Mechanical thrombectomy as an alternative reperfusion therapy in acute ischaemic stroke associated with recent late presentation of ST elevation myocardial infarction

Concomitant recent myocardial infarction (MI) in patients presenting with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) is considered a relative contraindication for thrombolysis. Mechanical thrombectomy is recognised as an alternative recanalisation therapy to avoid risk of haemorrrhagic complications. We report a 77-year-old patient who previously had recent admission for late presentation ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and currently presented with right-sided hemiplegia, dysphasia and reduced level of consciousness at 30 minutes from the onset. An urgent cerebralangiography showed total occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA). Successful mechanical thrombectomy was performed instead of administration of intravenous (IV) thrombolysis with excellent neurological recovery. This case report highlights the importance of patient transfer to a more comprehensive stroke center in the management strategies of the AIS

Pemanfaatan Sumber Belajar Berbasis Multimedia Dalam Pembelajaran Pendidikan Agama Islam Di Smp Muhammadiyah Al-Kautsar Program Khusus Tahun Ajaran 2016/2017

ABSTRACT Learning is a complex process that occurs in every person throughout his life. The development of science and technology increasingly encourage renewal efforts in the utilization of technological results in the learning process of teachers required to be able to use the tools that can be provided by the school, and it is possible that these tools in accordance with the development and demands of the times. In a teaching and learning process, two very important elements are teaching methods and multimedia learning. These two aspects are interrelated. Therefore the authors do research on the use of multimedia-based learning resources in learning, especially learning Islamic religious education. The purpose of this study is to know and describe the use of multimedia-based learning resources in learning Islamic Religious Education in SMP Muhammadiyah Al-kautsar Special Program academic year 2016/2017. This research is included in field research by using qualitative descriptive method. Then the data collection method used is, observation, interview and documentation and data analysis using inductive method. Based on the results of research and data analysis, the use of multimedia in learning is very important role on the academic value of student learning, in this case can be seen from the results of student daily re-examination. Before using the multimedia values obtained by the students from the daily test, the student score varies with the lowest average value of the value of the value of 50-65 (E) 65%, 70-80 (C) 25%, 90-95 ( A) 10% while after using the learning process using multimedia result of daily value of student average student who get lowest score 70-75 (C) 65%, value 80-85 (B) 15%, value 90-95 (A) 20% so learning without using the lowest multimedia value of 50 and while the learning using multimedia the lowest value of 70. The learning time used for teaching is not wasted. This is what can make learning time to be effective, and the learning atmosphere to be efficient by using multimedia so that learning is more interesting and interactive. Keywords: Learning Resources, Use, Multimedi

Psychometric properties of the Malay translated Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory in exploring parental anxiety

The aim of the study was to determine the psychometric properties of the Malay translated State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) for use in exploring the burden ofanxiety amongst parents of a child visited hospital for medical treatment. The instrument was administered to 53 parents of children seen in the Emergency Department and 52 parents in the outpatient Physiotherapy Unit. Internal consistency reliability (α) for state anxiety and trait anxiety subscale was high with values of 0.94 and 0.84, respectively. Test-retest reliability demonstrated wide range of scores with only 25 items showed significant intra-class correlation coefficients, ICC (range 0.60 – 0.94, 95% CI, p<0.05) after 4-weeks retest. Performances of matrix following a factor analysis were consistent with 4-factors structure of original STAI. A few items did not perform as expected but did not impair the overall performance. This Malay translated version is a valid and reliable measure of anxiety for parents with children visiting hospital for medical treatment, with caution in the interpretation of some items

Fractional modeling dynamics of HIV and CD4+ T-cells during primary infection

In this paper, we introduce fractional-order into a model of HIV-1 infection of CD4+ T cells. We study the effect of the changing the average number of viral particles N with different sets of initial conditions on the dynamics of the presented model. Generalized Euler method (GEM) will be used to find a numerical solution of the HIV-1 infection fractional order model

Development of Eco-Friendly Concrete Mix Using Recycled Aggregates: Structural Performance and Pore Feature Study Using Image Analysis.

The shortage of natural aggregates has compelled the developers to devote their efforts to finding alternative aggregates. On the other hand, demolition waste from old constructions creates huge land acquisition problems and environmental pollution. Both these problems can be solved by recycling waste materials. The current study aims to use recycled brick aggregates (RBA) to develop eco-friendly pervious concrete (PC) and investigate the new concrete's structural performance and pore structure distributions. Through laboratory testing and image processing techniques, the effects of replacement ratio (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100%) and particle size (4.75 mm, 9.5 mm, and 12.5 mm) on both structural performance and pore feature were analyzed. The obtained results showed that the smallest aggregate size (size = 4.75 mm) provides the best strength compared to the large sizes. The image analysis method has shown the average pore sizes of PC mixes made with smaller aggregates (size = 4.75 mm) as 1.8-2 mm, whereas the mixes prepared with an aggregate size of 9.5 mm and 12.5 mm can provide pore sizes of 2.9-3.1 mm and 3.7-4.2 mm, respectively. In summary, the results confirmed that 40-60% of the natural aggregates could be replaced with RBA without influencing both strength and pore features

Relationship between blood lead concentration and nutritional status among Malay primary school children in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify the relationship between blood lead concentration and nutritional status among primary school children in Kuala Lumpur. A total of 225 Malay students, 113 male and 112 female, aged 6.3 to 9.8 were selected through a stratified random sampling method. The random blood samples were collected and blood lead concentration was measured by a Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The nutrient intake was determined by the 24-hour Dietary Recall method and Food Frequency Questionnaire. An anthropometric assessment was reported according to growth indices (z-scores of weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height). The mean blood lead concentration was low (3.4 ± 1.91 ug/dL) and was significantly different between gender. Only 14.7% of the respondents fulfilled the daily energy requirement. The protein and iron intakes were adequate for a majority of the children. However, 34.7% of the total children showed inadequate intake of calcium. The energy, protein, fat and carbohydrate intakes were significantly different by gender, that is, males had better intake than females. Majority of respondents had normal mean z-score of growth indices. Ten percent of the respondents were underweight, 2.8% wasted and 5.4% stunted. Multiple linear regression showed inverse significant relationships between blood lead concentration with children's age (β= -0.647, p<0.001) and per capita income (β=-0.001, p=0.018). There were inverse significant relationships between blood lead concentration with children's age (β=-0.877, p=0.001) and calcium intake (β= -0.011,p=0.014) and positive significant relationship with weight-for-height (β=0.326, p=0.041) among those with inadequate calcium intake. Among children with inadequate energy intake, children's age (β= -0.621, p< 0.001), per capita income (β= -0.001,p=0.025) and protein intake (β= -0.019, p=0.027) were inversely and significantly related with blood lead concentration. In conclusion, nutritional status might affect the children's absorption of lead and further investigation is required for confirmation

The factors that influence the reading habit among Malaysian: a systematic literature review

Reading is an action that a person does to obtain a wider knowledge through his or her experience and this process may lead that person into a very eye-opening self-discovery. In Malaysia, reading habits rate is still at a lower level, Malaysian on average read only two books per year. About 80% of Malaysian university students are reluctant readers. They can read but choose not to read. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the factors affecting the reading habit among Malaysia. To answer the research question of this study we performed a systematic literature review (SLR). We defined a mapping study process adapted from existing guidelines to categorize and to structure the research evidence that has been published in the area of reading habits among Malaysian and world-wide. Twenty-Four papers were used in our synthesis of evidence, and five factors were identified. The results of this SLR showed the five factors that can affect the reading habits among Malaysian: (1) Internet (2) Environmental influence (3) Lack of motivation (4) Peer pressure (5) Entertainment. The findings of this SLR would be beneficial for understanding the needs of Malaysian towards the reading habit by looking at the factors, that might be a measurement of reading habit environment in other specific scopes

Removal of Pharmaceuticals from Water Using Laccase Immobilized on Orange Peels Waste-Derived Activated Carbon

The ongoing discharge of containments into the environment has raised concerns about the potential harm they pose to various organisms. In the framework of eliminating pharmaceutical chemicals from aqueous solutions, enzymatic degradation by laccase is an environmentally friendly option. In this investigation, laccase immobilized on biochar derived from agricultural waste (orange peels, OPs) was used for the first time to remove carbamazepine and diclofenac from aqueous media. Different characterizations, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), specific surface area (SBET), Boehm titration, proximate and ultimate analysis, as well as the point of zero-charge (pHPZC) analysis, were used in this study. The immobilization of laccase results in enhanced stability with respect to storage, temperature, and pH compared to laccase in its free form. The findings showed that the ideal conditions for immobilization were a pH of 4, a temperature of 30 °C, and a laccase concentration of 4.5 mg/mL. These parameters led to an immobilization yield of 63.40%. The stability of laccase immobilized on biochar derived from orange peels (LMOPs) was assessed over a period of 60 days, during which they preserved 60.2% and 47.3% of their initial activities when stored at temperatures of 25 °C and 4 °C, respectively. In contrast, free laccase exhibited lower stability, with only 33.6% and 15.4% of their initial activities maintained under the same storage conditions. Finally, the use of immobilized laccase proved to be effective in eliminating these pollutants in up to five cycles. Upon comparing the two systems, namely LMOPs and modified orange peels (MOPs), it becomes apparent that LMOPs exhibit an estimated 20% improvement in removal efficiency. These results affirmed the viability of activated carbon derived from OPs as a cost-effective option for immobilizing laccase. This approach could potentially be further scaled up to effectively eliminate organic pollutants from water sources

Tamarindus indica Extract Alters Release of Alpha Enolase, Apolipoprotein A-I, Transthyretin and Rab GDP Dissociation Inhibitor Beta from HepG2 Cells

Background: The plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol lowering effects of Tamarindus indica extract have been previously described. We have also shown that the methanol extract of T. indica fruit pulp altered the expression of lipid-associated genes including ABCG5 and APOAI in HepG2 cells. In the present study, effects of the same extract on the release of proteins from the cells were investigated using the proteomics approach. Methodology/Principal Findings: When culture media of HepG2 cells grown in the absence and presence of the methanol extract of T. indica fruit pulp were subjected to 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, the expression of seven proteins was found to be significantly different (p<0.03125). Five of the spots were subsequently identified as alpha enolase (ENO1), transthyretin (TTR), apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I; two isoforms), and rab GDP dissociation inhibitor beta (GDI-2). A functional network of lipid metabolism, molecular transport and small molecule biochemistry that interconnects the three latter proteins with the interactomes was identified using the Ingenuity Pathways Analysis software. Conclusion/Significance: The methanol extract of T. indica fruit pulp altered the release of ENO1, ApoA-I, TTR and GDI-2 from HepG2 cells. Our results provide support on the effect of T. indica extract on cellular lipid metabolism, particularly that of cholesterol

A Novel RSSI Prediction Using Imperialist Competition Algorithm (ICA), Radial Basis Function (RBF) and Firefly Algorithm (FFA) in Wireless Networks

This study aims to design a vertical handover prediction method to minimize unnecessary handovers for a mobile node (MN) during the vertical handover process. This relies on a novel method for the prediction of a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) referred to as IRBF-FFA, which is designed by utilizing the imperialist competition algorithm (ICA) to train the radial basis function (RBF), and by hybridizing with the firefly algorithm (FFA) to predict the optimal solution. The prediction accuracy of the proposed IRBF–FFA model was validated by comparing it to support vector machines (SVMs) and multilayer perceptron (MLP) models. In order to assess the model’s performance, we measured the coefficient of determination (R2), correlation coefficient (r), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). The achieved results indicate that the IRBF–FFA model provides more precise predictions compared to different ANNs, namely, support vector machines (SVMs) and multilayer perceptron (MLP). The performance of the proposed model is analyzed through simulated and real-time RSSI measurements. The results also suggest that the IRBF–FFA model can be applied as an efficient technique for the accurate prediction of vertical handover