Studies on Fish-killing Components of Callicarpa candicans

A fish-killing component, which was named callicarpone, C₂₀H₂₈O₄, m.p. 111°C, ${[\alpha ]}_{\text{D}}^{{23}^{°}}$ ?180° (chloroform) was isolated from the leaf of Callicarpa candicans and was found to have conjugated carbonyl groups, double bond and one hydroxyl group. The toxicity to fish was evaluated to be as strong as rotenone and ten times stronger than sodium pentachlorophenoxide.

It was deduced from the spectral data of callicarpone (I), the tetraol (IV), the chlorohydrin (VII) and the anhydro-diacetyl derivative (II) that I was a tricarbocyclic diterpene having an ene-l,4-dione and an α-hydroxy-isopropyl attached to an oxide ring. The structure of the rearranged product obtained by treatment with sodium carbonate was established to be IX by converting it to 11-methoxy-ferruginol methyl ether. As this rearrangement was assumed to be initiated by proton abstraction by base, the structure I was required for callicarpone to explain the formation of IX.     

Ellagic Acid Inhibits Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Impairment Induced by Lipopolysaccharides

Neurochemical Research - Neuroinflammation is a predisposing factor for the development of cognitive impairment and dementia. Among the new molecules that are currently being studied, ellagic acid...     

Aggressive mimicry in a coral reef fish: The prey's view

Since all forms of mimicry are based on perceptual deception, the sensory ecology of the intended receiver is of paramount importance to test the necessary precondition for mimicry to occur, that is, model‐mimic misidentification, and to gain insight in the origin and evolutionary trajectory of the signals. Here we test the potential for aggressive mimicry by a group of coral reef fishes, the color polymorphic Hypoplectrus hamlets, from the point of view of their most common prey, small epibenthic gobies and mysid shrimp. We build visual models based on the visual pigments and spatial resolution of the prey, the underwater light spectrum and color reflectances of putative models and their hamlet mimics. Our results are consistent with one mimic‐model relationship between the butter hamlet H. unicolor and its model the butterflyfish Chaetodon capistratus but do not support a second proposed mimic‐model pair between the black hamlet H. nigricans and the dusky damselfish Stegastes adustus. We discuss our results in the context of color morphs divergence in the Hypoplectrus species radiation and suggest that aggressive mimicry in H. unicolor might have originated in the context of protective (Batesian) mimicry by the hamlet from its fish predators rather than aggressive mimicry driven by its prey.     

Five vicariant genera from Gondwana: the Velloziaceae as shown by molecules and morphology [corrected

Background and Aims

The amount of data collected previously for Velloziaceae neither clarified relationships within the family nor helped determine an appropriate classification, which has led to huge discordance among treatment by different authors. To achieve an acceptable phylogenetic result and understand the evolution and roles of characters in supporting groups, a total evidence analysis was developed which included approx. 20 % of the species and all recognized genera and sections of Velloziaceae, plus outgroups representatives of related families within Pandanales.

Methods

Analyses were undertaken with 48 species of Velloziaceae, representing all ten genera, with DNA sequences from the atpB-rbcL spacer, trnL-trnF spacer, trnL intron, trnH-psbA spacer, ITS ribosomal DNA spacers and morphology.

Key Results

Four groups consistently emerge from the analyses. Persistent leaves, two phloem strands, stem cortex divided in three regions and violet tepals support Acanthochlamys as sister to Velloziaceae s.s., which are supported mainly by leaves with marginal bundles, transfusion tracheids and inflorescence without axis. Within Velloziaceae s.s., an African Xerophyta + Talbotia clade is uniquely supported by basal loculicidal capsules; an American clade, Barbacenia s.l. + Barbaceniopsis + Nanuza + Vellozia, is supported by only homoplastic characters. Barbacenia s.l. (= Aylthonia + Barbacenia + Burlemarxia + Pleurostima) is supported by a double sheath in leaf vascular bundles and a corona; Barbaceniopsis + Nanuza + Vellozia is not supported by an unambiguous character, but Barbaceniopsis is supported by five characters, including diclinous flowers, Nanuza + Vellozia is supported mainly by horizontal stigma lobes and stem inner cortex cells with secondary walls, and Vellozia alone is supported mainly by pollen in tetrads.

Conclusions

The results imply recognition of five genera (Acanthochlamys (Xerophyta (Barbacenia (Barbaceniopsis, Vellozia)))), solving the long-standing controversies among recent classifications of the family. They also suggest a Gondwanan origin for Velloziaceae, with a vicariant pattern of distribution.     

The Beneficial Effects of Treadmill Step Training on Activity-Dependent Synaptic and Cellular Plasticity Markers After Complete Spinal Cord Injury

Several studies have shown that treadmill training improves neurological outcomes and promotes plasticity in lumbar spinal cord of spinal animals. The morphological and biochemical mechanisms underlying these phenomena remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence of activity-dependent plasticity in spinal cord segment (L5) below a complete spinal cord transection (SCT) at T8-9 in rats in which the lower spinal cord segments have been fully separated from supraspinal control and that subsequently underwent treadmill step training. Five days after SCT, spinal animals started a step-training program on a treadmill with partial body weight support and manual step help. Hindlimb movements were evaluated over time and scored on the basis of the open-field BBB scale and were significantly improved at post-injury weeks 8 and 10 in trained spinal animals. Treadmill training also showed normalization of withdrawal reflex in trained spinal animals, which was significantly different from the untrained animals at post-injury weeks 8 and 10. Additionally, compared to controls, spinal rats had alpha motoneuronal soma size atrophy and reduced synaptophysin protein expression and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity in lumbar spinal cord. Step-trained rats had motoneuronal soma size, synaptophysin expression and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity similar to control animals. These findings suggest that treadmill step training can promote activity-dependent neural plasticity in lumbar spinal cord, which may lead to neurological improvements without supraspinal descending control after complete spinal cord injury.     

Radiographic inspection of porosity in pure titanium dumbbell castings

Radiographic inspection of porosity in pure titanium dumbbell castings Background: Titanium frameworks are frequently indicated for implant supported prostheses; however, voids are usually encountered inside cast titanium. Objective: This study aimed to confirm the efficacy of a radiographic technique for inspection of porosity in commercially pure titanium castings with different diameter. Materials and methods: Sixty dumbbell rods (n = 20) with a central 1.5, 2.0 and 3.5 mm diameter were prepared by lost‐wax casting. Cast specimens were finished and polished and submitted to radiographic examination (90 kV, 15 mA, 0.6 s and 10–13 mm of distance) using periapical film. The radiographs were visually analysed for the presence of porosity in the extension of the dumbbell or in the central portion of the rods. Data were submitted to Pearson Chi‐square test (5%). Results: The tested radiographic method proved to be suitable for the evaluation of cast frameworks. Internal porosities were observed in most of the specimens (91.7%) (p = 0.0005); however, only 20% occurred on the central portion of the rods (p = 0.612). Conclusion: Internal porosities can be visualised through radiographs and occur mostly in small diameter structures. The radiographic evaluation of metal structures can improve the quality of frameworks and thereby potentially increase the longevity of the rehabilitation.     

Purification of a chitin-binding protein from Moringa oleifera seeds with potential to relieve pain and inflammation

Moringa oleifera Lam. is a perennial multipurpose tree that has been successfully used in folk medicine to cure several inflammatory processes. The aim of this study was to purify and characterize a chitin-binding protein from Moringa oleifera seeds, named Mo-CBP4, and evaluate its antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. The protein was purified by affinity chromatography on chitin followed by ion exchange chromatography. Acetic acid-induced abdominal constrictions assay was used for the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity assessments. Mo-CBP4 is a glycoprotein (2.9% neutral carbohydrate) composed of two protein subunits with apparent molecular masses of 28 and 18 kDa (9 kDa in the presence of reducing agent). The intraperitoneal injection of Mo-CBP4 (3.5 and 10 mg/kg) into mice 30 min before acetic acid administration potently and significantly reduced the occurrence of abdominal writhing in a dose dependent manner by 44.7% and 100%, respectively. In addition, the oral administration of the protein (10 mg/kg) resulted in 18% and 52.8% reductions in abdominal writhing when given 30 and 60 min prior to acetic acid administration, respectively. Mo-CBP4, when administered by intraperitoneal route, also caused a significant and dose-dependent inhibition of peritoneal capillary permeability induced by acid acetic and significantly inhibited leukocyte accumulation in the peritoneal cavity. In conclusion, this pioneering study describes that the chitin-binding protein Mo-CBP4, from M. oleifera seeds, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive properties and scientifically supports the use of this multipurpose tree in folk medicine.