Makara Journal of Health Research
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The Prevalence of Antibiotic and Toothpaste Sensitivity found in Oral Streptococcal Isolates in Healthy Individuals in the Okada Community of Nigeria
No full textBackground: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, antibiotic, and toothpaste sensitivity of oral streptococcal isolates in healthy individuals in the Okada community of Nigeria. Methods: Oral samples were collected from 230 volunteers and were subjected to standard microbiological tests. Antibacterial sensitivity tests were carried out on the streptococcal isolates that were obtained using a disk diffusion technique, and eight kinds of toothpaste (A-H) were screened for their antibacterial effects on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Results: The prevalence of oral streptococci found in this study was 26.1% and the predominant species was S. salivarius (13.9%). S. salivarius was highly resistant to cloxacillin (100%) and Augmentin (96.9%), whilst resistance to gentamicin and erythromycin was low at 21.9% and 3.1% respectively. S. mutans were completely sensitive to gentamicin whilst resistance to erythromycin was 33.3%. The entire Streptococcus species showed the lowest resistance to erythromycin (20.0%), followed by gentamicin (31.7%). At 100 mg/mL all toothpaste samples had antibacterial effects on S. mutans. At 50 mg/mL all samples except toothpastes G and H inhibited the bacterium. Toothpastes A and E had the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration of 25 mg/mL. Conclusions: Toothpastes A and E were the most effective toothpastes of the eight assessed in this study
Hypertension as a Determining Factor in the Rupture of Intracranial Aneurysms, Diagnosed by 64-MDCT Angiography
No full textBackground: To determine a correlation between risk factors and the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 29 patients with a saccular intracranial aneurysm was obtained using consecutive sampling and examination of 64-MDCT angiography. Bivariate statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test was arranged using cross-tabulation to determine the correlation between each risk factor of age, sex, hypertension, and smoking with the occurrence of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Results: The highest incidence of ruptured intracranial aneurysms were in patients aged <60 years (70%), male (75%), experienced hypertension (85%), and were smokers (85.7%). Only the risk factor of hypertension had a correlation with the occurrence of a ruptured intracranial aneurysm (p < 0.05). The prevalence ratio of age and sex were 1.0 and 0.9, whereas hypertension and smoking were 2.6 and 1.3. Conclusions: The risk factor of hypertension leading to a ruptured intracranial aneurysm was 2.6 times higher than non-hypertensive patients, and as such hypertension is a risk factor associated with the occurrence of ruptured intracranial aneurysm
A Phenotypic Comparison between HIV Positive and HIV Negative Tuberculous Meningitis Patients
No full textBackground: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most common type of meningitis found in humans and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a major risk factor of TBM. This study aimed to identify phenotype differences, such as clinical manifestations, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings, and chest x-ray results between HIV positive and HIV negative TBM patients. Methods: This was a comparative analytical study of 123 TBM patients. The patients were divided into two groups based on their HIV status, and their phenotypes were compared. A retrospective cross sectional designed study was carried out in case report form using a TBM cohort and Rifampicin dose finding study in the neurological ward at the Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung, between January 2015 and August 2016. Categorical data was analysed using Chi square tests and the alternative Fisher’s Exact test and Mann-Whitney test was used for numerical data. P-values were significant if p < 0.05. Results: Of the phenotypic parameters, only the CSF results had statistical difference. HIV positive subjects had higher CSF to blood glucose ratios (0.42 vs. 0.18; p = 0.001) and fewer leukocyte cells (41 vs. 199; p < 0.001). Conclusions: CSF findings of TBM patients’ revealed differences between HIV positive and negative patients, whilst clinical manifestations and chest x-ray results showed no differences
The Relationship between Spirituality and Depression Among the Elderly in Indonesia
No full textBackground: Studies have shown that there is an association between spirituality and better physical and mental health. Depression has one of the highest prevalence amongst the mental health illnesses in the elderly, and it can lead to poor physical health. This study aims to determine the relationship between spirituality and depression. Methods: Data was obtained from the 4th Indonesian Family Life Survey, that was conducted in 2007; the total study sample included 3,103 elderly Indonesians. Logistic regression was performed to determine the relationship between spirituality and depression. Results: This study found that the prevalence of depression was 7.2%, with the largest proportion of those being ≥70 years, female, less educated, unemployed, elderly with multimorbidities, unmarried, and less spiritual. Logistic regression analysis showed a strong relationship between spirituality and depression (odds ratio= 1.869; 95% confidence interval; 1.422 to 2.458) after it was controlled for all variables. Conclusions: This study found that spirituality has a significant relationship with rates of depression. The government needs to develop a program that strengthens spirituality to improve mental health in the elderly
The Cholesterol Lowering Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) Root Extract in Male Rats
No full textBackground: To investigate the effect of Eurycoma longifolia Jack root extract on serum lipids in rats. Methods: Twenty-six mature male albino Wistar rats were used in this study. A group of 18 rats were fed a high fat and high cholesterol diet for 4 weeks, after which their lipid profile was compared to the control group, who were kept on a normal diet. The rats were then further divided into three groups, the Cf group that continued to feed on a high fat and cholesterol diet only, and group A and group B who continued on a high fat diet with the addition of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg of Eurycoma longifolia Jack root extract respectively for 4 weeks. After the 4 week period, the rat's lipid profiles were analysed again. Results: Group A and B showed significant total cholesterol reduction when compared to the Cf group, 140 ± 7.23, 139.63 ± 7.95, 192.14 ± 8.96 mg/dL respectively (p < 0.001). The total cholesterol/HDL ratio in group A was 5 however there was a sharp increase in group B to a high-risk level of 9.2 indicating a significant drop in HDL levels. The LDL level increased significantly in both group A and B compared to the Cf group. Conclusions: Eurycoma longifolia Jack root extract is effective in lowering total cholesterol, however the dose needs to be adjusted to prevent an excessive decrease in HDL levels
The Specifications and Ingredients Found in Commercially Available Toothpastes
No full textBackground: The aim of this study was to evaluate the specifications and ingredients of various commercially available toothpastes in Malaysia. Methods: Various toothpaste brand samples were collected from malls & pharmacies in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. Each brand was studied and information regarding the presence or absence of fluoride, the fluoride content, whether the fluoride content was displayed on the packaging, the type of fluoride present, and the country of manufacture was noted. Using this information, a comprehensive list of commercially available toothpastes in the Malaysian market was prepared. Results: the 57 toothpastes collected, 12.3% (n = 7) did not state their fluoride contents, 15.8% (n = 9) were non-fluoridated, and 72% (n = 41) were fluoridated. From the 41 fluoridated toothpastes, 80% specified the type of fluoride present, with 60% containing sodium monofluorophosphate and 40% containing sodium fluoride. Of the 41 fluoridated toothpastes, only 38% specified the parts per million of fluoride. Conclusions: There is lack of standardisation regarding the labelling specifications amongst various toothpastes on the Malaysian market. This standard needs to be identified and should include information regarding the type of fluoride, concentration of fluoride, country of manufacture, and other necessary specifications printed on the toothpaste packaging
The Effect of Flaxseed Ethanolic Extract on the Structure of the Kidney and the Endocrine Pancreas in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats
No full textBackground: The present investigation has been designed to study the possible protective effect of flaxseed extract on the structures of the endocrine pancreas and kidneys of streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats for 30 days. Methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into five groups (n=8). Normal control group (NC); received distilled water orally, normal flaxseed group (NF); treated orally with (400 mg/kg) extract of flaxseed, diabetic control group (DC); treated with single intraperitoneal dose of STZ (60 mg/kg), diabetic flaxseed group (DF); diabetic rats treated with extract of flaxseed (400 mg/kg), diabetic glibenclamide group (DG); diabetic rats treated with (0.6 mg/kg) glibenclamide. Results: Histological observation of sections in pancreas in DC group revealed shrunken islets of Langerhans with degenerated and degranulated β-cells, vacuolations and congested capillaries while sections of kidneys showed shrinkage of some glomeruli and degeneration of others with wide urinary space and hydropic degeneration in some tubular epithelial cells, dilated tubules and cell debris scattered in tubular lumina. These pathological changes were ameliorated in the flaxseed extract and glibenclamide treated rats. Conclusions: It is concluded that flaxseed extract may represent a good alternative treatment for management of diabetes and its related complications such as diabetic nephropathy
Socio-Economics of Childhood Pulmonary Tuberculosis with Adult Tuberculosis Household Contacts in Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta Province
No full textBackground: Since the tuberculosis (TB) disease in children constitutes a global health problem that has long been neglected, this study sought to predict socioeconomic factors as public-health determinants that could protect children who were exposed to TB in their household. Method: A case-control study of 132 children (under 14 years old) who shared their household with adults suffering from pulmonary TB was conducted in the Province of Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta. This study consisted of an interview and anthropometry measurement for the controls screening test, while the cases were monitored by pediatricians with a scoring system childhood TB diagnosis from the secondary hospital database. A multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the results. Results: A healthy housing condition, predicted by a naturally illuminated luminary bedroom prevented the incidence of the childhood TB disease (p = 0.043) even if exposed to adult TB in their environment (p = 0.775). Conclusions: Healthy housing factors with good sunlight protected children especially at the early stage, when there were active pulmonary TB adult household contacts. Ventilation and morning sunlight facilitated air circulation, vitality and the body’s immune system towards TB protection
Factors Associated with Choking During Meals; a Risk Indicator for Repetitive Fevers in The Elderly Community
No full textBackground: Choking during meals is a common symptom in the elderly, however the factors associated with it have not been fully clarified. In this study, we examined the factors associated with choking during meals. Methods: The oral health status and practices that promote oral health conditions was surveyed in 1305 community dwelling elderly using a self-administered questionnaire. Eight items including satisfaction with their oral condition, denture fit, chewing ability, tooth brushing frequency, dental visits, exercises to train muscles for chewing and swallowing, choking during meals, and repetitive fever were selected for analysis. Results: 25.1% of the subjects experienced choking during meals, which was significantly associated with repetitive fever occurrence. Differences in satisfaction levels with their oral condition, denture fit, chewing ability, and tooth brushing frequency were observed between groups with and without choking. Age, satisfaction level, and chewing ability were significantly associated with choking during meals. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that choking during meals is a risk indicator for repetitive fever in the elderly living in community settings. Poor chewing ability and dissatisfaction with their oral condition were risk factors associated with choking. These results suggest that training the elderly to eat efficiently and safely and improving oral conditions is necessary for those who suffer from choking during meals to prevent repetitive fever.  
Impacts of Impaired Vision and Eye Diseases on Vision-Related Quality of Life in Indonesia
No full textBackground: To determine the impacts of visual impairment and eye diseases on vision-related quality of life (QoL) in populations with severe visual impairment (SVI) and blindness in Indonesia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 134 respondents from, 5 different provinces, simultaneously with a validation study using data from the 2013 National Basic Health Survey. Participants aged ≥18 years with visual acuity of <6/60 underwent an ocular examination and guided interview. The impact of vision impairment related to their QoL was assessed using the NEI-VFQ 25 questionnaire. The scores were then compared between participants with blindness (<3/60) and participants with SVI (> 3/60 to < 5/60), and the causes of visual impairment. Results: Severe visual impairment and blindness were mostly found in productive aged females with lower education and income levels, and cataracts were the leading cause. Vision-related quality of life was lower in the blind group compared to the SVI group (p = 0.001). The impacts of visual impairment related mostly to distance activities (p = 0.007), social functions, and near activities (p = 0.002). NEI-VFQ 25 scores were lower in glaucoma respondents than cataract respondents. Conclusions: Results suggest that subjects with blindness had a lower total QoL score than those with SVI, in addition to the subscale scores. Furthermore, glaucoma disease had the lowest QoL score