Showing papers in "Journal of Tropical Life Science in 2012"
12 citations
TL;DR: Laka rice seemed to be more sensitive towards the strong wind conditions and bird or rat attacks rather than Woja Laka in terms of organic farming system.
Abstract: This research is aimed to study the growth adaptation of two Indonesian black rice NTT in origin which is cultivating in organic paddy field in Malang - East Java and its problems during a planting period. A descriptive exploratory research was conducted in two organic rice fields in Kepanjen District, Malang Regency. Those fields were grown with two different varieties of black rice NTT in origin namely, Laka and Woja Laka. Each rice field was recorded periodically. The growth was including the plant height, biomass, density of tiller, panicle and spikes, dry seed weight and the problem correlated to pest and climates limitation. The results showed that Woja Laka and Laka black rice varieties slightly gave a different growth pattern. Laka variety was taller than Woja Laka, i.e. the Laka could reach 200 cm of height, while the Woja Laka was maximum 150 cm of height. However, the density of Woja Laka tiller and its panicle were almost double than the Laka ones. The dry seed weight and spikes number of Woja Laka were much higher than in Laka ones. In terms of organic farming system, Laka rice seemed to be more sensitive towards the strong wind conditions and bird or rat attacks rather than Woja Laka. Both pests attacked on both black rice along growing period, but rat preferred to attack vegetative part, otherwise bird strongly disturbed during generative period. Key words: black rice, growth, Laka, Woja Laka, organic paddy field
12 citations
TL;DR: Result of this experiment showed that pretreatment with 0.5-8% bleach solution significantly increases the yield of total hatch rate of Daphnia magna resting eggs by about 21% over unbleached control, however, there was no significant difference among the bleach treatments.
Abstract: Daphnia (water fleas) belong to the zooplankton group called Cladocerans have sexual reproduction when conditions less favorable that produce diapausing eggs are enclosed in the ephippium. Hatching ephippial eggs in the laboratory is important in ecological, toxicology, genetical, and evolutionary studies. This study aims to improve the current methods of egg hatching from ephippium. Each of 50 ephippium were treated together by placing them in a glass jar and adding 50 mL bleach solution (sodium hypochlorite). Concentrations of sodium hypochlorite used in this experiment were 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 4% and 8%. These concentration treatments were crossed with the following exposure times (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 minutes). Culturing was done in 80 mL of artificial Daphnia medium, incubated in constant light and temperatures 20°C for 25 days. There were two repetitions in this experiment that were run at the same time. Result of this experiment showed that pretreatment with 0.5-8% bleach solution significantly increases the yield of total hatch rate of Daphnia magna resting eggs by about 21% over unbleached control. However, there was no significant difference among the bleach treatments. Concentration of bleach solution 0.5%, 1% and 4% significantly accelerated the time period until the first hatching (first day hatching). Difference of exposure time (1 - 32 minutes) at each concentration treatments were not influence the yield of total hatch and the time period until first hatching.
9 citations
TL;DR: The data showed that the Igf-1 expression of adipose cells was reduced at 0,03 g/ml BTS and 0,045 g/ ML BTS treatments, and the result of BLAST analysis showed that IGF-1 (a, b, c, and d) isoforms conserved a domain from amino acid no 22 until 134; and this region was a variable region.
Abstract: The natural compound of black tea is used as an alternative of obesity therapies in the world; particularly, the catechin family in tea leaves which has bioactive compounds such as EC, EGC and EGCG. Their bioactivity contributes to inhibit the ligand of Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Receptor (Igf-1r) binding-region to Igf-1 protein. To elucidate the inhibiton of Igf-1 expression and proliferating of Rattus norvegicus strain wistar adipose cell using black tea solution. The research used Rattus norvegicus strain wistar. After a 90-day treatment, the adipose tissues were picked up from the viscera of each experimental animal, and then the adipose tissues were embedded by paraffin. The paraffin sections were determined through immunohistochemistry with anti-Igf-1 antiserum, and were also analyzed through hematoxylin-eosin. A protein sequence of Igf-1, Igf-1r, and 3D structure of EC, EGC and EGCG from Gene Bank sites were used during in silico analysis. The sequences were aligned by BLAST program to identify the conserve and variable domain of IGF-1 protein isoforms. The 3D structures of IGF-1 and IGF-1R were constructed using Phyre program. The ligand among the 3D structures of IGF-1, IGF-1R and catechin compounds were analyzed using Hex 5.1 docking program. The data showed that the Igf-1 expression of adipose cells was reduced at 0,03 g/ml BTS and 0,045 g/ml BTS treatments. The result of BLAST analysis showed that IGF-1 (a, b, c, and d) isoforms conserved a domain from amino acid no 22 until 134; and this region was a variable region. The EGCG bound L1 domain of IGF-1R with E-total -235.3 KJ/mol which was lower than EC (-208,4 KJ/mol) and EGC (-142 KJ/mol). The total energy of IGF-1 (a, b, c, but not d isoform) which interacted with EGCG was around -223.7 KJ/mol, EC is -205.6 KJ/mol and EGC was -191.7 KJ/mol. However, EC, EGC and EGCG was only able to prevent the interaction between the L1 of IGF-1R with IGF-1 protein, but not the opposite. Keywords: Adipose cell, black-tea, proliferation , catechin, IGF-1, IGF-1R, inhibition, docking
9 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focused on three mangrove species that can be found in La Esperanza: Rhizophora mangle (RM), Laguncularia racemosa (LR), and Avicennia germinans (AG).
Abstract: Peninsula La Esperanza is part of the San Juan Bay Estuary and located in the north coast of Puerto Rico. Mangroves are the predominant type of vegetation; that can exhibit diverse external and internal mechanisms allowing them to tolerate and to act as phytoremediators of heavy metals (HM) in surrounding soils. This study was focused in three mangrove species that can be found in La Esperanza: Rhizophora mangle (RM), Laguncularia racemosa (LR) and Avicennia germinans (AG). Arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were selected to be identified, measure concentrations in sediments, in green (GL) and senescent (SL) leaves, and study phytoremediation potential as a mitigation alternative calculating bioconcentration afctors (BCFs) and retranslocation percents (RT%). For this, Peninsula La Esperanza was divided in three main research sites. Our results show a significant difference among all heavy metals and their distribution in each site. Moreover, the mangrove species, A. germinans, showed lower RT% for Hg in all three sites, which could be considered the best species for phytoextraction of this heavy metal. The results suggest that the three species have a synergistic effect in the way they manage the heavy metal in surrounding polluted soils, although each species have a different capacity to manage each heavy metal.
9 citations
7 citations
TL;DR: The results showed that Cocor Bebek leaves ( Kalanchoe pinnata Lam.Pers.) ethanolic extract had antidiabetic activity with IC 50 less than 100 ppm, however, the activity is lesser than quercetin.
Abstract: Antidiabetic activity of Cocor Bebek leaves ( Kalanchoe pinnata Lam.Pers.) ethanolic extract from Bogor city, Kabupaten Bogor and south of Tangerang city has been studied. The study was conducted in vitro using glucosidase inhibitor method. The results of the study showed that IC 50 of the extract from Bogor city, Kabupaten Bogor, and Tangerang Selatan city is 40.94 ppm, 33.58 ppm and 16.12 ppm respectively. Meanwhile, IC 50 of quersetin which has antidiabetic activity is 10.22 ppm. The results showed that Cocor Bebek leaves ( Kalanchoe pinnata Lam.Pers.) ethanolic extract had antidiabetic activity with IC 50 less than 100 ppm. However, the activity is lesser than quercetin. Keywords: Kalanchoe pinnata Lam.Pers , antidiabetic activity, glucosidase inhibitor
7 citations
TL;DR: It is reported for the first time the insolubility of the plant-made NA1 protein where a native sequence was used for its expression, which signifies the necessity of the use of optimised sequences for expression work and provides great opportunity for the exploration of plantmanufactured NA1protein as vaccine candidate.
Abstract: The avian influenza virus, particularly H5N1 strain, is highly virulent to poultry and mankind. Several expression systems, like yeast, baculovirus and mammalian cells, have been adopted to pr oduce vaccine candidate for this lethal disease. The present research aimed at developing a recombinant vaccine candidate, neuraminidase type 1 (NA1), for the Malaysia isolate of H5N1 in Nicotiana benthamiana. The NA1 gene was fused directly in-frame in cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV)-based pEAQHT vector with C-terminal polyhistidine-tag incorporated to ease the subsequent purification step. The expression of the NA1 gene in tobacco was confirmed at RNA and protein levels at 6 days postinfiltration (Dpi). From the insoluble fraction of the protein, a recombinant glycosylated NA1 protein with a molecular weight of ~56 kDa was immunogenically detected by a specific anti-NA polyclonal antibody. We report for the first time the insolubility of the plant-made NA1 protein where a native sequence was used for its expression. This study signifies the necessity of the use of optimised sequences for expression work and provides great opportunity for the exploration of plantmanufactured NA1 protein as vaccine candidate.
7 citations
TL;DR: The results showed that E. ramosissium and T. angustifolia in mono and polyculture techniques had similar potentiality to reduce the nitrate and ortophosphate.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to find out the kind of hydromacrophyte composition having the highest capability to reduce nitrate-phosphate pollutant and Microcystis growth in phytoremediation media using Equisetum ramosissium , Typha angustifolia and the combination of both. Microcystis were obtained from Sutami reservoir, then being inoculated in a media grown by hydromacrophytes ( E. ramosissium , T. angustifolia and both of the hydromacrophytes) in the batch culture system. The number of Microcystis was counted every day within fifteen days. Abiotic factors were observe, including the concentration of nitrate using brucine-colorimetry method and orthophosphate (dissolved phosphate) using stannous chloride-colorimetry method on day 0, 6th, 12th and 15th. The growth rate of Microcystis carrying capacity and orthophosphate-nitrate levels among treatments were analysed by ANOVA test. The results showed that E. ramosissium and T. angustifolia in mono and polyculture techniques had similar potentiality to reduce the nitrate and ortophosphate. The concentrations of nitrate and orthophosphate decreased over 70 % in the 6th day after incubation. All of the treatments were able to reduce the carrying capacity of Microcystis up to 46 % , but the growth rates were similar in all media, that is, around 97-170 cells/L/day. Keywords: Equisetum ramosissium, Microcystis, nitrate, phosphate, Typha angustifolia
6 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of various organic matter and application rates on earthworms in sugarcane cropping system was investigated and it was found that the earthworm population density was strongly influenced by the quality of organic matter such as the C-organic, N, C/N ratio, lignin, polyphenols, and cellulose content.
Abstract: Earthworms population in the soil are greatly impacted by agricultural management, yet little is known about how the quality and quantity of organic matter addition interact in sugarcane cropping system to earthworm population. This study describes the effect of various organic matter and application rates on earthworms in sugarcane cropping system. Earthworms were collected in April, July and December from 48 experimental plots under five kinds of organic matter application : (1) cattle manure, (2) filter cake of sugar mill, (3) sugarcane trash, (4) mixture of cattle manure+filter cake, and (5) mixture of cattle manure+sugarcane trash. There were three application rates of the organic matter (5, 10, and 15 ton ha-1). The treatments were arranged in factorial block randomize design with three replications and one treatment as a control (no organic input). Earthworms were collected using monolith sampling methods and hand-sorted from each plot, and measured its density (D) (indiv.m -2 ), biomass (B) (g m -2 ) and B/D ratio (g/indiv.). All the plots receiving organic matter input had higher earthworm density, biomass, and B/D ratio than the control. The highest earthworm population density was found in the plot receiving application of sugarcane trash (78 indiv.m -2 ) and the mixture of cattle manure+sugarcane trash (84 indiv.m -2 ). The increase in application rates of organic matter could increase the earthworm density and biomass. Earthworm population density also appeared to be strongly influenced by the quality of organic matter, such as the C-organic, N, C/N ratio, lignin, polyphenols, and cellulose content. Earthworm preferred low quality organic matter. It was caused by the higher energy of low quality organic matter than high quality organic matter. Our findings suggest that the input of low quality organic matter with application rate as 10 ton ha-1 is important for maintaining earthworm population and soil health in sugarcane land. Keywords: earthworms, organic matter quantity, quality, sugarcane cropping system
6 citations
TL;DR: Effect of elevated copper was seen in the morphology and behavior of Clarias gariepinus which include slimy mucus on the skin, aggressive and uncoordinated swimming with the opercula flared, slow growth, reduced odor perception of food and water bubbles on the ponds.
Abstract: > Copper is a nutritional trace element for fish which could be deficient or toxic. Copper concentrations from four aquaculture ponds were analyzed for 12 weeks using Bicinchoninate method. Alkalinity was measured using colorimetric method with the aid of Hanna Multiparameter Bench Photometer. Temperature and pH of the ponds was measured in situ using Hanna Portable pH/EC/TDS/Temp combined waterproof tester. All measurements were done I triplicates. Copper concentrations ranged from 0.01 to 0.10 mg/L, alkalinity ranged from 105 to 245mg/L. Weeks 1 and 12 recorded the highest and lowest Cu2+ concentrations, while lowest and highest alkalinity were obtained in weeks 1 and 12 respectively in all the ponds. Temperature and pH ranged from 29.1 to 35.9°C and 6.35 to 8.03. The trend of copper concentrations in the ponds was Natural > Earthen > Concrete > Collapsible, with concentration slightly above the normal in the ponds. This could have come from the pipes used in delivering water to the pond, copper alloy nets and mesh used in the ponds, anti-fouling agents, algaecides, water source and fish meal. Effect of elevated copper was seen in the morphology and behavior of Clarias gariepinus which include slimy mucus on the skin, aggressive and uncoordinated swimming with the opercula flared, slow growth, reduced odor perception of food and water bubbles on the ponds. Copper should be regularly bio monitored to determine toxicity in fish.
TL;DR: The results showed the highest genetic diversity was found in North Bogor (He=0.313), and the genetic diversity within a population (61%) was higher than that among populations (39%).
Abstract: Pulasan (Nephelium ramboutan-ake (Labill.) Leenh) fruit is highly similar to rambutan rapiah (Nephelium lappaceum) fruit with ovate shape, sweet and sour fresh taste, but it has a thick rind. The diversity of pulasan is little informed including in Bogor. The objective of this study was to analyze the genetic diversity of pulasan from Bogor revealed by microsatellite marker. The DNA of 63 individuals from 10 populations of pulasan were extracted using CTAB method and amplified using two primer sets, LMLY6 (GA)9(CA)2(GA)4 dan LMLY12 (CT)11. DNA amplification product was visualized and arranged in a matrix of binary data then analyzed the value of the number of different alleles (Na), the number of effective alleles (Ne), Shannon information index (I), heterozygosity (He), and the percentage of polymorphism (PLP). The results of the analysis showed the highest genetic diversity was found in North Bogor (He=0.313). The genetic diversity within a population (61%) was higher than that among populations (39%). A dendrogram was constructed using the Unweighted Pair Group Method with arithmetic Mean (UPGMA). The similarity index ranged from 52 to 100% that means there are close relationships among individuals. Cluster analyses grouped some individuals originated from different locations in the same group. The levels of heterozygosity within a population was determined by the history of each individual in a population.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors conducted an experiment in Jambegede Research Farm, Indonesian Legume and Tuber Crops Research Institute, Malang, East Java, Indonesia, from July until October 2011.
Abstract: The solar radiation is one of the major criteria to obtaining advantages on peanuts (Arachishypogaea L.). Although various combinations of crops have been reported, but variety association and plant population densities (PPD) during the periodically stage of growth on peanuts have yet to be analyzed. Dry matter production (DM), radiation energy interception, and radiation energy conversions were monitored over the growth period of two varieties of peanut. An experiment was conducted in Jambegede Research Farm, Indonesian Legume and Tuber Crops Research Institute, Malang, East Java, Indonesia, from July until October 2011. The experiment was arranged in a Split Plot Design with three replications. Peanut varieties, as the main plot consisted of two treatments: Kelinci and Kancil variety. In addition, five PPD variations as sub plot consisted of 8.1, 11.1, 16.0, 25.0 and 44.4 plant m-2 were arranged in a square spacing. The results showed that DM production from high PPD increased gradually to lower PPD in all varieties. Interception efficiency (IE) increased in all varieties from early sowing. A plant population density of 25.0 m-2 and 44.4 plants m-2 intercepted more radiation over 11.1 or 16.0 plants m-2. Conversion efficiency of radiation energy (CE) to total dry matter production on Kelinci variety (1.52%) indicated a slight higher percentage than on Kancil variety (1.41%). Moreover, the CE and IE values indicated a decrease as the PPD increased on maximum DM.
TL;DR: Single cell assay of a tumor sphere shows that it can grow new tumor spheres with similar morphology to non-adhesive culture plate, and culture plate coated with 1% agarose can be used as an economic and efficient alternative to culture tumor sphere.
Abstract: Cervical cancer recurs in 90% cases and linked to cancer stem cells that able to self-renew and responsible for recurrence, metastasis, and mortality of cancer. Isolation and identification of cancer stem cells using serum-free medium needs expensive growth factors and consume time. This study try to grow tumor sphere using culture plate coated with 1% agarose as an efficient and economical alternative to non-adhesive culture plate. HeLa cell line was grew in culture plate coated with 1% agarose and non-adhesive culture plate using similar medium and culture condition. Tumor spheres morphology was observed and the colonies were counted in 7 days followed by single cell assay. Tumor spheres then counted for CD133+, CD34+, and Sox2 expression using flowcytometry. Culture plate coated with 1% agarose can be used as an economic and efficient alternative to culture tumor sphere. Using culture plate coated with 1% agarose, the tumor spheres formed in 7 days with similar morphology to non-adhesive culture plate. Tumorsphere had three dimensional – sphere shape that tightly attached, colonized, and overlapped. The tumor sphere colony counts of two plates were statistically have no significant difference (p=0,667). Single cell assay of a tumor sphere shows that it can grow new tumor spheres with similar morphology. The tumor sphere from culture plate coated with 1% agarose express CD133+ and CD34+ as much as 8.78% ± 2.14 and Sox2 as much as 35.30% ± 23.82 whereas tumor sphere from non-adhesive culture plate express CD133+ and CD34+ as much as 62.36% ± 1.06 and Sox2 as much as 98.86% ± 0.56 (p = 0000).
TL;DR: The result of this study shows that PGPR tend to reduce FLR values on the seedling root made from seeds, while on the seeds made from stem cutting, PGPR increase the root length, primary and secondary lateral root numbers, root diameter, FLR and SRL values as well.
Abstract: Pseudomonas fluorescens and P. putida are Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) that can produce growth hormone. The objective of this study is to know the effects of those two combined species of PGPR on seedling root growth of Jatropha curcas . The condition of the seedling root determines the success of dry land cultivation. The root which has wider coverage, is larger in number, and is bigger in diameter makes seedling more resistant to stress in dry land environment. In the experiment, two kinds of plant materials are used for seedling, the Jatropha seed and stem material, which are treated in a mixed culture of PGPR. For the Jatropha seed, this mixed culture of PGPR is given at the same time of cultivating the sprout on the seedling medium. For the stem cutting, the PGPR is poured in together during the first watering of the seedling cultivation medium. In the fourthweek, the observed growth parameters are root length, root diameter, primary and secondary lateral root numbers, Root Length Density (RLD), Frequency of Lateral Root (FLR), and Specific Root Length (SRL). These data are analyzed using analysis of variant with DMRT test at 0.05 level of significance. The result of this study shows that PGPR tend to reduce FLR values on the seedling root made from seeds. On the seedling root made from stem cutting, PGPR increase the root length, primary and secondary lateral root numbers, root diameter, FLR and SRL values as well. Keywords: Pseudomonas, PGPR, root, Jatropha
TL;DR: It is suggested that P. falciparum might present only some resistance to SP at Sungai Pinang and Peramasan subdistricts, Banjar District, South Kalimantan province, Indonesia, that suggests SP might be effective for IPTp in this area.
Abstract: Pregnant women are highly vulnerable to malaria infection in its endemic areas, particularly infection by Plasmodium falciparum that can cause premature, low birth weight, severe anemia in pregnant women, and death. Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) for Intermittent Preventive Treatment for pregnant (IPTp) is used for malaria control in pregnancy recommended by the World Health Organization that has already been implemented in Africa. The P. falciparum resistance to SP has been reported in several malarial endemic areas, and mutations in the genes of Plasmodium falciparum Dihydrofolate Reductase ( Pfdhfr ) and Dihydropteroate Synthase ( Pfdhps ) are shown to be associated with parasite resistance to SP treatment. Genetic analysis of Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes in pregnant women infected with P. falciparum has not yet been examined in Indonesia. The cross-sectional study was conducted at two subdistricts, Sungai Pinang and Peramasan, in Banjar district of South Kalimantan Province, where 127 pregnant women were recruited from 2008 to April 2010. Two important mutations in Pfdhfr gene (amino acid positions at N51 and S108) and three in Pfdhps gene (A437, K540 and A581) were analyzed by nested PCR-RFLP method. All of the seven pregnant women samples infected with P. falciparum presented PfDHFR 108N and PfDHPS 437G mutations. One of the samples had the additional mutation at PfDHPS 540, in which Lys is substituted by Glu. These results suggested that P. falciparum might present only some resistance to SP at Sungai Pinang and Peramasan subdistricts, Banjar District, South Kalimantan province, Indonesia. Although there were limited number of samples, this study showed only few mutations of Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes in P. falciparum at Banjar district, South Kalimantan Province, that suggests SP might be effective for IPTp in this area. Thus, further analysis of the other mutation sites in Pfdhfr and Pfdhps genes and in vivo efficacy study of SP with more sufficient sample numbers will be necessary to confirm this preliminarily result. Keywords: PfDHFR and PfDHPS genes, Pregnant women, Falciparum malaria
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors carried out the physico-chemical parameters of two stations such as Thondi and Soliyakudi in the southeast Palk Strait region during the monsoon and post monsoon seasons (November 2008-March 2009).
Abstract: Present analysis was carried out the physico- chemical parameters of two stations such as Thondi and Soliyakudi in the southeast Palk Strait region during the monsoon and post monsoon seasons (November 2008 – March 2009). High temperature (31˚C) and salinity (35%o) was recorded in the month of March (post monsoon). Dissolved oxygen content was high (5.2 O 2 mg. l -1 ) during in the monsoonal season. Compared with other nutrients such as NO 3 , NO 2 and SiO 2, the total phosphorous concentration was high in both the stations during monsoonal season. In general concentrations of all the nutrients were high in the station I during monsoon season (November and December) which could be due to the addition of nutrients through the sewage, agricultural and land run off.
TL;DR: Using natural products that contain glucomannan from Amorphophallus endemic East Java to reduce fattened Wistar rats to reduce high LDL-C showed that the diet of A.variabilis potentially lowered blood cholesterol levels.
Abstract: One of indication of obesity is high LDL-C . Obesity has serious risk to health, it can cause heart disease and stroke. Effort to lower obesity using drugs have significant side effects such as insomnia, increased blood pressure, dry mouth and so forth. Therefore using natural products that contain glucomannan to reduce obesity and LDL-C is good choise. Glucomannan in the global market derived from Amorphophallus konjac. In this study, we used glucomannan from Amorphophallus endemic East Java to reduce fattened Wistar rats. Amorphophallus that used include Amorphophallus muelleri, A.variabilis (variant: Brongkos 32; Brongkos 5; Wonorejo, Brangsi) and Amorphophallus campanulatus (Var Selopuro). Amorphophallus diet was given to white rats of Wistar strain that previously fattened using a mixture of cholesterol and lard, in addition to PARS (Chicken Feed Race Super) as a basic food. Amorphophallus konjac was used as control. Measurement of LDL-C was conducted in four different time points, namely 1). Prior to dietary cholesterol, 2). 24 days after the dietary cholesterol, 3) 11 days after Amorphophallus (+cholesterol) diet, 4). 25 days after Amorphophallus (+cholesterol) diet. The results showed that the diet of A.variabilis potentially lowered blood cholesterol levels for their respective 22.98%, 5.85% and 7.37% for consecutive variant Brongkos 32; Brongkos 5; Wonorejo. Diet from A.campanulatus and A.konjac had not been able to reduce cholesterol to the end of observation (25 days).
TL;DR: The most serious threat to traditional rural ponds in Haryana is associated with transformed societal behavioural patterns, ethics, values and life style, amongst several others as discussed by the authors, which leads to over excessive eutrophication.
Abstract: The most serious threat to traditional rural ponds in Haryana is associated with transformed societal behavioural patterns, ethics, values and life style, amongst several others. The siltation of ponds with adjoining areas, soil coming in with rain water is a very serious cause of stratification of rural ponds. Also contracting of village community land for sun drying of cow dung cakes inspires villagers to overload periphery of each pond with cow dung turning the premises into grave-yard of dung. This dung is the major source of polluting pond water into blackish water with high load of organic matter. Moreover, it leads to over excessive eutrophication. Building of major highways and connectivity roads have resulted into compartmentalization and degradation of village ponds. Inhabitation of peripheral village ponds boundaries by lower section of society for dwelling purposes is more threat to wetlands. The indifferent inclination of villagers towards silted ponds drenched in bad odour and blackish sludge is the story of 80% of the cases. The total blockage of run-off rainy water towards the natural age old rural ponds due to obstruction by way of human inhabitation has resulted into desertification of shallow water sheet in 90% of the cases. The oblivion of harvesting dried silt in summer for brick making has spelled doom for the ponds turning them into flat ground through successive decades and so on. The water quality in all ponds was overshooting the decaying stage due to the continuous mixing of cow dung drenched rainy water. Over excessive usage of ponds for bathing of cattle, dumping of cow dung and rotten vegetables waste has turned ponds into live sinks of dirt, garbage and rural dairy wastes. Majority of village ponds are now out of existence or in deep black sludge laden or converted into Fish-Farming wetlands. The present studies have indicated that Winter migratory birds like Greylag Goose Anser anser, Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus, Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Gadwall Anas strepera, Northern Shoveller Anas clypeata, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Garganey Anas querquedula, Common Teal Anas crecca, Common Pochard Aythya ferina , Tufted Pochard Aythya fuligula, Common Coot Fulica atra, Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius, Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrines, Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus, Common Redshank Tringa tetanus, Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatilis, Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola and Pied Avocet Recurivirostra avosetta arrive in the extremely dilapidated rural ponds in Haryana from far off places including Russia, Siberia, China, and Caspian region, east Asia each winter season without any break. As such the extinction of ponds in Haryana directly threatens global avian biodiversity. Keywords: Traditional Rural Wetlands, Perennial Rainy Water, Road Side Puddles, Land Filling, Commercial and Residential Construction, Highway reconstruction
TL;DR: The enzyme activity obtained from isolates was dependent on substrate concentration, and the greatest zone of inhibition in both CMC and xylan agar media was seen in isolate P1D, which produced the highest activity of endoglucanase and x Dylanase.
Abstract: Cellulolytic/Xylanolytic microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi are accountable for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass in soil. Despite this vast number of cellulose/xylanase producers, there is a deficiency of microorganisms that can produce a significant amount of cellulase/xylanase enzyme to proficiently degrade cellulose/xylan to fermentable sugars. Although bacteria have extremely high natural diversity, which bestows them with the aptitude to produce stable enzymes, little emphasis has been given to cellulose/xylanase production from bacteria. Seven soil samples were collected from eastern hilly districts of Nepal viz. Taplejung, Panchthar and Sankhuwasabha districts, from soil surface and at depth of 10cm to 20cm, and were isolated separately. From the seven soil samples, four bacterial isolates were obtained. Isolates (PSS, P1D, TLC, SNK) were then screened for cellulolytic/xylanolytic activity using Congo red assay on Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)/xylan agar plates. The enzyme activity obtained from isolates was dependent on substrate concentration. The activity of enzymes produced by isolates were also measured and compared on pretreated sugarcane bagasse. Among those samples, the greatest zone of inhibition in both CMC (1.3 cm) and xylan (1.0 cm) agar media was seen in isolate P1D. It also produced the highest activity of endoglucanase and xylanase i.e. activity 0.035 U/mL and 0.050 U/mL respectively at 0.010 mg mL-1 standard substrate concentration of CMC and xylan.
TL;DR: In this paper, the knowledge about the wild edible fungal flora of Ranupani Village of East Java Indonesia that used by indigenous Tenggerese tribes was documented by using semi-structured interview and purposive sampling.
Abstract: This paper documented the knowledge about the wild edible fungal flora of Ranupani Village of East Java Indonesia that used by indigenous Tenggerese tribes. Study was conducted by using semi-structured interview and purposive sampling. Data were analyzed quantitatively descriptive. Index of Cultural Significance (ICS) was used to evaluate the importance of non-wood forest yields for local people. Identification of edible mushrooms was based on Guidelines of Flora Diversity Data Collection. This study was focus on the three edible mushrooms which are eaten mostly by the villagers, i.e. Pleurotus sp., Clytocybe nebularis and Auricularia auricula. The result is the Ranupani residents perception of edible mushrooms and its potential as an alternative source of food based on local knowledge and local wisdom of Tenggerese. Pleurotus sp. has the highest preference and intensity to be consumed with 3,2 ICS. It means culturally, this edible mushroom were not too important but intensively used as a secondary food sources such as soup (added or sauted), chips (dried) and fried. Ranupani Villagers always consumed edible mushrooms in rainy season. The ability of residents to distinguish edible mushrooms are equal to the searching ability to find edible mushroom substrate. The residents will recognized the substrate of edible mushrooms on dead trunks of Pasang Tree ( Lithocarpus sundaicus ), Danglu ( Engelhardia spicata ), Kemlandingan ( Albizia Montana ), Casuarina ( Casuarina junghuhniana ) and acacia ( Acacia decurens ). Residents who do not have the ability to distinguish and searching were consumer, get the edible mushrooms by buying from the searcher or distributor in packs. The characteristics of an edible mushrooms are a discrete soft flesh of the fruit body, dark color, no ring on the stipe, the presence of insects (e.g. moths) in the lamellae) and the type of mushroom substrate. There were also assisted growths of wild mushrooms by the residents’ raw chop the dead tree trunk as a substrate deliberately. Respondents who knew the time of harvesting edible mushroom were 58.3%. Pasang mushrooms (natural & assisted growth) can be found throughout the rainy season, with an interval of 12 days for subsequent retrieval. While Barat and Kuping mushrooms are found throughout the rainy season, but randomly distributed in the forest. There were unwritten but spoken hereditary local wisdom for the sustainable of the edible mushrooms in Tengger. Only Tenggerese allowed collecting and selling the edible mushrooms in Tengger area to the Tenggerese themselves and tourist (local or foreign). This wisdom is supported by TNBTS regulation that the edible mushroom were not allowed exported out of TNBTS area. This wisdom expectedly makes sure that the edible mushrooms should be sustained in the forest. Keywords: Ethno-edible mushrooms, Ranupani
TL;DR: It can be concluded that, based on DNA polymorphism detected by RAPD, amaranth family can be classified into two sub families namely Amaranthoideae and Gomphrenoidesae.
Abstract: Genera of amaranth family tend to have phenotypic variation partly caused by environmental factor. Phenotypic variation was the result of interaction between genetic and environmental factors. One of molecular markers that is widely used for detecting genetic variation is RAPD. RAPD is used for polymorphism detections and is now possible for identifiying a large number of loci and ascribes unambiguous taxonomic and genetic relationships among different taxa. Members of amaranth family found in Indonesia are Amaranthus, Celosia, Aerva, Alternanthera, Achyranthes, Gomphrena, Salsola, and Iresine. Six genera of which (Amaranthus, Celosia, Aerva, Alternanthera, Achyranthes, and Gomphrena) were observed in this study. DNA was extracted from fresh young leaves using Doyle and Doyles method with modification in the extraction buffer used. RAPD analyses were carried out with 20 decamer primers from Kit A of Operon Technology. DNA was amplified using master cycler gradient Eppendorf with 35 cycles. RAPD products were separated on 1,5 % agarose gels and detected by staining with ethidium bromide. There were 374 bands generated in 18 random primers. The number of monomorphic bands, polymorphic bands, and the percentage of polymorphism were 21 bands, 353 bands, and 94,38 % respectively. The high number and percentage of polymorphic bands revealed genomic DNA variation. This variation is in accordance with phenotypic variation detected in this experiment. Therefore, it can be concluded that, based on DNA polymorphism detected by RAPD, Amaranth family can be classified into two sub families namely Amaranthoideae and Gomphrenoideae.
TL;DR: In this paper, a single crystal of calcium tartrate tetrahydrate (CaTT) was synthesized in a singletube reaction at room temperature in which silica gel was used as growth medium with gelling time of 10 days and growth time of 2 weeks.
Abstract: Snail (Achatina fulica) shell waste is massively produced by many home industries in Indonesia, especially in East Java. The snail shell is known for high calcium; therefore it is potential to be used as calcium source of supernatant in the synthesis of piezoeletric material, such as single crystal of calcium tartrate tetrahydrate (CaTT). The aim of this research is to study the synthesis and characterization of CaTT or CaC4H4O6.4H2O from snail shell waste in silica gel. Supernatant solution of CaCl2 was prepared from CaO, which previously made by calcinating the shell at 1000°C, and then reacted with HCl 1.5M. Synthesis of CaTT was conducted in a singletube reaction at room temperature in which silica gel was used as growth medium with gelling time of 10 days and growth time of 2 weeks. The pH of gel and CaCl2 concentration were varied, 3.00; 3.50; 4.00; 4.50; 5.00; and 0.27; 0.36; 0.45; 0.54 M respectively, in order to obtain optimum condition of the synthesis, which is indicated from crystal yields. The synthesized crystals were characterized by atomic adsorption spectrophotometry (AAS), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Experimental data shows that optimum condition was obtained at pH of 3.50 and [CaCl2] of 0.45M with yield of 69.37%. The obtained single crystal has clear color and octahedral-like shape with size ranged between 4 – 9 mm. Analysis data by FTIR and powder XRD confirmed that the obtained crystal was CaTT single crystals with crystal system of orthorhombic.
TL;DR: This paper hopefully attracts people from systematic computation to develop further into open source software and multi-platform feature and reduces time and error during construction.
Abstract: Relationship construction has a very important position in classification process for arranging taxonomy of organism. In the world of taxonomy, there are two the most familiar relationship diagram, cladogram and phenogram. In every construction activity, a researcher is always facing character state data from taxa that becomes components of the diagram. Calculation that is used for construction is often incorporate iterative or repetitive process that needs time and precision. The existence of calculating tools that produces both text and graphical output are hopefully decrease time and error during construction. Basic algorithm that is used in calculation is for phylogenetic construction by Kluge and Farris in 1969,for phenetic construction using cluster analysis with slight modification. Basic common algorithm used in the software is by calculating two dimensional arrays of taxa x characters matrix and creating distance or similarity matrix. In more detail the program creates one dimensional array of taxonomical object and each object has some other one dimensional array containing data commonly exist in a taxonomic unit. The relationship between one object and theother are regulated by an object that created by class representing taxonomic tree. Cladogram is constructed by calculating nearest distance between each taxon (OTU) and creating one HTU in every bifurcation. Phenogram is constructed agglomeratively by searching highest similarity between taxon then grouped into new taxon. Program calculates numerical data after we do character scoring. Final result for each user may be different; this may be due to decision by user during construction process. This paper hopefully attracts people from systematic computation to develop further into open source software and multi-platform feature.
TL;DR: The result showed that the effect of porang-cultivation was not consistent in two study sites, and practice non harmful porang cultivation should be promoted as a part of agroforestry sistem in both study sites.
Abstract: This research was conducted on July to October 2010 to evaluate the effect of porang cultivation on the abundance, diversity and composition of soil Arthropods. Change in the abundance, diversity and composition of soil Arthropods was observed using pitfall traps in two study sites (Jember and Madiun). In each study site, samplings were performed in porang cultivation land and non-porang area. A total of 15 traps were put in three lines at each location. The differences in the abundance and diversity were analyzed by using multivariate analyze tests. The soil Arthropod compositions in all locations were compared with Bray-Curtis similarity index. The effect of environmental factors on the arthropod compositions was analyzed using multiple regression. The result showed that the effect of porang-cultivation was not consistent in two study sites. In Madiun, the abundance of soil Arthropods in porang cultivation land was slightly higher than that in non-porang, while the diversity was significantly higer in the former location. In contrast the those in Jember was found in vice versa situation. This study indicate that the effect of porang-cultivation was not subtantial to the composition of soil Arthropods. Therefore practice non harmful porang cultivation should be promoted as a part of agroforestry sistem in both study sites. Keywords: Agroforestry, conservation, pitfall traps Soil Arthropods composition
TL;DR: In this article, two workshops were sampled to prove the potential function of Pack Test in environmental education and participative environmental monitoring, and participants' feeling in the both workshops showed strong positive potential for Pack Test.
Abstract: Pack Test which provided by Kyoritsu Chemical-Check Lab. Corporation has been assumed as a professional easy-to-use onsite water quality checker. The aim of this study is to examine the possibility of application of Pack Test in Malaysia, and to assess the required matters during introduction processes. Two workshops were sampled to prove the potential function of Pack Test in environmental education and participative environmental monitoring. Two hours lecture of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) was facilitated as a workshop by author on September 23, 2010, and then the author has assisted a workshop in Putrajaya on October 9, 2010. Questionnaire forms were applied to test as if people‟s feeling are positive or not towards Pack Test as preliminary research. Water quality parameters were simultaneously measured by Pack Test, such as, COD, NO3-, CI - , and NH4 + in UTM, pH and NO 3- were measured in Putrajaya workshop, respectively. Participants‟ feeling in the both workshops showed strong positive potential for Pack Test. The results of water qualities from UTM workshop had big variation in COD and NO3 -. Considering the reason, the UTM workshop was conducted without proper support for both facilitators and participants. Participants were able to classify the water quality level in a short time. As for the Putrajaya workshop, with deep support and well skilled instruction by facilitator team, the data showed small variation i.e. good and consistent water quality result. It is obvious that Pack Test is always applicable to assess water environment and it is well functioned as user friendly easy-to-use water quality checker. Thereby the role of Pack Test is segregated from conventional standard methods. The participants‟ feeling to Pack Test was highly positive for implementation in order to improve public environmental awareness. Simultaneously, they were feeling that people can participate more effectively in water environment issues by Pack Test. It was clear that Pack Test was notable in-situ water quality checker, which has advantages over its particular methods that never rely on transport of samples to a distant laboratory for chemical analysis. Above all, it could be a breakthrough point to empower public participation, and environmental education for water sustainability. In addition, it can be pointed out that if there are chance to get skilled of the usage of Pack Test, which will be important for teachers, engineers, and other potential facilitators to ensure the effective usage of Pack Test towards.
TL;DR: The results of this study indicated that the administration of Artemisin and Moringa leaf extract combination for 7 days significant increased the percentage of CD4 + T cells in DK2 and DK3, and decreased the degree of parasitemia in DK1, but not on CD8+ T cells.
Abstract: This research aims to examine the effect of Artemisin and Moringa oleifera leaf extract combination on the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell of mice infected with P.berghei . CD4+ and CD8+ T cells have important role in eliminating Plasmodium intracellular parasite that causes malaria infection. Artemisin is a potent antimalarial that kills the parasite through free radicals production. Excessive free radicals damage the immune cells, including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Flavonoid ( quercetin and kaempferol ) bioactive on Moringa leaves is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and is expected to prevent and decrease the adverse effects of Artemisin. This experimental post-test group research was conducted on six groups, i.e. normal mice (negative control), P.berghei infected mice without treatment (positive control), and four other groups, i.e. P.berghei infected mice and treated with Artemisin 0.004mg/gBW (A), and combinations of Artemisin 0.004mg/gBW and Moringa leaf extract 0.125mg/gBW (DK1), 0.250mg/gBW (DK2), and 0.500mg/gBW (DK3). On day 3 and 7, blood samples from each group were drawn randomly, parasitemia degree was calculated microscopically (magnification 1000 times), the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was determined using flowcytometry. The results of this study indicated that the administration of Artemisin and Moringa leaf extract combination for 7 days significant increased the percentage of CD4 + T cells in DK2 (p=0.001) and DK3 (p=0.000), and decreased the degree of parasitemia in DK1 (p=0.000), DK2 (p=0.000), and DK3 (p=0.000), however CD8 + T cells show no difference. There was a relationship between Artemisin and Moringa leaf extract combination with the degree of parasitemia (p=0.000) and the percentage of CD4+ T cells (p = 0.000), but not on CD8+ T cells. Keywords: parasitemia, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, Moringa oleifera
TL;DR: Frog embryo development may becomes a reference to understand how the frog population survives and it is the responsibility to make any efforts to conserve not only the trees but also any type of water bodies including ponds, marshes, and farming fields as well.
Abstract: Tree frogs live in natural places which are unpolluted. Regarding their role as an ecological indicator, the decrease of frogs population in a particular habitat indicates the danger of environment quality decrease. Moreover, this condition can harm the frogs themselves. All kinds of frogs breed in aqueous environment such as ponds, marshes, and farming fields. One of the tree frogs, Polypedates leucomystax , which belongs to Familia Rachophoridae, is widely spread in Indonesia. This frog has yellowish brown skin with black spots or six lines extending from head to the posterior tip of body. A breeding couple of the frog produces foam nests on the water or plants around water body, where they will nest their fertilized eggs. This species produces over a hundred embryos in one spawning season. These embryos require appropriate conditions to develop normally in the nature. Frog embryo development may becomes a reference to understand how the frog population survives. This study focused on P. leucomystax with regards to its decrease in number due to the drying up of the environment and a lot lost of trees in Campus of State University of Malang. The development of P. leucomystax embryos in the reproduction foam was observed until it reached a tadpole stage. The result showed that the embryos developed in the foam until they hatched then they move out of the foam into the water under which they would continue their development. Considering that water body is a critical requirement for the development of P. leucomystax embryos, it is our responsibility to make any efforts to conserve not only the trees but also any type of water bodies including ponds, marshes, and farming fields as well. Keywords: embryo development, Polypedates leucomystax, Tree frog conservation
TL;DR: High levels of pollution have been detected for Buenos Aires city and surroundings, showing the occurrence of a diversity of pathogenic bacteria in surface waters as well in biological members of the ecosystem.
Abstract: Aquatic environments associated with human settlements are mostly deteriorated by untreated or poorly treated discharges. Buenos Aires city and surroundings constitutes one of the largest urbanizations of the world. High levels of pollution have been detected for its related watercourses, showing the occurrence of a diversity of pathogenic bacteria in surface waters as well in biological members of the ecosystem. In the present paper the finding of new records for the area is reported and discussed. Yersinia enterocolitica and two subspecies of Klebsiella pneumoniae were isolated from the Reconquista River, while Citrobacter freundii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas luteola, Vibrio fluvialis, and Aeromonas hydrophila were detected in the nearby Matanza and Lujan rivers.
TL;DR: Interestingly, electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that not only the recombinant baculovirus displaying Ang II peptides were generated by infected insect cells, but also the NA virus-like-particle displaying AngII peptides.
Abstract: Baculovirus surface display has been employed as an excellent tools for presentation of foreign peptides and proteins on virus surface with native conformation, functions and immunogenicity. A baculovirus major envelope protein, gp64, or a capsid protein, vp39 are generally used as fusion partners for displaying of polypeptides on the surface of virions. Alternatively, a membrane anchoring domain of vesicular stomatitis virus G protein (VSV-G) can also be used. In this study, an influenza neuraminidase (NA) was proposed as a new membrane anchor for the display of Angiotensin II (AngII), DRVYIHPFHL, peptides. The AngII peptides were inserted into NA by replacing NA amino acid number 60-67 with AngII, and then integrated into a baculovirus genome. A recombinant baculovirus expressing the NA fusion-AngII peptides was generated from infected insect cells. Those peptides were found to express and translocated on the membrane of the baculovirus infected insect cell (Sf9 cell) as detected by immunocytochemistry using anti-AngII monoclonal antibody. Upon budding of the recombinant baculovirus progenies through the insect cells membrane, the recombinant NA-AngII peptides was acquired to envelopes of the new baculovirus progenies. The conformation of NA on baculovirus surface was not affected by the deletion, as the 55 kDa band of NA can be detected from Western Blotting analysis by specific anti-NA monoclonal antibody. In addition, the same protein was also found by anti-AngII antibody indicating that the AngII peptides had been successfully fused with the recombinant NA. Interestingly, electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that not only the recombinant baculovirus displaying AngII peptides were generated by infected insect cells, but also the NA virus-like-particle displaying AngII peptides.