By the fourth survey of Chinese medicinal resources, new medicinal plants records of 2 genera and 5 species were reported in Tibet. They are two genera Rhynchoglossum and Asteropyrum, and five species including Rh. obliquum, A. peltatum, Urena repanda, Schefflera khasiana and Mimulus tenellus. All the voucher specimens are preserved in Herbarium of Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry University.
Araliaceae ; classification ; Lamiales ; classification ; Malvaceae ; classification ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; Ranunculaceae ; classification ; Tibet

This study investigated the choroplast genome sequence of wild Atractylodes lancea from Yuexi in Anhui province by high-throughput sequencing, followed by characterization of the genome structure, which laid a foundation for the species identification, analysis of genetic diversity, and resource conservation of A. lancea. To be specific, the total genomic DNA was extracted from the leaves of A. lancea with the improved CTAB method. The chloroplast genome of A. lancea was sequenced by the high-throughput sequencing technology, followed by assembling by metaSPAdes and annotation by CPGAVAS2. Bioiformatics methods were employed for the analysis of simple sequence repeats(SSRs), inverted repeat(IR) border, codon bias, and phylogeny. The results showed that the whole chloroplast genome of A. lancea was 153 178 bp, with an 84 226 bp large single copy(LSC) and a 18 658 bp small single copy(SSC) separated by a pair of IRs(25 147 bp). The genome had the GC content of 37.7% and 124 genes: 87 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 29 tRNA genes. It had 26 287 codons and encoded 20 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Atractylodes species clustered into one clade and that A. lancea had close genetic relationship with A. koreana. This study established a method for sequencing the chloroplast genome of A. lancea and enriched the genetic resources of Compositae. The findings are expected to lay a foundation for species identification, analysis of genetic diversity, and resource conservation of A. lancea.
Phylogeny ; Atractylodes/genetics* ; Genome, Chloroplast ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Lamiales

We investigated the microRNA172 (miR172)-mediated regulatory network for the perception of changes in external and endogenous signals to identify a universally applicable floral regulation system in ornamental plants, manipulation of which could be economically beneficial. Transgenic gloxinia plants, in which miR172 was either overexpressed or suppressed, were generated using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. They were used to study the effect of altering the expression of this miRNA on time of flowering and to identify its mRNA target. Early or late flowering was observed in transgenic plants in which miR172 was overexpressed or suppressed, respectively. A full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) of gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa) APETALA2-like (SsAP2-like) was identified as a target of miR172. The altered expression levels of miR172 caused up- or down-regulation of SsAP2-like during flower development, which affected the time of flowering. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR analysis of different gloxinia tissues revealed that the accumulation of SsAP2-like was negatively correlated with the expression of miR172a, whereas the expression pattern of miR172a was negatively correlated with that of miR156a. Our results suggest that transgenic manipulation of miR172 could be used as a universal strategy for regulating time of flowering in ornamental plants.
Arabidopsis/genetics* ; Arabidopsis Proteins/metabolism* ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary/metabolism* ; Flowers/physiology* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism* ; Lamiales/physiology* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Nuclear Proteins/metabolism* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/physiology* ; Plasmids/metabolism* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transgenes

Bee propolis ethanolic extract with some plant essential oils was investigated for its antidermatophytic properties. The tested plant essential oils included jasmine, clove, lemon, Arabian jasmine, mint, rosa, olive and basil. The antidermatophytic activity has been compared to Naftifine-HCl and Clotrimazole used for dermatophyte treatment. Experimental model has been tested using sheep hoof plate for the in vitro tests to stimulate human nails. Mint, clove and basil with 4 mg/ml of bee propolis have a comparable efficacy to those of Naftifine-HCl and Clotrimazole. There is a great necessity for new effective low price and safe antidermatophyte agents to avoid recurrent infection. Propolis synergistic could be of great importance with essential oils of plants in dermatophyte therapy.
Animals ; Arthrodermataceae ; Bees* ; Clotrimazole ; Ethanol ; Syzygium ; Hoof and Claw* ; Humans ; Jasminum ; Mentha ; Models, Theoretical* ; Ocimum basilicum ; Oils, Volatile* ; Olea ; Plants* ; Propolis* ; Rosa ; Sheep*

Aim: To determine the efficacy and mode of action of hot and cold water extracts of Orthosiphon stamineus leaves against two strains of human herpes virus 1 (HHV-1) i.e. KOS-1 and acyclovir (ACV)-resistant UKM-1 (UKM-1) strains. Methodology and results: Hot and cold water extracts of O. stamineus were not cytotoxic to vero cells as determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay with 50% cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) values of 3.4 and 3.3 mg/mL respectively. Antiviral activity was determined by plaque reduction assay in post-treatment, pre-treatment and virucidal assays followed by time-addition and time removal assay to relate with the stages during the viral infection cycle. Both extracts displayed antiviral activity against HHV-1 KOS-1 and HHV-1 UKM-1 strains with 50% effective concentration (EC50) values between 0.12-0.15 mg/mL in reducing plaque formation. The calculated selectivity indices (SI) were 23 and 28 for hot and cold water extract respectively, indicating that they have good potential as antiviral agent. The extracts were virucidal towards both HHV-1 KOS-1 and HHV-1 UKM-1 strains which may directly affects the virus structure. This is supported with the fact that exposure of the extracts inhibit viral attachment and penetration to the vero cells. In time-of addition assay, both extracts were effective during the early stage of virus infection cycle for HHV-1 KOS-1 strain which is in parallel with the results from the attachment and penetration studies. For HHV-1 UKM-1 strain, contact to the extracts at any time during post-infection inhibits virus replication and also progeny release. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Cold and hot water extracts of O. stamineus have good potential as antiviral agent against HHV-1 strain KOS-1 and more importantly against UKM-1 strain which is ACV-resistant. The extracts displayed virucidal effect and inhibition of early virus replication cycle involving viral attachment and penetration to cells.
Orthosiphon--adverse effects

The mechanical stiffness of Unilateral-Ring Hybrid External Fixation(URHEF) was analyzed and compared with conventional Ilizarov circular external fixation system and unilateral fixation with DynaExtor(R). Our URHEF is basically a unilateral external fixation system which affords easier incorporation and removal of the Ilizarov rings(200mm in diameter) coupled with connecting clamps at anytime, if needed. It allows controlled axial micromotion in due time. For mechanical test, URHEF system was constructed using a DynaExtor(R) fixed with two or three half pins(6 mm in diameter) attached with two proximal and distal Ilizarov rings fixed with an olive pin and a half pin on each ring. Unilateral fixation system was constructed with a DynaExtor(R) fixed with 2 or 3 half pins. Ring fixation system was constructed with four Ilizarov rings(140mm in diameter). Ilizarov system were assembled into 90degrees-90degrees and 45degrees-13 5degrees configurations with 2 olive pins, respectively. The distance between the center of pylon and the pin-clamp interface was equalized, being 70mm, in all the systems. Stiffness in axial compression, anteroposterior and lateral bending was measured. On axial compression and lateral bending tests, URHEF was stiffer than DynaExtor(R) and Ilizarov systems. On anteroposterior bending test, URHEF was less stiff than 90degrees-50degrees configuration of the Ilizarov system but stiffer than 45degrees-135degrees configuration. Considering the fact that instead of 90degrees-90degrees transfixing pin fixatin system, 45degrees-135degrees configuration system is generally used in clinical practice, URHEF appears to be significantly stiffer than unilateral(DynaExtor(R)) and circular (Ilizarov)fixation systems. This mechanical study implicates that URHEF can be beneficially applied in the clinical use with assurance of mechanical stability.
External Fixators ; Olea

The purpose of this study is to evaluate biomechanical stability of Korean Ilizarov fixator before clinical application. We measured the ultimate tensile load and stiffness of Ilizarov smooth wire and olive wire, bending stiffness of half-pin, ultimate compressive load and stiffness of Ilizarov ring using Instron 1331. Four types of Ilizarov assembly were tested for measuring stiffness of axial compression, anteroposterior bending, and lateral bending. There were group I fixed with only smooth wires; group II with only olive wires; group III with wires and half-pins; and group IV with only half-pins. The results of Korean Ilizarov apparatus were compared to those of American Ilizarov apparatus using unpaired t-test. The ultimate tensile strength of Korean smooth wire was greater than that of American wire. The ultimate tensile strength of Korean olive wire was lower than that of American wire. There was no significant difference of stiffness of axial compression, anteroposterior bending, and lateral bending between American and Korean apparatus. There was no significant difference of axial compression stiffness and bending stiffness between group III and group IV. In conclusion, Korean Ilizarov apparatus can be used with good stability for treatment of fracture, internal bone transport, and limb lengthening according to this biomechanical study.
Extremities ; Olea ; Tensile Strength

Twenty plant extracts were tested against mycelial growth, sclerotium formatiom and dry weight of mycelium with sclerotia of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. The highest(90 mm) mycelial growth was measured in Adhatoda vasica, Tegetes erecta, Allium cepa, and Curcuma longa. The lowest(25 mm) was in Azadirachta indica. No mycelial growth was found in any concentration of cow, buffalo, and goat urine. The highest(90 mm) and the lowest(15 mm) mycelial growth were measured in Biomil and Urea, respectively. No mycelial growth was observed in Zinc. The highest(60 mm) and the lowest(2 mm) mycelial growth were recorded in Macuprex(Dodine; 65% WP) and Boron(100% Boric acid and 17% Boron) respectively. Mycelial growth was totally inhibited in Rovral(Iprodione; 50% WP).
Justicia ; Azadirachta ; Buffaloes ; Curcuma ; Fertilizers* ; Goats ; Mycelium ; Onions ; Plant Extracts* ; Plants* ; Urea ; Zinc

If the intramedullary nail fails for any reason, the broken nail must be removed by a closed or open manner to perform the next procedure for osteosynthesis. Numerous techniques have been introduced but the removal was difficult to do without special equipment. We have successfully removed the distal segment only with the olive tipped and straight guide rod which are ordinary equipment for intramedullary nailing. We found that this is a very simple, safe and economic method for retrieval of the distal fragment of broken femoral and tibial nails.
Femur* ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Olea

To determine the optimal condition of pollen germination. The pollen of Prunella vulgaris was cultured in vitro. Pollen germination rates were recorded using 10% H3BO4, 30% Ca(NO3)2, 20% MgSO4 and 10% KNO3 as the basic mineral medium with PEG of different molecular weight, sucrose of various density and multiple pH value. The rates were also measured under different cultivation temperature and pollen acquisition time. The optimal condition of pollen germination is 10% H3 BO4, 30% Ca(NO3)2, 20% MgSO4, 10% KNO3, and 25% PEG-4000 as the medium, with pH about 6. 5 and pollen acquired at the beginning of blossom.
Flowers ; physiology ; Pollen ; physiology ; Prunella ; physiology