Pengaruh Jenis Residu Kompos Biochar dan Umur Defoliasi Daun Jagung (Zea mays L.) terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Kacang Merah (Phaseulus vulgaris L.) dalam Tumpangsari Salome

This study aims to determine the effect of residues of biochar compost in the second crop season and the effect of defoliation age treatment on corn leaves on growth and yield of red bean plants with corn salome intercropping. The research was carried out from July to November 2019 in the experimental garden of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Timor, Sasi Village, Kota Kefamenanu District, TimorTengah Utara Regency (TTU), Nusa Tenggara Timur Province (NTT). This study used a factorial 3 x 3 Randomized Block Design (RAK) which was repeated 3 times. The first factor is the type of biochar residue which consists of 3 levels, namely cow manure biochar compost residue, goat manure biochar compost residue, horse manure biochar compost residue. The second factor was the time of defoliation of corn leaves which consisted of 3 levels, namely without defoliation, defoliation at 35 DAP, defoliation at 55 DAP, so there were 9 treatment combinations, which were repeated 3 times so that there were 27 experimental units. The results showed that there was a positive effect according to the DMRT test at 5% level between the combination of biochar compost residue treatment and corn leaf defoliation age treatment on soil temperature 60 DAP, soil volume weight 60 DAP, and canopy dry weight. The single factor treatment of biochar compost residue enriched with goat manure was able to modify the plant growing environment and increase plant growth and yield. The single factor treatment of corn leaf defoliation age 35 DAP was able to increase the growth and yield of red bean plants.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh residu jenis kompos biochar pada musim tanaman kedua dan pengaruh perlakuan umur defoliasi daun jagung terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman kacang merah dengan tumpangsari salome tanaman jagung. Penelitian telah dilaksanakan pada bulan Juli sampai dengan November 2019 di kebun percobaan Fakultas Pertanian, Universitas Timor, Kelurahan Sasi, Kecamatan Kota Kefamenanu, Kabupaten Timor Tengah Utara (TTU), Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT). Penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) Faktorial 3 x 3 yang diulang sebanyak 3 kali. Faktor Pertama adalah jenis residu biochar yang terdiri dari 3 aras yaitu residu kompos biochar pupuk kandang sapi, residu kompos biochar pupuk kandang kambing, residu kompos biochar pupuk kandang kuda. Faktor kedua adalah waktu defoliasi daun jagung yang terdiri dari 3 aras yaitu tanpa defoliasi, defoliasi pada umur 35 HST, defoliasi pada umur 55 HST, sehingga terdapat 9 kombinasi perlakuan, yang diulang sebanyak 3 kali sehingga terdapat 27 satuan percobaan. Hasil Penelitian menunjukan terjadi pengaruh positif menurut uji DMRT taraf 5% antara kombinasi perlakuan jenis residu kompos biochar dan perlakuan umur defoliasi daun jagung terhadap suhu tanah 60 HST, berat volume tanah 60 HST, dan berat kering tajuk. Faktor tunggal perlakuan jenis residu kompos biochar yang diperkaya pupuk kandang kambing mampu memodifikasi lingkungan tumbuh tanaman dan meningkatkan pertumbuhan serta hasil tanaman. Faktor tunggal perlakuan umur defoliasi daun jagung 35 HST mampu meningkatkan pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman kacang merah

The biodiversity benefit of native forests and mixed-species plantations over monoculture plantations

Aim: China's Grain for Green Program (GFGP) is the largest reforestation programme in the world and has been operating since 1999. The GFGP has promoted the establishment of tree plantations over the restoration of diverse native forests. In a previous study, we showed that native forests support a higher species richness and abundance of birds and bees than do GFGP plantations and that mixed-species GFGP plantations support a higher level of bird (but not bee) diversity than do any individual GFGP monocultures (although still below that of native forests). Here, we use metabarcoding of arthropod diversity to test the generality of these results. Location: Sichuan, China. Methods: We sampled arthropod communities using pan traps in the land cover types concerned under the GFGP. These land use types include croplands (the land cover being reforested under the GFGP), native forests (the reference ecosystem as the benchmark for the GFGP’s biodiversity effects) and the dominant GFGP reforestation outcomes: monoculture and mixed-species plantations. We used COI-amplicon sequencing (“metabarcoding”) of the arthropod samples to quantify and assess the arthropod community profiles associated with each land cover type. Results: Native forests support the highest overall levels of arthropod species diversity, followed by mixed-species plantations, followed by bamboo and other monocultures. Also, the arthropod community in native forests shares more species with mixed-species plantations than it does with any of the monocultures. Together, these results broadly corroborate our previous conclusions on birds and bees but show a higher arthropod biodiversity value of mixed-species plantations than previously indicated by bees alone. Main conclusion: In our previous study, we recommended that GFGP should prioritize the conservation and restoration of native forests. Also, where plantations are to be used, we recommended that the GFGP should promote mixed-species arrangements over monocultures. Both these recommendations should result in more effective protection of terrestrial biodiversity, which is an important objective of China's land-sustainability spending. The results of this study strengthen these recommendations because our policy prescriptions are now also based on a dataset that includes over 500 species-resolution taxa, ranging across the Arthropoda

The Effect of Cannabidiol on Subjective Responses to Endurance Exercise: A Randomised Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Exercise is known to improve health. However, it can be unpleasant, often inducing negative feelings, or 'affect'. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating constituent of the cannabis plant, has been reported to enhance the subjective experience of exercise; specifically, in trained individuals performing fixed-intensity endurance activity. Here, we investigated the effects of CBD on subjective responses to exercise under more ecologically valid conditions; namely, in recreationally active individuals performing self-paced endurance activity.METHODS: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was conducted at Griffith University between July 17 and August 28, 2023. Griffith University students studying sports nutrition were invited to take part, with eligible volunteers ≥ 18 years of age and able to perform endurance exercise. Participants ingested placebo or 150 mg CBD in two soft-gel capsules 90 min before completing a self-paced 25-lap (10 km) run around an outdoor athletics track (400 m, synthetic). The primary outcomes were affective valence during exercise, assessed on completion of laps 6, 12, 18 and 24 using the 'Feelings Scale', and positive and negative affect, assessed at baseline, pre-run and post-run using the 'Positive and Negative Affect Schedule'. Exercise enjoyment, motivation and self-efficacy, the core features of the 'runner's high' (i.e., euphoria, pain, anxiety, sedation), perceived exertion and run time were also assessed.RESULTS: Fifty-two participants were randomised and 51 were included in the final sample (n = 22 female; 22 [21-25] years). Exercise induced negative affect (i.e., at the time of undertaking) and increased pain. CBD did not counteract either response. In fact, CBD had no significant effects on any of the outcomes measured. In contrast, exercise, once completed, increased positive affect, and decreased negative affect and anxiety.CONCLUSIONS: CBD (150 mg, oral) does not appear to enhance the subjective experience of self-paced endurance exercise in recreationally active individuals. Nor, however, does it appear to compromise it. These findings suggest that CBD use is safe under exercise conditions and unlikely to impede physical activity participation. Our study also reaffirms the powerful mood-enhancing effects of exercise.TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ( www.anzctr.org.au ) on May 31, 2023 (Trial ID: ACTRN12623000593639).</p

Pan-viral protection against arboviruses by activating skin macrophages at the inoculation site

Arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses) are important human pathogens for which there are no specific antiviral medicines. The abundance of genetically distinct arbovirus species, coupled with the unpredictable nature of their outbreaks, has made the development of virus-specific treatments challenging. Instead, we have defined and targeted a key aspect of the host innate immune response to virus at the arthropod bite that is common to all arbovirus infections, potentially circumventing the need for virus-specific therapies. Using mouse models and human skin explants, we identify innate immune responses by dermal macrophages in the skin as a key determinant of disease severity. Post-exposure treatment of the inoculation site by a topical TLR7 agonist suppressed both the local and subsequent systemic course of infection with a variety of arboviruses from the Alphavirus, Flavivirus, and Orthobunyavirus genera. Clinical outcome was improved in mice after infection with a model alphavirus. In the absence of treatment, antiviral interferon expression to virus in the skin was restricted to dermal dendritic cells. In contrast, stimulating the more populous skin-resident macrophages with a TLR7 agonist elicited protective responses in key cellular targets of virus that otherwise proficiently replicated virus. By defining and targeting a key aspect of the innate immune response to virus at the mosquito bite site, we have identified a putative new strategy for limiting disease after infection with a variety of genetically distinct arboviruses

HCV Causes Chronic Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Leading to Adaptation and Interference with the Unfolded Protein Response

BACKGROUND: The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the cellular site for protein folding. ER stress occurs when protein folding capacity is exceeded. This stress induces a cyto-protective signaling cascades termed the unfolded protein response (UPR) aimed at restoring homeostasis. While acute ER stress is lethal, chronic sub-lethal ER stress causes cells to adapt by attenuation of UPR activation. Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a major human pathogen, was shown to cause ER stress, however it is unclear whether HCV induces chronic ER stress, and if so whether adaptation mechanisms are initiated. We wanted to characterize the kinetics of HCV-induced ER stress during infection and assess adaptation mechanisms and their significance. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The HuH7.5.1 cellular system and HCV-transgenic (HCV-Tg) mice were used to characterize HCV-induced ER stress/UPR pathway activation and adaptation. HCV induced a wave of acute ER stress peaking 2-5 days post-infection, which rapidly subsided thereafter. UPR pathways were activated including IRE1 and EIF2α phosphorylation, ATF6 cleavage and XBP-1 splicing. Downstream target genes including GADD34, ERdj4, p58ipk, ATF3 and ATF4 were upregulated. CHOP, a UPR regulated protein was activated and translocated to the nucleus. Remarkably, UPR activity did not return to baseline but remained elevated for up to 14 days post infection suggesting that chronic ER stress is induced. At this time, cells adapted to ER stress and were less responsive to further drug-induced ER stress. Similar results were obtained in HCV-Tg mice. Suppression of HCV by Interferon-α 2a treatment, restored UPR responsiveness to ER stress tolerant cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows, for the first time, that HCV induces adaptation to chronic ER stress which was reversed upon viral suppression. These finding represent a novel viral mechanism to manipulate cellular response pathways

Kaempferia galanga L.Zingiberaceae

Alpinia sessilis J. Koenig; Kaempferia humilis Salisb.; Kaempferia latifolia Donn ex Hornem.; Kaempferia plantaginifolia Salisb.; Kaempferia procumbens Noronha; Kaempferia rotunda Blanco (POWO 2019

DEB025 (Alisporivir) Inhibits Hepatitis C Virus Replication by Preventing a Cyclophilin A Induced Cis-Trans Isomerisation in Domain II of NS5A

DEB025/Debio 025 (Alisporivir) is a cyclophilin (Cyp)-binding molecule with potent anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) activity both in vitro and in vivo. It is currently being evaluated in phase II clinical trials. DEB025 binds to CypA, a peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase which is a crucial cofactor for HCV replication. Here we report that it was very difficult to select resistant replicons (genotype 1b) to DEB025, requiring an average of 20 weeks (four independent experiments), compared to the typically <2 weeks with protease or polymerase inhibitors. This indicates a high genetic barrier to resistance for DEB025. Mutation D320E in NS5A was the only mutation consistently selected in the replicon genome. This mutation alone conferred a low-level (3.9-fold) resistance. Replacing the NS5A gene (but not the NS5B gene) from the wild type (WT) genome with the corresponding sequence from the DEB025res replicon resulted in transfer of resistance. Cross-resistance with cyclosporine A (CsA) was observed, whereas NS3 protease and NS5B polymerase inhibitors retained WT-activity against DEB025res replicons. Unlike WT, DEB025res replicon replicated efficiently in CypA knock down cells. However, DEB025 disrupted the interaction between CypA and NS5A regardless of whether the NS5A protein was derived from WT or DEB025res replicon. NMR titration experiments with peptides derived from the WT or the DEB025res domain II of NS5A corroborated this observation in a quantitative manner. Interestingly, comparative NMR studies on two 20-mer NS5A peptides that contain D320 or E320 revealed a shift in population between the major and minor conformers. These data suggest that D320E conferred low-level resistance to DEB025 probably by reducing the need for CypA-dependent isomerisation of NS5A. Prolonged DEB025 treatment and multiple genotypic changes may be necessary to generate significant resistance to DEB025, underlying the high barrier to resistance

Meeting report: 34th international conference on antiviral research

As a result of the multiple gathering and travels restrictions during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the annual meeting of the International Society for Antiviral Research (ISAR), the International Conference on Antiviral Research (ICAR), could not be held in person in 2021. Nonetheless, ISAR successfully organized a remote conference, retaining the most critical aspects of all ICARs, a collegiate gathering of researchers in academia, industry, government and non-governmental institutions working to develop, identify, and evaluate effective antiviral therapy for the benefit of all human beings. This article highlights the 2021 remote meeting, which presented the advances and objectives of antiviral and vaccine discovery, research, and development. The meeting resulted in a dynamic and effective exchange of ideas and information, positively impacting the prompt progress towards new and effective prophylaxis and therapeutics

Animal models for COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the aetiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an emerging respiratory infection caused by the introduction of a novel coronavirus into humans late in 2019 (first detected in Hubei province, China). As of 18 September 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has spread to 215 countries, has infected more than 30 million people and has caused more than 950,000 deaths. As humans do not have pre-existing immunity to SARS-CoV-2, there is an urgent need to develop therapeutic agents and vaccines to mitigate the current pandemic and to prevent the re-emergence of COVID-19. In February 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) assembled an international panel to develop animal models for COVID-19 to accelerate the testing of vaccines and therapeutic agents. Here we summarize the findings to date and provides relevant information for preclinical testing of vaccine candidates and therapeutic agents for COVID-19