Demographic survey of black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra) in the Lachua eco-region in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala

Guatemala harbors three species of primates (Alouatta palliates, Alouatta pigra and Ateles geoffroyi), but the distribution and state of conservation of populations of these species are poorly documented. In the case of A. pigra, populations have been studied recently and documented in several sites in Mexico and Belize, and only in one site in Guatemala (Tikal National Park). In this study, we report first-time population data for A. pigra existing in the Lachua Eco-region in northwestern Guatemala. Surveys were conducted between September 2002 and April 2003 in the northern portion (32 km(2)) of the Lachua National Park (LLN

ESR2 gene variants (rs1256049, rs4986938, and rs1256030) and their association with breast cancer risk

Background Variants of the estrogen receptor b (ESR2) gene have been associated with different types of cancer. However, these associations have been inconsistent. We genotyped the ESR2 variants (rs1256049, rs4986938, and rs1256030) in breast cancer (BC) patients and in healthy women. Results The variants rs1256049 and rs4986938 in the ESR2 gene were not associated with risk susceptibility in BC patients. However, the rs1256030 variant had an association as a risk factor for BC patients when compared with controls and BC patients for the TT genotype (odds ratio (OR) 1.86, 95% confidence intervals (CI) [1.05–3.28], p = 0.042). In addition, differences were observed in patients and controls carrying the TT genotype under 50 years of age (OR 1.85, 95% CI [1.05–3.27], p = 0.043). Thus, evident differences showed the rs1256030 variant in patients with TT, TC, and TC+TT genotypes with: (1) Stage IV (OR 1.60, 95% CI [1.06–2.54], p = 0.033), and (2) Luminal A (OR 1.60, 95% CI [0.47–0.21], p = 0.041), as well as in BC carriers of the TT genotype with indices of cellular proliferative (Ki-67) elevated (>20%) and overweight (OR 1.67, 95% CI [0.85–3.28], p = 0.041), respectively. In BC HER2 with lymph node metastasis, the TT genotype was a protective factor (OR 0.38, 95% CI [0.18–0.78], p = 0.005). The identification of haplotypes included two common GAT as risk factors (OR 3.1, 95% CI [1.31–7.72], p = 0.011) and GGC as a protective factor (OR 0.7, 95% CI [0.60–0.97], p = 0.034). The haplogenotype GGGATC was a risk factor (OR 2.5, 95% CI [1.28–5.0], p = 0.008). Conclusion The variant rs1256030 (TT) of the ESR2 gene and haplotype GAT were associated with susceptibility to BC as risk factors in this sample from the Mexican population

SOD2 Gene Variants (rs4880 and rs5746136) and Their Association with Breast Cancer Risk

The superoxide dismutase (SOD) is the principal antioxidant defense system in the body that is activated by a reactive oxygen species. Some variants of the SOD2 gene have been associated with cancer. The rs4880 variant was determined by PCR real-time and the rs5746136 variant by PCR-RFLP in healthy subjects and in breast cancer (BC) patients. The rs4880 and rs5746136 variants were associated with BC susceptibility when BC patients and the control group were compared for the CT, TT, CTCC, and the T alleles (p < 0.05). The CT genotype of the rs4880 variant showed significant statistical differences in patients and controls aged ≤ 45 years old, and with hormonal consumption (p < 0.05). The rs4880 variant was associated with BC patients with CTTT genotype and obesity, the presence of DM2-SAH, and a non-chemotherapy response (p < 0.05). Additionally, the rs5746136 variant was associated with susceptibility to BC with Ki-67 (≥20%), luminal A type BC, and a chemotherapy partial response (p < 0.05) in BC patients who carry TT, TC, and CTTT genotypes, respectively. The haplotype T/T (OR 1.98; 95% CI 1.20–3.26, p = 0.005) was observed to be a risk factor for BC. The rs4880 and rs5746136 variants in the SOD2 gene were associated with BC susceptibility

Phenolic compounds characterisation and antioxidant activity of black plum (Vitex doniana) fruit pulp and peel from Côte d’Ivoire

This study was conducted to first determine the phenolic compounds and then the antioxidant activity of black plum fruit pulp and peel. For these characterisations, classic methods were used. Moreover, the ability of extracts to scavenge free radicals and their reducing power were measured according to 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods, respectively. The total polyphenol, flavonoid and anthocyanin contents of pulp and peel ranged from 202.51 ± 4.19 to 463.45 ± 6.85 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g of Dry Weight (DW), 75.71 ± 1.03 to 145.55 ± 1.03 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/100 g DW, and from 1.91 ± 0.08 to 8.28 ± 0.83 mg cyanidin 3-O-β-D-glucoside equivalent (C3GE)/100 g DW respectively. However, these compounds were higher in peel extracts than in pulp extracts. In addition, peel extract showed the strongest antioxidant capacities. Significant correlations were found between methods applied to determine antioxidant activity (DPPH and FRAP) in black plum pulp and peel extracts and their total phenols and flavonoids contents. Cinnamic acid and gallic acid were mains phenols in pulp and peel extracts respectively, except fruits peel from Ferke where the main phenol was cinnamic acid. Thus, peel of black plum fruit could be used as an inexpensive and natural source of antioxidants and contribute to the prevention of degenerative diseases

Tropical field stations yield high conservation return on investment

Conservation funding is currently limited; cost-effective conservation solutions are essential. We suggest that the thousands of field stations worldwide can play key roles at the frontline of biodiversity conservation and have high intrinsic value. We assessed field stations’ conservation return on investment and explored the impact of COVID-19. We surveyed leaders of field stations across tropical regions that host primate research; 157 field stations in 56 countries responded. Respondents reported improved habitat quality and reduced hunting rates at over 80% of field stations and lower operational costs per km2 than protected areas, yet half of those surveyed have less funding now than in 2019. Spatial analyses support field station presence as reducing deforestation. These ‘earth observatories’ provide a high return on investment; we advocate for increased support of field station programs and for governments to support their vital conservation efforts by investing accordingly