Browse publications by year: 2021

  1. Loganathan T, Chan ZX, Hassan F, Kunpeuk W, Suphanchaimat R, Yi H, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(12):e0259546.
    PMID: 34855770 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259546
    The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted schooling for children worldwide. Most vulnerable are non-citizen children without access to public education. This study aims to explore challenges faced in achieving education access for children of refugee and asylum-seekers, migrant workers, stateless and undocumented persons in Malaysia during the pandemic. In-depth interviews of 33 stakeholders were conducted from June 2020 to March 2021. Data were thematically analysed. Our findings suggest that lockdowns disproportionately impacted non-citizen households as employment, food and housing insecurity were compounded by xenophobia, exacerbating pre-existing inequities. School closures disrupted school meals and deprived children of social interaction needed for mental wellbeing. Many non-citizen children were unable to participate in online learning due to the scarcity of digital devices, and poor internet connectivity, parental support, and home learning environments. Teachers were forced to adapt to online learning and adopt alternative arrangements to ensure continuity of learning and prevent school dropouts. The lack of government oversight over learning centres meant that measures taken were not uniform. The COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity for the design of more inclusive national educational policies, by recognising and supporting informal learning centres, to ensure that no child is left behind.
    MeSH terms: Child; Female; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Malaysia/epidemiology; Male; Refugees/education*; Schools/organization & administration; Education, Distance; Qualitative Research; Emigrants and Immigrants/education*
  2. Rehman MZ, Zamli KZ, Almutairi M, Chiroma H, Aamir M, Kader MA, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(12):e0259786.
    PMID: 34855771 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259786
    Team formation (TF) in social networks exploits graphs (i.e., vertices = experts and edges = skills) to represent a possible collaboration between the experts. These networks lead us towards building cost-effective research teams irrespective of the geolocation of the experts and the size of the dataset. Previously, large datasets were not closely inspected for the large-scale distributions & relationships among the researchers, resulting in the algorithms failing to scale well on the data. Therefore, this paper presents a novel TF algorithm for expert team formation called SSR-TF based on two metrics; communication cost and graph reduction, that will become a basis for future TF's. In SSR-TF, communication cost finds the possibility of collaboration between researchers. The graph reduction scales the large data to only appropriate skills and the experts, resulting in real-time extraction of experts for collaboration. This approach is tested on five organic and benchmark datasets, i.e., UMP, DBLP, ACM, IMDB, and Bibsonomy. The SSR-TF algorithm is able to build cost-effective teams with the most appropriate experts-resulting in the formation of more communicative teams with high expertise levels.
    MeSH terms: Computer Heuristics; Algorithms*; Computer Graphics; Cooperative Behavior*; Humans; Motion Pictures as Topic; Databases, Factual; Social Networking*
  3. Hasan SI, Yee A, Rinaldi A, Azham AA, Mohd Hairi F, Amer Nordin AS
    PLoS One, 2021;16(12):e0260221.
    PMID: 34855800 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260221
    Previous literature has shown that migrant workers manifested higher common mental issues (especially depressive symptom) compared to local workers due to stressors such as financial constraint and lack of access to healthcare. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize the current body of evidence for the prevalence of depression and anxiety among migrant workers as well as exploring the risk factors and the availability of social support for migrant workers. Seven electronic databases, grey literature and Google Scholar were searched for studies from 2015 to 2021 related to mental health, social support and migrant workers. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale and the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-QARI). Study heterogeneity was evaluated using I2 statistics. Random effects meta-analysis results were presented given heterogeneity among studies. The search returned 27 articles and only seven studies were included in meta-analysis, involving 44 365 migrant workers in 17 different countries. The overall prevalence of depression and anxiety among migrant workers was 38.99% (95% CI = 0.27, 0.51) and 27.31% (95% CI = 0.06, 0.58), respectively. Factors such as age, biological (health issue, family history of psychiatric disorder), individual (poor coping skills), occupational (workplace psychosocial stressors, poor working condition, salary and benefits issue, abuse), environmental (limited access towards healthcare, duration of residence, living condition) and social factor (limited social support) were associated with a mental health outcome in migrant workers. The availability of social support for migrant workers was mainly concentrated in emotional type of support. A high prevalence of depression and anxiety was found among migrant workers across the globe. This finding warrants a collective effort by different parties in providing assistance for migrant workers to promote their mental well-being.
    MeSH terms: Humans; Risk Factors; Social Support; Prevalence
  4. Xu Y, Ye J, Khalofah A, Zuan ATK, Ullah R, El-Shehawi AM
    PLoS One, 2021;16(12):e0260674.
    PMID: 34855863 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260674
    Conyza sumatrensis (Retz.) E. H. Walker is an obnoxious weed, emerging as an invasive species globally. Seed germination biology of four populations of the species stemming from arid, semi-arid, temperate, and humid regions was determined in this study. Seed germination was recorded under six different environmental cues (i.e., light/dark periods, constant and alternating day and night temperatures, pH, salinity, and osmotic potential levels) in separate experiment for each cue. Populations were main factor, whereas levels of each environmental cue were considered as sub-factor. The impact of seed burial depths on seedling emergence was inferred in a greenhouse pot experiment. Seed germination was recorded daily and four germination indices, i.e., seed germination percentage, mean germination time, time to reach 50% germination, and mean daily germination were computed. Tested populations and levels of different environmental cues had significant impact on various seed germination indices. Overall, seeds stemming from arid and semi-arid regions had higher seed germination potential under stressful and benign environmental conditions compared to temperate and humid populations. Seed of all populations required a definite light period for germination and 12 hours alternating light and dark period resulted in the highest seed germination. Seed germination of all populations occurred under 5-30°C constant and all tested alternate day and night temperatures. However, the highest seed germination was recorded under 20°C. Seeds of arid and semi-arid populations exhibited higher germination under increased temperature, salinity and osmotic potential levels indicating that maternal environment strongly affected germination traits of the tested populations. The highest seed germination of the tested populations was noted under neutral pH, while higher and lower pH than neutral had negative impact on seed germination. Arid and semi-arid populations exhibited higher seed germination under increased pH compared to temperate and humid populations. Seed burial depth had a significant effect on the seedling emergence of all tested populations. An initial increase was noted in seedling emergence percentage with increasing soil depth. However, a steep decline was recorded after 2 cm seed burial depth. These results indicate that maternal environment strongly mediates germination traits of different populations. Lower emergence from >4 cm seed burial depth warrants that deep burial of seeds and subsequent zero or minimum soil disturbance could aid the management of the species in agricultural habitats. However, management strategies should be developed for other habitats to halt the spread of the species.
    MeSH terms: Humidity; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Seeds/growth & development; Temperature; Ecosystem*; Germination; Conyza/growth & development*; Salinity; Weed Control/methods*
  5. Han WM, Law MG, Egger M, Wools-Kaloustian K, Moore R, McGowan C, et al.
    Lancet HIV, 2021 Dec;8(12):e766-e775.
    PMID: 34856180 DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3018(21)00265-4
    BACKGROUND: As countries move towards the UNAIDS's 95-95-95 targets and with strong evidence that undetectable equals untransmittable, it is increasingly important to assess whether those with HIV who are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) achieve viral suppression. We estimated the proportions of children and adolescents and adults with viral suppression at 1, 2, and 3 years after initiating ART.

    METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, seven regional cohorts from the International epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium contributed data from individuals initiating ART between Jan 1, 2010, and Dec 31, 2019, at 148 sites in 31 countries with annual viral load monitoring. Only people with HIV who started ART after the time a site started routine viral load monitoring were included. Data up to March 31, 2020, were analysed. We estimated the proportions of children and adolescents (aged <18 years at ART initiation) and adults (aged ≥18 years at ART initiation) with viral suppression (viral load <1000 copies per mL) at 1, 2, and 3 years after ART initiation using an intention-to-treat approach and an adjusted approach that accounted for missing viral load measurements.

    FINDINGS: 21 594 children and adolescents (11 812 [55%] female, 9782 [45%] male) from 106 sites in 22 countries and 255 662 adults (163 831 [64%] female, 91 831 [36%] male) from 143 sites in 30 countries were included. Using the intention-to-treat approach, the proportion of children and adolescents with viral suppression was 7303 (36%) of 20 478 at 1 year, 5709 (30%) of 19 135 at 2 years, and 4287 (24%) of 17 589 at 3 years after ART initiation; the proportion of adults with viral suppression was 106 541 (44%) of 240 600 at 1 year, 79 141 (36%) of 220 925 at 2 years, and 57 970 (29%) of 201 124 at 3 years after ART initiation. After adjusting for missing viral load measurements among those who transferred, were lost to follow-up, or who were in follow-up without viral load testing, the proportion of children and adolescents with viral suppression was 12 048 (64% [plausible range 43-81]) of 18 835 at 1 year, 10 796 (62% [41-77]) of 17 553 at 2 years, and 9177 (59% [38-91]) of 15 667 at 3 years after ART initiation; the proportion of adults with viral suppression was 176 964 (79% [53-80]) of 225 418 at 1 year, 145 552 (72% [48-79]) of 201 238 at 2 years, and 115 260 (65% [43-69]) of 178 458 at 3 years after ART initiation.

    INTERPRETATION: Although adults with HIV are approaching the global target of 95% viral suppression, progress among children and adolescents is much slower. Substantial efforts are still needed to reach the viral suppression target for children and adolescents.

    FUNDING: US National Institutes of Health.

    MeSH terms: Adolescent; Adult; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Retrospective Studies; Serologic Tests; Viral Load
  6. Minhat HS, Zakaria LN
    Child Care Health Dev, 2021 Dec 02.
    PMID: 34856635 DOI: 10.1111/cch.12936
    BACKGROUND: Parental and caregivers' hygiene-related knowledge, attitude and practice are compelling factors in the prevention of stunting and malnutrition among the aboriginal children in Malaysia, which are highly modifiable. This study was conducted to explore the knowledge, attitude and practice related to hygiene among primary caregivers of the under three aboriginal (known as Orang Asli) children community in Malaysia.

    METHODS: A total of 166 primary caregivers of the under three children of the aboriginal community in Kuala Langat district, Selangor were recruited. Data related to caregivers', child's and environmental factors were collected using a validated and reliable questionnaire, with knowledge, attitude and practice being the dependent variables. IBM Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25.0 was used to analyse the data. Pearson's correlation was conducted to identify the relationship between continuous data. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between knowledge, attitude and practice related to hygiene, as well as the predictors.

    RESULTS: The mean scores for knowledge, attitude and practice related to hygiene were 6.91 (2.12), 23.67 (3.16), 29.97 (3.55) and 43.05 (4.41), respectively. Significant moderate positive correlations were found between attitude and hygiene practice (r = 0.445, P 

  7. Osman NH, Jailani RF, Rahman HA, Hamid NA
    Ann Coloproctol, 2021 Dec 03.
    PMID: 34856655 DOI: 10.3393/ac.2021.00584.0083
    Purpose: Intestinal fibrosis is a common complication of inflammatory bowel diseases. However, the possible involvement of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been scarcely investigated. This systematic review aims to search through research papers that are focusing on messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression profile in EMT in fistula or in intestinal fibrosis.

    Methods: Electronic exploration was performed until April 24, 2019 through PubMed, Ovid, Science Direct, and Scopus databases with the terms of "fistula" OR "intestinal fibrosis" AND "epithelial-mesenchymal transition". Two independent reviewers scrutinized the suitability of the title and abstract before examining the full text that met the inclusion criteria. For each study, the sample types that were used, methods for analysis, and genes expressed were identified. The list of genes was further analyzed using DAVID (Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway.

    Results: There were 896 citations found; however, only 3 studies fulfilled the requirements. Among the EMT-related genes, 5 were upregulated genes at mRNA level while 6 were at protein level. However, only 2 downregulated genes were found at each mRNA and protein level. Of the 4 inflammation-related genes found, 3 genes were upregulated at mRNA level and 1 at protein level. These genes were confirmed to be involved in the development of inflammatory induced fibrosis and fistula through EMT. Results from quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis were consistent with the process of EMT, confirmed by the western blot protein analysis.

    Conclusion: Many significant genes which are involved in the process of EMT in fistula and intestinal fibrosis have been identified. With high-end technology many more genes could be identified. These genes will be good molecular targets in the development of biomarkers for precision drug targeting in the future treatment of intestinal fibrosis and fistula.

  8. Najm AAK, Azfaralariff A, Dyari HRE, Othman BA, Shahid M, Khalili N, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2021 11 30;11(1):23182.
    PMID: 34848729 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02007-6
    Previous study has shown the antimicrobial activities of mucus protein extracted from Anabas testudineus. In this study, we are interested in characterizing the anticancer activity of the A. testudineus antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The mucus was extracted, fractioned, and subjected to antibacterial activity testing to confirm the fish's AMPs production. The cytotoxic activity of each fraction was also identified. Fraction 2 (F2), which shows toxicity against MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 were sent for peptide sequencing to identify the bioactive peptide. The two peptides were then synthetically produced and subjected to cytotoxic assay to prove their efficacy against cancer cell lines. The IC50 for AtMP1 against MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 were 8.25 ± 0.14 μg/ml and 9.35 ± 0.25 μg/ml respectively, while for AtMP2 it is 5.89 ± 0.14 μg/ml and 6.97 ± 0.24 μg/ml respectively. AtMP1 and AtMP2 treatment for 48 h induced breast cancer cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by upregulating the p53, which lead to upregulate pro-apoptotic BAX gene and downregulate the anti-apoptotic BCL-2 gene, consequently, trigger the activation of the caspase-3. This interaction was supported by docking analysis (QuickDBD, HPEPDOCK, and ZDOCK) and immunoprecipitation. This study provided new prospects in the development of highly effective and selective cancer therapeutics based on antimicrobial peptides.
  9. Rakib MRJ, Al Nahian S, Alfonso MB, Khandaker MU, Enyoh CE, Hamid FS, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2021 Nov 30;11(1):23187.
    PMID: 34848770 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02457-y
    Microplastics (MP) were recognized as an emergent pollution problem due to their ubiquitous nature and bioaccumulative potential. Those present in salt for consumption could represent a human exposure route through dietary uptake. The current study, conducted in Bangladesh, reports microplastics contamination in coarse salt prepared for human consumption. Sea salt samples were collected from eight representative salt pans located in the country's largest salt farming area, in the Maheshkhali Channel, along the Bay of Bengal. Microplastics were detected in all samples, with mean concentrations ranging from 78 ± 9.33 to 137 ± 21.70 particles kg-1, mostly white and ranging in size from 500-1000 µm. The prevalent types were: fragments (48%) > films (22%) > fibers (15%) > granules and lines (both 9%). Fourier transform mid-IR and near-IR spectra (FT-MIR-NIR) analysis registered terephthalate (48%), polypropylene (20%), polyethylene (17%), and polystyrene (15%) in all samples. These results contribute to the MP's pollution knowledge in sea salts to understand and reduce this significant human exposure route and environmental pollution source in the future.
  10. Mohd Fauzi NA, Ibrahim NI, Wan Abdul Rahman WF, Tuan Sharif SE, Abu Bakar MN, Ramli RR
    Ann Med Surg (Lond), 2021 Dec;72:103032.
    PMID: 34849218 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.103032
    INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: A solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) is a rare neoplasm that commonly arises in the pleura and can occur in other extrathoracic sites. Extrapleural SFT, particularly in the sinonasal cavity, is extremely rare. There are no definite diagnostic criteria for sinonasal SFT as it is rare. Histologic analysis with immunohistochemistry plays an important role in diagnosing SFT.

    CASE PRESENTATION: We report herein a case of SFT of the sinonasal cavity, which later spread to the oral cavity in a 67-year-old male with underlying papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) stage IV. He complained of recurrent epistaxis from a mass in his left nasal cavity for two weeks. The mass grew bigger, and spread to the oral cavity, causing dysphagia and upper airway obstruction. Tracheostomy was done under local anaesthesia and a biopsy of the mass was taken to rule out metastasis from the PTC. However, histopathological examination revealed a mesenchymal tumour of fibroblastic type, consistent with an SFT. He was planned for surgical resection of the tumour. However, he refused the operation and was lost to follow-up.

    CLINICAL DISCUSSION: We describe the clinical presentation of this rare tumour of the sinonasal and oral cavity, including upper airway obstruction, and the importance of immunohistochemical markers such as CD34 and BCL-2 in diagnosing SFT. Complete resection of the tumour is the definitive treatment for SFT.

    CONCLUSION: SFT of the sinonasal and oral cavity is extremely rare. Upper airway obstruction may occur due to the location of the tumour in the airway region. Immunohistochemistry is crucial to distinguish this tumour from other mesenchymal tumours.

  11. Pg Baharuddin DM, Payus AO, Abdel Malek Fahmy EH, Sawatan W, Than WW, Abdelhafez MM, et al.
    Ann Med Surg (Lond), 2021 Dec;72:103038.
    PMID: 34849219 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.103038
    Bariatric procedures are on the rise as a surgical treatment for morbid obesity. In reproductive age of women, bariatric surgeries will improve factors related to anovulation and lead to spontaneous fertility. Spontaneous pregnancy can happen within a year after bariatric surgery due to higher level of sex hormone binding globulin and follicular stimulating hormone and reduction in androgens level. Reduction of length of follicular phase of menstrual cycle was reported and contribute to improved ovulatory status. The major impact to pregnant women is development of small for gestational age babies due to persistent weight loss but this can be minimized by avoiding pregnancies too soon after bariatric surgery and good nutrition supplement. Risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia reduced among post bariatric surgery compared to no surgery. Another benefit observed are reduction in the risk of caesarean section and admission to neonatal intensive care unit. There are no significant changes in composition of breast milk in postpartum women without bariatric surgery and with women whom undergone surgery although more study needed to evaluate this effect. Good prenatal care, micronutrient supplement during antenatal follow up and close supervision from expert managing this pregnancy are essential component to ensure good outcome to mothers and their newborn.
  12. Lai SK, Tan LJ, Hussin H, Salleh AA, Bakrin IH
    Clin Case Rep, 2021 Nov;9(11):e04639.
    PMID: 34849222 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.4639
    HIV-infected patients are at high risk of multiple pathologies. Accurate identification of multiple colesional pathologies is critical for the patient management. We report a distinctive case of colesional cutaneous talaromycosis and Kaposi sarcoma. Prudent histopathological examination and judicious use of adjunct diagnostic test are essential for the diagnosis.
  13. Chuah CH, Chow TS, Hor CP, Cheng JT, Ker HB, Lee HG, et al.
    Clin Infect Dis, 2021 Nov 19.
    PMID: 34849615 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciab962
    BACKGROUND: Role of favipiravir in preventing disease progression in COVID-19 remains uncertain. We aimed to determine its effect in preventing disease progression from non-hypoxia to hypoxia among high risk COVID-19 patients.

    STUDY DESIGN: This was an open-label, randomized clinical trial conducted at 14 public hospitals across Malaysia from February to June 2021 among 500 symptomatic, RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients, aged ≥50 years with ≥1 co-morbidity, and hospitalized within first 7 days of illness. Patients were randomized on 1:1 ratio to favipiravir plus standard care or standard care alone. Favipiravir was administered at 1800mg twice-daily on day 1 followed by 800mg twice-daily until day 5. The primary endpoint was rate of clinical progression from non-hypoxia to hypoxia. Secondary outcomes included rates of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and in-hospital mortality.

    RESULTS: Among 500 patients were randomized (mean age, 62.5 [SD 8.0] years; 258 women [51.6%]; and 251 [50.2%] had COVID-19 pneumonia), 487 (97.4%) patients completed the trial. Clinical progression to hypoxia occurred in 46 (18.4%) patients on favipiravir plus standard care and 37 (14.8%) on standard care alone (OR 1.30; 95%CI, 0.81-2.09; P=.28). All three pre-specified secondary end points were similar between both groups. Mechanical ventilation occurred in 6 (2.4%) vs 5 (2.0%) (OR 1.20; 95%CI, 0.36-4.23; P=.76), ICU admission in 13 (5.2%) vs 12 (4.8%) (OR 1.09; 95%CI, 0.48-2.47; P=.84), and in-hospital mortality in 5 (2.0%) vs 0 (OR 12.54; 95%CI, 0.76- 207.84; P=.08).

    CONCLUSIONS: Among COVID-19 patients at high risk of disease progression, early treatment with oral favipiravir did not prevent their disease progression from non-hypoxia to hypoxia.

  14. Cerca J, Armstrong EE, Vizueta J, Fernández R, Dimitrov D, Petersen B, et al.
    Genome Biol Evol, 2021 Dec 01;13(12).
    PMID: 34849853 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evab262
    Spiders (Araneae) have a diverse spectrum of morphologies, behaviors, and physiologies. Attempts to understand the genomic-basis of this diversity are often hindered by their large, heterozygous, and AT-rich genomes with high repeat content resulting in highly fragmented, poor-quality assemblies. As a result, the key attributes of spider genomes, including gene family evolution, repeat content, and gene function, remain poorly understood. Here, we used Illumina and Dovetail Chicago technologies to sequence the genome of the long-jawed spider Tetragnatha kauaiensis, producing an assembly distributed along 3,925 scaffolds with an N50 of ∼2 Mb. Using comparative genomics tools, we explore genome evolution across available spider assemblies. Our findings suggest that the previously reported and vast genome size variation in spiders is linked to the different representation and number of transposable elements. Using statistical tools to uncover gene-family level evolution, we find expansions associated with the sensory perception of taste, immunity, and metabolism. In addition, we report strikingly different histories of chemosensory, venom, and silk gene families, with the first two evolving much earlier, affected by the ancestral whole genome duplication in Arachnopulmonata (∼450 Ma) and exhibiting higher numbers. Together, our findings reveal that spider genomes are highly variable and that genomic novelty may have been driven by the burst of an ancient whole genome duplication, followed by gene family and transposable element expansion.
    MeSH terms: Animals; Genome; Genomics; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  15. Orchard G, Rhodes A, Brown NW
    Br J Biomed Sci, 2021 10;78(4):159-166.
    PMID: 34850663 DOI: 10.1080/09674845.2021.1982279
    MeSH terms: Hematology*; Humans; Microbiology; Biomedical Research*
  16. Norizam SS, Hussain MA, Junaidi MUM
    Water Sci Technol, 2021 Nov;84(10-11):3372-3387.
    PMID: 34850734 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2021.442
    Water purification from brackish water sources has been acknowledged as one of the most promising ways to produce drinkable water in water-scarce areas. In this study, an ultra-low pressure reverse osmosis (ULPRO) membrane was numerically and experimentally investigated to produce drinking water by the removal of sodium chloride salt which provides further validation of the model from a practical perspective. An enhanced predictive model based on the Donnan-Steric Pore Model with dielectric exclusion (DSPM-DE) incorporating the osmotic effects was formulated in process simulation. The feed pressure and concentration were optimized as input variables and interaction between them was observed, while salt rejection and water recovery rate were taken as response attributes. The results obtained on the ULPRO membrane showed that the performance depends on the charge, steric, and dielectric effects. Furthermore, the enhanced model was validated with the experimental data attained from a laboratory-scale filtration system with good accuracy in the salt rejection and water recovery results. Comparing the enhanced DSPM-DE with the existing solution diffusion model reveals that the enhanced model predicts the membrane performance better and thereby qualifies itself as a reliable model for desalination of brackish water using ULPRO membrane.
  17. Wu G, Li MX, Horak E, Yang ZL
    Mycologia, 2021 Dec 01.
    PMID: 34851225 DOI: 10.1080/00275514.2021.1971450
    The Asia-Pacific region is renowned to harbor nearly half of the global hot spots of biodiversity. Accordingly, many endemic species of boletes have already been recorded from this geographic region. However, the majority of the specific descriptions of reported boletoid species follow classical concepts of taxonomy, and by comparison only a few taxa have been corroborated by modern molecular techniques. In this study, we focused on specimens in a new clade uncovered by our previous studies. By careful reexamination of macroscopic and microscopic characters of Boletus granulopunctatus, originally described from Japan, and Xerocomus mcrobbii, originally described from New Zealand, we discovered a new genus and species Amoenoboletus miraculosus from Sabah, Malaysia. In addition, three new combinations in Amoenoboletus are proposed, and a dichotomous key to species in the genus is provided. The phylogenetically close relationship among Amoenoboletus species suggests a tight geographic correlation in the Asia-Pacific region.
  18. Hashem A, Hossain MAM, Marlinda AR, Mamun MA, Sagadevan S, Shahnavaz Z, et al.
    Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci, 2021 Dec 01.
    PMID: 34851806 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2021.1997898
    Clinical diagnostic tests should be quick, reliable, simple to perform, and affordable for diagnosis and treatment of diseases. In this regard, owing to their novel properties, biosensors have attracted the attention of scientists as well as end-users. They are efficient, stable, and relatively cheap. Biosensors have broad applications in medical diagnosis, including point-of-care (POC) monitoring, forensics, and biomedical research. The electrochemical nucleic acid (NA) biosensor, the latest invention in this field, combines the sensitivity of electroanalytical methods with the inherent bioselectivity of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). The NA biosensor exploits the affinity of single-stranded DNA/RNA for its complementary strand and is used to detect complementary sequences of NA based on hybridization. After the NA component in the sensor detects the analyte, a catalytic reaction or binding event that generates an electrical signal in the transducer ensues. Since 2000, much progress has been made in this field, but there are still numerous challenges. This critical review describes the advances, challenges, and prospects of NA-based electrochemical biosensors for clinical diagnosis. It includes the basic principles, classification, sensing enhancement strategies, and applications of biosensors as well as their advantages, limitations, and future prospects, and thus it should be useful to academics as well as industry in the improvement and application of EC NA biosensors.
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