BACKGROUND Catechins inhibits apoptosis through anti oxidant and anti inflamation pathway. Catechins also increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). There was a few research that explained the role of catechins in traumatic brain injury (TBI). The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of catechins administration on neurologic severity score (NSS) through apoptosis and neurotropic pathway in traumatic brain injury rat model. METHODS A post test only controlled group design was performed using traumatic brain injury rat (Rattus novergicus) model through weight drop models. It was devided into negative control group, positive control group, TBI+catechins 513 mg/kgBW, TBI+catechins 926 mg/kgBW, TBI+catechins 1113 mg/kgBW. NSS was measured in the first hours, day three, and day seven. The expressions of NFkB, TNFa, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase 3, caspase 8, BDNF, and the numbers of apoptosis cells were evaluated by imunohistochemystry method. One way Anova and Kruskal Wwallis were used to analyse the data. Results TNFa, caspase 8, number of apoptosis cells were significantly decreased on the seventh day administration compared to the third day administration (p<0.05). Catechins increased the expression of Bcl-2/Bax and BDNF significantly (p<0.05). Yet, there were no significant differences between expression of caspase 3, NSS, Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and BDNF toward third days administration of catechins compared with seven days administration (p>0.050). Conclusions Administration of catechins decreased NSS through inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis, as well as induced the neurotrophic factors in rat brain injury. Catechins may serve as a potential intervention for TBI.

Background Pediatric nephrolithiasis is an important cause of morbidity worldwide. Even with low prevalence, nephrolithiasis can cause detrimental long-term effects on kidney function. Idiopathic hypercalciuria is the most common cause of renal stones in children. This case report presents a pediatric patient with bilateral nephrolithiasis and hydronephrosis associated with underlying idiopathic hypercalciuria. Case description We report on a 17-month-old boy presenting with two days of high fever, irritability, nausea, and poor feeding. The patient had been diagnosed with bilateral nephrolithiasis at the age of 6 months. On examination, the patient was febrile and hypertensive. Laboratory evaluation revealed anemia, leukocytosis, normokalemia, normocalcemia, and normal glomerular filtration rate. Blood gases were within normal limits. Urinalysis revealed pH 5.0, hematuria, pyuria, and bacteriuria. Urine culture was positive for Proteus mirabilis and Enterobacter gergoviae. Electrolyte analysis from urine samples revealed hypercalciuria. Ultrasonography found stones at the left ureteropelvic junction with corresponding grade I hydronephrosis and stones in the right lower calyx without hydronephrosis. The patient was treated with antibiotics, an antihypertensive agent, thiazide diuretics, and was referred to a pediatric urologist. Conclusion This case can be considered as idiopathic. Most children with renal stones have metabolic risk factors including enteric, endocrinologic, or renal sources. Metabolic evaluation is mandatory in pediatric renal stone patients and hypercalciuria is an important etiology to be evaluated. Ignorance of the underlying metabolic abnormality or failure in its identification in pediatric urolithiasis could lead to catastrophic long-term effects.

Background The decline in estrogens could lead to an imbalance of bone formation and absorption as well as bone mineralization. Phytoestrogens are known to have the potential to maintain bone health. Calcium and phosphorus are essential components for bone mineralization. This study aimed to investigate the effect of soybean sprout flour consumption on serum calcium and phosphorus levels in ovariectomized rats. Methods A randomized post-test-only control group design involving 25 female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 2 months, which were divided into five groups: (i) normal controls on standard feed diet AIN-93 (C-N), (ii) ovariectomy controls on standard feed diet (OVX -N); (iii) ovariectomized rats on standard feed diet + ethinylestradiol (OVX -E), (iv) ovariectomized rats on standard feed diet + soybean flour (OVX -S); (v) ovariectomized rats on standard feed diet + soybean sprout flour (OVX -SS). The rats were treated for 6 weeks, then on the last day of treatment blood sampling was conducted. Analysis of calcium and phosphorus in serum was performed using the Arsenazo III photometric method. Data were analyzed using one-way Anova. Results Mean serum calcium level was highest in the OVX-SS group (12.59 mg/dL ± 1.32), while mean serum phosphorus level was highest in the C-N group (1.708 mg/dL ± 0.28). Soybean sprout flour consumption had a significant effect on serum calcium levels (p=0.019), yet it had no effect on body weight and serum phosphorus levels of the rats. Conclusion Consumption of soybean sprout flour could positively affect serum calcium levels in rats.

BACKGROUND The leaves of Nerium indicum Mill. have been utilized traditionally to cure cancer. By using Bioassay guided extraction and isolation method, three compounds (NiO-1, NiO-2, NiO-3) were isolated from an active fraction of the CHCl3 extract of N. indicum leaves. NiO-2 identified as 5a- oleandrin is the best cytotoxic compound on HeLa cervical cancer cell in vitro among the other two. However mechanism of action of the compound hasn’t been evaluated yet. The aims of this study were to determine the mechanism of action at molecular level. METHODS The action mechanism of 5a-oleandrin on HeLa cervical cancer cells was analyzed by staining the cells with Hoechst 33342; the agarose gel electrophoresis was aimed to determine the DNA fragmentation and the western blotting was aimed to determine the Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression. RESULTS Incubation of HeLa cervical cancer cell with 5a-oleandrin at the concentration 3,47x10-4 mM (24 hours) followed by staining with Hoechst 33342, a broken up light blue color of nucleus was observed (compared with intensive color of untreated control). By gel electrophoresis (at the same concentration of the tested compound), a smear band at about 200 bp was observed. In addition, cells treated with 5a-oleandrin displayed a decreasing of the Bcl-2 protein expression and increasing of the Bax protein expression CONCLUSION 5a-oleandrin induced HeLa cervical cancer cells DNA fragmentation observed by the presence of a smear band at about 200 bp indicative the apoptotic occurrence. 5a-oleandrin induces apoptosis by reducing the Bcl-2 protein expression but the Bax protein expression increases.

Background Hypertension and myocardial infarction account for the high rate of mortality globally. Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) Linn. is rich in antioxidants and previous studies have demonstrated its anti-hypertensive effects. Several studies show that regular physical activity is an important component to reduce cardiovascular mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a combination of aerobic exercise and HS extract on nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in rats. Methods An experimental study was conducted on 36 male Wistar rats, aged 4 weeks and 60-70 g in weight. The interventions were aerobic exercises and HS at 400 mg/kg BW/day administered for 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The rats were randomized into 12 groups: 3 control groups (C4, C8, C12), 3 aerobic exercise groups (A4, A8, A12), 3 HS groups (H4, H8, H12), and 3 combination groups [aerobic exercise and HS] (HA4, HA8, HA12). After 4, 8, and 12 weeks, the rats were sacrificed and their abdominal aorta was collected for determination of nitric oxide and ET-1 concentrations. One way ANOVA was used to analyze the data. Results There was a significant difference in NO levels between all groups, with the 4-week aerobic exercise group (A4) showing the highest NO levels compared to the other eleven groups (p<0.05). In contrast, the ET-1 levels were not significantly different between all groups. Conclusions This study demonstrated that the combination of HS supplementation and aerobic exercise increases NO in rats, and provided further evidence to the traditional use of the plant as an antioxidants agent.

Background The osteoporosis self-assessment tool (OST) is a simple screening tool to assess risk of osteoporosis and to select high risk women for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) examination. This study aimed to evaluate OST performance in detecting low bone mineral density (BMD) in menopausal women. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 60 menopausal women aged 50-65 years. The OST score was calculated from: [weight (kg) – age (yr)] x 0.2. Subjects were classified by OST score into low risk (OST ³2) and high risk (OST< 2) groups. BMD was determined by DXA at 3 bone locations (L1-L4, femoral neck, and total hip). DXA T-scores were categorized into: normal BMD (T-score >-1) and low BMD (T-score £-1). Independent t-test was used to compare subject characteristics between OST groups. Diagnostic performance of OST was evaluated by measuring sensitivity, specificity, positive & negative predictive value (PPV, NPV), positive & negative likelihood ratio (PLR, NLR) and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC). Significance was set at p<0.05. Results Subject characteristics and BMD between groups were significantly different (p<0.05). Most subjects (44/73.3%) had high risk of low BMD (OST < 2). Low BMD (T score £-1) was found in 43 subjects (71.7%) at L1-L4, 41 subjects (68.3%) at femoral neck, and 37 subjects (61.7%) at total hip. Diagnostic performance of OST was significant at total hip BMD (sensitivity=0.946, AUC=0.777). Conclusion We conclude that use of the OST score in menopausal women is effective and has adequate sensitivity and specificity. The highest diagnostic performance of OST is on total hip BMD.

Background Pre-eclampsia is a serious hypertensive condition of pregnancy associated with high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Women who have had pre-eclampsia have a greater risk of developing hypertension, stroke and ischemic heart disease in later life. The etiology of pre-eclampsia remains unclear. Placental insufficiency plays a key role in the progression of this disease. The aim of this study was to determine membrane potential, serum calcium and serum selenium levels in preeclampsia subjects in Owerri. Methods A case control study involving 200 primigravida (100 preeclamptic and 100 apparently healthy) between the ages of 20 and 32 years attending General Hospital Owerri. Fasting venous blood was collected for the determination of serum selenium and serum calcium while membrane potential was calculated using the Nernst equation. The serum calcium was estimated using Randox Kit and serum selenium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The Independent Student t test was used for statistical analysis. Results The results revealed that membrane potential and serum selenium as well as serum calcium were significantly decreased in preeclampsia when compared with the controls, at p<0.05. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that the decrease in membrane potential, serum calcium and serum selenium levels may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. There may be a need for increasing the dietary intake of these essential trace metals during pregnancy to prevent pre-eclampsia in Owerri.

Background Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The imbalance of anti-angiogenic and angiogenic factors plays a role in endothelial dysfunction in preeclampsia. L-arginine is expected to improve the process of spiral artery remodeling. This study aims to examine the use of L-arginine to repair endothelial damage by measuring the thickness of uterine spiral arteries in mouse (Mus musculus) models of preeclampsia. Methods The researchers carried out an experimental study using 30 sixteen-day old pregnant Swiss mice (in good health, weighing 20-25 grams), which were randomly divided into 3 groups (each consisting of 10 mice). The groups were as follows: 1) normal pregnancy K(-); 2) preeclampsia model K(+); and 3) preeclampsia model receiving L-arginine (P). The authors performed histopathological examination of the mouse placenta, which had been dissected, embedded in paraffin wax and subsequently stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). The results were analyzed in SPSS v. 21 for Windows using Anova with Tukey. Results The mean thickness of spiral arteries in group K(-) was 53.95 + 26.96 mm, in K(+) 96.50 + 16.66 mm, and in P 62.79 + 8.04 mm. Statistically, there were significant differences between groups K(-) and K(+) (p=0.001) and between K(+) and P (p=0.000), but non-significant differences between K(-) and P (p=1.000). Conclusions The treatment with L-arginine proved to be effective in repairing endothelial damage by reducing intimal hyperplasia and atherosis and, in turn, the thickness of uterine spiral arteries in mouse models of preeclampsia.

Background In Indonesia, cancer prevalence according to the Basic Health Research 2013 was 1.4 per 1000 inhabitants and the most common cancer in hospitalized patients in 2010 was breast cancer (28.7%). Hormonal contraception (HC) use increases the breast cancer risk, even though HC has been used by 210 million women in the world. We aimed to define the association of HC with breast tumors based on clinical breast examination (CBE). Methods A case-control design using secondary data from the baseline of the Cohort Study on the Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Disease (RFNCD) in 2011-2012 in 5 villages in Central Bogor District, Bogor City. Samples consisted of 152 cases and 152 controls. Cases comprised palpable tumors in one or both breasts CBE (+). Controls had no tumors in both breasts /CBE(-). Data were analyzed by logistic regression. Results Odds Ratio (OR) of CBE + was 1.83 (95% CI: 1.11-3.04; p=0.019) for HC user and 1.62 (95% CI: 1.01-2.60; p=0.044) for blood total cholesterol level <200 mg/dL. OR of group CBE(+) was 1.01 (current smoking) and 0.49 (former smoking) compared with nonsmoking (p=0.082); OR was also 1.21 for subjects with one child and 1.77 for those without children, compared with those who had ³2 children (p=0.454). Conclusion Hormonal contraception use increases breast tumor risk 1.8-fold after controlling for total cholesterol, smoking status and parity. With the several limitations of this advanced analysis, investigations focused on types and duration of HC use are still necessary.