Scaling up SARS-CoV-2 testing and tracing continues to be plagued with the limitation of the sample collection method, which requires trained healthcare workers to perform and causes discomfort to the patients. In response, we assessed the performance and user preference of gargle specimens for qRT-PCR-based detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia. Inpatients who had recently been diagnosed with COVID-19 and outpatients who were about to perform qRT-PCR testing were asked to provide nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal (NPOP) swabs and self-collected gargle specimens. We demonstrated that self-collected gargle specimens can be an alternative specimen to detect SARS-CoV-2 and the viral RNA remained stable for 31 days at room temperature storage. The developed method was validated for use on multiple RNA extraction kits and commercially available COVID-19 RT-PCR kits. Our developed method achieved a sensitivity of 91.38% when compared to paired NPOP swab specimens (Ct < 35), with 97.10% of patients preferring the self-collected gargle method.

Scaling up SARS-CoV-2 testing and tracing continues to be plagued with the limitation of the sample collection method, which requires trained healthcare workers to perform and causes discomfort to the patients. In response, we assessed the performance and user preference of gargle specimens for qRT-PCR-based detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia. Inpatients who had recently been diagnosed with COVID-19 and outpatients who were about to perform qRT-PCR testing were asked to provide nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal (NPOP) swabs and self-collected gargle specimens. We demonstrated that self-collected gargle specimens can be an alternative specimen to detect SARS-CoV-2 and the viral RNA remained stable for 31 days at room temperature storage. The developed method was validated for use on multiple RNA extraction kits and commercially available COVID-19 RT-PCR kits. Our developed method achieved a sensitivity of 91.38% when compared to paired NPOP swab specimens (Ct < 35), with 97.10% of patients preferring the self-collected gargle method.

ObjectivesOverweight is considered a risk factor for anaemia. However, the mechanisms underlying anaemia development in overweight and obese people remain unclear. This study analysed the correlation of iron status (soluble transferrin receptor [sTfR]/log ferritin ratio) and hepcidin levels with haemoglobin (Hb) levels in overweight and obese women of childbearing age.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we recruited 66 women aged 20–29 years with a body mass index ≥23 kg/m2. We gathered data on informed consent, demographic characteristics, questionnaire responses, anthropometric and laboratory values. A Spearman correlation test was performed to determine the correlation.ResultsThe mean levels of ferritin and sTfR were 10.2 ± 8.12 and 22.2 ± 7.96 ng/ml, respectively, and the mean sTfR/log ferritin ratio was 29.3 ± 17.65 nmol/L. The mean hepcidin levels were 9.0 ± 3.05 ng/ml. In total, 75.8% of subjects had low ferritin levels, high sTfR (51.5%) levels, and a high sTfR/log ferritin ratio (87.9%). The sTfR levels (r = −0.359; p = 0.003) and sTfR/log ferritin ratio (r = −0.375; p = 0.002) were negatively correlated with Hb levels. There was no correlation between the levels of hepcidin and Hb (r = −0.140; p = 0.264), but there was a positive correlation between ferritin and Hb levels (r = 0.350; p = 0.004).ConclusionThis study showed a correlation between iron status and Hb levels in overweight and obese women of childbearing age. All the women had erythropoiesis with iron deficiency anaemia. We recommend that overweight and obese women undergo further iron parameters for the detection of early anaemia. In this group, the consumption of foods that enhance iron absorption, such as ascorbic acid, should be encouraged.

BACKGROUND: Lack of appetite in young children leads to growing incidences of physical and mental growth disorders. Supplementation of certain micronutrients can increase appetite and improve nutritional status. This study aims to analyze the effects of zinc and iron supplementation on appetite, nutritional status and intelligence quotient (IQ) in young children.METHODS: An experimental study withrandomized control group pre/post-test design was conducted in Semarang, Indonesia. A total of 68 children were divided into four groups. The first group was the control group, which was given a placebo; the second group was given a zinc supplement at 10 mg/day; the third group was given an iron supplement at 7.5 mg/day; andthe fourth group was given zinc and iron for three months. Appetite was assessed based on eating frequency and energy intake. Nutritional status was assessed by weight per age (W/A) and height per age (H/A) z score. IQ score was assessed based on Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI).RESULTS: Before intervention, low zinc intake was observed in 27.7% of the subjects and low iron intake was observed in 58.5% of them. After intervention, appetite in the second and fourth groups increased. W/A z score increased in the second and third groups. IQ score increased in the third group. No significant effect on H/A z score was observed in all groups.CONCLUSION: Supplementation of zinc and iron for three months had a positive effect on appetite, body weight and IQ score but no significant effect on body height.KEYWORDS: appetite, zinc, iron, growth

Background: Iron deficiency anemia is one of the common public health problems that found in various countries, including Indonesia. The incidence of iron deficiency anemia does not only occur in rural areas but also in urban areas. Iron deficiency that occurs in adolescent girls with or without anemia has a negative impact on immune function, growth and physical and mental development. Purpose: To determine the incidence of anemia in adolescent girls in urban areas. Patients and methods: This study was an observational study with a cross sectional design. The research subjects were 52 young women aged 15-25 years living in the city of Semarang, Central Java. The subject will be taken a blood sample to check the complete blood profile and iron status, namely serum ferritin, serum iron, and serum TIBC (total iron binding capacity). Research data analysis was carried out using a computer program. Results: The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among female adolescents in urban areas in this study was 13.4% while adolescent girls who experienced iron deficiency without anemia were 13.4%. Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia can occur in urban areas with a prevalence > 5%.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation occurs in chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Insulin resistance and inflammation in type 2 DM with obesity can increase interleukin (IL)-6, causing an increase in hepcidin synthesis in the liver. Increased inflammation can exacerbate the course of type 2 DM. This study aims to prove that there are differences in the levels of hepcidin and IL-6 between obese and non-obese type 2 DM.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 61 patients with type 2 DM, consist of 22 male and 39 female with an age of more than 40 years. Type 2 DM subjects were obtained from a doctor's diagnosis and were divided into obese and non-obese groups based on body mass index (BMI). Hepcidin and IL-6 levels were examined using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) principle. The data were analyzed using an independent t-test and Mann-Whitney test.RESULTS: The mean level of hepcidin in the obese with type 2 DM group was 25.32±11.54 ng/mL, and non-obese was 11.94±5.31 ng/mL. The median level of IL-6 in the obese with type 2 DM group was 11.9 (5-61) pg/mL, and non-obese 4.8 (1.5-9.8) pg/mL. There was a significant difference in hepcidin and IL-6 levels between the obese and non-obese groups (p=0.000).CONCLUSION: Hepcidin and IL-6 levels in the obese group with type 2 DM were higher than non-obese group.KEYWORDS: type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, hepcidin, interleukin-6

Background: Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a state of systemic inflammatory activation by various causes. SIRS have a high mortality rate. Prolactin is known to regulate cellular function of immune system.  Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is simple, cost effective and easy parameter that currently used as inflammation marker.Objective: The aims of this study is to determine the correlation between prolactin serum with NLR in SIRS patients.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 50 clinically SIRS patients. Prolactin serum was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and NLR was calculated manually from absolute neutrophil and lymphocyte count measured by automatic hematology analyzer. Non-parametric Spearman test was used to analyze the correlation between prolactin with NLR.Results: Median value of serum prolactin level was 11.32 ng/mL (2.76-194.81), whereas the mean value NLR was 16.36 ± 11.58. The correlation between prolactin levels with NLR was r = 0.345, p = 0.014.Conclusion: There is a weak positive significant correlation between prolactin with neutrophil lymphocyte ratio in SIRS

Scaling up SARS-CoV-2 testing and tracing continues to be plagued with limitation of sample collection method that requires trained healthcare workers to perform and cause discomfort to the patients. In response, we assessed the performance and user preference of gargle specimens for qRT-PCR based detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Indonesia. Inpatients who had recently been diagnosed with COVID-19 and outpatients who were about to perform qRT-PCR testing were asked to provide nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal (NPOP) swabs and self-collected gargle specimens. We demonstrated that self-collected gargle specimens can be an alternative specimen to detect SARS-CoV-2 and the viral RNA remained stable for 31 days on room temperature storage. The developed method was validated for use on multiple RNA extraction kit and commercially available COVID-19 RT-PCR kits. Our developed method achieved sensitivity of 91.38% when compared to paired NPOP swab specimens (Ct < 35) with 95.16% of patients prefer the self-collected gargle method.