IMPACT OF ZOLEDRONATE BISPHOSPHONATE GEL IN VIRGIN COCONUT OIL ON THE INCREASE OF OSTEOCLAST APOPTOSIS

Objective: This study aimed to show the impact of the ZOL in VCO gel (Ge-ZOL) on the extent of osteoclasts apoptosis.Methods: The study used 27 Sprague-Dawley rats which were divided into three groups: Nine rats in the experimental group were given 40 µg of Ge-ZOL, nine rats in the control group were given VCO emulsion gel without ZOL (Ge-), and nine rats in the normal group were not given any treatment. The gel was applied to the buccal mucosa using a cotton bud for 2 min at hour of 0, 4, and 8 on days 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. The rats were sacrificed on days 1, 3, and 5, and then, evaluated by immunohistochemical caspase-3 staining.Result: The number of apoptotic osteoclast cells in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control and normal groups (p<0.05). The number of apoptotic osteoclast cells in the experimental group on the day 1 was significantly higher than on the days 3 and 5 (p<0.001).Conclusion: The application of Ge-ZOL to the buccal mucosa proven to improve the number of apoptotic osteoclast cells in the experimental group on the day 1, and this number was higher than on the days 3 and 5

Medical Student’sPerceptions Toward Integrated Histology Practical Class: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study

Objectives : This study was performed to gain an understanding about perceptions of integrated practical class between histology and anatomical pathology among medical students in Universitas Indonesia, and to evaluate the quality of current histology learning method. Materials and Methods: The students learnt histology by means of histology alone or integrated with anatomical pathology. Two hundred and fifty-seven students (n=257) completed the anonymous questionnaire-based survey. The post-test’s score from the last two years were achieved and compared from the archive. Results and Discussion: The results of the study revealed two contrasting perceptions; while the majority of the students agreed that this learning method was considered useful, it nevertheless brings a great deal of stress considering the amount of materials they have to learn in short time. This generates a range of negative feelings in students that affected their learning performance .Conclusion : Integrating the subjects is an effective way to improve students understanding of normal and abnormal condition of an organ. However, this method requires a longer time for students to understand the crowded material for the effectiveness. Further research is needed to refine the better strategy to deliver the integrated histology material effectively

The Dynamics of Cullin-1 Expression in Preeclamptic Placenta and its Association with Pregnancy Termination Time

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a systemic syndrome occurring in 3–5% of pregnancies, caused by disorders of cellular factors resulting in the disruption of trophoblast differentiation and invasion which is important for the placental development and maintaining pregnancy. Cullin-1 is a protein that plays a role in the process of maintaining pregnancy, development, and trophoblast invasion in the placenta. Until now, there have been no studies linking the expression of cullin-1 in preeclamptic patients with the timing of pregnancy termination. AIM: This study analyzed cullin-1 expression in preeclamptic patients and their relationship to the timing of pregnancy termination was carried out. METHODS: Placental samples were taken from preeclampsia patients consisting of three gestational age groups, then immunohistochemical staining was performed to see the dynamics of expression and distribution in each age group of pregnancy and to find out their relationship with the timing of pregnancy termination. RESULTS: Cullin-1 was expressed in syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts. The lowest cullin-1 level was obtained in the very preterm age group, and the highest was found in the moderate preterm gestational age group. There was a significant difference between cullin-1 optical density (OD) expression and termination time of pregnancy, and there was a significant difference (OD) in cullin-1 preeclamptic patients with very preterm gestational age with moderate preterm gestational age. CONCLUSION: Cullin-1 was expressed both in syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts and was associated with the timing of pregnancy termination

Effect of Ethylene Glycol on Structural Integrity at Each Stage of Preantral Follicle Development Post Vitrification of Rat Ovary-Histological Analysis

The structure of follicular tissue affects the ability to maintain the structural integrity of follicles against cryoinjury post-vitrification. Histological analysis was conducted on the structural integrity of each stage of preantral follicles post-vitrification using 7.5% and 15.0% doses of ethylene glycol (EG), and ovarian sections with HE staining were observed using an Olympus CX21 microscope connected to Optilab 3.0 lens and Image Raster software. Analysis was conducted on the ovarian cortex in the tracing line area using polygon measure tools to obtain follicle density (follicles/mm2) and follicle index (%) data. The result showed that the EG group 7.5% (KP1) increased follicle density compared to the vitrified group (KKV) in primordial (15.83±1.77) and primary (22.94±8.51) stages. Meanwhile, KP2 (EG 15%) was in primordial (41.92±6.45), primary (11.69±1.95), secondary (33.48±3.63), and tertiary (5.93±0.69) stages. KP1 increased grade 3 follicle index compared to KKV in primary (27.66±2.34), secondary (32.41±6.99), and tertiary (25.00±5.00) stages. Meanwhile, KP2 was in primary (26.87±6.68) and tertiary (25.00±5.00) stages. Both doses of 7.5% and 15.0% EG were able to maintain structural integrity at certain stages of preantral follicles. Secondary and tertiary follicles are the best stages in maintaining grade 3 follicular integrity with the addition of 7.5% EG

Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Left Ventricular Connexin43 Expression and Distribution in Juvenile and Young Adult Rats

Background: Gap Junction (GJ) plays a role in supporting the heart electricity. Connexin43 (Cx43) as the main protein constituent of GJ in left cardiac ventricle, will increase in number and slightly redistributed to the lateral sides of cardiomyocytes after aerobic exercise in adulthood. The effects of aerobic exercise that begin at childhood are not well known.Objective: This study aims to observe the effect of aerobic exercise which started from childhood on left ventricle Cx43 distribution.Methods: This study was conducted on 28 male Juvenile (4 weeks) and young adult (8 weeks) rats, divided into 7 groups: 1) Juvenile rats undergoing 4 weeks of exercise (E-J4); 2) Control E-J4 (C-J4); 3) Juvenile rats undergoing 8 weeks of exercise (E-J8); 4) Control EJ-8 (C-J8); 5) Juvenile rats undergoing 12 weeks of exercise (E-J12; 6); Young adult rats undergoing 8 weeks of exercise (E-Yo8); 7) Control E-J12 and E-Yo8 (C-JY128). Exercise group will undergo different length of duration, starting from week 4 until 12 weeks. Cx43 was identified by immunohistochemical staining and analyzed with ImageJ software. Comparison was analyzed using independent t-test.Results: Insignificant lower of total Cx43 expression in E-J4 (64200.45 + 4243.676 total area, p >0.05) compared to control. In contrast, a significant higher of total Cx43 expression was observed in EJ-8, EJ-12 and E-Yo8 (80152.95 + 3760.481, p = 0.001; 75596.775 + 3976.333, p = 0,002; 81216.85+ 2475.768, p = 0,000). Slightly higher of lateral Cx43 redistribution occurred in all aerobic exercise, with significant lateralization in E-J8 and E-Yo8.Conclusion: Aerobic exercise increases Cx43 and slightly redistributed to lateral myocytes under normal condition both in juvenile and young adult rats

Perbandingan Berat Hati Tikus Spraque Dawley yang Diberikan Diet Kurang Kalori, Cukup Kalori, dan Tinggi Kalori pada Masa Pertumbuhan

Perlemakan hati merupakan penyakit degeneratif yang dapat berkembang pada masa pertumbuhan. Perlemakan hati dapat terjadi pada dua kondisi yang sangat berbeda jauh secara patofisiologi yaitu kondisi kekurangan kalori dan kelebihan kalori. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membandingkan ukuran berat hati pada pemberian diet tinggi kalori, cukup kalori, dan rendah kalori pada tikus selama masa pertumbuhan. Sampel penelitian menggunakan 15 organ hati Spraque Dawley usia 6 minggu yang diberi asupan kalori berbeda selama 8 minggu. Penelitian ini terdiri atas 3 (tiga) kelompok yaitu kelompok kurang kalori (KK), kelompok cukup kalori (CK), dan kelompok tinggi kalori (TK). Parameter penelitian adalah pemeriksaan berat hati utuk menilai hepatomegaly. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan kelompok TK mengalami kenaikan berat hati ±20% lebih besar dibandingkan dengan kelompok CK dan kelompok KK (p<0,05). Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa diet tinggi kalori dapat menyebabkan terjadinya  hepatomegaly

Antifibrotic Activity of Phaleria macrocarpa Extract in Rat Liver-fibrosis Model: Focus on Oxidative Stress Markers, TGF-β1 and MMP-13

AIM: This study was aimed to determine the antifibrotic activity of Phaleria macrocarpa (PM) extract in liver fibrosis (LF) and its possible mechanism in the rat model. METHODS: Sprague Dawley male rats were injected with 2 mL/kg BW of carbon tetrachloride intraperitoneally twice a week for 2 weeks, followed by 1 mL/kg BW for 6 weeks. Afterward, the treatments began from the 3rd week: Silymarin 100 mg/kg BW/day, standardized PM extract (Proliverenol) 75 or 150 mg/kg BW/day orally. Rats were sacrificed in the 8th week. Blood and liver were collected to analyze liver function, liver damage and fibrosis marker, oxidative stress markers, pro-fibrogenic cytokine, and antifibrotic marker. RESULTS: Our study showed that the treatment of silymarin and PM resulted in the normalized activity of liver function, followed by the amelioration of oxidative stress, demonstrated by the decreased malondialdehyde levels and an increased ratio of glutathione and glutathione disulfide. All markers examined showed that PM extract has antioxidant activity due to decreased hepatic stellate cell activation. We also found a decrease in tumor growth factors-β1 and protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinases-13 in all treatment groups compared to the carbon tetrachloride group. There were tendencies of the decreased fibrotic area following improvements of biochemical parameters. CONCLUSION: PM extracts ameliorate carbon tetrachloride-induced LF. The proposed mechanism is by overcoming oxidative stress and regulating pro-fibrogenic cytokine and antifibrotic markers

Oocyte Competence Biomarkers Associated With Oocyte Maturation: A Review

Oocyte developmental competence is one of the determining factors that influence the outcomes of an IVF cycle regarding the ability of a female gamete to reach maturation, be fertilized, and uphold an embryonic development up until the blastocyst stage. The current approach of assessing the competency of an oocyte is confined to an ambiguous and subjective oocyte morphological evaluation. Over the years, a myriad of biomarkers in the cumulus-oocyte-complex has been identified that could potentially function as molecular predictors for IVF program prognosis. This review aims to describe the predictive significance of several cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) biomarkers in evaluating oocyte developmental competence. A total of eight acclaimed cumulus biomarkers are examined in the study. RT-PCR and microarray analysis were extensively used to assess the significance of these biomarkers in foreseeing oocyte developmental competence. Notably, these biomarkers regulate vital processes associated with oocyte maturation and were found to be differentially expressed in COC encapsulating oocytes of different maturity. The biomarkers were reviewed according to the respective oocyte maturation events namely: nuclear maturation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix remodeling, and steroid metabolism. Although substantial in vitro evidence was presented to justify the potential use of cumulus biomarkers in predicting oocyte competency and IVF outcomes, the feasibility of assessing these biomarkers as an add-on prognostic procedure in IVF is still restricted due to study challenges. Keywords: oocyte competence, oocyte maturation, cumulus-oocyte complex (COC), biomarker, in-vitro fertilizatio

A New Method in Walking Analysis Using the Angles around the Midpoint between Print Length and Toe Spread by Four Different Color Footprints

Sciatic function index (SFI) has long been used as one of the evaluation methods of walking analysis. SFI is a method in assessing nerve function through footprints in walking analysis. Methods that previously have been developed use one color ink, but this method is difficult to interpret. The interpretation is difficult because of mingled footprints among the mice four legs. If rats do not walk straight, their footprints will be overlapped to one another and complicate the measurement. SFI is a method using a special mathematic formula. Many researchers questioning this method because this method is affected by the muscle contracture, auto mutilation and the way and speed of the rat walk. In this study we use four different colors, which allow us to more easily interpret the results of the footprint. In this study, we modify a tool from the existing tools in other literatures. The measurement result of this tool is print length (PL), inter toe spread (ITS) and toe spread (TS), which belong to the SFI component. This tool must be valid and reliable when it is used to measure the components of measurements in the function analysis of the nerves. Validity and reliability are needed to ensure that research data can be trusted. We confirm the SFI result with the toe out of angle (TOA) and a new method to describe the normal footprint. TOA is believed to be the important measurement in walking analysis especially it affects the change of abduction-adduction and internal-external rotation of hind limb. The purpose of this study was to develop a new method to assess the nerve functional analysis, not only using measurement of the SFI and TOA, but also the angles around the meeting point of PL and TS. This study was a laboratory-based research. The subjects of the research are 6 Sprague Dawley rats

Potential Use of Immature Oocyte to Improve Fertility Preservation Outcome: A Narrative Review

Fertility preservation through gamete vitrification has become one of the critical strategies to secure a childbearing potential in patients who are diagnosed with cancer or risks of infertility. Preserving the gametes would prevent the deleterious effects of cancer drugs or radiotherapy exposure on the quality of the gametes. Furthermore, in vitro fertilisation of vitrified mature human oocytes has lately demonstrated promising results that are reflected in the increased survival rate of thawed oocytes and the resultant clinical pregnancy rate. However, limitations in the cryopreservation of mature oocytes of cancer patients persist. Ovarian stimulation protocols which comprise administering gonadotrophin‑releasing hormones could aggravate cancer or delay essential cancer therapy. Considering such circumstances, vitrification of immature oocytes would become a rational option. While the vitrification procedure of mature oocytes has been established, the vitrification of immature oocytes remains controversial due to a low post‑thaw in vitro maturation and fertilisation rate. Apparent cryoinjuries to the immature oocytes post thawing or warming have been observed in both human and animal model oocytes. An alternative strategy was therefore proposed to improve the effectiveness of utilising immature oocytes for fertility preservation by conducting the in vitro oocyte maturation process first before vitrification. This method has prevailed, especially in oncofertility patients. Although the success rate of the clinical outcomes remains low, this approach, in conjugation with proper counselling, might provide oncofertility patients with an opportunity to preserve their reproductive potential. Keywords: Cancer‑related infertility, fertility preservation, immature oocytes, in vitro fertilisation, vitrificatio