Decomposing the links between oil price shocks and macroeconomic indicators: Evidence from SAARC region

This study examines the impact of oil price shocks on key macroeconomic variables (i.e., real GDP, interest rate, inflation and exchange rate) for five SAARC countries (i.e., India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bhutan). For this purpose, we adopt contemporary macroeconomic policy modeling tool called impulse response function (IRF) and forecast error variance decomposition method (FEVDM) in the structural vector autorepression (SVAR) setting using time series data over the extended period from 1982 to 2014. In addition, Johansen and Juselius (1990) cointegration method is applied for long-run relationship. The results of cointegration test confirms the long-run equilibrium relationship between all the underlying variables. However, the empirical findings of IRF explained significant variation among all underlying macroeconomic variables in response to exogenous oil price shocks at different time horizons. It means the macroeconomic factors are sensitive to even small oil price shocks and possess various socio-economic implications in the region. The results of FEVDM evidence that each country in a study group responds differently to oil price shocks, it corresponds their independent policies, macroeconomic fundamentals, sector constructions and heterogeneity across the countries. The findings help governments to reform public policies in the region by controlling macroeconomic fluctuations due to oil price shocks

HOW DO VITAMIN AND PLANT SEEDS WORK AS HYPOLIPIDEMIC AGENTS ?

Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases are leading cause of death in western and eastern countries of the world. Hyperlipidemia is one of the strong risk fractions for heart diseases. Purpose of current study was to estimate Kalonji and vitamin B-3 affects on LDL-cholesterol. Methods: To evaluate hypolipidemic drugs efficacy, the study was conducted at National hospital, Lahore Pakistan from January 2016 to August 2016. Ninety hyperlipidemic patients were selected from cardiology and medical wards of the hospital. They were divided in three groups, one at placebo therapy, another on Kalonji and third one on Vitamin B3. Results:  After one and half month, significant changes (p value ranging from <0.05 to <0.001) were observed in their LDL and HDL-cholesterol. Conclusion of the study was to recommend use of herbal medicine and vitamin B3 for prevention of any heart diseases with good patient compliance. Conclusion:  Study concludes that Kalonji and vitamin B-3 affects LDL-cholesterol potently and these hypolipidemic agents increase HDL-cholesterol moderately. Peer Review History: Received 1 December 2017; Revised 25 December; Accepted 28 December, Available online 15 January 2018 Academic Editor: Ahmad Najib, Universitas Muslim Indonesia,  Indonesia, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:        Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 4.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Hebatalla Ibrahim Ahmed Abdel Hameed, Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, [email protected] Ahmed Tagelsir Mohamed Ali, National University, Sudan, [email protected] Similar Articles: USE OF DIOSGENIN, YAMOGENIN, TIGOGENIN AND NEOTIGOGENIN FOR TREATMENT OF HYPERLIPIDEMIA BY INHIBITING CHOLESTEROL ABSORPTION IN GI

JOB STRESS AND JOB SATISFACTION AMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

Background: Health care professionals comprise an important group of individuals who are affected by emotional states and stress because of their unique work environment. The employee’s stress level and satisfaction with his/her job are primary factors that influence the quality of work and individual productivity. Objective: To measure the prevalence of job stress and job satisfaction among healthcare professionals and to identify their predictors. Research Design: A multi-center cross-sectional survey. Subjects: Physicians, residents, nurses, and radiologists. Measures: Job stress and satisfaction were measured using 25 specific questions about sources of work-related stress and 17 questions about sources of workrelated satisfaction. Results: A total of 626 (54%) participants completed the survey. The sample was comprised of 19.5% Saudi nationals, and the remainder, foreign workers of a wide range of nationalities. The overall prevalence of job stress and job satisfaction was 66.2% and 97.0%, respectively. The use of a multivariate logistic regression model identified statistically significant independent predictors of stress (e.g., working on weekends, feeling under pressure to meet deadlines, being of Saudi nationality, and being exposed to a stressful event outside of work within a year. Conclusion:The overall prevalence of job stress is moderately higher than reported in other published studies, yet there was a very high rate of job satisfaction; one that was much higher than reported in other studies. We recommend that future research focus on methods of stress reduction and investigate the impact of high stress on staff performance

JOB STRESS AND JOB SATISFACTION AMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

Background: Health care professionals comprise an important group of individuals who are affected by emotional states and stress because of their unique work environment. The employee’s stress level and satisfaction with his/her job are primary factors that influence the quality of work and individual productivity. Objective: To measure the prevalence of job stress and job satisfaction among healthcare professionals and to identify their predictors. Research Design: A multi-center cross-sectional survey. Subjects: Physicians, residents, nurses, and radiologists. Measures: Job stress and satisfaction were measured using 25 specific questions about sources of work-related stress and 17 questions about sources of workrelated satisfaction. Results: A total of 626 (54%) participants completed the survey. The sample was comprised of 19.5% Saudi nationals, and the remainder, foreign workers of a wide range of nationalities. The overall prevalence of job stress and job satisfaction was 66.2% and 97.0%, respectively. The use of a multivariate logistic regression model identified statistically significant independent predictors of stress (e.g., working on weekends, feeling under pressure to meet deadlines, being of Saudi nationality, and being exposed to a stressful event outside of work within a year. Conclusion:The overall prevalence of job stress is moderately higher than reported in other published studies, yet there was a very high rate of job satisfaction; one that was much higher than reported in other studies. We recommend that future research focus on methods of stress reduction and investigate the impact of high stress on staff performance

SINGLE BLIND PLACEBO-BASED STUDY ON PREVENTION OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE (CAD) BY INJEER AND ISPAGHULA

Introduction: Injeer and Ispaghula are frequently/successfully used for treatment of both primary and secondary Hyperlipidemia. Major cardiac diseases are directly or indirectly linked with high levels of lipids in systemic circulation.  Various medicinal herbs can normalize lipid profile of patients suffering from primary or secondary hyperlipidemia with or without metabolic syndrome. Place of research work: It was conducted at Jinnah hospital Lahore-Pakistan from January to May 2016. One hundred hyperlipidemic patients were enrolled for the research work. Type of research study: This research work was single blind placebo-controlled. Criteria for inclusion and exclusion: Primary or secondary hyperlipidemic patients of both gender, age range from 20 to 65 years were included in research. Patients suffering from any major organ disease like renal, hepatic, pulmonary diseases and already on drugs for major cardiac disease were excluded from the study. Grouping of participants: Patients were divided in four groups, 25 patients in each group. Group-I was on Injeer, Group-II was on Ispaghula, Group-III was on combination of these two herbal medicines, and Group-IV was considered as control group. Determination of TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C: Base line lipid profile was measured in Pathology Laboratory of JINNAH HOSPITAL. Result compilation and biostatistical analysis: After three months therapy, their lipid profile was determined and mean values with ±SEM were compared before and after treatment. When analyzed statistically and compared with placebo effects, all patients’ LDL-cholesterol was reduced significantly. HDL-cholesterol was increased in all groups of patient. Conclusion: Final conclusion of research work was that at specific concentration and period of ingestion of herbs like psyllium husk, and figs can reduce risk of hyperlipidemia leading to development of cardiac diseases, especially coronary artery disease

COMPARISION OF ANTIDYSLIPIEMIC POTENTIAL OF 80 MILLIGRAMS OF FENOFIBRATED WITH 8 GRAMS OF NIGELLA SATIVA SEEDS DAILY

Objectives: High lipid levels in blood circulation may interact with free radicals, formed in consequence of normal metabolic processes in human body. This interaction is one of the etiological factors for development of coronary artery disease (CAD). Just to keep normal plasma lipid levels may reduce risk for CAD. To compare hypolipidemic potential of herb Nigella sativa with allopathy-related hypolipidemic agent Fenofibrate, we conducted this research. Methods: It was single blind placebo-controlled study conducted at Ghurki trust teaching hospital, Lahore from February 2017 to July 2017. 75 diagnosed secondary hyperlipidemic patients were selected with age range from 20 to 70 years. Twenty five patients of group-A were advised to take two grams of Kalonji, twice daily. All participants were advised to take these medicines for eight weeks. Serum LDL-cholesterol was calculated by Friedwald formula1 (LDL-Cholesterol= Total Cholesterol-(Triglycerides/5+HDL-Cholesterol). Data were expressed as the mean ± SD and “t” test was applied to determine statistical significance as the difference. Results:  A probability value of <0.05 was considered as non-significant and P<0.001 was considered as highly significant change in the results when pre and post-treatment values were compared. Fenofibrate decreased TC, TG, and LDL-cholesterol highly significantly with p-value <0.001, while increase in HDL-cholesterol was significant with p-value <0.01. Conclusion:  It was concluded from this study that hypolipidemic potential of herbal medication Nigella sativa is comparably same as hypolipidemic potential of allopathy related drug Fenofibrate when given in large amount (i.e.; 4 grams daily) for specific time.        Peer Review History: Received 8 December 2017; Revised 10 January; Accepted 12 January, Available online 15 January 2018 Academic Editor: Dr. Amany Mohamed Alboghdadly, Princess Nourah bint abdulrahman university, Riyadh, [email protected] Received file:        Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 4.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dr. Hebatalla Ibrahim Ahmed Abdel Hameed, Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Pharmacy (Girls), Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, [email protected] Dr.  Masoomeh S Ghahfarokhi, University of Benin, Nigeria, [email protected] Similar Articles: GC-MS ANALYSIS OF FIXED OILS OF NIGELLA SATIVA SEEDS WOUND DRESSINGS UPLOADED WITH MYRTLE BERRIES EXTRACT AND NIGELLA SATIVA HONEY  This article has been cited by: Recent developments in orally disintegrating mini tablets. Sachin Sarashetti, Vikas Jain, Gowda D V, Pooja Mallya, Satish Babu. International journal of research in pharmaceutical sciences 2020, 11(3), 3606-3612. Pubme

NEW SLANT ON HYPERLIPIDEMIA: PREVENTION BY VITAMIN B-3 AND COMMON FRUIT ZIZIPHUS JUJUBA

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is complication of primary or secondary hyperlipidemia. Etiological factors for hyperlipidemia include inherited genetic defects in low density lipoproteins (LDLs), persons accustomed to sit for prolong time, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. This research work’s aim was to compare hypolipidemic features of an allopathic agent vitamin B-3 and another medicinal plant Z. Jujuba. Study was conducted from January 2016 to June 2016 at Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. 60 male and female hyperlipidemic patients age range from 20 to 70 years were selected from the hospital. Written and explained consent was taken from all patients. They were divided in two groups. Group-I was advised to take two grams vitamin B-3 in divided doses for the period of two months. Group-II was advised to take 500 grams of fruit Z. Jujuba daily for 60 days per their convenience. Their initial LDL and HDL cholesterol was determined by Friedwald’s formula. After 60 days therapy, their post treatment lipid profile was measured and mean values with ± SD were analyzed biostatistically by using SPSS version 2; 2010. Group-I which was on vitamin B-3 their LDL cholesterol decreased significantly and HDL cholesterol was increased significantly. In group-II patients LDL cholesterol was decreased significantly but HDL increase was not significant with p-value of >0.05. It was concluded from the research study that vitamin B-3 is potent hypolipidemic agent as compared to medicinal plant Z. Jujuba

USE OF DIOSGENIN, YAMOGENIN, TIGOGENIN AND NEOTIGOGENIN FOR TREATMENT OF HYPERLIPIDEMIA BY INHIBITING CHOLESTEROL ABSORPTION IN GIT

Objective: High plasma lipids interact with free radicals in human body leading to develop coronary artery disease.  We in this study have compared hypolipidemic effects of Fenugreek, Curcuma Longa, and lemon. Methods: Study was conducted at Jinnah Hospital Lahore-Pakistan from January 2018 to May 2018. Ninety hyperlipidemic patients of age group 19 to 70 were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were diabetic, alcoholic additives, hypertensive patients and those whose kidney or liver functions were impaired. Consent was taken from all participants. Their base line lipid profile was taken in biochemistry laboratory of the hospital. They were divided in three groups i.e. 30 patients in each group. Group-I was advised to take 500 mg of Curcuma Longa (haldi) mixed in fresh milk without cream, thrice daily for two months. Group-II patients were advised to take 100 grams of Fenugreek leaves mixed with salad in each meal (thrice daily) for the period of two months. Group-III patients were advised to take 40 ml of fresh lemon juice mixed with 40 ml mineral water thrice daily for two months. They all were advised not to take heavy meal rich with any type of fat like junk food etc. One hour daily brisk walk was advised to all participants. 15 days follow up visit was scheduled for them. After two months their lipid profile was re-determined. Results: When results were compiled and statistically analyzed by applying paired ‘t’ test, it revealed that Curcuma Longa decreased total cholesterol, TG, LDL cholesterol 16.10, 20.01, and 17.59 mg/dl respectively. Fenugreek decreased total cholesterol, TGs, and LDL cholesterol 14.70, 17.33, and 17.06 mg/dl respectively. Lemon in two months therapy decreased total cholesterol, TGs, and LDL cholesterol 15.45, 10.13, and 11.97 mg/dl respectively. None of the above mentioned herbs raised HDL cholesterol significantly. Conclusion: It was concluded from this research work that Curcuma Longa, Fenugreek leaves and Lemon are mild to moderately effective hypolipidemic herbs to lower total plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol but have no potential to raise HDL cholesterol when analyzed biostatistically.                  Peer Review History: Received 28 March 2019;   Revised 15 April; Accepted 28 April, Available online 15 May 2019 Academic Editor:  Dr. Iman Muhammad Higazy, National Research Center, Egypt, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency.  Received file:                Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.5/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Dina Abd Elfattah Eldakhs, Pharos university (PUA), Egypt,  [email protected]  Dr. George Zhu, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, [email protected] Similar Articles: ANTIDIABETIC AND ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF DRACAENA CINNABARI BALF. RESIN ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SOQATRA ISLAND IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS HOW DO VITAMIN AND PLANT SEEDS WORK AS HYPOLIPIDEMIC AGENTS

PLACEBO-CONTROLLED STUDY ON COMPARISON OF TWO HERBAL HYPOLIPIDEMIC AGENTS

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia, either primary or secondary causes atherogenetic abnormalities leading to coronary artery disease, cardiac arrest and arrhythmias. Herbal therapy for prevention or cure of Hyperlipidemia is replacing allopathic medicine due to their bioequivalence and good compliance features. This study was conducted to compare hypolipidemic effects of Garlic and Nigella sativa. Place of Study: Study was conducted at Jinnah Hospital Lahore from July 2013 to December 2013. Seventy five hyperlipidemic patients were enrolled after getting written consent which was approved by Ethics committee of the hospital. Grouping: They were divided in three equal groups comprising 25 patients in each group. Group-A was treated by Nigella Sativa, Group-B was advised to take Garlic 10 grams twice daily for two months. Group-C was on placebo. Results: After two months therapy it was observed by statistical analysis that Nigella sativa decreased total cholesterol 12.4 mg/dl, triglycerides 16.7 mg/dl, and LDL cholesterol 27.3 mg/dl. HDL rise was 5.2 mg/dl. Garlic decreased total cholesterol 17.9 mg/dl, triglycerides 19.9 mg/dl and LDL cholesterol 14.8 mg/dl. HDL cholesterol rise was 8.0 mg/dl. Conclusion: It was concluded from this study that there is little difference between hypolipidemic effects of two important and famous herbal medicines ie, Nigella sativa and Garlic