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Study Habits have been the most crucial predictor of academic performance and play a special role in the academic achievement of students. Study Habits are different individual behavior in relation to studying and is a combination of study method and skill. The aim of this study was to investigate the status of study habits among Adolescents Students and the effect of Gender on it. Also, the study took into consideration the 8 dimensions viz comprehension, concentration, Task Orientation, study sets, interaction, drilling, supports, recording and language. Attitude towards study has great contribution on academic achievement, and good study pattern. Successful learners adopt positive attitude towards study, and do not waste time or energy over what they have to do. If the learning experience is pleasant, the learner’s attitude and motivation is usually positive, and if the learning experience is not pleasant, they tend to avoid it.

Corn is one of the staple foodsthat is quite delighted especially for the NTT community. The local food of the NTT community besides rice is corn. This is evidenced by the diverse types of staple foods whose main raw material is corn. This study aims to find out how much revenue of sweet corn (Pioneer) and hybrid corn (Bisi-2) and to determine differences in income of sweet corn farming (Pioneer) and corn hybrid (Bisi-2) at Pukdale Village, East Kupang District, Kupang Regency. This research was conducted at Pukdale Village, East Kupang Subdistrict, Kupang Regency on the period from March to April 2019. To answer the goal, it can be analyzed using total corn farming income by total corn farming expenditure at one planting season, and the Gross Profit Margin approach to answer the second purpose. The results showed that the total income of hybrid maize and sweet corn in the research location wass Rp.49,425,000 with an average income per respondent of Rp.852,155 / season and the average income per hectare was Rp. 1,433,855 / season. While the total income of sweet corn farming obtained by respondent farmers is Rp.55,383,000 with an average income per respondent is Rp. 1,065,057 / season and the average income per Ha is Rp. 3,018,147 / season. The percentage of gross profit margin shows that the percentage of sweet corn of 20.63% is received within 2 months and while hybrid corn is 23.20% received within 3 months.

The research has been conducted at Ndetundora 1 Village, Ende Sub- District, Ende Regency. The purpose of This research are to know: (1) Nuabosi cassava marketing strategy, (2) Nuabosi cassava marketing channel. (3) Cost, profit, margin, and farmer's share. This research was conducted in March 2019. The research method used was survey method with respondent interview techniques and questionnaires. Number of samples as many as 50 respondents. Determination of samples used in two stages namely first, what is done purposely (purposive sampling) and secondly which is simple random sampling. Data collected are primary data and secondary data. Primary data obtained from direct interview with farmers while secondary data obtained from institutions. Nuabosi's cassava marketing strategy, marketing channel, eco-disposal, cost, profit, margin, and farmer's share are quantitatively, qualitatively, and descriptive analysis. the research results show that (1) Marketing strategy using SWOT Analysis by finding strengthtens, weakness, opportunities, threats from products, promotions, places and prices. (2) Pattern of marketing channels namely farmers - traders of village retailers - consumers, farmers - village collector traders - city retailers - consumers, and at the last channel farmers - inter-island traders - consumers. The total cost to farmers for the first channel is Rp.400 / kg, the village retailer is Rp.1,587 / kg for margins. In this channel, the farmers are Rp. 5,000 / kg, the retailer is Rp.5.000. Farmers’s Share 71% and 100%. In the second channel, the total costs incurred by farmers are Rp. 12,500, village collectors are Rp. 15,000 / kg and city retailers are Rp. 20,000. Farmer marketing margin Rp 7,500, village collector traders rp 2,500 / kg, city retailer traders 5,000 / kg. And for the last channel the price of nuabosi cassava for farmers is Rp. 12,500 / kg and inter-island traders Rp. 25,000/kg. The total costs incurred are IDR 2,508 / kg, inter-island traders Rp 10,000. The margin on this channel is Rp. 12,500 / Kg and the collecting trader is Rp 12.500/kg. Farmer’s share for farmer is 50 %, while for inter-islan traders 100 %. Inter-islan traders 25.000 m

This research was conducted at Colol Village East Poco Ranaka Sub-District East Manggarai District on March 2019. This research aimed to know: (1) The income bigness of arabica coffee cultivation; (2) The properness of arabica coffee cultivation; (3) the management of arabica coffee cultivation. Data collection method which used in this research was survey method. The determination of research location was purposive sampling with the consideration that Colol Village as one of coffee production village. Kind of data which collected are primary and secondary data. Data were tabulated and analysis as qualitative and quantitative. Income analysis I=TR˗TC used to answer the first aim, and R/C ratio analysis used to answer the second aim. The result of research show that (1) the bigness income of arabica coffee cultivation at Colol Village East Poco Ranaka Sub-District East Manggarai District was high grouped. Total of income as big as Rp.1.503.193.326 with average of Rp.18.110.769 per respondent and average of income per Ha as big as Rp.17.493.593. (2) the bignes of relative profit of arabica coffee cultivation at Colol Village East Poco Ranaka Sub-District East Manggarai District namely 20,00. This case idicated that for every Rp.1 cost which purcased by farmer will obtain revenue as big as 20,00 as profit of arabica coffee cultivation. (3) the power of famer in arabica coffee cultivation was not proper with planing which had decided.

This research has been carried out in the Dualasi Raiulun Village, Lasiolat District, Belu Regency. This study aims to (1)determine the mung bean marketing channel, (2)marketing functions,(3) margins, costs, farmer's share, profit and marketing cost efficiency that affect the marketing of mung beans. Data collection uses interview techniques based on prepared questionnaires. Analysis of the data used is descriptive, economic analysis that is the calculation of Farmers' Share, Margins, profits and efficiency of marketing costs. The results of this study indicate that the (1) marketing channels in Raiulun Dualasi Village through three marketing channels namely Farmers → PPD (Village Collector Traders) → Retailers of the city of Atambua→Consumer, Second Channel Farmers → Wholesalers of the City of Atambua → Retailers of the City of Atambua→Consumer, Third Channel of Farmers → Dualasi District Retailer→Consumer.(2) Marketing functions in Railun Dualasi Village Lasiolat District include the first exchange function consisting of sales and purchase functions, second includes physical functions consisting of transportation and storage functions, and thirdly facility functions of functions financing and market information functions. (3)The lowest marketing margin is in channel one and two, which is 4,500 USD / kg, and the acquisition of the largest margin, namely in channels three, is 4,500 USD / kg and 4. The highest share of green peas in Dualasi Raiulun Village, Lasiolat District, Belu Regency is highest in channel one and two, which is 71.88%. The highest marketing profit of green beans in Raiulun Dualasi Village is in channel III which is 5.000 USD / Kg, followed by Channel I of 4,462 and channel II of 4.349 While the cost efficiency of marketing of mung beans in Raiulun Dualasi Village, Lasiolat District of Belu Regency is lowest or the smallest was channel III with I%, followed by channel Iwith 2 % and channel II with 5%.

Limited land owned by farmers which in the same land farmers grow 2 types of maize with different time, namely sweet corn and hybrid corn within 1 year. In the dry season farmers grow hybrid corn and in the rainy season farmers grow sweet corn. Farmers capital for purchase production facilities, especially for the purchase of seeds, fertilizers, and medicines whose prices are getting higher and higher, in addition to the price of corn and hybrid corn which always increases fluctuations, and in terms of cost and time of hybrid corn is higher than sweet corn. This will have an impact on income obtained by farmers. Sampling in this study was carried out by proportional random sampling. Determination of a large sample for the participation of smaller than 10000 can use the Slovin formula (Soekidjo, 2003) with the formula, to answer the objective, it can be used an analysis using total corn farming with total corn farming at one planting season, and to answer the purpose of both methods used using Gross Profit Margin. The results showed that the total income of hybrid maize and sweet corn in the research location was IDR.49.425.000 with an average income per respondent of IDR.852.155 / season and the average income per hectare was IDR. 1.433.855 / season. While the total income of sweet corn farming obtained by respondent farmers is IDR.55.383.000 with an average income per respondent is IDR. 1.065.057 / season and the average income per Ha is IDR. 3.018.147 / season. The percentage of gross profit margin shows that the percentage of sweet corn of 20.63% is received within 2 months and while hybrid corn is 23.20% received within 3 months. REFERENCES Andi B. 2016. Analisis Kelayakan Usahatani Jagung Pada Lahan Kering Di Zona Agroekologi Iiiay Wilayah Timor Barat. Skripsi. Fakultas Pertanian. Universitas Nusa Cendana. Kupang. BPS Kabupaten Kupang.2018.Statistik Pertanian Kabupaten Kupang. BPS NTT.2018. Statistik Pertanian NTT. Badan Pustaka Statistik NTT. Calvin Dkk. 2016. Perbandingan Pendapatan Usahtani Jagung Manis dan Jagung Biasa Di Desa Tontalete Kecamatan Kema Kabupaten Minahasa Utara. Jurnal . Derna, H. 2007. Jagung manis. Diakses di http://Derna.com/2007/Tanaman Jagung Manis. On the 7th November 2018. Djamaludin,2003.AnalisisEkonomiUsahata Jagung diDesa Nunmafo KecamatanKupang Timur Kabupaten Kupang. Skripsi Faperta Undana. Kantor Desa Pukdale (2018). Profil Desa Pukdale: Kecamatan Kupang Timur Kabupaten Kupang Palawi, 2002. Analisis Dapatan Usahatani Jagung dan Kacang Tanah dari Program Wanita di Desa Tesabela Kecamatan Kupang Barat. Skripsi Faperta Undana. Poerwanto, R.2008. Departemen Agronomi dan Hortikultura Fakultas Pertanian- IPB. Bogor Soekartawi. 2002. Analisis Usahatani. Jakarta: Penerbit Universitas Indonesia(UI-Press). Warsana.2007. Soekartawi. 1995. Ilmu Usaha Tani.UIPress. Jakarta Sugiarto. Dkk. 2007. Ekonomi Mikro. Gramedia Pustaka. Jakarta Ilmu Manajemen Industri. Pengertian Gross Profit Margin dan Rumusnya https://ilmumanajemenindustri.com/pengertian-gross-profit-margin-marjin-laba-kotor-rumus-gpm/ accessed on 6 January 2019.

Pediatric heart transplant waitlist mortality remains significant but allograft offer refusals are common and allografts continue to be discarded. Our aim in this study was to assess the impact of donor organ refusals on mortality after listing using a multi-institutional data set.In this study we conducted a retrospective review of donor offers made to pediatric (18 years) recipients in the United States in the period from 2007 to 2017. Candidates were stratified by whether they refused an acceptable donor offer (ADO). Acceptance was defined as an offer from a donor40 years old and within 1,000 miles that was ultimately accepted by a waitlist candidate. Candidate survival after an offer was assessed.There were 12,447 hearts offered at least once to a pediatric candidate. Most candidates (n = 4,282, 84.4%) refused the first offer, and 677 (15.4%) of these subsequently died or were removed from the list for deterioration. Refusal of an ADO was associated with higher mortality after listing, independent of transplant, in both univariate (1 year: 92% vs 87%, p = 0.002) and multivariate (hazard ratio 1.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.7, p0.0001) Cox regression analyses. ADO refusals were not correlated with improved post-transplant survival and8 ADO refusals was associated with higher risk-adjusted post-transplant mortality (odds ratio 1.7, 95% confidence interval 1.0 to 2.9, p = 0.04).Refusal of ADOs is associated with higher risk-adjusted mortality after listing (independent of transplantation), without improvement in post-transplant outcomes. So, although a "perfect" organ would be ideal, acceptance of one that is "good enough" has the potential to improve survival among pediatric candidates for heart transplantation.

Introduction: Recent studies have suggested a relationship between mortality and center volume in pediatric heart transplantation; however, these studies utilize databases that lack granularity to assess patient risk profiles. Hypothesis: Utilizing the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society (PHTS) database, we hypothesized that there would be a difference in outcomes among centers based on yearly transplant volume, and that the patient’s clinical profiles would differ by center volume. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the PHTS dataset from all pediatric (≤ 18 years of age) cases from 2009-2018. Centers were stratified into 5 groups based on annual volume: ≤ 4, 4-6, 6-9, 9-14, and > 14 transplants. We evaluated specific variables, including those identified as significant risk factors in previous PHTS studies including mechanical ventilation, PRA > 10%, high BUN, gender, and Fontan completion, within each group. We used Kaplan Meier for survival, contingency tables with Pearson Chi-square test for association, and analysis-of-variance to compare means. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There were 6800 cases among 55 centers. Table 1 demonstrates that there was no significant difference in one-year post transplant survival among the groups, and the patient variables showing statistically significant differences followed no specific pattern among the center volume groups. It also demonstrates that there is no clear association between cumulative risk factors within individual patients and center volume. Conclusions: One-year post transplant survival is similar within the PHTS for all centers regardless of case volume. These group differences were different for different variables and did not segregate consistently between lower volume and higher volume groups suggesting there exists a complicated relationship among risk factors and center volume.

BACKGROUND Pediatric donor heart acceptability differs among transplant centers. However, the impact of center donor acceptance on waitlist and posttransplant outcomes has not been investigated. The aim of our study was to investigate associations between transplant center refusal rate (RR) and outcomes after listing. METHODS Retrospective analysis was performed using United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplant Network pediatric (

Significant inter- and intra-center practice variability is present in pediatric donor heart acceptability. This may contribute to variation in the donor refusal rate and may impact waitlist time, morbidity, mortality, and transplant rates. In order to reduce practice variability, our center developed and implemented a comprehensive strategy regarding donor acceptance in September 2017. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of this strategy on waitlist time and outcomes as well as early post-transplant outcomes. We performed a single-center, retrospective analysis of all pediatric (18 years) patients listed for single-organ heart transplant at our center from September 2015 to September 2018. Patients were divided into those listed before (Group 1) and after implementation of the comprehensive strategy (Group 2). The primary end-point was waitlist time. Secondary end-points included waitlist removal due to death or clinical deterioration, donor refusals per listed patient, early post-transplant outcomes (graft failure, mechanical ventilation time, inotropic support, length of hospital stay) and 1-year post-transplant survival. Of 78 listed patients, 54 were transplanted (29 in Group 1), 9 were removed due to death or clinical deterioration (7 in Group 1) and 15 were removed due to clinical improvement (12 in Group 1). The waitlist time was significantly shorter in Group 2 (17 days, IQR 7-53) vs Group 1 (90 days, IQR 14-162); P = .006. The number of donor refusals was lower in Group 2 (1, IQR 0-2.2) vs Group 1 (4, IQR 2-19); P .001. The percentage of refused donors with normal function (Left ventricular ejection fraction 50%) was lower in Group 2 vs Group 1 (53% vs 84%; P .001). Difference in removal from the waitlist for death or deterioration in Group 2 vs Group 1 (n = 2, 7% vs n = 7, 20%, P = .18) did not reach statistical significance. There was no difference in post-transplant outcomes between groups. The waitlist time and donor refusals significantly decreased after implementation of a comprehensive donor acceptance strategy without impacting transplant outcomes. This analysis supports the need for a comprehensive approach to donor organ acceptance within a pediatric transplant center.

Ischemic cardiomyopathy with resultant refractory HF may occur in patients with WBS, often as the result of coronary involvement with SVAS. The rapid development of arteriopathy at a young age raises concerns regarding transplant candidacy due to progressive stenoses at other arterial sites with potential detrimental impact on long-term heart graft function. We report a 2-month-old male infant diagnosed with mild aortic stenosis during the neonatal period, but subsequently developed rapidly progressive supravalvar and coronary artery stenoses leading to cardiogenic shock due to myocardial ischemia. The presentation led to the diagnosis of WBS. He required prolonged CPR including ECMO therapy. He subsequently underwent LVAD implantation as bridge to transplant and 4 days later heart transplantation. His post-operative course was complicated by prolonged mechanical ventilation and extended intensive care unit and hospital stays. However, at follow-up 18 months post-transplant he continues to have normal graft function with mild, non-progressive residual coarctation of aorta and non-progressive moderately hypoplastic pulmonary arteries.

This study aims (1) to analyze the influence of the use of production factors on the amount of mustard production; (2) to analyze the technical efficiency of the use of production inputs in mustard farming in the research area; and (3) to analyze the feasibility of mustard farming in the research area. Determination of the sample of respondent farmers using the method of saturated samples because the members of the population is small (41 people). So the number of respondents was as many as 41 farmers. The results showed that the use of land area input (x1), seeds (x2), organic fertilizers (x3), inorganic fertilizers (x4), pesticides (x5), and labor (X6) simultaneously had a significant effect on mustard production (α=0.05), as evidenced by the value of F-stat of 441,015 greater than F table of 2.49. Partially the production factor that has a very significant effect (α=0.01) on the increase in mustard production is the land with a regression coefficient of 0.082 and a t-stat value of 8,396, seeds have a real effect (α0.05) on mustard production with a regression coefficient value of 0.082 and a t count value of 3,075 and inorganic fertilizers have a noticeable effect (α=0.10) on mustard production with a regression coefficient value of 0.065 and a t stat value of 2.125. While other production factors, namely organic fertilizers, pesticides and labor have no real effect on the production of mustard at the research site. The Coefficient of Determination (R2) obtained a value of 0.994 which means that 99,4% of the dependent variable was expamimed by the independent variables while the remaining 0.6% is explained by other variables that are not included in the model. The use of production factors such as land area, seeds, organic fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers and labor in mustard farming was technically efficient, because the value of b > 0. This can be seen from the coefficient of regression of each variable, namely land area (0.395), seeds (0.082), organic fertilizers (0.079), inorganic fertilizers (0.395) and labor (0.002). While the pesticide input production in mustard farming is technically inefficient, because the value of b < 0. This can be seen from the value of pesticide regression coefficient of -0.035. Mustard farming at the research site provides relative profit with the value of R /C Ratio > 1 (R/C= 3.65) so that mustard farming is feasible to be cultivated.

Purpose Mental health disorders have deleterious effects on outcomes in adult heart failure. Mental health is not systematically investigated or screened in pediatric heart failure and transplantation patients. Methods Our institution implemented universal mental health screening for all patients age 11 or older in our pediatric heart failure and transplant clinic. 17 items are answered on a tablet while the patient awaits cardiac testing. Validated mental health screening tools are utilized: the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7). Scores for both scales range from 0-4 = no symptoms, 5-9 = mild symptoms, 10-14 = moderate symptoms, > 15 = severe symptoms. Scores are immediately available in the electronic health record. The presence of suicidal ideation, severe depression and/or anxiety leads to notification of the psychologist for further intervention. Results 94 patients have been screened to date. Median age was 16.25 years (IQR 14.7-18.4). Median PHQ-9 score was 2 (IQR 0-6) and 2 (IQR 0-5.3) for GAD-7. Four patients (4.3%) reported severe depression, 8 (8.5%) moderate depression, 15 (16%) mild, 67 (71.3%) reported no depressive symptoms. Seven patients reported suicidal ideation (7.5%). Six patients (6.4%) reported severe anxiety, 8 (8.5%) moderate anxiety, 14 (14.9%) mild anxiety and 66 (70.2%) reported no anxiety. There were no differences in mental health scores between heart failure and transplant patients (Table 1). Eighteen new behavioral health interventions were implemented due to screening. Conclusion Electronic mental health screening can successfully be employed in pediatric heart failure and transplant clinics. A significant portion have moderate to severe anxiety (14.9%) or moderate to severe depression (12.8%). Mental health screening has led to many behavioral health interventions in this population. Our initial experience supports the use of mental health screening in a pediatric heart failure and transplant clinic.

This study aims to compare 2 common induction strategies, basiliximab and ATG. Analysis of the ISHLT transplant registry was performed. The database was queried for pediatric heart transplants from January 1, 2000, to June 30, 2015, who had received induction with basiliximab or ATG. Primary end-point was graft survival. Secondary end-points included 1-year survival and 1-year conditional survival. There were 3158 heart transplants who received induction with basiliximab or ATG. The ATG cohort was younger, more likely to have congenital heart disease or be a retransplant, have a higher PRA, longer ischemic time, and been transplanted earlier in the study period (all P

Purpose Geographic variation in donation rates, transplant rates, and post-transplant outcomes in solid organ transplantation is well-described. We sought to test the hypothesis that organ refusal rates vary across regions and are associated with worse survival. Methods Retrospective review of the UNOS dataset (including the potential transplant recipients list which lists all offers of organs ultimately accepted for transplant) identified 5,639 pediatric ( heart transplant 2007-2017. Patients were stratified based on the UNOS region of listing. There were 12,447 donor hearts ( Results Regional refusal rates varied:73.5% to 93.1% (Table). Higher rates correlated with a lower likelihood of transplantation (r=0.60, p=0.048), higher waitlist mortality (r=0.67,p=0.008), a higher incidence of delisting for death or deterioration (r=0.61, p=0.04), higher mortality within 1 year of listing independent of transplant (r=0.080, p=0.003; see Figure), and higher 1 year post-transplant mortality (r=0.82, 0.002). Regional refusal rates were not correlated with mean regional wait times, or the number of donors available for each listed candidate. Conclusion Donor refusals rates vary widely between UNOS regions. Regions with high refusal rates also have poor outcomes following listing and transplantation.

Background Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) has emerged as a novel and reliable measure of right ventricular (RV) function. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of pulmonary hypertension (PH) therapy on TAPSE in pediatric patients and compare TAPSE to other quantitative measures of RV function. Methods A retrospective review of medical records and echocardiograms of patients in the PH clinic from January 2011 to August 2013 was done. Echocardiograms were analyzed prior to initiation or addition of a PH drug and at least 8 weeks later. Following quantitative measures of RV function were compared: TAPSE, TAPSE age-based z-score, RV fractional area change (RVFAC), tricuspid annular S′, tricuspid inflow E/tricuspid annular E′ velocity (TV E/E′), and RV myocardial performance index (RVMPI). Results Of the 37 patients included in this study (median age 0.6 years), 23 (62.2%) were treatment naive and others had a new PH drug added to their regimen at the time of the baseline echocardiogram. The median duration between the baseline and follow-up echocardiogram was 8 (2–25) months. There was a significant improvement in TAPSE and TAPSE age-based z-score on the follow-up echocardiogram. RVFAC, tricuspid S′, TV E/E′, and RVMPI did not show a statistically significant change. Conclusion In contrast to the other echocardiographic markers of RV function, TAPSE, and TAPSE age-based z-score significantly improve after initiation or addition of PH therapy and can be used for serial noninvasive monitoring of RV function in pediatric PH patients.

Purpose Approximately 40% of potential pediatric heart donations go unused, while waitlist mortality remains high. The aim of our study was to investigate associations between center refusal rate and waitlist outcomes. Methods Retrospective analysis was performed using UNOS/OPTN pediatric ( Results 5,639 listed patients in 59 centers met inclusion criteria. The lowest quartile of center had a median RR of 75th percentile had a RR ≥ 4. There was no association between RR quartile and transplant center volume (p=0.4). Centers in the highest RR quartile were more likely to remove patients from the waitlist due to death or clinical deterioration versus those at lowest RR quartile (24.1% vs 14.6%, p Conclusion Patients listed at high RR centers had worse survival from listing. High RR centers are more likely to remove patients from the waitlist due to death or clinical deterioration and are less likely to transplant patients. Refusal rate is not associated with center transplant volume.

Purpose Lack of standardization in organ donation acceptance can contribute to an increased donor refusal rate, which may impact waitlist (WL) time, morbidity, mortality and transplant rates. After a review of relevant data, in 9/2017, our center developed and implemented a standardized donor acceptance criteria. We hypothesized that standardization would result in a decrease in WL time and improved WL outcomes. Methods We performed a single center, retrospective analysis of all pediatric ( Results Of 78 listed, 54 were transplanted, 8 removed due to death/clinical deterioration, 16 removed to due clinical improvement. Patient characteristics were similar between the groups (Table 1). Difference in removal from the WL for death or deterioration in Group 2 vs. 1 (n=2, 7% vs. n=6, 17%, p=0.28) did not reach statistical significance. WL time was significantly shorter in Group 2 (17 days, IQR 6-55) vs. Group 1 (90, IQR 13-167; p=0.006). The median DOR was lower in Group 2 (2, IQR 0-3) vs. Group 1 (4, IQR 2-20; p=0.001). The percentage of DOR with LVEF > 55% was lower in Group 2 vs. Group 1 (53% vs. 84%, p=0.001). Post-transplant outcomes were similar between groups (table 1). Conclusion DOR and WL time significantly decreased after a standardized donor acceptance criteria. This analysis supports the need for a standardized approach to donor organ acceptance within a pediatric transplant center.

Background: To evaluate the mid and long-term prognosis after stenting of native or recurrent CoA, we studied the cardiovascular parameters in the follow-up period up to 13 years. Methods and results: Between 1993 and 2006, 68 patients underwent stent implantation for aortic coarctation (average age 25.5 years, range 5.7–65 years, average weight 65.5 kg, range 32–122 kg). Forty-six (68%) patients were aged >17 years. Stenting was performed for native coarctation in 41 and for recurrent coarctation in 27 patients, in 23 (34%) patients with a covered stent. Redilation was carried out in 26 (38%) patients. The invasive systolic gradient decreased from mean (±SD) 25 (±15) mm Hg to 5 (±5) mm Hg (P < 0.0005). The descending aorta pressure increased from 80 (±15) mm Hg to 101 (±18) mm Hg. The systolic right arm blood pressure decreased from a mean of 153 (±24) mm Hg to 129 (±18) mm Hg (P < 0.0005). Complications like small dissections were rare. Follow-up (6 days to 13 years, mean 41 months) was available in 66 patients, in 23 after reintervention at a mean of 71 months, range of 8 months to 10.3 years. Fifty-one percent remained clinically hypertensive. Conclusions: Stenting of aortic coarctation gives good medium-term results. Frequent reintervention relate to deliberately under-dilating stents during the initial procedure. The reintervention rate has reduced since the introduction of covered stents. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Background Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is shown to be effective in many psychiatric illnesses, but its distorted projection by the Pakistani media and its unregulated use by many physicians across the country have adversely affected its acceptability. Given this situation we aimed to assess the awareness and perceptions regarding ECT as a treatment modality among the psychiatric patients. Methods This was a questionnaire based cross-sectional study carried out at 2 tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. Results We interviewed 190 patients of which 140 were aware of ECT. The study showed that the level of education had a significant impact on the awareness of ECT (p = 0.009). The most common source of awareness was electronic and print media (38%), followed by relatives (24%) and doctors (23%). Physical injuries (42%) and neurological (12%) and cognitive disturbances (11%) were the commonly feared side effects. The most popular belief about ECT was that it was a treatment of last resort (56%). Thirty-nine percent thought that ECT could lead to severe mental and physical illness and 37% considered it inhumane. Patients' willingness to receive ECT was dependant on whether or not they were convinced of its safety (p = 0.001) and efficacy (p = 0.0001). Conclusion We identified a serious lack of dissemination of information regarding ECT by the psychiatrists and the mental health care providers. This may be the result of an inadequate postgraduate training in Pakistan or just a lack of concern about the mentally ill patients. The media seemed to be the major source of information for our patients. We also saw the prevalence of a variety of myths regarding ECT in our society, which we feel may be responsible for the patients' adverse attitudes. Given the widespread applicability of ECT there is a dire need to dispel these misconceptions and improve its acceptability.