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  1. Ngadni MA, Chong SL, Kamarudin MNA, Hazni H, Litaudon M, Supratman U, et al.
    Fitoterapia, 2024 Mar;173:105765.
    PMID: 38042506 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105765
    A phytochemical study on the bark of Chisocheton erythrocarpus Hiern (Meliaceae) has led to the isolation of six new phragmalin-type limonoids named erythrocarpines I - N (1-6) along with one known limonoid, erythrocarpine F (7). Their structures were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods. The pre-treatment of NG108-15 cells with 1-5, 7 (2 h) demonstrated low to good protective effects against H2O2 exposure; 1 (83.77% ± 1.84 at 12.5 μM), 2 (69.07 ± 2.01 at 12.5 μM), 3 (80.38 ± 2.1 at 12.5 μM), 4 (62.33 ± 1.95 at 25 μM),5 (58.67 ± 1.85 at 50 μM) and 7 (66.07 ± 2.03 at 12.5 μM). Interestingly, 1 and 3 demonstrated comparable protective effects to positive control epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) with similar cell viability capacity (≈ 80%), having achieved that at lower concentration (12.5 μM) than EGCG (50 μM). Collectively, the results suggested the promising use of 1 and 3 as potential neuroprotective agents against hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity in neuronal model.
  2. Fareed F, Saeed F, Afzaal M, Imran A, Ahmad A, Mahmood K, et al.
    J Food Sci Technol, 2022 Dec;59(12):4812-4821.
    PMID: 36276519 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-022-05567-1
    In the current study, the probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus) was encapsulated using Gum Arabic and polyvinyl alcohol blended nanofibers by electrospinning. Obtained nanofibers were characterized in terms of particle size, diameter, mechanical strength, and encapsulation efficiency. The molecular and internal structure characterization was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction respectively. Thermo Gravimetric (TGA) analysis was conducted to determine the thermal features of PVA/GA/probiotics nanofibers. Free and encapsulated probiotics were also subjected to in vitro assay under different detrimental conditions. Images obtained using SEM indicated that probiotics were successfully encapsulated in blends by a nano-spider. FTIR and XRD spectra showed bonding interactions between the wall and core materials. In-vitro assay indicated that probiotics with encapsulated showed significantly (P 
  3. Abu Kassim NL, Mohd Bakri SK, Nusrat F, Salim E, Manjurul Karim M, Rahman MT
    Account Res, 2024 Dec;31(1):56-71.
    PMID: 35758245 DOI: 10.1080/08989621.2022.2094256
    Considering the fact that publications serve as an important criterion to evaluate the scientific accomplishments of an individual within respective fields in academia, there has been an increasing trend to publish scientific articles whereby multiple authors are defined as primary, co-, or corresponding authors according to the roles performed. This article analyzes the authorship pattern in 4,561 papers (including 60 single-authored papers) from 1990 till 2020 of 94 academics who hold a position as professors and are affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at three different research universities in Malaysia. Only 708 papers (15.5% of 4,561 papers) were authored by less than three authors. In 3,080 papers (67.5% of 4,561 papers), those academics appeared as coauthors. Using different years as cutoff periods, it was observed that the appearance as coauthor in the papers had steeply risen around the years: 2006, 2007, 2008 and onwards. The increased number of authors in the multi-author papers and the appearance of the selected academics as coauthors reflect the extent of boosting of collaborative research in that period which corresponds to the adoption of the "publish or perish policy" by the Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia.
  4. Ren X, Nur Salihin Yusoff M, Hartini Mohd Taib N, Zhang L, Wang K
    Eur J Radiol, 2024 Jan;170:111274.
    PMID: 38147764 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.111274
    PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two diagnostic methods, 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and mpMRI, in detecting primary prostate cancer without limitations on the Gleason score.

    METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive literature review, searching databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science until June 2023. Our objective was to identify studies that compared the efficacy of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and mpMRI in detecting primary prostate cancer. To determine heterogeneity, the I2 statistic was used. Meta-regression analysis and leave-one-out sensitivity analysis were conducted to identify potential sources of heterogeneity.

    RESULTS: Initially, 1286 publications were found, but after careful evaluation, only 16 studies involving 1227 patients were analyzed thoroughly. The results showed that the 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT method had a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 0.87 (95 % CI: 0.80-0.92) and 0.80 (95 % CI: 0.69-0.89), respectively, for diagnosing prostatic cancer. Similarly, the values for mpMRI were determined as 0.84 (95 % CI: 0.75-0.92) and 0.74 (95 % CI: 0.61-0.86), respectively. There were no significant differences in diagnostic effectiveness observed when comparing two primary prostate cancer methodologies (pooled sensitivity P = 0.62, pooled specificity P = 0.50). Despite this, the funnel plots showed symmetry and the Egger test results (P values > 0.05) suggested there was no publication bias.

    CONCLUSIONS: After an extensive meta-analysis, it was found that both 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and mpMRI demonstrate similar diagnostic effectiveness in detecting primary prostate cancer. Future larger prospective studies are warranted to investigate this issue further.

  5. Mohammad Razali A, Mohamed Shafit MA, Md Saleh R, Mohmood A, Mohd Isa M
    Cureus, 2023 Nov;15(11):e49270.
    PMID: 38143638 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.49270
    Ocular ischemic syndrome is a rare, blinding condition that usually presents rather late. This occurs mainly due to stenosis or occlusion of the carotid artery which supplies the ocular structures. Bilateral involvement may occur in one in five cases but may be asymmetrical. We report a case of a 72-year-old gentleman with bilateral ocular ischemic syndrome secondary to left common carotid artery total occlusion and severe right proximal internal carotid artery stenosis in a patient who is an active smoker with chronic tophaceous gout. His vision remained stable after a year of follow-up, with the main emphasis on optimizing his medical condition and smoking cessation.
  6. Azman SS, Yazid MD, Abdul Ghani NA, Raja Sabudin RZA, Abdul Rahman MR, Sulaiman N
    Artif Cells Nanomed Biotechnol, 2023 Dec;51(1):408-416.
    PMID: 37584645 DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2023.2245456
    Endothelial dysfunction initiates the pathogenesis of a myriad of cardiovascular diseases, yet the precise underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Current model utilises mechanical denudation of arteries resulting in an arterial-injury model with onset of intimal hyperplasia (IH). Our study shows that 5 min enzymatic denudation of human umbilical artery (hUA) lumen at 37 °C efficiently denudes hUA while maintaining vessel integrity without significantly increase intima-media thickness after 7 days in culture. This ex-vivo model will be a valuable tool in understanding the mechanism of re-endothelialization prior to smooth muscle cells (SMC) activation thus placating IH at an early stage.
  7. Nazeera Fatimah K, Zuhra H, Hizlinda T, Noor Azimah M, Syahnaz MH, Rahmah K
    PMID: 37575358 DOI: 10.51866/oa.333
    INTRODUCTION: Erectile dysfunction (ED) negatively affects patients' emotions. However, its effect on spouses' psychological well-being remains largely unknown. This study aimed to examine psychological morbidities and their associated factors among spouses of men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and ED.

    METHOD: This cross-sectional study included 115 women recruited through their husbands who were patients at a selected government health clinic in Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire containing the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 and items on health-related information, marital history, sexual history and perception of husband's ED was used to assess possible depression, anxiety and stress.

    RESULTS: The prevalence of psychological morbidities was 28.7% (depression=17.4%, anxiety=25.2% and stress=10.4%). Most respondents were middle-aged [median (interquartile range)=44.0 (11.0) years], were employed (55.7%) and had a low income (81.7%). About 47.0% of the spouses had a medical problem. The mean marriage duration was 18.7 (standard deviation=7.9) years. Almost all (90.4%) had sexual intercourse (SI) within the previous month. The majority had moderate-to-high interest in SI (72.2%) with a frequency of one to two times per week (69.6%). The majority (75.7%) did not perceive their husband as having ED. Multiple logistic regression demonstrated that medical illness was significantly associated with anxiety (adjusted odds ratio=2.85, 95% confidence interval=1.11-7.29, P=0.029).

    CONCLUSION: Psychological morbidities were present among the spouses of men with T2DM and ED. Psychological well-being was significantly affected by their medical illness. Despite their husband's ED, the women declared to have regular sexual relationships and did not perceive their husband as having erectile problems.

  8. Liu Y, Naveed RT, Kanwal S, Tahir Khan M, Dalain AF, Lan W
    PLoS One, 2023;18(8):e0289281.
    PMID: 37590276 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289281
    In today's digitally interconnected world, social media emerges as a powerful tool, offering different opportunities for modern businesses. Not only do organizations use social media for marketing purposes, but they also endeavor to influence consumer psychology and behavior. Although prior studies indicate social media's efficacy in disseminating corporate social responsibility (CSR) communications, there remains a dearth of research addressing the impact of CSR-related messaging from banks on consumers' brand advocacy behavior (CBAB). Our study seeks to bridge this gap, exploring the CSR-CBAB relationship within the banking sector of an emerging economy. Additionally, we investigate the roles of consumers' emotions and values in mediating and moderating their CBAB, introducing two mediating factors, consumer happiness (HP) and admiration (BRAD), and moderating variable altruistic values (ATVL). Data collection involved an adapted questionnaire targeting banking consumers. The structural analysis revealed a positive correlation between a bank's CSR-related social media communications and CBAB. HP and BRAD were identified as mediators in this relationship, while ATVL emerged as a moderator. These findings hold significant theoretical and practical implications. For instance, our research highlights the indispensable role of social media in effectively conveying CSR-related information to banking consumers, subsequently enhancing their advocacy intentions.
  9. Shahab M, Aiman S, Alshammari A, Alasmari AF, Alharbi M, Khan A, et al.
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2023 Dec 31;253(Pt 2):126678.
    PMID: 37666399 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126678
    Jamestown Canyon virus (JCV) is a deadly viral infection transmitted by various mosquito species. This mosquito-borne virus belongs to Bunyaviridae family, posing a high public health threat in the in tropical regions of the United States causing encephalitis in humans. Common symptoms of JCV include fever, headache, stiff neck, photophobia, nausea, vomiting, and seizures. Despite the availability of resources, there is currently no vaccine or drug available to combat JCV. The purpose of this study was to develop an epitope-based vaccine using immunoinformatics approaches. The vaccine aimed to be secure, efficient, bio-compatible, and capable of stimulating both innate and adaptive immune responses. In this study, the protein sequence of JCV was obtained from the NCBI database. Various bioinformatics methods, including toxicity evaluation, antigenicity testing, conservancy analysis, and allergenicity assessment were utilized to identify the most promising epitopes. Suitable linkers and adjuvant sequences were used in the design of vaccine construct. 50s ribosomal protein sequence was used as an adjuvant at the N-terminus of the construct. A total of 5 CTL, 5 HTL, and 5 linear B cell epitopes were selected based on non-allergenicity, immunological potential, and antigenicity scores to design a highly immunogenic multi-peptide vaccine construct. Strong interactions between the proposed vaccine and human immune receptors, i.e., TLR-2 and TLR-4, were revealed in a docking study using ClusPro software, suggesting their possible relevance in the immunological response to the vaccine. Immunological and physicochemical properties assessment ensured that the proposed vaccine demonstrated high immunogenicity, solubility and thermostability. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the strong binding affinities, as well as dynamic and structural stability of the proposed vaccine. Immune simulation suggest that the vaccine has the potential to effectively stimulate cellular and humoral immune responses to combat JCV infection. Experimental and clinical assays are required to validate the results of this study.
  10. Zahir SADM, Jamlos MF, Omar AF, Jamlos MA, Mamat R, Muncan J, et al.
    PMID: 37666099 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2023.123273
    Experiments demonstrated that visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy is a highly reliable tool for determining the nutritional status of plants. Although numerous studies on various kinds of plants have been conducted, there are only a few summaries of the research findings regarding the absorbance bands in the visible and near-infrared region and how they relate to the nutritional status of plants. This article will discuss the application of Vis-NIR spectroscopy for monitoring the nutrient conditions of plants, with a particular emphasis on three major components required by plants, namely nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), or NPK. Each section discussed different topics, for instance, the essential nutrients needed by plants, the application of Vis-NIR spectroscopy in nutrient status analysis, chemometrics tools, and absorbance bands related to the nutrient status, respectively. Deduction made concluded that factors affecting the plant's structure are contributed by several circumstances like the age of leaves, concentration of pigments, and water content. These factors are intertwined, strongly correlated, and can be observed in the visible and near-infrared regions. While the visible region is commonly utilised for nutritional analysis in plants, the literature review performed in this paper shows that the near-infrared region as well contains valuable information about the plant's nutritional status. A few wavelengths related to the direct estimation of nutrients in this review explained that information on nutrients can be linked with chlorophyll and water absorption bands such that N and P are the components of chlorophyll and protein; on the other hand, K exists in the form of cationic carbohydrates which are sensitive to water region.
  11. Jusril NA, Mukhtar SM, Abu Bakar SI, Md Saad WM, Wen NK, Adenan MI
    Pharm Nanotechnol, 2023 Aug 31.
    PMID: 37653639 DOI: 10.2174/2211738511666230831122844
    BACKGROUND: Centella asiatica (C. asiatica) has long been traditionally used as a memory enhancer. Nanoemulsion of ethanolic extract C. asiatica (NanoSECA) has been developed to improve brain functions. However, the effect of NanoSECA on enhancing memory and cognitive functions remains unexplored.

    OBJECTIVES: This research aimed to investigate the potential of NanoSECA on cognitive tasks and memory enhancement pathways in a normal adult rat model.

    METHODS: Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats (7-8 weeks old) were randomly subjected to five groups (n=six per group). Treatment groups were supplemented with NanoSECA and ethanolic extract of C. asiatica (SECA) for 28 days by oral gavages. Different brain sections were isolated, homogenized, and tested for acetylcholinesterase, antioxidants (glutathione and malondialdehyde), and anti-inflammatory agents (nitric oxide, tumour necrosis factor-α, and prostaglandin E2).

    RESULT: NanoSECA supplementation markedly enhanced the acetylcholine, glutathione levels and reduced a distinct diminution in plasma activities of acetylcholinesterase, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, prostaglandin E, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels.

    CONCLUSION: NanoSECA can be used as a memory enhancer through enhanced cholinergic activity, increased antioxidant level, and reduced oxidative stress.

  12. Roney M, Dubey A, Hassan Nasir M, Tufail A, Tajuddin SN, Mohd Aluwi MFF, et al.
    J Biomol Struct Dyn, 2023 Sep 07.
    PMID: 37676262 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2252092
    Numerous malignancies, including breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and chronic myeloid leukemia, are brought on by aberrant tyrosine kinase signaling. Since the current chemotherapeutic medicines are toxic, there is a great need and demand from cancer patients to find novel chemicals that are toxic-free or have low toxicity and that can kill tumor cells and stop their growth. This work describes the in-silico examination of substances from the drug bank as EGFR inhibitors. Firstly, drug-bank was screened using the pharmacophore technique to select the ligands and Erlotinib (DB00530) was used as matrix compound. The selected ligands were screened using ADMET and the hit compounds were subjected to docking. The lead compound from the docking was subjected to DFT and MD simulation study. Using the pharmacophore technique, 23 compounds were found through virtual drug bank screening. One hit molecule from the ADMET prediction was the subject of docking study. According to the findings, DB03365 molecule fits to the EGFR active site by several hydrogen bonding interactions with amino acids. Furthermore, DFT analysis revealed high reactivity for DB03365 compound in the binding pocket of the target protein, based on ELUMO, EHOMO and band energy gap. Furthermore, MD simulations for 100 ns revealed that the ligand interactions with the residues of EGFR protein were part of the essential residues for structural stability and functionality. However, DB03365 was a promising lead molecule that outperformed the reference compound in terms of performance and in-vitro and in-vivo experiments needs to validate the study.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
  13. Basirom I, Daud R, Ijaz MF, Rojan MA, Basaruddin KS
    Materials (Basel), 2023 Aug 30;16(17).
    PMID: 37687652 DOI: 10.3390/ma16175958
    An understanding of the biomechanical characteristics and configuration of flexible and locked plating in order to provide balance stability and flexibility of implant fixation will help to construct and promote fast bone healing. The relationship between applied loading and implantation configuration for best bone healing is still under debate. This study aims to investigate the relationship between implant strength, working length, and interfragmentary strain (εIFM) on implant stability for femoral midshaft transverse fractures. The transverse fracture was fixed with a fragment locking compression plate (LCP) system. Finite element analysis was performed and subsequently characterised based on compression loading (600 N up to 900 N) and screw designs (conventional and locking) with different penetration depths (unicortical and bicortical). Strain theory was used to evaluate the stability of the model. The correlation of screw configuration with screw type shows a unicortical depth for both types (p < 0.01) for 700 N and 800 N loads and (p < 0.05) for configurations 134 and 124. Interfragmentary strain affected only the 600 N load (p < 0.01) for the bicortical conventional type (group BC), and the screw configurations that were influenced were 1234 and 123 (p < 0.05). The low steepness of the slope indicates the least εIFM for the corresponding biomechanical characteristic in good-quality stability. A strain value of ≤2% promotes callus formation and is classified as absolute stability, which is the minimum required value for the induction of callus and the maximum value that allows bony bridging. The outcomes have provided the correlation of screw configuration in femoral midshaft transverse fracture implantation which is important to promote essential primary stability.
  14. Islam KR, Prithula J, Kumar J, Tan TL, Reaz MBI, Sumon MSI, et al.
    J Clin Med, 2023 Aug 30;12(17).
    PMID: 37685724 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12175658
    BACKGROUND: Sepsis, a life-threatening infection-induced inflammatory condition, has significant global health impacts. Timely detection is crucial for improving patient outcomes as sepsis can rapidly progress to severe forms. The application of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) to predict sepsis using electronic health records (EHRs) has gained considerable attention for timely intervention.

    METHODS: PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Google Scholar, and Scopus were searched for relevant studies. All studies that used ML/DL to detect or early-predict the onset of sepsis in the adult population using EHRs were considered. Data were extracted and analyzed from all studies that met the criteria and were also evaluated for their quality.

    RESULTS: This systematic review examined 1942 articles, selecting 42 studies while adhering to strict criteria. The chosen studies were predominantly retrospective (n = 38) and spanned diverse geographic settings, with a focus on the United States. Different datasets, sepsis definitions, and prevalence rates were employed, necessitating data augmentation. Heterogeneous parameter utilization, diverse model distribution, and varying quality assessments were observed. Longitudinal data enabled early sepsis prediction, and quality criteria fulfillment varied, with inconsistent funding-article quality correlation.

    CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review underscores the significance of ML/DL methods for sepsis detection and early prediction through EHR data.

  15. Nordin AH, Ngadi N, Nordin ML, Noralidin NA, Nabgan W, Osman AY, et al.
    Int J Biol Macromol, 2023 Dec 31;253(Pt 2):126501.
    PMID: 37678687 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126501
    Aspirin is a prevalent over-the-counter medicine that has been categorized as an emerging contaminant due to its danger to both living things and the environment. This work presents chitosan modified with spent tea waste extract (STWE) via the wet impregnation method as an adsorbent for the enhanced removal of aspirin in a fixed-bed column. The adsorbent (named chitosan-STWE) was successfully synthesized and exhibited a low crystallinity structure, good stability against thermal and acidic conditions, as depicted by HNMR, XRD, TGA, and the dissolution rate of the adsorbent. The adsorption column study reveals that increasing bed height (up to 6 cm) increases the percentage of aspirin removal (up to 40.8 %). Increasing aspirin concentration enhances the amount of aspirin that comes into contact with the chitosan-STWE adsorbent, thereby increasing the adsorption capacity. On the other hand, higher flow rates result in shorter contact times between the adsorbent and adsorbates, which lowers the quantity of aspirin adsorbed. The experimental data are in accordance with the values generated by the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models, with the maximum adsorption capacity of 61.7 mg/g. The chitosan-STWE adsorbent was determined to be non-toxic, thus safe to be used in wastewater treatment applications.
  16. Abd Rahim A, Muhammad R, Ismail F, Wong YP, Che Abdul Aziz R, Chong GY, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2023 Aug;45(2):275-283.
    PMID: 37658537
    Thyroid carcinoma is uncommon. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) represents the majority of differentiated thyroid carcinoma and is a recognised complication of prior exposure to ionizing radiation. Even more uncommon is the synchronous occurrence of PTC with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) as multiple primary malignancies. We report a 33-year-old mother of three who developed asymptomatic thyroid nodule for four years, and neck swelling for the recent ten months. She denied constitutional symptoms or B symptoms, and thyroid profiles were normal. Initially, metastatic thyroid cancer was suspected based on ultrasound scan findings of enlarged left thyroid gland and enlarged supraclavicular lymph nodes (LN). However, fine needle aspiration examinations of the thyroid nodule were inconclusive, and the supraclavicular LN was suspicious of HL. Computerised tomography scan detected a large mass at the thyroid glands and lymphadenopathies in the mediastinal, hilar, subcarinal and axilla with dimensions up to 6 cm. Left hemi-thyroidectomy with left supraclavicular LN biopsy revealed PTC in the left thyroid lobe measuring 38 x 25 x 18 mm, and the left supraclavicular LN was not definitive of HL. Completion thyroidectomy on the right side, bilateral central neck dissection and excision biopsy of the right supraclavicular LN revealed the presence of HL in the right supraclavicular LN, and both HL and metastatic PTC in right central LN. After multidisciplinary discussions, the patient received chemotherapy at four weeks postoperatively and achieved complete remission. This report highlights the importance of patient-centered approach and multidisciplinary consensus within lack of established guidelines, given rarity of the case.
  17. Yang Q, Xinyue L, Hoque ME, Al Mamun A, Rahman MK, Yao J
    PLoS One, 2023;18(9):e0291089.
    PMID: 37656720 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291089
    The deterioration of the environment, shortage of resources, and frequent occurrence of food safety issues have made people increasingly concerned about themselves while maintaining their health and protecting the environment through food. Organic food, as a healthy and eco-friendly option, is gradually gaining attention. Based on the value-belief-norm theory, this study explores why individuals consume organic food and the range of factors that lead to this consumer behavior. This study adopted a cross-sectional design and collected quantitative data from conveniently selected 300 youth participants in Bangladesh using an online survey. The findings revealed that health values and motivation have a significant positive effect on healthy eating beliefs, which, together with the awareness of the consequences, affect personal norms toward organic food consumption. Personal norms also have a significant positive effect on organic food consumption behavior among Bangladeshi youth. Finally, trust on organic food positively moderates the effect of personal norms on organic food consumption. The findings of this study are expected to foster the development of a comprehensive framework to promote programs and policies focused on organic and healthy food consumption culture among youth in developing nations.
  18. Sathish K, Cv R, Ab Wahab MN, Anbazhagan R, Pau G, Akbar MF
    Sensors (Basel), 2023 May 17;23(10).
    PMID: 37430763 DOI: 10.3390/s23104844
    Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs) have recently established themselves as an extremely interesting area of research thanks to the mysterious qualities of the ocean. The UWSN consists of sensor nodes and vehicles working to collect data and complete tasks. The battery capacity of sensor nodes is quite limited, which means that the UWSN network needs to be as efficient as it can possibly be. It is difficult to connect with or update a communication that is taking place underwater due to the high latency in propagation, the dynamic nature of the network, and the likelihood of introducing errors. This makes it difficult to communicate with or update a communication. Cluster-based underwater wireless sensor networks (CB-UWSNs) are proposed in this article. These networks would be deployed via Superframe and Telnet applications. In addition, routing protocols, such as Ad hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV), Fisheye State Routing (FSR), Location-Aided Routing 1 (LAR1), Optimized Link State Routing Protocol (OLSR), and Source Tree Adaptive Routing-Least Overhead Routing Approach (STAR-LORA), were evaluated based on the criteria of their energy consumption in a range of various modes of operation with QualNet Simulator using Telnet and Superframe applications. STAR-LORA surpasses the AODV, LAR1, OLSR, and FSR routing protocols in the evaluation report's simulations, with a Receive Energy of 0.1 mWh in a Telnet deployment and 0.021 mWh in a Superframe deployment. The Telnet and Superframe deployments consume 0.05 mWh transmit power, but the Superframe deployment only needs 0.009 mWh. As a result, the simulation results show that the STAR-LORA routing protocol outperforms the alternatives.
  19. Ahda Y, Nugraha FAD, Hon Tjong D, Kurniawan N, Amardi Y, Fauzi MA, et al.
    Zookeys, 2023;1168:367-386.
    PMID: 37448483 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1168.98724
    Among the six species of Cyrtodactylus occurring in Sumatra, two species were described based on non-Sumatran type series, C.consobrinus and C.quadrivirgatus. The latter species was described originally from Thailand thus the wider distribution in Sumatra should be clarified taxonomically. Cyrtodactylusquadrivirgatus from Sumatra Barat was examined using both morphology and the Natrium Dehydrogenase Subunit 2 (ND2) gene to clarify its taxonomic status and phylogenetic placement. It was found that these specimens form a sister clade to all other species of the sworderi group from Peninsular Malaysia and the genetic distance ranges from 20-24.3%. This subset is herein described as a new species. The new species is readily distinguished from C.quadrivirgatus and other Sumatran species by a combination of characters: small size SVL 37.5-53.78 mm; longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles 16-19; paravertebral tubercles 31-41; ventral scales 32-43; 24-49 enlarged precloacal and femoral scales; precloacal pores rarely present; no precloacal depression; two postcloacal tubercles on each side; 14-19 subdigital lamellae on forth toe; 9-15 supralabial scales; 9-12 infralabial scales; three or four internasal scales; and 3-6 gular scales that border the first pair of postmental scales. This work underscores the importance of clarifying widely distributed species for taxonomic validation.
  20. Kamala Nathan M, Jasni AS, Zakariah SZ, Tengku Jamaluddin TZM, Mohd Isa M, Ibrahim R
    J Med Microbiol, 2023 Jul;72(7).
    PMID: 37432079 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001732
    Background. Skin is a reservoir for millions of micro-organisms, all of which make up the skin microbiota. Hospitals have been identified as a favourable environment for transmitting micro-organisms and thus, it is important to know the distribution of skin microbiota among healthcare workers (HCWs), as such findings may provide baseline information for the distribution of skin microbiota in hospitals.Hypothesis. There is no significant association between the factors (age, gender, type of skin microenvironment, hand hygiene practices, usage of skin care products, current healthcare practices and previous workplace) and the distribution of the skin microbiota among HCWs.Aim. The study aims to identify type of skin microbiota and associated factors (age, gender, type of skin microenvironment, hand hygiene practices, use of skincare products, current healthcare practice, and previous workplace) that influence the growth of skin microbiota.Method. About 102 bacterial isolates were obtained from the skin of 63 healthcare workers in a newly opened teaching hospital, namely Hospital Pengajar Universiti Putra Malaysia (HPUPM). All isolated bacteria were subjected to phenotypic identification according to standard microbiological procedures.Results. The most common isolated skin microbiota were Gram-positive bacteria (84.3%), followed by Gram-negative bacteria (15.7%). A Chi-square test of independence was used to analyse the above factors and there was a significant association between the type of skin microenvironment and the distribution of skin microbiota (P=0.03) (type of skin microenvironment influences the distribution of skin microbiota).Conclusion. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. was the most common bacteria isolated from the skin of the healthcare workers. Even though coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are low pathogenic bacteria, but it may cause serious infection in high risk group of patients. Therefore, it is important to emphasize on the good hand hygiene practices and implement strict infection control measures to minimize the risk of HAI in newly opened hospitals.
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