The Indonesian Biomedical Journal

15-30

Authors: Anna Meiliana, Nurrani Mustika Dewi, Andi Wijaya

BACKGROUND: Regardless of the precise underlying molecular mechanisms, the fundamental defining manifestation of aging is an overall decline in the functional capacity of various organs to maintain baseline tissue homeostasis and to respond adequately to physiological needs under stress. There is an increasingly urgent need for a more complete understanding of the molecular pathways and biological processes underlying aging and age-related disorders. CONTENT: Mitochondria constitute the most prominent source of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and are implicated in multiple anabolic and catabolic circuitries. In addition, mitochondria coordinate cell-wide stress responses and control non-apoptotic cell death routines. The involvement of mitochondria in both vital and lethal processes is crucial for both embryonic and postembryonic development, as well as for the maintenance of adult tissue homeostasis. Age-associated telomere damage, diminution of telomere ‘capping’ function and associated p53 activation have emerged as prime instigators of a functional decline of tissue stem cells and of mitochondrial dysfunction that adversely affect renewal and bioenergetic support in diverse tissues. Constructing a model of how telomeres, stem cells and mitochondria interact with key molecules governing genome integrity, ‘stemness’ and metabolism provides a framework for how diverse factors contribute to aging and age-related disorders. SUMMARY: Cellular senescence defined as an irreversible proliferation arrest promotes age-related decline in mammalian tissue homeostasis. The aging of tissue-specific stem cell and progenitor cell compartments is believed to be central to the decline of tissue and organ integrity and function in the elderly. Taken into consideration that the overwhelming majority of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) are of mitochondrial origin, it is reasonable to posit that the elevated ROS production might be caused by alteration in mitochondrial function during senescence. It is likely that mitochondria and stem cells will remain at the forefront of aging research also for the next decade.

37-42

Authors: Yusrawati Yusrawati, Ratna Lestari Habibah, Rizanda Machmud

BACKGROUND: Maternal circulating leptin, placental leptin gene expression and protein levels are increased in preeclampsia as compared with those in normal pregnancy. Increased serum leptin levels in preeclampsia which correspond with increased gestational age can be used independently or with other parameters as a marker for the severity of preeclampsia. The advantages of this examination in identifying preeclampsia severity are its simplicity, fast result, low cost and applicability. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in delivery room, polyclinic of Dr. M. Djamil Hospital, and Biomedical Laboratories of Medical Faculty of Andalas University from December 2013 to April 2014. The samples were collected from 68 women with singleton pregnancy in their third trimester (>28 weeks) presenting to the polyclinic Abstract and the delivery room of Dr. M. Djamil hospital. Differences in maternal serum leptin between preeclampsia and normal pregnancy were determined using t-test and Wilcoxon test for data with and without normal distribution, respectively, where p<0.05 indicating a significant results. RESULTS: The mean maternal serum leptin levels in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia were 1588.7964 ± 8.01074 ng/mL and 1608.1725 ± 6.69579 ng/mL, respectively. Thus, there is a statistically significant difference in mean maternal serum leptin levels between the normal pregnancy and preeclampsia (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: There are significant differences in maternal serum leptin levels between women with normal pregnancy and preeclampsia.

49-56

Authors: Rudy Ciulianto

BACKGROUND: The treatment of impetigo, secondarily infected dermatitis and infected traumatic lesions continue to develop as new generations of drugs are being formulated. Bacteria causing impetigo show growing resistance rates for commonly used antibiotics. Retapamulin being a new drug has been recently approved as topical antibiotic in children and adult. This study aimed to ascertain the efficacy, safety and tolerability of retapamulin as the treatment option for impetigo and other uncomplicated superficial skin infections. METHODS: A search for studies published from 2006-2014 was done in Pubmed, EBSCO, OVID, Science Direct, and Cochrane using the search strategy. The search was limited to studies conducted in human subjects and published in the English language. Randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy, safety and tolerability of retapamulin as treatment for impetigo and other uncomplicated superficial skin infections in children and adult were included and extracted independently and the qualities of the studies were appraised using critical appraisal tools. Data analysis was conducted by using RevMan 5. RESULTS: This study has high heterogeneity and found Retapamulin has no statistically significant difference in the clinical success after seven days and follow up among per-protocol-patients, bacteriogical confirmed patients and intention-to-treat patients with impetigo and other secondary infected traumatic lesions compared to other regimens. However, Retapamulin has beneficial effect in the clinical success, well tolerated and safe for children and adults. CONCLUSION: Retapamulin is comparably effective and safe as a treatment option for impetigo and other uncomplicated superficial skin infections.