A diabetes risk score cannot directly be translated and applied in different populations, and its performance should be evaluated in the target population. This study aimed to translate the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) instrument and compare its performance with the modified version for detecting undiagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and dysglycaemia among the Indonesian adult population. Forward and backward translations were performed and followed by cultural adaptation. In total, 1,403 participants were recruited. The FINDRISC-Bahasa Indonesia (FINDRISC-BI) was scored according to the original FINDRISC instrument, while a Modified FINDRISC-BI was analyzed using a specific body mass index and waist circumference classification for Indonesians. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, and the optimal cut-offs of both instruments were estimated. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for detecting undiagnosed T2DM was 0.73 (0.67–0.78) for the FINDRISC-BI with an optimal cut-off score of ≥9 (sensitivity = 63.0%; specificity = 67.3%) and 0.72 (0.67–0.78) for the Modified FINDRISC-BI with an optimal cut-off score of ≥11 (sensitivity = 59.8%; specificity = 74.9%). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for detecting dysglycaemia was 0.72 (0.69–0.75) for the FINDRISC-BI instrument with an optimal cut-off score of ≥8 (sensitivity = 66.4%; specificity = 67.0%), and 0.72 (0.69–0.75) for the Modified FINDRISC-BI instrument with an optimal cut-off score ≥9 (sensitivity = 63.8%; specificity = 67.6%). The Indonesian version of the FINDRISC instrument has acceptable diagnostic accuracy for screening people with undiagnosed T2DM or dysglycaemia in Indonesia. Modifying the body mass index and waist circumference classifications in the Modified FINDRISC-BI results in a similar diagnostic accuracy; however, the Modified FINDRISC-BI has a higher optimal cut-off point than the FINDRISC-BI. People with an above optimal cut-off score are suggested to take a further blood glucose test.

Background Despite a global decline in new HIV/AIDS cases in low-middle countries, cases are increasing in Indonesia. Low knowledge about the disease among the general population is one of the major factors responsible for this trend. Indonesia does not have a validated instrument to assess HIV/AIDS knowledge. The HIV Knowledge Questionnaire-18 (HIV-KQ-18) has been translated into several languages and is one of the most extensively used instruments for assessing HIV/AIDS knowledge. This paper describes the process of adapting and validating the HIV-KQ-18, an instrument to assess the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge in the general population of Indonesia. Methods In the adaptation phase, feedback for the initial Bahasa Indonesia version was gathered from two HIV activists, an obstetrician, two general practitioners, and 60 pilot participants. At the validation stage, we distributed the instrument link via Google Form to 6 major regions in Indonesia. Validity was measured using known-group validity and construct validity. The construct validity was assessed using an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) with a polychoric correlation matrix. Cronbach’s alpha was used to analyze the internal consistency. Results Based on the findings in the adaptation phase, additional descriptions (namely synonyms or examples) were added to 6 items to make them more understandable. In the validation phase, 1,249 participants were recruited. The a priori hypothesis in known-group validity was supported. We also found three items that did not meet the construct validity. Based on the acceleration factor approach to interpret the scree tree in the factor analysis, using only two factors was preferable. Cronbach's alpha values were 0.75 and 0.71 representing good internal reliability. Conclusion The HIV-KQ-18 Bahasa Indonesia is considered a valid and reliable instrument to assess the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge in Indonesia.

Background Graves’ disease (GD) is an autoimmune disease, and it accounts for major cases of hyperthyroidism. Antibody against thyroid‐stimulating hormone receptor/TSHR (TRAb) is responsible for hyperthyroidism and is considered as a diagnostic marker for GD. Therefore, we developed a recombinant protein of human TSHR‐169 (hTSHR‐169), which was specifically recognized TRAb in the serum of GD patients and then compare the diagnostic performance between ELISA and dot blot of TRAb tests for their ability to diagnose GD. Methods 20 GD patients and 20 healthy individuals from the Indonesian population were enrolled. TRAb concentration and density were quantified. Comparative analysis was performed using receiver‐operating curve (ROC) analysis. Results For dot blot assay, the minimum concentration to detect TRAb requiring 100 ng of antigen with antiserum diluted at 1:60. For diagnosing GD, the ELISA yielded a higher AUC compared with the dot blot assay (0.95 and 0.85, respectively). Using the recommended cutoff values, the efficiency of both assays was examined by comparing the specificity and sensitivity of the assays to the clinical diagnosis. The ELISA showed 80% and 95%, while the dot blot assay showed 70% and 95% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Conclusion Although the dot blot assay exhibited lower performance than the ELISA method, the dot blot assay is a simple and rapid diagnostic assay that is suitable for diagnosing GD in rural areas, in which healthcare facilities sometimes are not accessible.

The RecA protein has an essential role in DNA recombination and repair which is mediated by its ability to bind ATP/ADP. SWISS-MODEL, an online automated server, was used to predict its tertiary structure of C. jejuni RecA. Four evaluation tools were used for quality assessment of the constructed model: QMEAN6, ERRAT, ANOLEA and PROCHECK. Quality assessments indicated that the model was of high quality and reliable for docking experiments. A total of forty natural products were used in docking the model by Hex 8.0.0 and ArgusLab 4.0.1 using ADP as control. Ten compounds had docking scores higher than that of ADP (-8.61 Kcal/mol) in ArgusLab 4.0.1 where quercetin had the highest docking score of-10.34 Kcal/mol. In Hex 8.0.0 docking, only cucurmin, taxifolin, isoquercitrin and vitexin had docking scores higher than that of ADP. These natural occurring compounds may be possible inhibitors of ATPase activity and, therefore, may be further analyzed to develop new antimicrobials targeting RecA in pathogenic bacteria.

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In 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has killed more than 6.6 millions of people around the world as of end of 2022. The long-term impact of COVID-19 is persisted, including its impact on male reproduction. SARS-CoV-2 enters into host cells using the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) receptors. Both of these receptors are expressed more in men, and therefore men are more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 potentially cause infertility by damaging testicular tissues and interfering with the process of spermatogenesis. A decrease in serum levels of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) as well as a decrease in sperm quality in men with COVID-19 compared to healthy men of the same age has been reported in several studies. Utilizing existing research data, this study aims to explore in detail of how SARS-CoV-2 tends to affect male fertility.

Spermatogenesis is a great, complex, and long process. This process take place in the tubulus seminiferus of the testis and consists of three phases i.e. proliferation, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. In proliferation phase, the number of cells were multiplied, while in the meiosis occurs the completion of cleavage to form haploid cells. In the spermiogenesis, the cells perform a morphological change to form the mature gamet that is spermatozoa. Spermatogenesis involves the role of hormones and many molecules resulting the functional spermatozoa which crucial to induce the process of fertilization. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is an elderly and multifunctional molecule that necessary in spermatogenesis and the quality of spermatozoa. Many results revealed that PACAP molecule is responsible for male reproduction and fertility. The main objective of this review is to describe the prominent role of PACAP in spermatogenesis and the spermatozoa function.

The current modern era causes lifestyle changes, especially in urban communities, in terms of daily consumption patterns that tend to be accustomed to consuming fast food that contains many additional compounds. A compound commonly known as a food flavoring additive is monosodium glutamate (MSG), a sodium salt that is naturally produced from L-glutamic acid. Apart from its role in enhancing the taste of food, several studies have shown that MSG has toxic effects on human and animal tissues including the reproductive system which may cause infertility. Glutamate in MSG has a direct reaction effect at the cellular level, one of which forms free radicals and causes oxidative stress. The increase in free radicals in the body can cause damage to the organs of the body including the testes. Damage caused by MSG can also occur centrally in the hypothalamus so that it interferes with the hormonal and endocrine reproductive systems. Damage to pituitary cells will inhibit the production of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), resulting in a decrease in gonadotropin levels, either luteinizing hormone (LH) or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) produced by the pituitary gland. This article aims to discuss in detail how MSG affects male fertility.