Search

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk Mengetahui pengaruh ekstrak daun miana sebagai bahan sanitasi terhadap, mortalitas dan daya tetas telur ayam buras dan mencari alternatif lain pengganti desinfektan berbahan kimia yang dapat digunakan sebagai antimikroba alami dalam proses pembersihan telur tetas. Penelitian ini menggunakan 80 butir telur yang telah diseleksi dan berasal dari usaha peternakan milik Bapak Abu Hiri di Desa Wayame Dusun Waringin Cap. Penelitian ini dianalisis menggunakan Uji T (Independent Sample t-Test) untuk membandingkan hasil sanitasi ekstrak daun dan fumigasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa tidak ada perbedaan yang nyata antara sanitasi menggunakan ekstrak daun miana terhadap, mortalitas dan daya tetas telur ayam buras yang artinya ekstrak daun miana dapat digunakan sebagai bahan pengganti sanitasi berbahan kimia. Abstract This study aims to determine the effect of miana leaf extract as a sanitizing agent on the mortality and hatchability of native chicken eggs and to find other alternatives to chemical disinfectants that can be used as natural antimicrobials in the cleaning process of hatching eggs. This study used 80 eggs that had been selected and came from a farm owned by Mr. Abu Hiri in Wayame Village, Dusun Waringin Cap. This study was analyzed using the t-test (Independent Sample t-Test) to compare the results of leaf extract sanitation and fumigation. The results showed that there was no significant difference between sanitation using miana leaf extract against, mortality and hatchability of native chicken eggs, which means that miana leaf extract can be used as a chemical substitute for sanitation.

Six phenolic compounds were isolated from the solid rice culture media of Alternaria sp., an endophyte isolated from the leaves of three desert plants, Lycium schweinfurthii Dammer (Solanaceae), Pancratium maritimum L. (Amaryllidaceae) and Cynanchum acutum L. (Apocynaceae).

Two new compounds, 11S-methoxy-11,12-dihydro phytuberin (2) and 9S-methoxy-benzocyclononan-7-one (6), together with twenty-six known ones were isolated from Lycium schweinfurthii (Solanaceae). Thei...

A new glucoside, 3-methoxy-4-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-methyl benzoate, has been isolated from Lycium schweinfurthii along with five known compounds through bioactivity guided fractionation of the total plant methanolic extract towards α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. All the isolated compounds were tested for their inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase enzyme. As a result, four of them showed a potent inhibitory activity and thus constitute a therapeutic approach to decrease postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic patients.

In this study, an attempt has been made to optimize the curing process of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy laminates. The effect of four factors: curing temperature, cooling method, wetting method, and resin-to-hardener ratio was studied. Custom non-regular fractional factorial design was utilized to choose the combination of these factors levels. Vickers micro-hardness test was conducted to study hardness in all the specimens. Thickness measurements were taken. The residual stresses along fiber direction were measured using Timoshenko bending beam method. Box plots were drawn to understand data variability. ANOVA was used to analyze results. It was shown that curing at 180℃ or lower, applying furnace cooling, raising resin-to-hardener ratio, and avoiding wetting the bottom side have reduced data variability, lowered thickness, and residual stress.

Black sand (BS) was obtained from Rozita Beach in Egypt. It processed, for the first time, to reach the nanoscale range using Ball Mill technique. Different techniques were used to examine the BS nanoparticles (BS-NPs) including XRD and TEM. XRD analyses showed that BS-NPs composed mainly of Albite (Sodium Aluminium Silicate) up to 64% approximately. Silicon dioxide and zirconium oxide are also included in lower amounts 17.7 and 18.5 %, respectively. TEM examinations indicated that BS-NPs size ranged from 6 to 122 nm and the main diameter value was 31 nm. Novel polymeric nanocomposites were prepared by incorporating different concentrations of BS nanoparticles (BS-NPs) in Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) matrix. The role of BS-NPs as filler was evaluated in terms of the rheometeric and mechanical properties of the SBR/BS nanocomposites. Compression technique was used to access the crosslink density of the nanocomposites. In parallel, SBR compounds containing carbon black and nanosilica, as fillers, were studied for comparison. Cure and mechanical measurements indicated that cure characteristics somehow approached those of NSPs and tensile poperties were founf to be close in value to those of SBR-NSPs canocomposites.

A new glucoside, 3-methoxy-4

The discovery of innate lymphoid cells (ILC) has profoundly influenced the understanding of innate and adaptive immune crosstalk in health and disease. ILC and T cells share developmental and functional characteristics such as the lineage-specifying transcription factors and effector cytokines, but importantly ILC do not display rearranged antigen-specific receptors. Similar to T cells ILC are subdivided into 3 different helper-like subtypes, namely ILC1-3, and a killer-like subtype comprising natural killer (NK) cells. Increasing evidence supports the physiological relevance of ILC, e.g., in wound healing and defense against parasites, as well as their pathogenic role in allergy, inflammatory bowel diseases or psoriasis. Group 2 ILC have been attributed to the pathogenesis of allergic diseases like asthma and atopic dermatitis. Other inflammatory skin diseases such as allergic contact dermatitis are profoundly shaped by inflammatory NK cells. This article reviews the role of ILC in allergic skin diseases with a major focus on ILC2. While group 2 ILC are suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of type 2 dominated inflammation as seen in atopic dermatitis, we have shown that lack of ILC2 in type 1 dominated contact hypersensitivity results in enhanced inflammation, suggesting a regulatory role of ILC2 in this context. We provide a concept of how ILC2 may influence context dependent the mutual counterbalance between type I and type II immune responses in allergic skin diseases.

Low Temperature Vacuum Drying (LTVD) with induced nucleate boiling is a new method that has been invented to reduce the water content of honey at a lower temperature without damaging the nutrient content of honey. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of temperature on the dewatering rate by this LTVD method. The honey sample was placed in a pressure vessel and the air from the vessel was removed to create a vacuum condition. This experiment was conducted by using three different temperature which was 40 °C, 45 °C and 50 °C. The honey sample was dewatered for 5 minutes and each condition was repeated three times. The water content before and after the experiment was measured by a digital refractometer. Final water content decrease from 26.5 % to 25.1 % from temperature 40 °C to 50 °C. The dewatering rate increase from 0.14 %/min to 0.28 %/min when the temperature increase from 40 °C to 50 °C. The highest dewatering rate was obtained at 50 °C. However, considering the quality conservation of honey, it is suggested to apply a temperature of 45 °C to get a high dewatering rate while considering the quality of honey. It could be concluded that the temperature effect the final water content and dewatering rate of honey.

Further chemical investigation of the metabolites in the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lingzhi resulted in isolation of eight triterpenes; two of them are new triterpene acid ethyl esters. Their structures were established based on spectroscopic studies and comparison with the known related compounds. The anticancer potential of the isolates were tested with an in vitro cytotoxic assay against five human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HeLa, HCT-116, Caco-2 and HepG2) and two normal human cell lines (TIG-1 and HF19). Results showed that the new compounds have a strong to moderate selective cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 while they showed moderate to weak activity against HeLa cell line. Potent cytotoxic activities of some of the known isolated compounds are reported for the first time.

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) are innate immune cells that respond rapidly to their environment through soluble inflammatory mediators and cell-to-cell interactions. As tissue-resident sentinels, ILC2 help orchestrate localized type 2 immune responses. These ILC2-driven type 2 responses are now recognized in diverse immune processes, different anatomical locations, and homeostatic or pathological settings. ILC2-derived cytokines and cell surface signaling molecules function as key regulators of innate and adaptive immunity. Conversely, ILC2 are governed by their environment. As such, ILC2 form an important nexus of the immune system and may present an attractive target for immune modulation in disease.

An adenine derivative, 9-β-D-glucopyranosyl adenine, reported for the first time from a natural source, in addition to nine known compounds were isolated from the seeds of Coix lacryma-jobi. Their structures were elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic and chemical studies. The isolated compounds and the ethanol extract have been assayed for melanin inhibition using B16-F10 melanoma cell line. The results of our study suggested the potential use of Coix lacryma-jobi seeds as a skin whitening agent and reveal the seeds to be a rich source of important phytochemicals with melanogenesis inhibitory activity. Among the isolated compounds, coixol (2) and 2-O-β-glucopyranosyl-7-methoxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (8) exhibited potent melanogenesis inhibitory activity with no obvious melanocytotoxicity. The rest of the compounds showed weak to moderate activity.

Rho-kinase enzymes are one of the most important targets recently identified in our bodies. Several lines of evidence indicate that these enzymes are involved in many diseases and cellular disorders. ROCK inhibitors may have clinical applications for cancer, hypertension, glaucoma, etc. Our study aims to identify the possible involvement of Rho-kinase inhibition to the multiple biological activities of adlay seeds and provide a rationale for their folkloric medicines. Hence, we evaluated Rho-kinase I and II inhibitory activity of the ethanol extract and 28 compounds derived from the seeds. A molecular docking assay was designed to estimate the binding affinity of the tested compounds with the target enzymes. The results of our study suggest a possible involvement of Rho-kinase inhibition to the multiple biological activities of the seeds. Furthermore, the results obtained with the tested compounds revealed some interesting skeletons as a scaffold for design and development of natural Rho-kinase inhibitors.

Leather has been used in Egypt since 4000 BC. Ancient Egyptians used leather as shrouds, bookbinding and manuscripts. This research aims to find a way to protect archeological leather from damage by environmental factors, without losing their archaeological appearance. Leather samples were subjected to ageing in order to simulate archaeological leather. Styrene butadiene rubber was used to coat the leather samples. Then the leather samples were dipped (immersed) in a bath containing SBR dissolved in toluene with concentrations varies from 1 to 5% by weight. The effect of leather/ SBR reinforcement was evaluated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR) and measuring the mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation at break (%), color difference (ΔE) and lightness (L), pH value before and after ageing. In addition, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to study the surface morphology of samples. Finally, all samples were subjected to ageing after reinforcement. The results revealed that reinforcement of leather samples by SBR solutions having concentration 3 % gave the best results among other concentrations. The mechanical properties of treated samples were enhanced with reduction in the ΔE values. The results also showed that the pH values of the treated samples did not change even after further aging. SEM scans evidenced that SBR filled the leather surface cracks besides the formation of a protective layer on the leather surface.

Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) are the most common autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) critically control gene-expression and play an important role in regulating the immune response. The aim of this study was to prove significant variations of key immunoregulatory miRNAs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in CD4+ and CD 8+ T-cells of AITD patients. Selected miRNAs were amplified by a semiquantitative SYBR Green PCR from PBMCs and purified CD4+ and CD 8+ T-cells of 59 patients with GD, HT, and healthy controls. Both GD and HT showed significantly decreased miRNA 200a_1 and miRNA 200a2* in CD4+-T-cells (mean relative expression 12,57 in HT vs. 19.40 in control group (CG), p=0.0002; 12,10 in GD vs. 19.40 in CG, p=0.0002) and in CD8+-T-cells (13.13 in HT vs. 18,12 in CG, p=0.02; 11.66 in GD vs. 18.12 in CG, p=0.0002). GD and HT showed significantly decreased miRNA 155_2 and miRNA 155*_1 in HT in CD8+-T-cells (10.69 in HT vs. 11.30 in CG, p=0.01; 10.40 in GD vs. 11.30 in CG, p=0.005). This study confirms significant variations of miRNA200a and miRNA155 in patients suffering from GD and HT in vivo in CD4+ T-cells and CD8+ T-cells. These data may help to better understand the gene regulations in the causative cells causing these autoimmune processes. They extend our very limited knowledge concerning miRNAs in thyroid diseases.

Isobutylene–isoprene rubber (IIR)/nanoclay composites were prepared by solution intercalation method. Cloisite Na+ montmorillonite and organo-modified montmorillonite (OMMT) nanoclays, namely, cloisite 10 A, cloisite 15 A, and cloisite 20 A were used in this study. The effect of in situ bonding system HRH (hexametylene tetramine: resorcinol: hydrated silica) on the dispersion of used nanoclays in the rubber matrix were examined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Both techniques showed complete exfoliation of the clays silicate layers in IIR/OMMT/HRH nanocomposites (NCs). Rheometeric and mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break%, and E-modulus) of the NCs were studied. The addition of HRH system to IIR/OMMT NCs improves their mechanical properties. Moreover, IIR/clays/HRH NCs showed a decrease in the scorch time (tS2) and the cure time (tC90), which is an industrial privilege for saving time and energy. Swelling measurements were used to determine the filler–rubber interaction (Qf/Qg), the molar mass between cross-links (Mc) and the cross-linking density (ν) for each composite. The presence of HRH system enhances the rubber–filler interaction; in addition to an increase in the cross-link density values. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:1559–1565, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers

Recent studies identified Rho-kinase enzymes (ROCK-I and ROCK-II) as important targets that are involved in a variety of diseases. Synthetic Rho-kinase inhibitors have emerged as potential therapeutic agents to treat disorders such as hypertension, stroke, cancer, diabetes, glaucoma, etc. Our study is the first to screen the total ethanol extract of the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lingzhi with thirty-five compounds for Rho-kinase inhibitory activity. Moreover, a molecular binding experiment was designed to investigate the binding affinity of the compounds at the active sites of Rho-kinase enzymes. The structure-activity relationship analysis was investigated. Our results suggest that the traditional uses of G. lingzhi might be in part due to the ROCK-I and ROCK-II inhibitory potential of this mushroom. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed some interesting features of the lanostane triterpenes that potentiate their Rho-kinase inhibition. These findings would be helpful for further studies on the design of Rho-kinase inhibitors from natural sources and open the door for contributions from other researchers for optimizing the development of natural Rho-kinase inhibitors.

Different concentrations of super abrasion furnace black filler [SAF (N 115)] and white filler [Silica (Hi-Sil 233D)] were mixed with styrene-butadiene rubber [SBR-1502] cured by conventional sulfur system. Rheometer characteristics, the physico-mechanical behavior, abrasion resistance, hardness and swelling measurements were performed and studied. Comparison between black and white fillers was established and it was found that, filler incorporation into the rubber matrix is one of the major factors that improve the tensile strength, abrasion resistances, hardness and swelling resistance. The increase in tensile strength as well as Young’s modulus was attributed to improve interfacial bonding between filler and SBR matrix. The results reveal that vulcanizates containing 30 phr of carbon black and 50 phr of silica respectively exhibit the better overall physico-mechanical properties.

The stress–strain measurements of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) samples based on various curing systems were used to access the crosslink density of various rubber mixes. Same materials were subjected to various uniaxial compression strains. The thicknesses before compression and after recovery were recorded. After recovery, pulse echo method was used to measure the ultrasonic velocity for the dilatational wave and that of shear wave at a frequency of 2 MHz and at room temperature. Both of the ultrasonic velocities were used to determine the elastic moduli of the samples. The relation between the elastic moduli and the corresponding recovery values were used to determine the crosslink density of samples. The crosslink density values obtained from the two techniques were compared. Butadiene-acrylonitrile (NBR) rubber mix was used to show that the ultrasonic technique is applicable for other rubber compounds. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009

The modulus of filled and unfilled Ethylene-propylene diene rubber (EPDM) vulcanizates was used to predict the shape-factor of carbon black aggregation in the polymer. Four types of carbon black that vary in particle size and struc- ture were used in this study. Quadratic curves relating the carbon black volume concentration and the modulus ratio of filled and unfilled rubber vulcanizates were used to adopt the shape factor of certain carbon black type. The shape factor of MT, HAF, SRF and Lampblack were 3, 3.75, 4 and 4.25 respectively. X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) was also used to evaluate the relative size of crystallite on the filler surface to that of the rubber and correlating it to the shape factor of car- bon black aggregation in the polymer. Effect of the pH values and structure of carbon blacks used on the shape factor of filler aggregates were also studied. It was found that the shape factor is independent on the particle size while it is depend- ent on the pH value and structure of carbon black. Also the crystallites size of the filler is proportional to the shape factor.

Here we present a new method for improving adhesion between natural rubber (NR) and polyester fabric. This is done by in situ grafting of maleic anhydride (MA) onto NR in a two-roll mill. The grafting procedure was followed by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The effect of ultraviolet/ozone (UV/O3) radiation on the stability of the rubber mix as well as on the peel strength of the rubber coated fabric was investigated. Mechanical and spectroscopic analyses as well as light microscopy were used to assess the adhesion properties of the resultant rubber mixes to the polyester fabric. It was observed that the grafting with MA together with UV/O3 treatment improved the peel strength of the rubber coated polyester fabric.

The charged mosaic polymer membrane (CMM) without reinforcement and the composite charged mosaic polymer membrane (CCMM) with reinforcement were investigated in terms of salt and water transport (permeability). The composite charged mosaic polymer membrane (CCMM) with reinforcement showed a unique transport behavior such as preferential material transport Lp and ω. Water permeability coefficient, Lp and salt permeability coefficient, ω were estimated by taking account of active layer thickness of composite polymer gel. The Lp and ω values of CCMM with reinforcement were larger than those of CMM without reinforcement. On the other hand, the reflection coefficient of CCMM, σ, showed negative value, which suggested preferential material transport to solvent transport. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008

Electrostatic adhesion is a significant force in painting and other industries. However, coating of food items uses powders and targets with properties that are far from ideal for electrostatic coating. In addition, the adhesion must last a long time in order to be useful. The goal of this study is to determine if electrostatic adhesion is significant in food coating. A range of food powders were coated onto different kinds of food samples electrostatically and nonelectrostatically and the adhesion measured. Electrostatic powder coating increased the adhesion of most food powders onto most food targets. Some correlation was found between effectiveness of the process and resistivity or oil content of the target, resistivity of the powder, and particle size. At low relative humidities, electrostatic adhesion lasted for several weeks, long enough to be valuable.

A new oxygenated lanostane-type triterpene, named lucidumol C, together with six known compounds, was isolated from the chloroform extract of the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lingzhi. Structures were established based on extensive spectroscopic and chemical studies. Potential cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated against human colorectal carcinoma (HCT-116, Caco-2), human liver carcinoma (HepG2), and human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines using WST-1 reagent. Selectivity was evaluated using normal human fibroblast cells (TIG-1 and HF19). Among the compounds, lucidumol C showed potent selective cytotoxicity against HCT-116 cells with an IC50 value of 7.86 ± 4.56 µM and selectivity index (SI) >10 with remarkable cytotoxic activities against Caco-2, HepG2 and HeLa cell lines.

The essential oils isolated from the leaves and green branches of the Egyptian navel orange trees were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. A total of 33 and 24 compounds were identified from the oils of the leaves and branches accounting for 96.0% and 97.9%, respectively, of the total detected constituents. The major ones were sabinene (36.5; 33.0%), terpinen-4-ol (8.2; 6.2%), δ-3-carene (7.0; 9.4%), limonene (6.8; 18.7%), trans-ocimene (6.7; 6.1%), and β-myrcene (4.5; 4.4%). The antimicrobial activities of both oils were evaluated using the agar-well diffusion method toward three representatives for each of Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi. The oil of leaves was more effective as antimicrobial agent than that of the branches. Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Aspergillus fumigatus were the most sensitive bacteria and fungi by the leaves oil.

The synergistic activity of binary accelerator systems in rubber vulcanization is well known. Binary accelerator systems are being widely used in industry and are becoming increasingly popular because of the fact that such mixed systems can produce a vulcanizate with superior mechanical properties compared to those of stock cured with a single accelerator. The authors have studied the performance of a binary accelerator system based on cyclohexyl benzothiazole sulfenamide (CBS), tetramethyl thiuram disulphide (TMTD) in the sulfur vulcanization of nitrile rubber. The amount of sulfur and accelerator was varied to change the network crosslink density of vulcanizates. The observed mutual activity has been discussed based on the mechanical properties and crosslink density. The physical crosslink density of the various nitrile rubber mixes was estimated using the Kinetic Theory of Elasticity. The mechanical properties of the various rubber compounds were related to the corresponding crosslink density estimated for each compound. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 2440–2445, 2005

Two new hydroazulenoid (prenyl guaiane) diterpenes, dictyone acetate (2) and 3,4-epoxy 13-hydroxy pachydictyol A (4) were isolated from the petroleum ether fraction of the alcoholic extract of the brown alga, Dictyota dichotoma (Hudson) Lamouroux, which was collected from the Red Sea coasts at Hurgada, Egypt, together with three known ones, pachydictyol A (1), dictyone (3) and 11-hydroxypachydictyol A (dictyol E) (5). In addition, the steroidal compound, stigmasta-5,(E)-24(28)-dien-3-β-ol (fucosterol) (6) was also isolated. The structures of the isolated compounds have been determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidences as well as physical and chemical correlation with known compounds. Compounds 1, 2, 3 and 5 showed moderate cytotoxic activity

The aerial parts of Fagonia boveana afforded two new erythroxane-type diterpenes, 3β, 15, 16-trihydroxy-erythrox-4(18)-ene (2) and 15, 16-dihydroxy-cis-ent-erythrox-3-ene (fagonene) (3) together with two known ones; 16-O-acetylfagonone (1) and 7β-hydroxy fagonene (8). Also a new guaiane sesquiterpene alcohol, 6,10-epoxy-4α-hydroxy guaiane type sesquiterpene (4) has been isolated In addition three 8-methoxy flavonols, 8-methoxy-quercetin-3, 7, 3′-trimethyl ether (ternatin) (5), gossypetin, 3, 8, 3′, 4′ tetramethyl ether (6) and herbacetin- 3, 8-dimethyl ether (7) were also isolated. The structures of the isolated compounds have been determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidences as well as physical and chemical correlation with known compounds. On performing different assays for biological activities, 6 displayed significant cytotoxic activity against KA3IT and NIH3T3 cell lines, 8 was the most active antiviral against Herpes simplex type 1 while 7 was the most active cancer-preventive agent using protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitory method

Gossypol (8,8'-dicarboxaldehyde, 1,1',6,6',7,7'- hexahydroxy, 5,5'-diisopropyl, 3,3'-dimethyl, 2,2'- binaphthalene) was isolated from root bark of Gossypium barbadense L. var. Giza 86. Its 1,4-binaphthoquinone derivative, gossypolone, was prepared by oxidation of gossypol with FeCl 3 in acetic acid/acetone. The structures of gossypol and gossypolone were confirmed by physical and spectral data. Their antimitotic activity on Allium cepa L. root tips was investigated. The mitotic rate was markedly decreased after 3, 6 and 24 hr of incubation with 500, 250 and 125 ppm gossypol, respectively. With gossypolone, the decrease in mitotic rate was noticed after 6, 12 and 24 hr incubation with 500, 250 and 125 ppm, respectively. The decrease was irreversible in root tips incubated with 500 and 250 ppm gossypol or gossypolone. On the other hand, root tips incubated with 125 ppm gossypol or gossypolone regained normal mitotic activity after postincubation in water. Both gossypol and gossypolone markedly decreased the...

A new isopimarane-type diterpene was isolated from the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Nepeta septemcrenata. Its structure was established as 1α-hydroxy-7α,14α,18-triacetoxy-isopimara-8,15-diene using different spectroscopic techniques (UV, IR, MS and 1 and 2D NMR). In addition, 7-O-methylapigenin was also isolated and identified.

Inflammatory diseases of the lung are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Allergic lung inflammation often stems from the overproduction of type 2 cytokines. The resulting type 2 inflammation is frequently caused by an inappropriate immune response to relatively harmless allergens and often associates with asthma. Until recently, the primary contributors of type 2 cytokines were believed to be T helper (Th) 2 cells. This concept was challenged by the discovery of group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in the lung, which represent a major source of type 2 cytokines during the acute inflammatory phase. Recent advances in our understanding of the regulation and development of ILC2 have redrawn the roadmap of type 2 inflammation. Indeed, ILC2s appear to be critical for the induction of adaptive immunity and, thus, play a central role for immune regulation. As one of the first responders in the entire Th2 cascade, ILC2 might serve as the early tile in a Th2 domino effect. As such, ILC2s present an attractive target for future drug development.

The new anthraquinones, 6,7-dimethoxy xanthopurpurin, 6-hydroxy-7-methoxy rubiadin, 5-hydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl anthragallol 1, 3-dimethyl ether, 7-carboxy anthragallol 1,3-dimethyl ether, anthragallol 1-methyl ether 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, anthragallol 1-methyl ether 3-O-rutinoside, anthragallol 3-O-rutinoside and alizarin 1-methyl ether 2-O-primeveroside were isolated from the CH2Cl2 and n-BuOH extracts of Galium sinaicum roots and their structures were established by various spectroscopic techniques. In addition, two known anthraquinones were also isolated and fully characterized.

The phytochemical study of Veratrum viride (Liliaceae) roots and rhizomes led to the isolation of 5 alkaloids reported for the first time in this species viz. veramarine [1], angeloylzygadenine [4] zygadenine [6], 15-O-methylbutyroylgermine [8], and 1a, 3s-dihydroxy 5a-jervanin-12-en-11-one [9]. The well known alkaloids veratramine [2], jervine [3], isorubijervine [5], germine [7], rubijervine [10], and pseudojervine [11] were also isolated in the course of this effort. The identification of all compounds was aided significantly by 2D-NMR spectral analyses.

The structure of (+)-retamine (1), which has been isolated from the aerial part of Lygos raetam var. sarcocarpa, has been reconfirmed by spectroscopic methods including two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and x-ray analysis to be (+)-12 α-hydroxysparteine. The configuration of the hydroxyl group at the position 12 in (+)-retamine and the intermolecular hydrogen bond in the crystal structure of (+)-retamine have been established.

The new anthraquinones, 7-methylanthragallol 1,3-dimethyl ether, 7-methyl-anthragallol 2-methyl ether, 6-methylanthragallol 3-methyl ether, 8-hydroxyanthragallol 2,3-dimethyl ether, 7-formylanthragallol 1,3-dimethyl ether, copareolatin 5,7-dimethyl ether, copareolatin 6,7-dimethyl ether, 6-methoxylucidin ω-ethyl ether and 6-hydroxyxanthopurpurin, as well as a novel bianthraquinone, bisinaiquinone [10,2′-bi(9-hydroxy-3-methyl-1,4-anthraquinonyl)] were isolated from the roots of Galium sinaicum . Their structures were established by spectroscopic techniques including 2D-NMR. In addition, eight known anthraquinones were also isolated and fully characterized.

Protein and non-protein amino acids in aqueous ethanol extracts from the seeds of Lygos raetam (Forssk.), L. raetam var. sarcocarpa (Zho) and Tephrosia apollinea (Del.) were analyzed with an automatic amino acid analyzer. The amino acid composition and contents of these plants were described. Several uncommon non-protein amino acids were detected and determined quantitatively.

Eleven new pregnane ester glycosides have been isolated from the aerial parts of Stapelia variegata. Eight of the recognized compounds were established to possess the same trioside moiety, viz. 3-O-[3-O-methyl-6-deoxy-beta-D-allopyranosyl-(1-4)-beta-D- cymaropyranosyl-(1-4)-beta-D-cymaropyranoside]. These compounds were identified as: stavaroside A: 12-O-beta-angeloyl-20-O-benzoyl sarcostin; stavaroside B: 12-O-beta-angeloyl-20-O-tigloyl sarcostin; stavaroside C: 11 alpha-acetoxy 2 beta-benzoxy-3 beta,8 beta, 14 beta-trihydroxy-pregn-5-ene-20-one; stavaroside D: 11 alpha-acetoxy- 12 beta-tigloxy-3 beta,8 beta,14 beta-trihydroxy-pregn-5-ene-20-one; stavaroside E: 12-O-beta-benzoyl sarcostin; stavaroside F: 11 alpha-acetoxy-12 beta-acetoxy-3 beta,8 beta,14 beta-trihydroxy-pregn-5- ene-20-one; stavaroside G: 12-O-beta,20-O-diacetyl sarcostin and stavaroside H: 3 beta, 8 beta, 11 alpha, 12 beta, 14 beta-pentahydroxy-pregn-5- ene-20-one. The other three compounds were shown to possess the same tetraside sugar moiety, viz. 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-4)-3-O-methyl-6-deoxy-beta-D-allopyranosyl-(1-4)-beta-D-cymaropyra nosyl- (1-4)-beta-D-cymaropyranoside]. These compounds were identified as: stavaroside I: 1 alpha, 12 beta-angeloxy and benzoxy-3 beta,8 beta,14 beta-trihydroxy- pregn-5-ene-20-one; stavaroside J: 11 alpha-acetoxy-12 beta-benzoxy-3 beta, 8 beta,14 beta-trihydroxy-pregn-5-ene-20-one and stavaroside K: 11 alpha-acetoxy-12 beta-tigloxy-3 beta,8 beta,14 beta-trihydroxy-pregn-5-ene- 20-one. The structural elucidation of the isolated compounds was aided significantly on the basis of the chemical and spectral evidence. The decisive assignments of the ester positions were based on the Inverse Detected-Heteronuclear Multiple Bond Connectivity (HMBC) experiments.