Hasil untuk "Other systems of medicine"

Beomku Kang, Younbyoung Chae

Zhineng Li, Le Yang, Ling Kong et al.

Abstract. Innovative drugs are defined as new chemical entities that play a vital role in the treatment and maintenance of human health. While single-target innovative drugs have achieved notable success, they face limitations in addressing the increasingly complex and precise spectra of diseases. The advent of multi-target innovative drugs offers new opportunities, supported by a growing body of pharmacological evidence. Herbal medicines are recognized as valuable sources of multi-target therapeutics due to their proven efficacy in treating complex diseases. However, the identification and validation of such drugs from herbal sources continue to pose significant challenges. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the literature on traditional Chinese medicine, integrated medicine, chemistry, and biology from 2015 to 2025. It summarizes the strategies employed in integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine for innovative drug development, along with successful application cases. We believe these efforts will deepen understanding of the current landscape, accelerate the discovery of multi-target innovative drugs from herbal medicine, and contribute to addressing major human health challenges.

Adio J. Akamo, Adetutu O. Ojelabi, Oluwatobi T. Somade et al.

Background: In third-world countries, poisoning due to dichlorvos (DDVP), an organophosphate insecticide, is prevalent due to its widespread usage in household and agriculture, with the brain bearing the brunt of the consequences. Hence, this study assessed the likely beneficial impact of hesperidoside (HESP) on the DDVP-mediated cerebral dysfunction in rat model. Method: Randomization was employed to earmark forty-two rats into seven groups: control, DDVP alone (8 mg.kg⁻¹day⁻¹), DDVP plus HESP (50 and 100 mg.kg⁻¹day⁻¹) and reference drug atropine (0.2 mg.kg⁻¹day⁻¹), and HESP alone (50 and 100 mg.kg⁻¹day⁻¹). Results: HESP intervention remarkably (p < 0.05) mitigated DDVP-potentiated augmentations in cerebral concentrations of H₂O₂, NO, and malondialdehyde; impaired DDVP-induced decrease in cerebral GSH, GST, SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and acetylcholinesterase; significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed DDVP-invoked upregulation of mRNA expression of NF-κB-p65, p53, BAX, caspase-3, and TNF-α; and significantly (p < 0.05) revoked DDVP-incited downregulation of interleukin-10. Conclusion: HESP chemotherapeutic interventions enhanced cerebral functions in DDVP-treated rats by abrogating oxidative stress, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, and NF-κB-p65/p53/caspases-3 signaling.

ZHANG Lei, BU Haiwei, XU Tianyu, ZHANG Mingxu, NIU Ping, HUO Feng, LIU Rui

Objective To investigate the changes and clinical significance of synovial fluid Asporin level in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). Methods A total of 48 TMD patients who were treated in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 due to irritant pain and mouth opening limitation were randomly selected as the observation group, and 48 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group. The synovial fluid Asporin levels of the two groups were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The difference of synovial fluid Asporin levels between the two groups was compared. The correlation between the synovial fluid Asporin levels and the clinical symptoms of TMD was analyzed. Results The synovial fluid Asporin level in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P&lt;0.05). The synovial fluid Asporin level was positively correlated with the pain degree of TMD patients (Rs=0.825, P&lt;0.001), negatively correlated with the degree of mouth opening (Rs=-0.945, P&lt;0.001). Conclusion The level of Asporin in synovial fluid of TMD patients was significantly increased. The level of Asporin in synovial fluid of TMD patients is correlated with the clinical symptoms of TMD, which provides a basis for the diagnosis and evaluation of TMD.

Thattantavide Anju, Ajay Kumar

Mullu Kuruman tribes majorly reside in the Wayanad district of Kerala, India. Their dietary practices and food systems are deeply intertwined with wild and underutilised plants, but modern interventions and globalisation have altered them. Therefore, understanding their traditional ecological knowledge regarding the plants used for food and medicine is important for biodiversity conservation and the sustainability of the resources. This study, therefore, explores traditional ecological knowledge of the diversity of wild plant use among 125 respondents from the Mullu Kuruman tribe. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews in Malayalam during household visits and walks in gardens and forests. This study documents 111 plant species across 85 genera and 42 botanical families. Most of these plants were used for food (66.66 %), while 26.13 % were used for medicinal purposes. Bambusa bambos recorded the highest Use Report (281), Cultural Importance Index (2.248), Relative Importance Index (1), Use Value (2.248), and Cultural Value Index (1.327). This study shows the rich diversity of the plants used by the Mullu Kurumans, which is important for their food security and resilience. The agroecological diversity of climate-resilient crops such as Eleusine coracana, Panicum sumatrense, and Sorghum bicolor is suitable for dryland agriculture. Leafy vegetables such as Alternanthera sessilis, and Basella rubra, and fruits such as Artocarpus incisus, Canavalia brasiliensis and Ziziphus oenopolia which are rich in minerals and vitamins can enhance their health and well-being. Using carbohydrate-rich plants such as Dioscorea spp., Amorphophallus paeonifoliius, and Colacasia esculenta contributes to their food security. These insights are crucial for sustainable species use and conservation. This and similar studies from other parts of the world offer new insights into the use of local agro-ecological diversity of plants by the tribal communities to deal with climate change and food security challenges.

Ana Carolina Nunes Almeida, Mariana Procópio Arruda Lemos, Elaine Cristina Dias Franco Franco

Objetivo: Compreender, na perspectiva dos profissionais da Estratégia de Saúde da Família (ESF), os significados atribuídos à adolescência, bem como as estratégias de acolhimento e de acompanhamento das condições de saúde do adolescente-família no cotidiano da prática profissional. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo exploratório, de abordagem qualitativa, que analisou 13 entrevistas realizadas com profissionais da ESF de Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Para o tratamento dos dados produzidos no corpus do estudo, adotou-se a análise de conteúdo proposta por Bardin. Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que, na percepção dos profissionais da ESF, a compreensão da adolescência é permeada pela definição da faixa etária, por mudanças hormonais e psicossociais. A dependência das redes sociais apresentou-se como um dos principais desafios durante este ciclo de vida. Não foram relatadas ações de planejamento e de saúde específicas voltadas ao adolescente e sua família, mas sim, iniciativas individuais de atenção à saúde para atender à demanda deste grupo. Conclusão: O estudo contribui para o aprofundamento da temática adolescência nas ações de cuidado pela equipe da ESF. A construção de estratégias coletivas para contemplar este público, buscando qualificar o cuidado pautado nos princípios do Sistema Único de Saúde, por meio de práticas de saúde interprofissionais que atendam às necessidades da população, são recomendadas. Na formação, estimula-se a reorganização dos currículos dos cursos de graduação em saúde por ciclos de vida, com foco na atenção à saúde do adolescente. Estudos complementares são esperados, buscando ampliar o número de ESF participantes e incluindo adolescentes e famílias como participantes de pesquisa.

Kateřina Ondrák Fialová, Kryštof Adámek, Karel Štamberg et al.

Abstract Positron-emitting 68Ga has become an integral part of nuclear medicine. It is a radionuclide obtained from 68Ge/68Ga radionuclide generators. Apart from other qualities, it is a feature that have caused its growing popularity in medical practice. Nevertheless, the increasing demand for 68Ga supply results in the need of new and improved separation systems to obtain it. Hydrous oxides such as titanium or zirconium dioxide are usually the preferred separation materials, but other oxidic materials are under study. Thorough testing of the sorption behaviour is often overlooked in these studies, though it is indispensable for the applicability and suitability assessment. This work is focused on the sorption behaviour description of cerium dioxide prepared by calcination of ceric nitrate. Both batch and kinetic sorption experiments were conducted. Such a thorough study has never been carried out for this material. In batch experiments, the optimal conditions for separation of 68Ga and 68Ge were found. Kinetic experimental data were used for mathematical modelling. Six kinetic models derived from various rate-controlling processes were used and their applicability was demonstrated. The diffusion in an inert layer is the rate-controlling process of both gallium and germanium sorption and desorption. This model description of sorption kinetics will further enable us to optimise the sorption and desorption processes numerically. Thus far, it was found out that the prepared cerium dioxide can quantitatively adsorb germanium in very short time of 10 min from 1mM hydrochloric acid and the most convenient medium for 68Ge and 68Ga separation is 0.1 M hydrochloric acid.

Tommy K. C. Ng, Man Fung Lo, Ben Y. F. Fong et al.

Abstract Background Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine are available and have a long history in Hong Kong. Little is known on the intention to use TCM in Hong Kong. In this study, the intention to use TCM was examined by the extended theory of planned behavior. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was conducted from 15 and 29 November 2021. Respondents’ attitude towards using TCM, intention to use TCM, knowledge, perceived behavioral control, perceived service quality, satisfaction, subjective norms and demographic characteristics were collected from the survey. To examine the conceptual framework in this study, partial least square structural equation model (PLS-SEM) was adopted. Results In total, 446 responses (completion rate = 74.3%) were analysed. Attitude towards TCM was the strongest predictor to the intention to use TCM followed by satisfaction and subjective norms. Attitude had a partial mediating effect on the relationship between subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and intention to use TCM. Attitude had a full mediating effect on the relationship between knowledge and intention to use TCM. Satisfaction had a full mediating effect on the relationship between perceived service quality and intention to use TCM. Conclusions This is the first study to investigate the predictors of the intention to use TCM in Hong Kong by using TPB. Individuals’ attitude towards TCM has showed stronger effect to the intention to use TCM than other predictors, such as satisfaction, perceived behavioral control and subjective norms. To enhance the intention to use TCM in Hong Kong, key stakeholders, including TCM professional organisations, health professionals and policymakers, should develop a positive attitude towards TCM among Hong Kong population.

Zhiheng ZHAO, Jinghui BI, Shijie YE et al.

The network pharmacology and molecular docking technology were applied to explore the mechanism of trratment Immunodeficiency Diseases (IDD) of Astragalus and Ligustrum lucidum. Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP), Swiss Tagert Prediction, Genecards and other online databases were used to select the active compounds and potential targets of Astragalus and Ligustrum lucidum, and build the compound-target-disease network and protein-protein interaction network. The enrichment of gene ontology (GO) function analysis by DAVID and ClueGo and the pathway enrichment analysis by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were carried out. Finally, molecular docking studies were carried out to verify the binding of core components and targets. A total of 31 active components and 81 targets of Astragalus and Ligustrum lucidum in the treatment of IDD were obtained by network analysis. The results of GO function enrichment analysis showed that the treatment of Astragalus-Ligustrum lucidum may involved 152 biological processes such as the positive regulation of MAP kinase activity and 23 immune system processes such as α-β T cell activation. The results of KEGG pathway showed that it were 91 KEGG pathways involved in cancer pathways and prostate cancer. The results of molecular docking showed that kaempferol had good binding activity to MAPK1 and other proteins. The molecular mechanism of Astragalus and Ligustrum lucidum in the treatment of IDD indicated the synergistic features of multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway, which provided reference for the development of dietary supplements.

Yasunari Matsuzaka, Shinji Kusakawa, Yoshihiro Uesawa et al.

Automated detection of impurities is in demand for evaluating the quality and safety of human cell-processed therapeutic products in regenerative medicine. Deep learning (DL) is a powerful method for classifying and recognizing images in cell biology, diagnostic medicine, and other fields because it automatically extracts the features from complex cell morphologies. In the present study, we construct prediction models that recognize cancer-cell contamination in continuous long-term (four-day) cell cultures. After dividing the whole dataset into Early- and Late-stage cell images, we found that Late-stage images improved the DL performance. The performance was further improved by optimizing the DL hyperparameters (batch size and learning rate). These findings are first report for the implement of DL-based systems in disease cell-type classification of human cell-processed therapeutic products (hCTPs), that are expected to enable the rapid, automatic classification of induced pluripotent stem cells and other cell treatments for life-threatening or chronic diseases.

S. Andersson, T. Lundeberg

A. Pudlarz, J. Szemraj

Abstract Nanoparticles have many applications both in industry and medicine. Depending upon their physical and chemical properties, they can be used as carriers of therapeutic molecules or as therapeutics. Nanoparticles are made of synthetic or natural polymers, lipids or metals. Their use allows for faster transport to the place of action, thus prolonging its presence in the body and limiting side effects. In addition, the use of such a drug delivery system protects the drug from rapid disintegration and elimination from the body. In recent years, the use of proteins and peptides as therapeutic molecules has grown significantly. Unfortunately, proteins are subject to enzymatic digestion and can cause unwanted immune response beyond therapeutic action. The use of drug carriers can minimize undesirable side effects and reduce the dose of medication needed to achieve the therapeutic effect. The current study presents the use of several selected drug delivery systems for the delivery of proteins, peptides and other therapeutic molecules.

Cristina Castro-Yuste, María Jesús Rodríguez-Cornejo, María José García-Cabanillas et al.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of the present study was to design a content-valid nursing objective structured clinical examination attending a first-year clinical nursing practice program. Method: The examination was designed following a procedure based on the consensus of experts which was comprised of three phases: selection of the activities in which students should be competent according to the learning outcomes of the course, clinical case design, and integration of the clinical cases designed into the stations of the test. Results: Of the 44 surveys submitted for the design of the stations, 37 were answered, of which 31 respondents met the inclusion criteria of the panel of experts. The activities on which the experts reached the highest degrees of consensus were: basic physical assessment and monitoring of vital signs, assessment of hygiene and skin status, ability to develop care plans, management of safety principles in administration of medication and administration of oral medication. Based on the selected activities, the experts developed 20 clinical cases, from which a four-station nursing objective structured clinical examination was designed. Conclusion: The structured methodology based on the design of experts enabled the design of a content-valid objective structured clinical examination appropriate for the evaluation of the learning outcomes achieved by the students attending a clinical practice program.

Sheikh Faruque Elahee, Huijuan Mao, Fatema Zohra et al.

Conventional homeopathy and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are two popular alternative systems of medicine, which are practiced also in many countries outsidethe countries of origin. Homeopathy originated in Germany in the 19th century and spread throughout the world in spite of antagonism by theorthodox practitioners. It is a holistic medicine based on the principles of treatment where the remedy and the disease have similar symptoms,applies a single potentized medicine at a time, in minimum dose. TCM, also a holistic medicine originating in ancient China about 3000 years ago, has been developed and practiced through centuries till today as one of the most popular alternative medicines in the world. Both the systems ofmedicine have many differences in theories, principles and practices, but they have some important aspects in common. Both are holistic in approach,treating the whole patient, not the affected organs only; focusing on stimulating the intrinsic life principle to bring order, and on homeostasis and balance in the organism. In therapeutics, they may advantageously be applied as adjuvant to each other, producing synergistic effects.

Tiago Santos Pagnocca, Sofia Zank, Natalia Hanazaki

Abstract Background Cultural and religious practices of African origin have decisively influenced traditional health practices in the Americas since the African diaspora. Plants are core elements in the religions of African origin. Compared with other parts of Brazil where the Afro-Brazilian presence is widely recognized, in Southern Brazil, these cultural practices are often socially invisible. Yet, there are several terreiros of three Afro-Brazilian religions: Candomblé, Umbanda, and Ritual deAlmas e Angola. We hypothesize that the importance of plants in Afro-Brazilian religions is linked not only to spiritual and magical issues but also to the medicinal properties of these plants. We seek to answer the following questions: (a) Which plants are used in the terreiros and what are their indications for use?; (b) Are there plants that stand out culturally in these religious groups?; and (c) What is the importance of the adaptive maintenance and replacement process in the use of plants in these religions, considering the Neotropical and African plants? Methods We performed a census of the existing terreiros on the Island of Santa Catarina to collect information on the knowledge and use of plants. In all terreiros that consented to participate in the research, we collected data through semi-structured interviews, guided tours for plant collection, and participant observation. We identified the botanical species through expert consultations and botanical literature. Results We interviewed 27 spiritual leaders, who cited 93 plants belonging to 86 botanical species. We identified 14 categories of use, with emphasis on liturgical ritual use (59%), general and unspecified diseases (32%), and digestive diseases (27%). In most liturgics uses, direct contact between plant and patient occurs, as in the case of bathing and the cleansing use of smoke. Sixteen plants were cited in all terreiros, configuring a set of species that can be considered as culturally important plants for these religious groups. Conclusions These groups have extensive knowledge about a highly consensual set of therapeutic plants that should be further investigated pharmacologically to understand the effect of their external use. Also, we emphasize the importance of recognizing and valuing this ancestral Afro-Brazilian knowledge and learning also from these people about their broader vision of health which also adds more spirituality in health care.

Mariana Ceahlău, Rodica Selevestru, Aliona Cotoman et al.

Au fost studiați factorii neonatali (termenul de gestație, masa la naștere, oxigenoterapia) ce pot conduce la dezvoltarea displaziei bronhopulmonare (DBP). Loturile de studiu de cohortă prospectiv și retrospectiv a 65 de copii internați în secția copii prematuri, IMSP IMC cu istoric pozitiv de naștere prematură și cu sindromul detresei respiratorii suportat neonatal au fost create utilizând clasificarea prematurilor. Studiul a stabilit că vârsta medie de gestație, greutatea la naștere și barotrauma cauzată de ventilația artificială pulmonară (VAP) pentru copiii născuți prematur constituie factori de risc în realizarea DBP.

G. Pezzulo, M. Levin

Venil N. Sumantran, Pratibha P. Nair

This ‘discussion paper’ raises ‘provocative questions’ to identify physiological systems underlying vata dosha and candidate biomarkers for vata activity. We explained the strong correlations between survival and homeostatic functions of the parasympathetic vagus nerve, and functions governed by the five major sub-types of vata dosha (Praana, Udana, Vyaana, Samaana, and Apana). Four reasons were provided to hypothesize that vagal activity is a reliable candidate biomarker of important vata dosha functions. First, normal vata dosha and the vagus maintain neural, respiratory, and digestive homeostasis, and dysfunctions in both entities cause very similar diseases. Second, vata dosha regulates higher neural functions such as mental health and behaviour, and the ‘polyvagal theory’ proposes similar functions for the vagus. Third, the similar roles of vata dosha and vagus in maintaining gut homeostasis, suggest that vagal activity in the ‘gut-brain’ link is a candidate biomarker of pakwashaya (lower gut), a primary regulatory site for vata dosha. Fourth, the vagus is the only vital nerve whose activity can be reliably measured and manipulated. Indeed, vagal nerve stimulation is a USA-FDA approved therapy for certain ailments attributed to impaired vata dosha. No other nerve or dosha, has such multi-functional and life-sustaining properties. These arguments position vagal activity as a suitable candidate biomarker for certain functions of vata dosha. Keywords: Biomarker, Vata dosha, Vagus, Vagal nerve stimulation

Mohammed S. Khan, Gowda D. Vishakante, Siddaramaiah H

A. Vincent