The effects of meliponicultural use of Tetragonula laeviceps on other bee pollinators and pollination efficacy of lemon.

The augmentation of pollination success in lemon (Citrus limon Eureka) flowers remains contingent on the involvement of bee pollinators. With wild bee pollinator populations declining in agroecosystems, meliponiculture has emerged as a potential option in Indonesia. This study aimed to investigate the effects of meliponicultural use of Tetragonula laeviceps on diversity, foraging behavior, and monthly population of bee pollinators, as well as lemon pollination efficacy with and without meliponiculture treatment during two periods. Using scan and focal sampling methods in first and second periods, the study found that the diversity of wild bee pollinators was six species (Apis cerana, Lasioglossum albescens, Megachile laticeps, Xylocopa confusa, Xylocopa latipes, and Xylocopa caerulea), and T. laeviceps when using meliponiculture. The relative abundance and daily foraging activity of wild bee pollinators were initially reduced in the first period (March-June) and then maintained in the second period (July-October). T. laeviceps foraged on the flowers, involving specific sequences for 72 s with highest visitation rate of 0.25 flowers/h from 10:00-13:00. Light intensity was observed to be the most influential factor for bee pollinator density. Pollination efficacy results showed that meliponiculture usage has greater benefit compared to meliponiculture absence across various parameters, including fruit sets, fruit weight, yield, and estimated productivity. The effects of meliponicultural use of T. laeviceps can enhance lemon pollination efficacy while preserving the diversity of wild insect pollinators. This suggests that meliponiculture stingless bees could be a beneficial practice in agroecosystems, especially in tropical regions where wild bee populations and diversity are declining.

Development of sperm cryopreservation protocol for patin buah, Pangasius nasutus.

The development of sperm cryopreservation for Pangasius nasutus is necessary in order to serve the growing demand of this species through artificial fertilization and the preservation of valuable strains of male broodstocks. In the present study, the basic protocol of sperm cryopreservation for P. nasutus was established by identifying the optimal conditions for optimum cryoprotectant, toxicity of cryoprotectants, extenders, freezing condition and dilution ratio. Methanol (MeOH) at 10% concentration had the best post-thaw motility (26.3 ± 0.9%) and curvilinear velocity (VCL) compared to dimethyl acetamide and dimethyl sulfoxide. MeOH was the least toxic cryoprotectant; sperm suspended in 5 and 10% MeOH maintained motility up to 50 min. No significant differences were detected between the three types of extenders tested (0.9% sodium chloride, Calcium-free Hanks' Balance salt solution and ringer solution). P. nasutus sperm had a narrow range of optimal cooling rate. Significantly higher post-thaw motility was identified when cooling at 9.23 °C min-1, obtained by freezing at height of 14 cm above liquid nitrogen vapor for 7 min, showing lower cooling rate is suitable for this species. However, when cooling below and above the optimal cooling rate, post-thaw motility dropped drastically. There were no significant differences among the dilution ratios investigated, indicating the volume of cryodiluent at all tested ratios (1:9, 1:19 and 1:49) was sufficient for the protection of cells during the cryopreservation process. The development of the protocol for cryopreserved P. nasutus sperm will assist artificial seed production and provide an important tool for genetic and breeding research.

Effects of pH and temperature on striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus juvenile: Data on growth performance and survival rate.

The growth performance and survival rates of juvenile striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, reared at various levels of pH and temperature were described in this article. Two rearing trials were conducted separately for pH and temperature where both trials lasted for 35 days. One hundred and twenty juveniles (1.5 ± 0.23 g) were randomly stocked into 12 rectangle glass aquariums (n = 10 fish/tank; three replicates per treatment) with 100 L of water for each trial. The treatment consisted of four different pH level (7.5, 8.0, 8.5 and 9.0) and four different temperature level (26 °C, 28 °C, 30 °C and 32 °C). The survival of fish was counted at the end of experiments, and the weight of the juvenile was measured once a week. The quantification of feed intake was determined through the measurement of the residual weight of the feeds after the feeding process. Upon the conclusion of the experiment, the data pertaining to weight and feed intake were utilized to calculate the specific growth rate (SGR) and food conversion ratio (FCR) as indicators of growth performance. Additionally, the number of live fish was employed to ascertain the survival rate. The data obtained from the calculation of SGR, FCR and survival rate were next subjected to a normality test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and a Tukey post-hoc test. The information in this article will help in the business, experimental, and personal usage for P. hypophthalmus juveniles rearing process.

Determination of productivity, yield and bioactivity of propolis extract produced by Tetragonula spp. Cultivated in Modular tetragonula hives.

This study investigated the effects of microclimate conditions on the activity of Tetragonula laeviceps, Tetragonula biroi, and Tetragonula drescheri cultivated in Modular Tetragonula Hives for producing crude propolis. The hives were equipped with sensors that recorded microclimate data within the hive as well as the total activity of bees entering and leaving the hives. This study also investigated the effects of cultivating T. laeviceps, T. drescheri, and T. biroi with P. merkusii resin towards the productivity of crude propolis and the effects of different extraction methods on the yield, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antibacterial activity of propolis extract produced by the Tetragonula spp. Based on the statistical analysis, there is a significant positive correlation between temperature and light intensity towards the activity Tetragonula spp. entering and leaving the beehives. The productivity of crude propolis lies in the range of 1.22-5.88 g/colony/week whereas the yield of propolis extract varies from 15.12 to 24.17%. The total phenolic and flavonoid content of the propolis extract lies in the range of 123.81-343.93 mg GAE/g and 5.48-35.77 mg QE/g, respectively. The highest propolis yield (32.45 ± 0.90%) was obtained from the crude propolis produced by T. drescheri followed by Soxhlet extraction method. Propolis extract with the highest phenolic content (343.93 ± 44.32 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid content (35.77 ± 9.94 mg QE/g) was obtained from the propolis produced by T. laeviceps followed by maceration method. All the propolis extracts inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus with the inhibition diameter varies from 6.58 ± 0.04 mm to 9.70 ± 0.7 mm which be considered as moderate antimicrobial activity.

Enhancing Reproductive Performance of Freshwater Finfish Species through Dietary Lipids.

Dietary lipid manipulation in the feed of commercially cultured finfish is used not only to improve production and culture but also to enhance their reproductive performances. The inclusion of lipid in broodstock diet positively affects growth, immunological responses, gonadogenesis, and larval survival. In this review, existing literature on the importance of freshwater finfish species to aquaculture and the inclusion of dietary lipid compounds in freshwater fish feed to accelerate the reproduction rate is being summarized and discussed. Although lipid compounds have been confirmed to improve reproductive performance, only a few members of the most economically important species have reaped benefits from quantitative and qualitative lipid studies. There is a knowledge gap on the effective inclusion and utilization of dietary lipids on gonad maturation, fecundity, fertilization, egg morphology, hatching rate, and consequently, larval quality contributing to the survival and good performance of freshwater fish culture. This review provides a baseline for potential future research for optimizing dietary lipid inclusion in freshwater broodstock diets.

Treatment of Monteggia-like-lesion in a young patient: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: A Monteggia fracture was described initially as a fracture of the proximal third ulna and anterior dislocation of the proximal epiphysis radius.[1] In 1967, Bado discovered "true Monteggia lesions" and classified them into 4 groups.[2] He also used the term "equivalents" or "Monteggia-like-lesions" to describe specific injuries with similar radiographic patterns.[3] This type of fracture is rare and frequently associated with complications, poor functional results, and further operations.[4]. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 16-year-old girl was admitted to our emergency department after a single motorcycle accident. Her main complaint was the pain and swollen of her left elbow. She was reluctant to move her arm due to pain. DIAGNOSIS: Radiograph examination showed a displaced fracture of the left proximal third ulna accompanied by displacement of the left proximal radius. This fracture was similar to the Monteggia type III fracture except for proximal radial disruption that occurred laterally through a Salter-Harris type II fracture. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent surgical debridement, and the forearm was immobilized using a backslap in a supine position and elbow flexion 90o. Open reduction and internal fixation were performed 5 days later. The ulna was reduced and stabilized first using a 3.5 mm one-third tubular plate (ORMED), and internal fixation of the radial epiphysis was done using a 1.6 mm miniplate (Prohealth). OUTCOMES: After 3 months, the patient showed improvement with the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) of 85. She did not complain of any pain and decreased strength. The patient regained 0 to 125o of elbow flexion and 0 to 165o of supination and pronation. CONCLUSION: Monteggia-like-lesion has many variations in physical and radiograph appearance. Careful evaluation of fracture pattern, identification of injury mechanism, and appropriate treatment planning based on Monteggia fracture treatment principles are mandatory to achieve the patient's best outcome.

Sexual dimorphism of Malaysian Mahseer, Tor tambroides broodstock reared in captivity: Morphometric measurements dataset.

Despite having high economical value and declining wild population, the aquaculture of the Malaysian mahseer (Tor tambroides) is still way behind. Crucial information such as on its sexual dimorphism is scarce thus making its broodstock management in captivity challenging. The first step in studying fish sexual dimorphism is by observing and identifying the morphological differences between each sex. Thus, this article collected and described morphometric measurements data of broodstock reared in captive conditions. The broodstock were reared and raised in captivity for five years since they were bought from a local commercial supplier while they were five-inch fingerlings. Seven conventional and 21 Truss network morphometric measurements were taken from 27 male (TL: 53.88 ± 2.86 cm; W: 1.82 ± 0.23 kg) and 27 female (TL: 53.97 ± 3.62 cm; W: 1.86 ± 0.35 kg) T. tambroides broodstocks using digital image analysis. Photograph of the fish broodstocks were captured and the morphometric measurements were conducted using imageJ freeware. Statistical analysis was later conducted on the morphometric data to identify the morphological differences between the broodstocks. This dataset will not only aid the sex identification of this species but also in stock population studies thus accelerating the development of T. tambroides aquaculture while improving its conservation efforts.

Production of propolis and honey from Tetragonula laeviceps cultivated in Modular Tetragonula Hives.

Propolis and honey produced by stingless bees are regarded as high economic value products due to their bioactive components, which are significantly influenced by conditions at the cultivation location. This study investigated the effect of cultivation location on the amount and quality of propolis and honey produced by Tetragonula laeviceps cultivated in Modular Tetragonula Hives. Fifteen bee colonies were cultivated for at least three months in coffee plantations at two different locations, namely Cibodas and Cileunyi Wetan, Indonesia. The propolis was harvested from the hives and then evaluated to compare product quality from each location. The average production of propolis in both locations was found to lie in the range of 4.26-4.54 g/colony/month with a flavonoid content of 11.4-14.8 mg/g qE. Meanwhile, the average production of honey in both locations after eight months of cultivation was found to lie in the range of 0.93-1.44 g/colony/month. The vitamin C content of the honey obtained from both locations was 17.2-69.5 mg/100 g with an IC50 of 1188-1341 mg/L, in terms of its ability to inhibit the free radical 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. This study shows that cultivation of stingless bees on a coffee plantation in the studied locations has the potential to provide sustainable production of propolis and honey from T. laeviceps.

Migration of K-wire into the cavum pleura after the reduction of acromioclavicular dislocation, a case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: The use of K-wire (Kirschner wire) in acromioclavicular dislocation was the first trans-articular fixation technique to be described. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 40-years-old man was presented to the emergency room (ER) with shortness of breath. He had a history of acromioclavicular dislocation two years ago, which had been treated using two K-wires and tension band wiring. The plain x-ray revealed left side pneumothorax with K-wire migrated into the left hemithorax. CT scan showed that K-wire migrated into the posterior cavum pleura. A chest tube was then inserted, and the removal of K-wire was performed using thoracoscopic assisted surgery followed by the removal of the remaining K-wire in the left shoulder. Three days post-surgery, the chest tube was removed, and the patient was discharged from the hospital. DISCUSSION: This technique is easy and cheap, but it can cause lethal complications. K-wire can migrate into the area of vital organs, including the liver, heart, neck lung subclavian artery, and aorta. CONCLUSION: K-Wire should be used cautiously for treating upper extremity injury, especially acromioclavicular dislocation, due to its lethal complications. This method is outdated and should be restricted as much as possible.

Fermentation of coffee pulp using indigenous lactic acid bacteria with simultaneous aeration to produce cascara with a high antioxidant activity.

Coffee pulp which is a by-product of coffee production contains considerable amounts of phenolic compounds that can be valorised to produce cascara as an antioxidant beverage. The fermentation and drying conditions of the coffee pulp have a great influence on the bioactive compounds in the cascara. This study aimed to investigate the effect of natural fermentation with simultaneous aeration on the phenolic content and antioxidant activity of cascara. A systematic study was carried out using a response surface methodology with a face-centered central composite design to determine the effect of fermentation time (0-8 h) and temperature (27-37 °C) on the number of bacteria in the coffee pulp after natural fermentation with simultaneous aeration (an air flowrate of 4 m/s) as well as phenolic content and antioxidant activity of cascara. The experimental dataset was modelled with an empirical model using multi-variable non-linear regression. A good agreement between model and experimental data was obtained. At the optimum conditions (4.2 h, 31.8 °C), the phenolic content was 6.72% whereas the antioxidant activity was 27.6%. Indigenous lactic acid bacteria were also isolated from the coffee pulp and determined as Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides. The isolated bacteria can be used as a starter for controlled fermentation of coffee pulp as it increased the antioxidant activity up to 15% higher than the antioxidant activity of cascara obtained at the optimum conditions for natural fermentation with simultaneous aeration and 30% higher from the fresh coffee pulp.

Validity and Reliability of the Indonesian Version of the Kujala Score for Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The Kujala score is a useful diagnostic tool to evaluate patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). However, no validated Indonesian version of the Kujala score has been available. PURPOSE: To develop and validate an Indonesian version of the Kujala score. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study to develop an Indonesian version of the Kujala score by using a forward-backward translation protocol. The resulting questionnaire was given to 51 patients diagnosed with PFPS. The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated by correlating the final score with the Indonesian version of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Reliability was measured by evaluating the internal consistency (Cronbach alpha) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]). RESULTS: The Indonesian version of the Kujala score had a positive correlation with the physical components of the SF-36. The internal consistency was fairly high (α = .74), and the test-retest reliability was excellent (ICC, 0.996). CONCLUSION: The Indonesian version of the Kujala score was proven to be a valid and reliable tool to diagnose PFPS. Future epidemiological studies could implement this score to find the prevalence of PFPS in Indonesia. Further, ensuing studies could explore the application of this scoring system in posttreatment and postoperative settings.

Multiple osteochondromas of the cervical spine, a potential cause of radiculopathy in the elderly: A case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Osteochondroma is the most prevalent type of bone tumour, often arising in the long bones. Most are found in the third decade of life, and rarely in the axial skeleton of elderly patients. This case report aims to highlight the possibility of this differential diagnosis in an elderly patient with symptoms of radiculopathy, aside from degenerative cause. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 76-years-old woman presented to the authors' hospital with complaints of pain and numbness of the left suboccipital and preauricular region. There was hypoesthesia of left C2 and C3 dermatome without any signs of myelopathy. CT-scan and MRI showed an expansile bone lesion from the posterior arch of C1 and lamina of C2. The patient underwent laminectomy of C1 and hemilaminectomy of C2. Postoperative histopathologic examination showed the features of osteochondroma. Radiologic follow-up after nine months showed no sign of recurrence. After eighteen months, the patient was ambulatory with complaints of fingers numbness and moderate neck pain. DISCUSSION: Osteochondroma usually arises in long bone metaphysis. This lesion normally ceases to grow with growth plate closure, but other findings suggest it may continue to grow beyond skeletal maturity. About 29.5% of all osteochondroma of the spine would cause radiculopathy, and 27% would cause myelopathy. The cervical spine osteochondroma is usually treated by en bloc resection through posterior approach. CONCLUSION: Osteochondroma of the cervical spine in the elderly is rare. However, this diagnosis could be considered as a possible cause of radiculopathy in this age group aside from other degenerative causes.

Production of protein hydrolysate containing antioxidant activity from Hermetia illucens.

Protein hydrolysate is a complex mixture of peptide and amino acids that can be produced from various biomass sources including insects, such as black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illicens) due to its relatively high protein content. This study aimed to investigate the potential of protein hydrolysate from black soldier fly larvae as a bioactive hydrolysate through enzymatic hydrolysis using bromelain. Black soldier fly larvae contain 25.6% protein and 35.5% lipids as determined by a proximate analysis. Experiments for the enzymatic hydrolysis of black soldier fly larvae was designed using a central composite design with three factors particularly enzyme concentration (1-5%), pH (6-8) and time of hydrolysis (3-24 hours). The protein hydrolysate had a yield of 10.70 % (on a weight basis) based on defatted biomass with a productivity of 21 mg/L/batch. The protein concentration varied between 240-310 µg/ml with the degree of hydrolysis varied in the range of 10-43%. The protein hydrolysate had a molecular weight in the range of 14-25 kDa based on Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis. The amino acid composition of the protein hydrolysate was also determined and mainly consists of lysine (8.0%), leucine (7.7%), and valine (7.2%). The protein hydrolysate may find application as a bioactive hydrolysate with an antioxidant activity of 72.6 in terms of its ability to inhibit free radicals 2,2-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl with IC50 of 0.84%.

Process Intensification of Enzymatic Fatty Acid Butyl Ester Synthesis Using a Continuous Centrifugal Contactor Separator.

Fatty acid butyl esters were synthesized from sunflower oil with 1-butanol using a homogeneous Rhizomucor miehei lipase in a biphasic organic (triglyceride, 1-butanol, hexane)- water (with enzyme) system in a continuous setup consisting of a cascade of a stirred tank reactor and a continuous centrifugal contactor separator (CCCS), the latter being used for integrated reaction and liquid-liquid separation. A fatty acid butyl ester yield up to 93% was obtained in the cascade when operated in a once-through mode. The cascade was run for 8 h without operational issues. Enzyme recycling was studied by reintroduction of the water phase from the CCCS outlet to the stirred tank reactor. Product yield decreased over time to an average of 50% of the initial value, likely due to accumulation of 1-butanol in water phase, loss of enzyme due to agglomeration, and the formation of a separate enzyme layer.