Sasang Medical Perspectives on Viral Immunity: A Discussion of Intrinsic, Constitutionally Related Factors in Disease Onset and Resistance.

There remain more questions than answers regarding the manifestation of certain diseases, such as Ebola, in some otherwise healthy individuals but not in others. Sasang medicine offers a possible clue to solving this mystery by introducing a constitutionally based, intrinsic approach to determining disease susceptibility. The Sasang constitution is identified by a detailed examination of inherent physiological and psychological traits that are likely, but not yet, to be associated with specific genetic patterns.

Empirical versus Etiological Approaches in Oriental Medical Research.

Although Oriental medicine, by nature, may be considered an etiology-based approach to healing, its role in modern research is primarily empirical. The absolute dependence on symptomatic presentation to establish acupuncture point selection goes against the grain of traditional Oriental methods, which emphasize pulse, tongue, and other diagnostic tools to determine the overall biological and psychological conditions of the patient. Recently introduced diagnostic methods in Oriental medical research indicate a potential shift from empirically to etiologically centered designs.

Alpha-1 adrenoceptor-angiotensin II type 1 receptor cross-talk and its relevance in clinical medicine.

The two most relevant clinical trials investigating the efficacy of multiple neurohormonal drug combinations in the treatment of chronic congestive heart failure are the Valsartan Heart Failure Trial and the Candesartan in Heart Failure Assessment of Reduction in Mortality and Morbidity-added studies. The Valsartan Heart Failure Trial study randomized patients with congestive heart failure to the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) valsartan versus placebo, in addition to baseline angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) therapy. Overall, valsartan was found to significantly reduce the combined morbidity and mortality end point compared with placebo, mainly due to a reduction in heart failure admissions.

Statin-mediated low-density lipoprotein lowering in chronic congestive heart failure.

Many theories and clinical trials have attempted to address the effect of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) lowering in chronic congestive heart failure (CHF). The current evidence suggests that there is no convincing reason for administering statins to patients with nonischemic heart failure. Although they do not reduce the mortality rate, statins reduce LDL cholesterol and may provide some benefit to patients with ischemic heart failure.