Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing最新文献

{"title":"The impact of Zataria multiflora on oxidative stress biomarkers and ulcerative colitis symptoms: A multicenter, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial","authors":"Mehrnaz Morvaridi ,&nbsp;Naheed Aryaeian ,&nbsp;Pezhman Alavinejad ,&nbsp;Seyed Saeed Seyedian ,&nbsp;Mehri Ghafourian ,&nbsp;Nima Bakhtiari ,&nbsp;Maryam Seyedtabib","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103170","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103170","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC), contributing to mucosal damage and inflammation. <em>Zataria multiflora</em> possesses antioxidant properties, yet clinical evidence regarding its effects in UC remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of <em>Z. multiflora</em> extract on oxidative stress markers and disease severity in UC patients.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 92 patients with mild-to-moderate UC were randomly assigned to receive either <em>Z. multiflora</em> extract (6 mg/kg/day) or a placebo for two months. Oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and thiol groups (SH), were measured before and after treatment. Disease severity was assessed using the Partial Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (P-SCCAI).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div><em>Z. multiflora</em> supplementation significantly increased TAC (p = 0.01), SOD (p = 0.02), and SH (p = 0.01) levels, indicating enhanced antioxidant defenses. However, MDA levels did not significantly decrease (p = 0.06). Clinically, the <em>Z. multiflora</em> group exhibited significant improvements in bowel frequency (p &lt; 0.001), urgency of defecation (p &lt; 0.001), general well-being (p &lt; 0.001), and final P-SCCAI scores (p &lt; 0.001) compared to the placebo group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div><em>Z. multiflora</em> supplementation improved antioxidant markers and alleviated UC symptoms, though MDA levels remained unchanged. These findings suggest its potential as a complementary therapy for UC. Further large-scale, long-term studies are warranted to confirm its efficacy and optimize dosing.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 4","pages":"Article 103170"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143901888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Caring for the wellbeing of staff: An exemplar from the Netherlands","authors":"Mary Jo Kreitzer ,&nbsp;Mary Koithan ,&nbsp;Christa Voorn","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103175","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103175","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 4","pages":"Article 103175"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143908076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adverse health effects of PFAS","authors":"Maite Salim Saker Santos Lima ,&nbsp;Judith T. Zelikoff","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103174","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103174","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 4","pages":"Article 103174"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143899892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Listening to music for insomnia in adults: Summary of a Cochrane review","authors":"Karla E. Duque Jacome,&nbsp;L. Susan Wieland","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103173","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103173","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 4","pages":"Article 103173"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143904013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Improving cognitive function in older adults through mind-body Qigong exercise at senior daycare centers: The role of sleep as a moderator and mediator","authors":"Jianghong Liu ,&nbsp;Yi Yang ,&nbsp;Haoer Shi ,&nbsp;Adriana Perez ,&nbsp;Adrian Raine ,&nbsp;Hengyi Rao ,&nbsp;Rui Feng ,&nbsp;Clara Li","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103167","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103167","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Mind-body Qigong Baduanjin exercises benefit cognition in community-dwelling older adults, yet mechanisms are poorly understood. We aimed to examine the moderation and mediation roles of sleep on intervention effects in cognition.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This 10-week trial included 78 (intervention: n = 47, control: n = 31) older Chinese adults at a daycare center. We measured the sleep quality, both subjective and objective cognition pre- and post-intervention. The intervention served as the independent variable and the post-pre changes in cognition were used as outcomes. Baseline sleep quality was examined as a moderator, while post-pre changes in sleep quality were considered as a mediator. We tested the interaction between intervention and the moderator using a linear regression model, with relevant covariates adjusted. Subgroup analyses were conducted for any potential interaction (p &lt; 0.20). Mediation effects were analyzed through first modeling the effect of the independent variable on the mediator, and then modeling the effect of independent variable and the mediator on the outcome.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Compared to control, Qigong intervention significantly predicted improvements in subjective and objective cognition among older adults, particularly for poor sleepers but not good sleepers. Sleep improvements significantly mediated intervention effects on subjective cognition in participants with less daily exercise (indirect effect: <em>β</em> <em>=</em> -0.412, 95 % CI: [-0.910, -0.066]).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Qigong improved cognition in older Chinese, particularly those with sleep problems prior to the intervention. Sleep quality changes played a mediating role, especially in individuals with less exercise. Results shed light on future interventions in identifying targeted mediating/moderating factors of Qigong.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 4","pages":"Article 103167"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143901889","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acupuncture combined with Guizhi Fuling Wan decoction for adenomyosis-associated dysmenorrhea: A case report","authors":"Tongtong Liu ,&nbsp;SiWen Ma ,&nbsp;XuePing Si","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103169","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103169","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Adenomyosis (AM) is a common gynecological disorder frequently observed in women of reproductive age. It is characterized by the invasion of endometrial glands and stroma into the myometrium, often manifesting as secondary dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, and infertility. Although hormonal therapy and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) remain the mainstream treatments, their long-term efficacy and side effects pose significant clinical challenges. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), particularly herbal medicine and acupuncture, has emerged as a safer alternative therapy.</div></div><div><h3>Case summary</h3><div>A 39-year-old Asian woman presented to our hospital with a 10-year history of progressively worsening menstrual pain, accompanied by menstrual hypermenorrhea over the past 2 years. She was diagnosed with adenomyosis. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, the diagnosis was dysmenorrhea associated with the Qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome. Notably, despite treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, her dysmenorrhea remained unresponsive. The patient was treated with a modified herbal formula, Guizhi Fuling Wan (GZFLW), and acupuncture. After three menstrual cycles of treatment, her dysmenorrhea and other systemic symptoms significantly improved. At the time of writing this report, no recurrence had been observed during follow-up, and no adverse reactions occurred throughout the entire treatment period.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The success of this case indicates that traditional Chinese medicine can serve as an independent treatment option for secondary dysmenorrhea caused by adenomyosis, offering a viable alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It holds unique value and significant clinical importance for patients who are unresponsive to NSAIDs and refuse hormone-based therapies. However, further rigorous clinical trials are needed to validate these findings<strong>.</strong></div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 4","pages":"Article 103169"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143874856","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Therapeutic evaluation of Munzij regimen and Nusqa-e-Majoosi in the management of Irq al-Nasa (Radicular pain): A case series","authors":"Ruksar Ayesha ,&nbsp;Muzafar Din Ahmad Bhat ,&nbsp;Rabia Malik ,&nbsp;Mehjabeen Fatimah","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103168","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103168","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Radicular pain, characterized by radiating neuropathic pain in the lower extremities, often arises due to inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve. Despite advancements in conventional medicine, many patients experience incomplete relief or adverse effects, prompting interest in alternative therapies. This case series evaluates the efficacy of Unani treatment, focusing on the <em>Munzij</em> regimen (concoction) therapy followed by <em>Nusqa e Majoosi</em> (Unani formulation).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Three cases of diagnosed radicular pain were treated with Unani drugs—the <em>Munzij</em> regimen (concoction) followed by <em>Nusqa e Majoosi</em>. The primary outcome measures included improvements in pain intensity (VAS), functional mobility (SLRT), and quality of life (RMDQ).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>All three patients showed notable improvement in symptoms. VAS scores reduced from 8/10 to 2/10, 8/10 to 4/10, and 7/10 to 2/10, indicating pain relief. SLRT angles improved in all cases, and RMDQ scores showed more than a 50 % reduction, reflecting better mobility and daily function.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Unani treatment using the <em>Munzij</em> regimen and <em>Nusqa e Majoosi</em> demonstrated effective symptom relief in radicular pain. Larger studies with comparative designs are required for further validation and potential integration into mainstream healthcare.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 4","pages":"Article 103168"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143886277","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating traditional Chinese medicine in managing neutropenic fever during chemotherapy for pediatric lymphoma: A case report","authors":"Szu-Yu Pan ,&nbsp;Shi-Chen Ou ,&nbsp;Tung-Ti Chang","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103166","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103166","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Neutropenic fever (NF) is a critical complication in pediatric oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy. While Western medicine provides standardized management, the role of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as an adjunctive therapy in pediatric cases remains underexplored.</div></div><div><h3>Case Presentation</h3><div>We report the case of a 14-year-old female diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who developed persistent NF following chemotherapy. Despite broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, her fever remained high, reaching 42.2 °C with a WBC count of 70/µL. Given concerns over liver function abnormalities (AST/ALT = 70/229 IU/L) and chemotherapy-related side effects, adjunctive TCM treatment was initiated. The treatment strategy evolved through different therapeutic phases, including resolving dampness and supporting gastrointestinal and hepatic functions, followed by alleviating heat with Sweet-Warm Approach—a TCM method aimed at dispelling Yin Fire—and later a strategy transitioned to a treatment strategy focusing on regulating lung Qi to relieve respiratory symptoms. Clinical improvements were observed, with liver function normalization on July 12^th (AST/ALT = 23/26 IU/L) and eventual resolution of fever.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This case highlights the potential role of TCM as a complementary approach in managing chemotherapy-related complications in pediatric patients. The tailored use of TCM strategies may offer additional benefits in supporting immune function and alleviating systemic imbalances in NF. Further studies are warranted to explore its broader application in pediatric oncology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 3","pages":"Article 103166"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143859995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The remaining spiritual wounds of the warriors after the war: A call for action","authors":"Bayram Nejati-Zarnaqi ,&nbsp;Jamilah Hanum Abdul Khaiyom","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103165","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103165","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 3","pages":"Article 103165"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143850561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Academic ageism: Marginalizing experienced researchers","authors":"Lucindo J. Quintans-Júnior ,&nbsp;Davi Pereira de Santana","doi":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103164","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.explore.2025.103164","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50459,"journal":{"name":"Explore-The Journal of Science and Healing","volume":"21 3","pages":"Article 103164"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143865068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}