Kaiy (medieval cautery) is an ancient method of heat therapy in traditional Persian medicine (TPM). Some of its important applications have been neglected during the medical revolution. Meanwhile, different treatment modalities that incorporate heat, including moxibustion, have progressed in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we reviewed the main TPM textbooks that were written specifically in the field of kaiy. We considered the traditional teachings in the context of contemporary information, gathered from the scientific literature about moxibustion and modern cauterization. Some surgical therapeutic indications of kaiy (e.g., debridement and coagulative procedures) have been advanced by the innovation of electro-cauterization. However, those therapeutic applications that were based on the TPM humoral theory for relieving body coldness or myofascial pains-which are similar to moxibustion usages-have not received the same attention. Apart from the broad similarities of kaiy and moxibustion as thermal therapies with similar indications, there is a striking correspondence between kaiy point mapping and acupoints. Therefore, further research on different kaiy aspects is recommended. Please cite this article as: Jaladat AM, Alizadeh Vaghasloo M, Atarzadeh F, Ayati MH, Kazemi AH, Akin E, Hashempur MH. Similarities and differences between kaiy in Persian medicine and moxibustion in Chinese medicine. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(4):354-360.
Moxibustion/history* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Acupuncture Points ; Medicine, Traditional

Objective: To examine the effect of acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (ACUTENS) on labor pain in nulliparous women. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted at Razi Hospital in Qazvin, Iran between January and July 2018. After the screening process, 144 out of 184 pregnant women were selected by convenience sampling and assigned to an intervention group or a control group by the block randomization method. The intervention group received ACUTENS at Hegu (LI4), Shenmen (HT7), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Neimadian (Extra) during various stages of delivery in addition to routine labor care at the delivery room. For the control group, the same routine labor care was performed alone. The severity of pain was assessed in the two groups using the visual analog scale (VAS). The data were analyzed using R software (ver. 4.0.2) and repeated measurement analysis of variance. Results: ACUTENS reduced the mean score of pain intensity in the first stage of labor in the intervention group more than that in the control group (P<0.001). Also, the mean scores of pain intensity in the second stage of labor, episiotomy, and one hour after delivery in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.001). Conclusion: ACUTENS at Hegu (LI4), Shenmen (HT7), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Neimadian (Extra) can decrease the intensity of labor pain in nulliparous women. It can be used as a non-pharmacological method for reducing pain in and after labor.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the correlation of glycemic load (GL) and glycemic index (GI) with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in terms of the serum levels of methylglyoxal (MGO), oligomeric α-synuclein (α-syn), and DJ-1. Methods: In this case-control study (40 PD and 40 healthy individuals) dietary intake of the participants was assessed for a 4-day period (24-hour dietary recall questionnaire and three-day food record). Serum levels of MGO, oligomeric α-syn, and DJ-1 were measured by ELISA. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for PD were estimated according to quantiles of dietary factors and serum factors. Results: Serum levels of oligomeric α-syn (p = 0.003) and DJ-1 (p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the patients compared to the healthy participants. The participants with PD had higher GI levels (p = 0.02) compared to healthy individuals. A positive correlation emerged between the risks of PD and GI (OR: 10.05; [95%CI: 1.94, 51.95] for the highest vs. the lowest quintile, p for trend 0·028). In the patients, level of GI, but not GL, correlated with MGO [β (95% CI): 0.27 (0.02, 1.98); p = 0.04], oligomeric α-syn [β (95% CI): 0.34 (0.01, 0.17); p = 0.03], and DJ-1 [β (95% CI):0.39 (0.04, 0.30); p = 0.01] positively and significantly. Moreover, serum levels of MGO, oligomeric α-syn, and DJ-1 were associated with each other significantly and positively (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It can be concluded that high GI diets are positively correlated with PD, more possibly by the increased α-syn oligomerization and advanced glycated end products (AGEs) formation.

Objectives: Urinary incontinence (UI) and anal incontinence (AI) cause concern, social exclusion, and ultimately reduced quality of life in women. The aim of present study was to assess the prevalence and related risk factors of UI, AI, and pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods: The present study recruited 340 menopausal women living in Tabriz in northwest Iran. The data collection tools included the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 and a personal and social information questionnaire. POP was diagnosed via clinical examination using the simplified pelvic organ prolapse quantification system. Results: The prevalence of UI and POP was approximately 50%, and approximately 16% of participants reported AI. Based on the odds ratios, the most remarkable risk factor of urinary stress incontinence was the number of vaginal deliveries, whereas that of urinary urge incontinence was obesity. Episiotomy and age were the most major risk factors of AI and POP, respectively. Conclusions The results of the present study showed that the prevalence of POP, UI, and AI is remarkably high among postmenopausal women, warranting the need to prioritize the assessment of POP and various incontinences in middle-aged women in the primary health care system. Furthermore, increased emphasis should be put on modifiable risk factors.

Obesity is a substantial public health challenge across the globe. The use of resistant starch has been proposed as a probable management strategy for complications of obesity. We investigated the effects of resistant starch intake on lipid profiles, glucose metabolism, antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation marker, blood pressure, and anthropometric variables in subjects with overweight or obesity. In this 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 crossover trial, 21 Participants (mean age, 35 ± 7.0 years; body mass index, 32.4 ± 3.5 kg/m²) were given 13.5 g Hi-Maize 260 or placebo daily for 4 weeks, separated by a 4-week washout period. Changes in total antioxidant status (p = 0.04) and serum concentrations of insulin in 52.4% participants with insulin levels above 16 µIU/mL at the baseline (p = 0.04) were significantly different in the three phases. In addition, the mean of serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol after the intervention was significantly higher than after baseline value (p = 0.04). We found no significant differences in serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, superoxide dismutase activity, malondialdehyde, blood pressure, and anthropometric variables in the three phases of baseline, after intervention with resistant starch and after placebo. Resistant starch consumption improved serum insulin concentrations, lipid profiles, and antioxidant status in subjects with overweight or obesity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01992783
Adult ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Dietary Fiber ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Lipoproteins ; Malondialdehyde ; Metabolism ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Oxidative Stress ; Public Health ; Starch ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Triglycerides

Flaxseed is one of the rich sources of α-linolenic acid and lignan. Flaxseed and its components have antioxidant, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects. The study aimed to investigate the effect of flaxseed enriched yogurt on glycemic control, lipid profiles and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes. A randomized, open-labeled, controlled clinical trial was conducted on 57 patients with type 2 diabetes. Participants were assigned to receive 200 g 2.5% fat yogurt containing 30-g flaxseed or plain yogurt daily for 8 weeks. Anthropometrics and biochemical parameters were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study. After 8 weeks of supplementation, Hemoglobin A1c was significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to control (p = 0.007). Also, at the end of the study, significant differences were seen between the flaxseed enriched yogurt and control groups in triglycerides and total cholesterol concentrations (p = 0.04 and p = 0.01), systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.02 and p = 0.002, respectively). However, we did not find any difference between 2 groups in low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, body weight and waist circumference (p > 0.05). Our results showed that the addition of flaxseed to yogurt can be effective in the management of type 2 diabetes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02436369
Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Cholesterol ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Flax ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; Lipoproteins ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference ; Yogurt

BACKGROUND: Due to the tropism of human parvovirus B19 to erythroid progenitor cells, infection in patients with an underlying hemolytic disorder such as beta-thalassemia major leads to suppression of erythrocyte formation, referred to as transient aplasia crisis (TAC), which may be life-threatening. We investigated the prevalence of parvovirus B19 among patients with beta thalassemia major attending the Zafar Adult Thalassemia Clinic in Tehran, Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed to determine the presence of parvovirus B19 DNA in blood samples and parvovirus B19 genotypes in plasma samples of patients with thalassemia major. The population consisted of 150 patients with beta-thalassemia major who attended the Zafar clinic in Tehran. Specimens were studied using a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. RESULTS: The prevalence of parvovirus B19 in our study population was 4%. Of 150 patients with thalassemia, six (4%) were positive for B19 DNA. There was no significant correlation between blood transfusion frequency and B19 DNA positivity. Finally, phylogenetic analysis of human parvovirus B19 revealed genotype I in these six patients. CONCLUSION: In this study, acute B19 infections were detected in patients with beta thalassemia major. Screening of such high-risk groups can considerably reduce the incidence and prevalence of B19 infection; thus, screening is required for epidemiologic surveillance and disease-prevention measures.
Adult ; beta-Thalassemia* ; Blood Transfusion ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; DNA ; Epidemiological Monitoring ; Erythrocytes ; Erythroid Precursor Cells ; Genotype ; Humans* ; Incidence ; Iran* ; Mass Screening ; Parvovirus ; Parvovirus B19, Human* ; Plasma ; Prevalence ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Thalassemia ; Tropism

BACKGROUNDAnalgesic and wound-healing effects of cinnamon, a widely used spice, have been shown in laboratory rats. However, we found no human studies in this area.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to assess the effect of cinnamon on perineal pain and healing of episiotomy incision.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONSIn this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 144 postpartum women were allocated into two groups, using stratified block randomization, 1 h after completion of episiotomy repair. They received cinnamon or placebo ointment, 2 mL every 12 h for 10 d.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESPerineal pain and wound healing were assessed using visual analogue scale (0-10) and Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation scale (0-15), respectively. General linear model was used to compare the groups on the outcomes adjusted for baseline values and stratified factors.

RESULTSFollow-up rate was 100% up to the 8 h time point in both groups, and 86% (62 of 72) in the cinnamon group and 85% (61 of 72) in the placebo group at day 10-11 after delivery. Pain score in the cinnamon group was significantly lower than that in the placebo group at (4±1) h (adjusted difference: -0.6, 95% confidence interval: -1.0 to -0.2) and (8±1) h (-0.9, -1.4 to -0.3) after intervention, and on the 10-11th day after delivery (-1.4, -2.0 to -0.7). Also the cinnamon group showed significantly more improvement than the control group in healing score at (8±1) h (-0.2, -0.4 to -0.04) and the 10-11th day after delivery (-1.6, -2.0 to -1.1).

CONCLUSIONCinnamon can be used for reducing perineal pain and improving healing of episiotomy incision.

Adult ; Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; Cinnamomum zeylanicum ; chemistry ; Delivery, Obstetric ; Female ; Humans ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Pelvic Pain ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Perineum ; surgery ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Wound Healing ; drug effects ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo determine the helminth parasites of Anas crecca (A. crecca) in one of proper refuges of Iran, Fereydunkenar.

METHODSA total number of one hundred thirty-six gastrointestinal tracts of green-winged teal (A. crecca) were collected from Fereydunkenar, Mazandaran province during September and October 2011. The gastrointestinal tracts were examined for helminth infection.

RESULTSThe total infection rate was 70.50% (96) that 68.96% (40) of males and 71.79% (56) of females shown helminthes infection. The examined A. crecca harbored one species of Nematoda, Cestoda and two species of Digenea which were as following: Contracaecum larvae (from stomach wall), Diorchis stefanskii (D. stefanskii) (from small intestine), Hypoderaeum conoideum (from small intestine) and Notocotylus attenuatus (N. attenuatus) (from caecum), respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of infection between examined males and females ducks in Hypoderaeum conoideum, D. stefanskii and N. attenuatus (P>0.05) whereas a significant relationship was observed between males and females in Contracaecum larvae (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBased on the results of the present study, we conclude that A. crecca plays a prominent role in transmission of mentioned parasites. In addition, this is the first report of Contracaecum larvae, D. stefanskii and N. attenuatus from A. crecca in Iran.

Analgesic and wound-healing effects of cinnamon, a widely used spice, have been shown in laboratory rats. However, we found no human studies in this area.