Emmanuel Pacheco Leaño

The immune system plays an essential role in aging. Polygala fallax Hemsl. (PFH) enhances the immune response and promotes immune function. The study aimed to investigate whether PFH had a positive effect on the immune function of aging mice to delay aging. Kunming mice were selected to establish an aging mouse model by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose at 500 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks. Astragalus membranaceus, which has been used as one of the positive control groups. After modeling, A. membranaceus low, medium, and high doses of PFH were administered by gavage for 4 weeks, Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Flow cytometry was used to determine T-cell subsets and the expression of CD38, CD95, and PD-1 in peripheral blood. Prism 9.5.1 statistical software for classification analysis was used with all data expressed in (^¯x ± s). One way ANOVA was further used to detect statistically significant differences between group. Results revealed that serum SOD activity was decreased and MDA content was elevated in the MODEL group compared with those in the CONTROL group. A. membranaceus and PFH increased SOD activity and decreased MDA content. Furthermore, the expression of CD38, CD95, and PD-1 in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was increased in the MODEL group compared with those in the CONTROL group. CD38, CD95, and PD-1 expression decreasing trend after the administration of A. membranaceus and PFH. Among them, CD38, CD95, and PD-1 were the most significantly reduced in PFH-L group. It is therefore concluded that PFH had a positive effect on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell function in aging mice, which could delay aging to a certain extent.

Diversity of Fruit Bats (Pteropodidae) in Baganihan, Marilog Forest Reserve, Marilog District, Southern Philippines

The genus Threciscus Bolívar, 1887 (Tetrigidae: Ophiotettigini) was a monotypic genus endemic for the Philippines and included only T. pugionatus (Stål, 1877). Here, after examination of series of specimens, we conclude that T. pugionatus is morphologically close to Spartolus tricostatus Bolívar, 1887 and we move the species back to the genus Spartolus Stål, 1877, giving it back combination Spartolus pugionatus comb. resurr. The species was originally described from a single female (holotype) from Semper’s collection, and, as most of specimens from that collection, lacked locality data. It is only known that Semper’s material originates from the Philippines. In this study, the very first annotated records of the species are presented. It inhabits central part of the island of Mindanao, mountainous tropical rainforests. We provide images of specimens under stereomicroscope and in natural habitat, brief morphological description, as well as updated distribution map. The species is easily recognizable by its coloration, lack of wings, prolonged head, foliaceous palpi and lateral spines. Furthermore, we report new localities for Arulenus miae Skejo et Caballero, 2016.

Despite herpetological surveys conducted in Mindanao, scanty data are known about the Philautus species in montane forests as well as its account in southern Mindanao. Species accounts of Philautus sampled from the montane forest of Marilog District in Southern Mindanao with notes on it microhabitats were provided. Belt-transect sampling and microhabitat searches were employed in three different sites. A total of 124 individuals representing four species of Philautus were accounted, three of which are currently known only from forested areas of Mindanao. Philautus acutirostris is the most encountered species. Thirty-four genera of plants associated with microhabitats of Philautus species were accounted. Although the majority of the frog individuals appear to use the plants for perching, other notable activities were also noticed. Further observations may reveal data that will unravel other significant roles of these associated plants in microhabitats of Philautus species.

In this study, batch production of electricity using anaerobic sludge from a beverage factory subjected to heat pretreatment at 105°C for 90 minutes was investigated. Cassava wastewater with a COD value of 32,000 mg/L subjected to pretreatment with (i) sonication and (ii) α-amylase (enzyme) was used as a substrate. Experiments were conducted in a double chamber microbial fuel cell separated by a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) to study the amount of electricity produced. Methylene blue was used as electron mediator while the phosphate buffer saline solution acted as electrolyte. The value of voltage (mV) and current (mA) were measured every 30 minutes during the first 24 hours and hourly measurements were performed afterwards for a total of 10 days. The power outputs were calculated based on the obtained measurements. The average maximum power output was obtained from cassava wastewater subjected to pretreatment with α-amylase and was 9861 mW as compared to untreated with 7159 mW. Apart from electricity production, the COD removal efficiency by microorganisms for cassava wastewater with α-amylase was 56% and that for untreated was 42%. Higher COD removal rate and power outputs were obtained for both pretreatment methods compared to the control. This shows that cassava wastewater can be a suitable substrate for electricity generation.