Padjadjaran University (Indonesian: Universitas Padjadjaran, abbreviated as UNPAD) is an institution of higher learning located in Sumedang Regency and Bandung, which is the provincial capital of West Java, Indonesia. It was established on September 11, 1957.UNPAD has gained the most applicant and highest passing grade in National Selection of State University Entrance (SNMPTN) since 2013. In 2014, UNPAD was officially set as State University of Legal Entities and accredited "A" by BAN-PT. It also ranked as top ten universities in Indonesia by Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education in 2016. In the 2019 QS World Universities Ranking, UNPAD is ranked 4th in Indonesia and got in the range of rankings of 651-700th in the world.UNPAD was also one of the contributors to the venue for an important conference, the Asia-Africa Conference in 1955, where Bandung was appointed as the host. Therefore, the construction of its facilities is prevalent since then.
Oncom merah is a distinctive West Javanese fermented product containing diverse microorganisms, including acetic acid bacteria (AAB), such as Acetobacter senegalensis UNPADCC 02-8. To our knowledge, this study provides the first comprehensive phenotypic, metabolomic, and genomic characterization of A. senegalensis UNPADCC 02-8 isolated from oncom merah. Characterization was carried out through basic microscopy, physiology, the Kirby-Bauer antibiotic resistance test, organic acid profiling by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and whole-genome sequencing. The results showed that A. senegalensis UNPADCC 02-8 formed round, white-to-cream colonies, was Gram-negative and non-motile, growing optimally at 37 degrees C and pH 4.5, with tolerance of 4%-6% salinity. This strain was resistant to chloramphenicol, showing high sensitivity to amoxicillin and tetracycline, and intermediate to erythromycin. Metabolite profiling through GC-MS identified key compounds, including acetic acid, butanoic acid, propanedioic acid, and acetoin. Notably, genomic analysis revealed a robust defense mechanism, evidenced by the presence of multiple heat-shock genes supporting environmental stress tolerance, along with the identification of linocin M18 bacteriocin genes, which have not previously been reported in A. senegalensis isolated from traditional Indonesian fermented foods. Together with its organic acid production, these genomic features support the potential of A. senegalensis UNPADCC 02-8 for application in fermented food systems. However, the resistance profile required further safety evaluation before being used as a probiotic candidate or for other industrial applications.
Coconut testa is an abundant agro-industrial byproduct with potential as a functional aquafeed input. This study produced coconut testa lipid–mineral–organic (LMO) supplements by solid-state fermentation (SSF) using Neurospora sitophila alone or staged with Rhizopus oryzae and/or Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with selenium fortification (20 mg Na2SeO3/kg dry substrate). Fermented solids were fractionated into a lipid fraction (LF) and an organic–mineral concentrate (OMC), then recombined (LF:OMC = 9:1, w/w) to generate standardized reconstituted extracts (RE). RE yields were 152–166 g/kg DM, with 55.3–56.6
Toxic levels of heavy metals (HMs) and environmental contaminants pose severe dangers to health and the environment. Thus, concentrations of HMs across nine distinct species of fish (Spotted snakehead (SS; Channa punctata), Indian catfish (IC; Callichrus pabda), Tyangra (TG; Mystus cavasius), Yellow tail mullet (YM; Sicamugili cascasia), Panna croaker (PC; Panna microdon), Gora chela (GC; Securicula gora), Bombay duck (BD; Harpadon nehereus), Gangetic sillago (GS; Sillaginopsis panjus), and Chinese silvery pomfret (CP; Pampus chinensis)) gathered from the sea, rivers and ponds in the southern parts of Patuakhali district were assessed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The concentration pattern of HMs showed the following trend: Cr > Ni > Pb > Cd; nevertheless, all of these values were much below the FAO/WHO maximum levels (MLs). Sea fish contained slightly higher amounts of HMs compared to the river and pond species. The sea fishes had the highest single-factor pollution index (PI) and hazard quotients for Pb, Cr, and Ni. The single-factor Pollution index and hazard quotients for Pb, Cr, and Ni were greatest among saltwater fish. Children were projected to have the greatest hazard index (HI), which suggests concerning circumstances for this demographic group. Continuous monitoring of HMs status in fishes should be enforced throughout Bangladesh and those HMs need to be controlled to safe guard public health.
BACKGROUND Poor prognosis in patients with metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma (mPCa) may be due to the expression of stem cell-related genes. This study aimed to demonstrate the association between the expression of cancer stem cell markers and metastasis in patients with castration-naive mPCa. METHODS This cross-sectional, analytical study investigated a formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded prostate specimens from patients diagnosed in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. Patients aged >= 50 years old were grouped based on the extent of metastases (high-volume disease [HVD] and low-volume disease [LVD]). In each case, immunohistochemical staining for CD133, CD44, SOX2, and androgen receptor was performed and analyzed using H-score. All data were recorded and analyzed using SPSS software version 20.0. RESULTS A total of 61 patients were recruited from 2020 to 2023 and divided into the HVD (n = 38) and LVD (n = 23) groups, with a mean age of 67.9 years. 45 of the patients had International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade 5 disease, while 16 of them had grade <5. A significant difference of ISUP grade and PSA serum level was observed in the HVD versus LVD group (p = 0.017 and <0.001, respectively). Additionally, a significant association was found between SOX2 expression and metastatic extent. CONCLUSIONS The LVD group showed higher SOX2 expression in the primary tumor compared to the HVD group. Different SOX2 expressions in various sites and stages may be due to the cancer cells' systemic network.
Context: Cerebral hypoperfusion contributes to neurovascular injury and functional impairment. Morinda citrifolia L. fruits contain bioactive constituents associated with neuroprotective activity in several preclinical models. Aims: To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of an ethanolic extract of M. citrifolia fruits (EEMC) in a right common carotid artery occlusion (RCCAO)-induced cerebral hypoperfusion model in Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomized into six groups (n = 4/group): normal control; RCCAO + vehicle; RCCAO + acetylsalicylic acid (65 mg/kg BW); and RCCAO + EEMC (100, 200, or 400 mg/kg BW). Treatments were administered orally once daily for 14 days following permanent RCCAO. Motor performance was evaluated using the ladder-rung walking test, and serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels were measured on days 1, 7, and 14. Brain morphometry and histopathological changes were assessed on day 15. Results: RCCAO was associated with impaired motor performance and elevated serum MMP-9 levels. EEMC treatment, particularly at 400 mg/kg BW, significantly improved ladder-rung walking performance and reduced serum MMP-9 levels at day 14 compared with the ischemic control (p<0.05). Brain length, width, weight, and brain index were not significantly altered by treatment. Qualitative histopathological evaluation suggested reduced neuronal degeneration and infarct formation at selected brain levels (levels 2 and 3 of the brain transverse sections) in rats treated with higher doses of EEMC. Conclusions: EEMC administration was associated with improved motor performance, reduced serum MMP-9 levels, and attenuated histopathological alterations in RCCAO-subjected rats. These findings support the potential of M. citrifolia fruit extract as a complementary therapeutic candidate for cerebral hypoperfusion-related neurovascular injury; however, further studies incorporating quantitative and mechanistic endpoints are required to substantiate its neuroprotective effects.
