A potential mechanism of miana (Coleus scutellariodes) and quercetin via NF-κB in Salmonella typhi infection.

Purpose: To prove the effect of Miana (M), Quercetin (Q), and the combination as an anti-inflammatory agent and Cefixime (C) as an antibiotic in Balb/c mice infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) and related to the dynamics of NF-κB mRNA expression and NF-κB protein levels. Methods: A cohort study on male Balb/c mice with subjects consisted of 8 groups with 5 each group by administration of M, Q, M + Q, M + C, Q + C, M + Q + C, C only and sterile distilled water group as negative control. The statistical significance of the difference group was defined as P values less than 0.05. Results: Decreased mRNA expression of NF-κB, NF-κB protein levels, and bacterial load after administration of M + C, Q + C, or M + Q + C showed significant differences when compared to the negative control. The decline in NF-κB was stronger when M + Q + C was given compared to M, Q, M + Q, or C only. Conclusion: The effects of NF-κB suppression appear to be the same between the administration of M, Q and the M + Q when C added. However, the suppression of NF-κB was not significant without adding C.

Correlation of serum interleukin-6 levels and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in the severity of COVID-19.

Background: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is produced at varying levels in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is one of the new inflammatory markers of COVID-19. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in IL-6 level and the NLR in mild and severe COVID-19 and assess their correlation with COVID-19 severity and the correlation of IL-6 and NLR in COVID-19. Methods: A total of 91 patients with COVID-19 were divided into mild (n = 57) and severe (n = 34) COVID-19 groups. IL-6 levels were measured using the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method on Roche Cobas e411. The NLR was the ratio of the total neutrophil and lymphocyte counts from complete haematology on the Sysmex XS-800i. Data were analysed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney, receiver operating characteristic curve, chi-square and Spearman correlation tests. The statistical test was significant at p <0.05. Results: Serum IL-6 levels and NLR significantly differed in mild and severe COVID-19. The median (min-max) IL-6 levels for mild and severe COVID-19 were 3.59 (1.50-638.30) pg/mL and 28.82 (5.52-926.30) pg/mL, respectively (p <0.001). The median (min-max) NLR in mild and moderate COVID-19 was 2.18 (0.69-15.58) and 8.13 (2.24-30.90), respectively (p <0.001). The obtained cut-off values for IL-6 and NLR were >6.99 pg/mL and >4.18, with odds ratios of 29.29 and 26.19, respectively. A positive correlation was found between IL-6 and NLR and COVID-19 severity (r = 0.612; p <0.001). Conclusions: The results indicated that serum IL-6 levels and NLR are higher in severe COVID-19 than in mild COVID-19. Patients with IL-6 levels >6.99 pg/mL and NLR >4.18 are 29 and 26 times more likely to suffer from severe COVID-19, respectively. Serum IL-6 levels and NLR are strongly correlated with COVID-19 severity. Serum IL-6 levels correlate with NLR in COVID-19.

Comparison between the triamcinolone and bevacizumab subconjunctivals and changes in Interleukin-1 mRNA expression in pterygium.

OBJECTIVES: Pterygium is a fibrovascular external ocular mass that grows from the conjunctiva into the cornea. The effect of subconjunctival injection of triamcinolone and bevacizumab has been inadequately investigated worldwide. This study aims to analyse the expression of IL-1 after the injection of triamcinolone and bevacizumab subconjunctiva. METHODS: All patients are randomized into three groups: the triamcinolone, bevacizumab group, and placebo groups, with 5 patients in each in group. All subjects are injected subconjunctivally one week before surgery, and then surgery is performed with the autograft technique. The main outcome measures include changes in the IL-1 mRNA expression between the triamcinolone, bevacizumab, and placebo groups. RESULTS: All samples are completed after one month of follow-up. The changes in blood levels of mRNA IL-1 expression are as follows: 4.81 ± 0.52 in the bevacizumab group, 3.40 ± 2.63 in the triamcinolone group, and 1.08 ± 1.48 in the placebo group (p = 0.04). In the comparison between groups, there is a significant effect between the bevacizumab and placebo groups, 3.73 ± 1.12 (p = 0.00), with no significant effect in the triamcinolone group, 1.40 ± 1.12 (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: The subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab and triamcinolone before surgery is effective in suppressing inflammation in pterygium.

Benefits and challenges in the implementation of virtual laboratory simulations (vLABs) for medical biochemistry in Indonesia.

The pandemic caused major shifts in the delivery of education worldwide. In the teaching of medical biochemistry, the greatest impact was towards the delivery of traditional laboratory simulations. In this study, we highlight the benefits and barriers encountered in the use of virtual laboratories (vLABs) to substitute traditional laboratory practicals. The subjects were a class of 271 medical students at the Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, all freshman undergoing the Biomedicine Block. The study assessed the use of a commercial vLAB on antibodies and blood typing procedures, which were implemented using our four-step model of vLAB implementation. Collected data include the lecturer-assigned pre- and post-test result, built-in vLAB assessment result of the student first and best attempts, a student perception questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale, and an open ended questionnaire regarding student perceptions of the advantages and disadvantages of the vLAB. We observed a remarkable increase of lecturer assigned pre- and post-test scores and built-in first and best attempt scores (p < 0.0001, Wilcoxon signed rank test). A majority of students reported increased motivation when using the vLABs, and favored the ability of mastery through repetition. However, technical and language barriers were highlighted by students during the vLAB implementation. We demonstrate a successful implementation of commercial vLABs in a cohort of non-native English speakers using our four-step approach. Implementation requires strong support from faculty to address technical and language barriers that arise during use of vLABs.