Implementing the Mindfulness-Based Interventions; Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI:TAC) in Mindfulness-Based Teacher Training

The Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI:TAC) was originally developed as a tool to assess the teaching competence of mindfulness-based program (MBP) teachers. The tool was made freely available and has since been used by mindfulness-based teacher training organisations internationally. During this time the MBI:TAC has evolved in its usage, from an assessment tool to one which informally supports how MBP teachers are trained. In this article, we first examine the rationale for implementing the MBI:TAC in MBP teacher training; second, we offer practical guidance on ways of integrating the tool into teacher training pathways with awareness of its potential and possible pitfalls; and third, we offer guidance on using the tool as a framework for giving effective feedback to trainees on their teaching practice. Implementing the MBI:TAC in teacher training may support the quality and integrity of MBP teacher training, and thus ensure high quality MBP teachers graduating. In turn this may help avoid the 'implementation cliff' - that is, the quality of an intervention delivery is delivered in optimal conditions when it is being researched, and drops in quality when delivered in sub-optimal, 'real world' conditions.

Antileishmanial sesquiterpene lactones from Pseudelephantopus spicatus, a traditional remedy from the Chayahuita Amerindians (Peru). Part III

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The study of traditional remedies used by the Chayahuita, an ethnic group from the Peruvian Amazonia, has prompted us to investigate in detail the ethanolic extract of Pseudelephantopus spicatus (Juss. ex Aubl.) C.F. Baker, which has demonstrated strong biological activity towards Leishmania amazonensis. Our goal was to discover the active compound of this plant-based remedy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A bioguided fractionation of the crude extract was undertaken based on the biological activity recorded against Leishmania amazonensis axenic amastigotes in in vitro bioassays.

RESULTS

Three strongly to moderately active compounds were isolated: two hirsutinolides (the 8,13-diacetyl-piptocarphol and the 8-acetyl-13-O-ethyl-piptocarphol) and ursolic acid. IC(50) against Leishmania amazonensis axenic amastigotes are respectively 0.2, 0.37 and 0.99 μM (while IC(50) of amphotericin B is 0.41 μM). These compounds have never been isolated from this plant species, and germacranolides have never been identified as potential antileishmanial agents.

CONCLUSIONS

The compounds isolated from Pseudelephantopus spicatus account for the antileishmanial activity of the plant, thus giving support to its use by the Chayahuita in Peru.

New tricyclic and tetracyclic pyranocoumarins with an unprecedented C-4 substituent. Structure elucidation of tamanolide, tamanolide D and tamanolide P from Calophyllum inophyllum of French Polynesia

Three new pyranocoumarin derivatives, tamanolide (1), tamanolide D (2) and tamanolide P (3), were isolated from the almond seeds of Calophyllum inophyllum L. (Clusiaceae) grown in French Polynesia. These compounds, having an unprecedented C-4 isobutyl substituent, have been characterized as a new class of pyranocoumarins called tamanolides. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR techniques (COSY, NOESY, HSQC and HMBC) in association with MS (HR-ESI-MS) data analysis.

Structures of new secofriedelane and friedelane acids from Calophyllum inophyllum of French Polynesia

Three new friedelane-type triterpenoids, 3,4-secofriedelan-3,28-dioic acid (1), 27-hydroxyacetate canophyllic acid (2) and 3-oxo-27-hydroxyacetate friedelan-28-oic acid (3), were isolated from the leaves of Calophyllum inophyllum (Clusiaceae) grown in French Polynesia. Their structures were established by the concerted application of 2D NMR techniques including gs-COSY, gs-HMQC and gs-HMBC.