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Abstract : Dreams, Shrines and Mystic Sufi in Palestine
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Abstract: This paper describes common Sufi beliefs regarding dreams and shrines in Palestine during the 20th century. These beliefs developed during joint and private seasonal visits (ziara). Gaining insight into the sociology of the Sufi cult of saints can enrich our understanding of similar cults in other places and shed light on the reasons for their absence in other societies. The research examines the phenomenon of true dreams at saints' shrines, and explores the historical and contemporary scope of dream pilgrimages to these shrines. Ceremonies that involve visiting saints' shrines have encouraged socio-cultural and psychological-therapeutic dependence of the pilgrims with regard to these shrines. This dependence relationship is deeply rooted in their collective psyche and reinforced and legitimized through Palestinian folklore. This paper is based on primary and secondary sources, interviews with Sufi and people who have been active in participating in these rituals, as well as archival and documentary material, a review of published and unpublished materials, books, and scientific journals. Keywords: Dreams, Shrines, Mystic, Sufis, Islam and Palestine.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Investigation of α-Cellulose Content of Sugarcane Scrappings and Bagasse as Tablet Disintegrant
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Abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate the physicochemical and disintegrant properties of α – cellulose obtained from sugarcane scrapings and bagasse. The mechanical and release properties of paracetamol tablets containing the extracted celluloses and two standard disintegrants- corn starch B.P and microcrystalline cellulose - were determined using crushing strength, friability, disintegration time, the time taken for 50% (T50) and 90% (T90) drug dissolution as assessment parameter. α – cellulose obtained from sugarcane scrapings and bagasse possess better flow properties than cornstarch and microcrystalline cellulose and are capable of absorbing up to five times their own weight in water and swell considerably. α – cellulose obtained from sugarcane scrapings and bagasse have high moisture sorption capacity and they formed relatively softer tablets which became increasingly harder as their concentration increased. All the tablets formulated with cellulose derived from sugarcane scrapings and bagasse passed the official disintegration test for uncoated tablets. Cellulose obtained from sugarcane bagasse had superior disintegrant property to cornstarch and microcrystalline cellulose while cellulose obtained from sugarcane scrapings showed comparable disintegrant property to microcrystalline cellulose. Tablets containing 2.5% w/w cellulose derived from sugarcane scrapings and 5.0% w/w cellulose derived from sugarcane bagasse gave more optimum result as tablet disintegrant. Formulations containing cellulose derived from sugarcane scrapings and bagasse show faster drug release (lower T50 and T90) than tablets containing corn starch and microcrystalline cellulose. There was a linear correlation between T90 and disintegration time (r = 0.976, p< 0.05) for tablets formulated with cellulose derived from sugarcane scrapings. Results show that α – cellulose obtained from sugarcane bagasse and scrapings are potentially useful as disintegrants in tablet formulations. Keywords: α-cellulose, sugarcane bagasse and scraping, physicochemical properties, disintegrant, release properties.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Review on Some Malaysian Traditional Medicinal Plants with Therapeutic Properties
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Abstract: There are many medicinal plants that have been used for thousands of years. These plants can now be found in herbal products and as part of the traditional Malaysian health care system because of their therapeutic efficacy. This paper discusses the use of ten medicinal plants in the traditional medicinal system of Malaysia and related scientific studies on their Pharmaceutical properties, which demonstrate their traditional uses. The plants viewed are Amaranthus spinosus L., Arundina graminifolia (D.Don) Hochr., Callicarpa arborea Roxb., Carica papaya L., Citrus grandis L., Coleus amboinicus Lour., Curcuma domestica Valeton., Psidium guajava L., Garcinia atroviridis Griff. ex T. Anders., and Zingiber officinale Rosc. All the plants mentioned in this paper have therapeutic properties, which explains and validates their uses in traditional medicine. . Keywords: Traditional medicine, Antioxidants, Food, Free radicals, Malaysia.Download Full Article |
Abstract : Effect of Dexmedetomidine-Induced Sleep Balance Treatment on the Chronic Refractory Primary Insomnia Patients
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Abstract: Aim:To pilot study the therapeutic effect of dexmedetomidine-induced sleep balance treatment (DISBT) on the chronic refractory primary insomnia patients. Methods:Forty-two patients with chronic refractory primary insomnia were randomly divided into two groups by random number table. Patients in DISBT group were given DISBT for 3 days, while patients in the control group were given conventional treatment for 3 day. Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), the hyperarousal scale (HAS), and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) were evaluated and compared between the pre-treatment and post-1-week-treatment. Sleep architecture and electroencephalogram (EEG) spectrum were also recorded and compared pre-treatment and post-treatment. Results:The scores of PSQI and HAMA in both groups after treatment were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05), DISBT group-reduced degree were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Sleep architecture of Stage 2 sleep proportion, EEG spectrum beta, and gamma relative power value in DISBT group were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05), Stage 3 sleep proportion and delta relative power value were higher than those before treatment (P < 0.05); Sleep architecture of Stage 2 sleep proportion,beta, and gamma relative power value in control group were higher than those before treatment (P < 0.05); rapid eye movement sleep, Stage 3 sleep proportion, and delta relative power value were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05). The total scores of the hyperarousal scale (HAS) in both groups after treatment were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05), DISBT group-reduced degree were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05), the extreme score, introspectiveness score, react score of HAS in control group after treatment had no statistical significance compared to those before treatment (P > 0.05), the extreme score, introspectiveness score, react score of HAS in DISBT group after treatment were lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion:DISBT effectively reduced the insomnia patient cortex hyperarousal level, corrected disorder of sleep-awakening pathways and easedup insomnia symptom. It is an effective method for chronic refractory primary insomnia. Keywords: Dexmedetomidine, primary insomnia, hyperarousal.Download Full Article |
