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Assistive Technology : the Official... Sep 2022The painful interventions and invasive procedures associated with pediatric cancer treatment can result in anxiety. Anxiety can be reduced or better controlled through... (Review)
Review
The painful interventions and invasive procedures associated with pediatric cancer treatment can result in anxiety. Anxiety can be reduced or better controlled through distraction and thought retraining. Although art therapy, non-electronic play therapy, music therapy, and traditional counseling are often used to alleviate stress and anxiety, new technology innovations are proving to be additional options to decrease stress and anxiety through distraction and attention shifting. Tablet-based interventions are emerging as an easily available and effective means of reducing stress and fear prior to operations, and have potential applications to reduce anxiety for patients before receiving chemotherapy, during time spent in hospital rooms, and while experiencing distressing physiological symptoms. This paper reviews the research on tablet therapy and discusses the application of assistive technologies in clinical oncology settings to reduce pediatric anxiety throughout the treatment process.
Topics: Anxiety; Child; Humans; Medical Oncology; Music Therapy; Neoplasms; Self-Help Devices
PubMed: 33544063
DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2021.1884919 -
Recent Patents on Anti-cancer Drug... 2023Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most widely spread tumor among the human population. It is usually adenocarcinomatous and develops as a polyp on the inner wall of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most widely spread tumor among the human population. It is usually adenocarcinomatous and develops as a polyp on the inner wall of the colon or rectum which may become malignant with time. Though its treatment is limited, its early diagnosis and prevention play a better role, thereby decreasing mortality rates.
OBJECTIVE
The molecular markers in CRC-affected tissues may play an important role to develop novel strategies to cure the disease. Nanotechnology consists of both an innovative diagnostic and therapeutic array of nanomaterials that may be used to target CRC like dendrimers, carbon nanotubes, nanoparticles, nano-emulsions, etc. Methods: Current patents and research covering the nanotechnology used to target and diagnose CRC is included in the review.
RESULTS
Nanotechnology is playing a wonderful role in both the treatment and diagnosis of CRC.
CONCLUSION
The present review may cover the recent advancements in nanotechnology in the treatment and diagnosis of CRC.
Topics: Humans; Drug Delivery Systems; Nanotubes, Carbon; Patents as Topic; Nanotechnology; Nanoparticles; Colorectal Neoplasms
PubMed: 36221866
DOI: 10.2174/1574892817666221011094619 -
Psychotherapy Research : Journal of the... Mar 2021We explore state of the art machine learning based tools for automatic facial and linguistic affect analysis to allow easier, faster, and more precise quantification...
We explore state of the art machine learning based tools for automatic facial and linguistic affect analysis to allow easier, faster, and more precise quantification and annotation of children's verbal and non-verbal affective expressions in psychodynamic child psychotherapy. The sample included 53 Turkish children: 41 with internalizing, externalizing and comorbid problems; 12 in the non-clinical range. We collected audio and video recordings of 148 sessions, which were manually transcribed. Independent raters coded children's expressions of pleasure, anger, sadness and anxiety using the Children's Play Therapy Instrument (CPTI). Automatic facial and linguistic affect analysis modalities were adapted, developed, and combined in a system that predicts affect. Statistical regression methods (linear and polynomial regression) and machine learning techniques (deep learning, support vector regression and extreme learning machine) were used for predicting CPTI affect dimensions. Experimental results show significant associations between automated affect predictions and CPTI affect dimensions with small to medium effect sizes. Fusion of facial and linguistic features work best for pleasure predictions; however, for other affect predictions linguistic analyses outperform facial analyses. External validity analyses partially support anger and pleasure predictions. The system enables retrieving affective expressions of children, but needs improvement for precision.
Topics: Affect; Anxiety; Child; Humans; Play Therapy; Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic
PubMed: 33148118
DOI: 10.1080/10503307.2020.1839141 -
Seminars in Cancer Biology Nov 2022The intricate cross-talks between tumor cells and their microenvironment play a key role in cancer progression and resistance to treatment. In recent years, targeting... (Review)
Review
The intricate cross-talks between tumor cells and their microenvironment play a key role in cancer progression and resistance to treatment. In recent years, targeting pro-tumorigenic components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) has emerged as a tantalizing strategy to improve the efficacy of standard-of-care (SOC) treatments, particularly for hard-to-treat cancers such as glioblastoma. In this review, we explore how the distinct microenvironmental niches characteristic of the glioblastoma TME shape response to therapy. In particular, we delve into the interplay between tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and glioblastoma cells within angiogenic and hypoxic niches, and interrogate their dynamic co-evolution upon SOC therapies that fuels malignancy. Resolving the complexity of therapy-induced alterations in the glioblastoma TME and their impact on disease relapse is a stepping stone to identify targetable pro-tumorigenic pathways and TAM subsets, and may open the way to efficient combination therapies that will improve clinical outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Glioblastoma; Tumor Microenvironment; Macrophages; Carcinogenesis; Hypoxia
PubMed: 35569742
DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.05.003 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2022Play as a therapeutic strategy can help to improve daily functioning in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Play-based intervention can thus be... (Review)
Review
Play as a therapeutic strategy can help to improve daily functioning in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Play-based intervention can thus be an optimal option for treatment of this population. Our aim was to describe play-based interventions used in children and adolescents with ASD. We conducted a scoping review. A peer-reviewed literature search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases. We included experimental studies which analyzed play-based interventions in children and adolescents with ASD, which were published in English/Spanish with full text available. We used three tables elaborated a priori to perform data extraction by two authors. Fifteen studies were included, mostly conducted in Australia and published during the past 10 years. Play-based intervention was categorized into three groups: new technologies, symbolic play or official techniques. Interventions lasted approximately 11 weeks, contained one weekly session of 30-60 min and were delivered by parents and teachers. Play-based interventions using new technologies were the most used. Intervention duration and number of sessions varied between articles. Further studies are needed to create play-based intervention protocols which can be implemented in clinical practice with children and adolescents with ASD, thus promoting evidence-based interventions in this field.
PubMed: 36138664
DOI: 10.3390/children9091355 -
Current Pain and Headache Reports Feb 2024To review the diagnosis of vestibular migraine (VM) and update the clinician on the most recent developments in our understanding of its pathophysiology and treatment. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To review the diagnosis of vestibular migraine (VM) and update the clinician on the most recent developments in our understanding of its pathophysiology and treatment.
RECENT FINDINGS
Functional imaging studies have identified multiple regions of the brain with abnormal activity and connectivity in VM. There is evidence of abnormal sensory processing and integration in VM patients. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has also been found to play a role in trigeminal and vestibular nucleus pathways. Research into treatment modalities has identified several neuromodulation devices that may be effective in VM. There are a growing number of evidence-based preventive options for VM, including medications that target CGRP. VM is best understood as a sensory processing disorder. CGRP appears to play a role, and further research is needed to fully understand its effects. Treatment options are expanding, but there is still a need for more randomly controlled trials in this area.
Topics: Humans; Vestibular Diseases; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; Vertigo; Migraine Disorders; Brain
PubMed: 37889468
DOI: 10.1007/s11916-023-01182-7 -
Journal of the American Pharmacists... 2021This commentary provides a background on gene therapy and identifies a critical gap in pharmacy practice education. The history and handling of gene therapy is...
This commentary provides a background on gene therapy and identifies a critical gap in pharmacy practice education. The history and handling of gene therapy is contextualized with current pharmacy practice. With the increasing numbers of gene and cell-based therapies approaching the market, the need for appropriate training is greater than ever. There are few gene therapy training resources for pharmacists, and gene therapies require complex handing and administration. Pharmacists play a vital role in bringing new therapies to health care institutions and training other health care providers. Pharmacy organizations and health systems should work to develop gene therapy training resources for health-system pharmacists.
Topics: Genetic Therapy; Humans; Pharmaceutical Services; Pharmacies; Pharmacists; Pharmacy; Professional Role
PubMed: 33342748
DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2020.11.018 -
American Journal of Psychoanalysis Sep 2021In this paper, the author explores and attempts to clarify the roles of negative capability, play and the negative in psychoanalysis. Using clinical material to...
In this paper, the author explores and attempts to clarify the roles of negative capability, play and the negative in psychoanalysis. Using clinical material to illustrate what occurs in the consulting room with and without negative capability he discusses why, in his view, it is the indispensable medium for play. Using terminology inspired by Bion, the author explains why he regards the negative as a source of richness for analytic work. He concludes by discussing André Green's "Work on the Negative."
Topics: Humans; Male; Polymers; Psychoanalysis; Psychoanalytic Theory; Psychoanalytic Therapy
PubMed: 34282260
DOI: 10.1057/s11231-021-09307-w -
Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology Apr 2024The management of any injury in elite athletes poses unique challenges distinct from the general population because the goal is rapid recovery and return to play (RTP)... (Review)
Review
The management of any injury in elite athletes poses unique challenges distinct from the general population because the goal is rapid recovery and return to play (RTP) while simultaneously managing residual symptoms and minimizing risk of reinjury. The time required for treatment, recovery, and return to peak performance can have consequences for both the athlete and his or her team: financial implications, psychological stressors, team dynamics, and future performance. RTP after an injury in the professional athlete requires a complex decision-making process with many stakeholders. Several factors influence this decision, not the least of which is the type and mechanism of injury. This article provides an overview of the RTP process including nonmedical factors that may influence this decision, common injuries seen in professional athletes, injury patterns particular to certain popular sports, and imaging guidelines for such injuries.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Athletes; Athletic Injuries; Forecasting; Return to Sport; Sports
PubMed: 38484763
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1778028 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2019Neutrophils are the most abundant population of white blood cells in the human circulation. They are terminally differentiated myeloid cells which were traditionally... (Review)
Review
Neutrophils are the most abundant population of white blood cells in the human circulation. They are terminally differentiated myeloid cells which were traditionally associated with fighting infections and inflammatory processes. While this perception of neutrophils is still widely prevalent, in the past decade it has become clear that neutrophils also play a critical role in tumor growth and progression. The unique tumor microenvironment, consisting of the non-malignant stroma that surrounds tumor cells, is shaped by numerous cues emanating from both tumor cells and stromal cells which support the growing tumor. Various immune cells, including neutrophils, make up a significant proportion of the tumor stroma. Immune cells exist for the protection of the host against various threats including the detection and elimination of cancerous cells. However, in the context of cancer immune cells are often coerced into a tumor supportive phenotype. This is also the case for neutrophils, which are often described to possess tumor promoting properties and to associate with poorer prognosis. The fact that neutrophils may contribute to tumor growth and progression suggests they may be targets for anti-cancer therapies. This review discusses the various functions neutrophils may play in cancer and the possibility of targeting these functions as a novel mode of immunotherapy.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Lymphocytes; Neoplasms; Neutrophils
PubMed: 31379884
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01710