Search

This study reports valuable information regarding the presence and concentration of a series of photoactive β‐carboline (βCs) alkaloids (norharmane, harmane, harmine, harmol, harmaline, and harmalol) and their distribution across the floral age and organs of Passiflora caerulea. UHPLC–MS/MS data reported herein reveal that the βCs' content ranged from 1 to 110 μg kg−1, depending on the floral organ and age. In certain physiologically relevant organs, such as anthers, βCs' content was one order of magnitude higher than in other organs, suggesting a special role for βCs in this specific organ. βCs' content also varied in a structure‐dependent manner. Alkaloids bearing a hydroxyl group at position C(7) of the main βC ring were present at concentrations one order of magnitude higher than other βC derivatives investigated. UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopy of the flower extracts provided complementary information regarding other biologically relevant groups of chromophores (phenolic/indolic derivatives, flavonoids/carotenes, and chlorophylls). Since flowers are constantly exposed to solar radiation, the presence of photoactive βCs in floral organs may have several (photo)biological implications that are further discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A subgroup of COVID-19 patients requires intensive respiratory care. The prolonged immobilization and aggressive treatments predispose these patients to develop intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW). Furthermore, this condition could increase the chance of positioning-related peripheral nerve injuries. On the basis of the latest literature review, we describe a case series of three patients with COVID-19 who developed ICUAW complicated by positioning-related peripheral nerve injuries Every patient presented sensorimotor axonal polyneuropathy and concomitant myopathy in electrophysiological studies. Furthermore, muscle MRI helped the diagnosis of ICUAW, showing massive damage predominantly in the proximal muscles. Notably, nerve ultrasound detected positioning-related peripheral nerve injuries, even though the concomitant ICUAW substantially masked their clinical features. During the acute phase of severe COVID-19 infection, most medical attention tends to be assigned to critical care management, and neuromuscular complications such as ICUAW and positioning-related peripheral nerve injuries could be underestimated. Hence, when starting post-ICU care for COVID-19 cases, the combination of electrophysiological and imaging studies will aid appropriate evaluation on the patients with COVID-19-related ICUAW.

This study aims to test the production of methane gas from forage swamps by ensilase as biogas plants. Treatment levels consisted of 3 treatments P1 (100% Kumpai tembaga grass (Hymenachne acutigluma)), P2 (50% Kumpai tembaga grass (Hymenachne acutigluma) + 50% Kemon air (Neptunia oleracea lour)), P3 (100% Kemon air (Neptunia Oleracea lour)) and 5 replications. The result of the diversity analysis showed that silage swamp silage ensilase process significantly (p

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the characteristic of biogas produced from the wastes of palm-oil solid fermentation processing, the assessment on its potential prospect was also studied. The wastes consist of the mixture of empty bunches, pericarp, and sludge. The mixing ratio in weight was 1.3: 1.2: 1.0 respectively. The conditions implemented in the fermentation process were temperature (55° C), and content of dry matters or substrate (i.e. mixture of empty bunches, pericarp, and sludge) in the fermentation digester (35 %). The fermentation was conducted either in batch or continuous system. The weight ratios between substrate and inoculum were consecutively 25 : 500, 50 : 500, 75 : 500, and 100 : 500. Results revealed that fermentation in the batch system at 25 : 500 ratio as such afforded biogas with the highest yield (145 ml per liter-hour) and the most intense degradation on the organic matters (32.3 % VS). meanwhile, the fermentation using continuous system at 25 : 500 brought out biogas with the highest production (1623.7 ml per liter-d). Keywords : Palm oil processing, wastes, fermentation, substrate, and inoculum.

Pine (Pinus merkusii Jungh et.de. Vriese) trees have an important role on related industries endeavoring in forest products, due to the widespread utlilization on their potential wood as well as gum matters. Production of pine gum can be affected by the manner of its tapping, kind and percentage of stimulant agent, age and diameter of trees. and genotype factors. Related as such, this investigation was intended lo evaluate the effect of pine tree diameters and stimulant percentage on productivity of pine tapping. In addition, this investigation was also to evaluate whether the tapping orientations (i.e. north­. east­, south­, and west­directions) affected the gum productivity. The main aim was to find out which tapping manner turned out to be the most efficient, the most economic and the safest either lo the trees or to the tapping worker themselves and end up with the optimum and continuity of pine gum production. The pine trees selected for this investigation were the ones growing in Sumedang region, West Java (Indonesia). Results revealed that age of pine trees significantly affecfed the gum production. Tree age of 16, 26 and 31 year old produced gum at 50.15 gr, 81.94 gr, and 9. l7 gr respectively per tree stand. Meanwhile productivity was also affected by tapping orientation, in which the east direcfion of tapping on 16­ year old pine tree at stimulant level of either 15% or 20% brought about the optimum productivity. Likewise, optimum production was obtained from 26­year old pine tree at 15% stimulant percentage with north­ as well as south­direction of tapping, and frorn the 31 year old pine free stands at 25% stimulant by west­direction tapping.

Temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Raxb), sebagai tanaman asli berasal dari pulau Jawa (Indonesia), telah banyak dimanfaatkan untuk obat-obatan tradisional dan industri kecil makanan dan minuman. Disamping itu, komoditi temulawak ini telah banyak pula diekspor ke luar negeri. Dalam pengolahannya menjadi produk temulawak bermanfaat, pengeringan merupakan salah satu tahapan yang diterapkan. Pengeringan ini biasanya dilakukan secara alami dengan memanfaatkan panas sinar matahari. Sayangnya cara ini memiliki beberapa kelemahan, seperti sukar diatur, dan mudah diserangjamur serta mengalami kontaminasi. Oleh sebab itu, adanya modifikasi cara pengeringan perlu dilaksanakan yaitu dengan menerapkan perlakuan pendahuluan perebusan atau pengukusan. Disamping itu adanya cara pengirisan temulawak juga dilaksanakan yang diharapkan dapat mempengaruhi efektifitas kedua perlakuan tersebut. Hasil memunjukan bahwa baik perebusan atau pengukusan cenderung meningkatkon kadar air, kadar pati dan zat sari larut air dibandingkan dengan tanpa kedua perlakuan tersebut . Selanjutnya pengirisan menghasilkan zat sari larut air yang lebih tinggi daripada tanpa pengirisan. Dilain hal adanya perlakuan perebusan atau pengukusan serta cara pengirisan tak berpengaruh secara nyata tehadap kadar abu, lemak, serat kasar dan protein. Adanya reaksi pewarnaan khusus yang positif memunjukan bahwa adanya zat berkhasiat dalam temulawak seperti pati dan minyak atsiri.

Kemiri (Aleuritus mollucana Willd) plants are widely distributed in the tropical and sub tropical regions. Meanwhile, kemiri plant grows vastly almost anywhere in Indonesia. Kemiri nut meg can be used not only as food-seasoning, ingredients but also as a traditional medicine. The kernel portion of kemiri nut has high nutrition and energy (calorific) values, and so does its oil. The nut, is the meat part after removing the kemiri thell, could is further produced oil after having undergone certains extractions process. Kemiri nut oil has such specific characteristics that being easily dried under open air. Therefore, this oil can be used as volatilizing agent in the manufactures of paint and varnish. In addition, the properties of kemiri nut oil are affected by its extraction methods and quality of its raw material (kemiri nut). In this regard, the study is conducted to learn the effect of cooking duration on the yield and physico-chemical propertiesof the resulting oil. The aim of this study is to find out the optimal cooking duration capable of producing oil with satisfactory qualities. The results reveal that increase in the cooking duration are affected significantly the yield, specific gravity, light transmittion, free fatty acid (FFA) content, and iod number of the oil. Cooking duration for 30 minutes turned out to give optimum condition with respect to oil properties, i.e. yield at 49,94%, iod number = 158.657; FFA = 1.1399; specific gravity = 0.9211, and transmittion = 70.43. Keywords : yield, physico-chemical properties, cooking duration.

Varnish is a combined liquid of resin oil, solvent, pigment, drying agent, and additives. The additives in this regard are those when applied on wood's surface can form a dry layer which is harder and firmly stick to the surface. In a effort to enhance damar utilization, an investigation has been conducted on varnish manufacturing of damar mata kucing of poor quality type. This investigation was intended to apply appropriate and more efficient methods of processing of varnish aimed at improving its quality and increasing commercial values as­well. Meanwhile, the target of this investigation was to get the varnish­processing methods with low cost of investment which facilitate its application in the damar producing sites more economical. The results of this investigation revealed that the processing methods, implemented by adopting formula 66,0/24,0 k; 65.5/24,5 s and 65,5/24,5 k; were capable of producing varnish with satis factory quality which comply with the requirement of ICI 's paint factory. The use of low quality damar mata kucing mixed with particular solvent composed of toluene and kerosene can contribute to the operation of a small­scale industries economically more feasible.

Sago tree (Metroxylon rumphii) is a potential source of starch and an important contributor of non timber forest products for foodstuff reserve because it has a high carbohydrate content particularly starch. The idea of converting sago starch into dextrin compound is to enhance wider use and increase the economic value of the this commodity. Dextrin has been known for its use as additives in textile industries, pulp/paper industries and pharmaceutical industries. A laboratory trial has been conducted to convert sago into dextrin harnessing the activities of particular enzymes. The aim of this trial was to figure out optimum condition of enzymatic 'sago-processing into satisfactory-quality dextrin, able to comply with the requirement of Indonesian National Standard (INS). The target is to obtain appropriate technology development in sago-derived dextrin. The result revealed that the optimum condition was obtained at substrate concentration of 25 percent with enzyme dosage at 0,9 gram per kg of substrate (dry-weight). In this condition, the dextrin solubility complies with the INS requirement; i.e 25 percent with enzyme dosage at 0,5 gram per kg of substrate (dry- weight).

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mempelajari pengaruh suhu dan waktu pemasakan biji kemiri terhadap sifat fisiko - kimia minyak kemiri, sehingga didapat kondisi pemasakan biji yang terbaik : Rancangan percobaan yang dipergunakan adalah Acak Lengkap Faktorial,yang terdiri dari dua faktor, yaitu suhu pemasakan (A) dan waktu pemasakan (B). Faktor A dalam 3 taraf yaitu 950C, 1050C, 1150C, sedangkan faktor B dalam 4 taraf yaitu 20, 30, 40, 50 menit. Hasil analisis keragaman menunjukkan bahwa suhu dan waktu pemasakan tidak memberikan pengaruh yang nyata terhadap rendemen, bobot jenis, indeks bias dan bilangan peroksida minyak kemiri. Waktu pemasakan berpengaruh nyata pada viskositas dan kadar asam lemak bebas, tetapi berpengaruh sangat nyata pada bilangan iod. Juga didapatkan bahwa suhu dan waktu pemasakan, serta interaksi kedua faktor berpengaruh sangat nyata pada bilangan penyabunan minyak kemiri. Interaksi kedua faktor hanya berpengaruh terhadap kejemihan (transmisi). Hasil menunjukkan bahwa rendemen minyak kemiri yang tinggi dengan sifat fisiko kimia yang baik diperoleh dari kombinasi suhu 950C dan waktu pemasakan 30 menit, yaitu 52,72 %, dengan sifat fisiko kimia yang dapat bersaing dengan minyak biji rami yaitu : bobot jenis 0,9268, indeks bias 1,4739, viskositas 50,37 cp, transmisi 79,30 %, kadar asam lemak bebas 1,6380%, bilangan iod 158,75, bilangan peroksida 1,1572 mg 02 per 100 gr, dan bilangan penyabunan 191.12. Altematif lain kombinasi suhu dan waktu pemasakan adalah pada suhu 105°C dan waktu pemasakan 20 menit.

A possible framework to characterize nervous system dynamics and its organization in conscious and unconscious states is introduced, derived from a high level perspective on the coordinated activity of brain cell ensembles. Some questions are best addressable in a global framework and here we build on past observations about the structure of configurations of brain networks in conscious and unconscious states and about neurophysiological results. Aiming to bind some results together into some sort of coherence with a central theme, the scenario that emerges underscores the crucial importance of the creation and dissipation of energy gradients in brain cellular ensembles resulting in maximization of the configurations in the functional connectivity among those networks that favor conscious awareness and healthy conditions. These considerations are then applied to indicate approaches that can be used to improve neuropathological syndromes.

BackgroundTumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) blockers are recognized as a risk factor for reactivation of granulomatous infections. Leishmaniasis has been associated with the use of these drugs, although few cases have been reported.MethodologyWe performed a retrospective observational study including patients with confirmed leishmaniasis acquired in the Mediterranean basin that were under TNF-α blockers therapy at the moment of the diagnosis. Patients diagnosed in our hospital from 2008 to 2018 were included. Moreover, a systematic review of the literature was performed and cases fulfilling the inclusion criteria were also included.Principal findingsForty-nine patients were analyzed including nine cases from our series. Twenty-seven (55.1%) cases were male and median age was 55 years. Twenty-five (51%) patients were under infliximab treatment, 20 (40.8%) were receiving adalimumab, 2 (4.1%) etanercept, one (2%) golimumab and one (2%) a non-specified TNF-α blocker. Regarding clinical presentation, 28 (57.1%) presented as cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), 16 (32.6%) as visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and 5 (10.2%) as mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL). All VL and MCL patients were treated with systemic therapies. Among CL patients, 13 (46.4%) were treated with a systemic drug (11 received L-AmB, one intramuscular antimonials and one miltefosine) while 14 (50%) patients were given local treatment (13 received intralesional pentavalent antimonials, and one excisional surgery). TNF-α blockers were interrupted in 32 patients (65.3%). After treatment 5 patients (10.2%) relapsed. Four patients with a CL (3 initially treated with local therapy maintaining TNF-α blockers and one treated with miltefosine) and one patient with VL treated with L-AmB maintaining TNF-α blockers.ConclusionsThis data supports the assumption that the blockage of TNF-α modifies clinical expression of leishmaniasis in endemic population modulating the expression of the disease leading to atypical presentations. According to the cases reported, the best treatment strategy would be a systemic drug and the discontinuation of the TNF-α blockers therapy until clinical resolution.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most frequent autoimmune disease involving the joints. Although anti-TNF therapies have proven effective in the management of RA, approximately one third of patients do not show a significant clinical response. The objective of this study was to identify new genetic variation associated with the clinical response to anti-TNF therapy in RA.Methods: We performed a sequential multi-omic analysis integrating different sources of molecular information. First, we extracted the RNA from synovial biopsies of 11 RA patients starting anti-TNF therapy to identify gene coexpression modules (GCMs) in the RA synovium. Second, we analyzed the transcriptomic association between each GCM and the clinical response to anti-TNF therapy. The clinical response was determined at week 14 using the EULAR criteria. Third, we analyzed the association between the GCMs and anti-TNF response at the genetic level. For this objective, we used genome-wide data from a cohort of 348 anti-TNF treated patients from Spain. The GCMs that were significantly associated with the anti-TNF response were then tested for validation in an independent cohort of 2,706 anti-TNF treated patients. Finally, the functional implication of the validated GCMs was evaluated via pathway and cell type epigenetic enrichment analyses.Results: A total of 149 GCMs were identified in the RA synovium. From these, 13 GCMs were found to be significantly associated with anti-TNF response (P < 0.05). At the genetic level, we detected two of the 13 GCMs to be significantly associated with the response to adalimumab (P = 0.0015) and infliximab (P = 0.021) in the Spain cohort. Using the independent cohort of RA patients, we replicated the association of the GCM associated with the response to adalimumab (P = 0.0019). The validated module was found to be significantly enriched for genes involved in the nucleotide metabolism (P = 2.41e-5) and epigenetic marks from immune cells, including CD4+ regulatory T cells (P = 0.041).Conclusions: These findings show the existence of a drug-specific genetic basis for anti-TNF response, thereby supporting treatment stratification in the search for response biomarkers in RA.