Genetic Manipulation of Biosynthetic Pathways in Mint.

In recent years, the study of aromatic plants has seen an increase, with great interest from industrial, academic, and pharmaceutical industries. Among plants attracting increased attention are the Mentha spp. (mint), members of the Lamiaceae family. Mint essential oils comprise a diverse class of molecules known as terpenoids/isoprenoids, organic chemicals that are among the most diverse class of naturally plant derived compounds. The terpenoid profile of several Mentha spp. is dominated by menthol, a cyclic monoterpene with some remarkable biological properties that make it useful in the pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, and cleaning product industries. As the global market for Mentha essential oils increases, the desire to improve oil composition and yield follows. The monoterpenoid biosynthesis pathway is well characterised so metabolic engineering attempts have been made to facilitate this improvement. This review focuses on the Mentha spp. and attempts at altering the carbon flux through the biosynthetic pathways to increase the yield and enhance the composition of the essential oil. This includes manipulation of endogenous and heterologous biosynthetic enzymes through overexpression and RNAi suppression. Genes involved in the MEP pathway, the menthol and carvone biosynthetic pathways and transcription factors known to affect secondary metabolism will be discussed along with non-metabolic engineering approaches including environmental factors and the use of plant growth regulators.

Clinical factors in group psychotherapy for parents of adolescents with disruptive behaviour disorders.

This paper describes a group treatment approach to helping parents of youth with Disruptive Behaviour Disorders. These youth have a significant negative and pervasive impact on their parents, who feel incompetent and guilty. Parents are helped to express their grief at their many losses in a safe, supportive and non-blaming group environment. They gain insight into the factors that make it difficult for them to set limits and they begin to change themselves rather than "fix" their child. Parent's hope and confidence grow as positive change becomes evident. As their sense of shame, guilt and fear lessen, parents are able to act more effectively with their youth and others. This paper delineates the clinical factors that contribute to parental effectiveness.

Evaluation of the parent group experience. What helps and what hinders.

This paper describes the responses of parents to questionnaires filled out as part of a group therapy program for parents whose adolescents exhibit conduct problems and refuse interventions. A brief description of the youth, parents and the program is followed by representative examples of the comments parents made at their termination from the group about their experiences and what helped them or hindered them in dealing with their situations and emotions. Their responses are compared and contrasted with the responses to Irving Yalom's adult groups responses to a Q-sort, which rated aspects of their groups from most helpful to least helpful. Parents' experiences are an informative guide as to their perceptions and what they feel helped or hindered them in this program.