Hyaluronic acid (HA) is commonly used for treating dry eye syndrome (DES). This meta-analysis was performed to compare the efficacies of HA- and non-HA-based eye drops, including saline and conventional artificial tears (ATs), for the treatment of dry eye disease. Eight databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, DBpia, KoreaMed, KMBASE, RISS, KISS) were searched for studies comparing the efficacies of HA- and non-HA-based ATs in patients with DES published up to September 2020. Two independent reviewers assessed the quality and extracted the relevant data. The mean differences of Schirmer’s (SH) test scores, tear breakup times (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining scores (Oxford scale, 0–4), and ocular surface disease indexes were calculated. The standard mean difference and 95% confidence interval were calculated using a random effect model. Nineteen studies, including 2078 cases, were included. HA eye drops significantly improved tear production compared with non-HA-based eye drops (standard mean difference (SMD) 0.18; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.03, 0.33). In a subgroup analysis, the SH test scores and TBUT values after using HA significantly increased compared to those measured after using saline (SMD 0.27; 95% CI 0.05, 0.49 and SMD 0.28; 95% CI 0.03, 0.52, respectively). Based on these results, HA eye drops may be superior to non-HA eye drops including normal saline and ATs. Further research is needed to assess the efficacies stratified by age, treatment duration, the severity of dry eye, and optimal dosages.

No abstract

These findings suggest that BADGE is a chemical that has developmental effects consistent with it being an endocrine disruptor.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) in women with slow-transit constipation. Twenty-eight women with slow-transit constipation were randomly assigned to a treatment group (14 women) or a control group (14 women). Data collection was conducted from March 7, 2014 to May 2, 2014. TES and sham TES were performed for 20 minutes, three times per week, for 4 weeks for the treatment and control groups, respectively. The results of the tests before and after treatment, including the Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS), abdominal pain, and number of defecations per week, were assessed. A significant decrease in CAS score and in abdominal pain (p < .05), and a significant increase in evacuation frequency per week (p < .05) were observed in the treatment group. In addition, a significant decrease in CAS score and in abdominal pain (p < .05) was observed in the control group. However, no noticeable change was observed in evacuation frequency per week in the control group. Based on these results, TES may have a beneficial effect in women with slow-transit constipation, and could be used to reduce the symptoms of constipation.