bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of riparian vegetation in the Siwaluh River, Karanganyar District, Central Java, Indonesia
Authors: PRAMADANINGTYAS PUTRI SEGI , CHANDRASARI NURMA , IZDIHAR RINOA SALSABILA , IQBAL WILLIS MUHAMMAD , CAHYANINGSIH AGUSTINA PUTRI , SETYAWAN AHMAD DWI
Published: February 2024

Abstract. Pramadaningtyas PS, Chandrasari N, Izdihar RS, Iqbal WM, Cahyaningsih AP, Setyawan AD. 2023. Analysis of riparian vegetation in the Siwaluh River, Karanganyar District, Central Java, Indonesia. Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands 13: 45-56. This research was conducted in the Siwaluh River Basin region, Karanganyar District, Central Java, Indonesia. Land conversion into residential areas has lowered infiltration capacity, particularly in the Siwaluh River riparian vegetation, in the form of reduced or even lost vegetation that should serve as a water catchment area and habitat for riparian plants. The research was done to analyze riparian vegetation in the Siwaluh River to collect data for the conservation of the riparian zone, which plays a vital role in ecology and the ecosystem. Calculating the maximum IVI value and the existence of plant species from the diversity of riparian vegetation could determine the dominant vegetation type in a given area. The quadratic plot method employed was used; square plots of 20mx20m for trees, 10mx10m for poles, 5mx5m for saplings, and 2mx2m for seedlings were established at each sampling location. After that, the vegetation investigation comprised density, dominance, frequency, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, and IVI. The survey identified 209 plant species; Kigelia africana dominated the highest IVI value in tree habitus. Practically, in each upstream, middle, and downstream location, Bambusa sp. dominated the highest IVI in the pole habitus, Manihot esculenta controlled the highest IVI in the sapling habitus, and Ageratum conyzoides dominated the seedling habitus. Variations in the diversity index (H') of tree, pole, sapling, and seedling habitus result from reduced or even disappearing vegetation due to land changes. Therefore, it changes the distribution pattern of riparian vegetation.
Composition and feeding guilds bird community in tropical peatland of Orang Kayo Hitam Forest Park buffer area, Jambi, Indonesia
Authors: PANGESTU PANDU GALANG , ISWANDARU DIAN , WULANDARI CHRISTINE , NOVRIYANTI NOVRIYANTI , PRASETIA HENDRA
Published: February 2024

Abstract. Pangestu PG, Iswandaru D, Wulandari C, Novriyanti, Prasetia H. 2023. Composition and feeding guilds bird community in tropical peatland of Orang Kayo Hitam Forest Park buffer area, Jambi, Indonesia. Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands 13: 57-65. Tropical peat ecosystems are vulnerable to fire damage and conversion, including in the Orang Kayo Hitam (OKH) Forest Park buffer villages, Jambi Province, Indonesia. The peat ecosystem is a habitat for various birds. In the ecosystem, birds act as seed dispersers, pest controllers, and pollinators, so their presence can be used as bioindicators of environmental quality. This study aims to analyze the composition and feed guilds of the bird community. The line transect method is used to explore the path in bird watching. The data were then analyzed using descriptively and qualitatively. In total, 29 species from 18 families comprised five species of waterbirds and 25 species of land birds. The families with the highest number of species were Alcedinidae, with a percentage of 13.79% each (4 species). At the same time, the lowest were Apodidae, Bucerotidae, Hirundinidae, Laniidae, Meropidae, Psittacidae, Rallidae, Cisticolidae, Turnicidae, Ploceidae, and Passeridae, with only one species (3.45%) identified per family. Based on the feed guild, there were nine types of guilds, with the highest rate being granivore (24,14%), while the lowest was insectivore on the forest floor (3.45%). The presence of bird species based on the feed guild indicates that shrubs or weeds dominate the land cover of the buffer village around the OKH Forest Park.
Short Communication: First record of Crow-billed Drongo (Dicrurus annectens (Hodgson, 1836)) in East Java Province, Indonesia
Authors: SIDDIQ ARIF MOHAMMAD , KURNIANTO AGUNG SIH
Published: February 2024

Abstract. Siddiq AM, Kurnianto AS. 2023. Short Communication: First record of Crow-billed Drongo (Dicrurus annectens (Hodgson, 1836)) in East Java Province, Indonesia. Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands 13: 73-77. Crow-billed Drongo (Dicrurus annectens (Hodgson, 1836)) is a migratory bird that breeds in the Himalayas and Southern China. It has a range of distributions for migration to Indonesia (Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Java Island). However, on Java Island, this species was only found distributed in West Java. During migration, species D. annectens have a stopover habitat in mangrove and coastal forests. This study records D. annectens in the mangrove forest of Jatipapak Block, Kucur Resort, Alas Purwo National Park (APNP) on 29 October and 31 October 2020. The species was observed by the using morphology characteristics documentary: the tail is split like a scissor with the ends curved upwards, the body is about 25-30 cm long, has a broad chest, and narrows to the belly direction. In addition, this bird has a thick-sharp bill and a shiny, bluish-black body. The species was observed resting in the crown of the outer side of the mangrove vegetation and then fleeing to other mangrove vegetation (the crown of the outer side). The occurrence of D. annectens in the APNP has not previously been reported. Therefore, the encounter of this species in the Jatipapak mangrove forest is the first record in APNP. On the other hand, this report also provides information that D. annectens has an extended migration range to the East Java Region.
Traditional ecological knowledge and utilization of rice in Sukoharjo District, Central Java, Indonesia
Authors: KUSUMA LATHIFAH ANINDA , DAMAYANTI KHARISMA , DAMAYANTI JULIANATASYA TANTRI , NISA JAMILATUN , NURWULANDARI MURNI , NAZAR IRFAN ABU , YAP CHEE KONG , MD. NAIM DARLINA , SETYAWAN AHMAD DWI
Published: February 2024

Abstract. Kusuma LA, Damayanti K, Damayanti JT, Nisa J, Nurwulandari M, Nazar IA, Yap CK, Md. Naim D, Setyawan AD. 2023. Traditional ecological knowledge and utilization of rice in Sukoharjo District, Central Java, Indonesia. Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands 13: 78-85. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of Indonesia's staple foods and a source of income for some communities. Sukoharjo District is one of Central Java's most promising rice producing areas. In managing rice farming, the community incorporates local knowledge and discovers collective understanding about rice plants. The research was conducted to determine the existence of TEK (Traditional Ecological Knowledge) in Sukoharjo District, Central Java, Indonesia in managing rice varieties and influencing factors, as well as to learn about the community's perception of rice plants; the research employs a qualitative and quantitative ethnobiological approach. The results showed that although agriculture in Sukoharjo District is included in semi-modern agriculture, the community has TEK, which includes various rice varieties and paddy fields. Farmers in Sukoharjo District still use Inpari 32 rice varieties to manage their paddy fields instead of other varieties. Rice is widely used in various traditions, such as syukuran, weddings, kenduren, bersih desa, and rasulan. Many parts of the rice plant are also used, such as rice stems (straw), grain, husks, bran, and rice. A small part of the Sukoharjo community uses rice as an important role in cultural behavior and in maintaining the rice varieties' biodiversity well. In managing agriculture, some communities still use traditional techniques and adjustments to modern technology, such as using modern tools and human labor to plant seeds. The application of rice in every activity of the people of Sukoharjo District shows a complex relationship between humans and nature.
Antimicrobial properties and metabolite profiling of the ethyl acetate fractions of Sinularia polydactyla and Cespitularia simplex surrounding Mauritius Island
Authors: JAHAJEEAH DEEYA , BHOYROO VISHWAKALYAN , RANGHOO-SANMUKHIYA MALA
Published: February 2024

Abstract. Jahajeeah D, Bhoyroo V, Ranghoo-Sanmukhiya M. 2023. Antimicrobial properties and metabolite profiling of the ethyl acetate fractions of Sinularia polydactyla and Cespitularia simplex surrounding Mauritius Island. Indo Pac J Ocean Life 7: 133-142. Soft corals form an integral part of the reef ecosystem. This study assessed the antibacterial activities of Mauritius Island's soft corals and their different natural compounds having important biological properties. Antimicrobial assays and GCMS-MS analysis were performed using ethyl acetate extracts of Sinularia polydactyla and Cespitularia simplex. The results for both species indicated significant activity against most clinically pathogenic bacterial strains tested. In addition, S. polydactyla and C. simplex extracts gave the most potent action spectra yielding the largest inhibition zone diameter, especially against the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (8.73 ± 2.87 and 6.00 ± 1.20 mm), respectively. The MIC also confirmed that the Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and S. aureus strains were the most susceptible bacteria when exposed to the soft coral extracts, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli were the most resistant Gram-negative strains. The biochemical profile of the extracts showed the presence of terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, coumarins, and quinones. GCMS-MS analysis also identified 151 compounds in S. polydactyla and 91 compounds in C. simplex. Several previously published studies have shown the biological activities of different species of Cespitularia; however, this is the first study to demonstrate the antibacterial activity and compound profiling of C. simplex. Although studies have been carried out on S. polydactyla extracts, compounds such as 25-Hydroxycholesterol and spathulenol have not yet been reported. The results from the study suggest that both S. polydactyla and C. simplex are potential sources of novel antibiotics and possess a myriad of chemical compounds which may lend themselves to bioprospecting.
Estimation of aboveground carbon stock based on mangrove zones in Ijo River Estuary, Ayah Village, Kebumen, Indonesia
Authors: NINGTYAS SESILIA RETNO AYU , MU’ALI AIKO YHOVIERA FARRAZ , PUTRI DANASTRI NUR ATHAYA RADYA , SILANINGTYAS NIMAS WAHYU , TSABITA FATIYA AZMA , APRIANTO MUHAMMAD KUKUH , SARI SILVI PUSPITA , FAUZIYYAH MUTHI’AH DZAKIYYATUL , NUGRAHENI RACHEL SANISCARA , JUNIATI SARWENDAH DWI , ISA MUKHLISAH NADYA , NOFITASARI HERLINA , SUTARNO SUTARNO , SUGIYARTO SUGIYARTO , YAP CHEE KONG , BUDIHARTA SUGENG , SETYAWAN AHMAD DWI
Published: February 2024

Abstract. Ningtyas SRA, Mu’ali AYF, Putri DNAR, Silaningtyas NW, Tsabita FA, Aprianto MK, Sari SP, Fauziyyah MD, Nugraheni RS, Juniati SD, Isa MN, Nofitasari H, Sutarno, Sugiyarto, Yap CK, Budiharta S, Setyawan AD. 2023. Estimation of aboveground carbon stock based on mangrove zones in Ijo River Estuary, Ayah Village, Kebumen, Indonesia. Indo Pac J Ocean Life 7: 148-155. The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the driver of global warming which triggers climate change. One strategy to mitigate climate change is reducing carbon emissions and increasing the carbon stock. Mangrove forest is recognized as the largest carbon sink on the Earth, therefore, the conservation and restoration of mangrove forest are increasingly promoted as an effective way to tackle climate change. While many studies assess the carbon stock of mangrove forests, a context-specific assessment is needed to enrich the existing studies in this field. This study aimed to investigate the aboveground carbon stored in vegetation occurring in three mangrove zones (i.e., seaward, middle and landward zones) in Ijo River Estuary, Ayah Village, Kebumen, Central Java, Indonesia. Purposive sampling on each mangrove zone was conducted with vegetation data at tree and pole stages collected using nested plot methods. Aboveground biomass was calculated using an allometric equation while carbon stock was estimated using the method of the National Standardization Agency. In total, there were 11 mangrove species in the observation plots, consisting of seven true mangrove species and four mangrove associates. The seaward zone had five species and an amount of aboveground biomass (29324.07 MgB/ha), while the middle zone consisted of five species and had biomass of 52776.62 MgB/ha, and the landward zone was composed of five species and had biomass of 6428.74 MgB/ha. The carbon stock in the seaward, middle and landward zones were 43.06, 197.42 and 186.00 MgC/ha, respectively. In total, the Ayah Mangrove Forest contained aboveground biomass of 88529.43 MgB/ha, equal to 1143.31 MgC/ha carbon stock. The findings of this study reiterate the importance of conserving mangrove forests as an effective way to reduce carbon emissions which are the major cause of global warming.
Short Communication: Efficiency economic of whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone 1931) cultivation with a household scale biofloc system
Authors: BIDAYANI ENDANG , VALEN FITRI S.
Published: February 2024

Abstract. Bidayani E, Valen FS. 2023. Short Communication: Efficiency economic of whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone 1931) cultivation with a household scale biofloc system. Indo Pac J Ocean Life 7: 156-160. Aquaculture is one of the necessary sectors for fisheries in Indonesia because it can contribute to national food security, income, employment development, and foreign exchange earnings. Shrimp is a non-oil and gas export commodity that plays a crucial role. Besides the high price, shrimp has a large market in various countries Whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone 1931) cultivation is synonymous with large capital. However, with innovation, people can cultivate whiteleg shrimp in their yards with small capital. This study aims to analyze the business efficiency of a household-scale shrimp farming business with a biofloc system. The research method is a case study in the Bio Ebi Micro Fish Cultivator Group, Air Mawar Village, Air Itam District, Pangkalpinang City, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Indonesia. Collecting data is observation and interviews; the data analysis method is descriptive. The study's results show the acceptance of cultivators per cycle is 172,800,000 IDR with an average production yield of 1.8 tons/cycle with a selling price of 96,000 IDR/kg. The efficiency of household-scale shrimp farming with a biofloc system is 2.39. Based on these results, household-scale whiteleg shrimp cultivation is feasible to develop in coastal areas.
Drying Characteristics of Cacao Beans using Modified Solar Tunnel Dryer Type Hohenheim
Authors: Khathir* Rita , Kurniawan Edi , Yunita Yunita , Syafriandi Syafriandi
Published: February 2024

Drying cacao has been conducted by open-sun drying systems by farmers worldwide. To improve the cacao drying, the use of solar dryers can be applied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the drying characteristics of using a modified solar tunnel dryer type Hohenheim in drying cacao. As a comparison, the sun-drying method was also conducted. The parameters observed were temperature, relative humidity (RH), weight loss, moisture content, fat content, hardness, and drying rate. Results showed that the average temperature of the Hohenheim dryer was higher at about 10°C than the ambient temperature. However, the Hohenheim dryer's drying temperature fluctuated due to the oscillation of solar irradiation.  The drying process took time for 12h in 2 days. The humidity in the drying chamber was high, above 50%, representing that the dryer needed additional fans to improve its air circulation. The final moisture content of cacao dried using Hohenheim dryer and sun-drying was 12.7 and 17.4%, respectively. The drying rate of cacao dried using a Hohenheim dryer was double that of sun-drying. Therefore, the dryer can speed up the drying time and protect the cacao from contamination.
Determination of FFB Raw Material Needs for CPO Production by Forecasting Method at PT. Socfindo Kebun Mata Pao
Authors: Arfah* Mahrani , Anggraini Vivi
Published: February 2024

This research was conducted at PT. Socfindo Kebun Mata Pao is one of the industrial companies engaged in palm oil processing. The main raw material used in processing Crude Palm Oil (CPO) is Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB), where the FFB used must be based on good characteristics to get quality CPO. PT. Socfindo Kebun Mata Pao needs to pay attention to the adequacy of raw materials or the shortage of FFB raw materials. If the FFB inventory exceeds the production needed, it will certainly cause additional storage costs and a decrease in the quality of CPO. Meanwhile, if the FFB supply is too small, it will increase procurement costs and interfere with the smooth running of products, resulting in inefficient production activities. Therefore, companies need to forecast the need for FFB raw materials to minimize the occurrence of excess or shortage of FFB. The methods used in forecasting the needs of FFB raw materials are the Linear Regression method and the Quadratic method. This study aims to obtain forecasting results with the best accuracy between the Linear Regression and Quadratic methods to predict the need for FFB raw materials in the 2022 period so that companies can manage FFB raw material inventory by production needs. The data collection method was used from the observations and study document results. The forecasting results from calculating the error rate in the Linear Regression method obtained a Standard Error of Estimate (SEE) of 317.16 and a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 0.58%. In comparison, the error rate in the Quadratic method obtained a Standard Error of Estimate (SEE) of 323.55 and a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 4.75%. The smallest error rate is obtained in the Linear Regression method from the calculation of the error rate in both methods
Tuberculosis Detection using Gray Level Co-Occurrence Matrix (GLCM) and K-Nearest Neighbor (K-NN) Algorithms
Authors: Anwar Fuad , Yunianto* Mohtar , Putri Rahmanisya Fani Aisha
Published: February 2024

Research has been conducted on detecting tuberculosis (TB) using machine learning. In this study, chest X-ray (CXR) image data was used with a pixel value of 512 x 512 and PNG format consisting of normal lung images and TB-infected lung images in a 50:50 ratio; the number of images was 200 training data images and 80 testing data images. In the preprocessing stage, grayscaling is carried out so the image has a grayscale. Then, do the image improvement using contrast stretching. Furthermore, image extraction was carried out using 22 GLCM features with variations in the direction of the angles of 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135°. The result of feature extraction data is then identified using KNN Classification. The training results have the highest accuracy value with variations in the direction of the GLCM angle of 45° and the value of K = 3; at the testing stage, it produces an accuracy of 90%.
Green Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles using Corchorus olitorius Leaf Extract
Authors: Kpega Tyosue Christopher , Habila James Dama , Okon* Idongesit Edem , Ekwumemgbo Patricia Adamma
Published: February 2024

Green synthesis of metal oxide nanoparticles has gained prominence in recent years, resulting from the absence of toxic chemicals, low energy requirement, and eco-friendliness. This paper reports the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using plant extract as a reducing agent. The ZnO-NPs were synthesized using Corchorus olitorius leaf extract and zinc acetate dihydrate, Zn (CH3COO)2.2H2O as precursor. The synthesized ZnO-NPs were characterized by the application of UV–Vis spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). UV-vis indicated the reduction of zinc acetate dihydrate into ZnO-NPs by the leave extract. XRD and TEM revealed that the average size of the synthesized ZnO-NPs was 22 nm. The XRD pattern showed the hexagonal wurtzite crystalline nature of the synthesized ZnO-NPs. The elemental composition obtained from EDX showed that the synthesized ZnO-NPs are primarily composed of three elements: Zn (75.20 %), O (20.48.7%), and C (4.32). Examination of stretching and bonding in the ZnO-NPs using FT-IR revealed the presence of Zn-O bonding at 430.37–403.93 cm-1.
Development of Sour Flavored Noni Juice Using Lactic Acid Compound as a Fermentation Media and Optimation
Authors: Jakfar* Jakfar , Husin Husni , Nasution Fahrizal , Ahmadi Ahmadi
Published: February 2024

Conventional noni juice production was placing ripe noni fruits into a juice collection vessel for two months or longer. During this time, the noni juice separates (drips) gradually from the pulp. Recent studies have shown that acid catalysts have advantages over conventional noni juice production. This method uses a lactic acid catalyst for the fermentation of noni fruit. The focus of this research is to optimize the effects of various concentrates of Aceh noni X1 (10–20 ml), lactose from UHT (ultra-high temperature) milk, and Yakult as a source of Lactobacillus casei X2 (10–25 ml) and X3 (2.5–10 ml). The response variables used were lactic acid levels (Y1, %) and protein levels (Y2, %). The influence of the three individual variables X1, X2, and X3 on the response variables Y1 and Y2 is significant at the 95% confidence level (0.05), but the interaction effect is not significant. Optimal conditions are carried out at the maximum design limits X1, minimum X2, minimum X3, maximum Y1, and maximum Y2 according to the consideration of material prices, and optimal conditions are achieved at each X1 = 20 ml, X2 = 10 ml, X3 = 15.26 ml, Y1 = 1.23% and Y2 = 2.31%, and desirability of 0.92. The lactic acid compound was a fermentation medium for the noni juice-making media. Thus, lactic acid can be believed to be a potentially promising catalyst for producing noni juice while providing economic opportunities and adding value to the noni plant industry.
Structural Health Monitoring by Identification Dynamic Properties and Load Rating Factor at Multi-span Prestressed Concrete Girder Bridge
Authors: Kusumawardani* Rini , Kusbiantoro Arief , Nugroho Untoro , Upomo Togani Cahyani , Novita Erlia Dewi , Nugroho Imam Agus , Azizah Kirana Prasetya
Published: February 2024

It is crucial to perform routine bridge maintenance in order to evaluate the structure's current state. As a result, it is possible to guarantee that the bridge structure can offer services that are both comfortable and secure. The bridge structure being able to reach the service life as planned is another goal that can be accomplished. Visual inspection or the use of some currently popular sensors can be used to monitor the condition of the bridge. The dynamic properties of a structure including modal frequency and mode shape will be used to determine the structure's present and potential future conditions. Using a velocitymeter, vibration data collection is conducted as the first step. The next step is analyzing data to determine natural frequency. The fundamental frequency of the Tugu Suharto bridge structure in Semarang was determined to be 3.995 Hz. Future bridge structure condition monitoring can be done using frequency data and finite element model. The condition of bridge infrastructure in the future for one city is an important thing that must be considered. Some bridges are classified as structurally deficient, and many bridges are nearing the end of their design lives. The next generation of Semarang highway bridges is currently being designed and built, but existing bridges still need to be maintained through proper inspection and load rating. In order to incorporate structural modeling, instrumentation, and nondestructive testing into the design, construction, and management of bridges, this study proposes an objective load rating protocol. Using information gathered from structural health monitoring (SHM), a baseline structural model is developed and verified. The load rating factors of the bridge are then determined using the structural model under both real-condition and simulated damaged conditions.
Auswirkungen der Medizinprodukteverordnung auf ML-Lösungen in Schweizer Spitälern
Authors: Russ Christian , Stalder Philipp H. , Rufinatscha Stefanie , Pimentel Tibor , Geissmann Lukas
Published: February 2024

Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) ist schon länger in den Spitälern direkt und indirekt präsent. Oftmals ist KI für Arbeitsplatzfunktionen im Bürobereich wie z. B. in Spracherkennungssoftware verfügbar, teilweise auch in Personal- und Ressourcen-Optimierungssoftware. Das Spektrum reicht speziell im medizinischen Bereich von datengetriebenen Analysen und Informationsunterstützungssystemen bis hin zur Generierung von Diagnose- und Therapievorschlägen für das medizinische Personal. Jedoch sind vielen Akteuren in den Spitälern der Umfang und die Auswirkung von KI-Technologien gar nicht wirklich bewusst. Noch weniger bekannt sind dabei die regulatorischen Vorgaben in Kombination mit dem Einsatz von Maschinellem Lernen (ML). Basierend auf einer repräsentativen Befragung von allgemeinen Spitälern in der Schweiz wurde der aktuelle Stand der KI-Nutzung erhoben. Auf dieser Basis werden die Anforderungen an ML-Systeme in Bezug auf die Medizinprodukteverordnung und deren Auswirkung in Hinblick auf den konformen Einsatz von medizinischer Software analysiert. Wir präsentieren einen Vorschlag, wie ML-Systeme besser mit den Regulatorien in Einklang gebracht werden können. Im Ausblick wird auf die möglichen Grenzen und Notwendigkeiten für zukünftige Weiterentwicklungen eingegangen.
Erythrocytes as biological carriers and their processing when constructing IHA diagnosticum for detecting melioidosis antibodies in serum
Authors: Tereshko D , Kulakov M , Ryabinina L , Novitskaya I
Published: February 2024

The aim of this study was to increase the efficiency of biocarrier surface binding when constructing erythrocyte diagnosticums, providing for an improvement in indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) sensitivity. In the production of antigenic melioidosis diagnosticum for IHA, sodium alkylsulfate (SDS) was additionally used along with tannin at the stage of processing formalinized sheep erythrocytes. The combined use of these activators contributes to a significant rise of binding capacity of the erythrocyte carrier, which made it possible to increase the sensitivity of the IHA-diagnosticum 2-4-fold. The possibility of obtained preparation use for detection of melioidosis antibodies in sera of both immunized and animals with melioidosis was shown.
Results of tocilizumab treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Rebkovets D , Laziuk O , Aliakhnovich N
Published: February 2024

The aim of the work was to study the results of tocilizumab (TCZ) treatment in patients with high and moderate activity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in addition to basic therapy. The objectives of the work are to assess the degree of RA activity before and after intravenous administration of TCZ using the DAS–28 scale, as well as to compare the effectiveness of TCZ in groups of patients with initially different degrees of activity and the radiological stage of RA. Materials and methods. The study included 58 people with an established diagnosis of RA receiving basic therapy in combination with the biological drug TCZ (India) over the period from 04.2022 to 09.2022. After the consultation decision and the patient informed consent had been obtained, intravenous infusion with a solution of TCZ at the rate of 8 mg/kg was performed once a month for up to 5 courses. Evaluation of the effectiveness of therapy was carried out by analyzing the activity of the disease with the use of DAS-28 scale (including a subjective assessment of pain on a visual analog scale, the number of painful and swollen joints and laboratory indicators of ESR, CRP) before and after each subsequent administration of the drug. Results. The radiological stage of RA correlated with the disease duration (R=0.8). In patients with initial radiological changes, the activity was lower (DAS-28 according to ESR) of RA (p=0.03). High clinical efficacy and safety of TCZ therapy in patients with an initially high and moderate degree of disease activity has been established. In all patients, there was a significant decrease in RA activity according to the DAS-28 scale (according to CRP and ESR) after TCZ injections (p<0.05). Clinical and laboratory remission occurred in 12% of subjects after the second injection, in 44% of patients – after the fourth (significantly more often than after the second injection, p=0.0274), in 37.5% – after the fifth injection of TCZ.
Dynamics of platelet-leukocyte aggregates in patients with coronavirus infection, depending on the duration and severity of the disease
Authors: Burdienko  , Tsybikov  , Shapovalov  , Tereshkov  , Fefelova
Published: February 2024

The aim of our work was to trace the dynamics of the subspecies of leukocyte-platelet aggregates in patients with coronavirus disease, depending on the duration and severity of the disease. The study included 83 patients diagnosed with Coronavirus infection and treated at a hospital from June to August 2020 as well as 20 healthy volunteers. The Wuhan COVID-19 strain was identified in all patients. The groups studied were divided according to the duration of the disease and its severity. Analysis of the total number and phenotype of leukocytes, the number of leukocyte-platelet aggregates was performed with the Cytomics FC500 flow cytofluorimeter. Over the first week of COVID infection, the number of neutrophil-platelet coagulants increased. An increase in disease severity to moderate values is characterized by a decrease in the number of eosinophils and lymphocytes, and their cooperation with platelets accompanied with active cooperation of neutrophils and monocytes with blood plates.
Biofilm formation by basidiomycete and ascomycete yeasts in the intestines under different temperature and oxygen conditions
Authors: Prokopiev V , Karabasova E , Kraft L , Kuklina N , Yurova V
Published: February 2024

Aims. To evaluate the ability of biofilm formation by basidiomycete (Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Trichosporon asahii) and ascomycete (Geotrichum candidum, Pichia kudriavzevii, Candida albicans) yeast isolated from the human intestine at different temperatures, under aerobic, anaerobic and hypercapnic conditions. Methods. Evaluation of biofilm formation was performed by measuring optical density. Flat-bottom plastic plates with test strains were incubated for 96 hours under aerobic conditions at 37°C and 25°C, under hypercapnic conditions (10% CO2) at 37°C, and under anaerobic conditions at 25°C. After incubation, the plates were washed three times with physiological saline, and the optical density of the formed microbial aggregates was check investigated photometrically. Results. It was found that C. albicans and P. kudriavzevii are capable of forming biofilms in all studied temperature and oxygen regimes. T. asahii formed biofilms only under aerobic conditions at the specified temperature regimes. G. candidum and Rh. mucilaginosa formed films under aerobic conditions only at 25°C. Conclusions. The ability of C. albicans and P. kudriavzevii to biofilm formation under temperature-oxygen conditions similar to the conditions of various biotopes of the human body allows substantiating the high pathogenic potential of these fungi. The need for aerobic conditions for T. asahii will partially explain its predominant parasitism on the skin and their appendages. The failure of G. candidum and Rh. mucilaginosa to biofilm formation under human conditions may indicate their low pathogenic potential.
Microbial mechanisms of regulation of the activity of nuclear transcription factor NF-kB1
Authors: Zakharova Yu , Soboleva O , Otdushkina L , Levanova L
Published: February 2024

Nuclear transcription factor NF-kB1 is a regulator of the expression of immune response genes, apoptosis, inflammatory reactions and cell proliferation. Microorganisms are able to change the activity of the nuclear transcription factor, which allows them to modulate the immune response of the macroorganism and/or have a pathogenic effect on organs and tissues. The aim of the study is to systematize data on microbial molecular factors regulating the transcription nuclear factor NFkB-1. The review describes microbial molecules, the mechanisms of their action on the nuclear transcription factor NF-kB1. The A52R protein of the smallpox vaccine virus acts as a homologue of MyD88, the Yersinia YopP/J protein acetylates the IKKß subunit, thereby inhibiting kB kinase (IKK) and preventing the activation of the nuclear factor NFkB. The EBNA1 protein of the Epstein-Barr virus is a "stop signal" for the proteasome, so blocking proteolysis disrupts the presentation of virus antigens on MHC I and the overall immune response. The OspG protein of microorganisms of the genus Shigella prevents ubiquitination, and also inhibits the degradation of phosphorylated IKKß, which disrupts the activation of NFkB-1. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) produces three effectors to inhibit the function of NFkB. Two of these effectors, NleB and NleE block signaling at the level of TGF-beta-activated kinase 1 or IKKß kinase, the third NleH protein binds to the RPS3 (ribosomal protein S3) cofactor of the NFkB factor and suppresses the transcription of many genes. The components of bacterial cells – lipopolysaccharides of the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria, representatives of the Enterobacteriaceae family, participate in modulating the activity of the transcription factor. This polymer affects the presentation genes of MHC class I and II antigens, the death receptor, IL-6 signaling, IFN-γ signaling and the P38 signaling pathway. Conclusion. Protein and non-protein substances of microorganisms, components of bacterial cell structures are molecules that have a multidirectional effect on the activity of proteasomes that regulate inflammatory and immune responses in the macroorganism.
Treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis and concomitant food allergy with permissive-elimination diet
Authors: Prilutskiy A , Lygina Yu , Tkachenko K
Published: February 2024

The aim is to evaluate effectiveness and safety of a permissive-elimination diet alone and combined with standard treatment, the dynamics of interleukin, IgE, eosinophil levels in patients with atopic dermatitis and concomitant food allergy. Methods. 113 patients with food allergies and atopic dermatitis were examined. During the follow-up period, SCORAD and other clinical indicators, levels of IgE, IL 4, 5, 13, eosinophils, ESR were calculated at various timepoints. A statistical analysis was carried out. Results. Permissive-elimination diet as part of complex treatment improves (p<0.05-0.01) SCORAD, dermatological index, increases the duration of remission, the frequency of registration of normal body mass indices, allows for a significant reduction in the use of topical glucocorticosteroids, antihistamines, lowers IgE concentrations, interleukins 4, 5, 13, eosinophil levels, ESR indicators. Permissive elimination diet and emollients alone ensure remission of the disease in 25% of patients. The positive effect of the use of glycine and alpha-2b interferon is shown. Conclusions. The effectiveness and safety of the use of an individual permissive elimination diet, alpha-2b interferon and glycine have been proven.
Immunity and hemostasis system indicators in age groups of laboratory rats during the use of cyclosporine A
Authors: Trizno E , Bednov I , Trizno M , Davydova D , Rstakyan A
Published: February 2024

Dysregulation of the T-cell link increases the susceptibility to cardiovascular disease with age. Therefore, we modeled immunosuppression and experimentally compared the state of the hemostasis system in young and old animals. White outbred male rats were used for the experiment. Cyclosporine in Sandimmun-Neoral (Novartis, Switzerland) was administered intramuscularly to experimental rats. Complement system proteins C3, C4, immunoglobulins (Ig) A, M, G and interleukin-6 were examined by enzyme immunoassay. Phenotyping of lymphocytes was performed by indirect immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibodies (subpopulations CD3+, CD19+, CD4+, CD8+, CD16+). The data obtained indicate that inhibition of the T-lymphocyte link (CD3+) does not necessarily lead to a compensated increase in the number of B-lymphocytes (CD19+), but stimulates their function: immunoglobulins are elevated (M, G). Under conditions of a reduced reaction from the cellular level, components of the complement system (C3, C4) are activated. Despite a slight decrease in phagocytic function, there was an increase in the number of natural killers (CD16+), active consumption of T-helpers (CD4+), a decrease in T-suppressors (CD8+), and an increase in the level of interleukin-6 in the plasma of experimental rats. Increased activity of antithrombin in old animals prevents procoagulant shifts against the background of excessive growth of "areas" with tissue factor. We found desquamated endotheliocytes, that opens the subendothelial layer and its level was higher in the experimental groups. Thus, we see an activation of the humoral link of the immune system. Experimental excessive concentration of the calcineurin blocker exposes the first pathogenetic links from the hemostasis system. An increase in the coagulation time of the initial stages of coagulation is combined with an acceleration of the final one. Despite the growth of fibrinogen in young animals, the mismatch in the regulation of the hemostasis system manifested itself mainly in old specimens of laboratory rats.
Influence of pharmacological agents inhibiting hyperimmune response on activity and morphometric indicators of liver function
Authors: Ziamko  , Dzyadzko  , Kanevalava
Published: February 2024

Aim: to study influence of drugs that inhibit hyperimmune response on morphological and functional changes in the liver. Materials and methods. We conducted an experimental study on 26 male Wistar rats with body weight of 250-350 g., which were divided in 5 groups: 3 experimental, 1 control and 1 intact. Polyvinylpyrrolidone, human recombinant C1 inhibitor, interleukin-6 inhibitor at a dose per kg of body weight were used as pharmacological agents. On the 14th day rats were taken out of the experiment with subsequent blood sampling for biochemical and liver - for histological studies. Results and discussion. C1-inhibitor and interleukin-6 inhibitor lead to a decrease in the area of hepatocytes and their nuclei, however, exposure to the latter stimulates liver proliferation by increasing the number of binuclear hepatocytes. Polyvinylpyrrolidone and interleukin-6 inhibitor cause an increase of transaminases, amylase and urea, at the same time having a positive effect on electrolyte metabolism. Conclusion. The investigated pharmacological agents accumulated in Kupffer cells do not damage the intact liver but cause its dysfunction in systemic inflammatory response.
FCGR3A and FCGR3B mRNA level in peripheral blood of patients with benign prostate hyperplasia
Authors: Arioua K , Novikov D , Korovin O , Alyasova A , Novikov V
Published: February 2024

The mechanisms of immunopathological disorders accompanying the development of prostatic hyperplasia are not well understood. Using real-time RT-PCR, we assessed the pattern of changes in the levels of FCGR3A mRNA encoding CD16A and FCGR3B mRNA encoding CD16B in the peripheral blood of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. It was found that the levels of FCGR3A mRNA and FCGR3B mRNA in the blood of patients with prostate adenoma did not significantly differ from the norm, did not depend on the level of prostate-specific antigen, the coefficient of stiffness and the location of tumor nodes. However, the level of mRNA FCGR3A increased many times with an increase in the age of patients and decreased with an increase in the content of testosterone in the serum of patients, and the level of mRNA FCGR3B decreased with an increase in the volume of a benign tumor and the size of the adenomatous node in the gland. Identified changes in expression of genes encoding CD16A and CD16B molecules may be associated with the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia and its transformation into prostate cancer.
Skin microbiome in autoimmune pemphigus: a comparative analysis of bacterial diversity in relation to treatment
Authors: Teplyuk N , Kolesova Yu , Vartanova N , Leonova A , Toshchakov S , Kozlova A , Lepekhova A
Published: February 2024

Background. Autoimmune pemphigus (AP) is a chronic, life-threatening disease of the skin and mucous membranes. Effective therapeutic options are currently available, but mortality in AP patients is higher than in the general population. The leading causes of death are infectious complications. Recent years have revealed the key role of microbiome alteration in a number of skin diseases. There is an increasing number of published studies examining the skin microbiome in patients with AP, but they have a number of limitations and require further research to understand the role of skin microbial composition in the course of AP. Aims: to study the composition of skin microbiome by culture method in patients with AP (in active stage and in remission), to perform correlation analysis of microbiome composition and therapy received. Materials and methods. Experimental prospective comparative study. Forty-four patients with diagnosed AP (16 men, 36.4%; 28 women, 63.6%; mean age 51.5±13.1 years) and 10 controls (7 women, 70%; 3 men, 30%; mean age 40±12.5 years) were included. Patients were enrolled between November 2021 and June 2023 at the V.A. Rakhmanov Clinic of Skin and Venereal Diseases. Results. Seventy-nine skin samples were obtained and analysed. Only bacterial growth was detected in all submitted samples. No statistically significant difference was found between the composition of the microbiome of the unchanged skin of patients with AP in the active stage and in remission and the control group. In patients in the active stage of AP, a significant difference was found between the composition of the microbiome from rash elements and unchanged skin. S. aureus prevails on the skin from rash elements, and S. hominis dominates on unchanged skin. In patients before the start of glucocortlcosteroid (GCS) therapy, a predominance of S. aureus in the samples and a decrease in microbial diversity is noted. In patients receiving GCS therapy, S. hominis and S. epidermidis predominate, and greater microbial diversity is also noted. Conclusions. The study revealed that the skin microbiome from the rash elements of patients with AP undergoes significant changes during the active stage of the disease, mainly due to colonisation of the skin by S. aureus. However, against the background of therapy with systemic GCS there is a tendency to normalisation of skin microflora composition, which demonstrates that there are no differences in the composition of the microbiome of patients in remission of AP and control groups.
Polymorphism of cytokine and C-reactive protein genes in patients with psoriasis in the Kemerovo region of Russia
Authors: Romanova E , Shabaldin A , Belov E , Striga L , Yakovleva A , Shevchenko E , Shabaldina E
Published: February 2024

Aim. To study the associations of polymorphisms of IL-1b (rs16944), IL-6 (rs1554606), IL-8 (rs2227306), IL-10 (rs1800896), TNFα (rs361525), CRP (rs1205) genes and their intergenic interactions with the risk of psoriasis development in Kemerovo region residents. Materials and Methods. We examined 170 patients (102 men and 78 women) a clinically established diagnosis of vulgar psoriasis. The average age of patients was 46.2+3.9 years, 165 people (97%) had progressive stage psoriasis. The control group (n=155) included 98 healthy men and 57 women matched by age. Genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes by phenol-chloroform extraction according to the standard protocol was used as material. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the role of intergenic interactions in the development of psoriasis. Conclusion. In patients of the Kemerovo region, vulgar psoriasis is associated with minor homozygous genotypes of polymorphic variants of TNFα (rs361525), IL-1b (rs16944), CRP (rs1205) genes. The minor homozygous TNFα (rs361525) genotype has a high odds ratio and is determinant in the development of this form of psoriasis among all genes studied. The major allele and IL-10 genotype (rs1800896) is a disease modifier and affects the clinical course, particularly the development of inflammatory plaques and papules on the lower and upper extremities of patients.
Collusion Indicators in the GameStop Short Squeeze
Authors: Campbell Michael J.
Published: February 2024

A new theory and model of the stock market that incorporates decision noise in the spirit of behavioral economics, collaboration in the spirit of experimental economics, and financial data and features in the spirit of econophysics is used to support a theory from 2005 that stock-market collusion should lower the level of stock-market decision noise - i.e., a quantitative way of seeing how traders influence each other in a stock market. This idea is used to find two rare indicators of the GameStop short squeeze – one of which occurred six days before the rapid price increase, which could have potentially reduced the over $19 billion in losses of short sellers by a significant amount. The relationship predicted by the model between temperature and aggregate volume has been validated by data from the GameStop short squeeze.
Identification of Potential Targets of Stress Cardiomyopathy by a Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Jin Xuexin , Ji Xuanrui , Yin Hongpeng , Zhang Junpei , Lin Pengqi , Pei Quanwei , Su Dezhan , Li Bin , Qu Xiufen , Yin Dechun , Han Wei
Published: February 2024

Background: Stress cardiomyopathy (SCM) is a reversible, self-limiting condition that manifests as left ventricular insufficiency. The incidence of stress cardiomyopathy has increased because of increasing mental and social stress, but the exact pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods: To elucidate the critical molecules in the pathogenesis of SCM and the functional changes that they mediate, we downloaded data for a healthy control group and stress cardiomyopathy (SCM) group from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, performed differential analysis, and analyzed the results of GO and KEGG enrichment analysis to describe SCM-associated genes and functions. Lasso, random forest, SVM-RFM, and Friends analysis were used to screen hub genes; CIBERSORT and MCPcounter were used to explore the relationship between SCM and immunity; and an animal model of SCM was constructed to conduct bidirectional verification of the obtained results.

Results: In total, 21 samples (6 healthy, 15 SCM) were used in this study. Overall, 39 DEGs (absolute fold change ≥ 1; P < 0.05), including 23 upregulated and 16 downregulated genes in SCM, were extracted. Three common hub genes (PLAT, SEMA6B, and CRP) were finally screened. We further confirmed that functional changes in SCM were concentrated in immunity and coagulation functions.

Conclusion: Three key genes (PLAT, SEMA6B, and CRP) in SCM were identified by machine learning, and the major functional changes leading to SCM, and relationships of SCM with immunity, were identified.