To investigate the relationship between vitamin C intake and IL-6 level as a biomarker of oxidative stress during pregnancy.

Fourty pregnant women during third trimester were grouped into preeclampsia and non-preeclampsia, and surveyed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire. The ELISA assay for IL-6 expression was performed. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted using SPSS software ver. 20.

Subjects in preeclampsia group were shown to consume slightly more vitamin C than the non-preeclampsia group, with median values of 76.37 (28.05 – 96.88) mg and 68.87 (8.57 – 198.53) mg, respectively (p = 0.36). A nonparametric correlation test showed no significant association between vitamin C and total IL-6 level, with p = 0.36 and r = -0.15. There was also no difference between vitamin C consumption and IL-6 level for each group, with r = -0.14 and r = -0.20, respectively.

There was no statistically significant association between vitamin C intake and IL-6 level in women during third trimester of pregnancy (p = 0.36).

There was no statistically significant association between vitamin C intake and IL-6 level in women during third trimester of pregnancy (p = 0.36).

To investigate the auto-induction of transforming growth factor-b1 (TGF-β1) in breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) and its effect on cell viability and stemness.

Human BCSCs (aldehyde dehydrogenase positive; ALDH+) were grown in serum-free Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium/Nutrient Mixture F12 (DMEM/F12) and treated for periods of 1, 2 and 4 hours with 0.1 ng/ml recombinant human TGF-β1 protein (rhTGF-β1). The medium was then replaced with serum-free DMEM/F12 without rhTGF-β1 for 24 hours. Cell viability was determined using a trypan blue exclusion assay. Type 1 TGF-β receptor (TβR1), TGF-β1, octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 (ALDH1A1) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels were analysed using quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The TGF-β protein level in the culture medium was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

The expression levels of rhTGF-β1, TGF-β1 and TβR1 mRNA significantly increased in BCSCs compared to control after treatment for 1 and 2 hours but decreased after 4 hours. This is in line with alteration of stemness gene, OCT4 and ALDH1A1 mRNA expressions. However, the secretion of newly synthesised TGF-β1 significantly increased after 2 hours. In contrast, viable BCSCs decreased after 1 hour and then gradually increased 2.7 times compared to control after 4 hours.

TGF-β1 treatment in low concentration and for short period of time triggers its auto-induction in BCSCs, leading to increased cell viability and stemness gene expression via autocrine signalling.

TGF-β1 treatment in low concentration and for short period of time triggers its auto-induction in BCSCs, leading to increased cell viability and stemness gene expression via autocrine signalling.

The aim of this study was to investigate the course of diaphragm changes in mechanically ventilated patients in ICU after four days of mechanical ventilation. In addition, to evaluate correlation of various demographic variables to baseline diaphragm muscle thickness and their effects on the course of diaphragm muscle thickness changes.

This study was conducted from December 2018 to February 2019 at Cipto Mangunkusumo National Hospital. Thirty critically ill patients using mechanical ventilation in the ICU were included. Baseline demographic data were collected. Baseline end expiratory diaphragm thickness was measured within one hour after starting mechanical ventilation and repeated every 24 hours for four days. Mortality and duration of mechanical ventilation were recorded.

There were no differences in baseline diaphragm thickness according to gender, body mass index and modified Rankin Score. The subjects were divided into two categories duration of mechanical ventilation less than seven days and duration of ventilation of seven days or more. The mean baseline diaphragm thickness was 2.11 + 0.15 mm. A rapid decrease of diaphragm muscle thickness was found within 24 hours. Diaphragm muscle thickness changed over subsequent measurements during observation. It was found that rapid diaphragm muscle thinning corresponded with longer duration of mechanical ventilation and worse outcomes.

Diaphragm muscle thinning was seen early in the course of mechanical ventilation. Diaphragm muscle thickness changed over time, and there was no correlation with other measured variables.

Diaphragm muscle thinning was seen early in the course of mechanical ventilation. Diaphragm muscle thickness changed over time, and there was no correlation with other measured variables.

This study aimed to analyse the expression pattern of FOXO3a in leucocytes of elderly women according to their lifespans.

It was a cross-sectional study involving 60 healthy elderly female subjects living in Jakarta. Women were classified based on age as younger (60-70 years of age) and older (> 70 years of age). Blood samples were taken for the preparation of leucocyte cells for RNA isolation. Nanvuranlat FOXO3a mRNA expression was analysed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

The relative mRNA expression of FOXO3a in leucocytes was significantly higher in the younger group (60-70 years of age) than in the older group (> 70 years of age).

FOXO3a mRNA expression decreased with increasing age in elderly female subjects. Further research is required to evaluate FOXO3a expression at the protein level.

FOXO3a mRNA expression decreased with increasing age in elderly female subjects. Further research is required to evaluate FOXO3a expression at the protein level.

To identify the prevalence of hypertension and its relationship with dietary sodium intake among the Malay population in Selangor, Malaysia.

Respondents were recruited from the year 2013 to 2015 from households in Klang Valley (urban area) and several settlements of the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) in Selangor (rural area). Data were collected using two questionnaires, a sociodemographic questionnaire and a food frequency questionnaire.

A total of 3,453 adults participated in this study. The mean age of the respondents was 50.9 (±10.23) years. The prevalence of hypertension was 23.3%. Mean dietary sodium consumption was 3.6 (±6.63) grams/day, 1.6 grams higher than the current WHO recommendation. The prevalence of hypertension was higher among males aged 60 years and older; among rural population with low education level; among housewives and those with high dietary sodium intake. After adjusting for age, gender and marital status in a multiple logistic regression analysis, rural location (OR = 5.