Background: Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels, is crucial for cancer growth and metastasis, including in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) regulates angiogenesis, and its elevated mRNA expression is linked to poor prognosis in cancer. Genetic variations, such as the rs699947 polymorphism in the VEGF gene, can affect VEGF expression and contribute to cancer progression.Objective: The primary aim of this study is to examine the distribution of the VEGF rs699947 polymorphism and its correlation with VEGF mRNA expression levels in patients with low-grade and high-grade EOC at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Indonesia.Methods: This research is a cross-sectional analysis involving 65 normal female whole blood samples and a total of 80 ovarian cancer biopsy samples, including 15 ovarian cysts as expression calibrators, along with 36 low-grade and 29 high-grade EOC samples. The distribution of genotypes and alleles of the VEGF rs699947 polymorphism was assessed through ARMS PCR analysis, while VEGF mRNA expression was quantified using real-time qPCR.Results: Significant differences were observed in both genotype (p<0,01) and allele (p=0,000) distributions between the normal and cases group. The relative mRNA expression of VEGF was significantly elevated in both low-grade and high-grade EOC. Individuals with the homozygous VEGF rs699947 AA genotype exhibited the highest mRNA expression compared to other genotypes. In contrast, individuals carrying the CC genotype showed the lowest correlation with VEGF mRNA expression in both low-grade and high-grade EOC.Conclusion: This study shows that the A allele of VEGF rs699947 is correlated with increased VEGF mRNA expression in EOC patients, particularly in those with the AA genotype. Conversely, the C allele may offer a protective effect against EOC, as the CC genotype is linked to lower VEGF mRNA expression. Genetic screening for VEGF rs699947 could facilitate early detection and inform targeted therapeutic strategies.

Background: Intellectual disabilities (ID) profoundly affect individuals and their families, leading to financial strain, emotional distress, and limited access to healthcare and education. Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), the most common inherited cause of ID, remains largely underdiagnosed in Indonesia due to limited awareness and resources. Objective: This study aimed to assess the impact of genetic counselling on parental empowerment. Methods: This pre-experimental study employed a before and after counselling. A total of 238 parents of children with ID from four special schools in Jakarta participated. Data were collected using the Genetic Counselling Outcome Scale-24 (GCOS-24), which assesses empowerment. Purposive sampling was applied, and data were analysed using paired t-tests and one-way ANOVA. Results: The mean GCOS-24 score increased significantly from 106.79 (SD = 16.36) before counselling to 125.11 (SD = 15.42) after counselling (p < 0.001). Only 27.3% of parents were aware of genetic disorders, reflecting their limited baseline knowledge. A one-way ANOVA analysis showed a statistically significant difference in GCOS-24 score improvements based on parental education level (F=4.035, p=0.008) with parents with primary school education showing the greatest improvement compared to those with high school (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Genetic counselling significantly enhanced parent empowerment, as evidenced by increased GCOS-24 scores. These findings emphasize the importance of expanding genetic counselling services and educational initiatives in Indonesia to improve awareness and support for families managing ID.

Background: Wound dehiscence is wound edges separation due to disrupted wound healing. Wound dehiscence is a complication in 8% of dermatologic surgeries. In this case, secondary infection of the wound occurred, 1% framycetin sulphate tulle was then chosen to interfere microbial protein synthesis, combined with ozonated oil as adjuvant therapy. Ozone oxidizes bacterial phospholipids and lipoproteins, promotes local tissue metabolism, stimulates fibroblast proliferation, facilitates collagen fiber formation, and supports angiogenesis. This case report described a post-excisional biopsy dehisced wound that was treated with 1% framycetin sulphate tulle and ozonated oil, and this case is the first to report a successful management of post-excisional biopsy dehisced wound with ozonated oil as adjuvant. Case Presentation: An 11-year-old female was brought with a purulent wound on her head post-excisional biopsy. Examination of the parietal region showed a solitary ulcer, 1 cm in diameter, irregular edge, granulated tissue base, serous exudate, crusting, edema, and pus. Treatment was 0.9% NaCl compress, 1% framycetin sulphate tulle, and ozonated oil once weekly. Evaluation on day 21 showed ulcer size reduction and on day 28, ulcer turned into a scar, treatment was continued with mometasone 0.1% cream. Day 86 showed secondary cicatricial alopecia. Complications of a wound in hair-bearing area can occur, in this case, secondary cicatricial alopecia.Conclusion: This paper highlights the utilization of ozonated oil as an adjuvant therapy for a favorable outcome in wound healing.

Background: The role of nutritional factors, particularly vitamin C, in bone repair has been extensively studied. However, despite this research, the specific impact of vitamin C on bone fracture healing remains unclear. While some studies suggest that vitamin C supplementation may enhance bone repair, others report no significant benefits.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of different doses of vitamin C on callus formation and osteoblast proliferation in a rat femur fracture model.Methods: A post-test-only control group design was employed in this study, involving 27 male Wistar rats that were randomly divided into three groups. The first and second groups received daily intramuscular injections of vitamin C at doses of 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) and 500 mg/kg BW, respectively, following femur bone fracture and fixation. The control group did not receive vitamin C and underwent no fixation. After 14 days, all rats were euthanized, and their femur bones were histologically examined for callus diameter and osteoblast count.Results: Vitamin C supplementation significantly increased the callus diameter in rats with complete femoral fractures. Both the 200 mg and 500 mg doses proved effective, demonstrating a clear dose-response relationship. Additionally, Vitamin C significantly elevated the number of osteoblasts, which play a crucial role in bone formation. However, there was no statistically significant difference in osteoblast count between the 200 mg and 500 mg doses.Conclusion: In conclusion, vitamin C supplementation has been shown to positively influence bone fracture healing in rats by promoting an increase in callus diameter and enhancing osteoblast proliferation. This study indicates that vitamin C could serve as a beneficial adjunct therapy for facilitating bone fracture healing, particularly by improving callus formation. Physicians should consider integrating vitamin C into treatment plans for patients with fractures, using doses similar to those applied in this study, adjusted appropriately for human use.

Background: Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) and hyperuricemia are two prevalent metabolic diseases worldwide, including in Indonesia. In fact, in the Minahasa tribe, the prevalence of these diseases is among the highest in Indonesia. The interaction between hyperuricemia and DMT2 level is inconclusive, as previous studies about whether allopurinol and its related uric acid reduction correlate with insulin resistance have shown conflicting results.Objective: To examine whether allopurinol-induced uric acid reduction can modify insulin resistance in nondiabetic Minahasan male subjects and study the putative molecular mechanisms of this interaction.Methods: The clinical part of this research was a pseudo-experiment with a pre-test/post-test design. Twenty nondiabetic Minahasan male subjects were subjected to the daily dose of 300 mg allopurinol for three months. Plasma glucose, uric acid, and insulin levels were measured pre- and post-treatment. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-ir) values were calculated by the Oxford HOMA calculator. For the wet lab experiment, the human embryonic kidney cell line was treated with tolerable allopurinol. The expression of glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) mRNA, an insulin-inducible glucose transporter was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).Results: In nondiabetic Minahasan male subjects, allopurinol administration decreased uric acid serum level, but did not affect plasma glucose and insulin levels. In fact, there is a trend of increasing HOMA-ir among the subjects following allopurinol administration. In vitro, allopurinol treatment also did not increase Glut4 expression, suggesting that allopurinol's effect on diabetes control has other, complex mediative pathways.Conclusion: Allopurinol administration and its related uric acid plasma reduction does not significantly affect insulin resistance; a trend however exists that allopurinol and uric acid reduction increased HOMA-ir. At the molecular level, Glut4 expression is not affected by allopurinol.

Background: Elevated cholesterol levels are associated with hypercholesterolemia, the primary cause of death and lost productivity, and a significant risk factor for the onset of cardiovascular disease. Sorghum is known for its high bioactive components and phenolic compounds, flavonoids, β-glucans, and dietary fiber, which act as anti-cholesterol properties.Objective: This study aimed to analyze the impact of sorghum tempeh on cholesterol levels and histopathology of aorta in rats fed a high-fat diet.Methods: A total of 24 male 8-weeks-old Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: standard diet group (SD), high-fat diet control group (FD), rats fed high-fat diet + low dose of sorghum tempeh (T1), and high-fat diet + high dose of sorghum tempeh (T2). Measurements of cholesterol levels were determined using the total cholesterol ELISA method. Histopathology of aorta analysis was carried out after four weeks of intervention of the four treatment groups using Hematoxylin-Eosin staining.Results: The average total cholesterol levels post-intervention in the SD, FD, T1, and T2 were 89.986±2.089, 220.365±3.847, 121.161±4.111, and 97.836±2.504 mg/dL, respectively. The results showed that the total cholesterol level significantly decreased (p<0.05) after giving a formula of sorghum tempeh with doses of 0.75 g and 1.50 g per 200 g body weight of rats for four continuous weeks. Histopathology of the aorta in the FD and T2 groups showed a significant difference compared to the SD group. The result which was closest to the SD group was the T1 group.Conclusion: Sorghum tempeh is a high-fiber and antioxidant source that can control hypercholesterolemia by lowering serum total cholesterol. It is also possible to improve histopathology but not yet able to approach normal conditions. The administration of sorghum tempeh with a low dose is sufficient, and further research is still required to determine the effect of sorghum tempeh on aorta histopathology.

Background: Inflammatory cells play an essential role in the neoplastic process by stimulating cancer proliferation, survival, and migration. Neutrophil-lymphocyte and platelet-lymphocyte levels can be used as the inflammatory tissue damage markers in cancer patients.Objective: This study aimed to analyze the increase of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as the predictive factors for lung malignancy.Methods: This study was a diagnostic cross-sectional study design in lung tumor patients at Dr. Moewardi Hospital Surakarta from August to October 2018. The subjects (60) were selected with consecutive sampling who take lung cancer diagnostic tests and divided into two groups of patients with lung tumors (30) and healthy (30) as control. The diagnostic procedures and neutrophil–lymphocyte and platelet–lymphocyte ratios calculation were performed on both groups. The optimum cutoff values for the NLR and PLR were calculated from the receiver operating curve analysis.Results: The statistical test found a significant difference in the neutrophil–lymphocyte and platelet–lymphocyte ratios between cancer patients and control (p = 0.0000). The lung cancer group exhibited an increase in the NLR with 90.0% sensitivity and 96.7% specificity with a cutoff of 2.71. The platelet–lymphocyte ratio had a cutoff of 136.63 at 83.3% sensitivity and 80.0% specificity.Conclusion: The increase of neutrophil-lymphocyte and the platelet-lymphocyte ratio can be used as a predictive predictor of lung malignancy.