Background: Sub-optimal HDL is a prognostic marker of cardiovascular disease. South Asia has a high prevalence of sub-optimal HDL compared to other parts of the world. Intermittent fasting (IF) is a type of energy restriction which may improve serum HDL and other lipids thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of IF on lipid profile and HDL-cholesterol in a sample of South Asian adults.Methods: A 6-week quasi-experimental (non-randomized) clinical trial was conducted on participants with low HDL (< 40 mg/dl for men and < 50 mg/dl for women). Participants of the control group were recommended not to change their diet. The intervention group was recommended to fast for ~12 h during day time, three times per week for 6 weeks. Pulse rate, blood pressure, body weight, waist circumference, serum lipid profile, and blood glucose levels were measured at baseline and after 6 weeks.Result: A total of 40 participants were enrolled in the study (N = 20 in each group), while 35 (20 control and 15 intervention) completed the trial and were included in data analysis of the study. Body measurements, including body weight, BMI and waist circumference, showed significant interaction effects (p's < 0.001), indicating that there were larger reductions in the IF group than in the control group. Significant interaction effects were also observed for total (p = 0.033), HDL (p = 0.0001), and LDL cholesterol (p = 0.010) with larger improvements in the IF group.Conclusion: This study suggests that intermittent fasting may protect cardiovascular health by improving the lipid profile and raising the sub-optimal HDL. Intermittent fasting may be adopted as a lifestyle intervention for the prevention, management and treatment of cardiovascular disorders.Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03805776, registered on January 16, 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03805776
During heart transplantation, donor heart leads to reduced oxygen supply resulting in low level of high energy phosphate (HEP) reserves in cardiomyocyte. Lower HEP is one of the underlying reasons of cell death due to ischemia. In this study we investigated the role of Fingolimod (FTY720) in heart transplantation ischemia. Eight groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 5 for each subgroup) were made, A1 and C1 were given FTY720 1 mg/kg while B1 and D1 were given normal saline. The hearts were implanted into another set of similar rats after preservation period of 1 h at 4–8 °C. Significantly higher Left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), dP/dT maximum (p < 0.05), dP/dT minimum (p < 0.05) were recorded in the FTY720 treated group after 24 h of reperfusion while after 1 h of reperfusion, there were no significant differences in LVSP, maximum and negative dP/dT, and Left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) between the control and the FTY720-treated transplant groups. Coronary blood flow (CBF) was enhanced (p < 0.05) in the FTY720 treated group after 1 and 24 h. ATP p < 0.001, p < 0.05 at 1 and 24 h, ADP p < 0.001, p > 0.05 at 1 and 24 h, and phosphocreatine p < 0.05, p > 0.05 at 1 and 24 h were better preserved by FTY720 treatment as compared to control group. The study concluded that pretreatment of grafted hearts with FTY720 improved hemodynamics, CBF, high energy phosphate reserves, reduces the peroxynitrite level and poly (ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition that prevents ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Background and Objective. Several treatments are used to attain good control of symptoms and to reduce asthmatic exacerbations. The survey was designed to compare different systems of treatments for asthma and to explore the most preferred treatment in terms of efficacy, side effects, long-term use, and satisfaction. Materials and Methods. The cross-sectional survey was conducted; primary data were collected from asthmatic patients in different hospitals and clinics of allopathic, homeopathic, and herbal practitioners in Karachi, Pakistan. The study duration was from January 2020 to December 2020. Asthmatic patients aged over 13 years were selected for the study. A written informed consent was taken from the patients before the interview. Collected data were analyzed by the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) 22. Result. Among 255 asthmatic patients; 51.4% (n = 131) were male and 48.6% (n = 124) were female. For control of acute attacks of asthma 88.2% ( p = 0.0001 ) of patients significantly preferred allopathic treatment while 6.3% ( p = 0.008 ) used homeopathic treatment and 5.5% chose herbal treatment. For maintenance of asthma, 78.8% ( p = 0.0001 ) patients used allopathic treatment while 12.4% ( p = 0.0001 ) homeopathic and 8.8% ( p = 0.0001 ) patients used herbal treatment. About 63.4% ( p = 0.0001 ) of the asthmatic patients used short-acting β-2 agonists for managing acute asthmatic episodes while long-acting β-2 agonists ( p = 0.0001 ) and inhaled corticosteroids ( p = 0.0001 ) were found to be the preferred medicines for maintenance therapy. Effectiveness of treatment ( p = 0.004 ) and cost effectiveness ( p = 0.0001 ) significantly act as contributing factors for the selection of the treatment. The majority of the patients were satisfied with their chosen treatments for control of asthmatic symptoms. Conclusion. Most asthmatic patients preferred allopathic treatment for the management of acute episodes and control of asthmatic symptoms. It was found that the major factors for selecting a specific treatment include effectiveness, cost, and minimal side effects.
Abstract:Toxic metals are present as micropollutants in the water bodies, which are difficult to remove. In the present study 4 different metals (Cd, Cu, Pb and As) adsorption on activated carbon was performed. For this purpose new jar test apparatus was manufactured. The removal efficiency of these metals was checked by applying different adsorption isotherm. The Langmuir showed single layer adsorption while, Freundlich and Brunaur-Emmet-Teller (BET) isotherms showed multi layer of metals molecules on activated carbon. Different metal concentrations were used as 5, 10 and 15 mg LG 1 and the comparative adsorption isotherm showed the removal rate of metals were as Cd>Cu>Pb>As at 15 mg LG 1 concentration. Cadmium followed the BET isotherm which indicated multilayer adsorption on activated carbon while As, Cu and Pb showed single layer adsorption. It is concluded from the result that activated carbon is the promising technique for the removal of Cd and to certain extend for Cu and Pb.
The present study highlights the current status of solid waste collection and disposal practices in Nawanshehr, Abbottabad Pakistan along with its possible management. It involved the surveys of different places such as general stores, tailor shops, cotton processing etc, during the month of July to October 2010. It is estimated that an average 7-8 t of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is generated daily of which 2-3 t is collected by the local administration and dumped at "Salhad" solid waste dumping site. This waste can be efficiently used to produce electricity and biogas. Total 3000 t of MSW annually formed which is use to produce 1.9×10 6 kWh e amount of electricity. Major proportion of the generated MSW goes to open drains of the town and taken away to the Mandrocha Katha by the water flow, worsening the facilities of drinking water quality of this natural water stream, it is further ended into Daurr River. It is recommended that organic waste may be employed for many beneficial uses. With the collaboration of industrialists, a small scale fertilizer factory may be established. This will fulfill the fertilizer demands of local farmers to increase crop productivity.
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