Articles: function.
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During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, Ayurvedic herbal supplements and homeopathic immune boosters (IBs) were promoted as disease-preventive agents. The present study examined the clinical outcomes among patients with chronic liver disease who presented with complications of portal hypertension or liver dysfunction temporally associated with the use of IBs in the absence of other competing causes. This single-center retrospective observational cohort study included patients with chronic liver disease admitted for the evaluation and management of jaundice, ascites, or hepatic encephalopathy temporally associated with the consumption of IBs and followed up for 180 days. ⋯ IB analysis revealed detectable levels of (heavy metals) As (40%), Pb (60%), Hg (60%), and various hepatotoxic phytochemicals. Ayurvedic and Homeopathic supplements sold as IBs potentially cause the worsening of preexisting liver disease. Responsible dissemination of scientifically validated, evidence-based medical health information from regulatory bodies and media may help ameliorate this modifiable liver health burden.
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This review aimed to verify the clinical effects of traditional Chinese medicine in collaboration with conservative conventional medicine for lumbar herniated intervertebral discs (LHIVD). ⋯ Traditional Chinese medicine in collaboration with conservative conventional medicine can be used to relieve pain and facilitate better function of the lumbar spine in lumbar herniated intervertebral disc cases. However, this conclusion should be applied with caution in clinical practice owing to the low quality of the included studies.
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Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) has a high clinical prevalence and frequently interferes with patients normal lives. In KOA patients, evidence suggests that intra-articular (IA) injection improves joint function and decreases discomfort. Several IA injection treatments are used in daily practice to improve symptomatic control of knee osteoarthritis, but their efficacy is frequently disputed. ⋯ In patients with mild to moderate KOA, IA injection PRP outperformed IA injection ozone, HA, CS, platelet-rich plasma-derived growth factor, and hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma in terms of pain, stiffness, and dysfunction.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of elongation longitudinaux avec decoaption osteo-articulaire and post-facilitation stretching technique on pain and functional disability in mobile users with text neck syndrome during COVID-19 pandemic: A randomized controlled trial.
Adolescent smartphone users have developed a variety of musculoskeletal conditions due to their use of smartphones. ELDOA (Elongation longitudinaux avec decoaption osteo-articulaire) is based on maximizing facial and spinal stretching by assuming specific posture for 1 minute and post facilitation stretching is also a type of muscle energy technique that is used for chronically shortened or tight muscles. This aimed to compare the effects of post-facilitation stretching technique and ELDOA on neck pain and functional disability in mobile users experiencing Text neck syndrome during COVID-19. ⋯ The study concluded that ELDOA method and post-facilitation stretching both were effective in treating neck pain and functional disability. However, ELDOA method was superior to post-facilitation stretching effects on neck pain and functional disability among patients with text neck syndrome.
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Ecuador was an endemic area for iodine deficiency; however, due to the population consumption of iodized table salt, the country is nowadays considered iodine sufficient. Despite the population consumption of iodized salt for more than 50 years, the prevalence of hypothyroidism has increased in recent years. A similar increment has been reported for thyroid cancer (TC) becoming the second most common cancer in women and seventh most common cancer in men. ⋯ Enlarged thyroid glands and larger thyroid nodules were primarily observed in HE areas. Just 1 TC was observed. High BPb levels detected in HE areas were not associated with thyroid function or thyroid autoantibodies; however, increased thyroid size and numbers of thyroid nodules were observed, demanding further actions to control lead contamination in these Ecuadorian areas.