Novel seed coat lignins in the Cactaceae: structure,distribution and implications for the evolution of lignin diversity

We have recently described a hitherto unsuspected catechyl lignin polymer (C‐lignin) in the seed coats of Vanilla orchid and in cacti of one genus, Melocactus (Chen et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2012, 109, 1772‐1777.). We have now determined the lignin types in the seed coats of 130 different cactus species. Lignin in the vegetative tissues of cacti is of the normal guaiacyl/syringyl (G/S) type, but members of most genera within the subfamily Cactoidae possess seed coat lignin of the novel C‐type only, which we show is a homopolymer formed by endwise β–O–4‐coupling of caffeyl alcohol monomers onto the growing polymer resulting in benzodioxane units. However, the species examined within the genera Coryphantha, Cumarinia, Escobaria and Mammillaria (Cactoideae) mostly had normal G/S lignin in their seeds, as did all six species in the subfamily Opuntioidae that were examined. Seed coat lignin composition is still evolving in the Cactaceae, as seeds of one Mammillaria species (M. lasiacantha) possess only C‐lignin, three Escobaria species (E. dasyacantha, E. lloydii and E. zilziana) contain an unusual lignin composed of 5‐hydroxyguaiacyl units, the first report of such a polymer that occurs naturally in plants, and seeds of some species contain no lignin at all. We discuss the implications of these findings for the mechanisms that underlie the biosynthesis of these newly discovered lignin types.     

肠道菌群与疾病发生及中草药调节和治疗作用的研究概述

肠道正常菌群及微生态稳定对人体极具重要性,中草药对肠道菌群具有调节作用.本文综述了人体的肠道正常菌群与疾病产生和发展的关系,结合中草药对肠道菌群调节作用的研究,探讨中药调节肠道菌群与其发挥疾病防治效果之间的相关性,以期为中草药的临床应用及药理学研究提供一定的参考依据.     

酒精发酵过程中酿酒酵母耐受环境胁迫的研究进展

提高酿酒酵母细胞耐受环境胁迫（高渗透压、高浓度酒精和高温）的能力对酒精工业生产具有重要的意义。对提高酿酒酵母耐受性的研究方法和策略的发展历程进行了综述。基因组学、转录组学和蛋白质组学等现代组学技术在这一领域的研究获得了广泛的应用。这些技术将提供期待的信息,去理性改造并获得更加耐受胁迫的工业酵母菌株。     

Effect of Ligustrum lucidum and Schisandra chinensis on the egg production,antioxidant status and immunity of laying hens during heat stress

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of two plants belonging to Chinese herbal medicines, Ligustrum lucidum (LL) and Schisandra chinensis (SC), on the laying performance, antioxidant status and immunity of hens during heat stress. The results showed that diets supplement with 1% of either LL or SC had beneficial effects on egg production and FCR of hens during heat stress (p < 0.05), compared with the control group. Either LL or SC significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of heart, liver, sera and egg yolk. In addition, glutathione reductase (GR) activity of tissues and sera of the birds was significantly elevated by supplementation LL or SC. Furthermore, LL or SC supplementation significantly elevated lymphoblastogenese of the birds and the antibody values against Newcastle disease virus (NDV). The results suggest that diets supplement with 1% of either LL or SC may enhance egg production, immune function, and antioxidant status of hens during heat stress.     

4种中草药及其复方抗马拉色菌体的外药敏实验

目的观察苦参、当归、侧柏叶和白鲜皮及观察苦参、当归、侧柏叶和白鲜皮、混合药液与主要有效成分对4株CBS马拉色菌标准株的体外抑菌效果。方法通过液基稀释法,用含橄榄油的液体培养基测定各药液对马拉色菌的抑制作用。结果最小抑菌浓度（MIC）由小到大排列分别为：白鲜碱、苦参碱、苦参、侧柏叶、氧化苦参碱、侧柏叶＋当归（二仙丸）、混合药液（侧柏叶＋当归＋苦参＋白鲜皮）、白鲜皮、二仙丸＋苦参、苦参＋白鲜皮、二仙丸＋白鲜皮、槲皮素、当归、阿魏酸。结论4种中草药及其混合药液、主要有效成分均有抑制马拉色菌的作用。     

An infrared sensor analysing label‐free the secondary structure of the Abeta peptide in presence of complex fluids

The secondary structure change of the Abeta peptide to beta‐sheet was proposed as an early event in Alzheimer's disease. The transition may be used for diagnostics of this disease in an early state. We present an Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) sensor modified with a specific antibody to extract minute amounts of Abeta peptide out of a complex fluid. Thereby, the Abeta peptide secondary structure was determined in its physiological aqueous environment by FTIR‐difference‐spectroscopy. The presented results open the door for label‐free Alzheimer diagnostics in cerebrospinal fluid or blood. It can be extended to further neurodegenerative diseases.

An immunologic ATR‐FTIR sensor for Abeta peptide secondary structure analysis in complex fluids is presented.     

Classification of Chinese herbs based on the cluster analysis of delayed luminescence

Traditional Chinese material medica are an important component of the Chinese pharmacopeia. According to the traditional Chinese medicinal concept, Chinese herbal medicines are classified into different categories based on their therapeutic effects, however, the bioactive principles cannot be solely explained by chemical analysis. The aim of this study is to classify different Chinese herbs based on their therapeutic effects by using delayed luminescence (DL). The DL of 56 Chinese herbs was measured using an ultra‐sensitive luminescence detection system. The different DL parameters were used to classify Chinese herbs according to a hierarchical cluster analysis. The samples were divided into two groups based on their DL kinetic parameters. Interestingly, the DL classification results were quite consistent with classification according to the Chinese medicinal concepts of ‘cold’ and ‘heat’ properties. In this paper, we show for the first time that by using DL technology, it is possible to classify Chinese herbs according to the Chinese medicinal concept and it may even be possible to predict their therapeutic properties. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The relationship between chronotype and personality among patients with alcohol dependence syndrome: Pilot study

The study investigates the distribution of chronotypes among alcohol-dependent subjects and the relationship between personality and chronotype. Fifty-eight alcohol-dependent patients and 29 age-matched healthy controls were studied using Ogińska’s Chronotype Questionnaire (ChQ), Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire – Revised (EPQ-R), Selzer’s Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) and a sociodemographic status questionnaire designed by the authors. The alcohol-dependent patients tended to be morning type, based on the morningness–eveningness ChQ scale, with a weakly marked rhythm, based on the distinctness ChQ scale. Preference towards morningness was associated with older age, but no relation between chronotype and severity of alcohol dependence was found. A high amplitude of the rhythm was associated with higher neuroticism. Therefore, despite being in the minority, patients with a distinct circadian rhythm (i.e. with a high amplitude) are at greater risk of mood and anxiety disorders and hence should be given special consideration.