scholarly journals Bornean orangutans on the brink of protein bankruptcy

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin R. Vogel ◽  
Cheryl D. Knott ◽  
Brooke E. Crowley ◽  
Melissa D. Blakely ◽  
Michael D. Larsen ◽  
...  

Protein is a limiting resource that is essential to the growth, maintenance and reproduction of tropical frugivores, yet few studies have examined how wild animals maintain protein balance. During chronic periods of fruit scarcity, Bornean orangutans ( Pongo pygmaeus ) often catabolize their own fat reserves despite unusually low metabolic requirements. Such energy deficits suggest a marginal existence, and raise the possibility that orangutans also endure periods of negative protein balance. To test this hypothesis, we conducted the first study of protein cycling in a wild primate. Our five year analysis of urinary metabolites revealed evidence of protein recycling when fruit was scarce. During these periods, orangutans consumed more leaves and bark, proteinaceous but tough foods that yielded a mean daily intake of 1.4 g protein kg −1 metabolic mass. Such an amount is inadequate for humans and one-tenth the intake of mountain gorillas, but sufficient to avert, perhaps narrowly, a severe protein deficit. Our findings highlight the functional and adaptive value of traits that maximize protein assimilation during periods of ecological exigency.

2018 ◽  
Vol 235 ◽  
pp. 358-364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Chen ◽  
Jianzhang Fang ◽  
Lu Ren ◽  
Ruifang Fan ◽  
Jianqing Zhang ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Burke ◽  
Maisie F. Rashman ◽  
Steven N. Longmore ◽  
Owen McAree ◽  
Paul Glover-Kapfer ◽  
...  

We investigated the efficacy of a drone equipped with a thermal camera as a potential survey tool to detect wild Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) and other tropical primates. Using the thermal camera we successfully detected 41 orangutans and a troop of proboscis monkeys, all of which were confirmed by ground observers. We discuss the potential advantages and limitations of thermal-equipped drones as a tool to complement other methods, and the potential of this technology for use as a future survey tool.


2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison M. Ashbury ◽  
Erik P. Willems ◽  
Sri Suci Utami Atmoko ◽  
Fajar Saputra ◽  
Carel P. van Schaik ◽  
...  

1977 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Satyanarayana ◽  
B. S. Narasinga Rao

1.Six groups of rats were given diets containing protein at three levels (SO, 100 and 200 g/kg), with and without nicotinic acid. After 4 weeks on these diets some key enzymes of the tryptophan and nicotinic acid-NAD pathway, liver nicotinamide nucleotide concentration, and urinary metabolites of tryptophan and nicotinic acid were studied.2.Liver nicotinamide nucleotide levels were lower in rats given the diet with 50 g protein/kg as compared to those in rats given diets with 100 and 200 g protein/kg. The addition of nicotinic acid to the diet resulted in a significant increase in the levels of nicotinamide nucleotides only in rats given 50 g protein/kg diet but not in those given either 100 or 200 g protein/kg diet.3.Liver tryptophan oxygenase (EC 1.13.1.12) activity increased with increasing dietary protein level. Nicotinic acid in the diet had no effect on its activity.4.Quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.a) activity in liver was inversely related to dietary protein level, and nicotinic acid in the diet had no effect on its activity.5.Liver nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.11) activity and kidney picolinate carboxylase (EC 4.1.1.45) activity were not altered either by dietary protein level or nicotinic acid in the diet.6.The addition of nicotinic acid to the diet resulted in increased excretion of W-methylnicotinamide at all dietary protein levels.7.The inverse relationship between protein level in the diet and liver quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase activity, the rate-limiting enzyme of the tryptophan-NAD pathway suggests that the efficiency of conversion of tryptophan to NAD is related to protein level in the diet, the efficiency decreasing with an increase in the level of dietary protein.


Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 587
Author(s):  
Raphael Dekant ◽  
Michael Langer ◽  
Maria Lupp ◽  
Cynthia Adaku Chilaka ◽  
Angela Mally

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a widespread food contaminant, with exposure estimated to range from 0.64 to 17.79 ng/kg body weight (bw) for average consumers and from 2.40 to 51.69 ng/kg bw per day for high consumers. Current exposure estimates are, however, associated with considerable uncertainty. While biomarker-based approaches may contribute to improved exposure assessment, there is yet insufficient data on urinary metabolites of OTA and their relation to external dose to allow reliable estimates of daily intake. This study was designed to assess potential species differences in phase II biotransformation in vitro and to establish a correlation between urinary OTA-derived glucuronides and mercapturic acids and external exposure in rats in vivo. In vitro analyses of OTA metabolism using the liver S9 of rats, humans, rabbits and minipigs confirmed formation of an OTA glucuronide but provided no evidence for the formation of OTA-derived mercapturic acids to support their use as biomarkers. Similarly, OTA-derived mercapturic acids were not detected in urine of rats repeatedly dosed with OTA, while indirect analysis using enzymatic hydrolysis of the urine samples prior to LC–MS/MS established a linear relationship between urinary glucuronide excretion and OTA exposure. These results support OTA-derived glucuronides but not mercapturic acids as metabolites suitable for biomonitoring.


UNICIÊNCIAS ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-194
Author(s):  
Giovana Gomes da Costa ◽  
Jacqueline Monteiro Honorato ◽  
Lorena Pereira da Silva ◽  
Joice Sifuentes dos Santos

A avaliação nutricional é um passo importante no acompanhamento de um paciente, pois pode detectar doenças relacionadas ou não com a ingestão alimentar, como doenças crônicas não transmissíveis ou deficiência muscular, analisadas por meio de sintomas ou das medidas antropométricas. Este artigo tem como objetivo avaliar os hábitos alimentares de indivíduos fisicamente ativos antes e após o consumo de um iogurte hiperproteico. O estudo foi realizado com 13 participantes (7 homens e 6 mulheres), que consumiram 100 g de iogurte pelo período de 15 dias, nos quais 5 pessoas consumiram iogurte hiperproteico (13,7 g/100 g de proteínas) e 8 pessoas consumiram iogurte convencional (6,2 g/100 g de proteínas). Também foram analisados os hábitos urinários e intestinais, assim como a ingestão hídrica, horas de sono e apetite. Aferiu-se peso e altura para determinar o Índice de Massa corporal (IMC), em que a média foi de 24,3 Kg/m2 no começo do estudo e 24,2 Kg/m2 ao final do estudo, caracterizando um perfil eutrófico para os participantes. Houve diferença significativa (p < 0,05) na ingestão de ferro nos participantes do sexo feminino, de sódio nos indivíduos do sexo masculino no começo e ao final do estudo. A frequência de consumo de alimentos de origem animal demonstrou baixo consumo de produtos de origem láctea e um consumo elevado de ovos. Concluiu-se que os hábitos alimentares dos participantes da pesquisa não foram modificados após o início do consumo dos iogurtes, e que a ingestão de leite e derivados é inferior aos valores estipulados pela Pirâmide Alimentar Brasileira.   Palavras-chaves: Vitaminas. Minerais. Ingestão Diária. Nutrição.   Abstract Nutritional assessment is an important step in monitoring a patient, as it can detect diseases related or not to food intake, such as chronic non-communicable diseases or muscle deficiency, analyzed through symptoms or anthropometric measures. This article aims to assess the eating habits of physically active individuals before and after consuming a high-protein yogurt. The study was carried out with 13 participants (7 men and 6 women), that consumed 100 g of yogurt for 15 days, where 5 consumed high-protein yogurt (13.7 g/100 g protein) and 8 consumed conventional yogurt (6.2 g/100 g protein). Urinary and intestinal habits were also analyzed, as well as water intake, hours of sleep and appetite. Weight and height were measured to determine the Body Mass Index (BMI), in which the average was 24.3 kg/m2 at the beginning of the study and 24.2 kg/m2 at the end of the study, characterizing an  eutrophic profile for the participants. There was a significant difference (p <0.05) in iron intake in female and sodium in male individuals at the beginning and at the end of the study. The frequency of animal origin food consumption demonstrated a low consumption of dairy products and a high consumption of eggs. It was concluded that the eating habits of the research participants were not modified after the  yogurts consumption, and that the intake of milk and dairy products is lower than the values stipulated by the Brazilian Food Pyramid.    Keywords: Vitamins. Minerals. Daily Intake. Nutrition.


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