Maria Clara de Moraes Giri, Roberta Pereira Niquini, Taiuani Marquine Raymundo
et al.
O letramento digital configura-se um desafio para o acesso e conectividade das pessoas idosas. Neste cenário, terapeutas ocupacionais intervêm em processos educativos para promover a emancipação das pessoas idosas para o uso seguro, crítico e confiável das tecnologias. Este estudo analisou se as intervenções terapêuticas ocupacionais de letramento digital direcionadas a pessoas idosas impactam no nível de proficiência para o uso de dispositivos móveis digitais e identificou os fatores associados à aprendizagem. Participaram 40 pessoas idosas, das cidades do Rio de Janeiro e Curitiba. Os participantes foram acompanhados por 10 a 12 semanas e responderam ao Mobile Device Proficiency Questionnaire, versão brasileira, para identificar os conhecimentos no uso dos dispositivos móveis digitais (Smartphones). Os resultados indicaram um aumento significativo na proficiência digital em ambos os municípios, com maior ganho entre os participantes de Curitiba. O estudo indicou que fatores como escolaridade e renda facilitam significativamente o desenvolvimento das competências digitais. Por sua vez, outros fatores como suporte e metodologia centrada nas demandas das pessoas idosas também podem favorecer o processo de aprendizagem no uso das novas tecnologias. O letramento digital é um caminho primordial para promover a autonomia, inclusão e senso de autoeficácia das pessoas idosas no contexto tecnológico atual.
Abstracts: Background: Traditional Medicine (TM) has a wide uptake in most countries. In China, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a common kind of primary health because of its beneficial effects. This review aimed to appraise the publication reporting quality of economic evaluations for selective TCM in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL), Version 2020, based on the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) statement. Methods: Electronic databases were searched for economic evaluation that supported the TCM negotiations in NRDL (2020 version) published from 2001 to 2021, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, WanFang, and SinoMed. The CHEERS statement was used to appraise the reporting quality of included TCM economic evaluations. Results: A total of 360 articles were retrieved, but only 38 economic evaluations met the inclusion criteria. None of the articles reported all items in the CHEERS checklist. The mean score of included articles is low at 10.93±2.62, with an average scoring rate of 51.31±10.53%. The least reported items included: “Characterizing heterogeneity,” “Conflicts of interest”, “Discount rate,” and “Study perspective,” with a reporting rate of 0.00%, 5.26%, 7.89%, and 15.79%, respectively. Conclusion: An upward trend occurred in the quantity and quality of the economic evaluation publications of TCM in China. TCM economic evaluations are still at an early stage, with an urgent need for improving reporting quality. It may result from research experiences or different ideas between TCM and Western Medicine. Adhering to reporting guidelines like CHEERS and educating economic evaluation investigators can improve TCM economic evaluations’ reporting quality.
Ashok Kumar Panda, Krishna Rao S, Bikash Ranjan Kar
et al.
Background: Sweet syndrome (SS) is characterized by sudden appearance of multiple, painful erythematous, papular-nodular skin lesions accompanied by a fever and myalgia. SS resembles Visphota (Bullous eruption disorders) in Ayurveda. SS is a scarcerare skin condition, and Ayurvedic management of this condition is not reported. Therefore, this case report is prepared after taking informed consent from the patient. Case presentation: A 34-year-old male patient presented with a complaint of the appearance of multiple blisters over the upper and lower extremities, forehead, and chest with mild fever, congestion of the eye, joint pain, and muscular stiffness for the last two weeks. He has been on oral prednisolone for ten weeks by a dermatologist. The patient has no history of taking drugs in the previous four months before the onset of the skin lesions. The patient was prescribed Nagaradi Kasya (Amrttam Kasaya), Siddha Makardwaja (Plain), Kaisara Guggulu (KG), Ashwagandha ghana vati, and Avipatikar Churna in recommended dose for two weeks. Fifty percentage lesions disappear along systemic symptoms within seven days and complete remission of lesions in fifteen days. The medication was stopped after fifteen days and observed for one year. There is a significant reduction of inflammatory markers like-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Total Leucocyte Count (TLC), and C Reactive protein (CRP) after the treatment compared to the baseline also. Conclusion: Ayurvedic modalities may be a better treatment option in rare skin conditions like sweet syndrome, where corticosteroid usage failed to improve. More evidence of the usefulness of the Ayurvedic therapeutic approach must be gathered.
Background: To explore the effectiveness and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Methods: A systematic search was made of eight databases (Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, Sinomed) and two trial registries (WHO ICTRP, ClinicalTrials.gov) from inception to September 2022. The effect size was presented as risk ratio (RR) or mean difference (MD) with their 95% confidence interval (CI). The Cochrane Risk of Bias and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) tools were used for quality appraisal. Results: Ten randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 732 participants were included. Comparing CHM alone with routine treatment, the CHM group showed lower aspartate aminotransferase (MD=-11.47 U/L, 95%CI[-13.05, -9.89], low certainty), lower alanine aminotransferase (MD=-2.68 U/L, 95%CI[-4.27, -1.08], low certainty), lower total bilirubin (MD=-4.31 mmol/L, 95%CI[-5.66, -2.96], low certainty), lower bilirubin direct (MD=-3.19 mmol/L, 95%CI[-3.87, -2.51], low certainty), and higher effective rate (assessed by symptoms and liver indicators) (RR=1.13, 95%CI[1.06, 1.20], low certainty). A significant difference was also found in CHM plus routine treatment versus routine treatment in the previous outcomes. No significant difference was found on helper T cells among these comparisons. Only one RCT reported safety of CHM and found no adverse reaction during the trial. Conclusions: CHM may improve the liver function indices and effective rate for HIV/AIDS patients with DILI. However, the sample size was small and quality was low. Larger-samples of high-quality trials are needed.
Objectives: The quorum-sensing-inhibitory and anti-biofilm activities of the methanol extract of E. globulus leaves were determined against clinically isolated multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods: The preliminary anti-quorum-sensing (AQS) activity of eucalyptus was investigated against a biosensor strain Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 (CV12472) by using the agar well diffusion method. The effect of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of the methanol extract of eucalyptus on different quorum-sensing-regulated virulence factors, such as swarming motility, pyocyanin pigment, exopolysaccharide (EPS), and biofilm formation, against clinical isolates (CIs 2, 3, and 4) and reference PA01 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were determined using the swarm diameter (mm)-measurement method, chloroform extraction method, phenol (5%)-sulphuric acid (concentrated) method, and the microtiter plate assay respectively, and the inhibition (%) in formation were calculated. Results: The preliminary AQS activity (violacein pigment inhibition) of eucalyptus was confirmed against Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 (CV12472). The eucalyptus extract also showed concentration-dependent inhibition (%) of swarming motility, pyocyanin pigment, EPS, and biofilm formation in different CIs and PA01 of P. aeruginosa. Conclusion: Our results revealed the effectiveness of the E. globulus extract for the regulation of quorum-sensing-dependent virulence factors and biofilm formation at a reduced dose (sub-MICs) and suggest that E. globulus may be a therapeutic agent for curing and controlling bacterial infection and thereby reducing the possibility of resistance development in pathogenic strains.
Background: Chronic hyperglycemia induced oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in diabetic nephropathy may lead to chronic renal damage. Thus, counteracting oxidative stress might represent an interesting approach in alleviating hyperglycemia-induced renal damage. Objective: The present experimental work was undertaken to explore nephroprotective efficacy of Curculigo orchiodies in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic nephropathy in laboratory animals. Materials and methods: Single intraperitoneal introduction of freshly prepared STZ (65 mg/kg) was used for induction of diabetic nephropathy in rats, 15 min after NAD administration (230 mg/kg; i.p.). The evaluation of nephropathy was done by assessment of serum glucose level, insulin level and renal function test (albumin, urea and creatinine). In addition to this, lipid profile as well as oxidative stress (TBARS, superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione) was evaluated. Augmented levels of blood glucose, albumin, urea and creatinine confirmed the development of nephropathic symptoms in rats. After 30 days of STZ administration, different doses (150, 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg; p.o.) of hydroalcoholic and ethanolic extracts of C. orchiodies were administered to rats for 45 days. Conclusion: Curculigo orchiodes significantly attenuated hyperglycemia induced increase in lipid profile, oxidative stress and normalized the renal functions (albumin, urea and creatinine); attributing to the efficacy of C. orchiodies in diabetic nephropathy. These findings suggest that hydroalcholic and ethanolic extract of Curculigo Orchiodes ameliorated the progression of diabetic nephropathy. The observed nephroprotective effect of C. orchiodes is attributed to its hypoglycemic, antioxidant and anti-hyperlipidemic activity.
Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a health problem that is common in women of all ages. Besides pharmacological and surgical treatments, there are lifestyle changes and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to relieve UI symptoms. This study aimed to examine lifestyle arrangements and CAM use by women with UI. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from 352 women with UI. The study sample consisted of female patients that were aged 18 and above. We asked patients whether they experienced urine leakage, and included all patients with UI in the sample regardless of UI type or severity. We collected the study data by using the personal information form and Incontinence Severity Index (ISI). Results: In this study, 7.1% of women with UI used CAM while 92.9% did not. We found that only the women with mixed incontinence used CAM more (p < 0.05). The CAM techniques commonly preferred by women included prayer (48.0%), hot application (36.0%) and herbal teas (24%). While 52.2% of women stated that they benefited from CAM use, all of them (100%) stated that they experienced no side effects of CAM. The most common lifestyle changes was losing weight. Conclusion: Turkish women with UI had a low rate of CAM use in this study. The use of CAM was related to age and education, and women with mixed UI used CAM more.
Barbara Seebacher, Raija Kuisma, Angela Glynn
et al.
Abstract Background Motor imagery (MI) is increasingly used in neurorehabilitation to facilitate motor performance. Our previous study results demonstrated significantly improved walking after rhythmic-cued MI in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). The present feasibility study was aimed to obtain preliminary information of changes in walking, fatigue, quality of life (QoL) and MI ability following cued and non-cued MI in pwMS. The study further investigated the feasibility of a larger study and examined the reliability of a two-dimensional gait analysis system. Methods At the MS-Clinic, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria, 15 adult pwMS (1.5–4.5 on the Expanded Disability Status Scale, 13 females) were randomised to one of three groups: 24 sessions of 17 min of MI with music and verbal cueing (MVMI), with music alone (MMI), or non-cued (MI). Descriptive statistics were reported for all outcomes. Primary outcomes were walking speed (Timed 25-Foot Walk) and walking distance (6-Minute Walk Test). Secondary outcomes were recruitment rate, retention, adherence, acceptability, adverse events, MI ability (Kinaesthetic and Visual Imagery Questionnaire, Time-Dependent MI test), fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale) and QoL (Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29). The reliability of a gait analysis system used to assess gait synchronisation with music beat was tested. Results Participants showed adequate MI abilities. Post-intervention, improvements in walking speed, walking distance, fatigue, QoL and MI ability were observed in all groups. Success of the feasibility criteria was demonstrated by recruitment and retention rates of 8.6% (95% confidence interval, CI 5.2, 13.8%) and 100% (95% CI 76.4, 100%), which exceeded the target rates of 5.7% and 80%. Additionally, the 83% (95% CI 0.42, 0.99) adherence rate surpassed the 67% target rate. Intra-rater reliability analysis of the gait measurement instruments demonstrated excellent Intra-Class Correlation coefficients for step length of 0.978 (95% CI 0.973, 0.982) and step time of 0.880 (95% CI 0.855, 0.902). Conclusion Results from our study suggest that cued and non-cued MI are valuable interventions in pwMS who were able to imagine movements. A larger study appears feasible, however, substantial improvements to the methods are required such as stratified randomisation using a computer-generated sequence and blinding of the assessors. Trial registration ISRCTN ISRCTN92351899. Registered 10 December 2015.
Paula R Pullen, William S Seffens, Walter R Thompson
Background: Complementary and alternative medicine is a rapidly growing area of biomedical inquiry. Yoga has emerged in the forefront of holistic medical care due to its long history of linking physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Research in yoga therapy (YT) has associated improved cardiovascular and quality of life (QoL) outcomes for the special needs of heart failure (HF) patients. Aim: The aim of this study is to review yoga intervention studies on HF patients, discuss proposed mechanisms, and examine yoga's effect on physiological systems that have potential benefits for HF patients. Second, to recommend future research directions to find the most effective delivery methods of yoga to medically stable HF patients. Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review of the medical literature for RCTs involving HF patients as participants in yoga interventions and for studies utilizing mechanistic theories of stretch and new technologies. We examined physical intensity, mechanistic theories, and the use of the latest technologies. Conclusions: Based on the review, there is a need to further explore yoga mechanisms and research options for the delivery of YT. Software apps as exergames developed for use at home and community activity centers may minimize health disparities and increase QoL for HF patients.
Young Min Kang, Richard Komakech, Chandrakant Shivappa Karigar
et al.
Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) plays an integral role in providing health care worldwide. It is based on sound fundamental principles and centuries of practices. This study compared traditional Indian medicine (TIM) and traditional Korean medicine (TKM) basing on data obtained from peer reviewed articles, respective government institutional reports and World Health Organization reports. Despite the fact that TIM and TKM have individual qualities that are unique from each other including different histories of origin, they share a lot in common. Apart from Homeopathy in TIM, both systems are hinged on similar principle of body constitutional-based concept and similar disease diagnosis methods of mainly auscultation, palpation, visual inspection, and interrogation. Similarly, the treatment methods of TIM and TKM follow similar patterns involving use of medicinal herbs, moxibustion, acupuncture, cupping, and manual therapy. Both T&CM are majorly practiced in well-established hospitals by T&CM doctors who have undergone an average of 6–7 years of specialized trainings. However, unlike TIM which has less insurance coverage, the popularity of TKM is majorly due to its wide national insurance coverage. These two medical traditions occupy increasingly greater portion of the global market. However, TIM especially Ayurveda has gained more global recognition than TKM although the emergence of Sasang Constitutional Medicine in TKM is beginning to become more popular. This comparative analysis between TIM and TKM may provide vital and insightful contribution towards constitutional-based concept for further development and future studies in T&CM. Keywords: Constitutional-Based Concept, Traditional and Complementary Medicine, Traditional Indian Medicine, Traditional Korean Medicine, Sasang Constitutional Medicine
Background: Animation characters are created to embody distinctive personalities and body images; however, these features have not been analyzed with objective measures based on East Asian theory. The purpose of this study was to analyze the biopsychological features of seven animation characters in Pororo the Little Penguin, which scored unprecedented success in Korea, with clinically validated and standardized measures of Sasang typology. Methods: Forty-one graduate students completed a survey examining body mass index (BMI) and Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) of seven characters in Pororo the Little Penguin after watching three selected episodes. The differences in physical appearance and psychological traits among animation characters were analyzed with analysis of variance. Results: SPQ and BMI showed distinctive biopsychological features of seven animation characters. Pororo (28.29 ± 6.38 and 36.61 ± 3.09) was a typical So-Yang type boy, Petty (20.98 ± 4.07 and 31.66 ± 4.59) was a typical So-Yang type girl, and Loopy (28.05 ± 6.60 and 22.78 ± 4.78) was a typical So-Eum type girl in terms of BMI and SPQ, respectively. The BMI and SPQ of Poby (41.10 ± 4.26 and 22.32 ± 3.48) and Harry (19.63 ± 5.17 and 37.61 ± 2.40) showed the most obvious contrast. Conclusion: This study showed that SPQ and BMI are useful objective measures for analyzing the biopsychosocial features of animation characters as well as patients. The interdisciplinary research methodology of Sasang typology suggested here would provide useful tools for educating healthcare professionals and the general public about Korean medicine, and also contribute to the development of animation characters. Keywords: animation character, body mass index, Pororo the Little Penguin, Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), Sasang typology
Luma Carolina Câmara Gradim, Shamyr Sulyvan de Castro, Darlene Mara dos Santos Tavares
et al.
O aumento da expectativa de vida populacional no Brasil evidencia também o número de pessoas que envelhecem apresentando perda da capacidade funcional e aumento da dependência nas atividades do dia a dia. A tecnologia assistiva (TA) se constitui como suporte para que os idosos mantenham a independência e funcionalidade. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: (i) elencar os recursos de tecnologia assistiva utilizados por idosos assistidos em uma unidade matricial de saúde (UMS) no município de Uberaba/MG; (ii) descrever as características sócio-econômicas e as doenças crônicas por eles relatadas e (iii) estudar a área de ocupação – atividades de vida diária e a categoria dos recursos da tecnologia assistiva usados. Participaram do estudo 144 idosos com 60 anos ou mais. Para a coleta dos dados foram aplicados dois instrumentos estruturados idealizados pelos autores. Os resultados evidenciaram utilização de tecnologia assistiva aquém das necessidades para manutenção do desempenho funcional dos idosos, com exceção do uso de óculos. A idade média dos participantes foi de 72,4 anos (±7,8) e houve predomínio de idosos do gênero feminino. Os diagnósticos clínicos relatados foram na maioria casos de hipertensão arterial. Dos participantes, 140 (97,2%) relataram utilizar um tipo de recurso de TA como auxílio em alguma atividade de vida diária.
Kausik Bishayee, Jesmin Mondal, Sourav Sikdar
et al.
Objectives: Condurango (Gonolobus condurango) extract is used by complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners as a traditional medicine, including homeopathy, mainly for the treatment of syphilis. Condurango bark extract is also known to reduce tumor volume, but the underlying molecular mechanisms still remain unclear. Methods: Using a cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) as our model, the molecular events behind condurango extract’s (CE’s) anticancer effect were investigated by using flow cytometry, immunoblotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Other included cell types were prostate cancer cells (PC3), transformed liver cells (WRL-68), and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Results: Condurango extract (CE) was found to be cytotoxic against target cells, and this was significantly deactivated in the presence of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS), suggesting that its action could be mediated through ROS generation. CE caused an increase in the HeLa cell population containing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage at the G zero/Growth 1 (G0/G1) stage. Further, CE increased the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and the fas receptor (FasR) levels both at the ribonucleic acid (RNA) and the protein levels, indicating that CE might have a cytotoxic mechanism of action. CE also triggered a sharp decrease in the expression of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB ) both at the RNA and the protein levels, a possible route to attenuation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and caused an opening of the mitochondrial membrane’s permeability transition (MPT) pores, thus enhancing caspase activities. Conclusion: Overall, our results suggest possible pathways for CE mediated cytotoxicity in model cancer cells.
Currently, India recognizes five different healthcare systems, collectively known as AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy), along with the conventional biomedicine. These systems have their own institutionalized structure for monitoring medical education and practice. However, because of the ′parallel′ kind of policy model that is followed in India, there is no formal provision for any cross-talk between the professionals belonging to these different streams. This situation has not only given rise to mutual misgivings among these professionals regarding the strengths and weaknesses of each other, but also has led to a poor appreciation of the historical and socio-cultural connections these streams share with the community at large. To tackle these issues and to promote adequate participation of biomedicine experts in AYUSH-related research projects, ′introduction of an AYUSH module in the current curriculum of MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) program′ has been proposed in this communication along with a possible roadmap for its implementation. It is also suggested that the experts in biomedicine be engaged for training AYUSH graduates in their respective specialties so that quality AYUSH education may be ensured.
Vyasadeva Mahanta, Tukaram S Dudhamal, Sanjay Kumar Gupta
Tennis elbow is a painful condition and causes restricted movement of forearm which requires treatment for long period. Till date only symptomatic treatments are available like use of anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs, steroids injection, physiotherapy, exercise etc. But none of these provide satisfactory result. Long term use of anti-inflammatory, analgesic drugs and steroids injection is also not free from the adverse effects. Usually, ′wait-and-see policy′ of treatment guideline is recommended in most of medical texts. According to Ayurveda, snayugata vata can be correlated with the condition of tennis elbow. Sushruta has advised Agnikarma for disorders of snayu (ligaments and tendons), asthi (bone), siddhi (joints) etc. Hence, in this study a case of tennis elbow (snayugata vata) was treated by Agnikarma, along with administration of powder of Ashwagandha and Navajivana Rasa orally, for a period of 03 weeks. This combination therapy provided considerable relief in pain and movement of the elbow joint.
Yashada bhasma (Calx of Yashada i.e. Zinc) which has its main indication in Prameha (Diabetes) and Netra vikaras (Eye disorders) was prepared according to the prescription in the Ayurvedic classics and subjected to various bhasma parikshas, including the Namburi Phased Spot Test (NPST), one of the qualitative tests described for various Ayurvedic preparations. NPST helps differentiate between, and thus identify, various bhasmas. It depends upon the pattern of the spot, which develops after a specific chemical reaction. Three market samples of Yashada bhasma, which were said to be Parada marita (incinerated using Mercury), were also subjected to the above tests and results compared. The various bhasmas exhibited marked differences in colour, and though NPST yielded desired results for all the samples, there were differences in their spot patterns and colour. The bhasma prepared in our department produced the most accurate results.
Este artigo relata a aplicação de um método de análise de tarefas industriais realizado na Indústria Aeronáutica NEIVA em 2002, com o objetivo de sistematizar o método de análise de tarefas para identificar os postos de trabalho que potencialmente podem ser ocupados por PNE e para orientar as ações da empresa na política de contratação desta população como operadores. Através de literatura especializada, apresenta reflexões sobre o trabalho como representação do homem como ser social e sobre o processo de inclusão de pessoas portadoras de necessidades especiais no mercado de trabalho. Apresenta também os instrumentos desenvolvidos para analisar as atividades, respectivos resultados e as possibilidades de inclusão das pessoas portadoras de deficiência na indústria.