Background: Malnutrition and immunology change in stroke would affect the outcome of the stroke patient. The supplement of the extract of snakehead fish as an alternative is expected could reduce the effect pasca stroke.Objective: This study aims to assess the effect of snakehead fish supplementation on nutritional status, levels of albumin, TLC and TNF-α in stroke patients.Method: This type of study is a quasi-experimental, pre-test post-test group design, by providing treatment to the subject of research and treatment effects were measured and analyzed. Subjects were divided into two groups; a first group which receives 3 x 2 capsule of snakehead fish supplementation as well as diet and nutrition education (intervention group) and the second group that received only diet and education (control group).Results: From the results, it was found that nutritional status, which was obtained by measuring UAC in cases and controls are good (SG ≥ 85%) but no significant differences between them (p=0.914). There are significant differences between albumin levels before and after intervention (p=0.023) with an average increase of 0.2 g/dl, but not in the control group (p=0.931). For TLC values increased in the intervention group (990,5 sel/mm3) and a decrease in the control group (645,03 sel/mm3) with a significant difference in both groups (p=0.034). There was a decrease of TNFα in both group; for cases (mean=-2.91) and controls (mean=-2.58) with significant differences between the two groups (p=0.001).Conclusion: The supplementation of an extract of snakehead fish could increase the albumin and TLC level and decrease the TNFα in stroke patients.

The evaluation of mercury impact on humans is currently nonspecific because the body characteristics (homeostasis) of each human being varies. Therefore, in the early diagnosis of mercury toxicity, one of the most important monitoring parameters is the respiratory function examination. In this study, respiratory function was examined with a portable spirometer and correlated with the mercury levels in hair from the noses and heads of subjects. Samples were taken from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) areas (villages of East Tulabolo and Dunggilata) and control areas (villages of Bongo and Longalo) in Gorontalo Province, Indonesia. A statistical analysis with the Mann–Whitney test (alternative) showed significant differences in lung function between the polluted and control areas (α = 0.03). The analysis of nasal and head hair samples with particle-induced X-ray emissions (PIXE) showed that the mercury levels in the ASGM area were considerably higher than in the more homogeneous control areas. This study confirms that a pulmonary function test is a quick and precise alternative way to monitor the impact of mercury on humans, especially atmospheric mercury, because we detected a negative correlation between pulmonary function and the level of mercury in hair.

(1) Background: Geomedical science focuses on the relationship between environmental impact and human health. The abundance of elements in a geographic area is reflected accumulation of these elements in humans. This study aims to describe the relationship between concentrations of geologic elements and accumulations in the human body as well as element-related symptoms. (2) Methods: Geogenic sampling was conducted in an Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) area and around residential areas in Indonesia, and samples were analyzed using particle-induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). Head hair was sampled, and health assessments were performed to determine heavy metal exposure, especially to copper and mercury. (3) Results: Results show that potentially toxic elements’ accumulation in the human body follows the abundance of these elements in the geographic area, which then affect health and manifest with specific signs and symptoms. East Tulabolo is an area rich in copper (hazard quotient (HQ) in dust = 152.8), and most of the population shows the sign of Kayser–Fleischer rings. Likewise, the Dunggilata area has the highest concentration of mercury, especially in the dust (HQ = 11.1), related to ASGM activity in residential areas. (4) Conclusions: This study concludes that the geogenic concentration of elements parallels the accumulation of human tissue and manifests with element-related signs and symptoms.

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