by Toshiaki Suzuki  , Makiko Tani  , Kaito Takamori  and Maki Yamada

Received: 21 January 2017;  Published: 20 February 2017;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1701001

(1) Background: Acupoint stimulation physical therapy (ASPT) is a novel method of physical therapy that combines physical and acupuncture methods. This study aimed to examine the effect of ASPT in three hemiplegic patients with cerebrovascular disease using F-wave as a measure of the excitability of spinal neural function. (2) Methods: Subjects included three hemiplegic patients with cerebrovascular disease who presented with three types of neurological findings. All patients had moderate hypertonic muscles on the [...]

by Bo Pang  , Qi Zhang  , Guang-Yu Cheng  , Wei-Ping Cheng  , Daniela Litscher  , Lu Wang  , Zemin Sheng  , Ingrid Gaischek  , Zhong-Ren Sun  and Gerhard Litscher

Received: 08 June 2016;  Published: 23 August 2016;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1601003

(1) Background: Within this study, we assessed the effects of acupuncture on heart rate variability (HRV) in Chinese post-stroke patients. (2) Methods: In 30 Chinese post-stroke patients (14 f, 16 m; mean age ± SD 64.3 ± 3.8 years; range 40 - 80 years) electrocardiographic signals before, during and after acupuncture at the left Weizhong acupoint (BL40) were recorded in Harbin and analyzed in Graz using teleacupuncture via internet. HRV data were analyzed in the time and frequency domain and a protoco [...]

by Daniela Litscher  and Gerhard Litscher

Received: 24 May 2016;  Published: 17 August 2016;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1601002

The present report deals with some current important aspects of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) education and practice in Europe and China. The data and facts are based on a lecture of one of the authors (G.L.) prepared for a conference in Wuhan about acupuncture education in Europe, and lectures of two high-ranking representatives of renowned Chinese institutions (State Administration of TCM and Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin). In addition to current figures regarding TCM in general, the ad [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 27 May 2016;  Published: 15 August 2016;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1601001

Integrative and Complementary Medicine (ICM-OBM) is an international peer-reviewed, open-access journal which covers all evidence-based scientific studies on integrative and complementary approaches to improving health and quality of life. Integrative and complementary medicine comprises science-oriented “university” or academic medicine, but also experience-based medicine with all its complementary methods. It is not a special field in itself, but a signal for an all-encompassing medicine, open-minded about the p [...]

by Meir Djaldetti

Received: 26 July 2021;  Published: 15 September 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2103061

Spices have been used for many decades, and although new and improved culinary spices have been developed, black pepper (Piper nigrum) continues to retain its distinguished title as the “King of spices” due to its particular pungent taste. An alkaloid called piperine is the main component in black pepper that, besides generating the well-known taste, imparts well-documented immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and even anti-cancer properties; these properties have led to rigorous researc [...]

by Gretchen Stepanovich  and Steven M. Donn

Received: 19 April 2021;  Published: 13 August 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2103060

Infants admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) are among the most vulnerable patients in medicine and are at risk for a variety of morbidities, many of which require pharmacologic therapy. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a common diagnosis in the NICU patient population and may or may not represent a truly pathologic process. Regardless, pharmacologic therapy is provided to many infants, who are already exposed to an inordinate number of pharmacologic agents, of which most are off label and hav [...]

by Chandra Sekhar Devulapalli

Received: 07 July 2021;  Published: 22 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2103059

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is a debatable condition that affects less than 6% of children. The absence of specific diagnostic markers and standardized diagnostic procedures make the diagnosis of NCGS challenging, covering patients with different and varied symptoms. Generally, the parents of small and younger children introduce a gluten-free diet (GFD) based on their personal experiences and expectations. Additionally, a “fad component” exists, contributing to the recent rise in the popularity of GFD. Thu [...]

by Hiroyuki Kashiwagi  , Ayumi Ito  , Harutaka Kambayashi  , Shun Murasugi  , Teppei Omori  , Maria Yonezawa  , Shinichi Nakamura  and Katsutoshi Tokushige

Received: 10 August 2020;  Published: 09 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2103058

Anti-TNFα Therapy are used to induce remission and as maintenance therapy in refractory ulcerative colitis (UC) to achieve mucosal healing (MH). However, the time at which mucosal healing should be assessed is unclear. We retrospectively examined the optimal timing for colonoscopy and the criteria to determine the need for the continuation of treatment. We evaluated 44 UC patients that were treated with anti-TNFα Therapy and categorized them into the following groups according to the degree of MH within 12 months: [...]

by Víctor Escrich  , Angela Martinez Herreros  , Berta Lapeña  , Marta Mayorga  , Antonio Cuadrado  , Javier Crespo  and Emilio Fabrega

Received: 01 March 2021;  Published: 21 June 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2102057

The reactivation of the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a rare cause of acute gastritis in adults. About 30 cases have been reported in the literature, mostly with immunocompromised patients and mainly after bone marrow transplantation or during the development of malignant hematological diseases. Clinically, it is usually accompanied by cutaneous manifestations. Here, we studied a case of VZV gastritis in a liver transplant (LT) patient. We described the main symptoms, endoscopic findings, histologic changes, and [...]

by Anita H Kelleher  and Angelos K Sikalidis

Received: 09 November 2020;  Published: 05 February 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2101056

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is considered one of the healthiest dietary patterns due to its rich provision of phytochemicals, antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, polyunsaturated, omega-3, and short-chain fatty acids through a variety of foods. The supply of such nutrients and bioactive components can support gut health and reduce systemic inflammation, with accumulating evidence from several human studies demonstrating the utility of the Mediterranean diet in the prevention of chronic and metabolic diseases. Further stu [...]