Leveraging governance structures: Shaping Power Relations and Decision-Making Processes within Organizations. While traditional governance approaches tend to favor hierarchical structures with concentrated authority, the growing demand for increased stakeholder engagement and empowerment has spurred the emergence of innovative governance models. This article examines traditional and evolving governance approaches in major United States professional sports leagues—the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), National Basketball Association (NBA), and National Hockey League (NHL). Through a review of literature and governance documents, the traditional hierarchal models of the NFL and MLB are analyzed. Their incremental shifts toward more inclusive structures are also explored. In contrast, the NBA's adoption of a franchise model with decentralized authority and the NHL's establishment of a Players' Association are examined as examples of governance innovation. The impacts of these evolving approaches are considered in the context of league operations, labor relations, and overall stakeholder interest representation. This paper shows insights into the dynamics of governance change and the factors influencing shifts toward more collaborative and empowering structures within professional sports organizations.

Background: Higenamine, a bioactive alkaloid derived from plants such as Aconitum and Annona squamosa, has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine for treating heart diseases like bradycardia, arrhythmia, and heart failure. It exhibits multiple pharmacological effects, including anti-oxidative stress, improved cellular energy metabolism, anti-apoptosis, and enhanced erectile dysfunction. Aim and Methods: To investigate the reasons for these functions of higenamine and its application in the clinic, the literature of the database was searched and read in this study. Results: As a non-selective β-agonist, higenamine activates both β₁- and β₂-adrenergic receptors, leading to cardiovascular benefits such as increased heart rate and myocardial contractility, as well as bronchodilation. It has also been studied for its potential in weight loss, anti-inflammatory properties, and antioxidant properties, with applications in treating asthma, cardiovascular diseases, and ischemia-reperfusion injuries. However, its clinical use is limited by the need for further research on its long-term safety, pharmacokinetics, and interactions with other drugs. Despite its promising therapeutic potential, higenamine’s inclusion in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list highlights concerns over its stimulant effects and safety in athletic contexts. Conclusions: Future studies should focus on optimizing its clinical applications while ensuring safety and efficacy. In terms of clinical applications, future research will also be able to explore more possibilities to use higenamine more in the treatment of diseases.