 papers) were focused on the in vitro results and pre-clinical experiments. The allogenic use regarded the treatment of perianal fistulas, diabetic foot ulcers, knee osteoarthritis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, refractory rheumatoid arthritis, pediatrics disease, fecal incontinence, ischemic heart disease, autoimmune encephalomyelitis, lateral epicondylitis, and soft tissue defects. The information analyzed suggested the safety and efficacy of allogenic ASCs and ECM transplants without major side effects.

Aspiration Revisited: Prospective Evaluation of a Physiologically Pressurized Model With Animal Correlation and Broader Applicability to Filler Complications

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyoung-Jin Moon ◽  
Won Lee ◽  
Ji-Soo Kim ◽  
Eun-Jung Yang ◽  
Hema Sundaram
Keyword(s):  
Normal Saline ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Vascular Complications ◽  
Filler Injection ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Needle Position ◽  
False Negative Results ◽  
In Vivo Testing

Abstract Background Aspiration testing before filler injection is controversial. Some believe that aspiration can help prevent inadvertent intravascular injection, while others cite false-negative results and question its value given that the needle position always changes somewhat during injection procedures. Objectives To test the relation of false-negative results to the viscosity of the material within the needle lumen and determine whether a less viscous material within the needle lumen could decrease the incidence of false-negative results. Methods In vitro aspiration tests were performed using 30-G and 27-G needle gauges, two cross-linked hyaluronic acid fillers, normal saline bags pressurized at 140 and 10 mmHg to mimic human arterial and venous pressures, and three needle lumen conditions (normal saline, air, and filler). Testing was repeated three times under each study condition (72 tests in total). For in vivo correlation, aspiration tests were performed on femoral arteries and central auricular veins in three rabbits (4–5 aspirations per site, 48 tests in total). Results In vitro and in vivo testing using 30-G needles containing filler both showed false-negative results on aspiration testing. In vitro and in vivo testing using needles containing saline or air showed positive findings. Conclusions False-negative results from aspiration testing may be reduced by pre-filling the needle lumen with saline rather than a filler. The pressurized system may help overcome challenges of animal models with intravascular pressures significantly different from those of humans. The adaptability of this system to mimic various vessel pressures may facilitate physiologically relevant studies of vascular complications.

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