scholarly journals Floral Volatiles: A Promising Method to Access the Rare Nocturnal and Crepuscular Bees

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos A. Martínez-Martínez ◽  
Guaraci D. Cordeiro ◽  
Herbeson O. J. Martins ◽  
Renan O. A. C. Kobal ◽  
Paulo Milet-Pinheiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Floral Scent ◽  
Chemical Compounds ◽  
Sampling Bias ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Floral Volatiles ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Baited Traps ◽  
Present Information ◽  
Filter Papers

Crepuscular and/or nocturnal bees fly during the dusk, the dawn or part of the night. Due to their short foraging time and sampling bias toward diurnal bees, nocturnal bees are rarely collected and poorly studied. So far, they have been mostly sampled with light and Malaise traps. However, synthetic chemical compounds resembling floral volatiles were recently found to be a promising alternative to attract these bees. By reviewing available literature and collecting original data, we present information on the attraction and sampling of nocturnal bees with scent-baited traps. Bees were actively captured with entomological nets while approaching to filter papers moistened with distinct chemical compound, or passively caught in bottles with scent baits left during the night. So far, all data available are from the Neotropics. Nocturnal bees belonging to three genera, i.e., Ptiloglossa, Megalopta, and Megommation were attracted to at least ten different synthetic compounds and mixtures thereof, identified from bouquets of flowers with nocturnal anthesis. Aromatic compounds, such as 2-phenyletanol, eugenol and methyl salicylate, and the monoterpenoid eucalyptol were the most successful in attracting nocturnal bees. We highlight the effectiveness of olfactory methods to survey crepuscular and nocturnal bees using chemical compounds typically reported as floral scent constituents, and the possibility to record olfactory preferences of each bee species to specific compounds. We suggest to include this method in apifauna surveys in order to improve our current knowledge on the diversity of nocturnal bees in different ecosystems.

scholarly journals Hawkmoths evaluate scenting flowers with the tip of their proboscis

eLife ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Haverkamp ◽  
Felipe Yon ◽  
Ian W Keesey ◽  
Christine Mißbach ◽  
Christopher Koenig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Manduca Sexta ◽  
Ecosystem Service ◽  
Floral Scent ◽  
Nicotiana Attenuata ◽  
Floral Volatiles ◽  
Pollen Transfer ◽  
Olfactory Neurons ◽  
Molecular Analyses ◽  
Choice Tests

Pollination by insects is essential to many ecosystems. Previously, we have shown that floral scent is important to mediate pollen transfer between plants (<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="bib16">Kessler et al., 2015</xref>). Yet, the mechanisms by which pollinators evaluate volatiles of single flowers remained unclear. Here, Nicotiana attenuata plants, in which floral volatiles have been genetically silenced and its hawkmoth pollinator, Manduca sexta, were used in semi-natural tent and wind-tunnel assays to explore the function of floral scent. We found that floral scent functions to increase the fitness of individual flowers not only by increasing detectability but also by enhancing the pollinator's foraging efforts. Combining proboscis choice tests with neurophysiological, anatomical and molecular analyses we show that this effect is governed by newly discovered olfactory neurons on the tip of the moth's proboscis. With the tip of their tongue, pollinators assess the advertisement of individual flowers, an ability essential for maintaining this important ecosystem service.

scholarly journals Review: The endless nutritional and pharmaceutical benefits of the Himalayan gold, Cordyceps; Current knowledge and prospective potentials

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Waill Elkhateeb ◽  
Ghoson Daba
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Chemical Compounds ◽  
Food Supplement ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Protective Agent ◽  
Global Marketplace

Abstract. Elkhateeb WA, Daba GM. 2020. Review: The endless nutritional and pharmaceutical benefits of the Himalayan gold, Cordyceps; Current knowledge and prospective potentials. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 18: 70-77. As a traditional medicine, Cordyceps has long been used in Asian nations for maintaining vivacity and boosting immunity. Numerous publications on various bioactivities of Cordyceps have been investigated in both in-vitro as well as in vivo studies. Nevertheless, the role of Cordyceps is still arguable whether it acts as food supplement for health benefits or a real healing drug that can be prescribed in medicine. The Cordyceps industry has developed greatly and offers thousands of products, commonly available in a global marketplace. In this review, focus will be on introducing the ecology of Cordyceps and their classification. Moreover, elucidation of the richness of extracts originated from this mushroom in nutritional components was presented, with description of the chemical compounds of Cordyceps and its well-known compounds such as cordycepin, and cordycepic acid. Furthermore, highlights on natural growth and artificial cultivation of famous Cordyceps species were presented. The health benefits and reported bioactivities of Cordyceps species as promising antimicrobial, anticancer, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, organ protective agent, and enhancer for organ function were presented.

scholarly journals Phytogenics in Aquaculture: A Short Review of Their Effects on Gut Health and Microflora in Fish

2020 ◽  
pp. 246-259
Author(s):  
Christopher Marlowe A. Caipang
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Chemical Treatments ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Research Initiatives

Increasing pace in aquaculture development to meet the growing food requirements of the population has greatly compromised the carrying capacity of the culture environment and has placed the aquacultured animals at heightened risk of getting diseases due to pathogens. At present, chemotherapy is widely used as means to prevent or treat infectious diseases in aquaculture; however, the use of these drugs poses multiple negative impacts on fish and human health, as well as the environment. Recently, research initiatives are focused on the use of plant products and their derivatives as a means of controlling diseases in aquaculture. They are regarded as a promising alternative to the use of chemical treatments for infectious diseases in fish. Plant-derived products or phytogenics have been shown to stimulate appetite and promote weight gain in farmed animals, act as immunostimulants, and possess potent anti-pathogenic properties in fish. Their potency is mediated by the presence of bioactive molecules including alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, and flavonoids, among others. Moreover, nutritional strategies are geared towards the use of these phytogenics in modulating immune and physiological responses, as well as promoting optimum health and microbial community in the gastrointestinal tract of fish. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on the use of phytogenic feed additives in aquaculture by focusing on how these substances act as modulators of health and bacterial community in the gut of fish.

scholarly journals Could Mycolactone Inspire New Potent Analgesics? Perspectives and Pitfalls

Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 516
Author(s):  
Marie-Line Reynaert ◽  
Denis Dupoiron ◽  
Edouard Yeramian ◽  
Laurent Marsollier ◽  
Priscille Brodin
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Mycobacterium Ulcerans ◽  
Nerve Degeneration ◽  
Medical Attention ◽  
Common Symptom ◽  
Angiotensin Ii Receptor ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Limited Effectiveness ◽  
Wide Range

Pain currently represents the most common symptom for which medical attention is sought by patients. The available treatments have limited effectiveness and significant side-effects. In addition, most often, the duration of analgesia is short. Today, the handling of pain remains a major challenge. One promising alternative for the discovery of novel potent analgesics is to take inspiration from Mother Nature; in this context, the detailed investigation of the intriguing analgesia implemented in Buruli ulcer, an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans and characterized by painless ulcerative lesions, seems particularly promising. More precisely, in this disease, the painless skin ulcers are caused by mycolactone, a polyketide lactone exotoxin. In fact, mycolactone exerts a wide range of effects on the host, besides being responsible for analgesia, as it has been shown notably to modulate the immune response or to provoke apoptosis. Several cellular mechanisms and different targets have been proposed to account for the analgesic effect of the toxin, such as nerve degeneration, the inhibition of inflammatory mediators and the activation of angiotensin II receptor 2. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge in the field, highlighting possible controversies. We first discuss the different pain-mimicking experimental models that were used to study the effect of mycolactone. We then detail the different variants of mycolactone that were used in such models. Overall, based on the results and the discussions, we conclude that the development of mycolactone-derived molecules can represent very promising perspectives for new analgesic drugs, which could be effective for specific pain indications.

scholarly journals Chemical compound-based direct reprogramming for future clinical applications

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukimasa Takeda ◽  
Yoshinori Harada ◽  
Toshikazu Yoshikawa ◽  
Ping Dai
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Transcription Factors ◽  
Chemical Compound ◽  
Chemical Compounds ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Direct Reprogramming ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Transplantation Therapy

Recent studies have revealed that a combination of chemical compounds enables direct reprogramming from one somatic cell type into another without the use of transgenes by regulating cellular signaling pathways and epigenetic modifications. The generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells generally requires virus vector-mediated expression of multiple transcription factors, which might disrupt genomic integrity and proper cell functions. The direct reprogramming is a promising alternative to rapidly prepare different cell types by bypassing the pluripotent state. Because the strategy also depends on forced expression of exogenous lineage-specific transcription factors, the direct reprogramming in a chemical compound-based manner is an ideal approach to further reduce the risk for tumorigenesis. So far, a number of reported research efforts have revealed that combinations of chemical compounds and cell-type specific medium transdifferentiate somatic cells into desired cell types including neuronal cells, glial cells, neural stem cells, brown adipocytes, cardiomyocytes, somatic progenitor cells, and pluripotent stem cells. These desired cells rapidly converted from patient-derived autologous fibroblasts can be applied for their own transplantation therapy to avoid immune rejection. However, complete chemical compound-induced conversions remain challenging particularly in adult human-derived fibroblasts compared with mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). This review summarizes up-to-date progress in each specific cell type and discusses prospects for future clinical application toward cell transplantation therapy.

scholarly journals Antitumor Activity of Pt(II), Ru(III) and Cu(II) Complexes

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (15) ◽  
pp. 3492
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Gałczyńska ◽  
Zuzanna Drulis-Kawa ◽  
Michał Arabski
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Transition Metal ◽  
Metal Complexes ◽  
Transition Metal Complexes ◽  
Antitumor Agents ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Chemical Compounds ◽  
Cell Cycle Inhibition ◽  
Therapeutic Compounds

Metal complexes are currently potential therapeutic compounds. The acquisition of resistance by cancer cells or the effective elimination of cancer-affected cells necessitates a constant search for chemical compounds with specific biological activities. One alternative option is the transition metal complexes having potential as antitumor agents. Here, we present the current knowledge about the application of transition metal complexes bearing nickel(II), cobalt(II), copper(II), ruthenium(III), and ruthenium(IV). The cytotoxic properties of the above complexes causing apoptosis, autophagy, DNA damage, and cell cycle inhibition are described in this review.

scholarly journals Stem Cells from the Apical Papilla: A Promising Source for Stem Cell-Based Therapy

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Kang ◽  
Wenguo Fan ◽  
Qianyi Deng ◽  
Hongwen He ◽  
Fang Huang
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Embryonic Stem ◽  
Permanent Teeth ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Dental Tissues ◽  
Cell Based Therapy ◽  
Apical Papilla ◽  
Promising Source

Stem cells are biological cells that can self-renew and can differentiate into multiple cell lineages. Stem cell-based therapy is emerging as a promising alternative therapeutic option for various disorders. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent adult stem cells that are isolated from various tissues and can be used as an alternative to embryonic stem cells. Stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAPs) are a novel population of MSCs residing in the apical papilla of immature permanent teeth. SCAPs present the characteristics of expression of MSCs markers, self-renewal, proliferation, migration, differentiation, and immunosuppression, which support the application of SCAPs in stem cell-based therapy, including the immunotherapy and the regeneration of dental tissues, bone, neural, and vascular tissues. In view of these properties and therapeutic potential, SCAPs can be considered as promising candidates for stem cell-based therapy. Thus the aim of our review was to summarize the current knowledge of SCAPs considering isolation, characterization, and multilineage differentiation. The prospects for their use in stem cell-based therapy were also discussed.

scholarly journals Potential Nociceptive Role of the Thoracolumbar Fascia: A Scope Review Involving in Vivo and Ex Vivo Studies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larissa Sinhorim ◽  
Mayane dos Santos Amorim ◽  
Maria Eugênia Ortiz ◽  
Edsel Balduino Bittencourt ◽  
Gianluca Bianco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Subcutaneous Tissue ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Nerve Fibers ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Thoracolumbar Fascia ◽  
Pain Duration

Nociceptive innervation of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) has been investigated over decades, however these studies have not been compiled or collectively appraised. The purpose of this scoping review was to assess current knowledge regarding nociceptive innervation of the TLF to better inform future mechanistic and clinical TLF research targeting low back pain (LBP) treatment. PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane and Embase databases were searched in January 2021 using relevant descriptors encompassing fascia and pain. Eligible studies were: (a) published in English; (b) preclinical and clinical (in vivo and ex vivo) studies; (c) original data; (d) included quantification of at least one TLF nociceptive component. Two-phase screening procedures were conducted by a pair of independent reviewers, data were extracted and summarized from eligible studies. The search resulted in 257 articles of which 10 met inclusion criteria. Studies showed histological evidence of nociceptive nerve fibers terminating in low back fascia, suggesting a TLF contribution to LBP. Noxious chemical injection or electrical stimulation into fascia resulted in longer pain duration and higher pain intensities than injections into subcutaneous tissue or muscle. Pre-clinical and clinical research provides histological and functional evidence of nociceptive innervation of TLF. Greater knowledge of fascial neurological components could impact LBP treatment.

scholarly journals SAFETY IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Josip Taradi ◽  
Vesna Nikolić ◽  
Nevenka Grošanić
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Positive Assessment ◽  
Partial Connection

The studies have shown the current knowledge about the problems and prospects of safety in terms of sustainable development. The scientific research methods have been used: a content analysis of scientific literature, surveys to collect original data and statistical methods for data processing and analysis. According to the research, safety is in terms of sustainable development in business organizations. Environmental protection is assessed as the most significant component of safety in terms of sustainable development. Important are the findings based on the positive assessment of safety experts that the workers are aware of it an d that the management of the organization appreciates and supports safety in terms of sustainable development. It is especially important that the organizations appreciate the knowledge to protect and support continuous learning to improve the safety in terms of sustainable development. There is a partial connection between the dependent variables of safety in terms of sustainable development and the independent variables of a safety expert profile. Thereby, it is highly important that the safety experts with higher levels of education and more work experience give higher rating to the dependent variables of safety in terms of sustainable development. There is a connection between the dependent variables of safety in terms of sustainable development and the independent variables of the profile of organization employment of safety experts. Safety experts employed in the private ownership organizations give higher ratings to the dependent variables of safety in terms of sustainable development in their organizations than the safety experts employed in the state and public ownership organizations. It is significant that safety experts employed in organizations in Serbia give higher ratings to the dependent variables of safety in terms of sustainable development than safety experts employed in Croatia. One must recognize the need and opportunity for improvement i.e. development of safety in terms of sustainable development. Key words: safety, sustainable development.

scholarly journals Long-term phenological data set of multi-taxonomic groups, agrarian activities, and abiotic parameters from Latvia, northern Europe

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4621-4633
Author(s):  
Gunta Kalvāne ◽  
Andis Kalvāns ◽  
Andris Ģērmanis
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Original Data ◽  
Soviet Period ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Phenological Data ◽  
Abiotic Parameters ◽  
The Social ◽  
Northern Regions ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

Abstract. A phenological data set collected by citizen scientists from 1970 to 2018 in Latvia is presented, comprising almost 47 000 individual observations of eight taxonomical groups, in addition to agrarian activities and abiotic parameters, covering in total 159 different phenological phases. These original data published offline in annual issues of the Nature and History Calendar (in Latvian, Dabas un vēstures kalendārs) have been digitized, harmonized, and geo-referenced. Overall, the possible use of such data is extensive, as phenological data are excellent bioindicators for characterizing climate change and can be used for the elaboration of adaptation strategies in agriculture, forestry, and environmental monitoring. The data can also be used in cultural–historical research; for example, the database includes data on sugar beet and maize, the cultivation of which was imposed on collective farms during the Soviet period. Thus, such data are not only important in the Earth sciences but can also be applied to the social sciences. The data significantly complement current knowledge on European phenology, especially regarding northern regions and the temporal biome. The data here cover two climate reference periods (1971–2000; 1981–2010), in addition to more recent years, and are particularly important in monitoring the effects of climate change. The database can be considered the largest open phenological data set in the Baltics. The data are freely available to all interested at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3982086 (Kalvāne et al., 2020).

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