The Knowledge Level of Primary Care Physicians in Surabaya Primary Health Care Center Concering Hepatitis B

Background: One of physician's functions at primary health care center (PHC) is the ability to diagnose some diseases especially that contribute to high morbidity and mortality. Until now, hepatitis B virus infection has become a major health problem worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify the knowledge level of primary care physicians concerning hepatitis B in Surabaya. Method: The present study was a cross-sectional study that performed by investigators through interviews with primary care physicians in Surabaya to fill questionnaires for measuring their knowledge level. The questionnaires were modified from questionnaire survey in Tur Key performed by Peksen et al. It reflected the level of knowledge of the physicians including their comprehension, application and analysis. Validity and reliability test were performed on the Result of those questionnaires. The knowledge level was categorized as follows: > 75 (excellent), 70.0–74.9 (very high), 65.0–69.9 (high), 60.0–64.9 (medium), 55.0–59.9 (moderate), 47.5–54.9 (nearly moderate), 40.0-47.4 (less moderate), < 40 (low). Results: Based on validity test, we obtained 14 items of 17 question items with correlation coefficient 0.287–0.561 and alpha reliability index 0.639; therefore, the instrument can be used to measure the knowledge level. The results of mean score conversion included comprehension, which was 84.878 ± 16.499 (excellent category); application, which was 47.556 ± 31.870 (nearly moderate category) and analysis, which was 14.634 ± 35.562 (low category). Statistically, the mean value of the knowledge level scale, which was the combination of comprehension, application and analysis, was obtained at 49.023 ± 19.085 including the nearly moderate category. Conclusion: By using a valid and reliable instrument, the knowledge level of primary care physician in Surabaya concerning hepatitis B can be categorized as nearly moderate

Response Evaluation of Patients Undergoing Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Respect to Tumour Size, Number of Lesion, and Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Level

Background: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is widely used as a palliative treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). TACE is also used as bridging therapy before liver transplantation to avoid tumour progression and considered for downstaging to fulfill tumour resection or liver transplantation criterias. This study aimed to evaluate response of TACE in unresectable HCC according to changing of tumour size, number of lesion, and AFP level.Method: Retrospectively, we evaluate 69 HCC patients who underwent TACE in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital in January 2012-June 2015, including their age, sex, aetiologies, and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer/BCLC staging. Laboratory examinations such as complete blood count (hemoglobin/Hb, leucocyte, thrombocyte), liver function test (aspartate aminotransferase/AST, alanine aminotransferase/ALT, bilirubin, albumin, international normalized ratio/INR), alpha-fetoprotein/AFP level, and abdominal CT-scan were performed before and 1 month post-TACE. Data was analysed using paired t-test.Results: 69 patients with mean age of 51.81 ± 12.8 years old, predominantly 76.8% males, the most common aetiology was hepatitis B 68.1%, 92.8% BCLC B, 64.3% with stable disease, none achieved complete response, 97.1% had tumour size > 5 cm, 69.6% had single tumour, and 55.7% had AFP level >1000 ng/mL. There was a significant increase in tumour size and number of lesions in 1 month post-TACE that were approximately 1.76 cm and 2.33, respectively, and there was no significant difference between AFP level before and 1 month post TACE.Conclusion: In 1 month post TACE evaluation, there was a significant increase of tumour size and number of lesion, but there was no significant alteration in AFP level. TACE might be performed repeatedly with shorter evaluation interval than 1 month to achieve better response

Response Evaluation of Patients Undergoing Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Respect to Tumour Size, Number of Lesion, and Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Level

Background: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is widely used as a palliative treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). TACE is also used as bridging therapy before liver transplantation to avoid tumour progression and considered for downstaging to fulfill tumour resection or liver transplantation criterias. This study aimed to evaluate response of TACE in unresectable HCC according to changing of tumour size, number of lesion, and AFP level. Method: Retrospectively, we evaluate 69 HCC patients who underwent TACE in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital in January 2012-June 2015, including their age, sex, aetiologies, and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer/BCLC staging. Laboratory examinations such as complete blood count (hemoglobin/Hb, leucocyte, thrombocyte), liver function test (aspartate aminotransferase/AST, alanine aminotransferase/ALT, bilirubin, albumin, international normalized ratio/INR), alpha-fetoprotein/AFP level, and abdominal CT-scan were performed before and 1 month post-TACE. Data was analysed using paired t-test. Results: 69 patients with mean age of 51.81 12.8 years old, predominantly 76.8% males, the most common aetiology was hepatitis B 68.1%, 92.8% BCLC B, 64.3% with stable disease, none achieved complete response, 97.1% had tumour size > 5 cm, 69.6% had single tumour, and 55.7% had AFP level >1000 ng/mL. There was a significant increase in tumour size and number of lesions in 1 month post-TACE that were approximately 1.76 cm and 2.33, respectively, and there was no significant difference between AFP level before and 1 month post TACE. Conclusion: In 1 month post TACE evaluation, there was a significant increase of tumour size and number of lesion, but there was no significant alteration in AFP level. TACE might be performed repeatedly with shorter evaluation interval than 1 month to achieve better response

Lower Number and Percentage of Activated Natural Killer Cells in Colorectal Cancer Patients

Background: Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the colon and/or rectum tissue. Natural killer (NK) cells play a critical role in the first line of defense against infection and tumors, as well as in autoimmunity and hypersensitivity reactions. NK cells also play a role in regulating tumor cell growth and metastasis. The number and percentage of activated natural killer cells have been determined in patients with colorectal cancer and benign lesion. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational analytic study. The number and percentage of activated NK cells in peripheral blood were determined using the flow cytometry method in 50 samples from patients who underwent colonoscopy and obtained a mass as evidenced by histopathological examination. Results: Among the 50 samples, 24 samples included in the colorectal cancer group and 26 samples from benign lesion group. The mean number of NK cells in colorectal cancer was 161.71 ± 62.666 cells/µL, benign lesion was 553.92 ± 269.173 cells/µL. The mean percentage of activated NK cells in colorectal cancer was 2.82 ± 1.19%, benign lesion was 5.10 ± 2.48%. There was a significant difference in the number of NK cells and the percentage of activated NK cells between colorectal cancer and benign lesion patients (p = 0.000). Conclusion: The number and activity of NK cells decreases in patients with colorectal cancer