scholarly journals The role of traditional beliefs in conservation of herpetofauna in Banten, Indonesia

Oryx ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 296-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda T. Uyeda ◽  
Entang Iskandar ◽  
Azhari Purbatrapsila ◽  
Joko Pamungkas ◽  
Aaron Wirsing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Traditional Beliefs ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Wildlife Species ◽  
Monitor Lizard ◽  
Varanus Salvator ◽  
Strong Deterrent ◽  
Effective Conservation

AbstractSocial taboos have been increasingly recognized for their role in determining human behaviour. Such informal institutions may also, in some instances, guide practices that serve as effective conservation measures. Here we present a case in Banten, Indonesia, where a local taboo has discouraged the collection of two herpetofaunal species, the water monitor lizard Varanus salvator and the reticulated python Python reticulatus, on Tinjil Island, an undeveloped island off the coast of Java. The taboo is not observed in the nearby mainland villages of Muara Dua and Cisiih, where the two species may be harvested for skin or meat, and where the water monitor may also be killed as a pest. Water monitors and reticulated pythons figure prominently in the international reptile leather trade, with skins produced from Indonesia's wild populations representing the highest percentage of total global exports of both lizard and snake skins. The site-specific taboo documented here provides a strong deterrent to collection of these species in a location where they could be subject to illicit harvest as populations in nearby mainland areas decrease. Preliminary evidence also suggests that belief in forest guardian spirits may extend protection to other wildlife species on Tinjil Island.

scholarly journals Wildlife hunting by indigenous people in a Philippine protected area: a perspective from Mt. Apo National Park, Mindanao Island

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 10307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krizler Cejuela Tanalgo
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
National Park ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Local Conservation ◽  
Wildlife Species ◽  
Monitor Lizard ◽  
Palm Civet ◽  
Varanus Salvator

Indigenous people play a major role in the conservation of wildlife species in protected areas.  This paper provides an insight on the involvement of indigenous people in protecting and hunting of wildlife species in Mt. Apo National Park, Mindanao Island, Philippines.  Here, I assessed indigenous knowledge and practices towards wildlife hunting from three villages from Mt. Apo through immersions, interviews, and focus group discussion between May 2014 and January 2015.  The majority of wildlife hunters I encountered were male and married between the ages of 35–60 years old.  Commonly hunted wildlife species from the national park included large wildlife species such as the endemic and threatened Philippine Warty Pig Sus philippensis, Philippine Brown Deer Rusa marianna, Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, Reticulated Python Malayopython reticulatus, Common Monitor Lizard Varanus salvator and other large birds such as Rufous Hornbills Buceros hydrocorax, large dove species (i.e., Dacula spp.).  In the past, wildlife hunting was most commonly done for sustenance and culture.  But, poverty and the lack of alternative livelihoods have become a recent motivation to hunt wildlife.  This current findings in this study suggest that wildlife are essential for indigenous people in protected areas, however, hunting practices should be monitored and provide alternative livelihood options to reduce threats.  This study introduced the vital links between local communities and wildlife in protected areas.  Thus, engaging and empowering indigenous people and local communities in wildlife protection combined with appropriate conservation planning are the first steps forward in attaining sustainable and effective local conservation in protected areas. 

Preliminary Report on the Research of “Activity Centers” in Taidong, Taiwan

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-125
Author(s):  
Petr Janda
Keyword(s):  
Preliminary Report ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Traditional Beliefs ◽  
Aboriginal Communities ◽  
Religious Significance ◽  
Local Actors ◽  
Symbolic Value ◽  
Suitable Location

This report presents current research on aboriginal activity centers in Taidong County, Taiwan, primarily in the townships of Chishang and Yanping with over 30% of the population being of aboriginal ancestry. Taidong County is the region with the most distinctive aboriginal communities in Taiwan. The research attempts to identify the actors behind the operation of such centers and their significance for aboriginal communities. The research investigates the process of selecting suitable location for the facilities, the specific features of such centers, the potential religious significance of the locations including the role of traditional beliefs in predominantly Christian aboriginal communities, the symbolic value of structures built in the traditional style for construction of ethnicity and financing that enables the construction of the facilities and the organization of the festivities held in them. The principle research method used was interviews with local actors including local representatives, organizers of festivities, as well as members of local communities. The research began in 2017.

Studi Histokimia Usus Biawak Air (Varanus salvator bivittatus) (Reptil: Varanidae)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahfud Mahfud ◽  
Ernawati
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Sample ◽  
Histological Section ◽  
Tissue Perfusion ◽  
Intestinal Wall ◽  
Biological Information ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Monitor Lizard ◽  
Varanus Salvator ◽  
Hematoxylin Eosin ◽  
Paraffin Method

Biological information, behaviour and suitable habitat of water monitor was very less in order to support its maintenance management and breeding efforts. One of important information is the information of digestive tract, particularly the information about the structure of intestine tissue of water monitor. Sample in this research was intestine organ of water monitor. The animal was anesthetized, exanguinated, and fixed in paraformaldehyde 4% by tissue perfusion method. The intestine tissue sample for histological section with paraffin method was cutted with 3-4 μm thick and coloured with hematoxylin eosin (HE). Observation were performed to the structure of intestine histology. The results was analysed descriptively and presented in figures. Monitor lizard intestine consist of small intestine and large intestine. The small intestinal wall was observed similar to jejunum and ileum. The large intestinal wall was composed of transitional ephytelia and connective tissue. However, the ephytelial layer in this tissue was composed of transitional ephytelia that similar to vesica urinaria and there are no villi.

Anticancer Properties of Asian Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator), Python (Malayopython reticulatus) and Tortoise (Cuora kamaroma amboinensis)

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 1558-1570
Author(s):  
Shareni Jeyamogan ◽  
Naveed A. Khan ◽  
Kuppusamy Sagathevan ◽  
Ruqaiyyah Siddiqui
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Anticancer Agents ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Adenocarcinoma Cells ◽  
Monitor Lizard ◽  
Varanus Salvator ◽  
Asian Water

Background: Cancer contributes to significant morbidity and mortality despite advances in treatment and supportive care. There is a need for the identification of effective anticancer agents. Reptiles such as tortoise, python, and water monitor lizards are exposed to heavy metals, tolerate high levels of radiation, feed on rotten/germ-infested feed, thrive in unsanitary habitat and yet have prolonged lifespans. Such species are rarely reported to develop cancer, suggesting the presence of anticancer molecules/mechanisms. Methods: Here, we tested effects from sera of Asian water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator), python (Malayopython reticulatus) and tortoise (Cuora kamaroma amboinensis) against cancer cells. Sera were collected and cytotoxicity assays were performed using prostate cancer cells (PC3), Henrietta Lacks cervical adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa) and human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF7), as well as human keratinized skin cells (Hacat), by measuring lactate dehydrogenase release as an indicator for cell death. Growth inhibition assays were performed to determine the effects on cancer cell proliferation. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was performed for molecular identification. Results: The findings revealed that reptilian sera, but not bovine serum, abolished viability of Hela, PC3 and MCF7 cells. Samples were subjected to liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, which detected 57 molecules from V. salvator, 81 molecules from Malayopython reticulatus and 33 molecules from C. kamaroma amboinensis and putatively identified 9 molecules from V. salvator, 20 molecules from Malayopython reticulatus and 9 molecules from C. kamaroma amboinensis when matched against METLIN database. Based on peptide amino acid composition, binary profile, dipeptide composition and pseudo-amino acid composition, 123 potential Anticancer Peptides (ACPs) were identified from 883 peptides from V. salvator, 306 potential ACPs from 1074 peptides from Malayopython reticulatus and 235 potential ACPs from 885 peptides from C. kamaroma amboinensis. Conclusion: To our knowledge, for the first time, we reported comprehensive analyses of selected reptiles’ sera using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, leading to the identification of potentially novel anticancer agents. We hope that the discovery of molecules from these animals will pave the way for the rational development of new anticancer agents.

scholarly journals Site-specific ubiquitylation acts as a regulator of linker histone H1

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Höllmüller ◽  
Simon Geigges ◽  
Marie L. Niedermeier ◽  
Kai-Michael Kammer ◽  
Simon M. Kienle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttranslational Modifications ◽  
Histone H1 ◽  
Linker Histone ◽  
Active Chromatin ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Linker Histone H1 ◽  
Fundamental Process ◽  
Core Histones ◽  
Wide Scale

AbstractDecoding the role of histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) is key to understand the fundamental process of epigenetic regulation. This is well studied for PTMs of core histones but not for linker histone H1 in general and its ubiquitylation in particular due to a lack of proper tools. Here, we report on the chemical synthesis of site-specifically mono-ubiquitylated H1.2 and identify its ubiquitin-dependent interactome on a proteome-wide scale. We show that site-specific ubiquitylation of H1 at position K64 modulates interactions with deubiquitylating enzymes and the deacetylase SIRT1. Moreover, it affects H1-dependent chromatosome assembly and phase separation resulting in a more open chromatosome conformation generally associated with a transcriptionally active chromatin state. In summary, we propose that site-specific ubiquitylation plays a general regulatory role for linker histone H1.

scholarly journals Studies on the role of actin's aspartic acid 3 and aspartic acid 11 using oligodeoxynucleotide-directed site-specific mutagenesis.

1988 ◽  
Vol 263 (36) ◽  
pp. 19662-19669
Author(s):  
T L Solomon ◽  
L R Solomon ◽  
L S Gay ◽  
P A Rubenstein
Keyword(s):  
Aspartic Acid ◽  
Site Specific

Engagement and Outcomes Associated with Contextual Annotation Features of a Digital Health Solution

2020 ◽  
pp. 193229682097640
Author(s):  
Michelle Dugas ◽  
Weiguang Wang ◽  
Kenyon Crowley ◽  
Anand K. Iyer ◽  
Malinda Peeples ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Digital Health ◽  
Data Entry ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Note Taking ◽  
Potential Benefits

Background: Digital health solutions targeting diabetes self-care are popular and promising, but important questions remain about how these tools can most effectively help patients. Consistent with evidence of the salutary effects of note-taking in education, features that enable annotation of structured data entry might enhance the meaningfulness of the interaction, thereby promoting persistent use and benefits of a digital health solution. Method: To examine the potential benefits of note-taking, we explored how patients with type 2 diabetes used annotation features of a digital health solution and assessed the relationship between annotation and persistence in engagement as well as improvements in glycated hemoglobin (A1C). Secondary data from 3142 users of the BlueStar digital health solution collected between December 2013 and June 2017 were analyzed, with a subgroup of 372 reporting A1C lab values. Results: About a third of patients recorded annotations while using the platform. Annotation themes largely reflected self-management behaviors (diet, physical activity, medication adherence) and well-being (mood, health status). Early use of contextual annotations was associated with greater engagement over time and with greater improvements in A1C. Conclusions: Our research provides preliminary evidence of the benefits of annotation features in a digital health solution. Future research is needed to assess the causal impact of note-taking and the moderating role of thematic content reflected in notes.

scholarly journals Phosphorylation of the Regulators, a Complex Facet of NF-κB Signaling in Cancer

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Aishat Motolani ◽  
Matthew Martin ◽  
Mengyao Sun ◽  
Tao Lu
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Nuclear Factor Kappa B ◽  
Nuclear Factor ◽  
Malignant Diseases ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
Post Translational Modifications ◽  
Site Specific

The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is a ubiquitous transcription factor central to inflammation and various malignant diseases in humans. The regulation of NF-κB can be influenced by a myriad of post-translational modifications (PTMs), including phosphorylation, one of the most popular PTM formats in NF-κB signaling. The regulation by phosphorylation modification is not limited to NF-κB subunits, but it also encompasses the diverse regulators of NF-κB signaling. The differential site-specific phosphorylation of NF-κB itself or some NF-κB regulators can result in dysregulated NF-κB signaling, often culminating in events that induce cancer progression and other hyper NF-κB related diseases, such as inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, as well as neurodegenerative diseases, etc. In this review, we discuss the regulatory role of phosphorylation in NF-κB signaling and the mechanisms through which they aid cancer progression. Additionally, we highlight some of the known and novel NF-κB regulators that are frequently subjected to phosphorylation. Finally, we provide some future perspectives in terms of drug development to target kinases that regulate NF-κB signaling for cancer therapeutic purposes.

Adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism in depression: Preliminary evidence on the role of adaptive and maladaptive rumination

2012 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 774-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaella Di Schiena ◽  
Olivier Luminet ◽  
Pierre Philippot ◽  
Céline Douilliez
Keyword(s):  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Maladaptive Perfectionism

Molecular modulation of calcium oxalate crystallization

2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (6) ◽  
pp. F1123-F1132 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. De Yoreo ◽  
S. Roger Qiu ◽  
John R. Hoyer
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Modeling ◽  
Calcium Oxalate ◽  
Stone Formation ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Specific Interactions ◽  
Crystal Surfaces ◽  
Site Specific

Calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) is the primary constituent of the majority of renal stones. Osteopontin (OPN), an aspartic acid-rich urinary protein, and citrate, a much smaller molecule, are potent inhibitors of COM crystallization at levels present in normal urine. Current concepts of the role of site-specific interactions in crystallization derived from studies of biomineralization are reviewed to provide a context for understanding modulation of COM growth at a molecular level. Results from in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses of the effects of citrate and OPN on growth verified the critical role of site-specific interactions between these growth modulators and individual steps on COM crystal surfaces. Molecular modeling investigations of interactions of citrate with steps and faces on COM crystal surfaces provided links between the stereochemistry of interaction and the binding energy levels that underlie mechanisms of growth modification and changes in overall crystal morphology. The combination of in situ AFM and molecular modeling provides new knowledge that will aid rationale design of therapeutic agents for inhibition of stone formation.

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