Salmonella enterica Infection of Synanthropic Non-native Geckos in Southern Florida.

Wild geckos are a significant source of human salmonellosis. We swabbed the cloacas of 37 non-native synanthropic geckos (Gekko gecko, n = 16; Phelsuma grandis, n = 21) from southern Florida, USA, and assayed swab DNA extracts using quantitative polymerase chain reaction of the invA gene. Salmonella enterica was detected in both species with a pooled prevalence of 13.5% (5/37; 95% CI 5.3-27.1%), indicating the potential for zoonotic transmission. Implications for human health in the region are discussed.

Comparison of Gut Microbiota Diversity Between Captive and Wild Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko).

Captive animals and wild animals may exhibit different characteristics due to the heterogeneity of their living environments. The gut microbiota play an important role in the digestion and absorption, energy metabolism, immune regulation, and physiological health of the host. However, information about the gut microbiota of captive and wild Gekko gecko is currently limited. To determine the difference in gut microbiota community composition, diversity, and structure between captive and wild geckos, we used the Illumina miseq platform to conduct high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of the v3-v4 hypervariable region of 16S rRNA in 54 gecko samples. Our results showed that Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were the dominant gut microbiota phyla of the gecko. The dominant genera comprised mainly Pseudomonas, Burkholderia-caballeronia-paraburkholderia, Ralstonia, Romboutsia, and Bacteroides. Captive geckos had significantly higher alpha diversity and potential pathogenic bacteria than wild populations. Moreover, significant differences in beta diversity of gut microbiota were observed between two populations. Functional prediction analysis showed that the relative abundance of functional pathways of wild geckos was more higher in metabolism, genetic information processing and organismal system function than those in captive geckos. Total length significantly affected gut microbial community (R2 = 0.4527, p = 0.001) and explained 10.45% of the total variation for gut microbial community variance between two groups. These results may be related to differences in diet and living environment between two populations, suggesting that the management of captive populations should mimic wild environments to the greatest extent possible to reduce the impact on their gut microbiota.

The Neural Control Mechanisms of Gekkonid Adhesion Locomotion: The Effect of Spinal Cord Lesions.

Objective: the role of the supraspinal system in the neural control mechanisms of adhesion locomotor pattern formation was studied in lizard Gekko gecko. Methods: the locomotor performance and adaptation of the chronically lesioned Gekko gecko was documented before and after either partial or complete spinal lesions. They were filmed moving on a flat and smooth platform that was inclined at 0°, ±45°, and ±90°, as well as the horizontal mats and the vertical oak background board in the terraria, to evaluate locomotor functional recovery. The geckos were also tested on the platform by two half and nose-up or -down rotations in steps of 15° throughout 180° to investigate the recovery of the ability to respond dynamically to external perturbations. Results: after relatively small lesions of a hemisection, the locomotor performance was largely indistinguishable from that before and after a sham operation. During the initial period of recovery after the largest lesions of a dorsal or a ventral hemisection within 1 wk, the geckos behaved essentially as the complete spinal geckos, while permanent deficits in locomotor performance remained and did not decrease afterwards for ≥6 mth. Conclusions: by analyzing the correlation among locomotor performances, and between locomotor performances and spinal cord lesions, we suggest that the dorsal spinal pathways and ventral spinal pathways participate, respectively, in the control of the limb coupling, and in the deployment and the detachment of the adhesive apparatus. The present study will provide certain neurobiological guidance for the design of bio-robots, as well as sprawling robots inspired by the geckos.

Gekko gecko extract attenuates airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in a murine model of ovalbumin-induced asthma.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Gekko gecko is used as a traditional medicine for various diseases including respiratory disorders in northeast Asian countries, mainly Korea, Japan, and China. AIM OF THE STUDY: Allergic asthma is a chronic respiratory disease caused by an inappropriate immune response. Due to the recent spread of coronavirus disease 2019, interest in the treatment of pulmonary disorders has rapidly increased. In this study, we investigated the anti-asthmatic effects of G. gecko extract (GGE) using an established mouse model of ovalbumin-induced asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate the anti-asthmatic effects of GGE, we evaluated histological changes and the responses of inflammatory mediators related to allergic airway inflammation. Furthermore, we investigated the regulatory effects of GGE on type 2 helper T (Th2) cell activation. RESULTS: Administration of GGE attenuated asthmatic phenotypes, including inflammatory cell infiltration, mucus production, and expression of Th2 cytokines. Furthermore, GGE treatment reduced Th2 cell activation and differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that GGE alleviates allergic airway inflammation by regulating Th2 cell activation and differentiation.

Angular variables of climbing geckos in two lateral undulation patterns.

Geckos demonstrate flexible and agile locomotion on diverse terrains and surfaces. The lateral undulation pattern referring to the trunk-limbs coordination gives animals advantages in terms of motion speed, dynamical stability, and highly efficient movement. Quantitative analysis of the angular variables of the trunk and limbs was proposed to compare the kinematics of Gekko gecko on the vertical plane in the standing wave and traveling wave of lateral undulation patterns. Thirteen angular variables were measured to illustrate the kinematic characteristics of trunk flexion, girdles rotation, scapula rotation, trunk deflection, femoral/humeral protraction-retraction, abduction-adduction, and rotation around their axes, and knee/elbow flexion-extension. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tested for mean differences between patterns for maximum value, minimum value, and range value of each angular variable. The geckos adapted to the changes in locomotion velocity by dynamically adjusting the joints angular variables. Twenty of the thirty-nine angular values showed a significant pattern effect that presented the variation of angular values or the timing of the peak of the angle curve in two different lateral undulation patterns. The climbing stability of a gecko is tightly associated with the coordination between the body and the limbs.

Subdivisions of the mesencephalon and isthmus in the lizard Gekko gecko as revealed by ChAT immunohistochemistry.

The distribution of cholinergic cell bodies and fibers was examined in the mesencephalon and isthmus of Gekko gecko. Distinct groups with prominent labeled cells were observed in the cranial nerve motor nuclei and isthmic nuclei, and weak labeled cell bodies and fibers were observed in the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve and the central nucleus of the torus semicircularis. After discussing the topological relationships within the tectum and isthmus, we unify the nomenclature of the caudal deep mesencephalic nucleus in lizards and the rostral magnocellular nucleus isthmi in turtles that is similar in terms of the preisthmic position, nontopographic connections with the tectum, and the same midbrain origin to the magnocellular preisthmic nucleus in birds, and may be homologous to the superficial cuneiform nucleus in mammals. None of them belong to the cholinergic nucleus isthmi, as the latter has isthmus origin and topographic reciprocal connections with the tectum. We also discuss the origin and intrinsic function of the inner longitudinal tract of the thick ChAT-ir fibers that course through the mesencephalon and diencephalon. We review the subdivisions of the mesencephalon and isthmus of Gekko gecko as revealed by ChAT immunohistochemistry, as well as the limits of the diencephalo-mesencephalic, mesencephalic-isthmo, and isthmo-rhombocephalic by the ChAT-ir cell- and fiber-poor distribution, and discuss the caudal limit of the isthmus. Our research on the subdivisions of the mesencephalon and isthmus in G. gecko as revealed by ChAT immunohistochemistry will serve as the neuroanatomical basis for subsequent relevant studies of Gekko gecko.

Specific DNA mini-barcoding for identification of Gekko gecko and its products.

BACKGROUND: The dry body of the Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko) is the source of a valuable traditional Chinese medicine, it is therefore listed as a Class II protected animal species in China. Due to increasing market demand and a declining supply of the species, a considerable number of adulterants have emerged in the market. Thus, it is necessary to establish an accurate and rapid method of identification for distinguishing G. gecko from its adulterants and for separating it from highly processed products. METHODS: A total of 274 COI sequences were analyzed by using MEGA 5.0 software. Several specific primers were designed to amplify mini-barcode regions and identify G. gecko from its counterfeits and products. RESULTS: 274 COI sequences of G. gecko and 15 adulterants species were analyzed. G. gecko could be distinguished from its adulterants through BLAST analysis, intra- and inter-specific distance analyses, and an NJ tree based on COI sequences. Two pairs of specific primers designed for this study, COISF2/COISR2 and COISF3/COISR3, amplified 200- and 133-bp fragments of the COI region, respectively, both of which were suitable for the identification of G. gecko and its adulterants. Furthermore, COISF3/COISR3 detected G. gecko in 15 batches of products. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the specific DNA mini-barcoding method developed here may be a powerful tool for the identification of G. gecko and counterfeits, and may also be used to distinguish G. gecko from its highly processed by-products.

Digital hyperextension has no influence on the active self-drying of gecko adhesive subdigital pads.

The remarkable properties of the gecko adhesive system have been intensively studied. Although many gecko-inspired synthetic adhesives have been designed and fabricated, few manage to capture the multifunctionality of the natural system. Analogous to previously documented self-cleaning, recent work demonstrated that gecko toe pads dry when geckos take steps on dry substrates (i.e., self-drying). Whether digital hyperextension (DH), the distal to proximal peeling of gecko toe pads, is involved in the self-drying process, had not been determined. Here, the effect of DH on self-drying was isolated by preventing DH from occurring during normal walking locomotion of Gekko gecko after toe pads were wetted. Our initial analysis revealed low statistical power, so we increased our sample size to determine the robustness of our result. We found that neither DH nor the DH-substrate interaction had a significant effect on the maximum shear adhesive force after self-drying. These results suggest that DH is not necessary for self-drying to occur. Interestingly, however, we discovered that shear adhesion is higher on a surface tending hydrophobic compared to a hydrophilic surface, demonstrating that gecko adhesion is sensitive to substrate wettability during the subdigital pad drying process. Furthermore, we also observed frequent damage to the adhesive system during shear adhesion testing post-drying, indicating that water may compromise the structural integrity of the adhesive structures. Our results not only have behavioral and ecological implications for free-ranging geckos but also have the potential to influence the design and fabrication of gecko-inspired synthetic adhesives that can regain adhesion after fouling with water.

Comparative Study on the Effect of Raw Product and Different Processed Products of Gekko gecko on Kidney- yang Deficiency Model Mice Induced by Adenine / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To compare the effects of raw pro duct and different processed products of Gekko gecko on kidney-yang deficiency model mice induced by adenine. METHODS ：Totally 100 mice were randomly divided into blank group （n＝10）and modeling group （n＝90）. Modeling group was given adenine （50 mg/kg）intragastrically for 10 days to induce kidney-yang deficiency model ；blank group was given normal saline （0.2 mL/10 g）intragastrically. After modeling ，70 mice were randomly divided into model group ，positive group （Jinkui shenqi pill ，6.4 g/kg），G. gecko crude product group （1.2 g/kg）， wine-processed G. gecko group（1.2 g/kg）and oil-processed G. gecko group（1.2 g/kg）according to body weight and symptoms of kidney-yang deficiency ，with 14 mice in each group. Blank group and model group were given constant volume of normal saline intragastrically；administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically （0.2 mL/10 g），once a day ，for consecutive 14 d. During the experiment ，the symptoms and signs of mice in each group were observed. After last medication ，renal index ，testis index and serum levels of T ，CORT，BUN and Cr were measured ；HE staining method was used to observe the pathological changes of renal tissue of mice in each group. RESULTS ：Compared with blank group ，the mice in the model group suffered from performance of kidney-yang deficiency ，such as weight loss ，crouch and arch back ，chills and cold limbs ，and sparse body hair ， while renal index and serum levels of BUN and Cr were increased significantly （P＜0.01）. In renal tissue ，there were BA28117 pathological damages such as irregular arrangement of renal KY2016YB211tubular epithelial cells ，light staining of nucleus and edema of cytoplasm. Compared with model group ， performance of kidney-yang deficiency was improved to different extents in G. gecko crude product group and processed product groups（especially in wine-processed G. gecko group）；serum levelsof BUN and Cr were decreased significantly （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）；pathological damage of renal tissue was alleviated in different degrees. In addition ，body weight of mice was increased significantly in G. gecko processed products groups （P＜0.01），and renal indexes of mice were decreased significantly in G. gecko crude product group and processed products groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with G. gecko crude product group ，renal index ，serum levels of BUN and Cr were significantly decreased in wine-processed G. gecko group（P＜0.01），and serum level of Cr was significantly decreased in oil-processed G. gecko group（P＜ 0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ：G. gecko crude product ，wine-processed G. gecko and oil-processed G. gecko all show a certain improvement effect on kidney-yang deficiency mice induced by adenine ，especially wine-processed G. gecko .

Linking resource supplies and price drivers: Lessons from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) price volatility and change, 2002-2017.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Worldwide, one of the drivers of substitution and adulteration is the cost of the natural resources (plants, animals, fungi) that are ingredients of traditional medicines. Relatively few studies have been done that link prices of traditional medicine ingredients to what drives changes in price, yet this is an important topic. Theoretically, prices have been widely considered as an economic indicator of resource scarcity. Rare, slow growing medicinal plants sell for high prices and common, less popular species for low prices. Price levels also influence the viability of farming vs. wild harvest (and incentives to overharvest high value species when tenure is weak). Prices can also influence the harvesting or buying behaviour of harvesters, traders or manufacturers. When prices are high, then there is a greater incentive to use cheaper substitute species or adulterants. As previous studies on herbal medicine ingredients have shown, adulteration applies in a wide variety of cases, including to some Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) species. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of which factors influenced changes in the market prices of document prices for four popular, but very different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) species (2002 - 2017). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fluctuations in market prices were followed over a 15-year period (2002-2017) for four very different TCM ingredients: two plant species (one wild harvested for fruits (Schisandra sphenanthera Rehder & E.H. Wilson) the other in a transition from wild harvest to cultivation (Paris polyphylla Smith), an animal species (the Tokay gecko (Gekko gecko L.)) and the entomophagous "caterpillar fungus" (Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Berk). G.H. Sung, J.M. Sung, Hywel-Jones & Spatafora). RESULTS: High prices of medicinal plants are widely considered to reflect resource scarcity. Real-time market prices for three of the four very different TCM species we studied all showed major price fluctuations. The exception was P. polyphylla, whose wild populations are widely known to be increasingly scarce, where there was a steady increase in price, with few fluctuations in the upward price trend. The three other species showed significant price fluctuations. These were driven by multiple factors. Ecological and biogeographic factors that influence abundance or scarcity of supply certainly played a role. But other factors were also influential. These included both national and global economic factors (the influence of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC)), national policy changes that in turn influenced businessmen giving expensive gifts (that included O. sinensis)), climate change (influencing fruiting success of S. sphenanthera), price speculation by traders and lack of information (e.g: reduction in G. gecko prices due to traders incorrectly believing that domestication would increase supplies). CONCLUSIONS: Price fluctuations in the four TCM species we examined are influenced by many factors and not just resource scarcity. And the situation is more complex than the trajectory based on Homma's (1992) model, where he predicted that higher prices would result in a shift to cultivation, thus replacing wild harvest. In case of both O. sinensis and P. polyphylla, Homma (1992, 1996) was right in terms of scarcity and high prices stimulating a major investment in cultivation (P. polyphylla) and artificial production (O. sinensis). But in both cases, intensive production through cultivation or artificial propagation do not yet occur on a large enough scale to reduce harvest of wild stocks. Substitution and adulteration occur with all four species. Improving information to medicinal plant traders on the supply status of TCM stocks, whether from wild harvest or from cultivation could benefit product quality, cultivation initiatives and conservation efforts.

[Rapid identification of Gekko gecko by loop-mediated isothermal amplification based on 12S rRNA sequence].

Gekko gecko (Tokay Gecko) is a valuable traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique was introduced for visual rapid identification of G. gecko from adulterants. A total of sixty-five 12S rRNA sequences of fourteen species of G. gecko and its adulterants were obtained. The results showed that G. gecko could be identified from its adulterants through BLAST analysis based on 12S rRNA regions. The 12S rRNA sequences of ten batches of G. gecko were conserved. There were only two haplotypes and three variation sites in the available regions for primers design. Six specific LAMP primers were successfully designed online based on 12S rRNA sequences. The visual rapid detection of G. gecko could be achieved with the optimized conditions (64 °C for 1 h and 80 °C for 5 min). And the required minimal template concentration was 5 µg·L⁻¹ while conventional PCR with 0.5 mg·L⁻¹. Consequently, the LAMP method established from this study was rapid, specific, highly sensitive, and simple. It could be applied to detect G. gecko from its adulterants efficiently.

Rapid identification of Gekko gecko by loop-mediated isothermal amplification based on 12S rRNA sequence / 中国中药杂志

Gekko gecko (Tokay Gecko) is a valuable traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique was introduced for visual rapid identification of G. gecko from adulterants. A total of sixty-five 12S rRNA sequences of fourteen species of G. gecko and its adulterants were obtained. The results showed that G. gecko could be identified from its adulterants through BLAST analysis based on 12S rRNA regions. The 12S rRNA sequences of ten batches of G. gecko were conserved. There were only two haplotypes and three variation sites in the available regions for primers design. Six specific LAMP primers were successfully designed online based on 12S rRNA sequences. The visual rapid detection of G. gecko could be achieved with the optimized conditions (64 °C for 1 h and 80 °C for 5 min). And the required minimal template concentration was 5 μg·L⁻¹ while conventional PCR with 0.5 mg·L⁻¹. Consequently, the LAMP method established from this study was rapid, specific, highly sensitive, and simple. It could be applied to detect G. gecko from its adulterants efficiently.

Histology and ultrastructure of the integumental chromatophores in tokay gecko (Gekko gecko) (Linnaeus, 1758) skin.

This paper describes the relationship between the arrangement of dermal chromatophores in tokay gecko (Gekko gecko) skin and the formation of wild-type colouration, with emphasis on the ultrastructure of chromatophores. The samples of the tokay gecko skin were collected from wild-type colouration adult specimens. Morphology and distribution of chromatophores was determined by using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The present study revealed that orange/red coloured skin of G. gecko contained erythrophores, which were located under basement membrane, and usually comprised deeper situated iridophores and melanophores which were form single layer with iridophores or were occupying the deepest region of dermis. In orange/red coloured skin, erythrophores were the predominant chromatophores. However in blue areas these cells occurred in small numbers or were not noticed at all. In blue pigmented areas predominated iridophores and melanophores. Iridophores were found just under basement membrane, but this superficial location of iridophores occured only in areas without erythrophores. Distribution of erythrophores, melanophores, and iridophores determines the characteristic blue colour of the tokay gecko skin with orange/red dots on the whole body.

Peramorphic traits in the tokay gecko skull.

Traditionally, geckos have been conceived to exhibit paedomorphic features relative to other lizards (e.g., large eyes, less extensively ossified skulls, and amphicoelous and notochordal vertebrae). In contrast, peramorphosis has not been considered an important process in shaping their morphology. Here, we studied different sized specimens of Gekko gecko to document ontogenetic changes in cranial anatomy, especially near maturity. Comparison of this species with available descriptions of other geckos resulted in the identification of 14 cranial characteristics that are expressed more strongly with size increase. These characteristics become move evident in later stages of post-hatching development, especially near maturation, and are, therefore, attributed to peramorphosis (hyperossification). ACCTRAN and DELTRAN character optimizations were applied to these characters using a tree of 11 genera derived from a gekkotan molecular phylogeny. This analysis revealed that G. gecko expresses the majority of these putative peramorphic features near maturity, and that some of these features are also expressed in species closely related to G. gecko. The characters studied have the potential to be applied in future phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of this group of lizards.

Insights from ecological niche modeling on the taxonomic distinction and niche differentiation between the black-spotted and red-spotted tokay geckoes (Gekko gecko).

The black-spotted tokay and the red-spotted tokay are morphologically distinct and have largely allopatric distributions. The black-spotted tokay is characterized by a small body size and dark skin with sundry spots, while the red-spotted tokay has a relatively large body size and red spots. Based on morphological, karyotypic, genetic, and distribution differences, recent studies suggested their species status; however, their classifications remain controversial, and additional data such as ecological niches are necessary to establish firm hypotheses regarding their taxonomic status. We reconstructed their ecological niches models using climatic and geographic data. We then performed niche similarity tests (niche identity and background tests) and point-based analyses to explore whether ecological differentiation has occurred, and whether such differences are sufficient to explain the maintenance of their separate segments of environmental ranges. We found that both niche models of the black- and the red-spotted tokay had a good fit and a robust performance, as indicated by the high area under the curve (AUC) values ("black" = 0.982, SD = ± 0.002, "red" = 0.966 ± 0.02). Significant ecological differentiation across the entire geographic range was found, indicating that the involvement of ecological differentiation is important for species differentiation. Divergence along the environmental axes is highly associated with climatic conditions, with isothermality being important for the "black" form, while temperature seasonality, precipitation of warmest quarter, and annual temperature range together being important for the "red" form. These factors are likely important factors in niche differentiation between the two forms, which result in morphological replacement. Overall, beside morphological and genetic differentiation information, our results contribute to additional insights into taxonomic distinction and niche differentiation between the black- and the red-spotted tokay.

Identification of Gekko geeko Linnaeus and Adulterants Using the COI Barcode / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

DNA barcoding technology is widely opplied for species identification and discovery by using short and standard fragments of DNA sequences. In this study, the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequence as a DNA barcode was used to identify the Gekkogecko Linnaeus medicinal materials and adulterants in order to provide a new identification method of G. gecko Linnaeus. Genomic DNA was extracted from the experimental samples. The COI regions of nrDNA were amplified using polymerase chain reaction and sequenced bidirectionally. The alignment and NJ tree construction were performed in MEGA6.0. COI sequences can be obtained from all samples. The average intra-specific K2P distance of G. gecko Linnaeus was 0.005 and the maximum intra-specific distance was 0.013. All the G. gecko Linnaeus medicinal samples clustered into a clade in the NJ tree and can be distinguished from the adulterants. In a conclusion, COI can be used to correctly identify G. gecko Linnaeus, and it will be a potential DNA barcode for identification of other animal medicinal materials.

The Effect of the Gekko Gecko Ethanol Extract on the Granular Cells Apoptosis of Rat Ovaries / 实用妇产科杂志

Objective:To study the effects of the Gekko gecko ethanol extract on granular cells apoptosis of rat ovaries.Methods :3 month and 6 month female Wistar rats were taken in this study, and 20 rats were in each age group.Each age group were randomly divided into two groups(experimental group and control tragastric administration in experimental group, corresponding volume of 0.9% sodium chloride was given in control group by the same way.Apoptosis of granular cells and distribution of cell cycle in rat ovary were measured by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated d-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and propidi-um iodide(PI) staining, AnnexinV/PI double labelling staining by flow cytometry (FCM) after administration for 15 days.Re8utts:The apoptosis numbers of granular cells in 3 month and 6 month age experimental group were 34 ±7 and 53 ±11, in control group were 48±9 and 76±17 respectively by TUNEL.There was signrficantly statistic difference (P <0.01).The apoptosis rates in 3 month and 6 month age experimental group were(6.06 ±2.01)% and (12.16 ±3.26) % , in the control group were (8.23±2.13) % and (23.69 ±6.28)% respectively by PI staining.There was significantly statistic drfference (P <0.05).However, no significant difference was found between two groups in cellular cycle distribution (P > 0.05).Early apoptosis rates in 3 month and 6 month age experimental group were (6.71±3.11) % and (23.74±6.28) % , in the control group were (19.05 ±5.78) % and (36.55± 8.35) % respectively by AnnexinV/PI double labelling staining FCM.There was significantly statistic difference (P <0.01).The apoptosis of granular cells were sig-nificantly less in experimental groups comparing wrth control groups both in 3 month and 6 month age group (P<0.01 or P<0.05).Conclusions :The ethanol extract of gekko gecko can inhibit the apoptosis of granu-lar cells in rat ovary, then improves the ovary function and delay ageing of rat.

High Performance Liquid Chromatography Method for the Quantification of Cholesterol in Gekko Gecko / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To determine the content of cholesterol in Gekko Gecko.Methods High performance liquid chromatography was performed on Hypersil ODS2 (4.6 mm?150 mm,5 ?m).The chromatorgraphic conditions were as follows:methanol as mobile phase,flow rate being 1.0 mL/min and detecting wavelength at 208 nm.The column temperature was 40 ℃.Results A good linearity of cholesterol was shown in range of 0.885～14.000 ?g (r=0.999 5),the average recovery was 99.65%,RSD=3.45% (n=6).Conclusions This method is simple,rapid and accurate,and may provide a reliable way for the quantification of cholesterol in Gekko Gecko.

THE EFFECTS OF GEKKO GECKO L.ON THE METABOLISM OF FREE RADICAL IN THE RAT GUT / 重庆医科大学学报

The effects of alcoholic extract of Gekko gecko L. on the activities of SOL), GSH-Px, CAT and the level of GSH and LPO in the rat gut were investigated. The data presented in this paper indicated that the clcrance of free radical was accelerated, LPO was decreased, the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT was elevated, and, the content of GSH was increased. The extract from the tail part of the Gekko gecko L. was more active than the extract from the body. These results and our other results together indicate that Gekko gecko L. has an obvious antiaging effect

MORPHOLOGICAL ANATOMY AND THREE-DIMENSIONALRECONST RUCTION OF THE PALLIAL THICKENING IN THE LIZARD GEKKO GECKO / 解剖学报

Objective To clarify the position,figure and connections with adjacencies in the pallial thickening(Pth),and provide essential parameters for its function study. Methods The coronal serial sections of 60?m thickness in gekko gecko brain were made by cryo-microtome,and Nissl staining was used.Pictures were taken in each coronal section containing the Pth and the size of Pth in each section was measured.One of them was chosen for the three-dimensional reconstruction.3D MAX was used as the tool software to rebuild the nucleus. Results 1.The Pth was located in the rostral part of the telencephalon,the lateral part of anterior dorsal ventricular ridge,the medial part of the lateral cortex and the ventral part of the dorsal cortex.The length of Pth from the rostral to the caudal end was(912.67?110.96)?m(n=10),the cubage of Pth was about(0.1430?0.0414)?m~3(n=10).2.The Pth could be divided into four segments,the anterior,the middle,the posterior and the terminal segments from the rostral to the caudal end.In the posterior segment,its dorsoventral axis was the longest,and could be divided into two parts: the dorsal and the ventral parts.The boundary of the two parts was clear.Conclusion The Pth is a long,narrow and flat structure;its rostrocaudal axis is longer than its dorsoventral axis,and its dorsal edge is smoother than its ventral edge.In the Pth,its caudal region is larger than its rostral region,and the posterior segment in the caudal region is divided into the dorsal and the ventral cell populations.