Comparative morphology of the foliage leaf epidermis, with emphasis on papillae characters, in key taxa of woody bamboos of the Asian tropics (Poaceae: Bambusoideae)

The foliage leaf epidermis of 35 species representing 12 key genera of woody bamboos of the Asian tropics was investigated using light and scanning electron microscopy. The results indicated that papillae forms and distributional patterns around the stomatal apparatus of the abaxial foliage leaf epidermis were usually constant and were of great taxonomic significance at the specific and generic levels. However, papillae characters were not suitable for dividing subtribes within woody bamboos of the Asian tropics. On the basis of papillae characters, Schizostachyum s.s. and Cephalostachyum were confirmed, but their delimitations should be modified. The transfer of Leptocanna chinensis and Schizostachyum sanguineum into Cephalostachyum was supported, and Cephalostachyum virgatum and C .  pergracile were confirmed to be members of Schizostachyum s.s. The subtribe Racemobambosinae did not obtain support and Racemobambos appeared to be better placed in subtribe Bambusinae. Neomicrocalamus was supported as a close relative and better treated as a synonym of Racemobambos . Gigantochloa was closely related to Dendrocalamus .  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 156 , 411–423.     

A reevaluation of the amino acid sequence of human follitropin beta-subunit

A collaborative study from two laboratories has been undertaken to re-evaluate the human follitropin -subunit sequence (hFSH), since areas of uncertainty remain in the wake of two earlier reports. The first report was by Shome and Parlow (1974). The second, by Saxena and Rathnam (1976), proposed revisions for sequence not definitively placed in the first study, as well as some differences in other placements. We have re-examined the sequence of the hFSH with more recent methodology. This has led to revision of certain areas of the sequence and resolution of differences between the two earlier proposals. Specifically, an-Ile-Ser- is established at 21–22, Asp at 41, Arg at 44, Lys at 46, and Glu at 111. These were areas of disagreement in the earlier proposals. A definitive placement of the residues around tryptophan-27 has now been obtained by three laboratories. C-terminal heterogeneity was observed with subunits ending at residue 107, 109, or 111. N-terminal heterogeneity has been observed in all preparations examined to date. A significant population of molecules with a proteolytic nick between residues 38–39 is noted. This is very likely an artifact of the collection and processing. The preparations examined in the present studies showed no evidence of residues 112–118 proposed by Saxena and Rathnam.     

石蝴蝶属(苦苣苔科)第二次校订

一、分类简史 Petrocosmea是由D.Oliver于1887年根据自湖北西部描述的P.sinensis Oliv.(花冠的上唇与下唇近等长)建立的。接着W.B.Hemsley分别于1895年和1899年根据云南东南部的标本描述了三个种,并根据P.iodioides Hemsl.及P.minorHemsl.的花冠下唇远长于上唇的特征建立了新组sect.Anisochilus Hemsl.。W.G.Craib于1919年发表了本属的第一篇校订,记载了当时已描述的15种,其中包括H.     

云南兔Lepus comus G.Allen的分类订正——包括两个新亚种的描记

云南兔Lepus comus G.Allen是云贵高原和滇西山地目前发现的唯一的一种野兔,初由G.M.Allen（1927）根据采自云南西部腾冲的标本命名。其后,国内外学者（包括G.M.Allen本人在内）对云南兔究竟是一独立种或为高原兔Lepus oiostulus（Hodgson）的一个地理亚种意见纷纭（罗泽珣,1981;高耀亭等,1964;Allen,1938;Ellerman et al.,1951;Angermann,1967;Corbet,1978。我们曾对国内有关单位所收藏的这两个类群的100余号标本进行较详细的对比研究。发现云南兔在形态上与高原兔确有明显区别,在分布上又有同域现象,因而主张仍应将云南兔保持其原定种的种级地位;同时,又查对了采于各地的云南兔所有标本,发现云南北部（丽江）至中部（景东、景谷）标本以及云南东部、南部和贵州西部标本都有异于滇西地模标本,且占有不同的地理分布区。经研究,应属两个新的亚种。其中,云南东部,南部和贵州西部的新亚种,为纪念先师彭鸿绶先生毕生献身于云、贵、川的科学考察事业和他的指导与培养,特以彭先生之姓氏命名,以资纪念。     

Revision ofVerbesina sect.Pseudomontanoa (Asteraceae)

Verbesina sect.Pseudomontanoa is revised. The last treatment of the group byRobinson & Greenman (1899) recognized 5 species; the present treatment recognizes 12 species, 3 of which (V. breedlovei, V. cronquistii andV. olsenii) are described as new. A key to species, phyletic diagram and distribution maps are provided.     

The perennial taxa ofCrucianella (Rubiaceae) in SW. Asia and their eco-geographical differentiation

The perennial taxa ofCrucianella in Asia form a coherent group, apparently diploid (x = 11) and outbreeding throughout, and should be placed into sect.Roseae. This Irano-Turanian group has its centre of diversity in the mountain systems south of the Caspian Sea and reaches with outposts NE. and E. Anatolia, NE. Iraq, S. Iran and C. Asia. Four species and 13 subspecies (within the polymorphicC. gilanica) are recognized, described (partly as new), and illustrated (Figs. 1–6). Conspectus, keys and distribution maps (Figs. 7 and 8) as well as plesio- and apomorphic character states and data on size of areas are provided (Table 1). There is an obvious correlation between more plesiomorphic taxa with smaller areas in the distribution centre of the group, and more apomorphic taxa with larger areas towards its periphery (Fig. 9). These findings are linked to a working hypothesis on the evolution of the group.Dedicated to Prof. DrLothar Geitler on the occasion of his 90th birthday.     

新疆贝母属的订正

本文根据所收集到的标本和有关文献资料,对新疆贝母属进行了整理。归并9种和21变种。确认新疆贝母属有7种,包括一新分布种,裕民贝母F．stenanthera。     

Chemotaxonomic value of anthocyanins in Podalyria and Virgilia (tribe Podalyrieae: Fabaceae)

Anthocyanin pigments responsible for purple and pink flower colours in the tribe Podalyrieae have been identified. The considerable variation in flower colour is not reflected in the chemical variation and the flower pigments are surprisingly conservative. Virgilia flowers always have the acetic acid esters of cyanidin-3-glucoside and peonidin-3-glucoside as major compounds, together with trace amounts of the coumaroyl ester of cyanidin-3-glucoside. Podalyria flowers invariably have the rather more stable coumaroyl ester of cyanidin. The data support a close affinity between the two genera but also show that flower colour is only partially homologous.     

中国熊猴的分类整理

本文通过查看国内收藏的标本对M.assamensis进行了分类整理,认为M.a.coolidgei的亚种地位应予恢复,滇西地区熊猴可能代表一个新类群。通过t检验,滇南和越南等地与滇西北和西藏东南部等地熊猴头骨的某些特征表现出显著或极显著差异。作为区分coolidgei与assamensis的指标:coolidgei体型较小,肩背毛较短,35—75mm,背毛环纹略显或不明显,0—2环,体色更为灰暗;assamensis体型较大,肩背毛较长,85—110mm,背毛环纹明显,3—4环。     

Synthesis and characterization of two potential impurities (des-ethyl-Ganirelix) generated in the Ganirelix manufacturing process

Controlling certain diseases using peptide drugs has remarkably increased in the past two decades. In this regard, a generic formulation is an upfront solution to fulfill market demands. Ganirelix, a leading peptide active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) primarily used as a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH), has established a potential market value worldwide. But its generic formulation mandates detailed impurity profiles from a synthetic source and contemplates the sameness of a reference-listed drug (RLD). Post-chemical synthesis and processing of Ganirelix, some commercial sources have revealed two new potential impurities among many known, which show the deletion of an ethyl group from the hArg(Et)₂ residue at the sixth and eighth positions, named des-ethyl-Ganirelix. These impurities are unprecedented in traditional peptide chemistry, and such monoethylated-hArg building blocks are not easily accessible commercially to synthesize these two impurities. Here, we have outlined the synthesis, purification, and enantiomeric purity characterization of the amino acids and their incorporation in the Ganirelix peptide sequence to synthesize these potential peptide impurities. This methodology will enable the convenient synthesis of side-chain substituted Arg and hArg derivatives in peptide drug discovery platforms.