Cyperaceae
Plant Tubers
Powder Diffraction
Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis
Biosynthetic pathway of insect juvenile hormone III in cell suspension cultures of the sedge Cyperus iria. (1/20)
In most insect species, juvenile hormones regulate critical physiological processes such as metamorphosis and reproduction. In insects, these sesquiterpenoids are synthesized by retrocerebral endocrine organs, the corpora allata, via the classical mevalonate (MVA) pathway. One of these compounds, juvenile hormone III (JH III), has also been identified in the sedge Cyperus iria. In higher plants, biosynthesis of the sesquiterpenoid backbone may proceed through two distinct pathways: the MVA pathway or the 2C-methyl erythritol 4-phosphate pathway or through a combination of both pathways. Cell suspension cultures of C. iria were used to elucidate the biosynthetic pathway of JH III in the plant. Enzyme inhibition and labeling studies conclusively demonstrated that the biosynthesis of the sesquiterpenoid backbone of JH III proceeds via the MVA pathway. Inhibitor and precursor feeding studies also suggest that later steps of JH III biosynthesis in C. iria are similar to the insect pathway and that the final enzymatic reaction in JH III biosynthesis is catalyzed by a cytochrome P(450) monooxygenase. (+info)Oscillations of plants' stems and their damping: theory and experimentation. (2/20)
Free oscillations of upright plants' stems, or in technical terms slender tapered rods with one end free, can be modelled by considering the equilibrium between bending moments and moments resulting from inertia. For stems with apical loads and negligible mass of the stem and for stems with finite mass but without top loading, analytical solutions of the differential equations with appropriate boundary conditions are available for a finite number of cases. For other cases approximations leading to an upper and a lower estimate of the frequency of oscillation omega can be derived. For the limiting case of omega = 0, the differential equations are identical with Greenhill's equations for the stability against Euler buckling of slender poles. To illustrate, the oscillation frequencies of 25 spruce trees (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) were compared with those calculated on the basis of their morphology, their density and their static elasticity modulus. For Arundo donax L. and Cyperus alternifolius L. the observed oscillation frequency was used in turn to calculate the dynamic elasticity modulus, which was compared with that determined in three-point bending. Oscillation damping was observed for A. donax and C. alternifolius for plants' stems with and without leaves or inflorescence. In C. alternifolius the difference can be attributed to the aerodynamic resistance of the leaves, whereas in A. donax structural damping in addition plays a major role. (+info)Symptomatology and morphology of Claviceps cyperi on yellow nut sedge in South Africa. (3/20)
Symptoms of ergot on yellow nut sedge, germination of sclerotia of the causal organism, Claviceps cyperi, and morphology of fresh specimens of the pathogen are described for the first time. The initial symptom of infection was a black sooty layer on inflorescences of infected plants due to colonization of the ergot honeydew by Cladosporium cladosporioides. Sclerotia of C. cyperi started to develop in March and April and could be discerned as small protuberances on inflorescences in the place of seed. Mature sclerotia were purplish-black. They generally remained viable for less than a year and germinated without prior cold treatment, although exposure for 21 d to 5 C before incubation significantly increased the germination rate. Under moist conditions at 24 C in the laboratory, germination commenced within 4-8 wk. Stromata took about 12 d to mature. Mature capitula were distinctly lobulate with a perithecium embedded in each lobe and a collar-like appendage around the base. Although dimensions of sclerotia, stipes, capitula, asci and ascospores were larger than in the original description, the general morphology supports treatment of C. cyperi as a distinct species. (+info)Adaptation to flooding in upland and lowland ecotypes of Cyperus rotundus, a troublesome sedge weed of rice: tuber morphology and carbohydrate metabolism. (4/20)
(+info)Norcyperone, a novel skeleton norsesquiterpene from Cyperus rotundus L. (5/20)
(+info)Chemical composition of the essential oils of Cyperus rotundus L. from South Africa. (6/20)
(+info)Evaluation of CNS activities of ethanol extract of roots and rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus in mice. (7/20)
The ethanol extract of Cyperus rotundus (EECR) was tested for possible pharmacological effects on experimental animals. EECR significantly potentiated the sleeping time of mice induced by standard hypnotics, viz. pentobarbitone sodium, diazepam, and meprobamate in a dose dependent manner. EECR showed significant analgesic properties as evidenced by the significant reduction in the number of writhes and stretches induced in mice by 1.2% acetic acid solution. It also potentiated analgesia induced by morphine and pethidine in mice. Pretreatment with EECR caused significant protection against strychnine and leptazol-induced convulsions. The behavioral studies on mice indicate CNS depressant activity of the ethanol extract of C. rotundus. (+info)Polyphasic analysis of the bacterial community in the rhizosphere and roots of Cyperus rotundus L. grown in a petroleum-contaminated soil. (8/20)
Cyperus rotundus L. is a perennial herb which was found prevailing in an area in the northeast of Brazil previously contaminated with petroleum. In order to enlarge the knowledge of microorganism-plant interaction in phytoremediation, the bacterial community present in the rhizosphere and roots of C. rotundus was evaluated by culture-dependent and molecular approaches. PCR-DGGE analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene showed that the profiles of bulk soil, rhizosphere and root samples had a high degree of similarity. A complex community of alkane utilizing-bacteria and a variable nitrogen-fixing community were observed when the PCR-DGGE analyses were based on the genes alkB and nifH, respectively. In addition, two clone libraries were generated from the alkB fragments of bulk and rhizosphere soils. Statistical analyses showed that the libraries were different concerning the alkB population composition. Using culture-dependent techniques, 209 bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere and rhizoplane/roots of C. rotundus. Dot blotting analysis showed that the DNA from 17 strains hybridized, simultaneously, with the alkB and nifH probes. After partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing, these strains were affiliated with the genera Bosea, Cupriavidus, Enterobacter, Gordonia, Mycoplana, Pandoraea, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium and Rhodococcus. They can be considered of great potential for phytoremediation in this tropical soil area. (+info)'Cyperus' is a genus of plants in the family Cyperaceae, also known as the sedge family. These plants are typically found in wet or moist environments and are characterized by their triangular stems and narrow, grass-like leaves. Some common species of *Cyperus* include *C. alternifolius* (alternanthera), *C. papyrus* (paper reed), and *C. rotundus* (nutgrass). While some species of *Cyperus* have medicinal uses, there is no single medical definition for the genus as a whole.
Cyperaceae is a family of monocotyledonous plants that are commonly known as sedges. This family includes around 5,500 species that are distributed worldwide, with the greatest diversity found in tropical and subtropical regions. The plants in this family are typically characterized by their triangular stems and narrow, grass-like leaves.
The inflorescences of Cyperaceae species are often composed of tightly packed spikelets, which contain tiny flowers that are usually reduced to only the essential reproductive parts. Many sedges also have distinctive, hardened bracts that surround the base of the inflorescence and can be used to help identify the plant to species level.
Cyperaceae species are important components of many ecosystems, including wetlands, grasslands, and forests. Some species are grown as ornamental plants, while others have economic importance as sources of food, fiber, and medicine. For example, papyrus sedge (Cyperus papyrus) was used in ancient Egypt to make paper, and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) produces edible tubers that are consumed in some parts of the world.
It's worth noting that Cyperaceae species can be difficult to identify due to their small flowers and similar morphology, so a proper identification often requires careful examination of multiple plant features.
A plant tuber is not a medical term per se, but rather a term from botany. However, I can certainly provide a definition for you.
Tubers are specialized underground stems or roots that serve as storage organs for many types of plants. They consist of enlarged structures filled with nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and other organic compounds. Tubers can be classified into two main categories: true tubers and false tubers.
True tubers are swollen underground stems, such as those found in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). They have nodes and internodes like aboveground stems, but they lack leaves or buds. Instead, they have small bumps called "eyes" that contain dormant buds, which can sprout to produce new plants when conditions are favorable.
False tubers, on the other hand, are enlarged roots, such as those found in cassava (Manihot esculenta). They do not have nodes and internodes like true tubers but instead store nutrients in their fleshy tissues.
While plant tubers may not have a direct medical definition, they are essential to human health and nutrition. Many tuber crops provide important sources of carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in diets around the world.
Amylopectin is a type of complex carbohydrate molecule known as a polysaccharide. It is a component of starch, which is found in plants and is a major source of energy for both humans and other animals. Amylopectin is made up of long chains of glucose molecules that are branched together in a bush-like structure.
Amylopectin is composed of two types of glucose chain branches: outer chains, which are made up of shorter, highly branched chains of glucose molecules; and inner chains, which are made up of longer, less branched chains. The branching pattern of amylopectin allows it to be digested and absorbed more slowly than other types of carbohydrates, such as simple sugars. This slower digestion and absorption can help to regulate blood sugar levels and provide sustained energy.
Amylopectin is found in a variety of plant-based foods, including grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits. It is an important source of calories and energy for humans and other animals that consume these types of plants as part of their diet.
Powder diffraction is not a medical term, but rather a technique used in the field of materials science and physics. It refers to the analysis of the diffraction pattern produced when a beam of X-rays, neutrons, or electrons is shone onto a powdered sample of a material. The diffraction pattern provides information about the crystal structure and composition of the material, making it a valuable tool in the study of materials used in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and other healthcare applications.
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) analysis is a laboratory test used to determine the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms during the decomposition of organic matter in a sample of water. It is a measure of the pollution potential of a wastewater, with higher BOD values indicating greater pollution. The test involves measuring the difference in dissolved oxygen (DO) levels between a controlled incubation period (usually five days) and the initial DO level. The difference is reported as the BOD, typically expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm). This information helps in assessing the effectiveness of wastewater treatment processes and monitoring water quality in rivers, streams, and other bodies of water.
Amylose is a component of starch, which is a complex carbohydrate found in plants. Amylose is a long, straight chain polymer made up of thousands of glucose molecules linked together by α-1,4 glycosidic bonds. It is less abundant than the other major component of starch, amylopectin, which has branched chains due to α-1,6 glycosidic bonds.
Amylose is relatively resistant to digestion by human enzymes, making it less easily absorbed and providing a slower release of glucose into the bloodstream compared to amylopectin. This property has led to its use in some low-glycemic index foods and as a dietary supplement for people with diabetes.
In addition to its role in food, amylose has industrial applications, such as in the production of adhesives, textiles, and paper. It is also used in medical research as a material for drug delivery and tissue engineering.
Inflorescence is a term used in the field of botany, which includes the study of plants. However, I understand that you are asking for a medical definition. In the context of medicine, specifically in pathology, inflorescence may refer to the arrangement or growth pattern of lesions or neoplasms (abnormal growths) in a particular area of the body.
To provide a precise medical definition, I would need more context about how the term is being used. Nonetheless, based on the botanical definition, inflorescence refers to the cluster or arrangement of flowers on a stem or branch. It can take various forms, such as spikes, racemes, panicles, umbels, and corymbs, depending on the pattern in which flowers are arranged.