Dietary and nutritional study on aborigines in taiwan

A dietary and nutritional survey of Taiwan aborigines, Atayals and Paiwans, as a follow-up study, and as a new survey on Yamis who live on an off-shore island, has been carried out recently. Great improvements in the nutritional status of the first two tribes during the last 15 years were observed. They may be attributed to a series of socio-economic reforms including education, sanitation, agriculture, and employment. The nutrient intake of the Atayals and the Paiwans appeared to be sufficient, except for riboflavin and niacin. This was indicated by a better physical growth in school children than ever before particularly at ages 11 and 12 for boys and girls alike. Their average heights and weights were all within the range of 91-95 and 78-87 % of the Iowa Standard, respectively. The nutritional status of Paiwans was better than that of Atayals. Though they are still living in a rather primitive life, Yamis showed a better supply in various nutrients than the other two tribes as a result of a high fish intake. There was almost no difference in physical growth of Yami children in comparison with the other tribes. Traditionally, Yami adults accept no other vegetables than taro and sweet potatoes. Raw fish livers and eyeballs are consumed in fair amounts as delicacies. Because of the topographic limitation of the small island and the traditional way of living of the Yamis, the authors have commented on the interrelationship between population growth and local food supply in the foreseeable future. The effects of the various programs implemented on the nutritional status of these people are discussed.

Studies of dialkyl ether phospholipids. II. Requirement for a liquid-crystalline substrate for hydrolysis by cabbage leaf phospholipase D

The hydrolysis of 1,2-ditetradecyl-, 1,2-dihexadecyl-, and 1,2-dioctadecyk-sn-glycero-3-phosphoryl-cholines by the soluble phospholipase D (EC 3.14.4) from cabbage leaf has been compared with that of egg lecithin. When a diethyl ether – chloroform mixture was used as activator low hydrolysis rates were observed for the dialkyl ether phospholipids because of their poor solubility in diethyl ether. Under these conditions the compounds did not inhibit the hydrolysis of egg lecithin. The hydrolytic reaction appeared to take place at the solvent–water interface resulting in a gradual denaturation of the enzyme. When sodium dodecyl sulfate was used as activator faster hydrolysis was evident due in part to a reduction in mesomorphic transition temperature (Tm) revealed by differential thermal analysis. Rates of hydrolysis of the homologous dialkyl ether phospholipids were inversely proportional to their Tm values in excess water. Under conditions required for effective hydrolysis of these compounds they inhibited the hydrolysis of egg lecithin. From studies of hydrolysis rates obtained with various combinations of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidic acid analogues it was concluded that binding of enzyme to phospholipids and their subsequent hydrolysis required both an appropriate surface charge and a gel to liquid-crystalline phase transition in the substrate.

Studies of dialkyl ether phospholipids. I. Chemical synthesis of some model compounds

The syntheses of three 1,2-dialkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphates and one new 1,2-dialkyl-sn-glycerol are described. 1,2-Dioctadecyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphate was obtained by phosphorylation of 1,2-dioctadecyl-sn-glycerol with diphenylphosphorodichloridate and subsequent catalytic hydrogenolysis. 1,2-Dioctadecyl-sn-glycero-3-(methyl)phosphorylcholine was prepared by phosphorylation of the same dialkyl glycerol with methylphosphorodichloridate and subsequent reaction with choline iodide. 1,2-Dimethyl-sn-glycerol was prepared by treatment of 3-benzyl-sn-glycerol with methyl iodide and KOH followed by hydrogenolysis to remove the protecting group. This compound was then phosphorylated with phenylphosphorodichloridate, the product allowed to react with choline iodide, and the iodide-free product hydrogenated catalytically to yield 1,2-dimethyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine which was characterized as the cadmium chloride complex. Some improvements in an established synthesis of 1,2-dioctadecyl-sn-glycerol are described.

Axonal outgrowth and cell migration in vitro from nervous system of cockroach embryos

Brain and ganglia of embryonic Periplaneta americana were grown for 2 to 3 weeks in a chemically defined medium. Nerve fibers sprouted vigorously from intact brains and ganglia, interconnecting nerve cultures, and adjacent cultures of the digestive tract, Glia, tracheal, and nerve cells were present in large numbers in the migratory zone surrounding the explants.