Introduction Skin hydration decreases with aging. Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) is a major protein that plays a role in skin hydration, therefore it is a novel target for skin moisturizing treatment. Retinoic acid (RA) as a well-known active agent in antiaging treatment increases AQP3 expression, but frequently causes harmful side effects. Asiaticoside, a saponin compound isolated from Centella asiatica (CA) is also known as an antiaging cosmetic and plays a role in wound healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of asiaticoside isolated from CA and the effect of RA on the AQP3 expression in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). Methods An experimental laboratory study was performed using primary NHEKs that were derived from the foreskin of a boy. AQP3 expression in NHEKs was examined in vitro after the cells were incubated for 24 hours with asiaticoside or with RA at several concentrations. The AQP3 expression was evaluated by immunocytochemistry and quantitatively analyzed by Image-J software. Independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data, followed by post-hoc Tukey test. Results There was an increasing trend of AQP3 expression upon exposure to asiaticoside at all concentrations compared to the control group. However, RA exposure seemed to induce a higher level of AQP3 expression. Asiaticoside effected a lower increase in AQP3 expression in NHEKs than did RA (p=0.042). Optimal results were achieved at 1 mg/ml concentration of asiaticoside. Conclusions Asiaticoside isolated from CA can enhance the AQP3 expression in NHEKs. Therefore it can be used as an active ingredient in cosmetic moisturizer formulation for dry skin treatment.

Background The acute gastroenteritis caused by campylobacteriosis is known as one of the common infectious diseases with worldwide distribution. The aim of this study was to detect Campylobacter species in stool samples by routine culturing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and explore the risk factors in adult subjects in East Azerbaijan province of Iran. Methods A cross sectional study involving 1010 adult subjects, from whom stool samples were collected. Samples with inflammatory criteria like fecal leukocytes (WBC ³5) were selected and isolated through fecal lactoferrin detection test. The WBC ³5 and lactoferrin positive samples were selected for Campylobacter detection by culture and PCR methods. The required information consisting of gender, age, place of habitation, and contact with poultry and animals were asked and recorded. Chi-square test and prevalence ratio (PR) was used to analyze the data. Results Of 1010 stool samples, 231 (22.9 %) had WBC ³5, and from these samples 58 (25.1%) were positive by culturing and 61 (26.4 %) by PCR. Subjects having habitual contact with animals and poultry had increased risk of Campylobacter infections by 1.65 times compared with subjects without contact with animals and poultry (PR=1.65; 95% CI:1.07-2.68). Conclusions Detection of Campylobacter infections by PCR was more sensitive in adults. Investigation of Campylobacter prevalence in Ardabil showed this bacterium should be viewed as one of the possible pathogens in inflammatory diarrheal cases. People having habitual contact with animals should check the health of the animals regularly and not consume food from suspected sources.

Introduction Skin hydration decreases with aging. Aquaporin-3 (AQP3) is a major protein that plays a role in skin hydration, therefore it is a novel target for skin moisturizing treatment. Retinoic acid (RA) as a well-known active agent in antiaging treatment increases AQP3 expression, but frequently causes harmful side effects. Asiaticoside, a saponin compound isolated from Centella asiatica (CA) is also known as an antiaging cosmetic and plays a role in wound healing. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of asiaticoside isolated from CA and the effect of RA on the AQP3 expression in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). Methods An experimental laboratory study was performed using primary NHEKs that were derived from the foreskin of a boy. AQP3 expression in NHEKs was examined in vitro after the cells were incubated for 24 hours with asiaticoside or with RA at several concentrations. The AQP3 expression was evaluated by immunocytochemistry and quantitatively analyzed by Image-J software. Independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data, followed by post-hoc Tukey test. Results There was an increasing trend of AQP3 expression upon exposure to asiaticoside at all concentrations compared to the control group. However, RA exposure seemed to induce a higher level of AQP3 expression. Asiaticoside effected a lower increase in AQP3 expression in NHEKs than did RA (p=0.042). Optimal results were achieved at 1 mg/mL concentration of asiaticoside. Conclusions Asiaticoside isolated from CA can enhance the AQP3 expression in NHEKs. Therefore it can be used as an active ingredient in cosmetic moisturizer formulation for dry skin treatment.

BACKGROUND Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that is classified as a human carcinogen (group IA), one of the cancers that it can cause being prostate cancer. The development of prostate cancer on a molecular basis involves oncogenes such as insuline-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Prostate cancer can be detected in the laboratory through the examination of prostate specific antigen (PSA). The present study aimed to determine the relationship of Cd levels with levels of PSA and IGF-1 in exposed and unexposed workers. METHODS The study design was cross sectional. The subjects of the studycame from two groups of workers, ie. the group of Cd exposed workers who were welding shop workers and the group of unexposed workers who were office workers. The minimum samplesize was 85 people. The independent variable was blood Cd level. The dependent variables were PSA and IGF-1 levels. Blood Cd levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), while PSA and IGF-1 were measured using ELISA. Data analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney test and the Spearman correlation test. RESULTS Mean blood Cd level in the exposed workers was 6.5 mg/L and in the unexposed workers 2.15 mg/L. There was a relationship between blood Cd and PSA levels (p<0.05) and between blood Cd levels and IGF-1 (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS There was a relationship of blood Cd with PSA and IGF-1 levels.among workers. PSA and IGF-1 could be a biochemical markers of disease control in cadmium exposed workers.

Background Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in middle- and low-income countries. The risk of developing TB may be related to nutritional status. Socioeconomic and behavioral factors are also shown to increase the susceptibility to TB infection. The objective of this study was to determine nutritional factors as risk factors of pulmonary TB in adult. Methods This was an observational study of case control design. The study subjects were community members consisting of 19 adult cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and 38 controls. Data on nutritional intakes were obtained by semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), while smoking behavior, history of DM, body mass index, education, and income were obtained by structured interviews. The data were analyzed by independent t-test and logistic regression for calculation of the odds ratio (OR). Results The bivariate test showed that the adequacy levels for energy (OR=6.8; 95% CI: 1.51-30.54), protein (OR=5.1; 95% CI: 1.52-17.14), vitamin A (OR=4.2; 5% CI: 1.31-13.54), vitamin C (OR=3.8;95% CI: 1.21-12.36), selenium (OR=4.2; 95% CI: 1.34-13.58), body mass index (OR=4.4; 95% CI: 1.32-14.35) and smoking behavior (OR=3.7; 95% CI: 1.15-11.9), were significant risk factors for pulmonary tuberculosis. Multiple logistic regression test showed that low body mass index (<18.5 kg/m2) (OR=6.0; 95% CI: 1.32-27.18) was a the most influential risk factor of pulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusion Low body mass index is the most influential risk factor for pulmonary tuberculosis incidence in adult. Nutrition profile in adult is an important determinant of TB incidence

Background Stunting is a nutritional problem in the form of linear growth disturbance caused by low intake of macro- and micronutrients. The prevalence of stunting in children aged 2-5 years in Semarang is higher in well-to-do families (67.2%) than in poor families (32.8%). The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of low adequacy levels of vitamin C, iron, zinc and low food expenditure as risk factors of stunting among children aged 2-5 years. Methods This was a case-control study with a sample of 71 cases (stunting) and 71 controls (no stunting). The collected variables were adequacy levels of vitamin C, iron, zinc and level of food expenditure. Nutrient intake data were obtained with the semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), while data on food expenditure were obtained through a food expenditure questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using simple and multivariate logistic regression method. Results The results of the simple logistic regression showed that low levels of vitamin C ( OR=2.97; 95% CI=1.41 – 6.31), iron (OR=2.87; 95% CI=1.44 – 5.71) and zinc (OR=9.24; 95% CI=2.02 – 42.12) were risk factors of stunting. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factor that most affected stunting was a low level of zinc (OR=6.39; 95% CI=1.34 – 30.33). A low level of food expenditure was not proven to influence the incidence of stunting. Conclusions A low level of zinc was the risk factor that most affects stunting in children aged 2-5 years. Preventive strategies to prevent stunting and promote healthy eating is recommended.

Background The mortality rate after ischemic stoke is influenced by various factors. Prognosis after ischemic stroke can be predicted using a scoring system to help the doctor to evaluate patient’s condition, neurologic deficits, and possible prognosis as well as make appropriate management decisions. The objective of this study was to identify the factors which determine mortality rates in patients after ischemic stroke and to determine the prognosis of ischemic stroke patients using the predictive mortality score. Methods This was a nested case control study using data from the stroke registry and medical records of patients at the Neurology Clinic of Bethesda Hospital Yogyakarta between 2011-2015. Data was analysed using simple and multiple logistic regression analysis. The scoring was analyzed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the cut-off point using area under the curve (AUC). Results Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between mortality of ischemic stroke patients and age (OR: 4.539, 95% CI: 1.974-10.439, p<0.001), random blood glucose (OR: 2.692, 95% CI: 1.580-4.588, p<0.001), non-dyslipidemia (OR: 2.313, 95% CI: 1.395-3.833, p=0.001), complications (OR: 1.609, 95% CI: 1.019-2.540, p=0.041), risk of metabolic encephalopathy (OR: 2.499, 95% CI: 1.244-5.021, p=0.010) and use of ventilators (OR: 17.278, 95% CI: 2.015-148.195, p=0.009). Conclusions Age, high random blood glucose level, complications, metabolic encephalopathy risk and the use of ventilators are associated with mortality after ischemic stroke. The predictive mortality score can be used to assess the prognosis of patients with ischemic stroke.

Background Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease caused by lack of insulin production in the pancreas or by insulin resistance, the disease being characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. Hyperglycemia in diabetes could lead to oxidative stress due to the rise in 8-oxo-2-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) levels and the decrease in levels of total antioxidant status (TAS). The purpose of this study was to assess the effect Aloe vera extract on 8-oxo-dG level and total antioxidant status in diabetic rat testis. Methods This was an experimental laboratory study with 20 rat samples which were divided into 4 groups (1 control group and 3 treatment groups). Diabetes was induced in the rats by streptozotocin (STZ) at 65 mg/kgBW. The diabetic rats were then treated for 28 days with Aloe vera extract at 0 mg (P0), 200 mg rind (P1), 200 mg pulp (P2), respectively. The level of 8 -oxo-dG was measured by ELISA and total antioxidant status with 2,2 -azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS). Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Least Significant Difference Advanced Test at p<0.05. Results 8-Oxo-dG levels were significantly different between the control group and both P0 and P2, but not between the control group and P1. Among the treatment groups the 8-oxo-dG levels were significantly different. Mean total antioxidant status was significantly different between control and treatment groups, and also between treatment groups (p<0.05). Conclusions Aloe vera extract reduced free radicals (level of 8-oxo-dG) and increased the total antioxidant status in diabetic rat testis.

Background Leukocytes play an important role in the elimination of malaria infection. The leukocyte profile upon elimination of the malaria parasites that have been exposed to antimalarials and are subsequently capable of faster growth has not been researched. The aim of this research was to evaluate the role of mouse leukocytes in the elimination of parasites as shown by the leukocyte profile. Methods An experimental research with post test only control group design was conducted involving 24 male mice of the Swiss Albino strain weighing 20 g -30 g, and 2.5 months old. They were randomized into four groups: two control groups (K1, KP) and two treatment groups (P1, P4). Artemisinin at a dose of 0.04 mg/g body weight was given to the mice for 3 days, starting 2 days after infection. The leukocyte profile was observed on the 2nd, 5th, 8th, and 10th day after infection. The results were analyzed by two-way Anova. Results As shown in treatment control group KP and treatment group P4, P. berghei that had been passaged in the mice and were still viable after repeated exposure to artemisinin, may cause changes in leukocyte profile. On the 10th day of infection, the neutrophil percentage in group P1 showed a significantly different decrease when compared with the other groups (K1, KP and P4) (p<0.05). Conclusion Repeated exposure to artemisinin of mice infected with P. berghei can cause changes in neutrophil profile in mice.