A new gender-specific model for skin autofluorescence risk stratification

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are believed to play a significant role in the pathophysiology of a variety of diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Non-invasive skin autofluorescence (SAF) measurement serves as a proxy for tissue accumulation of AGEs. We assessed reference SAF and skin reflectance (SR) values in a Saudi population (n = 1,999) and evaluated the existing risk stratification scale. The mean SAF of the study cohort was 2.06 (SD = 0.57) arbitrary units (AU), which is considerably higher than the values reported for other populations. We show a previously unreported and significant difference in SAF values between men and women, with median (range) values of 1.77 AU (0.79–4.84 AU) and 2.20 AU (0.75–4.59 AU) respectively (p-value « 0.01). Age, presence of diabetes and BMI were the most influential variables in determining SAF values in men, whilst in female participants, SR was also highly correlated with SAF. Diabetes, hypertension and obesity all showed strong association with SAF, particularly when gender differences were taken into account. We propose an adjusted, gender-specific disease risk stratification scheme for Middle Eastern populations. SAF is a potentially valuable clinical screening tool for cardiovascular risk assessment but risk scores should take gender and ethnicity into consideration for accurate diagnosis

Assessment Lagging Performance Indicators of Cooling Tower Water Wastage at Refinery (Parco) & Possible Upgradations to Eco Design for Water Conservation

About 20% of energy in manufacturing is connected to refrigeration, heating water, the purpose of this research is to save environment by conserving water losses and these has to be replenished. Monitor rate of evaporation make up and blow down water superiority to authorize that the up-gradated structure is acting as predicted. Increasingly the most forward thinking using highly treated recycled water, side filtration, and option of ozone treatment, changing behavior of blow-down and replacing water saving equipment’s or modifying to reduce energy in addition water needs, which save budgets in addition recover water management in the future. This will address the problems found through an environmental review of current and future cooling systems, the technological, economic and environmental implications, with possible technical and non-technical solutions. Considering the current water crisis around the world, it is essential to expand the functions of these wet refrigeration towers to decrease their water consumption with maintaining their performance, therefore it has a great potential to recycle water evaporation. Which has not considered so far? This retrofit research using possible up-gradations at different research study, Reference [22] at existing facility regarding environment improvements (sustainability & water conservation) to perform a realistic evaluation of this idea. Experimental data measured and dynamic Eco approaches performed to evaluate the water saving potential. The result shows that water losses at one unit control from maximum (440) to minimum 108level to promote environment sustainability

Exposure to PM <inf>10</inf>, PM <inf>2.5</inf>, PM <inf>1</inf> and carbon monoxide on roads in Lahore, Pakistan

Particulate matter pollution is one of the major environmental concerns in Pakistan. Over the past 20 years there has been a considerable increase in the number of motor vehicles. The present study was conducted to assess journey time and roadside exposure to particulate matter and carbon monoxide along major roads of Lahore during November, 2007. Measurements of particulate mass and carbon monoxide were carried out continuously inside an air conditioned vehicle, while commuting, and outside the vehicle at 36 different locations in the city. Additionally, monitoring was undertaken at a background site throughout the period. The overall mean journey-time concentrations of PM 10, PM 2.5, PM 1, PM 10-2.5 and CO were 103 μg/m 3, 50 μg/m 3, 38 μg/m 3, 53 μg/m 3 and 8 ppm, respectively. At the roadside average PM 10, PM 2.5, PM 1, PM 10-2.5 and CO concentrations were 489 μg/m 3, 91 μg/m 3, 52 μg/m 3, 397 μg/m 3 and 4 ppm, respectively. The highest levels were found at the sites with traffic congestion reflecting, not only, the large contribution of automobile exhaust but also the resuspension of road dust. The majority of public transport vehicles in Lahore are not air-conditioned and it is very likely that commuters are exposed to the similar high levels of pollution. © Taiwan Association for Aerosol Research

PENGEMBANGAN MODUL PEMBELAJARAN SEJARAH TERINTEGRASI ISLAM PADA SEKOLAH MENENGAH ATAS DI KOTA BATAM

Zulkifli Ahmad (2021) : PENGEMBANGAN MODUL PEMBELAJARAN SEJARAH TERINTEGRASI ISLAM PADA SEKOLAH MENENGAH ATAS DI KOTA BATAM. Abstrak. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menghasilkan produk berupa bahan ajar modul sejarah terintegrasi Islam yang berkualitas serta layak digunakan di Kelas XI SMA. Penelitian ini merupakan Penelitian Pengembangan atau Research and Development (R&D) yang terdiri dari 5 tahap yakni 1) Penelitian dan Pengumpulan Informasi. 2) Membuat Perencanaan (desain) Produk; 3) Mengembangkan Produk 4) Melakukan Uji Coba Awal, Revisi Produk dari Hasil Uji Coba Awal, Uji Coba Lapangan Utama 5) Melakukan Evaluasi dan Revisi. Penentuan sampel penelitian menggunakan teknik purvosive sampling. Teknik pengumpulan data dengan observasi, wawancara, validasi, angket, dokumentasi, tes hasil belajar. Teknik analisis data menggunakan analisis deskriptif. Produk yang dihasilkan telah melewati beberapakali uji coba di sekolah yang berbeda. Pada uji coba terbatas dilakukan pada sekolah SMAN 1 Batam Kelas XI TP.2021/2022 dengan jumlah subjek 27 orang. Uji coba lapangan utama dilakukan di tiga sekolah yakni SMAN 1 Batam, SMAN 22 Batam, SMAN 24 Batam kelas XI TP. 2021/2022 dengan jumlah subjek 87 orang. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa modul yang dikembangkan memenuhi kategori sangat valid berdasarkan kriteria kevalidan menurut penilaian validator Ahli Materi, Ahli Pendidikan Agama Islam, Ahli Bahasa, Ahli Media dan Guru. Respon siswa terhadap bahan ajar yang dikembangkan sangat baik. Modul yang telah dihasilkan memenuhi kategori sangat efektif baik dalam meningkatkan hasil belajar kognitif, psikomotorik maupun dalam menumbuhkembangkan nilai-nilai Islam siswa dan sangat praktis dilihat dari keterlaksanaan pembelajaran dan aktivitas siswa, sangat praktis dari penilaian guru dan praktis dari penilaian siswa. Dengan demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa produk Modul Sejarah Terintegrasi Islam Untuk Kelas XI SMA memiliki kualitas yang sangat baik ditinjau dari aspek validitas, praktikalitas dan efektifitas sehingga sangat layak digunakan dalam proses pembelajaran. Kata Kunci: Pengembangan, Modul Pembelajaran Sejarah, Terintegrasi Islam

OPTIMALISASI PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT DI TENGAH PANDEMI COVID-19 MELALUI LAZISNU

Abstrak: Pemberdayaan yang merupakan proses penyadaran masyarakat yang dilakukan secara transformatif, partisipatif, dan berkesinambungan melalui peningkatan kemampuan dalam menangani berbagai persoalan dasar yang dihadapi dan meningkatkan kondisi hidup sesuai dengan harapan, harus segera dilakukan, agar ekonomi masyarakat kecil bisa terselamatkan. Pemberdayaan masyarakat bisa dilakukan dengan cara melakukan pemetaan terlebih dahulu apa yang menjadi masalah serta kebutuhan mendasar dari masyarakat, yang kemudian menyusun langkah-langkah untuk memecahkan masalah tersebut dengan cara memberikan pelatihan non formal terkiat potensi yang ada di wilayah tersebut. Pemberdayaan masyarakat di masa Covid-19 sangat penting dan merupakan kebutuhan mendesak untuk segera dilaksanakan mengingat kegiatan ini bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan masyarakat, khususnya di wilayah Desa Sukobendu Kecamatan Mantup Kabupaten Lamongan. Metode pelaksnaan menggunakan observasi, wawancara, dokumentasi, dan ceramah. Hasil pengabdian menujukkan bahwa kegiatan pendampingan dan pengabdian tentang sosialisasi pemberdayaan masyarakat di tengah pandemi Covid-19 melalui LAZISNU berjalan lancar. Selain itu, semua elemen masyarakat Desa Sukobendu Kecamatan Mantup menyambut dengan antusias. Kata kunci: Pemberdayaan Masyarakat, Covid-19, LAZISN

Callus induction via different growth regulators from cotyledon explants of indigenous chick pea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars KK-1 and Hassan-2K

Callus induction from cotyledon explants was studied in indigenous chick pea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars KK-1 and Hassan-2K on MS and B5 media containing different combinations and concentrations of growth regulators. Different MS and B5 callusing media containing varying level of 2, 4-D (2 and 4 mg/l), NAA (0.50 and 1 mg/l), BAP (5 and 10 μM) and their combinations were tested for callus induction response. Percent callus and callus fresh weight (g) were recorded after two and four weeks of culture for both genotypes. For KK-1 cultivar, the maximum callus frequency (71 and 97%) followed by (65 and 96%) were observed on 4 mg/l 2,4-D+5 μM BAP in MS and 4 mg/l 2,4-D in B5 media, respectively after two and four weeks of culture. Similarly, the highest callus fresh weight (0.411 and 0.787 g) were also recorded for MS+4 mg/l 2,4-D+5 μM BAP in contrast to B5 where the highest callus weight (0.401 and 0.693 g) was achieved on 4 mg/l 2,4-D only. In Hassan -2K, the highest callus % (68 and 96) and fresh weight (0.572 and 0.821 g) were recorded on MS+4 mg/l 2,4-D+0.50 mg/l NAA after two and four weeks of culture, respectively. In B5 medium, 2,4-D+BAP combination produced average callus induction response for both cultivars.Key words: Callus induction, chick pea cotyledons, growth regulators

Phyto-agglutinin, total proteins and amino assimilating enzymatic activity of indigeneous chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars

Biochemical studies were carried out with in vitro micropropagated plantlets of two indigenous cultivars of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), KK-1 and Hassan-2K, where extract from shoots, leaves, roots, and reproductive organs were determined for human erythrocyte agglutination (by mixing the lectin containing extract 1:1 with a 2% erythrocyte suspension), protein profiling and the amino assimilating (glutamine synthetase) enzymatic activity. Both of KK-1 and Hassan-2K cultivars extract showed highly phyto-agglutination of human erythrocytes with reproductive organs and other tissues, which represents the presence of potent lectins (phyto-agglutinin). The amino assimilating enzymatic activity of green leaves of Hasan-2K was found higher (3.545 GS μmol.gfw-1.min-1) as compared to KK-1 (2.873 GS μmol.gfw-1.min-1). Protein content profile showed variation in bulk proteins of various tissues, higher (12.634 μg/gfw) and (2.987 μg/gfw) in reproductive organs of KK-1 and Hasan-2K, respectively.Key words: Chickpea, glutamine synthetase, glyco-protein, lectin, phyto-agglutinin

The Evaluation of Total Antioxidant Capacity and Related Markers in Patients with Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract: Introduction: Oxidative stress due to overproduction of reactive oxygen species and impairment in antioxidant defense mechanisms have been suggested as possible factors contributing to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in patients with end- stage renal disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant markers of oxidative stress including glutathione and glutathione related enzymes [i.e. glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR)] as well as total antioxidant capacity in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods: Twelve PD patients and 17 healthy controls (age range: 25-60 and 22-53 years respectively) were selected. Erythrocyte glutathione levels and plasma activities of GPx, GR and total antioxidant capacity were determined spectrophtometrically. Results: Glutathione levels and GPx activity were significantly lower in the patients group than in controls (1.17± 0.28 vs. 1.42± 0.25 µmol/ml and 57.1± 21.8 vs. 142.5± 31.7 U/L; p<0.05, respectively). Higher levels of GR activity and total antioxidant capacity were noted in patient group (57.5± 16.4 U/L and 0.60± 0.09 µmol/ml; respectively) in comparison to control group (32± 9.4 U/L and 0.47± 0.11 µmol/ml; p<0.05, respectively). Conclusion: Decreased glutathione levels and alteration in the activities of its related enzymes imply increased oxidative stress and disturbances of antioxidant defense systems in peritoneal dialysis patients. This condition may contribute to the development of accelerated cardiovascular disease and its morbidity and mortality in these patients. Keywords: Peritoneal dialysis, Oxidative stress, Glutathione, Glutathione peroxidase, Glutathione reductase, Total antioxidant capacit

Roles and Responsibilities Land Deed Official (PPAT) Of Tax Duty in the Implementation of Acquisition of Land and Buildings (BPHTB) Underpayment by the Taxpayers in Semarang

The purpose of this research are: 1) To identify and analyze the role of responsibility in the Land Deed Official BPHTB implementation of extant underpayment by the taxpayer in the city of Semarang. 2) To know and understand the procedures for implementing the tax collection of BPHTB the underpayment by the taxpayer in the city of Semarang. 3) To analyze the barriers and solutions in tax collection is less paid by the taxpayer in the city of Semarang.The methods of this research approach is empirical jurisdiction. Primary data was taken by the method of structured interviews, secondary data, and the data tertiary literature study and analysis by descriptive analytical method.Based on the results of data analysis concluded that: 1) The role and responsibilities of PPAT can vary in terms of solving problems regarding the lack of pay taxes BPHTB, first there are some of PPAT to omit some chapters in a deed of them, and some are not stated with a settlement notice or in the form of an appeal as officials land deed to the client or taxpayers.2) procession conducted by the tax authorities namely Apparatus State Civil circulate bills of underpayment of tax is intended to taxpayers who are still their underpayment of tax by nature force because the circulars issued by phisicus accordance with rule and regulations in force in accordance with Regulation Semarang City No. 2 of 2011 Chapter VII Article 15 paragraph 1 and 2. 3) Barriers often happens is that first were often there is an error in the calculation of the nominal value of the deposit amount of tax to be paid by the taxpayer to the local government, the second presence at the crux on the amount of tax rates provided to the taxpayer by the SPPTPBB both rural and urban, as well as the steps being taken are in accordance with agreed procedures, but it is still the amount of load that must be paid by the taxpayer. The solution to these problems that is better than the Land Deed Official should conduct socialization to the client then later if there is any underpayment of tax.Keywords: Empirical Juridical Review; Pay less Tax; Customs Tax Collection Procession Acquisition of Lan

Health facility-based survey of poliovirus antibody prevalence amongst children in Kebbi state, North west, Nigeria.

Background: High level of Poliovirus protective antibodies, must at all times be sustained in a community if poliomyelitis eradication is to be achieved. For some time now children have been vaccinated against poliomyelitis through various means in Northern Nigeria without authorities taking steps to evaluate the effectiveness of such activities. Aim: This research was focused on assessing the overall success of the Immunization programme using children whose mothers have access to immunization facilities. Materials and methods: A cross sectional survey was designed to enroll children whose mothers had access to Health Facilities across the state. Eighty blood samples of under - five years old children in Kebbi state were collected and tested for the presence of poliovirus antibodies. Indirect ELISA was used to detect for the presence of the antibodies. Results: Out of these samples collected, 65 (81.3%) have antibodies to all the serotypes. While 75 (93.8%), 71 (88.8%) and 74 (92.5%) have antibodies to poliovirus serotypes 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Older children 48 – 59 month had the highest poliovirus antibody prevalence 21 (95.5%). Female children had higher prevalence than males. Children who have not received any vaccination against Poliovirus had lowest antibody prevalence 9 (64.3%). Children who had more than four doses of the vaccine had the highest prevalence of Poliovirus antibodies. Urban children had higher Poliovirus antibody prevalence than their rural counterparts. Children whose fathers educational were up to tertiary level had higher antibody prevalence than those with either primary or secondary school level. Conclusion: This study found out that age of the children and educational level of the children fathers had a significant effect on the prevalence of antibodies at P = 0.05. More work needs to be done in order to sustain the apparent success achieved in stopping the poliovirus circulation and outbreaks within the populace in Kebbi state Nigeria.Keywords: Antibodies, Children, Kebbi State and Prevalence