Investigation of chlamydophilosis from naturally infected cats

Background Chlamydophila felis, formerly known as Chlamydia psittaci var. felis, is frequently associated with ocular, respiratory, and occasionally reproduction tract infections. Even though the infection is sometimes asymptomatic, it potentially results in a latent immunosuppressive infection.ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify occurrences of feline chlamydophilosis, rarely reported in cats in Indonesia.MethodsThe observation was conducted in three cats with clinical signs of Cp. felis infection, particularly relapsing conjunctivitis. The cats'' histories were recorded based on owners'' information. Conjunctival swabs were sampled for cytology examination and molecular assay detection. A phylogenetic tree was generated using MEGA-X software to reveal group clustering. A post-mortem examination was performed on the cat that died during an examination.ResultsCp. felis was detected in both cytological examination and polymerase chain reaction assay. The phylogenetic tree demonstrated that the Cp. felis isolated in this study clustered with several other isolates from the other countries. Cp. felis can be isolated from cats with different clinical manifestations and levels of severity. The chronic fatal infection demonstrated interstitial broncho-pneumonia under histopathological examination.ConclusionsMolecular assay of Cp. felis is always recommended to obtain a definitive diagnosis of feline chlamydophilosis since the disease can have various clinical manifestations. Even though it may be subclinical and is often not fatal, an infected cat may be a carrier that could spread the pathogen in the surrounding environment. Serious disease management is suggested to avoid high costs associated with regularly relapsing disease.     

Prioritizing Underutilized Tree Species for Domestication in Smallholder Systems of West Java

This paper provides an overview of a tree species prioritization study of underutilized tree species in a participatory tree domestication program for smallholders in Indonesia. The study was conducted in three villages of Nanggung sub-district, Bogor district via farmer surveys, focus group discussion, SWOT analysis and evaluation of markets and germplasm sources. Five priority species were identified: Manglietia glauca, Parkia speciosa, Durio zibethinus, Gmelina arborea and Sandoricum koetjape. These species are promising components of agroforestry systems to enhance smallholder livelihoods and can grow under the low management conditions common in smallholder systems. They represent indigenous and exotic tree types that produce timber, fruit or spices within the domestication continuum. Furthering the domestication and utilization of these species requires the identification and dissemination of available germplasm sources, the dissemination of high-quality germplasm and the development of farmer-friendly propagation and tree management practices. Also, as with most smallholder systems, the marketing practices for the products of these five species require improvement, starting with the production of reliable quantities of high quality tree products.     

Isolation and characterization of antioxidant protein fractions from melinjo (Gnetum gnemon) seeds

The protein from the seeds of melinjo ( Gnetum gnemon ) was purified using a precipitation method and ion exchange chromatographic techniques to identify the potent antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. Two antioxidant protein fractions were isolated from G. gnemon seed with molecular weights of approximately 30 kDa (Gg-AOPI) and 12 kDa (Gg-AOPII) by SDS-PAGE. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of Gg-AOPII is Gly-Asn-Gly-Lys-Ala-Thr-Val-Ala-Ile-Leu-Val-Lys-Glu-Lys-Val-Glu-Tyr-Gly-Glu-Glu, and the result of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) analysis showed that they were distinct from each other; no protein in database matching was found to both Gg-AOPI and Gg-AOPII. The antioxidant or free radical scavenging activities of Gg-AOPs were investigated by employing in vitro assay systems including the inhibition of linoleic acid autoxidation, scavenging effect on α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl free radical (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), reducing power, chelating abilities of metal ions Cu(2+) and Fe(2+), and protections against hydroxyl radical-mediated DNA damages. The result showed that two protein fractions exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antioxidant activities against free radicals such as DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide anion and showed activities similar to those of glutathione (G-SH) and BHT in a linoleic acid emulsion assay system. Moreover, Gg-AOPI and Gg-AOPII also exhibited notable reducing power and strong chelating effect on Fe(2+) and protected hydroxyl radical induced oxidative DNA damage. The data obtained by the in vitro systems obviously established the antioxidant potency of Gg-AOPs.     

Change of K value and water state of yellowfin tuna Thunnus albacares meat stored in a wide temperature range (20°C to −84°C)

SUMMARY: The study on K value change at low temperature storage had been carried out down to a temperature of −40°C, however, there was no evidence about this reaction rate if the temperature were lowered below the storage temperature normally used especially for tuna meat (−60^oC). The rate of K value change ( k_f ) of yellowfin tuna ( Thunnus albacares ) meat was determined during storage at a wide temperature range (20°C to −84°C). The logarithm of K '(= 100 − K value) was used in this study and its plot against storage time yielded a straight line, which indicated an apparent first-order reaction for all temperature storage. Furthermore, physicochemical characterization of water in tuna muscle was carried out using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) at very low temperature. The temperature dependence of this reaction was analyzed by an Arrhenius's plot that resulted in two break points. The first break point occurring at freezing point might be due to the freeze effect. The second break point was at −10°C. The reaction rate change steeply declined at the temperature range of −70°C to −84°C, and was thought to be related to glass transition which may occur in the fish sample.     

Effect of Yucca schidigera with or without nisin on ruminal fermentation and microbial protein synthesis in sheep fed silage- and hay-based diets

A 4 × 6 Youden square design was used to study manipulating effect of Yucca schidigera with or without nisin on rumen fermentation characteristics and microbial protein synthesis in sheep fed silage‐ and hay‐based diets. Four ruminally canulated wethers were given isonitrogenous diets of timothy silage and concentrate (85:15) (S), and timothy hay and concentrate (60:40) (H), on DM basis. The six experimental diets were: (i) S; (ii) S + 240 ppm of Yucca schidigera (SY); (iii) S + 240 ppm of Yucca schidigera + 6 mg/kg bodyweight (BW)^0.75 of nisin (SYN); (iv) H; (v) H + 240 ppm of Yucca schidigera (HY); and (vi) H + 240 ppm of Yucca schidigera + 6 mg/kg BW^0.75 of nisin (HYN). Rumen pH was higher (P < 0.01) in sheep fed SYN diet than those fed S diet. Concentration of ammonia‐N (NH₃‐N) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in sheep fed SY, SYN, HY, HYN than those of S and H. Total volatile fatty acids concentration was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in HYN than in H diet and tended to be higher in sheep fed H diets than those fed S diets. There was a significantly higher (P < 0.01) efficiency of microbial nitrogen synthesis in the rumen of sheep fed on HY diet than those fed on H diet.     

Climate change effects on paddy field thermal environment and evapotranspiration

The effect of air temperature increase from meteorological data on thermal microenvironment of irrigated paddy field is simulated using energy balance model. Statistical test was used to determine the existence of the trend in temperature change of data from meteorological stations in Indonesia. The temperature was tested to have positive trend, and it was used to generate future and past increase of temperature for the simulation. According to the simulation, the change in energy balance occurs following additional heat contributed by the increase of air temperature. The results show that irrigated paddy field seems to have function of decreasing effect of temperature increase whereas, evapotranspiration increases. However, increasing air temperature also increases temperature in paddy system, but seems to be more moderate than in nonpaddy field.     

Productivity assessment of an intensive whiteleg shrimp Penaeus vannamei farm based on Powersim-simulated growth rates

The main objective of intensive whiteleg shrimp Penaeus vannamei cultivation is to obtain high productivity to meet market needs. One of the efforts to boost production is to provide optimal feeding to increase the shrimp growth rate. This study analyzes the productivity of an intensive shrimp farm using Powersim simulations based on specific growth rates (SGR) and average daily growth (ADG) to determine the resulting production criteria. The cultivation lasted for 90 days by stocking 16 grow-out ponds with post-larvae (PL10) at a density of 80 PL per m². Shrimp samples were weighed every 10 days after day-30 of culture until harvest. The average productivity obtained from this study was 8.86 t/ha/crop. According to our criteria, this productivity level was low, presumably, due to the low growth rate that may have resulted from low-quality larvae, sublethal nitrite concentrations, low survival rate, and high feed conversion ratio. The SGR-based and ADG-based simulations using Powersim Studio 10 Express confirm the low production, which does not meet the criteria for intensive farming. However, ADG-based simulation shows that the prolonged culture to 126 days results in higher shrimp production and productivity that fall into the lower level of the intensive system. This study also proposes production criteria and productivity ranges for whiteleg shrimp farming.

     

Preparation of Dried Culture of Probiotic Rhizopus oryzae in Two Different Mediums as Feed Additive to Indigenous Chicken

Fungus Rhizopus oryzae has a probiotic potential, but the potency is not yet explored. Probiotics are usually used as feed additive, including to the chicken. Probiotic needs a suitable medium for their life. The aim of the study was to know which preparations can produce suitable medium for the growth of Rhizopus oryzae on the dried culture formed. The study used two preparations. Preparation 1 （a） consisted of rice bran （1 kg） and culture ofRhizopus oryzae on Potato Dextrose Broth （PDB medium） （500 mL）; then preparation 1 （b） consisted of corn grain （1 kg） and culture of Rhizopus oryzae on PDB medium （500 mL）. Preparation 2 （a） consisted of rice bran （1 kg）, culture of Rhizopus oryzae on Potato Dextrose Agar （PDA medium） （seven petri dishes） and was added with sterile distilled water （500 mL）; preparation 2 （b） consisted of corn grain （1 kg）, culture of Rhizopus oryzae on PDA medium （seven petri dishes） and was added with sterile distilled water （500 mL）. The culture of Rhizopus oryzae even both on PDB and PDA were 3 d of incubation. All preparations were incubated for 7 d then they were dried under the sun. Parameter evaluation was the growth performance of the fungus in the dried culture media. The growth performance was analyzed by microscopic analysis and the number of colony of the fungi in the two dried culture media. The results showed that from the macroscopic analysis, the sample of both dried culture media which were placed on PDA medium showed the growth of mycelia and spores of the same kind of fungus and it was proved by microscopic observation that the fruiting bodies （mycelia and spores） of that ftmgus was Rhizopus oryzae. The colonies number of the fungi from preparation 1 （a） and 1 （b） were 0,4 × 10 cfu/gr and 2.4 × 10^3 cfu/gr, respectively, and from preparation 2 （a） and 2 （b） were 1.3 × 10^5 cfu/gr and 8.3 ×10^2 cfu/gr, respectively. It could be concluded that the product of the dried culture of probiotic     

Effects of Growing Environment on Properties of Starch from Five Australian Wheat Varieties

The effects of growing conditions on properties of starch from wheat grain were examined. Growing conditions affected starch and amylose content, granule size distribution, protein associated with starch granules, and starch swelling power in grains from five commercial Australian milling wheat varieties grown at multiple locations in two years in crop production systems. Soil nitrogen and meteorological conditions were major contributors to variability in grain yield and grain protein and starch contents. The volume proportion of B‐granules was positively affected by warmer temperatures before flowering but negatively correlated with high temperatures during grain filling. Genotype was the main source of variability in the proportion of B‐granules and granule dimensions, starch‐granule proteins, and starch swelling power, although there were also significant contributions to variability from the growing conditions. Seasonal effects and interactions between genotype and season and location were significant sources of variability in amylose content, proportion of short chains of amylopectin, and flour swelling power. The positive relationships between starch content and the number of clear days and atmospheric temperatures before flowering indicate that conditions that enhance accumulation of assimilates before anthesis influence the deposition of reserves in developing grain.     

Leaf blast disease reduction by rice-phyllosphere actinomycetes producing bioactive compounds

Fungal leaf blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is a devastating disease of rice plants that annually causes severe production losses worldwide and is one of the top 10 fungal diseases that threaten global food security. Thus, a reliable control strategy against this disease is essential. In this study, the antagonistic activity of indigenous phyllosphere actinomycetes was elucidated against P. oryzae in vitro and in planta to develop an efficient, effective and environmental friendly approach to protect rice plants against P. oryzae. Of 75 isolates of actinomycetes isolated from the rice phyllosphere, 18 isolates inhibited P. oryzae by >45%. According to analysis of their 16 S rRNA gene sequences, the majority of the 18 isolates belonged to Streptomyces genera; others were identified as belonging to Saccharothrix, Gordonia, or Lentzea. Isolates that potentially produced a bioactive compound(s) were identified among the 18 isolates: 17 isolates (94.44%) had a domain marker for nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) gene and 12 (66.67%) had type-I polyketide synthase (PKS) gene in their corresponding genome. Interestingly, isolates JSN1.9, SKB2.14, and SKB2.3 suppressed disease suppression by approximately 88%. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the application of rice-phyllosphere actinomycetes producing bioactive compounds to control leaf blast disease in Indonesia. Thus, these findings have escalated the potential application of phyllosphere actinomycetes as a supreme biocontrol agent against fungal leaf blast disease.