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Signature recognition system knows significant attention due to its undeniable importance. For this purpose, a wide-ranged techniques including both statistical and structural approaches, have been introduced. They are both subfields of machine learning that focus on identifying patterns in data.Statistical methodologies are extensively used within diverse domains, providing accurate features and deep understanding of data characteristics. In the proposed system, a statistical framework is adopted, which encompasses three crucial phases: preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification.In the initial stage, a variety of image preprocessing algorithms are employed to segregate signature pixels from background and noise pixels. The second phase consists of extracting the discriminant information based on statistical characteristics, this includes calculating white-black transitions horizontally, vertically, as well as diagonally and antidiagonally. The resulting features are employed as input for the fuzzy min-max classifier (FMMC), which involves iteratively creating hyperboxes. Each iteration comprises three phases: expansion, overlap, and contraction. The primary advantage of applying FMMC lies in its proficiency to handle noisy data and data with overlapping distributions, factors commonly observed in signature images.The proposed method is evaluated with various systems utilizing histogram of oriented gradient, profile projection, convolutional neural network, and Loci as feature extraction techniques, as well as K-nearest neighbors and multilayer perceptron as classification methods. The experimental findings confirm the effectiveness of the proposed framework, demonstrating its ability to achieve a notable accuracy of 99.16 %, along with remarkable average precision, recall, and F1-score values of 99.17 %, 99.24 %, and 99.16 % respectively.

Introduction Prevention of relapse in schizophrenia is a major public health issue. A recent network meta-analysis investigating interventions for relapse prevention in schizophrenia found that the efficacity of family psychoeducation and systemic integrated interventions were superior to treatment as usual at 12 months (Bighelli I, Leucht S et al. Lancet Psychiatry 2021). Other studies also found that multi-family therapies (MFT) were superior to treatment as usual and family psychoeducation in preventing relapses at 2 and 4 years (McFarlane WR, Lukens EP et al. Archives of General Psychiatry.1995). Considering this, we developped in our community center an MFT program based on systemic approach and psychoeducation. Objectives Investigate the subjective experience of participants of an MFT group focusing on schizophrenia. Methods A qualitative study was designed to explore personal experience of participants using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) method in order to analyse participant’s feedback during semi-directive interviews. By using IPA, participants are experts of their experience. Eight participants took part in this study: 4 patients and 4 parents. Results Within all participant’s feedback around 10 different themes emerged. We identified three major themes which we have described as: “Affiliation to the group”, “Framework of Discovery”, “Benefits of MFT”. According to “Affiliation to the group”, all participants report movements of adhesion or rejection towards the group. This theme has been subdivided into two sub-themes: “Temporality”, and “Identification/differentiation”. These sub-themes revealed inter-individuals’ differences. According to “Framework of discovery”, the MFT group has been identified as a secure place allowing self and other’s discovery place. This theme has been divided into two sub-themes: “discovering skills” and “improving oneself and relatives’ understanding”. Participants experience taking a step back and decentering oneself from usual personnal position. According to “Benefits of MFT”, participants report the feeling of belonging to a group, the impact on self-esteem, on mentalization skills, and on the reflexion on family members’ experience of the disease. Conclusions This study is, to our knowledge, the first qualitative study examining the subjective experience of members who participated in a psychoeducational and systemic MFT group focusing on schizophrenia. It provides insight into the families’ experience, both from the patient’s and from each family member’s perspective. Results highlight that participants seized the MFT group as a learning space at several levels: personal, intra-family and inter-family. These data could enlighten professionals working with families on the potential apprehensions of participants, their representations of the group and what process MFT could initiate. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Strategies to increase the population and productivity of beef cattle can be implemented through reproductive management, such as artificial insemination (AI) using frozen semen. This study aims to evaluate the characteristics of frozen semen of Limousin bulls of different ages, which can still be used for insemination programs up to 12 years of age. This study used frozen semen of Limousin bulls ages 3, 8, and 12 years produced in 2021 at the Artificial Insemination Center in Singosari, East Java Province, Indonesia. Five bulls from each different age group were used for replication. Computer-assisted sperm analysis was used to determine sperm motility, viability, and abnormalities using eosin–nigrosine staining. Plasma membrane integrity was analyzed using the hypoosmotic swelling test. The acrosomes’ integrity was evaluated using FITC-PNA-PI, protamine deficiency using chromomycin A3, and DNA fragmentation testing using the acridine orange fluorescent technique. The results showed that the parameters of sperm motility, viability, abnormality, plasma membrane integrity, and protamine deficiency showed no significant differences in all age groups. The kinematic parameters (straightness and beat cross frequency) of the 3-year-old group were significantly higher (p

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of separating X- and Y-sperm using nano-albumen (NA). The material used in this study was fresh semen of Ongole Crossbreed bulls with progressive motility of ≥ 70%. Treatments for the top and bottom fractions were T0 (BSA 5% : 10%) as a control, T1 (NA 2% : 4%), T2 (NA 4% : 6%), and T3 (NA 6% : 8%). Sexed semen was evaluated for characteristics and kinematics, and the proportions of sexed semen were validated using morphometric and polymerase chain reaction methods. The data on the characteristics and motility kinematics of X- and Y-sperm were analyzed by ANOVA using Minitab 18. The results revealed that the semen separated by the NA column generally showed the same sperm quality characteristics as the BSA column. However, the total motility of the T3y treatment in the bottom fraction was significantly lower (p

Artificial Insemination Center (AIC) produces frozen semen that was taken from superior bull. The selection of superior bull was based on breeding soundness evaluation. This study is aimed to evaluating the correlation between the molecular weight (MW) of seminal plasma protein and semen quality of Simmental bulls. Semen ejaculates from nine Simmental Bulls, that belong to AIC of Central Java, at Ungaran, were collected by using an artificial vagina. The sub population of sperm in ejaculates was evaluated through macroscopically and microscopically, in which the semen then centrifugated 6500 rpm for 30 minutes. The supernatant was collected and inserted into mini straw and stored in liquid nitrogen container. The concentration of seminal plasma protein was determined by the Bradford method. The Bradford protocol of analysis was suitable with User Guide Coomasize (Bradford) Protein Assay Kit. Thermo Skanlt RE for Multiskan Go Software, 3.2 version was applied for analyzing of the data, and protein characterization used was 1D-SDS-PAGE. The Coomassie Brilliant Blue was used for coloring the gels, and the proteins MW was determined by MW markers. The result demonstrated that there was no significant correlation between protein concentration and semen quality (P>0.05). Protein expressions based on MW were 62-48 kD, 100-71 kD found in this study. The analysis of correlation showed that the proteins with 100-71 kD MW correlated with sperm motility, normal sperm morphology, and sperm concentration. Semen quality in all parameters was significant (P˂0.05 and P>0.01) with 62-48 kD protein MW. The result concluded that seminal plasma protein had a correlation with semen quality and can be used as additional indicator for bull’s candidate selection.

The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of addition an amino acid or its combination with EDTA on DNA integrity and morphometry sperm heads of freeze-dried bovine spermatozoa. Spermatozoa were freeze-dried in medium with the addition of an amino acid glycine, cysteine, glutamine, or its combination with EDTA. Sperm head morphometry was identified at 400X magnification using Axio Vision(Zeiss Company, Germany), while for membrane plasma integrity (MPI) determined by calculation of the percentage of spermatozoa having intact plasma membrane by osmotic resistance test method and DNA integrity analysis using acridine orange staining. Sperm head had declined in size after the freeze-drying process, MPI of FD spermatozoa gradually increased significantly when FD solution was added with an amino acid solution (glycine, cysteine) and its combination with EDTA. DNA integrity of all freeze-dried spermatozoa treatments was remaining intact, no significantly different (P>0.01) among treatments. The present study concluded that the addition of an amino acid (glycine, cysteine) or its combination with EDTA could be reduced morphometric sperm heads and plasma membrane damage of freeze-dried bovine spermatozoa, however, DNA integrity of bovine sperm nucleus remaining intact after the freeze-drying process without addition both amino acids and EDTA.

Birth weight and calving interval are included of productivity traits that can be increased by selection program. However, the standard of desirable birth weight in cattle during the selection program is important to prevent dystocia incident risk. This study was aimed to select Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) based on Estimated Breeding Value of birth weight (EBVBW) and Most Probable Producing Ability of birth weight (MPPABW) and calving interval (MPPACI). Total of 758 records data of BW were collected from Lombok and Sumbawa islands, West Nusa Tenggara Province. Research showed the average of BW in Bali calves were 15.69±1.70 kg (Lombok) and 13.49±1.89 (Sumbawa). The average of CI in Bali cows at both islands were about 385 days. In addition, the heritability (h2) values of BW in both islands was about 0.90. The repeatability (r) values of BW in both islands were about 0.30. Meanwhile, the r value of CI in Sumbawa island was 0.39. The highest of EBVBW for sire was +4.25 kg by bull’s ID: 0838 (Sumbawa). Meanwhile, the highest of EBVBW for calves was +6.07 kg by calf’s ID: 0917 (Sumbawa). The highest of MPPABW was +2.67 kg by cow’s ID: 0872 (Sumbawa). The lowest of MPPACI was -25.70 days by cow’s ID: 02076 (Lombok).

The F94L mutation of the MSTN gene (MSTN-F94L) is considered not to cause disrupted the function of the myostatin gene drastically. Interestingly, this mutation has a very significant effect on muscle mass, carcass, or meat yield and meat quality without any associated severe negative problems. This study aimed to confirm the MSTN-F94L mutation in four local cattle breeds in Indonesia. A total of 518 individuals (140 of Bali, 107 of Sumbawa, 168 of Pasundan, and 103 of Holstein-Friesian (H-F) cattle) were used in this study. Genotype identification was performed by PCR-RFLP method. In the present study showed that the wild-type C allele was fixed (1.000) in Bali, Sumbawa, and HF cattle. However, the wild-type C allele and the mutant A allele were found in Pasundan cattle, even though the frequency of the mutant A allele was very low (0.012). Therefore, in conclusion, the mutation of the MSTN-F94L was detected in Pasundan cattle but no in all three cattle breeds. However, the presence of the mutant A allele in Pasundan cattle allegedly derived from Limousin bulls. The further investigation in other local and exotic breeds and its crossing will answer the status of the MSTN-F94L mutation in local cattle breeds in Indonesia.

Alumina nano-particles have wide usage in the adsorption and catalysis fields, because of its acid-base properties, high specific area, mechanical and thermal stability. The first part of the review interested on the various processes for the production of nano-particles alumina. The second part outlines the functionalization of nano-particles alumina with different function groups. Finally, the wide applications of nano-particles alumina in different fields are reported. Utilization of nano-particles alumina described in various industrial processes are evaluated from the standpoint of the importance of these reactions for technological applications, as reported in the literature.

Meso-porous structure of alumina has a narrow pore size distribution, high specific surface area with good thermal stability compared to conventional alumina. Meso-porous alumina is characterized by surface area ∼800 m2/g and pore size from 2.0 to 10 nm. This review focuses on the different preparation methods of meso-porous alumina to improve their properties such as surface area, and pore size. Second part outlines the functionalization of meso-porous alumina as a way for enhancing their activity. Besides, the catalytic applications of meso-porous alumina are reported. Utilization of different structure-directing agents such as cationic, neutral and anionic, producing meso-porous alumina is discussed in the first part of this review. In the second part, the functionalization and the catalytic applications of meso-porous alumina are described as adsorption, catalysts and catalysts support in different industrial processes and are evaluated from the standpoint of the importance of these processes for the technological applications. Keywords: Meso-porous, Materials, Alumina, Preparation, Applications

The objectives of the present study were to compare and determine the best post-thawed characteristics of balinese bull sperm cryopreserved in three different extenders; animal based (Tris-clarified egg yolk (Tris-cEY)), and non-animal based extenders (Bioxcell® (lecithin based) and Optixcell® (liposome based)) in combination with three different equilibration times (30 minutes, 2 hours, 4hours). Thirty six ejaculates were collected from six Balinese bulls and frozen in three extenders (Tris-cEY, Bioxcell® and Optixcell®) after equilibration in three different times (30 minutes, 2hours and 4hours). Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA), hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST) and eosin nigrosin staining were used in the post-thawed semen analysis. There was a significant interaction between equilibration time and extender type for sperm motility, viability and membrane integrity. Thirty minutes equilibration time had the lowest values (P0.05). Moreover, post-thawed semen which were extended in Optixcell® for 2 hours equilibration showed a better motility compared with the other extenders (P

Bovine Pituitary specific transcription factor 1 (bPit-1) is one of amino acid that controling pituitary gland in mammals. The pituitary gland is important for secretion of growth hormone from growth genes. This study was carried out to detect polymorphism in the exon 6 of bPit-1 (g.1256G>A) in Pasundan cattle using PCR-RFLP method and its association with body weight. Total of 69 heads (15 males and 54 females) of Pasundan cattle from breeding station (BPPIBT-SP Ciamis, West Java) were used in this study. Research showed that two genotypes of bPit-1/HinfI gene were identified in this study i.e GG (0.90) and AG (0.10) with allele frequencies of 0.05 (A) and 0.95 (G). The polymorphic informative content (PIC) and number of effective allele (ne) values were 0.09 (low) and 1.11. respectively. The Chi-square (χ2) value in the population studied was 0.20 and in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (χ2

Abstract River Yamuna is the largest tributary of river Ganges and has been acclaimed as a heavenly waterway in Indian mythology. However, 22-km segment of river Yamuna passing through Delhi from downstream of Wazirabad barrage up to Okhla barrage is considered as the filthiest stretch having been rendered into a sewer drain. The present study employs high-resolution GeoEye-2 imagery for mapping and monitoring pollution levels within the river segment by testing correlation between water quality parameters (WQPs) and the corresponding spectral reflectance values of the image. A total of 100 water samples collected from random sampling locations along the river segment were analyzed for 12 WQPs in the laboratory and grouped into two classes, namely (WQP)organic and (WQP)inorganic. Several spectral band combinations as well as single bands were tested for any significant correlation with the two formulated WQP classes by performing multiple linear regression analysis. Results reveal that spectral band combination, i.e., $$\left\{ {\overline{{\left( {RGB} \right)}} \times \sqrt {B/R} } \right\},$$ RGB¯×B/R, and the two formulated WQP classes exhibit strong positive correlation with R = 0.92 and 0.91 (R 2 ~ 0.85 and 0.82; RMSE ~ 1.03 and 1.12) for calibration data and 0.85 and 0.84 (i.e., R 2 ~ 0.74 and 0.72; RMSE ~ 1.45 and 1.64) for validation data, respectively. The spatial distribution maps depicting pollution levels of two WQP classes were generated in GIS framework, substantiating to the actual in situ pollution concentration levels in the river segment. The methodology adopted in the present study and results obtained validate the potential of high-resolution GeoEye-2 imagery for monitoring and mapping pollution levels in the water bodies.

The objective of this research was to investigate the potential of snakehead albumin extract (channalbumin) for sorting X and Y sperm of Sumba Ongole (SO) and its characteristic. Semen was collected from three SO bulls using artificial vagina and the freeze dried channalbumin was extracted from snakehead fish. Channalbumin column was made with different concentration ratio of top and bottom fraction: 2%:4%; 3%:5%; 4%:6% respectively and BSA 5%:10% as control. Semen was put in top fraction then incubated for 30 min at room temperature then each fraction was centrifuged at 1800 rpm for 10 minutes. The pellet was evaluated for motility, abnormality, viability, membrane integrity and head sperm morphometric. The results showed that the channalbumin capable to maintain sperm motility in the top fraction better than the bottom fraction. Sperm viability and membrane integrity in control group were significantly higher (P

The aim of this study was to evaluate non-genetic factors and genetic parameters of the growth traits in Sumba Ongole (SO) cattle. The growth traits were consisted of birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), yearling weight (YW), average daily gain of pre-weaning (ADG1) and post-weaning (ADG2). Data from 143 heads of SO cattle (year 2011 to 2016) which raised at PT KAR were used in this study. Generalized Linear Model (GLM) analysis was performed to evaluate non-genetic effect including sex, year of birth, generation and season. Therefore, to evaluate genetic parameters, the heritability (h2) and genetic correlation (rg ) were performed using Paternal Halfshib Correlation method. The results showed that sex of calf had no significant effect (P>0.05) on BW, WW and YW, but year of birth had significant effect on those traits. The factor of season had significant effect on WW. The estimation of h2 values of growth traits were included high category (h2>0.30) and accurate (h2>SE) on BW (0.66±0.42), WW (0.65±0.44), YW (0.67±0.42), ADG1 (0.68±0.45) and ADG2 (0.70±0.43). The estimation of rg values were included high category (rg>0.50) and accurate (rg>SE) on BW-WW (0.87±0.63); BW-YW (0.95±0.87); ADG1-WW (0.99±0.34); WW-YW (0.98±0.48) and ADG1-YW (0.95±0.51). It was concluded that trait of WW could be used as selection criteria to increase YW trait in SO cattle.

The future development of chemistry entails environment-friendly and energy-sustainable alternatives for organic transformations. Visible light photo-catalysis can address these challenges. Octahedral molecular sieve manganese oxide (cryptomelane, OMS-2) and Fe-doped OMS-2 nano-structures were prepared to be used as affective visible light photo-catalysts for the oxidation of cyclohexane. The photo-catalysts were prepared by reflux method (at 100°C, for 24 h) under atmospheric pressure by using different molar ratios of Fe/Mn (0, 0.03, 0.08 and 0.10). Several techniques such as X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectra, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherms and thermal analysis were performed for characterizing the structure and the morphology of the prepared samples. The results revealed that the Fe-OMS-2 samples have a well-crystalline cryptomelane framework. In addition, no peaks related to the Fe dopant were detected, indicating the incorporation of Fe species into the framework of cryptomelane. The main product of photo-catalytic oxidation reaction of cyclohexane is cyclohexanone with a selectivity of 100% after 3 h for highest conversion on using 0.08Fe-OMS-2 sample.

A study was conducted to identify the polymorphism in the intron 3 of the Growth Hormone (GH) gene and also to evaluate the association of the GH gene polymorphism with growth parameters and dressing percentage in the Sumba Ongole (SO) cattle. A total of 267 individual DNA samples were used in the Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. The SO cattle growth parameters data (n=44) including birth weight (BW), weaning weight at 205 days of age (WW205), yearling weight at 365 days of age (YW365) and also dressing percentage (DP) (n=122) were investigated in this study. There were three genotypes (AA, AB, and BB) of the GH gene based on the PCR-RFLP analysis with allele frequency was 0.87 and 0.13 for A allele and B allele respectively. The highest genotype frequency in the SO cattle is AA (0.76) and the lowest is BB (0.02). The Heterozygosity Observed (Ho) value in the SO cattle population is 0.23 and Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) value is 0.20. Therefore, the genetic diversity in the SO cattle based on the GH gene polymorphism is quite low. There is no association (P>0.05) in BW, WW205, YW365, and DP with genotypes of the GH gene. As the result, the GH gene in this study cannot be used as a genetic marker in the SO cattle breeding program.

The g.422C>T nucleotide variations in the 5’ untranslated region (5’UTR) of TG gene (called as TG5) has been reported to be associated with level in intramuscular fat (IMF) content or marbling in beef cattle. The objective of this study was to confirm genetic polymorphism of TG5 gene in Bali cattle populations from three different regions as the main resources of Bali cattle in Indonesia. A total of 200 head of Bali cattle have been performed genotyping on TG5 gene using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment lenght polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and sequence analysis. Results of the study confirmed that TG5 was monomorphic in Bali cattle wherever their origin regions. Moreover, nine candidate SNPs were detected within 5’UTR of TG gene in Bali cattle compared to Genbank reference sequences, although no SNP variations among Bali cattle sample studied. The new other genetic markers within an entire TG gene suggested to be explored and verified for their polymorphisms in Bali cattle. The nine candidate SNPs were also required further verification and validation in a larger sample to be regarded as new SNPs between Bali cattle and Genbank reference sequences.

Selection of livestock was purposed to increase productivity. A performance test was conducted using 25 males and 25 females of Sumba Ongole (SO) cattle. The performance test were conducted in three periods (2014, 2015 and 2016) for about 535 days. Descriptive statistics ws used to analyze data of body weight. Cattle with age between 300 to 600 days were used for evaluation. Result showed that heritability value of yearling weight (YW365) was 0.77+0.68 as a high category. The highest breeding value of YW365 were 66.05 kg (male) and 41.89 kg (female). The average of corrected final weight (CFW) weight were 172.55+34.22 kg (male) and 159.80+37.73 kg (female). The performance test in this study obtained six A class (1 bull and 5 cows) based on the standard minimum of body measurements for SO cattle.

Bovine growth hormone receptor (bGHR) gene was one of the growth hormone family genes that important for body growth and development of cattle. This research was carried out to identify the polymorphism in the exon 10 of bGHR gene from 142 heads of Pasundan cows at West Java and its association with body length (BL), withers height (WH), heart girth (HG), and body weight (BW). There are two mutation points in the bGHR gene based on the sequencing analysis i.e. g.3322del.A and g.3338A>G. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at g.3338A>G was detected using PCR-RFLP method with AluI restriction enzyme and showed three genotypes of AA (0.49), AG (0.37), and GG (0.14). The allelic frequencies were 0.67 (A) and 0.33 (G). The number of allele effective (ne) value was 1.79 and described that A allele was the higher allele in the bGHR gene in this study. The polymorphic informative content (PIC) value was 0.34 and categorized as a moderate category. The Chi-square (χ2) analysis showed that the population sample was in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (χ2

An estimation of most probable producing ability (MPPA) value based on the calves performance is very important for the cow selection. The birth data record of 48 Sumba Ongole (SO) cows and record data from 52 callf birth’s performance were used to estimate the value of MPPA. High of r value (r > 0.30) was obtained at the body length (BL). Birth weight (BW), withers high (WH) and chest girth (CG) had a moderate value (0.10 < r < 0.30) of repeatability. The MPPA value of the cumulative calf birth’s performance of cows based on the highest birth records was 4.64 (cow number 3770) and the lowest was -4.64 (cow number 2283). Calf number B2076 (cow number 3586) had the highest ratio of WH (115.70); BL (124.26); CG (118.90), while the highest ratio of BW (168.35) was obtained in calf number B2095 (cow number 3731). It was concluded that the BW of birth had a moderate value of r (0.10) and could be used as a selection criteria accurately.

A study was conducted to identify the variations of the myostatin and also to evaluate the existence of genetic marker for “double muscling” (11-bp deletion in the third exon of the myostatin gene) in the first generation of Belgian Blue cattle in Indonesia using the Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) and the sequencing analysis. A total of 8 DNA samples belonged to Karya Anugerah Rumpin (KAR) Farm were used in the Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) and the sequencing analysis. There were 3 allele types of myostatin gene based on the SSCP analysis. The Belgian Blue sire has type A allele. The Simmental, Wagyu, SO x BX, Charolais, and the PO cattle have the type B allele, while the Belgian Blue x FH and the Belgian Blue x SO have the type C allele (heterozygous). There are 11-bp deletion in the third exon myostatin gene for the Belgian Blue sire based on the sequencing analysis. The myostatin gene in the Belgian Blue F1 generation individual was heterozygous. This study provides scientific evidence that the 11-bp deletion in the third exon of myostatin gene in the Belgian Blue sire was inherited to its F1 generation (male and female).

Changes of sperm heads morphometric and DNA integrity of freeze-dried bovine spermatozoa were investigated. Freeze-dried spermatozoa had stored in the refrigerator at 4°C for 2 years. Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) was used in this study to identify sperm head morphometry, while for DNA integrity analysis using acridine orange staining. Samples were smeared on glass slides, fixed for 2 h in acetic alcohol and stained with acridine orange solution. After staining, each slide was examined at x400 magnification in a fluorescence microscope with axio vision (Zeiss Company, Germany). Proportion of fluorescence red and green emissions of the sperm head were examined and scored. These results indicated that sperm head had enlarged significantly (P

Damage to cartilage causes a loss of type II collagen (Col-II) and glycosaminoglycans (GAG). To restore the original cartilage architecture, cell factors that stimulate Col-II and GAG production are needed. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and transcription factor SOX9are essential for the synthesis of cartilage matrix, chondrocyte proliferation, and phenotype maintenance. We evaluated the combined effect of IGF-I and SOX9 transgene expression on Col-II and GAG production by cultured human articular chondrocytes. Transient transfection and cotransfection were performed using two mammalian expression plasmids (pCMV-SPORT6), one for each transgene. At day 9 post-transfection, the chondrocytes that were over-expressing IGF-I/SOX9 showed 2-fold increased mRNA expression of the Col-II gene, as well as a 57% increase in Col-II protein, whereas type I collagen expression (Col-I) was decreased by 59.3% compared with controls. The production of GAG by these cells increased significantly compared with the controls at day 9 (3.3- vs 1.8-times, an increase of almost 83%). Thus, IGF-I/SOX9 cotransfected chondrocytes may be useful for cell-based articular cartilage therapies.

A study was conducted to assess the genetic characterization of the Sumba Ongole (SO) cattlebased on DNA microsatellites and also to study the potency of SO cattle based on carcass productivity.Blood samples were collected from 28 individual cattle and 12 microsatellite primers as recommendedby FAO were used to identify the genetic characterization of the SO cattle population. Data of carcassproductivity were collected from 506 individual cattle that slaughtered in Karawaci abattoir, Banten,Indonesia. The heterozygosity values of microsatellite loci ranged from 0.143 to 1.000 (mean 0.536).The highest PIC values was 0.814 (locus TGLA122), while the lowest was 0.280 (locus BM1818).Cattle in range of 351-475 kg slaughter weight was most slaughtered in year 2013 and 2014 with carcasspercentage ranged from 52.89% to 53.43%. The highest carcass percentage (56.34%) was obtained fromcattle in range of 626-650 kg slaughter weight while the lowest (51.42%) was obtained from cattle inrange of 250-275 kg slaughter weight. The results of genetic characterization showed that allmicrosatellite locus were highly polymorphic and highly informative for detecting the level of geneticdiversity in the SO cattle population. The results of carcass productivity showed that the SO cattle hasexcellent potential as beef cattle compare with other local breeds cattle in Indonesia.

The objective of this study was to determine the conception rate of Bali cattle synchronized andartificially inseminated with frozen thawed sexed-semen concomitant with its calves sex. Thisexperiment was conducted in two cattle farms in West Lombok Regency. Oestrus was synchronized witha single injection i.m. of 5 cc Lutalyse ® containing 25 mg of PGF 2α (Lutalyse, Sterile Solution,Pharmacia Animal Health). The observation was conducted in the responded cattle that artificiallyinseminated at once oestrus. Pregnancy diagnosis was conducted by rectal palpation at about day-90. InFarm 1, the conception rate (CR) of PGF 2α -treated and non-treated animals were 29/63 (46.03%) and71/75 (94.66%), respectively. However, in Farm 2 the corresponding values were 38/89 (42.70%) and10/23 (43.48%), respectively. CR in both farms were found being 100%. Sex concomitant rate forfemale calves born in Farm 1 was found being 94/100 (94.00%), whilst in Farm 2, sex concomitant ratefor male calves born was recorded to be 45/48 (93.75%). It was concluded that under farm conditionsoestrus synchronization using PGF 2α in conjunction with AI of frozen-thawed Bali sexed spermatozoamight be used with acceptable conception and calving rates that above 90 % concomitant with itsrespective calve-sex rates.

In the present study examined the influence of red fruit extract (RFE) on fertilization rate and development of mice embryos during the pre-implantation stage. The application of RFE dose 0 ml/head/day, 0.05 ml/head/day, and 0.1 ml/head/day for seven days were conducted to examine its influence at the level of fertilization, then the application of RFE was continued during 0-3 days stage of pregnancy (0 day of pregnancy is the formation of the vaginal plug). The super-ovulation of the white mice was done by injecting of 5 IU PMSG and hCG (48 hours after PMSG), folowed by mating the females with males with ratio 1:1. The single-cell-embryos were collected 20 hours after the injection of hCG. The eggs were then fixed and stained before examinating the normal fertilization of eggs (formation 2 pronucleus). The morula and blastocysts were collected 84 hours after injection of hCG. The influence of the RFE with dose 0.1 ml on normal fertilization rate (formation 2 PN), significantly higher (46.01%) compared with dose 0.05 ml (37.51%) and controlled (16.38%). However, the influence of RFE with dose of 0.05 ml and 0.1 ml on the growth of pre-implantation stage embryos may inhibit the growth of mice embryos during the pre-implantation stage in vivo.

Six antifungal agents at subinhibitory concentrations were used for investigating their ability to affect the growth and branching in Neurospora crassa. Among the antifungals herein used, the azole agent ketoconazole at 0.5 μg/ml inhibited radial growth more than fluconazole at 5.0 μg/ml while amphotericin B at 0.05 μg/ml was more effective than nystatin at 0.05 μg/ml. Morphological alterations in hyphae were observed in the presence of griseofulvin, ketoconazole and terbinafine at the established concentrations. The antifungal agents were more effective on vegetative growth than on conidial germination. Terbinafine markedly reduced growth unit length (GU) by 54.89%, and caused mycelia to become hyperbranched. In all cases, there was a high correlation between hyphal length and number of tips (r > 0.9). All our results showed highly significant differences by ANOVA, (p < 0.001, α = 0.05). Considering that the hyphal tip is the main interface between the fungus and its environment /through which enzymes and toxins are secreted and nutrients absorbed, it would not be desirable to obtain a hyperbranched mycelia with inefficient doses of antifungal drugs.Se investigó el efecto de seis agentes antimicóticos en concentraciones subinhibitorias sobre el crecimiento y la ramificación en Neurospora crassa. El agente azólico ketoconazol a la concentración de 0,5 μg/ml inhibió el crecimiento radial más que el fluconazol a 5,0 μg/ml, y la anfotericina B a 0,05 μg/ ml fue más eficiente que 0,05 μg/ml de nistatina, entre los agentes poliénicos usados. En presencia de griseofulvina, ketoconazol y terbinafina a las concentraciones establecidas se observaron alteraciones morfológicas en las hifas. Los agentes antimicóticos fueron más eficientes sobre el crecimiento vegetativo que sobre la germinación conidial. La terbinafina redujo marcadamente (54,89%) la longitud de la unidad de crecimiento y provocó la hiperramificación del micelio. En todos los casos, existió gran correlación entre la longitud y el número de ápices de las hifas (r > 0,9). Todos los resultados mostraron diferencias altamente significativas de acuerdo con ANOVA (p < 0,001, α = 0,05). Considerando que el ápice de la hifa es la principal interfase entre el hongo y su ambiente, a través de la cual las enzimas y las toxinas son secretadas y los nutrientes son absorbidos, un micelio hiperramificado resultante de dosis ineficientes de agentes antimicóticos sería perjudicial.

The aim of this study was to know the viability of embryo after fertilized in vitro with frozen separated sperm (sexing sperm). Eleven frozen embryos were transferred to six Bali cow and five FH cow recipients. Two Bali cow recipients were positively pregnant but only one born as male calf which was appropriate with sex of straw being inseminated (Y sperm). One FH cow recipient was also pregnant but aborted in 2.5 months of pregnancy. It was concluded that embryo resulted from in vitro fertilization (IVF) with sexing sperm could grow and develop to be a calf which was appropriate with the sex of straw inseminated.