Traditional and complementary medicine (T/CM) in the treatment of erection difficulties – experience from the Asian Men's Attitudes To Life Events and Sexuality (MALES) study

BackgroundLittle is known about the practice, perceptions and experience of using traditional and complementary medicine (T/CM) for erection difficulties among Asian men.MethodsA total of 10,934 Asian men living in China (n = 2,055), Japan (n = 877), Korea (n = 2,000), Malaysia (n = 3,000) or Taiwan (n = 2,002) were recruited via random digit dialing, street interception and face-to-face interview in the Asian Men's Attitudes To Life Events and Sexuality (MALES) Phase I study. The Phase II study was comprised of a total of 1,286 men who experienced erection difficulties and who lived in China (n = 255), Japan (n = 228), Korea (n = 225), Malaysia (n = 380) or Taiwan (n = 228).ResultsUse of T/CM for erection difficulties (9.1%) was relatively low compared to conventional medicine (83.5%). Among those that seek help and treatment from T/CM, the majority were respondents from Malaysia, followed by respondents from China, whereas respondents from Japan and Korea ranked lowest. Use of a combination of alternative and conventional therapy was prevalent. Erection difficulty was amongst the highest in terms of preference of treatment seeking using traditional approaches after back pain, arthritis and gout. Overall outcome was expressed as ‘Partly satisfied’ with T/CM treatment for erection difficulties. The main reason that T/CM outweighs conventional medicine was because it was perceived that T/CM had fewer side effects than conventional medicine (56.1%). Users of T/CM were mostly middle-aged, married, employed, and perceived their health status and the severity of their erection dysfunction as moderate.ConclusionsThe findings help to identify the differences in practices and beliefs about T/CM among Asian countries and provide useful information to conventional practitioners about the alternative help- and treatment-seeking behaviors for erectile difficulties.     

Expression of integrins in human proliferative diabetic retinopathy membranes

Background: The process of identifying molecules that regulate angiogenesis is critical to the success of candidate therapies for ocular neovascular disease. The purpose of the study was to determine the pattern of expression for integrins and their colocalization with endothelium in membranes from proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).Methods: Clinically categorized membranes were collected from vitreoretinal surgery. A double immunohistochemical staining procedure was used to identify the presence and colocalization of integrins and endothelium. Five integrins were examined.Results: Endothelial markers were robust in all 4 active-stage PDR membranes but absent in the fibrotic-stage PDR membrane. The expression of ανβ3 and β3 integrins on endothelial cells was observed with low to moderate intensity. The expression of α|β| and βa2β| was moderate but was not colocalized with endothelial cells in active-stage PDR membranes. Integrin ανβ5 was not evident in any of the samples used in this study.Interpretation: The results suggest an essential role of integrins ανβ3 and β3 in the pathogenesis of PDR. It is suggested that ανβ3 and β3 are preferred candidate targets for therapeutic development.     

A Comparative Study of the Experiences of a Group of Hong Kong Chinese and Australian Women Diagnosed With Postnatal Depression

PURPOSE.  This study examined the experiences of postnatal depression between a group of Chinese and Caucasian women.
DESIGN AND METHODS.  This was a secondary analysis of two phenomenological studies. Thirty-five Chinese women and 12 Australian women were interviewed.
FINDINGS.  Women felt being trapped in the depression. The Hong Kong women attributed their depression to their mothers-in-law and husbands, and expressed much anger. The Australian women attributed their depression to not being able to live up to the ideal mother image, and felt guilty.
PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.  Interventions were recommended with consideration for the cultural values that influenced women's experiences of postnatal depression.