[Omeo33] Auguri di Buon Anno

[Gino Santini]

Amici,

	nell’augurarvi un Buon Anno, vi ricordo che Omeopatia33 continua la sua strada cominciata nel lontano 2006 e che siamo arrivati a oltre 78.000 invii nella sua attuale cadenza mensile (78,280 per l’esattezza). Qui di seguito vi allego l’ultima “infornata” di articoli tra i quali scegliere (sempre segnalandomi il numero dell’articolo per semplificarmi le cose), visto che lunedì dovrò impaginare il primo numero del 2017, il numero 325 e attualmente siamo un po’ a corto di recensioni. Quelli che hanno già scelto gli articoli da recensire riceveranno come di consueto un “alert” per ricordare la scadenza. Grazie ancora della vostra preziosa collaborazione.

Un saluto,
Gino Santini

EXP per homeocity
=== 1587 / Articolo ===
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Comparison of homeopathic globules prepared from high and ultra-high dilutions of various starting materials by ultraviolet light spectroscopy

Sabine D. Klein, Ursula Wolf
Compl Ther Med, 2016, 24, 111-117

Objective - Homeopathic globules are commonly used in clinical practice, while research focuses on liquid potencies. Sequential dilution and succussion in their production process has been proposed to change the physico-chemical properties of the solvent(s). It has been reported that aqueous potencies of various starting materials showed significant differences in ultraviolet light transmission compared to controls and between different dilution levels. The aim of the present study was to repeat and expand these experiments to homeopathic globules.
Methods - Globules were specially produced for this study by Spagyros AG (Gümligen, Switzerland) from 6 starting materials (Aconitum napellus, Atropa belladonna, phosphorus, sulfur, Apis mellifica, quartz) and for 6 dilution levels (6x, 12x, 30c, 200c, 200CF (centesimal discontinuous fluxion), 10,000CF). Native globules and globules impregnated with solvents were used as controls. Globules were dissolved in ultrapure water, and absorbance in the ultraviolet range was measured. The average absorbance from 200 to 340 nm was calculated and corrected for differences between measurement days and instrumental drift.
Results - Statistically significant differences were found for A. napellus, sulfur, and A. mellifica when normalized average absorbance of the various dilution levels from the same starting material (including control and solvent control globules) was compared. Additionally, absorbance within dilution levels was compared among the various starting materials. Statistically significant differences were found among 30c, 200c and 200CF dilutions.
Conclusion - This study has expanded previous findings from aqueous potencies to globules and may indicate that characteristics of aqueous high dilutions may be preserved and detectable in dissolved globules.

=== 1601 / Articolo ===
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Polycrystalline structures formed in evaporating droplets as a parameter to test the action of Zincum metallicum 30c in a wheat seed model

Maria Olga Kokornaczyk, Stephan Baumgartner, Lucietta Betti
Homeopathy, 2016, 105 (2), 173-179

Background - Polycrystalline structures formed inside evaporating droplets of different biological fluids have been shown sensitive towards various influences, including ultra high dilutions (UHDs), representing so a new approach potentially useful for basic research in homeopathy. In the present study we tested on a wheat seed model Zincum metallicum 30c efficacy versus lactose 30c and water.
Materials and methods - Stressed and non-stressed wheat seeds were watered with the three treatments. Seed-leakage droplets were evaporated and the polycrystalline structures formed inside the droplet residues were analyzed for their local connected fractal dimensions (LCFDs) (measure of complexity) using the software ImageJ.
Results - We have found significant differences in LCFD values of polycrystalline structures obtained from stressed seeds following the treatments (p < 0.0001); Zincum metallicum 30c lowered the structures' complexity compared to lactose 30c and water. In non-stressed seeds no significant differences were found.
Conclusions - The droplet evaporation method (DEM) might represent a potentially useful tool in basic research in homeopathy. Furthermore our results suggest a sensitization of the stressed model towards the treatment action, which is conforming to previous findings.

=== 1610 / Articolo ===
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Survey on hand gestures relevance in patient practitioner communication: a homeopathic example

Max Escher, Arndt Büssing, Thomas Ostermann
Homeopathy, 2016, 105 (3), 233-239

Background - Gestures play an important role in medical communication.
Methods - 94 homeopaths (Mean age 49.6 years, 20% male) completed a 20-item questionnaire on utilization and relevance of gestures in patients' symptom description.
Results - After excluding nine items due to low validity (n = 4) or low item total correlation (n = 5), factor analysis of the questionnaire resulted in the following three dimensions explaining 66.6% of variance: ‘Hand gestures in relation to verbal expressions’ (5 items; Cronbach's = 0.81), ‘Hand Gestures describing the experience of bodily and mental symptoms’ (4 items; Cronbach's = 0.74) and ‘practitioners' behavior and active attitude in observing hand gestures’ (2 items; Cronbach's = 0.86).
Conclusion - The survey shows how homeopathic therapists view patients' hand gestures, whether they use these diagnostically and how this relates to their homeopathic practice. Practitioners with only homeopathic influence on this topic are highly congruent to findings on hand gestures from other domains.

=== 1612 / Articolo ===
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A morphometric and molecular study of the apoptosis observed on tadpoles' tail explants under the exposition of triiodothyronine in different homeopathic dilutions

José Roberto Pereira Guedes, Solange Carrasco, Cláudia M Ferreira, Leoni V Bonamin, Cláudia Goldenstein-Schainberg, Vanessa Martins, Vera L Capelozzi
Homeopathy, 2016, 105 (3), 250-256

Background - As a therapeutic system, homeopathy is supported by: i) similitude and experimentation in healthy individuals, ii) potentization. A challenge for researchers consists in looking for signals in water (or vehicle) to explain the storage of information in extremely high dilutions and the transfer of such information to the living systems. Anuran amphibian metamorphosis is controlled by thyroid hormones (TH), including the resorption of the tadpole tail. Apoptosis is a genetically regulated form of cell death that can be triggered by various extracellular and intracellular stimuli resulting in coordinated activation of a family of cysteine proteases called caspases.
Methods - This study was blind and randomized. It performed in three stages: I) the identification of the most effective T3 homeopathic dilution to induce apoptotic reactions in Rana (Lithobates) catesbeianus tadpole tail explants stimulated by T3 in substantial, II) study of different controls and III) detection in explants under the action of the most effective dilution of T3, as established in Stage I.
Results - There was no statistically significant difference between tail macroscopic dimensions between the groups. T3 10cH decreased the expression of caspase 3/7 mRNA, in explants treated with T3 20 nM.
Conclusion - The present experiment is in agreement with the hypothesis that T3, at a 10cH homeopathic dilution, changes the metamorphosis molecular network.

=== 1613 / Articolo ===
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Homeopathic treatments modify inflammation but not behavioral response to influenza antigen challenge in BALB/c mice

Camila Monteiro Siqueira, Priscila Dias Motta, Thayná Neves Cardoso, Cideli de Paula Coelho, Ana Flavia Popi, José Nelson Couceiro, Leoni Villano Bonamin, Carla Holandino
Homeopathy, 2016, 105 (3), 257-264

Background - Influenza affects thousands of people worldwide every year, motivating the development of new therapies. In this work, the effects of two homeopathic preparations (influenza biotherapies and thymulin) were chosen following two different rationales: isotherapy and endo-isotherapy models. The homeopathic effects were evaluated individually considering the inflammatory and behavioral responses against influenza virus antigen were studied in BALB/c mice.
Methods - Male adult mice were treated orally and blindly for 21 days with highly diluted influenza virus or with thymulin, and were divided in two sets of experiments. The first series of experiments aimed to describe their behavior, using an open field (OF) device. In the second series, mice were challenged subcutaneously with influenza hemagglutinin antigen (7 g/200 l) at day 21. At day 42, behavior and inflammation response were evaluated.
Results - No behavioral changes were seen in OF tests at any time point after treatments. Flow cytometry and morphometry revealed significant changes in T and B cell balance after influenza antigen challenge, varying according to treatment.
Conclusion - The results show that both homeopathic treatments induced subtle changes in acquired immune anti-viral response regulation. A deeper understanding of the mechanism could elucidate their possible use in influenza epidemiological situations.

=== 1615 / Articolo ===
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First evidence of Beauvais' hypothesis in a plant model

Karin Thieves, Andreas Gleiss, Karl Wilhelm Kratky, Michael Frass
Homeopathy, 2016, 105 (3), 270-279

Introduction - Beauvais presented the application of a so-called ‘quantum-like model of homeopathy’ by introducing the idea of a type of randomization/unblinding which he called ‘in situ’. He predicted that randomized studies based on this type of randomization/unblinding lead to more pronounced effects in placebo controlled randomized homeopathic trials. We designed an experiment regarding wheat germination and stalk length to investigate Beauvais' idea of ‘in situ randomization/unblinding’ using a homeopathic dilution of sulphur (LM VI) as compared to placebo as well as to water.
Aim and method - The primary aim of this double-blind randomized controlled experiment was to investigate whether there are differences of ‘in situ randomization/unblinding’ vs ‘central randomization/unblinding’ with respect to the effect of a homeopathic substance compared to placebo. The secondary aim of our study was to examine possible differences between the sulphur and the placebo group in the ‘in situ’ arm regarding germination and/or stalk growth of wheat seedlings measured after a seven days exposure. Wheat was treated either with sulphur LM VI, placebo, or water. The wheat grains were placed on glass lids and treatment was performed following the ‘in situ randomization/unblinding’ as well as ‘central randomization/unblinding’ method. Germination was measured and classified into three categories.
Results - Under ‘in situ’ randomization/unblinding the odds of a seed not to germinate is 40% lower if treated with sulphur compared to placebo (p = 0.004). In contrast, these odds are practically equal in the ‘central’ meta-group (OR = 1.01, p = 0.954). Under ‘in situ’ randomization/unblinding the odds of a seed to germinate with a length 1 mm is practically equal if treated with sulphur or with placebo (OR = 0.96, p = 0.717). In contrast, these odds are 21% higher under sulphur compared to placebo in the ‘central’ meta-group (OR = 1.21, p = 0.062). In summary, we found a sulphur effect that is significantly different between ‘in situ’ and ‘central’ randomization/unblinding relating to all three stages of germination.

=== 1620 / Articolo ===
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Motivations of patients seeking supportive care for cancer from physicians prescribing homeopathic or conventional medicines: results of an observational cross-sectional study

Karine Danno, Aurélie Colas, Gilles Freyer, Jean-Paul Guastalla, Gérard Duru, Eric Musial, Vincent Libourel, Jean-Philippe Fendler, Jean-Louis Masson, Marie-France Bordet
Homeopathy, 2016, 105 (4), 289-298

Background & aims - The motivations of patients who consult a homeopathic (GP-Ho) or conventional (GP-CM) general practitioner for supportive care during cancer treatment have not been widely studied. We investigated the reasons why cancer patients consult a GP-Ho versus a GP-CM for supportive care and the GPs' motivations for their prescriptions.
Methods - This observational survey was carried out in France between October 2008 and October 2011. GPs across France were randomly selected and asked to recruit four cancer patients each. At inclusion, the sociodemographic and clinical (including psychological) characteristics and medical history of the patients were recorded by the GPs and the patients noted their quality of life (QoL) and anxiety/depression using the Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (QLQ-C30) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) self-questionnaires. The main motivations of the patients regarding the type of GP consultation and the main reasons for the GPs' prescriptions were recorded.
Results - Six hundred and forty four patients were included in the analysis: 399 consulted a GP-CM (n = 112) and 245 a GP-Ho (n = 73). Patients consulting a GP-Ho were more often female [OR = 1.93; 95%CI: 1.11–3.35; p = 0.02], employed in a professional capacity [OR = 6.57; 95%CI: 1.96–21.99; p = 0.002], have a shorter time since cancer diagnosis [OR = 2.19; 95%CI: 1.24–3.87; p = 0.007], have received targeted anticancer therapy [OR = 3.70; 95%CI: 1.67–8.18; p = 0.001] and have a high QLQ-C30 score for constipation [OR = 1.01; 95%CI: 1.00–1.02; p = 0.001]. Patients mainly consulted a GP-Ho to receive overall care (73.5% vs. 64.9%; p = 0.024) and medicines to prevent anticancer treatment-related side-effects (63.7% vs. 41.4%; p < 0.0001). In contrast, patients consulted a GP-CM to receive psychological care (50.1% vs. 40.8%; p = 0.021) and more information regarding the oncologists' strategic decisions (p < 0.0001). There was a significantly greater prescription of psychotropic drugs by GP-CM (53.7% vs. 22.4%, p < 0.0001).
Conclusions - Patients consulting a GP-Ho or GP-CM had different motivations for seeking supportive care. There was a significantly greater prescription of psychotropic drugs by GP-CM.

=== 1622 / Articolo ===
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A patient reported outcome measure in homeopathic clinical practice for long-term conditions

Elizabeth Thompson, Petter Viksveen, Susan Barron
Homeopathy, 2016, 105 (4), 309-317

Background - This study was initiated as part of a quality improvement audit process to create standards around goal setting with our patients to understand and improve outcomes of homeopathic treatment.
Method - We used the Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile (MYMOP2) as a tool to assist clinicians in setting the treatment goals across a wide range of diagnoses and other complaints in routine clinical practice at the Bristol Homeopathic Hospital. The data collected from the MYMOP2 is of significance in its own right and the results are now reported in this paper.
Results - A total of 198 patients with a wide range of complaints attended one to five consultations with 20 homeopathic doctors. Diagnostic categories were most commonly neoplasms (16.7%), psychological (13.9%) and genitourinary complaints (12.3%), with 66.7% suffering from these problems for at least one year. The three symptoms that bothered patients the most were pain, mental symptoms and tiredness/fatigue. A paired-samples t-test using an intention-to-treat analysis showed that the MYMOP2 profile score improved from 4.25 (IQR 3.50–5.00), with a mean change of 1.24 (95% CI 1.04, 1.44) from the first to the last consultation (p < 0.001). Results were statistically significant both for completers (n = 91) (p < 0.001) and non-completers (n = 107) (p < 0.001) using last-observation-carried-forward, although completers did better than non-completers (p < 0.001). The overall clinical significance of improvements was at least moderate. A repeated measures ANOVA test also showed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001).
Conclusion - The MYMOP2 results add to a growing body of observational data which demonstrates that when patients with long term conditions come under homeopathic care their presenting symptoms and wellbeing often improve. Offering a low cost high impact intervention to extend the range of choice to patients and to support self-care could be an important part of the NHS.

=== 1624 / Articolo ===
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Different treatment schemes and dynamizations of Trypanosoma cruzi biotherapies: what information do they transfer to the organism in infected mice?

Fabiana Nabarro Ferraz, Franciele Karina da Veiga, Denise Lessa Aleixo, Miguel Spack Júnior, Silvana Marques de Araújo
Homeopathy, 2016, 105 (4), 327-337

Background - The use of biotherapies in Trypanosoma cruzi infection can provide an understanding about effects of these highly diluted medications.
Objectives - To evaluate different treatment schemes and dynamizations of biotherapies prepared from blood trypomastigotes (buffy coat) in mice infected with T. cruzi.
Methods - Swiss mice infected with Y strain of T. cruzi were divided into two experiments. Experiment 1, all treated groups received biotherapy 7dH (10 L/mL ad libitum) in different treatment schemes: TB7dH – treated 3 days before infection; TBA7dH – treated 3 days before and after infection; TBAe.d.7dH – treated 3 days before infection and every day after infection and IC – infection control. Experiment 2, all treated groups received medication in different dynamizations 3 days before and after infection (10 L/mL ad libitum): TBA15dH – treated with biotherapy 15dH; TBA16dH – treated with biotherapy 16dH; TBA17dH – treated with biotherapy 17dH; TBAp.chords – treated with biotherapy ‘potency chords’ and IC – infection control. We evaluated parasitological and clinical parameters.
Results - Experiment 1 showed that different treatment schemes with biotherapy 7dH produced different effects on infection evolution. TBA7dH group had the best outcome, with lower parasitemia, higher survival, and better clinical evolution compared to IC. Experiment 2 showed that biotherapy ‘potency chords’ had effects different from the individual dynamizations that it contained (15dH, 16dH, and 17dH). Animals that had patent parasitemia had delayed emergence of parasites in blood and subsequent increase in parasitemia, but had better clinical evolution compared to IC.
Conclusions - The effects of T. cruzi biotherapies depend on frequency at which they are administered, dynamization, and host–parasite relationship/individual susceptibility of treated organism. Biotherapy appeared to transfer to infected organism ‘antigenic information’ related to parasite and ‘disease information’ related to molecules produced by host's immune response and contained in the buffy coat used to prepare the medication.

=== 1625 / Articolo ===
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Effect of a biostimulatory homeopathic complex on venom production in captive rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus)

Paula Helena Santa Rita, Herbert Patric Kellermann Cleveland, Paula Laryssa Souza Pereira, William Corrêa, Valter Joost Van Onselen, Ruy Alberto Caetano Corrêa Filho, Maria Araújo Teixeira
Homeopathy, 2016, 105 (4), 338-343

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of two administration methods of a biostimulatory homeopathic complex (Convert H®) on the production of fresh and lyophilized venom of rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus) under intensive captivity conditions. Sixty snakes were subjected to treatment following a randomized block design. The effects of sex and size were controlled for. Thirteen consecutive extractions were performed over 21 months. The first factor considered in the experiment was the origin of mice used as prey: a conventional colony (A1) or the Convert H colony (A2; mice receiving the homeopathic complex in water at 1%). The type of water given to snakes was the second factor: pure (B1) or amended with 5% of Convert H® (B2). The experiment was structured in a factorial 2 × 2 design combining mouse and water types (A1B1, A1B2, A2B1, and A2B2). No consistent treatment effects on fresh venom production (mL) were observed when the experimental groups were compared with controls (A1B1). However, production of lyophilized venom (mg) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in A2B2 animals than in controls in eight of 13 extractions performed, and also in aggregate. The results revealed that production of lyophilized venom, measured over multiple extractions, can be increased by administering the homeopathic complex simultaneously to rattlesnakes and prey.

=== 1626 / Articolo ===
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Biological therapies (immunomodulatory drugs), worsening of psoriasis and rebound effect: new evidence of similitude

Marcus Zulian Teixeira
Homeopathy, 2016, 105 (4), 344-355

Background - Employing the secondary action or adaptative reaction of the organism as therapeutic response, homeopathy uses the treatment by similitude (similia similibus curentur) administering to sick individuals the medicines that caused similar symptoms in healthy individuals. Such homeostatic or paradoxical reaction of the organism is scientifically explained through the rebound effect of drugs, which cause worsening of symptoms after withdrawal of several palliative treatments. Despite promoting an improvement in psoriasis at the beginning of the treatment, modern biological therapies provoke worsening of the psoriasis (rebound psoriasis) after discontinuation of drugs.
Method - Exploratory qualitative review of the literature on the occurrence of the rebound effect with the use of immunomodulatory drugs [T-cell modulating agents and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors drugs] in the treatment of psoriasis.
Results - Several researches indicate the rebound effect as the mechanism of worsening of psoriasis with the use of efalizumab causing the suspension of its marketing authorization in 2009, in view of some severe cases. Other studies also have demonstrated the occurrence of rebound psoriasis with the use of alefacept, etanercept and infliximab.
Conclusion - As well as studied in other classes of drugs, the rebound effect of biologic agents supports the principle of similitude (primary action of the drugs followed by secondary action and opposite of the organism).

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