A Delphi Study on the Management of Female Infertility by Homeopaths in South Africa.

Background: Infertility affects millions of people worldwide and has a negative social and psychological impact on the lives of infertile couples. Homeopathy offers an alternative treatment option for female infertility; however, there is currently no research describing how homeopaths manage this condition in their practice.

Aim: To determine homeopathic practitioners' approaches to managing female infertility.

Sodium Intake and Sodium to Potassium Ratio among New York City Adults in the 2018 Heart Follow-Up Study.

Background: High sodium and low potassium intake are positively associated with blood pressure, a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The mean intake of sodium among United States adults exceeds the chronic disease risk reduction level of 2300 mg/d, whereas potassium intake remains lower than the recommended levels. From 2008 through 2019, there were several local and national initiatives to reduce sodium in New York City (NYC).

Independent and Combined Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Prenatal Stress on Fetal HPA Axis Development.

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and prenatal stress (PS) are highly prevalent conditions known to affect fetal programming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of light PAE, PS, and PAE-PS interaction on fetal HPA axis activity assessed via placental and umbilical cord blood biomarkers. Participants of the ENRICH-2 cohort were recruited during the second trimester and classified into the PAE and unexposed control groups.

Experiences of neurofeedback therapists in treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Background: Neurofeedback is a neurostimulatory biofeedback behavioural therapy that regulates brain wave levels for optimal cognitive functioning. It has shown promising results for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Aim: To explore and describe the experiences of neurofeedback therapists (NTs) using neurofeedback to treat children and adults with ADHD and their experience of its role and value in treating this condition.

The maternal-placental-fetal interface: Adaptations of the HPA axis and immune mediators following maternal stress and prenatal alcohol exposure.

This review addresses underlying physiological, cellular, and molecular factors that alter the developing fetal brain stress circuits and responses of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis caused by maternal stress and prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). An emphasis is placed on the contribution of the placenta following maternal stress separately, and as a co-occurrence with PAE. Altered fetal HPA axis ultimately results in dysregulation of the brain stress-response system long after birth and possibly lifelong.

A novel method for the normalization of ChIP-qPCR data.

ChIP-qPCR permits the study of protein and chromatin interactions. The general technique can apply to the study of the interactions of protein with RNA, and the methylation state of genomic DNA. While the technique is vital to our understanding of epigenetic processes, there is much confusion around the proper normalization methods.

Health supplements for allergic rhinitis: A mixed-methods systematic review.

Allergic rhinitis is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by an exaggerated response of the immune system to common allergens. Most pharmacological therapies tend to be palliative and in some cases are associated with adverse effects. There is a growing tendency for people to self-medicate with health supplements as they are generally considered safe, however clinical studies relating to their efficacy and safety are limited.

Exploring Social Subtypes in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Preliminary Study.

Impairments in social functioning are considered a hallmark diagnostic feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Yet, individuals diagnosed with ASD vary widely with respect to specific presentation, severity, and course across different dimensions of this complex symptom domain. The aim of this investigation was to utilize the Stanford Social Dimensions Scale (SSDS), a newly developed quantitative measure providing parental perspective on their child's social abilities, in order to explore the existence of homogeneous subgroups of ASD individuals who share unique profiles across specific dimensions of the social domain.

Developmental arsenic exposure is associated with sex differences in the epigenetic regulation of stress genes in the adult mouse frontal cortex.

Previously, we reported sex-dependent changes to global histone modifications and impairment of executive function in adult mice exposed to moderate levels of arsenic during early development. The present study investigated the effects of developmental arsenic exposure (DAE) on gene specific histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac) and tri-methylation (H3K9me3) in the frontal cortex of male and female adult C57BL/6J mice. Dams were exposed to 50ppb arsenic in drinking water prior to and throughout gestation, and until pup weaning; once weened, the pups were given tap water (< 5ppb arsenic) and raised to postnatal day 70.

Development of the Stanford Social Dimensions Scale: initial validation in autism spectrum disorder and in neurotypicals.

Background: The aim of this paper was to provide an initial validation of a newly developed parent questionnaire-the Stanford Social Dimensions Scale (SSDS), designed to capture individual differences across several key social dimensions including social motivation in children and adolescents with and without psychiatric disorders.

Methods: The initial validation sample was comprised of parents of 175 individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (35 females, 140 males; = 7.19 years, = 3.

Sex-specific deficits in biochemical but not behavioral responses to delay fear conditioning in prenatal alcohol exposure mice.

Background: Studies in clinical populations and preclinical models have shown that prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) is associated with impairments in the acquisition, consolidation and recall of information, with deficits in hippocampal formation-dependent learning and memory being a common finding. The glucocorticoid receptor (GR), mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) are key regulators of hippocampal formation development, structure and functioning and, thus, are potential mediators of PAE's effects on this brain region. In the present studies, we employed a well-characterized mouse model of PAE to identify biochemical mechanisms that may underlie activity-dependent learning and memory deficits associated with PAE.

Sex-Dependent Effects of the Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, Sodium Valproate, on Reversal Learning After Developmental Arsenic Exposure.

Several studies have demonstrated that exposure to arsenic in drinking water adversely affects brain development and cognitive function in adulthood. While the mechanism by which arsenic induces adverse neurological outcomes remains elusive, studies suggest a link between reduced levels of histone acetylation and impaired performance on a variety of behavioral tasks following arsenic exposure. Using our developmental arsenic exposure (DAE) paradigm, we have previously reported reduced histone acetylation and associated histone acetyltransferase enzyme expression in the frontal cortex of C57BL/6J adult male mice, with no changes observed in the female frontal cortex.

Arsenic exposure during embryonic development alters the expression of the long noncoding RNA growth arrest specific-5 (Gas5) in a sex-dependent manner.

Our previous studies suggest that prenatal arsenic exposure (50ppb) modifies epigenetic control of the programming of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling system in the developing mouse brain. These deficits may lead to long-lasting consequences, including deficits in learning and memory, increased depressive-like behaviors, and an altered set-point of GR feedback throughout life. To understand the arsenic-induced changes within the GR system, we assessed the impact of in utero arsenic exposure on the levels of the GR and growth arrest-specific-5 (Gas5), a noncoding RNA, across a key gestational period for GR programming (gestational days, GD 14-18) in mice.

Prenatal arsenic exposure alters REST/NRSF and microRNA regulators of embryonic neural stem cell fate in a sex-dependent manner.

Exposure to arsenic, a common environmental toxin found in drinking water, leads to a host of neurological pathologies. We have previously demonstrated that developmental exposure to a low level of arsenic (50ppb) alters epigenetic processes that underlie deficits in adult hippocampal neurogenesis leading to aberrant behavior. It is unclear if arsenic impacts the programming and regulation of embryonic neurogenesis during development when exposure occurs.

Sex-Dependent effects of developmental arsenic exposure on methylation capacity and methylation regulation of the glucocorticoid receptor system in the embryonic mouse brain.

Previously we have shown that prenatal moderate arsenic exposure (50 ppb) disrupts glucocorticoid receptor (GR) programming and that these changes continue into adolescence in males. However, it was not clear what the molecular mechanisms were promoting these GR programming changes or if these changes occurred in arsenic-exposed females. In the present studies, we assessed the effects of arsenic on protein and mRNA of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Hsd) isozymes and compared the levels of methylation within the promoters of the Nr3c1 and Hsd11b1 genes in female fetal brain at embryonic days (E) 14 and 18.

Physiotherapy and a Homeopathic Complex for Chronic Low-back Pain Due to Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study.

Context: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of chronic low-back pain (CLBP) and can be managed with drug therapy and physiotherapy. Homeopathic remedies may assist managing OA; however, research that supports their effectiveness is limited.

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a homeopathic complex in combination with physiotherapy in treating CLBP due to OA.

Developmental exposure to 50 parts-per-billion arsenic influences histone modifications and associated epigenetic machinery in a region- and sex-specific manner in the adult mouse brain.

Epidemiological studies report that arsenic exposure via drinking water adversely impacts cognitive development in children and, in adults, can lead to greater psychiatric disease susceptibility, among other conditions. While it is known that arsenic toxicity has a profound effect on the epigenetic landscape, very few studies have investigated its effects on chromatin architecture in the brain. We have previously demonstrated that exposure to a low level of arsenic (50ppb) during all three trimesters of fetal/neonatal development induces deficits in adult hippocampal neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG), depressive-like symptoms, and alterations in gene expression in the adult mouse brain.

Some intrapersonal qualities of SA homeopaths who have established successful private practices.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of homeopaths who have established successful private practices in South Africa (SA) with the aim of identifying some of their intrapersonal qualities which may have contributed to their establishing a successful practice.

Method: This was a qualitative phenomenological research design using in-depth interviews with homeopaths running successful private practices across 5 provinces in SA, which were digitally recorded. Of these, 18 were transcribed and analysed using a descriptive coding approach and strategies for phenomenological analysis.

Efficacy of a homeopathic complex on acute viral tonsillitis.

Background: Acute viral tonsillitis is an upper respiratory tract infection prevalent in school-aged children. Because this condition is self-limiting, conventional treatment options are usually palliative. Homeopathic remedies are a useful alternative to conventional medications in acute uncomplicated upper respiratory tract infections in children, offering earlier symptom resolution, cost-effectiveness, and fewer adverse effects.

The effect of a homeopathic complex on psychophysiological onset insomnia in males: a randomized pilot study.

Context: Psychophysiological onset insomnia (PI) is defined as sleeplessness exceeding 30 min due to learned, sleep-preventing behaviors and hyperarousal at bedtime. This common condition significantly impacts sufferers' health, occupational performance, and interpersonal relationships. Conventional treatment with hypnotics has many shortcomings.

Complementary and alternative medical therapies for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a commonly diagnosed childhood disorder characterized by impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. ADHD affects up to 1 in 20 children in the United States. The underlying etiologies of ADHD may be heterogeneous and diverse, and many possible risk factors in the development of ADHD have been identified.