POLA SEBARAN BINTANG LAUT BERDURI (Protoreaster nodosus) DI PANTAI SALIBABU KECAMATAN SALIBABU KABUPATEN KEPULAUAN TALAUD PROVINSI SULAWESI UTARA

Wilayah perairan memiliki sumberdaya pesisir yang beragam, salah satunya Echinodermata. Echinodermata (echinoderm) berasal dari Bahasa Yunani echin (berduri) derma (kulit). Secara umum Echinodermata merupakan organisme laut yang pergerakannya sangat lambat. Filum Echinodermata memiliki lima kelas diantaranya kelas Asteroidea yang mempunyai lima lengan atau lebih yang memanjang dan memiliki tubuh radikal yang berwujud bintang (stellate), serta memiliki rangka yang dapat mampu membantu dalam pergerakan. Tubuh Asteroidea memiliki dua bagian ialah bagian aboral (dorsal) dan oral (ventral).   Kelas Asteroidea memiliki genus Protoreaster yang banyak dijumpai di Pantai Salibabu. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk menganalisis pola sebaran bintang laut berduri (Protoreaster nodosus) di Pantai Salibabu. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu purposive sampling dengan menggunakan plot 1 m x 1 m. Lokasi penelitian yaitu padang lamun, batu berpasir, dan terumbu karang. Bintang laut (Protoreaster nodosus) yang didapat pada bulan Desember 2018 berjumlah 48 individu pada ketiga lokasi. Pada lokasi padang lamun (I) ditemukan 22 individu; batu berpasir (II) ditemukan 13 individu; pada terumbu karang (III) ditemukan 13 individu, sedangkan pada bulan Januari 2019 total individu berjumlah 51 individu pada padang lamun ditemukan 28 individu, batu berpasir ditemukan 14, dan terumbu karang berjumlah 9 individu. Pola sebaran bintang laut berduri pada ketiga lokasi penelitian  memiliki pola sebaran  yang mengelompok dan acak pada pengamatan sampel bulan Desember 2018 dan bulan Januari 2019The waters have diverse coastal resources, one of which is Echinoderms. Echinoderms (echinoderm) are derived from the Greek echin (thorny) derma (skin). In general, Echinoderms are marine organisms that move very slowly. Phylum Echinodermata has five classes, one of which is the Asteroidea class, which has five or more arms that are elongated and has a radical body in the form of a star (stellate), and has a frame that can be able to assist in movement. Asteroidea's body has two parts: the aboral (dorsal) and oral (ventral) parts. The Asteroidea class has the Protoreaster genus which is commonly found on Salibabu Beach. The purpose of this study was to analyze the distribution pattern of thorny starfish (Protoreaster nodosus) on Salibabu Beach. The method used in this study is purposive sampling using 1 m x 1 m quadratic plot. The research locations are seagrass beds, sandy rocks, and coral reefs. Starfish (Protoreaster nodosus) obtained in December 2018 totaled 48 individuals in all three locations. At the location of seagrass (I) 22 individuals were found; sandstone (II) found 13 individuals; on coral reef (III) 13 individuals were found, while in January 2019 a total of 51 individuals; in the seagrass found 28 individuals, sandy stones found 14, and coral reefs amounted to 9 individuals. The distribution pattern of thorny starfish in the three study sites has a regular distribution pattern on sample observations in December 2018 and January 2019

Propaedeutic study for the delivery of nucleic acid-based molecules from PLGA microparticles and stearic acid nanoparticles

We studied the mechanism governing the delivery of nucleic acid-based drugs (NABD) from microparticles and nanoparticles in zero shear conditions, a situation occurring in applications such as in situ delivery to organ parenchyma. The delivery of a NABD molecule from poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microparticles and stearic acid (SA) nanoparticles was studied using an experimental apparatus comprising a donor chamber separated from the receiver chamber by a synthetic membrane. A possible toxic effect on cell biology, as evaluated by studying cell proliferation, was also conducted for just PLGA microparticles. A mathematical model based on the hypothesis that NABD release from particles is due to particle erosion was used to interpret experimental release data. Despite zero shear conditions imposed in the donor chamber, particle erosion was the leading mechanism for NABD release from both PLGA microparticles and SA nanoparticles. PLGA microparticle erosion speed is one order of magnitude higher than that of competing to SA nanoparticles. Finally, no deleterious effects of PLGA microparticles on cell proliferation were detected. Thus, the data here reported can help optimize the delivery systems aimed at release of NABD from micro- and nanoparticles

Analisis Kandungan Merkuri Pada Tanah Dan Umbi Tanaman Ubi Kayu (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) Di Daerah Pertambangan Desa Soyowan, Minahasa Tenggara

Merkuri merupakan salah satu logam berat berbahaya diantara logam berat lainya seperti Timbal (Pb), Arsenik (As), Kadmium (Cd), Kromium (Cr) dan Nikel (Ni). Merkuri memiliki sifat beracun yang sangat kuat diketahui dapat terakumulasi dan tetap berada di dalam tubuh mahluk hidup dalam jangka waktu yang lama sebagai racun yang terakumukasi. Penelitian ini di lakukan untuk mengetahui kandungan merkuri pada tanah dan Umbi tanaman ubi kayu (Manihot esculenta Crantz) di daerah pertambangan Desa Soyowan Minahasa Tenggara. Dengan menggunakan Metode Purposive Random Sampling. Pengambilan sampel terbagi atas tiga stasiun dengan tiga kali ulangan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kandungan merkuri dalam tanah tidak terdeteksi oleh alat AAS (Atomic ansorption Spectrometry) karena kandungan merkuri pada tanah terlampau kecil, sedangkan pada sampel umbi tanaman ubi kayu memiliki kandungan merkuri yaitu 0,1414 ppm. Konsentrasi merkuri (Hg) melebihi ambang batas sehingga tanaman pada Stasiun II tidak layak lagi untuk dikonsumsiMercury is one of the heavy metals containing other heavy metals such as Lead (Pb), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr) and Nickel (Ni). Mercury has very strong and accountable characteristics and remains in living things for a long time as an educated conversation. Manihot esculenta Crantz in the Mining Area of Soyowan Village, Southeast Minahasa. By using the Purposive Random Sampling method, sampling was divided into three stations with three replications. The results showed that the mercury content in the soil could not be found by the AAS tool because the mercury content in the soil was too small, whereas the tuber samples of cassava plants had a mercury content of 0.1414 ppm. excessive mercury (Hg)  concentration threshold so plants at Station II are no longer suitable for consumptio

Deskripsi Alga Makro di Taman Wisata Alam Batuputih, Kota Bitung

DESKRIPSI ALGA MAKRO DI TAMAN WISATA ALAM BATUPUTIH, KOTA BITUNG Marnix L.D. Langoy1), Saroyo1), Farha N.J. Dapas1), Deidy Y. Katili 1), dan Syamsul Bachry Hamsir2) 1)Program Studi Biologi, FMIPA, Universitas Sam Ratulangi, Manado 95115 2)Mahasiswa Program Sarjana Program Studi Biologi FMIPA Universitas Sam Ratulangi Manado 95115 ABSTRAK Penelitian tentang biodiversitas alga telah dilaksanakan dengan tujuan untuk menganalisis keanekaragaman alga makro di Taman Wisata Alam Batuputih Sulawesi Utara. Penelitian dilaksanakan di Taman Wisata Alam Batuputih, Kota Bitung dari bulan Januari sampai dengan Desember 2009. Pada lokasi penelitian dibuat 5 garis transek dengan jarak antara satu transek dengan transek berikutnya adalah 50 m. Setiap transek diambil 5 plot dengan ukuran 1 m x 1 m. Penempatan plot adalah 10 m, 20 m, 30 m, 40 m, dan 50 m dari garis pantai. Dengan demikian total plot penelitian sebanyak 50 plot. Pada setiap plot dihitung jumlah spesies alga yang ditemukan serta luas penutupannya, serta jumlah individu/koloni. Identifikasi jenis dilakukan di lapangan dengan menggunakan buku-buku identifikasi alga dan dilakukan konfirmasi di laboratorium. Hasil penelitian yang dilakukan di Taman Wisata Alam Batuputih pada 50 plot ditemukan 411 individu alga makro dengan 18 spesies yang berasal dari 3 divisi yakni Rhodophyta, Chlorophyta dan Phaeophyta. Dalam Divisi Rhodophyta dan Chlorophyta terdapat 7 spesies dengan 6 famili yang ditemukan, lebih banyak dibandingkan dengan Divisi Phaeophyta yang hanya ditemukan 4 spesies dengan 3 famili. Kata kunci: alga, biodiversitas, Taman Wisata Alam Batuputih BIODIVERSITY OF ALGAE AT BATUPUTIH TOURISM PARK, BITUNG DISTRICT ABSTRACT A research about algae diversity has been conducted to analysis macro-algae biodiversity at Batuputih Tourism Park, Bitung City, North Sulawesi from January to December 2009. At the above location, 5 line transects were made and the distance between previous and next transect was 50 m. In each transect, 5 plots were formed as representation to the the location. Plot size was 1 m x 1 m placed at 10 m, 20 m, 30 m, 40 m, and 50 m from zero point. Therefore, the total of plot in this research was 50 plots. In all plots, algae species richness, its covering and total of individuals/colony. Species identification was done in the field by using some algae identification manuals and confirmation was done at laboratory. Results of the research showed that: there were 411 individuals of algae in 50 plots at Batuputih Tourism Park. All individuals were classified into 18 species that included in 3 divisions, those were Rhodophyta, Chlorophyta and Phaeophyta. In the Division Rhodophyta and Chlorophyta, there were 7 species within 6 families, more than Division Phaeophyta that only consisted of 4 species within 3 families

A promoter SNP rs4073T>A in the common allele of the interleukin 8 gene is associated with the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis via the IL-8 protein enhancing mode

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a potent chemo-attractant cytokine responsible for neutrophil infiltration in lungs with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The IL-8 protein and mRNA expression are increased in the lung with IPF. We evaluated the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IL-8 gene on the risk of IPF.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One promoter (rs4073T>A) and two intronic SNPs (rs2227307T>G and rs2227306C>T) of the IL-8 genes were genotyped in 237 subjects with IPF and 456 normal controls. Logistic regression analysis was applied to evaluate the association of these SNPs with IPF. IL-8 in BAL fluids was measured using a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay, and promoter activity was assessed using the luciferase reporter assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The minor allele frequencies of rs4073T>A and rs2227307T>G were significantly lower in the 162 subjects with surgical biopsy-proven IPF and 75 subjects with clinical IPF compared with normal controls in the recessive model (OR = 0.46 and 0.48, <it>p </it>= 0.006 and 0.007, respectively). The IL-8 protein concentration in BAL fluids significantly increased in 24 subjects with IPF compared with 14 controls (<it>p </it>= 0.009). Nine IPF subjects homozygous for the rs4073 T>A common allele exhibited higher levels of the IL-8 protein compared with six subjects homozygous for the minor allele (<it>p </it>= 0.024). The luciferase activity of the rs4073T>A common allele was significantly higher than that of the rs4073T>A minor allele (<it>p </it>= 0.002).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The common allele of a promoter SNP, rs4073T>A, may increase susceptibility to the development of IPF via up-regulation of IL-8.</p

Multi-omic association study identifies DNA methylation-mediated genotype and smoking exposure effects on lung function in children living in urban settings

Impaired lung function in early life is associated with the subsequent development of chronic respiratory disease. Most genetic associations with lung function have been identified in adults of European descent and therefore may not represent those most relevant to pediatric populations and populations of different ancestries. In this study, we performed genome-wide association analyses of lung function in a multiethnic cohort of children (n = 1,035) living in low-income urban neighborhoods. We identified one novel locus at the TDRD9 gene in chromosome 14q32.33 associated with percent predicted forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (p = 2.4x10-9; βz = -0.31, 95% CI = -0.41- -0.21). Mendelian randomization and mediation analyses revealed that this genetic effect on FEV1 was partially mediated by DNA methylation levels at this locus in airway epithelial cells, which were also associated with environmental tobacco smoke exposure (p = 0.015). Promoter-enhancer interactions in airway epithelial cells revealed chromatin interaction loops between FEV1-associated variants in TDRD9 and the promoter region of the PPP1R13B gene, a stimulator of p53-mediated apoptosis. Expression of PPP1R13B in airway epithelial cells was significantly associated the FEV1 risk alleles (p = 1.3x10-5; β = 0.12, 95% CI = 0.06–0.17). These combined results highlight a potential novel mechanism for reduced lung function in urban youth resulting from both genetics and smoking exposure

Inducible expression quantitative trait locus analysis of the MUC5AC gene in asthma in urban populations of children

BACKGROUND: Mucus plugging can worsen asthma control, lead to reduced lung function and fatal exacerbations. MUC5AC is the secretory mucin implicated in mucus plugging, and MUC5AC gene expression has been associated with development of airway obstruction and asthma exacerbations in urban children with asthma. However, the genetic determinants of MUC5AC expression are not established. OBJECTIVE: To assess single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that influence MUC5AC expression and relate to pulmonary functions in childhood asthma. METHODS: We used RNA-sequencing data from upper airway samples and performed cis-expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and allele specific expression (ASE) analyses in two cohorts of predominantly Black and Hispanic urban children, a high asthma-risk birth cohort and an exacerbation-prone asthma cohort. We further investigated inducible MUC5AC eQTLs during incipient asthma exacerbations. We tested significant eQTLs SNPs for associations with lung function measurements and investigated their functional consequences in DNA regulatory databases. RESULTS: We identified two independent groups of SNPs in the MUC5AC gene that were significantly associated with MUC5AC expression. Moreover, these SNPs showed stronger eQTL associations with MUC5AC expression during asthma exacerbations, consistent with inducible expression. SNPs in one group also showed significant association with decreased pulmonary functions. These SNPs included multiple EGR1 transcription factor binding sites suggesting a mechanism of effect. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate the applicability of organ specific RNA-sequencing data to determine genetic factors contributing to a key disease pathway. Specifically, they suggest important genetic variations that may underlie propensity to mucus plugging in asthma and could be important in targeted asthma phenotyping and disease management strategies

African-specific alleles modify risk for asthma at the 17q12-q21 locus in African Americans

BACKGROUND: Asthma is the most common chronic disease in children, occurring at higher frequencies and with more severe disease in children with African ancestry. METHODS: We tested for association with haplotypes at the most replicated and significant childhood-onset asthma locus at 17q12-q21 and asthma in European American and African American children. Following this, we used whole-genome sequencing data from 1060 African American and 100 European American individuals to identify novel variants on a high-risk African American-specific haplotype. We characterized these variants in silico using gene expression and ATAC-seq data from airway epithelial cells, functional annotations from ENCODE, and promoter capture (pc)Hi-C maps in airway epithelial cells. Candidate causal variants were then assessed for correlation with asthma-associated phenotypes in African American children and adults. RESULTS: Our studies revealed nine novel African-specific common variants, enriched on a high-risk asthma haplotype, which regulated the expression of GSDMA in airway epithelial cells and were associated with features of severe asthma. Using ENCODE annotations, ATAC-seq, and pcHi-C, we narrowed the associations to two candidate causal variants that are associated with features of T2 low severe asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Previously unknown genetic variation at the 17q12-21 childhood-onset asthma locus contributes to asthma severity in individuals with African ancestries. We suggest that many other population-specific variants that have not been discovered in GWAS contribute to the genetic risk for asthma and other common diseases

Alpha-anomeric configuration of GT oligodeoxynucleotide leads to loss of the specific aptameric and cytoxic properties retained by the beta-anomeric analog

3nonenoneSCAGGIANTE B; DAPAS B.; QUADRIFOGLIO FScaggiante, Bruna; Dapas, Barbara; Quadrifoglio, F