Journal of the Chinese Medical Association : JCMA
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An increasing number of plant components and their extracts have been shown to have beneficial health effects in humans. We aimed to explore the antioxidant effects of the aqueous extract of Asparagus cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. shoot in vivo and in vitro. ⋯ The aqueous extract of A. cochinchinensis (Lour.) Merr. shoot had a strong radical scavenging capability in vivo and in vitro, and might be used to diminish radicals in the body and consequently prevent aging.
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Prior to 2015, Zika Virus (ZIKV) outbreaks had occurred in areas of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Although a causal relationship between Zika infection during pregnancy and microcephaly is strongly suspected, such a connection has not yet been scientifically proven. In May 2015, the outbreak of ZIKV infection in Brazil led to reports of syndrome and pregnant women giving birth to babies with birth defects and poor pregnancy outcomes; the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed ZIKV infection in Brazil. ⋯ The laboratory diagnosis can be performed by using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) on serum, viral nucleic acid and virus-specific immunoglobulin M. There is currently no vaccine and antiviral treatment available for ZIKV infection, and the only way to prevent congenital ZIKV infection is to prevent maternal infection. In February 2016, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) activated ZIKV as a Category V Notifiable Infectious Disease similar to Ebola virus disease and MERS.
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The number of studies on adiponectin, GPx-1 gene polymorphisms, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) susceptibility is increasing, but none have investigated the effect of cigarette smoking in combination with the gene polymorphisms on the susceptibility to NAFLD. In order to understand the distribution of adiponectin and GPx-1 in the local population, to explore the possible association of cigarette smoking with adiponectin and GPx-1 gene polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, we conducted this research, examining the distribution of polymorphisms of adiponectin and GPx-1 in NAFLD patients and healthy controls, analyzing the association between these polymorphisms and cigarette smoking. ⋯ Adiponectin gene promoter -11377C/G (CG), -11377C/G (GG), GPx-1 gene C594T (CT), C594T (TT), and cigarette smoking are risk factors in NAFLD, and the significant association between genetic polymorphisms of -11377C/G, C594T, and cigarette smoking amplify the risk of NAFLD.
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Microleakage may cause tooth sensitivity, secondary caries, discoloration and even failure of the restoration. In order to overcome these potential problems, materials that are able to bind to the tooth structure have been developed, such as composite resin and glass ionomer cement. The purpose of the study was to compare microleakage arising from amalgam (Am), composite resin (CR), glass ionomer (GI), Ketac-Silver (KS), and GI filling with banding (GI+B) when these materials are used for class II restoration of a primary molar. ⋯ Restorations using GI and GI+B indicated that these materials performed better than the other materials in this study overall. However, none of the materials were entirely devoid of leakage.