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  1. Anwar M, Abdullah AH, Altameem A, Qureshi KN, Masud F, Faheem M, et al.
    Sensors (Basel), 2018 Sep 26;18(10).
    PMID: 30261628 DOI: 10.3390/s18103237
    Recent technological advancement in wireless communication has led to the invention of wireless body area networks (WBANs), a cutting-edge technology in healthcare applications. WBANs interconnect with intelligent and miniaturized biomedical sensor nodes placed on human body to an unattended monitoring of physiological parameters of the patient. These sensors are equipped with limited resources in terms of computation, storage, and battery power. The data communication in WBANs is a resource hungry process, especially in terms of energy. One of the most significant challenges in this network is to design energy efficient next-hop node selection framework. Therefore, this paper presents a green communication framework focusing on an energy aware link efficient routing approach for WBANs (ELR-W). Firstly, a link efficiency-oriented network model is presented considering beaconing information and network initialization process. Secondly, a path cost calculation model is derived focusing on energy aware link efficiency. A complete operational framework ELR-W is developed considering energy aware next-hop link selection by utilizing the network and path cost model. The comparative performance evaluation attests the energy-oriented benefit of the proposed framework as compared to the state-of-the-art techniques. It reveals a significant enhancement in body area networking in terms of various energy-oriented metrics under medical environments.
  2. Ahmad M, Zafar M, Sultana S, Ahmad M, Abbas Q, Ayoub M, et al.
    Microsc Res Tech, 2018 Sep;81(9):1004-1016.
    PMID: 30303585 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23066
    Pollen micro-morphological features have proven to be helpful for the plant taxonomists in the identification and classification of plants. The utilization of this plantmayhelpfulin the areas of lignocellulosic conversion to biofuels and diversify application toward biomass. The current study was planned with the aim to evaluate the pollen features of complex Ranunculaceous flora of District Chitral, Northern Pakistan using both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Light Microscope (LM) for their taxonomic importance. Pollens of 18 Ranunculaceous species belonging to 6 genera were collected from different localities of the research area. SEM and LM were used to examine both qualitative and quantitative micro-morphological features. Sculptring of the sexine include; Scabrate, psilate, echinate, verrucate, perforate gemmate, and reticulate and so forth. Shape of the pollens was sub-spheroidal, spheroidal, prolate, subprolate and oblate and so forth. Type of pollen was ranged from mono to tricolpate and tricolporate. Quantitative characters include length/width of the pollen, colpus, exine thickness, and P/E ratio. Based on these micro-morphological features a taxonomic key was prepared for the fast and correct identification. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT: Study of the pollen micro-morphological features of Ranunculaceous species by SEM and LM. Analysing both qualitative and quantitative characters of the pollens. Preparation of taxonomic key based on micro-morphological features for the correct and fast identification.
  3. Muhammad-Rasul AH, Ramli R, Low VL, Ahmad A, Grudpan C, Koolkalya S, et al.
    Zootaxa, 2018 Sep 10;4472(2):327-342.
    PMID: 30313371 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4472.2.6
    Up to three nominal species of the cyprinid fish genus Poropuntius (i.e. P. deauratus [Valenciennes in Cuvier Valenciennes 1842], P. normani [Smith 1931], and P. smedleyi [de Beaufort 1933]) have been reported to occur in Peninsular Malaysian freshwater ecosystems. However, low morphological differentiation among species of Poropuntius causes confusion and it is still unknown how many valid species of Poropuntius occur in this region. The goal of this study is to review the taxonomic status of Poropuntius in Peninsular Malaysia by using morphological and molecular characters. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on a morphometric dataset including 281 specimens of Poropuntius from Peninsular Malaysia and P. normani from Thailand (type locality) failed to identify non-overlapping clusters within sampled specimens. A phylogenetic tree based on cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) showed intraspecific levels of genetic differentiation within Poropuntius of Peninsular Malaysia and the specimens of P. normani from Thailand form a monophyletic group. Our results strongly support the presence of only one species of Poropuntius in Peninsular Malaysia, P. normani. We demonstrate that P. smedleyi described from Johor, southern Peninsular Malaysia, is a junior synonym of P. normani. The previous reports of the presence of P. deauratus in Peninsular Malaysia are doubtful because this species was described from Vietnam where, in all evidence, it is endemic.
  4. Parvaneh M, Karimi G, Jamaluddin R, Ng MH, Zuriati I, Muhammad SI
    Clin Interv Aging, 2018;13:1555-1564.
    PMID: 30214175 DOI: 10.2147/CIA.S169223
    Purpose: Osteoporosis is one of the major health concerns among the elderly population, especially in postmenopausal women. Many menopausal women over 50 years of age lose their bone density and suffer bone fractures. In addition, many mortality and morbidity cases among the elderly are related to hip fracture. This study aims to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus helveticus (L. helveticus) on bone health status among ovariectomized (OVX) bone loss-induced rats.

    Methods: The rats were either OVX or sham OVX (sham), then were randomly assigned into three groups, G1: sham, G2: OVX and G3: OVX+L. helveticus (1 mL of 108-109 colony forming units). The supplementation was force-fed to the rats once a day for 16 weeks while control groups were force-fed with demineralized water.

    Results: L. helveticus upregulated the expression of Runx2 and Bmp2, increased serum osteocalcin, bone volume/total volume and trabecular thickness, and decreased serum C-terminal telopeptide and total porosity percentage. It also altered bone microstructure, as a result increasing bone mineral density and bone strength.

    Conclusion: Our results indicate that L. helveticus attenuates bone remodeling and consequently improves bone health in OVX rats by increasing bone formation along with bone resorption reduction. This study suggests a potential therapeutic effect of L. helveticus (ATCC 27558) on postmenopausal osteoporosis.

  5. Kosasih S, Muhammad Nawawi KN, Wong Z, Chia Hsin DC, Ban AY, Raja Ali RA
    Case Rep Med, 2019;2019:3437056.
    PMID: 31772583 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3437056
    Upper gastrointestinal bleeding as a result of gastrointestinal metastases from lung cancer is extremely rare. We report two cases of patients with duodenal metastases from lung adenocarcinoma presented with recurrent melena. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining of the duodenal biopsies supported the diagnosis of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma.
  6. Kusuma SAF, Parwati I, Rostinawati T, Yusuf M, Fadhlillah M, Ahyudanari RR, et al.
    Heliyon, 2019 Nov;5(11):e02741.
    PMID: 31844694 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02741
    MPT64 is a specific protein that is secreted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). The objective of this study was to obtain optimum culture conditions for MPT64 synthetic gene expression in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) by response surface methodology (RSM). The RSM was undertaken to optimize the culture conditions under different cultivation conditions (medium concentration, induction time and inducer concentration), designed by the factorial Box-Bhenken using Minitab 17 statistical software. From the randomized combination, 15 treatments and three center point repetitions were obtained. Furthermore, expression methods were carried out in the flask scale fermentation in accordance with the predetermined design. Then, the MPT64 protein in the cytoplasm of E. coli cell was isolated and characterized using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrilamide electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) then quantified using the ImageJ program. The optimum conditions were two-fold medium concentration (tryptone 20 mg/mL, yeast extract 10 mg/mL, and sodium chloride 20 mg/mL), 5 h of induction time and 4 mM rhamnose. The average concentration of recombinant MPT64 at optimum conditions was 0.0392 mg/mL, higher than the predicted concentration of 0.0311 mg/mL. In conclusion, the relationship between the selected optimization parameters strongly influenced the level of MPT64 gene expression in E. coli BL21 (DE3).
  7. Chinnasamy V, Subramaniyan V, Chandiran S, Kayarohanam S, Kanniyan DC, Velaga VSSR, et al.
    Open Access Maced J Med Sci, 2019 Sep 15;7(17):2709-2714.
    PMID: 31844425 DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.559
    AIM: To determine the ameliorative potential of aqueous extract of Achyranthesaspera(AEAA) against arthritis using swiss albino mice and Wistar rats, and its possible mechanism of action.

    METHODS: Swiss albino mice (25-30 g) and Wistar rats (150-180 g) under standard controlled conditions (24 ± 2°C, 50-70 humidity and 12 h light/dark cycle). The groups were divided into 6 groups (n = 6/group) and assigned as control, negative control, standard and, formaldehyde supplemented with two different test dose groups of A. aspera for 4 weeks. Arthritis induced by subplantar administration of 0.1 ml formaldehyde (2% v/v) into the left hind paw in all groups except normal control. Arthritis was assessed using serum Hb, ESR, paw volume, joint diameter, radiological and histopathological investigation.

    RESULTS: Oral administration of AEAA shown a significant (p < 0.01) dose-dependent protection against formaldehyde induced arthritis. At 21st day, A.asperashown an inhibition of paw volume in the different doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg were found to be 30% and, 38.33% respectively. At 14th day the joint swelling was found to be 27.2% and 36.36 respectively. Diclofenac (10 mg/kg) had an effect of 36.61% inhibition of arthritis and joint swelling at 21st and 14th day.

    CONCLUSION: Thus, the present study revealed that the aqueous extract of A. aspera offered significant protection against arthritis and joint inflammation.

  8. Muhammad Adil ZA, Nur Zawani J, Hazariah AH, Rao G, Zailiza S, Mohd Nasir H
    Med J Malaysia, 2019 Oct;74(5):413-417.
    PMID: 31649218
    INTRODUCTION: A methanol outbreak occurred in the district of Hulu Langat on 16 September 2018. The Hulu Langat District Health Office received 25 notifications of a suspected methanol poisoning from Kajang and Ampang Hospital. An outbreak investigation was done to determine the source followed by a preventive and control measure.

    METHOD: Active case detection was done on cases living quarters and workplaces. Patients were interviewed, and their blood and urine samples were sent for methanol analysis. Samples of suspected alcoholic beverages were also sent for analysis. A suspected case was defined as any person presented with clinical symptoms with a history of consuming alcoholic beverages within five days before symptoms and high anion gap metabolic acidosis. A confirmed case was defined as a suspected case with positive blood and urine methanol.

    RESULTS: In total, there were 25 suspected cases, of which 12 cases were confirmed. The calculated attack rate was 48%. There were six mortalities (50%) secondary to severe metabolic acidosis. The most common presenting symptom was vomiting (75%) and abdominal pain (41.7%). These cases were linked to consumption of illicitly produced alcohol. Samples of the alcoholic drinks were positive containing high level of methanol.

    CONCLUSION: The methanol outbreak in the Hulu Langat was successfully managed. Appropriate control and prevention measures were taken, including health promotion and joint enforcement activities. Steps were taken successfully through collaborations with multiple agencies and cooperation with Selangor Health Departments and the Ministry of Health. Continuous surveillance on the product of liquor, and health promotion are essential to prevent a similar outbreak from happening again in future.

  9. Fadhullah W, Yaccob NS, Syakir MI, Muhammad SA, Yue FJ, Li SL
    Sci Total Environ, 2020 Jan 15;700:134517.
    PMID: 31629263 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134517
    Nitrate is one of the primary nutrients associated with sedimentation and fuels eutrophication in reservoir systems. In this study, water samples from Bukit Merah Reservoir (BMR) were analysed using a combination of water chemistry, water stable isotopes (δ2H-H2O and δ18O-H2O) and nitrate stable isotopes (δ15N-NO3- and δ18O-NO3-). The objective was to evaluate nitrate sources and processes in BMR, the oldest man-made reservoir in Malaysia. The δ15N-NO3- values in the river and reservoir water samples were in the range +0.4 to +14.9‰ while the values of δ18O-NO3- were between -0.01 and +39.4‰, respectively. The dual plots of δ15N-NO3- and δ18O-NO3- reflected mixing sources from atmospheric deposition (AD) input, ammonium in fertilizer/rain, soil nitrogen, and manure and sewage (MS) as the sources of nitrate in the surface water of BMR. Nitrate stable isotopes suggested that BMR undergoes processes such as nitrification and mixing. Denitrification and assimilation were not prevalent in the system. The Bayesian mixing model highlighted the dominance of MS sources in the system while AD contributed more proportion in the reservoir during both seasons than in the river. The use of δ13C, δ15N, and C:N ratios enabled the identification of terrestrial sources of the organic matter in the sediment, enhancing the understanding of sedimentation associated with nutrients previously reported in BMR. Overall, the nitrate sources and processes should be considered in decision-making in the management of the reservoir for irrigation, Arowana fish culture and domestic water supply.
  10. Afiqah-Aleng N, Harun S, A-Rahman MRA, Nor Muhammad NA, Mohamed-Hussein ZA
    Database (Oxford), 2017 Jan 01;2017.
    PMID: 31725861 DOI: 10.1093/database/bax098
    Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the main causes of infertility and affects 5-20% women of reproductive age. Despite the increased prevalence of PCOS, the mechanisms involved in its pathogenesis and pathophysiology remains unclear. The expansion of omics on studying the mechanisms of PCOS has lead into vast amounts of proteins related to PCOS resulting to a challenge in collating and depositing this deluge of data into one place. A knowledge-based repository named as PCOSBase was developed to systematically store all proteins related to PCOS. These proteins were compiled from various online databases and published expression studies. Rigorous criteria were developed to identify those that were highly related to PCOS. They were manually curated and analysed to provide additional information on gene ontologies, pathways, domains, tissue localizations and diseases that associate with PCOS. Other proteins that might interact with PCOS-related proteins identified from this study were also included. Currently, 8185 PCOS-related proteins were identified and assigned to 13 237 gene ontology vocabulary, 1004 pathways, 7936 domains, 29 disease classes, 1928 diseases, 91 tissues and 320 472 interactions. All publications related to PCOS are also indexed in PCOSBase. Data entries are searchable in the main page, search, browse and datasets tabs. Protein advanced search is provided to search for specific proteins. To date, PCOSBase has the largest collection of PCOS-related proteins. PCOSBase aims to become a self-contained database that can be used to further understand the PCOS pathogenesis and towards the identification of potential PCOS biomarkers. Database URL: http://pcosbase.org.
  11. Muhammad SA, Abbas AY, Saidu Y, Fakurazi S, Bilbis LS
    Biochimie, 2020 Jan;168:156-168.
    PMID: 31678635 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.10.016
    Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and secretome are promising therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This meta-analysis aimed to provide a precise estimate and compare the therapeutic efficacy of MSC and secretome in PAH. We searched six databases (CINAHL, Cochrane, Ovid Medline, PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus) until December 2018 using search terms related to MSCs, secretome and PAH. Twenty-three studies were included for the meta-analysis. The effect size of pulmonary hemodynamics and right ventricular hypertrophy markers was estimated using random effects model. MSCs and secretome significantly improved pulmonary hemodynamics and right ventricular hypertrophy compared to control. Comparison between MSCs and secretome indicate no significant difference in reducing right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and medial wall thickening (MWT). However, treatment of PAH with secretome significantly improved mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) (p = 0.018) and right ventricular/left ventricular + septum (RV/LV+S) (p = 0.017) better than MSCs. Meta-regression shows that cell type (p = 0.034) is a predictor of MSCs to reduce RVSP in PAH. Similarly, the effect of secretome on MWT was significantly (p = 0.011) better at 4 weeks compared to 2 weeks of intervention. The overall risk of bias ranges from low to moderate; however, some of the essential elements required in reports of animal trials were not reported. There was evidence of publication bias for RV/LV+S and MWT, but not RVSP. This meta-analysis provides evidence of the therapeutic benefits of MSCs and secretome in PAH and the effect of secretome was similar or superior to MSCs.
  12. Gani SA, Muhammad SA, Kura AU, Barahuie F, Hussein MZ, Fakurazi S
    PLoS One, 2019;14(5):e0217009.
    PMID: 31141523 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0217009
    Researchers investigating cancer chemotherapy and management continue to search for agents that selectively kill malignant cells and leave healthy neighboring cells intact. Natural products provide relevant resources for anti-cancer drug discovery. However, the physicochemical properties of these compounds limit their efficient uptake and bioavailability. We introduced a nanocarrier system, namely, zinc-aluminum-layered double hydroxide (ZnAl-LDH) intercalated with protocatechuic acid. In this study, the efficacy and toxicity of protocatechuic acid intercalated in zinc aluminum-layered double hydroxide nanoparticles (PCA-ZnAl) against diethylnitrosamine/phenobarbital (DEN/PB)-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in BALB/c mice was evaluated. HCC in male mice was induced by a single-dose intraperitoneal administration of DEN and was promoted by the introduction of PB via drinking water for 12 weeks. HCC induction was confirmed after the DEN/PB introduction period by measurement of the elevated level of serum α-feto protein (AFP). The results showed that the level of α-fetoprotein was significantly reduced in PCA-ZnAl (350±43.90 ng/mL), doxorubicin (DOX) (290±20.52 ng/mL) and ZnAl-LDH (390±19.65 ng/mL) treated animals compared to HCC mice treated with normal saline (580.4± 52.04 ng/mL). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) levels were significantly increased, whereas the level of lipid peroxidation was significantly decreased in HCC mice treated with DOX, PCA-ZnAl and ZnAl-LDH compared with those in HCC mice treated with saline. Restoration of hepatocyte morphology was observed following treatment that was comparable to that in the normal control group. Deterioration of hepatic cells and a significant increase of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were observed in the cancer-induced untreated group compared with that in the groups treated with nanoparticles. The histopathological features of the liver obtained from PCA-ZnAl-treated mice showed a uniform size with a similar distribution of the nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio and nucleus centrally located in the cytoplasm, similar to the normal liver cells. The results underscored the potential of PCA-ZnAl for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
  13. Muhammad-Azam F, Nur-Fazila SH, Ain-Fatin R, Mustapha Noordin M, Yimer N
    Vet World, 2019 Nov;12(11):1682-1688.
    PMID: 32009746 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2019.1682-1688
    Background and Aim: Laboratory mice are widely used as a research model to provide insights into toxicological studies of various xenobiotic. Acetaminophen (APAP) is an antipyretic and analgesic drug that is commonly known as paracetamol, an ideal hepatotoxicant to exhibit centrilobular necrosis in laboratory mice to resemble humans. However, assessment of histopathological changes between mouse strains is important to decide the optimal mouse model used in APAP toxicity study. Therefore, we aim to assess the histomorphological features of APAP-induced liver injury (AILI) in BALB/C and Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice.

    Materials and Methods: Twenty-five ICR mice and 20 BALB/C mice were used where five animals as control and the rest were randomly divided into four time points at 5, 10, 24 and 48 hours post-dosing (hpd). They were induced with 500 mg/kg APAP intraperitoneally. Liver sections were processed for hematoxylin-eosin staining and histopathological changes were scored based on grading methods.

    Results: Intense centrilobular damage was observed as early as 5 hpd in BALB/C as compared to ICR mice, which was observed at 10 hpd. The difference of liver injury between ICR and BALB/C mice is due to dissimilarity in the genetic line-up that related to different elimination pathways of APAP toxicity. However, at 24 hpd, the damage was markedly subsided and liver regeneration had taken place for both ICR and BALB/C groups with evidence of mitotic figures. This study showed that normal liver architecture was restored after the clearance of toxic insult.

    Conclusion: AILI was exhibited earlier in BALB/C than ICR mice but both underwent liver recovery at later time points.

  14. Hussain Z, Khan S, Imran M, Sohail M, Shah SWA, de Matas M
    Drug Deliv Transl Res, 2019 06;9(3):721-734.
    PMID: 30895453 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-019-00631-4
    On account of heterogeneity, intrinsic ability of drug resistance, and the potential to invade to other parts of the body (malignancy), the development of a rational anticancer regimen is dynamically challenging. Chemotherapy is considered the gold standard for eradication of malignancy and mitigation of its reoccurrence; nevertheless, it has also been associated with detrimental effects to normal tissues owing to its nonselectivity and nominal penetration into the tumor tissues. In recent decades, nanotechnology-guided interventions have been well-acclaimed due to their ability to facilitate target-specific delivery of drugs, avoidance of nontarget distribution, alleviated systemic toxicity, and maximized drug internalization into cancer cells. Despite their numerous biomedical advantages, clinical translation of nanotechnology-mediated regimens is challenging due to their short plasma half-life and early clearance. PEGylation of nanomedicines has been adapted as an efficient strategy to extend plasma half-life and diminished early plasma clearance via alleviating the opsonization (uptake by monocytes and macrophages) of drug nanocarriers. PEGylation provides "stealth" properties to nanocarrier's surfaces which diminished their recognition or uptake by cellular immune system, leading to longer circulation time, reduced dosage and frequency, and superior site-selective delivery of drugs. Therefore, this review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the pharmaceutical advantages and therapeutic feasibility of PEGylation of nanocarriers in improving tumor-specific targetability, reversing drug resistance, and improving pharmacokinetic profile of drugs and anticancer efficacy. Challenges to PEGylated cancer nanomedicines, possible adaptations to resolve those challenges, and pivotal requirement for interdisciplinary research for development of rational anticancer regimen have also been pondered.
  15. Muhammad HFL, Sulistyoningrum DC, Huriyati E, Lee YY, Manan Wan Muda WA
    J Nutr Metab, 2019;2019:9606054.
    PMID: 30719347 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9606054
    Background: Coffee is suggested as an alternative option for weight loss but the relationship between coffee consumption and adiposity in population-based studies is still controversial. Therefore, this study was aimed at evaluating the relationship between coffee intake and adiposity in adults and to test whether uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) gene variation was able to affect this relationship.

    Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in male and female adults living in the urban area of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Adiposity was determined based on body weight, body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, and waist and hip circumference. Data on coffee consumption and other dietary components were collected using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire along with other caffeine-containing beverages such as tea, chocolate, and other beverages. The -866 G/A UCP2 gene variation was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The correlation between coffee intake and adiposity was tested using linear regression test with adjustment for sex, age, energy intake, table sugar intake, and total caffeine intake.

    Results: In all subjects, coffee intake was inversely correlated with body weight (β = -0.122, p=0.028), BMI (β = -0.157, p=0.005), and body fat (β = -0.135, p=0.009). In subjects with AA + GA genotypes, coffee intake was inversely correlated with body weight (β = -0.155, p=0.027), BMI (β = -0.179, p=0.010), and body fat (β = -0.148, p=0.021). By contrast, in subjects with GG genotype, coffee intake was not correlated with body weight (β = -0.017, p=0.822), BMI (β = -0.068, p=0.377), and body fat (β = -0.047, p=0.504).

    Conclusion: We showed that coffee intake was negatively correlated with adiposity, and this was independent of total caffeine intake. Additionally, we showed that the -866 G/A UCP2 gene variation influences the relationship between coffee intake and adiposity.

  16. Wan Mohtar WHM, Abdul Maulud KN, Muhammad NS, Sharil S, Yaseen ZM
    Environ Pollut, 2019 May;248:133-144.
    PMID: 30784832 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.02.011
    Malaysia depends heavily on rivers as a source for water supply, irrigation, and sustaining the livelihood of local communities. The evolution of land use in urban areas due to rapid development and the continuous problem of illegal discharge have had a serious adverse impact on the health of the country's waterways. Klang River requires extensive rehabilitation and remediation before its water could be utilised for a variety of purposes. A reliable and rigorous remediation work plan is needed to identify the sources and locations of streams that are constantly polluted. This study attempts to investigate the feasibility of utilising a temporal and spatial risk quotient (RQ) based analysis to make an accurate assessment of the current condition of the tributaries in the Klang River catchment area. The study relies on existing data sets on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and Ammonia (NH3) to evaluate the water quality at thirty strategic locations. Analysis of ammonia pollution is not only based on the limit established for river health but was expanded to include the feasibility of using the water for water intake, recreational activities, and sustaining fish population. The temporal health of Klang River was evaluated using the Risk Matrix Approach (RMA) based on the frequency of RQ > 1 and associated colour-coded hazard impacts. By using the developed RMA, the hazard level for each parameter at each location was assessed and individually mapped using Geographic Information System (GIS). The developed risk hazard mapping has high potential as one of the essential tools in making decisions for a cost-effective river restoration and rehabilitation.
  17. Naauman Z, Rajion ZAB, Maliha S, Hariy P, Muhammad QS, Noor HAR
    Eur J Dent, 2019 Feb;13(1):114-118.
    PMID: 31170762 DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1688741
    OBJECTIVE: The carbon, titanium, and oxygen levels on titanium implant surfaces with or without ultraviolet (UV) pretreatment were evaluated at different wavelengths through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This interventional experimental study was conducted on nine Dio UFII implants with hybrid sandblasted and acid-etched (SLA) surface treatments, divided equally into three groups. Control group A samples were not given UV irradiation, while groups B and C samples were given UVA (382 nm, 25 mWcm2) and UVC (260 nm, 15 mWcm2) irradiation, respectively. The atomic ratio of carbon, titanium, and oxygen was compared through XPS.

    RESULTS: Mean carbon-to-titanium ratio and C1 peaks considerably increased in Group A compared to those in experimental Groups B and C. The intensity of Ti2p and O1s peaks was more pronounced for group C compared to that for groups A and B.

    CONCLUSIONS: Although the decrease in surface hydrocarbons was the same in both UV-treated groups, the peak intensity of oxygen increased in the UVC-treated group. Thus, it can be concluded that compared with UVA irradiation, UVC irradiation has the potential to induce more hydrophilicity on SLA-coated implants.

  18. Rizwan M, Yahya R, Hassan A, Yar M, Abd Halim AA, Rageh Al-Maleki A, et al.
    J Mater Sci Mater Med, 2019 Jun 11;30(6):72.
    PMID: 31187295 DOI: 10.1007/s10856-019-6273-3
    The success of wound healing depends upon the proper growth of vascular system in time in the damaged tissues. Poor blood supply to wounded tissues or tissue engineered grafts leads to the failure of wound healing or rejection of grafts. In present paper, we report the synthesis of novel organosoluble and pro-angiogenic chitosan derivative (CSD) by the reaction of chitosan with 1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid and triethylorthoformate (TEOF). The synthesized material was characterized by FTIR and 13C-NMR to confirm the incorporated functional groups and new covalent connectivities. Biodegradability of the synthesized chitosan derivative was tested in the presence of lysozyme and was found to be comparable with CS. The cytotoxicity and apoptosis effect of new derivative was determined against gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells and was found to be non-toxic. The CSD was found to be soluble in majority of organic solvents. It was blended with polycaprolactone (PCL) to form composite scaffolds. From an ex ovo CAM assay, it was noted that CSD stimulated the angiogenesis.
  19. Raja Nhari RMH, Muhammad Zailani AN, Khairil Mokhtar NF, Hanish I
    PMID: 32027553 DOI: 10.1080/19440049.2020.1717645
    The usage of porcine pepsin or other porcine derivatives in food products is a common practice in European, American and certain Asian countries although it creates issues in religious and personnel health concerns. In this study, porcine pepsin was detected using indirect ELISA that involved the anti-pep80510 polyclonal antibody raised against a specific peptide of porcine pepsin, pep80510. The sensitivity of the assay for standard porcine pepsin was 0.008 µg/g. The immunoassay did not cross-react to other animal rennet and milk proteins except for microbial coagulant from Mucor miehie. The recovery of porcine pepsin in spiked cheese curd within the range of CV < 20% while for porcine pepsin in spiked cheese whey the recovery is also within the range of CV% < 20%.
  20. Nasiri R, Dabagh S, Meamar R, Idris A, Muhammad I, Irfan M, et al.
    Nanotechnology, 2020 May 08;31(19):195603.
    PMID: 31978907 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ab6fd4
    The present study aims at engineering, fabrication, characterization, and qualifications of papain (PPN) conjugated SiO2-coated iron oxide nanoparticles 'IONPs@SiO2-PPN'. Initially fabricated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were coated with silica (SiO2) using sol-gel method to hinder the aggregation and to enhance biocompatibility. Next, PPN was loaded as an anticancer agent into the silica coated IONPs (IONPs@SiO2) for the delivery of papain to the HeLa cancer cells. This fabricated silica-coated based magnetic nanoparticle is introduced as a new physiologically-compatible and stable drug delivery vehicle for delivering of PPN to the HeLa cancer cell line. The IONPs@SiO2-PPN were characterized using FT-IR, AAS, FESEM, XRD, DLS, and VSM equipment. Silica was amended on the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs, γ-Fe2O3) to modify its biocompatibility and stability. The solvent evaporation method was used to activate PPN vectorization. The following tests were performed to highlight the compatibility of our proposed delivery vehicle: in vitro toxicity assay, in vivo acute systemic toxicity test, and the histology examination. The results demonstrated that IONPs@SiO2-PPN successfully reduced the IC50 values compared with the native PPN. Also, the structural alternations of HeLa cells exposed to IONPs@SiO2-PPN exhibited higher typical hallmarks of apoptosis compared to the cells treated with the native PPN. The in vivo acute toxicity test indicated no clinical signs of distress/discomfort or weight loss in Balb/C mice a week after the intravenous injection of IONPs@SiO2 (10 mg kg-1). Besides, the tissues architectures were not affected and the pathological inflammatory alternations detection failed. In conclusion, IONPs@SiO2-PPN can be chosen as a potent candidate for further medical applications in the future, for instance as a drug delivery vehicle or hyperthermia agent.
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