Twigs Research Articles

Preliminary studies on Piliostigma thonningii Schum leaf extract: Phytochemical screening and in vitro antimalarial activity

Different parts of Piliostigma thonningii Scum (Caesalpinioideae) have been used medicinally. The roots and twigs have been used locally in the treatment of dysentery, fever, respiratory ailments, snake bites, hookworm and skin infections in eastern Nigeria. The leaf extracts has been used for various ethnomedicinal purposes including the treatment of malaria all over eastern Nigeria. In this study, we have investigated the inhibitory effects of the crude ethanol and methanol extracts for in vitro antimalarial activity against chloroquine resistant Plamodium Falciparum clone (W2-Indo-China isolates). The aqueous screening using reported methodologies for phytochemical screening and in vitro test methods, revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponnins, steroid, terponoids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides and anthroquinoes. The crude leaf extracts obtained were tested for in vitro antimalarial activity using chloroquine resistant strain of P. Falciparum clone (W2 – Indochina isolates). The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were evaluated after 48 - 72 h contacts between the extracts and the parasite culture. The 50% inhibitory concentration values for both the crude amide ethanolic extract and the partially purified methanolic extract ranged between 6.20 - 15.06 µg/ml. While that of chloroquine was 0.316 µg/ml. This study suggested that P. thonningii leaf extract possess a significant level of antimalarial activity. Key words: Pilostigma thonningii leaf, phytochemical screening, antimalarial activity.

Association of a Bacillus species with leaf and twig dieback of Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) in China.

Leaf and twig dieback of Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) was observed since 2006 in two orchards in Zhejiang Province (China). A gram positive bacterium was frequently isolated alone or in combination with Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae from naturally infected twigs of field-grown pears. Inoculation of twigs with this bacterium resulted in the death of leaves and petioles as well as in twig dieback. The bacterium was identified as a Bacillus species (possibly Bacillus pumilus) by a polyphasic approach, including physiological and biochemical properties, carbon source utilization profile, fatty acid methyl esters and analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence. This is the first report of the possible involvement of B. pumilus in leaf and twig dieback of Asian pear in China.

Rosie Rabbit and Muppy Monkey

Whoosh and swoosh went the autumn leaves swirling and twirling as Jojo and Tiggy tried to catch them. Bertie, their little dog, joined in chasing them around the garden. Grandpa was building a small bonfi re of twigs and leaves, ready for bonfi re night.

OLEANDER KNOT CAUSED BY PSEUDOMONAS SAVASTANOI pv. NERII IN TURKEY

A knot disease was detected on some oleander plants in two park since 2007 and in one home gardens in 2008 in the Sanliurfa province (south-east Turkey). Although galls were excised in the first year, they developed again with a bigger size on the lower parts of the main stems. Knots on newly infected plants were common on the upper parts, particularly on twigs, flowers and pistils or at the pistil base. Almost all infected plants belonged to cultivars with pink or red flowers. Biochemical and pathogenicity tests identified the plant pathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. nerii as the causal agent of the disease. Although the presence of knots on oleander has long been known, to our knowledge, Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. nerii had never been previously reported on Nerium oleander in Turkey.

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF EXTRACTS OF ANNONA SENEGALENSIS AND EUCALYPTUS CAMALDULENSIS IN EXPERIMENTAL AFRICAN TRYPANOSOMIASIS.

Research in the area of natural products is an important scientific activity in Cameroon where a large variety of plants, especially, Dorstenia spp are used as anti-snakebite, anti-infection and anti-rheumatism remedies in medicinal plant therapy. The genus is recognized as a rich source of prenyl and geranyl-substituted coumarins and flavonoids [1]. There is now increasing interest in this genus. Almost 40 papers have appeared during the last decade, reporting on research results on over 25 Dorstenia species. As part of our program to study the chemical constituents of African Dorstenia species [1] we have investigated 14 species from Cameroon. More than hundred secondary metabolites, of which thirty are new derivatives, were isolated using various chromatographic techniques (VLC, CC, PTLC), and characterized using extensive spectroscopic methods. These compounds are regrouped into: triterpenoids, styrenes, coumarins and mainly flavonoids [1]. 3, 3’- bis [3, 7-Dimethyl-2, 6-octadienyl]-4, 5, 2’, 4’-tetrahydroxylchalcone, isolated from the twigs of D. prorepens, is the first example of a bis-geranylated chalcone. Eleven diprenylated flavonoids have so far been isolated from Dorstenia and all of them are reported to be isolated from the twigs of D. mannii [1]. D. psilurus provided triprenylated flavonoids with two units in ring A and one in ring B [1]. The pharmacological data of this genus is scanty. Extracts and/or compounds from the investigated species show anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-oxidant and antimalarial activities [2]. Inhibition of matrix-metalloproteinase-2 secretion from brain tumour cells suggests chemo-preventive properties of furanocoumarin glucoside and chalcones isolated from D. turbinata [3]. To the best of our knowledge, prenylated flavonoids have only been reported from African Dostenia species so far.

Improvising in Ruyang: Community Art as Ecological Practice

Developed out of a chapter in my PhD thesis, this article explores the implications of improvisational research methodologies in site-based community arts practice, with reference to the 2006 TWIG Project. The article explores action-based research through improvisation and reflection with reference to Guattari's notion of three ecologies and public arts practices concerned with developing 'ecologies' in natural, mental and social spheres. It is featured in an open-source issue of Intellect's first volume of the Journal of Arts and Communities, available online.

Rotenoid derivatives and other constituents of the twigs of Millettia duchesnei De Wild

Rotenoid derivatives and other constituents of the twigs of Millettia duchesnei De Wild

Alkaloids and saponins from twigs and leaves of Abuta grandifolia (Mart.) Sandw

Alkaloids and saponins from twigs and leaves of Abuta grandifolia (Mart.) Sandw

DIURNAL AND SEASONAL COURSE OF THE RATE OF THE PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN THE APPLE TREE CASE IN THE CONDITIONS FROM THE FRUIT-GROWING REGION PITESTI- MARACINENI

A great importance in developing the photosynthesis with the trees, bushes and herbal fruit plants is represented by the presence or absence of the inflorescences on the branches, the number of leaves, the foliar surface, the number of fruit. In this article we have studied the diurnal and seasonal course of the rate of photosynthesis with the apple tree. The photosynthesis process presents variations during day, characterized by high values in the morning, followed by a decrease in the rate of photosynthesis. During springtime the values of the photosynthesis intensity are low, with a rise in intensity during summer months, after which one can notice a decrease of the photosynthesis intensity. It has been established that the rate of photosynthesis is dependent on the position of the leaf on the twig (at the base, middle or at the top), as well as on the presence or absence of fruit in the bouquet. Maximum values of the rate of photosynthesis were obtained with the leaves positioned at the middle of the twig and with the fruit-bearing bouquet.

Influência da heterogeneidade da serapilheira sobre as formigas que nidificam em galhos mortos em floresta nativa e plantio de eucalipto

This study investigated the twig-nesting ants of native forest and eucalyptus plantations in southeast of Brazil. The diversity of twig-nesting ants was greater on native forest than on eucalyptus plantations. Native forest had a greater diversity of twig types, mainly of those used by ants. Overall ant richness was 12 species in native forest and 4 species in eucalyptus plantations. The characteristics of litter and microclimatic conditions may be responsible for the different ant fauna found on both vegetation types.

"Fomitiporia mediterranea" Infecting Citrus Trees in Greece

In recent years a serious disease of citrus (the orange cv. Washington navel, lemon and the common mandarin grafted on sour orange rootstocks) has been observed in southern Greek orchards. Affected trees decline, their leaves become yellow and fall early, and shoots and twigs die as the damage expands towards the trunk. Crosssections of the trunks and large branches reveal a light-colored rot in the center, which is surrounded by brown hard necrotic wood. Symptoms start from pruned areas and spread to the rootstock wood, and then resemble esca of grapevine. From the white rotted areas, a fungus was isolated on PDA that formed cream-yellow to light-brown colonies with dense aerial mycelium. Fungal fruit-bodies formed abundantly on the trunks of diseased trees. The fungus was identified as Fomitiporia mediterranea by both traditional and molecular methods. Pathogenicity tests were performed by artificially inoculating orange, mandarin, lemon and sour orange trees with the fungus. Control holes were filled with two PDA plugs. Branches inoculated with the isolates from infected citrus showed wood discoloration that extended up to 20 cm above and 20 cm below the infection hole. The fungus was re-isolated from the discolored parts of the wood. Inoculations with isolates from grapevine and kiwi produced wood discoloration only 3– 4 mm around the holes.

Prenylated flavonoids and other constituents from the twigs of Dorstenia angusticornis (Moraceae)

Prenylated flavonoids and other constituents from the twigs of Dorstenia angusticornis (Moraceae)

Cycloartanes, Protolimonoids, a Pregnane and a New Ergostane from Trichilia Reticulata

The new ergostane steroid ergosta-5,24(24′)-diene-3β,4β,22R-triol (1), a pregnane, (E)-volken-dusin, characterised as the diacetate (3), cycloartanes 4-6 and protolimonoids 7-9 were obtained from the leaves and twigs of Trichilia reticulata.

Notes on new Agaricales of Japan 2

Three new species of Agaricales are described and illustrated from eastern Honshu, Japan:Boletus rhodocarpus sp. nov. (sectionLuridi), forming large, deep red basidiomata with a pileus covered with small, blackish brown scales, was found on ground in a highland forest dominated byTsuga diversifolia andAbies veitchii; Phaeomarasmius laccarioides sp. nov. (subgenusCarpophilus), forming a squamulose-fibrillose, reddish brown pileus in which the pileipellis consists of chains of thick-walled sphaerocysts with heavily incrusting, brown pigment, was found on a fallen fruit ofLiquidambar styraciflua; Pluteus phaeocephalus sp. nov. (subsectionHispidodermini of sectionCelluloderma), forming a dark brown, velvety pileus and a white stipe densely covered with dark brown punctate scales, was found on dead fallen twigs ofQuercus serrata.

Observations on the genus Cresporhaphis ( Trichosphaeriaceae), with a key to the known species, and C. ulmi sp. nov.

A taxonomic and ecological reassessment of the genus Cresporhaphis is presented, with a key to all 7 species currently known, including C. ulmi sp. nov. from Spain, on twigs of Ulmus minor. Species are facultatively lichenized with chlorococcoid algae, Trentepohlia and other algae, or saprobic.

An analysis of posterior capsule wrinkle after IOL implantation

目的 探讨白内障囊外摘出人工晶状体植入术后晶状体后囊皱褶的成因、对视力的影响程度和防治方法.方法 选择A组(后囊皱褶组)和B组(对照组)各56例56眼,进行视力对比分析,对A组晶状体后囊皱褶进行详细观察,对后囊皱褶YAG激光治疗前后进行检验.结果 晶状体后囊皱褶因不同的起因可造成放射形或条形皱褶.A组视力明显低于B组,有显著差异(P＜0.001).激光治疗后视力明显提高(P＜0.01).结论 白内障囊外摘出人工晶状体植入术后晶状体囊皱褶是引起视力下降的原因之一.

Processes affecting fruit distribution and its quality in the canopy of olive trees.

Olive (Olea europaea L.) fruits do not distribute regularly in the canopy. In this species most of the fruits are formed at the periphery of the tree, while very few fruits develop in the interior. Determining limiting processes and their variation between genotypes is one first step to improve productivity in less favored zones of the olive tree. In this investigation, causes underlying differential fruit distribution and oil production in two oil cultivars differing in growth habit were studied: evenly open ('Picual') and closed canopied ('Arbequina'). Results indicate that multiple sequential processes (sprouting, flowering, and fruit set, growth and oil accumulation in the fruits) account for differences in productivity among canopy zones of both cultivars. Olives from twigs developed at the top of the tree produced more than triple the amount of oil produced from olives from the shaded interior. Analyses of variance and covariance showed that shoot growth, intensity of flowering, and fruit set (for 'Arbequina'), or fruit size (for 'Picual'), were the main factors involved, while flower fertility and oil accumulation were less important in causing those losses of productivity. Some differences were observed between cultivars in flowering and fruiting patterns: 'Arbequina'developed more fertile flowers and fruits per twig but of smaller size, and fruit set rather than fruit size accounted for differential productivity among canopy areas, while the opposite was true for 'Picual'.

Geranylated and prenylated flavonoids from the twigs of Dorstenia mannii

The twigs of Dorstenia mannii yield three prenylated and one geranylated flavonoids: 3′,4′-(2,2-dimethylchromano)-2′,4-dihydroxychalcone, 3′,4′-6,7- bis-(2,2-dimethylchromano)-flavanone,7,8-(2,2-dimethylchromeno)-6-geranyl-3,5,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavonol and 6,8- bis-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-3,5,7,4′-tetrahydroxy-3′-methoxyflavonol for which the names dorsmanin A-D, respectively, are proposed. Also identified were the known flavonoids: 3′,4′-(2,2-dimethylchromeno)-2′,4-dihydroxychalcone,6-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-5,7,4′-trihydroxy-3′-methoxyflavone and 6,8- bis-(3,3-dimethylallyl)-5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavanone.

Goldsworthy's genera

Andy Goldsworthy sets out to explore some of the recurring forms in the world around us, using a variety of media drawn from nature itself — snow and sand, twigs and thorns.

Twigs, Sequences and the Temporal Constitution of Predicates

No abstract.