Highly sensitive and specific pathogen diagnosis is essential for correct and timely treatment of infectious diseases, especially virulent strains, in people. Point-of-care pathogen diagnosis can be a tremendous help in managing disease outbreaks as well as in routine healthcare settings. Infectious pathogens can be identified with high specificity using molecular methods. A plethora of microfluidic innovations in recent years have now made it increasingly feasible to develop portable, robust, accurate, and sensitive genomic diagnostic devices for deployment at the point of care. However, improving processing time, multiplexed detection, sensitivity and limit of detection, specificity, and ease of deployment in resource-limited settings are ongoing challenges. This review outlines recent techniques in microfluidic genomic diagnosis and devices with a focus on integrating them into a lab on a chip that will lead towards the development of multiplexed point-of-care devices of high sensitivity and specificity.
Objectives: This study aims to determine the predictors of poor sleep quality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Patients and methods: This was a monocentric, cross sectional, case-control study which was conducted at the Putrajaya Hospital, Malaysia. We recruited 46 patients with RA (3 males; 43 females; mean age 48.15±14.96) and 46 age and sex-matched healthy controls (3 males; 43 females; mean age 47.11±12.22). RA patients were assessed for their disease activity based on disease activity score in 28 joints, disease damage based on radiographic erosions, and functional status based on Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were determined by interviewing all the subjects. Subjects with RA were further subdivided based on their PSQI scores as "good sleepers" with PSQI scores of <5 and "poor sleepers" with PSQI scores of ≥5.
Results: The percentage of poor sleepers was significantly higher among RA patients (47.83% versus 9.57%). Median scores of 5 out of 7 components of the PSQI were higher among RA patients compared to controls. Among poor sleepers with RA, a significantly higher proportion tested positive for anti-citrullinated cyclic peptide autoantibodies (p=0.037). Besides, poor sleepers had significantly higher median Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (p=0.017) than good sleepers. However, both Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (p=0.968) and anti-citrullinated cyclic peptide (p=0.431) were insignificant when entered in the equation of a logistic regression model.
Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate a link between functional disability, anti-citrullinated cyclic peptide antibodies, and sleep quality in RA.
This article aims to report a case of a young female patient with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitis complicated with pulmonary renal syndrome, multiple relapses, and who later developed venous thromboembolism. Pulmonary renal syndrome is a well- recognized and lethal complication; however, incidence of venous thromboembolism has not been well-described. In this article, we described a 38-year-old Malay female patient admitted in 2008 with three-month history of peripheral neuropathy of lower limbs and right ankle ulcers. Initial inflammatory markers were high and perinuclear Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies were positive. She was diagnosed as anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies-associated vasculitis and started on intravenous methylprednisolone with methotrexate. She presented with relapse of skin vasculitis complicated with pulmonary renal syndrome after being stable for one year. She was intubated and proceeded with plasmapheresis and hemodialysis. She completed six cycles of cyclophosphamide. Renal biopsy revealed chronic changes consistent with end stage renal disease. She further relapsed in 2011 with nasal blockage, epistaxis, and nasal deviation. Chest X-ray revealed lung nodules. Prednisolone was increased, her symptoms settled, and she was discharged with azathioprine. She was readmitted at the end of the same year due to two-day history of right deep vein thrombosis and she later succumbed to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus sepsis.
Background The aim of this systematic review is to quantitatively synthesize evidence on the prevalence of superficial vein patterns in the cubital region. Method A systematic literature search was conducted through a number of electronic databases. We identified 27 studies, including 9924 arms, which met the inclusion criteria. Results Meta-analysis showed that "N" shaped arrangement type was the commonest pattern (≈44-60%) followed by "M" shaped arrangement (≈20-25%). The prevalence of "M" type and "M"-like type was significantly higher in males, whereas females showed a significant predominance of "I" or "O" type. No significant differences in various pattern types were found for laterality. The frequency of "M" type is significantly lesser in Indian and Japanese populations, but they have significantly higher frequency of "N" type. In Malay population, "I" or "O" type was significantly higher, while the brachial CV was poorly developed or missing significantly in Indian population. Conclusion This evidence-based clinical anatomy review contributes to our anatomical knowledge regarding the true prevalence of pattern types of the superficial veins in cubital region in humans and, subsequently, might help in performing safer venous access and more direct approaches to these veins, especially under emergency conditions.
The voltammetric determination of metsulfuron-methyl, a type of pesticide, was investigated on a hanging mercury drop electrode using a differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry technique. The experimental parameters, such as the pH of the Britton-Robinson buffer, accumulation time, accumulation potential and initial potential were optimized for the metsulfuron-methyl determination. A well-defined reduction peak was observed at pH 2.0 to 4.0 in the potential range of -0.75 to -1.0 V. The pH of 2.0 was chosen as the optimum pH due to a good stripping signal of the reduction peak. There were no significant interfering ion effects on the electroanalysis of metsulfuron-methyl. The optimized parameters were then used to determine metsulfuron-methyl in the commercial pesticide Ally. The proposed method was highly sensitive due to the lower limit of determination (0.04 mg/L), being relatively selective, and consisting of good precision. The recovery values achieved were about 93% in water samples for this analysis.
Emphysematous aortitis is a rare condition that manifests through the presence of air within or surrounding the inflamed aorta. Aortic inflammation may result from either an infective or a non-infective cause. Recognition of this rare condition is important as the resultant clinical deterioration may be rapid and lead to inevitable death. Cross-sectional imaging, with its relatively wide availability, proves an important tool in the diagnosis and subsequent management of this condition. We report two such cases encountered in our centre, with particular focus on the imaging findings on CT.
Viability of cultured mammalian cells is evaluated by a variety of techniques. In this study, experimental results
of fast cell viability assays were compared to reveal the most suitable method for determination of
hyperthermia effect on viability of human breast cancer Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cell line. The
cells were exposed to heat at 42˚C for 2 hours to estimate the percentage of cell viability using four assays
(trypan blue, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and crystal violet, (CV). There was a mild decrease in percentage
of cell viability as the duration of heat exposure increased. Of the three counting techniques, the crystal violet
nuclei showed consistent and significantly higher value (70.58±1.97) than trypan blue and LDH assay
(81.07±20.12 and 77.06±11.84 respectively) (p< 0.05). This study reveals that CVwas the most sensitive assay
for adherent cell. It is also very effective; simple; and permits many samples to be analyzed rapidly and
simultaneously.
Background: In Africa high prevalence of overweight and obesity was found in regions of East Africa (0.3%),
West Africa (0.7%), Central Africa (0.2%), South Africa (3.8%), and North Africa (12.5%).
Aims: This meta-analysis aimed to analyze the prevalence of obesity among young adults, aged 18-25 years
from five African countries.
Methods: The Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines were applied to
search published studies. of the 100 studies published as found in scientific databases from 2010 to 2017, only
five were selected. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)
checklist was used to eliminate other studies.
Outcomes: A total of 22,320 obese young adults were analyzed to be prevalent. The obesity among adults in
SouthAfrica was found to be correlated with less physical activities. In Uganda, the prevalence of obesity is
683 which relates with their sedentary lifestyle and socio-demography. Among 371 young adults in Nigeria, the
prevalence of obesity was 5.1% among male and 10% among female related to diet and other consumptions.
Among 646 adults in Ghana, the prevalence of general obesity was observed to be related to genetics.
Conclusion: Prevalence of the male gender was 9,509 having a p=0.284 (at 95% C.I.±4,440.87845-
8,788.87845) with a mean score of 1,251, and a SD= 61,066. While the prevalence of obesity on females was
10,874 having a p= 0.00019, (at 95% C.I.±3,592.07-6,094.07) with a mean score of 2,174, and SD= 3,375.
MeSH terms: Africa; Humans; Obesity*; Prevalence*; Young Adult*
This study aimed to improve the efficacy of azadirachtin (Azadirachta indica. A. Juss) against two serious pest species of stored products, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), through nano-emulsion formulations. Pseudoternary phase diagrams were constructed consisting of an emulsion system of an active ingredient (neem oil), surfactant (polysorbate or alkylpolyglucoside), and water. Isotropic regions were formed in the pseudoternary phase diagrams, and four formulations were selected from the isotropic regions and characterized according to particle size, particle aging, zeta potential, stability and thermostability, surface tension, viscosity, and pH. The selected formulations showed particle sizes of 208-507 nm in diameter. The result of contact toxicity demonstrated excellent mortality of S. oryzae and T. castaneum adults, with a mortality range of 85-100% and 74-100%, respectively, at a 1% azadirachtin concentration after only 2 days of exposure. Compared to non-formulated neem oil, the nano-emulsion formulations significantly increased the mortality of the tested species.
Abstract-Progress toward universal health coverage (UHC) requires making difficult trade-offs. In this journal, Dr. Margaret Chan, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, has endorsed the principles for making such decisions put forward by the WHO Consultative Group on Equity and UHC. These principles include maximizing population health, priority for the worse off, and shielding people from health-related financial risks. But how should one apply these principles in particular cases, and how should one adjudicate between them when their demands conflict? This article by some members of the Consultative Group and a diverse group of health policy professionals addresses these questions. It considers three stylized versions of actual policy dilemmas. Each of these cases pertains to one of the three key dimensions of progress toward UHC: which services to cover first, which populations to prioritize for coverage, and how to move from out-of-pocket expenditures to prepayment with pooling of funds. Our cases are simplified to highlight common trade-offs. Though we make specific recommendations, our primary aim is to demonstrate both the form and substance of the reasoning involved in striking a fair balance between competing interests on the road to UHC.
MeSH terms: Health Expenditures; Financial Management; Health Policy; Humans; Income; World Health Organization; Universal Coverage
Semiconductor metal oxide (SMO) as a sensing layer for gas detection has been widely used. Many researches have been performed to enhance the sensing performance including its sensitivity, reliability and selectivity. Electrical sensors that use resistivity as an indicator of its sensing are popular and well established. However, the optical based sensor is still much to explore in detecting gas. By integrating it with SMO, the sensor offers good alternative to overcome some drawbacks from electrical sensors.
MeSH terms: Electricity; Metals; Oxides; Research; Semiconductors; Reproducibility of Results
Wheelchair has been an important assistive device and the demand are ever rising because of the increasing physically handicapped and old age populations. The recent development in the robotics artificial intelligence extends vast scope for developing the more advanced and intelligent one to overcome limitations of the existing traditional wheelchairs. The prototype smart wheelchair were present on this paper using hardware implementation with the help of simple hand gesture which is comprises of an accelerometer mounted on the hand glove senses the tilt angle of the user hand movements and transmits control signal to the receiver mounted on wheelchair. This will interpret the movement accordingly required by user. The wheelchair control unit is developed by integration of ATMEGA328 microcontroller with Arduino UNO. The wheelchair is developed to allow peoples to move safely and put reliability in accomplishment of some important tasks in daily life.
Wireless communication is a technology that plays an important role in current technology transformation. wireless communication is a method of telecommunication that are available for transmitting large amounts of data, voice and video over long distance using different frequencies. Specifically, Low Noise Amplifier which is located at the first block of receiver system, makes it one of the important element in improving signal transmission. This study was aimed to design a microwave Low Noise Amplifier for Long Term Evolution (LTE) application that will work at 5.8 GHz using high-performance low noise superHEMT transistor FHX76LP manufactured by Eudyna Technologies. The low noise amplifier (LNA) produced gain of 17.2 dB and noise figure (NF) of 0.914 dB. The input reflection (S11) and output return loss (S22) are -17.8 dB and -19.6 dB respectively. The bandwidth of the amplifier recorded is 1.2 GHz. The input sensitivity is compliant with the Long Term Evolution (LTE) standards.
The world is facing a problem regarding the use of petroleum fuels that has led to a search for a suitable alternative fuel source. Researchers have come up with the idea of producing biofuel to overcome this problem. In this study, microalgae were explored as a high potential feedstock to produce biofuel. In order to produce a large quantity of biofuel with low cost at a short time, the manipulation of nutrients is a factor in microalgae cultivation. In this study, Iron (II) Chloride (FeCl2) was added to the nutrients to initiate a stressful condition during growth which contributes to the produce of lipid. Isolated microalgae species were identified as Scenedesmus sp. During mass cultivation, the microalgae cultures were scaled up to 2 L of culture. Three flasks of microalgae culture were labelled with S1, S2, and S3. Flask S1 acts as a control without the addition of FeCl2, while another two flasks acted as experimental flasks. Flask S2 was supplemented with 0.5 mg FeCl2 while Flask S3 was supplemented with 1.0 mg of FeCl2. With the addition of Iron (II) Chloride, microalgae entered a stationary phase at day 9 and day 10 as compared to the control flask which enters the stationary phase at day 7. This also affects the dry weight. Flask 3 produces 0.8658 g of microalgae powder compared to Flask 1 and 2 which produced 0.4649 g and 0.5357 g respectively. Lipid analysis was done by using GCMS and GCFID. Flask 3 produced various types of fatty acids which can be used for biodiesel production compared to other cultivates. In Flask 1, docosanoic acid which is a saturated fatty acid was detected. While in Flask 2 (S2), with the addition of 0.5 mg of FeCl2, docosapentaenoic acid was produced. In the last flask which involved the addition of 1.0 mg of FeCl2, more fatty acid was detected. In GC-FID data, 6 types of fatty acids were detected. Linolein acid, linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and docosanoic acid were produced at different retention times. Most of the fatty acids produced are polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). In transesterification, the fatty acid reacts with methanol and acid catalyst. The reaction produces fatty acid methyl ester. In Flask 1, the control flask, without the addition of FeCl2, no fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) was produced. However, in Flask 2 and 3 which were added 0.5 mg FeCl2 and 1.0 mg FeCl2, n-hexadecanoic acid methyl ester which is also known as palmitic acid was produced. Palmitic fatty acid can be used for biodiesel production.
A biological method was employed to synthesize silver nanoparticles through marine diatom Amphora sp. Antimicrobial efficacy test against different pathogenic bacteria were performed through synthesized silver nanoparticles. The physio-chemical properties of synthesized silver nanoparticles were studied using analytical techniques such as UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), EnergyDispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD). UV-Vis color intensity study and higher magnification of the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy image showed the synthesized silver nanoparticles were rod shaped with a size range from 42 nm to 46 nm. The synthesized nanoparticles exhibited antibacterial activities in varying magnitudes. About 10 mg/ml of silver nanoparticles were able to inhibit the growth of gram-negative bacteria while gram-positive bacteria were resistant towards similar concentrations of silver nanoparticles.
Annual air temperature data obtained from twenty-two meteorological stations across Malaysia are modeled using multiple regression. A correlation test was conducted to find statistical relationship between each of the dependent variables: annual maximum and annual average air temperature and predictor variables: longitude, latitude, elevation and wind speed. Regression models using least square estimation method were developed relating the dependent variables to independent variables and the adequacy of the models is determined by the coefficient of determination. The result shows that the longitude and wind speed factors have a significant influence on the annual air temperature in Malaysia.
Layered double hydroxide (LDH)-based nanocomposite, created by interacting LDH with another nanoparticles usually applied in the area of environmental, catalytic, industrial and biomedical field. In this study, a new herbicide delivery system was developed through the intercalation of Magnesium Aluminiumlayered double hydroxide (MAN host) with 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (4-CPA). This intercalation was done by using co-precipitation method at pH 10 with different concentration of 4-CPA which were 0.5 M and 0.7 M. The successful intercalation was obtained at 0.7 M Magnesium Aluminium-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MAC) and had been confirmed through several analysis. Firstly, the XRD pattern shows expansion of basal spacing shifted from 8.9 Å to 9.3 Å. This result supported by the FTIR-ATR spectrum that shows the disappearance nitrate peak (NO3 - ) and appearance of carboxylate ion (COO- ) peak at 1596 cm-1 . Furthermore, this intercalation was validated with the result of surface morphology by FESEM. The controlled release study of 4-CPA from 0.7 M MAC shown sodium carbonate solution released the percentage of 4-CPA higher than tap water. This study has signifies MAC as a safer agent of agrochemicals by reducing the dosage of herbicide in the agriculture field and protect the herbicide through encapsulation system.
The architectural physical appearances of shopping malls posed serious challenges to the development of shopping malls and attracting customers especially in developing countries. This study aimed at assessing the influences of the architectural features that attract customers’ to shop in the Malaysian shopping malls. Four architectural features namely: location of the mall, facilities and services installed, aesthetics and design and also quality of structures in the malls are the main constructs attracting customers to shop in the Malaysian shopping industry. Survey instruments were administered to the customers of major shopping malls in Penang Island of Malaysia. A Warp PLS-SEM software algorithm was used for the analysis of collected data. The results indicated that locations, facilities and services in malls contribute significantly to the attraction of customers’ to shop in a mall. The results also show positive substantial relationships between customers’ attraction and the architectural features and among the independent variables. The study recommended the developments of shopping malls close to residential houses where customers could easily walk a short distances for shopping. The facilities and services installed in shopping malls attract customers; the developers of shopping mall should consider the design and installation of modern facilities like conveyors, elevators, lifts etc. while designing and constructions of shopping malls.
Surface water is a quick impact of pollution because of their easy accessibility for disposal of wastewater. Natural processes and industrial activities determine the quality of surface water in a region. The study was done to evaluate the surface water quality of Gebeng industrial estate, Pahang, Malaysia. Ten stations were established along the Tunggak and Balok River to collect water samples. The data were calculated according to Water Quality Index which obtained by Department of Environment (WQI-DOE) and categorized to compare with National Water Quality Standard Malaysia (NWQS). Water quality of Gebeng was classified based on WQI Malaysia as class III (51.9 – 76.5), and IV (< 51.9) which are slightly polluted and polluted due to low levels of DO and pH, and high levels of AN, BOD, COD, and TSS. It is clear that stations IZ2, IZ3, HA1, HA2, DS are received the largest pollutants discharged from the industrial sector. Generally, the results of this study will be very useful for policy maker and future studies to control and management of pollution in the study area.
Learning through game scene is considered a game-based learning approach. Teaching and learning process using game scene is deemed interesting and effective due to the nature for this approach which seems alive with asserted activities. Students experience their own game via narration through the virtual world they undertook. This investigation is targeted towards conceptual change and explanation for basic programming theorem through navigated game scene by evaluating motivation and student experience. 55 respondents consisted of semester three students from computer software application certification a program from a community college is selected for the undertaken study. Motivation and experience surveys are reference based on intrinsic motivation inventory instrument (IMI). Findings were tabulated based on t-test statistics and descriptive to get the frequency, mean, standard deviation and percentage. Initial results reflected student acknowledgement on utilizing game scenes in terms of elaborating basic game programming key points in providing elevated learning experience.