Design of pyrolysis equipment for the decomposition of medical gloves waste into fuel oil

The Corona Virus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic is rapidly expanding and spreading as new virus variants become more easily transmitted. It resulted in an increase in the number of infected patients. To overcome the problems, he government recommends that medical personnel to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to avoid direct contact between medical personnel and patients. As the number of Covid-19 transmissions increased, so did the number of medical wastes. One type of medical waste, disposable medical gloves are made of polymers and could not be broken down naturally by microorganisms in the environment. As a result, during this pandemic, disposable medical glove waste is significantly polluting the environment. Environmental issues can be overcome by properly handling of medical glove waste, such as by converting waste to energy (WTE) through the pyrolysis process. The design of pyrolysis equipment has become an important factor in converting waste into energy. The aim of this research is to determine a simple and easy-to-manufacture pyrolysis equipment design for converting medical gloves waste into an alternative fuel. According to the design, the pyrolysis vessel was made of stainless steel and had a maximum capacity of 3 kg/process. The tubing connector was made of stainless steel 304 (SS-304) and had a diameter of 2 cm. To maximize the condensation process, two condensers of stainless steel 201 (SS-201) were designed and built in series. The pyrolysis equipment has passed functional testing because the functional testing step revealed that medical gloves can be decomposed into fuel oil. © 2023 Author(s).

Implementation and recommendation of postpartum visit methods during COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study from Indonesia

Background. The Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) in Indonesia is still a health problem that must be solved. In 2018 and 2019, the postpartum period still dominates maternal mortality in Surabaya. The postpartum visit method is one of the essential things that can affect postpartum services, so it is necessary to evaluate the implementation of the postpartum visit method and recommend visiting methods to improve maternal health. Objective.The study explores the implementation and recommendation of postpartum visit methods during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Materials and Methods. It used a qualitative research type by assessing the interview and observation dept. The instruments used are questionnaires and observation sheets. Researchers conducted interviews with 14 mothers who had completed the postpartum period, five midwives, a stakeholder in the health office and two experts in the field of maternal health. The data is processed using organizing, reduction, coding, description, linking between themes, and data interpretation. Results. Offline visits to health facilities still dominate the implementation of the postpartum visit method. The recommended postpartum visit method combines visits to health facilities, home visits, and telehealth. Besides that, it is necessary to consider maternal postpartum services up to 3 months after delivery, especially for postpartum mothers who have problems. Conclusion. The postpartum visit method during the COVID-19 pandemic, has not run optimally because there are restrictions on offline visits. However, it has not been supported by online monitoring or home visits.Copyright © the Author(s), 2023.

In Silico Analysis of The Potential of Sargassum sp Brewed and Syzygium polyanthum Leaf as Nutraceuticals

The Covid-19 pandemic is causing a major public health crisis. One of the efforts that can be done is with protection from within the body by having a strong immune system. The immunity can be increased by consuming high antioxidant compounds comes from Sargassum sp brown seaweed and Syzygium polyanthum leaf. This study aims to determine the bioactive potential of Sargassum sp brewed and Syzygium polyanthum leaf using in silico analysis. The method used was GC-MS analysis to obtain chemical profiles and in silico analysis (prediction of activity spectra for biologically active substances) PASS server, SwissADME, Pro Tox II). GC-MS analysis with screen quality above 85% obtained 6 (six) compounds from Sargassum sp brewed and Syzygium polyanthum (SBSP), namely Pentane (69.12 %), 2-undecanone (3.80 %), Nerolidol (2.25 %), Biphenyl (8.50 %), Methylisoeugenol (13.08 %), 1-phenanthrenecarboxylic acid (3.26 %). Based on the PASS server, these small molecules can be antivirals, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, immunostimulant, antihypertensive antimutagenic, and anticholesterol. All small molecules have good drug-likeness potential, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity in the body based on in silico analysis (SwissADME and Pro Tox II). It can be the basis for developing nutraceuticals to increase immunity and prevent exposure to Covid-19. © 2023 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved.

Anti-phospholipid antibodies were associated with clinical symptoms, disease severity and mortality among hospitalized COVID-19 patient

Background: This study was aimed to find the correlation of anti-phospholipid antibodies in the risk of coagulopathy and disease severity in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Method(s): Clinical and laboratory findings were obtained from 50 confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, Indonesia from September to November 2020. Anti-phospholipid antibodies were measured by finding of IgM anti-beta2 glycoprotein, lupus anticoagulant and IgM anti-cardiolipin. Clinical Symptoms, thrombotic events, and mortality during hospitalization were recorded. Disease severity was defined by COVID-19 Treatment by multi-departement guidelines, Ministry of Health, Year 2020, Indonesia. Result(s): Among 50 patients, 5 patient (10%) were positive of IgM anti-beta2 glycoprotein (2%), IgG anti-cardiolipin (2%) and IgM anti-cardiolipin (8%). Anti-phospholipid antibodies were associated with anosmia OR 8.1 (1.1-57.9) (P = 0.018), nausea and vomiting OR 12.4 (1.2-122.6) (P = 0.010), diarrhea OR 9.8 (1.3-70.9) (P = 0.010), cardiovascular disease OR 1.4 (1.0-1.9), (P = 0.001), chronic kidney disease OR 12.0 (1.6-90.1) (P = 0.05), acute coronary syndrome (P = 0.001), moderate OR 0.11 (0.01-1.1) (P = 0.031) and severe OR 18.5 (1.8-188.4) (P = 0.002) disease severity, and in-hospital mortality OR 8.1 (1.1-57.9) (P = 0.018). Conclusion(s): In conclusion, anti-phospholipid antibodies show a low prevalence in COVID-19 patients and are associated with increased risk of acute coronary syndrome, clinical manifestations, disease severity, and mortality. Anti-phospholipid antibodies in COVID-19 patients are mainly directed against anti-cardiolipin.

Preventing COVID-19 pandemic outbreak: physical distancing and the socio-economic wisdom of local community in Aceh, Indonesia

Human as a social being have an instinct to live together and interact with one another. Nevertheless, COVID-19 has significantly limited face to face interaction. In a local community such as Aceh, Indonesia, such situation makes the community somewhat indifferent as their traditions carried out so far are actually interacting closely with each other as a form of intimacy. This research aims to explore the problem of physical distancing based on local wisdom in Acehnese society. Qualitative approach was utilized with data from field study and library research. This study found that there still exist various local wisdoms in Aceh community which are parallel in the current recommended mechanism in avoiding the spread of COVID-19. The socio-economic ties are also still strong among the local population who believe in tradition which prevent the COVID-19 outbreak. This study implies that local wisdom which have been applied by Acehnese for years could be one of solutions to mitigate the COVID-19 outbreak. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences.

Knowledge about care of pregnant mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: China reported a case of pneumonia known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus to the World Health Organization of unknown cause in Wuhan City. Regulation Number 6 of 2018 concerning Health Quarantine regulates the basic provisions of the PSBB. Health services at the primary care are very limited, one of which is the care of pregnant women which is an activity that monitors and supports the health of normal pregnant women and detects normal pregnancies. AIM: The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge of pregnant women about the care of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Jayengan primary health care. METHODS: This study uses a crosssectional design, the sample selection using purposive sampling with a sample of 40 respondents. Data collection was carried out using questionnaires made by researchers and filled out by respondents. Then, the data that have been collected is processed using software. RESULTS: The results showed that the value of the sub-variable understanding of pregnant women with an average value of 100, the sub-variable time of visit to pregnant women had an average value of 72.5, the sub-variable of breast care for pregnant women had an average value of 79.16, sub-variable nutrition variables in pregnant women have an average of 75.63, the tetanus toxoid immunization sub-variable for pregnant women got an average value of 76.66, the pregnancy check-up sub-variable got an average value of 97.5, and the care of pregnant women who were confirmed to have COVID-19 got an average score of 55.93. CONCLUSION: The conclusion shows that the average knowledge level of respondents is sufficient. © 2021 Faizah Betty Rahayuningsih, Nurlaila Fitriani, Enita Dewi, Agus Sudaryanto, Sulastri Sulastri, Aulia Fitriannur Jihan.

Public Relations Professionals’ Communication Strategies in Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic Based on Gender

Many studies have examined crisis management in various business sectors. However, COVID-19 has presented unique and interesting challenges. Using an online survey (n = 224 participants) and indepth interviews, profiling public relations professionals’ communication strategies in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic based on gender was investigated. The findings reveal that male and female public relations practitioners have specific understandings of the COVID-19 pandemic, ways in facing the crisis, and differing public relations activities during the pandemic. They regard this pandemic as a challenge to be adoptive, innovative, and creative, enhance technology competencies, and build relationships with publics by providing up to date information. Female public relations practitioners use social media more than males and give more attention to communication programs dealing with customers, while male counterparts focus on capturing the market by strengthening the organization’s image and reputation through publicity in conventional media. © 2021. All Rights Reserved.

Prevalence and clinical significance of antiphospholipid antibodies among hospitalized COVID-19 patients

Objective: To describe the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and to find potential associations between antiphospholipid antibody positivity and clinical outcomes. Methods: From September to November 2020, clinical and laboratory data were collected from 50 COVID-19 patients hospitalized at Saiful Anwar General Hospital in Malang, Indonesia. Antiphospholipid antibodies were measured by finding IgM anti-beta 2 glycoprotein, lupus anticoagulant, and IgM/IgG anticardiolipin. Clinical characteristics, thrombotic events, ICU admission, and mortality during hospitalization were recorded. Disease severity was defined by the Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of COVID-19, Indonesia. Results: Among 50 patients, 5 patients (10.0%) were positive for antiphospholipid antibodies: 4 patients (80.0%) had IgM anti-beta 2 glycoprotein and 1 patient had IgG anti-cardiolipin (20.0%) and IgM anti-cardiolipin (20.0%), none of lupus anticoagulant was detected. Antiphospholipid antibodies were associated with anosmia (OR 8.1;95% CI 1.1-57.9;P=0.018), nausea and vomiting (OR 12.4;95% CI 1.2-122.6;P=0.010), diarrhea (OR 9.8;95% CI 1.3-70.9;P=0.010), cardiovascular disease (OR 1.4;95% CI 1.0-1.9;P=0.001), chronic kidney disease (OR 12.0;95% CI 1.6-90.1;P=0.05), acute coronary syndrome (OR 29.3;95% CI 2.0-423.7;P=0.001), moderate (OR 0.11;95% CI 0.01-1.10;P=0.031) and severe (OR 18.5;95% CI 1.8-188.4;P=0.002) disease severity, and in-hospital mortality (OR 8.1;95% CI 1.1-57.9;P=0.018). However, there is no correlation between the presence of antiphospholipid antibody and ICU admission. Conclusions: In summary, the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies in COVID-19 patients is low, mainly against IgM anticardiolipin, and is associated with an acute coronary syndrome, gastrointestinal manifestations, moderate and severe disease severity, and increased risk of mortality.

Situation report: Maternal health management during COVID-19 pandemic at Soetomo General Hospital and Universitas Airlangga Academic Hospital, Surabaya Indonesia

The case of COVID-19 in Indonesia has shown a significantly increasing curve. This condition affected the regulation of maternal health services in Indonesia, especially in East Java Province. The health services structure was a challenge in itself, where hospitals must be adaptive during the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation also caused changes in several components of maternal health services. The report focused on maternal services in two hospitals at East Java, Indonesia (Soetomo General Hospital and Universitas Airlangga Academic Hospital) that described five main components, including patient screening, hospital visit policies, intrapartum management, postpartum management, protection and safety for health workers, and funding issues.