Neuropeptides in the insect brain: a review

Thirty-seven plants are listed, which are used by traditional healers in the central and southern parts of Somalia. For each species are listed: the botanical name with synonyms, collection number, vernacular name, medicinal use, preparation of remedy and dosage. Results of a literature survey are also reported including medicinal use, substances isolated and pharmacological effects. Three plants which should have been included in Part I of the series have been added and some corrections to that paper have been made. With these additions the series comprises 180 different plant species, distributed in 59 plant families.     

Inventory of plants used in traditional medicine in Somalia. II. Plants of the families Combretaceae to Labiatae

Fifty-nine plants are listed, which are used by traditional healers in the central and southern parts of Somalia. For each species are listed: the botanical name with synonyms, collection number, vernacular name, medicinal use, preparation of remedy and dosage. Results of a literature survey are also reported including medicinal use, substances isolated and pharmacological effects.     

Optimization of competitor poly(dI-dC).poly(dI-dC) levels is advised in DNA-protein interaction studies involving enriched nuclear proteins

Procedures used for investigating DNA-protein interactions, such as the electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) or DNasel footprinting, require that exogenous nucleic acids (or synthetic equivalents) be added to the reaction mixture to prevent or reduce the nonspecific interaction of nuclear proteins with the labeled probe of choice, especially when proteins are obtained from crude nuclear extracts. One of the most potent, and likely the most widely used, non-specific competitor is the synthetic polymer poly(dI-dC).poly(dI-dC). Its addition to the reaction mixture prior to crude nuclear proteins has unquestionably proven very efficient in reducing nonspecific interactions by facilitating detection of the complexes of interest. However, in certain instances, the use of crude extracts alone does not provide adequate answers and the need to further enrich such extracts becomes absolutely necessary. In this study, we provide evidence that amounts of poly(dI-dC).poly(dI-dC) well below those currently described in the literature substantially impair, or even totally prevent, the detection of specific DNA-protein complexes in EMSA when enriched, gel-fractionated or commercially purified nuclear proteins are used, therefore indicating the need to precisely optimize the amount of such a competitor in DNA-protein interaction studies.     

Preparation of plant extracts for antitumor screening

Random collections of plants have been screened by the National Cancer Institute's screening program for almost two decades. The WARF Institute, Inc. (Madison, Wis) has been preparing most of the crude plant extracts for antitumor screening for the past 14 years. This paper describes our present method of extraction for preparation of crude plant extracts for screening and presents a history of past procedures used for the extraction of plant materials. Wherever possible, screening statistics have been included for plants which have been extracted by the various procedures.     

Mental health nurses working purposefully with people with serious and enduring mental illness--an international perspective

There has been a world-wide refocus on people with serious and enduring mental health problems. This has provided major challenges for all those involved in mental health care, as the last two decades have produced radical changes in service delivery and a range of new interventions. Mental health nurses are playing a central role as community based clinical case managers and are beginning to use a range of psychosocial interventions. They are also revitalizing skills in the more traditional areas of medication management and residential care. In addition, there are growing problems of substance abuse and violence which needs to be addressed. Mental health nursing is responding in this new era by various training initiatives. However, these programmes need rapid expansion as mental health nurses will continue to play a key role in the services of the future and therefore need these new skills.     

Medicinal applications of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and marijuana

The use of crude marijuana for herbal medicinal applications is now being widely discussed in both the medical and lay literature. Ballot initiatives in California and Arizona have recently made crude marijuana accessible to patients under certain circumstances. As medicinal applications of pure forms of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and crude marijuana are being considered, the most promising uses of any form of THC are to counteract the nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy and to stimulate appetite. We evaluated the relevant research published between 1975 and 1996 on the medical applications, physical complications, and legal precedents for the use of pure THC or crude marijuana. Our review focused on the medical use of THC derivatives for nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy, glaucoma, stimulation of appetite, and spinal cord spasticity. Despite the toxicity of THC delivered in any form, evidence supports the selective use of pure THC preparations to treat nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy and to stimulate appetite. The evidence does not support the reclassification of crude marijuana as a prescribable medicine.     

The evidence for the management of endometriosis

For the Matsigenka of the Peruvian Amazon, health and well-being in daily life depend upon harmonious relationships within the social group and with the spirit world. Psychoactive plants play a crucial role in curing disrupted social relationships while giving humans access to the otherwise remote, parallel world of spirits. Different species and cultivars of psychoactive plants, as well as varying admixtures and doses, are used to obtain different intensities and qualities of psychoactive experience, depending upon the individual's goals. Strongly psychoactive plants are used by shamans to travel to the realm of spirits. A number of mild to strongly psychoactive plants are used by male hunters to purify their souls and improve their aim. Mildly psychoactive plants are used to improve women's concentration for spinning and weaving cotton, to control negative emotions such as grief and anger, to manipulate the content of dreams, and to pacify sick or frightened children. A majority of such remedies come from the botanical families of Rubiaceae, Solanaceae and Cyperaceae, known sources of psychoactive compounds. Interdisciplinary research into the culture, botany and pharmacology of psychoactive plants in indigenous medical systems contributes to a better understanding of the role of psychological states in human health and well-being.     

Analysis of the DNA content in Bowen''s disease

Marketing of medicinal plants and phytotherapeutic products is spreading all over the world. In order to assess the commercialization of medicinal plants and phytotherapeutic products in the State of Minas Gerais, we identified and tested for the presence of adulterants and active ingredients in 27 samples of chamomile. All the samples consisted of Matricaria recutita flowers, but they were badly fragmented, a result of excessive handling and poor preservation. All samples contained contaminants, and insects were observed in 63% of the samples sold in drugstores. Only 50% of the samples in each group had the essential oils needed to produce antiinflammatory activity. Flavonoids and other phenolic constituents with a spasmolytic effect were detected in only 20% of the samples from each group. Results with chamomile indicated the poor quality with which medicinal plants and phytotherapeutic products are marketed and confirm the need for surveillance of such products in Brazil.     

Herb use and necrodegenerative hepatitis

Twelve patients with herbally-induced hepatitis are described and the clinicopathological features of their illness, which seem to present a recognisable spectrum, are discussed. The nature and the severity of the histological changes seem to correlate with the clinical manifestations and the immediate prognosis. Laboratory tests, especially liver function studies, are of limited diagnostic and prognostic value. The plants which contain the responsible toxins, have been identified in this country and in other parts of Southern Africa. A short list is provided of, apparently, the commonest medicinal plants in Lesotho. Many more toxic plants, however, are used in food and in diverse traditional medications. Senecio species are the principal source of hepatotoxic alkoloids, especially pyrrolizidines. Experimental studies ann evidence of similar disorders in animals, have thrown some light on the pathogenic mechanisms of these hepatotoxic and possibly hepatocarcinogenic agents. The disease in humans probably results from a combination of factors.     

Pediatric ureteral ureteral outlet obstruction and obstructive megaureter: observation or operation?

Thirty-nine extracts of 13 plants used traditionally as medicinal by the Ese'ejas were studied in order to determine their cytotoxic effect in the brine shrimp. Infusions showed no toxicity. Those plants that tested positive for methanolic and dichloromethane extracts were assayed for DNA-binding activity. Cytotoxicity was not due to the presence of compounds that interact with DNA. Antimicrobial activity of plants used to treat infectious diseases was also performed for the decoctions. These proved to be active against some of the test microrganisms used in the assay.     

Autotransfused shed mediastinal blood has normal erythrocyte survival

The anticoagulant action of Anisakis simplex larvae on human blood in vitro was examined. Anticoagulant activity was assessed by routine screening tests that evaluate the overall competency of the coagulant mechanism. A slight prolongation of the prothrombin time (PT) was observed with the larval crude extracts. Prolongation of the PT was seen at a concentration of excretory/secretory (ES) products greater than 62.5 micrograms/ml. No prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) was observed using crude extracts. There was a prolongation of the PTT with ES products at concentrations greater than 62.5 micrograms/ml. ES products of the larvae were able to prolong coagulation times indicating that they contain an inhibitory or anticoagulant property. Preparation of crude extracts of A. simplex showed only minimal anticoagulant activity. The results obtained by measurements of the PT and the PTT suggest a probable alteration of one of the coagulation proteins namely factors Xa, IIa or Va. These findings suggest that the anticoagulant activity demonstrated in the ES products may play an important role during invasion of the gastric or intestinal mucosa by larvae and could have biological significance in infected patients.     

Insulin as a vascular and sympathoexcitatory hormone: implications for blood pressure regulation, insulin sensitivity, and cardiovascular morbidity

The past several years have witnessed a major surge of interest in the cardiovascular actions of insulin. This interest has stemmed on the one hand from epidemiological studies that demonstrated an association between obesity, insulin resistance, and hypertension, leading to the so-called insulin hypothesis of hypertension. On the other hand, this interest has been stimulated by experimental evidence suggesting that the vascular actions of insulin may play a role in its main action, namely the promotion of glucose uptake in skeletal muscle tissue. Two tenets have emerged about how insulin may exert its cardiovascular actions. First, it is now firmly established that acute insulin administration stimulates sympathetic nerve activity in both animals and humans. Second, there is increasing evidence that insulin stimulates muscle blood flow, an effect that appears to be mediated at least in part by an endothelium-dependent mechanism. This review summarizes the current understanding and gaps in knowledge on cardiovascular actions of insulin in humans and pathophysiological consequences of derangements of such actions.     

Bcl-2 inhibits cell death of serum-free mouse embryo cells caused by epidermal growth factor deprivation

China has accumulated a rich body of empirical knowledge of the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of various diseases throughout its long history. Chemical studies on Chinese medicinal plants provide a valuable material base for the discovery and development of new drugs of natural origin. In this article recent chemical work on various Chinese medicinal plants is reviewed, including Mussaenda pubescens (Rubiaceae), Isatis indigotica (Cruciferae), Euphorbia fischeriana, and E. ebracteolata (Euphorbiaceae), and Stemona species (Stemonaceae). The structural diversity of the medicinal chemical constituents of the above plants is discussed.     

Intellectual support in the structuring of batch within an arc furnace

A structure is proposed for the automated system used in batch preparation for arc furnaces at steel plants. Structural and set-theory analysis of such automated systems is employed. The introduction of the new automated control system eliminates the deficiencies of the traditional technology. The new system is universal and ergodic, with formalization of the decision-making process.     

Medicinal plants in Mexico: healers' consensus and cultural importance

Medicinal plants are an important element of indigenous medical systems in Mexico. These resources are usually regarded as part of a culture's traditional knowledge. This study examines the use of medicinal plants in four indigenous groups of Mexican Indians, Maya, Nahua, Zapotec and - for comparative purposes - Mixe. With the first three the methodology was similar, making a direct comparison of the results possible. In these studies, the relative importance of a medicinal plant within a culture is documented using a quantitative method. For the analysis the uses were grouped into 9-10 categories of indigenous uses. This report compares these data and uses the concept of informant consensus originally developed by Trotter and Logan for analysis. This indicates how homogenous the ethnobotanical information is. Generally the factor is high for gastrointestinal illnesses and for culture bound syndromes. While the species used by the 3 indigenous groups vary, the data indicate that there exist well-defined criteria specific for each culture which lead to the selection of a plant as a medicine. A large number of species are used for gastrointestinal illnesses by two or more of the indigenous groups. At least in this case, the multiple transfer of species and their uses within Mexico seems to be an important reason for the widespread use of a species. Medicinal plants in other categories (e.g. skin diseases) are usually known only in one culture and seem to be part of its traditional knowledge.     

Dopamine D3 receptor gene polymorphism and the psychiatric symptoms seen in first-break schizophrenic patients

Cycads, the most primitive of the living gymnosperms, have been used and continue to be used for food and medicinal purposes by many cultures, although toxins must be removed before ingestion. In our quest to identify tropical plants that contain inhibitors of the cytochrome P-450 aromatase and thus may be efficacious in treating estrogen-dependent tumors, we have screened extracts from 5 species of cycad folia encompassing 3 genera: Cycas cairnsiana F. Muell., Cycas revoluta Thunb., Cycas rumphii Miq., Dioon spinulosum Dyer and Encephalartos ferox Bertol. All extracts were found to contain inhibitors of the human enzyme.     

Environmental exposure, social class, and cancer risk

Exposure to a variety of environmental factors associated with cancer occurrence varies by social class. These factors include air pollutants (SO2, NO2, total suspended particulates, etc.), toxic waste hazards, and ionizing and other radiation. Heavy environmental pollution has been associated with an increased risk of some cancers and in particular lung cancer. There is limited evidence suggesting that individuals from lower social classes are exposed to higher levels of environmental pollutants than are individuals from higher social classes. This may be due to the placement of new sources of pollution or of toxic processes in disadvantaged areas, or to the selective migration of the poorer sectors of society to these areas. The available data do not allow any conclusion on the possible contribution of exposure to environmental pollution to social class differences in cancer occurrence. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, principally from sunlight, is modified strongly by personal behaviours such as choice of recreation and use of protective clothing. Those in outdoor occupations are likely to receive the highest cumulative exposure to UV radiation. There is no clear evidence from recent survey research in Australia and North America that socioeconomic factors are strongly related to non-occupational exposure to UV radiation. Information is lacking on the influence of socioeconomic status on sun exposure in other parts of the world. There is little information on the social distribution of exposure to ionizing radiation.     

Le dessin, mieux comprendre pour mieux intervenir.

Because drawing leaves a trace, it can be examined more readily than symbolic play or language. Thus the novice painter can examine and improve upon the drawing. This constant process between gesture and revision helps children to understand better both themselves and the world. By looking at children's drawings, one can start to understand not only how children construct their knowledge of the world but also how they deal with the resulting emotions. This paper has two purposes: to serve as a guide through this journey into the symbolic realm and to provide insights into the means of helping any child mediate such journeys. The paper presents a discussion of the creative tools children use to construct personalized visions of the world and interventions which enhance children's interest for this way of meaning. Examples draw for practice are used to illustrate mediation strategies that helped guide children through painful situations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recent advances on rare earths in solid lithium ion conductors

Solid lithium-ion-conducting material is the key component in the fabrication of next-gene ration all solid state lithium ion batteries(LIBs) which would exhibit superior safety and performance compared with the currently widely used ones that resort to essentially inflammable and volatile organic solvents.To date,great efforts have been made in developing solid conductors with high lithium ion conductivity,such as polymers and inorganic materials.Rare earths play a very important role in this area and have attracted extensive interest since the recent decades for their unique properties in the realm of solidstate inorganic lithium-ion-conducting electrolyte materials.In this introduction,we focus on the role of rare earths in solid conductors for lithium ion,especially in a few most studied systems such as perovskites,garnets,silicates,borohydride and the recently reported halides in which rare earths act as a key framing component.Besides,the effect of rare earths as dopants is also discussed in some recently studied systems.Valence,coordination,and size are the most important factors that influence the crystal structure and property of these lithium ion conductors.The aim of this review is to highlight the great potentials of these unique elements of rare earths,and to help improve the performance of existing materials and explore new applications in the development of new LIBs with high performances.     

How to study the pharmacology of medicinal plants in underdeveloped countries

This paper presents a reflection based on 15 years' experience of studies on the pharmacology of medicinal plants in an underdeveloped country, Brazil. In these countries the investment in research is small and frequently interrupted. There is no new-medicines development program. Brazilian pharmaceutical companies have been short-sighted and have not developed new drugs. Although the diversity of the Brazilian flora is a remarkable opportunity for the development of new medicine products, natural product research is limited to a small group. These difficulties are common to all underdeveloped countries. Strategies for the pharmacological study of medicinal plants are proposed, the main difficulties are identified and a discussion of possible ways to overcome them is presented.