€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH***** Hayashi K Nishino H Niwayama S Shiraki K Hiramatsu A Yucca leaf protein (YLP) stops the protein synthesis in HSV-infected cells and inhibits virus replication. In: Antiviral Res (1992 Apr) 17(4):323-33 ISSN: 0166-3542 Yucca leaf protein (YLP), an inhibitor of tobacco mosaic virus isolated from the leaves of Yucca recurvifolia Salisb., exhibited potent activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) with no cytotoxicity below 300 micrograms/ml. The inhibitory dose was varied with the time of addition; 50% effective concentrations (ED50) of YLP were 3, 19 and 95 micrograms/ml when YLP exposure was begun 3 h before virus infection, 0 h and 3 h after infection, respectively. This protein also inhibited the multiplication of herpes simplex virus type 2 and human cytomegalovirus. YLP has been shown to have a weak virucidal activity at higher concentrations. Analysis of early events following infection showed that YLP affected viral penetration in HeLa cells but did not interfere with adsorption to the cells. YLP was found to exert strong inhibition of protein synthesis in virus- infected cells but not in uninfected cells. This selective effect can be considered to attribute mainly to the antiviral activity of YLP. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY***** Wallace RJ Arthaud L Newbold CJ Influence of Yucca shidigera extract on ruminal ammonia concentrations and ruminal microorganisms. In: Appl Environ Microbiol (1994 Jun) 60(6):1762-7 ISSN: 0099-2240 An extract of the desert plant Yucca shidigera was assessed for its possible benefit in ruminal fermentation. The extract bound ammonia in aqueous solution when concentrations of ammonia were low (up to 0.4 mM) and when the extract was added at a high concentration to the sample (20%, vol/vol). The apparent ammonia-binding capability was retained after autoclaving and was decreased slightly following dialysis. Acid-precipitated extract was inactive. No evidence of substantial ammonia binding was found at higher ammonia concentrations (up to 30 mM). When Y. shidigera extract (1%, vol/vol) was added to strained rumen fluid in vitro, a small (6%) but significant (P < 0.05) decrease in ammonia concentration occurred, apparently because of decreased proteolysis. Inclusion of Y. shidigera extract (1%, vol/vol) in the growth medium of the rumen bacterium Streptococcus bovis ES1 extended its lag phase, while growth of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens SH13 was abolished. The growth of Prevotella (Bacteroides) ruminicola B(1)4 was stimulated, and that of Selenomonas ruminantium Z108 was unaffected. Protozoal activity, as measured by the breakdown of 14C-leucine-labelled S. ruminantium in rumen fluid incubated in vitro, was abolished by the addition of 1% extract. The antimicrobial activities were unaffected by precipitating tannins with polyvinylpyrrolidone, but a butanol extract, containing the saponin fraction, retained its antibacterial and antiprotozoal effects. Saponins from other sources were less effective against protozoa than Y. shidigera saponins. Y. shidigera extract, therefore, appears unlikely to influence ammonia concentration in the rumen directly, but its saponins have antimicrobial properties, particularly in suppressing ciliate protozoa, which may prove beneficial to ruminal fermentation and may lead indirectly to lower ruminal ammonia concentrations. Registry Numbers: 7664-41-7 (Ammonia) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE***** Wu Z Sadik M Sleiman FT Simas JM Pessarakli M Huber JT Influence of yucca extract on ruminal metabolism in cows. In: J Anim Sci (1994 Apr) 72(4):1038-42 ISSN: 0021-8812 Two trials were conducted to determine the influence of yucca extract on ruminal digestion, fermentation, and ammonia patterns using ruminally and duodenally cannulated dairy cows. In Trial 1, urea at 0 or 1% of the diet and yucca extract at 0 or 4 g/d formed four dietary treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. The experimental design was a 4 x 4 Latin square with 15-d periods. Duodenal digesta were sampled every 6 h during the last 4 d of each period to determine OM and ADF digestibilities and bacterial protein synthesis in the rumen using Cr2O3 and 15N markers. Ruminal digestibilities were (percentage): OM 46.3 vs 43.0%, and ADF 35.9 vs 41.4%, with or without Deodorase. Microbial protein entering the duodenum averaged 2.7 vs 3.1 kg/d for the respective treatments. Ruminal measurements were not affected by treatment (P > .10). In Trial 2, five cows were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square with 7-d periods. Treatments were 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 g/d of yucca extract administered via ruminal cannulas. Ruminal fluid was sampled 0, 1, 2, 4, 7, 11, 16, and 22 h after feeding during the last 2 d of each period. Average ruminal NH3 N ranged from 31.4 to 35.4 mg/dL, pH 5.99 to 6.18, and total VFA from 120 to 129 mM, and all did not differ among treatments (P > .10). Yucca extract administered at 4 g/d did not significantly affect ruminal digestibilities of OM and ADF, and up to 8 g/d did not affect ruminal NH3, pH, or VFA. Registry Numbers: 7664-41-7 (Ammonia) 82597-74-8 (sarsasapogenin) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Yen JT Pond WG Effects of carbadox, copper, or Yucca shidigera extract on growth performance and visceral weight of young pigs. In: J Anim Sci (1993 Aug) 71(8):2140-6 ISSN: 0021-8812 Two identical trials, each with 128 crossbred weanling barrows (6.8 +/- .2 and 7.6 +/- .2 kg for Trials 1 and 2, respectively), were conducted. In each trial, pigs were allowed to consume ad libitum a 16% CP corn-soybean meal basal diet (B), B + 55 ppm of carbadox, B + 250 ppm of copper (Cu), or B + 125 ppm of Yucca shidigera extract for 56 d (four pens/diet; eight pigs/pen). At d 56 of the test, eight pigs/diet (two pigs/pen) were slaughtered for carcass and viscera measurements. Data of carbadox treatment in Trial 1 are excluded from this paper because of an error in mixing of the diet. In Trial 1, during the test period from d 0 to 28, pigs fed Cu had greater (P < .05) ADG and ADFI than those fed B, whereas pigs fed yucca extract had higher ADFI (P < .05) but similar ADG (P > .05) compared with those fed B. During the period from 29 to 56 d, ADG was similar among pigs fed different diets (P > .05) but ADFI was affected (P < .05) by diet (yucca extract > Cu > B). No differences (P > .05) among diets were detected for gain/feed (G/F) and visceral weights expressed as a percentage of slaughter BW. In Trial 2, during the first 28 d, the ADG, ADFI, and G/F responses of pigs to Cu, yucca extract, and B were similar to those observed in Trial 1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) Registry Numbers: 6804-07-5 (Carbadox) 7440-50-8 (Copper) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY***** Bull JJ Rice WR Distinguishing mechanisms for the evolution of co-operation. In: J Theor Biol (1991 Mar 7) 149(1):63-74 ISSN: 0022-5193 The existence of co-operation between species has been cast as a problem to the selfish-gene view of evolution: why does co-operation persist, when it would seem that individual selection should favor the unco-operative individual who exploits the co-operative tendencies of its partner and gives nothing in return? The recent literature has emphasized one type of model as underlying the evolution and stability of interspecific co-operation, which we term the "partner-fidelity" model, and which is typified by the game theory model known as the iterated Prisoner's Dilemma game. Under this mechanism, individuals are associated with the same partner(s) during an indefinite sequence of interactions. Individuals who at any time fail to co-operate with their partner can be penalized by those same partners in subsequent trials, hence the co-operation can be evolutionarily stable. Many examples of biological co-operation that have been offered appear to conform to this model. However, a few examples appear instead to fit a different and unrecognized mechanism, termed "partner-choice". Under partner-choice, individuals are associated for just one interaction, but an asymmetry enables one member to differentially reward co-operative vs. unco-operative partners in advance of any possible exploitation. Possible examples of co-operation maintained through partner-choice mechanisms are provided by the yucca/yucca moth system and the fig/fig wasp system. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****MEDICINSKI PREGLED***** Poljacki M Paravina M Jovanovic M Subotic M Duran V [Contact allergic dermatitis caused by plants] Kontaktni alergijski dermatitis izazvan biljkama. In: Med Pregl (1993) 46(9-10):371-5 ISSN: 0025-8105 (Published in Serbo-Croatian, Roman) In order to contribute to the setting of an accurate diagnosis and prophylaxis of phytodermatitis (PD) and to better understand eczematogenic characteristics of some plants, we present results of an allergologic analysis and review the plants which most commonly cause FD in our material. A total of 15 patients presenting with FD was examined. In all the cases we used a standard technique, patch test (PT); in cases supsective of contact urticaria syndrome (CUS) we used open PT, while photo PT was used for cases suspective of photo PD. We used fresh parts of the plants and standard allergen battery for epicutaneous testing (Department of Immunology, Zagreb). Depending on the profession of the subjects, tests with the material from working places with specific batteries of tests for specific professions were applied according to the recommendations of ICDRG. Tests with parts of the plants were carried out in 8 cases and in 5 controls. A total of 38 plants was examined. Positive PT was found for sisal, willow, parsnip, carrot, celery, spinach, green tomato, broomcorn, lemon skin, pyracantha, arborvitae, yucca, ficus, juniper tree, plane tree and greenhouse grass. In cases of positive PT for willow, carrot, celery, green tomato and grass, positive PT for Peru balsam (PB) was also detected, while in positive PT for lemon skin, a positive PT on turpentine was found as well. Negative results of PT for willow, carrot, celery, parsnip, green tomato, lemon and juniper tree and positive photo PT on greenhouse grass in controls, indicate that we have detected allergic PD on the above mentioned plants. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****MUTATION RESEARCH***** Uenobe F Nakamura S Miyazawa M Antimutagenic effect of resveratrol against Trp-P-1. In: Mutat Res (1997 Feb 3) 373(2):197-200 ISSN: 0027-5107 The methanol extract of Yucca schidigera (YE) showed a suppressive effect on umu gene expression of the SOS response induced by 3-amino- 1,4-dimethyl-5H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (Trp-P-1) in Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002. The suppressive effect of YE was also observed for 2-aminoanthracene and activated Trp-P-1, without a significant effect on bacterial growth. The extract exhibited a weak suppressive effect on SOS-induction by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N- nitrosoguanidine, but not by furylfuramide or 4-nitroquinoline-1- oxide. The antimutagenic activity of YE against Trp-P-1 was demonstrated by Ames assay using Salmonella typhimurium TA98. Isolation and purification of the active component of YE was carried out using SiO2 column chromatography, and 275 mg of antimutagenic compound was isolated from 2.5 kg of dried chips of yucca roots and branches. The compound was identified as 3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene (THS). The SOS suppression and antimutagenicity of THS against Trp-P- 1 was determined by umu test and Ames test. Registry Numbers: 3688-53-7 (Furylfuramide) 501-36-0 (resveratrol) 56-57-5 (4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide) 62450-06-0 (Trp-P-1) 70-25-7 (Methylnitronitrosoguanidine) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PHYTOCHEMISTRY***** Kishor N Sati OP Sakakibara J Kaiya T A spirostanol glycoside from Yucca aloifolia. In: Phytochemistry (1992 Feb) 31(2):706-7 ISSN: 0031-9422 From an ethanolic extract of the influorescence of Yucca aloifolia a new spirostanol glycoside has been isolated and characterized as 3- O[(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1----3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1----2))(beta- D-glucopyranosyl(1----3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1----3)-beta-D- glucopy ranosyl]-25R,5 alpha-spirostan-2 alpha, 3 beta-diol. Registry Numbers: 139979-76-3 (3-O-((rhamnopyranosyl-(1-3)-xylopyranosyl-(1 -2)-)(glucopyranosyl-(1-3))-glucopyranosyl-(1-3)-glucopyranosyl)spirostan-2,3-di ol) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Nakano K Hara Y Murakami K Takaishi Y Tomimatsu T 12-Hydroxy steroidal glycosides from the caudex of Yucca gloriosa. In: Phytochemistry (1991) 30(6):1993-5 ISSN: 0031-9422 The structures of the new steroidal saponins (tentatively named YS- XI, -XII and -XIII) have been isolated from the caudex of Yucca gloriosa and characterized as 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----2)-beta- D-galactopyranosyl 5 beta- (25R)-spirostan-3 beta, 12 beta-diol, 3-O- beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----2)- [beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----3)]-beta- D-glucopyranosyl 5 beta- (25R)-spirostan-3 beta, 12 beta-diol and 3-O- beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----2)- beta-D-galactopyranosyl 5 beta-(25R)- spirostan-2 beta,3 beta,12 beta-triol, respectively. Registry Numbers: 67-56-1 (Alcohol, Methyl) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ Nakano K Midzuta Y Hara Y Murakami K Takaishi Y Tomimatsu T 12-Keto steroidal glycosides from the caudex of Yucca gloriosa. In: Phytochemistry (1991) 30(2):633-6 ISSN: 0031-9422 Eight new steroidal glycosides, tentatively named YS-VI, -VII, -VIII, -IX, -X, -XI, -XII and -XIII were isolated from the caudex of Yucca gloriosa along with P-1, YG-2 and YG-3 previously obtained from flowers. The structures of five of these compounds were elucidated as mexogenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----2)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (YS-VI), gloriogenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1----2)-[beta- D- glucopyranosyl-(1----3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (YS-VII) and 3-O-beta- D-glucopyranosyl-(1----2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1----3)]- beta-D- galactopyranoside (YS-VIII), manogenin 3-O-beta-lycotetraoside (YS- IX) and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-beta-lycotetraoside (YS-X), respectively, on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ *****PLANT AND CELL PHYSIOLOGY***** Messiaen J Nerinckx F Van Cutsem P Callose synthesis in spirostanol treated carrot cells is not triggered by cytosolic calcium, cytosolic pH or membrane potential changes. In: Plant Cell Physiol (1995 Oct) 36(7):1213-20 ISSN: 0032-0781 Carrot (Daucus carota L.) cell suspensions were treated with a spirostanol saponin from Yucca. This saponin is an elicitor of callose synthesis. Irrespectively of the mode of action of spirostanol on the callose synthase activity itself, the spirostanol- induced callose synthesis in carrot is not preceded by changes in membrane potential, cytosolic free calcium or cytosolic pH. The inability of modulators of cytosolic free calcium content (verapamil, nifedipine and Br-A23187), EGTA and a proton pump inhibitor (vandate) to inhibit or induce callose formation is consistent with a calcium- and pH-independent mechanism for callose deposition. Registry Numbers: 7440-70-2 (Calcium) 9064-51-1 (callose) €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€ ***PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES*** Bogler DJ Neff JL Simpson BB Multiple origins of the yucca-yucca moth association. In: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A (1995 Jul 18) 92(15):6864-7 ISSN: 0027-8424 The association of species of yucca and their pollinating moths is considered one of the two classic cases of obligate mutualism between floral hosts and their pollinators. The system involves the active collection of pollen by females of two prodoxid moth genera and the subsequent purposeful placement of the pollen on conspecific stigmas of species of Yucca. Yuccas essentially depend on the moths for pollination and the moths require Yucca ovaries for oviposition. Because of the specificity involved, it has been assumed that the association arose once, although it has been suggested that within the prodoxid moths as a whole, pollinators have arisen from seed predators more than once. We show, by using phylogenies generated from three molecular data sets, that the supposed restriction of the yucca moths and their allies to the Agavaceae is an artifact caused by an incorrect circumscription of this family. In addition we provide evidence that Yucca is not monophyletic, leading to the conclusion that the modern Yucca-yucca moth relationship developed independently more than once by colonization of a new host. €€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€