Taking into account the viscoelasticity of the fenugreek gum, a modified Maxwell model in terms of fractional derivatives is developed. Using this model, it is observed that the fenugreek gums with at least two differ...Taking into account the viscoelasticity of the fenugreek gum, a modified Maxwell model in terms of fractional derivatives is developed. Using this model, it is observed that the fenugreek gums with at least two different concentrations obey the Cox-Merz rule.展开更多
Seeds of Fenugreek （Trigonellafoenum-graecum L.）, an international spice commodity, are much consumed in Sudan as a food, for flavoring and as a folk-remedy for several ailments, together with local beliefs in nutra...Seeds of Fenugreek （Trigonellafoenum-graecum L.）, an international spice commodity, are much consumed in Sudan as a food, for flavoring and as a folk-remedy for several ailments, together with local beliefs in nutraceutical benefits. The authors have noted an immense variability in colour and other morphological characters of Fenugreek seeds offered in local Sudanese markets and wondered whether this variability is extended to their chemical composition. Steroidal sapogenins are important chemical constituents of Fenugreek seeds in view of their potential as precursors for the commercial synthesis of steroid drugs and their continually revealed beneficial biological activities. In this study, thirty Sudanese Fenugreek seed accessions collected from different geographical regions in Sudan were analyzed for their 25α-, 25β- and total sapogenin content using a simple and specific infra-red spectroscopic method. The seed accessions exhibited much morphological variability particularly in outer seed coat color and size. Preparative TLC followed by gravimetric analysis showed that steroidal sapogenins, mostly diosgenin and yamogenin, represented more than 70% of the steroids of Fenugreek seeds. Infra-red spectroscopic analysis showed that total 25α-sapogenins （calculated as diosgenin） varied from 0.65% to 1.68%. Total 25β-sapogenin （calculated as yamogenin） varied from 0.38% to 2.03%. The content of total sapogenins （α ＋ β epimeric forms） varied between 1.24% and 3.0% of the oven-dry weight of seeds. β-sapogenins （mostly yamogenin） were dominant over α-sapogenins （diosgenin） in most Sudanese Fenugreek seed accessions.展开更多
The larval external morphologies of Ectropis crepuscularia (Denis & Sc hiffermüller), Zamacra juglansiaria (Graeser) and Phigalia verecundaria (Leech) of Ennominae are described and illustrated.
Recent studies have revealed that sexually selected traits may signal sperm quality and hence male fertilisation ability. There is also evidence that the expression of male sexual ornamentation and associated sperm ch...Recent studies have revealed that sexually selected traits may signal sperm quality and hence male fertilisation ability. There is also evidence that the expression of male sexual ornamentation and associated sperm characteristics depend on an indi- vidual＇s ability to cope with oxidative stress. Carotenoids are known for their antioxidant properties and carotenoid-based orna- ments might represent honest signals as these pigments can be traded offbetween the investment in sexual ornamentation, sperm function as well as immune response. In this study, we examined the relationship between sexual ornamentation （breeding colo- ration） and sperm characteristics （e.g., velocity and morphology） in the three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aeuleatus, an ex- ternally fertilising fish species, in which sperm competition commonly occurs. During the breeding season males are sperm limi- ted and develop a conspicuous carotenoid-based coloration, which is under strong pre-copulatory sexual selection due to female mate choice and male-male competition. The results of the present study show that the expression of stickleback male breeding coloration is significantly positively associated with the linearity of sperm movement, whereas sperm morphology （head length to tail length ratio） is significantly negatively related to the trajectory of sperm movement. Moreover, there is some support for the phenotype-linked fertility hypothesis as the intensity of male red breeding coloration is significantly positively correlated with sperm velocity, which is supposed to be an important determinant of fertilisation success in external fertilisers, indicating the honesty of the sexually selected nuptial red coloration.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.29576238).
文摘Taking into account the viscoelasticity of the fenugreek gum, a modified Maxwell model in terms of fractional derivatives is developed. Using this model, it is observed that the fenugreek gums with at least two different concentrations obey the Cox-Merz rule.
文摘Seeds of Fenugreek （Trigonellafoenum-graecum L.）, an international spice commodity, are much consumed in Sudan as a food, for flavoring and as a folk-remedy for several ailments, together with local beliefs in nutraceutical benefits. The authors have noted an immense variability in colour and other morphological characters of Fenugreek seeds offered in local Sudanese markets and wondered whether this variability is extended to their chemical composition. Steroidal sapogenins are important chemical constituents of Fenugreek seeds in view of their potential as precursors for the commercial synthesis of steroid drugs and their continually revealed beneficial biological activities. In this study, thirty Sudanese Fenugreek seed accessions collected from different geographical regions in Sudan were analyzed for their 25α-, 25β- and total sapogenin content using a simple and specific infra-red spectroscopic method. The seed accessions exhibited much morphological variability particularly in outer seed coat color and size. Preparative TLC followed by gravimetric analysis showed that steroidal sapogenins, mostly diosgenin and yamogenin, represented more than 70% of the steroids of Fenugreek seeds. Infra-red spectroscopic analysis showed that total 25α-sapogenins （calculated as diosgenin） varied from 0.65% to 1.68%. Total 25β-sapogenin （calculated as yamogenin） varied from 0.38% to 2.03%. The content of total sapogenins （α ＋ β epimeric forms） varied between 1.24% and 3.0% of the oven-dry weight of seeds. β-sapogenins （mostly yamogenin） were dominant over α-sapogenins （diosgenin） in most Sudanese Fenugreek seed accessions.
文摘The larval external morphologies of Ectropis crepuscularia (Denis & Sc hiffermüller), Zamacra juglansiaria (Graeser) and Phigalia verecundaria (Leech) of Ennominae are described and illustrated.
文摘Recent studies have revealed that sexually selected traits may signal sperm quality and hence male fertilisation ability. There is also evidence that the expression of male sexual ornamentation and associated sperm characteristics depend on an indi- vidual＇s ability to cope with oxidative stress. Carotenoids are known for their antioxidant properties and carotenoid-based orna- ments might represent honest signals as these pigments can be traded offbetween the investment in sexual ornamentation, sperm function as well as immune response. In this study, we examined the relationship between sexual ornamentation （breeding colo- ration） and sperm characteristics （e.g., velocity and morphology） in the three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus aeuleatus, an ex- ternally fertilising fish species, in which sperm competition commonly occurs. During the breeding season males are sperm limi- ted and develop a conspicuous carotenoid-based coloration, which is under strong pre-copulatory sexual selection due to female mate choice and male-male competition. The results of the present study show that the expression of stickleback male breeding coloration is significantly positively associated with the linearity of sperm movement, whereas sperm morphology （head length to tail length ratio） is significantly negatively related to the trajectory of sperm movement. Moreover, there is some support for the phenotype-linked fertility hypothesis as the intensity of male red breeding coloration is significantly positively correlated with sperm velocity, which is supposed to be an important determinant of fertilisation success in external fertilisers, indicating the honesty of the sexually selected nuptial red coloration.
