Efficacy and Safety of Miniscalpel Acupuncture on Knee Osteoarthritis: - A randomized controlled pilot trial.

Objectives: We investigated the efficacy and safety of miniscalpel acupuncture (MA) for knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in an assessor-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial; this would provide information for a large-scale randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Participants (n = 24) were recruited and randomly allocated to the MA group (experimental) or acupuncture group (control). The MA group received treatment once a week for 3 weeks (total of 3 treatments), while the acupuncture group received treatment two times per week for 3 weeks (total of 6 treatments).

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of (Oliv.) Diels Water Extract on RAW 264.7 Induced with Lipopolysaccharide.

The dry root of (Oliv.) Diels, also known as “female ginseng”, is a popular herbal drug amongst women, used to treat a variety of health issues and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the detailed molecular mechanism for anti-inflammatory effects of root water extract (ASW).

Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Baicalein on Polyinosinic⁻Polycytidylic Acid-Induced RAW 264.7 Mouse Macrophages.

Baicalein (3,3′,4′,5,6-pentahydroxyflavone) is a well-known antioxidant found in many plants, such as in the roots of . In this study, we evaluate the inhibitory effect of baicalein on the inflammatory cascade in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages induced by viral-like material.

INHIBITORY EFFECT OF EMODIN ON RAW 264.7 ACTIVATED WITH DOUBLE STRANDED RNA ANALOGUE POLY I:C.

Background: Emodin (3-methyl-1, 6, 8-trihydroxyanthraquinone) is a compound which can be found in Polygoni Multiflori Radix (PMR). PMR is the root of . PMR is used to treat dizziness, spermatorrhea, sores, and scrofula as well as chronic malaria traditionally in China and Korea.

Inhibitory effect of Angelica gigas on cold‑induced RhoA activation in vascular cells.

The herbal extract Angelica gigas (AG) has been applied as a vasodilating agent for patients suffering from vascular diseases for many years; however, the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The present study hypothesized that the anti‑vasoconstrictive effect of AG may be effective in the treatment of abnormal cold‑mediated vasospasms that occur in Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). The effect of AG on the activity of ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) was investigated in cold‑exposed vascular cells.

High-level expression in Corynebacterium glutamicum of nitrile hydratase from Rhodococcus rhodochrous for acrylamide production.

The nhhBAG gene of Rhodococcus rhodochrous M33 that encodes nitrile hydratase (NHase), converting acrylonitrile into acrylamide, was cloned and expressed in Corynebacterium glutamicum under the control of an ilvC promoter. The specific enzyme activity in recombinant C. glutamicum cells was about 13.

Findings from SHAZ!: a feasibility study of a microcredit and life-skills HIV prevention intervention to reduce risk among adolescent female orphans in Zimbabwe.

This study tested the feasibility of a combined microcredit and life-skills HIV prevention intervention among 50 adolescent female orphans in urban/peri-urban Zimbabwe. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected on intervention delivery, HIV knowledge and behavior, and economic indicators. The study also tested for HIV, HSV-2, and pregnancy.

Assessment of the Association of Chlamydia trachomatis Infection and Adverse Perinatal Outcomes with the Use of Population-Based Chlamydia Case Report Registries and Birth Records.

Objective: We assessed the relationship between Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections identified during pregnancy and adverse perinatal birth outcomes (including premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, and low birthweight) by matching CT reports and birth records.

Methods: We merged California birth records from 1997, 1998, and 1999 with California CT reports from the same years to determine the proportion of birth records matched to a female CT report, using maternal last name, first name, date of birth, and county of residence. We used logistic regression to assess the crude and adjusted association between a CT report less than 10 months before the birth record date and premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, and low birthweight.

Female condom uptake and acceptability in Zimbabwe.

As the first phase of a two-phase prospective cohort study to assess the acceptability of the diaphragm as a potential HIV/STI prevention method, we conducted a 2-month prospective study and examined the effect of a male and female condom intervention on female condom (FC) use among 379 sexually active women in Harare, Zimbabwe. Reported use of FC increased from 1.1% at baseline to 70.

Suppressive effects of bee venom on the immune responses in collagen-induced arthritis in rats.

The effect of bee venom (BVA) on the development of type II collagen (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats has been studied. Male rats were immunized with an emulsion of 200 microg of CII and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The rats were then given intraperitoneally (i.

The importance of discreet use of the diaphragm to Zimbabwean women and their partners.

We conducted a 6-month acceptability study of diaphragms as a potential HIV/STI prevention method among Zimbabwean women. We examined partner involvement in diaphragm use, and importance of discreet use (use without partner awareness). Of the 181 women who completed the study, 45% said discreet use was "very or extremely important" and in multivariate logistic regression, women were more likely to value discretion if their partners: had other partners; drank alcohol; or were believed to prefer condoms to diaphragms.

Contraceptive intentions among adolescents after abortion.

Changes between choice of contraceptive methods before abortion and contraceptive intentions after abortion were assessed among 482 adolescents with regards to efficacy to prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Adolescents substantially increased their intention to use oral contraceptives (214 of 452 who did not use before intended to after; p < .001) and depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) (121 of 469 who did not use before chose to after; p < .

Barrier method preferences and perceptions among Zimbabwean women and their partners.

In Zimbabwe, adult HIV prevalence is over 25% and acceptable prevention methods are urgently needed. Sixty-eight Zimbabwean women who had completed a barrier-methods study and 34 of their male partners participated in focus group discussions and in-depth interviews to qualitatively explore acceptability of male condoms, female condoms and diaphragms. Most men and about half of women preferred diaphragms because they are female-controlled and do not detract from sexual pleasure or carry stigma.

Introducing diaphragms into the mix: what happens to male condom use patterns?

The objective of this analysis was to assess the effect of introducing the diaphragm on condom use patterns. Participants included one hundred eighty-nine women attending family planning clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe who reported less than 100% condom use. The proportion of acts where at least one method was used significantly increased over using follow-up; male condom use remained stable.

HIV sentinel surveillance among women seeking elective pregnancy termination, San Francisco.

Objective: The objective of this study was to measure HIV prevalence, HIV incidence, and risk factors for infection among women seeking elective pregnancy termination in San Francisco.

Study: The authors conducted a cross-sectional survey comprising a consecutive sample of women seeking elective pregnancy termination in San Francisco's county hospital from August 2002 to July 2003. Demographic and risk behavior information was abstracted from routine clinic records.

Misoprostol compared with laminaria before early second-trimester surgical abortion: a randomized trial.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and acceptability of same-day misoprostol and overnight laminaria for cervical ripening before early second-trimester surgical abortion.

Methods: We performed a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial comparing 400 microg of vaginal misoprostol, given 3-4 hours preoperatively, with overnight laminaria before early second-trimester surgical abortion among women at 13.0-16.

Abortion attitudes of pregnant women in prenatal care.

Objective: This study was undertaken to describe abortion attitudes in a diverse cohort of pregnant women enrolled in prenatal care.

Study Design: A cross-sectional interview study of 1082 demographically diverse gravid women enrolled in prenatal care at less than 20 weeks' gestation was performed.

Results: Most participants (92%) supported abortion availability.

Improving the accuracy of fetal foot length to confirm gestational duration.

Objective: To establish normative fetal foot length ranges using last menstrual period (LMP) and ultrasound dating by biparietal diameter and to examine variations in these ranges by ethnicity.

Methods: A consecutive series of 1,099 eligible subjects receiving abortions had fetal foot lengths measured directly. Models of fetal foot length were developed by using assessment of gestational duration by LMP alone, ultrasonography alone, and "best estimate" (LMP confirmed by ultrasonography).

Predictors of diaphragm use as a potential sexually transmitted disease/HIV prevention method in Zimbabwe.

Background: Women who are the most vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases/HIV are often unable to consistently use condoms. One potential alternative method currently under investigation is the diaphragm.

Goals: The goals of this study were to assess diaphragm uptake and use over time in Zimbabwe and to identify factors associated with self-reported consistent diaphragm use.

Manual versus electric vacuum aspiration for early first-trimester abortion: a controlled study of complication rates.

Objective: Manual vacuum aspiration is an alternative to electric suction curettage for first-trimester elective abortion. Although many studies have demonstrated that manual vacuum aspiration is safer than sharp curettage for abortion, only a few studies have directly compared it with electric suction curettage. These studies proved the methods to be equally effective and acceptable but were too small to adequately compare safety.