Huron Smith's ethnobotany of the Hocąk (Winnebago)

The Hocak, commonly known as the Winnebago, are one of the original tribes in the present state of Wisconsin. The field notes of Huron Smith, compiled in the late 1920s and early 1930s, document the extensive use of plant materials by Hocak people. Smith's notes contain references to 199 vascular plant species in 74 families, with recorded uses for 153 of these species. Medicinal plants (with 117 species) comprise the largest category, followed by food (37 species), and fiber and material uses (22 species). Smith's work is unique for its time because he thoroughly explored the tribal uses of the plants in addition to collecting voucher specimens and photographic plates, and because it remains the most extensive Hocąk ethnobotanical study. Added to Smith's other works of tribes in Wisconsin (Menominee, Meskwaki, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi), the Hocak ethnobotany broadens the cultural base of his regional compilation of Native North American plant uses. In addition, this is an important body of information for the Hocąk people and those interested in their use of plants.     

Napromienianie dwa razy dziennie podwyższoną dawką frakcyjną chorych z przerzutami nowotworów złośliwych do mózgu. Wyniki końcowe prospektywnego badania klinicznego w nierandomizowanej grupie chorych

AimTo evaluate the morbidity and effectivness of twice a day hypofractionation in patients with brain metastases.Material / methodsBetween 1992 and 2000, 116 patients with brain metastases have been treated with whole brain radiotherapy alone and only in 33 patients radiotherapy was applied as adjuvant treatment after surgery. Radiotherapy was given in two of 3 Gy fractions daily with minimum 6 hours intervals between fractions to total dose of 39 Gy. Mean age of treated patients was 55 years. All patients were in general performance status evaluated according to the Karnofsky Performance Scale of at least 50.ResultsEarly tolerance of treatment was acceptable. Of 116 patients only 20 patients were treated with supportive treatment (anti-oedema drugs). Improvement of the neurological status was obtained in 26 patients (22%). The one-year overall survival was 21%. The one–year survival without clinical progression of disease was observed in 10% of all treated patients. Patients with solitary brain metastases treated with surgery and radiotherapy showed the best results.ConclusionsOur results showed that twice a day hypo-fractionation radiotherapy for patients with brain metastases is well tolerated and may provides benefit.