Enhance Treatment Effectiveness Research Articles

Evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Bacillus probiotic spores in children with persistent diarrhea

Persistent diarrhea in children under 24 months old has been a global public health concern, including in Vietnam. Therefore, the authors conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of two Bacillus spore probiotic suspensions, namely LiveSpo CLAUSY containing B. clausii at 2 billion CFU/5 ml ampoule; and LiveSpo DIA30 containing B. subtilis, B. clausii, and B. coagulans at 5 billion CFU/5 ml ampoule, as a supportive treatment for children with persistent diarrhea. Children were randomly allocated into the control (using RO water) and two experimental groups, Clausy (using LiveSpo CLAUSY) and Dia30 (using LiveSpo DIA30), n=30/group. All three groups were treated following the standard protocol at the hospital, supplemented with either placebo or high-dose probiotics up to 4-6 ampoules/day. The results showed that Bacillus spore probiotics helped to shorten the treatment duration by approximately 1-3 days and enhanced treatment effectiveness by 1.3-2.4 folds compared to the control group in reducing the typical diarrhea symptoms, including bowel movements ≥3 times/day, presence of mucus, and diaper stool. Notably, LiveSpo DIA30 exhibited a better efficacy of 10-50% compared to LiveSpo CLAUSY. This is the world’s first clinical study demonstrating the effectiveness of high-dose Bacillus spore probiotics in supporting the treatment of diarrhea symptoms in children with persistent diarrhea.

Direct and indirect effects of psychological well-being and therapeutic alliance on therapy outcome in eating disorders

IntroductionOutcome research in eating disorders (EDs) is commonly focused on psychopathological dysfunction. However, Ryff’s model of psychological well-being (PWB) has shown promising—yet preliminary—results with ED patients. Additionally, despite substantial evidence highlighting the association between the therapeutic alliance and treatment outcome, findings in ED samples remain unclear. The present study aimed at exploring the direct effect of PWB dimensions and the early therapeutic alliance on ED patients’ individual treatment responses, as well as the mediating role played by the early therapeutic alliance in the relationship between PWB dimensions and overall pre-post symptom change.MethodsA sample of N = 165 ED patients assigned female at birth, who were receiving treatment in a residential program, completed the Psychological Well-Being Scale at treatment intake and the Working Alliance Inventory after the first four psychotherapy sessions. Patients also completed the Outcome Questionnaire-45.2 at the same time point and during the week prior to discharge.ResultsThe PWB dimensions of autonomy, positive relations, and self-acceptance were associated with clinically significant change, while the dimensions of personal growth and self-acceptance were associated with reliable change. The early therapeutic alliance showed both direct and indirect effects on therapy outcome, predicting clinically significant and reliable symptom reduction. It also emerged as a significant mediator in the relationship between all PWB dimensions and overall symptomatic change.ConclusionThe identification of individual, adaptive characteristics in ED patients that might influence their development of an early therapeutic alliance may help therapists to predict relationship ruptures and tailor their interventions to enhance treatment effectiveness.

Fatty Acids and Their Lipogenic Enzymes in Anorexia Nervosa Clinical Subtypes.

Disordered eating behavior differs between the restricting subtype (AN-R) and the binging and purging subtype (AN-BP) of anorexia nervosa (AN). Yet, little is known about how these differences impact fatty acid (FA) dysregulation in AN. To address this question, we analyzed 26 FAs and 7 FA lipogenic enzymes (4 desaturases and 3 elongases) in 96 women: 25 AN-R, 25 AN-BP, and 46 healthy control women. Our goal was to assess subtype-specific patterns. Lauric acid was significantly higher in AN-BP than in AN-R at the fasting timepoint (p = 0.038) and displayed significantly different postprandial changes 2 h after eating. AN-R displayed significantly higher levels of n-3 alpha-linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid, and n-6 linoleic acid and gamma-linolenic acid compared to controls. AN-BP showed elevated EPA and saturated lauric acid compared to controls. Higher EPA was associated with elevated anxiety in AN-R (p = 0.035) but was linked to lower anxiety in AN-BP (p = 0.043). These findings suggest distinct disordered eating behaviors in AN subtypes contribute to lipid dysregulation and eating disorder comorbidities. A personalized dietary intervention may improve lipid dysregulation and enhance treatment effectiveness for AN.

Anticancer Mechanism of Astragalus Polysaccharide and Its Application in Cancer Immunotherapy.

Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) derived from A. membranaceus plays a crucial role in traditional Chinese medicine. These polysaccharides have shown antitumor effects and are considered safe. Thus, they have become increasingly important in cancer immunotherapy. APS can limit the spread of cancer by influencing immune cells, promoting cell death, triggering cancer cell autophagy, and impacting the tumor microenvironment. When used in combination with other therapies, APS can enhance treatment outcomes and reduce toxicity and side effects. APS combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors, relay cellular immunotherapy, and cancer vaccines have broadened the application of cancer immunotherapy and enhanced treatment effectiveness. By summarizing the research on APS in cancer immunotherapy over the past two decades, this review elaborates on the anticancer mechanism of APS and its use in cancer immunotherapy and clinical trials. Considering the multiple roles of APS, this review emphasizes the importance of using APS as an adjunct to cancer immunotherapy and compares other polysaccharides with APS. This discussion provides insights into the specific mechanism of action of APS, reveals the molecular targets of APS for developing effective clinical strategies, and highlights the wide application of APS in clinical cancer therapy in the future.

Comprehensive analysis of the efficacy and safety of CAR T-cell therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Relapse/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (r/r B-ALL) represents paediatric cancer with a challenging prognosis. CAR T-cell treatment, considered an advanced treatment, remains controversial due to high relapse rates and adverse events. This study assessed the efficacy and safety of CAR T-cell therapy for r/r B-ALL. Methods The literature search was performed on four databases. Efficacy parameters included minimal residual disease negative complete remission (MRD-CR) and relapse rate (RR). Safety parameters constituted cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). Results Anti-CD22 showed superior efficacy with the highest MRD-CR event rate and lowest RR, compared to anti-CD19. Combining CAR T-cell therapy with haploidentical stem cell transplantation improved RR. Safety-wise, bispecific anti-CD19/22 had the lowest CRS rate, and anti-CD22 showed the fewest ICANS. Analysis of the costimulatory receptors showed that adding CD28ζ to anti-CD19 CAR T-cell demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing relapses with favorable safety profiles. Conclusion Choosing a more efficacious and safer CAR T-cell treatment is crucial for improving overall survival in acute leukaemia. Beyond the promising anti-CD22 CAR T-cell, exploring costimulatory domains and new CD targets could enhance treatment effectiveness for r/r B-ALL.

Bioengineered carbohydrate polymers for colon-specific drug release: Current trends and future prospects.

The worldwide health burden of colorectal cancer is still substantial, and traditional chemotherapeutic drugs sometimes have poor selectivity, which can result in systemic toxicity and unfavorable side effects. For colon-specific medication delivery, bioengineered carbohydrate polymers have shown promise as carriers. They may enhance treatment effectiveness while minimizing systemic exposure and associated side effects. The unique properties of these manufactured or naturally occurring biopolymers, such as hyaluronic acid, chitosan, alginate, and pectin, enable targeted medicine release. These qualities can be changed to meet the physiological needs of the colon. In the context of colorectal cancer therapy, this article provides a comprehensive overview of current developments and prospective future directions in the field of bioengineered carbohydrate polymer synthesis for colon-specific drug delivery. We discuss numerous techniques for achieving colon-targeted drug release, including enzyme-sensitive polymers, pH-responsive devices, and microbiota-activated processes. To increase tumor selectivity and cellular uptake, we also examine the inclusion of active targeting approaches, such as conjugating specific ligands. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of combination treatment strategies, which use the coadministration of numerous therapeutic medications to target multiple pathways implicated in cancer growth and address drug resistance mechanisms. We address recent biomimetic advances that potentially improve the biocompatibility, cellular uptake, and tumor penetration of carbohydrate polymer-based nanocarriers. These methods involve protein corona engineering and cell membrane coating. Furthermore, we look at the possibility of intelligent and sensitive systems that may adjust their behaviors in response to certain inputs or feedback loops, allowing for precise and regulated drug distribution.

Interventions Targeting Negative Mental Imagery in Social Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Characteristics and Outcomes.

Psychological treatment for social anxiety disorder (SAD) has been found to be less effective than for other anxiety disorders. Targeting the vivid and distressing negative mental images typically experienced by individuals with social anxiety could possibly enhance treatment effectiveness. To provide both clinicians and researchers with an overview of current applications, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the possibilities and effects of imagery-based interventions that explicitly target negative images in (sub)clinical social anxiety. Based on a prespecified literature search, we included 21 studies, of which 12 studies included individuals with a clinical diagnosis of SAD. Imagery interventions (k = 28 intervention groups; only in adults) generally lasted one or two sessions and mostly used imagery rescripting with negative memories. Others used eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and imagery exposure with diverse intrusive images. Noncontrolled effects on social anxiety, imagery distress and imagery vividness were mostly large or medium. Meta-analyses with studies with control groups resulted in significant medium controlled effects on social anxiety (d = -0.50, k = 10) and imagery distress (d = -0.64, k = 8) and a nonsignificant effect on imagery vividness. Significant controlled effects were most evident in individuals with clinically diagnosed versus subclinical social anxiety. Overall, findings suggest promising effects of sessions targeting negative mental images. Limitations of the included studies and the analyses need to be considered. Future research should examine the addition to current SAD treatments and determine the relevance of specific imagery interventions. Studies involving children and adolescents are warranted.

Bacterial profile, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and associated risk factors of urinary tract infection among pregnant women attending tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi

The study objective to enhance treatment effectiveness by assessing risk factors, bacterial profiles, and antimicrobial susceptibility of uropathogens in pregnant women. During the period from March 2023 to August 2023, we examined 210 urine samples obtained frompregnant women. The samples were subjected to uropathogens isolation, identification and susceptibility testing against thirteen antibiotic classes using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method, following standard procedures, to identify uropathogens in cases of significant bacteriuria. In our study there is no significant link found between age, educational level, socioeconomic status, and parity in relation to UTI during pregnancy. In 42% of the samples with significant bacteriuria, Escherichia coli emerged as the predominant uropathogens, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, in that order. E. coli displayed the greatest resistance to ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime, yet demonstrated high susceptibility to meropenem, imipenem, fosfomycin,and amikacin. Furthermore, a significant portion of K. pneumonia isolates exhibited resistance to ceftazidime and ciprofloxacin. For S. saprophytic, resistance was observed against penicillin and gentamicin, although they displayed 100% sensitivity to vancomycin and 81.2% sensitivity to Nitrofurantoin. The current study findings revealed that factors influencing pregnant women's UTI risk, include age, literacy, residence, multigravida, multipara, infection history, and trimester status. Access to clean water sources also played a role, highlighting the importance of addressing these variables in maternal health toreduce UTI incidence. Screening antenatal patients for UTIs is imperative, and it is advisable to conduct regular screenings for pregnant women. This practice helps monitor uropathogens sensitivity patterns and facilitates the development of antibiotic protocols based on local susceptibility data.

STING-deficiency in lung resident mesenchymal stromal cells contributes to the alleviation of LPS-induced lung injury

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by acute diffuse inflammatory lung injury with a high mortality rate. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are pluripotent adult cells that can be extracted from a variety of tissues, including the lung. Lung-resident MSC (LR-MSC) located around vascular vessels and act as important regulators of lung homeostasis, regulating the balance between lung injury and repair processes. LR-MSC support the integrity of lung tissue by modulating immune responses and releasing trophic factors. Studies have reported that the STING pathway is involved in the progression of lung injury inflammation, but the specific mechanism is unclear. In this study, we found that STING deficiency could ameliorate lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced acute lung injury, STING knockout (STING KO) LR-MSC had an enhanced treatment effect on acute lung injury. STING depletion protected LR-MSC from LPS-induced apoptosis. RNA-sequencing and Western blot results showed that STING KO LR-MSC expressed higher levels of MSC immunoregulatory molecules, such as Igfbp4, Icam1, Hgf and Cox2, than WT LR-MSC. This study highlights that LR-MSC have a therapeutic role in acute lung injury, and we demonstrate that STING deficiency can enhance the immunomodulatory function of LR-MSC in controlling lung inflammation. Thus, STING can be used as an intervention target to enhance the therapeutic effect of MSC.

Precision medicine for respiratory diseases: A current viewpoint.

In the realm of respiratory illnesses, despite the immense costs and efforts invested in diagnosis and treatment, numerous patients with chronic respiratory conditions or malignancies do not respond well to existing therapies. Delayed diagnoses and inadequate treatments contribute to these challenges, along with adverse reactions or treatment limitations due to side-effects. However, recent advancements in understanding respiratory diseases have paved the way for personalized medical treatments, considering individual genetic, molecular and environmental factors. Precision medicine, which accommodates individual differences in disease susceptibility and response to treatments, aims to improve patient care by aligning medical research with tailored therapies. Innovative technologies, such as genomic sequencing and biomarker identification contribute to this approach, allowing for customized treatments and the identification of effective therapies. Additionally, the application of precision medicine in lung cancer treatment exemplifies the forefront of individualized care within respiratory medicine. Several studies have explored the role of precision medicine in managing respiratory infectious diseases, asthma and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, aiming to categorize diseases more accurately and design targeted therapies. The ultimate goal is to enhance treatment effectiveness, minimize adverse events, and shift towards a patient-centered approach to managing respiratory conditions. Despite limitations, precision medicine holds promise for improving patient outcomes and emphasizing personalized care in respiratory medicine.

Group schema therapy versus group cognitive behavioral therapy for patients with social anxiety disorder and comorbid avoidant personality disorder: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPatients with social anxiety (SAD) and comorbid avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) are severely impaired. Group cognitive behavioral therapy (GCBT) is considered an effective treatment for SAD. More knowledge on treatment of SAD with comorbid AVPD is needed. Schema therapy, developed for personality and chronic mental disorders, may be a promising treatment. MethodsWe conducted a randomized controlled trial in an outpatient population (n = 154) with both SAD and AVPD. Group Schema Therapy (GST) and GCBT were compared on SAD symptoms (Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale) and manifestations of AVPD (Avoidant Personality Disorder Severity Index). ResultsIntention-to-treat analysis showed no significant differences between treatments at 3 months post-treatment and one-year follow-up. Both modalities led to significant and substantial improvements. No significant between-differences were found in depressive symptoms (Inventory of Depressive Symptoms) and quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF). Per-protocol analysis showed similar outcomes and no significant differences in recovery from SAD and AVPD. Significantly more patients completed GST. ConclusionGST and GCBT are valuable treatments for SAD with comorbid AVPD. The higher treatment retention in ST indicates ST is more acceptable than GCBT. Future studies should focus on enhancing treatment effects and improving retention to GCBT.

Predicting alcohol relapse post-detoxification: The role of cognitive impairments in alcohol use disorder patients.

Studies on early abstinence suggest that cognitive function is significantly reduced in the first year of abstinence, which raises the question of whether it is relevant to early relapse in patients with substance use disorders. This study investigates the extent to which impairments in executive function and memory predict alcohol relapse in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Understanding these relationships is crucial for improving therapeutic approaches to prevent relapse in patients with AUD. We selected 116 adult patients (79 male and 37 female) diagnosed with AUD based on DSM-5 criteria, all of whom were undergoing alcohol detoxification treatment. A comprehensive array of neuropsychological tests was administered to assess global cognition, memory, and executive functions. Patients' alcohol use was monitored monthly during a 6-month follow-up period. Logistic regression and Cox regression were used to explore the relationship between cognitive function and the likelihood of alcohol relapse. Impairments in global cognition, semantic and phonemic fluency, cognitive flexibility, and learning ability during detoxification were significant predictors of relapse in AUD patients, showing similar predictive values at both 3 and 6 months post-treatment. An abnormal Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score increased the risk of relapse by 123% (HR: 2.227), and impairments in both semantic and phonemic fluency each increased the risk by 142% (HR: 2.423). Additionally, abnormal performance on the MoCA, Trail Making Test Part B (TMT-B), and California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) was associated with a higher number of drinking days at 3 months (IRR: 3.764; IRR: 2.237; IRR: 2.738, respectively) and abnormal MoCA and TMT-B scores at 6 months (IRR: 2.451; IRR: 1.859, respectively). The MoCA test is a valuable tool for predicting relapse risk in AUD patients undergoing detoxification treatment, with similar predictive value for relapse at 3 or 6 months. Learning ability needs to be assessed and their impairments considered in the treatment of AUD patients.Future research should explore strategies for managing patients with impairments in memory and learning ability to enhance treatment effectiveness and prevent relapse.

The relation between usage of an eHealth intervention for stress urinary incontinence and treatment outcomes: an observational study

BackgroundStress urinary incontinence (SUI), though a prevalent condition among women, is undertreated in primary care. EHealth with pelvic floor muscle training is an evidence-based alternative to care-as-usual. It is unknown, however, how eHealth usage is related to treatment outcome, and this knowledge is required for general practitioners to implement eHealth in their practice. This study examines the relation between usage of eHealth for SUI and treatment outcomes by examining log data. Baseline factors were also explored for associations with treatment success.MethodIn this pre-post study, women with SUI participated in “Baasoverjeblaas.nl”, a web-based intervention translated from the Swedish internet intervention "Tät®-treatment of stress urinary incontinence". Usage was based on log data and divided into three user groups (low, intermediate and high). Online questionnaires were sent before, after treatment and at six-months follow-up. The relation between usage and the primary outcome − treatment success (PGI-) − was studied with a binomial logistic regression analysis. Changes in the secondary outcomes − symptom severity (ICIQ-UI SF) and quality of life (ICIQ-LUTSqol) − were studied per user group with linear mixed model analysis.ResultsIncluded were 515 users with a mean age of 50.5 years (12.0 SD). The majority were low users (n = 295, 57.3%). Treatment success (PGI-I) was reached by one in four women and was more likely in high and intermediate users than in low users (OR 13.2, 95% CI 6.1–28.5, p < 0.001 and OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.35–6.34, p = 0.007, respectively). Symptom severity decreased and quality of life improved significantly over time, especially among high users. The women’s expected ability to train their pelvic floor muscles and the frequency of pelvic floor muscle exercises at baseline were associated with treatment success.ConclusionThis study shows that usage of eHealth for SUI is related to all treatment outcomes. High users are more likely to have treatment success. Treatment success is more likely in women with higher expectations and pelvic floor muscle training at baseline. These findings indicate that general practitioners can select patients that would be more likely to benefit from eHealth treatment, and they can enhance treatment effect by stimulating eHealth usage.Trial registrationLandelijk Trial Register NL6570; https://onderzoekmetmensen.nl/nl/trial/25463.

Characteristics of Cancer Stem Cells and Their Potential Role in Endometrial Cancer.

Endometrial cancer is one of most common types of gynaecological tumours in developing countries. It has been suggested that cancer stem cells play an important role in the development of endometrial cancer. These are a subset of highly tumorigenic cells with similar features to normal stem cells (unlimited proliferation, multi-potential differentiation, self-renewal, aggressiveness, invasion, recurrence, and chemo- and endocrine therapy resistance). Wnt/β-catenin, Hedghog, and Notch1 are the most frequently activated pathways in endometrial cancer stem cells. The presence of cancer stem cells is associated with the resistance to chemotherapy caused by different mechanisms. Various markers, including CD24, CD40, CD44, CD9, CD133, and CD 166, have been identified on the surface of these cells. A higher expression of such markers translates into enhanced tumorigenicity. However, there is no strong evidence showing that any of these identified markers can be used as the universal marker for endometrial cancer stem cells. Growing data from genomic and proteomic profiling shed some light on the understanding of the molecular basis of cancers in humans and the role of cancer stem cells. However, there is much left to discover. Therefore, more studies are needed to fully uncover their functional mechanisms in order to prevent the development and recurrence of cancer, as well as to enhance treatment effectiveness.

The first-principles study of pure and doped g-CN nanosheet as a drug delivery system

Nanomaterials are increasingly being studied for their potential to serve as drug delivery systems that can transport anticancer drugs directly to tumor cells, thereby minimizing side effects and enhancing treatment effectiveness. This innovative application of nanotechnology holds significant promise in the field of biomedicine. Within the current piece of research, pure graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet (PC3NNS) and Si-doped C3NNS (C3NNS) were selected as a drug delivery system (DDS) for examining the distribution and bioavailability of 6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) on cancerous cells through the DFT. After doping the Si atom, the attributes of PC3NNS changed, thereby increasing the adhesion process of 6-MP. The adhesion energy of the Si@C3NNS was in the range of 5.5 eV, which demonstrated that it was highly stable. The current work demonstrated the poor adhesion of 6-MP on the PC3NNS with the adhesion energy of approximately −1.72 eV and −2.83 eV in water and gaseous phases respectively. The adhesion energy increased by around 96.21 % after the Si atom was doped on the PC3NNS. The non-covalent interaction (NCI) analysis and the reduced density gradient (RDG) map analysis were performed to examination the main interactions between nanosheet and drug. It was demonstrated that NCIs played a key role in the adhesion of 6-MP in the complex of 6-MP@Si-C3N. Moreover, the NCI analysis demonstrated the significant impact of van der Waals interactions upon the interactions between 6-MP and the nanosheets. The current work can provide insights into the application of C3NNSs as promising drug carriers for many drugs in targeted DDSs.

Clinical practice guideline on bladder cancer (Part III)

AbstractBladder cancer (BC) has become a significantly prevalent disease in China, with an incidence rate of 5.80 per 100 000 in 2015, ranking it as the thirteenth most common type of cancer within the nation. This illness presents a serious public health concern, highlighting the imperative need to unify the standards for diagnosis and treatment to improve patient outcomes. The section of the clinical practice guideline in question is dedicated to addressing muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and metastatic BC. The primary treatment strategies for MIBC are well‐defined: preoperative (neoadjuvant) chemotherapy combined with radical cystectomy stands as the conventional treatment protocol. For patients with locally advanced MIBC, integrating systemic and local therapies is advocated to enhance treatment effectiveness. In cases of metastatic BC, the focus shifts to systemic treatment supplemented by supportive care measures. The guideline also succinctly presents the pros and cons of various urinary diversion surgeries, which are critical considerations following radical cystectomy. It provides an in‐depth exploration of the treatment modalities for metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Additionally, this part delves into the integrated approach to treatment and the use of radiotherapy in bladder preservation for localized disease. Moreover, it offers a concise overview of the classification, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches for nonurothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Lastly, this part emphasizes the importance of recommended posttreatment follow‐up for MIBC patients to ensure comprehensive and ongoing care management.

Respiratory Exercise Solutions in Precision Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer

Objective: To study the intervention effect of incorporating respiratory motion solutions in precision radiotherapy for lung cancer. Methods: In the survey sample collected by the enterprise from 2022 to 2023, we selected 60 patients for sample study. They were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups received precision radiotherapy. The control group (n=30) received health education to help patients understand the importance of cervical radiotherapy for lung cancer. The observation group (n=30) received resistance respiratory training and lung function training. The lung function indicators, Piper fatigue scale, cancer-related quality of life score, and symptom score were compared before and after intervention in both groups. Results: Before intervention, there were no significant differences in lung function indicators, Piper fatigue scale, cancer-related quality of life score between the two groups (P&gt;0.05). After intervention, the lung function indicators, Piper fatigue scale, and cancer-related quality of life score were significantly better in the observation group than in the control group (P&lt;0.05). The observation group also had a lower symptom score than the control group (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Incorporating resistance respiratory training and lung function training during precision radiotherapy for lung cancer can improve respiratory motion, enhance treatment effectiveness, and improve lung function. These findings are worth promoting.

Component-resolved diagnosis of tree pollen allergen: identify key allergens to develop treatment plans

With the increasing global prevalence of tree pollen allergies, there has been a significant impact on the quality of life for populations. In North and Central China, birch pollen, cypress pollen, and plane tree pollen are the most common allergens for springtime pollen allergy sufferers. The distribution of plants and patterns of pollen transmission in different geographical areas result in varying pollen exposure outcomes, further complicating the challenges in diagnosis and individualized treatment. This article delves into the research progress and clinical application of tree pollen allergies based on the "Molecular Allergology User's Guide 2.0 (MAUG 2.0) " published by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI). It discusses major allergen families and component proteins of tree pollen such as PR-10 proteins, profilins, polcalcins, as well as cross-reactive components that may cause pollen-food allergy syndrome. Allergen component diagnostics can distinguish true allergy sufferers from those with multiple allergen reactions, enabling more targeted selection of allergens for specific immunotherapy, thus enhancing treatment effectiveness. Bet v 1 and Cup a 1, for instance, are specific indicators for immunotherapy in birch and cypress allergy patients. Overall, this article provides cutting-edge information for professionals in the field of tree pollen allergies, offering in-depth exploration of tree pollen allergen component proteins, clinical manifestations, and treatment-related research, aiding in better understanding and addressing the challenges of tree pollen allergies.

Enhancement of the antitumor effect of cisplatin and ginsenoside Rg3 by encapsulation in polylactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles

Purpose: To develop dual-loaded polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) with two chemotherapeutic agents, i.e., cisplatin (DDP) and 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3(Rg3), and to evaluate the drug release profiles and synergistic inhibitory effects of the nanoparticles on lung cancer A549 cells.Methods: The dual-laden PLGA NPs were synthesized using modified emulsion and solvent vaporization procedures. Drug loading (DL) and efficacy of co-encapsulation (EE) were determined with a modification of column elution technique. The cytotoxic and inhibitory effects of individual and combined drugs on A549 lung cancer cells were evaluated using MTT assay.Results: A sustained pattern of drug release was shown by PLGA/DDP, PLGA/Rg3, and PLGA/DDP+Rg3. The formulated PLGA and unbound drugs exerted dose- and time-reliant cytotoxic effects on A549 cells. At all concentrations tested, drugs encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles were more effective in killing the cells than the free drugs (p &lt; 0.05). In particular, PLGA/DDP + Rg3 formulation produced a synergistic inhibitory effect on the proliferation of A549 cells.Conclusion: Single- and dual-load PLGA groups display variabilities in profiles of drug release and in vitro cytotoxic effect. Furthermore, dual-load PLGA group produces significantly enhanced treatment effect. These results suggest that PLGA formulations hold great potential for future drug delivery.

Application of low-frequency electrostatic therapy in respiratory system diseases

The question of enhancing treatment effectiveness in managing respiratory diseases based on physiotherapeutic methods remains highly relevant. We consider the possibility of using pulsed low-frequency electrostatic massage therapy in the rehabilitation treatment of patients with chronic obstructive heart disease, bronchial asthma, pneumonia, and cystic fibrosis. The biological action and therapeutic effects of low-frequency electrostatic therapy are presented. Effects of low-frequency electrostatic therapy on muscle tone, as well as its decongestion, trophic, and regenerative action, are demonstrated. The mechanisms of pathogenetic action in respiratory pathologies require further research and elucidation.