Persepsi Guru Terhadap Kompetensi Keusahawanan, Keupayaan Guru Mengajar dan Kaedah Pengajaran Keusahawanan dalam Mata Pelajaran Vokasional di Sekolah Menengah Negeri Pahang

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengenal pasti persepsi guru mengenai kompetensi keusahawanan, keupayaan guru mengajar dan kaedah pengajaran keusahawanan dalam mata pelajaran vokasional (MPV) di sekolah menengah di Pahang. Kajian ini berbentuk deskriptif yang menggunakan soal selidik sebagai instrumen kajian. Instrumen kajian ini terdiri dari tiga pembolehubah iaitu kompetensi keusahawanan, keupayaan guru mengajar dan kaedah pengajaran. Populasi kajian ini terdiri daripada 52 orang guru MPV di negeri Pahang. Analisis data dilakukan dengan menggunakan statistik deskriptif yang melibatkan min, peratusan dan kekerapan. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan kompetensi kewangan dan perakaunan amat diperlukan oleh pelajar diikuti kompetensi pemasaran, kompetensi pengurusan dan kompetensi am. Keupayaan guru mengajar kompetensi keusahawanan secara keseluruhan adalah rendah. Guru mempunyai keupayaan yang tinggi dalam mengajar kompetensi am diikuti kompetensi pengurusan dan kompetensi pemasaran. Keupayaan guru mengajar kompetensi kewangan dan perakaunan adalah rendah. Kaedah pengajaran yang kerap digunakan oleh guru adalah kaedah kuliah, edaran dan kajian kes

Growth Determination of Tropical Limpet Cellana Testudinaria (Linnaeus, 1758) Living on the Rocky Shore of Ohoiwait, Southeast Moluccas, Indonesia

Monthly shell-length frequency distributions were used to analyse the size and age structure of the limpet population inhabiting the rocky shore of Ohoiwait, Southeast Moluccas. The lengths of the collected specimens ranged from 8.0 to 31.8 mm. The analysis of the successive frequency distributions suggested that the population consisted of 4 to 5 distinct age groups (cohorts) at any given time, and that two new cohorts recruited during the one-year investigation period. An analysis to determine growth pattern using FiSAT software showed that the longevity of C. testudinaria extended up to 2 years. The values of von Bertalanffy growth parameters (L¥, K and t0), estimated from size-frequency distributions, were 33.1 mm, 1.4 yr-1, and 0.09, respectively. The highest growth increments were 25% and 18% of the asymptotic length during the first 3 and 6 months, respectively. The effects of environmental variables on the growth rates showed important seasonal variations, with the highest increment of 2.6 mm/month during dry season. Here, growth parameter of C. testudinaria limpet shows the same value as other tropical limpets and depends on environmental variables

Does Country Of Origin Matter? A Study In Malaysian Consumer Perception Towards Domestic And Foreign Apparel Brands

Three questionnaires are prepared which carries different information cue(s) respectively with the purpose in investigating different consumer perceptions engendered across three circumstances and their perceptions toward four respective apparel brands under each case. There are total 135 respondents participated in this study. Four apparels brands studied are Padini, Malaysia brand; Giordano, Hong Kong brand; Benetton, Italy brand and Levi’s, US brand. The finding reflects Malaysia consumer do matter of country of origin as they show different perceptions as well as perceived expensiveness when they are presented with different information cue(s). This is notably for Padini, the Malaysia brand and Benetton, Italy brand. Whereas, no obvious effect is detected in Giordano, Hong Kong brand and marginal for Levi’s, US brand. Generally, Malaysia brands are being negatively evaluated by the consumers, which obtain the lowest scores on most of the dimensions tested. On the other hand, consumers perceive Padini favourably when the Malaysia identity is not revealed. However, this positive perception holds as well premium in price deteriorating when the country of origin information is exposed. Moreover, the study reflects that demographic variables (gender, age and education level) provide little explanation in the different consumer perception obtained and also Malaysia apparel brands represent the most frequent purchased brands irrespective favourable or unfavourable image obtained. Lastly, the implications of the study and recommendation to Padini are provided

Defective Neutrophil Function in Patients with Sepsis is Mostly Restored by ex vivo Ascorbate Incubation

Background: Neutrophil function is essential for effective defence against bacterial infections but is defective in patients with sepsis. Ascorbate or vitamin C, which is low in the plasma of patients with sepsis, is stored inside human neutrophils and is essential for their normal function. Objective: This study aimed to determine if ascorbate treatment ex vivo improved neutrophil function in patients with sepsis. Patients and Methods: Human blood neutrophils were isolated from 20 patients with sepsis and 20 healthy age-matched controls. Neutrophils were incubated with or without ascorbate (1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mM) for periods up to 2h. Chemotaxis was evaluated using a chemotactic chamber in response to the chemoattractant, fMLP. Phagocytosis (uptake of pHrodo red stained S. aureus) and apoptosis (annexin-V/propidium iodide staining) were measured by flow cytometry. Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation was detected and quantified using DAPI, anti-myeloperoxidase and anti-neutrophil elastase immuno-fluorescence staining. Quantifluor detected the amount of dsDNA in NET supernatants, while quantitative PCR identified changes in expression of PADI4 gene. Results: Chemotactic and phagocytic activities were decreased in patients with sepsis but increased after treatment with the high concentrations of ascorbate. Apoptosis was increased in the sepsis patients but not altered by ascorbate treatment. Spontaneous NET formation was observed in patients with sepsis. A quantity of 1mM ascorbate decreased spontaneous NETosis to that of normal, healthy neutrophils, while high concentrations of ascorbate (> 10mM) further promoted NET formation. Conclusion: Dysregulated neutrophil function was observed in patients with sepsis which could contribute to disease pathology and outcomes. Exposure to ascorbate could reverse some of these changes in function. These novel discoveries raise the possibility that ascorbate treatment could be used as an adjunctive therapy that could result in improved neutrophil function during sepsis

Clinical screening tools for sarcopenia and Its management

Sarcopenia, an age-related decline in muscle mass and function, is affecting the older population worldwide. Sarcopenia is associated with poor health outcomes, such as falls, disability, loss of independence, and mortality; however it is potentially treatable if recognized and intervened early. Over the last two decades, there has been significant expansion of research in this area. Currently there is international recognition of a need to identify the condition early for intervention and prevention of the disastrous consequences of sarcopenia if left untreated. There are currently various screening tools proposed. As yet, there is no consensus on the best tool. Effective interventions of sarcopenia include physical exercise and nutrition supplementation. This review paper examined the screening tools and interventions for sarcopenia.Solomon C.Y. Yu, Kareeann S.F. Khow, Agathe D. Jadczak and Renuka Visvanatha

Clinical Screening Tools for Sarcopenia and Its Management

Sarcopenia, an age-related decline in muscle mass and function, is affecting the older population worldwide. Sarcopenia is associated with poor health outcomes, such as falls, disability, loss of independence, and mortality; however it is potentially treatable if recognized and intervened early. Over the last two decades, there has been significant expansion of research in this area. Currently there is international recognition of a need to identify the condition early for intervention and prevention of the disastrous consequences of sarcopenia if left untreated. There are currently various screening tools proposed. As yet, there is no consensus on the best tool. Effective interventions of sarcopenia include physical exercise and nutrition supplementation. This review paper examined the screening tools and interventions for sarcopenia

A Synergy Between Endotoxin and (1→3)-Beta-D-Glucan Enhanced Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in <i>Candida</i> Administered Dextran Sulfate Solution Induced Colitis in FcGRIIB-/- Lupus Mice, an Impact of Intestinal Fungi in Lupus.

IntroductionThe translocation of organismal molecules from gut into blood circulation might worsen the disease severity of lupus through the induction of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs).MethodsAn impact of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and (1→3)-β-D-glucan (BG), components of gut bacteria and fungi, respectively, on NETs formation, was explored in lupus models, Fc gamma receptor IIB deficiency (FcGRIIB-/-) and Pristane injection, using Candida-administered dextran sulfate solution induced colitis (Candida-DSS) model.ResultsSeverity of Candida-DSS in FcGRIIB-/- mice was more prominent than wild-type (WT) and Pristane mice as indicated by (i) colonic NETs using immunofluorescence of Ly6G, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and neutrophil elastase (NE) together with expression of PAD4 and IL-1β, (ii) colonic immunoglobulin (Ig) deposition (immunofluorescence), (iii) gut-leakage by FITC-dextran assay, endotoxemia and serum BG, (iv) systemic inflammation (neutrophilia, serum cytokines, serum dsDNA and anti-dsDNA) and (v) renal injury (proteinuria, glomerular NETs and Ig deposition).DiscussionThe formation of NETs in Candida-DSS mice was more severe than non-Candida-DSS mice and NETs in Candida-DSS were more profound in FcGRIIB-/- mice than Pristane mice. Prominent NETs in Candida-DSS FcGRIIB-/- mice might be due to the profound responses against LPS+BG in FcGRIIB-/- neutrophils compared with WT cells. These data implied an impact of the inhibitory FcGRIIB in NETs formation and an influence of gut fungi in lupus exacerbation. Hence, gut fungi in a DSS-induced gut-leakage lupus model enhanced colonic NETs that facilitated gut translocation of organismal molecules and synergistically exacerbated lupus activity

BAM15, a Mitochondrial Uncoupling Agent, Attenuates Inflammation in the LPS Injection Mouse Model: An Adjunctive Anti-Inflammation on Macrophages and Hepatocytes

Controlof immune responses through the immunometabolism interference is interesting for sepsis treatment. Then, expression of immunometabolism-associated genes and BAM15, a mitochondrial uncoupling agent, was explored in a proinflammatory model using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Accordingly, the decreased expression of mitochondrial uncoupling proteins was demonstrated by transcriptomic analysis on metabolism-associated genes in macrophages (RAW246.7) and by polymerase chain reaction in LPS-stimulated RAW246.7 and hepatocytes (Hepa 1–6). Pretreatment with BAM15 at 24 h prior to LPS in macrophages attenuated supernatant inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-10), downregulated genes of proinflammatory M1 polarization (iNOS and IL-1β), upregulated anti-inflammatory M2 polarization (Arg1 and FIZZ), and decreased cell energy status (extracellular flux analysis and ATP production). Likewise, BAM15 decreased expression of proinflammatory genes (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, and iNOS) and reduced cell energy in hepatocytes. In LPS-administered mice, BAM15 attenuated serum cytokines, organ injury (liver enzymes and serum creatinine), and tissue cytokines (livers and kidneys), in part, through the enhanced phosphorylated αAMPK, a sensor of ATP depletion with anti-inflammatory property, in the liver, and reduced inflammatory monocytes/macrophages (Ly6C +ve, CD11b +ve) in the liver as detected by Western blot and flow cytometry, respectively. In conclusion, a proof of concept for inflammation attenuation of BAM15 through metabolic interference-induced anti-inflammation on macrophages and hepatocytes was demonstrated as a new strategy of anti-inflammation in sepsis

A Biochemical and Pharmacological Characterization of Phospholipase A2 and Metalloproteinase Fractions from Eastern Russell’s Viper (Daboia siamensis) Venom: two major components associated with Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) following Eastern Russell’s viper (Daboia siamensis) envenoming is a significant symptom in systemically envenomed victims. A number of venom components have been identified as causing the nephrotoxicity which leads to AKI. However, the precise mechanism of nephrotoxicity caused by these toxins is still unclear. In the present study, we purified two proteins from D. siamensis venom, namely RvPLA2 and RvMP. Protein identification using LCMS/MS confirmed the identity of RvPLA2 to be snake venom phospholipase A2 (SVPLA2) from Thai D. siamensis venom, whereas RvMP exhibited the presence of a factor X activator with two subunits. In vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies demonstrated myotoxicity and histopathological changes of kidney, heart, and spleen. RvPLA2 (3–10 µg/mL) caused inhibition of direct twitches of the chick biventer cervicis muscle preparation. After administration of RvPLA2 or RvMP (300 µg/kg, i.p.) for 24 h, diffuse glomerular congestion and tubular injury with minor loss of brush border were detected in envenomed mice. RvPLA2 and RvMP (300 µg/kg; i.p.) also induced congestion and tissue inflammation of heart muscle as well as diffuse congestion of mouse spleen. This study showed the significant roles of PLA2 and SVMP in snake bite envenoming caused by Thai D. siamensis and their similarities with observed clinical manifestations in envenomed victims. This study also indicated that there is a need to reevaluate the current treatment strategies for Thai D. siamensis envenoming, given the potential for irreversible nephrotoxicity