BACKGROUND Physical exercise is strongly associated with the release of β-endorphin. It is assumed that the type and intensity of physical exercise contributes to the release of β-endorphin. This study aimed to compare levels of β-endorphin in brain tissue in response to aerobic and anaerobic physical exercise. METHODS This study was an experimental laboratory study using 35 male Wistar rats divided into one control group and two physical exercise treatment groups: aerobic and anaerobic. Physical exercise was conducted on an animal treadmill running at aspeed of 20 m/min for 30 min of aerobic exercise and 35 m/min with 1-min intervals every 5 min for 20 min for anaerobic exercises. Each aerobic and anaerobic exercise group was furtherly classified into three subgroups (1×/week, 3×/week, and 7×/week). β-endorphin levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data were analyzed using independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS The highest mean of β-endorphin level was found in the weekly exercise (54.45 [1.41] pg/ml) of aerobic exercise group and daily exercise (70.50 [11.67] pg/ml) of anaerobic exercise group. Mean of β-endorphin level in control group was 33.34 (3.54) pg/ml. A significant increased of β-endorphin mean level (p<0.001) was found in all aerobic and anaerobic exercise groups except the aerobic exercise 7×/week group (37.37 [6.30] pg/ml) compared to control. CONCLUSIONS Both aerobic and anaerobic physical exercise conducted for 6 weeks could increase the level of β-endorphin in brain tissue.

BACKGROUND: Children in rural areas are susceptible to zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency in children can affect cognitive function in children. Zinc plays a role in cellular function and critical brain growth processes, including cell replication, DNA and RNA synthesis, and the release of neurotransmitters. AIM: This study aimed to analyze the condition of zinc deficiency and its relationship with the level of intelligence in children in rural areas. METHODS: The study design was cross-sectional, with a sample of 44 elementary school children aged 9–12 years taken randomly. Blood was drawn to measure serum Zn-levels, and serum Zn-levels were measured using Colorimetric Assay Kit (E-BC-K137). Zinc intake data were obtained from the food recall form, which was carried out 3 × 24 h. The level of intelligence is measured by the Culture Fair Intelligence Test method. The sample characteristics data obtained through a questionnaire. Furthermore, the data were analyzed using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: About 84.2% of children with insufficient zinc intake had low serum Zn-levels. There was a significant relationship between zinc intake and serum zinc levels (p = 0.026; PR = 4.293). Children with low serum zinc levels of 96.5% have intelligence levels below average. There was a significant relationship between serum zinc levels and intelligence level as well (p = 0.001; PR = 24,500). CONCLUSION: Zinc deficiency in children is characterized by low serum Zn-levels. Low serum Zn-level is caused by low zinc intake, thus children with low serum Zn-levels are at risk of having intelligence level below average. Therefore, health education about the importance of zinc intake in children should be given to parents, so that the incidence of zinc deficiency in children can be reduced.

Background: Workers who are exposed to extreme heat may be at high risk of heat stresswhich can affect the workers’ health and reduce their work productivity. This study aimed to analyzedehydration index and fatigue level of employees working in heat-exposed environments. Methods: The participants of this cross-sectional descriptive study were 52 employees working on shoveling sand. The urine and peripheral blood of the research subjects were taken for laboratory analysis. The dehydration index was determined from the color, specific gravity, and acidity of urine and from the hematocrit level of blood. The heat stresswas assessed using the indicators of wet-bulb globe temperature(WBGT)and the amount of UV exposure. Fatigue levelwas measured using occupational fatigue questionnaires referring to Subjective Self Rating Test (SSRT).Results: The results of heat stressmeasurement showed that the average of WBGT was above the threshold limit value, and it meant that the workload of workerswas high. All workers (100%) were exposed to UV radiation that higher than recomended thethreshold limit value.It was found that 11% of the workers were dehydrated based on hematocrit levels and 25% of those was dehydrated based on urine pH level test. Dehydration index based on urine color observationrevealed that 52% of workers were severely dehydrated, whereas based on the urine specific gravity 72.3% of the workers were moderately dehydrated. The measurement of fatigue level showed that 89% of the workers developed mild fatigue. Conclusion: Heat-exposed environments could make some changes in dehydration index and cause mild fatigue in workers. It is necessary for people working in heat-exposed environmentsto have regular medical check-ups and maintain the balance of body fluids.

BACKGROUND: Stunting is a condition where the body height is shorter than normal, unproportioned to the child age, caused by lack of nutrition and/or caused by repeated disease in a long time period since the development of fetus until the first two years of life. The University of Alabama at Birmingham Health System states that Calcium, Phosphorus, vitamin C and vitamin D intake are extremely important so that lack of those nutrient can prohibit body growth and tooth development and eruption. Tuah Negri Sub-district at Musi Rawas District, South Sumatra Province, Indonesia is one of sub-district in Indonesia with high prevalence of stunting event. AIM: This research was performed to proof that there is an association between stunting and tooth eruption of primary school children at Tuah Negeri Sub-district, Musi Rawas District, South Sumatera Province, Indonesia. METHODS: The research employed a quantitative research design with a cross-sectional analytical survey method. Nutritional status was examined anthropometrically to identify stunting event. Tooth examination was performed among 94 students of 5 purposively selective primary schools based on their high prevalence of stunting cases. The results were then put into the odontogram. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that there were 31 children with stunting (33.0%), which is higher than the national data, and 21 of those with the stunting (67.7%) were identified as having delayed tooth eruption. Statistical examination using chi-squared test showed that the proportion of children with delayed tooth eruption was significantly higher among children with stunting compared to those without stunting, with p-value 0.034 and odds ratio (OR) 2.63 (95% C.I. = 1.7 – 6.5). CONCLUSION: There is an association between stunting and tooth eruption of primary school children at Tuah Negeri Sub-district, Musi Rawas District, South Sumatera Province, Indonesia. Children with stunting have 2.63 times higher possibility to experience delayed tooth eruption compared with those without stunting

Anaerobic exercise is a high-intensity exercise that needs quick energy supplies obtained in a very short time. However, this exercise may result in tissue hypoxia which is characterized by the increase of HIF-1α concentration. The presence of HIF-1α will induce the secretion of VEGF and, eventually, trigger angiogenesis. Nevertheless, it is still unclear whether anaerobic exercise will also cause hypoxia in which this condition will increase the concentration of VEGF in brain tissues. The aim of this study was to find out the effect of anaerobic exercise frequency towards VEGF concentration of Wistar rat brain tissues. Brain tissues were taken from rats treated with anaerobic exercise using treadmill. This exercise was given in different frequencies; one time, three times, and seven times a week. The data collected were analyzed using independent t-test. The results of this study showed that anaerobic exercise done once a week could significantly increase VEGF concentration (p < 0.05) if compared with the one in control group (95.21 ± 31.99 v.s. 63.36 ± 11.01 pg/mL). Meanwhile, VEGF concentration of treatment groups given exercise three times a week (47.97 ± 10.68 pg/mL) and seven times a week (40.56 ± 13.98 pg/mL) showed a significant decrease if compared with that of control group (63.36 ± 11.01 pg/mL). Anaerobic exercise affected VEGF concentration as an indicator of angiogenesis in brain tissue of wistar rats.