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The present pandemic that is caused by COVID-19 and previously by the clone of the methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has threatened human life. This condition requires materials that can break the chain of transmission from human to human and from the environment to human. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of alcohol-based hand antiseptic using WHO-recommended formulation based on the stability of the formulation, the risk of irritation, and the ability to kill bacteria. Assessments on the presence of rancidity, clarity, discoloration, final alcohol content, and skin irritation risk were done to know the quality of the product. Methicillinresistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was used to assess the percentage of bacterial killing power. The selected bacteria were bacteria that are commonly found in the hospital environment. The results showed that from four variants tested, MK.IV had good stability compared to other formulations. In terms of irritation risk, twenty-three selected subjects could well tolerate the formula. The results of the killing efficacy against MRSA showed that the antiseptic could kill 99.90% of the bacteria at the 1st, 2nd, and 5th minute. A selected manufacturer's product also showed the same killing efficacy at the 1st, 2nd, and 5th minute. The effective value of the antiseptic for each contact time was = 90%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The asymmetric curcumin analogue synthesized from cullilawan oil has a dioxolane active ring, so it can function as hepatoprotection. The chemical compound structure of the synthetic product influences the pharmacological properties. This study aimed to determine the hepatoprotection effect of the asymmetric curcumin analogue synthetic product in male rat (Rattus norvegicus L.) induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Turmeric extract and Hepa-Q commercial drug products are used as a comparison. The method used is the in vivo method using male rats by looking at Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT) and Serum Glutamic Pyruvate Transaminase SPGT) values and histopathological analysis using the H&E method. The results showed that the asymmetric analogue of curcumin synthesized using the microwave method gave better results than conventional methods. The effective dose of hepatoprotection in male rats is 52 mg/200 g of bodyweight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was designed to improve nutrients deposition in the oocytes of catfish by improving the liver functions through supplementation of turmeric powder in the feed and to evaluate the optimum dosage of turmeric powder supplementation in the feed of catfish. The experiment used 40 catfish with the average body weight of 3.75 kg. Forty experimental catfish were divided into 4 treatments, and each treatment used 10 catfish. The treatments were doses of turmeric supplementation in the diet consisting of 0 mg/100 g feed (T0 as a control), 120 mg/100 g feed (T1), 240 mg/100 g feed (T2), and 480 mg/100 g feed (T3). The experimental catfish were fed 2 times a day in the morning and in the afternoon at the level of 3% body weight for 8 weeks. The results of the experiment showed that turmeric powder supplementation at a dose of 480 mg/100 g ration could increase the absolute body weight of the catfish, vitellogenin deposition in the eggs, and gonad development. The results of the present experiment indicate that turmeric powder supplementation of the catfish can be used to improve reproduction performance of catfish and teleost fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the downstream products which can be synthesized from culilawan oil is an analog curcumin compound (AKS) with a dioxolane ring. AKS products can be synthesized using conventional and microwave methods. The method of synthesis can influence physical properties, compound geometry, and pharmacological effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the processing method on the hepatoprotective ability of AKS, and to determine a protective dose. AKS was synthesized using insulated safrole compounds from Lawang oil and involved isomerization, oxidation, and aldol condensation of curcumin analogues. At the final stage of the analog curcumin synthesis process, 2 different methods were employed: the conventional method heated the chemical in a water bath at 30 °C for 3 hours, the microwave method heated the chemical using 140 watts of power for 2 minutes. Analogs were tested in vivo in mice (Mus musculus L.) with CCl4 induced liver damage. Hepatoprotective efficacy of AKS products processed by the conventional method and the microwave method were compared using histology and liver enzyme (AST and ALT) assessment. Animals treated with conventionally produced AKS products had lower AST and lower ALT levels-and fewer histological signs of liver damage at a lower dose of AKS-than seen in either untreated animals or those treated with microwave produced AKS. Thus, products that are processed by conventional methods are more hepatoprotective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilization of animal genetic resources that live wildly needs to be maintained as well as one of the conservation efforts in a sustainable manner. This study aims to obtain information on genetic characteristics and kinship of Weris (local name) Gallirallus philippensis in several locations in Minahasa through molecular analysis using the Cyt-b gene. Gallirallus philippensis in Minahasa seems to have considerable genetic differences with their relatives from the Philippines and Australia where the results of the analysis show that the species found in Minahasa (Papontolen, Ranoyapo, Tondano, and Wusa) although still have a high genetic diversity based on the existence of 7 different haplotypes and form several branches but still in the same cluster. Alleged Weris in Minahasa may be a separate species (Gallirallus celebensis) need to be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amyloid plaques and Neurofibrillary Tangles (NFTs) are known to be key pathological features of Alzheimer disease. To gain a better understanding of this disease, studies were carried out on the Indonesian primates, the longtailed macaques, using a spontaneous Alzheimer's disease model. Examining and identifying genetic markers involved in plaque formation and NFTs in long-tailed macaques is necessary to reveal their physiological processes. In this study, the expression of genes involved in the development of amyloid plaque (Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP)) and those that control the phosphorylation of tau protein (CDK5 and AKT1) was examined in the long-tailed macaque brain. This study showed that APP, CDK5, and AKT1 may potentially be developed as genetic markers of Alzheimer's disease. Long-tailed macaques exhibited the development of amyloid plaque in the aging brain based on the analysis of the gene expression profile of its biomarker. Furthermore, long-tailed macaques can be optimized for neurodegenerative models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Global warming challenges cattle productivity and welfare since it affects heat stress and scarce feed. The heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene is essential in cytoprotection against stressors, protecting cells from dysregulated gene expression and apoptosis. This study aimed to identify significant genetic markers of the HSP70.1 gene that can be leveraged genetically to enhance thermotolerance and production in Bali cattle further. Materials and Methods: Animals were sampled from three different rearing systems. In this study, 83 healthy adult male Bali cattle without abnormalities were utilized. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) diversity associated with the physiological and physical traits of Bali cattle was assessed using SNPStat online software. Gene expression for putative SNPs and their genotypic groups was further evaluated. Results: There were 15 polymorphic SNPs (c.-185G>A, c.-69T>G, c.10G>C, c.19A>G, c.45C>T, c.101INS, c.115T>C, c.130T>C, c.136G>T, c.159G>C, c.164G>T, c.234G>A, c.303G>A, c.333C>A, and c.456C>T) identified, of which 12 were associated with the assessed trait. Nine SNPs were associated with physiological traits, while eight were with physical traits. The c.136G>T as a novel, high minor allele frequency, and associative SNP was selected for HSP70 gene expression. Individuals with the TT genotype have a trim physique, susceptible physiology, and high HSP70 mRNA expression. On the other hand, the GG genotype was significantly associated with larger physique, lower physiology, and low HSP70 mRNA expression. The higher expression may indicate that HSP70.1 is involved in mitigating the deleterious effects of stress. As a result, the animal experienced negative energy balance, decreasing body size. Conclusion: Single-nucleotide polymorphism c.136G>T is a candidate biomarker for heat resistance traits in Bali cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of natural forest to agroforestry plantations and annual cropping systems alters the soil habitat and food resources for biota, including earthworms. Native earthworm species may disappear whereas exotic species with greater tolerance of disturbance and less niche specialisation may thrive. The objective of the study was to compare the earthworm diversity in managed forest and agroforestry systems, which were cultivated for mixed plantation and annual crop production on Mount Gede, Indonesia. All the habitats in the study area were impacted by humans. The forest habitat was a managed forest, with a permanent tree cover, whereas mixed plantation had a partial shrub cover. Meanwhile, homogenous plantation was cultivated with annual crops. Among 3787 individuals collected during July-October 2012, five Oriental earthworm species were identified in the soil communities of Mount Gede: Drawida nepalensis, Notoscolex javanica, Pheretima pura-group, Polypheretima moelleri, and Polypheretima sempolensis. Also, 18 species were found that are reported to be non-Oriental in origin. Anthropogenic disturbance of forests on Mount Gede, due to conversion into plantations, alters the earthworm environment by increasing soil water content, temperature and total phosphorous content, while decreasing organic carbon. N. javanica was the only native species to survive this deforestation, while the exotic Ocnerodrilus occidentalis and Pontoscolex corethrurus thrived, becoming the eudominant species. From the forest area to the mixed and homogenous plantations, the predicted decreasing diversity is evidenced by the lowering trend of Shannon's diversity index. In conclusion, the land-use change into mixed plantations and annual croplands has reduced earthworm diversity in this region of Mount Gede, Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cannibalistic behavior of Asian redtail catfish greatly hampers the supply of these fish seeds, invoking the need to be controlled. Estradiol is one of the hormones that has been known to reduce cannibalistic behavior on fish. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of estradiol-17ß immersion on the incidence of cannibalism in the rearing of post larvae of Asian redtail catfish. Post larvae was treated with a combination of doses of estradiol hormone 0, 1, and 2 ppm and immersion time of two and four hours with immersion intervals of three and six days with a completely randomized design. Each treatment had a fish density of 10 fish L-1, with mean size individual length of 6.73 ± 0.73 mm (three days of age after hatched), with four replications. Fish were fed with tubifex up until satiation point and reared for 30 days. The results showed that the administration of the estradiol-17ß through immersion with a dose of 1 ppm for two hours and interval of six days was able to reduce the level of cannibalism and increase the survivability. A further increase in dose, immersion time, and interval had the opposite effect. Estradiol-17ß immersion with certain dose, duration, and interval affected the rate of cannibalism, growth rate, and survival. Estradiol-17ß immersion at a dose of 1 ppm for two hours and six days interval was the best to reduce the level of cannibalism and normal mortality in post larvae of Asian re. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Basil is well known as a medicinal plant that contains high essential oils and antioxidant compounds that have the potential to improve ovarian development. Thus, basil may have the potential to improve the growth and development of the uterus and placenta for optimal prenatal growth of offspring. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Indonesian basil maceration on gonad development of mature female albino rats. Materials and Methods: Fifteen 8-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats, at the diestrus stage of the estrus cycle, were divided into three different treatment groups: Control group (mineral water), bas-low group (1% of basil maceration), and bas-high group (5% of basil maceration). Basil maceration was dissolved and administered in mineral drinking water, and the treatments were given for 20 days (4 estrus cycles). At the end of the treatment period, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, and progesterone (Pg) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relative weight of the ovary and uterus; diameter and length of uterine cornual; vascularization of uterus; the diameter of uterine glands; the number of primary, secondary, and tertiary de Graaf follicles; the number of corpora luteum; as well as the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the ovary were determined. Results: There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the serum FSH level of rats treated with basil maceration drinking water doses of 1% and 5% compared to the control group. However, serum estradiol and Pg concentrations in the 1% and 5% basil maceration groups were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of the control group. Furthermore, 1% and 5% basil maceration significantly increased the uterus’s relative weight, diameter, and vascularization. Serum estradiol concentrations contributed to the elevated expression of VEGF compared to Pg. Conclusion: Administration of basil maceration for 20 days before mating could improve follicle growth and development, eventually increasing estradiol synthesis and secretion, thus improving the uterus’s preparation for implantation. This makes basil maceration an attractive candidate in clinical research to enhance the growth and development of the uterus and placenta, which will better support the optimum prenatal growth and development of embryos and fetuses, resulting in superior offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Flushing with the manipulation of fatty acids, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids, like linoleic and α-linolenic acids in the ration, is a strategy to raise the nutritional status of the female mammals to improve ovarian function and follicle development. This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of flushing supplementation with different types of polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids in stimulating follicle growth and development during estrus in Ettawa Grade does with a low initial body condition score (BCS ≤2). Materials and Methods: Eighteen Ettawa Grade does in the second parity, with an average body weight of 32.11±2.19 kg, were divided into three groups according to the fatty acid supplemented to their ration: (i) About 2.8% lauric acid flushing (group); (ii) 2.8% linoleic acid flushing (LA group); and (iii) 2.8% α-linolenic acid flushing (ALA group). The ration was formulated to be isocaloric (total digestible nutrient = 77%) and isonitrogenous (crude protein = 15%). The experiment was conducted for 35 days; that is, 14 days for acclimatization and synchronization of the estrous cycle and 21 days for fatty acid flushing until the appearance of the next estrus. A completely randomized design was applied. Results: According to the results, none of the different fatty acids in the ration affected the nutrient intakes, BCSs, average daily gains, and plasma glucose, cholesterol, and progesterone concentrations of the three groups of does. However, the BCSs (by 0.8-0.9) and the plasma cholesterol concentrations were higher after fatty acid flushing for 21 days than before the flushing period. The ALA group had the highest number of large-sized preovulatory follicles, whereas the LAURIC group had the highest plasma estradiol concentration during estrus. All three groups had similar plasma progesterone concentrations during estrus after fatty acid flushing. Conclusion: Flushing supplementation with 2.8% ALA from flaxseed oil gave the best results in terms of stimulating the highest number of large-sized preovulatory follicles in Ettawa Grade does. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was designed to study the effect of curcumin and thyroxine supplementations on liver functions during the reproductive period of catfish. One hundred and twenty-eight African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) were assigned into a completely randomized design with a 2x2 factorial arrangement with four replications and each replication consisted of eight fish. The first factor was dose of curcumin supplementation which consisted of 2 levels i.e., 0 and 5 g kg-1feed. The second factor was dose of thyroxine supplementation consisting of 2 levels i.e., 0 and 0.1 mg.kg-1feed. The supplementation of curcumin and thyroxine hormone in catfish was given for 12 weeks. Results showed that the levels of serum vitellogenin concentrations, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA from liver tissue in all groups did not show a significant difference (p>0.05). However, the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver tissue, the serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and the ribonucleic acid (RNA) concentration in the liver tissue showed a significant difference (p<0.05). The supplementation of curcumin and thyroxine protect the liver, and increase the productivity of catfish liver function during the reproductive period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on steroid hormones and fatty acids that play roles in lobster reproduction is still very limited although the data are indispensable to seed production in hatchery. The study was designed to identify steroid hormones and fatty acids during gonadal maturation of spiny lobster (Panulirus homarus). Male spiny lobsters were treated with and without thyroxine injection. Female spiny lobsters were treated with and without eyestalk ablations during mature and immature gonad developments. Androst-5-en-17-one,3β (androst) and estran-3-one,17β (estran), two steroid hormones were identified at different levels of gonadal maturity of spiny lobsters. High concentrations of androst and estran were detected in the male spiny lobsters treated with thyroxine injections. Estran showed high concentrations in female brood stock of spiny lobsters during oogenesis stages both without eyestalk ablation and with ablation of one or two eyestalks, except in the immature female gonads. It was found that stearic acid was the highest and dominant fatty acid in mature male spiny lobster. Stearic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid and caprylic acid were fatty acids with high concentrations in immature and mature female spiny lobsters. After 30 days in captivity, only stearic acid and oleic acid were found dominantly in eyestalk ablated mature female spiny lobsters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Gonadotropin injection prior to mating improved uterine environment. • Improved uterine environment improved growth phenotypes of offspring. • Lambs with good growth phenotypes have higher resilience. • Gonadotropin injection can be used to produce resilience lambs. • This technology can help decontaminate pasture and reduce anthelmintic use. Abstract Haemonchus (H.) contortus infection in sheep is a major health problem in tropical and sub-tropical regions that cause great economic losses. Our previous studies have shown that improved uterine environments during pregnancy can improve postnatal growth and health performance of the offspring, indicated by lower mortality and morbidity. In the present experiment, we evaluated the resistance and resilience to H. contortus of lambs born to ewes injected with pregnant mare’s serum gonadotropin (PMSG) prior to mating. Improvement of the uterine environment was conducted by increasing endogenous secretion of estrogen and progesterone as pregnancy hormones during pregnancy by injecting the ewes with PMSG prior to mating. A total of 16 lambs, regardless of sex, at the age of 5 months were assigned into a 2 × 2 factorial experiment with 4 replications. The first factor was PMSG injection, consisting of two levels, i.e., lambs born to ewes without PMSG injection (Non-PMSG lambs) and those born to PMSG-injected ewes (PMSG lambs). The second factor was the infection of lambs with H. contortus at the age of 5 months, consisting of two levels, i.e., lambs without infection (Non-infected lambs) and lambs infected with H. contortus (Infected lambs). Non-infected lambs were administered with distilled water in a capsule without infective larvae. Infected lambs were individually infected with a single dose containing 1200 L3 of H. contortus. Compared to non-PMSG lambs, PMSG lambs tended to have better prenatal growth indicated by greater birth weights (P = 0.06). The improved prenatal growth during pregnancy improved the postnatal growth and health performance of the lambs. Three months after infection of H. contortus , non-PMSG lambs and PMSG lambs had similar worm counts. However, the PMSG lambs showed significantly higher resilience to H. contortus as indicated by the lower fecal egg counts 6–10 weeks after infection. The higher resilience of the PMSG lambs was shown by the positive growth rate during infection, while non-PMSG lambs had a negative growth rate after infection. Prior to infection, PMSG lambs showed a higher segmented neutrophil percentage with lower lymphocyte numbers. Three months after infection, PMSG lambs had significantly higher lymphocyte and thrombocyte numbers as well as mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) with lower neutrophil and monocyte numbers. The conclusion of this study is that the improvement of the uterine environment during pregnancy could be used to produce superior offspring with high resilience to the infection of H. contortus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An experiment was conducted to study the effect of supplementing catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) with turmeric (Curcuma longa) on the vitellogenic capacity of the liver as a new method to improve reproductive performance in oviparous animals. The experimental catfish were assigned to a completely randomized design consisting of four doses of supplemental turmeric (0, 1.2, 2.4 and 4.8 g/kg feed) with 10 catfish with body weights ranging from 2 to 4 kg in each group. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 14, 28, 42 and 56 of turmeric supplementation to measure the concentrations of plasma oestradiol‐17ß and vitellogenin. The weights of the body, gonads and liver were measured on days 0, 28 and 56. The fecundities of the catfish were measured on days 28 and 56 of turmeric supplementation, and egg diameters were measured on days 28 and 42. The results showed that catfish supplemented with turmeric at a dose of 2.4 or 4.8 g/kg feed had higher growth rates, higher plasma oestradiol‐17β and vitellogenin concentrations, and higher gonad somatic index values and egg diameters. This is the first report demonstrating that the hepatoprotective activity of the curcumin in turmeric could be used to improve both vitellogenin synthesis, which improves nutrient deposition in the ovulating eggs, and the reproductive performance of teleost fish and oviparous animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to determine what the optimum dose and time of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) injections in Kacang does to increase endogenous secretion of estrogen and progesterone without increasing the number of ovulating follicles above the normal range. Forty-eight Kacang does were assigned to a 3 × 4factorial randomized experimental design with 4 replications. The first factor was the dose of PMSG injection, and it consisted of three levels: 0, 7.5, and 15 IU/kg body weight (BW). The second factor was the time of PMSG injection at the four stages of follicular development: the pre-luteolytic, luteolytic, pre-antral, and antral stages. The experimental goats were injected twice with prostaglandin to synchronize their estrous cycles. The parameters measured included the number and diameter of the dominant follicles and serum estrogen concentrations during the pre-ovulatory period and the number and diameter of corpora lutea and serum progesterone concentrations during the post-ovulatory period. The diameter of each dominant follicle and corpus luteum was also calculated. The results showed that an increased dose of PMSG injection significantly increased the numbers, total diameters, and diameter of each dominant follicle and corpus luteum, as well as serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations ( P < 0.05). The time of PMSG injection significantly affected all parameters ( P < 0.05), except for the diameter of each dominant follicle and corpus luteum. There was a significant effect of the dose and time of injection of PMSG on all parameters, except on the diameter of each dominant follicle and corpus luteum. Average pre-ovulatory serum estrogen concentrations and post-ovulatory serum progesterone concentrations in does injected with 7.5 IU/kg BW at the luteolytic stage increased by 133.68% and 545.11%, respectively. Injection of PMSG during the pre-antral and antral stages also increased estradiol and progesterone secretion to a lesser degree without increasing the number of ovulating follicles and corpora lutea. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that injection of 7.5 IU PMSG/kg BW at the luteolytic stage could be used to increase the secretion of pregnancy hormones without increasing the number of ovulating follicles and corpora lutea above the normal ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of male and female host oysters on the pearl sac formation in Pinctada maxima oyster. One hundred sixty oysters were used in a completely randomized design with 2 × 4 factorial arrangement and 20 replications. The 1st factor was that sex of host oyster consisted of two levels that is males and females. The 2nd factor was week after nucleus implantation with four levels that is 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks. The parameters observed were the percentage of successful oysters to form the pearl sac, the speed of pearl sac formation, the percentage of nucleus coverage by the pearl sac, histology of the pearl sac growth and development, and haemolymph glucose, calcium and phosphorus concentrations. Our results showed that the percentages of host oysters that succeeded in forming a pearl sac were 80% and 75% in female and male host oysters, respectively. There was no statistical difference in nucleus rejection and mortality in male and female host oysters but the results indicated that male host oysters showed a numerically higher nucleus rejection. The speed of pearl sac growth and the percentage of nucleus coverage by the pearl sac in female host oysters were better than those in male host oysters. Haemolymph calcium, phosphorus and glucose concentrations, oxygen consumption, and histological development of the pearl sac were not different between male and female host oysters. Pearl sac formation in the female host oysters was better than that in male host oysters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]