There is no consensus on the effect of nanoparticle (NP) addition on the specific heat capacity (SHC) of fluids. In addition, the predictions from the existing model have a large discrepancy from the measured SHCs in nanofluids. We show that the SHC of the molten salt-based alumina nanofluid decreases with reducing particle size and increasing particle concentration. The NP size-dependent SHC is resulted from an augmentation of the nanolayer effect as particle size reduces. A model considering the nanolayer effect which supports the experimental results was proposed.

This study aims to examine electro-acupuncture stimulation (EA) assisted therapy with analysis of heart rate variability to understand autonomic nervous activity variability (ANAV) and to track the changes in female patients with constipation. The average ages were 42 ± 12 years old. The participants were divided by a single-blind and randomized trial into two groups: the electro-acupuncture-point group, and the non-electro-acupuncture-point group. Both of the groups had eight treatments, once a week. For the electro-acupuncture (EA) group, needles were inserted into their Zusunli (ST36), Shangiuxu (ST37), Tiensu (ST25), Shueidao (ST28), Guanyuan (CV4) and Qihai (CV6) points. For the sham electro-acupuncture (SA) group, needles were inserted into acu-points that were not the ones mentioned for the EA group. While inserting needles, needles were inserted lightly into the participants' skin and removed quickly (mock Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, TENTS). After an eight-week treatment period, the autonomic nervous system activities of the SA group did not show significant differences in their heart rate variability. However, the autonomic nervous system activities of the EA group had continuously increased after each session. The normalized high frequency powers (nHFP) of their autonomic nervous system activities were 26.79 in the first week, and they increased to 32.28 in the fourth week. In the eighth week, their nHFP had increased to 37.60 (p < 0.05). The normalized low frequency power (nLFP) was 30.81 in the first week. However, it decreased to 25.98 after three weeks of treatment. After the eight-week treatment period, the nLFP decreased to 24.84 (p < 0.05). After the eight-week treatment, the control group did not appear to undergo any physiological change, while the constipation had been improved for the experimental group. It was found that the activation of parasympathetic nervous system in the experimental group increased after the eight-week treatment. The effects of such a result on the enhancement of the activation of parasympathetic nervous system and the improvement of constipation should be further discussed.

The family-oriented culture in Asian countries may violate the principles of the Patient Self-Determination Act and the requirements of the Hospice Care Law in Taiwan, which inevitably poses an ethical dilemma. Earlier truth-telling and continuing education of the public by hospice care workers will be helpful in solving such ethical dilemmas.

Many institutionalized patients and their healthcare providers are dissatisfied with current laxative therapy. This study compared therapeutic efficacy, safety, and laxative cost of an herbal formula (CCH1) and lactulose for long stay patients with constipation. In this double-blind, double-dummy, and placebo-controlled trial, we randomized 93 residents with chronic constipation from two long-term care facilities in Taiwan to receive either CCH1 with lactulose placebo or CCH1 placebo with lactulose for 8 weeks, then followed up for 4 weeks without study medication. Both treatments were effective and well tolerated for patients, but CCH1 produced more spontaneous bowel movements, less rectal treatments, less amount of rescue laxative, and lower laxative cost than lactulose during treatment. No significant differences were found in stool consistency, stool amount, global assessment, and safety concerns. In conclusion, our results suggest that CCH1 may have better efficacy and could be used as an alternative option to lactulose in the treatment of constipation in long-term care.

Background: Based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory and guided by the principles of modern medicine (MM), we aimed to develop an effective and reliable diagnostic tool using self-reported data in order to assess the Yin-Xu body constitution. In this study, we further evaluated a provisional 22-item version of the Yin-Xu Body Constitution Questionnaire (BCQ–) previously derived from the Delphi process. Methods: A total of 1,272 eligible participants aged between 20 and 60 years was recruited. The participants had received health examination in teaching hospitals and had not shown any disease onset in the prior month. The factor structure of the BCQ– was explored, and the reliability and validity of each derived factor (scale) were evaluated. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed 5 factors corresponding to the manifestations of the diminishing Yin-Xu level in 5 different body areas: head, 4 limbs, gastrointestinal tract, body surface, and abdominal cavity. 3 items with low factor loading (<0.4) were dropped, resulting in a 19-item BCQ–. Cronbach’s α ranged from 0.57 to 0.85, and the intra-class correlation coefficients were greater than 0.7 for most items. The diagnoses of Yin-Xu by both the BCQ– and experienced TCM doctors were consistent. The concurrent validity showed that higher Yin-Xu scores were associated with lower hemoglobin. Conclusions: The final BCQ– measures the Yin-Xu constitution of 5 different body areas. The questionnaire is a reliable, valid, and potentially useful instrument for evaluating the Yin-Xu constitution in clinical research and practice.

No abstract

Three-week-old male rats of the Wistar strain were given tritiated thymidine, 1 µc/gm body weight, intraperitoneally and were killed at intervals from 0.25 to 72 hours later. Autoradiographs were made from 5 µ sections, stained by the Feulgen method. The replication time and its component intervals were determined from the scoring of the labeling of interphase nuclei as well as of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase nuclei. Absorption of the intraperitoneally injected label is rapid and is attended by "flash" labeling during interphase. The results show that at any one time about 4 per cent of the liver cells are synthesizing DNA preliminary to cell division. These cells alternate with waves of other cells and it is estimated that about 10 per cent of the liver cell population is engaged in cell duplication. The replication time is about 21.5 hours, and its component intervals occupy the following times: DNA synthesis, 9 hours; post-DNA synthesis gap, 0.50 hour; prophase, 1.3 hours; metaphase, 1.0 hour; anaphase, 0.4 hour; telophase, 0.3 hour; postmitosis gap, 9.0 hours. A group of liver cells has been recorded in at least 3 successive replication cycles.

This paper presents the evident effects of acupoint stimulation, using EEG (electroencephalogram) measurements. With acupuncture stimulation and the EEG measurement on the same meridian, EEG is able to accurately detect the effects of acupunctural point stimulation on brain waves. In this study, 24 subjects without heart or neural diseases were randomly separated into two groups of 12, named test and control groups. Similar procedures are performed; the subjects lay on a bed with eyes closed for ten minutes as the baseline. The test group received acupuncture at their Waiguan points (TE5) on their left hands for 20 minutes, while the control group did not. EEGs are recorded during pre-acupuncture, acupuncture stimulation and post-acupuncture stimulation periods. The EEG electrodes are at the T3, T4, O1 and O2 locations. Continuous wavelet transformation analysis is adopted; therefore, EEGs are divided into the following bands: δ (0.5-4HZ), θ (4-8HZ), α (8-13HZ) and β (13-30HZ). During acupuncture stimulation, the θ energy is increased and had statistical differences at all electrode points, T3, T4, O1 and O2. Upon removing the needle, the energy at the T3 and T4 points slowly declined and revealed obvious statistical differences. During acupuncture, only α energy has been noted to have statistical difference and it was increased at the T3 point. However, the energy was decreased and had no statistical difference after five minutes. Acupuncture is proven to be able to affect brain waves, as the stimulation might have changed the tissues between the cranium and scalp; therefore, the brain waves are detected more easily.