Uso y conocimiento tradicional de plantas medicinales en comunidades de Villa Corzo, Chiapas, México / Use and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in communities of Villa Corzo, Chiapas, Mexico

The use and knowledge of native and naturalized medicinal plants were evaluated in four communities of Villa Corzo, Chiapas, Mexico. The information was obtained through semi - structured surveys conducted with 1 18 people of different age and gender categories. To determine the most important plant species, indexes of value and frequency of use were generated. Seventy - nine species of 49 families were recorded, as well as their use in the treatment of various disea ses according to local knowledge. The species with the highest value of use were Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f., Verbena officinalis L. (verbena), Ocimum basilicum L. (basil) and Psidium guajava L. (guava). (guava). The most important families by number of specie s used were, in order of importance: Asteraceae and Rutaceae with five species Lamiaceae, Fabaceae and Rosaceae with four species each.

Se evaluaron el uso y conocimiento de las plantas medicinales nativas y naturalizadas en cuatro comunidades de Villa Corzo, Chiapas, México. La información se obtuvo a través de encuestas semiestructuradas realizadas a 118 personas de distintas categorías de edad y género. Para determinar las especies de plantas más importantes se generaron índices de valor y frecuencia de uso. Se registraron 79 especies de 49 familias, así como su uso en el tratamiento de diversas enfermedades de acuerdo al conocimiento local. Las especies con mayor valor de uso fueron Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (sábila), Verbena officinalis L. (verbena), Ocimum basilicum L. (albahaca) y Psidium guajava L. (guayaba). Las familias más importantes por el número de especies utilizadas fueron, en orden de importancia: Asteraceae y Rutaceae con cinco especies, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae y Rosaceae con cuatro especies cada una.

Non-communicable diseases in Lebanon: results from World Health Organization STEPS survey 2017.

OBJECTIVES: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major global health problem. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of common risk factors for NCDs in Lebanon, both among the Lebanese population and Syrian refugees, aged 18-69 years, residing in communities. STUDY DESIGN: Two national cross-sectional surveys using a two-stage cluster sampling design were conducted among the Lebanese and Syrian refugee adults. METHODS: We used the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise approach through questionnaire assessment and physical and biochemical measurements. All reported results were weighted to provide prevalence estimates at the population level. RESULTS: A total of 1899 Lebanese and 2134 Syrians adults participated in the survey. More than one-third of participants were current smokers at the time of the assessment, and 23% of Lebanese participants were current drinkers (almost all Syrian refugees were lifetime abstainers). Vegetable and fruit consumption was rated moderately low, in 73% and 93% of Lebanese and Syrian refugees, respectively. Many respondents did not meet WHO recommendations on physical activity. More than one-third of participants had raised blood pressure or were on antihypertensive medications. One in 10 participants had either raised blood glucose level or were currently on glycemic control medications. For all risk factors and in both samples, women consistently had lower prevalence of NCD risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of risk factors for NCDs is high in Lebanon, and given the recent rise in population size, the financial and social burden of NCDs will grow dramatically in the next years. The results highlight the need for interventions to address behavioral changes, including reduction in smoking, improvement of dietary habits, optimization of management of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and conducting continuous surveillance to monitor the trends in NCD prevalence, their risk factors, and treatments.

Schistosomicidal, antifibrotic and antioxidant effects of Cucurbita pepo L. seed oil and praziquantel combined treatment for Schistosoma mansoni infection in a mouse model.

Despite the seriousness of schistosomiasis, its treatment depends only on praziquantel (PZQ), which has begun to lose its efficacy against the emergent Schistosoma mansoni-resistant strains. Therefore, the discovery of a novel schistosomicidal drug is an urgent priority. This study was designed to evaluate treatment with Cucurbita pepo L. (pumpkin) seed oil (PSO) alone and combined with PZQ against S. mansoni in experimentally infected mice. The study involved five groups: GI was the normal control; GII was the infected control; GIII was treated with an oral dose of PZQ of 500 mg/kg/day for two successive days, starting in the sixth week post infection; GIV was treated with an oral dose of PSO of 50 mg/kg/day for four weeks, starting in the fourth week post infection; and GV was treated with combined PSO-PZQ. Worm burden, tissue egg load and oogram pattern were estimated, and the ultrastructure alterations were examined. Histopathological examination of granuloma diameters, collagen deposition (Picro Sirius red stain), and angiogenesis (immunohistochemical expression of CD34+) was conducted and serum liver enzymes were measured to assess the liver condition. Moreover, the oxidative stress was evaluated by determining the amounts of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in liver homogenates. The results revealed significant changes in all the assessed parameters with PSO administration. However, PZQ was significantly more effective as an antiparasitic agent, whereas PSO was better in terms of fibrosis and oxidative stress. The most significant results were obtained in group V, which may be attributed to a synergy between PZQ and PSO, with antiparasitic, antioxidant and antifibrotic properties.

Species richness of scavenger insects on different carcass types.

The type and amount of resources available significantly influences the structure and dynamics of food webs. In this study, we analyzed differences in species richness of scavengers based on carcass type in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We collected insects from experimental carcasses of three different types, domestic dogs (Canidae, Canis lupus familiaris), Hijazi goats (Bovidae, Capra aegagrus hircus), and camels (Camelidae, Camelus dromedarius). Data collection was conducted during the decay stage in June, 2016. We used mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) barcodes as a marker for the molecular identification of the scavenger insects. The results showed that there were more insects on the camels and goats than the dogs. In total, seven species were found on all carrions. Six species were found on the camels and goats, but only five were found on the dog. Musca domestica was the most collected species of flies whereas, Necrobia rufipes was the most collected species of beetles. Overall, this study showed that carrion type had an effect on the type and number of insects attracted to the carrions. Thus, one of the significant factors that influence the associated scavenger assemblage is a carcass type.

Species richness of scavenger insects on different carcass types

@#The type and amount of resources available significantly influences the structure and dynamics of food webs. In this study, we analyzed differences in species richness of scavengers based on carcass type in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We collected insects from experimental carcasses of three different types, domestic dogs (Canidae, Canis lupus familiaris), Hijazi goats (Bovidae, Capra aegagrus hircus), and camels (Camelidae, Camelus dromedarius). Data collection was conducted during the decay stage in June, 2016. We used mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) barcodes as a marker for the molecular identification of the scavenger insects. The results showed that there were more insects on the camels and goats than the dogs. In total, seven species were found on all carrions. Six species were found on the camels and goats, but only five were found on the dog. Musca domestica was the most collected species of flies whereas, Necrobia rufipes was the most collected species of beetles. Overall, this study showed that carrion type had an effect on the type and number of insects attracted to the carrions. Thus, one of the significant factors that influence the associated scavenger assemblage is a carcass type.

Enhancing quantum phase transitions in the critical point of Extended TC-Dicke model via Stark effect.

A system of N two-level atoms, Tavis-Cummings Dicke (TC-Dicke) model, interacting with a one-mode electromagnetic radiation field in the presence of the Stark shifts is studied, which is expected to predict new phenomena that are not explored in the original TC-Dicke model. We obtained the potential energy surface of the system using a trial state the direct product of coherent states in each subspace. In the frame of mean-field approaches, the variational energy is evaluated as the expectation value of the Hamiltonian for this state. The order of the quantum phase transitions is determined explicitly and numerically. We estimate the ground-state energy and the macroscopic excitations in the superradiant phase. Moreover, we investigated the critical properties of the TC-Dicke model in the classical spin limit and coherent state. We observed that in the thermodynamic limit, the energy surface takes a simple form a direct description of the phase transition. Moreover, it is found that when the microwave amplitude changes the new phase transition occurs with the Stark shift. The analytical solutions and numerical results, which appear in this paper are agreement with our paper which published recently in Int. J. Mod. Phys. B when we studied the same model using a different coherent state.

Saber etnobotánico, riqueza y valor de uso de plantas medicinales en Monterrey, Villa Corzo, Chiapas (México) / Ethnobotanical knowledge, richness and use value of medicinal plants in the community "Monterrey", Villa Corzo, Chiapas (México)

Se registraron 73 especies de plantas medicinales naturalizadas o nativas de la comunidad Monterrey, municipio de Villa Corzo, Chiapas, México. Para el levantamiento de la información, se aplicó una entrevista semiestructurada a una muestra de 119 personas, categorizadas por edad y sexo. Se determinó la familia botánica de cada una de las plantas identificadas, así como el índice de riqueza de conocimiento, el valor de uso y la frecuencia de uso. Dentro de las especies más usadas se encuentran la Verbena (Verbena officinalis L.), la Manzanilla (Chamaemelum nobile L.) y la Albahaca (Ocimum basilicum L.), la Sábila (Aloe barbadensis Miller) y la Ruda (Ruta chalepensis L.), que presentan el mayor índice de riqueza de conocimiento, así como de valor de uso. Las familias más representadas por especies de uso botánico fueron Asteraceae con diez especies, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Poaceae con cuatro y Annonaceae, Apiaceae, Lauraceae y Rubiaceae, con tres especies.

Seventy-three species of naturalized or native medicinal plants of the Monterrey community, municipality of Villa Corzo, Chiapas, Mexico were registered. A semi-structured interview was applied to a sample of 119 people, categorized by age and sex. The botanical family of each identified plants was determined, as well as the index of knowledge richness, the use value and the frequency of use. Among the most used species are the Verbena (Verbena officinalis L), the Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile L.) and the Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), the Aloe (Aloe barbedensis Miller) and the Rue (Ruta chalepensis L.), which showed the highest rate of richness of knowledge, as well as use value. The botanical families most represented by species of medicinal use were Asteraceae with ten species, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Poaceae with four and Annonaceae, Apiaceae, Lauraceae and Rubiaceae, with three species.

Predicting successful supraclavicular brachial plexus block using pulse oximeter perfusion index.

BACKGROUND: Supraclavicular nerve block is a popular approach for anaesthesia for upper limb surgeries. Conventional methods for evaluation of block success are time consuming and need patient cooperation. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the perfusion index (PI) can be used to predict and provide a cut-off value for ultrasound-guided supraclavicular nerve block success. METHODS: The study included 77 patients undergoing elective orthopaedic procedures under ultrasound-guided supraclavicular nerve block. After local anaesthetic injection, sensory block success was assessed every 3 min by pinprick, and motor block success was assessed every 5 min by the ability to flex the elbow and the hand against resistance. The PI was recorded at baseline and at 10, 20, and 30 min after anaesthetic injection in both blocked and non-blocked limbs. The PI ratio was calculated as the PI after 10 min divided by the PI at the baseline. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed for the accuracy of the PI in detection of block success. RESULTS: The PI was higher in the blocked limb at all time points, and this was paralleled by a higher PI ratio compared with the unblocked limb. Both the PI and the PI ratio at 10 min after injection showed a sensitivity and specificity of 100% for block success at cut-off values of 3.3 and 1.4, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The PI is a useful tool for evaluation of successful supraclavicular nerve block. A PI ratio of > 1.4 is a good predictor for block success.

Compiling comprehensive national health statistics in a fragmented health information system: lessons learned from Lebanon.

In view of the rapid health transition faced by the country and a highly dominant private sector, the issue of obtaining reliable health statistics is becoming a priority for Lebanon. This paper reviews the process of compiling and disseminating national health statistics from the multitude of public, private and nongovernmental partners in the country. The lessons learned from preparing two editions of the National health statistics report in Lebanon allow identification of some challenges and strengths of the current health information system in Lebanon. The experience emphasizes the need for a close partnership with all stakeholders, an efficient management system, adequate human resources and predefined systems and procedures. The process would benefit from having an interactive website for exchange of data and information among stakeholders and the public. The existence of clear guidelines with consistent definitions and standardized forms would also facilitate the collection and analysis of data.

Compiling comprehensive national health statistics in a fragmented health information system: lessons learned from Lebanon

نظراً للتحول الصحي السريع التي تواجهه الباد ولوجود قطاع خاص شديد الهيمنة أصبح الحصول عى إحصاءات صحية موثوقة مسألة ذات أولوية بالنسبة للبنان. ويستعرض هذا البحث عملية تجميع ونر الإحصائيات الصحية الوطنية من العديد من الركاء في القطاع العام والخاص وغر الحكومي في الباد. إن الدروس المستفادة من إعداد طبعتن من "تقرير الإحصائيات الصحية الوطنية في لبنان" تتيح التعرف عى نقاط القوة وكذلك بعض التحديات التي يواجهها نظام المعلومات الصحية الراهن في لبنان. فهذه التجربة تؤكد الحاجة إلى إقامة شراكة وثيقة بن جميع الأطراف المعنية، وإلى وجود نظام إدارة كفء، وموارد بشرية كافية، ونظم وإجراءات محددة مسبقاً. ومن شأن هذه العملية أن تستفيد من وجود موقع إلكروني تفاعي لتبادل البيانات والمعلومات بن الأطراف المعنية والجمهور. كا أن وجود دلائل إرشادية واضحة ذات تعريفات محددة وناذج موحدة من شأنه أن يسهل جمع البيانات وتحليلها

In view of the rapid health transition faced by the country and a highly dominant private sector, the issue of obtaining reliable health statistics is becoming a priority for Lebanon. This paper reviews the process of compiling and disseminating national health statistics from the multitude of public, private and nongovernmentalpartners in the country. The lessons learned from preparing two editions of the National health statistics report in Lebanon allow identification of some challenges and strengths of the current health information system in Lebanon. The experience emphasizes the need for a close partnership with all stakeholders, an efficientmanagement system, adequate human resources and predefined systems and procedures. The process would benefit from having an interactive website for exchange of data and information among stakeholders and the public. The existence of clear guidelines with consistent definitions and standardized forms would also facilitate the collection and analysis of data.

Face à la transition sanitaire rapide dans le pays et à un secteur privé fortement dominant, l’obtention de statistiques de santé fiables devient une priorité au Liban. Le présent article analyse le processus de compilation et de diffusion des statistiques de santé nationales fournies par une multitude de partenaires publics, privés et non gouvernementaux dans le pays. Les enseignements tirés de la préparation de deux éditions du rapport sur les statistiques sanitaires nationales au Liban ont permis d’identifier certaines forces et faiblesses du systèmed’information sanitaire actuel dans le pays. L’expérience souligne la nécessité d’un partenariat étroit entre les parties prenantes, d’un système de gestion efficace, de ressources humaines adéquates ainsi que de systèmes et de procédures prédéfinis. La création d’un site Internet interactif pour l’échange de données et d’informationsentre les parties prenantes et le public constituerait un avantage pour le processus. En outre, l’existence de recommandations claires, de définitions cohérentes et de formulaires normalisés faciliterait également le recueil et l’analyse des données.

Cytology and clinical spectrum of sexually transmitted infections in Lebanese women as revealed by Pap smear: a cross-sectional study from 2002-2006.

To study the cytology profile of cervical smears and the respective prevalence and incidence of certain cervico-vaginal infections detectable by routine Pap smear cytology in Lebanese women from 2002 to 2006. Pap smear cytology results were compiled from the archives of the Institut National de Pathologie for the period extending from 2002 until 2006. This study covered 118,230 cervical specimens obtained from Lebanese women attending clinics and hospitals in all the five districts of Lebanon; prevalence and incidence rates for infections detectable by routine Pap smear examination were determined. A rise in prevalence of these infections by 2.1 percent (2,555) from 2002 to 2006 was revealed. A doubling of Pap smears showing HPV-associated changes was detected (1.4 percent in 2002 to 2.9 percent in 2006), and a simultaneous almost 7-fold increase of Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance (ASCUS) cytology was detected during this period; the rise in ASCUS cytology was age-dependent. Moreover, a 60 percent increase in prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (2.3 percent in 2002 to 3.7 percent in 2006) and a more than 3-fold decline in Trichomonas vaginalis infection (1 percent in 2002 to 0.3 percent in 2006) were also noted in this population during this period. An increase in the prevalence and incidence of cervico-vaginal infections detectable by Pap smear cytology in Lebanese women was revealed from 2002 to 2006. Such changes could point to recent modifications of sexual and health behaviours in the Lebanese community.

Dissipation of profenofos, imidacloprid and penconazole in tomato fruits and products.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of some technological processes on the residual levels of profenofos, imidacloprid and penconazole in tomato fruits and products. According to their half-life (t (1/2)) values, tomato fruits can be safely harvested for human consumption or for processing purposes 3 days after the spray time of imidacloprid and penconazole and 7 days after in the case of profenofos. Pesticide residues were greatly decreased in tomato juice under cold or hot break compared with that taken from unwashed tomato fruits. A sharp decline in profenofos level was noted after treatment by pectinex ultra SP-L and benzyme M during tomato crushing.

Effect of dietary fish oil (active EPA-30) on liver phospholipids in young and aged rats.

We explored the uses of fish oil (active EPA-30) as a source of eicosapentaenate (EPA; 20:5 n-3), to young and old rats. We treated three subgroups of rats each comprising 20 young or old rats, respectively. The first group was kept on the basal ration (lab-pellet) as control diet, the second group was fed semi-purified diets contained 5% pig-fat (n-3 fatty acids deficient diet). The third group was fed a modified diet in which 50% of pig-fat was replaced by active EPA-30. Livers of young rats fed pig-fat had a drastic decrease in the amount of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA, 20:5 n-3 and docosahexaenoic, DHA, 22:6 n-3) and compensatory increase of phosphatidylcholine, saturated fatty acids and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the liver phospholipids. In contrast, the liver of young rats fed active EPA-30 had large amounts of PE and concomitant enrichment in polyunsaturated fatty acids. The liver of old rats, fed on active EPA-30 supplemented diet had lower amounts of PE and there were no significant changes in the phospholipid fatty acid composition.

Sublethal effects of phenol on the phospholipid fatty acid composition of carp erythrocyte plasma membrane.

The effect of different concentrations (5, 10, and 20 ppm) of phenol on the carp erythrocyte plasma membrane was examined following exposures of 48 and 96 h. The results indicated that the high concentrations of phenol pollutant led to an increase in phosphatidylcholine (PC) and eliminated phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylserine (PS), and phosphatidic acid (PA). The data also revealed that arachidonic acid (20:4 n-6) was present in the greatest amounts; its quantity in both low and high doses increased throughout the experimental period. The n-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic, 20:5 n-3, and docosahexaenoic acids, 22:6 n-3) displayed a fairly varied picture after exposure to phenol pollutant. Long-term exposure to higher phenol concentrations led to elimination of these acids and significantly decreased n-3/n-6 ratios.

Determination of itraconazole and its metabolite in plasma using SPE-HPLC.

A SPE-HPLC procedure for the determination of itraconazole and its metabolite has been developed. The method was shown to be suitable for routine therapeutic monitoring in leukemic patients.

In vivo effects of deltamethrin on some biochemical parameters of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

Thein vivo effects of deltamethrin (DM) on the blood sugar level, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) activities of the blood serum and various organs (heart, liver and intestine), the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC 1.1.2.3), glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT, EC 2.6.1.1), and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT, EC 2.6.1.2) activities of the blood serum, the adenosine triphosphatases (EC 3.6.1.3; Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase) activities of the erythrocyte plasma membrane and the catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) activity of the liver were examined throughout 96 h in adult carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Two sublethal concentrations, 1.0 and 1.5 µg/l of deltamethrin, were used. All fish survived the experiment except one, in an aquarium containing 1.5 ppb of DM, which died after 72 h.The AChE specific activity was significantly inhibited in the heart and intestine after 96 h at both concentrations compared to that in the control animals (P<0.05, Student'st-test), while there was no detectable difference between the two treatment. At the same time there was no detectable change in the liver. In the serum, the AChE activity almost remained unchanged; the only significant decrease could be measured after 96 h at 1.5 µg/l deltamethrin concentration. The blood glucose content exhibited interesting changes: after 24 h fish exposed at 1 µg/l DM seemed to be stressed, although this increase was not significant. When these fish became used to the new conditions (in practice this meant the presence of DM), the glucose level decreased, especially after 72 h. At the same time the control animals kept in similar circumstances showed a small insignificant decrease. Meanwhile fish in aquaria containing 1.5 µg/l DM reacted to the treatment with an increased blood glucose level after 48 h, and this did not change until the end of the treatment. The Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity decreased in a dose-dependant manner, while Mg(2+)-ATPase was less affected. A small increase in LDH level was observed, indicating damage of different muscle tissues. However, this phenomenon appeared only with the small dosage after 24 h (P<0.05). It has to be mentioned that the individual values varied to a large extent among of the eight fish.The GOT activities of the serum increased during the treatment. However, significant changes were only expressed after 72 and 96 h at 1 µg/l DM concentrations (P<0.01 andP<0.05), and after a similar long treatment at the high dosage (P<0.05, 72 and 96 h). The GPT did not change significantly in aquaria containing 1 µg/l DM. The only larger increase was measured after 96 h at 1.5 µg/l DM concentration (P<0.05). The catalase activity in the liver of treated carp remained practically at the same level compared to that in control fish.All these changes (concerning the primary effects of this compound) demonstrate the effect of DM on different fish enzymes, at low concentrations under laboratory conditions, which might be useful in practice for biomonitoring using fish.

Obstructive jaundice secondary to intra-biliary rupture of hepatic hydatid cyst.

Of 58 cases of obstructive jaundice treated in a three year period, six were due to the intrabiliary rupture of hydatid cysts of the liver. Eosinophilia of more than 10%, raised alkaline phosphatase, positive indirect haemagglutination test were noted in all six cases. Plain X-ray of the abdomen, ultrasound, endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography and CT scan were useful modalities for definite pre-operative diagnosis. All patients had operative treatment which consisted of cyst drainage, partial pericystectomy, curettage of the remaining cavity which was stitched with tube drain, cholecystectomies, choledochotomy and T-tube drainage. They all recovered satisfactorily and without complications in a follow-up period of two years.

Full-length ureteric splintage in the management of bilharzial ureteric strictures.

Our experience with full-length ureteric splintage is reviewed with a note on the technique and its outcome. It is safe, effective and simple, easy to teach and easy to learn. It is recommended as the operation of choice in bilharzial ureteropathy.