Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2008. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Thesis (M.S.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2007. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Tracy A.O. Dougher. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 247-258).

O Cearà vem registrando nos Ãltimos anos, um aumento nas taxas de detecÃÃo de hansenÃase. Os dados do perÃodo de 1970 a 1996 revelam que as taxas de detecÃÃo aumentaram, passando de 0,23/10.000 habitantes em 1970 para 2,77/10.000 habitantes em 1996, correspondendo um crescimento com variaÃÃo de 1 104,34%. Essa ascendÃncia freqÃentemente à interpretada como evidÃncia de expansÃo da endemia, como o aumento de transmissÃo da doenÃa, ou tambÃm aos fatores operacionais, atravÃs do aumento da cobertura dos serviÃos de saÃde, principalmente no interior do Estado. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo, estudar e analisar a situaÃÃo epidemiolÃgica e operacional da hansenÃase no Estado do CearÃ, no perÃodo de 1970 a 1996, atravÃs de seus indicadores, visando avaliar a magnitude desta patologia, no CearÃ, distribuÃdos nos 14 Departamentos Regionais de SaÃde, inclusive na Capital alencarina. O mÃtodo utilizado foi um estudo retrospectivo, descritivo e analÃtico de uma sÃrie histÃrica de casos de hansenÃase dos Ãltimos 26 anos. Foi estudada a tendÃncia das taxas de detecÃÃo brutas e especÃficas por sexo e grupo etÃrio, bem como as proporÃÃes das diversas formas clÃnicas da doenÃa, comparando com outros estudos de autores brasileiros e estrangeiros, levantados na revisÃo de literatura. Como o perÃodo analisado inclui marcos importantes na evoluÃÃo da terapÃutica e do enfoque das polÃticas de controle da hansenÃase, realizou-se um breve histÃrico, correlacionado o fenÃmeno epidemiolÃgico com resultados operacionais. Observa-se, tambÃm, a queda progressiva da prevalÃncia a partir de 1990, com um descenso acumulado de 60%, devido à implantaÃÃo de um novo esquema de tratamento (poliquimioterapia-PQT/OMS) e limpeza de arquivo, com impacto de forma acentuada da endemia hansÃnica. Estudam-se tambÃm as saÃdas do registro ativo, seus motivos e graus de incapacidade no momento da cura, assim tambÃm como as coortes de multibacilares e paucibacilares. O plano de aÃÃo para a eliminaÃÃo da hansenÃase como problema de saÃde pÃblica à analisado, levando-se a uma projeÃÃo para o ano 2000, o que, baseada na ascensÃo observada no perÃodo estudado e na continuaÃÃo das polÃticas de controle e eliminaÃÃo da hansenÃase, mantendo-se a mesma velocidade e utilizando as mesmas estratÃgias, alcanÃaremos a meta da OMS, apenas no ano 2008. Portanto, se nÃo houver um maior incremento na descentralizaÃÃo das aÃÃes de diagnÃstico e controle, sensibilizando profissionais de saÃde e, principalmente, priorizaÃÃo por parte dos gestores com definiÃÃes polÃticas, necessitaremos ainda de 12 anos para a almejada meta de 1 doente por 10.000 habitantes. / In the last years we can observe, in Ceara, an increase in the detection rates of hanseniase. The dates from 1970 to 1996, show that the rates increased from 0.23/ 10 thousand inhabitant in 1970 to 2,77/ 10 thousand inhabitant in 1996, reaching an increase of 1,104.34%. The rise, is often explained, as an evidence in the expand of the endemic disease, as an increase in the transmission of the disease, and also as operational factors though the rise in the coverage of the health services, mainly in the country side of Ceara. This work has as objective to study, analyse the epidemiologic and operational situation of hanseniase, in the state of Ceara from 1970 to 1996, though their records, in order to evaluate the greatness of this patyology in Ceara, spreaded in the 14 Health Regional Departments of the state and also in Fortaleza. It is studied the tendency of these rates by sex and age as the proportions of the different clinic forms of the disease making a comparison with other studies of Brasilian and foreign authors. As the analysed period includes important signs in the evolution of the therapy and in the evolution of the therapy and in the focus politics used in the control of hanseniase, it is necessary to make a shot history, correlating the epidemiological phenomenon with the operational results. The global tendency in the rates of detection of leper in the studied period is of increase. We also observe a continuing fall of prevalence since 1990, with an expressive fall of 60%, due to a new treatment (MDT-OMS) and cleaness of file, through righ statistics making an impact of the endemic leper. We study the existence of the active record, your reasons and levels of incapacities at the moment of heal, as also the cohorts of multibacillaries and paucibacillaries. The actions plan to extringuish the leper as a health public problem is analysed, taking into consideration the projection to 2000 year. That based in the observed ascention in the study period and in the continuation of politics to the control and extinction of leper, keeping the same rapidity and using the same strategies, we will reach the OMS, goal only in 2008 year. Therefore, if there is no change in the actions of diagnostic and control, making sensible the health workers and above all the priority by the managers, with definite politics, we will need 12 years more to get the goal of 1 inhabitant to 10 thousand inhabitants.

Cissampelos capensis L. f. (Menispermaceae) commonly known as “Mayisake” (Xhosa) and “Dawidjieswortel” (Afrikaans) is the most commonly used medicinal plant of the Menispermaceae family in South Africa. The rhizomes of Cissampelos capensis are the most used part of the plant to treat illnesses. This poses a threat to the ongoing conservation of this valuable endemic species. Thus, we studied the chemical variation and subsequently the bioactivity in the stems and rhizomes of Cissampelos capensis, the Eastern Cape medicinal plant, to suggest the possible use of the stems for medicinal purposes. We studied the variation in the chemical composition in the stems and the rhizomes by employing four different extraction methods; the methanolic-, non-polar-, alkaloidal- and Total Tertiary Alkaloidal (TTA) to extract compounds from Cissampelos capensis. Employing various chromatographic techniques, HPLC, NMR and LC/MS to investigate the chemical variation and the in vitro assays for the crude materials of the stems and rhizomes of Cissampelos capensis. We successfully documented a library of the phytochemicals content in Cissampelos capensis from three different regions in the Eastern Cape. We could profile different extraction methods, with the TTA extraction delivering the best comparative profile. Employing LC/MS and HPLC we identified eleven known alkaloidal compounds in the stems and rhizomes. We also isolated a known alkaloid, pronuciferine, from the TTA extract and a crystal structure of proto-quericitol from the methanolic extract, which was isolated for the first time from Cissampelos capensis. Preliminary in vitro results suggested anti-inflammatory activity in the methanolic extracts of the stems and rhizomes, while the TTA extracts showed some cytotoxicity. Finally, through analytical HPLC analysis this study found as high as 31% similarity between the chemical variation of the stems and rhizomes, but key alkaloids were not always present, indicating more work is needed before the stems can be recommended as a replacement for the rhizomes.

No description available.

Background: In the United States, cases of human blastomycosis are largely described in defined geographic areas, with Mississippi reporting the highest prevalence of disease in the southeast region. The infection is uncommonly recognized in mountainous areas, and our previous report of blastomycosis in the southern Appalachian mountains of northeast Tennessee appeared to be an exception to the usual disease distribution. Methods: Our current retrospective study was undertaken to determine whether blastomycosis has persisted as an endemic fungal infection in our northeast Tennessee geographic area and whether epidemiologic features have changed over a 25-year time period. Results: Results show that clinical aspects of the disease have remained fairly constant with few exceptions; mass-type pulmonary lesions have become more common, and itraconazole has emerged as the therapy of choice. Most notably, however, are the observations that blastomycosis persists as a major endemic fungal infection in our mountain region, more than half of all cases occurring during the period from 1996 to 2005 were found in a core area centered on two counties, Washington and Unicoi; three of five counties surrounding the core counties experienced rate increases compared to our previous study. Conclusions: These findings suggest a further expansion of this endemic fungal disease beyond the core region.

The streams of the southeastern United States are both hotspots for biodiversity and centers of imperilment. The specific spatiotemporal scales at which stressors impact biota are often unknown, partly due to inadequate knowledge about many species' life-histories. I conducted two complementary studies to investigate the habitat associations of an imperiled highland stream fish, the Candy Darter Etheostoma osburni. In Chapter 2, I asked (1) does micro-habitat suitability correlate with the "robustness" (i.e., viability) of four distinct populations? In Chapter 3, I expanded the extent of investigation, and asked (2) which environmental factors, expressed at what spatial scales, best explain in-stream conditions, and (3) do stream segments where Candy Darters persist have cooler temperatures and less fine-sediment than segments where the species is extirpated or historically went undetected? Chapter 2 revealed Candy Darters demonstrate ontogenetic habitat shifts, with age-0 individuals selecting slower water velocities than adults. Despite, clear habitat selection for multiple habitat variables, suitability attributed to fine-sediment avoidance most strongly correlated with population robustness across streams. Chapter 3 indicated Candy Darters are extirpated from most areas in Virginia and southern West Virginia. Land use and natural catchment features, including geology, elevation, and stream geomorphology, predominantly explained instream conditions. Populations persist in segments with cool stream temperatures and low embeddedness year-round. To recover Candy Darters, managers will need to remedy pervasive land-use threats and restore stream habitat, while operating within the impending context of warming air and water temperatures and the existential threat of the introduced Variegate Darter E. variatum. / M. S.

Title from title page of PDF (University of Missouri--St. Louis, viewed February 10, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2002. / The first objective was to investigate the effect of Sutherlandia frutescens 30CH on healthy provers and to record the signs and symptoms produced, so that it could be prescribed according to the Law of Similars, as required by homoeopathy. The second objective was to analyze the symptoms obtained from this proving according to the doctrine of signatures. It was hypothesized that Sutherlandia frutescens 30CH would produce observable signs and symptoms in healthy volunteers which would correlate to a doctrine of signatures analysis of the plant. A double blind proving of Sutherlandia frutescens 30CH was conducted. 24 provers were selected and randomly divided into two groups, the first consisted of 18 provers who received medicated powders and the second consisted of the remaining six who received placebo. The subjects were unaware of the nature of the substance that they took nor the potency thereof as an added control measure. Provers were examined and kept journals before, during and after administration of the remedy so as to serve as their own control. This information, along with data collected by the researchers from case histories and physical examination, was then assessed on completion of the proving. The researchers then translated the symptoms elicited into Materia Medica and repertory language and formulated a homoeopathic picture of this remedy. Data was analyzed by qualitative methods, as the data was not amenable to standard / M

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2002. / The purpose of this study was to determine the effect that Tulbagia violacea ethanolic herbal tincture, and Tulbagia violacea IX and 6X homoeopathic potencies, had 011 the in vitro growth inhibition of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus ourens. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacil/us cereus respectively, as compared to a ethanol negative control. The final results were expressed as a ratio to the values obtained from gentamyein and vancomycin. Measurement was by means of the discdiffusion assay. For this study fifteen Mueller-Hinton agar plates were prepared and inoculated with each test bacteria in turn. Filter paper discs were individually inoculated with the sample substances and the control using a micropipette, before being allowed to air dry, One disc each of the Tulbagia violacea herbal tincture, 1X potency, 6X potency, ethanol control, as well as a gentamyein and vancomycin disc were placed equidistantly apart on each plate, The gentamyein and vancomycin discs were included in the experiment with the sole purpose of accounting for plate-to-plate variations in the pharmacological sensitivity of the same species of bacteria, The plates were incubated at 37\xB0C, and the zones of inhibitions measured with a pair of Vernier callipers at ] 8 hour, 24 hour and 36 hour intervals. Il Data entry and analysis was done using the SPSS\xAE statistical package, The Friedman test was used for intra-group comparison of each test or control substance at 18 hours, 24 hours and 36 hours. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the mean inhibition zones produced by the test and control substance after 18 hours, 24 hours and 36 hours of incubation. The tests were performed at a=O.05 (5%) level of significance, The results obtained were that the Tulbagia violacea herbal tincture, and IX and 6X nomoeopathic potencies did not produce a statistically significant inhibitive effect on / M