Monosodium glutamate (MSG) has been widely used throughout the world as a flavoring agent of food. However, MSG at certain dosages is also thought to cause damage to many organs, including cerebellum. This study aimed at investigating the effects of different doses of MSG on the motor coordination and the number of Purkinje cells of the cerebellum of Wistar rats. A total of 24 male rats aged 4 to 5 weeks were divided into four groups, namely, control (C), T2.5, T3, and T3.5 groups, which received intraperitoneal injection of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, 2.5 mg/g body weight (bw) of MSG, 3.0 mg/g bw of MSG, and 3.5 mg/g bw of MSG, respectively, for 10 consecutive days. The motor coordination of the rats was examined prior and subsequent to the treatment. The number of cerebellar Purkinje cells was estimated using physical fractionator method. It has been found that the administration of MSG at a dosage of 3.5 mg/g bw, but not at lower dosages, caused a significant decrease of motor coordination and the estimated total number of Purkinje cells of rats. There was also a significant correlation between motor coordination and the total number of Purkinje cells.

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals (HCP) might experience mental health problems and work-related stress, which can lead to less satisfaction at work and decreased health and quality of life in the long period. This study aims to explore the role of mental health and workplace satisfaction on the quality of life in health professionals who are involved in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This study was a cross-sectional approach using purposive sampling techniques. The online survey was conducted from May through September 2020. A total of 200 respondents from the West Java province in Indonesia were included. Data on mental health, work satisfaction, and quality of life were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multivariate regression analysis. Responses to open questions regarding concerns and strengths were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results An increased mental health symptom experienced by healthcare professionals was associated with decreased health status (β=−0.724, p=0.001) and self-perceived health (β=−0.59, p=0.001). Further, serving patients with COVID-19 (β=−0.133, p=0.024) was related to lower health status. Five themes emerged regarding concerns about being exposed to COVID-19, namely 1) fear of transmitting the virus, 2) the impact of COVID-19 on family life, 3) death and isolation, 4) personal safety, and 5) social stigma. Five themes emerged regarding the source of encouragement and strength, ie. 1) religiosity, 2) social support systems, 3) the moral responsibility of the profession, 4) following health and safety protocols, and 5) acceptance and positive attitudes towards the future. Conclusion Mental health problems impacted the quality of life. Serving patients with COVID-19 could predict lower health status. HCPs’ concerns and sources of strength when exposed to COVID-19 are discussed. Our results give a better understanding of the factors that can decrease and improve HCPs’ quality of life, therefore can be used to design psychological interventions to lower HCP’s psychological problems and improving their quality of life.

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Background: Non-adherence to treatment regimens is a widespread problem of great clinical relevance among hemodialysis patients. However, only few studies have addressed the factors of non-adherence in End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients, and none conducted in the Indonesia. Objective: The present study explores the reasons of non-adherence in end stage renal disease patients undergoing hemodialysis in Indonesia seen from perspectives of patients, caregivers and health professionals. Methods: The study is conducted using qualitative methods and is set in the hemodialysis unit in a private hospital in Bandung. A total of 23 respondents were recruited in this study. All participants were selected through purposive sampling and invited to participate in semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions. The data obtained were written in verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The six main themes related to non-adherence emerged. These themes were categorized into two clusters namely: (1) factors related to patient (patient related factors) (negative perception and treatment belief, denial, lack of awareness and knowledge and negative feelings) and (2) factors related to the treatment (treatment burden and financial problems). Conclusion: The findings showed determinants of non-adherence in ESRD patients from perspective of patients, caregivers and health professional. The finding from this study can be used as a base for designing an intervention, aimed to increase the adherence to treatment in ESRD patients who are undergoing hemodialysis.

It is now undeniable that young people and the Internet has become inseparable. Nonetheless, the uncontrolled use of it causes many problems among young adults including academic procrastination. Previous studies stated that academic procrastination lead to low of academic achievement. The reason of why young adults use the internet excessively and got negative outcomes in academic life did not stated clearly. The objective of this study was to find out the empirical evidence of PIU as a mediator between loneliness and academic procrastination. Sample consisted of 320 undergraduate students from 10 universities. Age range was 17-25 years old (M=20.17, SD=1.49). They were given three self-report questionnaires such as GPIUS2, SELSA, and TPS. Those instruments were adapted in Indonesian language. Data were analyzed with Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results showed that the model was good fit (χ2=416.541, df=205, p<0.001, CFI=0.902, TLI=0.879, SRMR=0.068, RMSEA=0.057, 90% CI:0.049-0.065, p good to fit 0.05). This study give contribution on loneliness, PIU, and academic procrastination as one model. It also gives implication of social media using among young people and policy making in universities about students life.