Nodule formation in Rhizobium-legume symbiosis is negatively regulated by ethylene. Ethylene inhibitors such as L-α-(2-amino-ethoxyvinyl)-glycine (AVG) and silver ions (Ag+), the ethylene-insensitive sickle mutant, and transgenic plants were used to study ethylene-mediated responses in nodulation. The mode of action of ethylene inhibitors AVG and Ag+, and the skl mutation occur at different steps in ethylene biosynthesis and perception. Their effects on root growth and nodulation phenotypes, in particular nodule distribution along the primary root, were compared in this study. Ag+ and AVG treatments showed similar root growth responses to skl mutant. However, nodule distribution in the hypernodulating skl mutant is different from that of wild-type plants grown on either AVG or Ag+. AVG increased nodule numbers and widened the nodulation zone, while the skl mutant had an increased number of nodules within the susceptible zone of nodulation. Ag+ reduced nodule numbers, restricted the nodulation zone, and restored the nodulation phenotype of skl to that of the wild type.

Attempt to extend the biological nitrogen fixation to important crops such as rice has been conducted by isolating endophytic diazotrophs from rice rhizosphere and roots. In this study, three bacterial isolates of R2, R4, and E4 isolated from rice-legume rotation in the Nile Delta Egypt and four bacterial isolates of R38-O, R38-T, R53, and R58 isolated from wild rice in the Philippines were characterized using classical methods of bacterial identification and using biochemical test kits (API20E and API20NE). R2 and R4 isolates were identified as Rhizobium sp., E4 isolate was identified as Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii, and R38-T, R53, and R58 isolates were identified as Sphingomonas, Azospirillum, and Agrobacterium, respectively. Of all Rhizobium isolates, only E4 could form nodules on legumes other than their original host berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrum L.) as their original host.

Recently, field surveys were conducted in several orchid nurseries in Bogor (West Java), Magelang (Central Java) and Malang (East Java). We found that most of the commercially orchids sampled from Bogor was infected by virus-like disease. The symptoms depend on the orchid species. Thus, the symptoms varied such as mottle, mosaic and necrotic flecks either on the leaves or on the flowers. Similiar symptoms were not found in samples obtained from Central Java and East Java. A Tobamo-like virus was inferred to be possible cause of the viral disease-like symptoms. Serological test of the samples by ELISA showed positive against Odontoglosum Ringspot Virus (ORSV) antibody and was negative against Cymbidium Mosaic Virus (CyMV) antibody. Total RNA was extracted from symptomatic plants and RT-PCR was carried out by using a pair of coat protein (CP) gene primer of ORSV. It was successfully amplified a 500 bp of DNA fragment and it was directly sequenced. The nucleotide sequence of CP gene had confirmed the identity of ORSV. Phylogenetic analysis based on the CP nucleotide sequences were grouped into only one major cluster. The ORSV isolate from Bogor (Sd 21) and the other isolates were clustered in the same group and had highest nucleotide homology (99%). These results provide first evidence of ORSV infecting orchids in Bogor, Indonesia.

Estrone conjugate (E1C) and pregnanediol glucuronide (PdG) were predominant steroid metabolites of estrogen and progesterone in feces of most primates and could be used to evaluate ovarian function. These metabolites were determined along with records of genital swelling throughout 3-4 months period from three female Javan Gibbons (Hylobates moloch) maintained in pairing-typed cage at Schmutzer Primate Center, Jakarta (Ullah) and at Taman Margasatwa Taman Sari, Bandung (Donna and Citah). Following methanolic extraction of lyophilized fecal powder, samples were analyzed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for E1C and PdG. In all of the three females observed, both hormone profiles did not indicate any regular cycle of ovarian function even though genital swellings were sometimes observed. In one female (Donna) the hormone patterns showed clear signs of cycle irregularities with extended luteal phase of 40 days and erratic pattern of follicular phase. Of the other two females, no ovarian cycle was found. The data indicate that the fecal steroids analysis is a practical and valuable diagnostic tool for providing reliable information on ovarian function in Javan Gibbon. Factors affected reproductive hormonal profile should be taken in consideration in trying to achieve success in captive breeding program for this species.

Biological control of plant disease using antagonistic microorganism has been obtaining much attention and implemented for decades. One of the potential microorganisms used in this strategy is chitinolytic bacteria. Utilization of this bacteria ranges from cell life, enzymes, genes, or other metabolites. In this study, we examined the ability of chitinolytic bacteria as a biocontrol agent of Fusarium wilt of red chili (Capsicum annuum L.) seedlings. The ability of chitinolytic bacteria to suppress the disease was evaluated by soaking red chili seeds in the bacterial isolates solution for 30 minutes prior seedling. Percentage of seedling of treated chili seed at end of study (4-weeks) ranging from 46 to 82.14%. Relative reduction of the seedling damping-off was observed in all bacterial treatment ranged from 28.57 to 60.71%. Furthermore, manifestation of bacterial suppression to Fusarium wilt was also exhibited by increasing of seedling height (ranged from 7.33 to 7.87 cm compared to 6.88 cm) and dry-weight (ranged from 2.7 to 4.3 mg compared to 2.3 mg). However, no significant effect was observed in leaf number. Then, from all chitinolytic isolates tested, BK08 was the most potential candidate for biological control agent of Fusarium wilt in chili seedling.

An understanding of the underpinning physiology and biochemistry of animals is essential to properly understand the impact of anthropogenic changes and natural catastrophes upon the conservation of endangered species. An observation on the tissue location of the key respiratory protein, myoglobin, now opens up new opportunities for understanding how hypoxia tolerance impacts on diving lifestyle in turtles. The respiratory protein, myoglobin has functions other than oxygen binding which are involved in hypoxia tolerance, including metabolism of reactive oxygen species and of the vascular function by metabolism of nitric oxide. Our work aims to determine whether myoglobin expression in the green turtle exists in multiple non muscle tissues and to confirm the hypothesis that reptiles also have a distributed myoglobin expression which is linked to the hypoxiatolerant trait. This initial work in turtle hatch Chelonia mydas confirms the presence of myoglobin transcriptin brain, heart and liver tissues. Furthermore, it will serve as a tool for completing the sequence and generating an in situ hybridization probe for verifying of cell location in expressing tissues.

The status of antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) was reported decreased in the liver tissues of diabetic experimental Macaca fascicularis. This study observed effect of Mamordica charantia on the status of SOD in the liver and kidney of diabetic experimental rats. The SOD was localized using immunohistochemical technique. Male Wistar rats of negative control and diabetes mellitus (DM) group treated with 5 and 10% of M. charantia powder for 28 days. The DM condition was achieved by alloxan (110 mg/kg BW) induction. Charantia powder increased the status of antioxidant SOD in the liver and kidney of diabetic experimental rats. Aplication of M. charantia powder 10% gave better results than that of 5%. The results suggested that M. charantia powder can increase the status of antioxidant in the oxidative stress condition, such as diabetes mellitus.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play an important role in improvement of seed germination, root development, and water utilization by plants. These rhizobacteria can stimulate plant growth directly by producing growth hormones or indirectly by producing antifungal compounds/antibiotics to suppress phytopathogenic fungi. The objective of this research was to analyze the diversity of 22 antifungal-producing rhizobacteria of Bacillus sp. isolated from rhizosphere of soybean plant based on Amplified rDNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA) and 16S rRNA Sequence. Restriction enzymes in ARDRA analysis, HinfI, HaeIII, and RsaI were used to digest 22 16S rDNA amplified from Bacillus sp. genomes. Based on this analysis, genetic diversity of 22 Bacillus sp. producing antifungal compounds were classified into eight different groups. Moreover, six selected isolates randomly from each ARDRA group that have strong activity to suppress fungal growth were analyzed for their 16S rDNA sequences compared with reference strains. The distributions of these isolates were genetically diverse on several species of Bacillus sp. such as B. subtilis, B. cereus, and B. fusiformis. ARDRA is a reliable technique to analyze genetic diversity of Bacillus sp. community in the rhizosphere.

This study was to investigate the effect of macelignan on Porphyromonas gingivalis supernatant-induced uPA expression via regulating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and activating protein-1 (AP-1) signaling pathways in human oral epithelial KB cells using casein zymography, Western blotting, reverse transcription-PCR and reporter gene assays. Zymographic analysis of secreted enzymes identified the main caseinolytic band at 54 kDa. Macelignan inhibited the expression of uPA protein and mRNA, as well uPA secretion, in KB cells exposed to P. gingivalis supernatant. Consistent with these findings, macelignan suppressed phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N terminal kinase (JNK) in P. gingivalis supernatant-induced KB cells. The levels of c-Fos and phosphorylated c-Jun, which together form AP-1, the transcription factor that is involved in uPA gene expression, were partially reduced by macelignan. Macelignan also blocked P. gingivalis supernatant-induced AP-1 activity in these cells. These results suggest that macelignan decreased P. gingivalis supernatant-induced uPA expression by blocking AP-1 activity, which may be mediated by inhibition of phosphorylation of p38 and JNK in KB cells. Macelignan may potently use for the modulation of periodontal inflammation.

Hyperglicemic induces pancreatic cells to produce inadequate insulin. However, previous studies revealed that soy protein induce pancreatic cells to secrete insulin. Hence, this study was aimed to investigate effect of soy germed protein on the insulin and blood glucose level of type-2 diabetes mellitus with Zn enrichment. The research involved twenty four women that characterized with having more blood glucose level than normal, body mass index more than twenty three kg/m2, and age more than fourty years old. They were divided into three groups randomly, eight woman for each group. The first, second and third group were treated respectively with milk containing soy germed protein plus Zn, this product without Zn, and placebo, all for two months. Blood samples were taken at baseline, one and two months after observation. Results showed that two months after observation the insulin level increased from 194.79 to 519.82 pmol/ml (P = 0.033) in group consuming milk containing soy germed protein with or without Zn, supported by significantly reduced blood glucose level. This result might be correlated with the potency of isoflavones in soy germ protein to protect pancreatic beta cellsmembrane from free radicals attack. Therefore, this maintain the cells integrity and to secrete optimal insulin.