RECENT RESEARCH release . Specific microbial bile acid metabolites modulate immune responses of the host . In addition , new functions of bile acids in regulation of gastric emptying and satiation via brain-gut-liver axis have been discovered . Identification of Cyp2c70 as the enzyme responsible for generation of hydrophilic mouse / rat-specific muricholic acids has allowed the generation of murine models with a human-like bile acid composition . Summary : Specific bile acids act as important signalling molecules affecting whole body metabolism , specific transport processes and immunity in different segments of the intestinal tract . Their relevance for human ( patho ) physiology is emerging . Novel mouse models with human-like bile acid composition will aid to accelerate translational research .
Integrative and complementary medicine
Kuruvilla D , Mehta A , Ravishankar N . et al .
A patient perspective of complementary and integrative medicine ( CIM ) for migraine treatment : a social media survey . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2021 , 21 , Article no . 58 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-021-03226-0
Aim : To survey persons with migraine who use social media about Complementary and Integrative Medicine ( CIM ) for the treatment of migraine .
Background : CIM encompasses medical treatments that are not part of but are used in concert with mainstream medicine . Between 28 and 82 % of people with migraine use non-drug approaches , and approximately 50 % of people with migraine do not discuss non-drug treatments with their healthcare providers ( HCPs ). It is important for providers to be conversant with CIM treatments and the available evidence-based data . To further this effort , people with migraine were surveyed directly through social media to identify CIM practices in which they engage .
Methods : In collaboration with the American Migraine foundation ( AMF ) and Yakkety Yak , a digital marketing agency , we conducted a cross-sectional survey study . Participants were recruited from the Move Against Migraine ( MAM ) Facebook group which has 20,000 + members . The goals of the survey were to assess the attitudes toward CIM among this group , to identify which CIM modalities are being used and to determine what patients considered to be the most effective CIM modalities . While Yakkety Yak posted the survey link on the group page , the survey itself was hosted on Qualtrics , a confidential survey service .
Results : 372 MAM members ( approximately 2 %) responded to the questionnaire , of which 335 reported using CIM ; between 114 and 139 ( 34 – 42 %) found CIM modalities to be at least mildly effective . Of note , 164 ( 49 %) reported using cannabis derivatives or cannabinoids , specifically with , 64 / 164 ( 39 %) reporting that cannabis was not effective for them .
Conclusions : This study provides an initial investigation into the demographic and practice patterns of migraine patients who use CIM . While this sampling may not reflect CIM use across all individuals with migraine , it does strongly suggest the need for better education on the role of , and evidence for , CIM among headache care providers , and the need to ask patients specifically about their use of and interest in CIM .
Ng JY , Parakh ND .
A systematic review and quality assessment of complementary and alternative medicine recommendations in insomnia clinical practice guidelines . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2021 , 21 , Article no . 54 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-021-03223-3
Background : Sleep disorders encompass a wide range of conditions which affect the quality and quantity of sleep , with insomnia being a specific type of sleep disorder of focus in this review . Complementary and alternative medicine
( CAM ) is often utilized for various sleep disorders . Approximately 4.5 % of individuals diagnosed with insomnia in the United States have used a CAM therapy to treat their condition . This systematic review identifies the quantity and assesses the quality of clinical practice guidelines ( CPGs ) which contain CAM recommendations for insomnia .
Methods : MEDLINE , EMBASE and CINAHL were systematically searched from 2009 to 2020 , along with the Guidelines International Network , the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health website , the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence , and the Emergency Care Research Institute . CPGs which focused on the treatment and / or management of insomnia in adults were assessed with the Appraisal of Guidelines , Research and Evaluation II ( AGREE II ) instrument .
Results : From 277 total results , 250 results were unique , 9 CPGs mentioned CAM for insomnia , and 6 out of the 9 made CAM recommendations relevant to insomnia . Scaled domain percentages from highest to lowest were scope and purpose , clarity of presentation , editorial independence , stakeholder involvement , rigour of development , and applicability . Quality varied within and across CPGs .
Conclusions : The CPGs which contained CAM recommendations for insomnia and which scored well could be used by health care professionals and patients to discuss the use of CAM therapies for the treatment / management of insomnia , while CPGs which scored lower could be improved in future updates according to AGREE II .
Farrukh MJ , Makmor-Bakry M , Hatah E . et al .
Impact of complementary and alternative medicines on antiepileptic medication adherence among epilepsy patients . BMC Complement Med Ther . 2021 , 21 , Article no . 50 . https :// doi . org / 10.1186 / s12906-021-03224-2
Background : The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge , attitude , and practice of complementary and
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