Network pharmacology and in silico investigation on Saussurea lappa for viral respiratory diseases

Respiratory viral diseases are prevalently affecting people of all ages, requiring extensive study into herbal medicine as a potential solution. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the Saussurea lappa (S. lappa) compounds and explain the molecular mechanisms against respiratory viral diseases. The molecular mechanisms of the compound against respiratory viral diseases was determined through network pharmacological methods using Cytoscape 3.10.0, GeneCards, OMIM, STRING 11.0, and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. The interaction of compounds with NFĸB and TNF were analyzed using molecular docking with dexamethasone as a control through PyRx Autodock Vina 9.0 and Biovia Discovery Studio. The results showed that S. lappa compounds activated defense mechanisms against viral infection, impacting genes associated with SARS-CoV-2 disease, and activating NF-κB and NRF2 signaling pathways. The molecular docking results, supporting the network pharmacology finding, indicated that the syrigaresinol compound, with several NF-ĸB binding residues, inhibited the inflammatory pathway by blocking the protein signal. Saussureamine A and C, with lower binding affinities for TNFα, showed higher effectiveness compared to dexamethasone, showing their potential to reduce inflammation. In addition, syrigaresinol and saussureamine A and C showed potential for reducing inflammation. These results showed the potential of S. lappa as an herb for defense against SARS-CoV-2

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells attenuate pulmonary inflammation and lung damage caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus in BALB/c mice

Background The highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus is one of the causative agents of acute lung injury (ALI) with high mortality rate. Studies on therapeutic administration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in ALI caused by the viral infection have been limited in number and have shown conflicting results. The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the therapeutic potential of MSC administration in A/H5N1-caused ALI, using a mouse model. Methods MSCs were prepared from the bone marrow of 9 to 12 week-old BALB/c mice. An H5N1 virus of A/turkey/East Java/Av154/2013 was intranasally inoculated into BALB/c mice. On days 2, 4, and 6 after virus inoculation, MSCs were intravenously administered into the mice. To evaluate effects of the treatment, we examined for lung alveolar protein as an indicator for lung injury, PaO2/FiO2 ratio for lung functioning, and lung histopathology. Expressions of NF-κB, RAGE (transmembrane receptor for damage associated molecular patterns), TNFα, IL-1β, Sftpc (alveolar cell type II marker), and Aqp5+ (alveolar cell type I marker) were examined by immunohistochemistry. In addition, body weight, virus growth in lung and brain, and duration of survival were measured. Results The administration of MSCs lowered the level of lung damage in the virus-infected mice, as shown by measuring lung alveolar protein, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, and histopathological score. In the MSC-treated group, the expressions of NF-κB, RAGE, TNFα, and IL-1β were significantly suppressed in comparison with a mock-treated group, while those of Sftpc and Aqp5+ were enhanced. Body weight, virus growth, and survival period were not significantly different between the groups. Conclusion The administration of MSCs prevented further lung injury and inflammation, and enhanced alveolar cell type II and I regeneration, while it did not significantly affect viral proliferation and mouse morbidity and mortality. The results suggested that MSC administration was a promissing strategy for treatment of acute lung injuries caused by the highly pathogenic avian influenza A/H5N1 virus, although further optimization and combination use of anti-viral drugs will be obviously required to achieve the goal of reducing mortality

Analysis of risks of gastric cancer by gastric mucosa among Indonesian ethnic groups

Indonesia is a big country with multiethnic populations whose gastric cancer risks have not been elucidated. We performed a nationwide survey and obtained histological specimens from 1053 individuals in 19 cities across the country. We examined the gastric mucosa, the topography, the atrophic gastritis risk factors, and the gastric cancer risk scores. Almost half (46.1%) of the patients with dyspeptic symptoms had histological abnormalities; chronic (36.3%) and atrophic gastritis (28.9%) being the most frequent. Individuals of the Timor ethnicity had the highest prevalence of acute (52.6%) and chronic gastritis (68.4%), even those negative for H. pylori. Our topographic analysis showed the majority of patients had predominantly antral acute and chronic gastritis. A multivariate logistic regression model showed age (Odds ratio [OR], 1.107), Timor ethnicity (OR, 8.531), and H. pylori infection (OR, 22.643) as independent risk factors for presence of atrophic gastritis. In addition, the gastric cancer risk score was highest in those from Timor, Papuan, and Bugis ethnic populations. Overall, Indonesia is a low-risk gastric cancer country. However, several ethnic groups displayed severe gastric mucosa symptoms suggesting policy makers should focus on those ethnic groups to perform gastric cancer screenings and to eradicate H. pylori

Acute Hepatitis due to Hepatitis A Virus Subgenotype IA as an Imported Infectious Disease from Indonesia

A 25-year-old Japanese man was admitted with general malaise and fever, which had developed 12days after coming back to Japan from Indonesia. Blood examination revealed elevated transaminase levelsand positivity for the IgM anti-HAV antibody; therefore, he was diagnosed with acute hepatitis A.HAV-RNA was detected in his serum and phylogenetically classified as subgenotype IA. The partialgenome in the VP1/P2A region was consistent with the strain recently isolated from Surabaya, whichindicated that he had been infected during his stay in Indonesia. Thus, HAV vaccination is recommendedbefore visiting HAV-endemic countries for a long period of time

Stem cell therapy and diabetic erectile dysfunction: A critical review.

From PubMed via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2021-03-01, revised 2021-05-04, accepted 2021-09-22Publication status: ppublishErectile dysfunction (ED) has been identified as one of the most frequent chronic complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). The prevalence of ED is estimated to be about 67.4% in all DM cases worldwide. The pathophysiological process leading to ED involves endothelial, neurological, hormonal, and psychological factors. In DM, endothelial and neurological factors play a crucial role. Damages in the blood vessels and erectile tissue due to insulin resistance are the hallmark of ED in DM. The current treatments for ED include phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors and penile prosthesis surgery. However, these treatments are limited in terms of just relieving the symptoms, but not resolving the cause of the problem. The use of stem cells for treating ED is currently being studied mostly in experimental animals. The stem cells used are derived from adipose tissue, bone, or human urine. Most of the studies observed an improvement in erectile quality in the experimental animals as well as an improvement in erectile tissue. However, research on stem cell therapy for ED in humans remains to be limited. Nevertheless, significant findings from studies using animal models indicate a potential use of stem cells in the treatment of ED. [Abstract copyright: ©The Author(s) 2021. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.

Post-vaccinated asymptomatic rotavirus infections: A community profile study of children in Surabaya, Indonesia

Background: Rotavirus gastroenteritis accounts for significant childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Vaccination using RotarixTM (GSK) and RotaTeq® (Merck) was introduced due to the tremendous disease burden. The possibility of asymptomatic infections following vaccinations was poorly understood. This study examined rotavirus cases in post-vaccinated children, their clinical manifestations and the genotypes of isolated strains. Methods: Stool samples of healthy, vaccinated children under 5 years of age in Surabaya were collected monthly for 1 year between January 2016 and February 2017. Episodes of gastroenteritis were reported, and samples were collected. Rotavirus was identified using multiplex reverse transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (QIAGEN, Inc., Valencia, CA). Clinical manifestations were measured using the Vesikari score. The genotype was analyzed by Applied Biosystems (Foster, CA). Results: A total of 109 stool samples were collected from 30 subjects, of which 22 received Rotarix; 8 RotaTeq. Nine out of 109 samples were collected during diarrhea episodes of 8 subjects. Two asymptomatic rotavirus infections were identified by RT-PCR. The genotypes isolated were G1P[8] and G3P[8]. Conclusions: Asymptomatic rotavirus infections can occur in post-vaccinated children. Strains identified were homologous to serotypes eliciting gastroenteritis in unvaccinated children of the same community

HEPATITIS B SEROLOGY PROFILES ON CHILDREN AGED 1–13 YEARS OLD IN SUMENEP, MADURA

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) which was acquired during perinatal or childhood would promote hepatocellular carcinoma with even higher percentage than that which was acquired during adult age. That is why HBV represents a serious public health threat for children. HBV vaccination has been integrated into national expanded programme on immunization (EPI) since 1997. The aim of they study is to investigate the prevalence of HBV among children who were born after 1997 in Sumenep. Material and Methods: a total of 102 children who were born after 1997 were enrolled in this study. All children were admitted in the Emergency Room and Pediatric Ward of dr. H. Moh Anwar General Hospital for some reasons. Written informed consents were obtained from parents/ guardians of all the children. Study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committees. All of these cases were examined for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to HBsAg (Anti-HBs), and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (Anti-HBc). Result and Discussion: Overall, 6 (5.88%) of 102 samples were positive for HBsAg, 51 (50.00%) of 102 samples were positive for anti-HBs, and 49 (48.04%) of 102 samples were positive for anti-HBc. All the children were born after 1997. Conclusion: HBsAg rate is still high even after universal vaccination program, acquired protective antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen were sufficient, but there is a suspicion for occult hepatitis B infections (OBI). A further study to confirm OBI is needed

Identification of non-typhoidal Salmonella from diarrheal pediatric patients in Surabaya, Indonesia

Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Paratyphi are the predominant agents of diarrheal disease. However, non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) serovars are becoming increasingly global. Indonesia is endemic for typhoid fever, but data on NTS is limited. The study employed multiplex PCR (mPCR) to identify NTS in diarrheal children. Bacterial cultures grown on Salmonella Shigella agar from 80 fecal samples of diarrheal pediatric patients in Dr Soetomo General Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia were characterized by mPCR as NTS Enteritidis, Infantis, Thompson, and Typhimurium. Confirmation by direct amplicon sequencing and by conventional biochemical and serological tests revealed only one NTS as Infantis and one isolate each of S. Paratyphi A, S. Paratyphi C and S. Typhi. The clinical manifestation of S. Infantis infection was milder than that of S. Paratyphi or S. Typhi infection. Thus confirmation tests should be conducted to confirm NTS identification by mPCR

Gastric mucosal status in populations with a low prevalence of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> in Indonesia

<div><p>In Indonesia, endoscopy services are limited and studies about gastric mucosal status by using pepsinogens (PGs) are rare. We measured PG levels, and calculated the best cutoff and predictive values for discriminating gastric mucosal status among ethnic groups in Indonesia. We collected gastric biopsy specimens and sera from 233 patients with dyspepsia living in three Indonesian islands. When ≥5.5 U/mL was used as the best cutoff value of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> antibody titer, 8.6% (20 of 233) were positive for <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> infection. PG I and II levels were higher among smokers, and PG I was higher in alcohol drinkers than in their counterparts. PG II level was significantly higher, whereas PG I/II ratios were lower in <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>-positive than in <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>-negative patients. PG I/II ratios showed a significant inverse correlation with the inflammation and atrophy scores of the antrum. The best cutoff values of PG I/II were 4.05 and 3.55 for discriminating chronic and atrophic gastritis, respectively. PG I, PG II, and PG I/II ratios were significantly lower in subjects from Bangli than in those from Makassar and Surabaya, and concordant with the ABC group distribution; however, group D (<i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i> negative/PG positive) was the lowest in subjects from Bangli. In conclusion, validation of indirect methods is necessary before their application. We confirmed that serum PG level is a useful biomarker determining chronic gastritis, but a modest sensitivity for atrophic gastritis in Indonesia. The ABC method should be used with caution in areas with a low prevalence of <i>H</i>. <i>pylori</i>.</p></div