University of London

About: University of London is a education organization based out in London, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Public health. The organization has 44838 authors who have published 88086 publications receiving 4002499 citations. The organization is also known as: London University & Lond..

Free radicals and antioxidants: a personal view.

Abstract: Free radicals and other oxygen-derived species are constantly generated in vivo, both by “accidents of chemistry” and for specific metabolic purposes. The reactivity of different free radicals varies, but some can cause severe damage to biological molecules, especially to DNA, lipids, and proteins. Antioxidant defense systems scavenge and minimize the formation of oxygen-derived species, but they are not 100% effective. Hence, diet-derived antioxidants may be particularly important in diminishing cumulative oxidative damage and helping us to stay healthier for longer. Repair systems exist to deal with molecules that have been oxidatively damaged. Damage to DNA by hydroxyl radicals appears to occur in all aerobic cells, and might be a significant contributor to the age-dependent development of cancer. Lipid peroxidation probably contributes significantly to the development of atherosclerosis.

What Factors Are Associated With Recent Intimate Partner Violence? Findings From the WHO Multi-Country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence

Abstract: Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a global public health and human rights concern. Despite a growing body of research into risk factors for IPV, methodological differences limit the extent to which comparisons can be made between studies. We used data from ten countries included in the WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence to identify factors that are consistently associated with abuse across sites, in order to inform the design of IPV prevention programs. Standardised population-based household surveys were done between 2000 and 2003. One woman aged 15-49 years was randomly selected from each sampled household. Those who had ever had a male partner were asked about their experiences of physically and sexually violent acts. We performed multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors of physical and/or sexual partner violence within the past 12 months. Despite wide variations in the prevalence of IPV, many factors affected IPV risk similarly across sites. Secondary education, high SES, and formal marriage offered protection, while alcohol abuse, cohabitation, young age, attitudes supportive of wife beating, having outside sexual partners, experiencing childhood abuse, growing up with domestic violence, and experiencing or perpetrating other forms of violence in adulthood, increased the risk of IPV. The strength of the association was greatest when both the woman and her partner had the risk factor. IPV prevention programs should increase focus on transforming gender norms and attitudes, addressing childhood abuse, and reducing harmful drinking. Development initiatives to improve access to education for girls and boys may also have an important role in violence prevention.