基于分子和形态学证据确定传统中药白花蛇舌草及其替代品的学名(英文)

白花蛇舌草是我国重要的传统中药,主要是指茜草科(Rubiaceae)钮扣草族(Spermacoceae)的Oldenlandia diffusa,但伞房花耳草(O.corymbosa)在民间或中药市场也常被作为替代品使用。由于长期以来Hedyotis-Oldenlandia复合群的分类存在许多争论,因此白花蛇舌草有时被归入非洲耳草属(Oldenlandia L.),有时又作为广义耳草属(Hedyotis L.s.l.)的成员。为了澄清白花蛇舌草命名上的问题,基于7个叶绿体片段和2个核基因片段对钮扣草族85个分类群进行了系统发育分析。结果表明,白花蛇舌草不属于以上两属中的任何一属,而应为蛇舌草属[Scleromitrion(WightArn.)Meisn.]的成员。依此结果,对5种植物进行了新组合,并提供了白花蛇舌草和伞房花耳草的形态学比较,以有助于在实践中更好地进行区分。     

Comparison of eating quality and physicochemical properties between Japanese and Chinese rice cultivars

In this study, we evaluated 16 Japanese and Chinese rice cultivars in terms of their main chemical components, iodine absorption curve, apparent amylose content (AAC), pasting property, resistant starch content, physical properties, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis, and enzyme activity. Based on these quality evaluations, we concluded that Chinese rice varieties are characterized by a high protein and the grain texture after cooking has high hardness and low stickiness. In a previous study, we developed a novel formula for estimating AAC based on the iodine absorption curve. The validation test showed a determination coefficient of 0.996 for estimating AAC of Chinese rice cultivars as unknown samples. In the present study, we developed a novel formulae for estimating the balance degree of the surface layer of cooked rice (A3/A1: a ratio of workload of stickiness and hardness) based on the iodine absorption curve obtained using milled rice.     

Studies on the Flavor of Green Tea

In order to investigate how the flavor of fresh tea-leaves turn into that of green tea, six essential oils were obtained from chopped fresh tea-leaves, whole tea-leaves, and their residues after steaming, green tea and black tea by steam-distillation. They are then compared with each other in regard to their flavor, amount of I₂-absorption, βγ-hexenol content and ultraviolet spectrum. It is concluded that the change mentioned above is produced partly by fleeing of βγ-hexenol and partly by some chemical change concerning βγ-hexenol.     

Studies on the Flavor of Green Tea

By continuing flavor analysis of green tea from a previous paper, further twenty seven compounds were newly identified. These compounds are limonene, α-cubebene, α-copaene, caryophyllene, α-humulene, α- and γ-muurolene, β-sesquiphellandrene, δ-cadinene, calamenene, cubenol, α-cadinol, α-terpineol, n-heptanol, n-nonanol, furfurylalcohol, n-nonanal, N-ethylformylpyrrole, pyrrylmethylketone, 6-methyl-trans-3,5-heptadien-2-one, 2′,2″-dihydro-α-ionone, 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone, cis-3-hexenylcaproate, cis-3-hexenylbenzoate, α-terpinylacetate, coumarin and diphenylamine.

Relative quantities of known compounds in intermediate- and high-boiling fraction were determined.     

Studies on the Flavor of Green Tea

With an assumption that the laver-like odor of green tea is due to dimethyl sulfide, an attempt to isolate dimethyl sulfide from commercial green tea was made, and the identification of dimethyl sulfide was successful by making the co-ordinated compound with mercuric chloride, 2 (CH₃) ₂S·3HgCl₂. In addition, the presence of methylmethionine sulfonium salt in tea extract as a precursor of dimethyl sulfide was examined.     

Studies on the Flavor of Green Tea

The essential oil from manufactured green tea was separated into carboxylic, phenolic, carbonyl and alcoholic fractions and analysed by gas chromatography.

Seventeen alchols, two carbonyls, seven acids and two phenolic compounds were identified on the basis of their relative retention times and aroma of effluents by comparing with authentic compounds.

The quantities of these compounds were also determined by gas chromatography.

Four alcohols (present in rather high amounts), two caronyls, three esters and two phenols have remained unidentified.     

Studies on the Flavor of Green Tea

The neutral fraction of the essential oil from freshly plucked tea-leaves was submitted to gas chromatography and the eluted components condensed in the capillary traps. The components were identified by the retention times, the odor as well as by infrared spectra, elementary analyses and preparation of derivatives. Among fourty two components, three isomers of linalooloxide and cis-jasmone were newly identified and the presence of acetates of trans- and cis-3-hexen-l-ol was presumed.     

Phylogenetic and Morphological Evolution of Green Euglenophytes Based on 18S rRNA

Green euglenophytes are a group of eukaryotes with ancient origin. In order to understand the evolution of the group, it is interesting to know which characteristics are more primitive. Here, a phylogenetic tree of green euglenophytes based on the 18S rRNA gene was constructed, and ancestral states were reconstructed based on eight morphological characters. This research clarifies the phylogenetic relationships of green euglenophytes and provides a basis for the study of the origin of these plants. The phylogenetic tree, which was constructed by Bayesian inference, revealed that: Eutreptia and Eutreptiella were sister groups and that Lepocinclis, Phacus, and Discoplastis were close relatives; Euglena, Cryptoglena, Monomorphina, and Colacium were closely related in addition to Trachelomonas and Strombomonas; and Euglena was not monophyletic. An ancestral reconstruction based on morphological characters revealed seven primitive character states: ductile surface, spirally striated, slightly narrowing or sharp elongated cauda, absence of a lorica, chloroplast lamellar, shield or large discoid, pyrenoid with sheath, and with many small paramylon grains. However, the ancestral state of the length of the flagellum could not be inferred. Euglena and Euglenaria, which both possessed all of the ancestral character states, might represent the most ancient lineages of green euglenophytes.     

Comparison of thermoregulatory responses to heat between Japanese Brazilians and Japanese

1. 1. Eight male Japanese Brazilians and 11 male Japanese volunteered for this study. Each one sat on a chair for 45 min at 40°C (r.h. 50%).

2. 2. Then, they exercised using a bicycle ergometer in a semi-reclining position for 45 min at 40% of maximal oxygen uptake.

3. 3. Thermal and comfort sensation confirmed that Japanese Brazilians felt cooler and more comfortable in 40°C environment than the Japanese.

4. 4. Oxygen uptake, sweat rate and body weight loss for both groups were not significantly different.

5. 5. Forearm blood flow and heart rate for Brazilians were significantly lower than those for Japanese.

6. 6. Skin temperature at chest region for Brazilians was found to be significantly higher than that for Japanese.

7. 7. Thus the thermoregulatory responses observed in Japanese Brazilians may be largely attributed to the climate in their native places located on the Tropic of Capricorn.

8. 8. These results may indicate that environment condition is the important factor in determining the thermoregulatory responses.

基于叶绿体16S rRNA的绿色裸藻类系统发育及性状进化研究

该研究基于叶绿体16S rRNA基因序列,构建绿色裸藻类的系统发育树,并对绿色裸藻类植物8个形态性状进行祖先重建分析,以明确绿色裸藻类植物的系统演化关系,为研究该类植物的起源提供理论依据。结果表明：(1)贝叶斯法构建的绿色裸藻类系统发育树显示,双鞭藻属与拟双鞭藻属互为姐妹群,扁裸藻属、鳞孔藻属和盘裸藻属亲缘关系较近,而囊裸藻属和陀螺藻属亲缘关系较近,裸藻属、隐裸藻属、柄裸藻属和旋形藻属亲缘关系较近,表明裸藻属不是一个单系类群。(2)基于形态性状的祖先重建结果显示,绿色裸藻类相对原始的7个性状包括：表质柔软易变形,出现螺旋形线纹,细胞后端渐尖或尖尾刺状,无囊壳,叶绿体为片状、盾状或大盘状,具无鞘蛋白核,副淀粉粒为小颗粒状且数量不定,而鞭毛长度不能推断可能的祖先状态。(3)综合8种性状祖先重建结果发现,裸藻属和眼裸藻属植物具有所有原始性状,可能是最先出现的绿色裸藻类的祖先。     

茶绿色素的制取工艺及稳定性研究

本文以低档绿茶为原料,用含水乙醇提取出天然茶绿色素,并对其制取工艺流程及产品的性质进行了研究。结果表明：茶绿色素的稳定性较好,并含有茶多酚、氨基酸,维生素Ｃ和微量元素等营养保健成分,是颇具开发应用价值的一种天然食用色素     

Comparison of carbohydrate digestion between Japanese and Polish healthy subjects

We have revealed that light environment affects digestion and absorption of dietary carbohydrates in the gastrointestinal tract. This experimental result supposes that the efficiency of carbohydrate absorption may differ among people who live in different latitudes, such as Japanese and Polish people, at the same calendar season. In order to prove this hypothesis, we have been comparing the efficiency of carbohydrate absorption using the breath hydrogen test in Japan and Poland. Here, we report the comparison of the result obtained in the summer of 2004 as the following; (1) Orocecal transit time (OCTT) for indigestible trisaccharide of Japanese subjects was significantly longer than that in Poland (p = 0.043). (2) On the ingestion of minestrone, the amount of unabsorbed carbohydrate of Japanese subjects (which was estimated as trisaccharide equivalent) was significantly larger than that of Polish subjects (p = 0.006).     

浅淡中英文昆虫名称与文化

昆虫是地球上最富多样性的类群 ,对中英两种文化的影响既有共同的方面 ,也存在明显的差异。该文介绍了常见的昆虫名称所产生的诗句、成语、谚语和俗语的内涵及其对各自文化的影响。     

Associations of Green Tea and Rock Tea Consumption with Risk of Impaired Fasting Glucose and Impaired Glucose Tolerance in Chinese Men and Women

Objective

To explore the associations of green tea and rock tea consumption with risk of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

Methods

A multistage, stratified, cluster, random-sampling method was used to select a representative sample from Fujian Province in China. In total, 4808 subjects without cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer, or pancreatic, liver, kidney, or gastrointestinal diseases were enrolled in the study. A standard questionnaire was used to gather data on tea (green, rock, and black) consumption and other relevant factors. The assessment of impaired glucose regulation (IGR) was using 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the diagnostic criteria of normal glucose tolerance was according to American Diabetes Association.

Results

Green tea consumption was associated with a lower risk of IFG, while rock tea consumption was associated with a lower risk of IGT. The adjusted odds ratios for IFG for green tea consumption of <1, 1–15, 16–30, and >30 cups per week were 1.0 (reference), 0.42 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.27–0.65), 0.23 (95% CI, 0.12–0.46), and 0.41 (95% CI, 0.17–0.93), respectively. The adjusted odds ratios for IGT for rock tea consumption of <1, 1–15, 16–30, and >30 cups per week were 1.0 (reference), 0.69 (95% CI, 0.48–0.98), 0.59 (95% CI, 0.39–0.90), and 0.64 (95% CI, 0.43–0.97), respectively. A U-shaped association was observed, subjects who consumed 16–30 cups of green or rock tea per week having the lowest odds ratios for IFG or IGT.

Conclusions

Consumption of green or rock tea may protect against the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese men and women, particularly in those who drink 16–30 cups per week.     

Effects of Catechin Enriched Green Tea on Body Composition

Obesity is a major health problem in the developed and developing world. Many “functional” foods and ingredients are advocated for their effects on body composition but few have consistent scientific support for their efficacy. However, an increasing amount of mechanistic and clinical evidence is building for green tea (GT). This experiment was therefore undertaken to study the effects of a high‐catechin GT on body composition in a moderately overweight Chinese population. In a randomized placebo‐controlled trial, 182 moderately overweight Chinese subjects, consumed either two servings of a control drink (C; 30 mg catechins, 10 mg caffeine/day), one serving of the control drink and one serving of an extra high‐catechin GT1 (458 mg catechins, 104 mg caffeine/day), two servings of a high‐catechin GT2 (468 mg catechins, 126 mg caffeine/day) or two servings of the extra high‐catechin GT3 (886 mg catechins, 198 mg caffeine/day) for 90 days. Data were collected at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days. We observed a decrease in estimated intra‐abdominal fat (IAF) area of 5.6 cm² in the GT3 group. In addition, we found decreases of 1.9 cm in waist circumference and 1.2 kg body weight in the GT3 group vs. C (P < 0.05). We also observed reductions in total body fat (GT2, 0.7 kg, P < 0.05) and body fat % (GT1, 0.6%, P < 0.05). We conclude that consumption of two servings of an extra high‐catechin GT leads to improvements in body composition and reduces abdominal fatness in moderately overweight Chinese subjects.     

Morphological observations on the congenital malformation of limbs in the Japanese monkey

Congenital malformation of limbs is found in many troops of the Japanese monkey. The author morphologically examined more than ten monkeys with such malformations by means of palpation and Röntgenographing. Anatomical dissection was performed on two of these monkeys. Malformation manifests a considerable variety of forms, from the reduction or absence of fingers to almost total lack of limbs, and is prone to occur in the region of the third finger, the center of malformation, occasionally showing a “split” or “cleft” hand or foot. The latter tendency is more conspicuous in the hand than in the foot. In a word, most of the malformations are characterized by congenital amputation, though the degree varies considerably. The occurrence of supernumerary digits was not found and fusion between fingers was rare. One of the most interesting anatomical results found may be the continuation or fusion between muscles which are normally opposed to each other in action. The occurrence of malformation is more frequent in the male than in the female, and in the hand than in the foot. Little is known about the causes of such malformations, except that they do not occur, at least, according to dominant inheritance.     

Comparison of the Menopause and Midlife Transition between Japanese American and European American Women

Cross-cultural differences in the meaning and experience of the universal biologic phenomenon of the menopause have been well documented. Very few studies, however, have focused on the response to the midlife transition among ethnic minority women in the United States, and even fewer exist about Asian American women. This exploratory study compared the perceptions and experiences of the midlife transition among Japanese American and European American women. The midlife transition was viewed as a time of self-assurance, maturity, and taking comfort and satisfaction in oneself. Biologically, it was a marker of mortality. Similar to menses, marriage, and motherhood, menopause was viewed as the final identity transformation, but interpreted quite differently by the two ethnic groups. The findings of this study support the cross-cultural theories that emphasize the interaction of biology, society, age, gender, and acculturation in this universal female experience and suggest additional expansion of these theories to incorporate lifestyle choices that may affect the actual health consequences of female aging. [menopause, midlife transition, Japanese American women, ethnicity]     

中国传统大菊叶片形态的数量化定义与分类

中国传统大菊品种叶片形态变异丰富,然而至今仍未对其进行科学的定义和分类,无法有效利用这些形态性状进行品种鉴定和叶形遗传解析。利用数量化分析方法对植物形态进行定义和分类,是植物性状遗传解析的前提。对436个中国传统大菊品种的24个叶形性状进行重新定义及观测,通过相关性分析确定了8个相对独立的性状,用变异系数及主成分分析等...     

云南普洱茶原料晒青毛茶的化学成分

从云南临沧地区生产普洱茶的原料晒青毛茶中分离到 2 1个化合物 ,通过波谱分析分别鉴定为 :(- )表儿茶素、 (- )表没食子儿茶素、 (- )表没食子儿茶素 - 3-O -没食子酸酯、 (- )表儿茶素 - 3-O -没食子酸酯、 (- )表阿福豆素 - 3-O -没食子酸酯、 ( )儿茶素、 (± )没食子儿茶素、槲皮素、槲皮素 - 3-O - β -D -葡萄吡喃糖甙、芦丁、山奈酚、山奈酚 - 3-O - β -D -葡萄吡喃糖甙、山奈酚 - 3-O -芦丁糖甙、小木麻黄素 (strictinin)、 1,6 -O -二没食子酰基 - β -D -葡萄吡喃糖、茶倍素、绿原酸、 3α ,5α -二羟基 - 4 -α -O -咖啡酰基金鸡纳酸、松柏醇甙、没食子酸和咖啡因