Ethnopharmacological survey and in vitro evaluation of wound-healing plants used in South-western Nigeria.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Traditional healers in Nigeria employ a range of plant preparations as wound healing agents. Despite the use of local plants in wound healing, there is only scant literature on the wound healing properties of these plants to support the continued therapeutic application of these herbal remedies.

Aim Of The Study: To document plants commonly used to treat wounds in South-western Nigeria and to test the scientific basis of such claims using relevant in vitro tests.

The ethanol extract of Scutellaria baicalensis and the active compounds induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis including upregulation of p53 and Bax in human lung cancer cells.

Despite a lack of scientific authentication, Scutellaria baicalensis is clinically used in Chinese medicine as a traditional adjuvant to chemotherapy of lung cancer. In this study, cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that crude ethanolic extracts of S. baicalensis were selectively toxic to human lung cancer cell lines A549, SK-LU-1 and SK-MES-1 compared with normal human lung fibroblasts.

The long-term athlete development model: physiological evidence and application.

Within the UK, the "Long Term Athlete Development" (LTAD) model has been proposed by a variety of national governing bodies to offer a first step to considering the approach to talent development. The model, which is primarily a physiological perspective, presents an advancement of understanding of developing athletic potential alongside biological growth. It focuses on training to optimize performance longitudinally, and considers sensitive developmental periods known as "windows of opportunity".

Energy expenditure and perceived effort during brisk walking and running in 8- to 10-year-old children.

There are no previous reports of energy expenditure and perceived effort during brisk-walking and running at speeds self-selected by young children. Fifty four participants (age 8-11 years old) performed 1500 m of brisk-walking and running in a marked school playground, and were given simple instructions to either 'walk quickly' or to 'jog'. During the running the children achieved higher mean speeds and a greater total energy expenditure (p < .

Antibacterial, antioxidant and fibroblast growth stimulation activity of crude extracts of Bridelia ferruginea leaf, a wound-healing plant of Nigeria.

Aim Of The Study: Determination of pharmacological activity relevant to wound healing of Bridelia ferruginea leaf, a traditional medicine used to treat wounds in rural Nigeria.

Materials And Methods: Aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts were tested against bacterial species of relevance to wound infections: Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ethanolic extracts were assessed for their ability to stimulate the growth of human dermal fibroblasts (FS5) and protect against damage induced by hydrogen peroxide.

Secondary metabolite mapping identifies Scutellaria inhibitors of human lung cancer cells.

Scutellaria baicalensis root is widely used in China as an adjuvant to orthodox chemotherapy of lung cancer. However, functional biomarkers of this plant for anti-lung cancer activity have not yet been reported. We therefore determined the growth inhibition activity by MTT assay of eight solvent extracts of S.

Identification of sakurasosaponin as a cytotoxic principle from Jacquinia flammea.

The crude ethanolic extract of leaves, stem-bark and roots of J. flammea were tested for their cytotoxic effect against two mammalian cell lines (HeLa and RAW 264.7) and four bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa).

Practice educators' experiences of supervising two students on allied health practice-based placements.

Unlabelled: Literature suggests that supervising two students together on clinical placement (2:1 model) has a place in practice-based education, helping to increase placement capacity, improve the learning experience for the students, and possibly improve departmental productivity. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of allied health professional practice educators in using the 2:1 model.

Methods: This qualitative study used an interpretive, phenomenological approach to data collection and interpretation.

Effectiveness of a community-based low intensity exercise programme for ambulatory stroke survivors.

Purpose: To establish the feasibility and effectiveness of a community-based exercise programme for ambulatory patients with stroke discharged from rehabilitation.

Method: Eighteen participants were recruited 3-12 months after onset of first stroke. Using a time series experimental design, the group completed a baseline period of 4 weeks (A1), a group exercise programme of low-intensity progressive resistive exercise and functional tasks for lower limb muscles (B) and repeat assessment after cessation of exercise (A2).

Prediction of anthropometric foot characteristics in children.

Background: The establishment of growth reference values is needed in pediatric practice where pathologic conditions can have a detrimental effect on the growth and development of the pediatric foot. This study aims to use multiple regression to evaluate the effects of multiple predictor variables (height, age, body mass, and gender) on anthropometric characteristics of the peripubescent foot.

Methods: Two hundred children aged 9 to 12 years were recruited, and three anthropometric measurements of the pediatric foot were recorded (foot length, forefoot width, and navicular height).

Modernising allied health professions careers: attacking the foundations of the professions?

Recent UK Government reform of the National Health Service (NHS) has specifically targeted allied health professionals. As key members of the NHS work force, they have the capacity to modernize health service delivery. One way of enabling these professionals to fulfil the modernization agenda is through the development of their knowledge and skills.

Bunions.

Introduction: Bunions are prominent and often inflamed metatarsal heads and overlying bursae, usually associated with hallux valgus where the great toe moves towards the second toe. Hallux valgus is found in at least 2% of children aged 9-10 years, and almost half of adults, with greater prevalence in women.

Methods And Outcomes: We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of conservative treatments, surgery, and postoperative care for bunions? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to May 2008 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review).

Modulation of internal model formation during force field-induced motor learning by anodal transcranial direct current stimulation of primary motor cortex.

Human subjects can quickly adapt and maintain performance of arm reaching when experiencing novel physical environments such as robot-induced velocity-dependent force fields. Using anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) this study showed that the primary motor cortex may play a role in motor adaptation of this sort. Subjects performed arm reaching movement trials in three phases: in a null force field (baseline), in a velocity-dependent force field (adaptation; 25 N s m(-1)) and once again in a null force field (de-adaptation).

Triterpenoid saponins from a cytotoxic root extract of Sideroxylon foetidissimum subsp. gaumeri.

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of an ethanolic root extract of Sideroxylonfoetidissimum subsp. gaumeri (Sapotaceae) revealed activity against the murine macrophage-like cell line RAW 264.7.

Comparison of biomechanical gait parameters of young children with haemophilia and those of age-matched peers.

Quality of life for children with haemophilia has improved since the introduction of prophylaxis. The frequency of joint haemorrhages has reduced, but the consequences of reduced bleeding on the biomechanical parameters of walking are not well understood. This study explored the differences in sagittal plane biomechanics of walking between a control group (Group 1) of normal age-matched children and children with haemophilia (Group 2) with a target ankle joint.

What do we know? Limitations of the two methods most commonly used to estimate the length of the prospective wait.

Health service researchers, policy analysts and other commentators have overlooked the limitations of existing approaches to the estimation of waiting times. If urgent cases are given priority, there are no instances when census-based data can supply accurate estimates of the length of the prospective wait. But there are three occasions when event-based data supply accurate estimates of the prospective wait of those who chose to enrol and we can predict the direction of error when the relevant conditions are violated if we know whether the list was open or closed, and whether it grew in size or shrank.

The MIQ-RS: A Suitable Option for Examining Movement Imagery Ability.

Within rehabilitation settings, mental imagery helps to promote long-term recovery and facilitates compliance to rehabilitation exercises. Individuals who are able to effectively engage in imagery practice are likely to gain the most benefit from imagery training. Thus, a suitable imagery ability measurement tool for individuals with movement limitations is needed.

DNA amounts of roses (Rosa L.) and their use in attributing ploidy levels.

The aims of the investigation were to characterise variability among the DNA amounts of roses and assess the predictability of ploidy levels from DNA amounts. Chromosome numbers in the genus Rosa range from 2n = 2x = 14 to 2n = 8 x = 56 and aneuploidy is rare. Published 2C DNA amounts range from 0.

Induction of apoptosis in host cells: a survival mechanism for Leishmania parasites?

Leishmania parasites invade host macrophages, causing infections that are either limited to skin or spread to internal organs. In this study, 3 species causing cutaneous leishmaniasis, L. major, L.

Leishmanicidal activity of Yucatecan medicinal plants on Leishmania species responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The leishmanicidal activity of 15 extracts and 4 pure metabolites obtained from Urechites andrieuxii, Colubrina greggii, Dorstenia contrajerva, and Tridax procumbens was evaluated using the newly developed MTS ({3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt) assay, optimized for promastigotes of Leishmania major, Leishmania tropica, and Leishmania aethiopica, as well as for L. aethiopica axenic amastigotes. The assay was then used for calculating the percentage of viable stationary phase parasites after a 24-hr treatment with each plant extract or pure metabolite.

Validation of a HPLC method for flavonoid biomarkers in skullcap (Scutellaria) and its use to illustrate wide variability in the quality of commercial tinctures.

Purpose: To compare the flavonoid biomarker content (baicalin, baicalein and wogonin) of eleven commercial tinctures derived from Scutellaria lateriflora aerial parts (n=7) and Scutellaria baicalensis root (n=4). S. lateriflora tinctures are used in by western herbal practitioners to treat anxiety whereas S.

Comparison of rosmarinic acid content in commercial tinctures produced from fresh and dried lemon balm (Melissa officinalis).

Purpose: To measure the rosmarinic acid content of eight commercial tinctures derived from fresh (n= 5) and dried (n=3) Melissa officinalis herb.

Methods: Rosmarinic acid and the internal standard (esculin) were purchased from Aldrich Chemical Co. The column used was a Luna C18, 5 um (150 x 4.

Antibacterial activity of plants used in traditional medicines of Ghana with particular reference to MRSA.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: : In an ethno botanical survey carried out in the Akwapim-North district of the Republic of Ghana, 25 plant species, used in traditional medicine to treat skin disease and/or to treat antimicrobial (viral, bacterial or protozoan) infections were identified.

Aim Of Study: : To investigate the antimicrobial activity of traditional Ghanaian medicines with special interest in anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity.

Materials And Methods: : Chloroform, ethanol and aqueous extracts (including use of a Stomacher) of these plants were prepared and agar-well diffusion tests, MIC's and MBC's were used to investigate antimicrobial activity.

The use of bead beating to prepare suspensions of nuclei for flow cytometry from fresh leaves, herbarium leaves, petals and pollen.

"Bead beating" is commonly used to release DNA from cells for genomic studies but it was used here to prepare suspensions of plant nuclei for measurement of DNA amounts by flow cytometry. Plant material was placed in 2-ml screw-capped tubes containing beads of zirconia/silica (2.5 mm diameter) or glass (2.

The use of High Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography to determine the role of membrane lipid composition in bile salt-induced kidney cell damage.

Introduction: In obstructive liver disease bile salts are known to accumulate in and damage specific kidney cells. High Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) was used to determine the membrane lipid composition of a range of kidney cells.

Methods: Kidney cells were exposed to three hydrophobic bile salts (lithocholic, deoxycholic and chenodeoxycholic acids) and cytotoxicity was determined.