PEMANFAATAN MATERIAL BIODEGRADABLE (BESE-ELEMENT) SEBAGAI MEDIA RESTORASI MANGROVE DI PESISIR NEGERI PASSO, KOTA AMBON

Mangrove ecosystems have potential both ecologically, economically, physically, and chemically. The abundance of this potential causes pressure from anthropogenic activities, which results in the degradation of mangrove ecosystems. Several mangrove ecosystems in the Ambon City area have experienced degradation, so restoration is necessary. The Passo State area has the potential for a dense mangrove ecosystem and can be used as a nursery area to support other ecosystems. Increasing the potential of mangrove ecosystems in the Passo State area can be done through restoration using biodegradable materials (BESE-Elements). Mangrove restoration is carried out through community service activities, a collaboration between the Maritime Center and Wardeen Burg Ecology – The Netherlands. The result of the activity is that mangrove ecosystem restoration is carried out in semi-enclosed areas using 10 BESE-Element. Each BESE-Element was planted with 10 mangrove seedlings consisting of 5 seedlings and 5 propagules. The mangrove species planted were Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Rhizophora apicutala, and Rhizophora stylosa. Around BESE-Elements planted seedlings and mangrove propagules as a control for mangroves in BESE-Elements

Komposisi Jenis Karang Keras (Scleractinia) di Perairan Pantai Utara Pulau Ambon

Terumbu karang merupakan ekosistem pesisir yang secara ekologi paling produktif dengan keanekaragaman tinggi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui komposisi jenis karang keras (Scleractinia) di perairan pantai utara Pulau Ambon. Pengambilan data dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode sistematik sampling. Data karang yang diperoleh kemudian diidentifikasi, proses identifikasi dilakukan dengan teknik analisa visual menggunakan beberapa referensi Veron (2000), Veron (1986), Suharsono (2017), Coral Finder edisi ketiga, dan Website Corals of The World (http://www.coralsoftheworld.org) untuk melihat jenis-jenis apa saja yang ada pada lokasi penelitian. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa berdasarkan komposisi taksa jumlah genus terbanyak dari famili Fungidae, jumlah spesies terbanyak dari genus Porites dan jumlah koloni terbanyak dari spesies Porites lutea

Correlation of some water quality parameters and Pb in sediment to gastropod diversity in Ambon Island Waters

The coastal waters of Ambon Island have quite diverse ecosystems that allow for the presence of various organisms, one of which is gastropods. This study aims to analyze the correlation of some water parameters and Pb in sediment to the diversity of gastropods. The research method was carried out by observing the density, water quality  parameters, and Pb metal in sediments. Water parameters were measured in situ and analyzed in the laboratory. The distribution of gastropods was analyzed through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). At the same time, the correlation analysis was carried out using the Pearson correlation approach using SPSS v.16. The results showed that the types of gastropods with the highest density in the waters of Ambon Island were Terebralia sulcata, Hebra corticata, and Nerita patula. While the species with the lowest density value were Nassarius olivaceus, Polinices didyma, Lunella cinerea, Conus eburneus, Cypraea isabella, Vexillum plicarium, and Columbella scripta. The Shannon-Wienner Diversity Index ranges from 1.253–2.622, and the diversity index ranges from 0.083-0.207. It was included in the low category caused by the disturbance of water pollution and Pb metal in sediments. Meanwhile, the dominance index ranged from 0.098 to 0.511 indicating species dominance at several observation stations. The waters' physical-chemical parameters strongly correlating with gastropod diversity are DO and Pb, with respective correlation values ​​of r = 0.656 and r = -0.785. &nbsp

Correlation of some water quality parameters and Pb in sediment to gastropod diversity in Ambon Island Waters

The coastal waters of Ambon Island have quite diverse ecosystems that allow for the presence of various organisms, one of which is gastropods. This study aims to analyze the correlation of some water parameters and Pb in sediment to the diversity of gastropods. The research method was carried out by observing the density, water quality  parameters, and Pb metal in sediments. Water parameters were measured in situ and analyzed in the laboratory. The distribution of gastropods was analyzed through Principal Component Analysis (PCA). At the same time, the correlation analysis was carried out using the Pearson correlation approach using SPSS v.16. The results showed that the types of gastropods with the highest density in the waters of Ambon Island were Terebralia sulcata, Hebra corticata, and Nerita patula. While the species with the lowest density value were Nassarius olivaceus, Polinices didyma, Lunella cinerea, Conus eburneus, Cypraea isabella, Vexillum plicarium, and Columbella scripta. The Shannon-Wienner Diversity Index ranges from 1.253–2.622, and the diversity index ranges from 0.083-0.207. It was included in the low category caused by the disturbance of water pollution and Pb metal in sediments. Meanwhile, the dominance index ranged from 0.098 to 0.511 indicating species dominance at several observation stations. The waters' physical-chemical parameters strongly correlating with gastropod diversity are DO and Pb, with respective correlation values ​​of r = 0.656 and r = -0.785.

Regeneration of Alveolar Type I and II Cells from Scgb1a1-Expressing Cells following Severe Pulmonary Damage Induced by Bleomycin and Influenza

The lung comprises an extensive surface of epithelia constantly exposed to environmental insults. Maintaining the integrity of the alveolar epithelia is critical for lung function and gaseous exchange. However, following severe pulmonary damage, what progenitor cells give rise to alveolar type I and II cells during the regeneration of alveolar epithelia has not been fully determined. In this study, we have investigated this issue by using transgenic mice in which Scgb1a1-expressing cells and their progeny can be genetically labeled with EGFP. We show that following severe alveolar damage induced either by bleomycin or by infection with influenza virus, the majority of the newly generated alveolar type II cells in the damaged parenchyma were labeled with EGFP. A large proportion of EGFP-expressing type I cells were also observed among the type II cells. These findings strongly suggest that Scgb1a1-expressing cells, most likely Clara cells, are a major cell type that gives rise to alveolar type I and II cells during the regeneration of alveolar epithelia in response to severe pulmonary damage in mice..Singapore. National Research FoundationSingapore–MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (Infectious Disease-IRG research programme

A Cellular Pathway Involved in Clara Cell to Alveolar Type II Cell Differentiation after Severe Lung Injury

Regeneration of alveolar epithelia following severe pulmonary damage is critical for lung function. We and others have previously shown that Scgb1a1-expressing cells, most likely Clara cells, can give rise to newly generated alveolar type 2 cells (AT2s) in response to severe lung damage induced by either influenza virus infection or bleomycin treatment. In this study, we have investigated cellular pathway underlying the Clara cell to AT2 differentiation. We show that the initial intermediates are bronchiolar epithelial cells that exhibit Clara cell morphology and express Clara cell marker, Scgb1a1, as well as the AT2 cell marker, pro-surfactant protein C (pro-SPC). These cells, referred to as pro-SPC[superscript +] bronchiolar epithelial cells (or SBECs), gradually lose Scgb1a1 expression and give rise to pro-SPC[superscript +] cells in the ring structures in the damaged parenchyma, which appear to differentiate into AT2s via a process sharing some features with that observed during alveolar epithelial development in the embryonic lung. These findings suggest that SBECs are intermediates of Clara cell to AT2 differentiation during the repair of alveolar epithelia following severe pulmonary injury.Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology Center. Infectious Disease Research Grou

Molecular Analysis of Serum and Bronchoalveolar Lavage in a Mouse Model of Influenza Reveals Markers of Disease Severity That Can Be Clinically Useful in Humans

Background: Management of influenza, a major contributor to the worldwide disease burden, is complicated by lack of reliable methods for early identification of susceptible individuals. Identification of molecular markers that can augment existing diagnostic tools for prediction of severity can be expected to greatly improve disease management capabilities. Methodology/Principal Findings: We have analyzed cytokines, proteome flux and protein adducts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and sera from mice infected with influenza A virus (PR8 strain) using a previously established non-lethal model of influenza infection. Through detailed cytokine and protein adduct measurements of murine BAL, we first established the temporal profile of innate and adaptive responses as well as macrophage and neutrophil activities in response to influenza infection. A similar analysis was also performed with sera from a longitudinal cohort of influenza patients. We then used an iTRAQ-based, comparative serum proteome analysis to catalog the proteome flux in the murine BAL during the stages correlating with “peak viremia,” “inflammatory damage,” as well as the “recovery phase.” In addition to activation of acute phase responses, a distinct class of lung proteins including surfactant proteins was found to be depleted from the BAL coincident with their “appearance” in the serum, presumably due to leakage of the protein following loss of the integrity of the lung/epithelial barrier. Serum levels of at least two of these proteins were elevated in influenza patients during the febrile phase of infection compared to healthy controls or to the same patients at convalescence. Conclusions/Significance: The findings from this study provide a molecular description of disease progression in a mouse model of influenza and demonstrate its potential for translation into a novel class of markers for measurement of acute lung injury and improved case management.Singapore. National Research FoundationSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (ID-IRG research program

Bioerosion of Live Massive Corals and Branching Coral Rubble on Indonesian Coral Reefs

The degree of bioerosion of live massive corals and rubble from branching corals were measured on nine reefs from two regions of Indonesia: the Java Sea and Ambon. Bioerosion in massive corals was measured by collecting live corals, cutting and X-raying slabs, and measuring the cross-sectional area removed from each slab by the various bioeroding organisms. A technique analysing branching coral rubble was developed and similarly used to evaluate the degree of bioerosion on the reefs. This rubble technique has potential advantages over the massive coral technique since it does not require the expense and technical expertise of making and analysing X-rays, nor does it require the destruction of living coral heads. The effectiveness of this rubble technique is evaluated here. Levels of bioerosion in massive coral heads and rubble from branching corals are each compared with environmental variables and health parameters of the nine reefs. Overall, both techniques showed that bioerosion levels were positively correlated with environmental variables indicative of eutrophication. Bioerosion of live massive corals and of branching coral rubble were positively correlated. At the Ambon sites, where the eutrophication levels differ only slightly compared to the Java sites, bioerosion in coral rubble was a more sensitive indicator of eutrophication stress than bioerosion measured from massive coral heads. The rubble technique we outline is a useful rapid reef assessment technique that could be a valuable contribution to the ‘reef survey toolbox'