Obesity is a multifactorial condition involving both genetic predisposition and environmental influences. Genetic susceptibility, particularly involving the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene, has shown a significant impact. Specifically, the MC4R rs17782313 polymorphism has been linked to an increased obesity risk across different populations. This study systematically reviewed existing literature and performed a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between MC4R rs17782313 variants (heterozygous and homozygous forms) and obesity risk. Relevant studies were systematically identified through searches in the PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane databases, focusing on research examining the relationship between the MC4R rs17782313 polymorphism and obesity susceptibility. Seven eligible studies were included for meta-analysis. Data extraction was conducted carefully, and analysis was performed using a random-effects model (REM) to address variability between studies. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to determine the obesity risk associated with heterozygous (TC) and homozygous (CC) genotypes compared to non-carriers. The analysis revealed that carriers of the TC/CC genotype for the MC4R rs17782313 polymorphism had a significantly higher obesity risk, with a 21% increase compared to non-carriers (OR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.03–1.42; p = 0.02). The random-effects model indicated a consistent association across different populations, demonstrated by moderate heterogeneity (I² = 58%). Additionally, the funnel plot analysis showed symmetrical distribution, suggesting low likelihood of publication bias. The MC4R rs17782313 polymorphism is significantly associated with an elevated obesity risk of approximately 21% in individuals with either heterozygous or homozygous variants. These results highlight the importance of genetic factors in obesity development and suggest potential avenues for genetic-based therapeutic approaches.
Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is an infection that causes physical and psychological stress. Cortisol and prolactin are hormones that have been studied in association with infectious states. Viral infections trigger the production of acute-phase proteins and antibodies essential for viral elimination. This study aimed to prove the correlation between stress hormone levels and inflammatory markers and antibodies in COVID-19 patients. A cross-sectional approach was employed in this study, with a target population of patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19. Cortisol, prolactin, and specific antibodies were quantified via ELISA, while CRP and procalcitonin levels were measured using immunoturbidimetric and immunofluorescence assays. Additionally, anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were evaluated using the ECLIA principle. Statistical analysis was performed using the Spearman rank correlation test. Fifty-six subjects were included in this study. The study found correlations between cortisol and prolactin levels and CRP (p=0.007, r=0.357; p=0.132, r=0.204) and procalcitonin (p=0.006, r=0.365; p=0.315, r=0.137). The correlations between cortisol and prolactin levels and IgM were p=0.163, r=-0.189; and p=0.299, r=-0.141. The correlations between cortisol and prolactin levels and IgG were p=0.017, r=-0.317, and p=0.207, r=-0.171. There is a weak positive correlation between cortisol levels and CRP and procalcitonin levels. There is a weak negative correlation between cortisol levels and anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG.
The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterococcus spp. poses a significant public health concern, particularly in Indonesia, where antibiotic misuse is prevalent. This study addresses the urgent need to understand the extent of MDR Enterococcus infections within clinical settings in Semarang, as existing data on this specific issue remains limited. The primary objective of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of MDR Enterococcus spp. isolated from clinical samples in Semarang, Indonesia. A total of 80 clinical samples were collected from patients at the KRMT Wongsonegoro Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia, over three years (January 2022 to December 2024). The identification of Enterococcus spp. was conducted using Gram staining and biochemical assays, followed by antimicrobial susceptibility testing utilizing the VITEK®2 Compact system. Enterococcus spp. was most commonly found in clinical pus (36.3%), and urine (32.5%) clinical samples. Of 80 Enterococcus spp. isolates, 65 (81.25%) were MDR. Above 90% of the 80 isolates were ampicillin and Tigecycline-sensitive. This investigation also found that Enterococcus spp. isolates were resistant to tetracycline (66.3%), erythromycin (77.5%), and Quinupristin/Dalfopristin (86%). Conclusions: The study underscores the critical implications for healthcare providers and policy makers in addressing MDR Enterococcus infections. Enhanced surveillance and tailored antimicrobial stewardship programs are essential to mitigate the risks associated with these infections, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare burdens in Indonesia.
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-induced pseudothrombocytopenia (EDTA-PTCP) causes falsely low platelet counts due to in vitro platelet aggregation, risking misdiagnosis. Conventional methods may be unreliable in such cases. Advanced technologies, including PLT-O (optical fluorescence-based counting) in the Sysmex XN10 and Mindray BC6200, and PLT-H (hybrid method combining optical and impedance techniques) in the Mindray BC760, aim to enhance counting accuracy. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of these techniques in both untreated and kanamycin-treated EDTA-PTCP samples. Sixty-five EDTA-PTCP samples were analyzed using Sysmex XN10, Mindray BC6200, and Mindray BC760 analyzers before and after kanamycin treatment. Manual platelet counts served as the reference standard. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests and correlation coefficients to compare analyzer performance. Platelet flagging sensitivity was assessed to evaluate the analyzers’ ability to detect abnormalities. All three analyzers demonstrated improved accuracy following kanamycin treatment, with post-treatment correlations (R-values) exceeding 0.82. The Mindray BC6200 PLT-O method showed the highest correlation both before (R = 0.774) and after treatment (R = 0.910), with minimal bias (slope = 0.982; intercept = –8.945), and outperformed Sysmex in both correlation and agreement. In terms of platelet clumping detection, the combined flagging sensitivity was highest for Mindray BC6200 and BC760 (0.800), compared to Sysmex XN10 (0.338). These findings support the use of kanamycin and advanced optical methods for improving diagnostic reliability in EDTA-PTCP cases.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a cancer of the bone marrow and blood, has been widely studied, yet few investigations explore the connection between ALL, exosomes, and chemotherapy, especially during the induction phase in pediatric patients. This research examines the bibliometrics of ALL, induction phase chemotherapy, and the effects on exosomes in pediatric patients. This study employs the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology and sources data from the Wiley Online Library, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Sage Journal. Based on the utilized keywords, 913 similar documents were identified and subsequently narrowed down to 10 documents over the years. The study highlights that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a key role in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) by influencing treatment resistance and tumor progression. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a key role in leukemia progression, immune evasion, and chemotherapy resistance, with their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets offering new strategies to improve pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment outcomes.
