Allelopathic sesquiterpenoids from rhizomes of Petasites japonicus ssp. giganteus Kitam

Four sesquiterpenoids were isolated from Petasites japonicus (Siebold and Zucc.) Maxim. ssp. giganteus (F. Schmidt ex Trautv.) Kitam. (Compositae, Japanese name: Akitabuki) as allelochemicals. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods and their allelopathic effects were assessed.     

Isolation and measurement of quercetin glucosides in flower buds of Japanese butterbur (Petasites japonicus subsp. gigantea Kitam.)

Three quercetin glucosides were isolated from flower buds of Japanese butterbur (Petasites japonicus subsp. gigantea Kitam.) together with caffeic acid as the ingredients that had DPPH radical scavenging activity, using the DPPH-HPLC method for measuring the radical scavenging activity. These quercetin glucosides were identified as quercetin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside, quercetin 3-O-beta-D-6'-O-acetylglucoside, and rutin, and the amounts of the glucosides in flower buds were also examined by HPLC. The flower buds were harvested from four different sites, the total amount of quercetin glucosides in each site was 100-170 mg/100 g fr. wt., and there were no great differences of the amounts between growing fields.     

Note critiche sulla flora d'Italia. II. Il gruppo di Minuartia verna

Abstract

Critical notes on the flora of Italy. II. The Minuartia verna group. The following paper contains a re-examination of the Minuartia verna–complex in Italy based on a revision of herbarium-specimens and observations in nature. The author proposes to divide this polymorphic species into 4 subspecies. Two of them (subsp. verna and subsp. collina) are largely corresponding to the opinion of earlier authors. The subsp. attica is also represented in the flora of Southern Italy, but Italian populations are slightly different from those of Greece (which must be regarded as typical). The subsp. grandiflora living in a small area in Sicily, which was incompletely known, is described and its relations to the other subspecies are discussed.     

Skeleton of the giant deer Megaloceros giganteus giganteus (Blumenbach, 1803) (Mammalia,Artiodactyla) from the Irtysh Region near Pavlodar

An almost complete skeleton of the giant deer Megaloceros giganteus giganteus (Blumenbach, 1803) from the Dzhambul locality on the Irtysh River (Pavlodar Region, Kazakhstan) is described. About 80% of bones are intact, including the skull with well-preserved antlers. At present, the skeleton is mounted in the Pavlodar Local History Regional Museum. Comparative analysis of giant deer skulls varying in age from the southeastern West Siberian Plain has revealed stable characters distinguishing Middle and Late Neopleistocene specimens. These characteristics are considered to be of subspecies rank, allowing the identification of Megaloceros giganteus ruffi Nehring and Megaloceros giganteus giganteus (Blumenbach.) Changes in absolute and relative dimensions of the dentition and facial skull length are most indicative with reference to evolution.     

938. SALVIA RAYMONDII SUBSP. MAIRANAE

The habitat and discovery of Salvia raymondii is described and the distinctions between the type subspecies and subsp. mairanae are discussed. Subsp. mairanae is illustrated and notes on its cultivation are provided.     

Biosynthesis of fukinolic acid isolated from Petasites japonicus

The biosynthesis of fukinolic acid, which had been isolated from the Japanese fuki vegetable, Petasites japonicus, was investigated by feeding selected (13)C-labeled compounds to axenic cultures of P. japonicus. [1,2-(13)C(2)] sodium acetate and [1-(13)C] L-tyrosine were incorporated into the fukiic acid sub group, while [3-(13)C] L-phenylalanine was incorporated into the caffeic acid moiety.     

Contribution to knowledge of the genus Chydaeus in Xizang Autonomous Region [Tibet] and Yunnan Province, China (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Harpalini)

Five new species of the genus Chydaeus Chaudoir, 1854 are described from China: Chydaeus fugongensissp. n. (Shibali, Fugong County, Yunnan Province), Chydaeus gutangensissp. n. (Gutang, Medog County, Xizang Autonomous Region [Tibet]), Chydaeus hanmiensissp. n. (Hanmi, Medog County, Xizang Autonomous Region [Tibet]), Chydaeus asetosussp. n. (NE of Fugong, Yunnan Province), and Chydaeus baoshanensissp. n. (N of Baoshan, Yunnan Province). Taxonomic and faunistic notes on eleven other species occurring in Xizang and Yunnan are also provided. Chydaeus shunichii Ito, 2006 is re-described, based on specimens from Lushui County, Yunnan. Chydaeus kumei Ito, 1992 is treated as a subspecies of Chydaeus andrewesi Schauberger, 1932 [NEW STATUS]. The taxonomic status of Chydaeus guangxiensis Ito, 2006 is discussed. The following taxa are recorded from China for the first time: Chydaeus obtusicollis Schauberger, 1932 (Xizang and Yunnan), Chydaeus malaisei Kataev & Schmidt, 2006 (Yunnan), Chydaeus semenowi (Tschitschérine, 1899) (Xizang and Yunnan), Chydaeus andrewesi andrewesi Schauberger, 1932 (Xizang and Yunnan), Chydaeus andrewesi kumei Ito (Yunnan), Chydaeus bedeli interjectus Kataev & Schmidt, 2002 (Xizang), and Chydaeus bedeli vietnamensis Kataev & Schmidt, 2002 (Yunnan).     

Tropaeolaceae: 682. TROPAEOLUM LEPTOPHYLLUM subsp. GRACILE

Tropaeolum leptophyllum G. Don subsp. gracile (Hook. & Arnott) Sparre is described and illustrated. The history and distribution in the wild of the two subspecies of T. leptophyllum are discussed and notes on cultivation are given.     

Centaurea cadmea subsp. pontica subsp. nov. (Asteraceae) from northwest Anatolia,Turkey

Centaurea cadmea Boiss. subsp. pontica Wagenitz ex Y.B. Köse & Ocak (Asteraceae), a new subspecies occuring in north Anatolia, Turkey, is described and illustrated. The new subspecies grows in rocky places in the Zonguldak province. It is closely related to C. cadmea subsp. cadmea, but differs in its involucrum, achen, appendage and radiant flowers. Diagnostic morphological characters are discussed and notes are presented on ecology and conservation status. In addition, the pollen characteristics of both subspecies have been examined by SEM.     

Optimized Fractioning and Structure Analysis of the Reactivating Factor from Luteococcus japonicus subsp. casei

Microbiology - The chemical structure of the extracellular reactivating factor (RF) from Luteococcus japonicus subsp. casei was determined; this factor promotes survival of a small subpopulation of...     

"Whey" proteins of milk of the red (Macropus rufus) and eastern grey (Macropus giganteus) kangaroo

1. A comparison is made of gel electrophoretic patterns of the "whey" proteins of the milk of red (Macropus rufus) and eastern grey (Macropus giganteus) kangaroos at various stages of lactation. Qualitative and quantitative changes occur with time during the mature phase of lactation of both types. Their onset is related solely to the stage of lactation. "Whey" proteins are isolated and characterised and the nature of protein changes determined for the first time. 2. The anodic electrophoretic pattern is divided into 6 main zones (designated A F in order of decreasing mobility) and 2 cathodic zones (G and H) that are only detected in the milk of M. giganteus. 3. Zones A, B and C are milk specific. Zone B is present throughout lactation in both species and is an alpha-lactalbumin. Zones A and C are present only in late lactation, zone C, usually, but not always, appearing first. Zone A is an alpha-lactalbumin in M. giganteus, but is not an alpha-lactalbumin in M. rufus. Zone C appears to be the same protein in both species and is possibly a beta-lactoglobulin. 4. Zone D is kangaroo serum albumin and zone E is possibly a beta 2-microglobulin. Zone F contains three main iron (III) binding bands whose relative intensity varies with stage of lactation. Their intensity differs from the corresponding blood serum transferrin bands. 5. Zone H of Macropus giganteus is a lysozyme. 6. Lactose is present in the milk, but is not the principal sugar. 7. The significance of the results is discussed.     

The extracellular protein of Luteococcus japonicus subsp casei reactivates cells inactivated by ultraviolet radiation or heating

The culture liquid of Luteococcus japonicus subsp. casei was found to be able to reactivate cells of this bacterium inactivated by UV irradiation or heat shock. The antistress activity of the culture liquid was due to the presence of an extracellular exometabolite of a protein nature with a molecular mass of more than 10 kDa. When the bacterium was grown in nutrient broth or glucose-containing mineral medium, the antistress protein was secreted by cells in the logarithmic growth phase. The reactivating effect of the antistress protein was inversely proportional to the survival rate of stressed cells.     

Petasiphenol: a DNA polymerase lambda inhibitor

Petasiphenol, a bio-antimutagen isolated from a Japanese vegetable, Petasites japonicus, selectively inhibits the activities of mammalian DNA polymerase lambda (pol lambda) in vitro. The compound did not influence the activities of replicative DNA polymerases such as alpha, delta, and epsilon but also showed no effect even on the pol beta activity, the three-dimensional structure of which is thought to be highly similar to pol lambda. The inhibitory effect of petasiphenol on intact pol lambda including the BRCA1 C-terminus (BRCT) domain was dose-dependent, and 50% inhibition was observed at a concentration of 7.8 microM. The petasiphenol-induced inhibition of the pol lambda activity was noncompetitive with respect to both the DNA template-primer and the dNTP substrate. Petasiphenol did not only inhibit the activity of the truncated pol lambda including the pol beta-like core, in which the BRCT motif was deleted in its N-terminal region. BIAcore analysis demonstrated that petasiphenol bound selectively to the N-terminal domain of pol lambda but did not bind to the C-terminal region. On the basis of these results, the pol lambda inhibitory mechanism of petasiphenol is discussed.     

A taxonomic survey of the generaPetasites andEndocellion

The paper summarizes all accepted species and subspecies of the generaPetasites andEndocellion, together with important synonyms, type quotations, main diacritical characters, and an outline of their distribution. The new taxa described in this study are as follows: subgen.Capillopetalum, sect.Cricostigma, sect.Schistostigma, sect.Trichostigma, sect.Sceptrostigma, further ser.Japonici, ser.Orientales, ser.Fragrantes, ser.Spurii, ser.Imberbes, ser.Sagittati, and subspeciesPetasites frigidus subsp.sibiricus. New combinations:Petasites radiatus (J. F. Gmel.),P. rubellus (J. F. Gmel.)P. hybridus subsp.georgicus (Manden.),P. nivalis subsp.vitifolius (L. E. Greene),P. nivalis subsp.hyperboreus (Rydb.),P. palmatus subsp.speciosus (Nutt.),Endocellion sibiricum (J. F. Gmel.) andE. glaciale (Ledeb.).     

Extracellular protein metabolite of Luteococcus japonicus subsp. casei reactivates cells subjected to oxidative stress

A protein exometabolite isolated from the culture liquid of Luteococcus japonicus subsp. casei reactivates the cells of this microorganism, following H2O2 or paraquat-induced oxidative stress. The resistance of L. casei cells to these oxidizers is accounted for by the high activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase. The effect of the protein exometabolite is universal, in that it reactivates the cells after UV irradiation, heating, or oxidative stress. However, the cells subjected to oxidative stress are significantly less susceptible to the reactivating effect, as compared to their UV-irradiated or heated counterparts. Possible causes of these differences are discussed.     

723. GORTERIA DIFFUSA

The beetle daisy, Gorteria diffusa Thunb., is a South African and Namibian spring‐flowering annual with a very interesting pollination strategy involving insect‐mimicking petal spots, details of which are given here, in addition to notes on its history, habitat and cultivation, accompanied by a watercolour painting of the subsp. diffusa and a habitat photograph.     

Revision of Launaea Cass. (Compositae) in Egypt with special references to cypselar diversity

A systematic revision for the species of Launaea Cass. in Egypt has revealed the presence of fourteen taxa belonging to 12 species, of which L. acanthodes (Boiss.) Kuntze is a new recorded. One new combination “L. fragilis subsp. tenuiloba (Boiss.) Zareh & Mohamed” is made. Achene diversity of the studied taxa of Launaea was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. The taxonomic relationships between the studied taxa were discussed as well as SEM micrographs of achenes are provided. Synonyms and key for the identification of the investigated taxa based on morphological characters as well as notes on distribution are provided.     

Hieracium umbrosum subsp. abietinum (Asteraceae), a further example of amphi-Adriatic disjunction

So far considered as endemic to Greece, Hieracium umbrosum subsp. abietinum is reported as new for the Italian flora. Its presence has been noted on the Pollino National Park (S Italy). Morphological, ecological and taxonomical notes are given. This discovery increases the list of taxa showing an amphi-Adriatic distribution.     

Avian cholera in a southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus) from Antarctica

A southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus) was found dead at Potter Peninsula, King George Island, South Shetland, Antarctica. The adult male was discovered approximately 48 hr after death. Macroscopic and microscopic lesions were compatible with avian cholera and the bacterium Pasteurella multocida subsp. gallicida, serotype A1 was isolated from lung, heart, liver, pericardial sac, and air sacs. In addition, Escherichia coli was isolated from pericardial sac and air sacs. This is the first known report of avian cholera in a southern giant petrel in Antarctica.     

Plantlet Regeneration from Leaf Protoplast cultures of Japanese Butterbur

Protoplasts were isolated by enzyme digestion from leaf of Japanese butterbur (Petasites japonicus). The enzyme incubation mixture consisted of 4% (W/V)cellulase RS, 2% (W/V) hemicellulase, 1% (W/V) pectinase-dissolved Y-23 and polygalacturonase in a solution of 0. 5 mol/L mannitol at pH 5.7 . In the basic medium of 1/4 MS inorganic salts and 1/2 MS vitamins supplemented with 2 mg/L NAA, 0. 2–0. 5 mg/L BA, 0. 5 mol/L mannitol and 10 g/L sucrose, the cells divided luxuriantly. Regenerated plantlets were formed from callus after bud induction and root initiation.