Alternative therapies in health and medicine最新文献

{"title":"Clinical Implications of Interleukin-4 and C-reactive Protein in Atopic Dermatitis and Their Changes Before and after Dupilumab Treatment.","authors":"Tian Zhao, Yinglei Wu, Zhina Shi, Jing Zhang, Chunjie Geng, Yanan Jia, Yaohui Yuan","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To analyze the clinical implications of C-reactive protein (C-reactive protein) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in atopic dermatitis and their correlations with the therapeutic effect of Dupilumab (DU).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Seventy-four cases of atopic dermatitis (intervention group) were admitted to Xingtai Third Hospital between May 2021 and January 2023, and 55 concurrent healthy controls (control group) were selected as research participants. Atopic dermatitis patients were treated with a DU injection of 600 mg for the first time after diagnosis. Peripheral blood IL-4 and C-reactive protein levels before and after treatment in the intervention group and their levels at admission in the control group were comparatively analyzed, and their predictive value for the occurrence, clinical efficacy, and adverse reactions of atopic dermatitis were determined. Additionally, alterations in C-reactive protein and IL-4 levels before and after treatment in the intervention group and their relationship with the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index were discussed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The intervention group exhibited higher C-reactive protein and IL-4 levels than the control group. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of C-reactive protein + IL-4 detection for atopic dermatitis were 74.32% and 94.55%, respectively (P < .05). The post-treatment C-reactive protein and IL-4 were lower in the intervention group, and the test results were positively correlated with SCORAD before and after treatment (P < .05). In addition, C-reactive protein + IL-4 detection showed excellent predictive effects on the therapeutic efficacy of DU and adverse reactions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>IL-4 and C-reactive protein are closely related to atopic dermatitis, which can be used as the evaluation indexes for disease development of atopic dermatitis and therapeutic effects of DU in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"106-110"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140317609","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":"Improvement of Pre-check and Triage Efficiency and Guarantee of Maternal and Infant Safety in Pandemic Situation.","authors":"Zhibin Lin, Yanhua Ding, Xiaohui Gan, Juling Wang, Haidong Zheng, Wenjun Li, Zhichuan Chen","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>The objective of this study was to enhance the efficiency of pre-check and triage procedures in gynecology and obstetrics, while ensuring the safety of maternal and infant patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between March 2020 and July 2022, the workflow in gynecology and obstetrics was optimized, and the management of medical staff working in outpatient, ward, and obstetric ward settings was strengthened. Special protocols were developed and implemented for pregnant women, parturients, and neonates. Detailed procedures and routes were established for patient movement from outpatient areas to wards, with strict adherence to pandemic prevention and control measures. Information-based methods were employed to track and monitor the health status of high-risk pregnant women, parturients, and their families, facilitating accurate and efficient pre-check and triage processes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The implementation of these measures yielded favorable outcomes. No cases of COVID-19 infection were reported among pregnant women and parturients admitted to Liangzhou Hospital. The source of infection was effectively controlled, ensuring the safety of the patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrates the significance of improving pre-check and triage efficiency, strengthening the management of medical staff, and implementing specialized measures for pregnant women, parturients, and neonates to ensure their safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The established protocols and procedures can serve as a valuable reference for other healthcare facilities seeking to enhance their pandemic prevention and control strategies in gynecology and obstetrics settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"422-429"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140847059","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":"Uterine Artery Doppler Parameters: An Excellent Tool for Assessing Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes.","authors":"Minsui Cai, Yan Lu, Ying Li, Qi Cui","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the utility of uterine artery Doppler parameters in predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women, thereby enhancing the safety of pregnancy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study utilized a prospective observational design. A total of 142 pregnant women who underwent prenatal ultrasonography at our hospital and Wuxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital (Maternity Hospital affiliated with Jiangnan University) from May 2022 to May 2023 were included. Uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography was performed between 11-22 weeks of gestation, and the pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) were determined. Patients were followed until delivery, and outcomes were categorized into safety and risk groups. Differences in resistance index and pulsatility index between the groups were analyzed, along with their impact on adverse pregnancy outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among the participants, 34 experienced adverse pregnancy outcomes. The risk group exhibited a higher resistance index and pulsatility index compared to the safety group (P < .05). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the resistance index had a sensitivity of 64.71% and specificity of 93.52% for adverse pregnancy outcomes (P < .05), while the sensitivity and specificity of the pulsatility index were 67.65% and 78.70%, respectively (P < .05). Within the subset of women with adverse outcomes, those with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and/or gestational diabetes mellitus displayed the highest resistance index and pulsatility index (P < .05). Logistic regression analysis identified the resistance index and pulsatility index as independent risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes (P < .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Uterine artery Doppler parameters demonstrate excellent predictive value for adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women. This underscores their potential in enhancing prenatal care and pregnancy management strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"476-480"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140847433","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":"Study on the Relationship Between β2 Macroglobulin, Small Density, Low-density Lipoprotein and Carotid Plaque Instability after Acute Thrombolysis in Patients with Ischemic Stroke.","authors":"Hao Zhang, Nini Yang, Mengke Ma, Wen-An Wang","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Study the relationship between β2 microglobulin, small density, low-density lipoprotein and carotid plaque instability after acute thrombolysis in ischemic stroke patients (IS).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>319 patients with acute cerebral infarction who were treated by thrombolysis in the Department of Neurology, Chongming Branch of Shanghai Xinhua Hospital from January 2017 to May 2022 were included retrospectively. All subjects have undergone a carotid artery ultrasound examination for plaque. According to the ultrasound results, the subjects were divided into plaque-free group (94 cases), a stable plaque group (38 cases) and an unstable plaque group (187 cases). Use an automatic blood biochemical analyzer to detect routine indicators. At the same time, compare the differences of risk factors and biochemical indicators among the groups according to the demographic data of the patient's previous hospitalization. To further evaluate the related risk factors of the instability of carotid plaque in patients through the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated. Analysis the predictive value of β2 microglobulin and small density low density lipoprotein on the instability of carotid plaque in I.S. patients after acute thrombolysis through subject work characteristic curve (ROC).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 319 patients, 187 had unstable plaque accounting for 58.6% and 38 had stable plaque accounting for 11.9%, according to the comparison of general clinical data. Lymphocyte, neutrophil ratio, triglyceride, T3, Hcy, β2 microglobulin has statistical significance in the presence or absence of plaque. Lymphocytes, small dense low-density lipoprotein, β2 microglobulin have statistical significance in the stability of plaque (P < .05). Total cholesterol, hypertension, β2 microglobulin and small density low-density lipoprotein may be independent risk factors of carotid plaque instability through multivariate logistic regression analysis (P < .05). The area under ROC curve showed that β2 microglobulin AUC: 0.6388, P < .05, small density low-density lipoprotein AUC: 0.6086, P < .05, combined diagnosis AUC: 0.6924, P < .05.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>β2 microglobulin and density low-density lipoprotein are independent risk factors of carotid artery plaque instability in I.S. patients after acute thrombolysis. Moreover, the sensibility and differential of combined diagnosis are higher, which has certain predictive value for the instability of carotid plaque in such patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"321-325"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140850008","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":"Retrieval of Trophoblast Cells from The Robertsonian Translocations for Prenatal Diagnosis.","authors":"Zhen Xu, Sheng Li, Long He","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To provide genetic information about the fetuses from carriers of Robertsonian (Rob) translocation and to explore the application value of extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) cells collected from the cervical canal for prenatal diagnosis.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Trophoblast retrieval and isolation from the cervix (TRIC) is an approach that non-invasively isolates homogeneous trophoblast cells. In this study, the EVT cells were collected from the cervix of 20 pregnant women between 5-7 weeks gestation. Thereafter, STR analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed on these trophoblast cells.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In 1 case (P5), we failed to collect the trophoblast cells, STR analysis showed maternal cell contamination in 4 cases, 6 cases were normal/balanced chromosome, and 9 cases were associated with unbalanced chromosome. The results of these 15 cases were consistent with those of villi FISH examination or cytogenetic analysis of cultured amniocytes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The collection of fetal trophoblast cells from the cervix provides a feasible approach for prenatal diagnosis. Rob translocation homozygosity could be seen as a potential means of speciation in humans with 44 chromosomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"305-307"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140850349","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":"Effectiveness of Meticulous Management in Reducing Hospital-Acquired Infections in Neonatal Wards: A Prospective Analysis.","authors":"Hongyu Chen, Zhuan Miao, Yarong Cai, Le Dong","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate the effect of meticulous management on infection prevention and infection rate control in neonatal wards.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>230 neonates admitted to Northwest Women and Children's Hospital from January 2022 to June 2022 were selected as the control group and 230 neonates admitted to Northwest Women and Children's Hospital in the same period were selected as the study group. The control group was given routine management, and the study group was given meticulous management. The sanitary conditions of the items in the wards, the rate of implementation of standard disinfection measures, neonatal infections, and the satisfaction of neonatal guardians were compared between the two groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The qualified rates of air, nipple, bottle, disinfectants, sterilized items, and hand hygiene of medical staff in the study group were higher than those in the control group (P < .05). The implementation rates of environmental management, equipment disinfection, personnel management, and skin management disinfection in the neonatal ward of the study group were higher than those of the control group (P < .05). The total infection rate of all newborns in the study group was lower than that of the control group (P < .05). Total satisfaction was higher in the study group than in the control group (P < .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Meticulous management can play an effective role in the prevention and control of hospital-acquired infections in neonatal wards, and can effectively reduce the infection rate, which can be promoted and applied in clinical settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"78-81"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140854704","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 Maternal-Fetal Risk Factors of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and its Effects on Infant Complete Blood Count and Coagulation Factors.","authors":"Shurong Wang, Tian Sang, Zhaona Li, Jianrong Ma","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Our aim was to analyze the risk factors of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and explore its influence on fetal risk factors, infant's blood cells and markers of inflammation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 123 patients with HDP were in the HDP group, and 121 healthy pregnant women were selected as the control group. The general clinical data of the participants were recorded. Statistics of maternal and infant outcomes, delivery methods, routine blood lab results and coagulation factors of the newborn were recorded. Univariate analysis and multi-factor analysis were used to explore the risk factors for HDP.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The overall incidence of poor maternal outcomes in the HDP group was higher than in the control group. The incidence of premature delivery; postpartum hemorrhage; coagulopathy; placental abruption; heart failure and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome was significantly higher in the HDP group than in the control group (P < .05). The cesarean section rate in the HDP group was significantly higher than in the control group (P < .05). The overall incidence of poor outcomes in fetuses and newborns in the HDP group was higher than in the control group. The incidence of infant low birth weight, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS), asphyxia and all-cause neonatal death were higher than in the control group (P < .05). The incidence of small gestational age (SGA), fetal distress and intrauterine death in the HDP group were higher than in the control group (P < .05). In the HDP group, neonatal white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils (NEUT) and platelets (PLT) were significantly lower than in the control group (P < .05), while hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) were higher (P < .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>HDP endangers the health of mother and infant; Age, body mass index (BMI) (>24 kg/m2), parity, history of hypertension, family history of hypertension and other factors may be involved in the occurrence and development of HDP.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"300-304"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141173812","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":"Comparing Effects of Aerobic Versus Resistance Exercise on Expression of MicroRNA-155, Serum- and Glucocorticoid-Regulated Kinase 3, and Pain Threshold in Mice with Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.","authors":"Mina Ahmadi Kakavandi, Shahnaz Shahrbanian, Mohammad Reza Kordi, Bahram Mohammad Soltani","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Multiple sclerosis is a complex neurological disorder in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheath, leading to a range of symptoms. microRNA-155 plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and neuropathic pain. Serum- and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase 3 (SGK3) protein is the target of microRNA-155. Exercise can induce long-term changes in the expression of microRNAs and their target proteins. This study aims to compare the effects of resistance and aerobic exercises on the expression of microRNA-155, SGK3, and pain threshold in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis mice.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>For this purpose, 24 female C57BL6 mice were divided into four groups using a simple random sampling method: healthy, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, resistance exercise + experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and aerobic exercise + experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The exercise groups underwent four weeks of training, consisting of 5 sessions of 30 minutes per week. The expression of microRNA-155, SGK3 protein, and pain threshold were assessed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction method, Western blot analysis, and the tail flick test, respectively.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results indicated significant changes in the expression of microRNA-155 (F = 22.05, P = .0003), SGK3 (F = 26.70, P = .0002), and pain threshold (F = 5.05, P = .009). Both resistance and aerobic exercises significantly down-regulated microRNA-155 and increased the expression of SGK3 compared to the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis control group (P < .05). The pain threshold in the mice also increased in both exercise groups (P < .05). No significant differences were observed between the resistance and aerobic exercise groups in any outcomes (P > .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Exercise training, through its impact on epigenetic factors, may serve as an effective therapeutic intervention to alleviate pain in individuals with multiple sclerosis and could significantly manage disease symptoms.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"28-34"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142556905","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":"Protective Efficacy of T-type, Calcium Channel Antagonist on Auditory Function in Cdh23 Erl/Erl Mice.","authors":"Weijun Ma, Heng Li, Juan Hu, Ying Gao, Xiaotong Zhang, Min Xu, Ying Cheng","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Context: &lt;/strong&gt;In normal physiological conditions, calcium ions (Ca2+) have an important effect in terms of the regulation of hair cell (HC) functions, and T-type calcium antagonists may be protective against hearing loss. However, no studies have occurred related to a T-type calcium-channel antagonist with regard to otoprotection in a Cdh23 mouse model.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;The study intended to examine the protective efficacy of ethosuximide-a T-type calcium-channel antagonist-against age-related hearing loss in a Cadherin 23 (Cdh23) erl/erl mouse model, to potentially offer an insight and foundation for therapy in the near future for patients in clinical practice who suffer from age-related hearing loss.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Design: &lt;/strong&gt;The research team conducted an animal study.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Animals: &lt;/strong&gt;The animals were 12 male and 12 female, Cdh23 erl/erl mice.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Intervention: &lt;/strong&gt;The research team randomly divided the mice into two groups, with 12 mice in each group: (1) the control group, the saline group, which received saline at 10 mL/kg of body weight, and (2) the intervention group, the ethosuximide group, which received ethosuximide at 10 mL/kg of body weight. Both groups received the treatments intraperitoneally every other day, beginning postnatally at 7 days until the mice were 8 weeks old.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Outcome measures: &lt;/strong&gt;For both groups, the research team: (1) measured auditory brainstem response (ABR); (2) measured distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age; (3) separated the basilar membrane from the modiolus and lateral tissues and determined the percentage of inner-and-outer hair-cell (IHC and OHC) loss; (4) investigated relative levels of apoptosis-related gene mRNA using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and (5) examined relative levels of apoptosis-related protein, using immunofluorescent (IF) staining.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;Compared to the saline group, the ethosuximide group: (1) had significantly lower ABR thresholds for click at 8 weeks, for 8 KHz at 6 and 8 weeks, and for 16 KHz and 32 KHz (all P &lt; .01); (2) had significantly higher DPOAE amplitudes at 4 weeks at 15.4 KHz and 17.7 KHz (both P &lt; .01); at 6 weeks at 8.8 KHz (P &lt; .05), 10.1 KHz (P &lt; .01), 11.7 KHz (P &lt; .01), 13.4 KHz (P &lt; .01), 15.4 KHz (P &lt; .01), and 17.7 KHz (P &lt; .01); and at 8 weeks at 6.7 KHz (P &lt; .05), 7.7 KHz (P &lt; .05), 10.1 KHz (P &lt; .01), 11.7 KHz (P &lt; .01), 13.4 KHz (P &lt; .01), 15.4 KHz (P &lt; .01), and 17.7 KHz (P &lt; .01); (3) had significantly lower OHC loss in the middle and basal turns of the cochlea's surface (both P &lt; .05); (4) at the age of 2 months, had significantly lower mRNA relative levels of apoptosis-related genes, including caspase-3, caspase-9, caspase-12, m-calpain and u-calpain, as found using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR); and (5) had weaker protein levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in the inner ears, as fou","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"82-88"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142556912","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":"Study on the Impact of Expectations and Beliefs in Distance Initiation Experiences in Reiki.","authors":"Scarascia Graziano, Cristiano Luigi","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Reiki is a natural healing technique in which the initiation rite, or attunement, is crucial to its teaching. Remote initiation has become a common practice in distance learning courses.</p><p><strong>Primary objective: </strong>The purpose of this study is to examine the subjective experience of a group of people who were told to expect remote initiation as part of an online Reiki course but did not receive it, and analyse their responses and possible placebo effects associated with this experience.</p><p><strong>Methods/design: </strong>A heterogeneous group of 94 participants (N = 94) was chosen which grouped people who had never received a Reiki initiation and people already trained but repeating the first level training. Data were collected using a 58-question questionnaire and were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies, averages, and standard deviations.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This study shows that beliefs and expectations strongly influenced participants' perceptions and feelings during the initiation, regardless of their prior Reiki experience. In addition, even individuals with little experience can have comparable experiences as others. Overall, the study highlights the role of bias and preconceptions in subjective experiences during Reiki initiations.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Even without formal initiation, participants reported sensations associated with it, such as warmth, tingling, and emotional responses. Psychological factors, such as expectations and cognitive biases, play a significant role in shaping these experiences. More research is needed on placebo effects and belief in Reiki.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":"46-57"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142680548","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}