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Two species of genus Pueraria ((Pueraria lobata (synonym: Pueraria montana var. lobata) and Pueraria mirifica (synonym: Pueraria candollei var. mirifica)) are traditional plants used in medicine since ancient times. These plants have been used and became commercially crucial indigenous medicinal plants. Currently, both roots and flowers of P. mirifica are used as a dietary supplement and functional food for women because of their rich source of phytoestrogen and nutrition. However, little information of genes on both species of Pueraria genus (P. lobata and P. mirifica) are known in Vietnam. The purpose of this research is to support more understanding about Chalcone synthase (CHS) genes by determining and sequence analyzing an encoding region of CHS genes that were isolated from P. lobata and P. mirifica. The full-length open reading frame (ORF) sequence CHS was identified with 1170 bp which encodes 389 amino acids by Sanger sequencing. The isolated CHS gene of P. lobata has no difference in sequence with CHS reported on GenBank (D10223.1), whereas a difference of 26 nucleotide positions in CHS sequence of P. mirifica compared with the published gene sequence (JQ409456.1) as consequential having 97.78% genetic similarity. The CHS genes sequence of P. lobata and P. mirifica are homologous with 98.4% because of having 19 nucleotide differences. Chalcone-stilbene synthase N-C terminal, PLN03173, CHS-like, BH0617, fabH are some important domains predicting the CHS genes. Especially, the family signature ‘GVLFGFGPGLTI’ motif of CHS gene as a part of the active-site scaffold contributes to decide the product of cyclization reactions performing the stereochemistry of cyclization which was also observed in P. lobata and P. mirifica, but it was not included for all members in Fabaceae family. With in sillico analysis, the P. lobata and P. mirifica CHS sequences have highly conserved regions to maintain their structure and function, so that it needs further studies to clarify these points.

Echinocystis lobata (Mich.) Torr. et Gray extracts were investigated for their bioactive compounds and their potential for natural antioxidant properties. In vitro antioxidant activity of methanol, ethanol, and water extracts were evaluated by 1,1-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of fruits and seeds were determined. TPC is a fairly constant value and varies weakly both among the different organs of Echinocystis lobata and among the geographical locations of the populations studied. Like other invasive species, Echinocystis lobata is superior to many other plants in terms of the total amount of flavonoids contained in its fruits and seeds. The dried fruits contain more flavonoids than the seeds. Seeds from Slovak populations have higher flavonoid content than those from Russian populations. The results demonstrated that Echinocystis lobata can be a good source of natural antioxidants and have a great potential for commercialization, especially in the pharmaceutical industry.

Chaetophora lobata is the type species of the polyphyletic genus Chaetophora. Clarification of its species identification, phylogenetic relationships, and plastome characteristics is helpful for ta...

The mitochondrial gene cytochrome-c-oxidase subunit 1 (COI) is useful in many taxa for phylogenetics, population genetics, metabarcoding, and rapid species identifications. However, the phylum Ctenophora (comb jellies) has historically been difficult to study due to divergent mitochondrial sequences and the corresponding inability to amplify COI with degenerate and standard COI "barcoding" primers. As a result, there are very few COI sequences available for ctenophores, despite over 200 described species in the phylum. Here, we designed new primers and amplified the COI fragment from members of all major groups of ctenophores, including many undescribed species. Phylogenetic analyses of the resulting COI sequences revealed high diversity within many groups that was not evident from more conserved 18S rDNA sequences, in particular among the Lobata (Ctenophora; Tentaculata; Lobata). The COI phylogenetic results also revealed unexpected community structure within the genus Bolinopsis, suggested new species within the genus Bathocyroe, and supported the ecological and morphological differences of some species such as Lampocteis cruentiventer and similar undescribed lobates (Lampocteis sp. "V" stratified by depth, and "A" differentiated by colour). The newly designed primers reported herein provide important tools to enable researchers to illuminate the diversity of ctenophores worldwide via quick molecular identifications, improve the ability to analyse environmental DNA by improving reference libraries and amplifications, and enable a new breadth of population genetic studies.

Ctenophores are descendants of an early branching basal metazoan lineage, which may have evolved neurons and muscles independently from other animals. Mnemiopsis is one of the important reference ctenophore species. However, little is known about its neuromuscular organization. Here, we mapped and tracked the development of the neural and muscular elements in the early hatching cydippid larvae, as well as adult Mnemiopsis leidyi. The overall development of the neuromuscular system in Mnemiopsis was very similar to Pleurobrachia bachei, although in Mnemiopsis the entire process occurred significantly faster. The subepithelial neural cells were observed immediately after hatching. This population consisted of a dozen of separated individual neurons with short neurites. In about 2 days, when their neurites grew significantly longer and connected to their neighbors, they began to form a canonical polygonal subepithelial network. Mesogleal neural elements prominent in all studied adult ctenophores were not detectable in Mnemiopsis larvae but were clearly labeled in closely related Lobata species Bolinopsis infundibulum. Hatched larvae also had putative mechanoreceptors with long stereocilia and approximately two dozen muscle cells. In adult Mnemiopsis, the feeding lobes and auricles contained two distinct populations of neurons and neural ensembles that were not observed in other ctenophore lineages and likely represented elaborate neuronal innovations characteristic for the clade Lobata and their lifestyles.

Extraction of effective components from Pueraria lobata has important value for skeletal muscle quality and gene expression. The improvement effect of traditional high-intensity intermittent training on skeletal muscle has not been obvious, and it is difficult to guarantee the properties of some volatiles. Based on this, this paper analyzes the effect of high-intensity intermittent training on skeletal muscle quality and gene expression in Pueraria lobata. Based on a brief summary of extraction of Pueraria lobata, status of research on the pharmaceutical components of Pueraria lobata was summarized. Different specimens of Pueraria lobata were selected as research objects, and the process of high-intensity intermittent training was designed. High-intensity intermittent training, solvent extraction and water solvent extraction were combined together to design the fixed-bed continuous extraction scheme. According to the influence of Pueraria lobata on skeletal muscle quality, the influence of intermittent training on skeletal muscle quality was analyzed. The extraction results showed that Pueraria lobata combined with high-intensity intermittent training can effectively improve the content of skeletal muscle and ensure the effective expression of skeletal muscle gene. RESUMO A extração de componentes eficazes da Pueraria lobata tem importante valor para a qualidade músculoesquelética e para a expressão genética. O efeito da melhoria do tradicional treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade na estrutura músculoesquelética não tem sido óbvio, e é difícil garantir as propriedades de alguns voláteis. Com base nisso, este estudo analisa o efeito do treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade na qualidade músculoesquelética e na expressão genética na Pueraria lobata. Com base num breve resumo da extração da Pueraria lobata, resumiu-se o andamento das pesquisas sobre os componentes farmacêuticos da Pueraria lobata. Diferentes amostras de Pueraria lobata foram selecionadas como objeto de pesquisa, e formulou-se o processo do treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade. O treinamento intervalado de alta intensidade, a extração de solventes e a extração de solventes à base de água foram combinadas para conceber o sistema de extração contínua de leito fixo. De acordo com a influência da Pueraria lobata na qualidade músculoesquelética, analisou-se a influência do treino intervalado na qualidade músculoesquelética. Os resultados da extração mostraram que a Pueraria lobata, combinada com treino intervalado de alta intensidade, pode melhorar, de maneira eficaz, o teor músculoesquelético e garantir a expressão eficaz da expressão genética do músculoesquelético. RESUMEN La extracción de componentes eficaces de la Pueraria lobata tiene un importante valor para la calidad músculoesquelética y para la expresión genética. El efecto de la mejora del tradicional entrenamiento intercalado de alta intensidad en la estructura músculoesquelética no ha sido obvio, y es difícil garantizar las propriedades de algunos volátiles. Basándose en eso, este estudio analiza el efecto del entrenamiento intercalado de alta intensidad en la calidad músculoesquelética y en la expresión genética en la Pueraria lobata. Basándose en un breve resumen de la extracción de la Pueraria lobata, se resumió el andamiento de las investigaciones sobre los componentes farmacéuticos de la Pueraria lobata. Diferentes muestras de Pueraria lobata fueron seleccionadas como objeto de investigación, y se formuló el proceso del entrenamiento intercalado de alta intensidad. El entrenamiento intercalado de alta intensidad, la extracción de solventes y la extracción de solventes a base de agua fueron combinadas para concebir el sistema de extracción continua de lecho fijo. De acuerdo con la influencia de la Pueraria lobata en la calidad músculoesquelética, se analizó la influencia del entrenamiento intercalado en la calidad músculoesquelética. Los resultados de la extracción mostraron que la Pueraria lobata, combinada con entrenamiento intercalado de alta intensidad, puede mejorar, de manera eficaz, el tenor músculoesquelético y garantizar la expresión eficaz de la expresión genética del músculoesquelético.

Compsilura concinnata (Meigen) is one of the most famous, most polyphagous and most widely distributed tachinid flies (Diptera, Tachinidae) in the world. This species is well known as a biocontrol agent of some injurious pests of cultural and wild plants and has been introduced from Europe to the United States to control mainly the gypsy moth. Recently we found three new species very closely resembling C. concinnata from Southeast and East Asia: C. lobata sp. nov. (Japan and Thailand), C. malayana sp. nov. (Malaysia) and C. pauciseta sp. nov. (Japan and Taiwan). Additionally, C. samoaensis Malloch is treated as a junior synonym of C. concinnata based on the examination of the type specimen. The genetic differences in the mitochondrial COI gene data are examined to assess the accuracy of species delimitation of Compsilura. The male postabdominal characters of these species are illustrated. The piercing female postabdomen of C. concinnata is illustrated and compared to those of other members belonging to the Blondelia group including Blondelia Robineau-Desvoidy, Celatoria Coquillett, Eucelatoria Townsend and Vibrissina Rondani.

Context Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi (Fabaceae) root extract can lower blood glucose levels; however, whether Pueraria lobata root polysaccharide (PLP) possesses these effects is still unknown. Objective This study evaluates the therapeutic effect of PLP on diabetic metabolic syndrome. Materials and methods The db/m mice were assigned to normal control group (NC), db/db mice were divided into four groups randomly (n = 8). The db/db mice received rosiglitazone (10 mg/kg BW) or PLP (100 or 200 mg/kg BW) via oral gavage for 6 weeks. Afterward, blood glucose, insulin, and glycogen content were assayed, and insulin tolerance test (ITT), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were performed. Glucose and lipid metabolism-related parameters and gene expression levels were assayed by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. Results After treatment with HPLP, the values of body weight, epididymal fat, subcutaneous fat, fasting blood glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR decreased to 45.89 ± 1.66 g, 1.65 ± 0.14 g, 1.97 ± 0.16 g, 14.84 ± 1.52 mM, 9.35 ± 0.98 mU/L, and 5.56 ± 1.26, respectively; the levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, and FFA decreased to 1.67 ± 0.11 mmol/L, 6.23 ± 0.76 mmol/L, 1.29 ± 0.07 mmol/L, and 1.71 ± 0.16 mmol/L, respectively. HPLP down-regulated PEPCK, G6PC, FOXO1, SREBP-1, and ACC mRNA expression (p

Plants can retain either physiologically active green leaves or inactive brown leaves over winter. Research has suggested that leaf retention incurs a cost due to higher herbivore load in the following year; however, no distinction has, thus, far been made between retention of green and brown leaves. We surveyed the over-winter retention of physiologically active green and inactive brown leaves of valley oaks (Quercus lobata) and examined their relationship with the diversity and density of 15 gall-making cynipid wasp species. Cynipid diversity in the spring was 8.2-fold greater on larger trees with more green leaf retention. Brown leaf retention was not associated with spring cynipid diversity, but was related to a substantial 20-fold reduction in spring cynipid densities on large trees. Retention of either leaf type was generally a poor predictor of summer cynipid diversity and density. Overall, green leaf retention better explained cynipid diversity, but brown leaf retention better explained cynipid densities. These differing effects may be explained by the fact that green leaves provide a common cue used by herbivores to find a suitable host. Retained brown leaves, however, may be an ecological trap for over-winter gall wasps that normally drop to the ground.

Diabetes seriously endangers public health and brings a heavy economic burden to the country. Inflammation is one of the main inducing factors of type-2 diabetes (T2D) and may cause some complications of diabetes, such as diabetic encephalopathy and peripheral neuropathy. In-depth research and development of drugs to cure diabetes and complications are of great significance. Pueraria lobate is a medicinal herb used in several countries to treat many diseases. Here, two new polysaccharides (PLB-1-1 and PLB-1-2) were isolated and purified from the root of Pueraria lobata with molecular weights of 9.1 × 103 Da and 3.8 × 103 Da, respectively. The structure was evaluated by monosaccharide composition, GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy. It was determined that PLB-1-1 comprised →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, α-D-Glcp-(1→, →6)-β-D-Galp-(1→, →3)-α-L-Araf-(1→, →3,6)-β-D-Manp-(1→ and →4,6)-β-D-Manp-(1→, and PLB-1-2 consisted of →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, β-D-Glcp-(1→, →4,6)-β-D-Glcp-(1→, →3,6)-β-D-Manp-(1→ and α-L-Fucp-(1→. Furthermore, both PLB-1-1 and PLB-1-2 showed anti-inflammatory and inhibitory activities of α-glucosidase and α-amylase in vitro. Therefore, the new polysaccharides, i.e., PLB-1-1 and PLB-1-2, may be considered candidates for the treatment of diabetes and its related complications.

The present study is on the production and characterization of untreated and treated Urena lobata (U. lobata) fiber reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites. The untreated and treated U. lobata/PP composites were produced by compression moulding at varying weight percents of the fibers (5, 10, 15, 20 25, 30, 35) wt%. The following characterizations were carried out on the treated and untreated U. lobata/PP composites; X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Due to enhanced fiber-matrix adhesion, attributed to increased fiber roughness and crystallinity, the alkaline treated U. lobata composites showed enhanced mechanical, structural and morphological properties over the untreated U. lobata reinforced composites. Furthermore, the 30 wt% fiber loading, gave the best combination of the mechanical properties, as improvement in tensile strength (2–22 %), percentage elongation (5–26 %), and impact strength (2–19 %) was observed for the treated fiber reinforced composite compositions. Consequently, the 30 wt.% Urena lobata/PP composite is recommended for the development of PMC based automobile components.

Masting behavior — variable and synchronized reproduction by a population of plants — has long been recognized as correlating with weather. How and why weather conditions influence seed production is, however, poorly understood. We investigated the relationships between acorn production and both local weather and long-term climate in 10 populations across the geographic range of the valley oak (Quercus lobata Née), a California endemic that matures acorns in a single season. Acorn production was larger following a cold spring in the prior year and dry conditions in the winter and spring immediately preceding acorn maturation; similar patterns were also found, with minor differences, at all 10 individual sites. The strength of the relationships varied geographically in the case of the correlation between winter rainfall and annual acorn production, which was stronger (more negative) at wetter sites. Thus, in contrast to a recent study in Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., weather had generally similar effects on acorn production throughout the range of Q. lobata. Similar to Q. petraea, however, the strength of the relationship between site-level annual acorn production and one of the weather factors affecting acorn production (winter rainfall in the case of Q. lobata) varied geographically in ways that may be related to differences among sites in the degree of pollen limitation. Understanding the mechanisms by which weather affects seed production is challenging but critical if we are to understand how climate change will affect masting behavior in the future.

The purpose of the current studies is identification of the bioluminescence variability of the ctenophores Mnemiopsis leidyi in the process of regeneration. It has been stated that the ctenophores M. leidyi being seriously injured with preserved statocyst still actively move but the amplitude and duration of their bioluminescence lessen to their minimums that is 17.08 quantum·s-1·cm-2 and 1.37 s respectively under chemical stimulation and 14.85·108 quantum·s-1·cm-2 and 1.25 s respectively under the mechanical impact. Having completed regeneration and restored the body weight up to the initial value, the ctenophores increased their light emission up to the maximum levels corresponding to 332.33 ± 16.61∙108 quantum·s-1·cm-2 under the chemical stimulation and to 219.45 ± 10.97∙108 quantum·s-1·cm-2 under the mechanical impact respectively. Several assumptions identifying the factors influencing the regeneration rate of the ctenophores M. leidyi and their bioluminescence variability range during their regeneration have been made. The possibility of applying bioluminescence for detecting ecological features associated with particular species is demonstrated.

Polysaccharide was derived from Pueraria lobata (PPL) which was considered as one of the traditional Chinese medicinal and edible herbs. In the present study, PPL was administered in equal doses (12.5 mg/kg) to both normal mice and antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) mice for two weeks, and was evaluated in terms of body weight, organ indices, gut structure, gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids. The results showed that normal mice treated with PPL not only reduced the isovaleric acid concentration (P 0.05), but also significantly increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, involving Oscillospira and Anaerotruncus (P 0.05). In addition, PPL could relieve colonic pathological changes and gut microbiota dysbiosis caused by AAD. It indicated that PPL was a potential functional food ingredient by modulating gut microbiota.

Estrogen, produced mainly in the ovaries, plays a role in sexual development, metabolism, and bone formation. Thus, estrogen deficiency due to menopause can lead to overweight, dyslipidemia, and os...

A disease causing leaf blight and vine rot was recognized on kudzu plants (Pueraria lobata) in Korea since 1991. A species of Phytophthora has been repeatedly isolated from the infected leaves. Identification in species level of the Phytophthora sp. remained unsolved. An isolate, KACC 47616 originally collected from Manchon Park in Daegu, has been kept in our laboratory. In 2013, three new isolates, KACC 47617 and KACC 47618 from Yeongyang and KACC 47619 from Gunwi in Gyeongbuk province, were collected and examined to classify up to species level by characterizing morphology, response to temperature and phylogenetic relationship. On the basis of morphological characters such as the nature of hyphal swelling, sporangia and sex organs, absence of chlamydospore production, optimum temperature for mycelial growth, and internal transcribed spacer rDNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 sequence analysis of the pathogen, the causal fungus of kudzu plant was identified as Phytophthora asiatica.

With increasing exposure to local and global stressors associated with a rapidly changing climate, corals adapted to thrive within stressful environments are of particular interest to researchers and managers. A bleaching resilient Porites coral with an unusual appearance was discovered dominating shallow waters (1–2 m) within Honolulu Harbor, Hawai‘i, a heavily sedimented and polluted habitat with high levels of anthropogenic influence. Continuous monitoring of this ‘Harbor Porites’ revealed prolific year-round brooding and release of planula larvae, with no clear seasonal pattern. Furthermore, recruitment and rapid growth were observed in seawater tanks followed by fusing of various sized colonies, indicating brooding of clonal larvae. Genetic markers placed this coral with high similarity (histone and ITS sequences are 99.9% and 99.4% similar, respectively) to corals in the P. lobata species complex which are gonochoric broadcast spawning corals. Fixed differences were observed, and FST values were high and significant, which could either be explained by reproductive isolation or from clonal sampling over a limited area (this coral has not yet been found in other locations). Observations of skeletal microstructure also showed similarity to corals in the P. lobata complex, although with a higher proportion of corallites with excavated columella resulting in a cavity similar in size to the brooded larvae. These observations suggest that bleaching resilience and reproductive mode may be more plastic than previously assumed for Porites corals. Additional work is needed to determine if these corals represent a very recent endemic species, an introduced coral, the result of reproductive disruption from pollution (e.g., endocrine disruption), or extreme phenotypic variation within the P. lobata complex. Prolific growth and production of larvae, combined with observations of resilience to anthropogenic impacts such as bleaching, sedimentation, and pollution, make this coral a good candidate model for the study of adaptation and acclimatization to climate change and other anthropogenic stressors.

Permian plant fossils have never been reported from the Shan Plateau in eastern Myanmar. Recently, a black to gray carbonaceous mudstone unit containing abundant plant fossils was discovered just below the lowest part of Thitspin Limestone Formation from the Linwe Area, eastern Myanmar. Although only five taxa were identified, the plant assemblage provides the first evidence of the occurrence of Cathaysian elements in eastern Myanmar and potentially indicates the presence of a highly diverse Permian flora. Among the five species, Cordaites principalis and Annularia mucronata were cosmopolitan species; while Callipteridum cf. koraiense, Taeniopteris crassinervis Mo and Rhipidopsis lobata were mostly recorded in the Cathaysia Flora. Therefore, the present assemblage generally indicates a palaeobiogeographical affinity to the Cathaysian Province. Stratigraphically, Callipteridum cf. koraiense was mainly reported from Cisuralian to Wordian; whereas Taeniopteris crasssnervis Mo and Rhipidopsis lobata were recorded from Capitanian to Changhsingian, which suggests a general Permian age based on the plant assemblage itself only. However, the carbonaceous mudstone at the outcrop is overlain by the Thitspin Limestone Formation containing middle Guadalupian fusulinids. Based on previous faunal analyses, the Sibumasu terrane contains typical Gondwanan cold-water faunas during the early Cisuralian, warm-water faunas occurred after Sakmarian. Thus, age of the fossil-plant-containing carbonaceous mudstone is very likely between late Cisuralian and early Guadalupian as constrained by its overlying fusulinids and its warm Cathaysian palaeobiogeographical affinity.

Ctenophores are fragile gelatinous organisms whose diversity and distribution are relatively unknown. For the first time, the occurrence of four planktonic species, namely Ocyropsis crystallina, Eurhamphaea vexilligera, Cestum veneris, and Beroe sp., was reported from Madeira archipelago waters (NE subtropical Atlantic). This report represents the northernmost records in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean for O. crystallina and E. vexilligera.

Ocyropsis crystallina Rang, 1827 (Table 1, Fig. 3) Synonym: Ocyroe crystallina Rang, 1827 Examined material: East coast of Ilh��u da Cal, Porto Santo Island, 33��00���19���N 16��22���13���W. Two individuals were observed during SCUBA diving; one specimen was collected between 2 and 6 m depth. Description: Body laterally compressed with two large flapping oral lobes. The auricles are flat and ribbonlike; their narrow edges are lined with long cilia. The stomodaeum is flat, with broadsides constricted near the middle (Fig. 3)., Published as part of Gueroun, Sonia Km, Sch��fer, Susanne, Gizzi, Francesca, ��lvarez, Soledad, Monteiro, Jo��o Gama, Andrade, Carlos & Canning-Clode, Jo��o, 2021, Planktonic Ctenophora of the Madeira Archipelago (Northeastern Atlantic), pp. 433-443 in Zootaxa 5081 (3) on pages 436-437, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5081.3.7, http://zenodo.org/record/5775861, {"references":["Rang, S. (1827) Description d'un genre nouveau de la classe des Acalephes. Bulletin d'histoire naturelle de la Socieitei Linneienne de Bordeaux, 1 (4), 316 - 319"]}

Eurhamphaea vexilligera Gegenbaur, 1856 (Table 1, Fig. 2) Synonym: Mnemia elegans M. Sars, 1856 Examined material: East coast of Ilh��u da Cal, Porto Santo Island, 33��00���18���N 16��22���13���W and 33��00���19���N 16��22���13.08���W. Several adults were observed during SCUBA diving, and two individuals were collected between 2 and 6 m depth. In Porto Santo harbour (33��3���45���N 16��18���59���W), one specimen was collected at the sea surface (0.5 m depth). Description: Overall, body length of the sampled specimens varied from three to six cm. The biggest specimen, around 10 cm, was observed in situ (West coast of Ilh��u da Cal, 33��00���13���N 16��23���34���W). The body was elongated, narrow with a noticeable compression in the tentacular axis (Fig. 2A). Two horn-shaped processes terminating in the long flexible filament are drawn out at the aboral apex (Fig. 2B). Subtentacular ctene rows extend onto these processes. Reddish-brown ink vesicles with bioluminescent properties follow the path of the substomodeal meridional canals (Fig. 2C)., Published as part of Gueroun, Sonia Km, Sch��fer, Susanne, Gizzi, Francesca, ��lvarez, Soledad, Monteiro, Jo��o Gama, Andrade, Carlos & Canning-Clode, Jo��o, 2021, Planktonic Ctenophora of the Madeira Archipelago (Northeastern Atlantic), pp. 433-443 in Zootaxa 5081 (3) on pages 435-436, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5081.3.7, http://zenodo.org/record/5775861, {"references":["Gegenbaur, C. (1856) Studien uber Organisation und Systematik der Ctenophoren. Archiv fur Naturgeschichte, XXII, 163 - 205","Sars, M. (1856) Fauna littoralis Norvegiae, oder Beschreibung und Abbildungen neuer oder wenig bekannten Seethiere. Frederik D. Beyer, Bergen, 144 pp"]}

Pueraria lobata and its variety P. lobata var. thomsonii are both traditional Chinese medicines that have high nutritional and medical value, whereas another variety, P. lobata var. montana has low nutritional and medicinal value and can cause ecological disasters. The material basis of different nutritional and medicinal values, which are caused by metabolite differences among these varieties, remains to be further clarified. Here, we performed ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry based widely targeted metabolome analysis on Pueraria lobata, P. lobata var. thomsonii, and P. lobata var. montana. Among them, a total of 614 metabolites were identified, and distinguished from each other using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Our results suggest that the nutritional differences between P. lobata and its varieties can be explained by variations in the abundance of amino acids, nucleotides, saccharides, and lipids, differences in flavonoids, isoflavones, phenolic acids, organic acids, and coumarins contents caused the differences in the medicinal quality of P. lobata and its varieties. Additionally, the key metabolites responsible for the classification of the three Pueraria varieties were identified. This study provides new insights into the underlying metabolic causes of nutritional and medicinal variation in P. lobata and its varieties.

Species delimitation of closely related corals is often challenging due to high intraspecies morphological variation and phenotypic plasticity with a lack of characteristic features and scarcity of relevant molecular markers. Goniopora spp. are one such coralline group, and the species status of Goniopora lobata and Goniopora djiboutiensis, an Indian and Pacific Ocean hermatypic coral species complex, has been questioned on the basis of previous molecular and morphological analyses. To further examine the species boundaries between G. lobata and G. djiboutiensis in Japan, specimens collected from areas spanning from Ryukyu Island to temperate Japanese regions were morphologically identified based on traditional morphological descriptions. Then, the genetic structure of the G. lobata and G. djiboutiensis species complex was examined using six newly developed microsatellite markers. The majority of the collected specimens had intermediate morphologies, and a STRUCTURE analysis using the LOCPRIOR model based on typical G. lobata and G. djiboutiensis morphology indicated that there were no genetic differences between these morphologies. On the other hand, STRUCTURE analysis based on oceanographic regions revealed that there was a genetic break between the temperate and subtropical regions. This weak genetic break corresponded with the Kuroshio-associated barrier, which prevents larval transport between subtropical and temperate regions. This study confirms that the current morphological identification criteria for G. lobata and G. djiboutiensis do not match the existing genetic boundaries and thus the two should be regarded as a species complex. This study also highlighted the robustness of using a multi-locus population genetic approach, including a geographic context, to confirm the species boundaries of closely related species.

Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi is an essential traditional oriental medicine with therapeutic effects. In this study, we assembled the complete chloroplast genome of P. lobata. The total genome size was 153,442 bp in length, containing a large single-copy (LSC) region of 84,162 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) of 17,998 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,641 bp, and possessing 35.41% GC content. In addition, the whole chloroplast genome encodes a total of 129 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic tree analysis of 48 species in the family Papilionoideae of Leguminosae indicated that P. lobata was belong to Papilionoideae and closely related to the genus, Pachyrhizus, Vigna and Phaseolus.

Coral bleaching represents the most serious threat to contemporary coral reefs. In response, focus is being laid on understanding the cellular processes involved in the response of corals to the environmental stresses and the molecular mechanisms that determine the bleaching patterns. In the present study, a component of the cellular stress response such as the expression of the heat shock proteins (Hsps) was analyzed following the coral bleaching event which occurred in the central Red Sea (Saudi Arabia) in 2015. During this event, corals of different species, growth forms and sites showed variable bleaching susceptibility. In particular, we investigated the expression of Hsp70, Hsp60 and Hsp32 in both healthy and bleached colonies belonging to four different coral species (Goniopora lobata, Porites lobata, Seriatopora hystrix and Stylophora pistillata), in order to explore the intra- and inter-specific modulation of these biomarkers as well as the existence of spatial patterns of Hsp expression. In healthy colonies, the level of all the biomarkers was significantly different among the different species, although within each species it remained similar regardless of the distance from the shore. All the coral species showed a significant modulation of the Hsp expression in response to bleaching, whose typology and amplitude were species-specific. In all the species, Hsp70 and Hsp60 showed a coordinated dual expression, which, in response to bleaching resulted in an up-regulation in G. lobata and P. lobata and in a down-regulation in S. hystrix and S. pistillata. Hsp32 was up-regulated in all four species following bleaching, indicative of elevated oxidative stress. Overall, the protein expression profiles of each species contribute to assess the role of Hsps in regulating the susceptibility to thermal stresses of the various coral taxa of the Red Sea.

Drought is a major stress for plants, creating a strong selection pressure for traits that enable plant growth and survival in dry environments. Many drought responses are conserved species-wide responses, while others vary among populations distributed across heterogeneous environments. We tested how six populations of the widely distributed California valley oak (Quercus lobata) sampled from contrasting climates would differ in their response to soil drying relative to well-watered controls in a common environment by measuring ecophysiological traits in 93 individuals and gene expression (RNA-seq) in 42 individuals. Populations did not differ in their adjustment of turgor loss point during soil drying, suggesting a generalized species-wide response. Differential expression analysis identified 689 genes with a common response to treatment across populations and 470 genes with population-specific responses. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified groups of genes with similar expression patterns that may be regulated together (gene modules). Several gene modules responded differently to water stress among populations, suggesting regional differences in gene network regulation. Populations from sites with a high mean annual temperature responded to the imposed water stress with significantly greater changes in gene module expression, indicating that these populations may be locally adapted to respond to drought. We propose that this variation among valley oak populations provides a mechanism for differential tolerance to the increasingly frequent and severe droughts in California.

Jotang kuda (Synedrella nodiflora (L.) Gaertn.), gandarusa (Justicia gendarussa Burm.f.) and pulutan (Urena lobata L.) leaves are used by several tribes in Central Sulawesi for the treatment of cancer. This study aims to determine the value of LC50 (Lethal Concentration 50) of ethanol and water extracts from the S. nodiflora, J. gendarussa and U. lobata leaves and identify the class of chemical compounds contained in extracts with the highest toxicity. The ethanol extract was obtained by the maceration method using ethanol 96% and the water extract was obtained by the infusionmethod. The extract toxicity test was carried out byBrine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) and dentification test was carried out by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). The toxicity test results (LC50) of 96% ethanol extract and water extract of S. nodiflora leaves were 395.60 μg/ml and 109.25 μg/ml; J. gendarussa leaves 713.34 μg/ml and 18.02 μg/ml; and U.lobata leaves 188.38 μg/ml and 85.37 μg/ml, respectively. The results of identification showed that the water extract of the J. gendarussa leaves containing alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, and steroids-terpenoids. The results of this study indicated that the extracts of S. nodiflora leaves, J. gendarussa leaves, and U. lobata leaves are potential to be developed as anticancer.

A new isoflavone glycoside, named 3’-hydroxytectorigenin-7-O-β-D-xylosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) was isolated from the flowers of Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Sanjappa & Pradeep. The structure of compound 1 was characterised by HR-ESI-MS and NMR spectroscopic methods. In radical scavenging activity test using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), compound 1 showed moderate activity with IC50 value of 42 ± 4.2 μg/mL.

Currently, the quantitative assessment of revegetation is often limited to within a few years of vegetation construction. Thus, it is imperative to gather information regarding vegetation transition such as plant species composition and identify new indicators that can be applied to evaluate long-term vegetation restoration on revegetated slopes. To achieve this, the vegetation on the oldest expressway slopes in Japan and its transitions were studied 53 years after construction using the Braun–Blanquet method, cluster analysis, and indicator species analysis (INSPAN), and two vegetation successional patterns were identified. The first pattern, a vegetation transition dominated by deciduous broad-leaved trees, was observed on orthosere slopes. Despite a previous study predicting the establishment of a Pinus densiflora-dominant community by about 50 years after construction, no adult P. densiflora trees were identified in this study, and pine wilt disease was implicated. The second pattern, a transition to a plagiosere with Pueraria lobata as an indicator species, was observed on slopes where a P. densiflora-dominant community had been established 33 years after the construction. A plagiosere with a bamboo-dominant community was newly identified in addition to the previously reported P. lobata-dominated one. All the plagiosere slopes displayed single-peak community structures, in which the highest coverage was recorded for the lower tree layer, community height was less than 10 m, and P. lobata as an indicator species. It is suggested that these common features are indicative of the vegetation shift to a plagiosere and are useful as long-term revegetation evaluation criteria.

Current usage of the name Ulva lactuca, the generitype of Ulva, remains uncertain. Genetic analyses were performed on the U. lactuca Linnaean holotype, the U. fasciata epitype, the U. fenestrata holotype, the U. lobata lectotype, and the U. stipitata lectotype. The U. lactuca holotype is nearly identical in rbcL sequence to the U. fasciata epitype, a warm temperate to tropical species, rather than the cold temperate species to which the name U. lactuca has generally been applied. We hypothesize that the holotype specimen of U. lactuca came from the Indo-Pacific rather than northern Europe. Our analyses indicate that U. fasciata and U. lobata are heterotypic synonyms of U. lactuca. Ulva fenestrata is the earliest name for northern hemisphere, cold temperate Atlantic and Pacific species, with U. stipitata a junior synonym. DNA sequences from type specimens provide an unequivocal method for applying names to Ulva species. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Growth anomalies (GAs) are protuberant masses found on many coral species; their presence may be linked to increased ocean temperatures and bleaching stress. In 2014 and 2015, Hawai‘i experienced back-to-back beaching events, after which an increased number of growth anomalies were noted on massive Porites colonies. GAs and normal tissues were sampled from 19 P. evermanni and P. lobata colonies in 2015 and from each of 15 separate P. evermanni colonies on six dates from June 2016 to August 2017, encompassing two annual reproductive cycles. Compared to normal tissue, GAs had significantly larger corallites in all dimensions in both P. evermanni and P. lobata. GAs of P. evermanni also had reduced amounts of lipid and lower functional lipid ratios across all time points. Across tissue types, lipid content was generally higher in winter (December) and spring (April) than in summer months (June/July), but was not correlated with reproductive condition. While GAs are generally non-reproductive in other corals, GA tissues in P. evermanni contained elevated numbers of oocytes in 2017. Compared to normal tissue, GAs in P. evermanni had aberrant corallite morphology and likely committed proportionally more energy to growth and less to energy storage.

Pueraria montana var. lobata is a bioactive substance, in possession of a variety of beneficial health effects, which has long been extensively used as a traditional medication for the treatment of fever, acute dysentery, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases in North-East Asian countries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytoprotective activity of Pueraria montana var. lobata ethanol extract (PLE) for ultraviolet B (UVB) induced oxidative stress in human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). It was hypothesized that PLE treatment (25-100 μg/mL) would reduce intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels as well as increase collagen production in UVB-irradiated HDF. The results confirmed this theory, with collagen production increasing in the PLE treatment group in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, regulators of cellular ROS accumulation, including HO-1 and NOQ-1, were activated by Nrf2, which was mediated by PLE. Hence, intracellular levels of ROS were also reduced in the PLE treatment group in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, PLE increases collagen production and maintains hyaluronic acid (HA) levels in human dermal fibroblasts exposed to UVB-irradiation, thereby inhibiting photoaging.

Emerging evidence indicates that individual stressors can modify the coral microbiome; however, few studies have examined the impacts of multiple stressors through natural climatic events. During periods of low and high heat stress associated with the 2015–2016 El Nino, we tracked the microbiomes of two coral species (Porites lobata and Montipora aequituberculata) across sites on Kiritimati (Christmas) Island with different levels of local disturbance (i.e. subsistence fishing, pollution, dredging). At low heat stress, local disturbance was associated with increased microbial alpha diversity (i.e. number of microbial OTUs and their relative abundance) in both species and increased beta diversity (i.e. coral to coral variation in microbial community composition) in P. lobata. High levels of thermal stress subsequently elevated microbial beta diversity in both species at the low disturbance sites up to the level experienced at the high disturbance sites under low heat stress, illustrating that each stressor can destabilize the coral microbiome. However, with high heat stress microbial alpha diversity was no longer significantly different between disturbance levels for either species. Survival of P. lobata throughout the entire El Nino event was greater at low disturbance sites than high ones (40% vs. 15%), suggesting that protection from local stressors may enhance survival of stress-tolerant corals. However, no M. aequituberculata tracked in this study survived the thermal anomaly. Whether enhanced survivorship can be directly attributed to lower microbial diversity, however, remains to be tested. Overall, we found that, rather than acting synergistically, multiple stressors either acted antagonistically to one another (alpha diversity for both coral species, beta diversity for P. lobata) or exhibited dominance (beta diversity for M. aequituberculata), suggesting that multiple stressors cause various interaction outcomes on the coral microbiome and highlighting the need for future research to evaluate these interactions and their consequences for coral resilience.

El desarrollo y el mantenimiento de los arrecifes coralinos depende del balance entre la producción (acreción) y la remoción (erosión) del CaCO3 generado principalmente por corales hermatípicos. El material calcáreo puede ser removido del esqueleto de coral por agentes físicos, químicos o biológicos, y este último es el de mayor influencia. Pese a su importancia, pocos estudios han estimado la tasa de bioerosión en comunidades coralinas de la costa mexicana del Pacífico. En este estudio se determinó el volumen y el porcentaje de CaCO3 removido vía erosión biológica en los principales corales masivos, Pavona gigantea, Porites lobata y Porites panamensis, distribuidos en el Parque Nacional Islas Marietas y el Parque Nacional Isla Isabel (México). Además, se evaluó el efecto de factores intrínsecos (morfología, sexo y edad de las colonias) y extrínsecos (localidad y profundidad) en la bioerosión. Se utilizó la técnica de peso boyante para calcular parámetros de remoción interna y densidad de CaCO3. A nivel de especie, P. gigantea presentó valores de volumen de bioerosión de 71.31 ± 32.35 cm3 (27.28 ± 18.05% de bioerosión interna); Po. lobata, 26.60 ± 4.87 cm3 (16.87 ± 16.31%); y Po. panamensis, 29.6 ± 14.61 cm3 (31.127 ± 29.43%). A nivel de género, Pavona presentó los valores más altos en bioerosión y densidad del esqueleto (1.61 g·cm–3). Con relación a la morfología, la bioerosión fue mayor en colonias masivas, pero considerando la edad, fue superior en colonias más longevas (10–26 años). A nivel de localidad, en el Parque Nacional Islas Marietas se presentaron los valores más altos de volumen y porcentaje de bioerosión. La evidencia sugiere que los arrecifes de coral de la costa central mexicana del Pacífico están experimentando una alta tasa de erosión no conspicua causada por bioerosionadores endolíticos y varía en función de factores intrínsecos y extrínsecos. Si este efecto continúa incrementando, podría poner en riesgo el mantenimiento a largo plazo de las comunidades coralinas, lo que modificaría el balance de los flujos de carbonato y la funcionalidad del ecosistema arrecifal.

Epiphytic orchids are important components of the tropical and subtropical forests. In the epiphytic environment these are subjected to many stressful conditions, among which stand out intermittent rainfall or even drought. The strategies these orchids employ to survive and develop in such conditions are of great interest between researchers. In the present study we investigated some of the effects of water deficit on the physiology, biochemistry and morphology of protocorms of the epiphytic orchid Laelia lobate Lindl. The protocorm is a post-embryonic stage of the orchids, considered a simple and unique structure which is particularly unprotected but with a high ability to survive in a highly constrained environment. To mimic water shortage conditions, we used three different osmotic treatments adding polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 to a previously selected culture medium. It was observed that the decrease in water potential increased the survival of the protocorms, their photosynthetic activity, dry matter, and induced both a large accumulation of cuticle waxes as well as deep changes in the waxes composition. Moreover, it was also observed that L.lobata protocorms have stomata on the whole surface and present values of δ13 (-15 % ~ -14 %) which indicated that they putatively display crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM). On the other hand, the osmotic treatments provoked a marked reduction in the protocorms growth, in total soluble sugars content, cell wall monosaccharides, polyols and other carbohydrates, which are thought to be accumulated to act as osmoprotectans. The data contributes to a better understanding of the effects of water shortage on the protocorms of L.lobata and some of the tolerance mechanisms they display to cope with such stressful condition, highlighting that some responses differed from what was expected according to literature As orquídeas epífitas são componentes importantes das florestas tropicais e subtropicais. No ambiente epifítico estas estão sujeitas a várias condições estressantes, dentre as quais destacam-se as chuvas intermitentes ou até a seca. As estratégias empregadas por estas orquídeas para sua sobrevivência e desenvolvimento nessas condições são de grande interesse entre os pesquisadores. No presente estudo, investigamos os efeitos do déficit hídrico na fisiologia, bioquímica e morfologia de protocormos da orquídea epífita Laelia lobata Lindl. O protocormo trata-se de um estágio pós-embrionário do desenvolvimento das orquídeas, considerado como estrutura peculiar e que a despeito da sua simplicidade estrutural apresenta uma elevada capacidade de sobrevivência em um ambiente altamente restritivo. Para imitar as condições experimentais de restrição hídrica, foram empregados três tratamentos osmóticos diferentes, obtidos por meio da adição de polietilenoglicol (PEG) 6000 a um meio de cultura previamente selecionado. Foi observada que a diminuição do potencial hídrico aumentou a sobrevivência dos protocormos, sua atividade fotossintética, matéria seca e induziu um grande acúmulo de ceras de cutícula, além de profundas alterações nos componentes destas. Também foi observado que os protocormos de L. lobata possuem estômatos em toda a superfície e apresentam valores de δ13 (-15 % ~ -14 %) o que putativamente indicaria um metabolismo ácido das crassuláceas (CAM). No entanto, foi observado que os tratamentos osmóticos causaram decréscimos no crescimento dos protocormos, assim como nos teores de açúcares solúveis totais, monossacarídeos da parede celular, polióis e outros carboidratos, sendo que estes normalmente são acumulados para atuarem como osmoprotetores. Os dados obtidos contribuem para uma melhor compreensão dos efeitos da escassez de água sobre os protocormos de L.lobata e alguns dos mecanismos de tolerância que eles exibem para lidar com essa condição estressante, destacando que algumas das respostas diferem das esperadas segundo a literatura

Anxiety disorders are general and psychological problems that are also linked to symptoms of depression. This study aimed to investigate the anxiolytic-like effects of Urena lobata L. (MEUL) methanolic extract in different behavioral paradigms in Swiss albino mice. For this, after an oral acute toxicity study, adult male mice were treated with MEUL (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) and/or diazepam (2 mg/kg, i.p.), and subjected to a number of behavioral studies. In the open-field test, the number of square field cross, grooming, and rearing, was counted, while in the light/dark and swing test, the time spent in the dark portion and number of swings was calculated, respectively. Additionally, the phytochemical analysis was also done. Results reveal that the MEUL possesses alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, terpenes (including triterpenes), gums, and reducing sugars. MEUL showed a significant (p like effect in experimental animals, where it’s dose-dependently modulated the test parameters in an open-field test. The MEUL also increased the light residence time and the number of swings in a dose-dependent manner. A dose of 500 mg/kg of MEUL caused the highest calming effect when combined with the experimental animals’ diazepam group. Taken together, findings expand an understanding of the impact of U. lobata on the central nervous system and show that this plant may be useful for the treatment of disorders associated with anxiety.

One of the obstacles to detecting regional trends in jellyfish populations is the lack of a defined baseline. In the Adriatic Sea, the jellyfish fauna (Scyphozoa and Ctenophora) is poorly studied compared to other taxa. Therefore, our goal was to collect and systematize all available data and provide a baseline for future studies. Here we present phenological data and relative abundances of jellyfish based on 2010–2019 scientific surveys and a “citizen science” sighting program along the eastern Adriatic. Inter-annual variability, seasonality and spatial distribution patterns of Scyphomedusae and Ctenophore species were described and compared with existing historical literature. Mass occurrences with a clear seasonal pattern and related to the geographical location were observed for meroplanktonic Scyphomedusae Aurelia solida, Rhizostoma pulmo, and to a lesser extent Chrysaora hysoscella, Cotylorhiza tuberculata and Discomedusa lobata. Holoplanktonic Pelagia noctiluca also formed large aggregations, which were seasonally less predictable and restricted to the central and southern Adriatic. Four species of Ctenophora produced blooms limited to a few areas: Bolinopsis vitrea, Leucothea multicornis, Cestum veneris and the non-native Mnemiopsis leidyi. However, differences between Adriatic subregions have become less pronounced since 2014. Our results suggest that gelatinous organisms are assuming an increasingly important role in the Adriatic ecosystem, which may alter the balance of the food web and lead to harmful and undesirable effects.