Pengetahuan Apoteker Tentang Handrub dan Desinfektan Saat Pandemi Covid 19 di Kabupaten Banyumas

Latar Belakang : Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) ditemukan pada Desember 2019, dilakukan penanganan covid-19 dengan mencuci tangan menggunakan handrub, dan sterilisasi dengan desinfektan. Apoteker berperan memberikan edukasi terkait covid-19. Dengan itu pengetahuan apoteker merupakan faktor penting dalam keberhasilan pemberian edukasi. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui perbedaan antara kelompok karakteristik apoteker (usia, jenis kelamin, dan lama pengalaman kerja) dengan tingkat pengetahuan apoteker tentang handrub dan desinfektan saat pandemi covid-19. Metodologi : Penelitian ini dilakukan secara cross sectional kepada 136 responden yaitu Apoteker yang berpraktik selama pandemi covid-19 di fasilitas kesehatan di Kabupaten Banyumas dengan teknik accidental sampling menggunakan kuesioner secara online dan offline. Data skor pengetahuan responden dianalisis secara deskriptif, sedangkan uji korelasi mann whitney dan kruskal wallis digunakan untuk mengetahui adanya perbedaan yang signifikan antara kelompok karakteristik usia, jenis kelamin, dan lama pengalaman kerja dengan tingkat pengetahuan apoteker tentang handrub dan desinfektan pada masa pandemi covid-19. Hasil Penelitian : Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa tingkat pengetahuan apoteker termasuk dalam kategori pengetahuan baik (76,921%). Pada uji analisis perbedaan, terdapat perbedaan pengetahuan yang signifikan dengan nilai p-value ≤0,001 antara apoteker yang memiliki lama pengalaman kerja ≤ 5 tahun dengan > 5 tahun. Tidak terdapat perbedaan pengetahuan yang signifikan antara karakteristik berupa usia dengan p-value 0,072 (dewasa awal, dewasa, lansia awal dan lansia), dan jenis kelamin dengan p-value 0,252 (laki-laki dan perempuan) tentang handrub dan desinfektan saat pandemi covid-19 di Kabupaten Banyumas. Kesimpulan : Pengetahuan apoteker tentang handrub dan desinfektan saat pandemi covid-19 sudah baik, akan tetapi perlu dilakukan peningkatan pengetahuan tentang kadar zat aktif yang optimal pada kandungan desinfektan, serta tata cara penggunaan desinfektan yang baik dan efektif

Culture density of menstrual blood-derived stromal/stem cells determines the quality of T cell responses: An experimental study

Background: Menstrual blood-derived stromal/stem cells (MenSCs) are a new population of refreshing and highly proliferative stem cells. Immunomodulatory effects of MenSCs profoundly depend on their relative density. Objective: To find whether MenSCs cultured at varying numbers would differentially affect the allogenic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) key features. Materials and Methods: PBMCs were co-cultured with various MenSCs numbers. PBMCs proliferation was investigated via 3H-thymidine incorporation. Flow cytometry was used to assess human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR, HLA-ABC, HLA-G, and costimulatory markers on MenSCs and the percentage of regulatory T cells (Tregs) among PBMCs. The concentration of cytokines was determined in supernatant of co-cultures. Results: The support of PBMCs proliferation at low MenSCs densities correlated with higher levels of pro-inflammatory interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in MenSCs/PBMCs co-culture and increased expression of HLA-DR by MenSCs. On the other hand, the suppressive property of MenSCs at higher densities was independent of Treg frequency, but correlated with a high concentration of Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 in the co-cultures. Conclusion: Totally, at different seeding densities, MenSCs could differentially interact with PBMCs leading to significant changes in the level of anti- and/or pro-inflammatory factors. These preliminary in vitro results are suggested to be taken into consideration in experimental models of MenSC-based immunomodulation. Nonetheless, for efficient utilization of MenSCs anti-inflammatory features in pre-clinical disease models, we still need to broaden our knowledge on MenSC-immune system cross-talk; this could play a part in designing more optimized MenSCs injection modalities in the case of future pre-clinical and subsequently clinical settings. Key words: Menstrual, Stromal cells, T cell response, Interferon

DEFENCE MECHANISMS OF THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

The close relationship between the immune system and the central nervous system (CNS) has been well-studied. The CNS regulates almost all the functions of the immune system; however, the effect and/or the control of the immune system on the CNS has not been well-studied yet. Recent reports suggest that the CNS has its own defence mechanism(s). In this review, attempts have been made to discuss some of the controversial issues in order to approach a clear conclusion

NEUROPEPTIDES (SP AND CGRP) AUGMENT IL-1 BETA PRODUCTION IN HSV-INFECTED MACROPHAGES

Neuropeptides, possessing specific and functional receptors on various cells of the immune system, have the potential to regulate immune responses; and the macrophages as important components of defense against various agents, are at their influence. In this study the effect of neuropeptides substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on IL-1 beta production by herpes sim¬plex type-1 (HSV-1 )-infected and also uninfected mouse peritoneal macrophages were considered. Each neuropeptide separately has upregulated IL-1 beta produc¬tion by HSV-1 infected macrophages with the greatest effect at the concentrations of 10'9M for both SP and CGRP, but no synergistic effect on IL-1 production has been observed in the presence of both neuropeptides at optimal concentrations. IL-ip production by uninfected macrophages was also moderately enhanced in the presence of each neuropeptide, but not in the presence of both neuropeptides simultaneously. It can be concluded that IL-1 S3 production, which is part of mac¬rophage mediated inflammatory response to HSV-1, is enhanced by specific doses of neuropeptides

Insights and Hopes in Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantations

Over 20.000 umblical cord blood transplantations (UCBT) have been carried out around the world. Indeed, UCBT represents an attractive source of donor hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and, offer interesting features (e.g., lower graft-versus-host disease) compared to bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Thereby, UCBT often represents the unique curative option against several blood diseases. Recent advances in the field of UCBT, consisted to develop strategies to expand umbilical stem cells and shorter the timing of their engraftment, subsequently enhancing their availability for enhanced efficacy of transplantation into indicated patients with malignant diseases (e.g., leukemia) or non-malignant diseases (e.g., thalassemia major). Several studies showed that the expansion and homing of UCBSCs depends on specific biological factors and cell types (e.g., cytokines, neuropeptides, co-culture with stromal cells). In this review, we extensively present the advantages and disadvantages of current hematopoietic stem cell transplantations (HSCTs), compared to UBCT. We further describe the importance of cord blood content and obstetric factors on cord blood selection, and report the recent approaches that can be undertook to improve cord blood stem cell expansion as well as engraftment. Eventually, we provide two majors examples underlining the importance of UCBT as a potential cure for blood diseases

Detection of Interleukin-19 mRNA in C57BL/6 Mice Astroglial Cells and Brain Cortex

Introduction: Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cell type. In addition to their neurological roles, astrocytes also have immune functions. They have been involved in antigen presentation in the central nervous system (CNS). Activated astrocytes express adhesion molecules, chemokines and release several inflammatory mediators, pro-inflammatory cytokines, neurotrophic and neuroprotective factors, thus these cells have a dual role within the CNS: neuroinflammation and repair processes. IL-19, IL-20, IL-22, IL-24, IL-26, IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29 are members of the IL-10 family of cytokines. These cytokines have different biological functions in spite of partial amino acid sequences homology. Signal transduction of the IL-10 family of cytokines is through R1-type and R2-type receptors. Methods: No information has been available about the expression and regulation of IL-19 in mice astrocytes and brain. To investigate the expression of IL-19, we examined its expression in C57BL/6 mice astroglial cells in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), using reversetranscription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.  Results: We provide for the first time, evidence that astrocytes can express IL-19 mRNA following LPS stimulation. Furthermore, we have found the expression of IL-19 mRNA in the cortex of adult C57BL/6 mice following intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of LPS.  Discussion: This finding will contribute to current knowledge on the function and behavior of cells and mediators during inflammatory conditions in the brai

A comprehensive review on the treatment approaches of multiple sclerosis: currently and in the future

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), mainly characterized by inflammatory demyelination, which manifests as relapses and diffuse damage and brain volume loss, both accounting for neurodegeneration, and therefore, physical disability. MS typically affects young adults and is commonly diagnosed in the early years by acute relapses, which then followed through partial or complete remission period. The clinical course of MS is characterized as four major classifications, including relapsing–remitting (RRMS), primary progressive (PPMS), progressive relapsing (PRMS), and secondary progressive (SPMS). Purpose: This review provides comprehensive overview of the current treatments and future innovative approaches in the treatment of MS. Results: Currently, there is no definite cure for MS. The treatment of MS has mainly been based on the prescription of immunosuppressive and immune-modulating agents. However, a number of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) have been designed that reduce the attack rate and delay progression and mainly target inflammation settings in these patients. Although remarkable advancements have occurred in the therapy of MS, the rate of progressive disability and early mortality is still worrisome. Recently, a monoclonal antibody (ocrelizumab) was demonstrated to be beneficial in a clinical trial of primary progressive MS. Furthermore, novel treatment strategies concentrating on the remyelination or neuroprotection are under evaluation. Conclusions: In spite of prosperous experiences in MS therapy, the future research, hopefully, will bring substantial improvements in the understanding and approaches of MS therapy

Substance P and calcitonin gene-related neuropeptides as novel growth factors for ex vivo expansion of cord blood CD34⁺ hematopoietic stem cells

There is little evidence on roles of growth factors other than cytokines in expansion of cord blood (CB) stem cells. We aimed to explore a novel approach for expansion, using Substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) neuropeptides. CB CD34⁺ cells were cultured in different concentrations of SP and/or CGRP in combination with a cytokine cocktail. Phenotypic and functional analysis was performed by flowcytometry and colonogenic assay. Our results show a significant improvement of total expansion of neuropeptide treated cells. There was a selective effect of CGRP on CD34⁺ CD133⁺ cells, SP on CD34⁺ CD45dim cells, and 10⁻⁹ M SP and/or CGRP on expansion of CD34⁺ CD38⁻ cells. There was also a tendency for erythroid and granulocyte–myeloid colony formation in SP and CGRP treated cultures, respectively. Supplementation of cytokines with other growth factors, such as neuropeptides, might enable us to overcome the difficulties of ex vivo expansion of CB cells