Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caught the world off guard despite the advanced medical systems and public health strategies. Throughout the pandemic, researchers have actively investigated the role of traditional medicines in the treatment of COVID-19. In India, where there is a rich heritage of traditional therapeutic practices encompassed under AYUSH, each system has assessed the efficacy of its remedies during this challenging time. Objective: The aim of our study protocol is to develop a comprehensive framework for conducting a qualitative review of available studies, synthesizing an evidence map regarding the efficacy and safety of AYUSH interventions in managing COVID-19. Study design: A systematic review without meta-analysis study design was undertaken for this study. Methods: This protocol has been developed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. A thorough search will be conducted across selected databases based on a well-defined search strategy. A predetermined set of inclusion criteria will guide the selection of studies for quality appraisal, and data extraction will be performed manually. The quality of the included studies will be evaluated using specific assessment tools developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Results: The protocol deveopment and the initial search process for the identification of potential studies were completed in January 2024. From February to May, two independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts. The pilot data extraction was finalized in the first week of June 2024. Any issues encountered during the data extraction process were resolved, and the formal screening and data extraction were completed in June. Presently, the review team has started the quality assessment of the included studies. Conclusion: The findings of the study will not only inform practitioners and researchers but also significantly contribute to a broader understanding of integrative health strategies, potentially shaping future approaches to public health crisis.
Aims Gut microbiota are reported to be associated with the incidence and prognosis of Esophageal cancer (EC) but their genetic association is unclear. We carried out a bidirectional MR analysis to assess the causal relationship between EC and gut microbiota from fecal samples. Methods The microbiome genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data of 18,340 individuals provided by MiBioGen consortium and the EC GWAS data (740 esophageal cancers cases and 372 016 controls) provided by UK Biobank were respectively utilized as exposure and/or outcome data. Reliable single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were obtained after rigorous screening. A bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method. The sensitivity analyses including the MR-Egger method, weighted median, weighed mode and leave-one-out method were performed to examine the stability, heterogeneity and pleiotropy of the results. Results Forward MR analysis revealed the increase in abundance of the microbial trait by each standard deviation was associated with a higher risk of EC ( Coprobacter (OR = 1.001,95%CI = 1.000-1.002, P = .0281, FDR = 0.0424); Ruminococcus1 (OR = 1.001,95%CI = 1.000-1.002, P = .0318, FDR = 0.0424); Senegalimassilia (OR = 1.002,95%CI = 1.000-1.003, P = .0062, FDR = 0.0372); Veillonella (OR = 1.001,95%CI = 1.000-1.002, P = .0182, FDR = 0.0372)) or a lower risk of EC ( Eubacterium oxidoreducens (OR = 0.999, 95%CI = 0.998-1.000, P = .0379, FDR = 00 433); Lachnospira (OR = 0.998,95%CI = 0.996-1.000, P = .0186, FDR = 0.0372); Romboutsia (OR = 0.999,95%CI = 0.998-1.000, P = .0482, FDR = 0.0482); Turicibacter (OR = 0.999,95%CI = 0.998-1.000, P = .0133, FDR = 0.0372)). Reverse MR analysis showed that genetic liability to EC was also causally linked toincreased susceptibility of changes in the gut microbiome (genera Eggerthella (Beta = 37.63,95%CI = 4.76-70.50, P = .0248, FDR = 0.0331); Coprococcus 2 (Beta = 23.90,95%CI = 1.65-46.15, P = .0353, FDR = 0.0353); Christensenellaceae R.7 (Beta = 22.75,95%CI = 4.22-41.28, P = .0161, FDR = 0.0322); Intestinimonas (Beta = −33.24,95%CI = −54.90-11.58, P = .0026, FDR = 0.0104)). Conclusions Our findings supported a bidirectionally causal relationship between gut microbiota and EC, implying the potential role of gut microbiota in preventing the occurrence and development of EC.
Gracy Paulin Dharmalingam, Kasthuri Lingam, Kannan Dinesh
et al.
Background: Improving child survival still remains challenging for most of the developing countries like India. Leading causes of under-five mortality such as pneumonia and diarrhea can be prevented by ensuring good water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices. This study aimed to assess the WASH practices of caregivers of under-five children in a coastal area of Tamil Nadu in South India. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a community-based cross-sectional study among primary caregivers of under-five children in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu. Caregivers accompanying under-five children in Threspuram and Mullakadu Primary Health Centers were interviewed. A semi-structured interview-based questionnaire was used to assess their WASH practices. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: The median WASH score was found to be 16 with an interquartile range of 6.5. Nearly 35% of the caregivers did not do anything to purify drinking water. Only less than three-fourths of the study population followed proper water storage practices. Only 7.2% of caregivers always washed their hands after defecation. The WASH score increased significantly with the education of the caregiver (P < 0.001). Conclusion: WASH practices were mostly poor for under-five children with male caregivers and caregivers with higher age and lower educational status.
Introduction: Drug-Induced Gingival Overgrowth (DIGO) is caused due to prolonged use of anti convulsants, immunosuppressant, and calcium channel blockers given for non dental purpose. It affects the maintenance of oral hygiene and may cause speech, mastication, tooth eruption and aesthetic problems. General physicians can play a key role as they can inform the patient about gingival overgrowth as an adverse effect of these drugs.
Aim: To evaluate the awareness regarding drug-induced gingival overgrowth and to know the impact of educational qualification on their awareness among physicians.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted from January 2019 to June 2019 in Latur district of Maharashtra, India. A total of 196 practicing physicians were approached with self-structured questionnaire and answers were collected in the presence of the investigator. Survey responses were divided into two groups based on educational qualification as group A: physicians educationally qualified to practice Allopathy, group B: physicians educationally qualified to practice alternative medicine (Ayurveda, Homeopathy etc.,). Comparison of responses for qualitative variables was carried among groups using Chi-square test with p-value set as p<0.05 significant.
Results: Total 167 (85.20%) general physicians responded willingly and completed the questionnaire. A total of 129 participants were male and 38 were female with age ranging from 27 to 61 years. Among total 88.62%, 34.73%, 43.11% of the physicians knew about adverse effect of antiepileptic, antihypertensive, immunosuppressant drug as gingival overgrowth respectively. Around 50.89% physicians’ check the gingival status of their patients and 21.56% refer their patients to dental practitioners for signs and treatment of gingival overgrowth. Overall, 77.25% of participants said that surgical excision with drug substitution should be the line of treatment for these cases. Statistically significant difference was seen on comparative analysis of responses between group A and group B (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that even though physicians know about DIGO they were unable to mention the accountable drug. Only few of them check gingival status of patients taking these drugs during follow-up visits and refer such patients to dental practitioners. Although physicians qualified in Allopathy have more knowledge about these drugs, their approach towards this condition was somewhat similar to the physicians qualified in alternative medicine.
Vikram S Patra, Jeetendra B Gavhane, Priyanka S Amonkar
Context: Irrational use of medications for acute diarrhea in children is rampant. We conducted this survey to analyze prescription practices among pediatricians for acute diarrhea and their deviation from standard treatment guidelines. Subjects and Methods: A self-administered online questionnaire regarding prescription practices was circulated among pediatricians in Maharashtra, India, through various academic groups on WhatsApp, during the World Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) Week, 2021. The questionnaire was anonymous and consisted of 15 compulsory close-ended multiple-choice questions. Results: Two hundred and eighty-seven pediatricians participated. Among which, 88.9% of the participants said that they prescribed ORS in acute diarrhea, 26.8% preferred zinc supplementation only in the case of watery diarrhea, 62% used probiotics or probiotics plus zinc combinations, and 60% said that they prescribe antisecretory drugs such as racecadotril. Forty percentage of the participants admitted that they occasionally use antibiotics for the management of acute diarrhea, while 5% said that they frequently do so. Most pediatricians advise appropriate ORS substitutes. Large number of pediatricians perceived probiotics (51.2%), dietary restriction (15.7%), racecadotril (10.5%), and antibiotics (6.3%) to be an important part in managing acute diarrhea. Only 25.4% of the pediatricians answered correctly and said parental counseling along with zinc and ORS work best as treatment. Conclusions: This study demonstrates low adherence by pediatricians to standard treatment guidelines for the management of acute diarrhea. Misuse of antibiotics and unscientific use of drugs were evidenced from this study. Awareness regarding the advantages of ORS among pediatricians is high. At present, there is a need to focus on appropriate feeding practices, emphasizing on the role of zinc and discouraging use of antibiotics, probiotics, antisecretory drugs, and irrational combinations.
Seema Mahesh, Tamara Kozymenko, Nataliia Kolomiiets
et al.
Abstract Homeopathic Antimonium crudum may be useful in many pediatric skin conditions if prescribed on symptom similarity. It may especially be helpful in reducing the use of antibiotics and steroids in this age‐group if proven to be effective through larger scientific studies.
Abstract Study objective To study the effect of a herbal preparation containing a standardised BNO 1040 extract* (based on lovage root, rosemary leaves and aerial parts of centaury) on the extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) results in patients with urolithiasis (UL). Methodology 150 patients with UL (aged 18–65 years) treated with ESWL method were divided into 2 equal groups. The main group (n = 75) received standard recommendations and herbal preparation (12 months). The control group (n = 75) received standard recommendations only. The following was evaluated: time and degree of elimination of fragments; the presence of pain and leukocyturia; recurrent stone formation. Results The elimination of fragments was observed up to 14 days in 94.7% of patients in the main group versus 76% of patients in the control group. Renal colic was observed in 6.7% of patients in the main group versus 10.7% of patients in the control group; cases of leukocyturia were observed within 14 days in 10.7% versus 22.7%, respectively. During the year, a recurrent lithiasis was diagnosed in 6.7% of patients in the main group and in 16% of patients in the control group. Conclusion The use of BNO 1040 extract in combination with ESWL: contributes to more rapid and safe elimination of fragments of the calculi and reduces the risk of recurrent stone formation. Trial registration DRKS ID 00021200 . Registered retrospectively in German Clinical Trial Register 27.03.2020. https://www.drks.de/
Shobana Gunasekaran, Agnel Arul John Nayagam, Rameshkannan Natarajan
Abstract Objective The present study was designed to investigate the in vivo wound healing activity of herbal ointment prepared from Calendula officinalis Linn. on excision wounded rats. Materials and methods The excision wound model was employed for wound healing activity in albino rats. Healthy albino rats (150–200 g) of either sex were taken for excision wound model. Animals were divided into five groups of six animals in each. Group I served as normal control, Group II served as excision wounded control without treatment and Group III, IV served as excision wounded rats were treated with herbal ointment of two different doses (10% and 20%) applied topically for 14 days and group V served as excision wounded animals treated with reference ointment soframycin. Healing potential was evaluated by the rate of wound contraction, immunological markers like IL-6(Interleukin 6), TNF-alpha (Tumor necrosis factor -α), PDGF (Platelet Derived Growth Factor) and EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor), lipid peroxide (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and biochemical parameters like hydroxyproline, hesosamine, and tissue protein. Results The topical application of herbal ointment treated groups showed increase in the levels of growth factors such as PDGF and EGF hydroxy proline, hesosamine, tissue protein, SOD and wound contraction and the ointment normalized the levels of lipid peroxide, IL-6, TNF-alpha compared than that of excision wounded animals. Conclusion From the above results, it was concluded that the topical application of herbal ointment exhibited significant wound healing activity in excision wounded rats as evidenced by increased wound contraction and collagen synthesis.
Nazifa Sifat, Farhana Lovely, S. M. Neamul Kabir Zihad
et al.
Abstract Background Mushrooms have been recognized both as medicine and nutritional food in many countries for thousands of years, owing to the presence of significant amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fibers, and antioxidants. This study aims at evaluating the nutritional contents and antioxidant potentials of seven types of mushrooms cultivated in Bangladesh. Methods Proximate composition analysis of the collected mushrooms was performed to determine moisture content, pH, lipid, crude fibre, total ash, protein, carbohydrate content, and calorific value. Antioxidant potential of collected mushrooms were evaluated by mean of eight different methods including total flavonoid content, phenolic content, tannin content, total antioxidant activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, DPPH assay and reducing power capacity. Results The results demonstrated that investigated mushrooms were found rich in proteins (20–45 g/100 g), carbohydrate (11–61 g/100 g in dry sample) and fibre (5–40 g/100 g). The ash content was found 6–10 g/100 g and glucose content 54–160 mg/100 g. However, all the mushrooms showed a lower content of lipid (1–4%). Results also revealed that the total antioxidant capacity of the extracts were found in the concentration range of 0.08–0.21 mg/mL, whereas the hydroxyl radical and DPPH radical scavenging activity were 0.88–1.40 and 0.05–0.63 mg/mL. Conclusion The findings of the current investigation proved that the studied Bangladeshi mushrooms are good source of nutritional and antioxidant components. Therefore, this study can help spreading awareness among Bangladeshi people regarding consumption of mushrooms as functional foods.
Raphael John Ogbe, Samuel Peter Agbese, Adakole Hyacinth Abu
Abstract Background Hepatorenal injuries and dyslipidemia are common global health challenges but medicinal plant extracts may have potential to prevent them. Thus, this study evaluated the protective effect of aqueous extract of Lophira lanceolata leaf (LLE) against cisplatin-induced hepatorenal injuries and dyslipidemia in albino Wistar rats. Methods Thirty rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 5 rats each. Group I rats received distilled water and served as control, group II rats were given 5 mg/kg cisplatin (CIS) intraperitoneally, groups III and IV rats were treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg LLE respectively for 26 days by oral gavages while groups V and VI rats were treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg LLE respectively, followed by CIS on the 21st day as in group II. About 24 h after treatment, blood was collected from the rats; then serum was separated and used for estimations of biochemical parameters. The kidney and liver of rats were removed, rinsed in normal saline, stored in 10% formalin and used for histological analyses. Results The biomarkers of hepatic (Aminotransferases, Alkaline phosphatase and Bilirubin) and renal (urea and creatinine) injuries, and dyslipidemia (Total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol) significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the rats exclusively exposed to cisplatin when compared with normal control. However, treatment of cisplatin-exposed rats with 200 and 400 mg/kg LLE significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the levels of these biomarkers of hepatorenal injuries and dyslipidemia when compared with cisplatin control. Photomicrographs showed pathological signs in the liver and kidney of rats exclusively exposed to cisplatin, but there was moderate protection of these tissues in the rats treated with LLE and cisplatin. Conclusion The current findings have shown that Lophira lanceolata leaf extract may provide moderate protection against cisplatin-induced hepatorenal injuries and dyslipidemia in albino Wistar rats.
Milagro García-Bernal , Ricardo Medina-Marrero , José Manuel Mazón-Suástegui
et al.
Se evaluó durante 30 días el efecto de actinobacterias probióticas y medicamentos homeopáticos, así como su combinación, sobre la condición fisiológica de juveniles tempranos de ostra Americana Crassostrea virginica durante su preengorda en laboratorio ostrícola comercial. En el diseño experimental se incluyeron cinco tratamientos: [T1 (Streptomyces sp. RL8), T2 (ViP 7C+ViA 7C), T3 (PhA 7C+SiT 7C), T4 (ViP 7C+ViA 7C+RL8), T5 (PhA 7C+SiT 7C+RL8)] y dos controles: [T6 (Etanol) y T7 (Agua Destilada)], con tres réplicas cada uno. Como variables fisiológicas de respuesta se evaluó el Índice de Glándula Digestiva (IGD) y el Índice Muscular (IM). Al concluir el bioensayo (T30) se observó un valor mayor promedio del IGD en los juveniles que recibieron los tratamientos T3, T4 y T5, así como diferencias con relación al IM, con valores máximos en los que recibieron T3, T5, y T6. Estos resultados demuestran que el uso de actinomicetos probióticos y de medicamentos homeopáticos tienen aplicabilidad productiva para mejorar la condición fisiológica y desempeño de C. virginica, con potencial efecto positivo en su rendimiento biológico y económico durante la preengorda de semillas en laboratorio y su cultivo en mar.
Abstract Background The Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) field in Europe has been a focus of research developments and public health policy changes for years. However, these processes are still in their infancy phase in Bulgaria. In this paper, homeopathy is the investigated CAM-modality at a Bulgarian context. The aim is threefold: 1) to outline the sociodemographic profile of the chronically ill adult patients (≥18 years old) who choose homeopathic medical treatment (HMT); 2) To identify the patients’ sources and needs of information about homeopathy, and the reasons to use HMT; and 3) to measure health-related outcomes in patients who have visited homeopathic clinics to look for HMT of their chronic conditions. Methods A cross-sectional observational multi-centered study (≥18 years old, n = 211) was conducted between June 2016 to Dec. 2017 in Bulgaria. Potentially eligible participants for the study were all chronically ill patients who had been receiving HMT for a year or more and had visited the homeopathic clinics for a follow up within the study period. The EQ-5D-3L instrument was applied with an additional questionnaire on sociodemographic and health related data. Results, discussion and conclusions The study results outlined the country specific sociodemographic profile of the chronically ill homeopathic patients in Bulgaria: they are predominantly female, with higher education and at the age groups between 30 and 50. The EQ-5D-3L version, was applied to measure patients’ health-related quality of life and to promote the use of a standardized generic instrument as a complementary and reliable scientific tool to assess the patient-reported outcomes of the homeopathic patients. Regarding the reasons of choice: the participants choose HMT because it is safe and mild, to avoid excessive antibiotic use, because the conventional treatment was not successful, etc. The study confirms the social demand for more scientific information about homeopathy. Participants stated that the medical universities’ curriculum should keep pace with the modern CAM-developments. A key message is that the future of the successful chronic disease management is in the integration of the conventional and CAM-modalities and these processes should be facilitated through public health regulations, education and research. The presented study is a supportive action in this direction.
Niklas S. Sposato DO, MSc, Kristofer Bjerså CNS, PhD
Background. A growing trend in surgical care is the investigation and incorporation of multimodal interventions into standardized programs. Additionally, manual therapies such as osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) are being used with patients in surgical care. Yet the scientific dialogue and the use of OMT in surgical care are currently insubstantial. Objective. The aim of this study was to present an overview of published research articles within the subject field of OMT in surgical care. Method. Summative review of peer-reviewed research articles published in osteopathic journals during the period 1990 to 2017. In total, 10 articles were identified. Result. Previous research has been conducted within the areas of abdominal, thoracic, gynecological, and/or orthopedic surgery with measured outcomes such as pain, analgesia consumption, length of hospital stay, and range of motion. Heterogeneity was identified in usage of osteopathic techniques, treatment duration, and occurrence, as well as in the treating osteopath’s experience. Conclusion. Despite the small number of research articles within this field, both positive measured effects as well as the absence of such effects were identified. Overall, there was a heterogeneity concerning surgical contexts, diagnoses, signs and symptoms, as well as surgical phases in current interprofessional osteopathic publications. In this era of multimodal surgical care, we argue that there is an urgent need to evaluate OMT in this context of care and with a proper research approach.
Arpita Singh, Anubhuti Singh, Kislay Kishore
et al.
Lung cancer is one of the most common malignancies and is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality throughout the world. Despite advances in surgery and chemotherapy, survival is still poor. Crizotinib is an oral inhibitor of multiple kinases, including anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), and is indicated in the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic? non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) harboring ALK mutation as a targeted therapy. This is short drug review of crizotinib in the treatment of advanced lung cancer.
Context: Medical research is being encouraged in India and biostatistics is a vital tool. It is important to understand the attitudes toward biostatistics before teaching programs and workshops are conducted to empower clinicians with this vital tool. Materials and Methods: Eighty consenting participants were cross-sectionally assessed on a semi-structured questionnaire and two validated Likert type questionnaires on attitudes toward biostatistics. Results: Participants reported biostatistics to be the most difficult subject in the MBBS curriculum. Participants felt that their training in biostatistics so far was inadequate and ineffective. They reported that biostatistics would be better understood if taught by someone with a medical background and in 3rd MBBS. They accepted that biostatistics should be an important part and skill present in every member of a research team. Participants reported the wish to learn basic biostatistical skills to be able to perform and design their own research projects. Conclusions: There are negative attitudes toward biostatistics in faculty as well as residents and improvements in teaching techniques, as well as teaching policies, are necessary to bring about the necessary change.
Most cases of chronic fissure do not respond to medical treatment. Razi and Ibn Sina were 2 of the best-known scientists of ancient Persia. The purpose of this study was to find out new scientific evidence in modern medicine about their recommendations, in order to find certain clues to conduct useful researches in the future. First, treatments of anal fissure mentioned by Razi and Ibn Sina were reviewed. Then, literature search was made in electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Management of anal fissure according to Razi’s and Ibn Sina’s practices is done based on 3 interventions: lifestyle modifications, drug treatments, and manual procedures. Almost all remedies suggested by Razi and Ibn Sina have shown their effects on fissure in ano via several mechanisms of action in many in vitro and in vivo studies; Still there is lack of human studies on the subject.
I. N. Kholodova, I. N. Zakharova, Y. I. Ivakhnenko
In the article the authors consider the problem of treatment of the complicated course of acute respiratory infection (ARI) by natural origin drugs. The efficacy and adverse reactions of official medicine drugs and complex homeopathic medicines are discussed. The basic principles of homeopathic treatment are set forth. Data of international and Russian researchers are provided to prove the feasibility and effectiveness of treating symptoms of cough and rhinitis by natural origin drugs. Schemes of treatment by the example of some complex homeopathic preparations are proposed.
Radmila Razlog, Janice Pellow, Reshma Patel
et al.
Background: Homeopathy seeks to treat holistically. The role of homeopathy for treating binge eating however remains poorly explored.
Objective: To determine the efficacy of individualized homeopathic treatment on binge eating.
Method: This was a nine-week pilot study using a case study design. Individualized homeopathic remedies were prescribed to each participant for six weeks and case analysis evaluated changes over time.
Results: All participants reported a decrease in the severity and frequency of binging behaviour; concurrent improvements in general health were also noted.
Conclusion: This pilot study shows the potential benefits of individualized homeopathic treatment in binge eating in males.