Expression of GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 on spermatogenesis and fertility in rat testis with diabetes mellitus: an experimental study

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem worldwide that may cause organ failure and dysfunction such as reproduction dysfunction, including infertility. Glucose metabolism is an important process in spermatogenesis. Glucose Transporters (GLUTs) play an important role in transferring glucose into cells to carry out the sperm capacitation process and maintain sperm motility. Although glucose is needed in spermatogenesis, hyperglycaemic conditions may cause detrimental effects on male fertility. This study was conducted to analyze the impact of hyperglycaemic status in rats on testicular function of spermatogenesis, specifically regarding GLUT-1 and GLUT-3.

Methods: This study was an experimental study done in the integrated research and testing laboratory of Universitas Gadjah Mada from June to August 2018. This study used male Wistar rats, randomly divided into three groups as two intervention groups given Streptozotizin (STZ) induction for 4 and 8 weeks and one control group. The minimum sample size in each group was 9. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 genes were assayed by Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR).

Results: This study showed an increase in GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 expression in rats that experienced hyperglycemia for 4 weeks (p = 0.008 and p = 0.002, respectively). Increased expression of GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 also occurred in rats that experienced hyperglycemia for 8 weeks, but the increase was not statistically significant (p=0.36 and p=0.079).

Conclusion: Hyperglycaemia may cause an increase in GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 expression. This expression indicates that GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 are very sensitive to glucose levels changes and may play a role in spermatogenesis changes in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Analysis of factors associated with the incidence of neonatal asphyxia in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and perinatology unit in Wangaya Regional General Hospital

Background: Neonatal asphyxia is the second leading cause of neonatal death in Indonesia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), neonatal asphyxia is the failure of neonates to begin and maintain normal breathing. Neonatal asphyxia can be caused by several factors, namely neonatal, maternal, placental, and delivery factors. This study is aimed to describe the factors associated with the incidence of neonatal asphyxia in Wangaya General Hospital.

Methods: This study used an analytical method with a cross-sectional design. Data for the study were obtained from medical records. Study samples were selected using a simple random sampling technique, and the number of samples included was 170 neonates. The dependent variable was neonatal asphyxia, while the independent variables were preterm gestation, low birth weight baby, premature rupture of membrane, and delivery requiring the procedure. Data were analyzed with bivariate and multivariate analysis on SPSS.

Results: The risk factors that showed association with neonatal asphyxia were preterm gestation (p=0.000; PR= 6.87; 95% CI: 3.19-14.79), low birth weight (p=0.000; PR=9.55; 95% CI 4.14-22.01), and premature rupture of membrane (p=0.002; PR=3.06; 95% CI: 1.48-6.3). while delivery requiring procedure was found to have no significant association with neonatal asphyxia (p=0.219, PR=0.64; 95% CI: 0.31-1.31). On multivariate analysis, it was found that preterm gestation, low birth weight, and premature rupture of membrane all showed significant association with neonatal asphyxia.

Conclusion: There was a significant association between preterm gestation, low birth weight, and premature rupture of the membrane with neonatal asphyxia in Wangaya Regional General Hospital.

A case of Nevus of Ota treated with laser picosecond Alexandrite 755 nm: A case-report

Background: Nevus of Ota is a well-defined dermal melanocytosis characterized by bilateral multiple small, bluish-brown macules in the area innervated by the first and second branches of the trigeminal nerve. Currently, the therapeutic modalities for this condition are still limited and complete resolution is difficult to achieve.

Case Description: A 23-year-old woman complained a brown spot on the right cheek since the patient was born. It looked like the skin but slightly darker than its surroundings. Four years ago the patient had received 6 sessions of QS: Nd-YAG laser therapy, but the spot is still clearly visible. Dermatological status of the orbital, infraorbital, zygomatic, and right buccal regions showed multiple hyperpigmented patches, gray-brown, well-defined, geographically in shape with size 0.2 x 0.3cm – 5 x 7cm. The lesion was unilateral and distributed within the innervation area of the second and third trigeminal nerve. Miravex® skin analysis showed that the average level of melanin was 0.464 with a melanin variation of 45%. Therefore, patient was diagnosed with Nevus of Ota. The proposed treatment was  picosecond alexandrite 755nm laser, with a frequency of 2.5 Hz, pulse duration 550-750 ps, spot size 4 mm, and fluence 1.59 J/cm². A marked improvement was observed after the treatment and after 21 days, a good grade of improvement was reported.

Conclusion: Nevus of Ota can effectively treated with 755nm picosecond alexandrite laser therapy and results in a good grade of improvement.