OBJECTIVE To determine the diagnostic accuracy of echocardiography for indicating surgery without catheterization in patients with congenital heart disease through a prospective analysis and comparison of the echocardiographic diagnosis with the intraoperative findings, or invasive study, or both. METHODS From February 2000 to January 2001, 493 patients with congenital heart diseases indicate...

BACKGROUND The "horchata" is a herbal mixture infusion consumed in Southern Ecuador. It remains unknown how vendors group the plant species to sell them at traditional markets. This research documented the following: 1) a list of medicinal plant species sold for the drink; 2) the culturally important medicinal plant species; 3) the agreement among vendors regarding the medicinal plants species ...

Dragon's blood is one of the renowned traditional medicines used in different cultures of world. It has got several therapeutic uses: haemostatic, antidiarrhetic, antiulcer, antimicrobial, antiviral, wound healing, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, etc. Besides these medicinal applications, it is used as a coloring material, varnish and also has got applications in folk magic. These re...

The invention of thiazolidinediones, also referred to as glitazones, has been one of the greatest developments in the treatment of Type II diabetes over the last two decades. Although the efficacy of the glitazones is substantial, their use has been limited by adverse effects including edema, weight gain and cardiac issues. While still being used for a specific subset of diabetic patients, much...

Release of NAD(+) during preparation of murine lymphocytes causes enzymatic ADP-ribosylation of cell-surface proteins on T cells, catalyzed by toxin-related ecto-ADP-ribosyltransferase, ARTC2. ADP-riboslyation activates the cytolytic P2X7 ion channel and affects, in particular, the vitality and function of Tregs and NKT cells. Here, we describe a simple method-injection of an ARTC2-blocking nan...

The medicinal plants from genus Berberis are particularly important in traditional medicine and the food basket of Iranians. Given various plants from genus Berberis and their economic, nutritional, and medicinal status in Iran, this study seeks to investigate the findings of recent studies on the phytochemical characteristics, specifications, and uses of Berberis vulgaris. In this review artic...

Lichens are rich in nutrients and biologically active compounds that belong to different chemical classes. The abilities of members have encouraged researchers investigate further applications these fields other than the food acnd pharmaceutical industries. In this review, some unusual current potential described.