Therapeutic approach of wrist ganglion using electroacupuncture: two case reports.

A ganglion cyst is a relatively common benign tumor on the wrist. Conservative and surgical approaches have been used for its treatment. Various conservative treatment methods have been suggested such as reassurance, aspiration, sclerosant injection, and direct compression. But, there is no acceptable treatment of choice yet because each suggested method has a relatively high recurrence rate. We want to report two cases in which the size of the wrist ganglion was decreased by using electroacupuncture. One patient presented with a chronic ganglion for six years and the other patient presented with a recently occurred acute ganglion. We applied electroacupuncture for 20 minutes once a week for eight weeks to both of them. Afterwards, the size of the wrist ganglion diminished in the follow-up sonography and the accompanying pain was also relieved. Herein we report both cases along with a review of the relevant literature.

Antiteratogenic Effects of ß-Carotene in Cultured Mouse Embryos Exposed to Nicotine.

After maternal intake, nicotine crosses the placental barrier and causes severe embryonic disorders and fetal death. In this study, we investigated whether ß -carotene has a beneficial effect against nicotine-induced teratogenesis in mouse embryos (embryonic day 8.5) cultured for 48 h in a whole embryo culture system. Embryos exposed to nicotine (1 mM) exhibited severe morphological anomalies and apoptotic cell death, as well as increased levels of TNF- α , IL-1 ß , and caspase 3 mRNAs, and lipid peroxidation. The levels of cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase (SOD), mitochondrial manganese-dependent SOD, cytosolic glutathione peroxidase (GPx), phospholipid hydroperoxide GPx, hypoxia inducible factor 1 α , and Bcl-x L mRNAs decreased, and SOD activity was reduced compared to the control group. However, when ß -carotene (1 × 10(-7) or 5 × 10(-7) µM) was present in cultures of embryos exposed to nicotine, these parameters improved significantly. These findings indicate that ß -carotene effectively protects against nicotine-induced teratogenesis in mouse embryos through its antioxidative, antiapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities.

Combined treatment with capsaicin and resveratrol enhances neuroprotection against glutamate-induced toxicity in mouse cerebral cortical neurons.

Capsaicin and resveratrol as natural products have a variety of beneficial effects. However, capsaicin is also a neurotoxic agent, rendering its effect on the nervous system confusing. The aim of this study was to investigate whether capsaicin and/or resveratrol have a protective effect against glutamate (Glu)-induced neurotoxicity. After exposure to glutamate for 15 min, cerebral cortical neurons of ICR mouse fetuses on embryonic days 15-16 were post-treated with capsaicin and/or resveratrol for 24 h. Glu induced a significant reduction in cell viability, but the cell viability increased significantly with capsaicin or resveratrol treatment and further was highest in the neurons co-treated with both phytochemicals. Glu-induced reactive oxygen species generation and apoptotic neuronal death also significantly decreased by a combined treatment with both phytochemicals. Due to Glu insults, the reduced mRNA levels of cytoplasmic glutathione peroxidase, copper/zinc and manganese superoxide dismutases, and Bcl-x(L) and the overexpressed mRNA levels of interleukin-1ß and tumor necrosis factor-α were significantly restored by post-treatment of capsaicin and/or resveratrol. These findings indicate that capsaicin and resveratrol are neuroprotective against Glu-induced toxicity and that the combined treatment of both phytochemicals can enhance the neuroprotection, suggesting a useful therapeutic application in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

The prevalence and therapeutic effect of constipation in pediatric overactive bladder.

PURPOSE: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a manifestation of urgency, regardless of urge incontinence, due to involuntary bladder contraction during the storage period. There is a close association between constipation and OAB, but constipation cannot be readily diagnosed. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of constipation in OAB and the consequent therapeutic effects according to the diagnostic criteria for constipation. METHODS: We collected clinical data from 40 children (mean age, 71±22 months) with chief complaints of urgency, frequency, and incontinence. A voiding questionnaire and a 2-day voiding diary were collected, and urinalysis, the Bristol stool scale, and plain abdominal radiography were performed. Constipation was defined as conditions satisfying at least one of the following criteria: Rome III diagnostic criteria, Bristol stool scale types I/II, or a Leech score higher than 8 points as determined by plain radiography. Lower urinary tract symptoms, defecation symptoms, and the bladder volume of patients were examined, and the therapeutic outcomes by constipation diagnostic criteria were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 40 OAB patients, 25 had constipation. Among them, 6 had reduced functional bladder capacity (24%; P>0.05). Regarding treatment, in patients who satisfied only one diagnostic criterion, the symptoms improved in 76.9%, 76.9%, and 69.6% of patients meeting the Rome III criteria, Bristol stool scale, and Leech score, respectively (P<0.05). Among the 8 patients satisfying all three criteria, 75% responded to treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of constipation in OAB is high. Constipated patients recruited by use of the Rome III criteria, Bristol scale, and Leech score alone and together showed similar outcomes on OAB improvement after the treatment of constipation, which implies that each criterion has the same strength and can be applied comprehensively and generally.