Unconventional Treatment Methods Research Articles

The Oncolytic Effect of an Iraqi Newcastle Disease Virus Attenuated Strain (AMHA1) Against Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Objective: The most recent World Health Organization statistics show that colorectal cancer is the third foremost cause of death by cancer among Iraqis. It has become necessary to search and develop novel and unconventional treatment methods. Oncolytic virotherapy is one of the innovative cancer therapeutics that showed to be safe and selective and there is increased efforts in the recent years to move them to clinic. For the reason we were developing our Iraqi strain of oncolytic NDV to fight colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: This study tested the killing rate of Iraqi strain of Newcastle disease virus (AMHA1) on colorectal cancer cells and testing the safety on normal cells. The virus tittered using vero cells, and then the cytotoxic effect of the virus on both types of cells was determined using the crystal violet assay. Finally, we performed a morphological analysis using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: Newcastle disease virus 0.3 MOI causes significant cytotoxicity with prominent cytopathic effect in the colorectal cancer cell line HRT-18G with 50% percentage of growth inhibition, but not in the normal human fibroblast (NHF) percentage of growth inhibition where it was less than 20%. Conclusion oncolytic NDV AMHA1 strain effective against colorectal cancer cells because it has selectivity in replication and safety profile.

An overview of the molecular and physiological antidepressant mechanisms of physical exercise in animal models of depression.

Depression is a global disease that affects the physical and mental health of people of all ages. Non-pharmacological and unconventional methods of treatment, such as regular physical exercise, have been recommended to treat depression. Here, we briefly review the literature about the physiological and molecular mechanisms of exercise antidepressants in depressive-like behavior in animal models of depression. The main hysiological and molecular mechanisms of physical exercise in depression include blood flow changes in several areas of the brain, increase in brain serotonin synthesis, increase in antioxidant enzymes, increase in serum and brain brain-derived neuro factor (BDNF) levels, decrease in cortisol levels and reduced inflammation in peripheral and brain tissues. Physical exercise also leads to increased activation of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), PGC-1α/FNDC5/Irisin pathway, BDNF concentrations (serum and cerebral), extracellular signal-regulated kinase and cAMP-response element binding protein (mainly in neurons of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex), which together contribute to fight or inhibit the development of depression symptoms. These molecular and physiological mechanisms work in synchrony, further enhancing their effects. Physical exercise can be used as a safe and effective non-pharmacological treatment in depression.

Patterns of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Saudi Arabian Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) concerns a group of chronic autoimmune diseases that results in uncontrolled inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which can lead to long-term complications. Conventional treatments for IBD usually target inflammation and include biologics and immunosuppressants, which have been associated with significant adverse effects. Also, non-response to biologics has been reported in up to 50% of patients. Hence, patients sometimes turn to unconventional methods of treatment, such as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). In this study, we examine patterns of CAM use in Saudi patients diagnosed with IBD.Materials and methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with IBD who were seen at the outpatient gastroenterology clinic between January 2018 and December 2019. Adult patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) were identified and surveyed. Clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, radiologic, and histologic data were collected. The patients completed a detailed questionnaire focusing on CAM use. Descriptive statics, quantitative variables, means, standard deviations (SDs), and minimum and maximum values or medians with interquartile ranges were used where appropriate; for qualitative variables, we reported frequencies. The prevalence of CAM use was calculated using standard prevalence formulae. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors for CAM use. A p-value of <0.05 was set as statistically significant.ResultsA total of 71 IBD patients were surveyed, of which 75% had CD. Severe symptoms were reported by 54% of patients, and 41% were receiving biological treatment; 90% of this cohort reported using some form of CAM, of which 78% used them within the past year, and 52% reported CAM treatment having a positive effect. Of note, 63% of patients reported using CAM therapy without the knowledge of their treating physician. The most common source of advice regarding the use of CAM medicine was relatives (66%), and the most common forms of CAM used were honey (62%), Zamzam water (54%), and physical activity (32%). Binary logistic regression analysis identified watery diarrhea (OR=5.7, 95% CI=1.0-31, P=0.04) and azathioprine (OR=18.1, 95% CI=1.3-255, P=0.03) as predictors of CAM use.ConclusionsCAM use is very common in Saudi patients with IBD. The majority of patients seem to turn to CAM if their symptoms are severe. They generally appear to be influenced by culture, the Internet, local society, and family tradition in their decision to use CAM, rather than expert advice from their treating physician.

Refractory Vasospastic Angina: When Typical Medications Don't Work

Vasospastic angina (VSA) is defined as spasm of the coronaries leading to transient constriction and eventual myocardial ischemia. VSA is treated typically with calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) and nitrates. However, there are times when the vasospasm is refractory to typical medications. When this occurs, unconventional treatment modalities may be employed for symptomatic relief. We present a case of a 48-year-old-male with a history of inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) status post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent (DES) to the distal right coronary artery (RCA), who presented with recurrent angina. The pain was described as pressure-like, substernal, radiating to both arms, and similar to his previous STEMI presentation. On presentation to the emergency room, he had an elevated serum troponin with no electrocardiogram (EKG) changes. He was taken to the cath lab where it was found that he revealed severe focal stenosis just proximal to the previously placed stent. Immediately after guidewire passage into the RCA, acute vasospasm developed, resulting in diffuse, severe stenosis, extending over previously normal segments to the proximal RCA, resolving with intracoronary nicardipine and nitroglycerin, including the initial focal stenosis. The patient was diagnosed with VSA. Unfortunately, despite optimal medical therapy, he developed refractory VSA, requiring the use of unconventional treatment methods. Our patient presented with a lesser-known phenomenon called refractory VSA, where intermittent vasospasm continues despite being on a combination of two medications. Treatment for VSA is well-documented, however, little data is available for refractory VSA.

Prognostic Value of Knowledge of Cancer and Used Unconventional Therapy Methods on Quality of Life in Advanced, Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in Clinical Practice.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy in the world and the second cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite the search for new therapeutic agents, there are still many doubts concerning the quality of life (QOL) improvement in palliative patients. In this study, we assessed the impact of oncology knowledge on QOL and the relationship between QOL and various environmental factors and unconventional treatment methods in patients with CRC treated with chemotherapy and targeted therapy. The results of first-line palliative chemotherapy in 330 patients with colorectal cancer treated between January 2010 and December 2016 in two centers were analyzed. The average age of patients was 66 ± 11.7years. Median survival time was 25months. In multivariate analysis, the performance status and response to treatment had a significant effect on survival time. A trend towards shorter survival was also observed in patients receiving 5-FU monotherapy, in elderly patients and in patients with less oncology knowledge. A relationship between general quality of life and performance status (PS 0 vs. PS > 0), response to treatment and oncology knowledge was found. Patients with limited oncology knowledge more often used unconventional therapy methods in parallel with the treatment. In patients over 70years of age and in patients with worse overall condition, 5-FU monotherapy was more commonly used (p < 0.01). The level of oncology knowledge of the treated patients observed in everyday clinical practice may be related to some parameters of treatment effectiveness assessment, such as QOL and may be related to the use of unconventional treatment methods. Those, in turn may have an impact on the QOL of the treated patients.

COMPLEMENTARY VERSUS CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE IN CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: CASE REPORT

INTRODUCTION: Patients with chronic disease, including carpal tunnel syndrome more and more often face any kind of treatment (e. g. complementary medicine) and are trying to find help in any levels of healthcare system. CASE REPORT: A 54-year-old female patient who worked on a cruised ship as a confectioner visited Medical University of Varna and University Centre of Eastern Medicine of Varna with the following complaints: hyperesthesia, neuropathic pain in the areas of wrist, palm and fingers, sleep disorder, and anxiety. These symptoms aggravated at night as the pain spread towards the elbow and shoulder, which led to disability, reduced function in daily-life activities and impaired quality of life. Immobilization with orthosis was conducted. The patient disembarked in Brazil, where she underwent an examination and еlectroneurography (ENG) and was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. After a few unsuccessful attempts of self-medication care and negative psychological attitude towards conventional medicine, the patient searched for treatment at Medical University of Varna and University Centre of Eastern Medicine of Varna. Tinel`s test and Phalen`s test were positive. Diagnostic mobilization nerves tests and manual muscle testing were carried out. A complex of unconventional methods of treatment was applied to the patient. CONCLUSION: Holistic approach to the patient along with the three dimensions of the human health are a proof that complementary medicine could be another possibility for a long-term and preventive treatment to patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Unconventional methods of treatment as a part of the holistic approach in the management of the chronic invalidating disease

The growing number of chronically polymorbid ill patients is definitely connected with the progress of conventional medicine and the increase in life expectancy. This poses a lot of challenges in front of traditional methods of treatment, which undoubtedly take part in the acute and decompensated phases of the disease. The long life with a chronically polymorbid state leads to disability and low quality of life. The patients are forced to face and search other ways which can contribute to their return to active and independent life. With the help of unconventional therapy, they find a wide range of methods for complete influence upon the three components of health yet with insignificant and short-lasting side effects. The expectations of citizens and society in the next years are going to direct inevitably towards unconventional methods of treatment as an opportunity to improve holistic health. The Bulgarian legislation obliges some of the unconventional methods of holistic therapy to be practised only by doctors who have passed training and acquired qualification for their use. The research shows that it is necessary to revise the regulation urgently regarding its adaptation to the latest changes in the Law of Health in order to face the needs of chronically ill patients.

Unconventional Methods of Thermomechanical Treatment of Tool Steel

Tool steels are traditional materials whose heat treatment routes are well-established. Despite that fact, unconventional treatment methods can be used, for instance for refining chromium carbides and general strengthening of the structure. One of the methods that considerably alter microstructure is semi-solid processing. By means of passing through the semi-solid state, the X210Cr12 steel (CSN 19436) developed a microstructure of polyhedral austenite grains embedded in a carbide network. Forming of this material at an appropriate temperature led to recrystallization of the austenitic microstructure and to uniform distribution of carbides with a size of approximately 2 μm. By varying the rate of subsequent cooling, microstructures ranging from austenite to martensite could be obtained.

Electroacupuncture on a Patient with Pacemaker: A Case Report

Electroacupuncture (EA) is commonly used for pain relief, with good results even in persistent chronic pain. However, published reports suggest that EA should not be used in patients who have pacemaker, since there is a theoretical risk of malfunction of the pacemaker. The case is described of a 50-year-old female patient, who has had severe low back pain resistant both to conventional and unconventional treatment methods. The only treatment that seemed to have some positive effect, but of extremely short duration, was acupuncture. Her condition deteriorated considerably, and after due consideration she was treated with EA. Even after the first EA treatment, the patient's condition improved. Since then, she has received many EA courses during the past 2 years without any complications or side effects. The results of this case study suggest that EA might be a safe alternative for patients with a pacemaker, confirming the current recommendations on use. Every patient should be considered with care, individually.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome—Classification, Diagnosis, and Treatment: Meager Result

The unsatisfactory result of two decades’ research and 8000 reviewed literature citations is that fibromyalgia is a functional disorder, whose right to exist is simply due to the fact that it is not identical with a somatoform disorder. The guideline committee, in evaluating the literature, decided to declare the “tender points” that were previously required for defining a diagnosis of fibromyalgia as optional. This echoes the spectacular 2003 editorial by Wolfe (1), among others, which concludes that tender points are inappropriate for the definition of the disorder. If the definition was soft before it has now liquefied completely, and it seems even less likely than before that any attempts to formulate criteria for the distinction from a somatoform disorder will be unsuccessful. The fact that all the medications that are known to be effective are all psychotropic substances fits in with this scenario. This postulate does obviously not require any further proof from its champions, and the demand for “empirical testing” of the identity of both disorders is at its core nothing other than an elegant reversal of the burden of proof. Unconventional treatment methods that have failed in the individual test are now recommended as part of the “multimodal complex treatment.” This is the consensus of experts who rely on proofs whose methodology—for this result—would be worth questioning. The guidelines contain many further ambiguities (2). The concept of fibromyalgia, whether as a syndrome or not, has proved to be fruitless and should be abandoned. This would not be the first time in medical history: –vegetative dystonia is another entity that no one ever mentions any more.

Vergleichende Untersuchungen zu verschiedenen Möglichkeiten der Vergütung von Holz gegenüber holzzerstörenden Pilzen: Teil 2: Diffusionswiderstand, Wasseraufnahme und Verhalten bei Freibewitterung | Comparative examination of various possibilities of tempering wood to withstand destructive fungi. Part 2: Vapour resistance, water absorption and effect of outdoor exposure (reviewed paper)

Traditional, unconventional wood treatment methods were tested in comparison with commercially available wood protection products on thermically tempered spruce. Unconventional treatment methods were found to be no better regarding vapour resistance, water absorption or outdoor weathering.

Unconventional treatment methods in Turkish migraine sufferers

We wanted to document Turkish migraine sufferers’ unconventional therapy methods learnt from their social environment and discuss the historical background and possible action mechanisms of these methods. Unconventional therapy methods were documented among 482 migraine patients who consulted Kocaeli University Medical Faculty, Neurology Department’s “Headache outpatient clinic”. Among 482 migraine patients, 154 sufferers (31.9%) had been using unconventional therapy methods. Among these patients, the most frequently used methods were using a head bandage (25.9%), applying cold water to head (23.4%), massage (16.2%), applying ice to head (15.6%), taking a hot or warm bath (10.4%) and inserting sliced vegetables under the head bandage (7.8%). However, our data may not represent all Turkish migraine sufferers as our sample was drawn from a clinical sample living in the most western part of Anatolia, the city of Kocaeli bordering Istanbul. Determining the efficacy of these methods was beyond our aim; however, a more systematic study about the given case may be even more interesting.

Psycho-onkologische Nachsorge - Besteht ein Bedarf am Tumorzentrum?

In an ongoing study at the department of gynaecology and obstetrics of Heidelberg University Hospital, 200 patients of the oncological outpatient department have so far been interviewed about how they experienced their illness, their therapy, the success of treatment and the after-care. An interim analysis of the questionnaires produced the following results: 1. Most patients (84%) judge the success of their treatment to be good or very good and place themselves in the upper sector of the scale of quality of life. 2. The time of diagnosis was indicated to have been the hardest period during the illness. 3. When evaluating different forms of treatment, hormone treatment has been described by most of the patients as having been well tolerated, whereas chemotherapy has been rated low (some even discontinued 5.1%). 4. Most of the assistance in coping with the disease seems to have come from the patients' families; however, some described their families as a burden during the illness. 5. Only less than half of the patients (44.2%) seem to have been able to satisfactorily discuss their psychological burdens during the after-care. 6. Most of the patients (77.5%) would like the hospital to look more after psychological problems of cancer patients. 7. Most patients would like to speak about the topics of self-esteem as a woman, happiness, competitiveness, unconventional methods of treatment and fear. 8. The majority of respondents (80%) would prefer a constant counterpart (doctor, nurse) for the oncological after-care. More cases will be necessary to analyse the effects of age, education, and type of cancer (mamma/genital, low/high risk) of the questionnaire results.

Unconventional methods of pulsed-periodic ion-beam and ion-plasma treatment of materials

The article reviews studies on the development of new methods of ion treatment of materials. New approaches are considered to multielement implantation on the basis of pulsed-periodic formation of composition-controlled ion fluxes. Various ways of obtaining high implant concentrations and forming thick and thin coatings by pulsed-periodic irradiation of materials with with ion beams and plasma streams alternating in time are discussed. Unconventional methods of treatment of inside surfaces of products are considered.