History Of Medicine Research Articles

The development and future of sports medicine in China

This article mainly introduces the development history and current situation of sports medicine in China, and deeply analyzes the problems that have emerged during the current development process, and proposes corresponding solutions. Based on this, the article proposes five key directions for the development of sports medicine, which are: developing arthroscopic minimally invasive techniques, ensuring the guarantee work for competitive sports, attaching great importance to the development of sports rehabilitation, vigorously carrying out exercise prescription and exercise assessment work, and emphasizing the training and education of sports medicine professionals. Finally, the article looks forward to the future development of sports medicine from three aspects: popularizing and expanding the influence of sports medicine through popular science promotion, improving the quality and safety of sports through health management and disease prevention, and achieving precise diagnosis and treatment through scientific research and innovation. It is hoped that this article will provide reference for the development of sports medicine in China.

What Got Us Here Won't Get Us There: Critical History in Radical Black Re-imaginations of Canadian Nursing Histories.

As a "foursome" of nursing history students and scholars, upcoming, junior, and seasoned, we presented a panel on new work and possibilities related to histories of Blackness and Black nurses in Canadian nursing history. Our presentation was the 2023 keynote Hannah Panel Presentation for the joint Canadian Society for the History of Medicine (CSHM-SCHM) and the Canadian Association for the History of Nursing (CAHN-ACHN) conference. Reflecting and expanding our perspectives, we share the relevance and significance of engaging with histories of Canadian Blackness and (in)visibility of Blackness in nursing history. This paper considers the overarching question of how does engaging with histories of Canadian Blackness serve as an anti-racist strategy when examining, analyzing and understanding the history of nursing and health care? A core tenant of this work aims at acknowledging how institutional relationships of power are reproduced within scholarship unless there is space for radical re-imaginations. The disruption to power is achieved by exploring the connections between nursing and history from the perspective of Black nurses' history or Black feminist thought. We also disrupt power by our form, in challenging expectations of scientific inquiry as the only format of valid knowledge production within the discipline. Possibilities of arts-based methodology as a site for democratization in nursing knowledge are evoked through the metaphoric language (water, fire, air and earth) interwoven within the text. We highlight how each of us engages with nursing history, further complicating previous narratives of our collective Canadian past. In publishing our thoughts on historical inquiry in a nursing journal, we hope to provoke more curiosity and interest in history within our discipline as a site for liberation!

The Cultural Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine Based on History of Learning the Liver When Comparing with Western Medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is regarded as an esoteric and mystical entity, an entity of philosophy, or even an unscientific entity when compared with western medicine. Since TCM has a 5,000 plus year history and is coexisting with modern medicine in China, it is difficult to simply conclude what the cultural characteristics of TCM are. This work analyzed the histories of TCM and western medicine on learning the liver, then revealed the cultural characteristics and the possible development of TCM. The comparison of mythological origin, anatomic history, as well as the framework of medical theory suggest that TCM is far away from a clear-cut subject and awaits more exploration both in theory and in practice: It is a comprehensive system integrating knowledges from multiple fields from ancient China; it emphasizes theory development, with the terms and function of organ are far beyond the organ of itself; and, its basic theoretical framework evolved and has become sort of like universal rule that would not be subsequently falsified. According to the cultural characteristics of TCM, there are four possible future directions for the development of TCM and it will continue to coexist with modern medicine in China for another foreseeable long time.

Medical eponyms versus acronyms: what medical terminology is most beneficial to learn? A question of goals.

Appropriate use of medical terminology is one of the core conditions for successful communication in monolingual and multilingual healthcare communities. The modern scientific language is based on the descriptive terminology. However, it is often the case that the advantages of descriptive terminology are at odds with the ability to express complex concepts in just a few words. To solve this practicality problem it is customary to coin abbreviations and acronyms preferred to traditional eponyms. Today eponyms are considered ambiguous and non-descriptive, linked to the terminology of the past. The overview of this study demonstrates that the current habit of using acronyms can increase the scientific descriptive capacity compared to eponyms. On the other hand, acronyms remain ambiguous and more ephemeral than eponyms. Furthermore, eponyms are not as descriptive as acronyms, but they still carry important information for a medical student. If you truly believe in the importance of Medical Humanities in the medical curriculum, two aspects cannot be overlooked. First, eponyms bring students closer in an almost subliminal way to the history of medicine and the non-strictly technical-scientific field of medicine. Second, medicine is a complex science applied to humans and must strive to keep the patient at the center of its interests. Patients and their families preferably ask us to use eponyms. Which terminology to choose for medical students? The teachers have the last word.

A quality of care assessment for women of childbearing potential with epilepsy in Bhutan: An observational study

Background & objectiveIn lower-middle income countries such as Bhutan, the treatment gap for epilepsy is over 50% as compared to a treatment gap of less than 10% in high-income countries. We aim to analyze the quality of epilepsy care for women of childbearing potential in Bhutan using the Quality Indicators in Epilepsy Treatment (QUIET) tool, and to assess the usefulness of the tool’s section for women with active epilepsy (WWE) in the Bhutanese setting. MethodsA prospective convenience cohort was enrolled in Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, and Wangdue, Kingdom of Bhutan, in 2022. Bhutanese women of childbearing potential at the time of enrollment (18–44 years old) were evaluated for the diagnosis of active epilepsy and underwent a structured survey-based interview with Bhutanese staff. Participants were surveyed on their epilepsy, pregnancy, and antiseizure medicine (ASM) histories. The clinical history and quality of epilepsy care of adult WWE were assessed using a section of the QUIET tool for women, an instrument originally developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to analyze the quality of epilepsy care for American adults. ResultsThere were 82 Bhutanese WWE of childbearing potential, with mean age of 30.6 years at enrollment (range 18–44, standard deviation (SD) 6.6) and mean age of 20.3 years at epilepsy diagnosis (range 3–40, SD 8.0)). 39 % (n = 32) had a high school or above level of education, and 42 % (n = 34) were employed. 35 % (n = 29) reported a seizure within the prior week, and 88 % (n = 72) reported a seizure within the prior year. 49 % (n = 40) of participants experienced > 100 lifetime seizures.All but one participant took antiseizure medications (ASMs). At enrollment, participants presently took no (n = 1), one (n = 3), two (n = 37), three (n = 25), four (n = 11), or over five (n = 5) ASMs. The most common ASMs taken were levetiracetam (n = 40), phenytoin (n = 27), carbamazepine (n = 23), phenobarbital (n = 22), and sodium valproate (n = 20). 61 % of all WWE took folic acid. Of the 40 previously pregnant WWE, eight (20 %) took folic acid during any time of their pregnancy. 35 % (n = 29) used betel nut (doma, quid) and 53 % (n = 21) of pregnant WWE used betel nut during pregnancy. ConclusionsBased on data about WWE participants’ ASM, supplement, and substance use, our study identified the high use of first generation ASMs (including valproate), frequently in polytherapy, and betel nut use as treatment gaps in women of childbearing potential age with active epilepsy in Bhutan. To address these gaps for locations such as Bhutan, we propose modifications to the QUIET tool’s “Chronic Epilepsy Care for Women” section.

Iridoids rich fraction from Valeriana jatamansi Jones promotes axonal regeneration and motor functional recovery after spinal cord injury through activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Valeriana jatamansi Jones (VJJ), renowned for its extensive history in traditional Chinese medicine and ethnomedicine within China, is prevalently utilized to alleviate ailments such as epigastric distension and pain, gastrointestinal disturbances including food accumulation, diarrhea, and dysentery, as well as insomnia and other diseases. Moreover, the Iridoid-rich fraction derived from Valeriana jatamansi Jones (IRFV) has demonstrated efficacy in facilitating the recuperation of motor functions after spinal cord injury (SCI). This study is aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of IRFV on SCI and its underlying mechanism. Initially, a rat model of SCI was developed to assess the impact of IRFV on axonal regeneration. Subsequently, employing the PC12 cell model of oxidative damage, the role and mechanism of IRFV in enhancing axonal regeneration were explored using the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway inhibitor LY294002. Ultimately, the same inhibitor was administered to SCI rats to confirm the molecular mechanism through which IRFV promotes axonal regeneration by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The results showed that IRFV significantly enhanced motor function recovery, reduced pathological injury, and facilitated axonal regeneration in SCI rats. In vitro experiments revealed that IRFV improved PC12 cell viability, augmented axonal regeneration, and activated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Notably, the inhibition of this pathway negated the therapeutic benefits of IRFV in SCI rats. In conclusion, IRFV promote promotes axonal regeneration and recovery of motor function after SCI through activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

This Month in Aerospace Medicine History: May.

This Month in Aerospace Medicine History: May.

Pharmacological and Therapeutic Properties of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Seed: A Review

Fenugreek, scientifically known as Trigonella foenum-graecum, is a versatile annual leguminous plant belonging to the Fabaceae family. It is cultivated worldwide and serves numerous purposes as a spice, herb, food, and medicine. Fenugreek is resilient and can thrive in various environments, including those with drought conditions. The plant is abundant in active constituents such as saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and steroids. Additionally, it is an excellent source of dietary fiber, protein, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and vitamins A, B1, B2, and C. Fenugreek has a rich history in traditional medicine, particularly in Ayurveda, Unani, and Tibetan medicine. Studies have shown that it possesses antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, antiobesity, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, carminative, aphrodisiac, and emollient properties. Moreover, its seed polysaccharide content has made it useful in the food industry as a stabilizer, adhesive, and emulsifying agent. This article provides an overview of the history, cultivation, nutritional components, nutraceutical role, safety, and toxicological properties of fenugreek. Its main aim is to summarize the benefits of this "golden seed" and its associated aspects.

HISTORICAL WRITE-UP OF VRANA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SAMHITAS AND PURANAS: A REVIEW

The history of medicine includes studies exploring and understanding medical practices, both in past and present, throughout human societies. A period which lacked written sources regarding medicine related information is instead drawn from archaeological sources. This field tracks the evolution of human societies' approach to health, illness, and injury ranging from prehistory to the modern day, the events that shape these approaches, and their impact on populations. Public health measures were developed especially in the 19th century as the rapid growth of cities required systematic sanitary measures. Human societies living in those eras were susceptible to various diseases, wounds and that was the time when they sought help from the surroundings in form of natural resources to heal themselves. When we consider the great wars of ancient times like Kurukshetra in dwapara yuga and war between Rama and Ravana in treta yuga, people got injured and developed wounds from the weapons chariots etc and they sought treatment from sages who were like healers, used the natural sources in the form of treatment. The science of healing has always been a matter of serious concern to ancient surgeons. This fact can be very well understood when going through Sushruta Samhita where a good number of chapters dealing with vrana and its management is found. The mankind was susceptible to injury during the ancient times too, by this we can understand the knowledge of vrana and its treatment principles even in those eras. Hence this study will review the aspect of vrana based on different samhita’s and puranas.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EFFECT OF DEXMEDETOMIDINE AND DEXAMETHASONE AS AN ADJUVANT TO 0.2% ROPIVACAINE FOR ULTRASOUND GUIDED TRANSVERSUS ABDOMINIS PLANE BLOCK FOR INFRAUMBILICAL SURGERIES

Background: The relief of pain and suffering is, and always has been, one of the primary concerns of mankind and one of the prime factors that has influenced the course of history of medicine. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a regional anaesthetic technique which blocks the abdominal neural afferents by introducing local anaesthetic into the neuro-fascial plane between the internal oblique and the transversus abdominis muscle. Aim: To compare the efficacy of Dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as an adjuvant to 0.2%ropivacaine in ultrasound guided transverses abdominis plane block in infra umbilical surgeries in terms of, 1. Time to initial postoperative pain. 2. Time to initial rescue analgesia. 3. Quality of block.. 4. Total postop analgesic consumption. 5. Patient satisfaction with regard to pain relief. 6. Post-operative nausea and vomiting. Materials And Methods: We included 80 patients of age between 18-60 years of American Society of Anesthesiologists status (ASA)I and II scheduled for elective infraumbilical surgeries in our study. We randomly allotted these patients into two groups namely Group A and Group B of each. Patients in Group APatients who received transversus abdominis plane block with - 18ml Ropivacaine 0.2%+ 2 ml Dexamethasone 8mg. Patients in Group B received transversus abdominis plane block with-18ml Ropivacaine 0.2%+ 2 ml Dexmedetomidine .This TAP block was given soon after the surgery is completed. The duration of block and regression of sensory block, time for rescue analgesia, degree of sedation, hemodynamic parameters, post operative analgesia and adverse effects were noted. Result: The two groups were comparable on the basis of duration of surgery, site of surgery, ASA and BMI. Heart rates and mean arterial pressure were compared and it was found to be significantly lower in group B compared to group A until initial 5 hours. In our study we found that the visual analogue score at rest and on coughing between groups A and B was statistically insignificant. However, the time to first rescue analgesia (330 mins vs 240 mins) and total analgsic consumption in the 24 hours period post operatively was significantly lesser for group A compared to group B. Ramsey sedation score was significantly higher in group B compared to group A until 8 hourspost operatively. Nausea and vomiting in 3 cases of group A , and 2 cases in group B. No other significant side effects were noted. Conclusion: USG-guided TAP block is an effective and safe adjunct for postoperative analgesia in infra umblical surgeries. Addition of dexamethasone as an adjuvant prolongs the duration and reduces post-operative analgesic requirement in patients significantly more than dexmedetomidine whereas dexamethasone provides better control of the heart rate and mean arterial pressure.

Treatment organization of disabled veterans with mental illnesses in the post-war years (1945–1950) (based on the materials of the Tambov Psychiatric Hospital)

Importance. Studying the treatment features of participants and disabled veterans of the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945, who were in regional psychiatric hospitals, allows not only to clarify the levels of medical care for such military veterans, but also to evaluate the results of public health organization in the postwar years through the prism of Soviet psychiatry development in the 20th century, as well as the results of medical care for war veterans. A detailed study of the situation of disabled veterans in psychiatric clinics in the post-war period is very useful, which will clarify many little-studied aspects not only of the history of medicine, but also of the development of interpersonal, group, and regional relations in socialist society.Research Methods. The methodological features of the study of the stated problems are based on the author’s concept of involving the works of contemporaries, primarily specialists in the field of psychiatry, practitioners of the Tambov region, as well as the actual case histories and anamnesis of mental illness. Materials from state and party archives of the Tambov region and memoirs of contemporaries were used, many of which were introduced into scientific circulation for the first time.Results and Discussion. In fact, patients of psychiatric hospitals in the post-war period received almost the entire necessary complex of therapeutic and preventive procedures and rehabilitation measures. At the same time, it must be borne in mind that the post-war devastation, lack of food, clothing, and a number of medicines seriously complicated the capabilities of medical organizations, which often did not have the necessary resources to fully organize the treatment of war veterans suffering from mental illness. In addition, there are often problems with heating, the supply of necessary equipment and supplies for the psychiatric hospital, which left an imprint on practical health care at the regional level. Nevertheless, Tambov psychiatrists used the full range of medical procedures and medicines available to them, both traditional and new, which gave a tangible therapeutic effect. It is important to note that in the post-war years there is a complete rejection of the elements of “punitive” psychiatry due to the cessation of placing patients in isolation, as well as wet wraps. In addition, the use of intensive treatment methods required coordination with the chief physician.Conclusion. The results of the study of the problem made it possible to assess these processes, viewed through the prism of the development of regional health care, to identify trends in the development of Soviet psychiatry in the first post-war decade. The development of an outpatient network for the provision of medical care to war invalids suffering from mental disorders and diseases is clarified. The assessment of the placement of military veterans in labor unions, enterprises and homes for the disabled is given. It is concluded that, in general, regional psychiatry has shown its capacity and effectiveness in terms of treatment and rehabilitation of military invalids who had mental illnesses.

The antibacterial potential and effects of Rhodiola sp. on gut microbiota

AbstractThe challenge of antimicrobial resistance requires new solutions, and Rhodiola sp. is a promising candidate due to its rich medicinal history. This review focuses on Rhodiola sp., especially R. rosea, highlighting its phytochemical constituents, such as salidroside, rosavins, and other phenolics, and their antimicrobial potential. We investigate the efficacy of Rhodiola sp. against various pathogenic bacteria, suggesting their value in combating antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, Rhodiola compounds are being investigated both as direct antimicrobials and as resistance modifiers that increase the efficacy of antibiotics. Rhodiola extracts and salidroside modulate gut microbiota, thereby affecting health and physiological and metabolic disorders. This illustrates the comprehensive therapeutic potential of Rhodiola sp. We emphasize the importance of understanding the complex interactions between Rhodiola phytochemicals, their antimicrobial effects, and their effects on gut microbiota as well as the need for in-depth research. Further studies will be crucial for the development of holistic treatment approaches. Finally, Rhodiola sp. is highlighted as an important natural resource in the fight against microbial pathogens and antibiotic resistance. Research on Rhodiola sp. should continue to further unravel pharmacological and health-promoting potential and thus address an important public health challenge.

Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen-Targeted Therapy in Prostate Cancer: History, Combination Therapies, Trials, and Future Perspective.

In the last decades, the development of PET/CT radiopharmaceuticals, targeting the Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), changed the management of prostate cancer (PCa) patients thanks to its higher diagnostic accuracy in comparison with conventional imaging both in staging and in recurrence. Alongside molecular imaging, PSMA was studied as a therapeutic agent targeted with various isotopes. In 2021, results from the VISION trial led to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 as a novel therapy for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and set the basis for a radical change in the future perspectives of PCa treatment and the history of Nuclear Medicine. Despite these promising results, primary resistance in patients treated with single-agent [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 remains a real issue. Emerging trials are investigating the use of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 in combination with other PCa therapies in order to cover the multiple oncologic resistance pathways and to overcome tumor heterogeneity. In this review, our aim is to retrace the history of PSMA-targeted therapy from the first preclinical studies to its future applications in PCa.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence and phylogenetic relationship analysis of Eomecon chionantha, one species unique to China.

Eomecon chionantha Hance, an endemic species in China, has a long medical history in Chinese ethnic minority medicine and is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. However, studies of E. chionantha are lacking. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of the E. chionantha chloroplast genome and determined the taxonomic position of E. chionantha in Papaveraceae via phylogenetic analysis. In addition, we determined molecular markers to identify E. chionantha at the molecular level by comparing the chloroplast genomes of E. chionantha and its closely related species. The complete chloroplast genomic information indicated that E. chionantha chloroplast DNA (178,808bp) contains 99 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNAs, and 37 tRNAs. Meanwhile, we were able to identify a total of 54 simple sequence repeats through our analysis. Our findings from the phylogenetic analysis suggest that E. chionantha shares a close relationship with four distinct species, namely Macleaya microcarpa, Coreanomecon hylomeconoides, Hylomecon japonica, and Chelidonium majus. Additionally, using the Kimura two-parameter model, we successfully identified five hypervariable regions (ycf4-cemA, ycf3-trnS-GGA, trnC-GCA-petN, rpl32-trnL-UAG, and psbI-trnS-UGA). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the complete chloroplast genome of E. chionantha, providing a scientific reference for further understanding of E. chionantha from the perspective of the chloroplast genome and establishing a solid foundation for the future identification, taxonomic determination and evolutionary analysis of this species.

The connection between Dr. Harold Griffith and Richard Gill: new insights into the history of curare use in anesthesia from previously unknown correspondence.

Dr. Harold R. Griffith and Richard C. Gill figure prominently in curare's storied history. In 1938, Gill returned from an Amazon expedition with over 11kg of curare. After scientists at E. R. Squibb & Sons identified a plant source (Chondrodendron tomentosum) and isolated a stable extract of uniform potency (marketed as Intocostrin), Griffith administered it in the operating room in 1942, showing its advantages and safety. In this article, we report correspondence between Griffith and Gill, heretofore not appreciated, after finding a letter from Gill to Griffith affixed to the inside back cover of a book contained in a private library.Following the serendipitous discovery of this previously unknown letter, we interrogated archived correspondence and material associated with Griffith and Gill in the Osler Library History of Medicine (McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada), Arthur E. Guedel Memorial Anesthesia Center (University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA), the Wood Library Museum of Anesthesiology (Schaumburg, IL, USA), the Anaesthesia Heritage Centre (London, UK), and the Wellcome Collection (London, UK). Further, we searched for information on the historical background of curare via Google, Ovid MEDLINE, Adam Matthew Explorer, Project MUSE, and Latin American History databases.We found seven letters. The first is a letter to Gill dated 2 June 1943 (Wood Library) and an earlier draft dated 2 June 1943 (Osler Library). In this letter, Griffith praises Gill's success in procuring curare and informs him of its usefulness in anesthesia. The second letter is a letter from Gill to Griffith dated 10 July 1943 (found affixed to a book that was donated to the Osler Library). In this letter, Gill congratulates Griffith and claims he foresaw curare's use in the operating room and predicts its routine use to produce muscle relaxation during surgery. The third letter is a letter to Griffith dated 17 April 1945 (Osler Library). In this correspondence, Gill disputes Squibb's claim that curare derives solely from C. tomentosum and asks Griffith to retract published statements on this point. The fourth letter is a letter to Gill dated 25 April 1945 (Osler Library), in which Griffith declines to retract and emphasizes that Gill receive credit for making curare available to medicine. The fifth letter is a letter to Griffith dated 24 May 1945 (Osler Library), in which Gill accepts Griffith's retraction decision and indicates negotiations with another drug company. The sixth letter is a letter to Griffith dated 11 July 1945 (Osler Library), in which Gill requests anesthesia morbidity and mortality data and continues to remonstrate against Squibb's claim of curare's botanical source. The seventh and final letter is to Gill and dated 21 July 1945 (Osler Library). In this letter, Griffith indicates the lack of morbidity and mortality information, mentions a new Squibb curare product, and cites data suggesting curare may exert dose-dependent CNS effects.These seven letters between Dr. H. Griffith and R. Gill reveal a professional relationship heretofore not appreciated. We discuss and consider these letters in the context of curare's remarkable history.

Severe Venous Calcifications in Phlebosclerotic Colitis and Significantly Decreased Expression in Betaine.

Phlebosclerotic colitis (PC) is a rare type of chronic ischemic colitis. Its etiology is still unknown, and PC is also known as idiopathic mesenteric phlebosclerosis colitis. Currently, many studies have reported that long-term use of Chinese herbal medicine and drinking history are related to its pathogenesis. In the early stage of the lesion, due to insufficient understanding of PC, it is difficult to distinguish it from inflammatory bowel disease and other nonneoplastic intestinal diseases. We reported a case of severe diffuse total colon calcification with multiple misdiagnosis, summarizing and analyzing the clinical pathological characteristics to increase clinical and pathological physicians' understanding of the disease and reduce misdiagnosis. Moreover, for the first time, we conducted metabolomics sequencing on fresh intestinal specimens of PC, in order to explore the possible mechanism of severe calcification in the patient. We found that betaine was significantly decreased in the intestinal specimens of the patient, which is an amino acid that has been shown to improve vascular risk factors, and may be one of the mechanisms underlying severe calcification in the patient.

A comprehensive history of injection therapy for erectile dysfunction, 1982-2023.

Although oral phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors represent a first choice and long-term option for about half of all patients with erectile dysfunction (ED), self-injection therapy with vasoactive drugs remains a viable alternative for all those who are not reacting or cannot tolerate oral drug therapy. This current injection therapy has an interesting history beginning in 1982. To provide a comprehensive history of self-injection therapy from the very beginnings in 1982 by contemporary witnesses and some members of the International Society for Sexual Medicine's History Committee, a complete history of injection therapy is prepared from eyewitness accounts and review of the published literature on the subject, as well as an update of the current status of self-injection therapy. Published data on injection therapy, as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for ED, were reviewed thoroughly by PubMed and Medline research from 1982 until June 2023. Early pioneers and witnesses added firsthand details to this historical review. Therapeutic reports of injection therapy were reviewed, and results of side effects and complications were thoroughly reviewed. The pioneers of the first hours were Ronal Virag (1982) for papaverine, Giles Brindley (1983) for cavernosal alpha-blockade (phentolamine and phenoxybenzamine), Adrian Zorgniotti (1985) for papaverine/phentolamine, and Ganesan Adaikan and N. Ishii (1986) for prostaglandin E1. Moxisylyte (thymoxamine) was originally marketed but later withdrawn. The most common side effect is priapism, with the greatest risk of this from papaverine, which has modified its use for therapy. Currently, prostaglandin E1 and trimixes continue to be the agents of choice for diagnostic and therapeutic use in ED. A recent agent is a mixture of a vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (aviptadil) and phentolamine. After 40years, self-injection therapy represents the medication with the highest efficacy and reliability rates and remains a viable option for many couples with ED. The history of this therapy is rich.

Exploration of the underlying mechanism of Astragaloside III in attenuating immunosuppression via network pharmacology and vitro/vivo pharmacological validation

Ethnopharmacological relevanceAstragalus mongholicus Bunge (AM, recorded in http://www.worldfloraonline.org, 2023-08-03) is a kind of medicine food homology plant with a long medicinal history in China. Astragaloside III (AS-III) has immunomodulatory effects and is one of the most active components in AM. However, its underlying mechanism of action is still not fully explained. Aim of the studyThe research was designed to discuss the protective effects of AS-III on immunosuppression and to elucidate its prospective mechanism. Materials and methodsMolecular docking methods and network pharmacology analysis were used to comprehensively investigate potential targets and relative pathways for AS-III and immunosuppression. In order to study and verify the pharmacological activity and mechanism of AS-III in alleviating immunosuppression, immunosuppression mouse model induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX) in vivo and macrophage RAW264.7 cell model induced by hypoxia/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vitro were used. ResultsA total of 105 common targets were obtained from the AS–III–related and immunosuppression-related target networks. The results of network pharmacology and molecular docking demonstrate that AS-III may treat immunosuppression through by regulating glucose metabolism-related pathways such as regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes, carbohydrate digestion and absorption, cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, central carbon metabolism in cancer together with HIF-1 pathway. The results of molecular docking showed that AS-III has good binding relationship with LDHA, AKT1 and HIF1A. In CTX-induced immunosuppressive mouse model, AS-III had a significant protective effect on the reduction of body weight, immune organ index and hematological indices. It can also protect immune organs from damage. In addition, AS-III could significantly improve the expression of key proteins involved in energy metabolism and serum inflammatory factors. To further validate the animal results, an initial inflammatory/immune response model of macrophage RAW264.7 cells was constructed through hypoxia and LPS. AS-III improved the immune function of macrophages, reduced the release of NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, PDHK-1, LDH, lactate, HK, PK and GLUT-1, and restored the decrease of ATP caused by hypoxia. Besides, AS-III was also demonstrated that it could inhibit the increase of HIF-1α, PDHK-1 and LDH by adding inhibitors and agonists. ConclusionsIn this study, the main targets of AS-III for immunosuppressive therapy were initially analyzed. AS-III was systematically confirmed to attenuates immunosuppressive state through the HIF-1α/PDHK-1 pathway. These findings offer an experimental foundation for the use of AS-III as a potential candidate for the treatment of immunosuppression.

Collaborative design of a Chinese herbal medicine case report guideline (CHM-CARE)

IntroductionCase reports have a long history in Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), and even into the modern day, case reports are still a preferred format for traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM) practitioners. However, the tradition of case reports in teaching and research is not nearly as common in the English-speaking world as in China, possibly due to the lack of a specific case report guideline. This study aimed to co-design a CHM guideline (CHM-CARE) to assist practitioners in compiling structured and comprehensive case reports. MethodsA two-phased mixed approach was used to develop the case report guideline. In phase one, focus groups of TEAM practitioners were used to determine what components of existing guidelines (e.g., Case Report (CARE) and Case Report in Chinese Medicine (CARC)) were relevant to include, along with any additions or changes. Content analysis of phase 1 provided the checklist items for a two-round Delphi process (Phase 2). All checklist items from the first Delphi round with a median of three or higher were included in the second round, with consensus set at >70 % for inclusion in the final guideline. ResultsA total of 18 CHM practitioners from four countries joined five separate focus group discussions. Focus group discussions led to 98 checklist items being used in the first round of the Delphi process. Fifteen international experts on case reports participated in two rounds of Delphi. A total of 69 checklist items moved forward into the second round where 61 items (88 %) reached consensus and formed the final CHM-CARE guideline. ConclusionKey elements of a herbal medicine case report checklist were identified, and a 61-item case report guideline (CHM-CARE) was produced, providing clear guidelines for case reports to TEAM practitioners operating in private practice.

Sub Chronic Toxicity Study of Aqueous Leaves Extract of Maytenus Gracilipes on Some Biochemical Parameters and Histopathology of Liver and Kidneys in Mice

Introduction: Traditional medicine is an ancient medical practice that is still widely used in prevention and treatment of various health problems worldwide, including Ethiopia. M.gracilipes is one of medicinal plant in Ethiopia used for treatment of various ailments still is very common. This study evaluated the sub-chronic toxic effects of M. gracilipes aqueous leaves extract on biochemical parameters and histopathology of liver and kidneys. Methods: For sub-chronic toxicity study a total of 30 mice were used, three groups (I–III) of mice (10 animals each) were used. Group I served as control and received a vehicle while groups II and III daily administered with 700 and 2100 mg/kg extract respectively orally by using oral gavage for 90 days. At the end of the experiment, the mice were sacrificed by using diethyl ether; blood was collected for assessing biochemical parameters and histopathological evaluations on liver and kidneys were performed. Results: Sub chronic treatment of extract for 90 days, at 700 and 2100 mg/kg body weight did not induce any sign of illness and /or death and had no adverse effect on biochemical parameters and blood parameters. Liver and kidney sections also revealed normal architecture, except some pyknotic nuclei and focal mononuclear leukocytic infiltrations observed in some of the liver and kidney tissues at higher dose (2100mg/kg). Conclusion: The results of this sub chronic toxicity study showed that M. gracilipes aqueous leaves extract is safe at daily doses of 700 mg/kg body weight, even when taken for longer period. At higher doses, however, the extract may induce mild hepatorenal toxicity.