Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopic Study of Recovered Porcine Aortic Valved Conduits

Four explanted porcine aortic valved conduits were examined using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Sources of obstruction such as neointima or peel and calcification were observed. In one sample the neointima was found to possess an unusually large expanse of squamous cells partially lining the luminal surface. This lining much resembled a normal endothelium, which is not an expected feature of neointima. Cells, presumably of host origin, were noted upon the leaflet surfaces. They did not seem as well organized as those found on the neointima. Calcification did not seem greatly advanced but was clearly apparent. Certain treatments proposed by others to curtail calcification are discussed and amended herein. SEM examination of three of these conduits provided good evidence of lining cells on only the inflow surface of the leaflet. The fourth conduit, however, showed cells on both inflow and outflow surfaces. These cells possessed certain characteristics of cells from leaflets of the other three conduits, but questions remain as to the precise identification of all of these lining cells. TEM examination provided cytological evidence of macrophage-like cells lining the inflow surface of a leaflet

The Effectiveness Of Financing Policy For The Developing Community Forest Plantation

Community Plantation Forest, known as Hutan Tanaman Rakyat or HTR, is one of social forestry programs aiming at reducing economic inequality at rural community level. However, there is no evidence that HTR has improved the community welfare at the local level due to some problems particularly funding availability. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of financing policy in developing HTR carried out by the Public Service Agency of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (BLU-KLHK) and to look for alternative sources of funding that might support the ongoing funding mechanism. Survey and focus group discussion (FGD) are methods used to collect the data. Qualitative descriptive, content analysis and Grindle theory approaches are implemented to analyze data. The results show that, based on the content of the policy, HTR financing mechanism managed by BLU-KLHK is efficient, comprehensive and prudent in regulating and facilitating the financial support to develop HTR. However, this funding policy has not been effective to support HTR business development at the implementation stages. Some other funding schemes that might be potential to support the development of HTR include LPDB, SBSN, Rural Area Development Program, and Village Fund