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Introduction: Oxaliplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy agent that often causes chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). This effect limits the potential activity and decreases the cancer patient's quality of life. Melanocortin and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) pathways are believed to be essential in recruiting an allodynia response. Based on previous studies, curcumin has shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that could potentially be useful for decreasing the allodynia effects of oxaliplatin treatment. This study investigated the effect of curcumin on CIPN conditions. In addition, we further elaborated to measure the involvement of spinal melanocortin and the TRPA1 system. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 male Balb/C mice aged 6-7 weeks old and weighing 20-30 g were used in this study. Mice were injected with oxaliplatin 3 mg/kg four times in the first week of the study. In the second week of the study, curcumin 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally for 7 days. Allodynia response was measured using the von Frey filament test. Melanocortin 4 receptor (Mc4r), Proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) and Trpa1 mRNA expressions were measured using RT-qPCR. Results: Oxaliplatin-induced mechanical allodynia response in mice, characterized by a decrease in the 50% withdrawal threshold parameter, was followed by a significant decrease in the Mc4r, Pomc, and Trpa1 mRNA expressions in the spinal cord. Curcumin administration in all doses improves the 50% withdrawal threshold parameter in mice induced by oxaliplatin. Furthermore, curcumin increases the Mc4r and Pomc, but not the Trpa1 mRNA expressions in the spinal cord. Conclusion: Curcumin significantly reduces the allodynia response induced by oxaliplatin. In addition, curcumin ameliorates the melanocortin, but not TRPA1, downregulation in the spinal cord. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to compare the most useful biomarkers for predicting prognosis and response to therapy in COVID-19 patients. Material and Methods: This quantitative study involved 639 patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19 infection. Patients without any biochemical marker result; patients referred to another hospital; and peripheral oxygen levels measured using oxygen supplementation were excluded from the study. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in terms of demographics, vital signs on admission, and laboratory parameters. The risk of mortality in COVID-19 is significantly influenced by c-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels (p-value <0.05). Conclusion: Findings revealed these biomarkers could help the future development of more personalized treatment and diagnostic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Abdulloh. Machin, Dinda. Divamillenia, Nurmawati. Fatimah, Imam. Susilo, D. Purwanto, Imam. Subadi, Paulus. Sugianto, Muhammad. Hamdan, O. Pratiwi, Dyah. Fauziah, Kenia. Izzawa Background: Stroke is a neurological deficit due [...]

Little is known regarding pre-hospital and in-hospital delays in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients in Indonesia. This study evaluated the nature of these delays and identified factors causing pre-hospital delays among AIS patients in Indonesia. This was a prospective, multicenter, observational study conducted among adult AIS patients in three hospitals in the city of Surabaya between March 15 and August 15, 2019. Baseline characteristics and the pre- and post-arrival time intervals of the patients to the study sites were collected and analyzed. Multiple logistic regression analyzes with a stepwise forward model were performed to evaluate the factors contributing to pre-hospital delay. A total of 126 patients were recruited for this study. The mean age was 58.56 ± 10.71-years-old. The mean time of pre-hospital delay and mean time to the computed tomography scan were 1,004 ± 1,116.09 and 189 ± 166.44 min, respectively. Eighteen out of 126 patients (14.29%) presented to the hospitals within 4.5 h of the intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) time window. However, only three patients (2.38%) ultimately received IVT. Wake-up stroke (odds ratio [OR] = 17.865; p = 0.019), unaware of the gravity of the symptoms (OR = 11.025; p = 0.007), unaware of stroke symptoms (OR = 7.880; p = 0.003) and referral patient (OR = 7.819; p = 0.008) were significantly associated with pre-hospital delay. Pre-hospital delay of AIS was patients very common and may represent the most challenging problem to improve stroke care in Indonesia. Wake-up stroke, a lack of patient understanding in recognizing stroke symptoms, and an ineffective referral system were the most prominent risk factors for pre-hospital delay in Indonesian AIS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Decreased total testosterone levels in the blood will disrupt memory consolidation. In this phase, one could still function normally even though it is difficult to recall the information that has been learned. Methods: The subjects were taken consecutively and conducted by interview, generalist, and neurological physical examination, Word List Memory Task examination twice as well as measurement of total testosterone in the blood. The subjects were grouped into total blood testosterone levels of less than 298 ng/ dl and more than equal to 298 ng/dl. Results: Fifty-four subjects studied obtained that total blood testosterone levels <298 ng/dl in the Word List Memory Task (WLMT) group <21 (62.5%) were higher than the WLMT group ≥21 (37.5%). Furthermore, Total Testosterone in the blood more ≥298 ng/dl in the WLMT group <21 (15.2%) was less than in the WLMT group ≥21 (84.8%). Conclusion: There was a correlation between total testosterone levels in the blood and memory consolidation in elderly men at the Veterans’ Institute of Republic Indonesia in Surabaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The decline of cognitive function is a problem that often experienced by the elderly. Objectives: to determine the role of elderly gymnastics towards cognitive function. Methods: A total of 50 elderly patients that fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria in Kedurus village, Surabaya, from September to October 2013 were conducted. The cognitive function was examined using The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the results were allocated to two groups: the case group with the MMSE score less than 26/30 while MMSE control group from 27/30. Results: During the study, 50 subjects were enrolled (25 case groups and 25 control groups). It was obtained in case group that did inactive-gymnastics was 15 (60%) and active-gymnastics was 10 (40%), with P = 0.047 and OR 3.188 (CI 0.99-10.17) Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between inactive-gymnastics elderly and active-gymnastics towards cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]