Thyroid Isthmus Agenesis: A Rare Phenomenon

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The thyroid gland is composed of two lobes connected by an isthmus that traverses the midline of the upper trachea between the second and third tracheal rings. The most common manifestation of dysgenesis of the thyroid gland is hemi agenesis or ectopic thyroid gland tissue. Specifically, the incidence rate of agenesis of the thyroid isthmus ranges between 0.5 and 10%. Remember that the identification of agenesis of the isthmus and other thyroid anomalies during preoperative evaluation of patients scheduled for thyroid surgery would significantly contribute to safer surgical procedures and fewer complications. We present a patient with an enlarged right thyroid nodule on USG who was scheduled for a right hemithyroidectomy but was ultimately diagnosed intraoperatively with thyroid isthmus agenesis.

The Expanding Scope of Emulgels: Formulation, Evaluation and Medical Uses

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Emulgels are semi-solid emulsions that combine the benefits of both emulsions and gels. They provide enhanced stability, sustained release and improved cosmetic properties. Emulgels can be fabricated using a variety of emulsification techniques and gelling agents like carbopol, hydroxypropyl cellulose. Characterization of emulgels includes evaluation of particle size, viscosity, pH, spreadability and drug release. Emulgels have promising applications in topical delivery of drugs and cosmetics, parenteral delivery of drugs and as emulsion-based oral drug delivery systems. Topical emulgels are used in skin care, hair care and cosmetics to provide moisturization, hydration, etc. Parenteral emulgels can deliver drugs in a sustained manner. Oral emulgels improve the absorption of some drugs. Several advantages of emulgels include sustained and controlled release of actives, improved solubility of both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, protection from degradation, and enhanced cosmetic elegance. However, emulgel formulation requires specialized emulsification equipment, and they have lower drug loading capacity compared to other semi-solid systems. Emulgels combine the benefits of emulsions and gels, providing a versatile drug and cosmetic delivery platform with unique advantages. Improvements in emulsification techniques, identifying newer gelling agents and permeation enhancers can further enhance the potential of emulgel systems. With growing research on emulgels, these systems are poised to make a significant impact on topical, parenteral and oral delivery in the coming years. Emulgels thus present an exciting prospect for developing innovative and improved formulations.

Clematis Species: Phytochemicals and Pharmacological Effects- A Report

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The genus Clematis has been a source of various traditionally useful and pharmacologically active species.  Many plants of this genus are prominently climbers and woody vines. The species are mosly wild however; few are grown as ornamental plants. The species Clematis apifolia, Clematis ganpiniana, Clematis graveolens, and Clematis terniflora were selected to study on their traditional use, chemical composition and pharmacological effects reported in literature. In folklore these species are used as antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, anodyne, antidote, diuretic and sedative agents. The triterpenoid saponins are the dominant compounds of these species flavonoids, alkaloids, lignans, coumarins, steroids and volatile oils have also been reported. The pharmacological effects evaluated are antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotectve, and anti-inflammatory activities. As such these species has emerged as good source of traditional medicines. The chemical compounds isolated from these species have been reported for their pharmacological effects. Although, few experimental studies validated their traditional claim, but uncharacterized crude extracts were employed in most of the activities. Such species need to be explored properly for their bioactive principle and exploited as potential drug. The review will help the researchers to select medicinally potential species of Clematis for future research.

 

The Balanced Scorecard Model for Strategic Business Management

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The Balanced Scorecard is a work result measurement method that is used by companies to improve executive performance so that the companies knows more about the extent of movement and development that has been achieved. Balanced Scorecard provides companies with the elements they move from an “always about finance” paradigm to a new model in which the results become a starting point for reviewing, questioning, and learning about strategic management.

The functions of the Balanced Scorecard include; as a tool to determine wheter the company’s vision and mission have been achieved; as a tool to measure the company’s competitive advantage; as a strategic guide to running a business; as a key performance indicator tool for the company; and as an analysis system enterprise learning.

The Balanced Scorecard has four perspective, namely: 1) A financial perspective, the Balanced Scorecard can explain more about achieving the vision that plays a role in realizing the increase in company wealth. 2) The customer perspective, the company needs to first determine the market segment target customers. 3) Internal business process perspective, which displays critical processes that enable business units to provide a value position that is able to attract and retain customers in the desired market segmen. 4) Learning and growth perspective, provide infrastructure for the achievement of the three previous perspective to produce long-term growth and improvement.

The Balanced Scorecard can be used not only in the strategic management of large companies, but can also be used by small and mid-sized companies. Small and mid-sized business can use a limited number of indicators, most important to make sound and rational managerial decisions.

The Changes in Psychological and Functional Limitation after Pain Neuroscience Education in Chronic Non-Specific Neck Pain: (A Quasi Experimental Study)

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Background: Chronic Non-specific neck pain is a common disorder that causes ramifications from psycho-social factors. Can be related to limited cervical mobility, impaired functions, and stress at work Pain is a common human experience, and the inability to feel pain poses a risk to a person’s survival. PNE explains how pain operates fundamentally, including three core bio-psychosocial therapeutic options that are biological, psychological, and social.

Objective: To study the impact of PNE on psychosocial and functional limitations in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain.

Methods: The study is a quasi-experimental study comprising 85 participants, with pre-test (Group A) and post-test (Group B) receiving PNE.

Results: The mean NPRS scores obtained in the PNE group were 5.63±1.3 in the pre-test and 2.3±1.2 in the post-intervention, and the mean difference was 3.33(Mean of paired differences). The mean PCS scores obtained in the PNE group were 25.09±4.31in the pre-test and 12.04±4.25 in the post-intervention, and the mean difference was 13.05. The mean NDI scores obtained in the PNE group were 30.67±17.34 in the pre-test and 7.50±3.74 in the post-intervention, and the mean difference was 23.17. It shows significant improvement in pain intensity and functional limitations.

Conclusion: The present study concluded that pain neuroscience education has an impact on changing psychosocial and functional limitations in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain using the Neck Disability Index, Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Numerical Pain Intensity Scale, and Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire.

The Implementation of PBL-STEAM Equipped with JBatik Software as Learning Media to Enhance Students’ Creative Thinking Skills in Designing Batik Motifs of Indonesian Local Heritage

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The aim of this research is to analyze the student’s creative thinking skills under the implementation of the Problem-Based Learning Model equipped with JBatik software. This study used a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design: pretest-posttest non-equivalent group design. The research respondents consisted of two classes: the control class with 31 students and the experimental class with 29 students. The research instruments used were interviews, questionnaires, observations, and creative thinking tests. Data analysis techniques used a one-way ANOVA test, LSD post hoc test, and independent sample t-test. The one-way ANOVA test results showed a sig value of 0.000 < 0.05, indicating a significant influence of applying the Problem-Based Learning Model Integrated with Information Technology on independence. The LSD post hoc test showed a mean difference between the experimental group of 9.600 and the control group of 5.067. The results showed that based on the independent sample t-test analysis on the post-test, there was a significant difference between the control class and the experimental class. It is due to the sig (2-tailed) score is 0.002 (p = <0.05). The qualitative analysis shows all the Pearson Correlation Coefficient values are less than 0.7. Based on this, there is no significant similarity between the interviews Thus, it can be concluded that the experimental group taught using the Problem-Based Learning Model Integrated with Information Technology has a better effect on independence compared to the control group taught using the Problem-Based Learning Model-STEM.

Entrenchment Effect and Corporate Governance: Audit Quality Analysis

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This study aims to examine the effect of entrenchment effect and corporate governance on audit quality as measured by accrual quality. This study uses manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2018-2020 as a sample. The final sample of this study was 39 companies with a total of 117 observations. This study uses multiple linear regression as the method of analysis. The results of this study provide evidence that the entrenchment effect has a positive effect on audit quality. The results also show that when the company faces a high entrenchment effect from the controlling shareholder, the company still appoints a high-quality auditor to reduce agency conflict and to maintain the company’s reputation. This study also shows that corporate governance has a negative effect on audit quality. The findings of this study indicate that the controlling shareholder will choose a public accounting firm with high audit quality. This is done with the aim of giving a signal to non-controlling shareholders that the controlling shareholders have concern for them.

The Morphology of Fruits and Seeds of Lageremia Indica L.

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Lageremia indica L. commonly known as crepe myrtle, is an ornamental plant known for its attractive flowers and foliage. The fruit and seeds are also known to be obtained from the boot tree. The aim of this study was to study the fruit and seed morphology of Lagerstroemia indica. The study included analyzes of the quality of fruits and seeds of several Lagerstroemia indica plants and their different morphological methods. Research results show that the fruits of Lastroemia indica are small, dry capsules that split open along one side to reveal many small, winged seeds. The seeds are flattened and have a papery layer. The fruits and seeds of Lagerstroemia indica L. appear to be well adapted for wind dispersal.

Examining Factors Affecting Curriculum Implementation in Achieving High Academic Performance in Malawi – A Case Study of Kadzakalowa Community Day Secondary School (Ntcheu)

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This study examines the factors affecting curriculum implementation in achieving high academic performance in Malawi, with a specific focus on Kadzakalowa Community Day Secondary School in Ntcheu. The study employs a qualitative research design, using interviews and observations to collect data from teachers, students, and school administrators. The study aims to identify the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing the curriculum, explore the strategies that teachers and school administrators employ to ensure successful curriculum implementation, and determine the impact of curriculum implementation on student academic performance. The findings provided an insights into the factors that contribute to successful curriculum implementation in Malawi and offer recommendations for improving curriculum implementation in the country. the study review also that thus factors, Lack of resources, Lack of qualified teachers, Poor students motivations, Lack of school fees, Poor curriculum implementation, Poor motivation of teachers, Poor administrative leadership and Long distance were factors affecting curriculum implementation in achieving high academic performance in Malawi at Kadzakalowa Community Day Secondary School in Ntcheu.