Combinatory therapeutic approaches for common cold and SARS-CoV-2

COVID-19

Use of SARS-CoV-2-infected deceased organ donors: Should we always "just say no?"

Background: In the ages when modern medicine did not exist yet, people developed some methods to treat their diseases with their own efforts. These treatment methods consist of empirical applications based on experience and knowledge developed in the light of centuries of experience and transferred from generation to generation. Although it lost its old effect and wide application area with the development of modern medicine, folk medicine still exists today. Aim: Examining the attitudes and behaviors of people towards modern and traditional medicine practices by taking demographic and individual differences as reference during the Covid-19 epidemic. The data set of this study was obtained through a questionnaire applied on 396 individuals living in Erzurum city center in 2021. Reliability Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (RACFA), Chi-square test, independent sample t test and ANOVA test were used within the scope of the study. Results: As the access to modern medicine increases and the learning styles of generations differ, the application dimension of traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) weakens. On the other hand, the level of satisfaction with modern medicine also changes in parallel with expectations. The significant relationships between the variables in the study findings focus on questions related to modern medicine. A significant relationship was found between the intellectual perspective to traditional and complementary medicine sub-dimension and the presence of people who had Covid-19 in the close circle of the participants. Conclusion: It has been determined that individuals see traditional and complementary medicine as complementary rather than an alternative to modern medicine, and although they have above-average theoretical knowledge, their application aspects are weak. Keywords: Traditional and Complementary Medicine, Folk Medicine, Covid-19, Attitude Analysis

Background: In the ages when modern medicine did not exist yet, people developed some methods to treat their diseases with their own efforts. These treatment methods consist of empirical applications based on experience and knowledge developed in the light of centuries of experience and transferred from generation to generation. Although it lost its old effect and wide application area with the development of modern medicine, folk medicine still exists today. Aim: Examining the attitudes and behaviors of people towards modern and traditional medicine practices by taking demographic and individual differences as reference during the Covid-19 epidemic. The data set of this study was obtained through a questionnaire applied on 396 individuals living in Erzurum city center in 2021. Reliability Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (RACFA), Chi-square test, independent sample t test and ANOVA test were used within the scope of the study. Results: As the access to modern medicine increases and the learning styles of generations differ, the application dimension of traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) weakens. On the other hand, the level of satisfaction with modern medicine also changes in parallel with expectations. The significant relationships between the variables in the study findings focus on questions related to modern medicine. A significant relationship was found between the intellectual perspective to traditional and complementary medicine sub-dimension and the presence of people who had Covid-19 in the close circle of the participants. Conclusion: It has been determined that individuals see traditional and complementary medicine as complementary rather than an alternative to modern medicine, and although they have above-average theoretical knowledge, their application aspects are weak. Keywords: Traditional and Complementary Medicine, Folk Medicine, Covid-19, Attitude Analysis

The search for the best possible form of interaction between modern and traditional medicine in China is quite a controversial issue. It is established that there is a number of social and philosophical viewpoints concerning the problem of integration of modern and traditional medicine, including the following: their integration is impossible; Chinese and modern medicine can be combined in terms of mutual complementation in treatment practice; the integration is quite likely. The author proves that an important prerequisite for the solution to this problem is understanding of the role of the worldview factor and traditions of the Chinese population. The search for the ways to integrate traditional and modern medicine is possible only provided that there is necessary political support from the state.

This paper explores the philosophical differences between traditional and modern medicine, as well as the medical forms that emerge from each. Traditional medicine aligns with systems theory, emphasizing holism, dynamism, and humanistic care. It reflects the comprehensive regulation of the body’s energy state, as seen in theories such as the Yin–Yang doctrine. In contrast, modern medicine, rooted in reductionist and mechanistic thinking, tends to focus more on microscopic mechanisms and the treatment of localized lesions. Both approaches have their own strengths and limitations: traditional medicine excels in multi-system collaboration and “preventive treatment,” while modern medicine is highly effective in precise, targeted therapies. To overcome the limitations of relying on a single medical system, this paper highlights Prof. Dong Jingcheng’s key theories, such as the concept of “Grand Traditional Chinese Medicine” (a framework advocating the integration of various ethnic medical traditions within China, including Han and minority medicines), “Trichotomy” (which divides traditional medical knowledge into three categories: that which unknowingly informs modern medicine, that which aligns with modern medicine, and that which requires re-evaluation or dismissal. This framework facilitates the integration of valuable traditional elements with modern practices, the “Five Elements” (a multi-dimensional approach to traditional medicine, encompassing clinical experience, classical philosophy, foundational medical knowledge, regional culture, and group beliefs. This framework supports a systematic evaluation for integration with modern medicine, and “Three Integrations” (the integration of ethnic medicines, the integration of world traditional medicines, and the integration of traditional and modern medicine). The paper argues for both the possibility and necessity of integrating traditional and modern medicine.

Coronaviruses OC43, 229E, NL63, and HKU1 are endemic human respiratory coronaviruses that typically cause mild to moderate upper respiratory infections, similar to the common cold. They also may cause simple and complicated lower respiratory infections, otitis media, asthma exacerbations, gastroenteritis, and a few systemic complications. These viruses are usually seasonal (with winter dominance) and affect nearly all age groups. The seasonal and annual variation in virus prevalence has implications for understanding the concept of acquired immunity and its persistence or diminution. Coronaviruses generally have outbreak potential in susceptible populations of any age, particularly in patients with comorbidities, who tend to have increased clinical disease. These 4 coronaviruses are often found in the context of what appears to be coinfection with other pathogens, but especially other viruses. If coronaviruses are not specifically tested for, the sole detection of a viral copathogen would suggest the pathogen is the causative agent, when a coronavirus may be culpable, or both. The detection of these viruses in circumstances where respiratory viruses are generally sought in clinical samples is, therefore, justified. These pathogens can be chronically shed from the respiratory tract, which is more likely to occur among immunocompromised and complicated patients. These viruses share the potential for genetic drift. The genome is among the largest of RNA viruses, and the capability of these viruses to further change is likely underestimated. Given the potential disease among humans, it is justified to search for effective antiviral chemotherapy for these viruses and to consider uses in niche situations should effective therapy be defined. Whereas SARS-CoV-2 may follow the epidemiological pattern of SARS-CoV and extinguish slowly over time, there is yet concern that SARS-CoV-2 may establish itself as an endemic human respiratory coronavirus similar to OC43, 2299E, NL63, and HKU1. Until sufficient data are acquired to better understand the potential of SARS-CoV-2, continued work on antiviral therapy and vaccination is imperative.

Tackling COVID19 by Exploiting Pre-existing Cross-Reacting Spike-Specific Immunity

Understanding the effectiveness of infection control methods in reducing and preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in healthcare settings is of high importance. We sequenced SARS-CoV-2 genomes for patients and healthcare workers (HCWs) across multiple geographically distinct UK hospitals, obtaining 173 high-quality SARS-CoV-2 genomes. We integrated patient movement and staff location data into the analysis of viral genome data to understand spatial and temporal dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. We identified eight patient contact clusters (PCC) with significantly increased similarity in genomic variants compared to non-clustered samples. Incorporation of HCW location further increased the number of individuals within PCCs and identified additional links in SARS-CoV-2 transmission pathways. Patients within PCCs carried viruses more genetically identical to HCWs in the same ward location. SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing integrated with patient and HCW movement data increases identification of outbreak clusters. This dynamic approach can support infection control management strategies within the healthcare setting.

Broadly recognized, cross-reactive SARS-CoV-2 CD4 T cell epitopes are highly conserved across human coronaviruses and presented by common HLA alleles.

The seventeen chapters of this book deal with a wide range of issues on traditional medicine: policy (10 chapters), public health issues (5 chapters) and research (4 chapters). Each chapter has been authored by one or more international experts. In their introduction, the editors, Bodeker and Burford indicate that the book represents “a first attempt at generating a systematic global overview” of traditional medicine in the context of its increasing globalization. Traditional medicine is an amorphous concept that comprises a range of long-standing and still evolving practices based on diverse beliefs and theories. Bodeker and Burford point out the dichotomous situation of particular forms of traditional medicine being practised in their countries of origin and also in countries to which they have been “imported”. They suggest that the term “traditional, complementary and alternative medicine” (TCAM) is a more appropriate term to describe such traditional therapies globally. Health care can broadly be divided into modern (conventional, orthodox, Western or allopathic) and traditional (indigenous, complementary, alternative or integrative). The former is clearly defined, with minor regional variations in its underlying philosophy and clinical methods. In modern medicine, knowledge expansion is achieved through scientific research, which can involve global collaboration and commitment. Such research is well supported financially by industry, governments and philanthropic organizations. This is in sharp contrast to the situation with TCAM. The book argues that education is a critical means of ensuring safe and effective practice of TCAM. However, levels of education vary substantially from country to country, and in many countries, the current curricula may not be adequate enough to ensure that the potential benefits of various forms of TCAM therapies are fully realized. Different education needs should be met, such as specific public health education for HIV/AIDS. The gap in education provision is also attributed to “a lack of funding and/or political will”. The health benefits of TCAM have not so far been fully assessed in ways that can be universally accepted as being evidence based. This is partly due to the philosophical differences and cultural barriers between the countries where such therapies originated and the Western countries where they are now also being practised. Much of the research on TCAM is of questionable quality and often it does not use modern scientific techniques. The book proposes that a combined political and scientific approach will be necessary to provide for a comprehensive research agenda targeted at establishing the potential risks and benefits of TCAM. Only then will health-care professionals be in a position to make informed decisions about the use of TCAM therapies alongside those of conventional Western therapies. With the effective leadership of WHO, a number of countries have developed traditional medicine policies; however, appropriate funding for traditional medicine research has generally not been forthcoming. It is argued in the book that the extent to which individual countries, particularly Western countries, have actually committed to supporting TCAM can be measured in terms of the funding that has been allocated to research and practice. Research efforts in Western countries have been largely concerned with the quality, safety and efficacy of only certain forms of TCAM, such as herbal medicine and acupuncture. Such a focus on herbal medicine may be due to the perceived higher level of risk associated with its practice and also because of its potential for exploitation in drug discovery. For some modalities of TCAM, there has been significant progress towards the development of an underpinning evidence base, for example, the research on Artemisia spp. for treatment of malaria. Several of the contributors to the book maintain that there needs to be a better understanding of the reasons for the sudden rise in the popularity of TCAM in the developed world. They argue that in the growing use of “imported” traditional therapies, there has been a failure to properly acknowledge the traditions and practices of the communities where they originated. The intellectual property rights associated with the knowledge embodied in the TCAM therapies is another important issue that is discussed in some detail in the book. Moreover, practitioners, researchers and consumers in developed countries do not seem to appreciate the efforts and significant resources that are now being made available to “modernize” TCAM. The impressive team of contributors to this book foreshadows its likely impact on the ongoing integration of the main forms of TCAM and modern medicine. The book provides an overview of the many and complex issues surrounding the expanding use of TCAM. It will be of value to government policy-makers, regulators, researchers and health-care practitioners. ■

Traditional Medicine collectively referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) when commonly used outside their traditional context, alongside other medical systems, including Western biomedicine.The World Health Organization officially promoted traditional medicine in developing countries in 1978, there have been increasing interests among developing countries in integrating traditional medicine into a national health care system. Integrating traditional medicine into a modern health care system, moreover, can benefit industrialized nations as well. The contributions of Traditional and Modern Scientific Medicines to health care delivery have attracted a great deal attention in most communities worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, Kampo, traditional Korean medicine, and Unani have been practiced in some areas of the world and have blossomed into orderly-regulated systems of medicine. More than 80% of the world’s population in over 170 of WHO’s 194 Member States currently use some form of traditional medicine, such as herbal medicine, yoga, Ayurveda, acupuncture and acupressure, and indigenous therapies.To generate awareness about traditional medicine, since the 1980s, a number of publications on self-health care have been developed to inform people about the benefits and uses of traditional medicine. Some of the areas of focused research include studies on the development of anticancer drugs, cardiovascular diseases such as arteriosclerosis and angina pectoris, respiratory diseases such as bronchial asthma, obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders, and basic studies on acupuncture therapeutic mechanisms for various bone and joint and spinal disorders, and on different kinds of composition of the human body. To ensure the safety, standardization, efficacy and quality of traditional medicines, the practitioners must follow the same stringent standards and regulations for production and use of traditional medicines as are followed for allopathic medicines. This study aims to summarize the advancements made in understanding the efficacy, effectiveness of Traditional Medicine. Traditional and local knowledge systems need to be protected, preserved, and studied as different ways to approach modern healthcare, science, and technology at large. Significant challenges exist in integrating the differing perspectives. Traditional knowledge is derived from years of history and experience and is preserved through long, complex narrations lacking the traditionally rigorous scientific scrutiny required by modern medicine. Modern scientists are prone to quickly dismiss its merit, considering it to be irrelevant as a result. For many, traditional medicine is the first port of call, and practitioners of traditional medicine have played an important role in treating chronic illnesses. These traditional medicines and practices have been preserved, organized and modernized during the past several decades, and have been fully integrated into the national health-care delivery systems from the central to the most peripheral administrative levels.

Background:Palpitation is a sign of a disease and is very common in general population. For this purpose we decided to explain it in this study.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to describe the palpitation in both modern and traditional medicine aspect. It may help us to diagnose and cure better because the traditional medicine view is holistic and different from modern medicine.Materials and Methods:We addressed some descriptions to the articles of traditional medicine subjects which have published recently. Palpitation in modern medicine was extracted from medical books such as Braunwald, Harrison and Guyton physiology and some related articles obtained from authentic journals in PubMed and Ovid and Google scholar between1990 to 2013.Results:According to modern medicine, there are many causes for palpitation and in some cases it is cured symptomatically. In traditional medicine view, palpitation has been explained completely and many causes have been described. Its aspect is holistic and it cures causatively. The traditional medicine scientists evaluated the body based on Humors and temperament. Temperament can be changed to dis-temperament in diseases. Humors are divided in 4 items: sanguine, humid or phlegm, melancholy and bile. Palpitation is a disease, it is heart vibration and is caused by an abnormal substance in the heart itself or its membrane or other adjacent organs that would result in the heart suffering.Conclusions:Our data of this article suggests that causes of palpitation in the aspect of traditional medicine are completely different from modern medicine. It can help us to approach and treat this symptom better and with lower side effects than chemical drugs. According to this article we are able to detect a new approach in palpitation.

D614G mutation eventuates in all VOI and VOC in SARS-CoV-2: Is it part of the positive selection pioneered by Darwin?

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English.中西醫結合包含中醫和西醫之間的團結合作，但更重要的是中醫學和西醫學之間的互相結合。在世界上對傳統醫學曾有過三種方針，即“否定”，“容忍”和“平行”的方針，均不能充分發揮傳統醫學的作用和潛力。中國採取“結合”的方針，較好地解決了這一問題，不僅滿足當前醫療工作的需要，更重要的是在科學研究中，強調創新，兩種醫學的觀點、方法、優勢互補，獲得大量新的研究成果，如針刺原理和針麻研究，青萬素的發現，瘀血證研究等。雖然現代醫學是主流醫學，但尚不足以解決所有問題，如慢性病，老年病等。用結合的思想可以更好地解決各種難題，使醫學科學更快地向前發展，造福於人民。What attitude should we take toward traditional medicine? There have been three types of policies in this regard all over the world. First, the excluding policy prohibits practicing any traditional medicine. Traditional physicians are not qualified to possess the title of physician, and their practice is illegal. Second, the tolerating policy does not make illegal traditional medical practice, but it does not formally affirm the practice. Third, the paralleling policy allows both traditional and modem medical practices, but their use may not overlap. For example, traditional physicians may not use modem medical facilities.Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, a unique policy of integration has been adopted in China. This policy assumes that both traditional Chinese medicine and modern Western medicine have strengths and weaknesses. It requires that both types of medicine be integrated so as to develop more effective methods in treating diseases and preserving health.There are two senses of the integration of traditional Chinese and modern Western medicine. The first sense refers to the integration of the two types of the physicians, i.e., the cooperation between traditional Chinese practitioners and modern Western medical professionals. The second sense refers to the integration of the two disciplines; i.e., to use both traditional Chinese and modern Western medical theories and practices to create new forms of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches and means. The hope was to have the perspectives, methods, and solutions of both types of medicine complement each other.Under the integrating policy, traditional Chinese medicine has been developed tremendously in mainland China. 30 traditional Chinese medical colleges, 2457 traditional Chinese medical hospitals, and 170 traditional Chinese medical research institutions have been established. A number of well-known medical achievements, such as acupunctural analgesia and anesthesia, the discovery of a new type of anti-malaria drug - Qinghaosu (artemisinin), and the study of blood stasis syndrome, have been made by following the integrating strategy.With the rapid growth and development of the diagnostic and therapeutic technologies in modern Western medicine, some individuals are doubtful of the prospect of traditional Chinese medicine and of the necessity of China’s integrating strategy. However, no matter how advanced modern Western medicine as a form of medicine has become, it will not be able to handle all diseases or medical problems effectively and appropriately. The human body and medical reality are too complicated to be fixed by modern medicine once and for all. For instance, in the present time, chronic and geriatric diseases pose perplexing challenges to modern medicine. Possibilities are always open for traditional Chinese medicine as well as the integrated traditional Chinese and modern medicine to make their valuable contributions.DOWNLOAD HISTORY | This article has been downloaded 69 times in Digital Commons before migrating into this platform.