bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tanzania Virescent and Early Evaluation of Their Descendant
Authors: Prasetyo Joko Handoko Hadi , Djuhjana Jajan
Published: March 2024

The Tanzania oil palm population was introduced to Sumatra Bioscience (SumBio)-PT PP London Sumatra Indonesia Tbk, when two palms of open-pollinated seeds were planted at Bah Lias Estate in 1996. One of two palms was confirmed as virescent dura after producing bunches. The virescent dura was selfed, and F1 progeny were planted in 2001. Bunch character data shows that the F1 progeny of Tanzania virescent dura had a large kernel size with a kernel-to-bunch ratio (KB) of about 8%. On the other hand, the segregation of F1 progeny shows 87% of descendants are virescent. Three virescent dura had offspring with 100% virescent bunches in the F2 generation, and the progenies have a mean KB ratio higher than their grandparents by about > 8,6%. Fortunately, the molecular marker analysis carried out on F1 progeny confirmed that those three dura palms were homozygous virescent. The F1 homozygous virescent duras were tested with selected elite pisifera planted in the progeny trial in 2019. Early recordings showed that all DxP progenies derived from Tanzania homozygous virescent were 100% virescent. Preliminary evaluation based on bunch and oil analysis results showed the combination between Tanzania virescent homozygous dura and Ekona pisifera gave progeny with an increasing KB ratio compared to their parents, around 13.5%. Unfortunately, it has a lower oil-to-bunch (OB) ratio (23.1%). A combination of Tanzania virescent and Binga gave progeny with a slight increase in the KB ratio of about 11.2%, but the OB ratio is better at around 24.5%. According to these preliminary findings, Tanzania virescent passes on high KB characteristics to its progeny. In the next few years, yield and growth records will continue to be carried out to see the consistency of the characters possessed by each cross combination with the unique virescent bunches to indicate bunch ripeness.
Towards a laser-based irradiation system for attacking Curvularia sp.: Preliminary results
Authors: Widiyatmoko B , Ilyas M , Oktalira F T , Hanto D , Pratomo H , Priwiratama H , Setiono A
Published: March 2024

In the seedling stage, oil palm plants are susceptible to several diseases. Leaf spot disease caused by fungi or bacteria often appears that can lead to a failure and even death of the seeds. Spraying fungicides is usually conducted to diminish the fungi growth on the leaf. However, a continuous application of fungicides can become a resistance condition of the fungi to the given fungicides. In this research, a laser-based irradiation system is proposed to attack the fungi growth on the leaf. Photon as an electromagnetic wave is expected to penetrate the fungal cell, yielding dormant DNA, subsequently leading to the fungi’s death. The photon energy’s suitability could influence this technique’s effectiveness according to the absorption energy of the targeted fungal/bacterial cell. This work presents a preliminary result on the generated light power and the beam area at ∼16.59 mW/cm2 and ∼24 cm2, respectively, on Curvularia sp. under laboratory conditions.
Genus Curvularia and Pestalotiopsis as the primary pathogen of leaf spot disease on oil palm seedlings throughout Indonesia
Authors: Priwiratama Hari , Wiyono Suryo , Tondok Efi Toding , Hidayat Sri Hendrastuti , Wening Sri , Wijayanti Eka , Rozziansha Tjut Ahmad Perdana
Published: March 2024

Leaf spot is a major plant disease that affects oil palm seedlings. Several fungal genera, including Cercospora, Curvularia, Drechslera, Pestalotiopsis, and Phyllosticta, have been linked to leaf spot disease in oil palms worldwide. A survey was undertaken in several oil palm nurseries throughout Indonesia to discover the primary pathogen of the leaf spot disease. The result revealed that two dominating genera, Curvularia and Pestalotiopsis, were responsible for leaf spot infections on oil palm seedlings in Indonesia. Curvularia was isolated from oil palm nurseries in Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi. Curvularia isolates can be divided into five morphotypes based on colony growth and appearance. On the other hand, three major morphotypes of Pestalotiopsis were collected from Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua.
Basal stem rot of oil palm: Disease development in mineral and peat soils
Authors: Virdiana I , Forster B P , Zakaria L
Published: March 2024

Basal stem rot (BSR) of oil palm, caused by Ganoderma boninense, is a major disease of economic concern in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia. The disease causes palm death and the reduction in the oil palm stand, results in lower yields and serious economic losses. In Indonesia, incidence of BSR has been reported in both mineral and peat soils. To control BSR in peat and mineral soils, an understanding of disease development is necessary. Disease developmental studies were conducted at two oil palm plantations in North Sumatra, representing mineral and peat soils. Palms with mild BSR infection were recorded and disease progression monitored. After 37 months, critical symptoms of basal stem rotting were observed. The percentages of palms with advanced disease symptoms in mineral and peat soils were 62.5% and 90.6%, respectively. The observations indicated that BSR symptoms developed faster in oil palms planted in peat soil compared to those in mineral soils.
Effect of Calcium Carbonate Application on Initial Vegetative Growth of Oil Palm Planted on Deep Peat
Authors: Anggoro B M , Sugandi A
Published: March 2024

The main challenge of planting oil palm on deep peat is naturally acidic soil pH which affects rooting development and activity and uptake of nutrients. Considering one life cycle of oil palm can be up to ≥20 years, ensuring optimum growth of palms since its initial planting is essential. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) application is a standard practice to increase soil pH, including on peat soils. However, the effective rate and effects of its application to palm growth are still lacking. This trial is aimed to see the effect of CaCO3 application on the vegetative growth of oil palms planted on deep peat in the initial years of planting. The trial was conducted in an oil palm plantation in Pangkalan Kerinci-Riau with a split-plot randomized complete block design. Basal application of CaCO3 for the first three consecutive years of planting with three different rates and additional rates of CaCO3 and liquid lime per palm basis were the main and sub-treatments of this trial. Significant differences were found in frond length, leaf area, leaf area index, and frond dry weight at the immature stage in which palms treated with basal CaCO3 showed better growth. At the young mature stage, significant differences were found only in leaf area, leaf area index, and the number of green fronds. A significant difference for sub-treatment was found only in the leaf area index. The result indicated that application of CaCO3 as basal application during immature stage could improve palm’s growth whereas additional CaCO3 per palm basis may not necessarily result in better growth.
Usage of near infrared spectrometer as an analyzing tool for nutrients in leaf, fertilizer and soil in oil palm industry
Authors: Thandapani Pupathy Uthrapathy , Harahap Zulkifli , Nadaraj Sundian
Published: March 2024

In the oil palm industry, a huge money is used for chemical items to examine samples, especially for leaf (foliar), fertilizer, and soil. However, with the advent of FOSS NIRS DS2500 technology, there is a huge reduction in chemical usage in laboratories. Results were attained in less than a minute while covering many parameters in a single scanning. This tool uses the technology of Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy (NIRS) to scan the particles of the substance and thus, elements are detected within the NIRS wavelength region. FOSS NIRS DS2500 uses a broad wavelength range of 400 to 2500nm, covering the highest possible performance across any chemical elements/molecules. Furthermore, there are accurate analysis results for a wide range of parameters, such as oil content, moisture content, N, P, K, Mg, Ca, B, Zn, and Cu. The objective of this paper is to discuss the ‘hands-on’ experience with the usage of FOSS NIRS DS2500 as an analyzing tool for determining the nutrient values for the above-mentioned samples. FOSS NIRS DS2500 is a ‘secondary method’ as this tool needs to be calibrated periodically with a database gathered from a traditional laboratory (primer method/conventional method). Statistics is used to verify the accuracy and acceptance level of data, for example, standard error of prediction, standard error of cross-validation, and standard error lab. Unification usage of applied science of statistics, biochemistry of plant tissues, and appropriate sampling methods in the fields had resulted in a practice where huge use of chemicals is eliminated while the accuracy of data is retained.
Relationship Pattern of Nutrient Content in Leaves, Rachis, Stalk, Spikelet, and Mesocarp to Oil Content of Fresh Fruit Bunches of 3 Varieties (Socfindo, Topaz, Damimas) of Oil Palm Plants in Mineral Soils of Central Kalimantan
Authors: Prasetyo D W , Kurniawan L , Andriani M , Putra G I S , Taufiq  , Pernando R D
Published: March 2024

The potential oil content in oil palm plants is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Several factors affect the quality of palm oil, including variety and nutrition, such as macro nutrients, especially N, P, K, and Mg. These nutrients play a role in fruit formation, increase in average weight bunches (BJR), plant health and play a role in increasing oil content. This study aims to the relationship of leaf, stalk, spikelet, and mesocarp nutrients to oil content. This exploratory study uses a quantitative descriptive method on 3 varieties of DxP Oil Palm: Socfindo, Topaz and Damimas: with year of planting 2014, each covering an area of ± 10 Ha and the observation period 2018-2019. The results showed that there was a relationship between leaf K nutrient on the Damimas variety, leaf Ca nutrient on the Socfindo variety and leaf B, leaf Zn, K rachis and Mg rachis nutrient on the Topaz variety to the O/B value. The regression model for this relationship sequentially is Y = 13.68 + 10.97 K_ leaf (R2 = 0.336); Y = 14,917 + 13,915 Ca_leaf (R2 = 0.314); and Y = 39.645 - 0.519 B_ leaf + 0.728 Zn_ leaf - 9.519 K_rachis - 41.434 Mg_rachis (R2 =0.595). In addition, only the Socfindo variety found an effect of stalk and spikelet nutrient content on the O/B value. These nutrients are K stalk nutrients with the regression model Y = 0.42 + 6.29 K_stalk (R2 = 0.372), and P, K, Mg and Ca spikelet nutrients with the regression model Y = 6.851 - 233.372 P_Spikelet + 14.585 K_Spikelet + 141.326 Mg_Spikelet - 66.348 Ca_Spikelet (R2 = 0.635).
The use of unmanned aerial vehicle for controlling Oryctes rhinoceros beetle on Immature Oil Palm
Authors: Roudhiyah H N , Saepuloh A , Wibowo A S , Irwansyah
Published: March 2024

Current constraints on labor supply and human error have triggered interest in using automated technology as an alternative to conventional operations. Hence, Minamas Plantation has embarked on an exploratory trial using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in one of the labor-intensive works in the oil palm industry, which is the prophylactic fortnightly spraying of beetles on immature palms. The trial was conducted between October 2021 and January 2022 at PT Aneka Inti Persada. Three treatments, namely UAV, conventional, and no control, were investigated under two different environments (straight-line and terrace plantings). A randomized complete block design was adopted, with three replicates of immature oil palms planted in 2020. Prior to treatment implementation, all treated palms were georeferenced. The insecticide used was Cypermethrin (5.5% EC) at 20 ml/L of water. Insecticide application by point-to-point spraying was conducted for 4 seconds on each palm (250 ml solution/palm) at 0.5 – 1.5 m above the canopy. Knapsack spraying was performed as per estate practice. No significant difference in fresh damage was recorded between the UAV and knapsack spraying as compared to the control plots. Palms in control plots continued to be inflicted by beetles with more than 5% fresh damage throughout the trial period. The trial concluded that UAV technology has great potential for adoption in daily estate operations. The next step of the trial was to compare the cost-effectiveness between treatments. This study did not carry out the economic analysis due to the scale of the trial.
Study of porang (Amorphophallus muelleri blume) as intercrops in oil palm immature plants
Authors: Amalia R , Susanto A , Nurkhoiry R , Farrasati R , Nugrahaeni N , Amanah A
Published: March 2024

The porang plant is one of the products being considered as an intercrop in the oil palm plantation. Specifically on smallholder oil palm plantations, the study’s objective was to investigate the ecological and financial aspects of porang growing as an intercrop in an oil palm intercropping system. This study was put together using approaches from farming analysis and descriptive analysis of literature studies. The study’s findings indicate that a number of characteristics, including the amount of solar radiation received, the acidity of the soil, and the soil’s moisture (during wet and dry seasons), must be taken into account for porang to produce at its highest level as an intercrop. In the meantime, the outcomes of the farming analysis demonstrate that it is possible to grow porang plants as intercrops during the Immature plant period.
A Cutting-Edge Precision Agriculture Technology to Support the Sustainable Oil Palm Industry
Authors: Santoso H , Yusuf M A , Rahutomo S , Madiyuanto  , Winarna
Published: March 2024

One of the most important factors in attaining sustainability in oil palm plantations is proper production input management in accordance with Good Agronomic Practices. For controlling plant disease and fertilizing, it can be started with an accurate monitoring technique to identify disease infection and the level of leaf nutrients in the field. The monitoring method should also be inexpensive, rapid, less time-consuming, and repeatable. This study has demonstrated how image classification (remote sensing) can be used to locate oil palm trees that have the Basal Stem Rot (BSR) disease and to estimate the nutritional level of the leaves. The healthy and BSR-infected palms had been effectively recognized and mapped using the remote sensing approach, which was used in conjunction with machine learning as well as a multispectral camera from a satellite and UAV. Furthermore, the use of a UAV and Mapir camera had resulted in a good prediction of N, P, K, and Mg content in the palm leaves; therefore, it may be practical to monitor leaf nutrient status in the oil palm plantations.
Pre-processing techniques using a machine learning approach to improve model accuracy in estimating oil palm leaf chlorophyll from portable chlorophyll meter measurement
Authors: Syarovy M , Pradiko I , Farrasati R , Winarna  , Rasyid S , Mardiana C , Pane R D P , Darlan N H , Sumaryanto  , Rahutomo S , Hidayat F , Listia E
Published: March 2024

Chlorophyll is essential for plants because it absorbs and adjusts solar energy as an energy source in photosynthesis. Thus, chlorophyll content can be used as an indicator of plant performance. However, laboratory analysis should usually be conducted to measure chlorophyll content, which requires a lot of tools and time. Therefore, Chlorophyll Meter SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) is a portable tool to estimate relative leaf chlorophyll rapidly. Still, it needs to be modeled and validated to get accurate results as laboratory analysis. Therefore, appropriate data pre-processing techniques are required before entering the model development stage. The pre-processing techniques included data collection, identification, and anomalies check. In addition, a machine-learning method was employed to do K-Means clustering during checking data anomalies. The results showed that the pre-processing stages increased the R-value from 0.588 to 0.912 and reduced the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) value from 58.91% to 39.86%.
Compatibility of Metarhizium sp. (M201-NL strain) in Insecticide and Herbicide Mixtures
Authors: Sinambela David P , Panjaitan Tumpal , Samosir Yohannes M S , Sidhu Manjit S
Published: March 2024

Field application of Metarhizium to control Oryctes rhinoceros in oil palm plantations may be overlapped with pesticides (insecticide and herbicide) spray. These chemicals may harm the fungus leading to poor virulence. This paper, however, shows that Metarhizium sp. M201-NL strain may react differently against some pesticides tested using poisoning media method. In the first experiment, the growth of mycelium of the Metarhizium sp. was observed in plated media mixed with insecticide. The highest mycelium radial growth was Fipronil 0.15 % (51.9 mm) which was not significantly different compared to the control, without insecticide (52.2 mm). However, suppression of growth of mycelium was observed in other insecticides. The radial growth of mycelium was significantly lower compared to the control if either Ethiprol, Lambdha cyhalothrin or Acephate was applied at 14 DAI. The second separate experiment involved herbicides. It was found that some herbicides did not inhibit the radial growth of mycelium. These include Metsulfuron-methyl 0.098 % (84.0 mm), Metsulfuron-methyl 0.19 % (82.75 mm), Glyphosate 19.6 % (82.5 mm), Glyphosate 9.8 % (81.6 mm) and Metsulfuron-methyl 0.39 % (80.37 mm) which were not significantly different compared to control, without herbicide (86.12 mm) at 21 DAI. In contrast, the growth of mycelium was significantly retarded when Paraquat, Triclopyr, Glyphosate, and 2.4-D was applied separately. Further study was undertaken to observe sporulation and virulence (bioassay) of the treated mycelium. The sporulations of mycelium treated with Fipronil 0.15 % or Metsulfuron-methyl of different concentrations were not statistically different to control. Similar results were also shown from bioassay. The infection rates of O. rhinoceros larva treated with mixtures of Metarhizium sp. spores with either Fipronil or Metsulfuron-methyl were insignificantly different compared to the control.
Application of exogenous compounds increased the tolerance to aluminum toxicity and improved fruit production of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) grown on Ultisols
Authors: Hidayah AN , Sopandie D , Yahya S , Wibowo CS
Published: March 2024

The low productivity of oil palm grown on suboptimal land Ultisols with high Al saturation requires efforts to improve cultivation techniques in order to increase plant tolerance to Al stress and to improve fruit production. This study aimed to determine the effect of various exogenous compounds on physiological changes and fruit production of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) grown on Ultisols with high Al saturation. This study consisted of 2 treatments, namely: (1) a combination of various exogenous compounds, and (2) application methods. The experiment was arranged in RCBD split plots with 3 replications. Treatment of exogenous compounds was (1) control (untreated); (2) CaCl2 50 ppm; (3) CaCl2 50 ppm + Salicylic acid 50 ppm; (4) CaCl2 50 ppm + Salicylic acid 50 ppm + citric acid 50 ppm; (5) CaCl2 50 ppm + Salicylic acid 50 ppm + citric acid 50 ppm + boron 50 ppm; and (6) CaCl2 50 ppm + Salicylic acid 50 ppm + citric acid 50 ppm + boron 50 ppm + Cu 50 ppm. The application method used was (1) basal drench and (2) foliar spray. Application of exogenous compounds was carried out every 3 months. The results revealed that application of exogenous compounds has enabled plants to increase the tolerance to Al stress, as evidenced by an increase in the number of normal bunches and bunch weight, the increase of which was due to the decrease in the number of rejected bunches, especially in the CaCl2 + salicylic acid treatment, which was selected as the most effective treatment. Increased fruit production in this treatment was associated with improvements in physiological processes; decreased MDA and increased photosynthetic rate and activity of APX and CAT enzymes resulted in improvement fruit production. These positive changes in physiological processes after treatment suggested that the addition of those exogenous compounds has induced signalling processes involved in ROS scavenging, that promoted the tolerance to Al stress. Basal drench application method was more effective than foliar spray, this was related to the increase in soil pH and P available due to the application of exogenous compounds through basal drench method.
Formulation of carotene-rich chocolate spread using red palm oil
Authors: Hasibuan H A , Nisa K , Aprila R
Published: March 2024

Chocolate spread is a chocolate food product used to flavor bakery products such as spread on bread. Chocolate spread is made using oil or fat with good spreadability, so this product is easily spread on bread. Red palm oil (RPO) can be applied to chocolate spreads because it can be a source of fat and carotene. In this research, the chocolate spread was made by adding virgin red palm oil from (VRPO) and (RPO), respectively 2, 4, and 6% of the dough ingredients. As a control, the formulation was carried out without adding RPO. The results indicate that VRPO and RPO can produce carotene-rich chocolate spread. The results of the organoleptic test showed that VRPO as much as 2% of the dough ingredient was preferred by the panelists (closer to the control formula). The product with this formula has a particle size of 0.09 mm, a fat-melting point of 29.5 °C, and a fat carotene content of 34.61 ppm.
Purification of glycerol as a by-product of biodiesel based on palm oil and castor oil
Authors: Dimawarnita F , Faramitha Y
Published: March 2024

The government program requires the use of biodiesel B35, which is 35% fatty acid methyl ester and 65% diesel oil from petroleum, which would impact the rise of biodiesel production and is accompanied by an increase in the by-product of crude glycerol. Crude glycerol requires purification to increase its selling value. This product still contains a lot of impurities such as methanol, soap, catalyst, fatty acids, and water. Crude glycerol, a by-product of making biodiesel based on palm oil and castor oil, has a purity of 39.10 and 37.30%. In this research, purification of crude glycerol was carried out using 10% w/v activated carbon. The results of glycerol after purification were 64.90 and 66.90%, it shows that the addition of activated carbon can absorb impurities contained in glycerol. The increase in levels from 37.30 to 64.90% and 66.90% due to the loss of water, alcohol, residue base (KOH), soap and fatty acids. It can be concluded that activated carbon is quite effective for the glycerol purification process with an addition of 10% (w/v). A further process is required, namely separation by distillation, to obtain glycerol with a purity above 80% to comply with SNI 7182-2015 standards.
Improving Livelihoods for Independent Smallholders by Yield Intensification through Good Agricultural Practices
Authors: Ramachandran V , Donough C , Soontat C , Ratnam M , Mohamad R , Azahar S , Hashim A , Teh K S , Mansor H , Oberthür T , Ata A
Published: March 2024

The Center for Sustainable Small-owners (CSS) was established to improve the livelihoods of Independent Smallholder (ISH) of oil palm ensuring ethical and responsible production of oil palm with commitments to no deforestation, no new plantation on peatlands, and no exploitation (NDPE) in the supply chain. CSS has a two-pronged approach i.e. improving livelihoods through yield intensification while sourcing responsibly ensuring ethical and sustainable oil palm production and ensuring sustainability through certification and compliance while empowering communities through farmer associations to safeguard their interests. This study focuses on livelihood improvement. It quantifies an increase in yield and profitability with farmer-implementation of good agricultural practice (GAP) and dissemination of these GAPs across the wider ISH community. This is operationalized by establishing Learning Farms (LeFa) in two tiers, with tier one comprising Core LeFa where appropriate GAP are implemented by the participating ISH and improved yield and farm profit are compared to respective control of Check farms. To facilitate diffusion of the GAP knowledge from tier one to the wider ISH community, tier two comprising of Primary LeFa which do not have matching control farms are used. After three years of GAP implementation, the cumulative revenue for the longest running LeFa cohort is found to be 41% higher than the corresponding Check farm group. There was an additional return of 239% on every additional unit spent on core farms compared to Check farms.
Mainstreaming gender role in oil palm villages in achieving SDGs
Authors: Azahari D H , Ratri S , Amalia R
Published: March 2024

The expansion of oil palm development in Indonesia changes the role of women in livelihood security, including their role as members of civil society. Some issues that continued to arise are related to the participation of women in oil palm and the overall need for more women in SDGs achievement. Significantly, palm oils play a significant role in achieving these SDGs, though the exact contribution that palm oils have to the SDGs remains unclear. Gender disparities in the labor market are mainly attributable to deeply entrenched stereotypes that restrain women from caregiving and men from breadwinning. Understanding the need to address the social norm, this paper aims to benchmark (i) the inclusivity of the role of women and asset ownership, (ii) achievement in some SDGs targets, and (iii) women’s participation in development Issues. The analysis is based on literature studies and field information from 2 villages in West Kalimantan. The study results show that the mixture of conventional and progressive values among women is quite significant. It was found that equal opportunity between men and women is in place within both villages, especially in terms of education, wages, and job distribution, even though some small numbers of women still face inequality to some degree. Unfortunately, women’s involvement in various crucial platforms is still considerably low, such as conflict management and resolution in more extensive settings. Women have more decision-making power in the household than in workplaces or village governance. Regarding child labor, human rights violations, and environmental damages, the vast majority said those things never happened.
Surface slicing and toolpath planning for in-situ bioprinting of skin implants
Authors: Chaudhry Muhammad Salman , Czekanski Aleksander
Published: March 2024

Bioprinting has emerged as a successful method for fabricating engineered tissue implants, offering great potential for wound healing applications. This study focuses on an advanced surface-based slicing approach aimed at designing a skin implant specifically for in-situ bioprinting. The slicing step plays a crucial role in determining the layering arrangement of the tissue during printing. By utilizing surface slicing, a significant shift from planar fabrication methods is achieved. The developed methodology involves the utilization of a customized robotic printer to deliver biomaterials. A multilayer slicing and toolpath generation procedure is presented, enabling the fabrication of skin implants that incorporate the epidermal, dermal, and hypodermal layers. One notable advantage of using the approximate representation of the native wound site surface as the slicing surface is the avoidance of planar printing effects such as staircasing. This surface slicing method allows for the design of non-planar and ultra-thin skin implants, ensuring a higher degree of geometric match between the implant and the wound interface. Furthermore, the proposed methodology demonstrates superior surface quality of the in-situ bio-printed implant on a hand model, validating its ability to create toolpaths on implants with complex surfaces.
Engineering pre-vascularized 3D tissue and rapid vascular integration with host blood vessels via co-cultured spheroids-laden hydrogel
Authors: Kwon Hyunseok , Lee Sangmin , Byun Hayeon , Huh Seung Jae , Lee Eunjin , Kim Eunhyung , Lee Jinkyu , Shin Heungsoo
Published: March 2024

Recent advances in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering have enabled the biofabrication of three-dimensional (3D) tissue analogues with the potential for use in transplants and disease modeling. However, the practical use of these biomimetic tissues has been hindered by the challenge posed by reconstructing anatomical-scale micro-vasculature tissues. In this study, we suggest that co-cultured spheroids within hydrogels hold promise for regenerating highly vascularized and innervated tissues, both in vitro and in vivo. Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) and human umbilical vein cells (HUVECs) were prepared as spheroids, which were encapsulated in gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels to fabricate a 3D pre-vascularized tissue. The vasculogenic responses, extracellular matrix production, and remodeling depending on parameters like co-culture ratio, hydrogel strength, and pre-vascularization time for in vivo integration with native vessels were then delicately characterized. The co-cultured spheroids with 3:1 ratio (hADSCs/HUVECs) within the hydrogel and with a pliable storage modulus showed the greatest vasculogenic potential, and ultimately formed in vitro arteriole-scale vasculature with a longitudinal lumen structure and a complex vascular network after long-term culturing. Importantly, the pre-vascularized tissue also showed anastomotic vascular integration with host blood vessels after transplantation, and successful vascularization that was positive for both CD31 and alpha-smooth muscle actin covering 18.6 ± 3.6 μm2 of the luminal area. The described co-cultured spheroids-laden hydrogel can therefore serve as effective platform for engineering 3D vascularized complex tissues.
Using a micro-device with a deformable ceiling to probe stiffness heterogeneities within 3D cell aggregates
Authors: Jain Shreyansh , Belkadi Hiba , Michaut Arthur , Sart Sébastien , Gros Jérôme , Genet Martin , Baroud Charles N
Published: March 2024

Recent advances in the field of mechanobiology have led to the development of methods to characterise single-cell or monolayer mechanical properties and link them to their functional behaviour. However, there remains a strong need to establish this link for three-dimensional (3D) multicellular aggregates, which better mimic tissue function. Here we present a platform to actuate and observe many such aggregates within one deformable micro-device. The platform consists of a single polydimethylsiloxane piece cast on a 3D-printed mould and bonded to a glass slide or coverslip. It consists of a chamber containing cell spheroids, which is adjacent to air cavities that are fluidically independent. Controlling the air pressure in these air cavities leads to a vertical displacement of the chamber’s ceiling. The device can be used in static or dynamic modes over time scales of seconds to hours, with displacement amplitudes from a few µm to several tens of microns. Further, we show how the compression protocols can be used to obtain measurements of stiffness heterogeneities within individual co-culture spheroids, by comparing image correlations of spheroids at different levels of compression with finite element simulations. The labelling of the cells and their cytoskeleton is combined with image correlation methods to relate the structure of the co-culture spheroid with its mechanical properties at different locations. The device is compatible with various microscopy techniques, including confocal microscopy, which can be used to observe the displacements and rearrangements of single cells and neighbourhoods within the aggregate. The complete experimental and imaging platform can now be used to provide multi-scale measurements that link single-cell behaviour with the global mechanical response of the aggregates.
Grewia tenax bark extract mediated silver nanoparticles as an antibacterial, antibiofilm and antifungal agent
Authors: Yadav Priyanka , Jain Shalini , Nimesh Surendra , Gupta Nidhi , Chatterjee Sreemoyee
Published: March 2024

Grewia tenax plant possesses many medicinal qualities that can be harnessed for bio-applications via nanotechnology in a cost-effective and environment-friendly manner. The synthesised silver nanoparticles (GTB-AgNPs) from Grewia tenax bark extract were first detected by observing the change in colour from yellowish brown to dark brown and confirmed by UV–vis spectroscopy. UV–vis spectral analysis recorded the surface plasmon resonance at 420 nm. In the current research, several process parameters (time, temperature, concentration of AgNO3 and the ratio of extract to AgNO3) were adjusted by using one variable at a time (OVAT) approach. Spectroscopy accompanied by dynamic light scattering (DLS), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) determines the size, nature, morphological variations and chemical constituents of GTB-AgNPs. The size range was found within 35−45 nm and the image clearly showed that the GTB-AgNPs were spherical in shape and well dispersed in nature. Zeta potential and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were done to analyse GTB-AgNPs stability, dispersion and the biomolecules in aqueous bark extract liable for the bioreduction of silver particles. These GTB-AgNPs showed excellent antibacterial action against Gram-positive (S. aureus and B. subtilis) and Gram-negative bacteria (P. aeruginosa and E. coli) which was observed by disc diffusion assay. Congo red agar plate (CRA) assay effectively unveiled the antibiofilm proficiency of the particles. These studies displayed a reduction in bacterial sustainability and the formation of exopolysaccharides. Disc diffusion assay confirmed the antifungal competency against A. niger and C. albicans. SEM was performed to elucidate the intracellular breakage and morphological transformations in cells of Gram-positive bacteria and fungi after treatment with GTB-AgNPs. The current study, therefore, enlightened applications of GTB-AgNPs as an efficient antimicrobial agent and applicable substitute in the pharmaceutical area.
Introduction
Authors: Bascom Ben
Published: March 2024

The Introduction explains why focusing on the eccentric, singular, and wayward can dislodge the impulse to secure larger formations of belonging in the United States. The messes, ignominies, and cultural failures of the figures in this study highlight the desire to ground abstract norms into the mythologized lives of the so-called founding generation. By excavating the lives and writings of individuals who sought cultural significance but were ignored (both then and now), this chapter reframes the impact of republicanism as a descriptive model for early U.S. cultural significance; theorizes how archival singularity—or the feeling of being drawn to the strange and eccentric within the dust heaps of history—offers an explanatory model for various levels of cultural production, from Benjamin Franklin to the weirdos who failingly aspired to his significance; and illuminates the centrality of queerness as a cultural model for understanding the elisions and absences that structure understandings of the early United States.
Commemorative Impulses in the “Heart of America”: Kansas City, the Great War, and Theodore Dreiser’s An American Tragedy
Authors: Dodman Trevor , Campion Corey
Published: March 2024

Given the importance of Kansas City in post-WWI American commemorative discourse, the setting of Book One of Theodore Dreiser’s An American Tragedy (1925) is striking, yet remains underexamined. Approaching the novel’s Kansas City setting through a spatial lens, however, resituates the narrative within the nation’s memorial culture and reveals its antimemorial qualities. Ironically, An American Tragedy critiques postwar commemorative culture by eliding references to the war and its memorial aftermath and presenting instead a narrative set in Kansas City, the postwar commemorative center of the US. In this way, the novel indirectly meditates upon three topics that resounded in the mid-1920s: commemorative spaces, silences, and inequities. Indeed, the novel presents a tragic series of linked figures who ironically evoke real postwar experiences: a young man whose life is destroyed after his involvement in the taking of human lives, mothers mourning the losses of their children, and veterans whose postwar lives of hardship and violence fall far short of memorial ideals. In this article, we argue for the significance of Kansas City in Dreiser’s work, especially as it links his perhaps most enduring novel to US practices and patterns of World War I memory making.
Cell-free translation system with artificial lipid-monolayer particles as a unique tool for characterizing lipid-monolayer binding proteins
Authors: Kuroiwa Fu , Suda Hiraku , Yabuki Maho , Atsuzawa Kimie , Yamaguchi Haruhiko , Toyota Masatsugu , Kaneko Yasuko , Yamashita Satoshi , Takahashi Seiji , Tozawa Yuzuru
Published: March 2024

Methods for functional analysis of proteins specifically localizing to lipid monolayers such as rubber particles and lipid droplets are limited. We have succeeded in establishing a system in which artificially prepared lipid monolayer particles are added to a cell-free translation system to confirm the properties of proteins that specifically bind to lipid monolayers in a translation-coupled manner.
Evolution and plasticity of physiological traits in the collembolan Orchesella villosa at fine spatial scales within the city
Authors: Prileson Eric G , Martin Ryan A
Published: March 2024

Divergent natural selection caused by spatial environmental variation can lead to local adaptation and evolutionary divergence between populations, even those within close proximity to one another. This, however, is only one possibility among other outcomes, such as the evolution of adaptive phenotypic plasticity or local maladaptation. Cities, as fragmented landscapes with high environmental variability across microgeographic scales, present an excellent venue to explore these possible outcomes. Here, we use common garden experiments to explore the potential for microgeographic divergence of physiological traits among populations of a collembolan, Orchesella villosa, living within the footprint of a single city. We assessed if intra-urban variation in the intensity of the heat island effect and soil salinity has led to evolutionary divergence in heat tolerance and salinity tolerance, respectively. While we found little variation in salinity tolerance among populations, there was evidence for both plasticity and evolutionary divergence among populations in response to variation in the urban heat island. Although the adaptive nature of these specific responses is not known, we suggest that cities, and human modified habitats in general, promote evolutionary divergence at small spatial scales by creating barriers to dispersal and imposing divergent selective environments within previously contiguous habitats.
Judges as Agents of Coloniality: Understanding the Coloniality of Justice at the Pre-trial Stage in Brazil
Authors: Khan Omar Phoenix
Published: March 2024

This paper exposes how colonial ways of knowing and being shape judicial behaviour in Brazil, where pre-trial detention is excessively used against racialised groups. I argue that judges continue to conceptualise and operationalise justice according to colonial logics and thus reveal the coloniality of justice. Drawing on decolonial theory from across South America and from interviews and court observations in Rio de Janeiro, I reveal how judges understand themselves as heroic crime fighters, acting beyond the law in a modern moral crusade. I examine how violence remains a central component of justice and consider how judges deal with the contradiction of neutrality and aggression. I argue that judges, by endorsing or tolerating violence, become agents of coloniality.
Chemoembolization as first-line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma invading segmental portal vein with tumour burden limited to a monosegmental level
Authors: Hwang Hyeonseung , Kim Jin Hyoung , Ko Eunbyeol , Kim Jeong-Yeon , Ko Heung-Kyu , Gwon Dong Il , Shin Ji Hoon , Kim Gun Ha , Chu Hee Ho
Published: March 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumour thrombosis (PVTT) confined to a monosegment of the liver.

Methods

A total of 192 treatment-naive patients who received chemoembolization between March 2008 and January 2023 as a first-line treatment for locally advanced HCC with PVTT limited to a monosegment were retrospectively analysed. Overall survival (OS) and the identification of pretreatment risk factors related to OS were investigated using Cox regression analysis. Complications, radiologic tumour response, and progression-free survival (PFS) following chemoembolization were investigated.

Results

After chemoembolization, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates were 86%, 48%, and 39%, respectively, and the median OS was 33 months. Multivariable analyses revealed four significant pretreatment risk factors: infiltrative HCC (P = .02; HR, 1.60), beyond the up-to-11 criteria (P = .002; HR, 2.26), Child-Pugh class B (P = .01; HR, 2.35), and serum AFP ≥400 ng/mL (P = .01; HR, 1.69). The major complication rate was 5%. Of the 192 patients, 1 month after chemoembolization, 35% achieved a complete response, 47% achieved a partial response, 11% had stable disease, and 7% showed progressive disease. The median PFS after chemoembolization was 12 months.

Conclusions

Chemoembolization shows high safety and efficiency, and contributes to improved survival in patients with HCC with PVTT confined to a monosegment. Four risk factors were found to be significantly associated with improved survival rates after chemoembolization in patients with HCC with PVTT confined to a monosegment.

Advances in knowledge

(1) Although systemic therapy with a combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atezo-Bev) is recommended as the first-line treatment when HCC invades the portal vein, chemoembolization is not infrequently performed in HCC cases in which tumour burden is limited. (2) Our study cohort (n=192) had a median OS of 33 months and a 5% major complication rate following chemoembolization, findings in the range of candidates typically accepted as ideal for chemoembolization. Thus, patients with HCC with PVTT confined to a monosegment may be good candidates for first-line chemoembolization.
Cyclic β2,3-amino acids improve the serum stability of macrocyclic peptide inhibitors targeting the SARS-CoV-2 main protease
Authors: Miura Takashi , Malla Tika R , Brewitz Lennart , Tumber Anthony , Salah Eidarus , Lee Kang Ju , Terasaka Naohiro , Owen C David , Strain-Damerell Claire , Lukacik Petra , Walsh Martin A , Kawamura Akane , Schofield Christopher J , Katoh Takayuki , Suga Hiroaki
Published: March 2024

Due to their constrained conformations, cyclic β2,3-amino acids (cβAA) are key building blocks that can fold peptides into compact and rigid structures, improving peptidase resistance and binding affinity to target proteins, due to their constrained conformations. Although the translation efficiency of cβAAs is generally low, our engineered tRNA, referred to as tRNAPro1E2, enabled efficient incorporation of cβAAs into peptide libraries using the flexible in vitro translation (FIT) system. Here we report on the design and application of a macrocyclic peptide library incorporating 3 kinds of cβAAs: (1R,2S)-2-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid (β1), (1S,2S)-2-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid (β2), and (1R,2R)-2-aminocyclopentane carboxylic acid. This library was applied to an in vitro selection against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro). The resultant peptides, BM3 and BM7, bearing one β2 and two β1, exhibited potent inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 40 and 20 nM, respectively. BM3 and BM7 also showed remarkable serum stability with half-lives of 48 and >168 h, respectively. Notably, BM3A and BM7A, wherein the cβAAs were substituted with alanine, lost their inhibitory activities against Mpro and displayed substantially shorter serum half-lives. This observation underscores the significant contribution of cβAA to the activity and stability of peptides. Overall, our results highlight the potential of cβAA in generating potent and highly stable macrocyclic peptides with drug-like properties.
New Quality Evaluation of Qizhi Xiangfu Pills Based on Fingerprint with Chemometric Analysis and Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Components by Single Marker
Authors: Xu Xiaoli , Yang Lin , Zhao Dezhang , Wang Yiwu , Dai Lei , Li Shuya , He Dan
Published: March 2024

Qizhi Xiangfu Pills (QZXFPs) is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicine preparations for the treatment of dysmenorrhea, but the existing quality evaluation standards have certain shortcomings and deficiencies. An effective and scientific quality evaluation method plays a vital role in medication safety. In this study, fingerprint combined with chemometric analysis and quantitative analysis of multi-components by a single marker (QAMS) method was used to comprehensively evaluate the quality of QZXFPs. The fingerprints of 28 batches samples were established and 23 common peaks were distinguished, of which 7 peaks were identified as albiflorin, paeoniflorin, baicalin, ligustilide, cyperotundone, nootkatone and α-cyperone. The content of these seven active ingredients was determined simultaneously by the QAMS method and there was no significantly different between QAMS and the external standard method. Additionally, similarity analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis were applied for classifying the 28 batches of samples, and to find the main components causing the quality differences between different batches. In conclusion, the established method can comprehensively evaluate the consistency of quality between different batches and provide a reference for formulation quality evaluation to ensure safe and effective application of QZXFPs.