Prenatal X-irradiation increases GFAP- and calbindin D28k-immunoreactivity in the medial subdivision of the nucleus of solitary tract in the rat

Glial fibrillary acidic protein- (GFAP) and calbindin D28k-immunoreactivity (IR) were investigated in the medial subdivision of the nucleus of the solitary tract (mNST) of prenatally X-irradiated rats. Pregnant rats were exposed to a single whole-body X-irradiation on day 11 or 16 of gestation at a dose of 1. 3 Gy. The offspring were killed at 7-14 days of age for the immunohistochemical observations. Rat pups showed strong GFAP-IR at the level rostral to the obex when receiving X-rays on day 11 of gestation, with hypertrophy of astrocyte cell bodies and cytoplasmic processes, but weak GFAP-IR when receiving X-rays on day 16 of gestation. Calbindin D28k-IR was stronger in the animals receiving X-rays on day 11 or 16 of gestation compared to that in the control animals. In the present study, the increase of GFAP- and calbindin D28k-IR cells in the mNST might indicate that adaptative mechanisms are taking place to preserve integrated nervous system function and possibly, to provide neuroprotection.     

Antioxidant Activity and Cytotoxicity of the Traditional Indonesian Medicine Tahongai (Kleinhovia hospita L.) Extract

We investigated the leaves of Kleinhovia hospita, a plant which has been traditionally used in Indonesia as phytotherapy to cure liver disease, to describe antioxidant materials from plant sources. K. hospita leaves were extracted with methanol and further partitioned into n-hexane, diethyl ether, and ethyl acetate. The antioxidant activity of each fraction and the residue was assessed using a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method and their cytotoxicity on HepG2 liver cancer cells was determined by a MTT assay. The K. hospita leaf methanol extract showed strong antioxidant activity (96%) compared with vitamin C (98%) by the DPPH method and the measured activity from the subsequent extracts of the methanol extract were 48.9% for n-hexane, 74.0% for diethyl ether, 84.3% for ethyl acetate, and 77.1% for the residue. The MTT assay showed the cytotoxicity of the methanol extract on HepG2 cells at 14%, 76%, and 80% at concentrations of 50μg/mL, 87.5μg/mL, and 125μg/mL, respectively. Leaf extracts of the medicinal plant K. hospita showed potent antioxidant activity and moderate cytotoxicity on HepG2 liver cancer cells.     

Laser tattoo removal: Fundamental principles and practical approach

Tattoos have long become a part of human civilization. However, as the number of people who get tattoos increases, so is the number of people who wish to have their tattoos removed. Compared to other methods, laser‐based devices are associated with the best efficacy and least side effects in tattoo removal. Lack of understanding of the fundamental principles of laser and managing its parameters may result in suboptimal result and increased risk of side effects. Recognizing and mastering multiple factors including skin types, nature and color of tattoos, and proper selection of laser parameters such as wavelength, fluence, and pulse, are central in achieving an optimal tattoo removal outcome. This review provides a comprehensive overview on the fundamental principle of laser and practical approaches in tattoo removal.     

Hepatitis B virus subgenotypes and basal core promoter mutations in Indonesia

AIM： To identify the distribution of hepatitis B virus （HBV） subgenotype and basal core promoter （BCP） mutations among patients with HBV-associated liver disease in Indonesia.
METHODS： Patients with chronic hepatitis （CH, n =61）, liver cirrhosis （LC, n = 62）, and hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC, n = 48） were included in this study. HBV subgenotype was identified based on S or preS gene sequence, and mutations in the HBx gene including the overlapping BCP region were examined by direct sequencing.
RESULTS： HBV genotype B （subgenotypes B2, B3, B4, 85 and B7） the major genotype in the samples, accounted for 75.4%, 71.0% and 75.0% of CH, LC and HCC patients, respectively, while the genotype C （subgenotypes C1, C2 and C3） was detected in 24.6%, 29.0%, and 25.0% of CH, LC, and HCC patients, respectively. Subgenotypes B3 （84.9%） and C1 （82.2%） were the main subgenotype in HBV genotype B and C, respectively. Serotype adw2 （84.9%） and adrq＋ （89.4%） were the most prevalent in HBV genotype B and C, respectively. Double mutation （A1762T/G1764A） in the BCP was significantly higher in LC （59.7%） and HCC （54.2%） than in CH （19.7%）, suggesting that this mutation was associated with severity of liver disease. The T1753V was also higher in LC （46.8%）, but lower in HCC （22.9%） and CH （18.0%）, suggesting that this mutation may be an indicator of cirrhosis.
CONCLUSION： HBV genotype B/B3 and C/C1 are the major genotypes in Indonesia. Mutations in BCP, such as A1762T/G1764A and T1753V, might have an association with manifestations of liver disease.     

Antidermatophyte and antimelanogenesis compound from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eleutherine americana</Emphasis> grown in Indonesia

An active compound from the bulb of Eleutherine americana L. Merr. (Iridaceae) collected from East Kalimantan, Indonesia, was tested for its antidermatophyte and antimelanogenesis activity. Antifungal assay-directed fractionation of the n-hexane-soluble fraction of the methanolic extract of the bulb of E. americana led to the isolation of 1 as an active compound. The compound was identified as the naphthoquinone eleutherin by EI-MS and ¹H-, ¹³C-, and two-dimensional NMR analyses. Antidermatophyte assay of 1 at concentrations of 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 μg/disk and myconazole, a commercial antidermatophyte, at 10 μg/disk displayed 7, 8, 13, 16, 17, and 14 mm of inhibition zone against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, respectively. In a melanin formation inhibition assay, compound 1 displayed potent antimelanogenesis activity at 5 ppm with low toxicity compared with arbutin, a commercial skin-whitening agent. The results showed the high potential of 1, an active compound from E. americana, to be applied as an antidermatophyte and antimelanogenesis agent.     

The green synthesis of a palm empty fruit bunch-derived sulfonated carbon acid catalyst and its performance for cassava peel starch hydrolysis

A sulfonated carbon acid catalyst (C–SO₃H) was successfully generated from palm empty fruit bunch (PEFB) carbon via hydrothermal sulfonation via the addition of hydroxyethylsulfonic acid and citric acid. The C–SO₃H catalyst was identified as containing 1.75 mmol g⁻¹ of acid and 40.2% sulphur. The surface morphology of C–SO₃H shows pores on its surface and the crystalline index (CrI) of PEFB was decreased to 63.8% due to the change structure as it became carbon. The surface area of the carbon was increased significantly from 11.5 to 239.65 m² g⁻¹ after sulfonation via hydrothermal treatment. The identification of –SO₃H, COOH and –OH functional groups was achieved using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The optimal catalytic activity of C–SO₃H was achieved via hydrolysis reaction with a yield of 60.4% of total reducing sugar (TRS) using concentrations of 5% (w/v) of both C–SO₃H and cassava peel starch at 100 °C for 1 h. The stability of C–SO₃H shows good performance over five repeated uses, making it a good potential candidate as a green and sulfonated solid acid catalyst for use in a wide range of applications.

A sulfonated carbon acid catalyst (C–SO₃H) was successfully generated from palm empty fruit bunch (PEFB) carbon via hydrothermal sulfonation via the addition of hydroxyethylsulfonic acid and citric acid.     

Biological activity and phytochemical analysis of three Indonesian medicinal plants, Murraya koenigii, Syzygium polyanthum and Zingiber purpurea

Extracts of Indonesian medicinal plants, Murraya koenigii, Syzygium polyanthum, and Zingiber purpurea were investigated for their biological activity. The presence of phytochemicals, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were investigated. Parts of M. koenigii, S. polyanthum, and Z. purpurea were extracted with ethanol. The extracts were evaluated for antimicrobial activity using the disc diffusion method, while antioxidant activity was determined with a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay. Cytotoxicity was investigated using the brine shrimp lethality test, and phytochemical screening was performed using a standard method. M. koenigii leaf extract exhibited the most activity in the test microorganism activity index (AI), 0.38-1.25, when compared with standard drugs. S. polyanthum ripened fruit displayed significant antioxidant activity (90%) in comparison to ascorbic acid (95%). Z. purpurea rhizome extract possessed the highest cytotoxic effect with a LC(50) of 52 μg/mL. Phytochemical analysis revealed that carbohydrate, tannin, alkaloid, steroid, triterpenoid, and flavonoid were present in the extracts of M. koenigii leaves and twigs, S. polyanthum leaves and ripened and unripe fruits, and Z. purpurea rhizome, while saponin was only present in the S. polyanthum ripened fruit extract. Our work revealed that the M. koenigii leaves, S. polyanthum ripened fruit, and Z. purpurea rhizome extracts have potential as sources of new antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic compounds, respectively.     

Impact of Stunting on Development of Children between 1–3 Years of Age

BackgroundStunting occurs due to chronic malnutrition and is a major problem for children in developing countries. It is important to evaluate the impact of stunting on the development of children. This study aimed to investigate the impact of stunting on the development of children between 1–3 years of age.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2020 to March 2021 in Surabaya, Indonesia. A questionnaire and growth assessment were done, following the development measurement to stunted and non-stunted children who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Development was measured by the Denver Developmental Screening Test II (DDST-II), and Cognitive Adaptive Test/Clinical Linguistic & Auditory Milestone (CAT/CLAMS) scales.ResultsThree hundred children are included in this study, consisting of 150 stunted and 150 non-stunted children. Stunted children had a higher risk to be suspected of delayed development compared to non-stunted children. The Crude Odd Ratio was 2.98, 4.24, 4.75 with the p-value 0.006, 0.001. and 0.001 respectively. The Adjusted Odd Ratio was 0.34, 0.24, 0.21 with p-value of 0.008, 0.001, and 0.001 respectively.ConclusionStunting is associated with suspected development delay among children 1–3 years of age. Initiatives related to prevention need to be established and nutrition advice needs to be provided.     

CYP2A6 gene polymorphism and severity of coronary atherosclerosis in Indonesian male smokers: A pilot study

Nicotine is a toxic alkaloid known to be responsible for the addictive feature of cigarettes. CYP2A6 genetic polymorphism among individuals was suspected to explain the relationship between cigarette smoking and related diseases. CYP2A6 works to slow nicotine metabolism and thus maintain a more prolonged nicotine concentration and increase nicotine exposure to the blood. We aimed to investigate the correlation between the CYP2A6 gene with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis. This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to July 2010 in Makassar Cardiac Centre, Dr Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital, Indonesia. Sixty-four male active smokers at the age of ≥45 years, diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD), were recruited and asked to smoke the usual number of cigarettes in the last 1 month prior to blood collection for CYP2A6 genotyping. Spearman correlation was performed to analyze the association between the allele variants and coronary stenosis degree, adjusted for CAD risk factors. Furthermore, we estimated the risk ratio to quantify the correlation. Of the 64 male smokers with CAD, the mean duration of smoking was 36.9 ± 8.6 years, and 49 (76.6%) were heavy smokers with >20 cigarettes per day. All 128 alleles were observed. Our results showed that all participants with CYP2A6 variants had a significant correlation with severe coronary artery stenosis (P = .006). Thus, this study suggests that the mutant CYP2A6 gene allele significantly increased the risk of having severe coronary stenosis 1.2 times higher compared to the wild type. This pilot study showed that CYP2A6 gene has an influential role in atherosclerotic development in male smokers. However, our findings should be confirmed with further more extensive studies.