With the growing popularity of the Java programming language for both client and server side applications in network-centric computing, there is a rising need for programming libraries that can be easily integrated into Java programs. In a previous paper, we surveyed current strategies for integrating C source code into Java programs, pointed out their weaknesses and presented goals for an impr...

Water is generally considered to be the major limiting factor for perennial shrub growth in the Mojave Desert, USA. However, the responses of active fine roots to soil moisture and microsite differed among Ambrosia dumosa, Ephedra nevadensis, Larrea tridentata, and Lycium pallidum, suggesting differences in root foraging strategies. Ambrosia and Ephedra had a positive linear relationship betwee...

Palynological investigations in the Orce Archaeological Zone (OAZ) (Guadix-Baza Basin, Granada, Spain), Venta Micena 1 (VM1), Barranco León (BL) and Fuente Nueva 3 (FN3) are presented. This archaeological region is connected with first Homo populations Western Eurasia during Early Pleistocene. The VM1 pollen record characterized by Ephedra, to a lesser extent, Pinus, Juniperus evergreen Quercus...

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic with broad spectrum anti-tumour activity. Its effectiveness has been limited by the occurrence of dose-related myocardial and bone marrow toxicity. As oxidative stress is the main factor in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity, we presumed that agents which enhance endogenous antioxidants can prevent DOX induced cardiotoxicity. Animals received either DOX ...

A new method involving concurrent solid-phase microextraction combined with continuous hydrodistillation of essential oil was developed. This new methodology allowed for the detection by GC-MS of very small amounts of a diagnostic peak for the authentication of Ephedra sinica, in a short period of time and using only small sample sizes. This diagnostic peak was identified as 4-vinylanisole, and...

On February 6, 2004, FDA issued a final rule stating that supplements containing “ephedra” present an unreasonable risk of illness to those taking them. This rule puts ban on manufacture and distribution of ephedra containing dietary supplements with effect from April 12, 2004. This was the first time in US that a supplement has been removed from the market under DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Healt...

Cancer, malaria, AIDS, tuberculosis, and their corresponding multi-drug-resistant strains among other diseases have entered into the 21st century as major human medical problems. Since ancient times mankind has dealt with health problems using drugs produced by Nature. The plant kingdom has long been exploited in many aspects and specially as a source of drugs. Indeed, evidence about the first ...