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Fulltext Degradation of Perovskite Thin Films and Solar Cells with Candle Soot C/Ag Electrode Exposed in a Control Ambient

Islam MA, Mohafez H, Sobayel K, Wan Muhamad Hatta SF, Hasan AKM, Khandaker MU, et al.

Nanomaterials (Basel), 2021 Dec 20;11(12).
PMID: 34947812 DOI: 10.3390/nano11123463

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have already achieved efficiencies of over 25%; however, their instability and degradation in the operational environment have prevented them from becoming commercially viable. Understanding the degradation mechanism, as well as improving the fabrication technique for achieving high-quality perovskite films, is crucial to overcoming these shortcomings. In this study, we investigated details in the changes of physical properties associated with the degradation and/or decomposition of perovskite films and solar cells using XRD, FESEM, EDX, UV-Vis, Hall-effect, and current-voltage (I-V) measurement techniques. The dissociation, as well as the intensity of perovskite peaks, have been observed as an impact of film degradation by humidity. The decomposition rate of perovskite film has been estimated from the structural and optical changes. The performance degradation of novel planner structure PSCs has been investigated in detail. The PSCs were fabricated in-room ambient using candle soot carbon and screen-printed Ag electrode. It was found that until the perovskite film decomposed by 30%, the film properties and cell efficiency remained stable.
Fulltext High stability resistive switching mechanism of a screen-printed electrode based on BOBZBT2 organic pentamer for creatinine detection

Khushaini MAA, Azeman NH, Ismail AG, Teh CH, Salleh MM, Bakar AAA, et al.

Sci Rep, 2021 Dec 07;11(1):23519.
PMID: 34876656 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03046-9

The resistive switching (RS) mechanism is resulted from the formation and dissolution of a conductive filament due to the electrochemical redox-reactions and can be identified with a pinched hysteresis loop on the I-V characteristic curve. In this work, the RS behaviour was demonstrated using a screen-printed electrode (SPE) and was utilized for creatinine sensing application. The working electrode (WE) of the SPE has been modified with a novel small organic molecule, 1,4-bis[2-(5-thiophene-2-yl)-1-benzothiopene]-2,5-dioctyloxybenzene (BOBzBT2). Its stability at room temperature and the presence of thiophene monomers were exploited to facilitate the cation transport and thus, affecting the high resistive state (HRS) and low resistive state (LRS) of the electrochemical cell. The sensor works based on the interference imposed by the interaction between the creatinine molecule and the radical cation of BOBzBT2 to the conductive filament during the Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) measurement. Different concentrations of BOBzBT2 dilution were evaluated using various concentrations of non-clinical creatinine samples to identify the optimised setup of the sensor. Enhanced sensitivity of the sensor was observed at a high concentration of BOBzBT2 over creatinine concentration between 0.4 and 1.6 mg dL-1-corresponding to the normal range of a healthy individual.
Fulltext Recovery of FTO coated glass substrate via environment-friendly facile recycling perovskite solar cells

Chowdhury MS, Rahman KS, Selvanathan V, Hasan AKM, Jamal MS, Samsudin NA, et al.

RSC Adv, 2021 Apr 15;11(24):14534-14541.
PMID: 35423997 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra00338k

Organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have recently emerged as a potential candidate for large-scale and low-cost photovoltaic devices. However, the technology is still susceptible to degradation issues and toxicity concerns due to the presence of lead (Pb). Therefore, investigation on ideal methods to deal with PSC wastes once the device attains its end-of-life is crucial and to recycle the components within the cell is the most cost effective and energy effective method by far. This paper reported on a layer-by-layer extraction approach to recycle the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrate which is the most expensive component in the device architecture of mesoporous planar PSC. By adapting the sequential removal of each layer, chemical properties of individual components, including spiro-OMeTAD and gold can be preserved, enabling the material to be easily reused. It also ensured that the toxic Pb component could be isolated without contaminating other materials. The removal of all individual layers allows the retrieval of FTO conductive glass which can be used in various applications that are not only restricted to photovoltaics. Comparison of electrical, morphological and physical properties of recycled FTO glasses to commercial ones revealed minimal variations. This confirmed that the recycling approach was useful in retrieving the substrate without affecting its physicochemical properties.
Fulltext Promoting social, emotional, and cognitive development in early childhood: A protocol for early valuation of a culturally adapted digital tool for supporting optimal childrearing practices

LaMonica HM, Song YJC, Loblay V, Ekambareshwar M, Naderbagi A, Zahed IUM, et al.

Digit Health, 2024;10:20552076241242559.
PMID: 38596404 DOI: 10.1177/20552076241242559

OBJECTIVE: The Thrive by Five app promotes positive interactions between children and parents, extended family, and trusted community members that support optimal socio-emotional and cognitive development in the early years. This article aims to describe the protocol for a prospective mixed-methods multi-site study evaluating Thrive by Five using surveys, interviews, workshops, audio diaries from citizen ethnographers and app usage data.
METHODS: The study activities and timelines differ by site, with an extensive longitudinal evaluation being conducted at two sites and a basic evaluation being conducted at five sites. The learnings from the more comprehensive evaluations inform the iterative research and development processes while also ensuring ongoing evaluation of usability, acceptability and effectiveness of the app and its content across varying contexts. The study evaluates: (1) the impact of the Thrive by Five content on caregiver knowledge, behaviours, attitudes and confidence; (2) how the content changes relationships at the familial, community and system level; (3) how cultural and contextual factors influence content engagement and effectiveness and (4) the processes that facilitate or disrupt the success of the implementation and dissemination.
RESULTS: All in-country partners have been identified and data collection has been completed in Indonesia, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Namibia and Cameroon.
CONCLUSIONS: Very few digital health solutions have been trialled for usability and effectiveness in diverse cultural contexts. By combining quantitative, qualitative, process and ethnographic methodologies, this innovative study informs the iterative and ongoing optimisation of the cultural and contextual sensitivity of the Thrive by Five content and the processes supporting implementation and dissemination.
Inhibitory effect of food-functioned phytochemicals on dysregulated inflammatory pathways triggered by SARS-CoV-2: a mechanistic review

Jantan I, Norahmad NA, Yuandani, Haque MA, Mohamed-Hussein ZA, Mohd Abd Razak MR, et al.

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2024 Apr 15.
PMID: 38619217 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2024.2341266

Inflammatory cascades of the dysregulated inflammatory pathways in COVID-19 can cause excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines leading to cytokine storm syndrome (CSS). The molecular cascades involved in the pathways may be targeted for discovery of new anti-inflammatory agents. Many plant extracts have been used clinically in the management of COVID-19, however, their immunosuppressive activities were mainly investigated based on in silico activity. Dietary flavonoids of the extracts such as quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, naringenin, isorhamnetin, baicalein, wogonin, and rutin were commonly identified as responsible for their inhibitory effects. The present review critically analyzes the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of phytochemicals, including dietary compounds against cytokine storm (CS) and hyperinflammation via inhibition of the altered inflammatory pathways triggered by SARS-CoV-2, published since the emergence of COVID-19 in December 2019. Only a few phytochemicals, mainly dietary compounds such as nanocurcumin, melatonin, quercetin, 6-shagoal, kaempferol, resveratrol, andrographolide, and colchicine have been investigated either in in silico or preliminary clinical studies to evaluate their anti-inflammatory effects against COVID-19. Sufficient pre-clinical studies on safety and efficacy of anti-inflammatory effects of the phytochemicals must be performed prior to proper clinical studies to develop them into therapeutic adjuvants in the prevention and treatmemt of COVID-19 symptoms.
Fulltext Tropical countries may be willing to pay more to protect their forests

Vincent JR, Carson RT, DeShazo JR, Schwabe KA, Ahmad I, Chong SK, et al.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2014 Jul 15;111(28):10113-8.
PMID: 24982171 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1312246111

Inadequate funding from developed countries has hampered international efforts to conserve biodiversity in tropical forests. We present two complementary research approaches that reveal a significant increase in public demand for conservation within tropical developing countries as those countries reach upper-middle-income (UMI) status. We highlight UMI tropical countries because they contain nearly four-fifths of tropical primary forests, which are rich in biodiversity and stored carbon. The first approach is a set of statistical analyses of various cross-country conservation indicators, which suggests that protective government policies have lagged behind the increase in public demand in these countries. The second approach is a case study from Malaysia, which reveals in a more integrated fashion the linkages from rising household income to increased household willingness to pay for conservation, nongovernmental organization activity, and delayed government action. Our findings suggest that domestic funding in UMI tropical countries can play a larger role in (i) closing the funding gap for tropical forest conservation, and (ii) paying for supplementary conservation actions linked to international payments for reduced greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in tropical countries.
Fulltext Development of correlations between various engineering rockmass classification systems using railway tunnel data in Garhwal Himalaya, India

Azad MA, Najeh T, Raina AK, Singh N, Ansari A, Ali M, et al.

Sci Rep, 2024 May 10;14(1):10716.
PMID: 38729957 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60289-y

Engineering rockmass classifications are an integral part of design, support and excavation procedures of tunnels, mines, and other underground structures. These classifications are directly linked to ground reaction and support requirements. Various classification systems are in practice and are still evolving. As different classifications serve different purposes, it is imperative to establish inter-correlatability between them. The rating systems and engineering judgements influence the assignment of ratings owing to cognition. To understand the existing correlation between different classification systems, the existing correlations were evaluated with the help of data of 34 locations along a 618-m-long railway tunnel in the Garhwal Himalaya of India and new correlations were developed between different rock classifications. The analysis indicates that certain correlations, such as RMR-Q, RMR-RMi, RMi-Q, and RSR-Q, are comparable to the previously established relationships, while others, such as RSR-RMR, RCR-Qn, and GSI-RMR, show weak correlations. These deviations in published correlations may be due to individual parameters of estimation or measurement errors. Further, incompatible classification systems exhibited low correlations. Thus, the study highlights a need to revisit existing correlations, particularly for rockmass conditions that are extremely complex, and the predictability of existing correlations exhibit high variations. In addition to augmenting the existing database, new correlations for metamorphic rocks in the Himalayan region have been developed and presented that can serve as a guide for future rock engineering projects in such formations and aid in developing appropriate excavation and rock support methodologies.
Assessing intrinsic capacity in Taiwan: Initial psychometric properties of the Integrated Care for Older People Screening Tool for Taiwanese (ICOPES-TW)

Su HC, Liu CH, Chen HY, Wu YL, Griffiths MD, Li CY, et al.

BMC Geriatr, 2024 May 31;24(1):477.
PMID: 38822234 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-05071-5

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed the concept of intrinsic capacity (comprising composite physical and mental capacity) which aligns with their concepts of healthy aging and functional ability. Consequently, the WHO promotes the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework as guidance for geriatric care. Consequently, each government should have a screening tool corresponding to ICOPE framework to promote geriatric care. The present study examined the initial psychometric properties of the Taiwan version of ICOPE (i.e., ICOPES-TW).
METHODS: Older people (n = 1235; mean age = 72.63 years; 634 females [51.3%]) were approached by well-trained interviewers for participation. A number of measures were administered including the ICOPES-TW, WHOQOL-AGE (assessing quality of life [QoL]), Clinical Frailty Scale (assessing frailty), Barthel Index (assessing basic activity of daily living [BADL]), and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (assessing instrumental activity of daily living [IADL]).
RESULTS: The ICOPES-TW had a two-factor structure (body functionality [eigenvalue = 1.932] and life adaptation [eigenvalue = 1.170]) as indicated by the results of exploratory factor analysis. Internal consistency of the ICOPES-TW was low (Cronbach's α = 0.55 [entire ICOPES-TW], 0.45 (body functionality factor), and 0.52 (life adaptation factor). ICOPES-TW scores were significantly (i) positively correlated with age (r = 0.321), IADL (r = 0.313), and frailty (r = 0.601), and (ii) negatively correlated with QoL (r=-0.447), and BADL (r=-0.447), with all p-values
Risk of extinction, variability in fish species composition, and factors influencing fish biodiversity in the Malacca Strait

Alam L, Zolkaply SZ, Sumaila UR, Rusydy I, Kutty AA, Bari MA, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2024 Jun;31(29):41355-41369.
PMID: 37103711 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27101-2

Fish biodiversity in Malaysia is under pressure due to overexploitation, pollution, and climatic stressors. Nevertheless, the information on fish biodiversity and species vulnerability status is not well documented in the region. Therefore, a study on fish species composition and abundance in the Malacca Strait of Malaysia has been conducted for the purpose of monitoring biodiversity, determining the risk of species extinction, and identifying factors influencing biodiversity distribution. The sampling was conducted based on a random stratified sampling method from the three zones of sampling locations, i.e., estuary, mangrove, and open sea area of Tanjung Karang and Port Klang of Malacca Strait. Higher species diversity was recorded at Tanjung Karang coastal and mangrove areas (H' = 2.71; H' = 1.64) than Port Klang coastal and mangrove areas (H' = 1.50, H' = 0.29), an indication that the Port Klang area is comparatively more vulnerable. The study also explored sampling location, habitat, and IUCN red list as the influencing factors for fish biodiversity. Applying IUCN red list, this study identified one Endangered and one Vulnerable species with the forecasted increasing landing for both species. Our findings suggest the urgent need for the implementation of conservation measures as well as the continuous monitoring of fish biodiversity in the area.
Comparison of Intravitreal Ranibizumab and Laser Photocoagulation in the Treatment of Type I Retinopathy of Prematurity in Malaysia: A One-Year Follow-Up Study

Wardati H J, Khadijah M, Nurul-Farhana M, Karimmah W, Lai YKI, Syahmi MR, et al.

Cureus, 2024 Jul;16(7):e63712.
PMID: 38966779 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.63712

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the treatment efficacy, anatomical outcomes, and refractive outcomes of laser photocoagulation (LPC) and intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) in the treatment of type I retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at one-year follow-up.
METHODS: This is a retrospective study on the treatment of type I ROP and aggressive ROP (A-ROP) using LPC or IVR in three Malaysian hospitals providing pediatric ophthalmology services from January 2019 to December 2021. Information on gestational age, birth weight, ROP zone and stage, and underlying comorbidities was collected. Parameters for evaluating treatment efficacy include the time taken to achieve complete regression, the regression rate, and the reactivation rate. The anatomical and refractive outcomes were evaluated at one year of adjusted age.
RESULTS: This study included 92 eyes from 46 infants. Of these, 42 eyes received LPC as the initial treatment, while 50 eyes underwent IVR. A higher percentage of infants with cardiovascular disease were treated with IVR (66.7%) compared to LPC (40%) (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, or intraventricular hemorrhage between the two treatment groups (p>0.05). Infants treated with LPC had a higher regression rate than those treated with IVR, but they were also significantly more myopic and had worse best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Conversely, infants treated with IVR experienced a significantly higher reactivation rate compared to those treated with LPC. Logistic regression analysis showed no significant associations between gestational age, birth weight, plus disease, zone 1 ROP, and the choice of initial treatment with the reactivation of ROP.
CONCLUSIONS: Both LPC and IVR effectively treat type I ROP in infants, with IVR yielding superior anatomical and refractive outcomes and LPC offering a lower reactivation rate. Understanding individual patient characteristics is crucial for treatment selection.
Fulltext A systematic review of the economic burden of diabetes mellitus: contrasting perspectives from high and low middle-income countries

Butt MD, Ong SC, Rafiq A, Kalam MN, Sajjad A, Abdullah M, et al.

J Pharm Policy Pract, 2024;17(1):2322107.
PMID: 38650677 DOI: 10.1080/20523211.2024.2322107

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes increases preventative sickness and costs healthcare and productivity. Type 2 diabetes and macrovascular disease consequences cause most diabetes-related costs. Type 2 diabetes greatly costs healthcare institutions, reducing economic productivity and efficiency. This cost of illness (COI) analysis examines the direct and indirect costs of treating and managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
METHODOLOGY: According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Medline Plus, and CENTRAL were searched for relevant articles on type 1 and type 2 diabetes illness costs. The inquiry returned 873 2011-2023 academic articles. The study included 42 papers after an abstract evaluation of 547 papers.
RESULTS: Most articles originated in Asia and Europe, primarily on type 2 diabetes. The annual cost per patient ranged from USD87 to USD9,581. Prevalence-based cost estimates ranged from less than USD470 to more than USD3475, whereas annual pharmaceutical prices ranged from USD40 to more than USD450, with insulin exhibiting the greatest disparity. Care for complications was generally costly, although costs varied significantly by country and problem type.
DISCUSSION: This study revealed substantial heterogeneity in diabetes treatment costs; some could be reduced by improving data collection, analysis, and reporting procedures. Diabetes is an expensive disease to treat in low- and middle-income countries, and attaining Universal Health Coverage should be a priority for the global health community.
Integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses reveals the toxicity and mechanistic insights of bioformulated chitosan nanoparticles against Magnaporthe oryzae

Hafeez R, Guo J, Ahmed T, Ibrahim E, Ali MA, Rizwan M, et al.

Chemosphere, 2024 May;356:141904.
PMID: 38582174 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141904

Rice blast, an extremely destructive disease caused by the filamentous fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae, poses a global threat to the production of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The emerging trend of reducing dependence on chemical fungicides for crop protection has increased interest in exploring bioformulated nanomaterials as a sustainable alternative antimicrobial strategy for effectively managing plant diseases. Herein, we used physiomorphological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic methods to investigate the toxicity and molecular action mechanisms of moringa-chitosan nanoparticles (M-CNPs) against M. oryzae. Our results demonstrate that M-CNPs exhibit direct antifungal properties by impeding the growth and conidia formation of M. oryzae in a concentration-dependent manner. Propidium iodide staining indicated concentration-dependent significant apoptosis (91.33%) in the fungus. Ultrastructural observations revealed complete structural damage in fungal cells treated with 200 mg/L M-CNPs, including disruption of the cell wall and destruction of internal organelles. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed the intricate mechanism underlying the toxicity of M-CNPs against M. oryzae. The transcriptomics data indicated that exposure to M-CNPs disrupted various processes integral to cell membrane biosynthesis, aflatoxin biosynthesis, transcriptional regulation, and nuclear integrity in M. oryzae., emphasizing the interaction between M-CNPs and fungal cells. Similarly, metabolomic profiling demonstrated that exposure to M-CNPs significantly altered the levels of several key metabolites involved in the integral components of metabolic pathways, microbial metabolism, histidine metabolism, citrate cycle, and lipid and protein metabolism in M. oryzae. Overall, these findings demonstrated the potent antifungal action of M-CNPs, with a remarkable impact at the physiological and molecular level, culminating in substantial apoptotic-like fungal cell death. This research provides a novel perspective on investigating bioformulated nanomaterials as antifungal agents for plant disease control.
Risk assessment of heavy metals in marine fish and seafood from Kedah and Selangor coastal regions of Malaysia: a high-risk health concern for consumers

Salam MA, Dayal SR, Siddiqua SA, Muhib MI, Bhowmik S, Kabir MM, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2021 Oct;28(39):55166-55175.
PMID: 34129166 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14701-z

The heavy metals namely Fe, As, Cu, Cd, and Pb were investigated in two marine fishes silver pomfret (Pampus argentus) and torpedo scad (Megalaspis cordyla), and three seafoods sibogae squid (Loligo sibogae), Indian white prawn (Fenneropenaeus indicus), and mud crab (Scylla serrata) by using inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometer (ICP-MS) from two renowned fish harvesting coastal area of Malaysia named as Kedah and Selangor. Among the target heavy metals, highest mean concentration of As and Fe were found in Scylla serrata (72.14±7.77 μg/g) in Kedah and Megalaspis cordyla (149.40±2.15 μg/g) in Selangor. Pearson's correlation results showed As-Fe-Cd-Cu originated from the same source. Maximum estimated daily intake (EDI) values of Scylla serrata were found 175.25 μg/g/day and 100.81 μg/g/day for child in both Kedah and Selangor areas respectively. Hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) results revealed that local consumers of Kedah and Selangor will face high chronic risk if they consume Scylla serrata, Fenneropenaeus indicus, and Megalaspis cordyla on regular basis in their diet. Carcinogenic risk results suggested that all the studied species pose very high risk of cancer occurrences to the consumers in both areas. Therefore, it could be recommended that consumers should be aware when they are consuming these marine species since they can pose serious health risk associated with prolonged consumption.
Human intervention caused massive destruction of the second largest mangrove forest, Chakaria Sundarbans, Bangladesh

Hasan M, Hassan L, Abdullah Al M, Kamal AHM, Idris MH, Hoque MZ, et al.

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2024 Apr;31(17):25329-25341.
PMID: 38468013 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32792-2

Mangroves provide essential ecosystem services including coastal protection by acting as coastal greenbelts; however, human-driven anthropogenic activities altered their existence and ecosystem functions worldwide. In this study, the successive degradation of the second largest mangrove forest, Chakaria Sundarbans situated at the northern Bay of Bengal part of Bangladesh was assessed using remote sensing approaches. A total of five multi-temporal Landsat satellite imageries were collected and used to observe the land use land cover (LULC) changes over the time periods for the years 1972, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020. Further, the supervised classification technique with the help of support vector machine (SVM) algorithm in ArcGIS 10.8 was used to process images. Our results revealed a drastic change of Chakaria Sundarbans mangrove forest, that the images of 1972 were comprised of mudflat, waterbody, and mangroves, while the images of 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020 were classified as waterbody, mangrove, saltpan, and shrimp farm. Most importantly, mangrove forest was the largest covering area a total of 64.2% in 1972, but gradually decreased to 12.7%, 6.4%, 1.9%, and 4.6% for the years 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, respectively. Interestingly, the rate of mangrove forest area degradation was similar to the net increase of saltpan and shrimp farms. The kappa coefficients of classified images were 0.83, 0.87, 0.80, 0.87, and 0.91 with the overall accuracy of 88.9%, 90%, 85%, 90%, and 93.3% for the years 1972, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, respectively. By analyzing normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), soil adjusted vegetation index (SAVI), and transformed difference vegetation index (TDVI), our results validated that green vegetated area was decreased alarmingly with time in this study area. This destruction was mainly related to active human-driven anthropogenic activities, particularly creating embankments for fish farms or salt productions, and cutting for collection of wood as well. Together all, our results provide clear evidence of active anthropogenic stress on coastal ecosystem health by altering mangrove forest to saltpan and shrimp farm saying goodbye to the second largest mangrove forest in one of the coastal areas of the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh.
Characterization and expression in Pichia pastoris of a raw starch degrading glucoamylase (GA2) derived from Aspergillus flavus NSH9

Karim KMR, Husaini A, Sing NN, Tasnim T, Mohd Sinang F, Hussain H, et al.

Protein Expr Purif, 2019 12;164:105462.
PMID: 31351992 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.105462

The Aspergillus flavus NSH9 gene, encoding a pH and thermostable glucoamylase with a starch binding domain (SBD), was expressed in Pichia pastoris to produce recombinant glucoamylase (rGA2). The full-length glucoamylase gene (2039 bp), and cDNA (1839 bp) encode a 612 amino acid protein most similar to glucoamylase from Aspergillus oryzae RIB40; the first 19 amino acids are presumed to be a signal peptide for secretion, and the SBD is at the C-terminal. The cDNA was successfully secreted by Pichia at 8.23 U mL-1, and the rGA2 was found to be: a 80 kDa monomer, stable from pH 3.0-9.0, with optimum catalytic activity at pH 5.0, active at temperatures up to 80°C (rGA2 retained 58% of its activity after 60 min of incubation at 70°C), and metal ions such as Na+, K+, Ca++ and Mg++ enhanced rGA2 enzyme activity. The starch degrading ability of rGA2 was also observed on raw sago starch and where prolonged incubation generated larger, deeper, holes on the starch granules, indicating rGA2 is an excellent candidate for industrial starch processing applications.
Unlocking the potential of magnetic biochar in wastewater purification: a review on the removal of bisphenol A from aqueous solution

Katibi KK, Shitu IG, Yunos KFM, Azis RS, Iwar RT, Adamu SB, et al.

Environ Monit Assess, 2024 May 01;196(5):492.
PMID: 38691228 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12574-6

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an essential and extensively utilized chemical compound with significant environmental and public health risks. This review critically assesses the current water purification techniques for BPA removal, emphasizing the efficacy of adsorption technology. Within this context, we probe into the synthesis of magnetic biochar (MBC) using co-precipitation, hydrothermal carbonization, mechanical ball milling, and impregnation pyrolysis as widely applied techniques. Our analysis scrutinizes the strengths and drawbacks of these techniques, with pyrolytic temperature emerging as a critical variable influencing the physicochemical properties and performance of MBC. We explored various modification techniques including oxidation, acid and alkaline modifications, element doping, surface functional modification, nanomaterial loading, and biological alteration, to overcome the drawbacks of pristine MBC, which typically exhibits reduced adsorption performance due to its magnetic medium. These modifications enhance the physicochemical properties of MBC, enabling it to efficiently adsorb contaminants from water. MBC is efficient in the removal of BPA from water. Magnetite and maghemite iron oxides are commonly used in MBC production, with MBC demonstrating effective BPA removal fitting well with Freundlich and Langmuir models. Notably, the pseudo-second-order model accurately describes BPA removal kinetics. Key adsorption mechanisms include pore filling, electrostatic attraction, hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, and electron transfer surface interactions. This review provides valuable insights into BPA removal from water using MBC and suggests future research directions for real-world water purification applications.
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 Identification of Pyrazole Derivatives of Usnic Acid as Novel Inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Through Virtual Screening Approaches

Roney M, Singh G, Huq AKMM, Forid MS, Ishak WMBW, Rullah K, et al.

Mol Biotechnol, 2024 Apr;66(4):696-706.
PMID: 36752937 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00667-5

The infection produced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains a significant health crisis worldwide. The lack of specific medications for COVID-19 necessitates a concerted effort to find the much-desired therapies for this condition. The main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2 is a promising target, vital for virus replication and transcription. In this study, fifty pyrazole derivatives were tested for their pharmacokinetics and drugability, resulting in eight hit compounds. Subsequent molecular docking simulations on SARS-CoV-2 main protease afforded two lead compounds with strong affinity at the active site. Additionally, the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of lead compounds (17 and 39), along with binding free energy calculations, were accomplished to validate the stability of the docked complexes and the binding poses achieved in docking experiments. Based on these findings, compound 17 and 39, with their favorable projected pharmacokinetics and pharmacological characteristics, are the proposed potential antiviral candidates which require further investigation to be used as anti-SARS-CoV-2 medication.
Fulltext Prevalence and risk factors of fasciolosis in a bovine population from farms in Taiping, Malaysia

Che-Kamaruddin N, Hamid NFS, Idris LH, Yusuff FM, Ashaari ZH, Yahaya H, et al.

Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports, 2024 Apr;49:100998.
PMID: 38462308 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2024.100998

Fasciolosis is a zoonotic disease, considered an emerging neglected tropical disease threatening ruminant productivity and causing economic losses. Controlling fasciolosis is challenging due to the complex life cycle of Fasciola, which involves snail intermediate hosts. The high rainfall status in Taiping makes it an optimal region for snail abundance, which increases the opportunity to complete Fasciola's life cycle. Previous studies showed that liver condemnation caused by fasciolosis was highly prevalent in the Taiping abattoir compared to other investigated main abattoirs of Peninsular Malaysia. Therefore, the present study determined the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis and risk factors in farms from Larut and Matang (Taiping), Malaysia. Sampling was carried out from February until August 2020. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 371 fecal samples from bovines (dairy cattle, beef cattle, buffalo) were examined from 23 farms selected based on location, farmer consent, and history of anthelmintic usage. Animal's intrinsic and farm management details were recorded, and interview sessions were conducted with farmers to collect information on the potential risk factors. Individual fecal samples were examined for the presence of Fasciola egg using Flukefinder® sedimentation. There was moderate prevalence of bovine fasciolosis in Taiping (36.9%, n = 137/371). Significant risk factors (p 3 years (OR = 5.5, 95% CI: 5.43-5.57), thinner animals with body condition score of 1 to 4 (OR = 1.2-14.9, 95% CI: 1.09-15.08), and larger grazing area (OR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.30-1.31). Additional risk factors include the presence of more than one ruminant species in the same farm (OR = 2.0-2.1, 95% CI: 2.00-2.22), extensive housing system (OR = 4.0, 95% CI: 3.77-4.23), farm age (OR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.20-1.21), and also co-infection with Paramphistomes (OR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.10-1.71). The present study underscores the importance of local bovine fasciolosis epidemiology, which could be used to conduct future veterinary and public health programmes to inform effective parasitic management aimed at reducing the prevalence of fasciolosis.
Fulltext Selections, frameshift mutations, and copy number variation detected on the surf4.1gene in the western Kenyan Plasmodium falciparum population

Gitaka JN, Takeda M, Kimura M, Idris ZM, Chan CW, Kongere J, et al.

Malar J, 2017 03 02;16(1):98.
PMID: 28253868 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-017-1743-x

BACKGROUND: Plasmodium falciparum SURFIN4.1is a putative ligand expressed on the merozoite and likely on the infected red blood cell, whose gene was suggested to be under directional selection in the eastern Kenyan population, but under balancing selection in the Thai population. To understand this difference, surf4.1sequences of western Kenyan P. falciparum isolates were analysed. Frameshift mutations and copy number variation (CNV) were also examined for the parasites from western Kenya and Thailand.
RESULTS: Positively significant departures from neutral expectations were detected on the surf4.1region encoding C-terminus of the variable region 2 (Var2) by 3 population-based tests in the western Kenyan population as similar in the Thai population, which was not covered by the previous analysis for eastern Kenyan population. Significant excess of non-synonymous substitutions per nonsynonymous site over synonymous substitutions per synonymous site was also detected in the Var2 region. Negatively significant departures from neutral expectations was detected on the region encoding Var1 C-terminus consistent to the previous observation in the eastern Kenyan population. Parasites possessing a frameshift mutation resulting a product without intracellular Trp-rich (WR) domains were 22/23 in western Kenya and 22/36 in Thailand. More than one copy of surf4.1gene was detected in western Kenya (4/24), but no CNV was found in Thailand (0/36).
CONCLUSIONS: The authors infer that the high polymorphism of SURFIN4.1Var2 C-terminus in both Kenyan and Thai populations were shaped-up by diversifying selection and maintained by balancing selection. These phenomena were most likely driven by immunological pressure. Whereas the SURFIN4.1Var1 C-terminus is suggested to be under directional selection consistent to the previous report for the eastern Kenyan population. Most western Kenyan isolates possess a frameshift mutation that would limit the expression of SURFIN4.1on the merozoite, but only 60% of Thai isolates possess this frameshift, which would affect the level and type of the selection pressure against this protein as seen in the two extremities of Tajima's D values for Var1 C-terminus between Kenyan and Thai populations. CNV observed in Kenyan isolates may be a consequence of this frameshift mutation to increase benefits on the merozoite surface.

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