Phylogenetic Study of Bufonidae (Amphibia: Anura) from Sumatera and Asia Based on Cytochrome B Gene

Bufonidae is widely distributed amphibian family around the world, including Indonesia (Sumatra) and Asia. Sumatra is an island which has separated because of sea level increase and create gene flows barrier for amphibian in Sumatra and Asia. The purpose of this research is to analyse Bufonidae phylogenetic which exist in several locations in Sumatra and Asia based on gene cytochrome b analysis. Samples were collected from six localities in West Sumatra. DNA extraction and amplification has been done in Genetics and Cell Biology Laboratory, Andalas University, whereas DNA sequencing were analyzed at MacroGen USA DNA Sequencing Laboratory, South Korea. About 14 tissue samples of Bufonidae from West Sumatra has been analyzed. The relationship of Bufonidae phylogenetics in Sumatra and Asia were divided into three main clusters. Duttaphrynus melanostictus in Sumatra is closer to Duttaphrynus melanostictus from India with 0,3-0,5% sequence divergence and it is a group of paraphyletic with Duttaphrynus melanostictus from Vietnam, Taiwan, and China.

Clinical and Laboratory Features of COVID-19 in Ulin Referral Hospital of South Kalimantan: Predictors of Clinical Outcome

Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) is becoming a global pandemic. Indonesia, especially South Kalimantan had recorded increasing cases with a high fatality rate of 3.7%. Information about factors related to outcomes based on clinical and laboratory features in Indonesia is still limited. Identification of the risk is crucial to determine optimal management and reducing mortality. This retrospective study enrolled 455 adults COVID-19 patients, and data were extracted from medical records of Ulin General Hospital Banjarmasin. The latter is COVID-19 referral hospital in South Kalimantan between March-November 2020. Demographic data, comorbidities, and laboratory were all collected. Data were compared between survivors and non-survivors. Fisher’s exact test and chi-square were used to compare categorical variables. The Mann_Whitney U test was used to compare continuous variables. Analysis was continued by multivariate logistic regression then receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to determine cut-off value. The multivariate analysis showed that number of comorbidities [odds ratio (OR) 1,339 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1,064-1,685, P = 0,013) was a significant risk factor to the outcome. In laboratory, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) [OR: 1.001, 95% CI: 1,000-1.002, P = 0.001], Ferritin (OR 1.000, CI: 1,000-1.001, P = 0.013), APTT (OR: 1.045, CI: 1.010-1.082, P = 0.012), and D-dimer (OR: 1.188, CI: 1.064 - 1.327, P = 0.002) were significant predictor factors but only LDH, ferritin, and D- dimer were obtained good AUC 0.731, 0.715, and 0.705, respectively. The cut of the value of LDH was 656.5 U/L, ferritin was 672.18 ng/ml, and D-dimer was 2.28 mg/L. Sensitivity and specificity were 66.7% and 68,0% for LDH, 83,2% and 56,3% for ferritin, and 62,8 and 70,8% for D-dimer. From this research, we revealed that the number of comorbidities was a risk factor for death. Elevated LDH, ferritin, and D-dimer could be good predictive factors for poor outcomes, thereby considering the accelerating management of COVID-19 patients

Complex Compound with Transitional Metal of Akway Bark (Drimys piperita Hook F.) as Low Molecular Weight Scavenging Antioxidant: A Computational Study

Akway (Drimys piperita Hook f.) was known as an endogenous plant of Indonesia. This plant was investigated as free radical scavenger based on paramagnetic properties. This study aimed to identify the bioactive compound and the role of Fe metals ions to enhance the free radical scavenger capacity as Low molecular weight antioxidant (LWMA) of akway. This study was designed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with ultra-high-resolution time of flight-mass spectrometry detector (TOF-MS), docking (Pyrex and Discovery Studio 2016 Client) and pharmacokinetic properties prediction (SwissADME). UPLC-TOF-MS analysis showed that herbal akway bark has five molecular formula (C4H3N10O21-, C14H19N4O91-, C4H7N6O51-, C15H28NO31+, and C23H32NO71+). The docking was illustrated the complex binding akway formula with Fe and its role as a metal donor and metal acceptor. It also confirmed on pharmacokinetics properties prediction which molecular compounds of akway have aqueous solubility. It meant the herbal akway bark complexed to Fe could be a low molecular weight antioxidant and it could be escalated free radical scavenger capacity

Nanoelicitors Application Promote Antioxidant Capacity of Asparagus officinalis (In Vitro)

Nanoparticles recently play remarkable roles in modern agriculture and biotechnology due to specific exclusively physicochemical and biological characteristics of the particles. In recent years, nanoparticles are been using as fertilizers and elicitors to improve crops. Nutritionists are constantly seeking natural antioxidants without side effects to using for healthcare and treatment. Asparagus officinalis L. as medicinal plant treated by iron (0, 10, 50 and 100 mg/L) and selenium (0, 0.5,and 1 mg/L) nanoparticles as nano elicitors. Then the antioxidant capacity of A. officinalis L. was detected and measured by α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, for assessment of the antioxidant activity. The iron nanoparticlesconcentration significantly increases the antioxidant activity of both male and female asparagus stem, as well as selenium nanoparticles. When combined iron and selenium used as nano elicitors then cause the antioxidant activity significantly decreases. But the integration of two nano elicitors (iron and selenium) decreased antioxidant capacity while the use of nano-selenium could enhance antioxidant capacity. The application of nano elicitor increased antioxidant capacity in the female stem than male.Nanoparticles recently play remarkable roles in modern agriculture and biotechnology due to specific exclusively physicochemical and biological characteristics of the particles. In recent years, nanoparticles are been using as fertilizers and elicitors to improve crops. Nutritionists are constantly seeking natural antioxidants without side effects to using for healthcare and treatment. Asparagus officinalis L. as medicinal plant treated by iron (0, 10, 50 and 100 mg/L) and selenium (0, 0.5,and 1 mg/L) nanoparticles as nano elicitors. Then the antioxidant capacity of A. officinalis L. was detected and measured by α, α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, for assessment of the antioxidant activity. The iron nanoparticlesconcentration significantly increases the antioxidant activity of both male and female asparagus stem, as well as selenium nanoparticles. When combined iron and selenium used as nano elicitors then cause the antioxidant activity significantly decreases. But the integration of two nano elicitors (iron and selenium) decreased antioxidant capacity while the use of nano-selenium could enhance antioxidant capacity. The application of nano elicitor increased antioxidant capacity in the female stem than male.

Biosorption of Cadmium by fungi isolated from Bharalu river, Assam

Heavy metal pollution in the aquatic ecosystem poses a serious threat to the human health and aquatic biodiversity around. There is urgent need to remediate heavy metals contaminated wastewater through eco friendly ways. Fungi and other microorganisms have been reported to have promising potential to remove heavy metals from wastewater through biosorption. Thus the present work aimed to isolate tolerant fungal species from different sites of a polluted river Bharalu in Assam. After preliminary screening, out of a total of 15 fungal isolates obtained, 4 isolates Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigates and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were selected for further study. Tolerance limit of the isolates for Cadmium (Cd) was carried out at concentrations ranging from 100 ppm to 1000 ppm. Results showed that the maximum tolerance was observed in Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (approx. 8.8 mm), followed by Aspergillus flavus (approx. 5.8 mm) at 400ppm. The biosorption efficiency at 400ppm revealed that the maximum Cd concentration was absorbed by fungal biomass of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (12.83 mg/g) and the minimum by Aspergillus niger (3.91 mg/g). Molecular identification was carried out followed by PCR amplification of the fungal biomass showing highest absorption. The sequence obtained was submitted in the GenBank using BANkIt with accession number-MN714368 which showed high similarities with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. This results indicated that fungus are promising and potential sources for metal biosorption and detoxification.

The Identity of the Herb Todda–Vaddi in Van Rheede’s Hortus Malabaricus

The ambiguity in the botanical identity of Todda-vaddi in van Rheede’s Hortus Malabaricus is clarified and reinstated as Biophytum reinwardtii (Zucc.) Klotzsch. A detailed description, photographs, and other relevant notes are provided. Keywords: Biophytum reinwardtii, B. candolianum, Todda-vaddi, Hortus Malabaricus

Secondary Metabolite Ceiba pentandra Gaertn. as Biological Control to Canker Disease on Dragon Fruit

Canker diseases caused by Neoscytalidium dimidiatum are a serious threat for dragon fruit production. Comprehensive and environmentally friendly control efforts are needed to reduce yield losses due to this disease. Cottonwood (Ceiba pentandra) is one of the plants that contain complex phytochemicals that can control phyto-pathogens. This study aimed to examine the potential of secondary metabolites produced from the leaves and bark of the C. pentandara as botanical fungicides. Parts of dragon fruit that are attacked by canker are isolated on Potatoes Dextrose Agar media. Observation of conidia and fungal spores using a binocular microscope with a magnification of 100×. The hyphal form of the N. dimidiatum is rectangular and clear. As botanical fungicides, the leaves and the bark of the C. pentandara are dried for 14 days. The extract solution then analyzed for it’s secondary metabolites. The results of the qualitative analysis showed that each leaf extract and bark (+) compound of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins. The quantitative results of secondary metabolites detected 304.3 mg.kg-1, Flavonoids and Tannins of 1.6 mg.kg-1. Secondary metabolites obtained were tested on the fungus N. dimidiatum with inhibitory parameters in vitro and in vivo. This study followed a factorial completely randomized design consisting of concentration factors and types of extract parts. The data obtained were then analyzed by ANOVA and significant treatments were further tested by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at α = 5%. The combination treatment with a concentration of 40 mg ml-1 is more effective in controlling canker in indicators of inhibitory, the extent of the attack, and intensity of disease severity.

Mutation Analysis and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of TP53 Gene in Breast Cancer in East Java

The Incidence of Indonesia breast cancer case in 2018 was reported at 20.7% or 160,653 in number. The factors that caused breast cancer is TP53 gene mutation and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP). This study aimed to determine the mutation and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) of TP53 gene in breast cancer. Samples of this study were 9 people chosen based on a purposive technique. The methods include total DNA isolation, DNA quantification, PCR, and sequencing. The results of the sequencing were then analyzed using alignment and blast. The SNP is browsed by the SNP finder on NCBI both followed by protein modeling. The results of this study indicate the existence of mutation in the exon and intron regions. Substitution of Guanine (G) to base Adenine (A) is occur in codon 496 which is a coding region. SNP was also obtained in exon of sample 12. The conclusion of this study is breast cancer can be caused by mutations that occur in the exon and altered the structur of protein structure, so then affect the binding affinity between p53 and its target domain. Tp53 gene mutation is not the only cause of breast cancer staging development, there are other genes that also contribute to the development of cancer stage. In addition, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism in the TP53 gene can be used as a predisposition marker of breast cancer that has potential to be inherited

Multi-Drug Resistance Bacteria: A Case Study in Western Peninsular Malaysia Freshwaters

The emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in aquatic environment has led to an increase in waterborne health risks to an alarming extent. This study attempts to investigate the population of certain antibiotic resistant strains in Peninsular Malaysia. From the samples of 14 rivers from 7 different states in Peninsular Malaysia, a total of 203 isolates were successfully isolated. These are from rivers in Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu with 35, 15, 37, 39, 24, 26 and 27 isolates, respectively. The isolates were tested for their susceptibility towards 6 broad spectrum of antibiotics which are gentamicin, ampicillin, rifampicin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin. A total of 117 isolates were identified to have more than 20% MAR index value with 47 of the isolates possess minimum MAR index value of 50%. Based on MAR index value, 59% of isolates are high risk threats indicating a serious emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in the rivers in Peninsular Malaysia. Isolates with MAR index value of more than 50% were selected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing for further identification.Based on 16s rRNA gene sequencing, the isolates are a mixture of pathogenic and commensals bacteria. This also implies that the environment especially rivers can be a reservoir for genetic jugglery

Immunomodulatory Activity of Methanol Leaf Extract of Neem (Azadirachta indica Juss) Against Suppressor and Proinflammatory Molecules

Neem plant is rich in bioactive constituents, which make it massively discussed the treatment of various diseases. A study on the immunomodulatory activities of neem is given here. This current work aimed to investigate the effects of neem leaf extract on immunocompetent cells. In vivo experiment was carried out using mice (Mus musculus) Â induced with DMBA, comprising positive control, negative control, and treatments of neem leaf extracts (250, 500, and 1000 ppm). Data obtained from flow cytometric analysis were evaluated using BD Cellquest ProTM software, then statistically analyzed in SPSS version 21. Parametric analysis in one-way ANOVA was performed at a significance level of 5%. The significant difference was compared in the Duncan test. The results showed that administration of neem leaf extracts significantly affected the expression of CD4+, CD8+, CD25+, CD62L, IL-10, and IL-17 cells .Neem leaf extract has immunomodulatory activities by increasing pressure molecules and decreasing pro-inflammatory molecules