Peningkatan Prestasi Belajar Biologi Menggunakan Model Pembelajaran Investigasi

This research is aimed to analyze: (1) lesson plan design (RPP) of Group Investigation Model, (2) implementing of Group Investigation Model; (3) evaluation system of Group Investigation Model of learning; (4) increasing student achievement using Group Investigation Model. The method of the research is Classroom Action Research (CAR) through three cycles. The result of the research could be concluded as (1) lesson plan design (RPP) using Group Investigation Model including making group, delivering, accessing, completing materials, discussion and presentation, reorganizing, classroom discussion and presentation and evaluating, (2) implementation of Group Investigation Model can develop student activities. The student activities of XI Science 1 in the first cycle is 77.16%, in the second cycle is 82.83% and in the third cycle is 90.19%, Class XI Science-2 in the first cycle is 77.16%, in the second is 82.00%, and in the third is 88.34%, (3) the student achievement is increasing. In XI Science-1, the students got minimum mastery criteria (KKM) in the first cycle were 14 (46.67%), in second were 19 (63.33%) and in the third were 23 (76.67%).Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis: (1) desain RPP, (2) pelaksanaan pembelajaran, (3) sistem evaluasi, (4) peningkatan prestasi belajar Biologi menggunakan Model Investigasi Kelompok. Metode Penelitian yang digunakan adalah Penelitian Tindakan Kelas dengan tiga siklus. Hasil penelitian dapat disimpulkan: (1) desain RPP dengan Model Investigasi Kelompok meliputi pembagian kelompok, materi, mengakses, melengkapi materi, diskusi dan presentasi, pengemasan ulang, evaluasi, (2) pelaksanaan pembelajaran Model Investigasi Kelompok dapat meningkatkan aktivitas anggota kelompok,  (3) system evaluasi postes dan formatif (4) prestasi belajar siswa meningkat. Pada kelas XI IPA1, jumlah siswa yang mencapai nilai KKM siklus 1 14 (46,67%), siklus II 19 (63,33%) siklus III 23 (76,67)

Comprehensive biomarker analyses identifies HER2, EGFR, MET RNA expression and thymidylate synthase 5'UTR SNP as predictors of benefit from S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy in Japanese patients with stage II/III gastric cancer

Purpose: A comprehensive molecular analysis was conducted to identify prognostic and predictive markers for adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy in stage II/III Japanese gastric cancer (GC) patients and to evaluate their potential suitability for alternative cytotoxic or targeted drugs. Experimental Design: We investigated genetic polymorphisms of enzymes potentially involved in 5-fluoruracil (5-FU) metabolism as well as platinum resistance, previously identified genomic subtypes potentially predicting 5-FU benefit, and mRNA expression levels of receptor tyrosine kinases and KRAS as potential treatment targets in a single institution cohort of 252 stage II/III GC patients treated with or without S-1 after D2 gastrectomy. Results: 88% and 62% GC had a potentially 5-FU sensitive phenotype by SNP analyses of TS 3'UTR, and TS 5'UTR, respectively. 24%, 46%, 40%, 5%, and 44% GC had a potentially platinum sensitive phenotype by SNP analyses of GSTP1, ERCC1 rs11615, ERCC1 rs3212986, ERCC2, and XRCC1, respectively. High HER2, EGFR, FGFR2, or MET mRNA expression was observed in 49%, 66%, 72%, and 54% GC, respectively. High HER2 expression was the only significant prognosticator (HR=3.912, 95%CI: 1.706-8.973, p=0.0005). High HER2 (p=0.031), low EGFR (p=0.124), high MET (p=0.165) RNA expression, and TS 5'UTR subtype 2R/2R, 2R/3C, or 3C (p=0.058) were significant independent predictors for S-1 resistance. Conclusions: The present study suggests that platinum-based or RTK targeted agents could be alternative treatment options for a substantial subgroup of Japanese GC patients currently treated with S-1. HER2, EGFR, MET, and TS 5'UTR SNP appear to be promising predictive markers for S-1 resistance warranting validation in an independent GC series

Trans-ancestry genome-wide association study identifies 12 genetic loci influencing blood pressure and implicates a role for DNA methylation

We carried out a trans-ancestry genome-wide association and replication study of blood pressure phenotypes among up to 320,251 individuals of East Asian, European and South Asian ancestry. We find genetic variants at 12 new loci to be associated with blood pressure (P = 3.9 × 10-11 to 5.0 × 10-21). The sentinel blood pressure SNPs are enriched for association with DNA methylation at multiple nearby CpG sites, suggesting that, at some of the loci identified, DNA methylation may lie on the regulatory pathway linking sequence variation to blood pressure. The sentinel SNPs at the 12 new loci point to genes involved in vascular smooth muscle (IGFBP3, KCNK3, PDE3A and PRDM6) and renal (ARHGAP24, OSR1, SLC22A7 and TBX2) function. The new and known genetic variants predict increased left ventricular mass, circulating levels of NT-proBNP, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality (P = 0.04 to 8.6 × 10-6). Our results provide new evidence for the role of DNA methylation in blood pressure regulation

Down from the treetops: Red langur (Presbytis rubicunda) terrestrial behaviour

Using direct observations and camera traps at eight sites across Indonesian Borneo we show how red langurs (Presbytis rubicunda) are more terrestrial than previously believed, regularly coming to the ground. This unusual behavior has been found at six of the eight sites surveyed. We find that red langurs come to the ground more frequently in disturbed forests, specifically ones which have been impacted by logging, fire, and hunting, though more data are needed to confirm this as a direct correlation. We also found a trend towards decreased ground use with increased elevation of the habitat. When on the ground, red langurs are predominantly engaged in feeding (50% direct observations, 61% camera traps) and traveling (29% direct observations, 13% camera traps). Red langurs are found on the ground throughout the day, at similar times to activity periods of the apex predator, the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi). We suggest that ground use by red langurs could be an adaptation to disturbed forest to exploit additional food sources and to facilitate travel

Electronic, reactivity and third order nonlinear optical properties of thermally-stable push-pull chalcones for optoelectronic interest: experimental and DFT assessments

The present work highlighted the integration of quantum chemical approach and experimental results in attempts to elucidate the structural-property characteristics and behaviour of the fused-aromatic chalcones on the impact of their nonlinear attribute at the molecular level. Two push-pull chalcones namely 1-(anthracen-9-yl)-3(9-ethyl-carbazol-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (1AECP) and 3(9-ethyl-carbazol-3-yl)-1(pyren-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (3ECPP) were successfully designed, synthesised and analysed through FT-IR, UV–Vis, 1D NMR, TGA, DSC and third-order optical nonlinearities were performed via Z-scan measurement. Concurrently, density functional theory (DFT) analysis with basis set of B3LYP/6-31G (d,p) was computed to optimize the most stable molecular geometry configuration, HOMO-LUMO energy gap, global chemical reactivity descriptors (GCRD), molecular electrostatic potentials (MEP), natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis and hyperpolarizability analyses. The experimental optical gap (Egopt) of both compounds has demonstrated good agreement with corresponding calculated result and fall in the range of organic semiconducting materials with low range of HOMO-LUMO energy gap values, 2.98 and 2.74 eV respectively. The DFT result revealed that fused-aromatic reinforce intramolecular charge transfer (ICT), electronic dipole moment and improve polarizabilities on NLO properties of the material. The thermal stability analysis pinpointed that both of these materials are able to withstand high temperature up to 300 °C which unintentionally unveil their encouraging performance potentially. Additionally, Z-scan analysis discovered that both of the targeted compounds are indeed nonlinear refraction (NLR) active, manifesting self-defocusing effect with n2 value of −1.75 x 10−9 esu (1AECP) and −1.75 x 10−8 esu (3ECPP). In short, the theoretical output complement the experimental results fundamentally in the evaluation and prediction of their electronic nature which hence proved their prospect essentially in the optoelectronic-manufacturing development

Superior blood pressure control among hypertensive patients attending specialist clinics in Malaysia

Background The prevalence of hypertension in Malaysia is alarmingly high. The National Survey in 2006 showed 43% of people above 30 years old have hypertension and only 8% reached target blood pressure (BP) of <140/90 mmHg. Among treated patients, only 26% reached target BP. We aimed to evaluate BP control among hypertensives attending Specialist institutions in Malaysia. Methods This prospective study aimed at determining BP control among hypertensive patients attending three specialist institutions in Malaysia located in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Kuantan and Kota Bharu( KB). 950 consecutive patients with known hypertension for at least 6 months were recruited between January 2007 and July 2008. Patients’ demography, BP, cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and medications were obtained. Results A total of 950 patients were recruited. There were more males (n=548, 57.7%) compared to females (n=402, 42.3%). The mean age was 60.9 ± 10.8. The mean Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) was 138.8 ± 20.3 mm Hg and 79.6 ±11.4 mmHg respectively. 49.4% of all patients had BP controlled (< 140/90 mmHg) with mean SBP and DBP of 123.2 ± 9.4 mm Hg and 74.2 ± 8.3 mmHg respectively. Males had better SBP control compared to female (SBP 135.9 ± 18.7 vs 142.8 ± 21.7 mmHg, p < 0.001); DBP 77.1 ± 13.7 vs 78.0 + 12.1 mmHg, p = 0.58). Majority of patients were on 2 or 3 antihypertensives (67.6%). BP control among the three centres were consistently good compared to the national figure of 26% (45.1% in KL, 47.1% in Kuantan and 56.3% in KB). Prevalence of CV risk factors was as follows: 54.6% had ischaemic heart disease (IHD), 24.2% underwent coronary revascularization, 50.1% diabetic, 68.7% hyperlipidaemic, 21% smokers and 28% had chronic kidney disease (CKD). Conclusion Tertiary institutions demonstrated much better control of hypertension among their hypertensive patients. Compared to that of national figure, there is a near two-fold difference in the ratio of well controlled BP. Majority of these patients fall into high risk group for CV events, thereby necessitating intensive BP management. This reassuring result suggested the much anticipate

Phenotyping of UGT1A1 Activity Using Raltegravir Predicts Pharmacokinetics and Toxicity of Irinotecan in FOLFIRI.

BACKGROUND:Irinotecan toxicity correlates with UGT1A1 activity. We explored whether phenotyping UGT1A1 using a probe approach works better than current genotyping methods. METHODS:Twenty-four Asian cancer patients received irinotecan as part of the FOLFIRI regimen. Subjects took raltegravir 400 mg orally and intravenous midazolam 1 mg. Pharmacokinetic analyses were performed using WinNonLin and NONMEM. Genomic DNA was isolated and screened for the known genetic variants in UGT1A1 and CYP3A4/5. RESULTS:SN-38G/SN-38 AUC ratio correlated well with Raltegravir glucuronide/ Raltegravir AUC ratio (r = 0.784 p<0.01). Midazolam clearance correlated well with irinotecan clearance (r = 0.563 p<0.01). SN-38 AUC correlated well with Log10Nadir Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) (r = -0.397 p<0.05). Significant correlation was found between nadir ANC and formation rate constant of raltegravir glucuronide (r = 0.598, P<0.005), but not UGT1A1 genotype. CONCLUSION:Raltegravir glucuronide formation is a good predictor of nadir ANC, and can predict neutropenia in East Asian patients. Prospective studies with dose adjustments should be done to develop raltegravir as a probe to optimize irinotecan therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION:Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00808184

Technical reproducibility of single-nucleotide and size-based DNA biomarker assessment using DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues

10.1016/j.jmoldx.2014.12.001Journal of Molecular Diagnostics173242-25

CONSORT Flow Diagram for trial.

<p>CONSORT Flow Diagram for trial.</p