Bambang Tri Rahardjo

Different levels of IL-1α, IL-6, TNF-α, NF-κB and PPAR-γ in monocyte cultures exposed by plasma preeclampsia and normotensive pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE To determine different levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-6, TNF-α, nuclear NF-κB p50 and PPAR-γ in monocyte cultures exposed to normotensive pregnancy plasma compared with those exposed to preeclamptic plasma. Study design The study involved primigravidae with preeclampsia (12) and normotensive pregnancy (12) in which their blood plasma was given to monocyte cultures from isolated PBMC of healthy and non-pregnant women. They were divided into 2 groups, the first group was incubated for 24h and the second one was incubated for 48h (step 1). The levels of IL-1α, IL-6, TNF-α, and nuclear NF-κB p50 as well as PPAR-γ of both groups were subsequently measured and compared (step 2). Data were analyzed to determine the differences and interaction between both treatment groups using one-way ANOVA. RESULTS There was a significantly different level (p-value <0.05) of IL-1α in monocyte cultures incubated for 24h compared with those incubated for 48h, as shown in step 1 of the study. Meanwhile, step 2 of the study found significantly different levels of IL-1α, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB p50 in monocyte cultures exposed to preeclamptic plasma compared with those exposed to normotensive pregnancy, in which the latter showed higher levels. Both groups also showed decreased levels of PPARγ, in which monocyte culture exposed to severe preeclamptic plasma (p value <0.05). CONCLUSION Preeclamptic plasma significantly increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1a, IL-6, and TNF-a in monocyte cultures. This condition was consistent with the increasing of NF-κB p50 and decreasing of PPARγ.

Susceptibility of Maize Genotypes to Maize Weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

One possibility to protect the maize from storage pests is by developing genotypes that resistant to maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch). The research was aimed to evaluate the susceptibility of several maize genotypes including local variety to the maize weevil. Six genotypes i.e. SJA, G10-12-20, G10-1-3, G10-1-7, G10-1-20 and G10-1-17 and Tosari as local variety were used. No-choice assay under laboratory condition with observed variables was laid an egg and F1 progeny number, the median time of development and weight loss of infested kernel. The susceptibility index was assessed using Dobie’s susceptibility index. Results showed that the number of eggs laid by five females and infested samples weight loss were not significantly different between six maize genotypes as well as local variety. In contrast, the number of F1 progeny emerged was significantly different. Based on the susceptibility index, the maize genotype of G10-1-3 and G10-1-17 were resistant to the weevil. While other maize genotypes and local variety were considered as moderate resistant. Based on analysis of chemical and physical characteristic revealed that maize genotypes with higher of the total phenolic compound and physical hardness tend to resist from weevil damaged.