Pharmacological effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) on cerebral infarction

Danshen, the dried root of Salvia miltiorrhiza, is a Chinese medicine used to promote blood flow and treat vascular disease. The present article reviews the pharmacological effects of Danshen on cerebral infarction and possible interactions between Danshen and Western drugs. Danshen may reduce or prolong the development of atherosclerosis and may have anti-hypertensive and anti-platelet aggregation effects, which prevent cerebral infarction. Danshen may enhance endogenous anti-oxidative enzyme activities such as the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and may scavenge oxygen free radicals. Prevention and treatment of cerebral infarction by Danshen involves multiple pathways, including anti-atherosclerosis, anti-hypertension, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects

Preferences of LGBT Tourists Traveling to Smaller Cities

The global lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) population accounts for about 450 million people, with $3.7 trillion spending power per year2. With the rise of the “pink economy,” LGBT tourism destinations and suppliers have found ways to attract the LGBT tourist through increased target marketing, unique product offerings, and a welcoming environment. Most marketing campaigns targeting LGBT tourists have focused on acquiring LGBT tourists to larger cities with established LGBT communities. Thus, this study discusses the tourism preferences of LGBT tourists traveling to a smaller, regional city. LGBT consumers form their own unique subcultures, and consumption activities reflect their unique lifestyle and identity. These attributes are evident in the gay “servicescape,” which can be defined as physical spaces, such as restaurants, hotels, and events that LGBT consumers often seek while traveling. This report starts the discussion of how smaller cities can reap the economic and non-economic benefits of attracting the LGBT tourist. Data were collected using online-survey procedures in which 208 LGBT local (from the state of the study destination) and regional (from neighboring states) participated. A series of linear regressions analysis was used to examine the relationships between small city destination attributes and LGBT segment intentions to visit the study destination

Household environmental tobacco smoke and risks of asthma, wheeze and bronchitic symptoms among children in Taiwan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although studies show that maternal smoking during pregnancy increases the risks of respiratory outcomes in childhood, evidence concerning the effects of household environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure remains inconsistent.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We conducted a population-based study comprised of 5,019 seventh and eighth-grade children in 14 Taiwanese communities. Questionnaire responses by parents were used to ascertain children's exposure and disease status. Logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the effects of ETS exposures on the prevalence of asthma, wheeze, and bronchitic symptoms.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The lifetime prevalence of wheeze was 11.6% and physician-diagnosed asthma was 7.5% in our population. After adjustment for potential confounders, <it>in utero </it>exposure showed the strongest effect on all respiratory outcomes. Current household ETS exposure was significantly associated with increased prevalence of active asthma, ever wheeze, wheeze with nighttime awakening, and bronchitis. Maternal smoking was associated with the increased prevalence of a wide range of wheeze subcategories, serious asthma, and chronic cough, but paternal smoking had no significant effects. Although maternal smoking alone and paternal smoking alone were not independently associated with respiratory outcomes, joint exposure appeared to increase the effects. Furthermore, joint exposure to parental smoking showed a significant effect on early-onset asthma (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.00-4.02), but did not show a significant effect on late-onset asthma (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.36-3.87).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We concluded that prenatal and household ETS exposure had significant adverse effects on respiratory health in Taiwanese children.</p

The relationship between compensation committee quality and the voluntary adoption of clawback provisions

This paper examines how compensation committee quality is related to the voluntary adoption of clawback provisions. Because fair value information has some reliability issues, this paper further examines whether the amount of Level 3 fair values affect the relationship between compensation committee quality and the voluntary adoption of clawback provisions. Using a sample drawn from the U.S. firms from 2008 to 2015, the results show that the compensation committee quality is positively related to the voluntary adoption of clawback provisions. Additionally, the positive relationship between compensation committee quality and the voluntary adoption of clawback provisions is more pronounced for firms with higher Level 3 fair values

Discussion on the Influence of Community Planners on Building Resilient Communities Taking “Changji Corner” as an example

Since 1999, the ‘Community Planner System’ in Taipei has mainly used community awareness to intervene in communities and to strengthen and implement local autonomy and governance through the integration of community differences. Community awareness positively influences the construction of resilient communities, especially when a community encounters environmental distress or various disorderly phenomena. This case study focuses on community planners in Datong District stationed at ‘Changji Corner’ and the community members they serve. A quantitative study was conducted using a structural questionnaire. The purposes of the study were (1) to understand the relationship among community awareness, involvement and autonomy and (2) to determine whether community autonomy is affected by community planners. All hypotheses were accepted: community identity and participation improve community autonomy, and local community planners significantly and positively impact community identity, involvement and autonomy. However, some values indicate that the public’s awareness of community planners is weak, which in turn affects willingness to participate in community activities. The unclear positions and ambiguous duties of community planners can affect the construction of resilient communities