Fungi Endofit dari Tanaman Secang (Caesalpinia Sappan L) sebagai Penghasil Senyawa Antioksidan: Endophytic Fungi From Secang (Caesalpinia Sappan L) AS Producer Of Antioxidant Compounds

Endophytic fungi are microbes that reside symbiotically in the plant tissues with undetected negative impacts to their host plants. These fungi are able to produce elements similar to those produced by their host plants. Secang (Caesalpinia sappan L.) has been known as one of the medicinal plants that contains compounds with antioxidant activity thus promote a hypothesis that its endophytic fungi may yield a similar antioxidant effect. In this study, the isolation of endophytic fungi from Secang as the producer of antioxidant compounds was carried out. At the initial stage, endophytic fungi were isolated from the leaves, the twigs, the stems, and the rootsof Secang using the agar plate method. Pure fungi isolates were then subjected to fermentation process using the PDBgrowth medium supplemented with yeast extractand wereconstantly shaken for 12 days at a speed of 200 rpm to produce secondary metabolites. Fermentatesobtained from all fungi isolates were then extracted using ethyl acetate and further tested for their antioxidant activities. In this study, of 19 isolates that were obtained from four parts of the Secang, five fungi isolates, coded as IFD1, IFD4, IFR5, IFA1, and IFA2 were found to yield antioxidant activities demonstrated by the presence of yellow spots on the chromatogram. elementary schools representatives “not good ranking”, the education did not influence their knowledge with a p value of 0.149. Analysis of the Wilcoxon test in all elementary schools showed a p value p ≤ 0,001, which meant that education had an influence on the knowledge of fifth grade students in elementary schools in Palu City

Uji Pendahuluan Anti-biofilm Esktrak Teh Hijau Dan Teh Hitam Pada Streptococcus Mutans Melalui Metode Microtiter Plate: an Initial Study on Anti-biofilm Activity of Green Tea Dan Black Tea Extracts on Streptococcus Mutans Via Mictotiter Plate Assay

Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) has an activity as an antibacterial, widely studied to plankton cells, without further researching into biofilm cell. Therefore, this research had been conducted to initially evaluate the activity of green- and black-tea extracts in inhibiting Streptococcus mutans biofilm. Green and black tea leaves were extracted using 70% methanol. Determination of MIC was subsequently performed by microdilution method. Next, the biofilm formation and inhibition were run through microtiter plate method using flexible U-bottom PVC 96 wells, which then observed using microplate reader on λ = 515 nm. As The results, MIC for green and black tea extract stood at 4 mg/mL, 6 mg/mL respectively. The biofilm inhibitory activity of black tea extract was at 8 and 10 mg/mL inhibiting 6 % and 12.5 % S. mutans. Green tea extract showed that concentration of 4 to 10 mg/mL was able to inhibit biofilm growth by 24%; 45%; 48% and 53%. Thus, through microtiter plate assay, it could be concluded that tea extract has potent antibiofilm to S. mutans, where green tea extract has better activity than black tea extract

Curcuma zedoaria Extract as a Potential Protective Agent against Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicities in Rats

DOX therapy as an anticancer agent by incorporation of either physical treatments or antioxidant supplementation. Curcuma zedoaria (Rosc) (family Zingiberaceae) is an indigenous plant with antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activity. This study investigates the potential protective activities of an ethanol extract from Curcuma zedoaria (CZE) against DOX toxicities on non-target organs. A total of 50 female Wistar rats were divided into five groups: control group (G1), DOX only (G2), CZE 350 mg/kg + DOX (G3), CZE 525 mg/kg + DOX (G4), and Vit E + DOX (G5). Daily administration of CZE was given intra-gastric for 30 days, while 5 mg/kg DOX was injected concomitantly each on days 7, 14, and 21. The results of blood biochemical analysis indicated that administration of either the single or multiple doses of DOX (G2) caused significant elevation in the blood levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, and CK-MB, indicating that the tissue damages occurred in the liver, kidney, and heart. Treatments with CZE demonstrated that ALT, AST, creatinine, and CK-MB levels remained similar to baseline levels, or no elevation was observed in all groups (G3 and G4). The oral administration of CZE in doses of 350 mg/kg and 525 mg/kg also decreased the AST/ALT ratio independent of the dose given. However, 350 mg/kg CZE indicated a faster response to protecting activities than other treatments. In conclusion, administration of a Curcuma zedoaria (Berg.) Roscoe ethanol extract, particularly in the 350 mg/kg dose, can potentially prevent or reduce DOX's toxicities in the liver, kidney, and cardiac cells

Patients’ self-perception of dentofacial attractiveness before and after exposure to facial photographs

open4noObjective: To determine whether exposure to pretreatment photographs of themselves influenced patients’ self-perception of dentofacial attractiveness and willingness to undergo treatment. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 subjects of white ancestry aged 18 years or older (Study Group) and 100 sex- and age-matched controls (Control Group) were selected. Photographs of the frontal view of the face and the profile view of the face, both at rest and while smiling, were taken of each participant. Only Study Group subjects were given a printed copy of their own images to be examined at home between the initial observation (T0) and a set date an average of 30 days later (T1). Each of the 200 subjects in the study completed a questionnaire at T0 and T1 exploring happiness regarding their smiles and their facial profiles, as well as willingness to undergo treatment. Results: At T1 in the Study Group, 50% of subjects responded with a lower opinion of their facial profiles than at T0; 11% and 45% were willing to undergo more comprehensive procedures to change the appearance of their smiles and profiles, respectively. No statistically significant change was seen in questionnaire answers between T0 and T1 for the Control Group. Conclusion: Laypeople generally are not aware of their facial profiles. Pretreatment photograph exposure can increase profile self-awareness, an important factor in reducing the discrepancy between orthodontists’ and patients’ visual emphasis on dentofacial esthetics.openGiulio Alessandri Bonetti; Andrea Alberti; Claudio Sartini; Serena Incerti ParentiGiulio Alessandri Bonetti; Andrea Alberti; Claudio Sartini; Serena Incerti Parent

Tinjauan terhadap Kemampuan Berpikir Kreatif Peserta Didik dalam Mengoperasikan Bilangan pada Penyelesaian Soal-soal Perkalian Bilangan Bulat Bentuk Aljabar pada Kelas VII SMP Al-hijrah Ambon

Salah satu hal yang mendorong manusia untuk belajar adalah adanya sifat kreatif dalam dirinya dan keinginan untuk maju. Ia tidak pernah merasa takut pada kesalahan dan kegagalan akan mendorongnya pada pencapaian prestasi yang memuaskan. Orang yang kreatif mempunyai kamampuan untuk melahirkan banyak alternatif, ide, solusi, kecepatan dan kemudahan dalam melahirkan sebuah karya. Adapun masalah dalam penelitian ini adalah bagaimana kemampuan berpikir kreatif siswa SMP Al-Hijrah Ambon dalam mengoperasikan bilangan pada penyelesaian soal-soal perkalian bilangan bulat bentuk aljabar. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan kemampuan berpikir kreatif siswa SMP AlHijrah Ambon dalam mengoperasikan bilangan pada penyelesaian soal-soal perkalian bilangan bulat bentuk aljabar. Dengan subjek penelitian 1 orang, sedangkan sumber data, antara lain orang tua subjek, guru matematika SMP AlHijrah Ambon dan teman dekat subjek. Analisis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah dengan menggunakan teknik analisis deskriptif kualitatif dan tahap-tahap berdasarkan pendapat Milles dan huberman (reduksi data, penyajian data dan penarikan kesimpulan). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa yang mempunyai kemampuan berpikir kreatif dalam mengoperasikan bilangan pada penyelesaian soal-soal perkalian bilangan bulat bentuk aljabar, serta dapat dijadikan sebagai subjek penelitian dalam penelitian ini ialah siswa putri yang bernama SN (bukan nama sebenarnya). SN mempunyai tingkat kepercayaan diri yang tinggi. Dalam menyelesaikan soal latihan, SN menyelesaikan soal dengan cara yang berbeda dari apa yang telah diajarkan oleh peneliti. SN juga merupakan siswa yang aktif di dalam kelas serta mempunyai kecepatan dalam menyerap materi yang diajarkan, serta selalu berusaha untuk mengarahkan siswa yang lain yang mengalami kesulitan dalam belajar matematika. Oleh karena itu, kesimpulan dalam penelitian ini adalah SN, memiliki kecakapan, fleksibilitas, orignalitas, serta kecakapan memberikan nilai tambah. Sehingga dapat dikatakan bahwa SN mempunyai kemampuan berpikir yang kreatif dalam mengoperasikan bilangan pada penyelesaian soal-soal perkalian bilangan bulat bentuk aljabar. Kata kunci : Kemampuan Berpikir Kretif, Bilangan Bulat Bentuk Aljabar

Minimally invasive physiological correlates of social behaviour in belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) under human care

Simultaneous observations of reproductive physiology and behaviour were conducted on a group of two male and two female belugas under professionally managed care for one year to explore potential mating strategies. Weekly blow sampling for progesterone in females was used to define the breeding season by detecting three oestrous cycles in one female. Twice weekly blow sampling for testosterone and twice monthly testes measurements via ultrasonography were used to detect reproductive seasonality in both males. Female–male association frequency varied longitudinally, with 70% of all interactions occurring during the 16-week breeding season. Male–male associations did not vary seasonally. Male display behaviours towards the female occurred 14.8 times more frequently during the breeding season (0.164 ± 0.188 behaviours/min) than outside of the breeding season (0.011 ± 0.042 behaviours/min). The cycling female responded variably to male display behaviours by altering swim speed or body orientation towards the male. Although this small sample size limits broad conclusions, the frequent display behaviours, low copulation rate and lack of serious male–male aggression are consistent with predictions for pre-copulatory female mate choice developed from the current knowledge of beluga reproductive physiology. These observations, which are not feasible for wild belugas, provide important management considerations because reduced opportunities for mate choice could limit the reproductive rate, especially in small populations

Investigation and monitoring in support of the structural mitigation of large slow moving landslides: an example from Ca' Lita (Northern Apennines, Reggio Emilia, Italy)

International audienceThe Ca' Lita landslide is a large and deep-seated mass movement located in the Secchia River Valley, in the sector of the Northern Apennines falling into Reggio Emilia Province, about 70 km west of Bologna (Northern Italy). It consists of a composite landslide system that affects Cretaceous to Eocene flysch rock masses and chaotic complexes. Many of the components making up the landslide system have resumed activity between 2002 and 2004, and are now threatening some hamlets and an important road serving the upper watershed area of River Secchia, where many villages and key industrial facilities are located. This paper presents the analysis and the quantification of displacement rates and depths of the mass movements, based on geological and geomorphological surveys, differential DEM analysis, interpretation of underground stratigraphic and monitoring data collected during the investigation campaign that has been undertaken in order to design cost-effective mitigation structures, and that has been conducted with the joint collaboration between public offices and research institutes

A Clostridium difficile outbreak in an Italian hospital: The efficacy of the multi-disciplinary and multifaceted approach

Introduction. We described an outbreak of C. difficile that occurred in the Internal Medicine department of an Italian hospital and assessed the efficacy of the measures adopted to manage the outbreak. Methods. The outbreak involved 15 patients and was identified by means of continuous integrated microbiological surveillance, starting with laboratory data (alert organism surveillance). Diarrheal fecal samples from patients with suspected infection by C. difficile underwent rapid membrane immuno-enzymatic testing, which detects both the presence of the glutamate dehydrogenase antigen and the presence of the A and B toxins. Extensive microbiological sampling was carried out both before and after sanitation of the environment, in order to assess the efficacy of the sanitation procedure. Results. The outbreak lasted one and a half month, during which time the Committee for the Prevention of Hospital Infections ordered the implementation of multiple interventions, which enabled the outbreak to be controlled and the occurrence of new cases to be progressively prevented. The strategies adopted mainly involved patient isolation, reinforcement of proper hand hygiene techniques, antimicrobial stewardship and environmental decontamination by means of chlorine-based products. Moreover, the multifaceted management of the outbreak involved numerous sessions of instruction/training for nursing staff and socio-sanitary operatives during the outbreak. Sampling of environmental surfaces enabled two sites contaminated by C. difficile to be identified. Conclusions. Joint planning of multiple infection control practices, together with effective communication and collaboration between the Hospital Infections Committee and the ward involved proved to be successful in controlling the outbreak

What is the impact of intraoperative microscope-integrated oct in ophthalmic surgery? Relevant applications and outcomes. a systematic review

Background: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has recently been introduced in the operating theatre. The aim of this review is to present the actual role of microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography (MI-OCT) in ophthalmology. Method: A total of 314 studies were identified, following a literature search adhering to the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. After full-text evaluation, 81 studies discussing MI-OCT applications in ophthalmology were included. Results: At present, three microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography systems are commercially available. MI-OCT can help anterior and posterior segment surgeons in the decision-making process, providing direct visualization of anatomic planes before and after surgical manoeuvres, assisting in complex cases, and detecting or confirming intraoperative complications. Applications range from corneal transplant to macular surgery, including cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, paediatric examination, proliferative diabetic retinopathy surgery, and retinal detachment surgery. Conclusion: The use of MI-OCT in ophthalmic surgery is becoming increasingly prevalent and has been applied in almost all procedures. However, there are still limitations to be overcome and the technology involved remains difficult to access and use

The other side of malnutrition in inflammatory bowel disease (Ibd): Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Steatohepatitis and hepatobiliary manifestations constitute some of the most common extraintestinal manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). On the other hand, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects around 25% of the world’s population and is attracting ever more attention in liver transplant programs. To outline the specific pathways linking these two conditions is a pressing task for 21st-century researchers. We are accustomed to expecting the occurrence of fatty liver disease in obese people, but current evidence suggests that there are several different pathways also occurring in underweight patients. Genetic factors, inflammatory signals and microbiota are key players that could help in understanding the entire pathogenesis of NAFLD, with the aim of defining the multiple expressions of malnutrition. In the current review, we summarize the most recent literature regarding the epidemiology, pathogenesis and future directions for the management of NAFLD in patients affected by IBD