BACKGROUND: Active mucosal chronic otitis media (COM) is prevalent in lower-income countries and is associated with recurrent episodes of otorrhea due to chronic inflammation of the middle ear. Cytokines, which are well-known for their effects on the immune system, play an important role in the inflammatory response and tissue remodeling. The specific contributions of proinflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines in the pathophysiology of active mucosal COM remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in patients with active mucosal COM vs. healthy subjects.METHODS: Total 20 subjects with active mucosal COM and 20 healthy subjects participated in this study. The levels of serum TNF-α and TGF-β were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).RESULTS: The average level of serum TNF-α in subjects with active mucosal COM was significantly higher compare to the healthy subjects (46.373±41.76 pg/mL vs. 15.021±7.16 pg/mL; p=0.004). In contrast, the average level of serum TGF-β in subjects with active mucosal COM was lower compared to the healthy subjects, although the difference is not statistically significant (9.963±3.2 ng/mL vs. 11.78±8.48 ng/mL; p=0.552). Further analysis showed that in subjects with active mucosal COM, the levels of serum TNF-α had a medium positive correlation with the level of TGF-β (r=0.525; p=0.018).CONCLUSION: TNF-α and TGF-β, which are proinflammatory and immunoregulatory cytokines, may contribute to the pathogenesis of recurrent episodes of otorrhea in an active mucosal COM.KEYWORDS: tumor necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-β, active mucosal chronic otitis media

The electrochemical method in two chambers with the bipolar membrane has been used to produce the nickel – hydroxyapatite particle. Hydroxyapatite is used as the supported catalyst for nickel catalyst. In this work, in-situ electrochemical synthesis in two chambers with bipolar membrane has been used in the formation of nickel-hydroxyapatite. A simple electrolysis cell from acrylic was used. The anode and the cathode were set parallel with a distance of 3 cm and immersed in the solution at a depth of 2 cm. The anode and the cathode were connected to a DC power supply. The particle was produced in the electrolysis cell. In the anode chamber, the pH solution decreases for the time of electrolysis while in the cathode chamber the pH solution increases. The nickel – hydroxyapatite particle is formed in the cathode chamber. There is no particle in the anode chamber. At the lower current density, the first formed is brushite. At the higher current density, brushite converts to HA. The higher current density the greater the chances of HA formation. The increase in the initial concentration of NiCl2 accelerates the increase of the pH of the electrolysis solution.

<p class="Abstract">ABSTRAK</p><p class="AbstractNormal"><strong>Pendahuluan: </strong>COVID-19 merupakan infeksi yang disebabkan oleh SARS-CoV-2. Prevalensi kasus COVID-19 di Indonesia pada akhir tahun 2020 mencapai 750.000 kasus dan terus meningkat hingga saat ini. Manifestasi klinis yang dialami oleh pasien COVID-19 cukup beragam. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui gambaran klinis telinga hidung tenggorokan (THT) pasien SARS CoV-2 di RSUD Dr. Moewardi Surakarta.</p><p class="AbstractNormal"><strong>Metode:</strong><strong> </strong>Penelitian <em>cross-sectional </em>melibatkan 316 pasien terkonfirmasi SARS-CoV-2 positif di RSUD Dr. Moewardi, Surakarta, Jawa Tengah selama April sampai Juni 2021. Dilakukan pemeriksaan PCR untuk melihat status infeksi SARS-CoV-2 dan anamnesis untuk melihat gambaran klinis telinga hidung tenggorokan pasien menggunakan kuesioner. Data univariat dianalisis secara deskriptif kuantitatif dan disajikan dalam bentuk distribusi frekuensi.</p><p class="AbstractNormal"><strong>Hasil:</strong><strong> </strong>Secara umum, distribusi empat gejala THT terbanyak pada pasien terinfeksi SARS-CoV-2 berturut-turut adalah nyeri tenggorok (21.52%), hilang penciuman (11.71%), hilang rasa pengecapan (10.44%), dan hidung tersumbat (9.18%). Gejala non-THT yang terbanyak ditemukan meliputi demam (73.73%) dan batuk (57.91%). Keempat gejala THT terbanyak tersebut juga ditemukan pada usia 15-64 tahun, kecuali pada usia ≥65 tahun dimana gejala sakit kepala (3.17%) merupakan gejala terbanyak kedua setelah nyeri tenggorok. Tidak ditemukan gejala hidung tersumbat pada usia ≥65 tahun. Gejala THT terbanyak pada pasien pria terinfeksi SARS-CoV-2 berturut-turut adalah nyeri tenggorok (9.82%), hilang penciuman (4.75%), hidung tersumbat (4.44%), dan hilang pengecapan (2.85%). Sementara itu, gejala THT terbanyak pada wanita terinfeksi SARS-CoV-2 berturut-turut meliputi nyeri tenggorok (11.07%), hilang pengecapan (7.59%), hilang penciuman (6.96%), dan hidung tersumbat (4.74%).</p><p class="AbstractNormal"><strong>Kesimpulan: </strong>Gambaran klinis telinga hidung tenggorokkan pasien terinfeksi SARS-CoV-2 yang paling sering muncul berturut-turut adalah nyeri tenggorok, hilang penciuman, hilang pengecapan, dan hidung tersumbat. Frekuensi gejala ini bervariasi akibat banyak faktor, diantaranya adalah umur dan jenis kelamin.</p>