The house gecko (Hemidactylus platyurus) has evolved the ability to autotomize its tail when threatened. The lost part is then regrown via epimorphic regeneration in a process that requires high energy and oxygen levels. Oxygen demand is therefore likely to outstrip supply and this can result in relative hypoxia in the tissues of the regenerating tail. The hypoxic state is stabilized by the Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) and HIF-2α proteins. We induced tail autotomy in 30 mal H. platyurus adults using a standard procedure and then collected samples of the regenerated tail tissue on days 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, 13, 17, 21, 25, and 30 post autotomy. For each sample, mRNA expression was analyzed by qPCR, proteins were analyzed using Western Blot tests and immunohistochemistry, and the histological structure was analyzed using Hematoxylin and Eosin staining. On day 1, HIF-1α mRNA expression increased and the tissue was dominated by leucocyte and erythrocyte cells. HIF-1α mRNA expression peaked on day 3, at which time some cells were actively proliferating, migrating, and differentiating. At the same time as HIF-1α expression decreased, HIF-2α mRNA expression increased, as did overall cellular activity. HIF-2α expression increased more gradually but was present over a longer period of time than HIF-1α. We hypothesize that HIF-1α helps to initially stimulate the tissue regeneration process while HIF-2α functionally takes over the role of HIF-1α after HIF-1α succumbs to the oxygen conditions, but we suspect that both HIF-1α and HIF-2α play a role in overcoming the tissue’s hypoxic state.

BACKGROUND Surra is an infection caused by a blood protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma evansi, and transmitted by blood-sucking insects. The parasite generally infects only animals; however, it was reported to infect an Indian cattle farmer in 2004, followed by reports of other human cases. The most severe Surra outbreak in Indonesia occurred in Sumba Island during 2010–2012, resulting in the death of more than 2,000 livestock. This study was conducted to explore the serological status of farmers who have intensive contact with their livestock against T. evansi infection in Southwest Sumba district. METHODS A total of 24 serum samples were collected from farmers living in the Surra outbreak area. All sera were tested using both card agglutination test for trypanosomiasis/T. evansi (CATT/T. evansi) and field enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (FELISA). RESULTS Of the 24 serum samples, 4 (16.7%) samples were seropositive for the antigen T. evansi using both tests. This is the first report of human trypanosomiasis (Surra) in Indonesia. Unfortunately, the clinical manifestations of farmers with positive Surra infection were not reported because all sera samples used in this study were obtained from the Public Health Service with no reports of clinical signs from the respondents. CONCLUSIONS Farmers living in the Surra outbreak area have a high risk of being infected with T. evansi due to their potential frequent contact with Surra vectors. Therefore, T. evansi infection in humans requires attention as it might have the potential to develop as a new emerging zoonotic disease in Indonesia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of intermittent hypobaric hypoxia on the expression hypoxia adaptation proteins, namely hypoxia inducibla factor-1a (HIF-1a) and myoglobin (Mb). Twenty five male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia in a hypobaric chamber in Indonesian Air Force Institute of Aviation Medicine, for 49.5 minutes at various low pressure, 1 week interval for 4 times (day 1, 8, 15 and 22). HIF-1α and Mb protein were measured with ELISA. mRNA expression of Mb was measured with one step real time RT-PCR. HIF-1α protein levels increased after induction of hypobaric hypoxia and continues to decrease after induction of intermittent hypobaric hypoxia 3 times (ANOVA, p = 0.0437). mRNA expression and protein of Mb increased after induction of hypobaric hypoxia and continues to decrease after induction of intermittent hypobaric hypoxia 3 times (ANOVA, p = 0.0283; 0.0170), and both are strongly correlated (Pearson, r = 0.6307). The heart of rats adapted to intermittent hypoxia conditions by upregulation the expression of HIF-1a and myoglobin and then both return to normal level

Background: Amaranthus spinosus and Andrographis paniculata are traditionally used as antimalarial herbs, but the combination of both has not yet been tested. The aim of this study was to determine the schizonticidal anti-malaria effect of a combination in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice. Methods: Male mice (Balb/c strain) weighing 28-30 g, 7-8 weeks old, were randomly devided into 5 groups of 4 animals each. Group A: controls (nil) and 4 treatment groups (B, C, D, and E). Group B: Amarathus 10 mg/kgBW, group C: Andrographis 2 mg/kgBW, group D: combination of Amaranthus + Andrographis 10 mg + 2 mg/kgBW. All treatment with plant extracts was administered orally, once per day for 7 days. Group E was given chloroquine 10 mg/kgBW, once a day orally, for 3 days. Results: The body weigh increased only in group D, hemoglobin concentration increased significantly vs controls (p < 0.05) in treatment groups C, D, and E, and blood schizonticidal activity was seen in all treatment groups, highest at almost 90% in groups D and E. Survival rate was 100% in all groups. Conclusion: The combination of Amaranthus and Andrographis (10 mg + 2 mg/kgBW) exerts the same blood schizonticidal activity as chloroquine 10 mg/kgBW. (Med J Indones. 2012;21:66-70) Keywords: Amaranthus spinosus, Andrographis paniculata, Balb/c mice, Plasmodium berghei, schizonticidal effect

Drug resistance to tuberculosis (TB) has become an obstacle in eliminating tuberculosis. The transmission of drug-resistant TB from patients increases the incidence of primary drug-resistant (DR) TB in individuals who are in close contact. Therefore, it is necessary to incorporate an immunological approach into preventive therapy. This study focuses on the activity of lysosomal enzymes, oxygen bursts, and the attachment ability of macrophages among individuals diagnosed with active drug-resistant TB compared with close contacts with latent TB or healthy cases. We measured macrophage oxygen burst ability (Water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST) test, Nitric Oxide production, and myeloperoxidase activity) and the degradative ability of lysosomes (activity of the β-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase enzymes). Six active DR-TB patients and 18 close-contact cases (8 Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI); 10 healthy) were recruited at Universitas Indonesia Hospital. The macrophage attachment of the LTBI group was higher than in the other groups. NO production, myeloperoxidase activity, β-glucuronidase, and acid phosphatase were higher in the active DR-TB group. A negative correlation was uncovered between phagocytosis and NO production, myeloperoxidase activity, and lysosomal enzymes. The difference in macrophage function is expected to be a further reference in active DR-TB treatment or preventive therapy.