Serum vitamin D in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease

Objectives: To determine the relevance of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D3), and 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and various stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Materials and Methods: The study included 230 participants (>74 years) allocated to three main groups: 1-healthy subjects (HS, n = 61), 2-patients with MCI (n = 61), and 3- patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) subdivided into three stages: mild (n = 41), moderate (n = 35), and severe AD (n = 32). The cognitive status was evaluated using MMSE. Serum 25 (OH)D3 (ng/ml) and 1,25(OH)2D3 concentrations (pg/ml) were determined by competitive radioimmunoassay. Results: MMSE scores and 25(OH)D3 were decreased in MCI and all stages of the AD in both genders. MMSE variability was due to gender in HS (11%) and to 25(OH)D3 in MCI (15%) and AD (26%). ROC analysis revealed an outstanding property of MMSE in diagnosis of MCI (AUC, 0.906; CI 95%, 0.847–0.965; sensitivity 82%; specificity, 98%) and AD (AUC, 0.997; CI 95%, 0.992–1; sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 98%). 25(OH)D3 exhibited good property in MCI (AUC, 0.765; CI 95%, 0.681–0.849; sensitivity, 90%; specificity, 54%) and an excellent property in diagnosis of AD (AUC, 0.843; CI 95%, 0.782–0.904; sensitivity, 97%; specificity, 79%). Logistic analyses revealed that, in MCI, MMSE could predict (or classify correctly) with 97.6% accuracy (Wald, 15.22, β, −0.162; SE, 0.554; OR = 0.115:0.039–0.341; p =.0001), whereas 25(OH)D3 with 80% accuracy (Wald, 41,013; β, −0.213; SE, 0.033; OR = 0.808: 0.757–863; p =.0001). 25(OH)D3 was the only significant predictor for the severe AD and contributed to MMSE variability. Age and gender were significant predictors only in the moderate AD. In patients with MCI, 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 were correlated men, but in case of the AD, they were correlated in women. Conclusions: MMSE and serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations could be useful biomarkers for prediction and diagnosis of MCI and various stages of the AD. The results support the utility of vitamin D supplementation in AD therapy regimen. © 2018 The Authors. Brain and Behavior published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Audit Sarana Prasarana Pencegahan Penanggulangan Dan Tanggap Darurat Kebakaran Di Gedung Fakultas X Universitas Indonesia Tahun 2006

Building Fire Safety Audit at Faculty X, University of Indonesia, Year 2006. Fire may cause loss of life, material and valuable assets. The objective of this study is to conduct audit for fire safety and emergency response in the building at Faculty X, University of Indonesia, Depok. The audit results on the building fire safety facilities including emergency response and preparedness are then compared to the Building Code Australia (BCA) and Indonesian regulation on the building fire safety (Kep.MenPU.No 10 and 11/KPTS/2000). The building selected are Building A, B, C, D, F and G. Building classification for A, B, D, F and G are classified as Class 5, while Building C is classified as Class 9b. Variable which are evaluated including emergency exit, building structure, fire alarm and detector, communication and fire warning system, evacuation procedure, portable fire extinguishers, hydrant, sprinkler, and emergency response preparedness. Results suggested that emergency exit is locked, and this is not comply to the regulation. Building structure has been complied to the regulation since it was made of concrete. Fire detector and alarm only provided in Building G, while other building is not available. There is no evacuation procedure available. Portable fire extinguisher has been available in all the building. Hydrant an sprinkler only available in building G. There is no emergency response preparedness in this faculty. In conclusion, the fire safety facilities in this faculty need to be improved

Keanekaragaman Familia Physciaceae dan Lobariaceae di Taman Hutan Raya Raden Soerjo sebagai Bahan Ajar pada Matakuliah Mikrobiologi

The forest of Tahura R. Soerjo is region that have high diversity. Data of diversity can use for learning resource. The result of diversity research arranged to lesson matter in learning. The research aimed to identify the lichen especially family Lobariaceae and Phusciaceae at Tahura R. Soerjo. The location of research are Cangar, Watu Ondo, Coban Teyeng, and Lemahbang. The method used is cruise method and survey. The research conducted February until October 2016. The identification result found 8 species including family Physciaceae and 4 species including family Lobariaceae. Data and information related to the description of the characteristics of this species is conceived and designed in the learning materials in learning by student of biology department.Tahura R. Soerjo merupakan kawasan dengan keanekaragaman tinggi. Data keanekaragaman dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai sumber belajar. Hasil penelitian keanekaragaman disusun dalam bentuk bahan ajar yang dimanfaatkan dalam pembelajaran. Tujuan penelitian adalah mengidentifikasi lichen khususnya familia Lobariaceae dan Physciaceae di Tahura R. Soerjo. Lokasi penelitian meliputi Cangar, Watu Ondo, Coban Teyeng, dan Lemahbang. Metode penelitian yaitu jelajah bebas dan survei. Penelitian dilakukan pada bulan Februari-Oktober 2016. Hasil identifikasi ditemukan 8 spesies dari familia Physciaceae dan 4 spesies dari familia Lobariaceae. Data serta informasi terkait deskripsi karakteristik spesies disusun dalam bentuk bahan ajar yang dapat digunakan dalam pembelajaran oleh mahasiswa jurusan Biologi

Temperature dependence growth of CdO thin film prepared by spray pyrolysis

AbstractCdO thin films prepared by spray pyrolysis technique show temperature dependence growth when the spray time is constant. In contrast, the growth is film thickness dependent when the substrate temperature is constant. The films are polycrystalline in the covered spray time and substrate temperature ranges. The crystallite size and microstrain are calculated and analyzed. The Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) micrographs prove that the grains are uniformly distributed within the scanning areas (5μm×5μm) and (50μm×50μm). The roughness shows a considerable decrease with substrate temperature. All samples show an abrupt change in transmission which indicates a direct transition and good crystallinity. The transmission of films is increased up to 80% with increasing substrate temperature in wavelength ranged from 450nm to 1000nm. Also, a broad absorption band is observed in the range 1500–2000nm. This band could be attributed to the increase in free carrier concentration which confirmed by a reasonable decrease in the film sheet resistance. The band gap Eg is determined and found to be in the range 2.45–2.55eV. The sheet resistance is reduced with increasing deposition temperature due to the increase in free carrier concentration and found to be 66Ω/□ at 450°C

Arabic in Foreign Language Programmes: Difficulties and Challenges

The purpose of this study was to review the reported literature regarding Arabic language programmes. It gives an overview of the historical background of Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language (TAFL) programmes. It also provided a brief description of the Arabic language and its characteristics, and how they might cause some difficulties. Specifically, the diglossic phenomenon in Arabic programmes and how Arabic programmes deal with diglossia was discussed. Pedagogical factors, such as the lack of clearly articulated objectives in TAFL, the lack of coordination between Arabic programmes, the lack of experienced and qualified teachers, the shortage of materials and resources and insufficient presentation of Arab culture in (TAFL) programmes were also discussed

Clinical and Histologic Evaluation of Using Block Xenograft Combined With Leukocyte-Platelet Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) Versus Intraoral Autogenous Bone Block Graft With L-PRF in Treating Localized Ridge Defects: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Augmentation of vertical bone defects remains the corner stone in periodontal tissue engineering. The amount and quality of alveolar bone available in all dimensions affects the success of dental implants for restoration of edentulous areas. Adequate and healthy bone supports the degree of osseointegration which in turn affects the long-term success of oral implants. The primary aim of the study was to histologically evaluate autogenous block grafts versus synthetic block grafts for the treatment of atrophic vertical and horizontal bony defects (Siebert Class III) in the anterior esthetic zone of the mouth. The secondary aim was to clinically and radiographically evaluate the outcomes of the procedure. Methods: This was a randomized controlled clinical study with a statistically determined sample size of 10 patients per group and a total of 20 patients in both groups. Patients with vertical and horizontal bone loss were enrolled from the Department of Oral Medicine, Periodontology, and Oral Diagnosis of Ain Shams University and Misr International University. Bone augmentation procedures were performed using two techniques: autogenous bone block graft and xenograft bone block graft both with leukocyte-platelet rich fibrin (L-PRF). Results: Both autogenous and xenograft blocks in conjunction with L-PRF had a significant effect on vertical bone augmentation in cases of atrophic ridges in the esthetic region. Conclusion: Both autogenous and xenograft bone blocks in conjunction with L-PRF have a significant effect on vertical bone augmentation in cases of atrophic ridges in the esthetic region

Epicardial fat thickness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Epidemiologic data indicates that rheumatoid arthritis is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Epicardial adipose tissue is a novel cardio-metabolic risk factor. Our aim was to evaluate epicardial fat thickness (EFT) using echocardiography in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to healthy control subjects. Secondly, we investigated relationship between epicardial fat thickness and clinical and echocardiographic parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Method: The study population included 76 consecutive patients with rheumatoid arthritis (64 female; mean age, 53 ±11 years, median disease duration, 7.8 years) and 50 healthy subjects as controls (39 female; mean age, 52 ± 6 years). All patients underwent echocardiography to assess left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, left ventricular hypertrophy and EFT. All values were compared between groups.Results: EFT was higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients than in healthy controls (0.66±0.20 vs. 0.54±0.18; p= 0.003). Thickness of Intra Ventricular Septum (IVS) (1.1±0.06 and 9.8±0.08; p=0.001) and posterior wall (PW) (0.98±0.05 and 0.93±0.08; p=0.015) was higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to healthy controls. Early diastolic myocardiac peak velocity or late diastolic mitral peak velocity (E/A) ratio was lower in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to healthy patients (1.1 ±0.8 and 1.24±0.1 p=0.001) as well as, E/e’ was higher in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients than healthy patients. (E/e’:8.7±1.6 and 8.0±1.4 p=0.020). In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, EFT was positively correlated with hypertension and duration of disease and E/e’ (r: 0.10, p: 0.010, r: 0.306, p: 0.004 and r: 0.465 p: 0.007 respectively) and EFT was negatively correlated with E/A (r: -.262 p:0.022 )Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report about epicardial adipose tissue in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Epicardial fat thickness as an indicator of cardiovascular involvement was higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients.Keywords: Rheumatoid arthritis, epicardial fat thickness, cardiac involvemen