Browse publications by year: 2023

Fulltext Maximizing diesel removal from contaminated sand using Scirpus mucronatus and assessment of rhizobacteria addition effect

Purwanti IF, Abdullah SRS, Hamzah A, Idris M, Basri H, Latif MT, et al.

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21737.
PMID: 38027659 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21737

Phytoremediation is one of the green technologies that is friendly to nature, utilizes fewer chemicals, and exhibits good performance. In this study, phytoremediation was used to treat diesel-contaminated sand using a local aquatic plant species, Scirpus mucronatus, by analyzing the amount of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs). Optimization of diesel removal was performed according to Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using Box-Behnken Design (BBD) under pilot-scale conditions. The quadratic model showed the best fit to describe the obtained data. Actual vs. predicted values from BBD showed a total of 9.1 % error for the concentration of TPH in sand and 0 % error for the concentration of TPH in plants. Maximum TPH removal of 42.3 ± 2.1 % was obtained under optimized conditions at a diesel initial concentration of 50 mg/kg, an aeration rate of 0.48 L/min, and a retention time of 72 days. The addition of two species of rhizobacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis) at optimum conditions increased the TPH removal to 51.9 ± 2.6 %. The obtained model and optimum condition can be adopted to treat diesel-contaminated sand within the same TPH range (50-3000 mg/kg) in sand.
Fulltext Primary and secondary pre-service teachers' attitudes towards inclusive education

Boyle C, Barrell C, Allen KA, She L

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e22328.
PMID: 38027665 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22328

The practice of inclusive education in schools has led to changes in policy and pedagogy, hence teacher acceptance and attitude are important components of its success. The aim of this study is to identify the differences in attitudes of primary and secondary pre-service teachers on inclusion and the potential relationship between demographic variables such as definitions of inclusion, previous experience working in a school, completion of a module on inclusive schools, and other variables. The study included 548 Australian university students studying primary (n = 348) or secondary (n = 193) professional teaching. All participants completed the Teacher Attitudes to Inclusion Scale (TAISA). Principle components analysis was performed to transform the TAISA questionnaire into smaller set of components and two-way between-groups analysis of variance was used to analyse data. Results showed that primary pre-service teachers have more positive attitudes towards inclusion than secondary pre-service teachers. Primary pre-service teachers were also more responsive to training on inclusive education. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Fulltext A comprehensive review of flexible cadmium telluride solar cells with back surface field layer

Ahmad NI, Kar YB, Doroody C, Kiong TS, Rahman KS, Harif MN, et al.

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21622.
PMID: 38027707 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21622

Recent advancements in CdTe solar cell technology have introduced the integration of flexible substrates, providing lightweight and adaptable energy solutions for various applications. Some of the notable applications of flexible solar photovoltaic technology include building integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV), transportation, aerospace, satellites, etc. However, despite this advancement, certain issues regarding metal and p-CdTe remained unresolved. Besides, the fabrication of a full-working device on flexible glass is challenging and requires special consideration due to the unstable morphology and structural properties of deposited film on ultra-thin glass substrates. The existing gap in knowledge about the vast potential of flexible CdTe solar cells on UTG substrates and their possible applications blocks their full capacity utilization. Hence, this comprehensive review paper exclusively concentrates on the obstacles associated with the implementation of CdTe solar cells on UTG substrates with a potential back surface field (BSF) layer. The significance of this study lies in its meticulous identification and analysis of the substantial challenges associated with integrating flexible CdTe onto UTG substrates and leveraging Cu-doped ZnTe as a potential BSF layer to enhance the performance of flexible CdTe solar cells.
Fulltext Building Resilient communities: Techno-economic assessment of standalone off-grid PV powered net zero energy (NZE) villages

Arif S, Taweekun J, Ali HM, Ahmed A, Bhutto AA

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21426.
PMID: 38027710 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21426

The use of renewable energy resources for off-grid electricity production has gained more importance in recent decades for meeting the energy needs of remote areas, even with limited resources. This research aims to provide an optimized and cost-effective approach for generating electricity in rural areas. By using current methodology, a stand alone energy source of PV is designed for development of NZE village. Solar irradiance of the selected location is 6.16 kWh/m2/day while the estimated electric load data for whole village is 64.259 kWh. Electric load and solar irradiance of the loaction is used in the Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) to design and analyze the techno-economic feasibility of the stand alone PV system to meet the load requirements. The study obtained the total Net Present Cost (NPC) of $0.511 M and the Cost Of Electricity (COE) is 2.26$/unit through the HOMER analysis, which is further refined by performing sensitivity analysis using parameters such as PV panel price, battery price, solar irradiance, variations in electric load and discount rates. According to the results, system is feasibile by annual electricity production of 30,078 kWh with initial capital investment of $0.434 M. This analysis compared the system performance and showed that it is economically and technically viable to meet the complete electricity needs of the village with a payback period of 7.2 years. Research can be utilized for policy making and implementation of NZE approach in remote areas by the government.
Fulltext Green shared vision: A bridge between responsible leadership and green behavior under individual green values

Younas N, Hossain MB, Syed A, Ejaz S, Ejaz F, Jagirani TS, et al.

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21511.
PMID: 38027782 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21511

The pressure on businesses to be environmentally conscious and focus on sustainable development is accruing due to environmental challenges. Companies are adopting ecological practices and policies to improve their environmentally friendly performance. To achieve this, organizations must substantiate and change the behavior of workers to align their behavior with the organization's ecological objectives. The study endeavors to integrate research on the responsible style of leaders and green behaviors of employees (in-role and extra-role green behaviors) through the mediation of green shared vision and analyze the moderation mechanism of individual green values. For collecting the data, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted among MBA executive program students with at least a year of experience in manufacturing. Out of the 450 questionnaires distributed, only 307 useful responses were obtained. The collected data has been analyzed using SPSS and AMOS. Ethical standards were followed, and participants were assured that their responses would be confidential. The study found that responsible leadership positively impacts green behaviors among employees. This means that when leaders within an organization demonstrate responsible and environmentally conscious behavior, it tends to encourage employees to engage in green behaviors. The study also discovered that a "green shared vision" partially mediates the relationship between responsible leadership and in-role green behavior. In contrast, green shared vision does not mediate the relation between responsible leadership and extra role green behavior. Moreover, this study also finds that the relationship between green shared vision and in-role and extra-role green behavior is strengthened when individual green values moderate it. The study highlights the importance of responsible leadership and the role of green shared values and individual green values in promoting environmentally friendly behavior in the workplace.
Fulltext MHD blood flow effects of Casson fluid with Caputo-Fabrizio fractional derivatives through an inclined blood vessels with thermal radiation

Jamil DF, Uddin S, Kazi M, Roslan R, Gorji MR, Kamalrulzaman Md Akhir M

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21780.
PMID: 38027788 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21780

This study investigates a fractional-order time derivative model of non-Newtonian magnetic blood flow in the presence of thermal radiation and body acceleration through an inclined artery. The blood flow is formulated using the Casson fluid model under the control of a uniformly distributed magnetic field and an oscillating pressure gradient. Caputo-Fabrizio's fractional derivative mathematical model was used, along with Laplace transform and the finite Hankel transform technique. Analytical expressions were obtained for the velocity of blood flow, magnetic particle distribution, and temperature profile. These distributions are presented graphically using Mathcad software. The results show that the velocity increases with the time, Reynolds number and Casson fluid parameters, and diminishes when Hartmann number increases. Moreover, fractional parameters, radiation values, and metabolic heat source play an essential role in controlling the blood temperature. More precisely, these results are beneficial for the diagnosis and treatment of certain medical issues.
Fulltext Assessing the sustainability of the homestay industry for the East Coast of Malaysia using the Delphi approach

Zamzuki FA, Lola MS, Aruchunan E, Muthuvalu MS, Jubilee RVW, Zainuddin NH, et al.

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21433.
PMID: 38027815 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21433

Homestay ecotourism in Malaysia has been extensively examined in terms of its concepts, approaches, activities, and community engagement. However, a comprehensive assessment of the sustainability factors pertaining to host families remains a critical area awaiting exploration. This is paramount for ensuring the long-term viability of homestays and fostering economic benefits within rural communities. The present study seeks to establish direct subjective measurements for evaluating the interplay between local communities, tourism, and resources in safeguarding sustainable homestays. Utilizing the Delphi approach, this research conducted interviews with 51 experts who were actively involved in six homestays located on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The objective was to identify key evaluation indicators pertinent to the homestay industry. The findings underscored the pivotal roles played by community resources and tourism in the sustainability of homestays. Additionally, environmental, economic, and social factors emerged as crucial components for maintaining the industry's sustainability. This innovative assessment methodology offers a valuable instrument for enhancing the sustainability of the homestay sector, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. By embracing this approach, homestay operators can fortify their sustainable management practices and prepare themselves for future pandemics. This study represents a significant contribution to the field of homestay ecotourism, emphasizing the imperative for continued research in this dynamic domain.
Fulltext The indigenous microbial diversity involved in the spontaneous fermentation of red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) identified by means of molecular tools

Lim TW, Choo KY, Lim RLH, Pui LP, Tan CP, Ho CW

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21940.
PMID: 38027851 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21940

Red dragon fruit (RDF) is well-known for its high nutritional content, especially the red pigment betacyanins that possess high antioxidant activity. Natural fermentation is an ancient yet outstanding technique that relies on the autochthonous microbiota from fruits and vegetables surfaces to preserve and improve the nutritional values and quality of the food product. The present study was to evaluate and identify the indigenous microbial community (bacteria and fungi) that are involved in the natural fermentation of RDF. Results revealed a total of twenty bacterial pure cultures and nine fungal pure cultures were successfully isolated from fermented red dragon fruit drink (FRDFD). For the first time, the PCR amplification of 16S rRNA and ITS regions and sequence analysis suggested nine genera of bacteria and three genera of fungi (Aureobasidium pullulans, Clavispora opuntiae, and Talaromyces aurantiacus) present in the FRDFD. Four dominant (≥10 % isolates) bacteria species identified from FRDFD were Klebsiella pneumonia, Brevibacillus parabrevis, Bacillus tequilensis and Bacillus subtilis. The carbohydrate fermentation test showed that all the indigenous microbes identified were able to serve as useful starter culture by fermenting sucrose and glucose, thereby producing acid to lower the pH of FRDFD to around pH 4 for better betacyanins stability. The present study provides a more comprehensive understanding of the indigenous microbial community that serves as the starter culture in the fermentation of RDF. Besides, this study provides a useful guide for future research to be conducted on studying the rare bacterial strains (such as B. tequilensis) identified from the FRDFD for their potential bioactivities and applications in medical treatment and functional foods industries.
Fulltext Novel nutritionally-enriched gummy jelly infused with nipa palm vinegar powder and nipa palm syrup as functional food ingredients

Palachum W, Klangbud WK, Chisti Y

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21873.
PMID: 38027860 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21873

The objective of this research was to develop a nutritionally-enriched gummy jelly product incorporating nipa palm vinegar powder (NPVp; a nutrients-rich vinegar) and nipa palm syrup (NPS), a nutrients-rich sweetener with a low glycemic index. A gummy jelly product was developed based on sensory acceptance tests. The water activity and the moisture content of the final product were within the acceptable range for preservation under ambient conditions. The final product had a total phenolic content of 861 μg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per g and an antioxidant activity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition) of 72.7 %. The final product had the following nutritional attributes (per 100 g dry mass): 319.7 kcal of energy, 8.8 g protein, 0.2 g fats, 70.6 g carbohydrates, 59.9 g total sugars, 0.7 g of total dietary fibers, 34.6 mg calcium, 0.3 mg iron, 168.0 mg sodium, and 774.7 mg vitamin C. The in vitro glycemic index of the product was 27.4. Based on their nutrients-content, NPVp and NPS were suitable for use in other functional food products.
Fulltext Social media reporting on agricultural adaptation to climate change in Pakistan: Measures and implications for sustainability

Javed MN, Adnan HM, Hanan MA, Sarmiti NZ, Adeeb H, Khan A, et al.

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21579.
PMID: 38027868 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21579

The agricultural sector is the backbone and single-largest sector of the Pakistani economy. Pakistan's agricultural productivity is suffering due to climate change. The study aimed at finding how social media reporting can change patterns of attitudes among farmers to cope with sudden weather changes. A correlation-experimental research design was used to find the relationships and effects of climate change on agriculture in Punjab (Pakistan) and the mediating effect of social media reporting. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect samples from 120 male farmers. Online surveys, with the help of Google Docs, were used to collect participants' responses about the type of behavior they used to adopt when getting information about climate change through social media. After determining their reliability and validity through piloting, two self-constructed questionnaires were used: (i) Measuring Farmers' Behavior Influenced by Social Media Reporting of Climate Change and (ii) Effects of Social Media Reporting of Climate Change on Agriculture. Data were analyzed using SPSS-21, and correlation analysis was done to find out the relationship between social media reporting and farmers' behavior. Linear regression was used to measure the functional relationship between social media reporting about climate change and farmers' attitudes towards adopting precautions to increase annual yield. The coefficient of social media reporting was positively and significantly related to farmers' attitudes towards the selection of crops, land management, and water storage. Based on the findings, the social media reports significantly predicted patterns of farmers' behavior towards the adaptation of advanced measures to select crops, reduce pest attacks, manage land, and store water.
Fulltext Characterizations and effects of pectin-coated nanoliposome loaded with Gijavash (Froriepia subpinnata) extract on the physicochemical properties of cheese

Mohammadi F, Yousefi M

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21564.
PMID: 38027869 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21564

In this study, pectin-coated nanoliposomes containing Gijavash extract were used to formulate cheese and evaluate its shelf life, physicochemical, and sensory aspects. The study used a central composite design with three independent variables to prepare the cheese. The results showed that the optimal particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and DPPH radical antioxidant activity were 201.22 nm, -29.33 mV, 61.87%, and 57.54%, respectively. Adding nanoliposomes with varying extract amounts improved pH and lowered acidity in fortified cheeses. Moisture and lipolysis indices also improved after applying nanoliposomes. Sensory evaluation revealed that sensory acceptance was highest in the cheese with 15% extract. The study suggests that adding pectin-coated nanoliposomes containing Gijavash extract to cheese formulations may create novel products and improve their physicochemical properties.
Fulltext Investigating associations between emotional and behavioral problems, self-esteem, and parental attachment among adolescents: A cross-sectional study in Indonesia

Sarfika R, Moh Yanuar Saifudin IM, Sari IM, Murni D, Malini H, Abdullah KL

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21459.
PMID: 38027961 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21459

BACKGROUND: Emotional and Behavioral Problems (EBPs) are prevalent among adolescents, and adolescents' capacity for adaptation can be influenced by their interactions with their parents, environment, and self-esteem. This link has not been systematically examined among adolescents in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This study aimed to assess the association of parental attachment and self-esteem with EBPs in adolescents.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to November 2022 in Padang West Sumatra, Indonesia. In total, 854 students from public senior high school 4 Padang were involved in this study and completed questionnaires on demographics, EBPs, parental attachment, and self-esteem. There was a total of five subscales for EBPs, which included emotional problems, conduct problems, hyperactivity, peer problems and prosocial. Additionally, there were three subscales for parental attachment, which included the mother's attachment, father's attachment, and peer attachment. Spearman's correlation, independent-sample t-tests, ANOVA and multiple linear regression analysis were employed to examine factors associated with EBPs.
RESULTS: This study showed that father's attachment (r = -0.191, p
Fulltext Alkali metals doped cycloparaphenylene nanohoops: Promising nonlinear optical materials with enhanced performance

Rasul R, Mahmood T, Ayub K, Joya KS, Anwar F, Saari N, et al.

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21508.
PMID: 38027972 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21508

In the ongoing pursuit of novel and efficient NLO materials, the potential of alkali metal-doped {6}cycloparaphenylene ({6}CPP) and methylene bridged {6} cycloparaphenylene (MB{6}CPP) nanohoops as excellent NLO candidates has been explored. The geometric, electronic, linear, and nonlinear optical properties of designed systems have been investigated theoretically. All the nanohoops demonstrated thermodynamic stability, with remarkable interaction energies reaching up to -1.39 eV (-0.0511 au). Notably, the introduction of alkali metals led to a significant reduction in the HOMO-LUMO energy gaps, with values as low as 2.92 eV, compared to 6.80 eV and 6.06 eV for undoped {6}CPP and MB{6}CPP, respectively. Moreover, the alkali metal-doped nanohoops exhibited exceptional NLO response, with the K@r6-{6}CPP complex achieving the highest first hyperpolarizability of 56,221.7 × 10-30 esu. Additionally, the frequency-dependent first hyperpolarizability values are also computed at two commonly used wavelengths of 1550 nm and 1907 nm, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of designed nanohoops as promising candidates for advanced NLO materials with high-tech applications.
Fulltext Bio-inspired based meta-heuristic approach for predicting the strength of fiber-reinforced based strain hardening cementitious composites

Khan Y, Zafar A, Rehman MF, Javed MF, Iftikhar B, Gamil Y

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21601.
PMID: 38027981 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21601

A recently introduced bendable concrete having hundred times greater strain capacity provides promising results in repair of engineering structures, known as strain hardening cementitious composites (SHHCs). The current research creates new empirical prediction models to assess the mechanical properties of strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCCs) i.e., compressive strength (CS), first crack tensile stress (TS), and first crack flexural stress (FS), using gene expression programming (GEP). Wide-ranging records were considered with twelve variables i.e., cement percentage by weight (C%), fine aggregate percentage by weight (Fagg%), fly-ash percentage by weight (FA%), Water-to-binder ratio (W/B), super-plasticizer percentage by weight (SP%), fiber amount percentage by weight (Fib%), length to diameter ratio (L/D), fiber tensile strength (FTS), fiber elastic modulus (FEM), environment temperature (ET), and curing time (CT). The performance of the models was deduced using correlation coefficient (R) and slope of regression line. The established models were also assessed using relative root mean square error (RRMSE), Mean absolute error (MAE), Root squared error (RSE), root mean square error (RMSE), objective function (OBF), performance index (PI) and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE). The resulting mathematical GP-based equations are easy to understand and are consistent disclosing the originality of GEP model with R in the testing phase equals to 0.8623, 0.9269, and 0.8645 for CS, TS and FS respectively. The PI and OBF are both less than 0.2 and are in line with the literature, showing that the models are free from overfitting. Consequently, all proposed models have high generalization with less error measures. The sensitivity analysis showed that C%, Fagg%, and ET are the most significant variables for all three models developed with sensitiveness index higher than 10 %. The result of the research can assist researchers, practitioners, and designers to assess SHCC and will lead to sustainable, faster, and safer construction from environment-friendly waste management point of view.
Fulltext Current trends in palm oil waste management: A comparative review of Cameroon and Malaysia

Awoh ET, Kiplagat J, Kimutai SK, Mecha AC

Heliyon, 2023 Nov;9(11):e21410.
PMID: 38027990 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21410

This paper carried out a comparative review on the current trends in the conversion of palm oil waste into value-adding products by the Cameroonian and Malaysian palm sectors/researchers. Trends like composting, composite, pulping, mushroom cultivation, pyrolysis, aerobic and anaerobic digestion of palm biomass were studied as means to reduce the bulk, and to curb emissions of Greenhouse gas while producing value. Base on this research, limited works has been done on the conversion of palm biomass into value in Cameroon, whereas Malaysian palm researchers have employed all of these techniques and producing values from them. It was discovered that the various conversion process have different degree of feasibility and sustainability, and the end-products have different applications. Conversion process like pyrolysis is relatively faster, it could take just a few minute and the end-product which is biofuel have a wide range of applications; in contrast to composting which could take up to 180 days to mature and the end-product is limited to fertilizer. This research aims to sensitize the palm sector in Cameroon to the various processes that can be applied to sustainably manage palm waste. A priority table was also developed based on the feasibility and sustainability of the various conversion processes to serve as a guide towards sustainable waste management in the agro-industrial palm sector in Cameroon and a step towards industrialization.
Fulltext An integrated multi-pronged reverse vaccinology and biophysical approaches for identification of potential vaccine candidates against Nipah virus

Albutti A

Saudi Pharm J, 2023 Dec;31(12):101826.
PMID: 38028215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101826

Nipah virus, a paramyxovirus linked to Hendra virus that first appeared in Malaysia and is the etiological agent of viral lethal encephalitis, has emerged as a strong threat to the health community in recent decades. Viral infections are seriously affecting global health. Since there are now no efficient therapeutic options, it will take considerable effort to develop appropriate therapeutic management for the Nipah virus. The main purpose of this study was to design a messenger RNA-based multi-epitope vaccine construct against Nipah virus. This purpose was achieved through multiple immunogenic epitopes prediction using Nipah virus antigenic protein using the immune epitope database and analysis resource (IEDB) followed by the vaccine construction and processing. As in multi-epitopes vaccine construction we selected immunogenic potential fragments of viral proteins, therefore in host immune stimulation we observed proper immune responses toward a multi-epitopes vaccine. In this study, the Nipah virus V protein was used to identify immunodominant epitopes utilizing several reverse vaccinology, immunoinformatics and biophysical methods. The potential antigenic predicted epitopes were further analyzed for immunoinformatics analysis and only selected probable antigenic and non-toxic epitopes were used in designing a multi-epitope mRNA based in silico vaccine against the target pathogen. In vaccine designing a total number of 03B cell epitopes, 09 Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and 01 Helper T lymphocytes (HTL) were prioritized as a good vaccine candidate. In the vaccine construction phase, the selected epitopes were linked together using EAAAK, GPGPG, KK, and AAY linkers, and B-defensin (adjuvant), and MITD sequences were also added to the vaccine construct to increase the potency. After vaccine construction, the physiochemical properties of the vaccine construct were evaluated which predicted that the vaccine construct comprises 320 amino acids with 34.29 kDa (kDa) molecular weight. The instability index was 36.55 proving its stability with the aliphatic index of 82.88. Furthermore, 9.0 theoretical pI and -0.317, GRAVY (Grand Average of Hydropathy) values were predicted in physicochemical properties analysis. A solubility check was applied against the vaccine construct depicting that the vaccine construct is soluble with its calculated value of 0.6. Additionally, after prediction the 3D structure was modeled and refined for docking analysis, the refined 3D structure of the vaccine candidate was further checked for binding affinity with immune cell receptors through docking analysis, in the docking analysis we observed that the vaccine construct has a good binding affinity with immune cells receptor and can induce a proper immune response in host cells. As we predicted effective binding of the designed vaccine construct, hence it can further facilitate the development of vaccine formulation against the Nipah virus. Additionally, molecular dynamic simulation was done using the AMBER v20 package for analysis of the dynamic behaviour of the docked complexes and we observed proper binding stability of the vaccine with target receptor. In C-immune simulation, different humoral and cellular antibody titer was observed in response to the vaccine. Overall using bioinformatics, immunoinformatics, and biophysical approaches we observed that this mRNA base epitopes vaccine construct could facilitate the proof of concept for the formation of the experimental base vaccine against the Nipah virus, as the in silico predictions indicated that the vaccine is highly promising in terms of developing protective immunity. However experimental validation is required to disclose the real immune-protective efficacy of the vaccine.
Fulltext Antibiotics for preventing infection at the surgical site: Single dose vs. multiple doses

Ahmed NJ, Haseeb A, AlQarni A, AlGethamy M, Mahrous AJ, Alshehri AM, et al.

Saudi Pharm J, 2023 Dec;31(12):101800.
PMID: 38028220 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101800

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections are common and expensive infections that can cause fatalities or poor patient outcomes. To prevent these infections, antibiotic prophylaxis is used. However, excessive antibiotic use is related to higher costs and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.
OBJECTIVES: The present meta-analysis aimed to compare the effectiveness of a single dosage versus several doses of antibiotics in preventing the development of surgical site infections.
METHODS: PubMed was used to find clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of a single dosage versus several doses of antibiotics in avoiding the development of surgical site infections. The study included trials that were published between 1984 and 2022. Seventy-four clinical trials were included in the analysis. Odds ratios were used to compare groups with 95% confidence intervals. The data were displayed using OR to generate a forest plot. Review Manager (RevMan version 5.4) was used to do the meta-analysis.
RESULTS: Regarding clean operations, there were 389 surgical site infections out of 5,634 patients in a single dose group (6.90%) and 349 surgical site infections out of 5,621 patients in multiple doses group (6.21%) (OR = 1.11, lower CI = 0.95, upper CI = 1.30). Regarding clean-contaminated operations, there were 137 surgical site infections out of 2,715 patients in a single dose group (5.05%) and 137 surgical site infections out of 2,355 patients in multiple doses group (5.82%) (OR = 0.87, lower CI = 0.68, upper CI = 1.11). Regarding contaminated operations, there were 302 surgical site infections out of 3,262 patients in a single dose group (9.26%) and 276 surgical site infections out of 3,212 patients in multiple doses group (8.59%) (OR = 1.11, lower CI = 0.84, upper CI = 1.47). In general, there were 828 surgical site infections out of 11,611 patients in a single dose group (7.13%) and 762 surgical site infections out of 11,188 patients in multiple doses group (6.81%) (OR = 1.05, lower CI = 0.93, upper CI = 1.20). The difference between groups was not significant.
CONCLUSION: The present study showed that using a single-dose antimicrobial prophylaxis was equally effective as using multiple doses of antibiotics in decreasing surgical site infections.
RANK-RANKL-OPG expression after gingival mesenchymal stem cell hypoxia preconditioned application in an orthodontic tooth movement animal model

Nugraha AP, Ernawati DS, Narmada IB, Bramantoro T, Riawan W, Situmorang PC, et al.

J Oral Biol Craniofac Res, 2023;13(6):781-790.
PMID: 38028229 DOI: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2023.10.009

BACKGROUND: The expression of receptor activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa Beta (RANK) and its ligand (RANKL), as well as osteoprotegrin (OPG), in the alveolar bone (AB), may improve bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). It is hypothesized that hypoxia-preconditioned gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSC) may be more effective than normoxia-preconditioned GMSC in this regard. This study aims to investigate the expression of RANK, RANKL, and OPG in the compression and tension sides of AB after allogeneic administration of GMSC that were normoxia or hypoxia-preconditioned in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) undergoing OTM.
METHODS: Twenty-four healthy young male rabbits were divided into two groups: T1, which underwent OTM and received normoxia-preconditioned GMSC, and T2, which underwent OTM and received hypoxia-preconditioned GMSC. A ligature wire was attached to the mandibular first molar and connected to a 50 g/mm2 closed coil spring, exerting force on the central incisor and left mandibular molar of the experimental animals. After 24 h of OTM, either normoxia- or hypoxia-preconditioned GMSC were injected into the gingiva of the samples in a single dose of 20 μl of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). All samples were sacrificed on days 7, 14, and 28, and immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze the expression of RANK, RANKL, and OPG on the tension and compression sides.
RESULTS: The expressions of RANK-RANKL-OPG in the alveolar bone of the compression and tension sides were significantly different during the 14-day period of OTM following allogeneic administration of GMSC that were normoxia or hypoxia-preconditioned (p
Fulltext Deletion of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi tolC reduces bacterial adhesion and invasion toward host cells

Hussain A, Ong EBB, Balaram P, Ismail A, Kien PK

Front Microbiol, 2023;14:1301478.
PMID: 38029101 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1301478

BACKGROUND: S. Typhi is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes typhoid fever in humans. Its virulence depends on the TolC outer membrane pump, which expels toxic compounds and antibiotics. However, the role of TolC in the host cell adhesion and invasion by S. Typhi is unclear.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate how deleting the tolC affects the adhesion and invasion of HT-29 epithelial and THP-1 macrophage cells by S. Typhi in vitro.
METHODS: We compared the adhesion and invasion rates of the wild-type and the tolC mutant strains of S. Typhi using in vitro adhesion and invasion assays. We also measured the expression levels of SPI-1 genes (invF, sipA, sipC, and sipD) using quantitative PCR.
RESULTS: We found that the tolC mutant showed a significant reduction in adhesion and invasion compared to the wild-type strain in both cell types. We also observed that the expression of SPI-1 genes was downregulated in the tolC mutant.
DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that TolC modulates the expression of SPI-1 genes and facilitates the adhesion and invasion of host cells by S. Typhi. Our study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of S. Typhi pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance. However, our study is limited by the use of in vitro models and does not reflect the complex interactions between S. Typhi and host cells in vivo.
Dietary and Lifestyle Risk Factors of Obesity Among Young Adults: A Scoping Review of Observational Studies

Lee KX, Quek KF, Ramadas A

Curr Nutr Rep, 2023 Dec;12(4):733-743.
PMID: 38038894 DOI: 10.1007/s13668-023-00513-9

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Obesity is a growing public health concern worldwide, especially among young adults. This scoping review aims to identify and summarize the current evidence on dietary and lifestyle risk factors associated with obesity among young adults.
RECENT FINDINGS: A scoping review was performed using the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search of five electronic databases published from inception to October 2023 was conducted. A total of 46 observational studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The findings suggest that high intake of energy-dense foods, unhealthy eating habits, poor sleep quality, and increased screen time were significant risk factors for obesity among young adults. In contrast, the association between obesity and sedentary behavior, low physical activity levels, alcohol consumption, and smoking habits was inconclusive. The reviewed evidence suggests that unhealthy dietary habits and lifestyle behaviors are associated with an increased risk of obesity among young adults. The findings highlight the need for further research on these modifiable risk factors to prevent and manage obesity among young adults.

MeSH terms: Diet*; Humans; Life Style; Risk Factors; Young Adult; Sedentary Lifestyle

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