Potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated From Dangke and Indonesian Beef as Hypocholesterolaemic Agent

Lactobacillus fermentum strains were successfully isolated from dangke which was a fresh cheese-like product originating from Enrekang, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. In addition, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophillus were isolated from beef. This study aimed to investigate the ability of those 8 LAB strains from dangke and beef in lowering cholesterol level by using in vitro study. Strain of Lactic acid bacteria used were L. fermentum strains (A323L, B111K, B323K, C113L, C212L), L. plantarum strains (IIA-1A5 and IIA-2C12), and L. acidophillus IIA-2B4. Variables observed were identification of Bile Salt Hydrolase (BSH) gene by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), BSH activity and cholesterol assimilation. Phylogenetic tree indicated homology of L. plantarum IIA-IA5 was 98% to BSH gene of L. plantarum Lp529 with access code of FJ439771 and FJ439775 obtained from GenBank. The results demonstrated that eight strains of LAB isolated from dangke and beef that potentially showed cholesterol-lowering effects were L. fermentum B111K and L. plantarum IIA-1A5. L. fermentum B111K was able to assimilate cholesterol by 4.10% with assimilated cholesterol of 0.13 mg in 1010 cells. In addition, L. plantarum IIA-1A5 had BSH gene and BSH activity, as well as the ability to assimilate cholesterol by 8.10% with assimilated cholesterol of 0.06 mg in 1010 cells. It is concluded that L. fermentum B111K and L. plantarum IIA-1A5 were strains that showed cholesterol-lowering effects

Peranan Prokalsitonin pada Pneumonia Komunitas

Keterbatasan dalam mendiagnosis infeksi respirasi dari klinis, gejala penyakit dan pemeriksaan mikrobiologis, keberadaan biomarker dapat dijadikan informasi tambahan dalam meningkatkan diagnosis dan prognosis yang membantu dalam keputusan pemberian terapi. Penggunaan prokalsitonin dapat membantu diagnosis membedakan dari infeksi yang disebabkan oleh virus, menilai derajat risiko pasien dan keputusan pemberian, penghentian dan durasi antibiotik yang optimal. Pneumonia komunitas masih menjadi masalah kesehatan. Prokalsitonin pada akhir-akhir ini menjadi perhatian prognosis pada pneumonia komunitas. , baik yang diakibatkan oleh bakter iatau pun bukan. Prokalsitonin juga mempunyai kemampuan yang lebih baik dari pada C-reaktif protein sebagai biomarker petanda inflamasi dan mempunyai hubungan yang signifikan dengan skor sistem yang menilai klinis dan angka kematian

Determinants of Latent Tuberculosis in Bandung, West Java

Background: TB remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries, including Indonesia. About 7% of all deaths in developing countries are attributed to TB. Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a state of persistent immune response to stimulation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens without evidence of clinically manifested active TB. This study aimed to examine the determinants of latent tuberculosis in Bandung, West Java. Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Bandung, West Java. A total of 252 peoples were selected for this study, consisting of latent tuberculosis cases and controls. The dependent variable was latent tuberculosis. The independent variables were age, nutrition status, BCG scar, and smoking. The data were collected by laboratory test and questionnaire. The data was analyzed by a multiple logistic regression. Results: The risk of latent tuberculosis increased with occasional smoking (OR= 9.34; 95% CI= 4.23 to 20.67), frequent smoking (OR= 12.99; 95% CI= 2.49 to 67.94), poor nutrition status (OR= 2.64; 95% CI= 0.49 to 14.31), but decreased with BCG scar (OR= 0.45; 95% CI= 0.21 to 0.95). Conclusion: The risk of latent tuberculosis increases with occasional smoking, frequent smoking, poor nutrition status, but decreases with BCG scar. Keywords : latent tuberculosis, smoking, nutrition status, BCG scar

Kompetisi Antara Ekotipe Echinochloa Crus-galli Pada Beberapa Tingkat Populasi Dengan Padi Sawah (Competition of Echinochloa Crus-galli Ecotypes at Several Populations Against Lowland Rice)

Echinochloa crus-galli is a major weed in paddy field that reduces rice yield. The objective of the research was to study the effect of E. crus-galli ecotypes and populations on rice growth and production. The research was conducted in a green house using split plot design with three replications. The main plot consisted of three E. crus-galli ecotypes i.e ecotype from Karawang, Cikampek, and Sukabumi. E. crus-galli population as sub plot consisted of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 E. crus-galli per pot. The results showed that ecotype of E. crus-galli affected plant height, number of tiller, and panicle density. The competitivenes against rice of E. crus-galli ecotype Cikampek was higher than that of ecotype Sukabumi and Karawang. Population E. crus-galli affected rice growth and production. Population of E. crus-galli 4/pot decreased spikelets weight about 48.0% and filled spikelets weight about 46.2%. Interaction of ecotype and population of E. crus-galli did not affect rice growth and production

Sensitivity and Specificity of Nested PCR for Diagnosing Malaria: Cases in Several Areas of Indonesia

Indonesia is still included in high endemic area of malaria infection. Early detection as well as appropriate and quick treatment is needed to be able to prevent and treat malaria in Indonesia. Laboratory examination using a microscopic method is still used as the gold standard to diagnose malaria cases. However, the morphology similarity of some Plasmodium species and the number of parasites that can be seen under microscopy causes malaria diagnosis become difficult if only relying on microscopy diagnostic method. The purpose of this study is to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of nested PCR compared to microscopic examination in diagnosing malaria cases. A cross-sectional study has been carried out in some areas of Indonesia and the microscopic analysis as well as nest PCR was done in Laboratory of Parasitology and Laboratory of Central Biomedical Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang East Java Indonesia. A total of 149 blood samples from patients with clinical symptoms of malaria had been obtained from Sumatra, Sulawesi and East Java during December 2011 to December 2013. From 149 sample, 81.9% samples were diagnosed malaria positive by microscopy examination, whereas the PCR results showed that 90.6% of samples were positive. Nested PCR sensitivity is 97.5%, and microscopy 88.2%. Nested PCR specificity is 40.7%, whereas microscopy 78.5%. PPV and NPV for nested PCR are 88,2% and 78.5% respectively, and for microscopy are 97.5% and 40.7% respectively. Nested PCR has a higher sensitivity than microscopy in diagnosing malaria and is able to detect mixed infection better than microscopic examination. However, it is statistically less specific than microscopy examination

KERJASAMA INDONESIA DENGAN SINGAPURA DALAM PERLINDUNGAN PEKERJA MIGRAN INDONESIA (PMI) DI SINGAPURA

ABSTRAKPekerja Migran Indonesia (PMI) adalah setiap warga negara Indonesia yang akan, sedang, atau telah melakukan pekerjaan dengan menerima upah di luar wilayah Republik Indonesia, selain itu PMI biasa disebut sebagai penyumbang devisa terbanyak untuk Indonesia. Pekerja Migran Indonesia ditempatkan diberbagai negara, salah satunya Singapura. Karena dengan julukan penyumbang terbanyak devisa negara perlu adanya campur tangan pemerintah untuk penempatan dan perlindungan PMI untuk memastikan keselamatan warga negara Indonesia yang ada diluar negeri termasuk Pekerja Migran Indonesia. Untuk itu dalam penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui sampai dimana kerjasama Indoensia dengan Singapura dalam perlindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia (PMI) dan juga peranan pemerintah dalam menanggapi kasus-kasus PMI di Singapura. Penelitian ini menggunakan analisa narrative dengan menggunakan catatan yang ada dilapangan. Hasil penelitian menunjukan kerjasama sama yang pernah ada antara kedua negara adalah seperti Memorandum of Understanding antara Badan Nasional Penempatan dan Perlindungan Tenaga Kerja Indonesia (BNP2TKI) dan Association Employment of Agencies Singapore (AEA(S)) tentang penempatan dan perlindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia (PMI). Tindak lanjut dari kedua negara setelah adanya MoU ini adalah dari Indonesia lewat Kedutaan Besar Republik Indonesia di Singapura mengeluarkan kartu pekerja Indonesia Singapura dan dari Singapura lewat Ministry of Manpower Singapore mengeluarkan Employment of Foreign Manpower atau Undang-undang ketenagakerjaan asing. Peran pemerintah dalam menanggapi kasus PMI di Singapura sudah sangat baik karena pengaduan yang di terima oleh Badan Nasional Penempatan dan Perlindungan Tenaga Kerja Indonesia (BNP2TKI) tahun 2018 ada 62 pengaduan tinggal 9 pengaduan yang masih dalam proses penyelesaian. Kata kunci: Pekerja Migran Indonesia; Kerjasama; Peran Negara  INDONESIA AND SINGAPORE COOPERATION IN PROTECTING INDONESIAN MIGRANT WORKERS IN SINGAPORE ABSTRACTIndonesian Migrant Workers (IMW) are every Indonesian citizen who will, is, or has done work by receiving wages outside the territory of the Republic of Indonesia, besides that IMWs are commonly referred to as contributors to the most foreign exchange. IMWs are placed in various countries, one of which is Singapore. Because with the name of the largest contributor to foreign exchange, there is a need for government intervention for the placement and protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens abroad including Indonesian Migrant Workers. For this reason, this research can be known to the extent of Indonesia's cooperation with Singapore in the protection of migrant workers and also the role of the government in responding to cases of Indonesian migrant workers in Singapore. In this study using narrative analysis using notes in the field. The results of collaborative research that has ever existed such as the Memorandum of Understanding between the National Board for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Overseas Workers and the Employment of Association Agencies concerning the placement and protection of Indonesian migrant workers. Follow-up from both countries after the MoU was from Indonesia through the Republic of Indonesia Embassy in Singapore release cards for Indonesian workers from Singapore and Singapore Singapore Ministry of Manpower Singapore release the Employment of Foreign Manpower. The government's role in responding to cases of migrant workers in Singapore has been very good because of complaints 2018 there are 62 complaints, only 9 complaints that are still in the process of being resolved. Key word: Indonesian Migrant Workers; Coorperation; Nation Role

Lymphokine-activated killer cell susceptibility and adhesion molecule expression of multidrug resistant breast carcinoma

Reports showing susceptibility of multidrug resistant (MDR) cancer cells to immune effectors, together with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expression in immune effector subsets, including immature natural killer (NK) cells, and some activated T cells, suggest P-gp or some changes associated with it, have implications in immune-mediated mechanisms. A series of experiments were done to determine the nature of alterations associated with susceptibility to immune effector cells of MDR tumor cells. A cell line isolated from the malignant pleural effusion of a breast cancer patient was transfected with human and murine MDR1 genes, and four variants with different levels of MDR were obtained. Lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) activity was measured by a (51)Chromium release, and conjugate formation assays. MDR1 transfectant P-gp(+ )breast carcinoma lines had increased LAK susceptibility compared to their parent line. Some part of the increased LAK susceptibility of drug-resistant cell lines was at the binding/recognition level as shown by conjugate formation assays. This suggests that differences may exist between paired cell lines with respect to the expression of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to CAMs and flow cytometry were used to quantitate these antigens. The CAMs studied were those previously found to be upregulated by stimulating NK cells with (interleukin-2) IL-2; ICAM-1 (CD54), LFA-3 (CD58), N-CAM (CD56), and the β chain of LFA-1 (CD18). Although no differences in these CAMs were found between the breast carcinoma line and its MDR1-transfected variants, the target susceptibility results given above suggest that IL-2 treatment could be effective in combination with current protocols using chemotherapeutics, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and stem cell transplantation

Management of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection: WHO guidelines for low tuberculosis burden countries

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is characterised by the presence of immune responses to previously acquired Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection without clinical evidence of active tuberculosis (TB). Here we report evidence-based guidelines from the World Health Organization for a public health approach to the management of LTBI in high risk individuals in countries with high or middle upper income and TB incidence of <100 per 100 000 per year. The guidelines strongly recommend systematic testing and treatment of LTBI in people living with HIV, adult and child contacts of pulmonary TB cases, patients initiating anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment, patients receiving dialysis, patients preparing for organ or haematological transplantation, and patients with silicosis. In prisoners, healthcare workers, immigrants from high TB burden countries, homeless persons and illicit drug users, systematic testing and treatment of LTBI is conditionally recommended, according to TB epidemiology and resource availability. Either commercial interferon-gamma release assays or Mantoux tuberculin skin testing could be used to test for LTBI. Chest radiography should be performed before LTBI treatment to rule out active TB disease. Recommended treatment regimens for LTBI include: 6 or 9 month isoniazid; 12 week rifapentine plus isoniazid; 3–4 month isoniazid plus rifampicin; or 3–4 month rifampicin alone