From the Paper
"The heme biosynthetic pathway occurs in practically all cell types. Heme is used to form different hemoproteins in a variety of organelles. Within hepatic and erythroid cells, for example, considerable quantities of heme are used as prosthetic groups for cytochrome P450 and hemoglobin, respectively. The regulation of heme biosynthesis has been under investigation for many years. In non-erythroid cells, the rate of heme biosynthesis depends on 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS). This enzyme is largely controlled by the concentration of heme itself. In contrast, heme biosynthesis in erythroid cells is regulated by iron availability. Erythroid cells possess a 5-aminolevulinate synthase isozyme (e-ALAS) containing an iron responsive element (IRE)."

Abstract
This paper discusses that many physicians considered opium to be perhaps the best natural pain reliever ever discovered. The paper states that Australia and France are sanctioned by the United Nations to grow opium poppies legally for the production and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals. The author believes by employing new methods of biosynthesis to produce genetically altered plants, researchers hope to grow morphine-free opium poppies, ensuring a stable supply of codeine. This paper is complete with pictures and graphs of the chemical structure.

From the Paper
"Papaver somniferum has been used medicinally for centuries for its ability to produce a number of opiates that act as analgesics. The earliest recorded history of opium cultivation is approximately 3400 B.C., in lower Mesopotamia. The tradition of opium cultivation for medicinal purposes was carried on from the Sumerians, to the Assyrians, to the Babylonians, to the Egyptians, and so on to present day. Cultural references to the use of the opium poppy can be found in literary and medical texts, for instance the use of opium can be found in Homer's Iliad (850 B.C.) and with in the Hippocratic Corpus (460 B.C.)".

Tags:drugs, pain, reliever, legal, grow, production, pharmaceuticals, biosynthesis, codeine, cough, morphine

Abstract
This paper explains that, although aspirin has been found in many to be effective in treating patients with heart disease including myocardial infarction, many patients cannot successful take aspirin due to complicating factors that result in bleeding being triggered by aspirin. Next, the author presents an extensive literature review, the methodology for the original study and the results in table format. The paper concludes that this study found that aqueous solutions of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) hydrolyzes rapidly, which correlates with a diminished 'ex vivo' ASA effect on platelet function. The paper includes 22 figures and three tables.

Table of Contents:
Table of Contents
List of Tables and Figures
Abstract
Introduction
Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Organization of the Study
Terms and Definitions
Literature Review
Anti-Platelet Effects of Aspirin
VerifyNow Assay
Methodology, Results, Summary and Conclusion
Methodology
Results of Study
Summary of Results
Conclusions of the Study

From the Paper
"The work of Hillman (2009) entitled: "Platelet Aspirin Resistance Detection and Validation" states that it was concluded by Tantry et al that the occurrence of aspirin resistance "in published reports is overestimated, implying that this was due to the use of assays that did not measure cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) activity. Although these investigators reported an incidence of aspirin resistance of _0.4%, several reviews estimate, based on a large number of studies, that the incidence of aspirin resistance is between 5% and 45%." There are stated to be serious limitations in the Tantry et al study that "call into question the generalizability of their findings." Stated first is that the research population of Tantry et al was comprised mainly of patients with stable angina. It is stated that a number of studies have demonstrated that "...aspirin resistance is more prevalent in patients with acute coronary syndromes than in patients with stable angina, and thus their study may underestimate the prevalence of aspirin resistance in those at greatest risk."
"Stated secondly is that through "...employing a dose of 325 mg of aspirin, their data may not be applicable to the vast majority of patients who currently are treated with 81 mg per day." Third stated is that because their definition of aspirin resistance "...has not been validated against clinical outcomes, it is arbitrary and thus must be viewed as speculative. Fourth, the thrombelastograph (TEG) assay they use has not undergone extensive critical evaluation.""

Tags:aggregability, prostaglandis biosynthesis, platelet secretion, aqueous solution, donor