Background: The prevalence of growth disorders among school-aged children in Indonesia is high (30.7%). Pesticides have been massively used in Indonesian agricultural areas. Objective: To determine if exposure to pesticides is associated with stunting among children in agricultural areas. Methods: This case-control study included 160 children (48 cases and 112 controls) aged 8–12 years. Exposure to pesticides was measured based on the history of the exposure since perinatal period, infancy, and childhood of the participants. Stunting was determined as a height for age z-score (HAZ) < -2 SD. Other variables measured were levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), hemoglobin, zinc, albumin, nutrient adequacy level (energy and protein), and history of infection, low-birth weight (LBW), and mother's height. Results: There were no significant difference between the cases and controls in terms of in the baseline characteristics, except for the median IGF-1 level; it was significantly (p<0.001) lower in the cases (66.73 ng/mL) than the controls (112.57 ng/mL). High level of pesticide exposure (p=0.029) and low IGF-1 levels (p<0.001) were significantly associated with stunting. After adjusting for confounding variables, these variables were found to be independent risk factors for stunting in children (aOR 3.90, 95% CI 1.15 to 13.26; and aOR 8.35, 95% CI 3.65 to 19.14, respectively). Conclusion: Pesticide exposure could be a risk factor for the occurrence of growth disorders in children living in agricultural areas. Necessary actions should be taken to protect children living in agricultural areas from exposure to pesticides.

Pesticide Exposure and Thyroid Function in Elementary School Children Living in an Agricultural Area, Brebes District, Indonesia

Noise exposure can cause hearing loss types of conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss or deafness mix. Noise exposure in the long term and exceeds the NAB may cause damage to the cochlea which will result in sensorineural deafness. Conductive hearing loss caused by exposure to noise intensity that occur within a short time can cause trauma to the outer ear to the eardrum and middle ear. This was an observational cross sectional design. The sample in this study were employees of PT. X with inclusion criteria. Collecting data using tools such as questionnaires and for hearing loss was measured using a audiometer. The results by Chi-Square test showed significant relation between noise exposure with hearing loss (p = 0.001; PR 2.7 (95%CI : 1.3-5.2) Have a significant relationship between the period of work with hearing loss (p = 0.000; PR 3.3 (95%CI : 1.9-5.9). The stratification analyze can be conclude variables ear disease history, period of work, family history, age it’s not counfounding, whereas length of employment it’s counfounding to the noise exposure and hearing loss as well as increase the risk of hearing loss. Noise exposure and period of work is risk factor for the hearing loss in PT. X

Background: Birth weight is very important for long-term physical, mental, health, and brain development. Pesticide exposure is thought to interfere with fetal growth, among others, through disruption of the function of the insulin-like growth hormone-1 (IGF-1) hormone. Objective: To analyze the relationship between exposure to pesticides during pregnancy and low-birth weight (LBW) through the disruption of the IGF-1 hormone. Methods: In a case-control study, babies born with LBW (birth weight <2500 g) and those born later with normal birth weight (≥2500 g) at 2 hospitals in Brebes were chosen as cases and controls, respectively. Maternal pesticide exposure was measured by interview using a questionnaire. Umbilical serum IGF-I level was tested using the ELISA method. Results: There was a significant relationship between pesticide exposure during pregnancy and LBW (OR 6.8; 95% CI 2.0 to 22.9) and low umbilical serum IGF-1 levels (OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.2 to 11.1). There was a significant relationship between low umbilical serum IGF-1 levels and LBW (OR 8.9; 95% CI 2.4 to 32.1). Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between pesticide exposure during pregnancy and LBW through the umbilical serum IGF-1 reduction pathway.

Introduction: Curcumin is a naturally occurring compound that has antioxidant properties, acts as a hepatoprotective, and lowers lipid peroxidation. However, curcumin's low solubility and bioavailability are its primary drawbacks and prevent its use as a therapeutic agent. In this study, curcumin nanoparticles will be created using the ultrasonic-assisted extraction method, and their effectiveness against paracetamol-induced changes in ALT, AST, SOD, MDA, and TNF-α will be compared to that of pure curcumin. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the hepatoprotective effect of curcumin nanoparticles in paracetamol- induced rats as a model for liver injury. Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar rats, aged 6 to 8 weeks, with a minimum weight of 120 grams, were used in an experimental laboratory investigation with a post-test-only group design. Rats in each group received 100 mg/kgBW pure curcumin, 100 mg/kgBW curcumin nanoparticles, and 50 mg/kgBW curcumin nanoparticles for 7 days before paracetamol induction. On day 8, 300 mg/kgBW of paracetamol was intraperitoneally injected to cause liver damage. One of the groups received NAC as an antidote 10 hours after paracetamol induction. Detection of ALT and AST using a Chemistry Analyzer. ELISA approach for the detection of SOD, MDA, and TNF-α. The Roenigk score was calculated by two examiners after the liver histopathology preparations were stained using the Hematoxylin-Eosin method. Post hoc analyses were performed after the One Way Annova and Kruskal Wallis tests to examine the data. Results: According to PSA results, the smallest formula that formed curcumin nanoparticles (10.2 nm) was 8 g of curcumin formula mixed with a mixture of Tween 20 4.5 ml, Kolliphor EL 1.5 ml, Propylene Glycol 1.5 ml, and Capryol 90 1 ml for 21 minutes using an ultrasonic process. MDA and TNF-α levels, as well as the liver's histological Roenigk score, were significantly lower in the 100 mg/kgBB pure curcumin group (C100) when compared to the model group (model). The levels of AST, MDA, TNF-α, and the liver histopathology score were significantly lower in the 100 mg/kgBB (NC100) and 50 mg/kgBB (NC50) curcumin nanoparticle groups compared to the model group (model) and pure curcumin group (C100) (p< 0.05).

Background: Diabetic nephropathy was the most frequent complication in diabetics. The prevalence in women at South East Asia country was higher than men, that different than in Europe, American and African. It's a controversial thing. There was no research about the risk factors for diabetic nephropathy in women in Indonesia.Methods: The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors for stage 3-5 diabetic nephropathy in women. This research used case-control study design. The cases were women with stage 3-5 diabetic nephropathy. Sampling by consecutive sampling technique by comparing the age of the case. Data were analyzed statistically by univariate, bivariate and multivariate using multiple logistic regression analysis.Results: The results of the analysis showed that the risk factors for stage 3-5 diabetic nephropathy were hyperuricemia (OR:9.6; 95%CI:1.870-45.799), lack of physical activity (OR:9.5; 95%CI:1.693-53,287), blood sugar level ≥126 mg/dl (OR:14.7; 95% CI:1.487-145.846), history of oral contraceptive use (OR:7.3; 95%CI:1.254-42.716) and history of obesity (OR:8.9; 95%CI:1.195-65.766).Conclusion: It is recommended for diabetics people to control uric acid levels, fasting blood glucose, body weight and does enough physical activity. For oral contraceptives users it is recommended to consult with a doctor during consumption.