Multi-cancer Detection Using Pattern Formation in Drying Body Fluids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies.

IntroductionThe ability to detect multiple cancer types with high sensitivity has the potential to reduce diagnostic delays and improve treatment outcomes. Diagnostic patterning tests (DPTs), which utilize self-organized patterns in drying body fluids, are a relatively unexplored diagnostic method. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed their accuracy for multi-cancer detection.

Intraday trends of chemical biomarkers in wastewater monitored through automated real-time surveillance.

Wastewater-based epidemiology is an established approach for monitoring population-level illicit drug use. Standard methods rely on 24-hour composite samples collected from treatment plant influent. While suitable for assessing long-term consumption patterns, composite samples obscure diurnal information on daily load dynamics - valuable for understanding substance sources and normalization strategies.

Mapping the Theories and Models on the Mode of Action of Homeopathy: A Scoping Review.

There is currently no generally accepted theory able to explain the observed clinical efficacy of homeopathy. The aim of this scoping review is to identify all theoretical approaches that have been used to explain homeopathy, with the objective of establishing a basis for identifying promising hypotheses and theories for future elaboration. Medline, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, PhilPapers, several online library catalogs, and personal libraries were searched for original studies up to July 12, 2024.

Insights into respiratory illness at the population level through parallel analysis of pharmaceutical and viral markers in wastewater.

Wastewater as a medium contains information on both circulating pathogens and drug consumption at the population level. This study combines tracking of respiratory viruses and quantification of pharmaceuticals as untargeted indicators of symptoms related to acute respiratory infections and influenza-like illnesses such as coughing, fever and pain. From January 2021 to June 2024, raw wastewater samples from ten locations covering 23% of the Swiss population were analysed.

A fermented Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) extract elicits markers characteristic for immunogenic cell death driven by endoplasmic reticulum stress in vitro.

Background: Immune evasion is a characteristic hallmark of cancer. Immunotherapies aim to activate and support the body's immune system to recognize and fight tumor cells. Induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD) and the associated activation of danger signaling pathways can increase the immunogenicity of tumor cells.

Emergence of Novel Patterns in Dried Droplets of Combinations of Low Potencies of Plant Extracts and Salts Compared to Single Substances: A Pilot Study.

Background:  Patterns in dried droplets have previously facilitated the characterization of homeopathic preparations of different substances at low potency levels. The objective of the present study was to examine combinations of plant extracts and salts in 2x and 3x potency (nominal dilution of 10 and 10) and to determine which influence the plant and salt components have on the patterns of these mixtures.

Methods:  We used the droplet evaporation method (DEM) to test seven plant extracts, five salt solutions and their 1:1 combinations, either in 2x or 3x potency levels.

Critical Appraisal Tool for Homeopathic Intervention Studies: CATHIS.

Background: The quality of homeopathic research studies is controversially discussed. In order to improve, the overall assessment of homeopathic studies and subsequently facilitate evidence-based clinical decision-making, we aimed to combine methodological tools for scientific rigor with tools for external and model validity into one global tool.

Method: Against the background of previous literature and the results of a preparatory survey, a first draft of a potential overarching tool was presented to an expert panel.

Relationship between antihistamine residues in wastewater and airborne pollen concentrations: Insights into population-scale pollinosis response.

Pollinosis is the most prevalent allergic disorder. Assessing the impact of real-world pollen exposure on symptoms remains challenging due to extensive patient-level efforts required. This study explores the potential of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) to investigate the relationship between airborne pollen concentrations and antihistamine residues in wastewater as an indicator of pollinosis symptom treatment at the population-scale.

Bufadienolides from Helleborus foetidus and their cytotoxic properties on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Twelve bufadienolides and six 19-norbufadienolides were isolated from the aerial parts of Helleborus foetidus. They consist of aglycons and glucosides and include nine previously undescribed compounds and a compound reported for the first time as a genuine natural product. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis and the structure and absolute configuration of two previously unreported 3,4-epoxy derivatives were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

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.

Vortex-like vs. turbulent mixing of a Viscum album preparation affects crystalline structures formed in dried droplets.

Various types of motion introduced into a solution can affect, among other factors, the alignment and positioning of molecules, the agglomeration of large molecules, oxidation processes, and the production of microparticles and microbubbles. We employed turbulent mixing vs. laminar flow induced by a vortex vs.

Viscum Album Lipophilic Extract in Actinic Keratosis, Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Retrospective Case Series.

Introduction: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) belong to the group of keratinocyte carcinomas (KC). Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precursor lesion of cSCC. The incidences of cSCC, BCC, and AK are currently strongly increasing.

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.

Fatigue and quality of life during neoadjuvant chemotherapy of early breast cancer: a prospective multicenter cohort study.

Background: Few measurements of fatigue and quality of life have been performed during neoadjuvant chemotherapy of early breast cancer. This study evaluates fatigue and quality of life experienced by early breast cancer patients during neoadjuvant chemotherapy and their association with different clinical parameters.

Methods: Fifty-four stage I-III patients' responses to the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) and to the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) were analyzed by a linear covariance pattern model.

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.

The Introspective Patient Experience of Mistletoe Therapy in Cancer: A Qualitative Study.

Introduction: The introspective experience of cancer patients using mistletoe therapy has received little scientific interest, although it is crucial for a holistic understanding of this therapy. This study contributes to patient-centered research and treatment by documenting the subjective experiences of individuals undergoing mistletoe therapy.

Methods: In this qualitative, explorative study, 20 outpatients with a history of various cancer types were recruited from Arlesheim Hospital (Arlesheim, Switzerland).

Investigations on the morpho-anatomy and histochemistry of the European mistletoe: Viscum album L. subsp. album.

Viscum album L. (Santalaceae) is an important medicinal plant traditionally used to treat several diseases, including cancer therapy. This paper provides detailed morpho-anatomical characteristics of the leaves, stems and berries of Viscum album subsp.

Self-assembled Patterns Formed in Evaporating Droplets to Analyze Bi-component Homeopathic Preparations in the Low Dilution Range.

Background: Homeopathic complex remedies, composed of several homeopathic medicines in the low potency range, are frequently used in the treatment of a number of common disorders. At the same time, they represent an almost unexplored area of research. Are complex remedies just additive mixtures of the components, or are there interactions between the latter leading to new properties of the complex?

Methods: In the present study, we analyzed as an example the simple bi-component complex, 4x - 9x, by means of patterns from evaporated droplets and tested what influences the complex's single compounds have upon the patterns and if there are any interactions.

Pluronic F127 Thermoresponsive Hydrogel: Physicochemical Features and Cellular In Vitro Evaluation.

Viscum album L., popularly known as mistletoe, is well known for its anti-cancer properties, and the pharmaceutical application of hydroalcoholic dry extracts is still limited due to its low solubility in aqueous media, and physicochemical instability. The Pluronic® F127 is an amphiphilic polymer, which permits the solubilization of lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds.