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Acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) is the most common infectious disease in humans worldwide. The morbidity and mortality rates are high, especially in developing countries from Southeast Asia and Africa. While ARTI is commonly associated with viruses, there is limited data on the spectrum of viruses causing ARTI in developing countries, including Indonesia. This study was based on utilizing molecular techniques targeting a panel of 11 endemic and emerging respiratory viral pathogens including zoonotic viruses in a cohort of children and adults presenting at Tabanan General Hospital, Bali, with acute respiratory illness, from January to November 2017. In total, 98 out of 200 samples (49.0 %) tested positive for viruses. Our study confirmed 64.3 % viral etiology in children and 12.2 % in adults. Viruses that were detected were Herpesviridae (15.0 %) followed by enteroviruses (12.0 %), influenza A virus (11.5 %), respiratory syncytial virus (8.0 %), Adenoviridae (6.5 %), human metapneumovirus (3.5 %), Paramyxoviridae (2.0 %), bocavirus (1.0 %) and Coronaviridae (0.5 %). The study sheds light on the viral spectrum of ARTI in children and adults in Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the ways and objectives of the use of turmeric by Balinese, as well as the phytochemical content and antioxidant capacity of turmeric extract which is traditionally processed in Bali. Research methods: The method and purpose of utilizing turmeric were obtained through observation and interviews with 900 Balinese respondents. Quantitative phytochemical tests include starch, protein, flavonoid, tannin, phenol and vitamin C levels and qualitatively for the presence of triterpenes, steroids, alkaloids, and saponins. Antioxidant capacity was measured using the DPPH method. Findings: Through this research, we found there were only 36.8% of respondents had ever used turmeric as a traditional medicine. Utilization of turmeric was mostly in the form of loloh or traditional drinks. Phytochemical test results showed turmeric extract had 67.38% starch, 3.42% protein, 2709.39 mg/100 gr flavonoids, tannins 291.64 mg/100gr, phenol 1584.04 mg/100 gr, and vitamin C 0.06 mg/100gr. Qualitatively, turmeric extract contained triterpenes, alkaloids, and saponins, but did not contain steroids. The antioxidant capacity of turmeric extract was 70.9 mg/L GAEAC. Implications: Turmeric extract is a traditional medicine made from nature that is most commonly used by Balinese and very potential to be developed as an antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or other benefits that still need further investigation.

BackgroundNucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are the cornerstone of highly active antiretroviral therapy combination regimens for HIV infection. Unfortunately, NRTIs have been noticeably associated with many adverse effects related to mitochondrial toxicity leading to mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) depletion. However, similar mitochondrial dysfunction has recently been found even in antiretroviral therapy-naïve patients, suggesting HIV itself could contribute to this abnormality. In this study, we determine whether mtDNA depletion was present in either antiretroviral therapy-naïve or NRTI-treated patients at Sanjiwani Hospital, Bali, Indonesia.Patients and methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV patients. Specifically, the relative content of mtDNA (mtRNR1 gene) to nuclear DNA (ASPOLG gene) was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed with SPSS 16.0 software and GraphPad Prism 7.02.ResultsA total of 84 samples (67 on NRTIs and 17 HIV-naïve) were suitable for analysis. We identified 21.4% of the samples (18/84) with mtDNA:nDNA ratio <1. Although it was not significant (P=0.121), the median mtDNA:nDNA ratio of HIV-naïve group was slightly higher (median 1.8; interquartile range [IQR]: 1.1–2.1) than NRTI-treated patients (median 1.5; IQR: 1.3–2.85). Tenofovir-based NRTI was more frequently used (73.13%) than zidovudine-based NRTI (26.86%). The period for which NRTI was used probably contributed to the ratio of mtDNA:nDNA. The median ratio of mtDNA:nDNA zidovudine-treated patients was slightly lower (median 1.2; IQR: 1.08–1.98) when compared to tenofovir-based NRTI (median 1.6; IQR: 1.05–2.10), with the median period of former treatment being significantly longer (P<0.001). Although these data overall indicate that NRTI treatment had no effect on mtDNA:nDNA ratios, patients who undergo more than 12 months of NRTIs treatment show a decrease in the ratio; however, further study is required.ConclusionAlmost one-fourth of the samples showed a lower mtDNA:nDNA ratio. The decreasing of the ratio mtDNA:nDNA was most likely present after 12 months of NRTI treatment.