Sustainability of Project-Based Learning: Challenge and Obstacles from Students Perception Point of View

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused students to experience learning loss or a slowdown in student learning development in literacy, numeracy, and science. Another pandemic's impact is changing students' behavior and emotions, such as difficulty concentrating during online learning, sensitivity, anxiety, and other excessive worries. In order to overcome learning problems, one strategy from the government is releasing Kurikulum Merdeka, which focuses on Project-based learning. Several studies discussed the difficulties of project learning from the teacher's view, but no data explicitly discusses students' difficulty in implementing project learning. This research aims to identify the challenges and obstacles experienced by students when carrying out project learning. Furthermore, this research is grounded research used as reflection material for teachers in planning and improving the quality of project-based learning. The Project Learning Experience questionnaire was distributed to seven high schools in Kota Bandung, and 592 responses were recorded. From the data findings, students faced challenges in collaborative activities; contributions, time management, problem-solving, teamwork, and investigation techniques due to a lack of self-regulation. Theoretical contributions and implications for educational practices are discusse

Kemampuan Literasi Sains Siswa pada Pembelajaran Ekosistem

Kemampuan literasi sains merupakan kapasitas untuk menggunakan pengetahuan ilmiah, mengidentifikasi pertanyaan dan menarik kesimpulan berdasarkan fakta dan data untuk memahami alam semesta dan membuat keputusan dari Perubahan yang terjadi karena aktivitas manusia. Penelitian ini dilakukan untuk mengetahui kemampuan literasi sains siswa MTs pada materi ekosistem. Kemampuan literasi sains siswa ini diukur menggunakan Test of scientific Literacy Skills (TOSLS) yang diadaptasi dari Gormally et al. Tes ini diberikan kepada 17 siswa di MTs Nurul Ikhsan Belawa Cirebon. Hasil yang didapatkan dengan menggunakan tes TOSLS dalam kategori sedang (42,35)

The Potency of Camellia Sinensis L. to Reduce Proinflammatory Cytokine Levels in the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Rat Model

This study was conducted in order to ascertain how green tea extract (GTE) could affect inflammatory markers, including level of interleukin-(IL)-12, IL-18 of serum and lung, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, gene expression of NLR family-pyrin-domain containing 3 (NLRP3) of lung, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), lung histopathology, and IL-6 expression of lung tissue in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats as ARDS animal model. Rats were given GTE at dosages of 0, 50, 400, 800 mg/kg of body weight for 28 days to boost their immune systems. The rats were then stimulated with LPS (5 g/kg of BW) and after that continued to receive GTE for 28 days. Levels of serum or lung IL-18, IL-12, TNF-α, were measured using the ELISA method; expression of lung NF-κB and NLRP3 was measured by qRT-PCR; immunohistochemistry (IHC) was implemented to assess lung IL-6 expression; and lung histopathology was evaluated through the bleeding, inflammation, and alveolus scores. GTE had the ability to lower serum IL-18, lung TNF-α, and lung IL-12 levels; suppress the lung gene expression of NF-κB, NLRP-3, IL-6 expression; and improve lung histopathology. Green tea extract inhibited inflammation in the ARDS rat model by decreasing the proinflammatory cytokine level and proinflammatory gene expression

Molecular Phylogenetic Screening of Withania somnifera Relative From Indonesia Based on Internal Transcribed Spacer Region

Withania somnifera (family Solanaceae), known commonly as Ashwaganda, is one of the important medicinal plants, and recent studies reported that Withanone, one of the chemical components in this plant, has ability to kill cancer cell. Because of endemic state of this plant to South Asia, exploring plant species under the same family which grow well in Indonesia has been of interest. The purpose of this study was to screen the Indonesian plant which has strong phylogenetic relationship with Ashwaganda. Thus, phylogenetic analysis using DNA sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was conducted. Thus, 19 species of Solanaceae and two species of Convolvulaceae as outgroup were examined. Five ITS regions of Ashwaganda retrieved from GenBank were included in the phylogenetic analysis. Parsimony analysis showed that Indonesia Solanaceae comprises seven groups which is consistent with the global Solanaceae relationship as previously reported. Furthermore, our study revealed that two species, Physalis angulata and Physalis peruviana, are relative to W. somnifera. Morphologically, they share characters of flower and fruit. This result indicated that these two species are potential to have similar chemical properties as Ashwaganda, thus we can have new variants of Withanone originated from Indonesia with similar effect

The Potency of Camellia Sinensis L. to Reduce Proinflammatory Cytokine Levels in the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Rat Model

This study was conducted in order to ascertain how green tea extract (GTE) could affect inflammatory markers, including level of interleukin-(IL)-12, IL-18 of serum and lung, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, gene expression of NLR family-pyrin-domain containing 3 (NLRP3) of lung, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), lung histopathology, and IL-6 expression of lung tissue in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats as ARDS animal model. Rats were given GTE at dosages of 0, 50, 400, 800 mg/kg of body weight for 28 days to boost their immune systems. The rats were then stimulated with LPS (5 g/kg of BW) and after that continued to receive GTE for 28 days. Levels of serum or lung IL-18, IL-12, TNF-α, were measured using the ELISA method; expression of lung NF-κB and NLRP3 was measured by qRT-PCR; immunohistochemistry (IHC) was implemented to assess lung IL-6 expression; and lung histopathology was evaluated through the bleeding, inflammation, and alveolus scores. GTE had the ability to lower serum IL-18, lung TNF-α, and lung IL-12 levels; suppress the lung gene expression of NF-κB, NLRP-3, IL-6 expression; and improve lung histopathology. Green tea extract inhibited inflammation in the ARDS rat model by decreasing the proinflammatory cytokine level and proinflammatory gene expression

Cognitive Process of Pre-service Science Teachers Using Problem-based Learning on Nervous System Concepts

Cognitive Process (CP) is a mental process that occurs when a person forms new knowledge with fully conscious or unconscious actions. This study aimed to obtain an overview of the CP of students who are pre-service science teachers in learning the nervous system using a problem-based learning model. The sample of the research was 37 student pre-service science teachers, who were taking the 4th semester. Students’ CP is measured using a CP instrument that refers to Marzano’s taxonomy. Data is analyzed by looking at the average value and frequently occurring answers, then interpreting the findings with the underlying theory. The description of 4th semester pre-service students in science education on nervous system concepts shows that the ability to think in the cognitive system has not been well formed compared to the ability to believe in the metacognitive system and self-system. Based on these conditions, developing more appropriate learning strategies to develop the CP of science teacher candidates is still necessary.</p

Innovative Chemically Modified Biosorbent for Removal of Procion Red

The potential biosorbent of stinky bean peel (Parkia speciosa) (SBP) was investigated for azo dye Procion Red Mx-5B removal due to their accessibility, economically feasible, easy pre-treatment, and non-toxic. This study aims to determine the effect of chemically modified of the SBP, that a massive agricultural waste in Sarawak, to enhance its ability during adsorption of dye. The biosorbent used was dried, ground, and sieved through 600 µm sieve to obtain a similar average size. Impregnation with some chemicals was performed by using ZnCl2, K2CO3, H2SO4 and NaOH for 24 h. The Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin techniques were examined to calculate the isotherm data. The result showed that the sorption capacity of the SBP was improved by ZnCl2 modification. The equilibrium data were fitted with the Freundlich model, while the kinetic study was fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Further, it was concluded that dyes uptake by biosorbent was based mainly on the role of carboxyl and a hydroxyl group

Assessment of bio-activities of the crude extract and components of Withania somnifera leaves by bioinformatics

Traditional herbal medicines are now increasingly being appreciated with Western models of integrative health sciences and evidence-based approach both in the basic research and clinic scenario. Ashwagandha is a commonly used plant in Ayurvedic, Indian traditional medicine. Medicinal value of Ashwagandha (WithaniasomniferaDunal) extends from anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-rheumatic, rejuvenation and anti-cancer. Based on the belief that holistic multi-site mechanism of action offers greater chance of success, the traditional Ayurvedicmedicine practices the use of whole herb or its crude extract. It opposes with the mainstream of pharmaceutical industry that uses single and purified molecules. In the present study, we used bioinformatics approach to reveal the mechanism of action of (i) crude extract of Ashwagandha leaf extract and its purified components, (ii) Withanone and (iii) Withaferin A. Whereas p53-p21 was identified as a common signaling pathway for the three kinds of reagents, specific signaling pathways for Withaferin-A and Withanone were identified. Whereas the crude extract and Withanone were selectively toxic to human cancer cells, WithaferinA showed cytotoxicity to the normal cells too. The study suggested that the crude extract or a combinational formulamay be a superior and safenatural reagent for cancer treatment

hWJMSCs inhibit inflammation and apoptosis in an ARDS cell model

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a type of lung failure caused by fluids and hypoxemia. Mesenchy- mal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to decrease levels of pro-inflammatory mediators and inflammatory cells. These cells have anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-microbial activity, and protect against lung injury.Objective: This research evaluated the potential of hu- man Wharton’s jelly MSCs (hWJMSCs) to inhibit inflammation and apoptosis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- induced rat lung cells (L2). Methods: hWJMSC treatment in LPS-induced rat lung cells was performed with 1:1, 1:5, 1:10, or 1:25 ratios of hWJMSCs to L2 cells. The gene expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2), receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand-9 (CXCL-9) was quantified with RT-PCR, and the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-12 (IL-12), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) were measured with ELISA. Results: hWJMSCs increased ACE-2 gene expression, and decreased CXCL-9, NFkB, and RAGE gene expression. The treatment also suppressed CRP, TNF-a, and IL-12 levels, and increased the percentage of live cells, but decreased the percentages of necrotic cells and apoptotic cells in inflammatory rat lung cells, which served as an ARDS cell model. Conclusion: Co-culture of hWJMSCs and L2 cells miti- gated inflammation through increasing ACE-2 gene expression, and decreasing CXCL-9, NFkB, and RAGE gene expression; decreasing TNF-a and CRP protein levels; and decreasing necrosis, and early and late apoptosis. A co-culture ratio of 1:1 was most effectiv