A chromosome-level genome assembly for Chinese plum‘Wushancuili'reveals the molecular basis of its fruit color and susceptibility to rain-cracking

Chinese plum(Prunus salicina Lindl.)originates from China and makes a large contribution to the global production of plums.The P.salicina‘Wushancuili'has a green coloration and high fruit quality and is economically important in eliminating poverty and protecting ecology in the Yangtze River Three Gorges Reservoir.However,rain-induced cracking(rain-cracking,literally skin cracking caused by rain)is a limitation to‘Wushancuili'fruit production and causes severe losses.This study reported a high-quality‘Wushancuili'genome assembly consisting of a 302.17-Mb sequence with eight pseudo-chromosomes and a contig N50 of 23.59 Mb through the combination of Illumina sequencing,Pacific Biosciences HiFiⅢsequencing,and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture technology.A total of 25109 protein-coding genes are predicted and 54.17%of the genome is composed of repetitive sequences.‘Wushancuili'underwent a remarkable orthoselection during evolution.Gene identification revealed that loss-of-function in four core MYB10 genes results in the anthocyanin deficiency and absence of red color,revealing the green coloration due to the residual high chlorophyll in fruit skin.Besides,the occurrence of cracking is assumed to be closely associated with cell wall modification and frequently rain-induced pathogen enrichment through transcriptomic analysis.The loss of MYB10 genes might render fruit more susceptible to pathogen-mediated cracking by weakening the epidermal strength and reactive oxygen species(ROS)scavenging.Our findings provided fundamental knowledge regarding fruit coloration and rain-cracking and will facilitate genetic improvement and cultivation management in Chinese plums.

Transcriptome and metabolome analysis of preharvest internal browning in Nane plum fruit caused by high temperature

The preharvest internal browning of Nane plum fruit,with no visible effects on the appearance of the fruit,has become a serious problem in recent years in its production area in Guangdong Province,China.This study investigated the effects of environmental factors,including temperature,on Nane plum internal browning.Plum orchards at different elevations with different incidences of internal browning were selected.Using fruits with different internal browning incidence levels,the internal browning mechanism was analyzed with transcriptome and metabolome analyses.The results revealed decreased internal browning at high altitudes.Shading treatment significantly reduced internal browning,whereas bagging and insect-proof net-covering treatments significantly increased internal browning.Because bagging and net coverings increase the local ambient temperature,the findings suggest that high temperature is an important factor influencing the internal browning of Nane plum.The metabolome experiments showed that with increased internal browning,the levels of phenolic hydroxyls such as catechol increased,with simultaneous increases in hydrogen peroxide content and oxidase activity.It can be speculated that the oxidation of phenolic hydroxyl substances is the main cause of the preharvest browning of Nane plum.Transcriptome analysis revealed the increased expression of calcium signaling-related and downstream effector genes and indicated an important role of calcium in internal browning,possibly due to its increased content in the fruit.Further,with increasingly serious internal browning,genes related to photosynthesis were down-regulated,while genes related to senescence were up-regulated,thus suggesting the up-regulation of the process of cell senescence during internal browning.In conclusion,heat stress should be eliminated to reduce preharvest internal browning in Nane plum.

Acute Toxicity of Jinchuan Formula Plum Wine Extract and Its Protective Effect on Mice with Liver Injury

[Objectives]To investigate the acute toxicity and hepatoprotective effect of Jinchuan formula plum wine extract on mice,determine its safety range,and evaluate its hepatoprotective effect.[Methods]The median lethal dose(LD_(50))was determined by acute toxicity test with the toxic reaction and mortality of mice as indexes.Sixty Kunming mice were randomly divided into 6 groups:normal control group,model group(ConA-induced liver injury model),Jinchuan formula plum wine high,medium and low dose groups(1.0,0.5,0.25 g/kg)and silybin group(0.1 g/kg).The levels of ALT,AST,LDH in serum and TG,VLDL in liver were measured.After HE staining,the pathological changes of liver tissue in mice were observed,and the liver protective effect of Jinchuan formula plum wine extract was analyzed and evaluated.[Results]LD_(50)was 11.18 g/kg,and the 95%confidence limit of LD_(50)was 10.31-12.05 g/kg.The high-dose group of Jinchuan formula plum wine extract could significantly reduce the serum ALT and AST activities of ConA-induced liver injury mice(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Jinchuan formula plum wine extract is relatively safe,and also has a protective effect on liver injury.

成熟度和温度对芙蓉李贮藏期间生理生化特性及蜡质结构的影响

为研究成熟度和温度对芙蓉李贮藏期间生理生化特性和果皮蜡质结构的影响,本研究选择2个成熟度(F:约六成熟;S:约八成熟)的芙蓉李,于4、25℃条件下进行试验,分析16个生理生化指标的差异,采用正交偏最小二乘判别法(OPLS-DA)筛选不同成熟度芙蓉李在不同温度贮藏期间的主要差异性指标,检测芙蓉李贮藏前后蜡质结构的变化并分析其贮藏效应。结果表明,4℃条件下F与S之间的主要差异性指标为可溶性固形物含量(SS)、果肉硬度(FF)、果皮色度值a^(*)(PC-a^(*))、花色苷(AC)含量、可滴定酸(TA)含量、果皮硬度(PF),25℃时为SS、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、PC-a^(*)、果皮色度值b*(PC-b*)。不同成熟度果实的SS含量、PC-a^(*)、AC含量均随贮藏天数增加而逐渐上升(S贮藏28 d除外),同一贮藏天数下AC含量在25℃时显著高于4℃时,同一温度同一贮藏天数时S中的SS含量、PC-a^(*)显著高于F;PF、FF和TA含量随贮藏天数的延长而逐渐下降,4℃和F有利于FF和PF的保持,而25℃下TA含量下降更快;SOD活性随贮藏天数的延长先升高后下降,且在25℃和S中下降更显著。芙蓉李蜡质主要以直立片状晶体和颗粒状结晶的形式存在;两种晶体数量和形态的变化可能影响水分的流失,从而影响细胞壁结构的稳定性,进而影响贮藏性。本研究可为芙蓉李的采收和贮藏保鲜提供技术参考。

Study on Culturing Prunus salicina cv.Zaoshi Embryos

[Objective]The aim was to study the effective factors on culturing Prunus salicina cv.Zaoshi embryos in vitro.[Method]Different age,culture medium and GA3 which affected culturing of prumssalicina embryos were discussed.[Result]The result showed that on the part of 26-41 d,after the blooming period,the embryos remained tiny and retained endosperms and showed no signs of change after having cultured for three generations.On the part of 48 d,after the blooming period,the endosperms had disappeared,the embryos kept growing until they filled the seed cavity;when they were planted on the MS culture medium,their survival rate reached 77%,in its first generation,the response of embryos was discernible.On the part of 65 d,after the blooming period,4.5% of their embryos grew into shoots on the MS culture medium;with the age of embryos growing,the survival rate of shoots increased until it reached 26% when the fruits went into ripeness;the embryos produced calli in their first generation of culturing.On the part of 65-83 d,after the blooming period,the embryos produced calli through more than 2-3 generations.On the part of 88 d,after the blooming period,the survival rate of shoots on the WPM culturing base doubled compared with that on the MS culturing base;on the same culture medium,the embryos were inhibited from growing into shoots when BA,KT or 2,4-D was added on to the culture medium.The survival rate of shoots was increased remarkably when the seeds were treated in 1 000 mg/L GA3.[Conclusion] This study provided experimental basis for the establishment of Prunus salicina cv.Zaoshi,embryos rescue techniques and cross breading.

模拟PLUM方法在2021年日本福岛县近海M7.3级地震中的表现

2021年2月13日晚,日本福岛县近海发生M 7.3级地震,产生强烈振动,此次地震被认为是“3.11”地震的余震。首先介绍了PLUM方法的原理及日本气象厅地震预警系统对于PLUM方法的应用,评述了JMA地震预警结果。通过模拟PLUM方法在此次地震中的表现,由预测精度和有效预警时间两个指标来评估该方法的性能,并与日本气象厅发布的预警信息对比。模拟结果显示:受限于地震数据以及PLUM方法本身的原理,在震后第24 s发出第一次警报,不及使用P波预警与PLUM相结合的JMA地震预警系统及时。在地震前期0~40 s处于烈度剧烈上升阶段,预测精度较差;40 s之后的预测结果较为准确,预测精度高达100%。PLUM方法可以有效克服点-源模型中的弊端,特别是在多个地震同时发生的情况下预警效果良好,将PLUM方法纳入我国地震预警系统可以有效提高预警能力。

作品名翻译的“关联省力语效原则”——以HelenChasin的诗歌“TheWord Plum”为例

文艺和文学作品名的命名和翻译为作品画龙点睛。本文针对相关翻译问题，提出了作品名翻译的“关联省力语效原则”（PREE）：四条“形而上细则”、四条“形而下细则”以及八种“形而下译法”。最后以HelenChasin的一首英语诗歌篇名为例，解析其中的plum不能译为“李子／梅子”而应译为“葡萄”，阐释作品的翻译要“从名做起，名正言顺”，具体操作则要以PREE为纲，实现关联、省力、语效三方面均等效的翻译。

Transgenic plum Prunus domestica L., clone C5(cv. Honey Sweet) for protection against sharka disease

Sharka caused by Plum pox virus（PPV）is the most harmful disease of stone fruits in Europe and elsewhere in the world.There is no highly PPV resistant cultivar of plum.Biotech approach has led to the development of resistance through genetic engineering.In this study,we evaluated a transgenic plum Prunus domestica L.,clone C5（cv.Honey Sweet）,where the PPV resistance is based on RNA interference（RNAi）.Resistance in C5 plums has been evaluated for PPV,Prune dwarf virus（PDV）,and Apple chlorotic leaf spot virus（ACLSV）in a regulated field trial in the Czech Republic for 12 years（2002–2013）.Even under high and permanent infection pressure introduced through graft inoculation of the viruses,PPV has been detected in C5 trees only in several leaves situated close to the point of inoculum grafting in the first nine years.Mild symptoms of PPV disappeared year by year.No PPV symptoms were observed in the last three years and results of ELISA detection were negative.Similar results were obtained,when RT-PCR was used for PPV detection.No natural infection of PPV by aphids was recorded in C5 plums,even if PPV infected plants were growing in the same experimental field in close vicinity.Co-infections of PPV with PDV and/or ACLSV had practically no influence on stability of resistance in C5 trees.Twelve years of field testing in the Czech Republic clearly demonstrated the high level of resistance of C5 either to PPV infection by graft inoculation or natural infection through aphid vectors.

Dietary supplementation of dried plum:a novel strategy to mitigate heat stress in broiler chickens

Background:Heat stress is a significant problem in the poultry industry,causing a severe economic loss due to its detrimental effects on chickens’health and performance.Dried plum(DP)is a good source of minerals,vitamins,antioxidants,and phenolic compounds.Studies have suggested that DP has several health benefits,such as maintaining the body’s redox system,immune status,and calcium hemostasis.Based on the health benefits of DP,we hypothesized that the dietary supplementation of DP would alleviate the detrimental effects of heat stress on broiler chickens.Results:To test the hypothesis,day-old broiler chicks(n=72)were randomly allocated to three treatment groups(n=24/group):no heat stress(NHS),heat stress(HS),and heat stress with dried plum(HS+DP),and reared under standard conditions.The inclusion of 2.5%DP in the feed of the HS+DP group was made during the treatment period,while birds in other groups were provided with a standard finisher diet.After 21 days,birds in the HS and HS+DP groups were exposed to cyclic heat stress conditions(33℃ for 8 h during daytime)for 3 weeks,while those in the NHS group were reared under normal conditions(22-24℃).Weekly body weight and feed intake were recorded to calculate the average daily gain(ADG),average daily feed intake(ADFI),and feed conversion ratio(FCR).Heat stress significantly decreased the final body weight,ADG,ADFI,and increased FCR compared to the NHS group,whereas dietary supplementation of DP significantly improved these growth performance parameters compared to the HS group.Furthermore,supplementation of DP significantly increased the expression of heat shock protein-related genes(HSF1,HSF3,HSP70,and HSP90),antioxidant-related genes(SOD1,SOD2,GPX1,GPX3,PRDX1,and TXN),tight junction-related genes(CLDN1,and OCLN),and immune-related genes(IL4,MUC2)in the ileum as compared to the HS group.The microbiota analysis showed significant enrichment of Bacillales,Christensenellaceae,Bacillaceae,Peptostreptococcaceae,and Anaerotruncus in heat-stressed birds supplemented with DP as compared to the HS group.Further,DP supplementation also significantly increased the concentration of acetate,propionate,and total VFA in the cecal digesta of the HS+DP group as compared to the HS group.Conclusion:These findings suggest that DP supplementation effectively improved the growth performances and gut health parameters in the heat-stressed birds.Thus,dried plum can be a potential feed supplement to mitigate heat stress in broiler chickens.

A New Disease of Cherry Plum Tree with Yellow Leaf Symptoms Associated with a Novel Phytoplasma in the Aster Yellows Group

A novel phytoplasma was detected in a cherry plum（Prunus cerasifera Ehrh） tree that mainly showed yellow leaf symptom. The tree was growing in an orchard located in Yangling District, Shaanxi Province, China. The leaves started as chlorotic and yellowing along leaf minor veins and leaf tips. Chlorosis rapidly developed to inter-veinal areas with the whole leaf becoming pale yellow in about 1-4 wk. Large numbers of phytoplasma-like bodies（PLBs） were seen under transmission electron microscopy. The majority of the PLBs was spherical or elliptical vesicles, with diameters in range of 0.1-0.6 μm, and distributed in the phloem cells of the infected tissues. A 1 246-bp 16 S ribosomal RNA（rRNA） gene fragment was amplified from DNA samples extracted from the yellow leaf tissues using two phytoplasma universal primer pairs R16mF2/R16mR1 and R16F2n/R16R2. Phylogenetic analysis using the 16 S rRNA gene sequence suggested that the phytoplasma associated with the yellow leaf symptoms belongs to a novel subclade in the aster yellows（AY） group（16SrI group）. Virtual and actual restriction fragment length polymorphism（RFLP） analysis of the 16 S rRNA gene fragment revealed that the phytoplasma was distinguishable from all existing 19 subgroups in the AY group（16SrI） by four restriction sites, Hinf I, Mse I, Sau3 A I and Taq I. The similarity coefficients of comparing the RFLP pattern of the 16 S rRNA gene fragment of this phytoplasma to each of the 19 reported subgroups ranged from 0.73 to 0.87, which indicates the phytoplasma associated with the cherry plum yellow leaf（CPYL） symptoms is probably a distinct and novel subgroup lineage in the AY group（16SrI）. In addition, the novel phytoplasma was experimentally transmitted to periwinkle（Catharanthus roseus） plants from the tree with CPYL symptoms and then back to a healthy 1-yr-old cherry plum tree via dodder（Cuscuta odorata） connections.

Study on the Aromatic Components of Green Plum Wine by HS-SPME-GC-MS

In order to better blend green plum wine and study aromatic components of green plum wine,a qualitative analysis on aromatic components of soaked base liquor,green plum soaked wine,green plum juice,and fermented wine of green plum juice by Head Space Solid-phase Microextraction( HS-SPME) and Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer( GC-MS) was studied in this paper. Experiment results indicated that14,32,17,and 46 kinds of aromatic components were identified respectively from four samples. Different aromatic components determined the special flavor and taste of green plum wine. Unique aromatic components generated in soaking process include benzaldehyde,1-butanol,2-methyl-,S-(-),benzoic acid ethyl ester,and 5-( hydroxymethyl). Special aromatic components in green plum juice were furfural,phenylethyl alcohol,and benzyl alcohol. The aromatic components in fermented wine of green plum juice mainly included phenylethyl alcohol( 6. 941%,relative content of peak area,same below),1-butanol,3-methyl-( 6. 940%),octanoic acid,ethyl ester( 3. 734%),decanoic acid,ethyl ester( 2. 590%),hexanoic acid,ethyl ester( 2. 479%),ethyl 9-decenoate( 2. 080%),and 5-hydroxymethyl( 1. 756%). This study was expected to provide scientific basis and data reference for quality improvement of green plum wine.

Studies on a New Random Packing—Plum Flower Mini Ring

The hydrodynamics and mass transfer of Plum Flower Mini Ring (PFMR), Pall Ring and Intalox Saddle were studied in a 600 mm diameter column with air-oxygen-water system over a wide range of liquid loads. It was shown from the experiments that PFMR had much lower resistance, larger throughput and higher mass transfer efficiency than Pall Ring and Intalox Saddle. It was clear from the comparison that existing equations could not predict the performance of packings very well at high liquid loads. Therefore, new semi-empirical equations of pressure drop, flooding gas velocity and height of transfer unit (HTU) were proposed based on the experimental data.

Effect of Variety and Growth Regulator Concentration on Success of Air Layering in Plum

The experiment was conducted at the Regional Spices Research Center, BARI, Gazipur during June 2016 to October 2017 to evaluate the effect of genotype and growth regulator (IBA) on the success and performance of plum air layering. Air layering was done on two plum varieties (BARI Alubokhara-1 and PD Gaz 004) using seven levels of IBA concentration (viz. 0, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000 ppm) under a complete randomized (factorial) design (CRD). Significant variation was observed on rooting, establishment and death of layers due to variety and IBA concentrations except rooting and separation time. The un-fruiting line PD Gaz 004 showed outstanding performance in rooting and survivability of layers over BARI Alubokhara-1. Poor rooting and lower establishment caused very high mortality of layers in BARI Alubokhara-1. Rooting and survivability, number of roots, length of roots and leaf production increased with the increasing levels of IBA concentration up to 5000 ppm. The maximum (10 out of 10) rooting success of layer with 65.83% and 59.17% establishment from PD Gaz004 was obtained when 3000 and 4000 ppm IBA was used, respectively. In BARI Alubokhara-1, the highest rooting success (3.08), establishment rate (29.42%), number of root (4.28/layer) and root length (5.08 cm) were recorded with 4000 ppm IBA concentration.

Study on Aroma Components of Six Kinds of Plum Fruits

[Objective] The aim was to study the aromas composition of plum fruit. [Method] The aroma components of six kinds of plum fruits were analyzed by SPME, detected and identified by GC-MS.[Result] 85 kinds of aroma substances were separated and identified, including 40 kinds of common components.The experiments had good reproducibility by strictly controlling the desorption temperature, time and sample holding time.The obtained chromatographic peak retention time and the normalized area variation coefficient CV% values were between 0.03% -0.54% and 5.85% -18.08% by experimenting the five precision of AoLi13.The qualitative and quantitative were fully meet repeatability requirements for test samples. [Conclusion] The study provided scientific basis for the development and process of plum industry in China.

Effects of Different Storage Treatments on Physicochemical Indexes of Green Plums

[Objectives]This study was conducted to discuss the change laws and relationships of the physiological indexes in green plums treated with nisin or 1-MCP in the cold storage process.[Methods]Different storage methods on the physiological and quality indexes of green plums were investigated through two kinds of different treatment methods(treatment 1:1-MCP+cold storage,treatment 2:nisin+cold storage),with rotten fruit rate,weight loss rate,yellow ripeness index,hardness,Vc content,titratable acid,soluble solids and peroxidase(POD)activity as the evaluation indexes.[Results]The storage method of treating green plums with 1-MCP combined with cold storage could delay the quality decline of green plums after harvest,while the effect of nisin treatment was slightly inferior.1-MCP treatment followed by cold storage could more effectively delay the senescence of green plums,delay the decrease of fruit hardness and soluble solid content to the greatest extent,and maintain the titratable acid and Vc contents at relatively good levels.It further reduced weight loss rate and rotten fruit rate,postponed the time of the peak of POD enzyme activity,and reduced the loss of nutrients in the fruit,thereby maintaining good commercial properties of the fruit.[Conclusions]This study plays an important role in the post-harvest storage,preservation and transportation,as well as the development of the green plum industry.

Study on Colorimetric Method and Content Determination of Total Phenol in Homemade Plum Wine

[Objectives] To study on colorimetric method and content determination of total phenol in homemade plum wine. [Methods]The optimal determination condition of total polyphenols content in plum wine( commercially available and homemade) by Folin-Ciocalteu method was inspected,and commercially available and homemade plum wine was evaluated by the method. [Results]The optimal determination conditions of total polyphenols content: sample dose of 1. 0 m L,Folin-Ciocalteu reagent of 1 m L,4% Na_2CO_3 solution of 4. 0 m L,reaction temperature of 50 ℃,reaction time of 1. 5 h,and determination wavelength of 756 nm. Absorbance showed good linear relationship with total polyphenols content within the range of 17. 73-59. 12 μg/m L( y = 14. 878 x + 0. 0739,R^2= 0. 9998). Recovery rate of adding standard sample was between 98. 8% and 103. 5%,and relative standard deviation was 2. 0%( n = 5). [Conclusions]The method had high precision degree and good stability,which was suitable for measuring total polyphenols content in plum wine( commercially available and homemade).

Review and Discussion on the Plum Rain Research in China

[Objective] The research aimed to review the research progresses and the research achievements of plum rain in China.[Method] By using the precipitation,the sunshine data in the related observatories during 1961-2009 and the daily height field data of NCEP/DOE2 in 1996,which were provided by the National Meteorological Information Center,the prior researches about the plum rain in China were reviewed from the division of plum rain,the range of plum rain area and the space distribution.[Result] The formulation of an objective,unified plum rain division standard needed the further research and discussion,which provided the basis for the determination of plum rain range in China.In the division of plum rain period,when the sunshine duration parameter was considered,the division of plum rain period could be more reliable.The climatic mean result showed that the plum rain phenomenon still existed in the southwest part of Hubei Province where was in the west of Yichang,and the plum rain range could extend westward a longitude.In the northwest part of the traditional plum rain area,the plum rain phenomenon wasn’t significant,and it didn’t belong to the plum rain range in China.Spring rain and the plum rain in central Hunan,central Jiangxi and central south of Zhejiang should be differentiated by the objective and unified plum rain standard.[Conclusion] Chinese scholars still had some controversies about the typing of plum rain in Jiang-Huai.The selections of suitable analytical method and region had the important effects on the plum rain typing.

Studies on Photosynthetic Characteristics of Plum Leaves

Many photosynthetic characteristics of three plum varieties were studied with a infrared CO2 analyzer. Results showed that plums belong to light - loving species, having a relative high light compensation point (75-80μmol· m-2·s-1). In natural light range from none to 1400μmol·m-2s-1PAR,the light response curve of plum as a hyperbo and the net photosynthetic rate(Pn) in leavs increased with PA elevation. Pn of plum tree was 20 to 22.50mg CO2·dm-1·h-1 at 1380μpol. m-2·s-1 PAN,indicating that plum was typi- cal C3-type fruit tree. Diurnal change in Pn was a bimoal curve with the highest photosynthetic rate arising at about 10:00 a. m. indicated the clear 'none - rest 'characteristic in plum leaves. Among three varieties. SuiLi3 had the shortest 'none - rest' time followed by JiLin6 and NuXinLi. Seasonal change in Pn was a bi- modal curve with the first period of high Pn in late June and the second in late August. Pn in leaves decreased visibly in period of drought in Spring and Summer.

Development Prospects of Processing and Utilization of Longtan Pearl Plum

Longtan pearl plum, as a new dominant fruit industry in Guangxi, has developed rapidly in recent years and become one of the major economic sources of fruit growers in Guangxi. It has a positive effect on promoting economic development and helping farmers to get out of poverty in Guangxi. But there is almost nothing to do with the processing and utilization. Taking the route of processing and utilization is an inevitable trend of development of Longtan pearl plum industry with the increase of the planting area and yield year by year. In this paper, based on the analysis of edible value of Longtan pearl plum, the development direction of processing and utilization of Longtan pearl plum was expounded, and some suggestions on the problems existing in the processing and utilization were put forward to provide reference for the processing and utilization of Longtan pearl plum.

Are <i>Umezu</i>polyphenols in the Japanese plum (<i>Prunus mume</i>) protective against mild hypertension and oxidation? Evidence from a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial

Medications or lifestyle changes to prevent or improve hypertension often press considerable efforts on patients suffering from mild hypertension. Beverages including Umezu polyphenols (UP), polyphenols in Japanese plums, may help them to control their blood pressure. Healthy medical students, workers, and community dwellers who had some concerns about their blood pressure were randomized in a doubleblind manner into UP ingesting and placebo groups. The first two samples (medical students and workers) were placed in a preliminary study, and based on the results from that study, and the dose of UP for the community dwellers was determined. All three groups were followed for 5 weeks, and blood pressure, as well as biochemical markers related to hypertension and atherosclerosis and self-perceived quality-of-life outcomes, was monitored during that period. Group × time interactions on blood pressure changes were examined. For the community dwellers, blood pressure changes did not significantly differ between the UP ingesting and placebo groups. And although studies of students and workers showed subtle differences in blood pressure among the UP and placebo groups, a dose-dependent effect of UP on decreasing blood pressure could not be confirmed. On the other hand, anti-oxidative effects of UP were confirmed especially among male drinkers who were community dwellers. For the community dwellers, self-perceived physical health significantly improved in those who ingested UP. In conclusion, UP might prevent oxidation. A longer monitoring period as well as a higher dose of UP might enable us to confirm effects of UP against hypertension.