History of Use and Trade of Agarwood

Jojoba is a widely used medicinal plant that is cultivated worldwide. Its seeds and oil have a long history of use in folklore to treat various ailments, such as skin and scalp disorders, superficial wounds, sore throat, obesity, and cancer; for improvement of liver functions, enhancement of immunity, and promotion of hair growth. Extensive studies on Jojoba oil showed a wide range of pharmacological applications, including antioxidant, anti-acne and antipsoriasis, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antipyretic, analgesic, antimicrobial, and anti-hyperglycemia activities. In addition, Jojoba oil is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in cosmetics for topical, transdermal, and parenteral preparations. Jojoba oil also holds value in the industry as an anti-rodent, insecticides, lubricant, surfactant, and a source for the production of bioenergy. Jojoba oil is considered among the top-ranked oils due to its wax, which constitutes about 98% (mainly wax esters, few free fatty acids, alcohols, and hydrocarbons). In addition, sterols and vitamins with few triglyceride esters, flavonoids, phenolic and cyanogenic compounds are also present. The present review represents an updated literature survey about the chemical composition of jojoba oil, its physical properties, pharmacological activities, pharmaceutical and industrial applications, and toxicity.

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The Botanical, Chemical and Ethnobotanical Diversity of Southern African Lamiaceae

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26123712 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (12) ◽

pp. 3712

Author(s):

Ryan D. Rattray ◽

Ben-Erik Van Wyk

Keyword(s):

Southern Africa ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Taxonomic Diversity ◽

Volatile Oils ◽

Edible Plant ◽

Flora Of Southern Africa ◽

Traditional Uses ◽

History Of ◽

Pharmaceutical Industries ◽

History Of Use

The Lamiaceae is undoubtedly an important plant family, having a rich history of use that spans the globe with many species being used in folk medicine and modern industries alike. Their ability to produce aromatic volatile oils has made them valuable sources of materials in the cosmetic, culinary, and pharmaceutical industries. A thorough account of the taxonomic diversity, chemistry and ethnobotany is lacking for southern African Lamiaceae, which feature some of the region’s most notable medicinal and edible plant species. We provide a comprehensive insight into the Lamiaceae flora of southern Africa, comprising 297 species in 42 genera, 105 of which are endemic to the subcontinent. We further explore the medicinal and traditional uses, where all genera with documented uses are covered for the region. A broad review of the chemistry of southern African Lamiaceae is presented, noting that only 101 species (34%) have been investigated chemically (either their volatile oils or phytochemical characterization of secondary metabolites), thus presenting many and varied opportunities for further studies. The main aim of our study was therefore to present an up-to-date account of the botany, chemistry and traditional uses of the family in southern Africa, and to identify obvious knowledge gaps.

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Nanomedicine Reformulation of Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26010175 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 175

Author(s):

David M. Stevens ◽

Rachael M. Crist ◽

Stephan T. Stern

Keyword(s):

Safety Evaluation ◽

Therapeutic Index ◽

Short Term ◽

Tissue Concentrations ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Use ◽

Novel Applications ◽

Therapeutic Doses ◽

Extensive Clinical Experience ◽

Higher Doses

The chloroquine family of antimalarials has a long history of use, spanning many decades. Despite this extensive clinical experience, novel applications, including use in autoimmune disorders, infectious disease, and cancer, have only recently been identified. While short term use of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine is safe at traditional therapeutic doses in patients without predisposing conditions, administration of higher doses and for longer durations are associated with toxicity, including retinotoxicity. Additional liabilities of these medications include pharmacokinetic profiles that require extended dosing to achieve therapeutic tissue concentrations. To improve chloroquine therapy, researchers have turned toward nanomedicine reformulation of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to increase exposure of target tissues relative to off-target tissues, thereby improving the therapeutic index. This review highlights these reformulation efforts to date, identifying issues in experimental designs leading to ambiguity regarding the nanoformulation improvements and lack of thorough pharmacokinetics and safety evaluation. Gaps in our current understanding of these formulations, as well as recommendations for future formulation efforts, are presented.

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Aquaculture Production of the Brown Seaweeds Laminaria digitata and Macrocystis pyrifera: Applications in Food and Pharmaceuticals

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26051306 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (5) ◽

pp. 1306

Author(s):

Diane Purcell-Meyerink ◽

Michael A. Packer ◽

Thomas T. Wheeler ◽

Maria Hayes

Keyword(s):

Dietary Supplements ◽

Functional Foods ◽

Folk Medicine ◽

Macrocystis Pyrifera ◽

Fish Feed ◽

Laminaria Digitata ◽

Brown Seaweeds ◽

Commercial Potential ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Use

Seaweeds have a long history of use as food, as flavouring agents, and find use in traditional folk medicine. Seaweed products range from food, feed, and dietary supplements to pharmaceuticals, and from bioenergy intermediates to materials. At present, 98% of the seaweed required by the seaweed industry is provided by five genera and only ten species. The two brown kelp seaweeds Laminaria digitata, a native Irish species, and Macrocystis pyrifera, a native New Zealand species, are not included in these eleven species, although they have been used as dietary supplements and as animal and fish feed. The properties associated with the polysaccharides and proteins from these two species have resulted in increased interest in them, enabling their use as functional foods. Improvements and optimisations in aquaculture methods and bioproduct extractions are essential to realise the commercial potential of these seaweeds. Recent advances in optimising these processes are outlined in this review, as well as potential future applications of L. digitata and, to a greater extent, M. pyrifera which, to date, has been predominately only wild-harvested. These include bio-refinery processing to produce ingredients for nutricosmetics, functional foods, cosmeceuticals, and bioplastics. Areas that currently limit the commercial potential of these two species are highlighted.

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The “Millstätter Predigten” (Millstatt Sermons), Petrus Berchorius, and Mechthild of Magdeburg

Daphnis ◽

10.1163/18796583-12340037 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 50 (1) ◽

pp. 59-84

Author(s):

Sabine Seelbach

Keyword(s):

Cultural Memory ◽

Educational History ◽

Mechthild Of Magdeburg ◽

The World ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Use ◽

Shed Light

Abstract This article presents the project “Virtual Benedictine library Millstatt” (www.virtbibmillstatt.com/), which is dedicated to the cultural memory and educational history of Carinthia in the broadest sense. It aims to reconstruct the hitherto little-known and little-researched corpus of manuscripts from the Benedictine Abbey of Millstatt, to identify its texts, and to shed light on their history of use. Against the background of the eventful history of ownership of the Millstatt library, the problems that arise when trying to reliably assign manuscripts scattered around the world to the Millstatt corpus are outlined. Examples will be used to show the extent to which external features (binding, signature system, accessories), but also text-internal indications, make the origin and ownership history of the manuscripts traceable. Spectacular new finds are presented, but also erroneous assumptions about the affiliation of certain texts to the reading canon of the Millstatt Benedictines are pointed out.

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Mortar mixes with oxblood: historical background, model sample recipes and properties

Advances in Geosciences ◽

10.5194/adgeo-45-19-2018 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 45 ◽

pp. 19-24 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kun Zhang ◽

Laura Rampazzi ◽

Maria Pia Riccardi ◽

Antonio Sansonetti ◽

Alberto Grimoldi

Keyword(s):

Building Materials ◽

Historical Background ◽

Organic Additives ◽

X Ray Diffraction ◽

Amorphous Calcium Carbonate ◽

Historical Building ◽

Model Sample ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Architecture ◽

History Of Use

Abstract. In this survey we present studies on mortar mixes added with oxblood, which was a commonly found local waste material, with a wide application and long history of use; a precise recipe of lime–pozzolan mortar with blood addition from a 19th-century Italian manual was chosen, and model samples were prepared accordingly, with the aim of better understanding the chemical, mineralogical and physical characteristics of such compositions, starting with a blank reference specimen. The specimens were analysed by means of scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction, and the results suggested that amorphous calcium carbonate could be formed in the specimens with oxblood addition. These preliminary results allow a better understanding of historical building practices, measuring effects induced by organic additives on mortar microstructure, as well as an evaluation of new performances obtained in mortar mixes. Moreover, this paper intends to propose a full multi-discipline approach to bridge the history of architecture and building materials to conservation science.

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Detection of potential look-alike/sound-alike medication errors using Veterans Affairs administrative databases

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy ◽

10.2146/ajhp170703 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 75 (19) ◽

pp. 1460-1466 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jessica M. Zacher ◽

Francesca E. Cunningham ◽

Xinhua Zhao ◽

Muriel L. Burk ◽

Von R. Moore ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medication Errors ◽

Chart Review ◽

Veterans Affairs ◽

Error Rates ◽

High Rate ◽

Administrative Databases ◽

Potential Error ◽

Actual Error ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Use

Abstract Purpose Results of a study to estimate the prevalence of look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) medication errors through analysis of Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative data are reported. Methods Veterans with at least 2 filled prescriptions for 1 medication in 20 LASA drug pairs during the period April 2014–March 2015 and no history of use of both medications in the preceding 6 months were identified. First occurrences of potential LASA errors were identified by analyzing dispensing patterns and documented diagnoses. For 7 LASA drug pairs, potential errors were evaluated via chart review to determine if an actual error occurred. Results Among LASA drug pairs with overlapping indications, the pairs associated with the highest potential-error rates, by percentage of treated patients, were tamsulosin and terazosin (3.05%), glipizide and glyburide (2.91%), extended- and sustained-release formulations of bupropion (1.53%), and metoprolol tartrate and metoprolol succinate (1.48%). Among pairs with distinct indications, the pairs associated with the highest potential-error rates were tramadol and trazodone (2.20%) and bupropion and buspirone (1.31%). For LASA drug pairs found to be associated with actual errors, the estimated error rates were as follows: lamivudine and lamotrigine, 0.003% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0–0.01%); carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine, 0.03% (95% CI, 0–0.09%); and morphine and hydromorphone, 0.02% (95% CI, 0–0.05%). Conclusion Through the use of administrative databases, potential LASA errors that could be reviewed for an actual error via chart review were identified. While a high rate of potential LASA errors was detected, the number of actual errors identified was low.

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Exotica, Fashion and Immortality: The New Use of Gold in Han Dynasty China (206 bce–ce 220)

Cambridge Archaeological Journal ◽

10.1017/s0959774321000482 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Shengyu Wang

Keyword(s):

Chinese Culture ◽

Composite System ◽

Well Being ◽

Han Dynasty ◽

Eighth Century ◽

Third Century ◽

Chinese History ◽

Eurasian Steppe ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Use

This article explores the use of gold in the elite tombs of Han dynasty China, the popular use of which originated outside the Chinese cultural milieu, and its integration into the Han portfolio of materials representing people's expectations for the afterlife, such as immortality and well-being. In contrast to jade, which had a long history of use in China, gold was in itself a ‘new’ element of Chinese culture. This article outlines the introduction of gold objects from Europe and Central Asia via the Eurasian Steppe and borderland of China from around the eighth century bce. The unprecedented use of gold in the Han-specific jade suits, and the process by which foreign types of zoomorphic motifs were adopted and connected with local motifs, are explored. In light of the political change from multiple competing states before the first unification in Chinese history in the third century bce, and the development in ideology and concept of an ideal and eternal afterlife, this article explains the reasons and meanings of the new use of gold in Han dynasty China and the composite system of motifs, materials and objects.

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The Role of Aromatase Enzyme in Hormone Related Diseases and Plant-Based Aromatase Inhibitors as Therapeutic Regimens

Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1568026621666211129141631 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

Author(s):

Kevser Taban Akça ◽

Murside Ayşe Demirel ◽

Ipek Süntar

Keyword(s):

Natural Products ◽

Aromatase Inhibitors ◽

Inhibitory Activity ◽

Chemical Compounds ◽

Synthesis Methods ◽

Herbal Drugs ◽

Drug Discovery And Development ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Use

: Medicinal plants have a long history of use as food and remedy in traditional and modern societies, as well as have been used as herbal drugs and sources of novel bioactive compounds. They provide a wide array of chemical compounds, many of which can not be synthesized via current synthesis methods. Natural products may provide aromatase inhibitory activity through various pathways and may act clinically effective for treating pathologies associated with excessive aromatase secretion including breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers, endometriosis, uterine fibroid, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, infertility, and gynecomastia. Recent studies have shown that natural products with aromatase inhibitory activity, could also be good options against secondary recurrence of breast cancer by exhibiting chemopreventive effects. Therefore, screening for new plant-based aromatase inhibitors may provide novel leads for drug discovery and development, particularly with increased clinical efficacy and decreased side effects.

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A Comprehensive Review of the Fourth Industrial Revolution IR 4.0 in Oil and Gas Industry

10.2118/205772-ms ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Cenk Temizel ◽

Celal Hakan Canbaz ◽

Hakki Aydin ◽

Bahar F. Hosgor ◽

Deniz Yagmur Kayhan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Industry 4.0 ◽

Industrial Revolution ◽

Oil And Gas ◽

Petroleum Industry ◽

Oil And Gas Industry ◽

Learning Technologies ◽

Real Field ◽

Gas Industry ◽

History Of ◽

History Of Use

Abstract Digital transformation is one of the most discussed themes across the globe. The disruptive potential arising from the joint deployment of IoT, robotics, AI and other advanced technologies is projected to be over $300 trillion over the next decade. With the advances and implementation of these technologies, they have become more widely-used in all aspects of oil and gas industry in several processes. Yet, as it is a relatively new area in petroleum industry with promising features, the industry overall is still trying to adapt to IR 4.0. This paper examines the value that Industry 4.0 brings to the oil and gas upstream industry. It delineates key Industry 4.0 solutions and analyzes their impact within this segment. A comprehensive literature review has been carried out to investigate the IR 4.0 concept's development from the beginning, the technologies it utilizes, types of technologies transferred from other industries with a longer history of use, robustness and applicability of these methods in oil and gas industry under current conditions and the incremental benefits they provide depending on the type of the field are addressed. Real field applications are illustrated with applications indifferent parts of the world with challenges, advantages and drawbacks discussed and summarized that lead to conclusions on the criteria of application of machine learning technologies.

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