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The fruit of Lycium chinense Miller (Solanaceae) is used as a functional food and a medicinal herb for treating many specific health concerns. Weight gain induced by estrogen deficiency is a problem for post-menopausal women around the globe. The present study investigates the effects of aqueous extract of L. chinense (LC) on post-menopausal obesity. Female C57BL/6 mice were ovariectomized and fed on high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks to induce post-menopausal obesity. LC extract (1mg/kg and 10mg/kg) was orally administrated for 6 weeks with continuous HFD feeding. Ovarian adipose tissues and uterus were weighed. Serum triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and fasting glucose levels were analyzed. The expressions of adipocyte-specific factors and estrogen receptors (ERs) were investigated. Additionally, lipid accumulation was confirmed in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Increased body weight due to post-menopausal obesity was ameliorated about 14.7% and 17.76% by treatment of 1mg/kg and 10mg/kg LC, respectively. LC treatment reduced both of serum lipid and fasting blood glucose levels. Adipocyte hypertrophy and fatty liver were ameliorated in LC-treated groups. In LC-treated adipocyte cells, lipid accumulation was significantly inhibited. The expression of perilipin in adipose tissues was decreased by LC. In addition, expression of PPAR-$\gamma$ protein was down-regulated in adipose tissues and differentiated adipocytes, while GLUT4 expression was increased in adipose tissues by LC treatment. Moreover, LC treatment up-regulated the expressions of ER-$\alpha$/$\beta$ accompanied with increased uterine weight. These results showed the ameliorative effects of LC on overweight after menopause. Post-menopausal obesity may be improved by LC treatment.

The zoonotic illness brucellosis may spread between humans and animals in a variety of ways. The prevention and management of brucellosis depend heavily on the cleanliness of the areas around animals and the effective eradication of infection from animal housing. In our investigation, we tested a variety of disinfectants against Brucella melitensis to see how well they worked and whether they would work in various environmental settings. In addition to three different types of nano-disinfectants (Dettol with Silver-NPs, Glutaraldehyde with Silver-NPs, and Calcium oxide-NPs), our study included various conventional forms of disinfectants and antiseptics (Virkon$Ⓡ$ S, Cidex, Sodium hypochlorite, Betadine, and Dettol). For estimating the effectiveness of various types of applied disinfectants, reduction rate was employed. The findings indicated that the concentration and length of exposure time of the disinfectants employed, particularly Vircon S, had an impact on their ability to kill bacteria. However, the presence of filthy circumstances and low temperatures considerably reduced the effectiveness of disinfectants, particularly Dettol. On the other hand, nano-disinfectants, particularly glutaraldehyde containing silver nanoparticles, showed better effects than conventional ones. Our research indicated that disinfectants used in everyday life had an impact on Brucella melitensis. However, the presence of filthy environments and low temperatures reduced the bactericidal effectiveness. The impact of nano-disinfectants on Brucella was better.

Now growing at a rate of over 5% per annum, the $3 billion ‘alternative health therapies’ business is now positioned in the top ten growth industries in Australia. With poor regulation of both therapeutic goods and the unregistered therapists who promote them, cancer patients may well be putting their health at risk when they place their faith in many so-called ‘natural’ or ‘traditional’ treatments. With a focus on what complementary therapists refer to as ‘energy medicine’ and ‘nutritional medicine’, this chapter explores the risks and benefits of some of the more popular alternative health-care choices. While investigating their histories, it outlines what influences cancer patients to try these unproven therapies, and the conflict and contrast in information relating to the claims made for them and the conclusions of evidence-based research. Although there are a number of complementary therapies that are of benefit to some patients, both during and after their cancer treatments, ‘natural’ does not always equal ‘safe’, may be expensive and may even compromise their health. More patients now want a greater say in their choices of treatment, and selecting complementary therapies that may help is another of the many challenges faced in trying to make informed choices, as we navigate along our individual roads on our journeys to recovery.