Phytochemical Screening and Elemental Analysis of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts of Datura innoxia Seeds and Leaves

The present study is aimed to screen the phytochemicals analysis and elements content of Datura innoxia seeds and leaves. The aqueous and methanol extracts were carried out by using the maceration method and soxhlet apparatus, respectively. Results of the study of Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of a high concentration of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids and triterpines, and low concentration of saponin and coummarins. The elements in the leaves and seeds (K, Ca, S, Si, Cl, Fe, Al, P, Mg, Ti, Mn, Zn, Sr, Cu, V, Br, and Zr) were determined by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopy. K content was the highest in seeds (5.469 ± 0.021%), Ca and S the highest in leaves (2.461 ± 0.019 %, 1.254 ± 0.022 %, respectively). The elements Ti, Mn, Sr, V, Br, and Zr were detected in the leaves with range concentration 0.062-0.002 %. The elements Si, Cl, Fe, Al, P, Mg, and Zn concentration in seeds varied from 0.002 to 0.942% and in leaves varied from 0.014 to 0.346%. The concentration of these elements did not exceed the standard of dangerous toxic levels

Broadening the Focus

Over the past dozen or so years neuroethics has become a rich and dynamic field that has brought together individuals from a variety of disciplines and interests to consider issues that lie at the intersection of ethics and neuroscience. During this period there has been a significant amount of important empirical and philosophical work on a range of topics at this intersection; however, there has been comparatively little work on this intersection as it applies to nonhuman animals. In fact, it is fair to say that neuroethics has had a distinct and almost exclusive “humanistic focus.” Our hope with this special section is to broaden this focus and to provoke and encourage discussion of nonhuman animals within neuroethics. There are a number of explanations for neuroethics’ humanistic focus

Headache: the patient's view

Introduction:- Headache is the commonest reason for neurology referrals, and the commonest neurological reason for patients attending Emergency Departments (EDs). An ethical approach to health care requires that patients be provided with informed choice about management. However researchers have not addressed patients’ concerns and choices in managing headache. This study aims to describe the views of patients, their fears, use of EDs , their perceived need for a scan and its outcome for them. Methods:- A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 19 adults aged 23-63, referred by Family Practitioners (FPs) to neurologists for primary headaches approximately two years previously. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. Results:- Participants described fears about secondary organic causes for headache, like a brain tumor. They described their headaches as stressful, and leading to a vicious cycle of fear. Many believed they needed a brain scan and requested it. Participants reported relief of their fears after a scan, and in some cases relief of headache symptoms.Discussion:- UK FPs now have open access to brain scanning, which may relieve physical concerns. Interventions to address health-related anxiety may also help some consulters for headache

Car wash water recycling system

The high rate of transportation and vehicle washing centers led to an increase in water consumption. When the water consumption increase, the amount of wastewater discharged and the cost of utility will also increase. Only the right technique used for washing the vehicles can minimize the amount of water consumption. Conservation of water will not only save the water supply, but it will also help in financial savings. Recycling and reusing the water from the car wash means collecting, processing, and treating the contaminated water to remove the dirt and contaminants and using the treated water again for car washing. As cars body always stained with dirt and dust while driving, some dirt such as small stones might stuck and penetrate into the wheels and caused major damage. Thus, a regular car wash usually is needed for every vehicle to avoid this problem. Moreover, getting a regular car wash can also improve car performance. Hence, periodically car washing is one of the best ways to preserve and maintain the performance of vehicles

The ideas of people referred to neurologists about managing their headaches: A qualitative study

IntroductionHeadache is the commonest reason for General Practitioner (GP) referrals to neurologists, accounting for 25% of all referrals. Those that are referred, however, constitute only 2% of patients who consult GPs with headache. Previous research has suggested that referred patients are more fearful and anxious about their symptoms than those managed without referral. GPs described pressure to refer, often for a brain scan. We now report patients' perspectives.Aims/objectivesThe aim of this study was to explore the view of people consulting GPs with headache who were referred to neurologists.MethodsA qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with nineteen adults aged 23-63, referred by their GPs to neurologists for primary headaches. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically.ResultsParticipants described recurring concerns about secondary organic causes for headache, like a brain tumour. They described their headaches as stressful and a vicious cycle, with further headaches occurring. Some reported catastrophic fears, leading them to attend A&E. Many believed they needed a brain scan, and over half had had a scan, all of which were normal. Many reported dissatisfaction with care and use of alternative therapies.ConclusionPeople referred to neurologists for headache described fear and distress, particularly about the possibility of a brain tumour. GPs now have open access to scanning. This may relieve physical concerns. Interventions to address health-related anxiety may help some consulters for headache too

The three stages of building and testing mid-level theories in a realist RCT: a theoretical and methodological case-example.

BACKGROUND: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of social interventions are often criticised as failing to open the 'black box' whereby they only address questions about 'what works' without explaining the underlying processes of implementation and mechanisms of action, and how these vary by contextual characteristics of person and place. Realist RCTs are proposed as an approach to evaluation science that addresses these gaps while preserving the strengths of RCTs in providing evidence with strong internal validity in estimating effects. METHODS: In the context of growing interest in designing and conducting realist trials, there is an urgent need to offer a worked example to provide guidance on how such an approach might be practically taken forward. The aim of this paper is to outline a three-staged theoretical and methodological process of undertaking a realist RCT using the example of the evaluation of a whole-school restorative intervention aiming to reduce aggression and bullying in English secondary schools. DISCUSSION: First, informed by the findings of our initial pilot trial and sociological theory, we elaborate our theory of change and specific a priori hypotheses about how intervention mechanisms interact with context to produce outcomes. Second, we describe how we will use emerging findings from the integral process evaluation within the RCT to refine, and add to, these a priori hypotheses before the collection of quantitative, follow-up data. Third, we will test our hypotheses using a combination of process and outcome data via quantitative analyses of effect mediation (examining mechanisms) and moderation (examining contextual contingencies). The results are then used to refine and further develop the theory of change. CONCLUSION: The aim of the realist RCT approach is thus not merely to assess whether the intervention is effective or not, but to develop empirically informed mid-range theory through a three-stage process. There are important implications for those involved with reporting and reviewing RCTs, including the use of new, iterative protocols. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN10751359 (Registered 11 March 2014)

Realist complex intervention science: applying realist principles across all phases of the Medical Research Council framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions

The integration of realist evaluation principles within randomised controlled trials (‘realist RCTs’) enables evaluations of complex interventions to answer questions about what works, for whom and under what circumstances. This allows evaluators to better develop and refine mid-level programme theories. However, this is only one phase in the process of developing and evaluating complex interventions. We describe and exemplify how social scientists can integrate realist principles across all phases of the Medical Research Council framework. Intervention development, modelling, and feasibility and pilot studies need to theorise the contextual conditions necessary for intervention mechanisms to be activated. Where interventions are scaled up and translated into routine practice, realist principles also have much to offer in facilitating knowledge about longer-term sustainability, benefits and harms. Integrating a realist approach across all phases of complex intervention science is vital for considering the feasibility and likely effects of interventions for different localities and population subgroups

The school environment and student health: a systematic review and meta-ethnography of qualitative research

Background There is increasing interest in promoting young people’s health by modifying the school environment. However, existing research offers little guidance on how the school context enables or constrains students’ health behaviours, or how students’ backgr ounds relate to these processes. For these reasons, this paper reports on a meta-et hnography of qualitative studies examining: through what processes does the school environment (s ocial and physical) influence young people’s health? Methods Systematic review of qualitative studies. Sixteen databases were searched, eliciting 62, 329 references which were screened, with included studies quality ass essed, data extracted and synthesized using an adaptation of Noblit and Hare’s meta-ethnographic approach. Results Nineteen qualitative studies were synthesised to explore processe s through which school- level influences on young people’s health might occur. Four over-arching meta-themes emerged across studies focused on a range of different health is sues. First, aggressive behaviour and substance use are often a strong source of status and bonding at schools where students feel educationally marginalised or unsafe. Second, health -risk behaviours are concentrated in unsupervised ‘hotspots’ at the school. Third, positive relat ionships with teachers appear to be critical in promoting student wellbeing and li miting risk behaviour; however, certain aspects of schools’ organisation and education policies c onstrain this, increasing the likelihood that students look for a sense of identity and social support via health-risk behaviours. Fourth, unhappiness at school can cause students to se ek sources of ‘escape’, either by leaving school at lunchtime or for longer unaut horized spells or through substance use. These meta-themes resonate with Markham and Aveyar d’s theory of human functioning and school organisation, and we draw on these qualitative data to refine and extend this theory, in particular conceptualising more fully the rol e of young people’s agency and student-led ‘systems’ in constituting school environments and generating health ri sks. Conclusion Institutional features which may shape student health behaviours such a s lack of safety, poor student-staff relationships and lack of student voice are amenable t o interventions and should be the subject of future investigation. Future qualitative research should focus on health behaviours which are under-theorised in this context such as physical activity, sexual and mental health