Author name: Halo World

•Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health problem worldwide. Indonesia is an intermediate-to-high HBV endemic region. Despite a decrease in the incidence of acute HBV infection in Indonesia resulting from the universal newborn HBV immunization program, the number of patients with advanced liver disease (ALD) associated with chronic HBV infection is increasing In Indonesia, genotype B is the predominant HBV genotype, particularly in the Western region, whereas genotype C is predominant in the Eastern region Because HBV and HCV share a similar mode of transmission, co-infections are possible. Most cases of HBV and HCV co-infection occur among Intravenous drug users, unscreened blood products, or exposure to dirty needles and unsterilized medical equipment. Co-infection of these two viruses can cause more severe liver disease and increase the risk for primary liver cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma).

•During the past years PCR has become the gold standard for the molecular diagnostics of manifold diseases, such as cancer or infectious diseases. In most cases real-time PCR applications have replaced conventional PCR tests due to their obvious benefits, namely speed, increased specificity, (semi-) quantification, reduced work-load, and a minimized risk of carry-over contamination, which is of benefit, especially in diagnostic labs. Troubleshooting of the failed PCR reaction was Human error, Failure of the positive control, Primer and probe damage, problems with the basic reaction mix from the manufacturer, the inhibiting influence of water, individual problems with the cycler, problems with the machine, and the problem with the pathogen. Preparing important PCR assay protocols for reagents from more than one manufacturer may help to ensure rapid reliable diagnostics.

Bioinformatics utilizes modern computer science that includes cloud computing, statistics, mathematics, and even pattern recognition, reconstruction, machine learning, simulation and iterative approaches, and molecular modeling/algorithms. Being a combination of different branches of life sciences, the objective of bioinformatics is to develop methodologies and tools to study large volumes of biological data in order to organize, store, systematize, visualize, annotate, query, understand, and interpret those data. Bioinformatics is an integrative field in life sciences that combines biology and information technology. Its application includes the study of molecular sequences and genomics data. Bioinformatics has proven quite useful in medicine as the complete sequencing of the human genome has helped to unlock the genetic contribution for many diseases. Its applications include drug discovery, personalized medicine, preventative medicine, and gene therapy.

On August 1– 3, 2023, Institute of Tropical Disease in collaboration with Research Centre for Global Emerging and Reemerging Infectious Disease (RC-GERID) was successfully hosting the 7th MCC workshop. This annual workshop adopted a topic on “Real-time PCR and ELISA: Molecular and Serological Approach in Biomedical Research”. In total, 15 enthusiastic participants from various background joined this workshop, which made the event more intense and fruitful. The first day of the workshop involved lectures from the experts and hands-on DNA isolation as well as preparation for real-time PCR. We invited Dr. Ni Luh Ayu Megasari to deliver a lecture on “Sample Preparation for real-time PCR & Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay”. We also invited product specialist from PT Merck Chemicals and Life Sciences and PT Biotek Prima Indoplus to present about basic technique of Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay and Primer & Probe Design as well as Real-Time PCR. During the lecture a pleasant discussion between the speaker and participants was apparent. The workshop facilitated participants to experience hands-on DNA isolation and preparation for real-time PCR afterwards. During the hands-on, each group of participants were personally guided by instructors, who were the researchers of ITD. The second day of the workshop was fully laboratory work on Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. The product specialist from PT Merck Chemicals and Life Sciences, Taufik Indramawan, demonstrated the step-by-step ELISA protocols as well as Multiplex ELISA to the participants. The participants also enjoyed the laboratory work for ELISA as discussions happened with excitement. In the last day, participants were joining the data analysis for ELISA and realtime PCR. They were guided to read the results of realtime PCR machine and interpret the result correctly. During this session, product specialist from PT Biotek Prima Indoplus, Audi Putra Santosa, mentored the participants to analysis and interpret the results. Meanwhile, for data analysis of ELISA results were guided by Taufik from PT. Merck Chemicals. The organizing committee received good feedback from the participants. Most of the participants stated that they will definitely join the next MCC workshop.  

Wednesday 17 August 2023 The Civitas Academic Institute of Tropical Disease participated in the procession of the red and white flag-raising ceremony at Airlangga University in order to celebrate the 78th independence of the Republic of Indonesia. With our traditional/regional clothing attributes, we blend into one in one field, as if representing Indonesian citizens, both from Sabang to Papua. This makes the sense of brotherhood between the Civitas Academic deeper because there are no more racial, ethnic, and religious barriers. If a sense of brotherhood will continue to be fostered, then the spirit of mutual cooperation and social sensitivity will continue to grow so that later “Advanced Indonesia” will be achieved. During this ceremony, the Rector of Universitas Airlangga Prof.Dr.Mohammad Nasih, SE., MT., Ak., and all of his staff launched the “69th Anniversary of UNAIR” logo. Excitement and joy were described by all the participants who saw the moment. Hopefully, this joy and spirit of mutual cooperation can be the basis for the struggle “Keep Going for Advanced Indonesia” #Terus Melaju untuk Indoensia Maju #Dies Natalis ke-69 UNAIR

•Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that is caused by a variety of infectious viruses and noninfectious agents leading to a range of health problems, some of which can be fatal. There are five main strains of the hepatitis virus, referred to as types A, B, C, D, and E. •While they all cause liver disease, they differ in important ways including modes of transmission, severity of the illness, geographical distribution, and prevention methods. In particular, types B and C lead to chronic disease in hundreds of millions of people and together are the most common cause of liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and viral hepatitis-related deaths. •An estimated 354 million people worldwide live with hepatitis B or C, and for most, testing and treatment remain beyond reach. Some types of hepatitis are preventable through vaccination. A WHO study found that an estimated 4.5 million premature deaths could be prevented in low- and middle-income countries by 2030 through vaccination, diagnostic tests, medicines, and education campaigns. WHO’s global hepatitis strategy, endorsed by all WHO Member States, aims to reduce new hepatitis infections by 90% and deaths by 65% between 2016 and 2030.

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – A researcher from Airlangga University (Unair), Fedik Abdul Rantam was a delegate at the 72nd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany on Monday, June 26 2023. The event is an international scientific forum where Nobel laureates and scientists from various fields. Fedik, who is an expert in virology and immunology, said he was grateful to be able to share his knowledge with 600 selected young researchers from various countries. “We researchers only get one chance in a lifetime to be involved,” he said as quoted from the Unair website. Fedik was successfully selected as one of the Indonesian research delegations that met special criteria. Launching from the website of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, the first step to be able to take part in this activity is for researchers to go through curation and selection. Furthermore, the Ministry of Education will submit the final decision to the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings Foundation. This year, Indonesia, through the Ministry of Education and Culture, has the opportunity to become a partner at a meeting with the theme of physiology and medicine. Indonesia sent a number of outstanding researchers, including from Airlangga University and Gadjah Mada University (UGM). At the forum, Fedik delivered a presentation entitled “Indonesia in Overcoming Covid-19 Pandemic and Domestic Vaccine Development”. Through this presentation, he explained how Indonesia handled the Covid-19 pandemic, one of which was by developing the Red and White vaccine initiated by Unair researchers. His presentation, he said, received good responses from other participants. “They are interested in the advantages of our vaccine and also how to determine to isolate as a unit seed vaccine,” said the Head of the Airlangga University Vaccine Research and Development Center. Not only that, he also said that he and his team were preparing a second-generation vaccine, namely the cocktail vaccine. He added, even though the status has now been endemic, that does not mean cases of transmission of Covid-19 can be ignored. “Even though the status is currently considered endemic, vaccination is still needed as a preventive in the spread of Covid-19,” he explained. News Source: tempo.co

Ethidium bromide (EtBr) is a chemical agent commonly used to identify and visualize DNA and RNA bonds in molecular biology research. However, ethidium bromide itself is mutagenic and toxic. Ethidium bromide is also carcinogenic to human cells, teratogenic and difficult to decompose, and has high toxicity with an LD50 of 0.075 mg/mL. Therefore, research for EtBr waste treatment is very important. There are several materials that can be used to reduce EtBr waste, but there are also materials that are cheap and widely available in the market. One way to treat ethidium bromide waste is with activated charcoal. Activated charcoal has a strong adsorption capacity due to its high surface area and porous structure. Another advantage of activated charcoal is that it is economical as an adsorbent, effective and environmentally friendly. In this study, EtBr waste was mixed with activated charcoal and then homogenized for one hour. The mixing of EtBr waste (0.5 mg/mL EtBr concentration) and activated charcoal was varied with a volume weight ratio of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1. The mixed solution was filtered using Whatmann No.1 filter paper to take the filtrate. The filtrate was further analyzed. The more activated charcoal added, the more EtBr molecules are absorbed. The pH of the filtration results for each variation is pH 7.0 – 8.0, dissolved oxygen is in the range of 5.0 – 9.0 mg/L, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is in the range of 25.06 – 78.2 mg /L, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the range of 302.56 – 310.98 mg/L. The concentration range (LD50) was obtained as follows, for a 1:1 ratio it was 0.045 – 0.060 mg/mL, for a 1:2 ratio it was 0.028 – 0.032 mg/mL, while a 2:1 ratio was 0.081 – 0.090 mg/mL. In addition, the results showed that activated charcoal is able to bind EtBr due to the bonding interactions that occur between EtBr molecules and activated charcoal. Author: Teguh Hari Sucipto Article Title: Ethidium Bromide Waste Treatment with Activated Charcoal New’s Source: unair.ac.id

The Institute of Tropical Disease (ITD) Airlangga University received a visit from representatives from students from Mahidol University Thailand and the Faculty of Science & Technology, Airlangga University. This visit was welcomed by the leadership of ITD Prof. Maria Inge Lusida and staff such as Mr. Saadun as Head of the General Tasks Section, and Laura Navika as Head of Human Resources. This visit began with remarks from the ITD leadership which continued with a deeper introduction to the history of ITD itself and the development of the research being carried out. The flow of the discussion was interesting, even one of the Mahidol University students asked about the development of tuberculosis, especially with the pandemic. Meanwhile, the lecturers asked about tropical diseases which may still be rife and only exist in Indonesia. After having discussions, they visited several laboratories in ITD such as Hepatitis, Viral Diarrhea, Dengue, and Satreps. During this visit, they were accompanied by researchers from each laboratory for an in-depth explanation regarding the research and supporting knowledge that became the deepening in ITD.

The academic community conducts refreshments & debriefing after carrying out mental health coaching. This training was carried out directly by Prof. Maria Inge Lucida & Prof. Fedik Abdul Rantam the highest leader at the Institute of Tropical Disease (ITD) Universitas Airlangga. This activity also rewarded all ITD UNAIR academicians with attractive and useful prizes in the future. It is hoped that the refreshments and supplies that have been provided can improve performance and continue the relay to achieve the targets set at the beginning of the year.