Spotlight: David Broza East Jerusalem West Jerusalem

Join Israeli musical superstar David Broza for an afternoon of film, conversation, and song as he shares the story of his boundary-crossing musical project.https://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/bennettcenter-posters/1344/thumbnail.jp

Epidemiologic Study of Vibrio vulnificus Infections by Using Variable Number Tandem Repeats

A 3-year environmental and clinical Vibrio vulnificus survey using simple-sequence repeats typing shows that V. vulnificus biotype 3 constitutes ≈21% of the bacterium population in tested aquaculture ponds as opposed to ≈86% of clinical cases. Simple-sequence repeats proved to be a useful epidemiologic tool, providing information on the environmental source of the pathogen

Traditional medicine of the Balkans with identification and examination of the collected material

Ziel der Studie: Die medizinische Verwendung wild wachsender und kultivierter Pflanzen in sechs Ländern auf der Balkanhalbinsel (Bosnien und Herzegowina, Kroatien, Monte Negro, Serbien, Slowenien und Rumänien) wird in dieser ethnobotanischen Studie, die in den Jahren 2006 bis 2009 stattfand, dargestellt. Das untersuchte Gebiet weist eine außerordentlich hohe Pflanzendiversität (ca. 6.300 Gefäßpflanzenarten) auf, wobei die Verwendung dieser natürlichen Ressourcen in der traditionellen Medizin bisher größtenteils unerforscht ist. Im Rahmen dieser Untersuchung wurde eine systematische Sammlung von Informationen über die Verwendung von Arzneipflanzen in der Humanmedizin durchgeführt. Material und Methoden: Die Informationen wurden durch so genannte offene ethnobotanische Interviews erfasst. Namen, Alter und Beruf der interviewten Person, die geographische Lokalität und Zeitpunkt des Interviews, Hintergrund des Rezepts, die verwendete Pflanze und der verwendete Pflanzenteil, die Rezeptur (inkl. der Zubereitungsverfahren) sowie die Indikationen wurden systematisch gesammelt. Die in den Rezepturen genannten Pflanzenarten wurden, so weit es möglich war gesammelt, taxonomisch bestimmt und im Herbarium des De¬partments für Pharmakognosie der Universität Wien (WUP) deponiert. Für die anatomischen, morphologischen, und chemischen Analysen wurden Methoden der Morphometrie, quantitative Anatomie, Lichtmikroskopie, Elektronenmikroskopie, Gaschromatographie-Massenspektrometrie, Dünnschichtchromatographie und Spektralphotometrie verwendet. Ergebnisse: Es wurden 116 Lokalitäten besichtigt und 204 Personen befragt. 293 Pflanzenarten wurden als Herbarmaterial gesammelt und 3171 Rezepturen der traditionellen Nutzung wurden aufgenommen. Die Anwendungen umfassen ein ausgedehntes Spektrum an Indikationen, besonders häufig waren Beschwerden des Urogenital-, Respirations- und Magen-Darmtrakts, Hauterkrankungen, Herz-Kreislaufsystemstörungen und Rheumatismus. Der Aufguss war die häufigste Zubereitung, daneben existieren natürlich andere wie direkte Anwendung der Pflanzen ohne Vorbereitung, frisch gepresste Säfte, Abkochungen, Tinkturen, Sirupe, Salben, Einreibungen, Mazerationen, Umschläge, Pulver und Zäpfchen. Spezielle Zubereitungen der Region von Bosnien und Herzegowina sind „mehlems“ und eine Art Sirup - der so genannte „đulbe šećer“. „Mehlems“ wurden aus frisch gehackten oder frisch gepressten Kräuterteilen verschiedener Pflanzen zubereitet. Angewärmte Harze von Abies oder Picea Arten, Bienenwachs, Kuh- oder Schweinefett, Olivenöl und Honig wurden als Zusätze in den Mehlem-Formulierungen benutzt. Vor allem Arten der Gattungen Arctium, Carlina, Euphrasia, Hypericum, Plantago, Teucrium und Urtica finden häufig Anwendung in diesen Salben. Die Hauptbestandteile von „đulbe šećer“ sind Zucker oder Honig, Zitronen und Blütenteile einer speziellen Rosa-Art mit sehr kleinen Blüten, die in Bosnien „đulbe ruža“ oder „ruža šećerka“ genannt wird. Die Rezepte wurden mündlich, normalerweise von Mutter zu Tochter, und sogar über mehr als sechs Generationen überliefert. Für weitere Analysen und Vergleiche wurden die gesammelten Daten in die so genannte „VOLKSMED“ Datenbank der österreichischen Rezepte eingegeben. Einige Arzneipflanzen wie Clinopodium vulgare L. (Lamiaceae), Lythrum salicaria L. (Lythraceae), Mentha pulegium L. (Lamiaceae) und Teucrium montanum L. (Lamiaceae), wurden genauer charaktierisiert (makroskopisch, mikroskopisch und phytochemisch). Schließlich wurden für die genannten Arten ausführliche Beschreibungen erarbeitet. Außerdem wurden ein zuverlässiges und praktisches Konzept zur Identifizierung der Mentha-Arten in Bosnien-Herzegowina und der Slowakei und Richtlinien für die Anwendung von morphologischen, phytochemischen und anatomischen Parametern in dieser taxonomisch komplizierten Gattung ausgearbeitet. Schlussfolgerungen: Abschließend kann festgehalten werden, dass für die medizinische Versorgung großer Teile der Bevölkerung, zumindest von Bosnien und Herzegowina, die traditionellen Arzneipflanzenanwendungen von höchster Bedeutung sind. Nur 70 der 293 erhobenen Pflanzenarten werden in der offiziellen Pharmazie angewendet. Weniger bekannte Arten, die seit Jahren in der traditionellen Medizin in dieser Region verwendet werden, könnten mögliche Quellen für neue Therapeutika darstellen.Aim of the study: The results of an ethnobotanical study on the use of wild and cultivated plants in six countries of the Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Monte Negro, Serbia, Slovenia and Romania) carried out in the years 2006 to 2009 are presented. Despite the extraordinary high plant diversity of the Balkans with about 6 300 known species of vascular plants, plant usage in traditional medicine remained largely unexplored in the past. The purpose of this study was the systematic collection of information about usage of wild and cultivated plants in the traditional human therapy. Material and methods: Information was gathered by performing so called open ethnobotanical interviews by which data on the name, age and occupation of the interviewed person; the geographic locality and date of the interview, the prescription background, the name of the used plant; part of the plant used; and preparation procedure as well as the indication was systematically collected. Plants mentioned to be used by the informants were collected and taxonomically determined. The corresponding material was deposited in the herbarium of the Department of Pharmacognosy of the University of Vienna (WUP). For the purpose of anatomical, morphological and phytochemical analyses, morphometry, quantitative anatomy, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and thin layer chromatography were used. The radical scavenging capacity was investigated using DPPH and ABTS assay. Results: In total, 116 places including villages and mountain areas were visited and 204 persons questioned. 293 wild and cultivated species and 3171 different preparations for the use in human therapy were recorded. Applications covered a broad spectrum of indications including disorders of the urogenital tract, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, blood system, nervous system, cardiovascular system, metabolism, senses, musculoskeletal system, lever and gall, endocrinological disorders as well as rheumatism, influenzal infections, parasitic induced ailments and inflammations. Infusions were the most frequently prepared formulation. Other applied preparations were decocts, ointments, fluid unctions, macerations, tinctures, syrups, collars, direct application of plants without prior preparation, freshly pressed juices, powders and suppositories. Special preparations, typical only for the area of Bosnia and Herzegovina were “mehlems” and some kind of sirup called “đulbe šećer”. “Mehlems” were prepared from freshly chopped or freshly pressed herbal parts of various plants. Warmed resins from Abies or Picea species, bees wax, raw cow or pig lard, olive oil and honey were used as additives in the mehlem formulations. Representatives of the genera Arctium, Carlina, Euphrasia, Hypericum, Plantago, Teucrium and Urtica were most frequently used in these balms. The main compounds of “đulbe šećer” are sugar or honey, lemon and flowers of one special species of Rosa (with very small flowers), in Bosnia called “đulbe ruža” or “ruža šećerka”. Prescriptions were verbally delivered, usually from mother to daughter and for even more than six generations. For the purpose of further analyses and comparisons, the collected data were inserted in the so called “VOLKSMED” data base of Austrian prescriptions. From the plants recorded to be used in these prescriptions, we chose four especially important species: Clinopodium vulgare L. (Lamiaceae), Lythrum salciaria L. (Lythraceae), Mentha pulegium L. (Lamiaceae) and Teucrium montanum L. (Lamiaceae). These were morphologically, anatomically and phytochemically characterized. The final aim was to provide data as a basis for monographs for these traditionally and extensively used medical plants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, which meet the standards of European Pharmacopeia. Furthermore a valid and practical concept for the identification of Mentha species in Bosnia & Herzegovina and Slovakia and a guideline for the respective usability of morphological, phytochemical and anatomical characters in this taxonomically complex genus were provided. Conclusions: The identified broad variety of indications and their frequent applications suggests that traditional plant use is of high importance and still crucial for the medicinal accommodation of Balkans people. 70 out of 293 species reported by the interviewed people were used in official pharmacy. In addition, a variety of less known plants has been used since ages in traditional therapy of these countries and hence may be potential sources for new therapies. Therefore, it appears promising to promote further pharmaceutical research into this particular and scientifically still underexplored proportion of plant biodiversity of the Balkans

Traditional Medicine in the Pristine Village of Prokoško Lake on Vranica Mountain, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The results of an ethnobotanical study conducted in the pristine village of Prokoško Lake (Vranica Mountain, Bosnia and Herzegovina) in summer 2007 is presented. Informal interviews involving 12 informants known as “traditional healers” provided data from 43 plants used in 82 prescriptions. The applied plants were used for a broad spectrum of indications. The most frequent were gastro-intestinal tract ailments, blood system disorders, skin ailments, respiratory tract ailments and urinary-genital tract ailments. The most frequent preparation was an infusion. Other often used preparations were ointments or balms and decocts. The special Bosnian balms known as “mehlems” were prepared from freshly chopped or freshly pressed herbal parts of various plant species. Warmed resins from Abies or Picea species, raw cow or pig lard, olive oil and honey served as basis. The traditional doctors, who usually worked as a team, enjoyed such a good reputation that people from all over the country were visiting in search of alternative ways to cure their ailments and diseases. The practical techniques applied by the healers and some of their attitudes and values are reported

Teste preliminar, in vitro, de microrganismos endofíticos para o controle de Cylindrocladium candelabrum e Botrytis cinerea.

Resumo

Chemical composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don. essential oil from Bosnia and Herzegovina

In this study, the chemical profiles, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Helivhrysum italicum essential oils from three plantation fields in Herzegovina were analysed. GC/MS analysis showed that all samples were rich in sesquiterpenes (45.19%-50.07%) and monoterpenes (21.15%-23.21%), followed by oxygenated monoterpenes (9.92%-14.03%). Diketones in the essential oil were detected in quantities ranging 5.72% to 6.67%. The main components in essential oils were γ-curcumene, α-pinene, β-selinene and neril-acetate. All tested essential oils exhibited relatively weak DPPH.-scavenging capacity. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was assayed by using the disk diffusion method. E. coli was most resistant against all three tested H. italicum essential oils, while moderate inhibitory activity against S. aureus and C. albicans was detected. The L. monocytogenes was the most sensitive where all three tested samples showed inhibitory activity

Apreensões operatórias em registros figurais: um estudo com alunos de Licenciatura em Matemática

Este trabalho investiga o uso dos registros de representação semiótica na Geometria. Para isso, foi observada a influência dos Materiais Manipuláveis (MM), do Software GeoGebra (SG) e das Expressões Gráficas (EG) como registros figurais nas apreensões operatórias de figuras geométricas. As referidas apreensões foram estudadas com base na teoria dos registros de representação semiótica, de Raymond Duval, e dizem respeito às possíveis modificações que podem ser realizadas em registros figurais com o intuito de resolver um problema de geometria. Para esta investigação, realizamos a aplicação de uma atividade com 12 licenciandos do 3º e 4º anos de Matemática de uma Universidade ao norte do Estado do Paraná. A atividade foi aplicada individualmente e elaborada com o propósito de pesquisar os indícios de apreensões operatórias que o contato com os registros figurais na forma de MM, SG e EG proporciona. A análise dos dados foi realizada com base nos objetivos propostos, nas resoluções escritas pelos alunos e áudios gravados durante a aplicação da atividade. Com esta pesquisa, constatamos que a diversidade de registros figurais contribui para a visualização de conceitos e propriedades dos objetos geométricos em questão, auxiliando na resolução do problema, proporcionando diferentes operações e completando um registro figural ao outro

Therapeutic effect of ointment for psoriasis based on Achillea millefolium L., Calendula officinalis L. and Salvia officinalis L.

This study investigates the efficacy of Dermavit cream for treatment of psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis made by Pharmamed d.o.o Travnik for treatment of patients diagnosed with psoriasis. Dermavit cream for treatment of psoriasis, ekczema and dermatitis contains in composition Achillea millefolium extract, Calendula officinalis extract and Salvia officinalis essential oil. Due to the specific composition of extracts contained in Dermavit cream for treatment of psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis, it hydrates and softens the skin, helping it to regenerate and soothe the skin surface. For qualitative analysis of the extracts, UHPLC – MS (Millefolium herba and Calendulae flos) and GC-MS (Salviae folium) were used. According the study results conducted on subjects with diagnosis of psoriasis Dermavit cream for treatment of psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis can be determined to be successful in alleviating psoriasis symptoms. The results are obtained based on a study involving 30 patients with psoriasis, where each of them used the cream for a period of 60 days