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This study was conducted with the aim to identify the relationship between socializing activities factor with compulsive Internet use among primary school student in Taiping Perak. This study use quantitative method. The questionnaire were distributed to 2 primary school and involve 100 primary school student in Taiping Perak as a sample in this study. The findings of this study indicates that there are high degree of positive relationship between socializing activity with compulsive Internet use.

This study was conducted with the aim to identify the relationship availability facilities at home with compulsive Internet use among primary school student in Taiping Perak. This study use quantitative method. The questionnaire were distributed to 2 primary school and involve 100 primary school student in Taiping Perak as a sample in this study. The findings of this study indicates that there is a positive relationship between the availability of facilities at home and compulsive Internet use among primary school students.

This study was conducted with the aim to identify the relationship between parenting monitoring factor with compulsive Internet use among primary school student in Taiping Perak. This study use quantitative method. The questionnaire were distributed to 2 primary school and involve 100 primary school student in Taiping Perak as a sample in this study. The findings of this study indicates that there are high degree of negative relationship between parenting monitoring and compulsive Internet use among primary school students.

Hypoxia is a complex pathophysiological condition. The physiological and molecular responses to this stress have been extensively studied. However, the management of its ill effects still poses a challenge to clinicians. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules that control post-transcriptional gene expression. The regulatory role of miRNAs in hypoxic environments has been studied in many hypoxia-related disorders, however a comprehensive compilation and analysis of all data and the significance of miRNAs in hypoxia adaption is still lacking. This review summarizes the miRNAs related to various hypoxia-related disorders and highlights the computational approaches to study them. This would help in designing novel strategies toward efficient management of hypoxia-related disorders.

Objective Identification of molecular signatures having key roles in hypobaric hypoxia by analysing the salivary proteome. Saliva holds a promising future in the search for new clinical biomarkers that are easily accessible, less complex, accurate, and cost effective as well as being non-invasive. Methodology We employed qualitative proteomics approach to develop discriminatory biomarker signatures from human saliva exposed to hypobaric hypoxia. Salivary proteins were analyzed and compared between age-matched healthy subjects exposed to high altitude (∼13700 ft) for seven days (HAD7) with control subjects at sea level (Normoxia) by using 2-Dimensional gel electrophoresis/Mass Spectrometry approach. Results Several proteins with significant differential expression were found. The up-regulated proteins were apoptosis inducing factor-2, cystatin S, cystatin SN and carbonic anhydrase 6. The down regulated proteins were polymeric immunoglobulin receptor, alpha-enolase and prolactin-inducible protein. Further confirmation of the altered proteins such as alpha enolase, carbonic anhydrase 6, prolactin-inducible protein, apoptosis inducing factor 2, cystatin S and cystatin SN were performed using immunoblotting. The expression patterns of the selected proteins observed by immunoblot were in concurrence with 2-Dimesional gel electrophoresis results, therefore affirming the authenticity of the proteomic investigation. Conclusion This study provides the proof of concept of salivary biomarkers for the non-invasive detection of hypobaric hypoxia induced effects. It is highly feasible to turn these biomarkers into an applicable clinical test after large scale validation.

This article presents an in-depth discussion about cross ethnic friendship among students and teacher's role in supporting the cultural diversity that exists in school. The school which consist of students from various ethnic groups provide space and opportunities for students to interact socially with peers either from the same or other ethnic groups. On the other hand, the school that consists of only one ethnic group limits the opportunity for students to interact with friends from different ethnic groups. Students who have attended the schools that are not diverse in terms of ethnicity were reported having more friends from the same ethnic group. A positive relationship between individuals from different ethnic groups led to the reduction in prejudice, enhance the sense of common identity and closeness among individuals. Teachers as agents of unity should play an important role in assisting students to acquire the necessary social skills that enables them to interact effectively with students from different ethnic, cultural and languages which consequently create a harmony cross ethnic friendships among multi-ethnic students in school.

Background Exposure to high-altitude leads to two outcomes: acclimation and mal-acclimation leading to high-altitude illnesses (HAIs). Acclimation to altitude actively negates HAIs like acute mountain sickness, high-altitude pulmonary and cerebral edemas. Although HAIs have been scrutinized, acclimation has remained only empirically understood with minimal knowledge of it at molecular level in an organism. Methods In this study, we investigated (using ELISA) and statistically evaluated the trendlines of various hypoxia-responsive plasma proteins' levels, reported significantly perturbed in multiple previous studies, in individuals (male; n=20) exposed to 3520 m at high-altitude day 1 (HAD1), HAD4 and HAD7L and to 4420 m at HAD7H, HAD30 and HAD120. Findings We observed that thioredoxin (Trx), glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx-3) and apolipoprotein AI (Apo-AI) are statistically robust markers to assess acclimation across the exposure duration while sulfotransferase 1A1 (ST1A1) is a capable negative control whose levels increase only in HAPE cases. We observed day and resident altitude specific proteins capable of accurately assessing acclimation when compared to baseline levels or the lower altitude zone. Interpretation The trendlines of Trx, GPx-3, Apo-AI and ST1A1 shown in this study are of acclimated individuals. These proteins have been shown to be statistically most accurate in indicating acclimation. Thus, they can serve as indicators of acclimation. A proof-of-concept protein panel is shown here which can be used to assess acclimation objectively. Funding: The study was funded by Ministry of Defence, Govt of India under Project DIP-263. Subhojit Paul is a recipient of CSIR fellowship. Anamika Gangwar is a recipient of DST-INSPIRE fellowship. Declaration of Interest: Authors declare no conflict of interest. Ethical Approval: All study protocols were cross-checked and approved by the institutional ethics committee (IEC/DIPAS/B2/1) in accordance with Helsinki declaration. Informed written consent was obtained prior to the study from all participants.

Jawi writing is the main form of writing in various manuscripts recovered around the Archipelago, especially during the early arrival of Islam. These manuscripts are found to record history, art, culture, language, social, as well as ancient knowledge. The usage of Jawi writings had covered a number of calligraphy which are high in value with deep philosophical meaning, are full with creative notion as well as countless of patterns that went along with the call to Islam around the Archipelago in a relatively short period of time. The development of Jawi writing had been immortalized in various genres such as books, manuscripts and letters written by individual writers and in groups as a local way of living. This writing was also introduced through a long process using certain methods of writing and reading, and kept as individual as well as institutional collections all around the Archipelago. This article is focused in various manuscripts that not only were exclusively used as learning and teaching aids, but were also garnished as beautiful symbols and philosophical Islamic art that deserves a high degree of honour. This article’s objective is to deeply analyze the usage of this writing from manuscripts found around the Archipelago as a proof on the importance of this form of writing. The methodology of this article is library study, through a number of theories and methods. The implication of this article is hoped to form a certain standard as well as its own identity for the local society through their acceptance of this writing form, especially during the early arrival of Islam in the Archipelago thus deemed as a national treasure.

The repercussions of hypobaric hypoxia are dependent upon two factors-time and intensity of exposure. The effects of intensity i.e. variation of altitude are yet unknown although it is a significant factor in terms of acclimatization protocols. In this study we present the effects of acute (24 h) exposure to high (10,000 ft), very high (15,000 ft) and extreme altitude (25,000 ft) zones on lung and plasma using semi-quantitative redox specific transcripts and quantitative proteo-bioinformatics workflow in conjunction with redox stress assays. Our findings indicate that very high altitude exposure elicits systemic redox homeostatic processes due to failure of lung redox homeostasis without causing mortality. We also document a rapid acclimatization protocol causing a shift from 0 to 100% survival at 25,000 ft in male SD rats upon rapid induction. Finally we posit the various processes involved and the plasma proteins that can be used to ascertain the acclimatization status of an individual.

Oxidative stress is well-known phenomenon, caused by a shift in the delicate balance between radical generation and scavenging of radical capacity in cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) primarily composed of superoxide radicals, hydroxyl radicals, etc. In principle, every molecule including oxygen is known as an oxidant or oxidizing agent if it is capable of accepting electrons (Prior and Cao 1999), and the process of electron loss is known as oxidation. In biology, the process of oxidation is always accompanied by reduction and such reactions are called as redox reactions. Redox reactions are basis for numerous biochemical pathways including biosynthesis and regulation of metabolism. While oxidant and reductant are chemical terms, in biological context these are often known as pro-oxidant and antioxidant, respectively (Kohen and Nyska 2002). Pro-oxidant includes several radical and nonradical species (Halliwell 2006).

Oxygen-compromised environments, such as high altitude, air travel, and sports, and pathological conditions, such as solid tumors, have been suggested to be prothrombotic. Despite the indispensable role of platelets in thrombus formation, the studies linking hypoxia, platelet reactivity, and thrombus formation are limited. In the present study, platelet proteome/reactivity was analyzed to elucidate the acute hypoxia-induced prothrombotic phenotype. Rats exposed to acute simulated hypoxia (282 torr/8% oxygen) demonstrated a decreased bleeding propensity and increased platelet reactivity. Proteomic analysis of hypoxic platelets revealed 27 differentially expressed proteins, including those involved in coagulation. Among these proteins, calpain small subunit 1, a 28-kDa regulatory component for calpain function, was significantly upregulated under hypoxic conditions. Moreover, intraplatelet Ca(2+) level and platelet calpain activity were also found to be in accordance with calpain small subunit 1 expression. The inhibition of calpain activity demonstrated reversal of hypoxia-induced platelet hyperreactivity. The prothrombotic role for calpain was further confirmed by an in vivo model of hypoxia-induced thrombosis. Interestingly, patients who developed thrombosis while at extreme altitude had elevated plasma calpain activities and increased soluble P-selectin level. In summary, this study suggests that augmented calpain activity is associated with increased incidence of thrombosis under hypoxic environments.

Despite its extraordinary antioxidant capacity, the clinical usage of silymarin has remained restricted to amelioration of hepatic pathology. Perhaps its low bioavailability and uneven bio-distribution, owing to its poor aqueous solubility, are two main causes that have dampened the clinical applicability and scope of this preparation. We took these two challenges and suggested an unexplored application of silymarin. Apart from liver, two of the most susceptible vital organs at the highest risk of oxidative stress are brain and lung, especially during reduced oxygen saturation (hypoxia) at anatomical level. Hypoxia causes excess generation of radicals primarily in the lungs as it is the first organ at the interphase of atmosphere and organism making it the most prone and vulnerable to oxidative stress and the first responder against hypobaric hypoxia. As our first objective, we improved the silymarin formulation by restricting its size to the lower threshold and then successfully tested the prophylactic and therapeutic action in rat lung challenged with simulated hypobaric hypoxia. After dose optimization, we observed that 50mg/kg BW silymarin as size restricted and homogenous aqueous suspension successfully minimized the reactive oxygen species and augmented the antioxidant defense by significant upregulation of catalase and superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione. Moreover, the well-established hypoxia markers and proteins related to hypoxia adaptability, hif1a and VEGF were differentially regulated conferring significant reduction in the inflammation caused by hypobaric hypoxia. We therefore report,the unexplored potential benefits of silymarin for preventing high altitude associated pathophysiology further paving its road to clinical trials.

We have investigated the plasma proteome using 2D gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time of flight from patients with high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). A complete proteomic analysis was performed on 20 patients with HAPE and ten healthy sea level controls. In total, we have identified 25 protein spots in human plasma and found that 14 of them showed altered changes in HAPE patients, which mainly were acute phase proteins (APPs), compliment components, and apolipoproteins among others. Among the APPs, haptoglobin α2 chain, haptoglobin β chain, transthyretin, and plasma retinol binding precursor showed overexpression in HAPE patients as compared to controls. To validate the result of proteomic analysis, two proteins were selected for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting analysis. Our data conclusively shows that two proteins, haptoglobin and apolipoprotein A-I are upregulated in plasma of HAPE patients. These proteins may provide a fast and effective control of inflammatory damage until the subsequent mechanisms can begin to operate. Taken together, our findings further support the hypothesis that inflammatory response system is linked to the pathophysiology of HAPE.

Proteome analysis of plasma is increasingly leading to biomarker discovery of human diseases. However the highabundant proteins, excess of salt and lipid in plasma makes the analysis very challenging. Therefore it is necessary to improve the sample preparation procedures before/after the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis of plasma proteins. The objective of this study was to develop a reproducible method by examining the following parameters: (1) depletion of the high-abundant proteins (2) effect of different precipitation methods (3) comparing optimised rehydration buffer using modified Taguchi method with the standard rehydration buffer and (4) comparing the effects of different staining methods. Our results showed that the depletion of two high-abundant proteins improved the visualization of less abundant proteins present in human plasma and precipitation with TCA/acetone resulted in an efficient sample concentration and desalting. We found that using optimized rehydration buffer as compared to standard rehydration buffer increased protein solubility, improved resolution and reproducibility of 2D gels. We also found that visualization of 2D gel profiles by silver staining and fluorescent staining enhanced the detection of low abundant plasma proteins as compared to Coomassie staining. In conclusion, the optimized conditions in our study can be applied to produce a better reference 2-DE gel of plasma samples for the identification of novel disease markers.

The main aim of this work is to develop and validate a spectrophotometric method for the determination of nicorandil in commercial tablets. The method is based on the reduction of the nitroxy ethyl group of nicorandil into carbonyl compound and nitrite ion by NH 4 Cl and Zn dust. The nitrite ion thus formed reacts with potassium iodide and starch in dilute HCl medium to form a blue product, which absorbs maximally at 550 nm. Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range 0.4-4.0 μg mL -1 with molar absorptivity of 7.92 x 10 4 L mol -1 cm -1 . The detection limit is 0.017 μg mL -1 . The reaction conditions are optimized and validated as per the International Conference on Harmonisation guidelines (USA). The proposed method has been applied successfully for the determination of nicorandil in commercial tablets. The results of analyses are compared statistically with those of the author's spectrophotometric method, which confirmed that there is no significant difference between the methods compared.

diltiazem hydrochloride in commercial dosage forms. The method is based on the reaction of the tertiary amino group of the drug with sodium hypochlorite to form the chloro drug derivative, followed by the destruction of the excess hypochlorite by sodium nitrite and the subsequent development of blue color takes place by the reaction of chloro derivative of drug with starch and potassium iodide in sodium bicarbonate medium. The maximum absorbance of the resulting blue solution is read at 540 nm. Under the optimized experimental conditions, Beer’s law is obeyed in the concentration range of 2.5-25.0 gmL -1 with a linear regression equation of A = 9.85 10 -4 + 4.90 10 -2 C and coefficient of correlation, r = 0.9999. The molar absorptivityisfoundtobe2.2610 4 Lmol -1 cm -1 .Thelimitsofdetectionandquantitationoftheproposed method are 0.12 and 0.37 gm L -1 , respectively. The proposed method has been successfully applied for the quantitation of diltiazem hydrochloride in commercial dosage forms. The results of the proposed method compared with those of Abdellatef’s spectrophotometric method presented good mean recovery with acceptable true bias of all pharmaceutical samples within 2.0%.

Several studies have supported the hypoxia mimetic roles and cytoprotective properties of cobalt chloride in vitro and in vivo. However, a clear understanding of biological process-based mechanism that integrates the available information remains unknown. This study was aimed to explore the potential mechanism of cobalt chloride deciphering its benefits and well-known physiological challenge caused by hypobaric hypoxia that reportedly affects nearly 24 % of the global population. In order to explore the mechanism of CoCl2, we used global proteomic and systems biology approach in rat model to provide a deeper insight into molecular mechanisms of preconditioning. Furthermore, key conclusions were drawn based on biological network analysis and their enrichment with ontological overlaps. The study was further strengthened by consistent identification of validation of proteins using immunoblotting. CoCl2-pretreated animals exposed to hypoxia showed two significant networks, one lipid metabolism and other cell cycle associated, with a total score of 23 and eight focus molecules. In this study, we delineated two primary routes: one, by direct modulation of reactive oxygen species metabolism and, second, by regulation of lipid metabolism which was not known until now. The previously known benefits of cobalt chloride during physiological challenge by hypobaric hypoxia are convincing and could be explained by some basic set of metabolic and molecular reorganization within the hypoxia model. Interestingly, we also observed some of the completely unknown roles of cobalt chloride such as regulation of lipid that could undulate the translational roles of cobalt chloride supplementation beyond hypoxia preconditioning.

Exposure to high altitude induces physiological responses due to hypoxia. Lungs being at the first level to face the alterations in oxygen levels are critical to counter and balance these changes. Studies have been done analysing pulmonary proteome alterations in response to exposure to hypobaric hypoxia. However, such studies have reported the alterations at specific time points and do not reflect the gradual proteomic changes. These studies also identify the various biochemical pathways and responses induced after immediate exposure and the resolution of these effects in challenge to hypobaric hypoxia. In the present study, using 2-DE/MS approach, we attempt to resolve these shortcomings by analysing the proteome alterations in lungs in response to different durations of exposure to hypobaric hypoxia. Our study thus highlights the gradual and dynamic changes in pulmonary proteome following hypobaric hypoxia. For the first time, we also report the possible consideration of SULT1A1, as a biomarker for the diagnosis of high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Higher SULT1A1 levels were observed in rats as well as in humans exposed to high altitude, when compared to sea-level controls. This study can thus form the basis for identifying biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in responses to hypobaric hypoxia.

High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a serious pathological condition associated with rapid ascent to high altitude occurring in non-acclimatized but otherwise healthy individuals. Decades of scientific studies on HAPE have unraveled the disease pathology, diagnosis and therapeutic interventions yet, the etiology is still unknown. A vast scientific literature is available on HAPE for a quick reference of clinicians, researchers and academicians. Perhaps, the view of mountain travelers is different and their anticipation of HAPE susceptibility comprises of personal experience. Ever-increasing number of visitors to high altitude demands the possibility of HAPE susceptibility screening, however, scientific community is yet to find a staunch solution. This review is an update of recent information on HAPE susceptibility indicators from genomics, proteomics and metabolomics as well as information pertaining to treatment/prognosis of HAPE.

A technique i.e., Soil Solarization and Amendments (neem, chicken farmyard manure, farmyard manure and biokhad viz synthetic bio fertilizer), towards the natural cropping system has been evaluated for its effectiveness and practicability at the National Agricultural Research Center Islamabad Pakistan. Soil solarization and amendments were analyzed as a control measure against soil born fungi and nematodes. Eight weeks of solarization resulted in about 11 degrees C increase in the soil temperature. This increase in soil temperature caused a reduction of about 70 to 80% in the fungal population and about 99% in nematode population at various depths. Neem and Biokhad amendments were proved synergistic for solarization and also improved the properties of soil in the benefit of crop plants. Fusarium sp., Macrophomina phyaseolina and Verticillium sp. of fungi and Tylenchus sp., Haplolaimus sp., Xiphenema sp. and almost all of the parasitic nematodes were significantly (p

Purpose Computational biology has opened a gateway to omics data analysis and shifted the focus from molecules to systemic molecular networks in the domain of hypobaric hypoxia (HH). Yet there are no meta-analytical investigations circumventing constraints such as organism (rat/human), HH exposure conditions (acute/chronic), and the tissues that can be investigated simultaneously in the realm of wet lab experiments. Experimental design We analyzed 154 differentially expressed proteins upon HH exposure using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) tool, without the constraint of using a single organism or tissue type, to determine the most significant pathways and networks that are perturbed across a range of HH conditions. Results We found acute phase response signaling, farsenoid X receptor/retinoid X receptor activation, liver X receptor/retinoid X receptor activation, clathrin-mediated endocytosis signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction, production of nitric oxide and ROS in macrophages, and integrin signaling to be the most significant universally perturbed pathways. Unique protein–function relationships have also been highlighted. Conclusion and clinical relevance This meta-analysis provides a list of specific pathways and networks across two model organisms that are perturbed due to HH exposure irrespective of its duration/intensity. Thus, it will be a map of important pathways and proteins to look at when exploring effects of HH exposure irrespective of tissue/organism chosen, particularly in the context of prophylactic/therapeutic targets.

This paper proposes a model to find minimum bid price for a generating company to bid in electricity auction for new power plants in Malaysia considering uncertainty. The model has been used for three most common generation technologies i.e. 1) coal, 2) gas-fired (CCGT) and 3) nuclear. It is important for generating company to determine the minimum bid prices that it should submit in the auction to ensure that the investment would be profitable and meet the Minimum Acceptable Rate of Return (MARR) aimed by the company. The uncertainty such as fuel cost, overnight cost, operation and maintenance (O&M) cost and utilization factor are the important factors that considered in the model. The effects of these uncertainties on the bid prices of the different technologies are studied using 1) sensitivity analysis and 2) probabilistic analysis. Results show that the bid prices of nuclear is more sensitive to the changes in investment cost, O&M cost and utilization factor and less sensitive to the fuel cost than coal and CCGT. On the other hand the bid price of CCGT is more sensitive to the fuel cost. The sensitivity of coal plant shows result somewhere in between the nuclear and CCGT.

Seven weeks solarization of irrigated soil raised its temperature by 11.5°C over non-solarized soil at 10 cm depth and effectively controlled weeds (98.5%), stalk borer (8.9%) and stalk rot disease (69.1%) in corn. Solarization also reduced symptoms of Fusarium moniliforme and Macrophomina phaseolina significantly by 64.2% and 78.4%, respectively, and completely controlled M. phaseolina in corn cultivars, viz. Pool-10, Shaheen and Gauher. Whereas symptoms of F. moniliforme were observed in these cultivars, Fusarium graminearum was not observed except in two cultivars, Shaheen and Akbar. Growth of crop planted in solarized plots was better and it yielded almost one to three times more grains in cultivars under test. Soil analysis immediately following solarization revealed that essential elements were readily available in simpler forms, which may have increased pest resistance and reduced stalk breakage.

The objective of this research was to develop a kinetic spectrophotometric method for determination of ramipril in pure form and pharmaceutical formulations. The method was based on the reaction of carboxylic acid group of the drug with a mixture of potassium iodate (KIO3) and potassium iodide (KI) in aqueous medium at room temperature. The reaction is followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the increase in absorbance at 352 nm as a function of time. The initial-rate and fixed-time methods were adopted for constructing the calibration curves. Both the calibration curves were linear in the concentration range of 10.0-70.0 microg mL(-1). The detection limits were 0.02 microg mL(-1) and 0.15-microg mL(-1) for initial rate and fixed time methods, respectively. The proposed methods are validated statistically and through recovery studies. The point and interval hypothesis tests have been performed confirming that there is no significant difference between the proposed methods and the reference method. The experimental true bias of all samples is less than +/- 2%. The methods have been successfully applied to the determination of ramipril in tablets and capsules.

Two simple and sensitive validated spectrophotometric methods have been described for the assay of nicorandil in drug formulations. Method A is based on the reaction of the drug with phloroglucinol-sulfanilic acid reagent in sulfuric acid medium to give yellow-colored product, which absorbs maximally at 425 nm. Method B uses the oxidative coupling of 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride (MBTH) with DL- 3,4 - dihydroxyphenylalanine (DL-dopa) in the presence of nicorandil as oxidant in sulfuric acid medium to form an intensely colored product having maximum absorbance at 530 nm. Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range 2.5 to 50.0 and 1.0 to 15.0 microg mL(-1) with methods A and B, respectively. Both methods have been successfully applied for the analysis of drug in pharmaceutical formulations. The reliability and the performance of the proposed methods are established by point and interval hypothesis and through recovery studies. The experimental true bias of all samples is smaller than +/-2%.

A simple and sensitive kinetic spectrophotometric method is described, based on the oxidation of norfloxacin with alkaline potassium permanganate. The reaction is followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the rate of change of absorbance at 603 nm. The initial rate and fixed time (at 3 min) methods are utilized for constructing the calibration graphs to determine the concentration of the drug. The calibration graphs are linear in the concentration ranges 2.0-20 microg ml(-1) and 1.0-20 microg ml(-1) using the initial rate and fixed time methods, respectively. The results are validated statistically and through recovery studies. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of norfloxacin in commercial dosage forms. Statistical comparison of the results with the reference method shows excellent agreement and indicates no significant difference in accuracy and precision.

Background Hypobaric hypoxia causes complex changes in the expression of genes, including stress related genes and corresponding proteins that are necessary to maintain homeostasis. Whereas most prior studies focused on single proteins, newer methods allowing the simultaneous study of many proteins could lead to a better understanding of complex and dynamic changes that occur during the hypobaric hypoxia. Methods In this study we investigated the temporal plasma protein alterations of rat induced by hypobaric hypoxia at a simulated altitude of 7620 m (25,000 ft, 282 mm Hg) in a hypobaric chamber. Total plasma proteins collected at different time points (0, 6, 12 and 24 h), separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and identified using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF). Biological processes that were enriched in the plasma proteins during hypobaric hypoxia were identified using Gene Ontology (GO) analysis. According to their properties and obvious alterations during hypobaric hypoxia, changes of plasma concentrations of Ttr, Prdx-2, Gpx -3, Apo A-I, Hp, Apo-E, Fetub and Nme were selected to be validated by Western blot analysis. Results Bioinformatics analysis of 25 differentially expressed proteins showed that 23 had corresponding candidates in the database. The expression patterns of the eight selected proteins observed by Western blot were in agreement with 2-DE results, thus confirming the reliability of the proteomic analysis. Most of the proteins identified are related to cellular defense mechanisms involving anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Their presence reflects the consequence of serial cascades initiated by hypobaric hypoxia. Conclusion/Significance This study provides information about the plasma proteome changes induced in response to hypobaric hypoxia and thus identification of the candidate proteins which can act as novel biomarkers.

Adaptation to hypobaric hypoxia is required by animals and human in several physiological and pathological situations. Hypobaric hypoxia is a pathophysiological condition triggering redox status disturbances of cell organization leading, via oxidative stress, to proteins, lipids, and DNA damage. Identifying the molecular variables playing key roles in this process would be of paramount importance to shed light on the mechanisms known to counteract the negative effects of oxygen lack. To obtain a molecular signature, changes in the plasma proteome were studied by using proteomic approach. To enrich the low-abundance proteins in human plasma, two highly abundant proteins, albumin and IgG, were first removed. By comparing the plasma proteins of high altitude natives with those of a normal control group, several proteins with a significant alteration were found. The up-regulated proteins were identified as vitamin D-binding protein, hemopexin, alpha-1–antitrypsin, haptoglobin β-chain, apolipoprotein A1, transthyretin and hemoglobin beta chain. The down-regulated proteins were transferrin, complement C3, serum amyloid, complement component 4A and plasma retinol binding protein. Among these proteins, the alterations of transthyretin and transferrin were further confirmed by ELISA and Western blotting analysis. Since all the up- and down- regulated proteins identified above are well-known inflammation inhibitors and play a positive anti-inflammatory role, these results show that there is some adaptive mechanism that sustains the inflammation balance in high altitude natives exposed to hypobaric hypoxia.

Educational system in Malaysia has been deeply influenced by the colonial educational system left during British colonization. The arrival of Chinese and Indians immigrant to Malaysia leads to the existence of vernacular schools such as Malays, Chinese and Indians schools. This paper argues that ethnic boundary via vernacular schools is one of the factors that barricade the social interaction between multi ethnic students in Malaysia. The existence of ethnic boundary arguably, limits the social interaction among multi ethnic students and thus enhances stereotype and social distance.