Prevention of aortic lesions and hyperlipidaemia by alfalfa seed extract in cholesterol fed rabbit

Extract of alfalfa seed (ethanolic 50 % v/v) prevents the development of plaque formation and hyperlipidaemia in cholesterol fed rabbits. It inhibits the elevation of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, LDL-cholesterol and total cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, while HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio increases, which is associated with a reduced incidence of atherosclerosis. Further reduction in total cholesterol and phospholipid contents of liver and heart muscle are suggestive of a beneficial role of the seed extract. The possible mechanisms of action are discussed.     

Phylogenetic relationships in theSideritis leucantha group (Lamiaceae)

Six closely related taxa of the sect.Eusideritis of the genusSideritis (S. leucantha, S. pusilla, S. flavovirens, S. granatensis, S. biflora andS. osteoxylla) are analysed to elucidate their phylogenetic relationships and position within the sect.Eusideritis. Meiotic behaviour, karyotype features, size and fertility of pollen grains, DNA amounts and seed protein profiles are reviewed. A polyploid origin of the group (from x = 7) and the further diversification through dysploidy and chromosome repatterning is postulated.S. osteoxylla is apparently of hybrid origin.     

Phylogeny of chromosome races ofFestuca arundinacea andF. mairei (Poaceae) as indicated by seed protein electrophoresis

Seed protein electrophoresis of four chromosomes races ofFestuca arundinacea, F. mairei and their progenitors showed variation in banding patterns. High protein similarities betweenF. arundinacea, F. mairei, F. scariosa, andF. pratensis indicate close phylogenetic relationships of these species. The ancestry ofF. arundinacea cytotypes could be narrowed to three diploid species:F. scariosa, F. pratensis, andF. rubra or to their close relatives.     

Postcranial variations in late Epigravettian and Neolithic human remains from Arene Candide cave (Liguria,Italy)

Late Epigravettian postcranial human remains from the Arene Candide cave (Finale Ligure, Savona, Italy) were compared with the Neolithic sample found in the upper levels of the same site. Data on length, diaphyseal circumference and diameter of clavicle, humerus, radius, femur and tibia were collected from male specimens having all these bones. The Epigravettian sample is characterized by significantly greater tibial length, robustness and platycnemia, significantly lower circumferences in the upper limb bones and the clavicle, and a high degree of asymmetry. Variations observed in lower limb bones are those expected on the basis of the different functional requirements of a hunting and gathering economy compared to a more sedentary, food producing economy. Differences in the upper limb bones and the clavicle are less explicable. However, considering that in spite of a more slender structure, the Epigravettian bones show evidence of vigorous use, variation in upper limb could result from qualitatively different involvements.     

Seed germination in Gactaceae

The mode of germination of representatives of 89 genera of the Cactaceae, 4 genera of Portulacaceae and 1 genus of Phytolaccaceae was studied. Most of the species of the Cactaceae germinate by means of a seed lid (operculum). In the Cactaceae studied 11 kinds of germination could be distinguished, 3 of which were with, and 8 without, operculum formation.
Opercula are restricted in their occurrence to the subfamilies Cactoideae (Cereoideae) and Pereskioideae and are not found in the subfamily Opuntioideae. Within the subfamily Cactoideae operculum formation was found to occur in all tribes and in all investigated subtribes. Opercula were also found in two genera of the related family of the Portulacaceae. In the Phytolaccaceae no operculum formation was observed.     

9-Hydroxydodecanoic acid,an acid from Blepharis sindica seed oil

A hitherto unknown hydroxy acid has been isolated from Blepharis sindica seed oil has been characterized as 9-hydroxydodecanoic acid by IR, NMR and mass spectral studies. The structure of this acid was further supported by its chemical transformations.     

Kombic acid,a hydroquinone polyisoprenoic carboxylic acid from Pycnanthus kombo seed fat

The fat of the seeds from the West African tree Pycnanthus kombo contains ca 20% of a hitherto undescribed compound. This compound was identified as 16(2′,5′-dihydroxy-3′-methylphenyl)-2,6,10,14-tetramethyl-2,6,10,14-hexadecatetraenoic acid, for which the name kombic acid is proposed.     

Caryedon serratus and its parasitoids in the Savanna around Lamto,Ivory Coast

In the savanna around Lamto,Caryedon serratus develops, in the beginning of the dry season, on maturing seeds ofPiliostigma thonningii (Caesalpinioideae). A 2^nd generation, and sometimes a 3^nd one, develops in dry seeds. There is no pupal diapause during the rainy season and adults seems to spend this period in a semi-lethargic state. The parasitoid complex ofC. serratus is a chalcid-dominated one. It includes 5 species: one oophagous (Uscana caryedoni) and 4 larvo-nymphal parasitoids. Three species are regular (Anisopteromalus caryedophagus, Bracon sp. andU. caryedoni), the others are sporadic species (Proconura serratocida, Eurytoma caryedocida). Biological data are given for each species.      

反相高效液相色谱分析种子醇溶贮藏蛋白质鉴定大麦品种(英文)

本文采用反相高效液相色谱(reversedphase high-performance liquid chromatography,RP-HPLC)技术分析了中国种植的24个不同大麦品种的种子醇溶贮藏蛋白质。首先,根据所获得的色谱图的相似性可以将供试品种分成10组,每组各有自己的共同特征色谱峰;其次,再依据各组内不同品种间色谱图的定性或定量上的差异可以将它们分别区别和鉴定;这表明大麦种子醇溶贮藏蛋白质的异质性较强,其组成随基因型的不同而有所变异。因此,应用RP-HPLC技术分析大麦种子醇溶贮藏蛋白质可以准确、快速地对大麦品种进行鉴定。