Effects of Sex Communication with Friends and Sexual Double Standard on Contraceptive Self-efficacy among University Students

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of sex communication with friends and sexual double standard on contraceptive self-efficacy among university students. METHODS: With a survey design, data were collected from 251 university students from three universities in G city from September 2016 to October 2016. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Sex communication with friends, sexual double standard, and contraceptive self-efficacy scores of participants were 58.82±8.78, 21.73±6.00, and 44.20±5.91, respectively. Sex communication with friends and sexual double standard were related to contraceptive self-efficacy. Sexual double standard, sex communication with friends, female, contraceptive education, and contraceptive experience explained 33% of contraceptive self-efficacy of participants. CONCLUSION: Sexual double standard and sex communication with friends were influencing factors of contraceptive self-efficacy. To improve contraceptive self-efficacy of university students, a program is needed to eliminate sexual double standard and improve sex communication with friends among university students in Korea

Effect of Guizhifulingwan (Keishibukuryogan) on climacteric syndrome: study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial

SPIRIT 2013 checklist. (DOCX 51 kb

Panax ginseng Modulates Cytokines in Bone Marrow Toxicity and Myelopoiesis: Ginsenoside Rg1 Partially Supports Myelopoiesis

In this study, we have demonstrated that Korean Panax ginseng (KG) significantly enhances myelopoiesis in vitro and reconstitutes bone marrow after 5-flurouracil-induced (5FU) myelosuppression in mice. KG promoted total white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil and platelet counts and improved body weight, spleen weight, and thymus weight. The number of CFU-GM in bone marrow cells of mice and serum levels of IL-3 and GM-CSF were significantly improved after KG treatment. KG induced significant c-Kit, SCF and IL-1 mRNA expression in spleen. Moreover, treatment with KG led to marked improvements in 5FU-induced histopathological changes in bone marrow and spleen, and partial suppression of thymus damage. The levels of IL-3 and GM-CSF in cultured bone marrow cells after 24 h stimulation with KG were considerably increased. The mechanism underlying promotion of myelopoiesis by KG was assessed by monitoring gene expression at two time-points of 4 and 8 h. Treatment with Rg1 (0.5, 1 and 1.5 µmol) specifically enhanced c-Kit, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression in cultured bone marrow cells. Our results collectively suggest that the anti-myelotoxicity activity and promotion of myelopoiesis by KG are mediated through cytokines. Moreover, the ginsenoside, Rg1, supports the role of KG in myelopoiesis to some extent

Angiogenic Type I Collagen Extracellular Matrix Integrated with Recombinant Bacteriophages Displaying Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors

Here, a growth-factor-integrated natural extracellular matrix of type I collagen is presented that induces angiogenesis. The developed matrix adapts type I collagen nanofibers integrated with synthetic colloidal particles of recombinant bacteriophages that display vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The integration is achieved during or after gelation of the type I collagen and the matrix enables spatial delivery of VEGF into a desired region. Endothelial cells that contact the VEGF are found to invade into the matrix to form tube-like structures both in vitro and in vivo, proving the angiogenic potential of the matrix. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Effects of KG on Haematologic parameters in 5FU treated mice.

<p>Before and after 24 h of 5FU injection and KG treatment, about 60–100 µl of retro orbital sinus blood was collected using heparin coated capillary tube at different days (0, 3, 5 7 10 and 14) and haematological parameters such as (A) white blood cells (WBC), (B) neutrophils, (C) lymphocytes (absolute number) and (D) platelets were measured. Data were expressed as means ± SD (<i>n</i> = 8). ^*<i>P</i><0.05 ^**<i>P</i><0.01, normal Vs. 5FU and KG Vs. 5FU.</p

Effects of KG on Haematologic parameters and body weight changes in 5FU treated mice.

<p>Before and after 24 h of 5FU injection and KG treatment, about 60–100 µl of retro orbital sinus blood was collected using heparin coated capillary tube at different days (0, 3, 5 7 10 and 14) parameters such as (A) hemoglobin, (B) red blood cells (RBC), (C) hematocrit and (D) body weight were measured. Data were expressed as means ± SD (<i>n</i> = 8). ^*<i>P</i><0.05 ^**<i>P</i><0.01, normal Vs. 5FU and KG Vs. 5FU.</p

Primers used for semi-quantitative PCR.

<p>Primers used for semi-quantitative PCR.</p

Primers used for quantitative RT-PCR.

<p>Primers used for quantitative RT-PCR.</p

Effects of KG on genes IL-12, MCP1, TGF-β, IFN-γ and TNF-α in bone marrow cells.

<p>Bone marrow cells treated with KG (0.2, 2 20 and 200 µg/ml) for 4 and 8 h (n = 3). Total RNA was isolated from bone marrow cells using RNAase mini kit and analyzed by semi quantitative PCR using mouse specific primers. The intensities of the bands (F) were determined with the use of the ratios to β actin (normalized) and expressed as percentage (A–E).</p

Effects of KG on 5FU induced changes IL-3, GM-CSF and CFU-GM.

<p>Serum separated from blood collected from abdominal aorta of mice was subjected to cytokine analysis using Elisa kit (A). Bone marrow cells isolated from mice were grown in MethoCult methylcellulose-based complete medium in a 5% CO2 incubator for 14 d (B). Isolated bone marrow cells cultured in 6 well plated treated with KG (0.2, 2, 20 200 µg/ml) for 24 h and conditioned media was subjected to cytokine (pg/ml) analysis using commercial kit method (C &D). Data were expressed as means ± SD. ^*<i>P</i><0.05 ^**<i>P</i><0.01 compared with normal, a – normal Vs. 5FU, b – KG Vs. 5FU.</p