Fast calculation method of a CGH for a patch model using a point-based method.

Holography is three-dimensional display technology. Computer-generated holograms (CGHs) are created by simulating light propagation on a computer, and they are able to display a virtual object. There are mainly two types of calculation methods of CGHs, a point-based method and the fast Fourier-transform (FFT)-based method. The FFT-based method is based on a patch model, and it is suited to accelerating the calculations as it calculates the light propagation across a patch as a whole. The calculations with the point-based method are characterized by a high degree of parallelism, and it is suited to accelerating graphics processing units (GPUs). The point-based method is not suitable for calculation with the patch model. This paper proposes a fast calculation algorithm for a patch model with the point-based method. The proposed method calculates the line on a patch as a whole regardless of the number of points on the line. When the proposed method is implemented on a GPU, the calculation time of the proposed method is shorter than with the point-based method.

Genome change in wheat observed through the structure and expression of α/ß-gliadin genes.

To better understand genome structure and the expression of α/ß-gliadin multigenes in hexaploid wheat, bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones containing α/ß-gliadin genes from the three loci, Gli-A2, Gli-B2, and Gli-D2, were screened. Based on their restriction fragment patterns, we selected five BAC clones, namely, two clones for Gli-A2, two clones for Gli-B2, and one clone for Gli-D2, to fully sequence. Approximately 200 kb was sequenced for each locus. In total, twelve α/ß-gliadin intact genes and four pseudogenes were found, and retrotransposons or other transposons existed in each BAC clone. Dot-plot analysis revealed the pattern of genome segmental duplication within each BAC. We calculated time since duplication of each set of α/ß-gliadin genes and insertion of retrotransposons. Duplication of all adjacent genes within the same BAC clone took place before or after allotetrapolyploidization, but duplication of certain genes occurred before diploid differentiation of wheat species. Retrotransposons were also inserted before and after the segmental duplication events. Furthermore, translocation of α/ß-gliadin genes from chromosomes 1 to 6 apparently occurred before the diversification of various wheat genomes. Duplication of genome segments containing α/ß-gliadin genes and retrotransposons were brought about through unequal crossing-over or saltatory replication and α/ß-gliadin genes per se were duplicated without any recombination events. Out of twelve intact α/ß-gliadin genes detected from their sequences, nine were expressed, although their patterns of expression were distinct. Since they have similar cis-elements and promoter structures, the mechanisms underlying their distinct gene expression and possible applications are discussed.

Effects of temperature gradient correction of carbon dioxide absorbent on carbon dioxide absorption.

BACKGROUND: The effects of temperature gradients in CO(2) absorbents on water content and CO(2) absorption are not clear. We constructed a novel temperature gradient correction (TGC) canister, and investigated the effects of temperature gradient correction on the water content and longevity (time to exhaustion) of CO(2) absorbent using a simulated anaesthesia circuit. METHODS: Experiments were divided into two groups according to the type of canister used: the TGC canister (n=6) or the conventional canister (n=6). One kilogram of fresh CO(2) absorbent was placed into the canister. The anaesthetic ventilator was connected to a 3 litre bag and 300 ml min(-1) of CO(2) was introduced. Oxygen (500 ml min(-1)) was used as fresh gas. The anaesthetic ventilator was set at a ventilatory frequency of 12 bpm, and tidal volume was adjusted to 700 ml. RESULTS: Before the experiment, the water content of the fresh CO(2) absorbent in the conventional canister and TGC canister was 16.1 (0.9)% and 15.7 (1.1)%, respectively. After the experiment, the water content of CO(2) absorbent near the upper outer rim of the canister increased to 32.4 (0.7)% in the conventional canister, but increased to only 20.6 (1.3)% in the TGC canister (P<0.01). The longevity of CO(2) absorbent in the conventional canister and TGC canister was 434 (9) min and 563 (13) min (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Temperature gradient correction prevented a local excessive increase in water content and improved the longevity of CO(2) absorbent.

A 2-stage procedure combining maxillary advancement by distraction technique with mandibular setback surgery in patients with cleft lip and palate.

A 2-stage procedure combining maxillary advancement by distraction technique with mandibular setback surgery was used to correct jaw deformities in 5 patients with severe maxillary retrusion secondary to cleft lip and palate. First, a Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy was performed. Immediately after maxillary distraction, the distraction device was removed. The advanced maxilla was fixed with miniplates after adjusting the length and direction of advancement, and mandibular setback surgery was performed simultaneously to obtain a normal occlusal relationship. This 2-stage procedure resulted in stable occlusion and a markedly improved facial profile.

Selective inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by coptisine isolated from Coptis rhizoma, one of the crude drugs composing Kampo medicines Unsei-in.

Acceleration of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is closely linked to the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. We, therefore, focused on traditional Japanese herbal medicines (Kampo medicines) used to ameliorate the impairment of microcirculation or blood stasis and screened them for their ability to inhibit rat VSMC proliferation. Among them, Unsei-in was found to effectively suppress VSMC proliferation, and Coptis rhizome was the responsible constituent crude drug. The extract of Coptis rhizome inhibited VSMC proliferation with the GI(50) value of 4.4 microg/ml, which was much lower than those against the proliferation of 3Y1, dRLh-84, B16, and HeLa cells. The Coptis rhizome extract inhibited the progression of VSMC arrested at G(0)/G(1) phase from G(0)/G(1) to S phase, but not that of 3Y1 cells. Biological assay-guided fractionation revealed that an alkaloid of Coptis rhizome, coptisine, was the active ingredient in selectively preventing VSMC proliferation with GI(50) of 3.3 microM (1.2 microg/ml). When the structurally-related isoquinoline alkaloids of protoberberine class were studied for their inhibitory activities, berberine decreased the VSMC proliferation with GI(50) of 95.1 microM (35.4 microg/ml), about 30 times higher concentration than coptisine, while palmatine failed to show any activity. This study provides evidence that coptisine, an ingredient of Unsei-in, prevents VSMC proliferation selectively at lower concentrations compared with various cells or other structurally related alkaloids.

Discrimination of homoeologous gene expression in hexaploid wheat by SNP analysis of contigs grouped from a large number of expressed sequence tags.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are useful markers for gene diagnosis and mapping of genes on chromosomes. However, polyploidy, which is characteristic of the evolution of higher plants, complicates the analysis of SNPs in the duplicated genes. We have developed a new method for SNP analysis in hexaploid wheat. First, we classified a large number of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from wheat in silico. Those grouped into contigs were anticipated to correspond to transcripts from homoeologous loci. We then selected relatively abundant ESTs, and assigned these contigs to each of the homoeologous chromosomes using a nullisomic/tetrasomic series of Chinese Spring wheat strains in combination with pyrosequencing. The ninety genes assigned were almost evenly distributed into seven homologous chromosomes. We then created a virtual display of the relative expression of these genes. Expression patterns of genes from the three genomes in hexaploid wheat were classified into two major groups: (1) genes almost equally expressed from all three genomes; and (2) genes expressed with a significant preference, which changed from tissue to tissue, from certain genomes. In 11 cases, one of the three genes in the allopolyploid was found to be silenced. No preference for gene-silencing in particular genomes or chromosomes was observed, suggesting that gene-silencing occurred after polyploidization, and at the gene level, not at the chromosome or genome level. Thus, the use of this SNP method to distinguish the expression profiles of three homoeologous genes may help to elucidate the molecular basis of heterosis in polyploid plants.

Evaluation of Kampo medicines used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in collagen-induced arthritic and pX transgenic mice.

Abstract To evaluate the usefulness of Kampo medicines (traditional herbal medicines) used clinically for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we selected eight of them and examined their effects on collagen-induced arthritic and pX transgenic mice. Among these, Dai-bofu-to, Kanzo-bushi-to, and Makyo-yokkan-to significantly reduced the severity of arthritis in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. The onset of arthritis was delayed by three Kampo medicines, but only the effect of Makyo-yokkan-to was statistically significant. In addition, three Kampo medicines suppressed the arthropathy of pX transgenic mice, which had developed spontaneously. The onset of arthritis was delayed by 10.7, 8.3, and 15.4 days following treatment with Dai-bofu-to, Kanzo-bushi-to, and Makyo-yokkan-to, respectively. A study of the underlying mechanism showed that Kanzo-bushi-to decreased serum antitype II collagen antibody levels, suggesting that Kanzo-bushi-to possesses immunomodulating activity. This study shows that some Kampo medicines are effective in an induced or spontaneously developed arthritis animal model of human RA.

Molecular analysis of the complete set of length mutations found in the plastomes of Triticum-Aegilops species.

Precise location and nature of each of 14 length mutations detected among chloroplast DNAs of Triticum-Aegilops species by RFLP analysis were determined at the nucleotide sequence level. Each mutation was compared with at least three non-mutated wild-type plastomes as standards. These 14 length mutations were classified into 4 duplications and 10 deletions. One duplication occurred in the small single-copy region close to the border of the inverted repeat, and the remaining 13 length mutations took place in the large single-copy region. All length mutations occurred in the intergenic regions, suggesting that these length mutations do not affect plastid gene expression. Saltatory replication was the cause of all duplications, whereas intramolecular recombination mediated by short direct repeats played a substantial role in the deletions. Recurrent occurrences of certain deletion events were found in some AT-rich regions, which constituted hot spots for deletion. Out of four hypervariable regions detected among the grass plastomes, two (downstream of rbcL and a tRNA gene accumulated region) were still active after differentiation of Triticum and Aegilops complex.

Concurrent spirochaetal infections of the feet and colon of cattle in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To describe spirochaetal infections in the feet and colon of cattle affected with papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD) and colitis respectively. PROCEDURE: Eighty-two slaughtered animals were macroscopically examined for the presence of PDD. Tissues of two cattle affected with PDD were examined by histology, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy and bacteriology for spirochaetal infection. RESULTS: Two adult cattle (a 2-year-old beef bullock and 7-year-old Holstein dairy cow) were affected with PDD. Histologically, numerous argyrophilic and gram-negative filamentous or spiral spirochaetes were found deep in the PDD lesions. Epithelial and goblet cell hyperplasia and oedema of the lamina propria mucosa with macrophage and lymphocyte infiltration were observed in the caecum and colon in the cattle. Numerous spirochaetes were present in the crypts and some had invaded epithelial and goblet cells, and caused their degeneration. Immunohistochemically the organisms stained positively with polyclonal antisera against Treponema pallidum and Brachyspira (Serpulina) hyodysenteriae. Ultrastructurally, the intestinal spirochaetes were similar to the spirochaetes in PDD. They were 6 to 14 pm long, 0.2 to 0.3 pm wide and had 4 to 6 coils and 9 axial filaments per cell. Campylobacter species were isolated from the PDD and intestinal lesions, but spirochaetes were not. CONCLUSION: Concurrent infections with morphologically similar spirochaetal organisms may occur in the feet and colon of cattle in Japan.

Molecular evolution and phylogenetic implications of internal transcribed spacer sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA in the Phaseolus-Vigna complex.

Molecular phylogeny based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences was studied to resolve the taxonomic contradiction in Vigna and its relation to Phaseolus. The ITS region of the 18S-26S nuclear ribosomal DNA repeat was sequenced for 29 Vigna species, selected from five of the nine subgenera, and 9 species of Phaseolus. The length of ITS-1 ranged from 187 to 243 bp and 217 to 290 bp, and that of ITS-2 from 187 to 219 bp and 225 to 243 bp, within Vigna and Phaseolus species, respectively. Phylogenies derived from ITS sequences based on maximum-parsimony and neighbor-joining methods gave trees essentially of similar topology. The ITS phylogeny was generally congruent with recent classifications based largely on morphological, biochemical, cytogenetical, and palynological features, except that subgenus Plectotropis of Neotropical origin was revealed to be closely related to subgenus Vigna instead of forming a link between African (subgenus Vigna) and Asiatic (subgenus Ceratotropis) vignas, and subgenus Sigmoidotropis, featuring morphological characters of both Vigna and Phaseolus, was placed as the sister group to the Phaseolus taxa. The ITS sequences were shown to be useful for identifying wild progenitors of V. mungo, V. radiata, V. umbellata, and V. unguiculata and for clarifying taxonomy-related problems in many previously controversial cases. This study also affirms that V. umbellata and V. angularis are the diploid progenitors of the only tetraploid species (V. glabrescens) known in the genus.

Structural features of a wheat plastome as revealed by complete sequencing of chloroplast DNA.

Structural features of the wheat plastome were clarified by comparison of the complete sequence of wheat chloroplast DNA with those of rice and maize chloroplast genomes. The wheat plastome consists of a 134,545-bp circular molecule with 20,703-bp inverted repeats and the same gene content as the rice and maize plastomes. However, some structural divergence was found even in the coding regions of genes. These alterations are due to illegitimate recombination between two short direct repeats and/or replication slippage. Overall comparison of chloroplast DNAs among the three cereals indicated the presence of some hot-spot regions for length mutations. Whereas the region with clustered tRNA genes and that downstream of rbcL showed divergence in a species-specific manner, the deletion patterns of ORFs in the inverted-repeat regions and the borders between the inverted repeats and the small single-copy region support the notion that wheat and rice are related more closely to each other than to maize.

Three new glycosides from Sinopodophyllum emodi (Wall.) Ying.

Tow new aryltetralin-type lignan glycosides: methyl epipodophyllate 7'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), 4-demethylepipodophyllotoxin 7'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), and a new phenyl ethanol glycoside: phenyl ethanol 4-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), along with three known compounds: junipetriolosides (4), 3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl ethanol (5), and 4-hydroxy-phenyl ethanol (6) were isolated and identified from the n-butanol extract of the roots and rhizomes of Sinopodophyllum emodi (Wall.) Ying. The structures of the above were established by means of spectral data and chemical methods.

RAPD and ISSR fingerprints as useful genetic markers for analysis of genetic diversity, varietal identification, and phylogenetic relationships in peanut (Arachis hypogaea) cultivars and wild species.

Abstract: Twenty-one random and 29 SSR primers were used to assess genetic variation and interrelationships among subspecies and botanical varieties of cultivated peanut, Arachis hypogaea (2n = 4x = 40), and phylogenetic relationships among cultivated peanut and wild species of the genus Arachis. In contrast with the previous generalization that peanut accessions lack genetic variation, both random and SSR primers revealed 42.7 and 54.4% polymorphism, respectively, among 220 and 124 genetic loci amplified from 13 accessions. Moreover, the dendrograms based on RAPD, ISSR, and RAPD + ISSR data precisely organized the five botanical varieties of the two subspecies into five clusters. One SSR primer was identified that could distinguish all the accessions analysed within a variety. Although the polymorphic index content varied from 0.1 to 0.5 for both ISSR and RAPD markers, primer index values were substantially higher for RAPD primers (0.35-4.65) than for SSR primers (0.35-1.73). It was possible to identify accessions, particularly those of divergent origins, by RAPD and (or) ISSR fingerprints. Based on these results, marker-based genetic improvement in A. hypogaea appears possible. None of the 486 RAPD and 330 ISSR amplification products were found to be commonly shared among 13 species of section Arachis and one species each of sections Heteranthae, Rhizomatosae, and Procumbentes. Dendrograms constructed from RAPD, ISSR, and RAPD + ISSR data showed overall similar topologies. They could be resolved into four groups corresponding to the species grouped in four taxonomic sections. The present results strongly support the view that Arachis monticola (2n = 4x = 40) and A. hypogaea are very closely related, and indicate that A. villosa and A. ipaensis are the diploid wild progenitors of these tetraploid species.

Large-scale selection of lines with deletions in chromosome 1 B in wheat and applications for fine deletion mapping.

Terminal deletions of chromosome 1B in common wheat were selected on a large scale. The gametocidal gene of Aegilops cylindrica was used as the inducer of chromosome breakage. First, genes for endosperm storage proteins located on both arms of chromosome 1B were used as the selection markers. However, it was found that the chromosome breakage occurred during female gametogenesis, causing genotypic inconsistency between the embryo and endosperm. Thus, we isolated plants with terminal deletions in chromosome 1B by C-banding. Of 1327 plants examined, 128 showed aberrations in chromosome 1B: 47 in the short arm, 76 in the long arm, and 5 in both arms. The present deletions tended to have the breakpoint at more proximal regions than those produced previously by T.R. Endo and B.S. Gill. Using 33 deletion lines produced in this study and 34 lines previously produced, we mapped 39 RFLP loci and a nucleolar organizer region (NOR) on a specific region of chromosome 1B. The NOR was found to consist of two subregions with different repetitive units, which were termed NOR-Bld and NOR-Blp. Based on this fine deletion map and genotypic inconsistency between embryo and endosperm, the features of the gametocidal gene are discussed.

Catalase contents in cells determine sensitivity to the apoptosis inducer gallic acid.

Gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, GA) is known to induce apoptosis in cancer cells at lower IC50 values compared with values for normal cells. Apoptosis is inhibited completely by the addition of conditioned medium from cultured hepatocytes, whereas it is not prevented by conditioned media from tumor cells. We therefore studied the reason for the different response to GA-induced apoposis. GA-induced dRLh-84 cell death was completely abolished by the addition of peroxisome or cytosol as well as conditioned medium from primary cultured rat hepatocyte. As GA-induced cell death is known to be mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular Ca2+, we determined the type of ROS generated by GA and found that GA generated hydrogen peroxide in culture medium. The addition of hydrogen peroxide generated by GA induced cell death in dRLh-84 cells. These results suggest that GA-induced cell death is mediated by hydrogen peroxide. On the other hand, the inhibitory activity of hepatocyte medium on GA-induced cell death was completely abolished by anti-catalase antibody. When the amount of catalase antigen was determined by Western blotting analysis, conditioned medium and the cytoplasm of hepatocytes contained high concentrations of catalase. Conditioned media from various tumor cell lines did not contain catalase, and the cytoplasm contained only low levels of catalase. These results show that GA-sensitive cells, including various tumor cells, produce only small amounts of catalase and secreted little enzyme into media, suggesting a lack of protective machinery against GA. In contrast, GA-insensitive cells, including hepatocytes, produce large amounts of catalase and release it in medium, resulting in the development of insensitivity to GA. In conclusion, catalase contents in cells determine different sensitivity to GA.

Sesquiterpenoid derivatives from Ferula ferulaeoides [correction of ferulioides]. V.

Nine novel prenyl-dihydrofurocoumarin-type sesquiterpenoid derivatives, 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2R*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4,8-dimethyl-3(E),7-nonadienyl]-furo[3,2-c]coumarin, 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2S*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4,8-dimethyl-3(E),7-nonadien-6-onyl]-furo[3,2-c]coumarin, 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2S*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4-methyl-5-(4-methyl-2-furyl)-3(E)-pentenyl]-furo[3,2-c]coumarin, 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2R*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4-methyl-5- (4-methyl-2-furyl)-3(E)-pentenyl]-furo[3,2-c]coumarin, 2,3-dihydro-7-methoxy-2S*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4,8-dimethyl-3(E),7-nonadienyl]-furo[3,2-c]coumarin, 2,3-dihydro-7-methoxy-2R*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4,8-dimethyl-3(E),7-nonadienyl]-furo[3,2-c]coumarin, 2,3-dihydro-7-methoxy-2S*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4,8-dimethyl-3(E),7-nonadien-6-onyl]-furo-[3,2-c]coumarin, and 2,3-dihydro-7-methoxy-2S*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4-methyl-5-(4-methyl-2-furyl)-3(E)-pentenyl]-furo[3,2-c]coumarin, were isolated from the roots of Ferula ferulaeoides [corrected]. The structures were established by comprehensive spectral analysis. The biosynthetic pathway leading to these prenyl-furocoumarin-type sesquiterpenoids is proposed based on their structures.

Ca2+-Dependent caspase activation by gallic acid derivatives.

Gallic acid (GA) derivatives, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate (GD-1) and S-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)3,4,5-trihydroxythiobenzoate (GD-3), were previously reported to induce apoptosis in tumor cells with IC50s of 14.5 microm and 3.9 microm, respectively. To elucidate the mechanism by which these gallic acid derivatives (GDs) induce apoptosis, we studied whether GD-1 and GD-3 can activate caspases. When promyelocytic leukemia HL-60RG cells were treated with GD-1 and GD-3, poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP), a substrate of caspase-3, was cleaved into 85 kDa of degradative product with increasing incubation time. GA also activated PARP cleavage, which was inhibited by catalase, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), and intracellular Ca2+ chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxyethane)-N,N,N,N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis (acetoxymethyl ester) (BAPTA-AM), in addition to a caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK. Its inhibitory pattern was identical with that of hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase. On the other hand, GD-1- and GD3-induced PARP cleavage was not suppressed by catalase or NAC, but by BAPTA-AM. This suggested that the GD-elicited signaling pathway is different from GA's. Taken together, GDs activated caspase-3 following intracellular Ca2+ elevation independent of reactive oxygen species. Thus, it became evident that the signaling pathway leading to apoptosis was regulated by GDs in a different manner from GA.

Studies on chemical modification of monensin IX. Synthesis of 26-substituted monensins and their Na+ ion transport activity.

The C-26 modified monensin derivatives, 26-O-benzoylmonensin (3), 26-O-benzylmonensin (4) and 26-phenylaminomonensin (5) were prepared from monensin (1). Na+ ion transport activity through biological membrane and antibacterial activity of 3-5 were evaluated and compared with the activities reported for a 26-phenylurethane derivative (2). Among these compounds, 5 showed the largest Na+ ion transport and antibacterial activities. In these compounds, the formation of head-to-tail hydrogen bonds was suggested to be an important factor for Na+ ion transport and antibacterial activities.

Latifolosides K and L, two new triterpenoid saponins from the bark of Llex latifolia.

Two new triterpenoid saponins, latifoloside K (1), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl 3beta-hydroxy-urs-12,18-dien-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester and latifoloside L (2), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl 3beta,19alpha-dihydroxyursolic acid, were isolated from the bark of Ilex latifolia Thunb. Also isolated were two known compounds, ilekudinoside A (3) and kudinoside G (4). Structural assignments were established on the basis of spectroscopic data and chemical evidence.

Two new podophyllotoxin glucosides from Sinopodophyllum emodi (Wall.) Ying.

Two new aryltetralin-type lignans, isopodophyllotoxin 7'-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 4-demethyl-picropodophyllotoxin 7'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), along with eight known podophyllotoxin derivatives: 4-demethyl-podophyllotoxin 7'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), podophyllotoxin 7'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), deoxypodophyllotoxin (5), picropodophyllotoxin (6), podophyllotoxin (7), 4-demethyl-picropodophyllotoxin (8), 4-demethyl-podophyllotoxin (9), and 4-demethyl-deoxypodophyllotoxin (10), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Sinopodophyllum emodi (Wall.) Ying (Berberidaceae). Their structures were identified based on NMR spectral data and chemical evidence.