Determinants of COVID-19 severity and mortality in children: A retrospective and multicenter cohort study in Medan, Indonesia.

This study investigated indicators of the severity and mortality of COVID-19 in children in Medan, Sumatera Utara Province, Indonesia. The aim of this study was to identify determinants of severity and outcome of children with COVID-19 as the lesson learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the limited health facilities in Indonesia. This retrospective cohort study was conducted in 2020, 2021, and 2022 at multiple centers.

The Use of Platelet Count and Indices as Prognostic Factors for Mortality in Children with Sepsis.

Background: Sepsis is still one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in children worldwide. Consumptive coagulopathy and suppression of thrombopoiesis in the bone marrow resulting from immune dysregulation are pathological mechanisms that cause thrombocytopenia in sepsis. Platelet count (PLT) and indices, such as mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and plateletcrit (PCT) are markers of platelet activation and are strongly influenced by platelet morphology and proliferation kinetics.

Anti Inflammatory Action of Allium Sativum Ethanol Extract to Prevent Lung Damage in Smoker Rat Model.

Background: Smoking is the leading cause of death in worldwide and is known as one of the risk factors in the development and pathogenesis of several diseases and most are respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is associated with negative health consequences including respiratory tract infection, asthma, and cancer. One of the pathogenesis that has known to cause these diseases is inflammation.

Study of the Molecular Dynamics Stability in the Inhibitory Interaction of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate against CTLA-4 in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients.

Background: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is a first-line nucleotide analog (NA) drug for hepatitis B therapy. Long-term NA therapy increases peripheral T cell levels to enhance antiviral response, while CTLA-4 inhibits the activation.

Objective: This study analyzed the interaction between TDF and CTLA-4 through molecular docking.

Use of saliva as an alternative diagnostic method for diagnosis of COVID-19.

Background: Mass population testing has been recommended to contain the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, the use of nasopharyngeal swab specimens has caused many logistic challenges. This study investigated the sensitivity and specificity of saliva as a non-invasively-obtained specimen for molecular detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

Association Between Serum Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen (CTLA)-4 Level and Disease Progression in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B.

Backgroud: Immune impairment, marked by increased expression of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen (CTLA)-4, promotes the disease progression of chronic hepatitis B.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the association between serum CTLA-4 level and disease progression in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Haji Adam Malik General Hospital Medan, Indonesia between October 2021 to September 2022.

Serum homocysteine level and severity of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

Introduction: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is still a global health problem nowadays. A particular COVID-19 patients develop severe symptoms. Some biomarkers can be used to determine disease severity and improve outcome.

Effect of Garlic Ethanol Extract Administration on Gluthatione Levels to Prevent Oxidative Stress in Smoker Rat Model.

Background: Sickle Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is known as a spice native to western Asia has a strong antioxidant effect and revealed it functions as an antioxidant by increasing ROS-capture activity, cellular antioxidants, SOD, CAT, and GSH levels in cells. Cigarette smoke is very dangerous because it can cause serious illness and death.

Association Between Serum Midkine Level and Gastric Precancerous Lesion in Patients with Gastritis.

Background: Gastric cancer is the fifth most common malignancy and the third highest cancer-related mortality worldwide after lung and colorectal cancers. The gastric carcinogenesis is started with precancerous lesion. Prompt diagnosis and management of gastric precancerous lesion may prevent disease progression.

Association of endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene (G894T) polymorphism and hypertension in diabetic Bataknese patients.

Aim To assess endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene (G894T) polymorphism and nitric oxide (NO) level in hypertensive diabetic Bataknese patients. Methods A hospital-based, case control study (hypertensive and normotensive diabetic patient) was conducted. Genotyping of eNOS gene (G894T) was done using polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).