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Integrative Health Studies Newsletter, Ciis

Integrative Health Studies Newsletter

This is the Summer 2011 issue of the Integrative Health Studies Newsletter at CIIS.

Healers And Researchers: Towards A More Balanced Relationship, Gracie Tewkesbury

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In my seminar paper, I discussed the benefits for both parties of collaboration between traditional healers and modern scientific researchers. If research is done on the medicinal effects of plants, these cures can be used more safely and effectively by members of the community. This relationship is greatly beneficial in theory, but the reality is less than ideal. Researchers, especially foreign ones, depreciate and exploit the knowledge of healers, and as a result, healers are often distrustful and unwilling to collaborate. The relationship between healers and researchers potentially holds the cures to countless diseases and can contribute directly to greater …

The Benefits Of Having An Integrated Health Care System In Madagascar, Elizabeth Miller

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

For my individual research, I wanted to look into all the benefits that could be offered by collaborating allopathic and traditional healthcare systems and how such a system is accomplished in Madagascar, in order to weigh and to discover the feasibility of using integrated healthcare systems as sustainable development in other parts of the world. Furthermore, as Madagascar sets the example in my research this summer, the use of traditional and modern medicine as an integrated health care system best serves the majority of the Malagasy population for several important reasons.

Editorial, Alok Kumar

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

No abstract provided.

Putative Protective Effect Of Cadmium Chloride High Diluted Solution On Llc-Pk1 Cell Intoxicated By High Concentration Of This Same Metal: An Isopathic In Vitro Assay, Roberta Ghilosso-Bortolini, Leoni Bonamin, Carla Holandino

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Cadmium is an important toxic environmental heavy metal. Several studies have demonstrated that a major site of cadmium toxicity in humans and in other animals is the proximal tubule of the kidney. A well established model for nephrotoxicity is the use of in vitro technique with proximal tubule epithelial cell lines, as LLC-PK1. Herein, we have the intention to study the possible protective effect of high diluted CdCl2 solutions. In a blinding way, LLC-PK1 cells were pre-treated with high diluted Cadmium chloride in the potencies 10cH, 15cH and 20cH. After 4 days, these cells have received CdCl2 in a pre-determined …

Standardisation Of Homoeopathic Drug - Aquilegia Vulgaris L, H Gupta, P Subramanian, P Rao, J Raj, Santosh Sharma

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

In this present investigation, drug standardization studies are undertaken for quality assurance of a homoeopathic drug Aquilegia vulgaris. In Homoeopathy, it has been reported to have clinical indications for clavus hystericus and globus hystericus in women, sleeplessness and dysmenorrhoea. To establish the drug in the system, the standardization studies are mandatory and the useful parts of the plant drug are analyzed according to the standards of Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India. The pharmacognostic and physico-chemical studies of the leaf and petiole are undertaken in present study. The diagnostic macro and microscopical characters of leaf and petiole, moisture content, ash and extractive …

A Case Of Colloidal Nodular Goiter, Bindu Sharma

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Most thyroid nodules are asymptomatic. Visible nodules are of great concern to the patient because of the cosmetic embarrassment they cause. Affected patients are euthyroid i.e. serum T3, T4 & TSH are normal. A case of colloidal nodular goiter presented at Regional Research Institute (RRI) (H), Shimla. Her thyroid profile was within normal range and Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology was clearly suggestive of colloidal nodular goiter. Partial thyroidectomy was advised due to cosmetic reasons. The fear of surgery brought the patient to RRI (H), Shimla for treatment. She was treated with homoeopathic medicines following holistic concepts of Homoeopathy and the …

Andrographis Paniculata - A Multicentric, Randomized, Double-Blind Homoeopathic Pathogenetic Trial, Rajpal Rajpal, Vinay Singh, B Dutta, S Das, P Mal, A Bhakat, R Roy, C Chaudhary

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Objective: To elicit the pathogenetic response of the drug Andrographis paniculata in homoeopathic potencies on healthy human beings. Methodology: Drug Andrographis paniculata was proved by the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy through double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled method. The study was conducted at three centers. The drug was proved in two potencies (6C and 30C) on 39 apparently healthy volunteers who were selected after conducting pre-trial medical examination by the medical specialists and routine laboratory investigations. In the first phase volunteers were given 56 doses (04 doses per day for 14 days) of placebo. In the next two phases 56 doses …

Cassia Fistula - A Multicentric Clinical Verification Study, P Chakraborty, Subhash Kaushik, R Ray, R Yadav, M Rai, Darshan Singh, A Bhakat, V Singh, John

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Objectives: The primary objective was to clinically verify the symptomatology of Cassia fistula as observed during its proving conducted by the Council earlier. The secondary objective was to ascertain the clinical symptoms. Methods: In this multicentre study, a total of 129 patients from all age groups and of both sexes were drawn from the OPDs of respective institutes and units of the Council, following the inclusion and exclusion criteria as per protocol and obtaining the written consent from the patients. Their presenting signs and symptoms were recorded in a predefined case recording proforma. Special attention was paid to the circumstances …

A Multicentre Observational Study To Ascertain The Role Of Homoeopathic Therapy In Urolithiasis, V Siddiqui, Hari Singh, Jaya Gupta, C Nayak, Vikram Singh, M Sinha, A Gupta, Paul Sumithran, M Rai

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Study was aimed to ascertain the role of homoeopathic medicines in Urolithiasis. A prospective, multicentre observational study was conducted by Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) from October 2005 to January 2010 to find the usefulness of homoeopathic medicines in cases of Urolithiasis. 901 cases were screened, out of which 311 cases were enrolled and 220 cases were analyzed in this study. The symptoms pertaining to urolithiasis were assessed before and after treatment. Pain, Dysuria and Haematuria were graded from 0-3 as per severity of complaints. Calculi were graded as per Number, Size and Position of calculi. The difference …

Religious Experiences Shrink Part Of The Brain, Andrew Newberg, M.D.

Marcus Institute of Integrative Health Faculty Papers

A study links life-changing religious experiences, like being born again, with atrophy in the hippocampus.

The article, “Religious factors and hippocampal atrophy in late life,” by Amy Owen and colleagues at Duke University represents an important advance in our growing understanding of the relationship between the brain and religion. The study showed greater atrophy in the hippocampus in individuals who identify with specific religious groups as well as those with no religious affiliation. It is a surprising result, given that many prior studies have shown religion to have potentially beneficial effects on brain function, anxiety, and depression.

The Yin And Yang Actions Of North American Ginseng Root In Modulating The Immune Function Of Macrophages, Chike Godwin Azike, Paul Abrahams Charpentier, Jirui Hou, Hua Pei, Edmund Man King Lui

Physiology and Pharmacology Publications

BACKGROUND: Immuno-modulatory effects of ginseng, including both immuno-stimulatory and immuno-suppressive effects, have been widely reported. This study aims to determine whether the paradoxical immuno-modulatory effect is related to unique phytochemical profiles of different North American (NA) ginseng, namely aqueous (AQ) and alcoholic (ALC) extracts.

METHODS: AQ and ALC extracts were prepared and their immuno-bioactivity were studied in vitro in murine macrophages (Raw 264.7) through measuring the direct stimulatory production of pro-inflammatory mediator and cytokines as well as the suppression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulatory response by the two extracts. Gel permeation chromatography was used to fractionate and isolate phytochemicals for characterization of …

Challenges And Opportunities For Developing Countries From Medical Tourism, Avinash M. Waikar, Samuel D. Cappel, Uday S. Tate

Management Faculty Research

Wikipedia defines “Medical Tourism” as the act of traveling to other countries to obtain medical, dental and surgical care. Rapid expansion of facilities for patients abroad has helped to spur this industry’s growth. Regardless of the destination, U.S. citizens are increasingly embracing the benefits of medical tourism due to dramatically rising U.S. healthcare costs. Medical care in countries such as India, Mexico, Thailand and Singapore can cost as little as ten percent of the cost of comparable care in the U.S. for some procedures. Statistical analysis revealed the costs to be significantly lower for many of these countries. Currently, patients …

Safety Of Cervical Manipulation: Are Adverse Events Preventable And Are Manipulations Being Performed Appropriately?, Joseph Anders, Jessica March, Amber Perez

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Objectives: Documented case reports found in medical literature describing adverse events associated with cervical spine manipulation (CSM) were reviewed to determine if the CSM was used appropriately and if the events could have been prevented. Our hypothesis was that CSM had been used inappropriately and that adverse events could have been prevented. This study also looked to identify potential characteristics that may put the patient at risk for injury, or even death as a result of a CSM.

Methods: One hundred and thirty four cases, reported in 93 articles, published between 1950 and 2010, were reviewed. CSMs were categorized as …

Thrust Joint Manipulation Education: Student Perceptions Of Learning And Practical Experiences In Spinal Manipulation Within Entry-Level Physical Therapist Education Programs, Joshua Thomas Marks, Lisa Basl

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background: Spinal thrust joint manipulation (TJM) education is mandatory in all professional entry-level physical therapy programs, yet TJM is under-utilized in daily practice. This descriptive study expands on previous data about how TJM is taught and includes data for the perceived confidence students have when performing TJM.

Methods: A 39-question descriptive survey inquiring about TJM education and selfperceived confidence in performing TJM was distributed via email to 213 accredited physical therapy programs.

Subjects: Respondents ranged in age from 22-45 (mean age=25.61 years). Respondents included 435 professional physical therapy students (84 male, 285 female) who have completed their …

Ultrasound Imaging Of Lumbar Multifidus Immediately Following Three Physical Therapy Techniques In Asymptomatic Individuals, Victoria Byers, Steven Lim, Kathryn Rice

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Study Design

Randomized, blinded, cohort, within subjects design.

Background and Objective

The effects of different manual therapy (MT) techniques on lumbar multifidus (LM) thickness have been investigated in subjects with low back pain (LBP) but have not been investigated in asymptomatic subjects. The objective of this study was to examine the immediate effects of mobilization and manipulation on contraction thickness of LM in healthy individuals.

Methods and Measures

Forty-two healthy individuals participated in the study. Ultrasound imaging techniques were used to record LM thickness (L4-5 level) at rest, during an abdominal drawing in maneuver (ADIM), and during a prone upper …

The Effects Of Curcumin On Body Composition Of Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer, Henrique A. Parsons Md

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Cachexia is very common among patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and is a marker of poor prognosis. Weight loss in cachexia is due to both adipose and muscle compartments, and sarcopenia (severe muscle depletion) is associated with worse outcomes. Curcumin has shown a myriad of biological effects, including anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory. The ability of curcumin to attenuate cachexia and muscle loss has been tested in animal models, with conflicting results so far. The hypothesis of this study was that patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with curcumin for two months have less fat and muscle loss as compared to matched …

Effect Of Aquastretch On Range Of Motion At Knee Joint In Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients, Raja Devinder Kochar

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The success of the Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) depends upon its functional outcomes of increase in reduction in pain, and gait ambulation and performing functional activities of daily living. Compromised range of motion, pain and weakness can reduce their ability to perform activities of daily living. Aquatic Physical Therapy may offer an alternative intervention to traditional Physical Therapy Rehabilitation and many studies have shown improvements in range of motion, swelling, pain reduction, stiffness and quality of life after TKA. AquaStretch, a relatively new form of aquatic therapy, claims to restore the functional mobility which is lost restrictions caused due to …

Chelation Therapy As A Treatment For Autism, Cassandra Baty, Rachel Terharr

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

As medical advances continue to be made, there has yet to be an effectively consistent cure to the commonly known condition, Autism. Some researchers and physicians state that by using chelation therapy, it could help cure mercury poisoning in autistic individuals who were affected by vaccines or other sources. Because of the lack of research and knowledge of chelation therapy, there has been some controversy as to the ethics of providing chelation therapy to autistic children. The families that are put through these trials are faced with high costs, and no guarantee that their child could be cured. But to …

Herbs And Healers Of The North: Medicine, Practices And Philosophies In Islamic And Traditional Healing In Northern Ghana, Renee Edwards

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

1. Objective: The objective of this project was three-fold:
   1. i. To understand the fundamental practices, philosophies, and perceptions in and around Islamic and traditional healing in Northern Ghana.
   2. ii. To identify the herbs, substances, and methods used to treat illnesses in Islamic and traditional healing.
   3. iii. To evaluate the measures of efficacy in Islamic and traditional healing.
2. Methodology: I lived in Tamale, in the Northern Region of Ghana for 23 days. I formally interviewed eight healers in six communities in and around Tamale. The demographics of the healers I interviewed were two Muslim healers and six traditional healers, six men and …