Filarial infection and filarial antigen administration promotes glucose tolerance in diet-induced obese mice

Excess of energy intake combined with reduced physical activity leads to accumulation and expansion of adipose tissue. Imbalance between adipose tissue expansion and oxygenation during a high fat diet results in adipocytes stress and defects to store excessive energy. Pro-inflammatory mediators produced by stressed adipocytes and infiltrated classically activated macrophages eventually trigger low grade and chronic inflammation. Several studies highlighted that obesity-induced chronic inflammation is a critical factor that triggers insulin resistance and alters the cellular composition within the adipose tissue. Given that parasitic helminths are well known immunoregulators of host immune responses which induce a suppressive, regulatory immune response via the induction of regulatory T cells, AAM, anti-inflammatory cytokines, and induce a type 2 immune response, the aim of this thesis was to investigate whether the tissue-invasive rodent filarial nematode Litomosoides sigmodontis (L.s.) mediates protection against insulin-resistance in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice by counter-regulating inflammatory immune responses during a high fat diet. In order to study whether L.s. infection has a beneficial impact on high fat diet-induced insulin resistance, 6 week old male BALB/c mice were fed with a high fat diet and a subgroup was infected 2-4 weeks later with L.s.. Following 8-10 weeks on high fat diet, mice were evaluated for glucose tolerance and immune responses. In separate experiments, daily injections of LsAg for 2 weeks were performed in male DIO C57BL/6 mice after 7-12 weeks of high fat diet feeding. DIO mice were evaluated for glucose tolerance and immunological studies afterwards. This thesis demonstrates that both L.s. infection and LsAg administration improved glucose tolerance in DIO mice. This improvement was associated with increased eosinophil and AAM frequencies within the stromal vascular fraction of the epididymal adipose tissue (EAT) during L.s. infection and LsAg administration. Absence of eosinophils abrogated the beneficial impact of L.s. infection as was shown with eosinophil deficient dblGATA mice, suggesting that improved glucose tolerance by L.s. infection was dependent on eosinophils. Further analysis showed reduced total numbers of B cells, but an increased frequency of the B1 subset in the adipose tissue of L.s.-infected DIO mice compared to uninfected DIO controls. Accordingly, pathogenic IgG2a/b levels were lower in L.s.-infected animals compared to uninfected DIO controls. qPCR array analysis of EAT further revealed an induction of genes related to insulin signaling, cell migration, suppressive immune responses as well as a reduced expression of genes related to adipogenesis in L.s.-infected DIO mice. Our in vitro experiments using the 3T3-L1 pre-adipose cell line confirmed that LsAg treatment suppressed the differentiation to mature adipocytes. Multiple gene expression analysis of EAT from DIO mice that obtained LsAg administrations further revealed an induction of type 2 immune responses, as well as an upregulated expression of genes-related to insulin signalling and genes-related to fatty acid uptake in LsAg-treated DIO mice. Two weeks of daily LsAg administration in DIO mice further improved body temperature tolerance under cold exposure, which was accompanied by an increased expression of Ucp1 in EAT, suggesting that LsAg administration promotes browning of white adipose tissue and increased energy expenditure. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates that both L.s. infection and LsAg administration reduces diet-induced EAT inflammation, improves insulin signaling, and glucose tolerance. The findings of this thesis suggest that helminth-derived products may offer a new strategy to ameliorate diet-induced insulin resistance

Determinant of Hypertension among Adults in West Java, Indonesia: Analysis of National Basic Health Research Data 2018

Background: Hypertension is a serious health problem worldwide. Many studies on the determinants of hypertension have been done, however studies in West Java are still very minimal. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for hypertension among adults in West Java, Indonesia.Methods: This study used a cross-sectional method with a quantitative approach using secondary data from the National Basic Health Research 2018. The final number of individuals sampled was 46,186 people. Data analysis was performed using simple logistic regression and multiple logistic regression methods.Results: The mean age of the sample was 42.97 years (SD=15.37), and females were the predominant (52.95%). The majority of samples consumed sweet beverages (31.06%) and salty foods more than once a day (29.22%), did not smoke (59.17%), had a normal body mass index (BMI) (53.78 %), and had experienced gum disease and dental problems in the last year (56.75 %). Physical activity in metabolic equivalent task (MET) minute was 5,917.79. There was a significant positive association between age and hypertension, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.06 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.05–1.06. Furthermore, the analysis found a significant negative correlation between physical activity and hypertension, with an OR of 0.999 and a 95% CI of 0.9999874–0.9999962.Conclusions: Hypertension is significantly associated with age, whereas physical exercise is negatively associated. Priority should be given to elderly individuals and people with a high BMI for interventions such as routine blood pressure monitoring and education

Korelasi Status Nutrisi dengan Tingkat Kadar Hemoglobin Darah pada Anak Usia Sekolah Dasar Markidam di Desa Cilame Kabupaten Bandung

Malnutrition has many adverse effects, including a decrease in hemoglobin levels, or known as anemia. Malnutrition caused by nutritional deficiencies can affect the decrease in hemoglobin levels or anemia. Objective: To determined the correlation between nutritional status and hemoglobin levels in Markidam elementary school-age children in Cilame Village Methods: This cross-sectional study uses primary data from research subjects who have agreed. The number of subject research that has been taken was 143 respondents. Anthropometric examinations using weight scales and microtoise were then carried out in a plotting process to determine the nutritional status of respondents. The hemoglobin level was used as a rapid diagnostic test tool with the Easytouch brand type GCHB. Spearman test to find out the results of this research hypothesis. Results:  Hemoglobin levels did not have a significant correlation with nutritional status. This could be seen from the significance value (p-value) of 0,172, where this value is greater than 0,05. Conclusion: There is no correlation between nutritional status and hemoglobin level at the age of elementary school children.Keywords: anemia, hemoglobin, nutritional statu

Pemberian Ekstrak Curcuma Longa L. Meningkatkan Proliferasi Sel MEF yang dilakukan Scratch Test

Abstract: Proliferation Enhancement of Curcuma Longa L. Extract Treatment in MEF Cell Cultres that Treated by Scratch Test. Wound prevalence is still high and becomes a problem of healing process. Improper wounds management can cause wound healing disturbance, so that the healing process will be longer. For this reason, alternative medicine is required to shorten healing process and reduce medical costs. This study aims to determine the effect of Curcuma longa L. extract on enhancement of mouse embryonic fibroblast cell proliferation carried out in vitro scratch test with the research method using a laboratory in vitro experimental design and 24 hour observation. Observations were carried out for 24 hours with variations in Curcuma longa L. extract concentration 2.5 ppm, 5 ppm, 10 ppm, 25 ppm and 50 ppm. The results showed that Curcuma longa L extract was able to accelerate the proliferation of mouse embryonic fbroblast cells which scratch test. After 24 hours, the highest gap closure were observed in mouse embryonic fbroblast cell culture using dose of 2.5 ppm of Curcuma longa L. extract administration. At a dose of ≥10 ppm it does not show proliferation in embryonic fbroblast mouse cells but causes toxicity to cells. Abstrak: Pemberian Ekstrak Curcuma Longa L. Meningkatkan Proliferasi Sel MEF yang dilakukan Scratch Test. Prevalensi luka yang tinggi masih menjadi permasalahan tersendiri dalam proses penyembuhan. Penanganan luka yang tidak tepat dapat menyebabkan gangguan penyembuhan sehingga proses penyembuhan menjadi panjang. Untuk itu perlu alternatif pengobatan yang dapat mempersingkat penyembuhan dengan biaya pengobatan yang lebih murah. Penetian ini bertujuan mengetahui pengaruh pemberian ekstrak Curcuma longa L. terhadap peningkatan proliferasi sel mouse embryonic fibroblast yang dilakukan scratch test secara in vitro dengan metode penelitian menggunakan desain eksperimen in vitro laboratoris dan dilakukan pengamatan selama 24 jam. Variasi konsentrasi ekstrak Curcuma longa L menggunakan dosis 2.5 ppm, 5 ppm, 10 ppm, 25 ppm dan 50 ppm. Hasil pengamatan menunjukkan bahwa ekstrak Curcuma longa L. mampu mempercepat proliferasi sel mouse embryonic fbroblast yang dilakukan scratch test dengan dosis optimum 2.5 ppm. Pada dosis ≥10 ppm tidak menunjukkan proliferasi pada sel mouse embryonic fbroblast tetapi menyebabkan toksisitas pada sel

Characteristics and Complications of Tuberculous Meningitis Patients with Hydrochepalus Undergone Fluid Diversion in Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung

Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and complications observed in tuberculous meningitis (TBM) patients with hydrocephalus who had undergone fluid diversion management.Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive observational study involving 28 TBM patients with hydrocephalus aged 0–5 years who had undergone ventriculoperitoneal shunt or extraventricular drainage in the period of July 2011 to July 2016 in Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung. Age, gender, head circumferences, nutritional status, and classical characteristics such as sunset eye, frontal bossing, cracked pot sign, venectation as well as complications such as infection, phlebitis, and exposed shunt documented in the hospital medical records were analyzed.Result: The study discovered that infant group was predominant (21/28). Some of the patients had macrocephalus (7/28) and 18 had good nutrition status (18/28). There were 4 patients with frontal bossing characteristics (4/28) and almost none was found with others classic hydrocephalus characteristics. This study found no complication such as infection, phlebitis, and exposed shunt in TBM patients with hydrocephalus who had undergone fluid diversion therapy in Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung.Conclusion: One of the most dominan characteristics of TBM patients with hydrocephalus is frontal bossing. Tuberculous meningitis patients with hydrocephalus in our center did not show any fluid diversion-related complications such as infection, phlebitis, or exposed shunt.Keywords: Tuberculous meningitis, hydrocephalus, fluid diversion DOI: 10.15850/ijihs.v6n1.104

Performance of CO1 and ITS2 nested PCR in molecular identification of ordinary scabies (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis)

Scabies is a global disease with a high prevalence, causing morbidity and even mortality, especially in poor and developing countries. However, it is often misdiagnosed due to varied and unspecified lesions. The gold standard technique for diagnosis is a microscopic examination, which requires experienced experts in finding mites, mainly in ordinary scabies. CO1 and ITS2 genes have been widely used in molecular identification to detect Sarcoptes scabiei and its variants. This study aimed to determine and compare the sensitivity and specificity of CO1 and ITS2 S. scabiei genes to the microscopic examination of scabies skin scrapings. The skin scrapings of 52 subjects with scabies diagnosed by anamnesis, physical examination, and dermoscopic examination were examined under a microscope and analyzed by nested PCR. The diagnostic test result showed that the sensitivity of nested PCR of both CO1 and ITS2 genes to micro‐ scope examination was 100%. However, the specificity of both CO1 and ITS2 nested PCR was poor (24% and 0%). Hence, CO1 and ITS2 nested PCR could be more suitable for screening ordinary scabies in humans than the microscopic examination

Performance of Point-of-Care Testing Compared with the Standard Laboratory Diagnostic Test in the Measurement of HbA1c in Indonesian Diabetic and Nondiabetic Subjects

Objective. This study is aimed at investigating if point-of-care testing for HbA1c (POCT-HbA1c) using the HemoCue® HbA1c 501 system could be an alternative method for diabetes screening and monitoring to replace the HbA1c measurement in a standard diagnostic laboratory. Design. This was a cross-sectional study to assess the agreement between POCT and a standard laboratory measurement method for determining the level of HbA1c. Setting and Participants. In total, 108 participants were recruited to participate in this study, consisting of 61 diabetics and 47 nondiabetics. The diabetic group comprised 37 females and 24 males, diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and undergoing diabetes treatment at several community health care centres in Bandung, West Java. The nondiabetic group consisted of 15 female and 32 male patients of several community health care centres and healthy volunteers. Sample Collection and Analysis. A venous blood sample was taken for routine HbA1c analysis by the diagnostic laboratory method. For the POCT-HbA1c, a blood sample was taken from the fingertip at the same time and analysed with the HemoCue® HbA1c 501 system. Outcome Measures. The HbA1c results of both methods were compared and analysed with a Bland-Altman agreement plot. The sensitivity and specificity of the POCT-HbA1c data were also compared with those of the standard diagnostic results. Results. Based on the Bland-Altman plot, the HbA1c level for 100 out of 108 (92.59%) subjects analysed by the POCT-HbA1c was within the range of the 95% limit of agreement. Compared with the standard diagnostic assay, the sensitivity of the POCT-HbA1c was 97.83% and its specificity was 77.42%. Conclusions. The high sensitivity and accuracy of POCT-HbA1c indicate that it is a potential method for diabetes screening and monitoring to replace the routine diagnostic laboratory HbA1c measurement, especially when a rapid result is required

MOLECULAR DOCKING STUDY AND PHARMACOPHORE MODELLING OF URSOLIC ACID AS AN ANTIMALARIAL USING STRUCTURE BASED DRUG DESIGN METHOD

Objective: To investigate the activity of ursolic acid (UA) as antimalarial on various types and classes of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) receptors using molecular docking and pharmacophore modeling methods. Methods: The molecular docking was performed on various classes of the Pf receptors, namely Plasmepsin II (Hydroxylase), Enoyl-Acyl Carrier-protein (Oxidoreductase), Triose-Phosphate (Isomerase), and Lactate Dehydrogenase (Oxidoreductase) using Autodock 4.0.1 software. Results: three out of four tests (Ursolic Acid on Plasmepsin II, Enoyl-Acyl Carrier, and Lactate Dehydrogenase receptors) indicated a possible effect shown by the lowest free energy binding values obtained, namely -7.76 kcal/mol, -12.15 kcal/mol, and -9.39 kcal/mol, respectively. On Plasmepsin II, Enoyl-Acyl Carrier Protein, Triose-Phosphate Isomerase, and Lactate Dehydrogenase receptors, the UA had lower values of the inhibition constant (2.05 M, 1.25 nm, 1.25 mM, and 130.79 nM, respectively). The UA also shared similarities with the native ligand according to the critical parameters of amino acid residue interaction (GLY216, SER218, LEU131, TYR77, and VAL78 for 1LF3 receptor; ALA217, LYS285, and TYR267 for 1NWH receptor; ASN233 and ALA234, for 1O5X receptor; and PRO246, ILE31, MET30, and PRO 250 for 1U4O receptor). As for the results of pharmacophore modeling, it was found that the functional groups of hydroxyl and carboxylic acid were the most crucial groups to bond with the key amino acid residues of the receptors. Conclusion: The UA significantly has potential antimalarial activity against several Pf receptors in a competitive manner

The association of 25(OH)D, interleukin-4, interleukin-5, and interleukin-13 levels with the burden of soil-transmitted helminth infection in stunted children aged 24–59 months

AbstractSoil-transmitted helminth (STH) among children aged 24–59 months is one cause of chronic infection that could lead to stunting. The association of 25(OH)D and immune responses during chronic infection in stunted populations has not yet been well established. An association study of case–control data was conducted in Bandung district from October 2019 to January 2023. Sociodemographic factors, stool samples, and serum levels of 25(OH)D, interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the prevalence and association of 25(OH)D, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 with the burden of STH infection in stunted children. In total, 401 stunted children were recruited. A higher burden of STH infection was found for lower levels of IL-5 (r = −0.477; p = 0.004) and IL-13 (r = −0.433; p = 0.028). Thus, 25(OH)D, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 play a role in the burden of STH infection

Surveillance of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection in Preschool Child Population: Do Changes in Behavior and Immunological Responses Affect Prevalence?

Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) persist as a significant global public health issue among neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), particularly in children. STH infection can induce immune responses that affect the course of the disease; if treatment fails, chronic infection can lead to stunting, especially among children aged 24–59 months, which is a vulnerable period for growth and development. We conducted a correlational, cross-sectional data collection study to evaluate the characteristics and association of 25(OH)D, interleukin-5 (IL-5), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) with the prevalence of STH infection in children aged 24–59 months in Bandung District, Indonesia, in October 2019–January 2023. We recruited 694 subjects (401 stunted and 293 normal-height children). The prevalence of STH infection among the stunted and normal-height groups was 5.7% (95% CI: 3.85–8.46%) and 3.4% (95% CI; 1.86–6.17%) (p = 0.156), respectively. The probability of the prevalence of STH infection in children with levels of 25(OH)D, IL-5, and IL-13 below the cut-off point was 6,93 to 16.71 times higher. We found a relationship between IL-5, IL-13, and environmental factors and the prevalence of STH infection in stunted children