Gadjah Mada University

About: Gadjah Mada University is a education organization based out in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Adsorption. The organization has 17307 authors who have published 21389 publications receiving 116561 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Gajah Mada & Universitas Gadjah Mada.

Transposable Elements in Human Cancer: Causes and Consequences of Deregulation.

Abstract: Transposable elements (TEs) comprise nearly half of the human genome and play an essential role in the maintenance of genomic stability, chromosomal architecture, and transcriptional regulation. TEs are repetitive sequences consisting of RNA transposons, DNA transposons, and endogenous retroviruses that can invade the human genome with a substantial contribution in human evolution and genomic diversity. TEs are therefore firmly regulated from early embryonic development and during the entire course of human life by epigenetic mechanisms, in particular DNA methylation and histone modifications. The deregulation of TEs has been reported in some developmental diseases, as well as for different types of human cancers. To date, the role of TEs, the mechanisms underlying TE reactivation, and the interplay with DNA methylation in human cancers remain largely unexplained. We reviewed the loss of epigenetic regulation and subsequent genomic instability, chromosomal aberrations, transcriptional deregulation, oncogenic activation, and aberrations of non-coding RNAs as the potential mechanisms underlying TE deregulation in human cancers.

‘If I don’t smoke, I'm not a real man'—Indonesian teenage boys' views about smoking

Abstract: With a lack of tobacco control and regulation at the national level, Indonesia has been targeted by many national and transnational tobacco companies. The prevalence of youth smokers in Indonesia in 2005 was 38% among boys and 5.3% among girls. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse beliefs, norms and values about smoking among teenage boys in a rural setting in Java, Indonesia. Six focus group discussions with boys aged 13-17 years were conducted using a thematic discussion guide. Four themes were derived from the descriptive content analysis: (i) smoking as a culturally internalized habit, (ii) striving to become a man, (iii) the way we smoke is not dangerous and (iv) the struggle against dependency. Cultural resistance against women smoking in Indonesia remains strong. The use of tobacco in the construction of masculinity underlines the importance of gender-specific intervention. National tobacco control policy should emphasize a smoking-free society as the norm, especially among boys and men, and regulations regarding the banning of smoking should be enforced at all levels and areas of community. A comprehensive community intervention programme on smoking prevention and cessation should be a major focus of tobacco control policies in Indonesia.

Distribution of virulence genes of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from stable nasal carriers.

Abstract: In the present study, we report data on virulence determinants of Staphylococcus aureus from stable nasal carriers, emphasizing on the genes encoding fibronectin (fnbA, fnbB) and collagen (cna) adhesive molecules. Of the 44 S. aureus isolates included, 32 isolates (16 pairs) were cultured from the anterior nares of 16 healthy carriers, eight isolates (four pairs) were collected from the nose of four patients with recurrent skin infections and four isolates were obtained from the infection site of these patients. The period between the two nasal swabs taken was 3–5 days. The persistency of carriage could be demonstrated by the indistinguishable genotypic chracteristics of the S. aureus isolates in each pair. This could be shown by determination of gene polymorphisms of coa gene and the X-region and IgG-binding region encoding segments of spa gene. In addition, the isolates within the pairs showed identical toxin patterns. This was determined by PCR amplification of the genes encoding staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEA to SEJ) and TSST-1. The genotypic properties also yielded an identity between persistent nasal carriage isolates and the corresponding skin infection isolates of the four patients. In addition, all S. aureus nasal and skin infection isolates were positive for gene fnbA, fnbB and cna could be found with a high frequency. Among the 44 isolates investigated, 16 isolates (36.7%) harbored gene fnbB and 21 isolates (47.7%) gene cna. The data in the present study showed a relatively wide distribution of the genes fnb and cna among the investigated isolates, indicating that the persistent carriage of strains harboring these virulence determinants may increase the risk for subsequent invasive infections in carriers.

Community responses and adaptation strategies toward flood hazard in Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract: Jakarta, as the capital of the Republic of Indonesia, has long been known to be at risk from flood hazard. It is increasingly recognized that community responses and adaptation strategies are essential for planning future mitigation action. In order to investigate the community responses and adaptation strategies employed in Jakarta, in-depth interviews were performed in the flood-prone areas. The results reveal that vulnerability to flooding is increasing, and it is linked to several factors: (1) stakeholders, (2) environment, (3) communities, and (4) infrastructure and its maintenance. Various physical adaptation strategies have been adopted by the local communities, which include raising the housing level, building terraced housing, and building small dikes to prevent water entering the settlements. Several non-physical adaptations were also identified from the fieldwork. These adaptations tend to be conducted through communal work and the reuse of resources and materials left undamaged by flooding. However, uncoordinated responses during flood events produce greater exposure to the hazard, and it can be inferred that community responses remain below the ideal. This study highlights the need for urgent attention to be given to improving the institutional links between stakeholders, especially at the municipal level, which could provide more efficient disaster response.

Taxonomic affinities and evolutionary history of the Early Pleistocene hominids of Java: dentognathic evidence.

Abstract: Temporal changes, within-group variation, and phylogenetic positions of the Early Pleistocene Javanese hominids remain unclear. Recent debate focused on the age of the oldest Javanese hominids, but the argument so far includes little morphological basis for the fossils. To approach these questions, we analyzed a comprehensive dentognathic sample from Sangiran, which includes most of the existing hominid mandibles and teeth from the Early Pleistocene of Java. The sample was divided into chronologically younger and older groups. We examined morphological differences between these chronological groups, and investigated their affinities with other hominid groups from Africa and Eurasia. The results indicated that 1) there are remarkable morphological differences between the chronologically younger and older groups of Java, 2) the chronologically younger group is morphologically advanced, showing a similar degree of dentognathic reduction to that of Middle Pleistocene Chinese H. erectus, and 3) the chronologically older group exhibits some features that are equally primitive as or more primitive than early H. erectus of Africa. These findings suggest that the evolutionary history of early Javanese H. erectus was more dynamic than previously thought. Coupled with recent discoveries of the earliest form of H. erectus from Dmanisi, Georgia, the primitive aspects of the oldest Javanese hominid remains suggest that hominid groups prior to the grade of ca. 1.8-1.5 Ma African early H. erectus dispersed into eastern Eurasia during the earlier Early Pleistocene, although the age of the Javanese hominids themselves is yet to be resolved. Subsequent periods of the Early Pleistocene witnessed remarkable changes in the Javanese hominid record, which are ascribed either to significant in situ evolution or replacement of populations.