LEARNING THROUGH WATCHING FILMS

As one of the most important aspects in people’s life, education should be treated and improved well. It is so essential because education gives opportunity to have a better life. Therefore, people should think of any better ways to improve the quality of education. One of the ways is through popular culture. As a growing-trend culture, popular culture has been widely known, especially by young people. From the library research conducted, some relevant references have been gathered and the data analysis has shown that it is very acceptable to use films, a part of popular culture to teach. This teaching technique can be used to teach morality and language skills at the same time. Therefore, education institution should be able to accommodate this system in order to succeed in educating

Rastrelliger systematics inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences

The fish genus Rastrelliger is composed of three morphologically recognized species; Rastrelliger kanagurta, Rastrelliger brachysoma and Rastrelliger faughni. In this study, cytochrome b gene sequencing was applied to address the systematics and phylogenetic relationships of these species. In agreement with previous morphological data, the results corroborate monophyletic discrimination between all the species. However, inconsistent bootstrap support (< 50 to 88%) between R. kanagurta and R. brachysoma was observed indicating limited divergence between these two species. R. faughni is recognized as the most basal species for this genus with high statistical support (99 and 100%). Diversification of Rastrelliger might have happen in two epochs, Miocene and early Pleistocene

Assessing the sustainability reporting quality of oil & gas companies in Indonesia and Malaysia: examining the influence of board and CEO chair characteristics

Presently, companies, particularly those significantly impacting the environment and society, are obliged to report their sustainability-related actions. This research focuses on exploring how the characteristics of the board and the chief executive officer contribute to enhancing the quality of sustainability reporting in Oil & Gas companies operating in Indonesia and Malaysia. The study involves an analysis of 18 companies across the years 2012-2022, forming an unbalanced panel dataset encompassing a total of 178 company-year observations. Utilizing the random effect model, the findings suggest that the board's size, an independent board, and a CEO with a lengthier tenure significantly contribute to improving the quality of corporate sustainability reporting. On the other hand, the gender diversity of the board and the age of the CEO do not exhibit a significant impact on enhancing the quality of corporate sustainability reporting. This research fills a gap in the existing literature by investigating the correlation between board and CEO characteristics and the quality of sustainability reporting within the Oil & Gas sector, specifically focusing on the Indonesian and Malaysian contexts. Moreover, it offers valuable insights and understanding for industry practitioners

A Novel Intracellular Isoform of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Induced by Oxidative Stress Activates Innate Immunity

Experimental and clinical evidence has pinpointed a critical role for matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in ischemic ventricular remodeling and systolic heart failure. Prior studies have demonstrated that transgenic expression of the full-length, 68 kDa, secreted form of MMP-2 induces severe systolic failure. These mice also had unexpected and severe mitochondrial structural abnormalities and dysfunction. We hypothesized that an additional intracellular isoform of MMP-2, which affects mitochondrial function is induced under conditions of systolic failure-associated oxidative stress.Western blots of cardiac mitochondria from the full length MMP-2 transgenics, ageing mice and a model of accelerated atherogenesis revealed a smaller 65 kDa MMP-2 isoform. Cultured cardiomyoblasts subjected to transient oxidative stress generated the 65 kDa MMP-2 isoform. The 65 kDa MMP-2 isoform was also induced by hypoxic culture of cardiomyoblasts. Genomic database analysis of the MMP-2 gene mapped transcriptional start sites and RNA transcripts induced by hypoxia or epigenetic modifiers within the first intron of the MMP-2 gene. Translation of these transcripts yields a 65 kDa N-terminal truncated isoform beginning at M(77), thereby deleting the signal sequence and inhibitory prodomain. Cellular trafficking studies demonstrated that the 65 kDa MMP-2 isoform is not secreted and is present in cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions, while the full length 68 kDa isoform was found only in the extracellular space. Expression of the 65 kDa MMP-2 isoform induced mitochondrial-nuclear stress signaling with activation of the pro-inflammatory NF-κB, NFAT and IRF transcriptional pathways. By microarray, the 65 kDa MMP-2 induces an innate immunity transcriptome, including viral stress response genes, innate immunity transcription factor IRF7, chemokines and pro-apoptosis genes.A novel N-terminal truncated intracellular isoform of MMP-2 is induced by oxidative stress. This isoform initiates a primary innate immune response that may contribute to progressive cardiac dysfunction in the setting of ischemia and systolic failure

Induction of lung lesions in Wistar rats by 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone and its inhibition by aspirin and phenethyl isothiocyanate

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The development of effective chemopreventive agents against cigarette smoke-induced lung cancer could be greatly facilitated by suitable laboratory animal models, such as animals treated with the tobacco-specific lung carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). In the current study, we established a novel lung cancer model in Wistar rats treated with NNK. Using this model, we assessed the effects of two chemopreventive agents, aspirin and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), on tumor progression.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>First, rats were treated with a single-dose of NNK by intratracheal instillation; control rats received iodized oil. The animals were then sacrificed on the indicated day after drug administration and examined for tumors in the target organs. PCNA, p63 and COX-2 expression were analyzed in the preneoplastic lung lesions. Second, rats were treated with a single-dose of NNK (25 mg/kg body weight) in the absence or presence of aspirin and/or PEITC in the daily diet. The control group received only the vehicle in the regular diet. The animals were sacrificed on day 91 after bronchial instillation of NNK. Lungs were collected and processed for histopathological and immunohistochemical assays.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>NNK induced preneoplastic lesions in lungs, including 33.3% alveolar hyperplasia and 55.6% alveolar atypical dysplasia. COX-2 expression increased similarly in alveolar hyperplasia and alveolar atypical dysplasia, while PCNA expression increased more significantly in the latter than the former. No p63 expression was detected in the preneoplastic lesions. In the second study, the incidences of alveolar atypical dysplasia were reduced to 10%, 10% and 0%, respectively, in the aspirin, PEITC and aspirin and PEITC groups, compared with 62.5% in the carcinogen-treated control group. COX-2 expression decreased after dietary aspirin or aspirin and PEITC treatment. PCNA expression was significantly reduced in the aspirin and PEITC group.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>(1) A single dose of 25 mg/kg body weight NNK by intratracheal instillation is sufficient to induce preneoplastic lesions in Wistar rat lungs. (2) COX-2 takes part in NNK-induced tumorigenesis but is not involved in proliferation. (3) Aspirin and PEITC have protective effects in the early stages of tumor progression initiated by NNK.</p

IL-35 Is a Novel Responsive Anti-inflammatory Cytokine — A New System of Categorizing Anti-inflammatory Cytokines

It remains unknown whether newly identified anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive cytokine interleukin-35 (IL-35) is different from other anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in terms of inhibition of inflammation initiation and suppression of full-blown inflammation. Using experimental database mining and statistical analysis methods we developed, we examined the tissue expression profiles and regulatory mechanisms of IL-35 in comparison to other anti-inflammatory cytokines. Our results suggest that in contrast to TGF-β, IL-35 is not constitutively expressed in human tissues but it is inducible in response to inflammatory stimuli. We also provide structural evidence that AU-rich element (ARE) binding proteins and microRNAs target IL-35 subunit transcripts, by which IL-35 may achieve non-constitutive expression status. Furthermore, we propose a new system to categorize anti-inflammatory cytokines into two groups: (1) the house-keeping cytokines, such as TGF-β, inhibit the initiation of inflammation whereas (2) the responsive cytokines including IL-35 suppress inflammation in full-blown stage. Our in-depth analyses of molecular events that regulate the production of IL-35 as well as the new categorization system of anti-inflammatory cytokines are important for the design of new strategies of immune therapies

Canine genome-wide association study identifies &lt;i&gt;DENND1B&lt;/i&gt; as an obesity gene in dogs and humans.

Obesity is a heritable disease, but its genetic basis is incompletely understood. Canine population history facilitates trait mapping. We performed a canine genome-wide association study for body condition score, a measure of obesity, in 241 Labrador retrievers. Using a cross-species approach, we showed canine obesity genes are also associated with rare and common forms of obesity in humans. The lead canine association was within the gene DENN domain containing 1B (DENND1B). Each copy of the alternate allele was associated with ~7% greater body fat. We demonstrate a role for this gene in regulating signaling and trafficking of melanocortin 4 receptor, a critical controller of energy homeostasis. Thus, canine genetics identified obesity genes and mechanisms relevant to both dogs and humans

The epidemiology and burden of cardiovascular diseases in countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), 1990–2021: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has undergone substantial epidemiological changes over the past three decades, characterised by a growing burden of cardiovascular disease. This study provides an epidemiological overview of cardiovascular diseases across ASEAN. Methods: As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2021, we assessed the prevalence, mortality, years of life lost, years lived with disability, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of 12 cardiovascular diseases, stratified by age, sex, and location, for ten ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam) from 1990 to 2021. We examined the contribution of major risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease. Diverse data sources and meta-analytical modelling techniques were used to synthesise data and generate consistent estimates for each metric. Findings: In 2021, there were 36·8 million (95% uncertainty interval 34·4–38·8) prevalent cases of cardiovascular disease and 1·66 million (1·51–1·80) cardiovascular disease deaths across ASEAN. The total number of DALYs was 42·4 million (38·4–46·2), making cardiovascular disease the leading cause of disease burden in the region. Compared with 1990, the number of individuals with cardiovascular disease has increased by 148·1% (144·0–152·5), whereas the age-standardised prevalence rate rose by 2·5% (1·4–3·6). The highest age-standardised prevalence rate was in Malaysia, followed by Indonesia. The top three leading cardiovascular diseases with the highest age-standardised prevalence rates were ischaemic heart disease (2070·6 [1831·3–2358·2] per 100 000 people), lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (1380·8 [1189·8–1598·7] per 100 000 people), and stroke (1300·6 [1230·5–1375·4] per 100 000 people). The age-standardised mortality rate was highest in Laos (410·9 deaths [337·2–485·9] per 100 000 people). Most cardiovascular disease burden was attributed to high systolic blood pressure, dietary risks, air pollution, high low- density lipoprotein cholesterol, and tobacco use, with high BMI and high fasting plasma glucose rapidly rising as attributive factors. Interpretation: Cardiovascular disease remained the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in ASEAN in 2021. The number of individuals with cardiovascular disease is expected to rise with an ageing population and socioeconomic advancement. Given the disparities across ASEAN, interventions must be tailored at all levels to address the needs in prevention, treatment, and management