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Replication and Meta-Analysis of Specific Effects of Homeopathically Prepared Tin (Stannum metallicum 30x) with a Cress Seedling, CuCl2 Crystallisation ‘Fingerprint’, Approach
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The overall structure of dihydrate cupric chloride (CuCl2 * 2H2O) crystallization patterns in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in a Petri dish is influenced by dewetting. The dewetting behavior, which can be either before or after initial CuCl2 nucleation, depends on the amount of CuCl₂ and BSA in the Petri dish. We postulate that the concentration and/or temperature gradient area in the dish, which is built up during the evaporation process, coincides with the location where dewetting predominantly starts. This hypothesis could be supported by measurements of the CuCl2 coverage of the Petri dish. During the evaporation the height of the meniscus at the rim of the Petri dish recedes in favor of the central Petri dish area. This could not be explained by the above mentioned hypothesis.
In this study, the effects on grape juice quality resulting from the conversion of vineyard plots from integrated to organic and biodynamic management vs. integrated management were assessed using image forming methods. In addition, grape yield, Botrytis infection and the chemical composition of wood prunings and grapes were assessed. The images of replicate, encoded samples representing five different treatments were: (i) grouped into pairs displaying similar image features, (ii) characterised with respect to the quality domains ‘strength of form expression’ and ‘resistance to deterioration’ and (iii) ranked according to the quality characterisation. Based on the image analyses, all samples pairs were correctly grouped, i.e. the five production methods were precisely separated. The treatments were characterised as follows: (i) Integrated (INT): weakest form expression, most advanced deterioration; (ii) Conversion to Biodynamic without horn silica (BD0): strongest form expression, advanced deterioration; (iii) Conversion to Organic (ORG): weak form expression, low deterioration; (iv) Conversion to Biodynamic with 3 × horn silica (BD3): medium form expression, low deterioration; (v) Conversion to Biodynamic with 4 × horn silica (BD4): strong form expression, low deterioration. Principal component analysis (PCA) of field assessment and chemical analysis data revealed that the two treatments with the strongest form expression, BD0 and BD4, were characterised by high vigour, as indicated by high prune weight and primary amino nitrogen (NOPA). With respect to the resistance to deterioration, as depicted by image forming methods, no parallels were found with PCA.
BackgroundA rigorous systematic review and meta-analysis focused on randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of non-individualised homeopathic treatment has not previously been reported. We tested the null hypothesis that the main outcome of treatment using a non-individualised (standardised) homeopathic medicine is indistinguishable from that of placebo. An additional aim was to quantify any condition-specific effects of non-individualised homeopathic treatment. Methods
Literature search strategy, data extraction and statistical analysis all followed the methods described in a pre-published protocol. A trial comprised ‘reliable evidence’ if its risk of bias was low or it was unclear in one specified domain of assessment. ‘Effect size’ was reported as standardised mean difference (SMD), with arithmetic transformation for dichotomous data carried out as required; a negative SMD indicated an effect favouring homeopathy. ResultsForty-eight different clinical conditions were represented in 75 eligible RCTs. Forty-nine trials were classed as ‘high risk of bias’ and 23 as ‘uncertain risk of bias’; the remaining three, clinically heterogeneous, trials displayed sufficiently low risk of bias to be designated reliable evidence. Fifty-four trials had extractable data: pooled SMD was –0.33 (95% confidence interval (CI) –0.44, –0.21), which was attenuated to –0.16 (95% CI –0.31, –0.02) after adjustment for publication bias. The three trials with reliable evidence yielded a non-significant pooled SMD: –0.18 (95% CI –0.46, 0.09). There was no single clinical condition for which meta-analysis included reliable evidence. Conclusions
The quality of the body of evidence is low. A meta-analysis of all extractable data leads to rejection of our null hypothesis, but analysis of a small sub-group of reliable evidence does not support that rejection. Reliable evidence is lacking in condition-specific meta-analyses, precluding relevant conclusions. Better designed and more rigorous RCTs are needed in order to develop an evidence base that can decisively provide reliable effect estimates of non-individualised homeopathic treatment.
The present study describes the effects of applying the new method crystallization with additives on cloudy and clear apple juice samples in two independent laboratories. The method has been successfully applied to grain and milk samples before. The samples presented here are characterized by means of standard analysis of apple juices and a metabolomic approach (DART-MS). The most evident difference between the two juices is the pectin concentration. Different amounts of sample and cupric chloride change the resulting patterns. The frequency of branching is clearly different between the patterns of the two samples. Based on structure analysis of the patterns, the two apple juice samples can be differentiated. The region of interest (ROI) has a stronger impact on the structure variables for cloudy than for clear apple juice. There is a significant difference between the treatments performed by both laboratories, independent of chamber and day and taking the different repetitions into account. The method principle is based on self-organization processes and not on single compound detection. Therefore, the results from crystallization with additives may complement the other measurement data for a wide range of different foods.
Introduction: This paper focuses exclusively on experimental models with ultra high dilutions (i.e. beyond 10e-23) that have been submitted to replication scrutiny. It updates previous surveys, considers suggestions made by the research community and compares the state of replication in 1994 with that in 2015.
Methods: Following literature research, biochemical, immunological, botanical, cell biological and zoological studies on ultra high dilutions (potencies) were included. Reports were grouped into initial studies, laboratory-internal, multicentre and external replications. Repetition could yield either comparable, or zero, or opposite results. The null-hypothesis was that test and control groups would not be distinguishable (zero effect).
Results: A total of 126 studies were found. From these, 28 were initial studies. When all 98 replicative studies were considered, 70.4% (i.e. 69) reported a result comparable to that of the initial study, 20.4% (20) zero effect and 9.2% (9) an opposite result. Both for the studies until 1994 and the studies 1995-2015 the null-hypothesis (dominance of zero results), should be rejected. Furthermore, the odds of finding a comparable result are generally higher than of finding an opposite result. Although this is true for all three types of replication studies, the fraction of comparable studies diminishes from laboratory-internal (total 82.9%) to multicentre (total 75%) to external (total 48.3%), while the fraction of opposite results was 4.9%, 10.7% and 13.8%. Furthermore, it became obvious that the probability of an external replication producing comparable results is bigger for models that had already been further scrutinized by the initial researchers.
Conclusions: We found 28 experimental models which underwent replication. In total, 24 models were replicated with comparable results, 12 models with zero effect, and 6 models with opposite results. Five models were externally reproduced with comparable results. We encourage further replications of studies in order to learn more about the model systems used.
Crystallization with additives is based on self-organization, dendritic crystal growth and subsequent pattern formation. The principle is used as an indicator, differentiating food samples according their treatments and origin. The present study focuses on methodological investigations by taking different milk fractions as well as a single polymer as examples. Both kinds of samples alter the patterns derived from cupric chloride crystallization. The changes can be evaluated by image analysis, when a structure related algorithm is applied. The crystallization with additives seems to be an innovative approach following modifications in various sample types. Potential fields of application may be authentication of samples, following processing treatments as well as other modifications in the sample structure during production.
The biocrystallization method is based on the phenomenon that additive-specific, dendritic crystallization patterns emerge when an aqueous dihydrate cupric chloride solution with additives is crystallized on a glass plate. The patterns reflect physiological processes like ripening and decomposition and are applied in differentiating food samples according to feeding regime, production system and degree of processing. The method has been used for decades in organic food quality assessment from an ontological holistic stance. The patterns are evaluated visually and by means of computerized image analysis. The present study describes the development of the visual evaluation from a morphological description of structural features towards the perception of a Gestalt, a salient, coherent 'meaningful-whole', which complies more closely with the pattern formation principle of the method. The methodology was standardized according to ISO-Norms 11035 and 8587 for sensory analysis of food products, adapted for use in the visual evaluation of biocrystallization patterns. Two Gestalts, 'Ripening' and 'Decomposition', reflected in biocrystallization patterns from diverse agricultural products were characterized, trained on and examined. Based on the statistical evaluation, it is concluded that the panel has become reliable and appropriate for ranking biocrystallization patterns according to the intensity of the two Gestalts. The developed level of Gestalt evaluation of biocrystallization patterns provides a basis towards qualitative interpretative judgements on the food quality of a product relating to quality concepts based on plant physiological processes.
http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/QZ72R6mgX9B2HvX3EiW9/full
A rigorous and focused systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of individualised homeopathic treatment has not previously been undertaken. We tested the hypothesis that the outcome of an individualised homeopathic treatment approach using homeopathic medicines is distinguishable from that of placebos.
The review's methods, including literature search strategy, data extraction, assessment of risk of bias and statistical analysis, were strictly protocol-based. Judgment in seven assessment domains enabled a trial's risk of bias to be designated as low, unclear or high. A trial was judged to comprise 'reliable evidence' if its risk of bias was low or was unclear in one specified domain. 'Effect size' was reported as odds ratio (OR), with arithmetic transformation for continuous data carried out as required; OR > 1 signified an effect favouring homeopathy.
Thirty-two eligible RCTs studied 24 different medical conditions in total. Twelve trials were classed 'uncertain risk of bias', three of which displayed relatively minor uncertainty and were designated reliable evidence; 20 trials were classed 'high risk of bias'. Twenty-two trials had extractable data and were subjected to meta-analysis; OR = 1.53 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22 to 1.91). For the three trials with reliable evidence, sensitivity analysis revealed OR = 1.98 (95% CI 1.16 to 3.38).
Medicines prescribed in individualised homeopathy may have small, specific treatment effects. Findings are consistent with sub-group data available in a previous 'global' systematic review. The low or unclear overall quality of the evidence prompts caution in interpreting the findings. New high-quality RCT research is necessary to enable more decisive interpretation.
The market for processed food is rapidly growing. The industry needs methods for “processing with care” leading to high quality products in order to meet consumers’ expectations. Processing influences the quality of the finished product through various factors. In carrot baby food, these are the raw material, the pre-processing and storage treatments as well as the processing conditions. In this study, a quality assessment was performed on baby food made from different pre-processed raw materials. The experiments were carried out under industrial conditions using fresh, frozen and stored organic carrots as raw material. Statistically significant differences were found for sensory attributes among the three autoclaved puree samples (e.g. overall odour F = 90.72, p < 0.001). Samples processed from frozen carrots show increased moisture content and decrease of several chemical constituents. Biocrystallization identified changes between replications of the cooking. Pre-treatment of raw material has a significant influence on the final quality of the baby food.
The biocrystallization method has been used as a holistic method for evaluating food samples since the 1930s and has, as recent reviews have concluded, been successful in discriminating farming systems in several studies. However, it is noted that a standardization and validation for more objective means of evaluation of biocrystallization pictures and a clearly defined and communicable language, as well as possibilities for verification, are still lacking. During the years 2002–2006 a project for standardizing and validating the visual evaluation of these biocrystallizations took place, performed by a group consisting of three European research institutes. As no pre-set methodology nor norms for the visual evaluation existed, the choice was made to work according to existing norms on sensory analysis and to adapt these to the visual evaluation. The main norm, ISO-Norm 11035, for establishing sensory profiles was adapted towards these pictures. A panel was formed, mainly morphological descriptors were selected and defined, a scale with references was established, the panel trained and tested for pictures, produced on the basis of carrots of different qualities. Reliability and validity aspects of the panel, as well as the structure of the set of criteria were evaluated. According to standard rates for diverse statistical tests the panel has been validated for the evaluation of carrots with a defined set of descriptors. The set of descriptors contains sub-domains which can be used for further development of the evaluation method, towards a more integrated, holistic ‘Gestalt’-evaluation, and towards finally interpretation of these pictures. The followed process and results are unique in connection to this method.
Using image forming methods, products from organic and conventional origin have been discriminated with high accuracy, but the meaning of these differences in terms of product quality is so far poorly understood. The aim of the presented study is therefore to gain further insights into the suitability of image forming methods for food quality evaluation based on wheat samples from a long-term field trial on the comparison of different organic and conventional production systems (DOC-trial). The images of the encoded samples were (1) grouped into pairs with similar image features, (2) characterized based on reference images (e.g. high resistance to degradation – low resistance to degradation), (3) ranked (according to the quality characterization), and (4) assigned to the different production methods (classified). The encoded samples from the production methods mineral fertilization, conventional production (combination of mineral fertilization and farmyard manure) and the class of organic production methods (biodynamic, bioorganic and unfertilized control) could be grouped and classified in both years. Within the class of organic production methods grouping (assigning of similar samples to image categories) and classification (assigning of categories to production methods) was partially possible. The correct grouping and classification of samples from organic and conventional production shows that different fertilization systems influence image structures in a typical and reproducible manner. The evaluation approach followed in the presented research can provide a considerable contribution to advance our understanding of quality differences between products from different farming systems or plant production measures.
A series of experiments, performed on plant models with ultra high dilutions (UHD) of arsenic trioxide at 45th decimal potency has been reviewed with a particular focus on variability. The working variables considered are: the number of germinated seeds out of a fixed set of 33, the stem length of wheat seedlings and the number of necrotic lesions in tobacco leaf disks inoculated with tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). A thorough comparison between treatment and control group has been proposed, considering the two main sources of variability in each series of experiments: variability within and between experiments. In treated groups, a systematic decrease in variability between-experiments, as well as a general decrease, with very few exceptions, in variability within experiments has been observed with respect to control. Variability is traditionally considered as control parameter of model systems. Our hypothesis, based on experimental evidences, proposes a new role of variability as a target of UHD action. This hypothesis may help interpret unanswered questions that keep rising in basic and clinical research in homeopathy.
Objective: To test the hypothesis that homoeopathy is a placebo by examining its effect in patients with allergic rhinitis and so contest the evidence from three previous trials in this series.Design: Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group, multicentre study.Setting: Four general practices and a hospital ear, nose, and throat outpatient department.Participants: 51 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.Intervention: Random assignment to an oral 30c homoeopathic preparation of principal inhalant allergen or to placebo.Main outcome measures: Changes from baseline in nasal inspiratory peak flow and symptom visual analogue scale score over third and fourth weeks after randomisation.Results: Fifty patients completed the study. The homoeopathy group had a significant objective improvement in nasal airflow compared with the placebo group (mean difference 19.8 l/min, 95% confidence interval 10.4 to 29.1, P=0.0001). Both groups reported improvement in symptoms, with patients taking homoeopathy reporting more improvement in all but one of the centres, which had more patients with aggravations. On average no significant difference between the groups was seen on visual analogue scale scores. Initial aggravations of rhinitis symptoms were more common with homoeopathy than placebo (7 (30%) v 2 (7%), P=0.04). Addition of these results to those of three previous trials (n=253) showed a mean symptom reduction on visual analogue scores of 28% (10.9 mm) for homoeopathy compared with 3% (1.1 mm) for placebo (95% confidence interval 4.2 to 15.4, P=0.0007).Conclusion: The objective results reinforce earlier evidence that homoeopathic dilutions differ from placebo.
A major challenge in basic research into homeopathic potentisation is to develop bioassays that yield consistent results. We evaluated the potential of a seedling-biocrystallisation method. Cress seeds (Lepidium sativum L.) germinated and grew for 4 days in vitro in Stannum metallicum 30x or water 30x in blinded and randomized assignment. 15 experiments were performed at two laboratories. CuCl(2)-biocrystallisation of seedlings extracted in the homeopathic preparations was performed on circular glass plates. Resulting biocrystallograms were analysed by computerized textural image analysis. All texture analysis variables analysed yielded significant results for the homeopathic treatment; thus the texture of the biocrystallograms of homeopathically treated cress exhibited specific characteristics. Two texture analysis variables yielded differences between the internal replicates, most probably due to a processing order effect. There were only minor differences between the results of the two laboratories. The biocrystallisation method seems to be a promising complementary outcome measure for plant bioassays investigating effects of homeopathic preparations.
The growing organic market demands methods which can describe food quality within the organic system (authentication). Several studies indicate that methods, such as the biocrystallization method, are suitable for this question. More or less reproducible crystallization patterns emerge when an aqueous dihydrate cupric chloride solution with plant extract is crystallized on a glass dish. The emerging patterns are characteristic of sample material. To be applied in routine analysis for example for authentication of organic products, the biocrystallization method has to be standardized. After the laboratory process was documented and a computerized pattern evaluation tool was further developed and applied, the method was standardized for selected carrot samples, which is described here. For standardization, several factors of influence were tested and the reproducibility between three different laboratories in the EU was investigated. The method is able to differentiate patterns from samples from different farming treatments and processing steps as statistically significant. This represents a significant step forward beyond the state of the art.
The biocrystallization method has been standardized for plant products. The standardized biocrys-tallization method is tested on milk and butter samples from controlled feeding trials. When computerized image analy-sis is applied, samples from diVerent origins (feeding regimes) can be distinguished signiWcantly.
I examine the positive and negative features of homeopathy from an ethical perspective. I consider: (a) several potentially beneficial features of homeopathy, including non-invasiveness, cost-effectiveness, holism, placebo benefits and agent autonomy; and (b) several potentially negative features of homeopathy, including failure to seek effective healthcare, wastage of resources, promulgation of false beliefs and a weakening of commitment to scientific medicine. A utilitarian analysis of the utilities and disutilities leads to the conclusion that homeopathy is ethically unacceptable and ought to be actively rejected by healthcare professionals.
Homeopathy uses information gathered from healthy volunteers taking homeopathic substances (pathogenetic trials) for clinical treatment. It is controversial whether such studies produce symptoms different from those produced by placebo.
To test whether homeopathic preparations produce different symptoms than placebo in healthy volunteers.
Three armed, double-blind, placebo controlled randomised experimental pathogenetic study in 25 healthy volunteers who took either one of two homeopathic remedies, Natrum muriaticum and Arsenicum album in 30CH or identical placebo. Main outcome parameter was the number of remedy-specific symptoms per group.
On average, 6 symptoms typical for Arsenicum album were experienced by participants taking arsenicum album, 5 symptoms typical for Natrum muriaticum by those taking natrum muriaticum, and 11 non-specific symptoms by those in the placebo group. Differences were significant overall (Kruskall Wallis test, p = 0.0002,) and significantly different from placebo (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.001).
Homeopathic remedies produce different symptoms than placebo.
To establish whether there is evidence of the efficacy of homoeopathy from controlled trials in humans.
Criteria based meta-analysis. Assessment of the methodological quality of 107 controlled trials in 96 published reports found after an extensive search. Trials were scored using a list of predefined criteria of good methodology, and the outcome of the trials was interpreted in relation to their quality.
Controlled trials published world wide.
Results of the trials with the best methodological quality. Trials of classical homoeopathy and several modern varieties were considered separately.
In 14 trials some form of classical homoeopathy was tested and in 58 trials the same single homoeopathic treatment was given to patients with comparable conventional diagnosis. Combinations of several homoeopathic treatments were tested in 26 trials; isopathy was tested in nine trials. Most trials seemed to be of very low quality, but there were many exceptions. The results showed a positive trend regardless of the quality of the trial or the variety of homeopathy used. Overall, of the 105 trials with interpretable results, 81 trials indicated positive results whereas in 24 trials no positive effects of homoeopathy were found. The results of the review may be complicated by publication bias, especially in such a controversial subject as homoeopathy.
At the moment the evidence of clinical trials is positive but not sufficient to draw definitive conclusions because most trials are of low methodological quality and because of the unknown role of publication bias. This indicates that there is a legitimate case for further evaluation of homoeopathy, but only by means of well performed trials.
Homeopathy seems scientifically implausible, but has widespread use. We aimed to assess whether the clinical effect reported in randomised controlled trials of homeopathic remedies is equivalent to that reported for placebo.
We sought studies from computerised bibliographies and contracts with researchers, institutions, manufacturers, individual collectors, homeopathic conference proceedings, and books. We included all languages. Double-blind and/or randomised placebo-controlled trials of clinical conditions were considered. Our review of 185 trials identified 119 that met the inclusion criteria. 89 had adequate data for meta-analysis, and two sets of trial were used to assess reproducibility. Two reviewers assessed study quality with two scales and extracted data for information on clinical condition, homeopathy type, dilution, "remedy", population, and outcomes.
The combined odds ratio for the 89 studies entered into the main meta-analysis was 2.45 (95% CI 2.05, 2.93) in favour of homeopathy. The odds ratio for the 26 good-quality studies was 1.66 (1.33, 2.08), and that corrected for publication bias was 1.78 (1.03, 3.10). Four studies on the effects of a single remedy on seasonal allergies had a pooled odds ratio for ocular symptoms at 4 weeks of 2.03 (1.51, 2.74). Five studies on postoperative ileus had a pooled mean effect-size-difference of -0.22 standard deviations (95% CI -0.36, -0.09) for flatus, and -0.18 SDs (-0.33, -0.03) for stool (both p < 0.05).
The results of our meta-analysis are not compatible with the hypothesis that the clinical effects of homeopathy are completely due to placebo. However, we found insufficient evidence from these studies that homeopathy is clearly efficacious for any single clinical condition. Further research on homeopathy is warranted provided it is rigorous and systematic.
Background Plant-based test systems have been described as a useful tool for investigating possible effects of homeopathic preparations. The last reviews of this research field were published in 2009/2011. Due to recent developments in the field, an update is warranted. Publications on plant-based test systems were analysed with regard to publication quality, reproducibility and potential for further research.
Methods A literature search was conducted in online databases and specific journals, including publications from 2008 to 2017 dealing with plant-based test systems in homeopathic basic research. To be included, they had to contain statistical analysis and fulfil quality criteria according to a pre-defined manuscript information score (MIS). Publications scoring at least 5 points (maximum 10 points) were assumed to be adequate. They were analysed for the use of adequate controls, outcome and reproducibility.
Results Seventy-four publications on plant-based test systems were found. Thirty-nine publications were either abstracts or proceedings of conferences and were excluded. From the remaining 35 publications, 26 reached a score of 5 or higher in the MIS. Adequate controls were used in 13 of these publications. All of them described specific effects of homeopathic preparations. The publication quality still varied: a substantial number of publications (23%) did not adequately document the methods used. Four reported on replication trials. One replication trial found effects of homeopathic preparations comparable to the original study. Three replication trials failed to confirm the original study but identified possible external influencing factors. Five publications described novel plant-based test systems. Eight trials used systematic negative control experiments to document test system stability.
Conclusions Regarding research design, future trials should implement adequate controls to identify specific effects of homeopathic preparations and include systematic negative control experiments. Further external and internal replication trials, and control of influencing factors, are needed to verify results. Standardised test systems should be developed.
Objective: 1) To assess the efficacy of homeopathically prepared Galphimia glauca compared with placebo in the treatment of pollinosis; 2) to estimate the corresponding overall success rate of Galphimia glauca. Design: Meta-analysis of clinical trials. Study Selection: Seven randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials and 4 non-placebo-controlled trials (1 randomized and controlled, 1 prospective and uncontrolled) performed by our study group between 1980 and 1989. An additonal MEDLINE search revealed no further trials on this topic. Exclusion and inclusion criteria were identical over all trials. In total, 1,038 ambulatory patients who suffered from acute pollinosis (752 in placebo-controlled trials) entered the analysis. Main Outcome Measures: Relative frequency and relative change for showing noticeable and soothing relief in ocular symptoms as assessed by the patient. Results: The overall rate of improved eye symptoms is about 1.25 [confidence interval (CI): 1.09–1.43] times higher in the verum group than in the placebo group. Verum success rate is estimated by 79.3% (CI: 74.1–85.0%). Across the single studies the results were highly comparable except for the study run in 1985. Conclusions: A significant superiority of Galphimia glauca over placebo is demonstrated. Estimates of verum success rates are comparable with those of conventional antihistaminics, but no side effects occurred. The results may be slightly biased since not all of the single studies were analyzed by intention-to-treat analysis.
How do crystals nucleate and grow? Why and how do crystals form such a wide variety of morphologies? These questions have been posed since the seventeenth century, and are still vitally important for modern technology and understanding the Earth's interior and formation of minerals by living organisms. Including a range of case studies of complex systems, from diamond, calcite and pyrite to crystals formed through biomineralization, this book establishes the atomic processes behind crystal growth. © Cambridge University Press 2005 and Cambridge University Press, 2009.
Background:
Since 1926, an influence of a dilution of silver nitrate (24x) on the growth of coleoptiles of wheat seedlings was described. The aim of the study discussed here is the critical proof of the reliability of a test system which has been quoted as a basic model for the research on homoeopathy for decades.
Methods:
Grains of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) were observed under the influence of extremely diluted silver nitrate (10(-23)) prepared by stepwise dilution and agitation according to a protocol derived from homeopathy ('24x'). Analogously prepared water and/or inert water was used for control. Thirty experiments including 5000+5000 grains were performed by 5 researchers.
Results:
Stalk lengths clearly indicate that development is enhanced by the probe silver nitrate 24x as compared to control. When the experiments 1989-1995 were pooled, means and SD for silver nitrate 24x-groups were 42.3±26.9 mm and for water control groups 34.7±22.2 mm. Verum stalk length was 21.9% bigger than control (100%) (p<0.01; d=0.31, i.e. small). For the experiments 1998-2014, means and SD were 73.7±21.7 mm and 60.5±20.9 mm. Verum stalk length was 21.7% bigger than control (100%) (p<0.01; d=0.62, i.e. medium). From the results one may hypothesize that the result is more marked in experiments showing an average mean of stalk length between ca. 50 and 90 mm in contrast to smaller or bigger mean lengths.
Conclusion:
The previous findings were confirmed by the results.
Silver nitrate is known to be generally biostatic. However, it is also discussed as a biologically vital trace substance. This substance has been prepared in a standardized process of stepwise dilution and agitation. Its influence on the development of wheat seedlings has been studied. When seedlings are exposed to silver nitrate at high molecular concentration, growth is normally inhibited. Interestingly, growth was stimulated by a dilution log 24 of this probe. In our experiments, addition of one more standardized step of dilution and agitation, or agitation alone, to the dilution log 24, significantly diminished the effect of the test dilution, whereas addition of two steps again enhanced the stimulatory effect (“double switch” kinetics). This was found by different independent researchers. Furthermore, optimized conditions for performance of the experiment are discussed.
Background
There is a need for authentication tools in order to verify the existing certification system. Recently, markers for analytical authentication of organic products were evaluated. Herein, crystallization with additives was described as an interesting fingerprint approach which needs further evidence, based on a standardized method and well documented sample origin.ResultsThe fingerprint of wheat cultivars from a controlled field trial is generated from structure analysis variables of crystal patterns. Method performance was tested on factors such as crystallization chamber, day of experiment and region of interest of the patterns. Two different organic treatments and two different treatments of the non-organic regime can be grouped together in each of three consecutive seasons. When k-Nearest-Neighbor classification method was applied, approximately 84 % of Runal samples and 95 % of Titlis samples were classified correctly into organic and non-organic origin using cross-validation.Conclusions
Crystallization with additive offers an interesting complementary fingerprint method for organic wheat samples. When the method is applied to winter wheat from DOK-trial, organic and non-organic treated samples can be differentiated significantly based on pattern recognition. Therefore crystallization with additives seems to be a promising tool in organic wheat authentication.
Background
Coping with the complex nature of fibromyalgia symptoms (FMS) still remains a challenge for patients. Taking into account the possible adverse events of pharmacological treatments patients often seek additional treatments for the management of fibromyalgia and turn towards complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).
Objective
In this review, we aimed to investigate the current state of literature of homeopathy in the treatment of FMS.
Methods
We searched Medline, the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, AMED, PsycInfo and CAMbase for the terms “fibromyalgia AND homeopath$” through February 2013. In addition we searched Google Scholar, the library of the Carstens Foundation and that of the Deutsche Homöopathische Union (DHU). Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated and meta-analysed using the generic inverse variance method.
Results
We found 10 case-reports, 3 observational studies, 1 non-randomised and 4 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on homeopathy for fibromyalgia. Both, case reports and observational studies are naturally predominated by the use of qualitative and not validated outcome measures. Meta-analyses of CCTs revealed effects of homeopathy on tender point count (SMD = -0.42; 95%CI -0.78,-0.05; P = 0.03), pain intensity (SMD = -0.54; 95%CI -0.97,-0.10; P = 0.02), and fatigue (SMD = -0.47; 95%CI -0.90,-0.05; P = 0.03) compared to placebo.
Conclusion
The results of the studies as well as the case reports define a sufficient basis for discussing the possible benefits of homeopathy for patients suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome although any conclusions based on the results of this review have to be regarded as preliminary.
How can food quality influence pattern of cucl2 crystals?
Crystallization patterns emerge when an aqueous dihydrate Copper chloride (CuCl2⋅2H2O) solution in the presence of organic additives (juices/extracts) is crystallized on a glass plate. The emerging patterns are additive-specific and reflect physiological processes like maturation and ageing, the effect of processing, feeding regime and production system in a broad range of agricultural products. The patterns and their underlying structures are evaluated visually by means of defined morphological criteria and by means of computerized image analysis, respectively. The currently applied texture analysis algorithm reflects the spatial linear relationships between grey-scale values of the scanned crystallization structures, rendering the zero point arbitrary and constraining data analysis to the ordinal scale. Furthermore the algorithm is non-consistent with the physically defined geometric properties of the crystallization structures.
The crystallization of cupric chloride on a glass surface gives rise to crystallization patterns only if the glass surface is wettable. The addition of a microquantity of protein promotes this crystallization. The protein is irreversibly adsorbed on the glass surface, and the surface becomes wettable. The crystallization patterns obtained with protein are quite different from those obtained with the pure cupric chloride. These patterns are also dependent on the concentration of protein.
Carrots were grown organically using different levels of green manure, and examined by means of biocrystallization and chemical analyses. Firstly, to determine the ability of the biocrystallization method to discriminate the effects of green manure treatments (10), harvest times (4) and years (2), based on visual scoring of the morphological feature crystal coordination. Secondly, to examine the relationship between the biocrystallization variable and 11 chemical variables: Ca, Mg, fructose, glucose, sucrose, β-carotene, vitamin C, dry matter, total-N, nitrate-N and total amino acids. The field trial was designed in order to generate a wide range in N-availability. The chemical variables showed systematic differences in physiological and qualitative properties among the carrot samples. The biocrystallization variable discriminated the factors treatment and year (p < 0.01), with identical patterns of discrimination among the two years, and discriminated minor differences among the harvest times (p ~ 0.05). The lowest levels of coordination were found in samples from near-N-depleted plots, and vice versa; however the overall linear relationship to N-availability and the N-related variables was weak. In conditional covariance analyses, involving all 12 variables, the biocrystallization variable was in both years conditionally correlated only with total amino acids. When including treatment as discrete variable, the biocrystallization variable was conditionally correlated only with this variable. It was concluded that the biocrystallization variable detected differences among the treatments which could not be explained solely by differences in the chemical variables.
Organic and conventional winter wheat farm pair grain samples were tested with the copper chloride crystallisation method and submitted to computerised image analyses followed by pattern recognition and classification with multivariate statistical tools.Appropriate discriminant analyses (DA) models were established. Depending on the analysed region of interest up to 100% of “unknown” samples could be correctly predicted using the DA models.
Procedures are presented for computerised image analysis of biocrystallogram images, originating from biocrystallization investigations of agricultural products. The biocrystallization method is based on the crystallographic phenomenon that when adding biological substances, such as plant extracts, to aqueous solutions of dihydrate CuCl2, biocrystallograms with reproducible dendritic crystal structures are formed during crystallisation. The morphological features found in the structures are traditionally applied for visual ranking or classification, e.g. in comparative studies of the effects of farming systems on crop quality. The circular structures contain predominantly a single centre from where ramifications expand in a zonal structure. In previous studies primarily texture analysis was applied, and the images analysed and classified by means of a circular region-of-interest (ROI), i.e. the region specified for analysis. In the present study the objective was to examine how the discriminative information relevant for classification purposes is distributed over the zonal structure, and how the information is affected by the varying location of the crystallisation centre. The texture analysis procedures were applied to a so-called degradation series of 33 images, including seven groups representing discrete ‘treatment levels’. The biocrystallograms were produced over seven consecutive days, on the basis of a single carrot extract degrading while stored at 6°C. This degradation is known to induce systematic changes in morphological features over a number of successive days. The biocrystallograms were scanned at 600 dpi, with 256 grey levels. Eight first-order statistical parameters were calculated for four resolution scales, and 15 second-order parameters for five scales, giving a total of 107 observations for each image. Classification of an individual image was performed by means of stepwise discriminant analysis. Four main types, and several subtypes and sizes of ROI were examined. The 33 images as well as a subset of 21 images were examined. When imposing a restriction on the centre location in the subset, thereby reducing the within-group variance, the scores were markedly improved. Classifications of the total set and the subset showed scores up to 84.8 and 100%, respectively. A number of parameters showed a monotonic relationship with degradation day number. Multiple linear regressions based on up to eight parameters indicated strong relationships, with R2 up to 0.98. It is concluded that the procedures were able to discriminate the seven groups of images, and are applicable for biocrystallization investigations of agricultural products. Perspectives for the application of image analysis are briefly mentioned.
Dendrites of hydrated cupric chloride crystallized from dihydrated cupric chloride aqueous solutions to which a slight amount of lysed blood from diabetic patients and healthy persons, as controls, was added in vitro, were grown in uncovered petri dishes using a computer-controlled crystal growth system. It has been shown that blood has an inhibitory effect on nucleation of hydrated cupric chloride crystals and that larger convex lens bodies near the nucleation center of the dendrites form in the presence of hemolysate from diabetic patients, but not in the presence of hemolysate from normal controls. The specific crystal growth forms were divided into three categories according to the long diameter of the convex lens shape: small (S)
The distribution of solute concentration around a single crystal of CuCl2 · 2H2O growing from an aqueous solutions was observed through an interference microscope under monochromatic illumination. The sensitivity of the method developed by Goldsztaub and his co-workers4) has been raised to the level necessary for investigating weakly supersaturated solutions and slow growth rate. Growth rate, overall supersaturation, solute concentration and its gradient on the growing faces determine the kinetics of regular growth, especially for the (001) faces of prismatic nuclei which display a dominant growth rate. The respective contributions of the solution and the diffused solute to the growth process are computed in the temperature range 20–30 °C. Conditions for transition from regular to dendritic growth are also considered. Similar data pertaining to growth from aqueous solutions containing 1% glycine or gelatin are used to evaluate the role of back diffusion of additives.The results are compared with theoretical evaluations and lead to a tentative interpretation of the formation of dendritic patterns by slow evaporation of dilute solutions to which biological material has been added.
A new programme of systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in homeopathy will distinguish important attributes of RCT records, including: placebo controlled versus other-than-placebo (OTP) controlled; individualised versus non-individualised homeopathy; peer-reviewed (PR) versus non peer-reviewed (NPR) sources.
(a) To outline the methods used to search and categorise the RCT literature; (b) to report details of the records retrieved; (c) to compare our retrieved records with those reported in two previous systematic reviews (Linde et al., 1997; Shang et al., 2005).
Ten major electronic databases were searched for records published up to the end of 2011. A record was accepted for subsequent systematic review if it was a substantive report of a clinical trial of homeopathic treatment or prophylaxis in humans, randomised and controlled, and published in a PR or NPR journal.
489 records were potentially eligible: 226 were rejected as non-journal, minor or repeat publications, or lacking randomisation and/or controls and/or a 'homeopathic' intervention; 263 (164 PR, 99 NPR) were acceptable for systematic review. The 263 accepted records comprised 217 (137 PR, 80 NPR) placebo-controlled RCTs, of which 121 were included by, 66 were published after, and 30 were potentially eligible for, but not listed by, Linde or Shang. The 137 PR records of placebo-controlled RCTs comprise 41 on individualised homeopathy and 96 on non-individualised homeopathy.
Our findings clarify the RCT literature in homeopathy. The 263 accepted journal papers will be the basis for our forthcoming programme of systematic reviews.
Homeopathic medications are used by millions, and hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on these remedies in the USA alone. In the UK, the NHS covers homeopathic treatments. Nonetheless, homeopathy is held in considerable disrepute by much of the medical and scientific community. Many proponents of homeopathy are well aware of these criticisms but remain unimpressed. The differences of opinion run deep, and the debate seems deadlocked. We aim to shed some light on this situation. We briefly recap some of the major arguments on each side, but we try to go further by making explicit an underlying philosophical presupposition. In particular, we will claim that there is an important principle, which has ancient roots going back at least to Occam, some version of which constrains all empirical reasoning. We call this constraint the simplicity principle. We argue that this is not something specific to a scientific paradigm, but that, all of us, including proponents of homeopathy, are themselves deeply committed to the simplicity principle. However, once the simplicity principle is made explicit and applied to homeopathy, allegiance to homeopathy is clearly seen as irrational. The point is not merely the lack of clinical trials supporting homeopathy; rather, belief in the efficacy of homeopathy leaves a mountain of unexplained mysteries, and thereby flies in the face of the simplicity rule that guides the homeopaths' own reasoning and arguments. If nothing else, we hope that defenders of homeopathy will gain a greater understanding of why critics are so deeply reluctant to accept the efficacy of homeopathic interventions – and that this reluctance is not mere stubbornness or artificial allegiance to western medicine. Finally, we also hope thereby to illustrate the usefulness of philosophy in unearthing presuppositions in seemingly deadlocked debates.
It is shown that differences in the asymmetry (optical impurities) of an added compound may influence considerably the crystallisation pattern of cupric chloride when crystallised under constant conditions on a glass plate. The high amplification of a purely formal difference in asymmetry calls for a specific information mechanism, one crystallographic possibility of which is discussed. This shows an approach to the problem of recognizing optical impurities in mixtures. The results are discussed in connection with the spontaneous racemisation in biochemical systems and may contribute to the understanding of the diagnostic biocrystallisation of copper chloride in cases of cancer
Surface microstructures of cupric chloride dendrites grown in aqueous solutions without and with doping of blood obtained from healthy individuals showed remarkable differences when studied by atomic force microscopy.
Homeopathy is based on the idea of 'let like be cured by like'. It was founded by Samuel Hahnemann in the late 18th century, although similar concepts existed earlier. Homeopathy became popular in the 19th century in part because of its success in epidemics but declined during most of the 20th century. Its popularity increased in the late 20th and early 21st centuries in many parts of the world. Homeopathy is controversial because of its use of highly dilute medicines. There is a significant body of clinical research including randomised clinical trials and meta-analyses of such trials which suggest that homeopathy has actions which are not placebo effects. Cohort, observational and economic studies have yielded favourable results. There are several schools of homeopathy. Systems which use homeopathic medicines based on symbolism and metaphor are not homeopathy. Despite the long history of scientific controversy, homeopathy has proved resilient and is now geographically widespread. There is a significant body of scientific evidence with positive results. Homeopathy is an anomaly around which deserves further investigation.
The HomBRex database includes details of about 1500 basic research experiments in homeopathy. A general overview on the experiments listed in the HomBRex database is presented, focusing on high dilutions and the different settings in which those were used. Though often criticised, many experiments with remedies diluted beyond Avogadro's number demonstrate specific effects. A total of 830 experiments employing high potencies was found; in 745 experiments of these (90%), at least one positive result was reported. Animals represent the most often used model system (n=371), followed by plants (n=201), human material (n=92), bacteria and viruses (n=37) and fungi (n=32). Arsenicum album (Ars.) is the substance most often applied (n=101), followed by Sulphur (Sulph.) and Thuja (Thuj.) (n=65 and 48, respectively). Proving, prophylactic and therapeutic study designs have all been used and appear appropriate for homeopathy basic research using high dilutions. The basic research data set to support specific effects unique to high dilutions and opposite to those observed with low dilutions is, to date, insufficient.
The overall structure of the crystallization results of dihydrate cupric chloride with additives in a petri dish is affected by the duration between the beginning of the evaporation and the start of the crystallization. Experiments done with polyvinylpyrrolidone and freeze-dried carrot as additive are compared with those of the additive free case. The dependency of dewetting on the dihydrate cupric chloride amount is discussed in terms of depletion of the solution and the surface tension properties of the system. The possible influence of the depletion is depending on the moment the crystallization starts. This is defined by the size of the evaporated area on the dish.
Shang's recently published meta-analysis on homeopathic remedies (Lancet) based its main conclusion on a subset of eight larger trials out of 21 high quality trials (out of 110 included trials). We performed a sensitivity analysis on various other meaningful trial subsets of all high quality trials.
Subsets were defined according to sample size, type of homeopathy, type of publication, and treated disease/condition. For each subset, we estimated the overall odds ratios (ORs) from random effect meta-analyses.
All trials were highly heterogeneous (I2=62.2%). Homeopathy had a significant effect beyond placebo (OR=0.76; 95% CI: 0.59-0.99; p=0.039). When the set of analyzed trials was successively restricted to larger patient numbers, the ORs varied moderately (median: 0.82, range: 0.71-1.02) and the P-values increased steadily (median: 0.16, range: 0.03-0.93), including Shang's results for the eight largest trials (OR=0.88, CI: 0.66-1.18; P=0.41). Shang's negative results were mainly influenced by one single trial on preventing muscle soreness in 400 long-distance runners.
The meta-analysis results change sensitively to the chosen threshold defining large sample sizes. Because of the high heterogeneity between the trials, Shang's results and conclusions are less definite than had been presented.
We have used the oxidant CuCl2 to study its effect on precursor protein import into chloroplasts and on the components involved. CuCl2 reversibly oxidizes thiol groups, which in turn, can form disulfide bridges. Concentrations of 40 microM CuCl2 almost completely inhibit precursor protein binding and subsequent translocation into chloroplasts. This inhibitory effect is reversible by a dithiothreitol treatment. Disulfide bridges, which form upon oxidation by CuCl2, are build up intramolecular and intermolecular, if the thiol groups are in close vicinity to each other. CuCl2 can thus be used as a thiol cleavable crosslinker without an additional spacer distance between the two targets. When purified outer envelope membranes were treated with CuCl2, a hetero oligomeric complex is detected, consisting of OEP86, OEP75 and OEP34, indicating the close vicinity and protein-protein interaction between polypeptides in situ, which are involved in protein translocation into chloroplasts.
Homeopathic remedies are advocated for the treatment of postoperative ileus, yet data from clinical trials are inconclusive. We therefore performed meta-analyses of existing clinical trials to determine whether homeopathic treatment has any greater effect than placebo administration on the restoration of intestinal peristalsis in patients after abdominal or gynecologic surgery. We conducted systematic literature searches to identify relevant clinical trials. Meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan software. Separate meta-analyses were conducted for any homeopathic treatment versus placebo; homeopathic remedies of < 12C potency versus placebo; homeopathic remedies of > or = 12C potency versus placebo. A "sensitivity analysis" was performed to test the effect of excluding studies of low methodologic quality. Our endpoint was time to first flatus. Meta-analyses indicated a statistically significant (p < 0.05) weighted mean difference (WMD) in favor of homeopathy (compared with placebo) on the time to first flatus. Meta-analyses of the three studies that compared homeopathic remedies > or = 12C versus placebo showed no significant difference (p > 0.05). Meta-analyses of studies comparing homeopathic remedies < 12C with placebo indicated a statistically significant (p < 0.05) WMD in favor of homeopathy on the time to first flatus. Excluding methodologically weak trials did not substantially change any of the results. There is evidence that homeopathic treatment can reduce the duration of ileus after abdominal or gynecologic surgery. However, several caveats preclude a definitive judgment. These results should form the basis of a randomized controlled trial to resolve the issue.