University of Jordan

About: University of Jordan is a education organization based out in Amman, Jordan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 7796 authors who have published 13764 publications receiving 213526 citations.

Pharmacological profile of essential oils derived from Lavandula angustifolia and Melissa officinalis with anti-agitation properties : focus on ligand-gated channels

Abstract: Both Melissa officinalis (Mo) and Lavandula angustifolia (La) essential oils have putative anti-agitation properties in humans, indicating common components with a depressant action in the central nervous system. A dual radioligand binding and electrophysiological study, focusing on a range of ligand-gated ion channels, was performed with a chemically validated essential oil derived from La, which has shown clinical benefit in treating agitation. La inhibited [35S] TBPS binding to the rat forebrain gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)(A) receptor channel (apparent IC50 = 0.040 +/- 0.001 mg mL(-1)), but had no effect on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) or nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. A 50:50 mixture of Mo and La essential oils inhibited [3H] flunitrazepam binding, whereas the individual oils had no significant effect. Electrophysiological analyses with rat cortical primary cultures demonstrated that La reversibly inhibited GABA-induced currents in a concentration-dependent manner (0.01-1 mg mL(-1)), whereas no inhibition of NMDA- or AMPA-induced currents was noted. La elicited a significant dose-dependent reduction in both inhibitory and excitatory transmission, with a net depressant effect on neurotransmission (in contrast to the classic GABA(A) antagonist picrotoxin which evoked profound epileptiform burst firing in these cells). These properties are similar to those recently reported for Mo. The anti-agitation effects in patients and the depressant effects of La we report in neural membranes in-vitro are unlikely to reflect a sedative interaction with any of the ionotropic receptors examined here. These data suggest that components common to the two oils are worthy of focus to identify the actives underlying the neuronal depressant and anti-agitation activities reported.

COMMUNICATING BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH TO CAMPUS DESIGN Factors Affecting the Perception and Use of Outdoor Spaces at the University of Jordan

Abstract: This article focuses on the study of outdoor spaces at the University of Jordan located in Amman, the capital of Jordan. The objective is to assess user perceptions and patterns of outdoor space use. This researcher used a qualitative approach to gain insights into aspects of human-environment intersections. The present study analyzed a qualitative data set on decision choices to visit an outdoor campus area. The aim was to determine whether meanings and significance existed. A total of 140 participants including students, faculty, and administrative staff made a series of choices concerning outdoor spaces that they would visit. Following the interviews, this researcher inspected the most frequented 10 open spaces, as mentioned by the participants, and recorded the physical features that were noted to be related to use of the space. Findings of this study revealed that outdoor spaces between university buildings are focal points in student everyday behavior. Designers of outdoor spaces need to keep abreas...