Immunological Effects of Haliotis Rubra Hemolymph and Hemolymph Components

Marine derived drugs are emerging with promises to positively intervene in a range of diseases including viral, bacterial, fungal, and to even some forms of cancers. Hemolymph of several molluscs are of particular interest for their immunomodulatory properties that enhance their anti-microbial and anti-cancerous mechanisms. Our research aims to uncover the immunological effects of Haliotis rubra hemolymph, purified hemocyanin and hemolymph permeate. Their immunomodulatory properties can be key to treating Herpes Simplex Virus -1, HSV-1, infected patients and prostate cancer patients. In this study, we cultured HaCat cells and Human oral primary and prostate cancer cell line (PC-3) to observe immunomodulatory effects of the extracts on such form of cancer. Treatment with variable concentrations of abalone sera, purified hemocyanin and the sera/hemolymph were carried out. Results show a 50% inhibition in Interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression, 21% inhibition in Interleukin-8 (IL-8) . There is an observed inhibition of IL-6 expression in permeate, AH and sera treated PC-3. Additionally, the effects also extend to IL-8. The most significant results were obtained for primary oral keratinocytes treatment with the abalone sera yielding a sharp 35 fold increase in IL-8 concentration and 23 fold increase in IL-6 concentration as compared to the untreated control. To summarize: hemolymph, purified hemocyanin and hemolymph permeate targets IL-6 and IL-8 , that will potentially help HSV-1 infected and prostrate cancer patients. Whole hemolymph permeate induces highest degree of cytokine modulation in all cell types. The permeate is found to predominantly consist of hemocyanin fragments of various sizes . Therefore, broken hemocyanin fragments, rather than whole hemocyanin molecule, has greater immunomodulatory properties. HaCat cells do not fit as a model for IL-6 and IL-8 modulation studies, although targeted modulation of these cytokines are also exhibited here on hemolymph treatments

Molecular characterisation of lower-grade glioma and investigation of its genomic aberrations influencing patient prognosis and therapeutic response

Lower-grade gliomas (LGGs) are tumours of the Central Nervous System affecting young adults aged 17-44 years. The overall survival of LGG patients has not improved significantly over the last 30 years, and new therapeutic approaches are warranted to effectively treat this cancer. In this thesis, I have molecularly characterised a retrospective cohort of LGG specimen from 102 patients, including 29 patients with matched primary and recurrent tumours, in order to identify prognostic biomarkers, molecular subgroups with unfavourable prognosis and investigate their potential as therapeutic targets through pre-clinical studies. Specific hotspot tumour protein 53 (TP53) codon 273 mutations occurred in 33% of astrocytoma, which were associated with significantly improved survival in both univariate (p<0.05) and multivariate analysis (p<0.05). TP53 wildtype tumours were associated with the most unfavourable clinical outcome. Analysis of publicly available LGG datasets validated these findings and elucidated the mechanism of this prognostication involving enhanced chemosensitivity of TP53 codon 273 mutations. Integrated analysis uncovered interactions between Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) and TP53 mutation potentially plays a role in inducing this chemosensitivity. In silico analysis identified the over-expression of carbonic anhydrase 12 (CA12) mRNA in the TP53 wildtype astrocytoma sub-group with the most unfavourable prognosis. I attempted to establish LGG patient-derived neurosphere cell lines for in vitro drug efficacy studies with the CA12 inhibitor U-104 combined with temozolomide treatment. Drug efficacy studies were conducted on a panel of TP53 wildtype and TP53 mutant glioblastoma cell lines where U-104 monotherapy, but not combination therapy, was efficacious in both subgroups. U-104 monotherapy also showed efficacy in LGG neurospheres. Molecular characterisation revealed that 72.9% of astrocytomas and 63.2% of oligodendrogliomas followed alternative lengthening of telomere (ALT) mechanism to maintain their telomere lengths. Neither ALT nor telomerase mechanisms were prognostic factors in astrocytoma, while, ALT was a significantly associated with a longer progression-free survival in oligodendroglioma. Cyclin a1 (CCNA1) was identified as a potential ALT-associated gene in the analysis of in-house RNA sequencing data. While CCNA1 methylation was not found to be directly associated with ALT upon investigation, CCNA1 methylation showed a strong trend for association with ALT-associated aberrations in ATRX, and progression-free survival in both the in-house astrocytoma cohort and TCGA dataset. Moreover, CCNA1 methylation levels were significantly associated with increasing astrocytoma grade, and it may be involved in tumour progression and aggressiveness. In conclusion, this thesis identified therapeutically actionable biomarkers, determinant of chemosensitivity, and prevalence of TMMs in LGG

HUBUNGAN PENGETAHUAN KESEHATAN REPRODUKSI DAN SUMBER INFORMASI DENGAN PERILAKU SEKS PRANIKAH DI MA X KAB. BOGOR

Perilaku seks pranikah merupakan perilaku yang dapat menimbulkan dampak negatif yang bersifat jangka panjang pada remaja diantaranya dampak psikologis, dampak sosial dan dampak fisik. Maka dari itu diperlukan perhatian khusus pada remaja, karena bila timbul dorongan-dorongan seksual yang tidak sehat akan menimbulkan perilaku seksual yang tidak bertanggung jawab dan dapat merusak masa depan remaja. Banyak faktor yang mempengaruhi perilaku seks pranikah diantaranya pengetahuan kesehatan reproduksi dan sumber informasi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan pengetahuan kesehatan reproduksi dan sumber informasi dengan perilaku seks pranikah pada remaja di MA X Kab. Bogor. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian kuantitatif dengan desain cross sectional study. Sampel pada penelitian ini sebanyak 115 responden dengan instrumen penelitian berupa kuesioner. Analisis data yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah uji Chi-Square. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tidak ada hubungan yang signifikan antara pengetahuan kesehatan reproduksi dengan perilaku seks pranikah (p value=0,274) dan tidak ada hubungan yang signifikan antara sumber informasi dengan perilaku seks pranikah (p value=0,096). Kesimpulannya adalah tidak ada hubungan pengetahuan kesehatan reproduksi dengan perilaku seks pranikah dan tidak ada hubungan yang signifikan antara sumber informasi dengan perilaku seks pranikah

Daily Living Functioning, Social Engagement and Wellness of Older Adults

Aim: The present study aim to investigate the contributing role of daily living functioning and social engagement in enhancing wellness and various dimensions of wellness in older adults. Method: A correlational research was designed. Socio-demographic data was collected. Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Lubben Social Network Scale, and Perceived Wellness Survey were administered on a sample of 112 participants, including 56 men and 56 women. Results: A correlation analysis found positive correlations between daily living functioning, social engagement and wellness of older adults. The results of regression analysis concluded that both the daily living functioning and social engagement predicted wellness and domains of wellness as well. Conclusion: The obtained results indicate that older adults who are self-reliant lead a more satisfied life in old age and demonstrate to be more adjusted to the effects of aging

Marketing macro environment during the pandemic Covid-19

Without a doubt, COVID-19 is indeed a disease caused by a recently discovered coronavirus strain, a form of a virus known to cause human respiratory infections. On January 24, 2020, the first case of Malaysia with COVID-19 was detected. In Malaysia, the World Health Organization (WHO) worked closely with the Ministry of Health to respond to this epidemic. Furthermore, according to the WHO report, as of November 15, 2020, a total of 47,417 COVID-19 confirmed cases have occurred in Malaysia. There have been 23 new deaths recorded in the past week. This brings to 309 the cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths since the epidemic started in Malaysia (WHO, 2020). At the same time, COVID-19 has a significant effect on businesses and the economy and catastrophic cases for people's health. There has never been a more urgent need for companies to reconsider and reconfigure their businesses for a changing environment as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. It is now time for organizations to concentrate on supporting critical areas of their companies that will help them stabilize and strategize for what is next in the new climate

PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT MELALUI BADAN USAHA MILIK DESA (BUMDES) PENGGEMUKAN KAMBING DI DESA PURWASARI KECAMATAN PURWASARI KABUPATEN KARAWANG

Pemberdayaan masyarakat merupakan suatu proses memberikan daya, kekuatan, dukungan serta dorongan motivasi kepada masyarakat agar dapat mengembangkan potensi yang dimiliki. Akan tetapi, ada permasalahan yang dihadapkan masyarakat dalam hal ini yaitu, kurangnya sosialisasi pemerintah desa sehingga minimnya pengetahuan masyarakat dalam hal pemberdayaan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui bagaimana peran pemerintah desa dalam memberdayakan masyarakat yang ada di Desa Purwasari Kecamatan Purwasari Kabupaten Purwasari. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode pendekatan kualitatif yang bersifat deskriptif. Data dianalisis melalui teknik wawancara, dokumentasi dan observasi langsung ke lapangan. Hasil dari penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa partisipasi masyarakat dalam kegiatan BUMDes masih kurang karena pengetahuan masyarakat terhadap program BUMDes masih sedikit. Tahap seleksi lokasi, pemerintah desa sudah baik dalam proses pemilihan telah melalui tiga tahapan yaitu melalui bidang usaha bumdes, melalui musyawarah khusus internal desa, dan musyawarah khusus. Tahap sosialisasi, pemerintah desa kurang optimal karena sebagian masyarakat tidak merasa adanya sosialisasi yang diselenggarakan oleh pemerintah desa purwasari. Tahap proses pemberdayaan, pemerintah desa cukup optimal karena pemerintah berkolaborasi dengan perusahaan swasta melalui program Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) untuk melakukan pelatihan, fasilitas, sarana dan prasarana berupa posyandu, balai musyawarah ataupun Gedung serbaguna. Tahap pemandirian, pemerintah desa sudah baik karena membina masyarakatnya untuk mengembangkan kembali dan menyalurkan hasil dari pemberdayaan tersebut melalui perusahaan

INHERITED GENETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY TO BREAST CANCER IN PAKISTAN

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease. Several genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors are involved in the aetiology of this disease. Genetic risk factors include alterations (mutations) in genes conferring risks to develop breast cancer. Depending on the associated lifetime risks of this malignancy, these genes are categorised into high-, moderate- and low-risk genes. Women carrying mutations in these genes are at an increased risk to develop breast cancer, ovarian cancer and several other malignancies. Breast carcinoma is the most reported malignancy in Pakistani females. Pakistan is a developing country with most of its population living in rural areas; hence, optimal healthcare facilities are inadequate for the early diagnosis and prevention of this disease. Hence, identification of individuals carrying mutations is clinically relevant as different strategies are available for the early detection, risk reduction and better management of this malignancy. This review summarises the findings of the major studies conducted in Pakistan to investigate the contribution of breast cancer predisposing genes. Furthermore, implications of the current studies and future research potentials are discussed.Key words: Breast cancer gene 1/2, breast cancer, checkpoint kinase 2, genetic susceptibility, Pakistan, RAD51C, tumour Protein p53, Vitamin D recepto

Tuberculosis of Gall Bladder

Gallbladder with Chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis is an everyday routine diagnosis in surgical pathology practice. However, one may encounter some rare diseases of gallbladder. Tuberculosis (TB) of Gall bladder is a rare infection; should also be considered amongst the differential list of gall bladder disorders and management of gall bladder pathologies.&nbsp

Distinguishing Human Generated Text From ChatGPT Generated Text Using Machine Learning

ChatGPT is a conversational artificial intelligence that is a member of the generative pre-trained transformer of the large language model family. This text generative model was fine-tuned by both supervised learning and reinforcement learning so that it can produce text documents that seem to be written by natural intelligence. Although there are numerous advantages of this generative model, it comes with some reasonable concerns as well. This paper presents a machine learning-based solution that can identify the ChatGPT delivered text from the human written text along with the comparative analysis of a total of 11 machine learning and deep learning algorithms in the classification process. We have tested the proposed model on a Kaggle dataset consisting of 10,000 texts out of which 5,204 texts were written by humans and collected from news and social media. On the corpus generated by GPT-3.5, the proposed algorithm presents an accuracy of 77%

Thermal conductivity enhancement of metal oxide nanofluids : a critical review

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : All data is available in the manuscript.Advancements in technology related to energy systems, such as heat exchangers, electronics, and batteries, are associated with the generation of high heat fluxes which requires appropriate thermal management. Presently, conventional thermal fluids have found limited application owing to low thermal conductivity (TC). The need for more efficient fluids has become apparent leading to the development of nanofluids as advanced thermal fluids. Nanofluid synthesis by suspending nano-size materials into conventional thermal fluids to improve thermal properties has been extensively studied. TC is a pivotal property to the utilization of nanofluids in various applications as it is strongly related to improved efficiency and thermal performance. Numerous studies have been conducted on the TC of nanofluids using diverse nanoparticles and base fluids. Different values of TC enhancement have been recorded which depend on various factors, such as nanoparticles size, shape and type, base fluid and surfactant type, temperature, etc. This paper attempts to conduct a state-of-the-art review of the TC enhancement of metal oxide nanofluids owing to the wide attention, chemical stability, low density, and oxidation resistance associated with this type of nanofluid. TC and TC enhancements of metal oxide nanofluids are presented and discussed herein. The influence of several parameters (temperature, volume/weight concentration, nano-size, sonication, shape, surfactants, base fluids, alignment, TC measurement techniques, and mixing ratio (for hybrid nanofluid)) on the TC of metal oil nanofluids have been reviewed. This paper serves as a frontier in the review of the effect of alignment, electric field, and green nanofluid on TC. In addition, the mechanisms/physics behind TC enhancement and techniques for TC measurement have been discussed. Results show that the TC enhancement of metal oxide nanofluids is affected by the aforementioned parameters with temperature and nanoparticle concentration contributing the most. TC of these nanofluids is observed to be actively enhanced using electric and magnetic fields with the former requiring more intense studies. The formulation of green nanofluids and base fluids as sustainable and future thermal fluids is recommended.The Deputyship for Research and Innovation, Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/nanomaterialsam2024Mechanical and Aeronautical EngineeringSDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructur