University of North Sumatra

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibit strong antimicrobial properties against plant pathogens. However, studies on the application of AgNPs, synthesized using the fungus Trichoderma harzianum, to control the growth of Ganoderma boninense Pat, which causes basal stem rot (BSR) in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), have not been reported. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential of AgNPs, biologically synthesized using T. harzianum, as a biofungicide and evaluate their effect on the growth of G. boninense in vitro and in vivo. Secondary metabolite compounds were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the presence of AgNPs was confirmed by a brown color change, followed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, particle size analysis, and in vitro testing. The FTIR and GC-MS results showed that isothiocyanate (N=C=S) and n-hexadecanoic acid (20.51%) were present as the antifungal compounds. The AgNPs synthesized using T. harzianum were detected at approximately 410 nm and had a nanoparticle size of 77.3 nm. In vitro application of the AgNPs at a concentration of 100 mg·liter-1 exerted a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of G. boninense. This result was consistent with the findings on palm oil seedlings. The AgNPs-Th can suppress the severity of BSR disease and can stimulate the vegetative growth of oil palm plants. In conclusion, this study expanded the current understanding of antifungal effects of AgNPs synthesized using T. harzianum and revealed their potential to suppress BSR caused by G. boninense in oil palm plantations.

This study aimed to evaluate serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, stress, and quality of life in leprosy patients, and to explore their interrelations. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2024 to May 2025 at 3 hospitals in Medan, Indonesia, involving 45 leprosy patients aged ≥ 18 years who met inclusion criteria. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels were measured using ELISA, stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale-10, and quality of life was evaluated through the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk normality test, and Spearman's rank correlation were used for analysis. The mean serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor level was 7.38±3.37 ng/mL. Patients with multibacillary leprosy without reaction had higher brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels than those with type 1 or type 2 reactions. Stress levels were mild in 42.22% and severe in 28.89% of patients. Quality of life scores varied widely. A strong negative correlation was found between brain-derived neurotrophic factor and stress (r=-0.953, p< 0.0001), and a strong positive correlation between brain-derived neurotrophic factor and quality of life (r=0.962, p< 0.0001). These findings suggest that serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels are associated with psychological well-being in leprosy patients and may serve as a potential biomarker for mental health monitoring in this population.

The depletion of fossil fuels and the environmental burden of biomass residues have driven interest in hydrothermal carbonization as a sustainable pathway for energy and material production. This study investigates the valorization of coffee parchment, an underutilized by-product of coffee processing, through microwave-assisted hydrothermal carbonization with liquid fraction recirculation. The primary aim was to evaluate how operating conditions and liquid reuse affect hydrochar properties and process efficiency. Experiments were conducted at temperatures between 70 and 110 °C and residence times from 60 to 180 minutes, using a modified microwave reactor. Hydrochar samples were characterized for surface acidity, functional groups, iodine number, and morphology, while the recirculated liquid fraction was monitored for its influence on subsequent reactions. Results show that total acid density increased with temperature and time, peaking at 3.39 mmol g⁻¹ at 110 °C and 180 minutes, while sulfonic and weak acid densities remained unchanged. Liquid fraction recirculation enhanced surface acidity but reduced iodine number and porosity due to pore blockage from soluble organics. FTIR analysis confirmed enrichment of oxygenated groups, and SEM images revealed cavity formation and pore collapse across recirculation cycles. These findings highlight the potential of liquid fraction recirculation to tailor hydrochar properties for catalytic rather than adsorptive applications, advancing sustainable strategies for coffee waste utilization.

Maternal infections remain a critical but under-addressed determinant of neonatal health in Indonesia, yet hospital-based evidence is limited. This retrospective study reviewed 206 maternal records at Haji Adam Malik Hospital, Medan (2015-2018) to examine the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis and their associations with neonatal outcomes. HIV prevalence was 6.8% (14/206), substantially higher than national estimates, while hepatitis B was detected in 2.4% (5/206) and no syphilis cases were identified. Overall, one-third of infants (33%) were born with low birth weight and 9.2% had suboptimal Apgar scores. Bivariate analysis showed significant associations between HIV infection and elevated maternal leukocyte counts with adverse neonatal outcomes (p < 0.05). Unexpectedly, none of the hepatitis B-reactive mothers had infants with low birth weight or poor Apgar scores, a finding likely due to the very small sample size and potential confounding. These results highlight the disproportionate burden of HIV in Medan, the methodological challenges of small-case analyses, and the urgent need for reliable antenatal infection screening and strengthened prevention of mother-to-child transmission services to reduce preventable neonatal morbidity.

Abstract Introduction: The Hajj pilgrimage, while spiritually meaningful, presents numerous psychosocial stressors that can adversely affect pilgrims’ mental health. Gender-specific vulnerabilities remain underexplored in Southeast Asian contexts. This study investigates sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychosocial determinants of stress among Indonesian pilgrims, with a gender-stratified focus. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 5362 Hajj pilgrims from North Sumatra during the 2024 Hajj season. Data were collected at embarkation sites using structured questionnaires assessing demographic variables, health behaviors, and psychosocial factors. Stress levels were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale-10 and dichotomized as mild versus moderate to severe. Bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regressions were conducted, including gender-stratified models. Results: Males had significantly higher odds of experiencing moderate-to-severe stress than females (odds ratio [OR] = 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.01–1.46]). Middle-aged (40–60 years) and older (&gt;60 years) pilgrims were at elevated stress risk, particularly among men. Among females, higher education was associated with greater stress (OR = 1.64, 95% CI [1.12–2.40]). Marriage was a protective factor, more so for males. Surprisingly, both high life satisfaction (OR = 5.97, 95% CI [4.21–8.47]) and frequent exercise (OR = 1.28, 95% CI [1.05–1.56]) were linked to higher stress levels, defying conventional assumptions. Conclusion: The study highlights the complex and gendered nature of stress among Hajj pilgrims, challenging conventional mental health paradigms. Tailored interventions addressing gender roles, age-specific needs, and culturally embedded expectations are essential. Integrating culturally sensitive, gender- and age-responsive counseling into pre-Hajj programs is crucial to enhancing pilgrim mental well-being.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;em&gt;This study aims to formulate a consumptive cash waqf management model based on the principle of maslahah mursalah as a strategic step in improving community economic resilience. Cash waqf, as an Islamic financial instrument, has significant potential in empowering the community's economy, especially if its management is dynamically adapted to the needs and conditions of the community. The principle of maslahah mursalah emphasizes efforts to achieve public welfare and prevent harm, thus becoming an important basis in designing an adaptive and effective waqf scheme. This research method uses a qualitative approach with literature analysis, interviews with waqf and Islamic economics experts, and case studies on waqf management that have been implemented. The results show that optimal management of consumptive cash waqf must be based on eliminating urgent needs such as financing for productive consumption, education, health, and preventative social assistance. In this formulation, cash waqf is not only philanthropic, but also aimed to create long-term economic impact by strengthening the purchasing power and financial resilience of poor and vulnerable families.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

A<sc>BSTRACT</sc>Spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, with current screening tools – such as cervical length measurement and fetal fibronectin – showing limited predictive value, particularly in asymptomatic women. Recent advances in molecular diagnostics have identified blood-based biomarkers that capture transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic changes preceding labor. This systematic review synthesizes recent high-quality studies published between 2018 and 2025, selected through a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses-guided search and appraised using AMSTAR-2 and the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Transcriptomic signatures, including cell-free RNA profiles, demonstrate area-under-the-curve (AUC) values up to 0.94 when measured in early gestation (10–20 weeks). Proteomic panels targeting inflammatory mediators and matrix-remodeling proteins achieve AUCs of 0.80–0.89, while metabolomic assays identify arginine derivatives and lipid shifts with AUCs of 0.78–0.84. Multiomic models integrating these molecular layers with machine-learning algorithms further improve prediction, reaching AUCs above 0.93 across diverse cohorts. Optimal sampling windows range from 10 to 24 weeks, with the strongest evidence for use in high-risk women or as part of universal mid-trimester screening. Emerging clinical pathways outline how these assays could integrate into prenatal care to enable timely interventions such as progesterone therapy, cervical cerclage, or intensified monitoring. Key barriers to implementation include assay standardization, cost, regulatory approval, and ethical considerations in patient counseling. Standardized protocols, multicenter validation, and equitable deployment strategies will be critical to translating these promising technologies into practice. If successfully implemented, blood-based predictive models could help shift obstetric care toward more personalized and preventive management of sPTB.

Controlling blood glucose is paramount in diabetes management, yet medication non-adherence often hinders optimal outcomes. This study investigated the impact of pharmacist counseling on Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) levels and medication adherence in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients within a rural primary healthcare setting. A quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design was employed with 112 T2DM outpatients from Puskemas Simpang Mamplam, Bireuen City, Aceh, Indonesia, from March to April 2024. Medication adherence was assessed using the MARS-10 Questionnaire, and FBG levels were measured via finger prick. The majority of participants were female (79.5%), aged 41-60 (45.5%, mean age 55.70 ± 10.07 years), with secondary education (43.8%), predominantly sedentary/inactive workers (60.7%), and reported low-income (38.4%). Data analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon Signed rank Test. Following counseling, which was provided every two weeks over the two-months period, the mean medication adherence score significantly increased (p &lt; 0.001) from 3.150 ± 0.942 to 8.790 ± 1.297. FBG levels also significantly decreased (p&lt;0.05), from an initial mean of 308.98 ± 72.995 to 220.42 ± 68.547 at two weeks, 162.36 ± 50.191 at four weeks, and 130.00 ± 27.774 at six weeks. These findings suggest that pharmacist counseling significantly improves both medication adherence (p &lt; 0.001) and glycemic control (FBG decrease, p &lt; 0,05) in T2DM patients.

This study explores how politeness works in the animation movie called Encanto in theory of Geoffrey Leech’s Politeness Principle. It focuses on how the six maxims of tact, generosity, approbation, modesty, agreement, and sympathy appear in the characters’ dialogues and how they build the story and their relationships. The data collected from selected lines in the movies and were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive method. The researchers identified the dialogues that presented politeness, classified them based on Leech’s maxims, and analyzed how each maxim functions in the characters’ communications. This helps us know how polite language can reduce tension and guide emotional responses during conversations. It also shows how everyday family talk reflects values like respect, care, and modesty. The findings reveal that all six maxims appear in the film, with approval being the most frequent and sympathy the least. In more emotional scenes, the characters tend to rely on tact and generosity. The approval maxim often helps maintain relationships and encourages warmth between characters. Overall, the study suggests that politeness in Encanto supports family harmony and plays an important role in character development and conflict resolution. It also shows that pragmatic theories can be applied to fictional stories and adds to the growing research on politeness in animated films.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most commonly diagnosed degenerative conditions worldwide, often resulting in significant negative impacts on the optic nerve due to chronic hyperglycemia. Hence, there is a need for additional therapeutic modalities capable of reducing or even preventing the effects of DM on optic nerve damage, such as the African plant Vernonia amygdalina, which is rich in medical benefits like anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study aims to determine the effects of ethanol extract of Vernonia amygdalina on parameters related to optic nerve damage in a diabetic rat model. This experimental animal-based study was conducted on five groups of diabetic Wistar rats (7 rats per group) induced with streptozotocin and nicotinamide, with ethanol extract intervention at doses of 100–300 mg/kg body weight per day. The intervention was carried out for four weeks using Vernonia amygdalina ethanol extract, followed by evaluation of histopathological characteristics, ganglion cell density, and average apoptosis in the optic nerve. A significant increase in average apoptosis (P &lt; 0.05) was observed in the control group (74.33 ± 4.03) compared to the P2 group (200 mg/kg body weight per day; 47.50 ± 5.96) and the P3 group (300 mg/kg body weight per day; 22.00 ± 1.67), a finding nearly equivalent to that of the untreated sham group (19.67 ± 3.33). Furthermore, administration of Vernonia amygdalina extract maintained normal axons and Schwann cells only in the P3 group, with ganglion cell density appearing loosely packed to dense at doses of 100–300 mg/kg body weight per day. Overall, Vernonia amygdalina extract had a positive effect on the optic nerve in diabetic rats, as evidenced by the average apoptosis findings and histopathological evaluation.