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Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are a prevalent health issue, causing considerable morbidity. Despite the availability of conventional treatments, there is an increasing interest in natural products due to their potential antiviral and immunomodulatory benefits. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of an ELA blend (E—Echinacea purpurea, L—Lonicera cerulea, A—Aronia melanocarpa) in preventing and alleviating the symptoms of URTIs. Additionally, the study examines the blend's antiviral and immunomodulatory effects both in vitro and through a clinical trial. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 61 participants prone to URTIs, with a 60-day treatment and follow-up period. A placebo group later received the ELA blend for 60 days. The ELA blend significantly reduced the incidence of URTIs during the observation period (2 vs. 8; p = 0.044) and, in particular, throat-related symptoms (8 vs. 16; p = 0.038). Analyses of PBMCs showed that baseline production of the cytokines IFN-γ (p = 0.020), IL-1β (p = 0.004), IL-2(p < 0.001), IL-6 (p < 0.001), and TNF-α (p < 0.001) increased after ELA blend treatment. Moreover, the ELA blend modulated cytokine production in response to PHA-L stimulation, decreasing IFN-γ (p = 0.008) and IL-2 (p = 0.012) while increasing IL-1β (p = 0.005). Following R848 stimulation, the ELA blend enhanced the production of INF-α (p = 0.012) and IL-2 (p = 0.025), and decreased IL-1β (p < 0.001), IL-6 (p < 0.001), and TNF-α (p = 0.049). The blend suppressed VSV replication and significantly increased cytokine levels, with IFN-γ increasing by 98 pg/mL (p = 0.002), IL-1β rising by 233.0 pg/mL (p = 0.004), and TNF-α showing an increase of 2905 pg/mL (p = 0.002). These findings highlight the ELA blend's potential to alleviate URTI symptoms, modulate inflammatory and antiviral immune responses, and inhibit viral replication. Further investigations should aim to validate these findings through large-scale studies, and explore the ELA blend's long-term safety and efficacy in diverse populations. Additionally, research should investigate optimal dosing strategies and explore potential synergistic effects with conventional treatments to maximize clinical outcomes. Trial registration: retrospectively registered under NCT06020001. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review we present the behavioral aspects of interaction in people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), taking into account some aspects of pharmacotherapy. In the treatment of people with ASD, an individual approach to emotional, social and cognitive functioning is very important. The specificity of symptoms and their severity in people with ASD results from deficits/disfunction of various areas of the brain and is associated with different levels of intelligence. This manuscript considers selected methods of interaction with ASD patients with normal IQ. Due to the different ways of functioning, these people often find it difficult to adapt to social expectations. The most important thing is to understand their perception of themselves and the world around them in order to support them in coping with the daily challenges. Due to the increasing problem, more and more attention is being focused on early detection of ASD, what allows to intervene as fast as possible and in consequence affect the quality of life of people with this dysfunctions. However, participants with mild autism symptoms are still difficult to diagnose in the practice. The effectiveness of the therapy depends largely on the cooperation of educational institutions. It is also necessary to contact specialist clinics, including a mental health counseling center. However, in the case of children and adolescents, the cooperation between the therapist and their parents is the basis. Systemic family therapy is also important in adults with ASD. An overview of the methods of therapeutic interactions in ASD, what may be helpful in diagnosing of mild ASD, were presented in our manuscript.

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