Two new epimers of C15-acetogenin, 4-epi-isolaurallene and 4-epi-itomanallene A as diastereomeric model

Two new C15-acetogenins, 4-epi-isolaurallene (1) and 4-epi-itomanallene A (2) were isolated from a population of marine red alga Laurencia nangii Masuda from Carrington Reef. The structures of these compounds were determined intensively by NMR and HRESIMS data. Their configurations were elucidated by detailed comparison of chemical shifts, germinal protons splitting and NOE correlations with known and synthesized analogues. In addition, antibacterial activities of these compounds were evaluated. These compounds would serve as diastereomeric models for future reference. Since the isolaurallene, neolaurallene, 9-acetoxy-1,10,12-tribromo-4,7:6,13-bisepoxypentadeca-1,2-diene, itomanallene A and laurendecumallene A were isolated, compounds 1 and 2 were the sixth example of C15-acetogenin with dioxabicyclo[7.3.0]dodecene skeleton

Twenty-six new species of Hoploscopa (Lepidoptera, Crambidae) from South-East Asia revealed by morphology and DNA barcoding

Hoploscopa Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a fern-feeding genus found in montane areas of South-East Asia and Melanesia, eastwards up to the Samoan Islands. It includes sixteen described species, with at least 70 further undescribed species known from scientific collections. An iterative approach including morphological and molecular characters was used in order to explore the diversity of Hoploscopa. The hitherto described species are revised, and descriptions authored by T. Léger and M. Nuss are provided for an additional 26 new species: H. agtuuganonensis sp. nov., H. albipuncta sp. nov., H. albomaculata sp. nov., H. anacantha sp. nov., H. boleta sp. nov., H. cynodonta sp. nov., H. danaoensis sp. nov., H. gombongi sp. nov., H. gracilis sp. nov., H. ignitamaculae sp. nov., H. isarogensis sp. nov., H. jubata sp. nov., H. kelama sp. nov., H. kinabaluensis sp. nov., H. mallyi sp. nov., H. marijoweissae sp. nov., H. matheae sp. nov., H. niveofascia sp. nov., H. pangrangoensis sp. nov., H. parvimacula sp. nov., H. pseudometacrossa sp. nov., H. sepanggi sp. nov., H. sumatrensis sp. nov., H. titika sp. nov., H. tonsepi sp. nov., H. ypsilon sp. nov. Using a protocol specific for the amplification of DNA from old museum specimens, we recovered 101 COI barcodes for all but one of the newly described species, with 76 being barcode compliant (>487 bp). Species delimitation analyses suggest cryptic diversity, with six cases reflecting allopatric divergence, and two further cases found in sympatry

A new bioactive cembranoid sarcophytonolide V from Bornean soft coral genus Sarcophyton

A new cembranolide diterpene, sarcophytonolide V (1), along with 6 known compounds, isosarcophytonolide D (2), (4Z,8S*,9R*,12E,14E) -9-hydroxy-1- (prop-1-en-2-yl) -8,12- dimethyl- oxabicyclo[9.3.2]-hexadeca-4,12,14-trien-18-one (3), (7E,11E)-3,4-epoxy-7,11, 15- cembratriene (4), (1S*,3S*,4S*,7E,11E)-3,4-epoxy-13-oxo-7,11,15-cembratriene (5), (-) -eunicenone (6), and 2-[(E,E,E)-7′, 8′-epoxy-4′,8′,12′ -trimethylcyclotetradeca- 1′,3′,11′- trienyl] propan-2-ol (7) were isolated from the Bornean soft coral Sarcophyton sp. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high resolution electron spray ionization mass spectroscopy (HRESIMS). These compounds were evaluated for their biological activity against marine pathogenic fungi

Protein expression during spatialleaming in the Morris water maze in mice

Learning and memory are two Important physiological and biochemical processes that enable a living organism to adapt to the challenging environment During learning there are changes in behaviour relative to experience and consequently leading to changes in memory. The mechanism of learning and memory involves synaptic plastidty and longterm potentiation. These processes involve changes in the protein chemistry in different parts of brain and are believed to be dependent on synthesis of new protein which is the basis of memory. Memory as a whole cellular protein synthetic mechanism which is consolidation in the hippo campus. Memory formation occurs via a number of signalling pathways associated with the activation of many synaptic plastidty-refated proteins in the brain, such as N-Methyl-D-aspartlc add receptor, ca2+/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (caMKII), mitogen-activated protein klnases (MAPKs),... The hippocampus 15 a part of brain that plays an Important role In spatial cognition and memory. This study 15 to Investigate the role of the hippo campus in the formation of the spatlalleaming and memory in the Morris water maze In mice as an experimental animal. The mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and total protein In the hippo campus was extracted. During this study the protein expression involved in the learning process, comparison and Identification of expressed protein levels in the brain region of control and trained mice were done. The protein expressed was estimated by using the two dimensional gel-electrophoresls based on separation of the various protein according to their lsoelectric points and molecular weight. 26 spots were identified with 1.2 Fofd increased with a significant P<O.05. the protein expressed were estimated twice and there was a significant increase in the level of (P<O.05). These spots were analysed by using LCIMS Mass Spectromeby. Based on LCIMS Mass Spectrometry the proteins involved in learning were categOrised in to neurogenesls (Cytoskeletal), carbohydrate metabolism, signal transduction and transport, such as: a-Intemexln, fructosebisphosphate, dihydropyramldlnase-related protein 2, voltage-dependent anion channel ..in summary, by using a proteomlcs approach, this study explained that training affect a difference network of proteins pertaining to energy metabolism and synaptic plastidty in the hippo campus, a brain region central to cognitive function. Further study can help to identify the spatial protein and path way of learning and memory mechanism

Novel acyclic diterpeneoid from Bornean local red Chilli pepper Capsicum frutescens L.

An unknown acyclic diterpene (3S, 6E, 10E, 14Z)-3-hydroxy-3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-1,6,10,14- hexadecatetraene acid (1) along with four known secondary metabolites (3S, 6E, 10E, 14Z)-20- hydroxygeranyllinalool (2), trans-capsaicin (3), nordihydrocapsaicin (4) and capsidiol (5) were isolated from the Bornean red chilli pepper Capsicum frutescens L. The structures of the secondary metabolites were determined based on spectroscopic data analysis such as NMR, HRESIMS, and IR data. The new compound 1 is a carboxylic acid precursor that would condensate with vanillylamine in the phenylpropanoid pathway in the biosynthesis of capsaicinoids. Discovery of this compound is an important milestone in our understanding of the capsaicinoids biosynthesis

A new epi-neoverrucosane-type diterpenoid from the liverwort Pleurozia subinflata in Borneo

New bioactive 13-epi-neoverrucosane diterpenoid, 5β-acetoxy-13-epi-neoverrucosanic acid (1) along with three known secondary metabolites, 13-epi-neoverrucosan-5β-ol (2), chelodane (3) and (E)-β-farnesene (4) were isolated from the MeOH extract of east Malaysia’s liverwort Pleurozia subinfata. The chemical structure of new compound was elucidated by the analyses of its spectroscopic data (FTIR, NMR and HR-ESI-MS). These epi-neoverrucosane-type compounds seem to be notable chemosystematic markers for P. subinfata in Borneo. Compound 3 was widespread in marine sponges however this is the frst record for 3 to be found in liverwort. These metabolites were tested for their antifungal potentials against selected fungi from the marine environment. Compound 1 exhibited efective antifungal activity against Lagenidium thermophilum

Camera trapping assessment of terrestrial mammals and birds in rehabilitated forest in INIKEA Project Area, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

The Innoprise-IKEA (INIKEA) Forest Rehabilitation Project in Kalabakan Forest Reserve, Sabah, was established to rehabilitate degraded forest afected by conventional logging and forest fres that occurred during an El-Nino event (1982–1983). The present study aimed to investigate the responses of ground-dwelling mammals and birds to the diferent rehabilitation practices in INIKEA: gap-cluster planting, line planting and liberation, where enrichment planting applied in both gap-cluster and line planting. A total of 74 camera traps were deployed at random locations across reforested INIKEA plots, including plots in control areas comprising naturally regenerated forest. A total of 6534 independent photographs of medium-to-large vertebrates from 7266 camera-trap nights representing 33 species from 14 families and 7 orders were obtained. Among the detected vertebrate species, 2 are listed as Critically endangered, 5 as Endangered, 8 as Vulnerable and 6 as Near threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Mousedeer was the most frequently photocaptured species, followed by muntjac, bearded pig, sambar deer, pig-tailed macaque and crested freback. The present study demonstrates that the rehabilitation methods applied in INIKEA have aided forest recovery, providing habitat for the ground-dwelling mammals and birds in Sabah. General forest structure, species richness and species composition did not signifcantly difer between the areas subjected to rehabilitation treatment and the control area. The results suggest that the liberation method should be abandoned to ensure a variety of food resources for animal species. Provided major forest components remain after disturbance, disturbed forest areas should be left to undergo natural recover

Antibacterial activity of marine source extracts against multidrug resistant organisms

Antimicrobial resistance is the major problem of global dimensions with a significant impact on morbidity,mortality and healthcare-associated costs. The problem has recently been worsened by the steady increase in multiresistant strains and by the restriction of antibiotic discovery and development programs. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, pseudomonads and Escherichia coli are a major nosocomial and community-acquired pathogens for which few existing antibiotics are efficacious. The current study was conducted to investigate antibacterial activity of natural seaweed sources. Approach: Gracilaria changii Euchema denticulatum and sea cucumbers extracts against Methicillin-resistan-Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pyogenes, Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Results: The Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration(MBC) values of methanol extract were used against all assayed bacteria. Results indicated that G. changii, E. denticulatum and sea cucumbers extracts must possess major anti bacterial components against infectious microorganisms. Conclusion: The results obtained indicate that Gracilaria changii and Euchema denticulatum could be a source of natural products with antibiotic modifying activity to be used against multidrug resistant bacteria