bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy for Monitoring Extravirgin Olive Oil Bioactive Components
Authors: Camerlingo C. , Portaccio M. , Delfino I. , Lepore M.
Published: February 2019

Olive oil is the main fat source of the Mediterranean diet. This seasoning ingredient is highly appreciated for its unique taste, functional properties, and positive impact on human health. The determination of chemical composition is a demanding task in order to fully characterize this precious food product, ensure its quality, and prevent fraudulent practices. Among innovative techniques proposed for the oil analysis, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can be an extremely useful tool for olive oil characterization. In this frame, we have investigated five noncommercial olive oils produced in different parts of South Italy by using a commercial Raman microspectroscopy apparatus and home-made signal-enhancing SERS substrates. A wavelet-based data analysis has allowed us to efficiently remove the background and the noise from the acquired spectra. The analysis of these SERS spectra has enabled the quantification of the relative contents of carotene, oleic acid, and phenols. These relative contents differ in the examined samples. In addition, SERS response in the lipid region has indicated differences in the relative abundance of saturated fatty acids. The present results confirm the validity of the SERS technique as a rapid, nondestructive, and reliable analytical technique for identifying olive oil bioactive components.
Comparing PET/MRI with PET/CT for Pretreatment Staging of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Liu Yi , Zheng Dong , Liu Jia-jin , Cui Jian-xin , Xi Hong-qing , Zhang Ke-cheng , Huang Xiao-hui , Wei Bo , Wang Xin-xin , Xu Bai-xuan , Li Ke , Gao Yun-he , Liang Wen-quan , Tian Jia-he , Chen Lin
Published: February 2019

18F-FDG PET/MRI has been applied to the diagnosis and preoperative staging in various tumor types; however, reports using PET/MRI in gastric cancer are rare because of motion artifacts. We investigated the value of PET/MRI for preoperative staging compared with PET/CT in gastric cancer (GC). Thirty patients with confirmed GC underwent PET/CT and PET/MRI. TNM staging for each patient was determined from the PET/MRI and PET/CT images. The diagnostic performance of PET/MRI and PET/CT was calculated compared with the pathologic TNM stage. The two methods were compared using statistical analyses. The accuracy for T staging between PET/MRI and PET/CT was 76.9% vs. 57.7%, respectively. In T1 and T4a staging, the sensitivity and specificity for PET/MRI vs. PET/CT was 1.0 vs. 0.6 and 1.0 vs. 0.8, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) for PET/MRI vs. PET/CT was 1.00 vs. 0.78 in the T1 stage, 0.73 vs. 0.66 in the T2 stage, 0.72 vs. 0.57 in the T3 stage, and 0.86 vs. 0.83 in the T4 stage. The accuracy for N staging of PET/MRI vs. PET/CT was 53.9% vs. 34.0%, and that for N0 vs. N+ was 85.0% vs. 77.0%. The sensitivity for PET/MRI in N3 staging was 0.67 and 0 for PET/CT. There was a statistically significant difference in the AUC for N1 staging (PET/MRI vs. PET/CT, 0.63 vs. 0.53, p=0.03). SUVmax/ADC positively correlated with tumor volume and Ki-67. PET/MRI performs more accurately in TNM staging compared with PET/CT and is optimal for accurate N staging. SUVmax/ADC has positive correlations with tumor volume and Ki-67.
Outlier Detection and Correction for Monitoring Data of Water Quality Based on Improved VMD and LSSVM
Authors: Sun Guangpei , Jiang Peng , Xu Huan , Yu Shanen , Guo Dong , Lin Guang , Wu Hui
Published: February 2019

To improve the detection rate and reduce the correction error of abnormal data for water quality, an outlier detection and correction method is proposed based on the improved Variational Mode Decomposition (improved VMD) and Least Square Support Vector Machine (LSSVM) algorithms. The correlation coefficient is introduced, for solving the optimal parameter k of VMD algorithm, and an improved VMD algorithm is obtained. Combined with LSSVM algorithm, the outliers of water quality can be detected and repaired. This method is applied for the detection and correction of water quality monitoring outliers using dissolved oxygen which is retrieved from the water quality monitoring station in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. The result shows that the improved VMD algorithm is of higher detection rate and lower error rate than those of Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) and Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (EEMD). The LSSVM algorithm increases the fitting accuracy and decreases correction error in comparison with SVM and BP neural network, which provides important references for the implementation of environmental protection measures.
Exposure to Secondhand Tobacco Smoke at Airport Terminals
Authors: Zhang Michael , Garcia Alejandro D. , Zamora Maritere , Anderson Isabella A. , Jativa David F.
Published: February 2019

Background. Airports may represent significant sources of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure for both travelers and employees. While previously common smoking rooms have largely disappeared from US airports, smoking continues to occur outdoors at terminal entrances. SHS may be especially high at arrival areas, since they oftentimes are partially enclosed by overhead departures, creating stagnant microenvironments. This study assessed particulate matter <2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5), a common surrogate for SHS, at airport terminal locations to evaluate both outdoor exposure risk and possible indoor drift of SHS from outdoor sources. Methods. A convenience sample of nine airport terminal arrival areas in the US state of Florida was surveyed between February and July 2018. PM2.5 levels were assessed outdoors and indoors at terminal entrances and at control areas far into terminal interiors. We also examined the impact of smoking location on SHS exposure by correlating cigarette and passing vehicle counts with PM2.5 levels at terminals with contrasting proximity of designated smoking locations to terminal entrances. Results. Although outdoor PM2.5 levels (mean 17.9, SD 6.1 µg/m3) were significantly higher than indoors (p<0.001), there was no difference between indoor areas directly inside terminal entrances and areas much further interior (mean 8.8, SD 2.6 vs mean 8.5, SD 3.0 µg/m3, p=0.49). However, when smoking areas were in close proximity to terminal entrances, the number of lit cigarettes and vehicular traffic per minute predicted 70% of the variance of PM2.5 levels (p<0.001), which was attributable mostly to the cigarette number (β = 0.83; 95% CI (0.55 to 1.11); p<0.001). This effect was not observed at smoking areas further away. Conclusion. PM2.5 data did not suggest indoor drift from outside smoking. Nevertheless, absolute exposure outdoors was high and correlated with the location of designated smoking areas. Further studies are needed to examine the effect of microclimate formation on exposure risk.
Power Transformer Fault Severity Estimation Based on Dissolved Gas Analysis and Energy of Fault Formation Technique
Authors: Mharakurwa Edwell T. , Nyakoe G. N. , Akumu A. O.
Published: February 2019

Decision making on transformer insulation condition based on the evaluated incipient faults and aging stresses has been the norm for many asset managers. Despite being the extensively applied methodology in power transformer incipient fault detection, solely dissolved gas analysis (DGA) techniques cannot quantify the detected fault severity. Fault severity is the core property in transformer maintenance rankings. This paper presents a fuzzy logic methodology in determining transformer faults and severity through use of energy of fault formation of the evolved gasses during transformer faulting event. Additionally, the energy of fault formation is a temperature-dependent factor for all the associated evolved gases. Instead of using the energy-weighted DGA, the calculated total energy of related incipient fault is used for severity determination. Severity of faults detected by fuzzy logic-based key gas method is evaluated through the use of collected data from several in-service and faulty transformers. DGA results of oil samples drawn from transformers of different specifications and age are used to validate the model. Model results show that correctly detecting fault type and its severity determination based on total energy released during faults can enhance decision-making in prioritizing maintenance of faulty transformers.
Acute Cholecystitis in Very Elderly Patients: Disease Management, Outcomes, and Risk Factors for Complications
Authors: Escartín Alfredo , González Marta , Cuello Elena , Pinillos Ana , Muriel Pablo , Merichal Mireia , Palacios Victor , Escoll Jordi , Gas Cristina , Olsina Jorge-Juan
Published: February 2019

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics, management, and outcomes of acute cholecystitis in patients ≥80 years. Methods. This was a retrospective analysis of data from a prospective single-center patient registry. Results. The study population was composed of 348 patients, which were divided into two groups: those younger (Group A) and those older (Group B) than the median age (85.4 years). Although demographic and clinical characteristics of the two groups were similar, the disease management was clearly different, with older patients undergoing cholecystectomy less frequently (n=80 46.0% in Group A vs n=39 22.4% in Group B; p<0.001). The outcomes in both groups of age were similar, with 30-day mortality of 3.7%, morbidity of 17.2%, and readmissions of 4.2% and two-year AC recurrence in nonoperated patients of 22.5%. No differences were seen between operated and no operated patients. Severe (Grade III) AC was the only independent factor significantly associated with mortality (OR 86.05 (95% CI: 11–679); p<0.001). Conclusions. In elderly patients with AC, the choice of therapeutic options was not limited by the age per se, but rather by the disease severity (grade III AC) and/or poor physical status (ASA III-IV). In case of grade I-II AC, laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed and yield good results even in very old patients. Patients with grade III AC present high risk of morbidity and mortality, and the treatment should be individualized. ASA IV patients should avoid cholecystectomy, being antibiotic treatment and cholecystectomy the best option.
Effect of the Nitrification Inhibitor 3,4-Dimethylpyrazole Phosphate on the Deep Placement of Nitrogen Fertilizers for Soybean Cultivation
Authors: Hatano Soshi , Fujita Yoichi , Nagumo Yoshifumi , Ohtake Norikuni , Sueyoshi Kuni , Takahashi Yoshihiko , Sato Takashi , Tanabata Sayuri , Higuchi Kyoko , Saito Akihiro , Ohyama Takuji
Published: February 2019

The deep placement of urea fertilizer (DMU) containing 1% (W/W) of the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) on soybean growth and seed yield was as effective as those of the coated urea (CU) and lime nitrogen (LN) in a field research. The average seed yields were high in LN (464 g·m−2) and DMU (461 g·m−2) and relatively low in CU (405 g·m−2), U (396 g·m−2), and Cont (373 g·m−2) treatments. The accumulations of dry matter and nitrogen in soybean shoots were higher in the plants with deep placement of CU, LN, and DMU than U and Cont. The daily nitrogen fixation activity and daily nitrogen absorption rate were calculated based on the relative ureide method. Both nitrogen fixation activity and nitrogen absorption rate were higher in DMU, CU, and LN compared with control treatment, suggesting that the deep placement of DMU did not repress nitrogen fixation. Soil incubation test was performed using the same field soil with DMU, U, LN, and urea with DMPP 1%, 2%, and 4%. DMU inhibits nitrification similar to the pattern of LN until 8 weeks. The increasing DMPP concentration did not markedly increase the nitrification inhibition. From these results, it was concluded that urea fertilizer with 1% DMPP is efficient for deep placement of N fertilizer for soybean cultivation due to its lower price compared with CU and LN.
Solidification Behavior and Microstructure of Al-7Si Alloys with Individual and Combined Additions of Sr and Yb
Authors: Dong Zhou , Hu Zhi , Yan Hong , Xie Hecong , Li Xiao
Published: February 2019

The effects of individual and combined additions of Sr and Yb on the solidification behavior and microstructure of Al-7Si alloys were investigated using thermal analysis, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the nucleation temperature, minimum temperature, and growth temperature of eutectic solidification were lower than those of the unmodified alloys, and eutectic recalescence at 2°C in the Yb- and (Sr + Yb)-modified alloys was observed. The decrease in the nucleation temperature and an increase in recalescence obviously refined the eutectic Si morphology of the Sr-, Yb-, and (Sr + Yb)-modified alloys from a coarse plate-like structure to a fine fibrous structure. Moreover, the three-dimensional microstructure of eutectic Si in the (Sr + Yb)-modified alloy showed the finer fibrous structure, which was mainly attributed to formation of the Al2Si2Yb phase. The formation enthalpy of Al2Si2Yb was lower than that of Al-(Si)-Sr in the (Sr + Yb)-modified alloy, thus suppressing the formation of the Al2Si2Sr intermetallic compound. The more effective Sr together with Yb further improved the modification effect of eutectic silicon.
Preventive Effect of Naringin on Metabolic Syndrome and Its Mechanism of Action: A Systematic Review
Authors: Raja Kumar Sivanesan , Mohd Ramli Elvy Suhana , Abdul Nasir Nurul Alimah , Ismail Nafeeza Hj Mohd , Mohd Fahami Nur Azlina
Published: February 2019

Background.Metabolic syndrome (MetS), which consists of cluster of conditions, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and visceral obesity, is affecting population worldwide. Studies have shown that plant derived flavonoids have the ability to alleviate MetS. Naringin is a type of glycoside flavonoid found in most plant and it plays a critical role in the treatment of MetS due to its antioxidant activity and ability to regulate cytokines.Methods.A systematic review was done to study the effects of naringin on the metabolic diseases using electronic databases which include Ovid and Scopus using specific descriptors published from the year 2010 till present to provide updated literature on this field. The articles were assessed and chosen based on the criteria in which the mechanisms and effects of naringin on different metabolic diseases were reported.Results.Thirty-four articles were identified which referred to the studies that correspond to the previously stated criteria. Subsequently after screening for the articles that were published after the year 2010, finally, 19 articles were selected and assessed accordingly. Based on the assessment, naringin could alleviate MetS by reducing visceral obesity, blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid profile and regulating cytokines.Conclusions.Naringin is an antioxidant that appears to be efficacious in alleviating MetS by preventing oxidative damage and proinflammatory cytokine release. However, the dosage used in animal studies might not be achieved in human trials. Thus, adequate investigation needs to be conducted to confirm naringin’s effects on humans.
Option Pricing under the Jump Diffusion and Multifactor Stochastic Processes
Authors: Liu Shican , Zhou Yanli , Wu Yonghong , Ge Xiangyu
Published: February 2019

In financial markets, there exists long-observed feature of the implied volatility surface such as volatility smile and skew. Stochastic volatility models are commonly used to model this financial phenomenon more accurately compared with the conventional Black-Scholes pricing models. However, one factor stochastic volatility model is not good enough to capture the term structure phenomenon of volatility smirk. In our paper, we extend the Heston model to be a hybrid option pricing model driven by multiscale stochastic volatility and jump diffusion process. In our model the correlation effects have been taken into consideration. For the reason that the combination of multiscale volatility processes and jump diffusion process results in a high dimensional differential equation (PIDE), an efficient finite element method is proposed and the integral term arising from the jump term is absorbed to simplify the problem. The numerical results show an efficient explanation for volatility smirks when we incorporate jumps into both the stock process and the volatility process.
Novelty of Bioengineered Iron Nanoparticles in Nanocoated Surgical Cotton: A Green Chemistry
Authors: Turakhia Bhavika , Chikkala Saujanya , Shah Sejal
Published: February 2019

The current focus of nanotechnology is to develop environmentally safe methodologies for the formulation of nanoparticles. The phytochemistry of Zingiber officinale inspired us to utilize it for the synthesis of iron nanoparticles. GC-MS analysis revealed the phytochemical profile of ginger. Out of 20 different chemicals, gingerol was found to be the most potent phytochemical with a retention time of 40.48 min. The present study reports a rapid synthesis method for the formation of iron nanoparticles and its potential efficacy as an antibacterial agent and an antioxidant. Because of its antibacterial property, ginger extract was used to coat surgical cotton. Synthesized ginger root iron nanoparticles (GR-FeNPs) were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction analysis, and particle size analysis. XRD confirmed the crystalline structure of iron oxide nanoparticles as it showed the crystal plane (2 2 0), (3 1 1), (2 2 2), and (4 0 0). The particle size analyzer (PSA) showed the average size of the particles, 56.2 nm. The antimicrobial activity of the FeNPs was tested against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. E. coli showed maximum inhibition as compared with the other organisms. Antioxidant activity proved the maximum rate of free radicals at 160 µg/mL produced by nanoparticles. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of nanocoated surgical cotton was evaluated on the first day and 30th day after coating, which clearly showed excellent growth inhibition of organisms, setting a new path in the field of medical microbiology. Hence, iron-nanocoated surgical cotton synthesized using green chemistry, which is antimicrobial and cost effective, might be economically helpful and provide insights to the medical field, replacing conventional wound healing treatments, for better prognosis.
Antioxidant Activity and Volatile Composition of Red Araçá Pulp Under Different Drying Conditions
Authors: Bombardelli Michele C. M. , Johann Gracielle , Machado Christiane S. , Torres Yohandra R. , Palú Fernando , Oliveira Kamila C. , Silva Edson A.
Published: February 2019

Araçá fruit extracts were dried at different air conditions, and an investigation of the impact of drying on the volatile composition and antioxidant activity of araçá extracts was conducted. The effective moisture diffusivity varied between 8.542 × 10−8and 13.34 × 10−8 m2/min. Fruit extracts dried at 50°C and 2.0 m/s had the highest total antioxidant activity (1916.10 mgascorbic acid/100 garaçá). The highest phenolic content (556.28 mgGAE/100 garaçá) was obtained when fruits were dried at 40°C and 1.5 m/s, but the resulting extract contained high amounts of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a contaminant formed in sugar-rich foods as a result of heating. Araçá extracts had similar qualitative profiles of volatile compounds by GC-MS, with caryophyllene being the most abundant terpene, followed by 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one, selina-3,7(11)-diene,γ-terpinene,γ-cadinene, andα-salinene. HMF corresponded to the major peak in all chromatograms, proving that thermal drying affected the quality of the extracts.
Research on Enrichment of P2O5 from Low-Grade Carbonaceous Phosphate Ore via Organic Acid Solution
Authors: Xie Fei , Zhang Jie , Chen Jiyan , Wang Jianrui , Wu Lin
Published: February 2019

The theory of using dilute organic acid solutions to leach the carbonaceous part from low-grade carbonaceous phosphate ore has been proposed by researchers as an effective approach to increase the proportion of P and to utilize the abundant low-grade resource. In this paper, a comprehensive experimental study was carried out to confirm the feasibility of organic acid leaching and investigate the optimized leaching conditions. Utilizing the low-grade carbonaceous phosphate ore produced in Zhijin, southwest of China, the effects of different types of acid, acid concentrations, reaction temperatures, reaction times, and liquid-solid ratios on leaching rate of P2O5 were evaluated using single-factor experiments and orthogonal experiments. The reaction mechanism, examined by SEM technique and the reaction thermodynamic analysis suggested that the leaching of P2O5 mainly resulted from the process of dissolution of dolomite (the main gangue mineral) in organic acid, consequently enriching the phosphate rock (the mineral of value). The effectiveness and impacts of different types of acid and reaction conditions were also studied. To conclude, this study first confirmed the viability of enriching P2O5 from low-grade ores through organic acid leaching the carbonaceous part by experimental data, and the experimental results will provide an essential scientific support for further upgrade of the technology to commercial scale utilization.
Blood Pressure Variability Is Associated with Hearing and Hearing Loss: A Population-Based Study in Males
Authors: Bao Minghui , Song Yongjian , Cai Jun , Wu Shouling , Yang Xinchun
Published: February 2019

Blood pressure (BP) has been well documented to be associated with hearing loss previously. However, the role of blood pressure variability (BPV, representing BP fluctuation over a time period) on hearing remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between BPV and hearing in Chinese population. We included 8646 male subjects from a population-based study (the Kailuan study). BP was measured every two years at routine physical examinations from 2006 to 2015. Based on five annual BP measurements, BPV was estimated by standard deviation of BP (SD), coefficient of the variation of BP (CV), and variation independent of mean of BP (VIM). Hearing was estimated by pure-tone average threshold (PTA) at low, intermediate, and high frequencies in the year of 2014. Regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between BPV and hearing. The results showed that PTAs and percentages of hearing loss at low, intermediate, and high frequencies grew gradually with increasing systolic SD (SSD) (p<0.05). After adjusting for multiple covariates, multivariate regression analyses demonstrated that variations of SBP (SSD, SCV, and VIMSBP) were all positively correlated with PTA at intermediate and high frequencies (p<0.05). Each SD increase in SSD, SCV, and VIMSBP was also positively associated with hearing loss at intermediate and high frequencies. No significant correlation was observed between variations of DBP and hearing. These findings suggest that increase in long-term BPV is associated with hearing and hearing loss. Trial registration number: Kailuan study (ChiCTRTNC-11001489).
Activated and Exhausted MAIT Cells Foster Disease Progression and Indicate Poor Outcome in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Duan Meng , Goswami Shyamal , Shi Jie-Yi , Wu Lin-Jie , Wang Xiao-Ying , Ma Jia-Qiang , Zhang Zhao , Shi Yang , Ma Li-Jie , Zhang Shu , Xi Rui-Bin , Cao Ya , Zhou Jian , Fan Jia , Zhang Xiao-Ming , Gao Qiang
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

Innate immunity is an indispensable arm of tumor immune surveillance, and the liver is an organ with a predominance of innate immunity, where mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are enriched. However, little is known about the phenotype, functions, and immunomodulatory role of MAIT cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Experimental Design: The distribution, phenotype, and function of MAIT cells in patients with HCC were evaluated by both flow cytometry (FCM) and in vitro bioassays. Transcriptomic analysis of MAIT cells was also performed. Prognostic significance of tumor-infiltrating MAIT cells was validated in four independent cohorts of patients with HCC.

Results:

Despite their fewer densities in HCC tumor than normal liver, MAIT cells were significantly enriched in the HCC microenvironment compared with other mucosa-associated organs. Tumor-derived MAIT cells displayed a typical CCR7−CD45RA−CD45RO+CD95+ effector memory phenotype with lower costimulatory and effector capabilities. Tumor-educated MAIT cells significantly upregulated inhibitory molecules like PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, secreted significantly less IFNγ and IL17, and produced minimal granzyme B and perforin while shifting to produce tumor-promoting cytokines like IL8. Transcriptome sequencing confirmed that tumor-derived MAIT cells were reprogrammed toward a tumor-promoting direction by downregulating genes enriched in pathways of cytokine secretion and cytolysis effector function like NFKB1 and STAT5B and by upregulating genes like IL8, CXCL12, and HAVCR2 (TIM-3). High infiltration of MAIT cells in HCC significantly correlated with an unfavorable clinical outcome, revealed by FCM, qRT-PCR, and multiplex IHC analyses, respectively.

Conclusions:

HCC-infiltrating MAIT cells were functionally impaired and even reprogrammed to shift away from antitumor immunity and toward a tumor-promoting direction.

See related commentary by Carbone, p. 3199
Mucosa-Associated Microbiota in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Healthy Japanese Subjects
Authors: Kashiwagi Saori , Naito Yuji , Inoue Ryo , Takagi Tomohisa , Nakano Takahiro , Inada Yutaka , Fukui Akifumi , Katada Kazuhiro , Mizushima Katsura , Kamada Kazuhiro , Uchiyama Kazuhiko , Handa Osamu , Ishikawa Takeshi , Itoh Yoshito
Published: February 2019

Background: The importance of microbiota infiltrating the gut mucus layer has been reported in the pathogenesis of various gastrointestinal and systemic diseases. However, little is known about the mucosa-associated microbiota (MAM) in healthy subjects. The present study aimed to clarify the characteristics of the gastrointestinal MAM from the oral cavity to the rectum in healthy Japanese subjects. Methods: Seventeen healthy subjects were enrolled. In this study, 5 mucosa samples from the upper gut (intraoral, mid-esophagus, gastric corpus, gastric antrum, and duodenum) and 7 from the lower gut (ileum, cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum) were collected with a brush under endoscopic examination. MAM profiles of each sample were analyzed by 16S-rRNA V3-V4 gene sequences. Results: Collecting mucosa samples by brushing provided sufficient material for MAM profiling without causing adverse effects. The upper and lower gut MAM profiles differed significantly (p < 0.0001). In the upper and lower gut, the intra- and inter-individual MAM profiles were significantly different (p = 0.0008 and p < 0.0001 respectively). Conclusions: The MAM profiles of the upper and lower gut were significantly different. The inter-individual differences in MAM were remarkable compared to the intra-individual differences.
First Case of Cytokine Release Syndrome after Nivolumab for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Oda Hiroyasu , Ishihara Mikiya , Miyahara Yoshihiro , Nakamura Junko , Kozuka Yuji , Iwasa Motoh , Tsunoda Akira , Yamashita Yoshiki , Saito Kanako , Mizuno Toshiro , Shiku Hiroshi , Katayama Naoyuki
Published: February 2019

Introduction: Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is a potentially life-threatening systemic disease that has been observed after treatment with antibodies and adoptive T cell therapies. In this case, we observed nivolumab-induced CRS in a patient with gastric cancer. Case Presentation: A 43-year-old male with advanced gastric cancer was treated with nivolumab as a third-line chemotherapy. He had no history of allergies. Eight days after the first administration of nivolumab, fever, tachycardia, appetite loss and increases in liver and biliary enzymes were observed. Computed tomography revealed neither bile duct obstruction nor progression of liver metastases but showed that there was edema of the Gleason sheath. Histopathological analysis of the liver revealed cholestatic liver injury with CD8+ T lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration. Neither viral infection nor autoimmune disease was revealed. His symptoms were similar to those of CRS observed after T cell therapy. We diagnosed his disease as nivolumab-induced liver injury and cholangitis accompanied by CRS based on his serum cytokine levels. Discussion/Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of nivolumab-induced CRS in a patient with gastric cancer.
PREOVULATORY CHANGES AND OVULATION IN CATTLE UNDERGOING SPONTANEOUS OR CLOPROSTENOL-INDUCED LUTEOLYSIS
Authors: PURWANTARA BAMBANG , H0IER RENE , SCHMiDT METTE , GREVE TORBEN
Published: February 2019

The follicular population, diameter of the ovulatory and subordinate follicles, corpus luteum (CL) size, concentration of progesterone and estradiol-17p were studied following spontaneous or cloprostenol-induced luteolysis. A total of 14 heifers received cloprostenol treatment on Day 9-11 of the cycle to synchronize their estrus. Subsequently, they were divided into two groups, one group which was allowed to undergo spontaneous luteolysis and the other group in which estrus was induced from days 9 to 12. In the induced-group, transrectal ultrasonography were performed daily started two days prior to injection until the onset of estrus. In the spontaneous-group, ultrasonography was done daily from day 15 until the onset of estrus. In both groups scanning were performed every 4 h from the onset of estrus until ovulation was ascertained. Small (SF, 2-4 mm), medium (MF.5-9 mm ) and large (LF,>9mm) size follicles were recorded. The diameter of largest and subordinate follicles were measured and blood were drawn from jugular vein at approximately around scanning and the plasma were used for measurement of progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17p (E2) concentration. There was no different in term of number of SF, MF and LF (P>0.05) between the two groups. Similarly, no effect of side (left vs. right ovary) and CL position (ipsi- vs contralateral to the ovary) was found (P>0.05). However, it was demonstrated that mean number of ovulatory follicles was higher (PO.01) in the spontaneously ovulating group while the regressing-CL size was larger in the cloprostenol induced animals (P
ASSESSMENT OF COASTAL LAND USE CHANGES IN BANTEN BAY, INDONESIA USING DIFFERENT CHANGE DETECTION METHODS
Authors: DOYDEE PUVADOL , SlREGAR VlNCENTIUS
Published: February 2019

Many types of the coastal land use in Banten Bay have been assessed in order to know the change as evidently detected by Landsat imagery in 1994 and 2001. Image processing such as, supervised classification and various change detection techniques are performed to the satellite images. Red Green method showed the best result for detecting the coastal land use change. This method is suitable for detecting the increasing areas of the paddy fields and settlement. Image Differencing method is capable to detect the increasing areas in agriculture, decreasing in fishponds and natural areas. Image Ratioing method can be considered suitable for detecting the increasing area of fishponds, decreasing of paddy fields and agriculture areas. Each coastal land use type has increased, except for the natural area/brushwood. Most of agriculture and paddy fields areas have been converted to fish ponds. Key words: coastal land use/land cover, change detection method, remote sensing
PHYLOGENETIC ASSESSMENT OF GIANT CLAMS (TRIDACNIDAE) USING PARTIAL AMINO ACIDS SEQUENCES OF CYTOCHROME C OXIDASE I GENE
Authors: Nuryanto Agus , Nuryadi Dedi , Soedharma D. , D Blohm
Published: February 2019

Phylogenetic assessment of the giant clams need to be improved using various genetic markers since their relaionships are plagued by inconsistency result of several studies. This is especially true for the species under sub-genus Chametrachea. Here we studied the phylogeny of the giant clams using amino acid sequence of the mitochondrial COI gene. This study is aimed to assess and better understand the relationships of the giant clams, especially for three species under subgenus Chametrachea. The result showed close proximity between T. crocea and T. squamosa and between T. maxima and T. gigas.Â  However, amino acids sequences of cytochrome c oxidase I gene was not strong enough to discriminate between T. crocea and T. squamosa. The majority of mutations were hydrophobic to hydrophilic amino acids.
cDNA ENCODING GROWTH HORMONE FROM HUMPBACK GROUPER (Cromileptes altivelis)
Authors: Syaifudin Mochamad , Alimuddin  , Widyastuti Utut , Sudrajat Agus Oman , Sumantadinata Komar , Aliah Ratu Siti
Published: February 2019

Growth hormone (GH) that plays an important role in growth, reproduction, seawater adaptation, and immune function was isolated and sequenced from humpback grouper, Cromileptes altivelis. The cDNA was isolated from pituitary using RT-PCR. The 618 bp open reading frame encodes a 205 amino acid (aa) protein, which represents an 18 aa signal peptide followed by a 187 aa mature GH polypeptide. The fragment contained conserved domain of somatotropinâ€“1, somatotropinâ€“2, casein kinase II phosphorylation, protein kinase C phosphorylation, Nâ€“myristoylation and Nâ€“glycosilation. The similarity of deduced protein of humpback grouper GH was 65.0 - 89.5% with other fishes
POPULATION STRUCTURE OF TOPSHELLS (TROCHUS NILOTICUS) IN SAPARUA ISLAND, CENTRAL MOLUCCAS-INDONESIA
Authors: Leimena Handy Erwin Pier , Subahar Tati S. , Adianto
Published: February 2019

Lola snail (Trochus niloticus) is one of the largest sea snails that live in coral reefsat Indo Pacific region and Indonesia including Saparua Island, the province of Moluccas. In a few recent years, the exploitation of lola snails has been increasing, so that the population of lola snails in nature decreases.. The yield of lola snail in Saparua Island and in the archipelagos of Banda from 1979 until 1992 showed a decrease from around 4 tons of dry shells to only around 0.25 tons. Furthermore, this research was aimed to estimate the size structure, age structure, and the sex ratio of lola snails population in Saparua Island, the regency of Central Moluccas. The sampling of lola snails used transects strip method. Â Each transect was 100 m long and 2 m wide, which were divided into 10 segments of 10 m x 2 m. Transect was laid perpendicular to the coast line started from the lowest fall of the tides to the coast. The Bhattacharya method was applied for data analysis. The frequency distribution of shell diameter revealed that lola snails in Saparua Island consisted of nine size classes and two different age classes, which indicated that the population of lola snails in Saparua Island had two periods of spawning. Finally, from this research it could be concluded that the sex ratio of lola snail was 1:1.Â
RECOVERY OF MORE THAN 10 YEARS-DRYING Monascus CULTURES AND ITS PURIFICATION METHODS FROM FUNGAL AND BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION
Authors: Suharna Nandang
Published: February 2019

This study was carried out to understand the recovery capability of more than 10 years- drying Monascus cultures. A new simple purification technique from fungal contamination using ethanol-soaking treatment was also reported as a part of this study. The result showed that all drying cultures were recovered well and retained their characters such as good growth, pigmenÂ­tation and production of fruit bodies (ascomata), sexual spores (ascospores) and asexual spores. Several cultures showed its good growth in 20% ethanol medium. This study also reported sucÂ­cessful purification of cultures from fungal contamination using ethanol-soaking treatment. This self-drying method, therefore, could be suggested as a good long-term preservation method for Monascus cultures. Moreover, purification method from fungal contamination soaked in ethanol 70% or 95% was successfully effective.
USING STREPTOMYCES XYLANASE TO PRODUCE XYLOOLIGOSACHARIDE FROM CORNCOB
Authors: MERYANDINI ANJA , SUNARTI TITI CANDRA , NAOMI APRILIA , MUTIA FERY
Published: February 2019

Streptomyces 234P-16 and SKK1-8 are xylanase-producing bacteria. Corncob xylan were extracted using acidified method. Crude enzymes (produced by centrifuging the culture) were used to hydrolyze xylan from 2 varieties of corncob. Crude extract activity was measured by using DNS (Dinitrosalisilic Acid) method. Xylanase from strain 234P-16 has the highest activity if cultivated in 1% Hawaii xylan, whereas strain SKK1-8 on 1.5% Bisma xylan. SKK1-8 xylanase can hydrolize corncob xylan (1% Hawaii or 1.5% Bisma xylan) within 4 hours and produce xylooligosacharide with polymerization degree of 4.76 and 6.37, respectively.
Key words: Xylanase, Xylooligosacharide, Streptomyces.
CLONING OF A GENE ENCODING PROTEIN BELONGING TO ABC TRANSPORTER INVOLVED IN BACTERIAL MAGNETIC PARTICLE SYNTHESIS IN MAGNETOSPIRILLUM MAGNETICUM AMB-1
Authors: TRI WAHYUDI ARIS
Published: February 2019

Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 synthesizes intracellular magnetic particles, magnetite (Fe3O4), enveloped by membrane called magnetosome under micro-aerobic conditions. Initial study of random transposon-based mutagenesis generated 62 nonmagnetic mutants of AMB-1 in a mini-Tn5 library. In order to identify a gene involved in bacterial magnetic particle (BMP) synthesis in the magnetic bacterium M. magneticum AMB-1, a nonmagnetic mutant from the library designated as NMA38-4, was analyzed. h   e amino acid sequence deduced from the gene directly interrupted by transposon, ORF4 (1482 bp), showed homology to ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter of Mesorhizobium loti with 62 % identity and 74 % similarity. It was strongly indicated by the occurrence of putative consensus sequence of ATP-binding motifs (ATP-binding protein). h   e ORF4 was subsequently cloned in pET-15b and the recombinant ORF4-Histag fusion protein was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS. A 55 kDa protein corresponding to the ORF4-Histag fusion protein was obtained after puriï¬  cation using Ni-NTA column. h   is is the ï¬  rst report describing a gene cluster containing gene encoding protein belonging to ABC transporter organized in an operon which is involved in BMP synthesis. Key words:   Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1, Bacterial Magnetic Particle (BMP), ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) Transporter, transposon mutagenesis.
EXOPOLYSACCHARIDE PRODUCTION AND ITS BIOACTIVITIES OF THE EDIBLE PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS IN SUBMERGED CULTURE
Authors: SASKIAWAN IWAN
Published: February 2019

Submerged cultures were used to study the influence ofÂ  various carbon sources on the mycelial biomass and exopolysaccharide production ofÂ  PleurotusÂ  ostreatus. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activity ofÂ Â  the exopolysaccharide were also determined.Â Â  The yield ofÂ  mycelial biomass ofÂ  7.06 g/l, 5.12 g/l, 4.66 g/l, and 2.96 g/l was obtained by utilization ofÂ  maltose, glucose,Â  lactoseÂ  andÂ  starchÂ  asÂ  aÂ  carbonÂ  source,Â  respectively.Â  Furthermore,Â  inÂ  the medium containing maltose, lactose, glucose, and starch produce 100.05 mg/l, 97.73 mg/l, 78.63 mg/l, and 70.45 mg/l ofÂ  exopolysaccharide, respectively.Â  The assay ofÂ  antimicrobial and antioxidant activity showed that the exopolysaccharide is more active to inhibit the growth ofÂ  B. subtilis ratherÂ  thanÂ  thoseÂ  ofÂ  E.Â  coliÂ  andÂ  S.Â  cerevisiae. Furthermore,Â  theÂ  exopolysaccharide wasÂ  also indicatedÂ  to have antioxidant activity.Key words: Pleurotus ostreatus, exopolysaccharide, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activityÂ
CYTOTOXIC PROTEIN FROM Trichosanthes cucumerina L. var anguina (L.) Haines
Authors: Zafrollah Churiyah , SUMARYONO WAHONO
Published: February 2019

Three proteins were discovered, they were: TF2 from fruit, TS3 from seed and TR3 from root of Trichosanthes cucumerina L. var anguina (L.) Haines by extraction with Phosphate Buffer Saline (PBS). The proteins were precipitated using 80% saturated ammonium sulphate and then were dialysed using cellophane. Furthermore, the dialysate was fractionated through gel filtration chromatography. The highest protein yield was 1.109%, resulted from TS3, then 0.356% from TR3, and the lowest was 0.014% from TF2. Characterization of the proteins using SDS-PAGE indicated that all of the protein fractions showed more than one sub unit molecular masses (Mr) in the range of 16 - 29 kDa. The toxicity (LC50) of proteins on brine shrimp lethality test were within range of 19 Âµg/ml - 25 Âµg/ml. The cytotoxicities of the TR3 and TS3 proteins on cancer cell line indicated that both of the active proteins inhibit proliferation of HeLa and K-562 cells with IC50 up to 45 Âµg/ml. Keywords : Trichosanthes cucumerina L. var anguina (L.), plant part, protein, yield, toxicity, cytotoxicity, molecular mass.
THE STATUS OF MOLLUSK DIVERSITY AND PHYSICAL SETTING OF THE MANGROVE ZONES IN CATANDUANES ISLAND, LUZON, PHILIPPINES
Authors: MASAGCA JIMMY TEVAR , MENDOZA ANGELICA V. , TRIBIANA ESTERELLA T.
Published: February 2019

The status of mollusk diversity and physical setting of mangrove areas in Catanduanes island, Luzon (Philippines) are described. A total of 57 species of molluscs, consisting of 27 gastropods and 30 bivalves were recorded in the island. The most abundant of these molluscs are the prosobranch, Terebralia sulcata; corbiculid bivalve, Geloina coaxans; potamidiids, Cerithidea cingulata and Cerithidea rhizophorarum; and two other species of the genus Littorina (Littorinopsis). Using the physiographic model, majority of the mangrove areas under study follow the composite river and wave-dominated setting with some few areas having the wave-dominated, tide-dominated allochthonous setting following the physiognomic model.
Keywords: Mollusk diversity, mangrove areas, Philippines
ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PARTIAL CDNA OF SUCROSE SYNTHASE PUTATIVE GENE IN PALMYRA PALM (BORASSUS FLABELLIFER)
Authors: INABUY FAINMARINAT , Pancoro Adi
Published: February 2019

Intensification of biofuel resources is urgently needed considering the decrease in availability of worldâ€™s fossil fuel. Palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer) is highly potential to be developed as bioethanol source regarding the high sucrose content in its nira. It was observed that nira produced in dry season is sweeter than that in rainy season, which presumed to be influenced by a difference in expression level of sucrose-related genes during the two seasons. Studies on Â Â Sucrose Synthase (SUS) gene of palmyra are therefore required prior to study the gene expression. Palmyra SUS gene sequence is currently unavailable in GenBank, thereby pair of primers was designed from highly conserved region of SUS proteins among monocots. A 1866 bp partial cDNA fragment of SUS putative gene has been succesfully isolated from RNA of the young leaves of B. flabellifer. BLASTn and BLASTp aligments showed that either BfSUS cDNA or BfSUS polypeptide has high similarity with SUS cDNA and proteins from diverse plant species, with the highest similarity shown by Tulipa gesneriana. The phylogenetic tree showed that SUS protein sequences of monocot species were distinctively grouped and splitted from those of dicot species. The BfSUS was clustered in monocot group, although not specifically grouped with particular monocot species. Nevertheless, B. flabellifer showed nearest genetic distance with Tulipa gesneriana and Oncidium cv.â€™Goldianaâ€™. Characterization of BfSUS polypeptide using Geneious 4.6.2 indicated the presence of sucrose synthase (SUS) and glycosyl transferase (GT) domains, four putative UDP-glucose binding pockets within the GT domain, and a calcium-dependent Ser/Thr protein kinase binding site within the SUS domain. These domains and motifs are highly conserved in SUS proteins across plant species, hence confirming that the cDNA fragment obtained in this study is the putative gene of sucrose synthase of B. flabellifer.
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Keywords: Borassus flabellifer, nira, sucrose, sucrose synthase, SUS domain, GT domain,
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SACCHARIFICATION OF CORNCOB USING CELLULOLYTIC BACTERIA FOR BIOETHANOL PRODUCTION
Authors: SUNARTI TITI CANDRA , MERYANDINI ANJA , SOFIYANTO M. EDY , RICHANA NUR
Published: February 2019

The use of cellulose degrading enzyme (cellulases) for hydrolysis of lignocellulosic material is a part of bioethanol production process.Â  In this experiment, Â delignified corncob,Â  its cellulose fraction and alpha cellulose were used as substrates to produce fermentable sugar by using three local isolates of celluloytic bacteria (C5-1, C4-4, C11-1 and Cmix ; mixed cultures of three isolates), and Saccharomyces cereviseae to produce ethanol. The results showed that all isolates of cellulolytic bacteria can grow on cellulose fraction better than on Â delignified corncob, and alpha cellulose.Â  The highest hydrolytic activity produced from cellulose fraction was by isolate C4-4, which liberated 3.50 g/l of total sugar.Â  Ethanol can be produced by mixed culture of bacteria and yeast, but because of competitive growth, the fermentation only produced 0.39-0.47 g/l of ethanol.
Keywords:Â  Celluloses, delignified corncob
ECOLOGICAL STUDY IN TWO QUARRIED LIMESTONE KARST HILLS IN BOGOR WEST JAVA: VEGETATION STRUCTURE AND FLORISTIC COMPOSITION
Authors: SATYANTI ANNISA , CANDRA KUSUMA YAYAN WAHYU
Published: February 2019

Many species extinctions have probably gone unnoticed on limestone that was destroyed before they could be sampled. Unless biodiversity surveys are intensified, the true magnitude of extinctions will never be ascertained. The objectives of this study were to determine tree species composition of limestone hills in Nyungcung and Ciampea; to determine quantitatively the dominant and less dominant species and to quantify floristic structure of the two limestone hills. Value of richness (Menhinick) and evenness in Nyungcung were 3.28 and 0.826 whilst in Ciampea were 3.29 and 0.823, respectively. In term of diversity (Shannon Wiener), Nyungcung seems to be more diverse than Ciampea as indicated by the higher value of diversity index. Nyungcung has 3.225 of diversity (Shannon Wiener) index while Ciampea has 2.859. The floristic composition of two sites was significantly different and Â mostly comprisedÂ  Moraceae, Rubiaceae, and Euphorbiaceae. However, the highest presence of species were Antidesma montanum (Euphorbiaceae) and Chrysophyllum lanceolatum (Sapotaceae), and Pandanus sp. (Pandanaceae) in Nyungcung, whereas in Ciampea, Harpullia arborea (Sapindaceae), Ophiorhhiza canescens (Rubiaceae), and Allophyllus cobbe (Sapindaceae). Macaranga rhizinoides, O. canescens, A. montanum, and Turpinia montana , respectively , gained the highest importance values.
Key words: limestone, flora, composition, quarries
THE NATURAL HABITAT OF BEGONIA ON THE ISLAND OF BALI: MICROCLIMATE PREFERENCE IN TWO FOREST SITES IN BEDUGUL
Authors: Satyanti Annisa
Published: February 2019

A study on Begoniaâ€™s ecology was conducted in two forest sites, a nature reserve and reboisation forest, respectively, in Bedugul Bali. The objective of the study was to describe Begonia species found in respective forest sites, to gather information on abiotic factors and to find the influences of these abiotic factors to the abundance of Begonia species. Three species were identified as B. multangula, B. baliensis and B. longifolia. There were two form of B. longifolia, white and red. The multivariate analysis (PCA) showed that abiotic factors measured were relatively similar among plots. In addition, no particular abiotic factor, from multivariate analysis, showed specific influence on Begonia species frequency.Â  Interestingly, the multivariate analysis also implied that B. latifolia has different microclimate preference between forms (white and red).Â  The abundance, refers to the frequency, of all of species in two forests was similar (t-test, p=0.061). Pooling the data from the fourty plots (two forest sites) and white and red forms of B. longifolia together, B. multangula and B. longifolia found were similarly abundant between species (t- test, p=0.460).