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Daphne kosaninii (Thymelaeaceae) was described from the Slavyanka Mt and Pirin Mts in SW Bulgaria. It is reported as also occurring in Kosovo, Greece and North Macedonia. The species is characterized by glabrous leaves and reddish-pink pubescent flowers. Two morphotypes can be recognized, one with patent-spreading perianth lobes and the other with erect perianth lobes. Daphne kosaninii f. kosaninii is defined as the typical form with patent-spreading perianth lobes; it occurs in Bulgaria, Greece and North Macedonia. Daphne sojakii described from Mt Vermion in north central Greece is synonymous with it. Daphne kosaninii f. cleistogama is the variant with erect perianth lobes held closely together so that the flowers appear cleistogamous. Daphne domini described from the area of Mt Orelek in SW Bulgaria is a synonym. This is the most common form in the mountains of northern Greece. The two forms are geographically separate, they never occur together in the same locality. Daphne velenovskyi described from Pirin Mts (SW Bulgaria) is considered synonymous with D. cneorum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sclerophyllous syndrome is characterized by well‐defined traits (evergreen coriaceous leaves, inconspicuous flowers, and fleshy fruits). It has been hypothesized that lineages displaying the sclerophyllous syndrome show lower speciation rates than non‐sclerophyllous lineages after the establishment of the mediterranean climate. Daphne gnidium displays sclerophyllous traits and some differentiation into three subspecies (gnidium, mauritanica, maritima), but the spatio‐temporal origin of this taxonomic group is unknown due to the lack of a time‐calibrated phylogeny of the whole genus. Here, we inferred phylogenetic relationships and divergence times of Daphne (32 species, 238 samples) and other genera of Thymelaeaceae (16 genera, 38 species, 34 samples) using the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), which revealed that the current circumscription of Daphne is profoundly polyphyletic because some species are nested within the genera Wikstroemia and Edgeworthia. In contrast, D. gnidium formed a well‐supported clade as recognized in taxonomic accounts (subgenus Spachia). We found morphological and phylogenetic support for Daphne mauritanica as a monophyletic lineage sister to D. gnidium. Divergence between D. gnidium and D. mauritanica appears to have predated the establishment of seasonally dry conditions, which supports a pre‐mediterranean temporal origin of the lineage. A phylogeographical analysis within D. gnidium based on 66 nrDNA (ITS) and 84 cpDNA (rps16, trnV) sequences agreed with the low differentiation of the species in the Pleistocene despite its large distribution range. Altogether, D. gnidium illustrates one more example of the sclerophyllous syndrome with no speciation after the onset of the mediterranean climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Odd ploidy-level cytotypes in sexually reproducing species are considered a dead end due to absent or reduced fertility. If sterility is only partial, however, their contribution to the population gene pool can be augmented by longevity and clonal growth. To test this, we investigated the cytotype origin and spatial pattern, and pollen viability in three relict shrub species of the genus Daphne (Thymelaeaceae Juss.) in central Europe. Daphne cneorum subsp. cneorum is a widespread European species that has a broad ecological amplitude, whereas D. cneorum subsp. arbusculoides and D. arbuscula are narrow endemics of the western Pannonian Plain and the Western Carpathians, respectively. Our study confirmed that all three taxa are diploid. However, of more than a thousand analysed individuals of D. cneorum subsp. cneorum , five in four different populations were triploid. Our data indicate that these triploids most likely originate from recurrent autopolyploidization events caused by the fusion of reduced and unreduced gametes. High pollen viability was observed in all three taxa and in both diploid and triploid cytotypes, ranging from 65 to 100 %. Our study highlights the significant role of odd ploidy-level cytotypes in interploidy gene flow, calling for more research into their reproduction, genetic variability, and overall fitness. Interestingly, while the endemic D. arbuscula differs from D. cneorum based on genetic and genome size data, D. cneorum subsp. arbusculoides was indistinguishable from D. cneorum subsp. cneorum. However, our study reveals that the subspecies differ in the number of flowers per inflorescence. This is the first comprehensive cytogeographic study of this intriguing genus at a regional scale, and in spite of its karyological stability, it contributes to our understanding of genomic evolution in plant species with a wide ecological amplitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The project, called “Apollo and Daphne and iconographic research: digital methodologies for art history”, focuses on the digitalisation of relevant works of art and extends their use and reuse on the web, eventually exploring some tools that could improve iconographic research. As a case study, 25 works of art representing the myth of Apollo and Daphne produced from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries in all fields of art, such as sculpture, painting and illuminated manuscripts have been chosen. These 25 images belonging from different historical and artistical periods were enough to create an iconographic canon that can been studied using digital tools. The choice of Ovid’s myth was motivated by the deep connection between the text (original and translated) and the huge artistic production on the mythological subject increased by the fifteenth century because of renewed interest in the Latin poem and classical world in general.

Daphne (Thymelaeaceae) is a small group of shrubby plants mainly distributed in subtropical and temperate regions of the world with a few species also occurring in alpine habitats. Of ca. 95 species in the world, six species and one variety are reported from India. Phylogenetic relationships of the Indian Daphne were investigated based on nuclear (ITS) and plastid (rbcL and trnL-F) regions. A total of 21 sequences representing five taxa of the six species reported from India were newly generated for the present study. The phylogenies using ML and Bayesian analyses obtained from individual and combined datasets were congruent and strongly supported the monophyly of the genus Daphne. Combined analyses revealed two major well-supported clades. The systematic relationship of the narrow endemic species, D. thanguensis was also confirmed as sister to the morphologically similar D. tangutica. The study supports the independent species status of D. retusa and D. tangutica. Ancestral state reconstructions were done using two major features, viz. presence or absence of indumentum on calyx and colour of the calyx occurrence of species. A taxonomic key has also been provided for the Indian taxa. This is the first comprehensive molecular study on the Indian Daphne. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Daphne pontica L. is an evergreen shrub that is recorded as an anti-diarrheic plant in Turkish folk medicine. Previous studies on D. pontica have reported, albeit slightly, the isolation of daphnane diterpenoids, but no systematic phytochemical analysis of daphnane diterpenoids has been conducted., Objective: This study aimed to comprehensively investigate daphnane diterpenoids in the extracts from the different parts (stems, leaves, and fruits) of D. pontica., Methods: An ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Q-Exactive hybrid quadrupole Orbitrap mass spectrometer (UHPLC-Q-Exactive-Orbitrap MS) was used for the qualitative analysis of D. pontica. The stems, leaves, and fruits of D. pontica were extracted with diethyl ether. Each extract was then pretreated by a solid phase extraction cartridge and subjected to LC-MS/MS analysis. Detected daphnane diterpenoids were tentatively identified by comparison with an in-house daphnane library, and their chemical structures were estimated in detail by MS/MS fragmentation evaluation., Results: A total of 33 kinds of daphnanes were identified from the different parts of D. pontica, and were classified into three subtypes: daphnane orthoester, polyhydroxy daphnane, and macrocyclic daphnane orthoester. Among them, six daphnanes were postulated to be previously unreported compounds based on MS/MS fragmentation elucidation. Furthermore, the three plant parts showed similar daphnane diterpenoid profiles, with the stems containing the most abundant daphnane diterpenoids., Conclusion: This is the first study to perform qualitative analysis of daphnane diterpenoids systematically and comprehensively in different parts of D. pontica. The results revealed that D. pontica is a plant resource rich in a variety of daphnane diterpenoids., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

To explore diversity in cold hardiness mechanisms, high resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to visualise freezing behaviours in wintering Daphne kamtschatica var. jezoensis flower buds, which have naked florets and no bud scales. MRI images showed that anthers remained stably supercooled to the range from −14 to −21°C or lower while most other tissues froze by −7°C. Freezing of some anthers detected in MRI images between −14 and −21°C corresponded with numerous low temperature exotherms and also with the 'all‐or‐nothing' type of anther injuries. In ovules/pistils, only embryo sacs remained supercooled at −7°C or lower, but slowly dehydrated during further cooling. Cryomicroscopic observation revealed ice formation in the cavities of calyx tubes and pistils but detected no ice in embryo sacs or in anthers. The distribution of ice nucleation activity in floral tissues corroborated the tissue freezing behaviours. Filaments likely work as the ice blocking barrier that prevents ice intrusion from extracellularly frozen calyx tubes to connecting unfrozen anthers. Unique freezing behaviours were demonstrated in Daphne flower buds: preferential freezing avoidance in male and female gametophytes and their surrounding tissues (by stable supercooling in anthers and by supercooling with slow dehydration in embryo sacs) while the remaining tissues tolerate extracellular freezing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embodied cognition, kinaesthetic knowledge, and kinesic imagination are central not only to acts of creation but also to the reception of artworks. This article substantiates this claim by focusing on sensorimotricity in art and literature, presenting two sets of analytical distinctions that pertain to dynamics in gesture and movement. The first set of distinctions—kinesis, kinaesthesia, kinetics, and kinematics—and the second set—timing, tempo, and momentum—are used to analyse literary descriptions and visual depictions of movements. The first set of distinctions is discussed in the first part of the article in relation to medieval drawings and literary excerpts from different historical periods (in works by Ovid, Shakespeare, and Proust). The second part focuses on visual arts and leads to an analysis of Bruegel's Fall of the Rebel Angels, while the third part presents a kinesic analysis of the Apollo and Daphne episode in Ovid's Metamorphoses. A heightened attention to the cognitive processing of kinesic features in acts of reception enhances the role and responsibility of readers and viewers in the ways in which they grasp the movement-based meanings formalized by artists of various cultures and historical periods.

We normally hardly notice the mass-produced paper products that pass through our hands on a daily basis, which we then recycle. In fact it has recently been predicted that books printed on paper will be replaced by digital formats. However, paper endures and specialist craft papers are now being produced in increasing quantities, especially valued by artists and conservators, but also by tourists visiting paper-producing areas around the world. Paper is therefore flourishing even in our computer and mobile-phone focused world. One of the areas benefiting from this revival is the Himalayas. As well as serving the tourist trade these products are now exported world-wide, as they were when paper first arrived in Europe in the eleventh century. There are even organisations that run Tibetan-style paper making workshops in Amer­ica. This paper focuses on the papermaking revival in Tibet (China), Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim (India). Using information gained from visits to producers, middle men, as well as retail and export operations, it seeks to compare the economic and social factors influencing the revival, including conservation issues. The conclusion highlights the fact that, even in the twenty first century, hand-crafted items still play an important rôle in our lives.

Wikstroemia zhejiangensis (Thymelaeaceae: Thymelaeoideae), a new endemic species from Zhejiang, China, is described and illustrated. Wikstroemia gaomushanensis is a new combination based on Daphne gaomushanensis. Owning to the four stamens alternating with the calyx lobes, and cup-like disk scales, these two species do not fit into an existing section. Therefore, a new section of Wikstroemia, sect. Zhejiangenses, is identified. Notes on the distribution, ecology, conservation status, and pollen micromorphology of Wikstroemia zhejiangensis and W. gaomushanensis are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fiWe have cloned two retrotransposons, one named SF-RT from Sogatella furcifera and another named NL-Rt from Nilaparvata lugens genome. Both SF-RT and NL-RT are members of the Daphne clade, and encode two open reading frames (ORFs) required for retrotransposition.We have gotten a methylated DNA fragments screened from S. furcifera genomes by methylation sensitive amplified fragment length polymorphism, and displayed higher cytosine methylation level in macropterous female adults than in brachypterous female adults. The methylated DNA fragment locate in the first ORF from 21bp to 319bp in SF-RT. Semiquantitative PCR analysis indicated that the detected gene fragments of SF-RT had higher expression in brachypterous female adult than in macropterous female adult, it means that the DNA methylationcan decline the gene expression in SF-RT.

This article explores metamorphic outcomes in Ovid’s Metamorphoses. While the poem may be steeped in constant mutability, for the most part gender emerges as a surprisingly static feature, and one that carries remarkable weight also when read beside the aftermaths of Ovidian transformations. Though there may be no fixed schema that categorically establishes disparities in the final destinations of male and female transformations, I show that there are significant gendered patterns with some perhaps unexpected consequences for class and social status also. In considering the poem’s main destinations, we can see distinct patterns of outcomes: heavily gender-based for trees, gender-significant (albeit not simply determined) for watercourses, gods, and stones, and gender-equal in the case of birds and other animals. The article tackles some of the unconscious gender preconceptions at play, and explores the enduring significance of gender for the Metamorphoses within the various outcomes of those who become victims, or occasionally beneficiaries, of Ovidian metamorphosis.

The article discusses a number of post-millennial London narratives in print and on screen. Significantly, these use chance as a structural device, contrive chance encounters between disparate characters and/or twists of fate in individual characters' lives. It is concerned with the changing fortunes of different areas of the metropolis by way of economic and cultural capital, migration within and beyond London, immigration and shifts in generic representations of the city. Chance here designates lucky, improbable, arbitrary and coincidental occurrences: modern inflections of a mythologised metropolitan theme.

Daphne plants, belonging to Thymelaeaceae, have been used as traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Previous studies suggested that they exerted anti-tumor activities and reported a number of compounds with anti-tumor activities, isolated from the genus Daphne. However, the targets of these compounds have not been determined yet. In this study, network pharmacology was used to analyze 128 terpenoid compounds from the genus Daphne and 49 target proteins of liver cancer. The results suggested that the target with the most number of directed edges was 5yz0. The compound which docked with 5yz0 best is AR.DT.25 (acutilobin D), and the compounds with total docking score greater than 10 were almost all Daphnane diterpenoids. The network pharmacology results predicted that the 5yz0 protein was one of the potential targets of the terpenoids from the genus Daphne and then suggested several new targets and compounds for further liver cancer research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is argued that Theophanes the Confessor derives his information concerning the name of the baths where Constans II was allegedly assassinated from Theophilus of Edessa. It is further argued that Theophilus' claim that Andrew deliberately killed Constans by hitting him with a bucket is rather unconvincing and may represent the hypothetical reconstruction of the event by an imperial administration that could not accept that the emperor had died as a result of an unfortunate accident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Daphne L. belongs to Thymelaeaceae family which has about 70 species in the world and 4 species in Iran. The species of this genus have compounds such as flavon, Betulin, Simarin and etc. that have anticancer, anti-flammation, antigout and antimicrobial effects. In this study, the pollen of 11 different accessions of D. mucronata, D. oleoides, D. pontica, D. mezerum were studied using stereo microscope, light microscope and scanning electron microscope for identifying and recognizing useful characteristic of these species. The results were analyzed utilizing NTSYS pc v 2.02 e software and dendrogram constructed using UPGMA method. The results have shown that pollen grains are spheroid to elliptic shape, tricolporat and polyforat in the studied species and there are differences on exine surface that create Crotonoid and Semicrotonoid patters. Characteristics such as shape and pollen grains diagonal, revealing and hiding of reticular muri exine diameter are effective in taxonomic segregation of species. In this study, three types of seed surface ornamentation from cell-like, mosaic, and wavy were observed and characteristics such as leaf shape and the presence and density of trichomes, perianth color, lobe form, presence of trichome in ovule,seed color, seed shape, having billed and seed ornamentation of surface are different (variable) between species.

Since plants are an important source of anticancer drugs, we have carried out a random screening for selective anticancer activity of 57 extracts from 45 plants collected in Grazalema Natural Park, an area in the South of Spain of high plant diversity and endemism. Using lung cancer cells (A549) and lung non-malignant cells (MRC-5), we found that several extracts were more cytotoxic and selective against the cancer cells than the standard anticancer agent cisplatin. Five active extracts were further tested in cancer and normal cell lines from other tissues, including three skin cell lines with increasing degree of malignancy. An extract from the leaves of Daphne laureola L. (Thymelaeaceae) showed a striking potency and selectivity on lung cancer cells and leukemia cells; the IC50 values against these cancer cells were approximately 10,000-fold lower than against the normal cells. Daphnane-type diterpene orthoesters may be responsible for this highly selective anticancer activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are abundant natural diterpenoids in the plants of the genus Daphne from the Thymelaeaceae family, featuring a 5/7/6-tricyclic ring system and usually with an orthoester group. So far, a total of 135 diterpenoids has been isolated from the species of the genus Daphne, which could be further classified into three main types according to the substitution pattern of ring A and oxygen-containing functions at ring B. A variety of studies have demonstrated that these compounds exert a wide range of bioactivities both in vitro and in vivo including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-HIV, antifertility, neurotrophic, and cholesterol-lowering effects, which is reviewed herein. Meanwhile, the fascinating structure–activity relationship is also concluded in this review in the hope of providing an easy access to available information for the synthesis and optimization of efficient drugs.

Daphne mezereum L., an important medicinal plant in Scandinavian folk medicine, was used to treat ailments such as diarrhea, swelling and stomach pain. A range of natural compounds have been isolated, but little attention has been given to the polysaccharides in this plant. Previous work in our group have shown that a polysaccharide enriched fraction from the bark of D. mezereum exhibited pro-inflammatory effects. To pursue this further, the aim of the present work was to isolate and characterize these polysaccharides. From the ethanol-precipitate of a water extract, one neutral (DMP-NF) and one acidic (DMP-AF) fraction was isolated by anion-exchange chromatography. GC, GC-MS and 1D- and 2D-NMR were used to characterize the polysaccharide structures. DMP-NF appeared to be a mixture of arabinan, arabinogalactan and hemicelluloses such as xyloglucan, mannan and xylan. DMP-AF contained a pectic polysaccharide mainly consisting of an unusually long homogalacturonan backbone. Enzymatic treatment by pectinase of DMP-AF yielded DMP-ED, which contained a rhamnogalacturonan-I backbone with arabinan, galactan and arabinogalactan side chains. Both DMP-NF and DMP-ED induced IFN-γ and TNF-α secretion in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), DMP-ED being the most potent fraction. DMP-AF was less active, which might be due to a less sterically available rhamnogalacturonan-I domain., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Six undescribed guaianolide sesquiterpenes (1-6) were obtained from the aerial parts of Daphne penicillata. Their structures and absolute configuration were elucidated by HRESIMS, NMR analyses, ECD calculations and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Structurally, all compounds possess the typical 5,7-fused system of 8,12-guaianolides and this guaianolide-type was first reported to be isolated from Daphne penicillata. All compounds (1-6) were evaluated for anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity. Among them, compounds 1 and 5 showed moderate inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production in BV2 cells and 4 displayed potential inhibition against Hep3B cells with an IC 50 value of 7.33 μM., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no competing financial interest., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

After a brief digression on the current landscape of theoretical physics and on some open questions pertaining to coherence with experimental results, still to be settled, it is shown that the properties of the deformed Minkowski space lead to a plurality of potential physical phenomena that should occur, provided that the resulting formalisms can be considered as useful models for the description of some aspects of physical reality. A list is given of available experimental evidence not easy to be interpreted, at present, by means of the more established models, such as the standard model with its variants aimed at overcoming its descriptive limits; this evidence could be useful to verify the predictions stemming from the properties of the deformed Minkowski space. The list includes anomalies in the double-slit-like experiments, nuclear metamorphosis, torsional antennas, as well as the physical effect of the “geometric vacuum” (as defined in analogy with quantum vacuum), in the absence of external electromagnetic field, when crossing critical thresholds of energy parameter values, energy density in space and energy density in time. Concrete opportunities are suggested for an experimental exploration of phenomena, either already performed but still lacking a widely accepted explanation, or conceivable in the application of the approach here presented, but not tackled until now. A tentative list is given with reference to experimental infrastructures already in operation, the performances of which can be expanded with limited additional resources.

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The complete plastome sequence for the type species of Daphne, Daphne laureola, was assembled and annotated in this study. The total length of the D. laureola plastome is 171,613 bp and comprises the large single copy (LSC) spanning 85,316 bp, the small single copy (SSC) spanning 2855 bp, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions each of 41,721 bp length. The SSC contains only two genes: ndhF and rpl32. This sequence extends the list of Thymelaeaceae plastomes to be used in future systematic studies of the family and is the first European species to be sampled.

Phytochemical investigation into the leaves and branches of Daphne genkwa afforded 25 meroterpenoids (1-16) including nine pairs of enantiomers (1a/1b-8a/8b and 12a/12b), among which 20 compounds have been reported in the present work for the first time. The structures with absolute configurations of the new molecules (excluding 10-13) were established via comprehensive spectroscopic analyses especially electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and Mosher's methods. A preliminary in vitro cell viability assay revealed remarkable cytotoxicities of selective compounds against A549 (lung), Hela (cervical), MDA-MB231 (breast) and MCF-7 (breast) cancer cells, and compound 8a showed the best inhibitory activity with IC 50 values in the range of 3.12-4.67 μM toward the four cell lines. Subsequent in vitro antitumor evaluation of 8a disclosed that it could inhibit the proliferation and metastasis, as well as induce significant apoptosis and cycle arrest, of A549 cells. Further mechanistic investigations revealed that 8a could exert its antitumor activity via inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Premise: Under uncertain pollinator visit conditions, plants often exhibit long flowering periods and generalized pollination systems. Flowering of the gynodioecious shrub Daphne jezoensis occurs in early spring in cool temperate forests. Pollination by nocturnal moths is expected, given the species' tubular-shaped flowers with sweet fragrance and nectar. However, the effectiveness of nocturnal moths under cool conditions is unknown. We evaluated the relative importance of diurnal and nocturnal visitors as pollinators in early spring., Methods: We investigated flowering duration, flower visitors, and floral scents in a natural population. We experimentally exposed flowers to visitors only during daytime or nighttime using bagging treatments and evaluated the contributions of diurnal and nocturnal insects to fruit set, pollen dispersal distance, and paternity diversity using 16 microsatellite markers., Results: Female flowers lasted ~3 wk, which was ~8 d longer than the flowering period of hermaphrodites. Various insects, including Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, and Lepidoptera, visited the flowers during both daytime and nighttime. Flowers emitted volatiles, such as lilac aldehyde isomers and β-ocimene, which are known to attract moths. Fruit-set rate in the night-open treatment was similar to or higher than that in the day-open treatment. However, pollen dispersal distance in the night-open treatment was shorter than that in the day-open treatment. Paternity diversity was similar in day-open and night-open treatments., Conclusions: Early-blooming plants ensure pollen receipt and dispersal by having a long flowering period and using both diurnal and nocturnal flower visitors, suggesting the importance of a generalized pollination system under uncertain pollinator visit conditions., (© 2023 Botanical Society of America.)

This study evaluated several secondary metabolites, essential oils (EOs) compositions, and antioxidant activity in four medicinal plants that originated in Isfahan rangelands. The species were Astragalus verus, Astragalus adscendens, Daphne mucronata, and Phlomis olivieri. Thirty-two genotypes of these species were evaluated for different biochemical traits. Based on the evaluation of EOs compounds, GC/MS analysis revealed the total number of identified compounds. These compounds were 25, 22, 12, and 22 for A. adscendens, A. verus, D. mucronata, and P. olivieri, respectively. The dominant compounds were phthalate (59.88 %) in A. adscendens, phytol (38.02 %) in A. verus, hexanoic acid (32.05 %) in D. mucronata and β-cubebene (30.94 %) in P. olivieri. Phytochemical analysis showed that D. mucronata, A. adscendens, and P. olivieri had the highest total phenolics content (TPC) (18.24 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight), total flavonoids content (5.57 mg QE/g DW), and total anthocyanins content (0.23 mg/g DW), respectively. The highest total chlorophyll (0.27 mg/g DW), total carotenoids (0.03 mg/g DW), and antioxidant activity (71.36 %) were observed in A. adscendens, A. adscendens and A. verus, respectively. Among all genotypes, the highest TPC (20.1 mg GAE/g DW) was observed in genotype 5 of D. mucronata. This study provided new information on the chemical compounds within the distribution range of these ecologically dominant rangeland species in Isfahan province, Iran. The data revealed that superior genotypes from these species are rich in natural antioxidants and bioactive compounds. Thus, they can be used in ethno pharmacological fields, food, and industrial applications., (© 2023 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

The article discusses a number of post-millennial London narratives in print and on screen. Significantly, these use chance as a structural device, contrive chance encounters between disparate characters and/or twists of fate in individual characters' lives. It is concerned with the changing fortunes of different areas of the metropolis by way of economic and cultural capital, migration within and beyond London, immigration and shifts in generic representations of the city. Chance here designates lucky, improbable, arbitrary and coincidental occurrences: modern inflections of a mythologised metropolitan theme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovid's narrative of Apollo and Daphne introduces elements not apparent in earlier extant versions of the myth, such as the involvement of Cupid and his deployment of two distinct arrows, one golden that sets Apollo's passions aflame, and the other lead that makes Daphne averse to all male advances. The passion-averting arrow in particular is a curious addition to Cupid's arsenal. This paper will argue that the lead arrow can be better understood when viewed alongside the practices and discourses of ancient magic and medicine, especially the widespread use of lead for erotic defixiones, antaphrodisiacs, and even contraceptives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants have an important role in maintaining people's health and improving the quality of human life. They are an important component of people's diet, but they are also used in other spheres of human life as a therapeutic resources, ingredients of cosmetic products, paints and others. The Daphne genus belongs to family Thymeleaceae which includes 44 families with approximately 500 herbal species. The plant species of the genus Daphne are used in the traditional medicine in China and tropical part of Africa for the treatment of various conditions. Previous studies showed significant biological potential of these species as a source of pharmacologically active compounds. This indicates that this genus possess a broad spectrum of biological activity including antimicrobial, antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, anti-ulcerogenic, abortive, hypocholesterolemic and hemostatic effects. Additionally, Daphne plants are the source of valuable bioactive phytochemicals such as coumarins, flavonoids, lignans, steroids and different classes of terpenes. Different parts of the Daphne plants contain specific bioactive metabolites and can represent a source of new, natural, pharmacologically active compounds, which may potentially be used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel The Vegetarian by Han Kang is probably the most successful example of Korean literature on the international scene nowadays. The strangeness of its main character, a woman to whom we have access mostly through the vision of the other characters, drew the attention of readers and critics worldwide, playing a part in the success of the book. In this article, we aim to follow the process through which the protagonist breaks off from mainstream attitude, imposing her point of view over what people expect from her, while also sliding towards madness. Decided to transform herself into a plant, she becomes an actual avatar of the mythological figure of Daphne, the nymph who was loved by Apollo and was metamorphosed into a laurel tree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The evolution of mating systems from outcrossing to self-fertilization is a common transition in flowering plants. This shift is often associated with the 'selfing syndrome', which is characterized by less visible flowers with functional changes to control outcrossing. In most cases, the evolutionary history and demographic dynamics underlying the evolution of the selfing syndrome remain poorly understood., Methods: Here, we characterize differences in the demographic genetic consequences and associated floral-specific traits between two distinct geographical groups of a wild shrub, Daphne kiusiana, endemic to East Asia; plants in the eastern region (southeastern Korea and Kyushu, Japan) exhibit smaller and fewer flowers compared to those of plants in the western region (southwestern Korea). Genetic analyses were conducted using nuclear microsatellites and chloroplast DNA (multiplexed phylogenetic marker sequencing) datasets., Key Results: A high selfing rate with significantly increased homozygosity characterized the eastern lineage, associated with lower levels of visibility and herkogamy in the floral traits. The two lineages harboured independent phylogeographical histories. In contrast to the western lineage, the eastern lineage showed a gradual reduction in the effective population size with no signs of a severe bottleneck despite its extreme range contraction during the last glacial period., Conclusions: Our results suggest that the selfing-associated morphological changes in D. kiusiana are of relatively old origin (at least 100 000 years ago) and were driven by directional selection for efficient self-pollination. We provide evidence that the evolution of the selfing syndrome in D. kiusiana is not strongly associated with a severe population bottleneck., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company.)

Daphne and Wikstroemia are members of subfamily Thymelaeoideae which belongs to Thymelaeaceae. There are 95 species(varieties)in genus Daphne, 52 of which distribute in China. There are 70 species(varieties)in genus Wikstroemia and 49 species(varieties)can be found in China. Southwest China is the species diversification center of the two genera. Petals of Daphne and Wikstroemia degenerate and usually form circular disc or linear disc scale. Conventionally, the shape of disc and type of fruit were used as crucial characters to separate the two genera. The circular disc frequently occurs in Daphne while linear disc scale occurs in Wikstroemia. Meanwhile, fruit is usually succulent berry in Daphne, but Wikstoemia has dry or leathery fruit, and sometimes enclosed by persistent calyx. However, alternational characters among species of the two genera have been reported and some species have both kinds of characters. In this study, 32 morphological characters were used in the numerical taxonomy of 77 species(varieties)from genus Daphne and 62 species(varieties)from genus Wikstroemia with clustering and principal component analysis. UPGMA clustering results revealed that neither genera formed monophyletic group species from the two genera clustered together. In the principal components analysis, the cumulative percent of the first three principal components presented 35.56%, while the conventional taxonomic characters, such as the disc shape, phyllotaxy and the fruit type, contribute minor effects on the first three components. So, taxonomic distinguishable characters of the two genera could not separate them clearly. Three-dimensional scatter plots based on principal components analysis revealed that species from both genera embeded with each other and did not separate two genera as monophyletc group. Neither clustering analysis nor principal components analysis supported the traditional taxonomy that Daphne and Wikstroemia were naturally monophyletic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En este artículo se destaca la figura de Dafne por ser la primera protagonista de un drama musical cantado, antecedente de lo que hoy se denomina ópera. Se ponen de relieve los orígenes de esta última como producto de las discusiones sobre el futuro de la música en el seno de la Camerata Florentina, fundada por Jacopo Corsi alrededor de 1580 y se comentan los aportes teóricos de Vincenzo Galilei que dio forma escrita a las inquietudes vigentes sobre el devenir musical. Los miembros de la Camerata fundaban su concepción de la música en el modelo de los antiguos griegos y tendían hacia el ideal de una música capaz de expresar cabalmente el sentimiento de la palabra y de influir sobre el ánimo del oyente, capacidad que atribuían al arte musical de la antigüedad clásica, según los escritos de poetas y filósofos. Dicha concepción marca un punto de ruptura con el modelo polifónico vigente en el momento, que privilegiaba el sonido por sobre el significado del texto. Se analiza el 'afortunado malentendido' del cual provino la ambición de componer una pieza teatral con parlamentos cantados: la idea de que la tragedia griega era cantada en toda su extensión, noción que con el tiempo se reveló como inexacta. A continuación se presentan libreto y breve descripción de la música de la ópera primigenia La Dafne y otras posteriores del período barroco, para culminar con la creación que Richard Strauss dedica al personaje en el primer cuarto del s. XX.This article deals with the origins of Opera, which started as a musical drama based on the legend of Daphne, and the subsequent musical versions of the text written originally by Ottavio Rinuccini, composed by Peri, Caccini and other musicians of the XVIIth Century. A brief discussion follows about the ideals and aspirations of the Camerata Fiorentina, a society of artists who met at the Palazzo Bardi in Florence at the end of the XVIth century and who are considered the intellectual fathers of Opera. The above mentioned musicians were members of this group, one of whose main leaders was Vincenzo Galilei who resumed his and the musical thinking of the Camerata in his Dialogo della Musica Antica e della Moderna. This theoretical work marks the break point between polyphonic and hetherophonic music, the former more appropriate for the church, the latter more capable of expressing human feelings. The belief, shared by the members of the Camerata, that Greek tragedy was sang in all its extension was later proved as untrue but it gave born to the opera as a side product. Daphne was also chosen as opera subject by Richard Strauss who composed a beautiful piece of music for a text written by Josef Georg, in 1934.

Daphne species have been used traditionally for treatment of several ailments including rheumatism, abscess and diarrhoea. Purpose of present study was to evaluate antioxidant activities of methanol and water extracts of Daphne parts (roots, stems and leaves). Different experimental models including phosphomolydenum, DPPH, β-carotene/linoleic acid, ferric and cupric reducing power assays were performed to characterize the antioxidant potentials of the extracts. Folin-Ciocalteu and AlCl3 methods were also used to quantify total phenolic and fl avonoid content, respectively. D. pontica leaf extract showed high phenolic contents (123.09 mgGAEg-1 in methanol and 146.94 mgGAEg-1 in water extract) therefore has the strongest antioxidant potential. Present study showed that Daphne extracts (D. gnidioides and D. pontica) can be considered as good sources of natural antioxidants for medicinal and food applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimal eco-efficient design of production processes guarantees sustainable and resource-efficient manufacturing systems. Within the scope of the European project “DAPhNE”, Fraunhofer IPA enables eco-efficient design with a new integrated system for the simulation and management of energy-intensive production systems as well as related key performance indicators (KPIs). The approach presented in this paper is based on a holistic production model and simulation system including dynamic KPIs with the focus on environmental, operational and economic aspects. A main objective of the developed system is to support the engineering and optimization phases to develop and maintain eco-efficient production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnobotanical surveys revealed that Daphne oleoides Schreber has been used against rheumatic pain and for wound healing in Turkish folk medicine. The aim of the present study is to verify the folkloric assertion of D. oleoides ssp. oleoides (DOO) by bioassay-guided fractionation procedures leading to determination of the active component(s) and to elucidate the activity mechanisms of the isolated compounds. The wound healing activity of the methanol extract, its subextracts, fractions and isolates was evaluated by using two different in vivo wound healing experimental techniques. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the test materials were also evaluated. For the determination of the activity mechanisms, the isolated compounds were screened for hyaluronidase, collagenase and elastase enzyme inhibitory activities. The methanolic extract of DOO was found to possess potent wound healing activity. This extract was then subjected to successive solvent extractions with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and n-butanol. EtOAc subextract yielded three compounds, quercetin 3-O-glucoside, triumbellin and rutarensin by using chromatographic separation techniques. The experimental study revealed that D. oleoides subsp. oleoides methanolic extract possesses significant wound healing effect and quercetin 3-O-glucoside was determined as the active component responsible from the activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's "The Birds" illuminates the technical aspects of his process of adaptation, much-ignored similarities between du Maurier's text and Hitchcock's film, and the anxiogenics of spatial dislocation. The author argues that Hitchcock is preoccupied less with the family romance scripted by Evan Hunter than with the cinematic space of that narrative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In his 1938 short opera Daphne, composer Richard Strauss presents an eloquent metaphor for both the process of artistic creation and the origin of tragedy itself. He positions his title character at the convergence of two oppositional, yet mutually dependent forces: the Apollonian and the Dionysian, as described by Friedrich Nietzsche in his seminal 1872 work, Die Geburt der Tragödie aus dem Geiste der Musik (The Birth of Tragedy Out of the Spirit of Music). As reason and enlightenment collide with revelry and ecstasy onstage, a momentous physical and emotional transformation occurs; Daphne encounters the divine, and her resulting catharsis is shared both musically and emotionally with the audience. In this moment of our communal transcendent ekstasis, Strauss leaves us with a symbol of artistic transcendence itself, born from the conflicted inner forces within the individual: "das ewige Kunstwerk," the "eternal work of art." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The content of biologically active phenolic compounds (total polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids) were determined using spectrophotometry in four wild Croatian species of Daphne L. in the family Thymelaeaceae ( Daphne alpina, D. cneorum, D. laureola, and D. mezereum). The concentration of total flavonoids (TF) was highest in the leaves of these Daphne species (0.12-0.51% dry herb weight, DW) whereas the content of other phenolic compounds analyzed were highest in the roots, including total polyphenols (TP; 2.71-19.03% DW), tannins (T; 1.14-7.39% DW), and total phenolic acids (TPA; 0.12-0.87% DW). D. alpina contained the highest amount of polyphenols, with the exception of flavonoids, where maximum concentrations were found in D. laureola. We also examined the antioxidant activity of leaf, stem, and root extracts. All extracts analyzed demonstrated high free radical scavenging activity with the highest concentration in the leaf extracts of D. alpina. Leaf extracts of D. cneorum showed the highest antioxidant activity in a β-carotene bleaching assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: In Turkish traditional medicine, the aerial parts of Daphne oleoides Schreber subsp. kurdica (DOK) have been used to treat malaria, rheumatism and for wound healing. The aim was to evaluate the ethnopharmacological usage of the plant using in vivo and in vitro pharmacological experimental models, and to perform bioassay-guided fractionation of the 85% methanolic extract of DOK for the isolation and identification of active wound-healing component(s) and to elucidate possible mechanism of the wound-healing activity. Materials and methods: In vivo wound-healing activity was evaluated by the linear incision and the circular excision wound models. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, which are known to support the wound healing process, were also assessed by the Whittle method and the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging assays, respectively. The total phenolic content of the extract and subextracts was estimated to establish any correlation between the phenolic content and the antioxidant activity. The methanolic extract of DOK was subjected to various chromatographic separation techniques leading to the isolation and identification of the active component(s). Furthermore, in vitro hyaluronidase, collagenase and elastase enzymes inhibitory activity assays were conducted on the active components to explore the activity pathways of the remedy. Results: After confirmation of the wound-healing activity, the methanolic extract was subjected to successive solvent partitioning using solvents of increasing polarity creating five subextracts. Each subextract was tested on the same biological activity model and the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) subextract had the highest activity. The EtOAc subextract was subjected to further chromatographic separation for the isolation of components 1, 2 and 3. The structures of these compounds were elucidated as daphnetin (1), demethyldaphnoretin 7-O-glucoside (2) and luteolin-7-O-glucoside (3). Further in vivo testing revealed that luteolin-7-O-glucoside was responsible for the wound-healing activity of the aerial parts. It was also found to exert significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-hyaluronidase and anti-collagenase activities. Conclusion: The present study explored the wound-healing potential of Daphne oleoides subsp. kurdica. Through bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation techniques, luteolin-7-O-glucoside was determined as the main active component of the aerial parts. This compound exerts its activity through inhibition of hyaluronidase and collagenase enzymes activity as well as interfering with the inflammatory stage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper seeks to evaluate the presence of grey archaeological research output in databases and archives available in France today. What kind of documents do we find (theses, reports)? In what proportion do we find them in comparison with white literature? How does the data in France compare to that in other countries? How does the online presence of grey literature in archaeology compare to other disciplines in the humanities and social sciences? If there are differences, how can these be explained? We shall base our analysis on DAPHNE, a recently opened French portal for online databases in archaeology, history, and history of religions, and on French repositories and catalogues providing access to full text documents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review essay presents a review of Justine Picardie's novel Daphne, setting it within a critical context. It opens by claiming that Daphne articulates several contemporary literary debates: it specifically addresses the location of the woman writer and reader and the relationship between author and text. The essay illustrates how Picardies's tripartite narrative works both to revise Rebecca and to re-position du Maurier as an author worthy of academic attention. The novel's extensive use of intertextuality and its own hybridisation of fiction and biography are seen to operate as an analogy for the complexities and pleasures of reading, writing and research. This essay is sympathetic to the recuperation of the popular woman writer and popular women's writing but argues that Daphne's transgressive potential resides in its repeated slippage between the textual and the material, as highlighted by its imbrication of biographical fact and fictional narrative. It concludes by suggesting that these transgressive elements also work to foreground the ethical contradictions of reading and writing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete plastome sequence for the type species of Daphne, Daphne laureola, was assembled and annotated in this study. The total length of the D. laureola plastome is 171,613 bp and comprises the large single copy (LSC) spanning 85,316 bp, the small single copy (SSC) spanning 2855 bp, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions each of 41,721 bp length. The SSC contains only two genes: ndhF and rpl32. This sequence extends the list of Thymelaeaceae plastomes to be used in future systematic studies of the family and is the first European species to be sampled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article deals with the origins of Opera, which started as a musical drama based on the legend of Daphne, and the subsequent musical versions of the text written originally by Ottavio Rinuccini, composed by Pen. Caccini and other musicians of the XVIIth Century. A brief discussion lollows about the ideals and aspirations of the Camerata Fiorentina, a society of artists who met at the Palazzo Bardi in Florence at the end of the XVIth century and who are considered the intellectual fathers of Opera. The above mentioned musicians were members of this group, one of whose main leaders was Vincenzo Galilei who resumed his and the musical thinking of the Camerata in his Dialogo della Musica Antica e della Moderna. This theoretical work marks the break point between polyphonic and hetherophonic music, the former more appropriate for the church, the latter more capable of expressing human bèelings. The belief, shared by the members of the Camerata, that Greek tragedy was sang in all its extension was later proved as untrue hut it gave horn to the opera as a side product. Daphne was also chosen as opera subject by Richard Strauss who composed a beautiful piece of music for a text written by Josef Georg, in 1934. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A virus detected in symptomless Daphne mezereum L. plants in the Czech Republic had bacilliform virions which, in thin sections, measured 162–215 nm by 62–75 nm. They occurred mostly in the parenchymatous cells of vascular bundles and cambium, and were located in perinuclear spaces and within cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum, either singly or in aggregates; occasionally, isolated particles or particle aggregates were seen within the nuclei. This is the first record of a rhabdovirus occurring in daphne. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the effects of total flavonoid extracts (TFDG) and the monomers of Daphne genkwa on the CYP2C8 activity in vitro and in vivo.The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) values were used to determine the inhibitory effect of TFDG and its four monomers for the CYP2C8 activity by recombinant human CYP2C8 (RHCYP2C8) yeast microsome system in vitro, and the volume per dose index (VDI) was predicted the potential inhibition in vivo. The effects of multiple-dose administration of TFDG on the pharmacokinetic parameters of rosiglitazone in rats were evaluated.The IC 50 values of apigenin, luteolin, hydroxy-genkwanin, genkwanin, and TFDG were 7.27 μmol/L, 11.9 μmol/L, 28.1 μmol/L, 127 μmol/L, and 13.4 μg/mL, respectively. The VDI values of apigenin and TFDG were 2.15 L and 6.60 L. In vivo study, compared with the control group, the elimination phase half-life and mean residence time in the TFDG treatment group were significantly increased by 96.9% and 106.8% ( p < .05), respectively.Apigenin showed a moderate inhibitory effect on the CYP2C8 activity in vitro, while the other three monomers were weak inhibitors. TFDG had a strong inhibitory effect on CYP2C8 in vitro and in vivo, and also inhibited the metabolism of rosiglitazone in rats.

The present study was undertaken to establish micromorphological standards of Daphne mucronata Royle and Myrtus communis (L.). Daphne mucronata Royle is a xerophytic perennial shrub while, Myrtus communis is an evergreen shrub or small tree. Micromorphological investigation is one of the cheapest methods. It will be helpful in the accurate identification of these plants from other species. Results of macroscopic evaluation showed various organoleptic features. Anatomy of the selected plant parts was carried out. It showed a typical dicot structure as it revealed the presence of epidermal cells, crystals, trichomes, cuticle, mesophyll tissues, xylem, phloem, paracytic, and dicytic stomata. Anatomical study facilitates the detection of adulteration with inferior commercial varieties, exhausted drugs, cheaper natural substances, and chemicals. Stomatal number, types, and size of stomata, and palisade ratio of Myrtus communis were observed. These observations will be helpful in the preparation of taxonomic key for the identification of selected species. Powder drug study [scanning electron microscopy (SEM)] showed characteristics histological differentiation. The methods cited here can be measured as characteristics to identify and validate these drugs., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

To investigate in vitro anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant and in vivo hypoglycaemic effects of crude methanolic extracts (CMEs) of Berberis baluchistanica and Daphne oleoides. MTT assay for cytotoxicity on HeLa and NIH cells, disc diffusion protocols for antimicrobial and DPPH assay for antioxidant potential were applied. In vivo hypoglycaemic effect was investigated on Alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. D. oleoides CME exhibited moderate cytotoxic behaviour against HeLa cells (IC 50 77.87μg/mL) whereas B. baluchistanica CME was found deficient (IC 50 170.02μg/mL). P. aeruginosa was susceptible to both CMEs. M. luteus and B. subtilis was prone to the bactericidal effects of D. oleoides and B. baluchistanica CMEs respectively. D. oleoides CME inhibited more than 80% S. cerevisiae and 60% C. glabrata colonies. B. baluchistanica CME showed significant antioxidant activity (IC 50 52.86μg/ml) than D. oleoides CME (IC 50 87.30μg/ml) and standard resveratrol (IC 50 109.46μg/ml). B. baluchistanica CME showed superior antidiabetic effect (135.75 mg/dl ±0.53) as compared to D. oleoides CME (191.50 mg/dl ± 0.48) but less antidiabetic effect than metformin hydrochloride (standard). All the above potentials exhibited by D. oleoides and B. baluchistanica CMEs propose further investigations to isolate and purify responsible biologically active lead molecule(s) with diverse capabilities.