Evaluating Dielectric Properties for Assessing Water Content at Acupuncture Points: New Methodology.

Importance: Understanding acupuncture point microenvironments is vital for optimizing treatment efficacy. Evaluating changes in water content at these points can provide further insights into the effects of acupuncture on tissues. Objective: This study aimed to measure tissue dielectric constant (TDC) and assess changes in water content, specifically at stomach 36 (ST36, Zusanli) and spleen 6 (SP6, Sanyinjiao) acupuncture points. Methods: In a controlled, blinded, randomized trial, 113 healthy volunteers were divided into six groups based on TDC sensor diameters (XS, M, and L): three control groups and three acupuncture groups. They were assessed at three time points: T1, baseline; T2, 20 min post-needle withdrawal; and T3, 40 min post-needle withdrawal. Electrical impedance (EI) was also analyzed. Significance level was set at p < 0.001. Results: TDC at ST36 and SP6 significantly decreased with the XS probe at T2 and T3 compared with that at T1 (F8, 452: 54.61). TDC did not significantly vary between T2 and T3 with M and L probes. EI data indicated that the current passage increased in the SP (F2, 226: 39.32) and ST (F2, 226: 37.32) groups during T2 and T3 compared with that during T1 within their respective groups and controls. Conclusions: and Relevance: This study demonstrated the efficacy of TDC measurements in detecting water content fluctuations at acupuncture points and their responses to needles. TDC measurements, which were validated against EI, provide valuable insights into acupuncture point microenvironments and thus help optimize treatments.

Polycystic ovary syndrome associated with increased adiposity interferes with serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 differently from leptin and adiponectin.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to explore the relationship between body fat percentage and metabolic markers. Subjects and methods Sedentary women were assigned to PCOS (N = 60) and CONTROL (N = 60) groups. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to body fat percentage (22-27%, 27-32% and 32-37%). The protocol consisted of assessments of glucose, insulin, androgens, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), leptin, adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Results The PCOS subgroups showed higher concentrations of androgens, LH and 17-OHP. Leptin showed direct relationship with increased body fat percentage, whereas adiponectin showed the inverse effect. However, both were unaffected by PCOS. TNF-α and IL-6 were higher in PCOS women and showed a direct relationship with increased body fat percentage. Glucose showed direct relationship with body fat percentage, whereas insulin presented higher values in PCOS women and direct relationship with increased body fat percentage. Conclusions Our findings indicate that PCOS and body fat percentage directly influence concentrations of insulin, TNF-α and IL-6, whereas leptin and adiponectin are influenced only by the increase in body fat percentage in these women. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2020;64(1):4-10.

Polycystic ovary syndrome associated with increased adiposity interferes with serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 differently from leptin and adiponectin

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to investigate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to explore the relationship between body fat percentage and metabolic markers. Subjects and methods Sedentary women were assigned to PCOS (N = 60) and CONTROL (N = 60) groups. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to body fat percentage (22-27%, 27-32% and 32-37%). The protocol consisted of assessments of glucose, insulin, androgens, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), leptin, adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Results The PCOS subgroups showed higher concentrations of androgens, LH and 17-OHP. Leptin showed direct relationship with increased body fat percentage, whereas adiponectin showed the inverse effect. However, both were unaffected by PCOS. TNF-α and IL-6 were higher in PCOS women and showed a direct relationship with increased body fat percentage. Glucose showed direct relationship with body fat percentage, whereas insulin presented higher values in PCOS women and direct relationship with increased body fat percentage. Conclusions Our findings indicate that PCOS and body fat percentage directly influence concentrations of insulin, TNF-α and IL-6, whereas leptin and adiponectin are influenced only by the increase in body fat percentage in these women. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2020;64(1):4-10

Electromyographic and strength analyses of activation patterns of the wrist flexor muscles after acupuncture.

This study analyzed the electromyographic and strength responses of the flexor muscles of the wrist following stimulation of acupuncture points. A total of 52 participants were randomly divided into four groups: local (heart 3, HT3), distant (heart 4, HT4), control (bladder 60, BL60), and naïve control groups. To obtain the root mean square electromyographic activity, we placed surface electrodes over the wrist flexors. To obtain kilogram force (kgf) values, we attached a force transducer to the floor and to the hands of participants. Both values were recorded over three repetitions of maximal isometric wrist flexion contractions. Data were analyzed using one-way analyses of variance, followed by Dunnett's post-hoc tests. We found reductions in electromyographic activity contralateral to the stimulated point in the distant group 10 minutes after removal of the needles (F(3,48) = 3.25; p < 0.05). Regarding muscle strength, ipsilateral and contralateral stimulation in the distant group produced kgf levels prior to and 10 minute and 20 minutes after withdrawal of the acupuncture needle that were lower than that obtained prior to insertion of the needle (F(3,48) = 5.82; p < 0.05). Thus, stimulation of the acupuncture points distant from the wrist flexors reduced ipsilateral and contralateral muscle strength and decreased the root mean square values contralateral to the site of stimulation.

Modified constraint-induced movement therapy in the approach of post-stroke chronic hemiparetic child: a case report / Terapia de constricción y inducción al movimiento modificada en el planteamiento terapêutico de un niño hemiparético crónico después de un accidente cerebrovascular isquémico infantil: un reporte de caso / Terapia de constrição e indução ao movimento modificada na abordagem terapêutica de uma criança hemiparética crônica pós-acidente vascular encefálico isquêmico infantil: um relato de caso

Stroke is the result of disorientation of brain activity of vascular origin, with more than 24 hours. The constrain induction movement therapy (CIMT) is a highlighting method for motor rehabilitation that provides cortical reorganization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the motor function after stroke in a child before and after CIMT. Participated in this study, a female child, nine years old and with chronic left hemiparesis. For the simultaneous analysis of the flexor and extensor muscles of the wrist in maximal voluntary isometric contraction, at the start and the end of CIMT protocol, we used surface electromyography and stabilometry to balance access. The patient had constricted close to the body the non-paretic upper limb, enabling only the use of the paretic upper limb. Still, 14 consecutive sessions of physiotherapy were performed. For constriction, we use a tubular mesh for 23 hours per day. The analysis revealed a root mean square (RMS) increase in flexors and extensors to the wrist, improves balance and weight bearing. Thus, fourteen days CIMT associated a functional activities protocol resulted in an improved of extensors and flexors of the wrist muscle activation pattern and a significant improvement of the balance of the patient.

El accidente vascular encefálico (AVE) es resultado de la desorientación de la actividad encefálica, de origen vascular, con más de 24 horas de duración. La terapia de constricción con inducción al movimiento (TCIM) se destaca como un método de rehabilitación motora que proporciona la reorganización cortical. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la función motora de un niño pos-AVE, antes y después de la TCIM. Participó de este estudio un niña de nuevo años y con hemiparesia crónica a la izquierda. Al principio y al final del protocolo de TCIM para el análisis simultáneo de los músculos flexores y extensores de la muñeca en la contracción isométrica voluntaria máxima, se utilizó la electromiografía de superficie para evaluar el equilibrio. El paciente tuvo el miembro superior (MS) no parético inmovilizado junto al cuerpo, lo que permitió sólo el uso del MS parético. Además, fueron realizadas 14 sesiones consecutivas de fisioterapia. Para la contención, se utilizó una malla tubular durante 23 horas al día. El análisis reveló un aumento de la root mean square (RMS) de flexores y extensores de la muñeca, mejora del equilibrio y descarga de peso después de la intervención. Por lo tanto, 14 días de TCIM asociada con el protocolo de actividades funcionales en la fisioterapia resultaron un mejor patrón de activación muscular de los extensores y flexores de la muñeca y una mejora significativa del equilibrio de la paciente.

O acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) é resultado de desorientação da atividade encefálica, de origem vascular, com mais de 24 horas de duração. A terapia de constrição com indução ao movimento (TCIM) destaca-se como método de reabilitação motora que proporciona reorganização cortical. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a função motora em uma criança pós-AVE, antes e após a TCIM. Participou deste estudo uma criança do sexo feminino, com nove anos e hemiparesia crônica à esquerda. No início e no final do protocolo de TCIM, para a análise simultânea dos músculos flexores e extensores de punho em contração isométrica voluntária máxima, foi utilizada a eletromiografia de superfície para avaliar o equilíbrio a estabilometria. A paciente teve o membro superior (MS) não parético imobilizado junto ao corpo, possibilitando somente a utilização do MS parético. Ainda, foram realizadas 14 sessões consecutivas de fisioterapia. Para a contenção, foi utilizada uma malha tubular, durante 23 horas por dia. A análise revelou um aumento da root mean square (RMS) de flexores e extensores de punho, melhora do equilíbrio e descarga de peso após a intervenção. Assim, 14 dias de TCIM associada ao protocolo de atividades funcionais na fisioterapia resultaram em um melhor padrão de ativação muscular dos extensores e flexores do punho e uma importante melhora do equilíbrio da paciente.