The Difference of Malondialdehyde and Lipid Profile Level Between Pediatric Patients with Epilepsy Who Had Long Term Valproic Acid and Carbamazepine Therapy

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological impairment in the world. Previous study have suggested that long term used of anti epileptic drugs in children might impair lipid metabolism and increase lipid peroxidation. The purpose of this study is to determine the long term impact of antiepileptic drugs (AED) such as valproic acid and carbamazepine, on malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipid profile (total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, and low density lipoprotein) level of pediatric patients with epilepsy. It is a Cross-sectional study, performed from May to July 2016 in Neurology Pediatric Ward Dr.Hasan Sadikin Hospital Bandung. There were 61 children, aged 2-14 years who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Blood sample was drawn to measure MDA and lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, and LDL) level in each subject. The study showed higher MDA levels in carbamazepine group and had significant difference (p<0.05) based on Mann-Whitney test on both groups. The lipid profiles, whether it were total cholesterol, LDL or HDL level, were also higher in carbamazepine group and showed significant difference of lipid components in both group (p<0.05) based on MANOVA test. As a conclusion, there is a consideration to observe lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL) level in children with epilepsy treated by long term carbamazepine. Keywords: Epilepsy, children, lipid profile, malondialdehyde, anti-epileptic dru

High School Students' Proficiency and Confidence Levels in Displaying Their Understanding of Basic Electrolysis Concepts

This study was conducted with 330 Form 4 (grade 10) students (aged 15 – 16 years) who were involved in a course of instruction on electrolysis concepts. The main purposes of this study were (1) to assess high school chemistry students’ understanding of 19 major principles of electrolysis using a recently developed 2-tier multiple-choice diagnostic instrument, the Electrolysis Diagnostic Instrument (EDI), and (2) to assess students’ confidence levels in displaying their knowledge and understanding of these electrolysis concepts. Analysis of students’ responses to the EDI showed that they displayed very limited understanding of the electrolytic processes involving molten compounds and aqueous solutions of compounds, with a mean score of 6.82 (out of a possible maximum of 17). Students were found to possess content knowledge about several electrolysis processes but did not provide suitable explanations for the changes that had occurred, with less than 45 % of students displaying scientifically acceptable understandings about electrolysis. In addition, students displayed limited confidence about making the correct selections for the items; yet, in 16 of the 17 items, the percentage of students who were confident that they had selected the correct answer to an item was higher than the actual percentage of students who correctly answered the corresponding item. The findings suggest several implications for classroom instruction on the electrolysis topic that need to be addressed in order to facilitate better understanding by students of electrolysis concepts

Descriptions of five new species of false spider crabs (Decapoda: Brachyura: Hymenosomatidae) from the Philippines

10.1080/17451000802232866Marine Biology Research46429-44