Anticonvulsant Activity Of Diospyros fischeri Root Extracts

Diospyros fischeri Gurke (Ebenaceae) is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of epilepsy. Dichloromethane, ethylacetate, and ethanol extracts of the roots, at doses between 100 and 1600 mg/kg BW,  inhibited convulsions induced by the γ‐aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor antagonist, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), in a dose dependent manner. The extracts also exhibited low toxicity against brine shrimps giving LC50 values between 45 .4 and 95.4 μg/ml.  These results provide evidence for the potential of D. fischeri extracts to treat absence seizures, especially given their seemingly innocuous nature. Keywords: Diospyros fischeri; Pentylenetetrazole; Anticonvulsant activity; Brine shrimp toxicity African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines Vol. 4 (2) 2007: pp. 226-23

Turkdean Roman Villa, Gloucestershire: archaeological investigations 1997-1998

Before the transmission of the first ‘live’ Time Team television programme on 23 August 1997, the existence of a Roman villa near Chalkhill Barn in the parish of Turkdean, 12 miles north-east of Cirencester and 2 miles from the Fosse Way, was hardly known to the archaeological community (FIG. 1). That a Roman building did exist in this location had, however, been suspected for a number of years by the landowner, the late Mr Wilf Mustoe. Distinctive linear parchmarks suggestive of buildings had been clearly visible at ground level in the grass pasture each dry summer, and in 1976 Mr Mustoe made a measured sketch plan of them on the back of an envelope. Subsequently the sketch was drawn up into a scale plan entitled ‘Roman villa’ by Simon Goddard, a relation. There was little knowledge of the site outside of Mr Mustoe's family until it was independently ‘discovered’ by local archaeologist Roger Box in August 1996 whilst fortuitously flying over the site in a helicopter. In the evening light Mr Box instantly recognised the parchmarks of an unmistakable Roman villa and took a series of photographs (FIG. 2). Mr Box showed his photographs to Mr Mustoe, and with his agreement wrote to Time Team suggesting that this would be an excellent site for a television programme. Arrangements were duly set in place and the evidence of the cropmarks was confirmed by a trial geophysical survey in March 199

The physiotherapist as a professional to assist pregnant women

Control of pain during labor and childbirth are among the goals of the obstetric team to ensure the pregnant woman a safe and satisfactory delivery. There are several techniques that can be used by the physiotherapist as a member of the obstetric team to ensure relief from pain during childbirth. The physiotherapeutic assistance includes baths, cryotherapy, massage, breathing techniques, walking, vertical positions and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Bibliographical research conducted, revealed that the use of TENS for analgesic purposes is inconclusive, though all the other techniques are considered in the literature to be beneficial, and should be encouraged during dilation and delivery. Physiotherapists proved to be useful in assisting the pregnant woman during labor, helping to reduce the perception of pain and speeding up delivery.1673259326

Brine shrimp toxicity of some plants used as traditional medicines in Kagera Region, north western Tanzania

Dichloromethane and/or ethanol extracts of 30 plants used as traditional medicines in Bukoba district, northwestern Tanzania were evaluated for brine shrimp toxicity. Among the 50 extracts tested, 32 extracts (64%) showed very low toxicity with LC50 values above 100 μg/ml. Among these 12 (24%) which had LC50 >500 μg /ml can be categorized as being practically non‐toxic. Among the remaining extracts 19 (38%) which showed LC50 >100 < 500 μg /ml are also considered to be nontoxic. Extracts that showed LC50 results between 30‐100 μg/ml have been categorized as mildly toxic; these include ethanol extracts of Lantana trifolia (LC50 32.3 μg/ml), Vernonia bradycalyx (LC50 33.9 μg/ml), Antiaris toxicaria (LC50 38.2 μg /ml) and Rubus rigidus (LC50 41.7 μg /ml) and the dichloromethane extracts of Gynura scandens (LC50 36.5 μg /ml) and Bridelia micrantha (LC50 32.0 μg /ml). The dichloromethane extracts of Picralima nitida (LC50 18.3 μg/ml) and Rubus rigidus (LC50 19.8 μg /ml), were only moderately toxic. Picralima nitida and Rubus rigidus extracts are only 1.1 and 1.2 less toxic than the standard drug, cyclophosphamide (LC50 16.3 μg /ml). In conclusion, the results indicate that among the 30 plants used as traditional medicines, 28 are safe for short term use. Picralima nitida and Rubus rigidus extracts are mildly toxic, but by comparison have a remote possibility to yield active anticancer compoundsTanzania Journal of Health Research Volume (2010) 12(1

Corporate reporting and disclosures in the emerging capital market of Kuwait:the perceptions of users and preparers

The objective of this paper is to investigate the perceptions of users and preparers regarding financial disclosure practices in annual reports of Kuwaiti listed firms. To measure participants' views, a questionnaire survey was distributed in Kuwait between October and December 2012, to preparers (financial managers) and users (financial analysts) within Kuwaiti listed companies. The study compares between the perceptions of financial managers and financial analysts regarding disclosing information in corporate annual reports as well as the main obstacles facing the disclosure process and what the problems restricting the use of companies' annual reports. The study also seeks to investigate whether there is a perceived need for improving the usefulness of Kuwaiti companies' annual reports for decision-making. The results, based on 137 responses, indicate that accounting practices in Kuwaiti firms are firmly rooted in a decision-usefulness tradition with management and the board of directors viewed as the key audience for reporting information. Indeed, the annual reports of Kuwaiti listed companies are perceived as the most important sources of information. On the whole both users and preparers shared similar concerns regarding the volume of information contained within annual reports; however, their views differed in terms of identifying potential solutions. The results of the study are likely to have implications for decision makers, the academic community and accounting standard setters. 2018 Macmillan Publishers Ltd., part of Springer Nature