The damage that world biodiversity is facing this days and their negative impact in the obtainment of new molecule of therapeutic interest is a sad reality, because there are species that have been disappear from this planet. The aim of this review is to analyze the great potential and endangered problems of some medicinal plants in three countries as a representation of three continents of our planet. Analysis of flora of some herbaceous plants in Kazakhstan has shown that about 40 % of sorts presented in its composition have economic importance. In Egypt up to 95 % of its lands are deserts. One of the most valuable treasures that can be found in those deserts are Medicinal and Aromatic plants where is possible to find 30 economically cultivated species. In Cuba medicinal plant species amount to 1 241 (97 are endemic ones), which belong to 725 genera from 172 families. Among them, 17 species, which have the same quantity of genera and families, are in the endangered categories and from them 4 are critically endangered. Medicinal herbs are taking their place alongside the likes of bioenergy crops, sources of renewable industrial feed stocks and bioremedials as potential beneficiaries of technological solutions. For this reasons scientific community most pay attention to this important source of plants especially to those that are endangered

Los daños que la biodiversidad mundial sufre actualmente y su impacto negativo en la obtención de nuevas moléculas de interés terapéutico es una triste realidad, porque hay especies que han desaparecido del planeta. El objetivo de esta revisión es analizar el gran potencial y problemas de extinción de algunas plantas medicinales en tres países diferentes como una representación de tres continentes de nuestro planeta. El análisis de la flora de algunas plantas herbáceas en Kazajstán mostró que alrededor del 40 % de las especies presentes tienen importancia económica. En Egipto el 95 % de sus tierras son desiertos. Uno de los tesoros más valiosos que puede encontrarse en esos desiertos son las plantas Medicinales y Aromáticas donde es posible hallar 30 especies económicamente cultivadas. En Cuba la cantidad de plantas medicinales es de 1 241 (97 son endémicas), las que pertenecen a 725 géneros de 172 familias. Entre estas plantas, 17 especies, las cuales tienen la misma cantidad de género y familia, están en la categoría de amenazadas, y de estas 4 están críticamente en peligro. Las plantas medicinales están tomando su lugar junto a los cultivos bioenergéticos, fuente de energía renovable para las industrias y bioremediales como beneficiarios potenciales de soluciones tecnológicas. Por estas razones la comunidad científica debe prestar atención a esta importante fuente de plantas especialmente a aquellas que se encuentran amenazadas

There is little systematic information on phenology of 'Hass' avocado in Michoacán and it is important to increase the efficiency of orchard's management practices to improve its productivity. The goal of this study was to develop phenological models from the dates of occurrence of the main shoot and root growth flushes in different 'Hass' production areas of the state of Michoacán. The study was conducted during 2006-2008 in 14 mature 'Hass' avocado orchards grown under irrigation and without irrigation in seven climates of Michoacán. In all climates and in both irrigated and non irrigated orchards, 'Hass' presented three flushes of vegetative growth: winter (higher intensity), Spring and Summer (lower intensity) and three to four flowering flushes: crazy flowering, advanced, normal and marceña. The complete floral development process for shoots that produced crazy flowering required: 8.5 to 9.5, 5.5 to 6, and 2.5 to 3.5 months for the Winter, Spring and Summer flushes, respectively. Shoots that produced normal flowering needed: 13 to 13.5, 9.5 to 10.5, and 7 to 7.5 months, for the same flushes, respectively. Fruit growth set by the normal and marceña flowering lasted 8-9 months and that from the marceña was 4% to 11% lower than the ones from the normal. In the warm subhumid and temperate subhumid climates the first root flush peaked in May and June and the second in December, while in the semiwarm subhumid and humid climates, both flushes occurred in March-April and September-October, respectively. The fruit of the normal flowering was 7% smaller in no irrigated than in with irrigated. In with irrigated and no irrigated orchards there were two flushes of root production, in the no irrigated occurred in March and September and in the with irrigated in April and October. In all climates average air temperatures ranged from 14 ºC to 24 ºC and in the soil from 13 ºC to 21 ºC.

Existe poca información sistematizada sobre fenología del aguacate 'Hass' en Michoacán y es importante para aumentar la eficiencia de las prácticas de manejo de los huertos y mejorar su productividad. El objetivo de este estudio fue elaborar modelos fenológicos a partir de las fechas de ocurrencia de los principales flujos de crecimiento, tanto de la parte aérea como del sistema radical, en distintas zonas productoras de 'Hass' en el estado de Michoacán. La investigación se desarrolló durante 2006-2008, en 14 huertos adultos de aguacate 'Hass' cultivados con riego y sin riego en siete climas de Michoacán. En todos los climas y tanto en huertos con riego como sin riego, 'Hass' presentó tres flujos de crecimiento vegetativo: invierno (mayor intensidad), primavera y verano (menor intensidad) y de tres a cuatro flujos florales: floración loca, adelantada, normal y marceña. En brotes que produjeron floración loca el desarrollo floral requirió: 8.5 a 9.5, 5.5 a 6 y 2.5 a 3.5 meses en los flujos de invierno, primavera y verano, respectivamente, mientras que en brotes que produjeron floración normal el requerimiento fue de: 13 a 13.5, 9.5 a 10.5 y 7 a 7.5 meses, en los mismos flujos. En la floración normal y marceña el crecimiento del fruto duró 8-9 meses, donde la marceña fue 4% a 11% menor que la normal. En climas cálido subhúmedo y templado subhúmedo, el primer flujo de producción de raíces alcanzó su máximo en mayo y junio y el segundo en diciembre, mientras que en climas semicálido subhúmedo y húmedo, ambos flujos ocurrieron de marzo-abril y septiembre-octubre, respectivamente. El fruto de floración normal fue 7% más pequeño en huertos sin riego que con riego. Hubo dos flujos de producción de raíces, en huertos sin riego ocurrieron en marzo y septiembre y con riego en abril y octubre. En todos los climas las temperaturas medias del aire variaron de 14 ºC a 24 ºC y las del suelo de 13 ºC a 21 ºC.

OBJETIVO: Analisar os resultados e a viabilidade da ventriculectomia parcial esquerda (VPE) como ponte para transplante cardíaco (TX). DELINEAMENTO: Estudo de coorte histórica e prospectivo. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODOS: Cinquenta e três pacientes (pts) foram submetidos a VPE em um período de 5 anos. Destes, 7 pts com contra-indicação inicial ao TX, idades variando de 37 a 64 anos, 5 homens e 2 mulheres, com miocardiopatia dilatada, foram subseqüentemente relistados e transplantados. Foram analisados a fração de ejeção (FE), o diâmetro diastólico final do ventrículo esquerdo (DDFVE), a CF da NYHA, o consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2 máx) e os escores de qualidade de vida (QV) antes da VPE, aos 3 e 6 meses, e pré-transplante. RESULTADOS: Os valores expressos a seguir referem-se, respectivamente, àqueles obtidos antes da VPE, aos 3 e 6 meses e antes do TX. Variação da CF da NYHA: 3,71±0,49, 2,57±1,13 (p=0,011), 3,0±1,29 e 3,86±0,38. Evolução da FE: 25,17±6,15, 35,5±8,41 (p=0,013), 32,33±7,12 e 26,17±3,76. Variação do DDFVE: 79,16±10,85, 67,66±9,2, 65,83±9,57 e 64,25±8,99. O VO2 máx era de 8,12±3,47 antes da VPE e de 13,2±7,75 aos 6 meses (p=0,068). Variação dos escores de QV: 4,29±1,25, 3,0±1,41 (p=0,050), 3,29±1,8 e 4,57±1,13. Foram transplantados 7/53 pts (13,20%). A sobrevida, até a data do transplante, variou de 7 a 37 meses (18,71±11,78 meses). O seguimento foi de 100%. CONCLUSÃO: A curto prazo melhoraram a CF da NYHA, a QV, o VO2 máx, o DDFVE e a FE dos pts. Estes resultados sugerem a possibilidade da indicação da VPE como ponte para TX. Entretanto, a mortalidade elevada no primeiro semestre pós-operatório limita a sua indicação rotineira como ponte para TX. Estudos futuros poderão validar ou não esta possibilidade.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the suitability of Partial Left Ventriculectomy (PLV) as a bridge to transplantation. BACKGROUND: Cohort study, prospective. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-three patients were submitted to PLV in a time frame of 5 years. Seven out of 53 patients, ages ranging from 37 to 64 years old, 5 males and 2 females, all with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, were transplanted afterwards. Ejection fraction, NYHA functional classes, maximum oxygen consumption, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and Quality of Life Scores were analysed preoperatively and then at three and six months and immediately before transplantation. RESULTS: The numerical values mentioned below are referred to the data obtained pre-ventriculectomy, at 3 and 6 postoperative months and immediately before transplantation. NYHA functional classes: 3.71 ± 0.49, 2.57 ± 1.13 (p=0.011), 3.0 ± 1.29 and 3.86 ± 0.38. Ejection fraction: 25.17 ± 6.15, 35.5 ± 8.41 (p=0.013), 32.33 ± 7.12 and 26.17 ± 3.76. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter: 79.16 ± 10.85, 67.66 ± 9.2, 65.83 ± 9.57 e 64.25±8.99. Maximum VO2 was 8.12 ± 3.47 pre-VPE and increased to 13.2 ± 7.75 at six months (p=0.068). Quality of life scores: 4.29 ± 1.25, 3.0 ± 1.41 (p=0.050), 3.29 ± 1.8 e 4.57 ± 1.13. 7/53 patients (13.20%) were subsequently transplanted. Survival time, from PLV up to TX ranged from 7 to 33 months (18.71±11.78). Follow-up was 100%. CONCLUSION: Improvement in quality of life, NYHA functional classes and maximum VO2 consumption, as well as increase in ejection fraction and sustained decrease in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, in short-term, can benefit patients previously excluded from TX and bring them back to the awaiting list. However, high immediate mortality rates in overall casuistry can limit its routine indication as a biological bridge to transplantation.

Objetivos: Avaliar a indicação, sobrevida, qualidade de vida e arritmias após Ventriculectomia Parcial Esquerda (VPE) e relatar seu uso como ponte para transplante. Casuística e Métodos: Quarenta e um pacientes (pt) operados no período de dezembro de 1994 a dezembro de 1997,com idades de 32 a 70 anos, com miocardiopatia dilatada, classe funcional IV-92,6% e III-7,3% com contra-indicação para transplante e má qualidade de vida. Ecocardiogramas e estudos eletrofisiológicos (EEF) pré e pós-operatórios foram realizados. Clinicamente, agrupados pela NYHA e pelo Protocolo de Qualidade de Vida (QV). Resultados: Em 15 pacientes examinados aos 30 e 90 dias de pós-operatório por ecocardiograma obtivemos os dados da tabela abaixo: Sobrevida de 66%, 53%, 40% e 36,6% aos 3, 6, 12 e 24 meses, respectivamente. Aos 3 anos a mortalidade imediata e tardia é de 21,5 % e 42,1%,com total de 63,6 %. Menor mortalidade relacionada a arritmia quando não se conseguiu induzí-la no pós-operatório. A qualidade de vida melhorou (72,7 % em NYHA I e II e 81,8% em QV I e II) e dois foram transplantados posteriormente. Conclusões: Melhoraram a dinâmica cardíaca, a QV e a classe funcional (NYHA).O EEF identificou pacientes com maior risco de arritmias pós-operatórias. A sobrevida de 36% em 3 anos é encorajadora, levando-se em conta a gravidade dos casos. A seleção de pacientes não tem ainda critérios inequívocos.

Background: Batista Partial Left Ventriculectomy has been used as a surgical alternative in the treatment of end-stage heart failure. However as a novel procedure it ensues many questions and answers. Objectives: To evaluate surgical indication, survival, quality of life and the incidence of lifethreatening or fatal arrhythmias after partial left ventriculectomy and report its availability as a biological bridge to transplantation. Material and Methods: Forty-one patients were operated on from December 1994 to December 1997, ages ranging from 32 to 70 years, in whom a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy was established. NYHA functional class IV (92.6%) and III (7.3%), contraindication to heart transplantation and poor quality of life were part of the inclusion criteria. Echocardiograms and electrophysiologic studies (EPS) were performed. They were clinically grouped according to their NYHA functional class and categorized concerning our own quality of life protocol. Results: A group of 15 patients showed sustained decrease in heart dimensions and functional parameters at 30 and 90 postoperative days, as follows: where FE = fractional shortening, EF = ejection fraction, LVED = left ventricular end-dimensions both diastolic and systolic. Survival was 66%, 53%, 40% and 36.6% at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months of follow-up, respectively. At the conclusion of this 3 year period the immediate and late mortalities are 21.5 % and 42.1 %, with an overall mortality of 63.6%. EPSs probably can predict less mortality rate due to ventricular arrhythmias when those are not induced postoperatively. Quality of life was better postoperatively (72.7 % in NYHA classes I and II and 81.8% in QOL I and II) and two patients were transplanted after primary PLVs. Conclusions: Cardiac dynamics, Quality of Life and NYHA functional classes improved in all survivors. EPSs can provide useful information concerning the probability of fatal ventricular arrhythmias and the need for implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. Survival is encouraging if we keep in mind the seriousness of this cohort of patients. Patient selection is still controversial.