Thursday, October 31, 2019

The Realism Era - Faulkner, London, Sinclair and Twain Essay

The Realism Era - Faulkner, London, Sinclair and Twain - Essay Example Faulkner is one of the most important American writers of the last century and his work was well received and he became popular even in his own lifetime. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature and the short stories written by Faulkner contributed a lot towards him getting this prize. As a part of the realist movement, his stories focus on the realities of life as he saw and experienced them since many of stories are placed in the Yoknapatawpha County located in the state of Mississippi (Faulkner, 1949). At the same time, the placement of individual within the stories is also important since they are examinations of life in Southern America through the eyes of Faulkner. As described by Inge (1995, Pg. 283), the critics have noted that many of the tales written by Faulkner are â€Å"Studies of the manners, superstitions, loyalties and shortcomings of the South (Inge, 1995, Pg. 283)†. The collection of stories in Knight’s Gambit and A Rose for Emily in particular can be used as good examples of such writing. Thus instead of focusing on romances which are spun in strange and foreign lands, Faulkner and others in the realist movement focused on the here and now particularly with regard to the location and the situation of the characters of the stories. The here and now is also an important factor for storytelling when it comes to Samuel Clemens who is better known by his pen name i.e. Mark Twain. He wrote The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in 1884 and it is considered to be one of the great American novels since it was the first major work by an established author which uses the common speech patterns that had developed in Southern America at the time. The story and the narrative are told in the first person by Huckleberry Finn as he engages in many adventures along the Mississippi river. However, as a piece of

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Critical Analysison a study-Cancer cachexia- omega 3 benefits Essay

Critical Analysison a study-Cancer cachexia- omega 3 benefits - Essay Example he ability to assimilate nutrients for body-building is being compromised at the same time that the underlying disease is causing diminished appetite leading to poor feeding. Unlike primary protein energy malnutrition (which occurs in anorexia nervosa or kwashiorkor/marasmus), cachexia is induced by disease conditions. With primary protein energy malnutrition, the problem is one of inadequate nutritional intake. But in cachexia, the issue is that patients, regardless of the adequacy of nutritional intake, have abnormally accelerated disposition of nutrients, hence a negative balance of metabolism results (Fearon and Moses, 2002). Inflammatory processes are involved in secondary PEM which are absent in primary PEM, and while primary PEM can be reversed by bolstering nutrient intake, the same benefit cannot be obtained in secondary PEM. In primary PEM there is faster loss of adipose tissue than that of lean body mass, but the loss is equally from both compartments in cachexia. Skeletal muscle loss is a feature that is peculiar to the cachexic state (Tisdale, 2003). Previous laboratory and clinical studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and EPA-containing supplements demonstrate molecular anti-inflammatory activity which is relevant to the attenuation of cachexia, in both humans and animal models. However, past results from multiple studies have been equivocal in their findings, and this study aims to elicit independent objective evidence in favour of or against the proposition that EPA confers significant benefit in arresting the progress of cachexia in affected patients. Yes. There was inadequate discussion of the basis for their using the type of EPA preparations they used, as opposed to other available types. The authors could also have done a better job of reviewing the literature on the mechanistic aspects of how cachexia develops and what bearing this information will have on the approach they used for their

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Management of Shoulder Dystocia: A Reflective Essay

Management of Shoulder Dystocia: A Reflective Essay Title: A reflective essay on how you would manage a shoulder dystocia as an obstetric emergency in a stand alone midwife led unit.   Undergraduate Degree Level Essay 1,000 Words Essay The condition of shoulder dystocia is diagnosed when the delivery of the foetal head is prevented by the impaction of one of the foetal shoulders within the mother’s pelvis. Simple head traction or episiotomy alone will not resolve the condition Shoulder dystocia is a complication of labour which is notoriously difficult to manage. It has a high complication rate and an increased rate of mortality. A number of studies have highlighted the fact that management is not always optimal. (Crofts, et al. 2006). Two UK studies produced similar findings that avoidable factors were identifiable in 66% of the perinatal deaths associated with shoulder dystocia. The definition of â€Å"avoidable factors† being a different management would have produced a better outcome. This malpresentation occurs in about 2% of vaginal deliveries and common associated morbidities include permanent brachial plexus injury, fracture of the clavicle, foetal haematoma and hypoxic brain injury. (Draycott, et al. 2008). Because the majority of cases of shoulder dystocia occur in the absence of predictable risk factors, all healthcare professionals in charge of a delivery should have an optimal plan to resolve shoulder dystocia in the safest way possible in any given circumstance. Management The management of shoulder dystocia is a subject that has acquired a large literature in its own right. It is therefore not appropriate to discuss it in great detail. Many of the studies done on the subject have identified a number of â€Å"critical tasks† in the delivery process. These include recognizing shoulder dystocia, asking for additional help, calling for paediatricians to be attend the delivery, applying gentle downward traction on the fetal head, placing the patient in McRoberts position, and applying appropriate suprapubic pressure. (Deering, et al. 2005) A number of mechanisms have been advised in the literature and these include rotational manoeuvre (Rubins or Woodscrew), episiotomy, delivery of the posterior arm, fracture of clavicle, symphysiotomy, all-fours manoeuvre, a cephalic replacement (Zavenelli) manoeuvre if other manoeuvres were not successful. (Crofts et al. 2008) Predisposing factors. Shoulder dystocia appears to occur in cases where there are no discernable predisposing factors however, there are some conditions that appear to make it more likely. The strongest single predictor appears to be foetal macrosomia. A number of authorities have suggested that maternal obesity is an association of the condition, but the meticulous study by Robinson showed conclusively that it was only obesity in diabetic mothers (that was associated with macrosomia) that had a high incidence of shoulder dystocia. Other causes of obesity did not have this association. (Robinson, et al. 2003) Gonen was able to report that a critical weight appeared to be 4,500 g with 33% of infants over this weight having shoulder dystocia and only 2% who were under it. (Gonen, et al. 1996) Birth position There appears to be considerable controversy regarding the ideal birth position. The McRoberts position (with maternal hips in flexion), combined with suprapubic pressure, has been reported as resolving 50% of identified cases of shoulder dystocia (German, et al. 1997). It is thought to achieve its effect through a rotation of the symphysis pubis and flattening of the sacrum. This, together with fundal pressure, is believed to reduce the possibility of the anterior shoulder being impacted under the symphysis pubis. There are some reports of the possibility of increased maternal morbidity (Heath, et al. 1999) and lack of effect (Beall, et al. 2003) Reflection. On a personal note, I have reflected on my own practice in dealing with cases of shoulder dystocia. As a result of researching this essay I have resolved to further explore the evidence base for dealing with the situation, because critical analysis of some of the papers read have challenged some of the ideas that I had previously believed to be true. In particular, I note papers which have analysed the behaviour of the responsible clinician in cases of shoulder dystocia and have been concerned about the frequent lack of paediatric back up. This has been identified as a failure on the part of the lead clinician, who is often so engrossed in the management of the condition that back up is simply overlooked. I have personally experienced cases where this has occurred and believe that a high degree of assertiveness is required if I see that it has been overlooked in the future. References Beall M H, Spong C Y, Ross M G (2003) A Randomized Controlled Trial of Prophylactic Maneuvers to Reduce Head-to-Body Delivery Time in Patients at Risk for Shoulder Dystocia. Obstetrics Gynecology 2003; 102: 31 35 Crofts J F, Bartlett C, Ellis D, Hunt L P, Fox R, Draycott T J (2006) Training for Shoulder Dystocia : A Trial of Simulation Using Low-Fidelity and High-Fidelity Mannequins : Obstetrics Gynecology 2006; 108 : 1477 1485 Crofts J F, Bartlett C, Ellis D, Winter C, Donald F, Hunt L P, Draycott T J (2008) Patient-actor perception of care: a comparison of obstetric emergency training using manikins and patient-actors. Qual. Saf. Health Care, February 1, 2008; 17 (1): 20 24. Deering S, Satin A J (2005) Evaluation of Residents Delivery Notes After a Simulated Shoulder Dystocia. Obstet. Gynecol., February 1, 2005; 105 (2): 448 449. Draycott T J, Crofts J F, Ash J P, Wilson L V, Yard E, Sibanda T, Whitelaw A. (2008) Improving Neonatal Outcome Through Practical Shoulder Dystocia Training. Obstet. Gynecol., July 1, 2008; 112 (1): 14 20. German R B, Goodwin T M, Souter I, Neumann K, Ouzounian J G, Paul R H. The McRoberts’ maneuver for the alleviation of shoulder dystocia: How successful is it? Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997; 176 : 656 – 61. Gonen R, Spiegel D, Abend M. Is macrosomia predictable and are shoulder dystocia and birth trauma preventable? Obstet Gynecol 1996; 88 : 526 – 9. Heath L T, Gherman R B. Symphyseal separation, sacroiliac joint dislocation and transient lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy associated with McRoberts’ maneuver. J Reprod Med 1999; 44 : 902 – 4 Robinson H, Tkatch S, Mayes D C, Bott N, Okun N. (2003) Is Maternal Obesity a Predictor of Shoulder Dystocia? Obstetrics Gynecology 2003; 101 : 24 27 ############################################################### 12.8.08 Word count 1,060 PDG Different Medicinal Plants: Use Of Different Medicinal Plants: Use Of MEDICINAL PLANTS This section consist a list of sub-groups that gives information about Introduction, Importance, Systems of medicine, Utilization of medicinal plants. Introduction to Medicinal plants: About 250,000 higher plant species on earth, more than 80,000 species are reported to have at least some medicinal value and around 5000 species have specific therapeutic value. Herbs are staging a comeback and herbal renaissance is happening all over the globe. The herbal products today symbolize safety in compare to the synthetics that are considered as unsafe to human and environment. Even though herbs had been priced for their medicinal, flavoring and aromatic qualities for centuries, the synthetic products of the modern age surpassed their importance, for a while. However, the blind dependence on synthetics is over and people are returning to the herbals with hope of safety and security. Over three-quarters of the world population relies mainly on plants and plant extracts for health care. More than 30% of the entire plant species were used for medicinal purposes. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Herbals in world market: It is estimated that world market for plant derived drugs may account for about Rs.2, 00,000 crores. Presently, Indian contribution is less than Rs.2000 crores. The annual production of medicinal and aromatic plants raw material is worth about Rs.200 crores. This is likely to reach US $5 trillion by 2050. It has been estimated that in developed countries such as United States, plant drugs constitute as much as 25% of the total drugs, while in fast developing countries such as China and India, the contribution is as much as 80%. Thus, the economic importance of medicinal plants is much more to countries such as India than to rest of the world. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Biodiversity of herbals in India: India is one of the worlds 12 biodiversity centers with the presence of over 45000 different plant species. Indias diversity is UN compared due to the presence of 16 different agro-climatic zones, 10 vegetation zones, 25 biotic provinces and 426 biomes (habitats of specific species). Among these, about 15000-20000 plants have good medicinal value. However, only 7000-7500 species are used for their medicinal values by traditional communities. In India, drugs of plant origin have been used in traditional systems of medicines such as Unani and Ayurveda since ancient times. The Ayurveda system of medicine uses about 700 species, Unani 700, Siddha 600, Amchi 600 and modern medicine around 30 species. About 8,000 herbal remedies have been included in Ayurveda. The Rig-Veda (5000 BC) has recorded 67 medicinal plants, Yajurveda 81 species, Atharvaveda (4500-2500 BC) 290 species, Charak Samhita (700 BC) and Sushrut Samhita (200 BC) had described properties and uses of 1100 and 1270 species respectively, in compounding of drugs and these are still used in the classical formulations, in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Sources of medicinal drugs: The drugs are derived either from the whole plant or from different organs, like leaves, stem, bark, root, flower, seed, etc. Some drugs are prepared from excretory plant product such as gum, resins and latex. Plants, especially used in Ayurveda can provide biologically active molecules and lead structures for the development of modified derivatives with enhanced activity and /or reduced toxicity. Some important chemical intermediates needed for manufacturing the modern drugs are also obtained from plants (Eg. ÃŽÂ ²-ionone).The forest in India is the principal(diosgenin, solasodine) repository of large number of medicinal and aromatic plants, which are largely collected as raw materials for manufacture of drugs and perfumery products. The small fraction of flowering plants that have so far been investigated have yielded about 120 therapeutic agents of known structure from about 90 species of plants. Some of the useful plant drugs include vinblastine, vincristine, taxol, podophyllo toxin, camptothecin, digitoxigenin, gitoxigenin, digoxigenin, tubocurarine, morphine, codeine, aspirin, atropine, pilocarpine, capscicine, allicin, curcumin, artemisinin and ephedrine among others. (Joy, P.P., 2001) History of herbal medicine: Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Folk (tribal) medicines are the major systems of indigenous medicines. Among these systems, Ayurveda is most developed and widely practiced in India. Ayurveda dating back to 1500-800 BC has been an integral part of Indian culture. The term comes from the Sanskrit root Au (life) and Veda (knowledge). As the name implies it is not only the science of treatment of the ill but covers the whole gamut of happy human life involving the physical, metaphysical and the spiritual aspects. Ayurveda is gaining prominence as the natural system of health care all over the world. Today this system of medicine is being practiced in countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan, while the traditional system of medicine in the other countries like Tibet, Mongolia and Thailand appear to be derived from Ayurveda. Phytomedicines are also being used increasingly in Western Europe. Recently the US Government has established the Office of Alternative Medicine at the National Institute of Health at Bethesda and its support to alternative medicine includes basic and applied research in traditional systems of medicines such as Chinese, Ayurvedic. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Disadvantages: A major lacuna in Ayurveda is the lack of drug standardization, information and quality control. Most of the Ayurvedic medicines are in the form of crude extracts which are a mixture of several ingredients and the active principles when isolated individually fail to give desired activity. This implies that the activity of the extract is the synergistic effect of its various components. About 121 (45 tropical and 76 subtropical) major plant drugs have been identified for which no synthetic one is currently available. The scientific study of traditional medicines, derivation of drugs through bio prospecting and systematic conservation of the concerned medicinal plants is of great importance. Unfortunately, much of the ancient knowledge and many valuable plants are being lost at an alarming rate. Red Data Book of India has 427 entries of endangered species of which 28 are considered extinct, 124 endangered, 81 vulnerable, 100 rare and 34 insufficiently known species (Thomas, 1997).There are basically two scientific techniques of conservation of genetic diversity of these plants. They are the in situ and ex situ method of conservation. (Joy, P.P., 2001) In Situ conservation of medicinal plants: It is only in nature that plant diversity at the genetic, species and eco-system level can be conserved on long-term basis. (www.ggssc.net) It is necessary to conserve in distinct, representative bio geographic zones inter and intra specific genetic variation. Ex situ conservation of medicinal plants: A. Ethno-medicinal plant gardens: Creation of a network of regional and sub-regional ethno-medicinal plant gardens which should contain accessions of all the medicinal plants known to the various ethnic communities in different regions of India. This chain of gardens will act as regional repositories of our cultural and ethno medicinal history and embody the living traditions of our societys knowledge of medicinal plants. (www.ggssc.net) Current status: There are estimated to be around 50 such gardens in the country ranging from acre to 40 acres some of them were set up by an All India Health Network (AHN). More recently a network of 15 such gardens has been set up in 3 states of South India with the initiative of FRLHT. One of the gardens is located in TBGRI, (Tropical botanical garden research institute) Palode at Thiruvananthapuram. B. Gene banks: In India there is a large number of medicinal plant species are under various degrees of threat. The precautionary principles would suggest that an immediate and country-wide exercise be taken up to deposit seeds of wild medicinal plants with a first priority to known Red listed species and endemic species. Current status: The department of bio-technology, Government of India has recently taken the initiative to establish 3 gene banks in the country. One is with ICAR at the NBPGR (National Bureau of plant genetic Resources) Campus, the second is with CIMAPs, (Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic plants) Luck now and the third with TBFRI in Thiruvananthapuram. C. Nursery network: The most urgent and primary task in order to ensure immediate availability of plants and planting materials to various user groups is to promote a nationwide network of medicinal plant nurseries, which will multiply all the regional specific plants that are used in the current practice of traditional medicine. These nurseries should become the primary sources of supply of plants and seed material that can be subsequently multiplied by the various users. Current status: Planting material for 40 odd species of medicinal and aromatic plants is reportedly available in the ICAR and CSIR (CIMAP) network. In South India FRLHT (Foundation for Rural Revitalization of Local Health Tradition) has recently set up a network of 55 supply nurseries. D. Cultivation of medicinal plants: Figures projecting demand and trade in medicinal plant species globally indicate a step upward trend in the near future. One estimate puts the figure of world trade in medicinal plants and related products at US $ 5 trillion by A.D. 2050 (world bank report , 1996).The demand so far has been met mainly from wild sources. This cant go on for much longer; policy intervention is urgently needed to encourage and facilitate investments into commercial cultivation of medicinal plants. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Cultivation of medicinal plants is inversely linked to prevalence of easy and cheap collection from the wild, lack of regulation in trade, cornering of the profits from wild collection by a vast network of traders and middlemen and absence of industrys interest in providing buy-back guarantees to growers. Current status: In the Govt. sector agro-technology of 40 odd species has been developed by ICAR Agricultural University System and CSIR (CIMAOs RRL, Jammu and Jorhat). In recent years industries like Dabur, Zandu, Indian Herbs, Arya Vaidya Shala, and Arya Vaidya Pharmacy and others have made some symbolic efforts to initiate cultivation. Since1984 NABARD (National Bank of Agricultural and Rural Development) has formulated schemes for financing cultivation and processing of medicinal plants. E. Community based enterprises: The income generated by the traditional medicine industry benefits small section of the society. A strong case exists for promotion of community level enterprises for value addition to medicinal plants through simple, on site techniques like drying, cleaning, crushing, powdering, grading, packaging etc. This will also increase the stake of rural communities in conservation and change the skewed nature of income distribution of the industry. Current status: Three community based enterprises are known in south India, one in Gandhi gram Trust, (Dindigul), Premade development Society (Peer made) Kerala and the third by VGKK in B.R.Hills, Mysore. Importance of Herbal Medicines: Herbal medicines are prepared from a variety of plant material such as leaves, stems, roots, bark, etc. They usually contain many biologically active ingredients and are used primarily for treating mild or chronic ailments. (www.ggssc.net) Herbal remedies can also be purchased in the form of pills, capsules or powders, or in more concentrated liquid forms called extracts and tinctures. They can apply topically in creams or ointments, soaked into cloths and used as compresses, or applied directly to the skin as poultices. A combination therapy integrating ayurveda and allopathy whereby the side effects and undesirable reactions could be controlled can be thought of. Studies can show that the toxic effects of radiations and chemotherapy in cancer treatment could be reduced by Ayurvedic medications and similarly surgical wound healing could be accelerated by Ayurvedic medicines. Modern science and technology have an essential role to play in the process. Systems of Medicine: There are mainly 3 systems of medicine practiced in the world today. They are, Modern System of medicine or Allopathy: This system was developed in the Western countries. In this system drugs (tablets, capsules, injections, tonics etc.) are manufactured using synthetic chemicals and / or chemicals derived from natural products like plants, animals, minerals etc. This system also uses modern equipment for diagnosis, analysis, surgery etc. Medicines or drugs of this system is often criticized for its treatment of the symptoms rather than the cause of the disease, harmful side effects of certain drugs and for being out of reach of common / poor people due to the high cost of drugs and treatment. This system is used in all the countries of the world today. (www.ggssc.net) Alternative Medicine or Traditional System: Different countries of the world developed independently their own traditional systems of medicine using locally available materials like minerals and products of plants and animals. (www.ggssc.net) The World Health Organization (WHO) is giving importance to these alternate medicine systems to provide Primary Health Care to millions of people in the developing countries. Development of herbal medicine: China developed the Chinese system of medicine, which is practiced in China, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and other countries. In India, Ayurveda (developed in North India), Siddha (developed in Tamil Nadu) and Nagarjuna (developed in Andhra Pradesh) systems of medicine were developed. Ayurveda is practiced in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh also. Herbo-mineral is another traditional system used in India and other neighbouring countries. Drugs (balms, oils, pills, tonics, paste etc) are manufactured and marketed in these systems. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Advantages of traditional medicine: Traditional systems of medicine continue to be widely practiced on many accounts. Population rise, inadequate supply of drugs, prohibitive cost of treatments, side effects of several allopathic drugs and development of resistance to currently used drugs for infectious diseases have led to increased emphasis on the use of plant materials as a source of medicines for a wide variety of human ailments. Folk Medicine or tribal medicine: The medicinal systems followed by various tribals of different countries are popularly known as folk or tribal medicine. In the system, the medicine man or the doctor of the tribe who has the knowledge of treating diseases, keeps this knowledge as a closely guarded secret and passes it to the next generation by word of mouth. No written texts on these systems are available and different tribes follow different time tested methods. The treatment is often associated with lengthy and mystic rituals, in addition to prescription of drugs (decoctions, pastes, powders, oils, ashed materials etc.). Generally speaking, folk medicine can also be regarded as a traditional system of medicine. The basic aim of all the above systems of medicine is to alleviate the sufferings of human beings and their domesticated animals. (www.ggssc.net) Other Systems of medicine: Yoga, Acupressure, Acupuncture, Reiki, Magneto therapy, Pyramid therapy, Flower therapy, Homeopathy, Nature Cure or Naturopathy etc. are some of the other systems of medicine practiced in different parts of the world today. Utilization of Herbal Plants: The utility of medicinal plants has four major segments they are, Medicinal plants utilized in indigenous or traditional systems of medicines (ISM) Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy systems of medicines , OTC (over the country, non-prescription) items / products involving plant parts, extracts galenicals etc. , Essential oils , Phyto pharmaceuticals or plants used in modern systems of medicine. (www.ggssc.net) Medicinal plants used in Traditional Systems of Medicine: As its name implies, it is the part of tradition of each country which employs practices that have been handed down from generation to generation. An important feature of traditional therapy is the preference of practitioner for compound prescriptions over single substance/drug as it is being held that some constituents are effective only in the presence of others. This renders assessment of efficacy and eventually identification of active principles as required in international standards much difficult than for simple preparation. In India, earlier the medicines used in indigenous systems of medicines were generally prepared by the practicing physicians by themselves, but now this practice has been largely replaced by the establishment of organized indigenous drug industries. It is estimated that at present there are more than 1, 00,000 licensed registered practitioners of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani medicine or Homeopathy. In fact reliable data on availability in different regions of country as well as supply and demand of medicinal plants used in production of indigenous medicines are not available. (www.ggssc.net) Plants-parts, extracts and galenicals of medicinal herbs: The direct utilization of plant material is not only a feature of ISM in the developing world but also in developed countries like USA, UK, Germany etc., the various herbal formulations are sold on health food shops. Preparation of decoctions, tinctures, galenicals and total extracts of plants also form a part of many pharmacopoeias of the world. The current trend of medicinal plants based drug industry is to procedure standard extracts of plants as raw material. (www.ggssc.net) Essential Oils from herbal plants: The essential oil industry was traditionally a cottage industry in India. Since 1947, a number of industrial companies have been established for large scale production of essential oils, oleoresins and perfumes. The essential oil from plants includes Ajowan oil, Eucalyptus oil, Geranium oil, Lavender oil, Palmarosa oil, Patchouli oil, Rose oil, Sandalwood oil, Turpentine oil and Vetiver oil. Phyto-pharmaceuticals of medicinal plants: During the past decades, bulk production of plant based drugs has become an important segment of Indian pharmaceutical industry. Some of the Phyto-pharmaceuticals which are produced in India at present include Morphine, codeine, papaverine (Papaver somniferum), quinine, quinidine, cinchonine and cinchonidine (Cinchona sp., C.calisaya, C. Hyoscine, hyoscyamine (Hyocyamus Niger and H. muticus), colchicine (Gloriosa superbad, Colchicum luteum and Iphigenia stellata), cephaeline and emetin (Cephalis ipacacuanha), sennosides A B (Cassia angustifolia and C. acutifolia), reserpine, rescinnamine, ajmalicine and ajmaline (Rauvolfia serpentina); vinblastine and vincristine, ajmalicine (raubacine) (Catharanthus roseus); guggul lipid (Commiphora wightii); taxol (Taxus baccata); artemisinin (Artemisai annua) etc. (www.ggssc.net) CLASSIFICATION OF HERBAL PLANTS: They are classified according to the part used, habit, habitat, therapeutic value etc, besides the usual botanical classification.Based on Therapeutic value they are classified as follows. Anti malarial : Cinchona officinalis, Artemisia annua ,Anticancer : Catharanthus roseus, Taxus baccata ,Antiulcer : Azadirachta indica, Glycyrrhiza glabra , Antidiabetic : Catharanthus roseus, Momordica charantia , Anticholesterol : Allium sativum Anti inflammatory : Curcuma domestica, Desmodium gangeticum , Antiviral : Acacia catechu Antibacterial : Plumbago indica , Antifungal : Allium sativum , Antiprotozoal : Ailanthus sp., Cephaelis ipacacuanha , Antidiarrhoeal : Psidium guava, Curcuma domestica , Hypotensive : Coleus forskohlii, Alium sativum , Tranquilizing : Rauvolfia serpentina , Anaesthetic : Erythroxylum coca , Spasmolytic : Atropa belladona, Hyoscyamus niger , Diuretic : Phyllanthus niruri, Centella asiatica , Astringent : Piper betel, Abrus precatorius Anthelmentic : Quisqualis indica, Punica granatum , Cardio tonic : Digitalis sp., Thevetia sp. Antiallergic : Nandina domestica, Scutellaria baicalensis ,Hepatoprotective : Silybum marianum, Andrographis paniculata. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Safety of medicinal plants: The safety and effectiveness of alternative medicines have not be been scientifically proven and remains largely unknown. A number of herbs are thought to be likely to cause adverse effects. Furthermore, adulteration, inappropriate formulation, or lack of understanding of plant and drug interactions have led to adverse reactions that are sometimes life threatening or lethal. Proper double-blind clinical trials are needed to determine the safety and efficacy of each plant before they can be recommended for medical use. Although many consumers believe that herbal medicines are safe because they are natural, herbal medicines may interact with synthetic drugs causing toxicity to the patient, may have contamination that is a safety consideration, and herbal medicines, without proven efficacy, may be used to replace medicines that have a proven efficacy. (Joy, P.P., 2001) Eg: Ephedra has been known to have numerous side effects, including severe skin reactions, irritability, nervousness, dizziness, trembling, headache, insomnia, profuse perspiration, dehydration, itchy scalp and skin, vomiting, hyperthermia, irregular heartbeat, seizures, heart attack, stroke, or death. Poisonous plants which have limited medicinal effects are often not sold in material doses in the United States or are available only to trained practitioners, these include: Aconite, Arnica, Belladonna, Bryonia, Datura, Gelsemium, Henbane, Male Fern Phytolacca, Podophyllum andVeratrum. Furthermore, herbs such as Lobelia, Ephedra and Eonymus that cause nausea, sweating, and vomiting, have been traditionally prized for this action. Plants such as Comfrey and Petasites have specific toxicity due to hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid content. There are other plant medicines which require caution or can interact with other medications, including St. Johns wort and grapefruit. (Phytotherapy , www.wikipedia.com) INTRODUCTION TO DIABETES MELLITUS In recent years, developed nations have witnessed an explosive increase in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) predominantly related to lifestyle changes and the resulting surge in obesity. The metabolic consequences of prolonged hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, including accelerated atherosclerosis, chronic kidney disease, and blindness, pose an enormous burden on patients with diabetes mellitus and on the public health system. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) In 1869, a German medical student, Paul Langerhans, noted that the pancreas contains two distinct groups of cells the acinar cells, which secrete digestive enzymes, and cells that are clustered in islands, or islets, which he suggested, served a second function. Direct evidence for this function came in 1889, when Minkowski and von Mering showed that pancreatectomized dogs exhibit a syndrome similar to diabetes mellitus in humans (Goodman Gilmans,2006) In the early 1900s, Gurg Zuelzer, an internist in Berlin, attempted to treat a dying diabetic patient with extracts of pancreas. Although the patient improved temporarily, he sank back into a coma and died when the supply of extract was exhausted. E.L. Scott, a student at the University of Chicago, made another early attempt to isolate an active principle in 1911. Using alcoholic extracts of the pancreas Scott treated several diabetic dogs with encouraging results; however, he lacked clear measures of control of blood glucose concentrations, Between 1916 and 1920, the Romanian physiologist Nicolas Paulesco found that injections of pancreatic extracts reduced urinary sugar and ketones in diabetic dogs. Although he published the results of his experiments, their significance was fully appreciated only years later. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) Banting assumed that the islets secreted insulin but that the hormone was destroyed by proteolytic digestion prior to or during extraction. Together with Charles Best, he attempted to overcome the problem by ligating the pancreatic ducts. The acinar tissue degenerated, leaving the islets undisturbed; the remaining tissue then was extracted with ethanol and acid. Banting and Best thus obtained a pancreatic extract that decreased the concentration of blood glucose in diabetic dogs. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) Insulin was purified and crystallized by Abel within a few years of its discovery. Sanger established the amino acid sequence of insulin in 1960, the protein was synthesized in 1963, and Hodgkin and coworkers elucidated insulins three-dimensional structure in 1972. Insulin was the hormone for which Yalow and Berson first developed the radioimmunoassay (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) Insulin regulation is achieved by the coordinated interplay of various nutrients, gastrointestinal hormones, pancreatic hormones, and autonomic neurotransmitters. Glucose, amino acids, fatty acids, and ketone bodies promote the secretion of insulin. The islets of Langerhans are richly innervated by both adrenergic and cholinergic nerves. Stimulation of a2 adrenergic receptors inhibits insulin secretion, whereas b2 adrenergic receptor agonists and vagal nerve stimulation enhance release. In general, any condition that activates the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (such as hypoxia, hypoglycemia, exercise, hypothermia, surgery, or severe burns) suppresses the secretion of insulin by stimulation of ÃŽÂ ±2-adrenergic receptors. Predictably, ÃŽÂ ±2 adrenergic receptor antagonists increase basal concentrations of insulin in plasma, and ÃŽÂ ²2 adrenergic receptor antagonists decrease them. The sugar is more effective in provoking insulin secretion when taken orall y than when administered intravenously because the ingestion of glucose (or food) induces the release of gastrointestinal hormones and stimulates vagal activity. Several gastrointestinal hormones promote the secretion of insulin. The most potent of these are gastrointestinal inhibitory peptide (GIP) and glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Insulin release also is stimulated by gastrin, secretin, Cholecystokinin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, gastrin-releasing peptide, and Enteroglucagon. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) Distribution: Insulin circulates in blood as the free monomer, and its volume of distribution approximates the volume of extracellular fluid. Under fasting conditions, the pancreas secretes about 40 mg (1 unit) of insulin per hour into the portal vein to achieve a concentration of insulin in portal blood of 2 to 4 ng/ml (50 to 100 minutes/ml) and in the peripheral circulation of 0.5 ng/ml (12 minutes/ml) or about 0.1 nM. After ingestion of a meal, there is a rapid rise in the concentration of insulin in portal blood, followed by a parallel but smaller rise in the peripheral circulation. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) Half Life: The half-life of insulin in plasma is about 5 to 6 minutes in normal subjects and patients with uncomplicated diabetes. This value may be increased in diabetics who develop anti-insulin antibodies. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) Metabolism: Degradation of insulin occurs primarily in liver, kidney, and muscle. About 50% of the insulin that reaches the liver via the portal vein is destroyed and never reaches the general circulation. Insulin is filtered by the renal glomeruli and is reabsorbed by the tubules, which also degrade it. Severe impairment of renal function appears to affect the rate of disappearance of circulating insulin to a greater extent than does hepatic disease. Peripheral tissues such as fat also inactivate insulin, but this is of less significance quantitatively. The important target tissues for regulation of glucose homeostasis by insulin are liver, muscle, and fat, but insulin exerts potent regulatory effects on other cell types as well. Insulin is the primary hormone responsible for controlling the uptake, use, and storage of cellular nutrients. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) DIABETES MELLITUS: Diabetes mellitus (DM) consists of a group of syndromes characterized by hyperglycemia; altered metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins; and an increased risk of complications from vascular disease. Most patients can be classified clinically as having either type 1 or type 2 DM. Criteria for the diagnosis of DM have been proposed by several medical organizations. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria include symptoms of DM (e.g., polyuria, polydipsia, and unexplained weight loss) and a random plasma glucose concentration of greater than 200 mg/dl (11.1 mM), a fasting plasma glucose concentration of greater than 126 ml/dl (7 mM), or a plasma glucose concentration of greater than 200 mg/dl (11 mM) 2 hours after the ingestion of an oral glucose load In the United States, about 5% to 10% of all diabetic patients have type 1 DM, with an incidence of 18 per 100,000 inhabitants per year. A similar incidence is found in the United Kingdom. The incidence of type 1 DM in Europe varies with latitude. The highest rates occur in northern Europe (Finland, 43 per 100,000) and the lowest in the south (France and Italy, 8 per 100,000). The one exception to this rule is the small island of Sardinia, close to Italy, which has an incidence of 30 per 100,000. However, even the relatively low incidence rates of type 1 DM in southern Europe are far higher than the rates in Japan (1 per 100,000 inhabitants). There are more than 125 million persons with diabetes in the world today, and by 2010, this number is expected to approach 220 million. (Goodman Gilmans, 2006) Both type 1 and type 2 DM are increasing in frequency. The reason for the increase of type 1 DM is not known. The genetic basis for type 2 DM cannot change in such a short time; thus other contributing factors, including increasing age, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and low birth weight, must account for this dramatic increase. In addition, type 2 DM is being diagnosed with remarkable frequency in preadolescents and adolescents. Up to 45% of newly diagnosed children and adolescents have type 2 DM. There are genetic and environmental components that affect the risk of developing either type 1 or type 2 DM Types: Diabetes can be divided into two groups based on their requirements for insulin includes, (Pharmainfo.net) Type I: Insulin- dependent diabetes mellitus [IDDM] Type II: Non- insulin dependent diabetes [NIDDM] Type I: Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus: A burst of insulin secretion normally occurs after ingestion of a meal in response to transient increase in the levels of circulating glucose and amino acids. In the post operative period, low, basal levels of circulating insulin are maintained through beta cell secretion. However type one diabetic has virtually no functional beta cells. Treatment: Type I diabetic must rely on exogenous (injected) insulin in order to control hyperglycemia, maintain acceptable levels of Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and avoid ketoacidosis. The goal in administering insulin to type I diabetic is to maintain blood glucose concentrations as close to normal as possible and

Friday, October 25, 2019

Gender in Shakespeares As You Like It :: Shakespeare As You Like It Essays

Gender in As You Like It One of the most intriguing aspects of the treatment of love in As You Like It concerns the issue of gender. And this issue, for obvious reasons, has generated a special interest in recent times. The principal reason for such a thematic concern in the play is the cross dressing and role playing. The central love interest between Rosalind and Orlando calls into question the conventional wisdom about men's and women's gender roles and challenges our preconceptions about these roles in courtship, erotic love, and beyond. At the heart of this courtship is a very complex ambiguity which it is difficult fully to appreciate without a production to refer to. But here we have a man (the actor) playing a woman (Rosalind), who has dressed herself up as a man (Ganymede), and who is pretending to be a woman (Rosalind) in the courtship game with Orlando. Even if, in modern times, Rosalind is not played by a young male actor, the theatrical irony is complex enough. The most obvious issue raised by the cross dressing is the relationship between gender roles and clothes (or outer appearance). For Rosalind passes herself off easily enough as a man and, in the process, acquires a certain freedom to move around, give advice, and associate as an equal among other men (this freedom gives her the power to initiate the courtship). Her disguise is, in that sense, much more significant than Celia's, for Celia remains female in her role as Aliena and is thus largely passive (her pseudonym meaning "Stranger" or "outsider" is an interesting one). The fact that Celia is largely passive in the Forest of Ardenne (especially in contrast to Rosalind) and has to wait for life to deliver a man to her rather than seeking one out, as Rosalind does, is an interesting and important difference between the two friends. These points raise some interesting issues. If becoming accepted as a man and getting the freedom to act that comes with that acceptance is simply a matter of presenting oneself as a man, then what do we say about all the enshrined natural differences we claim as the basis for our different treatment of men and women?

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Proper Ways of Getting Student Visa

Proper ways of getting student visa in any country is very difficult but if anyone knows the terms there will be no problem at all. How a student will complete every process in a proper way. Maximum students face some tout people or we can say some tout agencies whose main purpose is to steal money from other and specially they target the poor students most of the time. The student face hoodwinks and lost everything because they didn’t know the proper way. Sometimes they face difficulties like unknown environment, money problem, house problem, college/university problem and etc. So if a student has a good knowledge of getting correct student visa, which is very important. That’s because we are researching on this topic to collect maximum amount of correct and helpful information from different sources. Thesis Statement In our research paper, we are going to discuss about the basic requirements for a student of student visa, different types of process of getting visa, and visa consultant’s suggestions and interviews. We also include the terms and condition of getting visa of some particular country like Australia, UK, Turkey. While applying for a student visa we need to know what the basic requirements of a country are. There are lots of regulations but the basic or core requirements are the same for every country in the world. Education qualification, Additional qualification, Financial solvency are the three basic requirements of a student visa. While collecting information about student visa process we found this type of information from one of chosen person for interview was a Visa secretary and Public Relation Officer of Embassy of the Republic of Turkey, Sk. Haider Ali. He is working there for 24 years and an experience person at visa section. He told us â€Å"To apply for a student visa, the enthusiastic student must know the requirements; those are Education qualification, Additional qualification, Financial solvency. † We search this kind of information in the first step. † So first thing the student’s should remind of, he or she has to be well educated. Then they must provide their education certificates. At first, giving student visa there was few rules which student had to follow, there are still rules but moderated by time by our government. A good who has very good result in his or her educational life, they will have the advantage of apply for the student visa but recently that rule is changed by collaborating both our government and the embassies of the world in our country. The recent rule is that, student can apply but in a range. For example, In German scholarship or student visa, student who have scored 4. 50 in his higher secondary school certificate is the minimum requirement. Above 4. 5 the students can apply. Then they will check the student’s documents and will call for interview for final selection. There they will select the best candidate who will have scholarships or student visa. Actually student of Bangladesh search for scholarship rather than student visa because they can get benefits as a scholarship student. Then the second basic requirement is the additional qualification. Additional qualifications means that the students extra qualities like, different types of certificates, language efficiency, IELTS, TOFEL, GMET, etc. are. Student must have a IELTS or GMET to get scholarship. Different countries ask for different score. For example, Australian Embassy asks 7. 0 as a minimum IELTS score for interested student applied for scholarships. After that, it comes financial solvency. Each and every country and embassy ask for financial solvency because if the student faces some difficulties his/her parents must have enough financial support in case of emergency. This process is mandatory for each and every student who want to apply for student visa or scholarships. For example , one of the Australian Embassy’s policies is that the student’s parents have to show 22 lakh taka in their financial solvency. When a student wants to go abroad for higher study they must know the basic requirements of a student visa. But only knowing them is not enough. They must have to know the proper ways of getting it. The best way to know about any kind of scholarships or student visa availability is to visit the Embassy of the country which a student is willing to go. Then they should ask everything about requirements and other necessary things which will be needed. The steps they will tell the students are the correct. But some cases there are some agencies working with the embassy. Such as USA Embassy, UK Embassy, Italy Embassy and some other Embassies have their registered visa agencies in our country. The students can go there and find important information. Students must come to embassies to collect proper information about this kind of agencies. In this case, students face hoodwinks. For not knowing the correct information they face many problems. Fraud people steal money from them and don’t show after a few days later. So the students first go to the embassy for information, then they should ask about their having any kind of agencies. So students should be careful about this. Going to the embassy directly is the best way but there is another way of getting student visa. The agencies, they are setting a business here. Actually, some of this agencies are authorized by the government. They help the government and the students to get visa. Their job is to provide information about scholarships or student visa and the culture and other important things to the students. They collect passport and other important document from the students and send it to the embassies for visas. After that, they tell the students who get to face an interview and take them to the interview. A agency like BSB Foundation is well known to all by now. They have link to every embassy but they are able to help students sending them to Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Japan and few other countries in the world. Overseas Student Consoling Services Bangladesh, Atlas Education Consultants and different agencies are also well known in our country. There is another way a student can apply for student visa. Although, a student get to face an interview most of the time when they apply to a university and they invited him/her. Like that, student get the chance to apply before giving interview. The process is simple. Every year the embassies agencies or different countries universities or colleges come to visit Bangladesh and arranged study fair to offer them to visit their universities or colleges for higher study. There student get the most of the advantages. Students are selected their by the faculty members of the offered universities or colleges. Then, they send their documents to the embassy for visa process and they found much easier than other processes. But these kind of fairs arranged very few in our country. Specially USA, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Sweden, Germany, etc. country arrange study fair most of the times. So it is another way of getting visa and it is proper way too. But students who are interested to apply for a student visa, they must know the information very well. The suggestions are simple, if they want to go abroad, they should apply for the scholarships and visit the website of their own chosen universities or colleges. If they want to go on their own money rather than scholarships, they might face so many problems. Student visa has many formalities. Although there are rules and regulations but students face difficulties. Many students don’t get the chance to apply for. It depends on the embassies. Few of the embassy don’t hesitate giving student visa. But most of them don’t want to give because after giving student visa, they go abroad and start business there of their own which is illegal. Because of this reason embassies don’t want to give student visa. They give student visa but not to everyone. As a matter of fact, some agencies are doing this kind of illegal business. They stay near embassies which are very popular are very crowded, they ask every single person. There students got stuck. Because they don’t know they are authorized or not. Then they face hoodwink. Many agencies tell the students that they are legal but ultimately they are not. They provide visas to the students but when they go abroad they don’t find anything they were told that they will find, The students who face hoodwink, they don’t find themselves studying but working for their food. So students must be careful about this kind of situation. They must collect information and solid information. What we are telling is the way and alerting the students how they will face problems. So that, they should be careful about getting visa. But recently that hoodwink is reducing because of our government. They are trying everything to stop because most of the fraud people are from the government. The most effective step was to create the MRP (Machine Readable Passport). For this, a very little chance of facing trouble for the students. In that passport everyone’s information is given by a number. Inputting that number they will see every detail information about a person. For that every embassies are asking the students to bring MRP Passport before visiting embassy. Due to shortage of time and some difficulties we were unable to take interviews. Actually we didn’t get permission to take interviews. But we were able to take an interview. His name is Sk. Haider Ali. He is Visa Secretary & PRO of Embassy of The Republic of Turkey and a experience person at this sector and rules. We ask him, â€Å"Sir, What are the basic requirements you search in students who want to go to your country with student visa? He answered, â€Å"To apply for a student visa, the enthusiastic student must know the requirements, those are Education qualification, Additional qualification, financial solvency. † We search this kind of information in the first step. † Then, â€Å"Do you search any kind of information about the student’s background? † He replied, â€Å"No, we don’t because when a student applies to us they have to bring the certificates of his/her education, they must attach those documents from Education Ministry and Foreign Ministry. If they attached the documents, that means his/her documents or certificates are clear. † We also asked him, â€Å"Can students face difficulties when they will go there to study? If, then what kind of difficulties they might face there? † He again answered, â€Å"Basically who ever go there don’t face many problems. The problems they might face is to cope with the environment because it is new to them, and they might also face food problem and house problem. If they got scholarship then they won’t be facing these problems. â€Å"What kind of suggestion do you want to give to the students who want to get student visa and want to go abroad? † We again asked. â€Å"The main suggestion is that, who ever want to go to abroad they first come to the embassy and ask what will be important and want kind of documents they need to show to us. Another one is that there is a lot of tout people around us, so be careful and be safe from them. If they find you, t hey won’t let you leave without giving them lot of money. † He replied.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Uniform Motion Lab

Controlled variables: 1. The lighting was kept constant during the complete test. No additional light sources were added throughout the experiment, nor were any light sources removed throughout the experiment. This minimized the errors involved with trying to read and record the indicated measurements on the ticker tape, as well as the ability to analyze the experiment. 2. The same person measured and recorded the height and length of the incline plane and level horizontal track to ensure consistency in the recording of data.By having the same person read all of the measurements minimized the degree of uncertainty in position and angle of reading values. 3. The same person recorded all measuring values on the ticker tape to ensure consistency in the recording of data. By having the same person read all of the measurements minimized the degree of uncertainty in position and angle of reading values. 4. The spark timer was set to a frequency of 10Hz (10 dots/s).This eliminated the possi ble random error that could have been associated with the recording of time if a person were to record the time, due to delays in reaction time. By having the consistency of the spark timer record the time values the total accuracy and precision for the experiment was increased. 5. There was no wind or abnormal air movements during the complete test. No doors were opened or closed during the experiment, nor were any windows opened or closed, ensuring that the results would not be affected from air currents pushing or angling the car.Procedure: 1. Using a meter stick, one person measure and record the height of incline plane at its highest point from the table. Then, using a meter stick, one person measure and record the length of the incline plane and the level horizontal track. 2. Without the use of ticker tape or a spark timer, place the car at the top of the incline plane. Release the car. Use this as a trial run to ensure the ramp will produce efficient results. 3. Attach one en d of the ticker tape onto the top of the car with the use of masking tape. 4. Turn on the spark timer.