Universitas Kristen Indonesia

The ongoing quest for novel therapeutic agents has directed attention toward bioactive compounds derived from sponge-associated bacteria. This study focuses on sponge symbiont bacteria from the mangrove ecosystems in Tanjung Tiram, Southeast Sulawesi, which have not yet been reported for their potential antibacteria, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic activities. The screening of marine bacterial isolates was performed using a series of assays: disc diffusion method to assess antibacterial activity, protein denaturation to assess anti-inflammatory properties, DPPH free radical scavenging to evaluate antioxidant capacity, and α-Glucosidase inhibition for anti-diabetic activity, followed by in silico validation. Two promising strains, identified through molecular techniques were designated as Oceanimonas sp. JM-AZM31 and Lysinibacillus fusiformis JM-AZM37. Initial bioactivity screening revealed significant potential: The bacterial isolates JM-AZM31 and JM-AZM37 demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive pathogens (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram-negative pathogens (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium). JM-AZM31 exhibited an anti-inflammatory inhibition rate of 76.9 ± 2.90 %, antioxidant activity of 80.3 ± 1.02 %, and anti-diabetic activity of 84.9 ± 0.49 %. Similarly, JM-AZM37 showed anti-inflammatory activity of 71.6 ± 1.85 %, antioxidant activity of 76.9 ± 0.03 %, and anti-diabetic activity of 83.2 ± 1.27 %. Further analysis using GC-MS identified five significant compounds, which were examined through in silico molecular docking. Results indicated that n-hexadecanoic acid, DL-proline, 5-oxo-, and cis-vaccenic acid showed high binding affinities to specific therapeutic targets, suggesting strong potential as biotherapeutic agents. This current inquiry concentrates on the therapeutic potential of marine bacteria from mangrove ecosystems as a source of bioactive compounds, positioning Oceanimonas sp. JM-AZM31 and L. fusiformis JM-AZM37 as promising candidates for developing new biotherapeutic treatments.

Bracing is considered the most effective treatment for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in infants aged < 6 months with reducible hips. The Tübingen splint was developed as an advancement in abduction brace for managing hip dysplasia, in stable and unstable hip cases. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the outcomes of the Tübingen splint in treating patients with DDH aged < 6 months were evaluated. The outcomes were categorized according to the Graf classification (IIa, IIb, IIc, IId, III, and IV), based on success and complication rates.

The systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines. A systematic search was conducted using Scopus, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar from inception to March 2024. The primary outcomes were the success rate for each Graf type, and the secondary outcome involved evaluating the complication rate through conditional subgroup analysis.

Nine observational studies involving 1456 hip cases were analyzed. Tübingen splint resulted in an overall success rate of 86% (95% confidence interval [CI] [0.80-0.92]; P < .01; χ² = 87%), with 97% (95% CI [0.94-1.00]; P < .01; χ² = 66%) for Graf type II DDH, 94% (95% CI [0.91-0.97]; P = .41; χ² = 2%) for Graf type III DDH, and 48% (95% CI [0.26-0.71]; P < .01; χ² = 86%) for Graf type IV DDH. The overall complication rate was 2% (95% CI [0.00-0.03]; P < .01; χ² = 65%), including 1% (95% CI [0.00-0.01]; P = .47; χ² = 0%) of avascular necrosis and 6% (95% CI [0.03-0.08]; P = .69; χ² = 0%) of residual acetabular dysplasia.

These findings support the use of the Tübingen splint as a highly effective first-line conservative treatment option for DDH in infants under 6 months of age, demonstrating notable efficacy, particularly for Graf types II and III cases.

III.

We have previously shown a difference between the gut microbiota composition of stunted and non-stunted children in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. The current study aimed to perform an intervention with a probiotic, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum IS-10506, and its UHT-treated postbiotic compared to placebo in order to accomplish catch-up growth in the stunted children, possibly through modulation of the gut microbiota. Apart from the maltodextrin (placebo), probiotic, and postbiotic in chocolate milk, all groups also received a functional and nutritional biscuit and had access to newly constructed water wells as well as soap to improve hygiene. The results show that independent of treatment, the stunted children had a significantly higher increase in height and zlen (corrected for age) compared with their age- and gender-matched controls but a significantly lower increase in weight. Several potential pathogenic taxa declined in all groups, among which was Escherichia/Shigella (adjusted.p = 6.44 × 10^-15), but so did some beneficial taxa, such as Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia. Faecalibacterium, which was already higher in the stunted children at baseline, increased independent of treatment. Changes in the relative abundance of several taxa of the microbiota correlated with the changes in anthropometric measures. In conclusion, although there was no difference between the interventions, understanding the dynamics and the role of the gut microbiota in this process might allow healthcare providers to develop targeted nutritional strategies aimed at optimizing health outcomes for children at risk of stunting, thereby addressing a critical global health issue.