Evaluation of biofield treatment dose and distance in a model of cancer cell death

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the potential influence of biofield treatment on cultured human cancer cells and whether such influence was affected by varying the duration of the treatment (dose) or the distance between the biofield practitioner and the target cells.

DESIGN

Biofield treatment dosage was assessed from a short distance (0.25 meters) in three independent experiments involving 1, 2, or 5 treatments, along with another set of three independent and comparable mock experiments. Biofield treatment distance was assessed at 0.25, 25, and ∼ 2000 meters involving two treatments in three independent experiments along with another set of three mock experiments.

INTERVENTION

Biofield treatments were delivered by a highly acclaimed biofield practitioner with the intention of diminishing growth of the cells or inducing cancer-cell death.

OUTCOME MEASURE

Cell viability was quantified 20 hours after treatments, using a spectrophotometric assay for live-cell counting. The dependent measure for each experiment was the log ratio of the cell viability values of treated samples (biofield or mock) over the values of untreated control samples.

RESULTS

A trend of decreasing cell viability with increasing biofield dose was evident in the first set of experiments assessing dose-response; however, no such effect was evident in the second set of experiments evaluating biofield treatment distance. Mock experiments yielded relatively stable viability ratios in both sets of experiments. Linear regression analysis and hypothesis testing of the data taken as a whole did not yield statistical significance at p<0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

These results represent the first indication of a biofield treatment dose-response in a controlled laboratory setting. The data are inconclusive because of the inability of reproduce the cellular response in a replicate experiment.

A community genetics approach to population screening in India for mental retardation—a model for developing countries

Some 0.55 million people living in semi-urban and slum populations were screened for mental retardation by trained primary health centre (PHC) doctors, nurses and community health volunteers (CHVs). The staff were provided with prior training on the detection, prevention and diagnosis of mental retardation, prenatal diagnosis, and reproductive responsibilities. Field visits were employed to confirm diagnosed developmental disabilities, and demographic data incorporating social maps of 14 PHCs were prepared. Cases with high-risk genetic factors detected by PHC staff were referred to the Centre for Research in Mental Retardation (CREMERE) for cytogenetic and metabolic investigations, thus linking the study population and the Referral Centre. A genetic team interacted with the patient and family members for genetic counselling. Mental retardation was confirmed in 511 of the 525 cases reported, reflecting the positive impact of training on the CHVs. Potentially preventable environmental factors, such as birth asphyxia, infections, and low birth weight were identified in 251 cases (49%), 137 (27%) of which had additional genetic factors. Genetic causes were found in 186 (36%) individuals, the most common being Down syndrome. The study illustrates the urgent need for the integration of genetic screening into the public health services in India.

Distribution of laminins in the basement membranes of the upper gastrointestinal tract and Barrett's oesophagus

Barrett's oesophagus predisposes to oesophageal adenocarcinoma. In vitro, laminin, a component of the epithelial basement membrane (BM), is important in regulation of cell differentiation. There is limited information on the distribution of laminin chains in the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and none in Barrett's oesophagus. This study aimed to investigate qualitatively the distribution of laminins in the normal upper GIT mucosa and Barrett's oesophagus in order to understand the role of laminins in metaplasia. Immunoperoxidase staining for laminin chains alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha5, beta1, beta2, beta3, gamma1, and gamma2 was performed on frozen endoscopic squamous and Barrett's oesophageal biopsies and surgical resection specimens from squamous oesophagus (in resection specimens for oesophageal cancer), and in oesophageal and gastric biopsies from control subjects. alpha1 laminin was expressed in the BM of submucosal glands and ducts in squamous oesophagus and Brunner's glands in the duodenum, but not in Barrett's oesophagus or elsewhere in the upper GIT. alpha2 laminin chain was expressed in a granular distribution in the BM of squamous epithelium. In columnar epithelium, including Barrett's oesophagus, alpha2 laminin chain was expressed continuously in the BM of glands and deeper pits, but expression was reduced and granular in the surface epithelial BM. beta2 laminin was continuous in squamous epithelial BM, but in Barrett's and cardia, gastric body, and duodenum, it was expressed faintly in the surface but continuously in the BM of glands and deeper pits. The constituents of laminin-5 were continuously expressed in the BM of squamous epithelium, but in the cardia, gastric body, duodenum, and Barrett's, they were expressed only in the BM of surface epithelium, with a sharp decline in the glandular and deeper pit BM. Site-specific distribution of the alpha2 and beta2 laminin chains may therefore have an important role in Barrett's metaplasia. However, the absence of alpha1 laminin in Barrett's mucosa suggests that this is unlikely to play an important role in columnar metaplasia.

Methylene blue staining: is it really useful in Barrett's esophagus?

BACKGROUND

If areas of specialized intestinal metaplasia (SIM) or dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus can be identified at endoscopy, the number of biopsies could be reduced and the sensitivity of biopsy surveillance would increase. It has been suggested that methylene blue (MB) dye staining may be useful for this purpose.

METHODS

Nine patients were prospectively studied with Barrett's esophagus. Staining involved sequential spraying of 10% N-acetylcysteine, 0.5% MB and water. Quadrantic biopsies were obtained from Barrett's epithelium and collected in separate containers depending on whether they were taken from stained or unstained areas. Seven patients undergoing yearly surveillance were asked to compare the discomfort of this endoscopy with that of previous surveillance endoscopies. Biopsies were analyzed for the presence and the percentage of SIM and dysplasia by a nonblinded pathologist.

RESULTS

MB staining prolonged endoscopy by a mean of 8 minutes (47% increase in procedure time) and was associated with significant vomiting during the procedure in 2 patients. Staining was observed in all 9 patients. All 7 patients undergoing yearly endoscopic surveillance indicated more discomfort with endoscopy plus MB staining. Of 37 biopsies from stained mucosa, 20 contained SIM; of 23 from unstained mucosa, 15 contained SIM (57% sensitivity, 32% specificity for MB staining).

CONCLUSIONS

In this small, nonblinded study MB staining was associated with prolongation of endoscopy, increased patient discomfort, and potentially serious complications and was neither very sensitive nor specific for SIM. It is our recommendation that this technique should not be routinely used in endoscopic surveillance of patients with Barrett's esophagus. Further studies of MB staining are needed.

Effect of elevated temperature and light on the stability of butorphanol tartrate

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the short-term stability of butorphanol tartrate in presence of diluents. A 10-mg/mL solution of butorphanol tartrate was diluted to 5 mg/mL using normal saline, 5% dextrose in water (D5W), or sterile water for injection. The diluted solutions were divided into two groups. The effect of temperature was tested by placing one group of sealed amber vials at room temperature and at 37 degrees C. The effect of light was studied by placing a second group in amber and clear vials, then exposing them directly to light. At regular time intervals over a period of 5 weeks, the solutions were analyzed for butorphanol tartrate and degradation products using a high-performance liquid chromatography assay. The concentration of butorphanol tartrate remained practically unchanged, indicating that butorphanol tartrate is not affected by heat or light in the presence of any of the diluents over a period of 5 weeks.

Wheelchair use: a physical sign in gastroenterological practice

Diagnosis of functional abdominal pain requires exclusion of organic causes, and many patients undergo considerable investigation. A positive physical sign supporting a functional diagnosis could therefore be of benefit. Wheelchair use specifically for abdominal symptoms was suspected to represent such a sign. Review of 300 consecutive new referrals to a gastroenterology clinic revealed 10 wheelchair users. In four women the chair was used because of the abdominal condition. The final diagnosis (with follow-up to at least 12 months) was functional abdominal pain in each of these cases. All four had had surgery without symptom relief, and all had used their chairs intermittently (mainly for social occasions and hospital visits) for at least 12 months. They believed that normal walking was rendered impossible by abdominal pain whereas the other six wheelchair users gave a clear account of lower limb pain or weakness. Secondary gain with reinforcement of the 'sick role' was felt to be the probable explanation for wheelchair use in the former group. Wheelchair attendance at the gastroenterology clinic, in the absence of lower limb symptoms, is a rare observation but one that may usefully be added to criteria for diagnosis of a functional disorder.

Cystic metastasis from occult tonsillar primary simulating branchiogenic carcinoma: the case for tonsillectomy as a "grand biopsy"

The occult primary is a problem well known to head and neck surgeons. Less frequently discussed, but well documented, is cystic degeneration of metastatic nodes. When these conditions combine, they can suggest tumor arising in a pre-existing cervical cyst. This is a controversial condition, rare if it occurs at all, and is not to be invoked lightly.

Giant osteoma of the mastoid

Giant osteoma of the mastoid is a rare benign neoplasm that produces symptoms by encroachment on adjacent structures. An unusual feature of this case was impending encroachment on the main trunk of the facial nerve.