Characterization Red Palm Oil (RPO) Olein Fraction Via Distillation Vacuum

Research has been carried out on the effect of red palm oil quality via vacuum pressure reduction distillation. In the initial stage, the crude palm oil (CPO) was centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 30  minutes to separate the olein and stearin fractions, then the olein fraction was treated to produce red palm oil via the stages of degumming process, neutralization, and a distillation process by reducing vacuum pressure. The use of the vacuum pressure reduction distillation method provides a significant effect in the red palm oil production process. Several parameters were analyzed, such as free fatty acid content, peroxide value, and carotene content, which had a significant effect on the quality of the red palm oil produced. From the results of the study showed that the free fatty acid content was in the range of 0.03 - 0.08%, the peroxide value was 0.11 - 0.15 meq/kg, and the carotene content was 467-586 ppm

Influence of a Hypothetical Inquiry Method Towards Students' Critical Thinking Skills and Learning Outcome at Class IX SMP Negeri 1 Biromaru

This research aimed to influence of a hypothetical inquiry method towards students' critical thinking skills and learning outcome at class  IX SMP Negeri 1 Biromaru.  The research method used is quasy experiment: nonequivalent control group design.  The samples of the research were Class IXA as experimental group (n=30) and Class IXB as control group (n=30) academic year 2014/2015, the samples were determined by purposive sampling technique.  The independent variables in this research is a hypothetical inquiry method and conventional learning while the dependent variable is the critical thinking skills and learning outcome.  Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical method t-test. It can be concluded that influence of a hypothetical inquiry method had a significant effect on students’critical thinking skills and learning outcome ability at class IX of SMP Negeri 1 Biromaru

Efek Bubuk Susu Kedelai terhadap Kadar Kolesterol LDL dan HDL Serum Wanita Perimenopause dengan Hiperkolesterolemia

Perimenopausal women is at risk of atherosclerosis as a result of the increase of LDL cholesterol level and the decrease of HDL cholesterol level.  Soy milk powder consumption may protect toward these risk factors. This purpose of study is to investigate the effects of 2x30 g/d soy milk flour for eight weeks on serum cholesterol LDL and HDL levels in hypercholesterolemic perimenopausal women. The 19 subjects received 2x30 g/d soy milk powder for eight weeks. LDL and HDL serum cholesterol levels were determined at 0, 4, 9 weeks. Dietary intakes were assesed using 1x24 hours food recall. Statistical analysis used t Test. After eight weeks intervention, Soy milk powder decreases significant (p0.05) LDL cholesterol levels at the 4th  week (8.59±17.31%), and the8th week (7.81±11.32%). Soy milk powder can’t increase HDL cholesterol levels at the 4th and 8th weeks significantly.  Soy milk decrease significant the ratio of LDL to HDL (7,03±16,82%) at the 4th week. Consuming soy milk powder 2 x 30 g/d during eight weeks can reduce the LDL cholesterol level and LDL/HDL ratio significantly

The Physical, Chemical, and the Biological Stability Test on Liposome EPC-TEL 2.5 as the Newest Drug Delivery Systems (Drug Carrier), in Vitro and in Vivo

This experiment is carried out in order to improve the stability of the Liposome EPC-TEL 2.5 physically, chemically, and biologically. As a new formula, this liposome that has contained phosphatidylcholine from egg yolk=EPC and Tetra-ether Lipid (TEL) from membrane of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius or Thermoplasma acidophilum had never been tested on their stability. The stability of liposome to carry the drug into the targeted cells or organs is required for determining the therapeutic dose of the drugs. Physically, the test was done by measuring the amount and diameter of liposome after incubating at 4º C, at room temperature, and 37º C. Chemically, the test was also done using the same parameters after introduction of chemical solution of NaCl, CaCl2; MgCl2 at the pH of 5; 7; 9. The measurements was carried out on day 1; 7; and month 1; 2; and 3. Biologically, liposome EPC-TEL 2.5 was injected Intra-Peritoneally to mice to detect the degradation of TEL in their liver, at the minute of 0; 30 ; 60 ; the hour of 2; 4; and 8. The results of these tests were shown that liposome EPC-TEL 2.5 was stable until the last month of 1 at 4º C and 37º C on physical stability test; more stable at the chemical solution of NaCl and CaCl2 at the pH of 5 and 7 until two months; and TEL was degradable in liver of mice

Negative Correlation between Cytoglobin Expression and Intracellular ROS Levels in Human Skin Keloid Fibroblasts

BACKGROUND: In our previous study, we found higher cytoglobin (Cygb) expression in keloid than normal tissue. Cytoglobin is a new globin family protein which function is still being studied to date. The purpose of this research is to elucidate the function of Cygb in human skin keloid fibroblasts (KFs), especially its role in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.METHODS: The study was conducted on human skin KFs obtained from primary culture. Inhibition of Cygb expression was achieved by using siRNA targeting Cygb. We compared the relative expression of Cygb between treatment and control group, and its effect on intracellular ROS levels. Gene expression was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) while the ROS level counted by dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFHDA) assay.RESULTS: There was an increase in intracellular ROS levels in the small interfering RNA (siRNA) (+) Cygb group compared to control group (1.673 vs. 1.260; 1.773 vs. 1.393; 1.710 vs. 1.360; respectively). There is a negative correlation between Cygb expression and ROS level (p<0.05; r=-0.651).CONCLUSION: There is a negative correlation between Cygb expression and intracellular ROS levels, we suggest Cygb acts as a ROS scavenger in human skin KFs.KEYWORDS: skin keloid fibroblasts, cytoglobin, siRNA, RO

Oxidative Stress, Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α, and Nuclear Factor-Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 in the Hearts of Rats Exposed to Intermittent Hypobaric Hypoxia

Hypobaric hypoxia is situation that might occur to helicopter pilots in Indonesia who must fly at an altitude of more than 3,048 m such as in Papua. It can be dangerous because hypoxic condition can affect person's performance. So far, the heart is known as an aerobic organ and very sensitive to hypoxic conditions. Hitherto, the effects of hypobaric hypoxia exposure on biomolecular aspects of the heart are still unclear. Therefore, this study assessed cardiac response in rats exposed to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IHH) (equivalent to 3,048 meters/10,000 feet). Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: control; acute hypobaric hypoxia (AHH); and IHH, for 7; 14; 21; and 28 days. We measured super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), cytoglobin, myoglobin, HIF-1α, and Nrf2 level as our parameters. Activities of SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH increased while the levels of MDA, cytoglobin, myoglobin, HIF-1α, and Nrf2 decreased in all IHH groups compared with the AHH group. A biphasic pattern was observed as IHH sessions increased from 14 to 21 or 28. Where the IHH treatment for more than 14 sessions caused a decrease in endogenous antioxidants, but the response to hypoxia and oxidative stress increased. Our findings presented the molecular alterations of cardiac rats exposed to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia

Hurdle Aerobic Exercise Increases Angiogenesis and Neuroplasticity in the Hippocampus and Improves the Spatial Memory Ability of Middle-aged Mice

BACKGROUND: Complex aerobic exercise is believed to induce positive effects on neuron structure and cognitive function. Long-term and continual cognitive stimulation increases neuroplasticity by stimulating the synthesis of neuronal growth proteins and the formation of new synapses. Exercise also increases the ability of neurons to survive and improves brain vascularization. Further investigations should be conducted to explore what types of aerobic exercise are beneficial for cognitive function. AIM: This study investigated the effects of hurdle aerobic exercise on developmentally regulated brain protein-A (Drebrin-A) as a neuroplasticity indicator, and on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as an angiogenesis marker in the hippocampus. METHODS: This study was an experimental study with post-test only control group design. Thirty-three adult mice were divided into control, hurdle aerobic runner (HAR), and plain aerobic runner (PAR) groups (n = 11 for each group). Fiberglass running wheels were originally designed and modified to assemble hurdles inside with adjustable speed. Speed adaptation was intended to achieve aerobic intensity. The experiment was performed 5 times a week for 8 weeks. The Morris water maze test (MWMT) was used to assess spatial memory ability. One day after the last running exercise and final MWMT, the mice were sacrificed and the right side of the hippocampus was obtained for Drebrin-A analysis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The entire right side brain tissue after hippocampus was removed then used for the neuroglobin ELISA assay. To analyze VEGF expression and calculation of blood vessel, the left side of the brain was prepared for hematoxylin eosin and immunohistochemistry staining. To assess the effect of exercise on vascular widening, the analysis of the slides was performed by calculating the percentage of blood vessels with diameters more than 15 μm. One-way ANOVA and Fisher’s least significant difference test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the levels of Drebrin-A between the HAR and PAR groups. Both exercise groups had higher levels of Drebrin-A than the control group. HAR and PAR groups exhibited significantly higher percentages of blood vessels expressing VEGF in hippocampus compared to control. HAR and PAR groups had the higher percentages of larger vessels compare to control. There was no significant difference of neuroglobin levels among the three groups. Both the HAR and PAR groups exhibited better spatial memory than the control group. CONCLUSION: Both aerobic exercises induced positive effects on brain angiogenesis, while the intensity of aerobic exercises did not result in high hypoxic stress in the brain

Systemic Hypoxia Effect on Rat Brain Malondialdehyde, Glial FibrillaryAcidic Protein, and Acetylcholine Esterase Activity

Sistemic hypoxia causes lack of oxygen and energy in brain that trigger the release of acetylcholine,free radical and Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a specific protein in astrocyte cells that act to strenghtenastrocite membrane. The aim of the research was to evaluate the damages of brain in systemic hypoxiathrough activity of acetylcholine esterase, neuron and astrocyte membran damages. The research conductedat the Chemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, FM Universitas Indonesia, in 2013. Twenty-five malespraque dawley rats were subjected to systemic hypoxia devided into 5 group of by placing them in thehypoxic chamber supplied 8-10% of O2 for 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days. Malondialdehyde (MDA), acetylcholineesterase specific activity and glial fibrillary acidic protein concentration were measured in plasma and braintissues. The result show that 7 day systemic hypoxia did not increase MDA concentration in plasma and braintissues, but increase significantly the spesific activity of acetylcholine esterase and GFAP concentration inbrain tissues. Systemic hypoxia as long as 7 day did not cause oxidative stress, but show increasing of AChEactivity and astrocyte adaptation through increasing of GFAP in brain tissues