Abstract.A study on thalassemia intermedia and major patients in Jakarta was initiated to obtain a comprehensive picture of metabolic dysregulation, iron overload, oxidative stress, and cell damage. Data are presented from a group of 14 transfusiondependent patients in an age range of 11-25 years (T) and another group of 9 frequently transfused (for at least 15 years) patients aged 17-30 years (L). A third group comprised 6 patients (aged 7 to 14 years) who had not yet obtained transfusions (N). The 21 controls (C) were voluntary students without diagnosis or clinical signs of thalassemia up to 30 years of age. The study was approved by the Ethical Clearance Board of the Medical Faculty and all blood samples from controls and patients were obtained on fully informed consent. Levels of antioxidants (vitamins A, C, E and β-carotene) and reactive thiols are considerably decreased in transfused patients, whereas signs of iron overload and cell damage are increased (serum iron, ferritin, transferrin saturation, SGOT, SGPT, γ-GT, bilirubin). Results can be summarized that non-transfused thalassemia intermedia patients exert slight signs of oxidative stress, and increased hemoglobin degradation but no significant indication of tissue or cell damage. This picture differs considerably from transfusion-dependent thalassemia major patients: highly significant decrease in antioxidants and thiols and tremendous iron overload and cell damage. The picture is even worsened in long-term transfused patients. Iron chelation after transfusion is not sufficient in Indonesia, because it is normally (with few exceptions) applied only once together with transfusion. Hence, one major reason of the bad condition of transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients in Indonesia appears to be frequent transfusions (on the average one per month) and insufficient chelation of one treatment per month together with transfusion.

Erythrocyte membrane structural parameters were studied in transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia patients, in long-term transfused patients (regularly transfused < 15 years), and in those who had not yet obtained transfusions. Controls were voluntary students up to 30 years of age without diagnosis or clinical signs of thalassemia. Membranes were isolated and investigated by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Data obtained from the thiol-reactive spin label N-ethyl-maleimidoproxyl reveal immobilization of protein environment in erythrocyte membranes from thalassemic patients. SDS-PAGE shows both degradation and aggregation of membrane proteins. Thalassemic erythrocyte membranes exert higher order parameters in the hydrophobic region as determined by 16-doxyl-stearic acid. Rotational correlation times of this spin label increase only in transfused patients. Polarity is higher in membranes of all patients than in controls. In the polar interface, order parameters obtained from 5-doxyl-stearic acid increase in non-transfused and decrease in transfusion-dependent patients as compared with controls. Transfused patients exert increasing membrane order in the hydrophobic region and counter-currently decreasing order in the polar interface indicating loss of membrane integrity along with the loss of fluidity and polarity gradients and the loss the energetic barrier function of the membrane.

BackgroundAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammation of the skin that often appears in early childhood. The manifestation is related to the tendency towards T helper 2 cytokine immune responses (interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5). Genetic factors are suggested to play important roles in AD, and it can be transmitted to newborns, increasing their risk of developing allergies.ObjectiveTo determine the association between cord-blood cytokine levels (IL-5, interferon (IFN) γ), cord-blood total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level, perinatal environmental exposure, and the risks of allergy as well as the development of AD in the first 6 months of life.MethodsA 6-month cohort study with a nested case-control within was conducted on newborns in Jakarta from December 2008 until May 2009. After the umbilical cord blood samples were taken and stored, subjects were followed up monthly until 6 months old. The occurrence of AD and lifestyle or environmental exposures were recorded. The allergic risk was determined using a modified pediatric allergy immunology work groups scoring system based on allergic history (allergic rhinitis, asthma, AD) in the family. The levels of IL-5 and IFN-γ were measured using ELISA and total IgE by CAP system FEIA. Multivariate analysis was used to evaluate risk factors.ResultsThis study was conducted on 226 subjects. The incidence of AD was 16.4%; of those, 59% had low risk allergy, 38.5% moderate, and 2% high risk. AD mostly occurred at the age of 1 month (57%). Cord blood samples were examined in 37 subjects with AD and 51 without AD; of those, 25% showed high levels of total IgE (>1.2 IU/µL), and 51% showed normally-distributed high absorbance IL-5 values (≥0.0715, absolute value was undetected). The increased level of IL-5 was directly proportional to IgE. High absorbance IFN-γ values (≥0.0795, absolute value = 18.681 pg/µL) were observed in 52% of subjects.ConclusionThe associations between the risk of allergy in the family, cord-blood total IgE, IL-5, IFN levels, and some perinatal environmental exposure with AD in the first 6 months of life have not been established.

Malaria merupakan masalah kesehatan utama di propinsi Papua. Meluasnya penyebaran parasit malaria dan penanganan program malaria yang tidak teratur serta diikuti adanya krisis ekonomi dan perselisihan di masyarakat Papua pada akhir tahun 1990an telah mengakibatkan situasi malaria di daerah Papua semakin terpuruk. Untuk menentukan besaran permasalahan malaria saat ini, suatu survei malariometrik telah dilakukan di tiga Kecamatan di Kabupaten Jayapura serta uji sensitifitas obat antimalaria sulfadoksin-pirimetamin (SP) pada pasien malaria di unit rawat jalan RSU Abepura,