Factors Affecting the Synthesis of Bovine Serum Albumin Nanoparticles Using the Desolvation Method.

Currently, protein-based nanoparticles are in high demand as drug delivery systems due to their exceptional qualities, including nontoxicity, nonantigenicity, and biodegradability. Other qualities include high nutritional value, abundance of renewable resources, excellent drug binding capacity, greater stability during storage and in vivo, as well as ease of upgrading during manufacture. Examples of protein suitable for this purpose include ovalbumin (OVA) derived from egg white, human serum albumin (HSA), and bovine serum albumin (BSA). To create albumin nanoparticles, six different processes have been investigated in depth and are frequently used in drug delivery systems. These included desolvation, thermal gelation, emulsification, NAB technology, self-assembly, and nanospray drying. Several experimental conditions in the synthesis of albumin nanoparticles can affect the physicochemical characterization. Therefore, this study aimed to provide an overview of various experimental conditions capable of affecting the physicochemical characteristics of BSA nanoparticles formed using the desolvation method. By considering the variation in optimal experimental conditions, a delivery system of BSA nanoparticles with the best physicochemical characterization results could be developed.

Biomonitoring of Exposures to Solvents and Metals in Electronics Manufacturing Facilities in Batam, Indonesia.

Concerns about chemical exposure in the electronics manufacturing industry have long been recognized, but data are lacking in Southeast Asia. We conducted a study in Batam, Indonesia, to evaluate chemical exposures in electronics facilities, using participatory research and biological monitoring approaches. A convenience sample of 36 workers (28 exposed, 8 controls) was recruited, and urine samples were collected before and after shifts. Five solvents (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, benzene, and xylenes) were found in 46%-97% of samples, and seven metals (arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, tin, antimony, lead, and vanadium) were detected in 60%-100% of samples. Biological monitoring and participatory research appeared to be useful in assessing workers' exposure when workplace air monitoring is not feasible due to a lack of cooperation from the employer. Several logistical challenges need to be addressed in future biomonitoring studies of electronics workers in Asia in factories where employers are reluctant to track workers' exposure and health.

The Role of Vitamins A and E Level in Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media with and without Cholesteatoma.

Aim: High expression of lytic enzymes and cytokines is related to cell proliferation in Otitis Media Chronic Suppurative (CSOM) with cholesteatoma. In addition, the process of inflammation healing and maintenance of homeostatic conditions requires Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), which can cause significant damage to cells. To address this issue, secondary antioxidants such as Vitamins A and E are used to inhibit and neutralize the occurrence of oxidation reactions. These vitamins complement each other, with vitamin A working effectively at low concentrations of oxygen, while vitamin E functions in the opposite manner. Purpose: This study aims to investigate the roles of vitamin A and E levels in CSOM patients with Cholesteatoma. Patients and Methods: The study was conducted between July and December 2020, and the method used was an analytical observational approach with a case-control design. The sample population comprised 60 CSOM patients divided into 2 groups. These included those with and without cholesteatoma. Results: The results showed that there was no significant difference between these two groups in terms of the impact of vitamin A and E levels (respectively, p = 0.626, p = 0.864). Conclusion: Considering these results, it was discovered that vitamins A and E levels do not influence the occurrence of CSOM with or without cholesteatoma.

Traditional medicine users in a treated chronic disease population: a cross-sectional study in Indonesia.

BACKGROUND: Traditional medicine (TM) is commonly used as a treatment in Indonesia. This raises the need for an analysis of its potential development and irrational use. Therefore, we analyze the proportion of TM users among chronic disease patients and its associated characteristics to optimize the use of TM in Indonesia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of treated adult chronic disease patients was conducted using the fifth Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS-5) database. Descriptive analysis was used to identify the proportion of TM users, while a multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze their characteristics. RESULTS: This study included 4901 subjects and identified 27.1% as TM users. The highest TM use was in subjects with cancer (43.9%), liver issues (38.3%), cholesterol issues (34.3%), diabetes (33.6%), and stroke (31.7%). Characteristics associated with TM users were a perception of one's current health as unhealthy (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.76-3.81), low medication adherence (OR 2.49, 95% CI 2.17-2.85), age above 65 years (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.63-2.90), having higher education (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.17-2.29), and residence outside of Java (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.11-1.45). CONCLUSIONS: Low medication adherence among TM users highlights the potentially irrational use of treatment in chronic diseases. Nevertheless, the longstanding use of TM users indicates the potential for its development. Further studies and interventions are needed to optimize TM use in Indonesia.

Determination of the Difference Between Men and Women Anthropometry Auricles Using Photogrammetric Method in Sundanese Ethnic Group.

Abstract: Auricle is one of the features that determine the face appearance. Furthermore, its shape and size are influenced by age, gender, and ethnicity. Knowledge of the normal dimensional shape, ear growth patterns, and deformity is important in diagnosing various congeital disorders. The auricle dimensions data in the Deutro-Malay population are still unavailable, specifically for the Sundanese ethnic group. Purpose: To determine the anthropometry of adult auricles in the Sundanese population. Patients and Methods: This was a quantitative descriptive study with a cross-sectional approach. The subjects used were Sundanese aged 18-65 years old who visited the Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery outward at Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung. Their data were obtained by photogrammetric techniques from the results of the ear photographs captured, which were then measured with ImageJ 1.48 software, and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The mean value of seven anthropometric parameters of Sundanese auricle were as follows: For men, auricle length = 6.29 cm ± 0.47, auricle width = 2.95 cm ± 0.26, auricle floor = 4.71 cm ± 0.49, lobule length = 1.90 cm ± 0.24, lobule width = 1.83 cm ± 0.22, concha length = 2.74 cm ± 0.17, and concha width = 1.43 cm ± 0.15. Meanwhile in women, auricle length = 6.09 cm ± 0.42, auricle width = 2.88 cm ± 0.25, auricle floor = 4.58 cm ± 0.47, lobule length = 1.95 cm ± 0.27, lobule width = 1.82 cm ± 0.21, concha length = 2.57 cm ± 0.21, and concha width = 0.42 cm ± 0.19. Conclusion: In Sundanese ethnic, auricle length, width, and floor, as well as concha length of men tended to be greater than women. However, the women's lobule length was longer compared to men's, while the lobule and concha width tended to be the same.

Calcitriol potentially alters HeLa cell viability via inhibition of autophagy.

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Calcitriol on cellular death in HeLa cells via autophagy and turn over due to mitochondria homeostasis. Methods: HeLa cell lines were grown in 24-well plates and treated with Calcitriol at varying doses (0.013 µM-0.325 µM) for varying time periods (2, 6, 12, and 18 h). Cell proteins were extracted with scrapers and lysed using RIPA buffer. Western blots were performed for proteins involved with autophagy (Lc3, p62), signaling (mTOR, PI3K, HIF1α), mitochondria (PGC1α, COX4, and Tom 20), and apoptosis (Caspase 3, Caspase 9, and PARP). Protein carbonyl levels were determined by measuring the indirect ROS level. An inhibition study using L-mimosine was performed to analyze the significance of HIF1α. Results: Calcitriol treatment induced cytotoxicity in a dose- and time-dependent manner and caused growth arrest in HeLa cells. The PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway was activated, leading to inhibition of autophagy and alterations in mitochondria biogenesis homeostasis. Treatment with Calcitriol produced protein carbonyl levels similar to those in the cisplatin-treated and control groups. Increased ROS levels may cause toxicity and induce cell death specifically in cancer cells but not in normal cells. The inhibition of HIF1α partially rescued the HeLa cells from the toxic effects of Calcitriol treatment. Conclusion: We suggest that Calcitriol may shut down mitochondrial homeostasis in HeLa cells by inducing the PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway and inhibiting autophagy, which leads to cell death.

Polyethyleneimine (PEI) as a Polymer-Based Co-Delivery System for Breast Cancer Therapy.

Cancer has become one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This disease is classified broadly by tissue, organ, and system; different cancer types and subtypes require different treatments. Drug bioavailability, selectivity, and high dosage, as well as extended treatment, are significantly associated with the development of resistance - a complex problem in cancer therapy. It is expected that the combination of anticancer drugs and drug delivery systems, using polymers to increase the access of such agents to their site of action, will improve the efficacy of therapy. Polyethyleneimine (PEI) is a polymer used as a co-delivery system for anticancer drugs and gene therapy. PEI is also useful for other purposes, such as transfection and bio-adsorbent agents. In co-delivery, PEI can promote drug internalization. However, PEI with a high molecular weight is linked to higher cytotoxicity, thus requiring further evaluation of clinical safety. This review focuses on the utilization of PEI as a co-delivery system for anticancer therapy, as well as its potential to overcome resistance, particularly in the treatment of specific subtypes (eg, breast cancer). In conclusion, PEI has promising applications and is improvable for the development of anticancer drugs.

The application of honey in wound care of raw surface at spontaneous rupture submandibular abscess that extends to submental and right neck: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Honey has been reported to accelerate wound healing. The use of honey in wound care mostly uses medicated (Manuka) honey. There are still few who report using Nusantara honey, local honey from Indonesia, as a wound dressing. We report wound care using Nusantara honey in patients with a remarkably open wound due to a ruptured submandibular abscess extending to the submental and right neck. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 67 years old male patient came with a ruptured submandibular abscess that extends to the submental and right neck. On the right submandibular region, an ulcer extends to submental with a size of 10 × 4 × 3 cm, hyperemic, edema around the wound, fluctuating, with pus and tenderness. The isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus. The patient received combination antibiotic therapy, blood sugar management, necrotomy debridement, tooth extraction, and wound care using Nusantara honey on the sixth day after surgery. An improvement was seen on the 10th day after necrotomy. DISCUSSION: The use of honey for wound care is based on thousands of years of history. Honey can accelerate wound healing and show different effects depending on the phase of wound healing. In addition, honey also has antibacterial properties. CONCLUSION: Applying Nusantara honey to treat raw surfaces can help speed up wound healing and provide cost-efficiency. There were no allergic reactions or secondary bacterial infections after using honey in this patient.

Updates on the Status of Vitamin D as a Risk Factor for Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

To update the guidelines regarding vitamin D status in respiratory distress syndrome, we reviewed recent human and animal studies on the benefits of vitamin D in respiratory distress. We searched PubMed and ProQuest for studies on the use of vitamin D from 2009 to 2017. The common parameters in these studies included the use of lung tissue, phospholipids, blood, and plasma to assess the effects of vitamin D on respiratory syndrome. The metabolized form of vitamin D used in these studies was 1,25(OH)2D3 in animal studies and 25(OH)D in human studies. Vitamin D supplementation decreases the risk of respiratory distress syndrome, improves the quality of life, and is relatively effective and safe for preterm neonates as well as during lung maturation. However, although vitamin D supplementation may offer benefits for respiratory distress syndrome, the optimal dosing strategies for specific types of risk factors in the lungs must be clarified to confirm the therapeutic efficacy.