Malona Velasco Alinsug

The Philippines is the second biggest source of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), contributing to the country’s economic development. However, its sustainability faces challenges due to overfishing and a lack of proper management practices. Otoliths are important tools for managing fish stocks, but their analysis is time-consuming and requires a high level of expertise. In this paper, we explored the use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to recognize patterns and classify them according to developmental stages. The results showed that the CNN model achieved an accuracy of 100% in classifying otoliths by developmental stage using the RMSprop optimizer, demonstrating the potential of deep learning to provide a standardized and reliable protocol for managing fish stocks in countries like the Philippines, where there is a shortage of trained fish experts. This study provides an innovative approach to guide future efforts in conserving fish populations and promoting sustainable fishing practices.

The first species of the genus Neurigona is described from the Philippines. The diagnosis, description and molecular data based on the partial DNA sequence of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene were documented. The Neurigona species exhibits distinct characteristics, including a sub-apical dorsal stylus resembling an arista, a peduncle on the seventh abdominal segment, a flat dorsal postcranium, elongated legs devoid of prominent setae or bristles, and a distinctive rectangular bend in wing vein M. Based on the DNA sequence analysis, the unknown species is 90.06% similar to Cyrtona sp. and Neurigona zhejiangensis. However, 10% of its DNA sequences are significantly variable making it a totally different species. The specimen was verified by a dipterist as a species belonging to Genus Neurigona under Family Dolichopodidae. These flies are recognized for their lengthy legs and sizable yellow bodies. The species was named as N. susanrocesae as a tribute to the late Susan Roces, the "Queen of Philippine Movies”.

Herbal teas are widely consumed for their health benefits. In this study, the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of six commercially available banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa) and sambong (Blumea balsamifera) herbal teas were analyzed. The antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH and ABTS assays, with L. speciosa teas exhibiting higher activity than B. balsamifera teas. The phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method and showed a direct correlation with antioxidant activity. The market prices based on unit phenolic content and antioxidant activity varied widely with different brands sold online indicating the need for better quality control of the teas analyzed. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 58(4), 265-270, 2023

A new fly species, Chrysosoma nellyae, has been recently discovered in Bohol, Philippines. Aside from the metallic blue head with black antennae which are reminiscent of Chrysosoma species, its thorax is metallic blue with a greenish and brown prescutellar patch, scutellum brown, blue green border with hair like bristle. In addition, based on the similarity of the male genitalia, cercus morphology, and legs, the new species appears to be related to C. crinicorne. To increase the accuracy of species identification, DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene was employed and further inferred for its phylogenetic relationship with other Chrysosoma species.

Alinsug MV, Estandarte MHG, Somodio EMN, Sabarita MJJ, Deocaris CC. 2021. Biodiversity of ethnomedicinal plants from the B’laan Tribe in Mount Matutum Protected Landscape, Southern Mindanao, Philippines. Biodiversitas 23: 554-563. Mount Matutum Protected Landscape (MMPL) is one of the key biodiversity areas in Mindanao Island, Philippines, and is part of the ancestral domains of 18 indigenous peoples. The present study aims to establish a comprehensive inventory of the medicinal flora at MMPL according to the traditional healing practices of the B'laan, a tribal community whose cultural heritage is anchored to their interactions with nature and with a rich and understudied ethnomedicinal system. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews of the tribal healers from five tribal communities revealed 101 medicinal plants belonging to 33 families were identified. The plant species have therapeutic uses for 19 disease categories. Roots and leaves are the most utilized parts which are made into a decoction, the most common preparation for oral intake. Tawal-ulad (Lunasia amara Blanco), which is used as a treatment for snake bites, dengue, dysmenorrhea, constipation, rabies, and hypertension has the highest use value (UV). Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) analysis revealed that cholera, scabies, viral infections, warts, beriberi, diabetes, gastric ulcer are the most common diseases treated with medicinal plants by the B'laan tribal healers. The biodiversity of medicinal plants, although some remain unidentified at the species level, reflects the centuries-old ethnomedicinal knowledge of the B'laan Tribe. Our study is the first comprehensive documentation of the ethnomedicinal knowledge of the B'laan Tribe residing at MMPL.

Breast cancer is considered as one of the three most common cancers around the world and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Coix lachrymal jobi, commonly known as Job’s tears or adlay has been reported to possess anti-cancer properties. Despite evidences provided by clinical data, the usage of Coix lacryma-jobi in treating cancer, particularly breast cancer, has been scarce. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the pharmacological mechanisms underlying its anti-breast cancer property using various network pathway analyses. Bioactive compounds from Coix lacryma-jobi and its potential target genes were obtained from SymMap. Breast cancer-related target genes were collected from CTD. Protein-protein interaction network was analyzed using the STRING database. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed using DAVID to further explore the mechanisms of Coix lacryma-jobi in treating breast cancer. PPI and compound-target-pathway were visualized using Cytoscape. A total of 26 bioactive compounds, 201 corresponding targets, 36625 breast cancer-associated targets were obtained, and 200 common targets were considered potential therapeutic targets. The 9 bioactive compounds identified were berberine, oleic acid, beta-sitosterol, sitosterol, linoleic acid, berberrubine, jatrorrhizine, thalifendine, and stigmasterol. The identified 5 core targets were ESR1, JUN, MAPK14, and RXRA. Coix lacryma-jobi targets enriched in GO terms were mostly involved in regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter, drug response, steroid hormone receptor activity, and protein binding. This study elucidates on the pharmacological underpinnings on the potency of adlay against breast cancer. Its subsequent drug development will be worth a step forward for a breast cancer-free society.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disorder and among the top 10 leading diseases causing death worldwide. Coicis semen [CS] ( Coix lacryma-jobi ), also known as adlay have been reported to display anti-diabetic properties. Unfortunately, studies on the pharmacological mechanisms involving adlay for the treatment of diabetes are nil. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the interactions and mechanisms of the bioactive compound targets of adlay in the treatment of diabetes using network analysis. Adlay bioactive compounds and potential target genes were obtained from SymMap. Diabetes related target genes were collected from CTD. Protein-Protein Interaction Network was analyzed using the STRING database. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed using DAVID to further explore the mechanisms of adlay in treating diabetes. PPI and compound-target-pathway were visualized using Cytoscape. A total of 25 bioactive compounds, 201 corresponding targets, and 35839 diabetes mellitus associated targets were obtained while 200 were considered potential therapeutic targets. The 9 bioactive compounds studied were berberine, oleic acid, beta-sitosterol, sitosterol, linoleic acid, berberrubine, jatrorrhizine, thalifendine, and stigmasterol. The identified 5 core targets were ESR1, JUN, MAPK14, and RXRA. Adlai targets enriched in GO terms were mostly involved with positive regulation of transcription, response to drugs, and negative regulation of apoptosis. This study provides novel research insights into the clinical properties of adlay in diabetes melitus treatment.

Philippine scombrids have been among the top priorities in fisheries research due primarily to their economic value worldwide. Assessment of the number of studies under general themes (diversity, ecology, taxonomy and systematics, diseases and parasites, and conservation) provides essential information to evaluate trends and gaps of research. This study presents a bibliometric evaluation of the temporal trends from 2000-2019 on Philippine scombrid research. Seven out of nine tuna species have SREA values equal to or higher than 1 with Thunnus albacares being the most researched tuna species. Twelve out of thirteen non-tuna species have SREA values less than one, thus indicating low research effort. It was apparent that there were significant differences in the number of studies in each thematic area except in ‘chemical analysis’ and ‘diseases and parasites’ between scombrid groups where there was low research effort observed. The research points at the uneven research distributions between scombrid groups in each thematic area. As locally published research are significantly behind foreign publications in terms of citation index, international collaborations by Filipino researchers have shown an increase research impact. Our study hopes to influence the local and international R&D agenda on Philippine scombrids and promote solidarity among nations towards its conservation and management.