Walking and talking activities as nursing therapy for improving quality of life among older adults

Objective

The most prominent problem resulting from decreased body function in older adults is declining quality of life. Walking and talking among older adults in peer group may become a nursing therapy to improve their quality of life. The objective of this study was to identify the impact of walking and talking intervention of quality of life among community dwelling older adults in Depok, Indonesia.

Pharmacological aspects of fisetin

Over the past decades, epidemiological studies have concluded that a diet rich in plant-derived products plays a pivotal role in human health. Fisetin (3,3',4',...     

Age-related changes in growth hormone (GH)-releasing hormone and somatostatin neurons in the hypothalamus and in GH cells in the anterior pituitary of female mice

We have observed growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)-immunoreactive (ir) neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC), somatostatin (SS)-ir neurons in the periventricular nucleus (PeN), and pituitary growth hormone (GH)-ir cells in female C57BL/6J mice at 2 months old (2 M), 4, 12 and 23 M, using immunocytochemical and morphometric methods. The number of GHRH-ir neurons decreased with age. The number of SS-ir neurons increased from 2 to 4 M, but decreased after 4 M. The volume of the anterior pituitary and the number of adenohypophysial parenchymal cells fell from 12 to 23 M. The proportion of GH-ir cells decreased significantly from 2 to 4 M and decreased in number from 12 to 23 M as well as in size from 2 to 4 M and from 12 to 23 M. Our results show that both GHRH-ir neurons and SS-ir neurons are fewer in old female mice, but the ratio of the number of SS-ir neurons to GHRH-ir neurons increases in old females. We suggest that the fall in the number and size of GH-ir cells in the pituitary gland with age may be involved in the increase in the ratio of the number of SS-ir neurons to GHRH-ir neurons in the hypothalamus in female mice, as well as in males.     

Establishment of a practical enzymatic assay method for determination of isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase activity using high-performance liquid chromatography

BACKGROUND: Isovaleric acidemia (IVA) is one of the various target disorders for tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) newborn screening. In the diagnosis of IVA, no enzymatic assay method for isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (IVD) activity has been reported whereby the production of enoyl-CoA species was directly detected. We established a direct assay method to detect 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA (MC-CoA) production using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). METHODS: Isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase crude enzyme was prepared by sonicating lymphocytes in peripheral blood. Aliquots were incubated with isovaleryl-CoA, flavin adenine dinucleotide, and phenazine methosulfate. 3-Methylcrotonyl-CoA produced in the samples was separated by HPLC and detected using an ultraviolet spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The detection of MC-CoA was reproducible depending upon the concentration of the substrates, the incubation time, and the number of cells contained in the crude enzyme solution. We applied this assay to three patients diagnosed with IVA and showed that neither of them had detectable residual activity. Only a few hours were required from the initial blood sampling to the end of the assay. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that this method for detecting MC-CoA production, using HPLC, is a practical assay for determining IVD activity. It can be a useful confirmatory test for IVA cases detected through MS/MS screening of newborns.     

The role of PKK in the immunization programme

A mid term evaluation of the immunization programme had been carried out in East Java from November 27, 1987 to December 6, 1987. The team consisted of various multidisciplines comprising members of the WHO (3), the Department of Health (4) the Medical Faculty (1), the PKK group (1), and Bangdes. Data showed that the Posyandu, the Health Centres, Hospitals and private doctors contributed to the programme by 69%, 28%, 2% and 1% respectively. It was obvious that although not satisfactory, the Posyandu was by far the most committed, reflecting the role of the PKK group especially in terms of encouraging mothers to bring their children to the Posyandu. As one face facts of low educated mothers, mothers being trapped in their routine daily activities, or having had inconvenient medical experience, a low motivation towards immunization might be anticipated, which in turn leads to a low coverage of immunization. Taking into consideration of how the PKK group plays its role in the immunization programme, attempts made to improve knowledge on immunizable diseases and their measures for prevention would undoubtedly be an important means of support to gain the aim of immunization.     

Attitudes of agricultural scientists in Indonesia towards genetically modified foods

Conflicting arguments and partial truths on genetically modified (GM) foods have left confusion. Although studies of consumer acceptance of GM foods are numerous, the study of scientists is limited. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the attitudes of scientists towards GM foods. The study was a cross sectional study. A total of 400 scientists (involved in at least one of teaching, research and consultancy) in the Bogor Agricultural Institute, Indonesia were selected randomly from its faculties of agriculture, veterinary, fishery, animal husbandry, forestry, agricultural technology, mathematics and science, and the post graduate department. Data collection was done by face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire and self-administered questionnaire. The result showed that the majority (72.8%) of the respondents were favorably disposed towards GM foods, 14.8% were neutral, and only 12.5% were against them. The majority (78.3%) stated that they would try GM food if offered. Most (71%) reported that they were aware of the term "GM foods". Only half of the respondents felt that they had a basic understanding about GM foods. However, based on a knowledge test, 69.8% had a good knowledge score. Nearly 50% indicated that they were more exposed to news which supported GM foods. Over 90% said that there should be some form of labeling to distinguish food containing GM ingredients from non-GM foods. Attitudes were significantly associated with willingness to try GM foods if offered, restrictions on GM foods, and exposure to media reports about the pros and cons of GM foods.     

Isolation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteropine orthoreovirus</Emphasis> from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pteropus vampyrus</Emphasis> in Garut,Indonesia

Flying foxes belonging to the genus Pteropus are known to be reservoirs of zoonotic viruses. In this study, we describe the isolation of Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) from rectal swab samples of Pteropus vampyrus in Indonesia. PRV is an emerging zoonotic respiratory virus that can be transmitted from bats to humans. Rectal swabs (n?=?91) were screened by PCR for PRV and 10 (11%) were positive. Phylogenetic analysis based on nucleotide sequences indicated that the S2, S3, S4, M3, L2, and L3 segments of one isolate (Garut-69) were closely related to previously isolated strains in Indonesia. The remaining gene segments showed both similarity and genetic divergence with other PRV strains, suggesting that re-assortment events had occurred. This is the first report of PRV infection to P. vampyrus in West Java, Indonesia.     

The diagnostic performance of <Superscript>18</Superscript>F-FAMT PET and <Superscript>18</Superscript>F-FDG PET for malignancy detection: a meta-analysis

Background

This meta-analysis aims to compare the diagnostic performance of l-3-¹⁸F-α-methyl tyrosine (¹⁸F-FAMT) positron emission tomography (PET) and 2-deoxy-2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-d-glucose (¹⁸F-FDG) PET for malignancy detection.

Methods

The workflow of this study follows Cochrane Collaboration Guidelines of a systematic review of diagnostic test accuracy studies. An electronic search was performed for clinical diagnostic studies directly comparing ¹⁸F-FAMT and ¹⁸F-FDG PET for malignant tumors. Study quality, the risks of bias and sources of variation among studies were assessed using the QUADAS (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies) assessment tool. A separate meta-analysis was performed for diagnostic performance based on visual assessment and diagnostic cut-off values. Whenever possible, a bivariate random-effect model was used for analysis and pooling of diagnostic measures across studies.

Results

Electronic search revealed 56 peer-reviewed basic science investigations and clinical studies. Six eligible studies (272 patients) of various type of cancer were meta-analyzed. The ¹⁸F-FAMT diagnostic accuracy for malignancy was higher than ¹⁸F-FDG based on both visual assessment (diagnostic odd ratio (DOR): 8.90, 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.4, 32.5]) vs 4.63, 95% CI [1.8, 12.2], area under curve (AUC): 77.4% vs 72.8%) and diagnostic cut-off (DOR: 13.83, 95% CI [6.3, 30.6] vs 7.85, 95% CI [3.7, 16.8], AUC: 85.6% vs 80.2%), respectively. While the average sensitivity and specificity of ¹⁸F-FAMT and ¹⁸F-FDG based on visual assessment were similar, ¹⁸F-FAMT was significantly more specific than ¹⁸F-FDG (p?<?0.05) based on diagnostic cut-off values.

Conclusions

¹⁸F-FAMT is more specific for malignancy than ¹⁸F-FDG, while their sensitivity is comparable. ¹⁸F-FAMT PET is equal to ¹⁸F-FDG PET in diagnostic performance for malignancy detection in several cancer types.