Althea Medical Journal
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Antidiabetic Activity of Calcium Bentonite in Alloxan Monohydrate-induced Diabetic Wistar Rat Models
Get PDFBackground: Calcium bentonite is a natural clay that has the ability to absorb toxins and metabolite excess substances and often referred to as healing clay because it is used traditionally. This study aimed to determine the ability of local calcium bentonite to absorp high blood glucose..Methods: This study was an experimental study using 20 female Wistar rats and divided into two groups consisting of Group I (control group, n=10) and Group II (calcium bentonite group, n=10). Diabetes in rats was induced by alloxan monohydrate 150 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally. Examination of blood glucose was performed three times; in the beginning of study, 72 hours after alloxan monohydrate induction, and four days after the given interventions. Blood glucose levels in mean values were analyzed using t-independent test. Statistically significance was considered when p<0.05.Results: Oral calcium bentonite of 1g/kg body weight significantly lowered blood glucose level relatively to the control group with average value of 131.30 mg/dl (p=0.01).Conclusions: Calcium bentonite significantly lowers blood glucose levels. DOI: 10.15850/amj.v2n3.56
Role of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Preventing Diarrhea
Get PDF Background: Breast milk has protective factors for infants’ digestive tract. Infants are vulnerable to diseases, one of which is diarrhea. This cross-sectional study was designed to determine the relation between the proportion of diarrhea in infants and the administration of exclusive breastfeeding in Jatinangor.Methods: This study was an observational study. Data on mothers with 6 months old infants were collected from Jatinangor Primary Health Center (PHC) infant records. The inclusion criteria applied were infants born in April 2012, alive, and living in Jatinangor subdistrict. One hundred and seventy one infants were recorded in April of 2012 in the PHC data. Thirty five were excluded because they were not born in April 2012. Another 45 were excluded because they were not permanent residents of Jatinangor subdistrict, while 4 infants died, and 23 had incomplete data. Therefore, only 66 infants were included as study subjects. Those infants came from 12 villages in the subdistrict of Jatinangor. Data collection was then performed using a questionnaire to the parents during the period of 21–31 October 2012.Results: From 66 infants, the proportion of diarrhea was 66.7%. Only 27.3% of all infants received exclusive breastfeeding. There was a difference in the proportion of diarrhea between infants who were exclusively breastfed and those who were not. Exclusive breastfeeding also reduced the risk of diarrhea (OR= 0.26, 95% CI 0.08–0.83).Conclusions: There is a relation between the proportion of diarrhea in infants and exclusive breastfeeding in Jatinangor. Breastfeeding has a protective effect against diarrhea in infants.Keywords: Diarrhea, exclusive breastfeeding, infants DOI: 10.15850/amj.v2n1.436
Solanumnigrum L. as a Hepatoprotective Agent
Get PDF Background: Liver damage may be caused by various factors. SolanumnigrumL.fruit is known to contain flavonoid antioxidant which is responsible for its hepatoprotective effect. A study was conducted to determine the protective effect of Solanumnigrum L. fruit infusion (SNFI) on CCl4-induced hepatic cell damage in rats. Methods: A complete randomized experimental study was conducted on 25 male Wistar strain-white rats (Rattusnorvegicus) which were divided into five groups during the period of September– October 2012. Group I (negative control) was given standardized food and water; group II (positive control) was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) 10% paraffin intraperitoneally by 8 mL/kg body weight on the 8th day of the study; group III, IV, V (treated) were given Solanumnigrum L. fruit infusion (SNFI) by 22.5g/100mL, 45 g/100mL and 90g/100mL concentrations for 8 days, respectively, prior to CCl4 induction. The calculation of necrotic liver cells was performed in 48 hours after induction. Data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Mann-Whitney post-hoc test. Results: The percentage of necrosis liver cells in group III, IV, and V was smaller compared to the positive control group. The protective effect of SNFI against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity may be related to its ability to elevate the antioxidant agent in the body. There were significant differences in necrotic between Group II and group III, IV, V which were treated with SNFI. Conclusion: Further investigation is required to characterize the active ingredients and the mechanism of SNF action to confirm the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects.Keywords: CCl4, hepatoprotective, Solanumnigrum L.DOI: 10.15850/amj.v2n1.433
Physical Fitness Component Profiles of Futsal Team Members of Universitas Padjadjaran in November 2011
Get PDFBackground: To be a good athlete, an athlete needs to possess good predominant components of physical fitness. Futsal Team of Universitas Padjadjaran has never won any competition. This study was conducted to identify the predominant component profiles of physical fitness of Futsal Team members of Universitas Padjadjaran. The predominant component profiles were classified based on the Indonesian National Sport Committee (KONI) standard.Methods: This study was carried out at the Faculty of Medicine Student Center of Universitas Padjadjaran in November 2012. Twenty two members of the Futsal Team were enrolled as subjects of the study. The study used the step test to examine aerobic endurance; the leg dynamometer to measure leg muscle strength; the squat jump test to test the leg muscle endurance; the vertical jump test to measure leg muscle power; and the sit and reach test to measure lower extremity flexibility. The data collected were analyzed using percentage.Results: Leg muscle strength was mostly in the fair category (95%). Leg muscle power was mostly in the good category (41%). Leg muscle endurance was mostly in the good category (82%). Leg flexibility was mostly in the excellent category (91%) and aerobic endurance was mostly in the good category (41%).Conclusions: Only several members of Universitas Padjadjaran Futsal Team have an excellent physical fitness profile. Most of the members fell into the fair and good category. DOI: 10.15850/amj.v2n3.52
Familial Predisposition of Primary Dysmenorrhea among Senior High School Girl Students
Get PDFBackground: Dysmenorrhea is a common female reproductive problem in women of active reproductive agewhich is characterized by menstrual pain or cramps in a women’s lower abdomen or back. Dysmenorrhea can be classified into primary and secondary. One of the associated risk factor of primary dysmenorrhoeais the family history, however the study on the family history of primary dysmenorrhea with recurrent menstrual pain is limited. This study was conducted to identify the correlation between family history and primary dysmenorrhea in high school girls.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted at several senior high schools in Jatinangor from April−June 2013. One hundred and sixty two students were included in this study. The sample size was calculated based on the unpaired−dichotomous variable for the two−sided formula. A self administered questionnaire was distributed to the senior high school girl students who were in their menarche age, menstrual cycle characteristics, presence or absence of dysmenorrhea, severity of pain and presence dysmenorrhea in mothers and in sisters were inquired. Data were analyzed using chi square test.Results: Overall, there were association between positive family history and primary dysmenorrhea among the students with (p<0.001). The prevalence of dysmenorrhea in the students was 92.6% with 95% confidence interval which was 87.5−95.7%. The prevalence rate was 67.9% in mothers with 95% confidence interval which is 60.4−74.6% and 80.2% prevalence of primary dysmenorrhoea in sisters with 95% confidence interval which is 73.4−85.6%.Conclusions: There is a significant association between positive family history and primary dysmenorrhea.[AMJ.2015;2(4):579–83] DOI: 10.15850/amj.v2n4.64
Effect of Dates (Phoenix Dactilyfera L) on Male Infertility
Get PDF Background: Infertility can be caused by prolonged use of paracetamol that leads to a decrease in the sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. Dates (Phoenix Dactilyfera L) have natural antioxidant effects through several mechanisms, such as neutralizing free radicals, against NO, OH, and H2O2, and also preventing lipid peroxidation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of dates on sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. Methods: An experimental study was conducted in the Laboratory of Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, during October–November 2012. Twenty two infertile male wistar rats were divided randomly into 2 groups. Group A was given 72 mg paracetamol/rat/day orally and group B was given 72 mg paracetamol/rat/day orally and 80% dates infusion/rat/day orally for 28 days and on the 29th day, sperm concentration, motility, and morphology were measured. Results were analyzed using unpaired t-testor Mann Whitney test. Result: In the control group, 502.73(100.66) sperm concentrations were compared to 397.55(143.07) in the treatment group. However, the sperm concentration mean in the treatment group was not significantly decreased (p>0.05) compared to the control group. The percentage of progressive sperm motility in the treatment group increased significantly compared to the control group. Meanwhile, the percentage of nonprogressive immotal sperm morphology was not significantly decreased. The percentage of normal sperm in the treatment group increased significantly (p<0.05) than the control group, while the percentage of abnormal sperm in the treatment group decreased significantly (p<0.05) compared to the control group. Conclusion: The dates affect sperm motility and morphology of infertile rats.Keywords: Dates, infertility, paracetamol, sperm DOI: 10.15850/amj.v2n1.437
The Effect of Programmed Physical Exercise to Attention and Working Memory Score in Medical Students
Get PDFBackground: Attention and working memory are two cognitive domain crucial for activities of daily living. Physical exercise increases the level of BDNF, IGF-1, and VEGF which contributes in attention and working memory processes.This study was conducted to analyze improvement of attention and working memoryafter programmed physical exercise of Pendidikan Dasar XXI Atlas Medical Pioneer (Pendas XXI AMP).Methods: An analytic observational study was conducted on 47 students from Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran during September-November 2012. Attention was assessed using digit span backward test, stroop test, visual search task, and trail making test. Working memory was assessed using digit span forward test and digit symbol test. Assessment was done on the 11th and 19th week of Pendas XXI AMP. Data distribution was tested first using a test of normality, and then analyzed using T-Dependent Test and Wilcoxon TestResults: Significant improvement was noted for attention in males based on working time for stroop test (26.50±5.66 to 22.03±3.78 seconds), working memory in males based on digit symbol test score (43.96±6.14 to 53.36±5.26 points), attention in females based on reaction time of visual search task for target absent (0.92±0.07 to 0.87±0.07 seconds), and working memory in females based on digit span forward score (5.42±1.30 to 6.63±1.07 points) and digit symbol test score (42.47±5.95 to 53.84±5.33 points.Conclusions: Exercise in Pendas XXI AMP improves attention and working memory for college students in Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran. [AMJ.2015;2(1):291–97
Enteropathogenic Bacteria from Padang Food in Jatinangor September–October 2012
Get PDFBackground: Diarrhea is a food borne disease and still a major health problem in Indonesia. Padang foodis a popular cuisine and is exposed on an opened display, sometimes for many hours in room temperature,catering favorable conditions for bacterial growth. This study is undertaken to identify enteropathogenicbacteria on food in Padang restaurants located in Jatinangor, SumedangMethods: A laboratory study was conducted in the microbiology laboratory of the Department ofMicrobiology in the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, during September–October 2012. Sampleswere collected from 5 Padang restaurants located in Jatinangor using systematic random sampling. Fromeach restaurant, 4 wet samples were collected approximately 2–4 hours after being left open on the display shelves from sambal hijau, sambal merah, gulai babat and gulai nangka, cultured in tryptic soy broth (TSB) and incubated for 24 hours at 37 ºC, then inoculated in Mac Conkey agar and incubated for 24 hours at 37 ºC. Gram-staining was performed to identify gram-negative rods. The bacteria were put through biochemical tests.Results: Four species bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family were identified. The most frequent bacteria which was identified in the samples was Shigella sp (4 from 20), followed by Klebsiella pneumonia(3 from 20), Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas sp were less identified.Conclusions: Various Padang foods have potential risks of bacterial contamination due to the preparation,handling, and serving. It should be considered that the prepared food should be covered and placed in foodwarmers, ensuring warm food for hours. [AMJ.2015;2(1):241–44
Incidence of Herpes Zoster in relationship with Climate Factors from 2009 to 2011
Get PDFBackground: Herpes zoster, or shingles, is a skin or mucous infection caused by the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Seasonal pattern of herpes zoster incidence was reported in some countries, indicating that emergence of this disease was caused by the reactivation of latent Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) rather than new exposures to VZV. On the other hand, the VZV primary infection difference between tropical and temperate zones may have implications for virus reactivation as herpes zoster. The aim of this study was to identify the incidence of herpes zoster in Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung, West Java related to the change of rainfall, air temperature and humidity from 2009 to 2011.Methods: A descriptive retrospective study was carried out to 341 medical records of herpes zoster patients from Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung periode 2009 to 2011. Data on climate factors, i.e. rainfall, air temperature, and relative humidity, were obtained from the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency. The collected data were presented using tables and figures.Result: The highest number of herpes zoster cases occured during the period when the highest annually total rainfall and annually mean relative humidity occurred.Conclusions: The finding of this study shows that herpes zoster cases have the same pattern with the rainfall and relative humidity. These findings can inform better prevention of herpes zoster. However, further research is needed to get more comprehensive understanding on this relationship. DOI: 10.15850/amj.v2n3.59
Knowledge and Attitude of Senior High School Students in Jatinangor towards Sexually Transmitted Infections in 2013
Get PDFBackground: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are major health problem. Until today, the prevalence of STIs is still high and the incidence is increasing. Almost half of STIs new cases occur in adolescents andyoung adults. It is assumed that there is a positive correlation of knowledge about STIs with attitude and practices; therefore, giving proper information of STIs to adolescents could influence their safe sexual practices, and further, it can prevent STIs to occur. The objective of this study is to discover knowledge and attitude of senior high school students in Jatinangor towards STIs.Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Sekolah Menengah Atas Persatuan Guru Republik Indonesia (SMA PGRI) Jatinangor and Sekolah Menengah Atas Negeri (SMAN) Jatinangor from May to September 2013. Questionnaires were completed by 278 respondents selected by stratified cluster random sampling.Results: More than half respondents had poor knowledge about STIs (56.5%) while 53.2% of the respondents had positive attitude towards STIs. Most mentioned choices as the information source of STIs were teacher(66.5%), followed by television/radio (45.3%), friends (37.8%), newspaper/magazine (21.2%), mother (16.2%), sibling (7.2%), and father (6.5%). Conclusions: More detail information about STIs is needed by adolescents as a way to encourage safe sexual practices. Teacher and parents are expected to be the source information of STIs while mass media can alsobe used to educate adolescents. Education on STIs for teachers is also needed since they are as the main source for educating the adolescents. [AMJ.2015;2(4):568–74] DOI: 10.15850/amj.v2n4.65