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European Review For Medical and... Nov 2023The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the application of Chinese medicine in the treatment of neck and low back pain. The goal was to assess the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the application of Chinese medicine in the treatment of neck and low back pain. The goal was to assess the efficacy, analgesic effect, and safety of Chinese medicine using Cochrane system evaluation standards and conduct a meta-analysis to provide high-quality, evidence-based medical data for clinical practice decision-making.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A comprehensive search was conducted in Chinese and English databases, including CBM, CNKI, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. The search encompassed randomized controlled trials on the use of Chinese medicine for pain treatment, with a time range from the establishment of each database to October 1, 2021. We have added the referred literature from the online databases for this research. Two researchers independently reviewed the literature, gathered data, and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies using the Cochrane Assistance Network risk of bias tool. Safety, reaction rate, and VAS pain score were of interest. To evaluate Chinese medicine's curative and analgesic benefits for pain illnesses, RevMan 5.4 and Stata 15.1 were used to analyze selected literature using forest plots, funnel plots, Egger and HarbORd linear regression plots, and star charts.
RESULTS
Chinese medicine treated pain in 57 investigations. The analysis yielded (1) a curative effect: Chinese medicine outperformed Western medicine, with no publication bias. The sensitivity analysis matched the meta-analysis that has been performed in this work, and it shows that Chinese medicine treated low back pain better than Western medicine. (2) Analgesic effect: Chinese medicine outperformed Western medicine in analgesia, although the literature is limited for such a claim. Chinese medicine was also more analgesic than Western medicine. (3) Safety: No major side effects were reported in 20 investigations on Chinese medicine's safety.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence that Chinese medicine can achieve better clinical efficacy and analgesic effects when comparing Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of neck and low back pain. Furthermore, Chinese medicine demonstrated a favorable safety profile. However, further research is required to explore the use of Chinese medicine specifically for neck pain and to enhance the evidence base for clinical decision-making in pain management.
Topics: Humans; Low Back Pain; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Treatment Outcome; Medicine; Analgesics; Drugs, Chinese Herbal
PubMed: 37975353
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202311_34304 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2023More than 50% of pre-clinical studies fail despite a long and expensive journey of drug discovery using animal models [...].
More than 50% of pre-clinical studies fail despite a long and expensive journey of drug discovery using animal models [...].
Topics: Animals; Regenerative Medicine; Drug Discovery; Models, Animal
PubMed: 37629035
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612855 -
Surgical Endoscopy Sep 2023Chevalier Jackson (1865-1958) was a pioneering force in the medical world, whose extraordinary contributions to surgery and public health have left an indelible impact.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUNDS
Chevalier Jackson (1865-1958) was a pioneering force in the medical world, whose extraordinary contributions to surgery and public health have left an indelible impact. He developed the endoscope and perfected the bronchoscope, and his mastery of these tools enabled him to transform the prognosis of foreign body aspiration from 98% mortality to 98% survival. He was also a passionate advocate of public health chairing the national committee on lye legislation, which culminated in the Caustic Poison Act, responsible for poison and antidote labels. Yet Jackson's accomplishments were not limited to these. The aim of this manuscript was to shed light on Chevalier Jackson's lesser-known contributions to surgical science and culture, and to celebrate and honor the life of this remarkable surgeon.
METHODS
Digital and physical historical records from the National Library of Medicine, Smithsonian Institution, Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh PA, and Sunrise Mill Museum, Montgomery County PA were reviewed for Chevalier Jackson's scientific, cultural, and social contributions to the field of surgery.
RESULTS
Among his lesser-known contributions, Chevalier Jackson was the first to describe erosive esophagitis. He developed the first standardized tracheotomy procedure, still in use today. He was ahead of his time in many ways, pioneering a multidisciplinary approach to medicine, advocating for patient-centered care, and advancing the inclusion of women in the medical profession.
CONCLUSION
Chevalier Jackson's legacy extends far beyond the tools and techniques he invented. He was a champion of social justice, a protector of patients, and an inspiration to medical professionals across the globe.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; History, 19th Century; Public Health; Social Medicine; Endoscopy; Pennsylvania; Social Justice
PubMed: 37439820
DOI: 10.1007/s00464-023-10256-x -
JAMA Network Open Sep 2023Military medicine in the US was established to treat wounded and ill service members and to protect the health and well-being of our military forces at home and abroad....
IMPORTANCE
Military medicine in the US was established to treat wounded and ill service members and to protect the health and well-being of our military forces at home and abroad. To accomplish these tasks, it has developed the capacity to rapidly adapt to the changing nature of war and emerging health threats; throughout our nation's history, innovations developed by military health professionals have been quickly adopted by civilian medicine and public health for the benefit of patients in the US and around the world.
OBSERVATIONS
From the historical record and published studies, we cite notable examples of how military medicine has advanced civilian health care and public health. We also describe how military medicine research and development differs from that done in the civilian world. During the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, military medicine's focused approach to performance improvement and requirements-driven research cut the case fatality rate from severe battlefield wounds in half, to the lowest level in the history of warfare.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Although innovations developed by military medicine regularly inform and improve civilian health care and public health, the architects of these advances and the methods they use are often overlooked. Enhanced communication and cooperation between our nation's military and civilian health systems would promote reciprocal learning, accelerate collaborative research, and strengthen our nation's capacity to meet a growing array of health and geopolitical threats.
Topics: Humans; Public Health; Military Medicine; Military Personnel; Afghanistan; Communication
PubMed: 37733341
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.35125 -
Theranostics 2023Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is an approved treatment modality, which is presently receiving great attention due to its limited invasiveness, high selectivity and limited... (Review)
Review
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is an approved treatment modality, which is presently receiving great attention due to its limited invasiveness, high selectivity and limited susceptibility to drug resistance. Another related research area currently expanding rapidly is the development of novel theranostic agents based on the combination of PDT with different imaging technologies, which allows for both therapy and diagnosis. This combination can help to address issues of suboptimal biodistribution and selectivity through regional imaging, while therapeutic agents enable an effective and personalized therapy. In this review, we describe compounds, whose structures combine PDT photosensitizers with different imaging probes - including examples for near-infrared optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear imaging (PET or SPECT), generating novel theranostic drug candidates. We have intentionally focused our attention on novel compounds, which have already been investigated preclinically in order to demonstrate the potential of such theranostic agents for clinical applications.
Topics: Precision Medicine; Photochemotherapy; Tissue Distribution; Photosensitizing Agents; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Theranostic Nanomedicine
PubMed: 37908729
DOI: 10.7150/thno.87363 -
Supportive Care in Cancer : Official... Oct 2023We investigated attitudes and practices of healthcare professionals (HCPs) to medicinal cannabis (MC) and complementary and integrative medicine (CIM), including...
Knowledge and attitudes towards medicinal cannabis and complementary and integrative medicine (CIM): a survey of healthcare professionals working in a cancer hospital in Australia.
PURPOSE
We investigated attitudes and practices of healthcare professionals (HCPs) to medicinal cannabis (MC) and complementary and integrative medicine (CIM), including individual therapies, such as acupuncture, massage, herbs, dietary supplements, nutrition and exercise. We explored whether healthcare occupation influenced attitudes to CIM and MC; referral pathways for advice on CIM; and interest in a pharmacy service to evaluate herbs and supplements.
METHODS
Cross-sectional survey. All clinical staff at a comprehensive cancer hospital were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire about CIM and MC. We used descriptive analysis to describe the respondent's knowledge and attitudes, and Fisher's exact test to test for differences by occupation, length of time at the hospital and age.
RESULTS
Most of the 116 HCPs respondents supported integrating CIM into cancer care (94.8%) and wanted to learn more (90%) and to understand benefits and contraindications. Most respondents believed that CIM (87.9%) could benefit patients with cancer, and MC could benefit those with advanced cancer (49-51%). Whilst just over half (52.6%) felt confident discussing CIM with patients, only 10% felt they had sufficient knowledge to discuss MC. Most felt they did not have sufficient knowledge to specifically discuss mind and body practices (63.8%) or herbs and supplements (79%). HCPs (63%) would be more inclined to allow use of herbs and supplements with cancer treatment if a pharmacy service was available to evaluate interactions. Occupation, length of time at hospital and age influenced confidence and knowledge about CIM.
CONCLUSIONS
The integration of evidence-based CIM and MC into cancer care is hampered by a lack of knowledge of benefits and contraindications, and gaps in education. Effective and safe integration may require targeted development of services such as pharmacy to evaluate the safety of herbs and supplements, and inclusion of cancer specialists who have received training in individual CIM therapies and MC.
Topics: Humans; Medical Marijuana; Cross-Sectional Studies; Integrative Medicine; Cancer Care Facilities; Neoplasms; Surveys and Questionnaires; Australia; Delivery of Health Care
PubMed: 37819556
DOI: 10.1007/s00520-023-08080-z -
Brazilian Journal of Anesthesiology... 2024
Topics: Humans; Perioperative Medicine; Anesthesia; Anesthesiology
PubMed: 37742828
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjane.2023.09.005 -
PLoS Medicine Jul 2023
Topics: Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Global Health
PubMed: 37399216
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004264 -
Journal of ISAKOS : Joint Disorders &... Jun 2024The proportion of women in orthopaedic surgery is low compared to other specialties, despite equal numbers of male and female students entering the medical profession.... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
The proportion of women in orthopaedic surgery is low compared to other specialties, despite equal numbers of male and female students entering the medical profession. This gender disparity persists across various aspects of orthopaedic sports medicine, such as academic leadership, medical education, and on the sidelines. The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive and updated global analysis of female representation in leadership positions within orthopaedic sports medicine and arthroscopy societies throughout the world.
METHODS
Publicly available websites for orthopaedic sports medicine societies throughout the world were evaluated. For societies that met inclusion criteria, the following data were collected: types of leadership positions available and breakdown of male and female orthopaedic surgeons in those positions.
RESULTS
There were a total of 55 societies analyzed from North America (5, 9.1%), South America (8, 14.5%), Europe (18, 32.7%), Asia (13, 23.6%), Africa (2, 3.6%), the Middle East (3, 5.5%) and Australia (3, 5.5%), as well as 3 international societies (5.5%). North America had the highest percentage of women in leadership positions with 19 of 97 positions (19.6%), followed by international societies with 11 of 92 (12.0%) positions filled by women. The Middle East and Australia had the fewest number of women, with all-male leadership. Globally, female orthopaedic surgeons served in 11 of 181 (6.1%) board of directors positions, 16 of 192 (8.3%) executive committees positions, 17 of 143 (11.9%) committee chair positions, 2 of 18 (11.1%) officer positions, 1 of 12 (8.3%) council positions, and 2 of 7 (28.6%) spokesperson positions.
CONCLUSION
While some countries have higher representation than others, the number of women in leadership positions in orthopaedic sports medicine societies throughout the world is significantly less than their male counterparts. While this is a preliminary analysis, future studies should aim to evaluate these trends over time. Providing equitable opportunities for women to rise into high-ranking positions in orthopaedic sports medicine may contribute to the interest of women and other minorities in the field of sports medicine and help improve diversity.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level V.
Topics: Humans; Female; Leadership; Sports Medicine; Male; Societies, Medical; Orthopedics; Physicians, Women; Orthopedic Surgeons; North America
PubMed: 38403193
DOI: 10.1016/j.jisako.2024.02.009 -
Bulletin of the World Health... Oct 2023To consolidate recent information on elimination and eradication goals for infectious diseases and clarify the definitions and associated terminology for different goals. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
To consolidate recent information on elimination and eradication goals for infectious diseases and clarify the definitions and associated terminology for different goals.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic search of the World Health Organization's Institutional Repository for Information Sharing (WHO IRIS) and a customized systematic Google advanced search for documents published between 2008 and 2022 on elimination or eradication strategies for infectious conditions authored by WHO or other leading health organizations. We extracted information on names of infectious conditions, the elimination and eradication goals and timelines, definitions of goals, non-standardized terminology, targets and assessment processes.
FINDINGS
We identified nine goals for 27 infectious conditions, ranging from disease control to eradication. In comparison with the hierarchy of disease control, as defined at the Dahlem Workshop in 1997, six goals related to disease control with varying levels of advancement, two related to elimination and one to eradication. Goals progressed along a disease-control continuum, such as end of disease epidemic to pre-elimination to elimination as a public health problem or threat. We identified the use of non-standardized terminology with certain goals, including elimination, of disease epidemics, public health and public health
CONCLUSION
As we approach the 2030 target date to achieve many of the goals related to disease control and for other infections to become candidates for elimination in the future, clarity of definitions and objectives is important for public health professionals and policy-makers to avoid misperceptions and miscommunication.
Topics: Humans; Goals; Disease Eradication; Public Health; Global Health; Communicable Diseases
PubMed: 37772196
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.23.289676