University of Charleston

About: University of Charleston is a education organization based out in Charleston, West Virginia, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Pharmacy & Health care. The organization has 288 authors who have published 357 publications receiving 8241 citations. The organization is also known as: Morris Harvey College & UC.

A Critical Approach to Evaluating Clinical Efficacy, Adverse Events and Drug Interactions of Herbal Remedies.

Abstract: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses represent the uppermost ladders in the hierarchy of evidence. Systematic reviews/meta-analyses suggest preliminary or satisfactory clinical evidence for agnus castus (Vitex agnus castus) for premenstrual complaints, flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) for hypertension, feverfew (Tanacetum partenium) for migraine prevention, ginger (Zingiber officinalis) for pregnancy-induced nausea, ginseng (Panax ginseng) for improving fasting glucose levels as well as phytoestrogens and St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) for the relief of some symptoms in menopause. However, firm conclusions of efficacy cannot be generally drawn. On the other hand, inconclusive evidence of efficacy or contradictory results have been reported for Aloe vera in the treatment of psoriasis, cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) in cystitis prevention, ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) for tinnitus and intermittent claudication, echinacea (Echinacea spp.) for the prevention of common cold and pomegranate (Punica granatum) for the prevention/treatment of cardiovascular diseases. A critical evaluation of the clinical data regarding the adverse effects has shown that herbal remedies are generally better tolerated than synthetic medications. Nevertheless, potentially serious adverse events, including herb-drug interactions, have been described. This suggests the need to be vigilant when using herbal remedies, particularly in specific conditions, such as during pregnancy and in the paediatric population. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An iron limitation mosaic in the California upwelling regime

Abstract: Although Fe limitation is well documented in open ocean high -nutrient, low -chlorophyll (HNLC) areas, little is known about the potential for Fe limitation in coastal environments. We present a series of four Fe addition experiments that demonstrate varying degrees of Fe limitation in the central California coastal upwelling area. Fe concentrations vary widely here ( 8.0 nM) because inputs from rivers and resuspended shelf sediments are unevenly distributed. The biological response to Fe availability is also extremely variable. Fe-replete areas experience extensive blooms of large diatoms and almost complete depletion of nutrients. In slightly Fe-stressed areas, Fe limits the growth of large diatoms but does not control nutrient biogeochemistry or growth of other planktonic organisms. In severely Fe-limited waters, Fe exerts a fundamental control on nitrate and silicic acid drawdown, particulate organic carbon production, and the growth of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and bacteria. We propose a four -level classification scheme for Fe limitation in coastal California waters. Each level is characterized by a set of specific biological and biogeochemical responses to Fe. Parameters that show a characteristic response to Fe addition and thus define a region's Fe limitation status include particulate Si:N and Si:C production ratios, NO3− and H2SiO3 drawdown, C fixation, large diatom and picoplankton growth, bacterial production, and zooplankton grazing and biomass. Fe limitation of coastal upwelling regions needs to be recognized as an important biogeochemical process that could profoundly affect global new production and carbon cycling. The physical, chemical, and biological complexity of coastal upwelling regimes requires that Fe limitation effects be addressed with a more sophisticated approach than has generally been used to describe oceanic HNLC regimes.

Rapid and early export of Phaeocystis antarctica blooms in the Ross Sea, Antarctica

Abstract: The Southern Ocean is very important for the potential sequestration of carbon dioxide in the oceans1 and is expected to be vulnerable to changes in carbon export forced by anthropogenic climate warming2. Annual phytoplankton blooms in seasonal ice zones are highly productive and are thought to contribute significantly to pCO2 drawdown in the Southern Ocean. Diatoms are assumed to be the most important phytoplankton class with respect to export production in the Southern Ocean; however, the colonial prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis antarctica regularly forms huge blooms in seasonal ice zones and coastal Antarctic waters3. There is little evidence regarding the fate of carbon produced by P. antarctica in the Southern Ocean, although remineralization in the upper water column has been proposed to be the main pathway in polar waters4,5. Here we present evidence for early and rapid carbon export from P. antarctica blooms to deep water and sediments in the Ross Sea. Carbon sequestration from P. antarctica blooms may influence the carbon cycle in the Southern Ocean, especially if projected climatic changes lead to an alteration in the structure of the phytoplankton community6,7.

CO2 sensitivity of Southern Ocean phytoplankton

Abstract: [1] The Southern Ocean exerts a strong impact on marine biogeochemical cycles and global air-sea CO2 fluxes. Over the coming century, large increases in surface ocean CO2 levels, combined with increased upper water column temperatures and stratification, are expected to diminish Southern Ocean CO2 uptake. These effects could be significantly modulated by concomitant CO2-dependent changes in the region's biological carbon pump. Here we show that CO2 concentrations affect the physiology, growth and species composition of phytoplankton assemblages in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. Field results from in situ sampling and ship-board incubation experiments demonstrate that inorganic carbon uptake, steady-state productivity and diatom species composition are sensitive to CO2 concentrations ranging from 100 to 800 ppm. Elevated CO2 led to a measurable increase in phytoplankton productivity, promoting the growth of larger chain-forming diatoms. Our results suggest that CO2 concentrations can influence biological carbon cycling in the Southern Ocean, thereby creating potential climate feedbacks.

Patterns of spread of coral disease in the Florida Keys

Abstract: Reefs in the Florida Keys are experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of localities and number of species with coral disease. In extensive surveys from Key Largo to Key West in 160 stations at 40 randomly chosen sites, there has been a dramatic increase in (1) the number of locations exhibiting disease (82% of all stations are now affected, a 404% increase over 1996 values), (2) the number of species affected (85% of all species are now affected, a 218% increase over 1996 values), and (3) the rate of coral mortality (the deep fore-reef at Carysfort experienced a 60% reduction of living coral cover during the survey). Two null hypotheses (1) that the incidence of disease has remained constant through time and (2) that the apparent increase in disease is due to a lack of comparable earlier data, are both falsified. Different diseases exhibit different patterns of spread: some diseases (e.g. black band) exhibit low incidence and jump rapidly between sites; other diseases (e.g. white pox) exhibit patchy distributions and increase in frequency at affected sites from one year to the next. The central question of why so many corals are becoming simultaneously susceptible to a host of marine pathogens remains unanswered.