MyMedR

Displaying publications 3361 - 3380 of 3989 in total

Abstract:

Sort:

Jatropha curcas leaves mulch effect on seedling emergence and growth of maize (zea mays)

Irshad M, Ullah F, Mehmood S, Khan AU

Sains Malaysiana, 2016;45:1013-1018.

Allelopathy is a process in which one plant species may usefully or adversely affect the growth of other plant species
through the production of allelochemicals. During the present investigation, mulch effect of Jatropha curcas leaves was
evaluated on seed germination and seedling growth of maize varieties viz. Pioneer (V1), Azam (V2) and Jalal (V3). Mulch
was applied at 1 and 2 tons/hectare. Phenolic compounds were detected in Jatropha curcas leaf (131.15 mg gallic acid
eq./gm extract). Mulch applied at 2 tons/hectare significantly reduced seed germination (%), germination index, relative
water content, root width and seedling dry weight. From the findings of the present investigation, it was inferred that
Jatropha curcas leaves exhibited phytotoxic effects on maize at high concentrations.

Matched MeSH terms: Water
Modelling of methylene blue adsorption using peroxidase immobilized functionalized Buckypaper/polyvinyl alcohol membrane via ant colony optimization

Jun LY, Karri RR, Mubarak NM, Yon LS, Bing CH, Khalid M, et al.

Environ Pollut, 2020 Apr;259:113940.
PMID: 31931415 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.113940

Jicama peroxidase (JP) was covalently immobilized onto functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) Buckypaper/Polyvinyl alcohol (BP/PVA) membrane and employed for degradation of methylene blue dye. The parameters of the isotherm and kinetic models are estimating using ant colony optimization (ACO), which do not meddle the non-linearity form of the respective models. The proposed inverse modelling through ACO optimization was implemented, and the parameters were evaluated to minimize the non-linear error functions. The adsorption of MB dye onto JP-immobilized BP/PVA membrane follows Freundlich isotherm model (R2 = 0.99) and the pseudo 1st order or 2nd kinetic model (R2 = 0.980 & 0.968 respectively). The model predictions from the parameters estimated by ACO resulted values close the experimental values, thus inferring that this approach captured the inherent characteristics of MB adsorption. Moreover, the thermodynamic studies indicated that the adsorption was favourable, spontaneous, and exothermic in nature. The comprehensive structural analyses have confirmed the successful binding of peroxidase onto BP/PVA membrane, as well as the effective MB dye removal using immobilized JP membrane. Compared to BP/PVA membrane, the reusability test revealed that JP-immobilized BP/PVA membrane has better dye removal performances as it can retain 64% of its dye removal efficiency even after eight consecutive cycles. Therefore, the experimental results along with modelling results demonstrated that JP-immobilized BP/PVA membrane is expected to bring notable impacts for the development of effective green and sustainable wastewater treatment technologies.

Matched MeSH terms: Waste Water
Fulltext Ultrathin Assembles of Porous Array for Enhanced H2 Evolution

Islam A, Hwa Teo S, Awual MR, Taufiq-Yap YH

Sci Rep, 2020 Feb 11;10(1):2324.
PMID: 32047187 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59325-4

Since the complexity of photocatalyst synthesis process and high cost of noble cocatalyst leftovers a major hurdle to producing hydrogen (H2) from water, a noble metal-free Ni-Si/MgO photocatalyst was realized for the first time to generate H2 effectively under illumination with visible light. The catalyst was produced by means of simple one-pot solid reaction using self-designed metal reactor. The physiochemical properties of photocatalyst were identified by XRD, FESEM, HRTEM, EDX, UV-visible, XPS, GC and PL. The photocatalytic activities of Ni-Si/MgO photocatalyst at different nickel concentrations were evaluated without adjusting pH, applied voltage, sacrificial agent or electron donor. The ultrathin-nanosheet with hierarchically porous structure of catalyst was found to exhibit higher photocatalytic H2 production than hexagonal nanorods structured catalyst, which suggests that the randomly branched nanosheets are more active surface to increase the light-harvesting efficiency due to its short electron diffusion path. The catalyst exhibited remarkable performance reaching up to 714 µmolh-1 which is higher among the predominant semiconductor catalyst. The results demonstrated that the photocatalytic reaction irradiated under visible light illumination through the production of hydrogen and hydroxyl radicals on metals. The outcome indicates an important step forward one-pot facile approach to prepare noble ultrathin photocatalyst for hydrogen production from water.

Matched MeSH terms: Water
Fulltext Antibacterial activities of the extracts, fractions and isolated compounds from Canarium patentinervium Miq. against bacterial clinical isolates

Mogana R, Adhikari A, Tzar MN, Ramliza R, Wiart C

BMC Complement Med Ther, 2020 Feb 14;20(1):55.
PMID: 32059725 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-020-2837-5

BACKGROUND: Canarium patentinervium leaves are used by the local indigenous people of Malaysia for wound healing. The current study is undertaken to screen the comprehensive antibacterial activity of the leaves and barks extracts, fractions and isolated compounds from this plant. Bioassay guided fractionation was also undertaken to deeply evaluate the antibacterial activity of the water fraction of the leaves extract. This is to provide preliminary scientific evidence to the ethnopharmacology usage of this plant by investigating antibacterial properties of the plant and its isolated constituents.
METHODS: Bio-assay guided fractionation and subsequent isolation of compounds using open column chromatography. The antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative ATCC strain and resistant clinical strains were evaluated using microtiter broth dilution method to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and time-kill assay. The chemical structure of the isolated compounds from the water fraction of the ethanol extract of leaves was elucidated using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).
RESULTS: The ethanol extract of the leaves and barks showed antimicrobial activity against all four ATCC and eight clinical isolates. The ethanol extract of the leaves and the corresponding water fraction had good activity against MRSA S. aureus. (MIC: 250 μg/ml) and had bactericidal effect on eight of the clinical strains (MSSA,MRSA, oxacillin-resistant CONS, oxacillin-sensitive CONS, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiela species, Kleb pneumoniae ESBL and Candida parapsilosis). Further phytochemical investigation of the water fraction of the crude ethanol extract of leaves afforded compound 7 (hyperin) and compound 8 (cynaroside) that had bactericidal activity against tested bacterial species (MIC 50 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml). The two compounds were isolated from this genus for the first time.
CONCLUSIONS: These results may provide a rational support for the traditional use of Canarium patentinervium Miq. in infections and wound healing, since the antimicrobial compounds isolated were also present in the leaves extract.

Matched MeSH terms: Water
Exposure to Pb-halide perovskite nanoparticles can deliver bioavailable Pb but does not alter endogenous gut microbiota in zebrafish

Patsiou D, Del Rio-Cubilledo C, Catarino AI, Summers S, Mohd Fahmi A, Boyle D, et al.

Sci Total Environ, 2020 May 01;715:136941.
PMID: 32041050 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136941

Lead-halide perovskite nanoparticles (NPs) are a new technology, and investigation of toxicity is of considerable importance due to the potential lead (Pb) release into the environment. The aim of the study was to investigate aqueous and dietary toxicity of Pb-halide perovskite NP and Pb in zebrafish Danio rerio. Perovskite NP toxicity was evaluated in zebrafish by mortality, gene expression, histopathology, and phylogenetic analysis of gut microbiota. Zebrafish larvae were exposed to five Pb-halide perovskite NPs in parallel with Pb(NO3)2 exposures, and zebrafish adults were exposed to the three perovskite NPs that caused the strongest effect and Pb(NO3)2. No median lethal concentration (LC50) was observed for zebrafish larvae exposed to up to 200 mg/L of perovskite NPs for 96 h. Mortality, metallothionein 2 (mt2) and δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ala-d) gene expression (24-h exposure) in zebrafish larvae after aqueous perovskite NPs exposures did not differ from total Pb concentration - response curves. The lack of differences in mortality and gene expression between perovskite NPs and soluble Pb after aqueous exposure suggest that toxicity from perovskite NPs can be attributed to bioavailable Pb rather than nano-specific effects. Induction of mt2 and reduction of ala-d expression levels in liver tissues showed Pb bioavailability after 2-d and 4-d dietary exposure to perovskite-spiked feeds. Changes in gut microbiota of adult zebrafish were detected after 14-d exposure to Pb-spiked food, but no changes were detected from perovskite-NP spiked food. The phylogenetic analysis identified different microbiome profiles of Pb-fed fish compared to perovskite-fed fish suggesting a different mechanism of toxicity. Exposure to Pb-halide perovskite NPs led to absorption of Pb likely from release of Pb ions rather than absorption of NPs. Pb-halide perovskite NPs can release bioavailable Pb and this needs to be considered during the development of this technology.

Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollutants, Chemical
Fulltext Coupled Oxides/LLDPE Composites for Textile Effluent Treatment: Effect of Neem and PVA Stabilization

Basiron N, Sreekantan S, Kang LJ, Akil HM, Mydin RBSMN

Polymers (Basel), 2020 Feb 09;12(2).
PMID: 32050485 DOI: 10.3390/polym12020394

The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and neem extract were grafted onto coupled oxides (3ZT-CO) via reflux process to stabilize the particles to form 3ZT-CO/PVA and 3ZT-CO/Neem. These were then incorporated into LLDPE by melt blending process to give LLDPE/3ZT-CO/PVA and LLDPE/3ZT-CO/Neem composites. The Neem and PVA stabilized particles showed high zeta potential and dispersed homogeneously in water. The stabilization process altered the shape of the particles due to plane growth along the (002) polar direction. The stabilizers acted as capping agents and initiated the one-dimensional growth. The alkyl chain groups from PVA increased the polarity of the LLDPE/3ZT-CO/PVA and played a dominant role in the water adsorption process to activate the photocatalytic activity. This was further enhanced by the homogeneous distribution of the particles and low degree of crystallinity (20.87%) of the LLDPE composites. LLDPE/3ZT-CO/PVA exhibited the highest photodegradation (93.95%), which was better than the non-stabilized particles. Therefore, the photocatalytic activity of a polymer composite can be enhanced by grafting PVA and neem onto couple oxides. The LLDPE/3ZT-CO/PVA composite was further used to treat textile effluent. The results showed the composite was able to remove dye color by 93.95% and to reduce biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 99.99%.

Matched MeSH terms: Water
Fulltext In-Situ Biofabrication of Silver Nanoparticles in Ceiba pentandra Natural Fiber Using Entada spiralis Extract with Their Antibacterial and Catalytic Dye Reduction Properties

Wan Mat Khalir WKA, Shameli K, Jazayeri SD, Othman NA, Che Jusoh NW, Mohd Hassan N

Nanomaterials (Basel), 2020 Jun 03;10(6).
PMID: 32503127 DOI: 10.3390/nano10061104

It is believed of great interest to incorporate silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) into stable supported materials using biological methods to control the adverse properties of nanoscale particles. In this study, in-situ biofabrication of Ag-NPs using Entada spiralis (E. spiralis) aqueous extract in Ceiba pentandra (C. pentandra) fiber as supporting material was used in which, the E. spiralis extract acted as both reducing and stabilizing agents to incorporate Ag-NPs in the C. pentandra fiber. The properties of Ag-NPs incorporated in the C. pentandra fiber (C. pentandra/Ag-NPs) were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Transmission Electron Microscope (FETEM), Scanning Electron Microscope (Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Thermogravimetric (TGA) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analyses. The average size of Ag-NPs measured using FETEM image was 4.74 nm spherical in shape. The C. pentandra/Ag-NPs was easily separated after application, and could control the release of Ag-NPs to the environment due to its strong attachment in C. pentandra fiber. The C. pentandra/Ag-NPs exposed good qualitative and quantitative antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Proteus vulgaris (ATCC 33420). The dye catalytic properties of C. pentandra/Ag-NPs revealed the dye reduction time in which it was completed within 4 min for 20 mg/L rhodamine B and 20 min for 20 mg/L methylene blue dye, respectively. Based on the results, it is evident that C. pentandra/Ag-NPs are potentially promising to be applied in wound healing, textile, wastewater treatment, food packaging, labeling and biomedical fields.

Matched MeSH terms: Waste Water
Constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell for azo dyes degradation and energy recovery: Influence of molecular structure, kinetics, mechanisms and degradation pathways

Oon YL, Ong SA, Ho LN, Wong YS, Dahalan FA, Oon YS, et al.

Sci Total Environ, 2020 Jun 10;720:137370.
PMID: 32325554 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.137370

Complete degradation of azo dye has always been a challenge due to the refractory nature of azo dye. An innovative hybrid system, constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) was developed for simultaneous azo dye remediation and energy recovery. This study investigated the effect of circuit connection and the influence of azo dye molecular structures on the degradation rate of azo dye and bioelectricity generation. The closed circuit system exhibited higher chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and decolourisation efficiencies compared to the open circuit system. The wastewater treatment performances of different operating systems were ranked in the decreasing order of CW-MFC (R1 planted-closed circuit) > MFC (R2 plant-free-closed circuit) > CW (R1 planted-open circuit) > bioreactor (R2 plant-free-open circuit). The highest decolourisation rate was achieved by Acid Red 18 (AR18), 96%, followed by Acid Orange 7 (AO7), 67% and Congo Red (CR), 60%. The voltage outputs of the three azo dyes were ranked in the decreasing order of AR18 > AO7 > CR. The results disclosed that the decolourisation performance was significantly influenced by the azo dye structure and the moieties at the proximity of azo bond; the naphthol type azo dye with a lower number of azo bond and more electron-withdrawing groups could cause azo bond to be more electrophilic and more reductive for decolourisation. Moreover, the degradation pathway of AR18, AO7 and CR were elucidated based on the respective dye intermediate products identified through UV-Vis spectrophotometry, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analyses. The CW-MFC system demonstrated high capability of decolouring azo dyes at the anaerobic anodic region and further mineralising dye intermediates at the aerobic cathodic region to less harmful or non-toxic products.

Matched MeSH terms: Waste Water
Fulltext Green Tea and Pomegranate Extract Administered During Critical Moments of the Production Cycle Improves Blood Antiradical Activity and Alters Cecal Microbial Ecology of Broiler Chickens

Perricone V, Comi M, Giromini C, Rebucci R, Agazzi A, Savoini G, et al.

Animals (Basel), 2020 Apr 30;10(5).
PMID: 32366030 DOI: 10.3390/ani10050785

Phytobiotics are usually tested in feed and throughout the production cycle. However, it could be beneficial to evaluate their effects when administered only during critical moments, such as changes in feeding phases. The aim of the trial was to investigate the effect of a commercial plant extract (PE; IQV-10-P01, InQpharm Animal Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) on growth performance, blood antiradical activity and cecal microbiome when administered in drinking water to broiler chickens during the post-hatching phase and at each change of diet. In the experiment, 480 1-day-old male broiler chicks were assigned to two groups in a 50-day trial. Broilers received drinking water (C) or drinking water plus PE (T) at a rate of 2 mL/L on days 0 to 4, 10-11 and 20-21. PE did not affect performance and water intake, while total antiradical activity was improved (p < 0.05). A greater abundance of lactic acid bacteria (false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05) was found in the T group and the result was confirmed at a lower taxonomic level with higher Lactobacillaceae abundance (FDR < 0.05). Our findings suggest that PE administration during critical moments of the production cycle of broiler chickens may exert beneficial effects at a systemic level and on gut microbial ecology.

Matched MeSH terms: Drinking Water
Fulltext Magnetic nanoparticles assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction of chloramphenicol in water samples

Saad SM, Aling NA, Miskam M, Saaid M, Mohamad Zain NN, Kamaruzaman S, et al.

R Soc Open Sci, 2020 Apr;7(4):200143.
PMID: 32431904 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200143

This work describes the development of a new methodology based on magnetic nanoparticles assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME-MNPs) for preconcentration and extraction of chloramphenicol (CAP) antibiotic residues in water. The approach is based on the use of decanoic acid as the extraction solvent followed by the application of MNPs to magnetically retrieve the extraction solvent containing the extracted CAP. The coated MNPs were then desorbed with methanol, and the clean extract was analysed using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. Several important parameters, such as the amount of decanoic acid, extraction time, stirring rate, amount of MNPs, type of desorption solvent, salt addition and sample pH, were evaluated and optimized. Optimum parameters were as follows: amount of decanoic acid: 200 mg; extraction time: 10 min; stirring rate: 800 rpm; amount of MNPs: 60 mg; desorption solvent: methanol; salt: 10%; and sample pH, 8. Under the optimum conditions, the method demonstrated acceptable linearity (R2 = 0.9933) over a concentration range of 50-1000 µg l-1. Limit of detection and limit of quantification were 16.5 and 50.0 µg l-1, respectively. Good analyte recovery (91-92.7%) and acceptable precision with good relative standard deviations (0.45-6.29%, n = 3) were obtained. The method was successfully applied to tap water and lake water samples. The proposed method is rapid, simple, reliable and environmentally friendly for the detection of CAP.

Matched MeSH terms: Water
Fulltext Enhanced Carbofuran Degradation Using Immobilized and Free Cells of Enterobacter sp. Isolated from Soil

Umar Mustapha M, Halimoon N, Wan Johari WL, Abd Shukor MY

Molecules, 2020 Jun 16;25(12).
PMID: 32560037 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25122771

Extensive use of carbofuran insecticide harms the environment and human health. Carbofuran is an endocrine disruptor and has the highest acute toxicity to humans than all groups of carbamate pesticides used. Carbofuran is highly mobile in soil and soluble in water with a lengthy half-life (50 days). Therefore, it has the potential to contaminate groundwater and nearby water bodies after rainfall events. A bacterial strain BRC05 was isolated from agricultural soil characterized and presumptively identified as Enterobacter sp. The strain was immobilized using gellan gum as an entrapment material. The effect of different heavy metals and the ability of the immobilized cells to degrade carbofuran were compared with their free cell counterparts. The results showed a significant increase in the degradation of carbofuran by immobilized cells compared with freely suspended cells. Carbofuran was completely degraded within 9 h by immobilized cells at 50 mg/L, while it took 12 h for free cells to degrade carbofuran at the same concentration. Besides, the immobilized cells completely degraded carbofuran within 38 h at 100 mg/L. On the other hand, free cells degraded the compound in 68 h. The viability of the freely suspended cell and degradation efficiency was inhibited at a concentration greater than 100 mg/L. Whereas, the immobilized cells almost completely degraded carbofuran at 100 mg/L. At 250 mg/L concentration, the rate of degradation decreased significantly in free cells. The immobilized cells could also be reused for about nine cycles without losing their degradation activity. Hence, the gellan gum-immobilized cells of Enterobacter sp. could be potentially used in the bioremediation of carbofuran in contaminated soil.

Matched MeSH terms: Water; Groundwater
Producing desulfurized biogas using two-stage domesticated shear-loop anaerobic contact stabilization system

Tijani H, Yuzir A, Abdullah N

Waste Manag, 2018 Aug;78:770-780.
PMID: 32559969 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2018.06.045

In this study, a two-stage domesticated shear-loop anaerobic contact stabilization (SLACS) system is introduced as a new reactor design to enhance methane productivity with significant reduction in hydrogen sulphide (H2S) synthesis. Due to the rich sulfate content in industrial wastewaters, the initial fermentation phase of anaerobic digestion is highly acidifying and often leads to severe performance losses, digester's instability, and even culture crash. The SLACS system functions as a dissimilatory sulfate reduction - methanogenic reactor consisting of two compartments, a shear-loop anaerobic bed (SLAB) unit and an anaerobic plug flow (APF) unit. The functional role of the SLAB unit is not limited to acidogenesis but also sulfidogenic processes, which curtails H2S generation in the APF unit (methanogenic stage). Experimental observations indicated that pH serves a critical role in the cohabitation of acidogenic and sulfidogenic microbes in the SLAB unit. Although acidogenesis was not influenced by pH within the range of 4.5-6.0, it is vital to stabilize the pH of this unit at 5.4 to establish a steady sulfate reduction of above 75%. The highest desulfurization achieved in this compartment was 88% under a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 4 h. With an average methane productivity of 256 mL g-1 VS, the methanogenic performance of the two-stage domesticated SLACS system shows a 32% methanogenic proficiency higher than that of the one-stage digestion system. Microbial community structure within the system carried out via Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) provided qualitative data on the sludge's sulfidogenic and methanogenic performance.

Matched MeSH terms: Waste Water
Electro-Stimulated Release of Poorly Water-Soluble Drug from Poly(Lactic Acid)/Carboxymethyl Cellulose/ZnO Nanocomposite Film

Gunathilake TMSU, Ching YC, Chuah CH, Hai ND, Nai-Shang L

Pharm Res, 2020 Aug 30;37(9):178.
PMID: 32864721 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-020-02910-z

PURPOSE: Among various types of external stimuli-responsive DDS, electric-responsive DDS are more promising carriers as they exploit less complex, easily miniaturized electric signal generators and the possibility of fine-tuning the electric signals. This study investigates the use of intrinsically biocompatible biopolymers in electro-simulative drug delivery to enhance the release of poorly-soluble/non-ionic drug.
METHODS: CMC/PLA/ZnO/CUR nanocomposite films were prepared by the dispersion of CMC and ZnO NPs in solubilized PLA/curcumin medium, followed by solvent casting step. Curcumin is poorly water-soluble and used as the model drug in this study. The films with different contents of CMC, PLA and ZnO NPs were characterized using FTIR, impedance spectroscopy, tensile testing and FESEM imaging. The in vitro drug release of the films was carried out in deionized water under DC electric field of 4.5 V.
RESULTS: The ionic conductivity of the films increased with increasing the CMC concentration of the film. The addition of a small amount of ZnO NPs (2%) successfully restored the tensile properties of the film. In response to the application of the electric field, the composite films released drug with a near-linear profile. There was no noticeable amount of passive diffusion of the drug from the film with the absence of the electric field.
CONCLUSION: The outcome of this study enabled the design of an electric-responsive nanocomposite platform for the delivery of poorly water-soluble/non-ionic drugs. Graphical abstract.

Matched MeSH terms: Water
Possible mechanism for drug retardation from glyceryl monostearate matrix system

Peh KK, Wong CF, Yuen KH

Drug Dev Ind Pharm, 2000 Apr;26(4):447-50.
PMID: 10769787

Lipophilicity was evaluated as a possible mechanism for drug retardation from a glyceryl monostearate matrix system. Lipophilicity of the glyceryl monostearate matrix system was studied using contact angle measurement of water droplets on the surface of compressed disks, extrudate ascension of water, and movement of water through a powder mixture packed in a high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) column. Increase in glyceryl monostearate content resulted in an increase in water droplet contact angle, decrease in the rate of water ascending the extrudate, and increase in the pressure values as a function of flow rate of water moving through the powder mixture. These could be due to the increase in lipophilicity of the matrix, rendering the matrix less wettable. As a result, the rate of water penetration into the matrix decreased, and the drug release could be sustained.

Matched MeSH terms: Water
Investigation of trace inorganic elements in street doses of heroin

Chan KW, Tan GH, Wong RC

Sci Justice, 2013 Mar;53(1):73-80.
PMID: 23380066 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2012.08.004

Sixteen trace elements found in 309 street heroin samples, piped water and contaminated water were determined using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. All the street heroin samples were found to contain high levels of sodium, a reflection of the use of sodium bicarbonate during heroin synthesis. Additionally, this element was also found to be one of the potential contaminants acquired from the piped water. Calcium could be derived from lime while iron, aluminum and zinc could have come from the metallic container used in the processing/cutting stage. The levels of these elements remained low in the heroin and it could be due to the dilution effects from the addition of adulterants. Statistical validation was performed with six links of related heroin samples using principal component analysis to find the best pretreatment for sample classification. It was obtained that normalization followed by fourth root showed promising results with 8% errors in the sample clustering. The technique was then applied to the case samples. Finally, the result suggested that the case samples could have originated from at least two major groups respectively showing unique elemental profiles at the street level.

Matched MeSH terms: Water
Clinacanthus Nutans Hexane Extracts Induce Apoptosis Through a Caspase-Dependent Pathway in Human Cancer Cell Lines

Ng PY, Chye SM, Ng ChH, Koh RY, Tiong YL, Pui LP, et al.

Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2017 04 01;18(4):917-926.
PMID: 28545188

Background: Clinacanthus nutans (C.nutans) is a plant consumed as a cancer treatment in tropical Asia. Despite
the availability of numerous anecdotal reports, evaluation of active anticancer effects has remained elusive. Therefore
we here examined antiproliferative, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-inducing and apoptosis mechanisms of whole plant
extracts in different cancer cell lines. Methods: Antiproliferative actions of five solvent extracts (hexane, chloroform,
ethyl acetate, methanol and water) of C.nutans were tested on non-small cell lung cancer (A549), nasopharygeal cancer
(CNE1) and liver cancer (HepG2) cells using MTT assay. The most potent anticancer extract was then assessed by flow
cytometry to study cell cycle changes . Intracellular levels of ROS were quantified by DCFH-DA assay. Involvement of
the caspase pathway in induction of apoptosis was assessed using caspase assay kits. GC-MS analysis was performed
to identify phytoconstituents in the extracts. Results: Hexane and chloroform extracts were antiproliferative against
all three cell lines, while the ethyl acetate extract, at 300 μg/mL, was antiproliferative in the CNE1 but not A549 and
HepG2 cases. Methanol and water extracts did not inhibit cancer cell proliferation. The most potent anticancer hexane
extract was selected for further testing. It induced apoptosis in all three cell lines as shown by an increase in the
percentage of cell in sub-G1 phase. Dose-dependent increase in ROS levels in all three cell lines indicated apoptosis to
be possibly modulated by oxidative stress. At high concentrations (>100 μg/mL), hexane extracts upregulated caspases
8, 9 and 3/7 across all three cell lines. GC-MS analysis of the hexane extract revealed abundance of 31 compounds.
Conclusion : Among the five extracts of C.nutans, that with hexane extract demonstrated the highest antiproliferative
activity against all three cancer cell lines tested. Action appeared to be via ion of intracellular ROS, and induction of
apoptosis via intrinsic and extrinsic caspase pathways.

Matched MeSH terms: Water
Fulltext A rare case of Ralstonia mannitolilytica infection in an end stage renal patient on maintenance dialysis during municipal water contamination

Lim CTS, Lee SE

Pak J Med Sci, 2017 10 27;33(4):1047-1049.
PMID: 29067090 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.334.13112

Ralstonia mannitolilytica is a gram negative soil bacterium. Ralstonia infection though rare, has become the emerging nosocomial pathogens in hospital settings. Various clinical manifestations had been described as well as the mode of transmission. Despite its low virulence factor, it is able to survive under harsh condition and this may potentially cause significant morbidity and mortality especially in immunocompromised patients. Outbreak of Ralstonia mannitolilytica infections in the hospital are typically associated with contaminated medical supplies or instruments. We described here a case of Ralstonia mannitolilytica infection in a dialysis patient that occurred during the municipal reservoir water contamination crisis. In this report, we will also describe the behaviour of Ralstonia genus and its 4 main species, namely R. pickettii, R. solanacearum, R. insidiosa, and R. mannitolilytica and the choices of antibiotic therapy based on literature review.

Matched MeSH terms: Water Pollution
Fulltext Impact of optimised cooking on the antioxidant activity in edible mushrooms

Ng ZX, Tan WC

J Food Sci Technol, 2017 Nov;54(12):4100-4111.
PMID: 29085153 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-017-2885-0

This study aimed to investigate the effect of four cooking methods with different durations on the in vitro antioxidant activities of five edible mushrooms, namely Agaricus bisporus, Flammulina velutipes, Lentinula edodes, Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus eryngii. Among the raw samples, A. bisporus showed the highest total antioxidant activity (reducing power and radical scavenging), total flavonoid, ascorbic acid and water soluble phenolic contents. Short-duration steam cooking (3 min) increased the total flavonoid and ascorbic acid while prolonged pressure cooking (15 min) reduced the water soluble phenolic content in the mushrooms. The retention of antioxidant value in the mushrooms varied with the variety of mushroom after the cooking process. The cooking duration significantly affected the ascorbic acid in the mushrooms regardless of cooking method. To achieve the best antioxidant values, steam cooking was preferred for F. velutipes (1.5 min), P. ostreatus (4.5 min) and L. edodes (4.5 min) while microwave cooking for 1.5 min was a better choice for A. bisporus. Pressure cooked P. eryngii showed the best overall antioxidant value among the cooked samples. Optimised cooking method including pressure cooking could increase the antioxidant values in the edible mushrooms.

Matched MeSH terms: Water
Fulltext Prevalence and molecular characterisation of Schistosoma haematobium among primary school children in Kebbi State, Nigeria

Umar S, Shinkafi SH, Hudu SA, Neela V, Suresh K, Nordin SA, et al.

Ann Parasitol, 2017;63(2):133-139.
PMID: 28822206 DOI: 10.17420/ap6302.97

Schistosomiasis is the major source of morbidity in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. It is estimated that 207 million people are infected, of which 97% are in Africa. The aim of this study was the determining of prevalence as well as the phylogeny of S. haematobium among school children in Argungu Emirate, Kebbi State Nigeria. A total of 325 urine samples was collected from school children between 7 to 14 years. S. heamatobium eggs was examined under dissecting microscope and DNA was extracted from urine sample and COX1 gene was amplified by nested PCR. The PCR products were purified, sequenced and analysed. This study showed a prevalence of 32.09%, with male pupils having the highest prevalence. S. haematobium infections in children who fetch water in the river have 24 times higher risk of being infected while those who bath in the river have 158 times higher risk of being infected. Our sequences were phylogenetically related to S. haematobium isolate U82266 from Kenya and consistence with the predominant species in Africa. This was the first S. haematobium and S. mansoni co-infection reported in Nigeria. S. haematobium infection is prevalent among school age and significantly associated with water contact.

Matched MeSH terms: Water
Fulltext RNA-seq assembly and analysis of Garcinia mangostana transcriptome during seed germination

Azlan NDK, Isa MNM, Zainal Z

Data Brief, 2017 Oct;14:548-550.
PMID: 28861452 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2017.07.064

Garcinia mangostana is a tropical fruit plant rich in antioxidant and bears recalcitrant seeds. The extent of water loss and low temperature tolerable by recalcitrant seed varies from regular orthodox seeds. Present study generates transcriptome resources for G. mangostana to postulate potential transcriptome differences between recalcitrant and orthodox seeds during seed germination process. Raw reads of pooled samples used for the assembly have been deposited in genbank accession SRR5412332.

Matched MeSH terms: Water

Filters

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links