Integrative Medicine Commons^™

Innovative Device For Indocianyne Green Navigational Surgery, Cătălin Aliuș, Nicolae Bacalbașa, Cristian Bălălău

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Dynamic reality has been integrated into developing surgical techniques, with the goals of providing increased intraoperative accuracy, easier detection of critical anatomical landmarks, and better general results for the patient. Enhancement of the reality in surgical theaters using single or multi sensorial augmenters (haptic, thermic and visual) has been reported with various degrees of success. This paper presents a novel device for navigational surgery and ancillary clinical applications based on the fluorescent properties of Indocyanine Green (ICG), a safe, FDA-approved dye that emits fluorescence at higher wavelengths than endogenous proteins. The latest technological developments and the aforementioned convenient quantum behavior …

Microbiota: The Missing Link In The Etiology Of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Micu Ioan Sergiu, Madalina Elena Manea, Musat Marilena, Dumitru Andrada, Popoiag Roxana Emanuela

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Within its twisted and tight walls, where a hostile and arid environment prevails, the lumen of the digestive tract nests a true microuniverse called the microbiota. The existing relationship between humans and these microorganisms is one in which both benefit, creating a condition called Eubiosis.

The dynamic relationship existing between the microbiota and the human body can be affected at various times, leading to an imbalance that may have important implications on health and generating a condition called Disbiosis.

Recent studies have highlighted possible links between several diseases with incompletely elucidated etiology and disturbances of the microbiota. In this review …

Treatment Of Lipomas And Diffuse Lipomatosis With Ndyag 1064 Nm Laser And Their Impact On The Quality Of Life, Valeriu Ardeleanu, Liliana Florina Andronache, Florentina Gherghiceanu, Stana Paunica, Cristian Balalau, Anca Pantea Stoian

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Lipomas, the most common type of benign tumours, are generally developed from adipose tissue and present an incidence of 2.1 per 1000 inhabitants. In addition to lipomas, at least three other maladies of the adipose tissue lead patients to consult a doctor, especially for aesthetic purposes: multiple familial lipomatosis, diffuse congenital lipomatosis, and adiposa doloris. Unlike lipomas, these maladies are characterized by numerous lipomas, encapsulated or not, of different sizes, symmetrical or not, which may appear in the neck, limbs, or the trunk, sometimes being painful. The life quality of these patients is affected, not only from an aesthetic point …

The Role Of Biotransformation Processes In Mediating Interactions Between Psychotropic Drugs And Natural Products, Nicolae Bacinschi, Ina Pogonea, Lilia Podgurschi, Maria Mihalachi-Anghel, Emil Ștefănescu, Bogdan Socea, Marin Chianu

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Many patients are not aware that natural products such as fruit juices or plant infusions can cause significant interactions with several drugs, some of which can be dangerous, especially when the medical treatment is for neurological or psychiatric disorders. Among the most predisposed for interacting with drugs are citric juices, particularly grapefruit and plant infusions, especially St John`s wort (Hypericum perforatum). Understanding the mechanism and the frequency of this type of interaction helps to avoid it. The goal of this research was to identify and summarize the most relevant reports on interactions between psychotropic drugs and natural beverages, in order …

Anorexia Nervosa And Reproduction: Connecting Brain To Gonads, Mihaela Poterasu, David L. Rowland, Corina Ciobanu, Simona Fica

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric disorder that predominantly affects young women and is characterized by low caloric intake and a major dissatisfaction with one’s body image. It is often overlooked and, while patients and family seek medical help, emaciation and nutritional misbalances may become extreme and potentially life threatening. Among the many somatic complications, an accumulation of early endocrine adaptations occurs, leading to functional amenorrhea and impaired reproduction as a result of dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis. Even though these conditions are reversible, long-term consequences may affect the fertility of women with AN and can lead to maternal and …

Blood Cancers And Oral Health, Silvia Spivakovsky Dds, Gwen Nichols Md, Laura Romundstad Crnp, Msn, Elizabeth Kitlas Lmsw

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Managing Blood Cancer Patients' Oral Complications: Preventive Strategies during and after Treatment

Blood cancers, encompassing leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), bring complex challenges to patient management due to their impact on hematopoiesis, immunity, and overall health. This review focuses on equipping dental practitioners with essential insights into preventing and managing intricate oral manifestations during and after treatment. Patient care strategies are outlined for leukemia subtypes such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), emphasizing the need for tailored dental approaches. In lymphomas encompassing Hodgkin …

Oral Complications In Cancer Patients: A Review Of Practical Interventions In The Dental Setting, Caroline Bissonnette Dds, Kristin Mcnamara Dds, John Kalmar Dmd, Phd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Cancer prevalence in the United States is significant, with an estimated 40% of the population experiencing this diagnosis at some point in their lives. In 2020 alone, 1,806,590 new cancer cases were projected, encompassing 53,260 cases involving oral and oropharyngeal malignancies. Amidst barriers like financial constraints and irregular dental visits (highlighted by a 2014 American Dental Association survey indicating that 32.3% of the general population avoids yearly dentist appointments), patients battling cancer often encounter not just routine dental needs, but the intricate challenges arising from their malignancy and treatments. Dental professionals, pivotal in orchestrating optimal treatment strategies for cancer patients, …

Program Evaluation In Women's Health Integration For Podiatric Residents, Nilin M. Rao Dpm, Carol A. Stamm Md, Elizabeth Ihler Md, Dustin Kruse Dpm, Paul A. Stone Dpm, Facfas

Podiatry

As the podiatric profession strives for professional and financial parity with allopathic and osteopathic colleagues, podiatric medical education has been transformed at both undergraduate and graduate levels to more closely align in important ways. The purpose of this program evaluation is to share the benefits of including a women’s health rotation into the required graduate medical training curriculum, share the initial experience of the first resident cohort receiving this training, and provide ideas to other programs that may be interested in providing similar program implementation for their residents.

Lavender Aromatherapy: Ready For Prime-Time Office Use?, Dennis J. Baumgardner

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The editor-in-chief of Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews comments on the perioperative use of lavender aromatherapy and its potential to relieve pain and anxiety during minor primary care office procedures.

A Feasibility Study Of Lavender Aromatherapy In An Awake Craniotomy Environment, Kailah Cathey, Nichole Gunyon, Nancy Chung, Nancy Conway, Diane Ames, Maharaj Singh, Amin B. Kassam, Richard A. Rovin

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

Purpose: Integrative medicine interventions are needed for awake craniotomies, as many patients experience anxiety. Lavender aromatherapy significantly reduces anxiety or pain in a variety of surgical procedures. This feasibility study used lavender aromatherapy during awake craniotomies to determine the number of patients who would consent and complete the study, the technicality of lavender aromatherapy use, and acceptance by operating room (OR) staff.

Methods: We approached 40 consecutive patients (≥18 years old). Exclusion criteria were pulmonary issues or sensitivity to lavender. Outcome measures in consented patients were enrollment and completion rates, anxiety and pain as measured by the Visual Analog Scale …

Hx Of, Bonni Boles

Akesis

My purpose in creating this comic strip was to tell a story that depicts some of the struggles I have had with the health care system and how a patient's history can go overlooked. I suffered from chronic insomnia for over 10 years before a licensed professional counselor, someone tasked with actually listening to me, helped me to get on medication to help with sleep. My mental health, and general health, problems became much less severe and more manageable after finally sleeping regularly.

Sleep hygiene has been found to not have much success with chronic insomnia. I didn't need someone …

Skull And Cervical Spine Study, Paul J. Mangiafico

Akesis

Anatomical drawings are a really fun way to understand and appreciate the structure and the complexity of the human body. The material used to create this drawing was a #2 mechanical pencil.

Twin, Amy L. Courtney

Akesis

Reflective essay about being an identical twin who no longer looks identical.

Remedy, Michael Cyr

Akesis

In keeping with this issues’ theme this piece is meant to highlight the subtle places terminal illness hides biologically, socially and spiritually and how and where it is expressed, sometimes despite the best efforts of the patient or caregivers. This piece also makes effort to convey the importance of humanity in medicine and highlight loving connection as an important part of the arsenal we use against sickness.

Hexis Habitus, Jessica Rehrig

Akesis

This photograph is one that was taken years ago after gymnastics practice. It was mindlessly taken: poor quality, out of frame, buried amongst memories saved in a rarely viewed album. At the time, it captured nothing more than a habitus, a commonplace that seemed unnecessary to freeze in time.

Years have passed since training, and our hands no longer serve as an outward reflection of diligence and dedication. Today those calluses exist in the internal habitus of our character, and in one mindlessly taken, poor quality, out of frame photograph.

Clay And Stone, Jess W. Rempel

Akesis

Clay handprints on a canyon wall in southern Utah, found after the people who made them had gone. The Navajo sandstone of the canyon wall dates to the Jurassic period, with a record of eons revealed by the water that carved the canyon away. People love to leave their mark on places that make marks on them: some of the earliest recorded graffiti in Pompeii simply read "Gaius was here." I enjoyed stumbling upon the hand prints which allowed me into the hikers' experience, and their joy could add to the lasting impression that place made upon me. Our experiences …

Corporeal Quintessence, Jordan Lamb, Michael Cyr

Akesis

In keeping with the theme of “Historia Habitus” this collection is meant to illustrate how the physical form is a living history, with every movement written into the striations of the human musculature. The old adage “you are what you eat” is easily extended to “you are what you do”. Contemplate the hours and repetitions that have gone into sculpting the highlighted regions of our model/athletes. We hope this collection stimulates reflection on what the body can tell you about your past and what your, or perhaps your patient’s, lifestyle can predict about the future.

The Journey Of Life, Rolene Yousefyan

Akesis

The materials used to create this piece were oil pastels. The inspiration behind this piece was the importance of mental health awareness along with our ability to grow and become who we are today based on our past experiences and history.

Our Histories, Our Horizons: A Letter To Our Readers

Akesis

Volume 5, Issue 1 marks a new chapter in the history of our narrative medicine journal as we realize an important goal of Akesis—establishing a foothold on the Portland campus of UNE. Our hope is that Akesis becomes a familiar name among students, faculty, and staff, and that our call for submissions and issue publications are events everyone anticipates and enjoys. This issue also welcomes six new editors to Akesis, students representing a diverse sampling of UNE’s graduate and professional programs from both campuses. The success of this issue’s call for submissions is due to the efforts of …

Insights Into The Pathogenesis Of Nicotine Addiction. Could A Salivary Biosensor Be Useful In Nicotine Replacement Therapy (Nrt)?, Anida-Maria Băbțan, Nausica B. Petrescu, Anca Ionel, Bianca A. Boșca, Willi A. Uriciuc, Claudia N. Feurdean, Codruța I. Mirică, Roxana Bordea, Viorel Miclăuș, Flavia Ruxanda, Adina D. Todea, Teodora G. Alexescu, Radu S. Câmpian, Aranka Ilea

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Nicotine has gained the attention of the medical community due to its insidious addictive mechanisms which lead to chronic consumption. The multitude of compounds derived from tobacco smoke have local and systemic negative impacts, resulting in a large number of smoking-related pathologies. The present review offers insights into nicotine addiction physiopathology, as well as social and medical implications, with emphasis on its correlation with Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs). Therapeutic strategies and new approaches to nicotine assessment and cessation treatment are discussed, noting that such strategies could take into account the possibility of slow and gradual nicotine release from a …