[Rehabilitation of patients after spinal surgery: effectiveness of nonthermal techniques of peloidotherapy]. / Reabilitatsiya patsientov posle operatsii na pozvonochnike: effektivnost' neteplovykh metodik peloidoterapii.

The problem of patients' rehabilitation after spinal surgery remains relevant. The use of therapeutic physical factors, both preformed and natural, including pelotherapy, is very important. The application of the latter requires to develop new techniques in this pathology, one of which is low temperature exposure. OBJECTIVE: To study the possibility and to assess the effectiveness of resource-saving nonthermal pelotherapy techniques in patients' rehabilitation, who underwent surgeries for intervertebral discs' herniation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The number of patients equal 88, including 39 males and 49 females, after lumbar microdiscectomy, was examined in this study. The patients were divided into 3 groups. Control group (28 patients) received a basic rehabilitation complex (therapeutic gymnastics, massage, low-frequency magnetotherapy); the 1st study group (30 patients) - basic complex and procedures of thin layer applications with peat muds preparation (Tomed-applikat) at 20-24 °C; the 2nd study group (30 patients) - basic complex and procedures of fluctuoresis of 2% solution of peat mud Tomed-aqua preparation. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction of pain syndrome, recovery of sensitivity and motor activity, decrease of Oswestry index, characterizing the degree of vital activity disturbance, in patients of the study group compared to the control group after treatment. CONCLUSION: The inclusion of nonthermal resource-saving techniques of pelotherapy in rehabilitation complex of patients who underwent spinal surgery is effective and pathogenetically justified.

Short-term benefits of balneotherapy for patients with chronic pelvic pain: a pilot study in Korea.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether balneotherapy might be effective in patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in the short term. This was an open and prospective pilot study. The balneotherapy programme was performed in a spa resort located in Wando Island, Republic of Korea from August 26 2018 to September 1 2018. It consisted of 10 heated seawater baths (38 °C, 20 minutes) and 10 mud-pack applications (40 °C, 10 minutes) for five days. Sixteen patients were enrolled. Upon analysing responses from a patient questionnaire, we found improvement in parameters such as pain, bladder irrigation symptoms and quality of life after balneotherapy. Inflammatory marker IL-1 and TNF-α was significantly decreased after treatment compared to baseline. There were no adverse events during treatment. Our data suggest that five-day balneotherapy can be beneficial for patients with CPP in the short term.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? The majority of articles in the field of balneotherapy discuss the treatment of rheumatic or dermatological disease. However, data on the effectiveness of balneotherapy for chronic pelvic pain are very limited.What the results of this study add? Our study suggests that balneotherapy can be beneficial for patients with CPP in the short-term. The duration of balneotherapy was five days, which is shorter than that of the European studies. Intuitively, it may be doubtful whether short-term therapy has any practical effect. As most people living in Korea have a vacation period of about one week each in summer and winter, the choice of a five-day programme in our study reflects the reality of vacation schedules.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Further studies are necessary to demonstrate the persistence of these benefits on the long term, as well as their existence in appropriate control group and different duration of treatment.

Los enzibióticos como alternativa terapéutica contra las enfermedades bacterianas / The enzybiotics as therapeutic alternative against bacterial diseases

El constante desarrollo de las enfermedades infecciosas, conjuntamente con la aparición de la resistencia microbiana a los antibióticos, ha originado que nuevamente se piense en los fagos como opción terapéutica. De hecho, existe una importante aportación bibliográfica sobre los bacteriófagos y su utilidad para eliminar los procesos infecciosos, lo que ha justificado el continuar investigando acerca del posible uso de estos y de sus productos génicos, como esperanzadora alternativa a los tratamientos con antimicrobianos disponibles en la actualidad. Por ello, en este artículo se ofrece información sobre estos microorganismos, en específico sobre los enzibióticos, y se propone que sean considerados en el combate contra las infecciones bacterianas.

The constant development of the infectious diseases, together with the emergence of the microbial resistance to the antibiotics, has originated that again it is thought on the phages as therapeutic option. In fact, an important literature contribution exists about the bacteriophages and their use to eliminate infectious processes, what has justified the continuity in investigating about the possible use of them and of their genic products, as a promising alternative for treatments with antimicrobials currently available. That is why, information on these microorganisms is offered in this work, specifically on the enzibiotics, and is it intended them to be considered in the bacterial infections control.

Safety evaluation of traces of nickel and chrome in cosmetics: The case of Dead Sea mud.

BACKGROUND: Metal impurities such as nickel and chrome are present in natural ingredients-containing cosmetic products. These traces are unavoidable due to the ubiquitous nature of these elements. Dead Sea mud is a popular natural ingredient of cosmetic products in which nickel and chrome residues are likely to occur. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the potential systemic and local toxicity of Dead Sea mud taking into consideration Dead Sea muds' natural content of nickel and chrome. METHODS: The following endpoints were evaluated: (Regulation No. 1223/20, 21/12/2009) systemic and (SCCS's Notes of Guidance) local toxicity of topical application of Dead Sea mud; health reports during the last five years of commercial marketing of Dead Sea mud. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Following exposure to Dead Sea mud, MoS (margin of safety) calculations for nickel and chrome indicate no toxicological concern for systemic toxicity. Skin sensitization is also not to be expected by exposure of normal healthy skin to Dead Sea mud. Topical application, however, is not recommended for already nickel-or chrome-sensitized persons. As risk assessment of impurities present in cosmetics may be a difficult exercise, the case of Dead Sea mud is taken here as an example of a natural material that may contain traces of unavoidable metals.

[USE OF PHYTO- AND PELOIDOTHERAPY IN TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF CHRONIC CYSTITIS IN WOMEN].

The article presents the findings of herbal- and peloidotherapy as a combination treatment inpatientswith chronic cystitis. The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated by the dynamics of clinical findings, results of laboratory and instrumental studies (increase functional bladder capacity, improvement / normalization of urinalysis, elimination of bacteriuria, improvement of microcirculation). The results showed high efficiency of phytoplankton and pelotherapy in normalization of urodynamics and microcirculation of the bladder mucosa. Upgraded combination scheme for the treatment of chronic cystitis significantly improved patient outcomes.

[The effectiveness of short courses of balneopeloidtherapy of dorsopathies based at the "Kliuchi Health Resort"].

Natural therapeutic factors are successfully used at the Klyuchi health resort for the rehabilitation of the patients presenting with dorsopathies. A total of 120 patients with this condition were examined for the evaluation of their algic and psychovegetative status before and after the balneopeloid therapeutic treatment in combination with transcranial electrostimulation of the brain. Serum serotonin levels were measured during the same periods. It was shown that balneopeloid therapy significantly reduced the intensity of pain, the degree of anxiety and depression, expression of vegetative disorders. Simultaneously, the quality of life of the patients markedly improved and blood serotonin level increased. It was shown that beneficial effect of shortened 14 day courses of balneopeloid therapyon the patients presenting with dorsopathies is similar to that of 21 day courses, but the cost effectiveness of the former is much higher.

[The estimation of the efficacy of galvanic peloid therapy for the treatment of the children with chronic post-traumatic knee-joint synovitis following arthroscopy].

The present study has demonstrated that the children suffering from chronic post-traumatic knee-joint synovitis after arthroscopy develop an aseptic inflammatory process in the joints associated with the disturbances of local microcirculation, manifestations of sclerosis and fibrosis in the articular soft tissues. An algorithm for the treatment of synovitis in the postoperative period with the use of galvanic muds has been developed. The estimation of the clinical efficacy of this physiotherapeutic method was performed based on the results of routine medical examination, dynamic ultrasound investigation, and dynamic computed termography.

Comparing the efficacy of mature mud pack and hot pack treatments for knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of mature mud pack and hot pack therapies on patients with knee osteoarthritis. DESIGN: This study was designed as a prospective, randomized-controlled, and single-blinded clinical trial. Twenty-seven patients with clinical and radiologic evidence of knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned into two groups and were treated with mature mud packs (n 15) or hot packs (n=12). Patients were evaluated for pain [based on the visual analog scale (VAS)], function (WOMAC, 6 min walking distance), quality of life [Short Form-36 (SF-36)], and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) at baseline, post-treatment, and 3 and 6~months after treatment. RESULTS: The mud pack group shows a significant improvement in VAS, pain, stifness, and physical function domains of WOMAC. The difference between groups of pain and physical activity domains is significant at post-treatment in favor of mud pack. For a 6 min walking distance, mud pack shows significant improvement, and the difference is significant between groups in favor of mud pack at post-treatment and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Mud pack shows significant improvement in the pain subscale of SF-36 at the third month continuing until the sixth month after the treatment. Significant improvements are found for the social function, vitality/energy, physical role disability, and general health subscales of SF-36 in favor of the mud pack compared with the hot pack group at post-treatment. A significant increase is detected for IGF-1 in the mud pack group 3 months after treatment compared with the baseline, and the difference is significant between groups 3 months after the treatment. CONCLUSION: Mud pack is a favorable option compared with hotpack for pain relief and for the improvement of functional conditions in treating patients with knee osteoarthritis.

[Dynamics of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and clinical signs of osteoarthrosis during the treatment with alflutop in combination with peloid applications under conditions of health resort].

The objective of the present work was to develop indications for the combined treatment of patients presenting with osteoarthrosis including the use of peloid applications and intramuscular injections of alflutop. The study was based at Yakty-Kul' health resort and included 94 patients at the age from 40 to 59 years. The proposed method was shown to have beneficial effect on the patients' clinical conditions. In addition, the treatment caused a decrease in the level of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) that turned out to be related to the articular index.

[Combined physiotherapy of patients with dorsopathies and concomitant osteoarthrosis].

The combined treatment of patients presenting with dorsopathies and concomitant osteoarthrosis using magnetic stimulation, ultrasonic and peloidotherapy was shown to promote the recovery of the locomotor function of the vertebral column and the affected limb joints, alleviate pain sensation, and exert anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, it contributed to the improvement of the overall orthopedic situation in the region. The inclusion of vibrotraction in the combined treatment of patients presenting with dorsopathies and concomitant osteoarthrosis resulted in a marked decrease of the severity of static and dynamic disturbances of the spine, increase in the activity of spinal muscles, extension of the range of locomotor movements, and improvement of working ability of the patients.

[Efficacy of SMC-electrophoresis of peat mud in primary chronic duodenitis].

Sinusoidal modulated current (SMC) electrophoresis of peat mud was used as monotherapy of primary chronic duodenitis in Uva sanatorium. A total of 65 patients with primary chronic duodenitis received SMC electrophoresis of peat mud diluted with distilled water. The effect was followed up with fibrogastroduodenoscopy and target biopsy of duodenal mucosa with further study of its morphological structure and element composition, acid-producing function of the stomach, hormonal profile, collagen metabolism. Positive changes were observed in clinical-endoscopic and morphological picture of the disease which is explained by favourable shifts in hormonal status and normalization of collagen metabolism in duodenal mucosa.

Efeito antiinflamatório da lama negra de Peruibe em diferentes modelos experimentais de artrite / Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effects of mud therapy (Peruibe, Brasil) on different experimental models of arthritis

Investigar a eficácia da lama negra brasileira como tratamento para inflamação em modelos experimentais de artrite. O efeito antiinflamatório de aplicações de lama foi comparado ao tratamento com água aquecida e ausência de tratamento em modelos experimentais de artrite e osteoartrite induzidas em coelhos e em ratos, visando parâmetros inflamatórios e cartilagem. O tratamento com lama melhorou a infiltração de leucócitos e exerceu um efeito protetor parcial na sinóvia e cartilagem. Nossos resultados sugerem que a lama brasileira apresenta efeito antiinflamatório e pode ser útil como um método complementar ao tratamento de pacientes com doenças articulares crônicas / Investigate the effectiveness of a Brazilian black mud as treatment for inflammation in experimental models of arthritis. Effects of mud applications was compared with warm water and no treatment in experimental models of arthritis and osteoarthritis induced in rabbits and in rats, regarding inflammatory parameters and cartilage. Treatment with mud impaired leukocyte infiltration which was followed by a partial protective effect on synovium and cartilage. Our results show that Brazilian mud presents an anti-inflammatory effect and can be useful as a complementary approach to treat patients with chronicle articular diseases...

Combined inpatient rehabilitation and spa therapy for breast cancer patients: effects on quality of life and CA 15-3.

The present study investigated the changes of quality of life, mood, and the tumor marker CA 15-3 associated with a 3-week inpatient breast cancer rehabilitation program incorporating spa therapy. One hundred forty-nine women, 32 to 82 years, participated in the study 3 to 72 months after breast cancer surgery. Quality of life (QoL, EORTC QLQ-C30), anxiety, and depression (HADS) were measured 2 weeks before, at the end, and 6 months after rehabilitation; CA 15-3 at the beginning, end, and at 6 months follow-up. Patients received an individualized rehabilitation program incorporating manual lymph drainage, exercise therapy, massages, psychological counseling, relaxation training, carbon dioxide baths, and mud packs. Quality of life and mood improved significantly, the greatest short-term improvements found for mood-related aspects of quality of life, the most lasting improvements found for physical complaints (eg, fatigue). Also, the tumor marker CA 15-3 declined significantly to follow-up. Patient characteristics, as well as the time since surgery, moderated rehabilitation outcome to a limited extent. Older patients, nonobese patients, patients with a greater lymphedema, and patients with an active coping style showed slightly greater improvements. Hot mud packs inducing hyperthermia did not affect CA 15-3. In conclusion, the combination of inpatient rehabilitation with spa therapy provides a promising approach for breast cancer rehabilitation.

Clinical improvement and serum amino acid levels after mud-bath therapy.

Spa therapy is an ancient approach to degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis, but until today this tradition has been predominantly empiric and intuitive and few studies have focused on the biological changes derived from this treatment. We assessed the clinical efficacy and variations in amino acid concentrations in serum samples from patients with knee osteoarthritis who underwent spa therapy and put forward an explanation of their role in clinical improvement. Thirty-one patients with knee osteoarthritis who underwent spa therapy underwent a clinical evaluation, and serum amino acid levels were assayed before and after a cycle of balneotherapy and mud-pack therapy. The thermal treatments were carried out in Sciacca. Analysis of the data showed a significant reduction in pain and improvement in joint motility. Serum concentrations of tryptophan, cysteine and citrulline were significantly higher than at baseline. No significant differences were observed in serum levels of the remaining free amino acids. The results of this study confirm the efficacy of spa therapy in the treatment of osteoarthritis. A possible role for changes in serum amino acid concentration is discussed.

[SMC-electrophoresis of peat mud in the treatment of patients with duodenal ulcer in outpatient care unit]. / Opyt lecheniia bol'nykh iazvennoi bolezn'iu dvenadtsatiperstnoi kishki CMT-élektroforezom torfianoi lechebnoi griazi v usloviiakh dnevnogo statsionara.

To study collagen metabolism in reparative regeneration of duodenal ulcer in response to peat mud electrophoresis of Uva sanatorium using sinusoidal modulated currents (SMC) as monotherapy in a day hospital, 82 duodenal ulcer patients in exacerbation or attenuation were examined. They received SMC-electrophoresis of peat mud diluted by sulfate sodium-calcium mineral water Uvinskaya of moderate mineralization. The dynamics of clinico-endoscopic and morphological picture of the disease was controlled with fibrogastroduodenoscopy with target biopsy of the periulcer zone and antral stomach, investigation of secretory and acid-producing function of the stomach, hormone profile and collagen metabolism. Positive changes were found attributed to favourable shifts in the hormone status and normalization of collagen metabolism in duodenal mucosa.

Medicina Natural y Tradicional. Conocimientos y aplicaciones de enfermería en MINAS-II / Nursing knowledge and applications in MINAS-II

Los procederes de la medicina natural y tradicional tienen generalmente en común el objetivo de prevenir y tratar enfermedades. Así, la intención de mantener la salud como la misma vida y tan inherentes a los seres vivos para utilizar lo bueno y defenderse de lo malo. Por la importancia que reviste el tema se realizó este estudio. El universo de trabajo estuvo constituido por 21 enfermeras a quienes les fueron aplicadas encuestas, las que una vez concluidas se convirtieron en registros primarios de datos. Los resultados fueron procesados en una microcomputadora IMB compatible, en la que se obtuvieron los siguientes datos: predominio del personal técnico y que labora en la comunidad; entre las técnicas más utilizadas figuran los peloides, que son mayormente empleadas en la cefalea; sin embargo, se comprobó que el 61,9 (por ciento) de los encuestados no han pasado cursos de superación, pero aplican la medicina natural, y obtienen buenos resultados. Así, podemos concluir que predominó el nivel técnico que laboró en la comunidad, que conocieron fundamentalmente la técnica de los peloides y aplicaron la medicina natural y tradicional con buenos resultados(AU)

Natural and traditional medicine procedures have the general common objective of preventing and treating diseases. Thus, the purposes of preserving health as well as life are inherent to these methods and to the live people so as to use "the good thing" and defend from "the bad thing". We undertook this study due to the importance of the topic. The universe of study was made up of 21 nurses who were administered surveys. Later these surveys served as primary data records. The results were processed in an IBM-compatible micro-computer and the following data were obtained: predominance of technical nursing staff that works in the community; one of the most used techniques was peloids mainly for treating headaches, and it was confirmed that 61.9 percent of the surveyed nurses had not taken any graduate courses, but they were able to successfully apply natural medicine. Therefore, we may conclude that the technical level of nurses working in the community prevailed; they fundamentally used peloids and applied natural and traditional medicine with good results(AU)