Makara Journal of Health Research
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The Antidiabetic Activity of Curry Leaves “Murraya Koenigii” on the Glucose Levels, Kidneys, and Islets of Langerhans of Rats with Streptozotocin Induced Diabetes
No full textBackground: The aims of this study were to explore the antihyperglycemic effect of curry leaves, Murraya koenigii "MK" aqueous extract, and to examine its possible protective effects on the islets of Langerhans and kidneys of streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Methods: Thirty healthy adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into five groups (n=6); normal control, normal treated with "MK" control, diabetic control (non-treated with "MK"), diabetic treated with 200 mg/kg MK aqueous leaf extract and diabetic treated with 400 mg/kg MK aqueous leaf extract. Blood glucose levels and body weight were monitored gravimetrically. The animals were sacrificed on the 30th day; the kidney and pancreatic tissues were processed for histological studies. Results: The diabetic group showed considerable loss of body weight and increase in blood glucose levels and degeneration of the glomeruli and renal convoluted tubules and atrophied islets with disintegration of β-cells. Treatment of diabetic rats with MK extract showed significant (p < 0.001) improvement in blood glucose levels and body weight gain. The MK extract also caused an improvement in tissue injury induced by STZ injection in the kidney and islets of Langerhans. Conclusions: These findings highlighted the beneficial effects of MK aqueous extract against cellular oxidative damage in STZ-induced diabetic rats
Psychological Distress and Sources of Stressors amongst Medical and Science Undergraduate Students in Malaysia
No full textBackground: This study aims to compare the prevalence of psychological distress between medical and science undergraduate students and to assess the sources of stressors that are attributing to it. Methods: A sample of 697 undergraduate students participated in this study, in which 501 were medical students and the remaining 196 were Science students. Psychological distress was assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. The students were given a list of possible sources of stress which were chosen depending on previous studies. Results: The overall prevalence of psychological distress was 32.6%. Science students showed a significantly higher rate and mean score of psychological distress than medical students, and the mean score was significantly higher during the clinical phase rather than the pre-clinical phase in medical students. Overall, female students had a significantly higher mean score than males, however although the mean score was higher in females it was only significant in the pre-clinical phase. In addition to academic and psychological stressors, factors such as reduced holidays, lack of time for relaxation, and limitation of leisure/entertainment time were among the top ten stressors reported by the students. Conclusions: Psychological distress is common among university students, and it is higher among science students than medical students. Academic and psychological factors can be considered as sources of stressors which may precipitate psychological distress among college students
Contraceptive Services Available to Unmarried Sexually Active Adolescents
No full textBackground: Low contraceptive use amongst unmarried sexually active young men and women presents an ethical dilemma in Indonesia, particularly in realising reproductive rights as a fundamental human right. This study aims to address the difficulties in extending access to family planning for unmarried sexually active youths. Methods: A review of the laws relating to the provision of family planning was combined with a secondary data analysis of the 2012 Indonesian Demographic Health Survey throughout 6 provinces on the island of Java. The sample population included 5,150 unmarried adolescents, aged 15 to 24 years. The 2012 Indonesian Demographic Health Survey was the first and only survey that included unmarried young women in Indonesia. The association between subjects who had 'ever had sex' and three groups of predictors (demographic characteristics, peer influences, and knowledge of contraceptive methods) were examined using multivariate logistic regressions. Results:Results of the study found that subjects who were unmarried but had engaged in sexual activity were more likely to be those aged 19 to 21 years (OR = 2.36) and 22 to 24 years (OR = 6.81), of low education status (OR = 2.1), with a boyfriend or girlfriend (OR = 2.38), and those who approved of pre-marital sex (OR = 8.5). Conclusions: Results from this research suggest that new interpretations of the Law 52/2009 regarding family planning and Law 36/2009 that prohibits health services to unmarried sexually active youths are required in order to address the issues faced by Indonesia's yout
Bionanomedicine: A “Panacea” In Medicine?
No full textRecent advances in nanotechnology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, and materials science have prompted novel developments in the field of nanomedicine. Enhancements in the theranostics, computational information, and management of diseases/disorders are desperately required. It may now be conceivable to accomplish checked improvements in both of these areas utilising nanomedicine. This scientific and concise review concentrates on the fundamentals and potential of nanomedicine, particularly nanoparticles and their advantages, nanoparticles for siRNA conveyance, nanopores, nanodots, nanotheragnostics, nanodrugs and targeting mechanisms, and aptamer nanomedicine. The combination of various scientific fields is quickening these improvements, and these interdisciplinary endeavours to have significant progressively outstretching influences on different fields of research. The capacities of nanomedicine are immense, and nanotechnology could give medicine a completely new standpoint
A Cross-Sectional Study of the Candidal Species Isolated in the Oral Cavities of Type II Diabetic Patients
No full textBackground: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and colonisation of Candida species and to study the factors related to candidal colonisation in the oral cavity among type II diabetic patients. Methods: The data of 102 diabetic patients was collected from the Outpatient Diabetic Clinic at the Naresuan University Hospital. Data was collected via a questionnaire and oral examination. The subjects were measured for their fasting blood sugar levels and salivary pH. Candida colonisation was assessed using saliva sampling, and was cultured on CHROMagar Candida plates. Species and colony forming unit/mL were recorded. Results: The results showed that the prevalence of oral Candida species in diabetic patients was 73.5%. The most frequent candidal species in diabetics were Candida albicans (68.6%), followed by C. glabrata (28.4%), C. tropicalis (10.8%), and C. krusei (2.0%) respectively. There was no statistical significance between the fasting plasma glucose levels and oral Candida species colonisation. Logistic regression showed that a decrease of the salivary pH was related to the colonisation of candidal species. Results showed that the use of a dental prosthesis was a related factor to the colonisation of candidal species (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A high prevalence of candidal species were found in type II diabetic patients. Salivary pH and use of a dental prosthesis are factors that promote candidal infections in type II diabetic patient
Rosette formation phenomena on patophysiology of malaria falciparum
No full textInfection of asexual stage of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum induce morphologic, functional and antigenic changes in their host erythrocyte membranes. The consequence of these changes is that infected erythrocyte develop the ability to sequester by binding to capyllary endothelial cells, venula and to uninfected erythrocyte is termed rosette formation. Recently, rosette formation be interesting phenomenon because it was presumed imprtant to phatogenesis of severe malaria such as cerebral malaria through sequesteration of parasite in microvasculature. Rossete formation is a binding mechanism between Plasmodium falciparum infected erythrocyte to the normal ones, which involve the role of parasite protein ligands such as PfEMP1 expressed on infected eythrocyte as surface antigen through DBL1-alfa domain that bind to CR-1 receptor and/or A-antigen on the uninfected erythrocyte as target cell. Taking into accounts that all strains of P. falciparum parasite could cause rosette formation, therefore information of rosette formation still needed such as site of sequesteration, identity receptors, haemodinamic enviroment of microvascular and domain mapping on rosette formation to elucidate the role of rosette formation in phatogenesis of severe malaria
Cytotoxic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Garcinia xanthochymus Extracts on Cell Lines
No full textBackground: Garcinia xanthochymus extract has been reported to have several pharmacological properties. This study was conducted to evaluate cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities of G. xanthochymus extracts on cell lines. Methods: The roots and stem barks of plant were extracted using maceration method with n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanol, successively. Cytotoxic activity of the extracts was tested against MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma using MTT assay. Anti-inflammatory study was evaluated using RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells. The nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated cells was measured using Griess reagent. Results: The results of cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory study showed that dichloromethane and n-hexane extracts of root and stem bark exhibited cytotoxic activity in dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, for anti-inflammatory study, all root extracts together with stem bark dichloromethane and n-hexane extracts reduce NO production in LPS-stimulated cells in dose dependent manner. Conclusions: This finding indicated that G. xanthochymus extracts might become interesting candidate for treatment of cancer and inflammation. 
Analysis Expression of ZIP1 and Caspase-3 Protein in Adenocarsinoma of the Prostate
No full textBackground: Carcinogenesis of adenocarcinoma of the prostate occurs due to dysregulation of zinc level within the cells. Intracellular zinc molecules influx is regulated by a transporter protein ZIP1, whose non-presence is predicted to inhibit apoptosis, thus leads to the development of prostate adenocarcinoma. Methods: This study was aimed to analyse the correlation of ZIP1 and Caspase-3 expression in prostate adenocarcinoma on its grading as represented by Gleason Score. This was a cross-sectional, retrospective analytical study on 31 Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue that meets inclusion criteria. The specimen was stained using the immune-histochemistry technique for ZIP1 and Caspase-3. Protein expression of each case was counted using ImageJ analysis. Gleason score was acquired as secondary data from the cases' reports. The correlation of their expression with respect to Gleason score was analysed with Pearson's correlation using SPSS 11.5. Results: Mean expression level of ZIP1 and Caspase-3 in prostate adenocarcinoma were 35% and 33%, respectively. There was a significantly positive correlation between ZIP1 and Caspase-3 expression (r=0.379; p=0.018). However, their correlation was stronger in intermediate-grade group (r=0.73; p=0.01) and the correlation was much weaker in high-grade group (r=0.04; p=0.48). Conclusions: There was a positive correlation between ZIP1 and Caspase-3 expression in prostate adenocarcinoma. 
The Effect of Squid Extract (Loligo Sp) on TNF-α and TGF-β1 Serum Levels during Wound Healing in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats
No full textBackground: Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic disease characterised by elevated levels of blood glucose known as hyperglycaemia. Diabetes is due to impaired insulin action in the metabolism of glucose and can result in impaired wound healing. Excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, an increased number of macrophages and neutrophils, and decreased levels of transforming growth factor - beta 1 (TGF-β1) serum can be characteristic of impaired wound healing. This study aims to determine the effects of squid extract on certain wound parameters such as levels of tumour necrosis factor - alpha (TNF-α), and TGF-β1 serum and the number of macrophages and neutrophils. Methods: This was a post-test only, randomized controlled group study that was conducted on male Wistar rats. Experimental animals were divided into 6 groups; (1) normal wound with standard diet, (2) diabetic wound with standard diet, (3) diabetic wound with chitosan supplement, (4) diabetic wound given squid extract orally once a day, (5) diabetic wound given squid extract orally twice a day, and (6) diabetic wound given squid extract orally once every two days. Levels of TNF-α and TGF-β1 serum were observed using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Haematocylin and eosin staining was used to observed macrophage and neutrophil counts. All data was analysed statistically by one-way analysis of variance. Results: TNF-α serum levels showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in subjects that received squid extract orally once every two days. The mean levels of TGF-β1 showed no significant differences. The mean number of macrophage cells showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in all treatment groups. The mean number of neutrophil cells also showed significant decrease (p < 0.05) in all treatment groups. Conclusions: Squid extract is effective in lowering the TNF-α serum levels and the number of macrophages and neutrophils cells in Wistar rats. However, there were insignificant findings on increasing levels of TGF-β1 serum. This data suggests that squid extract is most effective during the inflammatory phase of wound healing which takes places about 2-4 days after wound creation
Detection of Insecticide Resistance in Aedes Aegypti to Organophosphate in Pulogadung, East Jakarta
No full textDengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a major public health problem in Indonesia. Jakarta is a capital city with the highest number of dengue patients. Among sporadic endemic areas in Jakarta, Pulogadung, a district of East Jakarta, is one of endemic areas of this disease. The primary strategy for the control of DHF is based on reducing population densities of the main mosquito vector Aedes aegypti. Organophosphate is an insecticide that has been used for more than 25 years in dengue vector control program. The long term used and sublethal dosage of this insecticide can induce resistance. This laboratory study used microplate test and ELISA reader to determine the increase of alfa- esterase activity in Aedes aegypti larvae for detecting the resistance to organophosphate. Resistance pattern of Ae aegypti to organophosphate insecticide in RW 01 Pulogadung was shown to be: 23% high resistant, 33% medium resistant and 44% sensitive. This result was highly related to local community behavior where we found that the use of insecticide spray by the people was very low (8.8% of the sample). We found that the people who used insecticide spray were only 8.8% of the sample. Therefore, organophosphate still can be used in this area to control the Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever in the future. Based on resistance pattern of Ae aegypti to organophosphate insecticide in RW 01 Pulogadung, we can conclude that organophosphate still can be used in this area to control the Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever in the future