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Aims@#The study aimed to investigate the effect of glucose on alpha-amylase and glucoamylase production in some Indonesian indigenous fungi.@*Methodology and results@#Fungi were screened for their ability to produce alpha-amylase and glucoamylase in the presence of glucose. The strains were grown in a medium containing starch and glucose as carbon sources with glucose concentrations varying from 0 to 5% for four days, and the alpha-amylase and glucoamylase were analyzed at the end of the growth period. Most strains showed repression on the amylases production when glucose was added to the medium. However, some strains showed no repression on amylases production when glucose was supplemented to the medium. The addition of glucose repressed glucoamylase production, but no repression on alpha-amylase was noted for strain KKB4, vice versa, there was repression on alpha-amylase production but no repression on glucoamylase production for strain FIG1. Strains FNCC 6151 and MLT1J1 showed no repression on both alpha-amylase and glucoamylase production when glucose was added to the medium up to 5%. The occurrence of repression in the production of alpha-amylase and glucoamylase was strain-specific.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#Out of the nine indigenous fungi strains examined, strains FNCC 6151 and MLT1J1 showed no repression on both alpha-amylase and glucoamylase production when glucose was added to the medium up to 5%. Those two strains have the potential to be improved further to produce both alpha-amylase and glucoamylase.
Subject(s)
Glucosidases , alpha-Amylases , Glucan 1,4-alpha-GlucosidaseABSTRACT
Aims@#Deoxynivalenol is a type B trichothecene produced by Fusarium graminearum that can cause serious health problems in human and livestock. The present study aimed to reduce and detoxify deoxynivalenol using a local strain Aspergillus oryzae KKB4 and Rhizopus oryzae KP1R1. @*Methodology and results@#Corn as solid substrate artificially inoculated with F. graminearum bio 163252 to produce deoxynivalenol. Deoxynivalenol contaminated corn then inoculated with A. oryzae KKB4 and R. oryzae KP1R1. During fermentation, a decrease in deoxynivalenol levels is analyzed including loss of dry matter and glucosamine content. Deoxynivalenol was extracted from the substrate by solid phase extraction and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. The reduction of deoxynivalenol by A. oryzae KKB4 and R. oryzae KP1R1 were 65.91% and 56.82%, respectively after ten days of fermentation. Toxicity analysis revealed that residues of deoxynivalenol were not toxic to growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. @*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#Local strains A. oryzae KKB4 and R. oryzae KP1R1 were able to reduce and detoxify deoxynivalenol in solid substrates. This study provides supporting data to control mycotoxin that is critical for food and feed safety.
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Objective To investigate clinically severe malaria patients with Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum), Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) and mixed species infections. Methods This study was conducted at Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia, from December 2011 to May 2013. Twenty nine patients (mean age of 41 years, 22% female), who suffered from severe malaria according to World Health Organization criteria (major and minor) and other criteria based on previous studies, were selected by consecutive sampling. Blood samples were obtained at admission from peripheral blood for microscopic diagnostic, nested PCR and laboratory examination of blood chemistry. Laboratory results were compared between the groups and correlated to each other. Results From 29 samples, eight (28%) were diagnosed as P. falciparum mono-infection, 12 (41%) as P. vivax mono-infection and nine (31%) as mixed infections, confirmed by PCR. Cerebral malaria occurred in P. falciparum or mixed species infection only. Parasitaemia was highest in P. falciparum mono-infection. Mean haemoglobin was significantly lower in P. falciparum than P. vivax infection (P = 0.01). Mean thrombocyte count (77 138/μL) was low in all groups. Mean urea, creatinine, total and direct bilirubin were significantly higher in P. falciparum mono-infection compared to other groups, whereas aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase showed no significant differences. Parasitaemia was positively correlated with an increase in urea, creatinine, bilirubin and leucocytosis in all species. Conclusions Both Plasmodium species can solely or in combination cause severe malaria. Mixed infection was generally more benign than P. falciparum mono-infection and seemed to have some protective effects.
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Aims: The growth and metabolic activity of Aspergillus oryzae KKB4 in AFB1-contaminated corn and later coincided with AFB1 reduction and detoxification were investigated. Methodology and results: The decreasing of AFB1 amount by A. oryzae KKB4 could be clearly observed if the initial AFB1 concentration in corn was increased. Thus, moist-heated corn was artificially inoculated with Aspergillus flavus FNCC 62C7 to increase AFB1 content. AFB1-contaminated corn was applied as solid substrate and then inoculated with A. oryzae KKB4. During fermentation periods, the growth, metabolic activity, and AFB1 decline were investigated by glucosamine content, water content loss, and AFB1 concentration, respectively. The maximum growth was occurred in 4 thday at 1.499 ± 0.028 g glucosamine/ 100 g dry matter. The metabolic activity was going on up to the end of fermentation days, as shown as water content loss at 0.175 ± 0.007 g/g dry matter. In accordance with the growth and metabolic activity, the amount of AFB1 reduction was 37.04 ng AFB1/g dry matter during 5 days fermentation. According to toxicity analysis, it was found that the residues of AFB1 were not toxic to Bacillus megaterium cells. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: A. oryzae KKB4 is able to be applied in solid substrates as AFB1 reduction and detoxification agent. These lucrative effects are also important in relation with food and feed safety.
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Objective To compare the level of glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), the ratio of GSH/GSSG and the concentration of albumin in plasma of patients with complicated and un-complicated falciparum malaria. Methods This research was a cross sectional study using comparison analysis with the plasma GSH and GSSG, the ratio of plasma GSH/GSSG and the concentration of plasma albumin as variables. The complicated malaria patients were obtained from Dr. Saiful Anwar Hospital Malang, whereas uncomplicated malaria patients were obtained from the Regency of Pleihari South Kalimantan. Plasma GSH and GSSG levels were determined by the spectrophotometer at the wave length of 412 nm, whereas the concentration of albumin was determined by bromocresol green method in the pH of 4.1. Results There were no significant differences between the level of plasma GSH and GSSG in complicated and uncomplicated malaria patients, as well as the ratio of plasma GSH/GSSG in the two groups (P = 0.373; P = 0.538; and P = 0.615, respectively, independent t-test). In contrast, the plasma albumin concentration in complicated malaria patients were significantly higher than uncomplicated malaria patients (P = 0.000, Mann Whitney U test). Conclusions It can be concluded that the average of plasma GSH and GSSG level, also plasma GSH/GSSG ratio in complicated malaria are not different from uncomplicated malaria. Although plasma concentration of albumin in both groups is below the normal range, there is an increase in complicated malaria that might be as compensation of oxidative stress.
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Objective To identify antigenic proteins from the salivary glands of female Anopheles maculatus using a proteomic approach to find the biomarker candidate for serological tools. Methods The identification of antigenic proteins of Anopheles maculatus salivary gland used these techniques: one-dimensional gel electrophoresis (sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), western blot, and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Results The proteins that have molecular weight (MW) 43 and 34 kDa were the antigenic protein. Computational bioinformatic analysis by Mascot Server revealed seven novel hypothetical proteins (MW: 43 kDa) and two novel hypothetical proteins (MW: 34 kDa). Further analysis (BLASTP, antigenicity, epitope mapping, and specificity analysis) showed that two novel proteins were identified as apolipoprotein D and cathepsin D in Anopheles darlingi. Conclusions The identified proteins are potential to be developed as a biomarker of mosquito bite's exposure.
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Objective: To compare the level of glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), the ratio of GSH/GSSG and the concentration of albumin in plasma of patients with complicated and un-complicated falciparum malaria. Methods: This research was a cross sectional study using comparison analysis with the plasma GSH and GSSG, the ratio of plasma GSH/GSSG and the concentration of plasma albumin as variables. The complicated malaria patients were obtained from Dr. Saiful Anwar Hospital Malang, whereas uncomplicated malaria patients were obtained from the Regency of Pleihari South Kalimantan. Plasma GSH and GSSG levels were determined by the spectrophotometer at the wave length of 412 nm, whereas the concentration of albumin was determined by bromocresol green method in the pH of 4.1. Results: There were no significant differences between the level of plasma GSH and GSSG in complicated and uncomplicated malaria patients, as well as the ratio of plasma GSH/GSSG in the two groups (P=0.373;P=0.538;and P=0.615, respectively, independent t-test). In contrast, the plasma albumin concentration in complicated malaria patients were significantly higher than uncomplicated malaria patients (P=0.000, Mann Whitney U test). Conclusions: It can be concluded that the average of plasma GSH and GSSG level, also plasma GSH/GSSG ratio in complicated malaria are not different from uncomplicated ma-laria. Although plasma concentration of albumin in both groups is below the normal range, there is an increase in complicated malaria that might be as compensation of oxidative stress.
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The saliva of mosquitoes has an important role in the transmission of several diseases, including malaria, and contains substances with vasomodulating and immunomodulating effects to counteract the host physiological mechanisms and enhance pathogen transmission. As immunomodulatory components, salivary gland proteins can induce the generation of specific IgG antibodies in the host, which can be used as specific biomarkers of exposure to
IgG antibodies targeting salivary gland proteins in serum samples from individuals living in malaria-endemic areas were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sera from healthy individuals living in non-endemic areas were used as negative controls. Determination of the presence of salivary gland immunogenic proteins was carried out by western blotting.
Sixteen bands appeared in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, with molecule weights ranging from 22 to 144kDa. Among the exposed individuals, IgG responses to salivary gland proteins were variable. Protein bands with molecular weights of 46, 41, 33, and 31kDa were the most immunogenic. These immunogenic proteins were consistently recognized by pooled serum and individual samples from people living in malaria-endemic areas but not by negative controls.
These results support the potential use of immunogenic proteins from the salivary glands of
Subject(s)
Adult , Animals , Female , Humans , Anopheles/immunology , Insect Proteins/immunology , Salivary Glands/immunology , Anopheles/chemistry , Biomarkers/analysis , Case-Control Studies , Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel , Immunoglobulin G/analysis , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Insect Proteins/analysis , Salivary Proteins and Peptides/analysisABSTRACT
Background: During pregnancy, the balanced dominance of the T helper17 response shifts to a Th2 response that is characterised by the production of IL-10, following the completion of the implantation process. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) expression is associated with the completion of trophoblast invasion and placental growth. This study assessed the effect of malaria infection on the levels of IL-17, IL-10, and TGF-β in the plasma of pregnant mice with malaria. Methods: Seventeen pregnant BALB/C mice were divided into two groups: mice infected with Plasmodium berghei (treatment group) and uninfected mice (control group). The mice were sacrificed on day 18 post-mating. Parasitemia was measured by Giemsa staining. The levels of IL-17, IL-10, and TGF-β were measured by ELISA. Results: Using independent t test, the IL-17 levels in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P = 0.040). The IL-10 levels in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P = 0.00). There was no significant difference in the TGF-β levels (P = 0.055) between two groups. However, using SEM analysis the degree of parasitemia decreased the plasma TGF-β levels (tcount = 5.148; ≥ ttable = 1.96). SEM analysis showed that a high degree of parasitemia increased the IL-17 levels and decreased the IL-10 and TGF-β levels. Conclusion: Malaria infection during pregnancy interferes with the systemic balance by increasing the IL-17 levels and decreasing the IL-10 and TGF-β levels.
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The sequestration of infected erythrocytes in the placenta can activate the syncytiotrophoblast to release cytokines that affect the micro-environment and influence the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to fetus. The high level of IL-10 has been reported in the intervillous space and could prevent the pathological effects. There is still no data of Th17 involvement in the pathogenesis of placental malaria. This study was conducted to reveal the influence of placental IL-17 and IL-10 levels on fetal weights in malaria placenta. Seventeen pregnant BALB/C mice were divided into control (8 pregnant mice) and treatment group (9 pregnant mice infected by Plasmodium berghei). Placental specimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin were examined to determine the level of cytoadherence by counting the infected erythrocytes in the intervillous space of placenta. Levels of IL-17 and IL-10 in the placenta were measured using ELISA. All fetuses were weighed by analytical balance. Statistical analysis using Structural Equation Modeling showed that cytoadherence caused an increased level of placental IL-17 and a decreased level of placental IL-10. Cytoadherence also caused low fetal weight. The increased level of placental IL-17 caused low fetal weight, and interestingly low fetal weight was caused by a decrease of placental IL-10. It can be concluded that low fetal weight in placental malaria is directly caused by sequestration of the parasites and indirectly by the local imbalance of IL-17 and IL-10 levels.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Humans , Male , Mice , Pregnancy , Fetal Weight , Interleukin-10/analysis , Interleukin-17/analysis , Malaria/metabolism , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Placenta/chemistry , Plasmodium berghei/physiology , Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic/metabolismABSTRACT
Background: Wound healing in burn is a complex process and early complete wound closure still enfaces many problems. Application of stem cells is found to be the future method of wound healing. Among the available sources of allogenic stem cells, umbilical cord blood is quite easy to be obtained, has less ethical issue, and contain multipotent stem cells, which are characterized by low immunogenicity. The study aims to evaluate the potential of human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (hUCBMNCs) treatment in the management of deep partial thickness burns. Methods: Twenty patients with deep partial thickness burns were treated with topical application of 2 x 107 hUCBMNCs and silver sulfadiazine (SSD) cream on the comparable wound size in the other sites. The treatments were applied for six times in every two consecutive days. Wound surface area was measured with Visitrak® on day 0, 7, and 11. Pain intensity was evaluated using Wong Baker’s faces scale on each wound dressing change. Histology examination was performed in some samples of collected skin biopsy of the newly re-epithelialized area of hUCBMNCs and SSD-treated wound at the end of treatment. HLA typing is used to evaluate the issue of safety. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare the rate of wound healing. Results: Sixteen patients of hUCBMNCs-treated showed a significant wound closure in faster than SSD-treated; measured on day 7 (p = 0.041) and day 11 (p = 0.021). Number of patients with reduced pain intensity, from approximately scale 3 to 1/0 on day 7 and 11, were higher in hUCBMNCs-treated compared to SSD-treated wound. In spite of the HLA-mismatch, no allergic reaction, rejection, and infection found on hUCBMNCs-treated wound suggested the safety of this therapy. Histology examination found the formation of dermal-epidermal junction and rete ridges equal to the normal skin on hUCBMNCs-treated wounds. Conclusion: hUCBMNCs are effective and safe to promote re-epithelialization in deep partial thickness burns.
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Fetal Blood , Burns , Re-EpithelializationABSTRACT
Aim Umbilical cord blood mononucleated (UCBMC) cells has been shown to be the stem cells originated from umbilical cord blood. To date, UCBMC has been introduced as an alternative source for stem cells used in autologous and allogeneic transplantations. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that UCBMCs required less stringent selection for HLA matches between donor and recipient with less cases of graft versus host reaction. In this study, UCBMCs are known to contain many stem cells, were characterized and compared to peripheral blood for their immunogenic profile. Method To elucidate the potential of UCBMC alloreactivity, mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assay was performed. The donor and effectors cells were HLA-typed using PCR method to determine their alloreactivity. Further, to distinguish the level of HLA class I and II expression flowcytometry was done using monoclonal antibodies against those molecules. All the analyse were carried out on UCBMCs and peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMCs). Results The result of MLR assay showed that there was less IFN-γ secretion detected in the co-cultured medium in the presence of UCBMCs compared to PBMCs counterpart, indicating less possible rejection of UCBMC. Further, we found that there were only 1-3 alleles of HLA match (out of 8 alleles) among the PBMCs and UCBMCs. By using flowcytometry assay, we could further demonstrate lower HLA Class I expression level with less amount of HLA Class II expressing cells in UCBMC compared to those in PBMCs. Conclusion These findings clearly demonstrate the low immunogenicity of UCBMCs, based on the low level of secreted IFN-γ in the MLR assay, low expression level of HLA Class I, and small population of HLA Class II expressing cells. The outcomes from this study would raise a better understanding in the usage of umbilical cord blood as an alternative source of stem cells for allogeneic transplantation.
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Stem Cells , Fetal Blood , Umbilical CordABSTRACT
Aim Lipoaspirate, a wasted by product from liposuction procedure recently has been shown to contain abundant mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs have been studied in many research areas to regenerate many cell lineages including, myogenic, cardiomyogenic, and angiogenic lineages. The large quantity of MSCs in lipoaspirate, makes it an attractive source for stem cells used in research and clinical applications. A simplified method which is suitable to be performed in a basic laboratory will facilitate development of stem cell research in developing countries. Therefore the outcomes from this study are expected to encourage the progress of stem cell research in Indonesia. Methods Lipoaspirate was digested using collagenase type I, followed by a basic filtration method. Purification of MSCs was done by cell culture for 2-3 days followed by supernatant removal. To confirm the homogenous population of MSCs, an analysis using flowcytometry was performed based on the MSCs minimal criteria developed by Mesenchymal and Tissue Stem Cell Committee of the International Society of Cell Therapy. Resuts MSCs were able to be obtained at 16.41 ± 8.22 x 108 cells per 120 ml lipoaspirate. The cultured cells showed fibroblastic morphology which is characteristic for MSCs and were able to be purified from non-MSCs cells. This was confirmed by flowcytometry assay showing expression of CD105 and the absence of HLA-Class II, CD 45, CD 34, CD14, and CD19. Conclusions This study has shown that it was feasible to isolate messenchymal stem cell from human lipoaspirate. The procedure was practicable to be performed within a basic laboratory.