Circulating Free RNA as a Therapeutic Evaluation in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma: A Case Series from the Indonesian Cancer Center.

Cancer is still the leading cause of death worldwide. Despite advances in diagnosis, management with the rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin hydrochloride, vincristine sulfate, and prednisone (R-CHOP) chemotherapy regimen, and careful clinical and radiologic evaluation, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) still carries high recurrence in clinical practice. This case series aims to assess the potential of circulating free RNA as a biomarker for evaluating therapeutic responses in DLBCL.

Building pathology capacity in sub-Saharan Africa to improve breast cancer diagnosis and treatment: training laboratory technicians in high-quality manual immunohistochemistry.

Background: To address the need for a skilled workforce in breast cancer (BC) pathology in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), we implemented an education program to train laboratory technicians in manual immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Methods: A quality improvement education project was developed. Interactive webinars were held every six months with didactics and presentations from African experts with experience in IHC.

Hydrothermal dewatering of low-grade coal: Product evaluation and primary component analysis of ash deposition.

The hydrothermal dewatering (HTD) process was carried out using 16 coal samples obtained from several regions in Indonesia. This research aims to identify the dominant parameters that influence ash deposition during coal combustion in a boiler or gasifier due to the HTD process. This research was conducted due to the lack of clear and comprehensive information regarding this issue.

A review of clinical guidelines, laboratory recommendations and external quality assurance programs for monoclonal gammopathy testing.

Monoclonal gammopathy (MG) is a spectrum of diseases ranging from the benign asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance to the malignant multiple myeloma. Clinical guidelines and laboratory recommendations have been developed to inform best practices in the diagnosis, monitoring, and management of MG. In this review, the pathophysiology, relevant laboratory testing recommended in clinical practice guidelines and laboratory recommendations related to MG testing and reporting are examined.

Association of Body Composition and Handgrip Strength with Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Vitamin D Level in Cancer Patients.

Introduction: Cachexia is prevalent in cancer and is associated with poorer prognosis. We aimed to investigate the association of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and vitamin D levels with cachexia in cancer patients. We also assessed the relationship between body composition profile and cachexia, IL-6, and vitamin D levels.

Utility of combining PIVKA-II and AFP in the surveillance and monitoring of hepatocellular carcinoma in the Asia-Pacific region.

Even though the combined use of ultrasound (US) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is recommended for the surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the utilization of AFP has its challenges, including accuracy dependent on its cut-off levels, degree of liver necroinflammation, and etiology of liver disease. Though various studies have demonstrated the utility of protein induced by vitamin K absence II (PIVKA-II) in surveillance, treatment monitoring, and predicting recurrence, it is still not recommended as a routine biomarker test. A panel of 17 experts from Asia-Pacific, gathered to discuss and reach a consensus on the clinical usefulness and value of PIVKA-II for the surveillance and treatment monitoring of HCC, based on six predetermined statements.

Association of leukocyte nadir with complete remission in Indonesian acute myeloid leukemia patients undergoing 7+3 remission induction chemotherapy.

: The 7+3 regimen is still the main choice of remission induction chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Successfully achieving complete remission (CR) and the time required to achieve it determine patient's survival. Hence, bone marrow examination on 14 day of chemotherapy is recommended to predict CR.

A Modified Preparation Method of Ideal Platelet-Rich Fibrin Matrix From Whole Blood.

One bioproduct that is widely used in the wound healing process is platelet-rich plasma (PRP). PRP is a liquid solution with high autologous platelet concentration, making it a good source of growth factors to accelerate wound healing. Recent development in PRP had created a new product called platelet-rich fibrin matrix (PRFM), which has a denser and more flexible structure.

Optimization of OPEFB lignocellulose transformation process through ionic liquid [TEA][HSO] based pretreatment.

Research on the transformation of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFB) through pretreatment process using ionic liquid triethylammonium hydrogen sulphate (IL [TEA][HSO]) was completed. The stages of the transformation process carried out were the synthesis of IL with the one-spot method, optimization of IL composition and pretreatment temperature, and IL recovery. The success of the IL synthesis stage was analyzed by FTIR, H-NMR and TGA.

Improving Linkage to Care of Hepatitis C: Clinical Validation of GeneXpert® HCV Viral Load Point-of-Care Assay in Indonesia.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection large-scale diagnosis and treatment are hampered by lack of a simple, rapid, and reliable point-of-care (POC) test, which poses a challenge for the elimination of hepatitis C as a public health problem. This study aimed to evaluate Cepheid Xpert® HCV Viral Load performance in comparison with the Roche Cobas® TaqMan® HCV Test using serum samples of HCV-infected patients in Indonesia. Viral load quantification was performed on 243 anti-HCV positive patients' samples using both Xpert HCV VL and Roche HCV tests, followed by HCV genotyping by reverse hybridization.

The BMP2/4 ortholog Dpp can function as an inter-organ signal that regulates developmental timing.

Developmental transitions are often triggered by a neuroendocrine axis and can be contingent upon multiple organs achieving sufficient growth and maturation. How the neurodendocrine axis senses the size and maturity of peripheral organs is not known. In larvae, metamorphosis is triggered by a sharp increase in the level of the steroid hormone ecdysone, secreted by the prothoracic gland (PG).

Receptor usage dictates HIV-1 restriction by human TRIM5α in dendritic cell subsets.

The most prevalent route of HIV-1 infection is across mucosal tissues after sexual contact. Langerhans cells (LCs) belong to the subset of dendritic cells (DCs) that line the mucosal epithelia of vagina and foreskin and have the ability to sense and induce immunity to invading pathogens. Anatomical and functional characteristics make LCs one of the primary targets of HIV-1 infection.

Effect of Residents on Operative Time and Complications: Focus on Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in the Community.

Objective: To better understand important aspects of resident education in the perioperative setting, given that there are conflicting data regarding resident training and outcomes (e.g., operative times and complications).

Localized epigenetic silencing of a damage-activated WNT enhancer limits regeneration in mature Drosophila imaginal discs.

Many organisms lose the capacity to regenerate damaged tissues as they mature. Damaged Drosophila imaginal discs regenerate efficiently early in the third larval instar (L3) but progressively lose this ability. This correlates with reduced damage-responsive expression of multiple genes, including the WNT genes wingless (wg) and Wnt6.

Adaptation of HIV-1 to rhTrim5α-mediated restriction in vitro.

Recently, gene therapy with rhTrim5α, an innate restriction factor which blocks HIV-1 at a post entry step, have been shown to be applicable as treatment in vitro. However, HIV-1 might adapt to replicate in the presence of rhTrim5α due to its high mutation rate. Here we observed that two different HIV-1 isolates were able to replicate in cells expressing high levels of rhTrim5α.

Mutations in CypA Binding Region of HIV-1 Capsid Affect Capsid Stability and Viral Replication in Primary Macrophages.

Mutations in the cyclophilin A (CypA) binding region in the HIV-1 capsid affect their dependency on the known HIV-1 cofactor CypA and allow escape from the HIV-1 restriction factor Trim5α in human and simian cells. Here we study the effect of these mutations in the CypA binding region of capsid on cofactor binding, capsid destabilization, and viral replication in primary cells. We showed that the viral capsid with mutations in the CypA binding region (CypA-BR) interacted efficiently with CypA, but had an increased stability upon infection as compared to the wild-type capsid.

Viral evolution in HLA-B27-restricted CTL epitopes in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected individuals.

The HLA-B27 allele is over-represented among human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected long-term non-progressors. In these patients, strong CTL responses targeting HLA-B27-restricted viral epitopes have been associated with long-term asymptomatic survival. Indeed, loss of control of viraemia in HLA-B27 patients has been associated with CTL escape at position 264 in the immunodominant KK10 epitope.

SAMHD1 degradation enhances active suppression of dendritic cell maturation by HIV-1.

A hallmark of HIV-1 infection is the lack of sterilizing immunity. Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial in the induction of immunity, and lack of DC activation might underlie the absence of an effective anti-HIV-1 response. We have investigated how HIV-1 infection affects maturation of DCs.

Genetic variation in Trex1 affects HIV-1 disease progression.

Objective: Three prime repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1) plays a pivotal role in HIV-1 infection. In-vitro studies have shown that TREX1 degrades excess HIV-1 DNA, thereby shielding HIV-1 from recognition by innate immune receptors and preventing a type 1 interferon response. To determine whether TREX1 plays a role in HIV-1 pathogenesis, we analyzed whether genetic variation in Trex1 is associated with the clinical course of HIV-1 infection.

Predicting gangrenous cholecystitis.

Background: Gangrenous cholecystitis (GC) is often challenging to treat. The objectives of this study were to determine the accuracy of pre-operative diagnosis, to assess the rate of post-cholecystectomy complications and to assess models to predict GC.

Methods: A retrospective single-institution review identified patients undergoing a cholecystectomy.