44 research outputs found
Socio-cultural Constraints and Women’s Decision-making Power Regarding Reproductive Behaviour
No full textIn a previous study [Ali, Siyal and Sultan (1995)], we observed a big gap between behaviour and desires. Only 35 percent women had the number of children that they had desired. Whereas, a very large number of women had more children than their stated ideal number of children. The same data set also showed that a majority of women (54 percent) either wanted to stop having children or wanted to wait at least two years before having another child [Ali and Rukanuddin (1992)]. In practice, all of these women were not protected; instead only 12 percent were practising contraception [Shah and Ali (1992)]. An argument was put forward that, had these women been empowered to decide about the number of children to be born, the scenario would have been different and small family size norms would have prevailed. However, the finding of that study revealed that generally, the women who were considered to be empowered were actually constrained to exercise fertility control behaviour. It was hypothesised that socio-cultural influences including those of husbands, in-laws and other family members impelled women to become incapacitated. In the present study, an effort has been made to investigate and identify factors that influence women’s decision making about reproductive behaviour. Furthermore, an attempt to measure the extent of these influences has been made.
Effect of Nigella sativa fixed and essential oils on antioxidant status, hepatic enzymes, and immunity in streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus
No full textBackground: Nigella sativa fixed (NSFO) and essential (NSEO) oils have been used to treat diabetes mellitus and its
complications. Present study was undertaken to explore and validate these folkloric uses.
Methods: Sprague dawley rats having streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes mellitus were used to assess the role
of NSFO and NSEO in the management of diabetes complications. Parameters investigated were antioxidant
potential, oxidative stress, and the immunity by in vivo experiments.
Results: The results indicated that STZ decreased the glutathione contents (25.72%), while NSFO and NSEO
increased the trait significantly (P < 0.05). Experimental diets increased the tocopherol contents (P < 0.01) and
enhanced the expression of hepatic enzymes (P < 0.01). Correlation matrix further indicated that antioxidant
potential is positively associated (P < 0.05) responsible for the modulation of hepatic enzymes and the decrease of
the nitric oxide production thus controlling the diabetes complications.
Conclusions: Overall, results of present study supported the traditional use of N. sativa and its derived products as
a treatment for hyperglycemia and allied abnormalities. Moreover, N. sativa fixed and essential oils significantly
ameliorate free radicals and improve antioxidant capacity thus reducing the risk of diabetic complications
Growth of NGVs and comparative study of cylinder material for CNG storage
No full textIn the present paper, the growth of Natural Gas Vehicles (NGVs) and the various pressure vessels used for storing compressed natural gas (CNG) is discussed.Also, the comparison of Von-mises stress in pressure vessels (PVs) due to internal pressure with different materials has been investigated numerically.Substantial use of natural gas is recorded as an alternative fuel, and the high-pressure storage of natural gas has resulted in using various types of cylinders in automobiles.Metal cylinders are extensively used in NGVs and are fabricated with different materials to satisfy services, safety and related factors.Metals and their alloys are often employed to make type I cylinders.It is important to calculate the failure pressure limit for a particular geometry of the tank against the yield strength of the material in case of metallic cylinders. An axisymmetric finite element model was made using the ABAQUS finite element platform to mimic the stress levels for two materials, viz steel alloy, and an aluminium alloy.The internal test pressure and geometric details of the cylinder were kept constant.The yield stress of material and numerical results have been compared.It was found that the steel alloy has outperformed the aluminium alloy for the given thickness of the cylinder.In contrast, the aluminium alloy failed to sustain the test pressure of 25 MPa.ESTCON ; Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia ; Universiti Teknologi Petrona
Preventive role of green tea catechins from obesity and related disorders especially hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia
No full textBACKGROUND: During the last few years, scientific investigations have proposed diet based regimens to prevent several health ailments including obesity, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes. In this regard, a promising tool is the use of functional foods/nutraceuticals. Present research project was an attempt to explore nutraceutical worth of locally grown green tea variety (Qi-Men) against lifestyle related disorders.
METHODS: Functional drinks (T2 and T3) were prepared by adding catechins and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) @ 550mg/500mL and compared with control (T1). These functional drinks were tested in experimental rats modeling (Sprague Dawley). Based on diets, four studies were conducted i.e. trial-I (normal diet), trial-II (high cholesterol diet), trial-III (high sucrose diet), trial-IV (high cholesterol+high sucrose diet). Rats were monitored daily for their feed and drink intake while body weight was measured on weekly basis. After period of 56days rats were sacrificed and evaluated their serum lipid (cholesterol, LDL and HDL), glucose and insulin levels.
RESULTS: Results for feed consumption by rats revealed that highest feed intake was recorded in group provided control drink than other groups. However, non significant differences were noted among all groups for drink consumption. Functional drinks resulted in significant reduction in body weight with maximum lowering noted in trial-II and III i.e. 10.73 to 8.49% and 10.12 to 10.49%, respectively. Likewise, cholesterol and LDL were substantially reduced with 14.42% decrease observed in trial-IV and 30.43% in trial-II, respectively. Furthermore, serum glucose and insulin levels were also lowered significantly in the trial-III and IV while in trial-I and II differences were non-significant. In contrast to lipid profile, experimental drink containing EGCG reduced the trait better than catechins based functional drink.
CONCLUSIONS: The drinks supplemented with catechins and EGCG are effective against obesity, hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia
Ginger and its Health Claims: Molecular Aspects
No full textRecent research has rejuvenated centuries-old traditional herbs to cure various ailments by using modern tools like diet-base
Nigella sativa fixed and essential oil supplementation modulates hyperglycemia and allied complications in streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus
No full textIn the recent era, diabetes mellitus has emerged as one of the significant threats to public health and this situation demands the attention of the researchers and allied stakeholders. Dietary regimens using functional and nutraceutical foods are gaining wide range of acceptance and some traditional medicinal plants are of considerable importance. The main objective of this instant study was to explore the antidiabetic potential of Nigella sativa fixed oil (NSFO) and essential oil (NSEO). Three experimental groups of rats received diets during the entire study duration, that is, D1 (control), D2 (NSFO: 4.0%), and D3 (NSEO: 0.30%). Experimental diets (NSFO & NSEO) modulated the lipid profile, while decreasing the antioxidant damage. However, production of free radicals, that is, MDA, and conjugated dienes increased by 59.00 and 33.63%, respectively, in control. On the contrary, NSFO and NSEO reduced the MDA levels by 11.54 and 26.86% and the conjugated dienes levels by 32.53 and 38.39%, respectively. N. sativa oils improved the health and showed some promising anti-diabetic results
Gender and Health Care Utilisation in Pakistan
No full textThis study is undertaken to test whether or not there exists gender bias in health care utilisation of sick children in Pakistan. Overall, the results are encouraging, as medical consultation has been sought for by a very high proportion (79 percent) of sick children. Moreover, there do not appear to be significant differences by gender in health care utilisation, be it curative or preventive. This is so in spite of the fact that many studies on various gender-related issues in Pakistan have generally shown significant gender bias in favour of male children. Thus one may conclude that parental altruism prevails at least in the provision of health care to sick children. However, the extent and magnitude of effect varies by geographical, socio-economic, and demographic characteristics of the mother. In view of these findings, efforts should be made to minimise gender differentials among various categories of people so that children living in any circumstances may have equal opportunity of health care utilisation. This will be possible when health care facilities are easily accessible to all. The Lady Health Workers Programme of the Government of Pakistan is a major positive step in this regard. Under this programme, health care facilities are provided at people’s door-step. The expansion of this programme will be extremely beneficial in helping parents to provide health care facilities to sick children, both male and female.
