台湾・韓国産トリカブト Aconitum bartletii, A. napiforme, A. jaluense の系統学的位置

[論文] Articl

Printed Modified Bow-Tie Dipole Antenna for DVB/WLAN Applications

A printed modified bow-tie dipole antenna which consists of asymmetric-feed and inserted slots is presented to apply to the DVB and WLAN systems. This antenna combines omnidirectional radiation pattern, broad bandwidth, and band rejection in an easy way to fabricate. Experimental results of the constructed prototype indicate that the VSWR 2.5 : 1 bandwidths achieve 166.7%, 28.57%, and 23.63% at 660 MHz, 2450 MHz, and 5500 MHz, respectively

Begonia wuzhishanensis (sect. Diploclinium, Begoniaceae), a new species from Hainan Island, China

Background: Hainan is the largest island of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot and has the best preserved and most extensive tropical forests in China. A recent study on distribution of endangered species in China identifies southern Hainan as one of eight hotspots for plant conservation in the country. In continuation of our studies of Asian Begonia, we report the discovery of an attractive undescribed species, B. wuzhishanensis C.-I Peng, X.H. Jin & S.M.Ku, from Hainan Island. Results: Living plant of the new species, Begonia wuzhishanensis, was collected in 2009 and cultivated in the experimental greenhouse for morphological and cytological studies. It flowered consecutively in 2012 and 2013 in the experimental greenhouse, Academia Sinica. It was assigned to the large, heterogeneous sect. Diploclinium. The chromosome number of this new species was determined to be 2n = 26. Conclusions: A careful study of literature, herbarium specimens and living plants, both in the wild and in cultivation, support the recognition of the new species Begonia wuzhishanensis, which is described in this paper. Begonia wuzhishanensis is currently known only from Fanyang, Wuzhishan Mountain in the center of the island. A line drawing, color plate, and a distribution map are provided to aid in identification

Relationship between Obesity-related Hormone Peptides and Quality of Life in Obese Women among Different Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome Groups

AbstractThe aim of this study was to explore the relationship between obesity-related hormone peptides and quality of life in obese women among different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome groups (證型 zhèng xíng). 260 obese women met with age between 20 and 65years old and body mass index (BMI) ≧ 27kg/m2, were recruited. The participants filled out a questionnaire on obese TCM syndrome groups, which was designed by professional TCM doctors, and two questionnaires on quality of life (QOL), WHOQOL-BREF Taiwan version and MOS Short Form-12 (SF-12). Data of biochemical characteristics and obesity-related hormone peptides were collected at the same time. According to the responses provided, the obese subjects were classified into spleen deficiency with dampness encumbrance syndrome (脾虛濕阻證 pí xū shī zǔ zhèng; SDD), stomach heat with dampness encumbrance syndrome (胃熱濕阻證 wèi rè shī zǔ zhèng; SHD), liver depression and qi stagnation syndrome (肝鬱氣滯證 gān yù qì zhì zhèng; LDQ), dual spleen-kidney deficiency syndrome (脾腎兩虛證 pí shèn liǎng xū zhèng; SKD), yin deficiency with internal heat syndrome (陰虛內熱證 yīn xū nèi rè zhèng; YDI) and a control group. For physical conditions, SDD group had significantly higher means in weight and BMI compared with the control group. The insulin and leptin levels in SHD group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The LDQ group showed marked decrease in mental condition scores compared with the control group. This study found that obese women in the SDD group were fatter than those in the control group. SHD group might have greater influence on the regulation of obesity-related hormone peptides. The LDQ group had poor QOL than the control group. Analysis of TCM syndrome groups among obese women merits further investigation

The Untranslated Regions of Classic Swine Fever Virus RNA Trigger Apoptosis

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) causes a broad range of disease in pigs, from acute symptoms including high fever and hemorrhages, to chronic disease or unapparent infection, depending on the virus strain. CSFV belongs to the genus Pestivirus of the family Flaviviridae. It carries a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome. An internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) drives the translation of a single open reading frame encoding a 3898 amino acid long polypeptide chain. The open reading frame is followed by a 3' UTR comprising four highly structured stem-loops. In the present study, a synthetic RNA composed of the 5' and 3' UTRs of the CSFV genome devoid of any viral coding sequence and separated by a luciferase gene cassette (designated 5'UTR-Luc-3'UTR) triggered apoptotic cell death as early as 4 h post-transfection. The apoptosis was measured by DNA laddering analysis, TUNEL assay, annexin-V binding determined by flow cytometry, and by analysis of caspase activation. Contrasting with this, only trace DNA laddering was observed in cells transfected with the individual 5' or 3' UTR RNA; even when the 5' UTR and 3' UTR were co-transfected as separate RNA molecules, DNA laddering did not reach the level induced by the chimeric 5'UTR-Luc-3'UTR RNA. Interestingly, RNA composed of the 5'UTR and of stem-loop I of the 3'UTR triggered much stronger apoptosis than the 5' or 3'UTR alone. These results indicate that the 5' and 3' UTRs act together in cis induce apoptosis. We furthered obtained evidence that the UTR-mediated apoptosis required double-stranded RNA and involved translation shutoff possibly through activation of PKR

Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Gastric Epithelial Tumors: A Multicenter Study in Taiwan

Background/PurposeEndoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an advanced endoscopic procedure to resect early gastric cancer (EGC). The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness and complications of ESD for gastric epithelial tumors in Taiwan.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the efficacy and outcome of ESD in patients who received ESD for gastric epithelial tumors between June 2004 and August 2007.ResultsA total of 70 patients with gastric epithelial tumors were treated by ESD. The mean age was 66.5 ±12.9 years (range, 35–84 years). The mean size of the gastric epithelial tumors was 1.85 ± 0.81 cm. The mean size of resected specimens was 3.26 ± 1.39 cm. The one-piece resection rate was 91.4% (64/70). The median operation time was 92.4 minutes. The complicating bleeding and perforation rates were 5.7% (4/70) and 4.3% (3/70), respectively. Emergency surgery was performed for three patients with perforations. The local recurrence rate of gastric cancer was 2.8%. Except for one patient who died of congestive heart failure and another who died of stroke, the remaining 68 patients (97.1%) survived.ConclusionESD is a promising local curative treatment option for EGC in Taiwan but it still carries risks of perforation and bleeding. The education and learning curve of endoscopists will improve the outcome of this procedure

タイワンクサイチゴの染色体, 花, 及び分布

[論文

Ganoderma Lucidum Stimulates Autophagy-Dependent Longevity Pathways in Caenorhabditis Elegans and Human Cells

The medicinal fungus Ganoderma lucidum is used as a dietary supplement and health tonic, but whether it affects longevity remains unclear. We show here that a water extract of G. lucidum mycelium extends lifespan of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The G. lucidum extract reduces the level of fibrillarin (FIB-1), a nucleolar protein that correlates inversely with longevity in various organisms. Furthermore, G. lucidum treatment increases expression of the autophagosomal protein marker LGG-1, and lifespan extension is abrogated in mutant C. elegans strains that lack atg-18, daf-16, or sir-2.1, indicating that autophagy and stress resistance pathways are required to extend lifespan. In cultured human cells, G. lucidum increases concentrations of the LGG-1 ortholog LC3 and reduces levels of phosphorylated mTOR, a known inhibitor of autophagy. Notably, low molecular weight compounds (\u3c10 kDa) isolated from the G. lucidum water extract prolong lifespan of C. elegans and the same compounds induce autophagy in human cells. These results suggest that G. lucidum can increase longevity by inducing autophagy and stress resistance