Using Viscum album extracts (ISCADOR) for successful management of neoplasms of the skin in horses and cats in consideration of aspects relevant to human medicine.

Background: Mistletoe extracts (Viscum album extracts, VAE) such as ISCADOR, have been used successfully in human oncology for many years. In veterinary medicine, there have been reports of successful treatment, but scientific data on efficacy are lacking. Two studies were therefore conducted to assess whether VAE can serve as an adjunct to standard treatment in horses and cats. Methods: As part of a placebo-controlled double-blind study (study 1), 53 horses with equine sarcoid (a solitary or multifocal skin tumor) were treated with VAE pini (pine mistletoe) in progressively increasing doses (n=32) or with a sodium chloride solution (n=21). Three times a week for 15 weeks. All horses were observed over a period of 12 months for tumor recurrence and cure. In an observational study (study 2), 44 cats with fibrosarcoma, a very common skin tumor with a high rate of recurrence, were treated postoperatively with 0.1% (0.5ml per dose) oral VAE quercus (oak mistletoe) twice daily, and disease free survival was measured. Results: In study 1, treatment with ISCADOR led to significantly better results than placebo. Improvement was seen in 41% of the cases (placebo 14%), and cure was achieved in 28% of the cases (placebo 14%). In study 2, disease-free survival time in cats treated postoperatively with VAE quercus was 438 days compared with 365 to 475 days for conventional chemotherapies and 120 to 261 days for surgery alone, as seen in literature. Aggressive surgery combined with radiation and chemotherapy led to markedly superior results (661 to 986 days). Conclusion: The study 1 was able to demonstrate, for the first time, the efficacy of VAE compared to placebo control. This study also showed that the effect of VAE apparently extends considerably beyond the treatment period; unexpectedly, only very few recurrences were observed between the end of treatment and the 12th month of observation. The results of the study 2 show that oral administration of mistletoe preparations also yields satisfactory prophylactic effects. The discussion surrounding oral treatment and the question whether it can replace injection treatment must therefore be continued, even in human medicine

Administration of Ratanhia-based herbal oral care products for the prophylaxis of oral mucositis in cancer chemotherapy patients: a clinical trial

Oral complications are a common side effect of cancer chemotherapy, as antineoplastic agents affect both the immune system and the oral mucosa. This study demonstrates preventive and therapeutic effects of dental treatment and regular use of Weleda Ratanhia-Mundwasser® (herbal mouthwash) and Weleda Pflanzen-Zahngel® (herbal toothgel) on oral mucositis during chemotherapy. Thirty-two female patients with breast cancer starting on chemotherapy were evaluated in this study. Plaque index, gingival index, degree of mucositis and 10 single symptoms were monitored once weekly for four consecutive weeks. After four weeks, plaque and gingival indexes were slightly decreased compared to baseline values. The degree of mucositis was increased by one grade in 15.6 % of the patients and over 70 % remained without symptoms. On the whole, single symptoms decreased from day 7 since beginning of chemotherapy to day 28. Mucositis symptoms were moderate in severity, and the results indicate a positive influence of using Weleda Ratanhia-Mundwasser and Weleda Pflanzen-Zahngel. Further studies might be promising

Safety and Efficacy of Mistletoe extract (Viscum album) Iscador(R) P in Equine Sarcoid

Equine Sarcoid (ES), a semi malignant skin tumour, is the most common neoplasia of horses (Marti et al.1993). There is no generally effective single treatment existing and the recurrence rate is high (Martens et al.2001). Furthermore as a treatment obstacle, Sarcoids tend to occur as multi-focal tumours or can be found in critical locations (peri-ocular) where success of surgical interventions is very limited (Carstanjen et al.1997). Due to encouraging results in human medicine and small animals practice after adjuvant cancer treatment by mistletoe extracts (Biegel et al.2007) the viscum therapy could hypothetically fill a therapy gap for equine tumour diseases as well. Hence, goal of this clinical trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Viscum album pini (Iscador® P) as a primary therapy of Equine Sarcoid in the context of a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind study. Material and Methods: 53 horses with histologically confirmed diagnosis Equine Sarcoid were randomly assigned as Iscador (I; n=32) or Control group (C; n=21). There are 23 mares, 25 geldings and 5 stallions ranged in age from 3 to 17 years with an average of 7.2 years. The horses received scalating dosages of Iscador® P starting at 0.1mg up to 20 mg extract per 1 ml dose or physiological NaCl solution 3 times a week over 105 days sub-cutanously into the pectoral region. The number, localization and morphology of the ES were observed and documented over 12 months. As target variable the positive outcome rate (PO rate) was calculated representing the patients status at the end of the investigation. Results: In the Iscador Group 13 horses (41%) showed an improvement (at least 50% tumour remission). Of these cases a number of 9 patients showed complete cure (28%). In the Control Group only 3 cases (14%; all with complete cure) were classified as improved (p<0.05). Discussion & Conclusions: Iscador® P extract (viscum album pini) represents a safe and efficient therapy alternative in Equine Sarcoids, particularly in cases of multi-focal character. In tumours grown in problematic localizations a therapy attempt with viscum album extracts should be conducted to avoid the risk of damage the intact surrounding tissue, particularly in the eye area. Iscador® P shows significantly better outcomes (cure and improvement) compared to placebo control. Younger horses and horses with more than 2 tumours are responding with higher PO rates than older patients and horses with 1 to 2 ES. This fact could support the control of multiple sarcoids which can be excised only by immense surgery expense. Further investigations to understand factors of response and non-.response have to be conducted in the future. Additionally, due to the good tolerance by the patients and the acceptance of long-term protocol the practicability of Iscador ® P therapy can be assumed. Younger horses responded more often with a positive outcome (PO) than older (Fig. 2a) with PO rates of 57%, 40% and 13% for horses being less than 5 years, 5 to 9 years and more than 9 years, respectively compared to PO 25%, 10% and 0% in control. A significant better therapy course appeared in the Iscador group for horses with >2 ES (Fig. 2b): a number of 12 of 25 horses (48%) showed an improvement, 9 of these a complete remission (36%) including ES localized at the critical areas (head and around the eyes) compared to 6% in the control group. Iscador® P extract (viscum album pini) represents a safe and efficient therapy alternative in Equine Sarcoids, particularly in cases of multi-focal character. In tumours grown in problematic localizations a therapy attempt with viscum album extracts should be conducted to avoid the risk of damage the intact surrounding tissue, particularly in the eye area. Iscador® P shows significantly better outcomes (cure and improvement) compared to placebo control. Younger horses and horses with more than 2 tumours are responding with higher PO rates than older patients and horses with 1 to 2 ES. This fact could support the control of multiple sarcoids which can be excised only by immense surgery expense. Further investigations to understand factors of response and non-.response have to be conducted in the future. Additionally, due to the good tolerance by the patients and the acceptance of long-term protocol the practicability of Iscador ® P therapy can be assumed

Estabilización de subrasante incorporando ceniza de estiércol de camélidos y de madera en carretera Kelluyo – Pisacoma, Puno – 2022

La investigación tuvo como objetivo evaluar de qué manera influye la adición de ceniza de estiércol de camélidos y madera en la estabilización de las propiedades físico mecánicas de la subrasante en la carretera Kelluyo-Pisacoma Puno - 2022, en donde se adicionó 9%CE+15CM, 14%CE+10%CM, 19%CE+5%CM con respecto al suelo natural. La metodología utilizada es de tipo aplicada, presenta un diseño cuasi-experimental, nivel explicativo y un enfoque cuantitativo. El resultado que se obtuvieron es el IP de la muestra C-2, al añadir el producto fue de 13%, 10% y 9% llegando a presentar una disminución respectivamente, el IP de la muestra C-4, al añadir el producto fue de 11%, 10%, y 10% llegando a presentar una disminución respectivamente. El OCH muestra C-2, al añadir el producto fue de 14.91%, 13.68% y 13.28% llegando a presentar una disminución respectivamente, el OCH de la muestra C-4, al añadir el producto fue de 9.99%, 8.79% y 9.13% llegando a una disminución respectivamente, la MDS muestra C- 2, al añadir el producto fue de 1.711 gr/cm3, 1.722 gr/cm3 y 1.731 gr/cm3 llegando a presentar un aumento respectivamente, el MDS de la muestra C-4, al añadir el producto fue de 1.684 gr/cm3, 1.688 gr/cm3 y 1.705 gr/cm3 llegando a presentar un aumento respectivamente. El CBR de la muestra C-2, al añadir el producto fue 10.9%, 14.1% y 17.5% llegando a presentar un aumento respectivamente y el CBR de la muestra C-4, al añadir el producto fue de 14.1%, 18.5% y 19.9% llegando a presentar un aumento respectivamente. Por lo tanto, se llegó a la conclusión que la incorporación de la ceniza de estiércol de camélidos y de madera, sirve como estabilizante de los suelos CL y SC en la carretera Kelluyo-Pisacoma y mejora así sus propiedades físicas y mecánicas

Executive functions and functional impairment in Latin seniors suffering from depression

Functional impairment (FI) relates to the condition of executive functions (EFs). While EFs become affected by age and educational level (EL). Seniors suffering from depression (SSDs) on the other hand show EF-related deficiencies; however, there is hardly any literature available regarding their relationship with FI in Latin SSDs, who usually have low ELs. Objective: To verify the relationship between EFs and FI in SSDs of Latin origins, by controlling the effects associated with age and educational level. Methodology: Cross-sectional study, of cases and controls, conducted on a nonprobability sample, made up of 102 self-sufficient SSDs and 142 control subjects over age 50, monolinguals of Latin origin (Chileans), all assessed by means of a battery of assessments such as: Geriatric Depression Scale, Addenbrook's Cognitive Assessment III, Trail making Tests A and B, STROOP word-color test, and semantic and phonological verbal fluency tests. A domain of composite EFs was established with standardized Chilean population scores, where age and educational levels were controlled. A simple linear regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between EFs and FI in SSDs. Results: Upon controlling age and educational levels, EFs explained an FI variance of 3.9% in SSDs; depression explained an EF variance of 3.2%, and 3.7% of FI. Conclusion: The results of the present study highlight the importance of a timely intervention when it comes to geriatric depression, considering the negative effect it has over the executive functions and the functionality of seniors

Gene expression signatures of pathways alterations in tumor cells caused by plant extracts

Extracts of Viscum album from different host trees (Iscador®Qu, M, P and A) and isolated mistletoe lectin showed distinct gene-expression profiles using cDNA microarrays. We were able to confirm that genes of apoptosis, the cell cycle and the immune system were affected by mistletoe preparations and we also found that signal transduction, cell communication and cancer related pathways were overregulated in the tested breast cancer (HCC-1937, MCF-7, KPL-1, Mfm-223) and lymphoma cell lines (WSZ-NHL). The effect of a specific mistletoe extract on a particular cell line was individual, so that the distinction between the reaction of the cell type and/or the influence of the mistletoe preparation could be used in targeted mistletoe therapy

A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, Vehicle-controlled, Multi-centre Clinical Trial of Efficacy, Safety and Local Tolerability

This study was a prospective, parallel-group, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, multi-centre clinical trial to compare the efficacy of topical sertaconazole 2% cream with vehicle in reducing chronic pruritus in subjects with atopic dermatitis, and to assess its safety and local tolerability. A total of 70 subjects applied either of the 2 treatments twice daily for a period of 4 weeks on affected, itchy skin areas. Treatment efficacy was evaluated primarily considering the item itch intensity on a 5-point verbal rating scale. Insomnia, state of atopic dermatitis (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis; SCORAD), quality of life and therapy benefit were also assessed. No significant difference between active treatment and vehicle was found at any of the time-points for any of the investigated parameters. Under the experimental conditions of the study, sertaconazole 2% cream did not exert anti-pruritic effects that were better than vehicle in subjects with atopic dermatitis who had chronic pruritus. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT01792713

Behandlung des equinen Sarkoids beim Pferd mit dem Mistelpräparat Iscador(r)-P.

(Prämierter Beitrag) Bisher gilt kaum eine Therapie des Equinen Sarkoids (ES) als ausreichend wirksam. Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war, im Rahmen einer randomisierten kontrollierten Doppelblindstudie, die Wirksamkeit des Mistelextraktes ISCADOR-P (Weleda) als Primärtherapie beim ES zu evaluieren. Insgesamt wurden 53 Pferde mit der Diagnose ES zufällig einer Verum- (V, n = 32) oder einer PlacebogruppeP, n = 21) zugeordnet. Die Pferde erhielten steigende Dosierungen von ISCADOR-P (0.1 mg bis 20 mg Extrakt/Dosis) oder physiol. NaCl-Lösung 3mal/Woche während 105 Tagen subkutan. Anzahl, Lokalisation und Morphologie der histologisch abgeklärten ES wurden während 12 Monaten protokolliert. In der Verum-Gruppe zeigten 13 Tiere (41%) eine Besserung (mindestens 50%ige Tumorremission), bei 9 (28%) davon war die Heilung vollständig gegenüber 3 Tieren (14%) in der Placebo-Gruppe (P <0.05). Während bei Pferden mit 1–2 ES kein klarer Unterschied zwischen V und P ersichtlich war, zeigte sich ein deutlich besserer Verlauf nach Behandlung mit Verum bei Pferden mit mehr als 2 ES: 12/25 (48%) zeigten eine Besserung, davon 9 eine komplette Remission (inkl. 5 am Kopf lokalisierte ES, von diesen 2 um die Augen); mit Placebo wurde nur 1/15 (6%) vollständig geheilt. ISCADOR-P stellt eine wirksame Alternativtherapie beim ES dar, insbesondere bei multiplem Befall und problematischer Lokalisation

Behandlung des equinen Sarkoid beim Pferd mit dem Misteltpräparat Iscador.

(Tagungsbeitrag Pferdenetzwerktagung, Avenches). Das Equine Sarkoid ist der häufigste Hauttumor des Pferdes. Bisher gilt keine konservative The-rapie als ausreichend wirksam und nach chirurgischer Entfernung sind oft Rezidive zu beobach-ten. Schon seit vielen Jahren wird die Mistel in der Human- und Kleintiermedizin als begleiten-des Krebstherapeutikum erfolgreich eingesetzt. Erste Erfahrungen zeigen auch bei Hauttumoren des Pferdes Erfolge. Im Rahmen einer placebokontrollierten Blindstudie wird daher seit März 2004, im Nationalgestüt Avenches, das Mistelpräparat IscadorR zur primären Behandlung von Sarkoiden und zur postoperativen Prophylaxe gegen Rezidive auch beim Pferd geprüft. Dabei wurden bisher 65 Pferde vier Monate lang mittels drei subkutanen Injektionen pro Woche im Brustbereich mit IscadorR oder einem Placebo behandelt. Vor Versuchsbeginn finden eine Allgemeinuntersuchung, eine Blutuntersuchung und eine histologische Untersuchung statt. Die Anzahl, das Aussehen und die Grösse der equinen Sarkoide werden einmal pro Monat während einem Jahr (primär therapierte Pferde) bzw. 16 Monaten (postchirurgische Fälle) protokolliert. Zusätzlich wurden 15 Tiere, die wegen Nichteinwilligung der Besitzer oder Nichterfüllung der Einschlusskriterien nicht an der Blindstudie teilnehmen konnten, mit IscadorR behandelt. Davon sind zum jetzigen Zeitpunkt 10 beurteilbar. Bei vier dieser Pferde zeigte sich ein Wachstums-stillstand der Sarkoide, bei weiteren vier kam es zur vollständigen Heilung über mehrere Monate nach Therapiebeginn. Bei den übrigen zwei Pferden ist im einen Fall keine Besserung aufgetre-ten, im anderen Fall konnte nach chirurgischer Entfernung des Sarkoids eine gute Wundheilung ohne Rezidiv beobachtet werden