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Alternative Therapies in Health and... Jun 2024To explore the clinical efficacy of modified Yiwei Shengyang Decoction combined with FOLFOX4 chemotherapy regimen in patients with advanced gastric cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the clinical efficacy of modified Yiwei Shengyang Decoction combined with FOLFOX4 chemotherapy regimen in patients with advanced gastric cancer.
METHODS
Ninety patients with advanced gastric cancer, admitted to Cangzhou Central Hospital from January 2021 to December 2022, were randomized 1:1 into control and study groups. The control group received FOLFOX4 chemotherapy alone, while the study group received additional modified Yiwei Shengyang Decoction. Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom scores (TCM symptoms refer to the signs and manifestations of imbalances or disharmony within the body according to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. These symptoms are assessed and diagnosed based on a holistic understanding of the individual's physical, mental, and emotional state. TCM symptoms may include various indicators such as pulse characteristics, tongue appearance, body temperature, complexion, energy levels, sleep patterns, appetite, digestion, pain, and specific subjective experiences reported by the patient, such as fatigue, anxiety, or insomnia), gastric cancer biomarkers such as serum CEA and CA199 levels, immune function, clinical efficacy, and side effects were compared.
RESULTS
Before treatment, both groups had similar TCM symptom scores. Post-treatment, the study group showed significantly greater reductions in appetite, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea scores compared to the control group (P < .001). After treatment, CEA and CA199 levels decreased significantly in both groups, with the study group exhibiting significantly lower levels than the control group (P = .001, .001). Post-treatment, CD3+ and CD4+ levels were higher in the study group, while CD8+ levels were lower than in the control group (P < .001). Treatment efficiency was significantly higher in the study group (62.33%) than in the control group (37.78%) (P = .02).
CONCLUSION
Modified Yiwei Shengyang Decoction combined with FOLFOX4 chemotherapy regimen is a promising option for patients with gastric cancer. It significantly improves immune indicators and appetite, reduces adverse symptoms including epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and substantially enhances quality of life. Moreover, traditional Chinese medicine treatment is safe and merits promotion in clinics.
PubMed: 38904637
DOI: No ID Found -
European Journal of Physical and... Jun 2024Individuals with persistent impairments due to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can receive pulmonary rehabilitation in Germany. To date, there is no evidence of the...
BACKGROUND
Individuals with persistent impairments due to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can receive pulmonary rehabilitation in Germany. To date, there is no evidence of the medium- or long-term effects of pulmonary rehabilitation on Long COVID.
AIM
This study examined changes in health and occupational outcomes over time and described the therapeutic content of pulmonary rehabilitation and aftercare. This analysis also compared two rehabilitation groups after COVID-19 who had different levels of access to rehabilitation.
DESIGN
Longitudinal observational study with multicenter and prospective data collection.
SETTING
Pulmonary rehabilitation in four different rehabilitation facilities in Germany.
POPULATION
Individuals with a mild course of disease and long-lasting impairments (inpatient rehabilitation, IR) and patients with a severe course after hospitalization (follow-up rehabilitation, FuR). Participants had to be between 18 and 65 years of age.
METHODS
Written questionnaires were administered at the beginning and end of rehabilitation, as well as six and twelve months after rehabilitation. Health-related quality of life (HrQoL), fatigue, participation restrictions, COVID-19 symptoms, mental and physical health were assessed, as well as occupational outcomes and questions about rehabilitation and aftercare.
RESULTS
IR patients were predominantly female (68.0%) and 52 years of age on average, while 66.1% of Long COVID rehabilitees in FuR were male and three years older. Over the course of rehabilitation, most COVID-19 symptoms decreased with statistical significance. The subjective health scales showed improvements with medium to large effect sizes (ES) over time in IR (P<0.01; ES between 0.55 (cognitive fatigue) and 1.40 (physical fatigue)) and small to large effects in FuR (P<0.01; ES between 0.45 (anxiety) and 1.32 (physical fatigue)). One year after rehabilitation, most effects remained at a moderate level. After twelve months, an increase in neurocognitive symptoms was observed in FuR patients. More than 80% of employed people returned to work one year after rehabilitation, although FuR patients returned to work a median of four weeks later (P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
The comparative analysis showed that rehabilitees in different forms of rehabilitation attended rehabilitation with different impairments and rehabilitation goals, which are partly considered in treatment and aftercare.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT
To provide needs-based rehabilitation to different rehabilitation groups with Long COVID, knowledge of their health histories and preferences is necessary.
PubMed: 38903009
DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.24.08207-8 -
Nature Reviews. Disease Primers Jun 2024Millions of people visit high-altitude regions annually and more than 80 million live permanently above 2,500 m. Acute high-altitude exposure can trigger high-altitude... (Review)
Review
Millions of people visit high-altitude regions annually and more than 80 million live permanently above 2,500 m. Acute high-altitude exposure can trigger high-altitude illnesses (HAIs), including acute mountain sickness (AMS), high-altitude cerebral oedema (HACE) and high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE). Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) can affect high-altitude resident populations worldwide. The prevalence of acute HAIs varies according to acclimatization status, rate of ascent and individual susceptibility. AMS, characterized by headache, nausea, dizziness and fatigue, is usually benign and self-limiting, and has been linked to hypoxia-induced cerebral blood volume increases, inflammation and related trigeminovascular system activation. Disruption of the blood-brain barrier leads to HACE, characterized by altered mental status and ataxia, and increased pulmonary capillary pressure, and related stress failure induces HAPE, characterized by dyspnoea, cough and exercise intolerance. Both conditions are progressive and life-threatening, requiring immediate medical intervention. Treatment includes supplemental oxygen and descent with appropriate pharmacological therapy. Preventive measures include slow ascent, pre-acclimatization and, in some instances, medications. CMS is characterized by excessive erythrocytosis and related clinical symptoms. In severe CMS, temporary or permanent relocation to low altitude is recommended. Future research should focus on more objective diagnostic tools to enable prompt treatment, improved identification of individual susceptibilities and effective acclimatization and prevention options.
Topics: Humans; Altitude Sickness; Altitude; Acclimatization; Brain Edema; Pulmonary Edema; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Hypoxia
PubMed: 38902312
DOI: 10.1038/s41572-024-00526-w -
Autonomic Neuroscience : Basic &... Jun 2024The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has left millions of individuals with a host of post-viral symptoms that can be debilitating and persist indefinitely. To date there are no...
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has left millions of individuals with a host of post-viral symptoms that can be debilitating and persist indefinitely. To date there are no definitive tests or treatments for the collection of symptoms known as "Long COVID" or Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC). Following our initial case report detailing improvement of Long COVID symptoms after sequential bilateral stellate ganglion blockade (SGB), we performed a retrospective chart analysis study on individuals treated with the same protocol over the course of six months (2021-2022) in our clinic. Patients self-reported symptoms on a 10-point scale as part of optional patient follow-up using an online survey. After one month or more following treatment, patients reported striking reductions in Fatigue, Worsening of Symptoms following Mental and Physical Activity, Memory Problems, Problems Concentrating, Sleep Problems, Anxiety, and Depression. Loss of Taste and Loss of Smell in some individuals did not respond to treatment, likely indicating structural damage following infection. This study suggests that neuromodulation may provide relief of Long COVID symptoms for at least a subset of individuals, and provides support for prospective studies of this potential treatment.
PubMed: 38901177
DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2024.103195 -
Radiography (London, England : 1995) Jun 2024Delivering 24 h healthcare requires rotational shift work from doctors and the medical imaging team, while contributing to safe and timely care of patients. Additional... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Delivering 24 h healthcare requires rotational shift work from doctors and the medical imaging team, while contributing to safe and timely care of patients. Additional service pressure and staff shortfall leads to workload pressures, adjusted shift patterns and risk of burnout. Evidence should be sought to the effects of this work on staff.
METHODS
This systematic review followed PRISMA reporting guidelines, using a convergent mixed methods approach according to Guidance from Joanna Briggs International. Quantitative trends and results were qualified in order to thematically analyse in conjunction with qualitative data and discussed together in context. Following initial searching, returned articles were screened by title and abstract. A team of 3 reviewers undertook blinded critical appraisal of those suitable, with quality assurance from a 4th team member. Papers passing a threshold of 75% on JBI appraisal tools were accepted for synthesis. Data extraction of appropriate articles retrieved was undertaken in parallel.
RESULTS
Following screening and critical appraisal, 13 studies were returned focusing exclusively on Non Consultant Doctors. No studies investigated diagnostic radiographers. 85% (n = 11) reported negative association between shift work and the three themes of sleep/fatigue, burnout and wellbeing: including after the introduction of shift pattern control or adjusted shift patterns. The remainder showed no change, or any improvement nullified by countermeasures to maintain service delivery.
CONCLUSION
Current working practices and shift plans in the target population showed detrimental effects on the participants - this can be suggested that Diagnostic Radiographers may suffer fatigue, burnout and poor mental health from stretched shift working patterns.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Further study into the effects of shift work on Diagnostic Radiographers and other allied health professionals is indicated - relating to the above themes in the context of errors and patient safety. Additional research into Non Consultant Doctors, shift work effects and the context of wider service delivery required; with suitable interventions and education to maximise understanding of legal working practices, monitoring and self-management of symptoms.
PubMed: 38901073
DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.05.016 -
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal Jun 2024Although 6-month follow-up of patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) was reassuring, there is scant data on long-term sequelae, including...
BACKGROUND
Although 6-month follow-up of patients with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) was reassuring, there is scant data on long-term sequelae, including whether changing variants affect clinical severity and outcomes.
METHODS
Children (<18 years of age) admitted to Great Ormond Street Hospital between April 4, 2020, and January 2023, meeting diagnostic criteria for MIS-C were included. Admission and follow-up data were categorized by the predominant SARS-CoV-2 circulating variant in the United Kingdom.
RESULTS
One hundred and sixty children [median age, 10.1 (interquartile range, 7.9-12.6) years] were included. There was no difference in the time of symptom onset to diagnosis between waves (P=0.23) or hospitalization days across all waves (P=0.32). Inflammatory markers were normal for up to 2 years in all patients except one. Eleven patients (6.9%) remain in follow-up: cardiology (n=5), gastroenterology (n=5) and nephrology (n=1). The main self-reported symptoms at 2 years were abdominal pain (n=5) and myalgia (n=2). Fatigue was present in approximately a quarter of patients at admission; this reduced to 14 (9%), (2%) and 1 (2%) at 6-month, 1-year and 2-year follow-ups, respectively. Chronic fatigue or long-COVID symptomatology was rare (n=1) even with high rates of concurrent Epstein-Barr virus positivity (49/134). All patients had sustained neurological recovery with no new neurological pathology observed.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients with MIS-C have a sustained recovery, which is reassuring for positive long-term outcomes. Across waves, time from symptom onset to diagnosis and treatment, symptomatology and length of stay were similar. Sustained recovery is reassuring for clinicians and parents alike. Differentiating long-COVID symptomatology from that of MIS-C is important in formulating an individualized treatment plan.
PubMed: 38900060
DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004430 -
BMC Public Health Jun 2024The Thriving from Work questionnaire is a comprehensive indicator of positive well-being for employees, applicable in both research and practical contexts. Current...
BACKGROUND
The Thriving from Work questionnaire is a comprehensive indicator of positive well-being for employees, applicable in both research and practical contexts. Current discussions underline the crucial impact that employment should have in enriching workers' lives positively and meaningfully, along with the necessity for accurate and dependable tools to assess employee well-being. This study investigated the reliability, validity, and dimensionality of the translated German adaptation of the Thriving from Work questionnaire developed by Peters and colleagues [1, 2]. The questionnaire assesses work-related well-being with 30 items clustered in six domains: emotional and psychological well-being, social well-being, work-life integration, physical and mental well-being, basic needs for thriving, and experiences of work.
METHODS
This study aimed to convert the Thriving at Work Questionnaire from English into German. We assessed the psychometric characteristics of the German version of the questionnaire by using item response theory with a sample of 567 German employees and examined its criterion validity.
RESULTS
We found that the long and short German Thriving from Work questionnaire versions are reliable with good construct validity. Criterion validity was demonstrated by relationships with important work and life outcomes, such as life satisfaction, trust in the organizations' management, general well-being, work-related fatigue, and work stress.
CONCLUSIONS
The current study demonstrated that the German language version of the questionnaire is both a reliable and valid measure of employee well-being. We discuss recommendations for further adaptation and future research.
Topics: Humans; Adult; Surveys and Questionnaires; Female; Male; Germany; Psychometrics; Reproducibility of Results; Middle Aged; Translations; Job Satisfaction; Young Adult; Employment
PubMed: 38898482
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19037-0 -
Translational Psychiatry Jun 2024Our study aims to delineate the phenotypes of chronic neuropsychiatric symptoms among adult subjects recovering from their first COVID that occurred more than one year...
Our study aims to delineate the phenotypes of chronic neuropsychiatric symptoms among adult subjects recovering from their first COVID that occurred more than one year ago. We also aim to explore the clinical and socioeconomic risk factors of having a high loading of chronic neuropsychiatric symptoms. We recruited a post-COVID group who suffered from their first pre-Omicron COVID more than a year ago, and a control group who had never had COVID. The subjects completed app-based questionnaires on demographic, socioeconomic and health status, a COVID symptoms checklist, mental and sleep health measures, and neurocognitive tests. The post-COVID group has a statistically significantly higher level of fatigue compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Among the post-COVID group, the lack of any COVID vaccination before the first COVID and a higher level of material deprivation before the COVID pandemic predicts a higher load of chronic post-COVID neuropsychiatric symptoms. Partial correlation network analysis suggests that the chronic post-COVID neuropsychiatric symptoms can be clustered into two major (cognitive complaints -fatigue and anxiety-depression) and one minor (headache-dizziness) cluster. A higher level of material deprivation predicts a higher number of symptoms in both major clusters, but the lack of any COVID vaccination before the first COVID only predicts a higher number of symptoms in the cognitive complaints-fatigue cluster. Our result suggests heterogeneity among chronic post-COVID neuropsychiatric symptoms, which are associated with the complex interplay of biological and socioeconomic factors.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Male; Case-Control Studies; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Fatigue; Depression; SARS-CoV-2; Anxiety; Chronic Disease; Risk Factors; Neuropsychological Tests; Socioeconomic Factors; Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
PubMed: 38898009
DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02978-w -
Zhen Ci Yan Jiu = Acupuncture Research Jun 2024To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on behavior and hippocampal protein phosphorylation in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), so as to explore its...
OBJECTIVES
To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on behavior and hippocampal protein phosphorylation in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of CFS.
METHODS
Male SD rats were randomly divided into control, model and EA groups (=12 rats in each group). The CFS model was established by chronic multifactor combined with stress stimulation (treadmill training + restraint stress + sleep disturbance + crowded environment). For rats of the EA group, EA (1 mA, frequency of 10 Hz) was applied to "Shenting" (GV24) (with an acupuncture needle penetrated from GV24 to "Baihui" [GV20]) and "Dazhui" (GV14) for 15 min, once daily for 28 days. After treatment, the body weight, food intake and water intake of rats in each group were observed. The fatigue degree of rats was evaluated by Semi-quantitative score observation table of the general condition of experimental rats.The open field test (OFT) was used to assess the rats'anxiety severity by detecting the total number of grid-crossing and the times of the central area entered in 5 min, and Morris water maze test was employed to assess the rats' learning-memory ability by detecting the escape latency in 1 min, and the times of the original platform quadrant crossing in 1 min. The hippocampaus was taken for phosphorylated Label-free quantitative proteomics analysis by using Maxquant technology based on full scan mode to calculate the integral of each peptide signal of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS). The differentially-expressed proteins (>1.5 folds for up-regulation or <0.67 folds for down-regulation) were evaluated by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis.
RESULTS
Compared with the control group, the body weight, food intake, and the times of original-platform quadrant crossing of spatial exploring of Morris water maze test were significantly decreased (<0.01, <0.05) , and the score of general conditions, times of grid-crossing and center area-entering of OFT, and the escape latency of navigation task were apparently increased (<0.01) in rats of the model group. After EA intervention, the decreased original-platform quadrant crossing, and the increased score of general conditions, times of grid-crossing and the escape latency of navigation task were all reversed (<0.01, <0.05). Outcomes of proteomics analysis indicated that compared with the model group, there were 297 differentially expressed peptide (48 up-regulated and 249 down-regulated) segments in the control group, and there were 245 differentially expressed peptide (185 up-regulated and 60 down-regulated) segments in the EA group, in which, 25 overlapping peptide segments were reversed after EA treatment, corresponding to 24 proteins, mainly involving cytoskeletal structure. GO function annotation analysis showed that the top three differentially expressed phosphorylated proteins involved in the effect of EA intervention were the actin filament polymerization, protein depolymerization and cytoskeletal tissue in the biological process, the actin binding, structural molecular activity and cytoskeletal protein binding in the molecular function, and the cytoskeleton, dendrites and dendritic trees in the cellular component, respectively. The KEGG pathway annotation analysis for differentially expressed phosphorylated proteins showed that theinsulin secretion, axon guidance, phosphatidylinositol signaling system and lysine biosynthesis, etc. were involved in the effect of EA intervention.
CONCLUSIONS
EA of GV24-GV20 and GV14 can improve the general state, anxiety and learning-memory ability of CFS model rats, which may be related to its functions in regulating the hippocampal protein phosphorylation level, and repairing the structure and function of synapses in hippocampus.
Topics: Animals; Electroacupuncture; Male; Rats; Hippocampus; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Phosphorylation; Humans; Acupuncture Points; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38897803
DOI: 10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230180 -
Air Medical Journal 2024Emergency medical services (EMS) Code Lavender was developed to support EMS clinicians after stressful events via consistent recognition of events, informal peer...
Informal Peer Support and Intentional Acts of Kindness May Attenuate the Impact of Work-Related Stressors on Compassion Satisfaction, Secondary Traumatic Stress, and Burnout of Emergency Medical Services Clinicians.
OBJECTIVE
Emergency medical services (EMS) Code Lavender was developed to support EMS clinicians after stressful events via consistent recognition of events, informal peer support, and intentional acts of kindness. This study evaluated changes in burnout screening tool responses of EMS clinicians in response to program implementation and the coincidental start of coronavirus disease 2019.
METHODS
Anonymous surveys with demographic questions and 2 burnout screening tools were distributed before program implementation (spring 2020) and 20 months later (fall 2021). Analysis included t-tests, Fisher exact tests, and multivariable linear regression.
RESULTS
Seventy-seven preprogram (59% response rate) and 108 intraprogram (88% response rate) survey responses were included. No changes existed between preprogram and intraprogram responses across all subscale scores. Sex was associated with depersonalization subscale scores, with men having scores 1.53 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.11-2.95) higher than women. Compared with emergency medical technicians, paramedics had higher compassion satisfaction (OR 3.50; 95% CI 1.79-5.70) and personal accomplishment scores (OR 2.40; 95% CI 1.08-3.71). Transport nurses had higher personal accomplishment (OR 3.29; 95% CI 1.18-5.40), depersonalization (OR 3.73; 95% CI 1.19-6.26), and rates of burnout symptoms (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.09-0.98) than emergency medical technicians.
CONCLUSION
The organizational commitment, peer support, and authentic leadership of EMS Code Lavender may attenuate work-related stressors among EMS clinicians.
Topics: Humans; Burnout, Professional; Male; Female; Adult; Emergency Medical Technicians; Empathy; COVID-19; Surveys and Questionnaires; Peer Group; Middle Aged; Emergency Medical Services; Job Satisfaction; Occupational Stress; Compassion Fatigue
PubMed: 38897697
DOI: 10.1016/j.amj.2024.03.005