Association of Fat Mass and Obesity-associated rs9939609 Polymorphisms and Eating Behaviour and Food Preferences in Adolescent Minangkabau Girls

Background and Objective: There are pros and cons surrounding the relationship between fat mass obesity associated (FTO) rs9939609 variants and the occurrence of obesity with regards to ethnicity and race. The Minangkabau ethnicity is unique compared to other ethnicities in Indonesia regarding its dietary pattern, in that this ethnic diet is high in fat intake and low in fibre intake. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between FTO rs9939609 variants and eating habits and food preferences among adolescent girls of Minangkabau ethnicity. Methodology: This study was a case control study and 275 adolescent girls (130 obese and 145 normal) were included. Tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (tetra-ARMS-PCR) was employed to examine genetic variants of FTO rs9939609. Eating habits were determined using an eating habits questionnaire and body mass index (BMI) was computed using the BMI Z-score (WHO). Results: This study revealed a significant relationship between genetic variants of FTO rs9939609 (TT, TA and AA genotypes) and higher BMI (p = 0.01). Those with the A allele were found to consume more fried food and have a lower intake of fruit (p<0.05) than those with the TT genotype. In the obese group, subjects with the A allele did not have a preference for a fruit-vegetable diet (p<0.05). Based on cooking method, subjects with the A allele preferred to eat less meat curry than those with TA and TT genotypes (p = 0.01). Conclusion: The genetic variants of FTO rs9939609 are associated with obesity, eating behaviour and food preferences in adolescents of Minangkabau ethnicity

Biochemical and pathogenic potential characterization of Serratia plymuthica UBCR_12 as promising biological agents for controlling Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

In effort to develop bacterial based biofungicide, a rhizobacterium Serratia plymuthica UBCR_12 showing antifungal activity against phytopathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was successfully isolated. Prior to its mass application its safety aspect to the human being and environmental factors has to be characterized in detail as well as its efficacy. For this purpose, biochemical characterizations of the isolate involving chitinolytic activity assay based on colloidal chitin degradation, siderophore production assay using CAS medium, and hemolytic test to identify its pathogenicity potential was performed. Its antifungal activity based on its capability to inhibit mycelial growth of fungus finally was determined. The results showed that optimal chitinolytic activity (1.63 ± 0.15) of the isolate was at pH 7.0, temperature 30 ˚C. The isolate showed a typical response to substrate concentration 2% (w/v) of colloidal chitin. Furthermore, the isolate showed a positive reaction with CAS medium and could lyse red blood cell on the blood agar. This result will imply to mass production and future application of S. plymuthica UBCR_12 as a biocontrol agent for C. gloeosporioides. Hence precaution to the human health and environmental safety has to be taken into consideration for its application

New drug resistance mutations of reverse transcriptase Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 gene in first-line antiretroviral-infected patients in West Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract: Background ― Antiretroviral (ARV) therapy has successfully reduced the transmission, morbidity, and mortality of Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection, but the appearance of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) is an obstacle to successful HIV management. DRMs against nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) have never been analyzed and reported in HIV-1 patients in Padang (West Sumatra, Indonesia). Objective ― This study aimed to identify NRTI- and NNRTI-DRMs from HIV-1 proviral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in HIV-infected patients who had received ARV therapy for >12 months at the Dr. M. Djamil General Hospital in Padang. Material and Methods ― We isolated HIV-1 proviral DNA from blood samples from 105 HIV-1 patients who had undergone first-line ARV therapy for >12 months. Isolates were amplified via a nested PCR technique using two primer-specific types of reverse transcriptase (RT). The amplicon was electrophoresed on 0.8% agarose gel and then sequenced. Analysis of DRMs in the HIV-1 RT genes was based on the Standford HIV database. Results ― The 17 isolates from 105 ARV-treated patients, eight RT genes were successfully sequenced, and DRM of RT inhibitors was found in one of the isolates (12.5%). The Stanford HIV database analysis detected three new DRMs at the 184th, 215th and 190th codon positions, causing three mutations: M184L and T215N (NRTI-DRMs) with low-level resistance to zidovudine, and G190D (NNRTI-DRM). Conclusion ― We concluded that the new DRMs found in Padang, West Sumatra indicates the importance of genotypic resistance testing and the periodic evaluation of the effectiveness of ARV drugs currently in us

UJI DAYA ADAPTASI BEBERAPA VARIETAS BAWANG PUTIH (Allium sativum L.) DI KABUPATEN PESISIR SELATAN

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the important commodities in the horticultural sub-sector which is one of the basic needs of the community that must be fulfilled. However, garlic production in Indonesia has not been able to meet the demands of society's needs. For this reason, an additional area of land for garlic development is aimed at the optimal suitability of environmental physical factors. The use of superior varieties is one of the technologies that play a role in increasing the productivity of garlic. This research was conducted in May - August 2020 in Tarusan and Muaro Aie Bayang Utara, Pesisir Selatan Regency, West Sumatra Province with a randomized block design using Lumbu Hijau, Lumbu Kuning and local varieties of Bukik Sileh Solok as treatment. The results showed that the varieties of Lumbu Kuning and Lumbu Hijau were able to adapt well in Muaro Aie with an altitude of 322 masl compared to Tarusan with an altitude of 4 masl. Both varieties gave a fairly good growth response and yield, although only half of the description of these varieties.

Infeksi Ganda Pepper Yellow Leaf Curl Virus dan Chilli Veinal Mottle Virus dalam Menimbulkan Penyakit Daun Kuning Keriting Cabai

Yellow leaf curl disease is the primary disease in chili plants with up to 100% losses. Detection from the field showed a mixed infection between Geminivirus or Pepper Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (PYLCV) and several viruses, including Chilli Veinal Mottle Virus (ChiVMV) and Cucumber mosaic Virus (CMV). Therefore, this study aimed to determine the role of PYLCV and ChiVMV dual infection in influencing the development of chili yellow leaf curl disease. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with six treatments and ten replications. The treatments used were multiple Geminiviruses and ChiVMV infections simultaneously, before ChiVMV co-infection, after Geminivirus infection, single infection and whithout infection viruses. The results showed that the presence of ChiVMV infection before, after, and concurrently with Geminiviruses infection could increase the yellow leaf curl disease intensity and reduce plant height and wet weight growth. The mean scale value of ChiVMV infection before, after, and concurrently with Geminiviruses infection were 3.38, 3.90 and 3.58 compared to single Geminiviruses infection (scale of 3.20) and single ChiVMV (scale of 1.33). The interaction analysis of ChiVMV and geminiviruses infections based on the percentage reduction in plant growth height and wet weight showed additive interaction. ChiVMV co-infection further exacerbated the incidence of yellow leaf curl diseases in chilies

Effectivity of Arbuscular Mycorrhyza Fungi (AMF) and Nitrogen Fertilizer on The Growth and Yield of Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.)

One of the main products of sunflower is the seed which is a producer of vegetable oil that is needed in the pharmaceutical industry and the health sector. The price of sunflower seed oil is currently very high for the market but sunflower production in Indonesia is quite low. This potential can be used as the basis for the development of sunflower cultivation in Indonesia. One of the efforts to increase the content of sunflower seed oil is to improve proper cultivation techniques and modifications in cultivation techniques. One of the cultural techniques in increasing production is to get the right dose of nitrogen (N) fertilization. The addition of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungi (AMF) is expected to increase the absorption of N nutrients in the soil, thereby increasing the growth and yield of sunflowers. This study aimed 1) effectivity of AMF and nitrogen fertilizer application with various doses on growth and yield of sunflower, 2) to obtain the right dose of N fertilizer on growth and yield of sunflower &nbsp;The study used a Split-plot Design with 3 replications. The first factor as the main plot is AMF i.e. F0 = without AMF, F1 = with AMF 5 g hole-1. The second factor as a sub-plot is the dose of urea fertilizer with 4 levels i.e. N1 = 50 kg N Ha-1, N2 = 100 kg N Ha-1, N3 = 150 kg N Ha-1, N4 = 200 kg N Ha-1. Observations data were evaluated by analysis of variance if the obtained F count was greater than F table 5% followed by a further test of DNMRT at the 5% significant level. Result showed 1) the effectivity of AMF and nitrogen fertilization on sunflowers was able to increase the number of leaves, accelerate the initiation of flowering, increase the diameter of sunflowers, total seeds per plant, the weight of 100 seeds, and seed production per plant, 2) Economically, the application of nitrogen fertilizer with a dose of 150 kg N Ha-1 is more appropriate in increasing the growth and production of sunflowers &nbsp

Kajian Penerokaan Usahawan Ibu Tunggal di Negeri Perlis

This research aims to better understand the involvement of single mothers in Perlis in entrepreneurship in the effort to help them become successful entrepreneurs. The research focus on identifying the profiles of the single mothers entrepreneurs in Perlis, the factors that motivate them to be involved in business, their perceptions on what leads to the success and failure of business, and the problems they faced. A structured questionnaire was used as the method to collect the data through interviews with 60 single mother entrepreneurs. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistic using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 12.0. The research result shows that most of the single mother entrepreneurs in Perlis are still new in business, require more assistance and their business has the potential for development. They are motivated to become entrepreneurs to be independent, to gain more money to support the family apart from receiving support from family and friends. These women perceive that making sure the customers are happy leads to success in business while improper conduct in organizing business systematically, such as budget preparation, balance sheet and stock control can lead to failure. Financial problem is still a main issue among this group

THE ROLE OF INTERLEUKIN-4 GENE PROMOTER POLYMORPHISMS IN GRAVES’ DISEASE

Objective: This study was conducted to prove the role of interleukin-4 gene promoter polymorphisms in Graves’ disease patients in M Djamil General Hospital Padang, Indonesia. Methods: This study was conducted from August 2015 until December 2015 in the Internal Medicine Department in Dr. M. Djamil Hospital, Padang, West Sumatera, Indonesia. This study involved 15 patients with Graves’ disease and 15 normal subjects. We examined that IL-4 promoter gene polymorphism was examined with PCR. Results: Sequencing examination on IL-4 gene promoter resulted in 2 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) motifs, which is rs2243250 and rs2070847. IL-4 SNP gene promoter polymorphisms rs2243250 and rs2070847 were found in both patient and control groups. TT is homozygous SNP polymorphisms. CT is heterozygous SNP polymorphisms. CC is wild type or no mutation SNP polymorphisms. Based on statistical tests, no difference in rs2243250 and rs2070847 SNP polymorphisms was found between patient and control group (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: This study observed no difference in interleukin-4 gene promoter polymorphism between Graves’ disease patients and control group

Kepuasan Kerja di Kalangan Pembantu Tadbir (Perkeranian dan Operasi) di Universiti Putra Malaysia

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan kepuasan kerja Pembantu Tadbir (Perkeranian dan Operasi) di Universiti Putra Malaysia berdasarkan kepada faktor dimensi kerja iaitu keadaan dan persekitaran kerja, gaji yang diterima, peluang kenaikan pangkat, penyeliaan pegawai atasan, rakan sekerja dan kerja keseluruhan. Kajian ini juga ingin membandingkan dan melihat perkaitan di antara kepuasan kerja terhadap faktor dimensi kerja berdasarkan kepada faktor demografi mereka iaitu jantina, umur, status perkahwinan, bilangan anak, gaji bulanan, tempat bertugas, pekerjaan pasangan, tempoh berkhidmat, pengalaman kerja dan jarak pejabat dengan tempat kediaman. Seramai 114 orang Pembantu Tadbir (Perkeranian dan Operasi) telah dipilih secara persampelan rawak berlapis dan seramai 84 responden telah mengembalikan borang. Borang soal selidik merangkumi peralatan "Jod Descriptive Index (IDI)', disediakan bagi tujuan memperolehi data penting kepuasan kerja dan maklumat demografi. Borang soal selidik diedarkan dan dikembalikan secara penghantaran pos dalam kampus dan mengambil masa selama dua minggu. Data yang dikumpul telah diproses menggunakan "Pakej Statistik untuk Sains Sosial (SPSS)"

CORRELATION BETWEEN PHYTOESTROGENS INTAKE WITH TELOMERE LENGTH IN MINANGKABAU PREMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between phytoestrogens intake with telomere length in premenopausal Minangkabau ethnicity women.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Padang city, to 113 premenopausal Minangkabau ethnic 40–54 years old. Food intake data were obtained by an interview by trained enumerators using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Telomere examination was done from 3 ml of venous blood. Telomere length examination by modification of O'Callaghan and Fenech method. Estradiol level was measured by the ELISA technique.Results: This research indicated an average telomere length was 554.79±426.81 bp, estradiol level was 149.47±52.26 pg/ml, and phytoestrogens intake was 37.95±32.25 mg/day. There were the differences between phytoestrogens intake and telomere length based on estradiol levels. Then, there was no significant correlation between phytoestrogens intake and telomere length.Conclusion: There is no significant positive correlation between phytoestrogens intake and telomere length of premenopausal women in the Minangkabau ethnic