Evaluation of qualitative characteristics of Bali cattle at Bali breeding center

The aim of this study was to identify the qualitative characteristics of Bali cattle at Bali Breeding Center. The samples used were 136 heads. Qualitative data was analysed based on the percentage for each trait and analyzed descriptively. The results showed that the characteristic with the highest percentage were brick red for females of Bali cattle (84,81%), black for males Bali cattle (86.66%), dominant thick back line (79.74%) for females, while on males was not clear (86,67%), strict line of body color border with leg (100% for males and 91,14% for females), strict line of body color border with buttocks color (93,33% for males and 88,61% for females), white of edge lips color (95% for males and 93,67% for females), black eyelid color (100%), white ear hair color (males: 100% & females: 96,20%), dark circles on the ears (98.73%), dominant medium wattle for males (93,33%) & small wattle for females (53,16%), upwards horn (males: 100% & females: 94.93%), black tail feathers (males: 100% & females: 98.04%), and no hump (males: 96.66% & females: 100%). The qualitative characteristics of Bali cattle at Bali breeding center were in line with Indonesian National Standard. However, there were deviations and abnormality with a small percentage.

Preparation of Whey-Based Banana Beverage and its Quality Evaluation

A value-added functional beverage was formulated utilizing unprocessed whey with excellent nutritional qualities and bland flavors; along with banana juice and the required amount of sugar. Five different formulations were prepared with varying proportions of whey, banana juice, and sugar. Sensory analysis was carried out for all five formulations and based on statistical analysis the one which showed the highest value for body, color, flavor, taste, and overall acceptability was selected for further analysis (85% liquid whey and 15% banana juice). The shelf-life of the final product was observed for 30 days at room temperature (25±5°C) and refrigerated temperature (7±1ºC). A significant variation in body, color, flavor, taste, and overall acceptability were observed by varying the composition of whey and banana juice (p<0.05). The beverage was pasteurized at 82.5°C for 20 min and stored at normal (25±5°C) and refrigerated (7±1°C) for 30 days. The effects of storage time and temperature on physicochemical (TSS, pH, acidity) and microbial (TPC, yeast & mold count) properties were evaluated. Out of five formulations, the one selected via sensory analysis had TSS of 12.4°Bx, total solids 14.21%, 0.302% acidity, pH 5.72, 5.087% reducing sugar, 0.53% protein, 0.56% ash, 0.87% crude fiber, 184.43mg potassium (mg/100gm) and 0.912mg vitamin C in 100 ml. The prepared beverage was stored for 30 days under refrigerated and normal conditions, and changes in TSS, pH and acidity were observed: 12.413.3%, 5.72-5.214, 0.32-0.43%, and 12.4-13.8%, 5.72-4.64, 0.32-0.68% respectively. Overall analysis showed that the beverage prepared with 85% liquid whey and 15% banana juice could be stored for 30 days under refrigerated conditions without the addition of preservatives.

Construction of a Standardized Tongue Image Database for Diagnostic Education: Development of a Tongue Diagnosis e-Learning System

Tongue examination is an important diagnostic method for judging pathological conditions in Kampo (traditional Japanese medicine), but it is not easy for beginners to learn the diagnostic technique. One reason is that there are few objective diagnostic criteria for tongue examination findings, and the educational method for tongue examination is not standardized in Japan, warranting the need for a tongue image database for e-learning systems that could dramatically improve the efficiency of education. Therefore, we constructed a database comprising tongue images whose findings were determined on the basis of votes given by five Kampo medicine specialists (KMSs) and confirmed the educational usefulness of the database for tongue diagnosis e-learning systems. The study was conducted in the following five steps: development of a tongue imaging collection system, collection of tongue images, evaluation and annotation of tongue images, development of a tongue diagnosis e-learning system, and verification of the educational usefulness of this system. Five KMSs evaluated the tongue images obtained from 125 participants in the following eight aspects: (i) tongue body size, (ii) tongue body color, (iii) tongue body dryness and wetness, (iv) tooth marks on the edge of the tongue, (v) cracks on the surface of the tongue, (vi) thickness of tongue coating, (vii) color of tongue coating, and (viii) dryness and wetness of tongue coating. Medical students (MSs) were given a tongue diagnosis test using an e-learning system after a lecture on tongue diagnosis. The cumulative and individual match rates (%) (individual match rates of 100% (5/5), 80% (4/5), and 60% (3/5) are shown in parentheses, respectively) were as follows: (i) tongue body size: 92.8 (26.4/26.4/40.0); (ii) tongue body color: 83.2 (10.4/20.8/52.0); (iii) tongue body dryness and wetness: 88.8 (13.6/34.4/40.8); (iv) tooth marks on the edge of the tongue: 88.8 (6.4/35.2/47.2); (v) cracks on the surface of the tongue: 96.8 (24.0/35.2/37.6); (vi) thickness of tongue coating: 84.8 (7.2/21.6/56.0); (vii) color of tongue coating: 88.0 (15.2/37.6/35.2); and (viii) dryness and wetness of tongue coating: 74.4 (4.8/19.2/50.4). The test showed that the tongue diagnosis ability of MSs who attended a lecture on tongue diagnosis was almost the same as that of KMSs. We successfully constructed a tongue image database standardized for training specialists on tongue diagnosis and confirmed the educational usefulness of the e-learning system using a database. This database will contribute to the standardization and popularization of Kampo education.

Chromatophony: A Potential Application of Living Images in the Pixel Era

Squids can rapidly change their body color using chromatophores that are controlled by electrical signals transmitted through nerves. The authors transform a squid's skin into an audio visualizer, Chromatophony. This is accomplished by sending an electric tone signal composed as music to the skin. Although the appearance of Chromatophony is similar to computer-generated images, it is based on a natural phenomenon with a colorful mosaic display. By comparing chromatophores with pixels, the authors propose Living Images, to expand the potential of visual expression from the perspective of bio-art theory.

CRISPR knockouts of pmela and pmelb engineered a golden tilapia by regulating relative pigment cell abundance

Premelanosome protein (pmel) is a key gene for melanogenesis in vertebrates. Mutations in this gene are responsible for white plumage in chicken, but its role in pigmentation of fish remains to be demonstrated. In this study we found that most fishes have two pmel genes arising from the teleost-specific whole genome duplication. Both pmela and pmelb were expressed at high levels in the eyes and skin of Nile tilapia. We mutated both genes in tilapia using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Homozygous mutation of pmela resulted in yellowish body color with weak vertical bars and a hypo-pigmented retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) due to significantly reduced number and size of melanophores. In contrast, we observed an increased number and size of xanthophores in mutants compared to wild-type fish. Homozygous mutation of pmelb resulted in a similar, but milder phenotype than pmela -/- mutants, without effects on RPE pigmentation. Double mutation of pmela and pmelb resulted in loss of additional melanophores compared to the pmela -/- mutants, and also an increase in the number and size of xanthophores, producing a strong golden body color without bars in the trunk. The RPE pigmentation of pmela -/ - ;pmelb -/- was similar to pmela -/- mutants, with much less pigmentation than pmelb -/- mutants and wild-type fish. Taken together, our results indicate that, while both pmel genes are important for the formation of body color in tilapia, pmela plays a more important role than pmelb. To our knowledge, this is the first report on mutation of pmelb or both pmela;pmelb in fish. Studies on these mutants suggest new strategies for breeding golden tilapia, and also provide a new model for studies of pmel function in vertebrates.

Diversity of Qualitative Characteristics and Their Use to Distinguish the Origin of the Bali Cattle Population

Background: The development of local Bali cattle in ex-situ areas allow for the formation of new qualitative phenotypic characteristics. The aim of this study is to characterize Bali cattle that have been created in Jambi Province’s ex-situ environment in several of rearing areas. Methods: A research sample of 478 Bali cattle from Muaro Jambi (MJB) district, Sarolangun (SLG) district, Tanjung Jabung Timur (TJT) District, Jambi City (KJB) and PTPN VI were surveyed. The qualitative phenotype characteristic observed were pattern of head color, dominant head color, inner-ear color, forehead color, side-lip color, horn shape, body-color pattern, dominant body color, back-line color, under-belly color, sock color, rump color and tail color. The frequency and percentage of each qualitative characteristic were calculated using the PROC FREQ function of SAS software version 9.0, resulting in a cross-tabulation of the qualitative characteristics observed in Bali cattle at various locations. Then, PROC CORESP performs multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) between the qualitative characteristics of the variables. The resulting plot depicts the graphical relationship between variables. Result: Research results based on sex showed that only white lower lip and black inner ear were characteristic of the head found to be common, while black backline, light-brown underbelly, white rump and black tail hair were common characteristics for the body. Head phenotype based on district showed that white lower lip and white-black inner ear could be found in male Bali cattle while white lower lip and abnormal horn characteristic could be found in females. Body characteristic analysis showed three-color pattern to be common in male Bali cattle while black backline, white feet and white rump were common characteristics found in females. These characteristics can therefore be seen as differentiating characteristics between sex and district of origin of Bali cattle.

SIFAT KUALITATIF DAN KUANTITATIF SAPI BALI BETINA

The purpose of this study was to determine the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of female Bali cattle in Atinggola District, North Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo Province. This study used a field experiment method in the form of direct observation and measurement of female Bali cattle based on the total population and livestock density in each village in Atinggola District. A total of 122 female Bali cattle aged 2-4 years were used as samples for observation and measurement. Bali cattle aged 2 3 years have a white pattern on the butt (butt mirror) with clear boundaries of 74.64% and 25.33% without clear boundaries. The white pattern on the feet (socks) is clearly visible with the skin color on the legs 73.33% and 26.67% there is no dividing line between the body color and the white pattern on the legs (socks). Bali cattle aged 3 4 years have a white pattern on the butt (butt mirror) which is clearly demarcated by 63.83% and 36.17% without clear boundaries. The white pattern on the feet (socks) is well defined with body hair color 68.09% and 31.91% there is no clear boundary between body color and pattern color. Female Bali cattle aged 2 3 aged 5.81-25.15, the average body length, chest circumference, and height were 93.91±9.29, 148.78±20.40 and 106, respectively, 10±6.16. Bali cattle aged 34 have a diversity of body size of 5.29-35.17%. The average values of chest circumference, body length, and height were 98.73±10.31, 144.22±14.62, 144.22±14.62, respectively. Female Bali cattle from Atinggola District, North Gorontalo Regency, Gorontalo have qualitative characteristics that do not deviate from native Indonesian Bali cattle. Body size diversity of female Bali cattle aged 2 3 was 5.81-25.15, while Bali cattle aged 3 4 had body size diversity of 5.29-35.17%

Influence of Light/Dark Cycles on Body Color, Hepatopancreas Metabolism, and Intestinal Microbiota Homeostasis in Litopenaeus vannamei

In aquatic animals, the light/dark cycle acts as an important biological factor that influences the entire life cycle. Until present, evidence regarding the regulation of physiological metabolic process under different light/dark cycles is limited in Litopenaeus vannamei. In this study, we mainly investigated the effects of different light/dark cycles (12 h light/12 h dark, 0 h light/24 h dark) on the hepatopancreas metabolism and intestinal microbiota homeostasis in L. vannamei using multiomics techniques. One interesting finding was that the body color of L. vannamei became darker after dark treatment for 8 weeks. Further hepatopancreas transcriptome analysis identified down-regulated genes involved in regulating nutrition metabolism, body-color formation, diurnal rhythm, immune function, hormone levels, and posttranslational modifications. The intestinal microbiota analysis showed that dark treatment-induced alterations in intestinal bacterial abundances in L. vannamei, such as decreased (P &lt; 0.05) relative abundance of Formosa, Demequina, Lutimonas and increased (P &lt; 0.05) relative abundance of Ruegeria, Vibrio, Actibacter, Roseovarius, Ilumatobacter, and Kriegella at the genus level. The microbiota functional analysis demonstrated that the dark treatment mainly increased susceptibility of pathogens, decreased nutrition metabolism, and influenced circadian rhythm. This study indicated for the first time that constant darkness treatment darkened the body color and altered hepatopancreas metabolism and intestinal microbiota homeostasis in L. vannamei, which might give potential clues for improving the productive capacities by changing light/dark cycles in shrimp farming.