Background and aims Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI) poses a challenge to the safety of blood donation. The prevalence of OBI is not well documented in Indonesia, although this information in such an endemic country is needed. This study was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of occult hepatitis B in blood donors from two cities of Indonesia, and to study the genetic variation and its effect on the predicted antigenicity of HBsAg. Methods Serum samples of 309 regular blood donors negative for HBsAg were tested for anti-HBs and antiHBc. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA isolated from antiHBc-positive samples were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, cloned and sequenced. Antigenic properties of identified HBsAg mutants were predicted by calculation of the antigenic index. Results Of the 309 HBsAg-negative samples, anti-HBc was positive in 134 (43.4%) and HBV DNA was detected in 25 (8.1%). Seven of the viremic samples had nucleotide substitutions (A521G, A551T, C582T, and A562G) in the S gene, causing amino acid mutations (T123A, M133L, and T143M) in the 'a' determinant of HBsAg that resulted in changes in the predicted antigenicity. Conclusions OBI was detected in blood donors' samples in Indonesia. Anti-HBc was shown to be a better screening parameter than HBsAg, however, it might result in the loss of donors particularly in endemic countries. HBsAg detection failure in this study might be due to mutations altering the protein antigenicity and/or the low-level carriage of HBV.

Study DesignPreliminary experimental study using a rabbit spondylitis model.PurposeTo observe the ossification in a micro-environment containing live Mycobacterium tuberculosis transplanted with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in rabbits.Overview of LiteratureBMSCs differentiate to osteoblasts and then osteocytes during ossification. Mycobacterium tuberculosis does not affect BMSC growth in vitro.MethodsSix rabbits were divided into two groups of three rabbits. One group was positive for spondylitis tuberculosis by culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and histopathologically. The other group was positive by PCR and histopathologically. Both groups were treated using BMSC transplantation and anti-tuberculosis drugs. After 6 weeks, ossification was evaluated by enumerating the number of osteoblasts, osteocytes, and lesion level of calcium.ResultsMean number of osteoblasts was 207.00±31.00 in the first group and 220.33±73.46 in the second group. Mean number of intra-lesions osteocytes was in the first and second group was 18.33±30.04 and 31.00±26.87, respectively. Mean calcium level in the first group and second group was 2.94%±0.89% and 2.51%±0.13%, respectively. Total ossification score in the first and second group was 31.00 and 25.67, respectively.ConclusionsMycobacterium tuberculosis provides support for new bone formation by stimulating intra-lesion calcium metabolism. The microscopic environment containing live Mycobacterium tuberculosis enhances ossification.

Purpose The efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) is limited due to drug resistance and cardiotoxic effects. Preclinical studies have shown that statin induces apoptosis and decreases breast cancer cell growth. This study aims to evaluate the role of statin in combination with fluorouracil, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide (FAC) therapy in LABC patients.Materials and Methods We undertook a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in two centers of Indonesia. Patients were randomly assigned to FAC plus simvastatin (40 mg/day orally) or FAC plus placebo (40 mg/day) for 21 days. The FAC regimen was repeated every 3 weeks. We evaluated the clinical response, pathological response, and toxicities.Results The objective response rate (ORR) for FAC plus simvastatin was 90% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.99 to 1.67) by per-protocol analysis. No complete responses (CR) were recorded, but there were 48 partial responses. No significant difference was observed between the two groups with the ORR (p=0.103). The pathological CR rate was 6.25% (2 in simvastatin group and 1 in placebo group). Adverse events in both arms were generally mild, mainly consisted of myotoxicity. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression was a factor related to the success of therapeutic response (odds ratio, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.121 to 15.731; p=0.033).Conclusion This study suggests that simvastatin combined with FAC shows improvements in ORR and pathological response in patients with LABC. Although no statistically significant difference was documented, there was a trend for better activity and tolerability. The addition of 40 mg simvastatin may improve the efficacy of FAC in LABC patients with HER2 overexpression.

BackgroundThis study aims to evaluate the association and dose-response between triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and breast cancer.MethodThis is a multicenter case-control study conducted in six public referral hospitals in Indonesia. Cases are individuals aged 19 years or above who were diagnosed with breast cancer within 1 year of diagnosis, based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Controls were recruited from corresponding hospitals. TyG index was determined by the formula: ln (fasting TG [mg/dl] × fasting glucose [mg/dl]).ResultsThere were 212 participants in the breast cancer group and 212 participants in the control group. TyG index was higher in patients with breast cancer (median 8.65 [7.38, 10.9] vs. 8.30 [7.09, 10.84], p < 0.001). When compared with TyG quartile of Q1, Q4 was associated with an OR of 2.42 (1.77, 3.31), p < 0.001, Q3 was associated with an OR of 1.53 (1.21, 1.93), p < 0.001, Q2 was associated with an OR of 1.39 (1.12, 1.73), p = 0.002 for the risk of breast cancer. The dose-response relationship was nonlinear (p < 0.001). On univariate analysis, smoking (OR 2.15 [1.44, 3.22], p < 0.001), use of contraception (1.73 [1.15, 2.60], p = 0.008), alcohol consumption (OR 2.04 [0.96, 4.35], p = 0.064), and TyG Index >8.87 (OR 3.08 [1.93, 4.93], p < 0.001) were associated with risk of breast cancer. Independently associated with increased risk of breast cancer included smoking (OR 1.93 [1.23, 3.01], p = 0.004), use of contraception (OR 1.59 [1.02, 2.48], p = 0.039), and TyG Index >8.87 (OR 2.93 [1.72, 4.98], p < 0.001)ConclusionTyG index was associated with breast cancer in a nonlinear dose-response fashion.

AbstrakLatar belakang: Scaffold (biomaterial) adalah rangka yang digunakan dalam transplantasi sel punca mesenkimal. Sebelum digunakan perlu dilakukan uji biokompatibilitas secara in vitro melalui pengujian toksisitas langsung dan tak langsung MTT assay [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl AbstractBackground: Scaffold (biomaterial) biocompatibility test should be performed in vitro prior to in vivo stem cell application in animal or clinical trial. These test consists of direct and indirect toxicity test (MTT assay [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide]). Those tests were used to identify cell morphological changes, cell-substrate adhesion impairment, and reduction in cell proliferation activity.

Objective: To evaluate bone regeneration in alveolar defects treated with human umbilical cord–derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs), hydroxyapatite/chitosan/gelatin (HA/CS/Gel) scaffold, and bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) in Capra hircus models. Design: Randomized posttest-only control group design. Setting: Animal Hospital at Bogor Agricultural Institute. Participants: Healthy and equally treated 24 female Capra hircus/goats. Intervention: Animals were randomly assigned to 3 experimental group design (iliac crest alveolar bone graft/ICABG [control], HA/Cs/Gel+BMP-2 [ Novosys], and HA/Cs/Gel+BMP-2+UCMSCs). Graft materials were implanted in surgically made alveolar defects. Main Outcome Measures: Postoperative functional score and operating time were assessed. New bone growth, bone density, inflammatory cells recruitment, and neoangiogenesis were evaluated based on radiological and histological approach at 2 time points, week 4 and 12. Statistical analysis was done between treatment groups. Results: Operating time was 34% faster and functional score 94.5% more superior in HA/Cs/Gel+BMP-2+hUCMSC group. Bone growth capacity in HA/Cs/Gel+BMP-2+UCMSCs mimicked ICABG, but ICABG showed possibility of bone loss between week 4 and 12. The HA/Cs/Gel+BMP-2+UCMSCs showed early bone repopulation and unseen inflammatory cells and angiogenesis on week 12. Discussion and Conclusion: The HA/Cs/Gel+BMP-2+hUCMSCs were superior in enhancing new bone growth without donor site morbidity compared to ICABG. The presence of hUCMSCs in tissue-engineered alveolar bone graft (ABG), supported with paracrine activity of the resident stem cells, initiated earlier new bone repopulation, and completed faster bone regeneration. The HA/Cs/Gel scaffold seeded with UCMSCs+BMP-2 is a safe substitute of ICABG to close alveolar bone defects suitable for patients with cleft lip, alveolus, and palate.

Objectives Cancer stem cells are involved in radioresistant cancers. Transcription factors Sry-related HMG box (SOX2) and octamer binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) can confer pluripotent cell characteristics and self-renewal ability and are involved in carcinogenesis, metastasis, tumor recurrence, and resistance to therapy. Apoptosis, DNA repair, and telomerase factors also contribute to radioresistance. We sought to identify the role of SOX2 and OCT4 as cancer stem cell markers and their effects on apoptosis (via caspase 3), DNA repair (Chk1) and telomerase (hTERT) in conferring resistance to radiotherapy. Methods We conducted a case-control study of 40 patients with stage IIIB cervical squamous cell carcinoma who completed radiation therapy at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. The patients were classified according to their treatment response as having exhibited a complete or incomplete response. Clinical follow-up and Pap smears were performed between six and 12 months after therapy for those with a good initial response to determine the final response to therapy. Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze SOX2, OCT4, caspase-3, Chk1, and hTERT expression in paraffin sections of the initial biopsy. Results Strong expression of SOX2 ( p = 0.011, p = 0.001) and OCT4 ( p < 0.001, p < 0.001) was significantly associated with both an incomplete initial and final therapy response, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that SOX2 and OCT4 expression levels were the strongest markers of an incomplete response to radiotherapy (odds ratio (OR) = 5.12, p = 0.034, and OR = 17.03, p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusions Strong expression of SOX2 and OCT4 may be a good indicator of incomplete radiotherapy outcome in patients with stage IIIB cervical cancer.

Objectives: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are primarily isolated from bone marrow. Peripheral blood is also reported as an alternative source of MSC. This study compared MSC which were isolated and cultured from bone marrow and those from peripheral blood of rats. Methods: MSC from bone marrow and peripheral blood were harvested from 5 male Sprague Dawley rats. After isolation, the cells were grown on tissue culture plates with concentration of 10 7 cells per well. Observations were conducted to evaluate the attachment of nucleated cells with fibroblast-like morphology. Characterization of MSC was done using reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry assay. Results: The mean number of nucleated cells isolated from the bone marrow on day 0 was higher than those isolated from the peripheral blood. Bone marrow MSC with typical fibroblast-like morphology proliferated rapidly and reached 80% confluency on day 14. Subcultures were able to be conducted on day 15 (first passage) and day 28 (second passage). On days 15 and 28, no nucleated cells remained in peripheral blood cultures. Conclusions: Bone marrow derived MSC are more enriched and grow more efficiently than those derived from peripheral blood.