Hasil untuk "Miscellaneous systems and treatments"

Gyoungeun Park, Ga-young Kim, You Jeong Han et al.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation affecting multiple joints and organs. Interest in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment is increasing owing to its effectiveness in disease control and relieving symptoms. The Yi Shen Juan Bi Pill (YSJB) is an antirheumatic TCM formula. Therefore, this systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis aimed to assess the therapeutic effect and safety of YSJB. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched from worldwide databases. Primary outcomes were disease activity scores. Secondary outcomes included laboratory results and adverse events (AEs). After screening the identified studies, 14 involving 1,497 participants were finally included. One study investigated YSJB as monotherapy, whereas 13 explored its use in combination with conventional medication. Statistically, YSJB showed significant results for the effective rate and a part of joint scale and laboratory results regardless of treatment type (monotherapy or combination therapy) and no significant difference in AEs was observed between two groups. The findings from this SR indicate the therapeutic potential of YSJB in treating RA. However, high heterogeneity, risk of bias, and the small number of RCTs hinder drawing definitive conclusions about its efficacy and clinical application. Therefore, further high-quality studies are required.

Alia Fazaa, Ons Loukil, Rym Ben M’barek et al.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic disturbed the organization of healthcare systems worldwide. All sectors were affected, including acupuncture consultations. We aimed to assess the impact of this pandemic on acupuncture consultations at Mongi Slim Hospital, La Marsa, Tunisia. We identified problems inherent in patient management during this period. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included new patients who consulted the acupuncture department during the 1st, 3rd and 4th waves of the pandemic. We examined the variation in the number of patients during 2019, 2020 and 2021. Three samples of 25 patients each were randomly selected. A questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data to study the patient's pathway prior to acupuncture, degree of patient satisfaction with care, and degree of application of hygiene measures. Results: There was a significant decrease of 67% and 61% in the number of patients in 2020 and 2021 respectively, compared with 2019. Patients completed an average of 8.0 ± 4.2 sessions. The patients rated their level of satisfaction with the care received, time spent waiting for an appointment, and application of hygiene measures as (mean score) 8.7 ± 1.5, 8.9 ± 1.6, and 8.3 ± 1.9 out of ten, respectively. Satisfaction with global care was positively correlated with appointment facility, reception at the registration office, reception by the acupuncturist, and application of safety precautions, and was negatively correlated with age. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected patient numbers in the acupuncture department, without affecting the quality of care. Observance of hygienic measures ensured good quality of care despite the pandemic.

Vinaya Gaduputi

Pedro Iván Arias-Vázquez, María Antonieta Ramírez-Wakamatzu, Blanca Gabriela Legorreta-Ramírez

Background: Biopuncture is a described technique that consists in subcutaneous injection of antihomotoxic drugs (homeopathic compounds) mixed with other substances such as local anesthetics or dextrose; This has been proposed as a treatment option to reduce musculoskeletal pain in various locations, including knee osteoarthritis.Objectives: The objective of this manuscript was to carry out a comprehensive review of the published information on the use of Biopuncture in patients with knee osteoarthritis.Methods: A scientific search was performed using online databases following the terms (Biopuncture) and (Knee Osteoarthritis) to identify scientific manuscripts that were related to the use of Biopuncture in the treatment of individuals with knee osteoarthritis.Results: With the information found, a theoretical framework was integrated that describes the components of Biopuncture, its mechanism of action and practical topics for the application of the technique.Conclusion: Biopuncture appears to be a potential, simple and low-risk therapeutic strategy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, which is applied through periarticular subcutaneous injections, with multitarget mechanisms of action at various physiopathological levels such as the modulation of the inflammatory process, decreased peripheral sensitization, and stimulation of antidegenerative and trophic mechanisms. Perhaps it can be part of the integrative treatments for knee osteoarthritis.

Smitha Bhat, Harish Rotti, Keshava Prasad et al.

Background: The Indian traditional medicinal system, Ayurveda, describes several lifestyle practices, processes and medicines as an intervention to treat asthma. Rasayana therapy is one of them and although these treatment modules show improvement in bronchial asthma, their mechanism of action, particularly the effect on DNA methylation, is largely understudied. Objectives: Our study aimed at identifying the contribution of DNA methylation changes in modulating bronchial asthma phenotype upon Ayurveda intervention. Materials and methods: In this study, genome-wide methylation profiling in peripheral blood DNA of healthy controls and bronchial asthmatics before (BT) and after (AT) Ayurveda treatment was performed using array-based profiling of reference-independent methylation status (aPRIMES) coupled to microarray technique. Results: We identified 4820 treatment-associated DNA methylation signatures (TADS) and 11,643 asthma-associated DNA methylation signatures (AADS), differentially methylated [FDR (≤0.1) adjusted p-values] in AT and HC groups respectively, compared to BT group. Neurotrophin TRK receptor signaling pathway was significantly enriched for differentially methylated genes in bronchial asthmatics, compared to AT and HC subjects. Additionally, we identified over 100 differentially methylated immune-related genes located in the promoter/5′-UTR regions of TADS and AADS. Various immediate-early response and immune regulatory genes with functions such as transcription factor activity (FOXD1, FOXD2, GATA6, HOXA3, HOXA5, MZF1, NFATC1, NKX2-2, NKX2-3, RUNX1, KLF11), G-protein coupled receptor activity (CXCR4, PTGER4), G-protein coupled receptor binding (UCN), DNA binding (JARID2, EBF2, SOX9), SNARE binding (CAPN10), transmembrane signaling receptor activity (GP1BB), integrin binding (ITGA6), calcium ion binding (PCDHGA12), actin binding (TRPM7, PANX1, TPM1), receptor tyrosine kinase binding (PIK3R2), receptor activity (GDNF), histone methyltransferase activity (MLL5), and catalytic activity (TSTA3) were found to show consistent methylation status between AT and HC group in microarray data. Conclusions: Our study reports the DNA methylation-regulated genes in bronchial asthmatics showing improvement in symptoms after Ayurveda intervention. DNA methylation regulation in the identified genes and pathways represents the Ayurveda intervention responsive genes and may be further explored as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers for bronchial asthma in peripheral blood.

Luara do Nascimento do Amaral, Fernando Valentim Bitencourt, Juliana Maciel de Souza Lamers et al.

Este estudo observacional transversal analisou a perspectiva de atuação profissional do cirurgião-dentista na Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF). Os participantes foram estudantes do último semestre de graduação em Odontologia de Universidade Pública do Sul do Brasil. A coleta de dados foi realizada de 2010-2019, pela aplicação de instrumento de pesquisa semiestruturado, autoaplicável e pré-testado. Análises estatísticas descritivas e modelos de regressão logística binária foram usados para estimar a Odds Ratio (OR) não ajustada e ajustada e o intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95% correspondente para associação entre as turmas de formandos e a atuação profissional na ESF. As respostas à questão aberta foram classificadas por temas emergentes, na perspectiva da análise temática de conteúdo. Participaram da pesquisa 677 estudantes de Odontologia (percentual de resposta: 85,1%). Estudantes concluintes das turmas de 2015-2019 tiveram 2,06 vezes mais probabilidade (IC95% 1,49-2,85) de considerar a atuação de 40 horas da ESF quando comparados aos estudantes das turmas de 2010-2014. Mulheres tinham 1,77 vezes mais probabilidade (IC 95% 1,32-2,36) de pretensão de atuar na ESF em comparação com os homens. O interesse pela atuação profissional no Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS)/Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) foi explicado por fatores relacionados à afinidade com a área da Saúde Pública/SUS, possibilidade de atuação junto a equipes multiprofissionais, contato próximo a pacientes-famílias-comunidades, estabilidade financeira, boas condições de trabalho e de carreira profissional, bem como realização pessoal e profissional. Experiências positivas de aprendizado na APS oportunizadas pelo estágio curricular, junto a equipes multiprofissionais e às pessoas-famílias-comunidade, foram determinantes para o interesse dos estudantes pela atuação profissional na ESF. Recomenda-se que os resultados desta pesquisa sejam complementados por estudos que incluam egressos do curso e abordagens qualitativas de pesquisa, buscando a compreensão da atuação desses profissionais no SUS e a avaliação das políticas de educação e saúde adotadas no Brasil.

Viviane Durigon, Maria Gabriela Borges Hermes, Nathalia Gonçalves de Almeida et al.

O uso racional de medicamentos (URM) está previsto na Política Nacional de Assistência Farmacêutica (PNAF) e na Política Nacional de Medicamentos (PNM), na garantia de produtos seguros, eficazes e com qualidade. Para promover o URM são necessárias ações com a população e profissionais de saúde da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) que possam repercutir positivamente na compreensão destas políticas públicas de saúde. Este estudo analisou práticas e demandas de educação em saúde dos profissionais da APS voltadas à promoção do URM. A coleta de dados ocorreu por meio de aplicação de questionário autoaplicável a profissionais de nível superior que atuam na APS em 12 municípios pertencentes à 27ª Região de Saúde do Rio Grande do Sul. Participaram do estudo 67 de um total de 288 profissionais de nível superior, no período de abril a julho de dois mil e vinte e dois. Houve identificação da realização de ações exitosas voltadas à automedicação, guarda, descarte correto de medicamentos e inserção do farmacêutico no cuidado na APS. Como fragilidades identificou-se o não reconhecimento da PNAF e da PNM por 39% dos respondentes, todos de áreas distintas da farmácia. Os profissionais de saúde participantes deste estudo recebem demandas relacionadas a medicamentos em sua rotina de trabalho, o que requer o reconhecimento dessas políticas públicas de saúde. Dos participantes da pesquisa, 57% declararam nunca ter participado de ações de Educação Permante em Saúde (EPS) sobre a promoção do URM. O estudo mostrou a necessidade da inserção do tema do URM na agenda de EPS dos municípios pesquisados, objetivando a construção da qualificação do cuidado em saúde para implantação da PNAF e da PNM e de forma transversal o URM. Sugere-se a continuidade das investigações em outros locais, considerando diferentes atores sociais para ampliar as análises sobre esta temática.

Hyang Gi Lim, Eun Sil Heo, Sang Ha Woo et al.

This study reviewed clinical papers reported on hemifacial spasm (HFS). Six online databases were searched for clinical papers published between January 2000 and December 2022. This study reviewed 14 studies, including 13 case reports and 1 combination of case reports and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The most frequently used acupoints were ST7 and TE17, and the stomach meridian was the most frequently selected. Herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture, thread embedding acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, and physical therapy were combined with acupuncture. The most frequently used evaluation method is Scott’s scale. Out of 95 cases, 82 reported improved HFS symptoms after treatment. Our findings indicated the effectiveness of Korean Medicine treatment in treating HFS. However, evidence of efficacy and safety remains insufficient. Large-scale and well-designed investigations will be required in the future to corroborate these results. We believe that this paper will serve as the foundation for future RCTs.

Meisi Liu, Qing Wang, Zihan Lu et al.

Objective: To elucidate the mechanism of action of Xiongzhi Dilong decoction (XZDLD) in calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-induced migraine using network pharmacology and plasma metabolomic analyses. Methods: Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-linear trap quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) was used to identify the chemical components of XZDLD. A rat model of migraine was established by injecting a calcitonin gene-related peptide into the dura mater cannula. Migraine-like behavior was observed. Mechanical and thermal pain thresholds were measured to evaluate the efficacy of XZDLD in treating migraine. Crucial XZDLD targets in migraine were identified using network pharmacology and plasma metabolomics. Relevant proteins were validated using western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results: UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS was used to identify 38 compounds. Compared with the model rats, XZDLD significantly improved behavior at the first 30 min (all P < .05) and increased mechanical pain thresholds on day 19–22 (all P < .05) and thermal pain thresholds on day 20–22 (all P < .05). Moreover, network pharmacology identified 128 potential targets of XZDLD related to migraine. The metabolomic results suggested 17 differential endogenous metabolites, mainly involved in tryptophan and tyrosine metabolic pathways, in the control, model, and XZDLD groups. Six key targets were identified and used for molecular validation: MAOA, MAOB, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1, and ADH1C. Compared with the model group, XZDLD significantly decreased the expression of MAOA, MAOB, and CYP1B1 proteins (P = .024, P = .004, P = .039, respectively) and elevated the expression of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and ADH1C (P = .033, P = .045, P = .027, respectively). Conclusion: XZDLD can improve behavior and increase pain threshold. Moreover, XZDLD exerts anti-migraine effects primarily by modulating tryptophan and tyrosine metabolic pathways, providing a novel perspective on migraine research that is beneficial for its clinical application.

Igor Rafael Souza da Silva, Fernanda Matheus Estrela, Thais Moreira Peixoto et al.

O estudo “Política de Saúde do Homem: Experiências masculinas” tem como objetivo descrever as vivências de homens autores de violência conjugal acerca da PNAISH. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo com caráter descritivo-exploratório. A coleta de dados ocorreu na Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade Federal da Bahia na cidade de Salvador com 14 homens que participavam dos grupos reflexivos. A coleta foi realizada em duas partes, sendo a primeira com um questionário semiestruturado e a segunda através de um jogo de tabuleiro humano com questões voltadas a PNAISH. Os dados foram organizados utilizando o Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo (DSC) com o apoio do software NVIVO10. O presente estudo aponta que os homens buscam as unidades de saúde apenas quando apresentam adoecimento físico ou dor, dificilmente como forma de prevenção. Entendem que álcool e tabagismo juntamente com o estresse são prejudiciais à saúde sexual, evidencia também o acompanhamento masculino ás esposas na realização do pré-natal e mostra ciência quanto os fatores de risco de doenças cardiovasculares. O estudo revela o aspecto transgeracional da violência e a dificuldade do homem na procura por ajuda psicológica. Além disso, desvela a visão masculina positiva quanto as empresas como parceiros no cuidado à saúde. A temática busca trazer resultados positivos para o autocuidado de homens, dentro do contexto de violência, uma vez que são vistos como o autor de agressões e dificilmente é possível enxergar as consequências desse ato na saúde do próprio homem. Palavras-chave: Saúde do Homem. Gênero. Masculinidade. Violência Conjugal.

Indu S, Remya Vijayan, Sreeja Sukeshan

Bell's palsy or Facial nerve palsy is a condition that causes temporary weakness or paralysis of the muscles in the face. In Ayurveda, Ardita is a disease with functional disturbances affecting the Uthamanga (head) and stands close with the symptoms of Bell's palsy. This crippling disease has been elaborated by Ayurveda Acharyas Charaka, Susrutha and Vagbhata in their respective samhithas. It is narrated as one among the Asheeti Vata Vikaras (80 types of typical vata predominant diseases). This report is on a case study of 44 year old male patient who approached the Panchakarma OPD presenting with complaints of deviated face towards left side, difficulty in closing right eye and feeling of heaviness and swelling over right side of face for about 3 days. After relevant examinations and screening it was diagnosed as Bell's palsy. This disease though self-resolving some cases remain partially recovered and some may be left with major facial dysfunction. This patient was admitted at Govt. Ayurveda College, Tripunithura, Kerala, India for speedy recovery and complete resolution of this disease. Fourteen days of treatment primarily Sadyovamana followed with oral medications, pratimarsha nasya and physiotherapy were administered. The patient got complete recovery from all the symptoms of Ardita without any residual weakness or deformity within two weeks which is much early than the self-resolving period of 6 months. Being one among the aseetivatavikaras, Sadyovamana is the least practiced treatment for this condition. So in this report the scope of Sadyovamana in Bell's palsy management is discussed.

Meera Kuttikrishnan, Rudresh Sridhar, Elgeena Varghese

Agni has an important role to play in the physiological functioning of the body. It varies with the bodily constitution of individuals, season, age, and other factors. The uniqueness of each individual is determined by the Prakriti which deals with somatic and psychic development. The Prakriti directly impacts Jatharagni and determines the type of Jatharagni. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthy students from both genders aged between 18 and 30 years. Jatharagni and Prakriti were evaluated using the Jatharagni Assessment Questionnaire (JAQ) and a 62-item self-assessment questionnaire validated in previous study. The results indicate that there is a significant association between the types of Prakriti and the types of Jatharagni χ2 (6) = 155.14, (p = .001). The post-hoc analysis revealed that Vatapitta is associated with the dominance of Teekshnagni, Vatakapha is associated with the dominance of Mandagni, and Kaphapitta is associated with the dominance of Vishamagni. The result indicates a statistically significant association between types of Prakriti and Jarana Shakthi (Likelihood Ratio (4) = 27.010, p = .001). The study establishes a significant association between Agni and Dvandvaja Prakriti. Vatapitta Prakriti individuals had Teekshnagni, Vatakapha Prakriti individuals had Mandagni and Kaphapitta Prakriti had Vishamagni. Though the results were promising, the analysis should be done with a larger sample size in different populations.

Jyoti Anand Joshi, Rammanohar Puthiyedath

This paper reports for the first time, the outcomes of Ayurvedic intervention in a COVID-19 patient with hypoxia requiring supportive oxygen therapy. Patient developed fever, severe cough, loss of smell, loss of taste, nasal block, anorexia, headache, body ache, chills, and fatigue and was hospitalised when she developed severe breathing difficulty. Later, she tested positive for COVID-19 by RT-PCR. The patient sought Ayurvedic treatment voluntarily when her SPO2 remained at 80% even after being given oxygen support. The patient was administered Ayurvedic medicines while undergoing oxygen therapy at the hospital. The patient refused to take Fabiflu recommended by the treating physician and discontinued other Allopathic drugs except for Vitamin C. The patient showed clinical improvement within a day of administration of Ayurvedic medicines and was able to talk, eat, and sit on the bed without breathing difficulty and her SPO2 became stable between 95 and 98%. In the next two days, she was asymptomatic without oxygen support and was discharged from the hospital in the following week. Since obesity and high plasma C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels indicated high risk for progression to severe disease, the favourable outcomes with Ayurvedic treatment in this patient is significant and warrants further studies. Ayurvedic care may be considered as a first-line cost-effective alternative for COVID-19 patients presenting with symptomatic hypoxia in an integrative setup.

Vedvati Bhapkar, Supriya Bhalerao

Ceura Beatriz de Souza Cunha, Maria Eduarda Machado Silva, Márcia Rosa da Costa et al.

O Programa Nacional de Imunizações prevê calendários vacinais para grupos distintos, visando a prevenção de doenças. Nestes, pessoas vivendo com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) e síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (AIDS) (PVHA) são contempladas, dados os riscos para infecções oportunistas. Frente à carência de informações, entre profissionais de saúde, investimentos em objetos de aprendizagem (OA) e aprimoramento da educação continuada constituem boas iniciativas. O objetivo principal deste estudo é conceber e avaliar um OA sobre o Calendário Vacinal das PVHA para profissionais que atuam na atenção primária à saúde. Trata-se de um estudo quase-experimental, de caráter exploratório e descritivo, com abordagem quali-quantitativa. A amostragem será não probabilística e por conveniência. Foram convidados a participar da pesquisa os profissionais de enfermagem que atuam na sala de vacinação de seis unidades de saúde de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. As etapas consistirão em: acesso ao ambiente virtual de aprendizagem; identificação das necessidades dos profissionais de saúde; planejamento e elaboração da arquitetura, plano de ação pedagógica e storyboard; desenvolvimento e avaliação do objeto de aprendizagem. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelos Comitês de Ética e Pesquisa dos locais envolvidos. O estudo encontra-se na fase de identificação das demandas dos participantes e está vinculado ao Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino na Saúde/UFCSPA. A partir da utilização da ferramenta on-line Canva, espera-se oferecer um recurso educacional adequado aos profissionais de saúde, para que possam prestar um atendimento de qualidade a essas pessoas, garantindo que recebam os imunobiológicos de acordo com sua condição clínica. Palavras-chave: Programas de Imunização. HIV. Tecnologia Educacional.

Islana dos Reis Fonseca, Gabriele Marisco

A escola é um ambiente de aquisição e consolidação de conhecimentos, sendo um importante local para construção de hábitos ‘saudáveis’ para promoção da saúde. A educação em saúde contempla um conjunto de ações desenvolvidas em ambientes formais e informais, sendo as escolas um espaço estratégico para abordar meios de promoção à saúde. O objetivo da pesquisa foi conhecer os hábitos sobre higiene pessoal de alunos da educação básica de uma escola do município de Vitória da Conquista, interior da Bahia e identificar possíveis fatores de vulnerabilidade social. Para isso, foram aplicados 37 questionários estruturados e analisados, associados com os dados do município sobre saneamento básico. Observou-se que, embora a maioria dos alunos afirmaram ter conhecimento sobre hábitos ‘saudáveis’ de higiene pessoal, foi possível identificar fatores de vulnerabilidade no cotidiano, como esgoto sem tratamento e ausência de coleta de lixo nos bairros que residem, e contato frequente com animais domésticos. Ressalta-se que o ambiente escolar pode contribuir por meio de projetos, programas e ações educativas, atenuando essas vulnerabilidades identificadas, em parceria com universidades e políticas públicas incentivadas pelo governo. Nesse sentido, a educação em saúde é uma ferramenta importante no contexto escolar, visto a possibilidade dos alunos serem propagadores dessas informações na comunidade, à medida que amplia o potencial dos mesmos para mudanças futuras. Palavras-chave: Educação em saúde. Ensino fundamental e médio. Cobertura universal de saúde.

Su Hye Lim, Eun Sang Jeon, Jeongyun Lee et al.

The purpose of this study was to review the pharmacognostic characteristics of Sasang type-specific medical herbs and suggest biological mechanisms that might be related to the personalized treatment of the East. Major compounds and their pharmacological activities of medical herbs for each Sasang types were systematically reviewed. The pharmacognostic characteristics of its main compounds were systematically analyzed with previous studies and three web-based databases. Sasang type-specific medical herbs were selected, and biological effects of their phytochemicals were reviewed from the pathophysiological features of each Sasang types. Phenolics were dominant in Tae-Yang type-specific herbs, iridoids and triterpenes with antipyretic and diuretic effects were in So-Yang type-specific, saponins (triterpene saponins and steroidal saponins) with antitussive effects were in Tae-Eum type-specific, and monoterpene and sesquiterpenes with stomachic effect were in So-Eum type-specific herbs. Pharmacognostic understandings on Sasang type-specific medical herbs with consideration of type-specific pathophysiological features were provided for the first time. This study would contribute to in-depth understandings on the pathophysiology of Sasang typology and integration of East-Asian and Western personalized medicine.

Byung Joo Kim, Chansik Hong

Transient receptor potential (TRP) proteins are a family of ion channels, which are responsible for a wide array of cellular functions. In particular, TRP melastatin type (TRPM) 7 is expressed everywhere and permeable to divalent cations such as Mg2+ and Ca2+. It contains a channel and a kinase domain. Recent studies indicate that activation of TRPM7 plays an important role in the growth and survival of gastric cancer cells. In this review, we describe and discuss the findings of recent studies that have provided novel insights of the relation between TRPM7 and gastric cancer.

Tam Thi Thanh Phuong, Tong Mook Kang

Background: Enhanced intracellular Ca2+ signaling by stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1)-mediated store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) is required for skeletal muscle differentiation. However, the contribution of STIM2, STIM1's analogue protein, on muscle cell differentiation has not been clearly elucidated. The present study aimed to explore the contribution of STIM2-mediated SOCE on C2C12 myoblast differentiation. Methods: Changes in STIM2 expression level (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting) and SOCE activity ([Ca2+]i measurement) were measured during 3 days of in vitro differentiation of C2C12 skeletal myoblast. Transcriptional regulation of STIM2 by nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic (NFATc) overexpression was observed, and the effect of STIM2 knockdown on NFAT transcriptional activity (luciferase assay) and myoblast differentiation was quantified. Results: Increase of STIM2 protein level and enhanced SOCE activity were observed in differentiating myoblasts. Treatment with a SOCE blocker (2-APB) inhibited the differentiation. Overexpression of NFATc1 increased STIM2 expression and SOCE activity. Knockdown of STIM2 decreased NFAT transcriptional activity, SOCE activity, and differentiation of C2C12 myoblast. Conclusion: It is suggested that STIM2-activated SOCE controls C2C12 myoblast differentiation.

Geetha Krishnan Gopalakrishna Pillai, Pooja Sharma

Mainstreaming traditional systems of medicine and integrating them with the established health delivery mechanisms is an important step in accelerating advancement of health sciences to achieve current global health care goals. This paper proposes the "axial-model" of Integrative Medicine (IM). A replicable model, viable across multiple IM possibilities, which are clinically beneficial, supports evidence-based evolution and is socially acceptable. Axial model may be implemented to integrate two or more systems of medicines, provided they are legally regulated and approved for clinical administration. It proposes three consecutively phased clinical processes, named parallel, complementary and protocol, respectively. The model supports translational medicine by mainstreaming beneficial practices of traditional medicine as a part of its process of execution.