Life cycle of a common weed : reciprocity, anxiety and the aesthetics of noncatharsis

Thesis (S.M. in Visual Studies)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 2009.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-100).This document is a condensation of research into an artistic practice of transation and dialogue. Through the staging of an artwork, I offer encounters with fractured biopolitics and forms of social engagement. Written in three parts, this document may be read as separate yet interdependent components of a distributed narrative. The first section begins with a straightforward description and documentation of an artistic concept that evolved during my time at MIT. The artwork, Life Cycle of a Common Weed, is a fertile encounter between plants and humans. The material transfer of nutrients is the critical locus of this exchange: blood from a human body nourishes dandelions with nitrogen and the root and leaves of the dandelion provide nutritious and medicinal sustenance to the human. Liminally present in the exchange are pathogenic viruses and empathy. Life Cycle of a Common Weed is not an object-based artwork, and as such exists as a performance, visual documentation, an event, and a perpetual cultivation. In the second section, I describe the emergence of Life Cycle of a Common Weed from a rhizomatic web of embodied knowledges, multispecies encounters, cultural symbols and practices, dialogues and lateral transfers. I have infected the philosophical abstractions of the artist's statement genre with a situated ethnography that joins the artwork to nodes of questions and contexts, but by no means circumscribes its entire network of connectivity. The final section identifies the work of other artists as important antecedents, as well as audience encounters that provoked reflection on my approach.(cont.) In relation to my other work and the unfolding narrative of its creation, Life Cycle of a Common Weed is situated as a turning point within my artistic practice.by Caitlin Berrigan.S.M.in Visual Studie

Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS) Surveillance Study

PMWS is characterized by a clinical history of wasting or poor performance in weaned pigs and by severe lymphoid depletion and histiocytic replacement of follicles in lymphoid tissues. The detection of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) antigen or nucleic acids within characteristic microscopic lesions is required for the diagnosis of PMWS. Swine veterinarians submitted a specified set of samples from one hundred field cases that they felt fit the clinical definition of PMWS. All these cases were further analyzed for the presence or absence and scored for severity of the hallmark microscopic lesions (lymphoid depletion) of PMWS, the amount of PCV2 antigen associated with the lesions, and identification of concurrent bacterial and viral infections. Fifty-four of the 100 field cases were confirmed to be PMWS, whereas, no association with PCV2 was found in 46 of the cases. This highlights the need for further diagnostic testing, specifically histopathology and antigen detection, for confirmation of cases clinically suspected to be PMWS. This will become particularly important as vaccines for PCV2-associated diseases become approved for use

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C and assessment of responsible risk factors among the vulnerable β-thalassemic patients of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

Approximately 350 million patients of hepatitis B and 170 million patients of Hepatitis C are present worldwide according to WHO. Many risk factors are involved in the transmission of theses deadly viral infections but blood transfusion in Beta thalassemic patients is working with two faces, one as remedy and the other is key risk factor in the spread of silent killers. Thalassemia patients registered in Combine Military Hospital (CMH) Rawalakot and Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan Hospital, Muzaffarabad Azad Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan were studied for the viral hepatitis B and C prevalence. A total of 303 (including 164 males and 139 females) individuals, aged between 1 and 12 years were studied. All the understudy participants were interviewed through questionnaire method. After taking written consent from each participant or guardian, 5 ml of blood was collected from each participant and brought to the working laboratory for HBV and HCV screening through ICT kit method. All ICT positive samples were further confirmed through ELISA. Individuals 25(8.2%) were found positive for both hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg) and Anti hepatitis C antibody (Anti-HCV antibody) after initial screening with no coinfection of both diseases. Out of 25 total infected individuals, 05(1.6%) were found HBsAg positive and 20(6.6%) were found anti-HCV positive. All the ICT positive individuals were further confirmed by quantitative Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and 23(7.6%) individuals were confirmed for both hepatitis B and C including 05(1.6%) HBsAg positive as well as 18(5.9%) anti-HCV antibody positive individuals. We can conclude that 8.2% prevalence of hepatitis B and C among thalassemic patients is an alarming health concern which directly indicates to pay attention for ensuring 100% safe blood transfusion

Edible Marijuana: A New Frontier in the Culinary World

Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, has a rich history as a source of fiber, food and medicine (Li 437). Since 1785, physicians and scientists alike have worked to discover the active chemical components and medical effectiveness of this plant (Touw 2; Aldrich). Despite its complicated legal history, marijuana has retained a place culturally and, in some countries, scientifically as an effective medical agent. As a medically edible ingredient, cannabis has also been more recently heralded as a new, even cutting edge flavor, opening a new frontier to the culinary community. After the isolation of the main active ingredient in cannabis, δ-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), in 1964, various physicians and scientists conducted research demonstrating its therapeutic medical efficacy for a variety of illnesses including glaucoma, cancer, AIDS, anorexia, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and pain management (Watson et. al. 548). Over a decade has passed since cannabis first became legalized for medical use in California in 1996 (Eddy 8). Subsequently, 18 other states, including the District of Columbia, legalized cannabis for medical use. Individuals who have received a doctor’s recommendation for its use are authorized to consume cannabis for medical purposes. Although it is commonly ingested by inhalation, many individuals prefer to consume marijuana through edible products. Due to an increased interest in careful cultivation practices, biochemical evaluation of the product, and quality control efforts, a market for medical edibles has developed. Many chefs have begun experimenting with cannabis, using it as a spice or flavor, to create a sensory food experience. Savvy chefs, such as Scott Van Rixel, Kristi Knoblich, Eric Underwood, Julie Dooley and Julianna Carella entered this new market with both entrepreneurial and altruistic interest in creating medical marijuana edibles, tapping into the new flavor frontier this product provides. It is interesting that in the culinary world’s constant search for new and exciting flavor discoveries, the medical edibles industry has not received much mainstream interest. Little data has been compiled supporting the potential this ancient plant may bring to cuisine (Watson et. al. 548). Now, due to the application of ancient and experimental techniques, these innovative chefs are blazing the trail for the culinary community. This paper investigates edible medical marijuana as a viable frontier and niche market from a legal, medical and culinary perspective. It reviews the etymology and the history of cannabis, as well as current legal, medicinal and cultivation guidelines. This is accomplished through an overview of four states’ dispensary policies, as well as the creative culinary accomplishments of representative edible establishments. This study also draws on the results of two surveys: one directed to the edible product developers, dispensers, and vendors, the other survey directed to authorized patients of the dispensaries. The data collected is intended to confirm the emergence of a unique culinary product, its value, increased distribution, and potential for success in this newly developed market

THE RESEARCH UPDATES AND PROSPECTS OF HERBAL HARD-BOILED LOZENGES: A CLASSICAL PLATFORM WITH PROMISING DRUG DELIVERY POTENTIAL

Over the past decades major focus has been given towards innovative drug delivery systems and new dosage forms. This is due to highly expensive process and high attrition rates of existing marketed drugs. Hard-boiled lozenges (HBLs) are one of the solid dosage form designed to release the drug in saliva for either local or systemic effects. Typical application of lozenegs includes throat infection, pharyngitis, cough suppressant, nasal-decongestant, expectorants, and smoking cessation. The drug delivery through the hard-boiled candies has an easy marketing advantage due to its attractive appearance and patient compliance. As a part of the drug is absosrbed into systemic circulation, gastrointestinal degradation and fast pass effects are avoided. Further, drug delivery through hard-boiled lozenges can be potential platform for some of the suitable drug candidates. This review on hard-boiled lozenges discusses manufacturing process, characterization techniques, quality control, research studies and market potential of hard-boiled lozenges. The major databases searched were, PubMed, Wiley Online, Medline, Elsevier, Google scholar, Scopus, ACS, The Royal Society of Chemistry, SciFinder, Baidu Scholars, CNKI, web of science, Cochrane database, US Patents, Espacenet and various business reviews. This review provides comprehensive information on hard-boiled lozenges that will help the pharmaceutical scientist from academia as well pharmaceutical industry to leverage the potential of this conventional dosage form for various herbal drugs and other pharmaceutical actives

Public Health Rep

13728666PMCnul

Clinical Characteristics and Cross Analysis of HIV and HCV Co-Infection in Faisalabad Region

About 150 and about 35 million human beings are infected with HCV (hepatitis C virus) as well as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) respectively. The increasing stress of HIV/HCV coinfection is supposed to infect five to seven million individuals globally due to their coinciding approaches of procurement. Co-infection of HCV/HIV in patients caused them to suffer from more liver-associated mortality and anguish. This paper aims to investigate the spread rate of the HIV and HCV coinfection in District Faisalabad. In this paper, blood samples of patients are evaluated and tested for anti-HIV/HCV antibodies employing the ICT (immune chromatography technique) for HIV/HCV confections. The six out 30 confirmed patients (real-time PCR) for HIV infection who also have HCV infection were analyzed for additional provisional clinical examination. In these patients, the hemoglobin (17.38±0.159 per dL), ALT (77 uL-1) and Hematocrit (50.60±0.255%) levels increased significantly than standard reference values. On the body, these facts could be developed due to HIV/HCV co-infection burden. An inverse relation has been demonstrated by these coinfected patients in the levels of hemoglobin as well as in platelets. With the usages of better supplements/nutrients, the above differential values can be improved and ultimately beneficial for the survival of the infected individuals. The Current paper could be convenient for appropriate perpetuation of HIV/HCV co-infected patients under related treatment

Technology, Chemistry and Bioactive Properties of Large Cardamom (Amomum Subulatum Roxb.): An Overview.

Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) is an aromatic and medicinal spice native to Eastern Himalayas belonging to the family Zingiberaceae. It is used as flavoring and preservative to different types of coffee, liquors, confections, beverages and tobacco. Volatile oil (2-4%) is the principal aroma-giving compound in large cardamom and 1,8- cineole is the major active compound in an extent 60 to 80% of the total volatile oil. Alcohol and aqueous extract of large cardamom have been reported to contain allopathic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiulcer, cardio-adaptogenic and hypolipidaemic activities. Large cardamom and its powder, oleoresin and essential oils have many culinary and therapeutic uses. Objective of this review is to give short overview on the processing technology, chemistry, bioactivity and uses of large cardamom and its components

Quantitative Relationships between Circulating Leukocytes and Certain Enteric Bacterial Infection in Children with Acute Diarrhea

Various pathogenic microorganisms have been implicated as the cause of infectious diarrhea in children as a result of water and food contamination. The study's goal is to determine the reliability of complete blood count (CBC) in peripheral blood of children with acute diarrhea which infected by certain enteric bacteria, with an emphasis on leukocytes (WBCs). A study conducted to examine the pattern of bacterial distribution in children with acute diarrhea's stool, as well as the relationship between the presence of pathogenic bacteria in stool samples and the number of total WBCs and differential leukocyte count in peripheral blood. Samples size includes (76) of health none diarrhea and (174) diarrheal patients, statistical analysis revealed that co-infection by E. coli and Klebsiella sp. was significantly higher (P<0.001) among children which suffered by diarrhea in compare to health individuals. In addition, the logistic regression shows co-infections and infections by Klebsiella sp. (OR: 29.44, 16.288 respectively) more likelihood leads to acute diarrhea compare to E. coli infection alone (P<0.001). Neutrophils/ Lymphocyte ratio (NRL) was (2.412) times higher and neutrophils (1.069) times more in diarrheal group (P<0.001), also the AUC for NRL was 0.833(sensitivity: 81.61 and specificity: 68.42), while for percent of neutrophils was less 0.671 (sensitivity: 46.24 and specificity: 85.71). Concluded that peripheral leukocyte count, particularly the NRL index, is helpful in children with acute diarrhea and additionally that the prevalence of diarrhea is altered by different bacterial infections