In vivo and in vitro inhibition effect of propolis on Klebsiella pneumoniae: A review.

For centuries, propolis has been used to treat various diseases in traditional medicine due to its biological and pharmacological activities. It remains popular because of its potentially beneficial role in human health due to its well-known broad multispectrum properties, including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anesthetic, antioxidant, anticancer, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antihepatotoxic, antimutagenic, and antiseptic activity. Numerous studies have examined the antibacterial activity of propolis and its derivatives, which include many natural antimicrobial compounds with broad spectrum activity against different bacterial types. In vitro studies have shown propolis's antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Many studies have examined propolis's effect on inhibiting bacterial growth. Several studies examining propolis's inhibition of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria have shown it to be an effective antimicrobial agent. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium commonly associated with respiratory infections, particularly in hospital settings. Inappropriate antibiotic use may contribute to the increasing number of bacterial strains resistant to available drugs. This review summarizes the findings of previous studies on propolis and its potential mechanisms in inhibiting K. pneumoniae growth in animals.

Glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels among junior high school students induced by indoor particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure.

BACKGROUND: Indoor air pollution has globally known as the risk factor of acute respiratory infection in young children.  The exposure to indoor particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at house or school can be a potential risk to children's health. This study aimed to examine the association between indoor PM2.5 and NO2 with oxidative stress markers in junior high school students. DESIGN AND METHOD: This study was conducted using a cross sectional study with 75 students collected randomly from four junior high schools in Jakarta.  PM2.5 and NO2 were measured in classrooms and school yards. The schools were categorized based on the exposure level of PM2.5 and NO2 in classrooms. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were examined from the blood sample. All students were interviewed with questionnaires to determine upper respiratory tract infection, smoking family members, mosquito repellent usage, and dietary supplement consumption. RESULTS: Mean concentration of indoor PM2.5 and NO2 were 0.125±0.036 mg m-3 and 36.37±22.33 µg m-3, respectively. The schools which located near to highway showed lower PM2.5 and higher NO2 level indicated the emission of traffic activity. Mean activity of SOD was 96.36±50.94 U mL-1 and mean concentration of GSH was of 0.62±0.09 µg mL-1. Most of the students reported upper respiratory tract infection history, smoking family member, use mosquito repellent at home, and do not consume dietary supplement. CONCLUSION: The level of oxidative stress markers and the exposure categories of classroom PM2.5 and NO2 was not significantly different, however there were significant correlation with cigarette smoke and mosquito repellent at home. Nevertheless, the exposure of indoor PM2.5 and NO2 increased the risk of the exposure to cigarette smoke and mosquito repellent at home. Further study on the air pollution at school and home is needed to affirm association towards student's health and to design strategic control efforts.

Brief psychotic disorder in COVID-19 patient with no history of mental illness.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 pandemic affects mental health globally. Reports showed the increase of mental illness as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the correlation between the COVID-19 and mental illness is not fully understood yet. METHODOLOGY: We reported a brief psychotic disorder in a COVID-19 patient with no history of mental illness who was hospitalized in Persahabatan Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. RESULTS: Psychotic symptoms appeared five days after COVID-19 onset and laboratory tests showed elevated levels of d-dimer and fibrinogen. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated levels of d-dimer and fibrinogen suggest an ongoing COVID-19-associated coagulopathy that might cause a microdamage in the central nervous system. It might contribute to the manifestation of psychotic symptoms. The correlation between brief psychotic disorder and COVID-19 requires further investigation.

Urinary Cotinine and Nicotine Dependence Levels in Regular Male Electronic Cigarette Users.

OBJECTIVE: Found in plasma, urine, and saliva, cotinine can be used as a biomarker for nicotine in electronic cigarette (e-cig) users. Nicotine is addictive and causes dependence. Thus, it becomes a problem in smoking cessation programs. This study aimed to determine the relationship between urinary cotinine (UCot) and nicotine dependence levels in regular male e-cig users. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study consecutively included regular male e-cig users and nonsmokers. All subjects were interviewed and had their UCot levels measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The regular e-cig users completed the Penn State Nicotine Dependence Index questionnaire. RESULTS: This study recruited 71 males aged 18-45 years divided into e-cig users and non-smokers group. The predominating characteristics in e-cig users are as follows: 23 males (67.6%) aged <30 years, the highest education of senior high school 25 (73.5%) and 25 (73.5%) subjects had occupation. The UCot levels among the e-cig users in the non-dependency group were lower than that of the medium-high dependency group (P = .008). The median value for UCot level in the regular e-cig users was higher than that of the non-smoker group (276.11 [58.01-284.15] ng/mL vs 5.21 [4.65-23.72] ng/mL, P < .001). Factors influencing the UCot levels of the e-cig users were age (P = .041), nicotine level of the e-cig liquid (P = .013), and the flavor of the e-cig liquid (eg, menthol or non-menthol; P = .040). CONCLUSION: UCot and nicotine dependence levels in the regular male e-cig users were significantly related. Nicotine dependence was found in 76.5% of the regular male e-cig users. The UCot levels in the e-cig users were significantly higher than in the non-smokers.

Urinary Cotinine Level in Indonesian Children Exposed to Domestic Cigarette Smoke.

BACKGROUND: Cotinine is a major metabolite of nicotine, and its urinary level is an indicator of exposure to cigarette smoke. The present study was aimed at identifying the urinary cotinine level in Indonesian children who were exposed and not exposed to domestic cigarette smoke. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional study in elementary school-aged children who had not smoked. The subjects were categorized into an exposed group and unexposed group based on their exposure status. Data were obtained from a questionnaire and random urinary samples measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: There were a total of 128 subjects, including 64 children in the exposed group and 64 children in the unexposed group. The median level of cotinine in all subjects was 17.95 ng/ml (with a range of 0.1-158.3 ng/ml). The urinary cotinine level in the exposed group was higher than the unexposed group (median: 30.1 ng/ml vs. 8.45 ng/ml; P < 0.000). There was a correlation between urinary cotinine levels in children exposed to cigarette smoke and the number of cigarettes smoked by the smokers at home (P < 0.05). The optimal cut-off points of urinary cotinine levels in children, which was utilized to evaluate cigarette smoke exposure, was 17.95 ng/ml (81% sensitivity; 81% specificity; P < 0.000). CONCLUSION: The urinary cotinine level in children exposed to cigarette smoke is higher than children who are not exposed to domestic cigarette smoke. The urinary cotinine level can be used as a noninvasive marker to evaluate cigarette smoke exposure in children.

Correlation between Domestic Cigarette Smoke Exposure and Respiratory Complaints, Hospitalization and School Absence due to Respiratory Complains in the Indonesian Elementary School-Aged Children.

BACKGROUND: Over 43 million Indonesian children who are exposed to cigarette smoke are at risk of having health hazard and morbidities. AIMS: The aim of this study is to identify the correlation between cigarette smoke exposure and respiratory complaints, hospitalization, as well as school absence due to respiratory complaints in elementary school-aged Indonesian children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in nonsmoking elementary school-aged children. Participants were categorized into the exposed and unexposed groups based on the report of their parents. Questionnaire-retrieved data were analyzed to identify the correlation between cigarette smoke exposure and respiratory complaints, hospitalization, as well as school absence due to respiratory complaints in elementary school-aged children. RESULTS: A total of 128 study participants of nonsmoking children aged 6-12 years (mean 9.8 ± standard deviation 1.6 years) were categorized into 64 children exposed and 64 children unexposed to domestic cigarette smoking. There was a significant correlation between smoking exposure and cough episodes as well as upper respiratory infection in children within the past 12 months. A cough episode of ≥3 times/year was found more prevalent in exposed children compared to the unexposed children (26.6% vs. 9.4%; P < 0.05). Cough ≥3 times/year was found in 50% of children exposed to cigarette smoke of a smoker with a smoking habit of >10 cigarettes/day. There was a correlation between cigarette smoke exposure and hospitalization frequency of ≥1 time(s)/year due to respiratory complaints in children (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoke exposure is correlated with complaints of cough, upper respiratory tract infection, and hospitalization due to respiratory complaints in children.

Recurrent secondary spontaneous pneumothorax in silicosis: a case report.

Silicosis is an occupational lung disease which is caused by inhalation and accumulation of crystalline silica particles in the lung. It commonly occurs in workers involved in quarrying, mining, sandblasting, tunneling, foundry work, and ceramics. Pneumothorax is one of the complications of silicosis with pleural involvement. The occurrence of pneumothorax in a patient with silicosis is a rare event, but it may be fatal. The rate of pneumothorax recurrence in silicosis is usually low. We report a case of recurrent secondary spontaneous pneumothorax in silicosis.