ASER: Animal Sex Reversal Database

Sex reversal, representing extraordinary sexual plasticity during the life cycle, not only triggers reproduction in animals but also affects reproductive and endocrine system-related diseases and cancers in humans. Sex reversal has been broadly reported in animals; however, an integrated resource hub of sex reversal information is still lacking. Here, we constructed a comprehensive database named ASER (Animal Sex Reversal) by integrating sex reversal-related data of 18 species from teleostei to mammalia. We systematically collected 40,018 published papers and mined the sex reversal-associated genes (SRGs), including their regulatory networks, from 1611 core papers. We annotated homologous genes and computed conservation scores for whole genomes across the 18 species. Furthermore, we collected available RNA-seq datasets and investigated the expression dynamics of SRGs during sex reversal or sex determination processes. In addition, we manually annotated 550 in situ hybridization (ISH), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) images of SRGs from the literature and described their spatial expression in the gonads. Collectively, ASER provides a unique and integrated resource for researchers to query and reuse organized data to explore the mechanisms and applications of SRGs in animal breeding and human health. The ASER database is publicly available at http://aser.ihb.ac.cn/.     

Potassium Citrate Decreases Bone Resorption in Postmenopausal Women with Osteopenia: A Randomized,Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Objective: Diets rich in animal protein, such as the typical American diet, are thought to create a high acid load. An association between acid load and bone loss has led to the idea that providing positive alkaline salt therapy could have beneficial effects on bone metabolism. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of potassium citrate (K-citrate), 40 mEq daily, over 1 year on bone resorption and formation.Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 83 women with postmenopausal osteopenia. Levels of bone turnover markers, specifically urinary N-telopeptide of collagen type 1 (u-NTX), amino-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen (P1NP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), and osteocalcin (OC) were compared. Changes in bone mineral density (BMD) were also examined.Results: K-citrate decreased both u-NTX (P = .005) and serum P1NP (P<.001) starting at month 1 and continuing through month 12. No significant change was seen in BSAP or OC. No significant change was seen in lumbar or hip BMD between the 2 groups.Conclusion: In women with postmenopausal osteopenia, treatment with K-citrate for 1 year resulted in a significant decrease in markers of turnover. The effect on markers of bone formation was not consistent. K-citrate may serve as a potential treatment for bone loss that is well tolerated and without any significant known long-term consequences.Abbreviations:BMD = bone mineral densityBSAP = bone-specific alkaline phosphataseCa:Cr = calcium to creatinine ratioCTSC = Clinical Translational Science CenterCV = coefficient of variationDXA = dual-energy X-ray absorptiometryK-citrate = potassium citrateOC = osteocalcinP1NP = amino-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagenu-NTX = urinary N-telopeptide of collagen type 1     

The amino acid sequence of cytochrome c from Spinacea oleracea L. (spinach)

The amino acid sequence of spinach (Spinacea oleracea L., var. Monster Viroflay) cytochrome c was determined on 1μmol of protein. The molecule consists of 111 residues and is homologous with other mitochondrial cytochromes c. Experimental details are given in a supplementary paper that has been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50013, at the National Lending Library for Science and Technology, Boston Spa, Yorks. LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies can be obtained on the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1973), 131, 5.     

Discovery of novel heat shock protein (Hsp90) inhibitors based on luminespib with potent antitumor activity

A series of isosteric surrogates of the 4-phenyl group in luminespib were investigated as new scaffolds of the Hsp90 inhibitor for the discovery of novel antitumor agents. Among the synthesized surrogates of isoxazole and pyrazole, compounds 4a, 5e and 12b exhibited potent Hsp90 inhibition in ATPase activity and Her2 degradation assays and significant antitumor activity in A2780 and HCT116 cell lines. Animal studies indicated that compared to luminespib, their activities were superior in A2780 or NCI-H1975 tumor xenograft models. A molecular modeling study demonstrated that compound 4a could fit nicely into the N-terminal ATP binding pocket.     

Clinical Impact of Non-Invasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasm with Papillary-Like Nuclear Features on the Risk of Malignancy in the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology: A Meta-Analysis of 14,153 Resected Thyroid Nodules

Objective: It is still controversial as to how the reclassification of noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) affects the risk of malignancy (ROM) in The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC). This meta-analysis was aimed to investigate the impact of NIFTP on the ROM in each TBSRTC category.Methods: We accessed three electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to search for relevant data from January, 2016 to July, 2018. Relative risk and meta-analysis of proportions using the DerSimonian-Laird method, and each corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was pooled using a random-effect model.Results: A total of 14 studies consisting of 14,153 resected nodules were included for meta-analyses. Overall, there was a significant reduction in ROM in all TBSRTC categories following the NIFTP reclassification, except TBSRTC category I. The largest absolute and relative decrease in ROM was observed in TBSRTC category V (16%; 95% CI = 8 to 24) and category III (32%; 95% CI = 24 to 39), respectively. There was a positive correlation between the rate of NIFTP and resection rate (r = 0.83; P = .02). The decreases in ROM were more prominent in Western than in Asian cohorts.Conclusion: We confirmed the decrease in ROM due to the NIFTP reclassification for most of TBSRTC categories, which was more significant in Western than in Asian practice. The incidence of NIFTP was higher in institutions where surgical resection rates were high in patients with indeterminate cytology nodules.Abbreviations: AUS/FLUS = atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance; CI = confidence interval; FNA = fine-needle aspiration; FN/SFN = follicular neoplasm/suspicious for follicular neoplasm; NIFTP = noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features; NI-FVPTC = noninvasive follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma; ROM = risk of malignancy; RR = relative risk; SM = suspicious for malignancy; TBSRTC = The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology     

Comparison of Diagnostic Performance between the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System and American Thyroid Association Guidelines: A Systematic Review

Objective: We aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS) with the American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines in risk stratification of thyroid nodules.Methods: We performed a computerized search of Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar to identify eligible articles published before July 31, 2019. We included studies providing head-to-head comparison between ACR TI-RADS and ATA guidelines, with fine-needle aspiration biopsy cytology results or pathology results as the reference standard. Quality assessment of included studies was conducted using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies–2 tool. Summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity were calculated by bivariate modeling and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic modeling. We also performed multiple subgroup analyses and meta-regression.Results: Twelve original articles with 13,000 patients were included, involving a total of 14,867 thyroid nodules. The pooled sensitivity of ACR TI-RADS and ATA guidelines was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76–0.89) and 0.89 (95% CI, 0.80–0.95), with specificity of 0.67 (95% CI, 0.56–0.76) and 0.46 (95% CI, 0.29–0.63), respectively. There were no significant differences between the two classification criteria in terms of both sensitivity (P = .26) and specificity (P = .05). For five studies providing direct comparison of ACR TI-RADS, ATA guidelines, and Korean TI-RADS, our analyses showed that the Korean TI-RADS yielded the highest sensitivity (0.89; 95% CI, 0.82–0.94), but at the cost of a significant decline in specificity (0.23; 95% CI, 0.17–0.30).Conclusion: Both classification criteria demonstrated favorable sensitivity and moderate specificity in the stratification of thyroid nodules. However, use of ACR TI-RADS could avoid a large number of biopsies at the cost of only a slight decrease in sensitivity.Abbreviations: ACR = American College of Radiology; ATA = American Thyroid Association; FNAB = fine-needle aspiration biopsy; HSROC = hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic; SROC = summary receiver operating characteristic; TI-RADS = Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System; US = ultrasonography     

Thyroid Nodule Growth as A Predictor of Malignancy

Objective: To assess which measure of thyroid nodule growth on serial neck ultrasound, if any, is associated with malignancy.Methods: Retrospective exploratory chart review of malignant thyroid nodules assessed at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (2006–2016) and benign thyroid nodules (2016), at least 1 cm in diameter and with 2 ultrasounds completed at least 30 days apart. Groups were compared using independent samples Student's t test, chi-square test, or Mann-Whitney U test as appropriate, as well as multivariable logistic and linear regression modelling to adjust for age and baseline volume.Results: One hundred and seventy-eight nodules were included in the study. When growth was defined as >20% increase in 2 dimensions (minimum 2 mm), malignant nodules (MNs) underwent significantly more growth than benign nodules (BNs) (16.8% BN versus 29.8% MN &lsqb;P = .026]; odds ratio = 2.49; 95% confidence interval = 1.12 to 5.56). There was no significant difference between the groups when growth was defined as >2 mm/year or ≥50% volume growth. Nodules shrank >2 mm/year in each group and the difference was not statistically significant (24.2% BN versus 20.7% MN &lsqb;P = .449]). The median doubling time for the nodules that grew was 1022.1 days in the BN group and 463.2 days in the MN group (P = .036). The median doubling time for all nodules was 456.5 days in the BN group and 244.2 days in the MN group (P = .015).Conclusion: Thyroid nodule growth defined as >20% increase in 2 dimensions (minimum 2 mm) is associated with risk of malignancy. Nodule shrinkage did not distinguish between BNs and MNs.Abbreviations: BN = benign nodule; CI = confidence interval; FNA = fine needle aspiration; KHSC = Kingston Health Science Centre; MN = malignant nodule; OR = odds ratio; ROC = receiver operating characteristic     

The amino acid sequence of plastocyanin from French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

The amino acid sequence of the plastocyanin from French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) was determined. The protein consists of a single polypeptide chain of 99 residues, and the sequence was determined by characterization of CNBr, tryptic, chymotryptic and thermolysin peptides. When the sequence is compared with that from the plastocyanin of the unicellular green alga Chlorella fusca, the French-bean protein shows the deletion of the N-terminal residue, a two residue insertion and 53 identical residues. Detailed evidence for the sequence of the protein has been deposited as Supplementary Publication SUP 50037 (16pp., 1 microfiche) at the British Library (Lending Division) (formerly the National Lending Library for Science and Technology), Boston Spa, Yorks. LS23 7BQ, U.K., from whom copies may be obtained on the terms given in Biochem. J. (1973) 131, 5.     

Effects of feed withdrawal duration on animal behaviour,rumen microbiota and blood chemistry in feedlot cattle: implications for rumen acidosis

Feed withdrawal (FW) is a frequent issue in open outdoor feedlot systems, where unexpected circumstances can limit the animals’ access to food. The relationship among fasting period, animal behaviour during feed reintroduction (FR) and acidosis occurrence has not been completely elucidated. Twenty steers fitted with rumen catheters were fed a high-concentrate diet (concentrate : forage ratio 85 : 15) and were challenged by a protocol of FW followed by FR. The animals were randomly assigned to one of the four treatments: FW for 12 h (T12), 24 h (T24), 36 h (T36) or no FW (control group) followed by FR. The steers’ behaviour, ruminal chemistry, structure of the ruminal microbial community, blood enzymes and metabolites and ruminal acidosis status were assessed. Animal behaviour was affected by the FW–FR challenge ( P < 0.05). Steers from the T12, T24 and T36 treatments showed a higher ingestion rate and a lower frequency of rumination. Although all animals were suspected to have sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) prior to treatment, a severe case of transient SARA arose after FR in the T12, T24 and T36 groups. The ruminal pH remained below the threshold adopted for SARA diagnosis ( pH value = 5.6) for more than three consecutive hours (24, 7 and 19 h in the T12, T24 and T36 treatments, respectively). The FW–FR challenge did not induce clinical acute ruminal acidosis even though steers from the T36 treatment presented ruminal pH values that were consistent with this metabolic disorder (pH threshold for acute acidosis = 5.2). Total mixed ration reintroduction after the withdrawal period reactivated ruminal fermentation as reflected by changes in the fermentation end-products. Ruminal lactic acid accumulation in steers from the T24 and T36 treatments probably led to the reduction of pH in these groups. Both the FW and the FR phases may have altered the structure of the ruminal microbiota community. Whereas fibrolytic bacterial groups decreased relative abundance in the restricted animals, both lactic acid producer and utiliser bacterial groups increased ( P < 0.05). The results demonstrated a synchronisation between Streptococcus (lactate producer) and Megasphaera (lactate utiliser), as the relative abundance of both groups increased, suggesting that bacterial resilience may be central for preventing the onset of metabolic disturbances such as ruminal acidosis. A long-FW period (36 h) produced rumen pH reductions well below and lactic acid concentration increased well above the accepted thresholds for acute acidosis without any perceptible clinical signs.     

Performance,health, and physiological responses of newly received feedlot cattle supplemented with pre- and probiotic ingredients

Nutritional strategies that optimize immunity of feedlot cattle are warranted due to increasing regulations with the use of feed-grade antimicrobials. This study evaluated physiological, health, and performance responses of cattle receiving a synbiotic supplement (yeast-derived prebiotic + Bacillus subtilis probiotic), which replaced feed-grade antimicrobials or were fed in conjunction with monensin during the initial 45 days in the feedlot. Angus-influenced steers (n = 256) were acquired from an auction facility on day −2, and transported (800 km) to the feedlot. Shrunk BW was recorded upon arrival (day −1). Steers were allocated to 1 of 18 pens (day 0), and pens were assigned to receive (n = 6/treatment) a free-choice diet containing: (1) monensin and tylosin (RT; 360 mg/steer daily from Rumensin and 90 mg/steer daily from Tylan; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN, USA), (2) yeast-derived ingredient and B. subtilis probiotic (CC; 18 g/steer daily of Celmanax and 28 g/steer daily of Certillus; Church and Dwight Co., Inc., Princeton, NJ, USA), or (3) monensin in addition to yeast-derived and B. subtilis ingredients (RCC) as in RT and CC. Steers were assessed for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and DMI daily. Steer BW was recorded on days 45 and 46, and averaged for final BW. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 7, 17, 31, and 45. Feed intake was greater (P ≤ 0.05) in CC vs. RCC and RT during the initial 3 weeks upon feedlot arrival. No treatment differences were noted (P ≥ 0.41) for average daily gain, BW, and feed efficiency. Incidence of BRD did not differ (P = 0.77) between treatments (average 80.1%). A greater proportion (P ≤ 0.03) of RT steers diagnosed with BRD required a second antimicrobial treatment compared with CC and RCC (57.3, 37.3, and 38.6%, respectively). Removal of steers from the trial due to severe morbidity + mortality was greater (P = 0.02) in RT vs. CC (22.4 and 7.0%), and did not differ (P ≥ 0.16) among RCC (12.9%) vs. RT and CC. Plasma glucose concentrations were greater (P ≤ 0.02) in CC vs. RCC and RT on day 7. Plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acids were greater (P ≤ 0.02) in RT and RCC vs. CC on day 7, and in RT vs. CC on day 17. Steers receiving the synbiotic supplement had improved response to BRD treatment, suggesting heightened immunocompetence from partially enhanced metabolism and the nutraceutical effects of B. subtilis and yeast compounds.     

Antimicrobial terpenoids of Gossypium: Hemigossypol, 6-methoxyhemigossypol and 6-deoxyhemigossypol

The sesquiterpenoid aldehydes, hemigossypol (1a), 6-methoxyhemigossypol (1b), and 6-deoxyhemigossypol (1c), were isolated and identified from Verticillium-infected stele tissue of Gossypium barbadense. Structures were established by spectral (UV, IR, NMR, MS) evidence and chemical transformations. This is the first report of (1b) and (1c) in nature, and of NMR and m.p. data for crystalline pure (1a). Compound (1a) occurred in diseased stele tissues of all 21 Gossypium species examined and in the genera, Cienfuegosia, Gossypioides, Hampea, and Thespesia; it was absent in three Hibiscus spp. Compound (1b) occurred in the same taxa as (1a), except that it was absent in species of two cytogenetic groups (A and B genome) of Gossypium. Compound (1c) occurred in trace quantities, or was not detected, in most species; however, its distribution appeared to besimilar to that     

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of sulfonamides and carboxylates incorporating trimellitimides: Dual cyclooxygenase/carbonic anhydrase inhibitory actions

Trimellitimides 6–21 were prepared and investigated in vivo for anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic effects and in vitro for cytotoxicity. They were subjected to in vitro cyclooxygenase (COX-1/2) and carbonic anhydrase inhibition protocols. Compounds 6–11 and 18 exhibited anti-inflammatory activities and had median effective doses (ED₅₀) of 34.3–49.8 mg kg⁻¹ and 63.6–86.6% edema inhibition relative to the reference drug celecoxib (ED₅₀: 33.9 mg kg⁻¹ and 85.2% edema inhibition). Compounds 6–11 and 18 were weakly cytotoxic at 10 μM against 59 cell lines compared with the reference standard 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Compounds 6–11 had optimal selectivity against COX-2. The selectivity index (SI) range was >200–490 and was comparable to that for celecoxib [COX-2 (SI) > 416.7]. In contrast, compounds 12, 13, and 16–18 were nonselective COX inhibitors with a selectivity index range of 0.92–0.25. The carbonic anhydrase inhibition assay showed that sulfonamide incorporating trimellitimides 6–11 inhibited the cytosolic isoforms hCA I and hCA II, and tumor-associated isoform hCA IX. They were relatively more susceptible to inhibition by compounds 8, 9, and 11. The K_I ranges were 54.1–81.9 nM for hCA I, 25.9–55.1 nM for hCA II, and 46.0–348.3 nM for hCA IX. © 2018 Elsevier Science. All rights reserved.     

Crystal structures of three thiourea (tu) complexes of Pt(II): trans-[(tu)2Pt(NH3)2]Cl2, trans-[(tu)2Pt(CH3NH2)2]Cl2·3H2O and [Pt(tu)4]Cl2

The structures of three Pt(II) thiourea complexes, trans-[(tu)₂Pt(NH₃)₂]Cl₂ (1), trans-[(tu)₂Pt(CH₃NH₂)₂]Cl₂·3H₂O (2) and [Pt(tu)₄]Cl₂ (3), have been determined by X-ray diffraction and refined to R = 0.049 for 1026 reflections (1), R = 0.057 for 2547 reflections (2) and R = 0.046 for 2792 reflections (3). All the compounds crystallize in the space group P2₁/c and have cell dimensions: a = 5.437(1), b = 6.450(1), c = 17.980(3) Å, β = 96.05(2)°, Z = 2 (compound 1); a = 9.225(1), b = 15.404(2), c = 12.601(2) Å, β = 105.39(2)°, Z = 4 (compound 2); and a = 9.051(6), b = 10.203(6), c = 18.263(8) Å, β = 91.12(8)°, Z = 4 (compound 3). The unit cell of 1 and 3 contains only a single type of cation, while that of 2 is formed from two independent cations. In 1 and 2 the coordination spheres of the Pt atoms are rather similar, with angles close to 90° and coplanarity of the metal and respective donor atoms. Instead, in 3 the four sulfur atoms, which surround the Pt, display a slight distortion (0.06 Å from the mean plane) towards tetrahedral.     

Cytotoxic triterpene diglycosides from the sea cucumber Stichopus horrens

Using various chromatographic separation techniques, eight triterpene diglycosides (1–8), including four new compounds namely stichorrenosides A–D (1–4), were isolated from a methanol extract of the Vietnamese sea cucumber S. horrens. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic analyses, including HR ESI MS, 1D and 2D NMR. Their in vitro cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cell lines, Hep-G2 (hepatoma cancer), KB (epidermoid carcinoma), LNCaP (prostate cancer), MCF7 (breast cancer), and SK-Mel2 (melanoma), was evaluated using SRB methods. Stichorrenoside D (4), stichoposide A (5), and 3β-O-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-23S-acetoxyholost-7-ene (7) showed strong cytotoxicity on all five tested cancer cell lines, whereas significant effect was observed for stichorrenoside C (3) and stichoposide B (6).     

Structural features of group V A xanthates. The crystal and molecular structures of tris(O-isopropylxanthatoarsenic(III), antimony(III) and -bismuth(II)

The crystal structures of the title compounds, M(S₂COⁱC₃H₇)₃, M = As(III), (1); Sb(III), (2); and Bi(III), (3) have been determined by three dimensional X-ray diffraction techniques and refined by a least square method. Crystals of (1) and (2) are isomorphous and both crystallize in the rhombohedral space group R$\text{3}$, with unit cell parameters for (1) a_hex = 11.559(2), c_hex = 28.131(3) Å and for (2) a_hex = 11.696(2) and c_hex = 28.135(2) Å, Z = 6. The central metal atom in both (1) and (2) is coordinated by three asymmetrically chelating xanthate ligands [AsS 2.305(2) and 2.978(2) Å and SbS 2.508(1) and 3.006(1) Å] which form a distorted octahedral environment consistent with the presence of a stereochemically active lone pair of electrons. Crystals of (3) are orthorhombic, space group Pnma, Z = 4 with dimensions a = 11.003(3), b = 20.833(4) and c = 9.428(2) Å. The environment of the bismuth atom in (3) is seven coordinate and is comprised of six sulphur atoms, derived from three asymmetrically coordinating xanthate ligands, and a bridging sulphur atom from a neighbouring molecule which results in the formation a polymeric array. For (1) final R and R_W 0.050 and 0.047 respectively for 936 reflections [I ? 3σ(I); (2) R 0.040, R_w 0.040 for 1455 reflections I ? 2σ(I)]; and (3) R 0.052, R_w 0.039 for 1796 reflections [I ? 2σ(I).     

Phenolic compounds from parasitic Sapria himalayana f. albovinosa and Sapria myanmarensis (Rafflesiaceae) in Myanmar

Three anthocyanins, four flavonols, three aromatic acids and five gallotannins were isolated from Sapria himalayana f. albovinosa in Myanmar. They were identified as cyanidin 3-O-glucoside (1), cyanidin 3-O-xyloside (2) and peonidin 3-O-glucoside (3) (anthocyanins), quercetin 3-O-glucoside (4), quercetin 7-O-glucoside (5), quercetin 3-O-glucuronide (6) and isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside (7) (flavonols), ellagic acid (8), gallic acid (9) and ethyl gallate (10) (aromatic acids), and 1,2,4,6-tetragalloylglucose (11), 1,4,6-trigalloylglucose (12), 1,2,6-trigalloylglucose (13), 1,2,4-trigalloylglucose (14) and 1,6-digalloylglucose (15) (gallotannins) by UV, LC-MS, acid hydrolysis, NMR and/or HPLC comparisons with authentic samples. The chemical composition of S. myanmarensis was qualitatively the same with that of S. himalayana f. albovinosa. Phenolic compounds of the Rafflesiaceae species including Sapria, Rafflesia and Rhizanthes were isolated and identified in this survey for the first time.     

Biotransformation of naringin and naringenin by cultured Eucalyptus perriniana cells

The biotransformation of naringin and naringenin was investigated using cultured cells of Eucalyptus perriniana. Naringin (1) was converted into naringenin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2, 15%), naringenin (3, 1%), naringenin 5,7-O-β-d-diglucopyranoside (4, 15%), naringenin 4′,7-O-β-d-diglucopyranoside (5, 26%), naringenin 7-O-[6-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (6, β-gentiobioside, 5%), naringenin 7-O-[6-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (7, β-rutinoside, 3%), and 7-O-β-d-gentiobiosyl-4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosylnaringenin (8, 1%) by cultured cells of E. perriniana. On the other hand, 2 (14%), 4 (7%), 5 (13%), 6 (2%), 7 (1%), naringenin 4′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (9, 4%), naringenin 5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (10, 2%), and naringenin 4′,5-O-β-d-diglucopyranoside (11, 5%) were isolated from cultured E. perriniana cells, that had been treated with naringenin (3). Products, 7-O-β-d-gentiobiosyl-4′-O-β-d-glucopyranosylnaringenin (8) and naringenin 4′,5-O-β-d-diglucopyranoside (11), were hitherto unknown.     

Sesquiterpenoids and lignans from the fruits of Illicium simonsii Maxim

Twenty-two known compounds were isolated from the 95% alcohol extract of the fruits of Illicium simonsii Maxim, including seven sesquiterpenoids (16–22) and fifteen lignans (1–15). In the present research, compounds 3 ((7S,8R,8′S)-3,3′-dimethoxy-4,4′,9-trihydroxy-7,9′-epoxylignan-7′-one), 4 ((−)-(7′S,8S,8′R)-4,4′-dihydroxy-3,3′,5,5′-tetramethoxy-7′,9-epoxylignan-9′-ol-7-one), 5 ((+)-8-hydroxypinoresinol), 6 ((+)-8-hydroxymedioresinol), 8 ((2R,3R)-2β-(4″-hydroxy-3″-methoxybenzyl)-3α-(4′-hydroxy-3′-methoxybenzyl)-γ-butyrolactone 2-O-(β-D-glucopyranoside), 12 ((+)-8-methoxyisolariciresinol), 13 (α-conidendrin), 14 (boehmenan) and 15 (7R,8R,7′E-7′,8′-didehydro-4,7,9,9′- tetrahydroxy-3-methoxy-8-O-4′-neolignan) were reported from the Illicium genus for the first time, and compounds 1 (simulanol), 7 ((+)-secoisolariciresinol monoglucoside), 10 ((+)-9-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl lyoniresinol), 11 ((+)-isolariciresinol), 18 (neoanisatin), 19 (veranisatin A), 20 (4,5-d₂-8′-oxo-dihydrophaseic acid) and 22 (Oligandrumin A) were firstly isolated from the plant. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR spectroscopic and mass spectrometric data. Moreover, the chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated compounds is discussed.     

Infants as a commodity in a baboon market

We used data from adult female chacma baboons, Papio cynocephalus ursinus, to provide the first test of hypotheses on interchange trading and the structure of a biological market (Noë & Hammerstein 1994, Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology,35, 1-11) within a primate group. The interchange commodities selected were grooming and handling of infants less than 3 months of age. Patterns of grooming in relation to infant handling showed strong evidence for interchange. Grooming for infant access was initiated by potential handlers and was significantly likely to be nonreciprocated. More critically, the data show that infant ‘supply’ created a market effect: grooming bout duration (the price ‘paid’ for handling) was inversely related to the number of infants present in the group. In addition, there was an inverse relationship between grooming bout duration and the rank distance between mothers and handlers, suggesting that higher-ranking mothers could demand a higher price for infant handling. Where rank distance was high, females were able to handle infants without grooming. Dominance could thus be used to disrupt the infant market effect. If biological markets models are to be fully applicable to primate groups (and those of other social mammals) then the potentially distorting effect of dominance needs to be incorporated into the framework. Copyright 2002 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.