In this study, the dynamics of monthly variation in litterfall and the amount of nutrients, i.e., organic C, N, P and K, in an Aleurites montana plantation were analyzed, based on a field study and experiments over on...In this study, the dynamics of monthly variation in litterfall and the amount of nutrients, i.e., organic C, N, P and K, in an Aleurites montana plantation were analyzed, based on a field study and experiments over one year. The results show that the litterfall mass of A. montana collected generally presents an ascending trend with maximum defoliation occurring in the autumn and winter (October-December), accounting for 75.67% of the total amount of annual litterfalk The sequence in the amount of nutrients in A. montana litter was as follows: organic C 〉 N 〉 K 〉 P; their monthly amounts show various dynamic curves. Similar to the dynamics of the mass of monthly litterfall, the monthly returns of C, N, P and K generally show an ascending trend with their peak values all occurring in December. The mass of A. montana litterfall and the dynamics of its monthly nutrient return provide, to a certain degree, a scientific reference for planting and fertilizing A. montana.展开更多
Barbed tributaries flowing in southeast directions, an asymmetric drainage divide with both the South Fork Grand River and the North Fork Moreau River, and the Jump-off escarpment-surrounded basin (interpreted here to...Barbed tributaries flowing in southeast directions, an asymmetric drainage divide with both the South Fork Grand River and the North Fork Moreau River, and the Jump-off escarpment-surrounded basin (interpreted here to be a large abandoned headcut) are examples of topographic map evidence suggesting the north oriented Little Missouri River valley eroded headward across a large southeast oriented anastomosing complex of ice-marginal melt water flood flow channels that once crossed Harding County, South Dakota. Additional evidence includes southeast oriented tributaries to the northeast oriented South Fork Grand River and multiple divide crossings (e.g. through valleys and wind gaps) on the Boxelder Creek-Little Missouri River divide (in eastern Montana and west of the Little Missouri River) and suggests deep regional erosion occurred as the north oriented Little Missouri River valley eroded headward into and across the region. Harding County is located south and west of the southwest limit of coarse-grained glacial erratic material and ice-marginal melt water flow routes logically should have crossed it. Deep melt water erosion of Harding County and adjacent eastern Montana regions to the west is not consistent with many previous drainage history and glacial history interpretations, but is consistent with deep erosion by continental ice sheets.展开更多
The Annona genus is a member of Annonaceae,one of the largest families of plants across tropical and subtropical regions.This family has been used in several ethnomedicinal practices to treat a multitude of human dise...The Annona genus is a member of Annonaceae,one of the largest families of plants across tropical and subtropical regions.This family has been used in several ethnomedicinal practices to treat a multitude of human diseases.However,the molecular mechanism underlying its effect on the lipid droplet formation and on the expression of adipogenic markers of this plant remain to be investigated.In this study,we examined whether the extracts from the aerial part of Annona montana affect in vitro differentiation of preadipocytes.For our investigations,both mouse embryo fibroblast 3T3-L1 and normal human primary subcutaneous preadipocytes were incubated with Annona montana extracts(-and its subfractions-)and then analyzed on preadipocyte differentiation,lipid content,lipid droplet size and number,the expression of adipogenic-specific transcriptional factors,as well as cell survival.From our examinations,we found the Annona montana ethyl acetate extract to exhibit a potent inhibitory effect on adipogenesis,without affecting cell survival,in a dose-dependent manner.Such inhibitory effects included a significant decrease in the accumulation of lipid content by both a dramatic reduction of size and number of lipid droplets.This extract strongly attenuated the expression of PPARγand HMGB2.It also inhibited the expression of CEBPα,FAS,and Akt without influencing Erk1/2 activities.Our findings suggest that specifically,the Annona montana ethyl acetate extract has a prominent inhibitory effect in cellular pathways of adipocyte differentiation by modulating specific gene expression,which is known to perform a pivotal role during adipogenesis.展开更多
A new and fundamentally different regional geomorphology paradigm in which massive south- and southeast-oriented meltwater floods flowed across the entire Missouri River drainage basin is tested by interpreting detail...A new and fundamentally different regional geomorphology paradigm in which massive south- and southeast-oriented meltwater floods flowed across the entire Missouri River drainage basin is tested by interpreting detailed topographic maps of the Montana upper Sun River drainage basin region by trying to explain origins of previously unexplained or poorly explained erosional landforms located upstream from Sun River Canyon (which cuts across Montana’s north-to-south oriented Sawtooth Range). Mountain passes, through valleys, and other drainage divide low points along what are today high mountain ridges, including the North American east-west continental divide, are interpreted to be evidence of drainage routes that once crossed the region. These drainage divide crossings suggest that prior to erosion of present-day upper Sun River drainage basin valleys, massive floods moved in south directions across what are today the north-oriented Middle and South Fork Flathead River drainage basins into today’s upper Sun River drainage basin area and carved a complex of diverging and converging channels into what was probably a low relief surface now represented by the crests of the region’s highest mountain ridges. Further, the map evidence shows how a diverging complex of south- and southeast-oriented upstream Sun River drainage basin flood flow channels changed flow direction to cross the Sawtooth Range in a northeast direction before converging on the Montana plains at a location downstream from Sun River Canyon. The observed upper Sun River drainage basin area topographic map evidence is consistent with the new geomorphology paradigm predictions, in which massive south-oriented meltwater floods flowing across the rising rim of a continental ice sheet created deep “hole” (created by deep ice sheet erosion and ice sheet weight caused crustal warping) are diverted to flow in northeast and north directions into and across deep “hole” space being opened up by ice sheet melting.展开更多
Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of Sutherlandia montana E. Phillips & R.A. Dyer leaf extracts using the in vitro model.Methods: The antioxidant activities of aqueous, decoction, ...Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of Sutherlandia montana E. Phillips & R.A. Dyer leaf extracts using the in vitro model.Methods: The antioxidant activities of aqueous, decoction, ethanol and hydro-ethanol extracts of the plant were determined using seven different assays; the antidiabetic potential was evaluated through the inhibition of key carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes(aamylase and a-glucosidase), while the modes of the enzymes inhibition were assessed using enzyme kinetic analysis.Results: The ethanol extract exhibited the best scavenging activity(IC_(50): 0.47, 0.36,0.20, 0.29 and 0.01 mg/m L) against the tested radicals like 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,2, 20-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), nitric oxide, hydroxyl and superoxide anion, respectively. It also showed the best reducing power efficiency when compared with the standard(silymarin), while the decoction extract displayed the strongest metal chelating potential(IC_(50): 0.71 mg/m L). The ethanol(IC_(50): 5.52 mg/m L)and decoction(IC_(50): 0.05 mg/m L) extracts exhibited mild and strong inhibitory effects on the specific activities of a-amylase and a-glucosidase respectively, through an uncompetitive and non-competitive mode of action.Conclusions: The observed properties might be linked to the presence of active principles as shown by the results of the phytochemical analyses of the extracts. This research has validated the folkloric application of Sutherlandia montana as a potential antidiabetic agent, which is evident from the inhibition of specific activities of key enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism.展开更多
The aim of this study was to establish the optimum harvesting time and the content of flavonoids in the leaves, stems, and roots of Artemisia montana Pamp. A. montana was monitored from June to October in 2012. The yi...The aim of this study was to establish the optimum harvesting time and the content of flavonoids in the leaves, stems, and roots of Artemisia montana Pamp. A. montana was monitored from June to October in 2012. The yield of A. montana at high density (30 × 10 cm) was higher than that of A. montana at low density (30 × 20 and 30 cm). Yield in terms of dry weight was increased with an extended growth period and development stage. High yield achieved at 2580 and 2757 kg?10 a?1 in September and October, respectively. Among the leaves, stems, and underground plant organs, jaceosidin and eupatilin were mainly detected in the leaves, and the highest levels were observed in June, at values of 66.6 and 158.2 mg?100 g?1, respectively. In contrast, apigenin was the major compound detected in the underground plant organs, with levels ranging from 21.2 to 29.5 mg?100 g?1 until September. Therefore, optimal harvest times were between September and October, generating a high yield and adding economic value although a higher level of total flavonoids was observed in crops harvested in June.展开更多
In this paper, the glycoconjugated volatile compounds of four Croatian Satureja species (Satureja montana L., S. cuneifolia Ten., S. subspicata Vis. and endemic S. visianii Silic) were investigated. Content and compos...In this paper, the glycoconjugated volatile compounds of four Croatian Satureja species (Satureja montana L., S. cuneifolia Ten., S. subspicata Vis. and endemic S. visianii Silic) were investigated. Content and composition of these compounds were examined depending on the stage of plant development. GC and GC–MS analysis of volatile aglycones revealed twenty-one compounds. Thymoquinone, geraniol and carvacrol were detected in all vegetative phases of the investigated plants. Other quantitatively important aglycones were eugenol and thymol of S. montana, phenyl ethyl alcohol, benzene acetaldehyde, borneol, α-terpineol, thymol and eugenol of S. cuneifolia, phenyl ethyl alcohol, benzene acet-aldehyde, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol and β-ionone of S. subspicata and camphor, thymol and 8a-acetoxylemolol of S. visianii. Moderate similarity in the chemical composition of essential oils and volatile aglycones of investigated plant species indicate that many biologically active compounds are glycosylated and accumulate as non-volatile glycosides.展开更多
Ten Montana hunters are in a duck blind when 10 ducks fly over.All 10 hunters pick a duck at random to shoot at,and all 10 hunters fire at the same time.How many ducks could be expected to escape,on average。
Arnica montana is a popular traditional remedy widely used in complementary and alternative medicine, in part for its wound-healing properties. The authors recently showed that this plant extract and several of its ho...Arnica montana is a popular traditional remedy widely used in complementary and alternative medicine, in part for its wound-healing properties. The authors recently showed that this plant extract and several of its homeopathic dilutions are able to modify the expression of a series of genes involved in inflamma- tion and connective tissue regeneration. Their studies opened a debate, including criticisms to the "errors" in the methods used and the "confounders and biases". Here the authors show that the criticisms raised on methodology and statistics are not consistent and cannot be considered pertinent. The present comment also updates and reviews information concerning the action of A. montana dilutions in human macrophage cells while summarizing the major experimental advances reported on this interesting medicinal plant.展开更多
Backgorund:Fruits and seed extracts of Annona montana have significant cytotoxic potential in several cancer cells.This study evaluates the effect of A.montana leaves hexane extract on several signaling cascades and g...Backgorund:Fruits and seed extracts of Annona montana have significant cytotoxic potential in several cancer cells.This study evaluates the effect of A.montana leaves hexane extract on several signaling cascades and gene expression in metastatic breast cancer cells upon insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)stimulation.Methods:MTT assay was performed to determine the proliferation of cancer cells.Propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry analysis of Annexin V binding was utilized to measure the progression of the cell cycle and the induction of apoptosis.Protein expression and phosphorylation were determined by western blotting analysis to examine the underlying cellular mechanism triggered upon treatment with A.montana leaves hexane extract.Results:A.montana leaves hexane(subfraction V)blocked the constitutive stimulation of the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathways.This inhibitory effect was associated with apoptosis induction as evidenced by the positivity with Annexin V and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNNEL)staining,activation of caspase-3,and cleavage of PPAR.It also limited the expression of various downstream genes that regulate proliferation,survival,metastasis,and angiogenesis(i.e.,cyclin D1,survivin,COX-2,and VEGF).It increased the expression of p53 and p21.Interestingly,we also observed that this extract blocked the activation of AKT and ERK without affecting the phosphorylation of the IGF-1 receptor and activation of Ras upon IGF-1 stimulation.Conclusion:Our study indicates that A.montana leaves(sub-fraction V)extract exhibits a selective anti-proliferative and proapoptotic effect on the metastatic MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells through the involvement of PI3K/AKT/mTOR/S6K1 pathways.展开更多
基金sponsored in part by the Fujian Scitech Bureau for research in the universities of Fujian Province(No.2008F5014)The Fujian Forest Ecological System Process and Management Key Laboratory and the Forest Ecology Research Center of the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University(FAFU) provided major funding
文摘In this study, the dynamics of monthly variation in litterfall and the amount of nutrients, i.e., organic C, N, P and K, in an Aleurites montana plantation were analyzed, based on a field study and experiments over one year. The results show that the litterfall mass of A. montana collected generally presents an ascending trend with maximum defoliation occurring in the autumn and winter (October-December), accounting for 75.67% of the total amount of annual litterfalk The sequence in the amount of nutrients in A. montana litter was as follows: organic C 〉 N 〉 K 〉 P; their monthly amounts show various dynamic curves. Similar to the dynamics of the mass of monthly litterfall, the monthly returns of C, N, P and K generally show an ascending trend with their peak values all occurring in December. The mass of A. montana litterfall and the dynamics of its monthly nutrient return provide, to a certain degree, a scientific reference for planting and fertilizing A. montana.
文摘Barbed tributaries flowing in southeast directions, an asymmetric drainage divide with both the South Fork Grand River and the North Fork Moreau River, and the Jump-off escarpment-surrounded basin (interpreted here to be a large abandoned headcut) are examples of topographic map evidence suggesting the north oriented Little Missouri River valley eroded headward across a large southeast oriented anastomosing complex of ice-marginal melt water flood flow channels that once crossed Harding County, South Dakota. Additional evidence includes southeast oriented tributaries to the northeast oriented South Fork Grand River and multiple divide crossings (e.g. through valleys and wind gaps) on the Boxelder Creek-Little Missouri River divide (in eastern Montana and west of the Little Missouri River) and suggests deep regional erosion occurred as the north oriented Little Missouri River valley eroded headward into and across the region. Harding County is located south and west of the southwest limit of coarse-grained glacial erratic material and ice-marginal melt water flow routes logically should have crossed it. Deep melt water erosion of Harding County and adjacent eastern Montana regions to the west is not consistent with many previous drainage history and glacial history interpretations, but is consistent with deep erosion by continental ice sheets.
基金supported by the National Institutes of Health Grant SC1DK084343the U.S.Department of Defense Grant W911NF-13-0167(to MAB).
文摘The Annona genus is a member of Annonaceae,one of the largest families of plants across tropical and subtropical regions.This family has been used in several ethnomedicinal practices to treat a multitude of human diseases.However,the molecular mechanism underlying its effect on the lipid droplet formation and on the expression of adipogenic markers of this plant remain to be investigated.In this study,we examined whether the extracts from the aerial part of Annona montana affect in vitro differentiation of preadipocytes.For our investigations,both mouse embryo fibroblast 3T3-L1 and normal human primary subcutaneous preadipocytes were incubated with Annona montana extracts(-and its subfractions-)and then analyzed on preadipocyte differentiation,lipid content,lipid droplet size and number,the expression of adipogenic-specific transcriptional factors,as well as cell survival.From our examinations,we found the Annona montana ethyl acetate extract to exhibit a potent inhibitory effect on adipogenesis,without affecting cell survival,in a dose-dependent manner.Such inhibitory effects included a significant decrease in the accumulation of lipid content by both a dramatic reduction of size and number of lipid droplets.This extract strongly attenuated the expression of PPARγand HMGB2.It also inhibited the expression of CEBPα,FAS,and Akt without influencing Erk1/2 activities.Our findings suggest that specifically,the Annona montana ethyl acetate extract has a prominent inhibitory effect in cellular pathways of adipocyte differentiation by modulating specific gene expression,which is known to perform a pivotal role during adipogenesis.
文摘A new and fundamentally different regional geomorphology paradigm in which massive south- and southeast-oriented meltwater floods flowed across the entire Missouri River drainage basin is tested by interpreting detailed topographic maps of the Montana upper Sun River drainage basin region by trying to explain origins of previously unexplained or poorly explained erosional landforms located upstream from Sun River Canyon (which cuts across Montana’s north-to-south oriented Sawtooth Range). Mountain passes, through valleys, and other drainage divide low points along what are today high mountain ridges, including the North American east-west continental divide, are interpreted to be evidence of drainage routes that once crossed the region. These drainage divide crossings suggest that prior to erosion of present-day upper Sun River drainage basin valleys, massive floods moved in south directions across what are today the north-oriented Middle and South Fork Flathead River drainage basins into today’s upper Sun River drainage basin area and carved a complex of diverging and converging channels into what was probably a low relief surface now represented by the crests of the region’s highest mountain ridges. Further, the map evidence shows how a diverging complex of south- and southeast-oriented upstream Sun River drainage basin flood flow channels changed flow direction to cross the Sawtooth Range in a northeast direction before converging on the Montana plains at a location downstream from Sun River Canyon. The observed upper Sun River drainage basin area topographic map evidence is consistent with the new geomorphology paradigm predictions, in which massive south-oriented meltwater floods flowing across the rising rim of a continental ice sheet created deep “hole” (created by deep ice sheet erosion and ice sheet weight caused crustal warping) are diverted to flow in northeast and north directions into and across deep “hole” space being opened up by ice sheet melting.
基金the research committee of the University of the Free State, Qwaqwa Campus for financing the study with Grant number 211527604
文摘Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of Sutherlandia montana E. Phillips & R.A. Dyer leaf extracts using the in vitro model.Methods: The antioxidant activities of aqueous, decoction, ethanol and hydro-ethanol extracts of the plant were determined using seven different assays; the antidiabetic potential was evaluated through the inhibition of key carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes(aamylase and a-glucosidase), while the modes of the enzymes inhibition were assessed using enzyme kinetic analysis.Results: The ethanol extract exhibited the best scavenging activity(IC_(50): 0.47, 0.36,0.20, 0.29 and 0.01 mg/m L) against the tested radicals like 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl,2, 20-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), nitric oxide, hydroxyl and superoxide anion, respectively. It also showed the best reducing power efficiency when compared with the standard(silymarin), while the decoction extract displayed the strongest metal chelating potential(IC_(50): 0.71 mg/m L). The ethanol(IC_(50): 5.52 mg/m L)and decoction(IC_(50): 0.05 mg/m L) extracts exhibited mild and strong inhibitory effects on the specific activities of a-amylase and a-glucosidase respectively, through an uncompetitive and non-competitive mode of action.Conclusions: The observed properties might be linked to the presence of active principles as shown by the results of the phytochemical analyses of the extracts. This research has validated the folkloric application of Sutherlandia montana as a potential antidiabetic agent, which is evident from the inhibition of specific activities of key enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism.
文摘The aim of this study was to establish the optimum harvesting time and the content of flavonoids in the leaves, stems, and roots of Artemisia montana Pamp. A. montana was monitored from June to October in 2012. The yield of A. montana at high density (30 × 10 cm) was higher than that of A. montana at low density (30 × 20 and 30 cm). Yield in terms of dry weight was increased with an extended growth period and development stage. High yield achieved at 2580 and 2757 kg?10 a?1 in September and October, respectively. Among the leaves, stems, and underground plant organs, jaceosidin and eupatilin were mainly detected in the leaves, and the highest levels were observed in June, at values of 66.6 and 158.2 mg?100 g?1, respectively. In contrast, apigenin was the major compound detected in the underground plant organs, with levels ranging from 21.2 to 29.5 mg?100 g?1 until September. Therefore, optimal harvest times were between September and October, generating a high yield and adding economic value although a higher level of total flavonoids was observed in crops harvested in June.
文摘In this paper, the glycoconjugated volatile compounds of four Croatian Satureja species (Satureja montana L., S. cuneifolia Ten., S. subspicata Vis. and endemic S. visianii Silic) were investigated. Content and composition of these compounds were examined depending on the stage of plant development. GC and GC–MS analysis of volatile aglycones revealed twenty-one compounds. Thymoquinone, geraniol and carvacrol were detected in all vegetative phases of the investigated plants. Other quantitatively important aglycones were eugenol and thymol of S. montana, phenyl ethyl alcohol, benzene acetaldehyde, borneol, α-terpineol, thymol and eugenol of S. cuneifolia, phenyl ethyl alcohol, benzene acet-aldehyde, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol and β-ionone of S. subspicata and camphor, thymol and 8a-acetoxylemolol of S. visianii. Moderate similarity in the chemical composition of essential oils and volatile aglycones of investigated plant species indicate that many biologically active compounds are glycosylated and accumulate as non-volatile glycosides.
文摘Ten Montana hunters are in a duck blind when 10 ducks fly over.All 10 hunters pick a duck at random to shoot at,and all 10 hunters fire at the same time.How many ducks could be expected to escape,on average。
文摘Arnica montana is a popular traditional remedy widely used in complementary and alternative medicine, in part for its wound-healing properties. The authors recently showed that this plant extract and several of its homeopathic dilutions are able to modify the expression of a series of genes involved in inflamma- tion and connective tissue regeneration. Their studies opened a debate, including criticisms to the "errors" in the methods used and the "confounders and biases". Here the authors show that the criticisms raised on methodology and statistics are not consistent and cannot be considered pertinent. The present comment also updates and reviews information concerning the action of A. montana dilutions in human macrophage cells while summarizing the major experimental advances reported on this interesting medicinal plant.
基金supported by the National Institutes of Health Grant SC1DK084343(to MAB)by Mass Spectrometry Research and Education Center must cite funding from NIH S10 OD021758-01A1.
文摘Backgorund:Fruits and seed extracts of Annona montana have significant cytotoxic potential in several cancer cells.This study evaluates the effect of A.montana leaves hexane extract on several signaling cascades and gene expression in metastatic breast cancer cells upon insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)stimulation.Methods:MTT assay was performed to determine the proliferation of cancer cells.Propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry analysis of Annexin V binding was utilized to measure the progression of the cell cycle and the induction of apoptosis.Protein expression and phosphorylation were determined by western blotting analysis to examine the underlying cellular mechanism triggered upon treatment with A.montana leaves hexane extract.Results:A.montana leaves hexane(subfraction V)blocked the constitutive stimulation of the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathways.This inhibitory effect was associated with apoptosis induction as evidenced by the positivity with Annexin V and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNNEL)staining,activation of caspase-3,and cleavage of PPAR.It also limited the expression of various downstream genes that regulate proliferation,survival,metastasis,and angiogenesis(i.e.,cyclin D1,survivin,COX-2,and VEGF).It increased the expression of p53 and p21.Interestingly,we also observed that this extract blocked the activation of AKT and ERK without affecting the phosphorylation of the IGF-1 receptor and activation of Ras upon IGF-1 stimulation.Conclusion:Our study indicates that A.montana leaves(sub-fraction V)extract exhibits a selective anti-proliferative and proapoptotic effect on the metastatic MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells through the involvement of PI3K/AKT/mTOR/S6K1 pathways.