Effect of Addition Tempeh Flour on Calcium, Protein, Water Content and Acceptance in Catfish Meatballs

@#Introduction: More than 50% of women in each country suffer from dysmenorrhea.This can be painful during menstruation and affect 50% of a woman’s daily activities. Calcium can reduce muscle cramps after contractions. Tempeh and catfish are calcium-rich foods that people often eat, but the variety of processed products available is limited. The purpose of this study was to analyze the feasibility and compatibility of catfish meatballs with tempeh flour added with SNI fish meatballs as a healthy diet food for reducing dysmenorrhea in adolescents. Method: The research design applied was true experimental with 12 experimental units. The calcium content of the samples was determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), the protein content used the Kjeldahl technique, the water content used the Oven method, and the acceptance test used the Hedonic Scale Test on adolescent. Data were analyzed using the One-Way ANOVA, and the acceptance test results were analyzed using the Friedman test with significance level α=0.05. The proportion of tempeh flour on catfish meatballs was 0% (P0), 10%, 20% and 30% (P10, P20, and P30). Results: The results showed that the adding tempeh flour could improve the levels of calcium, protein, and acceptability (taste) of catfish meatballs. The addition of 10 percent (P10) tempeh flour was an acceptable composition of the taste, but its value did not differ significantly from other recipes. Conclusion: Catfish meatballs P30 has the highest calcium and protein content. Further research is needed to fine-tune the flavor and confirm its effectiveness in reducing menstrual cramps.

Latent tuberculosis infection in family members in household contact with active tuberculosis patients in Semarang City, Central Java, Indonesia

A quarter of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), 10% of cases develop active tuberculosis (TB), and 90% have a latent TB infection. Family members of TB patients have the highest potential for latent TB infection. This study aims to identify latent TB infection and risk factors in family members within the household contacts of active TB patients. This study used a crosssectional study design with a contact tracing method. The selected subjects were 138 people from 241 total family members of 112 active TB patients. Subjects underwent a tuberculin skin test (TST), using 2 units of tuberculin (TU) purified protein derivative (PPD) 0.1 mL (PT. Bio Farma Persero, Bandung, Indonesia). Data risk factors were collected during home visits. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression. A total of 63.8% (88/138) of family members of active TB patients' household contacts had latent TB infection. The type of occupation of laborers/ farmers/fishers is the most dominant risk factor associated with latent TB infection (AOR: 7.04; 95% CI: 1.70­29.02), followed by unqualified bedroom density (<8 m2/2 people) (AOR: 5.33; 95% CI: 2.44­ 12.71) and contact duration ≥5 hours/day (AOR: 4.70; 95% CI:1.33­16.66). Latent TB infection in family members of active TB patients' household contacts was quite high. Occupation type, contact duration, and bedroom density were simultaneously confirmed as the main risk factors related to latent TB infection. Therefore, it is recommended to identify and prevent latent TB infection in family members in household contact with active TB patients.

Nrf2-inducing and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activities of a polyphenol-rich fraction of Guazuma ulmifolia leaves

To fractionate and identify polyphenols from Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. leaves, and to explore their antioxidant, 5-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitory, and Nrf2 modulatory activities. Methods: The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of a polyphenolic fraction of the extract of Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. leaves. THP-1 gene reporter cell lines constructed with a transcriptional response element specific for Nrf2 and a minimal promoter for the firefly luciferase–green fluorescent protein transgene were used to determine the effect of the polyphenolic fraction on the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Furthermore, an assay of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity was performed by using a commercial enzyme kit. Polyphenolic compounds were identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: The polyphenolic fraction showed fairly strong antioxidant activity [IC50 = (14.90 ± 4.70) μg/mL] and inhibited HMG-CoA reductase activity by 69.10％, which was slightly lower than that by pravastatin (84.37％) and quercetin (84.25％). Additionally, the polyphenolic fraction activated the Nrf2 antioxidant signaling pathway at 500 μg/mL. Eleven subfractions resulting from the column chromatography separation of the polyphenolic fraction also showed relatively strong antioxidant activities (IC50: 17.46–217.14 μg/mL). The subfraction (F6) stimulated the Nrf2 signaling pathway and had HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity (65.43％). Moreover, the subfraction contained two main flavonoids: quercetin and quercimeritrin. Conclusions: The polyphenolic fraction of Guazuma ulmifolia could induce antioxidant genes via the Nrf2/antioxidant regulatory elements pathway, and is a promising candidate for an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase.