Previous studies have demonstrated that ovariectomy may lead to a reduction in antioxidative biomarkers in the myocardium, thus suggesting that estrogens may serve a protective role in the suppression of oxidative stress. Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) are a well-known antioxidant Chinese traditional medicine, which appear to have a similar function to estrogens with regards to the regulation of cardiac function. In the present study, 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following groups: Sham operation group, ovariectomized (OVX) group, estradiol valerate group, high-dose LBP (LBP-H) group and low-dose LBP (LBP-L) group. All of the rats were provided tap water, estradiol valerate or LBP for 12 weeks. In addition, all rats were ovariectomized, with the exception of rats in the sham operation group, which underwent fat removal only. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase activities were subsequently examined. The protein expression levels of cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3 and phosphorylated-protein kinase B (p-Akt) were also assessed. The results demonstrated that high-dose LBP decreased the enhanced levels of ROS and MDA in OVX rats, whereas GSH-px and CAT activities were increased in the LBP-H group compared with in OVX rats. Furthermore, the expression levels of cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 were significantly upregulated in the OVX group, whereas high-dose LBP exerted protective effects on OVX rats by decreasing the expression of apoptotic proteins. Conversely, p-Akt expression was decreased in the OVX group and was increased in the LBP-H group. These results indicated that LBP is essentially involved in cardiac protection by inhibiting apoptosis in response to oxidative stress. In addition, improvement of antioxidant status by LBP is associated with the Akt signaling pathway in the myocardium of OVX rats.
Background Chronic hepatitis B is a liver disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. Chronic hepatitis B requires long-term management aiming to reduce the risks of hepatocellular inflammatory necrosis, liver fibrosis, decompensated liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer, as well as to improve health-related quality of life. Acupuncture is being used to decrease discomfort and improve immune function in people with chronic hepatitis B. However, the benefits and harms of acupuncture still need to be established in a rigorous way. Objectives To assess the benefits and harms of acupuncture versus no intervention or sham acupuncture in people with chronic hepatitis B.
Background Chronic hepatitis B is a liver disease associated with high morbidity and mortality. Chronic hepatitis B requires long-term management aiming to reduce the risks of hepatocellular inflammatory necrosis, liver fibrosis, decompensated liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer, as well as to improve health-related quality of life. Acupuncture is being used to decrease discomfort and improve immune function in people with chronic hepatitis B. However, the benefits and harms of acupuncture still need to be established in a rigorous way. Objectives To assess the benefits and harms of acupuncture versus no intervention or sham acupuncture in people with chronic hepatitis B.
A total of 107 health care professionals, including 88 medical doctors and 19 pharmacists, participated in the study. The median (25th, 75th) knowledge score of the respondents was 8 (7, 11) out of a maximum possible score of 17. Most of the respondents exhibited positive attitude towards implementation of PV system in the healthcare sector. Of all, 24 (22.4%) respondents did not know the actual cause of death among the patients taking Isosorbide 5-mononitrate. The ADRs reporting and monitoring was not practiced routinely owing to multiple factors. ConClusions: After about three years of Isosorbide 5-mononitrate tragedy, our respondents still exhibited poor knowledge, and there was lack of PV related practices. However, positive attitude towards implementation of PV system is good omen.
A total of 107 health care professionals, including 88 medical doctors and 19 pharmacists, participated in the study. The median (25th, 75th) knowledge score of the respondents was 8 (7, 11) out of a maximum possible score of 17. Most of the respondents exhibited positive attitude towards implementation of PV system in the healthcare sector. Of all, 24 (22.4%) respondents did not know the actual cause of death among the patients taking Isosorbide 5-mononitrate. The ADRs reporting and monitoring was not practiced routinely owing to multiple factors. ConClusions: After about three years of Isosorbide 5-mononitrate tragedy, our respondents still exhibited poor knowledge, and there was lack of PV related practices. However, positive attitude towards implementation of PV system is good omen.
A279 practices about ECPs use. Data was analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 using various descriptive and inferential statistical tests. Results: Total 200 CPs were approached and a sample size of 109 (52% response rate) was obtained by convenient sampling method. Inadequate knowledge, strong negative attitudes and misconceptions were exposed. One quarter did not aware that ECPs do not cause abortion. Only a small proportion (27%) were aware about the precise use of ECPs. Interesting finding was that 41% of them believed that specific and particular general practitioners or clinics are the main sources of information about ECPs. Around 12% felt that information about ECPs should not be public. Few of the respondents had never heard of availability ECPs without prescription. ConClusions: The awareness of ECPs is quite high among CPs in Punjab, Pakistan but with insufficient knowledge, objectionable attitudes and redundant delusions. This study advocates that there is a clear need of accurate and appropriate information and awareness about safe and effective use of ECPs among CPs in Punjab, Pakistan.
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