BACKGROUND Reactive oxygen species(ROS)are produced by multiple cellular processes and are maintained at optimal levels in normal cells by endogenous antioxidants.In recent years,the search for potential exogenous ant...BACKGROUND Reactive oxygen species(ROS)are produced by multiple cellular processes and are maintained at optimal levels in normal cells by endogenous antioxidants.In recent years,the search for potential exogenous antioxidants from dietary sources has gained considerable attention to eliminate excess ROS that is associated with oxidative stress related diseases including cancer.Propolis,a resinous honeybee product,has been shown to have protective effects against oxidative stress and anticancer effects against several types of neoplasms.AIM To investigate the antioxidant and anticancer potential of Lebanese propolis when applied alone or in combination with the promising anticancer compound Thymoquinone(TQ)the main constituent of Nigella sativa essential oil.METHODS Crude extracts of Lebanese propolis collected from two locations,Rashaya and Akkar-Danniyeh,were prepared in methanol and the total phenolic content was determined by Folin–Ciocalteu method.The antioxidant activity was assessed by the ability to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH)free radical and to inhibit H2O2-induced oxidative hemolysis of human erythrocytes.The anticancer activity was evaluated by[3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide]MTT assay against HCT-116 human colorectal cancer cells and MDAMB-231 human breast cancer cells.RESULTS The total phenolic content of propolis extract from Rashaya and Akkar-Danniyeh were 56.81μg and 83.503μg of gallic acid equivalent/mg of propolis,respectively.Both natural agents exhibited strong antioxidant activities as evidenced by their ability to scavenge DPPH free radical and to protect erythrocytes against H2O2-induced hemolysis.They also dose-dependently decreased the viability of both cancer cell lines.The IC50 value of each of propolis extract from Rashaya and Akkar-Danniyeh or TQ was 22.3,61.7,40.44μg/mL for breast cancer cells at 72 h and 33.3,50.9,33.5μg/mL for colorectal cancer cells at the same time point,respectively.Importantly,the inhibitory effects of propolis on DPPH radicals and cancer cell viability were achieved at half its concentration when combined with TQ.CONCLUSION Our results indicate that Lebanese propolis extract has antioxidant and anticancer potential and its combination with TQ could possibly prevent ROS-mediated diseases.展开更多
AIM:To evaluate the current practice of stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) in Lebanese Health care centers.METHODS:A multi-center prospective chart review study was conducted over 8 mo.A questionnaire was distributed to p...AIM:To evaluate the current practice of stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) in Lebanese Health care centers.METHODS:A multi-center prospective chart review study was conducted over 8 mo.A questionnaire was distributed to pharmacy students who collected data on demographics,SUP medications,dose,route,duration and associated risk factors.The appropriateness of SUP use was determined as per American Society of Health-System Pharmacists guidelines.Institutional review board approval was obtained from each hospital center.RESULTS:A total of 1004 patients were included.67% of the patients who received prophylaxis did not have an indication for SUP.The majority (71.6%) of the patients who were administered parenteral drugs can tolerate oral medications.Overall,the regimen of acid-suppressant drugs was suboptimal in 87.6% of the sample.This misuse was mainly observed in non-teaching hospitals.CONCLUSION:This study highlighted the need,in Lebanese hospitals,to establish clinical practice guidelines for the use of SUP;mainly in non-critical care settings.展开更多
Aphids are marked by their high polymorphism, but species reported from the Early Cretaceous are known only from alate morphs. The discovery of an apterous adult morph in Lebanese amber and a larva of the same species...Aphids are marked by their high polymorphism, but species reported from the Early Cretaceous are known only from alate morphs. The discovery of an apterous adult morph in Lebanese amber and a larva of the same species are very important for the understanding of both the morphological and biological evolution of this insect group at the very early stage of development. Gondvanoaphis estephani new subfamily, new genus and species of the recent aphids family Thelaxidae is described. The characters of the new genus in respect to other genera placed in Thelaxidae are reviewed. The palaeoeeological and palaeogeographical data concerning Gondvanoaphis new genus are also discussed.展开更多
This article presents the sexual perception of young Lebanese students. We hypothesized that, in Lebanon and the Arab countries, premarital sex is forbidden by most cultures because of conservative societies and backg...This article presents the sexual perception of young Lebanese students. We hypothesized that, in Lebanon and the Arab countries, premarital sex is forbidden by most cultures because of conservative societies and backgrounds. Sexuality lives as a “myth” in these conservative societies. We examined the influence of demographics and genders among a group of 706 Lebanese university students, from public and private universities, as well as the fluctuation of sexual beliefs and practices, based on their gender, demographics and social pressure. The method used was a questionnaire collected form n = 706 students, 446 females and 260 males. The female population of our sample is 62.9% of the total volunteers while the male population is 36.7%. They come from different religions (Christian, Muslim, Druze and Other), between May 2015 and December 2015. Quantitative significant results: 1) A non-conformity with the social and demographic pressure and an openness of the new generations. Similarly, it shows more permissiveness in flirting. Even though, parts of the negative answers were significantly linked to understanding the rules of prohibited sex (NO 32.4% for belief and NO 34.5% for practice);2) the reality of Lebanese youth, their integrity in engaging in a relationship, and their true daily happening of social and peer pressure;3) An opening to a natural outlook of sexual life, (25.5%) with reluctance on dating (51.1%);4) An important significance is showed in the percentage between beliefs and practice: 18% in belief and 78.3% in practice (Q1) and 34.2% in belief and 60.8% in practice (Q2) emphasizing on the reality of sexual engagement within Lebanese youth;5) However, reluctance in engaging in sexual activity and attachment and fear to social sanctions toward premarital sex and agreeing on abstinence before marriage. Quantitative findings supported the lack of sexual education and the prevalence of religious and social norms. This article examines Young Lebanese adolescents do not always have the same views neither the same patterns of sexual behaviors between men and women. Education and awareness are the keys to a healthy sexual life. Specifically, it considers the way they receive their sexual education, the acceptance and refusal of differences between genders, beliefs and practices. It becomes a real challenge when it comes to early learning and education, openness, and real communication of sexual life, being a natural part of life, with honesty and transparency.展开更多
Background: There is little knowledge about genotyping of cytochrome P450s in the Middle East, and there has not been any report on the genotype of CYP 2C9 allelic variants in Lebanese population. Aims and objectives:...Background: There is little knowledge about genotyping of cytochrome P450s in the Middle East, and there has not been any report on the genotype of CYP 2C9 allelic variants in Lebanese population. Aims and objectives: The purpose of the study was to determine and compare the frequencies of the cytochrome P450 CYP2C9 variants in the Lebanese population with the frequencies in other ethnic populations. Methods: CYP2C9 genotypes were determined in a total of 146 samples of unrelated, healthy Lebanese individuals residing in different areas in Lebanon. Following DNA extraction from buccal cells and polymerase chain reaction, genotyping was performed by Pyrosequencing method. CYP2C9 genotypes results were compared to other populations;i.e., Middle Easterns, Europeans, Asians, and African Americans. Results and discussion: The frequencies of the CYP2C29*2, CYP2C9*3, and CYP2C9*4 alleles were 11.305%, 11.645%, and 1.025% respectively. No CYP2C9*5 allele variants were found among the Lebanese study sample. Vol- unteers could be divided into three CYP2C9 genotype groups: subjects (76.71%) with no mutated alleles (CYP 2C9*1*1;homozygous extensive metabolizers, EM), 21.23% with one mutated allele (CYP 2C9*1*2, *1*3, *1*4, and *1*5;heterozygous intermediate metabolizers IM), and 2.06% with two mutated alleles, homozygous variants as poor metabolizers, PM). The comparative analysis using genotype groups of different populations showed differences among Leba- nese and other Caucasians. Conclusion: This is the first report from Lebanon on CYP2C9 variants;it highlights a higher frequency of CYP2C9 extensive metabolizers compared to other populations including Caucasians. The results serve as a database on CYP 2C9 polymorphisms and baseline clinical data for dosing and avoiding adverse drug reac- tions of drugs metabolised by CYP2C9 in Lebanese patients.展开更多
ON August 18, at the invitation of the All-China Women’s Federation, a four-person delegation from the Lebanese Council of Women, headed by its president, Dr. Aman Kabbara Charani, kicked off a one-week visit to Beij...ON August 18, at the invitation of the All-China Women’s Federation, a four-person delegation from the Lebanese Council of Women, headed by its president, Dr. Aman Kabbara Charani, kicked off a one-week visit to Beijing. During a morning meeting, Wang Shuxian, Vice-President and Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, greeted the Lebanese guests on behalf of the ACWF. Wang gave the guests a short description of the history of the ACWF and the work they have done in the past 45 years. She discussed Chinese women’s achievements in the political,展开更多
A hemipteran nymph of the sternorrhynchan lineage, placed in the family Protopsyllidiidae is the first found in the fossil record, based on an inclusion in amber from the Lower Cretaceous of Hammana / Mdeyrij, Abeih F...A hemipteran nymph of the sternorrhynchan lineage, placed in the family Protopsyllidiidae is the first found in the fossil record, based on an inclusion in amber from the Lower Cretaceous of Hammana / Mdeyrij, Abeih Formation, Central Lebanon. Based on distinctive features such as a median dorsal elevation and the presence of a large, conical, exposed, setiferous anal tube, the fossil is placed in Talaya batraba gen. et sp. nov. and the newly erected taxon is compared to known nymphs of extinct Protopsyllidiidae. The evolutionary traits of the family and its relatives are considered.展开更多
Discourses are politically-oriented realities that explain their selective and instrumental nature.That means discourses are mostly(re)produced by the political actors,and they conform to the changing agendas of these...Discourses are politically-oriented realities that explain their selective and instrumental nature.That means discourses are mostly(re)produced by the political actors,and they conform to the changing agendas of these actors.The trajectory of the resistance discourse,which reflects Hezbollah’s ideological(religious)approach,seems to confirm this generalisation owing to its noticeable association with Hezbollah’s political motivations over time.This allegedly revisionist discourse has two intertwined dimensions:One dimension regards Hezbollah’s position towards internal affairs,while the other concerns its external orientation.Hezbollah often claimed to champion the revisionist camp in these two realms,albeit its pro-status quo policies unfolded during the Syrian civil war and the recent Lebanese protests.These two events further manifested the positioned nature of the resistance discourse.In this context,this article will attempt to illustrate the political nature of the resistance discourse by disputing its long-held revisionist claims.To empirically support our argument,the status-quo-based factors behind the regular practice of the resistance discourse during the Syrian civil war and the Lebanese protests will be deeply investigated.展开更多
基金Supported by the Lebanese University and the Undergraduate Research Experience funds at the American University of Beirut.
文摘BACKGROUND Reactive oxygen species(ROS)are produced by multiple cellular processes and are maintained at optimal levels in normal cells by endogenous antioxidants.In recent years,the search for potential exogenous antioxidants from dietary sources has gained considerable attention to eliminate excess ROS that is associated with oxidative stress related diseases including cancer.Propolis,a resinous honeybee product,has been shown to have protective effects against oxidative stress and anticancer effects against several types of neoplasms.AIM To investigate the antioxidant and anticancer potential of Lebanese propolis when applied alone or in combination with the promising anticancer compound Thymoquinone(TQ)the main constituent of Nigella sativa essential oil.METHODS Crude extracts of Lebanese propolis collected from two locations,Rashaya and Akkar-Danniyeh,were prepared in methanol and the total phenolic content was determined by Folin–Ciocalteu method.The antioxidant activity was assessed by the ability to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH)free radical and to inhibit H2O2-induced oxidative hemolysis of human erythrocytes.The anticancer activity was evaluated by[3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide]MTT assay against HCT-116 human colorectal cancer cells and MDAMB-231 human breast cancer cells.RESULTS The total phenolic content of propolis extract from Rashaya and Akkar-Danniyeh were 56.81μg and 83.503μg of gallic acid equivalent/mg of propolis,respectively.Both natural agents exhibited strong antioxidant activities as evidenced by their ability to scavenge DPPH free radical and to protect erythrocytes against H2O2-induced hemolysis.They also dose-dependently decreased the viability of both cancer cell lines.The IC50 value of each of propolis extract from Rashaya and Akkar-Danniyeh or TQ was 22.3,61.7,40.44μg/mL for breast cancer cells at 72 h and 33.3,50.9,33.5μg/mL for colorectal cancer cells at the same time point,respectively.Importantly,the inhibitory effects of propolis on DPPH radicals and cancer cell viability were achieved at half its concentration when combined with TQ.CONCLUSION Our results indicate that Lebanese propolis extract has antioxidant and anticancer potential and its combination with TQ could possibly prevent ROS-mediated diseases.
文摘AIM:To evaluate the current practice of stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) in Lebanese Health care centers.METHODS:A multi-center prospective chart review study was conducted over 8 mo.A questionnaire was distributed to pharmacy students who collected data on demographics,SUP medications,dose,route,duration and associated risk factors.The appropriateness of SUP use was determined as per American Society of Health-System Pharmacists guidelines.Institutional review board approval was obtained from each hospital center.RESULTS:A total of 1004 patients were included.67% of the patients who received prophylaxis did not have an indication for SUP.The majority (71.6%) of the patients who were administered parenteral drugs can tolerate oral medications.Overall,the regimen of acid-suppressant drugs was suboptimal in 87.6% of the sample.This misuse was mainly observed in non-teaching hospitals.CONCLUSION:This study highlighted the need,in Lebanese hospitals,to establish clinical practice guidelines for the use of SUP;mainly in non-critical care settings.
文摘Aphids are marked by their high polymorphism, but species reported from the Early Cretaceous are known only from alate morphs. The discovery of an apterous adult morph in Lebanese amber and a larva of the same species are very important for the understanding of both the morphological and biological evolution of this insect group at the very early stage of development. Gondvanoaphis estephani new subfamily, new genus and species of the recent aphids family Thelaxidae is described. The characters of the new genus in respect to other genera placed in Thelaxidae are reviewed. The palaeoeeological and palaeogeographical data concerning Gondvanoaphis new genus are also discussed.
文摘This article presents the sexual perception of young Lebanese students. We hypothesized that, in Lebanon and the Arab countries, premarital sex is forbidden by most cultures because of conservative societies and backgrounds. Sexuality lives as a “myth” in these conservative societies. We examined the influence of demographics and genders among a group of 706 Lebanese university students, from public and private universities, as well as the fluctuation of sexual beliefs and practices, based on their gender, demographics and social pressure. The method used was a questionnaire collected form n = 706 students, 446 females and 260 males. The female population of our sample is 62.9% of the total volunteers while the male population is 36.7%. They come from different religions (Christian, Muslim, Druze and Other), between May 2015 and December 2015. Quantitative significant results: 1) A non-conformity with the social and demographic pressure and an openness of the new generations. Similarly, it shows more permissiveness in flirting. Even though, parts of the negative answers were significantly linked to understanding the rules of prohibited sex (NO 32.4% for belief and NO 34.5% for practice);2) the reality of Lebanese youth, their integrity in engaging in a relationship, and their true daily happening of social and peer pressure;3) An opening to a natural outlook of sexual life, (25.5%) with reluctance on dating (51.1%);4) An important significance is showed in the percentage between beliefs and practice: 18% in belief and 78.3% in practice (Q1) and 34.2% in belief and 60.8% in practice (Q2) emphasizing on the reality of sexual engagement within Lebanese youth;5) However, reluctance in engaging in sexual activity and attachment and fear to social sanctions toward premarital sex and agreeing on abstinence before marriage. Quantitative findings supported the lack of sexual education and the prevalence of religious and social norms. This article examines Young Lebanese adolescents do not always have the same views neither the same patterns of sexual behaviors between men and women. Education and awareness are the keys to a healthy sexual life. Specifically, it considers the way they receive their sexual education, the acceptance and refusal of differences between genders, beliefs and practices. It becomes a real challenge when it comes to early learning and education, openness, and real communication of sexual life, being a natural part of life, with honesty and transparency.
文摘Background: There is little knowledge about genotyping of cytochrome P450s in the Middle East, and there has not been any report on the genotype of CYP 2C9 allelic variants in Lebanese population. Aims and objectives: The purpose of the study was to determine and compare the frequencies of the cytochrome P450 CYP2C9 variants in the Lebanese population with the frequencies in other ethnic populations. Methods: CYP2C9 genotypes were determined in a total of 146 samples of unrelated, healthy Lebanese individuals residing in different areas in Lebanon. Following DNA extraction from buccal cells and polymerase chain reaction, genotyping was performed by Pyrosequencing method. CYP2C9 genotypes results were compared to other populations;i.e., Middle Easterns, Europeans, Asians, and African Americans. Results and discussion: The frequencies of the CYP2C29*2, CYP2C9*3, and CYP2C9*4 alleles were 11.305%, 11.645%, and 1.025% respectively. No CYP2C9*5 allele variants were found among the Lebanese study sample. Vol- unteers could be divided into three CYP2C9 genotype groups: subjects (76.71%) with no mutated alleles (CYP 2C9*1*1;homozygous extensive metabolizers, EM), 21.23% with one mutated allele (CYP 2C9*1*2, *1*3, *1*4, and *1*5;heterozygous intermediate metabolizers IM), and 2.06% with two mutated alleles, homozygous variants as poor metabolizers, PM). The comparative analysis using genotype groups of different populations showed differences among Leba- nese and other Caucasians. Conclusion: This is the first report from Lebanon on CYP2C9 variants;it highlights a higher frequency of CYP2C9 extensive metabolizers compared to other populations including Caucasians. The results serve as a database on CYP 2C9 polymorphisms and baseline clinical data for dosing and avoiding adverse drug reac- tions of drugs metabolised by CYP2C9 in Lebanese patients.
文摘ON August 18, at the invitation of the All-China Women’s Federation, a four-person delegation from the Lebanese Council of Women, headed by its president, Dr. Aman Kabbara Charani, kicked off a one-week visit to Beijing. During a morning meeting, Wang Shuxian, Vice-President and Member of the Secretariat of the ACWF, greeted the Lebanese guests on behalf of the ACWF. Wang gave the guests a short description of the history of the ACWF and the work they have done in the past 45 years. She discussed Chinese women’s achievements in the political,
文摘A hemipteran nymph of the sternorrhynchan lineage, placed in the family Protopsyllidiidae is the first found in the fossil record, based on an inclusion in amber from the Lower Cretaceous of Hammana / Mdeyrij, Abeih Formation, Central Lebanon. Based on distinctive features such as a median dorsal elevation and the presence of a large, conical, exposed, setiferous anal tube, the fossil is placed in Talaya batraba gen. et sp. nov. and the newly erected taxon is compared to known nymphs of extinct Protopsyllidiidae. The evolutionary traits of the family and its relatives are considered.
文摘Discourses are politically-oriented realities that explain their selective and instrumental nature.That means discourses are mostly(re)produced by the political actors,and they conform to the changing agendas of these actors.The trajectory of the resistance discourse,which reflects Hezbollah’s ideological(religious)approach,seems to confirm this generalisation owing to its noticeable association with Hezbollah’s political motivations over time.This allegedly revisionist discourse has two intertwined dimensions:One dimension regards Hezbollah’s position towards internal affairs,while the other concerns its external orientation.Hezbollah often claimed to champion the revisionist camp in these two realms,albeit its pro-status quo policies unfolded during the Syrian civil war and the recent Lebanese protests.These two events further manifested the positioned nature of the resistance discourse.In this context,this article will attempt to illustrate the political nature of the resistance discourse by disputing its long-held revisionist claims.To empirically support our argument,the status-quo-based factors behind the regular practice of the resistance discourse during the Syrian civil war and the Lebanese protests will be deeply investigated.
