Altered biological responsiveness of cells regulating intramembraneous bone repair associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The successful outcome from implant procedure relies heavily on the integration between the implant and the surrounding bone tissues. Besides, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), which is linked with delay of osseointegration and reduction of bone-implant interface, further compromises the success rate of implant in diabetic patients. Apart from hyperglycaemia, the precise mechanism of diabetes influence on bone repair associated with dental implants is not completely understood. Nevertheless, the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) has been indicated to increase healing processes, by exerting the stimulatory role on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and macrophage populations during the inflammatory stage of bone repair. Moreover, the bioavailability of growth factors has been associated with the functional role of SLRPs, particularly biglycan and decorin. However, the responsiveness of each relevant bone-repair cell and biomolecule during bone repair in a diabetic environment has not been fully evaluated. On the other hand, the in vivo osseointegration of implant in T2DM animal models,investigated in respect to the expression of TGF-β1 by MSCs, demonstrated statistically significant differences in TGF-β1 labelled between the young diabetic and the control groups. Besides, the in vitro assessment demonstrated alterations for TGF-β1 expression and synthesis by osteoprogenitor cells, macrophages populations,between cells with different proliferative states, and prior hyperglycaemic-induction. Moreover, hyperglycaemia altered osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation capacities in MSCs. The data also suggested that hyperglycaemia induced lower proliferative capacity in MSCs, which led to significant changes in growth factor and proteoglycans bioactivity in bone repair. Hence, the data gathered from both in vivo and in vitro experiments suggested the potential association of MSCs proliferative stage with bioavailability of TGF-β1 and proteoglycans sequestration in the extracellular matrix compartment. Apart from that, the inter-dependent relationship observed between the osseointegration biomolecules directly exerted a synergical impact on the capability of MSCs to form osteoblast and further stimulate bone formation in order to induce bone-healing processes. Thus, the original contribution of this study to the field of reparative medicine is the novel identification and the characterisation of key biological components in both cellular and molecular bone repairs; the osteoprogenitor cell populations, as well as the macrophages, in relation to hyperglycaemia that directly influences growth factors, signalling the role of proteoglycans during the bone repair processes in T2DM. Collectively, the evidence gathered within this study is highly valuable to assist in elucidating the relevant therapeutic target to accelerate bone repair processes in T2DM patients. Keywords: diabetes, osseointegration, hyperglycaemia, bone, growth factors

Used of simulation model to study the effect of increasing number of doctor and patients' arrival control

Computer simulation is growing in popularity as a methodological approach for organizational researchers. Other research methods must make various assumptions about the exact cause and effect nature of the system under study; for example, in survey research, one must define the form and content of cause and effect a priori in order to learn from the data observed. Simulation allows for researchers to assume the inherent complexity of organizational systems as a given.If other methods answer the questions “What happened, and how, and why?” simulation helps answer the question “What if?” Simulation enables studies of more complex systems because it creates observations by “moving forward” into the future, whereas other research methods attempt to look backwards across history to determine what happened, and how.Because the nature of living systems is to either increase in entropy (disorder) or complexity (order), looking backwards is inherently more difficult than moving forwards. There are a lot of simulation researches being conducted in health care area. For example the work of (1) and (2) in emergency department, (3) and (4) in outpatient department and (5) and (6) in pharmacy

Hyperglycemia exerts disruptive effects on the secretion of TGF-β1 and its matrix ligands, decorin and biglycan, by mesenchymal sub-populations and macrophages during bone repair

IntroductionBone has a high capacity for repair, but for patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the associated hyperglycemia can significantly delay osteogenic processes. These patients respond poorly to fracture repair and bone grafts, leading to lengthy care plans due to arising complications. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and M2 macrophages are both major sources of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), a recognized mediator for osteogenesis and whose bioavailability and activities are further regulated by matrix small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs), decorin and biglycan. The aim of this study was to investigate how in vivo and in vitro hyperglycemic (HGly) environments can influence levels of TGF-β1, decorin, and biglycan during bone repair, with additional consideration for how long-term glucose exposure and cell aging can also influence this process.ResultsFollowing bone healing within a T2DM in vivo model, histological and immuno-labeling analyses of bone tissue sections confirmed delayed healing, which was associated with significantly elevated TGF-β1 levels within the bone matrices of young diabetic rats, compared with normoglycemic (Norm) and aged counterparts. Studies continued to assess in vitro effects of normal (5.5 mM) and high (25 mM) glucose exposure on the osteogenic differentiation of compact bone derived mesenchymal stromal cells (CB-MSCs) at population doubling (PD)15, characterized to contain populations of lineage committed osteoblasts, and at PD150, where transit-amplifying cells predominate. Short-term glucose exposure increased TGF-β1 and decorin secretion by committed osteoblasts but had a lesser effect on transit-amplifying cells. In contrast, the long-term exposure of CB-MSCs to high glucose was associated with decreased TGF-β1 and increased decorin secretion. Similar assessments on macrophage populations indicated high glucose inhibited TGF-β1 secretion, preventing M2 formation.DiscussionCollectively, these findings highlight how hyperglycemia associated with T2DM can perturb TGF-β1 and decorin secretion by MSCs and macrophages, thereby potentially influencing TGF-β1 bioavailability and signaling during bone repair

Isolation and characterisation of mesenchymal stem cells from rat bone marrow and the endosteal niche: A comparative study

Within bone, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) exist within the bone marrow stroma (BM-MSC) and the endosteal niche, as cells lining compact bone (CB-MSCs). This study isolated and characterised heterogeneous MSC populations from each niche and subsequently investigated the effects of extensive cell expansion, analysing population doublings (PDs)/cellular senescence, colony-forming efficiencies (CFEs), MSC cell marker expression, and osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation. CB-MSCs and BM-MSCs demonstrated similar morphologies and PDs, reaching 100 PDs. Both populations exhibited consistent telomere lengths (12–17 kb), minimal senescence, and positive telomerase expression. CB-MSCs (PD15) had significantly lower CFEs than PD50. CB-MSCs and BM-MSCs both expressed MSC (CD73/CD90/CD105); embryonic (Nanog) and osteogenic markers (Runx2, osteocalcin) but no hematopoietic markers (CD45). CB-MSCs (PD15) strongly expressed Oct4 and p16INK4A. At early PDs, CB-MSCs possessed a strong osteogenic potency and low potency for adipogenesis, whilst BM-MSCs possessed greater overall bipotentiality for osteogenesis and adipogenesis. At PD50, CB-MSCs demonstrated reduced potency for both osteogenesis and adipogenesis, compared to BM-MSCs at equivalent PDs. This study demonstrates similarities in proliferative and mesenchymal cell characteristics between CB-MSCs and BM-MSCs, but contrasting multipotentiality. Such findings support further comparisons of human CB-MSCs and BM-MSCs, facilitating selection of optimal MSC populations for regenerative medicine purposes

STRENGTHENING ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOVERNANCE OF CROWDFUNDING: ENHANCING FUNDING OF HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Background and Purpose: The reduction in government funding requires public universities to seek different forms of funding for their activities, and crowdfunding has become an essential enhancement to public university funding sources. This research aims to evaluate the strength of accountability and governance of crowdfunding for public universities   Methodology: The study has adopted factual data based on relevant literature reviews and documents on crowdfunding.   Findings: This study explored the aspects that will strengthen the accountability and governance framework of crowdfunding, especially for public universities. To increase public confidence in crowdfunding, it must be well-governed with strict criteria to ensure proper accountability and transparency to reduce the possibility of corruption and prevent fraud. From the strengthening of the crowdfunding mechanism, it can be concluded that the governance system developed will include methodologies and standards for evaluating the sources of funds, protecting the donors, evaluating projects qualified for funding, and reinvestment of contributions, where applicable   Contributions: The significance of this study is that it makes a new contribution by investigating perspectives on improving accountability and governance of crowdfunding. Moreover, the current study suggests that Malaysia may determine the level of adaptation of crowdfunding mechanisms and the sustainability of crowdfunding as an alternative platform to fund Malaysian public universities in the future.   Keywords: Crowdfunding, governance, accountability, transference, higher education.   Cite as: Hoque, M. N., Mohamed, N., Azad, A. K., Nuruzzaman, A. F. M., & Zaid, B. M. Y. (2023). Strengthening accountability and governance of crowdfunding: Enhancing funding of higher educational institutions.  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 8(TI), 300-321. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol8issTIpp300-32

Effects of high glucose conditions on the expansion and differentiation capabilities of mesenchymal stromal cells derived from rat endosteal niche

Background Mesenchymal stromal cells in the endosteal niche lining compact bone (CB-MSCs) represent a heterogeneous population, all of which contribute to bone repair and remodelling. Hyperglycaemia associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) can delay and impair the bone healing process. Therefore, this study investigated the influences of high (25 mM) glucose conditions on CB-MSC populations isolated from male Wistar rats, versus normal (5.5 mM) glucose conditions; in terms of proliferation (population doublings, PDs), senescence characteristics, stem cell marker expression, colony forming efficiencies (CFEs); and osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation, following extended culture in vitro. Results CB-MSCs under both normoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic conditions demonstrated similar morphologies and rapid exponential growth to >300PDs, although high glucose conditions promoted more rapid and persistent proliferation beyond ~50PDs, with few indications of senescence. Limited senescence was confirmed by minimal SA-β-galactosidase staining, low senescence marker (p53, p21waf1, p16INK4a) expression and positive telomere maintenance marker (rTERT, TR) expression. However, telomere lengths varied throughout culture expansion, with hyperglycaemia significantly reducing telomere lengths at PD50 and PD200. Furthermore, CB-MSCs expanded in normal and high glucose conditions remained non-transformed, exhibiting similar MSC (CD73/CD90/CD105), multipotency (CD146) and embryonic (Slug, Snail) markers throughout extended culture, but negligible hematopoietic (CD34/CD45) or pluripotency (Nanog, Oct4) markers. Hyperglycaemia significantly increased CFEs at PD50 and PD100, which decreased at PD200. CB-MSC osteogenic differentiation was also inhibited by hyperglycaemia at PD15, PD100 and PD200, but not at PD50. Hyperglycaemia inhibited CB-MSC adipogenic differentiation to a lesser extent at PD15 and PD50, with reduced adipogenesis overall at PD100 and PD200. Conclusion This study demonstrates the limited negative impact of hyperglycaemia on the proliferative and stem cell characteristics of heterogeneous CB-MSC populations, although minor sub-population(s) appear more susceptible to these conditions leading to impaired osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation capabilities. Such findings potentially highlight the impact of hyperglycaemia on CB-MSC bone repair capabilities in situ

Decolorization of Reactive Black 5 dye using gel combustion synthesized LaFeO3 nanoparticles

Lanthanum orthoferrite (LaFeO3) nanoparticles was prepared via gel combustion method with fixed reaction temperature at 200°C, but different reaction time of (t) 2 hours (t=2h) and 24 hours (t=24h), respectively. Physicochemical properties' characterization was performed to compare both samples. UV-Vis spectroscopy analysis was done to determine the photocatalytic performance on Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye. LaFeO3(t=24h) possessed a high crystallinity structure with specific surface area (SSA) of 28.037 m2g-1, while LaFeO3(t=2h) had a mixture of crystalline and amorphous structures with SSA of 40.952 m2g-1. The catalysts’ loading was also varied in a few conditions to elucidate the optimum loading that maximize the dye removal by mean of adsorption-photocatalytic action. Up to 94% of RB5 dye was successfully removed within 6h by LaFeO3(t=2h) samples, and this enhanced synergistic activity of LaFeO3 is promising for the further application of visible light driven photocatalyst in polluted water treatment

The effects of implementation of religion and spiritual elements in the counselling process

The implementation of religion and spiritual elements in the counselling process has received attention from researchers and individuals from this area. This systematic review explores the effectiveness of this implementation on clients who had undergone counselling sessions. This systematic review is conducted following Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. A few electronic databases have been used such as Ebcohost, ProQuest and Sage Journals. Moreover, the Google Scholar website is also utilized in this review. The term used in the searching process is “Effect”, “Spiritual” “Counselling” and other relevant provenance focusing on advantages of the inclusion of religion and spiritual elements in counselling process. There are different countries involved in this systematic review and 15 journal articles extracted have been reviewed. Results showed that utilizing the religion and spiritual elements in counselling process had led to the beneficial effects to the clients

Complacency of solah and its ramification on mental health

Introduction: Although the purpose of complacency among the Muslims derived from the practice of worship as prescribed by God but the issue is to what extent this appreciation has been identified. This paper aims to analyze parts of the complacency elements through obligation of solah (praying) as described in the Quran. The research questions are to investigate how often do the respondents feel about the elements of complacency on their daily prayers? And, what is the perception of respondents feeling about the elements of complacency on their daily prayers? Method: This survey study using mixed-method approach. Quantitave data was collected using questionnaire while the qualitative data was collected using interviews. Data were collected from 49 respondents aged 19 to 21 years old who is studying at the Teacher Training Institute in Selangor. A questionnaire consists of 14 item with a 5-point likert scale is set up with the reliability of Cronbach Alpha .87. The researchers identified some verses about solah from various surah in the Qur'an as a source of data acquisition to develop a questionnaire. Interviews are conducted by asking the respondents on how they perceived solah in their daily life. The data from the questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS to determine the mean and standard deviation and also thematic coding for qualitative data. Results: Data showed that most students received a high level of complacency from Solah practice. Respondents’ perceptions from the interviews also support the elements as measured consist of seeking God's help, increasing rewards, avoiding devil's interference, fearing God, blessings, guidance, zikrullah, preventing indecency and evil, promoting good deeds, and purify soul. Conclusions: The responses illustrate how complacency elements affected the respondents. The findings of this study have implications for the development of student’s mental health in their everyday life and also open the possibities of integrating solah in mental health treatment as a form of therapy

STEM education: the career counselor’s roles and responsibilities

Some countries have adopted STEM policies in their education. Many policies, initiatives, training and funds are for STEM development aimed at expanding science, technology, engineering, and mathematical workforce. This education investment also aims to create a larger, more diverse group of talent pursuing technical careers. Counselors are among those who should actively involve in supporting and promoting STEM Education in school. This paper is to see the roles can be played by counsellors. This qualitative research involves 59 school counselors in Selangor, Malaysia. Research data was analyzed using nested analysis approach. The analysis is considered as nested in a way that it combines descriptive quantitative analysis with an in-depth thematic qualitative analysis. Thematic coding is applied in gathering the themes. Six themes emerged from the data. The themes are counsellor must be (a) well-versed in STEM, (b) giving information and understanding of STEM to students, (c) instill students’ interest, (d) knowledgeable of stem career prospects, (e) knowledgeable in career psychometrics tests, and (f) be prepared with students’ personal issues. We conclude that the role of a counsellor in school is extremely important to support and promote STEM Education