Road traffic fatalities in Qatar, Jordan and the UAE: estimates using regression analysis and the relationship with economic growth

Smeed's equation is a widely used model for prediction of traffic fatalities but has been found inadequate for use in developing countries. We applied regression analysis to time-series data on vehicles, population and traffic fatalities in the United Arab Emirates [UAE], Jordan and Qatar. The data were fitted to exponential models for fatality prediction, producing an average absolute error of 20.9% for Qatar, 10.9% for Jordan and 5.5% for the UAE. We found a strong linear relationship between gross domestic product and fatality rate

Conservation and cultivation of important Unani medicinal plants available in hyderabad forest division [A.P.] India

Hyderabad Forest Division contains a rich flora of medicinal value and it has been found that the demand for the medicinal plants has been increasing year after year. A number of minor forest produce was not fully harvested for the lack of funds in the past. At the same time it has also been observed that many of the important plant species are fast disappearing due to various biotic factors such as fires, grazing, illicit removal etc.In addition to systematic study for the identification and quantification regarding the availability, conservation and cultivation of medicinal plants has been made. Therefore, there is a need to take up regeneration of important medicinal plants in the forests, wastelands etc. and a systematic coordination approach by the State Government and private agencies in this direction is necessary with the following considerations: setting up of research cum production centres for the medicinal plants in forests, wastelands, farms and herbal gardens for conserving the rare medicinal plants.Training of personnel in their proper identification and collection. Creation of infrastructure for storage, transport etc.development of the market for such products of forest produce

Tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment practices of private physicians in Karachi, Pakistan

In a densely populated urban area of Karachi, Pakistan, a questionnaire survey was made of the knowledge and practices of 120 private general practitioners about the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis [TB]. The majority knew that cough, fever and weight loss were the main symptoms of TB, but less than half knew that blood in sputum, poor appetite and chest pain were associated with the disease. Only 58.3% of physicians used sputum microscopy for diagnosing TB and 35.0% used it as a follow-up test. Only 41.7% treated TB patients themselves, the remaining referring their patients to specialists. Around 73.3% of the doctors were aware of the 4 first-line anti-TB drugs. Efforts to improve the knowledge of private practitioners, and strategies to enhance public-private collaboration for TB control in urban areas are urgently required

Important folk-medicinal plants and traditional knowledge of tribals of aurangabad and nasik forest divisions of maharashtra [India]

The aim of this study is to analyse the pharmacognosy of the folk medicines and assessment of their efficacy in various diseases. The present study deals with the relation of folk-medicinal plants and traditional knowledge of tribals for the welfare of mankind and medicare. During the medico-ethno-botanical survey 2000 plant specimens of medicinal importance comprising 400 taxa, were collected from various survey sites e.g. Kuldabad. Ajanta, Forest and Buldana [Aurangabad]; Harsul, Trimbak and Jarahar [Nasik forest division]. The present survey sites lie between 73.5 ° to 75.6 ° E longitude and 19.6 ° to 20.5 ° N latitude. Beside 100 folk medicinal claims were also collected from the tribals at various survey sites for the treatment of a number of disease e.g. rabies, leucoderma, jaundice, leucorrhoea, diarrhea, contraception, removing wrinkles from the face, excess menstrual flow and improving vision of the eyes. The important folk medicinal plants are mentioned in the paper

Experimental cultivation and conservation of babchi [psoralea corylifolia linn.] seeds

The present paper deals with the experimental cultivation of Babchi [Psoralea corylifolia linn.] in the herbal garden at Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Hyderabad. Seeds were treated with Gibberellic acid, Potassium Nitrate and Thio-urea at different concentrations [250 ppm-500 ppm and 0.5 and 1% respectively]. Compost manure and NPK was also given to the seedlings at different intervals. A complete phonological data and rates of production were also recorded for the said plant with different treatment

Anti-inflammatory activity of Solanum nigrum Linn. Berries

50% alcoholic and pet. ether extract of Solanum nigrum L. [Berries] were investigated for anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenin induced edema in albino rats. The alcoholic extract showed significant activity on inhibition of edema while the activity shown by the petroleum ether extract was comparatively less significant. Solanum nigrum Linn. Is commonly used in Indian System of Medicine. It has been reported to possess hepatoprotective, antiseptic, antispasmodic, immunodulating and anticonvulsant activities. The chemical constituents separated out from the berries are reported to be steroidal glycoalkaloids solamargine, solasonine and solanigrine steroidal genin [titogenin], saponinus and vitamins [riboflavin, carotene, nicotinic acid and ascorbic acid]