El valor de la acupuntura en la práctica de la medicina tradicional complementaria en el sector salud de México / The value of acupuncture in the practice of complementary traditional medicine in Mexico's health sector

Introduction: Complementary traditional medicine acquires an essential value from the diversity and pluralism of care and therapy. In this logic, it is up to people to search for alternatives when it comes to caring for and improving their own health. Specifically, acupuncture has had rapid growth, largely due to processes derived from globalization, migration and cultural exchange, which in some way force countries to modify their health system towards one that takes into account the transculturality of its population and treatment preferences. Development: With the establishment of a comprehensive health model, physicians can assess the person as a homeodynamic process (information exchange process between environment and man, to keep an internal and external homeostasis to the individual) and pandimensional (spiritual and energetic care) that allows to identify the health problem's origin and thus determine an intervention more in line with the person's needs during the health-disease, life-death processes, with the corresponding conventional or non-conventional therapy. Conclusions: The value and interest of acupuncture in the population derives from the degree of development of a country, its origin and the incorporation of the West as part of the diagnostic and therapeutic arsenal, in order to respond to the population needs by incorporating low-cost complementary treatments with proven effectiveness, without ceasing to consider its unquestionable cultural heritage.

Introducción: la medicina tradicional complementaria adquiere un valor imprescindible desde la diversidad y el pluralismo de la asistencia y la terapéutica. En esa lógica, corresponde a las personas la búsqueda social de alternativas cuando se trata de atender y mejorar la propia salud. En específico la acupuntura ha tenido un rápido crecimiento, en gran parte debido a la globalización, la migración y el intercambio cultural, que de alguna forma obligan a los países a modificar su sistema de salud hacia uno que tome en cuenta la transculturalidad de su población y las preferencias de tratamiento. Desarrollo: con el establecimiento de un modelo de salud integral, los médicos pueden valorar a la persona como un proceso homeodinámico (intercambio de información entre el ambiente y el hombre para mantener una homeostasis interna y externa del individuo) y pandimensional (cuidado espiritual y energético) que permita identificar el origen real del problema de salud y determinar una intervención más acorde a las necesidades de la persona durante los procesos de salud-enfermedad, de vida-muerte, con la terapia convencional o no convencional que corresponda. Conclusiones: el valor e interés de la acupuntura en la población se deriva del grado de desarrollo de un país, de su origen y de la incorporación de occidente como parte del arsenal diagnóstico y terapéutico, para responder a las necesidades de la población al incorporar tratamientos complementarios de bajo costo y con efectividad demostrada, y sin dejar de considerar su herencia cultural incuestionable.

Profesionalización de la acupuntura y sus implicaciones en la salud de los pacientes / Acupuncture professionalisation and patients health implications

Introducción: la acupuntura humana es una terapia complementaria en la atención para la salud. Derivado de su alta demanda en gran parte del mundo la OMS fijo su postura a favor de la Medicina Tradicional y Complementaria (MTC) con la publicación "Estrategia sobre medicina tradicional 2014-2023", ésta se centra en dos objetivos: brindar apoyo a los Estados Miembros en la contribución de la MTC en la salud, bienestar y atención centrada en las personas y promover su utilización de forma segura y eficaz; mediante la reglamentación de productos, prácticas y profesionales capacitados. Desarrollo: la estrategia plantea la necesidad de que toda práctica de MTC sea realizada con formación universitaria, sin embargo, solo el 30% de los países miembros (39) cuentan con ella universitaria y 56% (72) tienen reglamentos para su práctica en acupuntura. En México se imparten diversos cursos y diplomados de MTC, a nivel técnico, licenciatura, especialidad y posgrado, con diferentes horas curriculares. Asimismo, cuenta con políticas de regulación sobre acupuntura y sus técnicas. Conclusión: la acupuntura tiene sustento científico en la anatomía y neurofisiología. Debe ser aplicada por profesionales del área de salud y con formación certificada por una institución de reconocido prestigio.

Minimization of methabenzthiazuron residues in leaching water using amended soils and photocatalytic treatment with TiO2 and ZnO.

In the present work, potential groundwater pollution by methabenzthiazuron (MTBU) and the effect of three different amendments (composted sheep manure, composted pine bark and spent coffee grounds) on its mobility were investigated under laboratory conditions. The efficiency of ZnO and TiO2 suspensions in the photocatalytic degradation of MTBU in leaching water was also investigated. The relative and cumulative breakthrough curves were obtained from disturbed soil columns. The presence and/or addition of organic matter drastically reduced the movement of the herbicide. On other hand, photocatalytic experiments showed that the addition of ZnO and TiO2 strongly enhances the degradation rate of this herbicide compared with the results of photolytic experiments under artificial light. ZnO appeared to be more effective in MTBU oxidation than TiO2. The results obtained point to the interest of using organic wastes and heterogeneous photocatalysis for reducing the pollution of groundwater by pesticide drainage.

Effect of colostrum redox balance on the oxidative status of calves during the first 3 months of life and the relationship with passive immune acquisition.

New-born calves depend upon colostrum intake for the acquisition of immunoglobulins (Ig) and other beneficial substances. However, colostrum is also a source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Intrinsic production of ROS also increases after birth, so the combination of colostral and intrinsic ROS could overwhelm the antioxidant capacity of the calf leading to oxidative stress (OS), a condition that has been shown to play a key role in the initiation and development of several pathological conditions. The aim of this observational study was to assess the effects of the redox balance of colostrum on the oxidative status of calves and on passive immune transfer. Serum samples were taken from 20 calves on their day of birth, every week during their first month of life and at 2 and 3 months of age, and the concentrations of ROS and serum antioxidant capacity (SAC) assayed. The oxidative/anti-oxidative profile and IgG content of the colostrum were also assessed. The redox balance of the colostrum had a significant effect on both calf oxidative status and on passive immune transfer (as measured by calf serum IgG concentration), which indicates that the oxidative/antioxidative profile of colostrum should be measured when colostrum quality is assessed. The highest risk of OS during the study period was found to be when the calves were fed artificial milk replacer; this suggests that calves should be supplemented with antioxidants during this period in order to minimize any harmful consequences of high ROS generation.

Effect of supplementation with antioxidants on the quality of bovine milk and meat production.

From a clinical point of view, oxidative stress (OS) is considered the primary cause of numerous metabolic processes in transition cow. Thus, the addition of antioxidants has been considered a palliative or preventive treatment. But beyond the clinical perspective, antioxidant supplementation provides an added value to the product obtained being either milk or meat. This paper reviews the beneficial aspects that provide antioxidant supplementation on quality of both products and that fit into the new concept that the consumer has a functional and healthy food. Our approach is from a veterinary standpoint, by reviewing the studies conducted to date and the new perspectives that are interesting and need to be studied in the following years. One of the highlights is that sustainable farming, one in which production is combined with animal health, also impacts positively on the quality of the final products, with beneficial antioxidant properties to human health.

Supplementation with plant extracts (carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and capsaicin): its effects on acid-base status and productive performance in growing/finishing bull calves.

This study investigated the in vivo effects of a commercial blend of plant extracts (carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and capsaicin) on blood acid-base balance and serum lactate levels in a 148-day feedlot experimentwith 24 double-muscled Belgian Blue bull calves. Animals were allotted randomly to one of two experimental groups: 1) a control group (C, no supplementation; n = 10), and 2) a group receiving dietary supplementation with a combination of plant extracts (PE, 100 mg per kg DM of concentrate; n = 14). All animals received a high-grain ration, typical of diets fed commercially to feedlot cattle in Spain, consisting mainly of barley plus other components in proportions depending on the production phase. Production data (weight, DMI, ADG and feed-to-gain ratio) were recorded, and venous blood pH, pCO2, HCO3(-), Base Excess -BE- and serum L-lactate were determined. Apparently, beneficial effects of supplementation on production parameters were observed in both growing and finishing periods, though statistically significant effects were only observed in the finishing period. As regards blood parameters, no significant effects of supplementation (or the supplementation x time interaction) were observed, except for an effect on blood pH in the growing period, when supplemented animals showed significantly higher values than controls. A beneficial supplementation x time interactive effect was observed on serum L-lactate levels: from the first week of the study until the end, supplemented animals showed significantly lower levels than controls. These in vivo results support the utility of this dietary supplement in feedlot cattle receiving a barley-based high-grain diet.

Effects of malate supplementation on acid-base balance and productive performance in growing/finishing bull calves fed a high-grain diet.

This study investigated the effects of malate supplementation on blood acid-base balance and serum lactate levels in a 137-day feedlot experiment with bull calves. Animals were allotted to one of two experimental groups: (1) A control group (no supplementation), and (2) a group receiving a salt of DL-malic acid. Blood pH, pCO2, HCO3-, base excess, serum L-lactate and productivity parameters were evaluated. Our data reveal that under the conditions of the present experiment malate supplementation did not have any significant effect on productivity parameters by comparison with non-supplemented animals. As regards acid-base balance, no significant effects attributable only to malate were observed. In conclusion, the time-course and the overall means of serum L-lactate for both groups in both growing and finishing periods (0.44 +/- 0.04 mmol/l and 0.39 +/- 0.02 mmol/l, respectively, for control animal; and 0.54 +/- 0.03 mmol/l and 0.49 +/- 0.01 mmol/l, respectively, for supplemented animals) suggests that malate does not have any beneficial effects in animals fed a diet of similar characteristics to that given in this study.

Effects of long-term dietary supplementation of monensin or saccharomyces cerevisiae on blood acid-base and productive performance in growing feedlot steers.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two dietary supplements (monensin and a live yeast culture) on acid-base balance in steers maintained in a commercial feedlot system, considering effects over the growing period (14 to 23 weeks of age). A 63-day feedlot study was performed using 42 double-muscled Belgian Blue steers. Steers were allotted randomly to one of the three study groups: (1) control group [no supplementation, C], (2) monensin supplementation [MON] at a concentration of 30 mg/kg (DM basis), and (3) live Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain supplementation [SACC] at a dose of 500 mg/kg (DM basis). Venous blood samples were collected for the measurement of acid-base parameters and L-lactate. Production parameters were also used as a complementary tool for understanding the internal changes associated with supplementation. Our results show that during the study period no statistical differences were observed between supplemented and control steers, although non-supplemented animals tended to gain more efficiently than those fed monensin or yeast. Nevertheless, taking into account blood parameters, these control animals showed a greater risk of acid overload due to a more marked decline in blood buffer levels over time in comparison with supplemented steers although no differences were observed between monensin or yeast supplemented animals. Additionally, significant effect of supplementation was observed in packed cell volume (PCV) values.

Assessment of some blood parameters as potential markers of hepatic copper accumulation in cattle.

The increasing frequency of copper (Cu) toxicosis episodes in cattle in recent years, mainly associated with excess Cu supplementation, underscores the need to identify animals in the clinically silent phase of hepatic Cu accumulation. The aim of the study reported here was to evaluate the suitability of various blood parameters as potential early markers of hepatic Cu accumulation in cattle. Paired liver and blood samples from 70 calves aged 6 to 10 months were obtained at slaughter in a region in northwestern Spain where animals usually have hepatic Cu concentration higher than safe values. Neither serum Cu concentration nor ceruloplasmin (CP) concentration, the 2 parameters most commonly used for diagnosis of Cu deficiency, were significantly associated with hepatic Cu concentration. However, whole-blood Cu concentration had a slight but significant correlation with hepatic Cu concentration (r = 0.269, P = 0.026). The use of calculated blood parameters, such as the serum or whole-blood non-CP Cu fraction, or the CP-to-serum Cu ratio, increased the correlation with the hepatic Cu concentration (r = 0.393, P = 0.001, in the case of whole-blood, non-CP Cu concentration), but the strength of the association remained insufficient for accurate prediction of hepatic Cu values. Likewise, hepatic enzyme (aspartate transaminase and gamma-glutamyltransferase) activities were significantly or nearly correlated significantly with hepatic Cu concentration, but the strength of the association remained too low for accurate prediction. It is concluded that direct analysis of Cu concentration in liver biopsy specimens--preferably postmortem liver samples obtained at slaughter--is the best technique currently available for detecting chronic subclinical Cu accumulation in cattle at risk for supraoptimal Cu exposure.

La práctica médico homeopática y su relación con la medicina basada en la evidencia: una reflexión / The homepathic medical practice and its relation with medicine based on evidence: a reflection

Este trabajo presenta uan revisión sobre el modelo de la medicina basada en evidencias, su concepto, etapas y objetivos, a partir de algunos elementos de utilidad hacía la práctica médico homeopática, a fin de contribuir a la solución de los problemas a los que se enfrenta cotidianamente, buscando un equilibrio adecuado entre las evidencias, la teoría fisiopatológica y la experiencia pérsonal.

Influence of thermal regime of soil on the sulfur (S) and selenium (Se) concentration in potato plants.

Three consecutive years of field experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of different root temperatures, induced by the application of mulches on the concentration of sulfur (S) forms (organic-S, total-S and SO4(2-)) and Se in different organs of potato plants (roots, tubers, stems and leaves). Four different plastic covers were used (T1: transparent polyethylene; T2: white polyethylene; T3: white and black coextruded polyethylene, and T4: black polyethylene), using uncovered soil as control (T0). The different treatments had a significant effect on mean root temperatures (T0 = 16 degrees C, T1 = 20 degrees C, T2 = 23 degrees C, T3 = 27 degrees C and T4 = 30 degrees C) and induced a significantly different response in the S forms and Se concentration, showing the T3 treatment (27 degrees C) the greatest concentration of total S and organic S in the stems and leaflets. The Se reached higher levels in the roots and tubers in T3. With regard to possibilities in phytoremediation, it is necessary to control the thermal regime of the soil to optimize the accumulation of elements.

The influence of the root zone temperatures on the phytoextraction of boron and aluminium with potato plants growing in the field.

The effect of different root zone temperatures on the concentration and content of B and Al in potato plants was examined using four different treatments of plastic mulches: T1: transparent polyethylene; T2: white polyethylene; T3: coextruded black and white polyethylene; T4: black polyethylene. An open-air treatment (T0) was used as control. The results showed significantly positive effects of the plastic covers on the root-zone temperatures: T0 = 16 degrees C, T1 = 20 degrees C, T2 = 23 degrees C, T3 = 27 degrees C, T4 = 30 degrees C. These different soil temperature conditions significantly altered the B concentrations, with T3 promoting the greatest concentrations and phytoaccumulation. The root zone temperature treatments induced higher concentrations and accumulation of Al in the T2 and T3 treatments in the roots, tubers, and leaves. The T2 and T3 lead to high levels of pectins in the roots, tubers, and leaves. This appears to reflect a possible mechanism of tolerance to the high Al and B concentrations in the analysed organs.

Root-zone temperature influences the distribution of Cu and Zn in potato-plant organs.

Root-zone temperatures (RZT) in relation to Cu and Zn uptake and tissue accumulation, and to total biomass, in potato plants (Solanum tuberosum L. var. Spunta) were studied. Using five different plastic mulches (no cover, transparent polyethylene, white polyethylene, coextruded white-black polyethylene, and black polyethylene) resulted in significantly different RZT (16, 20, 23, 27, and 30 degrees C, respectively). These RZT significantly influenced Cu and Zn content (concentrated) and the biomass in various potato organs. Root-zone temperature at 20 degrees C resulted in significantly high Cu content in leaflets, and soluble Cu content in leaflets and stems, whereas 23 and 27 degrees C resulted in significantly high Cu content in roots. However, RZT had no effect on Cu content in tubers or stems or on soluble Cu in roots or tubers. The RZT at 20 degrees C resulted in significantly high Zn and soluble Zn in stems, roots, and tubers; whereas, at 27 degrees C Zn and soluble Zn content were significantly highest in leaflets. The most biomass occurred in roots and tubers at 27 degrees C; whereas in leaves and stems, the RZT influence was highly variable. Total accumulation of both Cu forms was affected by RZT at 20 degrees C, with roots and tubers having significantly the least Cu and stems and leaflets having the most. Total accumulation of both Zn forms by RZT in potato organs was highly variable, but tubers consistently accumulated the most.