Lepiniopsis ternatensis sap stimulates fibroblast proliferation and down regulates macrophage TNF-α secretion

Christensen Fund for Melanesi

Will climate change impact the potential distribution of a native vine ( Merremia peltata

Merremia peltata is a species with uncertain status in the island nations of the Pacific region. It has been designated introduced and invasive in some countries whereas it is considered native in others. Recent increase in its abundance across some island landscapes have led to calls for its designation as an invasive species of environmental concern with biological control being suggested as a control strategy. Climate change will add to the complications of managing this species since changes in climate will influence its range limits. In this study, we develop a process‐oriented niche model of M. peltata using CLIMEX to investigate the impacts of climate change on its potential distribution. Information on the climatic requirements of M. peltata and its current geographic distribution were used to calibrate the model. The results indicate that under current climate, 273,132 km(2) of the land area in the region is climatically unsuitable or marginal for M. peltata whereas 664,524 km(2) is suitable to highly suitable. Under current climate, areas of climatic suitability for M. peltata were identified on the archipelagos of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. By the end of the century, some archipelagos like Fiji, Hawaii, New Caledonia and Vanuatu will probably become more suitable while PNG and Solomon Islands become less suitable for M. peltata. The results can be used to inform biosecurity planning, management and conservation strategies on islands

Myristicyclins A and B: Antimalarial Procyanidins from <i>Horsfieldia spicata</i> from Papua New Guinea

An antimalarial screen for plants collected from Papua New Guinea identified an extract of <i>Horsfieldia spicata</i> as having activity. Isolation of the active constituents led to the identification of two new compounds: myristicyclins A (<b>1</b>) and B (<b>2</b>). Both compounds are procyanidin-like congeners of myristinins lacking a pendant aromatic ring. Myristicyclin A was found to inhibit the ring, trophozoite, and schizont stages of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> at similar concentrations in the mid-μM range