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Fulltext 'Energy-Dense, High-SFA and Low-Fiber' Dietary Pattern Lowered Adiponectin but Not Leptin Concentration of Breast Cancer Survivors

Shahril MR, Zakarai NS, Appannah G, Nurnazahiah A, Mohamed HJJ, Ahmad A, et al.

Nutrients, 2021 Sep 24;13(10).
PMID: 34684340 DOI: 10.3390/nu13103339

Dietary pattern (DP) and its relationship with disease biomarkers have received recognition in nutritional epidemiology investigations. However, DP relationships with adipokines (i.e., adiponectin and leptin) among breast cancer survivors remain unclear. Therefore, we assessed relationships between DP and high-molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin and leptin concentration among breast cancer survivors. This cross-sectional study involved 128 breast cancer survivors who attended the oncology outpatient clinic at two main government hospitals in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The serum concentration of HMW adiponectin and leptin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. A reduced rank regression method was used to analyze DP. Relationships between DP with HMW adiponectin and leptin were examined using regression models. The findings show that with every 1-unit increase in the 'energy-dense, high-SFA, low-fiber' DP z-score, there was a reduction by 0.41 μg/mL in HMW adiponectin which was independent of age, BMI, education level, occupation status, cancer stage, and duration since diagnosis. A similar relationship with leptin concentration was not observed. In conclusion, the 'energy-dense, high-saturated fat and low-fiber' DP, which is characterized by high intake levels of sugar-sweetened drinks and fat-based spreads but low intake of fruits and vegetables, is an unhealthy dietary pattern and unfavorable for HMW adiponectin concentration, but not for leptin. These findings could serve as a basis in developing specific preventive strategies that are tailored to the growing population of breast cancer survivors.
Fulltext Detection and Quantification of Precious Elements in Astrophyllite Mineral by Optical Spectroscopy

Ahmad A, Abbasi SA, Hafeez M, Khan TM, Rafique M, Ahmed N, et al.

Materials (Basel), 2021 Oct 21;14(21).
PMID: 34771799 DOI: 10.3390/ma14216277

With many advantages over well-established methods, laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has emerged as a useful analytical technique for the compositional analysis of multi-elemental geological materials. In this study, LIBS was employed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of a rare mineral, astrophyllite, bearing precious elements of industrial and technological interest. The experiment was carried out using second harmonic generation of Nd:YAG laser of pulse width 5 ns and repetition rate of 10 Hz. Microplasma was produced by focusing laser beam on an astrophyllite target, and optical emissions from the generated plasma were recorded in the spectral range of 200-720 nm with the help of a LIBS2000+ detection system. On analyzing the optical spectra, existence of 15 elements in astrophyllite target were revealed. These elements include: Ti, W, Ag, Al, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mg, Na, Ni, Si and H. For quantification, calibration-free method was used. Only ten elements, namely Ti, W, Fe, Cr, Cu, Ca, Mg, Ni, Si and Al, were quantified with relative weight concentrations of 55.39%, 18.79%, 18.30%, 4.05%, 2.66, 0.43%, 0.18%, 0.12%, 0.06% and 0.02%, respectively. To benchmark these results, XRF analysis was performed, which confirmed the presence of all the elements detected in the optical spectrum of the sample, except for Na, Li, and H. The concentrations of these ten elements as measured by XRF were in reasonable agreement, especially for the major elements. The presence of a significant amount of Ti and W in an astrophyllite sample, found in Pakistan, highlights the economic value of this mineral. This study may be of further interest in commissioning LIBS technology for exploration of minerals in the region.
The restorative effect of apocynin and catalase in l-arginine induced hypotension on normotensive subjects - the role of oxidative stress

Chia TY, Murugaiyah V, Sattar MA, Khan NAK, Ahmad A, Abdulla MH, et al.

Physiol Res, 2020 12 22;69(6):1051-1066.
PMID: 33210935

L-arginine is a substrate for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) responsible for the production of NO. This investigation studied the effect of apocynin, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor and catalase, an H2O2 scavenger on L-arginine induced oxidative stress and hypotension. Forty Wistar-Kyoto rats were treated for 14 days with vehicle, L-arginine (12.5mg/ml p.o.), L-arginine+apocynin (2.5mmol/L p.o.), L-arginine+catalase (10000U/kg/day i.p.) and L-arginine plus apocynin+catalase respectively. Weekly renal functional and hemodynamic parameters were measured and kidneys harvested at the end of the study for histopathological and renal NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) assessments. L-arginine administration in normotensive rats decreased systolic blood pressure (120±2 vs 91±2mmHg) and heart rate (298±21 vs 254±15b/min), enhanced urinary output (21.5±4.2 vs 32±1.9ml/24h , increased creatinine clearance (1.72±0.56 vs 2.62±0.40ml/min/kg), and fractional sodium excretion (0.88±0.16 vs 1.18±0.16 %), caused proteinuria (28.10±1.93 vs 35.26±1.69mg/kg/day) and a significant decrease in renal cortical blood perfusion (292±3 vs 258±5bpu) and pulse wave velocity (3.72±0.20 vs 2.84±0.13m/s) (all P<0.05). L-arginine increased plasma malondialdehyde (by ~206 % P<0.05) and NO (by~51 %, P<0.05) but decreased superoxide dismutase (by~31 %, P<0.05) and total antioxidant capacity (by~35 %, P<0.05) compared to control. Renal Nox4 mRNA activity was approximately 2.1 fold higher (P<0.05) in the L-arginine treated rats but was normalized by apocynin and apocynin plus catalase treatment. Administration of apocynin and catalase, but not catalase alone to rats fed L-arginine, restored the deranged renal function and structure, prevented hypotension and enhanced the antioxidant capacity and suppressed Nox4 expression. These findings suggest that apocynin and catalase might be used prophylactically in states of oxidative stress.
Fulltext Susceptibility and tolerance of rice crop to salt threat: Physiological and metabolic inspections

Ma NL, Che Lah WA, Abd Kadir N, Mustaqim M, Rahmat Z, Ahmad A, et al.

PLoS One, 2018;13(2):e0192732.
PMID: 29489838 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192732

Salinity threat is estimated to reduce global rice production by 50%. Comprehensive analysis of the physiological and metabolite changes in rice plants from salinity stress (i.e. tolerant versus susceptible plants) is important to combat higher salinity conditions. In this study, we screened a total of 92 genotypes and selected the most salinity tolerant line (SS1-14) and most susceptible line (SS2-18) to conduct comparative physiological and metabolome inspections. We demonstrated that the tolerant line managed to maintain their water and chlorophyll content with lower incidence of sodium ion accumulation. We also examined the antioxidant activities of these lines: production of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and catalase (CAT) were significantly higher in the sensitive line while superoxide dismutase (SOD) was higher in the tolerant line. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) score plots show significantly different response for both lines after the exposure to salinity stress. In the tolerant line, there was an upregulation of non-polar metabolites and production of sucrose, GABA and acetic acid, suggesting an important role in salinity adaptation. In contrast, glutamine and putrescine were noticeably high in the susceptible rice. Coordination of different strategies in tolerant and susceptible lines show that they responded differently after exposure to salt stress. These findings can assist crop development in terms of developing tolerance mechanisms for rice crops.
Fulltext Reverse micelle Extraction of Antibiotics using an Eco-friendly Sophorolipids Biosurfactant

Chuo SC, Abd-Talib N, Mohd-Setapar SH, Hassan H, Nasir HM, Ahmad A, et al.

Sci Rep, 2018 01 11;8(1):477.
PMID: 29323139 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18279-w

Reverse micelles extraction of erythromycin and amoxicillin were carried out using the novel Sophorolipids biosurfactant. By replacing commonly used chemical surfactants with biosurfactant, reverse micelle extraction can be further improved in terms of environmental friendliness and sustainability. A central composite experimental design was used to investigate the effects of solution pH, KCl concentration, and sophorolipids concentration on the reverse micelle extraction of antibiotics. The most significant factor identified during the reverse micelle extraction of both antibiotics is the pH of aqueous solutions. Best forward extraction performance for erythromycin was found at feed phase pH of approximately 8.0 with low KCl and sophorolipids concentrations. Optimum recovery of erythromycin was obtained at stripping phase pH around 10.0 and with low KCl concentration. On the other hand, best forward extraction performance for amoxicillin was found at feed phase pH around 3.5 with low KCl concentration and high sophorolipids concentration. Optimum recovery of erythromycin was obtained at stripping phase pH around 6.0 with low KCl concentration. Both erythromycin and amoxicillin were found to be very sensitive toaqueous phase pH and can be easily degraded outside of their stable pH ranges.
Fulltext Factors influencing the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination: A cross-sectional study from Malaysia

Marzo RR, Ahmad A, Abid K, Khatiwada AP, Ahmed A, Kyaw TM, et al.

Vacunas, 2022 May;23:S33-S40.
PMID: 34483788 DOI: 10.1016/j.vacun.2021.07.007

BACKGROUND: With the surge of COVID-19 cases worldwide, vaccines against COVID-19 are also developing across the countries. However, the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccination among general people is questionable. The availability of several vaccines' options against COVID-19 has perplexed people regarding individual vaccines' efficacy and safety. Therefore, we aim to determine the acceptance, preferences, impact factors of future COVID-19 vaccines in Malaysia and the factors influencing the COVID-19 vaccination acceptance among vaccine demand and vaccine delay groups.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: An online-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among Malaysian residents 18 years and above of either gender using the snowball sampling technique. A self-administered questionnaire was made available to participants through various social media networks, email, and telegram. The data obtained from the survey were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Association between background characteristics and respondents were analyzed using the Chi-square test in the vaccine delay group and vaccine acceptance group.
RESULTS: Total of 1282 responses were considered for the study, mainly from male respondents (71%). Among the respondents, 95.9% thought that vaccination would be an effective way to prevent and control COVID-19, and 96% would accept vaccination if the COVID-19 vaccine were successfully developed and approved for listing in the future. Essential factors influencing vaccination decisions were vaccine convenience (95.7%) and doctor's recommendation (97.3%). Bivariate analysis revealed that age less than 24 years, Malay race, living in urban areas, tertiary education, students, single marital status, family income (Malaysian ringgits) RM 4,850 to RM 10,959 and >RM 10,960 were significantly associated with vaccine acceptance of COVID19 vaccination.
CONCLUSION: All the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates throughout the country should be studied on a larger scale, and appropriate steps to ensure vaccine acceptance among the public should be meticulously devised by the government and related authorities.
Fulltext Removal of Cationic Dyes by Iron Modified Silica/Polyurethane Composite: Kinetic, Isotherm and Thermodynamic Analyses, and Regeneration via Advanced Oxidation Process

Ahmad A, Jamil SNAM, Choong TSY, Abdullah AH, Faujan NH, Adeyi AA, et al.

Polymers (Basel), 2022 Dec 10;14(24).
PMID: 36559783 DOI: 10.3390/polym14245416

Emerging dye pollution from textile industrial effluents is becoming more challenging for researchers worldwide. The contamination of water by dye effluents affects the living organisms in an ecosystem. Methylene blue (MB) and malachite green (MG) are soluble dyes with a high colour intensity even at low concentration and are hazardous to living organisms. The adsorption method is used in most wastewater plants for the removal of organic pollutants as it is cost-effective, has a high adsorption capacity, and good mechanical stabilities. In this study, a composite adsorbent was prepared by impregnating iron modified silica (FMS) onto polyurethane (PU) foam to produce an iron modified silica/polyurethane (FMS/PU) composite. The composite adsorbent was utilised in batch adsorption of the cationic dyes MB and MG. The effect of adsorption parameters such as the adsorbent load, pH, initial dye concentration, and contact time were discussed. Adsorption kinetics and isotherm were implemented to understand the adsorption mechanism for both dyes. It was found that the adsorption of MB and MG followed the pseudo-second order model. The Langmuir model showed a better fit than the Freundlich model for the adsorption of MB and MG, indicating that the adsorption occurred via the monolayer adsorption system. The maximum adsorption capacity of the FMS/PU obtained for MB was 31.7 mg/g, while for MG, it was 34.3 mg/g. The thermodynamic study revealed that the adsorption of MB and MG were exothermic and spontaneous at room temperature. In addition, the regeneration of FMS/PU was conducted to investigate the composite efficiency in adsorbing dyes for several cycles. The results showed that the FMS/PU composite could be regenerated up to four times when the regeneration efficiency dropped drastically to less than 20.0%. The impregnation of FMS onto PU foam also minimised the adsorbent loss into the environment.
Fulltext Gastroprotective effect of Berberis vulgaris on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury: Histopathological evaluations

Kapitonova M, Gupalo S, Alyautdin R, Ibrahim IAA, Salim N, Ahmad A, et al.

Avicenna J Phytomed, 2022;12(1):30-41.
PMID: 35145893 DOI: 10.22038/AJP.2021.18113

OBJECTIVE: Modern treatment of peptic ulcers includes antibacterial and gastroprotective medications. However, current anti-ulcer drugs possess severe side effects. Therefore, all attempts to find new effective medications free from side effects are justified. Though Berberis vulgaris is a medicinal plant commonly used for the treatment of numerous disorders, gastroprotective effect of its leaf extract was not investigated before.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gastric ulcer was modelled in Sprague-Dawley rats after treatment with B. vulgaris leaf extract containing 0.07% of alkaloids, 0.48% of flavonoids and 8.05% of tanning substances, 10 or 50 mg of dry extract/kg, changes in the stomach mucosa were assessed semi-quantitatively, and the gastric wall was evaluated for prostaglandin E2 level using ELISA and assessed histologically by calculation of the lesion index.
RESULTS: B. vulgaris leaf extract at the dose of 50 mg/kg reduced the macroscopic ulcer score and the microscopic lesion index, increased prostaglandin E2 concentration in the gastric wall significantly higher than atropine and B. vulgaris leaf extract 10 mg/kg.
CONCLUSION: The gastroprotective effect of the high dose of B. vulgaris leaf extract may be due to stimulation of prostaglandin E2 secretion in the stomach, and anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenolic complex of flavonoids and tannins present in the leaves of this plant.
Fulltext Factors influencing the intention to use the ICD-11 among medical record officers (MROs) and assistant medical record officers (AMROs) in Ministry of Health, Malaysia

Ooi ECW, Isa ZM, Manaf MRA, Fuad ASA, Ahmad A, Mustapa MN, et al.

Sci Rep, 2024 Apr 30;14(1):9926.
PMID: 38688966 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60439-2

The transition of ICD has never been a straightforward initiative. As nations transition to ICD-11, ensuring its acceptance among the users is essential. To our knowledge, there are limited studies about the instrument and ICD-11 adoption. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to design an instrument and investigate the factors influencing the intention to use the ICD-11 among medical record officers (MROs) and assistant medical record officers (AMROs) at Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia facilities. Based on the current literature, a model based on the decomposed theory of planned behaviour (DTPB) was proposed. The model consisted of 13 dimensions and 12 hypotheses identified from previous studies. Using PLS-SEM, 185 survey data points were analysed. The study findings showed that ten factors have a significant impact on the suggested model. Users' subjective norm was the most influential factor in their intention to use ICD-11. Unexpectedly, perceived usefulness and was found to have no significant influence. This study is important for policymakers in strategising ICD-11 implementation efforts. This study's novelty lies in applying a DTPB theory model in the context of the intention to use ICD-11.
Fulltext Enhancement of Plasticizing Effect on Bio-Based Polyurethane Acrylate Solid Polymer Electrolyte and Its Properties

Tuan Naiwi TSR, Aung MM, Ahmad A, Rayung M, Su'ait MS, Yusof NA, et al.

Polymers (Basel), 2018 Oct 12;10(10).
PMID: 30961067 DOI: 10.3390/polym10101142

Polyurethane acrylate (PUA) from vegetable oil has been synthesized and prepared for solid polymer electrolyte. Polyol has been end-capped with Toluene 2,4-Diisocyanate (TDI) followed by hydroxylethylmethylacrylate (HEMA) in a urethanation process to produce PUA. The mixtures were cured to make thin polymeric films under UV radiation to produce excellent cured films which exhibit good thermal stability and obtain high ionic conductivity value. 3 to 15 wt. % of ethylene carbonate (EC) mixed with 25 wt. % LiClO₄ was added to PUA to obtain PUA electrolyte systems. PUA modified with plasticizer EC 9 wt. % achieved the highest conductivity of 7.86 × 10-4 S/cm, and relatively improved the linear sweep voltammetry, transference number and dielectric properties. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and dielectric analysis were presented. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), followed by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and morphology have been studied. The addition of plasticizer to the polyurethane acrylate shows significant improvement in terms of the conductivity and performance of the polymer electrolyte.
Fulltext Low-Loss Paper-Substrate Triple-Band-Frequency Reconfigurable Microstrip Antenna for Sub-7 GHz Applications

Singh AK, Mahto SK, Sinha R, Alibakhshikenari M, Al-Gburi AJA, Ahmad A, et al.

Sensors (Basel), 2023 Nov 06;23(21).
PMID: 37960695 DOI: 10.3390/s23218996

In this paper, a low-cost resin-coated commercial-photo-paper substrate is used to design a printed reconfigurable multiband antenna. The two PIN diodes are used mainly to redistribute the surface current that provides reconfigurable properties to the proposed antenna. The antenna size of 40 mm × 40 mm × 0.44 mm with a partial ground, covers wireless and mobile bands ranging from 1.91 GHz to 6.75 GHz. The parametric analysis is performed to achieve optimized design parameters of the antenna. The U-shaped and C-shaped emitters are meant to function at 2.4 GHz and 5.9 GHz, respectively, while the primary emitter is designed to operate at 3.5 GHz. The proposed antenna achieved peak gain and radiation efficiency of 3.4 dBi and 90%, respectively. Simulated and measured results of the reflection coefficient, radiation pattern, gain, and efficiency show that the antenna design is in favorable agreement. Since the proposed antenna achieved wideband (1.91-6.75 GHz) using PIN diode configuration, using this technique the need for numerous electronic components to provide multiband frequency is avoided.
Fulltext Mitochondrial DNA mutations in Malaysian female breast cancer patients

Omasanggar R, Yu CY, Ang GY, Emran NA, Kitan N, Baghawi A, et al.

PLoS One, 2020;15(5):e0233461.
PMID: 32442190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233461

Cancer development has been ascribed with diverse genetic variations which are identified in both mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) alterations have been detected in several tumours which include lung, colorectal, renal, pancreatic and breast cancer. Several studies have explored the breast tumour-specific mtDNA alteration mainly in Western population. This study aims to identify mtDNA alterations of 20 breast cancer patients in Malaysia by next generation sequencing analysis. Twenty matched tumours with corresponding normal breast tissues were obtained from female breast cancer patients who underwent mastectomy. Total DNA was extracted from all samples and the entire mtDNA (16.6kb) was amplified using long range PCR amplification. The amplified PCR products were sequenced using mtDNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) on an Illumina Miseq platform. Sequencing involves the entire mtDNA (16.6kb) from all pairs of samples with high-coverage (~ 9,544 reads per base). MtDNA variants were called and annotated using mtDNA-Server, a web server. A total of 18 of 20 patients had at least one somatic mtDNA mutation in their tumour samples. Overall, 65 somatic mutations were identified, with 30 novel mutations. The majority (59%) of the somatic mutations were in the coding region, whereas only 11% of the mutations occurred in the D-loop. Notably, somatic mutations in protein-coding regions were non-synonymous (49%) in which 15.4% of them are potentially deleterious. A total of 753 germline mutations were identified and four of which were novel mutations. Compared to somatic alterations, less than 1% of germline missense mutations are harmful. The findings of this study may enhance the current knowledge of mtDNA alterations in breast cancer. To date, the catalogue of mutations identified in this study is the first evidence of mtDNA alterations in Malaysian female breast cancer patients.
Fulltext Up Regulation of cystathione γ lyase and Hydrogen Sulphide in the Myocardium Inhibits the Progression of Isoproterenol-Caffeine Induced Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Wistar Kyoto Rats

Ahmad A, Sattar MA, Rathore HA, Abdulla MH, Khan SA, Azam M, et al.

PLoS One, 2016;11(3):e0150137.
PMID: 26963622 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150137

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is an emerging molecule in many cardiovascular complications but its role in left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is unknown. The present study explored the effect of exogenous H2S administration in the regression of LVH by modulating oxidative stress, arterial stiffness and expression of cystathione γ lyase (CSE) in the myocardium. Animals were divided into four groups: Control, LVH, Control-H2S and LVH-H2S. LVH was induced by administering isoprenaline (5mg/kg, every 72 hours, S/C) and caffeine in drinking water (62mg/L) for 2 weeks. Intraperitoneal NaHS, 56μM/kg/day for 5 weeks, was given as an H2S donor. Myocardial expression of Cystathione γ lyase (CSE) mRNA was quantified using real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).There was a 3 fold reduction in the expression of myocardial CSE mRNA in LVH but it was up regulated by 7 and 4 fold in the Control-H2S and LVH-H2S myocardium, respectively. Systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, pulse wave velocity were reduced (all P<0.05) in LVH-H2S when compared to the LVH group. Heart, LV weight, myocardial thickness were reduced while LV internal diameter was increased (all P<0.05) in the LVH-H2S when compared to the LVH group. Exogenous administration of H2S in LVH increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione and total antioxidant capacity but significantly reduced (all P<0.05) plasma malanodialdehyde in the LVH-H2S compared to the LVH group. The renal cortical blood perfusion increased by 40% in LVH-H2S as compared to the LVH group. Exogenous administration of H2S suppressed the progression of LVH which was associated with an up regulation of myocardial CSE mRNA/ H2S and a reduction in pulse wave velocity with a blunting of systemic hemodynamic. This CSE/H2S pathway exhibits an antihypertrophic role by antagonizing the hypertrophic actions of angiotensin II(Ang II) and noradrenaline (NA) but attenuates oxidative stress and improves pulse wave velocity which helps to suppress LVH. Exogenous administration of H2S augmented the reduced renal cortical blood perfusion in the LVH state.
Fulltext Recent Advances in Metal Decorated Nanomaterials and Their Various Biological Applications: A Review

Yaqoob AA, Ahmad H, Parveen T, Ahmad A, Oves M, Ismail IMI, et al.

Front Chem, 2020;8:341.
PMID: 32509720 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00341

Nanoparticles (nanoparticles) have received much attention in biological application because of their unique physicochemical properties. The metal- and metal oxide-supported nanomaterials have shown significant therapeutic effect in medical science. The mechanisms related to the interaction of nanoparticles with animal and plant cells can be used to establish its significant role and to improve their activity in health and medical applications. Various attempts have been made to discuss the antibiotic resistance and antimicrobial activity of metal-supported nanoparticles. Despite all these developments, there is still a need to investigate their performance to overcome modern challenges. In this regard, the present review examines the role of various types of metal-supported nanomaterials in different areas such as antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and so on. Based on the significant ongoing research and applications, it is expected that metal-supported nanomaterials play an outstanding role not only in medical but also in other important areas.
Fulltext A critical review of pharmacological significance of Hydrogen Sulfide in hypertension

Ahmad A, Sattar MA, Rathore HA, Khan SA, Lazhari MI, Afzal S, et al.

Indian J Pharmacol, 2015 May-Jun;47(3):243-7.
PMID: 26069359 DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.157106

In the family of gas transmitters, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is yet not adequately researched. Known for its rotten egg smell and adverse effects on the brain, lungs, and kidneys for more than 300 years, the vasorelaxant effects of H2S on blood vessel was first observed in 1997. Since then, research continued to explore the possible therapeutic effects of H2S in hypertension, inflammation, pancreatitis, different types of shock, diabetes, and heart failure. However, a considerable amount of efforts are yet needed to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the therapeutic effects of H2S, such as nitric oxide-dependent or independent vasodilation in hypertension and regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. More than a decade of good repute among researchers, H2S research has certain results that need to be clarified or reevaluated. H2S produces its response by multiple modes of action, such as opening the ATP-sensitive potassium channel, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition, and calcium channel blockade. H2S is endogenously produced from two sulfur-containing amino acids L-cysteine and L-methionine by the two enzymes cystathionine γ lyase and cystathionine β synthase. Recently, the third enzyme, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfur transferase, along with cysteine aminotransferase, which is similar to aspartate aminotransferase, has been found to produce H2S in the brain. The H2S has interested researchers, and a great deal of information is being generated every year. This review aims to provide an update on the developments in the research of H2S in hypertension amid the ambiguity in defining the exact role of H2S in hypertension because of insufficient number of research results on this area. This critical review on the role of H2S in hypertension will clarify the gray areas and highlight its future prospects.
Fulltext Investigating the Impact of Carbon Nanotube Nanoparticle Exposure on Testicular Oxidative Stress and Histopathological Changes in Swiss albino Mice

Nasim I, Ghani N, Nawaz R, Irfan A, Arshad M, Nasim M, et al.

ACS Omega, 2024 Feb 13;9(6):6731-6740.
PMID: 38371818 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c07919

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) possess remarkable properties that make them valuable for various industrial applications. However, concerns have arisen regarding their potential adverse health effects, particularly in occupational settings. The main aim of this research was to examine the effects of short-term exposure to multiwalled carbon nanotube nanoparticles (MWCNT-NPs) on testicular oxidative stress in Swiss albino mice, taking into account various factors such as dosage, duration of exposure, and particle size of MWCNT-NP. In this study, 20 mice were used and placed into six different groups randomly. Four of these groups comprised four repetitions each, while the two groups served as the vehicle control with two repetitions each. The experimental groups received MWCNT-NP treatment, whereas the control group remained untreated. The mice in the experimental groups were exposed to MWCNT-NP for either 7 days or 14 days. Through oral administration, the MWCNT-NP solution was introduced at two distinct dosages: 0.45 and 0.90 μg, whereas the control group was subjected to distilled water rather than the MWCNT-NP solution. The investigation evaluated primary oxidative balance indicators-glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG)-in response to MWCNT-NP exposure. Significantly, a noticeable reduction in GSH levels and a concurrent increase in GSSG concentrations were observed in comparison to the control group. To better understand and explore the assessment of the redox status, the Nernst equation was used to calculate the redox potential. Intriguingly, the calculated redox potential exhibited a negative value, signifying an imbalance in the oxidative state in the testes. These findings suggest that short-term exposure to MWCNT-NP can lead to the initiation of testicular oxidative stress and may disrupt the male reproductive system. This is evident from the alterations observed in the levels of GSH and GSSG, as well as the negative redox potential. The research offers significant insights into the reproductive effects of exposure to MWCNTs and emphasizes the necessity of assessing oxidative stress in nanomaterial toxicity studies.
Fulltext Susceptibility of Toxoplasma gondii to Ethanolic Extract of Tinospora crispa in Vero Cells

Sharif AA, Unyah NZ, Nordin N, Basir R, Wana MN, Alapid Ahmad A, et al.

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2019;2019:2916547.
PMID: 31827548 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2916547

Background: Toxoplasmosis remains widely distributed globally and is one of the major neglected parasitic zoonotic infections. The infection is still endemic in most parts of the world due to poor control as well as challenges of the currently used medications which can be overcome by using natural products. This study evaluated the effect of ethanolic extract from the stem of Tinospora crispa (EETC) on host cell invasion and intracellular replication of Toxoplasma gondii.
Method: The stem powder of T. crispa was soaked in absolute ethanol for 72 hours. The resulting ethanolic extract was screened for the presence of phytochemicals. Vero cells monolayer in 96-well plate was infected with RH strain of T. gondii and treated with concentrations of the EETC, Veratrine alkaloid, and clindamycin ranging from 1.56 to 200 μg/mL. MTT assay was conducted after 24 hours to evaluate the cytotoxicity and antiparasitic activities of the EETC. Four and 24 hours treatment models were adapted to assess the infection index and intracellular proliferation of T.
Results: The study revealed that the EETC had no cytotoxic effects on Vero cells with IC50 = 179 μg/mL, as compared to clindamycin (IC50 = 116.5 μg/mL) and Veratrine alkaloid (IC50 = 60.4 μg/mL). The EETC had good anti-toxoplasma activities with IC50 = 6.31 μg/mL in comparison with clindamycin (IC50 = 8.33 μg/mL) and Veratrine alkaloid (IC50 = 14.25 μg/mL). The EETC caused more than 70% and 80% reduction in infection index and intracellular proliferation in both treatment models, respectively.
Conclusion: This in vitro study showed that the EETC contains promising phytochemicals effective against T. gondii and safe to the host cells.
Fulltext The utilization of microbes for sustainable food production

Noor-Hassim MB, Ng CL, Teo HM, Azmi WA, Muhamad-Zalan NB, Karim NB, et al.

BioTechnologia (Pozn), 2023;104(2):209-216.
PMID: 37427028 DOI: 10.5114/bta.2023.127209

As the global human population continues to grow, the demand for food rises accordingly. Unfortunately, anthropogenic activities, climate change, and the release of gases from the utilization of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are causing detrimental effects on sustainable food production and agroecosystems. Despite these challenges, there remain underutilized opportunities for sustainable food production. This review discusses the advantages and benefits of utilizing microbes in food production. Microbes can be used as alternative food sources to directly supply nutrients for both humans and livestock. Additionally, microbes offer higher flexibility and diversity in facilitating crop productivity and agri-food production. Microbes function as natural nitrogen fixators, mineral solubilizers, nano-mineral synthesizers, and plant growth regulator inducers, all of which promote plant growth. They are also active organisms in degrading organic materials and remediating heavy metals and pollution in soils, as well as soil-water binders. In addition, microbes that occupy the plant rhizosphere release biochemicals that have nontoxic effects on the host and the environment. These biochemicals could act as biocides in controlling agricultural pests, pathogens, and diseases. Therefore, it is important to consider the use of microbes for sustainable food production.
Thermography Research in Diabetic Foot: Insights From a Scopus-Based Bibliometric Study

Zakaria SA, Low CL, Kow RY, Zakaria Mohamad Z, Abidin MR, Che Ahmad A, et al.

Cureus, 2024 Jun;16(6):e62858.
PMID: 39040789 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.62858

Diabetic foot problems are among the most debilitating complications of diabetes mellitus. These problems incur significant economic costs and reduce quality of life. The integration of thermography technology in the screening and management of diabetic foot problems has been proven to be successful in recent years. By detecting changes in temperature, thermography helps identify early infections and assists in patient monitoring. These early successes have inspired more research and publications in this field. To date, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of thermography-related research on diabetic foot using the Scopus database has not been conducted. This bibliometric analysis aims to fill this gap by reviewing the Scopus database from its inception until 2023 to examine the literature on thermography-related research on diabetic foot. A total of 342 articles met the selection criteria and were included in this analysis. The number of articles in this field remained low until the 2010s, when there was a sudden surge of interest that prompted numerous publications. Authors from the USA contributed the highest number of articles and had the greatest scholarly impact in this field. Despite the major contribution from the USA, there were numerous collaborations between various countries, underscoring the importance of international collaboration in advancing research and exchanging knowledge.
Fulltext Knowledge of sexual and reproductive health among adolescents attending school in Kelantan, Malaysia

Ab Rahman A, Ab Rahman R, Ibrahim MI, Salleh H, Ismail SB, Ali SH, et al.

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health, 2011 May;42(3):717-25.
PMID: 21706952

The objectives of this study were to describe the knowledge of sexual and reproductive health among adolescents attending school and to compare the levels of knowledge between males and females and between older and younger groups of adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,034 secondary school students using a self administered validated questionnaire. The items with the fewest correct responses included: whether one can get pregnant after a single act of sexual intercourse (30.4%), whether sexual intercourse causes sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (12.4%) and whether washing the vagina after sexual intercourse prevents pregnancy (17.0%). Their main source of sexual information was friends (64.4%). An independent t-test revealed the mean knowledge score was significantly higher among females than males on items assessing whether the genitalia may be touched freely by family members, females having attained menarche may become pregnant if having sex, whether pregnancy will occur if there is penetration of the penis into the vagina, whether premarital sexual intercourse causes pregnancy and if there is a relationship between abandoned babies and premarital pregnancies. The mean knowledge score assessing whether pregnancy can be prevented using condoms was higher among males than females. The mean knowledge scores were significantly higher among form four and form five students than forms one, two and three students. Lack of knowledge regarding important aspects of sexual and reproductive health warrant the need to strengthen sexual and reproductive health education.

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