Search

Abstract Purpose Stroke is a significant cause of disability worldwide and is considered a disease caused by long-term exposure to lifestyle-related risk factors. These risk factors influence the first event of stroke and recurrent stroke events, which carry more significant risks for more severe disabilities. This study specifically compared the risk factors and neurological outcome of patients with recurrent ischemic stroke to those who had just experienced their first stroke among patients admitted to the Hospital. Patients and methods We observed and analyzed 300 patients’ data who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. This retrospective observational study was conducted on consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to the top referral hospital, West Java, Indonesia. The data displayed are epidemiological characteristics, NIHSS score at admission and discharge, and the type and number of risk factors. Data were then analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Results Most patients had more than one risk factor with hypertension as the most frequent (268 subjects or 89.3%). In patients who experienced ischemic stroke for the first time, the average National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was lower (6.52 ± 3.55), and the alteration of NIHSS score was higher (1.22 ± 2.26) than those with recurrent stroke (6.96 ± 3.55) for NIHSS score and 1.21 ± 1.73 for alteration of NIHSS score). We processed the data with statistical analysis and showed a positive correlation between age (P

Abstract Objective SARS CoV-2, the etiologic agent of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is well-known to use ACE2 to begin internalization. Some viruses enter the host cell through the endocytosis process and involve some endocytosis proteins, such as the Rab family. However, the relationship between SARS CoV-2 infection with endocytic mRNA RAB5, RAB7, and RAB11B is unknown. This study aims to compare the expression of RAB5, RAB7, and RAB11B between positive and negative COVID-19 patient groups. Results Both viral and human epithelial RNA Isolation and RT-PCR were performed from 249 samples. The genes expression was analysed using appropriate statistical tests. We found the Median (inter-quartile range/IQR) of RAB5, RAB7, and RAB11B expression among the COVID-19 patient group was 2.99 (1.88), 0.17 (0.47), 0.47 (1.49), and 1.60 (2.88), 1.05 (2.49), 1.10 (3.96) among control group respectively. We proceeded with Mann Whitney U Test and found that RAB5 expression was significantly increased (P

Abstract Background and objectives Indonesian society extensively uses herbal medicine due to its abundant natural resources that have been utilized for generations for health purposes. Herbal medicine is also employed by specific community groups, such as breastfeeding mothers, to address issues like low milk production. However, there has yet to be much research conducted on its usage patterns in the Jogonalan District, Klaten Regency, Indonesia. It is crucial to understand this aspect to gain an overview of herbal medicine utilization in the community, thus preserving local’s healthy traditional culture and traditions and continuing their development. This study aims to describe the pattern of herbal medicine usage among breastfeeding mothers in the Jogonalan District, Klaten Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia. Methods The quantitative descriptive study conducted as a mini survey to breastfeeding mothers who used herbs, visited minimal three (3) times in integrated service posts for babies/toddlers in the Jogonalan sub-district and agree to overcome the research. Calculating the frequency distribution was used to analyze the study's findings. The advantages and disadvantages of these results are evaluated in relation to the findings of earlier investigations. Results and conclusions The respondents were dominated housewives (84.4%), aged 20–35 years (71.1%), had secondary education (60.0%), and multiparous (66.7%). The daily use of uyub-uyub as a breast milk enhancer dominates the pattern of herbal medicine use. Papaya leaves, turmeric, and aromatic ginger are further herbal remedies. Nursing mothers’ health and fitness and breastfed children’s health is other advantages. The only adverse effects reported by three respondents (6.7%) were nausea and dizziness. Breastfeeding mothers can safely utilize evidence-based herbal medicines by increasing their knowledge, consulting with health professionals, and using them under supervision to preserve their use.

Abstract Background This study aims to assess the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of adopting sildenafil to the benefits package for the indication of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), compared to beraprost. Methods Based on a societal perspective, a model-based economic evaluation was performed using local and international data to quantify the potential costs and health-related outcomes in terms of life years (LYs) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Results The economic model calculated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per QALY gained for using sildenafil as first-line therapy compared to beraprost for the patient in functional class (FC) II and III, i.e. USD 3098 and USD 2827, respectively. The results indicated that in spite of sildenafil being more expensive than beraprost, generic sildenafil could potentially be a good value for money since ICER per QALY is below one times gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in Indonesia. Furthermore, budget impact analysis estimated that the incremental budget needed within 5 years for including sildenafil compared to beraprost for PAH patients starting in FC II and FC III was USD 436,775 and USD 3.6 million, respectively. Conclusions Compared to beraprost, sildenafil would be preferable for the treatment of PAH patients in FC II and FC III in Indonesia. The additional budget for adopting sildenafil compared to beraprost as the treatment of PAH in the benefits package was estimated at around USD 4.0 million.