Category Archives: Alternative Medicine

This year, World Sight Day was observed on October 13 to draw our attention to the reality of vision impairments and blindness globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) stated this a special day to recognize the good work done by thousands of research and practice optometrists, ophthalmologists, opticians, and orthoptists all over the world working towards protecting and improving human sight, and treatment of eye diseases and visual impairments.

Globally, according to WHO, at least 1 billion people live with near or distance vision impairment that could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed. Also, 90 percent of people with blindness live in low income countries.

The theme for the World Sight Day this year is Love your Eyes. This is a timely recommendation, as modern lifestyles, nutrition, climate and technology pose a lot of danger to human eye health globally. Eye health is crucial for the overall socioeconomic progress as it is not only about sight; but about the vision of the future. That is why it is an important aspect of holistic health and wellbeing as specified in the global Sustainable Development Goals.

A society without good eye health is in a lot of danger, as chances are that efficiency will be reduced in its productive activities, triggering an impact in its quality of life. Severe vision impairments in children can result in low achievements in school. It can also be a cause of depression in adults. Good eye health impacts directly our survival and quality of life. This is the reason in most cases blindness is linked with poverty and inequality existing especially in low-income countries.

Affordability and inclusion

As we commemorate this day, there are two questions that are relevant to the reality of our country Tanzania. First, is eye health accessible, inclusive and affordable for all? Second, are average Tanzanians, in towns and in villages, educated on appropriate eye care especially in relation to visual technologies, work environments and climate change?

Regarding the first question, many people shun from eye clinics because of the cost of treatment, they rather choose to bear the pain and trust the natural healing process. Concerning the latter, it is not news that most people go to eye clinics when they have complicated issues already, while such escalations could have been prevented had they been sensitized to attend eye clinics regularly or promptly upon noticing anything unusual with their eyes.

According to WHO access to quality eye care globally is still an issue as many governments have not yet prioritized it in their integral human empowerment and development schemes. Research by Thomas Bisika et al. (and others) published in African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative medicine (AJTCAM) found out that unsupervised traditional therapeutic and medical eye care is common in African cultures, giving specific examples from Malawi. Despite the sensitivity of eyes to the external environment, and the hazards involved, it is a hard truth that people still risk putting herbs in their eyes just from hearsay

Oftentimes eye tests and treatments cost a fortune, making many people from low-income countries unaware of their vision impairments and reluctant to seek medical care. Sensitization programs are mostly undertaken in urban areas, leaving rural populations unaware of the treatable and preventable eye problems.

Locally, we were able to speak with Dr Barnabas Mshangila, an ophthalmologist and head of eye department at Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital. According to him most young patients in Tanzania, aging 18 and below, are diagnosed with refractive error conditions, that is, short-sightedness (myopia) and long-sightedness (hypermetropia). These can be corrected by use of glasses. There are also many cases of eye injuries which children sustain while playing or when exposed to hazardous environments.

The middle age group tends to be affected mostly by injuries and trauma caused by road and workplace accidents and diabetic retinopathy. Above the age of fifty, two most common problems are cataract, whereby ones lens is covered with fog, which is highly influenced by age, and glaucoma which comes with an accumulation of pressure within the eyeball which can later result in total blindness.

Dr Barnabas highlights that communicable eye diseases have remained on a very low scale over a few years, while eye allergies have been on the rise. While allergies on their own cannot impact one's vision, responding to irritation by rubbing has been a notable cause of micro-scratches on the cornea which may result in eye redness, eye-watering, light sensitivity and impaired eyesight.

Dr Barnabas points out that in a decade down the line, Tanzania has seen substantial improvements in eye health care. Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital, which covers for the southern highlands zone, together with Bugando Medical Center, a referral hospital for Lake Zone regions have been markedly equipped to diagnose and treat cataracts as well as diabetic related eye problems, by use of intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as laser pan retinal photocoagulation (PRP), among others. This has greatly reduced referral travels to Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Kilimanjaro.

Speaking about the departments community engagements, Dr Barnabas said: Here in the Southern Highlands Zone, we organize outreach missions every week, visiting periphery hospitals and health centres where we do screening and raise awareness of general eye health. Observing World Sight Day we had an awareness programme via radio, and from 10 - 13 October we have free eye screening here at the Mbeya referral hospital eye clinic. My advice to the public is that they make an effort to utilize our services, to get their eyes checked at least once a year. This will help to prevent dead-end situations, he advised.

The outplay of visual technologies

Vision impairment affects people of all ages but concern has been rising on how the youth and young adults age groups utilize and interact with these advancements of technology. It is estimated that people who have smartphones spend a screen time of 3-5 hours every day. This is just on the digital gadgets like smartphones but when we add time spent on big screens like televisions, gaming screens, desktop screens, tablets and laptops, the impact is huge and horrifying.

Constant staring at digital screens has been the reason for eye stresses, blurred vision and long-term vision problems like short-sightedness. With these effects, while allowing huge sales of these electronic gadgets, our government needs to devote its human resources in reviewing health and safety standards of these visual technology devices as well as sensitizing the society about eye problems associated with prolonged screen time.

Eye health needs to be indiscriminately prioritized such that it amasses beneficiaries from all over the country. It is a global concern, especially as the world recovers from the shackles of Covid-19 pandemic, which escalated screen time globally. UNICEF researchers apportion pandemic screen time largely to social media and video games. While such were good for that time, prolonging and normalizing such lifestyles, especially for young people, does not do their eyes any good. Love your Eyes is a message for everyone.

Additional report by Johnson Mwamasangula

Read more here:

Eye health and dynamics of the modern world - The Citizen

Various concepts of the most recent research in oral squamous cell carcinoma are presented in Figure 1. The Global Burden of Disease Studyin the 10 most populated countries suggests trends and gender differences in the mortality rate of oral cancer [1]. The following review provides a systematic picture of the research undertaken in the fundamental concepts, which are segregated into four key sections. The first section introduces this critical issue and delves into the occurrence of OSCC and its risk influenced by age. This is followed by the biology section that gives a peek into the role of viruses and understanding the aspects of the microbiome and the bacteriome. The penultimate section deals with the current research on diagnosing OSCC via a wide range of biomarkers. The last section surmises the various treatments prescribed and the areas of interest pursued.

The most common head and neck malignancy worldwide is oral cavity squamous cellcarcinoma(OCSCC) [2]. It accounts for approximately 1% of cancer cases that are newly diagnosed every year in theUnited States [3]. On a global scale, they rank sixth among the most observed type of cancers. Roughly 90% of these cancers are histologically squamous cell carcinomas, referred to as oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) [4,5]. To get a perspective on the enormity of this domain, after removing duplicates, 5247, 2167, and 153 articles were found across three databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Embase.

Panda et al. used SPSS's chi-square test to compare the variations in OPSCC staging and grading between two age groups. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value of 0.05. The number or percentage of overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), recurrence, distant metastasis (DM), and second primary (SP) events in both cohorts were combined to create the odds ratio (OR), which was then used to conduct the meta-analysis. Trials were further divided into matched and mismatched studies for one or more criteria, such as age, gender, site, tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) staging, and treatments offered, in order to do subgroup analysis. The funnel plot in RevMan version 5.3 (Copenhagen, Denmark: Cochrane Collaboration) was used to evaluate publication bias. In young patients, there were 49% higher odds of recurrence in unmatched subgroup analysis and 90% higher risks of metastasis in matched subgroup analysis. Young age may be taken into account as a separate determinant of recurrence and distant metastasis (DM), according to the results, albeit additional matched studies are needed to confirm this link.

A significantly better overall survival (OS) was observed in younger patients compared to adults. The heterogeneity ranged from moderate to severe.The Surveillance,Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database analysis noted an increase in the average annual percentage of the incidence oforal tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC)to be more significant in men at 1.2% than in women at 0.5%, and in patients below 45 years vs. above (1.6% vs. 0.9%, respectively) from 1973 to 2010[5]. Young patients had a non-significant tendency toward lower recurrence-free survival. Also, no appreciable difference was observed in relapse-free survival byage. According to this study, young patients with OTSCC may have a higher risk of recurrence than older patients [6]. Another important study to support this finding was the report of Garavello et al., who found the five-yearDFSrates to be 34% for the young compared to 58% amongthe old cohorts with a p=0.003 [7].

Numerous probable causes of OTSCC's poor prognosis have been uncovered through molecular investigations. However, the study's sample size restrictions and design make it impossible to draw any definitive conclusions about age-related differences [8]. Younger patients did not have worse survival outcomes than older patients, according to a meta-analysis of nine trials (HR: 0.97; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.66-1.41). This study revealed that among the OCSCC patients receiving final therapy, young age is not a poor predictive survival factor due to the benefit of integrating the existing information in the systematic meta-analysis. These studies were the subject of a meta-analysis of overall survival hazard ratios, which revealed a pooled hazard ratio of 0.95. These data also imply that young individuals have comparable oncologic outcomes to older patients with a little higher age barrier. Against this backdrop, it is vital to understand the biology of the disease to probe further diagnosis and treatment.

Role of the Virus

Human papillomavirus (HPV) and OCC: Although the link between the human papillomavirus (HPV) and uterine cervix and anogenital carcinomas is well known, its role in the emergence of oral squamous cell carcinomas is still debatable. In this sense, reference lists were manually screened in the citation tracking process [9]. Studies performed on people were cohort, case-control, or cross-sectional, evaluated the HPV oncogenic activity by the E6 and E7 mRNA, contained primary oral SCC (OSCC), and/or included a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis were all considered eligible. Because none of the included research was longitudinal and none of the cross-sectional studies had a control group, it could not determine if HPV infection was related to OSCC [10].

Seventeen instances (4.4%) tested positive for HPV/mRNA. Two examples of HPV-18 and 14 cases of HPV-16 were both positive [11]. Because none of the five studies considered were longitudinal or cross-sectional and lacked a control group, it could not determine if HPV infection was related to OSCC [10]. Hence, further studies on the role of HPV infection and its relation to OSCC are paramount and could be scope for other research groups.

Role of smoking and HPV: Skoulakis et al. explored the synergistic role of smoking and the human papillomavirus (HPV) in developing cancer of the head and neck [12]. Smoking was less common in the HPV-positive group than in the HPV-negative group. So probably, there is no significant role of smoking in the pathogenesis of "head and neck squamous cell carcinoma" (HNSCC).

Maxwell et al. evaluated the role of tobacco on recurrence among HPV-positive patients who had oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) [13]. They noted a statistically significant higher risk of recurrence in current smokers than those who had never smoked. Skoulakis et al. determined that smoking is statistically more observed in HPV-negative than positive groups of HNSCC patients [12]. To fully explain the pathophysiology of HNSCC and the likely carcinogenetic pathways that are brought on by smoking and HPV, more research is, however, required.

Relationship Between Epstein-Barr Virus and OSCC

Apart from both quantitative and qualitative assessments of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) association with OSCC, the meta-analysis by Sivakumar et al. affirmed the association between EBV and OSCC [14]. Polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry were among the diagnostic techniques performed. Latent membrane protein (LMP)-1, EBV-determined nuclear antigen-1, and EBV-encoded small non-polyadenylated RNA-2 were among the diagnostic targets. The results of the meta-analysis revealed a connection between OSCC and EBV. However, given the several crucial limitations of the studies undertaken, there is a need for further validation of the association for any conclusive inference.

High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing for Bacteriome Studies

Cancer is a significant disease in modern times. Given their favorable economic and social structures and the evident aging of their populations, it is the leading cause of mortality in developed countries, particularly [15-17]. The chosen studies diverged slightly from the main goals of this review in that they used next-generation sequencing for the microbial analysis and addressed the broad topic of the connection between oral squamous cell cancer (OSCC) and microbiota.

Several articles focused primarily on comparing the oral microbiota in OSCC versus typical tissue samples [18]. Three of them had additional objectives - to make a correlation between oral cancer and certain life habits as proposed by Lee et al. [19], to analyze the genomics and metabolic pathways in microbes that are associated with OSCC [20], and to evaluate the potential growth of the bacteria's pro-inflammatory factors in their OSCC samples, chiefly by Perera et al. [20].

Most studies detected microorganisms related to inflammatory responses in the OSCC samples, like Fusobacterium nucleatum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. While the former is linked to the OSCC of the tongue, the latter is associated with the OSCC of gingiva in addition to the tongue, for at least one study. Additionally, numerous bacteria that metabolize ethanol to create acetaldehyde, including Neisseria spp., Rothia mucilaginosa, and Streptococcus mitis, were discovered in the OSCC samples. However, the studies yielded no consensus on the hypothesis, given that often, they were found in a larger quantity within the non-tumor controls.

Association of Microbiome

The significance of microorganisms in the etiology of oral squamous cell carcinoma has garnered particular attention because periodontal disease is a microbial condition. Sami et al. offer one comprehensive review [21]. Several bacterial species have been identified in the oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC) samples [22]. These include relatively rare species that inhabit theoral cavity like Bacteroides fragilis [23], and bacteria earlier unnamed like Actinomyces and Streptococcus [24,25]. In addition, the environmental species were observed like Dietzia psychralcaliphila and Gordonia sputi. More thorough studies have been conducted on a few of these species, including Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Most haven't, nevertheless, been thought about in terms of both their singleton and polymicrobial functions in the OSCC-associated microbiome. The precise processes by which the oral microbiome may contribute to the development of OSCC are yet not fully understood [26].

Bacterial Dysbiosis - Culture-Independent Studies

According to data collected from 731 cases and 809 controls, there was no steady amelioration of any unique taxon in the oropharyngeal or oral malignancies, albeit common taxa could be distinguished between investigations. While several studies found a link between dysbiosis and oral/oropharyngeal cancer, the analytical and methodological differences made it impossible to produce a consistent summary. This emphasizes the need and scope for greater quality research with standardized methodology and reporting.

More than 30% of the non-tumor tissue included the bacteria Granulicatella adiacens, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Sphingomonas spp. PC5, and Streptococcus mitis/oralis [27]. One study reported using reagent controls to establish the lack of bacterial contamination. However, this influences the data interpretation [28]. Initial microbiome research on oral cancer has shown altered bacterial populations, including pathogens of known importance. This may indicate that bacterial genome-associated inflammatory alterations play a role in mouth cancer as a contributing factor. Identification of the specific changes in a microbe is indeed a positive step towards the development of salivary-based biomarkers of microbes in the clinical evaluation of the progress of oral cancer.

Role of Porphyromonas Gingivalis

OSCC is the widely observed malignant neoplasm of the oral region [29]. This study focused on the mechanisms that P. gingivalis plays in the development, upkeep, and/or maintenance of OSCC. In a murine model, Gallimidi et al. showed that P. gingivalis-infected OSCC tumors that were 4NQO-induced were noticeably more widespread and invasive, with strong expression of IL-6[30]. The PAR4 receptor-induced over-expression of the MMP9 via kinasedependent signaling pathways of p38MAPK and ERK1/2. PAR2 and PAR4 were both found to be required for increasing the OSCC cell invasion potential.

Streptococcus gordonii and P. gingivalis can interact to create communities, which then colonize the tooth plaque. Because of its damaging effects on periodontal tissues, P. gingivalis gains from its interaction and coaggregation in the subgingival plaque [31]. The bacterium's effect in the oral epithelial cells could vary based on the phase development of OSCC, as such alterations were absent in the non-diseased gingival keratinocytes. This is further attested by the study of Liu et al. who demonstrated a novel mechanism of how P. gingivalisstimulates the immune evasion of OSCC via the protection of cancer from any viable macrophage attack [32]. The most recent research highlight the simplicity of managing periodontal disease (PD) as the necessary means of preventing OSCC. However, more research on human subjects is required to estimate the actual oncogenic risks from the infection of P. gingivalis in oral malignancy. This could also expand the scope of OSCC development, including determining the tumor's location and stage.

Proteomic Markers

The neck and head squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is a highly prevalent malignancy linked to chewing tobacco. Over the last two decades, researchers have discovered an increasing number of HNSCC patients with positive human papillomavirus (HPV) tumors that appear in younger people and those who consume less or no alcohol or tobacco. The relationship in the oropharynx is more vital than that in the oral cavity [33]. These articles were divided into subsections listed below, followed by a list of all detected protein biomarkers and a brief explanation of their significance. Clinical applications of biomarkers include detecting, diagnosing, and monitoring disease activity and evaluating therapy efficacy. Tung et al. reported the reduction of vitamin D-binding protein in OSCC plasma, suggesting differential regulation across different species [34].

Role of Glucose Transporters

The solute carriers' major facilitator superfamily has approximately 400 members, including glucose transporters (GLUTs) [35]. The distribution of glucose and other hexoses to metabolically active cells depends critically on the control of the expression of glucose transporter proteins. Two significant proteins in this class are glucose transporters 1 (GLUT-1) and glucose transporters 3 (GLUT-3) [36]. GLUT-1 expression in the Tca8113 and CAL27 cell lines was significantly higher than that in the normal oral keratinocytes (NOK) cell line, natural killer (NK). No matter if the tumor was in an early or late stage or whether it had a low or high tumor grade, GLUT-3 expression was always excessive in the deep invasive front [37]. Accordingly, there seemed no link between GLUT-3 and tumor grade [38].

GLUT-3 is the second largest researched transporter, albeit with limited research. Mixed results were found from mRNA investigations when cell lines expressed GLUT-3 [39], and frequently overexpressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tumors than the adjoining healthy tissues [40,41], with occasional exceptions [42]. GLUT-1 and maybe GLUT-3 are the only two glucose transporters extensively examined in OSCC and healthy oral keratinocytes. In a different investigation by Kunkel et al., the positive cell proportion was more accurate at predicting the prognosis than the intensity of GLUT-1 staining [43]. Compared to those with cell positivity of >50%, those with cell positivity at 50% demonstrated a median survival of 138 months (p=0.0034). Clinical decision-making may benefit significantly from a greater understanding of these proteins' connections to illness development, resistance to treatment, and prognosis.

Prognostic Biomarkers

It is crucial to find accurate prognostic biomarkers for detecting oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) to predict the tumor's behavior more accurately and direct the subsequent therapy decisions. There were 174 investigations carried out during the previous three decades, and 184 biomarkers were assessed for the prognostication of OTSCC. Numerous biomarkers have been proposed as helpful prognosticators for OTSCC, but the methodology and reporting quality of the original studies is generally subpar, making it impossible to draw definitive conclusions. OTSCC is increasing in incidence and has an aggressive clinical behavior with a relatively poor prognosis [44,45]. When a biomarker proved to be statistically "non-significant" in an unadjusted analysis, it was typical to reject it from an adjusted analysis using Cox regression. In contrast, biomarkers that were "significant" in an unadjusted study were frequently included in an adjusted analysis. Numerous immunohistological indicators examined in OTSCC and buccal cancer samples did not predict survival in OTSCC, although some did in buccal carcinoma [45-47].

Malondialdehyde - Oxidative Stress Marker

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an oral malignancy widely observed. The endogenous formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) during lipid peroxidation is an appropriate biomarker for endogenous DNA damage [48]. The degree of tissue damage caused by oxidative stress may be determined by estimating the lipid peroxidation by-products in the OSCC group. The research typically revealed a prominent increase of malondialdehyde in OSCC-positive cohorts than in the control healthy group. Nevertheless, to ascertain that MDA is a potential biomarker for oxidative stress and a valid prognostic marker of OSCC,this calls for a study of a grander scale with controls more evenly-balanced and equidistribution samples between the various histological grades and clinical stages of OSCC.

CircRNAs

Circular RNAs (CircRNAs), a newly discovered non-coding RNA, have been linked to carcinogenesis, metastasis, and cancer progression. They may be potential biomarkers for detecting OSCC. The post-test probability of the circRNAs was calculated using Fagan's nomogram [42]. The post-test probability increased to 47% from 20% with a positive likelihood ratio of 4 and decreased to 8% with a negative likelihood ratio of 0.33. Accordingly, it can be suggested that circRNAs are an effective and reliable diagnostic biomarker. Multiple studies have shown that dysregulated circRNAs are crucial for cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, and incidence. Compared to those who used tissue samples to diagnose OSCC patients, the use of plasma and saliva specimens demonstrated a better efficacy, with no heterogeneity.

Histopathological Features

In a crucial study, the criteria for exclusion of studies included - alternative tumors other than OSCC [49], samples that contained biopsies [50,51], immunohistochemistry-based investigations [51], histological grading systems used for analysis [52], reports of univariate survival analysis [53], studies based solely on association analysis [54], omitted the hazardsfor OS (HR) and/or its 95% confidence interval (CI), and reviews of associated literature [55], conference abstracts and letters [56]. During the title and abstract screening, 2490 research were included. Of these, 2074 studies were eliminated, leaving 416 studies that satisfied the requirements for full-text screening. A promising biomarker should be precise, quantifiable, relevant, accessible, and affordable. Even though this is a rapidly evolving field with standard practice for some cancers, the therapeutic approach to OSCC and its prognosis still rely on tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) clinical staging. It was useful to probe the review of the impact of histopathological traits on hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained slides as prognostic indicators for OSCC patients.

Perineural invasion (PNI) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were significantly correlated in a meta-analysis of 7523 individuals from 26 studies. Depth of invasion (DOI) in OSCC has only been the subject of one previous meta-analysis. Regardless of the cutoff point, this research found substantial risks of the metastasis of the lymph node during diagnosis with recurrence in tumors possessing high DOI [57].

CAIX Expression

One of the most challenging situations for the cellular and extracellular matrix to maintain homeostasis is hypoxia. Much research has investigated the prognostic value of carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) in varying cancer types, including OSCC [58]. The PECO framework-based investigation into the predictive significance of tumoral CAIX immunohistochemistry expression in patients with OSCC is a significant article in this field.

The analysis returned the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) doubly higher for the Asian group (HR: 14 2.01, 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.42-2.86) than the non-Asian group. Here, the correlation between CAIX overexpression to worsen OS and disease-free survival (DFS) in OSCC patients was confirmed, indicating a positive test implied the overall risk of mortality growing by around 50%.

S100 Proteins

Oral cancer is a significant health issue among the general public [59]. To review the literature in this domain, a detailed search was strategized for every database with free text words and the MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) combinations. The findings showed that significant increase in the levels of S100A7 in three studies [60-62].

In comparison, overexpression was reported for S100A2 [60,62], A9 [63,64], and A12 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients compared to the control of healthy cohorts [65,66]. In contrast, the quantitative analysis demonstrated under expression of S100A8 [62,67], A9 [62,67], and A14 in two studies each in OSCC patients as againsthealthy subjects [62,66]. It is noteworthy that all studies report the overexpression of S100A7 in OSCC patients, unlike healthy individuals [61-63]. Accordingly, it is postulated that increased S100A7 protein expression is linked to the onset of oral cancer, making the protein secreted a potential OSCC biomarker.

Unfortunately, the sample size overall for the studies was small and held a significant influence on the interpretation of the findings. It is yet unclear whether certain S100 protein members' up- or down-regulation acts as a diagnostic sign in OSCC.

CYFRA 21-1 and MMP-9 as Salivary Biomarkers

Numerous techniques and tests can identify OSCC. In patients presenting with clinically obvious lesions, the diagnostic accuracy of several methods, including oral cytology, vital staining, oral spectroscopy, and light-based detection, has been assessed by a Cochrane systematic review in a dental environment [68]. When the techniques of participant recruitment are ignored, studies that compare changed expressions of a particular salivary biomarker between healthy "control" participants and "cases" with OSCC may produce false results [68].

Only six studies reported the diagnostic accuracy of detecting OSCC using salivary biomarkers cytokeratin 19 fragments (CYFRA 21-1) [69,70] and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were included [71-73]. Also, one group was recruited for its study, a sample of OSCC patients and healthy or low-risk potentially malignant disorders (PMDs) cases [73].

CD68 and CD163 Tumor-Associated Macrophages

One common neoplasm in humans is squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN)[74]. An important study based on the following criteria for the qualitative and quantitative analysis was conducted: (i) prospective/retrospective cohort studies that analyzed the cluster of differentiation (CD)68+ and/or CD163+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) expressed in clinical dissections of SCCHN; (ii) minimum population of 20 patients in each study; (iii) semiquantitative determination using immunohistochemistry (IHC); (iv) studies that determined the TAM correlation to patients' prognosis on at least one of these parameters - disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS).

While CD68+ TAMs were assessed in 12 studies, eight studies were analyzed for their CD163+ TAMs. Notably, four of these studies evaluated both TAM subpopulations [75-77]. The meta-analysis demonstrated the excess CD163+ TAM and negligible CD68+ TAM, correlating to the poor survival of HNSCC patients. In accordance with previous observations of other immunological indicators, including the programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL1), both TAMs were more frequently expressed in females than in males [78,79]. Here, it was shown that stromal CD163+ TAMs are associated with a worse prognosis in SCCHN patients.

The disease stage, location, and the patient's general health status affect how OSCC is treated. An extensive evaluation of the various treatment techniques is given by Gharat et al. [80]. Inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes, photodynamic therapy, chemoprevention, nanocarrier-based drug delivery technology, polymeric nanoparticles, nanoemulsion, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanolipid carriers, carbon nanotubes, nanoliposomes, metallic theranostic nanoparticles, hydrogels, cyclodextrin based system, liquid crystals, and surface-engineered particulate system are among them.

The majority of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cancers overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ErbB1/HER1), and links have been made between higher expression levels and an aggressive phenotype, a poor prognosis, and resistance to anticancer therapy [81]. In OSCC, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release is promoted byCOX-2 overexpression. This stimulates the cell surface receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4) to encourage OSCC development [82]. Accordingly, EGFR and COX-2 inhibitors have been probed as potential therapeutics.

The existing treatment modalities have brought about the main issues relating to non-specific cell death for OSCC, such as chemotherapy, radiation, invasive surgery, and photodynamic therapy. As a result, surface engineering has recently made it possible for scientists to create a variety of nanoparticles with the necessary targeting, programmed-release, and imaging properties, thus advancing the field of nano-theranostics.

Despite all these benefits, additional research is required to determine nanotechnology's practical application and efficacy for OSCC management. There aren't many studies on the direct site for treating OSCC using the nanoparticulate method via the oral cavity or the buccal mucosa. Researchers in this sector have the chance to investigate nanoparticulate systems further to enhance medicine delivery and patient quality of life.

Originally posted here:

The Holistic Review on Occurrence, Biology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma - Cureus

Ear ringing is no fun. Ear ringing, or tinnitus medically, is hearing sounds that come from inside your body instead of from external sources.

Although it is often called ear ringing, some patients may hear other sounds, such as buzzing, humming, whistling, and hissing.

According to NHS Inform, some patients may hear noises that beat in time with their pulse, which is Pulsatile Tinnitus. The sounds can come from one or both ears. Tinnitus sounds can be constant, intermittent, or steady.

In an article published by the Harvard University of Medicine, pulsating tinnitus is more likely to occur in older people. Older peoples blood circulation tends to be more turbulent in arteries. The walls of arteries may have hardened over aging. Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Dr. Wu Kuo-pin, mentioned that tinnitus and loss of hearing are most common, and studies have found that people begin losing their hearing at age 50.

Twenty-five percent of the worlds population aged 50-65 have a hearing impairment. Over half of the 85-year-olds have hearing issues.

Loud noises also contribute to ear ringing. Attending loud concerts is one of the perfect examples, which may trigger short-term tinnitus.

In the Western medicine world, the American Tinnitus Association and British Tinnitus Association both confirmed there is currently no cure for ear ringing.

Harvard Medicine stated that evaluating the underlying problems for treating tinnitus is vital Tinnitus can be a side effect of many medications, especially when taken at higher doses.

The study also showed that musculoskeletal factors, such as jaw clenching and tightening, tooth grinding, or muscle tension in the neck, could aggravate tinnitus symptoms.

Healthline discussed several ways of treatment for tinnitus, including lifestyle changes, noise reduction machines, prescribed medication, mindfulness practice, and alternative medicine such as nutritional supplements and acupuncture.

Dr. Wu expressed that there are challenges in treating hearing damage clinically. There are no blood tests or developed equipment available yet to give a proper diagnosis.

The other reason is that tinnitus is a complex topic, as other illnesses usually trigger it. To treat ear ringing, we must find the root cause of it.

Dr. Wu said physicians must tend to other symptoms within each patients body to treat tinnitus effectively.

While many symptoms might look as if they are irrelevant, they can be the key to the treatment. The following 10 medical case studies show how Dr. Wu treats his patients and improves tinnitus, partial deafness, difficulty hearing, or ear blockage, using acupuncture over time.

Dr. Wu shared his case studies of patients symptoms, acupuncture treatment methods, and acupuncture therapy results.

1. Auditory Convergence (acupoint GB2)

A 45-year-old female, Patient A, had tinnitus, and she mentioned a painful spoton her ear just above her earlobe, where the acupoint Auditory Convergence is. Dr. Wu focused on the pain point and treated it with local acupuncture. Her tinnitus disappeared after the treatment.

2. Valley Lead (acupoint GB8)

A 57-year-old male, Patient B, had tinnitus for 3 years. Acupuncture in the head, hands, and feet was ineffective.But when the Dr. pointed at Valley Lead at 45 degrees before pinning the needle, the ringing stopped immediately.

The biliary meridian is the most important meridian for the treatment of tinnitus. The Auditory Convergence Point and the Valley Lead Point happen to be on the path of the biliary meridian and are close to the ear, so they are more effective in treating tinnitus.

The study of Caspian J Intern Med in 2018 also found that acupuncture is effective in reducing the loudness and severity of tinnitus and can be a useful treatment for non-pulsatile chronic tinnitus, and recently in 2022, a piece of research from Original Research provided the neurophysiological evidence for acupuncture treatment of tinnitus clinically.

3. Completion Bone (acupoint GB12)

Patient C wanted some relief from her ear ringing so she looked for a hot pack to apply to her ear. She ended up using a warm hard-boiled egg. To her surprise, it worked. Dr. Wu said that one can use other ways of hot compressing, but the advantage of using an egg is that it keeps the heat in, and the heat time is longer.

4. Nervous system imbalance

Seventy percent of tinnitus patients suffer from chronic anxiety, tension, panic, and difficulty sleeping. Insomnia is the most common symptom of all tinnitus patients. The worse the sleep quality, the worse the ear ringing. It becomes a vicious cycle.

People who often have insomnia will find the muscle ligament strained behind their neck. When treating Patient I, Dr. Wu targeted the bones under the skull, Completion Bone (GB12), Peaceful Sleep (EX-HN22), Wind Pool on both sides (GB20), Celestial Pillar (BL10), and Hair Clip (EX-B2) on both sides of the cervical spine.

The acupuncture treatment improved Patient Is insomnia.

Some patients with similar issues found that acupuncture therapy reduced their tinnitus or double hearing.

Double hearing is a form of hearing loss that usually causes the patient to receive echoing sounds due to the sound traveling from one ear faster than the other.

5. Ear blockage

Ears feeling stuffy comes from occiput blockage as well as poor blood circulation of the posterior mastoid process (a pressing pain on acupoint completion bone, GB12)

Eustachian or auditory tube obstruction can cause the pressure in the middle ear to unbalance, resulting in ear ringing or stuffiness.

Patients usually describe their symptoms as unsound, hollow, muffled, or separated. Additionally, if the surrounding is loud or in a confined space, patients ears might feel exceptionally swollen or painful.

Dilated nasal inflammatory substances (sputum) are typical for patients with allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux, and colds. Delay in treatment causes stuffiness, a symptom of auditory tube obstruction.

To effectively treat ear blockage, target the nasal acupoints on both sides of the upper nose wing, white bone hole (DU25), Hall of Seal (EX-HN3), Valley Lead (GB8), Auditory Convergence (GB2), Wind Pool on both sides (GB20) and Hundred Convergences (DU20).

The combination of these acupoints will quickly unblock the Eustachian tube and subside ear and nasal congestion.

6. Improper curvature of the cervical spine

A 58-year-old, patient, E, has lived with double hearing for 40 years. His Western medical physician had diagnosed him with congenital double hearing. When he first arrived for a consultation, the primary complaints were stiffness, soreness behind his neck, headache, bloating, eye tiredness, and poor sleep. And double hearing in both ears. Dr. Wus diagnosis showed that the Patients cervical spine was too straight and had lost its natural curvature.

Patient E had five acupuncture treatments, taking the prescribed traditional Chinese medicine for blood circulation, and diligently practicing his neck therapy at home. Five treatments later, the Patient reported that the double hearing dissipated, and other symptoms also improved drastically.

Cervical dislocation

Patient F has been suffering from ringing in his ears for three years. However, the tension in his neck started to loosen through neck workouts and muscle relaxation created by Dr. Wu. One day, as he was exercising his neck, he felt a click. A misaligned joint from the cervical spine corrected itself, lessening his ringing by 80 percent.

7. Allergies and nasal congestion

A 65-year-old, Patient G visited Dr. Wu, who has been suffering from tinnitus for many years. He had previously had acupuncture around the ears, hands, and feet, but it was ineffective.

Since the Patient often has a stuffy nose due to severe allergies, Dr. Wu added needling on Upper Welcome Fragrance (HN8) in addition to the previous acupuncture points. The Patient finally found relief from his ear ringing.

8. Liver and gallbladder deficit

Dr. Wu found that patients who suffer from prolonged insomnia or rage are prone to liver and gallbladder inflammation.

Ear ringing in this type of patient tends to be much louder and roars like a machine. Dr. Wu aimed to treat Patient Hs acupoints of Great Surge (LR3), Hill Ruins (GB40) and Suspended Bell (GB39) to remove the heat (inflammation), resulting in significant improvement.

9. Spleen and Qi deficiency

For those with palpitation, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, or poor digestive system, Dr. Wu gave treatment on the hands and feet to repair energy and blood circulation and restore the balance of the internal design of the heart, spleen, and lungs.

Healthline stated that Qi deficiency is the root cause of many common illnesses also in the West, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, indigestion, and menstrual pain.

10. Kidney deficiency

An 80-year-old woman lost her hearing entirely in both ears after the flu. In the first week of her visit, Dr. Wu began from her head, around the ears and the limbs, with no success.

So after thorough consideration of her old age and deficiency in her kidney and brain marrow, the practitioner added food therapy to her acupuncture treatment plan. He prescribed a therapy food formula for the 80-year-old. After consuming a stew with two Chinese herbs of anemone altaica and davallia mariesii and pig kidney for a week, the patient could hear the doorbell ring.

Patients with tinnitus may sometimes have both stuffiness and double hearing since the symptoms of stuffiness result in double hearing.

Other than the above acupuncture method, Dr. Wu suggested addressing additional acupoints on Peaceful Sleep (EX-HN22), Celestial Pillar (BL10), and Hair Clip (EX-B2) on both sides of the cervical spine.

Based on the severity of the Patients symptoms, pinpointing additional acupoints for patients physical wellness, such as spleen, kidney, or liver, enhances the efficacy of their treatment plans.

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Wu Kuo-pin is the superintendent of Taiwan Xinyitang Heart Clinic. In 2008, he started to study traditional Chinese medicine and obtained a bachelors degree from China Medical University in Taiwan.

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10 Deeper Causes of Tinnitus, and How to Treat It - The Epoch Times

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to thearray of therapies that extend beyond conventional Western medical treatments. The term complementary describes treatments used in conjunction with standard care, and the term alternative relates to less conventional methods of treatment. In recent years, the term integrative health has been used to describe the incorporation of evidence-based CAM therapies into conventional treatments for the purpose of enhancing overall health.

Peopleseeking treatment for a range of mental health concerns may find some complementary or alternative treatment approachesto be helpful when these treatments are undertaken with the knowledge and support of a mental or medical health professional.

The branch of medical care referred to as complementary and alternative medicine has been in practice in some parts of the world, such as China and India and among the numerous tribes of the indigenousAmerican peoples,for hundreds of years.These traditional techniquesmay not necessarily be considered "complementary" or "alternative." Before the 19th century, medicine was considered a supplemental field, and many techniques now viewed as complementary or alternative were mainstream at that time. Formal hospitals were rare, and most doctors practiced medicine part-time while satisfying other roles like judge, magistrate, farmer, or shop owner. At the start of the 19th century, conventional medicine began to take form, and over the course of the next several decades, the medical field grew rapidly.

Nonetheless, conventional medicine had its critics, who often claimed it to be expensive, risky, and imprecise. Some of these critics formed thePopular Health Movement (PHM), which flourished during the 1830s and 1840s and wasdevoted to the preservation of herbal remedies, nutrition, exercise, self-healing, and otherpractice methods of midwives and lay practitioners.The lasting impact the Popular Health Movement had on the medical fieldis still in effect today. In 1992, the National Institute of Health established the Office of Alternative Medicine (OAM), which was renamed the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) in 1998 and is now known asthe National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Even today, CAM therapies continue to grow in popularity. National surveys show nearly 69% of Americans use at least one form of CAM treatment in any given year.

"Integrative medicine," a term recently adopted by a number of government and educational organizations, is intended to emphasize the use of multiple therapy and treatment approaches in the achievement of optimal mind-body wellness and health, rather than suggest alternative approaches be used in the place of conventional medical treatments.

A 2007 national survey of Americans showed that approximately 38% of adults and 12% of children reportedly use CAM. This amounts to approximately $33.9 billion in annual out-of-pocket expenses. Neither the use of vitamin or mineral supplements nor the use of prayer for health reasons were included in these figures, though both numbers have been included in CAM expenditure figures in the past. Additionally, although the above statistics represent overall CAM use and expenditures, people with diagnosed medical or mental health concerns tend to use CAM at higher rates than the general population.

Among the most widely used CAM therapies are manipulative therapies (such as chiropractic and massage therapy) for back pain, yoga and other forms of exercise, and acupuncture. Dietary supplements, such as vitamins and herbal medicines, are also fairly common. Research indicates about half of all American adults take one or more dietary supplements.

The field of psychology consistently evolves and expands as new research leads to the development of new ideas regarding not onlycare and treatment but also the concepts of general health and well-being. Many individuals take a holistic approach to healing and wellness and, as part of this approach, incorporate techniques outside the fields of medical and mental health. Thesetechniques, which may be movement-based, biological, or energy-based, include treatments such asacupuncture, massage therapy, yoga, Reiki, biofeedback, nutritional therapies, and meditation. Some have been proven to have a positive effect on mental and/or physical health, while others are not yet supported by scientific evidence.

Because many of these treatments are not evidence-based, some people may fearcriticism from health care professionals and be reluctant totell physicians or therapists about any complementary or alternative treatments they are utilizing. However, not all CAM therapies are a good fit for every individual.Some have little evidence of benefit and may have the potential to harm. It is thus recommended that therapists encourage those in treatment to talk about any CAM use, without offering critique or judgment, in order to obtain a clear picture of treatment progress. Doing so can both help strengthen the therapeutic relationship by allowing the person in treatment to feel a greater sense of trust and provide an opening for a conversation about the potential risks and benefits of any complementary or alternative approach. When all members of an individual's health care team know about all approaches being used, theymay be able to help those in treatment avoid potentially harmful drug or therapy interactions.

Therapists do not typicallyprescribe oral intake therapies, such as herbal orvitamin supplementation, but some of those in treatmentmay choose to use these in order to help address mood issues or other concerns. Discussing the use of these supplements is considered by medical professionals to be as important as disclosing the use of prescribed medications and other mind/body-altering substances.

A thoughtful, collaborative discussion of CAM therapies can potentially enrich the therapy experience for those who see these approaches as additional tools for emotional and physical healing. Therapists can introduce those in treatment to complementary approaches such as meditation or relaxation. Doctors can suggest chiropractic care or massage therapy. A person who has had success with a particular CAM approach can share this information with a provider, in the interest of increasing knowledge about CAM.

The label integrative health psychology can help clarify the emphasis on enhancing overall health (mental and physical) via psychotherapy and complementary/alternative therapies. The term integrative as it relates to psychotherapy can be characterized as:

The above descriptors of integrative health psychology are not necessarily new ways of looking at mental health care. Mind-body approaches, such as guided imagery, hypnotherapy, meditation, and relaxation training have long been used by many to help manage mood, improve feelings of physical energy, and foster a general sense of well-being.

Techniques such as these can easily be incorporated into talk therapy. A growing number of therapists already do so with good results. Mindfulness training, for example, was introduced as a practice outside of the realm of psychotherapy and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of several mental health issues. These approaches may be viewed as stand-alone therapies or treatment techniques that can be integrated into traditional psychotherapy.

Unconventional approaches have been shown to have benefit for some individuals in the treatment of a number of mental health concerns, especially when used in addition to standard treatment or as part of a combined treatment plan. Caution is generally advised when choosing an alternative treatment approach, asthe effects of many treatments have not been extensively studied or regulated and/ormay be less well-known. However,some treatments are widely utilized and are known to be helpful as part of treatment. It is recommended that any alternative or complementary approach be first discussed with primary care providers.

Meditation-based approaches, for example,havebeen proven to have a largely positive impact, with few to no negative side effects.Meditation-based approaches havebeen proven to have a largely positive impact, with few to no negative side effects.Studies have shown meditation can be helpful in the treatment of insomnia and maypotentially be helpful in reducing risk for self-harm and suicidal thoughts in adolescents.

Research has shown yoga, a meditation-based practice, may serve to reduce stress for many and can also be helpful in relieving symptoms of depression,anxiety, and possibly schizophrenia. Yoga has become fairly popular in the United States in recent years.According to national survey estimates, more than 7% of adults tried yoga at least once, and almost 4% had practiced yoga within the last year. Multiple studies have shown yoga may contributeto an improved mood and improved quality of life.

Acupuncture, a form of traditional alternative medicine, may benefit in the treatment of chronic pain, according to research.

Omega-3 fatty acids, also known as fish oil, may help address mood concerns and depression. Some also believe fish oil helps enhance the effectiveness of antidepressants.Research has shown that young adults who begin taking omega-3 fatty acids after experiencing their first psychotic episode may be less likely to develop a more serious condition. Folate, otherwise known as folic acid and vitamin B9, may also be used to supplement traditional mental health treatment for people with depression and schizophrenia. One specific form of folate, I-methylfolate, has been approved for this use by the FDA.

Other CAM treatments people report benefit from include, but are not limited to:

Although a significant amount of research supports the safe and effective use of a number CAM therapies, people choosing to use a complementary or alternative approach may wish to seek the advice of their primary care provider and/or therapist and seek out certified, trained professionals who have received their training from an accredited institution.

Supportive evidence is lacking in the case of many CAM approaches.In addition to research challenges, some safety concerns regarding CAM do exist.

While more research supporting the integration of alternative and complementary approaches may provide support for these treatments, controlled studies are often difficult to facilitate,due to the unique types of treatment that CAM encompasses. It can be challenging to apply conventional expectations of research to therapies that are unconventional. Further,due to the nature of CAM, the placebo effectthat often negates efficacy in traditional research studies may be viewed as a self-healing procedure and thus provide evidence that a CAM therapy is effective.

References:

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) - GoodTherapy

Herbal medicine industry bodies in India are looking to boost sales and acceptance of such traditional medicine amid Indias big push to become a hub for alternative therapies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given the alternative medicine industry a boost.Ayurvedic drug companies recorded more than US$18 billion in sales in 2020, four times the amount in 2014.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people saw that modern medicine wasnt useful for everyone. There was a trend of people drinking herbal concoctions that made people them feel better, and it was so convenient. That made people trust herbal remedies, said Ms Rajni Jain, co-founder of the Sansthanam Abhaydanam Ayurvedic Hospital.

As a result of the pandemic, her ayurvedic orchard has become widely popular, and now she and her team are considering manufacturing their own medicines in a bid to capitalise on industry-wide demand.

The growth of the alternative medicine industry has come on the back of a concerted effort by the Indian government to expand the sector.

It created regulatory frameworks, offers tax incentives and provides research funding.

The establishment of a dedicated ministry to oversee all things alternative medicines in 2014 inspired confidence among many first-time buyers and reduced counterfeit products prescribed by non-certified practitioners that had ailed the industry for decades, industry players said.

Mr Milan Mehta, secretary of the Ayurvedic Drug Manufacturers Association said gone are the days when traditional medicine meant questionable loose powder.

"That may be a market at the village level. But at urban level and export its given in proper packaging with adherence to latest rules and regulations required by the regulators of India and abroad," he said.

Indian's industry bodies want manufacturers to adhere to the best practices prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to boost exports.

They regard the WHOs stamp of approval as crucial for the international uptake of traditional medicine.

The international health body is also keen to widen the use of traditional medicine.

In April this year, the global health body's director-general Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said: As yet, the contribution of traditional medicine towards national health systems is not fully realised. This global centre for traditional medicine will be a powerful vehicle for taking their journey forward."

WHO has also recognised India's role in the world of alternative medicine - it worked with the government to establish the country as the herbal medicine capital of the world.

In March this year, it set up the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Prime Minister Narendra Modis home state Gujarat.

Despite the growing recognition and acceptance of ayurvedic medicine, practitioners of more conventional medicine are sceptical, amid lingering concerns over quality.

Many say substituting traditional medicine for modern medicine could lead to a public health crisis.

The reality though is that by the WHOs estimate, around 80 per cent of people around the world already use traditional medicine.

Authorities hope that strict regulation could be what will ensure the quality of alternative medicines and minimise health risks.

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India's alternative medicine industry grows, boosted by COVID-19 pandemic - CNA

CHARLOTTE, NC- (NewMediaWire) - October 10, 2022 - via QC Kinetix -- QC Kinetix (Charlotte) employs natural treatment approaches to treat joint pain and manage soft tissue injuries for semi-pro/pro athletes, people who love the outdoors, avid adventurers, and weekend warriors. Regenerative medicine therapies help induce the body's healing mechanisms to improve pain, decrease inflammation, and restore degenerated tissues. A treatment session begins with lessening overall inflammation in the injury area to enhance the tissue environment and facilitate healing. The medical providers subsequently use connective tissue supplements, injectable therapy, and other techniques to regulate the body's healing factors. The supplements provide tissue hydration, lubrication, and support structures to stimulate performance and block the activation of pain receptors.

"We understand how devastating chronic pain can be. Not only does it limit people physically, but it wears them down emotionally, too. QC Kinetix Charlotte is here to change that. Through our regenerative treatments and world-class care, we strive to empower people to live their best lives." Company Representative.

Sports injuries such as a torn Achilles tendon, joint pain, a torn rotator cuff, joint tissue tears, golfer's elbow, tennis elbow, and low back pain take several weeks/months to heal even with rest, ice, compression, elevation, physical therapy, or invasive surgery. Whether a patient is a pro athlete in training for the next season or a blue-collar employee desiring to get back to work, they need regenerative medicine therapies to manage their acute injuries. The field contains a broad category of alternative treatments that aim to spark the healing and repair of injured/damaged joint tissues. In sports injuries, it speeds up recovery and strengthens existing bones, ligaments, and cartilage.

The biologic therapies at QC Kinetix (Charlotte) work effectively as part of a recovery routine that includes physical therapy, bracing, and rest. The providers integrate traditional sports injury approaches with regenerative therapies for athletes to experience fewer future injuries. While the sports injury protocol improves athletes' quality of life, they also minimize pain/inflammation in the injury area, which is essential for healing. Additionally, they guide patients during treatment sessions to ensure a seamless recovery process.

Chronic knee pain results from a torn meniscus, bone-on-bone osteoarthritis, decreased range of motion, knee cracking, and torn ACL. Besides being debilitating, it inhibits athletes from training in the gym, performing on the field/stage, playing with their children, or accomplishing chores. Currently, traditional sports physicians recommend knee replacement surgery, arthroscopic surgery, physical therapy, and steroids for pain relief. A knee replacement surgery is an invasive procedure where doctors replace degenerated bone and cartilage with a plastic spacer and metal implants. While it may relieve knee pain/its symptoms, it can take up to a year for an athlete to fully recover, impacting their sports careers, mental health, or quality of life.

The Charlotte knee specialist offers a better alternative to knee surgery. They use minimally invasive non-surgical treatments to promote cartilage and bone tissue healing/repair. Many patients discovered QC Kinetix (Charlotte) while searching for natural knee pain treatments. The regenerative therapies assist with knee pain from a recent/former accident/sports injury or a chronic degenerative condition. They also reduce pain with fewer side effects and little-to-no recovery time. Even though the providers strive to decrease an athlete's pain levels, they also want them to experience improved function, sleep patterns, and range of motion.

The patient experience at the sports injury clinic is unmatched in the medical field as the team provides high-quality services and treats patients with the respect they deserve. Throughout an athlete's clinical experience, they learn about their condition, the most appropriate therapies for their needs, healthy lifestyle choices to adopt, and at-home preventive care techniques. They also use advanced diagnostic equipment to discover the root cause of the pain before recommending personalized treatment plans.

To learn more about regenerative medicine therapies, visit the clinic's website or call (704) 360-3057 to request a consultation. QC Kinetix (Charlotte) is located at 309 S Sharon Amity Rd Suite 302, Charlotte, NC, 28211, US.

Media Contact:

Company Name: QC Kinetix (Charlotte)

Contact Person: Marc Difronzo

Phone: (704) 360-3057

Address: 309 S Sharon Amity Rd Suite 302

City: Charlotte

State: NC

Postal Code: 28211

Country: United States

Website: https://qckinetix.com/charlotte/

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QC Kinetix (Charlotte) Offers Alternative Treatments for Knee Pain and Sports Injuries - Yahoo Finance

Plant extracts products are frequently used as food and medicine around the world since it is believed that they are natural and hence risk-free. The emergence of such cutting-edge knowledge has raised interest in plant extracts.

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Oct. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Verified Market Research recently published a report, "Plant Extracts Market" By Type (Spices, Essential Oils and Natural Extracts), By Application (Pharmaceuticals, Food and Beverages), and By Geography.

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As per the deep research carried out by Verified Market Research, the global Plant Extracts Market size was valued at USD 48.98 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 85.09 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.33% from 2023 to 2030.

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202 - Pages126 Tables37 Figures

Global Plant Extracts Market Overview

Plant extraction is a method for obtaining useful components or active ingredients from any part of the plant. The extractions are solubilized and placed in a solvent to create the required extract, which is then separated from the solvent to reveal only the plant extract.

Plant extracts are increasingly being used in a range of industries due to their advantageous properties, including the cosmetics industry, the pharmaceutical industry due to their medical properties, and the food and beverage industry. Natural plant extracts offer a seemingly endless range of chemical possibilities, which gives them unmatched potential.

Plant extracts are useful for treating skin conditions, irritating it, wetting surfaces, reducing inflammation, sterilizing surfaces, and protecting skin, among other things. As people start to trust natural products more and more, the urban population is becoming more health conscious, which is increasing the need for alternative medicines and therapies.

Participants in the business should reap significant benefits from the increased demand for organic goods on a global basis in the following years. Because there is such a high demand for the useful properties of botanicals, producers in the global botanical business often introduce new and innovative products.

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Several significant factors are projected to contribute to the demand for plant extracts during the anticipated time frame. However, the reputation of the industry as a whole is eventually being harmed by adulteration through a number of different ways. The availability of synthetic goods is also projected to be a major hindrance to the growth of the plant extracts market.

Key Developments

February 2021: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. DuPont's N&B has merged with IFF, which supplies binders, plant-based proteins, and texturants which has increased the revenue exponentially and broadened the customer base for sustainable growth.

Key Players

The major players in the market are Naturex, Berkem, Kuber Impex Ltd., Network Nutrition, Organic Herb Inc., PLANT EXTRACTS INTERNATIONAL INC., NETWORK NUTRITION PTY LIMITED, NANTONG SIHAI PLANT EXTRACTS CO., LTD., PHYTOVATION LTD, and Qualiphar-Gifrer.

Verified Market Research has segmented the Global Plant Extracts Market On the basis of Type, Application, and Geography.

Plant Extracts Market, By Type

Plant Extracts Market, By Application

Plant Extracts Market, by Geography

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Autolyzed Yeast Extract Market By Type (Powder, Paste, Liquid), By Application (Beverages, Food, Pharmaceuticals, Animal Feed), By Geography, And Forecast

Aloe Vera Extract Market By Product Form (Capsules/Tablets, Liquid), By Application (Pharmaceuticals, Foods & Beverages), By Geography, And Forecast

Citrus Aurantium Extract Market By End-User (Pharmaceutical, Food, Personal Care), By Application (Essential Oil, Appetite Suppressant, Weight Loss Aid), By Geography, And Forecast

Plant Extracts for Feed Application Market By Product (Alkaloids, Organic Acids, Polysaccharide, Volatile Oil, Glucosides), By Application (Pig Nutrition, Poultry Nutrition, Ruminant Nutriton, Aquatic Feed Additives) By Geography, And Forecast

Top 10 Plant-Based Protein Companies offering nutrition from natural resources

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Plant Extracts Market is expected to generate a revenue of USD 85.09 Billion by 2030, Globally, at 6.33% CAGR: Verified Market Research - Yahoo...

Can this alchemist provide credible information about neuroplasticity? I dont think so!

Her top 5 tips to optimize neuroplasticity are essential oils, meditation, diet, exercise, and music. There is some evidence that some of these can enhance neuroplasticity, but nowhere does she mention evidence or science. She has a new book out: Detox, Nourish, Activate: Plant and Vibrational Medicine for Energy, Mood, and Love. There are already two alternative medicine buzzwords in that title, detox and vibrational medicine, but it gets worse. Adora has managed to pack in an incredible number of red flags. As the Nobel Prizes are being announced, she deserves some kind of prize too, for the most prolific use of the red flags that signal alternative medicine nonsense.

She is the founder of The Soul Institute, an innovator in the field of aromatherapy and energy medicine, and a visionary in the nascent field of Quantum Alchemy, an evolutionary transformative path for self-mastery which facilitates healing at the DNA level using an amalgamation of plant and vibrational modalities. Her initial product line, Rhiamon Energy Essentials, was one of the first to combine aromatherapy and energy healing. She went on to create ADORAtherapy, an award-winning aromatherapy brand. She supports women in the awakening journey of the Divine Feminine. She teaches veterans to make their own medicines with herbs, essential oils, and mindfulness techniques. She is a modern alchemist and an expert on crystals. She created Aromatic Neural Repatterning (ANR) to rewire the brain to expect positive experiences.

She makes a number of questionable claims without providing any evidence.

Thats not the language of science or reality. Its more than enough to convince any thinking person that she lives outside the universe of science and in a world of fantasy, wishful thinking, and wild imagination. She didnt hit every possible red flag, but she managed to hit a great many. I advocate science-based medicine, so her only interest to me is as a bad example. If understanding what science-based medicine ISNT can help people understand what it IS, her example may be useful. She represents the epitome of non-science-based medicine. I wonder if she even knows what science means.

You may call it fantasy, imagination, or wishful thinking. Whatever it is, it has nothing to do with evidence or science and cant be trusted.

Harriet Hall, MD also known as The SkepDoc, is a retired family physician who writes about pseudoscience and questionable medical practices. She received her BA and MD from the University of Washington, did her internship in the Air Force (the second female ever to do so), and was the first female graduate of the Air Force family practice residency at Eglin Air Force Base. During a long career as an Air Force physician, she held various positions from flight surgeon to DBMS (Director of Base Medical Services) and did everything from delivering babies to taking the controls of a B-52. She retired with the rank of Colonel. In 2008 she published her memoirs, Women Aren't Supposed to Fly.

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Neuroplasticity Nonsense Is Full of Red Flags - Science Based Medicine

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Counties Manukau resident Graham King says dulaglutide has been life changing for him. He is concerned about any threat to the supply of the drug.

Pharmac says people with type 2 diabetes wont be made to pay for alternative medicines.

This follows news there is a global shortage of dulaglutide, a diabetes drug that could affect thousands in Aotearoa alone.

Manufacturer Lilly has instructed New Zealand health care providers to consider not prescribing Trulicity (dulaglutide) to new patients due to a global supply problem, which is expected to last until next year.

Ministry of Health figures show in 2020 there were 277,803 people with diabetes in New Zealand - 47,988 in south Auckland alone.

READ MORE:* Thousands could be affected by shortage of diabetes drug* Pharmac promises equity boost in first official response to independent review* Critics blame diabetes deaths on Pharmac taking years to fund new drug

According to Pharmac, the drug is currently prescribed to 14,000 Kiwis and chief executive Sarah Fitt said it is working with Eli Lilly to explore all possible alternatives.

But Fitt was keen to assure those affected that they wont be expected to pay for new medicines.

If we are able to secure an alternative product it would be fully funded, and no additional Government funding would be required, she said.

Fitt said under Pharmacs single-supplier contract system pharmaceutical companies must maintain supply of the medicine they are contracted to provide, or support alternative options.

And according to the agency, it expects Eli Lilly to pay for any additional costs associated with sourcing new drugs.

But she was unable to provide a timeframe on when it would make a decision on substitute medicines.

RNZ

A professor in Human Nutrition and Medicine says the latest nationwide snapshot of diabetes has left him dumbstruck.

Counties Manukau resident Graham King (Ngti Tai) started taking dulaglutide this year and said the medication has been life changing for him. He is concerned about any threat to the supply of the drug.

King has managed to lose 15kgs in eight months and halve his use of insulin.

He said it was good to hear Pharmac has said any alternative treatments wont cost diabetics, but there remain unanswered questions about the shortage of dulaglutide.

What are the alternatives? For someone like me, if I had to look at an alternative drug, I would want to know what the side-effects are.

Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa chairman John Baker said while there are already 14,000 people prescribed dulaglutide, the number of people who could use it to help manage their diabetes is much higher.

Its an extremely effective medicine, whereas previous drugs didnt work, or had unacceptable side-effects, Baker said.

Stephen Forbes/Stuff

Diabetes Foundation Aotearoa chairman John Baker said the global shortage of Trulicity (dulaglutide) has the potential to affect thousands of people with type 2 diabetes.

The south Auckland-based specialist said despite Eli Lillys claim that it will try to guarantee supply for those already receiving Trulicity (dulaglutide), they could still be affected by the global shortages.

All of a sudden these people are faced with the very real possibility that they wont be able to source these medications for months.

He said any substitute medicines would still require MedSafes sign-off before they could be prescribed.

I think we have an obligation to the entire diabetic community and if people meet the criteria for dulaglutide they should receive it, Baker said.

We cant say because you are on dulaglutide already, youve got more of a right to receive it over someone who hasnt. I dont accept that.

Eli Lilly was approached for comment.

Excerpt from:

Diabetics won't be made to pay for alternative medicines, Pharmac says - Stuff

Lili Reinhart is all about healing.

Over the weekend, the Riverdale star shared the news on Instagram that she had earned the title of reiki master as part of her wellness journey.

Read More: Lili Reinhart Reveals The One Thing Actors On The CW Arent Allowed To Do Onscreen

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart)

The company tagged by Reinhart in the post, Luminaries Healing, offers reiki classes.

Reiki is a type of alternative medicine from Japan, using a technique called palm healing, in which energy is said to move through the practitioners hands to the patient.

Omggggg my personal reiki master, proud of you! Reinharts Riverdale co-star Vanessa Morgan wrote in the comments.

Camila Mendes added, Proud of you.

Read More: Lili Reinhart Chats Riverdales Bonkers Storyline, Shares Hopes For Season 7

Reinhart shared that she had got into reiki

See the rest here:

Lili Reinhart Becomes A Reiki Master: My Journey Into Reiki Healing Cant Be Simplified - IMDb