RECENT ADVANCES IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: CAUSES AND TREATMENT

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a destructive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory defeat and impairment in behavior, language, and visuospatial skills. Neuropsychiatric symptoms such as apathy, depression, aggression, agitation, sleep disruption, and psychosis are now recognized as core symptoms of AD that are expressed to varying degrees throughout the course of disease. The neuro pathological features of AD comprise extracellular senile plaques constituted of β-amyloid (Aβ) pledges, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and cerebral atrophy; others include apolipoprotein E, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and cholinergic hypothesis. Anti-amyloid therapy is available for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, others are anticholinergic therapy, and therapy for mitochondrial dysfunction, γ-secretase inhibitors (GSI) and modulators (GSM), ð›½-secretase (BACE1) inhibitors, Glial modulating drugs includes RAGE receptor antagonists, TNF-α antagonists, neuroprotective drugs such as antioxidants, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, PPARγ agonists, and anti-tau or tau modulators like microtubule stabilizers, kinase inhibitors. This review includes discussion on neurobiological mechanisms and newly developed compounds which have lesser side effects and are proving more efficient for treatment of Alzheimer's disease.Â

Achievement in Mathematics of Ninth Class Government School Students in Relation to Their Parental Involvement

This study examines the achievement in mathematics of ninth class government school students in relation to their parental involvement. The findings were based on the responses of 453 government school adolescents (223 males and 230 females) selected from ten government schools of Chandigarh. Parental Involvement Scale and Mathematics Achievement test developed and standardized by the investigator were used for data collection. Results show that achievement in mathematics of adolescents studying in government schools is significantly and positively related with general welfare, monitoring, leisure time activities, and academic growth dimensions as well as parental involvement (total), except psychological autonomy dimension of parental involvement. The study concluded that there is significant difference in achievement in mathematics of ninth class government school students in relation to their parental involvement

Managing Family Firm Survivability and Continuity Dynamics. A Comparison of UK-based Punjabi First- and Second-Generation Family Firms.

This study aimed at exploring the idiosyncratic elements of a family business (FB hereafter) and its impact on survivability and continuity dynamics in Punjabi-Indian family firms. In order to analyse these elements, family relationships were examined. Understanding the nature of family dynamics in ethnic minority-owned FBs based in the UK has rarely been subject to academic scrutiny. Using recent discussions surrounding behavioural theory literature unveiled family members, as key stakeholders of a family firm, play an important role in the success and survival of the FB. The stakeholder theory and mapping technique identified the extent of power, control and influence of family members according to the multiple roles they adopted in the FB. Key family stakeholders in the business, especially female founders and next generation children, controlled succession and other survivability decisions. The socioemotional wealth perspective (SEW) and sequentially the FIBER scale were also used to identify the importance of pursuing non-economic goals (e.g., generational succession) to meet the family’s affective needs and preserve its familiness resource. More explicitly the dark side of familiness was found in altruistic relationships that jeopardised family firm survival and continuity. Both recent behavioural theories provided significant insight into how Punjabi-Indian family firms managed survivability and continuity. A series of qualitative focus group interviews were undertaken with 10 Punjabi-Indian FBs. All FB cases included in this research were defined as being owned, managed and daily operated by family members. The study findings advances 3 main conclusions. First, three factors determined family firm survivability: business successoriented children, family members using the FB as a career safety net and perceiving the FB undesirable as a career choice. Second, the position of family members in ownership and management roles did not influence the extent of power, control and influence they had over the FB. Instead, family relationships and dynamics influenced FB survival and continuity. Lastly, women contributed to family firm survivability by being empowered from their previous business knowledge, experience, and Britishborn advantages. These attributes gave Punjabi-Indian women resource advantage which was essential in the establishment, success and survival of most of the FB enterprises. II Findings have shown, the lack of next generation involvement in Punjabi-Indian family firms represents problematic succession and continuity of the FB. This threatens the survivability and future existence of ethnic minority family businesses. As a result, this study contributes towards knowledge on survivability in ethnic minority family firms and advances SEW theory by proposing ‘relationships between family members’ as the sixth dimension of the FIBER scale. Currently the impact of family relationships is neglected in FB theory and literature thus, this new dimension acknowledges family relationships are a unique aspect of FBs which can either generate SEW or be destructive towards family firm survivability and continuity dynamics. Further practical contributions include recommending ethnic minority family business owners to offer tied transfer agreements to generate family stakeholder engagement towards generational succession, and the government to provide better financing opportunities to ethnic minority businesses, as well as implementing mentorship and/or business leadership programs to engage the next generation of FB successors. Overall, the aim of this research study was accomplished, and all research questions were answered

Women In Media Professions In Malaysia: A Study Of Sex Bias In Employment And Work Roles

This academic exercise hopes to study whether there is any marked Sex bias in the ployment and work roles of women in media professions in Malaysia. It studies sex discrimination in three main areas - namely in employment/recruitment, training, and promotion. A major portion of the paper is on the situation of women at work in the media, in terms of numbers, positions within organisational structures, and problems faced bythe women

An analysis of the ethical codes and their applicability in the communication professions in Malaysia / Halimahton Shaari and Kiranjit Kaur

Studying media ethics and the ethical codes of the various media professions is an attempt to better understand the workings and conduct of the mass media which play a significant role in society. Like any other profession whose activities affect the public, the media too are bound by formal and informal controls. Part of the informal controls, codes of ethics, when formulated, were significantly influenced by the codes of more established media professions, particularly in the West. While taking a leaf out of the Western codes may give the local codes a more universal outlook, there is also concern that they may not adequately address the cultural and parochial realities that exist in this multiethnic society. Thus, this research hopes to study the suitability and applicability of the codes, not just in the context of multiculturalism, but also against international standards. Because of its informal nature, the codes of media ethics in Malaysia have been criticised as 'lacking punch'. Due to that, adherence to and observance of the codes is voluntary. A review of the codes and the findings may help the various professions to strengthen the codes and their utility; and subsequently lend some credibility and respectability to the media professions

The Critical period for weed control in spring maize in North-West India

Spring maize is becoming popular in Punjab state owing to its higher yield potential and is a new introduction. A field experiment was conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana with 12 treatments viz. crop kept weedy for 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 DAS, crop kept weed free for 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 DAS, weed free throughout and weedy check. The weed density showed a linear progression as the weedy interval was increased from 30 to 40 days, 40 to 50 days and 50 to 60 days. The results showed that yield attributes and grain yield declined with the increased duration of crop- weed interference period and increased with long weed free durations. Significant reduction in grain yield was recorded with increased weed infestation from 30 to 60 DAS, however, the differences observed between 20 and 30 days weedy were statistically at par. This suggested the tolerance of weed interference up to 30 days in spring maize. The 60 days weed free treatment resulted in grain yield statistically same with that of weed free throughout but significantly better from all other weed free duration treatments. This marked the end of critical period of crop-weed competition in spring maize. A significant negative linear correlation was observed for weed biomass and grain yield. The critical period of crop-weed competition in spring maize started at 30 DAS and ended at 60DAS. This period needs immediate attention for the adoption of weed control measure

Pattern of adverse drug reactions reported at the adverse drug reaction monitoring centre at tertiary care teaching hospital in North India

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the pattern of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported at ADR monitoring centre (AMC) in Punjab. Methods: This observational retrospective study was done in department of Pharmacology, GGS Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot from September 2020 to August 2021. A total of 148 ADRs were reported during the study period. Each ADR was analyzed for demographic data and characteristics of ADR. Assessment of causality, severity and preventability was done according to WHO UMC scale, modified Hartwig and Siegel scale and Modified Schumock and Thornton Preventability Scale respectively. Results: A total of 148 ADRs were reported from both outpatients and in patients of various departments. Most of the ADRs were found in males (55%) and patients of age group 31-45 years (33%). Majority of ADRs were reported from dermatology department (40%). Overall, 38% of ADRs were due to antimicrobial drugs. Most of the ADRs were reported as possible (57%), followed by probable (41%) as per WHO causality assessment. Most of the ADRs were moderate severity (83%). 97% of the ADRs were found to be definitely preventable type. Conclusions: We concluded that most of the ADRs were reported from antimicrobial drugs, so it is advisable to have close monitoring of the antimicrobial drug therapy to prevent ADRs in the patients. Although the majority of ADRs were moderate in nature but mostly were recovered. The study of ADRs in a particular institute using demographic patterns will contribute to patient safety by sensitizing the clinicians in that particular institute

Exploratory study of a crisis commander’s perspectives on the role and value of public relations in crisis management

This is an exploratory study into understanding the dominant coalition perspectives on role and values of public relations in crisis management in an energy company in Malaysia. In this study, the senior public relations of the energy company reports directly to the crisis commander (CC) in times of crisis thus, the CC was chosen as a sample where an in-depth interview was conducted. Notably, the CC perceptions represents the dominant coalition with the power to shape organisation policies and provide directions to public relations practice in managing media and communication in crisis management.Theory of excellence within the outlook of public relations empowerment was examined.The findings of this study have significantly confirmed that the patterns of the CC perceptions on role and values of public relations in crisis management are similar to other dominant coalition literature across the globe.This phenomenon needs changes to drive public relations to strive harder to be a problem solver and a strategic thinker in crisis management.This study is a significant attempt to understand the perception of the dominant coalition on public relations in crisis management and can be replicated in other sectors in Malaysia

Online shopping: an exercise with Malaysian and Thai product and service e-commerce websites / Dr. Kiranjit Kaur … [et al.]

This study is to determine the quality of service provided by Malaysian and Thai web vendors. The researchers undertook the shopping experience themselves in order to gain first hand information on the real problems that consumers face when shopping online. Various aspects of quality were examined such as accessibility, reliability, efficiency, ease of use, security and information. The study is based on a qualitative examination of Malaysian and Thai e-commerce websites offering online transactions. Thirty websites were selected for the study - 18 Malaysian sites and 12 Thai sites. The researchers used four sets of protocols to obtain data and information on e-commerce transactions. Three protocols were used for purchasing products online including one each for placing the order, arrival of goods, and returning of goods; and one protocol was used for booking services. Websites of traders offering services seemed to be more efficient than those selling products. This could be because payment was seldom required in booking services as opposed to when placing an order for a product. Most problems were faced in the payment procedure, cancellation of orders, and request for refunds. The study recommends that web traders should provide more easily accessible information on security and privacy issues as well as clear information on cancellation of orders and refunds to promote shopping online and to build confidence in their consumers. It also suggests that the traders upgrade their sites to be more online savvy and update information on them more regularly

Salt Taste Genotype, Dietary Habits and Biomarkers of Health: No Associations in an Elderly Cohort

A small amount of emerging research has observed variations between individual sensitivity, preference and intake of salt in the presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on the genes encoding salt taste receptors. Sodium intake is a significant risk factor for common diseases in elderly populations such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease; however, this does not fully explain the risk. Research into the influence of salt taste genetics on diet quality is yet to be undertaken and current research on indicators of health is limited and mixed in the direction of associations. Therefore, a secondary analysis of data from a well-characterised elderly cohort (the cross-sectional Retirement Health and Lifestyle Study, n = 536) was conducted to explore relationships between the salt taste-related SNP TRPV1-rs8065080 (assessed by Taqman genotyping assay), dietary habits and biomarkers of health. Data were analysed with standard least squares regression modelling and Tukey’s HSD post hoc tests. No association was found between the TRPV1-rs8065080 genotype, sodium intake or multiple diet quality indices (assessed by food frequency questionnaire). Sodium-related markers of health including blood pressure and markers of kidney function (urinary creatinine and albumin/creatinine ratio) and general health markers, such as Body Mass Index (BMI), were also not related to TRPV1-rs8065080 genotype. To date, this study is the most comprehensive investigation conducted to determine if the TRPV1-rs8065080 genotype relates to sodium intake and health markers influenced by sodium intake. Although no significant relationships were found, these findings are an important contribution to the limited body of knowledge surround this SNP. In addition to further research across other ages and cultures, the TRPV1-rs8065080 genotype may interact with other ion channels, and so further studies are required to determine if polymorphic variations influence sodium intake, diet and health. View Full-Tex