METHODS: The sensor was tested with three kinds of samples, namely Pseudomonas aeruginosa, tuna, and tuna that was contaminated with P. aeruginosa bacteria. During the process of collecting sensor data, all samples were placed in a vacuum so that the gas or aroma produced was not contaminated with other aromas. Eight sensors were used which were designed and implemented in an electronic nose (E-nose) device that can withstand aroma. The data collection process was carried out for 48 h, with an interval of 6 h for each data collection. Data processing was performed by using the principal component analysis and support vector machine (SVM) methods to obtain a plot score visualization and classification and to determine the aroma pattern of the fish.
RESULTS: The results of this study indicate that the E-nose system is able to smell fish based on the hour with 95% of the cumulative variance of the main component in the classification test between fresh tuna and tuna fish contaminated with P. aeruginosa.
CONCLUSION: The SVM classifier was able to classify the healthy and unhealthy fish with an accuracy of 99%. The sensors that provided the highest response are the TGS 825 and TGS 826 sensors.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: The effects of C5EOSEW5050ESA treatment on cell viability, multidrug-resistant genes, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cellular senescence, cell death, and Notch signalling pathway were evaluated in gemcitabine-resistant Panc-1 cells.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: C5EOSEW5050ESA sensitised gemcitabine resistant cells towards C5EOSEW5050ESA-gemcitabine combination treatment by reducing the expression of multidrug-resistant genes and epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers in gemcitabine-resistant cells compared to the control group, possibly through the inhibition of Notch signalling. This study provides valuable insight into using C5EOSEW5050ESA as a potential complementary treatment for resistant pancreatic cancer.
AIM OF THE REVIEW: The present review aimed to comprehensively summarise the current researches on the traditional and scientific applications of the genus Pterocarpus with regard to the phytochemical content, in vivo and in vitro bioactivities, as well as clinical evidence that may be useful for future drug development.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Information about the Pterocarpus genus were obtained from local classic herbal literature and electronic databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The scientific name of the species and its synonyms were checked with the information of The Plant List. Additionally, clinical trial results were obtained from the Cochrane library.
RESULTS: Several phytochemical constituents of the plants, e.g., flavonoids, isoflavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, and fatty acids have been reported. There are about 11 species of Pterocarpus that have been scientifically studied for their biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, analgesic, and anti-hyperglycemic. Of which, the anti-hyperglycemic activity of the extracts and phytochemicals of P. indicus and P. marsupium is particularly remarkable, allowing them to be further studied under clinical trial.
CONCLUSION: The present review has provided an insight into the traditional applications of the plants and some of them have been validated by scientific evidence, particularly their applications as anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agents. In addition, the genus has demonstrated notable anti-diabetic activity in various clinical trials.
METHODS: Administrative and field workers from different divisions across Malaysia's six regions were randomly sampled to collect data for this study. The workers were given a total of 500 questionnaires, of which 345 were returned to the team of researchers. Based on the data analysis, there is an effective interaction between the factors tested toward safety performance.
RESULTS: According to findings, psychological capital positively and significantly affected workers' work engagement. Also, work engagement greatly impacted both workers' safety performance outcomes. Also, as expected, worker pressure significantly and negatively affected workers' safety performance.
DISCUSSION: Insights gained from this research have helped us better organize work and involve employees in safety activities/policies to boost workplace safety performance. The study also suggested that firms should reduce their employees' workloads because doing so would not lower their Psychological Capital but would instead fortify them to better carry out their duties in a risk-free manner.
METHOD: Several research methodologies were incorporated into the current study, and a review was carried out using PRISMA as a guide. The publications for this study were chosen from two prominent databases, Scopus and Web of Science. All of the studies were assessed, reviewed, and evaluated independently by two reviewers. The meta-analysis tool, Review Manager (RevMan Copenhagen Version 5.4.1), was used to record the extracted data for the meta-analysis. Moran's I 2 and a funnel plot were utilized to measure heterogeneity, and publication bias was investigated. A 95% confidence interval (CI) and overall risk difference (RD) were estimated using a random-effects model.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION: As a consequence of the search efforts, a total of 46 articles were selected for inclusion in the systematic review and meta-analysis. This review was divided into five major themes, based on a thematic analysis: (i) hatching rate, (ii) development time, (iii) longevity, (iv) survival rate, and (v) wing morphology. In addition, the development time, survival rate, and wing morphology revealed significantly higher risk differences between the maximum and minimum temperatures (RD: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.36; p = < 0.00001; RD: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.14; p < 0.0001; and RD: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.12; p = 0.006, respectively). This study makes several substantial contributions to the body of knowledge and to practical applications. Finally, a number of recommendations are made at the conclusion of this research for the future reference of researchers.
METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study in a single diabetes centre in Malaysia. Empagliflozin group were on study drug for at least three months. For control group, subjects not receiving SGLT2 inhibitors were recruited. Follow-up were performed before and during Ramadan fasting. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, renal profile, and blood ketone were recorded during visits. Hypoglycaemia symptoms were assessed via hypoglycaemia symptom rating questionnaire (HypoSRQ).
RESULTS: We recruited a total of 98 subjects. Baseline anthropometry, blood pressure, and renal parameters were similar in two groups. No significant changes in blood pressure, weight, urea, creatinine, eGFR, or haemoglobin levels during Ramadan was found in either group. Likewise, no difference was detected in blood ketone levels (empagliflozin vs control, 0.17 ± 0.247 mmol/L vs 0.13 ± 0.082 mmol/L, p = 0.304) or hypoglycaemia indices (empagliflozin vs control, 19.1% vs 16%, p = 0.684).
CONCLUSIONS: Ramadan fasting resulted in weight loss and reduction in eGFR levels in patients with T2D. Empagliflozin use during Ramadan is safe and not associated with increased risk of dehydration, ketosis, or hypoglycaemia. Therefore, empagliflozin is a viable glucose-lowering drug for patients with T2D planning for Ramadan fasting.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Scientific databases were systematically searched to identify relevant trials of HCQ/CQ for the treatment of COVID-19 published up to 10 September 2020. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tools for randomized trials and non-randomized trials of interventions were used to assess risk of bias in the included studies. A 10-item Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) harm extension was used to assess quality of harm reporting in the included trials.
RESULTS: Sixteen trials, including fourteen randomized trials and two non-randomized trials, met the inclusion criteria. The results from the included trials were conflicting and lacked effect estimates adjusted for baseline disease severity or comorbidities in many cases, and most of the trials recruited a fairly small cohort of patients. None of the clinical trials met the CONSORT criteria in full for reporting harm data in clinical trials. None of the 16 trials had an overall 'low' risk of bias, while four of the trials had a 'high', 'critical', or 'serious' risk of bias. Biases observed in these trials arise from the randomization process, potential deviation from intended interventions, outcome measurements, selective reporting, confounding, participant selection, and/or classification of interventions.
CONCLUSION: In general, the quality of currently available evidence for the effectiveness of CQ/HCQ in patients with COVID-19 is suboptimal. The importance of a properly designed and reported clinical trial cannot be overemphasized amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and its dismissal could lead to poorer clinical and policy decisions, resulting in wastage of already stretched invaluable health care resources.