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The Hippo signaling pathway is recognized for its significant role in cell differentiation, proliferation, survival, and tissue regeneration. Recently, the Hippo signaling pathway was also found to be associated with oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulation, which are important in the regulation of cell survival. Studies indicate a correlation between components of the Hippo signaling pathway, including MST1, YAP, and TAZ, and the generation of ROS. On the other hand, ROS and oxidative stress can activate key components of the Hippo signaling pathway. For example, ROS production activates MST1, which subsequently phosphorylates FOXO3, leading to apoptotic cell death. ROS was also found to regulate YAP, in addition to MST1/2. Oxidative stress and ROS formation can impair lipids, proteins, and DNA, leading to many disorders, including aging, neurodegeneration, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. Consequently, understanding the interplay between the Hippo signaling pathway, ROS, and oxidative stress is crucial for developing future disease management strategies. This paper aimed to review the association between the Hippo signaling pathway, regulation of ROS production, and oxidative stress to provide beneficial information in understanding cell function and pathological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiac fibrosis is often associated with various heart-related problems such as heart failure, atrial arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death, making it a leading cause of death globally. Diabetes-associated fibrosis, on the other hand, is influenced by activated cardiac fibroblasts and potentially involves fibrosis-inducing activity of macrophages, cardiomyocytes, and vascular cells. Streptozotocin (STZ) is a known diabetogenic agent, but inadequate preclinical data in animal models hinders its clinical success. Aim: This study aims to provide practical guidelines for STZ utilization in inducing diabetes-associated cardiac fibrosis. Methods: The research was conducted in vivo using white rats (Rattus norvegicus) of the Wistar strain, induced with STZ at doses of 30 mg/KgBW and 50 mg/KgBW per injection. Observations were carried out in the 4th and 8th weeks, consisting of the measurement of blood sugar levels and the examination of heart muscle cell fibrosis. Subsequently, in silico validation of STZ's affinity with inflammatory receptors causing diabetes pathology, such as TNFa and Bcl2, was performed. Results: The study results indicated that the administration of STZ led to an increase in random blood sugar levels and extensive fibrosis of heart muscle cells in mice. The optimal dose for the diabetes model experimented in this study was 50 mg/KgBW for 8 weeks. In silico tests revealed an affinity for TNFa (PDB ID 2AZ5) and Bcl2 (PDB ID 6QGH). Conclusion: Consequently, it can be concluded that administering STZ to mice at a dose of 50 mg/KgBW for 8 weeks is an effective inducer of a diabetes-associated cardiac fibrosis model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Repeated acute exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays can cause photoaging. Musa balbisiana peel contains flavonoid compounds which act as antioxidants. However, the physicochemicals of flavonoids are unstable, have high molecular weight, and are easily oxidized, causing their use is still limited and transdermal delivery to be inefficient. Aim: To investigate the ameliorative effect of transfersome gel of M. balbisiana peels against photoaging in Wistar rat skin. Methods: Transfersome gel was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In vivo research was used to determine the ameliorative effects of M. balbisiana peel. The composition of transfersome consists of ethanol extracts of M. balbisiana peel, soybean phosphatidylcholine, and tween 80. The gel was applied three times a week for 4 weeks with a total UVB radiation dose of 840 mJ/cm2. To evaluate the repair mechanism by measuring the degree of wrinkles, epidermal thickening, dermal thinning, collagen fiber irregularity, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) expression, malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) levels. Results: TEM results show that gel transfersome M. balbisiana peel has a round morphology with a diameter of ±50 nm and no aggregation, which are defined as nanoparticles. Transfersome gel ameliorated the degree of wrinkle, epidermal thickening, dermal thinning, and irregularity of collagen fibers caused by UVB exposure, suppresses lipid peroxidation by decreasing MDA and TNFα level, also collagen imbalance by inhibiting MMP-1 expression and activating TGF-β expression, which was found statistically significantly different from non-transfersome gel group. Conclusion: Transfersome gel of M. balbisiana peel can act as an alternative medicine to ameliorate clinical photoaging due to exposure to UVB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic raises a concern about the urgent issue of low levels of digital health literacy (DHL). Adequate DHL may mitigate the negative impacts of proliferating misinformation. This study as digital health information sources among high school students in East Java, Indonesia. The differences in DHL levels across sociodemographic factors, medical history, and social media preferences were also analyzed. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in 2021, and enrolled high school students aged 15-18. The subjects were selected for convenience, with a minimum sample size of 384. An online questionnaire was shared through a survey platform. The sociodemographic variables and medical history were collected. The DHL measuring items were adapted from the validated DHL instrument developed in the COVID-19 context. Data were analyzed with SPSS 17.0. Results: We collected 432 responses. More than half of respondents (56.5%) have adequate DHL. Although 81.7 percent of respondents reported that searching for online information was easy, only 53.5 percent reported ease in appraising the reliability aspect. Fathers' education varied by DHL. Students whose fathers hold post-graduate degrees showed a significantly higher level of DHL than those of lower educational backgrounds. Students experiencing COVID-19 infection of their own or close relatives showed higher total DHL and information search scores. Instagram and TikTok were the most frequently chosen social media as digital health information sources, but no significant difference in DHL across the preference for social media. Conclusion: Even though the information can be obtained easily, there are still difficulties in evaluating its reliability. Considering the proportion of respondents with inadequate DHL, stakeholders in the health and education sectors need to develop DHL-promoting strategies for adolescents. Improvement in evaluating reliability should be the target of focus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the cost-effectiveness and side effects of Heparin and Enoxaparin anti-coagulants in patients with COVID-19-associated coagulopathy (CAC). Materials and Methods: This was an observational study with a retrospective design of CAC patients from May 2020 to May 2022 in Surabaya, Indonesia, who received Heparin and Enoxaparin. Effectiveness was comprehensively evaluated as clinical outcomes including mortality, length of stay (LOS), laboratory results, and side effects. Pharmacoeconomic evaluation was analyzed by constructing Decision Tree modeling followed by Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) considering Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY), and Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER). In addition, probability sensitivity analysis was performed to consider the cost-effective intervention. Results: A number of 274 samples were included from Medical Records and finance reports. Heparin has a higher mortality rate compared to Enoxaparin (13.9% vs. 23.9; p = 0.040), with no difference in the side effects (p = 0.056). D-Dimer reported a significant change in values after receiving Heparin (2271.01 ± 4595.50 ng/mL) and Enoxaparin (2140.95 ± 5681.98 ng/mL), p = 0.019. Enoxaparin was more cost-effective in pharmacoeconomic analysis, with a US$130.58/QALY ACER value, while Heparin was US$138.67/QALY. Conclusion: Enoxaparin therapy has better effectiveness, while side effects and costs are similar to Heparin. However, Enoxaparin is far more cost-effective to use against CAC conditions than Heparin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lead (Pb) is a toxic heavy metal that cause a lot health problem. Blood, especially hemoglobin and erythrocyte, is the main target of lead poisoning. Literatures explain that moringa has phytochemical contents to reduce heavy metal poisoning. This study aimed to examine ameliorative effects of moringa leaves extract on oxidative stress, hepcidin increasement and δ-alad level decline induced by lead poisoning in the blood of rat model. Methods: This study was completely randomized posttest-control group design. Forty-eight males Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain rat were divided into 4 groups. The control group or G0 (given Pb orally doses of 750 mg/kgBW/day for 7 days and was not given 50% ethanol extract of moringa leaves/MLEE). Three treatment groups (G1, G2 and G3), all were given Pb at a dose of 750 mg/kgBW/day orally for 7 days, followed by administration of MLEE for 14 days at a dose of 250 mg/kgBW/day, 500 mg/kgBW/day and 1,000 mg/kg/day orally, respectively. Blood samples were taken one day after 14 days of MLEE treatment. Pb levels was examined by AAS and δ-ALAD levels, GSH levels, MDA levels and hepcidin levels examined by ELISA. Results: MLEE doses 1,000 mg/kgBW/day for 14 days increased δ-ALAD levels, GSH levels, hepcidin levels and reduce MDA levels significantly compared to the control group. Conclusion: Moringa leaves ameliorate lead-induced poisoning by reducing oxidative stress, declining hepcidin, and increasing δ-ALAD in the blood of male Rattus norvegicus Wistar strains rats. Moringa leaves is beneficial to address Pb poisoning in the blood through antioxidants, anti-inflammation, and improving δ-ALAD level in the blood of Wistar strain rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]