The impact of environmental degradation on well-being is largely ignored in terms of economic costs of development. Due in large part to measurement difficulties, the environment in the daily welfare of the world's poorest remains inadequately accounted for in development policies. The aim of this work is, therefore, to advance our understanding of the relationship between the environment and human health. Anthropogenic activities in Central Asia have severely disrupted the natural environment. The poorest, most vulnerable members of society are at an increased risk of mortality and a life-time of illness associated with worsening ecological conditions in the region. The work is by nature inter-disciplinary and pulls from many social sciences in an attempt to provide new insight into the role of long term environmental degradation and the impact on social welfare. There are three main original contributions of this work. Firstly, the research demonstrates the traditional emphasis in the literature on socioeconomic factors in explaining high rates of child mortality in Central Asia is inadequate. Secondly, for the first time in an international cross-section examining the determinants of child survival, the macro-level environment is put forth as a key determinant of excess child mortality in Central Asia. An improved measure of income is used for the first time in such a study to control for important distributional effects within and between countries. The results confirm the hypothesis that traditional determinants do not account for endemically high rates of mortality in the region. Secondly, using administrative (oblast) data from Uzbekistan, Chapter 6 presents the first study of its kind to incorporate important geographic as well as socioeconomic information in explaining variation in infant mortality due likely to ecological degradation. Ultimately, the findings demonstrate the environment must be adequately considered in all policy making aimed at improving health outcomes in the region.

Thesis. (M. Tech (Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Science))--Vaal University of Technology, 2011. / Bottled water like any drinking water used for human consumption should be safe and wholesome to ensure adequate public health protection. This is due to potential health effects of concern such as endocrine disruption, toxicity teratogenicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. Despite the number of regulatory bodies, publications on bottled water and speculations on its public health significance, many questions remain to be answered. One of the questions is whether the shelf life of bottled water is a cause for concern. The aim of the study was to determine the shelf-life of various commercial bottled waters by monitoring the variation in microbiological, chemical and aesthetic qualities of bottled water. A total of five commercial bottled water brands (A, B, C, D, E) each containing bottles from the same batch consisting of spring water, mineral water and bottled tap water were purchased directly after being bottled from different distributors around Gauteng in South Africa. All samples were stored at room temperature with artificial lighting and controlled temperature for a year thus mimicking typical conditions in retail outlets, supermarkets and in homes. Analyses were conducted over a period of 12 months, at monthly intervals. Within days of being purchased, high Heterotrophic plate counts (HPC) bacteria exceeding drinking water alert level >5 000 cfu/ml was common in four bottled water brands. Growth succession occurred during the period of study as various algal species were growing and accumulating on all bottled water tested. Total coliforms (TC), faecal coliforms (FC) and E.coli were not detected in all the bottled water tested. Yeasts and moulds were also not detected in all the bottled water. There were insignificant variations during the period of study for turbidity, pH, TDS, conductivity, and colour. These did not indicate any potential impact on aesthetic quality of bottled water. Two bottled water brands had hardness measures as low as 11mg/ℓ as CaCO3 making the water too soft which has an effect on taste. Radioactive substances, trihalomethanes, heavy metals, pesticides and other chemical contaminants were not found at levels that can be detrimental to human health.

Enterobacter sakazakii é um bacilo Gram-negativo, pertencente à família Enterobacterieceae. Este microrganismo vem ganhando a atenção das autoridades de saúde pública ao redor do mundo, não tanto pela morbidade, que é baixa, mas pela elevada taxa de mortalidade que varia de 40-80%. O patógeno afeta principalmente recém-nascidos de baixo peso e bebês com até seis meses de idade. Em comum, estas crianças têm o fato de serem alimentadas com fórmula infantil desidratada, a base de leite. Em nosso país ainda não existem muitos estudos sobre a ocorrência deste patógeno em fórmulas infantis, nem no ambiente de preparo das mesmas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as condições de produção de mamadeiras para recém-nascidos em maternidades da Grande São Paulo, além de determinar a população de E. sakazakii em fórmulas infantis desidratadas e reidratadas. A população de Enterobacteriaceae e a presença de E. sakazakii também foram avaliadas em amostras ambientais, de utensílios e mão de manipuladores. Avaliou se ainda o comportamento do patógeno em fórmula infantil reidratada simulando as condições de oferecimento aos bebês. Coletou-se amostras de três hospitais maternidades diferentes (A-escola/B-público/C-particular) e analisou-se a presença de E. sakazakii usando método ISO. Para fórmulas desidratadas e reidratadas usou-se a mesma metodologia e a técnica de número mais provável (NMP). A população de Enterobacteriaceae foi determinada usando-se PetrifilmTM 3M. E. sakazakii foi detectada em duas amostras do Hospital A (na sobra da mamadeira que voltou do berçário e de uma amostra da lata lacrada da fórmula infantil desidratada. A população nesta amostra foi de 0,03 NMP/100g.) No Hospital B, foi detectada em apenas uma amostra (na esponja de lavagem das mamadeiras contaminadas). No Hospital C, E. sakazakii não foi detectada nas amostras analisadas. Quanto à população de Enterobacteriaceae nos lactários, observou-se uma variação, sendo que as amostras colhidas no hospital C foram as que apresentaram populações mais elevadas. As cepas de E. sakazakii isoladas apresentaram comportamento similar àquele da cepa padrão, ocorrendo um aumento de 2 log na população do patógeno quando simulou-se as condições de serviço das fórmulas, via naso-gástrica, aos bebês nos berçários. / Enterobacter sakazakii is a bacillus belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. It is considered an opportunistic pathogen that has been gaining attention from health authorities all over the world. While morbidity associated with this bacterium is low, mortality rates can range from 40-80%. The pathogen affects mainly low-birth-weight neonates (first 28 days), but babies less than 6 month old are also at risk. Powdered infant formula has been incriminated as the possible source of the microorganism to the infected babies. ln Brazil, as in several other countries, there is scarce information regarding the incidence of E. sakazakii in powdered infant formula, in reconstituted formula, and in milk kitchens areas in hospitals. The objective of this study was to evaluated the presence of E. sakazakii in the environment, utensils, handlers, powdered and rehydrated infant formula from milk kitchens from different maternity wards in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Moreover, it was evaluated the behavior of the pathogen in rehydrated infant formula. Samples were collected from 3 hospitals maternities (A-school/B-public/C-particular) and analyzed for E. sakazakii using the ISO method. For formula (powdered or rehydrated) the MPN technique was used. Enterobacteriaceae population was determined using PetrifilmTM 3M. E. sakazakii was found in one unopened formula can collected from Hospital A (0,03 MPN/100g), although the pathogen could not be detected in other cans from the same lot. E. sakazakii was also found in leftovers from one nursing bottle from the same hospital and from one cleaning sponge from Hospital B. E. sakazakii was not detected in none of the samples from Hospital C. A variation in Enterobacteriaceae population in milk kitchens was observed. Samples collected in Hospital C presented the highest population. Isolated strains of E. sakazakii presented similar behavior to standard strains, When spiked in rehidrated infant formula. A 2 log increase in the population of the pathogen was observed when simulating the conditions of formula administration to the babies by naso-gastric tubing.

How we share our good news with people can have a significant effect on our lives. Sharing good news on social media sites involves a process called capitalization. Capitalization has been shown to increase well-being when others provide appropriate responses in face-to-face interactions. To see if this effect on well-being extends to our online presence, this study utilized the social media site Facebook to observe if capitalization predicted well-being and relationship satisfaction. This study used data collected from 137 participants recruited from an undergraduate participant pool and from Amazon Mechanical Turk. Consistent with hypotheses, participants who reported receiving active and constructive responses after sharing a positive event on Facebook also reported greater personal well-being and relationship satisfaction. Although future experimental research is needed to establish causality, the current results suggest that the ways in which friends respond to social media posts are associated with personal and relationship well-being. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Consumer Science: Food and Nutrition in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology 2012 / The chronic diseases of lifestyle, tuberculosis and Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome have a high prevalence in South Africa. These diseases are characterised by oxidative stress and a chronic inflammatory state that contribute to both the development and the acceleration of these diseases. Research into the phytochemical plant food components suggest that these substances could possibly play a vital role in the prevention of such disease. Corn steep liquor (CSL) is a waste product with an exceptionally high polyphenol content and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). This led to the suggestion that it could be utilised in the development of food products with functional food characteristics. Stock cubes, due to the widespread use among consumers of different socio-economic backgrounds, were identified as vehicle for the delivery of the CSL with its phytochemical content. This lead to the development of a stock cube utilising CSL as a source of phytochemical polyphenolic antioxidants with the micronutrients zinc, selenium and copper as added support to immunonutrition, along with iron due to the wide spread prevalence of iron deficiency in the South African population. The acceptability of the developed stock cube was tested by preparing savoury rice and pea soup and having blue collar (n = 50) and white collar (n = 49) participants rate the acceptability on a 9-point hedonic scale, ranging from “dislike extremely” to “like extremely”. The savoury rice received a 41% “like very much” rating followed by a 24% “like moderately” rating. The pea soup was rated even more positively as it received a 42% “like very much” rating and a 29% “like extremely” rating. In addition, among the blue collar participants, significant (p < 0.05 for each) findings occurred with a greater liking of the sample dishes prepared with the developed stock cube by participants of the ethnic Black grouping, with Xhosa as home language and being married, as well as those participants who habitually prepare the meals in the household. A significant (p < 0.05) finding with the white collar participants was a greater liking of the sample dishes prepared with the developed stock cube among those participants who would be willing to make use of a stock cube with health benefits. The developed stock cube was also subjected to six months accelerated shelf-life stability testing, reflecting twelve months real time storage. The parameters measured were microbial growth, oxidative rancidity, antioxidant status and organoleptic changes. All microbial growths tested remained within the acceptable specification ranges. Oxidative rancidity, measured as the peroxide value, was detected analytically at the fifth and sixth samplings, but was not detectable organoleptically. The antioxidant status, measured as the TAC and the total polyphenol content, remained relatively stable during the testing period. Though no noticeable organoleptic changes were observed during the stability testing, there was a darkening of the colour by the second sampling. The results of the acceptance testing, as well as the shelf-life stability testing, support the conclusions that the study objectives of developing a stock cube with functional food characteristics and it being received positively by consumers were achieved. Keywords: stock cubes; corn steep liquor; phytochemicals; consumer acceptance; new product development

Thesis (MTech (Environmental Health))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019. / Background: A recent review on the effects of ambient air pollution on human health in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically calls for an urgent need for more epidemiological studies in developing countries due to a lack of data in these countries. Air pollution information on exposure is important for understanding and addressing its public health impact in developing countries. In many African countries, the spatial distribution of air pollutants has not been quantified even though air pollution is a global public health risk. The main goal of the study was to quantify and compare the seasonal spatial variation of household air pollution in the 4 Western Cape neighbourhoods. Methods: Weekly indoor and outdoor measurements of Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Ozone (O3), Carbon monoxide (CO) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were conducted at 127 households in four informal settlement areas (Khayelitsha, Marconi-Beam, Masiphumulele and Oudtshoorn) during one month each in summer and winter. PM2.5 measurements were conducted using Mesa Labs GK2.05 (KTL) cyclone with the GilAir Plus Air Sampling Pump, Gases were measured using Passam passive samplers. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata V12. Simple linear regression was used to evaluate the relationship between continuous exposure levels and the respective predictor variables. These include distance to major roads, bus routes, open grills and waste burning sites. Results: The highest average weekly outdoor PM2.5 and NO2 concentrations for summer were recorded in Milnerton (8.76 µg/m3 and 16.32 µg/m3 respectively). However, the highest average concentrations during winter for PM2.5 were recorded in Oudtshoorn (PM2.5: 16.07 µg/m3), whilst the highest NO2, was recorded in Khayelitsha (NO2: 35.69 µg/m3). SO2 levels were consistently low during both seasons. Noordhoek generally recorded the lowest average levels for all pollutants. Winter average weekly concentrations were generally higher than the levels recorded in summer for all pollutants. In a sub-sample of indoor and outdoor measurements, the results were comparable for PM2.5, NO2 and CO. However, the results of Ozone (O3) showed relatively higher (~10 times) outdoor compared to indoor levels. Linear regression modelling results revealed that significant predictors of elevated exposure to PM2.5 were proximity to construction activities and open grills. Analysis demonstrated a clear dose-response relationship with distance, with open grills within 1000m associated with a 0.33 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 to 6.77 µg/m3 at a distance of 25 meters. Results from the linear regression modelling revealed that significant predictors of exposure to NO2 were proximity to rapid transport bus stops, bus routes, taxi routes and major routes. Distance to rapid transport bus stops demonstrated an increase in NO2 between 0.09 µg/m3 (at 1km) to 2.16 µg/m3 (at 50m) during summer. A similar pattern was observed for taxi routes and bus routes displaying an increase of 6.26 μg/m3and 6.82 μg/m3 respectively within the proximity of 1000 meters. / MAUERBERGER Foundation Scholarship

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2018-06-13T12:25:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Gustavo Xavier Bassetto.pdf: 901809 bytes, checksum: b0bc7b95dec06efccf5f5e47baa49f09 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-06-13T12:25:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gustavo Xavier Bassetto.pdf: 901809 bytes, checksum: b0bc7b95dec06efccf5f5e47baa49f09 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-04-04 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This paper analyzes the historical evolution of health and elderly standards, the influence of international events on Brazilian norms, the recognition of the right to health as a fundamental right, the Brazilian health system from the Federal Constitution of 1988, norms the protection of the elderly and their health. The effectiveness of norms for the protection of the rights of the elderly can be determined by indicators from the political matrix and its objectives / Este trabalho analisa a evolução histórica das normas de saúde e do idoso, as influências frente aos acontecimentos internacionais nas normas brasileiras, o reconhecimento do direito à saúde como um direito fundamental, o sistema de saúde brasileiro a partir da Constituição Federal de 1988, as normas de proteção à pessoa idosa e à sua saúde. A efetividade das normas de proteção dos direitos da pessoa idosa pode ser apurada por indicadores a partir das matrizes políticas e de seus objetivos

Submitted by Filipe dos Santos (fsantos@pucsp.br) on 2018-08-08T11:31:32Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Sonia Maria da Silva Balão.pdf: 990062 bytes, checksum: d661de8299c0d3453ea314d82c5dbbd6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T11:31:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sonia Maria da Silva Balão.pdf: 990062 bytes, checksum: d661de8299c0d3453ea314d82c5dbbd6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-06-20 / Nowadays, a great number of young people present themselves in clinic with complaints of a lonely and isolated personal life, with an affective-social withdrawal and impoverishment, sadness, hopelessness, anguish, internal guilt, helplessness, lack of will to live, cranky, self agressive and self-multilation behaviors. These factors, beyond worrying, point to pathology and to complex emotional difficulties. Another common feature of these young patients is to dedicate a lot of time to the virtual world instead of real life. On the social network, they have a group of lots of friends and dedicate a lot of their time with unknown people. This clear dissociation between the cloistered real life and the active virtual life demands questioning the social network role and think its excessive use as a way of psychological defense. Therefore, through the case study of a 16 years old young woman (when she begins the analysis), this research project proposes to understand this dissociation and its possible relation of the phenomenon to some psychopathology, specially depression, covering the contradictory way of the young people to have a depressive, apathetic and isolated existence in real life and manifest themselves vitally, interactively and intensely in social networks. The theorical basis of this investigation is the Winnicott’s Theory of Personal Maturity and the focus was on the articulation between the clinical case and the theory through the theoretical-methodological research and the research-listening. Reports from the patience, written by the psychologist during her three first years of psychological treatment and WhatsApp and Facebook messages given by the patience were all the valid corpus for this investigation. By avoiding contact with the loneliness that her illness aroused, the patient presented herself to treatment incapacitated to be alone and think about herself. Because of the lack of limits, she made use of the virtual world and isolated herself from shared reality. With psychic action from the analytic process, she started to stay connected to the cyber world while she needs, returning to the real world whenever she feels strengthened. Therefore, based on the analysis of the results of this clinical case, the use of communication in social networks by young depressive people is based on a paradox: the defense of the maniac type by the performance of the false self, to avoid depressive psychopathology, and, at the same time, the attempt to be cured by the new possibilities when the patient can experience the false self in consigning thru it the emersion of the true self / Atualmente, muitos jovens apresentam-se em consultório com queixas de uma vida pessoal solitária e isolada, com retraimento e empobrecimento afetivo-social, tristeza, desesperança, angústia, culpabilidade interna, desamparo, falta de vontade de viver e comportamentos irritadiços, autoagressivos e de automutilação, fatores esses que, além de preocupantes, apontam para uma possível patologia e para dificuldades emocionais complexas. Outra característica comum a esses jovens pacientes é dedicarem muito tempo ao mundo virtual em detrimento do real. Nas redes sociais, têm um grande grupo de amigos virtuais e dedicam muito tempo à interação com desconhecidos. Essa clara dissociação entre a vida real enclausurada e a vida virtual ativa impõe questionar o papel das redes sociais como uma forma de defesa psicológica. Frente a isso, a partir do estudo do caso clínico de uma jovem que, no início da análise, tinha 16 anos, esta pesquisa propõe compreender essa dissociação e a possível relação do fenômeno com alguma psicopatologia, em especial a depressão, abrangendo o modo contraditório dos jovens de ter um existir depressivo, apático e isolado na vida real e de se manifestarem de maneira vitalizada, interativa e intensa nas redes sociais. O fundamento teórico deste estudo é a Teoria do Amadurecimento Pessoal de Winnicott e o enfoque principal foi a articulação do caso clínico com a teoria por meio da pesquisa teórico-metodológica (pesquisa-investigação) e da pesquisa-escuta. Relatos da paciente anotados pela psicóloga em seus três primeiros anos de tratamento e mensagens de WhatsApp e de Facebook fornecidas pela paciente constituíram o corpus de base da pesquisa. Ao evitar contato com a solidão que seu adoecimento despertava, a paciente apresentou-se para tratamento incapaz de se manter sozinha e refletir sobre si mesma e, por não encontrar limites, fez uso patológico do mundo virtual, afastando-se da realidade compartilhada. Com a evolução psíquica a partir do processo analítico, ela passou a se conectar ao mundo cibernético dentro de sua necessidade, retornando ao mundo real sempre que se sentia fortalecida. Desse modo, a partir da análise desse caso clínico, chegou-se ao resultado de que o uso da comunicação nas redes sociais pelos jovens depressivos baseia-se num paradoxo: a defesa maníaca pela atuação do falso self, a fim de evitar o sofrimento da psicopatologia depressiva, e, ao mesmo tempo, a tentativa de cura por meio de novas experiências que o paciente pode vivenciar quando o falso self cede e consente a emersão do self verdadeiro

Leung, Yu Tim. / Thesis submitted in: November 2006. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-128). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Thesis Committee --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.ii / Abstract --- p.iii / 摘要 --- p.iv / Table of Contents --- p.v / List of Tables --- p.ix / List of Figures --- p.x / Abbreviations --- p.xiii / Chapter 1. --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Flower herbal teas --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- R. rugosa --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- The phytochemistry of R. rugosa --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Secondary metabolites --- p.4 / Chapter 1.4 --- Classification of secondary metabolites --- p.6 / Chapter 1.5 --- Phenolic compounds --- p.6 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Phenylpropanoid compounds --- p.6 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- Lignins --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Coumarins --- p.7 / Chapter 1.5.4 --- Stilbenes --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5.5 --- Tannins --- p.8 / Chapter 1.5.6 --- Flavonoids --- p.9 / Chapter 1.6 --- Oxidative Stress --- p.13 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Diseases related to ROS --- p.13 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Significant chemical or biochemical conversion of ROS --- p.14 / Chapter 1.6.3 --- Sources of ROS --- p.15 / Chapter 1.7 --- Natural dietary antioxidants --- p.15 / Chapter 1.7.1 --- Vitamin C --- p.15 / Chapter 1.7.2 --- Vitamin E --- p.16 / Chapter 1.7.3 --- Carotenoids --- p.16 / Chapter 1.7.4 --- Phenolic compounds --- p.16 / Chapter 1.8 --- Cancinogenesis --- p.17 / Chapter 1.9 --- Cell cycle --- p.18 / Chapter 1.9.1 --- Cell cycle of eukaryotic cells --- p.18 / Chapter 1.9.2 --- Checkpoints of cell cycle --- p.18 / Chapter 1.10 --- Cancer cell lines --- p.19 / Chapter 1.11 --- The growth phases of cancer cell lines --- p.20 / Chapter 1.12 --- Antiproliferative effects of phenolic compounds --- p.21 / Chapter 1.13 --- Genotoxicity of phenolic compounds --- p.22 / Chapter 1.14 --- Objectives --- p.23 / Chapter 2. --- Methods and Materials / Chapter 2.1 --- Extraction of active substances --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2 --- Determination of antioxidant activities TEAC assay --- p.40 / Chapter 2.3 --- Determination of hydroxy 1 radical scavenging activity by the deoxyribose assay --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4 --- Determination of phenolic contents by Folin´ؤCiocalteu assay --- p.43 / Chapter 2.5 --- Determination of total flavonoid by aluminum chloride colorimetric method --- p.43 / Chapter 2.6 --- Determination of oxidative DNA damage by comet assay --- p.44 / Chapter 2.7 --- Cell lines propagation --- p.49 / Chapter 2.8 --- Determination of antiproliferative activities by MTT assay (colorimetric) --- p.50 / Chapter 2.9 --- Determination of antiproliferative activities by BrdU labeling assay --- p.52 / Chapter 2.10 --- Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry --- p.55 / Chapter 2.11 --- Determination of genotoxicity by SOS chromotest --- p.57 / Chapter 3. --- Results / Chapter 3.1 --- Dermination of antioxidant activities by TEAC assay --- p.59 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Trolox Standard Reference --- p.59 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- TEAC of the seven flower extracts --- p.59 / Chapter 3.2 --- Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity by deoxyribose assay --- p.60 / Chapter 3.3 --- Determination of phenolic contents by Folin´ؤCiocalteu assay --- p.60 / Chapter 3.4 --- Determination of total flavonoids by colorimetirc aluminium chloride assay --- p.61 / Chapter 3.5 --- "The Inter-correlation between the antioxidant activities, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of flower extraction powders" --- p.61 / Chapter 3.6 --- Determination of oxidative DNA damage by comet assay --- p.62 / Chapter 3.7 --- Determination of antiproliferative activities by MTT assay --- p.63 / Chapter 3.7.1 --- Antiporoliferative activities on HepG2 --- p.63 / Chapter 3.7.2 --- Antiproliferative activities on MCF7 --- p.63 / Chapter 3.7.3 --- IC50 of R. rugosa extract on both HepG2 and MCF7 --- p.64 / Chapter 3.8 --- "The Inter-correlation between antioxidant activities, total phenolic contents, flavonoid contents, and the antiproliferative activities of flower extraction Powders" --- p.64 / Chapter 3.9 --- Determination of DNA synthesis by BrdU labeling analysis --- p.65 / Chapter 3.10 --- Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry --- p.65 / Chapter 3.11 --- Determination of genotoxicity by SOS chromotest --- p.66 / Chapter 4. --- Discussions / Chapter 4.1 --- Extraction method --- p.90 / Chapter 4.2 --- Comparison of TEAC of the dry flowers with other foods --- p.90 / Chapter 4.3 --- Correlation between ABTS+ and hydroxyl scavenging ability of flower extraction powder --- p.91 / Chapter 4.4 --- Comparison of phenolic contents of the fry flowers with other foods --- p.92 / Chapter 4.5 --- Correlation between total phenolic contents and flavonoid contents of flower Eextraction powders --- p.92 / Chapter 4.6 --- "Correlation between total phenolic, flavonoid content and antioxidant activities of flower extraction powders" --- p.93 / Chapter 4.7 --- Factors affecting the antioxidant power besides total phenolic contents --- p.94 / Chapter 4.8 --- Synergistic effect of phenolic compounds --- p.94 / Chapter 4.9 --- Toxicity of drinking flower herbal tea --- p.95 / Chapter 4.10 --- Recommended dose of flower herbal teas --- p.96 / Chapter 4.11 --- Antiproliferative activities of flower extracts by MTT assay --- p.97 / Chapter 4.12 --- Antiproliferation activities of flower extraction Powders by Brdu labeling assay --- p.98 / Chapter 4.13 --- Protective effects of flower extraction powder on oxidative DNA damage determined by comet assay --- p.99 / Chapter 4.14 --- Cell cycle analysis --- p.100 / Chapter 4.15 --- Further Studies --- p.101 / Chapter 5. --- Conclusion --- p.102 / Chapter 6. --- References --- p.103

背景: 近代不少西方的實證心理治療方法都開始採納東方源來已久的身心治療，來醫治常見的情緒病，例如：抑鬱症，效果最為顯著。這個發展趨勢正好回應現存醫療制度及資源的限制，或其他社會文化及個人所造成的障礙。本研究旨在檢視一種促進身心健康的中國禪宗身心治療方法 － 以「德建身心療法」對比於 「認知行為治療法」及「等候對照組」，在治療一羣抑鬱症患者的抑鬱情緒、腦功能的改善及其身体健康等的療效。 / 研究方法: 在一個精神科門診部內，研究員召集了75 名成人的抑鬱症患者。他們都是有不同程度的抑鬱情緒或身體健康問題，同時有興趣參加為期十節的「德建身心療法」或「認知行為治療法」。 在對照基本資料後 (如年齡、學歷、抑鬱程度，初患或復發) ，他們被隨機分派到「德建身心療法」、「認知行為治療法」或「等候對照組」中。治療前及治療後，抑鬱症患者都會接受情緒、腦功能、健康狀況及腦電波的評估。 / 結果: 整體而言，相對於「等候對照組」，「德建身心療法」及「認知行為治療」更有效地減低患者的抑鬱症狀。此外，「德建身心療法」更帶來一些其他組別所末見的療效；包括有效地提昇患者的專注力、記憶、執行功能、腸道功能及睡眠質素。再者、研究亦發現「德建身心療法」的參加者，在有關正面情緒和專注力的兩個客觀量化腦電波(QEEG)指數上有顯著的攀升。意外地，在短短的十星期後「德建身心療法」參加者使用抗抑鬱药的份量亦有效地減少。 / 總結: 本研究的結果顯示中國的禪宗身心治療方法 －「德建身心療法」在治療抑鬱症患者的情緒捆纏、腦功能失衡、睡眠及腸道功能、提升正面情緒及專注力的量化腦電波指數都有明顯的功效。 / BACKGROUND: There are growing interests and encouraging findings of adapting and developing Mind-Body Intervention into evidence-based group treatment for common mental disorders such as depression. The advancement is a partial response to the limitations on the availability and accessibility of the existing treatment in the current health care system for depression, and/or a partial response to the socio-cultural and personal reasons in different communities. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed Chinese Chan-based treatment the Dejian Mind-Body Intervention (DMBI), as compared to the groups of Cognitive-behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Wait-list control, in alleviating depressive mood and improving physical health of adult depressive patients. / METHOD: Seventy-five patients with the diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder were recruited in the current study. They were stratified for age, education, level of depression, course of illness before random assignment to receive either 10-session DMBI or CBT, or placed on a wait-list. Pre-post measurements included primary outcome measures on psychiatrists’ rating and self-evaluated mood scores (HRSD and BDI) and secondary outcome measures on performance in different neuropsychological assessment (Executive function, Attention, Memory). The three groups also compared among different sleep (SOL, TST, and WASO), gastrointestinal parameters as well as neurophysiological QEEG indices. / RESULTS: Both the DMBI and CBT groups demonstrated significant reduction in depressive psychopathology after intervention. However, the DMBI group but not the CBT or Wait-list control groups demonstrated significant improvement in attention, verbal memory, executive function, gastrointestinal health and overall sleep quality. Besides, Dejian Mind-Body Intervention brought about significant increase in objective QEEG measures of positive affect and attention that were not evidenced in the other two groups. Participants in the DMBI group also demonstrated significant reduction in the use of anti-depressant after the end of 10-week treatment. / CONCLUSIONS: Findings of the current study suggested that a Chinese Chan-based Dejian mind-body intervention has positive effects on improving the mood and health conditions of individuals with depression. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Wong, Yun Ping. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-109). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese; some appendixes also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.iii / CHINESE ABSTRACT --- p.v / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.vii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.ix / LIST OF TABLES --- p.x / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xii / LIST OF APPENDICES --- p.xiii / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xii / Chapter CHAPTER I: --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / PURPOSES OF THE PRESENT STUDY --- p.26 / Chapter CHAPTER II: --- METHODS --- p.29 / Chapter CHAPTER III: --- RESULTS --- p.47 / Chapter CHAPTER IV: --- DISCUSSION --- p.68 / GENERAL DISCUSSION --- p.70 / CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS --- p.76 / LIMITATION AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE DIRECTION --- p.77 / REFERENCES --- p.79 / TABLES --- p.110 / FIGURES --- p.124 / APPENDICES --- p.128