Role of Biomolecule Cues in Alzheimer’s disease

The master’s thesis study investigates the role of biomolecules in Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The major cause of amyloid plaques is the aggregation of 1-42 amino acid peptide (abeta) fragment of the amyloid precursor protein. Neurofibrillary tangles on the other hand, are caused predominantly by the aggregation of microtubule binding hexapeptide (VQIVYK) region of the tau protein. The plaques and tangles ultimately cause neuronal cell toxicity, leading to Alzheimer’s disease. Several factors are known to cause abeta and tau aggregation. Here in this study, we investigate the effect of biomolecules on the aggregation formation of abeta and tau peptides, and test the potential of macromolecules, small molecules, and nanotherapeutics on the inhibition of abeta and tau peptides aggregation. The objective of the thesis study is achieved by investigating the role of (i) glycosaminoglycans (ii) extracellular enzymes transglutaminase and lysyl oxidase, and (iii) cerebral proteins transferrin and human albumin in Alzheimer’s causing peptides abeta and tau aggregation and toxicity. Characterization tools used for this study include biochemical assays, transmission electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and cellular assays. The thesis study reveals that, glycosaminoglycans, and extracellular enzymes promote the aggregation of tau and abeta peptides, while cerebral proteins prevent the aggregation. Further, results show that the effect of biomolecules mediated Alzheimer’s peptide aggregation and could be inhibited in the presence of macromolecules, small molecules, and nanoformulated cerebral proteins.Master of Science in EngineeringBioengineering, College of Engineering & Computer ScienceUniversity of Michigan-Dearbornhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140773/1/thesis-tania (1).pdfDescription of thesis-tania (1).pdf : Master's Thesi

Effect of cellular polyanion mimetics on tau peptide aggregation

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146415/1/psc3125.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/146415/2/psc3125_am.pd

Tau peptides and tau mutant protein aggregation inhibition by cationic polyethyleneimine and polyarginine

Tau protein plays a major role in Alzheimer’s disease. The tau protein loses its functionality by self‐aggregation due to the two six‐amino acid sequences VQIVYK and VQIINK of the protein. Hence it is imperative to find therapeutics that could inhibit the self‐aggregation of this tau peptide fragments. Here, we study the inhibitory potential of a cationic polymer polyethyleneimine (PEI) and a cationic polypeptide arginine (Arg) on the aggregation of VQIVYK, and GKVQIINKLDL peptides, and tau mutant protein (P301L), found frequently in taupathy. Various characterization methods are employed including thioflavin S, transmission electron microscopy, and dynamic light scattering to study the aggregation/inhibition process in vitro. Results show that PEI and Arg significantly inhibit tau peptides and protein aggregation. The study could be applied to understand tau protein aggregation mechanism in the presence of cationic polymers.Tau aggregation mechanism in the presence of cationic polymers.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137754/1/bip23024_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137754/2/bip23024.pd

L‐proline and betaine inhibit extracellular enzymes mediated abeta 1‐42 aggregation, oxidative stress, and toxicity

Extracellular amyloid plaques are characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The amyloid plaques mainly consist of amyloid‐β (abeta) fragments. Extracellular biomolecules play a key role in abeta aggregation and subsequent plaque formation during AD. Among them, extracellular enzymes are known to induce abeta aggregation by catalyzing the crosslinking of abeta proteins. Although several therapeutic strategies have been studied to combat AD, studies to treat extracellular enzymes mediated abeta aggregation and toxicity is not explored in detail yet. Here we study the potential of osmolyte molecules l‐proline and betaine to inhibit the abeta aggregation and toxicity promoted by extracellular enzymes transglutaminase and lysyl oxidase in vitro. Results reveal that l‐proline and betaine have the potential to inhibit extracellular matrix enzymes mediated abeta aggregation/fibril formation and toxicity and oxidative stress in brain endothelial cells. Hence osmolytes could have the potential to modulate the effects of extracellular molecules during AD.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147177/1/pep224093_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147177/2/pep224093.pd

Representasi Bromance dan Maskulinitas dalam Novel Untuk Dia Yang Terlambat Gue Temukan Karya Esti Kinasih

Bromance Representation and Masculinity in Novel Untuk Dia Yang Terlambat Gue Temukan Written By Esti Kinasih ABSTRAKBromance merupakan hubungan dekat dan relatif intim di antara dua laki-laki atau lebih, tanpa didasari oleh ketertarikan seksual. Penelitian ini membahas bromance dan maskulinitas yang direpresentasikan di dalam novel bergenre teen lit Untuk Dia yang Terlambat Gue Temukan (2020) karya Esti Kinasih. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif-kualitatif dengan pendekatan gender. Data berupa kata, frasa, dan kalimat dikumpulkan dengan teknik simak catat setelah dilakukan pembacaan tertutup. Data kemudian diklasifikasi, diinterpretasi, dan dikaji dengan teknik analisis isi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa relasi bromance dibangun di antara para tokoh laki-laki dengan latar sekolah dan konteks permasalahan remaja. Alasan yang mendasari bromance adalah kesamaan kepentingan dan pemahaman sebagai sesama laki-laki. Manifestasi bromance ditunjukkan melalui sikap mendengarkan, memahami, membantu, dan melindungi. Relasi bromance kuat karena laki-laki bekerja sama untuk tidak tampil sebagai pihak yang lemah dan emosional (terutama) di hadapan perempuan. Perempuan sendiri ditampilkan pasif, lemah, dan patuh menghadapi laki-laki dan persekutuan mereka di dalam bromance.Kata kunci: bromance, Esti Kinasih, maskulinitas, teen litABSTRACTBromance is a close and relatively intimate relationship between two or more men, without being based on sexual attraction. This research is aimed at discussing the bromance and masculinity which is represented in the teen literature genre in novel Untuk Dia yang Terlambat Gue Temukan (2020) written by Esti Kinasih. This research uses descriptive-qualitative method with a gender approach. Data in the form of words, phrases, and sentences were collected using a note-taking technique after a closed reading. The data are then classified, interpreted, and reviewed using content analysis techniques. The results of this study indicate that Bromance relationships are built between male figures with school backgrounds and the context of adolescent problems. The reason that underlies bromance is the same interests and understanding as fellow men. Bromance is manifested in an attitude of listening, understanding, helping, and protecting. Bromance relationships are strong because men work together to avoid appearing as weak and emotional (especially) in front of women. Women themselves are shown to be passive, weak, and obedient to men and their fellowship in bromance.Keyword: Bromance,Esti Kinasih, masculinity, teen literatur

SISTEM MATO SEBAGAI MODEL MANAJEMEN PENGELOLAAN UMKM DI ERA NEW NORMAL: PROGRAM PELATIHAN DAN PENDAMPINGAN BERKELANJUTAN BAGI USAHA MIKRO KECIL DAN MENENGAH (UMKM) ANGGOTA KOPERASI GARUDAYAKSA DI JAKARTA SELATAN

Pelaksanaan program pelatihan dan pendampingan berkelanjutan yang diadakan bagi pengurus dan anggota Koperasi Garudayaksa Nusantara dengan tema sistem mato sebagai model manajemen pengelolaan UMKM pada era new normal bertujuan untuk memberikan pemahaman  bagi hasil sistem mato sebagai model alternatif manajemen UMKM. Dengan begitu pelaku UMKM  mampu memperkirakan bagaimana penerapan dan sistem perhitungannya apabila diterapkan ke dalam UMKM.  Pelatihan yang dilakukan bersama Koperasi Garudayaksa Nusantara merupakan bentuk pengabdian masyarakat bagi dosen-dosen, khususnya staf dosen Akuntansi Institut Bisnis dan Informatika Kwik Kian Gie dalam menerapkan Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi. Pelaksanaan pelatihan ini bermanfaat sebagai pengertian, pemahaman dan wawasan apabila pelaku usaha UMKM ingin mengubah atau mengadopsi sistem manajemen baru bagi usahanya. Sehingga pelaku usaha UMKM dapat menyesuaikan manajemen usahanya dalam menghadapi era new norma

PEMBELAJARAN SISTEM INDERA BERBASIS QUR’ANI DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN BULLETIN BOARD UNTUK MENINGKATKAN HASIL BELAJAR SISWA DI KELAS XI MIPA SMAN 5 BANDA ACEH

Pembelajaran sistem indra SMA di Aceh yang mayoritas utama penduduknya adalah muslim disajikan terlepas dari ayat-ayat Al-Qur’an, serta hanya membahas teori saja tanpa mengambil hikmahnya, seperti pembelajaran sistem indra kelas XI MIPA SMAN 5 Banda Aceh, para siswa tidak tahu ayat-ayat apa saja yang berhubungan dengan materi sistem indra. Pembelajaran di SMA cenderung tidak terlalu mendalam kajian ilmu agamanya, namun demikian bukan berarti pembelajaran terpisah dari Al-Qur’an. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimanakah respon dan hasil belajar siswa terhadap penggunaan media Bulletin Board pada materi Sistem Indra berbasis Qur’ani. Penelitian dilaksanakan di SMAN 5 Banda Aceh. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh siswa kelas XI MIPA SMAN 5 Banda Aceh yang terdiri dari 5 kelas dan sampelnya adalah kelas XI MIPA 3 yang berjumlah 24 siswa. Teknik pengambilan sampel adalah purposive sampling. Metode penelitian dilakukan dengan menggunakan metode Pre Experimen dengan teknik pengumpulan datanya berupa angket dan tes. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa respon siswa terhadap pembelajaran berbasis Qur’ani dengan media Bulletin board tergolong dalam kategori tinggi dengan nilai rata-rata 80% serta hasil belajar siswa terbukti meningkat dengan  thitung lebih besar daripada ttabel (thitung = 18,30 dan ttabel = 1,714)

Penggunaan Media Pembelajaran Alternatif Sebagai Mitigasi Dan Adaptasi Pada Masa Pandemi Covid-19

Media and methods are elements of learning that can affect learning motivation so that it has an impact on the quality of educational outcomes. The Covid-19 pandemic situation in 2020 led to a policy of limiting face-to-face teaching and learning activities and supporting online learning. In reality, virtual activities are not always fun and not always successful, because over time the students and teachers feel bored and even often experience technical difficulties in utilizing facilities and technology. The PPM team in collaboration with students participating in the KKN at Padjadjaran University tried to find solutions to these problems. Responding to the problems raised by the subject/activity partners as a representation of teachers from various levels, the PPM team and KKN participant students designed a learning media to support teaching and learning activities to be more fun, interactive, and collaborative. The PPM method used is the socialization of the use of the "Virtual Edu Guide" website. Besides being able to increase the knowledge and skills of subjects/partners, the indicator of success shown by this program is the number of visits to the site as many as 194 times after the program runs for five days.Media dan metode belajar merupakan unsur pembelajaran yang dapat memengaruhi motivasi belajar sehingga berdampak pada kualitas hasil pendidikan. Situasi pandemi Covid-19 pada tahun 2020 menyebabkan diberlakukannya kebijakan pembatasan kegiatan belajar mengajar tatap muka dan mendukung pada pembelajaran daring. Realitasnya, kegiatan virtual tidak selalu menyenangkan dan mudah dilakukan, karena lama-kelamaan siswa dan pengajar merasa jenuh dan bahkan kerap mengalami kesulitan teknis dalam memanfaatkan sarana dan teknologi. Tim PPM yang bekerja sama dengan mahasiswa peserta Kuliah Kerja Nyata Universitas Padjadjaran mencoba menemukan solusi permasalahan tersebut. Menyikapi permasalahan yang disampaikan oleh subjek/mitra kegiatan sebagai representasi pengajar dari berbagai tingkatan, tim PPM dan mahasiswa peserta KKN merancang sebuah media pembelajaran yang mudah digunakan dengan tujuan untuk menunjang kegiatan belajar mengajar agar menjadi lebih menyenangkan, interaktif, dan kolaboratif. Metode PPM yang diterapkan adalah sosialisasi pemanfaatan situs web “Virtual Edu Guide”. Selain menambah performa, pengetahuan, dan keterampilan subjek/mitra, indikator keberhasilan yang ditunjukkan program ini adalah jumlah kunjungan pada situs sebanyak 194 kali setelah program berjalan selama lima hari

Ramadan Fasting and Patients with Cancer: State-of-the-Art and Future Prospects

Ramadan fasting represents one of the five pillars of the Islam creed. Even though some subjects (among which patients) are exempted from observing this religious duty, they may be eager to share this particular moment of the year with their family and peers. However, there are no guidelines or standardized protocols that can help physicians to properly address the issue of patients with cancer fasting in Ramadan and correctly advising them. Moreover, in a more interconnected and globalized society, in which more and more Muslim patients live in the Western countries, this topic is of high interest also for the general practitioner. For this purpose, we carried out a systematic review on the subject. Our main findings are that (1) very few studies have been carried out, addressing this issue, (2) evidence concerning quality of life and compliance to treatment is contrasting and scarce, and (3) generally speaking, few patients ask their physicians whether they can safely fast or not. For these reasons, further research should be performed, given the relevance and importance of this topic

Association of serum uric acid level with angiographic severity of coronary artery disease: a study in a tertiary care hospital, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major global health issue. Serum uric acid (SUA), a byproduct of purine metabolism, is linked to CAD development and progression. Elevated SUA levels are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality and may indicate endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the study was to the observed associate serum uric acid level with the angiographic severity of CAD. Methods: This observational study was conducted at Chittagong medical college hospital in Bangladesh from October 2020 to September 2021. It included 130 patients and used unpaired t-tests to analyze the association between serum uric acid level and angiographic severity of CAD patients. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institutional review board of Chittagong medical college and hospital. Results: A study of 130 patients found a significant relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and CAD (CAD), vessel involvement, and CAD severity (p=0.001). Patients with CAD had higher SUA levels (mean 5.26±1.32 mg/dL) compared to those without CAD (mean 4.22±1.03 mg/dL). A SUA level range of 3.94-6.58 mg/dL was associated with CAD presence. Gender also showed a highly significant association with SUA levels (p=0.001), while age, BMI, and smoking status did not show significant differences. Conclusions: A strong positive association has been found between serum uric acid level and the severity of CAD. The findings of this study approve the effectiveness of hyperuricemia as an emerging risk factor for CAD