Towards culturally inclusive healthcare in Peru: Mapping epistemic concepts in contemporary Indigenous Amazonian medicine-Traditional healers' perspectives.

Peru is among Latin American countries with the largest Indigenous population, yet ethnical health disparities persist, particularly in the Amazon region which comprises 60% of the national territory. Healthcare models that include Indigenous medicine and traditional healers present an important avenue for addressing such inequalities, as they increase cultural adequacy of services, healthcare access, and acknowledge Indigenous Rights for their perspectives to be represented in public healthcare. Understanding the underlying epistemologies of Indigenous medicine is a prerequisite for this purpose.

Creative music therapy in preterm infants effects cerebrovascular oxygenation and perfusion.

Creative music therapy (CMT) has been shown to promote the development of brain function and structure in preterm infants. We aimed to investigate the effect of CMT on cerebral oxygenation and perfusion to examine how the brain reacts to CMT. Absolute levels of cerebrovascular oxygen saturation (StO) were measured in clinically stable preterm-born neonates (n = 20, gestational age: ≥30 weeks and < 37 weeks) using two near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)-based tissue oximeters over the right prefrontal cortex and left auditory cortex.

Hemodynamics and vascular oxygenation measured at the forehead during changes in respiration: A SPA-fNIRS study.

Significance: Cerebral blood flow is influenced by respiration, primarily through changes in the CO concentration of arterial blood.

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of changes in arterial CO concentration induced by respiratory changes on oxygenation and hemodynamics in the cerebral and extracerebral tissue layers of the forehead.

Approach: We used systemic physiology augmented functional near-infrared spectroscopy (SPA-fNIRS) to assess changes in forehead hemodynamics and oxygenation as well as systemic physiology in 20 healthy subjects.

Activity-based mindfulness: large-scale assessment of an online program on perceived stress and mindfulness.

Background And Objective: Mindfulness has emerged as key construct in mental health over past decades. While current mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are usually rooted in Asian contemplative traditions, mindfulness practices can equally be found in other knowledge systems, including integrative medicine systems such as anthroposophic medicine (AM). The (ABSR) program incorporates the latter as part of an 8-week-long online intervention combining mindfulness exercises, behavioral self-observation, and mindful movement practices derived from this integrative medicine frame.

Dependence of Cerebral Oxygenation and Task Performance on Coloured Light Exposure and Chronotype: Blue and Red Do Not Have the Same Effects on the Prefrontal Cortex.

Background: In our previous studies, we investigated the right-left asymmetry (RLA) of cerebral tissue oxygenation (StO) at rest in humans and the influence of the individual chronotype (i.e. individual chronobiological disposition) on StO.

Online eurythmy therapy for cancer-related fatigue: a prospective repeated-measures observational study exploring fatigue, stress, and mindfulness.

Introduction: Cancer is a debilitating disease with an often chronic course. One of the most taxing and prevalent sequelae in this context is cancer-related fatigue (CRF) resulting from the disease and/or associated treatments. Over the last years mindfulness-based interventions such as eurythmy therapy (ERYT), a mindful-movement therapy from anthroposophic medicine, have emerged as promising adjunct therapies in oncology.

Ninety years of pulse oximetry: history, current status, and outlook.

Significance: This year, 2024, marks the 50th anniversary of the invention of pulse oximetry (PO), which was first presented by Takuo Aoyagi, an engineer from the Nihon Kohden Company, at the 13th Conference of the Japanese Society of Medical Electronics and Biological Engineering in Osaka in 1974. His discovery and the development of PO for the non-invasive measurement of peripheral arterial oxygenation represents one of the most significant chapters in the history of medical technology. It resulted from research and development efforts conducted by biochemists, engineers, physicists, physiologists, and physicians since the 1930s.

Effectiveness of music therapy, aromatherapy, and massage therapy on patients in palliative care with end-of-life needs: A systematic review.

Background: Music therapy, aromatherapy and massage therapy are widely used in palliative care in patients near end-of-life with the aim to reduce symptom burden and improve quality of life (QoL). Recent research shows an increase in popularity and use of complementary and integrative medicine however a more thorough evidence base about their usefulness is required.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the available evidence on the use of music therapy, aromatherapy and massage therapy in palliative and hospice care and summarize findings.

Efficacy and Safety of Phytotherapy and Anthroposophic Medicine in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) is a common health condition that is associated with an increased risk for bronchial asthma. Besides conventional medicine, treatments from traditional, complementary and integrative medicine are widely used by individuals with SAR. This review aims to systematically summarize evidence on the efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of European/Western phytotherapy (PT) and medications from anthroposophic medicine (AM) in individuals with SAR.

Scientific guidelines for preclinical research on potentised preparations manufactured according to current pharmacopoeias-the PrePoP guidelines.

Objective: Pharmacopoeias regulate the manufacture of potentised pharmaceutical preparations used in different branches of complementary and integrative medicine. The physicochemical properties and biological activity of these preparations are often investigated in preclinical research, yet no guidelines for experimental research currently exist in this area. The present PrePoP guidelines aim to provide recommendations to promote high-quality, statistically sound, and reproducible preclinical research on potentised preparations.

Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery System (SNEDDS) Using Lipophilic Extract of subsp. (Wiesb.) Vollm.

Background And Purpose: Natural products are potential sources of anticancer components. Among various species, the lipophilic extract of the subsp. (Wiesb.

Multidimensional Outcome Parameters in a Cress Seedling-CuCl2 Crystallization Assay to Corroborate Specific Effects of Stannum metallicum 30x Compared to Lactose 30x.

Background:  Previously we developed a test system which yielded highly significant evidence for specific effects of a 30x preparation in a multi-center replication trial. This test system is based on cress seed germination in homeopathic or control samples, CuCl crystallization of the cress extract, and subsequent digital textural image analysis of the resulting crystallization patterns.

Objectives:  The current study aimed to investigate whether three novel outcome parameters could further corroborate and possibly characterize the specific effects of 30x.

Chronobiology of L.: a time series of daily metabolomic fingerprints spanning 27 years.

European mistletoe ( L.) has been gaining increasing interest in the field of oncology as a clinically relevant adjunctive treatment in many forms of cancer. In the field of phytopharmacology, harvesting time is pivotal.

Environmental Homeopathy: Homeopathic Potencies Regulate the Growth and Toxicity of Raphidiopsis raciborskii (Cyanobacteria) and can be Tracked Physico-Chemically. Part 2: Physico-chemical Results.

Introduction:  The control of cyanobacterial toxicity and growth by homeopathic potencies was described in Part 1 of this two-part report. Here, a parallel approach characterized the physico-chemical features of the potencies used and the liquid media treated with them, correlating these results with their respective biological effects.

Objectives:  Our objective was to establish if physico-chemical parameters can track homeopathic potencies in seawater or artificial seawater medium (ASM)-1 and to discover whether these parameters correlate with previously described biological effects.

Environmental Homeopathy: Homeopathic Potencies Regulate the Toxicity and Growth of Raphidiopsis raciborskii (Cyanobacteria) and can be Tracked Physico-Chemically. Part 1: Biological Results.

Introduction:  Cyanobacteria are microorganisms found in many parts of the world and several genera, such as , are producers of cyanotoxins. Homeopathic potencies have been found to modulate toxicity in different biological models, and the present study endeavors to discover whether this might also be the case with cyanobacteria.

Objectives:  Our objective was to investigate the possible effects of homeopathic potencies on the resilience of (brine shrimp) embryos to saxitoxin (STX; cyanotoxin) and on controlling the growth of .

Reciprocal association between pain and quality of life after newly acquired spinal cord injury.

Purpose: Pain is highly prevalent in spinal cord injury (SCI) and a key determinant of quality of life (QoL). This is the first study to examine reciprocal associations between pain and QoL in patients undergoing their first inpatient rehabilitation after SCI.

Methods: Longitudinal data, with three measurement time points (1 month and 3 months after SCI onset, and at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation) from the Inception Cohort of the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study.

Establishing an Integrative Oncology Service: Essential Aspects of Program Development.

Purpose Of Review: Over the last 2 decades, integrative oncology (IO) has seen exponential growth within cancer care. It aims to combine evidence-based complementary therapies with conventional treatments to improve the well-being and quality of life for individuals dealing with cancer. The proliferation of integrative medicine programs in major cancer centers globally reflects varying approaches shaped by cultural, demographic, and resource-based factors.

Cerebral, systemic physiological and behavioral responses to colored light exposure during a cognitive task: A SPA-fNIRS study.

Colored light has important implications for human health and well-being, as well as for the aesthetics and function of various environments. In addition to its effects on visual function, colored light has significant effects on cognitive performance, behavior and systemic physiology. The aim of the current study was to comprehensively investigate how colored light exposure (CLE) combined with a cognitive task (2-back) affects performance, cerebral hemodynamics, oxygenation, and systemic physiology as assessed by systemic physiology augmented functional near-infrared spectroscopy (SPA-fNIRS).

Systematic review of conceptual criticisms of homeopathy.

Homeopathy is the subject of frequent debates, especially in public media. This systematic review aims to give an overview of conceptual criticisms of homeopathy in the scientific literature. The literature search was conducted in four databases (EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, PhilPapers) on August 25, 2020.

Therapeutic Use of Low-Dose Local Anesthetics in Pain, Inflammation, and Other Clinical Conditions: A Systematic Scoping Review.

The use of low-dose local anesthetics (LAs) has significantly transformed patient care by providing rapid and effective relief of pain and other clinical conditions while minimizing recovery time. This study aims to identify and describe the existing scientific evidence on the therapeutic use of low-dose LAs in various conditions and to identify gaps in the current literature in order to prioritize future research. This systematic scoping review adhered to the methodological guidelines outlined in the Arksey and O'Malley framework, which includes five distinct stages.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses in Homeopathy: Recommendations for summarising evidence from homeopathic intervention studies (Sum-HomIS recommendations).

Background: Mainly due to the use of different inclusion criteria and quality assessments, systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) with homeopathic intervention studies (HOMIS) have shown inconsistent results. We aimed to build recommendations for "Summarizing evidence from Homeopathic Intervention Studies" (Sum-HomIS recommendations) in order to approach standardization.

Methods: Against the background of a framework-project to update the evidence from homeopathic intervention studies, we launched an expert panel on how to assess the quality of HOMIS and how to summarize evidence from HOMIS.