Taste perception in complete denture wearers / Percepção do sabor em usuários de prótese dentária total

ABSTRACT Purpose: to assess the recognition of salty, sweet, and citrus tastes in complete denture wearers. Methods: the study included toothless individuals (experimental group) who had been using, for at least 3 months and at the most 5 years, acrylic resin removable bimaxillary complete dentures in good condition and with adequate maxillo-mandibular relationship. The same assessment was performed in the control group, which had 26 toothed individuals. Volunteers had no difficulties ingesting any type of food. Salty, sweet, and citrus tastes were assessed with filter paper strips soaked in such solutions and placed on the tongue dorsum. Assessments were performed in duplicate and in random order. Results: the percentage rate of errors was similar between the control (9.6±13.5%) and experimental groups (10.5±15.5%) (p=0.80). There was no difference in the frequency of correct perception of tastes between denture wearers and toothed individuals. Conclusion: individuals who wore acrylic resin removable bimaxillary complete dentures perceived salty, sweet, and citrus tastes like toothed individuals did.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar o reconhecimento dos sabores salgado, doce e cítrico em usuários de prótese dentária total. Métodos: foram incluídos indivíduos desdentados (grupo experimental) usuários de prótese total removível bimaxilar confeccionada em resina acrílica, com tempo mínimo de uso de três meses e máximo de cinco anos, em bom estado de conservação e com adequada relação maxilo-mandibular. Como grupo controle, a mesma avaliação foi realizada em 26 indivíduos dentados. Os voluntários não tinham dificuldade na ingestão de nenhum tipo de alimento. Os sabores salgado, doce e cítrico foram testados com fitas de papel filtro embebidas nas soluções e colocadas na parte dorsal da língua. As avaliações foram realizadas em duplicata e em ordem ao acaso. Resultados: a taxa percentual de erros foi igual entre os grupos controle (9,6±13,5%) e experimental (10,5±15,5%) (p=0,80). Não houve diferenças na frequência de percepção correta dos sabores entre indivíduos usuários de prótese e indivíduos dentados. Conclusão: usuários de prótese total removível bimaxilar confeccionada em resina acrílica têm a mesma percepção dos sabores salgado, doce e cítrico que indivíduos dentados.

Research progress on clinical manifestations and mechanism of radiation-induced taste dysfunction in head and neck cancers / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Taste is a critical sensory function for human as it supports sustenance and alerts the body to toxins. Taste dysfunction is a common side effect of radiotherapy for the head and neck cancers, which is often accompanied by oral mucositis in the early stage. It is associated with anorexia, anxiety and depression, leading to declined quality of life and treatment tolerance. The incidence of radiation-induced taste dysfunction is high, and its clinical manifestations include increased taste threshold, tastelessness, and persistent bitter, sour or metallic taste, which exert significant effect upon the quality of life. At present, effective therapeutic measures for radiation-induced taste dysfunction are still lacking. In this article, research progresses on clinical characteristics and the potential mechanisms of radiation-induced taste dysfunction were reviewed, aiming to provide reference for the mechanism, prevention and treatment for taste dysfunction.

Colgajo con preservación de papilas en defecto óseo del sector anterior / Papilla-preserving flap in bone defect of the anterior sector

RESUMEN La técnica de preservación de papilas en el tratamiento de las periodontitis ofrece ventajas en cuanto a la protección del sitio del defecto cuando en este se pretende realizar cirugía ósea aditiva. La combinación de este proceder con la regeneración tisular guiada garantiza mayor protección a la membrana colocada con este fin. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 47 años de edad, masculino, cibernético de profesión, que recibió tratamiento periodontal pero no acudió a su fase de mantenimiento y en este momento lo hace por presentar movilidad y sangrado gingival manifestado fundamentalmente al realizar los procedimientos de higiene bucal. Se le realizó un colgajo con preservación de papilas, entre los incisivos centrales superiores, colocándole un injerto de Bio-Oss y una membrana de colágeno, con lo que se obtuvo una mayor altura del hueso y una disminución de la profundidad de la bolsa.

ABSTRACT The papillae preservation technique in the treatment of periodontitis offers advantages in terms of protecting the defect site when additive bone surgery is intended to be performed on it. The combination of this procedure with guided tissue regeneration guarantees greater protection for the membrane placed for this purpose. We present a 47-year-old male patient, computer engineer as a profession, who received periodontal treatment but did not attend his maintenance phase; he does so due to mobility and gingival bleeding manifested mainly when performing oral hygiene procedures. A papilla-preserving flap was made between the upper central incisors, placing a Bio-Oss graft and a collagen membrane, which resulted in greater bone height and decreased pocket depth.

IN VITRO GERMINATION AND VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION THROUGH BUD DEVELOPMENT OF SACHA INCHI (Plukenetia volubilis) / Germinación y propagación vegetativa in vitro a través del desarrollo de yemas de Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis)

ABSTRACT This study describes the in vitro seed germination and micropropagation of Plukenetia volubilis (sacha inchi), an oilseed crop rich in omega-3 fatty acids, with health benefits and several industrial applications. Seed germination was evaluated in different culture media (MS and 1/2 MS), seed coat presence/absence and culture temperature (18 °C and 28 °C). Micropropagation was performed using axillary bud development (ABD) on nodal segments from in vitro seedlings. KIN, BAP and 2-ip were evaluated for ABD, and the effect of modified MS in 453 mg L-1 CaCl2 and 351.62 mg L-1 MgSO4 on ABD and shoot survival was assessed to improve the process. Finally, six treatments were evaluated to optimize ABD and shoot leaf formation. Seed germination of 91.6 % was achieved in MS at 28 °C when the seed coat was removed. ABD was obtained in 45 % and 40 % with 0.4 mg L-1 KIN and 0.6 mg L-1 2-ip, respectively, with the least CAL. The modification in 453 mg L-1 CaCl2 then allowed 76 % ABD and 82 % explant survival. ABD response was optimized to 95 % and 2.45 leaves with MS medium + CaCl2 modification + 10 % coconut water + 0.4 mg L-1 KIN. The same results were obtained by replacing the latter with 0.6 mg L-1 2-ip. Rooting was achieved in MS without PGR, and acclimatization was successful. The results indicate that plant production via germination and vegetative propagation is effective for commercial purposes.

RESUMEN Este estudio describe la germinación in vitro y micropropagación de Plukenetia volubilis, un cultivo oleaginoso rico en omega-3 benéfico para la salud y con múltiples aplicaciones industriales. Se evaluó en la germinación diferentes medios de cultivo (MS y 1/2 MS), presencia-ausencia de testa y temperatura de cultivo (18 ° C y 28 ° C). La micropropagación se realizó vía yemas axilares (ABD) de plántulas in vitro. Se evaluó el efecto de KIN, BAP y 2-ip sobre ABD, seguidamente, para mejorar el proceso se evaluó el efecto de MS modificado en 453 mg L-1 CaCl2 y 351.62 mg L-1 MgSO4 sobre ABD y supervivencia del brote. Finalmente, se evaluaron seis tratamientos para optimizar ABD y la formación de hojas. Se logró una germinación 91,6 % en MS a 28 °C cuando se retiró la testa. Se obtuvo 45 % y 40 % de ABD con 0,4 mg L-1 KIN y 0,6 mg L-1 2-ip respectivamente, ambos con la menor CAL. Posteriormente, la modificación de CaCl2 permitió 76 % ABD y 82 % de supervivencia. Se optimizó ABD al 95 % con 2,45 hojas por brote con el medio: MS + modificación de CaCl2 + 10 % de agua de coco + 0.4 mg L-1 KIN, los mismos resultados se obtuvieron cambiando este último con 0,6 mg L-1 2-ip, se logró enraizamiento en MS sin PGR, y la aclimatización fue exitosa. Los resultados indican que la producción de plantas vía germinación y propagación vegetativa es efectiva con fines comerciales.

Investigation of the Botanical Resource of Traditionally Used Crude Drug : Exploration of Traditional Production Technique of Paeoniae Radix / 日本東洋医学雑誌

This study is based on the investigation of Japanese ancient experienced agricultural techniques and historical and current exploration of strain and morphology of plants. We aim to dig up the tacit knowledge, which can guarantee the quality of production and profitability when they are applied for current medicinal plant cultivation. We focused on Paeonia lactiflora Pallas as the candidate of the farming products for the vitalization of mountainous area. Bon-ten (with white double-petaled flowers) is considered to produce highly qualified Paeoniae Radix in medical practice. We found several strains of the plant source different from Bon-ten as the origin of Yamato-Shakuyaku, bred after TOKUGAWA Yoshimune’s policy promoting the domestic cultivation of medicinal plants in Edo period. These strains include the cultivar with red single-petaled flower, which is drawn in ‘Matsuyama-Honzo’ by Morino Tosuke-Saikaku, who established private herb garden, ‘Morino herbal garden,’ supported by Tokugawa shogunate. Among Morino family documents, we also found the unpublished historical papers suggesting the various productions of crude drugs at Yamato region in Edo period, and considered the transition of domestic production area, cultivation strains and cultivation skills. We can find the descriptions of picking of buds and flowers among current production manuals, but it is suggested the possibility of flowers for ornamental or commercial use to improve economic efficiency by the investigation of regional cultures and interviews of experts of crude drugs.

Cluster bud induction of base stem and establishment of high efficiency regeneration system of Lycium ruthenicum / 中草药

Objective: To optimize the culture methods and conditions for the rapid propagation of Lycium ruthenicum in vitro, explore effective proliferation methods, and screen suitable plant regeneration pathways, so as to establish an artificial high-efficiency breeding technology system. Methods: Stem segments with one or two nodes of aseptic seedlings were used as materials. MS, modified MS1 and modified MS2 were used as basic media. The effects of different plant hormones and their concentrations on callus induction, axillary bud germination, basal stem adventitious cluster bud induction and plant regeneration were studied by single factor, complete combination and L9(34) orthogonal experiments. Results: A large number of callus were induced in MS + NAA 1.0 mg/L + 6-BA 0.1 mg/L medium, but the ability of redifferentiation was weak, and the highest multiplication coefficient was only 4.36 after 35 d of culture; While in MS + NAA 0.1 mg/L + 6-BA 0.05 mg/L + KT 0.5 mg/L medium, with axillary buds starting to germinate, the node of stem segment contacted with culture medium began to swell and appeared adventitious bud points, which sprouted basal stem cluster budswith the incidence rate of 100%: And the highest multiplication coefficient could up to 42.84 after 45 d of culture. The suitable medium (MS1 + NAA 1.0 mg/L) for rooting of test-tube seedlings was modified. After 40 d of culture, the rooting rate reached 98.9%; And the survival rate of transplanted tube seedlings after refining was over 90%. Conclusion: In this study, the basal stem cluster buds were used as a new way for proliferation, and an efficient propagation system of L. barbarum in vitro was successfully established, which not only greatly improved the yield and quality of test-tube seedlings, but also provided another idea for the rapid propagation of other Lycium plants in vitro.

Acylated kaempferol glycosides from flower buds of Panax ginseng and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of flavonoids and its α-glucosidase inhibitory activity from the flower buds of Panax ginseng. Methods The compounds were isolated and purified by MCI gel, silica gel and semi-preparative HPLC chromatography, and the structures were elucidated based on the NMR and MS data. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the isolated compounds in vitro were determined by 96-well microtiter plate. Results: From ethyl acetate fraction of alcohol extract of P. ginseng flower buds, five flavonoids were isolated and identified as kaempferol-3-O-(2″,3″-di-E-p-coumaroyl)-α-L-rhamnoside (1), kaempferol-3-O-(3″,4″-di-E-p-coumaroyl)-α-L-rhamnoside (2), kaempferol-3-O-(3″-Z-p-coumaroyl,4″-E-p-coumaroyl)-α-L-rhamnoside (3), kaempferol-3-O-(2″,4″-di-E-p-coumaroyl)-α-L-rhamnoside (4), and kaempferol-3-O-(2″,4″-di-Z-p-coumaroyl)-α-L-rhamnoside (5). The inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase in vitro showed that compound 3 had stronger inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase. Conclusion: Compounds 1-5 are isolated from this genus for the first time, and the phenylpropionyl acylated flavonol glycosides in P. ginseng flower buds have some inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase in vitro.

5,6-Didehydro-20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3, a novel triterpenoid saponin from flower buds of Panax ginseng / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of ginsenosides from the flower buds of Panax ginseng. Methods: The compounds were isolated and purified by Diaion HP-20, MCI gel, silica gel, and semi-preparative HPLC. The structures were elucidated based on NMR and MS data. Results: Four compounds were isolated from the extract of P. ginseng flower buds, and identified as 6’-acetyl-ginsenoside F1 (1), 12α-hydroxyl-ginsneoside Rd (2), 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (3), and 5,6-didehydro-20(S)- ginsenoside Rg3 (4). Conclusion: Compound 4 is a novel ginsenoside, compounds 1 and 2 are new natural products.

Studies on chemical constituents of saponins from Panax ginseng flower buds / 中国中药杂志

This project is to investigate the chemical constituents of ginsenosides from the flower buds of Panax ginseng. The compounds were isolated by using a variety of chromatographic methods including Diaion HP-20,silica gel,MCI gel and semi-preparative HPLC chromatography. Their structures were identified by NMR,and MS data. As a result,32 compounds were isolated from the extract of P. ginseng flower buds,and identified as ginsenoside Rk_3( 1),ginsenoside Rh_4( 2),ginsenoside Rh_8( 3),pseudoginsenoside Rc_1( 4),ginsenoside Rc( 5),ginsenoside Rb_2( 6),ginsenoside Rg_6( 7),20( E)-ginsenoside F_4( 8),ginsenoside Rb_1( 9),vinaginsenoside R_(16)( 10),ginsenoside Rh_6( 11),vinaginsenoside R_3( 12),5,6-didehydro-ginsenoside Rd( 13),vinaginsenoside R_4( 14),vinaginsenoside R_8( 15),ginsenoside Rf( 16),notoginsenoside E( 17),ginsenoside Ⅲ( 18),3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3β,7β,12β,20 S-tetrahydroxydammar-5( 6),24-diene-20-O-β-D-glucopyranoside( 19),20( S)-ginsenoside Rg_2( 20),20( R)-ginsenoside Rg_2( 21),notoginsenoside R_2( 22),ginsenoside F_2( 23),quinquenoside I( 24),ginsenoside M_1( 25),quinquenoside L_(10)( 26),ginsenoside Rh_5( 27),ginsenoside Rg_5( 28),ginsenoside Rk_1( 29),20( R)-ginsenoside Rg_3( 30),oleanolic acid 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-( 1→2)-β-D-( 6'-methyl ester)-glucuronopyranoside( 31) and ginsenoside MC( 32). Among them,compounds 10,12,13,15,19,22,24,31 and 32 were isolated from P. ginseng for the first time,and compound 19 was a genuine ginsenoside firstly obtained by separation and identification,with NMR data that were also reported. Compounds 1-3,7,8,23,25-30 were isolated from P. ginseng flower buds for the first time.

Caracterização química e citotoxicidade do óleo essencial do cravo-da-índia (Syzygium aromaticum) / Chemical characterization and cytotoxicity of clove essential oil (Syzygium aromaticum)

RESUMO Este trabalho avalia as propriedades-físico químicas do óleo essencial dos botões florais seco do cravo-da-índia (Syzygium aromaticum) que são encontradas no Municipio de São Luís, Maranhão. Extraiu-se quantitativamente o óleo essencial por hidrodestilação. Determinaram-se as propriedades físico-químicas do óleo essencial (densidade, índice de refração, solubilidade, cor e aparência) e atividade citotóxica frente às larvas da Artemia salina. Caracterizou-se analiticamente o óleo por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espectrómetro de massas (CG-EM). Os resul tados mostram que o melhor tempo e o rendimento do óleo foram correspondente mente 4 horas e 4,33 % de massa por volume. A partir disso foi possível identificar 5 componentes, sendo a presença majoritária do eugenol que logo foi confirmada pelas técnicas espectroscópica. Na identificação do componente majoritário e dos demais componentes, bem como suas quantificações, as técnicas foram precisas e os métodos eficientes, proporcionando um bom desempenho analítico nas determinações.

Summary This work evaluates the physical-chemical properties of the essential oil of the dry floral buds of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) that are found in the Municipality of Saint Louis, Maranhão. The essential oil was quantitatively extracted by hydrodistil lation. The physicochemical properties of the essential oil (density, refractive index, solubility, color and appearance) and cytotoxic activity against larvae of Artemia salina were determined. The oil was analytically characterized by gas chromatog raphy coupled to mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The results show that the best time and yield of the oil were correspondingly 4 hours and 4.33% mass per volume. From this, it was possible to identify five components, being the major presence of eugenol that soon was confirmed by the spectroscopic techniques. In the identification of the major component and the other components, as well as their quantifications, the techniques were precise and the methods efficient, providing a good analytical performance in the determinations.

Action of Essential Oils on Sprouting of Non-Dormant Potato Tubers

ABSTRACT The breakdown of dormancy and early sprouting is one of the main causes of losses of stored potatoes. Sprouting control becomes important especially when tubers are submitted to long-term storage for further processing by the potato industry. The objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of organic sprout inhibitors, eugenol and menthol essential oils, on the suppression of growth on non-dormant 'Asterix' tubers stored at 8 °C. Administration of eugenol and menthol essential oils reduced the number and the length of sprouts during cold storage up to fifty days. Nevertheless, the essential oils stimulated the break of bud apical dominance, stimulating auxiliary buds growth. The effect of the oils was restricted to inducing necrosis of superficial sprout cells without any apparent effect on the skin periderm structure. Repeated applications of oils are necessary to prolong the inhibitory effects of the essential oils on sprouts growth.

Efficient induction system of adventitious shoot and plantlet regeneration in Gentiana rigescens / 中草药

Objective: An efficient and stable regeneration system was developed to select the optimal protocol for plant regeneration with various explants of Gentiana rigescens. Methods: The study was designed as a L9(34) orthogonal experiment to explore the effects of different types and concentration of plant growth regulator combinations on adventitious shoot formation and plant regeneration, using different explants maintained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium after a single factor pre-experiment had been conducted. Results: Stem with buds was the optimal explant for indirect organogenesis with a frequency of callus induction of up to 97.73% obtained on MS + 6-BA 1.5 mg/L + NAA 1.0 mg/L + KT 0.05 mg/L after 10 dwith the axillary shoots starting to germinate along with the emergence of callus with a strong capacity of differentiation from the base; The callus started to generate green multiple shoots with a 100% rate after 15 d and a coefficient of differentiation in the clump shoot of 18.65. The multiplication coefficient was up to 63.58. However, the stem tip was the best explant for direct organogenesis with a propagation coefficient of up to 44.36 cultured on MS + 6-BA 0.5 mg/L + NAA 1.0 mg/L + KT 0.5 mg/L 30 days later. The plantlet derived from two explants was too weak for rooting and the weak multiplication plantlet was maintained on MS medium supplemented with 6-BA 1.5 mg/L, NAA 1.0 mg/L, KT 0.05 mg/L, and PP333 10 mg/L to rejuvenation for 60 d. The regeneration plant with 100% rooting rate was obtained by culturing on 1/2 MS + 6-BA 0.1 mg/L + NAA 2.0 mg/L for 45 d and more than 95% of plantlets survived after transplanting. Conclusion: The current study established a rapid propagation system which is helpful to protect the wild resources and high quality seedling propagation of G. rigescens, meanwhile providing scientific evidence for the research on genetic transformation.

Determination of ginsenoside Re, pseudo-ginsenoside F11, ginsenoside Rb3, and ginsenoside Rd from flower buds of Panax quinquefolium / 中草药

Objective To establish the determination method of four ginsenosides from flower buds of Panax quinquefolium by Waters Acquity UPLC H-Class with Xevo TQD. Methods The chromatographic separation was performed on a Waters Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (50 mm × 2.1mm, 1.7 μm). The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile and water containing 0.05% ammonium hydroxide with gradient elution; The flow rate was 0.45 mL/min, and the column temperature was 35 ℃; Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) acquisition under negative ion scan mode by ESI was also performed. Results The method was established with good precision, stability, repeatability, and accuracy. Ginsenoside Re, pseudo-ginsenoside F11, ginsenoside Rb3, and ginsenoside Rd showed a good linearity in the range of corresponding concentrations. Conclusion The UPLC-MS/MS method is rapid, simple, accurate, reliable, which can be used for the analysis of ginsenosides from flower buds of P. quinquefolium.

A new aurone with anti-inflammatory activity from Cleistocalyx operculatus flower buds / 中国中药杂志

A new compound(Z)-6-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5,7-dimethylaurone was isolated from Cleistocalyx operculatus flower buds. Its structure was identified by spectroscopic data including MS, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR HSQC and HMBC. A known compound, 2',4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3'5'-dimethylchalcone (DMC), was also isolated and identified,and used as material to synthesize (Z)-6-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5,7-dimethylaurone.Anti-inflammatory activities of the two compounds were tested . The results showed that (Z)-6-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5,7-dimethylaurone possesses much stronger PGE₂ inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 6.12 nmol·L⁻¹) than the positive control ibuprofen （68.66 nmol·L⁻¹）.

Development and homeostasis of taste buds in mammals / 华西口腔医学杂志

Taste is mediated by multicellular taste buds distributed throughout the oral and pharyngeal cavities. The taste buds can detect five basic tastes: sour, sweet, bitter, salty and umami, allowing mammals to select nutritious foods and avoid the ingestion of toxic and rotten foods. Once developed, the taste buds undergo continuous renewal throughout the adult life. In the past decade, significant progress has been achived in delineating the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing taste buds development and homeostasis. With this knowledges and in-depth investigations in the future, we can achieve the precise management of taste dysfunctions such as dysgeusia and ageusia.

Enraízamíento de esquejes de Caña Agria (Cheilocostus speciosus. J. Koenig) / Rooting of cuttings of Sour cane (Cheilocostus speciosus. J. Koenig)

RESUMEN La Caña Agria (Cheilocostus speciosus. J. Koenig) es una planta floral decorativa, usada en la producción de artesanías derivadas de la Caña Flecha (Gynerium sagittatum. Aubl.), en los municipios de San Andrés de Sotavento y Tuchín, del departamento de Córdoba en Colombia, por sus propiedades para el blanqueamiento de fibras de Caña Flecha. Debido a la escasa presencia de plantas de Caña Agria en los resguardos indígenas de Túchin y San Andrés de Sotavento, se consideró necesario investigar nuevos métodos de propagación con el objetivo de conformar bancos de semillas que permitan aumentar la disponibilidad de material vegetal. Para ello, se seleccionaron esquejes de tallo de aproximadamente 11 cm de longitud, y se evaluó el efecto de tres concentraciones (0,0; 500 y 1000 mg-L-1 de ANA), sobre el enraizamiento. Los esquejes se colocaron en cada concentración por 10 días, y transcurrido el tiempo, se pasaron a bandejas con tierra en condiciones semicontroladas de temperatura y humedad. 30 días posteriores al trasplante, se establecieron los porcentajes de sobrevivencia y de enraizamiento de los esquejes. Como resultado, se encontró que los tratamientos con ANA aumentan la formación de raíces. El mejor tratamiento para enraizar esquejes fue el de 500 mg-L-1, con un porcentaje de enraizamiento del 96% a los 10 días después de la inducción. Por otra parte, Los tratamientos correspondientes a 0,0 mg-L-1 y 1000 mg-L-1 generaron porcentajes de enraizamiento del 24% y 70% respectivamente. El mayor número de raíces por planta con promedio de 8,76, se obtuvo en la solución 500 mg-L-1 de ANA.

ABSTRACT The Caña Agria (Cheilocostus speciosus, J. Koenig) is a decorative floral plant, used in the production of handicrafts derived from the Cane Flecha (Gynerium sagittatum, Aubl.), in the municipalities of San Andrés de Sotavento and Túchin, department of Córdoba in Colombia, for its properties for the fiber whitening of Caña Flecha. Due to the scarce presence of Caña Agria plants in the indigenous reserves of Túchin and San Andrés de Sotavento, it was considered necessary to investigate new methods of propagation with the objective of forming seed banks that allow to increase the availability of plant material. To do this, stem cuttings of approximately 11 cm in length were selected, and the effect of three concentrations (0.0, 500 and 1000 mg L-1 of ANA) was evaluated on the rooting. The cuttings were placed in each concentration for 10 days, and after the time, they were transferred to trays with soil under semicontrolled conditions of temperature and humidity. 30 days after the transplant, the percentage of survival and rooting of the cuttings were established. As a result, it was found that ANA treatments increase root formation. The best treatment to root cuttings was the 500 mg L-1, with a percentage of rooting of 96% at 10 days after induction. On the other hand, the treatments corresponding to 0.0 mg L-1 and 1000 mg L-1 generated percentages of rooting of 24% and 70% respectively. The highest number of roots per plant with an average of 8.76 was obtained in the 500 mg L-1 ANA solution.

Chemical constituents from flower buds of Lonicera japonica / 中草药

Objective To investigate the chemical constituents of the flower buds of Lonicera japonica. Methods The chemical constituents were isolated by repeated silica gel chromatography, Sephadex LH-20, medium pressure column chromatography and preparative HPLC, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and comparison of MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR data with those reported in literature. Results Twelve compounds from the EtOAc fraction of L. japonica included p-hydroxybenzoic acid (1), vanillic acid (2), quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (3), kaemnpferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), 3',4',7-trihydroxy- 3,5-dimethoxyflavone (5), isorhamnetin (6), hyperoside (7), quercetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), secologanic acid (9), vogeloside (10), 5-O-caffeoylquinic acidmethylester (11) and stigmasterol (12). Conclusion Compound 5 is obtained from the plant in Lonicera Linn. for the first time; Compounds 1-4, 6, 11 and 12 are obtained from this plants for the first time.

Identification of Hypotensive Drugs Illegally Added to Flower Buds of Panax Notoginseng by Laser Raman Spectroscopy / 中国药师

Objective:To fast detect hypotensive drugs illegally added to the flower buds of Panax notoginseng. Methods:A laser Raman spectrometer was used to detect several chemical drugs added to the flower buds of Panax notoginseng, and the spectrum was qualitatively analyzed. Results:Raman spectroscopy could detect chemical antihypertensive drugs added to the flower buds of Panax notoginseng, and the test results were in accordance with those of the traditional method. Conclusion: Raman spectroscopy can be used for the determination of illegal additives in the flower buds of Panax notoginseng.

Alteration of taste buds in experimental cirrhosis. Is there correlation with human hypogeusia? / Alteração de paladar em um modelo experimental de cirrose. Existe correlação com hipogeusia humana?

ABSTRACT Background The inherent complications of cirrhosis include protein-calorie malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.Changes in taste are detrimental to the nutritional status, and the mechanism to explain these changes is not well documented in the cirrhotic patients. Objective To evaluate the taste buds of cirrhotic rats. Methods Fourteen male Wistar rats were evaluated. After 16 weeks, the liver was removed to histologically diagnose cirrhosis, and blood was collected to perform liver integrity tests. The tongue was removed for histological examination and immunohistochemistry using antibodies against protein gene product PGP 9.5 and the sweet taste receptors T1R2 and T1R3. Morphological changes were determined by scanning electron microscopy. Serum zinc levels were measured. Results The cirrhotic animals, but not the control animals, exhibited zinc deficiency. In both groups, there was positive immunoreactivity for type II and III cells and T1R2 receptors. The cirrhotic animals had no immunoreactivity for T1R3 receptors. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of the cirrhotic group revealed a uniform tapering of the gustatory papillae. Conclusion In conclusion the experimental cirrhosis model mimicked the biochemical and histological parameters of human cirrhosis, therefore enabling a study of the gustatory papillae and taste buds.

RESUMO Contexto As complicações inerentes de cirrose incluem a desnutrição proteico-calórica e deficiências de micronutrientes. Alterações no paladar são prejudiciais para o estado nutricional e o mecanismo para explicar essas mudanças não é bem documentada nos pacientes cirróticos. Objetivo Avaliar as papilas gustativas de ratos cirróticos. Métodos Foram avaliados 14 ratos Wistar machos. Após 16 semanas, o fígado foi removido para diagnosticar histologicamente cirrose, e o sangue foi colhido para efetuar testes de integridade hepática. A língua foi removida para exame histológico e imuno-histoquímica utilizando anticorpos contra o gene da proteína PGP 9.5 e os receptores de sabor doce T1R2 e T1R3. As alterações morfológicas foram determinadas por microscopia eletrônica de varredura e os níveis de zinco no soro foram medidos. Resultados Os animais cirróticos, em relação aos animais controle, apresentaram deficiência de zinco significativa. Em ambos os grupos, houve imunorreatividade positiva para o tipo II e células III e receptores T1R2. Os animais cirróticos não tinham imunoreactividade para receptores T1R3. Microscopia eletrônica de varredura do grupo cirrótico revelou um afilamento uniforme das papilas gustativas. Conclusão O modelo de cirrose experimental imitou os parâmetros bioquímicos e histológicos de cirrose humana, portanto, permitindo um estudo das papilas gustativas e paladar.

Endophytic Association of Trichoderma asperellum within Theobroma cacao Suppresses Vascular Streak Dieback Incidence and Promotes Side Graft Growth

Trichoderma species are able to persist on living sapwood and leaves of cacao (Theobroma cacao) in an endophytic relationship. In this research, we evaluated the ability of Trichodema asperellum introduced at the incision site in the bark for side grafting with the concentration of 4 g/10 mL, 4 g/100 mL, and 4 g/1,000 mL (suspended in water) in suppressing vascular streak dieback (VSD) incidence and promoting growth of side grafts in the field. The incidence of VSD in two local clones of cacao, MCC1 and M04, without application of T. asperellum was 71.2% and 70.1% at 21 wk after grafting, respectively. However, when the two clones were treated with a concentration of 4 g/10 mL T. asperellum, the incidence was 20.6% and 21.7%, respectively, compared to 29.1% and 20.9% at 4 g/100 mL and 18.2% and 15.6% at 4 g/1,000 mL. By comparing to the control, the treatment with the same concentrations of T. asperellum listed above, the total number of stomata in MCC1 decreased by 41.9%, 30.2%, and 14.0% and in M04 by 30.5%, 21.9%, and -2.5% (exception), respectively. Otherwise, the total area of stomata opening increased by 91.4%, 99.7%, and 28.6% in MCC1 and by 203.8%, 253.5%, and 35.9% in M04, respectively. Furthermore, the number of buds and branches treated with a mixture concentration on the the two clones increased by 90.7% and 21.7%, respectively. These data showed that the application of T. asperellum to cacao scions while grafting can decrease VSD incidence in side grafts and increase growth of grafts in addition to decreasing total number of stomata, increasing total area of opened stomata, and increasing number of buds and branches.