Fabrication and Evaluation of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Corn Starch/Patchouli Oil Hydrogel Films Loaded with Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized in Pogostemon cablin Benth Leaves' Extract.

Research on the manufacture of hydrogel films from polyvinyl alcohol, corn starch, patchouli oil, and silver nanoparticles, (PVA/CS/PO/AgNPs, respectively) was completed. The silver nanoparticles used in this study resulted from green synthesis using local patchouli plants (Pogostemon cablin Benth). Aqueous patchouli leaf extract (APLE) and methanol patchouli leaf extract (MPLE) are used in the synthesis of phytochemicals (green synthesis), which are then blended in the production of PVA/CS/PO/AgNPs hydrogel films, which are then cross linked with glutaraldehyde. The results demonstrated that the hydrogel film was flexible, easy to fold, and free of holes and air bubbles. The presence of hydrogen bonds between the functional groups of PVA, CS, and PO was revealed using FTIR spectroscopy. SEM analysis revealed that the hydrogel film was slightly agglomerated and did not exhibit cracking or pinholes. The analysis of pH, spreadability, gel fraction, and swelling index showed that the resulting PVA/CS/PO/AgNP hydrogel films met expected standards except for the organoleptic properties of the resulting colors, which tended to be slightly darker in color. The formula with silver nanoparticles synthesized in methanolic of patchouli leaf extract (AgMENPs) had the highest thermal stability compared to hydrogel films with silver nanoparticles synthesized in aqueous of patchouli leaf extract (AgAENPs). The hydrogel films can be safely used up to 200 °C. The antibacterial studies revealed that the films inhibited the growth of both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis, as determined by the disc diffusion method, with the best antibacterial activity being against Staphylococcus aureus. In conclusion, the hydrogel film F1, loaded with silver nanoparticles biosynthesized in aqueous of patchouli leave extract (AgAENPs) and light fraction of patchouli oil (LFoPO) performed the best activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis.

Quantity of antibiotic use and its association with clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients: A snapshot from a provincial referral hospital in Indonesia.

Irrational antibiotic use in Indonesia is considered high, yet there are still lacks reliable information regarding the issue. The quantity of antibiotic use studies, in particular during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, was not well reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients at a province referral hospital in Aceh, Indonesia, Dr Zainoel Abidin Hospital, and to assess the association between antibiotic use and COVID-19 clinical outcomes. The defined daily dose (DDD) method was used and expressed in DDDs per 100 patient-days as in hospital setting. The data were obtained from inpatient confirmed COVID-19 patients between March 2020 and December 2021. A logistic regression was used to determine the association between patients' characteristics and antibiotic usage with clinical outcomes. A total of 361 treated COVID-19 patients were included using a random sampling technique and analyzed. Out of 361 patients, 89.2% of them were treated with antibiotic(s). All the antibiotics were given empirically except for cefazoline (5.5%) that was used as prophylaxis to obstetric patients who underwent the c-section. Azithromycin was the most prescribed antibiotic and levofloxacin had the highest DDD. Our data suggested that there was no association between antibiotic use and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients (p=0.128). Having sepsis and another pulmonary disease however were associated with mortality of COVID-19 patients with adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 14.14; 95%CI 2.94-67.90, p=0.001 and aOR 8.64; 95%CI 3.30-22.63, p<0.001, respectively. In addition, patients older than 60-year-old had a higher chance to an unfavorable outcome compared to those younger than 30-year-old, aOR: 7.61; 95%CI: 1.07-53.94. In conclusion, the use of antibiotics is prevalent among COVID-19 and it is not directly associated with clinical outcomes.

Analysis of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2241766 and rs1501299) of the adiponectin gene in patients with coronary artery disease and coronary slow flow.

Aim To investigate the association of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the adiponectin gene (+45 T>G [rs2241766] and +276 G>T [rs1501299]) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), coronary slow flow (CSF) and in healthy subjects. Methods The study investigated 90 patients: 30 patients with coronary artery disease (the CAD group), 30 with only coronary slow flow (the CSF group) and 30 healthy patients. Genotyping was carried out for two of these SNPs in the adiponectin gene using the TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Results There were no significant differences in the frequencies of polymorphism +45T>G (rs2241766) genotype (p=0.464) and the allele (p=0.362). There were also no significant differences between the +276 G>T (rs1501299) genotype and the allele (p=0.624 and p=0.281, respectively). Conclusion Our study indicated that in patients with CAD, CSF, and in healthy subjects, the SNP +276G>T and +45T>G alleles of the adiponectin gene were not associated.

Plasma Concentrations of Adiponectin in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Coronary Slow Flow.

BACKGROUND: Adiponectin, an adipocyte-secreted hormone involved in energy homeostasis, has broad anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and endothelium- and myocardial-protective effects, together with a potentially positive regulatory function in coronary microcirculation. Although the physiological role of adiponectin has not yet been fully elucidated, it may well be involved in the regulation of many of the inflammatory processes or lipid metabolisms that contribute to atherosclerosis. In this study we investigate the plasma concentration of adiponectin in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), those with coronary slow flow (CSF) and in healthy subjects. METHODS: this study was conducted according to a cross-sectional design involving 30 CAD, 30 CSF, and 30 healthy subjects. These subjects were sourced from the Dr. Zainoel Abidin Center Hospital, Banda Aceh, Indonesia, between December 2017 and February 2018. The plasma concentration of adiponectin was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) according to the manufacturer's specifications. RESULTS: there were statistically significant differences at p<0.001 between the CAD, CSF, and healthy-subject groups in terms of age, sex, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and creatinine. Mean plasma concentrations of adiponectin in patients with CAD were significantly lower than in patients with CSF and in healthy subjects (CAD: 3.40 (0.87) µg/ml; CSF: 4.58 (2.32) µg/ml; healthy subjects: 5.65 (4.87) µg/ml; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: the findings suggest that low plasma adiponectin concentration is associated with atherosclerosis. Plasma concentrations of adiponectin may be related to the pathophysiology role of cardiovascular disease in both CAD and CSF patients.