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To analyse the determinants of part-time employment and examine the impact of having a disability on the probability of working part-time. Our dataset allows us to take into account the heterogeneity within the disabled collective and identify the incidence of part-time work, for example, by type of disability and compare the results obtained.Using data from the ad hoc module on disability of the Spanish Labour Force Survey 2002 (which contains detailed information on key characteristics of disabled population), we used a bivariate probit model to estimate the probability of disabled women working part-time and of being employed.The results show that disabled women have a higher probability of working part-time as compared to non-disabled women, especially those with progressive illnesses, digestive and stomach disorders and chest or breathing problems. In addition, there is a positive relationship between longer disability durations and levels of part-time employment.Part-time employment can be used as a means to increase the levels of employment of disabled women, especially for those who face important barriers and difficulties as they try to enter into the labour market (e.g., those with epilepsy, mental, emotional conditions and other progressive illnesses or having long-term disabilities).

The present study aimed to highlight the new or lesser known medicinal uses of plant bioresource along with validation of traditional knowledge that is widely used by the tribal communities to cure four common ailments in Lahaul-Spiti region of western Himalaya. The study area inhabited by Lahaulas and Bodhs (also called as Bhotias), is situated in the cold arid zone of the state of Himachal Pradesh (HP), India. During the ethnobotanical explorations (2002-2006), observations on the most common ailments like rheumatism, stomach problems, liver and sexual disorders among the natives of Lahaul-Spiti were recorded. Due to strong belief in traditional system of medicine, people still prefer to use herbal medicines prescribed by local healers. A total 58 plant species belonging to 45 genera and 24 families have been reported from the study area to cure these diseases. Maximum use of plants is reported to cure stomach disorders (29) followed by rheumatism (18), liver problems (15) and sexual ailments (9). Among plant parts used, leaves were found used in maximum herbal preparations (20) following flowers (12) and roots (11) respectively. Most of these formulations were prescribed in powder form, whereas juice and decoction forms were also used. Plants having more than one therapeutic use were represented with 24 species, however 34 species were reported to be used against single specific ailment. Validation of observations revealed 38 lesser known or new herbal preparations from 34 plant species, where 15 species were used to cure stomach disorders, 7 for rheumatism, 10 for liver disorders and 6 for sexual problems. Mode of preparation, administration and dosage are discussed along with the family and local names of plants and plant parts used.

Buzhong Yi Qi Wan (BYQW) is a combination of some medicinal herbs widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat blood, spleen and stomach disorders. Morphometric analysis and osmotic fragility assay have been used to evaluate changes on membrane integrity of red blood cells. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of an aqueous BYQW extract on the morphology and osmotic fragility of red blood cells. Blood samples were treated with BYQW extract, quantitative/qualitative morphological analysis and osmotic fragility assay were carried out against control groups treated with saline. The data obtained indicated no modification on morphology but osmotic fragility assay suggested a significant (p

Licorice,Glycyrrhizae radix, is one of the herbal medicines in East Asia that has been commonly used for treating various diseases, including stomach disorders. This study investigated the effect of licorice on arsenite (As)-induced cytotoxicity in H4IIE cells, a rat hepatocyte-derived cell line. Cell viability was significantly diminished in As-treated H4IIE cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, results from flow cytometric assay and DNA laddering in H4IIE cells showed that As treatment induced apoptotic cell death by activating caspase-3. Licorice (0.1 and 1.0 mg ml−1) treatment significantly inhibited cell death and the activity of caspase-3 in response to As exposure. These results demonstrate that licorice induced a cytoprotective effect against As-induced cell death by inhibition of caspase-3.

Antibiotic resistance in humans is a major concern. Drugs that target traditional sites and pathways are becoming obsolete; thus, compounds affecting novel targets are needed. Screening lichen metabolites for antimicrobials has yielded promising antimicrobial compounds, yet their mode of action is poorly understood. Letharia vulpina (L.) Hue (Parmeliaceae) has traditionally been used to poison predators, and treat stomach disorders; more recently L. vulpina extracts have demonstrated promising antimicrobial properties.This study investigates the mode of action of L. vulpina acetone extract against a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).We treated MRSA with L. vulpina extracts at 1×, 5×, and 10 × MIC values (MIC = 31.25 µg/ml) for 24 h and optical density (OD660) was measured over time to determine bacteriolytic activity; counted colony forming units (CFUs) to determine time kill dynamics; the propidium iodide (PI) assay and transmission electron microscopy were used to assess membrane-damage potential, and thin-layer chromatography was used to identify secondary compounds.Bacteriolytic assays showed that L. vulpina extracts, containing only vulpinic acid, do not cause cell lysis, even at 10 × MIC values but there was 92% reduction in bacterial CFUs when treated with increased concentrations of lichen extracts over 24 h at 4 h intervals. Our data indicate that the L. vulpina extract compromises membrane integrity of the MRSA isolate and disrupts cell division processes.Based on this study, detailed examination of acetone extracts of L. vulpina as well as pure extracts of vulpinic acid as potential antibacterial compounds merit further study.

Ethnopharmacological relevance The plants tested in this study were examples of plants historically used to treat or alleviate several types of stomach disorders manifested by e.g. stomachache, diarrhoea or dysentery. These plants have been consumed typically as a decoction, sometimes mixed with other flavourings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-Blastocystis activity of 24 plant parts from 21 medicinal plants from Ghana. Materials and methods The medicinal plants were collected in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. Every plant part was tested in three different extracts; an ethanolic, a warm, and a cold water extract, at a final concentration of 1 mg/mL for the initial screening, and in a range from 0.0156 to 1 mg/mL for determination of inhibitory concentrations. The obligate anaerobic parasitic gut protist Blastocystis (subtype 4) was used as a 48 h old subcultivated isolate in the final concentration of 106 cells/mL. Plant extracts inoculated with Blastocystis were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h and 48 h. Both MIC minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) assays and minimal lethal concentration (MLC) assays were performed after 24 h and 48 h. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was derived after 24 h and 48 h. Antimicrobial activity was tested against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria for all 24 plant parts at a final concentration of 1 mg/mL. Results Screening of the 24 different plant parts showed significant anti-Blastocystis activity of six of the ethanolic extracts: Mallotus oppositifolius, IC50, 24 h 27.8 µg/mL; Vemonia colorata, IC50, 24 h 117.9 µg/mL; Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, cortex IC50, 24 h 255.6 µg/mL; Clausena anisata, IC50, 24 h 314.0 µg/mL; Z. zanthoxyloides, radix IC50, 24 h 335.7 µg/mL and Eythrina senegalensis, IC50, 24 h 527.6 µg/mL. The reference anti-protozoal agent metronidazole (MTZ) had an IC50, 24 h of 7.6 µg/mL. Only C. anisata showed antimicrobial activity at a concentration of 800 µg/mL. Conclusion Six ethanolic plant extracts showed significant anti-parasitic activity against Blastocystis. M. oppositifolius showed nearly as good activity as the reference anti-protozoal drug MTZ. Historically, the active plants found in this study have been used against dysentery, diarrhoea or other stomach disorders. Nowadays they are not used specifically for dysentery, but they are being used as medicinal plants against various stomach disorders.

Bouveret Syndrome (BS) is a rare type of gallstone ileus in which a gallstone enters the intestinal tract via a cholecystoenteric fistula and is lodged in the duodenum or the stomach. It should be considered in any patient who presents with pneumobilia without recent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or biliary surgery. Morbidity and mortality rates have decreased in recent years, but still remain high, at 25%, and may be related to the advanced age of the typical patient and their resulting comorbidities, as well as to diagnostic delay. Endoscopy is preferred as the first therapeutic option, but is frequently unsuccessful, and surgery is often required. We present a case report of a patient with symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction, with interesting radiological findings and successful surgical treatment after failure of endoscopic techniques.

Anchomanes difformis (Blume) Engl. and Colocasia esculentus (L.) Schott. of the family Araceae are plants widely distributed in Africa. The leaves and roots of these plants are traditionally used to treat various disease conditions including dysentery, cough, kidney pains and stomach disorders. This study aimed at investigating the antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of methanol extracts of A. difformis leaves (ADL) and roots (ADR), and C. esculentus leaves (CEL). Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using micro-dilution methods against typed strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and clinical stains of Streptococcus pyogenes and Candida albicans. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were determined using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, total antioxidant capacity and total phenol content methods. The anti-inflammatory activity of ADL, ADR and CEL were evaluated using the carrageenan-induced foot pad oedema in 7-day old chicks. ADL, ADR and CEL demonstrated broad spectrum antimicrobial activity with MIC ranging from 12.5 to 50 mg/mL. All the extracts exhibited antioxidant activity with CEL demonstrating the highest with IC50 value of 146.9 μg/mL. The methanol extracts further demonstrated a significant anti-inflammatory (p < 0.001) at the concentrations tested with 30 and 300 mg/kg body weight each extract showing better activity than the 100 mg/kg body weight. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, phenols, tannins flavonoids, and triterpenoids in especially in ADR and CEL. The above findings may justify the medicinal uses of the plants.

Zanthoxylum armatumDC. (syn.Z. alatumRoxb.) is an important medicinal plant commonly called Timur or Indian prickly ash. The ethnopharmacological study ofZ. armatumrevealed the use of different plant parts for curing various ailments including cholera, chest infection, fever, indigestion, stomach disorders, gas problems, piles, toothache, gum problems, dyspepsia, as carminative, antipyretic, aromatic, tonic, and stomachic. Keeping in view the medicinal potential of the plant, the antioxidant activity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, reducing power, and phosphomolybdate assay using different concentrations (7.81 μg/mL–250 μg/mL). Ascorbic acid was taken as standard. The results indicated that the free radical scavenging activity ranged from 40.12% to 78.39%, and the reductive potential ranged from 0.265 nm to 1.411 nm while the total antioxidant activity ranged from 0.124 nm to 0.183 nm. The antioxidant potential evaluated by three assays increased in a concentration dependent manner and ascorbic acid showed better antioxidant activity than leaf extract. Results obtained through different tests confirmed redox protective activities ofZanthoxylum armatum. Further in vitro and in vivo research should be performed, so this plant can be further utilized in drug development.

The green heart shaped betel leaf, in India it is known as Paan. It is useful in number of traditional remedies such as weakness of nerves, stomach disorder, headache, respiratory disorders, constipation, sore throat, inflammation, scanty or obstructed urination and wounds. There are many more traditional uses of the betel leafs. This paper includes the easy, accurate, and less expensive method of leaf area measurement. Leaf area of plants is a useful tool in physiological and agronomic studies. Investigation of betel leaf area is done over 100 leaves out of which some are included in this paper. Results are compared with the graphical technique of leaf area measurement. The advantage of this method is the easiness and the stability of precise estimation of area.

The Ao tribe of Nagaland mostly use vertebrate derived medicine for a whole range of afflictions like body pain, rheumatism, asthma, liver disease, leucoderma, eczema, tuberculosis, paralysis, antidote against poison, skin disease, stomach disorder, jaundice, night blindness, bone fracture, malaria, dysentery, kidney problems, breathing problems, earache, burn injuries, stammering, piles, general weakness etc. Detailed information has been obtained on the traditional therapeutic use of twenty five different vertebrate species, of which, some have become rare. It is suggested that establishment of socio- ecological system through sustainable management and conservation of biodiversity may contribute tremendously to understand this indigenous system as a reliable source of medicine, food, income and other benefits.

Adulteration is the process by which the quality or the nature of a given substances is reduced through the addition of a foreign or an inferior substance and the removal of a vital element. And it's ugly face is come out in the form of it’s harmful effects as stomach disorder giddiness and joint pain, diarrhea, liver disorder, dropsy, gastrointestinal problems, respiratory distress, oedema, cardiac arrest, glaucoma carcinogenic effects, paralysis etc. According to Singh, Anita; et al. (2011) milk is staple food for both the group of children urban as well as rural area. From both the regions a wide variation of adulterants mixing was observed which causes diarrhea eyesight problems headache etc. Kumar, Ashish. (2011) reviewed that adulteration were detected in milk to the tune of 70% with water, turmeric powder-43% with chalk powder, red chilli powder-100% with artificial color, sugar 37% with chalk powder. Khapre,M.P.,2011 found that 68.5% Households, wife (home-maker) buys the grocery. Majority of them never read the food labels. All the selected food items were adulterated ranging from 76 % to 11%. According to Srilakshmi, 2001 lead is a toxic element and its contamination with food cause nausea, abdominal pain, anaemia, brain damage etc. mercuric salts found in fish is most toxic. It effects the brain. According to “The Hindu, Life & Style>>Food, July 13, 2010,” Danger lurks in the packaged food we find on kitchen shelves. Profiteers routinely adulterate food items like milk, dal, ghee, honey and so on. In recent years, food adulteration has evolved into a very profitable business, causing serious health hazards. Some can even cause cancer. The Hindu, Monday, Jul 20, 2009, Tamil NaduChennai, “A chunk of the green leafy vegetables sold in Chennai is found to contain toxic metals that have the potential to harm various organs of the body. Above studies shows that instead of several food laws, acts, standards there is something lacuna which makes it still prevailing in our daily food items.

Objective: Many case-control studies have reported that salt and cured meat intake are positively, and refrigerator use is inversely, associated with stomach cancer risk. In the current prospective study these associations were evaluated. Methods: The Netherlands Cohort Study consisted of 120,852 men and women ages 55-69 years at baseline in 1986. Salt exposure was measured by calculating mean daily sodium intake (dietary salt) from 150 food items and by specific salt questions. After 6.3 years of follow-up, 282 incident stomach cancer cases were available for analyses. Case-cohort analyses were based on the 282 cases and 3123 subcohort members. Results: In multivariate analyses adjusted for age, sex, smoking, education, stomach disorders, history of stomach cancer in the family, rate ratios (RR) for increasing quintiles of energy-adjusted intake of dietary salt were 1.00, 1.49, 1.03, 1.54 and 1.18, respectively (p trend = 0.43). An inverse association was found between stomach cancer and salt added at the hot meal (p trend = 0.04). For salt added to home-made soup, use of salt at the table, salt preference and duration of refrigerator use, no associations were observed. Positive associations were found for bacon (RR highest/lowest intake = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.03-1.71) and other sliced cold meat (RR highest/lowest intake = 1.29; 95% CI = 0.96-1.72), but not for smoked sausage, total cold meats, rashers/bacon, boiled ham and smoked beef/pork loin roll. Separate analyses among subjects with self-reported stomach disorders revealed higher RR of stomach cancer for dietary salt and several types of cured meat. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that intake of dietary salt and several types of cured meat were weakly positively associated with stomach cancer risk.

Vernonia spp. (Asteraceae) are used in herbolaria in Latin America in menstrual and stomach disorders, suggesting smooth muscle relaxing properties of some of their chemical constituents. For pharmacological support for this belief, sesquiterpene lactones glaucolides D and E were assayed on isolated rat smooth muscle. Glaucolide E proved more potent than glaucolide D to relax high KCl- or noradrenaline-induced contractions in aorta and to relax the high KCl-contraction in uterus. Hirsutinolide-type sesquiterpene lactone also was tested but displayed no effect. Relaxation of smooth muscle by structurally related sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide has been attributed mainly to the alpha-methylene gamma-lactone moiety; because glaucolides D and E lack this functional group, their relaxant properties may rely on other alkylating sites such as C10 of the germacra-1(10),4-diene-4-epoxide skeleton.

It has long been known that stress affects both the stomach and colon, as shown by the very high prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms among patients with psychiatric illness. The source may be limbic or peripheral, involving encoded memories or physiological changes. It is important to realise that physical symptoms such as those of functional dyspepsia do not only mean that the patient has a stomach disorder which needs to be identified and treated with specific pharmacological remedies, they often represent, in metaphorical and symbolic form, a state of disharmony brought about a specific psychosocial situation. It is only when that situation is understood and acknowledged that the patient can begin to get better.

Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. is used in Brazilian herbal medicine particularly for stomach disorders, but it is also used, as in other parts of South America, for fertility control. To verify its potential as an abortifacient, the lyophilized hydroalcoholic extract of its leaves was administered orally at a dose of 1000 mg/kg/day to mice between the first and third day of pregnancy (DOP), between the forth and sixth DOP, or between the seventh and ninth DOP. The extract caused a pre-implantation embryonic loss, but it did not have an effect on implantation or organogenesis. Morphological alterations of the reproductive system, not an embryotoxic effect, were not found. Estrogenic activity of the extract, exhibited by an uterotrophic effect, suggests that it may be interfering with the uterine receptivity to the embryo.

Kadmium (Cd) adalah salah satu logam berat non-esensial, yang relatif kecil, tetapi dapat terus meningkat di lingkungan, keracunan kadmium bersifat bioakumulatif dapat menyebabkan penyakit ginjal, gangguan perut, tulang rapuh, penurunan hemoglobin, dan pigmentasi gigi. Oleh karena itu metode analisis untuk menentukan kandungan kadmium harus dikembangkan. Metode untuk penentuan kandungan logam kadmium yang telah banyak digunakan adalah metode AAS dan metode ICP-AES. Dengan sensitivitas dan selektivitas yang sebanding, metode elektrokimia seperti voltammetri telah banyak digunakan sebagai metode yang menarik untuk menentukan kadar kadmium, instrumentasi pada metode ini lebih sederhana dibandingkan dengan metode AAS dan ICP-AES. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengembangkan metode voltammetri dalam menentukan kadmium menggunakan pensil grafit sebagai elektroda kerja dan parameter analisis metode ini untuk kuantifikasi kadmium. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa metode voltammetri menggunakan pensil grafit elektroda dapat mendeteksi kadmium (II), dengan batas deteksi 0,8 ppm, batas kuantifikasi 2,8 ppm, rentang linearitas dari 2,8 menjadi 4,8 ppm, dan akurasi 0,21-0,58 %.

Sclerocarya birrea (Anacardiaceae), popularly known as "marula", is used as a traditional remedy for allegedly treating dysmenorrhoea and a host of other ailments such as malaria, fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, stomach disorders, headaches and to facilitate childbirth. This study investigated the pharmacological effects of S. birrea extract (SBE) on isolated, spontaneously-contracting uterine horns of healthy, young adult, female Wistar rats.One kilogramme of S. birrea fresh stem bark was identified and authenticated. The bark was air-dried at room temperature (26 ± 1°C) for two weeks. The dried stem bark was milled and macerated in 2.5l of distilled water for 48 h and filtered. A rotary evaporator was used to concentrate the aqueous extract by drying it at 60 ± 1°C. Freeze-drying gave 61.3g/kg (i.e., 6.13% yield) of a dark-brown, powdery, crude extract. Rat isolated uterine horns were mounted in 25-ml Iworx tissue organ-baths containing De Jalon׳s physiological solution, and exposed to graded concentrations of SBE (25, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400mg/ml/kg). The effects of SBE and atropine, oxytocin, verapamil, indomethacin, acetylcholine, serotonin, cimetidine and histamine on the isolated uterine muscles, were recorded using LabScribe2 software.The aqueous stem bark extract of S. birrea produced significant (p0.05) concentration-dependent contractions of the uterine horn muscle preparation reaching a maximum at the 300 mg/ml dose. SBE mimicked and potentiated uterine muscle contractile effects of oxytocin (0.5-5 µU/ml) and acetylcholine (0.1-3 µg/ml). Pre-incubation of tissues with atropine (1-3 µg/ml), non-significantly (p0.05) inhibited SBE-induced contractions on uterine muscles. Verapamil (2 µg/ml), indomethacin and -p-tosyl-l-phenylalanine-chloromethyl-ketone (TPCK) inhibited the contractile effects of SBE (25-400mg/ml/kg), suggesting possible calcium-mediated mechanism of action for SBE and possible COX-enzyme inhibition. Pre-incubating tissues with histamine (10(-8)-10(-5)M) resulted in relaxation of the uterus, while cimetidine potentiated the contractile effects of SBE. Serotonin potentiated the contractile effects of SBE.These results indicate that SBE causes contraction on uterine smooth muscles possibly through its effects on oxytocin, acetylcholine and serotonin receptors. As a result SBE should not be used by patients suffering from dysmenorrhoea as it can worsen it or pregnant patients as it can result in miscarriage/abortion.

The villages of Ilıca District in Erzurum Province, Turkey, were surveyed in terms of plants and animals used traditionally for medicinal purposes. Plants were compiled according to their families, botanical names, local names, usages, and applications. A total of 70 plant species belonging to 29 families are used by village people to treat a wide range of complaints, such as hemorrhoids, urinary system infections, stomach disorders, respiratory diseases, skin diseases, rheumatism, and jaundice. In addition, 3 animal species are used for the treatment of some diseases. The collected data were compared with those formerly recorded.

On a pasture five heavily pregnant heifers out of 15 animals in total developed severe apathy, haemorhagic enteritis as well as photodermatosis both at the mouth and vulva (mortality rate 80%). The vegetation of the 3-hectare pasture was recorded at species level. Both a botanical investigation of 500 g rumen content of one heifer and a quantitative analysis of cyanides in the blood of three animals were carried out. The sward consisted of fodder plants and reed sweet grass (Glyceria maxima), the latter a nutritious species containing cyanogenic glycosides. The blood samples contained up to 1.56 mg cyanide/l serum. Therefore, the heifers had eaten about 7 kg reed sweet grass, slightly less than the lethal amount. Marsh horsetail (Equisetum palustre) growing in between, was unintentionally ingested and caused haemorhagic enteritis. As a possible post-ingestive effect this could have evoked a positive selection of caraway (Carum carvi) as a remedy for stomach disorders in ruminants. 45% of the caraway population on the pasture had been grazed, one fragment having been found in the rumen. Photosensitising substances in caraway resulted in photodermatosis in the heifers. The complex finding underlined the need for an interdisciplinary approach in cases of suspected poisoning in general.

Background Generic atypical antipsychotic drugs offer health authorities opportunities for considerable savings. However, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders are complex diseases that require tailored treatments. Consequently, generally there have been limited demand-side measures by health authorities to encourage the preferential prescribing of generics. This is unlike the situation with hypertension, hypercholaesterolaemia or acid-related stomach disorders. The objectives of this study were to compare the effect of the limited demand-side measures in Western European countries and regions on the subsequent prescribing of risperidone following generics; to utilise the findings to provide future guidance to health authorities; and where possible, to investigate the utilisation of generic versus originator risperidone and the prices for generic risperidone. Methods Principally, this was a segmented regression analysis of retrospective time-series data of the effect of the various initiatives in Belgium, Ireland, Scotland and Sweden following the introduction of generic risperidone. The study included patients prescribed at least one atypical antipsychotic drug up to 20 months before and up to 20 months after generic risperidone. In addition, retrospective observational studies were carried out in Austria and Spain (Catalonia) from 2005 to 2011 as well as one English primary care organisation (Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT)). Results There was a consistent steady reduction in risperidone as a percentage of total selected atypical antipsychotic utilisation following generics. A similar pattern was seen in Austria and Spain, with stable utilisation in one English PCT. However, there was considerable variation in the utilisation of generic risperidone, ranging from 98% of total risperidone in Scotland to only 14% in Ireland. Similarly, the price of generic risperidone varied considerably. In Scotland, generic risperidone was only 16% of pre-patent loss prices versus 72% in Ireland. Conclusion Consistent findings of no increased prescribing of risperidone post generics with limited specific demand-side measures suggests no ‘spillover’ effect from one class to another encouraging the preferential prescribing of generic atypical antipsychotic drugs. This is exacerbated by the complexity of the disease area and differences in the side-effects between treatments. There appeared to be no clinical issues with generic risperidone, and prices inversely reflected measures to enhance their utilisation.

Acidic or EDTA-containing oral hygiene products and acidic medicines have the potential to soften dental hard tissues. The low pH of oral care products increases the chemical stability of some fluoride compounds and favours the incorporation of fluoride ions in the lattice of hydroxyapatite and the precipitation of calcium fluoride on the tooth surface. This layer has some protective effect against an erosive attack. However, when the pH is too low or when no fluoride is present these protecting effects are replaced by direct softening of the tooth surface. Oral dryness can occur as a consequence of medication such as tranquilizers, antihistamines, antiemetics and antiparkinsonian medicaments or of salivary gland dysfunction. Above all, patients should be aware of the potential demineralization effects of oral hygiene products with low pH. Acetyl salicylic acid taken regularly in the form of multiple chewable tablets or in the form of headache powder, as well as chewing hydrochloric acids tablets for the treatment of stomach disorders, can cause erosion. There is most probably no direct association between asthmatic drugs and erosion on the population level. Consumers and health professionals should be aware of the potential of tooth damage not only by oral hygiene products and salivary substitutes but also by chewable and effervescent tablets. Several paediatric medications show a direct erosive potential in vitro. Clinical proof of the occurrence of erosion after use of these medicaments is still lacking. However, regular and prolonged use of these medicaments might bear the risk of causing erosion. Additionally, it can be assumed that patients suffering from xerostomia should be aware of the potential effects of oral hygiene products with low pH and high titratable acidity.

Vernonia amygdalina Delile (VA), family Asteraceae or Compositae is plants that is consumed locally as food and serve important ethnomedicinal uses. It grows throughout tropical Africa to a height of about 1 – 5 metres and it is indigenous to many West African Countries. Many parts of the plants are useful, they are used locally for the treatment of fever, Stomach disorder, jaundice, worm infestation, constipation, malaria, hiccups, kidney problems, amoebic dysentery, schistosomiasis, cough, wounds, diabetes, laxative, veneral diseases and other bacterial and protozoal infection. This review examines, discusses and summarizes the current evidence of ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities as well as toxicity of this species with a view to identifying its therapeutic relations and possible contradictions, inconsistencies and gaps that may have arisen in the research literature. This review is based on literature study on journals and books of scientific origin from library, both manual and electronic sources such as PubMed, Science Direct, Elsevier, ACS, google Scholar etc using various combinations of search words. V. amagdalina is a tropical plant with a lot of interesting biological and medicinal uses. The plants are relatively not toxic, safe for consumption and possess a great potential as pharmaceutical leads for the treatment of diseases and beyond. This review will stimulate further research in the pharmacology and phytochemistry of V. amagdalina.

Helicobacter pylori continues to be a significant health care problem. It is associated with a variety of stomach disorders such as gastritis, gastric ulcer disease, gastric carcinoma and B-cell gastric lymphoma. One common method diagnosing an infection by this bacterium is microscopic examination of routine processed gastric or duodenal biopsies. With this type of specimen, it is necessary to demonstrate visually the presence of H. pylori using an appropriate staining technique. This paper presents a simple staining technique for demonstrating H. pylori in gastric biopsy specimens using carbol fuchsin staining against a contrasting background of light green.

BACKGROUND. Numerous components of fruit and vegetables are considered to decrease the risk of gastric carcinoma. In the current prospective study, the authors examined the association between the intake of vitamins, carotenoids, and dietary fiber and vitamin supplement use and the incidence rate of gastric carcinoma. METHODS. The Netherlands Cohort Study began in 1986 with 120,852 men and women ages 55-69 years. Data regarding diet and other covariates were collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. After 6.3 years of follow-up, data regarding 282 incident cases of gastric carcinoma and 3123 subcohort members were available for case-cohort analyses. RESULTS. In analyses adjusted for age, gender, smoking history, education, stomach disorders, and family history of gastric carcinoma, an inverse association with vitamin C intake (relative risk [RR] for highest vs. lowest intake category, 0.7; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.5-1.0) was observed, with a borderline significant trend across three intake categories (P = 0.06). After the exclusion of cases diagnosed in the first and second follow-up years, the RR was 0.9 (95% CI, 0.6-1.2; P trend = 0.44). Intake of retinol and β-carotene were associated positively with gastric carcinoma risk with highest versus lowest quintile RRs of 1.6 (95% CI, 1.0-2.5; P trend = 0.02) and 1.6 (95% CI, 1.0-2.6; P trend = 0.13), respectively, after the exclusion of first-year and second-year cases. Intake of folate, vitamin E, α-carotene, lutein plus zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and dietary fiber was not associated with gastric carcinoma. Patients who used vitamin A-containing supplements had a lower risk of gastric carcinoma than nonusers (RR = 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.9). CONCLUSIONS. No clear inverse associations were found between the intake of vitamins, carotenoids, and dietary fiber and the risk of gastric carcinoma after adjustment for confounding variables and the exclusion of first-year and second-year cases. (C) 2000 American Cancer Society. Chemicals/CAS: Anticarcinogenic Agents; Ascorbic Acid, 50-81-7; Carotenoids, 36-88-4; Vitamin A, 11103-57-4; Vitamin E, 1406-18-4; Vitamins

Air dried leaves and stem bark of Campylospermum mannii used in the south of Cameroon by the Baka pigmies to remedy heart and stomach disorders have been examined for their photochemical content. Three biflavonoid, amentoflavone, robustaflavone and chamaejasmin were characterized alongside with two new biflavonoids, campylospermones A and B. The structures of isolated compounds were established from complete analysis of their spectroscopic data (MS, IR, 1 H and 13 C NMR). These results place the Ochnaceae family among the sources of the rare class of 5-deoxyflavonoids.

Maastricht University, Department of Epidemiology, The Netherlands.STUDY OBJECTIVE: To study the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and stomach cancer incidence (cardia and non-cardia) and the role of lifestyle factors in explaining this association. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study on diet and cancer that started in 1986. Data were collected by means of a self administered questionnaire. SETTING: Population originating from 204 municipalities in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: 58,279 men aged 55-69 years. After 4.3 years of follow up, 162 incident stomach cancer cases were detected (49 cardia and 113 non-cardia cases). MAIN RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: After adjustment for age, a lower overall stomach cancer risk was found for men with the highest attained level of education (RR highest/lowest level = 0.54, 95% CI 0.33, 0.89, trend, p = 0.02). This association became less strong after additional adjustment for smoking, intake of vitamin C, beta carotene, alcohol and coffee, family history of stomach cancer, and history of stomach disorders (RR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.34, 1.07, trend, p = 0.11). No clear association was found between occupation based SES indicators and stomach cancer risk. Analyses per subsite of stomach cancer revealed that for people with the highest level of education the age adjusted rate ratio for cardia cancer changed from 0.37 (95% CI = 0.13, 1.00) to 0.60 (95% CI = 0.19, 1.87) after additional adjustment for lifestyle variables, whereas the rate ratio for non-cardia cancer (RR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.33, 1.05) did not change after additional adjustment.

This study presents the in vivo electrochemical monitoring of pH using boron doped diamond (BDD) microelectrode and silver needles for potential application in medical diagnosis. Accurate calibration curve for pH determination were obtained through in vitro electrochemical measurements. The increase induced in stomach pH by treatment with pantoprazole was used to demonstrate that it is possible to monitor the pH in vivo using the simple and noninvasive system proposed herein. Using the results of the in vivo and in vitro experiments, a quantitative analysis of the increase in stomach pH is also presented. It is proposed that the catheter-free pH monitoring system presented in this study could be potentially employed in any biological environment.

Background Propolis (bee glue) is a resinous honeybee product having a long history of application in many countries as a traditional remedy for treating wounds, burns, soar throat, stomach disorders, etc. It has been proved to possess beneficial biological effects, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antiulcer, and many others. Bees gather propolis from diverse resinous plant parts and in different phytogeographic regions its chemical composition might vary significantly. In this article we report the results of the first study on the chemical profiles of propolis from Oman, its plant origin and antibacterial activity. Results The chemical profiles of Omani propolis extracts were obtained by GC-MS analysis after silylation. Over 50 individual compounds were identified in the samples, belonging to different compound types: sugars, polyols, hydroxy acids, fatty acids, cardanols and cardols, anacardic acids, flavan derivatives, triterpenes, prenylated flavanones and chalcones. The profiles were dissimilar from other known propolis types. They demonstrate that although Oman is not a large country, the plant sources of propolis vary significantly, even in the same apiary and the same season. Based on chemical profiles, and isolation and identification of major marker compounds (new propolis constituents), new plant sources of propolis were found: Azadiracta indica (neem tree) and Acacia spp. (most probably A. nilotica). The ethanol extracts of the studied propolis samples demonstrated activity against S. aureus (MIC -1) and E. coli (MIC -1). Conclusion Omani propolis is different form the known propolis types and demonstrates significant chemical diversity. Its most important plant source is the resin of Azadirachta indica, and as a result its typical components are С5-prenyl flavanones. Other plant sources have been identified, too, playing some role in resin collection by bees in Oman: Acacia spp. (most probably A. nilotica) and Mangifera indica. The results demonstrate also the potential of Omani propolis as antimicrobial.

Background : The treatment of peptic ulcer disease poses therapeutic challenges to both patients and physicians alike because of the tendency of ulcers to relapse. Drugs used in the treatment of this disease are either costly or are associated with high incidence of adverse effects.Synclisia scabrida is a plant used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of various forms of stomach disorders and menstrual pains. The medicinal properties of the plants are claimed to reside in the roots, stems, and the leaves. Aim : This study, therefore, is to verify this claim and elucidate the probable mechanism of action by using crude stem extracts of this plant on drug. and stress.induced ulcer models in albino mice. Materials and Methods : Crude ethanol and hot water extracts, EE and HWE respectively, of the stem were prepared. These extracts were fractionated and separated by chromatographic methods and the fractions pooled together as fractions (PF.1, PF.2, PF.3 respectively) based on their chromatographic mobility and color reactions. Phytochemical analysis was done on the extracts. Ulcer models were induced in albino mice by means of indomethacin, histamine, and stress after prior cytoprotection with orally administered crude extracts and control (cimetidine). Results : Phytochemical analysis of the crude extracts and their fractions revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides (+++), tannins (+++), saponins (+), flavonoids (++), carbohydrates (++) and alkaloids (+++). Acute toxicity study on the crude extracts and their fractions revealed relative safety at the dose of 5000 mg/kg. The crude extracts (EE and HWE) and their fractions (PF.1, PF.2, PF.3) significantly (P = 0.001) protected against indomethacin., histamine. and stress.induced ulcers. The decrease in GIT motility produced by these extracts was comparable to that produced by atropine sulfate. Conclusion : The findings suggest that these extracts of Synclisia scabrida possess antiulcer and antispasmodic properties, which justify the claims for its use in the treatment of various forms of stomach disorders. Keywords : Albino mice, Drug induced ulcers, Synclisia scabrida extracts

Background Cyperus rotundus Linn. (Cyperaceae) is a Tunisian medicinal plant used in folkloric (traditional) medicine to treat stomach disorders and inflammatory diseases. The present study explored the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and genotoxic activities of extracts from the aerial parts of C. rotundus. The antioxidant capacity and the modulation of splenocyte functions by these extracts were also investigated in mice. The phytochemical analysis was carried out using standard methods. Methods Aqueous, ethyl acetate, methanol and TOF-enriched extracts (300, 150, and 50 μg/ml) were evaluated for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. 4, 2, and 1 mg/ml of each extract were tested to investigate their effect on lipid peroxidation. The genotoxic study was monitored by measuring the structural chromosome aberrations of mice treated with 300 mg/kg of extract. The proliferation of lymphocytes in the absence and presence of mitogens was assessed at a concentration range 1–1000 μg/ml. Results The tested extracts were able to decrease the mouse ear oedema induced by xylene. Furthermore, it was shown that the same extracts reduced the number of abdominal contractions caused by acetic acid in mice, revealing the peripheral analgesic activity of these extracts. It is worth noting that mice treated with doses up to 300 mg/kg b.w. of Cyperus rotundus extracts did not exhibit any toxicity. The tested extracts significantly enhance lymphocyte proliferation at 1 mg/ml. Conclusions It appears that C. rotundus extracts contain potent components such as flavonoids that may potentially be useful for modulating the immune cell functions, provoking analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are most frequent mesenchimal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. Current knowledge demonstrates that the KIT and PDGFRA gene mutations play a central part in the pathogenesis. Mutations can be subdivided into primary and secondary mutations. Secondary mutations usually occur in KIT kinase domains after tyrosine kinase inhibitors treatment resulting in resistance to drugs. Besides surgery, therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors has led to develop novel treatments for patients now. However, secondary resistance has become a significant concern, illustrating the need to increase collaboration between surgical management and molecular therapy.

Sacred forests are being protected by means of cultural and religious beliefs by the local communities and act as people participatory conservation sites for several important medicinal plants. Sacred forests are one of the oldest forms of biodiversity conservation sites still effectively managed by local people and act as in-situ conservation sites. In this context, the present study was carried out in Andhari sacred forest of Jharsuguda district as to collect the information regarding the traditional ethno medicinal knowledge acquired by the local medical practitioners. Only few indigenous people have adequate knowledge regarding the medicinal plants and their uses. These traditional knowledge were rapidly degrading and if not documented will be lost forever. The present study reveals the presence of 91 plants species belonging to 46 families being used by the practitioners to treat various diseases like dysentery, diarrhea, indigestion, worm infection, wound healing, headache, stomach disorders, Rheumatic disorders, snake bite, poisonous bite, menstrual problem etc. This ethnomedicinal information further needs to be validated by clinical trials for their safe uses. The study also reported the existence of 8 RET (Rare, Endangered and Threatened) medicinally important species which makes this site a biological hotspot and needs further effective conservation efforts.

A ginja (Eugenia uniflora L.) apresenta compostos fenólicos com ação antioxidante, ação hipoglicemiante e antirreumática, utilizada em distúrbios estomacais e como anti-hipertensivos. O leite de búfala exibe excelente qualidade nutricional destacando-se como principais características o elevado teor de proteínas com 25,55%, tendo mais aminoácidos essenciais que o leite de vaca. O objetivo deste estudo foi elaborar um iogurte grego de leite de búfala com calda de ginja e avaliar a influência da adição de diferentes percentuais de calda (10, 20 e 30% p/p) sobre o teor de ácido ascórbico e antocianinas no produto elaborado. Os frutos foram coletados no município de Salvaterra e levados para o laboratório onde foram sanitizados e despolpados para utilização no iogurte. Os iogurtes foram elaborados com leite bubalino, açúcar e leite em pó integral. Os frutos de ginja, o leite de búfala e o iogurte elaborado foram avaliados quanto as suas características físico-químicas, microbiológicas e sensoriais. Os frutos apresentaram uma ótima relação sólidos totais tituláveis (SST)/acidez total titulável (ATT) e apresentaram teores de ácido ascórbico e antocianinas elevados (124,08 mg/100g e 179,27 m Eqg Cianidina-3-glicosideo/100g respectivamente). O leite de búfala utilizado apresentou características físico-químicas de acordo com os padrões microbiológicos exigidos por lei. O aumento do percentual de calda de ginja no iogurte grego de búfala elevou significativamente os teores de ácido ascórbico e antocianinas no produto, demonstrando a possibilidade da produção de novos produtos com características nutricionais agregadas para inserção em novos mercados. O produto também apresentou da boa aceitação sensorial, sendo que as formulações com 10%, 20% e 30% de calda apresentaram percentuais de 87%, 89% e 89% de aceitação pelos provadores respectivamente.

Background: Ajuga bracteosa and Viola odorata are frequently used by the native people of Swat-Pakistan for the curing of fever, malaria, cough, urinary and stomach disorders with slightly different practice of usage like raw powdered, extracts, decoction etc. Methods and Materials: Disc Diffusion Method was used for determination of antimicrobial activities of both plants. Nutrient Agar Media was used for the culturing and growth of all microbial strains. Vitamin C and minerals contents were determined by standard method of AOAC. Na and K were analyzed by using flame photometric technique. Micro minerals i.e. “Ni, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ca, Pb, and Mg” were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Total Soluble Solid (TSS) was determined by using abbe refractometer and pH was determined by using pH meter. Results: The present study demonstrates that both plants exhibited antibacterial activities against P. aeruginos, E. coli, S. typhi, B. subtilis and S. aureus. The examined plants showed zone of inhibition for aqueous fraction (50.90, 45.90 %) against P. aeruginosa; for EtOAc fraction (41.37, 57.62%) against C. Albicans and for hexane fraction (25.86, 40.57%) against K. pneumoniae, respectively. Total of 14 different minerals (Na, K, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Co, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cd) were determined and it was also observed that both the examined plants contained significant level of these analyzed minerals. The subject plants contained highest level of magnesium (295.75, 145.85 mg 100-1g) and calcium (212.49, 44.00 mg 100-1g) and potassium (152.6, 437.45 mg 100-1g) while moderate level P, Zn, Na and lower amount of Cd, Ni, Mn and Cu using Atomic Absorption, Flame Photometry and spectrophotometric techniques. V. odorata was found to contain a higher amount of vitamin C (64.05±12.37mg 100-1g) as compared to A. bracteosa (45.45 ± 7.29 mg 100-1 g). Conclusion: Findings of this study can persuade researchers for future comprehensive phytochemical study of these plants using state of art techniques and instruments, which include not only isolation of secondary metabolites from these plants but biological evaluation of isolated compounds both in vivo and in vitro

Memecylon edule Roxb. (Melastomataceae) is a shrub or a small tree widely habitat in Orissa, Assam and Western Peninsula. By tradition, plant is used in the treatment of snake bite, skin and stomach disorder. However, information about unexplored phyto-constituents and antioxidant properties remains to be elucidated. To evaluate the antioxidant potential of the ethanolic and aqueous root extract of Memecylon edule (M. edule) Roxb. Ethanolic and aqueous root extract of M. edule were prepared and screened for total phenolics, flavonoids, carotenoid content and in-vitro antioxidant activity. Extracts of M. edule contents tannin, flavonoid, triterpenes and phenolic compounds. Total phenolic components for the ethanolic and aqueous extract of M. edule is equivalent to 94±1.4 and 20.64±0.26 mg of gallic acid and flavonoid content was 21.56±3.2 and 5.95±0.18 mg of quercetin respectively. Total carotenoid contents of the ethanolic extract and aqueous extract of roots M. edule are 43.12±0.75µg and 23.12±0.55µg respectively. The IC 50 values were found to be 77.5±0.78µg/ml and 61±0.58µg/ml in DPPH and in superoxide radical scavenging 894±5.4µg/ml and 679±2.4µg/ml for ethanolic extract of M. edule and standard respectively. For reducing power assay the EC50 values were found to be 74±1.4µg/ml and 55±0.97 µg/ml of ethanolic extract of M. edule and ascorbic acid respectively. The observed antioxidant ability of M. edule may be due to abundant presence of phenolic contents. So our findings provide evidence that the crude ethanolic extract bared antioxidant activity and this justifies its ethnic uses in folkloric medicines.

Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners usually observe the color and coating of a patient's tongue to determine ZHENG (such as Cold or Hot ZHENG) and to diagnose different stomach disorders including gastritis. In our previous work, we explored new modalities for clinical characterization of ZHENG in gastritis patients via tongue image analysis using various supervised machine-learning algorithms. We proposed a system that learns from the clinical practitioner's subjective data how to classify a patients health status by extracting meaningful features from tongue images based on color-space models. In this paper, we propose an enhancement to the ZHENG classification system: a coating separation technique using the MSF images such that feature extraction is applied only to the coated region on the tongue surface. The results obtained over a set of 263 gastritis patients (most of whom are either Cold Zheng or Hot ZHENG), and a control group of 48 healthy volunteers demonstrate an improved performance for most of the classification types considered.

) radicals react together and form neurotoxicperoxynitrite anion (ONOO ) which is a short-lived oxidantspecies (Xie et al., 2002). ONOO is also a potent nitrating agentwhich is capable of attacking and modifying proteins, lipids, DNAas wellasdepletingantioxidantdefences.Ithasbeenreportedthatthe interaction of proteins with ONOO oxidizes tryptophan,cysteine, methionine and can nitrate tyrosine residues to form 3-nitro-L-tyrosine (3-NT) and protein carbonyl groups thus blockingtyrosine phosphorylation, modifying protein conformation andenhancing proteolysis/fragmentation (Kelm et al., 1997). ONOOformation also induces cell damage by oxidative and apoptoticstimuli and has been implicated in several pathological conditionssuch as diabetic nephropathy, cardiac arrest, neurodegenerative,neuromuscular disorders, hypoxia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,Alzheimers and Parkinsons disorders and in aging (Torreilles et al.,1999; Szabo´ et al., 2007). In an earlier study Sharma and Ebadi(2003) had demonstrated the SIN-1 induced formation of alpha-synuclein in SK-N-SH dopaminergic neurons, which is the markerobserved in Parkinson’s and Alzheimers. In another study Pal et al.(2004) described that SIN-1 induces neuronal death by liberationof intracellular zinc as well as overactivation of potassiumchannels. Ashki et al. (2008) had reported that SIN-1 inducesreversible conduction deficits within axons of the spinal cordwhich mimics reversible and non-reversible neurologic deficitsfollowing neurotrauma.Cyperus rotundus (CR) locally known as ‘musta’, belongs tocyperaceaefamilyandisawelldocumentedtraditionalmedicinalherb. It grows naturally throughout tropical, sub-tropical andtemperate regions and is widespread in India. The bioactivechemical constituents of this herb are essential oils, oligomericflavonoids, terpenoids, sesquiterpenes, sitosterol, cyperene,cyperol, valencene, nootkatene, ascorbic acid and polyphenols(Sonwa and Ko¨nig, 2001; Tsoyi et al., 2011). The herb is widelyused as an analgesic, nervinetonic,nootropic,sedative,antispas-modic, antimalarial, to relieve diarrhea, and stomach disorders

Background Cassia sieberiana is a savannah tree with a wide phytotherapeutic application including the use of its roots in the management of various stomach disorders including gastric ulcer, stomach pains and indigestion. The aim of the study is to evaluate the antioxidant, gastric cytoprotective prostaglandins, secretory phospholipase A2, phytochemical and acute toxicity properties of Cassia sieberiana roots bark extract in a bid to justify its phytotherapeutic applications in gastric ulcer. Methods Antioxidant and radical scavenging activities of the roots bark extract of Cassia sieberiana were assayed. Serum secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) concentration and activity and the formation of gastric mucosal prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) and I2 (PGI2) were also assessed. Comparisons between means were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Students Standard Newman-Keuls post hoc analysis to determine statistical significance. P Results The extract was found to possess significant ferric reducing antioxidant power and can scavenge hydroxyl radicals. The extract also possesses DPPH scavenging activity, can chelate ferrous ion and a dose-dependent protective effect against lipid peroxidation and free radical generation. Prostaglandin studies showed that the roots bark extract dose dependently increased gastric mucosal PGE2 and PGI2 levels and also decreased serum sPLA2 activity. Phytochemical analyses suggest that the roots extract contains polyhydroxyl/phenolic substances. Acute toxicity test showed no sign of toxicity up to a dose level of 2000 mg/kg body weight p.o. Conclusions C. sieberiana roots extract possesses significant antioxidant and gastric cytoprotective prostaglandin properties as well as serum secretory phospholipase A2 inhibitory activity which could be due to its content of polyhydroxy and/or phenolic substances. This may justify its use as an anti-ulcerogenic agent in traditional medicine in West Africa.

The genus Aspidosperma (Apocynaceae) have been commonly used in folk medicine as potential antimalarial agents; in the treatment of leishmaniasis; uterus and ovary inflammations; as a contraceptive; in diabetes; stomach disorders; against cancer; fever and rheumatism (Oliveira et al, 2009). It commonly grows in tropical America, extracted from trees ranging 2 to 60 m in height. It is found in a variety of habitats from the dry fields of south-central Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina to the inundated river margins of the Amazon basin (Tanaka, 2006). The main constituents of the Aspidosperma genus are indole alkaloids, a class of substances with a wide range of pharmacological activities such as cholinesterase inhibitors, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, oestrogenic, stimulant and depressant of the central nervous system (CNS) (Zocoler et al, 2005).

In Parbat district, tribal communities rear livestock mostly cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep etc. Most of the time animal diseases are treated by the uses of local herbal medicines extracted from the plants. All together 21 plant species belonging to 19 families are being identified having used to treat different veterinary diseases like; injury, poisoning, foot and mouth, wounds, stomach disorder, antiworms and bone facture of animals. These ethnoveterinary plants species are normally collected from nearby forest or natural vegetation. Some of them like, Acorus calamus, Cuscuta reflexa, Schima wallichii, Fraxinus floribunda etc are even domesticated by them in nearby cropland therefore such plants are readily available at any time. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kuset.v8i1.6042 KUSET 2012; 8(1): 44-50

O objetivo deste estudo foi o levantamento etnobotânico de plantas medicinais utilizadas pela população do povoado de Manejo, Lima Duarte (MG). O estudo foi realizado mediante visitas às casas dos moradores que responderam a questionário relacionado às espécies de plantas que são cultivadas, respectivas partes utilizadas, bem como as formas de preparo e quais doenças são tratadas com as plantas. Foram realizadas 41 visitas resultando em citações de 100 diferentes espécies medicinais, sendo a maioria cultivada nos quintais e outras nativas da região, as quais também são utilizadas pelos moradores. Exemplares foram coletados e depositados no herbário CESJ, da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora. As espécies mais citadas foram Mentha sp., Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Brown, Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) DC., Bidens pilosa L., Mentha pulegium L., Mikania glomerata Spreng., Rosa sp. e Plantago major L. As doenças mais tratadas com as plantas medicinais em Manejo são gripes e resfriados, problemas estomacais, cólicas menstruais e infecções no útero, verminose, problemas renais, ansiedade e estresse. As partes mais utilizadas são as folhas, e a forma de preparo mais comum das plantas são os chás por infusão. A construção de horta comunitária no povoado pode valorizar o emprego das plantas medicinais, sobretudo pelos mais jovens, mantendo a tradição do uso pelas futuras gerações. The aim of this study was the ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by the population of Manejo Village, Lima Duarte (Minas Gerais State), Brazil. The study was performed by means of visitations to the houses of dwellers who answered a questionnaire related to the plant species that are cultivated, respective parts that are used, as well as preparation forms and which diseases are treated with the plants. A total of 41 visitations were done, resulting in citation of 100 different medicinal species, most of which were cultivated in backyards while others were native to that region, which were also used by the dwellers. Specimens were collected and deposited in CESJ herbarium, of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora. The most cited species were Mentha sp., Lippia alba (Mill.) N. E. Brown, Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Achyrocline satureioides (Lam.) DC., Bidens pilosa L., Mentha pulegium L., Mikania glomerata Spreng., Rosa sp. and Plantago major L. The diseases most treated with medicinal plants in Manejo Village are flu and cold, stomach disorders, menstrual cramps and uterus infections, helminth infections, kidney problems, anxiety and stress. The most used parts are leaves, and the most common form of plant preparation is infusion tea. The construction of a community garden in the village may value the use of medicinal plants, especially by the young, maintaining the tradition of their use by future generations.

ZHENG, Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome, is an integral and essential part of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory. It defines the theoretical abstraction of the symptom profiles of individual patients and thus, used as a guideline in disease classification in Chinese medicine. For example, patients suffering from gastritis may be classified as Cold or Hot ZHENG, whereas patients with different diseases may be classified under the same ZHENG. Tongue appearance is a valuable diagnostic tool for determining ZHENG in patients. In this paper, we explore new modalities for the clinical characterization of ZHENG using various supervised machine learning algorithms. We propose a novel-color-space-based feature set, which can be extracted from tongue images of clinical patients to build an automated ZHENG classification system. Given that Chinese medical practitioners usually observe the tongue color and coating to determine a ZHENG type and to diagnose different stomach disorders including gastritis, we propose using machine-learning techniques to establish the relationship between the tongue image features and ZHENG by learning through examples. The experimental results obtained over a set of 263 gastritis patients, most of whom suffering Cold Zheng or Hot ZHENG, and a control group of 48 healthy volunteers demonstrate an excellent performance of our proposed system.

On 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were treated with mizoribine, a novel immunosuppressive drug, we measured concentrations of mizoribine in the plasma and synovial fluid over time. The plasma and synovial fluid levels were reached to the maximum of 0.84 of the concentration ratio (synovial fluid/plasma) . Mizoribine transfer into the plasma and synovial fluid was delayed in RA patients with renal dysfunction. Also, drug absorption may be disturbed in cases having stomach disorders. As a whole, mizoribine can easily be transfered from plasma to synovial fluid.

AIM: To investigate the non-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterial flora concurrent with H. pylori infection. METHODS: A total of 103 gastric biopsy specimens from H. pylori positive patients were selected for bacterial culture. All the non-H. pylori bacterial isolates were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). RESULTS: A total of 201 non-H. pylori bacterial isolates were cultivated from 67 (65.0%) of the 103 gastric samples, including 153 isolates identified successfully at species level and 48 at genus level by MALDI-TOF MS. The dominant species were Streptococcus, Neisseria, Rothia and Staphylococcus, which differed from the predominantly acid resistant species reported previously in healthy volunteers. The prevalence of non-H. pylori bacteria was higher in non-ulcer dyspepsia group than in gastric ulcer group (100% vs 42.9%, P < 0.001). Six bacterial species with urease activity (Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus warneri, Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus aureus, Brevibacterium spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae) were also isolated. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of the non-H. pylori bacteria concurrent with H. pylori infection, and the non-H. pylori bacteria may also play important as-yet-undiscovered roles in the pathogenesis of stomach disorders.

Background & Aims Gastroparesis can be diabetic or idiopathic, yet little is known about differences in their presentation. We compared clinical characteristics, symptoms, and gastric emptying in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetic (DG) or idiopathic (IG) gastroparesis. Methods We analyzed data from 416 patients with gastroparesis who were enrolled in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Gastroparesis Registry; 254 had IG (most were female and white), and 137 had DG (78 had type 1 and 59 had type 2). Registry data included detailed histories, physical examinations, results from gastric emptying scintigraphy, and responses to validated symptom questionnaires. Results Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) were an average of 13 years older at the onset of symptoms of gastroparesis and heavier than patients with IG. Patients with type 1 DM had more hospitalizations in the past year than patients with IG. Symptoms that prompted evaluation more often included vomiting for DG and abdominal pain for IG. Patients with DG had more severe retching and vomiting than those with IG, whereas patients with IG had more severe early satiety and postprandial fullness subscores. Compared with IG, gastric retention was greater in patients with type 1 DM. More than 50% of patients with type 1 DM had severe retention (>35% at 4 hours); they took prokinetic agents more frequently and were more likely to receive gastric electric stimulation. Conclusions There are similarities and differences in clinical characteristics of DG and IG. Gastroparesis is a heterogeneous disorder; its etiology affects symptoms and severity. Long-term studies are needed to determine whether the differences in symptoms and gastric emptying affect progression and treatment responses.

Background Several herbs are traditionally used in the treatment of a variety of ailments particularly in the rural areas of South Africa where herbal medicine is mainly the source of health care system. Many of these herbs have not been assessed for safety or toxicity to tissue or organs of the mammalian recipients. Methods This study evaluated the cytotoxicity of some medicinal plants used, inter alia, in the treatment of diarrhoea, and stomach disorders. Six selected medicinal plants were assessed for their antibacterial activities against ampicillin-resistant and kanamycin-resistant strains of Escherichia coli by the broth micro-dilution methods. The cytotoxicities of methanol extracts and fractions of the six selected plants were determined using a modified tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay). Results The average minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the plants extracts ranged from 0.027 mg/mℓ to 2.5 mg/mℓ after 24 h of incubation. Eucomis autumnalis and Cyathula uncinulata had the most significant biological activity with the least MIC values. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay on human hepatocarcinoma cell line (Huh-7) revealed that the methanol extract of E. autumnalis had the strongest cytotoxicity with IC50 of 7.8 μg/mℓ. Ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of C. uncinulata, Hypoxis latifolia, E. autumnalis and Lantana camara had lower cytotoxic effects on the cancer cell lines tested with IC50 values ranging from 24.8 to 44.1 μg/mℓ; while all the fractions of Aloe arborescens and A. striatula had insignificant or no cytotoxic effects after 72 h of treatment. Conclusions Our results indicate that the methanol fraction of E. autumnalis had a profound cytotoxic effect even though it possessed very significant antibacterial activity. This puts a query on its safety and hence a call for caution in its usage, thus a product being natural is not tantamount to being entirely safe. However, the antibacterial activities and non-cytotoxic effects of A. arborescens and A. striatula validates their continuous usage in ethnomedicine.

The Lewis glyco-epitope, also called the Lewis antigen (Le), is a series of α1→3/α1→4 fucosylated oligosaccharide epitopes derived from the Galβ1→3/1→4GlcNAcβ1→R carbohydrate backbone and that have been identified on the surface of certain eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells. The α1→3 or α1→4 fucose in Lewis glyco-epitopes is attached on GlcNAc residue, and the Gal residue can be unsubstituted, α2→3 sialylated, α1→2 fucosylated, or sulfated. They are structurally related to the sugar determinants of the human ABH(O) blood group antigen system. The “Lewis” blood group antigen was named for a family of individuals suffering from a red blood cell incompatibility, which led to the discovery of this blood group [1]. Recently, the biological significance of Lewis epitopes has been widely studied. Some of them became recognized as tumor markers and are being used in the clinical diagnosis and prognosis of certain cancers, and others were found to be involved in the pathogenesis of stomach disorders and embryo development. More interestingly, Lewis epitopes have been implicated in the regulation of cell biological events, such as cell signaling, growth, apoptosis, adhesion, and migration. This review will introduce some of the major advances in the research of the structure and function of these Lewis epitopes.

Capsosiphon fulvescens is a green alga that is abundant along the southwest coast of South Korea. Although it is consumed for its purported health-enhancing properties, particularly as a treatment for stomach disorders and hangovers, the health effects of dietary C. fulvescens remain unclear. Polysaccharides extracted from C. fulvescens (Cf-PS) are investigated for their effects on the proliferation of rat small intestinal epithelial IEC-6 cells. Cf-PS stimulated IEC-6 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Further, Cf-PS treatment induced the translocation of β-catenin, an effector of the Wnt signaling pathway, from the cytosol to the nucleus and increased the expression of cyclinD1 and c-myc. Cf-PS also induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, which is activated by mitogenic and proliferative stimuli such as growth factors, but the phosphorylation of JNK and p38 was not enhanced. Therefore, this chapter discusses the effect of Cf-PS on the growth of gastrointestinal cells.