Spirulina - A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research Guide to Internet References

SPIRULINA A M EDICAL D ICTIONARY , B IBLIOGRAPHY , AND A NNOTATED R ESEARCH G UIDE TO I NTERNET R E FERENCES

J AMES N. P ARKER , M.D. AND P HILIP M. P ARKER , P H .D., E DITORS

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ICON Health Publications ICON Group International, Inc. 4370 La Jolla Village Drive, 4th Floor San Diego, CA 92122 USA Copyright 2004 by ICON Group International, Inc. Copyright 2004 by ICON Group International, Inc. All rights reserved. This book is protected by copyright. No part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America. Last digit indicates print number: 10 9 8 7 6 4 5 3 2 1

Publisher, Health Care: Philip Parker, Ph.D. Editor(s): James Parker, M.D., Philip Parker, Ph.D. Publisher's note: The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained in this book are not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem. As new medical or scientific information becomes available from academic and clinical research, recommended treatments and drug therapies may undergo changes. The authors, editors, and publisher have attempted to make the information in this book up to date and accurate in accord with accepted standards at the time of publication. The authors, editors, and publisher are not responsible for errors or omissions or for consequences from application of the book, and make no warranty, expressed or implied, in regard to the contents of this book. Any practice described in this book should be applied by the reader in accordance with professional standards of care used in regard to the unique circumstances that may apply in each situation. The reader is advised to always check product information (package inserts) for changes and new information regarding dosage and contraindications before prescribing any drug or pharmacological product. Caution is especially urged when using new or infrequently ordered drugs, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements, alternative therapies, complementary therapies and medicines, and integrative medical treatments. Cataloging-in-Publication Data Parker, James N., 1961Parker, Philip M., 1960Spirulina: A Medical Dictionary, Bibliography, and Annotated Research Guide to Internet References / James N. Parker and Philip M. Parker, editors p. cm. Includes bibliographical references, glossary, and index. ISBN: 0-597-84077-6 1. Spirulina-Popular works. I. Title.

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Disclaimer This publication is not intended to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of a health problem. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher, editors, and authors are not engaging in the rendering of medical, psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. References to any entity, product, service, or source of information that may be contained in this publication should not be considered an endorsement, either direct or implied, by the publisher, editors, or authors. ICON Group International, Inc., the editors, and the authors are not responsible for the content of any Web pages or publications referenced in this publication.

Copyright Notice If a physician wishes to copy limited passages from this book for patient use, this right is automatically granted without written permission from ICON Group International, Inc. (ICON Group). However, all of ICON Group publications have copyrights. With exception to the above, copying our publications in whole or in part, for whatever reason, is a violation of copyright laws and can lead to penalties and fines. Should you want to copy tables, graphs, or other materials, please contact us to request permission (E-mail: [email protected]). ICON Group often grants permission for very limited reproduction of our publications for internal use, press releases, and academic research. Such reproduction requires confirmed permission from ICON Group International Inc. The disclaimer above must accompany all reproductions, in whole or in part, of this book.

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Acknowledgements The collective knowledge generated from academic and applied research summarized in various references has been critical in the creation of this book which is best viewed as a comprehensive compilation and collection of information prepared by various official agencies which produce publications on spirulina. Books in this series draw from various agencies and institutions associated with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and in particular, the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (OS), the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Administration on Aging (AOA), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Healthcare Financing Administration (HCFA), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Indian Health Service (IHS), the institutions of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Program Support Center (PSC), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In addition to these sources, information gathered from the National Library of Medicine, the United States Patent Office, the European Union, and their related organizations has been invaluable in the creation of this book. Some of the work represented was financially supported by the Research and Development Committee at INSEAD. This support is gratefully acknowledged. Finally, special thanks are owed to Tiffany Freeman for her excellent editorial support.

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About the Editors James N. Parker, M.D. Dr. James N. Parker received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology from the University of California, Riverside and his M.D. from the University of California, San Diego. In addition to authoring numerous research publications, he has lectured at various academic institutions. Dr. Parker is the medical editor for health books by ICON Health Publications. Philip M. Parker, Ph.D. Philip M. Parker is the Eli Lilly Chair Professor of Innovation, Business and Society at INSEAD (Fontainebleau, France and Singapore). Dr. Parker has also been Professor at the University of California, San Diego and has taught courses at Harvard University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and UCLA. Dr. Parker is the associate editor for ICON Health Publications.

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About ICON Health Publications To discover more about ICON Health Publications, simply check with your preferred online booksellers, including Barnes&Noble.com and Amazon.com which currently carry all of our titles. Or, feel free to contact us directly for bulk purchases or institutional discounts: ICON Group International, Inc. 4370 La Jolla Village Drive, Fourth Floor San Diego, CA 92122 USA Fax: 858-546-4341 Web site: www.icongrouponline.com/health

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Table of Contents FORWARD .......................................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 1. STUDIES ON SPIRULINA ................................................................................................. 3 Overview........................................................................................................................................ 3 The Combined Health Information Database................................................................................. 3 Federally Funded Research on Spirulina ....................................................................................... 4 E-Journals: PubMed Central ......................................................................................................... 5 The National Library of Medicine: PubMed .................................................................................. 6 CHAPTER 2. NUTRITION AND SPIRULINA ....................................................................................... 11 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 11 Finding Nutrition Studies on Spirulina ...................................................................................... 11 Federal Resources on Nutrition ................................................................................................... 19 Additional Web Resources ........................................................................................................... 20 CHAPTER 3. ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AND SPIRULINA ................................................................. 21 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 21 National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.................................................. 21 Additional Web Resources ........................................................................................................... 24 General References ....................................................................................................................... 26 CHAPTER 4. PATENTS ON SPIRULINA ............................................................................................. 27 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 27 Patents on Spirulina .................................................................................................................... 27 Patent Applications on Spirulina ................................................................................................ 39 Keeping Current .......................................................................................................................... 43 CHAPTER 5. BOOKS ON SPIRULINA ................................................................................................. 45 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 45 Book Summaries: Online Booksellers........................................................................................... 45 APPENDIX A. PHYSICIAN RESOURCES ............................................................................................ 49 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 49 NIH Guidelines............................................................................................................................ 49 NIH Databases............................................................................................................................. 51 Other Commercial Databases....................................................................................................... 54 APPENDIX B. PATIENT RESOURCES ................................................................................................. 55 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 55 Patient Guideline Sources............................................................................................................ 55 Finding Associations.................................................................................................................... 57 APPENDIX C. FINDING MEDICAL LIBRARIES .................................................................................. 59 Overview...................................................................................................................................... 59 Preparation................................................................................................................................... 59 Finding a Local Medical Library.................................................................................................. 59 Medical Libraries in the U.S. and Canada ................................................................................... 59 ONLINE GLOSSARIES.................................................................................................................. 65 Online Dictionary Directories ..................................................................................................... 65 SPIRULINA DICTIONARY........................................................................................................... 67 INDEX ................................................................................................................................................ 99

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FORWARD In March 2001, the National Institutes of Health issued the following warning: "The number of Web sites offering health-related resources grows every day. Many sites provide valuable information, while others may have information that is unreliable or misleading."1 Furthermore, because of the rapid increase in Internet-based information, many hours can be wasted searching, selecting, and printing. Since only the smallest fraction of information dealing with spirulina is indexed in search engines, such as www.google.com or others, a non-systematic approach to Internet research can be not only time consuming, but also incomplete. This book was created for medical professionals, students, and members of the general public who want to know as much as possible about spirulina, using the most advanced research tools available and spending the least amount of time doing so. In addition to offering a structured and comprehensive bibliography, the pages that follow will tell you where and how to find reliable information covering virtually all topics related to spirulina, from the essentials to the most advanced areas of research. Public, academic, government, and peer-reviewed research studies are emphasized. Various abstracts are reproduced to give you some of the latest official information available to date on spirulina. Abundant guidance is given on how to obtain free-of-charge primary research results via the Internet. While this book focuses on the field of medicine, when some sources provide access to non-medical information relating to spirulina, these are noted in the text. E-book and electronic versions of this book are fully interactive with each of the Internet sites mentioned (clicking on a hyperlink automatically opens your browser to the site indicated). If you are using the hard copy version of this book, you can access a cited Web site by typing the provided Web address directly into your Internet browser. You may find it useful to refer to synonyms or related terms when accessing these Internet databases. NOTE: At the time of publication, the Web addresses were functional. However, some links may fail due to URL address changes, which is a common occurrence on the Internet. For readers unfamiliar with the Internet, detailed instructions are offered on how to access electronic resources. For readers unfamiliar with medical terminology, a comprehensive glossary is provided. For readers without access to Internet resources, a directory of medical libraries, that have or can locate references cited here, is given. We hope these resources will prove useful to the widest possible audience seeking information on spirulina. The Editors

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From the NIH, National Cancer Institute (NCI): http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/ten-things-to-know.

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CHAPTER 1. STUDIES ON SPIRULINA Overview In this chapter, we will show you how to locate peer-reviewed references and studies on spirulina.

The Combined Health Information Database The Combined Health Information Database summarizes studies across numerous federal agencies. To limit your investigation to research studies and spirulina, you will need to use the advanced search options. First, go to http://chid.nih.gov/index.html. From there, select the “Detailed Search” option (or go directly to that page with the following hyperlink: http://chid.nih.gov/detail/detail.html). The trick in extracting studies is found in the drop boxes at the bottom of the search page where “You may refine your search by.” Select the dates and language you prefer, and the format option “Journal Article.” At the top of the search form, select the number of records you would like to see (we recommend 100) and check the box to display “whole records.” We recommend that you type “spirulina” (or synonyms) into the “For these words:” box. Consider using the option “anywhere in record” to make your search as broad as possible. If you want to limit the search to only a particular field, such as the title of the journal, then select this option in the “Search in these fields” drop box. The following is what you can expect from this type of search: •

An Alternative Treatment Activist Manifesto - Special Issue Source: GMHC Treatment Issues; Vol. 7, No. 11 / 12. Contact: Gay Mens Health Crisis, 119 W 24th St Tisch Bldg, New York, NY, 10011-1995, (212) 367-1205, http://www.gmhc.org. Summary: This special issue summarizes information on alternative treatments for HIV/AIDS. It provides an historical review on alternative therapies and describes common alternative therapies, vitamins, Chinese herbs, and antioxidants. Specific therapies include Acemannan, Artemisia, Astragalus, Bitter Melon, Spirulina, Coenzyme Q10, Compound Q, Curcumin, Echinacea, Garlic, Germanium-132, Ginseng, Glycyrrhizyn (Licorice Root), Green Barley Leaf Extract, Hypericin, Iscador, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Milk Thistle (Silymarin), PCM-4, Prunellin, Shark Cartilage,

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Shiitake Mushrooms, and Sho-Saiko-To (SSKT). The issue features an interview with Jane Buckle, Director of Research Coordination at the Research Council on Complementary Medicine in London, an advocacy agency for alternative therapies. Vitamin requirements, deficiencies, and supplementation are discussed. One article addresses antioxidants, oxidative stress, and the role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the synthesis of glutathione (GSH). It identifies points for evaluating alternative treatments and examines the controversial Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1993 (S. 784/H.R. 1709).

Federally Funded Research on Spirulina The U.S. Government supports a variety of research studies relating to spirulina. These studies are tracked by the Office of Extramural Research at the National Institutes of Health.2 CRISP (Computerized Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects) is a searchable database of federally funded biomedical research projects conducted at universities, hospitals, and other institutions. Search the CRISP Web site at http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/crisp_query.generate_screen. You will have the option to perform targeted searches by various criteria, including geography, date, and topics related to spirulina. For most of the studies, the agencies reporting into CRISP provide summaries or abstracts. As opposed to clinical trial research using patients, many federally funded studies use animals or simulated models to explore spirulina. The following is typical of the type of information found when searching the CRISP database for spirulina: •

Project Title: 13 C SPIRULINA BREATH TEST TO MEASURE GASTRIC EMPTYING Principal Investigator & Institution: Murray, Joseph A.; Associate Professor of Medicine; Mayo Clinic Rochester 200 1St St Sw Rochester, Mn 55905 Timing: Fiscal Year 2001 Summary: Our hypotheses are that a simple nonradioactive breath test can identify GERD patients who have delayed gastric emptying; gastric emptying is similar in a referral group of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease as compared to those community based who self report GERD symptoms; and delayed gastric emptying in GERD is more associated with dyspeptic symptoms than the severity of frequency of GERD symptoms. The specific aims of the study are to validate the breath test method with scintigraphy in patients with delayed gastric emptying; to compare gastric emptying obtained from patients with GERD with the data obtained in healthy subjects; to compare the gastric emptying rates between patients seen in a referral population with GERD with a community based sample of subjects with GERD symptoms; and to correlate the degree of delayed gastric emptying with the severity and frequency of GERD and dyspeptic symptoms and the presence of complications of GERD if any. Website: http://crisp.cit.nih.gov/crisp/Crisp_Query.Generate_Screen

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Healthcare projects are funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and Office of Assistant Secretary of Health (OASH).

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E-Journals: PubMed Central3 PubMed Central (PMC) is a digital archive of life sciences journal literature developed and managed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM).4 Access to this growing archive of e-journals is free and unrestricted.5 To search, go to http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=Pmc, and type “spirulina” (or synonyms) into the search box. This search gives you access to fulltext articles. The following is a sample of items found for spirulina in the PubMed Central database: •

Accumulation of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate in Spirulina platensis. by Campbell J 3rd, Stevens SE Jr, Balkwill DL.; 1982 Jan; http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/picrender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&action=stream&blobt ype=pdf&artid=216630

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Altered Methionyl-tRNA Synthetase in a Spirulina platensis Mutant Resistant to Ethionine. by Riccardi G, Sanangelantoni AM, Sarasini A, Ciferri O.; 1982 Aug; http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/picrender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&action=stream&blobt ype=pdf&artid=220363

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Evidence for a Transient Association of New Proteins with the Spirulina maxima Phycobilisome in Relation to Light Intensity. by Garnier F, Dubacq JP, Thomas JC.; 1994 Oct; http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&rendertype=abstr act&artid=159583

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Nitrogen Limitation in Natural Populations of Cyanobacteria (Spirulina and Oscillatoria spp.) and Its Effect on Macromolecular Synthesis. by van Rijn J, Shilo M.; 1986 Aug; http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/picrender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&action=stream&blobt ype=pdf&artid=203527

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Occurrence of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate in Spirulina species. by Vincenzini M, Sili C, de Philippis R, Ena A, Materassi R.; 1990 May; http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/picrender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&action=stream&blobt ype=pdf&artid=208930

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Production of amino acids by analog-resistant mutants of the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis. by Riccardi G, Sora S, Ciferri O.; 1981 Sep; http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/picrender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&action=stream&blobt ype=pdf&artid=216139

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Two tuf genes in the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis. by Tiboni O, Di Pasquale G, Ciferri O.; 1984 Jul; http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/picrender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&action=stream&blobt ype=pdf&artid=215649

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Adapted from the National Library of Medicine: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/about/intro.html.

With PubMed Central, NCBI is taking the lead in preservation and maintenance of open access to electronic literature, just as NLM has done for decades with printed biomedical literature. PubMed Central aims to become a world-class library of the digital age. 5 The value of PubMed Central, in addition to its role as an archive, lies in the availability of data from diverse sources stored in a common format in a single repository. Many journals already have online publishing operations, and there is a growing tendency to publish material online only, to the exclusion of print.

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The National Library of Medicine: PubMed One of the quickest and most comprehensive ways to find academic studies in both English and other languages is to use PubMed, maintained by the National Library of Medicine.6 The advantage of PubMed over previously mentioned sources is that it covers a greater number of domestic and foreign references. It is also free to use. If the publisher has a Web site that offers full text of its journals, PubMed will provide links to that site, as well as to sites offering other related data. User registration, a subscription fee, or some other type of fee may be required to access the full text of articles in some journals. To generate your own bibliography of studies dealing with spirulina, simply go to the PubMed Web site at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed. Type “spirulina” (or synonyms) into the search box, and click “Go.” The following is the type of output you can expect from PubMed for spirulina (hyperlinks lead to article summaries): •

Activation of the human innate immune system by Spirulina: augmentation of interferon production and NK cytotoxicity by oral administration of hot water extract of Spirulina platensis. Author(s): Hirahashi T, Matsumoto M, Hazeki K, Saeki Y, Ui M, Seya T. Source: International Immunopharmacology. 2002 March; 2(4): 423-34. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11962722&dopt=Abstract

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Amino acid composition and nutritive valve of the alga Spirulina maxima. Author(s): Clement G, Giddey C, Menzi R. Source: J Sci Food Agric. 1967 November; 18(11): 497-501. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=6080845&dopt=Abstract

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Antiviral activity of Spirulina maxima against herpes simplex virus type 2. Author(s): Hernandez-Corona A, Nieves I, Meckes M, Chamorro G, Barron BL. Source: Antiviral Research. 2002 December; 56(3): 279-85. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12406511&dopt=Abstract

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Effects of low doses of erythromycin on the 13C Spirulina platensis gastric emptying breath test and electrogastrogram: a controlled study in healthy volunteers. Author(s): DiBaise JK, Park FL, Lyden E, Brand RE, Brand RM. Source: The American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2001 July; 96(7): 2041-50. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11467630&dopt=Abstract

6 PubMed was developed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The PubMed database was developed in conjunction with publishers of biomedical literature as a search tool for accessing literature citations and linking to full-text journal articles at Web sites of participating publishers. Publishers that participate in PubMed supply NLM with their citations electronically prior to or at the time of publication.

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Evaluation of chemoprevention of oral cancer with Spirulina fusiformis. Author(s): Mathew B, Sankaranarayanan R, Nair PP, Varghese C, Somanathan T, Amma BP, Amma NS, Nair MK. Source: Nutrition and Cancer. 1995; 24(2): 197-202. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=8584455&dopt=Abstract

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Fatty acid composition of Chlorella and Spirulina microalgae species. Author(s): Otles S, Pire R. Source: J Aoac Int. 2001 November-December; 84(6): 1708-14. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11767135&dopt=Abstract

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Further purification and structural analysis of calcium spirulan from Spirulina platensis. Author(s): Lee JB, Hayashi T, Hayashi K, Sankawa U, Maeda M, Nemoto T, Nakanishi H. Source: Journal of Natural Products. 1998 September; 61(9): 1101-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=9748374&dopt=Abstract

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Hypocholesterolemic effect of spirulina in patients with hyperlipidemic nephrotic syndrome. Author(s): Samuels R, Mani UV, Iyer UM, Nayak US. Source: Journal of Medicinal Food. 2002 Summer; 5(2): 91-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12487756&dopt=Abstract

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Inhibition of enterovirus 71-induced apoptosis by allophycocyanin isolated from a blue-green alga Spirulina platensis. Author(s): Shih SR, Tsai KN, Li YS, Chueh CC, Chan EC. Source: Journal of Medical Virology. 2003 May; 70(1): 119-25. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12629652&dopt=Abstract

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Inhibition of HIV-1 replication by an aqueous extract of Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis). Author(s): Ayehunie S, Belay A, Baba TW, Ruprecht RM. Source: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology : Official Publication of the International Retrovirology Association. 1998 May 1; 18(1): 712. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=9593452&dopt=Abstract

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Iron availability from iron-fortified spirulina by an in vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell culture model. Author(s): Puyfoulhoux G, Rouanet JM, Besancon P, Baroux B, Baccou JC, Caporiccio B. Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2001 March; 49(3): 1625-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11312906&dopt=Abstract

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Isolation of three high molecular weight polysaccharide preparations with potent immunostimulatory activity from Spirulina platensis, aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Author(s): Pugh N, Ross SA, ElSohly HN, ElSohly MA, Pasco DS. Source: Planta Medica. 2001 November; 67(8): 737-42. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11731916&dopt=Abstract

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Molecular characterization of an adenylate cyclase gene of the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis. Author(s): Yashiro K, Sakamoto T, Ohmori M. Source: Plant Molecular Biology. 1996 April; 31(1): 175-81. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=8704152&dopt=Abstract

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Nutritional value of the alga Spirulina. Author(s): Dillon JC, Phuc AP, Dubacq JP. Source: World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics. 1995; 77: 32-46. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=7732699&dopt=Abstract

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Selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 by C-phycocyanin, a biliprotein from Spirulina platensis. Author(s): Reddy CM, Bhat VB, Kiranmai G, Reddy MN, Reddanna P, Madyastha KM. Source: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 2000 November 2; 277(3): 599-603. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11062000&dopt=Abstract

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Spirulina and vitamin B 12. Author(s): Herbert V, Drivas G. Source: Jama : the Journal of the American Medical Association. 1982 December 17; 248(23): 3096-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=6815345&dopt=Abstract

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Spirulina, the edible microorganism. Author(s): Ciferri O. Source: Microbiol Rev. 1983 December; 47(4): 551-78. Review. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=6420655&dopt=Abstract

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Spirulina. Author(s): Popovich NG. Source: Am Pharm. 1982 June; Ns22(6): 8-10. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=6808818&dopt=Abstract

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Spirulina-associated hepatotoxicity. Author(s): Iwasa M, Yamamoto M, Tanaka Y, Kaito M, Adachi Y. Source: The American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2002 December; 97(12): 3212-3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12492223&dopt=Abstract

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The biochemistry and industrial potential of Spirulina. Author(s): Ciferri O, Tiboni O. Source: Annual Review of Microbiology. 1985; 39: 503-26. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=3933408&dopt=Abstract

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CHAPTER 2. NUTRITION AND SPIRULINA Overview In this chapter, we will show you how to find studies dedicated specifically to nutrition and spirulina.

Finding Nutrition Studies on Spirulina The National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) offers a searchable bibliographic database called the IBIDS (International Bibliographic Information on Dietary Supplements; National Institutes of Health, Building 31, Room 1B29, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2086, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2086, Tel: 301-435-2920, Fax: 301-480-1845, E-mail: [email protected]). The IBIDS contains over 460,000 scientific citations and summaries about dietary supplements and nutrition as well as references to published international, scientific literature on dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals, and botanicals.7 The IBIDS includes references and citations to both human and animal research studies. As a service of the ODS, access to the IBIDS database is available free of charge at the following Web address: http://ods.od.nih.gov/databases/ibids.html. After entering the search area, you have three choices: (1) IBIDS Consumer Database, (2) Full IBIDS Database, or (3) Peer Reviewed Citations Only. Now that you have selected a database, click on the “Advanced” tab. An advanced search allows you to retrieve up to 100 fully explained references in a comprehensive format. Type “spirulina” (or synonyms) into the search box, and click “Go.” To narrow the search, you can also select the “Title” field.

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Adapted from http://ods.od.nih.gov. IBIDS is produced by the Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) at the National Institutes of Health to assist the public, healthcare providers, educators, and researchers in locating credible, scientific information on dietary supplements. IBIDS was developed and will be maintained through an interagency partnership with the Food and Nutrition Information Center of the National Agricultural Library, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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The following information is typical of that found when using the “Full IBIDS Database” to search for “spirulina” (or a synonym): •

Glutathione-related enzymic activities in rats receiving high cholesterol or standard diets supplemented with two forms of selenium. Author(s): Unite Nutrition, Laboratoire Genie Biologique et Sciences des Aliments, Departement Agroressources et Procedes Biologiques, Universite Montpellier II, 34095 Montpellier (France) Source: Cases, J. Puig, M. Caporiccio, B. Baroux, B. Baccou, J.C. Besancon, P. Rouanet, J.M. Food-Chemistry (United Kingdom). (1999). volume 65(2) page 207-211.

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Modulation of lead toxicity by Spirulina fusiformis. Author(s): Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur 302004 (India) Source: Deepika Shastri Madhu KuMarch Ashok Kumar Phytotherapy-Research (United Kingdom). (1999). volume 13(3) page 258-260.

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Modulatory potential of Spirulina fusiformis on carcinogen metabolizing enzymes in Swiss albino mice. Author(s): Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur 302004 (India) Source: Anshu Mittal KuMarch, P.V.S. Banerjee, S. Rao, A.R. Ashok Kumar Phytotherapy-Research (United Kingdom). (1999). volume 13(2) page 111-114.

Additional physician-oriented references include: •

Accumulation of mercury and other elements by Spirulina (Cyanophyceae). Source: Johnson, P.E. Shubert, L.E. Nutr-Rep-Int. Los Altos, Calif. : Geron-X, Inc. December 1986. volume 34 (6) page 1063-1070. 0029-6635

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Antioxidant activity of different fractions of Spirulina platensis protean extract. Author(s): Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. [email protected] Source: Pinero Estrada, J E Bermejo Bescos, P Villar del Fresno, A M Farmaco. 2001 MayJuly; 56(5-7): 497-500 0014-827X

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Assessment of selenium bioavailability from high-selenium spirulina subfractions in selenium-deficient rats. Author(s): Unite Nutrition, Laboratoire Genie Biologique et Sciences des Aliments, Universite Montpellier II, Place Eugene Bataillon, 34095, France. Source: Cases, Julien Wysocka, Irena Agnieszka Caporiccio, Bertrand Jouy, Nicolas Besancon, Pierre Szpunar, Joanna Rouanet, Jean Max J-Agric-Food-Chem. 2002 June 19; 50(13): 3867-73 0021-8561

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Availability of iron to rats from Spirulina, a blue-green alga. Source: Johnson, P.E. Shubert, L.E. Nutr-Res. Elmsford, N.Y. : Pergamon Press. January 1986. volume 6 (1) page 85-94. 0271-5317

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Bioactive substances from Spirulina platensis (Cyanobacteria). Source: Mule, M.C.Z. de Caire, G.Z. de. Cano, M.S. de. Phyton. Buenos Aires, Argentina : Fundacion Romulo Raggio, 1951-. 1996. volume 58 page 93-96. 0031-9457

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Calcium spirulan, an inhibitor of enveloped virus replication, from a blue-green alga Spirulina platensis. Source: Hayashi, T. Hayashi, K. Maeda, M. Kojima, I. J-nat-prod. Downers Grove, Ill. : American Society of Pharmacognosy. January 1996. volume 59 (1) page 83-97. 0163-3864

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Changes of the photosynthetic apparatus in Spirulina cyanobacterium by sodium stress. Author(s): School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. Source: Verma, K Mohanty, P Z-Naturforsch-[C]. 2000 Jan-February; 55(1-2): 16-22 03410382

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Characterization of the transient species generated by the photoexcitation of Cphycocyanin from Spirulina platensis: a laser photolysis and pulse radiolysis study. Author(s): Center for Molecular Science, Institute of Chemistry, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing. Source: Zhang, S P Qian, S P Zhao, J Q Yao, S D Jiang, L J Biochim-Biophys-Acta. 1999 October 18; 1472(1-2): 270-8 0006-3002

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Chemomodulation of carcinogen metabolising enzymes, antioxidant profiles and skin and forestomach papillomagenesis by Spirulina platensis. Author(s): Cancer Biology and Applied Molecular Biology Laboratories, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. Source: Dasgupta, T Banejee, S Yadav, P K Rao, A R Mol-Cell-Biochem. 2001 October; 226(1-2): 27-38 0300-8177

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Cholesterol lowering effect of spirulina. Source: Nakaya, N. Homma, Y. Goto, Y. Nutr-Rep-Int. Stoneham, Mass. : Butterworth Publishers. June 1988. volume 37 (6) page 1329-1337. charts. 0029-6635

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Class specific influence of dietary Spirulina platensis on antibody production in mice. Author(s): Department of Health and Nutrition, Kagawa Nutrition University, Sakado, Japan. Source: Hayashi, O Hirahashi, T Katoh, T Miyajima, H Hirano, T Okuwaki, Y J-Nutr-SciVitaminol-(Tokyo). 1998 December; 44(6): 841-51 0301-4800

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Clastogenic effects of dietary supplement--Spirulina alga, and some medicinal plant products from Boswellia serrata, Withania somnifera on mice. Author(s): Centre of Advanced Study in Cell and Chromosome Research, Department of Botany, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India Source: Ghoshal, S Mukhopadhyay M, J Mukherjee, A Indian-J-Exp-Biol. 2001 October; 39(10): 1068-70 0019-5189

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Clinical and biochemical evaluations of the alga Spirulina with regard to its application in the treatment of obesity. A double-blind cross-over study. Source: Becker, E.W. Jakober, B. Luft, D. Schmulling, R.M. Nutr-Rep-Int. Los Altos, Calif. : Geron-X, Inc. April 1986. volume 33 (4) page 565-574. ill., charts. 0029-6635

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Commercially grown Spirulina found to contain low levels of mercury and lead. Source: Slotton, D.G. Goldman, C.R. Franke, A. Nutr-Rep-Int. Stoneham, Mass. : Butterworth. December 1989. volume 40 (6) page 1165-1172. 0029-6635

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Computer control of carbon-nitrogen ratio in Spirulina platensis. Source: Walach, M.R. Bazin, M.J. Pirt, S.J. Balyuzi, H.H.M. Biotechnol-Bioeng. New York, N.Y. : John Wiley & Sons. March 1987. volume 29 (4) page 520-528. ill. 0006-3592

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Detailed study of anaerobic digestion of spirulina maxima algal biomass. Source: Samson, R. LeDuy, A. Biotechnol-Bioeng. New York, N.Y. : John Wiley & Sons. July 1986. volume 28 (7) page 1014-1023. ill. 0006-3592

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Dominant lethal study of Spirulina maxima in male and female rats after short-term feeding. Source: Chamorro, G. Salazar, M. Pages, N. PTR,-Phytother-res. Sussex : John Wiley & Sons. February 1996. volume 10 (1) page 28-32. 0951-418X

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Effect of dietary catechin and Spirulina on vitamin C metabolism in red sea bream [Pagrus major]. Author(s): Hiroshima Univ., Fukuyama (Japan). Faculty of Applied Biological Science Source: Nakagawa, H. Mustafa, Md.G. Takii, K. Umino, T. Kumai, H. Fisheries-Science (Japan). (April 2000). volume 66(2) page 321-326. pagrus ascorbic acid catechin spirulina supplements 0919-9268

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Effect of lead with vitamin E, C, or Spirulina on malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes and hydroperoxides in rats. Author(s): Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Technology & Engineering, M S University of Baroda, Kalabhavan, Baroda 390 001, India. Source: Upasani, C D Khera, A Balaraman, R Indian-J-Exp-Biol. 2001 January; 39(1): 70-4 0019-5189

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Effect of oxygen concentration on the protein content of Spirulina biomass. Source: Torzillo, G. Giovannetti, L. Bocci, F. Materassi, R. Biotechnol-Bioeng. New York, N.Y. : John Wiley & Sons. Sept 1984. volume 26 (9) page 1134-1135. 0006-3592

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Effect of Spirulina fusiformis on cyclophosphamide and mitomycin-C induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress in mice. Author(s): Department of Genetics, Dr ALM Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani, Chennai 600-113, India. Source: PremkuMarch, K Pachiappan, A Abraham, S K Santhiya, S T Gopinath, P M Ramesh, A Fitoterapia. 2001 December; 72(8): 906-11 0367-326X

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Effect of the use of the microalga Spirulina maxima as fish meal replacement in diets for tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters), fry. Source: Olvera Novoa, M.A. Dominguez Cen, L.J. Olivera Castillo, L. Martinez Palacios, C.A. Aquac-res. Oxford : Blackwell Science, c1995-. October 1998. volume 29 (10) page 709-715. 1355-557X

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Effects of dietary Spirulina maxima on vasomotor responses of aorta rings from rats fed a fructose-rich diet. Source: Paredes Carbajal, M.C. Torres Duran, P.V. Rivas Arancibia, S. Zamora Gonzalez, J. Mascher, D. Juarez Oropeza, M.a. Nutr-res. New York, N.Y. : Elsevier Science Inc. October 1998. volume 18 (10) page 1769-1782. 0271-5317

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Effects of Spirulina platensis on growth performance of weanling pigs. Source: Grinstead, G.S. Tokach, M.D. Dritz, S.S. Goodband, R.D. Nelssen, J.L. Animfeed-sci-technol. Amsterdam, The Netherlands : Elsevier Science B.V. March 6, 2000. volume 83 (3/4) page 237-247. 0377-8401

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Electron spin resonance studies on photosensitized formation of hydroxyl radical by C-phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis. Author(s): Institute of Photographic Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China. Source: Zhang, S Xie, J Zhang, J Zhao, J Jiang, L Biochim-Biophys-Acta. 1999 January 4; 1426(1): 205-11 0006-3002

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Enhancement of chicken macrophage phagocytic function and nitrite production by dietary Spirulina platensis. Author(s): Department of Animal Production, College of Agriculture, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Source: Al Batshan, H A Al Mufarrej, S I Al Homaidan, A A Qureshi, M A Immunopharmacol-Immunotoxicol. 2001 May; 23(2): 281-9 0892-3973

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Experimental substantiation of the possibility of developing selenium- and iodinecontaining pharmaceuticals based on blue-green algae Spirulina platensis. Author(s): EL Andronikashvili Institute of Physics, Georgian Academy of Sciences, Tamarashvili str 6, 380077, Tbilisi, Georgia. Source: Mosulishvili, L M Kirkesali, E I Belokobylsky, A I Khizanishvili, A I Frontasyeva, M V Pavlov, S S Gundorina, S F J-Pharm-Biomed-Anal. 2002 August 22; 30(1): 87-97 0731-7085

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Fatty acid composition of Chlorella and Spirulina microalgae species. Author(s): Ege University, Department of Food Engineering, Izmir, Turkey. [email protected] Source: Otles, S Pire, R J-AOAC-Int. 2001 Nov-December; 84(6): 1708-14 1060-3271

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Functional properties of protein products of mass cultivated blue-green alga Spirulina platensis [Single cell protein for human consumption]. Source: Anusuya Devi, M. Venkataraman, L.V. J-Food-Sci. Chicago : Institute of Food Technologists. Jan/February 1984. volume 49 (1) page 24-27. 0022-1147

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Further purification and structural analysis of calcium spirulan from Spirulina platensis. Source: Lee, J.B. Hayashi, T. Hayashi, K. Sankawa, U. Maeda, M. Nemoto, T. Nakanishi, H. J-nat-prod. Washington, D.C. : American Society of Pharmacognosy. Sept 1998. volume 61 (9) page 1101-1104. 0163-3864

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Growth performance of two Indian major carps, catla (Catla catla) and rohu (Labeo rohita) fed diets containing different levels of Spirulina platensis. Author(s): College of Fisheries, University of Agricultural Sciences, Mangalore, India. Source: Nandeesha, M C Gangadhara, B Manissery, J K Venkataraman, L V BioresourTechnol. 2001 November; 80(2): 117-20 0960-8524

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Hypocholesterolemic effect of Spirulina in patients with hyperlipidemic nephrotic syndrome. Source: Samuels, R. Mani, U.V. Iyer, U.M. Nayak, U.S. J-med-food. Larchmont, NY : Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., c1998-. Summer 2002. volume 5 (2) page 91-96. 1096-620X

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Immunomodulatory effects of Spirulina platensis supplementation in chickens. Author(s): North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. Source: Qureshi, M.A. Ali, R.A. Hunter, R.L. Western-Poultry-Disease-Conference (USA). (1995). (no. 44th) page 117-121. chickens immunostimulation

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Inactive corrinoid-compound significantly decreases in Spirulina platensis grown in a cobalt-deficient medium. Author(s): Department of Health Science, Kochi Women's University, Kochi 780-8515, Japan. [email protected] Source: Watanabe, F Miyamoto, E Nakano, Y J-Agric-Food-Chem. 2001 November; 49(11): 5685-8 0021-8561

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Industrial production of Spirulina in southern Spain. Source: Jimenez, C. Rivero, B. Labella, D. Niell, F.X. World-aquac. [Baton Rouge, La. : World Aquaculture Society,. December 2001. volume 32 (4) page 35-38. 1041-5602

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Inhibition of cultured bovine aortic endothelial cell proliferation by sodium spirulan, a new sulfated polysaccharide isolated from Spirulina platensis. Author(s): Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokuriku University, Kanazawa, Japan. [email protected] Source: Kaji, T Fujiwara, Y Hamada, C Yamamoto, C Shimada, S Lee, J B Hayashi, T Planta-Med. 2002 June; 68(6): 505-9 0032-0943

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Inhibition of HIV-1 replication by an aqueous extract of Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis). Author(s): Laboratory of Viral Pathogenesis, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. Source: Ayehunie, S Belay, A Baba, T W Ruprecht, R M J-Acquir-Immune-Defic-SyndrHum-Retrovirol. 1998 May 1; 18(1): 7-12 1077-9450

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Inhibitory effects of Spirulina in zymosan-induced arthritis in mice. Author(s): Ozone International Center, Havana, Cuba. [email protected] Source: Remirez, D Gonzalez, R Merino, N Rodriguez, S Ancheta, O Mediators-Inflamm. 2002 April; 11(2): 75-9 0962-9351

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Iron bioavailability from Spirulina platensis, whole egg and whole wheat. Author(s): Department of Foods and Nutrition, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India. Source: Kapoor, R Mehta, U Indian-J-Exp-Biol. 1992 October; 30(10): 904-7 0019-5189

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Isolation of three high molecular weight polysaccharide preparations with potent immunostimulatory activity from Spirulina platensis, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Source: Pugh, N. Ross, S.A. Elsohly, H.N. Elsohly, M.A. Pasco, D.S. Planta-med. Stuttgart : Georg Thieme Verlag,. November 2001. volume 67 (8) page 737-742. 00320943

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Isolation, crystallization, crystal structure analysis and refinement of allophycocyanin from the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis at 2.3 A resolution. Author(s): Max-Planck-Institut fur Biochemie, Martinsried, Germany. Source: Brejc, K Ficner, R Huber, R Steinbacher, S J-Mol-Biol. 1995 June 2; 249(2): 424-40 0022-2836

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Kinetics and bioenergetics of light-limited photoautotrophic growth of Spirulina platensis. Source: Lee, H.Y. Erickson, L.E. Yang, S.S. Biotechnol-Bioeng. New York, N.Y. : John Wiley & Sons. May 1987. volume 29 (7) page 832-843. 0006-3592

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Lactic acid bacteria growth promoters from Spirulina platensis. Source: Parada, J.L. Zulpa de Caire, G. Mule, M.C.Z. de. Cano, M.M.S. de. Int-j-foodmicrobiol. Amsterdam : Elsevier Science B.V. December 22, 1998. volume 45 (3) page 225-228. 0168-1605

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Modulatory influence of Spirulina fusiformis on 7,12-dimethylbenz(A)anthracene induced papillomagenesis in the skin of mice. Source: Mittal, A. KuMarch, A. Rao, A.R. Pharm-biol. Lisse, the Netherlands : Swets & Zeitlinger, c1998-. December 1998. volume 36 (5) page 341-346. 1388-0209

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Nutrient preparation and low cost basin construction for village production of Spirulina. Source: Fox, R.D. Algal biotechnology / edited by T. Stadler. [et al.]. London : Elsevier Applied Science, c1988. page 355-364. ill. ISBN: 1851662332

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Nutritional studies on spirulina maxima. Source: Maranesi, M. Barzanti, V. Carenini, G. Gentili, P. Acta-Vitaminol-Enzymol. Milano : Gruppo Lepetit. 1984. volume 6 (4) page 295-304. ill. 0300-8924

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Photosynthetic performance of a helical tubular photobioreactor incorporating the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis. Source: Watanabe, Y. De La Noue, J. Hall, D.O. Biotechnol-bioeng. New York : John Wiley & Sons, Inc. July 20, 1995. volume 47 (2) page 261-269. 0006-3592

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Physico-chemical parameters influencing DNase activity of the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis. Author(s): Marine Biotechnology Center, University of California, Santa Barbara 93106, USA. [email protected] Source: Cao, J Liang, D Xu, Z Qiu, G Li, B Vonshak, A Microbiol-Res. 2000 April; 155(1): 59-63 0944-5013

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Phytoremediation potential of Spirulina (Arthrospira) platensis: biosorption and toxicity studies of cadmium. Author(s): Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. Source: Rangsayator, N Upatham, E S Kruatrachue, M Pokethitiyook, P Lanza, G R Environ-Pollut. 2002; 119(1): 45-53 0269-7491

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Practical application of aqueous two-phase systems for the development of a prototype process for c-phycocyanin recovery from Spirulina maxima. Source: Rito Palomares, M. Nunez, L. Amador, D. J-chem-technol-biotechnol. Chichester, West Sussex, U.K. : John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. December 2001. volume 76 (12) page 1273-1280. 0268-2575

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Production of deuterated beta-carotene by metabolic labelling of Spirulina platensis. Source: Gireesh, T. Jayadeep, A. Rajasekharan, K.N. Menon, V.P. Vairamany, M. Tang, G. Nair, P.P. Sudhakaran, P.R. Biotechnol-lett. Dordrecht : Kluwer Academic Publishers. March 2001. volume 23 (6) page 447-449. 0141-5492

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Protein efficiency ratio (PER) of algae spirulina. Source: Balasubramanya, N.N. Sampath, S.R. Indian-J-Nutr-Diet. Coimbatore : Sri Avinashilingam Home Science College for Women. May 1984. volume 21 (5) page 165167. charts. 0022-3174

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Pseudovitamin B(12) is the predominant cobamide of an algal health food, spirulina tablets. Author(s): Department of Health Science, Kochi Women's University, Kochi 780-8515, Japan. [email protected] Source: Watanabe, F Katsura, H Takenaka, S Fujita, T Abe, K Tamura, Y Nakatsuka, T Nakano, Y J-Agric-Food-Chem. 1999 November; 47(11): 4736-41 0021-8561

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Rearing of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L., on artificial diets: retrospect and propects [pulverizer mulberry leaf, Spirulina plantensis]. Author(s): Regional Research Laboratory, Jammu Tawi (Inde) Source: Chowdhary, S.K. Sericologia (France). (1996). volume 36(3) page 407-422. bombyx mori silkworms animal feeding compound feeds animal performance 0250-3980

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Role of Spirulina in the control of glycemia and lipidemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Source: Parikh, P. Mani, U. Iyer, U. J-med-food. Larchmont, NY : Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., c1998-. Winter 2001. volume 4 (4) page 193-199. 1096-620X

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Selenium from selenium-rich Spirulina is less bioavailable than selenium from sodium selenite and selenomethionine in selenium-deficient rats. Author(s): Unite Nutrition, Laboratoire Genie Biologique et Sciences des Aliments, Universite Montpellier II, 34095 Montpellier, France. Source: Cases, J Vacchina, V Napolitano, A Caporiccio, B Besancon, P Lobinski, R Rouanet, J M J-Nutr. 2001 September; 131(9): 2343-50 0022-3166

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Spawning and quality of eggs of striped jack [Pseudocaranx dentex] fed raw fish or dry pellets with 2% Spirulina. Author(s): Tokyo Univ. of Fisheries (Japan) Source: Vassallo Agius, R. Mushiake, K. Imaizumi, H. Yamazaki, T. Watanabe, T. Suisanzoshoku (Japan). (September 1999). volume 47(3) page 415-422. caranx feed additives spirulina adults oviposition ova quality 0371-4217

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Spirulina as a source of vitamin A. Author(s): National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad. Source: Annapurna, V V Deosthale, Y G Bamji, M S Plant-Foods-Hum-Nutr. 1991 April; 41(2): 125-34 0921-9668

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Spirulina maxima prevents induction of fatty liver by carbon tetrachloride in the rat. Author(s): Departamento de Bioquimica, UNAM, Mexico, D.F., Mexico. Source: Torres Duran, P V Miranda Zamora, R Paredes Carbajal, M C Mascher, D Diaz Zagoya, J C Juarez Oropeza, M A Biochem-Mol-Biol-Int. 1998 April; 44(4): 787-93 10399712

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Spirulina platensis extract enhances chicken macrophage functions after in vitro exposure. Source: Qureshi, M.A. Kidd, M.T. Ali, R.A. J-nutr-immunol. Binghamton, NY : Haworth Medical Press, c1991-. 1995. volume 3 (4) page 35-45. 1049-5150

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Structure of C-phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis at 2.2 A resolution: a novel monoclinic crystal form for phycobiliproteins in phycobilisomes. Author(s): National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 15 Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, People's Republic of China. Source: Wang, X Q Li, L N Chang, W R Zhang, J P Gui, L L Guo, B J Liang, D C ActaCrystallogr-D-Biol-Crystallogr. 2001 June; 57(Pt 6): 784-92 0907-4449

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Studies on the long-term effect of spirulina supplementation on serum lipid profile and glycated proteins in NIDDM patients. Source: Mani, U.V. Desai, S. Iyer, U. J-nutraceuticals-funct-med-foods. Binghamton, NY : Pharmaceutical Products Press, an imprint of the Haworth Press, Inc., c1997-. 2000. volume 2 (3) page 25-32. 1089-4179

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Studies on the preventive effect of Spirulina maxima on fatty liver development induced by carbon tetrachloride, in the rat. Author(s): Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, UNAM, Mexico D.F., Mexico. Source: Torres Duran, P V Miranda Zamora, R Paredes Carbajal, M C Mascher, D Ble Castillo, J Diaz Zagoya, J C Juarez Oropeza, M A J-Ethnopharmacol. 1999 February; 64(2): 141-7 0378-8741

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Subchronic toxicity study in mice fed Spirulina maxima. Author(s): Departamento de Toxicologia, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas (I.P.N.), Mexico D.F., Mexico.

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Source: Salazar, M Martinez, E Madrigal, E Ruiz, L E Chamorro, G A J-Ethnopharmacol. 1998 October; 62(3): 235-41 0378-8741 •

Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of Spirulina platenis component and removing the stench. Source: Hu, Q. J-agric-food-chem. Washington, D.C. : American Chemical Society. July 1999. volume 47 (7) page 2705-2706. 0021-8561

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Supplementary effect of spirulina on hematological status of rats during pregnancy and lactation. Author(s): Sri Sathya Sai Inst. of Higher Learning, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh (India). Dept. of Home Science Source: Kapoor, R. Mehta, U. Plant-Foods-for-Human-Nutrition (Netherlands). (1998). volume 52(4) page 315-324. spirulina blood supplements gluten proteins rats 0921-9668

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The effect of algal protein diets on the regeneration of serum and liver proteins in protein depleted rats [Spirulina platensis]. Source: Devi, M.A. Venkataraman, L.V. Qual-Plant-Plant-Foods-Human-Nutr. The Hague : W. Junk. 1983. volume 33 (4) page 287-297. ill. 0377-3205

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The effect of low light flux and nitrogen deficiency on the chemical composition of Spirulina sp. (Arthrospira) grown on digested pig waste. Author(s): Departamento de Biotecnologia, Instituto de Ecologia, Xalapa, Mexico. [email protected] Source: Olguin, E J Galicia, S Angulo Guerrero, O Hernandez, E Bioresour-Technol. 2001 March; 77(1): 19-24 0960-8524

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The effect of spirulina in the treatment of bronchial asthma. Source: Labhe, R.U. Mani, U.V. Iyer, U.M. Mishra, M. Jani, K. Bhattacharya, A. Jnutraceuticals-funct-med-foods. Binghamton, NY : Pharmaceutical Products Press, an imprint of the Haworth Press, Inc., c1997-. 2001. volume 3 (4) page 53-61. 1089-4179

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Toxicity assessment of phycocyanin--a blue colorant from blue green alga Spirulina platensis. Source: Akhilender Naidu, K. Sarada, R. Manoj, G. Khan, M.Y. Mahadeva Swamy, M. Viswanatha, S. Narasimha Murthy, K. Ravishankar, G.A. Srinivas, L. Food-biotechnol. Monticello, N.Y. : Marcel Dekker Inc. 1999. volume 13 (1) page 51-66. 0890-5436

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Utilization of beta-carotene from Spirulina platenis by rats. Source: Kapoor, R. Mehta, U. Plant-Food-Hum-Nutr. Dordrecht : Kluwer Academic. January 1993. volume 43 (1) page 1-7. 0921-9668

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Vitamin B-12 content and bioavailability of spirulina and nori in rats. Source: Berg, H. van den Brandsen, L. Sinkeldam, B.J. J-Nutr-Biochem. [Stoneham, Mass.] : Butterworths. June 1991. volume 2 (6) page 314-318. 0955-2863

Federal Resources on Nutrition In addition to the IBIDS, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provide many sources of information on general nutrition and health. Recommended resources include: •

healthfinder®, HHS’s gateway to health information, including diet and nutrition: http://www.healthfinder.gov/scripts/SearchContext.asp?topic=238&page=0

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The United States Department of Agriculture’s Web site dedicated to nutrition information: www.nutrition.gov

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The Food and Drug Administration’s Web site for federal food safety information: www.foodsafety.gov

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The National Action Plan on Overweight and Obesity sponsored by the United States Surgeon General: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/

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The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition has an Internet site sponsored by the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services: http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/

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Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture: http://www.usda.gov/cnpp/

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Food and Nutrition Information Center, National Agricultural Library sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture: http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/

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Food and Nutrition Service sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/

Additional Web Resources A number of additional Web sites offer encyclopedic information covering food and nutrition. The following is a representative sample: •

AOL: http://search.aol.com/cat.adp?id=174&layer=&from=subcats

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Family Village: http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/med_nutrition.html

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Google: http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Nutrition/

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Healthnotes: http://www.healthnotes.com/

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Open Directory Project: http://dmoz.org/Health/Nutrition/

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Yahoo.com: http://dir.yahoo.com/Health/Nutrition/

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WebMDHealth: http://my.webmd.com/nutrition

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WholeHealthMD.com: http://www.wholehealthmd.com/reflib/0,1529,00.html

The following is a specific Web list relating to spirulina; please note that any particular subject below may indicate either a therapeutic use, or a contraindication (potential danger), and does not reflect an official recommendation: •

Food and Diet Weight Management Index Source: Healthnotes, Inc.; www.healthnotes.com

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CHAPTER 3. ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE AND SPIRULINA Overview In this chapter, we will begin by introducing you to official information sources on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) relating to spirulina. At the conclusion of this chapter, we will provide additional sources.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) of the National Institutes of Health (http://nccam.nih.gov/) has created a link to the National Library of Medicine’s databases to facilitate research for articles that specifically relate to spirulina and complementary medicine. To search the database, go to the following Web site: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nccam/camonpubmed.html. Select “CAM on PubMed.” Enter “spirulina” (or synonyms) into the search box. Click “Go.” The following references provide information on particular aspects of complementary and alternative medicine that are related to spirulina: •

A particular structure associated to the nucleoid of cyanobacteria. Author(s): Gavrila L, Vladimirescu A, Ionescu MD, Gavrila VR, Gavrila LB, Rebedea I, Timus DM. Source: Roum Arch Microbiol Immunol. 1999 January-March; 58(1): 37-47. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11845443&dopt=Abstract

•

Characterization and bioavailability of vitamin B12-compounds from edible algae. Author(s): Watanabe F, Takenaka S, Kittaka-Katsura H, Ebara S, Miyamoto E. Source: J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2002 October; 48(5): 325-31. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12656203&dopt=Abstract

•

Clastogenic effects of dietary supplement--Spirulina alga, and some medicinal plant products from Boswellia serrata, Withania somnifera on mice. Author(s): Ghoshal S, Mukhopadhyay MJ, Mukherjee A.

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Source: Indian J Exp Biol. 2001 October; 39(10): 1068-70. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11883518&dopt=Abstract •

Diets enriched in foods with high antioxidant activity reverse age-induced decreases in cerebellar beta-adrenergic function and increases in proinflammatory cytokines. Author(s): Gemma C, Mesches MH, Sepesi B, Choo K, Holmes DB, Bickford PC. Source: The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience. 2002 July 15; 22(14): 6114-20. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12122072&dopt=Abstract

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Effect of Spirulina fusiformis on cyclophosphamide and mitomycin-C induced genotoxicity and oxidative stress in mice. Author(s): Premkumar K, Pachiappan A, Abraham SK, Santhiya ST, Gopinath PM, Ramesh A. Source: Fitoterapia. 2001 December; 72(8): 906-11. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11731115&dopt=Abstract

•

Effects of dietary gamma-linolenic acid on the tissue phospholipid fatty acid composition and the synthesis of eicosanoids in rats. Author(s): Quoc KP, Pascaud M. Source: Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism. 1996; 40(2): 99-108. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=8773734&dopt=Abstract

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Effects of the ethanolic extract of Spirulina maxima on endothelium dependent vasomotor responses of rat aortic rings. Author(s): Paredes-Carbajal MC, Torres-Duran PV, Diaz-Zagoya JC, Mascher D, JuarezOropeza MA. Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2001 April; 75(1): 37-44. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11282441&dopt=Abstract

•

Fatty acid composition of Chlorella and Spirulina microalgae species. Author(s): Otles S, Pire R. Source: J Aoac Int. 2001 November-December; 84(6): 1708-14. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11767135&dopt=Abstract

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Inhibition of cultured bovine aortic endothelial cell proliferation by sodium spirulan, a new sulfated polysaccharide isolated from Spirulina platensis. Author(s): Kaji T, Fujiwara Y, Hamada C, Yamamoto C, Shimada S, Lee JB, Hayashi T. Source: Planta Medica. 2002 June; 68(6): 505-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12094292&dopt=Abstract

•

Isolation of three high molecular weight polysaccharide preparations with potent immunostimulatory activity from Spirulina platensis, aphanizomenon flos-aquae and

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Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Author(s): Pugh N, Ross SA, ElSohly HN, ElSohly MA, Pasco DS. Source: Planta Medica. 2001 November; 67(8): 737-42. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=11731916&dopt=Abstract •

Kinetic studies on reactions of iron-sulphur proteins. Oxidation of the reduced form of Spirulina platensis [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin with inorganic complexes. Author(s): Adzamli IK, Petrou A, Sykes AG, Rao KK, Hall DO. Source: The Biochemical Journal. 1983 April 1; 211(1): 219-26. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=6409090&dopt=Abstract

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Microalgae as food and supplement. Author(s): Kay RA. Source: Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 1991; 30(6): 555-73. Review. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=1741951&dopt=Abstract

•

Modulation of lead toxicity by Spirulina fusiformis. Author(s): Shastri D, Kumar M, Kumar A. Source: Phytotherapy Research : Ptr. 1999 May; 13(3): 258-60. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=10353175&dopt=Abstract

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Modulatory potential of Spirulina fusiformis on carcinogen metabolizing enzymes in Swiss albino mice. Author(s): Mittal A, Kumar PV, Banerjee S, Rao AR, Kumar A. Source: Phytotherapy Research : Ptr. 1999 March; 13(2): 111-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=10190182&dopt=Abstract

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Physico-chemical parameters influencing DNase activity of the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis. Author(s): Cao J, Liang D, Xu Z, Qiu G, Li B, Vonshak A. Source: Microbiological Research. 2000 April; 155(1): 59-63. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=10830902&dopt=Abstract

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Protective effect of Spirulina on lead induced deleterious changes in the lipid peroxidation and endogenous antioxidants in rats. Author(s): Upasani CD, Balaraman R. Source: Phytotherapy Research : Ptr. 2003 April; 17(4): 330-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=12722134&dopt=Abstract

•

Spirulina ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase. Further characterization with an improved preparation. Author(s): Wada K, Tamura T, Matsubara H, Kodo K.

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Source: Journal of Biochemistry. 1983 August; 94(2): 387-93. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=6415047&dopt=Abstract •

Studies on the preventive effect of Spirulina maxima on fatty liver development induced by carbon tetrachloride, in the rat. Author(s): Torres-Duran PV, Miranda-Zamora R, Paredes-Carbajal MC, Mascher D, BleCastillo J, Diaz-Zagoya JC, Juarez-Oropeza MA. Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 1999 February; 64(2): 141-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=10197749&dopt=Abstract

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Subchronic toxicity study in mice fed Spirulina maxima. Author(s): Salazar M, Martinez E, Madrigal E, Ruiz LE, Chamorro GA. Source: Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 1998 October; 62(3): 235-41. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=9849634&dopt=Abstract

•

The lipids of the alga Spirulina. Author(s): Hudson BJ, Karis IG. Source: J Sci Food Agric. 1974 July; 25(7): 759-63. No Abstract Available. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ uids=4369323&dopt=Abstract

Additional Web Resources A number of additional Web sites offer encyclopedic information covering CAM and related topics. The following is a representative sample: •

Alternative Medicine Foundation, Inc.: http://www.herbmed.org/

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AOL: http://search.aol.com/cat.adp?id=169&layer=&from=subcats

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Chinese Medicine: http://www.newcenturynutrition.com/

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drkoop.com: http://www.drkoop.com/InteractiveMedicine/IndexC.html

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Family Village: http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/med_altn.htm

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Google: http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Alternative/

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Healthnotes: http://www.healthnotes.com/

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MedWebPlus: http://medwebplus.com/subject/Alternative_and_Complementary_Medicine

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Open Directory Project: http://dmoz.org/Health/Alternative/

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HealthGate: http://www.tnp.com/

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WebMDHealth: http://my.webmd.com/drugs_and_herbs

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WholeHealthMD.com: http://www.wholehealthmd.com/reflib/0,1529,00.html

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Yahoo.com: http://dir.yahoo.com/Health/Alternative_Medicine/

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The following is a specific Web list relating to spirulina; please note that any particular subject below may indicate either a therapeutic use, or a contraindication (potential danger), and does not reflect an official recommendation: •

General Overview AIDS and HIV Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Anemia Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Bodybuilding Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Candidiasis Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Eczema Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Hypoglycemia Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Immune System Disorders Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Infection Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Psoriasis Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Skin Conditions Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Vitamin B12 Deficiency Source: Healthnotes, Inc.; www.healthnotes.com Weight Loss and Obesity Source: Healthnotes, Inc.; www.healthnotes.com

•

Herbs and Supplements Amino Acid K Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Blue-Green Algae Source: Healthnotes, Inc.; www.healthnotes.com

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Blue-Green Algae Alternative names: Spirulina Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Borago Alternative names: Borage; Borago officinalis Source: Alternative Medicine Foundation, Inc.; www.amfoundation.org Chlorophyll Source: Healthnotes, Inc.; www.healthnotes.com Garcinia Cambogia Alternative names: Citrin, Gambooge Source: Alternative Medicine Foundation, Inc.; www.amfoundation.org L-Lysine Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Lysine Alternative names: Amino Acid K, L-Lysine Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Mentha Alternative names: Pennyroyal; Mentha/Hedeoma pulegium Source: Alternative Medicine Foundation, Inc.; www.amfoundation.org Phenylalanine Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Spirulina Alternative names: Blue-green Algae Source: Integrative Medicine Communications; www.drkoop.com Spirulina and Kelp Source: WholeHealthMD.com, LLC.; www.wholehealthmd.com Hyperlink: http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/0,1525,10058,00.html

General References A good place to find general background information on CAM is the National Library of Medicine. It has prepared within the MEDLINEplus system an information topic page dedicated to complementary and alternative medicine. To access this page, go to the MEDLINEplus site at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alternativemedicine.html. This Web site provides a general overview of various topics and can lead to a number of general sources.

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CHAPTER 4. PATENTS ON SPIRULINA Overview Patents can be physical innovations (e.g. chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment) or processes (e.g. treatments or diagnostic procedures). The United States Patent and Trademark Office defines a patent as a grant of a property right to the inventor, issued by the Patent and Trademark Office.8 Patents, therefore, are intellectual property. For the United States, the term of a new patent is 20 years from the date when the patent application was filed. If the inventor wishes to receive economic benefits, it is likely that the invention will become commercially available within 20 years of the initial filing. It is important to understand, therefore, that an inventor’s patent does not indicate that a product or service is or will be commercially available. The patent implies only that the inventor has “the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling” the invention in the United States. While this relates to U.S. patents, similar rules govern foreign patents. In this chapter, we show you how to locate information on patents and their inventors. If you find a patent that is particularly interesting to you, contact the inventor or the assignee for further information. IMPORTANT NOTE: When following the search strategy described below, you may discover non-medical patents that use the generic term “spirulina” (or a synonym) in their titles. To accurately reflect the results that you might find while conducting research on spirulina, we have not necessarily excluded non-medical patents in this bibliography.

Patents on Spirulina By performing a patent search focusing on spirulina, you can obtain information such as the title of the invention, the names of the inventor(s), the assignee(s) or the company that owns or controls the patent, a short abstract that summarizes the patent, and a few excerpts from the description of the patent. The abstract of a patent tends to be more technical in nature, while the description is often written for the public. Full patent descriptions contain much more information than is presented here (e.g. claims, references, figures, diagrams, etc.). We

8Adapted

from the United States Patent and Trademark Office: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/whatis.htm.

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will tell you how to obtain this information later in the chapter. The following is an example of the type of information that you can expect to obtain from a patent search on spirulina: •

Acid soluble blue colorant for food products Inventor(s): Langston; Metty S. K. (Ossining, NY), Maing; Il-Young (Burke, VA) Assignee(s): General Foods Corporation (White Plains, NY) Patent Number: 4,400,400 Date filed: March 26, 1982 Abstract: Spirulina blue, which is not soluble at low pH, is subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis in an aqueous alkaline medium. The pH of the aqueous system is lowered and the liquid phase is dried to produce a blue dye in dry form which is soluble at low pH. The blue dye is useful as a blue colorant in food products, particularly food products, such as beverages, in which acid solubility is desired. Excerpt(s): This invention relates to a natural, acid soluble blue pigment suitable as a food colorant. More particularly, the invention relates to an acid soluble spirulina blue pigment in dry form and to methods of making same. The pigment is particularly useful in food products in which an acid-soluble blue colorant is desired. Blue pigments for food products are, of course, known. However, there are few natural blue pigments which are acid soluble, have appropriate hue and, are approved for use in foods and new pigments suitable for use in food products are desirable. It is an object of the invention to provide an acid soluble spirulina blue pigment. It is a further object to provide an effective method for the preparation of the pigment, and it is a further object to provide such pigments in a form suitable for use in food products such as beverages and dry beverage mixes. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04400400__

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Antiviral polysaccharide Inventor(s): Hayashi; Kyoko (Imizu-gun, JP), Hayashi; Toshimitsu (Imizu-gun, JP), Kojima; Ichiro (Yokosuka, JP) Assignee(s): Nippon Oil Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, JP) Patent Number: 5,585,365 Date filed: July 8, 1994 Abstract: An antiviral polysaccharide purified from an extract prepared by extracting Spirulina cells with hot water, having the following properties:(1) it comprises rhamnose, glucose, fructose, ribose, galactose, xylose, mannose, glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid;(2) it exhibits an absorption at 480 nm in phenolsulfuric acid reaction; and(3) it has a molecular weight of 250,000 to 300,000 Daltons as determined by gel filtration; and pharmaceuticals, food and feed, comprising said antiviral polysaccharide. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to an antiviral polysaccharide purified from an extract prepared by extracting Spirulina cells with hot water (designated Spirulina polysaccharide hereinafter), as well as pharmaceutical compositions, foods and drinks, feeds and food additives, especially functional foods and drinks, comprising said antiviral composition. Although antiviral compositions derived from materials which have been used for long time and whose safety has been confirmed, especially antiviral

Patents 29

composition useful as active ingredients for pharmaceuticals or functional foods are sought, satisfactory composition have not yet been known. Although Spirulina has been used as foods or drinks, or a component thereof, its antiviral activity is not known. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05585365__ •

Apparatus for cultivating algae Inventor(s): Shimamatsu; Hidenori (Chiba, JP), Tominaga; Yutaka (Ichihara, JP) Assignee(s): Dainippon Ink & Chemicals Inc. (Tokyo, JP) Patent Number: 4,217,728 Date filed: October 10, 1978 Abstract: A flow rectifying device is provided in a cultivation basin used in the cultivation of algae of the type in which there is a horizontal circulating flow of the cultivation water. The flow rectifying device avoids the formation of puddles or stagnant water and provides for uniform flow of the circulating water as the direction of flow changes at corners of the basin. The flow rectifying means includes a plurality of curved parallel fins for smoothly deflecting the flow of the circulating cultivation water and thereby prevents contamination of the cultivation liquid by preventing algae from being destroyed. The apparatus is particularly useful in cultivating blue-green algae of the genus Spirulina and other aquatic lower algae. Excerpt(s): This invention relates to an apparatus for cultivating blue-green algae of the genus Spirulina and other aquatic lower algae. More specifically, the invention relates to an improvement in a cultivating apparatus used for cultivating algae in a cultivating water which circulates through a deflected flow passage. Generally, the membranes of aquatic algae are fragile, and multi-celled spiral algae such as blue-green algae of the genus Spirulina are more fragile than single-celled spherical algae such as green algae of the genus Chlorella. Since the damage of the algal membranes means the death of the algae, it is necessary in the cultivation of algae useful as food to stir the entire cultivating water slowly and uniformly so as to impart solar energy effectively and uniformly to each algal cell without damaging it. If puddle or stagnation of water occurs in a basin for cultivating algae which grow by photosynthesis, a supply of light and other nutrient sources becomes insufficient to cause autolysis of algae which leads to putrefaction and death. It would also promote the growth of wild algae, protozoa and other unfavorable organisms. In rectangular parallelepipedal cultivation basins of the circulating type known heretofore, water which changes in its direction of flow at a corner of the basin does not form a uniform flow, and puddle or stagnation occurs markedly. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04217728__

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Compositions of spirulina algae and omega fatty acids for treatment of inflammation and pain Inventor(s): Bockow; Barry I. (16122 - 8th Ave. SW., Seattle, WA 98166) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 5,709,855 Date filed: September 22, 1995

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Abstract: A composition for preventing or treating inflammation and/or pain by topical administration are disclosed. The composition contains an omega fatty acid in combination with spirulina. Preferably, the omega fatty acid is a mixture of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids include eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexanoic acid, and omega-6 fatty acids include gamma-linolenic acid and dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid. The composition may further include pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents, vitamins A and E, and a cyclooxygenase inhibitor such as methyl salicylate. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for preventing and/or treating inflammation and pain in patients and, more specifically, to compositions containing omega fatty acids and spirulina and to methods for their administration. The prevention or inhibition of inflammation and pain is of significant concern to medical professionals, particularly in the case of patients afflicted with arthritis and other musculoskeletal ailments, including sports-related injuries. The immune system is a protective network that enables the body to ward off disease. A mechanism by which this occurs is through the initiation of an inflammatory response. In attempting to heal areas of injury, the body sometimes mounts an overly aggressive immune response. This "hyper" immune response is the cause of a group of illnesses known as "autoimmune diseases" which include rheumatoid arthritis. The immune response is often associated with increased blood flow and increased vascular permeability. This causes the release of white blood cells, macrophages, platelets and other cellular elements to the surrounding tissues. These cells are the harbingers of inflammation. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05709855__ •

Dietary supplement Inventor(s): Garzone; Rafaele (Bari, IT), Policappelli; Nini E. (361 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048), Russo; Claudio (Bari, IT) Assignee(s): Policappelli; Nini E. (Los Angeles, CA) Patent Number: 5,612,039 Date filed: April 21, 1995 Abstract: A composition for dietary supplementation includes the following three compositions: The first composition is Germander (Teucrium Chamaedrys Herba), Camelia Tea (Camelia Thea Folia), and Spirulina (Spirulina Maxima); the second composition is Garcinia Gambogia, dry extract (Garcinia Cambogia Fructuse), Brown Algae, dry extract (Fucus Vesicolosus), and Germander (Teucrium Chamaedrys Herba); the third composition is Garcinia Gambogia, dry extract (Garcinia Cambogia Fructuse), Brown Algae, dry extract (Fucus Vesicolosus), and Orthosiphon, dry extract (Orthosiphon Stamineus Folia), respectively. Additionally, there is a fourth composition including Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris Fructus), Garcinia Cambogia, dry extract (Garcinia Cambogia Fructus), Pineapple, dry extract (Ananas Sativus Stipites), Gymnema Sylvestre, dry extract (Gymnema Sylvestre Folia), and Chromium Dinicotinate (Chromium). Excerpt(s): Today, obesity is one of the most prevalent problems associated with nutrition. In the United States, 20-30% of adults suffer from obesity. Although there are many factors which attribute to the problem, it is characterized by the deposit of fat cells and influenced by caloric intake, metabolism and genetic predisposition. This invention

Patents 31

is directed to a chemical composition being a dietary supplement. The invention is also described as method of weight loss using this supplement. The invention is particularly concerned with reducing the build-up of body fat of any living being. In particular, the invention is concerned with treating individuals with "normal" obesity, rather than obesity associated with medical problems of the endocrine or neuroendocrine system. Such individuals require medical assistance to control the condition of obesity. In normal obesity, weight can be reduced by reduction of caloric intake and the increased energetic consumption. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05612039__ •

Means and method for recovering algae Inventor(s): Dodd; Joseph C. (6745 Alisal St., Pleasanton, CA 94566) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 4,465,600 Date filed: January 6, 1983 Abstract: To separate a small alga such as Dunaliella from a containing liquid, a filter substrate is provided with a surface coat including a large alga such as Spirulina. The Dunaliella and some liquid are run through the Spirulina and the substrate and so are separated with some Spirulina content. Excerpt(s): To separate small algae, such as Dunaliella, from a containing liquid, a filter drum is provided with a surface coat including a layer of large algae such as Spirulina. The Dunaliella are deposited on the surface coat and are largely separated from the containing liquid, with some Spirulina as an accompaniment. The method involves using relatively large algae, such as Spirulina, in a layer as a filter for relatively small algae, such as Dunaliella. Reference is made to the applicant's issued U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,836,681, 3,951,805 and 4,255,261 which have to do with algae filtration, but are not concerned with recovery of an alga such as Dunaliella. This particular alga is difficult to recover from its environmental liquid since it is relatively small in size and has flexible, rather smooth walls. It is, however, a desirable alga and can be utilized commercially even though it is admixed with some proportion of another alga such as Spirulina. Spirulina is filamentous and, as its name indicates, of a spiral or helical configuration. It is considerably larger than Dunaliella and is compatible therewith as a food product. The drawing is a diagrammatic showing of one form of an apparatus useful in carrying out the process of the invention and in ultimately recovering Dunaliella. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04465600__

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Measurement of gastric emptying Inventor(s): Klein; Peter D. (Houston, TX) Assignee(s): Meretek Diagnostics (Houston, TX) Patent Number: 5,707,602 Date filed: March 25, 1996 Abstract: A biscuit adapted to be ingested by a patient to enable measurement of gastric emptying has added prior to baking Spirulina Platensis alga grown in a.sup.13 CO.sub.2 atmosphere. These single cell organisms are oxidized after digestion in the

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small intestine to produce a detectible rise in level of.sup.13 CO.sub.2 in the patient's breath which is sampled and plotted to enable diagnosis of abnormal gastric emptying rates. Excerpt(s): This invention relates generally to diagnosis of gasfro-intestinal disorders in humans, and particularly the rate at which food being digested in the stomach is emptied into the small intestine in order to determine abnormal delay or dumping. Digestion of all foods in humans begins in the stomach where both solid and liquid matter is mixed with gastric juices that are secreted by the stomach walls. The gastric juice is predominately hydrochloric acid, but also includes enzymes that break down food constituents so that they can be absorbed and used. The contents of the stomach are emptied into the small intestine via the pyloric sphincter which opens and closes to release pulses of the mixed solids and liquids. The rate of such emptying is regulated by this sphincter, and is more rapid in the case of liquids than solids. In both cases the rate is determined by the calorie content of the meal. The higher the calorie content, the lower the rate of discharge. In addition, the solid phase of the food must undergo comminution, or reduction in particle size, which is caused by contractions of the stomach walls until a particle size of about 1 mm in diameter is attained. A disorder in the rate of gastric emptying can result either in too rapid or in delayed emptying. When the rate is accelerated the food is "dumped" into the small intestine prematurely. When delayed, the time required to empty the stomach is excessive. Delayed gastric emptying often is encountered in diabetic patents and may be associated with abdominal pain, cramping and bloating. Although some medications have been developed to increase gastric emptying, their efficacy is still under investigation. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05707602__ •

Measurement of liquid phase gastric emptying Inventor(s): Klein; Peter D. (Houston, TX) Assignee(s): Meretek Diagnostics (Houston, TX) Patent Number: 5,785,949 Date filed: September 5, 1996 Abstract: A drink adapted to be consumed by a patient to enable measurement of gastric emptying of the liquid phase, is a fruit juice having mixed and suspended therein a quantity of Spirulina platensis alga grown in a.sup.13 CO.sub.2 atmosphere. These single cell organisms pass from the stomach into the small intestine where they are digested, absorbed and oxidized to produce a detectible rise in the level of.sup.13 CO.sub.2 in the patient's breath which is sampled and the measured valves plotted to enable determination of gastric emptying rate abnormalities. Excerpt(s): This invention relates generally to diagnosis of gastro-intestinal disorders in humans, and particularly to measurement of the rate at which the liquid phase of food being digested in the stomach is emptied into the small intestine and whether such rate is abnormal. Digestion of all foods in humans begins in the stomach where both liquids and solids are mixed with gastric juice that is secreted by the walls of the stomach. The gastric juice is predominately hydrochloric acid, but also includes enzymes that break down food constituents so that they can be absorbed in the blood and used by the body. The contents of the stomach are emptied into the small intestine through the pyloric sphincter which opens and closes to release pulses of the mixture of solids and liquids. The rate of such emptying is regulated by this sphincter, and takes place more rapidly in

Patents 33

the case of liquids than solids, however both are determined by the calorie content of the meal. The higher the calorie content, the slower the discharge rate. In addition, the solid phase of the food must undergo comminution, or reduction in particle size, caused by contractions of the stomach until a particle size of about 1 mm in diameter is reached. A disorder can result in either accelerated or delayed emptying. Accelerated emptying causes the food to be "dumped" into the small intestine prematurely. Delayed emptying often is encountered in diabetic patents and may be associated with abdominal pain and cramping. Although medications or drugs have been developed to increase the rate of gastric emptying, their efficacy still is under investigation. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US05785949__ •

Method for producing microalgae based foodstuff Inventor(s): Rakow; Allen L. (620 Monte Vista, Las Cruces, NM 88001), Roubicek; Rudolph (1304 Delano Dr., Las Cruces, NM 88001) Assignee(s): none reported Patent Number: 4,744,996 Date filed: June 26, 1986 Abstract: A method for producing a microalgae based foodstuff is disclosed wherein a mixture containing water as a solvent, Spirulina cells, and a gelling agent comprising either agar or a mixture of agar and cornstarch is heated to a temperature of 100.degree. Centigrade or more. After the heated mixture is cooled to a temperature of 40.degree. Centigrade or less, the mixture is then placed into a shaping device. The cooled mixture in the shaping device is then dried to a predetermined moisture content and the resulting dried, shaped mixture is removed from the shaping device. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to foodstuffs comprised of naturally or commercially produced algae, and more particularly to foodstuffs based on microalgae containing a substantial amount of protein and nutrients. An algae based food, popular for centuries in the Far East, is made of an edible macroalgae (seaweed) of the genus Porphyra which is processed and dried into sheets. This foodstuff, known as "Nori" in Japan, and by other names in other Far Eastern countries, is gaining in popularity with the people of Western countries. Nori is particularly notable for its high strength-toweight ratio. In its standard thin-sheet form, it cannot easily be pulled apart, allowing it to be wrapped around other foods, such as sushi. The standard sheet size of Nori is 18 by 20 centimeters. Such a sheet weighs 3 to 4 grams. Such sheets are possible because the macroalgae cells are relatively large, and naturally bind together when taken from a wetted state to a dried state. In recent years, the general quality of Nori has deteriorated because of factors such as industrial pollution, adverse weather, and disease. It is not unusual for lower quality Nori to contain embedded debris in its sheets, such as pieces of nylon nets, hair, and marine organisms. To use another substance in place of macroalgae, some means, such as a gelling agent, would be required to bind the particles together. It is well known that microalgae are high in protein content and can be economically produced commercially, in a clean, controlled, environment. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04744996__

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Method of biological control Inventor(s): Duncan; Kelvin Winston (27b Lodge Pl., Christchurch, NZ), Macrae; Angus Ian (Christchurch, NZ) Assignee(s): Duncan; Kelvin Winston (Christchurch, NZ) Patent Number: 6,464,997 Date filed: June 7, 1999 Abstract: A method of biological control and inhibit and suppress the growth and effects of fungal contaminants by the use of a treated Spirulina compound includes the steps of preparing the Spirulina compound and applying it to a target site. This site can be a horticultural product, mushroom spawn, an agricultural product or a combination thereof. This method can also be used to inhibit, suppress or remove biological pests where the target site is a fluid containing the pests or a bait station adjacent the source of the pests or along a known flight path of the pests. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to a method of biological control to inhibit and suppress fungal infections or infestations using a treated Spirulina compound as the controlling or inhibiting agent. The present invention further relates to a method of biological control of organisms and animals and more particularly, pests and diseases associated with pests, using a treated Spirulina compound as the controlling or inhibiting agent. Spirulina is approved for human and animal consumption as a protein source under international food and drug standards. It also contains carotenoids, vitamins and minerals (Hayashi & Hayashi, "Calcium Spirulan, an Inhibitor of Enveloped Virus Replication, from Blue-Green Alga Spirulina platensis", J. Nat Prod (1996), 59, p. 83). Spirulina have also been found to have anti-viral abilities, as can be seen in the above article and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,365 (Hayashi et al). A hot water extract of Spirulina from which a calcium polysaccharide was purified was disclosed. The purified extract was effective for the treatment of viral diseases. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06464997__

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Method of biological control Inventor(s): Duncan; Kelvin Winston (27b Lodge Place, Christchurch, NZ), Macrae; Angus Ian (Christchurch, NZ) Assignee(s): Duncan; Kelvin Winston (Christchurch, NZ) Patent Number: 6,537,570 Date filed: June 8, 1999 Abstract: A method of preparation of a treated Spirulina compound includes the steps of rehydrating desiccated Spirulina, stressing the culture and freeze drying to a powder. The resultant compound has activity as an anti-viral compound and an antibacterial compound. It is capable of effecting repair of skin defects in mammals and acting as a preventative agent to skin defects. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to the use of a treated Spirulina compound as a biological agent for the control, prevention and eradication of infections and skin defects in vertebrates and mammals. The present invention also relates to a method of reducing, or avoiding the formation of, skin defects in vertebrates, and particularly mammals. The use of Spirulina or Spirulina extracts for care of skin and to improve the appearance of healthy skin is known. Examples of such can be found in EP 629397, FR 2609246, CN

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1102069(Abstract), CN 1105566 (Abstract) amongst others. The application of Spirulina or Spirulina extracts to hair or in a shampoo is also known, for example EP 619112. Spirulina also been found to have anti-viral abilities, as can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,365 (Hayashi et al.) A hot water extract of Spirulina from which a calcium polysaccharide was purified was disclosed. The purified extract was effective for the treatment of viral diseases. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06537570__ •

Method of human cell culture Inventor(s): Kumamoto; Shoichiro (Oita, JP) Assignee(s): Chlorella Industry Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, JP) Patent Number: 4,468,460 Date filed: May 21, 1982 Abstract: A method of culture of human cells is disclosed which comprises effecting the cultivation in a culture medium containing an extract of micro algae, such as Chlorella, Scenedesmus or Spirulina, said method permitting the normal successive cultivation of human cells to be maintained efficiently without any morphological and genetic mutations over a greater number of successive of generations than has hitherto been possible even by the incorporation of animal serum in the culture medium, even when the addition amount of such animal serum is reduced substantially or animal serum is completely excluded. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to a method of culture of human cells which makes it possible to attain an efficient subculture of human somatic cells separated from an individual body for a long period of time. It has heretofore been necessary to employ so-called subcultures of human cells for wide categories of biological studies of human beings including medicine, pharmacology and so on as an effective and practical means of conducting research. For this reason, in recent years subcultures of human cells has found application in various fields of research, such as in elucidation of the mechanism of cancer and in applications of the technique of cytofusion for the purpose of obtaining medically effective substances. In general, for subculture of animal cells, it is necessary to use, with a few exceptions, a serum of, for example, an adult, neonate or fetus of cattle, horse, chicken, rabbit and other animal, in addition to the chemically defined synthetic culture medium consisting of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and so on. The reason for the indispensability of the serum is based on the fact that a matter that causes cell multiplicative growth (a substance other than the general nutritive materials) is contained therein, so that multiplication of cells is impossible without serum, owing to the lack of this causal matter. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04468460__

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Method of plant tissue and cell culture Inventor(s): Maeda; Tadahiko (Dazaifumachi, JP), Tanaka; Kuniaki (Kurume, JP) Assignee(s): Chlorella Industry Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, JP) Patent Number: 4,431,738 Date filed: September 21, 1981

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Abstract: In a plant tissue and cell cultivation, a method for facilitating both cell multiplication and differentiation is attained by conducting the cultivation in a culture medium containing an extract of micro algae such as Chlorella, Scenedesmus and Spirulina. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to a method of plant tissue and cell culture and more particularly to a method which enables an efficient cultivation of tissue, taken out of an individual plant body or cultivated in a successive cultivation, or plant cells. When a piece of tissue cut out of a plant body exhibiting relatively rapid growth, such as undifferentiated shoot appex, root cambium and so on, is cultivated in an artificial culture medium, callus formation, which is a phenomenon of undifferentiated cell multiplication, and formation of differentiated foliate parts and roots are observed separately or simultaneously. In such a plant tissue culture, it is often attempted to facilitate culture growth by addition of, coconut milk, yeast extract and the like. Such growth facilitation is limited to causing proliferation of the callus. Therefore, it has not been possible to produce a differentiated plant body without employing any additional measure. Accordingly, it has heretofore been a common practice to incorporate additional measures for facilitating the differentiation, such as for example, irradiation of ultraviolet rays and addition of phytohormones such as indoleacetic acid, benzyladenine and the like in adequate proportion with each other. However, by these prior art methods for accelerating differentiation, the problems have arisen that these methods are difficult to control and, in particular, that synthetic phytohormones may either promote or retard the differentiation depending upon the amount added. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for cultivating plant tissue and plant cells which resolves the difficulties of the prior techniques described above. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04431738__ •

Ophthalmic product colored with blue alga extract Inventor(s): Scherer; Anton (Frammersbach, DE), Schwind; Peter (Hosbach-Rottenberg, DE) Assignee(s): Novartis, AG (Basel, CH) Patent Number: 6,440,411 Date filed: April 19, 2001 Excerpt(s): The present invention is directed to an ophthalmic product comprising, as a colouring agent, the extract of an alga. A preferred class of alga the extract of which is useful in the present invention is blue alga (Spirulina type), more preferred it is Japanese blue alga (Spirulina platensis). The ophthalmic product is preferably a contact lens care product. A few ophthalmic products comprising a colouring agent are known, inter alia the vitamin B12 comprising products according to EP-A-555,464 wherein said vitamin B12 provides a rose colour. However, the known products are having some disadvantages which are overcome by the products of this invention. The ophthalmic products according to this invention comprise a natural colouring agent, harvested from naturally grown plants. Said colouring agents are useful for providing an intense and long-lasting tint to ophthalmic solutions. However, articles treated with such ophthalmic solution, such as a contact lens, are not tinted by this colouring agent in a manner visible to the naked eye. This is due, inter alia, to the typically high molecular weight of the algae extracts, which molecular weight is well above 200,000 in the case of the Spirulina platensis extract. One aspect of the invention is an ophthalmic product comprising, as a colouring agent, the extract of an alga. Said extract is preferably blue or

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green, more preferred blue. Said alga is preferably a blue alga of the Spirulina type. It is also preferred to obtain the extract from a Spirulina type alga, even more preferred from the Japanese blue alga (Spirulina platensis). Other known Spirulina species are Spirulina gigantea or Spirulina maxima. Typical extracts which are useful as colouring agents in the context of this invention are Lineablue A (about 30% Phycocyanin), Lineablue HK (about 60% Phycocyanin) and Lineablue HG (about 70% Phycocyanin), all of which are marketed by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals Inc., Japan. Another suitable product is Spirulina blue distributed by Tokai Saga Co. Ltd, Japan. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06440411__ •

Process for selectively extracting dyestuffs contained in cyanophyceae algae, the soextracted dyestuffs and their use, particularly in foodstuffs Inventor(s): Lonchamp; Daniel (Tassin la Demi-Lune, FR), Rebeller; Michel (L'Etang la Ville, FR), Yout; Pierre (Vienne, FR) Assignee(s): Institut Francais du Petrole (Rueil-Malmaison, FR) Patent Number: 4,320,050 Date filed: April 4, 1980 Abstract: Process for extracting dyestuffs and particularly a blue pigment, called phycocyanine, from cyanophyceae algae, particularly of the Spirulina species, comprising contacting said algae with a first aqueous phase containing calcium ions, separating therefrom the mass of algae and contacting it with a second aqueous phase of alkaline character, separating the algae therefrom and extracting phycocyanine from said second aqueous phase by subjecting the same to an ultrafiltration step for concentrating the solution and then to a drying step. Excerpt(s): The invention concerns a process for selectively extracting dyestuffs contained in cyanophyceae algae, particularly algae of the Spirulina species. yellow, orange and red pigments: the carotenoids, present in a proportion of about 0.47 to 0.65% of the weight of the dry algae. The extraction of chlorophyll is not of particular interest in the present case, since this pigment is often present in most of the plants. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US04320050__

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System and method for culturing algae Inventor(s): Kodo; Keiun (Mino, JP), Kodo; Yasumasa (Mino, JP) Assignee(s): Spirulina Biological Lab., Ltd. (Osaka, JP) Patent Number: 6,156,561 Date filed: July 17, 1998 Abstract: A system and method for its use for efficiently culturing algae such as Spirulina are provided. The system comprises a culture pool for exposing a culture fluid containing the algae to sunlight, a culture tank having a larger depth than the culture pool, which is disposed adjacent to the culture pool, a supply unit for supplying the culture fluid from the culture pool to the culture tank, and at least one filter for removing grown algae from the culture fluid overflowing from the culture tank to the culture pool, while allowing to return a filtrate containing immature algae to the culture pool. It is preferred that this system further comprises a unit for mixing a gas containing

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carbon dioxide in the culture fluid to be supplied in the culture tank, and a lighting unit disposed in the culture tank to provide an artificial light to the culture fluid. In this case, it is possible to carry out the photosynthesis of the algae night and day. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to a system for efficiently culturing algae such as Spirulina and a method of culturing the algae by using the system. Spirulina is a kind of blue-green algae living at salt lakes in the tropical regions. For example, it is well known that Spirulina lives in the Chad Lake of the Republic of Chad located at the Sahara Desert of Africa. Tribes living around the Chad Lake have ingested Spirulina as a protein source from time immemorial. The protein of Spirulina is composed of a lot of amino acids essential to human being, and richly contains minerals and nutrient substances except for vitamin C. Thus, Spirulina is drawing public attention as a nutrition-supplementary food for keeping human health. In addition, plans for using Spirulina as the protein source in space is in progress in National Aerospace Laboratory in Japan and NASA. By the way, general crops are harvested once or twice a year. However, Spirulina can be harvested every time period of 5 to 20 days. When suitable conditions are selected, it is possible to harvest Spirulina 50 times or more a year. Therefore, Spirulina is expected as one means for solving the food problem of the earth. Additionally, since Spirilina has 6 to 8 times oxygen generating capability than general plants during photosynthesis, it has been used in CLESS (Controlled Life and Ecological Support System) on a space station project of NASA. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06156561__ •

System for purifying a polluted air by using algae Inventor(s): Kodo; Keiun (Mino, JP), Kodo; Yasumasa (Mino, JP), Tsuruoka; Makoto (Tondabayashi, JP) Assignee(s): Spirulina Biological Lab., Ltd. (Osaka, JP) Patent Number: 6,083,740 Date filed: July 22, 1998 Abstract: A system for purifying a polluted air by using algae such as Spirulina is capable of reducing carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2), nitrogen oxide (NO.sub.x) and/or sulfur oxide (SO.sub.x) in the polluted air and generating oxygen. That is, this system comprises a culture tank filled with a culture fluid including the algae, an air supply unit for forcing the polluted air into the culture fluid to dissolve carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide and/or sulfur oxide in the culture fluid, and a lighting unit for radiating a light to the culture fluid. By radiating the light to the culture fluid in the presence of carbon dioxide, photosynthesis of the algae is promoted to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. In addition, the algae use the nitrogen oxide and/or sulfur oxide as a nutrient during the photosynthesis. As a result, the present system can efficiently purify the polluted air to generate a purified air, which is rich in oxygen. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to a system for purifying a polluted air including carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and/or sulfur oxide by using algae such as Spirulina. This system can be used to provide a purified air to multipurpose facilities such as theater, department store, super market, hotel, conference hall, hospital, bank, office building, subway station, and underground shopping center. In recent years, air pollution caused by exhausts from thermal power plants, automobiles and so on is becoming serious in every country of the world. The exhausts usually contain poisonous gas components to the human body, for example, sulfur dioxide (SO.sub.2), nitrogen

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oxide (NO.sub.x) and carbon monoxide (CO). In particular, nitrogen oxide is very poisonous to the human body, and gives a bad influence to nasal cavity, throat, trachea, bronchiole, alveolus, and blood vessels. In addition, it is known that nitrogen oxide gas induces a photochemical smog under a weather condition. Since the nitrogen oxide gas has a relatively large specific gravity, it is said that the air pollution is more serious in the underground shopping center or subway station. In particular, when a heavy traffic density of cars occurs at roads built above subway, the air around the roads is badly polluted by the exhausts of automobiles. The quality of air in the subway station is getting increasingly worse by the badly polluted air flowing from the outside into the subway. In fact, diseases such as allergic disease, atopic dermatitis, asthma, lung cancer, and stomatitis increase in city areas. It is said that the air pollution is one of causes of these diseases. By a conventional filtration, dust can be removed from the polluted air flowing into the underground facilities. However, it is very difficult to remove NO.sub.x and SO.sub.x gas components from the polluted air by the filtration. In addition, crowd gathers in multipurpose facilities such as theater, department store, super market, hotel, conference hall, hospital, bank, office building, subway station, and underground shopping center. As oxygen is consumed in the facilities, the concentration of CO.sub.2 in the air relatively increases. This gives fatigue or unpleasant feeling to people utilizing the facilities. Web site: http://www.delphion.com/details?pn=US06083740__

Patent Applications on Spirulina As of December 2000, U.S. patent applications are open to public viewing.9 Applications are patent requests which have yet to be granted. (The process to achieve a patent can take several years.) The following patent applications have been filed since December 2000 relating to spirulina: •

Coloured ophthalmic product Inventor(s): Scherer, Anton; (Frammersbach, DE), Schwind, Peter; (Hosbach-Rottenberg, DE) Correspondence: Thomas Hoxie; Novartis Corporation; Patent And Trademark Dept; 564 Morris Avenue; Summit; NJ; 079011027 Patent Application Number: 20010033843 Date filed: April 19, 2001 Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ophthalmic product comprising, as a coloring agent, the extract of an alga. A preferred class of alga the extract of which is useful in the present invention is blue alga (Spirulina type), more preferred it is Japanese blue alga (Spirulina platensis). The ophthalmic product is preferably a contact lens care product. Excerpt(s): The present invention is directed to an ophthalmic product comprising, as a colouring agent, the extract of an alga. A preferred class of alga the extract of which is useful in the present invention is blue alga (Spirulina type), more preferred it is Japanese blue alga (Spirulina platensis). The ophthalmic product is preferably a contact lens care product. A few ophthalmic products comprising a colouring agent are known, inter alia

9

This has been a common practice outside the United States prior to December 2000.

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the vitamin B12 comprising products according to EP-A-555,464 wherein said vitamin B12 provides a rose colour. However, the known products are having some disadvantages which are overcome by the products of this invention. The ophthalmic products according to this invention comprise a natural colouring agent, harvested from naturally grown plants. Said colouring agents are useful for providing an intense and long-lasting tint to ophthalmic solutions. However, articles treated with such ophthalmic solution, such as a contact lens, are not tinted by this colouring agent in a manner visible to the naked eye. This is due, inter alia, to the typically high molecular weight of the algae extracts, which molecular weight is well above 200.000 in the case of the Spirulina platensis extract. One aspect of the invention is an ophthalmic product comprising, as a colouring agent, the extract of an alga. Said extract is preferably blue or green, more preferred blue. Said alga is preferably a blue alga of the Spirulina type. It is also preferred to obtain the extract from a Spirulina type alga, even more preferred from the Japanese blue alga (Spirulina platensis). Other known Spirulina species are Spirulina gigantea or Spirulina maxima. Typical extracts which are useful as colouring agents in the context of this invention are Lineablue A (about 30% Phycocyanin), Lineablue HK (about 60% Phycocyanin) and Lineablue HG (about 70% Phycocyanin), all of which are marketed by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals Inc., Japan. Another suitable product is Spirulina blue distributed by Tokai Sangyo Co. Ltd, Japan. Web site: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html •

Composition for Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Products Inventor(s): Kobilke , Hartmut; ( Damsdorf, DE) Correspondence: None Reported Patent Application Number: 20030091560 Date filed: January 3, 2003 Abstract: A composition for pharmaceutical products and cosmetic products contains IgY egg yolk antibodies of SPF hens and microalgae extracts from Spirulina species, Spirulina varieties, and Chlorella species. The composition can also contain oxytetracycline and preservatives or antioxidants. The composition prepared as a salve is used for healing infected wounds and for preventing the infection of wounds. Excerpt(s): This is a continuation of International Application PCT/DE01/02589 with an international filing date of July 5, 2001, not published in English under PCT Article 21(2), and now abandoned. 1. Field of the Invention. The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing immunoglobulin for the treatment of acute as well as antibiotic-resistant chronic inflammations. Web site: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html

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Conjugated fatty acids and related compounds Inventor(s): Christie, William Walker; (Dundee, GB), Simon, Josiah William; (High Shincliff, GB), Slabas, Antoni Ryszard; (High Shincliff, GB) Correspondence: J. Mitchell Jones; Medlen & Carroll, Llp; Suite 2200; 220 Montgomery Street; San Francisco; CA; 94104; US Patent Application Number: 20010023259 Date filed: December 18, 2000 Abstract: It has been demonstrated that conjugated linoleic acid isomers with the first double bond in position 9 (cis) or 10 (trans), added exogenously, can be desaturated in position 6 by the cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis. The metabolites, 6-cis, 9-cis, 11trans-octadecatrienoic and 6-cis,10-trans,12-cis-octadecatrienoic acids, which have not previously been characterized, were isolated by a combination of chromatographic techniques and the structures were confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the form of picolinyl ester and dimethyloxazoline derivatives. Excerpt(s): This application claims priority under 35. U.S.C.sctn. 119 (a)-(d) to United Kingdom application 99 29 897.8, filed Dec. 18, 1999. This invention relates to a novel method of making certain compounds (especially fatty acids and derivatives thereof) being desaturated at a 6th carbon atom in a chain of carbon atoms, relative to the starting substrate; certain novel compounds being unsaturated at a 6th carbon atom in a chain of carbon atoms; and to compositions for nutritional and/or pharmaceutical use, comprising certain fatty acid compounds and derivatives thereof. The invention also provides for use of certain compounds as nutritional supplements and/or pharmaceuticals; and a method of making a nutritional and/or pharmaceutical composition. Octadecadienoic acid is the name given to C18 fatty acids having two carbon/carbon double bonds (i.e., C.sub.18:2 fatty acids). The carbon/carbon double bonds may be positioned essentially at any point along the hydrocarbon chain (other than, of course, involving the carbon atom of the carboxyl group). Linoleic acid is the name given to the octadecadienoic acid having carbon/carbon double bonds at positions 9 and 12, both being in the "cis" configuration (i.e., cis-9, cis-12 octadecadienoic acid). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the two carbon/carbon double bonds, when separated by one carbon/carbon single bond, may form a small "conjugated" system of delocalized electrons in the carbon atoms. Such molecules may be referred to as conjugated linoleic acid (abbreviated as CLA), even though the term "linoleic acid", strictly speaking, refers only to the cis-9, cis-12 compound. It will be apparent that there are many possible isomers of CLA depending, for example, on the position of the double bonds ("positional isomers"), or on the stereochemistry ("geometric isomers") of the double bonds (which may be trans/trans, cis/cis, cis/trans or trans/cis; abbreviated as t/t, c/c, c/t and t/c respectively). Web site: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html

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Diet food formula for overweight people and diabetics Inventor(s): Li, Rui; (Arcadia, CA), Liu, Tian Xiao; (Arcadia, CA), Liu, Xue Wu; (Arcadia, CA), Liu, Xuewen; (Arcadia, CA) Correspondence: Joe Nieh; Suite 411; 17800 Castleton Street; City OF Industry; CA; 91748; US Patent Application Number: 20020068110 Date filed: December 4, 2000 Abstract: A diet food formula for overweight people and diabetics, comprising of agar, carrageenans, alginate, chlorella, spirulina, and water. The diet food formula comprises of all natural materials. The diet food formula cannot be metabolized by the human body after ingestion and will supply the human body with proper nutrients that it requires. Excerpt(s): The present invention relates to a diet food formula for overweight people and diabetics. People with overweight problems and/or diabetes have extremely limited choices of food that both satisfies their desire to eat and satisfies the body's nutrient requirements. People with overweight problems are often instructed by their physicians to limit their intake of food while attempting to also maintain a healthy diet by including food with nutrients that the body needs or by taking dietary supplements such as vitamins. However, limiting the intake of food is extremely difficult to do since the body craves for food to fulfill the hunger sensation. Furthermore, the more one tries to limit the intake of food, the more the body craves for them. Therefore attempting to limit food intake to the body often becomes a self-defeating process. Web site: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html

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METHOD FOR MIXOTROPHIC CULTURE OF SPIRULINAS FOR PRODUCING A BIOMASS RICH IN OMEGA W6 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS AND/OR IN SULPHOLIPIDS Inventor(s): DURAND-CHASTEL, HUBERT; (75013 PARIS, FR), PHAM, QUOC KIET; (CERGY SAINT CHRISTOPHE, FR) Correspondence: Dennison Meserole Pollock & Scheiner; 1745 Jefferson Davis Highway; Suite 612; Arlington; VA; 22202 Patent Application Number: 20030017558 Date filed: May 5, 1999 Abstract: The invention relates to a method for mixotrophic culture of Spirulina for producing a biomass rich in.omega.6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular rich in.gamma.-linolenic acid, and/or in sulfolipids, comprising at least one culture stage of Spirulina in the presence of ammonium linoleate and optionally of glucose. Excerpt(s): The invention relates to a method for mixotrophic culture of Spirulina for producing a biomass rich in biologically active compounds, particularly rich in.omega.6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially.gamma.-linolenic acid) and/or in sulfolipids. Spirulina have been dicovered and used as food supplement for human body for several centuries. They are precious and rare blue-green microalgae which have a particular nutritional value for children suffering from malnutrition [1-5]. They develop mainly in alkaline water of certain tropical lakes in arid zone. They are rich in compounds that have nutritional and biomedical interest: essential amino acids, vitamins (A, B12, E. ),

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essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially.gamma.-linolenic acid) recognized as precursors of ecosanoids (prostaglandins PGE1, PGE2 and thromboxane TXB2. ) in mammals [6]. The eicosanoids (PGE2) and leukotrienes are implied in immune reactivity and inflammatory reaction. The prostaglandin PGE2 inhibits the proliferation of T4 lymphocytes which take part in the surveillance of cancerous cells. The present invention concerns a culture process of Spirulina in order to obtain a biomass rich in.gamma.-linolenic acid and/or in antiviral sulfolipids [7]. Web site: http://appft1.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/search-bool.html

Keeping Current In order to stay informed about patents and patent applications dealing with spirulina, you can access the U.S. Patent Office archive via the Internet at the following Web address: http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html. You will see two broad options: (1) Issued Patent, and (2) Published Applications. To see a list of issued patents, perform the following steps: Under “Issued Patents,” click “Quick Search.” Then, type “spirulina” (or synonyms) into the “Term 1” box. After clicking on the search button, scroll down to see the various patents which have been granted to date on spirulina. You can also use this procedure to view pending patent applications concerning spirulina. Simply go back to http://www.uspto.gov/patft/index.html. Select “Quick Search” under “Published Applications.” Then proceed with the steps listed above.

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CHAPTER 5. BOOKS ON SPIRULINA Overview This chapter provides bibliographic book references relating to spirulina. In addition to online booksellers such as www.amazon.com and www.bn.com, excellent sources for book titles on spirulina include the Combined Health Information Database and the National Library of Medicine. Your local medical library also may have these titles available for loan.

Book Summaries: Online Booksellers Commercial Internet-based booksellers, such as Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com, offer summaries which have been supplied by each title’s publisher. Some summaries also include customer reviews. Your local bookseller may have access to in-house and commercial databases that index all published books (e.g. Books in Print). IMPORTANT NOTE: Online booksellers typically produce search results for medical and non-medical books. When searching for “spirulina” at online booksellers’ Web sites, you may discover non-medical books that use the generic term “spirulina” (or a synonym) in their titles. The following is indicative of the results you might find when searching for “spirulina” (sorted alphabetically by title; follow the hyperlink to view more details at Amazon.com): •

Algoculture : la spirulina, un espoir pour le monde de la faim by Ripley D. Fox; ISBN: 2857442629; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/2857442629/icongroupinterna

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Character of spirulina biomass for CELSS diet potential (SuDoc NAS 1.26:194123) by Mahasin G. Tadros; ISBN: B00010II80; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00010II80/icongroupinterna

•

Characterization of Spirulina biomass for CELSS diet potential (SuDoc NAS 1.26:185329) by NASA; ISBN: B000106FF8; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000106FF8/icongroupinterna

•

Confessions of a Body Builder, Rejuvenating the body with Spirulina, Chlorella, Raw Foods & Ionized Water by Bob McCauley; ISBN: 0970393318; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0970393318/icongroupinterna

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•

Rejuvenating the Body Through Fasting With Spirulina Plankton by Christopher Hills (1980); ISBN: 091643835X; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/091643835X/icongroupinterna

•

Spirulina by Harald Tietze (2001); ISBN: 0846452227; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0846452227/icongroupinterna

•

Spirulina by Jack Josehp Challem; ISBN: 0879832622; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0879832622/icongroupinterna

•

Spirulina - Die Wunderalge. Essen Sie Leben! by Frank Felte (Author); ISBN: 3802515145; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/3802515145/icongroupinterna

•

Spirulina Platensis Arthrospira: Physiology, Cell-Biology And Biotechnology by Avigad Vonshak (Editor) (1997); ISBN: 0748406743; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0748406743/icongroupinterna

•

Spirulina, Food for a Hungry World: A Pioneer's Story by Hiroshi Nakamura, et al; ISBN: 0916438473; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0916438473/icongroupinterna

•

Spirulina: Whole Food Revolution by Larry Switzer; ISBN: 0553208063; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553208063/icongroupinterna

•

The Secrets of Spirulina by C. Hills (Editor); ISBN: 0916438384; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0916438384/icongroupinterna

•

The Spirulina Cookbook: Recipes for Rejuvenating the Body by Sonia Beasley; ISBN: 0916438392; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0916438392/icongroupinterna

•

The Spirulina Diet by Saundra, Dr. Howard; ISBN: 0818403357; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0818403357/icongroupinterna

•

The Whole Truth About Spirulina by Wendy Fulcher (Photographer), Spirulina Users (1982); ISBN: 0961038004; http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0961038004/icongroupinterna

47

APPENDICES

49

APPENDIX A. PHYSICIAN RESOURCES Overview In this chapter, we focus on databases and Internet-based guidelines and information resources created or written for a professional audience.

NIH Guidelines Commonly referred to as “clinical” or “professional” guidelines, the National Institutes of Health publish physician guidelines for the most common diseases. Publications are available at the following by relevant Institute10: •

Office of the Director (OD); guidelines consolidated across agencies available at http://www.nih.gov/health/consumer/conkey.htm

•

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS); fact sheets available at http://www.nigms.nih.gov/news/facts/

•

National Library of Medicine (NLM); extensive encyclopedia (A.D.A.M., Inc.) with guidelines: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html

•

National Cancer Institute (NCI); guidelines available at http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/list.aspx?viewid=5f35036e-5497-4d86-8c2c714a9f7c8d25

•

National Eye Institute (NEI); guidelines available at http://www.nei.nih.gov/order/index.htm

•

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI); guidelines available at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/index.htm

•

National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI); research available at http://www.genome.gov/page.cfm?pageID=10000375

•

National Institute on Aging (NIA); guidelines available at http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/

10

These publications are typically written by one or more of the various NIH Institutes.

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•

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA); guidelines available at http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/publications.htm

•

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID); guidelines available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/

•

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS); fact sheets and guidelines available at http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/index.htm

•

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD); guidelines available at http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubskey.cfm

•

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD); fact sheets and guidelines at http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/

•

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR); guidelines available at http://www.nidr.nih.gov/health/

•

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); guidelines available at http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/health.htm

•

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA); guidelines available at http://www.nida.nih.gov/DrugAbuse.html

•

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS); environmental health information available at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/external/facts.htm

•

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); guidelines available at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/practitioners/index.cfm

•

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS); neurological disorder information pages available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorder_index.htm

•

National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR); publications on selected illnesses at http://www.nih.gov/ninr/news-info/publications.html

•

National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering; general information at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/becon/becon_info.htm

•

Center for Information Technology (CIT); referrals to other agencies based on keyword searches available at http://kb.nih.gov/www_query_main.asp

•

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM); health information available at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/

•

National Center for Research Resources (NCRR); various information directories available at http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/publications.asp

•

Office of Rare Diseases; various fact sheets available at http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/html/resources/rep_pubs.html

•

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; various fact sheets on infectious diseases available at http://www.cdc.gov/publications.htm

Physician Resources

51

NIH Databases In addition to the various Institutes of Health that publish professional guidelines, the NIH has designed a number of databases for professionals.11 Physician-oriented resources provide a wide variety of information related to the biomedical and health sciences, both past and present. The format of these resources varies. Searchable databases, bibliographic citations, full-text articles (when available), archival collections, and images are all available. The following are referenced by the National Library of Medicine:12 •

Bioethics: Access to published literature on the ethical, legal, and public policy issues surrounding healthcare and biomedical research. This information is provided in conjunction with the Kennedy Institute of Ethics located at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases_bioethics.html

•

HIV/AIDS Resources: Describes various links and databases dedicated to HIV/AIDS research: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/aidsinfs.html

•

NLM Online Exhibitions: Describes “Exhibitions in the History of Medicine”: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/exhibition.html. Additional resources for historical scholarship in medicine: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/hmd.html

•

Biotechnology Information: Access to public databases. The National Center for Biotechnology Information conducts research in computational biology, develops software tools for analyzing genome data, and disseminates biomedical information for the better understanding of molecular processes affecting human health and disease: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

•

Population Information: The National Library of Medicine provides access to worldwide coverage of population, family planning, and related health issues, including family planning technology and programs, fertility, and population law and policy: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases_population.html

•

Cancer Information: Access to cancer-oriented databases: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases_cancer.html

•

Profiles in Science: Offering the archival collections of prominent twentieth-century biomedical scientists to the public through modern digital technology: http://www.profiles.nlm.nih.gov/

•

Chemical Information: Provides links to various chemical databases and references: http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/Chem/ChemMain.html

•

Clinical Alerts: Reports the release of findings from the NIH-funded clinical trials where such release could significantly affect morbidity and mortality: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/alerts/clinical_alerts.html

•

Space Life Sciences: Provides links and information to space-based research (including NASA): http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases_space.html

•

MEDLINE: Bibliographic database covering the fields of medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, the healthcare system, and the pre-clinical sciences: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases_medline.html

11

Remember, for the general public, the National Library of Medicine recommends the databases referenced in MEDLINEplus (http://medlineplus.gov/ or http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/databases.html). 12 See http://www.nlm.nih.gov/databases/databases.html.

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•

Toxicology and Environmental Health Information (TOXNET): Databases covering toxicology and environmental health: http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/Tox/ToxMain.html

•

Visible Human Interface: Anatomically detailed, three-dimensional representations of normal male and female human bodies: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/research/visible/visible_human.html The Combined Health Information Database

A comprehensive source of information on clinical guidelines written for professionals is the Combined Health Information Database. You will need to limit your search to one of the following: Brochure/Pamphlet, Fact Sheet, or Information Package, and “spirulina” using the “Detailed Search” option. Go directly to the following hyperlink: http://chid.nih.gov/detail/detail.html. To find associations, use the drop boxes at the bottom of the search page where “You may refine your search by.” For the publication date, select “All Years.” Select your preferred language and the format option “Fact Sheet.” Type “spirulina” (or synonyms) into the “For these words:” box. The following is a sample result: •

Spirulina (Blue - Green Algae) Contact: AIDS Project Los Angeles, 3550 Wilshire Blvd Ste 300, Los Angeles, CA, 900102404, (213) 201-1600, http://www.apla.org. Summary: The report explores evidence suggesting certain strains of blue- green algae may be effective against HIV. The first several articles trace the evolution of researchers' interest in algae, beginning in 1989 with the National Cancer Institute's search for new AIDS drugs from natural resources. Among the first results was a suggestion in a study that certain varieties of blue-green algae contain sulfolipid compounds, found to be active against the cytopathic (cell-injuring) effects of HIV. Later studies suggest possible immunosuppressive effects of various blue-green algae species. However, sulfolipids have not been successfully synthesized, and researchers have found it difficult to obtain in sufficient quantities. One author points out that the blue-green algae Spirulina has not been verified as having active sulfolipids, but it is widely available in health food stores and is a rich source of amino acids, vitamin B-12, and other nutrients. He indicates it is easy to digest, and recommends it as a dietary supplement for persons with AIDS. Another article presents the results of a double-blind study comparing cyanobacteria chloroplast D-sulfoquinovosly glycerol (D-sg), an algae oil extract, to zidovudine (AZT) in the treatment of HIV-1 positive patients. Patients taking D-sg showed the greatest statistical improvement regarding T-cell proliferation, and reported fewer side effects than those on AZT. The report also contains references and abstracts from a database search on "blue-green algae," and 14 citations from a Medline search on "Spirulina.".

The NLM Gateway13 The NLM (National Library of Medicine) Gateway is a Web-based system that lets users search simultaneously in multiple retrieval systems at the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). It allows users of NLM services to initiate searches from one Web interface,

13

Adapted from NLM: http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/gw/Cmd?Overview.x.

Physician Resources

53

providing one-stop searching for many of NLM’s information resources or databases.14 To use the NLM Gateway, simply go to the search site at http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/gw/Cmd. Type “spirulina” (or synonyms) into the search box and click “Search.” The results will be presented in a tabular form, indicating the number of references in each database category. Results Summary Category Journal Articles Books / Periodicals / Audio Visual Consumer Health Meeting Abstracts Other Collections Total

Items Found 415 7 0 0 0 422

HSTAT15 HSTAT is a free, Web-based resource that provides access to full-text documents used in healthcare decision-making.16 These documents include clinical practice guidelines, quickreference guides for clinicians, consumer health brochures, evidence reports and technology assessments from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), as well as AHRQ’s Put Prevention Into Practice.17 Simply search by “spirulina” (or synonyms) at the following Web site: http://text.nlm.nih.gov.

Coffee Break: Tutorials for Biologists18 Coffee Break is a general healthcare site that takes a scientific view of the news and covers recent breakthroughs in biology that may one day assist physicians in developing treatments. Here you will find a collection of short reports on recent biological discoveries. Each report incorporates interactive tutorials that demonstrate how bioinformatics tools are used as a part of the research process. Currently, all Coffee Breaks are written by NCBI staff.19 Each report is about 400 words and is usually based on a discovery reported in one or more articles from recently published, peer-reviewed literature.20 This site has new articles 14 The NLM Gateway is currently being developed by the Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications (LHNCBC) at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 15 Adapted from HSTAT: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/factsheets/hstat.html. 16

The HSTAT URL is http://hstat.nlm.nih.gov/.

17

Other important documents in HSTAT include: the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference Reports and Technology Assessment Reports; the HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service (ATIS) resource documents; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (SAMHSA/CSAT) Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIP) and Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (SAMHSA/CSAP) Prevention Enhancement Protocols System (PEPS); the Public Health Service (PHS) Preventive Services Task Force's Guide to Clinical Preventive Services; the independent, nonfederal Task Force on Community Services’ Guide to Community Preventive Services; and the Health Technology Advisory Committee (HTAC) of the Minnesota Health Care Commission (MHCC) health technology evaluations. 18 Adapted from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Coffeebreak/Archive/FAQ.html. 19

The figure that accompanies each article is frequently supplied by an expert external to NCBI, in which case the source of the figure is cited. The result is an interactive tutorial that tells a biological story. 20 After a brief introduction that sets the work described into a broader context, the report focuses on how a molecular understanding can provide explanations of observed biology and lead to therapies for diseases. Each

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every few weeks, so it can be considered an online magazine of sorts. It is intended for general background information. You can access the Coffee Break Web site at the following hyperlink: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Coffeebreak/.

Other Commercial Databases In addition to resources maintained by official agencies, other databases exist that are commercial ventures addressing medical professionals. Here are some examples that may interest you: •

CliniWeb International: Index and table of contents to selected clinical information on the Internet; see http://www.ohsu.edu/cliniweb/.

•

Medical World Search: Searches full text from thousands of selected medical sites on the Internet; see http://www.mwsearch.com/.

vignette is accompanied by a figure and hypertext links that lead to a series of pages that interactively show how NCBI tools and resources are used in the research process.

55

APPENDIX B. PATIENT RESOURCES Overview Official agencies, as well as federally funded institutions supported by national grants, frequently publish a variety of guidelines written with the patient in mind. These are typically called “Fact Sheets” or “Guidelines.” They can take the form of a brochure, information kit, pamphlet, or flyer. Often they are only a few pages in length. Since new guidelines on spirulina can appear at any moment and be published by a number of sources, the best approach to finding guidelines is to systematically scan the Internet-based services that post them.

Patient Guideline Sources The remainder of this chapter directs you to sources which either publish or can help you find additional guidelines on topics related to spirulina. Due to space limitations, these sources are listed in a concise manner. Do not hesitate to consult the following sources by either using the Internet hyperlink provided, or, in cases where the contact information is provided, contacting the publisher or author directly. The National Institutes of Health The NIH gateway to patients is located at http://health.nih.gov/. From this site, you can search across various sources and institutes, a number of which are summarized below. Topic Pages: MEDLINEplus The National Library of Medicine has created a vast and patient-oriented healthcare information portal called MEDLINEplus. Within this Internet-based system are “health topic pages” which list links to available materials relevant to spirulina. To access this system, log on to http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html. From there you can either search using the alphabetical index or browse by broad topic areas. Recently, MEDLINEplus listed the following when searched for “spirulina”:

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•

Other guides Dietary Proteins http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dietaryproteins.html Dietary Sodium http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dietarysodium.html Dietary Supplements http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/dietarysupplements.html

You may also choose to use the search utility provided by MEDLINEplus at the following Web address: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/. Simply type a keyword into the search box and click “Search.” This utility is similar to the NIH search utility, with the exception that it only includes materials that are linked within the MEDLINEplus system (mostly patient-oriented information). It also has the disadvantage of generating unstructured results. We recommend, therefore, that you use this method only if you have a very targeted search. The NIH Search Utility The NIH search utility allows you to search for documents on over 100 selected Web sites that comprise the NIH-WEB-SPACE. Each of these servers is “crawled” and indexed on an ongoing basis. Your search will produce a list of various documents, all of which will relate in some way to spirulina. The drawbacks of this approach are that the information is not organized by theme and that the references are often a mix of information for professionals and patients. Nevertheless, a large number of the listed Web sites provide useful background information. We can only recommend this route, therefore, for relatively rare or specific disorders, or when using highly targeted searches. To use the NIH search utility, visit the following Web page: http://search.nih.gov/index.html. Additional Web Sources A number of Web sites are available to the public that often link to government sites. These can also point you in the direction of essential information. The following is a representative sample: •

AOL: http://search.aol.com/cat.adp?id=168&layer=&from=subcats

•

Family Village: http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/specific.htm

•

Google: http://directory.google.com/Top/Health/Conditions_and_Diseases/

•

Med Help International: http://www.medhelp.org/HealthTopics/A.html

•

Open Directory Project: http://dmoz.org/Health/Conditions_and_Diseases/

•

Yahoo.com: http://dir.yahoo.com/Health/Diseases_and_Conditions/

•

WebMDHealth: http://my.webmd.com/health_topics

Patient Resources

57

Finding Associations There are several Internet directories that provide lists of medical associations with information on or resources relating to spirulina. By consulting all of associations listed in this chapter, you will have nearly exhausted all sources for patient associations concerned with spirulina. The National Health Information Center (NHIC) The National Health Information Center (NHIC) offers a free referral service to help people find organizations that provide information about spirulina. For more information, see the NHIC’s Web site at http://www.health.gov/NHIC/ or contact an information specialist by calling 1-800-336-4797. Directory of Health Organizations The Directory of Health Organizations, provided by the National Library of Medicine Specialized Information Services, is a comprehensive source of information on associations. The Directory of Health Organizations database can be accessed via the Internet at http://www.sis.nlm.nih.gov/Dir/DirMain.html. It is composed of two parts: DIRLINE and Health Hotlines. The DIRLINE database comprises some 10,000 records of organizations, research centers, and government institutes and associations that primarily focus on health and biomedicine. To access DIRLINE directly, go to the following Web site: http://dirline.nlm.nih.gov/. Simply type in “spirulina” (or a synonym), and you will receive information on all relevant organizations listed in the database. Health Hotlines directs you to toll-free numbers to over 300 organizations. You can access this database directly at http://www.sis.nlm.nih.gov/hotlines/. On this page, you are given the option to search by keyword or by browsing the subject list. When you have received your search results, click on the name of the organization for its description and contact information. The Combined Health Information Database Another comprehensive source of information on healthcare associations is the Combined Health Information Database. Using the “Detailed Search” option, you will need to limit your search to “Organizations” and “spirulina”. Type the following hyperlink into your Web browser: http://chid.nih.gov/detail/detail.html. To find associations, use the drop boxes at the bottom of the search page where “You may refine your search by.” For publication date, select “All Years.” Then, select your preferred language and the format option “Organization Resource Sheet.” Type “spirulina” (or synonyms) into the “For these words:” box. You should check back periodically with this database since it is updated every three months.

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The National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. The National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. has prepared a Web site that provides, at no charge, lists of associations organized by health topic. You can access this database at the following Web site: http://www.rarediseases.org/search/orgsearch.html. Type “spirulina” (or a synonym) into the search box, and click “Submit Query.”

59

APPENDIX C. FINDING MEDICAL LIBRARIES Overview In this Appendix, we show you how to quickly find a medical library in your area.

Preparation Your local public library and medical libraries have interlibrary loan programs with the National Library of Medicine (NLM), one of the largest medical collections in the world. According to the NLM, most of the literature in the general and historical collections of the National Library of Medicine is available on interlibrary loan to any library. If you would like to access NLM medical literature, then visit a library in your area that can request the publications for you.21

Finding a Local Medical Library The quickest method to locate medical libraries is to use the Internet-based directory published by the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM). This network includes 4626 members and affiliates that provide many services to librarians, health professionals, and the public. To find a library in your area, simply visit http://nnlm.gov/members/adv.html or call 1-800-338-7657.

Medical Libraries in the U.S. and Canada In addition to the NN/LM, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) lists a number of libraries with reference facilities that are open to the public. The following is the NLM’s list and includes hyperlinks to each library’s Web site. These Web pages can provide information on hours of operation and other restrictions. The list below is a small sample of

21

Adapted from the NLM: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/psd/cas/interlibrary.html.

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libraries recommended by the National Library of Medicine (sorted alphabetically by name of the U.S. state or Canadian province where the library is located)22: •

Alabama: Health InfoNet of Jefferson County (Jefferson County Library Cooperative, Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences), http://www.uab.edu/infonet/

•

Alabama: Richard M. Scrushy Library (American Sports Medicine Institute)

•

Arizona: Samaritan Regional Medical Center: The Learning Center (Samaritan Health System, Phoenix, Arizona), http://www.samaritan.edu/library/bannerlibs.htm

•

California: Kris Kelly Health Information Center (St. Joseph Health System, Humboldt), http://www.humboldt1.com/~kkhic/index.html

•

California: Community Health Library of Los Gatos, http://www.healthlib.org/orgresources.html

•

California: Consumer Health Program and Services (CHIPS) (County of Los Angeles Public Library, Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Library) - Carson, CA, http://www.colapublib.org/services/chips.html

•

California: Gateway Health Library (Sutter Gould Medical Foundation)

•

California: Health Library (Stanford University Medical Center), http://wwwmed.stanford.edu/healthlibrary/

•

California: Patient Education Resource Center - Health Information and Resources (University of California, San Francisco), http://sfghdean.ucsf.edu/barnett/PERC/default.asp

•

California: Redwood Health Library (Petaluma Health Care District), http://www.phcd.org/rdwdlib.html

•

California: Los Gatos PlaneTree Health Library, http://planetreesanjose.org/

•

California: Sutter Resource Library (Sutter Hospitals Foundation, Sacramento), http://suttermedicalcenter.org/library/

•

California: Health Sciences Libraries (University of California, Davis), http://www.lib.ucdavis.edu/healthsci/

•

California: ValleyCare Health Library & Ryan Comer Cancer Resource Center (ValleyCare Health System, Pleasanton), http://gaelnet.stmarysca.edu/other.libs/gbal/east/vchl.html

•

California: Washington Community Health Resource Library (Fremont), http://www.healthlibrary.org/

•

Colorado: William V. Gervasini Memorial Library (Exempla Healthcare), http://www.saintjosephdenver.org/yourhealth/libraries/

•

Connecticut: Hartford Hospital Health Science Libraries (Hartford Hospital), http://www.harthosp.org/library/

•

Connecticut: Healthnet: Connecticut Consumer Health Information Center (University of Connecticut Health Center, Lyman Maynard Stowe Library), http://library.uchc.edu/departm/hnet/

22

Abstracted from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/libraries.html.

Finding Medical Libraries

61

•

Connecticut: Waterbury Hospital Health Center Library (Waterbury Hospital, Waterbury), http://www.waterburyhospital.com/library/consumer.shtml

•

Delaware: Consumer Health Library (Christiana Care Health System, Eugene du Pont Preventive Medicine & Rehabilitation Institute, Wilmington), http://www.christianacare.org/health_guide/health_guide_pmri_health_info.cfm

•

Delaware: Lewis B. Flinn Library (Delaware Academy of Medicine, Wilmington), http://www.delamed.org/chls.html

•

Georgia: Family Resource Library (Medical College of Georgia, Augusta), http://cmc.mcg.edu/kids_families/fam_resources/fam_res_lib/frl.htm

•

Georgia: Health Resource Center (Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon), http://www.mccg.org/hrc/hrchome.asp

•

Hawaii: Hawaii Medical Library: Consumer Health Information Service (Hawaii Medical Library, Honolulu), http://hml.org/CHIS/

•

Idaho: DeArmond Consumer Health Library (Kootenai Medical Center, Coeur d’Alene), http://www.nicon.org/DeArmond/index.htm

•

Illinois: Health Learning Center of Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago), http://www.nmh.org/health_info/hlc.html

•

Illinois: Medical Library (OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria), http://www.osfsaintfrancis.org/general/library/

•

Kentucky: Medical Library - Services for Patients, Families, Students & the Public (Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington), http://www.centralbap.com/education/community/library.cfm

•

Kentucky: University of Kentucky - Health Information Library (Chandler Medical Center, Lexington), http://www.mc.uky.edu/PatientEd/

•

Louisiana: Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation Library (Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation, New Orleans), http://www.ochsner.org/library/

•

Louisiana: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Medical LibraryShreveport, http://lib-sh.lsuhsc.edu/

•

Maine: Franklin Memorial Hospital Medical Library (Franklin Memorial Hospital, Farmington), http://www.fchn.org/fmh/lib.htm

•

Maine: Gerrish-True Health Sciences Library (Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston), http://www.cmmc.org/library/library.html

•

Maine: Hadley Parrot Health Science Library (Eastern Maine Healthcare, Bangor), http://www.emh.org/hll/hpl/guide.htm

•

Maine: Maine Medical Center Library (Maine Medical Center, Portland), http://www.mmc.org/library/

•

Maine: Parkview Hospital (Brunswick), http://www.parkviewhospital.org/

•

Maine: Southern Maine Medical Center Health Sciences Library (Southern Maine Medical Center, Biddeford), http://www.smmc.org/services/service.php3?choice=10

•

Maine: Stephens Memorial Hospital’s Health Information Library (Western Maine Health, Norway), http://www.wmhcc.org/Library/

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•

Manitoba, Canada: Consumer & Patient Health Information Service (University of Manitoba Libraries), http://www.umanitoba.ca/libraries/units/health/reference/chis.html

•

Manitoba, Canada: J.W. Crane Memorial Library (Deer Lodge Centre, Winnipeg), http://www.deerlodge.mb.ca/crane_library/about.asp

•

Maryland: Health Information Center at the Wheaton Regional Library (Montgomery County, Dept. of Public Libraries, Wheaton Regional Library), http://www.mont.lib.md.us/healthinfo/hic.asp

•

Massachusetts: Baystate Medical Center Library (Baystate Health System), http://www.baystatehealth.com/1024/

•

Massachusetts: Boston University Medical Center Alumni Medical Library (Boston University Medical Center), http://med-libwww.bu.edu/library/lib.html

•

Massachusetts: Lowell General Hospital Health Sciences Library (Lowell General Hospital, Lowell), http://www.lowellgeneral.org/library/HomePageLinks/WWW.htm

•

Massachusetts: Paul E. Woodard Health Sciences Library (New England Baptist Hospital, Boston), http://www.nebh.org/health_lib.asp

•

Massachusetts: St. Luke’s Hospital Health Sciences Library (St. Luke’s Hospital, Southcoast Health System, New Bedford), http://www.southcoast.org/library/

•

Massachusetts: Treadwell Library Consumer Health Reference Center (Massachusetts General Hospital), http://www.mgh.harvard.edu/library/chrcindex.html

•

Massachusetts: UMass HealthNet (University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worchester), http://healthnet.umassmed.edu/

•

Michigan: Botsford General Hospital Library - Consumer Health (Botsford General Hospital, Library & Internet Services), http://www.botsfordlibrary.org/consumer.htm

•

Michigan: Helen DeRoy Medical Library (Providence Hospital and Medical Centers), http://www.providence-hospital.org/library/

•

Michigan: Marquette General Hospital - Consumer Health Library (Marquette General Hospital, Health Information Center), http://www.mgh.org/center.html

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Michigan: Patient Education Resouce Center - University of Michigan Cancer Center (University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ann Arbor), http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/learn/leares.htm

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Michigan: Sladen Library & Center for Health Information Resources - Consumer Health Information (Detroit), http://www.henryford.com/body.cfm?id=39330

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Montana: Center for Health Information (St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Missoula)

•

National: Consumer Health Library Directory (Medical Library Association, Consumer and Patient Health Information Section), http://caphis.mlanet.org/directory/index.html

•

National: National Network of Libraries of Medicine (National Library of Medicine) provides library services for health professionals in the United States who do not have access to a medical library, http://nnlm.gov/

•

National: NN/LM List of Libraries Serving the Public (National Network of Libraries of Medicine), http://nnlm.gov/members/

Finding Medical Libraries

63

•

Nevada: Health Science Library, West Charleston Library (Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, Las Vegas), http://www.lvccld.org/special_collections/medical/index.htm

•

New Hampshire: Dartmouth Biomedical Libraries (Dartmouth College Library, Hanover), http://www.dartmouth.edu/~biomed/resources.htmld/conshealth.htmld/

•

New Jersey: Consumer Health Library (Rahway Hospital, Rahway), http://www.rahwayhospital.com/library.htm

•

New Jersey: Dr. Walter Phillips Health Sciences Library (Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood), http://www.englewoodhospital.com/links/index.htm

•

New Jersey: Meland Foundation (Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood), http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/9360/

•

New York: Choices in Health Information (New York Public Library) - NLM Consumer Pilot Project participant, http://www.nypl.org/branch/health/links.html

•

New York: Health Information Center (Upstate Medical University, State University of New York, Syracuse), http://www.upstate.edu/library/hic/

•

New York: Health Sciences Library (Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park), http://www.lij.edu/library/library.html

•

New York: ViaHealth Medical Library (Rochester General Hospital), http://www.nyam.org/library/

•

Ohio: Consumer Health Library (Akron General Medical Center, Medical & Consumer Health Library), http://www.akrongeneral.org/hwlibrary.htm

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Oklahoma: The Health Information Center at Saint Francis Hospital (Saint Francis Health System, Tulsa), http://www.sfh-tulsa.com/services/healthinfo.asp

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Oregon: Planetree Health Resource Center (Mid-Columbia Medical Center, The Dalles), http://www.mcmc.net/phrc/

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Pennsylvania: Community Health Information Library (Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey), http://www.hmc.psu.edu/commhealth/

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Pennsylvania: Community Health Resource Library (Geisinger Medical Center, Danville), http://www.geisinger.edu/education/commlib.shtml

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Pennsylvania: HealthInfo Library (Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton), http://www.mth.org/healthwellness.html

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Pennsylvania: Hopwood Library (University of Pittsburgh, Health Sciences Library System, Pittsburgh), http://www.hsls.pitt.edu/guides/chi/hopwood/index_html

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Pennsylvania: Koop Community Health Information Center (College of Physicians of Philadelphia), http://www.collphyphil.org/kooppg1.shtml

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Pennsylvania: Learning Resources Center - Medical Library (Susquehanna Health System, Williamsport), http://www.shscares.org/services/lrc/index.asp

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Pennsylvania: Medical Library (UPMC Health System, Pittsburgh), http://www.upmc.edu/passavant/library.htm

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Quebec, Canada: Medical Library (Montreal General Hospital), http://www.mghlib.mcgill.ca/

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South Dakota: Rapid City Regional Hospital Medical Library (Rapid City Regional Hospital), http://www.rcrh.org/Services/Library/Default.asp

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Texas: Houston HealthWays (Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library), http://hhw.library.tmc.edu/

•

Washington: Community Health Library (Kittitas Valley Community Hospital), http://www.kvch.com/

•

Washington: Southwest Washington Medical Center Library (Southwest Washington Medical Center, Vancouver), http://www.swmedicalcenter.com/body.cfm?id=72

65

ONLINE GLOSSARIES The Internet provides access to a number of free-to-use medical dictionaries. The National Library of Medicine has compiled the following list of online dictionaries: •

ADAM Medical Encyclopedia (A.D.A.M., Inc.), comprehensive medical reference: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html

•

MedicineNet.com Medical Dictionary (MedicineNet, Inc.): http://www.medterms.com/Script/Main/hp.asp

•

Merriam-Webster Medical Dictionary (Inteli-Health, Inc.): http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/

•

Multilingual Glossary of Technical and Popular Medical Terms in Eight European Languages (European Commission) - Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish: http://allserv.rug.ac.be/~rvdstich/eugloss/welcome.html

•

On-line Medical Dictionary (CancerWEB): http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/omd/

•

Rare Diseases Terms (Office of Rare Diseases): http://ord.aspensys.com/asp/diseases/diseases.asp

•

Technology Glossary (National Library of Medicine) - Health Care Technology: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nichsr/ta101/ta10108.htm

Beyond these, MEDLINEplus contains a very patient-friendly encyclopedia covering every aspect of medicine (licensed from A.D.A.M., Inc.). The ADAM Medical Encyclopedia can be accessed at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html. ADAM is also available on commercial Web sites such as drkoop.com (http://www.drkoop.com/) and Web MD (http://my.webmd.com/adam/asset/adam_disease_articles/a_to_z/a).

Online Dictionary Directories The following are additional online directories compiled by the National Library of Medicine, including a number of specialized medical dictionaries: •

Medical Dictionaries: Medical & Biological (World Health Organization): http://www.who.int/hlt/virtuallibrary/English/diction.htm#Medical

•

MEL-Michigan Electronic Library List of Online Health and Medical Dictionaries (Michigan Electronic Library): http://mel.lib.mi.us/health/health-dictionaries.html

•

Patient Education: Glossaries (DMOZ Open Directory Project): http://dmoz.org/Health/Education/Patient_Education/Glossaries/

•

Web of Online Dictionaries (Bucknell University): http://www.yourdictionary.com/diction5.html#medicine

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SPIRULINA DICTIONARY The definitions below are derived from official public sources, including the National Institutes of Health [NIH] and the European Union [EU]. Abdomen: That portion of the body that lies between the thorax and the pelvis. [NIH] Abdominal: Having to do with the abdomen, which is the part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the pancreas, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and other organs. [NIH] Abdominal Pain: Sensation of discomfort, distress, or agony in the abdominal region. [NIH] Acceptor: A substance which, while normally not oxidized by oxygen or reduced by hydrogen, can be oxidized or reduced in presence of a substance which is itself undergoing oxidation or reduction. [NIH] Acetylcysteine: The N-acetyl derivative of cysteine. It is used as a mucolytic agent to reduce the viscosity of mucous secretions. It has also been shown to have antiviral effects in patients with HIV due to inhibition of viral stimulation by reactive oxygen intermediates. [NIH] Adenylate Cyclase: An enzyme of the lyase class that catalyzes the formation of cyclic AMP and pyrophosphate from ATP. EC 4.6.1.1. [NIH] Adrenergic: Activated by, characteristic of, or secreting epinephrine or substances with similar activity; the term is applied to those nerve fibres that liberate norepinephrine at a synapse when a nerve impulse passes, i.e., the sympathetic fibres. [EU] Adverse Effect: An unwanted side effect of treatment. [NIH] Affinity: 1. Inherent likeness or relationship. 2. A special attraction for a specific element, organ, or structure. 3. Chemical affinity; the force that binds atoms in molecules; the tendency of substances to combine by chemical reaction. 4. The strength of noncovalent chemical binding between two substances as measured by the dissociation constant of the complex. 5. In immunology, a thermodynamic expression of the strength of interaction between a single antigen-binding site and a single antigenic determinant (and thus of the stereochemical compatibility between them), most accurately applied to interactions among simple, uniform antigenic determinants such as haptens. Expressed as the association constant (K litres mole -1), which, owing to the heterogeneity of affinities in a population of antibody molecules of a given specificity, actually represents an average value (mean intrinsic association constant). 6. The reciprocal of the dissociation constant. [EU] Agar: A complex sulfated polymer of galactose units, extracted from Gelidium cartilagineum, Gracilaria confervoides, and related red algae. It is used as a gel in the preparation of solid culture media for microorganisms, as a bulk laxative, in making emulsions, and as a supporting medium for immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis. [NIH]

Age of Onset: The age or period of life at which a disease or the initial symptoms or manifestations of a disease appear in an individual. [NIH] Airways: Tubes that carry air into and out of the lungs. [NIH] Alfalfa: A deep-rooted European leguminous plant (Medicago sativa) widely grown for hay and forage. [NIH] Algorithms: A procedure consisting of a sequence of algebraic formulas and/or logical steps to calculate or determine a given task. [NIH]

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Alkaline: Having the reactions of an alkali. [EU] Alopecia: Absence of hair from areas where it is normally present. [NIH] Alternative medicine: Practices not generally recognized by the medical community as standard or conventional medical approaches and used instead of standard treatments. Alternative medicine includes the taking of dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, and herbal preparations; the drinking of special teas; and practices such as massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation. [NIH] Amino Acid Sequence: The order of amino acids as they occur in a polypeptide chain. This is referred to as the primary structure of proteins. It is of fundamental importance in determining protein conformation. [NIH] Amino Acids: Organic compounds that generally contain an amino (-NH2) and a carboxyl (COOH) group. Twenty alpha-amino acids are the subunits which are polymerized to form proteins. [NIH] Amino Acids: Organic compounds that generally contain an amino (-NH2) and a carboxyl (COOH) group. Twenty alpha-amino acids are the subunits which are polymerized to form proteins. [NIH] Anaerobic: 1. Lacking molecular oxygen. 2. Growing, living, or occurring in the absence of molecular oxygen; pertaining to an anaerobe. [EU] Anaesthesia: Loss of feeling or sensation. Although the term is used for loss of tactile sensibility, or of any of the other senses, it is applied especially to loss of the sensation of pain, as it is induced to permit performance of surgery or other painful procedures. [EU] Analog: In chemistry, a substance that is similar, but not identical, to another. [NIH] Anaphylatoxins: The family of peptides C3a, C4a, C5a, and C5a des-arginine produced in the serum during complement activation. They produce smooth muscle contraction, mast cell histamine release, affect platelet aggregation, and act as mediators of the local inflammatory process. The order of anaphylatoxin activity from strongest to weakest is C5a, C3a, C4a, and C5a des-arginine. The latter is the so-called "classical" anaphylatoxin but shows no spasmogenic activity though it contains some chemotactic ability. [NIH] Anemia: A reduction in the number of circulating erythrocytes or in the quantity of hemoglobin. [NIH] Animal model: An animal with a disease either the same as or like a disease in humans. Animal models are used to study the development and progression of diseases and to test new treatments before they are given to humans. Animals with transplanted human cancers or other tissues are called xenograft models. [NIH] Anions: Negatively charged atoms, radicals or groups of atoms which travel to the anode or positive pole during electrolysis. [NIH] Antibiotic: A drug used to treat infections caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. [NIH]

Antibodies: Immunoglobulin molecules having a specific amino acid sequence by virtue of which they interact only with the antigen that induced their synthesis in cells of the lymphoid series (especially plasma cells), or with an antigen closely related to it. [NIH] Antibody: A type of protein made by certain white blood cells in response to a foreign substance (antigen). Each antibody can bind to only a specific antigen. The purpose of this binding is to help destroy the antigen. Antibodies can work in several ways, depending on the nature of the antigen. Some antibodies destroy antigens directly. Others make it easier for white blood cells to destroy the antigen. [NIH] Anticoagulant: A drug that helps prevent blood clots from forming. Also called a blood

Dictionary 69

thinner. [NIH] Antigen: Any substance which is capable, under appropriate conditions, of inducing a specific immune response and of reacting with the products of that response, that is, with specific antibody or specifically sensitized T-lymphocytes, or both. Antigens may be soluble substances, such as toxins and foreign proteins, or particulate, such as bacteria and tissue cells; however, only the portion of the protein or polysaccharide molecule known as the antigenic determinant (q.v.) combines with antibody or a specific receptor on a lymphocyte. Abbreviated Ag. [EU] Antigen-Antibody Complex: The complex formed by the binding of antigen and antibody molecules. The deposition of large antigen-antibody complexes leading to tissue damage causes immune complex diseases. [NIH] Anti-infective: An agent that so acts. [EU] Anti-Infective Agents: Substances that prevent infectious agents or organisms from spreading or kill infectious agents in order to prevent the spread of infection. [NIH] Anti-inflammatory: Having to do with reducing inflammation. [NIH] Antineoplastic: Inhibiting or preventing the development of neoplasms, checking the maturation and proliferation of malignant cells. [EU] Antioxidant: A substance that prevents damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive chemicals that often contain oxygen. They are produced when molecules are split to give products that have unpaired electrons. This process is called oxidation. [NIH] Antiviral: Destroying viruses or suppressing their replication. [EU] Aorta: The main trunk of the systemic arteries. [NIH] Apoptosis: One of the two mechanisms by which cell death occurs (the other being the pathological process of necrosis). Apoptosis is the mechanism responsible for the physiological deletion of cells and appears to be intrinsically programmed. It is characterized by distinctive morphologic changes in the nucleus and cytoplasm, chromatin cleavage at regularly spaced sites, and the endonucleolytic cleavage of genomic DNA (DNA fragmentation) at internucleosomal sites. This mode of cell death serves as a balance to mitosis in regulating the size of animal tissues and in mediating pathologic processes associated with tumor growth. [NIH] Aqueous: Having to do with water. [NIH] Arachidonic Acid: An unsaturated, essential fatty acid. It is found in animal and human fat as well as in the liver, brain, and glandular organs, and is a constituent of animal phosphatides. It is formed by the synthesis from dietary linoleic acid and is a precursor in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes. [NIH] Arterial: Pertaining to an artery or to the arteries. [EU] Arteries: The vessels carrying blood away from the heart. [NIH] Arterioles: The smallest divisions of the arteries located between the muscular arteries and the capillaries. [NIH] Ascorbic Acid: A six carbon compound related to glucose. It is found naturally in citrus fruits and many vegetables. Ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient in human diets, and necessary to maintain connective tissue and bone. Its biologically active form, vitamin C, functions as a reducing agent and coenzyme in several metabolic pathways. Vitamin C is considered an antioxidant. [NIH] Aseptic: Free from infection or septic material; sterile. [EU] Astringents: Agents, usually topical, that cause the contraction of tissues for the control of

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bleeding or secretions. [NIH] Atopic: Pertaining to an atopen or to atopy; allergic. [EU] Autoimmune disease: A condition in which the body recognizes its own tissues as foreign and directs an immune response against them. [NIH] Autolysis: The spontaneous disintegration of tissues or cells by the action of their own autogenous enzymes. [NIH] Bacteria: Unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms which generally possess rigid cell walls, multiply by cell division, and exhibit three principal forms: round or coccal, rodlike or bacillary, and spiral or spirochetal. [NIH] Bactericidal: Substance lethal to bacteria; substance capable of killing bacteria. [NIH] Bacteriostatic: 1. Inhibiting the growth or multiplication of bacteria. 2. An agent that inhibits the growth or multiplication of bacteria. [EU] Base: In chemistry, the nonacid part of a salt; a substance that combines with acids to form salts; a substance that dissociates to give hydroxide ions in aqueous solutions; a substance whose molecule or ion can combine with a proton (hydrogen ion); a substance capable of donating a pair of electrons (to an acid) for the formation of a coordinate covalent bond. [EU] Base Sequence: The sequence of purines and pyrimidines in nucleic acids and polynucleotides. It is also called nucleotide or nucleoside sequence. [NIH] Beta Rays: A stream of positive or negative electrons ejected with high energy from a disintegrating atomic nucleus; most biomedically used isotopes emit negative particles (electrons or negatrons, rather than positrons). Cathode rays are low-energy negative electrons produced in cathode ray tubes, also called television tubes or oscilloscopes. [NIH] Bile: An emulsifying agent produced in the liver and secreted into the duodenum. Its composition includes bile acids and salts, cholesterol, and electrolytes. It aids digestion of fats in the duodenum. [NIH] Bile Acids: Acids made by the liver that work with bile to break down fats. [NIH] Bioavailability: The degree to which a drug or other substance becomes available to the target tissue after administration. [EU] Bioavailable: The ability of a drug or other substance to be absorbed and used by the body. Orally bioavailable means that a drug or other substance that is taken by mouth can be absorbed and used by the body. [NIH] Biochemical: Relating to biochemistry; characterized by, produced by, or involving chemical reactions in living organisms. [EU] Biological response modifier: BRM. A substance that stimulates the body's response to infection and disease. [NIH] Biomass: Total mass of all the organisms of a given type and/or in a given area. (From Concise Dictionary of Biology, 1990) It includes the yield of vegetative mass produced from any given crop. [NIH] Biotechnology: Body of knowledge related to the use of organisms, cells or cell-derived constituents for the purpose of developing products which are technically, scientifically and clinically useful. Alteration of biologic function at the molecular level (i.e., genetic engineering) is a central focus; laboratory methods used include transfection and cloning technologies, sequence and structure analysis algorithms, computer databases, and gene and protein structure function analysis and prediction. [NIH] Biotic: Pertaining to living organisms in their ecological rather than their physiological relations. [NIH]

Dictionary 71

Bloating: Fullness or swelling in the abdomen that often occurs after meals. [NIH] Blood Coagulation: The process of the interaction of blood coagulation factors that results in an insoluble fibrin clot. [NIH] Blood pressure: The pressure of blood against the walls of a blood vessel or heart chamber. Unless there is reference to another location, such as the pulmonary artery or one of the heart chambers, it refers to the pressure in the systemic arteries, as measured, for example, in the forearm. [NIH] Blood vessel: A tube in the body through which blood circulates. Blood vessels include a network of arteries, arterioles, capillaries, venules, and veins. [NIH] Body Fluids: Liquid components of living organisms. [NIH] Body Mass Index: One of the anthropometric measures of body mass; it has the highest correlation with skinfold thickness or body density. [NIH] Bone Marrow: The soft tissue filling the cavities of bones. Bone marrow exists in two types, yellow and red. Yellow marrow is found in the large cavities of large bones and consists mostly of fat cells and a few primitive blood cells. Red marrow is a hematopoietic tissue and is the site of production of erythrocytes and granular leukocytes. Bone marrow is made up of a framework of connective tissue containing branching fibers with the frame being filled with marrow cells. [NIH] Bowel: The long tube-shaped organ in the abdomen that completes the process of digestion. There is both a small and a large bowel. Also called the intestine. [NIH] Brachytherapy: A collective term for interstitial, intracavity, and surface radiotherapy. It uses small sealed or partly-sealed sources that may be placed on or near the body surface or within a natural body cavity or implanted directly into the tissues. [NIH] Branch: Most commonly used for branches of nerves, but applied also to other structures. [NIH]

Breakdown: A physical, metal, or nervous collapse. [NIH] Bronchi: The larger air passages of the lungs arising from the terminal bifurcation of the trachea. [NIH] Bronchial: Pertaining to one or more bronchi. [EU] Bronchiole: The smaller airways of the lungs. [NIH] Buccal: Pertaining to or directed toward the cheek. In dental anatomy, used to refer to the buccal surface of a tooth. [EU] Cadmium: An element with atomic symbol Cd, atomic number 48, and atomic weight 114. It is a metal and ingestion will lead to cadmium poisoning. [NIH] Cadmium Poisoning: Poisoning occurring after exposure to cadmium compounds or fumes. It may cause gastrointestinal syndromes, anemia, or pneumonitis. [NIH] Calcium: A basic element found in nearly all organized tissues. It is a member of the alkaline earth family of metals with the atomic symbol Ca, atomic number 20, and atomic weight 40. Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body and combines with phosphorus to form calcium phosphate in the bones and teeth. It is essential for the normal functioning of nerves and muscles and plays a role in blood coagulation (as factor IV) and in many enzymatic processes. [NIH] Callus: A callosity or hard, thick skin; the bone-like reparative substance that is formed round the edges and fragments of broken bone. [NIH] Caloric intake: Refers to the number of calories (energy content) consumed. [NIH]

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Capillary: Any one of the minute vessels that connect the arterioles and venules, forming a network in nearly all parts of the body. Their walls act as semipermeable membranes for the interchange of various substances, including fluids, between the blood and tissue fluid; called also vas capillare. [EU] Capillary Fragility: The lack of resistance, or susceptibility, of capillaries to damage or disruption under conditions of increased stress. [NIH] Carbohydrate: An aldehyde or ketone derivative of a polyhydric alcohol, particularly of the pentahydric and hexahydric alcohols. They are so named because the hydrogen and oxygen are usually in the proportion to form water, (CH2O)n. The most important carbohydrates are the starches, sugars, celluloses, and gums. They are classified into mono-, di-, tri-, polyand heterosaccharides. [EU] Carbon Dioxide: A colorless, odorless gas that can be formed by the body and is necessary for the respiration cycle of plants and animals. [NIH] Carcinogen: Any substance that causes cancer. [NIH] Carcinogenic: Producing carcinoma. [EU] Cardiovascular: Having to do with the heart and blood vessels. [NIH] Carotene: The general name for a group of pigments found in green, yellow, and leafy vegetables, and yellow fruits. The pigments are fat-soluble, unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons functioning as provitamins and are converted to vitamin A through enzymatic processes in the intestinal wall. [NIH] Carotenoids: Substance found in yellow and orange fruits and vegetables and in dark green, leafy vegetables. May reduce the risk of developing cancer. [NIH] Catechin: Extracted from Uncaria gambier, Acacia catechu and other plants; it stabilizes collagen and is therefore used in tanning and dyeing; it prevents capillary fragility and abnormal permeability, but was formerly used as an antidiarrheal. [NIH] Cathode: An electrode, usually an incandescent filament of tungsten, which emits electrons in an X-ray tube. [NIH] Cations: Postively charged atoms, radicals or groups of atoms which travel to the cathode or negative pole during electrolysis. [NIH] Causal: Pertaining to a cause; directed against a cause. [EU] Cell: The individual unit that makes up all of the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells. [NIH] Cell Death: The termination of the cell's ability to carry out vital functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, responsiveness, and adaptability. [NIH] Cell Division: The fission of a cell. [NIH] Cell proliferation: An increase in the number of cells as a result of cell growth and cell division. [NIH] Cellulose: A polysaccharide with glucose units linked as in cellobiose. It is the chief constituent of plant fibers, cotton being the purest natural form of the substance. As a raw material, it forms the basis for many derivatives used in chromatography, ion exchange materials, explosives manufacturing, and pharmaceutical preparations. [NIH] Central Nervous System: The main information-processing organs of the nervous system, consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and meninges. [NIH] Cerebellar: Pertaining to the cerebellum. [EU] Cerebellum: Part of the metencephalon that lies in the posterior cranial fossa behind the

Dictionary 73

brain stem. It is concerned with the coordination of movement. [NIH] Character: In current usage, approximately equivalent to personality. The sum of the relatively fixed personality traits and habitual modes of response of an individual. [NIH] Chemoprevention: The use of drugs, vitamins, or other agents to try to reduce the risk of, or delay the development or recurrence of, cancer. [NIH] Chemotactic Factors: Chemical substances that attract or repel cells or organisms. The concept denotes especially those factors released as a result of tissue injury, invasion, or immunologic activity, that attract leukocytes, macrophages, or other cells to the site of infection or insult. [NIH] Chlorella: Nonmotile unicellular green algae potentially valuable as a source of high-grade protein and B-complex vitamins. [NIH] Chlorophyll: Porphyrin derivatives containing magnesium that act to convert light energy in photosynthetic organisms. [NIH] Chloroplasts: Plant cell inclusion bodies that contain the photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll, which is associated with the membrane of thylakoids. Chloroplasts occur in cells of leaves and young stems of higher plants. [NIH] Cholesterol: The principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils. [NIH] Chromatin: The material of chromosomes. It is a complex of DNA, histones, and nonhistone proteins (chromosomal proteins, non-histone) found within the nucleus of a cell. [NIH] Chronic: A disease or condition that persists or progresses over a long period of time. [NIH] Ciliary: Inflammation or infection of the glands of the margins of the eyelids. [NIH] Ciliary Body: A ring of tissue extending from the scleral spur to the ora serrata of the retina. It consists of the uveal portion and the epithelial portion. The ciliary muscle is in the uveal portion and the ciliary processes are in the epithelial portion. [NIH] CIS: Cancer Information Service. The CIS is the National Cancer Institute's link to the public, interpreting and explaining research findings in a clear and understandable manner, and providing personalized responses to specific questions about cancer. Access the CIS by calling 1-800-4-CANCER, or by using the Web site at http://cis.nci.nih.gov. [NIH] Citrus: Any tree or shrub of the Rue family or the fruit of these plants. [NIH] Clear cell carcinoma: A rare type of tumor of the female genital tract in which the inside of the cells looks clear when viewed under a microscope. [NIH] Clinical trial: A research study that tests how well new medical treatments or other interventions work in people. Each study is designed to test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. [NIH] Cloning: The production of a number of genetically identical individuals; in genetic engineering, a process for the efficient replication of a great number of identical DNA molecules. [NIH] Cobalt: A trace element that is a component of vitamin B12. It has the atomic symbol Co, atomic number 27, and atomic weight 58.93. It is used in nuclear weapons, alloys, and pigments. Deficiency in animals leads to anemia; its excess in humans can lead to erythrocytosis. [NIH] Coenzyme: An organic nonprotein molecule, frequently a phosphorylated derivative of a water-soluble vitamin, that binds with the protein molecule (apoenzyme) to form the active enzyme (holoenzyme). [EU] Cofactor: A substance, microorganism or environmental factor that activates or enhances the

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action of another entity such as a disease-causing agent. [NIH] Collagen: A polypeptide substance comprising about one third of the total protein in mammalian organisms. It is the main constituent of skin, connective tissue, and the organic substance of bones and teeth. Different forms of collagen are produced in the body but all consist of three alpha-polypeptide chains arranged in a triple helix. Collagen is differentiated from other fibrous proteins, such as elastin, by the content of proline, hydroxyproline, and hydroxylysine; by the absence of tryptophan; and particularly by the high content of polar groups which are responsible for its swelling properties. [NIH] Complement: A term originally used to refer to the heat-labile factor in serum that causes immune cytolysis, the lysis of antibody-coated cells, and now referring to the entire functionally related system comprising at least 20 distinct serum proteins that is the effector not only of immune cytolysis but also of other biologic functions. Complement activation occurs by two different sequences, the classic and alternative pathways. The proteins of the classic pathway are termed 'components of complement' and are designated by the symbols C1 through C9. C1 is a calcium-dependent complex of three distinct proteins C1q, C1r and C1s. The proteins of the alternative pathway (collectively referred to as the properdin system) and complement regulatory proteins are known by semisystematic or trivial names. Fragments resulting from proteolytic cleavage of complement proteins are designated with lower-case letter suffixes, e.g., C3a. Inactivated fragments may be designated with the suffix 'i', e.g. C3bi. Activated components or complexes with biological activity are designated by a bar over the symbol e.g. C1 or C4b,2a. The classic pathway is activated by the binding of C1 to classic pathway activators, primarily antigen-antibody complexes containing IgM, IgG1, IgG3; C1q binds to a single IgM molecule or two adjacent IgG molecules. The alternative pathway can be activated by IgA immune complexes and also by nonimmunologic materials including bacterial endotoxins, microbial polysaccharides, and cell walls. Activation of the classic pathway triggers an enzymatic cascade involving C1, C4, C2 and C3; activation of the alternative pathway triggers a cascade involving C3 and factors B, D and P. Both result in the cleavage of C5 and the formation of the membrane attack complex. Complement activation also results in the formation of many biologically active complement fragments that act as anaphylatoxins, opsonins, or chemotactic factors. [EU] Complementary and alternative medicine: CAM. Forms of treatment that are used in addition to (complementary) or instead of (alternative) standard treatments. These practices are not considered standard medical approaches. CAM includes dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation. [NIH] Complementary medicine: Practices not generally recognized by the medical community as standard or conventional medical approaches and used to enhance or complement the standard treatments. Complementary medicine includes the taking of dietary supplements, megadose vitamins, and herbal preparations; the drinking of special teas; and practices such as massage therapy, magnet therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation. [NIH] Computational Biology: A field of biology concerned with the development of techniques for the collection and manipulation of biological data, and the use of such data to make biological discoveries or predictions. This field encompasses all computational methods and theories applicable to molecular biology and areas of computer-based techniques for solving biological problems including manipulation of models and datasets. [NIH] Conception: The onset of pregnancy, marked by implantation of the blastocyst; the formation of a viable zygote. [EU] Conjugated: Acting or operating as if joined; simultaneous. [EU] Connective Tissue: Tissue that supports and binds other tissues. It consists of connective

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tissue cells embedded in a large amount of extracellular matrix. [NIH] Connective Tissue: Tissue that supports and binds other tissues. It consists of connective tissue cells embedded in a large amount of extracellular matrix. [NIH] Consumption: Pulmonary tuberculosis. [NIH] Contamination: The soiling or pollution by inferior material, as by the introduction of organisms into a wound, or sewage into a stream. [EU] Contraindications: Any factor or sign that it is unwise to pursue a certain kind of action or treatment, e. g. giving a general anesthetic to a person with pneumonia. [NIH] Controlled study: An experiment or clinical trial that includes a comparison (control) group. [NIH]

Coronary: Encircling in the manner of a crown; a term applied to vessels; nerves, ligaments, etc. The term usually denotes the arteries that supply the heart muscle and, by extension, a pathologic involvement of them. [EU] Coronary Thrombosis: Presence of a thrombus in a coronary artery, often causing a myocardial infarction. [NIH] Crystallization: The formation of crystals; conversion to a crystalline form. [EU] Culture Media: Any liquid or solid preparation made specifically for the growth, storage, or transport of microorganisms or other types of cells. The variety of media that exist allow for the culturing of specific microorganisms and cell types, such as differential media, selective media, test media, and defined media. Solid media consist of liquid media that have been solidified with an agent such as agar or gelatin. [NIH] Cyanobacteria: A subgroup of the oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria comprised of unicellular to multicellular photosynthetic bacteria possessing chlorophyll a and carrying out oxygenic photosynthesis. Cyanobacteria are the only known organisms capable of fixing both carbon dioxide (in the presence of light) and nitrogen. Formerly called blue-green algae, cyanobacteria were traditionally treated as algae. By the late 19th century, however, it was realized that the blue-green algae were unique and lacked the traditional nucleus and chloroplasts of the green and other algae. The comparison of nucleotide base sequence data from 16S and 5S rRNA indicates that cyanobacteria represent a moderately deep phylogenetic unit within the gram-negative bacteria. [NIH] Cyclic: Pertaining to or occurring in a cycle or cycles; the term is applied to chemical compounds that contain a ring of atoms in the nucleus. [EU] Cyclophosphamide: Precursor of an alkylating nitrogen mustard antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agent that must be activated in the liver to form the active aldophosphamide. It is used in the treatment of lymphomas, leukemias, etc. Its side effect, alopecia, has been made use of in defleecing sheep. Cyclophosphamide may also cause sterility, birth defects, mutations, and cancer. [NIH] Cysteine: A thiol-containing non-essential amino acid that is oxidized to form cystine. [NIH] Cytochrome: Any electron transfer hemoprotein having a mode of action in which the transfer of a single electron is effected by a reversible valence change of the central iron atom of the heme prosthetic group between the +2 and +3 oxidation states; classified as cytochromes a in which the heme contains a formyl side chain, cytochromes b, which contain protoheme or a closely similar heme that is not covalently bound to the protein, cytochromes c in which protoheme or other heme is covalently bound to the protein, and cytochromes d in which the iron-tetrapyrrole has fewer conjugated double bonds than the hemes have. Well-known cytochromes have been numbered consecutively within groups and are designated by subscripts (beginning with no subscript), e.g. cytochromes c, c1, C2, .

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New cytochromes are named according to the wavelength in nanometres of the absorption maximum of the a-band of the iron (II) form in pyridine, e.g., c-555. [EU] Cytokines: Non-antibody proteins secreted by inflammatory leukocytes and some nonleukocytic cells, that act as intercellular mediators. They differ from classical hormones in that they are produced by a number of tissue or cell types rather than by specialized glands. They generally act locally in a paracrine or autocrine rather than endocrine manner. [NIH] Cytoplasm: The protoplasm of a cell exclusive of that of the nucleus; it consists of a continuous aqueous solution (cytosol) and the organelles and inclusions suspended in it (phaneroplasm), and is the site of most of the chemical activities of the cell. [EU] Cytotoxicity: Quality of being capable of producing a specific toxic action upon cells of special organs. [NIH] Databases, Bibliographic: Extensive collections, reputedly complete, of references and citations to books, articles, publications, etc., generally on a single subject or specialized subject area. Databases can operate through automated files, libraries, or computer disks. The concept should be differentiated from factual databases which is used for collections of data and facts apart from bibliographic references to them. [NIH] Deletion: A genetic rearrangement through loss of segments of DNA (chromosomes), bringing sequences, which are normally separated, into close proximity. [NIH] Density: The logarithm to the base 10 of the opacity of an exposed and processed film. [NIH] Dermatitis: Any inflammation of the skin. [NIH] DES: Diethylstilbestrol. A synthetic hormone that was prescribed from the early 1940s until 1971 to help women with complications of pregnancy. DES has been linked to an increased risk of clear cell carcinoma of the vagina in daughters of women who used DES. DES may also increase the risk of breast cancer in women who used DES. [NIH] Developed Countries: Countries that have reached a level of economic achievement through an increase of production, per capita income and consumption, and utilization of natural and human resources. [NIH] Diagnostic procedure: A method used to identify a disease. [NIH] Diffusion: The tendency of a gas or solute to pass from a point of higher pressure or concentration to a point of lower pressure or concentration and to distribute itself throughout the available space; a major mechanism of biological transport. [NIH] Digestion: The process of breakdown of food for metabolism and use by the body. [NIH] Digestive tract: The organs through which food passes when food is eaten. These organs are the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and rectum. [NIH] Dihydrotestosterone: Anabolic agent. [NIH] Diploid: Having two sets of chromosomes. [NIH] Direct: 1. Straight; in a straight line. 2. Performed immediately and without the intervention of subsidiary means. [EU] Distal: Remote; farther from any point of reference; opposed to proximal. In dentistry, used to designate a position on the dental arch farther from the median line of the jaw. [EU] Dose-dependent: Refers to the effects of treatment with a drug. If the effects change when the dose of the drug is changed, the effects are said to be dose dependent. [NIH] Duodenum: The first part of the small intestine. [NIH] Edema: Excessive amount of watery fluid accumulated in the intercellular spaces, most commonly present in subcutaneous tissue. [NIH]

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Effector: It is often an enzyme that converts an inactive precursor molecule into an active second messenger. [NIH] Efficacy: The extent to which a specific intervention, procedure, regimen, or service produces a beneficial result under ideal conditions. Ideally, the determination of efficacy is based on the results of a randomized control trial. [NIH] Egg Yolk: Cytoplasm stored in an egg that contains nutritional reserves for the developing embryo. It is rich in polysaccharides, lipids, and proteins. [NIH] Eicosanoids: A class of oxygenated, endogenous, unsaturated fatty acids derived from arachidonic acid. They include prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes, and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid compounds (HETE). They are hormone-like substances that act near the site of synthesis without altering functions throughout the body. [NIH] Elective: Subject to the choice or decision of the patient or physician; applied to procedures that are advantageous to the patient but not urgent. [EU] Electrolyte: A substance that dissociates into ions when fused or in solution, and thus becomes capable of conducting electricity; an ionic solute. [EU] Electrons: Stable elementary particles having the smallest known negative charge, present in all elements; also called negatrons. Positively charged electrons are called positrons. The numbers, energies and arrangement of electrons around atomic nuclei determine the chemical identities of elements. Beams of electrons are called cathode rays or beta rays, the latter being a high-energy biproduct of nuclear decay. [NIH] Elementary Particles: Individual components of atoms, usually subatomic; subnuclear particles are usually detected only when the atomic nucleus decays and then only transiently, as most of them are unstable, often yielding pure energy without substance, i.e., radiation. [NIH] Embryo: The prenatal stage of mammalian development characterized by rapid morphological changes and the differentiation of basic structures. [NIH] Emollient: Softening or soothing; called also malactic. [EU] Emulsions: Colloids of two immiscible liquids where either phase may be either fatty or aqueous; lipid-in-water emulsions are usually liquid, like milk or lotion and water-in-lipid emulsions tend to be creams. [NIH] Endocrine System: The system of glands that release their secretions (hormones) directly into the circulatory system. In addition to the endocrine glands, included are the chromaffin system and the neurosecretory systems. [NIH] Endothelial cell: The main type of cell found in the inside lining of blood vessels, lymph vessels, and the heart. [NIH] Endothelium: A layer of epithelium that lines the heart, blood vessels (endothelium, vascular), lymph vessels (endothelium, lymphatic), and the serous cavities of the body. [NIH] Endothelium, Lymphatic: Unbroken cellular lining (intima) of the lymph vessels (e.g., the high endothelial lymphatic venules). It is more permeable than vascular endothelium, lacking selective absorption and functioning mainly to remove plasma proteins that have filtered through the capillaries into the tissue spaces. [NIH] Endothelium, Vascular: Single pavement layer of cells which line the luminal surface of the entire vascular system and regulate the transport of macromolecules and blood components from interstitium to lumen; this function has been most intensively studied in the blood capillaries. [NIH] Endotoxins: Toxins closely associated with the living cytoplasm or cell wall of certain

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microorganisms, which do not readily diffuse into the culture medium, but are released upon lysis of the cells. [NIH] Energetic: Exhibiting energy : strenuous; operating with force, vigour, or effect. [EU] Enterovirus: A genus of the family Picornaviridae whose members preferentially inhabit the intestinal tract of a variety of hosts. The genus contains many species. Newly described members of human enteroviruses are assigned continuous numbers with the species designated "human enterovirus". [NIH] Environmental Health: The science of controlling or modifying those conditions, influences, or forces surrounding man which relate to promoting, establishing, and maintaining health. [NIH]

Enzymatic: Phase where enzyme cuts the precursor protein. [NIH] Enzyme: A protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body. [NIH] Epinephrine: The active sympathomimetic hormone from the adrenal medulla in most species. It stimulates both the alpha- and beta- adrenergic systems, causes systemic vasoconstriction and gastrointestinal relaxation, stimulates the heart, and dilates bronchi and cerebral vessels. It is used in asthma and cardiac failure and to delay absorption of local anesthetics. [NIH] Epithelium: One or more layers of epithelial cells, supported by the basal lamina, which covers the inner or outer surfaces of the body. [NIH] Erythromycin: A bacteriostatic antibiotic substance produced by Streptomyces erythreus. Erythromycin A is considered its major active component. In sensitive organisms, it inhibits protein synthesis by binding to 50S ribosomal subunits. This binding process inhibits peptidyl transferase activity and interferes with translocation of amino acids during translation and assembly of proteins. [NIH] Esophageal: Having to do with the esophagus, the muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach. [NIH] Esophagitis: Inflammation, acute or chronic, of the esophagus caused by bacteria, chemicals, or trauma. [NIH] Esophagus: The muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach. [NIH]

Evacuation: An emptying, as of the bowels. [EU] Excipients: Usually inert substances added to a prescription in order to provide suitable consistency to the dosage form; a binder, matrix, base or diluent in pills, tablets, creams, salves, etc. [NIH] Exogenous: Developed or originating outside the organism, as exogenous disease. [EU] External-beam radiation: Radiation therapy that uses a machine to aim high-energy rays at the cancer. Also called external radiation. [NIH] Extracellular: Outside a cell or cells. [EU] Extraction: The process or act of pulling or drawing out. [EU] Family Planning: Programs or services designed to assist the family in controlling reproduction by either improving or diminishing fertility. [NIH] Fat: Total lipids including phospholipids. [NIH] Fatigue: The state of weariness following a period of exertion, mental or physical, characterized by a decreased capacity for work and reduced efficiency to respond to stimuli. [NIH]

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Fatty acids: A major component of fats that are used by the body for energy and tissue development. [NIH] Fatty Liver: The buildup of fat in liver cells. The most common cause is alcoholism. Other causes include obesity, diabetes, and pregnancy. Also called steatosis. [NIH] Fetus: The developing offspring from 7 to 8 weeks after conception until birth. [NIH] Filtration: The passage of a liquid through a filter, accomplished by gravity, pressure, or vacuum (suction). [EU] Flatus: Gas passed through the rectum. [NIH] Flavoring Agents: Substances added to foods and medicine to improve the quality of taste. [NIH]

Food Additives: Substances which are of little or no nutritive value, but are used in the processing or storage of foods or animal feed, especially in the developed countries; includes antioxidants, food preservatives, food coloring agents, flavoring agents, anti-infective agents (both plain and local), vehicles, excipients and other similarly used substances. Many of the same substances are pharmaceutic aids when added to pharmaceuticals rather than to foods. [NIH]

Food Coloring Agents: Natural or synthetic dyes used as coloring agents in processed foods. [NIH] Food Preservatives: Substances capable of inhibiting, retarding or arresting the process of fermentation, acidification or other deterioration of foods. [NIH] Freeze Drying: Method of tissue preparation in which the tissue specimen is frozen and then dehydrated at low temperature in a high vacuum. This method is also used for dehydrating pharmaceutical and food products. [NIH] Fructose: A type of sugar found in many fruits and vegetables and in honey. Fructose is used to sweeten some diet foods. It is considered a nutritive sweetener because it has calories. [NIH] Fungi: A kingdom of eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms that live as saprobes or parasites, including mushrooms, yeasts, smuts, molds, etc. They reproduce either sexually or asexually, and have life cycles that range from simple to complex. Filamentous fungi refer to those that grow as multicelluar colonies (mushrooms and molds). [NIH] Gallbladder: The pear-shaped organ that sits below the liver. Bile is concentrated and stored in the gallbladder. [NIH] Gas: Air that comes from normal breakdown of food. The gases are passed out of the body through the rectum (flatus) or the mouth (burp). [NIH] Gastric: Having to do with the stomach. [NIH] Gastric Emptying: The evacuation of food from the stomach into the duodenum. [NIH] Gastric Juices: Liquids produced in the stomach to help break down food and kill bacteria. [NIH]

Gastroesophageal Reflux: Reflux of gastric juice and/or duodenal contents (bile acids, pancreatic juice) into the distal esophagus, commonly due to incompetence of the lower esophageal sphincter. Gastric regurgitation is an extension of this process with entry of fluid into the pharynx or mouth. [NIH] Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Flow of the stomach's contents back up into the esophagus. Happens when the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach (the lower esophageal sphincter) is weak or relaxes when it shouldn't. May cause esophagitis. Also called esophageal reflux or reflux esophagitis. [NIH]

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Gastrointestinal: Refers to the stomach and intestines. [NIH] Gastrointestinal tract: The stomach and intestines. [NIH] Gene: The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein. [NIH]

Glucose: D-Glucose. A primary source of energy for living organisms. It is naturally occurring and is found in fruits and other parts of plants in its free state. It is used therapeutically in fluid and nutrient replacement. [NIH] Glucuronic Acid: Derivatives of uronic acid found throughout the plant and animal kingdoms. They detoxify drugs and toxins by conjugating with them to form glucuronides in the liver which are more water-soluble metabolites that can be easily eliminated from the body. [NIH] Glucuronides: Glycosides of glucuronic acid formed by the reaction of uridine diphosphate glucuronic acid with certain endogenous and exogenous substances. Their formation is important for the detoxification of drugs, steroid excretion and bilirubin metabolism to a more water-soluble compound that can be eliminated in the urine and bile. [NIH] Glutathione Peroxidase: An enzyme catalyzing the oxidation of 2 moles of glutathione in the presence of hydrogen peroxide to yield oxidized glutathione and water. EC 1.11.1.9. [NIH]

Gluten: The protein of wheat and other grains which gives to the dough its tough elastic character. [EU] Glycerol: A trihydroxy sugar alcohol that is an intermediate in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. It is used as a solvent, emollient, pharmaceutical agent, and sweetening agent. [NIH]

Glycols: A generic grouping for dihydric alcohols with the hydroxy groups (-OH) located on different carbon atoms. They are viscous liquids with high boiling points for their molecular weights. [NIH] Governing Board: The group in which legal authority is vested for the control of healthrelated institutions and organizations. [NIH] Grade: The grade of a tumor depends on how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how quickly the tumor is likely to grow and spread. Grading systems are different for each type of cancer. [NIH] Gram-negative: Losing the stain or decolorized by alcohol in Gram's method of staining, a primary characteristic of bacteria having a cell wall composed of a thin layer of peptidoglycan covered by an outer membrane of lipoprotein and lipopolysaccharide. [EU] Gram-Negative Bacteria: Bacteria which lose crystal violet stain but are stained pink when treated by Gram's method. [NIH] Granulocytes: Leukocytes with abundant granules in the cytoplasm. They are divided into three groups: neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. [NIH] Growth: The progressive development of a living being or part of an organism from its earliest stage to maturity. [NIH] Habitual: Of the nature of a habit; according to habit; established by or repeated by force of habit, customary. [EU] Haploid: An organism with one basic chromosome set, symbolized by n; the normal condition of gametes in diploids. [NIH] Heme: The color-furnishing portion of hemoglobin. It is found free in tissues and as the

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prosthetic group in many hemeproteins. [NIH] Hemodiafiltration: The combination of hemodialysis and hemofiltration either simultaneously or sequentially. Convective transport (hemofiltration) may be better for removal of larger molecular weight substances and diffusive transport (hemodialysis) for smaller molecular weight solutes. [NIH] Hemodialysis: The use of a machine to clean wastes from the blood after the kidneys have failed. The blood travels through tubes to a dialyzer, which removes wastes and extra fluid. The cleaned blood then flows through another set of tubes back into the body. [NIH] Hemofiltration: Extracorporeal ultrafiltration technique without hemodialysis for treatment of fluid overload and electrolyte disturbances affecting renal, cardiac, or pulmonary function. [NIH] Hepatotoxicity: How much damage a medicine or other substance does to the liver. [NIH] Heredity: 1. The genetic transmission of a particular quality or trait from parent to offspring. 2. The genetic constitution of an individual. [EU] Herpes: Any inflammatory skin disease caused by a herpesvirus and characterized by the formation of clusters of small vesicles. When used alone, the term may refer to herpes simplex or to herpes zoster. [EU] Herpes Zoster: Acute vesicular inflammation. [NIH] Hormone: A substance in the body that regulates certain organs. Hormones such as gastrin help in breaking down food. Some hormones come from cells in the stomach and small intestine. [NIH] Host: Any animal that receives a transplanted graft. [NIH] Hydrochloric Acid: A strong corrosive acid that is commonly used as a laboratory reagent. It is formed by dissolving hydrogen chloride in water. Gastric acid is the hydrochloric acid component of gastric juice. [NIH] Hydrogen: The first chemical element in the periodic table. It has the atomic symbol H, atomic number 1, and atomic weight 1. It exists, under normal conditions, as a colorless, odorless, tasteless, diatomic gas. Hydrogen ions are protons. Besides the common H1 isotope, hydrogen exists as the stable isotope deuterium and the unstable, radioactive isotope tritium. [NIH] Hydrogen Peroxide: A strong oxidizing agent used in aqueous solution as a ripening agent, bleach, and topical anti-infective. It is relatively unstable and solutions deteriorate over time unless stabilized by the addition of acetanilide or similar organic materials. [NIH] Hydrolysis: The process of cleaving a chemical compound by the addition of a molecule of water. [NIH] Hydroxides: Inorganic compounds that contain the OH- group. [NIH] Hydroxyl Radical: The univalent radical OH that is present in hydroxides, alcohols, phenols, glycols. [NIH] Hypersensitivity: Altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen. [NIH] Id: The part of the personality structure which harbors the unconscious instinctive desires and strivings of the individual. [NIH] Immune response: The activity of the immune system against foreign substances (antigens). [NIH]

Immune system: The organs, cells, and molecules responsible for the recognition and disposal of foreign ("non-self") material which enters the body. [NIH]

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Immunity: Nonsusceptibility to the invasive or pathogenic microorganisms or to the toxic effect of antigenic substances. [NIH]

effects

of

foreign

Immunodiffusion: Technique involving the diffusion of antigen or antibody through a semisolid medium, usually agar or agarose gel, with the result being a precipitin reaction. [NIH]

Immunoelectrophoresis: A technique that combines protein electrophoresis and double immunodiffusion. In this procedure proteins are first separated by gel electrophoresis (usually agarose), then made visible by immunodiffusion of specific antibodies. A distinct elliptical precipitin arc results for each protein detectable by the antisera. [NIH] Immunoglobulin: A protein that acts as an antibody. [NIH] Immunologic: The ability of the antibody-forming system to recall a previous experience with an antigen and to respond to a second exposure with the prompt production of large amounts of antibody. [NIH] Immunosuppressive: Describes the ability to lower immune system responses. [NIH] Implant radiation: A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near the tumor. Also called [NIH] In vitro: In the laboratory (outside the body). The opposite of in vivo (in the body). [NIH] In vivo: In the body. The opposite of in vitro (outside the body or in the laboratory). [NIH] Incompetence: Physical or mental inadequacy or insufficiency. [EU] Indicative: That indicates; that points out more or less exactly; that reveals fairly clearly. [EU] Induction: The act or process of inducing or causing to occur, especially the production of a specific morphogenetic effect in the developing embryo through the influence of evocators or organizers, or the production of anaesthesia or unconsciousness by use of appropriate agents. [EU] Infarction: A pathological process consisting of a sudden insufficient blood supply to an area, which results in necrosis of that area. It is usually caused by a thrombus, an embolus, or a vascular torsion. [NIH] Infection: 1. Invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in body tissues, which may be clinically unapparent or result in local cellular injury due to competitive metabolism, toxins, intracellular replication, or antigen-antibody response. The infection may remain localized, subclinical, and temporary if the body's defensive mechanisms are effective. A local infection may persist and spread by extension to become an acute, subacute, or chronic clinical infection or disease state. A local infection may also become systemic when the microorganisms gain access to the lymphatic or vascular system. 2. An infectious disease. [EU]

Inflammation: A pathological process characterized by injury or destruction of tissues caused by a variety of cytologic and chemical reactions. It is usually manifested by typical signs of pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. [NIH] Ingestion: Taking into the body by mouth [NIH] Initiation: Mutation induced by a chemical reactive substance causing cell changes; being a step in a carcinogenic process. [NIH] Inoculum: The spores or tissues of a pathogen that serve to initiate disease in a plant. [NIH] Inorganic: Pertaining to substances not of organic origin. [EU] Insulin: A protein hormone secreted by beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin plays a major role in the regulation of glucose metabolism, generally promoting the cellular utilization of glucose. It is also an important regulator of protein and lipid metabolism. Insulin is used as

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a drug to control insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. [NIH] Interferon: A biological response modifier (a substance that can improve the body's natural response to disease). Interferons interfere with the division of cancer cells and can slow tumor growth. There are several types of interferons, including interferon-alpha, -beta, and gamma. These substances are normally produced by the body. They are also made in the laboratory for use in treating cancer and other diseases. [NIH] Interferon-alpha: One of the type I interferons produced by peripheral blood leukocytes or lymphoblastoid cells when exposed to live or inactivated virus, double-stranded RNA, or bacterial products. It is the major interferon produced by virus-induced leukocyte cultures and, in addition to its pronounced antiviral activity, it causes activation of NK cells. [NIH] Internal radiation: A procedure in which radioactive material sealed in needles, seeds, wires, or catheters is placed directly into or near the tumor. Also called brachytherapy, implant radiation, or interstitial radiation therapy. [NIH] Interstitial: Pertaining to or situated between parts or in the interspaces of a tissue. [EU] Intestinal: Having to do with the intestines. [NIH] Intestine: A long, tube-shaped organ in the abdomen that completes the process of digestion. There is both a large intestine and a small intestine. Also called the bowel. [NIH] Intracellular: Inside a cell. [NIH] Iodine: A nonmetallic element of the halogen group that is represented by the atomic symbol I, atomic number 53, and atomic weight of 126.90. It is a nutritionally essential element, especially important in thyroid hormone synthesis. In solution, it has anti-infective properties and is used topically. [NIH] Ionizing: Radiation comprising charged particles, e. g. electrons, protons, alpha-particles, etc., having sufficient kinetic energy to produce ionization by collision. [NIH] Ions: An atom or group of atoms that have a positive or negative electric charge due to a gain (negative charge) or loss (positive charge) of one or more electrons. Atoms with a positive charge are known as cations; those with a negative charge are anions. [NIH] Irradiation: The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy) or from materials called radioisotopes. Radioisotopes produce radiation and can be placed in or near the tumor or in the area near cancer cells. This type of radiation treatment is called internal radiation therapy, implant radiation, interstitial radiation, or brachytherapy. Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that circulates throughout the body. Irradiation is also called radiation therapy, radiotherapy, and x-ray therapy. [NIH] Kb: A measure of the length of DNA fragments, 1 Kb = 1000 base pairs. The largest DNA fragments are up to 50 kilobases long. [NIH] Labile: 1. Gliding; moving from point to point over the surface; unstable; fluctuating. 2. Chemically unstable. [EU] Lactation: The period of the secretion of milk. [EU] Large Intestine: The part of the intestine that goes from the cecum to the rectum. The large intestine absorbs water from stool and changes it from a liquid to a solid form. The large intestine is 5 feet long and includes the appendix, cecum, colon, and rectum. Also called colon. [NIH] Larynx: An irregularly shaped, musculocartilaginous tubular structure, lined with mucous membrane, located at the top of the trachea and below the root of the tongue and the hyoid

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bone. It is the essential sphincter guarding the entrance into the trachea and functioning secondarily as the organ of voice. [NIH] Latent: Phoria which occurs at one distance or another and which usually has no troublesome effect. [NIH] Laxative: An agent that acts to promote evacuation of the bowel; a cathartic or purgative. [EU]

Lens: The transparent, double convex (outward curve on both sides) structure suspended between the aqueous and vitreous; helps to focus light on the retina. [NIH] Lethal: Deadly, fatal. [EU] Leukocytes: White blood cells. These include granular leukocytes (basophils, eosinophils, and neutrophils) as well as non-granular leukocytes (lymphocytes and monocytes). [NIH] Leukopenia: A condition in which the number of leukocytes (white blood cells) in the blood is reduced. [NIH] Leukotrienes: A family of biologically active compounds derived from arachidonic acid by oxidative metabolism through the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. They participate in host defense reactions and pathophysiological conditions such as immediate hypersensitivity and inflammation. They have potent actions on many essential organs and systems, including the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and central nervous system as well as the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system. [NIH] Library Services: Services offered to the library user. They include reference and circulation. [NIH]

Linkages: The tendency of two or more genes in the same chromosome to remain together from one generation to the next more frequently than expected according to the law of independent assortment. [NIH] Lipid: Fat. [NIH] Lipid Peroxidation: Peroxidase catalyzed oxidation of lipids using hydrogen peroxide as an electron acceptor. [NIH] Lipopolysaccharides: Substance consisting of polysaccaride and lipid. [NIH] Lipoxygenase: An enzyme of the oxidoreductase class that catalyzes reactions between linoleate and other fatty acids and oxygen to form hydroperoxy-fatty acid derivatives. Related enzymes in this class include the arachidonate lipoxygenases, arachidonate 5lipoxygenase, arachidonate 12-lipoxygenase, and arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase. EC 1.13.11.12. [NIH] Liver: A large, glandular organ located in the upper abdomen. The liver cleanses the blood and aids in digestion by secreting bile. [NIH] Localized: Cancer which has not metastasized yet. [NIH] Locomotion: Movement or the ability to move from one place or another. It can refer to humans, vertebrate or invertebrate animals, and microorganisms. [NIH] Lower Esophageal Sphincter: The muscle between the esophagus and stomach. When a person swallows, this muscle relaxes to let food pass from the esophagus to the stomach. It stays closed at other times to keep stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus. [NIH]

Lymph: The almost colorless fluid that travels through the lymphatic system and carries cells that help fight infection and disease. [NIH] Lymphatic: The tissues and organs, including the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes, that produce and store cells that fight infection and disease. [NIH]

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Lymphoid: Referring to lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Also refers to tissue in which lymphocytes develop. [NIH] Lysine: An essential amino acid. It is often added to animal feed. [NIH] Macrophage: A type of white blood cell that surrounds and kills microorganisms, removes dead cells, and stimulates the action of other immune system cells. [NIH] Malnutrition: A condition caused by not eating enough food or not eating a balanced diet. [NIH]

Malondialdehyde: The dialdehyde of malonic acid. [NIH] Medical Assistance: Financing of medical care provided to public assistance recipients. [NIH] MEDLINE: An online database of MEDLARS, the computerized bibliographic Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System of the National Library of Medicine. [NIH] Membrane: A very thin layer of tissue that covers a surface. [NIH] Mercury: A silver metallic element that exists as a liquid at room temperature. It has the atomic symbol Hg (from hydrargyrum, liquid silver), atomic number 80, and atomic weight 200.59. Mercury is used in many industrial applications and its salts have been employed therapeutically as purgatives, antisyphilitics, disinfectants, and astringents. It can be absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes which leads to mercury poisoning. Because of its toxicity, the clinical use of mercury and mercurials is diminishing. [NIH] Methionine: A sulfur containing essential amino acid that is important in many body functions. It is a chelating agent for heavy metals. [NIH] Methyl salicylate: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. [NIH] MI: Myocardial infarction. Gross necrosis of the myocardium as a result of interruption of the blood supply to the area; it is almost always caused by atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, upon which coronary thrombosis is usually superimposed. [NIH] Microbe: An organism which cannot be observed with the naked eye; e. g. unicellular animals, lower algae, lower fungi, bacteria. [NIH] Microorganism: An organism that can be seen only through a microscope. Microorganisms include bacteria, protozoa, algae, and fungi. Although viruses are not considered living organisms, they are sometimes classified as microorganisms. [NIH] Mitomycin: An antineoplastic antibiotic produced by Streptomyces caespitosus. It acts as a bi- or trifunctional alkylating agent causing cross-linking of DNA and inhibition of DNA synthesis. [NIH] Mitosis: A method of indirect cell division by means of which the two daughter nuclei normally receive identical complements of the number of chromosomes of the somatic cells of the species. [NIH] Modification: A change in an organism, or in a process in an organism, that is acquired from its own activity or environment. [NIH] Molecular: Of, pertaining to, or composed of molecules : a very small mass of matter. [EU] Molecule: A chemical made up of two or more atoms. The atoms in a molecule can be the same (an oxygen molecule has two oxygen atoms) or different (a water molecule has two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom). Biological molecules, such as proteins and DNA, can be made up of many thousands of atoms. [NIH] Monoclonal: An antibody produced by culturing a single type of cell. It therefore consists of a single species of immunoglobulin molecules. [NIH] Morphological: Relating to the configuration or the structure of live organs. [NIH]

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Mucolytic: Destroying or dissolving mucin; an agent that so acts : a mucopolysaccharide or glycoprotein, the chief constituent of mucus. [EU] Mucosa: A mucous membrane, or tunica mucosa. [EU] Mutagenic: Inducing genetic mutation. [EU] Myocardium: The muscle tissue of the heart composed of striated, involuntary muscle known as cardiac muscle. [NIH] Nasal Cavity: The proximal portion of the respiratory passages on either side of the nasal septum, lined with ciliated mucosa, extending from the nares to the pharynx. [NIH] Nasal Septum: The partition separating the two nasal cavities in the midplane, composed of cartilaginous, membranous and bony parts. [NIH] NCI: National Cancer Institute. NCI, part of the National Institutes of Health of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, is the federal government's principal agency for cancer research. NCI conducts, coordinates, and funds cancer research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. Access the NCI Web site at http://cancer.gov. [NIH] Necrosis: A pathological process caused by the progressive degradative action of enzymes that is generally associated with severe cellular trauma. It is characterized by mitochondrial swelling, nuclear flocculation, uncontrolled cell lysis, and ultimately cell death. [NIH] Need: A state of tension or dissatisfaction felt by an individual that impels him to action toward a goal he believes will satisfy the impulse. [NIH] Nephrosis: Descriptive histopathologic term for renal disease without an inflammatory component. [NIH] Nephrotic: Pertaining to, resembling, or caused by nephrosis. [EU] Nephrotic Syndrome: Clinical association of heavy proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and generalized edema. [NIH] Nerve: A cordlike structure of nervous tissue that connects parts of the nervous system with other tissues of the body and conveys nervous impulses to, or away from, these tissues. [NIH] Nervous System: The entire nerve apparatus composed of the brain, spinal cord, nerves and ganglia. [NIH] Neuroendocrine: Having to do with the interactions between the nervous system and the endocrine system. Describes certain cells that release hormones into the blood in response to stimulation of the nervous system. [NIH] Neutrons: Electrically neutral elementary particles found in all atomic nuclei except light hydrogen; the mass is equal to that of the proton and electron combined and they are unstable when isolated from the nucleus, undergoing beta decay. Slow, thermal, epithermal, and fast neutrons refer to the energy levels with which the neutrons are ejected from heavier nuclei during their decay. [NIH] Nitrogen: An element with the atomic symbol N, atomic number 7, and atomic weight 14. Nitrogen exists as a diatomic gas and makes up about 78% of the earth's atmosphere by volume. It is a constituent of proteins and nucleic acids and found in all living cells. [NIH] Norepinephrine: Precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the adrenal medulla and is a widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the principal transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers and of the diffuse projection system in the brain arising from the locus ceruleus. It is also found in plants and is used pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic. [NIH] Nuclear: A test of the structure, blood flow, and function of the kidneys. The doctor injects a

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mildly radioactive solution into an arm vein and uses x-rays to monitor its progress through the kidneys. [NIH] Nuclei: A body of specialized protoplasm found in nearly all cells and containing the chromosomes. [NIH] Nucleic acid: Either of two types of macromolecule (DNA or RNA) formed by polymerization of nucleotides. Nucleic acids are found in all living cells and contain the information (genetic code) for the transfer of genetic information from one generation to the next. [NIH] Nucleus: A body of specialized protoplasm found in nearly all cells and containing the chromosomes. [NIH] Nutritive Value: An indication of the contribution of a food to the nutrient content of the diet. This value depends on the quantity of a food which is digested and absorbed and the amounts of the essential nutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrate, minerals, vitamins) which it contains. This value can be affected by soil and growing conditions, handling and storage, and processing. [NIH] Oligoelement: A chemical substance, minute amounts of which can be found in living organisms. [EU] Omega-3 fatty acid: A type of fat obtained in the diet and involved in immunity. [NIH] Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Unsaturated fatty acids required for the growth of mammals. They are constituents of phospholipids and glycerides in cell membranes. [NIH] Opacity: Degree of density (area most dense taken for reading). [NIH] Ophthalmic: Pertaining to the eye. [EU] Organ Culture: The growth in aseptic culture of plant organs such as roots or shoots, beginning with organ primordia or segments and maintaining the characteristics of the organ. [NIH] Overweight: An excess of body weight but not necessarily body fat; a body mass index of 25 to 29.9 kg/m2. [NIH] Oxidation: The act of oxidizing or state of being oxidized. Chemically it consists in the increase of positive charges on an atom or the loss of negative charges. Most biological oxidations are accomplished by the removal of a pair of hydrogen atoms (dehydrogenation) from a molecule. Such oxidations must be accompanied by reduction of an acceptor molecule. Univalent o. indicates loss of one electron; divalent o., the loss of two electrons. [EU]

Oxidative metabolism: A chemical process in which oxygen is used to make energy from carbohydrates (sugars). Also known as aerobic respiration, cell respiration, or aerobic metabolism. [NIH] Oxidative Stress: A disturbance in the prooxidant-antioxidant balance in favor of the former, leading to potential damage. Indicators of oxidative stress include damaged DNA bases, protein oxidation products, and lipid peroxidation products (Sies, Oxidative Stress, 1991, pxv-xvi). [NIH] Oxytetracycline: An antibiotic substance isolated from the actinomycete Streptomyces rimosus and used in a wide variety of clinical conditions. [NIH] Palate: The structure that forms the roof of the mouth. It consists of the anterior hard palate and the posterior soft palate. [NIH] Pancreas: A mixed exocrine and endocrine gland situated transversely across the posterior abdominal wall in the epigastric and hypochondriac regions. The endocrine portion is

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comprised of the Islets of Langerhans, while the exocrine portion is a compound acinar gland that secretes digestive enzymes. [NIH] Pancreatic: Having to do with the pancreas. [NIH] Pancreatic Juice: The fluid containing digestive enzymes secreted by the pancreas in response to food in the duodenum. [NIH] Particle: A tiny mass of material. [EU] Pathologic: 1. Indicative of or caused by a morbid condition. 2. Pertaining to pathology (= branch of medicine that treats the essential nature of the disease, especially the structural and functional changes in tissues and organs of the body caused by the disease). [EU] Pathologic Processes: The abnormal mechanisms and forms involved in the dysfunctions of tissues and organs. [NIH] Peptide: Any compound consisting of two or more amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Peptides are combined to make proteins. [NIH] Perciformes: The most diversified of all fish orders and the largest vertebrate order. It includes many of the commonly known fish such as porgies, croakers, mullets, dolphin fish, etc. [NIH] Pharmaceutic Aids: Substances which are of little or no therapeutic value, but are necessary in the manufacture, compounding, storage, etc., of pharmaceutical preparations or drug dosage forms. They include solvents, diluting agents, and suspending agents, and emulsifying agents. Also, antioxidants; preservatives, pharmaceutical; dyes (coloring agents); flavoring agents; vehicles; excipients; ointment bases. [NIH] Pharmacologic: Pertaining to pharmacology or to the properties and reactions of drugs. [EU] Pharynx: The hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the tube that goes to the stomach). [NIH] Phospholipids: Lipids containing one or more phosphate groups, particularly those derived from either glycerol (phosphoglycerides; glycerophospholipids) or sphingosine (sphingolipids). They are polar lipids that are of great importance for the structure and function of cell membranes and are the most abundant of membrane lipids, although not stored in large amounts in the system. [NIH] Phosphorus: A non-metallic element that is found in the blood, muscles, nevers, bones, and teeth, and is a component of adenosine triphosphate (ATP; the primary energy source for the body's cells.) [NIH] Phycocyanin: The metal-free blue phycobilin pigment in a conjugated chromoprotein of blue-green algae. It functions as light-absorbing substance together with chlorophylls. [NIH] Physiologic: Having to do with the functions of the body. When used in the phrase "physiologic age," it refers to an age assigned by general health, as opposed to calendar age. [NIH]

Pigment: A substance that gives color to tissue. Pigments are responsible for the color of skin, eyes, and hair. [NIH] Plana: The radiographic term applied to a vertebral body crushed to a thin plate. [NIH] Plants: Multicellular, eukaryotic life forms of the kingdom Plantae. They are characterized by a mainly photosynthetic mode of nutrition; essentially unlimited growth at localized regions of cell divisions (meristems); cellulose within cells providing rigidity; the absence of organs of locomotion; absense of nervous and sensory systems; and an alteration of haploid and diploid generations. [NIH] Plasma: The clear, yellowish, fluid part of the blood that carries the blood cells. The proteins

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that form blood clots are in plasma. [NIH] Plasma cells: A type of white blood cell that produces antibodies. [NIH] Platelets: A type of blood cell that helps prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form. Also called thrombocytes. [NIH] Poisoning: A condition or physical state produced by the ingestion, injection or inhalation of, or exposure to a deleterious agent. [NIH] Polysaccharide: A type of carbohydrate. It contains sugar molecules that are linked together chemically. [NIH] Polyunsaturated fat: An unsaturated fat found in greatest amounts in foods derived from plants, including safflower, sunflower, corn, and soybean oils. [NIH] Power Plants: Units that convert some form of energy into electrical energy, such as hydroelectric or steam-generating stations, diesel-electric engines in locomotives, or nuclear power plants. [NIH] Practice Guidelines: Directions or principles presenting current or future rules of policy for the health care practitioner to assist him in patient care decisions regarding diagnosis, therapy, or related clinical circumstances. The guidelines may be developed by government agencies at any level, institutions, professional societies, governing boards, or by the convening of expert panels. The guidelines form a basis for the evaluation of all aspects of health care and delivery. [NIH] Precursor: Something that precedes. In biological processes, a substance from which another, usually more active or mature substance is formed. In clinical medicine, a sign or symptom that heralds another. [EU] Predisposition: A latent susceptibility to disease which may be activated under certain conditions, as by stress. [EU] Progression: Increase in the size of a tumor or spread of cancer in the body. [NIH] Progressive: Advancing; going forward; going from bad to worse; increasing in scope or severity. [EU] Prostaglandin: Any of a group of components derived from unsaturated 20-carbon fatty acids, primarily arachidonic acid, via the cyclooxygenase pathway that are extremely potent mediators of a diverse group of physiologic processes. The abbreviation for prostaglandin is PG; specific compounds are designated by adding one of the letters A through I to indicate the type of substituents found on the hydrocarbon skeleton and a subscript (1, 2 or 3) to indicate the number of double bonds in the hydrocarbon skeleton e.g., PGE2. The predominant naturally occurring prostaglandins all have two double bonds and are synthesized from arachidonic acid (5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid) by the pathway shown in the illustration. The 1 series and 3 series are produced by the same pathway with fatty acids having one fewer double bond (8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid or one more double bond (5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid) than arachidonic acid. The subscript a or ß indicates the configuration at C-9 (a denotes a substituent below the plane of the ring, ß, above the plane). The naturally occurring PGF's have the a configuration, e.g., PGF2a. All of the prostaglandins act by binding to specific cell-surface receptors causing an increase in the level of the intracellular second messenger cyclic AMP (and in some cases cyclic GMP also). The effect produced by the cyclic AMP increase depends on the specific cell type. In some cases there is also a positive feedback effect. Increased cyclic AMP increases prostaglandin synthesis leading to further increases in cyclic AMP. [EU] Prostaglandins A: (13E,15S)-15-Hydroxy-9-oxoprosta-10,13-dien-1-oic acid (PGA(1)); (5Z,13E,15S)-15-hydroxy-9-oxoprosta-5,10,13-trien-1-oic acid (PGA(2)); (5Z,13E,15S,17Z)-15-

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hydroxy-9-oxoprosta-5,10,13,17-tetraen-1-oic acid (PGA(3)). A group of naturally occurring secondary prostaglandins derived from PGE. PGA(1) and PGA(2) as well as their 19hydroxy derivatives are found in many organs and tissues. [NIH] Protein C: A vitamin-K dependent zymogen present in the blood, which, upon activation by thrombin and thrombomodulin exerts anticoagulant properties by inactivating factors Va and VIIIa at the rate-limiting steps of thrombin formation. [NIH] Protein S: The vitamin K-dependent cofactor of activated protein C. Together with protein C, it inhibits the action of factors VIIIa and Va. A deficiency in protein S can lead to recurrent venous and arterial thrombosis. [NIH] Proteins: Polymers of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. The specific sequence of amino acids determines the shape and function of the protein. [NIH] Proteinuria: The presence of protein in the urine, indicating that the kidneys are not working properly. [NIH] Proteolytic: 1. Pertaining to, characterized by, or promoting proteolysis. 2. An enzyme that promotes proteolysis (= the splitting of proteins by hydrolysis of the peptide bonds with formation of smaller polypeptides). [EU] Protozoa: A subkingdom consisting of unicellular organisms that are the simplest in the animal kingdom. Most are free living. They range in size from submicroscopic to macroscopic. Protozoa are divided into seven phyla: Sarcomastigophora, Labyrinthomorpha, Apicomplexa, Microspora, Ascetospora, Myxozoa, and Ciliophora. [NIH] Proximal: Nearest; closer to any point of reference; opposed to distal. [EU] Public Assistance: Financial assistance to impoverished persons for the essentials of living through federal, state or local government programs. [NIH] Public Policy: A course or method of action selected, usually by a government, from among alternatives to guide and determine present and future decisions. [NIH] Publishing: "The business or profession of the commercial production and issuance of literature" (Webster's 3d). It includes the publisher, publication processes, editing and editors. Production may be by conventional printing methods or by electronic publishing. [NIH]

Pulmonary: Relating to the lungs. [NIH] Pulse: The rhythmical expansion and contraction of an artery produced by waves of pressure caused by the ejection of blood from the left ventricle of the heart as it contracts. [NIH]

Pulse Radiolysis: Use of a pulse of X-rays or fast electrons to generate free radicals for spectroscopic examination. [NIH] Purifying: Respiratory equipment whose function is to remove contaminants from otherwise wholesome air. [NIH] Putrefaction: The process of decomposition of animal and vegetable matter by living organisms. [NIH] Pyloric Sphincter: The muscle between the stomach and the small intestine. [NIH] Radiation: Emission or propagation of electromagnetic energy (waves/rays), or the waves/rays themselves; a stream of electromagnetic particles (electrons, neutrons, protons, alpha particles) or a mixture of these. The most common source is the sun. [NIH] Radiation therapy: The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays, gamma rays, neutrons, and other sources to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy), or it may come from

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radioactive material placed in the body in the area near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy, implant radiation, or brachytherapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that circulates throughout the body. Also called radiotherapy. [NIH] Radioactive: Giving off radiation. [NIH] Radiolabeled: Any compound that has been joined with a radioactive substance. [NIH] Radiotherapy: The use of ionizing radiation to treat malignant neoplasms and other benign conditions. The most common forms of ionizing radiation used as therapy are x-rays, gamma rays, and electrons. A special form of radiotherapy, targeted radiotherapy, links a cytotoxic radionuclide to a molecule that targets the tumor. When this molecule is an antibody or other immunologic molecule, the technique is called radioimmunotherapy. [NIH] Randomized: Describes an experiment or clinical trial in which animal or human subjects are assigned by chance to separate groups that compare different treatments. [NIH] Reagent: A substance employed to produce a chemical reaction so as to detect, measure, produce, etc., other substances. [EU] Rectum: The last 8 to 10 inches of the large intestine. [NIH] Recurrence: The return of a sign, symptom, or disease after a remission. [NIH] Reductase: Enzyme converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. [NIH] Refer: To send or direct for treatment, aid, information, de decision. [NIH] Reflux: The term used when liquid backs up into the esophagus from the stomach. [NIH] Regeneration: The natural renewal of a structure, as of a lost tissue or part. [EU] Regimen: A treatment plan that specifies the dosage, the schedule, and the duration of treatment. [NIH] Regurgitation: A backward flowing, as the casting up of undigested food, or the backward flowing of blood into the heart, or between the chambers of the heart when a valve is incompetent. [EU] Respiration: The act of breathing with the lungs, consisting of inspiration, or the taking into the lungs of the ambient air, and of expiration, or the expelling of the modified air which contains more carbon dioxide than the air taken in (Blakiston's Gould Medical Dictionary, 4th ed.). This does not include tissue respiration (= oxygen consumption) or cell respiration (= cell respiration). [NIH] Retina: The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the optic nerve and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the choroid and the inner surface with the vitreous body. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent. [NIH] Rhamnose: A methylpentose whose L- isomer is found naturally in many plant glycosides and some gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharides. [NIH] Rheumatism: A group of disorders marked by inflammation or pain in the connective tissue structures of the body. These structures include bone, cartilage, and fat. [NIH] Rheumatoid: Resembling rheumatism. [EU] Rheumatoid arthritis: A form of arthritis, the cause of which is unknown, although infection, hypersensitivity, hormone imbalance and psychologic stress have been suggested as possible causes. [NIH] Ribose: A pentose active in biological systems usually in its D-form. [NIH] Rigidity: Stiffness or inflexibility, chiefly that which is abnormal or morbid; rigor. [EU]

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Salicylate: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. [NIH] Saline: A solution of salt and water. [NIH] Screening: Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. [NIH] Sea Bream: A species of perciformes commonly used in saline aquaculture. [NIH] Secretion: 1. The process of elaborating a specific product as a result of the activity of a gland; this activity may range from separating a specific substance of the blood to the elaboration of a new chemical substance. 2. Any substance produced by secretion. [EU] Selenium: An element with the atomic symbol Se, atomic number 34, and atomic weight 78.96. It is an essential micronutrient for mammals and other animals but is toxic in large amounts. Selenium protects intracellular structures against oxidative damage. It is an essential component of glutathione peroxidase. [NIH] Selenomethionine: Diagnostic aid in pancreas function determination. [NIH] Serous: Having to do with serum, the clear liquid part of blood. [NIH] Serrata: The serrated anterior border of the retina located approximately 8.5 mm from the limbus and adjacent to the pars plana of the ciliary body. [NIH] Serrated: Having notches or teeth on the edge as a saw has. [NIH] Serum: The clear liquid part of the blood that remains after blood cells and clotting proteins have been removed. [NIH] Side effect: A consequence other than the one(s) for which an agent or measure is used, as the adverse effects produced by a drug, especially on a tissue or organ system other than the one sought to be benefited by its administration. [EU] Skeleton: The framework that supports the soft tissues of vertebrate animals and protects many of their internal organs. The skeletons of vertebrates are made of bone and/or cartilage. [NIH] Small intestine: The part of the digestive tract that is located between the stomach and the large intestine. [NIH] Sodium: An element that is a member of the alkali group of metals. It has the atomic symbol Na, atomic number 11, and atomic weight 23. With a valence of 1, it has a strong affinity for oxygen and other nonmetallic elements. Sodium provides the chief cation of the extracellular body fluids. Its salts are the most widely used in medicine. (From Dorland, 27th ed) Physiologically the sodium ion plays a major role in blood pressure regulation, maintenance of fluid volume, and electrolyte balance. [NIH] Sodium Selenite: Selenious acid, disodium salt. It is used therapeutically to supply the trace element selenium. [NIH] Solar Energy: Energy transmitted from the sun in the form of electromagnetic radiation. [NIH]

Solvent: 1. Dissolving; effecting a solution. 2. A liquid that dissolves or that is capable of dissolving; the component of a solution that is present in greater amount. [EU] Soma: The body as distinct from the mind; all the body tissue except the germ cells; all the axial body. [NIH] Somatic: 1. Pertaining to or characteristic of the soma or body. 2. Pertaining to the body wall in contrast to the viscera. [EU] Somatic cells: All the body cells except the reproductive (germ) cells. [NIH] Soybean Oil: Oil from soybean or soybean plant. [NIH] Specialist: In medicine, one who concentrates on 1 special branch of medical science. [NIH]

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Species: A taxonomic category subordinate to a genus (or subgenus) and superior to a subspecies or variety, composed of individuals possessing common characters distinguishing them from other categories of individuals of the same taxonomic level. In taxonomic nomenclature, species are designated by the genus name followed by a Latin or Latinized adjective or noun. [EU] Spectrum: A charted band of wavelengths of electromagnetic vibrations obtained by refraction and diffraction. By extension, a measurable range of activity, such as the range of bacteria affected by an antibiotic (antibacterial s.) or the complete range of manifestations of a disease. [EU] Sphincter: A ringlike band of muscle fibres that constricts a passage or closes a natural orifice; called also musculus sphincter. [EU] Spinal cord: The main trunk or bundle of nerves running down the spine through holes in the spinal bone (the vertebrae) from the brain to the level of the lower back. [NIH] Stagnation: The slowing down or stoppage of the flowing of any fluid. [NIH] Steatosis: Fatty degeneration. [EU] Sterility: 1. The inability to produce offspring, i.e., the inability to conceive (female s.) or to induce conception (male s.). 2. The state of being aseptic, or free from microorganisms. [EU] Stomach: An organ of digestion situated in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen between the termination of the esophagus and the beginning of the duodenum. [NIH] Stomatitis: Inflammation of the oral mucosa, due to local or systemic factors which may involve the buccal and labial mucosa, palate, tongue, floor of the mouth, and the gingivae. [EU]

Stress: Forcibly exerted influence; pressure. Any condition or situation that causes strain or tension. Stress may be either physical or psychologic, or both. [NIH] Subacute: Somewhat acute; between acute and chronic. [EU] Subclinical: Without clinical manifestations; said of the early stage(s) of an infection or other disease or abnormality before symptoms and signs become apparent or detectable by clinical examination or laboratory tests, or of a very mild form of an infection or other disease or abnormality. [EU] Subculture: A culture derived from another culture or the aseptic division and transfer of a culture or a portion of that culture (inoculum) to fresh nutrient medium. [NIH] Subspecies: A category intermediate in rank between species and variety, based on a smaller number of correlated characters than are used to differentiate species and generally conditioned by geographical and/or ecological occurrence. [NIH] Substance P: An eleven-amino acid neurotransmitter that appears in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is involved in transmission of pain, causes rapid contractions of the gastrointestinal smooth muscle, and modulates inflammatory and immune responses. [NIH]

Substrate: A substance upon which an enzyme acts. [EU] Suction: The removal of secretions, gas or fluid from hollow or tubular organs or cavities by means of a tube and a device that acts on negative pressure. [NIH] Sulfur: An element that is a member of the chalcogen family. It has an atomic symbol S, atomic number 16, and atomic weight 32.066. It is found in the amino acids cysteine and methionine. [NIH] Sulfur Dioxide: A highly toxic, colorless, nonflammable gas. It is used as a pharmaceutical aid and antioxidant. It is also an environmental air pollutant. [NIH]

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Spirulina

Superoxide: Derivative of molecular oxygen that can damage cells. [NIH] Superoxide Dismutase: An oxidoreductase that catalyzes the reaction between superoxide anions and hydrogen to yield molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. The enzyme protects the cell against dangerous levels of superoxide. EC 1.15.1.1. [NIH] Supplementation: Adding nutrients to the diet. [NIH] Suppression: A conscious exclusion of disapproved desire contrary with repression, in which the process of exclusion is not conscious. [NIH] Systemic: Affecting the entire body. [NIH] Terminator: A DNA sequence sited at the end of a transcriptional unit that signals the end of transcription. [NIH] Testosterone: A hormone that promotes the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics. [NIH] Thermal: Pertaining to or characterized by heat. [EU] Thrombin: An enzyme formed from prothrombin that converts fibrinogen to fibrin. (Dorland, 27th ed) EC 3.4.21.5. [NIH] Thrombocytes: Blood cells that help prevent bleeding by causing blood clots to form. Also called platelets. [NIH] Thrombomodulin: A cell surface glycoprotein of endothelial cells that binds thrombin and serves as a cofactor in the activation of protein C and its regulation of blood coagulation. [NIH]

Thrombosis: The formation or presence of a blood clot inside a blood vessel. [NIH] Thromboxanes: Physiologically active compounds found in many organs of the body. They are formed in vivo from the prostaglandin endoperoxides and cause platelet aggregation, contraction of arteries, and other biological effects. Thromboxanes are important mediators of the actions of polyunsaturated fatty acids transformed by cyclooxygenase. [NIH] Thyroid: A gland located near the windpipe (trachea) that produces thyroid hormone, which helps regulate growth and metabolism. [NIH] Tilapia: A freshwater fish used as an experimental organism and for food. This genus of the family Cichlidae inhabits Central and South America (one species extends north into Texas), West Indies, Africa, Madagascar, Syria, and coastal India. [NIH] Tissue: A group or layer of cells that are alike in type and work together to perform a specific function. [NIH] Tissue Culture: Maintaining or growing of tissue, organ primordia, or the whole or part of an organ in vitro so as to preserve its architecture and/or function (Dorland, 28th ed). Tissue culture includes both organ culture and cell culture. [NIH] Topical: On the surface of the body. [NIH] Toxic: Having to do with poison or something harmful to the body. Toxic substances usually cause unwanted side effects. [NIH] Toxicity: The quality of being poisonous, especially the degree of virulence of a toxic microbe or of a poison. [EU] Toxicology: The science concerned with the detection, chemical composition, and pharmacologic action of toxic substances or poisons and the treatment and prevention of toxic manifestations. [NIH] Toxins: Specific, characterizable, poisonous chemicals, often proteins, with specific biological properties, including immunogenicity, produced by microbes, higher plants, or

Dictionary 95

animals. [NIH] Trace element: Substance or element essential to plant or animal life, but present in extremely small amounts. [NIH] Trachea: The cartilaginous and membranous tube descending from the larynx and branching into the right and left main bronchi. [NIH] Transfection: The uptake of naked or purified DNA into cells, usually eukaryotic. It is analogous to bacterial transformation. [NIH] Transferases: Transferases are enzymes transferring a group, for example, the methyl group or a glycosyl group, from one compound (generally regarded as donor) to another compound (generally regarded as acceptor). The classification is based on the scheme "donor:acceptor group transferase". (Enzyme Nomenclature, 1992) EC 2. [NIH] Translation: The process whereby the genetic information present in the linear sequence of ribonucleotides in mRNA is converted into a corresponding sequence of amino acids in a protein. It occurs on the ribosome and is unidirectional. [NIH] Translocation: The movement of material in solution inside the body of the plant. [NIH] Tuberculosis: Any of the infectious diseases of man and other animals caused by species of Mycobacterium. [NIH] Type 2 diabetes: Usually characterized by a gradual onset with minimal or no symptoms of metabolic disturbance and no requirement for exogenous insulin. The peak age of onset is 50 to 60 years. Obesity and possibly a genetic factor are usually present. [NIH] Ultrafiltration: The separation of particles from a suspension by passage through a filter with very fine pores. In ultrafiltration the separation is accomplished by convective transport; in dialysis separation relies instead upon differential diffusion. Ultrafiltration occurs naturally and is a laboratory procedure. Artificial ultrafiltration of the blood is referred to as hemofiltration or hemodiafiltration (if combined with hemodialysis). [NIH] Ultraviolet Rays: That portion of the electromagnetic spectrum immediately below the visible range and extending into the x-ray frequencies. The longer wavelengths (near-UV or biotic or vital rays) are necessary for the endogenous synthesis of vitamin D and are also called antirachitic rays; the shorter, ionizing wavelengths (far-UV or abiotic or extravital rays) are viricidal, bactericidal, mutagenic, and carcinogenic and are used as disinfectants. [NIH]

Unconscious: Experience which was once conscious, but was subsequently rejected, as the "personal unconscious". [NIH] Univalent: Pertaining to an unpaired chromosome during the zygotene stage of prophase to first metaphase in meiosis. [NIH] Vaccines: Suspensions of killed or attenuated microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, or rickettsiae), antigenic proteins derived from them, or synthetic constructs, administered for the prevention, amelioration, or treatment of infectious and other diseases. [NIH]

Vagina: The muscular canal extending from the uterus to the exterior of the body. Also called the birth canal. [NIH] Valves: Flap-like structures that control the direction of blood flow through the heart. [NIH] Vascular: Pertaining to blood vessels or indicative of a copious blood supply. [EU] Vasomotor: 1. Affecting the calibre of a vessel, especially of a blood vessel. 2. Any element or agent that effects the calibre of a blood vessel. [EU] Vegetative: 1. Concerned with growth and with nutrition. 2. Functioning involuntarily or

96

Spirulina

unconsciously, as the vegetative nervous system. 3. Resting; denoting the portion of a cell cycle during which the cell is not involved in replication. 4. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of plants. [EU] Veins: The vessels carrying blood toward the heart. [NIH] Venous: Of or pertaining to the veins. [EU] Ventricle: One of the two pumping chambers of the heart. The right ventricle receives oxygen-poor blood from the right atrium and pumps it to the lungs through the pulmonary artery. The left ventricle receives oxygen-rich blood from the left atrium and pumps it to the body through the aorta. [NIH] Venules: The minute vessels that collect blood from the capillary plexuses and join together to form veins. [NIH] Veterinary Medicine: The medical science concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in animals. [NIH] Viral: Pertaining to, caused by, or of the nature of virus. [EU] Virulence: The degree of pathogenicity within a group or species of microorganisms or viruses as indicated by case fatality rates and/or the ability of the organism to invade the tissues of the host. [NIH] Virus: Submicroscopic organism that causes infectious disease. In cancer therapy, some viruses may be made into vaccines that help the body build an immune response to, and kill, tumor cells. [NIH] Virus Replication: The process of intracellular viral multiplication, consisting of the synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, and sometimes lipids, and their assembly into a new infectious particle. [NIH] Viscera: Any of the large interior organs in any one of the three great cavities of the body, especially in the abdomen. [NIH] Viscosity: A physical property of fluids that determines the internal resistance to shear forces. [EU] Vitamin E: Vitamin found largely in plant materials, especially wheat germ, corn, sunflower seed, rapeseed, soybean oils, alfalfa, and lettuce. It is used as an antioxidant in vegetable oils and shortenings. [NIH] Vitro: Descriptive of an event or enzyme reaction under experimental investigation occurring outside a living organism. Parts of an organism or microorganism are used together with artificial substrates and/or conditions. [NIH] White blood cell: A type of cell in the immune system that helps the body fight infection and disease. White blood cells include lymphocytes, granulocytes, macrophages, and others. [NIH]

Xenograft: The cells of one species transplanted to another species. [NIH] X-ray: High-energy radiation used in low doses to diagnose diseases and in high doses to treat cancer. [NIH] X-ray therapy: The use of high-energy radiation from x-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy) or from materials called radioisotopes. Radioisotopes produce radiation and can be placed in or near the tumor or in the area near cancer cells. This type of radiation treatment is called internal radiation therapy, implant radiation, interstitial radiation, or brachytherapy. Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, such as a radiolabeled monoclonal antibody, that circulates throughout the body. X-ray therapy is also

Dictionary 97

called radiation therapy, radiotherapy, and irradiation. [NIH] Zidovudine: A dideoxynucleoside compound in which the 3'-hydroxy group on the sugar moiety has been replaced by an azido group. This modification prevents the formation of phosphodiester linkages which are needed for the completion of nucleic acid chains. The compound is a potent inhibitor of HIV replication, acting as a chain-terminator of viral DNA during reverse transcription. It improves immunologic function, partially reverses the HIVinduced neurological dysfunction, and improves certain other clinical abnormalities associated with AIDS. Its principal toxic effect is dose-dependent suppression of bone marrow, resulting in anemia and leukopenia. [NIH] Zymogen: Inactive form of an enzyme which can then be converted to the active form, usually by excision of a polypeptide, e. g. trypsinogen is the zymogen of trypsin. [NIH]

99

INDEX A Abdomen, 67, 71, 83, 84, 93, 96 Abdominal, 32, 33, 67, 87 Abdominal Pain, 32, 33, 67 Acceptor, 67, 84, 87, 95 Acetylcysteine, 4, 67 Adenylate Cyclase, 8, 67 Adrenergic, 22, 67, 78 Adverse Effect, 67, 92 Affinity, 67, 92 Agar, 33, 42, 67, 75, 82 Age of Onset, 67, 95 Airways, 67, 71 Alfalfa, 67, 96 Algorithms, 67, 70 Alkaline, 28, 37, 42, 68, 71 Alopecia, 68, 75 Alternative medicine, 68 Amino Acid Sequence, 68 Amino Acids, 5, 35, 38, 42, 52, 68, 78, 88, 90, 93, 95 Anaerobic, 13, 68 Anaesthesia, 68, 82 Analog, 5, 68 Anaphylatoxins, 68, 74 Anemia, 25, 68, 71, 73, 97 Animal model, 68 Anions, 68, 83, 94 Antibiotic, 40, 68, 78, 85, 87, 93 Antibodies, 40, 68, 82, 89 Antibody, 13, 67, 68, 69, 74, 76, 82, 83, 85, 91, 96 Anticoagulant, 68, 90 Antigen, 67, 68, 69, 74, 81, 82 Antigen-Antibody Complex, 69, 74 Anti-infective, 69, 79, 81, 83 Anti-Infective Agents, 69, 79 Anti-inflammatory, 69, 85, 92 Antineoplastic, 69, 75, 85 Antioxidant, 12, 13, 22, 69, 87, 93, 96 Antiviral, 6, 28, 43, 67, 69, 83 Aorta, 14, 69, 96 Apoptosis, 7, 69 Aqueous, 7, 16, 17, 28, 37, 69, 70, 76, 77, 81, 84 Arachidonic Acid, 69, 77, 84, 89 Arterial, 69, 90 Arteries, 69, 71, 75, 85, 94

Arterioles, 69, 71, 72 Ascorbic Acid, 14, 69 Aseptic, 69, 87, 93 Astringents, 69, 85 Atopic, 39, 70 Autoimmune disease, 30, 70 Autolysis, 29, 70 B Bacteria, 16, 68, 69, 70, 75, 78, 79, 80, 85, 93, 95 Bactericidal, 70, 95 Bacteriostatic, 70, 78 Base, 70, 75, 76, 78, 83 Base Sequence, 70, 75 Beta Rays, 70, 77 Bile, 70, 79, 80, 84 Bile Acids, 70, 79 Bioavailability, 12, 16, 19, 21, 70 Bioavailable, 18, 70 Biochemical, 8, 13, 23, 70 Biological response modifier, 70, 83 Biomass, 13, 14, 42, 45, 70 Biotechnology, 5, 6, 16, 17, 46, 51, 70 Biotic, 70, 95 Bloating, 32, 71 Blood Coagulation, 71, 94 Blood pressure, 71, 92 Blood vessel, 39, 71, 72, 77, 94, 95 Body Fluids, 71, 92 Body Mass Index, 71, 87 Bone Marrow, 71, 84, 97 Bowel, 71, 83, 84 Brachytherapy, 71, 83, 91, 96 Branch, 63, 71, 88, 92 Breakdown, 71, 76, 79 Bronchi, 71, 78, 95 Bronchial, 19, 71 Bronchiole, 39, 71 Buccal, 71, 93 C Cadmium, 17, 71 Cadmium Poisoning, 71 Calcium, 7, 12, 15, 34, 35, 37, 71, 74 Callus, 36, 71 Caloric intake, 30, 71 Capillary, 72, 96 Capillary Fragility, 72 Carbohydrate, 72, 80, 87, 89

100 Spirulina

Carbon Dioxide, 19, 38, 72, 75, 91 Carcinogen, 12, 13, 23, 72 Carcinogenic, 72, 82, 95 Cardiovascular, 72, 84 Carotene, 17, 19, 72 Carotenoids, 34, 37, 72 Catechin, 14, 72 Cathode, 70, 72, 77 Cations, 72, 83 Causal, 35, 72 Cell Death, 69, 72, 86 Cell Division, 70, 72, 85, 88 Cell proliferation, 52, 72 Cellulose, 72, 88 Central Nervous System, 72, 84 Cerebellar, 22, 72 Cerebellum, 72 Character, 37, 45, 73, 80 Chemoprevention, 7, 73 Chemotactic Factors, 73, 74 Chlorella, 7, 8, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 35, 36, 40, 42, 45, 73 Chlorophyll, 26, 37, 73, 75 Chloroplasts, 73, 75 Cholesterol, 12, 13, 70, 73 Chromatin, 69, 73 Chronic, 40, 73, 78, 82, 93 Ciliary, 73, 92 Ciliary Body, 73, 92 CIS, 41, 73 Citrus, 69, 73 Clear cell carcinoma, 73, 76 Clinical trial, 4, 51, 73, 75, 91 Cloning, 70, 73 Cobalt, 15, 73 Coenzyme, 3, 69, 73 Cofactor, 73, 90, 94 Collagen, 72, 74 Complement, 68, 74 Complementary and alternative medicine, 21, 26, 74 Complementary medicine, 21, 74 Computational Biology, 51, 74 Conception, 74, 79, 93 Conjugated, 14, 41, 74, 75, 88 Connective Tissue, 69, 71, 74, 75, 91 Consumption, 15, 31, 34, 75, 76, 91 Contamination, 29, 75 Contraindications, ii, 75 Controlled study, 6, 75 Coronary, 75, 85 Coronary Thrombosis, 75, 85

Crystallization, 16, 75 Culture Media, 67, 75 Cyanobacteria, 5, 12, 21, 52, 75 Cyclic, 67, 75, 89 Cyclophosphamide, 14, 22, 75 Cysteine, 67, 75, 93 Cytochrome, 75 Cytokines, 22, 76 Cytoplasm, 69, 76, 77, 80 Cytotoxicity, 6, 76 D Databases, Bibliographic, 51, 76 Deletion, 69, 76 Density, 39, 71, 76, 87 Dermatitis, 39, 76 DES, 12, 18, 68, 76 Developed Countries, 76, 79 Diagnostic procedure, 27, 76 Diffusion, 76, 82, 95 Digestion, 7, 13, 31, 32, 70, 71, 76, 83, 84, 93 Digestive tract, 76, 92 Dihydrotestosterone, 76, 91 Diploid, 76, 88 Direct, iii, 76, 91 Distal, 76, 79, 90 Dose-dependent, 76, 97 Duodenum, 70, 76, 79, 88, 93 E Edema, 76, 86 Effector, 74, 77 Efficacy, 32, 33, 77 Egg Yolk, 40, 77 Eicosanoids, 22, 43, 77 Elective, 8, 77 Electrolyte, 77, 81, 92 Electrons, 41, 69, 70, 72, 77, 83, 87, 90, 91 Elementary Particles, 77, 86 Embryo, 77, 82 Emollient, 77, 80 Emulsions, 67, 77 Endocrine System, 77, 86 Endothelial cell, 16, 22, 77, 94 Endothelium, 22, 77 Endothelium, Lymphatic, 77 Endothelium, Vascular, 77 Endotoxins, 74, 77 Energetic, 31, 78 Enterovirus, 7, 78 Environmental Health, 16, 50, 52, 78 Enzymatic, 28, 71, 72, 74, 78

Index 101

Enzyme, 67, 73, 77, 78, 80, 84, 90, 91, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97 Epinephrine, 67, 78, 86 Epithelium, 77, 78 Erythromycin, 6, 78 Esophageal, 78, 79 Esophagitis, 78, 79 Esophagus, 76, 78, 79, 84, 88, 91, 93 Evacuation, 78, 79, 84 Excipients, 78, 79, 88 Exogenous, 78, 80, 95 External-beam radiation, 78, 83, 90, 96 Extracellular, 75, 78, 92 Extraction, 19, 37, 78 F Family Planning, 51, 78 Fat, 30, 69, 71, 72, 78, 79, 84, 87, 89, 91 Fatigue, 39, 78 Fatty acids, 29, 30, 41, 43, 77, 79, 84, 87, 89 Fatty Liver, 18, 24, 79 Fetus, 35, 79 Filtration, 28, 31, 39, 79 Flatus, 79 Flavoring Agents, 79, 88 Food Additives, 28, 79 Food Coloring Agents, 79 Food Preservatives, 79 Freeze Drying, 34, 79 Fructose, 14, 28, 79 Fungi, 79, 85, 95 G Gallbladder, 67, 79 Gas, 37, 38, 41, 72, 76, 79, 81, 86, 93 Gastric, 4, 6, 31, 32, 79, 81 Gastric Emptying, 4, 6, 31, 32, 33, 79 Gastric Juices, 32, 79 Gastroesophageal Reflux, 4, 79 Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, 4, 79 Gastrointestinal, 71, 78, 80, 84, 93 Gastrointestinal tract, 80, 84 Gene, 8, 70, 80 Glucose, 28, 42, 69, 72, 80, 82 Glucuronic Acid, 28, 80 Glucuronides, 80 Glutathione Peroxidase, 80, 92 Gluten, 19, 80 Glycerol, 52, 80, 88 Glycols, 80, 81 Governing Board, 80, 89 Grade, 73, 80 Gram-negative, 75, 80, 91 Gram-Negative Bacteria, 75, 80, 91

Granulocytes, 80, 96 Growth, 14, 15, 16, 29, 34, 35, 36, 69, 70, 72, 75, 80, 83, 87, 88, 94, 95 H Habitual, 73, 80 Haploid, 80, 88 Heme, 75, 80 Hemodiafiltration, 81, 95 Hemodialysis, 81, 95 Hemofiltration, 81, 95 Hepatotoxicity, 9, 81 Heredity, 80, 81 Herpes, 6, 81 Herpes Zoster, 81 Hormone, 76, 77, 78, 81, 82, 83, 91, 94 Host, 81, 84, 96 Hydrochloric Acid, 32, 81 Hydrogen, 67, 70, 72, 80, 81, 84, 85, 86, 87, 94 Hydrogen Peroxide, 80, 81, 84, 94 Hydrolysis, 28, 81, 90 Hydroxides, 81 Hydroxyl Radical, 14, 81 Hypersensitivity, 81, 84, 91 I Id, 20, 24, 56, 62, 64, 81 Immune response, 30, 69, 70, 81, 93, 96 Immune system, 6, 30, 81, 82, 84, 85, 96 Immunity, 82, 87 Immunodiffusion, 67, 82 Immunoelectrophoresis, 67, 82 Immunoglobulin, 40, 68, 82, 85 Immunologic, 73, 82, 91, 97 Immunosuppressive, 52, 75, 82 Implant radiation, 82, 83, 91, 96 In vitro, 7, 18, 82, 94 In vivo, 82, 94 Incompetence, 79, 82 Indicative, 45, 82, 88, 95 Induction, 18, 82 Infarction, 75, 82, 85 Infection, 25, 40, 69, 70, 73, 82, 84, 91, 93, 96 Inflammation, 29, 30, 69, 73, 76, 78, 81, 82, 84, 91, 93 Ingestion, 42, 71, 82, 89 Initiation, 30, 82 Inoculum, 82, 93 Inorganic, 23, 81, 82 Insulin, 82, 95 Interferon, 6, 83 Interferon-alpha, 83

102 Spirulina

Internal radiation, 83, 91, 96 Interstitial, 71, 83, 96 Intestinal, 32, 72, 78, 83 Intestine, 32, 71, 83 Intracellular, 82, 83, 89, 92, 96 Iodine, 15, 83 Ionizing, 83, 91, 95 Ions, 37, 70, 77, 81, 83 Irradiation, 36, 83, 97 K Kb, 50, 83 L Labile, 74, 83 Lactation, 19, 83 Large Intestine, 76, 83, 91, 92 Larynx, 83, 95 Latent, 84, 89 Laxative, 67, 84 Lens, 36, 39, 84 Lethal, 14, 70, 84 Leukocytes, 71, 73, 76, 80, 83, 84 Leukopenia, 84, 97 Leukotrienes, 43, 69, 77, 84 Library Services, 62, 84 Linkages, 84, 97 Lipid, 18, 23, 77, 80, 82, 84, 87 Lipid Peroxidation, 23, 84, 87 Lipopolysaccharides, 84, 91 Lipoxygenase, 84 Liver, 19, 67, 69, 70, 75, 79, 80, 81, 84 Localized, 82, 84, 88 Locomotion, 84, 88 Lower Esophageal Sphincter, 79, 84 Lymph, 77, 84 Lymphatic, 77, 82, 84 Lymphoid, 68, 85 Lysine, 26, 85 M Macrophage, 15, 18, 85 Malnutrition, 42, 85 Malondialdehyde, 14, 85 Medical Assistance, 31, 85 MEDLINE, 51, 85 Membrane, 73, 74, 80, 83, 85, 86, 88, 91 Mercury, 12, 13, 85 Methionine, 85, 93 Methyl salicylate, 30, 85 MI, 65, 85 Microbe, 85, 94 Microorganism, 8, 73, 85, 96 Mitomycin, 14, 22, 85 Mitosis, 69, 85

Modification, 85, 97 Molecular, 8, 13, 16, 22, 28, 36, 40, 51, 53, 68, 70, 74, 80, 81, 85, 94 Molecule, 69, 70, 73, 74, 77, 81, 85, 87, 91 Monoclonal, 83, 85, 91, 96 Morphological, 35, 77, 85 Mucolytic, 67, 86 Mucosa, 86, 93 Mutagenic, 86, 95 Myocardium, 85, 86 N Nasal Cavity, 39, 86 Nasal Septum, 86 NCI, 1, 49, 73, 86 Necrosis, 69, 82, 85, 86 Need, 3, 52, 57, 86 Nephrosis, 86 Nephrotic, 7, 15, 86 Nephrotic Syndrome, 7, 15, 86 Nerve, 67, 86, 91 Nervous System, 72, 86, 93, 96 Neuroendocrine, 31, 86 Neutrons, 83, 86, 90 Nitrogen, 5, 13, 19, 38, 75, 86 Norepinephrine, 67, 86 Nuclear, 73, 77, 86, 89 Nuclei, 77, 85, 86, 87 Nucleic acid, 70, 86, 87, 96, 97 Nucleus, 69, 70, 73, 75, 76, 77, 86, 87 Nutritive Value, 79, 87 O Oligoelement, 87 Omega-3 fatty acid, 30, 87 Omega-6 Fatty Acids, 30, 87 Opacity, 76, 87 Ophthalmic, 36, 39, 87 Organ Culture, 87, 94 Overweight, 20, 42, 87 Oxidation, 23, 67, 69, 75, 80, 84, 87 Oxidative metabolism, 84, 87 Oxidative Stress, 4, 14, 22, 87 Oxytetracycline, 40, 87 P Palate, 87, 93 Pancreas, 67, 82, 87, 88, 92 Pancreatic, 79, 88 Pancreatic Juice, 79, 88 Particle, 32, 33, 88, 96 Pathologic, 69, 75, 81, 88 Pathologic Processes, 69, 88 Peptide, 88, 90 Perciformes, 88, 92

Index 103

Pharmaceutic Aids, 79, 88 Pharmacologic, 88, 94 Pharynx, 79, 86, 88 Phospholipids, 78, 87, 88 Phosphorus, 71, 88 Phycocyanin, 8, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 37, 40, 88 Physiologic, 88, 89 Pigment, 28, 37, 73, 88 Plana, 88, 92 Plants, 36, 37, 38, 40, 72, 73, 80, 86, 88, 89, 94, 96 Plasma, 68, 77, 88, 89 Plasma cells, 68, 89 Platelets, 30, 89, 94 Poisoning, 71, 85, 89 Polysaccharide, 8, 16, 22, 28, 34, 35, 69, 72, 89 Polyunsaturated fat, 42, 89, 94 Power Plants, 38, 89 Practice Guidelines, 53, 89 Precursor, 69, 75, 77, 78, 86, 89 Predisposition, 30, 89 Progression, 68, 89 Progressive, 80, 86, 89 Prostaglandin, 43, 89, 94 Prostaglandins A, 89 Protein C, 14, 33, 68, 90 Protein S, 34, 38, 70, 78, 90 Proteins, 5, 18, 19, 23, 56, 68, 69, 73, 74, 76, 77, 78, 82, 85, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 95, 96 Proteinuria, 86, 90 Proteolytic, 74, 90 Protozoa, 29, 85, 90, 95 Proximal, 76, 86, 90 Public Assistance, 85, 90 Public Policy, 51, 90 Publishing, 5, 90 Pulmonary, 71, 75, 81, 84, 90, 96 Pulse, 13, 90 Pulse Radiolysis, 13, 90 Purifying, 38, 90 Putrefaction, 29, 90 Pyloric Sphincter, 32, 90 R Radiation, 12, 77, 78, 83, 90, 91, 92, 96 Radiation therapy, 78, 83, 90, 96 Radioactive, 81, 82, 83, 87, 91, 96 Radiolabeled, 83, 91, 96 Radiotherapy, 71, 83, 91, 97 Randomized, 77, 91 Reagent, 81, 91 Rectum, 76, 79, 83, 91

Recurrence, 73, 91 Reductase, 23, 91 Refer, 1, 71, 74, 79, 81, 84, 86, 91 Reflux, 79, 91 Regeneration, 19, 91 Regimen, 77, 91 Regurgitation, 79, 91 Respiration, 72, 87, 91 Retina, 73, 84, 91, 92 Rhamnose, 28, 91 Rheumatism, 91 Rheumatoid, 30, 91 Rheumatoid arthritis, 30, 91 Ribose, 28, 91 Rigidity, 88, 91 S Salicylate, 92 Saline, 92 Screening, 73, 92 Sea Bream, 14, 92 Secretion, 83, 92 Selenium, 12, 15, 18, 92 Selenomethionine, 18, 92 Serous, 77, 92 Serrata, 13, 21, 73, 92 Serrated, 92 Serum, 18, 19, 35, 68, 74, 92 Side effect, 52, 67, 75, 92, 94 Skeleton, 89, 92 Small intestine, 32, 76, 81, 83, 90, 92 Sodium, 13, 16, 18, 22, 56, 92 Sodium Selenite, 18, 92 Solar Energy, 29, 92 Solvent, 33, 80, 92 Soma, 92 Somatic, 35, 85, 92 Somatic cells, 35, 85, 92 Soybean Oil, 89, 92, 96 Specialist, 57, 92 Species, 5, 7, 13, 15, 22, 37, 40, 52, 78, 85, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96 Spectrum, 93, 95 Sphincter, 32, 84, 93 Spinal cord, 72, 73, 86, 93 Stagnation, 29, 93 Steatosis, 79, 93 Sterility, 75, 93 Stomach, 32, 67, 76, 78, 79, 80, 81, 84, 88, 90, 91, 92, 93 Stomatitis, 39, 93 Stress, 13, 72, 87, 89, 91, 93 Subacute, 82, 93

104 Spirulina

Subclinical, 82, 93 Subculture, 35, 93 Subspecies, 93 Substance P, 78, 92, 93 Substrate, 31, 41, 93 Suction, 79, 93 Sulfur, 38, 85, 93 Sulfur Dioxide, 38, 93 Superoxide, 94 Superoxide Dismutase, 94 Supplementation, 4, 15, 18, 30, 94 Suppression, 94, 97 Systemic, 69, 71, 78, 82, 83, 91, 93, 94, 96 T Terminator, 94, 97 Testosterone, 91, 94 Thermal, 38, 86, 94 Thrombin, 90, 94 Thrombocytes, 89, 94 Thrombomodulin, 90, 94 Thrombosis, 90, 94 Thromboxanes, 69, 77, 94 Thyroid, 83, 94 Tilapia, 14, 94 Tissue, 22, 35, 36, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 83, 85, 86, 88, 91, 92, 94 Tissue Culture, 36, 94 Topical, 30, 69, 81, 94 Toxic, iv, 76, 82, 92, 93, 94, 97 Toxicity, 12, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 85, 94 Toxicology, 52, 94 Toxins, 69, 77, 80, 82, 94 Trace element, 73, 92, 95 Trachea, 39, 71, 83, 88, 94, 95 Transfection, 70, 95 Transferases, 95 Translation, 78, 95

Translocation, 78, 95 Tuberculosis, 75, 95 Type 2 diabetes, 17, 95 U Ultrafiltration, 37, 81, 95 Ultraviolet Rays, 36, 95 Unconscious, 81, 95 Univalent, 81, 87, 95 V Vaccines, 95, 96 Vagina, 76, 95 Valves, 32, 95 Vascular, 30, 77, 82, 95 Vasomotor, 14, 22, 95 Vegetative, 70, 95 Veins, 71, 96 Venous, 90, 96 Ventricle, 90, 96 Venules, 71, 72, 77, 96 Veterinary Medicine, 51, 96 Viral, 16, 34, 35, 67, 96, 97 Virulence, 94, 96 Virus, 6, 12, 34, 83, 96 Virus Replication, 12, 34, 96 Viscera, 92, 96 Viscosity, 67, 96 Vitamin E, 96 Vitro, 96 W White blood cell, 30, 68, 84, 85, 89, 96 X Xenograft, 68, 96 X-ray, 72, 83, 87, 90, 91, 95, 96 X-ray therapy, 83, 96 Z Zidovudine, 52, 97 Zymogen, 90, 97

Index 105

106 Spirulina

Index 107

108 Spirulina