Targeting Liver Biopsies For Optimal Biopsy Site In Diffused Liver Disease Using Real-Time Shear Wave Elastography: A Prospective, Single Center Study

Objective: The study aimed to pinpoint the precise site for liver biopsy using ultrasound and elastography guidance and to assess and compare the diagnostic accuracy of shear wave elastography (SWE) and transient elastography (TE) through histopathological correlation. Methodology: In this prospective single-centre study, the researchers divided the participants into two groups. One group (Group A) had their biopsy guided by ultrasound, which is a standard imaging technique. The other group (Group B) had their biopsy guided by a newer technique called elastography. For the group with elastography-guided biopsy, the researchers used this technique to find the stiffest part of the liver before taking the biopsy sample. Results: The study investigated how stiffness throughout the liver (mean liver stiffness) compared to stiffness measured in the biopsy samples (biopsy segment velocities). Even though the overall stiffness didn't differ much between different sections of the liver, the stiffness measured in the biopsy samples itself did vary. This suggests scarring (fibrosis) may not be evenly distributed throughout the liver. There was a strong link between the stiffness measured in the biopsy samples and the overall average stiffness. The traditional technique (TE) worked well for identifying moderate and severe stages of scarring (F2, F3, and F4). The new sound wave technique (SWE) was good at identifying moderate fibrosis (F2) but less accurate for mild stages (F1). However, it performed similarly to the traditional technique for moderate to severe stages (F2 and F3). The new technique (SWE) could distinguish between mild or no scarring and moderate/severe scarring with good accuracy (over 95%) if the stiffness measured by the sound waves was at least 1.92 meters per second (m/s). Conclusions: This study compared a new sound wave technique (SWE) to a traditional method (TE) for diagnosing liver scarring (fibrosis) in people with chronic liver disease.  The findings suggest that the new technique is just as accurate as the traditional one for diagnosing moderate and severe scarring stages. Importantly, the study also found that scarring may not be evenly distributed throughout the liver.  This is why the new sound wave technique, done at the time of biopsy, may be helpful.  It can potentially help doctors pinpoint the best location for the biopsy sample, which could lead to more accurate diagnoses

PARTISIPASI MASYARAKAT DALAM PELESTARIAN KAMPUNG MELAYU SEBAGAI SITUS CAGAR BUDAYA KOTA SEMARANG

Kampung Melayu Semarang merupakan salah satu embrio permukiman di Kota Semarang, dengan nilai sejarah yang tinggi, menjadikanya bagian dari Kawasan Cagar Budaya Kota Semarang. Akibat beberapa faktor salah satunya yaitu kurangnya perhatian masyarakat untuk melestarikan Kampung Melayu, Kampung Melayu mengalami degradasi. Partisipasi masyarakat dalam upaya pelestarian warisan budaya merupakan kunci utama keberhasilan dan prioritas yang harus tercapai dalam setiap kegiatan pemanfaatan cagar budaya yang berwawasan pelestarian. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui bentuk partisipasi masyarakat dalam pelestarian Kampung Melayu sebagai aset Situs Cagar Budaya Kota Semarang. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah deduktif kualitatif rasionalistik, analisis deskriptif kualitatif dengan teknik in depth intervie. Pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan metode triangulasi melalui telaah dokumen, dokumentasi, wawancara, dan observasi. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa tindakan pelestarian mayarakat adalah preservasi, rehabilitasi, konservasi, rekonstitusi, dan restorasi. Bentuk partisipasi masyarakat berupa pikiran, tenaga, tenaga dan pikiran, keahlian, barang, dan uang. Kata kunci : cagar budaya, pelestarian, partisipasi masyarakat

Ochrobactrum, bacillus and Enterobacter isolates of Hot Water Spring Augment the Growth of Zea Mays Seedlings

Hot springs situated at high altitudes is a kind of remarkable ecosystem for the exploration of microbial flora. It was hypothesized that hot springs can harbor bacteria with plant growth-promoting and exopolysaccharides (EPS) producing ability that can favour the growth of plants. For the investigation of this hypothesis, seven EPS producing bacterial isolates were isolated from a water sample of hot water spring of Tattapani, Azad Kashmir and characterized morphologically and biochemically. Three out of seven isolates (BE1, BN1 and BN3) showed significant production of EPS (14-15 mg / 100 ml). Growth kinetics study revealed that optimum EPS production was attained at pH 9, with fructose as a carbon source and peptone as a nitrogen source. Inoculation of these isolates caused augmentation in seed germination (27-38 %), shoot length (27-35 %), seedling length (10-14 %), number of roots (12-25 %) of Zea mays (variety-MMRI yellow) seedlings and significant rise in auxin (28-51 %) and soluble protein content (50-68 %) as compared to non-inoculated treatment. Alcian blue staining unveiled the good colonization potential of these isolates on inoculated roots. Bacterial isolates were identified as Ochrobactrum intermedium (BE1), Bacillus pumilus (BN1) and Enterobacter cloacae (BN3), respectively through 16S rRNA analysis. Bacterial strain BN3 showed promising results for plant growth promotion along with EPS production. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of EPS produced by strain BN3 revealed the complex composition of EPS. We concluded that hot springs can be the possible home for EPS producing bacteria with plant growth promotion capability

Emotional Intelligence and Psychological Adjustment among Doctors and Nurses in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Rawalpindi-Pakistan: A Cross Sectional Study

Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between EI and the quality of nursing care from the viewpoint of nurses and patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a public sector tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, over 6 months from November 2019 to April 2020. The convenience sampling technique was employed. The study groups were qualified practising doctors and nurses including nursing assistants and paramedics. Study groups were provided with a self-administered questionnaire that was filled out after getting consent from the study participants. Data analysis was done by entering it into SPSS version 22. The relationship between emotional intelligence and psychological adjustments among the two groups was assessed by applying an independent T-test. Results: The current study explored that doctors were emotionally intelligent and psychologically well-adjusted as compared to nurses. Females were more emotionally intelligent than males; however, males were better adjusted psychologically. Years of experience had no significant results between both groups, while there was a positive correlation between the department of practice and psychological well-being. Conclusions: It shows that harmonious work environments and friendly interpersonal relationships positively affect the well-being of HCWs and patients. What this indicates is a need to bring about changes within work environments to produce friendly interpersonal relationships and a positive impact on the well-being of HCWs and patients.

Ochrobactrum, bacillus and Enterobacter isolates of Hot Water Spring Augment the Growth of Zea Mays Seedlings

Hot springs situated at high altitudes is a kind of remarkable ecosystem for the exploration of microbial flora. It was hypothesized that hot springs can harbor bacteria with plant growthpromoting and exopolysaccharides (EPS) producing ability that can favour the growth of plants. For the investigation of this hypothesis, seven EPS producing bacterial isolates were isolated from a water sample of hot water spring of Tattapani, Azad Kashmir and characterized morphologically and biochemically. Three out of seven isolates (BE1, BN1 and BN3) showed significant production of EPS (14-15 mg / 100 ml). Growth kinetics study revealed that optimum EPS production was attained at pH 9, with fructose as a carbon source and peptone as a nitrogen source. Inoculation of these isolates caused augmentation in seed germination (27-38 %), shoot length (27-35 %), seedling length (10-14 %), number of roots (12-25 %) of Zea mays (variety-MMRI yellow) seedlings and significant rise in auxin (28-51 %) and soluble protein content (50-68 %) as compared to non-inoculated treatment. Alcian blue staining unveiled the good colonization potential of these isolates on inoculated roots. Bacterial isolates were identified as Ochrobactrum intermedium (BE1), Bacillus pumilus (BN1) and Enterobacter cloacae (BN3), respectively through 16S rRNA analysis. Bacterial strain BN3 showed promising results for plant growth promotion along with EPS production. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of EPS produced by strain BN3 revealed the complex composition of EPS. We concluded that hot springs can be the possible home for EPS producing bacteria with plant growth promotion capability

Pengaruh Matos Terhadap Stabilisasi Tanah Lempung Desa Mintin Dengan Semen Untuk Perkerasan Jalan Raya

Tanah merupakan dasar dari suatu struktur atau konstruksi, baik itu konstruksi bangunan maupun jalan raya. Sifat-sifat tanah yang buruk atau kurang menguntungkan bila digunakan untuk suatu bangunan atau konstruksi antara lain, plastisitas yang tinggi, kekuatan geser yang rendah, dan potensi kembang susut yang besar. Seperti tanah lempung Desa Mintin yang memiliki nilai CBR dan UCS yang rendah karena dominan butiran halus sehingga mudah dipengaruhi oleh air. Guna mengatasi permasalahan yang ada pada tanah lempung ini, akan dicoba stabilisasi dengan menggunakan semen dan ditambah matos sebagai bahan kimia dan diharapkan mampu memperbaiki dan memenuhi syarat teknis. Pada prosedur penelitian ini dibagi menjadi 3 tahap yaitu penelitian awal meliputi analisa saringan, dan indeks plastisitas, setelah diketahui bahwa tanah tersebut tanah berbutir halus maka dilakukan penelitian kedua yaitu menambahkan campuran pasir 50% terhadap berat isi kering tanah kemudian dilakukan pengujian plastisitas (PI) ≤ 10%. Setelah didapatkan nilai PI ≤ 10% maka dilakukan penelitian tahap akhir yaitu penambahan semen 10% dan campuran matos 0, 4, 8 dan12% terhadap berat isi kering tanah pasir kemudian diuji CBR dan UCS. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa stabilisasi semen ditambah matos dapat memperbaiki sifat fisik dan mekanik tanah lempung, pada sifat fisik berat volume, kadar air, berat jenis, dan batas-batas Atterberg mengalami penurunan setelah dilakukan stabilisasi. Sementara, pada sifat mekanik tanah lempung menjadi semakin baik. Dari hasil campuran semen 10% dan campuran 0, 4, 8, dan 12% matos, campuran yang paling baik terdapat pada 4% penambahan matos untuk nilai CBR, sedang untuk nilai UCS campuran yang paling baik terdapat pada 8% penambahan matos

Visual Heatmap Analysis of Happy Meal Advertise on Citra Pariwara 2022 Award using InstantEye Tracker

Understanding how the audience perceived the message in the media is still an interesting discussion. It can study how to communicate the idea and how the message perceived may change all the time, and how to analyze it. Involving technologies in analyzing processes can make valuable input for communication media artists. The objective of this research is to analyze one of awarded advertise creations by mapping the audience’s visual heatmap using InstantEye Tracker. The existence of eye-tracker technology makes it possible to obtain more objective information about how a visual communication design works, such as an advertisement received by someone. With 31 participants consisting of 14 men and 16 women, this study shows clear differences regarding the heat areas between men and women when receiving information on happy meal advertisements. Although, in general, the heat center is in the middle of the media, men tend to focus on the top left and the center. Meanwhile, women focus on the center and move randomly in the four quadrants of the image area. It relates to how the organization and composition of visual elements through design principles in visual communication design works that are appropriate to be captured by the audience

Electrochemical Water Splitting Using NiO-NiFe2O4/MWCNTs Nanocomposite as Electrocatalyst

Escalating energy demands, scarcity of conventional energy resources and environmental concerns are the key to fuel production through water splitting. Various electrocatalysts have been reported, considering the cost effectiveness, stability and OER (oxygen evolution reaction) activity. In the same context, porous hybrid NiO-NiFe2O4/MWCNTs based nanocomposite as an OER electrocatalyst, has been investigated in the current study. The synthesis has been accomplished via co-precipitation using Tween as a surfactant. Characterization and electrochemical study for water electrolysis using synthesized electrocatalyst deposited glassy Carbon (GC) electrode as anode was carried out using relevant tools. Iron-doped Nickel oxide nanoparticles were synthesized recognizing excellent oxygen evolution activity of NiO and its increase in conductivity with Fe incorporation due to its higher electropositivity. Nanocomposites were synthesized by incorporating upto 20% weight percent MWCNT (Multiwall carbon nanotubes). High surface to volume ratios, stability and excellent conductivity of MWCNTs furthermore, reduction of crystallite sized due to their incorporation enhanced the performance of the electrocatalyst significantly. Hybrid formation of NiO and NiFe2O4 at a certain calcination temperature was also found to be the reason for enhanced OER activity due to the increased grain boundaries. Porous NiO-NiFe2O4/MWCNTs with 10% MWCNTs concentration outperformed with 35mA/cm2 of current density at 1.8V in alkaline media

Fosfomycin Resistance in Clinical Isolates of Escherichia coli from Urinary Tract Infections in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Fosfomycin is called an old-new antibiotic, because it was reintroduced for the treatment of urinary tract infections. The rampant use of antibiotics has led to Fosfomycin resistance reported from different parts of the world. The purpose of this study was to find out the frequency of Fosfomycin resistance in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli (E. coli) from urinary tract samples. Methods: This cross-sectional study, including n=314 patients, was conducted in the Microbiology laboratory at Pakistan Naval Ship SHIFA Hospital, Pakistan from January to June 2022. Urine samples were inoculated on agar at 37±2°C for 24-48hrs. The growth of E. coli was confirmed by API 10S as per recommended Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Susceptibility testing was performed by the standard Kirby Bauer Disc Diffusion method. The Chi-square test was applied to categorical variables. p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 314 clinical isolates, 171 (54.5%) were females and 143 (45.5%) were males (mean age 49±10.3 (6-81) years). Sixty-six (21%) isolates were found resistant to Fosfomycin while 248 (79%) were sensitive. A significant difference was found between the gender (p=0.035), whereas, 29 (17.0%) females and 37 (25.9%) males were found resistant to Fosfomycin. Conclusion: The resistance to Fosfomycin is increasing and it is an impending threat as oral treatment options are limited in urinary tract infections. However, improved surveillance may help in controlling nosocomial infection along with the rational use of antibiotics can prevent and reduce its spread. Keywords: Fosfomycin; Culture; Susceptibility; Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)