Predation of potential insect pests in oil palm plantations,rubber tree plantations,and fruit orchards

In human‐modified landscapes, important ecological functions such as predation are negatively affected by anthropogenic activities, including the use of pesticides and habitat degradation. Predation of insect pests is an indicator of healthy ecosystem functioning, which provides important ecosystem services, especially for agricultural systems. In this study, we compare predation attempts from arthropods, mammals, and birds on artificial caterpillars in the understory, between three tropical agricultural land‐use types: oil palm plantations, rubber tree plantations, and fruit orchards. We collected a range of local and landscape‐scale data including undergrowth vegetation structure; elevation; proximity to forest; and canopy cover in order to understand how environmental variables can affect predation. In all three land‐use types, our results showed that arthropods and mammals were important predators of artificial caterpillars and there was little predation by birds. We did not find any effect of the environmental variables on predation. There was an interactive effect between land‐use type and predator type. Predation by mammals was considerably higher in fruit orchards and rubber tree than in oil palm plantations, likely due to their ability to support higher abundances of insectivorous mammals. In order to maintain or enhance natural pest control in these common tropical agricultural land‐use types, management practices that benefit insectivorous animals should be introduced, such as the reduction of pesticides, improvement of understory vegetation, and local and landscape heterogeneity.     

Sentulic acid: a cytotoxic ring A-seco triterpenoid from Sandoricum koetjape Merr

A new ring A-seco triterpenoid, sentulic acid, along with a known oleanane-type triterpenoid, 3-oxoolean-12-en-27-oic acid, were isolated from the Indonesian plant Sandoricum koetjape Merr. Their chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. In addition, the cytotoxic effects of these compounds on human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells were studied. The results of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays and trypan blue dye exclusion tests showed that sentulic acid and 3-oxoolean-12-en-27-oic acid were able to induce cytotoxicity in these cells. Furthermore, morphological examination and DNA fragmentation analysis indicated that these cytotoxic effects were mediated by apoptosis.     

A survey of genes in Eimeria tenella merozoites by EST sequencing

A study of about 500 expressed sequence tags (ESTs), derived from a merozoite cDNA library, was initiated as an approach to generate a larger pool of gene information on Eimeria tenella. Of the ESTs, 47.7% had matches with entries in the databases, including ribosomal proteins, metabolic enzymes and proteins with other functions, of which 14.3% represented previously known E. tenella genes. Thus over 50% of the ESTs had no significant database matches. The E. tenella EST dataset contained a range of highly abundant genes comparable with that found in the EST dataset of T. gondii and may thus reflect the importance of such molecules in the biology of the apicomplexan organisms. However, comparison of the two datasets revealed very few homologies between sequences of apical organelle molecules, and provides evidence for sequence divergence between these closely-related parasites. The data presented underpin the potential value of the EST strategy for the discovery of novel genes and may allow for a more rapid increase in the knowledge and understanding of gene expression in the merozoite life cycle stage of Eimeria spp.     

Nrf2 dependent antiaging effect of milk-derived bioactive peptide in old fibroblasts

Prolonged passaging of primary fibroblast cells totally shapes the natural biological phenomena and leads to the appearance of features related to senescence. As a result, it is a good natural tool to delineate the molecular mechanism of cellular aging. The present investigation revealed the antiaging effect of milk-derived novel bioactive peptide (VLPVPQK). The peptide played an important role in downregulating apoptosis-related markers in late passages of cultured fibroblast cells. The peptide treatment to aged fibroblasts caused enhancement in cell migration, DNA integrity, and decrease in the lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide production as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6. Moreover, the peptide decreased the expression of apoptotic caspases, Bax, and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) proteins. The peptide pretreatment also enhanced the extracellular collagen protein and antiapoptotic, Bcl-xL. In addition, the peptide treatment reversed the senescence-related activity in fibroblasts by stimulating Nrf2 mediated antioxidative defense system and inhibiting the action of NFkB/p38MAPK signaling, similar to the commercially available inhibitor (SB203580) of p38MAPK. Thus, the peptide exhibits the antiaging effect in dermal fibroblast cells.     

Camel and Horse Milk Casein Hydrolysates Exhibit Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitory and Antioxidative Effects In Vitro and In Silico

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and reactive oxygen species are crucial targets for nutritional management of hypertension. The aim...     

Antiosteopenic Effect of Buffalo Milk Casein-Derived Peptide (NAVPITPTL) in Ovariectomized Rats

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - In the last decade, several studies have reported health beneficial effects of milk derived bioactive peptides in several degenerative...     

Bovine besnoitiosis and its effect on the male reproductive system

Besnoitia besnoiti and several species of the genus have been reported in a variety of domestic and wild animals in many parts of the world (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Cutaneous besnoitiosis in cattle has been described as a serious skin condition characterized by painful swellings, alopecia and thickening of the skin (6). It is a chronic, debilitating and occasionally fatal disease with both cutaneous and systemic manifestations (6, 7, 8). Besnoitia cysts and lesions have been observed in the testes, epididymes and blood vessels of bulls (9). The possibility of abortion in cows and sterility in bulls with besnoitiosis has been reported (6). Spontaneous clinical besnoitiosis in cattle with accompanying systemic manifestations has not been fully documented, and the effect of scrotal besnoitiosis on spermatogenesis in bulls has not been previously reported in Nigeria. Case report : Outbreaks of babesiosis, heartwater and suspected cutaneous besnoitiosis were observed in a government farm in the Kano State of Nigeria in March, 1979. The cattle population was over 1500, consisting of exotic (Bos taurus ) and indigenous (Bos indicus ) breeds and their crosses. Clinical Examination : All stages of clinical besnoitiosis were initially observed in 14 bulls and 1 cow in a period of 4 months. The farm was visited bi-weekly for 1 year, during which time 58 bulls and 2 cows showed the lesions. Most of the animals affected with this disease were 3-way crosses of Australian Draughtmaster x Rahaji x Niger Azwak (DM x Rh x AZ). Table 1 summarises the distribution of clinicial cases of besnoitiosis.     

Health Promoting Effects of Food-Derived Bioactive Peptides: A Review

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Bioactive peptides are functional agents encrypted in food proteins with several potential health benefits. Food-derived proteins when...