Camptothecin (CPT) is an anti-cancer drug that effectively treats various cancers, including colon cancer. However, poor solubility and other drawbacks have restricted its chemotherapeutic potential. To overcome these restrictions, CPT was encapsulated in CEF (cyclodextrin-EDTA-FE3O4), a composite nanoparticle of magnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4), and β-cyclodextrin was cross-linked with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). This formulation improved CPT’s solubility and bioavailability for cancer cells. The use of magnetically responsive anti-cancer formulation is highly advantageous in cancer chemotherapy. The chemical characterisation of CPT-CEF was studied here. The ability of this nano-compound to induce apoptosis in HT29 colon cancer cells and A549 lung cancer cells was evaluated. The dose-dependent cytotoxicity of CPT-CEF was shown using MTT. Propidium iodide and Annexin V staining, mitochondrial membrane depolarisation (JC-1 dye), and caspase-3 activity were assayed to detect apoptosis in CPT-CEF-treated cancer cells. Cell cycle analysis also showed G1 phase arrest, which indicated possible synergistic effects of the nano-carrier. These study results show that CPT-CEF causes a dose-dependent cell viability reduction in HT29 and A549 cells and induces apoptosis in colon cancer cells via caspase-3 activation. These data strongly suggest that CPT could be used as a major nanocarrier for CPT to effectively treat colon cancer.

In this research, we characterized the histopathological impact of dengue virus (serotype DENV-2) infection in livers of BALB/c mice. The mice were infected with different doses of DENV-2 via intraperitoneal injection and liver tissues were processed for histological analyses and variation was documented. In the BALB/c mouse model, typical liver tissues showed regular hepatocyte architecture, with normal endothelial cells surrounding sinusoid capillary. Based on histopathological observations, the liver sections of BALB/c mice infected by DENV-2 exhibited a loss of cell integrity, with a widening of the sinusoidal spaces. There were marked increases in the infiltration of mononuclear cells. The areas of hemorrhage and micro- and macrovesicular steatosis were noted. Necrosis and apoptosis were abundantly present. The hallmark of viral infection, i.e., cytopathic effects, included intracellular edema and vacuole formation, cumulatively led to sinusoidal and lobular collapse in the liver. The histopathological studies on autopsy specimens of fatal human DENV cases are important to shed light on tissue damage for preventive and treatment modalities, in order to manage future DENV infections. In this framework, the method present here on BALB/c mouse model may be used to study not only the effects of infections by other DENV serotypes, but also to investigate the effects of novel drugs, such as recently developed nano-formulations, and the relative recovery ability with intact immune functions of host.

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Falls are a serious consequence of declining physical function. Otago exercise is a strength and balance training program designed to prevent falls and enhance health status among the elderly. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a 12-week Otago exercise intended to reduce the risk of falls and health status among the elderly with chronic illness in the social elderly institution. This quasi-experimental study employed a pre- and post-test design using a control group. The study involved an intervention group (21 respondents) and a control group (21 respondents). The sample used in this study were elderly living in a social elderly institution. The sample was selected using simple random sampling. The data were analyzed using Mann–Whitney test, independent t-test, and Chi-square test. Otago exercise significantly reduced the respondents’ risk of falling and enhanced their health status. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of the risk of fall (p= 0.041) and health status (p= 0.011). Otago exercise significantly improves the health status and reduces the risk of falling among elderly with chronic illness. The exercise can be recommended for older adults with chronic illness in social elderly institutions and communities. Abstrak Efektivitas Latihan Otago terhadap Status Kesehatan dan Risiko Jatuh pada Lansia dengan Penyakit Kronik. Jatuh adalah konsekuensi serius dari penurunan fungsi fisik. Latihan Otago adalah program latihan kekuatan dan keseimbangan yang didesain untuk mencegah jatuh dan meningkatkan status kesehatan pada lansia. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menginvestigasi efek 12 minggu latihan Otago untuk menurunkan risiko jatuh dan meningkatkan status kesehatan pada lansia dengan penyakit kronik di Panti Sosial lansia. Penelitian Quasi-eksperimental ini menggunakan pre-post dengan kelompok kontrol. Kelompok intervensi dan kontrol masing-masing terdiri dari 21 responden. Sampel dalam penelitian ini adalah lansia yang tinggal di UPT Kesejahteraan Sosial Lanjut Usia Budi Agung Kupang.  Teknik sampling yang digunakan adalah simpel random sampling. Data dianalisis menggunakan Mann-Whitney test, Independent t-test dan Chi-square test. Latihan Otago secara signifikan menurunkan risiko jatuh dan meningkatkan status kesehatan. Ada perbedaan signifikan antara kedua kelompok dalam hal risiko jatuh (p= .041) dan status kesehatan (p= 0.011).  Latihan Otago secara signifikan menurunkan risiko jatuh dan meningkatkan status kesehatan pada lansia dengan penyakit kronik. Kata Kunci: lansia, latihan Otago, penyakit kronik, risiko jatuh, status kesehatan

Overall seroprevalence among healthy food handlers and market workers was high in this study. The workplace places susceptible individuals at risk of leptospirosis.