Isolation of Scalimides A–L: β-Alanine-Bearing Scalarane Analogs from the Marine Sponge Spongia sp.

A chemical investigation of a methanol extract of Spongia sp., a marine sponge collected from the Philippines, identified 12 unreported scalarane-type alkaloids—scalimides A–L (1–12)—together with two previously described scalarin derivatives. The elucidation of the structure of the scalaranes based on the interpretation of their NMR and HRMS data revealed that 1–12 featured a β-alanine-substituted E-ring but differed from each other through variations in their oxidation states and substitutions occurring at C16, C24, and C25. Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of 1–12 against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria showed that 10 and 11 were active against Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus subtilis, respectively, with MIC values ranging from 4 to 16 μg/mL.     

Anticancer Activity of Mannose-Specific Lectin,BPL2, from Marine Green Alga Bryopsis plumosa

Lectin is a carbohydrate-binding protein that recognizes specific cells by binding to cell-surface polysaccharides. Tumor cells generally show various glycosylation patterns, making them distinguishable from non-cancerous cells. Consequently, lectin has been suggested as a good anticancer agent. Herein, the anticancer activity of Bryopsis plumosa lectins (BPL1, BPL2, and BPL3) was screened and tested against lung cancer cell lines (A549, H460, and H1299). BPL2 showed high anticancer activity compared to BPL1 and BPL3. Cell viability was dependent on BPL2 concentration and incubation time. The IC₅₀ value for lung cancer cells was 50 μg/mL after 24 h of incubation in BPL2 containing medium; however, BPL2 (50 μg/mL) showed weak toxicity in non-cancerous cells (MRC5). BPL2 affected cancer cell growth while non-cancerous cells were less affected. Further, BPL2 (20 μg/mL) inhibited cancer cell invasion and migration (rates were ˂20%). BPL2 induced the downregulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-related genes (Zeb1, vimentin, and Twist). Co-treatment with BPL2 and gefitinib (10 μg/mL and 10 μM, respectively) showed a synergistic effect compared with monotherapy. BPL2 or gefitinib monotherapy resulted in approximately 90% and 70% cell viability, respectively, with concomitant treatment showing 40% cell viability. Overall, BPL2 can be considered a good candidate for development into an anticancer agent.     

Potential Cosmetic Active Ingredients Derived from Marine By-Products

The market demand for marine-based cosmetics has shown a tremendous growth rate in the last decade. Marine resources represent a promising source of novel bioactive compounds for new cosmetic ingredient development. However, concern about sustainability also becomes an issue that should be considered in developing cosmetic ingredients. The fisheries industry (e.g., fishing, farming, and processing) generates large amounts of leftovers containing valuable substances, which are potent sources of cosmeceutical ingredients. Several bioactive substances could be extracted from the marine by-product that can be utilized as a potent ingredient to develop cosmetics products. Those bioactive substances (e.g., collagen from fish waste and chitin from crustacean waste) could be utilized as anti-photoaging, anti-wrinkle, skin barrier, and hair care products. From this perspective, this review aims to approach the potential active ingredients derived from marine by-products for cosmetics and discuss the possible activity of those active ingredients in promoting human beauty. In addition, this review also covers the prospect and challenge of using marine by-products toward the emerging concept of sustainable blue cosmetics.     

荔蝽中乙酰胆碱酯酶活性与自然抗药性的关系

本文研究了荔蝽头部乙酰胆碱酯酶(AChE)活性的季节性变化与自然抗药性的关系,以及敌百虫对AChE的影响,同时运用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳的方法,探讨了荔蝽酯酶同功酶的变动情况。结果表明:荔蝽正常成虫头部AChE活性在新羽化成虫中最高,比活力达3.5μmol min~(-1)mg~(-1)蛋白质,越冬期最低,仅1.17μmol min~(-1)mg~(-1)蛋白质,到生殖期又上升为2.67μmol min~(-1)mg~(-1)蛋白质。经敌百虫处理后,在新羽化成虫期和生殖期AChE活性有明显被抑制现象,其比活力分别为2.21μmol min~(-1)mg~(-1)蛋白质和2.04μmol min~(-1)mg~(-1)蛋白质,而在越冬期AChE活性几乎不受敌百虫影响,为1.24μmol min~(-1)mg~(-1)蛋白质,同功酶谱也显示AChE在不同季节中无明显变化。     

添加己酸和盐酸对玉米秸秆青贮饲料质量的影响

通过测定盐酸、己酸处理的玉米秸秆青贮饲料的pH值、含水率、有机酸含量及组成、干物质消失率、NDF瘤胃降解率、干物质回收率和青贮饲料化学成分，研究了盐酸、己酸的处理对玉米秸秆青贮饲料质量的影响。试验结果表明：在玉米秸秆青贮饲料中添加盐酸，降低了青贮饲料中乳酸占总酸的比例和干物质回收率，并使青贮饲料的细胞壁物质含量显著增加，明显降低了玉米秸秆青贮饲料的质量；己酸的添加对青贮饲料质量无显著影响(P＞0．05)；盐酸和己酸的共同处理除了明显改善青贮饲料的色泽、气味和质地外，还可明显降低青贮饲料中OB，ADF和ADL的含量(P＞0．05)，显著提高了青贮饲料的营养价值。     

Breakdown and macroinvertebrate colonization of needle and leaf litter in conifer plantation streams in Shikoku,southwestern Japan

Breakdown and macroinvertebrate colonization of conifer needles (Cryptomeria japonica) and deciduous broadleaves (Euptelea polyandra) were investigated using litter bags in two study sites in streams flowing through a conifer plantation of C. japonica in Shikoku, southwestern Japan (one site with conifer canopy and another with mixed conifer and broadleaved canopy). Breakdown rates and macroinvertebrate densities were compared between litter species (conifer needle vs broadleaf) and between the two sites (conifer vs mixed canopy) to determine (1) whether breakdown rate of broadleaves is higher than conifer needles, (2) whether macroinvertebrates prefer broadleaves to conifer needles, and (3) whether the difference in riparian canopy is reflected in macroinvertebrate abundance. The results indicated that breakdown rates of broadleaves were higher than those of conifer needles, suggesting poorer quality of the latter as food for macroinvertebrates. Differences in macroinvertebrate density between needles and broadleaves were generally consistent with those in breakdown rates: broadleaves tended to have higher densities than needles, suggesting that conifer needles were not preferred by macroinvertebrates. However, total macroinvertebrate density in the conifer site was not significantly different from that in the mixed site, although the dominant shredder taxon differed (conifer site: gammarids; mixed site: lepidostomatids). Although conifer needles are low-quality food for macroinvertebrates, this may offer some advantages. Conifer needles remain on the streambed for longer periods owing to their lower breakdown rates, being a constantly available resource. In addition, accumulations of conifer litter may effectively trap and retain particulate organic matter.     

A molecular technique for selection of self-compatible varieties of Japanese pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai)

The pear cultivar ‘Osa-Nijisseiki’ (S₂S^sm ₄; sm = stylar-part mutant) has been used as a parent to breed self-compatible cultivars that produce excellent fruits. However, determination of the self-compatibility of ‘Osa-Nijisseiki’ offspring requires a lot of time, 6 years or more, by conventional cross breeding. We have designed a rapid reliable method for the identification of self-compatible varieties of ‘Osa-Nijisseiki’ offspring based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) with S-allele specific restriction endonucleases. By using this method, 8 self-compatible varieties were selected among 16 selections resulting from a cross between the self-compatible cultivar ‘Osa-Nijisseiki’ (S₂S^sm ₄) and the self-incompatible cultivars ‘Niitaka’ (S₃S₉), ‘Whasan’ (S₃S₅), ‘Chuwhangbae’ (S₄S₆). The S-genotypes of 16 ‘Osa-Nijisseiki’ offsprings were also determined. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

苦楝果实中化学成分进一步研究及生物活性测定

采用生物活性追踪法,从苦楝果实中分离得苦楝新醇(Ⅰ)、苦楝酮(Ⅱ)、苦楝醇(Ⅲ)、苦楝二醇(Ⅳ)、苦楝三醇(Ⅴ)、香草酸(Ⅵ)、香草醛(Ⅶ)和川楝素(Ⅷ),并根据波谱(1R,MS,′H—NMR,~(13)C—NMR)分析和理化常数测定确定其结构.其中Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ的21—H存在差向异构现象.生测结果表明,Ⅱ～Ⅴ和Ⅷ对菜青虫(Pieris rapae)有明显的拒食活性,Ⅷ还表现出明显的胃毒活性;Ⅰ、Ⅳ和Ⅶ仅表现出一定的拒食活性.     

First discovery of a cave-dwelling Tineid moth （Lepidoptera,Tineidae） from East Asia

In this study, we report Monopis crocicapitella （Clemens, 1859） （Tineidae）, which was collected from bat guano in a cave in the southern region of Korea, for the first time from East Asia. We briefly redescribe and illustrate the external morphology and genital structures of both sexes. Also, we discuss the local habitat characteristics and some of the ecological information that was observed during our field investi-gation.     

Refugee impact on collective management of forest resources: a case study of Bhutanese refugees in Nepal's Eastern Terai region

This article analyzes the relationship between forest resources, refugees, and the host population. The findings of the research suggest that the host population are heavily dependent on the local forest for their daily needs such as fuelwood, timber, grazing area, fodder for domestic animals, foods, and medicine in addition to cultural and esthetic needs. The forest has also been relied upon for agricultural needs such as manufacture of agricultural tools, maintenance of irrigation water systems, erosion control, and fertilizer needs. The forest was under a sustained demand as any other Terai forest of Nepal. After the arrival of refugees in 1992, the demand for forest resources increased substantially. Initially, the construction of the refugee camps decreased the total forest area and also required some felling of trees. More significantly, the refugees themselves became active users of the forest resource, which generated extra pressure on the forest and created scarcity of forest resources. Before the arrival of the refugees, forest management and monitoring of illegal use of the forest resources were carried out by the government through its local forester office. The local residents were active users of the forest resources, but were passive in managing and maintaining the forest resource. However, competition from the refugees instilled a desire in the local population to safeguard and protect the dwindling resource against the external threat by creating the Humse Dumse Community Forest.